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Callum watched in great fascination as his other self interacted with the darker part of himself. He wondered if this would’ve been him if Aaravos was just a bit less obsessive with a human being able to cast magic. He knew what was happening wasn’t great for this universe (and it felt weird how “kind” this universe’s Aaravos was to Claudia). But he couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealousy towards himself in this universe.
Now, he could intervene and lend a helping hand to his troubled, naive, and oh-so-hopeful self, but he refused as this was too interesting for him. Some might say Aaravos’ influence has rubbed off of him dirty, and he would usually blast them to smithery if he heard them. This time though? He agreed.
Maybe this is what happens when you spend eternity alone and isolated.
He wouldn’t blame anyone for getting creeped out by his actions and thoughts. As if he still had that other part of him, he would’ve been disgusted too. Sadly, years of living(or sleeping?) has made him crave for something interesting and fun. Hence the reason why he’s watching another universe of himself suffer(why does all Callums suffer in every single universe?).
He watched in amusement as the darker part of Callum coaxed the other into accepting his powers. It was funny since even the darker part seemed to have some kind of hope and morals. He wondered how much it would take for both sides of the other to break apart just like he did.
Not that he wanted to try out or anything.
He scoffed when the naive Callum yelled that he had a plan. Ah, so naive, young, and hopeful. He knew that the plan would fail. He knew that in the end, the other him would have to accept the darker side of him. It didn’t matter when that end was. It was different for all of them after all, no matter how similar every Callum was across the multiple universes. It was just that his was faster(or later since time worked differently in that jail) than others while this naive one had the opportunity to unconsciously pick which end that destiny will fall upon.
His heart ached when a certain moonshadow elf appeared. Her face was hazy and foggy as if his mind refused to remember how she looked even in his dreams(or “visitings” as his Aaravos called them). It made his already broken heart bleed in longingness. But he knew he deserved this pain. He had picked this choice and had broken her at the same time. He told himself that it was to protect her and it didn’t matter if he believed that or not. So he would accept this pain as long as she was safe.
His other self shared his plans with his companions. It was a silly plan. He knew how cunning his Aaravos was. He didn’t even need to think about the fact that their Aaravos already made sure he can’t be trapped again. Sooner or later, his other self will find out that their whole plan is ruined and will be forced to face his destiny.
Then his friends will be sad. He will be lost and the people that loved him will fall into despair…
I don’t want to see the broken eyes of those I love again.
Perhaps, Callum could help this world. It would be risky. Afterall, he was ignoring the whole cosmic balance and that stuff. Himself being able to “visit” was against the rules. The only way he wasn’t blasted to smithery was because half of him was already asleep, so it worked as a loophole of protection from the cosmic being.
There were a lot on the line. One wrong move and the fabric of reality of this world might fall apart. He might even die. Which meant that his own universe was on the line too. But if every Aaravos from every universe was risking it in order to win, Callum was willing to too.
It was because of him that his universe and the people in it were suffering. Because he was too weak to fight against Aaravos’ control, because he couldn’t cut the strings bounding him. He couldn’t leave this world to fall apart because of him too, even if it’s another version of him. He was willing to risk everything and use the ways that he hated with his entire being.
His Aaravos was the puppeteer for his world. The awake part of him was the puppet. Callum refused to let this Aaravos take control too. He will become the puppeteer this time.
Fuck the cosmic beings and their stupid rules.
Fuck this Aaravos. His Aaravos might have him on a leash of twisted bond but he couldn’t care less about this Aaravos.
He would protect this world no matter what.
Unlike his own world.