Elif's POV

I was holding myself, fearing that I would break at any moment now. "Umm Father, isn't there any way to make a Spirit leave this world? Sister Marissa used to say that when we die, our Soul leaves this body and goes to Heaven to finally rest in Peace. Then, why this Spirit is still here?" I asked with rage. Father looked at me. His gaze was piercing my Soul and making me realise of the Truth I was hiding from him.

He opened the book, he was holding in his hand all this time. "For your question, we need to first understand if it is a Spirit or a Soul? "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Hebrews 4:12." Father read out a line from that book. "What does that mean?" I asked. "Let me explain." Father gave an assuring smile.

"Adam was created from the dust of the earth and became a living soul. Because of this, our senses, which are contained in our souls, are attuned to the earth. That is why our feelings shift and change according to what is happening around us. Everything that is of the earth is unsteady and changeable, which is why a person who allows their soul to control their life is never at rest. Through the soul – through my senses and feelings – I am in contact with people. Through my spirit I am in contact with God. However, when I am soulish I live according to my understanding, my senses, which are earthly, and my body is used to serve this world. Then my spirit is also filled with that which is of this world, with the result that I have little or no contact with God." Father explained. "So you mean to say that we as human are listening to what our Soul wants. And Spirit is something which is free of all earthly ties and emotions. That means the Evil spirit is now Soulish, right? So it's going after his revenge because he has hatred for us." I guess I understood the whole reason behind this Spirit haunting us even after death.

"You are right. We usually judge situations according to our feelings and human reasoning; but if I have begun to seek God, I open myself to God's Word. It discerns the thoughts of the heart and pierces and divides between soul and spirit – between that which is earthly (human) and which I absorb in my soul, and that which is spiritual and heavenly, which I receive into my spirit. I have to believe the Word and be obedient to it, and then my soul is poured out." Father continued and it started becoming a little complicated. "Okay, I got it. So then how should we separate this Soul and Spirit?" I was getting edgy there. "This is where God's Word is to do a work in us. It is sharper than any two-edged sword." He answered. I just stared at him. He understood that I didn't get a thing what he said, he shook his head.

"For example, the word "Overcome evil with good" goes right against our human feelings and our human reasoning; but if we believe the Word and are obedient to it we enter into rest. This means only by the will of God can you defeat this Evil and not by your human reasonings." I nodded to his explanation. "I think I understood a little what you meant. Then I'll just take my leave and thank you for making me understand all that." I smiled and bowed to him.

I reached the threshold when Father called me from the back. "Elif." I turned back to him. "Yes, Father?" "As long as you mean good to others, you are Human. When you are ready to sacrifice, you surpass this Human Soul." His words gave me a chill inside. The words sounded lonely, yet profound and divine.

I knocked at Brayden's door. "Come in." I opened the door and saw him standing beside the bed shirtless. "I'm sorry... I'll come back later. Sorry to disturb-" I closed my eyes and spoke quickly. "Wait... wait... I wasn't doing anything. You can open your eyes." I slightly opened my eyes but he was still shirtless. I closed my eyes again. "Hey there, I'm  not any stranger to you. You can look how much you want." He spoke coolly. "Such a Jerk." He laughed. "Okay okay. I was checking the wound so... What are you doing here anyway?" He asked. "I brought the first aid kit for you." I opened my eyes. My heart was still wavering on seeing him, even after all that I heard. "Ahh so caring of you... You can keep it on the table." He said. I turned to keep the first aid box. I felt a little hot on my shoulder. I turned back and saw him, both of his hands resting on my sides and holding me captive in between. "What are-" "You know you were gone for too long." His words were making my heart throb. His face came nearer. "We shouldn't be doing this now." I tried to stop him. "Why?" He asked, looking at me. His gaze was making me feel vulnerable. "Uncle, and Father are there. They can see us." I blurted out. It was getting harder. "So what? I don't care. Let them see." His words were conflicting the reasonings I had been trying to build since then. His lips were about to touch mine but I pushed him hard at the chest. "What the hell?" He scowled. "I'm scared." I was actually feeling scared. My legs were like buckling. "I'm sorry. But I can't do this anymore." I gulped. I knew I will regret this later but this was for the best.

I was about to open the door but he grabbed my hands. He pulled me harshly to him. "Tell me. Tell me that you also think, our Love is wrong. It's a sin. Say it. But you know what? I don't care whatever some superstitious religion of yours say. I will do whatever I want." He snapped at me. I shivered.

"You were there? You were eavesdropping on what we were talking about. When did you become like this?" I was breaking inside saying this out loud to him.

"What does it matter? You already made up your mind,  right? Now you think we are wrong for loving each other. Then why did you lie to him? Why didn't you tell him that the Seal is already broken... We both have kissed each other. We are sinners, right?" He held my both arms and pushed me. He was hurt, I could feel it but I don't know what to do.

"Yes. I thought it was wrong. Because of our mistake, we are now in this danger. Can't you see what wrong we have done?" I lifted his injured arm and spoke those words which I knew would make him hate me. "And if you think I'm bad for thinking like him as well then so be it." He looked at me. His face looked hurt but I needed this. "We are over, Brayden. We don't have a "happily ever after", you know that. Then... then, why push ourselves when we know that this Love will end up killing both of us." I was holding back all the pain and tears.

"You're lying. You don't mean it. Hey, I'm sorry that I shouted like that. You know me, right? Then, why are you doing this to us?" He held both of my hands in his. I pulled them out of his grasp. "No. I'm saying the Truth. It's time you understand that you won't be able to protect me always." I didn't have the strength to look at him. His hands fell and he stumbled back. He clenched his fist. "Get out. Get out of my sight." I jumped in fear by his sudden outburst. My tears swelled up in my eyes. I shook my head and wiped away the tears. "If I were you, I wouldn't have believed in any of his words. For me, this Love was the only truth. And you tainted it." He was making me feel more guilty. It was all too much. I ran out of his room. I heard him throw away things in his room. I wanted to cry out my heart.

"How could I do this? I loved him. I loved him deeply. Then, why did I lie? Why did I broke his heart? Our love can't be wrong. I love him so much that it hurts inside. Is this called having a Soul? What did I do? Noooo." I screamed and cried. "No. I can't take this pain. It's too painful. I feel broken. Why am I so unlucky,  God?" I cried.

It was late at night. I had cried for so long and felt asleep on the ground. I heard the doorbell and woke up. I washed my face and went down to open the door. I opened the door and saw it was Brayden's Uncle, Uncle Levent. I realized that we decided to keep the conversation between Brayden and Ava a secret and that attack in the forest too. "Hello, Uncle. You here, at this hour?" I was confused. "Oh it's you Elif. What a Pleasure. Shouldn't you be at Mt. Carmel?" He asked. I looked at him in shock. "How did you know that?" I asked him. "Oh Brayden told me." He replied quickly. "Brayden told you?" I was confused. As far as I remembered, Brayden never had a good relationship with his Uncle. And after knowing the whole truth, this was hard to believe. "Okay." I said. "I personally came to check if Brayden was alright here or not. Where is he?" He asked with excitement. "He is in his room."

I was still unable to believe whatever Uncle Levent said. I took the tray and placed the coffee mugs on it. I went up to Brayden's room. I took in a deep breathe and knocked on his door. "Come in." It was Uncle Levent. "I brought the Coffee." I went inside. "Oh yeah. Ofcourse." Uncle Levent looked overly excited. I moved to pour the coffee.

"So Brayden, why are you living in this Church instead of our mansion?" Uncle Levent asked Brayden. "Umm... I was feeling a little lonely there so I thought to stay here for tonight. Uncle Matthews lived here. Why are you here anyway, Uncle?" Brayden spoke too normally. "I came to check on you. I heard Ethan talking to you on phone about some party. So how did it go?" My heart skipped. "Go what ?" Brayden stammered. "Your date with Elif." I looked at Uncle Levent in shock. "It went very well." Brayden spoke with a sarcastic tone. "What happened? Arguments?" Uncle Levent laughed. "Elif, why don't you go back to your room. It's late. You should go to bed. Don't push yourself too much." He said that word purposely. I put down the mug and stood up. "Uncle, I'm leaving then. I'll arrange the other room for you. Good night." I smiled and left them to talk.

"So how long will it take?" I heard Uncle Levent spoke. "I need to check some of the rooms yet. Once it's done, I'll inform you." Brayden replied. Just what on Earth was going on here? "I hope the mansion will make us quite a good deal. After all it's business, we need to see our profit." Uncle Levent spoke. "I checked the prices, the buyers had offered. But... I think they are not that high. We should look for a much higher rate." Brayden's reply took me back. He was here to sell the house?

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