Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.
I tried to move forward, but the invisible barrier held firm, preventing me from intervening.
"Rolo!" I yelled, desperation creeping into my voice.
But he didn't seem to hear me. His eyes were locked onto the twins, their proposal hanging in the air like a poison cloud.
"The new king?" Rolo repeated.
"The Hueless King," one twin clarified, his grin widening. "The one who sits on the glass throne."
Rolo faltered for a fraction of a second, but he quickly composed himself. "You think I can kill the Hueless King?"
"We have faith in your abilities," the other twin replied, his voice dripping with insincerity. "And besides, it is not just a matter of ability but also of trust."
He didn't respond. Instead, he took a deep breath and faced the twins. "If I agree?"
The twins exchanged a glance, their smiles widening. "Then you will have all the knowledge you seek," they said in unison. "We will also sponsor you as the new kings."
Rolo was silent for a long moment. My heart pounded in my chest, each beat echoing with fear and frustration. The beast within me roared, clawing at my insides, desperate to break free.
The twins exchanged a wicked smile. "You must kneel to us," one said.
"Kneel to your new kings," the other finished.
Rolo remained still for a moment. But when he finally looked up at the mages his eyes radiated defiance.
"Funny," he said, his voice laced with sarcasm. "My king never asked me to kneel, ever before."
The twins' smiles twisted into expressions of malicious delight. "We thought you smarter than this, boy," they said in unison.
Before Rolo could react, the twins attacked. One moment, they were standing before him; the next, they were a blur of motion, their cloaks billowing like dark wings. Rolo barely had time to react, throwing up a hastily constructed shield that shattered under the force of their combined assault.
"NO!" I screamed, my fingers tearing at the invisible barrier until they bled. I could only watch helplessly as Rolo was flung across the room, his body hitting the wall with a sickening thud.
The twins laughed, their voices a cruel symphony that echoed through the chamber. "You see, boy," one of them sneered, "we do not make offers lightly."
Rolo struggled to his feet, blood trickling from a gash on his forehead. His eyes blazed with determination, but I could see the fear lurking beneath the surface.
I slammed my fists against the barrier, ignoring the pain as my knuckles split and bled. "Rolo, get out of there!" I shouted, my voice hoarse.
But it was too late. The twins closed in, their hands crackling with dark energy. Rolo raised his hands in a final, futile attempt to defend himself, but I could see the fear in his eyes. He was outmatched, and he knew it.
"Stop!" I roared, my vision blurring with tears of rage and helplessness. "Please, stop it!"
Gironde remained silent, watching the scene unfold with an unreadable expression. I turned on him, my fury boiling over. "Why won't you let me help him?" I shouted, my voice breaking with emotion.
Gironde looked at me, a sad smile tugging at his lips. "Because he is the one you want to save the most," he said quietly. "He is the bright star that goes out too soon, like a dying candle flame."
"You're wrong!" I screamed, my voice raw with pain. "I hate you! I hate you for doing this!"
Gironde's expression softened, but he didn't respond. Instead, he turned his attention back to the battle. The twins were toying with Rolo now, their attacks growing more vicious with each passing moment.
Rolo's defenses were crumbling. He was bleeding from multiple wounds, his breaths coming in ragged gasps. Every time he tried to rise, the twins knocked him back down, their laughter echoing through the chamber like a death knell.
"Rolo!" I screamed, my heart breaking as I watched him suffer.
But Rolo was too weak. He looked up at them, his eyes filled with a mixture of defiance and despair.
They raised their hands, dark energy crackling between their fingers. I watched in horror as they prepared to deliver the final blow.
"No!" I screamed, my voice shattering the silence.
I fell to my knees, my hands pressed against the barrier as tears streamed down my face. "I hate you," I whispered, my voice breaking.
Gironde placed a hand on my shoulder, his touch cold and distant. "Sometimes, we must let go of those we love," he said quietly. "Even if it hurts. This is the only future where you prevail. So what is the death of a little star in contrast to the birth of a sun?"
"No," I screamed. In that moment, something inside me snapped, and I shouted with all the strength I could muster, "Live! You cannot die!"
The barrier around me shook and vibrated with my voice, a resonating force that seemed to ripple through the very fabric of the room. For a split second, everything seemed to freeze.
Rolo's eyes widened in surprise as he suddenly rolled to the side, narrowly evading the deadly strike. The twins' dark energy crackled harmlessly against the ground where he had just been lying. They looked at each other, then back at Rolo, clearly baffled by his sudden burst of agility.
Gironde's gaze snapped to me, his eyes widening in astonishment as if he were seeing someone entirely different. "Shaytan," he murmured, almost reverently.
I was too shocked to fully grasp what had happened, but the urgency of the moment left no room for reflection.
"You changed the course of fate..." Gironde breathed. I did not know what that meant. But I did not even care.
Rolo, with the last remnants of his strength, reached into his cloak and pulled out a small, intricately carved artifact. It was a shimmering key pulsing faintly with a deep, internal glow.
The twins' eyes widened in recognition and fury.
"No!" one of them shouted, lunging forward.
"You won't escape!" the other twin roared, casting a powerful spell.
"Live," I commanded again, and somehow, he was doing just that. The artifact began to pulse wildly, its light growing more intense.
"Do you understand the magnitude of what you've done?" Gironde whispered, his voice astonished and deathly serious at the same time.
The twins almost reached Rolo, but the artifact reached its zenith. In a blinding flash of light, Rolo vanished, leaving only a faint afterglow behind. One twin landed at the place where Rolo had been a moment ago, the concrete cracked under his feet. The magical attack dissipated before it could hit him. They stood still for a moment, mirror reflections of each other: their faces twisted with rage and frustration.
Gironde stepped forward, his expression unreadable. "This is the third time you have changed his fate," he said quietly, his eyes never leaving mine. "This is the third time he should have died."
I felt a cold shiver run down my spine. "What do you mean?"
Gironde's gaze softened slightly but he did not answer my question.
"Every time you alter the balance of destiny, it's a dangerous game. And you also missed the chance to break the curse."
I frowned. "So I need one of my friends to die to break the curse?"
Gironde nodded.
"Then I won't break this curse," I said firmly.
Gironde's eyes flickered with a mixture of admiration and sadness. "It's not always that simple, Shaytan. Sometimes, sacrifices are necessary for the greater good."
"I don't care about the greater good. Not this time," I replied, my voice unwavering. "Not any time."
Gironde sighed, his expression a blend of resignation and tiredness. "Very well. But know this: every action has consequences, and the path you choose will shape not only your fate but the fate of those around you."
I looked at the place where Rolo had vanished, my heart heavy but resolute. "I don't care about destiny or fate. I care about my friends. And I will protect them, no matter the cost."
Gironde's smile was sad, almost wistful.
"So never ever think about sacrificing them."
Gironde nodded but I still looked at him like he was the scummiest scum on the face of the Earth.
"Now, take me home, you bastard."
I turned my back to the rampaging twins who started to vent their anger on their surroundings.
When I got home I thought I'd have some cocoa, there was nothing else that could help. I was just about to close the microwave when I heard the click of the lock and then a muffled thump.
I wasn't surprised when I saw Rolo on the floor. I could smell his blood from the kitchen. He looked up at me, but he could hardly move.
"You're late," I announced.
"Sorry," he said with a mocking smile, "I got held up."
I reached into his shirt and pulled him up, and he clung to me to stop himself from falling back immediately. It wasn't very aesthetically pleasing, the way he was hunched over me, but I supported him to the sofa.
"Try not to bleed anything," I let him know before he rolled his eyes and muttered something about my greatness.
I helped the cloak off him, then grimaced and pointed to a small tear. "What have you done to your gift?"
Rolo's eyes widened. "You remember!"
I grinned and closed the microwave. When the cocoa was ready, I handed the mug to Rolo. He needed the comforting warmth of the cocoa more than I did.
Leaving the still puzzled boy behind, I headed for my room.
Simon was sitting on my bed. His figure was so pale and translucent that for a moment I thought it was a mirage. When we went to rescue Rolo, Simon was struggling to step through the invisible wall, so it was no wonder his form weakened. Although his essence was still malleable, he smiled slightly and held out his hand to me.
I sighed and smiled back a knot forming in my stomach as I realized what needed to be done. Then I put my hand on the transparent fingers and let Simon pull me into the depths of his memory. Instantly, I was engulfed in a whirlwind of sensations—Simon's screams echoing in my mind, the chilling presence of the vampires, and the visceral horror of his final moments.
The necromancer was wrong about something. The truth was far more painful. The ones I yearned to save the most—were the ones I couldn't save anymore. The ones who were already dead.
(...)
"What's for breakfast?" I entered the kitchen.
Alex almost dropped the plate, he was so surprised.
"Shay," he began excitedly, "you're back!"
"Hm?" I raised one eyebrow. "When did I leave?"
The wolf was confused.
"You were a child," he declared.
"Yes, I was once," I smiled and sat down. "Why?"
"You really don't remember?" he questioned me, "You turned into a child!"
"Are you okay, Alex?" I frowned, "Maybe you haven't fully woken up yet?"
"No, apparently not," he sighed and smiled. "Shay, I'm glad you're back to your old self."
"So, fried eggs?" I asked him as I looked at the plate in his hand.
He smiled and put the plate in front of me.
"This is all?" I asked indignantly, pointing to the two fried eggs. "Do you suggest I should lose weight?"
He laughed again. "I'll fry the second round."
"Better hurry," I grinned and started breakfast.
Rolo stumbled into the kitchen and threw himself down on the chair.
"You look a bit ragged," I said.
He stabbed me with his eyes and then grumbled something to himself about it being my fault.
After breakfast, I went to the bathroom to brush my teeth. I looked at the strawberry toothpaste for a while, then, when I was sure no one was looking, I squeezed some on my adult-sized toothbrush. Don't judge me.
I heard a knock on the door, and after that a familiar voice greeted Alex. Curiosity piqued, I finished up quickly and went to the living room to investigate.
As I entered the living room, there stood Coffee, looking both excited and slightly bemused. She held a colorful gift bag in one hand. When she found me with her eyes the joy morphed into a slightly deflated-looking expression on her face. Why do you look so disappointed?
"Good morning, Shay," Coffee said with a tight smile.
I raised an eyebrow. "Morning, Coffee. What's up?"
She seemed momentarily flustered, fumbling with the bag as if unsure what to do with it. Then, as if a sudden decision had been made, she quickly hid the bag behind her. "Oh, nothing much."
After that, we remained silent. Alex feeling the tension in the air came to our rescue. "Coffee everyone?"
"Sure, coffee sounds good," I said, trying to hide my curiosity about the bag. I gestured towards the couch. "Have a seat."
Coffee sat down, but her usual poise was replaced by an uncomfortable shuffling. She glanced at me, then at the cup of coffee Alex had set in front of her. She took a sip, clearly trying to mask her unease.
Alex noticed Coffee's odd behavior but chose to remain silent, allowing her some space.
After a few minutes of strained small talk, Coffee stood up abruptly. "Well, I should be going. Things to do, you know?"
I nodded, but before I could ask more, she was already heading towards the door. "Thanks for the coffee, Alex. Shay."
I gave her a nod, still puzzled by her abrupt departure. "See you later, Coffee."
After the door closed behind her, Alex's gaze turned towards me, his curiosity evident. "What was that all about?"
"I have no clue," I admitted, shrugging. "She seemed... off."
Alex looked thoughtful for a moment, then shook his head. "I guess we'll find out eventually. For now, let's clean up."
We both set to work tidying up the remnants of Coffee's visit. I helped to wipe down the table, while Alex stacked the used dishes in the sink.
Once everything was in order, Alex turned to me with a practical tone. "Hey, could you take out the trash? It's starting to pile up."
"Sure thing," I replied, grabbing the trash bag from the corner of the kitchen.
I headed outside and made my way to the communal trash bin. As I tossed the bag into the bin, my eyes caught sight of something that seemed oddly familiar. It was the colorful gift bag that Coffee had tossed away.
I hesitated for a moment before digging through the trash, carefully pulling the bag out. The contents inside looked untouched, hidden beneath some crumpled papers and empty cans.
Bringing the bag back inside, I ran to my room and I peered inside to find the same thoughtful gifts: books, gourmet chocolates, and a little hoodie. The hoodie had the same logo as the cap I got from her before and it was the same colour as well. I started to unpack the items from the bag with an odd mixture of feelings. Maybe she felt awkward after realizing I was back to my adult self.