Backlash

Less than an hour later Darx was lying on the bed alone, watching Neku and Wendy get dressed. He was satisfied, but also confused, and a bit worried. Neku had been a little possessive of him in the past. He saw the way she looked at Syvis and how she had kept the twins away from him. Then this morning, Neku seemed fine sharing him with Wendy. She encouraged it even. He wondered if it had to do with the Heir of Zrephia stuff. He told her he wasn't okay with having a ton of kids and having other people raise them, and then this morning she's helping him fuck Wendy.

Darx didn't like the idea that Neku might be manipulating him toward the church's plan for him. She had helped him defeat Priest Gabriel's control, Darx was pretty certain she was one of the people Imris told him to look for in the church. If she was trying to change his mind, then maybe the problem was him. Maybe he needed to trust the Goddess and work to restore the bloodline of Zrephia. Darx didn’t know where that would lead, what kind of life that would mean for him. He had just talked with the Queen about escorting Princess Kathleen when the Dark Elves arrived. He liked the princess, he understood that marrying her was a real possibility. How would she feel about him "restoring the bloodline"? Would the princess be alright with him having sex with other women? And if not, would he need to give up Neku if he married the princess? He liked that thought least of all.

“Are you going to lay there all day?” Neku asked him as she pulled up a stocking.

“I’m enjoying the view.” Darx said with a wink. His thoughts may be all over the place this morning, but he didn't want to trouble the girls with them.

Wendy looked at him like she could see his thoughts though.

“Are you okay Darx?” She asked.

“Yeah, I'm good.” It might be a lie, but it was just a small one.

“I mean, you haven’t had the best experience with women, and the last person. . . Syvis, she. . .” The concern was visible on Wendy's face.

“It’s okay Wendy, you don’t need to worry about me.”

Wendy walked over to him. “It’s just, you’re the nicest guy I’ve ever done stuff with, and I’m here to protect you, if things went bad between us. . .” She cared about him. Not the same way Neku cared about him, but it was easy to see in her eyes that Wendy cared.

“You are something else Wendy, you know that?" Darx said, smiling. "I can see why the Queen chose you, you really care about people.”

“I just want to help.” She said, looking sheepish.

Darx pulled her to him, kissed her. “You have been amazing to me Wendy, and I plan to rely on you more.” He said then let her go.

She smiled back at him. “I won’t let you down Darx.”

Darx had so many questions, so many worries. But Wendy and Neku, they were so genuine and he was lucky to have them by his side. He set aside his thoughts and worries and got dressed. Then the three of them ate breakfast in the guild hall. There were a few members moving through, but not many. Most of the time it was just a few people in the tavern. Not at all like it was before he left almost a year ago. It really drove home how many adventurers were out at the front preparing to fight the demons. It also stood out that while his guild mates were running missions for the nation, Darx was back here, safe and comfortable in Riledo. It strengthened his resolve to impress the Dark Elf delegation, the best thing he could do to help those on the front lines was to win them an army of reinforcements.

When Wendy got up to get seconds, Neku leaned in and asked him softly, “Are you really okay Darx, you’ve had a crazy stretch of days here, and yesterday, I mean, Syvis, your mom, Amelia. . . for goodness sake Darx, just three nights ago you passed out after some crazy dark energy erupted in you.”

He took a moment to think. There were a lot of things on his mind, a lot of things he needed to do, but he felt better than he had in quite a long time. “Honestly Neku, I’m better than I was, a lot better. I have a plan to get my mom back, we know Amelia is in the city, and Queen Zara promised the Royal Guard won’t turn her over to the courts if we find her. I can finally think about Syvis without feeling like I’m going to explode and I just had sex with two beautiful women. Oh, and last night I found out I have my own dream world so I can train my mana better.”

“Wait, dream world? What do you mean?” Neku asked.

Darx explained to her the whole story, when Wendy returned he had to recap a bit, but by the time breakfast was over he had explained everything, how he would dream of Zaine as a kid, talk to her, how she taught him he could train his magic there, then losing access when the Goddess sealed his darkness that connected him to Zaine away. How Zaine stopped him from embracing the darkness by sending him, or helping him form his own dream world, and last night he had found out he could train there.

By the time he was done explaining everything and answering their questions they had finished breakfast and returned to the room Estella had arranged for them.

“So you can train in your sleep, and with infinite mana? That’s ridiculous.” Wendy said as she sat on the smaller bed.

“What did you train last night?” Neku asked.

Darx didn’t quite know how to answer that. He hadn’t said anything to Neku or Wendy about what Queen Zara told him, about the Princess of Calamity, and the darkness inside of him. He decided to leave that part out, at least for now.

“I worked on my ice magic.” He said.

Neku’s eyes got wide. “You can, can you cast ice magic now?”

Darx reached his hand out, drew water from his ring to form the elemental ball everyone learned to form first, then he used the dark mana to freeze it, forming a perfect sphere of ice. Darx could see the faint purple tint to it, he hoped the girls wouldn’t notice and ask about it.

“Darx that is amazing!” Wendy’s face lit up as she looked at it. “You didn’t even need your staff.”

He didn’t. Darx didn’t even feel like it was difficult. Without thinking Darx pushed more mana, more water, more air into the ice ball, turning it into a large spike, an [Ice Spear]. It was easy, and using the dark mana, it didn’t even feel like he had used much of his power. . .

“Um, Darx.” Neku said, “What are you going to do with that in here?”

“Oh, crap.” Darx said, he had acted without thinking and now he had a powerful magical attack ready to be used inside his bedroom. He focused and tried to pull the mana out of the [Ice Spear]. It worked, the spear shrunk to a manageable level.

“That’s impressive control.” Neku stated. “Although, to be fair, I’m not a mage. I don’t really know what that takes.”

Knowing he could dismantle the spell, and knowing Wendy was right nearby if he couldn’t, Darx threw caution and common sense to the wind and pushed more mana into the [Ice Spear]. He wanted to test this new mana, see how much of it he had at his disposal.

The [Ice Spear], grew larger, just like his [Water Lance] would. Darx then focused, compressed the mana, shrinking the frozen lance without reducing the power of it. He then pumped more mana into it, causing it to grow again. Darx repeated the steps several times. He forced more mana into the spell, then condensed it, repeating the process until the [Ice Spear] glowed the same slightly purple color at its core and the power of the spell was obvious, the aura around the [Ice Spear] smothering. Darx could feel burning in his hand, stretching up his arm. He could see faintly glowing lines form on his arm, his arm ached, burned where the lines appeared. He didn't feel like he was running out of power either, this new mana seemed to be near limitless.

Darx turned to Neku, he could see she was saying something, but he couldn’t hear her words. He turned to Wendy, who was moving towards him. It surprised him, he hadn't realized how much power he had pushed into the [Ice Spear]. Darx reached his hand forward, pushed the spell towards Wendy. Her [Null Field] cancelled the magic and instantly the room returned to normal, the mana-heavy aura dissipating as the spell was erased, the ice reverted to its base elements of air and water that fell harmlessly to the ground.

“Goddess.” Neku exclaimed. “That wasn’t normal, Darx. I’ve never felt anything like that.”

“I didn’t feel anything, but that spell looked really powerful.” Wendy added.

Darx was speechless. He didn’t feel like he had used much mana at all. It felt like he could have gone further. But if he was going to run more tests he’d need to do it somewhere more suitable than his. . .

Darx’s thoughts were interrupted by a sharp pain in his head and a wave of nausea that crashed through him. He felt himself tip, found he was unable to catch himself, unable to adjust, he was falling. He felt something catch him, heard sounds, someone yelling, then blackness.

The next thing Darx remembered was the feeling of cold, then wet. His face, his face was cold and wet, he tried to move, he couldn’t. Stinging, his cheek, it stung. Then more cold, more wet, his senses getting sharper, he moved his head, but couldn’t speak, couldn’t tell them to stop. Another splash, more cold water on his face, he opened his eyes, took a sharp breath. Felt a slap to his cheek.

“Stop!” He said, as best he could as he regained consciousness. “No more.”

“Darx, what happened?” Wendy demanded. Darx didn’t know, he looked up, saw Neku, the panic in her eyes as her tears ran down her face. He looked over to Wendy, concerned, but together, not like Neku.

“I don’t. . .” He managed. His head was woozy, like he was thinking through a blanket. His neck felt rubbery, he couldn’t control his muscles well, and the pain, the sharp pain in his head. . .

“I don’t feel good.” He said, then laid his head down on Wendy’s lap.

“No shit, Darx.” Neku practically shouted. “What did you do? Where did that magic come from?” She demanded.

Darx couldn’t answer, he just looked up at Wendy’s face.

“How long was I out?” He managed to ask.

“Only a few moments.” Wendy answered.

“Too damn long, Darx.” Neku shouted, her voice cracking.

“Neku, he’s okay.” Wendy stated softly, “Darx is going to be okay.”

“Don’t you do that again, Darx.” He could feel Neku’s head rest on his chest as she cried. “Don’t you. . . I can’t lose you again.” She was holding onto him, crying into his chest. Darx had never seen Neku like this. She had been so tough, so cold and distant from everyone. Darx loved how she had opened up to him, but he’d never seen her like this. He felt awful.

“I’m sorry, Neku.” He said. “I won’t do that again.”

“You better not.” She said softly, then moved to kiss his cheek, her tears were hot against his cheek as her lips found his skin.

“I just pushed too hard, that’s all.” He said, feeling incredibly tired. “Too much, too fast.”

Darx rested his head, started to drift off.

“I love you Darx.” Neku whispered as she kissed his forehead and stroked his hair.

Darx rested his head, he was tired, too tired to say much at all. He just needed to close his eyes, get away from the pain in his head.

A cold splash jerked him back into consciousness.

“We should take him to the Knights Hospitaler.” Wendy said. “Mana burnout is serious, he needs to be looked over.”

“I’m fine.” Darx said weakly, “I just need to sleep.”

“No!” Wendy lightly slapped his face. “You need to stay awake Darx, at least until you get checked out.

“I’ll get Estella,” Neku said, heading to the door. “She can get someone to come here and look at him.”

It felt like forever lying there, trying to stay awake. Wendy talked to Darx, slapped him lightly when he’d start to doze off. Darx hated it. He felt like he needed to sleep but Wendy wouldn’t let him.

Eventually Neku returned with Estella, some guy followed not long after. The man touched Darx's forehead, cast a few spells. Eventually they gave him a couple of potions to drink and then laid him on the bed, this time no one slapped him when he dozed off.

Darx didn’t dream, he didn’t go to his dream world or live out some nightmare scenario. He would later recall that there was a feminine voice. Zaine, Imris, his mother, Neku, he couldn’t be sure who he heard, but they were calling him, he just couldn’t hear it well enough to understand.

Darx woke to the sound of voices. He felt tired, he had almost no control over his body at first, and his thoughts were slow and muddled.

“But he’s okay, right? He’s going to be okay.”

“Of course he is, he just pushed himself too hard.” Darx recognized that voice as Wendy’s.

“You were supposed to be watching him, what were you doing?” An accusatory tone, a shaky voice.

“Maggie, you heard what they said, it isn’t Neku’s fault.”

“She’s in charge of him, she’s supposed to keep him safe.” Maggie’s words were angry, but she sounded scared.

“Stop this.” Wendy’s voice, but forceful, not like her usual voice. “Darx is resting, and you aren’t going to help him if you wake him up with your arguing.”

A sniffle, a loud exhale. “I’m sorry.” Darx recognized the voice now, turned his head, forced his eyes open. His vision was blurry but he could make out Wendy, Neku, and two more standing by the doorway.

“It’s my fault.” A voice said quietly. “I am responsible for the Blessed One, I’ll take responsibility.” Was that Neku?

“No, Neku.” Another said, sounding concerned. Darx blinked his eyes, strained enough to roll towards the voices.

“It’s the right thing to do.” Darx’s vision cleared enough to see that Neku was talking to Mary and Maggie, the twins.

“Take responsibility for what?” Darx asked, his voice weak.

“Blessed One!” Maggie shouted.

“You’re awake!” Mary exclaimed. Both of the twins pushed past Wendy and Neku to get to Darx. They climbed on the bed and grabbed ahold of him, half smothering him with their bodies, holding him tight, kissing his face.

“We were so worried.” Mary said.

“Ladies, please.” Darx said.

“Give him space, girls.” Wendy commanded.

The twins let go of him, but they didn’t give him much space. Mary was on his right, her hand cupping his chin as she kissed his head gently. Maggie a little lower and on his left side. Her breasts pressed into his ribs, her head lying on his shoulder, she traced circles on his stomach with her finger.

Darx smiled, how could he not? The twins were incredibly sexy and the way they doted on him, what man wouldn’t enjoy it?

“You alright Darx?” Wendy asked, standing at the foot of the bed, her hands on her hips.

“I think so.” Darx said, he was gaining better control of his body every second. “The pain in my head isn’t nearly as bad.”

“Good, you need to be careful.” She continued. Darx looked over to Neku, she was still over by the door, looking at the floor.

“Neku, what did you mean you’d take responsibility?” Darx asked.

“I am responsible for your safety, I failed you.” She said.

Darx pushed the twins aside. He got off the bed to walk to Neku. He didn’t make it far. A few steps and his legs gave out. Fortunately Wendy had been right beside him and caught him.

“Take it easy, Darx.” Wendy told him as she guided him to a chair.

“Sorry, I pushed myself too far.” Darx admitted as he sat down. His head was foggy and he felt weak. Quickly the twins were beside him, gently touching him again.

“That you did, Darx.” Wendy stated, “They think you have mana burnout, from what you did with your Ice magic.”

He had wanted to test the new mana and he had pushed too far, and this was the result.

“How did you even have that much mana, Darx?” Wendy asked. “Mana burnout almost exclusively happens to brand-new high-ranking mages. They have more mana than their body can handle. It’s one of the reasons they send the higher ranks to the castle now.”

“I. . . “ Darx didn’t know how to answer. He wasn’t ready to tell anyone about where that power came from.

“Mana burnout can be fatal, Darx.” Wendy said it softly, resting her hand on Darx’s shoulder.

It didn’t feel that serious, not like the night at Oblivion. That felt like it was killing him, this hadn’t feel nearly as bad. Darx looked to Neku, she was standing across the room, looking at the ground, avoiding his gaze.

“I’m okay Neku.” Darx told her again. She nodded, then walked over, knelt beside his chair and rested her head on his arm.

“This isn’t your fault.” He told her. Again she nodded but stayed silent.

Darx looked to Wendy, he didn’t understand Neku’s reaction. Wendy shrugged back, apparently she didn’t know why Neku was acting that way either.

“Alright, ladies, Darx needs to sleep, and you need to explain why Darx won’t be visiting the Priest tonight.” Wendy said with a kind but stern expression.

Neku’s hand that was resting on his arm tightened slightly, he heard her breath catch.

“But, he. . .” Maggie started.

“The Priest, he said. . .” Mary added, but also didn’t finish.

“Darx isn’t going anywhere tonight.” Wendy said forcefully. “The Priest can wait till tomorrow. Now go, tell him that.”

The twins moved, they kept looking back at Darx, and at Neku. They looked nervous, scared even.

“We could come back, help keep an eye on him.” Maggie said, her voice desperate.

“By the Goddess!” Wendy exclaimed as she pushed them out the door. She closed it behind them and sighed. “Those two really don’t stop, do they?”

“Don’t blame them.” Neku said softly. “You don’t know the Priest, you don’t know what it means to tell him you failed.”

“Failed? They didn’t fail a mission." Wendy exclaimed. "Darx can’t come tonight. It’s not their fault.”

“No, it’s mine.” Neku said, a sob escaping her lips.

“Neku, what is going on?” Darx demanded. “I pushed myself too far, I used too much mana, burned out. It is my fault.”

“It’s the same, Darx.” Neku cried. “It’s the same as before. The energy, it was the same.”

Wendy clicked her tongue. “Is that why you wouldn’t let me get the Knight’s Hospitaler?”

Neku nodded. “If they checked him now, it could leak out, they’d know it wasn’t a demon attack. They’d know. . .” Neku started crying and couldn’t continue.

“And the Priest?” Darx asked.

“The twins came, the Priest wanted to speak to you.” Wendy answered.

“I gathered that, but it feels like there is more.” He said, looking to Neku.

Neku choked down her sobs. “You’re the Blessed One Darx. You don’t know, you can’t know what that means. We’ve waited for you. The church has waited for you for so long.”

Darx rested his hand on Neku’s shoulder. He’d tried to avoid thinking about what being a person prophesized about meant, and Neku never pushed it.

“You’re here now, and we almost. . . I almost lost you.”

“Neku, I’m not going anywhere.” Darx tried to comfort her. “I’ll be okay, and besides, if prophecy says I’m going to do something I can’t die now, can I.”

“That’s not how it works.” Neku looked to him, her eyes puffy from crying, she looked so small, so fragile. She didn’t seem like the Neku he knew at all.

“There’s so many ways it could go. I, no one wants to tell you Darx, don’t want to scare you. You could save the world, you could defeat the demons, or you could join them, or even destroy everything like the fall of Zrephia.” She said that last line like she was afraid to tell him.

“I already know about that, Neku.” Darx said. “I know I have the same power. That’s why I’m learning to use it, to wield it. Zaine told me I have to master the darkness. The Goddess sealed it but she allowed me to access it, so I could use it when I was ready. I’m finally there, I'm ready to learn to control it, master it so it won’t explode like it did that night. So I won’t give in and hurt people. I just went too fast, used too much mana. I wanted to see how much power I had and I over did it.”

Neku climbed up to Darx’s lap, held and kissed him. “So you really are okay, you didn’t get overwhelmed? You didn't feel like you did then?”

Darx realized what Neku was trying to ask, what she was afraid of. "Neku, I didn't feel anything like that night. You've been good to me, Neku. I’m really okay Neku, I just need to pace myself.” Darx said, smiling at her.

"I just worried. . ." Neku started, Darx just listened, gave her time to find her words. "I mean, I pushed you and Wendy this morning and I didn't even think about everything with the Heir stuff, and your history, I just. . ."

Darx put his hand on the back of Neku's neck and kissed her.

"It really wasn't like that Neku. It was just too much mana." He assured her.

“Hold up, Darx.” Wendy said, “Can we go back? Can you explain what you mean when you said you could give in and hurt people?”

Darx sighed, he had said too much. “When I was in the Knight’s hospitaller I had visions, one of them was a dark form of myself, it wanted me to embrace my power and fight back, avenge myself against Kase, take back Syvis and my mom by force.”

“Holy shit, Darx!” Wendy exclaimed.

“I didn’t fully understand at the time, I was hurt. I was weak. I think I understand it better now. That power is from the line of kings and queens, and it wants to rule. It doesn’t like the idea of obeying others, especially those weaker than me, well, weaker than that power is.”

“Because you are the rightful king, the heir of Zrephia.” Neku stated, like it was the most obvious fact in the world. Darx was reluctant to accept it, but more and more it was becoming unavoidable.

“Yeah.” He answered. “I don’t want that, so I was ignoring that power, but if I ignore it I can’t master it, and then that power could take over.”

“It could take over?” Wendy asked. "Like control you?"

“No, not really control me, but say I ignore that power and Kase attacks me and is going to kill me. If I turn to that power in a moment of anger and despair. . . it wouldn’t be good.”

“So that's why you need to learn to use it.” Wendy said thoughtfully.

“And that’s another reason why I need you around, Wendy.” Darx said, reaching out, taking her hand. “If I start to go too far. . .”

“[Null Field] disrupts the mana outside you Darx. It will cancel the spell you are casting but it won't stop you from hurting yourself.” She scolded.

“Point taken.” Darx replied. “I’ll be more careful from now on.”