SWNOVELS Chapter 76
The days following the closure of the shadow portal were a flurry of activity. Lyra, Fenris, and their growing alliance had established a base camp in the ruins of an abandoned elven city, using it as a staging ground for their continued efforts against the remaining portals. The once-silent streets now buzzed with the sounds of preparation and planning.
Lyra stood atop a crumbling watchtower, her eyes scanning the horizon. The sky, while still tinged with an unnatural hue, seemed clearer than it had in months. A cool breeze ruffled her hair, carrying with it the faint scent of hope.
“Copper for your thoughts?” Fenris’s deep voice rumbled behind her. She turned to see the werewolf approaching, his amber eyes warm with affection.
“Just thinking about how far we’ve come,” Lyra replied, allowing herself a small smile. “A few months ago, we were strangers fighting for survival. Now look at us.”
Fenris nodded, his gaze sweeping over the bustling camp below. Humans, elves, and werewolves worked side by side, their old prejudices set aside in the face of a greater threat. “We’ve built something remarkable here,” he agreed. “But our work is far from over.”
Lyra’s expression sobered. “You’re right. We’ve identified three more major portals, but our resources are stretched thin. And then there’s the matter of Veridian…”
Her former mentor had been a subject of heated debate among the alliance leadership. While his knowledge of the shadow realm was invaluable, many still distrusted him, viewing his presence as a potential threat.
“Speaking of which,” Fenris said, his tone carefully neutral, “the council is gathering to discuss our next move. Your presence has been requested.”
Lyra took a deep breath, squaring her shoulders. “Then we shouldn’t keep them waiting.”
They made their way down the winding staircase and through the winding streets of the ruined city. As they walked, Lyra couldn’t help but notice the way people stopped to watch them pass, their expressions a mix of hope and expectation. The weight of their faith was both empowering and terrifying.
The council chamber was housed in what had once been a grand temple, its soaring arches now draped with maps and tactical diagrams. As Lyra and Fenris entered, the assembled leaders fell silent, all eyes turning to them.
Aelindra, the elven archer who had become one of Lyra’s closest allies, stepped forward to greet them. “Thank you for joining us,” she said, her melodic voice tinged with tension. “We have much to discuss.”
Lyra took her place at the large stone table that dominated the center of the room. Around it sat representatives from each faction of their alliance: human mages, elven warriors, werewolf alphas, and even a few reformed members of Lyra’s old coven. At the far end, looking uncomfortable but determined, sat Veridian.
“Let’s begin,” Lyra said, her voice steady despite the butterflies in her stomach. “What’s our current status?”
A grizzled human general named Thorne unrolled a large map, pointing to several marked locations. “We’ve confirmed the positions of three major portals. Here, here, and here. Our scouts report heavy shadow beast activity around each one.”
“We don’t have the manpower to assault all three simultaneously,” added Ryla, a werewolf alpha with streaks of gray in her dark fur. “We’ll need to prioritize.”
Debate broke out among the council members, each arguing for the strategic importance of different targets. Lyra listened carefully, weighing each perspective. As the discussion grew heated, she noticed Veridian sitting silently, his brow furrowed in concentration.
“Veridian,” Lyra called out, causing a hush to fall over the room. “You’ve been quiet. What are your thoughts on this?”
All eyes turned to the former coven leader. Veridian cleared his throat, looking uncomfortable under the scrutiny. “I… I believe I may have a solution. But it’s not without risk.”
He stood, approaching the map with hesitant steps. “During my time connected to the shadow realm, I learned of a… nexus point. A place where the barriers between worlds are thinnest. If we could reach it, we might be able to disrupt all three portals simultaneously.”
Murmurs of surprise and skepticism rippled through the council. Lyra leaned forward, intrigued. “Where is this nexus point?”
Veridian’s finger traced a path across the map, coming to rest on a location deep in unclaimed territory. “Here. The Whispering Gorge. It’s said to be a place of great power, but also great danger.”
“Convenient that you’re only mentioning this now,” Thorne growled, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. “How do we know this isn’t some kind of trap?”
Veridian flinched at the accusation, but Lyra held up a hand to forestall further argument. “It’s a valid concern,” she said, her voice calm but firm. “Veridian, can you provide any proof of this nexus point’s existence?”
The former coven leader hesitated, then reached into his robes, pulling out a small, leather-bound book. “My research notes,” he explained. “Everything I learned about the shadow realm is recorded here. Including information about the nexus point.”
Lyra took the book, leafing through its pages. The writing was dense and often cryptic, but she could sense the power of truth behind the words. “This could be the breakthrough we’ve been looking for,” she mused.
“Or it could be leading us into a trap,” Fenris countered, his voice low with concern. “Lyra, we can’t risk everything on unproven information.”
The council erupted into argument once more, voices rising as factions formed for and against the plan. Lyra closed her eyes, trying to center herself amidst the chaos. When she opened them, she found Veridian watching her intently, his expression a mix of hope and fear.
“Enough,” Lyra said, her voice cutting through the din. The room fell silent, all eyes turning to her once more. “We can’t afford to ignore any potential advantage, no matter how risky. I propose we send a small team to investigate the Whispering Gorge. If Veridian’s information proves accurate, we can then mobilize our full forces.” There were nods of agreement around the table, though some still looked skeptical. Thorne leaned forward, his weathered face creased with concern. “And who would lead this expedition? It’s too important to entrust to just anyone.”
Lyra straightened, meeting the general’s gaze unflinchingly. “I’ll go,” she declared. “Along with Fenris, Aelindra, and…” she paused, making a decision that she hoped wouldn’t prove disastrous, “Veridian.”