Evelyn awoke with a sharp gasp, her chest heaving as the remnants of the vision clung to her mind. The image of the darkened throne room and the shattered crown lingered, along with the sorrowful wail of a weeping queen. Kael was instantly at her side, his steady hand brushing against her trembling one.
"Evelyn," he murmured, his voice low with concern. "It's alright. You're safe."
She swallowed hard, the weight of the vision pressing down on her. "I saw her, Kael. The queen… she was mourning. The crown was broken, and the shadows… they were alive."
Kael's eyes darkened, the tension in his shoulders growing. "The shard's power is growing. Whatever it's trying to show you, we need to understand it."
Evelyn nodded, but the images refused to fade. "And the name… Lysandra. It's as if it's calling to me. I can't shake the feeling that she's connected to all of this."
Kael's brows furrowed. "Lysandra. The name isn't familiar to me." He paused, his grip tightening slightly around her hand. "But Seraphina might know. If the shard is tied to her memories, she may hold the key to understanding why."
Evelyn nodded, her determination flickering through the haze of unease. "Then we'll find her. But Kael… what if the shard's pull grows stronger? What if it's trying to use me?"
Kael cupped her face, his thumb tracing gently along her cheek. "You're stronger than the shadows, Evelyn. You shattered the curse once. Whatever this shard holds, we'll face it together."
She leaned into his touch, the warmth of his presence anchoring her. "I trust you. But I need to know the truth."
He nodded resolutely. "Then we find it. No more secrets."
A knock at the door startled them both. Seraphina entered, her silver hair cascading over her shoulders, the ever-present wisdom in her violet eyes. She took one look at Evelyn and sighed knowingly.
"You saw something," Seraphina stated, her voice tinged with concern.
"A queen," Evelyn replied. "A broken crown. Shadows consuming everything. And… the name Lysandra."
Seraphina's face remained unreadable, though a flicker of recognition passed through her eyes. "Lysandra," she repeated softly. "The Obsidian Queen."
Kael's jaw tensed. "The Obsidian Queen? How is she connected to Evelyn?"
"That," Seraphina said gravely, "is what we must uncover."
Evelyn's heart pounded. "Tell me everything you know."
Seraphina hesitated before nodding. "There are fragments of forgotten history—tales of a queen who ruled in darkness, consumed by the power of the Obsidian Heart. Her name was Lysandra. She believed the shadows were a gift, granting her eternal power. But when the Heart shattered, so did her reign. Some say her spirit lingers, bound to the remnants of the Heart."
Kael's voice was low. "And now, a shard of it has made its way back to us."
"Precisely," Seraphina confirmed. "If Lysandra's presence still lingers, the shard may be a tether. Evelyn, you may have glimpsed a part of her memories."
Evelyn swallowed, the air thick with the weight of the revelation. "Then I need to see more. If I can understand what happened to her, maybe we can break the shard's hold."
Kael shook his head, concern flashing across his face. "The shard is dangerous, Evelyn. Every vision it gives you comes with a risk. We don't know how much it's trying to twist your mind."
Evelyn met his gaze, determination burning in her eyes. "But we can't run from it. If I can face the truth, then maybe we can end this… once and for all."
Kael's grip on her hand tightened as though reluctant to let her go. Finally, with a resigned nod, he said, "Then we face it. Together."
Seraphina stepped closer, her voice steady. "I will prepare the chamber. There may be more memories waiting to be revealed. But tread carefully, Evelyn. The past has a way of pulling us in."
Evelyn straightened, drawing strength from Kael's presence. "Let it try. I won't break."
As Seraphina left, Kael brushed a lingering kiss against Evelyn's forehead. "No matter what you see, I'll be right here. We'll face the shadows together."
Evelyn leaned into him, the promise of their unity a beacon in the growing darkness. Whatever secrets Lysandra held, whatever truth the shard sought to reveal—she would uncover it. And this time, she would not stand alone.
That evening, as the castle slumbered, Evelyn stood on the balcony, the wind cool against her skin. The shadows beyond the walls seemed to stir, the distant hum of the shard's pulse lingering in her thoughts.
Kael joined her, his presence grounding. "We'll find the truth, Evelyn. Whatever the shard is trying to reveal, we'll face it together."
She leaned into him, her fingers curling around his. "I know. But something tells me Lysandra's story isn't finished."
Kael's voice was steady, his eyes reflecting the same determination that burned within her. "Then we'll finish it."
The night stretched on, the stars shimmering above. And somewhere, in the depths of the castle, the shard's dark presence pulsed with anticipation—waiting for the moment its memories would fully awaken.
The next morning, Evelyn and Kael made their way through the grand corridors of the castle. Sunlight spilled through the arched windows, though the weight of the night's revelations still clung to Evelyn.
"We should gather as much information as we can before the next vision," Kael said, his voice firm. "There may be records in the archives about Lysandra."
Evelyn nodded. "And we need to ask the elders. If Lysandra was truly the Obsidian Queen, there must be stories. Whispers of her reign may have survived."
Kael hesitated for a moment. "We should also question the court historians. There may be sealed records — ones that were never meant to be found."
Evelyn's jaw tightened. "If the truth was hidden, there was a reason. But we will uncover it."
They entered the main hall, where Seraphina awaited them. She nodded solemnly. "The chamber is prepared. But before we proceed, I suggest we visit the archives. Knowledge is the strongest weapon against the unknown."
"Agreed," Evelyn replied. "We'll search for Lysandra's name — and any trace of what became of her."
With Kael and Seraphina at her side, Evelyn took a steadying breath. The shadows of the past may have stirred, but she would face them.
And this time, she would demand answers.