Board Thread:The B&B/@comment-27156423-20180530141912/@comment-24588058-20181008214912

I think, given we are talking about artifact power, the cancer-induced effects from the mallet might affect Al in one of thre ways while he is under the effects of the ring: 1) He may stay alive, supported by the opposite personality keeping him tethered, no matter how sick he gets. Or 2) If Al dies, Alison might become the single person. That being said, it could also "revive" Al, in a sense, to balance Alison's personality (though, of course, this would simply be a reflection of the artifact's effects, as opposed to bringing him back to life). Or 3) If Al dies, because he is the original user of the artifact, Alison dies as well.

My guess is that something (or somethings) in Al's life caused cynicism, which has led to a rather pessimistic view of life, leading to a lot of his negative traits.