The dark core spurted out tendrils that fired towards the red core. They tried to pierce the surface of the core but upon contact, the red core pulsed.
Most of the tendrils turned to ash and the rest retracted, screeching in evident pain.
Onyx winced, glaring at Ray with his dark eyes, "You son of a—" He gritted his teeth and clenched his fists.
Ray blinked rapidly, 'What just happened? Did he try to take over my core? Is that what he is, a sort of projection of the core?'
Onyx inhaled deeply and let out a slow breath. He turned to Ray with a small smile, "Listen…"
He walked to a glass cup and tried to pick it up but his hand went through it. Onyx looked back at Ray, "I'm just like you." He started.
"I just want the best for both of us. Aren't you tired of being bullied, of being alone, of having no one?" With each question, Onyx's voice rose in crescendo.
Ray shifted slightly and Onyx resumed, "You know the best thing? You won't feel a thing. I'll handle everything—the pain, the stress, the worries… you'll be free of it all."
As much as Ray didn't want to admit it, Onyx's words were starting to get to him. The promise of relief and peace on the horizon but Ray wasn't foolish.
"Oh yeah?" Ray asked, scanning Onyx suspiciously, "And how exactly would you achieve what you want? I am weak, I have no power, I have no idea what your goal even is and finally, what happens to me?!"
Onyx scowled as though he hadn't been expecting such questions but his face quickly became neutral. "Simple. You are still there… like I said, I'm just like you with just a little edge."
Ray frowned, "And what about the other questions?"
Onyx squinted his eyes, "I have powers of my own and I'm well capable of handling myself and my personal desires but trust me, I will avenge you."
A smile spread on Ray's face, 'He can't take over my core so he's hoping for my help?'
To Ray, that was the only reasonable explanation especially for someone who had tried twice to take over his core.
Ray pushed himself up, ignoring the ache in his body. He stood over Onyx—over himself—and crossed his arms.
"You literally just tried to eat my core. TWICE!! And now you want me to trust you?"
Onyx's smile flickered.
Ray pointed at the door.
"Get out."
Onyx laughed. It was Ray's laugh, but hollow. "Out? I am you. I'm in your core. Where exactly would I go?"
Ray's hand drifted to his chest. 'Then I'll find a way to get you out.'
He didn't say it aloud. But Onyx's eyes narrowed, as he'd heard anyway.
Onyx chuckled mirthlessly, "Hmm, I see. You'll need me soon enough." Then his body became translucent, reducing in opacity until he vanished.
Ray looked around his house; it was back to being empty, and although it was technically the same, it felt different. He had changed.
"No use crying over spilled milk." Ray picked up the journal and managed to get to the couch.
He opened it and read:
[The Path of Profanity I investigated and withdrew from one of my findings whilst studying abroad.]
[Many call this path unholy but just like angels call demons unholy, don't demons call angels the same?]
Ray closed the journal and shut his eyes, "I was right!! He is crazy!!!"
"I should have waited and read ahead before practicing forward. Who knows what I've done to my core?!"
He pushed himself to his feet and dragged himself to the front door. He needed some fresh air.
***
Ray sat in the public park bench and stared at the sky, watching the clouds and birds flying overhead.
He closed his eyes to enjoy the breeze when Onyx's voice called out from beside him, "Oh? What do we have here?"
Before Ray could open his eyes to ask him what he was talking about, a shadow was cast over him.
Ray's eyes flew open only to see Fluid Boy and Marcus approaching.
Marcus glanced at Ray then whispered something to the fluid boy who in turn looked at him.
'Shit!' Ray cursed his luck. He has managed to avoid most confrontations but it seemed like this was inevitable.
How long would he keep running? He'd soon fight back but today wasn't that day.
Ray jumped to his feet trying to run but before he could, the earth pulsed and wrapped around his feet.
His momentum caused him to fall and he barely caught himself with his hands. His hands sank into the ground and they tightened around Ray's wrists like a vise.
'You have got to be kidding me!' Ray struggled fruitlessly to free himself.
Onyx laughed out loud beside Ray, watching from the sides with delight in the darkness of his eyes.
Marcus was the first to get close to Ray. He stopped just short of the latter's head, casting a shadow over him.
"You like my Tier 2 spell?" He taunted Ray but he didn't respond.
Marcus frowned, "I asked a question. Answer me."
Ray didn't pay attention to whatever Marcus said. His eyes were trailing their surroundings, hoping for an intervening passersby but he had no such luck.
"How dare you?!" Marcus raised his foot but the fluid boy placed a hand on his chest to stop him.
He scanned Ray and his lips curled up in disgust, "You managed to get away from me the first time and the second time was in school."
A cold sweat ran down Ray's face. Something about Fluid Boy's words seemed far more ominous and menacing than ever.
Ray's face paled. It couldn't be but alas, it was.
Fluid boy raised a hand and waved Marcus off, "Leave and ensure no one interrupts." Marcus smiled and walked away glaring at Ray as he did. Onyx's laughter increased until it became hysterical.
"Now…" A whip made of water materialized in fluid boy's hand.
"... let's have fun."