Chapter 96 - Chapter 96: The Battle for Courage

The creatures charged.Thousands of black figures poured across the volcanic valley, their bodies formed from smoke and hardened stone. Their footsteps shook the ground as they advanced toward the Forge.Lyra stood before the entrance with the others.Behind them, the Heart of Courage burned brightly.Seraphine raised her sword."Protect the Heart. Nothing reaches it."Aurelia tightened her grip on her spear."Then let's make sure they regret coming here."The first wave struck.Kael moved before anyone else.White flames erupted along his blade as he cut through the nearest creature. Its body shattered into fragments, but the pieces immediately began crawling back together."They regenerate!"Selene studied the creatures carefully."Only the outer shell. Aim for the center."She pointed toward a faint red glow inside one of them."That's the source."Rylan raised his hands."Finally, something I can work with."Lightning crashed into the creature's chest.The black shell broke apart.This time, it didn't recover."Found it!" Rylan shouted.Aurelia rushed forward.She drove her spear directly into another creature's core and spun, sending its remains across the battlefield.The Ash Guard followed her lead.For several minutes, the defenders held the line.But the enemy kept coming.Lyra looked toward the distant army."There are too many."Kael glanced at her."Then we change the battlefield."Lyra understood immediately.She raised both hands.The Hope Mark released a wave of silver light.Instead of striking the creatures, the light spread across the ground.Every person standing within it felt a sudden warmth.The frightened soldiers straightened.The wounded found the strength to rise.Even those who had begun to retreat turned back.Seraphine looked at Lyra."You strengthened their resolve."Lyra nodded."Courage isn't something I can give them.""I can only remind them that they already have it."Seraphine smiled."Now you're beginning to understand the Heart."She turned toward the enemy."Follow me!"The Guardian charged.The Ash Guard followed.Their formation cut through the black army like a blade.High above the battlefield, the Sovereign watched.The creatures around him remained motionless.One of them approached."The defenders are holding.""I can see that.""Should we send more?"The Sovereign looked toward Lyra."No."His answer surprised the creature."Then why attack at all?"A faint smile appeared beneath the darkness of his crown."Because I wasn't trying to take the Forge."His gaze shifted toward the mountain."I wanted her to awaken it."Inside the Forge, the Heart of Courage suddenly flared.Seraphine stopped."What is happening?"Lyra felt the change immediately.The ground beneath them began glowing with crimson symbols.Aurelia stepped backward."Those weren't here before."Caelan stared at the markings."They're beneath the Forge."Garrick's face tightened."The Sovereign wanted us to activate something."Lyra looked at the Heart.The crimson light was flowing downward, disappearing into the floor."He's using the Heart as a key."Kael turned toward her."Key to what?"A deep vibration answered him.The entire mountain groaned.Then the Forge split open.A massive circular structure rose from beneath the ground.Ancient chains wrapped around it.At its center was a sealed doorway.Seraphine stared at the symbol carved across it."No…"Lyra stepped closer."What is it?"Seraphine's voice dropped to a whisper."The First Gate."Caelan's expression became grim."It was never supposed to open."A black line appeared across the ancient door.Then another.The seal was cracking.Outside, the enemy suddenly stopped attacking.Every creature lowered its head.The Sovereign raised one hand."At last."Lyra stared at the opening door."What is behind it?"Caelan looked at her."The place where the Creator first encountered the Eternal Void."The final seal shattered.A wave of darkness burst from the doorway.Every flame in the Forge went out.Then a voice emerged from the darkness.Not the Sovereign.Not the Eternal Void.A woman's voice.Soft.Familiar.Lyra stopped breathing."Lyra…"She knew that voice.She had heard it in her dreams.She had heard it in her memories.Her mother's voice."If you're hearing me, my daughter, then the Hearts have already begun to awaken."Lyra's eyes filled with tears.Kael looked at her."Lyra…"The voice continued."Whatever you do, don't trust the Sovereign."The doorway opened completely.And behind it waited a world that should have disappeared thousands of years ago.