The Artifact’s Corruption
Lyra sat alone in the dimly lit chamber Seraphine had provided her, the artifact cradled in her trembling hands. Its glow was brighter than ever, illuminating her tear-streaked face as its whispers filled the room. The words were sharp and insidious, cutting through her thoughts like shards of glass.
“You’re not enough,” the whispers hissed, taking on the tone of her own doubts. “Weak. Afraid. Unworthy.”
Her breaths came in short, shallow gasps as she tried to silence the voices, but they only grew louder, more insistent. The artifact pulsed in time with her heartbeat, its energy coiling through her body like a venomous snake.
A knock on the door startled her. Seraphine entered without waiting for a response, her silver eyes softening as she saw Lyra’s state. “My love,” she said gently, crossing the room to kneel beside her. “Why do you resist? This power is yours—it belongs to you.”
Lyra shook her head, her voice barely a whisper. “It doesn’t feel like it’s mine. It feels like it’s… taking over.”
Seraphine’s expression darkened for a fleeting moment before she cupped Lyra’s face in her hands, her voice turning soothing. “That’s because you’re holding on to lies,” she said. “Lies they told you to keep you weak. Let go, Lyra. Let the artifact guide you.”
The artifact pulsed again, its whispers shifting to match Seraphine’s tone. “Let go. Let it guide you. Be free.”
Lyra’s chest tightened, her conflicting emotions swirling into a storm. “What if it destroys me?” she asked, her voice breaking.
Seraphine’s lips curved into a faint smile. “It won’t. You’re stronger than you realize. You just have to trust me.”
In the shadows, Eira watched the exchange with cold amusement. “She hesitates because she’s not ready,” Eira said, stepping into the light. “Not like Eryon.”
Lyra flinched at the comparison, her gaze dropping to the floor. “I’m trying,” she murmured.
“Trying isn’t enough,” Eira snapped, her tone sharp. “You either embrace this power, or you’ll be consumed by it. There’s no middle ground.”
The artifact pulsed more violently, its whispers turning cruel. “Destroy. Conquer. Rise.”
Lyra gritted her teeth, the energy sparking in her hands as her wolf stirred uneasily beneath her skin. She stood abruptly, her voice trembling. “I need air,” she said, pushing past Seraphine and Eira.
As the door slammed behind her, Seraphine’s smile faded, replaced by a look of cold determination. “She’ll come around,” she said, her tone more to herself than to Eira.
“She’d better,” Eira replied, her expression hard. “Or she’ll drag Eryon down with her.”
