Eternal Promise: Fragments Of Us

SHELDON/SIDAPA

[WHAT is this? These fires are very familiar,] I thought as I stared at the flames that tried but failed to burn me alive. It didn’t, however, leave me unscathed.

“Sidapa!” exclaimed a familiar voice. The fortune teller appeared in front of me when I looked up to see who it was.

“Who is that pathetic fortune teller? No. “You’re not the fortune teller,” I told myself, and when I realized who he was, he grinned maniacally. “Agui?!” I exclaimed, perplexed.

It was the fortune teller’s body that appeared just now, but his voice and mannerisms were unmistakably similar to Agui’s. I’ll never forget his arrogant demeanor. He was a particularly vexing God.

The fortune teller (Agui) jumped to his feet and boasted the moment he spoke to me. “Behold my grand presence, you arrogant God of Death!” he exclaimed, pointing at me. “I dare you to a fight!”

“Because I hadn’t felt your presence before, I didn’t think much of that guy. If only I had known, I would have killed you back then,” I admitted. My face was smeared with malice.

Agui then struck a confident pose. “Well, thanks to this guy’s hesitancy, I wasn’t able to completely take over his body. And, Sidapa, admit it. Are we not similar?”

His words made me frown. “What exactly do you mean?”Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“Humans born with the ability to see things that others cannot are likely to be the ones who can communicate with their own “second” conscience. Isn’t that correct? And when I say second, I’m referring to us. This enables them to lead two lives. When we reincarnate, the body we inhabit forgets who they are once we awaken. Our new bodies have similar abilities in my case and yours. My host was born blind, but he can see the true form of a supernatural being. Remember how he could see your dark side? Your human can see into people’s pasts,” he revealed. “At a certain age, his sixth sense was activated, and he was exposed to your flood of memories. Since then, you’ve been able to live with both “Sheldon” and “Sidapa”,” he added.

“And here I thought you were a complete idiot, Agui,” I retorted. But everything he said was true.

Agui laughed at me. He was clearly pleased with himself for thinking he said something so cool back there. “Please understand, Sidapa. I’m here to tell you to put an end to this nonsense right now.” His silly demeanor abruptly vanished.

“I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I need to kill Libulan,” I said before turning away.

“For what?! Because you didn’t take him all for yourself?! What nonsense!” Agui yelled. “You gave up everything to accomplish what no God has ever done before! You defied Kaptan and the entire Heavens, betrayed everyone, and murdered thousands of innocent people, including those who adored you, all for the sake of saving your and Libulan’s lives! Why would you waste all of your efforts?! Aren’t you a little self-centered? It was Libulan, not you, who bore the brunt of the consequences of your actions! So stop acting as if you’ve lost when you haven’t even begun to fight! Sidapa, you’re a moron!”

In rage, I clenched my fists and gritted my teeth. “You’ll never understand what I’ve been through, you jerk Agui!” I stood up for myself. “You were constantly surrounded by people. I, on the other hand, have spent my entire life alone. I didn’t have anyone. The only living thing that kept me sane was the tree. I never desired anything to be mine! You’ll never know what it’s like to be me!” After releasing my suppressed emotions, I panted.

“Do you really want this? Do you think Libulan will accept it this time?” he inquired. He sounded more composed.

“What exactly do you mean?” I inquired of him. “Why are you acting as if you understand what I’m going through? You were the one who sold us out,” I retorted.

“It wasn’t my fault, okay?” He denied it. “Everyone heard the rumors. Minokawa, the damned firebird, witnessed your deed and informed Kaptan. When Libulan realized what was about to happen to you both, he surrendered himself and his divine powers to save your lives. Sidapa, he wanted you to live. But you went and wreaked havoc on the Heavens.”

“You should have informed me sooner!” I screamed at him.

“I tried! But you went on a rampage and became engulfed in your own insanity! Magwayen also told me everything that happened on this mountain. Did you truly believe that giving up your godhood was the right thing to do? I understand how much you loved Libulan, but he accepted your fates because he didn’t want you to become a true monster,” Agui explained. “Please save him,” Magwayen told me it was what Libulan said to her before his soul died. But Magwayen obviously failed.”

Then I felt a sharp pain in my chest. My thoughts were invaded by my overflowing emotions. My head pulsated, and the vibration spread throughout my body. From the inside, it was driving me insane. Agui noticed the sudden change in my behavior and stepped back.

(“Kill… Kill them all…”)

What is going on with me?! As I coiled in agony, I thought.

(“Murder them all!”)

What was that voice I was hearing? It sounded like it came from beneath the ground. It was full of venom and hatred. At the same time, it screamed and begged to be let go.

My eyes widened as I sensed a tremendous amount of energy emanating from the tree. I had completely forgotten about it!

“Agui, get everybody out of here!” In a panicked tone, I said to him.

“What?” he asked, perplexed.

“That thing will fuse with me! Go now!” I insisted.

“What is it? Are you referring to your dark version, Sidapa? Can’t you keep it under control?” he inquired.

“This isn’t the time for that!” I explained, but Agui was a stubborn God.

“What exactly is going on here, you big oaf?” he inquired impatiently.

“My dark version has 90% of my destructive power! It will go out of its way to kill anything and everything in its path! It was the unintended consequence of casting the forbidden spell! My white half cannot stand up to the darkness that my other half possesses. And it’s trying to resurface and take over my entire existence!” I came clean. Agui bolted as soon as he learned about it.

When Libulan regained his God form, all I wanted to do was hug him again. I’ve waited and endured another thousand years for this opportunity. I wanted “Leon” to see the real me every time he looked at me.

But I never got him to truly fall in love with me again, despite the fact that I had been looking for him for a long time.

My Libulan, I failed.

[to be continued]