THE BETRAYAL UNFOLDED
Amara and Lysander trudged through the dense fog of the Abyss, the Heartstone's faint glow casting long, distorted shadows. The oppressive silence around them was broken only by their uneven footsteps and the occasional whisper of unseen creatures.
Lysander glanced at Amara. "You're quiet."
"I'm just…thinking," she replied, her fingers absently tracing the locket around her neck. "About everything—about the curse, the Heartstone, what comes next. It feels like every decision we make pulls us closer to disaster."
Lysander's lips pressed into a thin line. "That's the nature of the Abyss. It makes you doubt yourself. Stay focused."
Amara nodded, though her unease didn't fade.
As they pressed onward, a shadowed figure emerged in the distance, her silhouette distinct and familiar. Amara's breath caught.
"Selene?"
The witch stepped forward, her black cloak billowing slightly in the Abyssal wind. Her expression was unreadable, her emerald eyes fixed on Amara.
"You shouldn't be here," Selene said coldly.
"We could say the same to you," Lysander replied, his chains coiling slightly as if sensing danger.
Amara stepped forward. "Selene, what's going on? Why are you here?"
Selene hesitated, her gaze flicking between Amara and Lysander. "I came to warn you. The celestial hunters aren't far behind. They know you have the Heartstone."
Lysander frowned. "How would you know that?"
For a brief moment, Selene's mask slipped, a flicker of guilt crossing her face. "I overheard them," she said, though her voice lacked conviction.
Amara's heart sank as a gnawing suspicion took root. "You've been helping them, haven't you?"
Selene's silence spoke volumes.
"You betrayed us," Lysander said, his voice low and dangerous. The chains around his arms tightened, their metallic hum filling the air.
"It's not what you think," Selene said quickly, raising her hands. "I was trying to protect you both. Dorian…he promised that if I gave him information, he'd leave you alone."
"You believed him?" Amara's voice cracked, the betrayal cutting deep.
"I didn't have a choice!" Selene snapped, her composure fracturing. "You don't understand the kind of power Dorian wields. He's not just a celestial; he's one of the Ancients. If he wanted, he could destroy all of us with a thought."
Amara shook her head, disbelief and anger warring within her. "You didn't trust us enough to tell us the truth? To let us face this together?"
Selene's shoulders slumped. "I've always cared about you, Amara. But this—this is bigger than all of us. If you'd known, you would've walked straight into his trap."
Lysander took a step forward, his silver eyes blazing. "And instead, you led him straight to us."
Selene flinched, her guilt evident. "I didn't mean for it to happen this way."
The ground beneath them trembled, a low, resonant hum vibrating through the air. Amara turned, her heart pounding as a golden light pierced the fog.
"They're here," Selene whispered.
The light grew brighter, accompanied by the sound of wings slicing through the air. From the fog emerged three celestial hunters, their ethereal forms glowing with a harsh, unearthly light.
The leader, a tall figure with golden armor and piercing eyes, stepped forward. His gaze locked onto Amara. "The Catalyst and the Heartstone. Both together in one place. You've made this far too easy."
Lysander stepped in front of Amara, his chains uncoiling like serpents. "You'll have to go through me first."
The celestial smirked. "As expected."
Before anyone could react, the celestials attacked. Their weapons glowed with radiant energy, clashing against Lysander's dark chains. The air was filled with the sounds of battle—metal against metal, light against shadow.
Amara tried to summon her powers, but the Heartstone's energy surged unpredictably, overwhelming her. She fell to her knees, clutching the locket as it burned against her chest.
"Amara!" Lysander shouted, dodging a strike aimed at her.
Selene hesitated, torn between her allegiance to Dorian and her lingering loyalty to Amara. The conflict in her eyes was evident as she watched the chaos unfold.
Amara struggled to her feet, her vision blurring as the Heartstone's power stabilized. She raised her hand, a burst of light erupting from her palm and knocking one of the celestials back.
"Stay away from him!" she shouted, stepping between Lysander and the remaining hunters.
The leader of the celestials turned his attention to her, a predatory grin spreading across his face. "So the Catalyst awakens. Let's see if you're worthy of the power you hold."
He lunged at her, his blade aimed for her heart. Amara braced herself, her light flaring in defense.
But before the blade could reach her, Selene stepped forward, a barrier of green energy forming around Amara.
"Enough!" Selene shouted, her voice cracking with the strain.
The celestial leader faltered, his blade skimming against the barrier. He glared at Selene. "You would betray Dorian for them?"
Selene's hands shook as she maintained the barrier. "I won't let you hurt her."
The celestial's eyes narrowed. "Then you've chosen your fate."
The celestials regrouped, their light intensifying. Selene collapsed to one knee, the barrier flickering as her strength waned.
Lysander pulled Amara behind him, his chains striking out to hold the celestials at bay. "Selene, if you have any strength left, use it now!"
Selene nodded weakly, summoning the last of her magic to create an opening. "Go! I'll hold them off!"
"No!" Amara shouted, her heart breaking at the sight of her friend. "You'll die!"
Selene met her gaze, tears streaming down her face. "It's my fault you're in this mess. Let me fix it."
Before Amara could protest, Selene unleashed a wave of energy that sent the celestials reeling. The effort left her pale and trembling, but it was enough to give Amara and Lysander a chance to escape.
"Run!" Selene screamed.
Amara hesitated, but Lysander grabbed her arm, pulling her away. "We can't save her if we're dead, Amara!"
As they fled into the fog, Amara glanced back one last time. Selene stood defiantly, her magic blazing against the celestial hunters.
Then the fog swallowed her, and she was gone.