Our discussion was interrupted by Il.

She came back, with For and Kon in tow.

-How is she doing?

Of course it was the first question that came to her mind.

-No change - we both replied in unison, accidentally spooking For and Kon.

-You didn’t tell them? - I asked out loud, seeing their reaction.

-No. I only said…

-She only said that something went wrong - replied For.

-What’s going on? What did I do?! - asked Kon, visibly worried.

I could see where his worries were coming from. After all, it was him who was directing the whole operation. I guess he was feeling guilty for anything going wrong. And since she didn’t say what’s up, no wonder he looked shaken. Especially while seeing Ilma just sitting there, unmoving.

-I think she is going to be fine - I assured him, and probably also myself. - She just didn’t wake up yet.

-So what’s the problem then? - asked For.

-See… just you know, there’s been a certain… development.

-That’s one way to put it… - the other me agreed with myself, and in the process confused the two of them even more.

-What are you…

-Are you talking… to yourself? - asked For, looking concerned. - Man, I didn’t think that mana deficiency would be so harmful to your head.

-That’s impossible! I mean… I even gave you every bit I have… And something like that still happened? - mumbled Kon, half to himself, half to me.

-You gave me mana?

He snapped out of it, realizing that I’ve heard what he said.

-Ah…! Yes. After I finished with the operation, I still had some of it left, and you were down, so I gave you what I had remaining… and even a bit more.

-Bit more?

-Er… remember, we had some remaining crystals from before…?

-The ones used for the generator…?

-Yes. That. I wanted to use them to regenerate your mana, but I guess even that was not enough, it crumbled almost instantly, so I gave you what remaining amounts I have. That should’ve prevented any side effects! And there weren’t supposed to be any!

-Wait, I was joking - interrupted him For. - You really have something wrong with your head? You kidding?

-Well…

-Like we were ever sane in the first place…

-Don’t put it like that… - I mumbled, but that only ensured their beliefs.

-Oh my… it’s true…

-We probably should explain before they think we are completely nuts.

-You definitely aren’t helping, talking like that out of the blue.

-Neither are you. And how do you propose I talk, huh? I don’t really have a working mouth, unless I take over that is.

-Take over? - asked For. - What’s going on?

-Ehh… listen. I know it’s going to sound insane, but Kon… you essentially managed to duplicate me.

I gave them a brief explanation of what we thought was happening, but it didn’t help much. They still looked like I was insane.

-Damn… it’s that bad…? I didn’t think that someone’s mind can be destroyed like that…

She clearly was thinking I was not in my right mind.

-Calm down, Mor - said carefully Kon. - I am sure we can fix this somehow. I can try again and…

-Guys, he is not… he is not joking - said calmly Il. - And he is not crazy. There’s really two of him.

-Oh no… did it hit her too?

-Fuck… I guess their bodies were mostly made out of that weird material, does that mean that your spell somehow interfered with that…? - wondered aloud For.

-I don’t think… maybe…? I guess regular flesh is easier to mend… and to not break… but I thought…

I was about to try and clear their misunderstanding, but this time I was stopped by Il.

-Okay, clearly they are not going to believe you - she said.

-Fucking great. What now?

-Can’t really blame them… - she continued. - This situation is pretty intense…

-Oh, ha ha. You somehow managed to understand me, though. Or do you also think that the other me is just my imagination, huh?

-I feel offended - I heard from my other self.

-Oh, you know it’s not like that. I believe you. Besides - she added - I had a rather convincing conversation with both of you separately. There’s no mistaking it, you both are too real.

-So how do you think we convince them? I mean… I do have an idea…

-You sure about that…? - asked the other me. - If that’s the same thing I am thinking about… Well, sure that might convince them… Or they will make them view us as monsters.

-Like that’d be new. And judging by that response, I think we are indeed are of one mind.

-Right… then there’s only one thing to do…

-Yeah.

-What are you planning? - asked Il.

-We are asking for your consent.

-Consent? What, you want to possess me or something? How would that help…? No. Don’t tell me… It’s not me who you want to possess…

-Bingo. I guess using two bodies at once might convince them.

-Not necessarily… didn’t you use that trick before?

-Yeah. But then I wasn’t able to use the other body.

-I know. But do they know?

-I mean… Kon should. He shared his senses with me once. So…

-I guess. So what are you waiting for?

-You really agree?

-It’s not like we have a better idea. And besides, it’s actually convenient. We won’t have to actually carry her. We should at least find some shelter. With you controlling her, it’s going to be easier.

-I guess… I am still worried - said the other me.

That you won’t be able to relinquish control?

-Yeah.

-If worse comes to worse I’ll just drain you out of her.

-I guess… Eh, fuck it.

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

It didn’t take much effort for him to take over.

Looking from outside, it didn’t seem like anything changed, but I could tell the shift in her mana and noticed the moment he managed to get control.

-And?

She opened her eyes.

-Seems good so far.

Her voice didn’t change, although it was clear that she was not the one in control.

-Motor functions?

-I am about to check.

She… or rather he started to slowly rise from the ground.

Carefully at first, uncertain about the amount of control he had over the limbs, but soon he managed to stand firmly on two feet.

-So far so good.

Saying that, he started checking how good his mobility was…

And it seemed that it was not too bad.

Few stretches, then a few jumps, he even tried running in place.

All without issue.

-Huh. It’s as good as mine… - he commented finally, finishing his “exercises”.

-I guess it’s not like that body is much different from what we had before… - I pointed out, relieved. - Just don’t get too comfortable.

-Ha. I am well aware… but speaking of…

He sat back down at the tree and closed his eyes.

Mana in her form flickered.

-Ha. Great. As easy as pie. Let’s see..

Another flicker.

He stood up again.

-It’s so fucking easy it’s scary - he commented, stretching once more.

-Damn. Well, glad we checked that one out.

-Mhm.

-Shall we get moving then?

Both of us turned towards For and Kon.

Two of them were staring at us, speechless.

I mean, seeing this spectacle from the outside would be confusing, sure, but it wasn’t that weird, really.

At least to me.

-It’s even worse…

Even that spectacle didn’t convince them?

-There’s two of them now…

Oh.

Well, that’s an outcome.

-I can’t…

-How… I mean… It’s so… simple? - said Kon, not sure which one he should ask.

-Simple…? I mean, sure. What did you expect?

-Er… I don’t know… an incantation…? Or it’s going to take longer… More focus…?

-Correct me if I am wrong - said For - but did you just… leave her body and enter it… again…?

-Er… Yes? - the other me in Il’s body replied, unsure. - I was checking how responsible this new “arrangement” is.

-And apparently it’s pretty quick.

-Yep - I nodded.

-Right - he agreed. - But I’ll still have to check if it’s going to be so easy if she is awake. That is, if it’s ever needed - he added quickly.

For gave us a concerned look, but I understood where he was coming from.

Having another consciousness inside of you to take over sometimes can be handy.

But, before it would come to that, she had to be fully awake.

-Okay then… So where are we going? - asked Il, noticing our “preparations” were done.

-I thought we were going back to that ruined building…? - asked Kon. - I mean, sure, there’s not much left there, but…

-Nah, I don’t think there’s a point - I said.

-Weren’t you the one who proposed that?

-And now I am proposing something else.

-What do you have in mind? It’s not like there’s any inhabited land nearby, is there…? Unless…

-Are you thinking what I am thinking…? - asked the other me.

-Of course.

-Don’t tell me you want to go through those tunnels? - asked Il. - I mean…

-That’s precisely what we want - replied the other me. - It’s not like there’s any better place nearby.

-And, on top of having a house, we could maybe glance at some secrets she was keeping. Not like she can stop us…

-Right… but isn’t that a bit hard on her…? - asked For, pointing towards the body now occupied by the other me.

-If you were to ask me a while later, I’d agree - I nodded. - But seeing how I am so used to the body already…

-...I don’t see the problem with a longer travel time - the other me finished for me. - I have plenty of mana, and this place is also nicely infused. We have time and resources.

-You really one of one mind… - said For.

-Yeah, that sounds about right.

I was worried at first.

Not about the state Il was, no. More about For and Kon still looking at me like I was insane.

I seriously was thinking that they were just playing along, thinking that I completely lost it and decided to shut up just to not deal with it.

I mean, I would’ve thought that, if I wasn’t able to hear what they were thinking.

I am not sure if they were just a lot less stealthy, or did my powers grew even more, but I was clearly able to hear when they were trying to have a conversation in private.

I was not going to interrupt them, and apparently the other me thought the same, because I could clearly tell that he was also listening in.

-You think it’s possible…? What he said…? - I heard For, thinking.

-I never thought… I mean, maybe?

-I know that his magic is something else, but still, something like that is much even for that, don’t you think?

-I know! But he showed us… he can’t just… act something like that out, right?

-You’d have to be insane to even think up something like that.

-I mean…

-I know! I get it! That does not help!

-But look at their mana! It’s… enormous.

-I can tell. It’s like I am looking at multiple suns right in front of me!

-I never even thought… I never gave him that much mana! It’s like he really multiplied himself!

-Well, if that’s true, then it’s not that far off from what happened.

-But… If that’s true… does that mean that he can do that to everyone with a piece of him…?

-Wasn’t Axelrod doing exactly that?

-I…

-And didn’t he do something similar to you before? The senses…

-But that’s far beyond what I thought it’s possible! It’s just literally like he cloned himself!

-I agree, it is disturbing.

-So what do we do?!

-I have no idea! Just…

-This is scary.

-You don’t have to tell me twice.

-What if… he’s going to do that to us…?

Kon seemed genuinely concerned.

Strangely though, For was a lot calmer than I thought she’d be.

-Well, for me it’s already past the point of no return. He has a contract with me, so I guess I can’t do anything.

-Would you want to do something, though?

-I… I am not sure. What about you?

-What me? I am not contracted to him… I think…?

-Oh, I think you might be worse. Weren’t you made just like her? I mean, with a part of his body making you back what you are?

-I… it’s not exactly the same, but…

-But shouldn’t the effect be similar…?

-I think… I think so…

-Well, I am just a bit worried that I’ve been so numb to all this… and that I’ve been accepting this all of the sudden… - finally said For. - It almost feels like not me…

-Wasn’t that what he warned us about?

-The other one’s… influence…? But I don’t feel anyone else inside me…

-Neither do I. But it’s clear that we do have something… - said Kon. - Without that, we wouldn’t be alive, I think.

-Maybe you. I am a long-lived species, so…

I wonder about that.

I was not going to interrupt their conversation, but that made me think.

Do all those other races that I’ve heard of actually exist?

So far, whenever we heard about one, it was always connected to the Crystal, or Mike, or both.

It wouldn’t be strange to assume that it’s just Crystal converting people into different things. Like it did with me. Like it did with Iloa. And now like we’ve done with Ilma.

Besides possibilities of additional racism, I didn’t think it would be problematic, I mean that exists even without the crystal.

But, why would I even think about that? Not like there are really people for us to meet any more, and not like the would’ve been concerned about them more than me, a fucking crystal golem, remnant, or whatever else.

Besides worries of For and Kon, our trip was silent and went as smooth as it gets.

Even the travel through the underground portion of the trip was easy. With all of us, we just helped ourselves with magic to get through more tricky parts of the caverns and soon we were out on the other side of the mountain range.

I was a bit concerned about the other me and the body we were possessing.

Was she really that durable? I mean, the mana pool was great, sure, but that was mostly coming from me and the Origin Crystal…

-How are we doing? - I asked him directly, as soon as we left the tunnels.

-Not too bad. I expected to have a worse time, but this body is great.

-Really?

-Yeah. I thought that without the Crystal I’d have a much harder time, you know, being used to the other one, but nope. It feels natural.

-I don’t know what to think…

-Neither do I. Is it good or bad, right?

-Yeah….

-But then, even though not fully, this body also has integrated the Crystal. And is continuing to adapt as we speak.

-It’s still going? It’s spreading?

-It’s not really spreading… it’s more like it’s dissolving - he replied after a moment of thought.

-Well, you already know what I think, I guess…

-Yeah…