Threads of the Soul

The sounds of tableware clattering against the floor as it was thrown across the room, as well as books thumping to the ground as they were shoved off a table, filled the main room of the library. Mainly because that's exactly what Seth was doing, and he wasn't really trying to be subtle about it.

If anyone heard him clattering and thumping, that was their issue. He had much more pressing matters to take care of, even if his frantic table clearing antics did seem a bit... crazed and overzealous.

Once the large table in the main room was cleared of any and all junk, Seth slammed a map of the city down onto the table before picking up a marker pen. Before he could actually start marking down his plan, he did have to begrudgingly pick up a few books and use them to hold down the map, but once that was done he was ready to draw out the battle plan!

He didn't allow himself to get distracted by stray thoughts such as what the people around him were muttering about, since it was obviously about him. His hearing had improved a lot since the upgrade, so all those mutters they were sure he couldn't hear were clear as day, if he bothered listening in on them. But he didn't.

Nor did he allow his mind to drift away, back to that horrific room within the dungeon. No, definitely not that. He had immediately put that out of his mind as soon as he had made Geets crawl back out of the hole and secured his little spy somewhere safe.

No no, he had to focus on the planning. He couldn't let them release that thing or let them complete whatever ritual they were planning, because if he let that happen then... God damn this pen!

Seth sighed softly at the utterly illegible chicken scratch that was scrawled onto the map. They were supposed to be actual letters and proper, readable words. Instead it looked more like he was a child that had yet to learn how to colour inside the lines. Honestly... why did it have to be his right hand that he lost?

Letting the pen fall from his hand, Seth gently pinched his temples with his useless, completely non-dexterous remaining hand. Massaging his forehead in frustration, and in an attempt to calm himself down, as the pen lifted itself into the air as if it was being grasped by an invisible hand.

As the pen began to move by itself, conducted by a set of invisible, spiritual threads, Seth heard the gentle, sing song voice of Cynthia sounding from behind him.

"Heya Buddyyy~ Everything okay?"

"You don't have to do that you know."

"Do what?"

"Talk to me like I'm a toddler about to stick a fork in the toaster or like I'm writing a suicide note. You don't need to coddle me, I know they are talking about me. They're probably scared, aren't they?"

"What? No, of course not! What would ever give you that idea. I mean it's just... Yeah, okay. They are."

He heard Cynthia let out a resigned sigh, her voice losing the soft and doting tone and returning to her usual lackadaisical nature. She appeared in his field of view, leaning on the table to his side as he focused on conducting the pen to draw out the information he had gathered.

"It's because you've got your serious face on, you know. People think you're gonna start breaking stuff or go on a rampage when you've got that face on."

He glanced to his side, seeing Cynthia lounging against the table all whilst she had turned her face into, what he assumed was, a perfect imitation of his own. Perfect except for it was still completely aquamarine coloured, that is.

According to her, he had a very deep set scowl and cold, almost murderous looking eyes. A fact that was probably not helped by his pitch black sclera. He looked like he was on a war path and ready to cut down any that opposed him in his venture for vengeance.

Honestly, he didn't blame anyone for being scared of that face. But in reality, he didn't even know he was doing it. In his own mind, he was simply concentrating. Thinking deeply about all that could happen and all he could do to stop it.

"They want him to lead. You know, Corvus. They look up to that bird faced weirdo, Especially after the army and the giant rat. They want to follow him, hell I think some are even starting to worship him. But I'm sure you especially know that by now."

Changing her face back to her own, Cynthia spoke softly, as if she was afraid of anyone overhearing as she gave Seth an almost pleading expression. Yet despite that, Seth couldn't help but scoff and shake his head in disbelief.

"Yeah right. He can lead just about as well as I can write left-handed. Why would they even bother worshipping anyways? I... He isn't a god, you know that. Just a few stupid fights, that's all."

Cynthia paused, giving Seth a contemplative look, as if she was trying to peer into his soul for the truth, before eventually raising an eyebrow as a mischievous smirk danced across her lips.

"Oh... You haven't seen it, have you? You have no idea at all."

"Seen what? What the hell are you talking about slime ball?"

Suppressing her impish cackles, Cynthia produced a small, coin sized object from within her gelatinous body and, with the push of an unseen button, the object began to display a holographic display. It didn't take Seth too long to figure out that it was one of the 'communication' gifts, but whether it had been her own choice at the time or simply an object she 'appropriated', like they did with the storage bags, Seth had no idea.

With a few mental commands, Cynthia quickly pulled up a video on the display before shoving the object into Seth's hand. Making sure that he was watching, she let the video play as she was desperately trying, and failing, to contain her mischievous and devilish grin as it spread across her face.

Seth rolled his eyes at her antics before focusing his attention on the video being presented to him. His expression was not even trying to hide his innermost feelings as he watched the video in silence. First beginning with simple exasperation, then shifting to curiosity mixed with confusion, before finally landing on bafflement and realisation, mixed with a hint of dread.

As for the video in question, what else could it be other than the video produced by his number one fan? The video detailing his lone stand against the army of Hemogoblins and their accompanying beasts, before his final stand against the stronger Hobgoblin.

But that wasn't all. Cynthia made sure to show him that this was not a unique incident, that there were other videos. Every single one of his fights as Corvus, from the little rats to the big ones. The shadow pumas and even his beat down of Sirius. All of it was included, with serious amounts of editing and post production that he didn't even realise was possible without a computer. These communication gifts really were a wonderful piece of technology.

Yet Seth couldn't wonder at this little coin sized miracle machine, nor could he admire the comments filling the videos singing his praises, even from people from other survivor communities.

All Seth could find himself focusing on, was a single shot of Corvus that he had paused the video at. A close up shot that would have required the camera operator to practically be in his face, as he stared intensely into the camera.

The person behind these disturbing videos had specifically singled out that image, and had used it repeatedly throughout other videos. But Seth remembered that exact moment, and he knew for a fact that there was definitely not someone that close to him. At least... he was sure of that fact, up until this moment.

Letting out a grumbling sigh as he pulled himself away from the video display, Seth rubbed and massaged his shoulders and neck. It seemed he really had been thrust into the lime light, not just against his will but completely without his knowledge.

He had never intended to become some figurehead or leader. All Seth had ever tried to do was what he felt was the right thing to do in the heat of the moment. Great power and responsibility, and all that jazz.

It seemed Bob had been right all along in calling him 'Father'. He had inadvertently become the leader of his very own cult, even if his members didn't know who their real leader was. He even got his own personal fanatical stalker, a stalker who was invisible too and could be watching him at any moment.

That was definitely a comforting feeling and didn't at all make Seth feel like randomly stabbing into the air. At the very least, it seemed even his stalker wasn't aware of his secret, but it meant he would have to be much more careful in the coming future.

At least, he had learned this before he screwed anything up.

Curiously enough, as he was reviewing the videos, he noticed that all the ones from this particular invisible camera person seemed to be editing around the existence of Astra. Granted, she had her own dedicated videos and fan club, but these specific videos seemed intent on making sure she didn't see the light of day.

Surely it must have been a coincidence. Simply a dedication to their subject matter and nothing more, right?