Luna was back at the cold and dark place inside his head. He was drifting around it, numb with hatred.

He was angry at Carl for submitting to envy, furious at Pride for taking his family, mad at Sol for breaking his word, and most of all, disgusted at himself for failing to protect his family.

The voice inside his head was telling the truth. It succeeded in taking everyone important to him. It should be mocking him at that moment, threatening him with the life of his family. But there was nothing in that darkness except deafening silence. He waited so long for the voice to finally leave him alone but instead of being grateful and relieved, Luna felt more dreadful.

Luna wondered if the voice inside his head had gone out for good. Was it really Pride? Did it really take his family? If it did, why was it silent? It should be bargaining with him right at that moment.

If it did come to him, should he submit and save his family? If he give in to Pride, his family will hate him. He will break his promise to Dad and Sol.

But they were the ones who did not hold on to their words in the first place. He tried but could not win against Pride. He could not even see Pride moving towards Sol. He obviously cannot save his family without giving in to Pride.

Don’t you ever surrender to them.

Luna laughed at the voice that echoed inside his head.

“Stop using my brother’s voice,” Luna wearily sighed. “I don’t have the energy to play games with you. Let’s start bargaining.”

I am your twin brother, Luna.

“If you let them go…” he tried to ignore the voice but it was stronger than him. It was pulling him out of that cold and dark place.

Stop saying those nonsense and wake up, Luna!!! WAKE UP!!!

Those words echoed deafeningly around Luna and successfully pulled him out of his deep slumber. As he expected, it was not Sol who was waiting for him but Carl. He was staring so closely at Luna and the concern in his face was disgusting.

He pushed Carl away from him, bolted up from the bed, and stared at the arrogant brat with rage and confusion.

Pride told Luna that envy had already devoured Carl’s essence. But right at that moment, a white light was radiating so strongly from within him. There were tiny smoke of sins lingering around his body but it was too weak to do any harm to him or to anyone around him.

“What happened to you?” Luna cautiously asked.

“I don’t know,” Carl answered with an expression that was different from the ones he used to flash at everyone around him. Instead of contempt and indifference, there were confusion, amusement, and annoyance mixing in his eyes.

“I was told that your soul had been consumed by envy. Your body should be empty. But why is your soul burning so strong? Did you trade my brother’s soul for yours?!” Luna furiously moved out of the bed and surrounded his arms with glowing scythe.

“Hey, I’m not Carl,” he said, looking taken aback. “How can you mistake me for that annoying spoiled brat?! Can’t you recognize your twin brother’s soul, Luna?”

“Don’t play games with me,” Luna impatiently pointed the blade of his scythe at Carl’s chest. “Dr. Jerami could not protect you right now. Sol is also not here to stop me. I can kill you now that your sins are too weak to help you out.”

“Of course, they are weak,” Carl also surrounded his hands with glowing white light. “We are taught not to nurture any of them. Do you think Carl can still return to his body after being devoured by envy? Even Pride cannot bring back a devoured soul. Well, I think he can’t.”

“Who are you?” Luna asked with a pounding heart. His hands were trembling as the glowing blade pricked Carl’s chest.

“Come on, Luna. Are you really asking me that question?” Carl took a step backwards, away from the scythe, looking disappointed. “You cannot recognize my soul? I’m your twin brother! I’m Sol!”

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