The Clue to the Truth
'
(Help me, I can't control my body)
'I have no ways of aiding you now, Xavier. However, this is still your body, and just how you can swap with me, you can also reclaim the control on your body. That is the remaining advice I have with me that seems plausible in your current situation.'
Everything happens for a reason. Maybe this can be the hidden opportunity of opening the door to my potentials. Seeing it personally, I can prepare a plan to tame my inner demon and become one with the other personality. However, only a proper therapy would be the only thing practical to merge the two of us.
(Is there any way I can communicate with my inner demon?)
'Well, I can't say for sure that this would be effective, but try to remember how you ended up having a talk with when you were in a coma.'
Alright, I think I know how to communicate my inner demon. However, that method relies on luck too much. Because that technique requires the appearance of Shayna, the woman in my dreams, to show up. And judging from the past encounters, the only time she would emerge was when I began to lose myself and be eaten with sadness and negativity.
Hypnotherapy with that Abe would also be a plausible course of action. But in this event, that is terribly unadvisable. What could possibly be the appropriate action to take? Not even a minute had passed, my body started to move on its own. You know the feeling when you're intoxicated with alcohol, and the next thing you know, your body is moving as if you cannot control it anymore.
My body was controlled by my hidden desires. Within a minute, my body has already knocked out a dozen of men and still continues with its aggression. I tried my best to reason out with my inner demon, but nothing worked. As I saw every drop of blood splatter with every hit, I couldn't help myself but be frightened of what I had become.
It was the manifestation of my rage, my hidden desires. I'm a hypocrite for trying to act like that isn't what I want. Maybe, it was what I really wanted. But I tried attempting to put on a false front that it wasn't what I wished for.
"That's right, fall down to the depths of the abyss. Isn't this what you want, to see people suffer right in front of your eyes? I became the bridge for your desires to happen. You'll finally be able to avenge yourself for the things your brothers have done to you. All you need now is to watch each and every one of them who purposely sided with your brothers burn and suffer to death."
'Dont listen to what your inner demon is saying, Xavier! That is not who you are, I know, because judging from how everyone sees you. You have a strong sense of justice. That woman would also like you to think this way! Try to resist, and try everything you can to win against yourself!'
Who should I listen to? Should I just submit to what my inner demon wants? Or should I pursue the wisdom of my alternate personality? What should I choose? Whom should I follow?
"Watch yourself, dirtying your hands with the blood of these people. You'll soon be corrupted with the thought of murder. At first, it was only a thought. But now you'll be a cold-blooded murderer," With every word and provocation from my inner demon, I'm slowly losing confidence towards myself.
However, just when I was about to lose it. A bright light shone upon me. No one seemed to notice what it was, even my inner demon and alternate personality. But despite that, it was the hope that I've always wished for. Suddenly, I heard her voice. That soothing melody was as if a goddess was singing. It was her, Shayna, the woman in my dreams.
(Xavier, you are nothing like what that demon is saying! Trust me, and everything will be alright)
(But what should I do? I can't even do it myself! How could I possibly put a stop to something without a body? Worst, something that is inside of me!)
(You are not alone, Xavier! Not once have you ever been alone! I was always here alongside you. And right now, I am here to support you again! I know for a fact that even without my presence! You can do anything!)
Her words became a comfort I didn't know I needed until this day. Somehow, in this dark room inside of me, a light emerges from my chest. That colored this dark room with the scene of a flower field. The flower field, which I saw along with Shayna the moment I traveled back in the past.
Then a vision of Shayna hugging my back came to my mind. And soon, I was able to reclaim control over my body. All of the negative thoughts that once filled my mind suddenly vanished. And along with the burning feeling in my head and chest, which I always suffered.
However, it seems that I was too late since our family's side and our rial has begun to confront each other.
When I planned to help the men on my side, Shayna tried to stop me.
(Xavier, STOP! Dont further involve yourself in the riot. You'll risk losing yourself permanently at this rate! Your anger and resentment didn't vanish but were temporarily brought back to your unconscious state of mind! You're still vulnerable right now because you have only undergone an uncontrollable change! Because of that, it might devour you whole, and I might not be able to help you in any way I can anymore)
(Shayna, I appreciate the effort, but this doesn't involve only myself right now. Because of my ignorance, a lot of our men may suffer injuries inflicted by the other side. In these past few days, I have seen myself carrying the strength to further find peace and finally become the seeker of justice I once thought myself to be. If I leave these men who have offered their lives to protect me, it would mean I gave up the conviction I have towards cruelty. For this moment, please give me the strength to protect those I care about)
(You know, I've changed my mind. You actually did change, but you changed for the better. I will grant you my consent. Go and protect your people! Take care, Xavier! I pray for the day that the two of us meet in this lifetime)
As her vision slowly disappeared in my mind, I felt an insurmountable increase of energy in my body. Before proceeding with my actions, I gazed upon the blue sky and whispered.
"Thank you for everything, and I'll see you soon."
However, before the vision of Shayna completely disappeared, she left something that seems to be the clue to how the both of us will meet in the future.
"Head towards the mountain and look for a temple. The monk living in that temple will tell you the truth about us.''
I was able to accomplish my mission to protect our family. But at the cost of falling unconscious, just like how Shayna predicted it to be. When I opened my eyes, I was brought back to my room at the mansion and was under blood transfusion. My body went numb because I had lost a lot of blood during the riot that happened earlier.
Dr. Gizelle entered the room and checked up on me.
"Let me first tell you that it is quite a miracle that you are still alive after everything that has happened to you in the past months I have known you. The scars you have suffered still remain, but there is nothing to worry about the current state of your body. You've recovered incredibly swiftly, so you'll be alright after your blood transfusion," Maybe, it's also because of the light that shone inside of me. Back when my inner demon controlled my body.
"What happened to the riot? Is everyone safe? Did our men survived?" Dr. Gizelle smiled and nodded while reassuring me that everything went alright.
"Before you collapsed, you were able to force the other side to retire and retreat. Luckily, seconds after they left, Mr. Salvatore arrived with reinforcements to aid the other men. Those men injured, along with the men of the other side, were brought to a nearby hospital. That hospital was also a facility run by Salvatore Lombardo," Thankfully, there wasn't a single life wasted because of a useless riot.
"Where is the old man? Is he alright?" I asked Dr. Gizelle.
"Mr. Salvatore is alright. He is staying at the hospital where the others went for treatment," At least, the old man isn't the type to let someone end their life for him.
"Okay, Thank You. But Ms. Gizelle, can you go outside for a bit? I need to talk with Augustine privately," She agreed, then called Augustine, who was waiting outside the room.
"Augustine, I have a favor to ask of you."