Gonna be honest... I wasn't actually expecting to ever write another chapter of this. Even though I've already started to release the plans for Chapter 15-30 of this book I hope you still appreciate it. 

Chapter 16 will be out later today. Its already finished I just dont wanna overload you guys with a bunch of updates.

~~~~~

Sweet Desire

Chapter 15

"We're all in the same game; just different levels. Dealing with the same hell; just different Devils."

~~~~~

Seto leaned back against the chest and flicked through the pages of his notebook. He wondered if he could ask Max more question about his meeting with Nol, the information would be valuable in the near future. He was close to piecing together a better understand of who or what Nol really was. It was something he desired to know, it could help him understand the theory he'd been formulating for the last 2 and a half years in the Nether. But his resources were limited even with the library of books he had read through.

Seto paused for a moment, "Yes?" When no answer came Seto closed his notebook and packed it neatly away in his bag. He tried again, "Yes, I know you are there, I can hear you."

Jin emerged from the shadows, "Oh Jin, it's just you, is there something you and your friends need?" Seto nodded towards the area behind Jin, and shortly after Red, Barney, Ross, and Max emerged. Jin rubbed the back of his neck and frowned.

"Actually, they convinced me to come...apologize. Apologize for the ass I was towards you," Jin looked down at his feet.

"It's fine, you were angry, and had a lot of magical influence over you, which you had no idea how to control, I can't blame you for those feelings."

"Yeah, well...still. I shouldn't have been so rash, and I should've thought more about my actions before letting all this power to my head."

Seto sat up, his eyes softened in Jin's direction. He knew how he felt, magic could feel like a thrill the moment one is able to muster even the tiniest bit of success. Yet it just as quickly grows out of control.

"If you'd like, I can teach you a thing or two about control. I'll give you a place to stay in Keuta--you and your friends are welcome. At least until you are able to control your powers a bit better, then I can help you all return home to Eflido. I know it's an abrupt offer, but from one candidate to another, I understand how you feel," Seto smiled.

"Actually, I was going to ask if you could teach me, so of course I'll accept," Jin let out a relieved sigh.

"Yes! And we'lls be coming toos!" Barney cheered in support.

Seto chuckled. Seto noticed Max being quiet and distant, "Do you all mind if I have a word with Max in private?" His friends nodded and quietly left the two of them alone.

Max watched his friends take the stairs to the deck leaving him and Seto below deck. Max was still apprehensive around Seto, unlike his friends who have been around the many people that knew Seto, Max knew nothing about this guy.

Truth be told he wasn't quick to trust him, considering his unsettling timing and appearance when he and Jin were battling and the cruel way he dealt with Jin in the nether. Not to mention the uncanny information this man possessed, to Max, Seto was a freakish person impossible to read.

"You wanted to talk?" Max was careful with his words and kept his distance.

"You don't have to be so wary around me, we're quite alike you know, I just want to talk to you as like minded individuals."

Max didn't buy it, "You really going to help Jin? Even after what you did to him and what he tried to do to you?" Max changed the subject.

Seto pointed to his cheek, "You see these marks?" no response, "These are known as curse marks, a sorcerer gains these if they lose control over their magic. These marks appear initially as warnings of out of control magic, but if a sorcerer continues to lose control the markings become more severe either sealing the sorcerer's magic or killing them.

"The markings on your friend's hand are very similar, though they aren't representative of out of control magic, they can rapidly grow and engulf a person if they are unable to control their abilities. This is how the magic granted by the Wither works, Jin, like I once was, struggles with control. He needs to learn, and I simply want to give him the tools to master that control."

"So what do you need from me? I'm sure there is more to why you want to talk to me."

Seto smiled, "I want to use your abilities, I need your help to work towards a country of peace, but don't worry, I don't need you to do anything drastic. I'm a sorcerer, and this is a commonly known fact. You can time travel, I mainly wish to ask for your assistance as a bodyguard, but I do have other smaller tasks I want your help in."

"A bodyguard? Really? What do you gain from this, why should I help you, you're...you're too unreadable. I don't like you--" Max spat the last part out." He truly found this man too strange. With the abilities he displayed in the Nether he doubted he needed him to protect him.

Max was tense as he waited for Seto's response but he was taken aback by Seto's carefree laughter, "Sorry, sorry...I don't mean to laugh, but I'm just glad you're not too trusting, it's not a bad trait to have in a world like this. It just means you're careful, but I know you are kind and you care for your friends. I tell you one more thing about the world I want to create, I think you find a reason within to help me."

Max waited for Seto to continue, Seto stood up, a voice rang out in Max's head and he was stunned as the words flowed within. He was overwhelmed for a moment but soon every detail fell into place.

"Well?" Seto said after a moment of silence.

"I..." Max didn't know what to say. Was something like this really possible? Was it right? Max thought back to his own life, the lost years in the void, and all the pain he's been through.

Max still didn't trust Seto, but if something like this was possible then...Max nodded. Something like this could really work.

~~~~~

Max left Seto a few minutes ago and Seto was left alone below deck. He let out a sigh of relief, it was a gamble to let Max know about some of his plans. Truth be told, there were limits to what he could see, especially concerning Max. With his ability to traverse time, any fate concerning him was often obscure, but he was glad he had someone reliable like him helping him.

Seto looked out to the light that beamed through the opening into the lower deck. The sun was still high but the sea was calm. He was sure he could do it, he was sure that he would not turn back. But even he had doubts.

~~~~~

It was early evening, the sun was nearing the horizon, but the sky was still bright. Ty was asleep across from him as the carriage continued down the city roads, Adam was surprised about how calm he was. Even the butterflies in his stomach didn't faze him as they all made their way nearer to the castle.

Adam took a moment to look at the place he called home. It's been 4 years since he properly had a good look at it. There was plenty of destruction, but the people in the streets didn't look brokenhearted. Adam smiled. He was home.

The carriage slowed in front of the castle gates and waited for the gates to open.

"Adam."

"Yeah Ian?"

"I hope you're sure about what you want to do."

Adam leaned out of the window, "Of course, let's go find my brother."

The gates opened and Adam pulled himself back into the carriage as it started to enter the castle grounds.

~~~~~

After the carriage stopped Adam woke Ty up and Ian dismounted from the carriage. Adam saw his brother waiting for him outside as he stepped down onto the ground. Ian and Ty left, with Ian leading Ty to where he'd be staying. As for Adam he joined up with Jordan.

"I'm glad you're home safe."

"I'm glad to be home."

"How is Seto?" the two of them walked down the hall slowly.

"He's great actually! Better than I thought he would be. You'd be amazed with the stories he had to tell--you should ask him about the time he got chased by a horde of scary pig monster and then he had to escape by swimming across as sea of lava--which I didn't know was possible but I guess with a potion Seto made it was--Oh," crap, Adam realized he got carried away, "I guess I just spoiled the entire story..."

Jordan chuckled, "Don't worry, the way you sound makes it seem like Seto has plenty of stories to tell. I'm just glad the boy is safe, is he heading home?"

"Yeah," Adam smiled, "He's planning to help reestablish Keuta's independency and temporarily govern Keuta until his younger cousin feels ready to lead the kingdom."

"That's great to hear, it sounds like Seto's matured over the past four years."

"Actually, it's been 6 for Seto, though I don't really know how he managed to keep track of time in the Nether, he said that time works a little faster in the Nether."

Jordan stopped, "6?" Adam nodded, Jordan brushed a hand through his hair and sighed, "I wish we rescued him sooner. 6 years is a long time to spend alone, I do hope he's readjusting well and doesn't plan to overwork himself now that he's back."

Adam too wished they were able to help Seto sooner. He wished that Hero had appeared in front of him sooner, or given him a way to save Seto sooner. Even with Seto's brave face, he was sure that even he must have been scared.

"Jordan."

"Hmm?"

"I've decided to become king. I thought about it while I was away, and I know I was trying to push it off, I was hoping that you would change your mind, but I think I'm ready now." Adam couldn't see Jordan who was a few steps behind him. But he continued to look ahead.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

Adam felt a firm hand rest on his shoulder and he looked to his left to see his brother beside him, "Then this older brother of yours will support you the whole way."

Adam smiled. He truly was home.

Adam suddenly felt lightheaded and he stumbled forward.

"Adam?!" Adam stumbled but remained standing, he found himself suddenly blinded by a bright light--no the light was engulfing Jordan. Almost like it was eating him. He couldn't call out and found himself falling backwards into the wall.

"Adam! Adam! Are you alright!?"

Jordan reached out to Adam but Adam held up his hand to stop him. The light began to fade and he could see Jordan again. He sucked in a breath, swayed, then regained his balance as he pushed off from the wall, "Y-yeah, I'm fine, nothing to worry about." What the nether was that vision. Why did everything go bright all of a sudden, was this supposed to be another one of those cursed visions Hero mentioned?"

Jordan frowned and lightly smacked Adam's head. Adam was brought back to reality, "Alright you, enough loitering, you're going back to bed."

"Wh-but--" It seemed that he was the only one to see the bright light. Jordan didn't seem like he witnessed anything strange other than Adam nearly falling over.

"No buts, I'm still not happy about that stunt you pulled but I'll let it slide since you've come back in one piece. You even have an air about you where you seem much more sure about yourself--however, I will not have you pass out here. You're going to bed and we'll talk more in the morning about your coronation and other details."

"Ok, ok, I get it. You don't have to nag," Adam chuckled, "Jezz mom."

Jordan smacked him over the head once more, "I'm being serious you know."

"Heh heh, so am I, mom," Adam ignored Jordan's frown and pulled Adam down the hall towards his room. Adam stopped smiling, he really hoped it was just some sort of obscured reflection of light in his eyes coupled with his exhaustion and injuries and that he was overthinking things. He couldn't begin to comprehend what a vision like that could mean if it was related to death.

~~~~~

I struggled with this chapter on and off for 2 years and I never thought I'd see it done....Chapter 16 is complete, I just could never post it cuz chapter 15 was never complete. 

So I guess expect another chapter

NOTE, please don't take these updates as a sign of me continuing this book. This doesn't mean I won't continue it, I just don't want you guys getting your hopes up for something that may be short-lived. 

I think the main reason I'm suddenly inspired to write this is the fact I hit 1k followers and the fact I've been planning a rewrite of Falling to Rise. (I may reveal more about the rewrite at a later date)

~CATtheDrawer