The halls of Scarabia pulsed with dark magic, tendrils of shadow curling up the walls, casting everything in an eerie glow. The oppressive air made it difficult to breathe, as if the very atmosphere had been poisoned by malevolent energy. In the heart of the chaos stood Jamil Viper, his normally calculating expression twisted into something dark, something almost feral. The blot had fully taken over, twisting his desires, magnifying his emotions. His eyes, now glowing with an unnatural gleam, locked onto Y/n, his obsession and focus amid the storm.
He reached out, fingers curling possessively around her wrist with a grip that felt like iron. She tried to pull away, but his hold only tightened, bruising in its intensity. His gaze bore into her, a mad devotion lurking just beneath the surface of his crimson-stained eyes.
"You're mine," he murmured, his voice a low, dangerous growl. "I won't let anyone take you away from me. Not Kalim, not those meddling Leech twins, not anyone. Do you understand, Y/n? You *belong* to me."
Fear spiked in her heart, her gaze darting toward the entrance where, mercifully, Kalim appeared, alarm evident on his face. "Jamil!" Kalim's voice was full of confusion and hurt. "This...this isn't you. Let her go. Please, let us help you!"
Jamil's face twisted, a sneer crossing his lips as he looked at his childhood friend with cold disdain. He released Y/n just long enough to advance on Kalim, who didn't have time to react before Jamil's hand was on his throat, pinning him against the wall with brutal force.
"You think I need *your* help, Kalim?" Jamil's voice dripped with venom. "You've done nothing but keep me chained. But now, I'm free—and she's the only one I want." He tightened his grip, his fingers digging into Kalim's skin. "Stay away from her, or I'll make you disappear. For good."
Kalim's eyes widened in horror as he struggled for breath, his fingers clawing weakly at Jamil's hand. "J-Jamil...please..."
But Jamil had no mercy left. He released Kalim only when he felt the boy's struggles start to weaken, letting him crumple to the floor in a gasping heap. Without a second glance, he turned back to Y/n, his expression softening, but only slightly. "See, Y/n?" he murmured. "No one is allowed to touch you. No one but me."
Before Y/n could respond, another figure entered the room. Azul, flanked by Jade and Floyd, assessed the situation with calculated caution. "Jamil," Azul began, his voice measured, "I can see you're not yourself right now. Hand over Y/n, and we'll resolve this."
Jamil's eyes narrowed, the contempt in his gaze now directed at the three who dared intrude. "You think you can *take* her from me?" His voice was a dangerous whisper, trembling with rage. "I don't care what tricks you have, Azul. None of you are leaving with her."
Azul raised a hand, a thin smile still on his face as he prepared to reason, but Floyd's reckless grin broke through the tense silence. "Aw, you're so selfish, Jamil! Why don't you share a little? You're no fun at all."
Jamil's expression darkened, his patience snapping. Without warning, he lunged forward, summoning a torrent of dark magic that lashed out toward Floyd. Floyd, caught off guard, barely managed to dodge, but the shadowy tendrils caught his arm, sending a violent jolt of energy through him that left him reeling, grimacing in pain.
Jade moved to step forward, but Jamil's gaze snapped to him, eyes blazing with an unhinged fury. "Another step, and I'll crush you both where you stand."
Azul's confidence faltered as he saw the cold intent in Jamil's eyes, realizing that this was no bluff. He pulled Floyd and Jade back, his mind racing to formulate another plan. Jamil laughed, a sound low and dangerous, his fingers clenching and unclenching as he turned his attention back to Y/n.
Grim, who had been hiding nearby, finally summoned the courage to leap forward, his fur bristling with anger and fear. "Y/n! Hang in there—I'll save ya!"
Jamil's lip curled in disdain, and he flicked his wrist, summoning a pulse of dark energy that slammed into Grim, sending him sprawling backward. "You little pest," he sneered. "Stay out of this if you know what's good for you."
Grim groaned in pain, his small form twitching as he tried to get up, but Jamil's attack had left him winded, barely able to stand.
Once they were all subdued or driven back, Jamil turned his attention fully back to Y/n, his expression shifting from hostile to possessive. He stalked toward her, each step exuding a dark, twisted devotion, a single-minded focus that chilled her to the core.
"Y/n," he murmured, reaching out to brush a hand over her cheek. The touch was deceptively gentle, but his eyes held a dangerous gleam. "Do you see now? No one else can protect you like I can. No one else would fight for you...like I would."
Y/n tried to pull away, but his fingers tightened, gripping her face, forcing her to look into his eyes. "I'll destroy anyone who tries to come between us," he whispered, his voice filled with a disturbing tenderness. "You're all I need, Y/n. And soon, you'll realize...I'm all you need too."
