Chapter 7

RECKONING 

The ancient stones appeared to vibrate with a power that reflected the turmoil within Lerder's heart.

He stood at the threshold of the sanctuary's central space, shadows playing over his features from the flame-lit torch. The Carpathian Mountains stood outside, brooding and still, like judges, those peaks stabbing the storm-darkened sky.

"You lied to me, Lysander." Lerder said.

His voice lashed through the chamber like a whip. Lysander, shrouded in dusk, did not recoil. His face, ever ambiguous, now betrayed the faintest hint of regret.

“I did what I had to. You never should have had to bear this burden.” Lysander said.

Lerder took a step forward, his muscles tensed and shaking in anger. Elara stood to the rear, hand resting against his arm. Not to restrain him—but to ground him.

"So you turned me over to them? Left me rotting in Obsidian Keep's dungeons while you acted as Malak’s spy?" Lerder’s voice trembled with outrage.

"I was only looking out for you, for God's sake!" Lysander growled. "They would have killed your family. I did what I had to do."

The hush which followed was oppressive. It was only the far-off wail of wind through walls which disturbed it.

"You preferred them over me." Lerder replied.

Lysander's shoulders sagged. “I opted for”

Elara moved closer. "And how many died as a consequence of that decision? How many villages burned?" She asked.

Lysander's eyes locked onto hers—haunted, empty.

A blast of wind swept through the chamber as the large doors burst open. Kael and Isadora entered, panting.

They're here. Malak and Morwen. They've reached the sanctuary," Kael gasped.

Lerder swore under his breath. "Of course they have. The smell of betrayal spreads quickly."

Isadora unsheathed her twin blades. "They are not by themselves. Night creatures overran the outer boundary. We have minutes."

Elara's fingers filled with raw power. Her abilities ran more strongly here, fueled by the ley flows thrumming beneath the sanctuary. Her eyes settled on Lerder.

"We battle together." Elara said.

Lerder nodded. Despite the ache within him, her voice grounded him—gave him focus. They sprinted through the ruinous halls, beneath rickety ways and overgrown carvings of wolf gods and star sigils. Beyond, the tempest raged unrelenting. A bolt of lightning illuminated the sky as Malak came into view, enshrouded in black armor, Morwen beside him, a crown of gnarled thorns on top her brow.

"How touching," Malak sneered. "Reunions and righteous fury. But you forget who wrote the prophecy."

"You warped it," Elara said, stepping forward. "Twisted destiny into a weapon."

Morwen’s laughter was soft and cruel. "Prophecies don’t lie. People do."

Kael charged first, his sword flashing. Isadora followed, deadly grace in motion. Lerder moved to flank, but Malak anticipated him. Their blades clashed with bone-jarring force.

"You’ve grown soft, Lerder," Malak taunted.

"No," Lerder growled. "I’ve found something worth fighting for."

He swung hard, knocking Malak off balance.

Elara faced Morwen, fire and frost spiraling from her fingertips. Spells collided in bursts of light and heat, shaking the very ground.

"You don’t understand your power, girl," Morwen hissed.

"Maybe not," Elara snapped. "But I understand pain. And I won’t let you take this from us."

Suddenly, the chamber trembled. A blinding light erupted from the center. The Oracle emerged, her eyes burning with starlight.

"Enough!... I say enough!!!"

Everyone froze. The Oracle turned to Lerder.

"Your truth must be known. The prophecy was never about Elara alone. It spoke of two—fire and fang."

Gasps rippled. Malak’s smug smile faltered.

"Lerder," the Oracle said, "you are the son of the Forgotten Alpha. The bloodline erased from history. You were hidden to protect you from the curse that consumed your father. Lysander was not your betrayer, but your shield."

Lerder staggered back.

"No... he—he left me."

Lysander’s voice cracked. "I raised you in secret. Trained you in silence. And when the time came, I let them think you were dead. It was the only way."

"You were never meant to be a soldier," the Oracle said softly. "You were meant to be a king."

Malak roared, slamming his blade into the ground. A shockwave rippled outward, scattering the group.

Elara screamed as a shadow beast lunged toward her. Lerder moved without thought, intercepting it with a feral growl, his form shifting—half-man, half-wolf—his true bloodline unleashed.

Claws shredded the creature as Lerder stood panting, golden eyes glowing.

"We need to retreat," Kael shouted. "They’re regrouping!"

"No!" Lerder bellowed. "We stand to our ground!"

But Morwen had vanished. Elara turned too late. Pain bloomed in her side—dark magic. She crumpled.

"Elara!" Lerder caught her, her blood soaking into his hands.

"Go," she gasped. "You have to finish this."

"Not without you. Never again."

He lifted her, fury blazing in his eyes. Kael and Isadora made a way through the chaos as Lerder carried Elara back into the sanctuary.

“Inside, Lysander blocked the way. "There’s a hidden passage. I’ll hold them.”

"You’re coming with us." Lerder said.

Lysander shook his head. "This is my redemption. Go."

Lerder’s eyes burned with unshed tears. He nodded once. "Thank you… Father."

The stone door closed behind them.

As the sanctuary shuddered and echoed with battle cries, they emerged into a dark tunnel lit only by Elara’s Shining light.

She was weakening fast. Her breath came in shallow pulls.

"Stay with me, please Elara." Lerder murmured. "Don’t you dare give up now."

Her hand brushed his cheek. "You were always the one, Lerder. Not because of fate—but because you chose to be." Elara said.

Thunder rumbled above. The sanctuary’s ceiling collapsed behind them.

They stopped at the edge of a big giant shone, the forest far below.

"They’re still coming, much closer." Kael said.

Elara’s eyes fluttered. "We jump."

Lerder looked down. The drop was brutal, very high.

"We won’t survive." Lerder said.

"We might," Elara whispered. "Or we die free."

Lerder tightened his grip. With one last look at the burning sanctuary, it was already getting worse and he stepped to the edge.

And jumped.