Kira decided to make a crucial decision to intervene before Alexei could execute Morgana. Deep within herself, Kira sensed that taking Morgana's life would inflict more damage upon Alexei's own mind and soul, jeopardizing any chance of redemption. As she moved to stop Alexei, Morgana seized the opportunity, drawing a sharp intake of breath. Despite her aged body's diminished stamina, she exploited Alexei's distraction and swiftly plunged a dagger into her right shoulder, eliciting a flow of blood, Alexei looked over at the dagger s she felt a slight sting she tightened her grip back on Morgana's throat.
"Alexei, please reconsider. Didn't you mention seeking redemption? Unfortunately, taking her life won't lead to that. It won't bring Ravos back. If anything, it only plays into her hands, pushing you back under her influence," Kira spoke with a blend of concern and urgency, her voice carrying a warm smile. Despite the gravity of the situation, she couldn't believe that Morgan would attack her while already on the brink of death.
Alexei's jaw tightened as Kira spoke, wrestling with the conflicting emotions within her. "Kira, you don't understand the pain she's caused. Ravos was the only person I ever felt a connection to, and she took him away from me. I can't let her go unpunished," she responded, her voice low and filled with a mixture of anger and grief.
Kira, despite the pain coursing through her body she got up and, took a step closer to Alexei. Her hand gently reached out to touch Alexei's left arm. "I know, Alexei. I understand the painof wanting revenge, but revenge won't heal the wounds. It'll only perpetuate the cycle of darkness. I'm sure Ravos wouldn't want this for you," she said.
Alexei's eyes bore into Kira's, grappling with the internal struggle between vengeance and redemption. "What do you suggest, then? Let her walk away after everything she's done?" she asked, frustration lacing her words.
Kira sighed, her expression softening. "No, not that. We need justice, but not through more bloodshed. Make her pay for what she's done, but not with our hands stained with her blood. That's the redemption you seek, Alexei," she explained, her voice carrying a quiet conviction.
Before Alexei and Kira could continue their conversation, they heard Morgana's voice piercing the air. "I created you, and you betrayed me. You're about to kill me; you had only one job, and you failed it."
Kira gazed at Morgana with a sense of wonder, why? by the unexpected statement. The reason became clear as Alexei reflected on her conflicting emotions. While Morgana felt inclined to empower Alexei, a darker desire lurked within her. Deep down, Morgan harbored a scheme to extract bone marrow from Alexei periodically. This macabre ritual would grant Morgana the means to prolong her own life, extending it by a few more months with each extraction.
"I just needed you to survive nothing else" Morgana shouted.
With Morgana's revelation about her ulterior motive exposed for keeping Alexei alive, Kira faced a dilemma. While the extraction of Alexei's bone marrow provided Morgana with an immediate extension of her life, Kira couldn't ignore the inevitable limitations of this gruesome practice. As Morgana continued to grow stronger through her rituals, there would come a point where her bone marrow alone wouldn't suffice to sustain her longevity.
"I gave you that power now I want it back, Return it to me"
Hearing Morgana's voice, Alexei's anger surged once more, and her grip on Morgana's throat tightened. But before she could act, Kira stepped forward, her words a calm yet firm rebuke. "As a creator, embracing your duty to bear responsibility for what you manifest is paramount. Every creation, especially those that shouldn't be brought into existence, carries consequences that demand acknowledgment," Kira quoted, her gaze steady.
However, Morgana, despite being cornered, retaliated unexpectedly. She threw a wisp of corruption at Alexei's face, catching her off guard. The corruption force struck her, leaving Alexei stunned and disoriented. The tight grip on Morgana's throat loosened as Alexei stumbled backward, dropping her. Morgana seized the opportunity, crawling away and ending up in front of Kira.
"Wait, wait, wait! Hold on a second! Can we talk about this? I mean, I can become your loyal servant? How about a partnership? I can make excellent tea!" Morgana said frantically.
Kira and Alexei, bewildered by the sudden change in Morgana's demeanor, raised an eyebrow.
"Tea? Really?" Kira asked sarcastically.
Morgana, now on her knees and clasping her hands together in a dramatic display, continued her plea. However, Alexei knew she wasn't someone to kneel for anyone.
"Think about it! I could be your servant and help you with your daily needs! I promise, no more rituals, no more sacrificing Nexarcs. We can go on adventures together!"
Just as Kira was about to ask Alexei about Morgana, the air shimmered with an ethereal glow. Two figures materialized beside her it was Morgana's's grandmother and her ancestors, all in astral forms, observing the scene.
"Morgana, what are you doing? Spare me the embarrassment!" Morgana's grandmother said disappointed.
"Pathetic, isn't it? This is not how our bloodline should behave," the ancestor nodded.
"Wait! You're here, grandma? Help me out here! I'm willing to learn the family tea recipes, I swear!"
Morgana's's grandmother crossed her arms, unimpressed.
"Our family's honor does not hinge on recipes, And definitely, our bloodline never started begging for mercy before," Morgana's grandmother stated.
The astral figures exchanged disapproving glances before fading away. Kira, now holding back laughter, looked down at Morgana.
"Well, Morgana, it seems even the spirits disapprove of your antics. Maybe next time, think twice before acting," Kira said sarcastically.
Morgana, defeated and still on her knees, muttered a half-hearted apology as Kira couldn't help but burst into laughter, but she walked behind Morgana and knocked her out.
"It's a good thing that we didn't have to kill her," Kira said.
Simultaneously, Mentor Kage and Vayuna emerged from the forest, their footsteps quiet against the rustling leaves. Upon reaching the scene, they quickly noticed Kira and Alexei,but their attention was drawn to the unconscious figure on the ground. Perplexed expressions etched across their faces, they exchanged questioning glances, wondering about the events that had transpired here.
Kage, with a discerning gaze, Vanyuna, equally curious, inquired, "Kira are you ok?, Also What happened here? Why is someone unconscious on the ground?"
"I better explain it on the way back to the academy," Kira said, scratching her head.
"So, this is the famed Silent Mirage," Vayuna walked up to Kira, saying.
"Um, I'm sorry, but who are you?" Kira asked, having never met this person before. Also, she wondered why this person was with Mentor Kage.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sure you've met Theo, but I'm his mentor, Vayuna," Vayuna said. "By the way, I suggest you go to Dr. Quantinium to get that bone taken out before it gets infected, and then come check with me to heal it," she added.
Kage looked around while Kira and Vayuna talked'Whatever happened here was the cause of the death energy, but it's mainly coming from those two' he thought. "I will return here later to find out what happened," he said as he pulled a cigarette out and lite but before he could pull it. Vayuna pulled the cigarette out of his mouth. "You know I don't like you smoking, especially around me and the students," she said.
This surprised Kira, as she never thought there was anybody who could treat Kage like that. But it seemed that he had a soft side, with Morgana being picked up by Kage and Alexei transforming back into her normal body, previously with white hair and eyes.
"So, you're a Morphic Bloodline," Vanyuna said suddenly, looking at Alexei.
"What's that?" Kira asked.
"A Morphic Bloodline involves a direct connection between the user's bloodline and their physical body, enabling them to manipulate and enhance their body without relying on external energy sources like Nexus Energy."
As they walked through the forest heading back to the Nexus Academy, Alexei had the feeling of a need to bridge the gap between her and Kira, gently placing her hand around Kira's shoulder. Their eyes met, and at that moment, Alexei, with sincerity in her gaze, began, "Kira, I need to apologize. The events back there, it wasn't my intention to cause harm or complicate things."
"It's fine, I understand how you feel. Plus, it's barely your fault as you weren't under control, whatever that was," Kira replied.
"Thank you. I just don't know what happened," Alexei confessed. Since gaining her bone power through the experiment and encountering Ravos, she sensed a shift within herself. There was an increased resistance to Morgana's influence. Why is that?