Curse Of Mind

***WARNING***: This chapter includes content that may be disturbing to some people. So don't take it too seriously please. I don't want my readers to get a bad mindset.

It's hard to wake up from a nightmare if you aren't even asleep. But he had no choice, his path wasn't over yet. Saviors can take on many forms and come in many ways. They can bring chance be it in your strength and power or inside yourself.

"Listen to me, both of you.

I only remember this curse by the words of my master. However, if he was right about everything, it is time to take on great responsibilities."

"What do you mean by that?"

Ryu became silent for a moment and gritted his teeth. The next task would be one of the biggest challenges he has ever faced. "All the things they lived through, what they saw, what they experienced. That which they have gone through and endured may be erased. So when they wake up they may not remember anything about this place. In the best case scenario, they've all completely forgotten what happened here after being captured."

"Are you serious? If that's possible then we can save them from themselves. You want us to tell them absolutely nothing, don't you? But then how are we supposed to explain their aging and the deaths of their fellow dark elves?"

"That wasn't an option, that was a decision. As for their memories...we won't...we'll keep everything a secret. That's why we have to act quickly. We will try to get everyone away from here before they wake up, that way they won't have to witness any of this hell. No matter how much they mourn or question, we won't give them any kind of information. One false thought and all the memories may return.

"And what about the dead? About my brothers and their families? We can't just leave them here!"

" What do you think we should do? It is our priority to protect the living. Maybe you don't like it, but the dead will remain here for the time being."

"And what about Leo? Is he going to remember all of this, or is he going to forget any other memories?"

"I doubt it. Unlike the prisoners, he wasn't under the curse, he was actually a piece of it. Besides, was only in this state for a short time so nothing should have changed about him. There is not much time, we don't know when they will wake up. We are moving them in the cages towards the west. This may not be the ideal method, but it is the quickest. Put them next to each other and be careful of their wounds. By the looks of them, their bodies are very fragile...I want to get out of this place as soon as possible.

After a moment's hesitation, the two agreed to his suggestion and got to work. It took hours until everything was prepared. Nadal and Connor searched the camp for supplies to take with them. There was one room packed with food, it was not enough to feed everyone but a start. They set up camp in the forest and carried the dark elves to safety. All night long they watched over the victims and waited for them to wake up. The three of them knew they were alive, yet for how long if they didn't wake up soon?

"Are you sure they will just snap out of it?"

"No, I don't. Probably when our friend here decides to wake up...Be aware, I am not sure of everything. It was a long time ago since I heard about this curse and Master didn't exactly explain everything."

"I'll get the others out of the camp, they can't rot any further. If I have to then I will bury them all by myself."

"...Do what you want...just remember that they won't get anything out of it..."

"What are you talking about? This was your plan wasn't it?!"

" Well, technically it was but...ah, forget it, do what you want!"

It was hard to agree in this situation. After all, a tragedy had unfolded before them. It lasted until noon the next day when Leo opened his eyes again. Immidiately Ryu and Connor noticed that his aura had completely changed but only Leo knew how exactly.

"Finally the sleepyhead woke up."

" Evidently, I owe you both a debt of gratitude. I must have really overdone it this time..."

"You completely misjudged things, if we hadn't been there you would have died you idiot-"

Suddenly Connor punched Leo right in the face sending him falling backwards.

"That's the least you deserve for that stunt you fucking moron. Death may not be a problem for you but the manner of it is for us. You know Ryu would probably punch you too if he wasn't so strong."

"I do not always consider violence, what good does such an action do. My master always used to punish me outright with drills that drove me to the limit."

"Enough blabber, look around you. I'm not the only one who has woken up. Let me help keep them supplied. Look, I know what you're up to, or at least I know your intentions. But let me tell you, you're wrong, it's not the smartest way. As a matter of fact, there is no need for secrets at all."

The man knew exactly what Ryu thought of. Was he still conscious when he told the two what to do now?

"What do you mean by that? Tell me what happened while you were passed out."

Leo tried to pretend that nothing happened however, this time he failed to put on a fake mask.

"... A lot of things... way too much to explain...you'll see for yourself in a moment..."

Ryu was half right with his assumption, however, Leo added his own part to it. Contrary to what the dark elf had expected, they were able to remember the deaths of their brothers and sister. As Ryu tried to explain to them, he realized it wasn't necessary. Most surprisingly, they had come to terms with the deaths without remembering the reason. Every single one of them began to mourn but was in their right mind. It all didn't make sense and it looked even more weird yet it was a very much needed result.

"Where did you put their bodies? They' ve deserved to say a final goodbye. No need to worry, nothing bad will happen."

"...Are you sure? It was Nadal who was going to take care of them. I'm sure he's still around the camp."

"That's pretty much what I figured. I'll let him know, you guys make sure they stay here and are taken care of for now."

Leo headed off to find Nadal. Oddly enough, he had buried the bodies a long way from where they had come from. He told him in detail what had happened and how they were to proceed. Despite the fact that Nadal had many questions for him, his desire was the first objective.

"From now on, I leave everything to you...to all of you. The choice is yours how you want to handle it."

As Nadal and Leo had intended, the victims who were still alive got the right to say goodbye to their deceased...at least to those who were still recognizable. It was a truly sad and tragic sight, tears fell down their cheeks as they mourned for the death of their family whose fate they didn't know. It was unfair yet the best way to protect their future.

Leo had not attended, but went straight back to camp. Along with Ryu and Connor, he planned to destroy everything. As everything went up in flames, Leo gazed sorrowfully into the flames. Just as he was about to go back, Ryu stopped him.

" Hold on, you've got some explaining to do. How come they can't remember anything? And just how have they already come to terms with death? It can' t be because of the curse itself. What did you do?"

"You're right, it's not because of the curse but its user. Surely if you know about it then you are familiar with the bad ending. I am sure your master mentioned it at one point."

Ryu stopped rigidly and looked straight into Leo's eyes, stunned. The way he looked into his eyes was the answer Ryu refused to believe.

"Did you really affect them and their memories... this can' t be right, can it?"

"Heh, you're making it seem like it's the end of me."

" For most it would be given the extent that this curse has taken on. So how can you even still be standing here holding all these memories? How are you not destroyed?"

"You really do know everything, don't you? It's true that I took their memories and erased them for their sake. It's equally true that I declared their love ones deaths and set them up for their awakening. You want to know how I can still stand here like this? Haha, I don't really know myself. I mean the memories of hundreds of dark elves of this place are not very appealing neither is having to constantly repeat them over and over again. In any case, now I know why this curse drives you crazy and eats away at your mind. Still, if you can steer it in the right direction it at least wouldn't be that hurtful. And it's not like I'm the most important person in this world. It thought I would only care about myself yet it seemed the only right thing to make use of this curse and carry their burden."

"So you really are holding all of their horrible memories inside of you?"

"Ha, if it would be just that then I would have come out more unscathed but I hope I'm not a psycho, at least not in my head. I can't deny that I've been broken inside a few times since I woke up but saving them from their memories gave me enough will to stand upright. Plus, iI got some help I would've never expected. Let me tell you, everything is far bigger than you think. Very soon everything will be back to normal, I already know that they are not my memories so I'll be able to put it all behind me much sooner. However, for now I really enjoy your company. Haha, at least you can now count on me never doing such actions again alone."

Ryu's master said that anyone who chose this path would end up as a ruined being. Was it any different with Leo, or had he been mistaken?

"Stop laughing, it just makes it worse. If you really want to live with it, then try not to pretend all the time.

"I've already accepted them, that's all I can do...that's all the options it has given me...unfortunately I was forced to admit some things...that I never wanted to."

Leo's expression completely changed. Ryu would have never thought he could make such a face: he looked sad but not lost. Not even Leo thought he would ever pull such a face again. Accepting memories is one thing, burying them is another...

" Once the curse was over...I realized...everything... that growth and comfort cannot co-exist.

"What does that mean at this point?

"It's just an saying, that' s all, you can interpret it however you want. In any case, it's time to return."

"Hey, no matter what you do I have my eye on you whether you like it or not. From now on, no more crooked things or lies if you don't want to get into that kind of danger again."

Leo knew Ryu meant it in a good way and grinned.

("Thanks.")

Leo planned to tell him about everything however the help he was given made him keep some pieces to himself. Not only had he taken over their memories but also their pain, thoughts and feelings, ever changing, rising and falling until they were all shattered. This was a huge burden for him and yet an important element that would leave its mark on him. Nothing can prepare one for such a predicament....

-Yesterday-

"Where am I? Why do I feel so powerful yet feel myself weakening? Why is everything dark? Hey, that's me, isn't it? What am I doing, why am I attacking these people? Stop it, we're here to save them, not kill them! Why am I doing this?!!!"

"Because you're trapped here."

An omnipresent voice spoke directly into his ear. It had a calm stern tone."

"A curse was placed on you and you embraced it. As a result, you now have no control over your body and are acting like a wild beast."

"Who is speaking? Where are we?"

"It is of no importance. Observe what is happening in front of your eyes. This is the consequence of your arrogance and underestimation. Behold what you have done to yourself and are about to do to others!"

"That's not really me, I would never do something like that! How can I get rid of this fucking curse?"

"It's not simple. This curse has a definite existence, a cause, and a great meaning both evil and good. The choice is yours, do you throw the chance of giving one to others away or do you stick to yourself?"

"I don't have time for mysteries. I need to get back as soon as possible!"

"You humans are not filled with patience. In simpler terms, there is a chance for you to truly save these beings, to restore them to a state where they can continue to function. You may be able to save their blood, however, the deep inner wounds don't have a chance to regenerate. You were aware that your objective was unattainable and yet you tried.

You have awoken our interest, so I am giving you this single chance to fulfill your mission by paying a price."

"...What is this prize to be? One of my body parts?"

"No, it will be you who will pay a price, not your body."

Before Leo could interject, the voice grew louder and could not be interrupted.

"If you really want to save them then you must erase their inner being which has changed in this place and purify their minds. Once you make that choice there will be no going back, and even if you succeed you won't be the same. At worst, you will have to give up your very existence. So young man, what do you decide: do you really live only for yourself or is there more to you?"

Leo struggled with himself as he saw Ryu fighting him. Internally he was divided, yet he accepted this path even after the process was explained to him.

"Are you ready to do this, young being? Rest assured that if you succeed, your growth will be of great importance. Let me help you overcome this world, all you have to do is take the first step."

"If...if I can really become any stronger...then I will...I am ready..."

Having said that, he could no longer see with his own eyes. In order to save them, he began to absorb everything of them and change their lives so that they would have meaning again. Getting there required an empty shell that continually filled...with tears, doubt, grief, pain, abandonment, anger, hatred, love, death, self-doubt, denial, betrayal and emptiness.

"Look honey, our daughter can already walk.

"Wow, that's amazing, you're doing great!"

"Hey, you want to know something? He confessed his love to me yesterday."

"Oh that's great, now you're finally together. Childhood friends are meant for each other after all hahaha."

"See how happy the three of them are? We have to continue it this way, we have to help them."

Haha, don't take everything so seriously darling, we'll be good parents."

"W-will you marry me? I-I promise to treat you well too."

"It took you a long time, you idiot! Of course I'll marry you, you'd be lost without me."

"Happy birthday little man. May you grow nice and big and strong."

"Isn't it about time you had a child?"

"Why are you rushing like this? We're still so young."

"But I've had the wish for a long time."

"Mom, what will happen to us now? Are we going to die?"

"Don't worry little one, everything will be fine. I won't let anything happen to you."

"Let go of him, take me. Damn it, why am I so weak why can't I do anything. Why did something like this happen to me? Where did I do something wrong? What did I do to deserve this?"

"Mom, stay here! I need you, why do you just go away...?

I-I thought you loved me forever...why aren't you here anymore waaah..."

"What did you do to my wife? Where the hell is she!"

"...Oh no, oh no no, what have they done to you? Oh no, why did they do this to you?"

"Stop crying honey, we have to be strong. We can't lose hope, we can't give up."

"...What did she say again? Don't give up hope? Then why did you fucking kill yourself?! Fuck, now I'm here alone, I don't want to be alone!"

"I-is it true? H-he's not dead is he? What about our promise, about our wedding? Without him I'm nothing waaah....

My only wish is to see you again...I'll join you my love, then we can finally be together again."

Hey! Hey! Anybody?! Someone killed themselves here! Does anyone know how she did it? She must have had a knife...where is it? Why does she get to leave here? It's not fair!"

"Is there any point anymore? Everything I mean, I haven't seen my family in months even though we're not even 50 yards apart...are they still alive?"

"I-I don't want to believe it, t-that they are dead. There was so much I wanted to show the twins. How strong their dad is...how kind their mom is yet now...now I'm all alone..."

"Leave me alone, I don't want your pity! Go away, I-I am not worth it, I am worthless nothing more..."

"W-why is he gone? We were still going to play so much, experience so much, make so many beautiful memories together...why did you leave me alone waah..."

"Why are others allowed to live and rot like here? Why is this world so unfair? Fuck, what am I living for when I'm hated and despised by everything?"

"No, let me go! Please don't do it, please! Aaaah!"

"I beg you, don't do this to me! I'm still so young, why are you abusing me!"

"Where did my dad go, is he coming back? He was going to teach me something else. I'll just wait for him with the others. I'm sure he'll be back soon."

"Why would anyone want to survive in this cruel world?...I think it's time to escape this hellscape, to escape everything..."

"Hahaha, why am I still alive? Or am I dead? Did I go crazy? Haha, I killed a person today...please let me die."

It didn't matter what kind of thoughts and feelings, Leo experienced everything the same way as they did. Although it was only for a brief moment, he felt the hellish pain of victims being whipped, trampled, strangled, abused, tortured, beaten and tormented. Those little moments felt like an eternity to Leo. Now he knew everything about the several hundred dark elves, about their whole lives, all their loved ones, their suffering, and even in the case of a few, the moments before their deaths. It was almost too much for him to bear, yet in between he kept hearing the voice that gave him some clarity. Thus he managed to survive and not to lose himself. As the images in front of him vanished he noticed how everyone suddenly stared at him with their pairs of eyes. Within the next moment he was overwhelmed by questions. A loud chaotic discussion arose that had no end: "Where am I? Where is my family? What was the last thing I did? Where was the last place I was? Where are my children? Am I dead?"

"Now is the moment. It's almost over, their rescue is almost done. Now it' s up to you to decide how they are going to live."

Leo realized they could hear him because of the curse so his words were omnipresent to them. By controlling them, he was able to affect all of them to some degree. After a lot of thought, he had chosen his words.

"I know what you're wondering about, and I know what you're on too. Hell, I know who and what you are, each and every one of you... truly each and every one of you. First of all, all you need to know is that you're safe and you always have been. You want to know why everyone isn't here?

Leo tried desperately to calm them down and make everything clear to them, but it didn't matter. He knew how they would react because he was familiar with them, however, he tried it anyway.

"Don't be afraid, it was evident from the beginning that they cannot continue to exist like this. Renounce the despair and do what is necessary!"

Leo was not able to convince them by using natural means therefore he used a small part of his control to silence their questions by his answers. By doing so, he forced them to accept his responses. He was by no means comfortable with this, still it was a necessary step towards this direction. Eventually, he erased their memories of this place and gave them back all of them up to the point of being captured. Along with all these experiences and memories, his whole being changed as well as him developing the ability to have endless growth.

"Well done, you have accomplished it. Break free from shame and doubt, thy quest has been fulfilled. This time, on which path does not matter. Henceforth, my symbol will be of assistance to you so preserve it as best you can."

Then the voice stopped and Leo lost consciousness. His mind was a never-ending hurricane, nevertheless, he withstood the pressure. Just like before, he would have to overcome several challenges. Now he truly realized he was not alone, because the sign would guide him on a greater path that would never end.