Whoo, another chapter.

Sweet Desire

Chapter 7

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

~~~~~

“How long do we have to wait! I want to get out of this piping hot hole of death!” Jin shouted.

“Will you quit being so loud….” Max glared, though he too wanted out. Max took a moment to glance over at Seto who was quietly reading a book, “What are you reading?”

“History on a being called Nol. It’s interesting book that describes the existence of someone or thing more powerful than the Gods.”

Max recognized the name almost instantly. It was the name of that being he met when he fell into the void for a second time, and it was thanks to that being he had possession over the Chronos Void.

“But to answer you No-Name, I imagine within an hour or so we’ll be out of here. There isn’t much time left so get ready,” Seto placed the book down and smiled, “We’ll be home soon enough.”

Jin grumbled, “I can just tell you my name…”

“I already know it, but hearing your name from me won’t lift your curse. You need to hear it from someone who has always known it--”

“And I told you that’s impossible, my existence has been erased entirely!” Jin stood up and glared daggers at Seto before storming out of the room leaving Max and Seto alone.

Seto frowned sadly, “Why don’t you speak to him Max?”

“And say what? He wants to kill me.”

“Because he believes you lied to him, but you didn’t, what you said to him only became a lie because his existence was erased. A side-effect of the void, but you can fix that.”

“How do you even know that, why do you keep butting in,” Max frowned, “I just want to move past all of this and forget all this happened. I just want to live a normal life,” Max stood up.

“That’s your choice, but I won’t be around to prevent his rage once you exit the nether. Will you let him remain filled with hate over something that was caused by magic or will you fix it with what you know?”

Seto’s gaze softened as Max’s fist tightened and he tensed before leaving.

Seto sighed, he too was tired. He was ready to go home, he had so much to say to everyone. Seto closed the book and glanced at the book he was reading, his fingers traced the title sadly before getting up to shelve the book. Six years is a long time, he knew many of the things that had happened in his absence, but nothing could compare to seeing them face to face.

Seto lifted his hands up to his face. In no way has he perfected anything, but in six years he can say for certain this much should be enough. Saving one person from fate meant damning another to a false fate.

Every use of magic came with a price, that much he learned the hard way.

~~~~~

“Adam, why did you want to stop here of all places? Mitch rests in the castle--”

“I know, but there is something else that must be done,” Adam carefully stepped out of the carriage and faced the small village of Aeston. Before the final battle Adam learned that Tyler, Red, Barney, and Ross had all relocated to this town which was nearest the gateway. This would be his chance to make amends with Tyler.

“What must be done?” Ian stepped out of the carriage.

“Follow me, we have to find Tyler and the others, I’ll explain once there.”

“Adam I don’t like it when you withhold information from me like this.”

Adam smiled, “I promise you this is important, trust me,” Adam glanced around the town. The town itself was quiet. He hardly saw anyone out.

Adam glanced around before walking through the town. He spotted a young shop owner wiping down the windows of their shop and called out to them, “Hello, ma’am, sorry to bother you.”

The woman turned to Adam and with a look of surprise she stopped cleaning the windows, “Prince Adam, I am honored you have asked me for assistance. What can I do for you?” The woman bowed.

“I'm looking for a man who recently moved into this town, his name is Tyler Brotato. Do you know where I may find him?”

“O-oh, yes. He lives northeast of here, towards the river, with his friends. They're morvics, please be careful Prince Adam,” she pointed in the general direction for him and Ian.

“Thank you Miss, so sorry for disturbing you,” Adam did a gracious bow before he and Ian left to go in the northeast direction.

Ian turned to Adam, “Why do you need to see Tyler. Is this about Seto?”

“Sort of.”

“Adam there is no sort of, it is either yes or no...why are you being so cryptic?” Ian sighed.

“Have you written that letter to your sister like I told you to?”

“N-no--don’t change the subject!”

Ignoring the last bit Adam replied, “I told you to. She'll be worried since she hasn't heard from you in awhile.”

“She's a grown woman, and I'm a grown man. We'll both be fine,” Ian glared underneath his glasses.

“After I've finished all my business in Duhita I think you should travel to Eflido and visit her. Speaking to her face to face will make up for the lost time.”

“Only if you behave yourself while I'm gone and get rest. Your injuries aren't going to heal themselves.”

Adam feigned hurt, “I'm not a child. I behave plenty!”

“Says the guy who still squeals when he gets wet from water.”

Adam raised a finger to that phrase but lowered it when he had nothing to counter, “Point proven… but I adult in plenty of other cases.”

Farther up the road Adam spotted a small two floor home. He figured by how isolated it was from the rest of the village this was the place he was looking for. He wasn't sure how Tyler would react to seeing him. He just hoped he could reason with him.

~~~~~

Max hated everything about the situation he was in. He never asked for a curse. He never asked to fall into the void. He never asked for Jin to be mad at him, none of it was his fault. If Jin wanted to be petty for something that was out of his control that was his problem, not his. Why should he feel obligated to fix any of this…

He just wanted to go home. He was tired of adventures and magic and fighting.

“You,” Max looked up and saw Jin waiting in the hall for him. Max narrowed his eyes and scowled.

“Leave me alone, get over your self-centered hate you prick,” Max hissed. Max clenched his fists at his side and pushed past Jin. Jin retaliated and gripped Max’s shoulders.

“Why do people remember you, why not me you liar.”

“Didn’t you hear the dumb wizard?” Max pulled away and jabbed his finger in Jin’s chest, “You’re cursed. It has nothing to do with me, just your dumb luck.”

Another thing Max hated was this nether, and he was ready to be rid of it. Despite all the lava, it was darker here than he liked. And he did not find the dark all that great and he was reminded of that every night.

Just like Nol had said, he had nightmares every night about the void as price for being the owner of the Chronos Void. In an hour when he could finally leave he hoped to cast the damn sword away. He only needed it to get back and save his friends, he didn’t need nor want it anymore.

Max was blown forward by an explosion caused by Jin as he punched the wall beside Max. Max’s hands scraped against the nether brick surface and he winced at the force of his landing. He spun around and saw Jin glaring down at him.

Max’s eyes flicked over to Jin’s raised hand that glowed a shimmering grey.

“You think I’m going to take that shit sitting down? I’m different from before, I’m stronger. I could kill you,” Jin hissed.

Max glared, he felt his sword in his hand.

“No you d--”

“Dammit, what the nether do you think you two are doing!” Max saw Seto storm outside the doorway to the small study, “Do you know who’s home this is? You don’t just go around exploding--”

“Shut up you, I’ll kill you, you caught me off guard last time, but not again,” Jin turned away from Max and fired at Seto. Seto ducked and Max moved back. He wanted nothing to do with this.

Jin rushed forward and readied another explosion from his hand.

“I’m warning you, stop this now,” Seto yelled, Max was taken aback by the volume of that shout as it was heard over Jin’s next explosion which narrowly missed Seto’s body.

“What can a guy like you do?”

Seto ducked below another explosion and placed his palm of Jin’s chest, “I warned you.”

Max ducked as Jin was blown back by some force emanating from Seto’s glowing purple hands. Jin cried out in shock at the loss of breath as his back slammed into the floor. Max’s mouth hung open in shock. He looked back to see Jin struggling to push himself up. He wheezed, “You…”

Seto walked past Max, “Do you really think just because you were granted power from the Wither that means anything? It’s an honor, sure, but you’re mistaken if that means you are strong,” Seto said as he stood over Jin.

“You’ve possessed this power for not even a month, whereas I have spent six years learning about magic and control. You would think in the house of a God I would find a book or two or some resources to aid me, and I did. I used everything I could find, you’re just an ametuer built on an ego.”

Jin spat at Seto’s feet and tried to get up. Seto pushed back with magic and forced Jin down. Max winced when he heard a crack overshadow all other noises before being interrupted by Jin screaming.

“And if there is one thing I learned, all magic has it’s price and bearing magic is no gift, but a curse in itself. Just being able to use magic means you are already paying a price for the rest of your life, whether you wished for it or not.”

Seto bent down and yanked up one of Jin’s wrists, Jin yelled out again in pain, “You’re so foolish to think the power you have is without price, it’s apparent in your hands that if you don’t tame that hate of yours you will be consumed by your own strength as you call it. Every time you use this gift the darkness that paints your hands will consume you bit by bit until you either die or are consumed by it entirely. Whichever comes first.” Seto threw down Jin’s hand.

Jin cradled his arm and Max realized it was the arm he heard snap. Max felt a twinge of guilt at the tears that pricked Jin’s face and the blood Jin drew from his own lip as he tried to hold back anymore painful outbursts.

“Whatever feud you have with Max can wait until we leave. Until then treat him and this home with respect. We are guests in the home of a God, and remember it was a God that gave you those powers.”

Jin weakly nodded. Seto fished for something in his cloak before tossing a bottle to Jin, “Drink this,” the bottle landed softly in Jin’s lap, “It’s a healing potion. In an hour or so your arm will be healed completely.”

Seto turned away, he frowned as he walked towards Max but said nothing. He only shook his head before disappearing back into that small study and slamming the door shut.

Max glanced back at Jin who gulped the potion down slowly. Jin sat there in silence even after he finished the potion, he just continued to cradle his arm. Max stood up and reluctantly walked towards Jin.

“H-hey,” Jin glared and Max flinched. Jin’s gaze softened into guilt and he turned away. Max held out his hand, “You should rest…”

Jin looked back slowly and was surprised by the hand in his face.

“Just take it…” Max said. Jin reluctantly took Max’s hand and Max helped pull Jin up.

They separated and Max just nodded before turning away. Jin faltered but muttered a quiet “Thanks…” It was barely audible over Max’s footsteps.

~~~~~

I'm not sure if I'll get a GO chapter out this week, but have this SD chapter instead.

Theories?

Your souls are safe this time :)