Wake up from insanity

As I make my way to the door of my base, I see Teles nearby looking worried, she hasn't noticed my presence yet. That's when Mr.Doubt appeared nearby saying

|Now's your chance! You still have weapons in hand, make the first attack!|

I slowly turned to him and asked "Why? I thought the reason you caused all the commotion in the pub was for her?"

|True, but did you not see her form from the other night!?!? That looked nothing more but a hostile enderman! She probably would've killed you if you hadn't run!|

"No no... I... well... it was... GAH, I CAN'T THINK!!!!" I shouted while shaking my head

|And that's why I'm here to do half the thinking for you, every plan I have made so far was correct! when it was either in this world OR in our original world|

"The last time you had decided for me, it caused me to become isolated!" I said annoyed

That's when Mr.Doubt instantly vanished, I was confused at first, but then I saw why he disappeared, I saw Teles running towards me, but not in a fit of hostility or rage, instead, I could see a look of concernment on her face.

Teles studies my condition, "Are you alright!??! What happened!?!?!"

I flashed a weary smile before I said anything I fell unconscious as if whatever was driving me to keep moving.

Whatever stressful adrenalin kept me up, all of it faded, maybe because I felt safe once I was with someone I trusted, or because I spent the entire night fighting hostile mobs. I don't know.... what's wrong with me!?!?!?

⛏⛏⛏

After hours of being unconscious, I finally woke up in the infirmary, the one I got sent to on my first night here.

I instantly sat up and looked at my surroundings, I then found Teles who looked as if she was watching over me the entire time I was out.

After some thinking, I sighed, knowing I needed to make things right with her so things could go back to normal between us. I decided to drum up an apology.

"Teles, look, I'm sorry about what happened, I didn't know those fruits were capable of doing this, I probably should've just left the room, to begin with-" I started but was interrupted

"Takeo! That's not even what I'm upset about anymore!" Teles shouted

"Wha-?" I jolted

"On my end, I probably should've told you a bit more about what those fruits, and sure I had the right to be upset about how you, well, responded..." Teles said ending the sentence a bit embarrassed.

"s-sorry..."

"I heard about what you did...."

"Huh?"

"At that Sparkling Sip pub... They told me what happened."

"The mercs?" I admitted

"Yes, I just...Don't think what happened was necessary!"

I gave her a a disapproving look. I can't believe this is how she thinks of herself. The most important thing I need to ask though is this!

"Be honest with me Teles, I heard what all they did to you. Is this true?"

Teles jumped a bit, and hesitated at my discovery"....Well yes, but-"

"Why didn't you say anything to me sooner!?!?!"

"I mean, it wasn't that big of a deal or anything, I said a while back that I could always just teleport away if anyone gives me trouble!"

"They literally poisoned you!!!"

"What? It wore off a long time ago!"

I reached out and grabbed her hands.

"Teles, you're life doesn't matter any less than mine!"

I paused for a second to let my words sink in.

"I- I just don't want to cause any more problems for you, it seemed like you already had so much to deal with and-" Teles tried to explain.

"Look, I appreciate you sticking to your morals, not wanting to hurt anyone again, but that gives you no excuse to let people treat you like ****!"

She said nothing.

"I care about you Teles! You've been doing great around here lately, but telling me nothing is just going to make me stress even more!"

She sighed a little took a small breath, and said, "Then how about from now on, nothing is kept secret from each other, okay?"

I smiled at her conclusion "Okay!" I said as I was hugged

"One last question..." Teles asked

"Hmm?"

"For all the time I knew you, you never raised your weapons, let alone you're fists to others. I know you did it for me, but what drove you to think attacking them was a good idea?"

"I'm gonna be real with you, I-I don't know...."

"What do you mean?"

"I felt like I was being... Controlled by something!"

Teles froze, "What!?!?"

"S-Some kind of shadowy figure..." I continued "It's so hard to explain!"

"Well, now that you mention it, I've been noticing something lately about your behavior. You seem extra stressed, and I occasionally see you talking to nothing..." Teles said

Wait, does she know about Mr.Doubt!?!? I guess I haven't been doing that good of a job concealing my problem lately...

That's when we heard a familiar voice.

"I think I know what's behind this problem of yours," Richard said as he entered the room.

"Chief?!?!" I greeted trying to keep my cool, Teles also greeted him.

"What's going on Takeo?" He started abruptly, "This is the second time you were sent here because of some kind of monster ambush! I even got a call from Alex saying you have been acting strange, what is going on?"

"I-I umm," I don't know what to say to this.

That's when Teles started talking for me, "Chief! It's not his fault! you see-"

"No no, it IS my fault..." I stopped Teles "There is just a lot on my mind lately... I've been going through a ton of different things-"

"That's enough," Richard said calmly.

Richard turned to Teles, "Sorry, but do you mind leaving the room for a minute?"

Teles nodded and left while closing the door behind herself.

Richard's expression turned serious as he looked at me, I broke into a nervous sweat. I'm pretty sure I'm in deep trouble for what I've done recently, What will he start with!?!?

"Tell me Takeo, have you been listening to some kind of strange entity?"

My mouth hung open with shock. I'll be honest, I was NOT expecting that to be the next thing he'd say.

There was no way Richard knew about Mr.Doubt, right??!? I thought no one else could see the guy!

I better be honest with Richard, I won't benefit anything from lying here, and I know that having someone relating to my Mr.Doubt problem can make things go by better!

"Umm, now that you mention it, yes!" I responded

"Mhmmm, Think you can describe it to me?"

I thought for a moment and said, "Umm yea, it was shadowy, had red eyes, sharp teeth, OH! and it was wearing a sharp suit!"

"Hmm, well most of those descriptions are correct..."

"Most?"

"You see, there was one who spoke to me as well." Richard paused for a second "However, this one had a completely different getup than the one you described."

"Y-you too!?!? Getup!?!?" I said in disbelief, I guess he changes things up with different people he meets. That's honestly a safe idea...

"Aye, I thought I was going crazy, but knowing now that this thing is affecting others just bothers me more!"

"Was there anyone besides you and me who's been seeing it?" I asked

"Not that I know of. So far just you and me. Just be careful around it! It won't leave you alone until you listen."

(A little late to be telling me that!)

"Well, I usually don't listen to it when it appears!"

"Good!"

"Though the other day, I felt like it took control of my mind or something???" I said in a confused tone.

"You mean the reason you- Oh no..." he said as he rested his hand on his face

Richard paused to collect his thoughts at my comment.

"Tell me everything!!!" Richard commanded

⛏⛏⛏

I finished telling Richard everything about Mr.Doubt's situation

"I'm sorry, you gave it a name!?!?" Richard said in shock

"I mean that's what he preferred to be called," I shrugged

"Look, we don't know whose side this 'Mr.Doubt' fellow is actually on, but all I know is he's trying to take advantage of us! It probably knows that otherworlders have a unique power, which is why it talks to you so often."

"Well, I don't know how to make him leave otherwise!"

"... You're right, I can't get him to go away whenever either..."

"He isn't around me all the time though, do you think he talks to different otherworlders one at a time? I know I'm not the only one who got sent to this world!" I theorized

"Whatever it's doing, wherever it is, we need to be cautious around Mr.Doubt! Especially now that we know it can take control of others!" Richard replied

I nodded in understanding

"...And umm, about the situation from... Well, the other night?"

"We probably shouldn't let the residents of Minemore know that a mysterious shadow entity is freely roaming the city, especially since no one can even see it."

"I guess you're right, not even I know whose side he's on!"

Richard got out a small book and found his place again, looked more like a notebook than a reading one.

"Let's see here... Okay luckily for you, those mercs had admitted to assaulting Teles the other night. we can simply say you were attacking in defense and you can bypass the 'assault or battery charges' here!"

I breathed a sigh of relief, "Oh, then-"

"However, although I can stop your charges due to the reason 'you were being mind controlled,' I can't exactly help the fact that you were still banned from The Sparkling Sip. You're gonna have to fix that issue yourself."

"I understand."

"Listen," Richard said trying to calm things down, "it's clear you've been putting a lot on yourself lately, and I think it's messing with your head, I think you just need a break. You need to be taking better care of yourself, not just the others."

"B-but I-"

"The village has been thriving lately thanks to you! If anything the next task I'm ordering you to do is to take a mental health break for today and get your mind in check!" Richard concluded, "Are we clear?"

I couldn't help but slightly grin, "You got it..."

Richard left the room after concluding everything. Teles came back in afterward.

"Come on, let's get out of here!" I proposed

"You sure?"

"Yeah, a little rest was all I really needed anyway."

As we left, I felt like I was being watched again, by someone... or something!

I looked back at Teles who was following me. She looked down, a little upset. We usually kept a slight distance from each other while around the city so it looks like she isn't being calm only around me.

I'd better see what's up when I get back to the base.