p r i d e

Cain had never disappointed Octavian even once, and the wolfish grin that stretched across his lips showed that remained true. He couldn't have worded Cain's response any better if he tried. "My siblings think my mind is plagued, that I've gone mad. But you and I know the truth. I've never had more clarity in my life. And neither have you." There wasn't even a question of the darkness of his soul. Cain didn't need to be led anywhere, he was more prepared than anyone to strike from the shadows. "I will deal with them, so you only need to worry about not attracting their suspicion. Because I will need you to remain for now. When the time comes, you'll be the one to deliver a most fatal blow. Removing the keepers from their reincarnation cycles will be something those fools never recover from."

Tact was all Cain could think about. The demon that had been turned human, the human that had found a way to stick around for a long, long time. He was free from Lucifer's grasp, but the damn archfiend was back in town anyway. The former familiar to the King of Hell was perhaps never one to be trusted, it was everyone else's fault for thinking he'd sway from Octavian if the druid was gone. "There are many of them, now. But they're focused on restoring everything. I haven't seen some of the archdruids in a while. You know where I am when you need me. Where did you go? Afterwards."

"I don't know why I asked. Of course you'd think I should. You're fucking biased." Which was no problem for Serkan. If Cain wanted to gas him up sometimes, then he would absolutely take what he could get. It was a rare occasion when the druid did so he was always thrown for a loop. That was besides the point now though. Lupercalia was fast approaching and he had to prepare himself yet again. Maybe he'd lose, maybe he'd win. All he knew for sure was that he was going to fight until he couldn't anymore or someone else put him down. He wasn't going to make it easy though, that was for sure. "Everyone gives you a chance. I don't know why. You're fucking insufferable." And here he was suffering Cain anyway. "I'm not worried at all. I damn near won last time. I can do it again if I wanted to. Maybe I should lose though. I'll get some fucking niceties out of you just like last time."

Cain sat up, looking down at Serkan from where he was, "Yeah I'm biased. Need some help? Bet I could use some kind of magic. Trip up another lycan or some shit. You know that would be fun." He gave a half smile, though he knew Serkan wouldn't want to win by cheating. He'd want to win by beating and pissing on everyone else. Cain was happy to see that. He turned towards Serkan a bit more, "You're insufferable. You damn near won? That's still losing. It doesn't make it sound any better. And you got your fucking ass kicked by a volatile. Which is illegal now, isn't it?"

Abel grumbled, shrugging before dishing out a sarcastic and teasing comment, "I've been known to look a gift horse in the mouth more times than not." Time had been reverted, lives salvaged all for the price of Six, but Abel was still not convinced. Labeled pessimistic, a borderline nihilist; Abel understood was that life was grueling, it didn't come without continuous sacrifice for fleeting happiness. He surrendered in mild exasperation, "You don't think it's all a bit too good to be true? All of us for the low dose of six?" Six were six lives too many, personally, but Abel had faced evil many times to figure the war was not yet finished.

"Low dose? They were important to people who cared about them, I guess. It doesn't matter how many people it took, just glad they walked into the fire or whatever." Cain would've done it for those he cared about; yet he and Abel had died early on. Either way, he looked at his oldest friend. They were both pessimists, both of them had a bad habit of ruining the room when they entered it. Cain liked to be the problem, anyway. "I came to make sure you weren't in any trouble. The archfiends are out and about, ya know."

"I've been waiting for you. I knew you'd especially have to come. The Pyramid can't give you what you need as it stands." He had hoped their reunion would have been sooner, but he knew his acolytes needed to take steps toward him at their own paces. Octavian wouldn't begrudge any of them for not wanting to see his face again, but Cain was too important to let drift away. "More than anyone else, your fate being rewritten is a sign you aren't done which is a relief. You are a great success, though I'm sure there are those at the Pyramid now who would dare to call you a monster. Pity, isn't it?"

"Well everyone in the pyramid is holding hands, talking about peace and smoking that shit up like it's new. Of course I'd find you." Octavian deserved his loyalty; power was where it lied. Cain had always been attracted to it, had always clawed his way from the bottom to ensure that he'd be near the victor when the time came. An opportunist once, a basilisk now – he was going to ensure no one got away. They'd be ensnared, paralyzed, his ability and affinity for water ensured that he would do what the phoenix asked – whatever he needed would come in time. "You're a wanted man, Octavian. Your siblings won't give up on you."

Cuddling was not even remotely something they did often, but he guessed he was getting used to it now. Really, the only reason it didn't happen was because Serkan was sure that one of them would say something to annoy the other and then they would just be out of bed. For now, well, they'd just fucked so what did they need to argue about? His eyes were closed as Cain's fingers ran through his hair. He only nodded his head as the druid spoke. That was all Cain really ever did. Just talking and talking nonstop with some gaslighting thrown in there sometimes. Again, Serkan had gotten used to it by now. "Well, why wouldn't you? He's like your Alpha." That was really the only way he could relate to the feeling. As the other's hands tightened in his hair, he opened his eyes to look at Cain. "Do you think I should? I'm thinking I should."

"Of course you should." Cain tilted his head now, grateful the conversation went that easy. He supposed it was to be expected, Serkan didn't have much to say about it all anyway. The former Alpha had a claim; he'd beaten everyone else down before. Alek had been a volatile, an unfair advantage no one had called him out on. They'd all tucked their tails in and followed the psycho. To each their own, psychos were always the easiest to follow. "I guess you could say that. He gave me a chance. Anyway, you worried about it? Or do you think you have a chance?"

"Because the decorating will help us get done what needs to be done," their magic had been tethered together, a bond that did not seem to salvage Abel nor Cain from the death that had once awaited them so heavily. Still, despite Cain's.. affiliations, if the druid chimera was still associating with the ultimately banned Octavian, Abel more or less would force Cain to be immersed in the Dahlia once more. It was obviously a best friend thing to do, but the Castle would also never admit to that aloud otherwise Cain would be far more annoying about the sentiment. Abel snapped a finger, attempting to joke and bicker didn't resolve this sick feeling Abel felt hindered by, but perhaps it lifted it ever subtly, day by day, "Don't bring that up, either, off limits topic." Happy? The Castle wasn't sure that term was correct, it felt ill-fitting, but Abel would always find comfort in knowing that Vivianne had, hopefully, found something which fit her.

Cain tilted his head now, though he knew Abel could at least keep his secret. There was something unspoken, an old bond between familiar and witch. With the release of the archfiends, Cain found himself nervous. Twice he’d found himself as Lucifer’s familiar; a soul torn apart over and over again. Now there was no escape if they were in Rome, the inferno dissolved. “Is everything off topic or what?” The Druid sat up a little, searching Abel’s gaze, “What’s got you actually worried?”

"Tell me that I am weary, tell me that Octavian has not gone quiet," Fen asks as her hands fall on the shoulders of the first of her acolytes that she finds. It's an overtly familiar touch, almost desperate as they wish desperately that they are sensing things wrong, even if the cold dawning realization it's gathering on her gut. Something has befell Octavian, and they are stuck outside the hellish city instead of inside where they can help.

"Have you tried monologuing? Octavian likes those. He may come out if you start." Cain knew he was being a bit pessimistic, and a bit ornery, but he couldn't help it. Rage was how he was built, and pride was how he thrived. It stayed with him, even now as the chimera watched as creatures fell around them. He knew Abel was well, had no idea if Serkan was, but he had to push through. "We'll get to him. No use in desperation, Fen."

Reluctantly, Abel clasped their hands together, awaiting the inevitable that would, he assume, tether their souls together once more. Cain often showed his care under a multitude of embittered layers of ire and rancor but Abel understood, well enough, that the once demon was full of shit. It was why he could trust him, through any lifetime, even if this was the only span of life in which Abel would be a mortal. The Castle was sure, throughout what they had endured, that Cain would hold a piece of him forever no matter how many cycles of reincarnation he would now be at the mercy of. “It’s good to be overcautious,” Abel shot back in finality, making a face at Cain.

The druid's blood was within something between them, a cut on Abel's palm just enough to fill the rest of the charm that Cain had created. Octavian had taught him many ways to boost his magic, to absorb the elements of other druids and become a chimera. He was far from a perfect one, but his abilities were deadly. Only a hint of that basilisk was present, however, as his main plan was to ensure that the Castle would not forget the Prideful. He murmured his spell, the charm glowing as more of a channeler, something that was necessary. Cain knew that death was finality for some, but it wouldn't be for them. "No matter what happens, if you need me, tell me. I won't be far."

pour @isharewhereiwant

The tides were changing, Octavian could feel it in the air. The time for the final stage of his plan was soon upon them, for the increasing population of their kind was a sure sign of his peoples' return to power. He reveled from above with Cain at his side, an honored position as one of the Archdruid's favorites. "Look around you, things haven't been this busy in a long time. Everything is falling into place, including your training. You've exceeded my expectations. I couldn't be prouder of what you've done with my blessing," he says, turning his head to acknowledge Cain with a dark smile. "You can be honest with me. Do you feel complete? Has your bloodlust been satisfied? If you think you've reached the limit of your capabilities, let me know and I'll accept it." Octavian gives the out under the guise of kindness, but his words had the air of a predator's trap about them. He had no qualms about setting it because he felt he already knew Cain's answer. If what little they'd done was enough to quell Cain's hunger, then Octavian wouldn't have chosen him in the first place.

"I don't think I ever will." The basilisk stood there now, their victim completely poisoned from his bite. It was a slow transition, back to his normal state, but the druid could feel every inch of the soul in front of him. Octavian was nearby, still their secret even though Cain knew it wouldn't be for long. Death was in his blood now, it always had been. Reborn because he'd clawed his way out of hell twice now; it was just bad luck that a demon now had reincarnation beneath his fangs. Glancing at the archdruid, he let the other fall to the ground. No one had really paid attention to them from where they were, off and above those who trained. "No one will hold back in this war. And neither will I."

No bond tethered them any longer and a petulant piece of the Castle might have pointed out it was some breakthrough to even see Cain standing here now that there was no invisible string wound around each of them. It was difficult to prove the care Cain had nestled deep within, but it was a powerful resource for the once demon that sometimes manage to peek through on occasion. With that, Abel mustered a smile, albeit weak, but genuine. “Fine,” he conceded with a twinge of humor in his tone, “What did you find to have us draw power from one another?” They’d dissolved away from the point of Cain’s presence, as typical of them. `

"See? Ye of little faith." The druid held his hand out, waiting for Abel's palm. There was a war coming, the Dahlia coven were healers – they were bound by their good nature, kindness, but they also had the support of the rest of the covens and the Senate. Cain would stand by them if they needed him to, but with his tether to Abel, he would ensure the witch survived. And the druid had lifetimes to hang on to, a demon would be lucky to have him. The next best thing was Abel, anyway.

"See? Ye of little faith." The druid held his hand out, waiting for Abel's palm. There was a war coming, the Dahlia coven were healers – they were bound by their good nature, kindness, but they also had the support of the rest of the covens and the Senate. Cain would stand by them if they needed him to, but with his tether to Abel, he would ensure the witch survived. And the druid had lifetimes to hang on to, a demon would be lucky to have him. The next best thing was Abel, anyway.