The temple trembled as the dark entity loomed over them. Its form twisted and shifted, more shadow than substance, but its red eyes burned with malevolent intent. The golden light around the Codex flickered violently as if struggling to hold back the encroaching darkness.
Kael instinctively stepped in front of Lyra, sword drawn. "What the hell is that?"
Silas exhaled sharply. "I'm guessing… not a friendly guardian."
The entity's voice was a deep, guttural whisper, like the scrape of metal on stone. "You are not worthy of the Codex."
Lyra tightened her grip on the shard. The power inside her pulsed, whispering that this creature was something far worse than an illusion. It was real. And it wanted to stop them.
The air turned ice-cold. Shadows slithered across the floor, stretching toward them like tendrils. Kael slashed at them, but his blade passed through the darkness as if cutting through smoke.
Lyra's pulse quickened. "It's not something we can fight with weapons."
The entity let out a low chuckle. "Then you will fall like the others who have tried."
A wave of darkness surged toward them. Lyra barely had time to react before she was thrown backward, her body slamming into the stone floor. Kael and Silas were flung in opposite directions.
Pain exploded in her ribs, but she forced herself to move. She couldn't give up. Not now.
She pushed herself up, gasping. "You guard the Codex, don't you?"
The entity paused, its form flickering. "I protect its secrets."
Lyra's mind raced. If this thing was a guardian, then maybe…
She took a shaky step forward. "I don't want to steal its power. I need the truth."
The shadows hissed. "Lies."
Another surge of darkness shot toward her, but this time, Lyra raised her hands. The shard in her palm glowed brilliantly, forming a barrier of shimmering light. The darkness recoiled.
Kael took the chance to lunge forward, slicing his sword through the air. This time, the creature screeched, its form flickering violently.
Silas, still crouched against the wall, grinned. "Oh, so now the sword works?"
Kael gritted his teeth. "It only works when Lyra weakens it."
Lyra clenched her fists. The shard had reacted instinctively to the shadow's power. Could she control it?
The entity reformed, its rage palpable. "You do not understand what you seek."
Lyra ignored the warning. "Then show me."
She thrust the shard forward, channeling her will into its core. A burst of blinding white light erupted from her hands, slamming into the entity.
It let out an ear-piercing wail.
The shadows twisted violently before dispersing into the walls. The temple trembled once more, and then—silence.
Kael rushed to Lyra's side, gripping her shoulders. "Are you okay?"
She was breathing hard, but she nodded. "I think so."
Silas rubbed the back of his neck. "Well… that was dramatic."
Before they could recover, the golden light returned, pulsing brighter than before.
The Codex floated from the pedestal, its pages flipping as if unseen hands were searching for something. Then, it settled on an open page, glowing symbols etched into the parchment.
Kael frowned. "What does it say?"
Lyra stepped forward. As she gazed at the ancient text, the symbols rearranged themselves into words she could finally understand.
Her breath caught.
"The Veil is breaking."
Her heart pounded. This wasn't just about magic. This was something bigger. Something dangerous.
Silas peered over her shoulder. "Well, that sounds like a problem."
Kael's jaw tightened. "What does it mean?"
Lyra traced the words with her fingers, the weight of realization settling over her.
"It means…" she whispered, "the magic that separates our world from the one beyond is fading."
The temple suddenly shuddered, as if in warning.
And then… the walls began to crack.
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Sneak Peek for Chapter 42:
With the Codex revealing a terrifying truth, Lyra, Kael, and Silas must escape the collapsing temple before it's too late. But as they flee, new visions haunt Lyra—visions of the world beyond the Veil. What lies on the other side? And why does it feel like something… or someone… is watching her?