Hunter

Chapter Thirty Four

Xander's POV

In the dimly lit confines of the ritual chamber-looking basement, Melaine watched with bated breath as her brother chanted some ancient incantation. And I watched her. The air crackled with arcane energy, sending shivers down my spine. I sat beside her, my expression a mixture of anticipation and apprehension.

Lucian's voice resonated with power, the words weaving a tapestry of magic that enveloped the room. Candle flames danced wildly, casting eerie shadows on the walls as the ritual reached its climax. He walked towards me then and placed his glowing hands on my head.

As the final words echoed through the chamber, I closed my eyes, surrendering myself to the unknown. A surge of energy washed over me and memories long lost began to stir within the depths of my mind.

Flashes of battles fought flickered before my eyes. Faces, both familiar and unknown, danced in my vision, leaving me reeling with the weight of my past. I saw my mother. I saw her holding me and Carlton. I heard her voice. Her laugh. I saw her smile. I heard her sing to me. My chest felt hot. I wanted to scream. I wanted to cry out for her. I wanted to reach out to her and drag her out of my memories so that I could hold her.

I forgive you.

With a gasp, my eyes snap open, wide with realization. Memories flooded my mind like a torrential downpour, washing away the fog of amnesia that had clouded my thoughts for so long. Mel rushed to my side, her hands reaching out to steady me as I trembled with the intensity of my newfound recollections.

"Xander," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. "Are you alright?"

My gaze met hers, filled with a mixture of anguish and determination. "I remember," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "Everything."

My heart clenched with both relief and fear. Relief that I had regained my memories, but fear of what those memories held.

"It wasn't your fault," she said, her voice quivering with emotion. "You weren't yourself."

My shoulders sagged with the weight of my guilt, my gaze dropping to the floor. "But I still did those things," I said, my voice barely audible. "I still hurt people. I killed her"

I could see her blood on my hands. I could hear her voice so clearly like she was right here. What had I done? What had I done?

Mel reached out, gently lifting my chin to meet her gaze. "And now," she said, her voice firm with conviction, "we can make things right. Together. I've got you. We've got you."

As the echoes of the past reverberated through my mind, I felt a surge of anger coursing through my veins. Anger at her father. Anger at mine. Anger at myself. Each memory, both painful and triumphant, fueled my resolve to stand against the encroaching darkness that was Dardanos.

Lucian slowly approached us, his eyes alight with the flickering flames of hope. "We have a lot of work to do," he said, his voice solemn yet resolute. "With your memories restored, Xander, we stand a chance against those bastards. I know you probably need time to rest. Time to grieve but...."

"I know." I nodded, my jaw set with determination.

"I won't let you guys down," I vowed, my words a solemn oath to myself and to those I held dear. To my mother.

With the weight of my past firmly on my shoulders, I steeled myself for the battles ahead. I knew the road ahead would be fraught with peril, but I also knew that as long as I had Mel at his side, I wouldn't falter. We'd face our fathers together.

As we stepped out of the basement and into the uncertain future that awaited us, I knew that no matter what trials we were going to face, we would face them together.