but, of course, like everything else in my life, it wasn't going to be handed to me, it's rather the opposite actually.
I realized much to the unwanted, unasked for, "aid", of the screen in front of me.
[a being humanity cannot handle has been detected, the system's presence on earth has also been detected, mass releasing the planetary defense protocol using sample of system parameters]
it read as a loading bar popped up in the corner of my vision.
its progress slow, but immediate, as the moment the bar materialized in light, I could already see system screens descending upon passersby like parasites, like spirits possessing a shell.
no doubt already telling their hosts about not only the power they now held, but about their grand goal, their main quest so to speak, defeating me.
and while I felt no fear in the attempts of insects, I did feel annoyance, I didn't like the idea of wasting my time on pointless fights when I have revenge to complete, when I have someone to talk to.
I resolved with a deep breath and a closing of my eyes, a shifting of focus, that, before anyone outside the alley could notice, calmed my gravity resistant hair, and my current wardrobe, into normal long black wavy locks that obeys the laws of physics once more, lusciously ending at the small of the back, as well as a simple white t-shirt, jeans, and regular sneakers, a regular for Dylan, both Dylans, both her and my former self.
I found myself thinking, found my thoughts, straying, as I, without any hesitation, calmly and normally walked out of the alley like nothing was wrong, like, well, what happened, hadn't happened.
because no one needed to know it had.
I kept entirely to myself as I began walking to Dylan's apartment, which, didn't take long, as it was in the area, so at best, the walk itself took about a heartbreaking five minutes.
what since it means that Dylan, the only human I'd ever seen value in, my ENTIRE life, was murdered right outside her home, terrified, and close to safety, safety she'd never be aware she has, again.
I almost lost control, and needed a second to breathe and unclench my fists that had once again brought blood flowing from my palms.
my mind hurriedly working to remind myself of the soul snare's description as my feet began using their own wills to carry me into Dylan's apartment, where, by the time I was free to think clearly again, we were already inside with the door locked behind us.
"she's safe." I found myself muttering in her voice.
"she's finally safe." I practically broke into crying as I closed my eyes, stabilized my wavering voice, and dove deep into the recesses of my own consciousness, my body, Dylan's body, naked and wrapped in a black glow that protected it from the raging storm of destruction that constituted my entire internal being.
a strict focus plastered across my expression, a goal.
a single driving force that pushed me deeper and deeper until finally, before me, was another Dylan lying curled on the ground, crying.
bruised, scared.
I noticed the moment I landed, and instantly raced to yank her into my embrace.
startling her.
"PLEASE!" she sobbed as she resisted my hug.
"SOMEONE, PLEASE, HELP ME!" she broke down, terrified, enraging and breaking my heart all within the same fraction of seconds.
I clenched my jaw unconsciously, and in my old voice, or, at least, the best imitation I could do of my old voice, told her, "you're safe now."
"I have you, no one is ever going to hurt you ever again, I promise." I assured her as I held her tighter.
"I'm back, I came back to find you, and I'm gonna protect you forever, so by the time you wake up, nothing that can hurt you will be anywhere near you." I gave her my word, my bond, my very soul, as her own consciousness slipped into a peaceful sleep, her dreams of course controlled by me.
dreams I would make pleasant, warm, reminiscent of the old times, dreams that would make one both never want to wake, and ready to take on the world once again when they finally did.
I was going to give her her life back when this was all said and done, on a world fit for her gentle personality.
this one had fucked up, I needed her asleep so I could wipe it out.
I knew she wasn't like me, I snapped under the darkness, embraced it, became it, she stayed in the light, refusing to let the people around her break her.
I smiled, my eyes never once leaving her sleeping face as I wiped a tear away from her cheek with my fingers.
"you were always stronger than me, you know that? they couldn't break you, but they shattered me." I chuckled awkwardly as I gingerly lowered her to the cloud like floor, and swore to wake her back up when I found her somewhere she could be truly happy.
somewhere where she wouldn't be reminded of how I was no longer the same, somewhere that didn't have clear as day proof of how terrifying of a being I'd become.
I glared, her golden eyes glowing, and full of rage.
my ascent, instant, my consciousness now back once more in the apartment, ready and willing to begin, to tear it all down.
but before any of that could begin, I needed a plan, I needed resources, and most importantly of all, I needed allies I could bring with me when I reduce this waste of a planet to space rock.
I mean, if I'm gonna break this world from the inside, what's to say I should stop here?
what's to say I should deprive the other societies within creation the privilege of being judged for their numerous crimes?
I thought with a wicked grin, a malicious smirk that bared fanged teeth and a hunger for death, pain, and annihilation.