YAHOOO!

I'm Back bitches! Feeling better than before on top of that, actually I am stressed about school, but doing better!

Thanksgiving, so yeah, it was awesome needless to say. Though Black Friday at work was a damn well pain. 

Seeing as I'm waded through all the shit before me, I still go another to go through, but I can see the island of clean water ahead. So yeah, going about re-reading, amazed at how damn well this book was put together. 

So updating time! On to the story, as I know what's what you all are here for really.

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Every thing was perfect, his robes immaculate as always, not a hair out of place under his crown. His red eyes gazed into the mirror, picture perfect of Hero's chosen sorcerer. He was an asset to the cult, he would get close to the kings of the Ore Empire, he would take them out and get his master the one he wanted.

Seto prided himself in being unreadable, undetectable, and as emotionless as they come. He was taught from his master how to conceal your thoughts and how you truly felt. Because your mask may be the only thing that keeps you from a violent death. Petty things like friendships were nothing when it came down to it. 

Your best friend would stab you in the back if it meant they could have power and glory.

Pushing down his robes again, Seto turned to the purple doors, he had a meeting to get to. His master wanted him there earlier than the common assassins. They weren't special enough to know being late could mean your pinky finger. 

Yes, Seto had been taught hard here, but compared to most, he had it pampered too. Being his master was very high ranking in this highly regarded cult, Seto was only given the finest in his grab for power. At least, now he was, before wasn't so easy. 

Having read only a book on dark magics given to know for serving Herobrine, Seto found he wanted to taste what being in power was like. Being the seventh child in a family of long standing sorcerers, he was the youngest, and heavily bullied by his older, oh so more qualified siblings. 

Being the seventh child often in magic meant you were to be powerful and much more adapt at magic than others. Seventh children had a grasp on magic that master sorcerers took years to get. They were also the ones who brought change into the world, as most Seventh children died prematurely. 

His parents considered him a blessing for surviving, though he was on the 'short' side as his father constantly told him. Seto knew all to well the struggle to rise to power, his first ten years was nothing but a struggle to prove in his family he wasn't to be babied and he was strong, as his siblings were jealous of his grasp on magic.

That is when he meet his master and mentor, Michael. Who told him of power that was right at his finger tips, and should be prove to be worthy, he could use it. And train Seto did, he cut down those who tried to go above him and gained a sharp wit and tongue for it. Being chosen by Michael that day had Seto excited at his first taste of real power, of how the good life should be.

Now, he was ready to prove all his knowledge to his master, and take out this lovely empire from the highest point. First was befriend the second in command of the Gold King, Adam. Ty shouldn't be too hard, he was just to trusting.

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Seto blinked out of his memories as they trekked through the nether still, according to the map, they'd be nearing the closing portal soon. He paused for a moment, Jerome said he heard something, Seto on the other hand knew what it was. Nether Hounds. Evil little creatures that ate human flesh, Hero's personal pets. 

He however refrained from telling the group everything, for fear he'd give too much away of his knowledge of this realm. He, himself, was trying to forget he had once followed Hero's teachings. A fool he was for simply following without thinking of the consequence.

"So these Nether Hounds, can we out run them?" Jerome asked tentatively, he knew a bit of Nether Hounds from word of mouth with other people who played in the Hunger Games. They were like the wolves of the Nether, only much smarter. 

Seto gave him a look, "You could, but I doubt any of us could." he commented in an dead tone, Jerome nodded to that as he gripped his weapon. 

"How long do you think they have been following us?" Ty asked overhearing everything, he heard from Seto about these creatures. If they were smart, it's possible they had been following them for a while. 

At that, Seto seemed to realized just how much danger they were in. "We need to stay together." he said firmly, "If what Ty is thinking is right, then they are trying to surround us." Jason looked scared at that as he stayed close to Jerome at that. 

The group kept their eyes peeled, slowly making their way now, if these hounds were circling them it meant they were hoping that they'd catch a strangler. They hunted as a collective, the alphas, male and female, went to the positions of front and back. The seconds to them lead those lower in the back to make a cage like circle around large groups of prey. Stalking from a distance, until the time and terrain made for better attacks.

Seto tried to think, to remember what he learned about these hounds. They were symbols of wealth and death for one thing, often attached to shiny objects and horded them. His once mentor told him that should you come across an unfriendly pack it was better to bargain with them.

What did they have that these hounds would even want enough to spar them? Their weapons were out, as they needed them to keep going, they didn't have any jewelry with them. He felt panicked as he heard a throaty death cry from behind them, Jason eeped in fear at that. Eyes wide as he stared at this black, boney dog like thing. It's body was nothing but skin and bones, the skin was black and leathery looking as it hugged the frame. The dog looked starved, but actually Seto knew these hounds were well fed. It's bone tail trashed a bit, up in the air, this was one of the alpha's. 

Seto looked around to see this was a rather large pack at that, as he counted at least ten in visible sight. It's possible there was more, should they try and run. Right now, they didn't attack, intimidation tactic possibly. But, if they had wanted to eat they would have attacked right now, right? With this big of a group, it made better sense to attack.

He frowned in thought as the group huddled together keeping their eyes on the dogs, who stayed a good distance away. It's possible they were owned, that would make the most sense. But who owned their own pack of Nether Hounds?

He gripped Jerome's arm, shaking his head when the other wanted to attack. "Right now, they aren't attacking, if we make the first move it's over." he hissed quietly to the bac.

Seto slowly gripped his creeper necklace, made of ruby and black gold, he didn't wanted to give up the last thing his godfather gave him. But, desperate times call for desperate measures. In slow movements, which caught the biggest males attention, he took off the big amulet.

The hound moved it's tail, as the other hounds were silent, eyes trained on Seto. Who took a dry gulp and tossed his necklace out a few feet from him. The alpha moved foward, sniffing the offering to it. The second male growled, only to yelp as a paw cuffed it's snout hard enough for it to remember it's place. 

After a few heartbeats, the male picked up the offering, and looked at Seto. His tail twitched, and slowly, the pack vanished and left.

Silence, then Jason let out a breath he had been holding. Seto took a breath too and looked at their groups faces, "We best keep moving." he said as they started walking. Though Seto knew they'd ask him questions later, once they made camp in the Overworld.

He really didn't want to answer them though.

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Ember's tail thrashed, damn mutts, what good were they for if they didn't even do their fucking jobs!? That damn sorcerer promised this pack would take care of the job, seems he didn't train them well enough. Turning to her map, anger radiating off of her. She didn't want to leave her men, but damn it, if you wanted something done you have to do it yourself.

Grabbing her cloak and weapons, she told her second to take care of things, she would return their these intruders heads on a pike if she had too!

No one leaves her area alive if she can help it, her master wanted these people's blood she'd give it to them. And drag the ones he wanted kicking and screaming. She'd prove to her master she was strong, she would prove it!

That moment, when she is recognized by Hero fully as more than the apprentice, will be so sweet.

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There you guys have it, thanks for waiting this long with me for the update. Must be nice to finally have one. And I've finally gotten back into writing this. So Hiatus is off for now, if I can keep updates coming.

Word Count: 1,600 (Give or take)

As always, review and vote, and favorite if you like. Not because I need the views, just to know someone is reading it really and likes this shit i'm dumping all over the pages.

And I'm too lazy to reread my mistakes, because I really don't have time for stuff like that.

Thanks again friends,

Jade~