"It is ironic isn't it? The most popular human to ever live. Our name echoed even to the Interstellar Alliance and to the furthest corner of this world and was on the lips of everyone" the young Jayden said.
"..."
"But if they knew who we really are. Who you really are. A coward. You were an idol to every kid in this world and everyone wanted to be like you. More girls than you could count wanted to know you, only if they knew" the boy smiled.
"Now you see? If you run from the truth that doesn't mean the truth doesn't exist. If you run far away and forget about things that doesn't mean you'll change. You never did and you never will. So be a good man as I know you are and stay where you are. Don't go back because you will only be in pain. They will find you again and they will make you suffer. They will break your fragile heart and soul again" the boy showed a sadistic smile.
He patted Jayden on the back as he walked past him.
"I suppose we're done here. You can go back to your pathetic life. Bye" he snapped his fingers to shift the scenery again but nothing happened.
"Huh? What's going on?" he said stunned.
"Are you done?" Jayden asked.
The boy froze and took several steps back. He couldn't believe Jayden was able to speak in that state. He watched him closely as each memory was shown and he was sure Jayden's mind and soul were completely broken.
"I have to thank you for this, you know" Jayden turned and faced him.
"What do you mean?" the boy replied.
"I'm only human after all. I forget things. So thank you for reminding me. Thank you for showing me all of this so I won't forget them again" Jayden said with a calm look on his face.
"You're bluffing. I know you haven't changed. Stop showing that fake smile" the boy snapped and lashed at Jayden.
Jayden watched him tremble in anger and felt nothing but pity.
"So that's how I looked in the eyes of others. Weak. Pathetic" he murmured.
"Let me show you if I've changed or not" he said.
With one sudden movement, Jayden launched himself at his teenage self. His right hand stretched and his fingers formed a claw. With a swift motion, he ripped the boy's heart from his chest.
The limp body dropped as blood splashed across Jayden's face.
"We are not the same anymore. But you were once part of me and I fully accept that. What I don't accept is doing nothing about it. Those people, everyone, they will pay and I hope you'll see me from wherever you are because I'll do this also for you"
Jayden crushed the still beating heart in his hand.
"I've made my decision. Not even God can prepare them for redemption" he said as he raised his head.
The scenery changed and Jayden expected to wake up in his wooden home but he was far from it. He stood in a black space without any light. Nothing was visible.
It was pitch black in every direction and he couldn't even see his own hands.
"Whoever it is this time, my patience for bullshit is running very thin. So you better show yourself right now" he yelled.
Seconds later, torches lit one by one and revealed where he was. A large square room without exits. Thick rock walls surrounded him.
He stood in the center as the final torch lit and revealed an imposing throne. A silhouette sat there. Jet-black hair tied in a bun with red strands falling over one eye. His upper body was bare, muscles twitching with every breath. What made Jayden uneasy were his unnatural red eyes.
"And what version of myself are you supposed to be?" Jayden asked.
He blinked and the man wasn't on the throne anymore.
"Someone who isn't as weak as you are" a voice replied from behind.
Jayden felt a hand press against the back of his head and in the next second, his skull slammed into the stone floor.
"Someone not as pathetic as you" the voice echoed.
"You motherfucker" Jayden spat blood as he stood up.
He charged and launched a left fist at the man's jaw. The other version stepped aside without effort. Jayden kept pushing, throwing every move he knew. From roundhouse kicks to jabs and wrestling moves.
Nothing landed. Not a single hit.
"What are you?" Jayden asked while gasping for air.
"Are you done?" the man asked.
"What—"
"Boom"
A fist connected with his face and the impact echoed like an explosion.
"If you're done, then it's my turn" the man said
For hours, Jayden endured the most brutal beating of his life. He was thrown across the room again and again. Each punch and kick landed with surgical precision. His ribs cracked, blood poured from his nose, his face swelled and bruised until he could barely see. His opponent didn't let up. He didn't slow down. There was no satisfaction in his strikes, only release. Pure, focused punishment.
Jayden couldn't lift his arms anymore. He couldn't tell which part of his body hurt the most. Every inch of him was wrecked. Eventually, he collapsed on the ground face-first and didn't move.
"I gotta give it to you, you're pretty resilient," the man said as he crouched beside him.
"You asked me who I am. But shouldn't I ask you that question instead? You think just because you finally made a decision, a real one, that suddenly you're a man?"
Jayden barely lifted his head.
"I've waited for this for a long time. You can't even imagine. Watching you over these years nearly killed my faith in you."
He stood back up and paced slowly in front of Jayden's limp body.
"But seeing you like this, for the first time with a real fire behind your eyes, maybe—just maybe—you've still got a chance."
He paused and smirked down at him.
"Oh, and by the way, the beating? That was just for me. I needed that. Don't take it personal, alright? Now fuck off."
The man snapped his fingers without another word.
Jayden woke up in his living room drenched in sweat, gasping for air..