Chapter 2 The stranger's question

Chapter 2: The Stranger's Question* Lyra's fingers hesitated on the lyre's strings as she gazed up at the stranger. The moonlight seemed to dance around them, casting eerie shadows on the garden path. "Who are you?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady. The stranger stepped forward, revealing a tall, lean figure with piercing green eyes and jet-black hair that fell to his shoulders. He wore a dark, embroidered coat that seemed to shimmer in the moonlight. "I am Kael," he said, his voice low and smooth.

"And you, Lyra Stonebrook, are a mystery." Lyra's heart skipped a beat as Kael's gaze seemed to bore into her very soul. "What do you mean?" she asked, trying to sound nonchalant despite the tremble in her fingers. "You play the lyre with a skill that belies your...obvious youth," Kael said, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Yet, there's something more to your music. Something that hints at a deeper power." Lyra felt a shiver run down her spine. How did Kael know about her music? And what did he mean by "deeper power"? "I just play for fun," she said, trying to downplay Kael's words. Kael's smile was enigmatic. "I think you're selling yourself short, Lyra. I think you have a gift that could change the course of your life forever." Lyra's curiosity was piqued. What did Kael know about her music, and what kind of gift was he talking about? She leaned forward, her fingers still poised over the lyre's strings. "Tell me more," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. Kael's eyes seemed to gleam with amusement. "Ah, Lyra. You're eager to learn. I like that. But first, you need to understand the true nature of your music. Are you ready to hear the truth?" What do you think Lyra should do next?