Luna Aurora (Alpha Fenrir)

Chapter 317

Elyra stood in the center of the training room, the shard humming softly in her hands as she focused on its energy. Every time she tried to channel it, a sharp jolt of power surged through her veins, sending her thoughts spiraling. Althea had taught her to control the shard's energy, to balance its light and dark, but with every passing day, it was getting harder. The shard pulsed with its own rhythm, wild and unpredictable, as if it had a mind of its own.

And then there was Dain.

Elyra's heart ached every time she saw him, as if an invisible thread between them was fraying little by little. She could sense the darkness creeping in, pulling him further away from her, from everything they had shared. It was like watching someone you loved drowning, unable to reach them no matter how hard you tried.

She knew Dain was struggling with the same questions that had haunted her. Althea's cryptic words, the promise of power in the shadows-they were all so tempting, so difficult to ignore. Elyra had felt the same pull, but unlike Dain, she had found a way to resist. She had to. But Dain was different. The pull of the darkness was growing stronger for him, and she could do nothing but watch as he teetered on the edge of losing himself.

As much as she tried to focus on her training, the thought of Dain slipping further away consumed her. She couldn't lose him. Not like this. Not to the darkness. Not to the very thing that had nearly destroyed him before.

"Focus, Elyra," Althea's voice interrupted her thoughts, sharp and commanding. Elyra blinked, shaking herself out of her spiraling thoughts, and met Althea's eyes. The older woman was standing across the room, arms crossed, her gaze as steady as ever.

"You're distracted," Althea said, her tone softer now, but still firm. "You cannot afford distractions. The shard's power will consume you if you are not careful."

slipping away, Althea. I can't focus on

if you lose control of yourself. Focus, Elyra. You cannot help

to ignore the desperate ache in her chest, the fear that was growing with every passing moment. The shard responded to her call, its energy swirling, the light flickering like a flame in the wind. Elyra held it steady, trying to

began, but her voice faltered. She could barely keep her thoughts focused long

moment, then sighed softly. "You're not ready. You still have so much to learn. The shard's power is not meant to be controlled by someone

The words stung, more than they should have. "Then why am I even here? Why do

balance. But you must learn to control the shard before it controls you. And you must stop focusing on Dain. If you don't, you will lose him. And yourself." Elyra clenched her fists, trying to hold back the tears threatening to spill. She couldn't lose him.

have to be this way?" Elyra whispered, her voice trembling. "Why does one of us have to fall? Why can't we both

made Elyra's heart ache. "Because that is the way of the prophecy. One will rise, and one will fall. The darkness is a force that cannot be tamed. It will consume everything unless there is balance." Elyra shook her

between you and Dain is the key to

the weight of Althea's words. Elyra's mind raced, spinning with confusion and fear.

Althea's voice broke the silence again, her tone

her voice soft but unyielding. "I need you

her shifted. The room blurred and twisted, and for a moment, she felt as though she was being pulled into another realm. The shard in her hand pulsed with energy, lighting up the space with a cold, eerie glow. Elyra stumbled, reaching out for something to steady herself, but the vision around her grew clearer. She saw Dain-only it wasn't the Dain she knew. This Dain was different. Darker. His eyes were