Chapter 83 // Can I be close to you? (End of Part II)

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A.N. Here we have it, the end of part II! It was not supposed to be this long, but I think of it like a parting gift until we're back for part III 😁

I hope you enjoy! And happy birthday, @sd_luvs_bangtan!🎁💜

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Leah cupped his cheeks, looking into his eyes with anxiety, "Just promise you have my back."

He kissed her instantly, pressing her by the neck to hopefully transmit how much he loved her. "I do, no matter what. Just believe in me."

She smiled despite her tearful eyes, and nodded at him to go. He still managed to kiss her hand before letting go, yet as soon as he was out of the door, the mood shifted. It was light in her room due to the candles, but mostly because of her, but once he was out, the torches made everything gloomy and dark.

He followed the one priest and wondered where everyone was — before, there were warriors in every entrance, especially outside, but now, there was no one. He swallowed despite following the priest quietly; he had a bad feeling about this whole thing. Nothing was worth risking Leah's safety, not even to see with his own eyes how Citra was not who she seemed. He pursed his lips, feeling the sweat treacle down his spine, and looked back — he could still make his way back to her and—

The priest opened a door and stepped aside for Jungkook to enter. It was a small room covered in murals and vines falling over the walls, and at the center, an altar with a gigantic statue of a woman with a crown that looked familiar. Surrounding her feet, sculpted into the stone, were water lilies blooming while vines and lianas laced up and around her legs. But she wasn't stuck, he noticed; her hands were open as if to welcome anyone forward in what could also be a display of power.

A thick female voice uttered incomprehensible words behind him, and he turned. Citra walked into the room with a smile and waved at the statue, "Our Goddess looks after us all."

She turned to observe the statue, and he did the same. Citra's hair was styled in a way that resembled the figure, and the patterns on the tatau on her shoulder were similar to a few on the Goddess, too.

He didn't have time to think about what that meant; Citra placed her hand on his shoulder and turned him to her, "You're finally here. You've walked the Path of the Warrior, now you shall Ascend and walk the Path of a God." She grabbed his left hand, "I'll guide you."

He lowered his eyes, trying to breathe calmly. Her expression was gentle, almost devoted, and again he couldn't believe she'd ever do something bad. All she ever did was help him, and even now. So when he looked at her again, he opened his heart; she'd surely understand.

"I don't need to walk such a path," he confessed. "I just needed to clear my head, and I did." He took a deep breath and felt his own calm confirm his words. Her eyes were just wide, observing him. "I appreciate all your help, but I don't want to ascend."

She squeezed his hand, and smiled again, "Ascending is your destiny."

He pulled his hand free, "No, I... I don't believe that." He looked at the looming figure over them and wondered why it looked so familiar. He turned to her, "It can't be when I don't want to—"

Citra was too close and suddenly everything was blue, and he coughed. The powder she blew on his face smelled funny, and no matter how much he coughed it out, he still lost strength in his legs and fell back. He sat on the steps of the altar and Citra kneeled in front of him. He could barely see with the world spinning like that, but what he could, frightened him.

"Look at you," she sighed, brushing his raven hair out of his eyes. "Big, strong, powerful. Why would you want to hold on to what you were? You'll be perfect," she brushed down his cheek and reached for something behind him. All he could do was breathe, and hope the effects of whatever that was would wear off. "It hurts me to watch you in pain," pain laced her voice as she dipped her fingers in the crimson of the bowl in her hand and started marking his face. "I know how hard it is to feel the power, the potential, and to not be able to grasp it. But I'm here to help you," she smiled, drawing lines on his forehead. "I only want to love you for who you truly are," her finger lingered on his cheek before putting the bowl down. "To worship you for the man you have become, and the God you will be," she smiled and nuzzled down his nose, and he groaned. The light hurt him, he couldn't talk, his body wouldn't move, and he hated her touching him like that. "It will all be over soon," she promised, looking deep into his eyes. She was too close, and his stomach was revolting. It felt way too familiar, only this time he wasn't sure he was dreaming anymore. "I will lead you onto the dais, and you will be free of what holds you back." Her voice lowered into a whisper fanning his lips, "Your cleansing will be complete, and then I will be yours."

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