When I first possessed the body of Ethan Dale, I had always wondered what happened to Ethan's real soul.
With his fragmented memories inside my head and the occasional strong emotion I felt that overtook my own feelings, I believed his soul still resided inside this body.
And my theory was proven true.
I looked at the face of the man I had been transmigrated to for the last year. This version of him was different from the haggard face of him I had after a year of lacking sleep and guiding. His eyes were cold, enhancing the sharp look on his face, making him look intimidating.
I realized this was the original soul of Ethan, looking at me like I was some kind of bug or maybe… parasite.
[I'll take back what's mine. You never deserve anything to begin with.]
His tone was condescending, with almost no remorse over anything he said.
This was Ethan's real personality in the comic, a twisted bastard with a traumatic backstory. One that I could sympathize with but could never forgive.
His eyes carried intense rage and arrogance, which made a twinge of sadness surge inside my heart.
"You have been watching from inside this body haven't you?"
So why?
I tried as best as I could to live righteously for his sake, so why couldn't he see even the glimpse of happiness in the current life I built for him?
The bond of brotherhood with his brother, the friendship between his teammates and colleagues.
All of it were things I hoped to gift him when I returned this body to him. So why were his eyes still full of hatred?
"You're no longer alone, look at the people around you. These relationships will all be yours after I'm gone, so-"
[Who are you to take over my body and do as you please?!]
He grabbed my collar, raising his voice.
[I don't need your useless sympathy! Don't think you can judge what I need. You don't know anything about me!]
I shut my mouth. What he said was true, I had no rights to judge what's good or bad for him. I was just a stranger suddenly using his body with no right to control him.
But, even then…
"Then wake the fuck up! Your attitude will destroy both your close ones and yourself! You think I'll allow that to happen?! At least not on my watch!"
Even then, I believed in my principle in life, you reap what you sow. If Ethan kept pushing people away, he would eventually live a miserable life.
He's not unsociable, rather he's afraid people would betray him, that's why he lived in uncertainty and treated people like a one-time use object.
"If you can't accept others, at least accept Wilson, your only family. You know what sacrifices he made for us right? Don't do something stupid now and regret it later."
I believed everyone could heal from their trauma, it's just the time needed differed for each person. And to do that, you need help from the right person.
"I'll show you how powerful a bond can be. So watch and learn."
Giving him one last resolute gaze, I said, "I'll give you the first step you need."
He looked at me, skeptical and doubtful, but I could see a spark of hope in his eyes.
Our surroundings collapse, the black walls slowly crumbled as light seeped in. I chose to close my eyes and wait for my consciousness to come back. I believed Ethan would let me do so.
.
.
When I opened my eyes again, a blazing sun greeted me, almost burning my retina. The sand of the desert under my hand felt rough to the touch. I raised my body, which was a little bit dizzy, and looked at my other teammates. They were unconscious under the sun.
"They will get a heat stroke at this point."
I frowned as I questioned the bird for its decision to put us under mind control in a weather this hot.
[Who art thou?]
The majestic yet feminine voice once again echoed in my mind. I turned my head, locating the owner of that voice.
[No human is capable of hosting two consciousnesses at the same time. Yet, when I put you under my spell, two souls were resisting at the same time.]
"Well, thanks for your help, I got a chance to talk to my other half, heart to heart."
I dusted my clothes as I kept my gaze on it, then gestured behind me.
"Would you mind lifting the spell on my teammates? They will get sick burning under this sun."
I said it with urgency in my eyes. A chirping laughter entered my ear. The phoenix flapped its wings and landed in front of me. It walked around, circling me while assessing me.
[My trial is vitality, growth and virtue. Thou fulfilled the first category I set just by hosting two souls at the same time. Thou willingly assist in the growth and change of that soul and the ones around thee while keeping an upright attitude.]
It stopped in front of me. A red feather formed in the air, floating right in front of me.
[Therefore, thou pass this trial.]
I touched the feather, its surface smooth and soft. Once I felt it lightly with my hand, I gripped the feather tightly, feeling its nonexistent weight.
With this, a total of three towers had been tackled.
[I thought I had seen everything there is in this life of mine, who would have thought something mystical as thou could exist.]
The phoenix slowly walked away, opening its huge wing, and with a flap, it soared to the sky – a trail of fire burning from its wing. Even in the distance, its voice still rang clear.
[Leave now, bring thy comrades away.]
My vision wrapped in white soon after. I blinked and we were out in front of the tower again.
With the ominous aura gone, it was the end of our raid in the Ruby Tower.