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I see his gaze from several feet away, I see the hatred and betrayal in his eyes. I want to talk to him, to explain why I did what I did. It was never about the power, about myself. I wasn't strong enough to protect them, nor was he. So here we both are, corrupted, abominations. Venin.
Chradh is furious, I can feel the anger and pain ripple down the bond but there is also an understanding there. He wasn't beside me when it happened, I made sure of it. The decision to channel was my own and I knew I would have burned out long before I was able to complete my goal. The others will be fine without me, Imogen will hate me but she's safe now, their all safe.
We stand there, staring at the unconscious sage that neither of us can kill. Xaydens power still swarms me, like an angry storm despite it having retreated from everywhere else. I can feel the anger, the hate that envelopes me. Part of me feels the shame but for the most part, I'm just numb. I can still feel the power humming under my skin, the earth beckoning me to take more. I channeled much more than he did his first time, I know if I look, my eyes will have a permanent red glow to them.
He'll never forgive me for what I've done. Somepart of me may never forgive myself but it's a distant part, just like the feelings that brought me to channel are distant. Know Imogen and the others are safe is what keeps me level headed. They survived and it's just enough to keep me from fully submerging myself in the power around me. However, I can't say the same for my best friend. He's too far gone now and we both know it. I can feel his power, even has his shadows treat from me.
“Why?” He seethes. And I know, without a doubt in my mind that he wants to kill me. I'm not sure why he doesn't.
“You know why” I mutter, looking away from him.
“You were my best friend, Garrick. You were supposed to protect her!” He shouts at me.
“Violet can handle herself.”
“Not when it comes to me.” He seethes.
“No. But I could never stop you if you tried.” He met his best friend's gaze, “At least this way, we're on equal ground.”
Xayden shook his head, rage consuming him. “I will never forgive you.”
“I never asked for forgiveness.”
With that, Chradh landed beside him. He mounted his dragon, taking off before the sage awoke and the others caught wind of what happened. He wouldn't pretend like Xayden had. He was Venin, there was no point in staying and watching those he loves mourn the man he use to be.
Garrick Tavis died on that battlefield.