In the dark, cold room beneath the school, lit only by the glow of candles, Sara, Nadia, Alicia, and Natan circled around the ancient symbol drawn on the floor. At its center lay amulets made from roots, stones, and strands of their ancestors' hair. The air was thick with the scent of herbs and incense—a mixture of sacred plants with purifying and protective properties.
Sara held Maria's Book, quietly reading the verses."Remember," Nadia's mother spoke, her voice steady, "we must focus on the strength of our hearts and our shared faith. Every word, every gesture, must be filled with determination."
Alicia placed her amulets at the designated points on the symbol."This will work," she whispered, "but we must be ready for his attack. This ritual will draw his attention, and he may be very aggressive."
Natan nodded, squeezing Nadia's hand."We're ready to fight," he added, "and to save Leon, if he's still in there somewhere."
Nadia turned to the Book."It also mentions the 'reconnection of bonds,'" she said. "If we succeed, our link to the past and the power of our ancestors will allow us to banish the General forever."
As midnight struck, they all took their positions around the magical symbol. Sara began reciting the ancient formulas, while Nadia, Alicia, and Natan held hands, focusing all their energy on protection and unity. The air thickened, charged with a dense, electric aura.
Suddenly, the General appeared within Leon's body, shrouded in darkness and menace."You think you can defeat me?" His voice was destructive, full of contempt. "I am immortal!"
But in the hearts of the young heroes burned a fierce strength. The ritual amplified them, forming a protective shield and a blinding light that began to push the dark figure back.
"Leave Leon's body!" Nadia shouted, pouring all the power of her soul into her words.
The General roared, attempting to shatter the magical barrier, but his power began to wane.
The battle raged on, emotions reaching a fever pitch—every word, every gesture carried weight. Alicia cast spell after spell, Sara reinforced the ritual with prayer, and Natan positioned himself between the General and Nadia, ready to defend, even as fear clawed at him.
The magical aura pulsed stronger, the ritual gaining momentum. Sara's words, firm and decisive, bound the darkness, imprisoning the General in an invisible cage. Nadia felt the energy from her heart illuminating the shadows, tearing apart the demon that had possessed Leon's body.
The General roared, furious and weakened, struggling to break free, but the ritual's power was stronger than ever.
Alicia trembled as she maintained her connection to the spiritual realm—as a medium between worlds, she was the catalyst of their power. Her body shook, her face pale, eyes brimming with tears. She felt the demon wrenching itself from Leon, desperate for revenge.
"Hold on," she whispered painfully, "this is the last moment."
As she spoke the final words of the incantation, a powerful flash of light burst from her body. In an instant, the energy exploded, and the General's darkness began to dissolve like mist scattered by the wind.
Leon collapsed onto the floor, lifeless, his eyes closed. His body had regained calm, but his soul was still far from release.
Alicia sank to her knees, catching her breath—exhausted as if she had given the last part of herself. Her body was marked with bruises and scars, the spiritual battle leaving visible traces that would take time to heal.
Nadia rushed to her, gently holding her roommate's hand."You're strong, Alicia," she whispered. "Together, we'll make it through."
Natan knelt beside Leon, checking his breathing. It was clear that the battle had not ended in total victory, but the first step toward freedom had been taken.
Sara looked at them with hope, though sadness shimmered in her eyes."This is only the beginning," she said. "The General will not surrender easily. But we have the strength to fight on."
***
Alicia lay on the floor of the chamber, her body still trembling from the intensity of the ritual. Her breath was shallow and uneven, her eyes closed as if in a deep, exhausting sleep. Nadia and Sara knelt beside her, gently supporting her, trying to soothe the pain and fatigue etched on her face.
"Alicia, please, stay with us," Nadia whispered, holding her friend's hand tightly, feeling the trembling fingers attempt to return the grip.
Sara pressed a cool cloth to Alicia's forehead, bringing relief and calming her flushed skin. In her eyes shone a mixture of concern and admiration."You're not alone. Hold on a little longer," she said softly.
Natan brought a glass of water, helping Alicia take a few sips. Each breath became slightly easier, though it was clear the effects of the ritual would leave marks on the medium for a long time.
Nadia, her eyes full of worry, could not shake the sense of guilt, seeing how much Alicia had paid to free them from darkness."I promise we'll do everything to protect you," she said, her voice trembling.
Alicia slowly opened her eyes, their glow subdued, but she was with them. She offered a faint smile."Thank you… for being here…" she whispered.
Leon lay on the cold floor, slowly regaining consciousness. His breathing grew more even, his eyelids fluttering before finally opening, revealing eyes wide with disorientation. He looked at the friends surrounding him—Nadia, Alicia, and Natan—who waited for his awakening with a mixture of relief and concern.
Although Leon's body was free from the General's dark influence, a shadow lingered within him, an invisible presence not entirely destroyed. Like a shadow refusing to disappear, it waited for another chance to fill his soul.
Leon tried to move, feeling the weakness and pain that reminded him of all he had endured. His mind gradually regained equilibrium, yet the echo of the General's sinister words still resonated on the edge of his consciousness.
"I'm here," he whispered weakly, a mixture of relief and apprehension in his voice.
Nadia smiled gently, squeezing his hand, yet her eyes remained vigilant. They all knew that although the General had been temporarily banished, the fight against the darkness was far from over.
"This is only the beginning," Sara added quietly, standing close beside them.
Leon looked at Nadia's mother, determination slowly kindling in his gaze. He knew he had to regain his strength and protect those he cared about before the darkness found another way to return.
***
Leon slowly sat on the edge of the bed, speaking in a trembling voice, as if he were fighting to recall and express everything he had felt over the past days.
"It was like being trapped inside my own body…" he said, glancing at Nadia, Alicia, Natan, and Sara. "I felt like I was there, but I couldn't control anything. The General… he took over everything. Every movement, every thought. I just watched him act through my hands."
His gaze wandered around the room, stopping on Sara.
Nadia moved closer, taking his hand."I believe you," she whispered. "I know it wasn't your choice. You're with us now."
Leon nodded, though a shadow of exhaustion and pain still lingered in his eyes, for while his body had regained control, his spirit remained wounded by memories and the darkness that still waited somewhere.
He squeezed Nadia's hand as if only her touch could anchor him to reality. He took a deep breath, diving into the depths of his memories.
"I saw her," he said suddenly, turning to Nadia's mother, his voice trembling slightly. "Not just in dreams. In that life… Alan loved you. He loved you so deeply he gave everything he had. And then I watched him die—without knowing if it changed anything."
Sara looked away, her shoulders tense, jaw clenched. But she did not deny it. Slowly, she stepped closer, stopping in front of him."Yes, it was Alan," she said quietly. "The boy I knew, the one I loved. You… may carry something of him, but now you are someone entirely different. This… is too much, Leon. You are not that boy anymore. You must not cling to that life."
"But I remember." Leon looked into her eyes. "I remember how you laughed, how you trembled when he held you. And how you cried when Alan died."
Nadia watched them, feeling something inside her both break and mend at the same time—a tearing connection between what was and what is.
"I'm not just Alan from a past life," Leon added, as if hearing her thoughts. He looked at Nadia. "I am fully Leon. And it's you I care about. Even if everything in me still hurts."
Sara cupped his chin, gently but with the strength of a mother who sees the ghosts of the past in a child's eyes."He hurt you," she said. "The General entered your soul through the wound Alan left in your past life. You must not listen to him anymore, Leon. You must not give in. You are no longer his."
Leon nodded slowly, barely perceptibly."But he's still here," he whispered. "I feel him. Like a shadow behind me. Waiting. Searching for a new way in."
Alicia, quietly observing until now, added,"That's why we must act quickly. Maria's Book speaks of a ritual to trap a soul in an object. We need to prepare a trap. Otherwise, he will return… stronger."
Silence fell in the room. They all felt it: this was only a moment of respite. The next confrontation was coming.
***
Darkness. A cold, shapeless void, where every step Leon took echoed without sound. He didn't know if he was standing on something or floating in emptiness. The air was thick, almost tangible—like a memory refusing to leave.
Suddenly, he saw him.
Standing before him, the same boy he had seen in his dreams. The same eyes—deep, dark, contemplative. The same shadow over the soul. Alan. His past. His echo. His core.
"I knew you'd come here eventually," Alan said, not smiling. "You needed me."
Leon felt a tightness in his throat."Are you… me? Or just… a memory?"
"I am what survived in you," Alan replied. "The part that did not give in to the General. Your pain. Your strength. Your love."
Leon stepped closer."Why didn't you warn me? Why couldn't I do anything?"
Alan shook his head."Because when you're inside darkness, you cannot see the light. You were a prisoner, just like I once was. But now you are free. You only need to know one thing."
He approached him. Their faces bore a resemblance, but Alan's eyes were older, deeper, filled with experiences Leon had yet to live.
"He hasn't gone," he said. "He only retreated. He will try to return. Maybe through you. Maybe through someone you love. And you… will have to make a choice. Will you fight? Will you run? Will you do what I could not?"
Leon trembled."What… was that?"
"To stop him forever."
Alan placed his hand on Leon's chest—right over his heart."You are the weapon now. But remember—if you lose yourself, he wins again. Don't give him your anger. Or your fear. They feed him."
"And them?" Leon asked. "Nadia? Alicia? Natan? Sara?"
Alan finally smiled softly."They are worth the sacrifice. But not today."
Leon opened his mouth to ask more, but everything began to blur. The darkness trembled like the surface of water. Alan's voice reached him one last time—whispering, vibrating in his soul:
"Do what I could not. And love her… differently."
Leon awoke with a deep breath, sweating but calmer. The room was silent. He felt warmth—a hand on his. Nadia was beside him, asleep, her fingers intertwined with his.
He looked at her and whispered,"I am in love with you… and I will never let him hurt you. Never again."