KOTLC Sokeefe One-Shots, Alternate Endings, etc

Elysian (1 of 4)

"I can't make that decision for you," she whispered. "The question is what you can live with."

She would miss the way he could feel her emotions and call her out on them, but if that was what he chose, she would support it.

And Sucker Punch anyone who judged him for being Talentless.

Gisela was watching Keefe with a hungry expression in her eyes.

That didn't escape his notice.

"But what about her?" Keefe asked.

Elysian shook her head. "I will not meddle in the elvin world's affairs, though I might be able to give you a few minutes to decide what to do with her before I remove my staying hand from each of you. But for now, you must decide what you want to do regardless of that imbecile's involvement."

Amusement flashed across Keefe's face. Sophie knew he was getting a kick out of Elysian's poor opinion of Gisela.

But his face turned serious again quickly. "She won't be able to control me?" He asked uncertainly.

Trix had told them Gisela wanted to ensure that Keefe would obey.

"No," Elysian replied. "Only you know how well she might be able to manipulate you in order to convince you to comply, but beyond that, she will not be able to control you."

Keefe nodded, thinking hard.

He looked at each of them in turn, his eyes lingering longer on Fitz before settling on Sophie's face. She wasn't sure what he'd find there, but she hoped he would find strength.

"I'm ready for anything," she whispered, repeating the words he had said to her in the clearing.

He remembered, and smiled softly at her. But after a moment, his expression turned to one of hard resolve.

He looked back at Elysian. "I think the only way past all of this is to finish what was started."

"So be it."

Elysian moved toward Keefe, who paled slightly as she approached.

Sophie tried not to panic. What did they really know about Elysian? How did they know they could trust her?

Elysian stopped a few feet away and held out her hands, eyes closed in concentration.

A soft, yellow glow surrounded Keefe, who was now noticeably trembling. The glow slowly moved inward, settling against him. They all watched in trepidation as the strange yellow light began seeping into him.

Sophie hated that she couldn't keep a mental connection with him this time.

But his eyes met hers, and held them fast.

For a moment, Keefe himself seemed to glow even after the yellow light had all been absorbed. Then, he crumpled to the ground, awake but panting for breath.

"Keefe!" Sophie wanted desperately to run to him, but couldn't.

Elysian opened her eyes and looked at him. "It's done."

Keefe nodded. "I...can...tell," he panted.

"Now...what do we do about Gisela?" Fitz asked. "If you don't help us stop her, she'll continue to meddle with things she shouldn't."

Gisela looked at Fitz with disdain and opened her mouth to speak.

"No," Elysian said quietly. Gisela's eyes widened as she realized she'd been rendered speechless. She looked at Keefe. "You aren't the only one able to give commands." And with that, she commanded Gisela to sleep.

Gisela immediately collapsed, unconscious.

Right then, Sophie realized she could move again. Elysian must have relinquished her control over their bodies. Sophie did not check to see if she had regained control of her abilities. She merely rushed to Keefe's side, reaching for him as she sat down beside him.

"I'm okay," he whispered, sitting up and leaning against her. "Just...tired."

Sophie was worried and relieved in equal measure. She really needed to get him to Elwin, but there was still so much to do. She looked up at Elysian.

"And the wild trolls?" Sophie asked. "Please. They captured my bodyguard and disappeared with him underground."

"Those," Elysian said, "are an abomination and I will deal with them. As for your goblin bodyguard, I can call him back above ground."

With that, Elysian snapped her fingers and Sandor reappeared.

Had Elysian...conjured him? Was that even possible?

Sandor looked unharmed as he stood, brandishing his sword, taking in the scene before him.

"Peace," Elysian said. "I mean you no harm."

He seemed to believe her and returned his sword to its sheath, striding to Sophie's side.

"I'll explain later," she promised him. "Right now we need to figure out what to do with Gisela. And I really need to get Keefe to Elwin."

Fitz stepped forward, his eyes on Gisela. "How long will she stay asleep? Do you have to be there to reverse the command?" He asked Elysian.

Elysian assured them that Keefe would be able to command her to wake whenever it was time.

"That settles it, then," Fitz said. He looked at the others. "While Sophie hails Elwin and gets Keefe taken care of, I'll leap with Gisela back to Everglen. My dad will know what to do." He looked at Marella and Maruca. "Can the two of you reach out to the Collective and fill them in?"

They both agreed.

"I should go with you," Keefe told Fitz. "I want to make sure my mom can't hurt anyone."

"She can't," Fitz said, pointing at her.

"She won't wake until you command it," Elysian told him.

"But I don't think I need to see Elwin."

"I'm taking you to see him," Sophie insisted. "He needs to look you over."

"I don't—"

"I'm taking you to Elwin." Sophie glared at him, refusing to let those ice blue eyes or his ridiculously handsome face distract her from being stern.

Something strange flitted across Keefe's face as he looked back at her. She couldn't quite define it, but it seemed joyful or triumphant, somehow. But it only lasted a second and was gone.

"She's right," Fitz mumbled. Sophie looked up at Fitz to see a pained expression on his face. "Just...let me know what Elwin says, okay?"

"Of course," Sophie agreed, not quite meeting his eyes.

She hated the pain she'd seen there.

They all glittered away, leaving Sophie, Keefe and Sandor alone with Elysian.

"Thank you," Keefe told her. "For everything."

All Elysian said in response was, "farewell, young ones."