Chapter Text
It's been too long since he last slept. He knows this, and neither Truffle nor Southpaw have been letting him forget it, whining at him pathetically each time the sky grows dark and the moon looms overhead.
But he can't sleep, not now. He had tried at first a few weeks back, but every time he gets comfortable and closes his eyes, he feels those sharp talons scraping against his skin again. He knows that he punched the real demon so hard that it'd never come after him again, and that any phantom sensations as he's trying to sleep are all in his head, but that's one fight he's always struggled with. It's not like his fists fit in his head, after all. Not even his badger fists fit.
This is one thing he can't punch his way through, much as he hates to admit it, but he also can't just sleep so easily like Southpaw and Truffle seem to think. Besides. He's a big, tough spirit. Little bit of sleep? Unnecessary. This is just another challenge for him to overcome, and he's not known as the Spirit of Challenge for nothing!
It's with that determination and strength of spirit that he forces himself onward, traveling day in and day out through enchanted landscapes and scenes beautiful enough that he wishes he could bottle up the memory and send it back to his ma. The thought of his mother doesn't slow his steps, regardless of what one might think. He's not homesick, he's just.. walking at a leisurely pace to remember his surroundings better, so that when he finally finds his pa, decks him a good one, gets some answers, and heads home, he'll be able to describe all the fantastic places he's been better.
And this place is surely one of them. The moon's bigger overhead than he's ever seen it before, and up ahead there's a break in the twisting trees where he can see the reflection of water -- and, as he looks closer, of two beings within the water, hip deep and standing awfully close to each other.
He hasn't run from a spirit yet, and he's not about to now, even if there are two of them. The adrenaline starts pumping as he lets out a whoop of joy, then sprints toward the pool, feeling his weariness wear away the closer he gets to the fight. Not that he's tired, nor has he been.
The figures glance up at his yell, and now that he's getting closer, he can see them more clearly. The one in front has dark hair and an expression of shock that he delights in, as if the spirit knows it's about to get the fight of its life. His life, more specifically, as Sett gets closer and can see the broad muscles of the man's chest beneath the flowing robes that fan out about him in the waters. He's clearly Kanmei, and that means Sett knows better than to trust the shock on his face. Undoubtedly there's some trick or trap waiting for him in the pool, and he can't wait to spring it and overcome it.
The water splashes around him, and now he can see the spirit behind the Kanmei better -- an Akana, which is an awfully strange companion for a Kanmei to keep, but that's not his business. Punching the smug smirk off her face is.
He can feel the badgers getting just as excited as he is, winding around him in an extension of his will that his ma was never quite able to explain so that he understood, but that he knows how to use perfectly fine anyway. He's closing quick, and the spirits have made no move to arm themselves, but he knows better than to think that means they're harmless. The Akana's whispering in the Kanmei's ear excitedly, but even with his excellent hearing, he can't make out the words, only the tone. It makes his hair stand on end.
The water's slowing him down, but he reaches close enough and launches himself into the air, ready to crash down on them -- and the Kanmei just lifts up his hand, which begins to glow purple.
There it is, there's the magic Sett's been expecting, but it's too late. He's crashing down on top of the man, forcing him into the water even as that purple light surrounds the two of them. The Akana's fucked off somewhere, but he's not worried; he can take a sneak hit if she tries anything funny, but the chances of the Kanmei and Akana working together are low anyway.
He raises his hand to pummel the pale man beneath him as they sink through the waters, but the water is oddly heavy, and his movements are slow. Something's not right.
And there's still no weapons in sight.
He's feeling heavier and heavier by the moment, and it's so hard to keep focused. His eyes are closing despite himself, and he reaches out for Truffle and Southpaw to borrow their strength, but finds nothing.
As his eyes close and he slips into oblivion, he can't help but wonder if he'll ever see his ma again.