Archive of Our Own ^beta

He was ready to die for them.

For Rayla.

For Ezran.

For all of Xadia.

Come to think of it, he had never really wanted to be a hero.

Up until 3 years ago, all he had wanted was to be able to live his life, without any of his step-prince responsibilities.

But it had changed overtime.

Now,

he had just wanted Harrow to be proud of him.

He realized that if the King could see him right now,

he would be.

He had everything that he had wanted, so the teen had made peace with his fate.

He was going to save the world.

Rayla would shoot him, and he would die.

It was as simple as that.

Taking a deep breath, he started the spell.

“Erusaert.” The coin began to burn in his palm.

Aaravos looked genuinely perplexed, like he hadn’t expected them to actually go through with it.

He never knew what I was capable of.

“Ym.” He heard Rayla shuffling behind him.

The mage thought of the life they might’ve had if it weren’t for him.

The Silvergrove had felt welcoming and kind, he would’ve lived there forever if he could.

But you can’t always get what you want.

“Si luos.” Tendrils of dark began to twist around in the air, making him nearly stumble and fall over.

Callum felt his eyes begin to fill with darkness.

He caught a glimpse of Ezran, his brother had grown so wise.

I know he will be a great king, even if I can’t see him rule.

“Ru-”  A sparkly butterfly flew past him, knocking the boy to the ground.

He watched as Aaravos swatted it away, too stunned to move properly.

He could only helplessly watch as the coin fell off of the cliff, he had no way to trap him now.

“No!”

He put his hands on his head, shutting his eyes.

What were they going to do now?

Stiffening, he looked at his hair.

They only noticed the white streak right as he was possessed.

I can’t move.

Callum was trapped in his own body.

Last time this had happened, he had only felt desperation and despair.

Those feelings were stronger this time.

He involuntarily faced Rayla.

They hated it.

Please, he silently begged. Remember your promise.

He waited for the arrow.

The Moonshadow elf looked away.

The boy was frozen in place as Aaravos shrunk to a human size.

The archmage didn’t look any less threatening.

The fallen star laughed bitterly, than casted a simple spell.

“Frigus Pedes!”

Spikes of freezing ice now surrounded everyone’s feet, keeping them frozen in place.

Well, everyone except for him and Aaravos.

Rayla tried to break the ice by repeatedly stabbing it with her daggers, yelling a curse directed at the Startouch elf with every swing.

If he was phased by her words, he didn’t show it.

They only smirked at seeing everyone’s futile attempts at escaping.

Ezran was just scowling at Aaravos.

Like he knows that we can’t win.

The sky was an ominous gray, which matched his current mood right now.

And as quickly as it had happened, Aaravos stopped controlling his body.

Callum fell down face first, not realizing he was free until his hands subconsciously reached out to stop him from hurting himself.

First thing he did?

He ran to Rayla.

Ez could take care of himself.

Everyone except him was stuck still, so he tried to get her out.

She put a palm to his face.

“Callum… I’m so sorry!” She pleaded in a Scottish accent.

He loved her accent.

He loved everything about her.

“It’s okay, I still love you. I’ll never not.” He lightly kissed her forehead, leaving his girlfriend as practically a red tomato.

“Oh Callum…”

“How do I get you out of the ice?”

A cold hand placed itself on his shoulder.

A new voice.

“You don’t.”

He whipped his head around and started running away from Aaravos.

Callum stopped in his tracks.

“Ah, no running!” The star teased.

He felt his body turn around and run back.

Every single fiber in his body was protesting, but to no avail.

He didn’t have the choice.

Before he knew it, he was looking at Rayla again.

They wanted to cry so bad, but he couldn’t.

And that was even worse.

He felt his tan-colored fingers tracing her shoulder.

All the while, a cruel voice rang inside of his head.

You know, I could just have you snap her neck. Right here. What’s stopping me?

It felt horrible to have so many emotions, but not be able to express them.

He answered back.

There’s Nothing.

He couldn’t plead.

Any sign of weakness, Rayla would die.

He knew the truth, Aaravos wanted him to suffer.

You’re right, I do want you to. But for now…

His fingernails suddenly drew blood, causing a yelp of pain from his girlfriend.

Killing Ezran will do.