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“The last trial.” “Kris” had told her that last night. Everything she had done blurred together. Worse, when she received those commands, she wasn’t just afraid. Following it, giving in, even if out of her control, she almost yearned for it. The soul gave her a strength she never felt before and sometimes, it even praised her. It will have its own “vessel” soon. Maybe Kris could finally be safe and it would only be her burden to bear. She knew that was naive but Susie and Kris were the only ones keeping her grounded.
Noelle, Susie, and Kris headed to her house. Carol shouldn’t be home but after last time, who knows? “How was the festival? You and Kris just walked off to do your own thing. I was kinda bored but no biggie.” Susie said. “It was okay!” Noelle replied. “We had a lot of fun.” “Kris” said. “Um! Well, now, we actually have to work on the project, right?” Noelle pivoted. “You know, it’s kinda good, in a way, without Berdly, we can all work together.” Noelle said. “Woah, that’s a bit much Noelle.” Susie laughed awkwardly.
They entered the house and Susie walked to sit down. “Oh, Susie! I need to show something to Kris, quickly. Sorry, but it’s private. Make yourself at home! But not too much. I’m gonna talk with them in my room.” Noelle’s eyes darted to Kris. “Uhh okay then! I’m starving so I guess I’ll go to the kitchen.” “Alright! Great! Have fun.” Noelle tugged at Kris’ hand. “Come on, let’s go.” she whispered. They headed to her bedroom. Memories of what happened “last time” flooded her mind as she tried to sit down with them. The soul spoke. “You remember? I put the ring on your finger.” Noelle felt something come over her but she shook it off. “I know how you feel.” it said. Noelle stayed silent.
“You are far more powerful than I, but you have yet to reach your full potential. There are two obstacles in the way, then you will be-” Kris’ eyes burned as they ripped the soul out of their chest. Kicking, slamming, squeezing, stomping. Noelle was unable to intervene. Their health grew lower and lower and lower. Until, they collapsed. She pleaded. “No Kris! You need to live, even with it around. It just wants a vessel, once it gets its vessel you will be free! You won’t be controlled anymore.” Kris heaved on the ground, barely able to lift their gaze. “Noelle… if you are still there, I’m sorry.” Their last words. The soul found its way to Kris. A faint glow emanated from their eyes.
“This body doesn’t have much time left.” it said. Noelle shivered. It raised Kris’ arm and placed a cold hand on her shoulder. She didn’t know what she felt as she stared into their eyes. It grabbed the knife out of their pocket and handed it to Noelle. Noelle took it. “Before I can inhabit the vessel, you must kill this host.” Noelle froze but a strong urge to follow its commands permeated her being. “Why? I… I saw Kris take you out before. There’s still time! Can’t you just escape and join the vessel?” “Yes.” “Then why?” she asked. “It will make you stronger.” It stated. “I can’t do that! You can make me kill Darkners, you can make me hurt myself! But I- I won’t kill them!” Noelle yelled. It stared at her. “You will. ”Noelle fought against herself, clawing into her arm.
“Proceed.” “No- you can’t make me! She ripped into her fur, internally screaming at her hand to drop the knife but it wouldn’t move. “Proceed.” It said louder. “Please! I’ll do anything else! I want to help you, I want to get stronger.” she begged. “Proceed.” Her eyes clouded. She raised the knife to the body of whom the owner wasn’t there. Blood gushed down onto her hands. Kris collapsed. She felt the strength coursing through her and a sickening sense of relief. The soul floated out. Only now, did she notice the unmoving form in the corner. Her eyes followed its path as it entered its new host, bringing it to life. She walked and looked towards it. All she could say was “thank you.” just like she had before. It reached out its hand and held hers and said “I know what you’re thinking.”
“Noelle, Kris? Where’d you go?” Susie yelled. The soul quickly picked up Kris and shoved them under her bed. Noelle could’ve sworn the soul smiled at her. “Your final obstacle.” “My what?” “Noelle! There you are.” Susie said. “I was getting worried where’s–” Noelle bolted. She kept running until she found a small room, hidden away. The soul followed and stood before her as she caught her breath. “Please” Noelle stared helplessly into the cold, red eyes of the form before her.
“Hey Noelle, it got loud all of a sudden, are you alright?” Susie walked hurriedly around the house. “I didn’t know you could run that fast. We should race some time!” She went from room to room, her footsteps getting closer. Noelle whipped around, avoiding the soul’s gaze. She curled into a dim corner. The vessel crawled towards her. Before she could react, the door creaked open. “Noelle, are you there? I definitely heard something!” She could hear Susie’s worried breaths. She knew what it wanted. It whispered to her “proceed”. That same feeling she felt with Kris came back to her.
The vessel pushed her out and remained hiding. She stood up. “Shit, I was looking everywhere for you! I’m so glad you’re okay.” She ran towards Noelle. Something in Noelle yelled. “STOP!” “Woah! It’s okay, I just– I don’t know what happened to Kris, but you’re safe now, I promise.” Susie said. “Leave!” she yelled. “I can’t… hold it off.” “What? Noelle whatever it is, you know I’ll protect you, I would never leave any of you in danger!” Susie yelled. “NO.” A strangled cry came from Noelle as her body began to walk forward. Susie glared at Noelle. “I’m staying whether you like it or not.” Noelle reached Susie. Her eyes froze over as she stared at her. “I just want to help you, Noelle. I swear, I never said this before but I love–”
Noelle plunged the knife into her chest. Shock pierced Susie’s eyes as she fell to the floor. The ice melted. “I-I’m sorry.” Noelle said weakly. Tears fell down her face. Susie remained in shock, as blood gushed into the carpet. “Please I didn’t mean to hurt you I didn’t mean to hurt you I DIDN’T.” The last part of who she truly was screamed out. She fell to her knees, her hands pressing against the stained carpet. The vessel crawled out of the shadows. It took slow, heavy footsteps towards the girl. “You know that is not true.” it said. Noelle shed a final tear. “You have done well, my angel.” The soul placed a hand on her head, reassuringly.
The distress subsided, replaced by a sense of euphoria as she stared at the pile of dust on the ground. The soul sat beside her and put an arm around her. She lay against it. She stared down at the ring of thorns on her finger and again at the soul. “I think… I love you.” she admitted. “You are perfect now. I love you too, angel.” Noelle’s mind raced. “I know what you want.” The soul said. Noelle looked at it, longingly. It got closer and kissed her. She returned it eagerly. Nothing mattered to her as long as she had the soul by her side. This is the girl that would lead to the end of the world.