"Many texts speak of two methods in which the curse can be broken. The first of note: the death of the Divided Soul, as mentioned above, lifts the curse from all who have been touched by it. The second: on the occasion a Divided Soul has twin offspring, their soul is split evenly between each infant. It is said that one child shall have the potential to master death and evil while the other can master life and good. The parent is left whole, their soul renewed, and regains their sanity."
The Battle for Perfect, Chapter 34, "The Divided Soul"
THE DIVIDED SOUL HIMSELF!
"The Curse of the Divided Soul is written about in the folklore of many world cultures. The birth of such a weary soul is a bad omen; for the Divided Soul brings destruction to everyone it meets. To break the curse and rescue a family from its horrors, a Divided Soul was often given up as a sacrifice to the gods. It is written that many divided persons succumb to insanity as they walk equally in the lands of light and dark, their souls torn between good and evil."
Mama, what happened?
I never thought we'd go this long
Now 31 and I don't feel strong
And your love is all I want
ARNOLD
I am the greatest mind that ever lived, but you couldn't accept that, could you? Jealousy ate you up and then you bore me that child who ruined everything!
IRIS
That child! William? He's your son, Arnold!
ARNOLD'S face contorts and he swings savagely for his ex-wife. Suddenly ARNOLD is hit from the side and tumbles backwards. The plastic baton flies from the old man's grasp, clattering to the ground by VIOLET'S feet as WILLIAM ARCHER wrestles his father to the floor, pinning down his wide frame.
WILLIAM
Hello, Dad!
Thinking quickly, VIOLET scrambles up, racing to the dungeons of the Town Hall,rabs the ropes that had held previously held BOY, returning as fast as she could. She ties up POWICK, who was still unconscious, as WILLIAM bound his father’s wrists and ankles. IRIS hobbled across to them.
IRIS
(whisper)
I see you've met your son. Hee's all grown up now. Maybe you were right after all. It seems he was your curse!
"THE FATES ALREADY FUCKED ME SIDEWAYS SWINGING BY MY NECK FROM THE FAMILY TREE HE'LL LAUGH AND SAY, 'YOU KNOW, I RAISED YOU BETTER THAN THIS,' THEN LEAVE ME HANGING, SO THEY ALL CAN LAUGH AT ME."
"I wanted to thank you for your recent inclusion of papers on the Divided Soul in regards to my son William. You are quite right, my luck has been out since that infant was born. I don't often delve into the realms of myth and legend but I am open to all kinds of thinking and some of your research does show merit. I look forward to our debates and your kind ear. I am becoming increasingly frustrated at the way my work is now received, even amongst my own family, but your letters give me some solace.
Yours gratefully, Dr A. Archer"
Family Tree, Ethel Cain