Prologue: Strange Company

Amidst the ruined rock of the old well a man laid unconscious, frail body completely out in the open with nothing but dust and rock to cover him. Long white hair spayed everywhere. The faintest maroon tint at the ends was all that remained of the original colour. Watching as his chest rose and fell. A spectral looking figure watched over him, still as a whisper. Their own pale complexion was nearly to the point of luminescence. Off to the side a content demon was admiring his physical form.

 Leaning leisurely against the broken walls, with flesh that closely resembled stone. He was staring attentively at his claws. Wiggling his fingers, cracking his knuckles thoroughly enjoying himself. It had been so long since he'd had a body. Grey couldn't recall anymore how he'd looked before he was sealed within the well. Skin freckled in grey hues; his crown of horns now mismatched. Some chipped, some broken. His fiery blue hair still flickered and shifted at the tips. His cold white eyes glowed from within as he glanced at the familiar ghost.

 "What a surprise. To find you hiding in that kid. How long has it been?"

 Rainir glanced sideways at him. Uninterested in catching up.

 "It's not like I was the only passenger, as you can see. How would I know how long it's been."

 Grey clicked his teeth, "Still as rude as ever."

 "Is that worse then being a corrupted thing like you."

 "It's boring to not change."

 Rainir kept his focus on the sleeping form. A long span of silence passed before a question itched at him. Glancing back at the demon staring at him, fidgeting as he attempted to patiently wait for him to speak. He gave into his curiosity.

 "Did you mean to give him his own body?"

 "You think I'm capable of making such a mistake?!"

 "Answer the question."

 Grey glanced away, "Hald and half."

 "That traveller had more cards stacked in his favour than you anticipated. It wasn't your doing was it."

 Grey pouted, "I helped. His intention was so strong, my magic just went along with it. He had such a powerful artifact tucked away too. Even if I'd really wanted to kill him, I'd have failed."

 "I didn't plan on going along with it either."

 "Huh?"

 "I thought this was my chance to finally die."

 Grey stood up straight his form barley coming to Rainir's shoulder. A look of confusion on his face.

 "You wanted to die?"

 Rainir finally turned to him, "You stole that right from me… All those ages ago."

 Grey's hair flared up, "Back then! Didn't we want nothing more then to live! In spite of everything! Against all odds?"

 Rainir shook his head, "Your tricks weren't so different back then. You managed to make my soul immortal but not my body. When they came for me. I still bled, still died."

 Grey deflated, "Then… All I did was get us both stuck."

 The mood was heavy as realisation settled over Grey. It had been so long he'd forgotten until now. He might have been sealed away. As a spirit that was the worst the humans had been able to do to him. But for a human like Rain… He didn't want to think about what he'd been put through.

 Rainir hummed in agreement. He held no resentment, but there was no benefit to withholding the truth. Grey had never been the best at directing his magic. He hadn't hurt him intentionally. But still damage had been done. Perhaps he'd never be able to enter the reincarnation cycle again.

 Grey moved closer his hand hovering, "It would have been easier together."

 "Absolutely not. I would have been driven mad."

 "You-!"

 Just then perhaps due to the noise, the one who'd been sleeping soundly stirred.

 Rainir held up a finger, "Hush the child's waking."

 "Oh good. We should have a nice chat with our son."

 Rainir went nearly translucent from hearing such a repulsive thing said so happily. Grey showed not the faintest shame. Pointing between them.

 "He's got your hair now. And he's absorbed my demonic power. Ours!"

 "What ill fated star was he born under to have us as his guardians. We haven't even cloth to cover him."

 "You're forgetting your not so see-through anymore. Raini my dear."

 Grey slipped off the moss-covered outer cloak he was wearing. Haphazardly dropping it over the sleeping form, covering his face more then his body. Rainir pointedly ignored the later half of Grey's comment. Removing a layer himself and properly dressing the young man until he was presentable. The two watched on as he slipped back into a deep sleep.

 Grey smirked, "I think our kids something special. He can even sleep like a young master while admits rubble."

 "If you don't stop your nonsense. I'll kill you myself."

-

 His eyelids felt too heavy to lift. No, it was his whole body that felt heavy and sore. It took a long time to muster the energy to open his eyes. A night sky was above him. The faint sound of a fire crackling. As he slowly dragged himself up, the effort was so excruciating he thought he'd cough blood. A strange mismatch of clothing was wrapped around him. Stark pristine white robes were covered by a moss eaten cloak. Insult to injury.

 A soft voice spoke, "Take it easy. It's been a while since you had your own body."

 A strangely familiar looking man came over to him. Helping him up and towards the small fire. Every movement of his legs felt like he was walking through sand. The fire was blue. Not such an oddity if not for the demon with fiery blue hair sitting beside it playing with the flame. He didn't have the energy to be startled. Enjoying the warmth as he was sat down beside the fire.

 Glancing around, it was difficult to see in the dark. Why had he woken up in ruins? He couldn't recall in the slightest how he'd gotten here. He'd been… travelling with his little sister. Where was she? She was just with him. They'd been… going… somewhere. So where was this? Everything hurt, what did 'your own body' even mean. What sort of reason was that. He'd caught cold's before, it had never hurt as much as this.

 Long white hair slipped over his shoulder, the colour sending him into shock. He'd always taken such good care of his hair. So many questions were whizzing through his head. The strange sense he was forgetting something. An odd empty feeling.

 The demon held out a handful of scavenged fruits and berries, "Eat this kid. You'll feel better."

 He ignored what was offered though his stomach screamed in protest.

 "Why do I feel so… so."

 The scholarly man seemed to read his mind, "Alone?"

 He nodded. The scholar and demon shared a look. The scholar took the food and pressed it into his hands. Stiffly patting him on the back.

 "Orion you should rest first. In time, we'll explain everything."