Essence of Quinn Parts 3 & 4: Papa IV Era & The Main Event - Fate Breaker (MxM)

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Itzal retched and coughed and then flopped onto his belly, sobbing against the stones of the chapel floor. At first, Quinn thought they were tears of relief but he frowned when he felt the absolute despair rolling off him.

Those gathered stayed silent and Secondo’s ghouls kept back and let him deal with this. He stood patiently at the edge of the circle of blood, waiting for Itzal to gather himself.

Copia and Seren had woken up by now and we’re being tended to. Aether had dragged Papa away and was fussing over him on one of the pews whilst Helena took care of Seren. That final burst of power must have knocked them out momentarily, but they seemed fine now, if a little bit bedraggled and exhausted.

A few moments later the sobbing stopped and Itzal peered up at Secondo through straggly strands of black hair. Quinn felt his despair being gradually replaced by hope. He staggered to his feet and wrapped one arm around his torso. His other hand made its way up to his neck, fingers shakily skimming over the scarred skin at the base of his throat.

Itzal closed his eyes and weaved on his feet as he came to his senses and realised that the ritual had worked.

“Welcome back, Itzal,” Secondo said. Itzal’s eyes strayed to Papa and then back to Secondo. “It took a few attempts to get you back. We had to wing it a bit as the ritual he had used before did not work. We had to adapt it, but at least now we know what works for ghouls.” He gestured towards Copia and shrugged. “He is pretty zapped.”

Itzal frowned and nodded, his eyes darting around the room. He rubbed the centre of his chest and then broke out into a smile.

“I’m really back?” he murmured, as if he didn’t believe it.

Secondo nodded.

“Yes, but we are having to hold you in the summoning circle for now as you would be sent back to your dimension otherwise. There is no bond holding you to this Earth now. So, I need to ask you one final time before we complete the spell. Do you agree to this?”

Quinn glanced at Air. He could feel the other ghoul’s investment in this. They’d all pretty much accepted that Itzal was one of them now. If he said no they would be disappointed. He didn’t answer for a few moments and Quinn wondered if he’d changed his mind but the ghoul finally nodded resolutely.

“I agree.”

Air breathed a sigh of relief and gripped Quinn’s hand. Secondo began the incantation that would bind Itzal to him and tether him to the Earth.

It didn’t take long and the burst of magic as they were bound together surprised Quinn when it bled through their bond. Secondo staggered at the impact and it knocked the breath from Quinn’s lungs. Air whined and when he glanced at Earth, Fire and Water they were all frowning. This must have been what it felt like when Secondo added Quinn to their pack. It felt strange, a kind of ache as the magic of their pack absorbed Itzal into it.

Once it settled into place it was Quinn’s turn to whine. He felt that same overwhelming feeling that he'd experienced the first time he’d encountered Itzal rushing towards him. He closed his eyes, unsure if he should accept it or try to block it out.

He opened them again and looked down at Air who had put an arm around his back and was pulling him towards the shadows at the edge of the chapel. He’d felt it too through their own bond and his concern was evident.

Quinn’s breathing had picked up and he whined again, closing his eyes once again and making his decision.

He let Itzal in, let the wave of his churning emotions break over him, let them engulf him. His eyes snapped open and he sucked in a breath meeting Air’s glowing purple stare. His chest was tight and he gritted his teeth. This time though, he didn’t allow it to overwhelm him. He’d known what to expect and he’d have had to deal with it at some point anyway; he couldn’t shut Itzal out indefinitely.