Petals in the Dark

Confrontation with Jed

Chapter 25: Confrontation with Jed

The atmosphere in the air grew heavier as Riku, Lionel, Candy, Haru, Kaito, Mateo, Yuki, Kai, and Luca made their way to the abandoned castle on the edge of town. The eerie silence felt like a precursor to what awaited them. The tension between the group was palpable, each of them bracing themselves for what they knew was inevitable—the confrontation with Jed.

Riku clenched his fist as they walked through the crumbling halls, his heart racing. "This place reeks of dark magic. I can feel it everywhere."

Kai, usually calm and reserved, spoke up, his voice shaking with emotion. "Do you think Jed's here? What if we can't...what if he doesn't remember us?"

"Stop thinking like that," Haru cut in, trying to keep his usual upbeat tone. But even he couldn't mask the fear lacing his words. "We're gonna save him, no matter what it takes."

Mateo walked in silence, his hands trembling slightly. He glanced at Candy, who was perched on Lionel's shoulder, her eyes wide and shimmering with worry.

As they reached the castle's grand hall, the air felt thick with darkness. The once bright and friendly Jed now stood before them, his transformation complete. His eyes, once a vibrant pink, were now a cold, piercing red. His once warm and friendly smile had been replaced with a cruel, sneering expression.

Jed's new outfit mirrored the change in his personality. His villain form was regal yet twisted, like a corrupted prince. He wore an elaborate black and red cape that billowed behind him, adorned with dark jewels. His new crown was blackened and sharp, resting on top of his now longer, sleek hair. His once soft, bubbly appearance had been replaced with a cold, commanding presence. His weapon, a twisted staff of dark energy, pulsed with malicious power.

"You came," Jed said, his voice dripping with arrogance as he looked down at them. "How quaint."

"Jed," Yuki whispered, his voice barely audible. He couldn't believe this was the same boy who once shared laughs and hopes with them.

"Don't call me that," Jed snapped, eyes narrowing. "That name means nothing to me anymore. I am Prince Jaden now."

Riku stepped forward, his hands clenched at his sides. "Snap out of it, Jed! We know this isn't who you really are! Your father's controlling you!"

Jed scoffed, twirling his staff lazily in his hand. "My father has given me power beyond anything you could ever imagine. I'm free now—free from your pathetic ideals of friendship and teamwork."

Kai took a deep breath, stepping forward beside Riku. "We're not giving up on you. You're still our friend, no matter what you say."

"Friend?" Jed sneered, his eyes glowing a deep red as he raised his staff. "The only thing I see in front of me are insects that need to be crushed."

Without warning, Jed attacked, sending a massive wave of dark energy toward the group. They barely managed to dodge in time, the ground cracking beneath them from the force of the blast.

"He's stronger than we thought!" Kaito shouted, raising his shield to deflect another incoming blast.

Candy's eyes filled with tears as she clung to Lionel. "We have to do something! He's going to hurt them!"

Lionel, always calm under pressure, nodded. "We need to weaken his control. It's the only way to bring him back."

Haru, usually so quick to act, found himself frozen for a moment. This wasn't just any villain—they were fighting their friend. But he quickly shook off the hesitation, knowing what was at stake. "Guys, we need to stick together! We can do this!"

The team quickly formed their battle stance, each of them channeling their individual powers. Mateo created a barrier of light around them as Yuki summoned his ice magic to freeze the ground beneath Jed, trying to slow him down. But Jed moved with lightning speed, effortlessly dodging their attacks.

"Pathetic," Jed mocked, his voice filled with contempt. He raised his staff once more, summoning dark tendrils that shot toward the group. Riku and Kai managed to slice through them, but the effort was clearly wearing on them.

Riku gritted his teeth, his chest heaving with exhaustion. "Jed... we're not giving up on you!"

Jed's eyes flared with anger, and in an instant, he was in front of Riku, his staff raised high. "Give up? You should've never come in the first place!"

Just as the staff came crashing down, Haru threw himself in front of Riku, taking the blow directly. The force of the impact sent him flying back, crashing into the stone wall.

"Haru!" Mateo screamed, rushing to his side.

Jed laughed, a cold and cruel sound. "You still think you can win this? You're all fools."

But despite the pain, Haru forced himself to stand. His body ached, but his spirit burned with determination. "We're not giving up. Not on you."

The others rallied behind him, their resolve stronger than ever. Kaito, Yuki, Kai, and Luca all stepped forward, channeling their powers together in one final, desperate attempt to break through Jed's defenses.

In that moment, Candy's soft voice cut through the chaos. "Jed, please... remember us. Remember who you were... who you are."

For a brief moment, Jed's expression faltered. The red glow in his eyes dimmed slightly, and something in his posture shifted. But it was only for a moment. The darkness quickly surged back, and he raised his staff once more, preparing for the final blow.

Riku, seeing the opening, shouted to the others. "Now! Everyone, together!"

The group unleashed their combined power in a brilliant surge of energy, striking Jed head-on. The dark energy around him cracked and shattered, and for the first time, Jed faltered, stumbling back.

But before they could reach him, a portal of swirling darkness appeared behind Jed, pulling him back into its depths. His cold, red eyes met theirs one last time before he disappeared into the shadows.

As the silence settled over the castle, the group stood there, exhausted and battered but alive.

"He's... gone," Yuki whispered, his voice filled with sorrow.

"But not forever," Lionel said, his eyes filled with determination. "We'll bring him back."

Riku looked at the spot where Jed had vanished, his heart heavy but resolute. "Yeah... we will."