The Spirits of the Universe (PJO)

Chapter 63- Things Happen

So I told her.

I started from when I first met End and Order, and all of my adventures with them from that moment further. Before this moment, I'd thought that I'd have a lot to tell—after all, I'd gone through a lot with these guys.

But as I got further into my storytelling, I realized with a start that, even though End and Order had been in my head for more than half a year, I basically knew nothing about them.

Which made me feel even more foolish for trusting them with my life.

"So," Aridne started slowly after I was finished with my explanation. "Let's get this straight. About a half a year ago, two voices appeared in your head without any explanation. They both have different personalities, and can read your mind . . ."

"Yes," I confirmed, but then realized how it sounded. "They're real. They're not demons—I'm not going crazy."

"But they can take control of your body and make you do things," she reminded me. "People like that are usually found in insane asylums." But then she cracked a smile. "I'm just joking. That must be quite an experience."

I looked at her in surprise. "Wait. You believe me?"

"Either I trust you, or I believe that you're possessed by a demon. There's not much of a choice." Aridne smiled at me reassuringly to make sure I knew that she was just joking. "You wouldn't lie to me at such a moment. Besides, this explains a lot of your behavior—actually, most of it. Dealing with the siblings of Lady Chaos must be taking a toll on your mental state. So . . . how hard did you have to fight with them to tell me all of this?"

"End . . . isn't talking to me anymore," I said awkwardly. "Order is, but I don't know if I can trust him anymore." When Aridne gave me a confused look, I said, "Back when we were scouting the caravan, End wanted me to sacrifice our stealth to grab an item—her sword, apparently. When I didn't, she cut off all contact with me."

"Do you . . . want to mend your relationship?" 

I thought hard about that one. There was no mending anything—End had betrayed me, and that was that. We were on different sides. In fact, I should be happy that she'd gone radio silent—saved me the trouble of debating whether or not to trust her words.

But that wasn't exactly what I wanted. No, I wanted something . . . more selfish. A reason that, instead of isolating myself in my room at the temple, drove me into the noisiest place I could think of.     

"I want things to go back to normal," I decided. 

"Do they want things to go back to normal?"

Yes, Order said before I could say anything.

"Then your job is way easier," Aridne said when I nodded my head. "All you got to do is talk to them. Let them have a moment to justify their actions. After that, you can do whatever you wish with that information."

I was doubting her words, but there was no harm in trying. You hear that, O mighty siblings of Chaos? C'mon. Talk to me. 

What do you want to know? Order asked. 

Everything. And don't try to spin the story in your favor—trust me, if the truth comes out some other way, I'm not giving you guys a third chance. 

Order was quiet, as if mulling his options.  Surprisingly, it was End who responded. You want to know the truth?

Her voice was colder than ice—but given that she hadn't spoken to me for the last week, this was an improvement.

Yeah, I thought I made that clear, I snarked back.

Well, we lied to you. When we first met, we told you that we were ostracized out of our society because our sister, Chaos, wanted to be leader. That was all false.

End, Order warned. I think that's enough.

In my opinion, I didn't think that was enough. 

Fortunately, End seemed to agree with me. What do you suggest we do, Order? The boy's got us backed in a corner. 

There's always a second option . . .

. . . which is stupid. We can't do anything in these forms. The only choice we have is to be honest. You've seen where the opposite has led us.

Order was quiet. And then End started explaining.