XXXIII

The fog began to clear, and from the mist emerged Alexander—except, this wasn't the Alexander Davina once knew. His eyes were wild, glowing with a fierce, almost feral intensity, and his stance radiated dominance. His face was twisted in a snarl, teeth bared, his aura exuding pure power.Davina stepped forward, her heart tightening in her chest as she whispered, "Alexander... it's me."But Victoria, sensing the danger, grabbed Davina by the arm and pulled her back. "He's not the same, Davina. Look at him! He's under their control."Austin groaned, his exhaustion showing as he wiped sweat from his forehead. "Of course, it had to be him. Can't catch a break today."Davina clenched her fists, her body still charged with the energy she had used to destroy the creatures. "We can't hurt him," she muttered, her voice conflicted. "He's... he's still in there somewhere.""Right, just like every movie - the main lead is there deep inside . " Austin said sarcastically, taking his stance. "We're just supposed to play defense while he tries to rip our throats out?"Victoria, her voice strained but still full of resolve, nodded. "He's an alpha now. In this state, he'll stop at nothing to defeat us. He's ruthless. And we're all drained from the last fight.""We can't hurt him!" Davina snapped, her eyes flashing with sheer resolution.Suddenly, Alexander moved, faster than any of them expected. He lunged at them, a growl ripping from his throat. Davina barely managed to leap out of the way as his claws slashed the air where she had been standing moments before."Alexander, stop!" she shouted, trying to reach the part of him that wasn't under the elders' control. "Focus on my voice . It isn't you"But Alexander didn't respond. He turned his attention to Victoria, who was weakened and struggling to stay upright. With a speed that betrayed his size, he charged at her, his eyes glowing with predatory fury.Victoria barely managed to dodge his attack, stumbling as she did so. "He's too strong!" she yelled, her voice tinged with frustration. "Davina, if we don't stop him, he'll kill us! Do what you are good at - Dont destroy but weaken his soul . "Austin jumped in, trying to create space between Victoria and Alexander. "Vic's right," he panted. "We can't keep dodging him forever. He's in full alpha mode. Look at him! We have to do something."Davina hesitated, her mind racing. She couldn't—wouldn't—hurt him. Not after everything. But as she watched Alexander, his movements animalistic and deadly, she realized just how far gone he was.Alexander growled again, eyes locked on Austin now, and charged. Austin braced himself, barely managing to deflect Alexander's brutal swipe with his forearm. The force of the blow sent Austin stumbling backward, pain shooting through him. He grit his teeth, trying to hold his ground, but Alexander was relentless, pushing forward with a savage intensity."Back off, Alex!" Austin growled, trying to hold him off without inflicting serious harm. "I don't want to do this!"Davina's eyes flickered with panic. "Austin! Don't!"But Austin had no choice. He grabbed Alexander by the arm and twisted him around, trying to subdue him. Alexander responded with a vicious headbutt, knocking Austin back, blood trickling from his brow."Back off .You're hurt." Davina shouted, moving to intercept Alexander before he could attack again.But Alexander wasn't listening. He turned on Davina, his eyes gleaming with feral rage. He lunged at her, teeth bared, ready to strike. In a flash, Davina conjured a dark barrier of energy, just barely stopping his attack."Alex, please!" she cried, her voice breaking with emotion. "I know you're still in there!"Victoria, leaning heavily on her sword for support, shouted, "Davina, it's no use! He's lost! He's not going to stop! Do it. "Alexander continued to attack the barrier, his fists slamming into it with unrelenting force. Davina winced with each blow, the pressure pushing her closer to the breaking point. She could feel the energy draining from her, her strength fading.Austin, still recovering from Alexander's earlier blow, staggered to his feet, wiping the blood from his face. "Davina, if we don't stop him, he's going to kill you!" he shouted, his voice filled with urgency.But Davina couldn't bring herself to fight back. Her heart was caught between the man she cares for and the monster he had become. "I can't," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I can't hurt him."Victoria, panting heavily, managed to stagger forward, her sword raised. "Then let me do it " "but compared to your power my sword will inflict physical injury - difficult to heal ."Davina's eyes snapped to Victoria, her expression fierce. "No!"But it was too late. Alexander roared, breaking through Davina's weakening barrier, and lunged at her once more. Victoria, despite her exhaustion, moved in a blur of motion, swinging her sword between Alexander and Davina. The clash of steel against claws echoed through the air as Victoria pushed Alexander back."Stay down, Alex!" Victoria yelled, though her voice trembled with both fear and exhaustion. "We don't want to hurt you!"But Alexander wasn't listening. He attacked again, and Victoria barely managed to block his assault. Austin joined her, standing side by side with Victoria as they both tried to hold off Alexander without inflicting fatal damage."This is insane!" Austin yelled over the chaos, his voice full of disbelief. "We can't keep this up!"Davina, breathing heavily, stood frozen for a moment, her emotions tearing her apart. She knew they couldn't keep defending themselves without someone getting seriously hurt—or worse. And yet, she couldn't bear the thought of harming Alexander but if she doesn't step up he will hurt Austin and Victoria both and given their state - it will be serious for them . Finally, with a deep breath, Davina's eyes hardened. She stepped forward, her hands glowing with dark energy again. She knew what she had to do, even if it broke her heart."I'm sorry," she whispered softly, her voice full of sorrow. Then, with a fierce determination, she gathered all her remaining power, intending to subdue Alexander with one final, non-lethal strike."Alex," she said, her voice barely a whisper now. "Forgive me, this will just hurt a little ."In a blur of motion, Davina unleashed her energy, wrapping Alexander in dark tendrils that constricted around him, pulling him to the ground. He roared in anger, thrashing wildly, but the tendrils held tight, sapping his strength. He was powerful , powerful enough to even make Davina step back in his struggle but Davina used all of her last ounce of energy - her demons had been silent for a while indicating that they have already passed their limits . Austin and Victoria watched in silence as Alexander's movements slowed, his energy waning. Finally, with a low growl, he collapsed, unconscious but alive.Davina sank to her knees, tears streaming down her face as she looked at Alexander's limp form. "I am sorry - I am sorry - " she whispered again and again . .

Austin knelt beside her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "You did what you had to do, Davina. He'll understand."

Victoria sheathed her sword and approached slowly, her exhaustion visible in every step. "He will be okay as soon he is awake - the magic will be worn off and will be as good as he was ," she said softly. "Maybe he will remember you by then."