Petals in the Dark

The Darkness Within

Chapter 29: The Darkness Within

The magical boys gathered around Jed, who was now sitting on a bed, pale and sweating. The corruption was gone—or at least, they thought it was. But something wasn't right. Jed clutched his chest, wincing in pain, his breathing shallow and ragged.

"Jed? What's wrong?" Mateo asked, his voice full of concern as he rushed to his side.

Jed's face twisted with discomfort, a hand pressed firmly to his heart. "I-I don't know... It feels like... something is still inside me," he gasped, his voice strained.

Riku's brow furrowed with worry. "Is it the corruption? But the gem was supposed to cleanse it."

Candy looked helpless, her large blue eyes filled with fear. "Maybe we didn't use the gem correctly! What if it didn't work completely?"

Lionel, who had been studying the gem closely since the battle, spoke up. "It worked, but the corruption was too deeply rooted in Jed's heart. It wasn't just magic affecting him—it's emotional, something far more personal than a spell."

Haru frowned. "You mean... there's still a part of him that's connected to the darkness?"

Lionel nodded. "It seems like the corruption wasn't just an external force. It took root inside his emotions, his fears, and his desires. If we don't find a way to fully remove it, it could overwhelm him again."

Jed let out a pained groan, his eyes flashing red for a brief second before returning to pink. He doubled over, clutching his chest tighter. "It's... it's still in me... I can feel it trying to take control again."

The others exchanged worried glances. They couldn't afford to lose Jed again. Not after everything they'd been through.

Mateo knelt beside him, placing a hand on Jed's shoulder. "You're not alone, Jed. We'll figure this out. We'll find a way to get rid of it for good."

Yuki, who had been quietly thinking in the corner, suddenly stood up. "Maybe there's something in the library. If the gem only partially worked, then there must be something else we can use. A spell, a ritual—something."

Riku nodded. "We need to figure this out before the corruption takes hold again. We can't afford to lose him."

Jed's breathing slowed as the pain subsided momentarily, but the fear in his eyes remained. "Please... don't let me turn back into that... monster."

"We won't," Lionel promised. "We'll save you, Jed. No matter what."

Back in the library, the magical boys, along with Lionel and Candy, pored over ancient texts and scrolls, searching for any clues. They knew they didn't have much time—every minute that passed, the corruption in Jed's heart grew stronger.

"Look at this," Kaito said, pointing to an old, weathered book. "It talks about a purification ritual, but it requires..."

"Sacrifice," Riku finished, reading over Kaito's shoulder.

Candy's eyes widened. "Sacrifice? But... what does that mean?"

Lionel frowned. "It could mean a number of things. It might not necessarily be a life, but something precious—something that holds great power or meaning to the person undergoing the ritual."

"Then we'll do whatever it takes," Haru said firmly. "If it means saving Jed, we'll find a way."

But as they continued their search, the corruption inside Jed stirred again. Back at the hideout, Jed struggled to breathe as another wave of pain shot through his chest. His eyes flickered red once more, and a voice whispered in the back of his mind—his father's voice.

"You cannot escape your fate, Jed. No matter how hard you try. You belong to the darkness."

Jed shook his head, trying to push the voice away. "No... I don't... I'm not like you."

But the voice persisted. "You are exactly like me. Embrace it, Jed. Embrace the power you've always deserved."

As the others searched for answers, Jed felt the corruption tightening its grip on his heart. Time was running out.