As of recently, life for Aeneus was becoming routine.

Each day was a simple task. Though, this was only because their schedules didn't get in the way.

The task was keeping the memories at bay, so that the emotions that would follow could be controlled. And since those memories and emotions are Zabulus' only chance, even for a soul such as him, an entity that seeks to know and experience, these memories would give him the necessary information.

They were all given names, but he couldn't be bothered to recall or retain the information about the soul... the psyche and everything that was spiritual or metaphysical.

[3 days ago]

"Uh, Zabulus? Can I speak to you for a moment?"

He was working on a new and improved schedule, taking care of the few tasks involved, all at the same time.

"Oh, no, I'm not who you think I am. My name is Vetro, I've seen you around however, Anus...? Aeneus? That is your name, isn't it? You have my greetings and well wishes. May you have a wonderful day." Vetro smiled and chuckled heartily at this, his expression looking no less amused at the antics and sarcasm he displayed, he thought the wording funny and thus, it was simply fun to him. "Ahhh... my name isn't 'Anus'. So, anyways, the other 'Zabulus' talked to you?"

"You mean Guillerme? You really ought to... learn their names, you know. I get that your reputation has been ruined in the living world by Zabulus but, you don't have to obsess over that, alright?"

"Sorry sorry... and I'm not obsessed. Just want back at him."

"Who? Guillerme or Zabulus? Because you just called Guillerme the 'true' one, even if you meant in just this one world of ours." Vetro said. He was right.

"Fine... the true one is Zabulus... alright, there's a lot about the whole situation, though... Zabulus made this problem, and we are just living by it." He took a deep breath.

"Wow, slow down! There, that's much better. Now, I would love to put the blame on this 'Zabulus', but... you know, we... were the ones who killed him...?" He made a face of pure mockery, though he spoke with genuine sincerity, a sincere face that spoke without an ounce of spite towards his 'enemy', "...right, of course. Ah, well, still, what's done is done, hm? In fact, we may not be able to leave this place anyways, especially with these names and powers. So I just kind of live and try not to mess with him too much, then what happens, happens." Vetro just waved his hand dismissively at the 'conundrum' their souls had found themselves in. "Anyhow, let's just hope this goes well, Anus."

His attitude was like a whirlwind and then, he just stopped. Like a deer caught in the headlights, but not as surprised or confused as one would imagine. He just... stopped and started to talk to himself.

A million things happened all at once, not because of the sudden halt, but because... there wasn't an end to whatever had begun. The events happening to them weren't anything special, but because of all the forces driving his life now, Vetro was probably being affected in ways not even he could describe. The insanity in their world, it wasn't meant for the souls in that place.

Aeneus stood from where he had previously sat, feeling a sort of ceaseless feeling and sensation that pushed and prodded. Almost as if he were to burst open. It reminded him of the exact feeling that slithered its way into his body before, back in Narshes when he took control of the Dragon Guard. And the same feeling of when Zabulus usurped his soul.

Vetro came back with his energy renewed, eyes focused and set to work, grinning wide, albeit the work was as simply as making sure a memory doesn't spread beyond its natural boundary by using the power of their own Psyche; the Ephroebus, their will.

Just as work was about to begin, Vetro noticed his body changing into that of a muscular, tattoo-covered man with a beard and hair in a long black ponytail, his skin was light. He turned towards Aeneus and frowned, "Why did it become this appearance... do I look... Oh, goodness, it's you again."

"Hellooo old friend! So glad to see you didn't run away." Zabulus's tone held a little less sarcasm than usual. "Well," he put his hands together, "You can't!" Zabulus said as he laughed

Disgruntled and a little annoyed, Vetro didn't want to bother anymore with this and got right back to his work, knowing full well how important that was, since they were one in the same being. He understood, the faster and more effectively one works, the less of a chance that Zabulus will have the freedom to roam.

He closed his eyes tight. His face distorted, his left hand contorted to the right side of his face, "Arrggghhhh..." Vetro moaned, and tried his best. To keep a memory at bay, however, one must experience it. This one was unfamiliar to him.

Whos memory was it?

Zabulus? Aeneus? Idalia? Guillerme? Or himself?

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

Not that it mattered. To him, a memory is nothing but an experience. Something he had to be conscious of to protect their psyche. It's a distraction from their surroundings, a threat, a threat from another self of their own.

Time felt strange here. What was this?

A forest surrounded him, in all directions there was nothing but the noise of animals running, no... he ran, past their cries and through the dense brush, all he did was chase after, after something. The sun shone brightly in the distance.

'Do not stop!' A man who was suddenly ahead of him commanded.

'The Siege of Narshes shall be our glory!' Another yelled from the distance.

'Brothers, let's not waste any time. We have a king to kill'

Vetro screamed. But none cared to listen. He... screamed? Was it really him, who screamed?

"Ohhh...!" Vetro groaned in pain and let his mind go blank, before a shout reverberated and filled every fibre of his body. "You are not mine!"

It was not his. But, none cared to listen.

The forest, a mess of intermingled noises. The noises of nature, the sounds of birds and insects and critters and whatever. His thoughts were all a mess, not of his own. His vision blurred. "Damn you all." Vetro said softly under his breath, cursing under it. The noises of battle, the sounds of men and metal clashing against each other, the smell of blood, and the scent of iron. He remembered the pain in his skin, his face covered in a warm red liquid that stained him, his armour soaked and dripping.

Vetro's body screamed, "KILL THE INTERLOPERS!"

It hurt. His wounds hurt.

His injuries and bleeding skin burned with hot needles and stinging sensations throughout his body. His eyes saw, blurred images. Nothing distinct, nothing distinct. His body writhed and squirmed. It made him think. Think about what the fuck was going on.

"Make them stop!"

'The greatest danger lies in an enemy who possesses the strength of a dragon.' A voice spoke to him in that moment. Intimidating, and calm. Vetro let out a choked gasp and fell to the ground, coughing as he felt his lungs burst apart, his throat aching, the blood on the soil around him coagulating, mixing in with his saliva and bile.

'Dear human of Eskra... do you wish to become a part of my dragonkin? To serve as my champion?' He answered yes. The blood soaking his skin felt warm and sticky. Then a searing, tearing pain pierced his chest as he choked back a cry, letting himself get hit with a wall of bright, blinding red. He answered yes with a passion, without a thought nor hesitation. This event, even if it was nothing, meant everything to him.

'Then allow me to name you...' The voice of the goddess said. 'You, shall be my one nameless guard. You will forget you had a name till the day you die. But your fate shall never change, I shall grant you my protection, your destiny, will become this... to kill one who shall use the dragons blood, but whose spirit is far from the real essence of the mighty wyrm. However, this task won't be easy. Know you must, the enemy's identity cannot be known, but will come to a reveal. Yet, a true Dragonkin needs not knowledge, for they simply are.'

He spoke words that came out of his mouth as though they were being dictated by the world, no more, no less, "We are one... my goddess," the voice that spoke was no more. 'Vetro' laid there, breathing slowly, raggedly, a small stream of blood trickling out of his nostrils, his eyesight growing dim and fading with the edges blurring, his senses becoming numb.

As if a means to a method, the goddess granted him power on his final breath.

Vetro awoke.

Bolting up with a shudder and hissing breath, and looking around, as if something would approach.

This memory was his, Aeneus' memory.

The information flooded into him as a pipe was being drilled straight into his head, pain, indescribable pain and torture, it's so loud he can't hear, everything is moving so fast. His pain isn't for some reason as severe as his head is feeling, but he wants to throw up.

Torture, nothing but pure torment and suffering in the worst case scenario, Vetro could not process everything at once, not fully, even, since he kept the information flowing like the speed of a slow stream.

'This memory... this life... it's so horrible... AGH!' He groaned, holding his forehead and making his way across the grass, he ran, leaving a trail. Leaving a bloody trail behind. Vetro fell onto the ground, rolling and tumbling and sprawling onto the ground, gasping in panic, a near psychotic and murderous fury. He didn't know that he was back to the soul world, nor that he had only partially subdued the memory, but only for a moment.

Once he calmed down a bit, he focused on the scene, 'What the hell is this? I can't remember why... what is going on, there's nothing more to these emotions and feelings... they're not mine..."

But the memory had been unleashed. Now, for each and every soul, each of the five to go through the agony, the pain.

He thought about it deeply, if only for a short while, pondering how odd this would've been if that damned Zabulus was here with him.

Clap Clap!

His mood darkened even further than before, he glanced upwards at the skies above, the world seemed grey, bleak, lifeless.

Clap Clap! These relentless footsteps are bothering him greatly. "You sure did an abhorrent job back there, Vetro!" Zabulus taunted him and his efforts with such an apathetic tone that it irritated the man, who cursed under his breath at the comment.

Vetro clenched his hands to keep himself from yelling in frustration.

If this continues then...

Then, no, nothing is fine.

"Get away from me, I will deal with you and your mockery another time." He could not lose control yet, it would have meant instant failure.

"But, you know, I gotta thank you for this! If it wasn't for this memory then, we wouldn't have a proper meal today! Even I admit it! Hahaa... good job, Vetro," he shook Vetro's shoulder enthusiastically, even when the other was reluctant, his cheerful mood only lasted so long and quickly, it replaced itself with a tone of desperation. Vetro did not understand it or him, but it wasn't new for the latter anyways. "I need to get back to my body, no, your body." Vetro stepped back and furrowed his brows, glaring, ready to strike, "Zabulus... you don't understand my intentions, your stupidity and ignorance blinds you."

"Whaat intentions could you mean? Kill me?"

Vetro lowered his guard again. He got too heated up. But the lack of emotion on Zabulus' part did not falter, and only got more obvious, like he wasn't able to show it properly, which would make sense since his goal is to keep the emotions under control and not let it leak out. That, and he was merely a child at heart.

"Thaaat's how you're supposed to do it! Good job, now, I'll see you sometime soon, hopefully."

Then, his body changed, as quick and painful as it had done before.

"Pff, what? Your memory can't even handle you having a 'normal' body!" Aeneus giggled to himself. "Nice, ahaha." Mocking Vetro for his frail body whenever he's in control, Aeneus had his first laugh within this place.