CHAPTER 5: TRAPPED IN THE DARK

Lyra’s POV:

I could feel my body growing weightless, as if I was being pulled into a sea of shadows. The energy that had gripped me, strong and suffocating, it tore me away from the embrace of Xaphan’s room. My heart pounded loudly within me, with panic aching at me with every second that passed.

“Where am I?” The question echoed in my mind, but I couldn’t find any answers. My thoughts drifted to Xaphan; did he even notice I was gone? Or care?

The more I was dragged into the shadows, the more fear had begun to consume me. It ached on my insides, filling my mind with terrible thoughts. What if I never escaped? Was this how I would end up swallowed by darkness? Just when I thought the fear had gotten a hold on me, I felt something shift.

Something was there.

I suddenly felt the energy that had me bound released its grip. I was dropped onto the ground, the impact sensing shockwaves through my body. I gasped for air, my hands were scrambling against the cold, hard floor, as I trembled to push myself up. The air was thick, like a suffocating fog that was making it had for me to breathe.

Who is there?” I whispered to the void, my voice trembling in fear. But I could feel the weight of unseen eyes on me. Something was here, watching.

I struggled to stand, glancing around at the twisted, demonic figures that had begun to materialize from the shadows. Ther eyes were glowing ominous red, filled with hatred and emotionless burning in the darkness. The circled me slowly, savoring the fear that had enwrapped my whole being.

“Youre not supposed to be here,” one of there hissed, its voice sounding lifeless. The words rounded the air, leaving the icy trial that made the hairs on my skin to stand causing me goosebumps

Before I could process the horror unfolding around me, or even think of responding, the shadows erupted. A sudden, violent gust of wind slammed into the room, followed by a sharp crack, Xaphan appeared. His wings were filled with fury. I had never seen anything like it. A dark energy pulsed through the air, making the creatures that enveloped me freeze in terror.

For a moment, I felt relief that Xaphan had come to rescue me. But the look in eyes stole the feeling of relief from me instantly. His face, his entire appearance, looked nothing like I had expected. Cold. Frightening. Except for his eyes. There was a blazing fury that sent a chill to my spine.

Without a word, he raised his hand, dark energy swirling violently in his palm. The power crackled in the air, thick and pulsing with pure hostility. Then with a flick of his fingers, he unleashed it. The force slammed into the creatures, burning them alive with a vicious, otherworldly heat. They screeched in agony as their bodies burnt into ash.

The scene was brutal. Merciless.

My eyes still in shock, my body frozen as I watched the last remnants of the creatures melted into the darkness. I could feel my heart racing, not just from fear, but from the kind of raw power Xaphan had unleashed. It was terrifying…. And thrilling.

And then his eyes met mine, there was no warmth in them, no sign of relief that I had been saved. Instead, his gaze was sharp, piercing me like a blade.

“Get up,” he barked, his voice was cold and commanding. His words were hurtful. I flinched, forcing myself to stand, but my legs felt weak, trembling beneath me.

I had barely managed to regain my balance when his words hit me again. “If you stay close to me, you’ll die,” he said flatly. His tone was harsh, emotionless.

“What happened?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. Fear and confusion danced in my chest, my thoughts spinning out of control. I honestly had no idea what I had just experienced or why I was pulled into such a terrifying place.

But he didn’t give any answer. Instead, he turned his back to me, his wings lowering slightly, as if he was shielding himself from the conversation. But I wasn’t done, I needed answers.

“It was one of my enemies,” he answered finally after a long pause, his voice dark and dangerous. ” They were trying to get me. They used you.”

My heart sank. “Me?” I echoed trying to understand. “But I don’t….”

“Youre a weakness,” Xaphan cut me off, his words sharp. He turned towards me again, his eyes burning with intensity. “They know I’m distracted by you, and now they’re using it. If I hadn’t intervened, you’d be dead by now.”

I flinched. His words hit hard, not because of the truth in them, but because of the cruel way he delivered them. He made it sound like I was nothing more than a burden, a distraction he wished he could get rid of.

He stepped closer before I could even think of what to say, he presence made me choke on sight of him. His hand gripped my arm to hold me and we both faded into the shadows, darkness enveloping us.

We were in the dorm room again. The way the light in the room was could do nothing but make me blink. He let go of me abruptly, stepping back as I opened my mouth to say something, but the words seemed to have dried on my lips

His gaze darkened. He spoke, his voice barely above a whisper, but it sounded more like a threat. “I won’t save you next time.”

I felt chills running down my spine as he said it. A heavy silence fell between us, broken only by the sound of my heavy breathing. And yet despite the terror that was in me, I couldn’t look away. I was helplessly drawn to him, like a moth to a flame, knowing full well I could get burned but I couldn’t control my emotions any longer.

“If you knew I was going to be a distraction to you, why did you let me stay in your room?” I finally asked, my heart aching by the whole scenario.

For a brief moment, something flickered in his eyes. I couldn’t tell. But it disappeared as quickly as it had come, his expression surprisingly calm. “Your presence is something I can’t solve, and it drives me crazy.”

My stomach twisted, dread sinking its claws into me. “Xaphan—” I started, but he cut me off with a wave of his hand.

“Don’t make me regret it.”

And then he left me alone in his room, slamming the door shut behind him. I felt uneasy with his words echoing in my mind.

The room felt colder. I laid on the bed as wrapped my arms around myself, trying to shake the feeling of dread settling deep in my bones.