Solitary: Compass Of Fate

"No way, I witnessed it first hand not long ago." Walker pointed to his left shoulder and right side of his abdomen.

The idea that the current Lucille was a doppelganger seemed almost preposterous. Walker was obviously experienced enough to know the difference between a doppelganger, especially a hybrid.

"This is a case of hybridism, having attributes of a usurper means that it can fully take on the form of the victim, even flesh and blood." Sephro briefly explained but it wasn't enough to convince Walker.

All the evidence from the past hour was against this theory, "A human cannot possess another human, the same way a spirit cannot possess another. Influence, yes but possession is impossible, right?"

The question almost brought out more than Sephro intended but his years of experience halted his answer.

He changed the subject and posed a question, "I have a number of solutions, one being taking custody of her myself. But what do you intend to do?"

"She'll be returned to her family." Walker stood up with effort, went to the drawer, and retrieved the heavy leather book… Sat down, opened the first page and pushed it towards Sephro.

He had taken the book out of his room when he laid Lucille to rest, it was out of caution but also hoping more would appear and offer more clues.

Sephro scrutinized the book before him, the page before him had an enormous writing in blood-red color.

"Fear the end. Fear the night and the echo!"

He touched the writing and felt the dryness. 

If it's blood then it's likely this was written a while ago. Having made his own deduction, Sephro needed a confirmation.

"When did you see this?" 

"This morning," Walker didn't deliberate over his words as he explained further, "Before this morning, it was a normal book of demonology."

Sephro shook his head in disbelief, "A NORMAL book of demonology? What do you do in your free time?"

Walker didn't bother to look down as he rested his neck on the top rail of his wingback chair and answered, "Study." 

"Just as others study mathematics, engineering and medicine for work, I study demonology and everything alike."

He sighed and muttered, "Which has made me a target now…"

"Walker…" said Sephro with concern, "the offer is still up if you want to join the Blazehearts. We can assist you in shaking off whatever is after you."

"Sorry, can't. You guys are formidable but I'd rather just do it on my own, that way I don't have to worry about anyone pretending to care when I die." He remained unmoved.

It wasn't as if Sephro wasn't expecting this answer but he always hoped it was different each time.

"Then what do you plan on doing with Lucille?" 

Walker answered impassively, "She was possessed not long ago." 

Sephro showed a look of shock but didn't let himself be consumed by it. Then he realized where Walker's earlier sureness came from.

Not waiting for him to answer, Walker continued with the same tone. "It's better if she stays with me for the moment. I'd prefer not to harm her in any way if possible but if that's what it takes…"

"Don't!" Sephro blurted, remembering her lineage and role. "Just don't. She's more important than you know—I'll help you get her home safely."

Walker had looked down with the out of character reaction. His eyes followed Sephro up and towards the door where Sephro walked.

He twisted the doorknob and opened it, "Walker… I hope you can make new memories." he said, right before leaving.

Memories… wouldn't that be nice.

Walker had almost given up on his quest to regain his memories, he just could not get out to pursue it. Everyday ensued a new battle—hunt for him, it was a never ending cycle of tasks he felt obligated to.

He adjusted his neck on the top rail of his chair and due to exhaustion from the struggles of yesterday and earlier, Walker drifted off right away.

•••

"Awaken… kill… avenge… turn to us…" 

Lucille in her sleep, continuously heard ravings, all endorsing negative thoughts that she subconsciously knew weren't hers.

In the haze of unconsciousness, Lucille found herself somewhere else—neither asleep nor awake. She laid in a dark room with tiny specks of sunlight peeking through enforced walls.

Bells on the ceiling moved front and back, creating a harmonious sound that was both calming and terrifying.

She could not move her hands, feet or any inch of her body.

An invisible weight was crushing her body, rendering her paralyzed.

Sweat dripped as the weight crept slowly from her feet to her chest.

A form appeared on her out of thin air, grating grey muscles knitting together, forming arms, torso and head.

Abyssal pupils formed between yellowish sclera along with dried facial features. Its long and dirty hair veiled Lucille from seeing anything but its disgusting form.

Ha! The spirit with long hair and terrifying eyes bent down and sniffed Lucille's hair and neck, letting out a foul smelling breath.

"Wonderful, you're tender… little girl, ...the finest his Majesty's marked in years." It licked its dry lips, and opened its mouth wide open, revealing a set of spiky teeth.

Lucille tried screaming but no sound came out, she could helplessly stare and let the spirit devour her.

All at once, a spiral of different colors surfaced her now darkened vision and burst like a dynamite.

Then she saw the spirit completely frozen, its mouth gaping inches away from her neck.

Whoosh! A sharp projectile pierced through the air and struck the spirit, nailing it to the wall above Lucille's head, leaving the spirit hanging right above her.

Its torso was where she could clearly see, right on top of her.

Slowly, its body began disintegrating like charred wood, flakes and dust raining above her.

As the spirit completely disintegrated, a figure became visible to her. He wore a white shirt and a black vest, his left shoulder was tidily bandaged. 

His hand extended forward as he stood indifferently, his gaze was colder than before and clearly, he was tired.

The man covered in grey ash was Walker Soliraine.