I hissed as pain exploded in my chest. My vision blurred as I wrapped my arms tightly around the open wound. Everything hurt and throbbed and I can't do anything about it. A small groan escaped my lips and a rough kick was delivered to my side. I let out a strangled gasp as the pain got worse. I coughed and a thick liquid dripped down.

"Just give up."

I looked up at the blurred face of my assailant. I sucked in a breath as black spots danced in my vision. I swear I knew who they were. They were so familiar yet I couldn't think straight.

"There's no way for you to escape this."

I tightened my arms around my wound and closed my eyes tightly. I wish this was a dream. I wish this was just some horrible nightmare that I can wake up from. I felt warm hands wrap around my neck and lift me up. I coughed out blood and opened my eye with difficulty.

"Ambrose..." I faced the heart-shaped face of my best friend, Lilith. "Or should I say, Erebus."

"W-what?" I wheezed out.

The hands tightened and I struggled in her grip. I watched as her baby blue eyes turned to a brilliant purple. I gasped for breath and my hands flew up to grab hers.

"You should not have reincarnated Erebus. This world does not deserve your evil."

"I-I don't-"

A small scream escaped my lips when she dropped me. I curled up on myself and hugged my wound tightly. This wasn't fair. My vision dimmed as I listen to Lilith's footsteps slowly disappear. I whimpered as I try to stay awake.

I couldn't believe this was how my life would end. Murdered by my own best friend in an alleyway. Not only that, but she called me something else. Another name. I closed my eyes slowly as I try to breathe normally.

This was it.

"...No..."

I gasped as an ice-cold feeling was blanketed over me. I realized that more pressure was placed over my wound and I hissed as the cold seeped into my insides.

"...Do you wish for a second chance?"

The voice appeared again. It sounded cold, like ice. My hand twitched as the cold continued to seep into my wound. I sucked in a breath through my clenched teeth as I tried to think straight.

"...Do you wish for a second chance?"

The voice repeated it. I gasped as the cold feeling turned colder. I shuddered and wrapped my arms tightly around myself. I was vaguely aware of who was speaking but it sounded female.

"I- I... I want... I want to live."

A shiver crawled up my spine as a chilling laugh resounded around the room. I licked my lips and ignored the faint metallic taste of blood. The cold wrapped around my body, tighter this time. It continued to seep into my body and I could feel it in my blood and deep in my bones.

"But all things come with a price."

I gasped as I sat up. I felt the ruffle of the sheets under my hands and the soft mattress of my bed. I lick the dryness of my lips away and looked down at my hands. I took a deep breath and run a hand through my messy hair.

"So it was all a dream?"

"No."

"What the-!" I jump at the sound and pushed myself against the wall. I stared with wide eyes at the woman who sat the edge of my bed. Her hair was the darkest of black, it looked like the very light that touched it would be sucked into the darkness. Her skin was the palest I've ever seen and her eyes were a pure white.

She smiled serenely at me, "It wasn't a dream. It really happened."

My eyes widened and I pulled up my shirt. What I had expected was a large gash from whatever Lilith used to kill me. Except, my stomach was clear. No scar, not even a single line. I swallowed and looked up at her, "Who- no... what are you?"

"My, you're asking the right questions." The woman grinned at me as she clapped her hands.

I remained silent as I observed her movements. They seemed too fluid, too graceful. She moved like she planned everything, down to the smallest detail. I started as I noticed her hair wasn't obeying the natural physics. It was flowing at the bottom as if there was no gravity.

"I embody the night. Though, I am more known as Nyx."

I perked up when she said her name. It was familiar. Thankfully, the only familiar thing about this whole scenario. "Like, the greek goddess?"

She sent me a stern glare and linked her hands together, "Yes, now- please don't interrupt me."

"But, that means the Olympians are real too?" I blurted out by accident. I gulped as she pinned me with a blank stare. I put my hands up and smiled sheepishly, "O-okay... I won't interrupt."

"Good. And to answer your question, no. The Olympians are mere myths, I mean... what kind of deity exists to represent the hunt? It is idiotic." If she had pupils, I swear she would have rolled her eyes, "No, only the 'Old Ones' as we call ourselves exist. Of course, we only exist as mere consciousness unless we strike a deal with you mortals to gain a vessel or physical form but it only lasts for a few years at most."

I took a deep breath and looked down at my hands. I could vaguely remember what happened while I was dying but everything was blurry. I remember her voice and a proposition. Then everything turned black and I woke up.

"There is another way however I find it so... unorthodox." She pulled a face. "It is when the deities attach themselves to a mortal's soul. The deities can inhabit the body in multiple ways. By living along with the mortal and sharing a consciousness, by acting as a parasite and taking over the mortal whenever they wish or as a guardian and allowing the mortal a bit of their power and speaking to them internally."

"But- but you have your own body by striking up a deal?" I look up to her hesitantly as I asked a question.

Nyx hummed to herself as she closed her eyes, "Yes but this only lasts for five to ten years, too short but beggars can't be choosers."

"I remember my..." I glared at the floor, "friend calling me another name."

"Erebus." Nyx nodded. "That is because your friend acts as a vessel to Hecate. She also found out about you acting as a host to Erebus."

"What!?" I stood up on my bed and looked down at the goddess with an open mouth. "But I don't remember- I don't- are you sure?"

Nyx raised an eyebrow, "Are you questioning me?"

"I-" I slowly slid back down, "No- it's just-"

"I know this comes as a shock but you have Erebus in you." Nyx sighed as she pinched the bridge of her nose, "He just... he isn't a fan of acting out like most of the deities. He prefers to hitch a ride with mortals and watch them live their lives."

Before I could respond to her I stiffened. I shivered as a cold feeling settled over me and I felt like I didn't belong within my own body. My hand moved on its own as it covered my eyes. A groan escaped my lips and I watched limply as someone else controlled my body.

"Nyx, you make it sound like some kind of perverse hobby of mine."

I flinched at my own voice. It sounded deep and silky. I continued to watch as Nyx smiled sweetly at me or... whoever was controlling my body.

"Erebus, darling, it's been a while."

"No, all I wanted was peace and quiet. Then this... this idiot befriended Hecate."

I struggled to reclaim my body but all I could do was shout, "I'm not an idiot!"

"Well, who got killed?" My voice responded back.

"I didn't know better!"

"You should have. Blind trust only gets you killed."

"Will both of you stop?" Nyx glared at me... er... us.

"Very well..." Erebus paused, "To make it easier on you, I will leave."

"Wait- what?" My eyes widened.

My body lurched forward and I felt like puking. A transparent version of my body peeled itself away from my own and soon a replica of me stood before me. He dusted himself off and turned to look at me, his dark purple eyes meeting my black ones.

"This won't be permanent as it uses up most of my powers." He calmly stated as he plopped himself on my bed and stretched his arms. "So most of my time will be spent in your head."

"Wait- wait-" I shoved my hands into my hair, "What is going on?"

"You had the unfortunate chance of having me attached to your soul." Erebus picked at his nose.

"That is disgusting, have some style Erebus." Nyx frowned at the transparent boy. He, in turn, stuck out his tongue and shoved his finger further up his nose.

"And... and Lilith killed me just because of something I had no power over?" I clenched my hands into fists as I glare at the wall in front of me.

There was silence as Erebus and Nyx stared at me with tilted heads. I swallowed and closed my eyes as I tried to calm my racing heart. It wasn't fair. I had no power over all this. Why must I have to pay the price?