Chapter Text
Kalim watched the Octavinelle’s live stream with growing dread.
No, Jamil would never do that…
Kalim reached out and touched the screen. His hand shot back like it had burned, water slipped from his fingertips. That wasn’t supposed to happen.
So, Kalim ran.
He stormed into the hall with Jamil and the Octavinelle trio and held out his Scepter. His hands were shaking and he was getting a headache. The floor around Kalim’s feet grew damp with water, fresh from his magic.
“Liar! Liar, liar, liar!” Kalim pointed the Scepter at Azul, trying to ignore the fat tears forming behind his eyes, “Jamil would never say nor do that! He’d never!”
“Put the Scepter down, Kalim.” Azul urged, switching the live stream off before things could get messy.
Kalim felt heavy. Like there were shackles chained to his ankles, dragging him deep into the ocean. Like every particle in the room was pressing in on his body.
Thunder rolled in the distance, which was strange considering the skies had been clear earlier on. Whatever, Kalim was more focused on the treason in front of him.
“Kalim!” Yuu ran into the hall.
Without thinking, Kalim whipped around and swung the Scepter. A sheet of water slammed into Yuu, knocking them back. In only moments, their skin had gone blue and they were shivering on the floor.
“Stay… Stay back.” Kalim brandished the Scepter, large globs of tears slipping down his cheeks.
Jade and Floyd quickly went over to Yuu, Jade looking over their state, Floyd hovering about. He looked morbidly excited about the entire ordeal, but blinked when Jade announced Yuu’s state to Azul.
“Hypothermia.”
CRACK. Lighting forked in the sky, rain thundered hard outside. Residue was swept in by the sweeping winds through the large, glassless windows, splashing the screaming Scarabia students.
Kalim barely registered Jade and Floyd moving Yuu into one of the guest rooms, his wandering ruby gaze landing on Jamil who was still aghast by the revelation of the live stream.
“Jamil…” Kalim walked over, dragging his Scepter across the floor as he did.
“Don’t you dare.” Jamil snapped.
Kalim stopped approaching. The tropical low outside screamed loudly, suddenly dry. Like the sandstorms the Scalding Sands usually got. Nature holding its breath, ready to strike at any moment.
“What.”
“Don’t you go acting apologetic.” Jamil sniffed, a subtle hint to how the situation truly made him feel, “you’ve been oblivious to my suffering all your life. Treated me as little more than an object for your entertainment. I’m sick of it!”
The lightning paused.
“You always smile like there’s nothing wrong with the world! Take a look at me!”
The wind stilled.
“You don’t care. You never—”
“I do care.” Kalim had never been so empty. Blood rushing from his face in a flush. “I care so much it hurts.”
Kalim looked down at the Scepter. He held it up slightly, gazing at the blood red magestone cradled by the snake. It reminded him of Jamil. The serpent being Jamil. The magestone being him.
He pointed it upwards.
Jamil slammed into him.
”No, Kalim!” Jamil shouted, trying to tear the Scepter away.
“Let go!”
Kalim and Jamil struggled for a bit, the former wailing loudly, the latter focused more on getting the Scepter away.
Something hit the floor and shattered.
Time seemed to slow. A firm, thunderous beat echoed in Kalim’s ears. A heartbeat? The thunder? Footsteps? Kalim did not know. Both his and Jamil’s eyes slowly snapped to the floor.
Red shards littered the carpet, glittering with something otherworldly and… magical.
Kalim’s pupils contracted and swooped to face the top of the Scepter. No longer did the golden snake cradle his magestone. Empty and utterly useless.
Kalim and Jamil made eye contact and time sped up again.
Rain slammed down with the volume of a large pond. Cracks splintered from the sandstone ceiling, tracing deadly paths towards the walls and banisters. The students started up their screams again, crying and praying to the Great Seven for help.
The storm howled and started up with a power that rivalled the mightiest typhoon.
Azul had moved out of the guest room to gather the students and guide them out of the Scarabia dorm.
In the middle of all the chaos, Kalim had fallen to his knees, shaking and crying.
Jamil hesitantly (and a bit reluctantly) crouched and reached out. Mostly because he knew the dorm would blame him for the situation and his reputation would be ruined. And, admittedly, the smallest bit out of concern.
Kalim snapped up to face him. His tears were black and thick. Like tar.
”I’m so sorry.”
With that, blot loomed over Kalim like a serpent and swallowed him whole.