.^^ wounded Seth ^^

— Seth —

"Exactly like that, Yes-" the smell hit me, and I couldn't hear him anymore, as my body leapt forward, and buried my face into the blue rip. The taste hit me just after the smell, the taste of pure sunshine, fine wine, sweet fruit, rare steak, chocolate cake.

It tasted of all the things I wanted in life, the things I'd never had. Right then, I knew it was Fake. It was Evil. It was trying to fool me, to make me think it was good for me, and that immediately convinced me that it was no such thing.

I pulled back, and found myself on my back, held down by five men, all equal in size to Gale, and the woman held her longsword to my throat, her face unreadable. My body twisted against my will, and I found myself snarling at her wordlessly.

She frowned. "Calm yourself, Boy, and regain control... you have the Beast on a Leash: Pull it tight, and take its breath!"

I tried to listen, tried to wrest Control back, but I'd Fed the Beast, now, and I was going to have to ride this one out, like coming down from a particularly nasty Acid Trip. I growled again, and she swished the blade, effortlessly slashing my left eye open, where it began to drip hot, Golden, burning blood.

"Take. Control... use the pain, and Take. Control. Back!" She hissed as I screamed, and finally wrestled the beast into its cage of mnemonic torture.

I clapped a hand over my eye, throwing the people off of me accidentally, and growled at her. "Are you out of your mind?!? You could've just slapped me, or stabbed my leg or something!!! How do I fix an EYE?!?"

She smirked. "You'd be surprised what you can heal, now. Don't let this happen again, or I will personally cut your head off."

"Let WHAT happen? Get greedy with my food, and lose a little piece of myself from the resultant intoxicating euphoria?!?" I snapped at her.

She blinked slowly. "Intoxicating Euphoria, you say? Interesting... that is what we feel when we travel the Veil. It would seem that you require a more... direct connection, to receive the same effect... intriguing. Either way, retain control of your body, or I will end its existence. Simple."

"Removing my head will not kill me, nor silence me... the Meatsack will feel pain, but I am not so-" the Creature took offense at her threat, apparently.

"Did I say you could speak? Again?!? In the box, asshole!" I snapped, shoving him inside his torture box, and locking it shut with the Key. "Now! How do I heal an Eye, then, little Ms. Know-it-all?" I asked her flippantly.

She laughed, and helped me up, then the five men under me. "Easy enough. Just imagine it healed. You have a Lich inside you. Honestly, I'm sure you could heal just about anything, given the time to do so."

"Imagine It healed, she says..." I grumbled, and gazed down at my skin, as it turned from charcoal black to gunmetal grey, and slowly back to my natural Italian olive tone.

I blinked, and placed a hand on my face, feeling the eye already healed, and seeing through it easily. "Whoa... that's creepy." I shivered.

"What is-... you've already healed?" She asked softly, and inspected my face. "Hmm... Interesting. I was sure that would take a few hours, at least... well, better this way anyway. Come, we'll get you a room. Do you have a preferred Position?"

I blushed. "Well-, I mean, you're very pretty, but-, well, I mean,-"

She paused, and looked down at me slowly. "Position... within the Barracks. Compass Rose." She growled softly.

"Oh! Right, Uhm... sorry. West is bad, right? Or is it East that's cursed land... fuck, I don't actually remember, so I guess it doesn't really matter." I shrugged.

'She references my Domain... the Greater Daemons each have a direction acquainted with them... I am called the Briar of the North.' He showed me his Domain, the Ethereal Plane where his kind roamed free.

There were only four of his kind, but lesser Daemons were nearly infinite, it felt like, from the view I was given. They each lorded over a section of the planet, keeping the demons in that area in check, and raiding the human realm in an orderly manner.

The Briar 'owned' the area that held Europe, Russia, and contested parts of arctic Canada, while the America's were 'owned' by the Thorn of the West, Africa was owned by the Horn of the South, and Asia, Australia, and India were all owned by the Blade of the East. The casual, clinical efficiency of the matter was nauseating to think about, so I shook the thoughts away.

"Oooh, that was a test, huh? The beast says North was it's Domain. I would say East, partially because I like to be contrary, and partially because I like watching the sunrise." I nodded.

She chuckled. "Good answer." She led me to the left, and we ended up in a room that had a wall of windows, unlike most of the others I'd seen. "This can be yours, while you're here."

I stepped in, and breathed deeply. "Wow... bigger than most apartments I've crashed in."

I saw her tilt her head, in the reflective glass. "Do you have anyone we should contact? Let them know you're not coming back? Even if you leave here, you can't go home, that would be disastrous. This war is secret for a reason, after all."

"No." I sat in a chair, in front of the window. "Is there a way to... I hate to say it, but bottle that Veil Stuff? So I can't get greedy and shove my face in again?" I asked, changing the subject.

She nodded. "It can be done... shower and get some rest; we can talk more tomorrow, decide where we go from here. The shower is through there, and I'll have someone bring clothes for you, before you get out." She closed the door, and walked away softly.

'Orders, taken from a lowly Mongrel... hmph.'

"You know what? You and I are gonna have a chat, right now! Set some ground rules! You failed to Possess me, and now you're riding passenger, don't forget that, you understand? Don't ever grab the wheel like that again, or I'll shove you so far down into my subconscious that you'll be singing all the Mnemonic Rhythms I can produce, for all eternity, you understand?" I growled.

'While I find bargaining with you deplorable... I can think of a proper arrangement... we are in the territory of the Western Greater Daemon, Thorn of the West, the Scorched King... these Mongrels kill his minions. If they draw him out, I can Challenge him... weaken him at the very least... possibly kill him, and take his power... then I can take the Horn of the South, and save the Blade of the East for last... the strongest of all of us, with the most territory, and the most minions...'

"So you want to help them kill off your competition?"

'... In crude terms... yes.'

"Alright... I can get behind that... a few Rules, though; 1: Collateral Damage is to be kept to an absolute minimum. Nothing says 'Scrub' more than not being able to kill your enemies without hitting anyone else." I manipulated his massive Ego, and waited for his reply.

'... While I find Your attempt at basic manipulation pathetic, I agree with the words you speak.' He sounded almost amused, like an ant had done a cute trick.

"Fine. 2: You don't ever take the wheel again, without my permission. I won the Match, I am in control, this is My body. You submitted, don't be a Scrub who can't even keep his word."

'My Ego is only so powerful, Meatsack.'

"Fuck your ego, I was applying myself to your sense of Law. The deal was struck, breaking it will result in your reuniting with the Abyss, long before you have managed anything of worth. Remember that you taught me all about your Laws of Sacrifice." I hissed.

'Your words are technically correct.'

"Good. 3: you don't talk out loud like before, unless I tell you to, and never around any of my allies that it could affect adversely... that could be a good weapon, later on, but it's too powerful to use for anything but the biggest of baddies, I think."

'The Voice Of a Greater Daemon does induce various forms of madness or catatonia amongst Mortal Minds. That yours survived so easily is the main reason I submitted in the first place. You intrigue me, Meatsack.'

"Alright, stop calling me Meatsack. Seriously. It's honestly stupid. Keep fucking with me, and I'll make you call me Master. For now, simply Seth will do." I grinned.

A deep, seething rage roiled through my mind, and I growled, biting down on it and tearing it down to the base, thoroughly destroying the uprising. "You don't get pissy with me." I growled simply.

He crawled into the deepest recesses of my mind, and growled softly. 'Your Words have been heard, Silent One...'

I blinked. "Silent One? What's that all about?"

'... you know not the origin of your name? Seth, in your language, refers to the Eldest Brother of Abel. He who saw Cain slay Abel, and was Silent. The First Soldier, the Second to Kill, the Third Of Three. The Silent One.' He showed me his own memory of the incident, watching the Demons of the East seduce Cain, and make him kill his brother with the Jawbone of an Ass.

"Oh... Interesting." I hummed, and stepped into the bathroom, the entrance eventually found on the left wall, as a sliding door that disappeared into the wall, nearly invisible.

'Humans, and their Fake Magic...' He grumbled.

I laughed, and stepped in, stripping and stepping into the shower. The hot water was near-boiling, but didn't do anything to my skin, unfortunately. I couldn't feel it. I frowned, and scrubbed myself clean with a soapstone from the bench, then stepped out, watching the steam flow off my body in waves.

I wrapped a towel around my waist, and walked out into the room, pausing at the sight of a small woman placing clothes onto the bed, which looked freshly made.

She froze when I walked into the room, and slowly turned to look at me. Her eyes turned silver, to my surprise, and I dodged as she leapt towards me, a sword made of silver appearing in her hand.

'Fuck fuck fuck, I need one of those!' I hissed mentally, and an Ice rapier appeared in my hand, shedding mist. I knocked aside her next attack, holding up my towel with one hand.

She was ridiculously skilled, and had I not been a shade faster than her, I would have been dead in the first five seconds. She managed to cut me, eventually, and paused at the sight of the golden blood that seeped from the wound, like cold honey more than blood.

Diana rushed in, holding her sword at the ready, and then sighed, leaning on it. "What the fuck, Frigga? Honestly! Meet Seth, a Sorcerer who we've taken under our wing effective immediately! Now-... did you two just actually fight?"

The smaller woman sheathed her sword, and snorted. "La-Daheim-Exh."

'What's that mean?' I asked the creature.

'The languages of your Meatsack Cultures mean little to me.' He responded loftily.

Diana hummed. "Te-gehen-mor, Frigga."

The smaller woman flinched, and then simply walked out.

"What, I don't get an apology? Maybe a translation? An explanation?" I called after her.

Diana chuckled. "No, that's as best you're going to get... good job, though. She's good, and you did well, surviving her assault. Anyway, get some sleep."

I chuckled, dressing in the underwear she'd brought,-before going total kill-bill,- leaving the shirt and jeans to one side, before laying on the ground in front of the window.

'It is my understanding that the bed is a comfort item. Why forgo it, if you have never had one?' The creature asked.

"Too soft. Won't be able to sleep." I murmured.

'And it is a very indefensible position... yes, this is true. The floor, which is solid, and unlikely to hinder movement, is better.' He apparently agreed with me, though for different reasons.

I gazed at the icicle sword, and hummed. "Did I make this, or you?"

'I do not recognize its make, so I must assume it was your creation... I would have used my tendrils to choke her.'

"No mutating my body... I prefer not to be gross, if I can help it. Elegant applications of my new abilities only." I shivered at the thought of sprouting tentacles.

'Elegance... the path of Kings... yes, I will agree to this.'

"Good... Night. Keep a watch..." I yawned, and fell asleep, looking out of the window at the stars.

—

I was having a pleasant dream, sitting on a rooftop and watching the sunrise, when I was woken up by someone stabbing my hand.

I screeched, opening my eyes and falling to my ass, and looked around. The room was trashed, and the small woman, Frigga, was clutching her throat, which was visibly bruised.

"What the fuck?!?" I sat down, clutching my hand as it visibly healed.

'You were attacked in your sleep. I advise against any further use of this particular biological function... it seems to be entirely indefensible.'

"Wait, you attacked me in my sleep?" I hissed at her.

"Cough- lo-asen-canig! Cough!" She growled between coughs.

"You speak English, right? Maybe you should use your words." I frowned.

"You reacted defensively... or rather, the Demon inside you did." She sneered, clearing her throat again, and speaking with a croak.

"To what?" I pressed.

"I poked you with my sword." She shrugged, and sat down on the bed slowly, rubbing her throat.

'Unsheathed...' He hissed.

"And was it sheathed? Or more of a stabbing thing?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I'd like to know that as well..." Diana appeared in the doorway, looking around at all the carnage.

The woman stood, and walked towards the door again.

I darted in front of her, and glared. "No can do, missy. That's twice you've attacked me, once while I was asleep, once while I was naked. You don't get a third chance... understood?" The demon's Voice melded with my own for just a moment, but her eyes widened, and she took a step back,

"Seth? I'll handle it."

"You had the chance to handle it yesterday, and you said 'leave it be, she won't bother you'." I snapped.

She paused, and then chuckled. "True... and how would you handle it, then?"

'Consume it... this Mongrel would make for a sustaining meal...'

"Simple. You, woman! Go ahead. One hit, stab, whatever. But then I get to do the same... so if you're sure you can kill me, go ahead... but just understand, if I survive, you can be sure that you won't." I held my arms out to the side.

'Yessssssssss.'

She frowned, then looked around me, at Diana.

"I wouldn't, Frigga. He's got one of the four Greater Daemons inside his body. He's a Greater Lich. You can't kill him with just silver." She warned the smaller woman.

She snorted, and drew her blade, plunging it into my heart... or trying to. Her sword barely pierced my skin, and stopped before it hit muscle.

I flexed, and the silver sword froze, shattering into a pile of shards on the ground. I drew my own, from the air next to me, and placed it against her chest. "Are we in agreement, then, that you have no grudge against me?" I asked gently.

She growled savagely, and spat at my face. "Gal-chem-Oi! Gal-gren-chon-vay-chon!"

"English, please, or Italian? Russian, maybe? I prefer to know what people are saying, when they insult me." I sighed, the spittle freezing and falling off.

"Pretty easy to know what she's saying, actually..." Diana said, her hand on her sword.

"Is it? Maybe for you, I can't understand it for the life of me... ah well." I stabbed her hand through and through, not hitting anything important, then dissolved the sword. "Run along, and don't fuck with me again, dear. My patience doesn't come in Threes."

She stomped out, holding her hand, and I looked at Diana. "What's her Deal, anyway? She's never even met me. It's not like I've been around long enough to have hurt someone she knows."

"She just hates all Sorcerers, and especially Lich's. Anyway, while that was very interesting, let's go meet the others." She turned, and led me through the house, to a set of stairs, leading downwards.

I hummed, and looked into the giant relaxation area, with one half being something like a library, and the other being a full-on LAN party, with every gaming system ever made. "Impressive." I chuckled.

"Yes, it is, isn't it? The back half is the training room. This is the heart of the Western Chapter-house of the Order of the Silver Cure." She nodded, and several people, some I remembered from last night, all looked up.

They began to approach, forming ranks, and Diana raised a hand. "Fellow Hunters, meet Seth, a Greater Lich who has decided to hunt with us. He was forced to Bind himself to a Greater Daemon last night. We arrived, and watched this happen. Some of us were there, called into Gale's Hunt."

They paused, and the ranks became less formal, instead individually casually walking up and looking me over, then walking away, the friendlier ones offering their names.

I did my best to remember them, and thankfully only about ten people offered names, out of the sixty down here, but even that was difficult to keep track of.

Diana nodded, and led me through the room. "That's most of our members. We have a few other Sorcerers who work with us, but for the most part..." she shrugged.

"Enemy Number One, yeah. Got that already, from Kill-Bill back there." I said dryly.

She blinked slowly. "What?"

"It's a movie, a woman who trains as a ninja or something in order to kill her ex-husband, with three other women, who he had been apparently dating each of them, or something. It was stupid, but had good action sequences." I explained easily, and opened the door into the Training room.

She entered first, apparently on reflex, and spoke softly to the people inside, easily equaling the ones in the playing section. "Alright, come in, Seth." She called back.