Ahhhhh, it's officially been 90 since starting this account. And it's my fifteenth doc which seems like a fairly lucky number! I'm sorta proud of myself too.
I hope you guys enjoy this chapter then! We finally meet Samael. Next up is the Twilight Cathedral, which I'll be writing while binge watching Bones. It's too rainy outside to do much else.
WARNING for a lil bit of violence and mention of blood.
"Treasure." You trill, motioning vaguely to the left.
War sends you a weak glare before doing as requested anyway, while you wonder towards the glassy... Demonic stuff that can be blown up after receiving the Crossblade. Then you can access the subway bit and make your way to the Griever's lair, where you can hopefully get some gloves and War will receive his Mercy replica.
There's just so much to do, you think dismally. Your lips curling back in annoyance, you heave a sigh.
War jumps down next to you before you can sink any lower in your anxiety, his eyebrows raised curiously.
"I..." You can't find the words to explain. You finally just settle on, "Samael is that way. And so's a bigger demon, but you can take 'em."
He nods and walks on ahead. You follow behind with a frown, beginning to dig your nails into the engravings of your halberd. I need Strife. You mentally demand, fully aware it's impossible. You can practically hear him teasing, Now who's the clingy one?
"You've killed many of my warriors." The big boss demon says.
Wait, what?
You blink back into the present at the sound of that growly demon language, glancing between War's stone cold expression and the overly cocky demon. You're much more concerned with the fact you understood him though.
"I've yet to find a warrior among you." War replies cooly. You very carefully move closer to the edge of the battle field while he does so, happy to note the demon doesn't seem to even register your presence.
"Do you know what's imprisoned here? There are things even you should fear, Horseman." The demon goes on, pointing with his axe. "Once you were strong. But now... You are WEAK and you are alone."
Arguable, you add to yourself.
"The Destroyer knows of your coming. Even now, he moves his legions against you." This demon is really starting to get on your nerves.
War seems pretty unaffected though. "Then I will make this quick." He's just a chilly as ever. You remain near the sidelines as he moves in, waiting.
"Destroy him!" The General yells. You're hardly surprised when four of those blue demons crawl out of the ground. War also seems less than impressed.
You take this as your cue to help out, and nearly bisect one of them before they have the time to realize there's two of you. You yank your weapon back with a disgusted scowl. "Gross... War, I think I can handle these." You tell him, pointedly taking a jab at the nearest one. "Please, kill the big guy."
You make sure to word it as a request rather than an order, both because War wouldn't take kindly to orders and also because you don't really feel its your place to be giving them. Yes, the Council made it abundantly clear than you outrank both Shadow and War as far as they're concerned, but that just seems... Wrong.
You're also putting into consideration the future, in which War will be a free Horseman. You do not want to end up with ChaosEater through your chest.
You do have to factor in the others though. War is probably marginally fonder of you now that he knows of your relationships with his siblings. You doubt it's enough to keep you alive if you start trying to play power games like Shadow does though, so being friendly is really in your best interest.
And... Maybe he'll be friendly in return. You think, smiling cheerfully. You make sure to keep your mouth closed though. You really don't wanna figure out what demon blood tastes like.
You mentally begin planning out your "how to befriend War" list while you continue to keep the little ones off War. The demon General seems awfully annoyed when you quickly glance their way, but he's going to be dead in a few minutes anyway. You turn your attention back to the lesser demons, making a wide arch with the halberd to force them farther back. You can only kill one of them at a time after all.
It doesn't take too long, but you're nonetheless extremely thankful when you hear the distinct sound of War finishing the General off. God, can you die any louder? You roll your eyes.
War helps you kill the last of the blue demons, flashing a small smirk when he sees your irritated and blood splattered face. "Did they not prepare you for the mess?" He asks.
"They're so fucking gross." You respond, shuddering dramatically. "And the snarling is like... Ugh."
For a split second you think he's going to smile, only for Shadow to seep out of the gauntlet. It glides over the nearest Gargoyle contraption, calling, "Over here!"
"Oh, yeah," You glance at the others, noticing that one of them is in fact already on. You must've missed that.
"Only one hideous blood puking gargoyle? The plumbing must be clogged up." Shadow continues, motioning for War to get on it.
You turn your gaze away, trying to find an area to stand where you won't get your shoes completely soaked with blood. Having your first outfit now stained is more than enough for today.
You give a pleased hum when War pulls the last gargoyle into place and the rivers of deep red blood flow harmlessly by your feet.
This is completely shot when War forcefully yanks you closer by the back of your shirt. "Hey!" You snarl, the sound all but covered by the horribly loud groaning of the first seal of Samael's prison being broken.
You shield your eyes when fire shoots up, cursing Samael's flair for dramatics. Honestly, do you have to make such a cool entrance? No. The answer is no.
"War! Come to play executioner?" He bellows, rising out of the ground. He has a very graceful and quiet landing though, so you have no reason to complain. War would've made a crater. "They should've sent all four of you."
"I have no interest in killing you, Samael." War responds.
"Yeah, we're out for the Destroyer." You add on helpfully. Samael's eyes flicker down to you with interest, and once again you realize he literally did not notice you until you did something.
Am I wearing some anti-demon cloaking device or something? What the hell? You want to ask.
"The Destroyer? He is out of your reach, out of mine, and certainly out of this... Thing's." he says, bending down a bit to get a better look at you.
Rude.
"Has prison made you a coward?" War asks, instantly drawing the heat off you. Both literally and figuratively. You hide behind his arm when Samael breathes fire right in his face. War remains impassive, while you nervously shift from foot to foot and latch onto War's arm. The lukewarm metal is comforting under your palms.
"...Perhaps there is a way." Samael finally says, after he's done throwing his little hissy fit. "But you will need to get into the Destroyer's Spire. The tower is guarded by four of his Chosen-"
You hold up a hand, stopping him with the iciest tone you can muster, "How about you don't lie to our faces, yeah? Because I realize War's been more or less dead for the last hundred years, so you think you can pull the wool over our eyes, but fortunately I'm here!"
Samael pauses, glaring down at you. "Do you wish for death, human? You believe yourself important enough to throw such accusations?"
Nice try.
"I don't fear death. And... Admittedly, yes. Now, tell me, Samael, are you going to continue your attempt at manipulating War to fit your agenda, or can we make a deal?" Your lips curl into a perfectly crafted self-satisfied smirk.
"What do you know?" Samael growls, leaning down to look you in the eyes. You hear the clink of War grabbing the hilt of ChaosEater, but he doesn't quite draw it. The action itself is comforting though.
"That the Chosen are keeping your power levels on lock and you need War. The question is really what you can do in return." You reply fearlessly. Or at the very least, fearless sounding.
Samael's eyes narrow, his teeth bared threateningly. "And what does a human need?" He spits 'human' as if the very word offends him.
You hold up two fingers, pretending that your fingers aren't shaking. "One, entrance to Black Throne. Two, I want your word you will not actively try to kill of any of the Horseman after you get superpower'ed again. Your servants too. The Horseman are off limits."
You're completely aware he's probably not going to actually keep the promise. You do, however, know striking a deal and acting generally unafraid will either make Samael respect you or want your head. Or both. Both is also pretty good, in your opinion.
You're still pretty new to this whole manipulation thing though.
Samael falls silent (you count eight heartbeats), staring you down. "And why do you seek to protect them?"
You shrug carelessly, "Just stacking the odds in my favor."
"You have nerve, human." He states, looking almost amused.
"(Y/N)." You say. "And I usually call our Watcher Shadow, in case you were wondering."
"I wasn't." He hmphs, glancing to War and back at you. "We have a deal, (Y/N). Under normal circumstances I would offer a blood oath, but your kind are notoriously weak."
Ugh, why does everyone have to pull the human card? Your lips pull into a scowl before you catch yourself. "Doesn't matter. Verbal contracts are legally binding and all that." You try to play it off with a wave. You're not sure it worked, considering you're cowering behind War's arm and all, but hey.
"Where will we find these Chosen then?"
We. War just called us we. You press your lips together to keep from smiling. He didn't put any particular emphasis on the word, but you consider it a good sign. In game you remember him saying "I" despite being with Shadow.
"Can't your friend tell you that?" Samael replies. You're too busy being a lovesick fool to really notice. We.
"First, seek the Twilight Cathedral, where the bat queen Tiamat has gone to roost. The whole of her domain is a blistered inferno. By land, you will never reach it." Samael waves a hand and black energy wraps itself around War. Your chain reacts instantly, sending you tumbling backwards with a wave of white hot protective energy.
"Ouch." You hiss. Rubbing at your now sore shoulder, you decide you don't want to stand up quite yet.
If the demon notices your fall, he doesn't make it known. "Take this and seek the high ground... And bring me back her still beating heart." Samael then disappears back into what you assume is just the lower area of his prison.
War bats his shadowy wings once, testing them out before he moves to yank you off the ground. "Your chain rejects demonic energy." He says, only pausing a moment when you press your forehead to his pauldron. Which you definitely don't do because it reminds you of Strife. Of course not.
"Can I rest before we try to kill Tiamat?" You ask, your voice dropping into a tired murmur. With Samael gone you're quickly running out of adrenaline, and the fighting you did earlier is taking its tole. "Vulgrim has a shop nearby."
He makes an annoyed noise but agrees. "We should not loiter. There's plenty of abandoned buildings nearby."
"Thank you." You say, sending him a smile.
He tilts his head in your direction but doesn't respond vocally.
You follow War around the area until he finds a building that's up to his standards and 'easily defendable'. He stands in front of the door while you wearily change, eat a small meal, set up your bed, and finally collapse.
You wake up violently, reaching out for your halberd. You know it won't help chase away the nightmares, but you're horribly aware that Strife isn't here and you need him, dammit. You're too cold and overheating at the same time, the chain weighing heavy on your waist.
"Advisor." War says.
You glance at him wildly. "War."
He pauses, taking a few steps closer. "...nightmares?"
He stops moving when your eyes flood with tears. "I... Can we just kill Tiamat?" You think better of spilling your guts. Maybe later. Or when Shadow isn't around. Which is to say when it's dead.
War nods and waits for you to scrounge up your resources and shove them into your backpack. When you look back up Shadow is looming over you. You regrettably flinch, and it makes a pleased noise. Almost like a hum, although you're not sure how it would make such a sound. Or any sound for that matter. It doesn't have a mouth.
"Had a good nap, advisor?" It asks, reaching out to fix your hair.
You go rigid but don't stop it. There has to be some reason it's come out of the gauntlet. You're waiting for the second shoe to drop. "...Not particularly." You answer slowly.
"Miss your bedmate?"
And there it is. You narrow your eyes, a million and three snappy comebacks poised on your tongue. Unfortunately all that comes out is, "Why are you so salty? Like, pick up some new insults."
Behind the two of you War snorts.
Shadow narrows its eyes, "I am not salty. Simply concerned your... Heart isn't in the right place. Remember your loyalty to the Council."
"Loyalty." You repeat mockingly. "As if that's what you care about. You just want to take a cheap shot at my completely fucking chaste relationship with Strife. Why, I still have yet to figure out."
You're losing your temper at this point, nearly screaming. You purposely keep your hands away from your halberd though. You aren't that rash.
"(Y/N), do not allow it under your skin." War tells you.
"Ugh." You huff, grabbing your weapon and getting to your feet. You shove past the Watcher. "You're right. We've got demons to kill."
War smirks.
"Touchy." Shadow hmphs, seeping back into War's gauntlet.
You ignore it and continue, "We should probably talk to Vulgrim again before trying to take on Tiamat. Then we can come back here later."
"Are you sure it is not because you want to see if Death has responded?" He asks, allowing you to lead the way.
"That is also a factor. It's a shame I haven't figured out how to communicate with Fury and Strife though. They've both missed you, ya know." You hum. "In their own way at least."
War seems interested, so you continue, "Strife was always talking about you. I think you're his favorite, after me of course. He's still horrible at expressing affection though. Besides being super clingy."
"Clingy?" War repeats incredulously.
"Yeah—" You stop to take out a few demons. "What were we talking about?"
Pausing, War resets ChaosEater on his back, "Strife."
"Oh. Yes!" You smile and chatter on about his siblings until you reach Vulgrim's shop. And here you thought it would be awkward traveling with War. You even get him to almost smile at one point, the slight tilt of his lips making you stop. Cute.
"Ahh, welcome back!" Vulgrim says when you enter his little shop. "Come to look over my wares?"
You smile lightly and unzip your backpack. "Maaaybe. Guess what I've brought?" You hold out the artifact.
The demon makes a pleased purr as he takes it, "Death is ahead of you, I'm afraid. Nonetheless, I thank you." He presses a light grey, neatly folded note in your palm.
"Nice." You respond. You pointedly nod for War to continue shopping before unfolding it. You want to make sure that Death is cool with Shadow reading your shoulder via-War.
Of course, you think, seeing the ornate script. You're not sure if it's his actual handwriting or he's trying to get a rise out of you. Either is viable.
Hello, (Y/N). I have already begun collecting the pages, and expect you to 'convince' War to do the same. I assume you've met with your "symbiotic partner"? You're allowed to tell me who it is now, are you not? Hopefully no one too horrible.
Don't die, Dust will receive your pets after this mess is over.
Tell War I say hello. There is another letter on the back of this, farther down the page. Do not allow the Watcher to read our correspondence.
Your lips tilt into a smile. His speech translates so... awkwardly onto print. You flip the page over, seeing a shorter letter meant for War. You quickly flip it back over. It feels too personal for you to read it.
You carefully fold it at the end of your letter and rip it. Tucking your note into your back-pocket, you call, "War, big bro sent you a message too."
War snaps to attention, although he plays it off fairly well. "A moment, advisor."
You nod and tuck War's piece into your front pocket. Settling onto the floor, you then take out your notebook and pen.
Awesome. I really appreciate it! Also if you want to skip this next line you can, but War is so cute. The cutest.
But that's not important! We did meet with our friendly neighborhood demon. Samael and I have already gotten into a fairly tense argument too. I think he was trying to intimidate me into letting him pull the wool over War's eyes, but screw that.
Real talk I was fucking terrified. I stood my ground though! And War protected me. He let me cling to his arm like a freakin koala. He was really sweet about it. Which, by the way, is absolutely horrible. I don't deserve this Death. He's cute and vicious and Strife is sooo gonna win our bet.
You probably don't care about that though and I think War is almost done trying to haggle with Vulgrim. We're going to kill Tiamat first.
Please stay safe.
You fold your letter back up and hand it to Vulgrim. "If you do read it, don't... Mention it."
"Of course not!" He assures you.
"So what've you been up to? Made any other friends?" You ask comradely.
Vulgrim leans closer and grins, "There is a-"
"What did Death have to say?" War interrupts.
You roll your eyes. I'm trying to gossip. "Yeah, yeah." You say, pulling out the letter. "Here. I'm keeping my half. If you wanna write a reply I've got more paper."
War plucks the letter from you and scans over it.
"I didn't read it by the way." You tell him, smiling awkwardly at Vulgrim. He snickers.
"It will not be necessary to respond." He says slowly. You only flinch a little bit when he proceeds to tear the note into tiny pieces.
I wanted to read that. "War!" You hiss, "That's not very nice."
He has the gall to smirk at you.