"What is the reason to travel," a voice asked quietly, "if every path will always lead to the same outcome?"
"What?"
The white devil lifted its head.
A man stood before it, his face hidden beneath a white hood that fluttered slightly in a wind that did not seem to exist. They were positioned at the peak of an inverted mountain, its jagged stone rising upward toward an endless abyss below.
Darkness swallowed everything beneath them, a chasm so deep that even sound seemed hesitant to fall into it.
The white devil had only just opened its eyes, its long rest torn apart by the presence of the man.
"Who are you?" the devil asked, its voice echoing unnaturally against the stone.
"Every decision I've ever made has already been determined," the man replied. "There are no more choices left to me. My father gave me the name Ramon... yet even that is not constant."
He raised one hand.
Purple lightning surged violently into existence beside him, tearing through the air with a deafening crack. From within the storm, a massive black dragon manifested, its scales shimmering like obsidian glass. With a single motion, its enormous claw snapped shut around the white devil's body, lifting it effortlessly from the ground.
"I have found you," Ramon continued calmly. "Such a beautiful creature. The origin of my own vitality."
The dragon tightened its grip.
"And now," Ramon said as he stepped forward, "you have nothing more to do but enter my soul."
A contract appeared in his outstretched hand, its surface pulsing faintly with arcane runes.
For the first time in its existence, the white devil felt fear.
Before the contract could be pressed forward, the mountain trembled violently. Cracks spiderwebbed across the stone beneath their feet as the base of the inverted mountain began to collapse inward. Massive chunks of rock tore free and plummeted upward toward the peak, vanishing into the abyss beyond.
A colossal boulder struck the black dragon directly in the head, shattering scales and forcing it to loosen its grip.
The white devil slipped free.
Before Ramon could react, a giant pelican faded into existence above them, its wings spanning the sky itself. It swooped downward in silence, its beak opening impossibly wide.
The white devil let out a quiet, amused laugh as its form dissolved into white mist and vanished into the creature's mouth.
***
"White devil!"
"WHITE DEVIL!"
"Dammit!"
Cecilus kicked the dirt beneath his feet, sending dust scattering.
Is it sleeping or something?
I really needed to ask an important question...
The air in front of him shimmered, and the white devil appeared without warning.
"Where the hell were you?" Cecilus snapped.
"Can't one catch some rest from time to time?" the devil replied lazily. "What was so important that you couldn't wait?"
Cecilus squinted. "Are your eyes just really small and hidden on you, or are you actually eyeless?"
The devil frowned.
This fucking kid...
...But at least he woke me up from that dream.
The white devil vanished again.
"Aw, screw you!" Cecilus shouted. "I hope you die a painful and lonely death!"
All I did was ask a question, for God's sake!
He glanced back at the village far behind him. Smoke rose into the sky as he continued walking away without slowing.
Turning inward, Cecilus gazed into his soul world.
The weight of twenty new souls pressed against him, filling him with strength. The echoes of their final moments lingered faintly.
Xena was still recovering from her injuries.
Killing those villagers restocked my supply of food... he thought grimly. Sadly, they hurt Xena. I'll need to wait before I can travel on horseback.
It had been one month since his departure from the shoreline village—and the battle with Nerevrax.
I already have almost one hundred souls...
"I need one hundred and thirty-seven souls, right?" Cecilus asked aloud.
The devil's voice echoed inside his mind. That is correct. You have around forty remaining.
"It's such a weird number," Cecilus muttered. "Is there a reason for it?"
No answer came.
Despite his irritation, Cecilus fell silent. At the same time, he felt a familiar presence stir.
Xena had recovered.
From nothingness, the black horse galloped forward, its hooves never touching the ground until it stopped before him. It lowered its head.
Cecilus mounted without hesitation and rode onward, leaving the burning village behind.
***
Edric studied his reflection as the maids adjusted his dress shirt.
I honestly don't look that bad, he thought. Out of all the bodies I've lived in, this one ranks fairly high.
Once the maids stepped away, Edric moved to his bedroom window. Below, carriages filled the front yard, their polished frames catching the light.
Today was the day.
He would meet the man responsible for poisoning him—and reveal to everyone that he had been cured.
I'll fulfill this body's goals, Edric resolved. Then I'll sever the chains tying me to my past.
He stepped into the hallway just as Trey exited his own room.
"Good morning, Edric."
Trey smiled. This time, there was no avoidance in his eyes.
"Good morning, Sir Trey."
They walked together in silence until Trey finally spoke.
"How did you get that scar?"
Edric flinched.
Does he know?
No. I have an alibi.
"After being cured, I got overexcited," Edric replied evenly. "While walking for the first time in a year, I stumbled and fell onto a pot. I hit myself harder than I realized."
He raised a hand, brushing the edge of the scar.
"I wouldn't have thought that could cause such an injury," Trey said politely. "My condolences."
"Thank you."
The party was hosted by the Aurethien family.
Edric sifted through his memories.
Rhysek Aurethien. He poisoned me. I'm certain of it... but the reason is still hazy.
It made sense regardless. Edric had once been arranged to marry into the royal family through the late king's niece, Astraelle Ascension. After his poisoning and prolonged illness, the engagement had been quietly dissolved.
Soon after, Rhysek's father had begun marriage talks of his own between Rhysek and Astraelle.
It's still weird that he poisoned me this early in our lives. The marriage isn't set till we have all grown up...
I must confront him about it today... I've already gotten used to my magic type, and I've kept my original mana capacity. My current self has nothing to fear.
The travel time was short, only taking a few hours, but Edric's family was one of the last guests to arrive.
He entered beside his father, allowing Oriel and Trey to move ahead.
"Edric," William said quietly, "many will be surprised to see you recovered. That doesn't mean they wished you harm."
I wasn't worried until you said that, Edric thought.
They were escorted into the estate by two butlers. Paintings lined the walls, each more extravagant than the last.
Edric's gaze froze on one portrait.
A boy, slightly older than him, smiled gently. Brown hair tied neatly into a bun. A soft, almost holy expression.
Rhysek.
Anger surged through Edric.
That smile is wrong.
Music drifted through the main hall. Violinists played before long banquet tables. Trey and Oriel spoke with nobles in the distance, but Edric remained at his father's side.
Eyes followed him. Whispers spread.
An uncle approached William, feigning cheer.
"Brother! Your son has recovered!"
Edric saw fear in both men's eyes.
Why are they afraid?
Why are they so afraid?
A chill crawled up his spine.
Why am I afraid?
What am I forgetting?
A hand touched his shoulder.
"Well, hello, Edric," a voice said pleasantly. "Long time no see."
He turned.
Rhysek stood before him, smiling.
Staring at his face, Edric started to falter. The breaking point had been passed, and every missing memory slammed back into place.
Rhysek's magic type was poison.
Poison magic left signatures—imprints unique to their wielder.
William rushed forward as Edric collapsed, but froze when he saw Edric's face. The old wound had reopened, blood spilling freely down his cheek.
This... the memory that I was missing wasn't from Edric!
It's mine.
From when I was Celtis.
When I saw the poison that afflicted Edric I couldn't identify it, but when experiencing it for a split second while changing bodies, I felt the poison!
This poison was of the same source as the one that poisoned the me who inhabited Celtis' body.
This entire time... I lost the core memories I gained while inhabiting Celtis when I swapped bodies.
I'm weakening.
But this little bitch! Not only has he harmed me, but he was the reason that everything collapsed in my old life!
Edric staggered toward Rhysek.
"I know it was you," he whispered, close enough that only Rhysek could hear. "You poisoned Cecilus' family. You work for the council. And you poisoned me."
"You won't escape this."
Rhysek nearly choked.
"What?"
Edric said nothing more. He walked past him and sat at a distant table.
The bleeding stopped. The blood on his face faded as though it had never existed.
Edric smiled politely, ignoring the stares.
Both Edric and I have grown to hate this boy.
What a beautiful outcome.