Chapter 141: Dark Bond
**Avery**
After our bonding exercise with James, we awaited the Ancient One. It wasn’t long before we heard his voice cutting through our silence like a dagger. "One of you must merge with the darkness," he declares, his eyes glinting with an otherworldly light as he manifested before us. "Only then will you wield the power needed to destroy Cora. Refuse, and your efforts will be in vain."
My mind races as I absorb the weight of the Ancient One's demand. “That wasn’t part of this. You were to give us a chance, not make an ultimatum.”
“Little queen, I did warn that what was to come was going to be more intense than what I had previously planned. While you had your respite, Cora has expanded her forces. Yours that you left back in Talos are now greatly outnumbered. So I will say it again, to defeat Cor,a one of you must merge with me,” his voice pierced my soul. How? How am I going to ask this of any of them?
I glanced at my mates, their faces etched with a mix of shock and determination. "Who among us will bear this burden?" Cassius asks, his voice steady but laced with underlying turmoil. "To bond with a dark entity is no small sacrifice. It will change us, perhaps forever."
Clint steps forward, his eyes meeting mine. "I'll do it," he says without hesitation. "If it means protecting you, Avery, and the rest of us, I'm willing to take the risk."
My breath catches in my throat. I know Clint's love for me runs deep, but this... this is a sacrifice I cannot fathom him making alone. "No, We face this together. If one of us must bear this burden, then we all will. We are a unit, bound by love and loyalty."
Conner nods, his bright blue eyes filled with resolve. "She's right. We've faced trials before, and we've always emerged stronger because we stood together. This is no different."
James speaks up, his deep voice resonating through the chamber. "While your unity is commendable, you must understand the gravity of what you're proposing. Merging with a dark entity is not a shared burden. It will consume one of you, body and soul. Are you prepared for that?"
Our group falls silent, each lost in our thoughts as we grapple with the enormity of the choice before us. My mind whirls with possibilities, my heart aching at the thought of any one of them being forever changed by such a bond. As my mates debate, the air outside the chamber shudders with an ominous energy. Regina alerts me that Cora has sensed our vulnerability and seizes the moment, launching a devastating assault on Talos.
Before long, the ground trembles, and the sound of screams and clashing steel reaches our ears, a grim reminder of the stakes at hand. The Ancient One says, “I told you that time was of the essence. I need an answer.”
"We're wasting time," James growls, his hands clenched into fists. "While we stand here arguing, our people are dying. We must make a decision now."
My eyes flash with determination. "Then we'll decide as one. We'll draw lots, and whoever is chosen will bear this burden with our full support. But we must act swiftly, or Cora will destroy everything we hold dear."
Our group agrees, our unity unwavering in the face of adversity. We prepare the lots, each one inscribed with the name of a member of our circle. As we draw, the tension is palpable, each of us silently praying that we will be the one to bear the burden. My hand trembles as I draw my lot, my heart pounding in my chest. I unfold the parchment, my eyes widening as I read the name inscribed upon it: Clint.
Clint steps forward, his jaw set in a determined line. "It seems the choice has been made for me. I'm ready to face whatever comes next, as long as it means protecting all of you." Before anyone can respond, a deafening explosion rocks the chamber, the force of it knocking them off their feet. Cora's attack has breached the stronghold, and the battle rages on outside.
"We have to go," James says, helping me to my feet. "Clint, are you sure about this?"
Clint nods, his eyes meeting mine. "I've never been more sure of anything in my life. Just promise me you'll all be there for me, no matter what happens."
I take his hand, my thumb brushing against his skin in a silent promise. "We'll be with you every step of the way. Together, we'll face whatever darkness lies ahead."
As we rush to join the battle, the Ancient One's voice echoes in my mind, a chilling reminder of the sacrifice to come. "The bond will be forged in blood and shadow. Once it's done, there's no turning back." The battle rages on, the air thick with the scent of smoke and blood. We fight with a newfound urgency, our strikes fueled by the knowledge that time is running out. In the midst of the chaos, Clint seeks me out, his eyes locking with mine across the battlefield. He mouths the words "I love you," and I respond in kind, our bond stronger than ever in the face of impending sacrifice.
As the battle reaches its climax, the Ancient One appears, his presence a stark reminder of the deal we've struck. "The time has come," he declared, his voice cutting through the noise of battle. "Clint, step forward. The darkness awaits."
Clint takes a deep breath, his eyes meeting ours one last time. He steps forward, his body trembling as the Ancient One begins the ritual. The air grows cold, and shadows swirl around Clint, tendrils of darkness reaching out to claim him. I watch my heart breaking as Clint's body begins to change. His skin pales, and his eyes glow with an eerie light. The darkness consumes him, and for a moment, I fear he's lost forever. But then, a voice echoes in my mind, Clint's voice, strong and steady. "I'm still here, Avery. I'm still me, just... different. Stronger."
Relief washes over me, and I reach out, taking his hand in mine. The darkness recedes, and Clint stands before me, his eyes now holding a depth and power they didn't possess before. "Are you alright?"
Clint smiles, a smile that holds both familiarity and something new, something ancient and powerful. "I'm more than alright, Avery. I'm ready. Together, we'll face Cora, and we'll win."
The group gathers around us, their faces a mix of awe and trepidation. James places a hand on Clint's shoulder, his voice gruff with emotion. "Welcome back, brother. We stand with you, now more than ever."
As we prepare for the final confrontation with Cora, I can't shake the feeling that we've crossed a threshold, that nothing will ever be the same again. But with Clint by my side, his newfound power a testament to our love and sacrifice, I know we have a fighting chance. Now, it's time to face Cora and reclaim our world, no matter the cost.
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