The silence of the First Oath Nexus was no longer peaceful.
The white light now had a golden hue, almost burning, and every particle floating in the air seemed to vibrate as if carrying an immense weight. Lyra, still in Kael's arms, felt her chest tighten. The memory they were about to witness was not ordinary. Even Eryan, standing slightly behind, seemed to hold his breath.
— Be ready… he whispered, his voice now just a trembling breath.
Kael instinctively tightened his hold on Lyra. His hands no longer shook—they were firm, determined—but his eyes reflected a fear he never showed others: the fear of losing her again.
Before them, the light concentrated and formed a new scene. This time, it was not a past Kael. Nor a single life of Kael and Lyra.
It was an ancient Lyra, brighter and more beautiful than in any memory, and before her… two men. Two men kneeling.
Kael felt his heart skip a beat.
It was him… and Eryan.
Both were bound to her, but in different ways. Kael could feel the jealousy rising—a burning heat he could not control. His fists clenched, but Lyra gently placed her hands on his chest.
— Breathe… she whispered.
Yet even her soothing words could not calm the storm in his soul. Because what they were about to witness… would change everything.
The memory began.
Ancient Lyra extended a hand toward them. She smiled, but the smile was heavy with responsibility and impossible choices.
— Choose… she said, her voice echoing in every fiber of their being. Choose who you will follow… or lose me forever.
Kael felt his breath catch. His heart pounded so violently it felt like it would explode.
— I… I can't… he whispered.
But the other man, Eryan, stood and spoke in a voice that resonated through the void:
— If you choose Kael, I will stay by your side in the shadows. But if you choose me… I will do everything to protect you, even if it means losing you.
Ancient Lyra lifted her eyes to them, and Kael felt a searing pain: she could see all his lives, all his losses and failures, in a single glance.
— Kael… you have to understand… she said softly.
But Kael could not speak. Every part of him screamed. His jealousy, his love, his fear of losing Lyra forever—all mingled in a storm he could not control.
Lyra looked at Kael and Eryan. Her eyes shimmered with sadness. She knew this choice was not only between two men… but between two destinies bound to her soul.
Kael felt his hands tremble. He held her tighter, and the golden light around them seemed to bend to his will.
— I… he finally whispered, his voice broken by emotion. I will never… I will never let you go…
Eryan stepped back slightly, his eyes calm yet bright. He knew Kael spoke of Lyra… but he also knew that the Nexus would not accept empty promises.
The golden light suddenly exploded, and the memory shifted. Kael found himself alone with Lyra, in a field of blue flowers stretching infinitely. The rain had stopped, but the ground still quivered slightly.
— Kael… said Lyra, her voice trembling yet determined. I know you have always been there for me, in every life… but this time… I want you to choose for yourself too.
Kael felt his chest tighten. He wanted to scream, to shout, but nothing came out. His gaze locked on her. On her alone.
— I cannot… without you, Lyra. Without you, I am nothing…
Lyra shook her head gently.
— No… this time, Kael. It's not just about you and me. There is Eryan… and he is part of me too, whether you want it or not.
Kael felt jealousy burn even hotter. The pain was sharp, almost unbearable. He had always believed Lyra was his soulmate, but now he saw he had to share a part of her with Eryan.
— I will never share… he whispered, low and threatening.
Lyra took a deep breath.
— It's not sharing, Kael. It's understanding. It's accepting that our souls are bound by destiny, and sometimes, true love does not mean possession, but protection and respect for every fragment of that soul.
Kael felt a gentle warmth fill his chest. Jealousy was still there, but now tempered by something stronger: understanding and the promise never to lose her again.
He looked at Lyra, then Eryan, then ancient Lyra. Finally, he murmured, mostly to himself:
— Then… I will protect every part of you… even if it breaks me into a thousand pieces.
Lyra smiled through her tears. Kael could almost feel her soul vibrating with his.
Eryan laid a hand on his shoulder. A simple gesture, but full of meaning.
— We are bound… all three of us. Forever.
Kael let out a broken laugh, a mix of pain and relief.
— Even if I go mad… even if I scream… even if I get lost… I will always find you, Lyra… always.
Lyra gently rested her head against his chest. For the first time in centuries, she felt that the three souls could exist together without destroying each other.
And the Nexus seemed to settle.
The golden and white lights blended into one, and a fragile peace settled for a moment, as if the world was holding its breath.
But Lyra knew the storm was far from over.
Kael, meanwhile, only knew one thing: he would never let anyone touch her, not even the oldest, most painful memories.
And this time, there was no escape.
Because destiny had bound him to her, to Eryan… and to the infinite lives they would still share.