Chapter 86: Xavier Nightmares

The puppeteer's form wavered, its presence diminishing like a wisp of smoke. Xavier stood alone, his breath ragged, but his determination unwavering. He had glimpsed the precipice and had chosen to step back from the brink. The darkness that had threatened to engulf him began to recede, replaced by a renewed sense of purpose.

As dawn painted the sky with hues of pink and gold, Xavier looked out the window, his gaze steady and resolute. The puppeteers' temptations had not broken him; instead, they had strengthened his resolve to protect his friends, his ideals, and the future he believed in. The struggle had been real, the pull of darkness potent, but Xavier had emerged from the crucible with his spirit unbroken.