Shadow!Nia in the Third Hell Mini-Fic
Well, @enby-ernhardt asked nicely and then I wanted to give it a shot! So here is my little fic of Nia using Shadow when the group is in the Third Hell. Because I think that makes more sense.
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Now that you’ve finally earned yourself a little breathing room from these weird mutant bat… things, you reach out to put a hand on Aerin’s shoulder. He doesn’t look corrupted yet, but you can’t imagine it would take much him to tip him over the edge. Creating a whole new problem you really don't want to deal with.
He whips around, eyes blazing with fury like he’s ready to deck you. “What?!” But as soon as his eyes meet yours, he jolts, guilt flashing across his features. “Oh, Finn, I didn’t-”
It’s a good sign that he snapped out of it, but here, right after being emotionally eviscerated by his mother, you can’t take any risks. “Rein it in, Aerin. You’re out of control.”
Aerin’s guilty expression disappears in a second, leaving him glaring up at you again. “What does it matter? I’m still helping us destroy these monsters.”
Why doesn’t he understand how dangerous this is?! Aerin should know better than anyone. “You’re going to-!”
Nia’s voice, unmistakable despite sounding strange and full of frustration, rings out over the plane. “We could use some help over here!”
You immediately turn, assessing the battlefield. Valax is using her enhanced Shadow to keep the mutants off of Bakshi and Wallace as they struggle to defend themselves. Imtura and Tyril barely hold back a swarm of mutants with their weapons, sparing nervous glances Nia’s way as she blasts a nearby enemy with a shout.
The light here is eerie and dim, but you can’t mistake it. Nia’s hair is black, her skin grey as Shadow whips from her fingers.
You haven’t seen her like this in months. Since she lost control and sent you plummeting toward the ground in the Ashen ballroom. Panic floods through your veins as you try to block out the moment you thought you were staring down your own death while your friends watched. How scared you were that you’d lost her and she would never let you hold her again.
No, you can’t lose your cool right now. You trust Nia. More than anything. She is kind and good and so much better at balancing her Light and Shadow than she was last time.
You have to trust her.
And you need to help them.
There is a vicious crowd of mutants, eager to attack, but not quite in range of your friends. If Aerin insists on using Shadow, might as well put him to work. “Aerin, lasso them together!”
The tether Aerin has to a mutant suddenly drops as he turns to you with confusion. “Lasso… what?”
“You know, throw a loop around them.” You gesture throwing a lasso. A totally normal thing.
He shakes his head in disbelief. “I do not know. Is this a farm thing?”
Gods, he’s such a fucking prince sometimes. Guess there weren’t any practical books in the royal archives. “Cluster them up!”
Aerin refocuses, dark tendrils shooting from his palms and holding the crowd in place. “They’re all yours.”
After more bolts of magic, swipes of blades, and some spellshot blasts, the last mutant finally falls.
But you can’t relax yet. Everyone keeps their eyes on Nia. Some less subtly than others.
“Nia?” Imtura’s grip stays tight on her axe. “You still there?”
Mal looks Nia up and down warily. “She’s fine. Right?”
“I… believe Nia has… proven she can manage her magic.” Tyril doesn’t sound very sure about that, hand tensing and relaxing near his sword. But it’s nice that he’s trying.
Aerin just stares at Nia, eyes wide and full of guilt. Valax is pretending not to fuss over Wallace in her arms, completely unphased.
Nia’s dark eyes narrow in a glare. “I’m right here. You could ask me.” Then she closes her eyes, taking a deep inhale. As she exhales slowly, you watch the darkness melt from her skin. “I’m fine.”
You didn’t realize what a relief it would be to see her snap out of it. Even here, in the Third Hell, where Light is weak and Shadow is so strong, Nia didn’t lose herself.
Your body brings you forward, wrapping her in your arms before you can even think about it. She’s warm and gentle as you curl around her. “I’m proud of you, Nia.”
Nia gives you an affectionate little squeeze. “Thank you, Finn.” She stretches up to kiss your cheek before stepping away to address the others. You can sense the undercurrent of nervousness in her, but she looks at Aerin steadily. “When we have a spare moment, we should talk about some strategies to make sure you’re using your Shadow effectively and keeping it under control.”
He swallows nervously, struggling to meet her eye. “I… if you’re willing… that would be very generous.”
A quiet chuckle escapes Mal. “Sounds like she’s doing us a favor, princeling.”
Before tensions can rise, Nia speaks up with that commanding teaching voice you love so much. “We all need to support each other.”
As the others begin to banter again, you quickly take stock. You’re in literally the worst place in existence and Aerin has understandably reached a new depths of emotional devastation. But you’re all still together and Nia just flipped in and out of her corrupted form like it was nothing.
Yeah, you can work with that.
