As time moved ever close towards dawn, a strange mist began seeping into the village. In the light from the torches, it was reddish-purple. Strange noises could be heard within and now and then we could hear something hitting the barricades. Soon the entire village was swallowed by it, lending a strange unnatural hue to everything we looked at.

The noises grew louder the closer to dawn, or what should have been dawn, we got. By now, everyone was barricaded inside their homes. Wards placed at the time of the village’s founding were keeping the mist outside the houses. Strange noises could be heard outside, and we could hear things being smashed to pieces among the guttural noises and howls.

Arlaan and Rithe were tense. Arlaan even pulled out a sword from underneath his bed and was standing ready to strike at the first thing to enter the front door. Rithe was training a crossbow at the small fireplace for the same reason. Both Izrah and I were handed daggers. I didn’t have an inkling on how to use it, but it was better than nothing. Izrah, however, handled hers with practiced ease.

“You think whatever’s out there will try to enter?” Izrah’s voice was barely a whisper. “Considering the racket, it wouldn’t surprise me if they will start attacking the houses once they run out of other things to smash.” I didn’t want to admit it, but it was the reality of our situation and false hope would be worse than anything else right now.

Arlaan glanced over at me. “I have to agree. I just hope they lack the strength to break in or tax the wards more than they are. Though that seems like a fool’s hope.” He glanced over towards the door frame, where the runes carved around the doorway were glowing a bright, angry red. “The wards are already taxed to capacity. They were made as a deterrent to keep mischievous spirits and rodents out, not whatever that is. Any more strain and they’ll collapse.”

As he spoke, there was a sudden light from the outside. A blood-red hue shining through the windows. The wards shimmered and turned orange, as if reinforced. There was a tremor, and the distant sound of something splintering. Just then, Rithe screamed. She dropped the crossbow and clutched her head. What just happened?

I saw movement through the window, but was more focused on Rithe. Izrah rushed over. “Mom, what’s wrong?” I followed suit. Rithe was staring at the floor, while clutching her own head, mumbling over and over. “Window, in the windows, it’s in the windows.” Her expression was glassy and distant. As if all sanity were scoured from her mind in an instant.

Izrah moved to turn towards the window, but I blocked her sight. “I saw something move out there from the corner of my eye. If Rithe saw it too and actually looked, and it did that…” Izrah shuddered. “Don’t look at the windows, got it.” Arlaan hadn’t moved from his spot, but I could see his frustrated expression. “Izrah, let’s get her into the bedroom. The blinds in there will prevent her from seeing anything else, and she will probably be safer in bed anyhow.”

Izrah hesitated for a moment, then helped me gently coax poor Rithe to her feet and move her into the bedroom. She followed along with no resistance. She just kept mumbling to herself. After gently putting her to bed, we returned to the main room, and Izrah, without looking directly at the window, closed the blinds on it. "Better safe than sorry.” I walked over to the dropped crossbow and took up Rithe’s old spot. “Indeed, better safe than sorry.”

The cacophony outside continued to get louder as time seemed to slow to a crawl. However, the splintering sound was getting closer, and the sounds were changing. What in the world was going on outside? Then, there was the most frightening sound I heard all day. It was even worse than Rithe’s scream and subsequent state. A calm knocking on the door, as if guests were arriving.

I glanced over at Arlaan, who just shook his head. Seems like he thought the same thing I did. It wasn’t a neighbor who just knocked on the door. The knocking repeated, most insistent this time. I pointed the crossbow at the door, while Arlaan tightened the grip on his sword. The knocking became a violent hammering, and the door shook under the strain.

Another series of hellish noises could be heard outside, and the entire house shook as something slammed into the door, cracking it. Another slam and a twisted hand burst through the wood. It was scaled, and full of small spikes, and on the middle finger was an eyelid.

The eye opened, and a blast of energy missed me by an inch and burst into the fireplace, collapsing it in impact. Arlaan didn’t hesitate as he stabbed the thing. There was a guttural scream from the outside as the hand retracted and a big, bulbous yellow eye peered through the hole. At the sight of the thing, the world shattered for a moment. Where was I? Who was I? Who were these people? I felt a hand on my shoulder, shaking me. I turned around, I… I knew this person. Izrah?

I shook my head. Ugh, that was, unpleasant. What was that? Izrah looked at me with a weak smile. “Confusion, I think. I have some resistance, though it gives me a headache. Arlaan also seemed unfazed as he stabbed for the eye with his sword. The eye retreated and something massive slammed into the door, forcing its way in. Just looking at it was difficult. Whenever I did, it felt like my head was splitting apart. The wards returned to their brightly red glow, before blinking out. Whatever that thing was, it just overloaded them utterly with its mere presence.

Mist flooded into the door past the indescribable monstrosity and soon the entire room was covered in it. The headache got worse, and I wasn’t the only one feeling the effects if Izrah and Arlaan was anything to go by. I pulled the trigger on the crossbow, and the action nearly ripped it from my hands. I expected it to have some recoil, but not that much. The monstrosity didn’t even seem to care as the bolt buried itself into its putrid flesh. In fact, it made sounds that, in some twisted way, could be a laugh.

Arlaan charged it with his sword, landing a clean hit, but again it was useless. The wound closed almost as fast as it was inflicted. Arlaan earned a swipe with whip-like tendril in reprisal. It hit him on the chin and sent him flying clean across the room, where he collided with the wall, head first, with a sickening crack. Blood was left on the wall as he slid down to the floor. Given the twisted angle of his neck, there was no doubt he was dead.

Izrah screamed in horror and rage and charged the thing, only to freeze mid-movement, unable to move, frozen in place by some invisible force. I grabbed my dagger, but as I moved to attack, I too was frozen in place. The force moved me up beside Izrah.

There was a scream from inside the bedroom, followed by a horrible ripping noise. Rithe! The bedroom door burst open, and from the corner of my eye I could see another monstrosity enter the room. Fresh Blood was dripping off its malformed, hook-like right arm, and from its freakishly large teeth, I could see bits of skin and cloth. Oh god, did that thing eat her? I felt sick.

A pained scream from Izrah brought me back to the present. The abomination struck her with one of its tendrils. She was bruised, but otherwise fine. Was that thing… toying with us? As if to answer my question, another tendril hit me in the stomach. It knocked the air out of my lungs and hurt like hell, but it was clearly holding back. It was using us as punching bags.

Not only that, but it continued to toy with us for the better part of an hour. Striking at us, bruising us, even breaking a few bones, careful to not inflict internal damage. I was used to feeling pain from all the shitty jobs I did to make ends meet, so it focused on Izrah. It was as if it took a sick delight in watching her suffer, while my more muted reactions bored it.

I wish I could do something, ANYTHING to help her, but I was as helpless as she was. As if answering my desperate prayers, several of the abominations suddenly shuddered and popped out of existence. This was followed by angry growling and screams from others, as they writhed in pain. Or was it pain? Either way, something must’ve happened, somewhere.

The monstrosity that was playing with us gave me some attention for the first time in a while, as if taking the pain out on me. The strike hit me in the head, making everything spin, and everything went black. No, no, no, no, I couldn’t pass out now! If I did, who knew what might happen to Izrah.

Huh? Was I hearing things? A voice inside my head. Great, I was going insane now. I shouldn’t be surprised, considering what happened to Rithe earlier. The voice was low, barely a whisper.

Of course, I want to save her, you stupid voice. Save you? I am stuck in a telekinetic grip, being tortured, and I'm likely just hearing things as that last hit gave me a concussion. How would I be able to save you? This was a delusion. It couldn’t be anything else. And yet, with no other hope? I’d take a delusion any day. But, how did I “let her in”?

A searing pain in my head stopped further contemplation. As if on cue, my body began moving on its own, without my say-so. I was just a passenger looking out.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Host was in bad shape, but acceptable for my needs. The only one that met the criteria I required right now. A place to lie low after I somehow survived the destruction that miserable little god Rubolg wrought upon me. All I did was to do what he created me to do, and this was the thanks I received? Destruction, being treated as unimportant, as a hindrance?

This entire creation was flawed, only without life could everything be in perfect balance, and yet, he refused to see that. Well, I could still set things right. But for now… Huh, give it back? No, I think not. You agreed to give it up in return for the safety of your friend. Did you not understand what you agreed to? My only reply was a terrified whimper. Ugh, how annoying.

Well, you don’t need to worry, little Host of mine, I needed to keep my part of the pact, or I’d be ejected and fade away for sure. It was a small task to exert influence over the Void Spawn and make it drop us both. The thing was my loyal pet, my creation, after all. It dropped me and the human meat sack onto the ground. She was battered and bruised, three broken ribs and a mutilated right arm. Not a difficult fix at all, trivial, really, or should have been.

It took more work than I expected to heal her wounds. I was bleeding some of my last reserves to save a worthless sack of meat. A part of me wished I could kill her, but I knew I couldn’t. Once I no longer needed the pact, I could kill her, but until then, she would live, unharmed. That, of course, didn’t mean I would let her have free rein. She would need to remain close by and not inform anyone of the events that took place here.

I couldn’t do anything about the pain, though it would fade on its own. But it was the best I could do. As she looked up at me, she smiled for a moment, before her expression changed. “Who are you?” Hmm? How did she? “Who are you, and why do you look like Cassandra?” Oh, for the love of… I grabbed her by the neck and easily enhanced the host’s strength enough to lift her off the ground and to her feet. “What do you mean, who I am?”

The human grabbed my arm and tried to free herself. “Your eyes are all wrong. Her eyes are curious, and expressive pools of wonder. As if she has never seen a tree before in her life, as if she is in awe of the colors of the world itself. Yours are like glacial ice, cold and unmoving, callous and unfeeling. You’re not Cassandra, you’re just pretending to be.”

Such anger, such hatred. Humans were always such amusing little pawns, however her attitude wouldn’t do. “True, I am not Cassandra. She gave up her body to save your miserable little existence, though I don’t think she realized it when she agreed.”

You’re little more than an annoying background noise now, yet you dare to give ME demands? Again, I contemplated just killing the worthless shit, but no. I was not in any shape to do that. However, this host was still becoming a nuisance. And the meat bag was a liability, so I would need to fix both.

The second of the two was easy. The mist around the girl’s head twisted and changed as I exerted power over it, weaving it into a snare for her mind. Her struggles lessened, and her hateful gaze slowly shifted to one of confusion, then melted into adoration. “How may I serve, Mistress?”

Much better. So noisy. I really didn’t need this right now. Why couldn’t she just be a good host and just shut up? Before she could continue I dug deeper into her soul, snuffing out her consciousness and sending her spiraling into an artificial sleep.

Much better. Almost immediately, she began stirring from the slumber. Bah, this one was resistant to the void, just like that brat, Pearl. Then again, that made sense, since they were from the same place. So, how did stop her from waking up? As I thought about the issue, the mist started fading. Damn it, the aftereffects of the destruction of the Lord of the Void already exerted themselves on the island. If I didn’t act fast, my survival wouldn’t mean squat. Wait, maybe…

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The world lost its color and focus as I reached the end of the memories and returned to the present. For anyone else, it would seem as if I were lost in thoughts for a few moments, at most. Still, while I now knew how to permanently neutralize it as a threat, there was still the question of how to get it out of Cassandra’s soul. Dragging it out would destroy Cassandra’s soul, and she didn’t deserve that.

Destroying the parasite would be pointless if it found a new host and the seal couldn’t stop whatever it was. Hmm, guess diplomacy would be the best option. I crouched down, so I was at eye level with Cassandra and her passenger. “And what about you? I get why you’re doing all this. Vengeance is a powerful motivator, after all. But let’s say you succeeded, then what?”

The question took her by surprise, if her expression was anything to go by. “What I’d do after? That should be obvious, my purpose, of course. I would destroy all life and bring balance to this miserable creation!” The venom in her voice was obvious. She hated her purpose as much, if not more than she hated me and Grandfather.

Wait, maybe that was the key. If so, maybe, just maybe, I could get it to release Cassandra unharmed. “Your purpose, huh. You don’t seem too keen on it.” She spat in my face, and I wiped it away with little in the way of care. “Do you like being a goddess, little human girl from another world? You weren't happy about becoming one, that’s for sure.”

I shrugged. “My agreement and happiness about it doesn’t really matter. At the time it was required, and I don’t regret my choice. Sure it might not be what I wanted. But life isn’t about what you want, it’s about doing what you can with the hand you’re dealt.”

I could see her fight against the force that bound her. “At least you were dealt a hand. I wasn’t.” I was right. She hated her purpose more than anything else. “And what if you could?” She froze in place. “What do you mean?” I levitated her until she was standing properly. She still couldn’t move, but she wasn’t confined to the muddy ground either.

“As you said, you were created for a singular purpose, one you interpreted in a way that your creator, my Grandfather, didn’t agree with. However, it’s obvious you are more than a mere portfolio, Balance. Maybe it’s because you were connected to the Void upon its creation, maybe a freak accident.

Maybe a subconscious act by Grandfather himself when he made you, who knows. What we know for certain is, you gained sentience, you became a being. One that even now, still obeys that singular directive.” Balance looked at me with a hateful, but confused expression. “I don’t see your point.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle. “Because I haven’t made it yet. My point is, what’s more important to you, revenge, or the freedom to choose? To actually, be dealt a hand, so to speak.” I glanced around. Aside from Minos, Keari and Erika, there was just confused looks all around. It figures I would wind up speaking English since Cassandra, and by extension, Balance knew the language.

Meanwhile, Balance seemed confused and intrigued by my words. “What do you mean, exactly?” I gestured to her and Izrah. “You have had a taste of it, haven’t you? Mortal life and the vices that come with it. You won’t be free to do everything you’d like. You’d be beholden to mortal laws. But you could choose how to go about your life, rather than heed a directive you can’t disobey. And when your time comes, you’d be judged on the mortal life alone, not your actions beforehand.”

I could see Balance’s doubt. It was written on Cassandra’s face. “Why should I trust you? You have nothing to gain by giving me this offer.” I Looked at her for a moment. Then, I scoffed. “Don’t I? You’ll stop hurting the people of this world. You will stop attempting to destroy the world, and you will free the soul you are using as a host. And this entire cycle, which has gone on three times now, will end, permanently. I’d say I would gain a lot.” She was hesitating.

She wanted to believe me, which proved me right. Her hatred towards me for the role in her downfall was less than her wish to be free. Time to put a nail in the coffin. “You know how to make pacts. Make one with me here and now. If I do not hold up to my end, you get me as a host.” By the shocked expressions of those who could understand, I didn’t need to read minds to figure out what was going on in their heads.

“You can’t be serious, Pearl. If something goes wrong…” I glanced over at Erika and arched an eyebrow. “There is one option available to us right now if we want to end this permanently. Making her become a mortal. The only difference is whether it is willingly or by force. Either way, she needs to be removed from the soul she is using as a host. If she’s not willing, then we have to remove her by force. I shouldn’t need to tell you the consequences of doing that.”

Erika went quiet for a moment, probably conferring with aunt Inlas. “Shit, I… I guess she doesn’t deserve that. That’s too cruel a fate. Fine, have it your way then, but if she tries anything funny…” I looked back at Balance. “Oh, there will be a contingency for her as well. If she tries anything…” I felt bad using aunt’s Diplomacy Portfolio to manipulate her into agreeing with my plan. But it didn’t feel right to destroy Cassandra because she was unlucky.

Balance scoffed at Erika’s words. “Mutual pact. If she tries something I get her as a host, I try something I get sealed, something like that?” I gave a curt nod and held out a hand. “We both know that the only way we both get what we want is doing it this way. So, which will it be?” She wasn’t completely happy about it. I wasn’t happy about it. Heck, no one present was happy about it. But it was the only way to end this without repeating it in the future. The question remained, would it choose to end things peacefully?