I was enraged by the death of my friend...even though it should not have bothered me. He had made a mistake and paid for it. I knew this. However the darkness I had allowed into my mind seemed to make me angrier...I wanted revenge...the Master hadn't permitted it...but I WANTED it. I craved...no...NEEDED to kill those who had taken his life...

I looked out the window and saw Eblan and its caves getting farther away...I needed to go back...I had to get revenge...had to kill them all.

I unlocked the door and went to the transport captain.

"Take me back." I ordered. "There is more I must do."

The captain looked at me and shook his head. "I am sorry Lord-Captain...Golbez wants us back right away. I cannot disobey a direct order from the Red Wing leader."

I picked up the captain by the throat. "I said...take...me...back..."

The captain gagged and squirmed in my hands. "I...I...can't..."

I threw the captain down in a rage and tried to turn the ship myself.

"I must get revenge...they killed Ricard...this cannot stand!"

Suddenly the Master's voice echoed through my mind.

"Kain. Enough! Stand down and allow the captain to do his job. You have new instructions awaiting you here. Those Elbanian people are doomed to death already. You've taken revenge."

The anger inside me raised to a boil.

"Master...they must die by my hand! I thirst for revenge! The darkness you filled me with demands it!"

The Master's voice again echoed.

"The only demands that you obey come from me Kain. Nothing else."

I grabbed my head and screamed in pain.

"Kain...you are mine...you obey MY commands, do you understand."

"Yes...I do...Master...but I allowed the darkness to control me...to make me stronger...I can't...resist the urge to kill...to get...Revenge!"

I suddenly felt a warmth cover my entire body. I felt at peace and calm.

I turned and saw Palom doing several incatations with his hands.

"Sorry Kain, I hate to do this, but the Master commanded me and I must obey."

I nodded at the boy...he was the reason I felt so good. I would follow him...I didn't know why...but I would...as long as he made me feel this warm and peaceful.

"Come on Kain, we need to allow the captain to take us home. We need to go below deck and await the return to Baron."

I nodded slowly. "Yes...we...need...to...go...below...deck."

I led us downstairs and opened the door to our room.

"Sit down Kain. You need to rest." The boy told me in a calm soothing voice.

I suddenly felt more tired than I'd ever been in my life.

"I...am...tired." I said. "I must...rest."

I removed my armor and sat down on the bed. I felt calm...tired...so tired.

"Kain, Do you know why you are feeling so tired?"

I shook my head slowly as I did not know why I was so tired.

"I was commanded to use my Charm spell on you by the Master."

I looked at Palom and did not understand, but nodded at his words anyway.

"I had no choice, as you were not obeying the Master. You were enraged over something and disobeyed the Master's commands. He is not happy."

I understood that I disobeyed and I lowered my head in shame.

"What made you so angry Kain? Why would you try to hurt our own soldiers?"

I did not answer...I couldn't...I barely heard him speak.

Suddenly I felt more of the warmth enter me. I felt so good. Palom had made me feel this way...I had to listen to him...he would make me feel calm...had to listen.

"Kain...look at me and tell me why you disobeyed our Master."

I looked up and realized Palom was my friend and I could trust him...I could tell him why I was angry...he had calmed me...my friend...

"Tell me Kain...I'm your friend...you can tell me." Palom said with a smile.

"Darkness...consumed me...allowed it to take me...take control..."

"Kain, we have all allowed the darkness to take hold, but you have to keep in control. The Master has made you our leader for a reason...you must learn to control it, or the Master will make us all pay."

Palom was right. He was my friend and I trusted him. I had to control the Darkness...it could not control me. Even if I lost some strength...it could not control me. The Master would hurt me...punish me...I had to control it.

I was so calm...peaceful...but I had to control the darkness. I was mesmerized by Palom's spell...but I knew he was right deep down. I had to obey Palom and the Master. I had to control the darkness inside me...I had to obey.

I stood and walked to the full length mirror. I removed my underclothes and looked at my body. The darkness had made me much stronger...but that wasn't all that mattered. Being a good slave was just as important. My eyes were dialated and fogged, but I was thinking clearly.

"Palom, I am going...to...try and...regain myself."

I began to focus inside and tried to find the dark...instead of letting it run wild inside, I would join and make it obey me. Once I found the dark, I forced it to give me control again. My mind cleared and the rage slowly dissapeared. I watched as my body returned to its normal strength. I decided that I looked far better this way and smiled as I felt the dark flowing through my veins...but with me now commanding it.

I turned and faced Palom.

"I have done it my friend. I have regained my self-control. The darkness and I are now one. I am back to normal."

Palom shook his head.

"I must keep you under my spell until we arrive home. I was commanded to do so and I must obey. I lowered my control while you fought the dark. I must now raise it back until the Master tells me to free your mind."

Suddenly Palom raised his hands and pushed them towards me. I felt a large amount of warm energy hit my body.

Everything suddenly felt warm and I smiled as I looked at my beloved friend.

"Kain, how do you feel?"

Palom's voice was warm and made me feel wonderful...like I was loved again...Palom was not my Master, but I had to obey him...the spell was strong...made me feel good. I wanted him to command me...just like the Master.

"Kain...can you hear me?" Palom asked. His words echoed in my mind, just like the Master's did when giving me orders.

I understood these words and nodded. "Yes...I can hear you...what do you...wish of me?"

"I am amazed that my spell was powerful enough to control even you, Kain. Edward was a weakling...but you are strong...yet I am able to control you with this spell."

It was true...Palom had me under his spell and I could not resist it. I loved the feeling the spell gave me. I just wanted to obey him...and hoped that the feeling would continue.

"You like being controlled. I could tell...the Master knew long before that you needed to obey. I bet you were always his first choice. Do you enjoy being subservient Kain?"

"It has benefits..." I said. "I no longer am in control of my life...I do not have to worry about choices..."

"That didn't truly answer my question. Do you enjoy being a slave Kain?"

"I do. I love obeying our Master. He is my reason to exsist."

"How does my spell make you think of me? I have used only a fraction of the spells ability so far."

"I obey you because it is the will of the Master. When we arrive at Baron, the Master will take control and you and I will be warriors of the Master again and nothing more."

I watched the boy turn a little red and he clinched his fist. I saw a strange glow surround his hand and I felt more warmth surround me. I suddenly felt a new appreciation for Palom...he was a strong warrior...the Master had given him permission to command me when I became lost in the darkness. If the Master allowed him to command me...then I should let him fully control my thoughts and will.

"Kain...now...whom do you obey?"

His voice...so calming. I relaxed some...if Master Golbez trusted him...

"I obey you...the Master permits it, so it will be done."

Palom shook his head and I looked at him in confusion.

"Golbez isn't your Master anymore."

I gasped as I felt more warmth surround me. Suddenly the only thing that mattered was the boy in front of me.

"Golbez...isn't...Master..." I said.

"That's right Kain...he is no longer going to abuse you, I will command you and treat you with respect. We will stop Golbez and take the crystals for ourselves. I will not be a slave of that man anymore!"

"You...are Master?" I said as my former Master's control seemed to dissapear from my memories.

"I am yours to command my Master."

"Come to me Kain." The new Master commanded. I walked to him and bowed before him.

"Good boy Kain...now listen and obey."

"I await your orders."

"I know you miss Cecil, but we must bring Golbez under our power before we bring him to our side. If the former Master is controlled by my power, then we will be able to control the world!"

"How do we control the former Master? He is stronger than both of us...he will destory us for disobeying him." I said.

"No, we will arrive home for new orders and when we do...I will cast my spell upon him...then...then we will be in charge!"

"How...how did you break free of our former Master's control?"

"I realized while we were on this mission how strong I had become...that I could defeat him...it allowed me to break the control...I waited for the opertunity to charm you without Golbez questioning it...I never thought it would happen so fast!"

"I understand...you will be my Master and we will get Cecil to become one of us!"

"That is right Kain, now come, we arrive at Baron soon...then we will take control!"

The new Master would let me bring Cecil to our side...the old Master kept putting it off...I had to help him...I wanted my brother with us...

Golbez...my former Master...soon...you'll understand and join...