Castian took a deep breath, trying to process everything that was happening. The presence of the entity, that ghostly figure that seemed to be a reflection of himself, destabilized him more than he would like to admit. But now, with the threat to the village looming over them, he felt he needed to act—even if it was against his instincts.
He looked at the entity, still cautious.
"How... how will we get out of here?" Castian asked, his voice slightly trembling. "And how will we take you with us?"
The entity, which had maintained a calm and enigmatic posture until now, let out a slight smile, a smile that made the hair on the back of Castian's neck stand on end. It was a smile that indicated the answer that would follow would not be pleasant.
"Oh, that's quite simple, actually," the entity replied, its voice smooth and almost playful. "I cannot exist in the outside world in my current form. To leave here, to walk among the living... I would have to, shall we say... enter you."
Castian's jaw dropped, his eyes wide with surprise and horror.
"What?!" he exclaimed, stepping back as if trying to distance himself from the entity could also distance him from the disturbing proposal.
"Possess you, to be more direct," the entity continued, in a carefree tone. "I would become a part of you, sharing your body and mind. Of course, you would still be in control... for the most part. But it would be the only way for me to leave this place and help you."
Castian's face paled. The idea of sharing his body with that entity—a force he barely understood—was something he could never have imagined. His mind raced with the concept, fear taking over his thoughts. How could he allow something so powerful and unknown to enter him?
"This... this can't be serious!" Castian said, his voice trembling. "I can't do this! You... you are asking me to let you possess me? That goes against everything I am!"
Before the entity could respond, Shen, who had been watching the conversation with a bitter expression, interjected with a sarcastic and relieved tone.
"Finally, Castian, you've come to your senses!" Shen said, almost laughing nervously. "It was obvious this creature was going to try to deceive you! And you almost believed her words. This is madness! You can't let this thing into you!"
The entity sighed, as if dealing with frightened children. Its expression grew more serious, but there was still a lightness to it, as if it had expected that reaction.
"I understand this may seem extreme," the entity said, with a firm yet calm voice. "But you need to understand that if we don't do this, the village will be destroyed. The evil that is coming is much greater than you can imagine. And the only way to face it is with the power I carry... the power that is connected to Castian."
Castian clenched his fists, his body trembling with tension and uncertainty. He looked to Shen, hoping to find some sign of guidance, but Shen just shook his head negatively, as if to say, "Don't even think about it."
"Castian," Shen continued, his teeth clenched. "We can't trust her. This entity was sealed for a reason. No matter what she says, she only wants to use you to get out of here. You can't allow that!"
Castian's mind was a storm of conflicting thoughts. He knew Shen was right, that it wasn't wise to trust an entity that had been sealed for centuries. But at the same time, the fear for the village, for those he loved, weighed heavily on his shoulders. And, more disturbingly, he felt there was a truth in the entity's words—a connection to something greater, something he could barely comprehend, but which was deeply intertwined with his own destiny.
"If we don't do this, nothing will remain of the village," the entity warned, its voice now filled with a dark urgency. "They will die, all of them. And then, what will become of you, Castian? What will become of everything you fought to protect? You want your hands to be clean of blood, but if you do nothing... the blood of everyone will be on you."
These words weighed on his chest like a rock. He thought of all the people in the village, those who trusted him. The image of their homes, their lives destroyed, flashed through his mind. Castian gritted his teeth and looked at the ground, his mind in turmoil.
"I..." he began, but the words got stuck in his throat.
Shen stepped forward, his voice now laden with authority.
"Castian, look at me!" he said firmly. "We will find another way. There is always another solution. We don't need to resort to this. I've seen this before—entities offering power, but always with a price. A price no one wants to pay. You are stronger than this."
But while Castian listened to Shen's words, he also felt the call of the entity. The connection between them was undeniable, as if their destinies had been inextricably linked from the beginning. He knew he was on a point of no return, and as much as he wanted to believe Shen, something inside him was pushing him in another direction.
Castian raised his head and stared at the entity, his eyes filled with doubt and fear.
"And if I allow this," he asked slowly, each word heavy with weight. "What will happen to me? Will I still be... myself?"
The entity smiled, a smile that was neither friendly nor malevolent, but mysterious.
"You will continue to be you," it said, in a soft voice. "But with a part of me. I won't take control, Castian. I will be your strength, your guide... But, in the end, the choices will always be yours. If you want to save your village, if you want to protect those you love, this is the only way."
Silence stretched on as Castian pondered his options. Shen watched with growing concern, but he knew the final decision would be Castian's.
Finally, with a mix of determination and fear, Castian took a deep breath and gave a small nod.
"I will do this," he said, his voice hoarse. "But know this..." He looked directly at the entity. "If I feel that you are trying to control me, I will fight you with everything I have."
The entity nodded slowly, the satisfied smile never leaving its face.
"Of course, Castian. This is a pact between us. Now, prepare yourself..."