Chereads / The Heart of Andor / Chapter 2 - The heart fall asunder

Chapter 2 - The heart fall asunder

As he lay there, he realized that Aria's blood was indeed a deadly poison to him, and their bond was now a curse. The darkness within her had grown stronger, and Aria believed she was a danger to the world.

With a heavy heart, Azrael knew he had to find a way to save Aria from herself, and the world from the impending doom. But for now, he was left lying in the darkness, his future uncertain...

Aria ran, her feet carrying her farther away from Azrael, from the world she knew. She couldn't shake off the feeling of being a curse, a mistake. The darkness within her seemed to grow with every step, whispering cruel truths in her mind.

"You're a monster, Aria. A threat to all that's good. You'll destroy everything you touch."

Tears blinded her as she stumbled through the desolate landscape. She had only two options now: end her own life or embrace the darkness and bring about the world's downfall.

The thought of hurting Azrael, of causing harm to the one who had sworn to protect her, was unbearable. But the darkness tempted her, promising power and an end to her suffering.

As she walked, the earth began to crack, the skies grew darker, and the winds howled in anguish. Aria's heart raced with the realization that she was indeed a harbinger of doom.

And then, she saw it - a great chasm, a portal to the underworld, beckoning her to embrace her true nature. The darkness urged her forward, promising oblivion.

Aria stood at the precipice, her fate, and that of the world, hanging in the balance. Would she find the strength to resist the darkness, or would she succumb to its embrace? The choice was hers alone...

As Aria stood at the chasm's edge, a figure emerged from the shadows. Her skin was an ethereal glow, her hair a wild tangle of silver locks. Her eyes burned with an otherworldly intensity.

"Aria, daughter of the divine," the woman said, her voice like a gentle breeze. "I am Lyra, a seeker of power. And you, dear one, hold the key to unlocking it."

Aria's confusion deepened. "What power? What are you talking about?"

Lyra's gaze seemed to see right through her. "The power of the divine, brought down during the banishment of the angels. It lies hidden, waiting for one with the courage to claim it. And you, Aria, are that one."

Aria's mind reeled. "But how? I'm a curse, a mistake. I'll only bring destruction."

Lyra's expression turned sympathetic. "Ah, child, you are not a curse. You are a vessel, a bridge between worlds. And I can help you find the power to save yourself...but it will not be easy."

Aria's desperation grasped at any hope. "Tell me, what do I need to do?"

Lyra's eyes glinted with a knowing light. "You must embark on a journey through the realms of the underworld, gathering three ancient artifacts. With these, you can unlock the power and claim your true heritage. But be warned, Aria, the path ahead is treacherous, and the cost will be higher than you can imagine."

Aria's heart raced with the challenge. Could she find the strength to face the unknown and save herself? The fate of the world hung in the balance, and Lyra's words echoed in her mind: "The power to save yourself is within reach...but at what cost?

"Aria, daughter of the divine," Lyra said, her voice urgent. "Do you know of Azrael, the angel of light? He is the key to unlocking the power you seek."

Aria's thoughts raced back to the angel who had sworn to protect her. "Azrael? Yes, I know him. But why do I need to find him?"

Lyra's expression turned grave. "He is on a mission to find the power, just as you are. But he needs your help to complete it. Together, you can unlock the secrets of the divine."

Aria's determination grew. "I'll find him, but...but what if he's in danger?"

Lyra's eyes seemed to hold a secret. "I fear he may be, Aria. But you must find him, for the fate of the world depends on it."

Unbeknownst to Lyra, Aria's blood was even now poisoning Azrael, threatening to destroy the very angel she was sent to save. The darkness within Aria seemed to stir, sensing the danger that lay ahead...

With a newfound sense of purpose, Aria set out to find Azrael, unaware of the perilous journey that awaited her. The fate of the world, and the angel she loved, hung in the balance.

 Aria's heart raced as she frantically searched for Azrael, but he was nowhere to be found. Memories of their last encounter flooded her mind, and she recalled leaving him as her blood poisoned him. Tears streamed down her face as she realized the horrifying truth: her blood had likely consumed him, erasing him from existence.

Aria's body shook with sobs as she collapsed to the ground, her mind consumed by grief. "Azrael! No, please! Come back to me!" she wailed, her voice echoing through the desolate landscape. She pounded the earth with her fists, as if trying to shatter the fate that had taken him from her.

"Why did I leave him?! Why did I let my fear win?!" she lamented, her thoughts a jumble of regret and self-blame. The darkness within her seemed to mock her, taunting her with the possibility that she would never see Azrael's radiant smile again.

Yet, even amidst the overwhelming despair, a spark of hope flickered within Aria. She refused to give up, refused to believe that Azrael was truly gone. With a newfound determination, she rose to her feet, her eyes blazing with a fierce resolve. "I won't lose him! I'll find a way to save him, no matter what it takes!"

Aria's eyes welled up with tears as Lyra reappeared, her expression soft with compassion. "Aria, daughter of the divine, come with me. Azrael is being tended to by the supernatural doctor, Enoch, the personal angel physician of the angels of light."

Aria's heart skipped a beat as she hesitated, her fear of harming Azrael again holding her back. "But what if...what if I hurt him again? What if my blood—"

Lyra's gentle touch on her shoulder reassured her. "Enoch has prepared a special chamber to neutralize the effects of your blood. You can see Azrael, but you must be cautious."

Aria nodded, her anxiety still simmering, but her longing to see Azrael overpowering her fear. As they entered the chamber, she saw Azrael lying on a crystal bed, his radiant aura dimmed but still present. Enoch, the supernatural doctor, stood beside him, his eyes shining with ancient wisdom.

"Ah, Aria," Enoch said, his voice soothing. "Your love for Azrael has brought him this far. Now, let your love heal him."

Aria's tears flowed anew as she approached Azrael, her steps slow and deliberate. She reached out a trembling hand, hesitant to touch him, but Azrael's weak smile encouraged her. His eyes, though dull, still shone with love and acceptance.

"Azrael...I'm so sorry. I was so afraid—"

Azrael's voice was barely a whisper. "Aria...my love...don't apologize. You are my salvation...my reason for being."

Aria's heart swelled with emotion as she gently took his hand, her touch sparking a faint glow of hope.

Enoch's expression turned grave as he asked Aria to leave, his eyes locked on Lyra. "Lyra, we must speak in private. Aria, please, give us a moment."

Aria nodded, though her heart felt heavy with uncertainty. She stepped out of the chamber, leaving the two supernatural beings alone.

Enoch's voice was low and urgent. "Lyra, we must hide the truth from Azrael. The power Aria seeks will indeed save the world, but at the cost of her own life. If Azrael discovers this, he will try to stop her, and everything will be lost."

Lyra's face paled, her eyes wide with understanding. "I see. We must protect Azrael from this knowledge, for his love for Aria will cloud his judgment."

Enoch nodded solemnly. "We must guide Aria on this path, Lyra. She must believe she is saving the world, not sacrificing herself. Azrael's hope lies in her success, even if it means her own demise."

Lyra's expression turned resolute. "I will ensure Aria remains unaware of the truth. But what of Azrael? How will we keep this secret from him?"

Enoch's eyes seemed to hold a deep sorrow. "We will need to deceive him, Lyra. For the greater good, we must keep the truth hidden, no matter the cost to our own hearts."

Enoch's expression was stern as he gazed at Azrael, his voice firm but laced with a hint of sorrow. "Azrael, you have been healed, but remember this: you must not interfere with Aria's quest. If you do, you will perish, and even the celestial realm will not be able to save you."

Azrael's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with questions, but Enoch continued, his words a warning. "You have neglected your duty to save the world from doom, Azrael. Do not make it worse by involving yourself with Aria. She must walk this path alone."

With that, Enoch vanished, leaving Azrael with a sense of foreboding and a deep unease. He knew Enoch's words were not just a warning but a prophecy, and he felt the weight of his responsibilities as an angel of light.

But Enoch's secrecy about Aria's fate still lingered, leaving Azrael unaware of the true cost of his actions. The darkness within Aria still loomed, waiting to consume her, and Azrael's love for her remained a ticking time bomb, ready to destroy him if he dared to intervene.

The stage was set for a heart-wrenching confrontation, as Azrael's duty and love for Aria clashed in a battle that would decide the fate of the world.

 Lyra's eyes glazed over, her mind drifting back to the realms of Heaven, where she and Azrael once walked among the celestial host. Memories long forgotten began to resurface, and her heart ached with a bittersweet nostalgia.

In Heaven, Lyra and Azrael were more than just comrades in arms; they were lovers, bound by a love so strong it rivaled the divine. But when Azrael was sent to the mortal realm, their love was severed, and Lyra was left behind, her heart shattered into a million pieces.

As she watched Azrael fall deeply in love with Aria, Lyra's pain was rekindled. She saw the way Azrael looked at Aria, with the same adoration and devotion he once had for her. The realization hit her like a thunderbolt: Azrael had forgotten their love, forgotten her, and moved on to another.

Tears streamed down Lyra's face as she confronted the truth. She had been so focused on helping Aria, on guiding her towards her destiny, that she had ignored her own heartache. Now, it seemed, she was paying the price for her selflessness.

With a heavy heart, Lyra understood that she had to let go of the past, to release Azrael from her memories and allow him to follow his own path. But the ache within her would remain, a constant reminder of the love they once shared, and the love he now had for another.

Lyra's emotions were in turmoil, her mind clouded by a growing jealousy. Every time she saw Azrael and Aria together, her heart felt like it was being pierced by a thousand daggers. She couldn't bear the thought of Azrael loving another, especially not the mortal Aria.

A dark and sinister idea began to take root in Lyra's mind. She thought to herself, "If I can just hasten Aria's fate, if I can lead her to the power that will end her life, then Azrael will be free from her grasp. He will finally remember our love, and we can be together once more."

Lyra's thoughts were consumed by this treacherous plan, and she began to subtly guide Aria towards her demise. She presented herself as a caring mentor, offering words of encouragement and support, but beneath the surface, she was manipulating Aria towards her ultimate destruction.

As they journeyed together, Lyra's actions became increasingly sinister, her actions driven by a toxic mix of jealousy and desperation. Aria, unaware of the danger lurking beside her, trusted Lyra implicitly, and followed her guidance with innocent faith.

The stage was set for a tragic confrontation, as Lyra's betrayal threatened to destroy the very fabric of their quest, and the lives of those who dared to love.

Lyra's mind raced with the memory of Enoch's words, and her jealousy reached a fever pitch. She thought to herself, "If Aria's fate is to die in order to save the world, then so be it. But I must ensure that Azrael is the one to find the power, so that he will be forever tied to me, and not to that mortal."

With a calculating calm, Lyra began to manipulate Azrael, using her charms and guile to pressure him into finding the power. She lied to him, telling him that it would not only save the world but also heal the darkness within Aria, and that it was the only way to save her from her own demise.

Azrael, unaware of Lyra's true intentions, was torn between his love for Aria and his duty to save the world. Lyra's words played on his fears, and he began to search for the power with a renewed sense of urgency.

As they journeyed on, Lyra's jealousy grew, consuming her every waking moment. She couldn't bear the thought of Azrael loving Aria, and she was determined to do whatever it took to claim him for herself, even if it meant sacrificing Aria in the process.

The trio was now hurtling towards a catastrophic confrontation, as Lyra's machinations threatened to destroy the very fabric of their quest, and the lives of those who dared to love.

A voice from Heaven boomed, echoing in Lyra's mind, "Lyra, servant of the celestial realm, your jealousy is clouding your judgment. Remember your mission: to aid Azrael in finding the power to save the world. Your hatred towards Aria may prove to be the very downfall of your heavenly husband, Azrael. Beware, for your actions have consequences that reach beyond the mortal realm."

Lyra's eyes widened in shock, her mind reeling from the divine reprimand. She knew the voice spoke truth, and her jealousy was indeed threatening the very person she loved. With a heavy heart, she began to reevaluate her actions, realizing that her desire for revenge had consumed her.