Welcome back to Hello Charlotte everyone. I hope that you enjoy this chapter, I worked hard on it. Please remember to VOTE and COMMENT, it means a lot to me plus I love chatting with you guys. Also, please remember to click on the video it goes with the chapter. ~XOXO BUTTERBALL~

The song is Wires by The neighborhood.

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-Kessel-

The fog was thick, as I took my place I nearly tripped over my own feet. The smell of thick earthy condensation entered my nose as I slowly looked up staring into the large, deep, dank hole in the ground.

The hole seemed endless as I stared into it, the darkness seemingly creeping out of the hole to reach out to me.

Loud wailing snapped me out of my own morbid thoughts. Slowly I looked over at Seras who had tears running down her face, her face crinkled into a look of pure pain as she wailed like an animal who had lost its child. Beside her Lorithia had her arms wrapped around her, despite the fact that Lorithia had bags under her currently puffy red eyes, mucus leaking out of her nose that made the tissue she held there useless as her breathing hitched and she sniffled she still tried her best to comfort Seras.

Beside me Eizen was silent, he glared at the hole looking exhausted the bags under his eyes making him look older than his twenty-one years. His usual hyperactive self-gone, buried beneath the grief he was feeling.

A sharp pain cracked through my skull like a whip, I held back a wince even though for a moment my vision wavered. I squeezed my eyes closed letting out a deep breath as I tried to steady myself.

"You did this! You allowed this to happen! This-this isn't what I wanted!"

As the familiar yet horrible voice echoed through my head my stomach began to churn. I shivered slightly as the urge to vomit rose slowly before  dissipating going away as though it had never appeared. As more wailing entered my ears I turned slowly seeing Caius's mother and father walking towards us guiding his coffin along as though it was some sort of morbid parade. As his mother cried an ache grew in my chest making it feel empty yet full at the same time.

As she stood next to Lorithia and Seras I couldn't help but look away, the ache in my chest captured my breath as though it were crushing my lungs. When the coffin came into view I couldn't help but stare at it, it was white adorned with white and blue flowers with golden sashes on the side. On top of it was an Aveon flag and at the sight of it, I flinched.

"See what you've done?We wanted change, but we didn't want this. You need to change!"

I gritted my teeth, my fist clenching as I stared at the coffin.

He was always so happy, shy but cheerful. He always did his best and was willing to learn. Almost like an eager dog waiting to learn new tricks, despite him being shy he always wanted his voice to be heard. But now he's quiet, quieter than he's ever been, his warmth is gone and all that's left is a husk.

I felt a gentle warm hand grip mine almost like it was anchoring me back to reality drawing me away from the twisted world of my own creation. I looked over at Eizen, despite the fact that he was also staring at the hole, no the grave, he looked oddly calm as though a mask had been placed over his face. "We may have lost him, but at least we were able to lay him to rest. And return his soul to the heavens," Eizen whispered to me.

For a moment I stared at him with wide eyes before I faced forward again. However, I did squeeze Eizen's hand back.

~~~~

All four of us were silent as we walked through the large halls of the Aveon church, where Caius had been laid to rest. I stopped and let out a soft sigh as I turned to face them. "Eizen, Lorithia, Seras, you are dismissed for now. Please take all the time you need," I told them softly not meeting their eyes.

Seras looked at me with wide glassy eyes the tears nearly cloaking her eyes. "We can't do that! If anything we need to work harder to catch that Therion bastard!" She protested furiously as her shoulders shook and her fist clenched.

I bit my lip as that awful sharp pain ripped through my head and I looked away from Seras as everything wavered and seemed to shimmer with a strange glow.

"I believe that we would all like to continue our mission the sooner it's done the sooner Caius will truly be at peace," Lorithia said softly. When I glanced at her, for a brief moment her form distorted. It was quick but for a small moment, I caught sight of a familiar small child with elf-like ears and long blonde hair.

No, not here! Anywhere but here!

Eizen let out a sigh as he crossed his arms. "You know me if I'm not busy I'll drive myself crazy," he told me softly.

I squeezed my eyes shut as the pain cracked through my whole body forcing me to stumble.

Stop it! Leave me alone!

I felt a soft hand grabbed my wrist and when I opened my eyes I saw Lorithia holding my wrist, checking my pulse with a scowl on her face. "Kessel are you alright? I mean your pulse is beating way too rapidly, I know that you're worried about everything but you should definitely rest," she informed me softly. When she looked up at me her face had exchanged grief for worry.

I opened my mouth to tell her I was fine but the pain ripped through my whole body again, thrumming through my body like the loud echo of a grandfather clock.

"I've had enough of this. We need to talk."

I heard Lorithia gasp and Seras scream as darkness covered my vision. Very quickly I was dragged under into the depths of my own insanity.

~~~

I slowly opened my eyes, before instantly shutting them as sunlight blared into my eyes. Beneath me was pure, white marble that had been warmed by the sun. Slowly I sat up my joints aching and creaking as though they were yelling at me to stay still.

Slowly I looked around taking in the familiar small blue flowers that were placed on the sides of the marble as though it were a small garden. A rush of calm ran through me as the smell of salt water entered my nose, it...almost felt like home.

However, when I noticed the large pond nearby I froze the previous calm I'd felt replaced with a chill that dug its claws into my chest and entered my soul.

"This place!" I whispered, my eyes had gone wide in shock.

"I know that you recognize it, it's a place where you, well we grew up. This place is our home away from home remember?" That familiar voice said.

I slowly looked up with gritted teeth as I stared at the all too familiar boy. Long blonde hair, curved elf-like ears, and innocent yet determined blue eyes. My younger self-stared at me his eyes full of pity.

"I thought I sealed you away deep in the recesses of my broken mind and soul. Why in the hell are you here!" I snarled.

My younger self-frowned. "I just walked right out, there was no seal. No fanfare I just left because I was needed," he informed me as he looked down at the ground for a moment.

"Lies! I made sure that you wouldn't interfere. I closed the door myself!" I snarled.

He narrowed his eyes at me for a moment looking away. "Barely...your soul has decayed to a sliver. Your mind can barely keep itself anchored in reality, therefore the place where you put me also deteriorated. So I left because I was needed desperately." He explained.

I glared at him. "I don't need something like you! What I'm doing is right, creatures like Charlotte will get the help they need, and I'll make sure that no one has to experience what I have. You're me! You should know that!" I snapped.

My younger self,  shook his head, then he pointed one finger at my chest. "You really are a demented fool. The guilt is eating away at your chest just like Ivo's brand ate at your soul. Deep down you know that this isn't the way you should do things, and yet you persist as your illness poisons your mind," he informed me.

I froze my gaze turning towards the ground as I clutched at my chest, the ache that had settled there making it hard to breathe. I squeezed my eyes closed. "I...I never intended for Caius...I never wanted him to die. I don't know why but at the time...it had felt right despite something deep within me screaming that it was wrong," I panted. Slowly I looked up at my younger self. "It was you wasn't it?" I whispered.

He nodded. "I know that you don't want things to happen like this, that at the end of the day you never intended for things to go like this. Even with Ivo, you regret what has happened," he told me gently.

When he said Ivo's name I gritted my teeth as that ugly guilt was overridden with a harsh flame of hatred. "I regret nothing! Ivo knew! That damn bastard knew what would happen to me and yet even though I had given my life for him he still cursed me! He still stole my right to die!" I yelled around me the wind whipped wildly nearly slicing at my skin like a razor.

My younger self, flinched his eyes going wide and for a moment flames surrounded us the smell of blood cloaking the air like a thick fog.

"If he's done this to me then I need to get Charlotte away from her! He's hurting Lottie! He's killing my fucking daughter!" I screamed.

"He didn't know! You were his best friend! His brother, he told you everything, don't you think he would've said something!" My younger self screamed back as he tried to carry his voice over the whirling wind and roaring flames.

"He knew, when I woke up the looks on Vincent and my father's face said it all," I growled.

"Asked...because of your illness and your mind starting to go you never did the one thing to prove your theory. Ask Ivo if he knew, ask Vincent after you woke up," he said calmly. then his eyes met mine, "Do you remember the one thing Ivo asked you after you woke up?" He asked gently despite his voice being soft it carried over the wind's roars.

At his question, I froze the world feeling as though it had died around me. Slowly I forced myself to breathe dragging charcoal tasting air into my lungs.

"Kessel?"

Slowly, almost robotically I turned my gaze to my side meeting the curious yet worried gaze of a young Ivo, who was covered in head to toe in the forbidden red contract markings. Even as I stared at him in shock my eyes wide and barely able to breathe my mouth moved automatically. "Yes, Ivo?" I whispered.

Ivo frowned as he looked me up and down a confused yet cautious look on his face. "What are those weird red marking on you? I have them too and they look different from the ones that my dad showed me." He said softly.

Automatically I spoke again. "Did you ask him about it?" I asked gently as a small smile forced itself over my face.

Ivo flinched before looking at me with wide teary eyes. "I asked him but all he did was yell at me! I tried I really did, even your dad won't say anything! He said...he said that if I didn't want you to leave forever then I should've just consumed you! He told me to eat your body! I-I don't know what I did wrong!"

As the familiar memory played out before me my eyes slowly went wide. Around me, the wind slowed as the fires quickly began to die out and Ivo disappeared. For a few moments the world was silent, then I spoke. "He-he didn't know...he didn't even know what the markings meant...Ivo, he truly never knew what he did to me," I whispered as I fell to my knees. "Vincent knew without a doubt and so did my father."

"For years I've been calling out to you for years as I tried to override your madness. It was difficult, especially since you didn't want to listen. I never thought I'd have to use force as your delusions do," he told me.

Slowly I looked up at my younger self. "The problem has never been the Therion species. It was the gods that made them to be beast that consume no matter what the situation, those self-centered deities are ones that must pay. But still, I must get Charlotte and detach her link from him, while he may not know Lottie definitely knows. These seven long years have without a doubt tainted her soul," I whispered.

"You allowed her to have Ivo's markings and the books that belong to the royal family," he reminded me calmly.

I closed my eyes as I bit her lip. "At the time...I believed that Ivo was truly the only one that could help her. That could save her from her fate, it's why I educated her about it, however a contract from one of us is supposed to be mutually beneficial. So I had no choice but to seal off Charlotte's memories," I explained softly.

"You were scared too weren't you?" My younger self asked.

I let out a soft chuckle. "I did fear for myself, yes, however, I feared for Lottie more than anything. Ivo...is ruthless in his thirst for revenge, if he knew that Charlotte knew me when she summoned him then she wouldn't be alive at this moment. When I felt him break the seal on her memories I felt a wave of fear that I hadn't felt in ages."

For a moment my younger self shut his eyes. "So you have come to the conclusion that the gods are to blame. What do you plan to do?" He asked.

I smiled slightly. "Shouldn't you already know?" I asked softly.

He looked at me that familiar determination in his eyes. "I want to hear you say it, it is what will fuel my decision about whether I will leave forever or if I will return to your soul as I once was, before your illness."

"The therions are not to blame, they never were. I need them however to access the realm of the gods, they are the keys after all. Once there I will take the gods' power for myself and fix the broken things they created, change the therions power and demolish the Aveon foundation so that supernatural creatures no longer will be pets controlled under their feet by threats and lies. While I do this, I want Lottie...my daughter by my side so that she can experience the happiness that she deserves. I will not fall, I will not die until my mission is complete!" I declared as I stared him in the eyes.

"And what about Ivo?" He asked immediately.

"I can't kill him, all these years...it wasn't his fault. But he won't give me Charlotte without a fight. So...I need to find a way to seal him away, at least until my life has ended." I answered instantly.

My younger self instantly grinned at me as his body began to shimmer with a soft white light. "Well, would you look at that...it looks like I'm coming with you. I'm glad...all these years I've really missed my home."

His body disappeared transforming into a soft, warm ball of light. As he entered my chest a strange comforting warmth spread of me quickly warming my body.

Ah..this feeling...I haven't felt like this in a long time.

~~~

My eyes snapped open and I instantly sat up my eyes wide. "Oh thank the Gods! Kessel you nearly gave all of us a heart attack! You can't keep doing this to yourself!" Lorithia instantly snapped at me.

However, I was still trying to process where I was. "Are we still in the church? What happened?" I slowly asked frowning as I took in my surroundings. I was lying on a stone bench in one of the long ivory hallways.

"You collapsed from exhaustion and overworking yourself! You scared the fuck out of us when you just collapsed!" Seras also snapped.

"You were out for a good ten minutes. Lorithia said you'd feel better after resting a bit so we just waited." Eizen informed me his tone had a strange cold calmness to it.

Ten minutes out here huh. It felt so much longer in that strange world of mine.

"Well at least you're okay now. You're pulse is steady, your temperature is normal as is your breathing," Lorithia said, while her voice was cheerful, her smile was strained.

Slowly I sat up and rubbed a hand over my eyes. "Yeah, last night...I just couldn't sleep you know," I whispered.

Eizen let out a sigh before he scowled at me with narrowed eyes. "Kessel, I think it's time you told us the truth. Something isn't right with you! The constant passing out, the mumbling to yourself, the nightmares and insomnia, the constant headaches not to mention that new strange power you acquired!"

Lorithia glared at him. "Eizen shut up, he doesn't need this. He just overworked himself like usual, and you know damn well that the gods use him as a conduit."

Eizen turned his sharp gaze on her. "Lorithia, something is wrong with him. The past Aveon prophet, when he talked to the gods it was very different, I'll admit there were trances like Kessel has sometimes but nothing like what he is experiencing!" He informed her through gritted teeth.

Seras let out an exasperated sigh. "Eizen, Lorithia is a doctor if she gives Kessel a clean bill of health then-"

However, I cut her off as I frowned. "Seras, Lorithia stop it," I said softly.

End of the road...

"No, I'm not going to let Eizen do his usual bullshit, especially on a day like this!" Lorithia snapped. Her hair and fur fluffed up as she began to hiss at Eizen however he held his ground.

I let out a long sigh as I turned my gaze toward the ground. "Well...in truth, he's not wrong Lorithia..." I informed her softly. At my words, they all froze with wide-eyed looks of shock on their faces as they stared at me.

Seras was the first to speak a strained smile on her face as she let out a nervous laugh. "Kessel, I know you like to tease us and screw with us sometimes but this isn't funny." She said, however as I stared at her, her eyes practically pleaded me to lie.

Lorithia shook her head as she slowly approached me. "No, besides the exhaustion you're completely healthy. I give you a physical every month, you're fine Kessel," she insisted almost frantically. Eizen, however, was silent as he glared down at the ground.

I let out a long sigh as I got to my feet, then I held my hand out in front of myself and focused allowing my power to run through me. Warmth spread through my body as the familiar energy spread. Something deep inside my body shifted as though a door that had been long sealed away was unlocking. "I believe this is the right spell," I whispered to myself.

Seconds later pain cracked across my skin, causing it to violently buzz and ache. Those all too familiar red contract markings formed across my skin, their usually bright red tint dulled. In my hand, however, I projected something, a soft white sliver, buried and barely shining within a ball of darkness and rot. I let out a shaky chuckled as I panted, tiredness had instantly set in my body making it hard to breathe, in fact, it was almost like my body was slowing down.

"Oh yeah, this is definitely the right spell," I whispered, across my skin the red markings disappeared briefly before returning, causing pain to once again whip through my skin leaving a path of fire and stinging.

"K-Kessel...what are those markings? And that weird looking ball what is it?" Lorithia asked softly the horror clear on her face.

I smirked slightly as I let out a soft laugh. "I've heard many things about my soul but weird. Well, considering its state I suppose it's a compliment."

"Your...soul," Seras whimpered.

I took a deep breath causing a sharp pain to tear through my lungs.

I winced as the red markings came and went once again.

"I can't hold this spell long, especially since I shouldn't be able to do this in the first place but I want all of you to take a good hard look. This is my soul in its current state, I've been alive for 204,000 years and I've spent more than half of it like this. Once this sliver of light is gone I'll die." I told them as I stared each of them in the eye.

I flinched as I slowly powered down the spell, however, the backlash of using it was incredibly quick as the previous warmth was replaced with a cold buzz. My legs gave out from under me the energy that I had previously had replaced with cold exhaustion. I could smell the blood in my nose and taste the copper in my throat, as I coughed spewing it on to the floor as the small cuts that existed on my skin from the forbidden markings glowed red. Each breath I took felt like razor blades rattling around in my lungs.

I felt Lorithia's gentle hand on my back radiating warmth through my body as she tried to use healing magic to help me. I slowly shook my head, "Don't, it won't do anything. You're just wasting your energy," I rasped.

"Then what can we do?" Seras asked frantically her voice shaking.

I shook my head again as I slowly sat back panting. "It-it stops on its own. My body...isn't made to use that spell under regular...circumstances I wouldn't be able to use it. But my powers are destabilizing...allowing me to access magic I normally wouldn't be able to." I rasped as I wiped mouth. "But that doesn't mean that using it will come without a price, especially considering the state I'm in," I whispered as I stared at my blood covered skin.

"I didn't think...even I never imagined that it could be this bad Kessel," Eizen whispered in a sober tone. "I know some things from your world, but Kessel how? How does something like this happen?" Eizen asked as his voice took on a strange unfamiliar frantic edge.

I coughed one more time before letting out a sigh, shakily I got to my feet Lorithia tightly gripped my upper arm the whole time. "All of you are familiar that the therion Ivo and I used to be friends correct? When we were younger a group of humans stormed into the realm we lived in trying to capture a therion whether it be dead or alive. They wanted to use the body of a therion as a way to communicate to the gods, those humans, the ones that lived later form the Aveon foundation after attaining their goal in a different form. When the invasion happened Ivo and I were outside the safety of the castle walls," I told them.

I closed my eyes for a moment. "Back then neither of us had mastered our powers yet, in fact, Ivo could barely keep his therion form in place. One of the humans was quick he had some type of ability-enhancing magic and no matter how much Ivo and I ran he kept pace. Ivo tried to stop him he said that all he had to do was touch him once. But...of course, it wasn't that easy, Ivo couldn't hold his form and while he was strong he was young and inexperienced. He always tried to brute force his way through every obstacle."

I tapped the center of my chest. "I may not have known what magic that human was using at the time but I knew that Ivo stood no chance against it. When the human moved in for the kill, I saved Ivo taking the blow instead, I remember a pillar of white light at the moment, pain and then nothing." I whispered.

"I woke up, three days later covered in those red markings you all saw. Ivo was also covered in them. Those markings are a sign of a forbidden contract between two contract demons. It's a rule that we don't make contracts amongst each other. But in truth the rule is there to keep therions from killing other contract demons," I explained.

"Why do they snap and go crazy? Is that why that Therion Ivo is so aggressive?" Eizen asked.

"No, it has to do with the way Therions are made, how they eat. They are built to consume everything soul and all, even their demonic energy does this. When you form a contract with a therion their demonic energy begins to eat your soul. Depending on the length of the contract or conditions this can take days or many years. Mine took years, because of the many misguided measures I took," I explained slowly.

"Misguide measures? But you always plan everything meticulously Kessel," Seras said a deep scowl on her face.

"The reason my markings faded is because I nearly killed Ivo, his heart temporarily stopped which served our contract. When a therion consumes your soul like this it causes many issues, mental, emotional and power instability. Back then I was already starting to lose myself, and somehow I got it into my head that Ivo knew what he'd done to me but that he was just too selfish to care. I always used to wonder why he would do something like this to me, especially considering that we were like brothers. It also didn't help that Ivo kept telling our parents that I came back wrong." I told them softly as I wiped away some of the blood on my face.

Eizen frowned as he looked away. "What else did you do, you said that you took many misguided steps. Attacking your friend couldn't have been the only one," he asked as he glared at the floor.

I let out a sigh as I bit my lip. "I tried to kill the royal family of my world. And I did manage to kill the queen, she was a water nymph and her main pond was always in the courtyard. I set fire to it using the smoke to get her out of the water then I stabbed her, that's how Ivo ended up in the garden I stabbed him in his lower back. In fact, when I did I also obtained the same wound so I know he still has that scar. King Vincent, however, was another beast, he drove me away. In the human world while I was confused I adapted quickly besides my ears I looked human. It wasn't long before I joined the small Aveon foundation as an unofficial member and they used my human-like appearance for many missions."

Eizen slowly walked over to me until he silently stood before me his eyes boring into mine. "Caius...was he one of your misguided steps while you were out of your fucking mind. Did he even fucking know about any of this?" he growled.

"Eizen don't say that! Kessel would never do that!" Seras snapped.

"Shut it dumbass, we don't know this Kessel," he growled at her.

Seras opened her mouth but instantly closed it as she looked down at the ground.

"No," I answered honestly. "I didn't send him there to kill Ivo, I sent him there to capture Charlotte. I even gave him a spell from my world that temporarily serves a contract demons link to their summoner. I didn't know that Delilah would be there, nor did I know that my father Lawrence would be with them. Although I should've known he would eventually be sent for my head. As for me being sick, he may have had an idea that something was wrong but he didn't know," I admitted.

"Then why did you join the fucking Aveon foundation Kessel?" He asked slowly.

I flinched. "At first it was out of convenience, then I realized the many things I could do while in the foundation truthfully it was the best way to go about getting rid of the Therions at the time. When I met all of you I was focused on rising up the ranks, but as we all got closer I realized that all of you, just being around all of you guys joking, having fun was keeping me anchored to reality. After we graduated I...met Charlotte she also kept me anchored, I was desperate to help her get away from that living hell so I taught her what I knew about Therions. Sometimes I would just sit there with her lounging across my lap and we would read for hours, but I knew that if Ivo found out how her and I knew each other, he would kill her. So I sealed her memories of me and left," I admitted slowly.

"Ivo's thirst for revenge is monstrous, as we've all witnessed. But I knew that in a town like that he was the only one who could help her." I whispered.

Seras looked at me with wide eyes. "She's almost like your daughter, you look strangely happy when you talk about her almost peaceful," Seras muttered.

Eizen scrubbed a hand over his face. "How much...time do you have left? What exactly are you planning to do?" Eizen asked slowly.

"I'm not sure but I know that it's not that long. However, I can't die until I complete my mission," I told Eizen as I glanced down at the floor.

He looked at me with wide eyes. "Mission...?"

I nodded. "It took a while but my mind has settled a bit, although I don't know how long it will stay like this. Before I used to think that Therions were the problem that they just went around not caring who they formed contracts with. But now I see that it's not their fault, it is the fault of the gods who made them, however, to access the realm of the gods, I need them the therions are the keys after all. Once there I will take the gods' power for myself and fix the broken things they created, change the therions power and demolish the Aveon foundation so that supernatural creatures no longer will be pets controlled under their feet by threats and lies. While I do this, I want Lottie...my daughter by my side so that she can experience the happiness that she deserves. I will not fall, I will not die until my mission is complete," I told him as I repeated what I'd told my younger self. As I spoke I couldn't help but notice the double layer to my voice.

Ah, so this is what you've wanted all along.

"I'm not going to ask you all to follow me, doing this won't just make you an enemy of the Aveon but also an enemy of the gods themselves," I said as I looked at each and every one of them.

Eizen stared at me before letting out a small chuckle then he looked at me an amused look on his face. "So this is the real you, I fucking knew you weren't perfect. I used to find it strange you know, how your personality would just switch so much. One day you'd be hanging out with all of us then the next you were an uptight lone wolf focusing on just getting stronger and making sure everything was perfect. I guess it makes sense now," Eizen chuckled. He looked up at me with a larger smile on his face. "I've followed you everywhere since we met do you really think I'm just gonna give up here?"

Lorithia let out a sigh as she released my arm and stood beside her brother. "Someone's gotta watch out for this idiot if I leave him alone he'll be a ferret stuck in a toilet paper roll by morning," she said playfully with her arms crossed over her chest.

Seras smiled as she joined us. "I may be human but all of you have accepted me no matter what. I'm glad that you're back, Kessel," she said as she grinned at me.

Caius...I'm sorry...If I could take it back...I would. I can only pray that you can hear this.

~~~~~

When I opened my eyes and sat up in bed at first I didn't know what had woken me up. I frowned for a moment listening closely to see if Lyssa was sniffling in her sleep.

After she found out what happened to Caius she locked herself in her room.

However, while I did hear some soft sniffling I could also hear a strange clanking coming from the kitchen, along with the sound of a strange rattling.

It's probably Eizen, he did go out drinking after everything that happened earlier today.

When I walked into the kitchen I saw Eizen sitting at the table whistling to himself as he continuously spun the barrel of his gun. I frowned as the slight smell of blood entered my nose, as I looked him over I couldn't help but notice these strange looking markings on his upper arm. It looked like he'd been bitten by something with near needle-like teeth.

What in the world did he get himself into this time?

"Eizen?" I said hesitantly.

He slowly turned to face me a small smile on his face, from where I was standing I could smell the liquor coming from him. Despite the fact that he was smiling I couldn't help but notice the puffy redness of his eyes.

"Sorry, did I wake you up?" He asked as he set his weapon off to the side.

I shook my head as I glanced away. "Not really, besides I'm used to not getting any sleep," I reminded him.

Eizen let out a snort as he stretched raising his arms over his head. "Doesn't that hurt?" I asked gesturing to his wound. "In fact how in the world did you get those, did you fall into a bunch of thorns on your way back?" I walked over to him taking his injured arm in my hands.

These definitely look like bite marks. The skin around them is cold and pale too.

Eizen was silent as he stared at the floor then a small smirk crossed his face. "She bit me," he muttered.

I frowned as I began wiping at the wounds with a wet washcloth from the sink. "Of course Lorithia is going to bite you if you piss her off," I sighed as I examined the injuries again.

These don't look like Lorithia's teeth marking's though, it should look more like a cat's teeth pattern if she bit him.

"Eizen are sure that it was Lorithia?" I asked slowly.

"Why did you lie to me?" Eizen asked softly.

Instantly I looked up at him, confused. "Eizen, what are you talking about? I told you three everything, remember?"

Eizen pushed me away as he glared at me. "Don't fucking touch me! You sent Caius to his death you bastard!" He screamed at me.

"Eizen..."

I saw him reach behind himself and for a moment I froze but instead of grabbing his gun he threw something at me. I caught it instantly and when I opened my hand my eyes went wide. A small black fuzzy box sat in my palm.

"Eizen...what the hell is this," I asked slowly as I glared at the box.

He let out a harsh laugh as sneer covered his face. "Oh don't worry Kessel it's not mine. It's yours or rather Ivy asked me to give it to you when I ran into her on the way back. She said she just couldn't work up the nerve to come here after what happened."

"Caius's mom...asked you to give this to me..." I whispered. Almost instantly I yanked my hand back as though I'd been burned causing the box to fall to the floor. My chest ached and I felt like I could barely breathe.

Eizen let out another harsh laugh. "Well, that's really rude Kessel. I mean the table is right there you didn't have to toss it on the floor."

I glared at him. "Eizen, what in the fuck is wrong with you!" I growled as I approached him.

"You fucking knew, there was no way Caius would survive! Have you seen the security footage from Kiree-Kiree village that therion is a goddamn monster!" He screamed at me, his voice taking on a strange edge.

I let out a soft sigh.

Of course, he went over the footage. It usually goes to him before getting to me, but he didn't see the astral projection I did because technology and magic don't really get along. I better tell him now...

"Eizen-" I jumped taking a slight step back as a familiar click entered my ears. Eizen was glaring at me, his eyes filled with tears as he pointed his gun straight at me,

"You don't fucking understand Kessel! I okayed it, I okayed you insane fucking plan like it was the most normal thing in the world! And when I saw the things you told him...somewhere deep inside I was happy! I was fucking happy that he wouldn't make it back, I sent Caius to his death!" He yelled his voice wavering.

So he already knows but that's not what's bothering him.

"Eizen...you didn't send Caius to his death. I did, you couldn't have known anything about what's wrong with me. I made sure to hide it well even from Caius," I said gently.

"Don't lie to make me feel better!" He snapped instantly "For years I'd always used to see you and Caius together and I would just want you to look at me like that even if for a moment. But we can't always get what we want can we Kessel? He was my best friend...I trusted him as much as I trust Lorithia and without a second thought I ended his life." He whispered.

"Daddy?"

I flinched as I turned slightly as Lyssa walked into the kitchen rubbing her eyes. Her eyes went wide as she stared at what Eizen was currently doing, her eyes narrowed as she glared at him. Slowly that bulb rose over her shoulder as it opened up wide revealing a pink flesh like inside with rows of thorn-like teeth.

Eizen let out a chuckle. "Oh come on kid, what the hell are you going to do bite me again? You may be a therion but compared to the one I saw you're nothing."

"What did you do Eizen?" I snapped as I glanced back down at the bite marks on his arms.

Now it's starting to make a bit more sense. Since she's still a kid though she didn't know how to actually eat him.

"He-he told me that you were dying, that you're not going to be here anymore. T-that you'd end up like Caius!" She shouted as tears gathered in her eyes.

I flinched before I let out a sigh, at that moment Lyssa lunged and Eizen turned his weapon from me to her. Instantly I reached out for Eizen's shirt, "Eizen." I growled his voice dragging so roughly in my throat that I barely recognized it. For a moment Eizen glanced at me, and I swung my fist colliding with his temple.

Honestly I intended it to be a gentle blow, meant more to shove him and possibly knock some sense into him rather actually hurt him, but either my strength was too much or my aim was too good, I saw his expression go slack as the blow landed, his arms went heavy as his eyes rolled back into unconsciousness. His gun fell to the floor with a rattling noise as it fell free of Eizen's suddenly nerveless fingers. I let out a hiss of frustration as I caught Eizen.

Lyssa landed crouched on the nearby table as she glared at Eizen like an agitated cat, the bulb on her hair letting out small growls from its semi-open mouth. "Daddy?"

I let out a shaky chuckle as I adjusted Eizen in my arms. "Don't worry sweetie everything's alright. Eizen is just very, very tired," I told her gently.

He's more than likely overworked too. Even more so than I usually am.

Lyssa tilted her head to the side as the bulb slowly closed up. "But...are you okay? He was lying right?" She whispered her voice practically begging me to agree with her.

I let out a soft sigh before giving her a sad smile. "Just try to go back to sleep Lyssa, I'll explain everything in the morning, okay?"

Lyssa let out a whimper as she walked over to me her arms wrapping around my waist as she sniffled. "Okay...I-I love you."

I chuckled as I patted her head gently, taking care not to touch the bulb. "I love you too Lyssa."

Once she left I walked back to my bedroom with Eizen, carefully I placed him in bed removing his jacket and shoes as I pulled the covers over him.

I better prepare for Ivo and Charlotte's arrival. Knowing my father they'll be here sooner than possible.

When I returned to the kitchen to grab some of the supplies I needed, the black ring box that I'd accidentally dropped caught my eye. Carefully and slowly I picked it up just staring at the small object in my hand.

"Caius..." I whispered. I squeezed my eyes shut as warmth started gathering there.

Caius always used to tell me I didn't have to do everything by myself. But I didn't know....or rather I forgot how warm and gentle it could feel to be able to rely on someone else. To trust someone else, I don't want that to be taken away. I have to protect what I've finally obtained, I have to do so with my own hands. Even...if I have to lose something else...

~~~

I was in my throne room in the middle of drawing the symbols I needed for a spell on the floor when Eizen stumbled in groaning. He was gripping the side of his head where I'd hit him and glaring at the floor.

"Kessel...I feel like shit. What the fuck did you-wait what are you doing?" He asked his tone going from frustration to confusion as he looked around the room.

"Preparing for when our long-awaited guest comes," I told him calmly.

"That's right your father is coming also," he whispered. "He's called the Ashen hawk because he's precise and leaves nothing but ash in his wake. I don't really know how I'm expected to compete with someone like that," he muttered as he bit his lip.

"Well, there's a reason my mother wasn't sent for my head. King Vincent knew if he sent her then she'd have a higher chance of failure, but he knows that if he sends my father the success will be nearly guaranteed," I smirked slightly as I sat back for a moment. "Having him send my father after you is a terrifying honor because it means he thinks you're worthy of his attention on the battlefield."

Eizen shuddered. "Yeah let's go with that and not pants-shittingly terrifying to have an all-powerful therion's right-hand man after you," he grumbled.

I shrugged as I checked the symbols I was drawing carefully. "What kinda spell is that?" Eizen asked as he looked around the room.

I frowned as I continued my work. "It's the spell I taught Caius to temporarily server a contract demon's link to their summoner. Just on a bigger scale, since I'm going to need to temporarily server Delilah's contract too. Speaking of our guest what is the easiest entrance into the palace, Eizen?"

For a second Eizen looked slightly startled. "Uh, um it would be the roof. Despite the guards and the artillery, the protection spell can still only take so much. Truthfully it's never been tested against a therion," he answered as he scowled.

I nodded. "Now Eizen if you were going to sneak into this palace which route would you take?" I asked slowly.

"Ah, the aqueducts...while we have an abundance of guards and defensive spells there the protective barrier that encompasses the city doesn't reach that far, not to mention that there are still hidden passages that I haven't found and mapped out yet," he answered honestly.

"That's exactly the way my father will be coming in. I should've figured that since my father has been here on a job when I was little," I said softly.

Eizen's eyes went wide. "Then I need to increase the protective spells, Kessel. Why in the hell did you wait this long to tell me as something as vital as that!" He snapped.

I looked up at him before I got to my feet. "Eizen...I don't want you to do anything. I just want you to rest, take some time off at this point you are more overworked than I am." I told him gently. "I'll talk to Seras about it and make sure she gets back to you about it."

Instantly Eizen froze before looking up at me with wide eyes. "What? K-Kessel, what are you talking about? You always come to me about this stuff why in the hell would you go to Seras?" He asked softly.

I frowned at him. "Eizen, do you even fucking remember what you did last night?" I asked him slowly.

He let out a shaky nervous sounding chuckle. "A bit but I was just angry that-"

"Eizen, stop it. That was a clear sign that you were not only angry you're overworked! You were a fucking emotional wreck on the verge of a complete mental breakdown! Just...rest for fuck's sake take what little time we have left before Ivo arrives and just take time off," I reminded him my voice taking on a slight edge.

Eizen, however, was staring at me as though he wasn't really seeing me. "Isn't there some way I can be useful to you...I mean couldn't you just become my contract demon? We both technically want the same thing," he whispered.

Instantly I glared at him a growl proceeding from my throat. "Eizen do you fucking hear yourself! After all the shit I've told you about contract demons and you ask me that bullshit!"

"There's no reason you can't," he snapped back.

"You are too fucking young to end up like me, on goddamn death's door out of your fucking mind and bitterly hating everyone!" I yelled. Pain shot through my head and I flinched as I clutched my head, I could feel that ugly chill struggling to take over my skin as the warmth that had been gathering in my eyes finally spilled over. It's humiliating as it is painful and I can't pretend that I'm stronger than this while it claims every fucking piece of me, stealing more than I can afford to lose.

"Kessel..." Eizen whispered.

I felt his fingertips graze my hand and I instantly pushed him away. "Just go...please Eizen. It's an order..." I whisper.

For a few more moments I could sense him standing in front of me even with my eyes closed, then I felt his hand grip mine for a brief second giving it a small squeeze before I heard his footsteps getting further and further away. Until they completely disappeared.

~~~~

When I got up the next morning it was Seras who greeted me with a slight smile on her face. "Eizen said he's ready to hold the meeting to go over our plan. Apparently, from what Lorithia said he's been up all night going over it." She informed me.

I froze as I frowned at her then I let out a sigh.

Of course, he wouldn't fucking rest! I probably would've had to chain him in a cell to actually get him to do that. Presistantance has always been one of his best traits, just not in this case.

When Seras and I entered the meeting room the first thing I heard was Lorithia telling Eizen, "Eizen, would you stop eating frosting, I did not wake up this early with only coffee to watch you sit and eat fucking frosting." She grumbled.

"Can you blame me? I've been up all night coming up with and rechecking this shit. I'm almost a hundred percent sure that I am only running on pure determination at this point," he replied as he set the cup of frosting down to write on the whiteboard behind him.

I couldn't help but notice the pictures of Charlotte, Ivo, Delilah, Atlas and my father he had there. When he drew back I noticed that underneath Ivo's name he had written 'monstrous but not immortal'.

When he looked over at me and Seras a slight smile was on his face. "Good, you got him Seras now we can really get to work." He announced as both Seras and I sat down.

"How much sleep did you get?" I asked automatically.

Eizen let out a snort. "None yet," he answered. "Anyway out of this lovely group of five on this board there are only three that actually present a true hindrance to our plans. That would be Charlotte Marcel, Ivo Atreas, and finally Lawrence Silvanus. Although from what I saw on the security footage that nature nymph Delilah and her contract Atlas Sorel are nothing to play with either," he said as he looked at his own writings.

So Delilah's contract is named Atlas.

"Seras, I want you to take care of Charlotte since she's a fire-based dragon chimera you'll need to rely mostly on ice magic. Remember you just want to contain her because not only is she strong but she's quick too, but if you can get her encased in ice her body will sink into hibernation automatically," Eizen informed Seras.

"Ah, so that's how you've planned it out," Lorithia muttered. "I'm guessing that I'll be fighting the nature nymph and male chimera?"

Eizen nodded. "Yep, in this scenario, fire is going to be your best friend Lorithia. Not only will it destroy whatever the nature nymph may create but the smoke will also keep her bird chimera nearly incapacitated." He explained.

Lorithia nodded as Eizen turned back to board.

"Kessel will, of course, be fighting the therion which just leaves me with the second most troublesome one. The Ashen Hawk," he said then let out a nervous sounding chuckle. "Just the sheer experience between him and I alone is staggering. It's almost eerie seeing what I could've been if things were different." He said softly more to himself than us.

"Eizen?" Lorithia whispered.

Eizen stepped away from the board and faced us grinning. "It has more than a few uncertainties that I don't like, however, with this plan the only one of us that stands a chance of dying is more than likely me," he said sounding slightly uneasy and yet at the same time, he sounded strangely happy.

Eizen...