A Year Later

Nyx was back on Galahd after finding out Kala had killed Ardyn. She never came back to the palace, so he didn't know if she was even alive or not. As he walked into the bar, he saw her handing over some papers and keys to Lisa. When she turned, he saw the marks on her face and around arms. Her green eyes held no light in them.

Kala walked past Nyx and out the door she just came to give Lisa the bar and keys. As she headed into the jungles. She was dead inside. She felt nothing even when she saw Nyx. She walked a bit then held her hand out. She had changed her looks and stayed away from people as much as she could.

"Come on you two let's go home." Two leopards came over one on each side of her. She had been back 6 months now and the only one that knew was Nyx's mom. She walked deeper into the jungle. As she came to a waterfall, she smiled at the cub that ran over to her. "Hey, there little one." That's when she heard one of the larger cats start to growl. She turned dagger in hand.

Kala watched as Nyx walked into the clearing. "Leave you are not welcome here." She said coldly. Turning her back to him. "Kala, we need to talk." She shook her head. "No, what you said was pretty clear. Now leave." She started walking away. "Hoku please." She turned and warped her dagger at his neck. "Don't ever fucking call me that. Now get out of here."

Nyx saw her eyes were ablaze. "No Kala I didn't want you to leave. I was hurting." She looked at him. "Yeah well, you didn't stop me from walking away." She took a step back. "Nyx just go. I been home six months now and we never ran into each other. Let's go back to that." When she turned, he saw two tattoos both beautiful and heartbreaking.

Nyx reached out to her but one of the leopards moved to stand in between them. "Kala, I did come after you. I looked for you for 4 months. Then I found out you killed Ardyn when you never returned to the palace. I came home hoping if you lived you would come here." He saw her stop then turn and look at him. "It's too late Nyx. Whatever was still there in my heart died when you let me leave."

Nyx warped in front of her. "No Kala it's never too late." He lifted her chin. "No Nyx." She walked past him. Nyx looked at her when her legs gave out. Nyx caught her and looked at her. "Like I said it's too late Nyx. I'm dying there was a price to be paid to keep you Nyx Ulric alive and even though you broke me. I still protected you and paid the price for you." Nyx looked at her.

Nyx saw her reach her hand out as the black leopard walked over to them. "Keep them safe my friends." The leopard bowed its head. It just then dawned on Nyx that was the leopard that saved him and his sister. "You have been watching over us all this time, haven't you?" he looked at her and saw her eyes closed. "Kala I won't give you up without a fight." Nyx picked her up then looked at the large cats. "I will save her I promise."

Kala woke up in a room and jump up. "welcome back Kala." She turned and saw Nyx. "Where am I?" she was trying not to panic. "You're in an old temple." She looked around. That's when she realizes her hands were behind her attached to a chain on the far wall. "Nyx get me out of here now." He walked over to her. "No. it's time you face the choices you make. I'm tired of you running. You come up with reasons on why you have done it you find people to blame. No more it's time to face it." She glared at him.

Nyx was not going to let the woman he loved destroy herself. "I told you I would protect you. Even if it was from yourself." Kala walked over to where the chin was pulled to its end. "Nyx you better hope I don't get free. Because I will come after you." Nyx put his finger under her chin. "Go ahead and try wife. There's nothing you can do that would hurt me worse than having to watch you kill yourself." Nyx turned to leave. "Nyx you can't leave me here." He turned his head. "Watch me." Nyx heard her yell at him.

Kala screamed at him. When out of no were, he was in front of her. He pulled her to him and kissed her. When he pulled away, he moved quickly and place something over her mouth. "This won't be a punishment like last time wife. This time you really are my prisoner." With that, he was gone. Kala fell to her knees as her tears fell.

Nyx was standing where he could see her, but she couldn't see him. He watched as she sat there in tears. "Nyx you are doing this to help her." He looked at his grandfather. "I hope she sees it that way." His grandfather placed a hand on his shoulder. "Be strong Nyx it will be worth it in the end I promise." Nyx prayed to the six to give him the strength to help her.

That night he walked in the temple with dinner. "Time to eat Kala." He saw her shake her head no. Nyx walked over to her and pulled her head back to look at him. "That wasn't a request Kala. This will go a lot easier if you just do what you are told." Nyx removes the gag from her mouth. "If Ardyn can't break me then you can't," she said coldly.

Nyx laughed. "Kala look at yourself. Ardyn did break you. He may be dead, but he is still controlling you." She glared at him. "I never asked for your help Nyx, and I don't want it." She pulled away from him. This went on for days. He had forgotten just how stubborn she could be. Nyx walked into the temple to see her laying on the ground.

Nyx walked over to her and saw blood. Nyx turned her head and saw the blood was coming from her mouth as she coughed it up. "Damn it Kala stop being so damn stubborn. How long can you keep this up for?" she didn't respond. Nyx felt the fever coming off her. "Kala wake up." Nyx heard how each breath was forced. "Kala... baby come on."

Nyx released her and she just laid in his arms. Nyx grabbed the soup he had and leaned her back. Nyx lifted her chin up and forced her to drink it. Nyx felt her move Kala turned and threw up as she held her sides. Nyx saw her try to move away from him. "Kala do you really want me to leave you?... fine your free to go. Just know I love you." Nyx stood up and walked out.

Kala laid there as she started to shake. She felt someone walk over and place something warm around her. "Let's go home, Hoku." Nyx wanted to leave her there, but he couldn't. and as he carried her weak frame. He wanted to turn back time. Nyx walked into his apartment and laid her down. "Kala this is more than you not eating. How long have you been on drugs?"

Nyx saw her trying to answer. "Did Ardyn start this?" she nods. His heart was breaking. Nyx walked over to the bed and kneeled next to her. He brushed the hair from her face as she laid there shaking. "Are you ready to come back to me baby?" she reached out to him. "Kala why didn't you just tell me?" Her voice was so weak. "I knew you would be... disappointed in." her hand fell as she started coughing.

Nyx held her hand taking a towel and wiping her face. "Never baby. You have been through hell and back. I may get mad at you, but I have never been disappointed in you." Nyx stood and pulled her into his arms. She was shaking so much as she poured sweat. Nyx lifted her chin she was so weak. "Nyx..." he saw her worry.

When she passed out her breaths were shallow. Nyx held her close. He fell asleep with her in his arms. When he felt her body twitch he woke up and looked at her. "Kala no baby fight keep fighting she was gasping for breath as she gripped his arm. A pain tore through her. Nyx picked her up her body was way too hot and she needed to cool down.

Nyx went to his shower and turned on the cool water as he held her under the water. "Nyx you are still dressed." She finally said. He chuckled. "Yes, well wife so are you." He saw her smile. "I was always close to Nyx. I kept watch over you and your family." She laid her head on him. "I always...loved you." Nyx heard her let out her breath as she went limp in his arms.

Nyx lifted her head as the water hit them both. "Kala...KALA." Nyx let out a scream as he held her. "Baby don't leave me alone again. I need your light. Please come back to me." Nyx stood up with her in his arms and warped them to the beach in front of his mother's house. He saw his mother and grandparents walkout. When they saw him with her his mom let out a cry.

Nyx looked at his wife as he laid her down. "She never had a chance, did she? You just abandoned her when she needed you the most. Your no Gods." Nyx placed his head to hers as his tears fell. "Child do you truly think I would let my daughter be without the man she loves." Nyx looked up and saw Kala's mother.

Kala let out a gasp as she sat up and grabbed onto Nyx. "Daughter I'm terribly sorry for all you had to suffer, but now you are absolutely free. The Gods will no longer ask anything of you." Kala reached out to her mother and smiled. "Thank you, momma." Her mom bowed and faded away. Kala looked at Nyx. "Take me home husband. I want to go home." He smiled as he kissed her.

Nyx picked her up and warped her to his place. Kala rain her hands through his hair as she hungrily kissed him. "Nyx, I need you." Nyx laid her down and they both came together once more body and soul. Kala woke up in his arms. She carefully turns and kissed his neck. "Hmm, wife you still need rest." She smiled at how he sounded like he was still asleep. Nyx's eyes snapped open when she nipped his ear while running her hand up the inside of his leg. Nyx looked down at her. "Hoku you are not being very good."