“You are not Jesus. In fact, there was no Jesus. I mean, there was a man known as Jesus and he too was a Chosen One, healer of timelines, one of the most powerful ever. He channeled the Holy Spirit—an energetic consciousness even more powerful than the Keepers—into this world, but he was not the ‘Savior.’ Look around, nothing is fixed. That narrative is just a myth created to survive the chaos and harshness of life, to help people decipher the forces of opposition, or the ‘cosmic Darth Vader’ as you call it. The only way to defeat those forces is to surrender to what exists and heal what is broken. Then you will know how to ride out the eye of any storm with steadiness and control.

“So no, you are not Jesus. And don’t be fooled: You are not responsible for saving anyone. You just have to save yourself and then the healing work may be done through you.” Rage claws its way out of my weak and slumped-over body.

“What do you think I’ve been doing this entire time?! I’ve been saving myself since I was born. My load is already heavy enough and now you want me to be some ‘healer of the timelines.’ No. I refuse. And how dare you play games with my mind like the Joker. What, do you have some cult of Chosen Ones you want me to join? Some Saviors of the Light group that has all the answers? No god has ever saved me. I highly doubt your god of magic will either. I’ve heard what you have to say. I’m going home for real. I’m done with this place. Your tricks won’t stop me.”

She tries to hide it, but I see the disappointment roll across Dean Harrison’s face. She wanted something else from me. A different reaction. I feel bad. I hate when people lose faith in me. My eyes dart down toward the floor.

“You should release the Defiance from the dungeon. They are one of the most important navigation tools in your life. Whenever you get off track, they will always have your back. They are your intuition.”

“How do you know about the Defiance?”

“Nothing is hidden. You just have to know how to access it. How far has your stubbornness ever gotten you? Are you really where you want to be? You are afraid you will fail so you’d rather run than witness your own fall. I want to tell you, as someone who has taken this journey…”

She pauses. Adjusts the ring on her finger. Her body grows heavy. Weighted with a wisdom I can’t yet understand. She suddenly looks ancient, a thousand years old.