"Your fault."

"My fault?"

"Run!"

''You're a monster!''

''Bastard!''

'Accept your destiny.'

"AHHHH! Stop, PLEASE!"

Wake up

"Cardin... Cardin..."

I suppose I had my enhanced abilities to thank for my hearing. You know how when you're still able to toss and turn on your side while sleeping, well I was still able to answer the voice if I really wanted to. The pleasure of sleeping just overwhelmed my mind, so blissful and welcoming. Soon after hearing my name a third time, I knew it was time to come back to my senses and into the land of the awakening.

...

Opening my eyes was only the easiest part, having my vision actually return was the hardest. All I could make out was... that's just it... I couldn't see anything. After a few minutes of trying to see, I managed to make out a hand waving in front of my face. I tried blinking the best I could to see a blurry image that had red hair and some golden clothes. My brain may have been slow to know who it was but not my heart.

"Cardin, can you hear me?" she asked once, I appreciated the concern but I just wanted to shut her up, in a good way. When I tried to talk, there was nothing but a pathetic groan. My throat did feel raspy and water was another one of my main concerns. Several hands had made their way on either my shoulder, my back or my face. The floods of questions like, 'Are you alright?' rushed out of the distinctive voices.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine," I said while holding my head, it felt so goddamn heavy again.

"Are you really?"

Turning my head, my vision had begun to clear up and identify Ozpin at the end of the bed with even Ms. Goodwitch alongside. Well, it was good to know they still cared, but then again why wouldn't they?

"Professor? Hey..."

"We've been waiting, quite a few hours I must admit. Ms. Nikos said she had found you out deep in the woods, unconscious."

So this was all real. I didn't want to believe it like it was just still a dream sequence. But so far, all of what he said was what I needed to believe.

"I was... Eli told me to head out there, said he knew a good spot. Bastard never told me why."

Ozpin seemed to understand where I was getting and so did Ms. Goodwitch, but Pyrrha didn't. Figures, I hadn't told her about him. All she had known was that I wasn't meant to be taken lightly.

"Wait, who's Eli? Don't tell me there are things you haven't told me yet," she said, pleading to be involved. Well, if she truly was hoping to be my frie- Ally... Yeah, ally was I meant. Either way, she deserved to know the truth.

"Haven't had the time to explain, sorry. Pyrrha, the source of my powers all stems from someone inside me. A spirit by the name of Eli Morrow. I was introduced to him while I was away, he was fused with my soul through a ritual that his last host performed. Ever since then, he's made me indestructible or at least has been trying to."

I didn't blame her for giving me a look that tried its best to process it all but she started coming around quicker than most had. I mean with the crazy shit that's already been introduced to Remnant, this should just come as only a little bit different, not a major world change.

"So is he trustworthy?"

Oye, this was gonna be a little tricky now.

"He's a bit on the crazy side, not gonna lie. But he's been of assistance ever since, if not a little bit on the mouthy side."

"Are you sure, it's just that when seeing you out there, you were-" she stopped because I cut her off.

"What, I was what?" I barked out slightly, not knowing how my tone was until seeing it on her face. Y'know, even as champion, seeing her face shrink away from happiness wasn't even something I'd want to see at all.

"I'm sorry, I didn't..." her words mumbled soon after. God, I'm a dick.

"Hey, hey, hey... No, look I don't blame you, but believe me, it wasn't him doing any of that during the fight. It was me, I just needed to let it out."

"I just worry, I don't want you to lose yourself. You've made progress since you came back, and I just want to help and...", her voice was beginning to turn into a whine, but what killed me was when she was beginning to raise her hands to her eyes. Tears.

Enough.

I put my hand on her shoulder, gripping enough to where it wouldn't hurt her but enough for her to focus.

"You have. Pyyrha, you've helped me ever since the day when it when to shit. And in this room, you didn't come here to see me suffer, and you didn't come looking for me just so you can give up, did you?"

Her head nodded, her mood was slowly warming up now, and all I wanted to see now was that trademark smile she had before. The same one she wore when she scored a victory, whenever she politely introduced herself and especially when she would be on the box art of any Pumpkin Pete's cereal.

...

Okay, I tried one bowl. ONE!

...

Didn't taste good.

...

Nonetheless, she didn't deserve to fret. None of them did, the burdens they carried may not have been entirely from me but I didn't need to add on to the list.

"Thank you, Cardin."

"You've done us a great job of looking for your classmate and friend, Ms. Nikos, but while we're also on the topic of team RWBY, I should notify you of the results," included Ozpin.

Man, this should be good. I can imagine how this will make things easier in the future, yeah right. Ms. Goodwitch stepped up to speak finally.

"Before we received word of you and Ms. Nikos coming back, we visited Team RWBY's room in the medical wing. As of now, Yang Xiao-Long will currently be inactive in all classes for an estimated 5 weeks."

You couldn't blame me for whistling in surprise, talk about doing a number on her. Question is, how badly though?

"I could guess but what exactly is her condition from my handiwork?"

"Her wounds mostly consist of deep gashes scattered from her knees and face, 2 broken "baby teeth" as she claimed from the back, and a slightly fractured nose and hand."

"Hmph, not too bad then. She'll live, as strong as she is, she can't always absorb all attacks."

"That's true, but we'd also like to remind you that perhaps the mentioning of her parents was a bit much," said Goodwitch, a warning playing out. Yeah, should've been expecting that, just not their exact expressions that were directed at me. Even Pyrrha looked off to the side to avoid my gaze, Ozpin, though, he narrowed his eyebrows to then have a solemn frown.

"Believe me when I tell you that Summer Rose was by far one of the greatest students that I've had the honor of having."

I never doubted Ozpin's beliefs since I've come back, in fact, I took every word that he said to be true. If there was someone I'd believe the most, it'd have to be him. I admit, looking back now after mouthing off about her, I really felt like a massive dick.

"Well, that's another one on the list."

"List? Do tell," he encouraged me to explain.

"The list of bad shit I've done up to this point."

Behind those quirky glasses, he gave me the best of what I could say as a quizzical look. "You cannot always linger on the past, Cardin. What matters is what you do now."

"I know, but I hate to break it to you, 'the past' was just a few hours ago. Not to mention, I've bullied, if not ruined, most other people's lives at this school. And, speaking of a few hours ago, I just greatly insulted a deceased huntress who was apparently an angel."

"Insulted, yes," he agreed, "Greatly insulted, not entirely, Cardin."

He's got to be kidding, I just called her a whore, threatened and claimed that her daughter was a failure. That isn't beyond insulting?

"You realize your mistakes, therefore, you don't truly believe her to be a rancid, trouble-making former huntress, do you?" he asked.

"No. No, I don't."

"Then you still have a chance to make things right."

"You expect me to apologize to Rose? Hey look I'm all for it but-"

"She will listen. My friend, I've known her mother, so I give you my word that this will not worsen her views. Despite the past mistakes she's made, she is still her mother's daughter."

There was no use in debating it, I knew better. Regardless, I guess there was going to be more interactions between me and team RWBY. Great.

"Today will not be the right time for it, nor tomorrow. Right now, Ms. Rose needs to rest. She's already dealing with her sister's condition, and you've had your own burdens. I will call upon you and Ruby to make peace when the time comes."

"Alright then, I'll be ready. Professor, do you think today's events really needed to end up like this?"

"Truthfully," he took a sip from his mug before swallowing, "Excluding Yang's status, yes. All of you have yet to remember that we do not attend Beacon to learn how to defend ourselves from each other but alongside one another."

He wasn't wrong, in fact, the months being here could've been different. Classes would attend normally, lives could've been easier. And as for me, well, maybe I should've never come. But had things have gone differently, I'd have never met Annie, never saved her, or even gain my powers. Either way, each outcome has its own disadvantages, and with it, someone always suffers.

"Where's Annie?" I asked. As soon as I questioned about her, she walked in with Smokes at her side, the little guy had his eyes set on us. Man, was she ever so glad to see me. For a girl so small for her size, she sure did squeeze the life out of me and Pyrrha.

"I was worried," she said for the 5th time in a row, Pyrrha and I reassured her that we were fine now. It all felt so funny, all of us in one room. Each of them was valuable and trusting, at my side longer than anyone else. Eli, well, he was forced into this. They weren't, at least I hoped not. But something told me otherwise. All of them bearing one similar detail on their faces.

Ozpin and Glynda, well, they felt like... good role models. If I also had to be completely honest, they'd make a typical couple, but that doesn't mean it was terrible in anyway. Annie was like a sister I've never had from before, and with the days we spent, I'm so grateful to have saved her. Smokey wasn't so bad as I made him out to be. Okay, he wasn't bad at all. He was another good guardian for Annie.

And Pyrrha, that was still a puzzle for me. Here I was, 'the great asshole of Beacon Academy', allies with a tournament champion. But it wasn't her status as a champion that I focused solely on, it was her humanity. In the eyes of many ignorant people, she was an icon of victory and nothing else. They expected success, no faults at all. But that's what pissed me off. There was only a few that truly recognized who Nikos was. Most believe she's a celebrity, that she was too good to talk to, too good to consider an actual person.

Too good to have a life, a conscious, a personality that spoke for itself.

That was equally as terrible as if treating her like garbage. Ozpin, Goodwitch, Annie and I saw Pyrrha more than just a forced body capable of honing skills. However, that didn't mean that two other of her teammates hadn't as well, I'll give them that.

But as for Jaune ... he didn't.

Little bastard, I still didn't like him. He had been assigned to a righteous band of individuals that all displayed an impressive number of feats. He couldn't lead properly, he was so neglectful of what responsibility really meant for those he was partnered up with. I know that getting over your grievances is what is considered best, but sometimes waiting for them to vanish wasn't always the best solution. You had to take part or continue warming the bench until the next chance.

Take it or leave it.

And I will never leave the people that I've cherished up to this point. Not now, and no more.

The plans for the next week or so had been discussed with everyone in my dorm and having finished doing so Ozpin and Glynda had taken their leave and wished the three of us a good night. Now that I was given a better idea for the future, it was time for two things.

A shower and a plan.

Pyrrha decided she was going to go back to her own dorm after knowing I was alright. Annie and I wished her to be safe and stop by any time. It was the least that I could do after all she's done for me. Now I had to think of my apology, how the people will see me and most importantly, Eli's absence. He had some explaining to do.

I went for a cold shower to help me think. Let's be honest, I already was insulated enough from the hellfire I possessed, so there was no chance I was ever going to catch a cold.

With my towel around my neck, I sat down on the couch, trying to focus on getting through to Eli.

'Eli, I know you're in there, we're gonna have a little chat.'

The bastard wouldn't say a goddamn word, he just kept quiet. Fine, but sooner or later, he was going to answer my questions. It's my mind he's in, even as a spirit, he can't stay silent forever. Mark my words.

Well, until he would have the wind to answer some questions, there wasn't a whole lot to do. I checked the clock to see it was already 8:00 P.M.

"Man, I must've been really wiped out," my voice felt slightly dry, "And I'm parched."

Walking to the fridge, I snatched and cracked open a lemon soda, downing the sucker like it was a race. Empty. Hm, now I was really thirsty. Good thing we have like... One, two, three... Four 12 packs of soda. And you know, with thirst comes hunger. Hm, I am starving. Maybe Annie was too. Maybe we can get some takeout, or some pizza, maybe get some burgers, or maybe even head to Vale and-

Knock, Knock, Knock

Hm, who could that be?

I walked to the door and checked through the peephole. On second thought, I just lost my appetite.

Knock, Knock, Knock

The banging was sounding forced and impatient now. God, why me? Just quit being such a puss and just open the door and take care of it. Groaning, I opened the door with a moment's hesitation, facing her with an unamused expression.

"What do you want?"

Clad in a brown robe, black tank top and brown slippers and PJ pants, she scoffed. She too didn't seem to thrilled about showing up either, but that was her problem. Without her sunglasses, she gave me a hard look with those Hershey brown orbs at me with her arms crossed.

Stop copying me, at least I was leaning against the door.

"You and I are going to talk. This childish bullshit between the both of us has already caused enough stress as it is"

"Gee, you think? I practically have an ulcer from all of this still. 11 seconds."

"Like I said, come outside and we'll talk."

So this is what it's about? This was new, but I felt fatigue already centering around my body, although I know I wouldn't die from a heart attack or something. I'd need some more cigarettes, as a matter of fact, they were my painkiller. I had perhaps 1 pack left.

"Right now?"

"Yeah, it's not like you're busy with anything," she said in a matter of fact tone. I didn't very much appreciate it, but you try telling that to a 2nd year who apparently knows so much.

"We going for a walk or something?"

"Y'know since the weather is nice and cool finally at this time of night, why not?" she said, shrugging her should as she buried her hands in her pocket

...

"Whatever, let me just put on some pants."

Throwing on my black muscle-shirt that had the same insignia as my jacket's, my jeans and my black sneakers, I walked outside in silence with the leader of team CFVY. Sure glad I was just in my shirt because she wasn't lying when she claimed the night air was cool. It was perfect, the wind was tame and make my hair dance as it was still a little damp.

We walked a little slower down the main avenue as I took out a cigarette and used my index finger to ignite the end of it. I inhaled, feeling much better. I sat down on one of the benches there and looked at the dark sky, the moon glowing as always. Coco sat down as well on the bench, enjoying the atmosphere as well.

Puffing out my smoke, I stretched my arms out, getting comfortable as I decided to rest my eyes.

"Kinda glad you talked me into coming out tonight, the weather's nice," I confessed. Coco didn't seem to say anything for a few seconds, guess she was enjoying the night as much as I was.

"I'm glad, takes your mind off your troubles, doesn't it?"

"You ain't kidding," I yawned, already feeling comfy in my spot now.

"Well you know you can have more moments like this without having to be tense all the time," she said.

"Yeah, well I'm trying. You gotta remember, you're not the flaming asshole with a mean streak. Rather, you're the fashion queen who probably shoots more bullets than false choices."

"You said it, not me," she took joy in her teasing, "But even though I don't like an asshole like yourself, that doesn't mean you should just quit. I'll admit, when I was offered up the chance to put you in your place, I took it. Do I regret it, well yeah, especially after our punishment."

"Tough for you," I retorted with one eye open and directed at her. "Blame them, no, yeah just blame me. I'd apologize, but it probably wouldn't mean much."

Another inhale of my smoke, couldn't tell if I was talking like that because of the cig or maybe it was me being truthful. Take your pick, either way, I was speaking my mind as casual as I could with everything that's happened.

"You don't really know that, Cardin. But I can't blame you for assuming that, most of us teams have been on edge. And well, yeah, most of the other students see you as the biggest threat, maybe even more than the Grimm."

"Thanks, makes me feel much better, Adel. So much for chatting, or at least it's just bad because it's you."

"Oh, and why's that?" she questioned me with her eyebrows narrowed, Coco managed to still look enticing when she seemed agitated, from what I could tell.

"Do I really have to explain that? It's bad enough I get my ass chewed from a damn blonde devil, a freaking bookworm, a princess who's whinier than me, yes, that's saying something, and a kid..."

Rose was the last one I focused more on, or at least her and Yang together.

"I wouldn't judge her so quickly if I were you, hothead. She was elected team-leader of her group for a reason. I even heard from her friends that she managed to behead a Nevermore. Aside from skills, she also has the benefit of her attitude, aside from your meddling."

"Hey, she pestered me first," I snapped back, irritated.

"The point is," she hastily changed the subject, "It doesn't matter who started what, what does matter is how far we're all going to go to fix this."

I calmed down quickly, I just didn't have it in me to argue anymore today. In fact, I was getting tired. Massaging my temples didn't help much and neither did closing my eyes to not face the struggle.

"Don't remind me, Coco. I'm not happy for saying all that bullshit about her mother. At least she had good parents," I tailed off.

That's when I started to think back to the moments I had with those given birth to me. They were far from good parents, just two people who plowed like desperate and ruthless creatures who didn't give a hang or a care for Faunus. They made me into this but I still went with it for so long. Damn it...

If there was anyone that I had to encounter the most now more than ever, it was the sisters. And Yang, she was all banged up from me. I was just glad that I didn't go into my form. I was still new to it, after all, it's only been one time and I couldn't even forget how deceitful the control was. I'd have killed Yang if I-

I gasped as I felt a sharp pain in my chest shoot out of nowhere, enough pain to make me drop my cigarette and grasp my heart.

Coco caught on real quick.

"Hey, Cardin, what's wrong? Are you alright?"

I clenched my eyes, waiting for the discomfort to subside, my breathing unsteady, shallow. It felt like someone actually stabbed me there, adrenaline was pumping in and then... it vanished... and so was my oxygen...

"Oh, god... It hurts... Yeah, I'm fine. Just... a little..."

Nothing but bullshit came from my mouth, my knees hit the ground and normally any human would feel the pain from the shattering feeling. That was just it, I didn't feel jack shit. Not even the cold, concrete ground as my head crashed down.

Oh fuck, I was getting weak again, my head numbing down until it would reach to my toes. I lost consciousness before hearing Coco's worried shouts rushing out as it echoed out. But the last I could hear was a ruckus of an engine, thundering as it grew closer, but my vision, leaving me...

Just like Yang, I had gone out like a light.

Third Person

As the Demon lay resting on his back, the Biker parked his ride next to the pair with a casual expression. Coco had already been freaked out by the sudden heart attack her former enemy had experienced, so seeing a complete stranger put her on high alert.

"You're not a student, just what are you doing here?" she raised her fists, standing over the boy as interrogated the man. Scratching under his 5 o'clock shadow, the adult continued to walk slowly as to not spook the girl.

"Just a good citizen is all, in fact, I'm here to look after that lightweight who's on the ground," gesturing with his finger to which Coco looked down to the passed out Cardin.

"As if I'd believe that, and from what I can tell, you don't look the part."

Scoffs were common for guys who donned leather apparently, the Biker just brushed it off. "You're right, I should be in my pajamas to look the part," he emphasized.

"Stay away from him, until you got proof as to who you say you are, you're not touching him," she advised him in a warning tone. With one eyebrow cocked, he wondered how many girlfriends the rookie had.

"Look, I know you're looking after your boyfriend, but trust me, I'm here to make sure he doesn't lose control."

"Hey, this guy ain't my boyfriend!"

"Whatever," he said in a bored voice, "Cardin seems to be having a little bit of trouble with his partner. I'd know, I'm just like him."

Coco was beginning to feel like messaging her friends would be the right thing to do, but she was preoccupied with dealing with the strange man and looking over the Demon.

"What the hell are you talking about? How do you-"

"Another friend of his told me, she too seems to be pretty protective of him, maybe she's his actual girlfriend."

"Save it, I could care less as to who it is. I have half a mind to see how casual you'll be when I inform the headmaster."

The man sighed in irritation at the fashion queen's threat, some things apparently never changed for the Riders. Still, he couldn't risk any more delay from seeing what the deal with the young punk was all about. Throwing his hands up in mock defeat, he shook his head.

"Can't really do that, girlie. Riders look out for their kin, and I've wasted enough time waiting to check on the kid. Hey, no hard feelings."

Before Coco could pinpoint where he was getting at, the Biker had swung his palm back and in front of her eyes was a small flicker of a flame before impacting her face. Doing its magic, the girl was stunned before collapsing on the spot next to the other teen.

"Heh, still got it. Course, I'm not Johnny's age, so there wasn't any doubt."

Setting his eyes on the one he's been looking for the entire time, Daniel figured he'd toss the kid on the back of his cycle and head out somewhere hidden so they'd talk in private.

"Alright, kiddo. Time to have a discussion," he lifted Cardin's arm and steadied him on the bike so he wouldn't fall off. Revving up the engine, he sped off towards the same place he'd found him before.

In the pitch dark realm void of any sign of a pure soul, one individual watched over another as he lay motionless on the hot rock. Normally for anyone, the surface would've burned anyone alive right on the spot. But as for the two, it didn't even affect them. Right now he was waiting for two things to happen, for the boy to wake up and for someone else to meet up with him. He was thankful that he had his host land directly near her spot, otherwise, he would have been doomed without a doubt. The kid might've not been so stupid after all, but his luck was beginning to die if not him as well if he was given another chance.

Taking notice of the boy's stirring, he lightly kicked his side to wake him up.

"Hey wake up, kid," he said while grinning, kicking him again for good measure. This time the unconscious teen began to blink as he groaned from even stretching his arm forward. He clutched his arm as the return of physical discomfort reoccurred.

"Argh! God damn it," spoke Cardin, unaware that the man was right in front of him.

"Well, rise and shine trooper."

Discontinuing his previous actions, young Cardin froze as he heard the all too familiar voice. Redirecting his eyes onto who the man was, he noticed the man standing over him. He was in his late thirties with ash black hair that reached his neck, trenchcoat that was black as well, and of course, scarlet-orange eyes. The crazed look on his was in no way foreign, it was always there without a doubt.

"E-Eli?"

"Well, who else did you think it was," asked his main source of power. Never would he necessarily expect him to look like this, excluding his presumed villainous smile. But it wasn't what he looked like that made Cardin slightly freak out. It was why could he see him.

"Eli, what's going on, and no fucking slow build up to the explanation, got it?"

"Easy there, mack. We're just here so we can meet an old friend of mine and when she gets here, you'll be a happy man afterward."

"You know, it's funny how I hear that but yet I don't really believe it worth a damn," complained Cardin who felt up his own arm just to confirm it was there, feeling his own face as well.

"Oh yeah, by the way, thanks for helping me cope with me practically dying on the inside," he said while shaking a fist towards the ghost.

"Quit your bitching, kid. You know how much I have to deal with just so I could make it out alive?"

"I'd imagine it can't be that fucking hard, I mean aren't you already dead, so whats there to feel inside?"

"Your mother."

"Good, keep the skank, it's people like her that don't make good mothers, let alone decent human beings," he said while crossing his arms, Eli just chuckled darkly as he admired the snappy comeback.

"My, my. Seems as though you two treat each other nice," said a female's voice that wasn't native to Cardin's memory.

She was clad in an odd Native savage like attire. The woman wore a black dress with orange flames decorated all over and a necklace with a shrunken head attached as well. Her hair was raven black that reached past her neck and her eyes were the same color as Cardin's except she had no pupils whatsoever.

"Who are you," gruffly asked Cardin who was rather defensive in this environment. Eli was busy shaking his head, laughing as he placed a hand on Cardin's shoulder while making his way toward the female adult.

"Now, Cardin, that ain't the way to greet a lovely woman, you know."

Holding out her hand, mainly suggesting the back of her hand, the unidentified madam giggled as she felt Eli kiss her hand like a gentleman. The sight made Cardin wonder if they had any business with one another, he'd be right without a doubt.

"So, this a new partner of yours? I actually kind of missed ol' Robbie," spoke the woman. Hearing the previous host's name made Cardin's eye twitch. Due to their growing bond, Eli could feel the anger in Cardin build up from the mentioning.

"Calm down, kid," said the ghost as his female accomplice suddenly got the idea there was some sort of stir up, so she let it go for now.

"Hmm, guess something happened then, huh?" she asked.

"A lot has happened since we've last seen each other, babe. In fact, Ol' Robbie is apparently going for the straight life."

"Eli, who's this?" asked Cardin, not exactly appreciating the fast pacing rush of questions sprouting up.

"Well, let me explain the story to her, all right" started Eli as Cardin could only groan as he would have to wait.

After a brief explanation, Eli's friend managed to understand their situation. This was truly going to fun for all three of them, more than it ever could've been for the previous host. "Well then, seems as it's been rather interesting for you, hasn't it, little guy?" she asked playfully. Oh, how Eli enjoyed that. The same couldn't have been said for Cardin.

"Don't call me little, and no it hasn't. It's just been a royal pain," he barked. The response only built more delight to the madam who giggled in return.

"Look, let's just get names out of the way, kay?" asked Eli.

"Sure thing, hun~," said the mistress as she winked. "I'm Pele, Eli's significant other."

"So it seems, so what? You came here for a booty call or something?" asked Cardin dryly.

Eli rolled his eyes,"Kid, haven't you been listening to a word I said? She's here to help you. Why else do you think you're not hurting anymore, you pansy?"

Now that he thought about it, Eli was right. No longer did the pain continue anywhere inside him.

"That's right, not to mention I'm sure there will be a bonus if you play nice. Interested?"

Way to even put more of a tension on the boy. In a way, he can kinda see why Reyes wanted to ditch Eli. Never did he expect a bigger pain in his ass, but here he was, weighing his options for trust. How he could rid the both of them was a thought that could never become a possibility. What choice did he have? Rhetorical question.

"Whatever. I'm listening."

The mistress smirked as similar to her lover.

"Splendid. Now let me fill you in on how this all works. I'll admit, it was rather tricky to complete the deed. Especially when I had to kill your heart."

"What?" Cardin said as he raised his voice in a dreaded surprise. Sure, he shouldn't have been surprised since he's been testing luck so much these days, but still.

"Easy kid, just listen. It was really a walk in the park."

"Well," he glared at Eli for such a crude take on the procedure,"Explain then, c'mon."

"Okay, how this all started is that you had to make a pact for me to join you and my Eli," she explained as she snuggled against the satan worshiper, almost making Cardin cringe on the inside.

"Blood pact or some sort've soul pact?" he asked.

"A little bit of both, hun. It won't work even if you accomplished one and not the other."

Cardin sighed aloud as Pele kept addressing the ritual. "Now, of course, we weren't able to gain your.. approval for these gifts since you were sleeping but then again, I've got my methods," she giggled creepily, to which Cardin didn't find at all funny. Gesturing her to continue, she did so.

"Once we completed both deeds, I transported my soul with you both and in return, you have now inherited my powers. Now you're completely immune to, how do you say, natural dangers. Not to mention, you've gained some new powers."

Now, this did peak his interest. "Wait, natural? Elaborate."

"It's a good thing you ask this, Cardin. You see, the world is quite as it really seems. What, with these mindless ghoulish animals running around. Grimm is what they call them these days?" she asked Eli to which he nodded.

"Times back then weren't even so black and white. True evil was around, nowadays it seems as though it's only run over by these silly braindead pests that used to be somewhat... more lively. Now that's no way to rule these lands."

Oh god, how he hated backstories of these kinds of things.

"In fact, way before you were even born, I grew up with just the most wonderful people you could imagine. Satanic worshippers."

Not one of the pleasant ways to be raised by others but he should talk, but at least he wasn't insane...ish.

"Never really grew close with my mother or father, they knew the score. In fact, they couldn't even keep their bloodlust in check and they ended up being six-feet under. It's what you get when you underestimate your foes, even I can know when to wait and act."

Eli scoffed, "Oh please, baby, what's not fun about just murdering your enemies without care."

But Pele had a chuckle herself. "Well for one, it didn't have me killed in such a way by gang members, sweety."

Her lover couldn't help but laugh and nod in agreement. Eli was aware of his mishap but having a host do some killing and carnage for him was enough to forget about it.

"Well just hold on there, what kind of powers exactly were you mentioning earlier?" he asked. Pele and Eli looked at each other, his lover nonverbally asking if they should tell him the truth. After nodding his head, Pele shrugged her shoulders and smirked.

"Cardin, deary, how much do you know about... Gods?"

His eyes narrowing, Cardin crossed his arms, unsatisfied with his answer merely being another question.

"Not a whole lot. No, scratch that, nothing. What's your point?"

"Oh my dear boy, you have a lot to learn..."