The note that brought fear

[14:31] Slips a note under Ethan's door before flying off!
(Aspen Ivanovich)
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[14:31] {Item} You picked up To Ethan. Dropped by Aspen Ivanovich. .
[17:45]
{LOAD GAME}

[19:59] Ethan had been running away, avoiding any and all kind of contact with the outside world after seeing what he had seen between Leoda and Izabell. There was so much wrong, so many issues, and so much pain that came with it. How could his fears be true? How could everything he was afraid would exists ended up existing? This made no sense, none whatsoever.

While at his home he furiously thrashed about, throwing cushions off their proper spot and striking at the walls relentlessly. He was losing it. He wanted to scream, but what good would a scream bring? His mind was filled with the solid idea that he could believe in no one but himself. He wasn't feeling well, at all.

.. And that's when he heard the sound of a paper being slipped underneat his door. He laid on the ground for a while, watching the bloodied note tainting his carpet. He didn't want to look at it, but curiosity got the best of him.

Ethan practically crawled over to the note that was left for him, grasping it in his hands and reading it over.

Ethan Hawke,

Excuse the scent of my blood on this paper. I lacked a writing utensil. Therefore, to avoid using the backside of this, I'll make the letter short.

I've been vaguely pursuaded that you're the perfect partner for me. Because of the recent discussion with someone who's returned to the continent, I can't help but to think of you lately, which might be wrong. It's troubling. There's still no forgiveness for what you've done to me in the past with bringing me to Huangzhou, but I'm willing to try on the conditions that you carry yourself to Dawn for me. It's a risky move. Are you willing to take it for me?

Because you're what I want.

Aspen Ivanovich

He couldn't believe what he was reading. His mind was left with even more damage than it had been moments prior. His body was filled with mana unlike never before as rage boiled within his heart. How could she come back into his life after what she had done? How could Aspen even think that she had any right to demand something like that from him? This was just another trick, just another lie. Another demand to get him to Dawn once again, to have him be caught and executed for whatever crime they believed he had made.

His hands pulled at the letter from two different sides, tearing it apart and reducing it to nothing more than a memory. His teeth came to a grit. His fists balled up. His eyes were filled with tears. He couldn't handle this anymore. He couldn't deal with everyone trying to manipulate and control him. He couldn't deal with them using him like he was some sort of piece for them to take over.

Rikona hadn't listened a bit to his words, even if she wanted him to speak his thoughts. Whether it was politics, love, promises, dreams or hope it didn't matter; they were all out to get him, to make something out of his contribution. Older folks asked for his teachings in order to use it for nefarious purposes. Friends forced him to fight over and over as his mind rotted more and more - even while knowing what state it was in.

A burst of dark flames escaped his fingertips out of anger as he felt powerless. He was a joke to the rest of the world. Aspen's letter only proved that.

He could not trust anyone to help him anymore. The impurities in his mind were reaching a whole new level, one where nothing would or could stop them from invading his heart. Just how was he going to ever think straight again?

He could count on no one but himself.
(Ethan Hawke)
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