The shrine hadn't stopped glowing even as Aria stood outside, the pendant around her neck pulsed with power — steadier, heavier now. The memory shard rested in her hand like a living flame her body felt different not just stronger…but whole.
---
Lysander stood at the edge of the forest, quiet, eyes on the sky hadn't said a word since she told him that the man she saw dying in the memory… looked exactly like him but wasn't him.
---
She approached him slowly i don't want to believe it,she said I know,he replied neither do I.
I still don't know if I'm the girl from those visions… or someone else entirely Lysander turned to her then let's find out together.
She almost smiled almost.
---
Before she could reply the wind changed colder and heavier the pendant flared violently and then a figure appeared at the far edge of the clearing.
A man, dressed in dark robes lined with silver tall elegant calm and on his right hand… a glowing rune.
The same as Aria's.
---
Lysander stepped in front of her, instantly alert who are you?
The man raised a hand in peace no need for weapons.
His voice was deep, familiar in a way that made Aria's spine tighten.
Like an echo she hadn't heard yet.
I didn't come to fight,he said only to remind her.
Of what?Aria asked, stepping forward he looked at her — like she was the last star in the sky.
Of who she loved before the war before the betrayal before the pendant chose her.
---
Aria blinked no, Lysander said that's not possible.
I died for her,the man said simply.I gave my magic my soul I marked her with my rune so she'd find her way back.
He held up his hand — and the same rune glowed brighter perfect match same design same pulse.
---
Aria's heart thudded you… were him?the man nodded once my name was Caelen yu called me your moonbound.
Lysander's fists clenched he's lying i could prove it,Caelen said softly but I won't force her to believe she has the shard let it show her the rest.
---
Aria stepped back, overwhelmed her fingers closed around the shard and it flared another memory
---
💤 Memory Flash 💤
A battle,fames screams.
Aria screaming his name — Caelen!
He runs through the fire to reach her.
He lifts the pendant. Wraps it around her neck.
Kisses her forehead.
If I die… find me again In every life in any form.
And then—he falls a blade through his back Aria falls with him, blood staining her hands.
---
She gasped back into the present.
Tears slipped down her cheeks.
She looked at Caelen.
Then at Lysander.
Both men staring at her — one with sorrow, the other with heartbreak and she couldn't tell who was telling the truth.
---
The pendant glowed between them.
Not in warning.
But in conflict.
As if it… didn't know either.
---
💫 Author's Note:
> Chapter 24 just flipped the whole game 🔥
Two men.
One pendant.
Both carrying her mark.
But only one is telling the truth.
💬 Question for you:
If you were Aria… would you trust memory, or trust the one who's been by your side?
📚 Add this to your collection if you're screaming quietly from all this betrayal and past-life chaos 😩