Returning to Thorne Manor after their first expedition brought a mix of relief and unease. The triumph of closing a crack was overshadowed by the appearance of Lysandra's ring. It lay in Aiden's palm, emitting a faint, familiar yet haunting energy.
They returned to the library, where lamplight illuminated ancient texts and family maps. Maria, her face etched with worry, had prepared hot herbal tea and a light meal. She saw the ring in Aiden's hand, and her aged eyes widened in astonishment, then quickly shifted to fear.
"Her ring," she whispered, her voice trembling. "It… it still exists?"
Aiden nodded, his expression grim. "It fell from a crack. We need to understand its meaning."
Maria bowed her head slightly, not daring to look directly at the ring. "It's a part of her. A magical link. It contains… a fragment of her memories."
Evelyn felt a strong surge of curiosity. "Memories? Can you explain more, Maria?"
Maria set the tea tray down, her hands still trembling slightly. "Those of the Thorne family… they possess a special ability to read and understand magical artifacts. That ring, it's not just jewelry. It's a vessel. It has witnessed many things. Perhaps, it's a remaining piece of Lysandra before she was fully corrupted."
Aiden looked at the ring, then at Evelyn. "If it contains memories, we need to examine it. It might give us clues on how to completely free Lysandra, or at least understand more about why she became what she was." He offered the ring to Evelyn. "You've formed a strong connection with the Seal Core and magical artifacts. Perhaps you can sense it."
Evelyn hesitated for a moment, then took the ring. It felt cold against her skin, but soon, a familiar, faint energy radiated from it. She felt a strange urge to touch the snake carvings on the ring. She closed her eyes, concentrating.
Echoes of a Tragic Past
Fragmented images began to surface in her mind, like shattered pieces of a dream. She saw a young girl with raven black hair, vibrant emerald eyes, but no malice. The girl stood in a rose garden, laughing joyfully. Then, the scene shifted to another manor, not Thorne, but an older, grander place, where the girl seemed to be imprisoned. She saw scornful glances, malicious whispers, and a profound loneliness.
Then the images flickered out, replaced by a feeling of suppression, of rejection. A desperate yearning for recognition, for possession of what she believed was hers. Next came visions of ancient books, studies of forbidden magic, and an relentless drive to seek power. And finally, images of Aiden, with loving eyes, then slowly turning to sorrow and despair.
When Evelyn opened her eyes, she gasped, sweat beading on her forehead. Aiden looked at her with concern.
"What did you see?" he asked, his voice hoarse.
Evelyn took a deep breath. "I saw… Lysandra. Not the monster or villain we know. I saw her when she was young, before she was corrupted. I saw her imprisoned, rejected by her family. I felt her pain, her loneliness, and her yearning for power to be recognized."
Aiden bowed his head, his hand clenching. "That's the truth. Her family… they were a minor branch of Thorne, but were separated due to unusual abilities. They tried to hide it, and Lysandra grew up under immense pressure and constraint. She felt abandoned, scorned. That's why she sought forbidden power."
"So she wasn't just evil," Evelyn murmured. "She was a victim of circumstance, of unfulfilled longing."
"That doesn't justify what she did," Aiden said, with a hint of bitterness. "She chose a path of destruction, tried to seize everything, betrayed me and caused pain to so many."
"I know," Evelyn replied. "But if we understand her motives, perhaps we can find a way to fully dissolve the curse. Not just seal it."
The Key to Dissolution
Aiden looked at the ring in Evelyn's hand. "You're right. Perhaps, this is the key. The missing piece." He took the ring back, examining it closely. "We need to find out what else this ring can reveal. Perhaps it can guide us to a counter-ritual, a way to 'purify' Lysandra's power, instead of merely imprisoning it."
In the following days, Evelyn and Aiden spent most of their time studying the ring. Aiden tried to use his magical knowledge to activate more memories from the ring, but it seemed to react most strongly when Evelyn touched it. Evelyn's special connection to the Seal Core seemed to have opened a channel of communication with other magical artifacts, especially those related to Lysandra.
Evelyn, with Aiden's guidance, learned to "read" the ring more deeply. She didn't just see fragmented images but also felt emotions, small pieces of Lysandra's life: moments when she yearned to be loved, times when she was overcome by jealousy, moments when she felt abandoned. And gradually, she realized that Lysandra had once been very similar to Aiden—lonely, burdened by a power she didn't fully understand, and haunted by the past. The only difference was, Lysandra chose the path of destruction, while Aiden tried to endure and seal it away.
This process brought Evelyn and Aiden closer than ever. They were not just collaborators, but kindred spirits, sharing the burden of secrets and discoveries. Aiden became more open, sharing his deepest thoughts with Evelyn. He began to trust her completely, not just in her abilities but also in her understanding and compassion.
One evening, as they were reviewing an ancient book together, Aiden suddenly looked up. "There's a legend," he said, his voice low. "About an ancient magic older than Lysandra's curse. It's called the 'Light of Absolution'. It's said that it can dissolve any dark magic, but it requires one thing: forgiveness."
Evelyn looked at him, her eyes wide with surprise. "Forgiveness? Forgive whom?"
"Forgiveness for the one who caused the pain," Aiden replied, his gaze distant, as if seeing something beyond reach. "It's a concept the Thorne family never truly understood. We always sought to bind, to seal, to control. But forgiveness… that's something entirely different."
He looked at the ring on the table, where it still emitted a faint glow. "If we want to completely dissolve Lysandra, free her from her monstrous fate, and free myself from this burden, perhaps we must seek the 'Light of Absolution.' And it will require true forgiveness from me… and from you."
Evelyn felt her heart clench. Forgive Lysandra? The one who caused so much suffering, so much tragedy? It was difficult. But she had also seen Lysandra as weak, suffering, imprisoned by her own ambition.
"How do we find the 'Light of Absolution'?" Evelyn asked, her voice steady.
Aiden picked up the ring. "Perhaps, this ring will show us the way. It holds fragments of Lysandra's past memories. Perhaps, it also holds the key to dissolving her future." He looked at Evelyn, his eyes filled with trust. "We will search together. You and I."
Evelyn nodded. She was no longer afraid. She felt a strong determination. This was no longer just about saving the Thorne family. This was about dissolving a trapped soul, and perhaps, finding freedom for Aiden himself.
Their journey was entering a new, deeper, and more challenging phase. It was no longer just about fighting darkness, but about seeking the light of forgiveness and reconciliation, to ultimately break the curse that had haunted Thorne Manor for centuries.