A warm wind swept the dust away. Caden opened his eyes, gasping for air. The fall had left his muscles aching. He pushed himself up slowly, wincing, before spotting a figure a few meters away — Aletha, standing still, head bowed.
— Aletha... can you hear me?
She lifted her head slowly. Her eyes were pitch black, an icy, watery aura swirling around her.
— Aletha! Are you hurt?
She turned toward him with an empty, inhuman gaze.
— Why do you keep pretending? You want to take what's mine.
Caden frowned.
— What are you talking about? I don't want to steal anything from you!
But Aletha raised her hand. Water streamed from the ground, forming a glowing sphere that shaped itself into liquid blades.
— Shut up! You're lying… again.
She took a step forward, tears trembling in her eyes.
— You want to steal what belongs to me, don't you? You want to erase everything!
— I don't want to steal anything from you, he said firmly. I want to help you!
A rain of water projectiles fell upon Caden. He dodged, summoned a flame from his palm, melting several of the blades, but others exploded on contact, throwing him to the ground.
He got up at once, his eyes burning with a crimson light.
— If I have to fight you to bring you back, then I will.
Flames burst under his feet, forming a roaring circle of fire around him. In response, Aletha raised a massive wave. Their elements collided in an explosion of steam.
The clash lit up the night.
Caden leapt through the burning mist, his fist ablaze, striking Aletha's watery barrier head-on. The ground trembled from the impact.
— You don't understand anything! she cried, pushing the fire away with a wave of her arm. You just want to take everything from me!
— That's not true!
But she wasn't listening anymore. With a swift gesture, she summoned a sword of water — clear and deadly. She charged.
— This isn't you, Aletha! You're fighting an illusion!
— Shut up! You think you understand? You know nothing!
A torrent of water burst forth, engulfing him completely. Caden broke free in a fiery explosion, the blast dispersing the mist.
Their eyes met — filled with rage and sorrow.
Caden tried to approach, but Aletha lifted her hand again: a colossal wave slammed him against the wall. He dropped to his knees, gasping for breath.
— You'll gain nothing this way… he whispered.
— And you'll lose everything.
Caden tried to defend himself, but her blade cut through his flames and hurled him violently to the ground. Breathless, he looked up — Aletha stood above him, sword raised, ready to strike.
Time seemed to freeze.
Caden closed his eyes.
But the blade stopped.
A tear rolled down Aletha's cheek. Her hand trembled.
— No… no, I don't want this…
— Aletha! Caden's voice trembled with hope. Fight it! This isn't you!
She clutched her head, staggering.
— Get out of my mind!
— Aletha… fight. Come back to yourself.
She screamed, struggling against an invisible force.
— Shut up! You're not real! Nick… you're not Nick!
Her body shook violently. Caden rose and pulled her into his arms.
— You can break free.
Aletha cried, fighting herself.
— Caden… go… I can't control it! Go! I can't hold him back! He'll kill you!
— Never! he shouted. You're stronger than him. He's using your feelings for Nick against you.
She froze, shaken.
— My… feelings?
— Yes, Caden murmured. You loved him with all your heart. But he's gone. And as long as you cling to him, he'll chain you down. You have to let him go.
Tears streamed down Aletha's face.
— I… I can't…
She shook her head desperately.
— I loved him… I still love him…
— Then love him enough to let him go.
Aletha stood motionless. Then, slowly, she closed her eyes.