SPELLBOUND

It was hard for Gavriel to accept what was going on, this whole truth, but as days went by, things slowly became better and clearer for him as he decided to come to terms with himself. The fact that his monster, named Gavrael, who was in fact, himself, was actually an extremely powerful creature and that knowledge made him feel oddly at ease. He could protect Evie with this tremendous power he possesses and that was all that matters to him. Gavrael was no different from him, as he was willing to do anything and everything for her, to save her, to love her. Their only difference was that Gavrael was much stronger, and immensely more powerful than him. Thus, enabling them to have that requirement to be able to protect their beloved Evie.

Gavriel could not deny that he was jealous as well. But he had long accepted the fact that what Evie needed the most at this moment was Gavrael, the stronger and far more powerful version of himself. And Gavriel had also accepted that Evie does not only belong to him. She also equally belongs to Gavrael too. If Gavrael did not turn back time and made those sacrifices, Evie would have been dead, and he would never have existed in the first place.

Moreover, Gavriel could not help but feel a little guilty as well. Because in those many years that Gavrael had been desperately trying to break free from his sufferings, he never lent him a hand. He instead suppressed him to keep him in his cage, making him continue that suffering from his punishment. Gavriel had wondered what would have happened if he had let Gavrael out even once back then.

But all those thoughts were of no consequence and much to too late to consider now. It was too late now to regret. Gavriel thought that all he could do now was to make up with him.

He had heard Gavrael's thoughts, his decision, that after he killed the main enemy, he was going to give this body back and then disappear for good. Somehow, this decision had somehow rubbed Gavriel the wrong way and sounded totally unacceptable. It did not sit well with him at all.

"It's too early for you to give up, don't you think? Gavrael? Is there really no other way other than you just disappearing like that?" Gavriel told him and Gavrael stilled before a disbelieving smile flashed across his face.

"You know everything?" He questioned hesitantly, narrowing his eyes at Gavriel.

"Yes. I've been hearing your thoughts since the moment I got trapped in here. I'm not sure how it is happening, but it gets transmitted to me here."

Gavrael's smile turned into a laugh, an almost sardonic one though. "So, you know everything that has been happening up till now, and yet you're telling me it's too early to give up? Are you actually telling me that you don't want me gone, huh? Gavriel?"

Their gazes became intense as a short silence pass by. "Evie will be sad if –"

"Oh, she won't." Gavrael cut him off somewhat flippantly. "Haven't you heard all my thoughts? You should know by now that Evie only wanted you to come back to her."

Gavriel could see his blue eyes being filled with jealousy as well as a hint of hurt and a long and deep sigh left his mouth. "You're wrong. Can't you see that to her, you and I are one? Be it in body, heart, mind, or soul?"

Those words made Gavrael's expression became dark. He shook his head as he shot back at Gavriel. "Shut up Gavriel. You could only hear my thoughts, not hers. You didn't see the look in her eyes those moments she was desperately trying to bring you back." His jaws clenched as he remembered her expectant eyes staring into his.

"I know Evie. You know her too." Gavriel calmly responded. "And you never asked her, Gavrael. Had you asked her, you would know –"

"Enough!" Gavrael's voice boomed in anger. "Why the hell are you even saying this now? I am pretty sure you're jealous of me too, right? Don't you dare deny it. You want me gone so you can have her for yourself."

"You're right. I'm jealous. There is no way in hell I am not. Even if Evie and the whole world tells us you and I are one and the same person, we both know we're not. To us, we're two souls inside a single body. Two souls that will never be one. And I guess, we will both get jealous of each other like a pair of fools. But…" Gavriel paused. "…believe it or not, I don't want you gone. You've suffered too much for her sake and until the end, you were even the one who saved her this time too…"

Gavriel's voice cracked a little as he said that. It was hard for him to admit but he knew Gavrael deserved her more than him. Without Gavrael, Evie might have… the thought made Gavriel clenched his fists tight. He had been thinking about this for a long time now while he was confined in this prison. He had decided that he would step back and give way in letting Gavrael stay on with her. He was not giving up on her, but Gavriel just had this feeling that Evie would do something about him and Gavrael's situation. Knowing Evie, she would definitely do something.

Gavriel did not quite know how to feel about this, but he had faith that everything will eventually work out well for them. He had faith in Evie and her love. That was why he was willing to be the one who will stay back in the darkness this time until that day finally comes. He told himself that he would not mind how long it takes. Gavrael had stayed in this darkness for many years, suffering alone. Therefore, it would not be fair for Gavrael to return here after another sacrifice.

"That's why…" Gavriel continued. "Go back to her, Gavrael. I believe the war is not over yet. She needs you more than ever right now."

Silence reigned between the two identical looking men for a long while. Until Gavrael laughed, throwing his head back as if he could not believe what was going on. He could only laugh. Then he stopped and shook his head before he stared at Gavriel again.

"You know what? I never once thought you would actually give way to me like this. I see you're such a rational and sound minded version of me. I could tell why Evie loves you so much…" a sharp breath escaped him, then his gaze became serious and incredibly sad. "I'm not as calm and rational as you… I am very selfish too. So, this kind of offer is something I could never decline but…" He paused again as his voice shook a little as he continued.. "It's too late… it's too late now."