Infernal Rivalry - The Clash Of Vox And Alastor

Chapter 37: You've Changed

(Alastor's POV)

As I sat in the dimly lit confines of our shared abode, a sense of unease settled over me like a heavy shroud. It had been several months since Vox had begun working for Valentino, and with each passing day, I couldn't shake the feeling that something had with Vox. I watched silently as he slipped out of the room, his movements betraying a sense of restlessness that had become all too familiar in recent weeks. Ever since he had started spending more time with Valentino, I had noticed a subtle shift in his demeanor, a distancing that seemed to grow more pronounced with each passing day. Gone was the Vox I had come to know and cherish, replaced by a shadow of his former self, a pale imitation of the vibrant soul that had captured my heart.

He seemed lost in a sea of uncertainty, adrift in a world of temptation and desire that threatened to swallow him whole. I couldn't help but wonder what had driven him into Valentino's clutches, what allure the moth demon held that had ensnared Vox in his web. Was it the promise of power? The allure of forbidden pleasures? Or was it something deeper, something that lay buried beneath the surface of his facade? As I pondered these questions, a sense of foreboding settled over me like a dark cloud on the horizon. I knew that I could no longer ignore the growing distance between us, the chasm that threatened to tear us apart if left unchecked. With a heavy heart, I resolved to confront him about his newfound allegiance to Valentino, to lay bare my fears and concerns in the hope of salvaging what remained of our bond. For despite the turmoil that plagued our relationship, I refused to let him slip through my fingers without a fight.

As he took a seat beside me on the sofa, a palpable tension hung in the air, thick and suffocating. I could sense the weight of his guarded demeanor, the walls he had erected around himself, shielding him from the truth that threatened to tear us apart. "Vox" I began, my voice soft yet tinged with concern, "we need to talk". He tensed beside me, his expression hardening as he turned to face me. "About what, Alastor?" he replied, his tone defensive. I hesitated for a moment, steeling myself for his reaction before pressing forward. "It's about Valentino" I said, my words careful yet deliberate. "I've noticed that you've been spending a lot more time with him lately, and... well, it's changed you, Vox". His eyes flashed with indignation, his jaw set in a stubborn line. "I haven't changed, Alastor" he retorted, his voice laced with frustration. "I'm still the same person I've always been". 

I reached out, placing a hand on his arm in a gesture of reassurance. "I know it's not easy" I said gently. "But I can see the difference in you. You're not the same Vox I used to know". He pulled away from my touch, his gaze darkening with anger. "You don't know anything, Alastor" he snapped, his words like a slap in the face. "You don't get to judge me".  I felt a pang of hurt at his words. "I'm not trying to judge you" I said softly, my voice tinged with sadness.  I took a deep breath, trying to quell the rising tide of frustration within me. "Vox, please" I implored, my voice pleading. "Can't you see how much things have changed? You're not the same person you used to be". His brows furrowed in confusion, but there was a flicker of defensiveness in his gaze. "What do you mean?" he asked, his tone guarded.

I took a deep breath, steeling myself for his reaction. "You've become... cruel, arrogant even". "What are you talking about?" he retorted, his tone laced with irritation. I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts before continuing. "You've started to mimic Valentino's mannerisms" I explained. "The way you speak to others, the way you carry yourself... It's different. And not in a good way". He scoffed, a hint of defiance in his voice. "I haven't changed, Alastor" he insisted, his words ringing hollow in the silence of the room. I leaned closer, fixing him with a penetrating gaze. "You have" I countered firmly. "You've become more callous, more dismissive of others. It's like you've taken on Valentino's persona". He shifted uncomfortably, his facade beginning to crack under the weight of my scrutiny. "I... I don't know what you want me to say, Al" he muttered, his voice tinged with uncertainty.