“There will come an eventuality, anomaly, that I will kill you.”

The words spoken so plainly echoed loudly in my ears. I stood there stunned, and glancing at my furry friend. He’d never said that before, it wasn’t his way, he’s not the type to give warnings.

Yet he had, admitted openly to a deed he will one day do, and in truth, had already done so numerous times.

How many? I couldn’t remember, he’s killed me so often I stopped bothering to keep track. It was almost the same way though, he’d wait till my back was turned, and begin talking about mundane things, or people he’d like me to meet.

Then death.

He did his best to make it quick, painless. He was kind like that, hated suffering.

Even now I could feel it pulsing from him, all thanks to the light in my chest. It allows me to feel the emotions of others, and right now, a great many were flowing from my friend. Confusion, frustration, concern, and doubt. So many subtle pulses, and each with their own taste. Doubt was sour, and though vague, I could tell it was about me. I wasn’t acting as I should, I was supposed to be going after people; trying to kill and consume them. Yet I hadn’t, instead of death and violence, I gave life and kindness.

I've helped everyone I have come across, even my furry friend, not that he needed it. He’s an actor of sorts, every time we first meet, he plays the part of being helpless and hurt. Its one of the small joys I get to have with him, that moment where I heal false wounds and lend aid. It leaves him befuddled, and stays his hand.

I’m useful after all, able to heal even those close to death, and beyond, but no one knows that. Nor have I shown interest in harming others and claiming power. I’ve made no attempts to head towards populated areas, which other anomalies rush to do. I was unique, and so in my friend, the fruit of concern was forming. It had a warm sweetness to it, like tea with honey. He wonders why I’m different, what he should do, and…

‘Oh, my dear friend.’

He’s starting to care about me, yes, hidden behind the concern, adding to its sweetness. This caused frustration, making the blend have a mild spiciness to it. It’s not that enjoyable, given my dislike of heat, but it’s far better than anger. That particular emotion had the taste of burning peppers, fitting, but a terrible experience to endure. It’s a great motivator to keep people happy, which only added to my friend’s problem.

He knew he shouldn’t have this feeling, that it put him and those he cared so deeply for, in danger. It might cause him to hesitate, when the killing stroke was to be given.

And yet he gave a warning.

I focused on the frustration, lulled it around my tongue, and found the second reason for its existence. 

I hadn’t taken the bait.

He’d just confessed he was going to kill me at some point, yet I didn’t act in the proper fashion. I should be readying to defend myself, turning to face him so my back would be exposed to his younger brother hiding behind the tree.

Confusion pulsed more, its taste matching its name, as it was ever-changing. It vanished from my mouth, same as the others. My friend, with his ludicrously long ears, heard the thing approaching. I could feel it, unfortunately, it was like all the others, the desire for power echoing like thunder. It made my chest ache, given its victims were crying out. Only I could hear them, feel them, pain, pain, endless pain.

‘I can make it go away,’ the voice whispered, the words jostling my mind. ‘Merely give to me your soul, and all will be undone.’

I ignore the voice, as I turned towards my friend and the approaching demon. The pain continued to swell, and there was no taste to it, only the sensation of my tongue being burnt by boiling water. I ignore that to, instead focusing on the fight before me, and the strength building in my chest. The same light that made me experience the feelings of others, also fed off them, growing stronger, brighter.

My smile spread, my cheeks aching. A taunt to those that brought me suffering, they’d only see my mocking and cheerful smile, even though on the inside I was screaming. But I held it in, thought on the moment that would come after, once the tormented were free, and the pain erased. The euphoria that would encompass me, for a few blessed moments, was worth the agony.

I gazed at my friend, who has yet to move, since to his view he was surrounded. I shook my head at him, wishing I could tell him he was safe, would always be. But I was mute, had been the moment of my arrival to these lands.

There were no words to give, and any attempt on my part would only lead to strangled cries. Each closing step from the demon made the physical and emotional pain pulsing from it grow worse. It’s the catalyst to my actions, the pain, the torment. It’s the reason I’m kind to everyone, even when they harm me. Lashing out would only bring more agony, so I refuse to add to it. I will heal the pain within and without, will soothe it all away.

With each act of kindness, I will erase this plague, and usher in a land free of anguish.

I raise a hand, my eyes focused on the monster approaching, and will panels around it. Rushed movements sound behind me; a small, barely noticeable hand gesture from my friend, causes the mass of armored muscle to curse and rush passed.

My friend vanished from my sight, and reappeared next to the caged monster. His small dagger emitting a dangerous light that melted panels and carved a large whole into the scythe-wielding abomination.

That would have killed me, yet for the monster. The gaping hole within its center was only a minor inconvenience that quickly ceiled shut. It was going to be a long fight, that I already knew, it wasn’t the first time I’ve faced this thing. Thankfully this time I arrived before it reached the nearby town. Friends would be spared, and the happiness they gave off, and I greedily fed upon, would be maintained.

Yet I had to be careful. While my furry friend cared for me, it wasn’t that deep of an attachment. If I showed too much strength, displayed what I really could do, he would turn on me in an instant. Then I would wake up at the beginning again, everything reverted and undone. A blank slate, all my friendships, all the time we spent together, gone. It was the cruelest thing, the torment I hated most.

‘Give me what I desire,’ the voice called. ‘And it will all end now, no more repeats, no more pain, only sweet oblivion.’

‘No,’ I told the voice for the thousandth time. ‘For I am the soul, and you will not have me.’

The voice hissed, my vision shaking. ‘You will break like all the others,’ it said. ‘In the end, you will be mine.’

I made more panels and wove chains to slow the beast; all the while my smile spreading more. ‘I’m not so sure about that,’ I spoke in my mind. The voice hissed again but said nothing. Its response was a pleasure, and encouragement. It used to be so confident, whispering constantly of the power it could bestow me. When that had failed, it changed to offers of freedom.

Now it only showed itself when the demons were near, when I'm bathed in searing pain.

It would whisper that only it could give me what I craved. Yet with each restart, I lasted longer, and got closer to the tower of light that called out to me. And, more important than all else, getting stronger in my own way. Learning and remembering all my mistakes, mastering my powers, and testing the bounds of what I could do.

I could feel it, the progress in other areas, things that couldn’t be undone. Eventually, I will get out of this place, the curst light in my chest unwillingly fueling this.

I breathed in the sweet taste of hope blooming from the tormented within the demon, feeding off it, using it to spur me on.

I will cleanse this place of its misery, I will end this cycle, I will be free, no matter how long it takes. For all those around me, fuel me with dreams of freedom and peace, push me ever onward. They demand salvation, and I can't help but answer that call, because I feel what they feel, I experience what they experience. And together, we shall end this cruelty, this pain, we shall all be free, and move beyond this cycle.