Lyra's POV
"Ouch."
The word came out under my breath as I pushed myself up.
My palms stung slightly. The ground beneath me was cold—colder than it should have been. Not the kind of cold from air or weather. It felt like it came from the stone itself.
I stayed there for a second, steadying myself.
"…Where am I?"
I didn't expect an answer.
I looked down at myself.
Same clothes. Jeans, t-shirt.
Bare feet.
I frowned slightly.
"I had shoes…"
The memory felt strangely distant. I had been in my room. Sitting on my bed. Reading, because I had nothing better to do.
Now—
I slowly stood up.
My head felt a little light, but it passed quickly.
Then I looked around.
The space around me was too large to take in at once. A hall, maybe—but far bigger than anything that should exist. Tall black pillars stretched upward, disappearing into darkness. I couldn't see where they ended.
Torches lined the walls.
Their flames were blue.
I stared at them for a moment longer than necessary.
"…That's not normal."
Between the pillars hung large tapestries. Old, heavy fabric, their colors faded with time. The figures woven into them were unclear, but not comforting. Wings, shadows, faces that didn't quite look right.
I looked away.
There were people here.
I hadn't noticed them immediately, but now it was impossible not to.
Dozens.
Standing in small groups.
Watching.
All of them.
Me.
My shoulders stiffened slightly.
"…Okay."
No one spoke.
No one approached.
The silence felt… deliberate.
Before I could decide what to do, a hand caught my arm.
I flinched, turning quickly.
A man stood beside me. Older. Sharp eyes. His grip wasn't rough, but it wasn't gentle either.
He wasn't looking at my face.
He was looking at my sleeve.
Pinching the fabric between his fingers, like he was checking if it was real.
"Excuse me—"
He pulled.
I stumbled forward.
"Wait—"
No response.
He simply dragged me across the hall.
I glanced around as we moved, half-expecting someone to stop him. No one did. Some people watched. Others looked away.
No one interfered.
That felt worse.
We stopped near the center.
Three men sat ahead on raised seats. Older. Their expressions unreadable.
The man let go of my arm.
"Didn't I say," he spoke loudly, almost proudly, "that the lord is hiding a mortal woman here?"
Mortal.
The word stood out.
I looked at him, then at the others.
"Mortal…?"
No one explained.
The silence pressed in again.
The man stepped closer, a faint smile forming.
"Tell me," he said, "are you the one who is with the demon lord?"
I blinked.
"I don't know what you're talking about," I said honestly. "I don't even know where I am."
My voice sounded calmer than I felt.
"I was in my room. That's it."
I glanced around again, searching for something familiar. There was nothing.
Just stone. Fire. Eyes.
Before he could respond—
The doors opened.
The sound echoed through the hall.
Heavy.
Final.
And the air changed.
The temperature dropped sharply. I exhaled and saw my breath for the first time. The blue flames flickered, bending slightly.
Everyone reacted.
Heads lowered.
Bodies straightened.
Even the three elders stood.
I turned toward the entrance.
A figure stepped inside.
At first, I couldn't see him clearly. Just a silhouette against the dim light.
Then he walked forward.
Each step was unhurried.
There was no need for it to be.
People bowed as he passed.
Not casually.
Carefully.
I didn't move.
Not intentionally.
My body just… didn't.
He stopped in front of me.
Close enough now.
Black robes. Dark hair. Pale skin.
His presence was… quiet.
But it filled the space anyway.
"You're not supposed to be here."
His voice was low. Even. Distant.
I let out a small breath.
"…Yeah," I said. "I noticed."
Not the best answer.
But it was the only one I had.
He looked at me.
Not curious.
Not angry.
Just… looking.
"I'm Lyra," I added after a second. "Lyra Vega."
I wasn't sure why I said that.
Maybe silence felt heavier than speaking.
He didn't respond.
For a moment, nothing moved.
Then—
"Why aren't you afraid?"
I paused.
The question felt… strange.
"I think I should be," I said slowly.
And that was true.
Everything about this was wrong.
But instead of fear—
What I felt most was uncertainty.
And something quieter.
Something I couldn't quite name.
*******few hours earlier*************