"I don't understand... What do you mean, you share this body with me?" I asked him.
"Well, it used to be my body. That's why you're seeing me without any half-Spirit traits," he replied.
What he said made sense. It was true that my appearance had completely changed since my powers awakened.
"So... does that mean you're me in a past life?" I asked.
"No, you're still yourself, don't worry. But you did take on my appearance when I entered you. Honestly, I still don't understand why," he said, scratching his head.
"What do you mean you don't understand? Isn't that normal?" I shouted.
"Well, not really. As far as I know, it's completely unprecedented," he replied.
"And what happened to my old body then?" I asked.
"It's simple: it no longer exists," he said calmly.
"What do you mean by that?"
"To put it simply, your old body was just a shell over mine. I think my power was too much for your body to handle, and it gave out," he explained.
My body gave out? What was this guy even talking about?
"Watch how you talk about me. Just so you know, in our shared energy, I can hear all your thoughts—and you can hear mine, too," he said.
"But I don't hear anything from you," I shot back.
"That's because you still don't trust me. I trust you. I'm basically you, just watching from the sidelines," he replied.
"I don't get it. If I don't accept you, why can you hear me?"
"It's simple: because I am you. But you are not me," he said.
"What? What does that even mean?"
"Think of it this way: I've always lived inside you as a second soul in this body. Somehow, I ended up linked to your consciousness, and that's why we can talk here."
"I still don't get it. What you're saying makes no sense!"
"You wouldn't understand, even if I tried to explain it a thousand different ways. All you need to know for now is that you can switch bodies with me whenever you want. So, if you ever face someone too strong for you, don't hesitate to call me."
"Wait! Don't go! I don't even know your name!" I shouted as he walked away, turning his back on me.
"My name is Marvens," he said before disappearing.
Just before he vanished completely, he added, "If you need help, you know where to find me."
...
I woke up in my room with Juan, Komi, Katia, and the master all around me. They were smiling at me, eyes brimming with tears.
"Marvens, we thought we lost you!" Komi said.
"Don't ever do that to us again!" added Katia.
"You weren't seriously going to leave us before we got the chance to know each other, were you?" said Juan in his usual haughty tone. But he looked the saddest of all.
"Marvens, I honestly thought you were about to lose your powers," the master said.
"Lose my powers?" I asked.
"Well, your hair started to lose its color, and strange markings began appearing all over you. None of us could figure out what they were. We thought maybe that's what happens when someone starts losing their powers," he explained.
I had understood that when I connected with that other Marvens, I took on his features and those markings appeared. But did that mean something bad?
"Well, I guess I still have them, don't I?" I said with a smile.
They all stayed with me until dinner time. Then only the master, Katia who was resting inside the box and I remained.
"I believe it's time to reveal Katia's identity to the others, don't you?" said the master.
"You're right," I replied.
"Marvens, I'll ask you to bring Katia with you when you go to the dining hall. Head to the back of the room, up on the stage. I'll come join you there."
"Alright!" I said with a smile.
"Tomorrow at 8 a.m., meet me in the dining hall to introduce Katia to the other members, Marvens," the Master said as he exited my room.
"Alright, I'll be there!" I replied.
A few minutes later, Juan and Komi headed back to their rooms to sleep.
"Good night, Katia," I said with a smile.
"Good night, Marvens!" she replied with the same smile.
"Hey, can I sleep with you tonight, please?" she asked.
"Absolutely not. You're not five anymore!" I told her.
"Fine..." she grumbled, pouting.
Then she went back into her box to pass the time.
...
The next day, the Master decided it was time to formally introduce Katia.
It was around 7:50. I was supposed to wake up at 7 to avoid rushing, but I ended up scrambling through my morning routine and arrived right on time.
I had to mentally prepare myself for all the judgment I was about to face by introducing Katia to the very people who had once wanted her executed.
Honestly, I didn't really care what people thought of me, but I wouldn't be able to stand anyone disrespecting Katia.
After a few moments, the master and I left my room, Katia now awake, and we made our way to the dining hall.
As soon as I stepped into the room, I heard people whispering. I couldn't tell whether they were insulting Katia or just wary of her.
"Hey, she's actually pretty cute," one of them said.
"You're right, man. Good thing we spared that beauty!" added another guy next to him.
I'd rather hear compliments than insults. Still, I had already imagined a bunch of nasty comments they might make, like "What a weird idea, teaming up with someone we were going to kill." But thankfully, people were kind to her.
We reached the back of the room, and the master began to speak.
"My children, the time has come to introduce Katia. The Spirit you saw entering with me and Marvens—that's her. I ask you to welcome her warmly!"
"HEY! Why should I welcome a Spirit that weak?" shouted a voice.
A large man stepped onto the stage, his gaze full of contempt.
He was little and muscular, but clearly no match for Katia.
I was about to yell at him and confront him, but the master held his arm in front of me, signaling me not to intervene.
"Seth, return to your seat!" the master shouted.
"I'm sorry, Master, but I need to see what this weakling is made of," Seth said with a smug grin.
The master, resigned, turned to me.
"Marvens, do you object to this fight?" he asked.
"No. I trust her," I replied calmly.
"Very well. Then let the battle begin!" he announced.
Seth charged up an attack with his power of creation. He forged a sword capable of slicing through anything in a single blow.
He rushed toward Katia, trying to land several strikes. But it was all in vain—Katia dodged each of his moves with ease.
Frustrated, Seth lost his temper.
"Come on, stop dodging and let's finish this already!" he shouted, a crazed grin on his face.
"That's what I'm doing. And yet you still can't even graze me," Katia replied with a faint smile.
The fight went on for another thirty seconds, but Seth still couldn't touch her.
"Alright, I've had enough," Katia said.
She looked him in the eyes and said:
"Kneel and tap the ground three times to forfeit."
Immediately, Seth obeyed, unable to resist.
"But... how is this possible? I can't control myself anymore!" he exclaimed.
"Don't worry. No one can disobey a beauty like mine," Katia replied with a mischievous smile.
The fight ended on that note. I had feared everyone would judge or fear her, but the opposite happened. The room burst into cheers and applause.
Apparently, Seth was quite a big deal to everyone here.
"Alright. Now that the fight's over, you've seen the strength of this Spirit. Katia, I'll ask you to introduce yourself," said the master.
"My name is Kat—"
"It's not over!" Seth shouted.
He held two items in his hands—tools used to exorcise a Spirit. Somehow, he had broken free of Katia's spell and stood up, running toward her.
But how was this fight going to end? I wondered.