Chapter 99 - Chapter 99: The Seventh Seal

Lyra fell through darkness.She reached for Kael, but the force separating them was too strong."Kael!""I'm here!"His voice came from somewhere below.Then the darkness swallowed everything.Lyra landed on cold stone.For a few seconds, she could hear nothing except her own breathing.She pushed herself upright."Kael?"No answer.She looked around.The others were gone.A faint golden light appeared beneath her feet, revealing a narrow stone bridge suspended above an endless void.Lyra took one careful step.The bridge held.Another step.A voice came from the darkness."Don't look down."Lyra froze.She knew that voice."Mom?"The voice didn't answer.Instead, a soft light appeared at the far end of the bridge.A woman stood there.Lyra's heart raced."Mom!"She ran forward.The woman raised a hand."Stop."Lyra stopped immediately.The distance between them suddenly felt enormous."Is it really you?"The woman nodded."Yes."Tears filled Lyra's eyes."You're alive.""I've always been alive.""Then why did you leave me?"Her mother lowered her gaze."Because staying with you would have put you in greater danger."Lyra shook her head."I spent years believing you were dead.""I know.""You let me believe it.""I had no choice.""You always had a choice!"Her voice echoed across the void.Her mother flinched.For the first time, Lyra noticed how tired she looked.Dark markings covered her arms and disappeared beneath her clothing."What happened to you?"Her mother looked toward the darkness below."I'm holding something back.""The Eternal Void."Lyra stepped closer."Then let me help.""No.""Why?""Because if you release me, the Void will enter this world."Lyra's expression fell."Then I'll find another way."Her mother smiled sadly."That's what I hoped you'd say."A tremor passed beneath the bridge.The golden light flickered."There's another reason I brought you here."Lyra looked at her."What reason?"Her mother pointed toward the far end of the chamber.A massive door appeared behind her.Seven symbols were carved into its surface.Only one remained dark.The symbol of Balance."Six Hearts have begun to awaken."Lyra's eyes widened."But we've only restored Courage.""Awakening isn't the same as restoring."Her mother touched the door."The others are beginning to respond to you."Lyra stared at the symbols."Why?""Because the Hearts recognize their original source.""The First Flame."Lyra looked at her glowing hand."So I'm connected to it."Her mother nodded."More deeply than you realize."Before Lyra could ask another question, a violent impact shook the chamber.Her mother turned toward the darkness."We're out of time.""What happened?""The Sovereign found the entrance."Lyra's heart tightened."He's here?""Yes."A deep crack appeared across the door.Her mother stepped backward."Listen carefully."Lyra moved closer."Whatever he tells you, don't let him convince you that the Hearts must be reunited.""Why?""Because the Seven Hearts were never meant to become one."Another crack appeared.Her mother's voice became urgent."The First Flame was divided for a reason.""What reason?"Her mother looked directly into Lyra's eyes."To keep the Void from finding its way home."The door shook violently.A black hand pressed against the other side.Lyra stepped back.Her mother grabbed her shoulders."You have to leave.""I'm not leaving you again.""You have to.""No!"Her mother pulled Lyra into an embrace.For one brief moment, Lyra felt like a child again.Then her mother whispered,"I've waited years to hold you one more time."Lyra's tears fell."Mom…""I love you."The chamber exploded with light.Lyra was thrown backward.Her mother's figure disappeared behind a wall of golden fire."Mom!"The bridge beneath Lyra began collapsing.She ran.Stone shattered behind her as she raced toward the opposite side.Then a hand grabbed her wrist.Kael.He pulled her onto solid ground."Are you hurt?"Lyra could barely speak."My mother…"Kael looked at her face and understood."She's alive."Lyra nodded."But she's trapped."Before Kael could answer, footsteps echoed behind them.The Sovereign emerged from the darkness.His gaze moved from Lyra to the sealed chamber.Then he smiled."You finally found her."Lyra wiped the tears from her face."You're not getting her."The Sovereign raised his hand."I never intended to take her."His eyes moved toward the seven symbols on the door."I came for something far more important."The symbol of Balance suddenly began glowing.Lyra's Hope Mark flared.Astraeus spoke inside her mind."Lyra… the Seventh Seal is opening."The Sovereign smiled.And behind the sealed door, something ancient opened its eyes.