Judicial Temptations :: WRIOLLETTE

49 :: The Final Step

The tension in Nahida's domain was palpable. After the agony of the first phase, everyone was on edge, their gazes flickering nervously between Wriothesley and Neuvillette. The air around them hummed with elemental energy, thick and charged, as if the space itself was holding its breath for what was to come next.

Furina stood off to the side, her hands clenched into tight fists at her sides. The guilt weighed on her heavily, pressing down on her chest like a physical weight. She couldn't shake the image of Wriothesley convulsing in Neuvillette's arms, the raw, unfiltered agony on his face. She had caused that. She had been the one to transfer Otto's energy into him. And though she knew it had been necessary, that it was Wriothesley's choice, the guilt gnawed at her.

"Furina, are you alright?" Nahida asked gently, her voice soft but filled with concern as she approached.

Furina nodded, her throat tight. "It was his choice, but... I made him suffer." Her voice wavered as she spoke, her eyes focused on the ground. "What kind of Archon am I, to do that to someone?"

Nahida placed a comforting hand on Furina's shoulder, her presence warm and grounding. "You did what had to be done, and Wriothesley knew that. He made the choice because he believes in what you're doing. And look, he's still standing."

They both looked back to Wriothesley, who was still leaning heavily against Neuvillette, his body trembling with exhaustion but very much alive. He had survived the first phase, which was already more than many had dared to hope. Nahida gave Furina a small, reassuring smile.

"It's not over yet," Nahida said softly. "But we're close. Just trust in the process."

With that, she made her way back to the center of the domain, where Neuvillette was helping Wriothesley sit down for a moment of rest. His body was still shaky, his skin pale and slick with sweat, but his eyes were determined. Nahida offered him a flask of water, which he gratefully accepted, drinking deeply to rehydrate after the intense ordeal.

"You've got thirty minutes to recover," Nahida said softly, watching Wriothesley carefully. "We'll start the second phase then."

Wriothesley gave a slight nod, his breath still ragged as he leaned back against Neuvillette. He closed his eyes, trying to focus on regaining his strength, though every muscle in his body ached. He felt like he had been pulled apart and barely stitched back together, but he knew this wasn't the end. There was still more to come.

Neuvillette's hand gently brushed through Wriothesley's damp hair, his expression filled with worry and fear. "You don't have to do this, you know," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "If it's too much, we can stop."

Wriothesley cracked one eye open, his lips curling into a faint smile. "And let all your planning go to waste? I don't think so."

Neuvillette huffed softly, but his eyes betrayed his worry. "I'm serious. I don't care about any of this—about becoming immortal or any of it—if it means losing you."

Wriothesley squeezed Neuvillette's hand weakly. "You're not going to lose me. I'm tougher than I look, remember?"

Still, Neuvillette's expression remained troubled as he looked at his lover. The elemental energy he would have to give Wriothesley in the second phase was powerful—more dangerous, in some ways, than the wild energy Furina had transferred from Otto. But Kaveh's breakthrough had given them a sliver of hope. If Otto's energy had conditioned Wriothesley's body, then perhaps... just perhaps, he could survive this.

---

After thirty minutes had passed, Nahida returned to them. "It's time," she said softly, looking between Neuvillette and Wriothesley. "Are you ready?"