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When his magic was running low, he didn't stop. He couldn't. He had to keep going. Despite his body aching, pleading for him to stop, he didn't.
Kieran was focused on one thing. Power. And he had gotten it.
Ink-like darkness had taken over his body, his person. It felt like he was drowning, suffocating, while his magic spiraled out of control. Whatever was happening, he didn't care. His body could crumble, be consumed by blot, he just needed to keep hold of that power he was granted.
Some giant creature formed behind him. A Phantom with multiple heads, and at its core, it took on the shape of an apple. Truthfully, Kieran didn't care what it was or how it looked. It helped get what he wanted, and that's what mattered to him.
Unfortunately, after that, things get fuzzy. He struggles to remember what happened while he had overblotted. The one thing he remembers is fighting.
Fighting against her.
Juliana.
Why was he fighting her again...?
The magicless student was a surprise to the entire school. Alongside her was that robotic lizard, always hungry and dragging her around the school as if it owned the place. No one thought she would stay, but the headmage granted her a place in the school.
Kieran thought that maybe, just maybe, they could be friends. She was an outcast in a school full of magic users, and he'd always been the one left out. It would be a start to a new friendship!
But then his sister got involved.
It wasn't too bad, though. Carmine could see the way he looked at the magicless student. So, she made sure that he would look out for Juliana when she couldn't.
The boy did his best to help her around the school. It proved to be difficult when everything revolved around magic, and she had to rely on Miraidon for nearly everything. Still, he wasn't going to let her down!
Then she started to make more friends.
She took a housewarden straight on.
And won.
Kieran felt like he was losing her. Being pushed aside in favor of others, even his own sister!
Then came the competition to gain the Ogre's favor. A yearly tradition passed down at the school, one that he always looked forward to. It was the first time he could participate in it and-
Juliana won.
A dark feeling bubbled up inside him, one that had been festering for far too long. He looked at her friends with disdain, resented her for doing everything he couldn't. The more he thought ill of her, the more disgusting he felt. Yet, he couldn't stop.
Maybe he deserves this. The pain wracks his body, and feeling as if he's at death's door.
"Kieran!"
The sound of his name is faint; it sounds like someone is calling him from across campus. The boy struggles to open his eyes, his vision blurry. As it comes into focus, he finds a panicked Juliana at his side, struggling to hold back tears.
"Kieran!" She shouts, relief flooding through her expression. "You...How are you feeling?"
Kieran groans in response, unable to push himself up off the ground. He wants to tell her he feels like shit, emotionally and physically. It's hard to even believe that he's awake after taking a beating from her, Miraidon, and everyone else.
His gaze drifts from her to the world around them. He can see Miraidon trying to get closer, yet not wanting to upset him. Some of her friends are trying to help his sister to her feet despite her shouting otherwise. And...the whole area looks absolutely destroyed.
"I..." Kieran starts. He stops as he takes in everything. Realizing what he had done.
"I-I'm sorry..." He blurts out. "I...I didn't want this to happen. I just..." He pauses, breath hitching. "I always...wanted a friend. But then...I saw you getting further and further away. You could do so much without magic! M-More than I ever could. And I..."
Kieran clenches his fists. He knows he's rambling.
"I never wanted to leave your side. But...I shouldn't have let myself get this way. I was supposed to help you, not..." He bites down on his lip.
"Kieran." Her voice is soft, gentle. It stops him from trailing off. He looks up at Juliana, his chest aching with the way she's looking at him. Although it's hard to tell if it's from the pain or something else.
"I'm sorry. I got caught up in a lot of things that I...didn't realize what was happening to you. I guess I should have been by your side," she pauses. "You were one of the first people to stay with me when I arrived. So...maybe you can still stay?"
Kieran feels her hand slip into his, squeezing his tightly. He does his best to do the same, but his strength is abysmal. It doesn't help that he wants to tell her that she doesn't need to apologize. She did nothing wrong. He had just jumped to conclusions, letting his emotions get the better of him.
He doesn't deserve her kindness, her forgiveness, after nearly killing her.
"I-I'm so sorry, Juliana!" He cries out as tears begin to fall. He doesn't even have the strength to move his free hand to hide these tears.
"I...I want to stay...with you," Kieran manages to speak through his tears. He tries to move to sit up, but struggles to do so. With his magic sucked out of him, recovery is going to be hard. He doubts he’ll be able to do much. Even so, he knows he’s going to have to make it up to her…and everyone else.