Chapter Text
There was a burning feeling inside of Keith. He couldn't breathe and he couldn't move. His throat was dry, his body unresponsive and everything was black his sight was gone. But he could feel his heart pound louder and louder. As if it was trying to break free from his own rib cage. He felt fire spread throughout his body as if his blood was replaced with magma. He was burning, and burning, and burning. He tried to yell, kick, and even tried to shout for help, but to no avail.
"Shiro! Pidge! Hunk! Allura! Fuck!" he tried to call out. "Anyone! Lance!"
"Lance!" he repeated. He remembered Lance was the last person he had seen before succumbing into this damned state. He was going to rescue him, right? Right? After all, they were friends, right?
Then the flowing of heat suddenly stopped, but it remained ablaze in his chest. He felt his heart race and a small smile formed across his lips—he felt it. Everything was silent and the burning faded. Was it done? Did calling Lance actually work?
He heard footsteps and he managed to finally speak. "Lance, I knew y—"
Except this wasn't Lance. He was too silent to be. It was a presence he was not familiar with, but he knew to be cautious of.
"The Red Paladin. You are most fortunate to be able to witness this almost perfect dark magic," a low, female voice said. Keith tried opening his eyes, but he was still blinded. He cursed. This was the Witch that Allura was talking about. She was Zarkon's faithful right hand. "I believe you have been calling out to your friends. But there is no need for that."
"Don't even try! Voltron will destroy you!" Keith hissed.
"Your words mean nothing, boy. Your friends will come for you, that is to be expected. But know this. From now on, the more you value the life of someone, the more that life shall be taken away. You will be our key to claiming Voltron. Treasure it, Paladin, for it is more of a gift than a curse!"
And suddenly, he felt something jam through his chest. Through his heart.
And he screamed.
"Keith? Keith! Guys, he's awake!"
Keith blinked. Once. Then twice. He was in the healing pod, he knew, because he recognized the blue-green glow on the walls of the Castle. Hunk was in front of the pod and looked at Keith with excited eyes. The others came running to him in just a few ticks. They all looked at him with a mixture of worry and relief. The glass barrier went off in a few more ticks and he was released forward. Shiro caught him just in time and managed to steady him until he was finally able to stand.
"Hey guys," he greeted dryly but with a forced, small smile.
"You had as all worried, Keith," Allura said.
"Yeah, you should have seen Lance. He was pacing the whole time you were gone!" Pidge said with a smirk.
Keith glanced at Lance. He was expecting him to deny it, or even get playfully pissed at the Green Paladin, but he only stared back at Keith with an not-so-proud frown for himself. The others laughed at Pidge's remark, but Keith was unsure how to respond. He was sure he wanted to tease Lance for it, but he could save it for later.
"What happened?" he asked. "How long was I out?"
"About two quintants," Coran replied, "You were caught by the Galra after the infiltration. You were taken to Zarkon's ship and we rescued you from there. Do you remember what happened after being kidnapped?"
Keith opened his mouth to relay to them the events, but suddenly it was as if he had forgotten everything. He tried to remember, but his mind can only put pieces of it.
"I...I don't remember," he said.
"Of course, the Galra know better than to let their prisoners escape with important information. Like they did with Shiro," Allura explained.
"I mean, I only remember some parts, but the rest of it is like some sort of dream."
"That is dangerous. For all we know, the Witch has probably experimented on you," Coran said, "Can you tell us what you can remember at least?"
Keith put a hand on his head. He tried closing his eyes to concentrate, but the tiny images of what he can remember were now completely gone. Obliterated. Something was blocking his mind, he knew it.
"I...don't remember... anything, at all," he said, clenching his fists.
He felt a heavy but soothing hand land on his shoulder. It was Shiro, who gave him a warm smile. "It's okay Keith, don't push yourself. Take a rest first. We'll try and discuss it later."
"Yeah, it must be tiring after all that stuff, I'll make dinner for you!" Hunk said.
"I agree. Perhaps he would feel better after a good rest," Allura added and nodded at him.
"Thanks Shiro. Thanks guys," Keith managed to say before retreating.
There was something wrong with him, he could feel it. With one final glance, he eyed on Lance who returned it with a pitying face before looking away. Whatever was happening to him, he didn't need to tell the others. He had to find out and stop it himself.
The day went by rather quickly with nothing out of the ordinary happening. No Galra attacks, no retrieval missions, no anything. But he did feel a little weird. Keith was normally uneasy all the time, but his anxiety was way worse today. Maybe it was the constant worried looks he received from his peers, but that usually didn't bother him. They were always concerned for him because of his lack of social skills and his angry impulses, although that was what made him Keith, right? He knew it was normal for him to be like that and how others reacted to it. Except his restlessness was growing badly.
"Are you okay, Keith? You look pale," Hunk asserted.
They were gathered at the dining room to have a peaceful dinner together. Lance sat across Keith uncomfortably, throwing glances at each other from time to time. The exchange was awkward and silent, which Keith found relieving. Part of him wanted to avoid Lance for some reason, but he was not sure why. Sure, Lance wasn't someone Keith was so fond of, but he didn't entirely avoid the Blue Paladin. He felt this weird thinking strike his mind again until Lance decided to talk for once. He had been silent since Keith had recovered.
"But isn't he always pale?" Lance replied with a bit of annoyance. "Am I the only one who noticed that?"
"Maybe you need more rest?" Shiro asked.
"I'm fine," Keith snapped, "Just a little tired is all."
Hunk looked at Lance, who got a shrug in reply. Keith noticed this and stood up from his seat. He didn't like the attention directed towards him. He knew that concern was normally shared between humans, but he didn't like it at all.
With a yawn, Keith decided to sleep. Maybe everything would be back to normal the next day.