Painted in Fate

Chapter 21: The Reckoning Approaches

The sun barely peeked over the horizon, casting a pale golden light over the estate. The once calm atmosphere now felt thick with tension, like the world itself was holding its breath for what was to come.

Babe stood by the window, staring out at the distant hills, his mind racing. His hand absentmindedly traced the edge of the table, grounding himself as he prepared for the battle ahead. His memories of the past were clearer now, sharper with each passing day. But with that clarity came a strange sense of calm. He knew what had to be done.

Behind him, Billy paced restlessly, his body tense, every muscle on edge. He had barely slept, haunted by the fragments of the past that kept replaying in his mind—the memories of the moment he had failed Babe. He couldn't shake the fear that history would repeat itself.

Taran sat quietly across the room, flipping through an ancient, tattered book. His calm demeanor only seemed to irritate Billy more. The man had shown little emotion since the truth had been revealed. To Billy, it felt like Taran didn't grasp the depth of what was at stake.

"How can you be so calm?" Billy finally snapped, his voice low but sharp. "We're about to face my uncle, and all you can do is sit there reading?"

Taran glanced up from the book, his expression unreadable. "Emotions won't win this fight, Billy. We need strategy."

Billy clenched his fists, his anger simmering just below the surface. He turned to Babe, his gaze softening slightly. "We shouldn't even be dragging you into this."

Babe met his eyes, his resolve unshaken. "This isn't just your fight, Billy. It never was. I'm not going to stand by and let you face him alone."

Billy exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. "I just—" He cut himself off, unsure how to express the storm of emotions swirling inside him. The thought of losing Babe again, of watching history repeat itself, terrified him in ways he couldn't fully articulate.

Babe stepped closer, his hand resting on Billy's arm. "We face this together. No more guilt. No more hesitation."

Billy nodded, though his heart still felt heavy. He couldn't shake the feeling that he had to protect Babe from the worst of what was coming.

As they gathered their thoughts, Taran stood and approached the large map spread out on the table. "Your uncle will come here," Taran said, pointing to a location near the center of the estate. "It's the most powerful place—the site of the original ritual. If he completes it there, he'll be unstoppable."

Babe studied the map, his mind sharp and focused. "So we stop him before he reaches that point."

Taran glanced at him, a hint of respect flickering in his eyes. "You're right. But stopping him won't be easy. He'll have the advantage."

Babe straightened, his jaw set. "We don't need the advantage. We just need to make sure he doesn't get what he wants."

Billy looked at Babe, surprised by the intensity in his voice. Babe had always been strong, but now there was something else—an unwavering determination that Billy hadn't seen before.

Taran crossed his arms, his expression thoughtful. "We'll need to lure him into a position where he can't complete the ritual. If he doesn't have access to the sacred site, his power will be limited."

Billy's protectiveness flared again. "And what about Babe? We can't just use him as bait."

Babe's eyes flashed with defiance. "I'm not bait. I'm the reason he's coming here, Billy. He won't stop until he gets what he wants. But that doesn't mean we can't use it to our advantage."

Billy's heart clenched at the thought of putting Babe in harm's way. But he knew Babe was right. His uncle was coming for Babe, and they had to be ready.

As the hours stretched on, the trio prepared for the confrontation. They scouted the estate, setting up barriers and traps to slow down the uncle's approach. The air was thick with tension, every breath heavy with the anticipation of what was to come.

Billy found himself watching Babe closely, unable to shake the fear gnawing at him. Each time he saw Babe's quiet resolve, it filled him with both pride and dread. He wanted to trust in Babe's strength, but the memory of losing him in their past life still haunted him.

Taran, ever the strategist, remained focused on their preparations. But Billy could see the hints of doubt in his eyes, the realization that their odds were slim. The uncle was powerful, far more than they could fully comprehend, and stopping him wouldn't be easy.

As the sun began to set, casting long shadows over the estate, Billy and Babe stood on the balcony, overlooking the land below.

"We've been here before, haven't we?" Babe murmured, his gaze distant. "In another life."

Billy swallowed, his throat tight. "Yeah. But this time... this time will be different."

Babe looked at him, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "You sound like you're trying to convince yourself."

Billy chuckled softly, though there was no humor in it. "Maybe I am."

They stood in silence for a long moment, the weight of their shared past hanging between them like a thick fog. Billy wanted to reach out, to say something that would make everything right, but the words wouldn't come. All he could do was promise himself that he wouldn't let history repeat itself.

"I'm ready," Babe said quietly, his voice steady.

Billy turned to him, his heart swelling with both love and fear. "I know you are."

As night fully descended, the preparations were complete. The traps were set, the estate fortified. Now, all they could do was wait.

Babe sat beside Billy in the main room, their hands lightly touching as they stared into the flickering fire. The atmosphere was eerily calm, like the quiet before a storm.

"I'm not afraid," Babe said softly, his voice barely above a whisper.

Billy turned to him, his eyes searching Babe's face. "You should be."

Babe shook his head. "I trust you, Billy. I always have."

Billy's chest tightened at the words. Despite everything they had been through, despite the memories of betrayal and loss, Babe still trusted him. It was a trust Billy didn't feel he deserved.

"I won't let anything happen to you," Billy whispered, his voice filled with a desperate promise.

Babe squeezed his hand. "I know."

The moment felt fragile, like the world could break at any second. But for now, they had each other. For now, they were together, and that was all that mattered.