'Till Death do us Part (1x1 with Stardustblade)

[Stardustblade358 806]

The castle could have resembled such of those fairy tales where the villain lived along with his evil henchmen, but this was the much more...realistic version, atleast in Grim's head. There were demons on and about, as one would suspect to a place such as this. But for the first time since entering the realm Grim was finally seeing lots of demons at the same place at the same time, and with the glances he was receiving, his confidence was beginning to fade. Their appearances ranged from relatively normal to the fact that they were obviously demons inside out, with wings and claws and horns of all shapes and sizes. The more he looked around the more he caught the glimpses of the demons, and at times even made eye contact with a few for a split second before he quickly lowered his head and pressed himself against Sage as much as he could, as if hoping that somehow if he continued, the demons would simply forget that he was there. "(Come on Grim, you got to be brave for Miguel, you're almost there.)" Grim though, gulping as he glanced around once more. If he had to put his foot down against one of the demons, if the courage had built up enough by then, he probably would...though he would most likely wait until he was with Miguel for that. "Sage, why are they looking at me so weird? You said having human souls was normal?"

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Sage hissed and shot glares at all those who looked his way. He was weary; and for a good reason too. He protectively held Grim's arm, more than prepared to take any action that was necessary. Grim began to worry however- something Sage could immediatly sense. This might not end well. Still, Sage wanted to try to keep Grim's spirits up. For his sake.

"Having human souls is normal... They probably just know why we're here that's all... Just don't worry alright? I got this." With each and every slow step, they got closer and closer to Cabra's domain...

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As expected such place was filled with demons of all kinds. Some were of notable names, such as others were simple demons living life as they could, their lives and names forgotten among history as time went on. One special demon, however, just happened to be around to take notice of Sage and his new catch, much to the group's dismay. "Oh whatever could you be doing here?~" A familiar voice purred, walking right behind the pair. Before Grim could turn around to find the source of the voice, he felt long claws gently feel his hair, up his braid and across his cheek. "A human soul? He's quite young too. Is this the reason why you were always hanging around the world of the living? I never saw you as the type to pick your prey so...young." The voice purred. Grim's body shook and quickly bolted away from whoever was touching him, only to be pulled back by the figure as he held his braid. The man was a demon, the white of his eyes colored black, and his irises color red as blood, who kept looking at Grim as if he was the last chocolate treat in the world. He was none other than Olivier, the prince of Archangels. Cruel, yet sarcastic. He went through human souls without worry, or concern for them, the worst of his kind. "He's quite the looker, almost looks like a girl with that long hair of his. Maybe you should cut it. Though I can see why it can be useful. You could easily grab his hair if he tries to escape, like a leash on a dog. Like this!" Olivier said, admiring Grim's braid before roughly pulling on it upwards, causing Grim to yelp and hiss at the sudden pain. "Where you find this one anyways?" Olivier asked amused, lifting Grim up just a bit higher as he watched the soul struggle.
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Edited March 24, 2016 by Stardustblade358

[Aqua7KH 5,395]

Sage was just about to ready to face Cabra- that is, until Olivier showed up. As soon as he heard the demon's voice Sage cursed loudly in his head. That bastard. Out of ALL the times that he could've shown his face, it had to be now of all times. Such an event made Sage feel like the Universe was against him, laughing at him. What a kick to the stomach.

If Olivier's presence wasn't bad enough, he already was all over Grim. As soon as he heard Grim yelp, Sage hissed loudly and like a growling wolf with fangs bared, he clawed at Olivier's hand to release hold on grim.

"Let him go." He hissed loudly, ready to strike at any moment. He was not going to be playing games with Olivier. Not today.

"It's none of your DAMN buisness."

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Olivier clicked his tongue at Sage's reaction and quickly let go of Grim. Of course he expected as such. A soul to a demon was like a crown to a king of some sorts. They were their servants, and symbols of achievement in making deals with humans, or just being able to capture their souls before they even reached the land of the dead. To be defensive of their souls was a normal thing for demons. However it was still rather odd. Sage was one of those type of demons that just didn't seem interested in having souls, nor had he had one prior to this one. So it did strike as a bit odd to see this young soul by him...not that Olivier was complaining. "Touche. Well I guess it does come normal, seeing as its the only soul you have at hand anyways." Olivier purred. The moment Olivier let go of him, Grm hurried back to Sage's side, clinging onto him while glaring at Olivier. "What are you doing around here anyways? Usually you're at your place or in the land of the living watching humans being humans and all that. Are you going to go to show off your new catch to someone? Can I come along?" Olivier asked. The demon could be considered annoying overall. But then again, it was a way that he kept dibs on everything that happened around the land of the demons. Or at least most of them. Grim couldn't help but to puff his cheeks in anger. This guy was wasting their time. "Sage said it's none of your damn business!" Grim hissed. Olivier stared and laughed rather cheerfully. "Sage? Is that what you told him? Alright, I can go along with that." Olivier chuckled. Now he was just being annoying for the sake of poking Sage with an invisible stick.

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Sage really had nothing to say of Olivier other than that he was the biggest annoying firetrucking sack of shit he ever had to lay his eyes on. Normally Sage could bare his presence especially since it was entertaining to watch Olivier annoy the shit or of the other demons but now was not the time. Sage looked like he was ready to kill. Olivier was just the wonderful cherry on top. Olivier was probably the reason why no one wants to die. Luckily, Olivier was going to leave- until Grim spoke up. Don't. Say. A. Word. Sage looked to Grim, not even having to say anything to convey how much he wished Grim didn't say that just not. Just be QUIET. Sadly, Olivier already attached himself to the equation and that was it. Sage now had the most annoying parasite in the world on him.

"Yay. Let's go." Sage said, not a single hint of his usual joy or sarcasticness in his tone. After all this was done, maybe it was a good idea to just bury himself in a coffin for all eternity. It honestly sounds good right now. Sage turned around and sighed.

"Come on. I don't want to wait for your ass."

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Grim quickly got a hand over his lips, however it was too late for that. Oops. "Uh..." Grim murmured, looking up at Sage as he chuckled nervously. At least it didn't seem that Sage would be smacking him for the mistake...yet. Grim looked up as Sage walked off, and quickly hurried to catch up with Sage. "D-Don't leave me!" Grim called, quickly grabbing a hold of Sage's hand before looking back at Olivier and sticking out his tongue at him. Olivier watched amused as he waved at the demon and the child. "Lets hang out again soon! I would LOVE to have your soul and mine to have a play date!" Olivier called playfully as he waved at them. As soon as they were out of sight his cheerful facade simply faded as he crossed his arms. "Out of all the times he has a soul now? This isn't usual for a pariah like him." Olivier purred as he walked off. Something was off...he just needed to figure out what. Meanwhile Grim walked with Sage, looking down while he thought about how he had spoken up, even though Sage had asked him to keep quiet. "...I'm sorry Sage." Grim said, now feeling guilty. "I tried to keep quiet I swear. But he was wasting time and...we need to go find Miguel..." Grim tried to explain, more likely trying to convince himself than Sage, probably. "Please don't be mad at me! I just want to see Miguel!" Grim insisted as he gave Sage the biggest puppy eyes he could muster. 

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Sage had utterly enough with everything. Enough with Olivier. Enough with Cabra. Enough with the demon world. Enough with that wuss who works with the Candlemaker. All Sage wanted was peace and quiet, being away from everybody. That was one of the reasons why he even spent so much time in the human world. When Grim spoke to him once more however, Sage could help but feel... Bad. With a small sigh, Sage turned around and knelt to Grim's height. He placed his hands on Grim's shoulders.

"Look, we're going to get your brother back okay? You just have to trust me and listen to me. I know you are impatient and you really don't want to loose time in finding your brother, but you have to work with me okay? I know the demons here and I know how it works down here, so the best thing you could possibly do is listen to me and have hope okay?" With a small chuckle, Sage poked Grim's nose. A smile appeared on his face. "Little guy."

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Grim rubbed his eyes and looked up at Sage as he spoke up to him. His soft demeanor and reassurance was all that Grim needed to calm down. It reminded him of how when his mom or dad would try to calm him dowm from something scary. Grim smiled and wiped any remaining tears from his eyes before nodding at Sage. "Okay!" Grim said happily at the proposal. Hope. That was something that was sort of rare now a days, was it? Regardless if it was what it tool to save Miguel, then he would do it. Well, he would definitely have to improve in the whole keeping quiet part. But other than that he should be more than fine. He chuckled at the nickname even. "I'm not that little. Mommy says I've been growing taller lately." Grim admitted as he took Sage's hand again. He had to remember that this was a world completely different from their own. A world where demons ruled, and the dead were only around because they were forced to be around. "...are we close to Miguel yet though?" Grim asked with a sheepish smile. 

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Sage couldn't help but smiled, relived to have calmed Grim down. He knew Grim was going to do something absolutely stupid later on but it was to be expected of the boy. Sage always got himself out of messes, so he would have to get himself out of it as always but instead with an extra detail. "Yes." Sage admitted, staring hard at the large domain of Cabra up ahead. "We are."

Upon traveling to the front steps of Cabra's lair, two demons stood infront of the doors, staring hard down at Sage and his soul.

"Grim..." Sage began, looking down at the younger boy with a softened gaze. "Whatever you do from here on out, do /not/ do anything unless I tell you to okay? Do not talk, do not move and don't stare at anything you got it? Just stay close to me. Miguel is relying on you to do this for me." He spoke to the boy. The demons crossed their arms and called Sage to attention.

"Halt... What do you want?" One asked, appeared to be rather aggravated at the appearance of Sage. Sage only grinned and held his hand on his hip.

"I just want to go inside and hang around. I got some buisness to attend to." Sage said with a small grim. The second demon raised an eyebrow at Sage and his soul.

"... Just go in." The second demon muttered, standing off to the side and opening the door for Sage to enter. He just let Sage in so he can leave. Sage was rather... Notorious for being very annoying to the other demons. Sage chuckled and looked down at Grim, his gaze hardening.

"...You ready?" Sage asked. He was unsure on how the next few minutes would play out.

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Grim looked up at Sage and gulped. So far Grim has lacked in the...whole obeying orders and keeping quiet department. Now it was either he did it or else Miguel could be in danger. Maybe worse. "I...I promise I'll try this time." Grim whispered to him. He fixed his grandfather's necklace and the flower on his hair, and held onto Sage's clothes and stuck close to him for dear life. He glanced up at the demons, and quickly darted his eyes to the ground. He followed Sage inside as the demons let him pass. The moment they entered the entire atmosphere seemed to change around them. The tension rose, and the seriousness of it all just seemed to suddenly smack Grim on the face. Whether he was ready or not, he had to be, for Miguel's afterlife and soul might depend on it. "I...I am. Actually I don't think I am..." Grim muttered. He shook his head and looked up, looking up to Sage and taking a old of his hands. "I'm ready. Lets...see the meany who took Miguel." Grim said, making sure to whisper the last part to not cause anything or anyone to think of any suspicion towards the soul and the demon.

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Sage knew Grim was going to break down, even if for a moment. He knew because Sage himself was quite fearful. Cabra... Wasn't a joke.

Slowly, Sage took Grim's hand and went forward. He was extremely unsure as to what was going to happen within the next hour- or even next few seconds. Such an uncertainty of the future unsettled Sage. He truthfully had no idea how this was going to end.

Sage led Grim down the long hallway, a few steps and even more long hallways. Surprisingly the place was somewhat deserted with only a few demons here and there. Finally, they arrived at a grand silver door, spamming as high as a few stories. Sage didn't want to wait any further to go inside, so he knocked. "..."

Almost instantly the door opened and the two were greeted by a group of demons standing around, talking. They stopped and looked towards the newcomers. Some grinned, some didn't. At the far end of the hallway however... Was a demon on a throne.

He had sharp features all over his face. From the sharp chin, to the thin cheeks. His eyes was completely black, and his horns stood tall. What was strange however, was that the demon actually looked nice... If it wasn't for the chain he was carrying. The chain ran along the floor and into the side of the throne, where a boy was connected at the end of it. His hair was tied back and his eyes bandaged with bloody bandages. He couldn't see, hear, nor even talk. He was just a ghost almost. Completely unaware of life, nor of himself.

Sage took in a deep breath. He instantly grabbed Grim and held him back. He knew that if Grim saw the boy he would flip out and do something stupid. Sage knew... Because that was Miguel.

[Stardustblade358 806]

The demon was as scary as one could expect from a demon. Sitting on a throne of his own made him look even scarier. Grim held tightly onto Sage, looking around as he tried to keep his cool. His eyes darted around, looking at every detail, trying to avoid the demon...until he followed the chain. The boy that sat next to the throne...was barely unrecognizable. Covered in bandages covered in blood, wearing chains that made him look more of a dog or a wild animal than an actual human. At first, Grim didn't recognize the boy. How could he? Miguel had the most beautiful, big brown eyes and an amazing smile. He was usually found doing something, or playing with something he found, or trying to talk to someone. There was no way he could be so...quiet...so numb. But the more he looked at the boy, the more it became clear that this could be none other than his brother. His hair was the same, his features were the same, if it weren't for the bandages...those bloody bandages. Grim's heart dropped to his stomach, his eyes widening as a familiar pain began to wreck across his body. If it weren't for Sage holding him back, he would have ran straight at him. His brother. His only and beloved brother. "...Miguel?" Grim asked, his breath barely escaping his mouth. He gripped Sage tightly. "...what has he done to Miguel?!" Grim asked in desperation.

Edited May 13, 2016 by Stardustblade358

[Aqua7KH 5,395]

Sage knew it wouldn't be long until Grim began to freak out. He couldn't prevent it. Grim's brother was right there- in chains after all. Miguel was frozen- almost like a statue. He wouldn't move an inch. It didn't even look like he was breathing, if he was breathing at all. Sage was unsure on how to proceed with the situation. He held Grim even tighter, hissing venomously as sharp fags lengthened in his mouth.

"Don't you /dare/ say a word. Just shut up!" Sage hissed in Grim's ear. It was now or never.

Sage approached Cabra with caution, who in turn stared down at the two with a grin on his face. Cabra knew exactly who hey were and why they came.

"Greetings, your highness." Sage greeted, bowing slowly infront of the man. He forced Grim to bow also. "It has been a while."

"And so it has." Cabra said with a gentle smile, hands tugging at the chains in his hand. "Who might you have with you?"

Sage internally growled. He knew Cabra knew who Grim was. Still, Sage had to play along.

"Why... This is my soul."

"You're not one to have souls." Cabra said with a chuckle, tracing his fingers around the patterns in his throne.

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Grim tried. Grim really tried. To keep quiet. To follow Sage's instructions. But it could only last so long. Even as he bowed his head, his eyes darted back to Miguel. Now he was closer, and now he could see the horror of the conditions that Miguel was in. He felt sick to his stomach, his body aching as he gritted his teeth. His brother. His one and only brother. So close. So close! "...Miguel?" Grim finally spoke, pushing away from Sage's grip as he ran to his brother, wrapping his arms around his body and not wanting to let go. "Miguel? Can you hear me? It's me, it's Guada!" Grim said, shaking Grim slightly. His eyes darting to the demon lord Cabra. Hatred and despair. "What have you done to Miguel?!" Grim hissed, glaring. "He didn't do anything to you! Why would you hurt him like this?!" No longer afraid. He was here. He was with Miguel. And he didn't plan to leave without him.

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Miguel wouldn't answer Grim. Instead, he only whimpered and cried like a puppy would, squirming out of Grim's grasp to cower away almost like a vampire would when the sun came out.

Sage wanted to explode right there and then once Grim broke away from his side. Sage knew the kid was going to. Sage knew that the little twerp couldn't just stay next to him for ten minutes. Sage didn't know what to do once Grim ran to Miguel. He only stood in silence; defeated. "..."

Cabra now, was extremely amused by the scene behind him. He listened to Grim's little tantrum. When Grim gave Cabra the meanest look he could muster, Cabra couldn't help but laugh at the sight.

"Oh... What an adorable face. Why you look just like little Danté here with that face."

Sage's eyes widened; he looked up at Cabra, lips quivering. He didn't know what to say. "C-Ca-"

Cabra only continued to laugh, giving a look to Sage. Sage went silent.

"Now..." Cabra began, tugging on the chain in his hand. Miguel was dragged a little bit, crawling like an animal over to Cabra. His body was tense and stiff. Once he was sitting down next to Cabra's leg like a doll almost, Cabra reached a hand down to pet Miguel's head.

"Why must you yell? My /pet/ doesn't like loud noises... It startles him."

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When Miguel pulled away from his grasp it felt as if his heart had shattered into pieces. This wasn't the same Miguel he remembered. It was his body, his voice, his all. But he wasn't the same. This thing, Cabara, was controlling him like a caged circus animal. Cabra just had to move a chain, speak a command, something or anything to get him to do what he wanted, whether it be good or bad. Miguel would have fought against everything. ow badly had this man broken Miguel. Grim grited his teeth, his anger rising over reason. "HE IS NOT YOUR PET! HE IS MY HERMANO! STOP PULLING HIM! GET YOUR DIRTY HANDS OFF HIM YOU PIECE OF ******! C*BRON! B*ST*RDO! VETE PARA EL C*R*JO HILO DE LA GRAN ****!" Grim screamed, remembering every cruse word that he had heard adults say but swore to never say himself because otherwise mom would have smacked the living crap out of himn. He was seething. Fume could come out of his ears if it was even possible. Once he was out of breath, his eyes darted back to Miguel, and refused to leave. "...his mommy did something. Didn't she? She made a deal with you for him before he was even born!" Grim said, his knuckles turning white as he held his fists. What could he do? He could try and fight. He could always die a second time. But he promised his parents that he would return with him. He would and refused to do anything else. Miguel was his brother, and not even this demon would stop him. He breathed in. He breathed out. The more he screamed, the more scared Miguel got in his state. In his...deprived, animalistic, sad state. "...Then...lets make a deal ourselves." Grim suddenly offered, trying his best to keep any calm left. "What do you want, in exchange for Miguel?" Grim asked. A barter. A deal. Much like the mother had done originally. Church h ad taught him that demons love to make deals in order to tempt mandkind into sin or something like that. Demons loved to gamble. Besides resisting their temptations, gambling was one of those things that could be done with demons. But resisting wasn't going to resist. Not with Miguel on the line. "Demons like deals, don't they? Then let's make a deal. What do you want from me in exchange for Miguel?" Grim asked, his voice trembling slightky as he tried his best to put up a brave front, even when in the inside he just wanted to collapse and cry and mourn. He needed to be brave for hs brother.

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Cabra couldn't help but smirk at the sight of Grim's meltdown. The more Grim screamed, the more Miguel would cower and whimper at the harsh pain in his ears. He whimpered and cried, slowly crawling behind Cabra's throne to hide.

"Awww, you made my pet go away." He said with a sigh, leaning back in his seat. When Grim told of a deal however, Cabra's eyebrows perked up in curiosity. A deal... He loved deals.

"Firstly... Deals are a terrible stereotype of my kind, child. Although... I do love deals~ Hm... What could you give me I wonder~?"

Sage's eyes suddenly widened. He grabbed Grim's arm and hissed in his ear.

"Don't-"

"Oh I know!" Chimed Cabra, clasping his hands together in delight. "I know a perfect deal... It's the deal of /eternity/... But, I don't think I can make a deal with you because Danté owns you. Unless... He's lying~"

Sage was paralyzed. He didn't know what to do. Sweat trickled down his forehead. Upon hearing Cabra's words however, Sage suddenly grabbed his and sank his teeth into it. The metallic taste of blood almost immediatly entered his mouth and he pulled away. He shoved the new wound into Grim's face, forcing the blood into his mouth.

"HE'S MINE!" Sage yelled, eyes lighting up in anger. His fangs protruded over his lips.

Cabra sighed softly as he crossed his legs over one another. "Oh what a pity... I do love deals... I suppose you both could spend some time in a cell." With that, Cabra snapped his fingers and the floor underneath the two fell like a trap door.

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He didn't expect for Sage, or should he say Dante, to respond how he did. The blood tasted awful for one. His features twisted as he glared up at Sage, debating between screaming at him or pulling him off. However with Cabra's command, the floor beneath them gave way, and the two of them fell. "Wait, Miguel!" Grim screamed as he dropped into the hole along with Dante. It was like a slide, dropping the two a few feet beneath the ground into an enclosed room, candles lighting the place as the hole above them disappeared. Grim rubbed his head. "Miguel..." Grim groaned. He paused and quickly glanced up, turning to face Dante. "...why did you do that?!" Grim asked, grabbing him by the clothing. "I could have made a deal for Miguel! You ruined it, you idiot!" Grim yelled. This was his brother. What if the demon change his mind? He had to save him. He would.

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Sage was not having it. His entire disposition seemed to change. Instead of the relaxed immature demon he usually was, Sage was dark and angry. His fangs were even longer at this point and he forcefully pushed Grim away.

"SHUT UP!" He screamed at Grim, voice powerful and booming. His eyes flared fire. He looked ready to kill. "I couldn't let you do it! He doesn't keep to his word you firetrucking mari****! I would know!" Suddenly, his eyes grew wide and he backed away. Sage, or Danté stared at the floor. "I should know... Because I tried."

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Grim fell back, looking up at Sage in surprise as he saw Sage's demeanor change in front of him. For the first time, he could see him as a demon. Sharpened teeth, a booming voice and a glaring look that could kill. Listening to him, Grim sat up, slowly standing. "...you're here because of him?" Grim asked, staring at the demon. He seemed regretful, and at the bottom of his stomach, he felt regretful for having to disobeyed Sage. Maybe he had ended up gotten him in big trouble even. "That isn't completely true, though. He has kept some deals. He kept the one made with Miguel's mom, didn't he?" Grim asked. He walked over to Sage. "I can't fight him for Miguel. You know I'm not strong enough." Grim hissed, looking down and shaking his head. "But what else do you want me to do?! I can't leave him there. I refuse to leave Miguel there! I can't. I just can't! He is my brother! I can't just walk away when he's this close to me!" Grim explained. He had gotten so far, and was so close. He couldn't just throw it all away and give up right then and there! "...Dante. Tell me about what happened to you?" Grim asked, looking up at the demon. "What deal did you make with him? You're a demon, aren't you? What kind of deal would you have to do with another demon?...what happened to you?" He asked, crossing his arms. He most he could do is listen and learn from the mistake of others...and hope he didn't repeat them.

Edited June 20, 2016 by Stardustblade358

[Aqua7KH 5,395]

Sage at first completely ignored Grim. He felt so many different emotions that it was utterly impossible to think straight. He slumped down the wall, sitting on the floor. From this point he wasn't even angry anymore... He was in despair.

"You really want to know what happened to me..." Sage uttered, hair covering his eyes. He wouldn't dare look at Grim. "I was a human, once. Not all demons are born a demon. Some of us were human. I... Had a little brother. His name was Javier. We lived in a village, just us two. Our parents died when I was little, so it was just us." Sage sounded distant, almost as if he was reliving his life once more. "Just Danté and Javi... The village was afraid of him. They called him a witch because he could see spirits. He talked to people that weren't there. He talked to our parents. During Dia de los Muertos, he would even dance by himself. He'd say he was dancing with everyone's ancestors. One day he got bit twice by a snake... No one would help me. I just carried my brother's body in my arms all the way to the church. Everyone refused to bless him; something. Even the nuns that once raised us. I wanted my brother back... So I did what did. He was just like how your brother was... A pet to Cabra. Seeing no other way to help my brother, I gave him my soul in exchange for his. But Cabra didn't just let him go. He cursed Javi's soul to be half alive and half dead... Javier is a wandering spirit, searching aimlessly for all eternity. He gets hungry, like a human. But food turns to ash in his mouth. He has no memories of his life. He doesn't know I'm his brother. And me... Cabra turned me into a demon."

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Grim listened, his expression changing into one of sadness and pity. So that's why. A victim of Cabra himself. It was easily a tragedy that could be told out of a book, but it was all too real. For one part, the teachings were right in one thing; demons prayed on their victims in their weakest moments in order to go for the kill, and win what they had to gain. "I...I'm sorry." Grim said. He honestly didn't know what else to say. Even with this story, what else could he do? He was a child who came here through his own means, and who was way out of his league. He was nothing but a big in a large garden, and was at the bottom of the food chain. "I'm sorry to see that this happened to you, Dante." Grim explained, looking up at the demon as he gritted his teeth. "But I can't just leave him." Grim insisted. "I understand that making a deal with him might be the most dangerous possibility. But I have to do something. Anything to get him out of Cabra's control! I refuse to just leave him to suffer like that for eternity...even if I could just get him to the Land of the Dead. Where he can be happy instead of here. Please let me try, Dante. Miguel never deserved any of this to happen to him...the least I could do is to make sure that his afterlife won't be so miserable!" Grim said. He sighed, raising his pink finger, well, bone. "Trust me. I won't let Cabra screw us over. I can hanlde him. I just have to outsmart him."

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"Outsmart Cabra." Danté suddenly chuckled, as if he heard he funniest joke in the entire world. "Oh, you don't seem to get it, do you? Cabra won't just let your brother go. He makes sure he always have the last laugh. You think he'll be any better with Javier's fate? A tormented soul, wandering around for all eternity? The feeling of starvation when nothing can satisfy? Or maybe he could torment your loved ones in the waking life. He could curse Miguel, forcing his soul to be reincarnated over and over again, only to be born to a loving mother to die as a baby. Born... Die... Born... Die... Over and over again coming to life and dying, tormenting a loving mother and father." Danté was going to continue, but suddenly he heard hushed whispers coming from the shadows. He whipped his head around.

"Mi...guel..." Whispered a faint woman. Out of the shadows emerged a rotting old woman; almost reduced to dust and ashes. The shadows covered most of her boned figure. "Did you say... Miguel...?"

Danté narrowed his eyes, fangs bared. "Who are you?"

"Miguel... My son..." Whispered the woman.

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Grim gritted his teeth, clenching his fists as he heard Date speak. Was it really that useless? Was there no absolute chance, even through a miracle, to overcome Cabra and get Miguel home? Grim didn't want to believe it. There had to be a way. There had to be. He was about to say something when he heard the weak sounding voice. He turned to the woman, what remained of her, listening to her words. At first, it didn't click. "Your son? How can Miguel be your so-?" Grim began, but then stopped once he realized what it meant. He remembered the rumors. The stories of the witch's house. The stories of how Miguel was the some of a witch and was a curse to have around. Rumors that Grim refused to believe with all of his heart, and yet...here they were. "...you." Grim hissed, his eyes widening. "La bruja." He stepped closer. "It's you, you're the witch! You're Miguel's mom...you're the one who exchanged his soul for yours, aren't you?!" Grim asked, slowly becoming more aggravated than before.