Little Boy Belmont (Richter x Olrox)

Chapter Seventeen: Ghost

Olrox knows something is wrong even before he wakes up. He feels Quetzalcoatl probing in his mind, urging him to help the only human down here in the Hold. He's gotten so used to the Feathered Serpent occasionally whispering in his ear like a ghost since he became a vampire, having called out the God's name in his dying breaths.

Quetzalcoatl only inhabits his body when he turns into the serpent, the Aztec God always hovering close, unseen to the human eye, only able to be looked at through an obsidian mirror.
So the moment he opens his eyes, he notes that the air feels different, heavier.
Without saying a word, he quickly stands and notes Richter's bedroll is empty. He hears the rain hammering down relentlessly on the surface of the Hold.

Anxious, he quickly weaves through the aisles and finds Richter looking almost catatonic, gazing into the obsidian mirror like he's hypnotized.
Quetzalcoatl senses the danger before Olrox does and makes the Aztec pause.
He takes out his obsidian blade and angles the reflection towards Richter.

Olrox sees Tēzcatlipōca clear as day in the small reflection, looming over Richter like a beast ensnaring its prey. The Aztecs' heart pounds with amazement at seeing another Aztec God but also fear for Richter. He feels Quetzalcoatl shrinking back in fear of his elder brother, seeing the man shaped God stepping away in the reflection of the obsidian blade.

"Richter?" Olrox whispers with genuine panic in his voice. But Belmont can't hear him. All he hears is the God of Darkness' voice crooning in his ear.
"Why do you want me?" Richter whispers so low Olrox has to strain to hear. The vampire can't hear Tēzcatlipōca speak, but Richter can.

Belmont doesn't even realize Olrox is at the end of the aisle, he's too focused on the mirror and the God's arms around his waist. Richter sees Tēzcatlipōca still grinning in the larger mirror, and then the God speaks. His voice is raspy, ancient, but somehow still sounding youthful with the hint of a growling undertone.

"Because you're perfect. You fit the physical qualities in order to be worthy of becoming me. You're a young, pretty male with a slim body. No scars, no blemishes, not overfed, or small, nor exceedingly tall. You have a connection to my baby brother Quetzalcoatl whether you like it or not."

Richter still stares dazed into the mirror.
"Do you understand that, Ixiptla?" Tēzcatlipōca almost purrs, tilting his head to the side, the various shells, reeds, and feathers hanging from his headdress swaying with the movement.
Olrox grits his teeth, angry and panicked.

Ixiptla in Nahuatl means a deity embodiment, like an avatar. Quetzalcoatl had explained to Olrox that the Aztec Gods need to inhabit human or vampire bodies due to their powers having weakened since the blood sacrifices stopped when the Aztec Empire fell.
Even so, outside of Olrox's body, Quetzalcoatl can't interact with anything, like a ghost.

But judging by how Tēzcatlipōca's hands are visibly leaving wrinkles on Richter's clothes, the elder brother still has enough power to physically interact with the mortal world, even if no one can see him save for using any obsidian surface.
Richter moves his head up and down stiffly in something resembling a nod.

Tēzcatlipōca notices Olrox and Quetzalcoatl.
"Look who decided to join us, Ixiptla," The elder Aztec God murmurs into Richter's ear. Belmont snaps out of the trance long enough to see Olrox in the mirror reflection.
"Olrox?" He blinks in surprise, like he just woke up from a long nap.
"Tēzcatlipōca, let Richter go," Olrox mutters, head lowered in respect to the God.

"Why? Is it because my baby brother Quetzalcoatl has shown you the goodness in humanity?" The deity asks, almost sounding bored, like he's heard Quetzalcoatl's reasoning a million times before.
"My brother and I agreed to work together when we started the fifth sun cycle. But then the sacrifices stopped when our people were slaughtered. You know this, you witnessed it yourself."