Luna. Chapter 158

Lyra's POV

That night, I found myself back in the cursed place. But this time felt different. I wasn't being pulled into the nightmare - I was walking in deliberately.

The shadow was waiting for me, just like I knew it would be.

"You think you've won?" it said, its voice echoing in the darkness.

"I think I'm done being afraid of you."

"You should be afraid. Your precious Moon Goddess is dead. Has been for centuries."

"You're lying."

"Am I? When's the last time you felt her presence? When's the last time she answered your prayers?"

I tried to remember the last time I'd felt that warm, comforting presence during prayer. It had been... a long time.

"She's just quiet. She doesn't interfere directly."

"She's gone. And you know it. Deep down, you know it."

"Even if that's true, it doesn't change anything."

"Doesn't it? Your entire belief system is built on a lie."

"My belief system is built on love and protection and family. Those things are real whether the Moon Goddess exists or not."

The shadow laughed, a sound like breaking glass. "How touching. But love won't save you from what's coming."

"Maybe not. But it'll give me the strength to fight."

"Fight what? You don't even know what you're up against."

"Then tell me."

"Why would I do that?"

"Because you want me to know. You want me to despair."

"Smart girl. You're right. I do want you to know." The shadow began to take shape, becoming more solid. "Your king, your precious royal family, they're just puppets. Pawns in a much larger game."

"What game?"

"The game of gods and mortals. The eternal struggle between light and dark."

"More riddles."

"Not riddles. Truth. The Moon Goddess isn't the only divine being who's taken an interest in your kind. There are others. Older. Darker."

"And you serve them."

"I am them. Or part of them, anyway."

I felt a chill run through me, but I stood my ground. "What do you want?"

"What I've always wanted. To claim what's rightfully mine."

"And what's that?"

"This world. These people. Your children."

"Over my dead body."

"That can be arranged."

The shadow lunged at me, but this time I was ready. I threw up my hands and that white light blazed out again, brighter than before.

The shadow screamed and recoiled.

"Impossible," it hissed.

"Maybe your information about the Moon Goddess is wrong."

"She's dead. I know she's dead."

"Then where's this light coming from?"

The shadow had no answer for that.

I pressed my advantage, stepping forward. "Get out of my head. Get out of my family's life."

"This isn't over."

"No, it's not. But next time you come for me, I'll be ready."

The shadow dissolved, and I woke up in my own bed, feeling more powerful than I ever had before.