Withdrawal (Rei no Kaado)

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Abel was alone.

He was sitting hunched on top of the bed with his legs pulled up close to his chest. His arms were wrapped around his legs, and he was staring off at an empty space on the wall. There was an empty box of graham crackers next to him. He'd eaten them all in a bit of depression. Felt a little stupid about it now, but it was too late for that.

It was his own stupid fault again. He had lost it on Seth. Again. And this time it wasn't even a stupid full moon. He'd just been so stressed that he'd lost it on a waning moon. He had better control of his emotions then that.

And yet he'd still lost it like that. Because Cain had neglected to inform him about magatsuhi and said that he'd have to kill more humans to get it now. He pulled his legs closer to his body at that thought.

And he'd lost it on Seth because, once again, Seth had been sticking close to him when all he wanted to do was be alone to think.

But you didn't need to hit him.

Seth wouldn't have left him alone if he hadn't done so. His brother had been all but a growth to him since he'd nearly lost all of his humanity over Seth supposedly being killed by Cain. Abel knew Keiichi had taken a huge hit that day. Even now, the level of Keiichi wasn't to the same extent that it had been before then. The amount of his pre-Bel self that had shown that day they had come here had been astoudning, considering what had happened the full moon a month and a half before that.

Abel looked up as he heard a knock at the hotel room door. "It's open, Atsuro."

Atsuro pulled the door open as Abel released his legs and sat normally on the bed. Atsuro's eyes moved to the empty box on the bed.

"Geez, Abel, what did you do, eat them all at once?" Atsuro asked. He handed a bag to Abel. "Here."

"Thanks," Abel said. He opened up the box and pulled open the plastic bag the graham crackers on the inside were in. He pulled out one cracker, and then let the hand holding it drop. "...I did something stupid today, Atsuro."

Atsuro refocused his attention on Abel after dropping the box into the wastebin holding their burnable trash. "Yeah?"

"...Do you remember that lady we told you about, the one who took care of me and Cain while we were out from Apathy Syndrome?" Abel asked. Atsuro nodded. "I went out to her shop and killed her today. But that's not the stupid thing I did. I got mad at... you know what? Forget I said anything... Seth will just tell you when he gets back. You can go now."

Atsuro looked concerned. "That was order, Atsuro," Abel said. "Don't make me repeat myself."

Atsuro turned to leave. "K1... you can still talk to me about--"

"Don't call me that," Abel said. "Go, Atsuro. I've had a bad day. Don't make it worse."

Atsuro bowed his head and stepped out of the hotel room, and Abel sighed. He felt worse than shit. He really wished he could lay down and go to sleep, but he didn't feel tired enough to do that.

[mugenginga]

Kaido had been spending the day in his hotel room. He'd taken a shower about half an hour after Atsuro had left. The nerdlinger was gonna get laid into when he got back for using the hot water. He'd given him plenty of time to get out... not that Kaido had room to talk. The temperature in the water had been dropping by the time he'd gotten out, and it hadn't been slow. Man, he'd forgotten what a shower was like.

Heavy footsteps had sounded in the hall about an hour ago. It sounded like someone had been dragging their feet. The man had opened his COMP and been startled that the person it was reading was Abel. A door had slammed moments later and Kaido had left the apartment. He wasn't stupid enough to approach Abel at the time, so he'd gone out. He'd get it out of Cain... if not Cain, asking enough would get Seth to talk. The King's twin was a bit of a pushover, after all.

Now he was checking his COMP again. It said Seth and Cain were nearby. Apparently the General had mapped the entire Island when the group had been here before. During the three or so months they'd been in the Demon Realm, the function to track had been installed on all the COMPs. An order from Abel after Atsuro had almost gotten himself killed, apparently. He realized he'd run into the group when he turned the next corner and sped up.

When he came around, his intention had been to speak to the General and Prince in a less than polite manner. He was glaring when he turned the corner. It continued for a few moments, until he realized that Seth's shirt had a slice in it and his arm had caked blood. He had stopped and paused. Cain had returned his glare, but he had been saying something to Seth. Kaido finally found his word again.

"Holy shit Abel's gonna freak. What happened!?"

"He'll freak less if you get to the Hotel and delay Nyarlathotep," Cain ordered.

"Why should that matter? Not like you-" Kaido paused and saw the dark glare in Cain's face, "Oh fuck, you're screwed."

Cain glared and suddenly Kaido found himself pinned against the side of a building, "Do you not think I'm aware of that!?"

"Cain!" Seth said, ignoring the throbbing pain in his arm. Cain was having anger management issues today.

Cain snarled before dropping Kaido. He'd lifted the man up a bit, so Kaido got a rough landing. His hand had been on his dagger as well. He scowled and looked away. He really was having issues today. He knew part of it, not that he would have admitted it in his conscious mind. It was guilt. Damn it, since what life had he been so sentimental? He looked at Kaido again with a dark stare and pointed towards the Hotel.

"Go. You probably won't catch him but take an order and try!"

Kaido stared Cain in the face for a few moments. Cain was off his game today. He was showing more emotion than usual and doing a piss poor job at holding himself back. After a few tense moments where Seth thought he was going to have to do something again, Kaido let out a characteristic "tch" noise.

"Fine. Make sure you get him cleaned up before you get back. You'll be in enough trouble as it is."

"I don't need to be told that by you." Cain said.

Kaido would have no chance to catch Nyarlathotep. Cain had realized this, at least mostly, but he'd wanted to get Kaido out of his face. It wasn't just an issue that torture was a possibility with how Abel had been today. He could have taken that, he had a tense enough relationship with Abel it would change nothing. It was that it was possible Abel would stop listening to him. For all his demonic nature, Abel wasn't used to battlefields where he'd have to kill humans.

Even if God turned away human allies, which he doubted, there would be those that thought they could help even if they weren't wanted. Civilians thinking they were something more, who would have to be killed for those mistakes. If Abel didn't listen to him, it was more than possible he wouldn't have the tactical advantage they needed. As much as the demons used the full moon against Abel, the angels would use the new moons against K1. He could just hear the preaching in his head now, and his scowl deepened.

----------

Nyarlathotep would be coming up the stairs just as Atsuro was leaving Abel's room. He paused and gave a flat look to Atsuro. Few demons could pull off expressionless as well as those without a face. He flew past Atsuro, and if the teen wanted to try and stop him now would be his only chance.

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Atsuro turned as he saw Nyarlathotep come up the stairs. Okay, there was one thing he could agree with that Souji guy about. Nyarlathotep was damn creepy. He stared at the demon's emotionless face for a moment before it flew past him. He blinked at how much of a hurry it was in.

"Hey, what's the rush?" Atsuro asked. Last time he checked, Nyarlathotep was supposed to be watching Souji. And the demon had reported back fairly recently today. So why was it reporting back so quickly? The only reason Atsuro could think about was that something fairly major had happened.

-----------------

Abel looked up as he sensed the approach of a demon. Nyarlathotep? But he'd just spoken to the demon fairly recently too. Something must have happened.

[mugenginga]

Nyarlathotep stopped. In truth, the demon was startled the Captain was addressing him. The teenager kept to himself more than the rest of the group. It was perhaps only a bit more than Seth had done before the event a month and a half past, but either way it made it odd to be addressed. Nyarlathotep his head towards Atsuro, a disturbing factor by itself due to how the demon's general construct worked.

"News about Souji and His Majesty's siblings," Nyarlathotep stated with an eerie calm.

The demon lifted one of its "hands" and curled it up into a ball. It was something like a fist. Again, the demon was humanoid, but by no means human-like. Bipedal, but considering the damn thing flew rather than walked, that was in debate as well. Nyarlathotep tapped on the door twice. Abel would have sensed his presence, it was only a matter of presentation that he knock. It was before Abel could question the calm and creepy response to his question.

Kaido came out of the alleys. He hadn't been running, but he'd been moving fast. He wasn't even breathing hard, but the man had kept in good shape before the whole Lockdown mess had happened. Let alone afterwards. He saw the hotel and speedwalked towards it. He doubted he'd beaten Nyarlathotep there, and he didn't relish the idea of arriving at the rooms just as Abel reacted to the news.

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Atsuro stood still for a moment. News about Souji and Abel's siblings... wait, about his siblings?! Something must have happened with Seth and Cain, which was pretty obvious from how Abel was alone in his room, but Nyarlathotep seemed almost amused with what he was going to report about. That eerie calm way he responded to his question.

"Wait, what's going on?!" Atsuro asked just as Abel opened the door. The king glared at Nyarlathotep.

"...What are you doing back so soon?" Abel asked. "Make it quick, I'm not in a good mood."

[mugenginga]

Nyarlathotep regarded Cain for a second. He wasn't stupid enough to do it for any longer. The King of Bel seemed to be in as sour of a mood as he claimed. Well, he didn't run around lying about that. Nyarlathotep nodded. If he thought it would have done any good, he would have flapped back. Well, it was not the worst situation if Abel killed him. He had enough interest in the situation this single piece could be destroyed, but it would be annoying.

"As you commanded, I have been keeping an eye on the god and his avatar. There was a situation in the back alleys involving the avatar, the General and Prince, and a spirit residing in an artifact not unlike the Pharaoh once was controlling the white haired boy called Bakura," Nyarlathotep began.

He was taking his time with the announcement. Abel wouldn't be reacting well either way, so he might as well draw it out. Also, the way he'd lead into it meant Abel would likely not kill him until he got the information. However, Atsuro would key right into the description of Bakura. It would be another challenge to the canon he knew. Atem had made it clear he knew his past, but the events of regaining his memories meant Dark Bakura should be destroyed. Then again, Atem had his own body as well, so... but even more, if it was Dark Bakura, Atsuro would be more than aware of what the spirit was capable of.

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Abel crossed his arms and allowed Nyarlathotep to speak. Atsuro appeared to be panicking. About what, Abel had no idea. At the very least, his heart's rhythm had escalated. Though it was likely related to whatever Nyarlathotep was talking about. Abel was aware that Atsuro had likely been speaking to Nyarlathotep before the demon knocked at his door.

He raised an eyebrow. A situation? That didn't bode well in the least. Especially considering Souji and whatever was inhabiting Bakura's body was involved.

"Stop with the formalities and get to the point, Nyarlathotep," Abel growled.

Atsuro went over what Nyarlathotep said in his head. He said that there was a spirit in the Ring. But Dark Bakura was supposed to be gone, right? Then again, if Atem was still alive and in a separate body from Yuugi...

[mugenginga]

Abel had reached growling. Well, Nyarlathotep had planned on going into the details. He sensed Atsuro's panic. It made sense, the demon had mentioned Cain and Seth. Atsuro was having the proper reaction, despite not knowing the news. Nyarlathotep decided to follow the order directly and skipped any further explanation.

"Seth was injured thanks to Cain," Nyarlathotep said.

It wasn't a taunt. It wasn't amused, or worried. It was flat, and more flat than the demon was known for speaking. He did move back a bit this time. If Abel wanted to leave, he didn't intend on being in the way. Footsteps could be heard on the stairs. Nyarlathotep glanced towards them. It was actually Kaido, and he'd probably come out of the stairwell just in time for Abel's reaction...

[Firebreath Fishslap]

There was a few moments of silence. Whatever life had been in Abel's lifeless eyes faded as he stepped forward, closing the distance between himself and Nyarlathotep. And then he moved rather quickly and slammed Nyarlathotep into a wall.

"Don't worry. I'm not going to kill the messenger," Abel spoke in the demonic tongue. He was still standing where he had been previously. He wasn't exploding with anger. Instead he was speaking calmly. He turned toward Atsuro, who realized that Abel was big time pissed. What had happened that day?

"Abel, it was probably an accident, I mean, he did say that Souji was involved, and--"

Atsuro didn't have a chance to finish that, because at that moment he found himself knocked to the ground. He hadn't even seen Abel move. But he did see Abel standing on top of him now. And one of his feet was on one of Atsuro's arms. Was, because at that moment, Abel stomped down, and there was a loud snap. Atsuro let out a yell.

"Learn your place," Abel growled. He looked down at Atsuro, who had learned enough of the demonic tongue to be able to understand what Abel had just said by now. "Oh, stop whining. It will heal." He stepped off of Atsuro, who wasn't moving from where he was. It felt like a couple cracked ribs, and one broken arm. Same damn one as before, too.

Abel calmly walked toward the stairs, still wearing that blank expression. He hardly acknowledged Kaido's presence, other than a small glance toward him. Inconsequential. All that was important was Cain. He wasn't going to kill his brother. No, Abel had come up with something much more worse. Something Cain had once again neglected to mention to him.

[mugenginga]

Nyarlathotep hadn't been. Worried, that is. There was almost a lack of surprise as his wings hit the wall, only to be pressed down by his back. Had his body been constructed in a more natural manner, both wings would have probably snapped. The demon had not doubt the action would have been taken either way. As it was, he was able to react with his own demonic speed to allow the muscles to twist in an unnatural looking way.

The demon said nothing as Abel informed him he wasn't going to die. Nyarlathotep was not a stupid demon by any means. There were days when it seemed he knew how far Abel could be pushed more than Abel himself did. He merely let Abel hold him there, waiting for whatever the King had planned. In truth, he'd expected a reaction like this. Of course, then Atsuro decided it was his turn to play the stupid card. Nyarlathotep's focus went to Atsuro as Abel rushed him with that speed no human could manage.

That was about the point Kaido turned the corner. He stopped as Atsuro hit the ground. He even had his COMP raised, thinking an attack was happening when Abel stopped moving and Kaido could get a fix on him. He was quick to lower the device and said nothing. In fact, his only reaction was to take a step to the side in case Abel wanted to move past him. He'd said it earlier, but Cain really was fucked. Because he hadn't meant it as death.

Nyarlathotep only moved enough to remove the pressure on his wings. Kaido winced as Abel stomped down on Atsuro's arm. Oh, he'd heard that crack. Someone five doors down would have heard that crack. The COMPs had not reacted well to the dimension hop, but Cain had adjusted it some so that their more powerful demons had remained. The COMPs were only a matter of storage these days, anyhow. The bottom line was they could fuse a demon with healing skills if they didn't have one on them. Seth was the one with Ameterasu these days, though.

Kaido watched Abel pass. He said nothing as he was looked at with those lifeless eyes. His pulse was only a bit faster than usual. It was far closer to normal than Atsuro's was, in any case, as a result of the differing levels of fear. He waited for Abel to get off the stairs before walking over to Atsuro. Nyarlathotep twisted his wings in a way that wasn't natural and glanced down at Atsuro.

"I suppose I should thank you for that," Nyarlathotep smirked.

Kaido had crouched down and was looking at the injuries. He offered his hand to Atsuro's good arm. There were some definite cracked ribs, and it would hurt like hell to get up, but it wasn't a good idea for him to just lay there in the hall. Same damn arm, he wasn't sure if Abel had aimed that way on purpose or not. Still, Abel was right. Atsuro would heal, and it wouldn't take long with the demons.

"You got what you wanted," Kaido glared at Nyarlathotep, "Get the hell outta our faces."

Nyarlathotep adjusted the muscles in his face to give the impression of a raised eyebrow, "Oh, so you've run into the General and his youngest brother?"

The demon did seem pleased with himself. Cain's fate was up in the air for how Abel had been acting recently. All told, the man might be lucky to end up dead. The group didn't know how quickly Cain was reincarnated, yet another one of those important details Cai always left out, but they knew he'd have the memories of every life before then. So it wasn't outside possible for Abel to kill him. Then again... it was unlikely the man would get off that easy. Abel hadn't seemed to care about Atsuro's thoughts that it was an accident...

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Atsuro looked up at Kaido, and winced a bit. His ribs may have been "merely" cracked, but that didn't mean that he didn't hurt like hell. He took Kaido's hand and allowed him to pull him up. The broken arm hung limp at Atsuro's side once he was standing. They could get a demon to heal it, but it would still be rather sore.

He glared at Nyarlathotep as well. The demon seemed rather pleased with itself. Dammit, it had been going for that kind of reaction. That thing had been an even bigger pain since Cain had released it from its contract, but it had grown to new levels since they came to the island.

"Don't you have better things to do?" Atsuro growled.

-----------------

Abel would be exiting the lobby just as Seth and Cain reached the hotel doors. His eyes moved to Seth's arm. It had been cleaned up, but that didn't change the fact that there was a large slash in his sleeve and arm. His eyes then moved to Cain's, and the King stared his general in the eye.

"You did this," Abel stated, still rather eerily calm compared to some of his previous rage modes. Cain wouldn't have a chance to guard himself before Abel rushed him once again and pressed him up against a car in the parking lot.

"...I'm not going to kill you. No, death would be too easy for you. No, I have something much worse for you. Much worse," Abel growled. He wasn't even aware that he'd slipped into the demonic tongue again. "Maybe then you'll think more carefully about what you're doing. You can explain yourself when you wake up."

He grabbed Cain by the collar and shoved him a little further back.

"I discovered something, dear brother. I have other ways of getting that sweet energy without killing people. After all, it doesn't kill you to use the internet, now does it? Now, lets see if my theory's right? You can be the first test," Abel growled. He placed one hand on Cain's forehead, gathered his energy, and pulled it back. When he pulled his hand back, a reddish energy flowed from Cain into his hand, and gathered into an orb, which then sunk into an energy that flowed into Abel's body. He released his brother at that, and turned toward Seth.

"Are you alright?" Abel asked.

[mugenginga]

Nyarlathotep smirked more at the response. It hadn't been a direct part of the demon's plans to get tackled against the wall. In fact, he had hoped to draw out the revelation more. Still, nothing that had happened hadn't been things he thought couldn't happen. He shruged, lefting its claw like "hands" into the air. Before Atsuro could speak to it again, it had turned and headed towards the other end of the hall. It did, it supposed. He had to get back to keeping an eye on the god and his avatar.

Kaido watched Nyarlathotep with a glare for a while before turning back to Atsuro, "Cain knew that was going to happen. He doesn't expect he'll get through this in good shape, either. Well, he didn't use so many words but he did pin me against the side of the building. I swear the entire family's having issues today."

The man pulled back from Atsuro and walked over to their room. He opened the door and walked in, not bothering to hold it open for Atsuro. Kaido was strange sometimes. He didn't really show he gave a damn unless he thought it was needed. Hell, the fact he'd helped Atsuro to his feet was a bit strange. He obviously thought Atsuro was going to be alright with how he was now acting.

----------

Cain and Seth hadn't said much to each other on the way back. It wasn't for lack of trying. Several times Seth had tried to get Cain to speak to him. The two had been on better terms since the incident a month and a half ago. The man was no where near lovable, but there was more to him then he showed most of the world. Seth had a feeling that was the side of the man Keiichi had tried to defend back when they had met.

None of the attempts had worked. Cain was keeping his head straight ahead and glaring. Half the time, Seth couldn't be sure his oldest brother was even hearing him. Let alone listening to him. The teenager had given up and walked silently as well. Seth hadn't stopped to heal himself, either via a demon or setting the COMP to allow him to use a healing spell. He was worried about Abel's reaction to Cain, and he wanted to get it over with. Abel would react the same way whether the wound remained or not.

Cain was reached for the hotel door when he saw Abel approach it. His expression was flat as Abel pushed the door. Cain stepped back, and Seth took a few worried steps to the side. He opeend his mouth to try and talk some sense into Abel when his brothers' eyes locked. He closed his mouth and looked away. Nothing he said would change the situation now. At most he'd just get in trouble himself... he'd be willing to do that if he thought it would change what would happen to Cain.

The General of Bel didn't have a chance to break his gaze. Nor did he have much of a desire to. Abel's presence meant Nyarlathotep had gotten their first, as he expected. He wasn't going to grovel or ask for forgiveness. He knew he'd messed up. Abel spoke to him and he continued to say nothing. As Abel rushed, he knew he couldn't have guarded even if he'd tried. He did wince as his back hit the car, a small dent being left in the door. His body responded to the pain with a bit of an arched back. It wasn't intentional, as much reflex as anything else.

Cain's eyes had shut from the pain, but he opened them again as Abel spoke again. He didn't look surprised as Abel informed him he wasn't going to die. Cain had known that. What awaited him was probably torture. He suspected as much as Abel slipped into the demonic tongue. However, something like confusion spread on Cain's face as Abel said he could explain himself after he woke up. He'd pulled him closer as he said this, only to grab his suit collar and push him into the car. Hard enough that the frame bent a bit. If Abel wasn't careful, he'd crush Cain's collarbone.

Abel's older brother seemed almost surprised as Abel continued to speak. It faded to a flat stare. It wouldn't be as effective as Abel thought. Even if he'd developed some understanding of that energy, he still didn't know things such as types and potency. He braced himself for however Abel intended on doing his "test" as his brother's hand covered his upper face.

Seth's eyes widened and he took an unwilling step back as even he could see Cain's body pulse with a slight glow. Cain looked almost as if he were being electrocuted for a few moments as his body shook. Abel's hand pulled back and whatever the demon was doing allowed the glow to continue to flow into his hand. Cain stopped spasming as he fell unconscious. He hadn't screamed, but a few pained grunts had come out of him as he was losing his connection to the waking world.

Finally, the events that had taken maybe sixty seconds ended. Abel released Cain, and the man slid to the ground. The position looked painful, not that the man could feel it as he was. Seth jumped as Abel turned towards him. He was as fast as a human could be with turning his head away. While Cain might not have been scared, Seth's pulse was roughly double what it should be. He closed his eyes and tried to bring his pulse down. It only had a slight effect.

"I-I'm fine, Your Majesty..." Seth said, knowing the fear would only cause problems but being unable to bring it under control. He didn't attempt to explain the situation yet. If Abel wanted to know, he'd ask, and Seth knew his voice would shake more if he spoke more.

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Abel flexed his fingers. That... hadn't felt anywhere near as satisfying as Himitsu had. He hadn't felt any fear from Naoya. He hadn't been getting any strong emotions from him. No wonder the energy felt so empty. But what he was sensing from Seth wasn't. He had to restrain himself as he felt how fast Seth's pulse was going. He couldn't do that to Seth too. But it had been difficult. He'd actually taken a step toward Seth with that same magatsuhi-hungry look before he realized what he was doing and stopped himself. Dammit, he wasn't going to be a slave to his hunger. He just couldn't.

"I still want you to get that healed," Abel said. He looked back toward Cain's unconcious form, if only to break his gaze toward Seth. That had still been an... interesting reaction to the magatsuhi draining. But it proved something. Magatsuhi could be drained without someone's death.

But that didn't mean that his human side wasn't balking this whole thing.

Abel flexed his fingers again, and thought about something. His connection to the summoning server had been iffy ever since he got here. But maybe with the magatsuhi he'd absorbed from Cain... He held out his hand and concentrated, allowing the magatsuhi he hadn't yet absorbed to concentrate. There was a small flash of light as a Kobold manifested in front of him. Well, it had worked, but the demon it summoned was a rather weak variety. He probably needed more magatsuhi to summon the stronger ones... not that he really needed to summon them most of the time.

"Pick him up, would you? And gently please. I'd prefer him to not die," Abel said. He pointed toward Cain, and the Kobold did as told. Its eyes were glazed over, like it was in a trance. Another perk of being the King of Bel: weaker demons couldn't resist his orders.

((OOC: In the main series games, MAG/Magatsuhi is used to keep demons powered up and summoned. ))

[mugenginga]

Seth's eyes widened and he took a step back to match Abel's step forward. He felt like an idiot the instant he did so. He hadn't meant to, and he'd been around demons enough that a threat shouldn't have bothered him that much.

Except they weren't Abel.

Seth almost tripped as he came to a stop. The thought had flashed across his mind as he was putting the weight of his foot down. As a result it came at an angle. It was an impressive act of balance he caught himself without having to flail his arms. Somewhere he knew it had been a good thing he had. He didn't need to come across as a defenseless animal here. Anymore than he probably already was, anyhow.

The fact was that he was more than a little bothered by what had happened earlier. Every other time, there hadn't been a choice. Not this time. Abel hadn't killed for any other reason than a woman outside of the situation (no matter how much she seemed to know about it, Seth told himself) had been killed merely for not backing down. Even if she had, it might not have saved her. He knew that.

Seth looked up as Abel addressed him. His response was short, but very polite, "Understood, Your Majesty."

The Kobold was reaching for Cain when it got a dagger in its foot for the effort. It didn't react beyond looking down and noticing the dagger. Being among the weakest denizens of the demon realm, Abel's influence was enough that might as well been an animated puppet. Cain regretted the sudden action and his hand went to his head. His eyes were open, but only a bit. He spoke and his head throbbed with the words.

"I can get up myself," he growled at the demon.

He said that, but as he put his hand on the ground he felt a wave of weakness. It was not unlike a hangover. Had he been in less agony he might have found it humorous. As it was, it didn't stop the comparison from going through his head. A hangover was a case of severe dehydration. Spirit was as vital a resource to humans as water, so in a way it was a hang over. A case of a severe low in spirit, a drain on the soul. There was a reason the legend of selling souls to demons had risen, after all.

Seth looked up in surprise as he heard Cain speak. The man was awake already!? Abel would react to it as well. It didn't seem like the kiind of thing a person would recover from. Cain had yet to pull his dagger from the Kobold's foot. Despite being in the paved parking lot, the man had driven it in with enough force that the foot would be stuck unless someone pulled it out.

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Abel had turned back toward the Hotel when he was sure that the Kobold had things handled. He wheeled around as he heard the knife stick down rather deeply into the Kobold's foot. He scowled as he saw exactly why the knife had stuck itself into the demon's foot. Cain was awake. Abel's scowl turned to a smirk as he saw Cain's reaction to trying to stand up.

"I didn't expect you to wake up so soon, dear brother. And don't try to move too much. You'll just make yourself feel worse," Abel said. "Though maybe that kind of pain is what you need..."

The king walked over to the Kobold and plucked the knife from the demon's foot. He rested the blade on his palm as he examined it.

"I'll be borrowing this," Abel said. He looked toward Seth again. "I'll be back later. By the way, Atsuro needs some healing, and probably Nyarlathotep too. Alfons," He turned toward the Kobold. He was addressing the demon despite the fact that it was little more than a puppet. "Ignore Cain and at the very least help him up to his room. He likely needs rest."

He turned to leave after giving his order to the Kobold.