Embers of Resolve: A Confluence of Fates (Part 8)

I finally remember. "You're right. It's happened a few times before—the times when the Demon King took control of my body."

An understanding tone enveloped the orb's words. "And yet, you wonder why it's you."

I nodded to him.

"It's simple. Because your father is the demon. He is the next heir to be the demon king, but he ran away. Please don't ask me how it's started." The orb explained.

"But how?! I really don't know!" I asked.

"Really? But I thought you knew the answer. Think for a moment. When was the first time this weird occurrence started happening to you? The orb tries to make me remember.

My mind retraced the occurrences. "True, the first time it happened was when I attempted to kill Elijah." I admitted, acknowledging the truth.

"I don't know. Maybe you're right. It happened to me multiple times when I lost control over my body. Are you sure it wasn't you?" I expressed my confusion. 

"Nope. Why would I take over my body when I was already you?" The orb explained.

"Oh, yeah. That makes sense." I responded but also thought, "I still can't figure out how there are two of me, but I wasn't aware of it."

"Let me tell you. It happened the first time you went into the dungeon." The orb gives a subtle hint.

"Huh?! Do you mean…" It looks like my answer meets his expectations. The pieces fell into place. "So, you're saying..."

The orb met my realization. "Yes, that black smoke was the catalyst."

"That foggy smoke! I knew it. No wonder I didn't have any memories about it! Only our parents know that!" An epiphany struck me. I was expecting the smoke to be the demon lord's particle that absorbs when I take a breath.

"That was the Demon King' residue." The orb explained further.

He explained to me that the Demon King was trying to acquire a new vessel which is my body because he has ulterior motives.

By having my mother's blood, he could be immune to light magic and will be able to conquer both realms. Lastly, he will target the human realm to take over the world.

We agreed that this cannot happen because I just reborn into this new world which I already love everyone here.

As we have already come to a conclusion, I will have to stop this.

His last advice is, "Don't let the darkness embrace the light".

…

It unraveled the tale before me—the Demon King's sinister pursuit of a new vessel, my own body, driven by ulterior motives. Through my mother's lineage, the goddess, he sought immunity against the powers of light magic, paving his way to dominate both realms. His final conquest aimed at the human realm, a grand design to seize control and subjugate the entire world.

In the midst of our discourse, a unanimous realization took root—this dire fate could not be permitted. My affection for this newfound world and its inhabitants had already taken hold, making the notion of surrender unbearable.

With resolute accord, we acknowledged the imperative nature of our mission: to thwart this impending calamity. Thus, a farewell was exchanged, and I gradually roused from my slumber, reentering the realm of wakefulness.

In hindsight, I comprehended that these revelations had unfolded while I teetered on the edge of consciousness, my subconscious traversing realms unknown. Curiously, though the experience left me somewhat unrested, a deep-seated determination propelled me to my feet, propelling me back toward the solace of slumber—a sleep beckoning to complete the unfinished journey.

…

After that, I bid him farewell and woke up from my sleep.

I realized all those things happened while I was in a half-conscious state of mind and I subconsciously travelled into that realm.

But when it happened I felt like I couldn't get enough sleep. I immediately head back to bed.

-To be continued-

The sun's swift descent marked the brevity of the day, while the night hurried past, leaving Oruvan grappling to comprehend the whirlwind of events that had unfolded. In this fleeting moment, incredulity wrapped around him like a shroud, each development seeming surreal and bewildering.

The burden of becoming a vessel for the Demon King weighed heavily upon him, a weighty yoke of apprehension and responsibility that threatened to obscure his sense of self. Amidst his ongoing efforts to liberate his parents from their plight, an added layer of complexity emerged—his own liberation from the clutches of the malevolent Demon King.

In the crucible of his contemplation, a pivotal choice emerged, a choice that rested on his shoulders like the fate of worlds. He faced a dual path: one leading toward freeing his parents, and the other, his own emancipation from the tyrannical grip of the Demon King.

In the end, he chooses the latter and goes to sleep. What is more important is for him to have a good enough sleep. The day goes by as usual and he has to face it with a new plan.

As dawn broke once more, the world resumed its customary rhythm. Oruvan fortified by his decision and fortified sleep, prepared to confront the day with renewed determination and a fresh strategy. The challenges ahead were formidable, but within him burned a fervent determination to shape his destiny and reclaim both his own freedom and the peace of the world he held so dear.

…