**************************************
Sylanwood, West Tarrabria, Hidden Forests, Time: 6:00 PM
**************************************
Ezra wandered alone through the dim forest, fallen leaves crunching under his boots. Distant sounds of the Tarrabria festivities echoed faintly, but were quickly swallowed by the silent trees.
Good, he needed some distance right now. Away from crowds and Pierre's cutting perceptivity. Out here there was only stillness and solitude.
Finding a small clearing, Ezra settled heavily against a gnarled tree trunk, emotions still roiling within. So he'd failed again by running instead of facing harsh truths. He should be used to it by now. No prize or comradery could change what he was at the core - a coward who's fear overruled all else.
Ezra clutched fistfuls of dead grass, old memories rising. Her brutal smile twisted with cruel delight...Helpless screams as his town burned...The disappointment on his face when he turned away yet again to join them killing his own hometown.
Some twisted part found dark amusement that Pierre saw so clearly what Ace refused to - redeeming compassion misplaced on those who didn't deserve it. Who'd already forfeited their souls long ago...
Ezra shut his eyes against the ghostly laughter echoing louder in his mind. Even out here he couldn't fully escape the clingy shrouds of past deeds. They smothered closer, slowly strangling out the very life someone else once breathed back...
"Jeez, your thoughts are way louder than expected," the returning voice inside Ezra's head stated. The laughter stopped as Ezra opened his eyes, his pupils empty.
"Did I say that much?" Ezra spoke to himself as his surroundings became darker, everything pitch black and a giant yellow eye with a red pupil stared at him.
"I feel like you've been down in the dumps ever since you arrived. Are you afraid of the impending danger that your own friends have to face?" The eyes stated, getting closer to Ezra's face, who stared blankly at it.
"I am a spineless coward who couldn't even face her. I'm surprised you haven't taken over me because you're a disgusting eldritch who waits for the opportunity to stab people in the back." Ezra didn't want to hear any of this; he wanted to shut his world off completely.
"Because you're useful to me if both of our minds align. We were made to be together in destiny and fate to defeat him." The eyes expanded, seeming angrier that Ezra didn't get it.
"Ah, yes. Talk with me about some god creature killing you 30 years ago while I'm still dealing with trauma over a bullet to my own head." Ezra was pissed now; ever since Sugar taught him about this thing, it's been a headache to deal with.
The eyes decided to ask the question, "Have you ever believed in anyone in your life?"
Ezra was silent, his mouth quivering. He felt like a knife stabbed his heart, and he started to shake.
The eyes laughed darkly, "Ah, of course. The silent one never believes in anyone because he's just a lone wolf..."
The malicious Entity's laughter echoed mockingly in the empty void as Ezra trembled. That question had pierced painfully to long-buried hopes almost forgotten. The eyes surveyed his hunched, turmoil-wracked form with cruel amusement before speaking again.
"After all this time, your capacity for trust remains pathetically fragile," it sneered, pupils constricting to predatorial slits. "I offered you purpose on a silver platter yet still you resist embracing the power to shatter your fetters."
Its jagged maw split wider with contempt. "Ever the spineless one content to wallow in self-loathing rather than seize glorious destiny..."
Ezra shook harder, torn by conflicted feelings. The Entity's ruthless urging toward callous strength relentlessly warred with Ace's patient faith in moral redemption. For so long he'd shut out any external persuasions. But both forces refused to relinquish their stubborn holds, leaving his heart a bloody tug-of-war battlefield.
"I never sought any...grand fate or strength," Ezra eventually whispered hoarsely. "Only peace from sins haunting..."
"And have you found such pitiful peace hiding from past and present deeds alike?" The Entity pressed mockingly closer. "Crouching in shadows while destruction looms for those recently earned trusts?"
Ezra flinched violently. He still cared nothing for broader worldly concerns like this mysterious disappearing populace. But the thought of his tentative new allies scattered lifeless like his old home...
The Entity's pupils flashed, seizing on those reflexive fears. "Yesss, they will perish like all your other fragile bonds if you persist cowering from destiny's call..." it hissed urgently. "Unless you harden your heart at last to do what must be done!"
Ezra gripped his head in tortured ambivalence, tears pricking his eyes. Two opposing hands extended before him - one offering a cold, ruthless purpose to protect new bonds.
The other patient redemption to stand with them on virtuous grounds. Both are tempting in different ways, yet mutually exclusive.
The shadows pressed tighter from all sides as the Entity's poisonous words and Ace's steadfast loyalty warred for Ezra's tortured soul. He gripped his head, feeling himself fraying at the seams all over again...
Then Ace's sharp voice cut through the dark confusion. "Ezra! Come back to me, it's not real!"
The void shattered instantly back into a sun-dappled forest. Ezra gasped raggedly, eyes wild as Ace grasped his shoulders. Gradually his friend's worried face anchored him back from cold oblivion's brink.
"There now, nice and easy..." Ace soothed gently. He kept one grounding hand on Ezra's arm even as the initial panic subsided. An unspoken reminder that patient support waited just a call away.
Ezra steadied his shaking breath, shame burning his cheeks. "F-forgive me, I know not what came over me-" he began shakily.
But Ace waved off the apology with a sad smile. "You bear greater burdens than most. I cannot fault you for straining under the load."
He shifted closer, tone softening further. "I only wish you would allow yourself to share that weight rather than struggling on alone..."
Ezra tensed old instincts balking at intimacy even with this trusted friend. But the earnest compassion in Ace's eyes eroded long-held barriers once more.
"...There is darkness rooted deeply that ever seeks my soul's fetters," Ezra eventually confessed hoarsely. "It preys on old wounds that never properly healed."
He exhaled unsteadily. "I fear its venom will poison whatever I try nurturing. As weakness births only more weakness..."
Ace listened intently, brow furrowed more with empathy than judgment. As Ezra's rough whisper trailed off, his friend grasped both shoulders firmly.
"The only true weakness lies in resignation not seeking aid against inner demons." Ace held Ezra's ashamed gaze evenly. "You need not fight this battle solo, my friend. I shall ever stand ready to help bear the darkness with you."
Ezra let Ace's steadfast words wash over him, tension slowly easing from his taut frame. Whatever malicious whispers haunted him, here at last was someone patiently coaxing back softer radiance over twisted shadows.
He shut his eyes with a shaky exhale, the promise of an ally sharing terrible burdens helping dim their crushing weight. When he spoke again, his voice held new notes of fragile resolve.
"Darker days may come when I again falter against relentless demons," Ezra conceded quietly. "But knowing a stalwart friend stands ready to pull me back from the brink...it emboldens stirring hopes thought long extinguished."
He met Ace's gaze solemnly, flecks of renewed light kindling in his own weary eyes. "I vow to strive to embrace such courage you extend rather than retreat from it."
Ezra turned a trembling maple leaf over in his palm, thoughtful. "Perhaps...after this cultural festival...I will speak more of these inner battles with the Lucky Inquisitors. If solutions exist defeating my hauntings, their unique skills may uncover them."
He glanced back at Ace hesitantly. "When the time comes, I would request you there as well, however. Your presence has proven quite...grounding, through the darker seasons."
Ace smiled, giving Ezra's shoulder a supportive squeeze. "Of course, Ezra. We shall face whatever plague you as we have all else - together."
Ezra's mouth quirked gratefully. With such unwavering loyalty now beside him, the yawning void somehow seemed less endless and bleak. A chance yet glimmered to step fully back into dawn's graces.
He clasped Ace's hand tightly. "Then let this stand as my oath was sworn - I will fight to reclaim myself, and stand openly by your side henceforth come what may."
Ace decided to break the strong tension, "Alright, you doofus. Come on, let's go enjoy the Festival," Ace stated, leading the way out of the forest.
Ezra stayed behind for a bit, gripping his arm tightly. He would get his revenge—for the people, for his friend, for himself.
"I am coming for you, Carthen," Ezra muttered to himself before following Ace, trying to enjoy the Festival.
**********************************************