The first rays of dawn pierced through the canopy of trees, painting the forest floor in soft, golden hues. Lula stirred first, her fingers brushing against the smooth scales beneath her. For a fleeting moment, she forgot where she was. Then the events of the previous night flooded back—Xavier's transformation, the mist's strange pull, the safety of his embrace.
Her gaze traveled upward, finding his golden eyes already watching her, calm but alert. His serpentine head rested mere inches away, and his warmth still cocooned her in a way that felt oddly… natural.
"Good morning," Xavier said softly, his voice resonant in his true form. He didn't move, didn't rush her, allowing her the time she needed to adjust.
Lula sat up slowly, his coils loosening to give her space. She didn't look away from him, her fingers trailing absentmindedly over the grass. "You didn't sleep long," she murmured, her voice still groggy.
"I don't need much," he replied, tilting his head slightly. "And I wasn't going to leave you unguarded."
Her lips pressed into a thin line. She wanted to argue, tell him she didn't need protecting, but the vulnerability she'd felt last night was still too fresh. The mist had stolen her sense of self, and the thought of what could've happened if Xavier hadn't been there… She shivered.
"Lula," he said, drawing her attention back to him. "What happened last night wasn't your fault."
Her eyes dropped to her hands. "But I could've hurt you, Xavier. I didn't feel like myself."
"You didn't," he countered firmly, his coils shifting slightly in what she recognized as his version of pacing. "The mist amplifies instincts, but it doesn't change who you are. You fought it, even when it tried to consume you."
Lula's throat tightened at his words, but before she could respond, a distant sound echoed through the forest. A deep, resonant hum that sent chills skittering down her spine.
Xavier straightened immediately, his body uncoiling as his golden eyes scanned the horizon. "Stay close," he said, his voice low, commanding.
"What is it?" she whispered, rising to her feet. She felt the absence of his warmth keenly, but her instincts told her this wasn't the time to dwell on it.
"The mist isn't natural," Xavier replied, his tone sharp as he began to shift back into his human form. The transformation was seamless, though Lula could still see the faint glimmer of scales along his forearms as he turned to face her. "And it's not just affecting you. Something—or someone—is controlling it."
Lula's stomach twisted. "You mean… it's deliberate?"
Xavier nodded grimly. "The hum you heard—it's a signal. Whoever's behind this is close."
The forest, once serene, now felt oppressive. The air seemed heavier, as though the mist hadn't entirely cleared despite the sunlight breaking through. Lula moved closer to Xavier, her hand brushing against his as they both instinctively turned toward the direction of the sound.
"We need to move," Xavier said, his voice low but steady. "The longer we stay here, the more vulnerable we are."
"Where are we going?" Lula asked, her heart pounding.
"To the source," Xavier said, his golden eyes flashing with determination. "If we don't stop this now, the mist will spread—and it won't just be you and me fighting it."
The thought of others falling victim to the same strange pull made Lula's stomach churn. She nodded, her resolve hardening. "Let's go."
Xavier led the way, his movements quick but calculated, his heightened senses clearly on edge. Lula followed closely, her own senses sharpening as adrenaline coursed through her veins. The hum grew louder with each step, a low, vibrating sound that seemed to pulse through the very earth beneath their feet.
As they pushed deeper into the forest, the trees grew denser, their branches intertwining overhead to block out much of the light. The air grew colder, and Lula couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched.
Finally, they reached a clearing, the source of the hum coming into view. In the center of the space stood a massive stone monolith, its surface covered in glowing, intricate runes. The mist swirled thickly around it, seeming to emanate from its base. Surrounding the monolith were figures cloaked in dark, flowing robes, their faces obscured by heavy hoods.
Xavier's body tensed, his hand shooting out to stop Lula from stepping further. "Stay behind me," he murmured, his voice barely audible.
But Lula wasn't listening. Her gaze was fixed on the monolith, her breath catching as a strange sensation washed over her. It was as if the runes were calling to her, their glow pulsing in time with her heartbeat.
"Lula," Xavier hissed, his tone urgent. "Don't—"
Before he could stop her, she stepped forward, her feet moving of their own accord. The robed figures turned as one, their movements unnervingly synchronized. A low chant began to fill the air, and the runes on the monolith flared brighter.
Xavier's growl cut through the tension, his body shifting halfway into his serpentine form as he moved to intercept her. "Lula!" he barked, his voice a mix of anger and fear.
But it was too late. The mist thickened around her, swallowing her whole as the chanting reached a crescendo. The last thing she saw before darkness overtook her was Xavier's golden eyes, burning with desperation as he surged forward.
And then, everything went still.
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Author: Sorry it's been so long. Family emergency. Now we're back on track - happy reading