Chapter 98 - Chapter 98: The Truth About Her Mother

The Sovereign descended slowly from the dark sky.His feet touched the ground without making a sound.The mysterious woman in white stood between him and Lyra.For the first time, the calm expression on her face disappeared."You shouldn't have come here."The Sovereign looked at her."You knew I would.""I hoped you wouldn't."A faint smile appeared on his face."You always were an optimist."Lyra stepped forward."You said my mother is alive."The Sovereign's eyes shifted toward her."She is.""Where is she?"He remained silent.Lyra's patience broke."Tell me!"The Sovereign studied her for a moment."She is beyond the Seventh Seal."Lyra frowned."Where is that?""The place where the Eternal Void is imprisoned."Her heart sank."She's inside the prison?""She is the prison."Silence filled the First World.Kael moved closer to Lyra."What does that mean?"The Sovereign looked at him."Your companion has spent years protecting the wrong person."Lyra's eyes narrowed."Don't talk about him.""Then listen carefully."The Sovereign raised his hand.A vision appeared in the air.Lyra saw her mother standing before an enormous black gate.She looked younger than she remembered.Seven glowing symbols surrounded her.The same symbols as the Seven Hearts.Her mother placed both hands against the gate.Darkness spread across her arms.Lyra's voice trembled."When was this?""Years ago.""Why didn't she tell me?""Because she knew you would come looking for her."The vision changed.Lyra saw herself as a child.Her mother stood behind a portal, watching her leave.Tears filled her eyes.Then the portal closed.Lyra stared at the image."She didn't abandon me.""No."The Sovereign's voice was unexpectedly quiet."She saved you."Lyra's eyes filled with tears."Then why did you tell me she died?""I didn't."She looked at him sharply."The village believed she was dead.""The Sovereign of that era allowed them to believe it."Lyra froze."That wasn't you?"The Sovereign's expression became unreadable."I have carried this title for a long time.""But I was not always the person you believe I am."Caelan stepped forward."Enough."He pointed his black sword at the Sovereign."You manipulated the Hearts.""I did.""You corrupted the Guardians.""I did.""You sent armies against innocent people."The Sovereign looked at him."Yes."Caelan's voice hardened."Then why should we believe anything you say?"The Sovereign turned toward Lyra."You shouldn't."That answer stunned everyone."You should find the truth yourself."The woman in white stepped forward."He is telling you only half of it."The Sovereign's eyes darkened."And you have been hiding the other half."Lyra looked between them."Then both of you stop talking in riddles."Her voice echoed across the First World."I want the truth."The seven empty pedestals suddenly lit up.A powerful wave of energy swept across the plaza.Astraeus spoke inside Lyra's mind."Lyra…"She closed her eyes."The First World is responding to you.""Why?""Because you are not simply the Heir of Hope."Lyra opened her eyes."What am I?"Astraeus hesitated."The last descendant of the First Flame."The woman in white lowered her head.The Sovereign remained silent.Even Caelan looked shocked.Lyra stared at her glowing hands."That can't be."The woman finally spoke."It can."She stepped closer."Your mother wasn't chosen to protect the First Flame.""She was chosen to protect you."Lyra's breath caught.The seven symbols around the plaza began spinning.Then an eighth symbol appeared above them.A flame.White and gold.The First Flame.The Sovereign looked upward."The seal is opening."The woman turned pale."We have run out of time."A deep crack split the sky.Darkness poured through.The Eternal Void had begun breaking free.Lyra looked toward the opening."If my mother is holding it back…"She tightened her fist."Then I'm going to bring her home."Kael stepped beside her."We'll find her."The Sovereign looked at them."Then you must reach the Seventh Seal before the Void does."Lyra stared at him."And what happens if we fail?"The Sovereign's face became grim."The First World disappears."The ground suddenly collapsed beneath the plaza.Lyra reached for Kael.Their hands locked.Then the entire group fell into darkness.And somewhere below them, a woman whispered Lyra's name."My daughter…"