Chapter 143: The Path to Darkness
The surviving warriors gathered at the courtyard’s edge, their breath forming clouds in the frigid air as they prepared to leave the carnage behind. Elena sat propped against a broken pillar, her face pale but determined as she watched Maria organize the remaining forces. Two of Thornvale’s most trusted guards flanked their injured queen, their hands resting on their weapons as they scanned the surrounding ruins for potential threats.
"The Obsidian Spire," Commander Lyra repeated, her white eyes reflecting the dim light filtering through the perpetual gloom. "Even the name sounds like a trap."
"Everything about this realm is a trap," Elysia replied, adjusting her grip on her weapon as she surveyed their depleted numbers. Of the original force that had entered Luna’s domain, fewer than twenty warriors remained combat-ready. The rest lay scattered across multiple battlefields, their sacrifice a stark reminder of the price they were paying for this rescue mission.
Commander Maria stepped forward, her expression grim despite their recent victory. "Your Majesty," she addressed Elena, "are you certain you can manage without additional support? The information we extracted suggests the path ahead will be even more dangerous than what we’ve already faced."
Elena’s jaw tightened, her royal pride warring with the practical reality of her injuries. "I’ve survived worse than this, Maria. Besides, you need every capable warrior for what’s coming. Don’t waste resources protecting someone who can’t contribute to the fight."
"You’re not a waste of resources," Elysia interjected, her voice carrying the weight of recent loss. "You’re the reason we’re here. Eren needs his aunt to survive this war, just as he needs his mother to rescue him."
The mention of her son sent a visible shudder through Elysia’s composed exterior. The queen of Moonlight had maintained her regal bearing throughout the battles, but the constant fear for Eren’s safety was taking its toll. Dark circles shadowed her eyes, and her hands trembled slightly when she thought no one was watching.
"He’s strong," Lyra said quietly, reading her mother’s distress with the intuition born of their unique bond. "Whatever they’re doing to him, he’ll survive it. He has to."
"Strength won’t protect him from everything," Elysia whispered, her voice barely audible above the wind. "The things that creature described... the experiments, the rituals... What if we’re already too late?"