Painted in Fate

Chapter 20: Shadows of the Past

Billy helped Babe to his feet, the remnants of the artifact still scattered across the chamber floor. The dark energy that had filled the room was gone, but the emotional weight of what they had just experienced lingered heavily between them.

For a long moment, neither of them spoke. Billy kept his arm around Babe, his heart still racing from the intensity of the memories that had flooded his mind. Flashes of the past life—of running to Babe, only to find him dying, of the blood and destruction—played over and over in his thoughts like a broken reel.

Babe's expression was a mixture of pain and determination. He wasn't the same quiet artist who had been haunted by dreams of Billy. He had changed—becoming more resolute, more focused on finding answers and confronting the truth that had been buried for so long.

Taran's voice broke the silence. "The artifact is destroyed. But that was only the beginning."

Billy turned toward him, his jaw clenched. "What do you mean?"

Taran's eyes narrowed. "Your uncle. He knows it's gone now. He'll come for you both. He'll try to finish what he started."

The mention of his uncle sent a cold chill down Billy's spine. He had already begun to remember what his uncle had done—manipulating him, using his trust to destroy the healer clan. The guilt was unbearable, even though he hadn't known the full truth at the time. But now that his memories were flooding back, he felt the crushing weight of his past mistakes.

Babe's hand found Billy's, his touch steady. "We face him together," Babe said quietly, but there was steel in his voice. "No more running from the past."

They made their way back up the winding staircase, the oppressive atmosphere lifting slightly as they ascended. But even with the physical darkness behind them, the memories of what had happened so long ago clung to them like a shadow.

Once outside, Babe took a deep breath of the cool night air. For the first time in what felt like days, he was able to think clearly. But the memories, now that they had resurfaced, wouldn't leave him alone.

"I saw it," Babe murmured, staring at the distant horizon. "I saw you... running to me. After everything."

Billy closed his eyes, the memory of that moment sharp and painful. "I didn't know what had happened," he whispered. "I thought I was helping your family... I thought I was doing the right thing."

Babe turned to him, his eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and understanding. "But it wasn't your fault, Billy. You didn't know. It was your uncle."

Billy shook his head, his guilt rising to the surface. "I should have known. I should have questioned him. But I trusted him—blindly. And because of that, your family..."

Babe reached out, gripping Billy's arm firmly. "We can't change the past," Babe said, his voice steady. "But we can make sure it doesn't happen again."

Billy stared at him, his heart heavy. He admired Babe's strength, his resilience in the face of everything they had been through. Babe had every reason to hate him for what happened, but instead, he was standing by Billy's side, ready to fight with him.

As they made their way back toward the main part of the estate, Taran's footsteps were almost eerily silent behind them. Billy glanced over his shoulder, his wariness of the man growing. They needed his help, that much was clear, but something about Taran's calm demeanor in the face of everything unsettled him.

"Your uncle won't waste any time," Taran said, his voice cutting through the quiet night. "He's been waiting for centuries for this. Now that the artifact is gone, he'll move quickly."

Billy's jaw tightened. "We'll be ready for him."

Taran gave a slight nod. "I hope so. But you should understand something—the ritual wasn't fully completed last time. If he succeeds now, there's no telling what kind of power he'll gain."

Babe's eyes flashed with determination. "Then we stop him. No matter what it takes."

The words hung in the air between them, heavy with the weight of the coming battle. Babe's resolve was clear, and though Billy's protectiveness surged, he knew that this wasn't something he could shield Babe from. They were in this together.

Later that night, Billy sat alone by the window in his room, staring out into the darkness. The memories from their past life replayed in his mind, and with each one, the guilt gnawed at him.

He hadn't just failed Babe back then. He had failed to protect the one person who had meant everything to him. The look of betrayal in Babe's eyes, even as he lay dying, haunted him.

Billy ran a hand through his hair, frustrated. He wasn't that naive, trusting boy anymore. He had grown, hardened by the years of running his family's business and dealing with the weight of their history. But the past—no matter how much he had tried to bury it—was catching up with him.

He glanced down at his hands, flexing them as if trying to shake off the feeling of powerlessness. Babe had been right. They couldn't change the past. But that didn't stop the overwhelming need to make things right, to prove that he wouldn't fail him again.

There was a knock on the door, and before Billy could respond, Babe stepped inside.

"I thought I might find you brooding in here," Babe said, his tone light but his eyes full of understanding.

Billy forced a small smile. "Just... thinking."

Babe crossed the room and stood beside him, leaning against the windowsill. "You're blaming yourself, aren't you?"

Billy's jaw clenched. "How can I not? Everything that happened—your family... it was because of me."

Babe reached out, placing his hand over Billy's. "You were manipulated, Billy. You didn't know. And I don't blame you."

Billy turned his head to look at him, his eyes filled with guilt. "But I should have. I should have questioned him. If I had..."

Babe shook his head. "We were both young. We both made mistakes. But that doesn't mean we're doomed to repeat them."

Billy stared at him for a long moment, the weight of Babe's words sinking in. Maybe they weren't destined to relive the same tragedy. Maybe they could break the cycle, together.

"I won't let anything happen to you this time," Billy said, his voice low but firm.

Babe smiled softly, squeezing his hand. "I know."

As dawn broke the next morning, Billy and Babe stood at the edge of the estate, staring out at the horizon. They didn't know when or where Billy's uncle would strike, but they knew it was coming. The darkness was closing in, but this time, they were ready.

Taran appeared beside them, his expression grim. "It's time. He'll come soon."

Billy nodded, his gaze hardening. "Let him come."

Babe stood beside him, his hand resting on Billy's arm. Together, they would face whatever was coming—together, they would end it.