Chapter 84: The Plan of the Forsaken
Melissa’s POV
I sat in the main hall of the temple with a cloth wrapped around my wrist to cover the mark Darius had left. The torches flickered as though they were also afraid, and the chamber felt colder than normal. With his jaw clenched, Kane paced next to me. Zephyr was standing in front of us, looking serious.
“I understand what’s going on with you,” Zephyr eventually remarked.
I took a deep breath. “Then tell me.”
He let out a breath. It’s the vitality of the heart. The remnants did not just disappear once it was destroyed. They held on to you. Darius is gradually drawing you into his universe in this way.
I trembled as I recalled the whispering in my nightmares and how I woke up memoryless outside. “He’s taking me, then?”
Zephyr gave a nod. Not all at once. However, if this keeps happening, you won’t be able to fight him any longer.
Kane struck the wall with his fist. “No. We’re going to end this now.
Zephyr scowled. “It’s not that easy.”
Kane betrayed him. “Then simplify it.”
Zephyr gave a headshake. “Kane, magic doesn’t operate that way. Melissa is now Darius’s tether. He can reach her as long as she possesses even a small portion of the Heart’s power.
My stomach rumbled. “So, what should we do?”
Zephyr paused. “We must cut the connection.”
My breath came out sharply. “Then let’s get started.”
However, Zephyr’s face grew serious. “You’re not getting it. We must remove all traces of the Heart’s residual power from you to break the connection. And there might be a price for that.
Kane froze. “How much does it cost?”
Zephyr gave me a look. “Your power. Your strength. You might not be the same person ever again.
A chilly quiet descended upon us.
My hands curled into fists. Would I take that chance? Was I prepared to permanently lose a piece of who I was?
Kane had a low, menacing voice. “No. There must be an alternative.
However, I already knew in my heart that there wasn’t.
The air was heavy with old enchantment as Zephyr guided us into a secret room under the sanctuary. Faint blue runes pulsed around the walls, their radiance changing like living beings.
Zephyr clarified, “This is a purification chamber.” It’s ancient magic that eliminates evil forces. We can extract Melissa’s Heart’s energy if we use it.
I took a step forward. “Then let’s get started.”
Kane took hold of my arm. “No.”
I gave him a startled look. “Kane”
“No,” he said, his eyes blazing with passion. “Zephyr, you heard. You may lose your strength if you go through this. Suppose you are unable to fight? What happens if you are no longer able to defend yourself?
I inhaled deeply. “I must do this, Kane.”
He clenched his fingers. “No, you don’t. We’ll figure something other out. We usually do.
Zephyr let out a sigh. “There isn’t time for another approach. Darius will take her if we wait too long.
Kane balled his fists. Then I’ll keep her safe. I refuse to allow him to take her.
I made him glance at me by touching his cheek. “Kane… I’m afraid. But this isn’t how I can live. I am unable to be his prisoner.
He clenched his jaw. “I can’t watch you lose yourself, either.”
Zephyr moved apprehensively. “There’s no turning back this, Melissa. Your relationship with magic might never be the same if we take away the Heart’s energy.
I took a deep breath. “I’m not interested. I’ll do it if it means Darius can’t control me.
Kane moved ahead of me. “I will not permit you to.”
My heart shattered as I looked into his eyes. “Kane, you don’t own me. I made this choice.
He was silent for the first time.
But no sword could cut through the pain in his eyes.
With his hands balled into fists at his sides, Kane stepped back, his expression growing gloomy. “Melissa, you don’t understand what you’re asking.”
I folded my arms. “Kane, I completely get it. I can either let Darius eat me gradually or break up with him before it’s too late.
His eyes blazed with annoyance. “At the expense of all? What’s your strength? Your future? After this, you might not even be able to move.”
Zephyr, feeling the tension, stepped awkwardly between us. “Kane, I know this isn’t easy, but”
He was rounded on by Kane. “Stay out of this.”
Zephyr raised his palms. “All right. However, arguing won’t make a difference. Melissa’s decision has already been made.
Kane shook his head and exhaled sharply. “I won’t let this happen.”
I tensed up. “I’m not allowed to do anything. My body is this. “My life.”
A look of sorrow distorted his face. “How about us? What if you become someone else? What happens if you change? “What if…” His vulnerability pierced through his wrath, and his voice broke.
He retreated when I grabbed for him. “Kane”
“No.” His tone was unpolished. “I can’t watch you do this.”
I got a lump in my throat. “What the heck? Are you simply going to leave?”
He took a deep swallow. “If you go through with this, you’re the one walking away.”
The statements had a profound effect.
I wasn’t on the same side as Kane for the first time.
And I was scared.
Kane and I were silent, and it hung there like an open sore. His back was to the doorway, and he was panting heavily.
I didn’t know how to make this better, but I wanted to say something.
The air changed then.
A chill ran through the sanctuary, deep and strange. An invisible force coiled through the room, causing the torches to flicker erratically and their flames to fade.
Zephyr tensed. “Something’s wrong.”
Kane’s instincts sharpened as he turned toward me. “Melissa”
Below us, the floor shook. The air was filled with a low, unsettling hum that grew louder until it was a deafening pulse.
Then a dark vortex tore through reality from the sanctuary’s center.
Raw force crackled in a swirling mass of energy and shadows. Thick and oppressive, the smell of charred magic filled my lungs.
Then he moved through it.
Darius.
Tall. Imposing. Shrouded in darkness. His enjoyment flickered across his face as his piercing silver eyes met mine.
He purred, “Ah, Melissa,” with a sinister satisfaction in his voice. “You’ve been running for far too long.”
With a growl, Kane moved ahead of me. “Stay away from her.”
Darius tilted his head and laughed. “Oh, but why ought I to?” Ultimately, she is now mine.
My heartbeat thumping, I balled my fists. “I’ll never belong to you.”
Darius grinned. “Oh, sweetheart… You already do.
My wrist was charred by the mark. Whispers of submission flooded my head, blurring my vision.
To hug him.
I staggered back, gasping.
With a tight grip, Kane grabbed me. “Melissa-fight it!”
Darius grinned more broadly. “Why fight what’s inevitable?”
He was surrounded by pulsing shadows that grew toward me like ravenous tendrils.
It was getting dark.
Furthermore, I wasn’t sure if I had the strength to stop it.
As the darkness encircled me and drew me in Darius’ direction, my body shook.
My name was being chanted by a thousand voices in my thoughts as the whispers became louder.
Kane… My voice hardly came out of my mouth as I tried to utter his name.
I could feel myself slipping.
Dropping.
Losing command.
Now, the weight of Darius’s force had drowned out Kane’s voice.
Then, as my eyesight grew blurry, I heard Darius’s last whisper, triumphant and low.
“It’s time to come home, Melissa.”