Morning came slowly, but Aria didn't feel rested.
She sat by the broken window of the chapel, watching light pour over the trees. Her fingers played with the moonstone pendant as if it held answers.
You should have stayed dead.
The words from the Echo still haunted her.
Why were they so angry?
What had Arielle done that made even the dead rise against her?
---
Lysander returned with bread and water from the nearby stream. His face was calm, but his eyes kept watching the woods.
More Echoes will come, he said. The pendant is waking up. They can feel it.
Then teach me,Aria said suddenly. Help me control it.
He stared at her. Are you sure?
She stood. I need to be ready. For them. For everything.
Lysander gave a small nod.
Then we begin now.
---
🌀 Training Begins
They stepped into a wide clearing behind the chapel. The air felt charged — like the world itself was watching.
Close your eyes, Lysander said.Hold the pendant. Feel it.
Aria obeyed.
The moment her fingers closed around the stone, warmth spread through her chest. Soft light flickered behind her eyelids.
Now think of a memory, he said. Something that matters.
She thought of Mira's smile. The painting. The first time she heard her past name.
And suddenly—the light burst out from her hands.
She gasped and opened her eyes.
Moonlight danced around her fingertips, wild and beautiful.
---
Lysander stepped back. "Good. But focus. The magic responds to your emotions."
Aria tried again. This time, the light formed a shape — like a small shield.
But just as she smiled, a voice called from the edge of the trees.
She always did glow when she was trying too hard."
Aria spun around.
A tall figure stepped from the shadows.
Dark hair. Sharp eyes. A confident smirk.
He was dressed in traveler's robes, a sword at his back, and something strange about his presence — like thunder before a storm.
Who—Aria started, but then her heart skipped.
Something in her soul remembered him.
Rael, Lysander said coldly.
Still alive, I see, the man replied. And still stiff.
He looked at Aria.
You don't remember me, do you?
She stared at him, breath caught. No… but I feel like I should.
Rael smiled, but there was pain in his eyes. I don't blame you. They wiped you clean when they ended your life.
---
Lysander stepped between them. Why are you here?
I felt the pendant stir,Rael said simply. And when the Moon Remnant rises, I rise too.
He turned to Aria again. You once called me your shadow. Your fire. You told me I was too wild to follow rules."
He stepped closer, voice softer.
But you also told me you'd choose me — if the war hadn't come first.
Aria's lips parted, stunned.
Lysander's hand moved to his sword, but Rael raised his brow. Relax. I'm not here to fight. Not yet.
---
A heavy silence followed.
Aria looked between them — Lysander, her loyal knight… and Rael, her fire from the past.
She didn't remember either fully.
But a part of her heart pulled in both directions.
One was steady.
The other… wild.
And both carried a piece of who she used to be.
---
💫 Author's Note:
> Things are heating up in Chapter 10! 🔥
Aria's powers are growing, and now a new rival appears — one with a past she doesn't even remember.
💬 Question for you:
If you were Aria, who would you trust more — Lysander or Rael?
👉 Don't forget to add this book to your collection so you don't miss Chapter 11!