Nooneym made an update :O But seriously, thank you all for your patience on this... Things have finally started to like level out some now, making me more stable and able to actually focus on this.


It was in the middle of the night. Dean came around from sleep. Needed to switch positions; he had to wake up to do that.

He turned over and faced Seth. The kid was sleeping on his side, face towards him. At first, Dean was about to return to the position he'd been in but since he had been sleeping on that side for so long, he kinda needed the opposite side for a change. He closed his eyes and settled in. Soon, there was a movement and some nuzzling. The kid moved in his sleep and scooted closer to Dean. Drowsily, Dean opened his eyes and was met by fluffy hair. It became a little crowded so he threw his arm over him for better room. The kid sighed contently in his sleep. That made his insides do a small backflip.

Even in his sleepy state, it had him return to the previous day some, with how he had been dealing with him. Fragments of him making sure the kid was alright passed him by. Most had happened when Seth had briefly woken up in the wee hours. That had been a great tension releaser; Seth was okay. That was the important part. But it wasn't a bigger deal than that. Nope. Back to sleep. He adjusted himself to his bed intruder and started to drift off again.

Dean nearly jumped out of his skin when he was abruptly awoken by a great sudden pang, as if a bolt of lightning had struck the building. He sat up straight with his heart racing and adrenaline fiercely pumping. He barely noticed that he shoved the kid aside with a yelp. No way he hadn't had that freak wake up call himself though.

"What was that?" the kid said.

Dean didn't have time to process a reply, there was another pang and loud alarming screaming. The swordsman quickly got out bed and headed for the kitchen window. It was pitch black aside from the moon, but he could see a shadow flying past in between the buildings.

"Fuck..." it was barely a whisper. "Roman...!" he yelled, his voice rising from fear. His brother was already out of bed too as Dean fumbled towards his clothes and equipment.

"What's going on!?" it was the kid again, his voice as panicky as Dean felt.

"We're under attack...!" he barked as he tried to get his stupid armour on. Easier said than done under this sort of pressure. Every strap and buckle did their best to not cooperate. The kid quickly got out of bed too and headed for the window, looking out.

"What did you see, Dean?" Roman asked as he got the last pieces of armour on.

A shriek filled the air that made every hair on their bodies stand on end. Dean closed his eyes. He feared it was...

"A Night Dweller", he said, opening his eyes.

Roman's eyes widened in fear. "A Night Dweller?"

Another shriek.

"It's huge...!" Seth said, his big eyes even more so as he looked outside. He joined them and started to quickly look for his gear too.

"Whoa, hey, what do you think you're doing?" Dean asked when he saw the kid throw on his shirt and pants.

"What does it look like I'm doing? We have to go out and protect this place from that thing."

"You're not going anywhere." The kid stopped what he was doing and just stared at him. Dean couldn't risk Seth being hurt. Not by that thing. He just came out of Exhaustion.

"Are you crazy? I'm fighting too."

"No. You're staying here, kid. That thing is outta your league."

He looked seriously hurt. He didn't mean to but it was just way too dangerous.

"Don't 'kid' me. I'm a Hunter as much as you are and you will need every manpower out there! I'm a Healer, you'll need me."

Dean hated how true that was... It wasn't because Seth was a weak player he didn't want him out there. It was because he was an important player. "It's too dangerous. You're just out of Exhaustion. You're safer here."

"That's not why I'm a Hunter. I'm a Healer and if it's dangerous you'll need me even more. You really think I'm gonna stay here with a dangerous monster out there? I'm fine, Dean. I feel my Runes and Magic."

He didn't disbelieve his abilities to do so. He just hated the image of him getting gravely injured. Night Dwellers really weren't your average monster. If you thought a raupnir was bad... He just wanted him to be safe... and he maybe wouldn't be able to keep him safe... He definitely was in less danger here.

"I don't want you out there." Fuck, that sounded way better in his head. He could see something break in Seth. Shit...

It was only a matter of seconds but it felt like several agonizing minutes before he said something. "You really are an asshole, Ambrose..." his voice was so full of disappointment. "I'm not weak! I can take care of myself! I'm going out there to protect your sorry ass and you're not wanting me out there!? You've fucking seen my abilities and you still think I'm just some weak kid!?"

"Seth, calm down, I'm sure that's not what he was saying", Roman said, giving Dean a look asking what the fuck was wrong with him.

"Just come out and say it! I'm just sick of people just assuming shit and denying my abilities! You of all people should have seen it by now! But you're just a small-minded bastard that hates Runes just because they're Runes. I can't believe I believed in your nice vibes! You're just a manipulative son of a bitch that gets me to like you to then stab me down when I let my guard down!"

"It's not like that!" Dean was getting frustrated and desperate. He really didn't want Seth to feel this way. He got it all wrong. And it was totally the worst time to even discuss this.

"Oh, really, because you sure as hell make it sound like that!"

Gah, the kid was so pissed... It wasn't like Dean mirrored his emotion, which in itself was quite interesting considering he was kinda famous for his raw emotions. "Just listen to me, okay?" This was going to be so hard. The kid folded his arms over his chest. He wasn't happy. Would he be willing to listen? "This is serious. I don't want you out there because it's dangerous and you might get hurt."

"Well, that's kinda in the job description, Ambrose."

"Just let me finish, okay!?" It was hard as it was, without his sass. "It is dangerous and... I... I... I just want to protect you, okay?"

"Protect me?" The kid looked like he thought that Dean was really just full of shit and outright delirious if he believed Seth would believe him.

"Yes, you are a Healer, but those freaks out there are just so fucking strong. I just want you to be safe. So stay here, okay? Take care of the wounded here. I want you to be safe, Seth, but I don't know if I'll be able to protect you out there."

He almost regretted admitting it. It was just too big and sooo at the wrong time. To think Seth would even be able to believe him in the state he was in. It was his own fault though, Dean fucked up handsomely there.

Seth kept his defiant look. "I'm not weak! I don't want your protection!"

Dean felt something inside of him shatter into a million pieces hearing that.

Seth took his armour and left. Dean called after him but Roman stopped him from following with a big hand on his chest. "Let him go."

"But Roman-"

"I know, Dean." They shared a look and Dean lost.

"I just want to protect him, Roman... I've met a Night Dweller before. He's really safer here..."

"It's admirable, Dean. But we're in this together. And we're gonna need him. He knows how to protect himself too. He's a good Rune Bearer and a Hunter."

"I didn't mean for it to come to this..."

"He needs some cooling down, he'll understand." He put his hand on his shoulder. "I'm proud of you, brother."

For what? Making Seth pissed...? Making him... hate him...? He didn't want to see him like that... and now he has embarrassed himself by being all emotional and shit.

"What for...?"

"For being a protector. But now you need to focus."

Dean knew that. This would have to wait if they wanted to get through this alive. They were under attack.

"Go out and make yourself a picture of what's going on out there. I'll have a word with Seth. We need him out there and we need him in a good state of mind. He can't have his mind elsewhere."

"I really fucked up..." What if Seth really would be hurt because of him now? Because he put him in that state?

"Dwelling on it will get you killed. Pull yourself together or I don't want you on the battlefield. Got it?"

Dean nodded. He knew that all too well. He knew what was at stake.

"Same with Seth. If I can't him into a safe battle mode, I'll lock him up in a closet."

In a way, Dean kinda wanted that to happen... A much as he knew Seth's abilities would be needed.


The scene outside was worse than he expected, and he had expected a really grim one. The town plaza was in ruins and screams of terror surrounded them. Only shadows could be seen and just faintly. It was pitch black, an effect from the Night Dweller. Dean remembered the last encounter, the darkness and shades of the monster.

He looked up and saw something in the corner of his eye. The shadow just passed behind some buildings, destroying it in its path. Its silhouette was huge. As before, he couldn't make out what it looked like but he doubted it was the same as last time. This one seemed more shadowy and it was floating. Almost like a ghost.

"Ambrose! Reigns! Cesaro!" It was Triple H that called their names. He knew better than to be stalling and gathered together with the other Hunters. To his dismay he noticed there were a lot of Rune Bearers there too, and not just Hunters.

"We need to bring that bastard out of here", Triple H shouted out. "We got the support from the academy since we need Fire Magic to scare if off. The rest for you mages; Earth, Water and Wind, you focus on shielding both the people and Authority. Hunters, protect the civilians! You need to protect the Rune Bearers and help fend it off."

Dean wasn't cool with that, having to defend the mages. If... if it wasn't Seth. He shook his head, trying to get rid of those thoughts. Damnit, he needed to focus!

"Rollins, you stay at the Guild and Heal the wounded."

At the sound of the kid's name, Dean turned around. He noticed him in the back. Roman was with him. So big brother had been able to talk to him? He couldn't make out the state the kid was in either. He really he hoped he'd be okay. Otherwise it would be his fault.

The kid nodded towards their boss, but he didn't look too happy though.

"Juniors, you stay here and support the medics. Reigns, you're on medic duty. Everyone else, move out! Get that bastard out of here!"

There was a loud confirming collective shout as everyone headed off to their assigned tasks. Dean had a last look of Seth. He felt better knowing Roman was going to be with him, but he felt jealous as well. Roman went to talk to him and get him in a better state. A state caused by Dean. And yeah, got to stay with him. Roman could keep him safe but Dean wanted to be the one to-

Dean, focus for fuck's sake! He really didn't have time for this. He mentally slapped himself and it seemed to help some at least.

The mages went out there and did their thing, putting up shields to protect the town as well as keeping the invader from advancing. There were scared people everywhere and the Hunters did their best to protect them from danger.

Fire was cast at it, it seemed to hurt it, but it wasn't seriously injured. It just looked like it made it angry. The Fire lit up its form; its lower body was more of a shadowy mist and from that rose a spine and exposed ribcage. It had long freakish arms with not just one but two elbow joints on each limb. Being attacked made it flail, making it through the shields and crushing a nearby building. A couple of Hunters that were too close got hit by it, being sliced open by saber-like fingers. There was no way they could have survived that.

Dean could only stand there and stare. He'd seen people go down before but not being cut to shreds. Blood pooled under them and a sickening smell filled his nose, almost making him vomit. This was all too real. This Night Dweller was even worse than the one he had encountered before. He wasn't even able to attack since it was floating and the lower, accessible part of his body was just a smoke cloud.

The Fire kept hitting it, making it shriek. Another flail and he saw Barrett and Daniel being knocked into a building. They moved but just barely. Kane and Sheamus took care of them and hurried back towards the Guild.

Hunters were useless in this fight...

The Rune Bearers kept it at bay but for how long would they last? They would need Re-Sets and then they would be unstable and maybe Exhausted. What if...

He looked around. There were still plenty of Hunters left... And there were several Fire mages. Wyatt... that Orton dude and some other dude... maybe one he'd seen at the Trial. And then some other Earth, Water and Wind... Most could probably Re-Set themselves but it was risky for anyone.

His thoughts were interrupted by another flail and debris from another building flew everywhere. Cesaro got hit in the shoulder. Dean rushed towards him as the foreign hailed warrior fell to the ground holding his injury, defenceless when a part of a window pane fell on his lower body, the razor sharp edges piercing his skin. He could almost feel his fellow Hunter's pain as he cried out. Dean got to him, trying to calm him. Ziggler was nowhere to be seen. "Take it easy, I'll help you." He went for the glass buried into the leg but Cesaro's panting hindered him.

"No... no, let it be, just get me to the Guild."

Dean was doubtful, but he figured the bleeding might be even more severe if he removed the shards. If he just could get him to Seth as soon as possible... He helped the taller man to his feet as they stumbled as fast as they could to the safety of the courtyard.

He saw Seth do some Healing on Daniel as Sami hurried up to them to help support the wounded.

"What's happening out there?" Sami asked, fear very evident in his eyes.

"We can't do anything. Magic is the only thing biting on it, and even that seems to just anger it."

Sami got speechless at his reply. Couldn't blame him, it was a report of doom.

If he wanted to say anything, he didn't get the time to as they reached Seth. He looked up, seeing the state of the injured. "Mr Cesaro", he said, sounding shocked. He released his spell and left Daniel, leaving him unconscious on the ground.

"Help him first-" Cesaro started.

"He's stable enough, and you're bleeding", Seth said. "Sami, can you stay at Mr Bryan's side?"

"Of course."

Sami got to Daniel and Seth instructed them to put Cesaro in a lying position. He wanted to know what had happened. Dean tried to explain but he didn't seem all that interested in his explanation.

"I'm gonna remove the glass so I can Heal you, okay?" he said as he swiftly pulled the glass out. The bleeding was immense but he gathered his Magic over it, making it stop, and then having the wound close up completely. "How about your shoulder?"

"Hurts like hell", Cesaro panted. Dean could understand that; his angle didn't look quite natural.

Seth used his Magic to scan the injured area. "It's dislocated... And I... I'm not sure how to Heal that, since it's out of place. It's not just something I can patch up. And I don't know if I'm able to put it back in place manually." He looked so lost, scared even. Having found something that was out of his Healing Magic's range.

Dean felt bad for him. "I... I can..." he said. The other two turned to him, both surprised. Dean himself had a problem shoulder. It had been dislocated once during a mission so it was a weak spot and could happen even more easily again. But he had learned how to pop it back in himself. And he'd received help with it before too so he kinda knew the procedure. It wasn't the same as doing it to someone else but... he knew it could hurt pretty badly. He went up to Cesaro, making some kind of examination before grabbing his arm, checking if he was ready. With a nod he mimicked what had been done to himself before and actually managed to get it back in place, under some violent multi-lingual cursing.

Seth went on, doing some Healing or scanning the area again. "It... it seems to be where it should be..." he said hesitantly. "Some of the tissue and nerves around the joint is damaged, and it's outside of my ability... I think you'll need traditional treatment with that... I'm sorry..."

Cesaro just looked exhausted. "'s not as bad though... Thank you... both of you..." Seth still held his apologetic look as he finished up his Healing.

Dean just observed him. Seth really was needed there... Already, so many people needed his assistance. And he had been wanting him out of there. He had already known it but... shit...

"You're hurt or what?" Seth asked, disrupting Dean. He didn't sound too friendly.

"Uh... no..."

"Then I have others to attend to." He turned to take care of another Hunter.

Dean still felt a little down by that attitude even if he probably had it coming. He wanted to tell him he hadn't meant to hurt him before... repeat that it was just that he wanted him to be safe. It still wasn't the time. He knew that. Roman was right, they needed to focus, but Dean couldn't feel focused. He'd known Seth was important. But... fuck...

More people came back hurt, making Seth have even more to do. Dean finally realized why he couldn't focus. It was a feeling he hadn't had in a very long time. But all too familiar and unwelcome. He felt... useless. He couldn't do anything out there and he couldn't do anything in here. Everywhere, everyone took care of someone else, but Dean... he just was there.

The attack went on. Why wouldn't it be scared off, even though the Fire mages were out there hitting it over and over with their Magic? Fire was light. It should be scared. Maybe Night Dwellers didn't follow logic. They were demons, like raupnirs.

Dean looked towards Seth again. He seemed tired. How was his Magic levels? He'd been doing a lot of Healing. How close was he to another Exhaustion? That would be devastating. Even unstableness would be better than that, even if that was incredibly bad as well.

He carefully went closer. Seth was having a breather in between patients. "How are you...?" it took a moment before he even spoke. But he needed to at least try to check.

Seth barely looked at him. "Fine..."

"You seem tired."

He didn't reply. Dean was about to push on when there was a large crash and the screaming intensified.

"It's getting closer!" could be heard over the terrified yells. "It's heading towards the Guild!"

Seth got up, looking terrified. The shadow of the Night Dweller rolled in over the walls. They could see the Fire attacks but it didn't seem to be bothered. He stared at the enemy.

"It has a shield..." Seth breathed.

Dean could see that too when the kid said it. It looked like it was injured but it had changed forms; it used its defensive state to push forward.

"Everyone, switch to defence, hold your grounds!" Triple H ordered. "With its shields up you can't hurt it anyway! Keep all the shields up, don't let it pass through them!"

He already knew Night Dwellers were high ranked monsters and were as bad as everyone said. Still Dean had thought they were ready for such a mission. But now... seeing this type, what had he been thinking?

Dean couldn't do anything...