Willdu turns around, wiping off his hands, when he notices a figure in the shadows. He raises his weapon once more. Something seems off about this person. Familiar, but off.
William steps out of the shadows, raising his hands, "I mean you no harm, General Brann."
The other Will stares at him, processing what he's seeing, "You..."
"Yes," William replies, answering his question, "I look like you. Some could say that I am you... from another world.
Willdu nods in understanding, "Alternate realities have always been a theory, but... well, I never believed them."
"Neither did I until this morning. And yet here we are."
"In your reality, did Celica..."
"Yes, unfortunately. Though unlike you I wasn't the person who got the chance to dispense justice. Though it was eventually served."
Willdu nodded sadly, "Have you seen any universes where it was prevented?"
"This is my first honestly. But if I find any, I'll let you know."
The two stand in silence for a minute.
"So, here... did you also get your powers from an elemental?"
Willdu nods slowly. This was something he hadn't told many people. Very few actually, as that magic had been considered legally unethical. He finally lowered his weapon.
"So do you... do you also feel the urges?" William asked.
Willdu sheathed his sword. He had never told anyone about the urges - the beast that he had trapped within his own body, "They can be unbearable at times."
William nods, "How did you keep from giving in? I watched the whole thing. He toyed with you. If that were me, I would've given in to my demons by that point."
Willdu shrugs, "It took a long time. I've only broken out a few times, and they were jarring experiences. But as my sanity began slipping, I realized that the beast had to be stopped. I couldn't remove him - that would kill us both. So that's why I returned to the knighthood. My first time through, back in the war, I never really took in their teachings. I was brash, impetuous... as I'm sure you know. I made it through on pure skill. But upon my return, I relearned the lessons I had skipped in my youth. I had to come to terms with the fact that the past was the past, and that any punishment, no matter how terrible, would never be able to undo what was done. It was a hard lesson to learn, and even now, fourteen years on, all my being screamed to put an end to him. But my acceptance of the past saved me from myself," looking now, William felt like a mentee, mentored by himself. While they were the same age, Willdu had matured faster than his doppelganger. There was so much he'd learned that William had never given himself to learning.
As one, the two men stepped forward and gripped each others hands, "If you ever get the chance to save her - any version of her - promise me you will."
"It's a promise I've been making for fourteen years," William replied, "And if you ever see any more of us... try and teach them. I doubt we'll all listen, but those of us who do will need those words."
Willdu smiles, "We have a pact then. Take care of yourself, William."
"And you too, William."