Chapter Text
It was shortly after returning to the monastery, Kai had begun feeling like this. It was this strong nauseating hunger that nothing seemed to satisfy. At first he thought he might’ve developed an eating disorder, due to the lack of food back in the Land of Monsters. Everything tasted like dirt and mud in his mouth. He almost stopped eating all together, and thought to just ignore the hunger.
Now after defeating Empress Beatrix, everything had just seemed to get worse. He couldn’t eat at all — or rather, couldn’t keep it down. Everything he ate just didn’t seem right to his stomach and then ended right back out again. It was horrible.
—
Kai woke up to his body drenched in sweat. ‘That might’ve felt the realest yet..’ he panted softly, trying to steady his shaking hands.
He had been suffering from the same nightmare for a few weeks now; Him and a monster.
There was the same familiar and awful taste of mud lingering on his tongue.
Kai shook his head and swung his legs over the side of his bed. The taste of mud made him nauseous, and with heavy steps, he made his way to the bathroom.
The floor was surprisingly warm. He didn’t think the monastery had floor heating.
He sat for a while just staring at the wall. His eyes lingered over the cracks and lines running through the planks. They kinda made out some uneasy patterns, according to Kai.
Suddenly there was a knock on the door. “Kai are you in there? Zane is making breakfast, if you want some.” It was Lloyd. Kai struggled to form words, but ended up mumbling something about coming in a while. He heard Lloyd’s footsteps leave, and that was enough to get him off the floor.
His hands lingered on the sink as he stared at himself in the mirror. Something didn’t seem quite right about his face, but he couldn’t make it out. Maybe he was just tired. He did indeed look tired.
He made his way to the dining room, and to his surprise found no one there.
There was a yellow paper note stuck on the fridge: “To Kai, there’s pancakes in the fridge - Zane.”
‘Great.. more food.’
Kai opened the fridge and was greeted by the — not so good — smell of food. Just the smell seemed to make him nauseous.
Kai took a deep breath through his mouth and took out the plate with the pancakes. For a while he just sat at the table staring at them, before he decided that he needed to eat.
He used his fork to chop a piece off the pancake and quickly shoved it in his mouth. To his dismay it still just tasted like dirt. And it didn’t take long before the nausea came back.
Kai rushed to bathroom, a hand over his mouth, and barely made it before everything came back up. It was a disgusting sight. He leaned back against the wall, arms wrapped tight around his aching stomach.
‘Why can’t this just be over..’
—
He felt like he’d been on the floor for hours when he heard footsteps outside. Kai looked up to see a blurry hue of a faintly familiar face in the doorway. “Kai? Why are you on floor?” Kai blinked. The face belonged to Lloyd. He crouched down to Kai’s level. “Are you feeling alright?” It took Kai a minute to speak. “Yeah.. Just a stomachache..”
‘I hope.’
Lloyd didn’t seem convinced. “Do you want some water?” Kai nodded and Lloyd stood up to go get a glass of water. He came back quickly and handed the glass to Kai. Kai chugged down most of it — at least it didn’t taste like mud.
“Feel better?” Lloyd asked and sat down beside Kai. Kai just nodded, even though he didn’t really, but Lloyd didn’t need to know that.
Lloyd put the back of his hand on Kai’s forehead. “Oh- Shit you’re freezing cold Kai!” Kai didn’t even realize he was shivering until Lloyd pointed it out. “You don’t seem alright Kai, you’re usually warmer than everyone.” And Lloyd would know. He has used Kai as his personal heater multiple times before, since he just seemed to have a higher body temperature than normal people. “I’m gonna go get Zane, stay here.”
Lloyd got up from the floor and practically ran out, and Kai was left alone again. Left to stare at the same wall he had earlier. Watching the same uneasy patterns that his mind made up.
The silence was broken when Lloyd appeared with Zane in the doorway. Zane crouched down and Kai moved his head to look at him. “Kai, when did this start? Your face tells me it wasn’t today.” Kai moved softly to sit up better. “Like.. a couple weeks ago..?” Zane sighed. Much to his dismay it was like he had suspected. Kai had never been one to tell when he was sick. “I’m gonna have to take your temperature and a blood sample. Can you stand?” He held out his hand to help up Kai. Kai stood swaying on his legs. Lloyd stood staring worried in the doorway. “We have to get you back to bed. Lloyd, a hand?” Lloyd moved to Kai’s side and slid his arm under his shoulder. They both carried Kai to his bed.
Lloyd stayed with Kai as Zane went to test the blood sample. Lloyd was left with the thermometer in his hands. 34°C. Way too low. He looked at Kai’s sleeping face. ‘At least Kai’s sleeping now..’ It had taken a while since Kai couldn’t seem to get comfortable in the cold. It was unusual. Like he was literally the master of fire. Fire. He shouldn’t be cold at all. But here we are.
He must’ve fallen asleep. Lloyd didn’t know how much had passed, but his instincts told him it was long.
A knock on the door made him snap out of his drowsy state. In walked Zane with the blood sample in one hand and.. a piece of paper? “What’s that..?” Lloyd asked carefully. Zane sat down opposite him. “It’s the test results..” He handed Lloyd the papers. “According to his blood test, there’s nothing wrong.. but as we can both see, there’s clearly something wrong.” Lloyd nodded agreeably. Though neither of them seemed to be able to put a finger on it.
—
Once again, Kai woke up drenched in sweat. Cold sweat. Fuck he hated this. And that excruciating nausea had come back to haunt him. He felt his stomach twist in discomfort, and he rushed to the bathroom. He hunched over the toilet, and immediately felt the water coming up.
Water and stomach acid.
He hadn’t eaten any food in a while, so there was nothing to get out. Water and acid was everything that was left.
He shut his eyes, feeling the tears running down his cheeks.
He heard the soft drips of his tears hitting the toilet water.
His rushed movements must’ve woken someone up. Footsteps moved faintly towards him. Suddenly there was a hand on his back. A familiar warm hand. “FSM, Kai..” Was it Nya? Kai couldn’t quite make out the voice. It was faint and fuzzy, like his brain was trying to shut it out.
The figure hunched down beside him, rubbing his back softly. Yeah it was definitely Nya. “Why didn’t you tell anyone? I had to hear it from Lloyd.. you know you don’t have to hide it..”
Kai couldn’t answer her. The lingering taste of acid made it hard to move his tongue. Nya kept rubbing Kai’s back as he hung sluggishly over the toilet. “Do you want me to go get Zane?” Kai shook his head and took Nyas hand. “Don’t.. leave..” Her face softened and she leaned back against the wall, holding Kai’s hand in hers. “I won’t..”
Kai laid down on the floor, looking up at the ceiling.
It was becoming hard to move. His whole body felt stiff to the core. He closed his eyes, drifting back into a deep sleep.
It had been what? Hours? Days? Kai didn’t know how long. He sat up groggily on the floor. Nya wasn’t there, the door was closed, and the floor heating had seemed to be off.
It took all his strength to stand up. He clutched his hands to the sink and looked himself in the mirror.
He looked pale. Sickly pale. He moved his tongue to lick his dry lips, but winced in pain as something had cut him. Blood filled his mouth and the taste of iron made him nauseous once again.
He opened his mouth to see what could have cut his tongue and to his horror it was his own teeth. Sharp, almost shark like teeth, had replaced his own. He used his finger to linger over the teeth. They were sharp. Sharp enough to cut through almost anything. ‘Why is this happening now.. i thought Fuzz didn’t leave any side effects..?” He looked down at his hands, noticing the faint, glowing green at his fingertips and the fact his nails were turning black.
He snapped out of his thoughts when he heard a knock on the door. “Kai? Kai we’re getting worried..” Kai went to open the door, but quickly remembered his change in appearance. “I- uh- just a second-“ His voice sounded wrong. It didn’t sound like his — not completely at least.
He decided to just keep his mouth shut and stuffed his hands into the pockets of his sweatpants.
With a swift movement he opened the door and quickly stuffed his hand back into his pocket. He was met by the worrying looks of both Nya and Lloyd outside. “Are you feeling better? I mean you can stand now at least..!” Lloyd tried to chuckle softly. Kai just nodded and Lloyd’s expression faltered. Nya interrupted the silence.“You look paler than yesterday. And you even got almost a full days sleep.” Kai just stared at her, he couldn’t risk talking right now.
She tilted her head as if studying his face. “You look.. different.” Lloyd nodded in agreement. “Yeah your eyes are redder. Not the usual amber color..” Kai looked down in an attempt to hide his eyes.
‘Gosh how could I be so stupid. Ofc this would happen.’
Lloyd laid a hand on his shoulder. “Speak. What’s going on Kai?” Nya looked just as concerned. This behavior was very unusual for Kai. Even if he’s sick.
“It’s nothing..” Kai mumbled at the floor. Nya grabbed his face, making him look at her. “It’s not nothing. Talk to us.! Pls Kai..” Kai opened his mouth slightly, just enough for him to realize they might’ve seen his teeth.
And they had. “Open your mouth.” She held his face tight. “I said open your mouth Kai.” He hesitantly obeyed her. He parted his lips slowly and opened his mouth. Nya tilted his head back, studying his teeth. “Kai! what is this!?” She looked panicked. In a reaction to his discomfort, Kai moved his hand to her wrists, trying to move her away. It succeeded, just not the way he had hoped. “FSM, your hands!? Seriously Kai, what is going on!?”
Kai didn’t answer.
He didn’t know what to answer.
He didn’t know the answer.
Nya kept looking at him. “Speak up Kai. Don’t go quiet now!” Kai could feel himself becoming dizzy. All this stress on his mind and body had tired him out again. Kai moved his eyes to meet Nyas. “Kai..? Kai can you hear me?” His eyes glazed over, becoming empty. It was just when his legs gave out he also lost consciousness. The last he heard was someone yelling his name.
—
He woke up in his bed. His bed? No someone else’s bed.
He looked around. It’s was Nyas room. She really did not want to leave him in his own room by himself.
He could hear faint voices outside the door.
“You have to do something!”
“You gotta realize there’s nothing i can do! Without knowing how he got like this, i can’t know how to help him!”
It was quiet for a while.
“Pls.. I can’t lose my brother too..”
“I know Nya.. I’m trying my best, but right now his appearance are the only symptoms and clues we have.”
—
Kai laid down on the bed again, turning his back to the door.
‘If they knew..’
His stomach was rumbling again. He knew it wasn’t food he was craving since his body seemed to reject anything that wasn’t water, so why was he so hungry?
The door opened behind him and shortly after, a hand laid on his back. “Kai, are you awake..?” The voice was one that he could only pin as Lloyd’s. He moved his legs to his stomach, trying to ease the pain. “Mmh..” Lloyd sat down on the bed. “Have you had anything to eat today?” Kai shook his head. If Lloyd just as tried to suggest food, Kai didn’t know if he could refrain himself from puking right there on the floor.
“Do you want me to get anything for you?”
Great.
Thank you Lloyd.
Kai finally pulled himself together and sat up. “No food.. i’ll just puke it up again..” Lloyd’s face contorted into a mix of discomfort and sympathy. “There isn’t any food you can keep down? You seriously need to eat something.” Kai just looked away, he didn’t want eye contact. He felt the mattress shift as Lloyd stood up. “I’ll have to tell Zane about your lack of eating, it might help him figure out what’s wrong with you.” Lloyd turned his back to the bed before Kai could get a word out. ‘If only you knew..’ Kai looked after Lloyd as he closed the door behind him.
—
And back on the bathroom floor he was. Stupid stomach ache that just didn’t seem to go away. And now back pain as well? He just got the whole package.
Kai’s elbows rested on the toilet seat and his head hung low.
There seemed to be a strain on his neck, and he very much had trouble moving his head.
Just like the first days he had trouble standing again. He could barely feel his legs at this point. It felt as if his spine was torn in half.
He heard it. And very much felt it as well.
The bones in his back were cracking. They were making space for something. Something Kai couldn’t put a finger on. All he know is that it was just causing him more pain. Pain he had to endure in silence.
Kai’s hands covered his mouth as tears began flooding his eyes.
As something pierced through his skin he felt blood running down his spine.
The sound of bones cracking and flesh tearing wasn’t very pleasant.
Kai moved his hands to his ears, trying his best to just block the sound out.
‘Make it stop! Pls- i can’t take this-‘
He almost let out a scream as the first spike in his back pierced through his skin. The second and third just as painful.
The bones in his spine were separated down the middle to make space for them, and hell it hurt.
As the pain subsided he took the chance to move his right hand to his spine.
‘Shit- they’re as sharp as my teeth-‘
Kai’s touch hovered slightly over the sharp spikes.
Feeling slowly returned to his legs and he took this as an opportunity to stand up and look in the mirror.
There were six black spikes going in a straight line down his spine. They looked almost like a thorny devils.
As he touched over the spikes he paid attention to the increased darkening of his fingers. He turned around to face the mirror and held up his hands.
The tips of his fingers were almost covered in black, and thin, vein-like, glowing, green patterns ran up his hands. His nails were definitely sharper, almost claw-like.
Kai began trembling. He was becoming a monster. Just like Daidan had said. But this couldn’t be, right? He had escaped, so why now? What could possibly have happened that caused this now.
Kai didn’t know, and he was too fatigued to do anything about it.
He dropped down onto the cold wooden floor. His back was drenched in blood along with his hands. His blood. Blood from his back, blood that just didn’t seem to stop coming. The feeling of the wet substance running down his back made him shiver. He couldn’t even reach his back to dry it off. Gosh he just wish somebody was here to help him.
And so his prayers were answered.
A hand knocked. Another familiar knock that he could only conclude as his sisters.
“Is it you Kai?”
Kai lifted his head to look at the door. He noticed his vision had become disoriented, and his hearing heightened. Unusual.
“Yeah.. it’s me..” He could hear a soft sigh from outside the door. “How are you holding up..? Feeling any better..?” Kai couldn’t lie, he did definitely not feel better. Closer to the exact opposite. “No..” He managed to get out.
There was a loud silence surrounding him now. He couldn’t hear any breathing, nor footsteps. Only his own heartbeat was heard by him.
That silence however, was short. Footsteps seemed to approach the door again. It wasn’t Nyas footsteps. These were heavier. Like Zane’s.
“Kai, you have to unlock the door. We can’t have you fainting on us again.” Kai thought carefully about his decisions, but ended up choosing the less risky one.
Opening the door.
—
Kai opened the door to two familiar faces staring at him. “What?”
He couldn’t quite make out Nyas expression, but based on the strain in her voice, he could hear she was scared. “FSM Kai!? You’re covered in blood!”
The feeling of a cold metal hand pulling him along made him uneasy, but he followed as if he didn’t have a choice.
As Nya followed behind them she noticed the spikes on Kai’s back. The soft twitches against the cold air, and how they seemed to react to sound. She felt the urge to say something, but kept it to herself. It didn’t seem so important in the moment.