Chapter 97 - Chapter 97: The World Behind the Gate

Lyra couldn't move.Her mother's voice still echoed through the Forge.Don't trust the Sovereign.The words carried something Lyra hadn't expected.Fear.Her mother had always been calm in the memories Lyra remembered. Even during the final moments of the village, she had remained composed.But now Lyra could hear the fear beneath her voice."What happened to you?" she whispered.No answer came.The doorway remained open.Beyond it was not another chamber.It was a world.A vast landscape stretched beneath a pale sky. Strange trees covered the horizon, their silver leaves moving without wind. Rivers of clear light flowed between enormous stone structures.There were no people.No animals.No signs of life.Yet the place didn't feel abandoned.It felt as though everything was waiting.Kael stepped beside Lyra."Are you sure you want to go in?"Lyra looked at him."No."She took a breath."But we need answers."Kael nodded."Then we go together."They crossed the threshold.Seraphine followed with Aurelia, Selene, Rylan, Garrick, and Caelan close behind.The moment the last person entered, the doorway disappeared.Rylan turned around."Of course."Selene raised an eyebrow."What?""The door is gone."Aurelia looked ahead."We expected that.""I was hoping the ancient mystery would at least allow us to leave."The strange world was completely silent.Their footsteps echoed across the pale stone.Lyra's compass remained motionless.For the first time since Elaria had given it to her, it couldn't find a direction.Garrick examined the surrounding structures."This place predates the Forge."Caelan nodded."It predates Ignis."Lyra looked at him."Then what is it?"Caelan stared at the empty horizon."The First World."Seraphine's expression changed."The world where the Creator found the First Flame."Lyra looked around."Then where is everyone?"Caelan didn't answer.They continued walking until they reached a massive circular plaza.At its center stood seven empty pedestals.Each one carried the symbol of a Heart.Compassion.Courage.Wisdom.Faith.Unity.Truth.Balance.Lyra approached the second pedestal.The symbol of Courage glowed.Then the others began responding.One after another, six faint lights appeared.Only Balance remained dark.Seraphine stepped closer."The Hearts are connected."Lyra nodded."But something is missing."A voice answered from behind them."Not missing."Everyone turned.A figure stood beneath the silver trees.It was a woman dressed in a simple white robe.Her hair was dark.Her face was unfamiliar.Yet Lyra felt something strangely familiar about her presence.The woman smiled."You've finally arrived."Kael drew his sword."Who are you?"The woman looked at him."Someone who has been waiting a very long time."Lyra stepped forward."Do you know my mother?"The woman's smile disappeared."Yes."Lyra's heart tightened."Where is she?"The woman looked toward the sky."She is not where you think she is.""What does that mean?"Before the woman could answer, the ground beneath them trembled.A massive shadow appeared across the sky.Everyone looked upward.A dark shape moved beyond the clouds.Caelan's face turned pale."No."Seraphine looked at him."What is it?"Caelan slowly raised his sword."The Eternal Void."The sky began to change.The pale clouds turned black.The silver trees bent away from the darkness.Something enormous moved beyond the atmosphere.It had no recognizable shape.It seemed to be made from darkness itself.Lyra felt the Hope Mark burning.The woman in white stepped toward her."You need to leave."Lyra shook her head."Not without answers.""You don't understand what you're facing.""Then explain it."The woman looked directly into Lyra's eyes."The Eternal Void cannot enter this world completely.""Not yet."Lyra frowned."Why?""Because someone is holding it back.""Who?"The woman hesitated.Then she whispered,"Your mother."Lyra's breath caught."My mother is alive?"The woman nodded."She has been holding the gate closed for years.""Every time you awaken a Heart, the gate becomes weaker."Lyra looked toward the seven pedestals."So restoring the Hearts…""Brings her closer to death."The words struck Lyra harder than any weapon.Kael stepped toward her."Then we find another way."The woman looked at him."There may not be one."Lyra stared at the dark sky.For the first time, the mission ahead frightened her more than the enemies waiting for them.She had believed restoring the Seven Hearts would save the world.Now she had discovered that every Heart she restored might be bringing her mother closer to death.A distant roar shook the First World.The woman turned toward the horizon."The Sovereign is coming."Lyra looked at her."How do you know?"The woman smiled sadly."Because I am the one who sent him here."Silence.Kael's sword lowered slightly."You sent the Sovereign?"The woman looked at Lyra."I sent him to protect you."The darkness above them suddenly split open.A familiar voice echoed across the First World."And now I've come to finish what I started."The Sovereign descended from the black sky.