Hellbound Heart

Ezekiel gently placed Kyle's unconscious body into a vast flat stone that was circular in shape. At first glance, this stone could be dismissed as nothing special. But it was actually an ancient prison that held a much deeper and darker history.

Elle and Abi who had arrived a while ago stood next to Lilith as they watched the two princes in silence. 

Once Zeke rose and left Kyle's body in the altar, Lilith broke the silence. "Please tell me who is the spirit that took over Kyle's body." 

The prolonged silence Ezekiel allowed to stretch only served to heighten the trio's curiosity and concern. 

"It's a powerful witch, isn't it?" Lilith continued asking. "A silver-haired one… I believe."

Ezekiel tilted his head slightly, eyes lifting to the vast expanse of the night sky. For a brief moment, a shadow of emotion flitted across his usually impassive eyes.

"You're right." He finally confirmed. 

Lilith visibly looked like her world crumbled for a moment upon hearing Zeke's confirmation.

Worriedly, Abi piped in. "What is… going to happen with Kyle?"

"The only way for the spirit that possessed him to leave his body is…" Lilith's voice hitched despite her effort to remain calm and collected.

Just as the words seemed to fail her, Zeke interjected. "The spirit will relinquish its hold in one of two ways – either the host's mind descends into irreversible madness or the host dies."

Elle and Abi's eyes widened in shock, while Lilith simply stood there, paralyzed. 

Trying to grasp at any strand of hope, Abi stammered, "Can we not... perhaps perform an exorcism? Force the spirit to vacate his body?"

With a desolate shake of her head, Lilith spoke, "The entity inside him used an ancient forbidden spell. Any attempt at a forceful eviction would result in…" she paused, "If we try to force it, both Kyle and the spirit could die."

"That… can't be…" Abi shook her head in denial. 

Clenching her fist, Lilith then walked forward and approached the altar. Her gaze fell to Kyle for an immeasurable amount of time before she lifted her hands. 

Her lips opened and ancient, foreign words echoed. The atmosphere grew dense, thick with the tang of old magic. Each word Lilith pronounced resonated with an energy that was both haunting and mesmerizing.

The stone floor beneath Kyle started to hum with energy as ancient carvings etched into the floor began to come alive. And slowly, the intricate patterns started to pulsate, emitting a soft, ethereal glow that gradually intensified. 

These beams of light intertwined and twisted, solidifying into chains.

The chains then looped around Kyle's wrists, ankles, and torso, holding him in place, imprisoning him. 

As the final word left Lilith's lips, Lilith's shoulders slumped and a heavy stillness settled. 

Abi's gaze turned to Zeke, searching for some hint of emotion, a crack in his always composed facade. But he just stood there, unfazed, like a statue carved from the hardest stone.

Ezekiel's lack of reaction would have made anyone think something negative but Abi felt the opposite. Because she knew that when Ezekiel appears stoic and emotionless, the man was actually always planning and thinking about a solution on his own. In fact, Abi already believed that the man already had a solution to save Kyle. 

His calm demeanor always gave some odd sense of security, a belief that as long as he was there, everything would eventually be alright. However, this faith was double-edged. Because Abi knew that Zeke's methods were unconventional, often ruthless. The memory of past incidents where he had chosen brutal efficiency over compassion lingered in her mind, causing her to only hope that this time, Zeke found a softer solution.

…

After Lilith volunteered to stay and watch over Kyle for the night, Abi left first to check on the kids. 

Elle retreated next as she thought that Lilith and Ezekiel might need some privacy to talk about Kyle's situation. 

However, just after a few minutes, Ezekiel was behind her. 

"I'll take you back in the cavern." He said when she looked behind her and their eyes met.

Elle nodded and soon the two of them were walking through the forest in silence. 

Just as when Elle opened her mouth to say something, Zeke spoke first. "How's Iryz?" 

"She finally woke up this afternoon," Elle replied. "I think my healing is really working on her. I just hope and pray that it's not something temporary." Her voice faltered slightly on the last sentence.

"Don't underestimate yourself. Remember that you are just a beginner right now and already managed to accomplish such feat, Izabelle."

Elle's cheeks flushed, making her sapphire eyes glisten with surprise. "Yes," she responded, her smile radiant. "I promise to continue growing and learning so I can ensure her complete healing!"

His lips curved in a fleeting smile, casting a rare warmth over his usually stoic features. "That's the spirit," he commended.

Elle's eyes sparkled with joy, her radiant grin lighting up her face.

However, as they approached the entrance to the crystal cavern, a sudden thought made Elle pause. 

She lifted her head and stared at Ezekiel's back, causing the man to halt as well and turned slightly to meet her eyes.

Elle felt a twinge of nervousness as their eyes locked. But a question—a burning need for answers—gnawed at Elle. Gathering her breath and steeling herself, she finally opened her mouth and spoke. "Prince Ezekiel," she started tentatively.

When he faced her, she looked down and stared at her hands. "I'm… I want to ask you now because I'm afraid I might not have another chance to do so… Could you… tell me something about my…" She placed a hand over her chest, feeling the irregular heartbeat within. "…my heart?"

Lifting her face once more, her expression grew slightly more intense. "Please answer me. I... I need to know the truth. Is it true that you… stole this heart that is meant for someone else and gave it to me so I could live?"