Zafira Moonchild

The next morning, me, Kalea and all 4 remaining bandits are fully healed and well rested. They look eager to get a shot at me, clearly convinced that I’m a naive madwoman who has no idea who she’s dealing with. And more than happy to get payback for the last days.

John’s up first. After I bring Carnelia to the front and retreat back into my mind, Kalea releases his shackles and gives him a shove towards me. He turns around towards her, but the flaming energy cackling between Kalea’s fingers dissuades him. With a mocking grin, he focuses on me instead. He sneers, mocking me for being a stupid bitch, for even thinking of taking him on in fair unarmed combat. But he’ll gladly accept my ‘kindness’ and fuck me up good. His good mood disappears quickly, however, after we exchange a few blows. My vitality has grown significantly. And a blow that would have knocked me out in the past, doesn’t even phase the fury that stands in front of him now. Like a berserker, I trade blow for blow, not caring about defense or technique at all. When he finally succumbs, I howl in victory. Kalea nods at me with approval, as she shackles him up again.

I take a short rest to catch my breath, while Kalea heals my wounds. Next up is Andy, who looks a lot less certain of himself now that he has seen what I can do in a fair fight. He tries to take a more careful approach, but I steamroll over him, still pumped up from my last victory. This time, I don’t even need Kalea’s healing, a small rest is sufficient. I had agreed with Kalea beforehand that we’d stick to two fights for the first day. After which we would both recover before continuing. However, I feel amazing and crave to continue. Luckily, I manage to convince her that I’m good enough for the next fight. Other me tries to interfere, but I manage to hold her at bay. This is my fight, I will not be denied.

Brent is next, the leader of the group. This will be the hardest fight, but I want to save Jake for last. I want to see the fear in his eyes when he faces me. Knowing that I’ve already beaten someone stronger than him. I want to relish destroying him, like he did me. The fight is close, too close. We go down together, but I’m the only one that crawls back up. I scream, in delight, in anger, in ecstasy, in pain, in relief. I’ve done it, with my own hands, the strongest among them. I turn to Jake, but other me pushes a thought into our head. You can take him, but if you rest first, you’ll be able to savor the moment so much more. Rest now, and tomorrow, destroy him, slowly. I’m unwilling, but I can see the benefit of her proposal. So after telling Jake that I look forward to our bout tomorrow, I retreat back into her mind and let her take the reins again.

Kalea congratulates me on a victory well earned. And that evening, we celebrate. She treats me to a performance of some draconic victory songs. Which I assume would sound majestic coming from a dragon. But I wisely don’t point out that her unpracticed human vocal cords are probably not doing them justice. I try my hand at singing along with her, but my pronunciation is so horrible she just tells me to stop after a few attempts. Human vocal cords aren’t suited for this music, she tells me smugly. I swallow the obvious remark, and just ride the wave of good feelings with her into the night.

The next day, it’s finally time to get proper revenge on Jake. Ceding control to Carnelia’s emotions comes easier now. Yesterday I was aware of a few of the things I did while I retreated to the back of my mind. But now, I feel completely present, like I could take control back at any time. But I don’t, this is her time, her chance, her vengeance. Instead, I just watch, resolved not to interfere no matter what happens.

The fight with Jake doesn’t hold any surprises, he tries to run as soon as he’s unshackled. But I quickly tackled him to the ground. I drag the fight out, wearing him down slowly. The boogeyman of my dreams now fears me instead. Every time I smack him into the dirt, I can feel my heart lighten. Until finally, none of my fears for him remain. He gets up again, unsteady on his legs, barely able to lift his arms. This time, I slowly walk up to him, and hold his head almost gently. This is enough, I whisper. And with a hard twist, I break his neck.

I thank other me for having given me this chance. You have fulfilled our pact, as we agreed upon, my body is yours now. I retreat back into her mind, content to fade away in darkness forever. However, she stops me. You don’t need to go, she says, we don’t need to be either Carnelia or Zafira. We can be both, one person, who has lived two lifetimes. It’ll take time to fully integrate who we both were into one new entity. But if you are willing, I’d like to follow that path instead.

That’s impossible, I tell her. But she simply smiles and shares with me a memory of her old world. Of something called DID, and fusing personalities. Now we both know that it can be done, even without magic. The possibility scares and intrigues me at the same time. And I tell her that I will need more time to decide, as I forcefully withdraw myself back into the darkness.