The Cursed One

Failure is not an option

Lysander's POV//

Nikolina's body was dragged right next to Zaiden, and her image was horrible. Her skin was pale, almost ghost white, with several bruises and marks scattered around on her body. On her neck were several bite marks, from who I assumed was Zaiden taking more blood. 

 "Oh my god, Nikolina..." I said, as I stepped closer to her. 

Noticing my reaction, Zaiden began to laugh in my direction. I clenched my fist, and growled slightly at him. 

 "If it makes you feel any better, she's not dead." Zaiden said, and smirked. 

 "Let her go!" I yelled at him, half-expecting him to listen. But instead Zaiden walked over to Nikolina's body. 

 "Oooo, would ya look here. I think she's waking up."

I looked at Nikolina, and watched as she moved her head upward, then to the side. She groaned, and all I wanted to do was run over to her, and hug her. But I couldn't. Zaiden reached down, and stroked her cheek.
"Good morning, little bird," He said, and I snarled towards him, "How are you feeling?"
"Like shit, thanks to you." She spat, and Zaiden's lips curled into a smirk that I hated, "What do you want with me?"
"I've already explained myself to you, little bird," He stood up, and moved out of the way so Nikolina could see us, "But since your little friends are here, I might as well explain again."
"Lysander..." Nikolina said, as she saw me, "Y-you came."
"Of course I came. Your my partner, aren't you?" I said, but that wasn't the entire truth. Yet, for now that would have to wait.

Zaiden cleared his throat, and I glared daggers at him, "Ooo, scary Lysander. Shall I go cower away in a corner, so your pleased?" He chuckled, and grabbed Nikolina so she was standing up next to him.

In her current state, Nikolina looked like the slightest step would break every bone in her body. She had to lean her body weight towards Zaiden, just so she could stay standing. Zaiden smiled in amusement as he noticed this, then he decided to start talking.
"I'm sure you've all realized this, but if you haven't I'll be nice enough to explain." Oh, that's a new one. "Nikolina here is, yes, a Fae, but a Dark Fae at that. And using her special abilities that she's been ever so gifted with, we- the Black Suns will bring about the destruction of this pathetic world."
"The destruction of the world?!" Lazarus stepped forward, and Zaiden snapped his neck towards him, "Are you out of your mind Zaiden?"
"No, I don't believe I am. You all are, since you believe you'll be able to save your precious Nikolina here."
"We don't believe we will, we know we will, Zaiden." Nikalus said, and I glanced at Nikolina.

Seeing all us, especially her brother brought tears to her eyes. I don't know if it was from relief, or if she was terrified for us, but either way, she knew something was about to happen.

With a snap of Zaiden fingers, Nikolina leaned over and yelled, in what I believed was pain. He let go of her arm, and she fell to the ground, hugging herself. Around her, a dark mist began to engulf her.
"What the hell is that?" Penelope asked, and Luca got closer to her, ready to protect her from whatever was to come.
"Zaiden, what are you doing to her?!" I yelled, clenching my fists as tight as I could possibly clench them out of rage.
"I'm not doing anything. I just happened to snap my fingers, and everything began happening," He said, as Nikolina screamed, "I did say Nikolina might not be the same when you get her, didn't I? Well, here's your proof. Oh, now that I think about it, I guess I did torture her a little bit." He crossed his arms, and looked down at her, "Ever since then her powers have been coming and going more often. I guess I just happened to time when it would happen again correctly."

I thought Nikolina would scream or yell in pain again, but instead laughter escaped her lips, as she sat up. Her once blue eyes, now replaced with violent crimson ones, as her body was surrounded in the dark mist from a few moments ago. Smirking, Nikolina turned her body towards Zaiden.
"So, Zaiden, are we going to do this or what?" Nikolina said, and Zaiden nodded.

This isn't Nikolina. Who is this? "Zaiden! What did you do to her?! That's not Nikolina!" I yelled, and he tilted his head slightly in my direction.
"No, I suppose your correct. This isn't Nikolina. This is a better version of her." He then proceeded to look at Nikolina, "First, take care of them. Those seven are keeping us from what we wish to accomplish."
"Listen here, Zaiden. I don't take orders from you, remember that." She growled, and he raised his hands. Looks like he's afraid of Nikolina in this state. "I'm only going to take care of them, because you said they're in our way."
"Okay then. Go play to your hearts desire, my dear."

Nikolina turned facing us, and started walking closer. She was completely different. This wasn't the girl I fell in love with. No, but I was going to get her back. Rhys, and Luca paired up next to each other with Penelope, and Ashleigh standing behind them, as they moved up in front of Nik, Lazarus, and I.
"There's two teams, right now." Luca said, and turned towards Lazarus, "We'll be the defensive team, while you three are our offensive. Take care of Zaiden, and get our Nikolina back."

Lazarus nodded, and turned towards us. "You know what to do. Remember all of you, failure is not an option."
"Right!"

Hang on Nikolina, I'm coming for you.