Book 3: Chapter 53
A/N: All chapters from now on will be <1500 words if I can help it. I know yall like long chapters, but the word count needs to be consolidated. But that just means cheaper chapters, so good times all around lol.
Gulteer
Time was stopped *just* for me….
He interfered with this world, actively being in it… and his true presence was felt. He did not hide with a candle… The Horned One’s mood was now under question… It is *very* rare that he does things out of alignment…
Rarer still that he comes being well over 15 feet tall… Larger than normal…. Something he does when he’s completely pissed off.
Coming to Urth, and being the King of Hell Above meant someone has angered him today… Half the room was pitch black, and only his eyes could be seen by anyone else.
And now whoever it was left him with *me* to deal with!
I know one of his grandchildren committed an act of wrath…. But what has him a vagabond is that he broke his oath. For that, the Night Father allows his hounding, but if he were mine, he’d have been pardoned instantly.
Who are we to judge a demigod? If they didn’t want to die, they shouldn’t have been in the way. Had they kneeled on hands and knees from his anger, they would still breathe. That is how we Dark Witches see it.
They may do as they please, to who they please, but oaths must be kept. I could bet my broom I was right, but I didn’t say anything. His scowl as he heard my thoughts was *enough* to leave well enough *alone*….
He felt so hostile, but at least he only sat there, looking down on me.
I wouldn’t ask. That is not my place to question someone as high anyway… I bowed though. I groveled remembering his hand around my throat… I didn’t want to be part of whatever it was that roused the ire of the Void….
“Do I displease you?” I bowed. “Forgive me if I overstep master.”
“Actually, the opposite. You are, in fact, my second favorite. My first favorite is a seed of yours.” He smiled. “I came up here because I’ve never felt many feelings off that black heart of yours. Except for Today….. What happened?”
“I assure you, I’m still just as-” He silenced me as I do my children.
“Not what I asked.” The Horned One said resting his knuckles on his cheek.
“The little ones.” I admitted truthfully. “They find so many ways to bring you praise, without so much death… but more importantly, the young master’s rulings make it easier to fade away into this world’s background…. I have become irrelevant.”
“You are many things Gulteer, but none I make are irrelevant.” The Horned One sounded almost hurt that I would feel this way…
“…But it’s so hard trying not to feel obsolete when the rules change, and you can’t play this world’s games…. That I am a rusted sword in a sheathe….” I said unable to look him in the eyes, but he forces you to speak your truths… It cannot be helped.
“I know I made Heidi and Tiffany too sweet, but some sweetness is needed in molasses.” He said with a soft, understanding smile. “You feel conflicted showing compassion to your food… And my son does Lia a great favor, my mightiest warrior.”
I was motioned to kneel before his throne, and he pet my head… He likes petting us.
I wonder does he see us as cats? He chuckled.
“I do, though now I suppose you’re a housecat now instead of the mighty lion I made.”
“It is strange keeping my hands off this world master. I too see mortals like that one as pets.” I looked at my clawed hands… He made me strong enough to break their bones with my fingers, yet now I’m about to be as delicate as I can…
“I know… But there are too many on this world who hold value to me. Plus, my mate would be pissed if I destroyed this solar system, except her of course.” He said leaning back far enough to stare at the ceiling. “I’m going to need you to calm down little one. There is no trouble.”
Such a passive glare gave me a chill… His mood reminded me of the day-
“Don’t Ruin the Vibe little one by beating a Dead Horse.” He warned, summoning a glass of red Tarteron Bourbon. “It is not often that there’s something so sinisterly satisfying, as the ending of an *entire* enemy’s line.”
“….‘Don’t ruin the vibe’…Really master?” I asked with a raised brow. I was more surprised he’d picked up *more* mortal slang.
“I heard Tiffany say it!” He complained.
Time was restarted, and the human screamed at our change of location, and the master’s true size… Well, the height he likes the most. I forgot how big he *actually* is, but I could fit under his boot.
“What are your orders your majesty?” Asked the patriarch of the Jekels. I didn’t bother remembering his name.
The other witches, even though they see him often, still hesitated to come near, or say anything. They showed respect as they should, but he didn’t come here formally. His casual posture told me that he wanted snacks and me to get on with it, rather than coming as a god.
The Horned One today was just a tourist.
“Get the master refreshments from the cafeteria. You think this will take two hours?” I asked while the priest ‘freaked out’ in Heidi’s words. We both let him be; nothing I say would console a human who saw his *greatest* fear.
I bet he thought he was going to hell or something with how dark the master made half the room. The master is here to *watch* but telling him that right now won’t do anything. I doubt he’ll listen.
“I don’t fucking know, but hurry up so we can go to Rarbie’s. I heard they had the meats.” He said that as a joke, and it threw me off guard.
“Master… who told you that?” I had a good guess, but there was no way it was-
“You’re right.” We both chuckled.
His eldest enjoys fun and games…. But purposefully poking at the Horned One is a great way to get flayed.
“Let’s get started.” I took his blood and waisted time with tests. I’d smell if he were sick; any beast would tell… But he won’t be for long... I suspect since he likely displeases his master… that illness may befall him if he doesn’t outright die.
That my master is here, but not at *least* a representative for his… It means he’s likely abandoned. The Night Father doesn’t adopt strays…. He’ll have to come to the Horned One to be added, and I know no human in their right mind would do that.
Me and the master spent time together while we waited for results we already knew…. It was pleasant. He was given goat sausage, a favorite usage of the leftover sacrificed meat. Nothing goes to waste. He hummed as he sat on his throne, and I put the mortal under.
Parez was out so fast he didn’t even do the counting to 10. I don’t know if that was interference or not.
“You should take his appendix while you’re at it.” Said the Horned One. “You’re on my land.” He said to nothing.
“This world is my wife. Stop putting your *lame* ass mark on my beloved!” grumbled the Lord of Light stiffly. “Wait…. Why is my last Hellsong *still* here? Why is he on a damn Operation Table?!”
“He asked to be here. So either pull up a chair, or leave my children alone.” He said this casually… The others in the room hadn’t seen an interaction like this before, but I have.
Countless times.
Even during the war, they still had to work together to keep things moving.
They dance around each other like koi swimming in a circle. They are the push and pull, the Ebb and flow…. But the Void King warned Arviel just now. This land is marked by the Horned One. What we do is under his direct protection.
The Lord of Light summoned a throne. Seeing them at opposite ends of the room was a little surreal. Just as Tyson and Rodrick split the room with their light, so too did they. Arviel’s side was too bright, and the only thing you could see on the master’s side was red eyes.
“Proceed then. But do not take this one’s life.” Arviel said *clearly* pissed…. “He’ll live… but it won’t be pleasant.”
“Don’t be *too* mad at him. He tries to actually do your tenets.” Said the Horned One.
“I know.” Arviel huffed. “It doesn’t make this any less annoying. Fucking all that time *waisted*.”
“You had fun. Time was not waisted.” Said the Horned One. “But if any of you little shits try this, I’ll personally yank your balls off myself.” He hissed.
We all bowed, even those without them.
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