Curing Darkness
Xavier – POV
Kai jolted upright, his eyes brimming with an eerie darkness. Both Susan and Jennifer flinched beside me. "He's possessed," Susan muttered.
"I warned you to leave me alone, but you chose to bring me here," Kai retorted, his words laced with bitterness. The air around him crackled with dark magic. However, the sanctity of the moon goddess shrine, a beacon of light, restrained him from wielding his ominous power. Agony crossed his features, causing him to moan in pain.
"Jennifer, summon Leia for me," I instructed. Without wasting any moment, Jennifer scurried away to fulfill my request. Meanwhile, I conjured the chains of light magic once more, binding Kai, who continued tormenting me. "Release me, you jerk," Kai spat venomously.
"I'll keep you restrained until you learn to master your dark power, not be enslaved by it," I retorted firmly.
As Leia entered the scene, her question was cut short at the sight of Kai bound by the luminescent chains. Her gasp sliced through the tense air. "What are you doing to Kai?" She snapped, her gaze darting between us. Kai, noticing her presence, hissed menacingly, leaving Leia bewildered.
"Kai is the new Dark King, Leia. I've brought him from hell. His dark power is controlling him, not the other way around," I explained. At my revelation, Leia gasped again. "He doesn't remember any of us and is ready to attack."
"Let me try talking to him," Leia suggested, her voice thick with determination.
"I advise you to maintain your distance. He's like a rabid beast right now," I cautioned, but Leia ignored my warning.
"Kai, please, look at me," Leia pleaded gently. Hesitant, Kai turned to her, but I maintained a firm grip on his chains, unsure of his intentions. "Do you remember me, Kai?" Leia asked softly, her hand reaching out to caress his cheek. Kai closed his eyes for a fleeting moment, leaning into her touch.
Kai's eyes snapped open, their hue softening to a familiar hazel. "Leia, you're alright," he said in his usual tone, a glimmer of recognition in his eyes.
"See, I knew Kai would recognize me," Leia exclaimed, her voice tinted with relief. "Now, please, let go of the chains."
"Kai, are you feeling alright?" I inquired, to which he responded with a nod. Heaving a sigh of relief, I released the magical chains that bound him. We stepped out of the moon shrine, and our spirits lifted, but the sense of joy was fleeting. The air abruptly shifted, reverting to an ominous darkness. Leia and I exchanged worried glances before turning to Kai, who now wore a sinister smirk.
"You thought you tricked me," he snarled. Reacting swiftly, I yanked Leia out of his reach just as he lunged for her. Kai retaliated with a blast of dark magic aimed at me, and I winced in pain.
"Damn it, I should've known Kai wouldn't be able to control his dark power so easily," I berated internally.
"Leia, are you alright?" I asked, turning to her. She nodded in response, her face pale. Meanwhile, Jennifer and Susan joined us, assuming a defensive stance, ready for battle.
"Why can't we catch a break? Why must we keep combating this darkness each time we yearn for rest?" Susan griped. Ignoring her lament, Leia launched an attack using her power, which I swiftly joined. Kai recoiled, hissing in pain. He seemed weaker than before. Maybe he stayed too much in the moon goddess shrine.
"Kai, please snap out of this! I can't bear to hurt you," Leia implored amidst the chaos. But Kai didn't seem to hear her; instead, he launched another attack, targeting me. I knew we had to defend ourselves and quickly.
An idea sparked in my mind – a spell of light sigil, known to help anyone regain control over their powers. With adrenaline pumping through my veins, I summoned superhuman speed, rushing towards Kai. Before he could react, I tackled him to the ground, imprinting the magic sigil onto his wrist. Kai let out a moan of agony and promptly collapsed.
"What did you do?" Leia asked, attempting to come closer. I quickly motioned for her to stay back.
"I used a sigil to help him control his power. I remembered it from a magic tome I studied a while back. I just hope it works," I explained, my eyes not leaving Kai, who was now writhing in agony on the ground.
"How long will he be in pain like this?" Leia asked, her voice fraught with worry.
"Maybe a few minutes," I estimated, though I shared her concern. To prevent potential harm, I surrounded Kai with a barrier of light magic, ensuring he couldn't escape and harm Leia or retaliate against me. "We should take him to the manor," Leia suggested, and with a swift incantation, she teleported Kai – still unconscious and bound by the light magic – and herself to our estate.
After settling Kai in his bed, I closed the door behind me with a weary sigh. Leia, looking pensive, voiced her hope. "I pray he recovers soon and learns to control his dark magic."
"Perhaps you should talk to Lilith," I suggested, aiming to distract her.
"Lilith is alive? I assumed you would have killed her by now," Leia responded with surprise. I reached out, placing my hand on her shoulder reassuringly.
I explained my decision to spare Lilith, offering Leia the chance to exact her revenge. After all, Lilith had caused deep emotional wounds, nearly taking my life and Kai's and leaving Leia petrified for hours. My words seemed to touch Leia deeply, and, in response, she leaned in and kissed me.
"You are so sweet," she murmured. "I will go to confront Lilith in the dungeons."
*****
Leia – POV
Seeing Kai return filled me with such happiness, but that emotion was short-lived. Watching him struggle to control his dark power was disheartening. I was growing tired of this endless battle Kai had been fighting for so long. I wished, more than anything, for him to be content.
"Have you reunited with both of your mates?" Lilith's voice cut through the silence.
"I have, but one of them has lost control over his senses. I need to know how to help him," I implored.
"And why should I assist you without getting something in return?" Lilith asked, her voice weak and raspy.
"You're not getting any deal other than death," I retorted sternly. "If you're not willing to help, I'll find another way."
"Then why are you here?" Lilith probed, sounding puzzled.
"To deliver the death you've been asking for," I declared coldly, unleashing my magic against her.
"Incorporate your magic with your mate bonds and mark Kai and Xavier. They will regain their full power, just as you harnessed your strength when they marked you," Lilith suggested, shutting her eyes tightly. As my magic fire made contact with her skin, Lilith let out a bloodcurdling scream, a sound that reminded me of my agony when I lost my mates. Despite her help, she wanted something in return. Part of me considered sparing her life, but my inner voice resounded with a firm 'no'. Freeing Lilith would only invite more chaos. This realization made me halt my action. Leaving the dungeon's darkness behind, I met my mates.