Semua Bab Luminous: The Throne: Bab 31 - Bab 40

"Have you two noticed something strange?" Alessia's voice broke the rhythm of their horses' steps as she reined in her mount. Raizel groaned, pulling his horse to a halt beside hers. "Strange? If you mean riding through endless trees and dirt for days, then yes, I've noticed." Sirena's brows knitted as she slowed her horse. "Wait, Alessia, what do you mean by strange?" Alessia gestured to their surroundings, her voice tinged with frustration. "Look around. The terrain hasn't changed in three days. No landmarks, no progress—we should've reached the Forest of Nyssor two days ago." Raizel glanced around, his frown deepening. "You're right. It's like we're stuck in a loop." Sirena looked uneasy. "That can't be possible, can it? We've been moving forward this whole time!" Alessia exhaled sharply. "We're not stuck. Someone—or something—is doing this. We're being played with." Raizel threw his head back with a groan. "Great. Another magical headache. Just what we needed." "This is

While pulling his horse forward, Raizel mumbled, "This is hopeless." His voice was rough from being so tired. The thick leaves of the trees blocked out any view of the sky, making them look like silent watchers. "Are we sure we're going the right way?" Alessia said, "We don't," with her jaw clenched. She gripped the reins even tighter, and the effort made her knuckles white. "I'm to blame for our loss. We're in this situation because I put my trust in Mimic." Sirena gave her a quick look, her forehead wet with sweat. "Alessia, don't blame yourself right now. Our main goal should be to escape alive." Even though Alessia didn't say anything, her silence said a lot. She kept replaying over and over in her mind the warnings from her uncle and even Goddess Nova. Their words kept reminding her of her biggest flaw: she trusted others too quickly. It had cost them a lot, and now that they were weaker, the weight of her mistake crushed her spirit. The forest did not seem to end. There did

"Sirena, are you alright?" Alessia's voice resonated across the cavern as she grasped the Blade of Lumina tightly, imploring Sirena once more, the blade's faint glimmer the only illumination in the darkness. "I'm fine," Sirena answered, her voice quivering slightly. "But, where are we? And where is Raizel?" Alessia studied their surroundings, her eyes narrowing as she attempted to make sense of the immense cavern they had arrived in. The rocky walls were sharp, and water dripped from the roof and pooled on the uneven floor. Shadows flickered across the stone as Alessia shifted the light from her glowing blade. "I don't know," Alessia mumbled, clenching her jaw. "But we are alone. Raizel did not fall with us." Sirena shivered, tightening her robe around herself. "I do not like this, Alessia. There is something here." A loud, guttural growl resonated through the shadows, sending shivers down both women's spines. Alessia strengthened her grasp on her blade, and the light brighten

"This place is incredible," Sirena said, reclining back on the soft grass of the meadow. Her aqua-blue eyes reflected the sun's waning light as it set behind the golden-leaved trees. "It feels like we've stepped into a dream." Alessia sat nearby, her back against the trunk of a tree that glowed dimly in the twilight. Her fingers carelessly touched the grass, its cool, silky texture grounding her amidst her racing thoughts. Raizel lay out on the ground, hands behind his head, seeming calmer than Alessia had ever seen him. "Dream or not, I'm just glad we're not fighting for our lives anymore." He looked at Alessia with a taunting grin on his face. "Though I have to say, Alessia, you really have a knack for charging headfirst into danger." Alessia smirked but did not answer. Instead, her gaze shifted to the Pathweaver, who was sitting on a tiny rock beside the stream. The creature's iridescent glow appeared to brighten as the darkness deepened, throwing an ethereal light across the

Raizel muttered, "Keep your head down, Alessia," as their horses slowed at the grand iron gates of Arcas. His tone was firm but soft, just enough for her to hear over the clamor of the busy entrance. "Remember, you're Sia Larkstone here." "I know," Alessia said, her voice firm despite the unease building inside her. She adjusted her cloak, the cloth brushing across her face, as if to provide comfort. Sirena said from her side, "And don't react to anything you see. The city thrives on fear and power. We know how reckless you are. Openly expressing compassion could endanger us all." The guards at the gate were equally terrifying as Sirena's warning. They wore black armor with elaborate crimson patterns and featured a snarling wolf carved in silver, something Alessia had never seen before. Their piercing eyes searched the crowd as they approached. "State your names and purpose," yelled one of the soldiers, his penetrating eyes lingering on Alessia for a moment too long. Raizel too