Chapter 110 Fragments of Truth
Lyra: POV
I stared at the bound figure of Arden, a storm of emotions churning inside me. The man who had once been my soulbound mate—the one who had encouraged me to defy my father, then abandoned me when I lost my royal status—now sat before us as a prisoner. His skin had an unhealthy purple tinge where the void energy had seeped into him, corrupting not just his body but his soul.
"He's secure," Thor announced, tightening the elemental bindings around Arden's wrists. "These should hold him, even with his void-enhanced abilities."
Kael stood beside me, his eyes never leaving our captive. I could feel his protective energy surrounding me like an invisible shield. "We need information," he said, his voice low and controlled. "About Cassius, about the void gate, about everything."
I nodded, trying to ignore the ache in my chest. Not from lingering affection—that had died when I saw the cruel gleam in Arden's eyes at the rift—but from the stark reminder of my own naivety. How easily I had been manipulated by someone I thought loved me.
"We'll take him back to Storm's Eye," I decided. "Question him there."
Kael's jaw tightened. "Are you sure that's wise? Having him so close to our base?"
"We need what he knows," I replied, meeting Kael's concerned gaze. "And I'd rather interrogate him somewhere secure than out here where Cassius's patrols might find us."
During our journey back to the safe house, I felt Arden's eyes on me repeatedly. His gaze was a mixture of hatred, confusion, and something else I couldn't quite identify. Perhaps regret? No, that was wishful thinking. The void had consumed whatever capacity for remorse he might have once possessed.
"Be careful, Lyra," Stella whispered in my mind. "His mind is polluted with void energy. Trust nothing he says."
I know, I thought back. The Arden I knew is gone. This is just an enemy wearing his face.
When we reached the safety of our hideout, Thor and Marcus secured Arden to a sturdy chair, adding multiple restraints and checking them twice. Nova perched on my shoulder, hissing softly whenever Arden looked our way.
"So this is the mighty 'Storm's Eye' I've heard rumors about," Arden's voice dripped with mockery. "A shabby little hovel for the disgraced princess and her band of misfits."
I ignored his taunt and stood before him, fighting to keep my voice steady. "I'm going to ask you questions about Cassius's plans, and you're going to answer them."
Arden's lips curved into a cold smile. "Am I? And why would I do that, princess?" He spat the title like an insult.
"Because if you don't," Kael stepped forward, eyes flashing with storm energy, "you'll wish Cassius had killed you instead of corrupting you."
Arden fell silent, but his eyes—once warm amber, now tinged with unnatural purple—remained defiant. Hours passed as we questioned him, getting nothing but silence or sarcastic remarks. My frustration mounted with each passing minute.
"Cassius's plan," I pressed again. "What is he preparing for?"
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Arden spoke with a hint of pride in his voice. "Lord Cassius is preparing for the Void Lord's arrival." He leaned forward as far as his restraints would allow. "The new era is coming, whether you fight it or not."
I kept my face carefully neutral, not wanting to reveal that we already knew about the Triple Moon alignment. Instead, I feigned shock, hoping to bait him into revealing more details.
"Void Lord?" I whispered, widening my eyes. "What are you talking about?"
Arden smirked, clearly pleased to believe he was delivering devastating news. "The great one from beyond the rift. He requires powerful dragon energy as a conduit..." His eyes fixed on me with malicious delight. "Especially yours, Star-Chosen."
My blood ran cold. This was information we hadn't possessed—my specific role in their plans. "What do you mean?" I demanded.
"Your bloodline is the key to opening the void gate," Arden revealed, satisfaction evident in his voice. "Why do you think they've been hunting you so relentlessly? Any dragon would do for energy harvesting, but only your Star-Chosen blood can unlock the final seal."
Kael's hand found mine, squeezing gently—a silent reminder that I wasn't alone. I squeezed back, grateful for his steady presence.
After the interrogation, I noticed something strange. Occasionally, when Arden thought no one was looking, pain would flash across his face. The void energy wasn't just empowering him—it was consuming him from within.
"I want to try purifying him," I announced suddenly.
Aria, who had been silently observing, shot me a concerned look. "Lyra, that could be dangerous. What if it's a trap?"
"He was my soulbound once," I said quietly. "I have to try." Though I no longer harbored feelings for Arden, I couldn't ignore the responsibility I felt. We had been connected, however briefly.
"I'll stay with you," Kael said firmly, making it clear this wasn't up for debate.
I approached Arden cautiously, gathering starlight purification energy in my palms. As I drew near, his eyes widened with genuine fear.
"Stop!" he shouted, struggling against his bonds. "You'll kill me! The purification will destroy me!"
His reaction startled me. "The purification only harms void energy, not the host," I explained, confused by his panic.
"You don't understand," Arden hissed, eyes wild with terror. "The void is part of me now. Remove it, and there might be nothing left."
Despite his protests, I pressed forward. "I won't abandon you to this corruption, Arden. Even if you've already abandoned yourself."
Ignoring his struggles, I concentrated starlight energy into my palm and gently touched his forehead. Immediately, he began thrashing and screaming, the restraints barely holding him. Kael and Thor rushed forward to steady him as I continued channeling purification energy into his body.
Where my light touched his skin, the purple-black energy began to smoke and dissipate—but almost immediately, new void energy would surge up from within him to replace it. It was as if the corruption had taken root in his very core.
I persisted, pushing myself to the limits of my endurance. Sweat beaded on my forehead as I fought against the darkness consuming him. But for every bit of void energy I purged, more would emerge, an endless wellspring of corruption.
"Enough, Lyra," Stella finally warned. "You'll exhaust yourself to no benefit. His corruption runs too deep."
Reluctantly, I pulled back, my breath coming in ragged gasps. Arden slumped in his chair, equally exhausted.
"See?" he rasped, a hoarse laugh escaping his lips. "The void... is me now. Your light... cannot drive it away."
I wiped the sweat from my brow, realizing with grim certainty that this wasn't merely a battle of energies—it was a battle of wills. Arden hadn't been forcibly corrupted; he had willingly embraced the darkness.
We secured Arden in a reinforced shed behind our safe house. Thor added extra locks and boarded up the small window. As I stood outside, I could hear Arden's low murmurs from within—a voice that sounded less and less like the man I once knew.
Kael appeared at my side, his expression somber. "Some people choose darkness, Lyra. Not everyone can be saved."