Xal pressed his lips together for several seconds, then pressed his fingers to his temple. True, it was his fault that he didn't read, even after Kian mentioned he should. But who the fuck would enter a clause, let alone a bind, that would kill another person? What the fuck was wrong with this man?
"You cannot be serious."
He gave an apologetic smile in response.
"Kill you!?" Xal's initial shock was gradually turning into anger.
He nodded.
"No way. Remove it, and then I'll sign."
"Can't do that. This is that one clause you can't change. With a body like mine, spirits could wreak havoc to gain more power."
I can't kill him. Not when he is...
The mere thought of it was making his heart pound in his ears. He marched over and grabbed Kian by the collar. He didn't protest. Just stared at him, which was pissing him off even more.
"I will not become a fucking murderer because some lunatic decided to put that into a fucking contract. Remove it, RIGHT NOW!" Xal seethed, his knuckles white from gripping the fabric.
"If you're worried about going to jail for murder, it won't happen. I know people in the police, and I'll tell them about you. So don't worry about going to jail."
He was holding his life back, not punching him square in the face. What the absolute fuck, disregarding his own life like this and asking him to kill him like it was ethical? An easy task? And what, he thought, Xal was worried about going to jail and not about having to kill him?
Xal shoved him back, and he stumbled a bit at the force, steadying himself by placing a hand on the countertop. Then he smiled, so indulgent, as if he understood everything and still expected him to agree.
He started pacing, racking his brain.
There was no way he was going to kill Kian.
"The hell! No, you - Oh...for fuck's sake, you should be in an asylum! I'm signing up to be your BODYGUARD. I'm supposed to save you, PROTECT YOU, not kill you!" He yelled in disbelief.
"You're not seeing the big picture, Xal." Kian's voice stayed eerily calm, which somehow made it worse.
"Killing me is the only option you have. Because if my body falls into the wrong hands, the destruction they can do is immense. If you don't kill me, the first kill will be you, and whoever is possessing me will probably drain all of your core energy to make this body more powerful. Not only will you die in vain, but that rogue will use my body, my abilities, to do god knows what."
"You are a damn healer! You walk, looking down to avoid stepping on ants! And your abilities save people! This is fucking bullshit!"
Kian getting possessed cannot be as bad as he was implementing.
He raised his hand, making Xal's attention follow it; slender fingers played with the air. "Do you know what happens if the rogue possessing me decides spread the illness instead of purging it? The healer instantly becomes...." Kian gestured, dragging his index finger across his neck.
The killer.
Xal shook his head in denial.
Kian was silent, and his expression softened even more when he thought it couldn't. So accepting. It was frustrating.
"It only takes me a second to amplify the spirit illness in someone's body.
"It only takes me ten seconds to drain someone's core energy."
"It only takes a rogue thirty seconds to take over me if I'm left vulnerable. I try my best, every single minute outside of this house, not to let that happen. Considering I've come back without being possessed till now, you could think of it as one of the least likely possibilities. But if it ever were to happen, and you're with me, god bless this city, you're the only one who can save them from the calamity about to befall them. So if you, or anyone else, were to become my bodyguard, they have to be bound by this clause. And I don't think you should go down this path."
Xal waited, hoping that he would jump around and mock him for his prank, but no. Kian was calmly staring at him, waiting for his confirmation.
His confirmation.
Either to accept or walk away.
"No! Th- There has to be SOME way to stop it. Like…like teach me one of those spells or mantras or whatever it is." Xal always stuttered when he felt anxious or agitated.
"There is no mantra that can be chanted within 30 seconds." Kian responded.
"I'm sorry to put you in this position, Xal. I don't like it more than you do, but as I said on the first day I met you, my world is not sunshine and rainbows. This is what's at stake to protect people from me."
"You can't defy it. But I want you to either promise me right now or end the contract and walk away like this conversation never happened. No judgement. You have responsibilities. Parents to take care of and I don't think you would be at your best if you have to take a life on this path of revenge."
He felt like he'd gone on a rollercoaster, his mind was still spinning, and an uncomfortable feeling similar to wanting to puke his guts out sat persistent. He hated that he had nothing to argue back with.
It was taking one life to protect many from being taken and he was no superhero in an action movie.