Death, Devotion, Dissonance

Chapter 187 - The Ritual

When Evin emerged from Kena's room, Ssatsko greeted him, then asked what happened. Evin replied it was a private matter, and also mentioned that Evin might stay with Kena for some time. 

Ssatsko seemed curious about Evin's conversation with the former Aspect, but there was no way Evin was going to talk about Endra's origins. Ssatsko then said that Lora and Theor preferred to stay among humans or ivari. Evin nodded and promised he'll talk to Lord Kena. 

They parted, and Evin's mind became preoccupied with the impending separation with Endra. Despite knowing it was the right thing to do, there was still a dark cloud looming in Evin's heart. 

<Are you okay?> Endra asked. 

<Yeah, I'm fine… But are you sure we should be doing this?>

<Yes… Evin, you know I love you, but I can't settle with being the voice inside your head. I just can't. It's not that I don't approve of your life, it's just… Even if it's a longshot, I have to do this.>

<I get it…>

Is this just how farewells worked? Evin certainly didn't feel this way when he left his father. He missed him sometimes, but mostly, he was too busy with his new life to think about his past life. But even after his father died, Evin didn't feel much. There was no longing, no sadness, only his cold acceptance.

Evin always wondered if he simply was a heartless person because of it. 

'Guess that was wrong at least, considering how I'm acting now…'

He really didn't know when he became so attached to Endra. At this point, it was difficult for him to think that he used to call Endra 'the Voice' and referred to him as 'it'. 

'Shit… maybe there is a reason he wants to be rid of me so desperately,' Evin smiled.

In all honesty, Evin and Endra's relationship still wasn't anything perfect. They still argued, they still kept secrets from each other, and probably, both of them still wanted to control the other. But they both did not wish to confront each other to talk about these disagreements. 

One of the most important things that Evin learned from Endra was to have conversations. If both sides are willing to listen to each other, an honest conversation could save so much trouble. 

'But it's not so easy to just… talk about things, huh.' 

Evin shook his head and started loitering around the room.

'I really don't want to go through this…' he sighed. 'It all feels wrong.'

Endra having his memories scoured in hopes that he'll be able to meet another Aspect capable of fixing the mess that was two souls existing in one body. If it was anyone other than a former Aspect speaking of this, Evin would've immediately called it a scam. But Lord Kena really was an Aspect. Who else would know of all these things and possess such a large variety of magical and otherworldly items? And his claim that he could possibly have a way to help Endra isn't so unbelievable due to the Soul Tree.

And since this Lady Twelve Jokes was supposedly the one mastered the Soul Tree, surely, she would be able to help Endra separate into two bodies. 

'But… Lord Kena didn't really say she mastered the Soul Tree, right?' Evin thought. 'She only said he got the Soul Tree from her and that she might be able to help Endra out.'

'In that case… Wouldn't it be weird if she too was unable to help Endra separate?' 

After all, the two were both Aspects. Sure, one of them is a former aspect while the other's an active one, their abilities shouldn't be so different, right? 

'So if Lord Kena can't help Endra, there's a chance that Lady Twelve Jokes might not able to too.'

Evin suddenly found another possibility. 

'Wait… If that's the case… how are we going to separate, anyway?' Evin pondered. 'Well, we'll deal with it when it happens. Maybe we can go ask the Empress next, ha-ha-ha.'

Interrupting Evin's thoughts, the door to the room opened and Sorn appeared. 

"Lord Kena is calling for you."

<Let's get this thing over with.>

Evin nodded and walked back into the former Aspect's messy room. Surprisingly, some of the mess was cleaned and a smaller, human-sized couch was brought into it. Kena was sitting in his own couch, hand glowing blue. The Soul Tree was standing next to him, shining brighter than before, though one of its branches was cut off and was left inside a bowl on a table. It was leaking some fluid into it, and Evin also noticed a brush next to it.

"Lie down on the couch, get yourself comfortable, and touch the tree again," Kena said, his staticky voice sounding excited. "I'll have to grab hold of your soul and draw something on it, so apologies for that."

"Alright," Endra said. "Also, our family said that they'll go under Lady Kal's protection."

"Ah, yes, I've heard. I contacted her already and she agreed. Said she'll have her personal Cosmic transport them to Koidot city. I don't know how exactly she's going to arrange their living quarters and livelihoods, but I'm sure she'll handle things to their satisfaction."

"Thank you," Evin said.

"It's a small matter for me. Also, I've contacted Lady Twelve Jokes regarding your situation."

"And?"

"She said she was expecting you to approach her."

"She was expecting me?"

"Yes. As the Aspect of Time, she sees glimpses of the future sometimes. Perhaps you've appeared in one of her visions?"

"Is that how it works?"

"That is how it works," Kena nodded. "She's waiting for you in the Ashen Battlefield. It's an old battle turned to ketricite. You'll find it if you walk for two hours westward. Once inside the battlefield, you'll need to do a little wandering around, until you see a blue-green tree like this one here."

"I… It's hard to believe you're helping me out so much."

"Why would it be? We old timers should help the young ones. And like I said, it's a small matter for me."

"Alright. I'll gladly accept your help," Endra said. "I'm comfortable enough. Should I touch the tree?"

"Anytime you want. Though be careful, after I draw the rune on your soul, your strongest memories will replay in your head, similarly to a flashback. For most, these tend to be traumatic experiences, so I shall refrain from peering into your memories for the first half hour. After that, your soul should become used to the spell's effects and you'll be able to relive the rest of your life in a more leisurely manner."

"Hmm," Endra murmured. "Alright."

"As for the boy… Well, I'm not certain what will happen to him, but I'll be here to make sure nothing goes haywire."

"Thank you."

Without further delay, Endra reached for the tree and once again, had his soul pushed out. Evin experienced the same thing, but like before, his soul immediately jumped back into his body. 

The weakness hit him again, but Evin could still see what was happening above him. Holding Endra's body gently in his hands, Lord Kena was drawing something on Endra's forehead. Evin noticed that the Cobfolk's other pair of arms were drawing the same symbol on his own hands. The paint was the liquid oozing from the cut off Soul Tree's branch. 

Lord Kena finished his drawing and put Endra's soul back into Evin's body. 

Nothing happened to Evin before this point, but immediately after he became whole, Evin found himself in the body of a young boy.