Eliane’s heart pounded against her ribs as she stared into Casandra’s eyes, which were anything but familiar. The warmth and familiarity of her sister seemed to have vanished, replaced by a cold, calculating glare that spoke of betrayal. Her sister’s intent was clear: she was not merely playing a game to lure Austen into the trap. No, Casandra was genuinely trying to kill her.
The chilling realization sent a shiver down Eliane’s spine. The dark force she had spent so long suppressing—the one that tied her to Austen and his sinister magic—stirred within her. It whispered promises of power, urging her to unleash it. For a fleeting moment, Eliane considered surrendering to the darkness. She wanted to live, after all.
With a desperate cry, she released the dark energy she had kept at bay. It exploded outward like a roar, propelling both herself and Casandra through the barrier and slamming them against the walls. The force of it was staggering, a whirlwind of chaotic energy. Eliane lay on the ground, disoriented, her head spinning.
"I'm so sorry," she murmured, her voice barely a whisper as tears streamed down her cheeks. Her guilt was inexplicable, but it was there, suffocating her. As the tears fell, they sizzled upon the scorched skin of the man, the blackening flame retreating in the path of each tear. The darkness that had consumed him seemed to recoil with each drop, revealing healthy, unblemished skin beneath.
-----
The man’s agonized screams began to quiet, his writhing slowing. Maya watched, entranced by the sight of her own tears acting as a counterspell. It dawned on her that this wasn’t just a random affliction—it was a spell.
Her heart raced as she realized the gravity of the situation. Wiping her eyes, Maya gathered her tears on her thumb and brought it to the man's lips. His parched, cracked lips moved feebly against her thumb, his tongue tentatively licking at the moisture. Relief seemed imminent as his lips began to soften.
But Maya’s hope was fleeting. The healed areas started to blacken again, the agony returning as the spell’s effects reasserted themselves. Frustration surged within her, fueled by Austen’s previous assurances that she possessed extraordinary magical abilities. Desperation overtook her as she leaned down and pressed her lips to his.
A torrent of emotions surged through her as she focused on the image of him healing, the blackness receding, the pain melting away. It was as if she were acutely aware of his suffering without truly feeling it herself. She sensed a familiar, sickening magic inside him, reminding her of the dark presence she associated with Austen. The thought made her stomach churn, but she pushed it aside, focusing solely on the healing.
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The man’s grip on her arm loosened, his hand sliding up to gently cup her cheek. His lips responded to hers, a faint kiss that brought a flicker of hope.
-----
Eliane’s dark magic had awakened. The realization was both terrifying and empowering. Casandra scrambled to her feet, snatching the crystal skull from the table. She thrust it towards her father, desperate to channel its dark magic to defeat him.
“Together we’re stronger than he is!” Casandra shouted to Eliane, her voice tinged with determination.
Austen turned, his eyes narrowing as he observed Casandra’s actions. “What are you doing?” he demanded, one hand still aimed at the suffering Andrew on the floor.
“Reversing the spell,” Casandra replied firmly.
“Stop!” Austen’s voice thundered as he extended his hand marked with the James symbol towards her. The dark magic slammed into Casandra, causing her to stagger. The sheer force threatened to overwhelm her, but the corrupted crystal skull provided a buffer.
“Think about this, Casandra,” Austen hissed. “Think about our family.”
In that moment, realization hit. Casandra saw the panic in Eliane’s eyes as the dark magic intensified, and she sensed Maya’s presence—fighting the spell. The bond they shared became a beacon of resistance against the dark magic.
“No,” Austen’s voice was filled with dread as he realized Maya’s influence.
Casandra felt a trickle of blood run from her nose, the power nearly too much to bear. Eliane appeared behind her, her hands joining Casandra’s on the skull. The combined dark magic alleviated some of the pressure, and Austen’s advantage waned. His skin began to burn, his suffering mirroring that of his victims.
“Stop fighting it,” he groaned, his voice breaking. “We share the same blood!”
Casandra could barely hold on as she and Eliane channeled their combined magic through the skull. Exhaustion gnawed at them, but their focus remained unwavering. Austen’s resistance faltered, his form collapsing under the relentless assault.
-----
As Maya’s lips parted from the man’s, she watched in stunned silence as his skin returned to its natural color. The burning faded, replaced by a healthier sheen. He blinked, confusion etched on his face as he tried to focus on her.
“Who are you?” he asked, his voice hoarse. “It’s you, isn’t it?”
Maya recoiled, unsettled by his intense gaze. She hastily retreated from the room, finding the others in varying states of recovery.
Principal Kwan and a teacher hurried past her, their conversation filled with confusion and relief.
“I don’t know what happened,” Maya whispered, her heart heavy. “But whatever it was, it’s over.”
The school buzzed with the aftermath of the chaos, students and teachers alike in shock. Phone calls revealed that the incident wasn’t isolated; it had affected the entire town. A sickening realization settled in Maya’s stomach—this was the work of someone powerful, and her thoughts turned to Austen. She needed answers, and she needed them now.