Xornoth's Perspective-

Two Days Later-

Xornoth woke up and groaned, rubbing his head.

He looked around and saw Scott sitting at the foot of his bed.

Xornoth propped up on his elbows.

"What...happened?" He asked, not being able to recall anything.

"We know the truth." Scott said, his voice cold.

Xornoth's eyes widened, "Scott, I- "

"You gave up, didn't you?"

Xornoth didn't dare look his brother in the eyes.

"You gave up." Scott repeated, his voice shaking as his hands balled up into fists.

Xornoth sighed, "I- Scott, I was scared."

"So you just decided that nothing mattered? You didn't bother trying?"

"What am I supposed to do?! Fight a demon that's taken control of my thoughts?!" Xornoth shouted, and Scott started to cry, "Like you said, I betrayed our family and kingdom when the crystal broke. So why should I even try anymore?"

Scott sighed, wiping his eyes, "I thought you were stronger."

Xornoth snorted, "Well surprise surprise, I'm not. I'm a puppet for this demon. And there's nothing anyone can do about it."

Scott cried and ran out. Xornoth sighed and laid his head back, feeling ashamed and guilty.

He glanced at his wardrobe and was about to try and see if the box was still under it when he felt a searing pain in his back.

"Ow-! Cod- what the fuck happened?" Xornoth looked over his shoulder and saw bandages on his back.

He then heard a soft knock on the door.

"Uh- come in." Xornoth said, and Wallis opened the door, holding a cardboard box in his other hand.

Xornoth's eyes widened when he saw the box and Wallis' glare hardened. They both stared at each other, and Wallis slowly walked over, sitting at the foot of Xornoth's bed.

Wallis looked at his eldest son, who had a look of fear and confusion in his eyes.

Wallis opened the box to show the broken crystals bleeding red corruption.

"I want you to tell me exactly what happened." Wallis said sternly.

"Scott said you already knew I let the demon out." Xornoth said, folding his arms and looking away.

"Yes, but I want to know your side."

"Why? The demon probably told you what happened."

"The demon twists the story. I want to know from the main source exactly what happened and when." Wallis said, looking into his son's amethyst-colored eyes.

-

Xornoth started to cry as he finished telling the story. He tried to wipe his eyes and calm down, but it was next to impossible.

"I- I'm sorry, I shouldn't've lied I was j-just so s-scared." Xornoth cried, and Wallis hugged him.

Xornoth winced and Wallis leaned back, feeling a wave of guilt.

"Does your back still hurt?" Wallis asked calmly.

Xornoth nods.

"What happened to my back? Did the demon do this?"

Wallis sighs.

"I...did that."

Xornoth's eyes widen.

"You...why?" Xornoth looked scared and betrayed.

"Xornoth, I promise I only did it to free you from the demon's control." Wallis said, trying to put his hand on Xornoth's shoulder. Xornoth moved away and his back hit against the bedframe, causing him to hiss in pain.

"Ow- shit." Xornoth whispered.

"Son...I promise I don't want to hurt you."

"How can I believe you when you did this?!"

"I just want to make sure the demon would let you go. And I want to make sure you're okay." Wallis said, brushing a strand of Xornoth's hair behind his ear.

"Will I be okay, though?" Xornoth whispered, crying, "How are we going to fix this?"

"I don't know. But we'll figure out a way. I promise."

Wallis is the best father