Chapter 9
Chapter 9: The First Battle
Night fell, and the shadows of the forest deepened. Lyra's group made camp near a trickling stream, the shard floating between her hands as if alive.
"I've never seen magic like yours," Mira said quietly. "Controlled, precise… but raw. You could be powerful."
Lyra swallowed, staring into the shard's glow. "I don't know if I'm ready."
A sudden roar shattered the calm. Shadowlings emerged from the trees, eyes like burning coals. Joren scrambled to block them with branches, Kaelen darted to confuse and trap them, and Mira's flames surged.
Lyra's shard pulsed violently. She focused, shaping it into glowing orbs that shot toward the creatures, dissolving their forms into light. By dawn, the forest was quiet, and Lyra's chest heaved.
"You survived your first battle outside Eldermist," Mira said, a rare smile forming. "Next time… it won't be easier."
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