SWNOVELXO Chapter 13: the shadow within
Here's the start of Chapter 13:
*Chapter 13: The Shadow Within*
Aria felt a shiver run down her spine as she followed the woman deeper into the temple. The air grew thick with an eerie, pulsating energy that seemed to reverberate through every cell in her body.
"What's going on?" Aria asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
The woman didn't answer. Instead, she led Aria to a large, ornate mirror that seemed to stretch on forever. The mirror's surface rippled and distorted, like water on a summer's day.
"Look into the mirror, Aria," the woman commanded, her voice low and hypnotic.
Aria hesitated, feeling a sense of trepidation. But the woman's words seemed to weave a spell around her, drawing her closer to the mirror.
As she gazed into the glass, Aria saw her own reflection staring back at her. But it was distorted, twisted into a grotesque parody of her true self.
"What do you see?" the woman asked, her voice dripping with malice.
Aria swallowed hard. "I see myself," she replied, her voice shaking.
The woman's grin grew wider. "No, Aria," she said. "You see the Shadow within."
Here's the continuation of Chapter 13:
As Aria gazed deeper into the mirror, she saw her reflection begin to shift and ripple, like the surface of a pond. Her eyes, once bright and bold, grew dull and lifeless, and her skin took on a pale, ghostly hue.
The woman's voice whispered in her ear, "This is what the Shadow has done to you, Aria. It has consumed you, body and soul."
Aria felt a wave of despair wash over her, and she turned away from the mirror, unable to bear the sight of her own corruption.
But as she turned, she saw him. Eira's brother, Lyrien, stood behind her, his eyes burning with a fierce inner light.
"Aria," he whispered, his voice low and husky. "Don't let the Shadow consume you. You are stronger than it is."
Aria felt a spark of hope ignite within her, and she reached out to Lyrien, her hand trembling.
He took it, his fingers closing around hers like a vice. "I'm here for you, Aria," he said. "I'll always be here for you."
As he spoke, the mirror behind them shattered, exploding into a thousand shards of glass. The woman's laughter echoed through the temple, growing fainter and fainter until it was just a distant memory.
Aria turned to Lyrien, her heart pounding in her chest. "What just happened?" she asked.
Lyrien's eyes burned with intensity. "You broke free from the Shadow's hold," he said. "You chose the light."
Aria's breath caught in her throat. "I chose you," she whispered.
Lyrien's face softened, and he leaned in close, his lips brushing against hers. "I've been waiting for you, Aria," he whispered. "I've been waiting forever."
As they kissed, the temple around them dissolved into nothingness, leaving only the two of them, lost in the depths of their own private universe.
Here's the continuation of Chapter 13:
As they kissed, Aria felt a rush of emotions she had never experienced before. It was as if her entire world had been turned upside down, and yet, she felt more grounded than ever.
Lyrien's lips were soft and gentle, but they held a passion that left her breathless. Aria felt herself melting into his arms, her heart pounding in her chest.
The kiss deepened, and Aria felt herself being drawn into a world of pure sensation. She was aware of nothing but Lyrien's lips, his arms, and the beating of his heart.
It was as if time itself had stopped, leaving only the two of them, lost in the depths of their own private universe.
But as the kiss finally came to an end, Aria felt a pang of uncertainty. What did this mean? Was this just a momentary lapse, or was it something more?
She looked up at Lyrien, searching for answers in his eyes. But all she saw was a deep, burning intensity that left her breathless.
"Aria," he whispered, his voice low and husky. "I have waited so long for this moment."
Aria's heart skipped a beat. "What moment?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Lyrien's eyes burned with intensity. "The moment when I could finally tell you how I feel," he said. "Aria, I love you."
Aria's world came crashing down around her. Love? Was he serious?
Here's the continuation of Chapter 13:
Aria's heart was racing as she stared up at Lyrien, her mind reeling with shock. Love? How could he say that? They barely knew each other.
But as she looked into his eyes, she saw something there that made her heart skip a beat. It was a deep, burning sincerity that seemed to pierce right through her soul.
"I know it's fast," Lyrien said, his voice low and husky. "But I feel it, Aria. I feel it in my bones. We're meant to be together."
Aria felt like she was drowning in his eyes. She couldn't breathe, couldn't think. All she could do was stare up at him, her heart pounding in her chest.
And then, without thinking, she nodded. "I feel it too," she whispered.
Lyrien's face lit up with a radiant smile, and he pulled her into his arms, holding her close. "I knew it," he whispered, his lips brushing against her ear. "I knew you felt it too."
As they stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, Aria felt a sense of peace wash over her. It was as if she had finally found what she had been searching for her entire life.
But as they stood there, basking in the warmth of their newfound love, a faint whisper echoed through the temple, a whisper that seemed to come from nowhere and everywhere at the same time.
"Aria," the whisper said. "You are not what you seem."
Aria's heart skipped a beat as she pulled back from Lyrien, her eyes scanning the shadows. Who was speaking to her? And what did they mean?
Here's the continuation of Chapter 13:
Aria's eyes locked onto Lyrien's, searching for answers. But he seemed just as confused as she was.
"Who said that?" Lyrien demanded, his voice echoing off the temple walls.
There was no answer. The whisper seemed to have come from all around them, and yet, it seemed to have come from nowhere at all.
Aria felt a shiver run down her spine. What was going on? Who was speaking to her?
Lyrien's eyes narrowed. "We need to get out of here," he said. "Now."
But Aria hesitated. She felt like she was on the verge of uncovering a secret, something that had been hidden from her for far too long.
"Wait," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I think I'm starting to remember something."
Lyrien's eyes snapped back to hers. "What is it?" he asked.
Aria's mind was racing. She saw flashes of images, fragments of memories that seemed to be buried deep within her subconscious.
"I see a woman," she said, her voice trembling. "A woman with long, flowing hair and piercing green eyes."
Lyrien's expression changed. He looked startled, as if he had seen something he hadn't expected.
"Who is she?" he asked, his voice low and urgent.
Aria's eyes locked onto his. "I think she's my mother," she said.
The temple seemed to fall silent, as if the very air itself was holding its breath. Aria felt like she was standing on the edge of a precipice, staring into an unknown abyss.
And then, without warning, everything went black.
Here's the continuation of Chapter 13:
Aria's world went dark, and she felt herself falling, plummeting through a void of nothingness. She tried to cry out, but her voice was silenced by some unseen force.
When she came to, she was lying on a cold, stone floor. Lyrien was kneeling beside her, his eyes etched with concern.
"Aria, can you hear me?" he asked, his voice low and urgent.
Aria nodded, trying to sit up. But a wave of dizziness washed over her, forcing her back onto the floor.
"What happened?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Lyrien's expression was grim. "You fainted," he said. "I think it's because of the memories. They're buried deep within your subconscious, and uncovering them is going to be painful."
Aria nodded, trying to process what Lyrien was telling her. She knew that she had blocked out memories of her past, but she had no idea why.
As she lay there, trying to gather her strength, Aria realized that she had a choice to make. She could continue down this path, uncovering the secrets of her past, no matter how painful they might be. Or she could turn back, forgetting what she had learned, and living the rest of her life in ignorance.
But as she looked up at Lyrien, she knew what she had to do. She had to uncover the truth, no matter what it took.
"Help me up," she said, her voice firm.
Lyrien nodded, and together, they struggled to their feet. Aria's legs were shaking, but she stood tall, her eyes locked onto Lyrien's.
"I'm ready," she said. "Let's do this."
Here's the continuation of Chapter 13:
Aria's world went dark, and she felt herself falling, plummeting through a void of nothingness. She tried to cry out, but her voice was silenced by some unseen force.
When she came to, she was lying on a cold, stone floor. Lyrien was kneeling beside her, his eyes etched with concern.
"Aria, can you hear me?" he asked, his voice low and urgent.
Aria nodded, trying to sit up. But a wave of dizziness washed over her, forcing her back onto the floor.
"What happened?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Lyrien's expression was grim. "You fainted," he said. "I think the memories were too much for you."
Aria's mind was racing. Memories? What memories?
And then, it hit her. The woman with the long, flowing hair and piercing green eyes. Her mother.
Aria's eyes locked onto Lyrien's. "I remember," she said, her voice trembling. "I remember my mother."
Lyrien's expression changed. He looked startled, as if he had seen something he hadn't expected.
"What do you remember?" he asked, his voice low and urgent.
Aria took a deep breath, trying to piece together the fragments of her memories. "I remember her," she said. "I remember her smiling, laughing. I remember her telling me stories."
Lyrien's eyes narrowed. "What stories?" he asked.
Aria's mind was racing. She saw flashes of images, fragments of memories that seemed to be buried deep within her subconscious.
"I don't know," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "But I think they're important."
Lyrien's expression was grim. "We need to get out of here," he said. "Now."
Aria nodded, trying to stand up. But as she did, she felt a strange sensation, like something was watching her from the shadows.
And then, she heard it. A faint whisper, echoing off the temple walls.
"Aria," the whisper said. "You're not who you think you are."
Here's the continuation of Chapter 13:
Lyrien's eyes burned with determination. "Then let's go," he said. "We have a lot to uncover."
Together, they walked out of the temple, into the bright sunlight. Aria blinked, feeling a sense of disorientation.
As they walked, Lyrien told her more about her past, about the life she had left behind. Aria listened, her mind reeling with the implications.
She was a princess, the daughter of a powerful king. She had been betrothed to a man she had never met, a man who was rumored to be cruel and ruthless.
Aria's heart was racing as she listened to Lyrien's words. She couldn't believe what she was hearing.
"Why didn't you tell me?" she asked, her voice shaking with anger.
Lyrien's eyes were filled with regret. "I was trying to protect you," he said. "I didn't want you to remember until you were ready."
Aria felt a surge of emotions: anger, fear, confusion. But as she looked at Lyrien, she saw the sincerity in his eyes.
"Thank you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Lyrien's face softened, and he reached out, taking her hand in his.
"We'll face whatever comes next together," he said.
Aria nodded, feeling a sense of determination. She was ready to face her past, to uncover the secrets that had been hidden from her for so long.
But as they walked, Aria couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. She glanced around, but saw nothing.
"Lyrien," she whispered. "I think we're being followed."
Lyrien's eyes narrowed, and he scanned their surroundings.
"I don't see anything," he said.
But Aria's instincts were screaming at her. She knew they were in danger.
And then, without warning, a figure emerged from the shadows.
Here's the continuation of Chapter 13:
The figure was tall and imposing, with piercing blue eyes that seemed to bore into Aria's soul. He was dressed in black, and a silver sword hung at his side.
"Who are you?" Lyrien demanded, his hand on the hilt of his own sword.
The stranger smiled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "My name is Kael," he said. "And I've been sent to bring Aria back to the kingdom."
Aria's heart skipped a beat. "The kingdom?" she repeated. "What do you mean?"
Kael's smile grew wider. "You're a princess, Aria," he said. "And it's time for you to take your rightful place on the throne."
Aria felt like she'd been punched in the gut. A princess? Her? It couldn't be true.
Lyrien's eyes narrowed. "We're not going anywhere with you," he said.
Kael's expression turned cold. "I'm afraid you don't have a choice," he said. "The king has sent me to bring Aria back, and I will not fail."
Aria felt a surge of fear. What did Kael plan to do to her? And what did the king want with her?
As she stood there, frozen with fear, Lyrien stepped forward, his sword flashing in the sunlight.
"We'll never let you take her," he said, his voice low and deadly.
Kael smiled again, his eyes glinting with amusement. "We'll see about that," he said.
Here's the continuation of Chapter 13:
Kael drew his sword, and the sound of clashing steel echoed through the air. Lyrien was a skilled fighter, but Kael was relentless, his blows raining down on Lyrien with precision and speed.
Aria watched in horror as the two men fought, their swords flashing in the sunlight. She knew she had to do something, but what?
Just as Kael was about to deliver the final blow, Aria remembered the strange sensation she had felt earlier. She focused all her energy on it, and suddenly, a blast of power shot out of her, sending Kael flying across the clearing.
Lyrien stared at her in shock. "Aria, how did you...?" he began.
But Aria just shook her head. "I don't know," she said. "But we need to get out of here. Now."
Kael was already getting to his feet, his eyes blazing with fury. "You think you can defeat me?" he snarled. "I'll show you what real power looks like."
Aria felt a surge of fear, but Lyrien just smiled. "Bring it on," he said.
And with that, the battle began.
Here's the continuation of Chapter 13:
Kael unleashed a wave of dark energy, but Lyrien was ready for him. With a swift motion, he drew a small crystal from his pocket and held it up. The crystal began to glow, and the dark energy was absorbed into it.
Aria watched in amazement as Lyrien countered Kael's attack with ease. But Kael was far from defeated. With a snarl, he launched himself at Lyrien, his sword flashing in the sunlight.
The two men clashed, their blades ringing out as they exchanged blow after blow. Aria watched, her heart pounding in her chest. She knew she had to do something to help Lyrien, but what?
Just as Kael was about to deliver the final blow, Aria remembered the words of the ancient prophecy. "The heart of the kingdom lies within the heart of the princess," it had said.
Suddenly, Aria understood. She was the key to unlocking the secrets of the kingdom. And with that knowledge, she felt a surge of power flow through her.
With a newfound confidence, Aria stepped forward, her hands glowing with a soft, white light. "Kael, stop!" she commanded.
Kael hesitated, his sword hovering in mid-air. And in that moment of hesitation, Lyrien struck, his blade slicing through Kael's defenses and sending him crashing to the ground.
As Kael lay there, defeated, Aria felt a sense of pride and accomplishment. She had found her inner strength, and she had saved Lyrien.
But as she turned to Lyrien, she saw a look of concern etched on his face. "Aria, what's going on?" he asked. "You're glowing."
Aria looked down at her hands, and saw that they were indeed glowing with a soft, white light. She felt a sense of wonder, and a sense of trepidation. What was happening to her?
Here's the continuation of Chapter 13:
Aria's eyes widened as she stared at her glowing hands. She had no idea what was happening to her, but she could feel a strange energy coursing through her veins.
Lyrien's eyes were fixed on her hands, his expression a mixture of awe and concern. "Aria, what's going on?" he repeated.
Aria shook her head, trying to process what was happening. "I don't know," she admitted. "But I think it has something to do with the prophecy."
Lyrien's eyes snapped back to hers. "The prophecy?" he repeated. "What do you mean?"
Aria took a deep breath, trying to explain. "I think the prophecy was talking about me," she said. "I think I'm the key to unlocking the secrets of the kingdom."
Lyrien's expression changed, his eyes narrowing as he thought. "That would explain a lot," he said. "But it also means that you're in grave danger."
Aria's heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean?" she asked.
Lyrien's eyes locked onto hers. "If you're the key to unlocking the secrets of the kingdom, then there are those who will stop at nothing to get to you."
Aria felt a chill run down her spine. She had never thought about the danger that might come with being the key to unlocking the secrets of the kingdom.
But she was determined to face whatever dangers lay ahead. She was ready to uncover the secrets of the kingdom, and to claim her rightful place as the princess.
With newfound determination, Aria stood up, her glowing hands held high. "I'm ready," she said. "Let's do this."
Here's the conclusion of Chapter 13:
As Aria stood there, her hands glowing with an otherworldly light, she felt a sense of transformation taking place within her. It was as if she was awakening to a new reality, one in which she possessed powers beyond her wildest dreams.
Lyrien's eyes were fixed on hers, filled with a mix of awe and concern. "Aria, what's happening to you?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Aria shook her head, unsure of how to respond. She felt like she was on the cusp of something momentous, something that would change her life forever.
And with that, everything went white.
To be continued in Chapter 14...