Darkness surrounded Eztli. He felt himself drifting in and endless void. Slowly, the world around him came into existence. Piece by piece it materialized, becoming clearer.

He found himself back in a human body. His own body. Looking at his hands brimming with strength, he was confused. The last thing he remembered was being almost killed by that wolf and a bastard kid.

What’s going on? he thought.

"Master,” a voice sounded. “there is a strong commotion nearby. Should we check out what is happening?"

Turning, he saw a man—red hair kept short, his face showing hints of fierceness. Wes.

Anger permeated Eztli as he saw him. He tried rushing forward to grab his neck and twist it, but his body did not react. Instead he spoke.

"We will take a look." He said undisturbed, unable to say what he really meant.

So I'm not in control, he told himself.

It felt awkward. He had a body. He could feel the strength and emotions; he, however, could only watch. The moon was high in the sky as they moved closer to the sound of metal hitting metal—a chaotic, but steady rhythm.

The smell of slaughter filled the air and Eztli felt a sudden body rush of blood pass through him. Stimulating him. This strength was mine? Eztli wondered. as he drowned himself in the sensation. It had been about a thousand years since he last felt the Rush. His body had grown far too weak that any amount of bloodlust would have caused him to forfeit life. It was a sweet and warm feeling. The Blood would enhance his mind and body—making his sense, body and Blood control stronger.

He tried to circulate it through his body, however, it didn’t happen. Right, Eztli told himself, sighing. It’s just a memory. I can’t change anything. I can only experience.

Eztli glanced taking in the long brick wall, the rustling of leaves as the wind blew. He didn’t remember this, yet at the moment it was so vivid and familiar.

It finally clicked, once he saw the iconic scene—a boy and a girl holding hands, their clothes splattered with blood, running through a battle ground.

"Hurry we must get out fast." The boy said, urging the girl.

"But father and mother they-"

"They are fighting with everyone else. They are doing it to protect us. We have to run to safety."

The boy turned pulling her closer, but a thrown blade landed on the girls back. They tumbled, the inertia carried them far.

"Nala!" the boy cried.

No. No. Why this scene? Eztli told himself. He tried closing his eyes, but it was all in vain. He just stared.

"Master, should we help?" Wes asked.

Yes, say yes! Eztli screamed inside.

"No. It's not our problem. Let's continue watching, it’s fun seeing the boy."

"Yes, it is."

You sick fuck! Why can't you help him? Eztli yelled at himself. It would only take a wave of your hand to save them.

The boy sat there clutching the bleeding girl as he was surrounded. Then he stood up and got in a stance to protect the girl. His white hair stained with blood. His eyes filled with fear, but he stood with determination to save the girl.

The boy was Rhett.

This was the memory of the night he met him.

Sadness filled Eztli, yet at the same time he felt—and remembered—the sense of interest and fun. He tried to look away, close his eyes or something but all he could do was stare. Feeling happy.

Is this how I was? Eztli thought as he took in the feeling. Something inside snapped at that moment. Back then he was merciless. He would slaughter wantonly. He was a true emperor.

Wes was right. He laughed at himself. I’ve become but a shell of myself. I was living a delusion. He tuned the feelings of the memory—engraining them back into his soul. This is how I was. No. This is how I will become again.

Yet, he couldn’t help but feel a bit sad as he viewed the young Rhett. He had seen the boy grow up. Taught him. Learned to love and trust him. Also, Rhett had done so much for him, even almost sacrificing himself to save him. And what had he done in return? Just watched. Even for a second time. He only watched. He wanted to help as it caused his heart to ache.

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If Rhett knew the truth…he would probably hate me. He thought. I should have told him anyways.

But he couldn't do anything now.

Rhett punched out, but the man dodged and stabbed his blade into his stomach. Rhett kneeled but clenched his fists.

"Master it looks like it’s the end." Wes said.

"Yes, it’s gotten boring. Let's leav-"

A purple aura formed on Rhett’s fist as he looked up at the man with hate.

"I will kill you all."

"Boy, it’s the end for you." He laughed. "You'll meet your family soon."

The man lifted a second blade and swung it.

At that moment, Eztli appeared in front of the man—stopping the blade with one finger.

"What th-"

Eztli waved his hand and all the men within three hundred feet convulsed—blood spraying from their pores. That easily, they were dead.

"Boy are you alright?"

Rhett! Eztli bellowed at him. His name is Rhett! However, at the same time he felt intoxicated by his own display of strength. Something he had lacked for hundreds of years. Something he needed back desperately, so he embraced it. Eztli also felt his older self beaming with happiness. That’s right. He thought, still looking at Rhett. I offered help in order to use him. This is when I saw his astonishing potential in spatial arts.

Eztli watched Rhett turn to his sister, dead by now, without a care for his own wounds and cried at the top of his lungs.

"I'll help you get revenge against the one who caused the death of your sister. Not just these underlings." He said and turned to Wes. "Heal him, he will be my second disciple."

The memory ended and Eztli found himself swimming in the void.

Ironic. He thought. The one who caused her death was me. Not those men. But I guess ending as a rabbit, being betrayed and losing my strength was my punishment. Eztli laughed at himself.

The void soon became distant and the pain shot through his body. He was back in his broken body. Quickly, he used his soul to inspect his body. Damn. He thought. With these wounds, I won’t make it more than a week. Deepening his scan, he noticed small traces of medicine lingering around one spot. Curious, he honed in on it.

So fucking lucky. He thought, laughing. This is great. I can heal myself.

Surprisingly, particles of the semi-precious herb he ate at Roan’s lab remained inside—its effects compounded by several other herbs inside him. However, he needed to stimulate it. Using his soul energy, he attacked and burned the particles.

The particles expanded and spread through his body like an uncontrolled fire. It healed him at an astonishing pace; his broken bones mended, organs regrew, muscles reattached and skin closed. The process was painful, but it only lasted a few seconds.

Eztli stood, body in near perfect condition, looked around and saw the boy. He sat depressingly on the bed—turning the pages of a journal. Kael’s face, overlapped with Rhett's at that moment. Guilt filled Eztli, but surprisingly, he shook himself out of it. The memory had changed him. He was back. The merciless tyrant, one who cared for no one but himself.

No there is something. He thought. Rhett. I owe him so much… however, he is not Rhett. Eztli told himself, sighing. Still, I have to pay him back. The boy had saved him, put his life on the line for a rabbit. He didn't know if that was stupid or not but he had to repay him.

Spotting the link stone, he got an idea.

##

Kael traced the runes on the page. He was in a better mood after what Dean had said. Still, he couldn’t wash the sadness and worry away. What if Dean can’t figure it out? He thought.

They won’t provide the herbs; And you will become a cripple. A voice rang in his head. Useless like you always were.

Kael pushed the voice away, but it came back stronger.

“No!” He screamed, throwing his father’s journal across the room.

A shriek sounded. Kael looked near the contract circle and saw the rabbit glaring at him. “H-how are you…” he said trailing off as he processed what was happening.

The rabbit was writing on the ground. He was expanding the contract circle. Kael rubbed his eyes, unsure if he was imagining things or not. He made an effort to read the circle, but his sight was blocked by the bed. Grabbing on to the side of the bed he pulled himself to the edge. He almost fell, but he managed to place his hand on the floor for support. The speed at which the rabbit drew the circle was unreal. In two short breaths, it had added three layers to it.

Five layers, Kael thought, widening his eyes. This is not happening. I’m dreaming. I must be. A contract circle with five layers with runes so complex that it felt as if it was constructed by the Heavens themselves; yet, it was drawn by a rabbit. Anyone in their right minds would think it a dream. Since the creation of contract circles, there had only been four layered ones passed down.

The rabbit hopped towards him and carved a simple rune on his hand—half a circle with a line through its center at an angle. Kael winced at the slight pain, but if he moved his hand he would fall off the bed. The rabbit looked at him and a strange force suddenly pushed him back onto the bed. Then, the link stone on the ground flew into the palm of his hand.

The rabbit immediately went back to the center of the new circle and nodded towards Kael.

“Y-you want me to bind you?” he asked, confused.

It nodded again.

So many questions entered his mind, but they were ignored as a strange glow took over his hand. The energy within the stone was activating by itself; it only needed a slight push. Unconsciously, Kael controlled the qi in the stone—like his thousands of practice repetitions. This time, however, he was not making contact with the contract circle and the glow was red. Not blue.

A ribbon of energy broke out of the stone. It floated in the air—twisting unto itself—and lengthened. One end spiraled around his arm and shot into his ear. The other shot to the contract circle, passing through and lighting each symbol. Finally, it spiraled around the rabbit and entered its ear.

Pressure built inside Kael’s head. His vision turned blurry. He could feel something form inside his brain; it throbbed and crawled deep. Then everything stopped. His vision returned, the link stone turned to dust. After, the circle on the floor and the rune on his hand burned into mist—as if they never existed.

Strangely, nothing appeared to have changed with him or the rabbit. At least it seemed that way, until a deep voice sounded in his head.

“Boy, can you hear me?”