My mind still couldn’t process the pain and torture they had put my body through. My screams and pleas still echoed in my ears. It was all a facade, all my strength, all my confidence, everything I believed in had gone down the drain. In the slightest brush with pain, I was ready to abandon all my ideologies just to live a miserly life.

I had failed her.

“What is the crime you committed?” A shrill voice came from behind.

I was startled, I thought I was alone, I collected myself and tried to sit, my bruised back hurt, and my body refused to get up.

“No need to do all this hard work boy, it’s your first day. Just a lil’ talk would help kill the boredom.”

I was dazed, I wanted to sleep, but whenever I tried to sleep, the pain intensified, it was a vicious cycle.

“I don’t think the boy is fine Beck.” Someone said from the cell in front.

A little middle-aged man limped towards me, he inspected me as if he was a doctor and I his patient.

“He is fine Midas, the boy is tired probably.”

Was I tired? I couldn’t differentiate between tiredness and pain, I just wanted to feel nothingness. Maybe talking with these people will ease my pain, it had been days since I had had an actual talk with someone.

“I am Aoyama Aoki,” I said, my throat was as dry as the Gobi desert.

“What have you done to end up here?” asked a third person.

“Nothing. I am innocent.”

“Well, that’s what everyone says, so on what charges are you here?”

I tried to recall the charges, a long time had passed, maybe eons since I had been charged, but it was just in the morning.

“For trespassing in the Noble Estate.”

“Damn, that’s a sad crime to commit,” Beck said shaking his head.

“What do you mean?” I asked, was he disappointed in me?

“Ignore him, he has been in here for the longest, why did you trespass?” Said the third voice.

“Mind your tongue Eze, I ain’t gone senile,” Beck replied.

Their voices sounded like lullabies, while I fought a losing battle to keep my eyes open.

I didn’t realize when sleep took over me, but the sleep wasn’t peaceful at all.

A deep laughter echoed, as I found myself in a cave.

A chained silhouette in front of me, the chains had caught rust.

The shadows began to give away, the chains shook as the silhouette took her shape.

“On the stroke of dusk, a new strength shall rejuvenate us. A new body and soul will carry our will. Our vengeance must commence with the first light of the sun.”

I didn’t reply, for some reason, though the figure had taken her face and voice, it failed to take her spirit. It felt like a mockery of her.

Yet, I felt compelled to do her bidding, my mind had gone distraught ever since I had stepped onto the island. What if it was really her? I had no choice but to heed her words.

I opened my eyes to the same darkness that had preceded my sleep, my cell-mates had decided to carry the talk without me, which was quite understandable, who would want to talk with a sleeping man?

They were talking with a fourth man, “It’s not wide enough, but I believe we can pay such a small price for freedom.” Beck said.

“I ain’t worried about my comfort, but what if the rocks fall on us?” Eze asked.

“It couldn’t.” Replied Beck in a hasty voice.

“It couldn’t or it shouldn’t?”

“Shhh… He is awake.” Beck put a finger on his lips, then slowly turned towards me like a wooden puppet.

I shifted away from his reach, but he put his hand upon my mouth.

“I heard you in the morning. Quite a weak mouth you have.”

I tried to pull his hand away from my mouth, but he had a strong grasp on it while my limbs were somewhat weak.

“If you utter anything about this affair boy, I will hack you into pieces.”

I nodded, he removed his hand and went back to his little corner in the cell.

The prison had died down, just as dawn was about to break.

***

Jorgon pondered while munching some bread, however, the flavor barely made any change in his mind, well anything happening around him bothered him.

‘The records. They feel wrong. They feel incomplete.’ He thought.

His eyes had lost focus after the realization had hit, he had stared into everyone’s eyes. Trying to find the last piece of hope, yet he had failed.

‘My abilities hadn’t failed me earlier.’ He activated his spirit technique yet again and searched for Aoyama Aoki’s mention in the pieces of paper in the entirety of the island.

There were again three compartments in a single cabinet.

Though he checked the empty compartment, he wasn’t hoping to find anything, well not inside anyway.

Jorgon pushed and pulled all sides of the compartment, and its bottom shifted. It revealed quite a recent letter.

Jorgon instantly recognized Harz’s handwriting and surprisingly it was addressed to Greg, both of them had been his colleagues as officers in the police, but a debacle caused them to resign. Well, that isn’t important now, he read the letter.

His spirit technique began to flicker, he had lost focus.

It all made sense to Jorgon, everything his investigation had led to, every possible suspicion he had, had been already confirmed by Harz in a simple letter.

Jorgon stared at the letter, it was one of the most important letters.

Yet its importance was detrimental, it would disturb Jorgon’s peaceful life, all he wanted was to live a simple life, and this letter would do the contrary.

Jorgon punched himself, “Why did I have to find the stupid letter? Why?”

The letter he had was just a replica of the original letter in Greg’s house. So destroying this would make no change, and this was what he wanted, create no change thus leaving no trace.

He tore the letter into a hundred pieces and threw them in a bin.

He finished the rest of the bread and went on to his home.

One more man was now aware about the secret of the island. It was just one more man, but at least it was one man more than before.

Jorgon had eaten his bread, yet he felt hungry, his gut felt weird. It didn’t ache, but it wasn’t fine either.

In the morning he had eyes on everyone while he tried to search for the truth, after finding the truth the world had eyes on him.

A truth that Jorgon had tried to destroy from his mind and world, yet there were infinite of those letters not only in Jorgon’s mind but also in his Spirit Cabinet.

How many people knew about this truth? Jorgon wondered as he rushed past the people.

‘Not many. Not Harz. Not Greg. Well, not now anyways.’ He thought.

‘But now I am no longer of the many, but I was happy to be part of the many. Fuck this.’

He hadn’t realized but his feet had led him to his home.

His heart was racing, he looked around to see if anyone was watching him.

There was none.

‘Why would be anyone watching me? No one knows that I know the truth. And no one will.’ He tried to unlock the door, but it was already open.

***

Aizong was feeding some rice to Zachary, seeing his master in such a pitiable state pained him, because it was his fault. The soul transfer had caused a rift between the master’s soul and body. He couldn’t feel anything, he was partially paralyzed. The worst thing was he wouldn’t be able to use his hands ever.

Aizong carried his master to the backyard, a bit of sunlight might help in fixing the connection between soul and body. Zachary looked at him with the eyes of contempt, ‘Why shouldn’t he? It is because of me, that he became useless. He had already been reduced to a laughingstock for the world, but now he would be forgotten. All his deeds either good or bad would be buried. All because of me.’ Aizong thought.

“Do you want some water?” Aizong asked.

Zachary didn’t respond, he couldn’t. He gave a look filled with despair, contempt, envy and so much more, but not love.

“I will get you some.” Aizong fetched a glass full of water.

The look hadn’t disappeared even after Zachary’s thirst had been quenched, his hunger satiated, yet he looked at Aizong with disdain.

Why shouldn’t he?

‘Because it isn’t Aizong’s fault.’ Zachary thought, there was a gap between his mind and body. He could feel what was happening to his body, which was nothing. But his body didn’t respond at all to his orders and requests.

He tried so much, to just give one look of confirmation, just one sentence, just one word, that I love you. You are perfect Aizong, was all he wanted to say.

But his voice was silence.

Even after being in front of Aizong, there were millions of kilometers between them.

Where a thousand words of appreciation wouldn’t be enough, Zachary couldn’t muster a single one.

And for the second time in his life, Zachary wanted to cry, and his body reciprocated.

Tears left Zachary’s eyes.

Not a single word left his body, however a single tear did.

Zachary for the first time hoped his tears were enough, that they could be understood.

But they couldn’t, Aizong hated himself even more. His master, his father was crying because of him, because he was incompetent, because he couldn’t get anything right, not even for once.

Aizong couldn’t hold himself any longer, he got closer to Zachary, and embraced him in a hug, “I am sorry father. I am sorry.” Aizong broke down, he began to cry.

“Please forgive me, Father, PLEASE. Please say something, anything. Even saying that you hate me is enough. But just say something.”

Zachary cried too, he felt so helpless, so useless. He screamed a thousand times, in a thousand different ways, but they were all the same- I love you.

However, they were all unworthy to reach Aizong’s ears. Zachary was unworthy to have Aizong.

Zachary could hate himself, but not Aizong, never Aizong.

Zachary was tired, why couldn’t he speak to his son? ‘Aizong believed it was his fault that I couldn’t move and talk and do other necessary stuff. But it isn’t, I started the fight, I tried to kill others, I tried to drown my weaknesses in alcohol, but was rather drowned in it myself.

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

I am sorry son.’ He thought.

Aizong wanted to kill himself, he had brought nothing but bad luck to his master. Well, there is not a single person Aizong had not brought bad luck to.

Aizong was a ill omen. That was why his parents had discarded him as soon as he was born, leaving him for the crows to feed upon, in the alleyway. Everyone ignored his cries, even the rats and crows, but not Zachary.

Zachary fought the world to keep the unwanted child and even make it the heir. Most thought that it was a political maneuver by Zachary, but Aizong knew the truth which the world wasn’t ready to believe.

Yes, Zachary had his flaws, but he cares. He cared when everyone didn’t. He cared for an abandoned newborn as a true parent would. He was his father. He was his mother.

He was his role model.

And now Aizong has crippled his role model. Now… Aizong has nearly destroyed his role model.

The closer he was to Zachary the more guilty he felt, it was as if his lungs were stuffed with rocks, he needed to think of something else.

But he didn’t want to leave Zachary alone. It just felt wrong. Aizong mustered enough strength to leave the embrace, as another tear left his eyes.

“Master, I need to get some groceries for tonight’s dinner, I will cook your favorite stew,” Aizong said in a hasty fashion, and in a similar way he left his home, stumbling and trembling on the way to the market, as pangs of guilt ate his soul away.

***

It was a warm day to die, I looked at my empty hand and then at the bustling world. I looked at a crying baby, and I looked at the remains of a dead man being carried away while people around him grieved.

I saw the rich men throwing away their wealth at the most futile thing in the world, while I remembered children starving in my village.

I saw life on my way to death.

I wanted to scream at anyone and everyone, I wanted to beat someone to death, and I wanted to lie down and just close my eyes.

I felt like a failure, a man who didn’t have a dream because he wasn’t able enough to even think of one. And when he finally found a purpose, he had forgotten that he was not able enough to achieve that dream.

That man was me.

I felt helpless, I wanted to kill myself, and maybe that’s why the thought of death seemed enticing to me. Perhaps I will find penance in my next life.

“No, I want you to in this life Aoyama. Don’t leave me alone.” She said.

I began to regret my train of thought, how could I even think of betraying her for the second time?

“I am sorry,” I whispered.

“Who are you talking to?” Azrael said from the front of the chariot.

“Just having the last of my prayers,” I replied.

“There is no god left to answer your prayers. Only the King.” I sensed a hint of sorrow from her tone. Nothing else.

The chariot pulled to a halt. Azrael asked me to get down, my body tried to resist but she dragged me down.

The King’s mansion was in a secluded area in the woods, with a river running in front of it.

The sound of running river water reminded me of my time in the village, yet there was something ominous, it was as if seeing something truly ancient come back to life.

The old plump face of Vongotski greeted me. No, it was the King, their eyes had a stark difference, one was a void while the other was white.

“So you are Aoyama.” The King asked putting his forwards to greet me. His smile, I had never seen a worse imitation of a smile before.

I noted his hands and moved past him, seeing his smile waver gave me just another sense of satisfaction.

Azrael was just there. Doing nothing, her head bowed to the King.

“You can go Azrael, I will handle the prisoner now.” The King told her in an offhand manner, without even giving her an eye. This man was just like Vongotski.

“As you wish my lord.” She said as she scurried off the compound.

I felt a chill run down my spine.

“You are not a famous person, are you Aoyama Aoki?”

I felt compelled to answer him, my mouth moved automatically, I felt as helpless as I had been when I had first met Vongotski, “No sir.” I replied.

“Good. Good. It explains your lack of record. Now, what were you doing in the Noble Estate?”

My mouth moved yet again, however I didn’t utter a single word.

“You don’t need to speak if you don’t want to.” She said.

The King’s expressions changed into bewilderment.

“Why don’t you answer me.”

“Stand for yourself, Aoyama.” She said.

I looked him in the eyes, but he couldn’t see me.

“You aren’t my King,” I said, my body felt lighter than before as if I was free from some invisible shackles.

The King put his palms on his face and shook his head.

“No. No. No. Not right. You are not right Aoyama. You know what, you are a nuisance. You will die.”

The king’s casual tone made me think of how many people he had killed because he found them annoying, and now I would be counted among them.

I regulated my breathing, and said, “Spirit Technique- Give and Take.”

“It’s of no use to refrain from death. It comes to all, and for you early.”

The rocks which I had always ignored began to float in the air, they weren’t there for decorations. Black bolts of lightning ran through each of them creating the worst noise I had ever heard.

The rocks shot at me like bullets piercing my body, to make it worse those rocks were coming from all directions, cutting and making holes in my body as if I was made of cloth.

I tried to catch some rocks from piercing my head but they cut past my palms, I screamed in agony. I couldn’t stop them, so my best bet was to dodge them.

However, as I had said they were everywhere, and they kept coming back.

I wish my body had similar energy to keep hitting the enemies.

At some point it was futile for the rocks to hit me, I had been wounded enough that within minutes I would die of blood loss.

For some fucking reason they kept coming, which solidified the King’s status as a sadist.

I closed my eyes, and her face came before my eyes, “I am sorry.” I said.

“You promised something, Aoyama.”

“I don’t think there’s a way out this time.”

“There’s always a way if you try hard enough.”

I was silent staring at her, was she real, there was still something off about her, maybe the island had messed up my brain.

She held up my chin, there was fierceness in her eyes, the same fierceness which had me fall for her.

“Do want to live Musoka?”

My eyes were open again, after images of her still lingering in the back of my mind.

I didn’t think of my actions, I just simply did them on impulse.

“Give and take,” I said, and a drop of blood on my fingertip sprung to life.

It shone like the stars did on the day they had hit me.

“Alex use Lethe. Now.” The King screamed.

The blood was gathering energy not from the world outside, but from me.

I could feel myself weakening, but it could be blamed upon my wounds too.

That drop of blood was something different, it was not only charged with my Spirit Technique but something more ancient, something more powerful.

I hadn’t even realized the barrage of rocks had stopped, while the King stared, I didn’t have enough energy left to decipher King’s looks.

I could feel something equally powerful charging behind my back, now it was a matter of timing.

Will I escape or will the Prince take his shot first?

Her face kept recurring back to me. I took a last look at myself.

For it will be a long time before I will see her with my eyes.

My limbs went limp, I sensed my organs failing one after the other. I couldn’t even remember the last thing I smelled or heard.

My eyes, I wanted them to go the last.

I was on the ground, my thoughts were fleeting.

I tried to move my hands, but they had stopped responding.

Curious! Wait, what had I just found curious?

I can’t remember.

The pain was easing.

I groaned the drop of blood had charged up, and I shot it.

Off it went, fleeing away from all danger, avoiding every obstacle.

Soon it disappeared from my eyes.

Zachary saw the world, while the world didn’t see him in return. That’s all Zachary could do. He heard a piercing shot on his right, a pull was coming from his very own body.

Zachary tried hard to move his body, but he couldn’t.

A drop of blood.

A drop of blood shot itself into Zachary, as he heard some archaic laughter around him.

It was eerily familiar for Zachary, but he couldn’t recognize it.

He saw a silhouette of a man shackled in chains, the man’s blood-red eyes regarded Zachary.

It was that man’s laughter, “Those two must be united only when, I am ready. Keep them apart.”

“What are you talking about?” Zachary shouted, but it was of no use, Zachary could feel his voice and his soul dissolving. It was merging with the Man’s body.

His laughter echoed, as the world shuddered.

Something grave felt missing.

But I couldn’t point it to what.

I heard the laughter of the King, “I thought you were going to annihilate me, I was worried for nothing. You are just a pesky little peasant. You aren’t even worth killing.”

A blinding light hit my eyes, my body went cold, and I was in the water.

I gasped for breath, but nothing happened.

Consciousness was hard to maintain, it was slipping.

My eyes closed. I saw my life rushing past my eyes, and going to some forgotten place.

I tried to reach out, but it was to no avail.

I had been defeated.

For I couldn’t remember, I had forgotten everything once again.

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Musoka- Japanese Word for Dreamer