Relentless - Part 6
Disclaimer: Welcome to Relentless - Part 6. Clearly I don’t own the characters from the Powerless universe. I just wanted to play in this world. There are a few OCs. I couldn’t accept Kitt’s fate so I’m writing this AU story to get this out of my head. Warnings: I’m expecting this story to take some dark turns and may have some adult content along the way.
Kitt sits in his study. It’s late. He still scribbles down his thoughts on parchment. But he finds that his thoughts aren’t as erratic as they once were. Perhaps it was the Plague destroying his mind and sanity more so than he tends to think. He’s not sure. He also isn’t sure of Dani's response to his question in the garden about redemption. Why would she be interested in the answer to his question? Has she too committed horrible acts? Nevertheless, he writes.
She’s practically a stranger. It’s been almost 10 years. She feels different and familiar at the same time. Who is she now? Why did she come back? Did she know I was dying? Why does it feel like she's trying stay distant? Like she's holding back.
Kitt lights a flame in his palm. It still feels like his flame and yet a little different. It feels restless, alive, like it wants to break loose. For a second he feels it thrash before he lets it go out. Maybe that is why she once feared it. Maybe she could help him understand it better. He keeps writing.
Kai told me today that he will track down a Soul rumored to be within the city. Souls are extremely rare. I don’t know that I care or that I even want to meet this Soul, should he find them. What good would it do? Maybe I should stay open to the idea. For Kai.
— — — — — —
Dani spent her morning ensuring her bag is packed and ready in case she needs to make a quick exit. But her thoughts are torn over whether she should run or stay - choosing the latter would potentially cause harm. They will find her. They always do. Between the whispered rumors around the castle and the small exchanges with Kai, Dani has concluded that Kitt is in a far more fragile state than she realized. Not weak. Hurting. Having lost the illusion of his father, wanting to prove himself to be greater, and fearing losing Kai as well, the Plague he so willingly took only seemed to amplify his spiraling feelings until it was out of his control. The Plague is what gave the Ilyans their gifts but it was the raw power of a second dose that tore Kitt apart.
Soon enough Dani’s stomach is growling at her and she realizes it is almost time for lunch. She skipped breakfast, again. So, she sneaks down to the kitchens hoping to snatch something without being noticed. As she approaches the kitchens, she can smell cured meats and the smell of freshly baked bread. Perfect. She’ll discreetly make a sandwich and sneak right back out. Easy.
Wrong.
She barely makes it past the doors when she hears, “Ms. Dani Jaxson! You’ve been in this castle for over a week and you have yet to come say hello!” Gail practically yells at Dani. The shock alone has Dani freezing mid stride.
“Hi, Gail,” Dani says shyly. “It’s been a while.”
“A while!? It’s been ten years, Dani. Ten! Come here. Let me take a look at you.” Gail rounds the counter and holds Dani still by the arms. “No. This won’t due. Sit,” Gail says sternly while shaking her head. Dani obeys without a question. “Let me make you a proper meal!”
“That’s ok. Really, Gail. I’m fine. I can do it.” Dani says timidly.
Gail says, “Absolutely not” as she practically smacks Dani’s hand that reaches for the bread. Dani pulls back her hand quickly. That’s when she hears snickering behind her. She turns. Not to see one Azer brother but two Azer brothers standing in the doorway.
“Oh, you’re in trouble now Dani,” says Kitt with the biggest smile Dani has yet to see on his face since she's returned.
“Oh, Kitty. She’s not in trouble. I just worry.” Then Gail turns her attention back to Dani. “I haven’t seen you for one single meal Ms. Jaxson. Not one. Why is that?”
“Yea, Dani. Why is that?” Kai comments with a smirk. Dani shoots him a glare before turning back to Gail. “I don’t want to be a bother,” Dani says.
“Nonsense!” Gail replies. “You're our guest. Let me take care of that hungry stomach. I heard it growl when you entered the kitchen. It gave you away.” Kai and Kitt both laugh at this. Dani dips her head and shields her face with a hand to hide the smile tugging at her lips.
“Don’t listen to them.” Paedyn Gray enters the kitchen and smacks Kai’s arm before saying hello to Gail and then stands in front of Dani. “We haven’t had a chance to meet properly. I’m Paedyn.”
“Hi, Paedyn,” is all Dani can manage when the thought of Paedyn technically being Kitt’s wife rushes back to her mind, making her cringe inside for reasons she doesn’t understand. But the tension between Kitt and Paedyn doesn’t go unnoticed. With the bit she’s gleaned from the rumors and conversation with Kitt, anyone could see why. It seems a divorce is great for everyone involved.
Everyone gathers around the table as Gail makes sandwiches for the group. They talk idly. An occasional laugh is shared. As the meal concludes Gail says, “It’s so nice to have you back Dani. You were always such a sweet helper to have in the kitchen.”
“I don’t know, Gail. I’m a pretty far cry from the girl you used to know,” Dani replies with a half smile before quickly staring down at her plate. It’s a twisted truth hiding something much darker. But Gail smiles anyway as she says, “well, you’re always welcome here.” Then she squeezes Dani’s shoulder lightly before she begins to collect the plates.
As Dani goes to get up from her chair a hand catches her wrist. Gentle but firm. She turns to a pair of green eyes. “Hey, Dani.” Kitt says before letting her go. “What are you up to today?”
“I don’t know. Reading maybe. Just killing time. I’m actually not sure what to do with myself,” she says.
“Well, that makes two of us.” Kitt rubs the back of his neck. There's that nervous habit.
“Really? I figured you would be busy from sun up to sun down,” Dani replies.
“Kai’s been urging me to take it easy for now and has been handling most of what needs attention. Quite honestly, I hate it. Feeling useless.” There’s a level of anger to his voice. Maybe it’s frustration. But then his voice softens slightly, “Would you want to hang out for a while? Kill time together?”
With a smile she fights to hold back Dani nods. Together they walk out of the kitchen.
— — — — —
Kai walks into the main entrance of the castle with an older man at this side. He leads the man up towards Kitt’s study. When he arrives at the door, he knocks. “Come in,” he hears Kitt say. Kai and the older man walk-in. The older man looks around the room until his eyes land on Dani.
“Dani?” the man says not believing his eyes. Dani lowers the book she is reading and looks where the voice came from.
“Kanshin?” Dani’s eyes go wide. She slowly rises from her seat.
“You two know each other?” Kitt asks curiously.
Breathing out a laugh Dani happily says, “yes, um, he was my instructor before I… you know, left.” She approaches the man who holds his arms open as she embraces him with a firm hug. She says as she pulls away, “he coached me to harness my flame instead of fearing it.” She doesn’t mention her Siphon ability. No, Kanshin wasn’t aware of that gift. But the lessons he taught her about acknowledging her fear and preventing it from controlling her increased her control of both gifts.
“It’s been too long, Dani.” Kanshin smiles as he gently places his hands on her shoulders. Then he turns his attention to Kitt. ”Your Majesty.” He says with a bow. “It’s an honor.”
Kitt rises. Donning the appearance of a gracious ruler, Kitt says, “Kanshin, I can assure you, the honor is mine.” Even though he has schooled his features, Dani senses Kitt has been dreading this encounter. He extends his hand for a shake and Kanshin accepts it without a second thought. “Dani’s obvious satisfaction of your guidance reassures me that I’ll be learning quite a lot from you.” He turns to Dani, “maybe you can accompany me during my first few sessions.” His tone carries a fear of rejection. But Dani accepts with a small smile and a nod.
It’s true. The Soul, Kanshin, helped Dani understand what triggered her fears. Her fear of losing control. Fear of hurting someone. Fear of being feared and rejected by those she cared about. She feels confident that Kanshin may be able to help Kitt, too. While Dani is happy to see a spark of hope in Kitt’s eyes. She also dreads the inevitable truth. She’ll be departing soon. And he will need to carry on without her.
