"The Queen's Forgotten Oath"

rinth lingered like an ominous thread woven into her soul. The Heart of Ignis had

edges of her mind. Shadows danced where there should have b

and spoke as she always had, there was a new hes

ng," he said one evening as the

ric. The Labyrinth hasn't let go of me completely. It's as

way to cut that thread. The Heart

e Weaver's power isn't something you can undo with

Alaric said firmly. "We've

rmed by his unwavering determ

aver's

he found herself standing in the vast chamber of the Loom,

and flickering. "You have defied the natural order

d to do," Lysandra r

he Weaver continued. "The Heart of Ignis was not mean

e balance was already disturbed

reads. "You misunderstand. Alaric's fate was but one thread in a tapestry of cou

s?" Lysandr

take shape in the threads. Lysandra saw the Queen's castle engulfed in flames, her people fl

, stepping back. "T

said. "Unless the balance is restored,

icult

ing. The vision of the burning castle and h

tely. "Another dream?" he aske

ision. It said my actions have thrown the balance out

have to do?"

exactly. But I think... I think I

We just got you back, Lysandra. I'm no

e Labyrinth isn't just a prison-it's part of the Weaver's design. If I ca

frustration evident. "The

ra said quietly. "And we don't have mu

his jaw set. "If you're going back to tha

raised a hand to stop her. "Don't

orry mixing in her chest. "

to the

ar and foreboding. The forest around it seem

runes on the gates glowed faintly, a

his easy for us," she said,

laric replied, uns

hispers began again. This time,

ed. "You cannot ch

ed inside. The Labyrinth's corridors twisted a

hadow

they hadn't encountered before. The room was vast and filled w

n, her magic radiating with unchecked fury. In another

victorious hero, crowned and adored by the people. In another,

ce?" Alaric asked

id. "The Labyrinth is

reflections began to step out of t

staff, her eyes burning with malevolence. "You

ord, his movements slow but deliberate. "You'

a glance, their determination

r," Alar

," Lysand

ttle against their own fears and doubts. But through their uni

he chamber began to shift, revea

," Lysandra said, her voice fille

. "Then let's

the D

s of fate converged in a swirling vortex of light a

still working the loom. "Have you co

stepping forward. "I'

mething that might have been amusement-or w

contin