Heir Of The Fallen Flame

Chapter 8: The Escape

Lyra froze at the mouth of the underground passage, her hand tightening around the hilt of her sword as another roar tore through the academy above.

She'd been following the council since they arrested Kael. Something didn't sit well with her when they took him and she knew that if the council didn't kill Kael, Ronan would.

She'd been thinking of how to sneak in until she saw a dark cloud overshadow the academy and a creature, taller than anything she's ever seen, stormed the place.

It wasn’t human. It wasn’t anything she had ever heard or seen before. The ground trembled with every step it took and the entire academy seemed to be focused on getting rid of it, whatever it was.

She hurried down the passage only to hear another scream again but it wasn't from the academy, it was from the passage.

“Kael!”

Dust fell from the ceiling as she ran towards the cage, heart pounding and breathing heavy. The deeper she went, the heavier the air became.

The entire place was oozing with magic. Not just ordinary magic, the one that was set to suffocate an outsider. She wrapped her face with a mask and pressed forward until her eyes landed on Kael.

The cage stood at the center of the chamber, glowing faintly like it was alive. Lines of energy pulsed along its surface, tightening and loosening like a heartbeat. The closer she stepped, the more it pressed against her lungs.

But inside, Kael was on the ground, barely conscious, his body trembling. The faint gold beneath his skin flickered weakly, like a dying flame. Dark and gold markings spread across him, more visible now.

Lyra’s chest tightened. “They’re killing him…” she whispered.

Another roar shook the chamber, louder this time. The walls groaned in response.

She didn’t have time. Lyra stepped forward and immediately staggered; the cage pushed back.

Pain shot through her body, forcing a gasp from her lips. Unlike the head mages, she was no match for them and the magic here would only weaken her.

Her grip on her sword tightened. “Of course it is,” she muttered.

She took another step and pain surged again, stronger this time, clawing up her spine and into her skull. Her knees buckled, but she forced herself upright.

Kael didn’t move, he looked way too still now and he didn't look like he was breathing.

Her eyes hardened. She had no clue what Kael was capable of but she knew damned well she needed him. Anyone who can contend with the council, is of use to her…

Lyra drew her blade. The steel hummed faintly as she lifted it, flame flickering along its edge.

She exhaled slowly and swung her hand down. The blade met the cage and it cracked with electricity. Pain tore through her arm, up into her shoulder, forcing a cry from her throat as the energy snapped back violently. She was thrown backward, slamming hard against the stone floor.

Her vision blurred, her ears rang and for a moment, she couldn’t breathe. She glanced at the cage, it remained unharmed.

Lyra groaned, pushing herself up onto one elbow. Blood trickled down her forearm, dripping from her fingertips.

“That’s… not good.”

Another roar echoed above and more and more screams filled the air

She glanced at the cage again, fist clenching. She didn't have enough time, she needed to get him out!

She spat blood to the side and forced herself to stand.

“Think, Lyra.”

The cage wasn’t just a prison, it was a suppressor, built to weaken whatever was inside it.

Which meant it was tuned to Kael.

Her eyes narrowed. “Then it won’t be ready for me.”

She stepped forward again. This time, she didn’t strike. She pressed her hand directly against the glowing surface.

She gritted her teeth as pain tore through her skin, through her muscles, straight into her bones. Lyra bit down hard on her lip, blood filling her mouth as her body screamed at her to pull away.

She didn’t. Her fingers curled against the surface.

“Break…” she whispered, voice shaking. “You’re going to break.”

The energy surged. Her arm trembled violently, veins darkening beneath her skin.

The cage cracked and her eyes flew wide open. She leaned towards it again, pushing her body through it with her entire strength.

The cage pulsed wildly now. Behind her, something crashed, loud enough to shake the entire chamber. Lyra screamed as she drove her other hand forward, pressing both palms into the cage.

The energy snapped, a sharp, cracking sound split the air and the cage shattered. The force threw her back again, harder this time.

She hit the ground and didn’t get up immediately.

Everything hurt; her arms, her chest, her head. For a moment, she wondered if she had broken something.

Lyra forced her eyes open. Kael lay still where he had fallen and the rings around his hands had fallen loose.

She pushed herself up, ignoring the way her body protested.

“Kael,” she said, moving toward him. “Can you hear me…”

No response. She dropped to her knees beside him, grabbing his shoulder.

“Kael!”

He remained still but his breathing had returned, very slow.

Her jaw tightened. “Don’t do this now.”

She slid an arm under him, lifting him with effort. He was heavier than she expected, his body completely limp.

“Of course you pass out now…”

Another roar shook the academy,this one so loud it felt like it came from right above them.

Lyra’s head snapped toward the exit. She hauled Kael up against her, adjusting his weight across her shoulders.

She made her way out of the passage. The courtyard was in chaos. Lyra burst out into the open and froze for half a second.

The entire courtyard was littered with bodies as the dark tall creature, towering over the mages that surrounded it, its body twisted with unnatural muscle, its skin dark and cracked like burning stone. Its eyes glowed with a feral, endless hunger.

The Tyrant.

Lyra’s breath caught. “So it’s true…”

She's only heard of the Tyrant in the books and never thought it was possible to summon that demon without a blood spell. Blood spells are banned from Astra completely and that only means..

Drecon, the rogue.

Mages attacked the tyrant from every direction; fire, ice, lightning but it barely slowed the creature. It tore through them like they were nothing. A body hit the ground nearby.

Lyra tightened her grip on Kael, she can always find the second exit…

“Lyra!”

Her head snapped up, it was Ronan.

He stood across the courtyard, his eyes locking onto her instantly. Beside him were Darius and Silas and behind them was the head of mages himself.

Pelson.

Ronan’s gaze shifted from her… to Kael.

“Is this how Zen intends to deal with this?!” Pelson said.

Lyra gritted her teeth, “This has nothing to do with Zen. He's way too concerned about upsetting the council, I don't.”

“Let him go.” Roanan ordered.

Lyra turned to run.

A force slammed into her back, throwing her forward. She hit the ground hard, Kael slipping from her grip. Pain shot through her ribs.

“Father!” Ronana warned but Pelson was not paying attention.

She rolled just in time to avoid another strike that cracked the stone where she had been. Pelson stepped forward, staff glowing.

“You should not have interfered,” he said coldly. “Astra is under attack because of his forbidden power!”

Lyra pushed herself up, sword already in hand.

“I don't believe a word you say.”

Pelson’s eyes darkened. “Move aside.”

“Father..” Ronan tried to reason.

“Try me.” Lyra challenged.

Pelson didn’t hesitate. Lyra barely had time to react before the attack came down on her. She raised her blade, blocking but the force drove her to one knee instantly.

Her arms shook under the pressure. Ronan’s eyes went from Pelson to Lyra in horror.

“Father, she's not…”

“Do not upset me, boy!” Pelson snapped in anger.

“I won’t… let you…” Lyra gritted out as another knee went down to the ground as her blade started to melt under the flames and sweat started to feed down her back and her face.

The ground cracked beneath her, ready to swallow her whole…