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Throwing around accusations of childishness? Was that the new strategy? Ironic in the extreme.

It was already quite clear by now that there could be no peace between the two of them. Jonah had long convinced himself that Ettol was the great enemy--not just of himself but of all mankind. The entire mortal realm.

But it was nonsense, of course. Ettol wanted nothing more than to help the long-suffering souls of this world. And Reemergence was key to achieve that goal. Whether his “kin” returned his affections or not was irrelevant. That was simply how all families were. Especially ones as old as his.

If you could finally look past your own biases, then you might understand that, too, Jonah. Ultimately, despite all the turmoil that they had endured over the years, Ettol wanted a good life for you, as well. Just because they shared a body didn’t preclude that possibility, you know. Think about it. Why else would he ever give up control to you at all? Why would he allow you to pursue a family? Have children of your own? Enjoy fine foods and the natural, wondrous beauty of the world? Fight against the oppressive monsters of Abolish in your own secretive ways?

To continue feeding information to Parson and Damian?

What, you thought he didn’t know about that? Of course he did. And it was a noble goal. One worth continuing. In that, clearly, they were of one mind.

Look past your hatred, Jonah. See the truth for what it was. Even if you hated him, Ettol was on your side, too.

The wind howled across the grassy hills as his mind fell quiet again.

He stopped for a moment, awaiting another angry response. When one didn’t arrive, he kept walking.

Tiresome. He hated having to suppress Jonah like that, but it could hardly be helped, these days.

There’d been a time when he’d hoped that the two of them could fully accept one another. To integrate, even. Become whole.

But that was long gone. Now, he wasn’t even sure that they could coexist for much longer. Jonah’s rejection of him had only further ossified over the years.

He’d tried everything. Using different names. Giving Jonah more control. More freedom. Even letting him partake more deeply of the Windlight. To see the vast stores of knowledge that he had accumulated across all of his incarnations.

But it only ever made things worse.