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Joel flew through the air in the dark of night. His elytra twisted into a frenzy as blood dripped from his hands. It wasn't anyone's blood. Okay, that wasn’t anyone, but at least it wasn’t a person. It was only a bird. And he has killed lots of birds before. But not like this, he ripped the head off one of Scott’s beloved owls with his bare hands. And then he just left it there. On Scott’s doorstep for him to find in the morning.
Joel didn’t want to do that. It wasn’t him in control. It was that demon that was inside him. No matter how hard he fought Xornoth would find a way out. He had been successful in keeping the demon from killing his friends and family. But didn’t know how much longer he could keep them at bay.
Joel screamed as pain shot through his head. It was as if long, thick, sharp claws dug into his brain and jerked it back. He fell to the ground, crashing into branches and jungle leaves, and landed with a splash as he landed in a river. He kicked and flailed in the water until he made it to shore. Taking deep breaths, he laid his head on the slimy mud shore.
“Get out of my head!” Joel yelled.
“Why would I. You’re the reason I’m in here,” Xornoth whispered, “Don’t you want me to stay?”
“No! I want you gone,” Joel rolled onto his back with a slosh. He gripped and pulled at his hair trying to relieve some of the pain.
“You let me in!” Xornoth said.
“I didn’t mean to,” Joel said tears starting to form, “I didn’t think you were real.”
“But you still stole my prison. And when they told why it was so important you didn’t return it you swallowed to keep it hidden. This is your fault,” Xornoth said. Joel closed his eyes as a few tears leaked out. It was his fault. He took that damned crystal for petty revenge. It was his fault.
Xornoth’s cold dead hands crawled across Joel’s mind, “Just let go and let me be in control.”
Joel came close to letting go. All this pain would go away. He would become numb to his guilt. All he would have to do was let the demon take over. Darkness began to swell around him.
But Joel opened his eyes. He wouldn’t let that happen. Sure it was his fault that he became possessed. But he will not let that demon hurt his friends. He pushed himself out of the mud.
“You will not have control. Nothing you can say or do to me will ever let give you complete control!” Joel stood on shaking legs, gasping for air.
“Are you sure about that?” Xornoth asked.
“I am,” Joel said.
“We will see about that,” Xornoth said. Joel let out a painful screech as Xornoth plunged his claws into his mind. Pulling him into the void of his head. A cold numbness wrapped around him as Xornoth took hold of his body.
Joel kicked and screamed at the void. But that demon just ignored him. He could still see what was happening and felt what his body felt.
Xornoth dusted off Joel’s clothes and straightened the elytra. Within seconds they were at The Ocean Empire outside of Lizzie’s palace looking in. It was Lizzie’s bedroom. She was asleep on her bed and axolotls passed out on her floor. Her sapphire blue scales twinkled under the moonlight. She was so peaceful, completely unaware that a demon that was possessing her husband was right out her window.
“What are we doing here?” Joel said as Xornoth let him have control. He fell to his knees, fear and anger flared in his stomach. His body thumped in a slow and steady pain.
“Do you know how easy it would be for me to kill someone in their sleep?” Xornoth asked.
“No! Don’t you dare touch her!” Joel yelled. He yelped in pain as Xornoth tried to take control.
“You know that in the end, I will win, right?” Xornoth asked.
Joel closed his eyes, tears started to fall. Xornoth was right. They would win in the end. And Lizzie. Lizzie would be in danger.
“I’m so sorry, Lizzie,” Joel whispered, “You can’t hurt her, please.”
“I will not. As long as you give me control,” Xornoth said.
“Promise me you won’t hurt her!” Joel said.
“I promise, I will not harm her,” Xornoth said.
“Then it’s a deal,” Joel said. He tried to suppress a sob, but he failed. It came out in a whale. Xornoth’s claws dug into his brain pulling him out of his head and into the empty void, feeling numb and nothing at the same time.
“Finally,” Xornoth said as a sickly smile spread across their face.