Joey, Kaida, and I sat in my bedroom. Joey was trying to convince me to fight. Kaida was reciting things I had told her over the years.
"Mom forgiveness is key, you need to ignore the fact he's killed everyone and just beat him. You don't need to kill him, you just need to win."
"Carla please listen to me when I tell you that the longer you keep him alive, the more of a chance he has at winning. If you just outright kill him then you'll win," Joey explained, "We need the old Carla right now."
The tricky thing was picking a side.
Joey was right. In order to win I'd have to let the bad Carla out. If I did that then I don't think I'll be able to cage her again. However if I don't do that, then I'll take a massive beating.
Kaida was right as well. All I needed to do is have him yield. The bad side to this was that Jason will never and would never yield.
This kingdom, this family: They didn't need a peacemaker, they needed the rule breaker. They needed the Carla who would burn down a garden to draw out the snakes. They needed the Carla who wasn't afraid to bloody her hands.
But Kaida needed a mother. A peaceful Hena. She needed someone to teach her that peacemaking is better than killing everyone who disagrees.
But Jason didn't just disagree with my existence, he wanted to desecrate the existence of every superhuman ever.
In order to keep Kaida safe from Jason, I'd have to kill him.
In order to keep Kaida safe from the bad side of me, I'd have to force him to yield.
But he'd never yield.
"Carla?" Joey asked calmly, trying to catch my attention, "You're thinking something."
"I'm thinking about how there's only one way this can end," I sighed as I rubbed the frustrated look off my face.
"With a murderer coming up victorious," I groaned.
"Kaida why don't you go to the playroom while I talk to your mother," Joey asked Kaida before she took off running towards the playroom. Joey shut the door and looked me in the eyes.
"Carla this man has murdered everyone you love," Joey explained, "If he survives then Kaida might be next."
I thought over what he said, analyzing every word.
"You're asking me to kill your brother," I stated.
"That's not my brother, at least not anymore," Joey explained, "My brother wouldn't have slaughtered all my friends. My brother wouldn't have killed Jasper."
A tear ran down my face as I thought. "What if I can't keep her contained? What if- what if she takes over and kills people again? I can't have my daughter look at me like I'm the enemy."
"Everyone has a monster in them Carla, and we're all responsible for what happens when we let it out." Joey sighed. "But you, the true you, is stronger than the beast side you've let rule over you in the past. You contained it once, you can do it again."
"I don't know if I can," I cried as I covered my face, "Carter would know what to say."
A firm hand grabbed my wrist and pulled it from my face. Joey had a stern facial expression, he seemed angered by what I said.
"You loved Carter, and you can't deny that Carla."
I stared fearfully into Joey's eyes as he continued.
"But Carla? If he was here he would've already killed Jason."
"No Carter is peace."
"And you are strength. That is what made you two so close. That is why each of these people were afraid of Lionsville; the leaders were fearless. You had a fearfulness that came from your strength, anything that needed to be done you could do without a second thought. Carter got his fearfulness from the fact he knew that if he couldn't de-intensify a situation that you were by his side to eliminate the issue."
"But I'm scared," I said with a cracking voice.
"You have two choices Carla. Let out your beast and find a way to balance your tranquility with your beast or you can run. Because if you walk in that ring with only your tranquility you will die. Your beast side helps protect you."
"Carter didn't have a beast side."
"Carter never needed to use it, I dont think he even knew he had one. But you? You have a leader dwelling inside you and you are afraid to let it out."
"Because when I think like that I kill people! Don't you understand that? I'm finally who everyone always wanted me to be and you're trying to bring the monster out again?"
"You NEED your lion Carla! You need her the same way she needs you. You are the same being, the same mind, but when you are a lion, you are ruthless, you are strong."
"I am a monster."
"Maybe," Joey sighed, "A monster to anyone on the other side of your sword. A monster to those who have wronged you. Anyone with a guilty heart will shake in their boots when infront of their possible death. You are a monster to the enemy, but you are salvation for your allies. A monster is not a monster when fighting for the right side."
"We are not at war Joey! Dont you get that? If I go out there and rip him apart then I will be coined as a vengeance seeking savage."
"And if you show mercy you will look weak. Your people will look upon you and wonder where the girl who stuck a knife to Donte's throat went."
"I know you're trying to save me Joey," I growled, "But you can't save a person who's already dead."
I stood up and tried to walk to the door. Joey's voice made me stop.
"And when did you die?"
My head hung low and then pulled itself back up to turn, looking at Joey. "I died alongside my friends that day. You can kiss the monster goodbye."
"Carla!"
I walked away.
"Carla!"
Joey's attempts to draw me back into the room were all for not, I was on my way to speak with someone.
And we were going to see who was to be the monster.