Oh, it feels good to be back. Blood pumping, Savra in my grasp, and memories flooding into my mind. My journey through Langnet’s road has been strange, and for some reason I had a desire to be good? To do good? What a fool I was. I can see so clearly now. Everything goes blurry right as I let Savra go but… no, it makes sense now. I killed the fake Fa Fumerunner, the one who was sullying my name. I slaughtered a false idol and Savra fed so well on his blood. On its blood – for that thing was not Fa Fumerunner, it was a monster – a cruel imitation that would take away from our glorious image. From Savra and my glorious image and destiny. I can see so clearly. I can feel so beautifully – this is just right. The only strange thing is that my body does look different. I give Savra a few test swings and… this body feels rough. It feels rusty but beyond rusty – rusty would mean that I had not done something for a while and I needed to remind myself and my muscles what to do – no… no, it feels like I have never done these actions properly. I can stab and strike, but the movements are different. Distorted. Designed for a different blade – Savra, I swear, I would never look at another blade with you in my grasp. I would never betray your trust and form; why would I ever use a different blade? What could anything do that you cannot?

No, it goes beyond that. There is something majorly wrong with me. I can… I can see differently. My height is different. My hands are different – by Fael my eyes see differently. It looks like the world is constantly slightly blurred – not blurred, I can see every potential movement, every potential action – everyone is a blur of motion. As am I. A constant blur of motion. What am I? What have I become? Has the Watcher finally grasped my soul and turned me into a monster? No, this goes beyond that, I still look human. I still feel human, and I don’t have the desire to kill… well, that is a lie. I do have the desire to kill as per usual, especially with so many juicy targets around me. That will have to wait, firstly I need to get to a room and rest. I… Did I come from a tunnel? From the Tunnels of Tretriah, that does make sense. Did I go there to kill someone? That was the goal but it could never work for I would not be able to find my way back. No, I traveled for a reason… an important one but alas, I cannot remember. It does not matter anymore anyway. I have returned and after a rest, I will return to what I do best, guiding people and letting the world witness what true cruelty is. Last time I made some mistakes that led to me getting caught, but this time I know better. This time I am better.

“…and why do you wish to enter the plane of purity officially?”

There are two guards in front of me. They stare at me intensely – shit, I am caught. Anyone can and should be able to recognize me more or less instantly after my trial. I need to kill them quickly and escape – although they have not attacked me yet? Perhaps I can talk my way through this…

“Why hello there, my dear guards. You have been doing an excellent job today from what I have seen, I must say. Apologies, I was just daydreaming – the trip was quite long and I am exhausted.” One of the guards cocks their head, slightly annoyed it would seem. “Why am I here you ask?”

“Yes. Please explain, and quickly. You will start a queue at this rate.”

“I am here because… I was told to be here. I am on an… important mission of sorts.”

“An important mission of sorts? Do you have any paperwork on you? Anyone that we can talk to?”

Well, I knew this would happen. The plane of purity; a wonderful place where the guards are completely and utterly to the book or corrupt. They move in pairs so if someone is corrupt, there is a good chance a completely law-enforcing and abiding guard is with them. These guards… they are both a blur of walking away, attacking me, and all manner of different things. I can barely see them, barely hear exactly what they are saying but the truth does cut through. Oh Savra, I knew you would be there for me and cut this chaos down to size.

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“How about this, I need rest and you need a drink. Why not just let me through before your day is filled with crying children and annoyed families.”

“We cannot do that, sir.” Ah, neither seem to have gone for that bait.

“Well, I do have paperwork on me anyway, let me just get it out…” I reach into my pocket, feinting so I can strike – wait, there is something in my pocket. Paper. Huh. I hand it to the guards. They look over it and nod a few times, reading the message.

“Very well, Gan. Happy to see you have arrived safely, we will take you to your housing now.” The guards start leading me away. Gan, huh? What a strange name, although I have met a few Gans before. Gan… that was the name of the boy who got away. The one who managed to escape. The one I really should kill just to keep my scheme for revenge clean. Alas, it took quite a while for them to properly catch me, but he was there at every turn. There must be millions of Gan’s out there, I suppose it is not the worst name to have for now.

I follow the guards who quickly whisk me away to… well, we must be going to the barracks. How annoying, the barracks are not exactly where I am hoping to end up.

“So, whereabouts are we heading? The barracks?”

“No, Gan. We are taking you next door, so you can get ready to enter Langnets Road. That letter was slipped into your pocket by one of the captains, and you will be heading to Langnet’s road shortly. Please, we know it is unfair but you must-” Savra slithers her way through the guard's neck, severing their spine before the sentence can be finished. Blood flies in the air like confetti celebrating my glorious return. The other guard spins around and draws a sword. Foolishness, I can deal with that easily.

We stare at each other, fuck can they hurry up – A silver flash; I dive to the ground; the blade slams into the ground.

I jump to my feet; the guard runs.

I chase; the guard screams for help.

I go to throw Savra – no! Don’t throw me! Don’t let me go! I… I won’t, Savra. I cannot. But I cannot catch this person. It will just be for a moment –

NO.

Fine, you are my love and only. We shall run away for now and return later. I turn to the left and keep running, approaching a crowd after a few minutes. People walk, cooking only the purest of foods. By Fael, I barely think you could consider it cooking since nothing can sully the taste or create any impurity in the food and drink. I slow down and walk, letting myself get swept up in the bustling of life. Freedom, it tasted pure and beautiful, like a big glass of water after a long walk. This body, at least is fit. My heart is pounding but with quite a bit of control. All that running and I have only worked up a slight sweat. It is perfect, I have found a body that I can train and return to my old ways with. Gan is it? You have allowed me to find myself once more. I put Savra in a pocket – Do not let go of me, Fa Fumerunner. Okay, I won’t. It will look really weird and people will notice that I am not moving like everyone else, and with suspicion other guards will be pointed in my direction. Look, Savra, you are my one and only love. You are here to be my mistress and guide, my weapon and charm, but this is the stupidest thing imaginable. Why can I not let go for a few minutes? That is all it would take to find a new room.

It is for your own good.

For my own good? Since when have you ever cared? Since when have you ever been this open to me – no, I am sorry Savra, I have gone too far. I apologise, for where would I be without you? Your silence was a blessing, and your words are transformational. If you wish, I shall keep holding onto your magnificent form.

I feel warmth, Savra must appreciate that. I feel pain, that is not Savra. The crowd has parted and there is an army surrounding me. I have an arrow in my shoulder.

“DROP THE KNIFE, GAN!”

DO NOT DROP ME!

Arrows are loaded. Strings are tense. If I don’t act, I will die. I am sorry, Savra. For both our sakes, I must let go.

NO-

Metal clangs against the floor.

I scream.