The full assault began three days later.
This time Lyra led the defense.
Not following.
Leading.
Her power had stabilized.
Fire in one hand.
Absorption energy in the other.
The three men beside her like guardians.
The Guild attacked in waves.
Lyra moved like a storm.
Absorb.
Redirect.
Destroy.
Her control shocked everyone.
Even herself.
Then the Guild lieutenant from before returned.
Stronger.
Mutated.
"You again," Lyra said calmly.
This time she wasn't afraid.
The battle was brutal.
But shorter.
She absorbed his final attack and converted it into a massive blast.
Victory.
The soldiers cheered.
Lyra stood breathing hard.
Kael smiled proudly.
Rylan gave her a playful salute.
The stranger simply nodded.
Approval from him meant everything.
But victory didn't last.
The sky darkened.
The Guild leader descended slowly from above.
"No more tests," he said.
"Now we end this."
Lyra stepped forward.
"Then come try."
The battlefield fell silent as the Guild leader landed.
Even the fires seemed to stop burning.
He walked slowly toward Lyra like he already owned the outcome.
"You're wasting yourself," he said calmly.
Lyra stood her ground.
"I'm protecting my home."
He shook his head.
"No."
His eyes glowed.
"You're protecting attachments."
His gaze shifted toward Kael… then Rylan… then the stranger.
"They are your weakness."
Kael smirked.
"I get called worse."
Rylan added:
"Yeah, I'm definitely a bad influence."
Even now they refused to show fear.
The Guild leader raised his hand.
Dark pressure filled the air.
Lyra felt her power react defensively.
"Choose," he said.
Lyra frowned.
"What?"
"Power… or them."
Silence.
Her heart pounded.
It wasn't just a threat.
It felt like destiny testing her.
She looked at Kael.
His confidence always gave her courage.
She looked at Rylan.
His lightness always gave her hope.
She looked at the stranger.
His quiet protection always gave her strength.
She made her decision.
"I choose both."
The Guild leader sighed.
"Then you choose pain."
He attacked.
The ground beneath Lyra shattered.
And she began to fall into darkness.