Catharsis II: An Army of Words (AUDITIONS)

Applicant #65: The Clash Within

Pitch black and claustrophobic... That's how you could describe the place where I was. Darkness enveloped the place as if it sucked the light out and amidst the silence were two voices arguing.

"Do you really think you can conquer everything?" said a deep proud voice "Such a fool! Nobody can vanquish me. I control almost everything!"

Then, I heard the sound of a sword cutting through a flesh and although I couldn't see what's happening, the pain hit me.

"Stop in the name of the conqueror in front you!" shouted a soft, soothing voice that's obviously in pain. "Yes, it's true you control everything but don't you forget that your power doesn't work on me."

Another clashing of swords was heard and there were angry groans coming from all over the place. It was chaotic... totally destructive.

"What's so good in you? You trick people into your murderous trap."

"I admit that, but how about you? What good can you bring with your selfish judgements and decisions? Your ego always brings my disciple into great distress even I can't embrace."

"So, you've admitted it." I heard the deep voice chuckled. "I have defeated you before."

The soft voice tsked and I could hear him swoop his sword as he muttered, "That's just a rare luck of yours. Everyone knows that it's me who always successfully finish the fight."

"You, brainless thing---"

"You heartless thing---"

Then, I heard the swords clashing and armors clicking and alongside were their shouts that blended together ranging from soft to deep, low to high.

"You're the cause of everyone's destruction!"

"Don't talk as if you don't contribute with their downfall."

The arguments continued; the shouts became more intense. The sounds of their swords and armors soon irritated me and I found myself in the state of total confusion. That place became more claustrophobic as I found it hard to breathe. I badly wanted to leave.

"Don't allure her!"

"Stop confusing her!"

And when I couldn't take it anymore, I closed my eyes and shouted to the top of my lungs, "STOP IT! JUST STOP!"

I slowly opened my eyes as I found myself in an entirely different place. I'm on a café... on a table with my ex-boyfriend.

"Give me one more chance." He said as he held my hand and looked sincerely straight through my eyes.

I could feel my heart beating fast, softly and soothingly telling me to accept him.

But I could feel my mind pounding hard, harshly telling me not to be a fool again.

My body's in a war I couldn't stop.

I stared at him and, although I was breaking, I managed to say, "Game over. No more chances. Let's end it here."

And by that, the war inside me stopped. Mind has won over heart this time.

Great wars in human history happen every day. And they occur in the deepest, darkest, and suffocating place within us... a war between mind and heart.