Sean paced the circle he had drawn. Famine had been away for a while since his experiment with the rat was a success. Sean hated to admit it, but he missed his company. Someone. Anyone other than Anti. Anti paced along the wall of the cell, humming a haunting tune with a smug expression. Sean's breaths were jagged, and his vision kept fuzzing over. Rubbing his eyes to clear them, he grumbled out. "Something is happening to me... I can feel it." Anti walked up beside him, casually teasing out. "Can you feel it? The icy hand of death trailing its fingers up your back?" Sean stopped pacing to growl out. "Shut up." Anti raised his arms out, chuckling out. "Go ahead. Deny it. You can't keep me out forever. Soon you'll slip up... and the beast will have its day." Sean shook his head watching Anti reach out to touch his face. Sean flinched from his eerily warm touch. Anti smiled and cupped his face, whispering to him. "Stop fighting. Don't you want out? Let me in and I'll free us."

Sean shook his head, weakly whispering back. "I can't... I don't trust you." Anti inched closer, bringing his lips closer to his as he purred out to him. "How do you know you won't like the feeling if you don't try it? You can't keep up those defenses. You are getting tired. Eventually, I will get in. Let me take your pain, Sean. You need to rest. Switch with me. It's painless." Sean clenched his jaw as Anti brushed his lips over his lightly. Sean backed up and Anti surprised him by shoving him against the wall. Holding him there, Anti thumbs stroked the sides of his jaw as he purred over his lips lovingly. "You need me. You wanna see Mark again? Let me in. Stop shutting me out an embrace the monster." Sean put a hand to Anti's chest, pleading out. "Stop... I don't know what you are... But I'm not letting you in." Anti kissed Sean's forehead, whispering eerily calm. "You won't have a choice soon. You can mentally block me out... but I'm in your blood. And I'm spreading to every corner of your brain. You can go down easy. Or I'll take you down painfully."

Sean tilted his head back against the wall, lowering his hand from Anti's chest as he said sternly. "Fuck you." Anti slowly backed up, his eyes glowing a bright green as he told him seriously. "You are weak. I'm stronger. I'll outlast you." Anti rippled away and Sean only got to relax for a second, before footsteps came down the stairs. He first heard Famine snap out darkly. "Death, no! I need to do more tests! You can't predict what he'll do!" Death gestured for War to open the cell, retorting back carelessly. "You have had your fun with him. Now I wanna test him out for myself." Famine shook his head, saying sternly. "You could fuck this up! Everything we have worked for!" Death pointed a stern finger at Famine, snapping out. "I let you play with him. Now it's time to see what he can really do." Famine shook his head, growling out. "Death, if you push him. He could get worse! I think if we take things slow, we could have something-" Death waved him off, entering the cell with War.

Sean kept himself against the wall, watching War move to the chain to unhook him from the wall. Death walked up in front of him, telling him with a haunting smile from under his large black hood. "Time to go, Pet." Death raised a skull mask to put over his face, turning to walk away. War tugged on the chain, yanking Sean away from the wall to walk him out like a dog on a leash. They led him up the steps and into the cold night. All around the barn, their follows looked at him with fascination. Death's followers even tried to touch him as he was walking past them. In front of the barn doors, Death announced to his followers. "Tonight, we see what our new priest is capable of. He has received my blessing. Let's see if he is worthy of it!" Sean glared at Death, until War tugged him into the barn. Followers flooded into the stands, while Conquest, Death, and Famine made their way up to the thrones. War led him into the arena, turning to tell him with a wicked grin. "Try not to die." War dropped the chain and made his way to the thrones.

Sean glanced around the barn as the lights over the arena dimmed. War had his Warlords standing around the arena. He had no way to run out without running into their best fighters. Standing in the center, he tried to stay calm. Death clamped his hands and a Death Stalker threw a glass urn into the arena. The urn shattered, sending up puffs of grey ash into the air over the soft sandy floor. Sean blinked a little confused. What was it? After a minute, the air swirled and began to form into an ashen human with bright firey red eyes. Sean took a step back. The Ashen form moved like a ghost. It's body streaking with smoky ash. All around the arena, the guards lifted plastic shields. The Ashen creature glanced around the arena, its eyes falling on Sean within seconds. Sean had never seen this thing before. What the hell was it? Beside him, Anti screamed into his ear. "RUN!" Sean turned and ran toward the arena gate. Just before he reached it, the Ashen creature ghosted in front of him with its long arms raised high, its fingers growing out to longer points. Sean slid to a sudden stop, slipping on the sand and landing on his ass.

The creature made only soft crackling sounds that that of a wood fire. Otherwise, it was silent. The creature lunged at hand at Sean, causing Sean to hop back across the ground and spread his legs as the long fingers impaled deep into the sand. Sean yelped as the five fingers impaled spots inches from the sides of his legs! Scooting back, Sean rolled to his knees to run. Sean didn't get far, when a ghostly hand snatched his ankle and yanked him off the ground. Hitting the sand, Sean screamed as the creature pulled him back slowly. It hadn't even moved. This thing could extend its arms! The creature raised its other hand, getting ready to try impaling him again once he was close enough. Sean desperately tried to grab at the loose sand, screaming in fear. Anti appeared from thin air, running up to him to slid across the side as he yelled out. "TAG ME IN!" Afraid to die, Sean reached for Anti's arm. The second he grabbed his wrist, he felt him get yanked from his body! It happened so fast that he barely realized he had switched places with Anti. It was the scariest out of body experience he had ever had.

He could see his sickly-looking body; his eyes had gone completely black. Anti had full control over his body. Anti stopped screaming and panicking. While being dragged back, Anti snatched the chain around his neck and as he rolled onto his back, he swung the chain like a whip to lash at the creature's throat. The chain misted through the ashen body, causing the ashen creature to fall apart. Anti then acrobatically flipped back up onto his knees, flicking the long chain out at the ready with a wicked grin. The creature reformed and Anti slowly rose up to his feet, his black eyes never leaving the ashen creature. The creature reformed, extending his arms again menacing to show off its long fingers with a silent roar. Anti didn't flinch or move. Sean hugged himself watching the creature attack by slashing at him. Flawlessly, Anti jumped and ducked through the creature's fingers like a spry athlete. Landing to a knee after, Anti lashed the chain out again to remove one arm then the other.

The arms turned to ash, but the creature didn't completely turn to ash this time. Anti grinned devilishly at that fact, uttering out darkly. "Got you." Rushing to the creature, Anti shoved his hand into the creature's ashen chest to remove a heart made of pure ash. The heartbeat in Anti's hand, causing the creature sink to its knees at Anti's feet. When Anti didn't crush the heart, Sean inched closer to ask Anti softly. "What are you waiting for?" Anti offered the heart back, replying in a discreet tone. "Just watch." The creature reformed its arms, hesitantly reaching for the heart. Anti curled his fingers tighter around it, telling the creature in a cold voice. "You can't see them with those thermal eyes of yours... But I can. I'll be your eyes. Go. KILL THEM!" The creature turned to smoke, and Sean watched in horror as people in the stands began to scream. Blood sprayed the along the side of the arena as Warlords and Death Stalkers were cut down without warning. Anti slowly turned to watch the bloodshed with a satisfied look.

Sean looked to the Horsemen though and without thinking told Anti in a rush. "ANTI! Look out!" Conquest had drawn his bow and let loose an arrow that Anti caught without even looking. Snapping the arrow in his hand, Anti looked to the stage and stated aloud. "You're next." Famine caught Anti off guard by shoot a dart from his wrist. Anti dropped the arrow but couldn't grab the dart in time. The dart hit the ash heart, causing it to burst and vanish with the creature that it belonged too. Anti slowly turned to face the horsemen, his body tensing. Sean couldn't breathe. Anti was going to fight them?! Death rose up from his throne, beckoning the others to relax and take a seat. Anti tilted his head, chuckling out. "You think you can take me? You must be crazy." Death slowly made his way down from the stage and into the arena, telling him coolly. "You forget who I am, Sean. I am the master of death. I don't fear death... I own it." Sean got a bad feeling and told Anti desperately. "Anti, switch back! NOW!" Anti ignored him, his black eyes now locked on Death with a challenging grin.

Anti moved toward Death who stood his ground without a trace of fear on his face. Sean ran up to Anti, uselessly grabbing Anti's arm as he screamed out. "ANTI STOP! You don't know what he can do!" Anti didn't even slow down. Death waited until he was close, before raising a calm hand toward Anti. From Death's hand an invisible force pulsed out filling the air with a high-pitched ringing sound. Sean glanced around, noticing that no one else appeared to hear it... but he did. Anti covered his ears, letting out loud yells as the ringing grew loud enough to make Anti's nose, ears, and eyes bleed. Falling to his knees, Anti whined out loudly. "STOP IT!" Death moved closer, the noise growing louder as he told him. "Calm yourself. Obey." Anti shook his head, bowing low to the sand to try and hide from the noise. Sean rushed to Anti's side, pleading to him. "Anti, tag me in! Or you'll kill us both! Please!" Anti gasped in pain, moving a hand from his ear stiffly. Sean took it, letting Anti switch them back. Sean fell to the sand on his side, crying out in pain. The effect was so much stronger in a physical body.

In felt like his very core was vibrating itself apart. After a minute, Death lowered his hand and the noise stopped. The pressure lifted from his body, allowing him to breathe normally. Death kneeled beside him, laying his hand on his shoulder. Sean flinched at his touch; his ears deafened from the noise. Death brushed Sean's hair from his eyes, telling the others happily. "What do you think, War? Think he can lead the hoard to the Colony?" War sheathed his sword, answering with a grin. "As long as you can control him. It should be a breeze. It will almost be no fun." Conquest shuffled his feet, giving Famine a nervous look. Famine was stone faced, but even Sean could sense the worry coming from him. They had turned him into a powerful weapon... but for what purpose? As scared as he was for his future, he had to thank Anti... Not only had he saved his life. He had shown him something important. He wasn't just a cure... There was a good chance that he could control them.

Back at the colony, Amy sat up off of Mark's chest. Stroking his cheek, she purred out to him lovingly. "You have nothing to fear. I'll take care of you." Mark shook his head, trying to muffle out desperately for her to take out the sash. He needed to tell her to get those EpiPens back. The collar around his neck zapped him repeatedly, until his neck burned. Amy stroked his chest, trying to sooth him as she calmly told him. "Easy. Calm down. I know you won't like this change at first... but it's better for all of us. You'll see. We don't have to hoard supplies here." Mark groaned in frustration, shaking his head with pleading eyes. Amy kissed his forehead when a knock came at the door. Amy sat up, happily hoping off the bed as she excitedly told him. "That must be Spencer. Madame said she'd send him to help." Amy jogged to the door, discreetly opening it. Mark jerked up as much as he could, letting out a muffled yell in the hopes of calling for some decent help. The man pushed past Amy, stepping inside as he gruffly asked Amy. "How is he?" Amy quickly closed the door, saying honestly. "Scared... I've tried to calm him down but he's not happy."

Mark gawked at this young guy. He couldn't believe that any guy would be willing to go along with this crazy shit... Until he saw something attached to the man's ankle. The man wore a white shirt with a black vest and tie under his long white lab coat. His short light brown hair had streaks of bright blonde highlights that really made his brown eyes seem almost gold in the lighting. He looked similar to Kenny but only slightly. While Kenny had more lean muscle... This guy was just lean. Spencer sat on the edge of the bed, setting down a black bag before shinnying a small light in Mark's eyes. After what felt like a quick health exam, Spencer told Amy. "You're going to want to keep him sedated for a while. I'll set up a drip for him. It will keep him calm until we can get one of the bunker houses ready for you both." Spencer started to prepare a needle and Mark muffled out questions that Spencer ignored. Spencer wiped down a vein on Mark's retrained arm, telling Amy and he injected Mark with a clear liquid. "If my brother or my sister asks about him. Tell them that my mother put him to work in the lab. That will buy us a few days to keep them from snooping around."

Amy crossed her arms, asking curiously. "Why doesn't your mother trust your siblings? Surely, Kenny suspects-?" Spencer huffed dryly, monitoring Mark as he struggled to fight off the relaxing drug. Glancing at her, Spencer finally said coolly. "Kenny is a soldier. He does what he's told. He doesn't need to know more than that. Lewis and Wyatt... they'll learn soon enough. Mother has arranged good matches for them. And Mari... She's young. And Mother doesn't know where she stands yet. So, just keep your mouth shut." Amy nodded, glancing at her watch as she told him reluctantly. "Shit. I'm due back at the lab. Will you be able to set him up?" Spencer waved her off and she thanked him. Mark struggled to keep his eyes open. His body wanted to sleep, but his survival instinct was fighting it as hard as it could. Spencer removed something from his bag, before uncuffing Mark's ankles. Mark tried to kick him, but his leg barely rose off the bed. Spencer stripped Mark's pants off, politely telling him now that Amy was gone. "I expected more from a Warlord... I have to say... I'm a little disappointed."

Mark forced himself to sit up a bit. Spencer knew he was a Warlord? How? Tossing his pants and shoes away, Spencer pulled the weird item closer to strap around Mark's hips. Mark tried to tense his legs, while Spencer regaled casually. "I really thought my little brother trained you better then that. Then again, Wyatt was always... unfeeling. You know... It's probably a good thing that he didn't kill Mari when he had the chance. After meeting you... Mother thinks she finally knows how to make Mari happy." Mark groined as Spencer put his cock into some kind of tube and synched the harness up. Strapping a bag to Mark's inner thigh, Spencer told him. "If you've got to piss. Just go. Amy will be working for a bit tonight and you need to rest up." Attaching something to Mark's ankle, Spencer cuffed Mark's ankles back to the bed and tossed a blanket over his lower half. Winking at Mark, Spencer leaned over him to whisper coolly. "Don't worry... You won't have to deal with Amy for long. Mother never intended to mate you with her. She's more interested in OUR family's survival."

Spencer collected his stuff, before making his way out and locking the door with his own key. Mark turned his head, feeling himself drift. He was losing the fight against the drug. While his eyes fought to stay open, he thought he saw the window slowly open. Trying to focus, he was fairly sure he was hallucinating Mari creeping into the room. Mari rushed to his side, tapping his face as he began to fall into darkness. Her voice echoing in his ears as he drifted off. "Mark? Mark...! Can you hear me...? Wake up...!" To Be Continued...