The sensation around you was strange... like you were floating in an endless void, watching the screen before you. It was... well... you. But you were watching yourself from a third-person perspective, watching as your body moved fluidly between attacks, wielding the family halberd with ease. You could feel the muscles of your body stretch and ache, the realization that you had just recently died and come back to life set in once again. 

(Y/n): It's weird...

Your voice echoed softly in the void before the voice of Catherine filled your ears.

Catherine: What's weird?

You could see your lips move as she answered, a smirk still etched onto your features as Catherine effortlessly fought against Guila and Jericho, Ban recovering from the initial explosion to help as well.

(Y/n): Everything you've told me... all that I've endured... what was the point then? My father lied about... everything and still found the audacity to look me in the eye.

Catherine: Look, he wasn't an evil guy... he was just human. You flesh puppets are weak and some are willing to do or lose anything to feel a little more secure. Your father just so happened to be one of them and your mother paid the price for it.

(Y/n): It's still not right! Why did he get the cushy knight job, why did he get to choose if mom died or not?! Huh?! All these wasted fucking years... all the blood on my hands... that bastard caused it all...

Catherine listened silently to you, her mood dampening as she heard you unleash some newly pent up anger, the truths she had spoken of seemingly taking root in your mind. A small part of her nonexistent conscience wanted to console you in some way, though the pressing matter of battle had her distracted. The other part of her regretted ever getting involved, she could have simply reaped your sole for free and ended the contract with your family. But... hah... stupid humans making her all confused.

Jericho looked at you in pure astonishment. She knew you would fight, you would always fight. However, she knew you enough that this wasn't your fighting style. Maybe your time with the Sins had changed you, but you fought with total ferocity, an almost animalistic urge filled your swings as you struck sound and true, aiming for anything the sharpened blade could tear into. She felt her eyes widen as Guila dodged away, a small cut forming on her cheek as the blade of your halberd knicked her. The look in your eye wasn't different too... the gentle warmth that had once filled your gaze was gone, replaced with dark orbs that hardened at the very sight of her. She knew things were different and very little could change that, but she at least hoped you could see reason and return to the capital peacefully. Of all the sins, you were the most likely to be pardoned. She could tell them you were hired as a mercenary or forced to fight, and then you could rejoin the knights and finally rid the kingdom of the sins! Though as she dodged out of the way of another vicious strike, she was slowly seeing her hopes dashed before her. Though she didn't get to focus on you much longer as she dodged an attack from the new fighter King.

You could feel your muscles ache as you watched your movements, your trying to react quickly, but watched as Ban scooped up Elizabeth, your task of grabbing the strange amulet that had fallen to the ground as Ban issued the order to run. 

Catherine: You alright in there? You've been quiet for a while.

(Y/n): I've... got a lot on my mind.

Catherine: Not even gonna try to pry, though... we do have an issue if you'd like to talk about it.

(Y/n): What's that?

Catherine: Well... now that you know I exist it's gonna be harder for me to simply maintain this relationship of ours. Before it was easy enough for me to roam around your body, simply enjoying watching you do... things... but now that you know I exist it will...

(Y/n): Will what? Will it hurt? Or kill me or-

Catherine: No no no! It'll just be like mega uncomfortable! Kinda like wearing wet socks but all the time. So... I have an idea but I need you to do something.

You didn't even get to respond as you felt your body be forced forward. It was like you were forced back into your very skin, your body under the orders of another mind as you hastily settled back into control of your body. Your body was still in pain but something Catherine had done healed the majority of your wounds, including the vital one that had caused your untimely journey to the afterlife. However, one wound still openly bleed, drops of crimson running down your arms to jump from your fingertips. The flow of blood continued until enough of your liquid was freed from your body to form a smaller version of Catherine, her almost childlike demeanor oddly cute in a way. 

Catherine: I'll be right back! Don't die!

Before you could even blink she was gone, headed toward the village in search of something as you pushed onward to try and escape whatever Ban had you guys running from...

Vaizel had been utter hell, not just for its citizens but the sins, everyone injured and needing to heal to some extent as those gathered relaxed back at the bar. You, however, remained on high alert, scouring the horizon to ensure that you weren't followed by the knights. And you were also hoping to know where Catherine had run off to. 

???: Yo yo~

You blinked softly and looked over your shoulder before fully turning to the girl. You knew who it was instantly, your eyes not being tricked by the new form Catherine took in order to survive in this realm outside of your own. She seemed more... mature to say the least, taking a slightly older body than her original form as her own, a soft mole just under the lower lip of the gorgeous looking woman, curly flowing brown hair framed her face as her hair now reached just below her shoulders. Her amused green eyes met your own (E/c) eyes as you took in the sight of Catherine in a bar outfit, the overall appearance looking... mature... as you stated earlier.

Catherine: Aww are you not happy with the new getup~?

(Y/n): You looked fine the way you were.

Catherine giggled softly before moving closer to you.

Catherine: Well... I don't like the idea but I did have to... borrow... this body. At least until I'm strong enough to create my own. And this one's will is weak enough that the horror of the fighting festival will keep her under control for a while. So I can now stay with you~

(Y/n): The hard part of this all is how are we gonna convince the rest of them that you need to come along?

Catherine: Just tell them I'm your baby momma or something~ 

You opened your lips to respond back but felt too tired from the long day, simply letting out an annoyed sigh as you walked back to the bar, your overworked brain trying to formalize a reason as to why this strange woman needed to join. With your wounds healed, and the blood of a demon flowing through you to heal your wounds and boost your power, how would the rest of them take this? Or... should you even tell them? It would be easier in the long run if they were kept in the dark, though... hah... you'll just have to wait and see for now...