Page 51 of Angel of Ruin

More shouts of agreement from the crowd. I see humans and even some xaphan nodding along with Lyra's words. The atmosphere in the arena has shifted completely, from jubilation to the beginnings of a rebellion.

Rahmiel and Nisroc exchange bewildered glances, clearly unprepared for this turn of events. They whisper urgently to each other, their faces flushing red at the circumstances.

As Lyra continues to argue her case, listing her achievements and the hardships she's overcome, I can't help but feel an immense pride surge through my body. As well as possessiveness. This is the woman I've come to admire—fierce, determined, and unwilling to back down in the face of injustice. And she's all mine.

"Oh, who fucking cares about what this human thinks?" Zephyr retorts, crossing her arms over her chest. "This is ridiculous. Shut the arena down already."

"And risk inciting a revolt?" I reply, perking a brow. I'm doing a good job masking the fact that I would kill every xaphan in this room if it meant saving Lyra from their clutches. "Word will spread across all of New Solas about what happened here."

"And?" Raxis scoffs. "The xaphan won't care."

"But other races will," I insist, gritting my teeth. "We're not on the best of terms with everyone. They're only searching forsomething, anything, to undermine our power. And this blunder might be it."

As the crowds below continue to yell and protest against the injustice, I know one thing for sure. Lyra deserves those wings.

And I'm willing to burn this arena to the ground if she doesn't get what she deserves.

26

LYRA

How dare they? Howfuckingdare they?

After everything I went through, they're pulling this shit on me. It's incredible, but honestly, I shouldn't be too surprised. Xaphan have a way of rubbing everyone the wrong way and not giving a fuck about it.

But this time, it feels nice to feel the support of the crowd around me. They, too, recognize this as foul play.

Suddenly, my attention is drawn upwards towards the platform once again. I can't believe my eyes as Sariel steps onto the glass platform beside Rahmiel. The xaphan leader's face contorts in shock, clearly not expecting this bold move. My breath hitches in my throat as I wait to see what Sariel will do next.

"Lyra has earned her wings," Sariel declares, his voice ringing out across the arena. "She completed all three trials with exceptional skill and determination. I would know. I helped train her."

Murmurs ripple through the crowd. I stand there, frozen, unable to process what's happening. Is Sariel really defending me? In front of all of these people?

Rahmiel's purple eyes narrow. "The human failed to complete the second trial due to injury. The rules are clear?—"

"The rules?" Sariel interrupts, his tone sharp. "Let's talk about the rules, shall we? There were... irregularities in these trials. Ones that put the human candidates at an unfair disadvantage. You and I both know this."

My jaw clenches. Is he hinting at the sabotage? I watch as Sariel's golden eyes meet mine for a brief moment before he turns back to Rahmiel.

"I've overseen these trials personally," Sariel continues. "I can attest to Lyra's exceptional performance in the face of unprecedented challenges. To deny her wings now would be a grave injustice."

The crowd's murmurs grow louder. Gratitude overwhelms my body. He spoke out for me, despite everything. Despite the consequences that will surely come his way because of this.

He did it anyway.

Rahmiel's face darkens with anger. "You overstep your bounds, Sariel. Your position does not give you the authority to?—"

"My position?" Sariel cuts in, his voice low and dangerous. "I'm willing to risk my position to ensure fairness. That's what the military taught me to do. We are never meant to engage in behaviors that corrupt our morality."

Sariel tilts his head, narrowing his eyes at Rahmiel.

"Is it possible that you're trying to stand against what the Praexa teach us?"

Rahmiel stumbles on his words. "What? No, no, not at all! I would never?—"

"Then why are you so adamant about denying her the wings?" he presses. "She's earned them fairly. I don't see the issue."

I stand frozen, my heart battering against my chest as the crowd around me erupts into chaos. The air crackles with tension, and I can feel the weight of countless eyes on me. Some faces show support, others skepticism, and a few outright hostility.

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