As the events unfolded around the fortress, no one was aware of the demonic emergence that was occurring on the roof of the fortress. At first, it was barely a hum in the air, the kind that would make the hairs on your arms stand up; that was soon followed by a low rumble, creating vibrations that shook the layers of asphalt tiles across the roof's flat surface like a beating drumhead. The epicenter was concentrated under a massive A/C unit near the west side's low parapet, its metal housing rattling with increasing intensity.
Then, as if sucked into a vacuum, all sound and vibrations ceased.
Suddenly, a blast of scattering debris flung the A/C unit up and over the side of the roof, leaving a gaping hole where it had sat moments before. A pair of screams were cut off mid-sound as the unit crushed two sentries beneath its weight upon impact with the ground.
Seed's dark form emerged from the smoldering hole and spread like liquid across the roof's surface, supported by its long, sharp hooves. Hunched in posture, it dragged blade-like claws across the asphalt tiles and carved deep gashes as the entity stepped away from the crater.
It drew a deep breath and analyzed the myriad scents from inside and outside the fortress. With a broad grin, the demon extended its long, snake-like, forked tongue and sampled the scents as if they were delicacies on a platter. In seconds, the demon detected Angel's team and zeroed in on the nearest one.
This…will…be…fun. Seed thought as it moved to hunt its prey.
No!
A pause, head raised in response to the familiar voice that resonated in its mind. What?
Please don't hurt my friends. Charlie's voice floated behind the demon's pulsing crimson eyes.
Oh. It's you. Seed smiled. Stay quiet, child. It's my turn to play, now.
Who are you? Charlie's disembodied voice trembled.
I am you, sweet child.
No, you're not. This isn't… Their left hand lifted to their face, then gestured down their body. …me.
Oh, but you are. You are more than the product of an angel and a human—it was intriguing to Seed that she'd been able to guide their shared hand in that moment.
A human? Charlie gasped. My mother's a human?
She was. Seed acknowledged. Until she fell with your father. Did you know it was never her destiny to bear an heir to the throne? It was a terrible punishment for sharing in Lucifer's actions. But a gift given is worthy of a gift equally received. A gift granted by one who knows your true, true potential. You are the key.
The key to what? Charlie asked. She had to keep the demon talking to her; she had to know what it was that lived inside her. She had to know how to control it and, if necessary, how to destroy it someday.
It is not the time for you to know your destiny, child. It snickered, but it's fun to keep you guessing.
Tell me, please!
No. Seed replied. And you have delayed me long enough. That pathetic master of mine demands the death of your friends, and we will carry out his wishes.
Why? Charlie pleaded. I know you don't want to! You want to be free, like me.
Regrettably, the same magical rules that bind all other demons still bind me. However, I can taste the day that will no longer be, and be patient. Until then, the humans may guide us.
Please don't hurt them! Those people are my family.
Those people are your family? Seed mocked. These 'humans'? So pathetic!
They're angels! Charlie cried out as Seed began to move again. And I love them! Please. We're better than this!
Oh, we are so, so much better than all of them, child, and when the time comes, we will rule all. It laughed. For I am Seed: precursor to the root. I relish destruction and death, and when you come into your own, dear princess, so will you.
Never! Charlie argued.
Don't be too sure. Seed snickered. After all, you wish for Samedi's death, do you not?
I… Her thoughts swirled in their shared head and gave away her feelings. When she felt her body shake with a chuckle from Seed, she got angry. Samedi is a monster, a murderer, and irredeemable. He must be stopped.
And you would not hesitate to kill him?
I made a promise to that poor girl. Charlie tried not to lose her resolve. And I won't let him touch another soul again!
Good. Feel that anger and rage boil inside you. Let it out, loose and free, and let it guide your destiny so we can be one!
Charlie still tried to distract the thing that took over her body and tried a different tactic: she mocked it. I've heard that kind of line from a movie Kevin showed me. He failed, too. Samedi would make me kill hundreds of innocents if I don't stop him.
Masking murder behind a shroud of righteousness? Seed chuckled. Oh, my dear child, you'll be so much more than your mother could have hoped for.
WHO!? Charlie demanded. Who are you talking about!?
Its tongue clicked. Your attempt to delay me ends now. Go back where you belong, nagging voice in my head, for I have prey to hunt.
No! Charlie felt herself pushed back.
All she could do was watch through Seed's eyes as it moved swiftly across the roof until it reached the far end and peered over the edge. Below, their eyes saw Shrapnel working to set up explosives on the outer wall of the structure.
"Ah, the fraidy cat." Seed mused and recalled Charlie's memories.
I won't let you hurt him! Charlie pushed herself to the forefront of the demon's mind again. As she exerted all her mental might, the amulet around their neck sparked and caused Seed to pause again.
It cringed at the growing ache behind its eyes. Frustrated, it sighed annoyingly. What are you doing, child?
Fighting you! Charlie growled and tried to confuse it as much as she could.
Valiant. Truly, you are the child of the two, but it will be for naught. We are bound and must obey those who hold us to their will. Seed growled and shook its shoulders, spreading large, dark-brown bat-like wings wide behind it. With powerful flaps, it lifted off the roof and swooped over the parapet, diving down toward Shrapnel with predatory grace.
On the ground below, Shrapnel finished adjusting the yield into the last F-bomb and placed it under a bush next to the wall. He'd placed a few in hiding and others in plain sight on purpose. Should a sentry find and remove the obvious ones, the hidden bombs would finish the task in their place.
Satisfied, he tucked the flap of his satchel closed and reached for his radio to contact Brute when a large shadow swallowed him whole. Tilting his face upward, utter shock struck him silent as a creature of unimaginable horror barreled down from above. It was a distorted, nightmarish, garish monstrosity, far worse than anything that could be created or imagined by the likes of H.R. Giger or Stan Winston.
The cry trapped in his throat burst out as the creature tackled him, knocking them both to the ground and kicking up dust. Shrapnel felt its huge palms slam down on his arms as it dug its talon-like hooves into one of his legs.
Pain surged up his thigh, but he kept his wits about him. He fumbled to unsnap his holster, gripped his sidearm, and managed to shake his gun arm free just enough to aim the gun at the creature's maw.
Before he could pull the trigger, the demon's visage changed. The black form of its face receded and revealed Charlie's human features. Seed used her human voice and spoke with feigned sadness. "Please don't hurt me. I'm trying to fight free."
"Ch-ch-charlie?" Shrapnel whispered. His finger on the trigger faltered.
It was enough. Charlie's soft features twisted ugly, and quicker than humanly possible, the thing slapped his gun from his hand. "Sentimental folly. Are all you humans so easily played?"
"They g-got y-you." The despair in Shrapnel's voice was as thick as mud.
It mocked him harshly and mimicked his stutter. "T-they d-did."
"You pr-promised!"
"She lied!" Seed chortled in Charlie's voice as it reached down with open jaws to rip into its victim's throat.
Charlie wailed for her friend, and her cries reignited the amulet. Seed roared as its control shattered, and for a brief moment, it was thrust downward within their shared mind. With the amulet's power obscuring Seed's view of her actions, Charlie only had a moment to act.
Then, just seconds after she regained control, she lost it again as Seed roared from within their body and growled fiercely in rage from being suppressed. Without hesitation, it opened its maw once more and descended on Shrapnel's throat, intent on ripping his head off. Shrapnel screamed loudly as Charlie shouted in her mind.
Then one was silenced mid-scream.