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A thought emerges that you previously ignored. Eiko's werewolfing was surprisingly rare around here. Back then, it seemed more common, with people able to flip between forms with ease. Then, slowly, each generation seemed to lose that control bit by bit... Now stuck in that inbetween, but one curious principle seemed to emerge. They could change themselves again if they infected someone else. Instead of shaping yourself, you shaped everyone else. From wolves to bulls to snakes to wolves to lambs to deer and on and on and on.

"I know what type your family is, I knew when Julien first described y'all to me.."

You weren't sure how much they were werewolves like that. There's wolfkin, which is close enough, but still different. Each dimension had different applications, different ways of defining their worlds, their rules. Like entering a new story. But if your hunch was right...

"Those bullets with the guns I sold him were pure silver. Not much harm on the other wolves here, about the same as a regular bullet." You recall the shininess of the .35 rounds that you loaded into the magazine. How you could see your reflection in them. 2 magazines total. Lead for the rest.

"... It's a different story for your type. Got confirmed to me after I cut those cuffs off of you. If it was enchanted, they wouldn't have split so easily. Yet, you couldn't do anything to break that tiny chain with all that muscle you could've popped my head in with."

Eiko... does not react to this knowledge. You don't know how she would. The confession leaving you is not comforting for you or her. It does not absolve you of how much of a part you played. Instead, it acts as a reminder. Another minuscule detail for you to hide in yourself because of the pain it could cause if it leaked out.

Man, even in your own mind it's hard not to lie.

"I only told him they would be effective. If he fucked up and used all the rounds or if it only took one, I don't know. And in the end, I know it doesn't change anything."




"This is kinda fucked up isn't it? Damn... I really don't remember.." You hold your head and feel the static edge your mind. "I had this.. I had a little sister.. I had older siblings. Do they still think about me? I hope not."

Thinking back.. you haven't relived this day in a long time. What it meant... It's inevitability. The approaching cliff. You don't know how much of it is true anymore. The fragments all patch-worked together.

"I was too much of a coward to say it in that moment.. Even now.. I want to get rid of you because that makes it all easy again. Don't have to think about all these hard things if it's not in front of me I guess."

You put your hands on her shoulders, staring into this figment. It isn't truly Eiko, but in this moment, it doesn't have to be.

"I'll take responsibility this time. I promise. I'll help you get what you need, whatever choice you want to make. I won't stop you. I can't be that brother you had, it would be shitty of me to try. But I'll support you. I'll even teach you some magic, even though I'm a shit teacher... But I'll try."

You're not one for grand speeches or declarations. That's for people that have the time to think.

Inhale. Exhale. "I'll never be good, but I'll be what you need."

Brutal. Efficient. Unending. You'll get the job done no matter what or who is in your way.

Demon.

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