Lyra found herself in her small apartment, still shaken by her encounter with the stranger, Gabrielle. The events of the day swirling in her mind , Gabrielle, who is this stranger ? Why does she have this supernatural power?
Lyra recollects the image of Gabrielle turning into a glowing entity the way her strong arm holds Lyra tight, her scent...
''No lyra! What were you thinking?! '' She snapped to herself.
''This is not the time for nonsense; you need to focus and think about these things even though it doesn't make sense.'' Lyra talks to herself; she is standing and walking back in fort, biting her nails.
''Remember what the note in the book says: TRUST NO ONE,'' Lyra reminded herself while calming herself.
Lyra picks up the book on her study table and studies the symbol carved on the cover. As she traced her fingers over the intricate design, a sense of unease washed over her.
''What is this craziness, grandpa? '' She asked as if the dead would answer.
She opened the book and reread the note TRUST NO ONE.
"Okay, got it. Don't trust anyone. (whispers) Especially hot, glowy strangers with awesome hair."
Lyra's face turned bright red as she realized she was still thinking about Gabrielle. "No, no, no! Bad Lyra! Focus!"
She tried to distract herself by making a cup of coffee, but her mind wandered back to Gabrielle's piercing gaze.
What's happening to me? I should be scared of her. And it's not normal to meet a person with supernatural ability who is being chased with smoke and can teleport.
Shadows
Is this what my grandfather trying to say?
Just what is this book
She open the pages again
It's just a blank book
"Lyra, the shadows are coming. Trust no one. Seek the truth in Aramania." She read the note again
"But soon, Lyra, you'll realize you can't escape the shadows alone. Gabrielle's voice echoed in her mind again.
Lyra's train of thought was cut off when her phone rang.
''Hello, Sophie, what is it? '' She answered without checking the caller ID.
''Oh my god , Lyra. Where are you? Are you okay? .'' Lyra answered .
''I am okayyy? why?'' Lyra's confuse answer.
''What do you mean, why? You disappeared at my grandma's bookstore; she said she saw you talking to someone, and then you were just gone. Can you tell me what happened to you? '' Sophie's voice was filled with concern..
Lyra hit her head with her hand by forgetting about it, but turned confused when she thought about what just Sophie said did Mrs. Jenkins didn't see the shadows that were chasing her and how Gabrielle change into a glowing being? A lot questions in Lyra's head '' Is Mrs. Jenkins okay? Is she hurt ? Did she say something about the shadows?''
''She's okay. Huh? What shadows? Are you sure you are okay, Lyra ? Do you want me to come over? ''Sophie asked, worried about her friend's state of mind. Lyra took a deep breath, trying to make sense of what had happened before replying, "I think I just need some time to process everything that happened."
Sophie hesitated before agreeing. "Okay, but promise me you'll be careful. And call me if you need anything." Lyra hung up, her mind racing.
''By the way, Kaido was looking for you at the bookstore.'' Sophie started.
Lyra rolled her eyes, a smile spreading across her face. "Ugh, don't remind me. I'm trying to escape supernatural drama, not deal with Kaido's awkward flirting."
Sophie giggled. "Oh, come on! Kaido's cute! And he's really into you."
Lyra snorted "Please, he's just into circuits and microchips. Besides, I'm not exactly his type."
Sophie teased, "Oh, I think you're exactly his type – smart, quirky, and totally oblivious to his crush."
Lyra chuckled, "Shut up, Soph! You're enjoying this, aren't you?"
Sophie's laughter echoed through the phone. "Totally! But seriously, Lyra, be nice to Kaido. He's a great guy."
Lyra sighed playfully, "Fine, I'll tolerate him. But only because he's good at fixing my laptop."
Sophie's voice turned sly. "I'm sure he'd love to 'fix' more than just your laptop." Lyra blushed, laughing. "Sophie, stop! You're making me die of embarrassment!"
As they bantered, Lyra's thoughts drifted back to Gabrielle and the mysterious book.
Why did Mrs. Jenkins miss the shadows and Gabrielle's transformation? Was it all just a wild hallucination?
Suddenly, Lyra felt an eerie presence, as if the shadows were closing in.
She spun around, but her apartment was empty..
As when she was close, where the shadow hid, ''Hello , Lyra? Are you still there? ''
''Ah, yes, I am.'' And with that, Lyra went back to sit at her desk and continue her conversation with Sophie, trying to push the strange thoughts out of her mind. But deep down, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was not quite right.
Meanwhile, in Realm Aramania...
Eris, a stunning raven-haired beauty with gloomy blue eyes, eyes full of emptiness and sadness, sat upon her throne, her dark magic swirling around her.
Her subjects cowered in fear, whispering tales of her ruthless power.
"My princess, the prophecy unfolds," her advisor, Malakai, said, his voice trembling.
"The Shadowborn awakens, and Lyra, the chosen one, has been found." Eris's smile sent shivers through the realm.
"Then it's time to prepare our welcome. Send the Shadowguard to Earth's realm. We can't let Lyra escape."
Malakai bowed, fleeing the Eris's presence as Eris's dark laughter echoed through the throne room.
Back in Lyra's apartment, the shadows seemed to grow longer, as if responding to the darkness in Aramania.
Lyra's eyes widened as she sensed the connection. "What is happening?!!" she asks, frightened. The room plunged into darkness, and the shadow's faint whisper was, "Aramania awaits."
As the shadows attempted to get Lyra
''No. No. No...get away from me!! '' Lyra screamed while crawling her pajamas on the floor and
Lyra shouted a name she never thought she would call.
''Gabrieeeelllleeee, Heeellpp mmmeee!!! ''
And with that, Gabrielle stands up from a rooftop, and her grand and beautiful wings spread and make a free fall on the way to Lyra's apartment.
To be continued...