Nameless Ghoul

The Decision

Itzal held off Santos as long as he could, buying Sunshine precious seconds to run. But the shutters in his mind slammed down, and his body gave in to Santos’ will.

He tore after her, praying he’d given her enough of a head start. As a ghuleh, she’d be fast, but he knew he’d be faster.

He sprinted down the corridor. Aether and Dew stepped into his path, hands raised in warning.

Itzal didn’t hesitate.

He head-butted Aether, who crumpled to the side, and he grabbed Dew by the hair, slamming his face into the wall with a sickening crunch. Somewhere behind him, Swiss shouted his name, but Itzal didn’t look back.

He scented the air, searching for her. Her scent lingered. Still hers. Still sweet. But it was tinged now with fear and adrenaline.

She’d gone towards the lair where Terzo’s ghouls lived.

When Itzal reached the corridor, he skidded to a halt.

A wall of ghouls blocked his path.

Omega, Alpha, and Ifrit stood shoulder to shoulder, unflinching. Alpha’s glare burned hotter than hellfire now, pure hatred radiating off him. Just behind them, near the end of the hall, Mist held Sunshine protectively. Her eyes were wide, terrified.

“Sunshine,” Itzal heard himself say. “You need to come with me. We are going home.”

His hand stretched out towards her. The voice was his, but the words weren’t. The Spanish accent was heavier. It felt unfamiliar in his own mouth. Santos’ influence on him, bleeding through. Erasing the last traces of him.

Sunshine shook her head, tears trembling in her lashes.

“No,” she whispered. “I can’t go with you, Itzal. I have to stay here. You need to stay with me. Come back to me.”

She reached her hand out too.

He bared his teeth in a wolfish grin, eyes locking on Omega.

“Let me through. We need to leave. I will kill you to get to her, if I have to. Have no doubt.”

Omega’s eyes narrowed. He pushed calming energy towards Itzal, but it was useless. The leash was too tight. It slid right off him.

Itzal stepped forwards. The ghouls tensed, bracing for impact.

Then...

Something heavy cracked against the back of his skull.

He had just enough time to register the blow, the sudden loss of control, the ground rushing up to meet him.

And then?

Darkness.

Itzal’s final thought before slipping under was simple, grateful, and full of relief.

Thank you, he thought. Whichever fucker knocked me out... thank you.

When he came to, he was chained to the altar in the chapel.

His head throbbed, his vision swam. Voices murmured nearby. They were urgent, hushed. He turned his head, wincing as pain speared through his skull. Fractured. Maybe the bone. Maybe his mind.

He laughed, dry and sharp.

Maybe both.

He remembered everything. Waking in Sunshine’s bed, the descent, the chase. And he was grateful. Grateful that he hadn’t hurt her. Grateful that someone had stopped him before it was too late.

A familiar silhouette moved into view.

Secondo.

Itzal blinked slowly, trying to focus. Santos’ influence still hummed in the background like static, but something was different. Weaker. The chapel must be warded, and warded well. The signal was jammed. He could move within the cage of Santos' control.

Secondo leaned in.

“Itzal, it is time. We cannot risk this again. Are you yourself?”

Itzal nodded, regretting it instantly as white-hot pain exploded behind his eyes.

“You need to speak,” Secondo said gently. “The plan has been finalised. Do you agree to proceed?”

Itzal grit his teeth.

“Yesss.”

Secondo nodded.

“And the other matter. Have you made your decision?” He reached out, placing a hand lightly on Itzal’s forearm. “You can send me the thought if you agree. Do you?”

Itzal met his mismatched eyes.

Do it, he projected, clear and sharp as a knife’s edge.

Decision made.

He was in the hands of the Fates now.