The X Guide-Chapter 74: Curse (2)

Telling his past a second time felt more intimate. Probably because the two were listening, and they were in a comfortable environment.

It was also easier since he had already recounted them earlier to Khal. He thought Khal would not listen since he had already heard it. Surprisingly, he was also listening intently with Devion.

When he stopped talking, silence dominated the whole room. Ayen let Devion process what he had shared. After a while, Devion let out a sigh, and then his gaze became determined.

"I also want to help you."

At this, not only Ayen reacted but also Khal.

"You can’t." Khal quickly shook his head.

Ayen was taken aback by Khal’s serious expression. He was about to speak when Devion let out a humorless chuckle.

"Why not? I’m also Ayen’s esper. I want to help him, too." His argument was sound; Ayen was actually convinced.

The reason he only sought Khal’s help first was because of the force in his hands. If Devion wanted to help him, he would gladly accept it.

"Or do you think I’m too useless to help him?"

Where did that come from? Ayen was stunned; his expression almost cracked. He had never heard Devion sound so defeated like that.

Khal stiffened, his whole body facing Devion. He looked at Devion seriously, frowning.

"Don’t say that. I never thought of you as... useless." Khal’s voice lowered, reaching out to hold Devion’s hand, but was ignored. Khal’s expression sank.

"Then, why not let me help Ayen? Khal, I’m an SS-class esper too, in case you’ve forgotten about it."

Khal swallowed, reaching out again, but was refused once more.

"No, it’s not that I don’t want to. It’s just..." Khal’s expression twisted to one in pain, then he glanced at Ayen, who was listening with obvious surprise.

Khal looked at Ayen with a pleading gaze.

Devion’s ears started to ring, which made him touch his right ear again and scratch it. His hands were then held in time, but what he did opened the small wound in his ears.

"Devion’s bleeding..." Ayen absentmindedly noted; he finally noticed that Devion had a wound in his ear.

His heart thumped, becoming anxious. He did not expect this sudden turn of events. Khal did warn him about something, but Ayen had no idea then. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

Was telling Devion about his past a mistake? Was this his fault? His expression blanked out. Ayen’s thoughts returned when Khal called him.

Ayen met his eyes and knew that he noticed the apprehension in his expression. Khal reached out to him as well, firmly holding his hand before releasing it.

That was enough for Ayen to stop self-blaming for a moment and focus on what was going on with Devion.

His hand was still being held by Khal, and he was struggling so hard. Khal’s veins bulged in his arms as he stopped Devion’s struggle.

"Babe, c’mon," Khal whispered, pleading. "It’s only in your mind. Stop listening to it. Please."

Ayen had no clue, but he still stood up and then sat beside Devion. He wiped the sweat that began to appear on Devion’s forehead.

Devion’s eyes started darting around, and his breathing became chaotic. "You liar," he whispered.

Khal did not respond, but he leaned forward and kissed Devion’s hand, holding it firmly.

"Ayen," Devion suddenly stared at Ayen, his eyes slightly unfocused. "I’m... useless, aren’t I?"

Ayen bit his lips; suddenly, the corner of his lips moistened. It was hard to see Devion like this. He was accustomed to his annoying and arrogant antics.

Devion was too precious and so skilled with everything to think he was useless.

"No, you’re not," Ayen denied, shaking his head.

Devion blinked; Ayen did not know if he heard him. His gaze suddenly focused in front. Ayen glanced to that side, but there was nothing there.

When he looked at Khal, he was already pale, and he quickly covered Devion’s eyes. He embraced Devion, whispering.

"I’m sorry. I didn’t want to make you feel like... that. I’ll let you help, do everything you want, I’ll give it to you. So, please, stop listening to it! Please!"

Ayen covered his mouth; the tears fell at the corner of his eyes. His chest suddenly became tight, and he did not know what to do.

He had no idea what was going on or what to say. He was afraid of saying something that might trigger Devion further. Ayen still noticed that Devion was struggling in Khal’s hold.

"Khal..." Ayen suddenly noticed something; he stood up in fright. His body trembled, and he called again. "Khal! Devion’s bleeding! What is happening? " Ayen panicked, and he shouted. " Do something, Khal!"

At his shout, Khal withdrew from the embrace, and then he froze.

Devion was having a nosebleed, but not only that, black marks appeared on his face and other parts of his body, and blood poured out from them endlessly.

Khal realized his hands were already damp with Devion’s blood.

Ayen shook him, shouting at him.

"Stop staring! Khal!"

This woke him up. Khal swallowed; his whole body began to shake, but he suppressed the fear in his heart.

He looked up and saw Ayen’s pale and frightened face. Right, Ayen was also here. He must be terrified, not knowing what to do.

Khal had to calm down, even if it was hard.

"Ayen, can you... get the jar?" Khal’s voice trembled. "It’s in the..." He directs him to the location. "Ayen, sorry, I can’t go." He still needed to restrain Devion from hurting himself.

Even to this moment, he was still struggling to escape his hold.

Ayen merely nodded; he nearly stumbled on his way to the stairs. Khal almost jumped up to catch him. Luckily, Ayen managed to hold on to the wall.

He did not even look back; he continued upstairs. His head was in a mess. However, what was important was to get the jar, or whatever it was.

Khal would not ask him to get it if it could not help them. His adrenaline kicked in, and his knees stopped trembling as he ran downstairs holding the jar.

It was not that big, about the size of an adult’s head, and also had almost no weight. If not, he might have struggled to carry it.

When he returned, Ayen almost closed his eyes. The bleeding intensified; no matter how much Khal wiped the blood off Devion’s body, it poured out endlessly.

What was horrifying was that Devion was awake. He was only looking at the distance, tears streaming down his cheeks, which became mixed with his blood.

"Devion..."

Ayen covered his mouth and turned around; he finally crumbled.