Chapter 103

Chapter 103
Raven’s POV

I rush back ignoring Caleb, he's done so much for me and it's my turn now. I am strong and capable.

At Nadine-West I notice Raphael’s soldiers are moving slower and their glowing armor dimming as if someone is draining the life out of them.

I looked around and I see him, the man that made me come back here, Raphael, He’s hunched over, one knee on the cracked ground, hand pressed against his chest where I struck him. Blood coating his fingers, dark and thick. His breaths come in sharp, ragged pulls, each one sounding like they tear through his lungs. He looks up as soon as I step forward. His eyes turn storm blue, his gaze unstable but beneath all that I see a flicker in them or maybe it's just my imagination.

“R... Raven…” he coughs, a thread of awe and agony mixed. “You came back.” He sounds glad, but his voice icks me. I glare at him, lightning sparking in my palms, I just want to finish him off because if I leave him he'll come back to hurt us again.

“You hurt my Caleb.” I say my voice shaking with fury. His lips twitch into a weak, almost fond smile.

“You hurt him, you hurt so many innocent people, Raphael , you deserve death." I say firmly. He just laughs.

“They aren’t innocent, none of them are. No one is innocent Trice.” He creams and a stray bolt of lightning cracks overhead, making the ground tremble. How did he manage to possess all this power? who is helping him? My parents? but why aren't they here. He rises slowly, trembling, blood dripping down his ribcage.

“You’re not thinking clearly,” I warn, I want him gone but a fraction of me wants to hold back, maybe if I speak to him he might listen to me and stop all this madness.

“Oh, I’m thinking clearer than ever.” His voice splinters, almost a hiss. “You chose him, over me, I was right there Trice, right there with you. I was there for you, I did all I could for you but why didn't you ever love me Trice, why?" He asks his expression unreadable. Did I cause him to be this way?

"That's not how love goes Raphael, you can't control the heart. But that's not an excuse to do what you do." I say.

“If I cannot have you, Trice…” he rasps, lightning crawling up his arms, flickering violently. “Then I will destroy everything that keeps you away from me.” He hisses.

"Please stop Rapha." I try to reason with him but it doesn't make a difference. He uses all his strength summoning his darkness and spreads it all around him. Everyone in the vicinity is struck, I feel a sudden sharp pain across my shoulder. I let out a groan and Raphael gasps stopping his spell.

"Trice." He runs to me but stops mid way, is he concerned? Then suddenly his army starts disappearing as his expression changes. I see an opportunity and want to strike but then his eyes stop me, his Hazel eyes flecked with gold.

"Raphael." I call in hope.

"Trice." He looks at me, not as an enemy, not as a threat but as the friend he once was. The man who protected me when no one else dared.

"Raphael." I speak all the moments we shared together rushing back to my mind. I see him for who he is, it's like what possessed him vanished.

“Tri…ce…” he whispers, stumbling forward as he collapses to his knees.

Blood gushes from the wound on his chest, staining the ground beneath him. Without his powers his healing won't be fast. The wound seems so deep. His men fade away leaving only the survivors. He sways then starts falling, but I catch him before he hits the ground. His weight collapses into my arms, warm and slick with blood. I sink to the dirt, pulling him gently onto my lap. His breaths are shallow and wheezing.

His eyes stare at me. “Trice…” he whispers again, his voice so soft. I missed him, I missed my friend now he's bleeding out and I can’t do anything to help him. “Thank you for coming back.” He smiles, Tears burn behind my eyes. Did it have to be this way? Did we have to hurt each other like this.

“You saved me once,” I murmur, brushing hair from his forehead. “I won’t let you die alone.” His lips twitch into the faintest smile.

“I… always wanted to protect you,” he breathes. “Even when… I changed. Even when the darkness took me. Even when you left.” His breath hitches. “I never hated you, never. I'm sorry for causing you too much pain Raven, please forgive me.” He pleads. A tear I didn't know way flowing down falls onto his cheek. He raises his hand and wipes it off my face.

“Do you remember… when we first met Raven, you were so badass?” he whispers his voice fading.

"Yes I do, Raphael, you were my hero. You were what I looked forward to." I say his smile widens and regret written all over his face. I feel so bad for him. I cradle his head gently, anger and grief twisting inside me.

He wasn’t born a monster, he became one or maybe he chose to become one.

His eyelids flutter, heavy and tired. “Trice…” he breathes one last time, reaching weakly for my hand. I take it instantly. His fingers curl around mine, shaking. “I’m… sorry... I love you Trice.” and with that he closes his eyes, his heartbeat slowing and finally stops. And he goes still, tears stream down my face uncontrollably. My heart bursts with pain I cannot decipher, I thought I hated him, but I didn't.

I bend over him, forehead pressed to his, letting myself grieve the friend I lost long before the enemy he became.

In a short while his body starts transforming to dust and in seconds my hands are left empty. Raphael gone without a trace. At least he's at peace now.