The World Above

Chapter 34: The Freak Storm

I saw Haven's scars, thin white lines crisscrossing her arms and back like a map of pain. She stood there, half-naked, her skin pale and marred by the cruel marks.

Haven quickly tried to cover herself, grabbing at her clothes with trembling hands.

"Haven," My voice was choked with emotion, "what happened? Who did this to you?" Though I already knew the answer

Haven avoided my gaze, her hands fumbling as she tried to pull her shirt over her head. "It's nothing, Felix. I'm fine. Really."

I stepped forward, my eyes scanning the myriad of scars. "This isn't nothing, Haven. This is...this is horrifying. Why didn't you tell anyone?"

She pulled the shirt down, covering her scars, and wrapped her arms around herself protectively. "It’s not something I want to talk about. Please, Felix, just forget you saw anything."

I reached out, my hand gentle as I lifted her chin, forcing her to meet my eyes. "I can't forget, Haven. I won't. How long has this been going on?"

Tears welled up in her eyes, but she quickly blinked them away. "A long time. But I'm used to it. It doesn't matter anymore."

"It matters to me!" My voice was fierce, filled with a mixture of anger and sorrow. "No one should ever get used to this. You shouldn't have to endure this, Haven. You deserve better."

She shook her head, a bitter smile tugging at her lips. "Deserve better? Felix, this is my reality. I can't change it."

"But we can," I insisted, taking her hands in mine. "We can change it together. You don't have to face this alone. Please, let me help you."

Haven looked at me, "You can't fix this, Felix. No one can."

I pulled her into my arms, holding her tightly. "Yes, yes I can. I promise, Haven, I will do everything in my power to protect you. You don't have to be used to this anymore."

She clung to me, sobbing into my chest.

My rage simmered beneath the surface, building with each sob that wracked Haven's body. The air around us began to crackle, charged with an unseen energy.

As I held her, my anger found an outlet, unlocking something deep within me. It felt as if my spirit, dormant until now, had awoken.

Outside, the sky darkened, and lightning split the heavens. Thunder rumbled, shaking the very foundations of the house.

My eyes flickered, changing from their usual emerald green to a stormy blue, then to a fierce white, mirroring the tempest outside and within.

I heard Aether and Farris as they rushed upstairs, their faces pale and bewildered. And as they reached the top of the stairs, they saw me,

"Felix, what’s happening?" Aether shouted over the roaring thunder, his voice tinged with fear.

Farris stood frozen, unable to tear his eyes away from the spectacle. "I’ve never seen anything like this," he murmured.

Haven, still in my arms, pulled back slightly, her eyes wide with fear. "Felix, your eyes... What’s going on?"

I looked down at her, my expression softening for a moment, but the storm in my eyes remained. "I won’t let anyone hurt you anymore, Haven. Not ever again."

As my resolve solidified, the storm outside intensified. Lightning struck the ground nearby, sending shockwaves through the air.

Suddenly, a majestic, glowing phoenix, materialized beside me, its feathers crackling with electricity. It shrieked , its voice mingling with the thunder, a declaration of protection and fury.