Chapter 35: Night of Regrets

*Sehun*

"Sehun!" Ava yelled, running over to me.

"Keep your guard up, Ava!" I said, forcing myself to sit up.

Ava spun around, and just in time, as Tsuneri appeared behind her. Its veil was partially torn, revealing glowing red eyes.

Ava leaped back, clapping her hands as she did so. She held her hands out, and the pink light that came out of her palms transformed into crystal shards.

The beast leaped back and formed a fan out of ice. With a wave of its fan, it sent the crystal rain back at her.

"Ava!" I yelled.

"Don't worry too much!" Ava said, stopping her crystals and using them to form a wall between her and the incoming ice.

Tsuneri jumped up and threw a barrage of blue flames.

Ava's wall shattered, throwing her back.

"Ava!" I ran over to her, catching her.

"I knew something felt off about that beast soul core."

"Are you alright?"

She nodded and stood up, holding her hand out. "Let's finish him off."

I nodded and grabbed her hand. My eyes glowed as I levitated the two of us into the air.

Ava held a hand up, forming a giant crystal rose. "Begone, foul creature!" She waved her hand and the rose flew at Tsuneri.

The beast laughed and shot a large ball of blue flames at the crystal.

The rose and the flame collided, causing a bright light.

Ava smirked and the fragments danced around the beast, cutting it into shreds.

"You'll pay for that!" it shouted, its body now reduced to blue flames holding together several fleshy limbs. It throwed a flurry of fireballs at us.

Ava formed another barrier, blocking the attacks.

"We need to do something, or he'll tire us out," I said.

"I know, but that thing's healing potential is strong," Ava said as Tsuneri finished healing.

"I can see that."

She sighed. "There's only one option."

"What?"

"You have a beast core, right?"

Right, from the beast Seiya and her brother had hunted down.

"Give it to me," she said.

"What?"

"You've seen it in action, right? I'll take that core, use my magic to absorb it, and then we can kill the creature."

"What if it overpowers you? Then what?"

"Don't worry," she said, winking. "I'll be fine. I'm from a line of priests."

I hesitated, but I eventually dug out the red orb from my pocket and gave it to her.

She took the orb and incased it in pick crystals. Her hands began to glow, and a bright light escaped her fingertips.

"You're strong, human," the werefox said, leaping into the air. "It would be a shame to have to kill you." Its claws dug into the barrier, but failed to shatter it. 

I kicked the barrier, sending Tsuneri plummeting to the ground. While keeping Ava afloat, I lowered myself and dashed at Tsuneri. I had to protect Ava until the ritual was done.

The fox growled and created a spear out of ice. "This will be your last day, boy!" It charged at me, its spear poised to strike.

I parried its attacks with my sword and pushed it back with my repulsion. I dashed at it and stabbed it in the chest.

The werefox grunted as its forehead split open, revealing a glowing third eye. "I'm not letting you go, boy!"

"What is this?" I grunted, fighting the urge to vomit.

A purple mist escaped the eye, and a wave of dizziness overcame me.

Tsuneri snickered. "You can't escape. Not even the girl can help you. My powers of suggestion are absolute. Even the strongest-willed can't resist the pull of the mind."

Wait, he was taking me over?

No, I wouldn't allow it!

My hands shook, and I could feel my strength slowly being sucked out. I had to resist his mind control, but how?

"You're my pet now, boy."

"I think not." I clenched my teeth and pushed my sword deeper. The eye's power was strong, but not as strong as my will. I would not lose to him!

"Pull the sword out!" it yelled, glaring at me.

My fingers twitched, but I didn't budge. I pushed the sword deeper.

"Then die!"

"Well, too bad for you, but we aren't dying today!" Ava's eyes glowed and a stream of pink light came out of the orb, heading towards her.

"You think by absorbing the core of a weak creature, you can defeat me? Foolish humans! You'll regret this!" Tsuneri shot a stream of flames, aiming to destroy the orb.

A pink barrier shielded Ava, and the flames dissipated upon impact.

"You're mine now, werefox," Ava said, opening her eyes.

"What are you talking about?" Tsuneri growled.

"I'm the priestess of the Quartz, and I won't allow you to harm my friends!" She raised her hand, causing a stream of petals to overwhelm the fox.

The beast roared as the petals cut him into ribbons.

"This isn't possible!" the fox cried as he was reduced only into a head with a body of flames.

Ava clapped her hands and a pink orb appeared over the creature's head. It slammed into Tsuneri's head.

Tsuneri's eyes dimmed, and its body faded, leaving behind only the core.

Ava dropped down to the ground and grinned. "Told you I could handle it."

I grinned and put a hand on my sides. Just before she had saved me, Tsuneri had managed to freeze a part of my side.

"Are you okay, Sehun?" Ava asked.

"I'm fine. Just a little cold."

She grabbed my hand and smiled. "Good."

My cheeks reddened. "What are you doing?"

"Stopping the spell's effect. Just relax."

A pink aura surrounded the two of us. My muscles relaxed, and the pain I had been feeling vanished. The ice on my side dissolved, and the blood dried up.

Ava dropped my hand and sighed. "That should be good enough."

"Thanks," I said.

"Now, shall we go home?"

I nodded, but before I could move, I ended up falling to the ground.

"Sehun? B-but I healed you." Her brow furrowed. "Wait, it's exhaustion isn't it? How long have you been pushing yourself like this? You're going to die if you keep this up, idiot!"

My hands shook. Ava's spell had caused the exhaustion I'd been keeping at bay to take hold.

"Stay still. I'll carry you."

I leaned against her shoulders. My eyes closed as fatigue gripped me. I just hoped she could get us back safely.

***

"Sehun?" Ava said, nudging me.

I blinked and stared at the stone ceiling above me. A bed sheet and blanket was draped over me.

"Are you awake?" Ava asked.

"Barely," I said, yawning.

She sighed. "You really overdid it back there, dummy. If I hadn't swooped in, you would've died for sure!"

I looked down. "Sorry, Ava."

"Don't apologize. Just don't do it again. Well, now that you're awake, I'm off to see my girlfriend!"

I grabbed her by the wrist. "Say, do you really love her?"

She raised a brow. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"You seem to care a lot about me. Is it because you're interested in me?"

She snorted. "Don't be ridiculous. Sayuri's my lover."

I frowned. "But you do have a crush on Sou, don't you?"

"W-what? Did you hit your head or something? I like you way more than I like that guy!" She cupped her hands over her mouth.

"Is that a confession?"

Her face reddened. "I-I didn't mean to say that."

I pulled her toward me and kissed her on the lips. She leaned forward and deepened the kiss, but a moment later, she broke the kiss. 

"Sehun," she said, looking down.

"I love you, Ava," I said.

"Why are you saying this now? Didn't you say we're best friends and nothing more?"

I shook my head. "I was wrong. The one I love isn't Sou, but you. And I know your care for Sayuri, but the one you truly love is me, isn't it?"

"I..."

I sat up. "Say it, Ava. I need to hear the words."

She bit her lip and looked away. "Sehun, we can't be together. Not now. I still love Sayuri. Plus, Sou loves you like no other. Not even that flirty guy Purpura has managed to make him take his eyes off of you."

"So what if he likes me? I'm not the one he's destined to be with is all."

She shook her head. "No, Sehun. This can't work out."

"Ava, I'll be here for you no matter what, even if you have Sayuri. You're the one I love."

"Sehun. Why are you doing this now?"

I scratched the back of my head. "Well, when I was on the verge of dying, the one who came to mind wasn't Sou, but you."

She pushed me into bed and covered me up. "You're delirious. Go back to sleep."

I grabbed her hand. "Say it, Ava. I need to hear the words."

"You're a stubborn boy." She body shook. "B-but you're right." She turned her head. "I do love you, but you already know that, don't you?"

"I do."

She blushed intensely.

I smiled and gave her another kiss.

Ava put a hand on my abdomen, raising my shirt. "You know, you're really handsome."

"And you're very beautiful."

She blushed.

I pushed myself up and wrapped my arms around her, kissing her again. She deepened the kiss and pressed her body against mine.

I rolled over and got on top of Ava.

"What are you doing, dummy?"

"What else, silly? I want you."

She smiled. "You know, I was waiting for you to say those words."

I leaned forward. "So, you thought of this moment before? You're a naughty girl, Ava."

"Shut up, dummy!"

I chuckled. "Make me."

She wrapped arms around my neck. "Oh, I will." She pulled me down and pressed her mouth against mine.

We allowed our passions to take us over, forging memories and future regrets.