Chapter 15: The Thing She Became

With shaky breath, she lifted her head slightly and asked, “What are you ?”

“I’m you.” It answered immediately, sounded clear and final, like it wasn’t trying to hide.

Lyra's chest rose sharply, but she didn’t step back this time or seek Valerius's protection; instead, she stood there, her mind racing.

Instantly, Valerius moved slightly in front of her out of instinct, his body already tense and gaze sharp as he searched for something to fight.

He was a bit disturbed as he knew this time he might not be able to protect Lyra, seeing as he couldn’t even see what he was about to fight.

Then he spoke firmly, “No! That’s not possible.

He looked at Lyra in confusion, then back at the stranger who was simply standing.

“It is,” the stranger said quietly this time, no riddles or hesitation. “And it’s the truth you needed to hear.”

Lyra frowned slightly, her eyes narrowing.

“Explain,” she said.

The stranger exhaled slowly, then spoke in a tone far more direct than before.

“When you were trapped in that place… when you thought you wouldn’t make it out… your mind didn’t just survive,” he said. “It split.”

Valerius’s expression hardened. “That doesn’t—”

“It does,” Lyra cut in quietly.

Because now…She remembered the moment everything inside her had gone completely still. The moment she had stopped feeling like one person.

“…I remember,” she said softly.

The presence behind her shifted a bit, but it didn’t feel threatening anymore.

It felt… familiar.

The stranger nodded once.

“You didn’t just endure it,” he continued. “You adapted. You created a second layer of yourself, something that could carry what you couldn’t.”

Valerius looked between them, his frustration clear. “Then what is it exactly?”

Lyra answered before the stranger could.

“…it’s the part of me that survived when I couldn’t,” she said.

Suddenly, the presence stepped fully into view before her. It was no longer a shadow; it looked like her, but not perfectly. Its eyes were darker and seemed cold, but it was unmistakably Lyra.

Valerius froze.

“…no,” he said under his breath.

The second Lyra tilted her head slightly, studying him, then spoke in a voice like a siren.

“I kept her alive,” it said calmly. “While she was breaking.”

Lyra didn’t flinch; instead, she stepped forward and closer until she was face-to-face with herself.

Valerius immediately reached for her arm. “Lyra…don’t.”

But she didn’t look back; instead, she stared at her deeply, with no hesitation or fear.

“I need to,” she said softly.

The stranger, on the other hand, stood idly at the side, not interfering because this was no longer something external.

The second Lyra watched her with quiet interest.

“You’re not afraid anymore,” it said smoothly.

And Lyra shook her head, “No.”

Then there was a quiet pause as both of them stared at each other.

“Because I understand now.” Lyra suddenly spoke, her mind at ease.

Then the other Lyra smiled faintly.

“Good.”

For a moment, neither moved, and Lyra spoke again, “You’re not here to take over, are you ?” she asked softly, but deep down she already knew the answer.

The other Lyra’s expression didn’t change.

“No,” it replied. “I never was.”

Valerius frowned deeply. “Then what do you want?”

This time…Both Lyras answered.

“At first?” they said in perfect sync.

“To survive.”

They paused…then the second one continued alone.

“But now…”

Her gaze shifted back to Lyra.

“I want control.”

Immediately, Valerius' body tensed up, now on alert. His tails rising instinctively, ready to attach around Lyra.

“Absolutely not…”

“Valerius.” Lyra’s voice stopped him instantly.

Then he looked at her, confused. He stared deeply at her, trying to understand why she’d want such, but then he noticed something different in the eyes he had grown so used to. It wasn’t fear anymore, or weakness, it was clarity. She wanted clarity, but he couldn’t seem to understand.

“…you’re considering this?” he asked quietly.

She nodded once, “I’m not considering it,” she said, “I’m accepting it.” She finishes in a final tone.

The stranger watched closely, but didn’t interrupt.

Then Lyra took another step toward her look-alike, who was still staring at her intently.

“You said you carried what I couldn’t,” she said to the other version of herself.

“Yes.”

“You kept me alive.”

“Yes.”

“Then you’re not my enemy.”

There was a sudden pause as the second Lyra studied her carefully.

“No,” it said bluntly, “I’m not.”

Valerius exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair.

“This is insane.” He blurts out as he was still finding it hard to believe, especially seeing two of her.

“Maybe,” Lyra replied calmly, “But it’s real.”

She lifted her hand slowly and placed it directly against the other version of herself.

Valerius moved forward instantly, worried about what she was about to do. “Lyra, wait…”

But the moment their hands touched, everything went still. There was no chaos, just absolute silence. Then the two figures blurred as they began to merge like water

Valerius’s breath caught as he silently watched in bewilderment while the stranger quietly stood and watched

And then…It was over, and only one Lyra stood there.

Now whole.

Then slowly her eyes open, now looking different and deeper and more aware.

Suddenly, she exhaled once, steadying herself, and Valero didn’t waste a second as he rushed to her side, holding her.

“Lyra.” He called, his voice low and steady, but his mind unsure and ready for what happens next.

Slowly, she looked at him, and this time… she smiled.

“I’m still me.”

He searched her face carefully, a bit unsure, “Are you sure?” he asked one more time.

And she nodded.

“I don’t feel like a void,” she said softly I feel… complete.”

The stranger let out a quiet breath, “That’s not supposed to happen so easily,” he admitted.

Lyra glanced at him.

“Maybe it was never meant to be complicated,” she replied.

This made Valerius frown slightly, “Explain.” He demanded.

She turned back to him fully, “That thing wasn’t something external,” she said. “It was a defense. A survival mechanism that adapted faster than I could.”

She paused.

“And now I don’t need it separate anymore,” she finished.

Valerius’s gaze softened slightly, though caution still lingered, “And you can control it?”

Lyra lifted her hand slightly, and for a second nothing happened, but then the air shifted slightly. A faint gush of air twirling around above her hand, then it disappeared.

She lowered her hand as she stared back at an amused Valerius

“Yes,” she said simply.

The stranger shook his head slightly in disbelief.

“…you stabilized it completely.”

Lyra didn’t respond as her attention was now on the place they had left, which felt safe.

“We’re going back,” she suddenly says

Valerius blinked. “Back?”

“Yes.”

He studied her carefully. “You’re sure that’s a good idea?”

“Yes,” she repeated, “Running won’t change anything, remember?”

Then a faint smile touched her lips.

“And now… I don’t need to run.”

He stared at her for a moment, contemplating before finally giving in. He doubted even if he disagreed, he’d be able to stop her.

“…fine.” He nodded with an equal smile.

The stranger looked between them, “You’re just going to walk back into civilization after that?” he asked.

Lyra met his gaze calmly as she spoke, “Yes.”

“And if something comes after you?” He asked with a pointed stare.

And this time, she didn’t hesitate.

“Then it won’t find the same person.” She finalized.

Without another word, they started walking back to the town. And somehow everything felt a bit lighter.

As they moved, Valerius stayed close behind her, hus presence watchful and protective as always. And somehow, he seemed to have gained trust in her strength.

Just as they stepped back into the edge of civilization, a few people glanced their way briefly before returning to their routines.

Valerius glanced around carefully, “It still feels too calm,” he muttered.

Lyra nodded slightly, “It is,” she said with a smile

Finally, they settled in, got a home for themselves, and began to grow within the town. Everyone now seemed to be familiar with them as they began to involve them in town activities

Valerius noticed how much joy and peace Lyra was having, but somehow, he couldn’t help but feel it wouldn’t last forever.

And at the same time, his mind keeps drifting back to his old life, his home, and what belonged to him. The thought of going back and reclaiming his throne has flashed through his mind several times, but he wasn’t sure it was worth the trouble.

“We need to talk, Lyra…”