78 Sharing around a bowl of rice (1/2)

Where am I?...Ouch

Xin Fan opened his eyes to see the light shimmering of the blue and red stars overhead. As he attempted to get back up, he felt his entire body in a state of pain. He touched the sides of his body and felt the soft sensation of woolen bandages. The top half of his robe appeared to be ripped off in order to attend to his wounds. His body ached as if he had gone through an intensive exercise regimen. His skin felt tougher and his muscles tighter.

”You're awake!”

The girl dropped her book and rushed over to help set him upright. She made sure not to touch the places that had been patched up. A boy walked over to him avoiding his gaze.

”How long was I out for?”

Tianfei looked at a small clock. She stared at it for a moment before responding.

”Around 10 hours.”

Xin Fan stared at his body. He had no idea how he was injured. It was quite a frightening feeling. One moment you were in perfect condition and the next you are injured beyond repair.

”How...did this happen?”

Tianfei looked at Xin Fan in surprise.

”You mean you don't remember?”

”Remember what?”

Xin Fan knew he entered the primal state but that was it. Unlike last time, he couldn't even experience what his body felt. There was no feeling of a loss of control. It was just black for him. Xin Fan put his hand to his forehead but still couldn't remember anything.

”The turquoise aura! You defeated Death all by yourself! Xin Kong! That's what you called yourself!”

”Xin Kong?!”

'What is this about?'

Xin Fan yelled at Xin Kong in his mind. His mind was racing. This changed everything. Xin Fan thought back to the day he first released primal essence. The thing in his body back then. That probably was Xin Kong. At least, partially as Xin Kong was still part of him back then.

'It just happened I guess. You started to scream in pain and before I realized, I was in your body.'

”I believe you owe me an explanation.”

Tianfei looked resolutely at Xin Fan. She wanted answers. However before Xin Fan could speak, Chilong spoke up. He had a solemn expression on his face. There seemed to be a trace of pain behind the look he had on Xin Fan.

”You have two minds inside, don't you?”

”H...How?”

”It is impossible to have consciousness while releasing primal essence unless you do. And by impossible, I mean it. It is the laws of nature itself.”

”Wait what is this about two minds?”

Tianfei looked panicked at the two boys staring at each other. There was none of the usual friendly air between them. Xin Fan paused for a moment. He seemed quite hesitant about it. However after a small moment of deliberation, he responded.

”Yes...His name was Xin Kong.”

'Xin Fan. This is revealing a bit to much.'

'This needs to be done. We won't go anywhere if it isn't.'

”I see...who was the one?”

”Huh?”

”Who was the one who was sacrificed!”

Chilong's arms extended out gripping Xin Fan by the neck. He wasn't putting any force behind it. At least for now.

”I vowed...I shall not forgive myself...nor would I forgive anyone else who does...Just like that man...”

Xin Fan felt the grip slowly tighten around his throat.