Eryon Intervenes
The sharp crack of a branch snapping underfoot echoed through the forest, breaking the tense silence between Lyra and Adrian. Both turned toward the sound, their breaths hitching as a massive shadow loomed closer. Eryon stepped out of the dense foliage, his wolf instincts radiating through every movement. His glowing amber eyes locked onto Adrian, the tension between them palpable.
“What is this?” Eryon growled, his voice thick with barely restrained anger. His gaze flickered to the artifact in Lyra’s hands, its light still faint but pulsing erratically.
Adrian raised his hands in a gesture of surrender, taking a careful step back. “I’m not here to fight you, Eryon. I’m here to help.”
Eryon’s lip curled, a low growl rumbling in his chest. His wolf form began to shift, claws and fangs emerging as he advanced. “You think I’d believe that? You’ve been working with Isla and Draven—our enemies.”
“They’re not your enemies,” Adrian countered, his voice steady but firm. “Seraphine is lying to you. She’s using you both, twisting everything to serve her own agenda.”
Lyra stood frozen between them, her grip tightening on the artifact as the tension mounted. “Stop it,” she said, her voice trembling. “This isn’t helping.”
Eryon ignored her, his focus locked on Adrian. “You think you can take her from me?” he snarled, lunging forward.
Adrian dodged the attack, his movements precise but defensive. “I’m not trying to take her,” he said, his tone growing desperate. “I’m trying to save her—from all of this.”
Lyra’s voice cracked as she stepped between them, her arms outstretched. “Stop it!” she screamed, her emotions boiling over. “Both of you, just stop!”
Eryon halted his charge, his claws digging into the ground as his breathing came in heavy pants. He glared at Adrian, but his focus shifted to Lyra as he noticed the artifact’s glow intensify.
“That thing is corrupting you, Lyra,” Eryon said, his voice softer but no less urgent. “Give it to me. I can handle it.”
Lyra shook her head, tears streaming down her face. “It’s not just the artifact,” she whispered. “It’s everything. I don’t know who to trust anymore.”
Eryon’s expression hardened as he took a step closer. “You can trust me. I’ll keep you safe—like I always have.”
Adrian interjected, his voice firm. “And what about when it consumes you, Eryon? The artifact doesn’t care who holds it. It only wants to control.”
Eryon growled again, but Lyra raised a hand, silencing him. Her voice trembled as she spoke. “I don’t know what’s right anymore.”
