NOVEL NEXT Chapter 5: The Path to the Hollow Peaks
Chapter 5:The Path to the Hollow Peaks
Lyra stood at the edge of the village, her heart heavy with the weight of the Wyrmstone in her hand. The sun was setting, casting a pale orange glow over the quiet cottages of Emberbrook, but the beauty of the scene felt distant to her. The world she had known was slipping away, replaced by a strange, dangerous reality she wasn't sure she was ready for. The figure of Varek, their words still echoing in her mind, seemed to linger in the air, pulling her forward. Seek the Circle of Elders... Beyond the Hollow Peaks...
The Hollow Peaks. She had heard the name only in whispers. Legends spoke of jagged mountains, where the land itself was said to be cursed. Few who ventured into the region ever returned, and those who did were often broken—physically or mentally. It was a place where the fabric of reality seemed to thin, and even the bravest souls lost their way.
But now, it was her only hope.
"Lyra." The soft voice of Maelis broke through her thoughts. Lyra turned to find the healer standing in the doorway of their cottage, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. Her gaze was filled with concern, though it was hard to read what emotions lay behind her wise, weathered eyes.
"Are you sure about this?" Maelis asked gently, her voice a rare combination of worry and understanding. "The Hollow Peaks... no one has returned from there in centuries."
Lyra swallowed hard, her fingers tightening around the Wyrmstone. The weight of it, the cool pulse of its magic, was a constant reminder of her duty now. She was no longer just the orphan of Emberbrook. She was the keeper of a power far greater than herself, one that could either save the world or destroy it.
"I don't have a choice," Lyra said quietly, though the words felt heavy on her tongue. "The Wyrmstone is more than I thought. It's connected to something ancient, something that could tear this world apart. I have to stop it."
Maelis studied her for a long moment, her eyes soft with a mixture of pride and sorrow. She took a step forward and reached out, placing a gentle hand on Lyra's shoulder.
"You've always had strength, Lyra," Maelis said, her voice low but steady. "But remember—strength isn't just about power. It's about knowing when to trust others, when to let them help you. You don't have to carry this burden alone."
Lyra's chest tightened. She wanted to believe that the healer's words were true. She wanted to believe that she didn't have to face this journey alone. But deep down, she knew that this path—this quest—was something only she could undertake. The Wyrmstone had chosen her, and the forces she would face would stop at nothing to claim it. There was no one else who could bear that responsibility.
"I know," Lyra said, forcing a small smile. "But this is something I have to do. I have to find the Circle of Elders."
Maelis nodded slowly, her fingers brushing against the top of Lyra's hand, where the Wyrmstone was tucked into the folds of her cloak. "Then go with care," she whispered. "And remember—some things are not what they seem. The world is older than you know, and there are forces at work that you cannot yet understand."
Lyra nodded, though she didn't fully understand what Maelis meant. The warnings of danger, of shadows and unknown forces, had been constant in her life. But now, they felt more real than ever. The road ahead was shrouded in uncertainty, but Lyra had no other choice.
"Goodbye, Maelis," Lyra said, her voice thick with emotion.
"Goodbye, child," Maelis replied softly. "May the winds guide your steps."
With one last glance at the only home she had ever known, Lyra turned away. The road to the Hollow Peaks lay ahead of her, stretching out into the unknown.
The journey through the forest was quiet, the path familiar but filled with an undercurrent of tension. Lyra moved with a sense of urgency, her feet quick but careful as she followed the path out of Emberbrook. The trees loomed over her like silent watchers, their branches reaching toward the sky, casting long shadows across the forest floor. Every sound seemed amplified in the stillness—her footsteps crunching on the undergrowth, the occasional rustle of leaves in the wind. The Wyrmstone pulsed faintly against her chest, its power still a mystery she couldn't quite understand, but one thing was clear: It was growing stronger
As the hours passed, the air grew colder, and the familiar sights of the village began to fade into the distance. Lyra's thoughts raced, her mind tumbling over the visions she had seen—of cities in flames, of dragons with eyes that burned like stars. Was that her future? Was that what awaited the world if she failed?
No. She couldn't fail.
She had to reach the Hollow Peaks.
The path grew steeper as she moved deeper into the wilderness, the trees thinning out as the landscape began to change. The familiar sounds of the forest—chirping birds, the rustle of small animals—faded, replaced by an eerie silence. The air seemed heavier now, thick with an ancient presence, as if something older than the earth itself was watching her every move.
And then, she saw it.
A towering mountain range rose ahead, jagged peaks scraping the sky, their snow-capped tops hidden by dark, swirling clouds. The Hollow Peaks.
Lyra felt a shiver run down her spine as she took in the sight of the mountains. They were even more intimidating up close. Dark and foreboding, they seemed to pulse with a power she could feel even from a distance. The path ahead was shrouded in mist, the way forward unclear.
She reached for the Wyrmstone, her fingers brushing against its smooth surface. The faint pulse of its magic was reassuring, grounding her as she took a deep breath and began her ascent.
The first steps onto the mountain trail were like walking into another world. The air grew thin, cold biting at her skin. The ground beneath her feet became rocky, unstable, and she had to be careful not to slip as she made her way toward the heart of the Hollow Peaks. Every step felt like a journey into the unknown, and with each passing moment, Lyra could feel the Wyrmstone's power growing stronger—pushing her forward, urging her toward something she couldn't yet comprehend.
But she couldn't stop now. Not when the fate of everything she had ever known hung in the balance.