The passage back through the tunnels was silent, the Shapeshifter lost to her own thoughts and the large Hellhound back on their trail, leading them back down the path that had led them to that cavern. Were it not for the urgency in their pace and the rumbling behind them, one would think the two had not in fact witnessed the destruction of the second Seal of Armageddon. Fortunately, whatever load the second seal had been bearing in the cavern only seemed to extend as far as the immediately adjacent tunnels. It was not long before the only signs of collapse was the occasional echo of crashing stone.

Fenn could not help but retrace through the events leading up to it in his mind. He had watched the battle between Hell’s recruiter and the interlopers with only passing interest, making notes of fighting styles and potential threats to himself out of habit – it was another harsh truth that the large demon could not remember the last time he had met another being without silently contemplating the best manner of ending their lives – but the encounter in an of itself was a sore sight. 

He had come to believe not a single one of all the individuals involved in the initial skirmish had been seeking to destroy the seal. Even before considering the reasons why it would make sense for humans, demons, half-demons, and other parties would want to protect the seal, there was was simple fact Fenn had observed throughout the confrontation. All of their attention had been focused on each other, rather than the cairn behind them. And so the conflict came from foolhardy pride on the side of the Demon King’s aide, and bumbling ignorance from the interlopers. Two sides of the same coin, both wishing for the same thing, yet both snarling at each other across the empty expanse.

It would have been entertaining had it not been so profoundly stupid.

The enemy had said as much when he finally showed himself. The seal had been destroyed, but now they had a target. Not that Fenn knew who the snake was, nor where he had come from. Concealment of some kind was a likely explanation. He had made his way into the room, perhaps during the fight, perhaps before all of them, if he lacked the means of destroying the seal by himself, and then waited. The half-demon’s weapon had given him his opportunity. Something powerful enough to cut-off that wellspring of power with a lazy slash.

But then the enemy had disappeared, leaving them with no trail to follow. 

Though perhaps that was not strictly true. [i]“It feels so, sooo good to get some power back..."[/i] the snake’s words echoed in his head, something his sharp ears had picked even from the other side of the cavern. 

There was an implication there, about power once possessed, but then lost. This idea was key, Fenn decided. An old player returned, seeking to reassert his presence? But who fit that profile, and how would knowing that help them reach him?

They passed through Buer’s room on their way out, but neither did the scholar open his eyes in response to their presence, nor did Lily acknowledge his existence, simply walking past the demon and through the torn wall as though it were simply another hallway. Fenn hesitated ever so slightly before following. The scholar was an option. Even bound as he was, he seemed to know more than anyone else involved in these matters. Even if he could not direct them towards the snake, he may be able to offer some insight as to the location of the next seal. 

Fenn grimaced under the low light of his flames. Part of him found the idea of relying on the chimera repellent. They had already refused Buer his freedom once, and going back on that decision simply because the situation had changed stung at his pride. However, if the two of them were to protect the seals, a plan of action was needed.

He had come fully prepared to sacrifice this seal for the purpose of identifying the assailant, but he had expected more to come out of it. Or perhaps he had not.

Slow laughter escaped him.

This finally brought Lily out from her reverie. She wheeled around. “What’s so funny?”

“I was contemplating,” Fenn said as he came to a halt, “that never before have I been so pleased by failure.”

“Shut up,” she nearly hissed, settling for a very dissatisfied grumble instead. Her face looked more like a dark and stormy sky, ready to send down forks of lightning at whatever displeased it, or, in this case, her. “If you knew who that was, you wouldn’t be happy. I can’t tell you his name, but he was there two thousand years ago. And he’s the third most powerful Demon I know of. He’s leagues above either of us.” 

Fenn’s sneer grew. Confirmation. She must not know him as well as she boasted, for the news made him [i]very[/i] happy indeed. “Do you falter in the face of your enemy, Imp?”

“Falter?” She huffed, mock offended. “Hardly. I stood up against the brat Mundus, refused to follow in his steps. And Mundus is still more powerful than this one… He still should not be here, however.” She grimaced, arms crossing. 

“I imagine. I hazard if you were to encounter him, you would find him far more within reach than you may expect.” 

“He didn’t seem as powerful as he should, that much is true,” Lily replied, her grimace turning into a grim smile. “That being said, I have no intentions of giving up. There are yet five seals to go, and, despite everything, the humans have taught me something.” At this point she all but grinned, meeting Fenn’s eyes. Fenn recognised the defiant glint, having seen it before on several occasions. It was the look of someone who had set a goal, and refused to give up. “They taught me persistence. No matter the odds they never give up, nor do I have anything intentions of doing so. The seals will remain. So I have decided.” She turned on her heel, continuing down the tunnels, a swagger in her steps that had not been there before, betraying her steadily improving mood. 

The dog rolled his eyes, following. “There is nothing inherently human about intransigence and pride, Imp.”

“You say that, yet I have never seen a demon stand up to someone or something so much more powerful than themselves, that they may have very well been a human in terms of power. You, of all puppies, should know that. Or have you forgotten that human you fought earlier? Hopelessly outmatched and yet he refused to simply run away.” She glanced at him out the corner of her eye. “Surely that counts as a level of defiance known only to humans? Most demons I know are cowards, or reckless and unaware of danger like Hideous.” 

“A case in favor of foolishness.” An idiocy that would not stand in most of the underworld. All who espoused it were dead, and for good reason. Fenn had buried many such foes himself. And how could he not remember? Most had been kin. 

He snarled. It seemed that the lighter Lily’s mood turned, the darker his own became. “I would know of your plans, Imp.” 

“Getting on your nerves is always such a simple task,” the demoness idly commented, then grew more serious. “As of right now, I have few plans. The closest to one would be to find the third seal through whatever means, and do what we can to protect it.” A look of revelation, almost as if she had an epiphany, appeared, a thoughtful look following. “Which means that we’d probably be best off allying with the humans of Gilgamesh or the Order of the Sword. I assume you’ve heard of them?” 

He shrugged. All humans looked alike to him. He was not particularly interested in the powers of this world. That said, the shortcoming that finally brought low Hell’s recruiter was an inability or unwillingness to differentiate friend from foe. If they were going to put success before pride, expediency would take the reins by necessity. 

“I will follow the trails,” he said, moving past her. “We may still reach those that gathered around the second seal.”

Lily offered a nod. “Lead the way.”