Ryu's voice was laced with controlled fury as he responded, "Kenji, what you're suggesting is treachery! Our people deserve a leader who genuinely cares for their well-being, not someone driven solely by ambition and power."
Kenji's eyes narrowed, his tone dripping with arrogance. "I have the bloodline of the current Twilight Prince, the power, and the intellect to lead our people to greatness. You, on the other hand, Ryu, have always been the lesser among us."
Ryu's fists clenched at his sides, his brows furrowing with determination. "Bloodline alone does not make a true leader. It is the heart, the compassion, and the ability to make decisions for the betterment of our people that truly matter. I will not let you bring chaos and division to our court."
Kenji's smirk revealed his confidence. "Your idealism blinds you, Ryu. You have always been soft, too influenced by the humans and their feeble notions of justice. The Twilight Court needs a ruler who can protect our interests, even if it means making difficult choices."
Ryu's voice grew firm, his gaze unwavering. "Protecting our interests does not mean sacrificing our values and betraying the trust of our people. I will not let you plunge our court into darkness."
Kenji laughed. “Into darkness? I am going to lead our people into the light.”
Ryu shook his head knowing that his cousin was too far gone now to listen to reason. Time to try another tack.
"Kenji, we’re cousins,” Ryu said, fixing Kenji with a sorrowful gaze. “How could you betray our family and our people? I thought we were kin, bound by blood and loyalty."
Kenji's laughter echoed through the garden, a cold, chilling sound. "Blood means nothing to me, Ryu. It is power and control that matter. And the way to break you is throughher." His eyes flickered towards Ella, a wicked smile playing on his lips. "She's your weakness, Ryu, your fated mate. What better way to hurt you than to take away the one you love?" He smiled nastily. “And the best part is that if I attack her, I attack you, too. Your lifebond guarantees it.”
Smiling, Kenji turned to face Ella.
“Ella Stewart,” he called, “you will hear my voice, and you will now follow only my will.”
Ella's eyes widened in fear as Kenji spoke her true full name, the words resonating with an unnatural power. The air seemed to darken, and a chilling wind swept through the trees, chilling their bones.
Without warning, Kenji's words had control over Ella, compelling her to follow his will.
“Ella Stewart, you will now lie down under that tree over there, and slit your wrists with this knife. Here, catch.” Kenji flung an Elven blade at her, and Ella, tears streaming from her eyes, caught it.
"No!" Ryu's voice shook with desperation as he lunged towards Ella, trying to free her from the grip of Kenji's manipulation. He watched as Ella drew the blade over her wrists, hardly wincing at the pain. She shuffled to the tree behind them, blood flowing from her wounds and leaving trails of red down herkimono.
The pendant around her neck, infused with his powers, flared with a blinding light, its magic surging forth to protect Ella. A barrier formed around her, shielding her from further harm.
Ryu fought against Kenji, their powers clashing in a fierce battle. The air crackled with energy as Ryu's determination to protect Ella surged through his veins. With each strike, he drew upon his magic, unleashing his fury against the cousin he had once trusted.
Meanwhile, Ella lay on the ground, her lifeblood draining away from the self-inflicted wounds on her wrists.
As the battle raged on, Ryu's power intensified. He had to get to Ella. He had to save her. He couldn’t lose her. Hecouldn’t.
With a final surge of energy, he delivered a decisive blow to Kenji, rendering him unconscious.
Ryu ran to Ella, dropped to his knees beside her, his trembling hands cradling her fragile form. Tears welled in his eyes as he whispered words of love and regret, his voice choked with emotion.
"I'm so sorry, Ella. I should have protected you. Please, stay with me."
Ella's eyelids fluttered, her voice barely a whisper. "Ryu... I... love you."
Ryu's heart shattered as her words reached his ears. He realized, in that moment of despair, that his love for Ella was deeper than he had ever allowed himself to admit. He vowed to protect her, to cherish her, for as long as he drew breath.
Summoning his magic, Ryu used the last remnants of his strength to heal Ella's wounds, mending her torn flesh and revitalizing her spirit.
With every ounce of his being, he poured his energy into Ella, desperately trying to mend the wounds that threatened to steal her away.
In a swirl of ethereal light, the bond between Ryu and Ella shifted, its once consuming power now transformed into a gentle current of love and devotion. The connection between them remained, but now it was a bond of choice, of mutual love and respect.
Ella's wounds began to heal, her breathing steadying as the lifeblood returned to her veins. As a soft glow surrounded her, Ella's eyes fluttered open, a faint smile gracing her lips.
"You saved me," Ella murmured, her voice filled with gratitude and love. "I will always be by your side, Ryu."
With his heart overflowing with love and gratitude, Ryu gathered Ella into his arms, vowing to cherish her and keep her safe.
