Chapter 28: What You Are Becoming
Helena's breath trembled as she stood frozen in the corridor.
Her wrist still burned slightly from where he had held her.
But strangely
the chaos inside her had quieted.
The energy…
the pressure…
the loss of control
it was gone.
Her eyes lifted slowly to the two strangers before her.
Daniel.
Marian.
They stood close
but not too close.
Watching her carefully.
As if approaching her fully…
might change something.
"Who are you?" Helena asked again.
Her voice was steadier now.
But her heart wasn't.
Neither of them answered immediately.
And yet
Helena felt it.
Something unfamiliar.
Something she couldn't explain.
A strange sense of ease.
It didn't make sense.
She didn't know them.
She shouldn't trust them.
But her body…
didn't react with fear.
Marian noticed.
Her fingers curled slightly at her side.
But she didn't step forward.
Didn't reach out.
Not because she didn't want to.
But because she couldn't.
Daniel spoke first.
Low.
Controlled.
"You felt it, didn't you?"
Helena swallowed.
"…Yes."
"It's getting stronger," he said.
Her chest tightened again.
"I can't control it."
A brief silence passed between them.
Heavy.
Unspoken.
Marian finally spoke.
Soft.
Careful.
"You're not supposed to control it alone."
Helena frowned slightly.
"What does that even mean?"
Daniel exhaled slowly.
As if choosing his next words carefully.
"What's happening to you…"
he began,
"…is not something that just appears."
Helena's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Then where did it come from?"
Another pause.
Longer this time.
And for a moment
something shifted between Daniel and Marian.
Something deeper.
Something hidden.
Then
"It came from us."
The words landed quietly.
But heavily.
Helena froze.
"…What?"
Her voice barely came out.
Marian's gaze softened
just for a second.
Then it was gone.
Hidden again.
"You didn't become this by accident," she said.
Helena shook her head slowly.
"No… no, that doesn't make sense…"
But even as she said it
something inside her reacted.
Because deep down
it did.
Daniel stepped slightly closer.
Not enough to touch.
But enough to be clear.
"You are not like the others," he said.
"And you never were."
Helena's breathing became uneven again.
"Then what am I? Stop speaking In parables" she asked.
This time
they answered.
"Something that should not exist," Daniel said quietly.
Silence.
Marian closed her eyes briefly.
As if the words hurt
even her.
"A balance that was never meant to be created," she added.
Helena felt her chest tighten.
Her mind struggling to keep up.
"What does that mean?"
Daniel's voice lowered.
"Two forces that should never have crossed…"
A pause.
"…did."
Helena's eyes widened slightly.
"And you," Marian continued softly,
"…are the result of that."
The corridor felt colder.
Heavier.
Helena took a step back.
Her thoughts spinning.
"No…"
But her voice lacked certainty.
Daniel's gaze sharpened slightly.
"Denying it won't change it."
Helena's hands trembled.
"Then why does it feel like I'm losing control?" she asked.
"Because your power isn't stable," Marian replied.
"And it's calling attention."
Helena's heart skipped.
"Attention… from who?"
Daniel didn't hesitate this time.
"Enemies."
The word hit hard.
"They can feel it," he continued.
"Power like yours doesn't stay hidden."
Helena's breathing quickened again.
"And if they find you—"
"They won't hesitate," Marian finished quietly.
Silence fell again.
Helena wrapped her arms around herself slightly.
As if trying to hold herself together.
"Then do something!" she said suddenly.
"You stopped it just now—do it again!"
Daniel and Marian exchanged a glance.
A silent agreement.
Then—
Daniel stepped forward.
"This will only be temporary," he said.
Helena didn't hesitate.
"Do it."
Marian moved closer as well.
Careful.
Measured.
For a brief moment—
both of them stood on either side of her.
Not touching.
But close enough.
Daniel raised his hand slightly.
Energy shifted—
but controlled.
Precise.
Marian closed her eyes.
Her voice barely above a whisper.
"Hold still."
Helena did.
The air around them changed.
Subtle.
But powerful.
A faint pressure settled over Helena's chest.
Then—
it tightened.
Her eyes widened slightly.
"What—"
"Don't fight it," Daniel said.
The energy inside her reacted.
Pushing.
Resisting.
But slowly—
it began to quiet.
To fold in on itself.
To seal.
Helena gasped softly.
Her body relaxing slightly.
The overwhelming presence inside her—
faded.
Not gone.
But hidden.
Silenced.
Daniel lowered his hand.
Marian opened her eyes.
"It's sealed," he said.
Helena blinked slowly.
Her breathing finally steady.
"…I feel… normal," she whispered.
But Daniel's expression didn't soften.
"It won't last forever."
Her chest tightened again.
"And now," Marian added quietly,
"they'll know."
Helena looked at her sharply.
"Know what?"
Daniel's gaze darkened slightly.
"That you exist."
Far away—
something shifted.
Something ancient.
Something aware.
Something that had just felt the disturbance.
Helena didn't understand it.
But she felt it.
A faint chill down her spine.
Fear returned.
Quiet.
Lingering.
Daniel stepped back.
Distance again.
"We'll find you before they do," he said.
Marian hesitated for a fraction of a second—
then stepped back as well.
Helena noticed.
But didn't understand why it hurt.
"Wait—" she said quickly.
But they were already leaving.
Blending back into the palace.
Like shadows.
Leaving her standing there.
Alone.
But no longer the same.
Elsewhere—
Emily paused mid-step.
Her brows furrowed slightly.
Something had changed.
She turned her head slightly.
Then
she saw Helena.
Walking.
Steady.
Normal.
Emily blinked.
"…She looks fine," she murmured.
A pause.
"Maybe she was just unwell."
Beside her, Kira remained silent.
But his gaze lingered slightly longer than usual.
Not on Helena
but on Emily.
And for the first time
he noticed it.
She wasn't trying anymore.
And somehow—
that felt different...