As they journeyed deeper into the Shadow Kingdom, Kael couldn't shake off the feeling that Thane was hiding something. He watched as Thane interacted with Lyra, noticing the way Lyra seemed to trust him more and more with each passing day.
"Thane, can I talk to you for a moment?" Kael asked, falling back to walk beside him.
Thane raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"
"I've been wondering about your motivations," Kael said, his voice low. "What do you hope to gain from helping us?"
Thane's expression was neutral. "I want to stop Malakai. That's all that matters."
Kael's eyes narrowed. "And what about Lyra? You seem to be... invested in her journey."
Thane's gaze flicked to Lyra, who was walking ahead of them. For a moment, Kael thought he saw a glimmer of something in Thane's eyes – a spark of recognition, perhaps, or a hint of longing.
"I want Lyra to succeed," Thane said finally. "She's the key to defeating Malakai."
Kael's doubts grew. Was Thane's interest in Lyra genuine, or was there something more to it? He couldn't shake the feeling that Thane might be using Lyra to achieve a mysterious goal, one that might not be entirely good or bad.
As they continued on their journey, Kael kept a close eye on Thane, wondering what secrets lay hidden beneath his enigmatic surface.
Kael's eyes locked onto Thane's, his expression intense. "I want to know what's driving you, Thane. What's your stake in this?"
Thane's gaze didn't waver. "I'm helping Lyra because it's the right thing to do. But I could ask you the same question, Kael. What motivates you to be by her side?"
Kael's jaw clenched. "I'm here because I care about Lyra. I want to protect her."
Thane raised an eyebrow. "Protect her? Or is it something more? Like, aren't you around her for your own motives as well?"
Kael's face grew hot with defensiveness. "What are you insinuating?"
Thane's smile was subtle. "Look around, Kael. Do you think everyone helping Lyra is doing it just because they feel a connection to her? Aria's skills are valuable, but she's also driven by a desire for adventure and recognition. Arachne's motives are tied to her own sense of justice. And you... you're driven by your feelings for Lyra."
Kael's eyes narrowed. "What about you, Thane? What drives you?"
Thane's expression turned enigmatic. "Let's just say I have my reasons. And they might not be entirely altruistic."
The tension between them was palpable. Kael wasn't sure what to make of Thane's words, but he knew one thing – he would keep watching him, waiting for any sign of betrayal.
As they took a break from their journey, Kael sat apart from the group, lost in thought. Thane's words lingered in his mind, making him question his own motivations. Was he truly fighting for Lyra, or was it for his own desires?
Lyra noticed Kael's disconnection and walked over to him. "Hey, what's wrong?" she asked, concern etched on her face.
Kael looked up, his eyes locking onto hers. Lyra sat down beside him, her presence calming.
"Just thinking," Kael said, his voice low.
Lyra nodded understandingly. "Want to talk about it?"
Kael hesitated, then shook his head. "Not really."
Lyra nodded again, and they sat in silence for a moment, enjoying the peaceful surroundings.