Nothingness.
This space was completely empty, lacking even light. It was a void that stars could not dare to shine in, or at least, there were no stars within this space.
White. A dusty light climbed out from Bie's forehead as it formed an existence that looked exactly like his spirit body. There was a difference, however. As soon as this existence left, the itching sensation along with the clamoring whispers filled his mind once again.
The spirit body stood parallel to him as he gestured at Bie's head, finger held to the lips as he shushed. The whispers suddenly ceased, and the other Bie seemed to be contemplating something.
A hand composed of white dust wavered as the spirit body stood in front of him. As the hand flickered and entered his chest, he felt his blood surge as a dark haze enveloped him for a second.
-Can you hear me? Me.
Bie nodded, though he was quite confused. The other Bie revealed an empty smile as he tugged at the bags at his eyes, blowing a long sigh.
-Hello. I expected we'd meet much later. Ah, this moment is ruined, I wasn't even prepared! But I do have a question. Oh, you can't talk in this space yet, so don't bother. Just think it. I can read our thoughts.
'What are you even talking about?'
-Hm. That's not all. I bet you're wondering if I'm from the future or something, or if I'm your alternate self. Let's clear up that cliche quickly.
'???'
-Those idiot whispers have been annoying me for so long that I've picked up some of their lingo. Sorry. Anyways, I am you.
'That really doesn't clear up anything.'
-Yeah, but here's the kicker. Remember when we felt as if our mind was split into three separate lines of conscience? And that you diverted one to fend off the pesky whispers? That's me.
'…Does that mean I have another me?'
-Nope. That other one was entirely pervaded by you. No, I'm more of an outlier, you could say?
'Tell me how so.'
-Bie, don't you feel hungry? Here~
The spirit body withdrew a corrupted Remnant, and for some reason, Bie's mouth began to water. He…couldn't understand why he felt this way at all! He had never felt such allure from the flickering orbs as of yet, so…
-Yeah, it's weird, isn't it. You're the Bie who has grown up as a Gem of the Dead, through and through. That's why you can understand these thingies, and that's why it's part of you to be able to mess with them.
-I'm the Bie who grew up as a Mountain. Those whispers wouldn't shut up, and now I even know our second name. I'll just come out and tell you.
-Hello, §.•´¨'°÷•..×! ░Ξ Or in an understandable way— 𝒩𝒶𝓂𝑒 𝐸𝒶𝓉𝑒𝓇~
'What the-'
Bie couldn't help but buckle underneath the burdensome weight that beset him. In his soul, the words Name Eater emerged, and a calamitous mass attempted to collide and combine with his Inner World!
Yet, it couldn't. The black shadow returned to the spirit body Bie, who officially went by Name Eater. His form enveloped in the shadow, a humanoid form appeared with him at the very center of the torso, white globes for eyes glowing as it casted luminous rays that lit up the void.
-There's a massive problem. You don't know how to accept your nature, and so you can't entwine with me. We are currently like two sides of the same coin, when there should be only one flat plane…
-But that's okay, for now. The emergence of Demon Eating will at least ensure that our soul is getting some amount of nutrients. And anything that you refuse to eat, I will eat in your stead…
The massive shadowy body filled the horizon as the face of Name Eater was brought mere inches before Bie's. His hands tapped on his chin before his topaz eyes revealed a white plus sign.
-You must promise me that you will combine with me fully one day. I don't care about being the main lead, or the man in charge. I won't attempt to wrest control from you either, and I'll instead look out for the best of our interests. Because I'm no mere body clone, I am literally you. That means we have to be one, or else we'll be stuck as .5s forever instead of a whole 1.
'Does that mean that I'll never be able to reach my full potential if I don't accept you?'
-Yes. Will you accept my deal?
'….Hahaha! How funny, that I'd have to make a deal with myself…'
-It's a much better bargain than what you'd get with a devil~
The two laughed silently in the still void, taking a couple minutes to wipe the tears away as they did so. Bie nodded, putting a hand over his chest, and Name Eater placed a digit on his glabella.
-Then…
'It's a deal.'
—
'So, let me ask you a question. You're defending against those whispers, right? How come you had the energy to talk to me?'
-It was the mural. When you see anything that seems like it's from a Mountain, do us a favor and collect it.
'Right…then, you can talk more often?'
-Not really…? If you need advice, I'm basically a mental refresher for any memories you may have. Oh, but don't ask me often. It uses a lot of my energy up.
'Only in this space then, huh? Otherwise, I'm sure you would've done it earlier.'
-Nah, it would've been fine if it was later. Honestly, you're not supposed to be in this space yet. Make another plane, and then you can have dominion over this area.
'Right, I'm going to pretend as if I know exactly what you mean.'
-You will. Hell, I'm not even fully aware of what that means. I only have control over this space for now, it'll prolly fade back into Smile of the Mountain when you leave.
Bie shrugged, not bothering to question what he wouldn't be able to understand as of now. Name Eater nodded his head as a show of thanks, as even the white dust of the spirit body began to stir as he pondered.
'Our Inner World. What can you do in there?'
-I will help respond to any immediate threats, since I can do anything you can in there. I'd rather not, though, as it might cause me to have to hibernate…and you'll hear those whispers if I go into a full sleep. Honestly, I really don't want you to hear them, since I know you're not okay about…
'Is it foolish to want to be like your supposed brethren?'
-You don't have to use supposed, since you WERE born on Uthreth. You're not weird just because you're technically a different race, and I'm sure she knows a bit of your origin. Otherwise, wouldn't you be treated like an outsider?
'…'
-Mull it over. These thoughts are your own as well, so just think about it a bit and you'll come to your answer.
Chunks of the void began to fall and form whirlpools that silently roared in the stillness. The shadows flickering off of the massive figure Name Eater was enveloped in were torn as they were pushed and pulled in separate directions.
-Well. I think that's a sign that you should leave. Turn around and walk forward.
Although his voice was leisurely, his face began to become strained. The massive fist that encompassed the size of a house shot forwards, another joining it as they seemed to rip and tear at the empty space.
A rift formed, which Bie quickly walked through. As soon as he arrived back in the room with the mural, the void disappeared entirely.
Bie thought to himself in the regained soft noise, blue particles emitting frenzied flashes of light as he felt the emotion of worry washing over him like a flood. Waving his hands softly, dijon yellow strands of hair waggled in a placating gesture as the speckles re-entered his body.