You can only hide it for so long.

There's a certain breaking point, where she'll have to face you—the other you. The one who awakens to aid you when you are pushed to your limits. Scurrying across the paths looping through this wilderness, you know the time is soon.

The time is now.

Push your fisticuffs into their flesh, drive heavy boots into their bones, it won't save you.

It won't save her, either.

Yes, you turn now. You look at her. She's beating at one of those pesky bats with her bible. Of course, a small girl's arms can only bend so far. She won't be able to hit it when it goes for other spots. Then, she will be too weak to protect the rest of her slender little body. Cry, cry. Go on, cry out, lose control. Throw yourself into the abyss, boy, throw yourself into the dark.

Never mind the wolf at your legs, nipping at your knees with its sharply pointed teeth. Ignore the pain as it tears into the flesh—go on, she's hurting. Save her, you idiot. She's your charge, you must protect her, the voice says so. The voice tells you to beat those annoyances back, save the girl play hero.

Yes, snap out a kick at the wolf. You're getting riled now. Panicky. It isn't long until you'll break. The time is short before you lose yourself to me. Scream in pain, gasp in agony… It won't help. You need my aid. You need the power I gift you.

I will breathe my power into you if you so wish… Harmonixer.

And suddenly, I filter through. Wings erupt from your spine, skin turning to rough, coarse armor, and fingernails becoming claws. Rip through the monsters now, tear at them with my bestial strength. She cowers as you let out your fearsome death cry.

Carve through the beasts, and save her. She's retreating now. She doesn't know what you've become, what kind of creature you are now. Were you one of the creatures of the night, all along? Ripping through monster after monster, do you yet feel like a monster yourself? Harmonixer, you are a demon, as are the rest of them.

Sinking your claws into the last of the wolves, you whip around. She cowers up against a nearby tree. She's bordering on tears. Her gloved fingers dig into the Earth, as she whimpers.

"Don't hurt me! Don't hurt me!" Now you see how afraid she is. Holding her cross-necklace up in front of her, she screams. "Stay back!" You are not the Harmonixer she knows, you are a demon. She is an exorcist. This has been fated to happen.

But what's this? Claws slide back into your hands. Wings fade. Her eyes wide, she watches you become human again. You are still soaked in blood, your hair, your coat, your skin, all reddened with it. Unclenching your fists, you step towards her. She will not accept you, you are a demon. You are inhuman—a monster, like the creatures you killed mere moments ago. She will not accept you… She will not accept you…

And then you placed a soaked glove on her shoulder, as she looks fearfully into your red eyes, pushing her cross to your chest.

"No, stay back!" She is weak. She is frightened. You place your other hand down on the other shoulder, closing your blood-colored eyes. She will reject you. She will scream. Pulling her close to you, you wrap your arms around her.

"I'm not a demon." You say, lacking assertiveness. You aren't sure yourself what you are. "I'm… Human." Tightening your grip, she begins to cry into your jacket, trembling with fear. Close to crying yourself, you fight back your emotions, refusing to show weakness to me.

"They call me a Harmonixer."