Prologue: Return To Face The Shadows
~KAITO~
"Then let me ask you this, Kaito. What do you fear the most?"
The question of the year, one that lingered in my mind and haunted me throughout the days of immense training. My trial was here and now, hours before I'd return to the heart of Witchling Academy and face the challenges that were left behind - face the people I cherished once and for all.
Today was the last day for mistakes.
As I stared at Master ZenSu, I stretched out my fingers while my hands continued to remain at my sides. He stared at me with zero emotion as the world around us was at the peak of darkness.
It was still early in the morning, the weather chilled as the cold breeze passed us. No stars twinkled in the sky, and there was no hint of sunrise.
This was the moment I'd been waiting for, and Master ZenSu knew I'd find the answer I needed. When he looked into my eyes this time, they twinkled with understanding as he slowly nodded and lifted his hand up to summon a sword that morphed to life from the spiraling rush of wind.
The blade was decorated with various magic incantations, and they went from a brilliant red to a sheer black that oozed onto the blade until it was cloaked in darkness.
The tendrils of fear tried to creep in as the oozing darkness flowed down the sword like a summoned river and began to pool onto the very ground beneath his feet. He didn't display an ounce of fear as the black sheet of magic pooled at his feet that rested in wooden plank sandals, clinging to his toes and moving along his feet, ankles, and calves.
The magic began to spread, its sluggish movement only adding to the intense suspense of the situation as I prepared myself for this final test.
This moment was my last shot, and all I could do was make it count, for the sake of my wellbeing - for the sake of the relationships awaiting my return.
The darkness grew faster as it began to morph into a dome around us, leaving me to prepare for the inevitable as it began to crawl along my body from my bare feet to my legs and onward.
My eyes took a glimpse at Master, and he was still holding the sword in its place, but his whole body was covered by the darkness. It was only a matter of time until mine was too, but I couldn't afford to lose my grasp on my objective.
“You're allowed to fail once, but the second time will lead you down a path of sacrifice. Take the time to realize what you want or give up trying.”
As the black ink of magic swarmed my face, I was prepared for the inevitable - the frigid chill, the roaming feeling of approaching doom, the constant reminders of all my failures, and the strongest emotion of all: immense regret.
All around me was darkness, and it almost felt as though I'd become a piece of stone that would never leave its very spot. Thoughts of guilt swarmed me as I was haunted by images of Brianne.
Those images seemed to come to light as her holographic image began to approach me. For a brief moment, I forgot all about my task and just admired her beauty.
The heavens must have taken all seven days to create such a shining woman of grace and attraction. It was beyond words how our Brianne had grown into this work of art that brought so much light and elation into my heart.
I expected the sight of her was on purpose, but I'd appreciate every second of her image as she smiled brightly with those magnificent white teeth, gorgeous orange-gold locks, and eyes that twinkled with intensity.
The woman I've fallen hard for.
She continued to smile as she approached me, and when she stood before me, I almost got lost in the idea that she could be real. The flickering image of her was so detailed, and as she leaned upward, I couldn't help begin to close my eyes at the thought of kissing her.
For so long, I wished to kiss her wholeheartedly. To lay my lips upon her soft, tender surface and get lost in her addictive taste while her aroma reeled me further into her grace.
To get lost in all of her - to touch and feel her soft, perfect skin and to hear her moan my name. I wanted to make love to her, without a worry in my mind that would bring my doubts and insecurities to the surface.
I wished to give the impression that I truly had my shit together, even in my most vulnerable state. She'd earned that much. She deserved to see all of me and not halves or pieces because of my constant fears.
I had to give her my all because she was worth it.
Our love is worth it.
Her image was only an inch away from me as the tiny space between us suddenly grew. With a blink, she was far away once more, and there were those dark creatures with glowing eyes, their hands grabbing desperately to bring Brianne with them.
The way she looked at me with those fearful eyes tugged at every heartstring. It took every thread of logic in my mind to remind myself that she wasn't the real Red. She was nothing but an illusion that wished to remind me of my failures.
To bring pain to my heart and encourage my endless walk of shame for my past mistakes.
The hardest part was watching her body be engulfed by the darkness - her eyes being the last to be flooded with the black shade. Her fear never withered away. To the very end, it only grew and grew as those orbs that were dancing with orange and gold begged for my assistance.
Begged for my mercy.
I swallowed the lump in my throat as she disappeared, and she was replaced with Finnick, who now stood before me.
There was his compassionate smile, his short pink strands. His eyes glimmered with lust as they lowered to my lips.
The temptation was just as hard for me to ignore; my cock pressing tightly against my black combat pants. How many times had I done everything to submerge my arousal for Finnick?
With Brianne, I could barely contain my desire for her, but my love for Finnick had been buried for so long, it seemed to become impossible to tame any longer. He understood me, acknowledged my hesitation and discomfort. He'd somehow surpassed me in growth and it felt like if I didn't run fast enough, he'd leave me in the dust.
Brianne was my beacon of hope, while Finnick was my pillar of steel. Together, I'd have the stamina and support to achieve all I desired and more. That was why I had to get through this hurdle.
Dark needles pierced into Finnick at that very thought, and it was hard to stop myself from flinching as he slowly looked at the large needle that had gone through his chest specifically. He stared at it while black blood drooled down the side of his mouth, and he lifted his gaze for me to see the blackness of his eyes.
Needle after needle pierced him, until he was nothing but a doll filled with needles. With a burst, he was no more, just like the needles that had stolen his glowing essence.
I waited for the next trial ahead of me, but as I waited patiently, the silence continued to linger.
"Failure." I looked to my left to see Mother and Father. Their disappointment hurt at one glance as they shook their heads in dismay.
"Failure." To my right was Katsume and Professor Phoenix, the two of them looking so defeated as they stared at me.
"Failure!" To my back were Connor and Jax, the two of them staring at me with disgust while both their eyes were pitch black.
"Failure." Before me was a samurai, one that was fully armored but carried two heads in his hands - one holding Brianne's while the other held Finnick's.
The sight impaled me as their eyes were wide and bled black, all while their smiles were wide and showed their black stained teeth as they repeated the same word in unison.