Chapter 16
Reflections
We had gotten back to Enrique's mansion and all the others were asleep but Enrique and I, both of us sitting in the main room about to nod off when he asked me a question.
"Ayia," He asked, "why do you think the Demolition Boys led you out into the forest to battle you?"
"Because they want me back," I said, "and they knew the only ways they could get me back are if they tried to hurt you guys, take or hurt Orelin, or remind me of my past."
"But I thought your past was really awful." He said.
"It was," I said sadly, I needed to tell him—now, "But the only good thing I had there was a relationship."
"Relationship?" He said questionably, "With who?"
"Tala." I said.
"What?" He said, "But how---he hurt you---he's an darkness-driven Blader."
"Now," I said, "But when I was in Balkov Abbey, him and I were best friends as kids, but we got closer when we got older and things got worse. We were the only thing we could depend on. I needed someone to go to. He was such a caring person at the time and wanted me to be free and learn to be a better Blader. But now---I just don't know."
"But that was in the past." He said.
"I know." I said, "but they---it---something's making me remember. Just remembering how hurt he was when I left, or when he was trying to control Motoki is enough to send me back. I could see it in his eyes Enrique, just right in front of me. I see that darkness every night, day, all the time; I just can't shake it."
"You've really had a lot on you're mind, haven't you?" He asked.
"Ya' think?" I said sarcastically.
"Well how am I supposed to know what you're feeling if you don't tell me?" He asked, "You not afraid I'll hurt or yell at you, are you?"
I turned away.
"How could I do that?" He asked, turning my head towards him, "I love you Ayia, how could I hurt you?"
I leaned into Enrique, "Everything's just so mixed up now--" I said, "I just don't know who to trust."
"Well, you know you can trust me." He said putting his arms around me, "I'd never do anything to hurt or upset you."
"Promise?" I said, looking up at him.
"Promise." He said, lightly kissing my forehead, "Now, let's get some sleep, I think you could use some to take things off your mind."
"Right." I said, "Hopefully without another nightmare."
"Nightmare?" He said, "They've really got you on your toes, don't they?"
"Yeah." I said, "If we don't beat them, they will steal everyone's Bitbeasts. I mean, you saw what happened to Michael."
"I know." He said, "But we can keep ours safe—I'm sure of it—and if Tala doesn't stay away from you I'll--"
"Enrique." I said, getting up. "I'm going to tell you this one time and one time only; you will not interfere with my match against Tala. I am the only one who can defeat him. It will be hard though, and I don't know if I want to take him head-on in a match."
"But—you have to battle him." He said, standing up beside me.
"I know that." I said, "But, somewhere deep inside is the Tala I used to know, and I might be able to bring him out of it."
"But that would be wasting time," He said, "Orelin could be out of the dish in seconds if you blade like that!"
"What?" I said angrily, "Tala is still in there somewhere, and I'm going to bring him out of it!"
"Do you not understand just what's going on?" He said.
"I understand," I said, "that Tala's old heart is still in there—somewhere!"
"Ayia—listen to yourself!" He said, "You're fighting for something that's gone!"
I stepped back, "Tala is not gone!"
"He's connected to Motoki!" Enrique said, "He's bonded to him permanently--unless you can break that bond in the battle by winning--and holding back is not winning!"
"I'm not holding back!" I said, "I need to find out what's going on inside him!"
"What's going on inside him?" Enrique said, "I'll tell you what's going on inside him---Motoki's darkness!"
"But-" I started.
"Ayia!" He said. "Please. If you don't win—he will not come out of it, he will be in darkness—forever!"
"Enrique-" I started.
"Ayia, if you don't win all the Bit-Beats will be gone forever!" He said. He reached into my pocket and pulled out Orelin and showed me the Bit Chip, "Is that what you want? Orelin, your partner, to be gone forever?"
"No." I said.
"Then you need to win against Tala." He said.
"I know—it's just." I said as I slumped to the floor, "I'd never want him or you guys getting hurt. I'd rather take the blows myself. I'm just so confused---I just don't want to fight anymore. I don't want anymore pain—for anyone."
"Oh Ayia, I'm sorry." He said as he put his arms around me, sat next to me, and held me close to him, "I shouldn't have been so harsh."
"You had to be." I said as he put Orelin back into my hand, "I needed to see that the only way to bring Tala out of this is to battle him and win."
"Right." He said, "That's all I wanted to tell you."
"I know." I said, looking at Orelin, "You're not the only one who's been telling me."
I put Orelin back in my pocket.
"So you're going through with the battle--" He said, "head-on?"
"Yeah." I said, "I mean—Tala's like a brother to me, if I don't save him, who will?"
"You're right." He said.
"But I still can't help thinking that something's just wrong." I said, "Not just Tala's attitude. It took me at least nine years to totally control, learn, and master all of Motoki's attacks, and Tala's done it in almost half the time, and only having a little trouble with it. Doesn't that seem just a bit strange to you?"
"Yeah it does." Enrique said, "well might as well get some sleep, maybe it'll help you out."
"Yeah." I said, "Good night."
I gave him a hug.
"And thanks," I said, "you know--for everything."
"Sure." He said with a smile, "Now go get some rest."
"Sure thing." I said as I walked off to my room, and he walked off to his.
I walked into my room and sat on my bed. I took Orelin back out of my pocket and looked at Orelin. I stared into the wolf's eyes. Before I could easily hear what it was saying, but I wasn't so sure now; was there something I didn't know about that Orelin did and was trying to tell me—or was I losing Orelin—just like I was losing Tala?
"Orelin," I said, almost in tears, "Never leave me, please. I'd never let anything ever happen to you, ever. You're not slipping away like Tala, are you? Or is it my fault? Do I even deserve you? Orelin---please tell me."
Suddenly, I saw a stream of brilliant white light come out of the Bit Chip and lead over to a mirror in the corner of the room. I sensed something was saying to follow it. So I got up, went over to the mirror, and looked into it.
I at first saw my own face, but then, it started to change. A bright light shone from the mirror and my image was no longer there, but Orelin's.
"I live in you." I heard Orelin's voice say, "you are the light that can brighten Tala's eyes and save him from Motoki. Only us."
"Us?" I said questionably.
"You, me, and the Majestics." Orelin said again.
"Orelin," I said, "I don't want to lose you."
"You can't lose me, don't you see?" Orelin said, "We are together now; they can steal me from your blade, but they can't steal me from your heart---we will always be together."
"Orelin." I said.
"Never forget who you are Ayia." Orelin said, "you are the light."
My necklace started to glow.
"That necklace is the glow of your heart." Orelin said, "See how brightly it shines?"
It shone brightly, but suddenly flickered a bit.
"Why does it flicker?" I asked.
"Because," Orelin said, "you still have a part of your heart that is darkness. It makes you unsure of who you are."
"Why?" I asked.
"It is a part that Motoki touched you personally." Orelin said, "He actually bonded with you."
I suddenly saw my reflection darken, and to my horror, Motoki appeared instead of Orelin. I gasped and stepped backward.
"No." I said. I said this word so many times I almost didn't know what it meant anymore, "It can't be."
"I can't take care of that part," Orelin said, returning back into the mirror, "There is a war going on in your heart somewhere between the pure light and darkness of your heart."
"How can I win against the darkness?" I asked.
"Remember who you are," Orelin said, "and defeat Motoki to help Tala."
"Right." I said.
"Always remember." I heard Orelin say as his reflection started to fade, "remember…remember."
Orelin's last words resounded in my mind before his reflection faded and my face appeared. I looked at my reflection and saw my eyes flicker a bright blue—the blue of Orelin's. I looked at my blade and held it to my heart.
"Thank you Orelin." I said.
I heard a powerful howl float through the air. I smiled.
"So much."
