IL DIAVOLO

Chapter 11

Melissa's POV

The once bright white walls of the mental realm began to darken, shifting into a pitch-black void. Desdemona's face contorted with fear as she took in the unsettling transformation. "W-what are you doing?" she stammered, her voice trembling.

I ignored her panic and focused on my objective. The plan to capture her was not just about overpowering her but also confronting her with the demons she had tried so hard to hide. This mental confrontation was designed to break her down and make her face the consequences of her actions.

Flashback

"You need my what?" Jolly asked, his eyebrows raised in confusion.

"I need your power, Jolly!" I said, almost pleading. His expression remained puzzled.

"What do you need it for?" he asked, clearly intrigued.

"I'm going to use it to capture that criminal," I explained with determination.

"And how would you capture that person by having the power of memory?" Jolly inquired.

"You'll see," I replied with a hint of resolve in my voice.

End of Flashback

Desdemona's fear escalated as shadows materialized from the darkness, morphing into the figure of her father. The apparition looked just as he had in her memories, stern and imposing. "F-father?" she asked, confusion and dread intertwining in her voice.

Suddenly, a gunshot rang out. Desdemona's father crumpled to the ground, blood pooling around him. Desdemona's scream pierced through the dark void. "Father!" she cried, her voice breaking as she rushed to the fallen figure. But before she could reach him, the body vanished, and flames erupted around her.

"Ahhhh!!! Please stop!!!" Desdemona's screams echoed as the fire surrounded her. I raised my hands, focusing on calming the inferno. The flames slowly extinguished, revealing a shaking, distraught Desdemona.

"Do you accept your fate now, Desdemona?" I asked in a low, almost mournful tone. "In your condition right now, you are far from being Il Diavolo's host."

Desdemona fell to her knees, her hands clutching her head as she screamed, "I know! I know! You don't have to tell me all the time!!" Tears streamed down her face, her body shaking with the force of her sobs. Seeing her so broken, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of sympathy despite her dangerous actions.

"You really are troublesome," I muttered under my breath. The words were meant to chastise but also to convey a deeper understanding of her plight. I walked closer, kneeling down to be at her level. "If only you knew what this power costs... you wouldn't want it anymore," I said softly.

Desdemona looked up at me, her eyes filled with a mixture of pain and confusion. "W-what?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

I shook my head, choosing not to elaborate. The cost of wielding such power was immense, something that only those who had experienced it firsthand could truly understand. The weight of it was something I had learned the hard way, and it was not a burden I wished upon anyone.

Standing up, I extended my hand toward her. "Shall we go back?" I offered, my tone gentle yet firm. It was a gesture of reconciliation, a chance for her to turn away from the darkness she had embraced and return to a semblance of reality.

Desdemona hesitated, her gaze shifting from my hand to her surroundings. The darkness began to recede, the haunting images of her father and the fire fading away. She looked up at me, her expression conflicted. After a moment of inner struggle, she took my hand, accepting my offer.

As we returned to the real world, I could see the exhaustion etched into her features. The mental confrontation had taken a toll on both of us, but I hoped it had provided her with some clarity.

We emerged back into the alley where Leo and Liberta stood, their expressions a mix of concern and relief. Desdemona's eyes were no longer glowing with the hypnotic power, and her demeanor was subdued.

"Is it over?" Leo asked, his voice tinged with worry.

I nodded, glancing at Desdemona. "Yes, it's over. For now, at least."

Desdemona looked around, her eyes heavy with realization. "I... I didn't realize how far I had fallen," she admitted, her voice cracking with emotion. "I thought I could control everything, but I was wrong."

I gave her a small, understanding smile. "It's never too late to change. The path you're on doesn't have to be the one you stay on. There's always a chance to make things right."

Desdemona nodded slowly, taking in my words. "Thank you, Mel. I... I don't know what to say."

"There's no need for thanks," I said, shaking my head. "Just focus on finding a better path for yourself. That's all that matters now."

As we made our way back to the mansion, the weight of the night's events hung heavy in the air. Desdemona's presence was a stark reminder of how easily ambition and rejection could lead someone astray. But seeing her come to terms with her actions gave me a sliver of hope that she might find redemption.

The city around us began to wake, the first light of dawn breaking through the darkness. The night had been long and fraught with challenges, but it was a testament to the strength of the Arcana Famiglia and its members. Together, we had faced a formidable threat and emerged victorious. The road ahead would be uncertain, but as long as we remained united, we could overcome any obstacle that lay in our path.