Universal Heroes- Book 3

8~6

Alex
Apart from the pain I felt in my head right after I practically killed myself, something about me felt different. It wasn't the chains around my arms which shackled as I tried to fathom everything that happened, but when I touched my arm and my hand went through it, it became clear to me that I definitely wasn't alive anymore, my demon was now beyond my control and Nyeka had gotten her way after all. In a way I got what I wanted, but this didn't feel like the way I expected. Not that I knew by experience, but for one, I was supposed to wake up in hell. Instead I was sat silently in a void. One which was so quiet it was starting to drive me crazy even though I had been here for all of 2 minutes.

The first thing I tried was seeing how far these chains could stretch. I found it obvious that I wasn't the only one here, and whoever was here with me wanted me for something.

Sounds familiar, doesn't it?

I started walking ahead, pulling on the chains. I honestly expected it to go a couple feet, but it was like it never ended. The curiosity quickly got the best of my emptiness and boredom as I kept pulling until a light above me. Then, like some majestic scene in a movie, more lights lit up around me, allowing only one response to come from me.

"Woah.."

On a closer look I realised they were memories. My memories. It felt like like a punch to the gut and a hug at the same time. It felt like I was being taunted for throwing my life away but at the same time I did it for the betterment of everyone. I was weighted by guilt and pushing it onto everyone slowly because I didn't know what to do anymore, and now we were all free. Have to say though, this wasn't the way I wanted to go down.

It's beautiful, you say. I hear reverberating around me.

It scared me, causing me to move suddenly. I hit something solid to my right, making the only sound I heard apart from the voice, the chains and the faint sound of the memories surrounding me.

It was a glowing light purple crystal with a huge crack in it, almost like it was going to break. Around the top, there was black smoke escaping, which blended into the surroundings. As I followed the trace, I met the red eyes of something else in the shadows. I put two and two together and assumed this was who spoke to me earlier.

"Who are you?" I asked, getting closer.

You don't recognise me?

It stepped into vision, revealing what would've looked like a monster in my imagination. Unlike what Moon said, it wasn't like looking into a mirror - instead it was like looking into the eyes of death itself, nothing more than a clump of black smoke, shaped like a wolf-dragon hybrid, with red eyes. Most of all I took note of the variety of cuts all over its body, blood seeping out of some of them. Judging by the huge scar across the neck and the bruise on the head I realised I was standing face to face with my demon.

"So you did this to me of course." I said, holding up my wrists to show the chains.

I didn't make them. I just put them to use.

"I'm not falling for your mind games. I'm done with your shit."

It laughed sinisterly in my face before speaking again.

What are chains for? Aren't they usually used to keep something from escaping? And I say something because to go as far as the shit you used to keep me away from life I wouldn't call anyone in that position a person.

"I didn't keep you away from-"

Goddamnit you still don't get it. You kept me in this prison. Neglecting me and abusing me. All because you just wanted me out of the picture. You are no less of a fucking degenerate than Nyeka is.

That last comment felt like a slap in the face. All I wanted was to protect myself and others. The more I thought of it, the less I felt like I owed the bitch who ruined my life.

"Did you ever think of the reason I wanted you out of the picture? Ever since I discovered you it's been endless stress. You made me hurt my friends and submit to the will of other people, who I may say that if I was in the right state of mind I would've left before shit got worse. I spent countless nights crying until the pain turned to nothing but numbness. I hurt myself because of the guilt you made me feel for the actions you made me do. Even up to this moment I know you're working on ways to make my life hell because for some reason you fucking hate me!"

Well maybe if you gave me a chance to prove otherwise.. You humans are all the fucking same. And I'm glad Nyeka came through and helped me to get here.

The demon slid behind me and showed me what it was doing right as we speak. I felt like crying all over again. How did I let it come to this? Why was this demon so obsessed with hurting me? That was the problem with being a hybrid. You think all your problems are solved one way and you're invited to a party of more. Right then I wanted everything to end. I didn't want to exist anymore. And I think the demon saw right through me.

I felt something stab into my back and bit my lip to keep me from shouting in pain. If I acted numb to it all, I wouldn't have to feel the pain.

The demon saw more than what I thought initially though because it then sat beside me, just behind the crystal. There was blood spewing out its back, but it was focused on me.

We feel the same pain. It started. But this is ultimately my fault. I just wanted what to know what free life was. Instead I just pushed the pain of my past onto you.

I sighed at the similarity between us. "I've done the same. Letting my emotions get the best of me, but my friends won't say that I'm bringing them down because they are my friends."

Or maybe you're just not.

"Trust me, Elijah said it straight to me."

Because he was stressed. It was in the moment. Yea he got deep but he regretted it. And you overthink and let the past haunt you. It creates a feeling of isolation and furthers your anxiety. Something I learned was that you have to leave some things be. And I think it's time for you to do the same.

"Maybe it was because I was scared of you hurting me again that I never gave you the proper chance to help me."

If I could get you your life back I would.

"And if I actually got to live again I wouldn't mind you helping me better myself."

It felt good fixing something in my life, even if I never got to live it again. However, that happy feeling only lasted a few seconds. The demon disintegrated before me and I stupidly tried catching it before it was nothing but part of the darkness. I wondered if this was all a weird dream and I hadn't fixed everything after all as the memories around me flickered before disappearing as well. The crystal fell over before crashing into pieces, leaving me sitting in darkness once again. I didn't know what to think or feel.

Then I couldn't think of feel at all.