Cain rocked on his feet at the blast but managed to keep himself up with the help of more tree roots bracing his legs. He stepped out easily moments later, the Vilii shard shifting to an innocuous knife for now; he didn't feel safe and his guard refused to go down. He knew exactly why, because he could hardly stand to look Abel in the face. It was manipulating at its finest point and only someone able to manipulate the reality around them and get inside his head at the same time could come up with something convincing enough to shake Cain so thoroughly.
He liked to think he had grown past regular manipulation techniques. What else were all of his years for if not gaining wisdom and callouses to how the world worked? This was not how the world was supposed to work, it was a dream, and that probably was what made it easier. He clenched his free fist and shifted to regard the shadow of his brother. Abel, who had turned his head to watch the smoldering remains of the other shadow, head tipped and posture just right for inconvenience and consideration. The angle made it a bit easier to bear, some of the marks on his body hidden by the twist of his body and Cain narrowed his eyes to study the position Abel had taken. He hadn't expected to lose his partner in crime, it appeared, and there was a plan cooking up in that brain.
Abel turned, then, and Cain stepped around Raine to draw the shadow's attention. He held his head high and blocked out the screaming in the back of his head, the young and terrified man drop to his knees and beg for forgiveness, willing to give up absolutely everything for one moment of Remus' smile returned. That was a familiar ache and one Cain could endure for a while longer if Raine had a plan. "She still has time," he said, trying to tell himself this was just a regular conversation with Abel. Some kind of misunderstanding they were bouncing back and forth in order to find a satisfying conclusion. "So do I. I know I have time left, we know she has time left. You have no reason to kill us."
"you betrayed me," said the ghost. It was just that simple and Cain felt a flinch try to roll down his spine and he suppressed it ruthlessly. Now was not the time to keep showing weakness. "she is helping you. that is enough. this betrayal is not fitting of family. what of me? what of Holly? what of the balance? everything is in danger now because of your actions."
no subject
He liked to think he had grown past regular manipulation techniques. What else were all of his years for if not gaining wisdom and callouses to how the world worked? This was not how the world was supposed to work, it was a dream, and that probably was what made it easier. He clenched his free fist and shifted to regard the shadow of his brother. Abel, who had turned his head to watch the smoldering remains of the other shadow, head tipped and posture just right for inconvenience and consideration. The angle made it a bit easier to bear, some of the marks on his body hidden by the twist of his body and Cain narrowed his eyes to study the position Abel had taken. He hadn't expected to lose his partner in crime, it appeared, and there was a plan cooking up in that brain.
Abel turned, then, and Cain stepped around Raine to draw the shadow's attention. He held his head high and blocked out the screaming in the back of his head, the young and terrified man drop to his knees and beg for forgiveness, willing to give up absolutely everything for one moment of Remus' smile returned. That was a familiar ache and one Cain could endure for a while longer if Raine had a plan. "She still has time," he said, trying to tell himself this was just a regular conversation with Abel. Some kind of misunderstanding they were bouncing back and forth in order to find a satisfying conclusion. "So do I. I know I have time left, we know she has time left. You have no reason to kill us."
"you betrayed me," said the ghost. It was just that simple and Cain felt a flinch try to roll down his spine and he suppressed it ruthlessly. Now was not the time to keep showing weakness. "she is helping you. that is enough. this betrayal is not fitting of family. what of me? what of Holly? what of the balance? everything is in danger now because of your actions."