In a realm of boundless vastness, bathed in an endless white glow, Gwendoline slowly awakened with exquisite grace, gently rubbing her eyes. As she blinked them open, a wave of astonishment washed over her. Instead of lying on the forest grass as she expected, she found herself in a space of unimaginable magnitude.
"Where... Where am I?"
As her voice echoed around her, another voice, eerily similar to hers, emerged from the void. It held a tone of authority, as if it were Gwendoline but with greater confidence.
"We are the very essence of our mind."
Gwendoline's head snapped around, trying to locate the source. "Who just spoke to me?!"
"You don't need to know right now."
"Wait, what? At least tell me what happened!"
"I was getting to that. Be patient."
"But first, a question..."
"You want to ask if I am the 'other Gwendoline' you've sensed deep inside?" The voice sighed in exasperation.
Gwendoline's face showed her shock. She hadn't anticipated this entity's ability to read her thoughts. "Yes, how did you know?"
"Well, we are, in many ways, the same. But to answer your question; yes, I am the 'other Gwendoline'."
"Alright... Can you fill in the blanks for me? I remember Lidia approaching me in the forest, and then everything went black."
"With her personal power, Lidia fractured your mind. She showed you deceptive visions that filled you with guilt and then anger. That anger consumed you, making you uncontrollable."
"I have some fragmented memories returning..."
"In your rage, you tried to vanquish Lidia using spells from my Superior Magic, before casting her out of the forest."
"Superior Magic? I never read about that in the book Charnald gave us."
"That's because, as the name suggests, it surpasses all other known magics. It's almighty and nearly limitless."
"And you master it?"
"More than master it," the voice laughed. "I am its source, and thus the only one who can wield it."
"So, can I master it too?"
"I've probably told you more than I should've already."
"So, what happened after?"
"A human with angelic energy and two of your friends approached you. You tried to kill them, but your friends escaped in time. After casting another spell, you passed out. And now, you're here."
Gwendoline lowered her head, her face painted with guilt. The thought of hurting her friends was unbearable. The entity, sensing this, reassured her, "You regret your actions, don't you? Know that it wasn't truly you who acted, but the rage you hold for your world."
"You see right through me," Gwendoline smirked.
"We share a consciousness, though technically, I don't possess a soul."
"But who are you, really?"
"In due time, you'll know everything. The truth will shake this world. Just know, I'm not malevolent... Not anymore, anyway."
"So you were evil before?"
"All will be revealed when the time is right. But before you awaken, remember this: protect your friends at all costs. The Archdemons of emotions will try to eliminate them and kidnap you. Protect everyone you encounter on your journey, especially Kalen. And, for heaven's sake, take care of yourself! Stop dwelling on your past! Why do you think you're here?"
"I've been trying to figure that out during my whole journey!"
"You're not wrong. But if you're here, it's for a reason. You have a paramount mission in this world! Between you and me, you're the most important being in this universe."
"Why?"
"You'll understand when the time comes. Now, wake up!"
*
Awakening abruptly, Gwendoline found herself clad in a long white prisoner's gown, standing on a stone, its coldness seeping through her bare feet. The dry air surrounded her, and the dimly lit room with a few torches vaguely reminded her of the cell she woke up in after her suicide attempt, its atmosphere eerily chilly. Magical chains, emitting a gentle blue glow, bound her hands and feet.
"Where... where am I?"
Across the room, she spotted Hermiel with arms folded, backed by an ensemble of mages and knights.
"Good morning, young Gwendoline. Did you sleep well?"
"Who... who are you?"
"I am Hermiel Vini, bearer of angelic energy," he stated with a proud grin.
"Why am I chained?"
"Why do you think?"
"Because of my rage?"
"That's one reason. There's another."
She frowned, confused. "I have no idea."
"You're here because you've used spells from an unknown magic that could threaten the multiverse."
"Oh, I remember that."
"What is this magic? Where did it come from? How powerful is it? How many spells does it contain? Who taught it to you? What-"
She interrupted him, "That's a lot of questions. One at a time, perhaps?"
"Very well. Describe this magic to me."
"She told me it's Superior Magic," Gwendoline began.
"She? Who?"
Pausing, she looked away, searching for the right words. "For a while now, I've felt another presence within me, like a second person. Before waking up here, we conversed. She didn't reveal her identity, only that she would in time."
Hermiel responded, "Thanks for sharing. Now, tell me everything you know about this magic."
"She claimed this magic is near-limitless and overwhelmingly powerful, outclassing every other magic in this world. She also mentioned she was the originator, and only she can truly harness it."
"I see. We'll need to inspect your soul to learn more about this 'other Gwendoline.'"
"Now?"
"Yes, now. This will determine her intentions, be it good or evil."
He gestured, and the mages formed a circle around her.
"This won't hurt, right?" she worried.
"Rest easy. They're just inspecting your soul. No harm will come to you."
Gwendoline shuddered, apprehensive about what was to come. As the mages began their incantation, Hermiel comforted, "Relax, everything will be alright."
Minutes passed before the mages stepped back in unison, the massive magical circle fading. They looked concerned as they approached Hermiel.
"And?"
"Sadly, we found nothing."
"How's that possible?"
"We have two theories. Either there's genuinely nothing, or Gwendoline is magically immune."
A memory surfaced of a spell Hermiel tried to cast on Gwendoline that failed.
"What should we do?" asked one mage.
"Leave us," Hermiel commanded.
Respectfully, the mages and knights exited the cell, leaving Hermiel and Gwendoline alone. Approaching her, he released her from her chains, and she flexed her now-freed limbs. Hermiel gently placed his hand on her head, comforting her with a kind expression.
"Tell me everything."
Recalling her past, Gwendoline described her enemy, whose power broke one's mental state, likely the root of her uncontrollable rage.
"I promise you, Gwendoline," Hermiel vowed.
She looked up, waiting.
"I will avenge the dishonor inflicted by your enemy, freeing you from the haunting anger. But in return, stop lamenting your past. You're no longer part of that world. You're part of ours now."
Gwendoline's eyes welled up, thinking of the entity's words within her. Gratefully, she hugged Hermiel.
"Thank you, Hermiel."
Whether immune to magic or not, angelic humans have the gift to erase one's sorrows.
"It's time you returned to the surface and reunited with the others. They're eager to see you," he said with a smile.