SWNOVELS Chapter 75
“It’s collapsing!” Veridian cried, struggling to his feet. “Without my connection to stabilize it, the portal is tearing itself apart. If it’s not closed soon, it’ll consume everything in its path!”
Lyra’s heart raced as she assessed the situation. Fenris and the others had nearly reached the portal, but they were still fighting through waves of shadow beasts. They wouldn’t make it in time.
“We have to do it now,” she decided, gripping her staff tightly. “Veridian, I need you to tell me everything you know about the portal’s structure. If we combine our knowledge, we might be able to seal it.”
Veridian nodded, his eyes clearing as he focused on the task at hand. “The portal is anchored by nexus points,” he explained rapidly. “Concentrations of shadow essence that act as cornerstones. If we can disrupt those points with targeted bursts of light magic, the portal should collapse in on itself.”
Lyra closed her eyes, reaching out with her magical senses to perceive the nexus points Veridian described. She could feel them now, pulsing with dark energy. “I see them,” she said, opening her eyes. “But they’re too spread out. I can’t hit them all at once.”
“You won’t have to,” a familiar voice growled. Lyra turned to see Fenris approaching, followed by Aelindra and several other mages from their alliance. “We’ve got your back.”
Relief and gratitude washed over Lyra. “Fenris, you made it! But how did you get past the shadow beasts?”
The werewolf grinned, revealing bloodstained fangs. “Let’s just say they’re not as tough as they look when you know where to bite. Now, what’s the plan?”
Quickly, Lyra explained the situation, outlining Veridian’s knowledge of the portal’s structure. The gathered mages nodded in understanding, each taking up a position around the swirling vortex.
“On my signal,” Lyra commanded, raising her staff. “Focus your energy on the nexus points. Hit them with everything you’ve got!”
As one, the mages unleashed a barrage of light magic. Lyra poured every ounce of her power into the assault, feeling the nexus points buckling under the combined onslaught. The portal writhed and pulsed, fighting against its own destruction.
For a heart-stopping moment, it seemed as though their efforts might not be enough. Then, Veridian stepped forward, placing his hands on Lyra’s staff. “Allow me to contribute what little I have left,” he said, his voice thick with emotion.
A surge of energy flowed through Lyra, amplifying her magic beyond anything she’d experienced before. The portal’s defenses crumbled, unable to withstand the purifying light that now engulfed it.
With a final, ear-splitting shriek, the vortex collapsed in on itself. A shockwave of released energy knocked everyone off their feet, temporarily blinding them.
When Lyra’s vision cleared, she found herself lying on the ground, Fenris crouched protectively over her. Where the portal had stood, there was now only a scorched patch of earth, wisps of dissipating shadow essence floating harmlessly into the air.
“We did it,” Lyra breathed, scarcely able to believe it. “We actually did it!”
Fenris helped her to her feet, his amber eyes shining with pride and relief. “You did it, Lyra. You faced your past and came out stronger for it.”
As the reality of their victory sank in, cheers erupted from their gathered allies. Humans, elves, and werewolves alike embraced, the joy of survival momentarily overcoming their differences.
Lyra scanned the crowd, searching for one face in particular. She found Veridian sitting alone at the edge of the group, looking lost and drained.
Approaching her former mentor, Lyra knelt beside him. “Thank you,” she said softly. “We couldn’t have done it without your help.”
Veridian looked up at her, his eyes filled with a mix of regret and wonder. “I was so blind,” he whispered. “Chasing power, I nearly destroyed everything. How can I ever atone for what I’ve done?”
Lyra placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. “By helping us rebuild. Your knowledge, used for the right reasons, could be invaluable in healing the damage caused by the shadow realm.”
A flicker of hope appeared in Veridian’s eyes. “You would trust me, after everything?” “Trust is earned,” Lyra replied honestly. “But redemption is always possible for those willing to work for it.”
As they talked, Fenris approached, followed by the leaders of their alliance. “We’ve closed one portal,” he said, his voice grave. “But there are others out there. Our fight isn’t over yet.”
Lyra nodded, rising to her feet. She looked out over the assembled group, a mix of races and factions that had come together in the face of a common threat. In their unity, she saw hope for the future.
“Then we’ll face the next challenge together,” she declared, her voice ringing with determination. “We’ve proven that light can overcome even the deepest shadows. As long as we stand united, there’s nothing we can’t accomplish.”
As the sun began to rise on a world forever changed, Lyra felt a sense of purpose unlike anything she’d experienced before. The road ahead would be long and fraught with danger, but for the first time since the shadow realm had torn their world apart, she truly believed they had a chance at victory.
With Fenris by her side and their growing alliance at their backs, Lyra prepared to face whatever challenges lay ahead. The battle for Aether’s future had only just begun, but armed with the strength of unity and the power of hope, they were ready to fight for the world they believed in.