SPELLBOUND

Then all of a sudden, something throbbed in his head. There was a painful twisting and tugging sensation at the back of his eyes, causing him to feel a little flustered.

He then began to see himself in this same spot where he was standing. It was like a holographic image of himself, running as a flashback. He saw 'himself' crumpled on the ground, all bloodied and breathless. What he assumed was his own blood was pooling on the floor as he coughed and spat out blood continuously. And there was faint bluish glow emanating from his body. It was clear to him that he seemed to be dying. It was then that he realized 'his' eyes were not the normal blue that was characteristic of him. When he looked closer, he noted that they were a cool slate grey. This man… this was Gavriel!

Then Gavrael began to hear his voice speaking. It was his own voice, but this Gavriel he was seeing in his head seemed to be talking not to himself but to someone else. Even though there was no one around him. Trembling as he knelt on the pool of blood and clenching his fist on his chest, his voice echoed. "Alright, I'm setting you free from your cage now. Take over this body… I know I can only rely to you now to protect Evie. I know you are dangerous and monstrous, but I know Evie will be safe with you. You are the one she needed the most right now." He said in a trembling voice, as he was having great difficulty and it was not because of his injuries but because of the emotional pain. Gavrael could sense that just by saying those words, pained him more than anything else.

"Just promise me you'd take care of her… yes, I know you would," Tears then fell from his eyes as he sank his sharp nails into his chest, all the while screaming, and blue flames burst forth from his chest and enveloped his body in a matter of seconds.

…

"Gav?" Evie called out when Gavrael just stood there as if he had turned into a statue. Her heartbeat was erratic. Looking at his glazed eyes, she was hoping that he is finally remembering something.

However, he soon looked away and swept his gaze around the empty dungeon. "Have you found what you're looking for?" he asked, his tone neutral and unaffected, causing Evie to go still. She tried her best to hide her disappointment as it was obvious to her that he did not seem to remember a thing as well down here.

"Well… yeah, you were right, everything's in ruins here now. Let's get on our way." She forced out a smile and reached out to hold his hand and led him to the stairs.

She took a few breaths, trying to cheer herself up again. She told herself it would not be that easy and she must be patient. Moreover, there was still the Forbidden Land. Maybe because their memories in this particular place was not of the pleasant sort, that was why his memories were not triggered. She must cheer up and keep her faith.

As she was cheering herself up, Gavrael was thinking about the things he just saw, as he was trying his best to act normally.

He did not remember Gavriel's memories, he realized at that moment… these were 'his' memories too! Was it because that was the moment of their transition?

Gavrael could only believe that it was indeed because of that. But what bugged him to his core was the words he had said. It appeared that Gavriel knew about his existence, but he thought he was being caged inside him. Furthermore, it seemed Gavriel knew that he could release him, set him free and take over his body. 'How did Gavriel know? Could it be that he had seen some of my memories while he I am trapped inside him?' Gavrael asked himself.

The way Gavriel had told him to take care of Evie also haunted him. It was obvious Gavriel did not want to let him take over, but apparently, he had no choice. It was also obvious to him that the decision Gavriel made pained him and hurt him very much. As if to him, that moment was also saying goodbye forever to Evie.

'Why? Was it because he knew that the two of us… our memories can't co-exist? Or was it because he knew that once I take over, he'd be gone forever?' the question made Gavrael's throat clenched.

He realized what was going on now.

Right now, Gavriel's memories were buried within him. And it will never return again unless he gives up just like what Gavriel had done and allowed him take over once again.

The realization made Gavrael's heart clenched in pain. Somehow, he understood now why he always felt this strange hurt every time he realized that Evie was making efforts to bring Gavriel's memories back. So, this was the reason why. His subconscious or his body already knew that if Gavriel's memories return, it would only mean that he'd disappear again as Gavrael.

He quietly looked at Evie's back. He knew how much she was working hard, doing everything she can to make him remember Gavriel's memories. She was doing all these so her Gavriel's memories could finally return. How would she react if she found out that his memories and Gavriel's can in no way co-exist with the other? The question made him smile bitterly as the pain in his chest intensified, knowing that she was doing all these all for the reason of wanting Gavriel back.

It was almost ridiculous for him to feel this way because to Evie, he and Gavriel was one and the same person. But to him and also to Gavriel, they both knew it was not as simple as that. They lived in a different time, they both lived different lives and even have different names. Therefore, to them both, they were not one and the same soul… to them, they were actually different people who could not co-exist with the other at the same time, in the same space… and only the two of them could understand that.

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