As Eira stood frozen in shock, Lyrien's cold smile seemed to grow wider. The air around them felt heavy with tension, and the silence was oppressive. Eliana's eyes, however, seemed to hold a glimmer of concern, but it was quickly suppressed.
Eira's mind reeled as she tried to process what was happening. She had risked everything to save Lyrien, to prevent this very outcome. But now, it seemed like her efforts had been for nothing.
"Lyrien, what's happening to you?" Eira asked, her voice barely above a whisper. She took a step forward, but Lyrien's gaze didn't waver.
"I've done what needs to be done," Lyrien repeated, his voice devoid of emotion. "The kingdom is mine now, and I'll do whatever it takes to keep it."
The words cut deep into Eira's heart. This wasn't the Lyrien she knew, the man she loved. This was someone else, someone consumed by the Crown of Light's darkness.
As the reality of the situation set in, Eira felt a surge of determination. She wouldn't give up on Lyrien yet. She would find a way to reach him, to bring him back from the brink of darkness.
But for now, she needed to be cautious. Lyrien's behavior was unpredictable, and Eliana's loyalty seemed to be firmly rooted in him. Eira couldn't trust either of them, not yet.
"I see," Eira said, trying to keep her voice neutral. "And what do you plan to do next, Lyrien?"
Lyrien's smile grew wider, and he glanced at Eliana before responding. "We'll rebuild the kingdom, Eira. We'll make it stronger than ever before."
The words sent a shiver down Eira's spine. She knew that Lyrien's vision for the kingdom wasn't what she had hoped for. The darkness was spreading, and she needed to act fast.
As the three of them stood there, the tension between them palpable, Eira realized that she had a choice to make. She could try to reason with Lyrien, to reach out to him and bring him back from the darkness. Or she could take a more drastic measure, one that would risk everything.
The fate of the kingdom hung in the balance, and Eira knew that she was the only one who could tip the scales. But which path would she choose?