SWNOVELS Chapter 99
The discovery of deliberately corrupted transformations sent shockwaves through the Royal Commission. Lyra called an emergency meeting of her core team, gathering them in a secure chamber deep within the headquarters.
As Fenris, Aelindra, and key researchers filed in, Lyra could see the worry etched on their faces. They all understood the gravity of the situation.
“What we’ve uncovered changes everything,” Lyra began, her voice steady despite the turmoil in her mind. “We’re no longer just dealing with a natural phenomenon. Someone is actively working against us, corrupting the very essence of these transformations.”
Elara, the young researcher who had made the initial discovery, stepped forward. “Our analysis of the creatures’ remains revealed traces of a highly sophisticated magical signature. Whoever is behind this has an intimate understanding of the transformation process.”
Fenris growled softly, his amber eyes flashing. “Which means they’ve likely been studying it as closely as we have. Perhaps even longer.”
Aelindra, ever the voice of calm reason, spoke up. “We need to consider the possibility that this corruption has been spreading undetected. The eastern provinces may not be an isolated incident.”
Lyra nodded grimly. “Agreed. We need to expand our monitoring efforts immediately. But we also need to be discreet. If word of this spreads before we have a better understanding and a plan of action, it could cause panic.”
The team spent hours poring over maps, magical readings, and reports from their outposts across the kingdom. Patterns began to emerge – subtle at first, but growing clearer as they connected the dots.
“Look here,” Fenris said, pointing to a series of markers on the map. “These incidents of unexplained aggression in transformed individuals… they’re not random. They’re forming a pattern, spreading outward from several key points.”
Lyra leaned in, her eyes widening as she saw what Fenris had noticed. The pattern was unmistakable – a deliberate expansion of corrupted transformations, radiating from specific locations.
“Those points,” she murmured, “they’re all sites of significant magical importance. Ancient temples, ley line convergences…”
Aelindra nodded, her expression grave. “Whoever is behind this isn’t just powerful. They have extensive knowledge of the kingdom’s magical geography.”
The implications were chilling. This wasn’t the work of some rogue mage or isolated cult. They were dealing with an organized, well-informed enemy.
As the meeting stretched into the night, they formulated a plan of action. Teams would be dispatched to investigate each of the identified hotspots, equipped with new detection spells developed by Elara and her fellow researchers. Meanwhile, they would need to quietly bolster defenses around other potential targets.
Just as they were wrapping up, a messenger burst into the room, out of breath and wide-eyed. “My lady,” he gasped, “there’s been an attack… on the new academy.”
Lyra’s heart sank. The academy – her vision for bridging the gap between transformed and non-transformed individuals – had only just opened its doors. “What kind of attack?” she demanded.
“Creatures, my lady. Like the ones you encountered in the east. They appeared suddenly, as if from nowhere. The guards are holding them off, but…”
Lyra was already moving, Fenris close behind. “Aelindra, coordinate the response teams. Elara, I need you to bring your detection equipment. We need to know if this is connected to the corruption we’ve uncovered.”
As they raced through the streets towards the academy, the sounds of battle grew louder. Screams mixed with inhuman roars, punctuated by the crackle of magic.
They arrived to find chaos. The academy’s outer walls were breached, and twisted creatures poured through the gap. Students and faculty, both transformed and non- transformed, fought side by side against the onslaught.
Lyra’s heart swelled with pride even as fear gripped her. This was exactly what she had hoped the academy would foster – unity in the face of adversity. But the cost… “Fenris, help coordinate the defense,” she ordered. “I’m going to try something.”
Closing her eyes, Lyra reached deep within herself, tapping into the wellspring of magical energy that had grown since her own transformation. She began to weave a complex spell, one designed to resonate with the pure, uncorrupted essence of the transformations.
As the spell took shape, a soft glow began to emanate from her, spreading outward in pulsing waves. Where it touched the corrupted creatures, they recoiled, shrieking in pain.
Fenris, seeing the effect, bellowed orders to the defenders. “Push them back! Force them into Lady Lyra’s light!”
The tide of battle began to turn. The defenders, emboldened by this new advantage, pressed forward. The creatures, unable to withstand the purifying energy, retreated in disarray.
As the last of the attackers fled or fell, Lyra collapsed to her knees, drained by the enormous magical effort. Fenris was at her side in an instant, supporting her.
“That was… incredible,” he murmured. “I’ve never seen anything like it.” Lyra managed a weak smile. “Neither have I. I’m not entirely sure how I did it.”
As they surveyed the aftermath, Elara approached, her detection instruments humming. “My lady, you need to see this,” she said urgently.
The readings were unlike anything they had seen before. The magical residue left behind by the creatures was complex, layered – and chillingly familiar.
“This signature,” Lyra breathed, her exhaustion momentarily forgotten. “It’s similar to… but that’s impossible.”
Fenris leaned in, his eyes widening as he recognized the patterns. “The Void. These creatures… they’re somehow connected to the Void energy we sealed away.”
The implications were staggering. The Void – the cosmic force that had nearly destroyed their world, that they had sacrificed so much to contain was somehow linked to these corrupted transformations.
As the sun began to rise over the battered academy, Lyra felt the weight of this new revelation settling on her shoulders. They had thought they were dealing with a powerful enemy, but this… this was beyond anything they had imagined.
“We need to reconvene the old team,” she said softly. “All of them. If the Void is involved, we’re going to need every resource, every ally we can muster.” Fenris nodded grimly. “I’ll send out the calls immediately. But Lyra… if this is truly connected to the Void, we may be facing something even bigger than we realized.”
Lyra looked out over the academy grounds, where transformed and non-transformed individuals worked side by side to tend to the wounded and repair the damage. In that moment of unity, she found a glimmer of hope.
“Whatever we’re facing,” she said, her voice gaining strength, “we’ll face it together. The transformations have changed our world, but they’ve also made us stronger. We sealed the Void once. If we have to, we’ll do it again.”
As they turned to head back to headquarters, neither Lyra nor Fenris noticed the shadowy figure watching from a distant rooftop. The observer smiled, a cold, calculating expression, before vanishing in a swirl of dark energy.