NOVEL NEXT Chapter 10: The Awakening
Chapter 10: The Awakening
The jungle had fallen silent. The air was thick with the energy that now pulsed around Lyra, swirling with the force of the Wyrmstone in her hands. The ancient trees, the earth beneath her feet, the very sky overhead—they all seemed to hold their breath as if waiting for something to unfold. Lyra felt the weight of her discovery settle in her chest, the power of the stone surging through her veins like a new lifeblood. She had faced the darkness within herself, and now she was ready for the next step.
The guardian, standing motionless before her, watched her carefully, their glowing eyes fixed on the stone in her hands. "You have seen the truth," they said, their voice a mere whisper on the wind. "Now you must choose."
Lyra felt a cold shiver run down her spine at the words. Choose? What did they mean?
She glanced down at the Wyrmstone, still pulsing with that strange, ethereal glow. It hummed in her hands, a sound that vibrated deep within her soul. She could feel the ancient power swirling within it, ready to be unleashed, but she had no idea what it might do—what it might ask of her.
"You are no longer the girl you once were," the guardian continued, their words resonating in the stillness of the jungle. "The Wyrmstone has awakened something in you. The power it offers is great, but it is not without consequence. Once you embrace it, there is no turning back."
Lyra tightened her grip on the stone. Her heart pounded as the guardian's words sank in. She had already seen the devastation the Wyrmstone could cause, the chaos it could bring. But she had also seen the hope it could bring, the possibility of changing the world around her. The visions of Emberbrook in flames, of the creatures of darkness rising, still haunted her mind. But she could not stand by, not when she had the means to stop it.
"I'm ready," Lyra said, her voice unwavering. "I understand the price. I have to stop it."
The guardian nodded slowly, their features unreadable behind the bone mask. "Very well," they said. "Then you must understand this as well: the Wyrmstone does not bend to those who seek to control it. It chooses its wielder, and it will take what it needs from you in return."
Lyra's breath hitched in her throat. What does it need from me?
But before she could ask, the ground beneath her feet trembled, and the sky above seemed to darken, clouds swirling as if the very heavens themselves were reacting to the Wyrmstone's power.
The jungle shook with an intensity that knocked her off her feet, and a deafening roar split the air. The ground cracked open, and from the depths of the earth, something ancient and terrifying began to rise.
The guardian stepped back, their eyes wide with alarm. "The trials are over, but you are not yet ready for what follows. The Wyrmstone has stirred the ancient forces—forces that seek to tear the world apart."
Lyra scrambled to her feet, panic gripping her chest as the earth trembled beneath her. From the fissures in the ground, a massive, serpent-like creature emerged, its body made of stone and fire, its eyes glowing with a fierce, malevolent light. It was a creature of legend—the kind of being that was said to have been banished long ago, when the gods sealed away the Wyrmstones. It was the embodiment of the chaos that Lyra had seen in her vision—a creature bent on destruction, unleashed once more.
The guardian raised a hand, and a surge of magic flared from their fingertips. "Run, Lyra!" they shouted. "The Wyrmstone has drawn its wrath. You must stop it before it consumes you all!"
But Lyra did not run.
She could feel the Wyrmstone's energy surging within her, its power calling to her. The creature before her was enormous, its body twisting and coiling like a serpent made of living stone. Its eyes locked onto hers, and for a moment, everything went still. The jungle, the ground beneath her, the air—it all seemed to hold its breath.
The creature's voice boomed in her mind, its words like a chorus of nightmares. You are the one who has awakened me. Now you will feel the consequences of your actions.
Lyra raised the Wyrmstone in her hands, its glow intensifying as she focused her energy on it. The power within her surged in response, but she could feel the strain, the weight of what was coming. This was the moment of truth. She had to control it, or everything she knew would be lost.
"You won't control me," Lyra whispered, her voice barely audible over the creature's growls. "I control my fate."
With a roar of defiance, she thrust the Wyrmstone forward. The stone pulsed, releasing a torrent of energy that surged toward the creature like a tidal wave. The jungle seemed to react with a deep, resonating hum, as if it was joining in the battle. The ground beneath Lyra shook violently, but she held her ground, eyes locked on the creature as her power collided with its dark force.
The creature screeched, its massive form writhing as the Wyrmstone's energy clashed with it. But the battle was far from over. The creature roared again, this time in fury, and the ground cracked wide open, sending a shockwave of energy rushing toward Lyra.
She staggered backward, barely keeping her footing, the Wyrmstone burning in her hands as though it was alive. The creature was too strong, too ancient, and its wrath was far more than she had anticipated.
But then, something unexpected happened.
A shadow moved beside her. The guardian had returned, their hands raised, glowing with magic. They reached out, their energy intertwining with Lyra's, and for a moment, they were one—two forces united in purpose.
"Together," the guardian said, their voice firm. "We can stop it."
Lyra nodded, understanding. She focused all her energy on the Wyrmstone, channeling the power that surged through her into a single, focused strike. The guardian's magic combined with hers, and together, they sent a wave of force toward the creature.
For a moment, the world went still. Then, with a deafening crash, the creature shattered, its form disintegrating into dust and smoke as the Wyrmstone's power overwhelmed it. The jungle fell silent again, the tremors ceasing as the earth began to heal.
Lyra collapsed to her knees, the Wyrmstone's energy finally fading from her body. She was exhausted, her mind spinning from the intensity of the battle. The guardian knelt beside her, their presence steady and calm.
"You did it," the guardian said softly. "But this was only the beginning. The Wyrmstone's power will continue to test you, Lyra. You will face many trials before the end."
Lyra nodded, still breathing heavily. She had succeeded—for now. But she knew the journey ahead was long and fraught with danger. The Wyrmstone had only just begun to reveal its true power, and the forces that sought to control it were far from finished.
"I'll be ready," Lyra said, her voice steady despite the exhaustion that weighed on her. "I won't let the world fall into chaos."
The guardian looked at her for a long moment, as if weighing her words. Then they stood, extending a hand to help her to her feet.
"Then come," they said. "The world is waiting."