TRAITOR TO NONE

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤoriginal lore & independent WAR DEMON ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ ㅤㅤㅤdetained by FAUST! a re-imagined story of HERMES as an overworked femme fatale in a timeless saga

ㅤㅤthe PROPAGANDA could not have been this easy!

Unusual indeed. Most fellow demons, save maybe for Crowley, and even that would be a big if, might receive an answer of the final kind. No message. A quick visit resulting in their execution for daring to even get ahold of his number, on top of the audacity to request benevolent company. Cain reads Kosiax's responses with delay. Cast his phone aside for some while in order to finish washing the dishes— pretending to be human means tending to humble chores.

[TEXT : KOSIAX] -> That's sooner than I expected. I consider it, once you tell me what the matter is and of which importance.

Keeping it short, he taps send. Something tells him there's more behind that haste than whim alone.

⚚・・・・・LOWERING THE SMOKING GUN GRIPPED IN HER RIGHT HAND, KOSIAX FISHES OUT THE PHONE THAT BUZZES IN HER POCKET. Her left thumb with some difficulty unlocks the device without a need for a passcode, accessing the messenger application. She tries to reply quickly while moving forward with haste.

[ text: CAIN(?) ] : its jst coupl angles her e [ text: CAIN(?) ] : KOSIAX is typing... [ text: CAIN(?) ] : KOSIAX is typing... [ text: CAIN(?) ] : [ text: CAIN(?) ] : apologies, my hands were busy. [ text: CAIN(?) ] : Upstairs breached a Limbo Treatise by sending a wave of forces here. Angels. I don't know why they are invading us, but [ text: CAIN(?) ] : Thought you might have some fun. [ text: CAIN(?) ] : - KOSIAX.

₊˚⊹ ㅤa collection of loose quotes taken from various characters from hades (supergiant games). these quotes are from the first game of the series. writing/roleplaying prompts. from fluff to angst! feel free to edit as you see fit, especially since some are gendered.

[ message -> from: KSX ] : (•⌄•) would you like to come to Norilsk?

The phone buzzes and he picks it up. Just for the screen to display a contact Cain least expected to reach out. Surprise tugs his brows upward, her spontaneity warranting a moment for him to contemplate his answer. A trip to Russia, quasi the other side of the globe.

[TEXT : KOSIAX ] -> You're inviting me to your place after only one date?

He should add emojis to get the humor across, but skimming through all these tiny images? No, thanks.

[TEXT : KOSIAX ] -> When? If I said yes to that.

⚚・・・・・THIS IS AN UNUSUAL THING; SHE USUALLY JUST APPEARS. Peering through the window looking out into a snow-drowned courtyard, KOSIAX glances at her cellular device when she receives a text back. She expects an alert that her message has bounced. Demons don't talk to each other, especially when hierarchy is at stake. Even Amon requires KOSIAX to email him. She skims the messages. Cain isn't rejecting her invitation, which means it is an invitation to negotiate. Furrowing her eyebrows, the diplomat, as the mortals say today, locks in.

[ text: CAIN(?) ] : glad to report I don't own real estate here, I am a glorified key-keeper. [ text: CAIN(?) ] : I can send you an Uber whenever. How about an hour from now? [ text: CAIN(?) ] : and I mean like. Portal. [ text: CAIN(?) ] : please bring a coat. maybe two. it's very cold here. [ text: CAIN(?) ] : Thank you, KOSIAX

In the middle of that wreckage previously a cozy environment, all but those two demons seek freedom. Shattered glass cracks under hasty footsteps, chairs get knocked over by guests out of breath that almost stuff the exit door while trying to flee at once. Nobody wants to be the last. Cain ignores the mumbles in the back, focused on his company. He restrained himself around here, though, because he promised himself to kill only what crawls out of hell— clean up. Doesn't mean he can't enjoy a fight which just so happens to lead to some guy's early demise. Gets his blood sizzle with excitement almost as effectively as wielding a blade himself. "Oh, I'm sure Lucifer wouldn't have stopped you from switching fields", he hums with just the right amount of sarcasm to get across how the devil can't do anything from within his cage. The one with the final say.

"What does it matter now... The knights are dead." He shrugs nonchalantly, emptying his beer that meanwhile has gotten a tad too warm for his liking. Cain regards Kosiax with a side glance. She seems to struggle with the feat of the flesh worse than he ever could. What do humans do in that case? Ah, he recalls. Sliding his glass over the counter sans care whether it flies off the opposite edge, he dismounts the stool and takes the liberty to step behind the bar. Now with the panicking guests gone, the settling quiet allows for distant sirens to be heard. "Looks like we're going to get new company." A casual statement made, he looks for a freezer and finds it in a backroom. To retrieve an ice pack and, once he returns to the front, toss it over for the other demon to catch.

"You're welcome." Then he stalls for a moment, tongue clicking behind his teeth lets his gaze rest on a shotgun tucked to the underside of that wooden surface board. A means of defense can turn into the opposite, can't it? But they don't need that, Cain decides, ere returning to his company. "Icicle decor? Well, I prefer the cottage comfort. Or did", comes with a thoughtful head-tilt. "Until I got forced to pick old strings back up again and burn the idea of a homely life. Now I'm talking to a fellow demon for the first time in a while instead of smiting them." The irony is hilarious, he huffs a low laugh.

"Will you be all right or do I get the pleasure of taking you down like some sick pet?" He's half-joking. She's one among a handful of hellish creations he deems useful rather than prettier in dead.

⚚・・・・・ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER PROBLEM, AND ANOTHER MOMENT TO CONSIDER ALCOHOLISM!. KOSIAX hasn't considered switching her departments. How could she? She has been created for one purpose: to spread an enticing message to all mortal counterpart skulking about the ruination of God's mistakes and Devil's seconds. One battle after another, no matter the clock of history and the stretch of necessity. Without war, there is no progress; at least, this is what KOSIAX learns from the textbooks of the ancients currently STITCHED into her borrowed body. She doesn't even know who chose for her to look this way; she supposes, Amon likes all of her employees as tall blonds with an odd taste for canned goods, especially tinned fish.

KOSIAX minutely distracts herself by imagining a silvery tin of mackerel in citrus oil peering back at her from the frozen refrigerator located in one of the many apartments in a complex stuck in Limbo. It's fresh and abundant. It rolls over her tongue just enough to wash down the aftertaste of sulfur cigarettes.

The messenger glances at the other, chuckling bitterly. "They can't prove anything. The human brain does not comprehend self-defense when it's inconvenient for them." KOSIAX sits up, rolling her neck to work out a couple of insistent kinks in her joints. Her knuckles and the bridge of her nose pulse from the confrontation. It won't be long before she heals. A thick heap of snow straight from Norilsk would do wonders right now up against her face. She's not allowed to daydream, but for a second, she does. A silent fantasy manifests into a mediocre reality with an ice pack presented to her in a civil toss. Holding the other demon's eyes for a second longer after catching the item, KOSIAX accepts the mercy as she sinks her fingers into the cool, firm surface and squeezes.

"Thanks." Its destination is directly against her face. The diplomat winces and droops her head to deal with the flesh damage to her body. She has been torn apart before. This is nothing.

"I will thank you for delaying the inconvenience of annihilating me. It would upset a department, I would have to deal with. We don't have HR," she pauses, mumbling against the pack. "Or I guess it's DR." The messenger waits for the ice to bite her sore nose enough until it is properly numbed. Only then, does she lower it against the counter again. "How many on your list? I am hoping to be penciled out." KOSIAX searches the counterpart's face for answers to questions she does not plan on asking. Not her problem, or business, for that matter. Would she be alright? Yes, as long as there is another war in forty-eight hours.

She carries with her a letter with information that will make one mortal side initiate a conflict with another. They will cross each other's borders, violate the human laws, and finally, bullet fire will replenish Amon's collection. Then, she will probably have to go back in time to get more training done on further espionage. Amon says KOSIAX hasn't been on a quiet mission in a while, and now it may be delayed with a face she is currently wearing. Inconvenient.

The diplomat scoffs, folding her hands over the ice pack. "I am perfectly competent to stay out of your way as long as my employment duties aren't your…" She pauses, narrowing her gaze at the other. "…Turbulences. I haven't run into you before, have I? Maybe, before my time." The demon sighs as the sirens suddenly cut out. They have arrived. KOSIAX rises from her chair as slowly human bodies surround the pub. In her left hand, she cradles a muted, crimson bundle of light. Her eyes are canted to the corner, observing.

"Are we stalling to fight, or will you excuse us both to go our separate ways?" A portal shudders by the opposite wall of the bar, a mere uncanny reflection of the pub's innards.

It shimmers from movement on the inside, and a chill pours from it, threatening to cover the closest barstool with snowflakes.

"I   dare   you   to   try."

"Do   you   always   get   close?"

"You’re   pushing   my   limits."

"Stop   looking   at   me   like   that."

"I’m   losing   control   here."

"You   have   no   idea,   do   you?"

"I   can’t   resist   you   anymore."

"Stay   back,   or   don’t."

"I   know   what   you   want."

"This   is   getting   dangerous   now."

"You’re   too   tempting   for   me."

"I   shouldn’t   want   this,   but…"

"I   don’t   play   fair,   remember?"

"Careful,   you’re   testing   me."

"You’re   just   making   it   worse."

"You’re   too   close   for   comfort."

"Do   you   always   push   buttons?"

"Stop   before   I   kiss   you."

"You’re   making   it   too   hard."

"I   can’t   stop   thinking   about   you."

"I   want   you   too   much."

"You   know   exactly   what   you’re   doing."

"I’m   not   playing   games   here."

"You’ve   crossed   the   line   now."

"Keep   pushing,   and   you’ll   regret   it."

"This   is   dangerous,   isn’t   it?"

"I’m   trying   not   to   care."

"Don’t   make   me   regret   this."

"You’re   playing   with   fire."

"You   don’t   know   what’s   coming."

"I   shouldn’t   be   this   close."

"We’re   getting   dangerously   close   now."

"I   can   feel   the   heat."

"Don’t   test   me   right   now."

"I   want   you   too   badly."

"Don’t   make   me   chase   you."

"You’re   distracting   me,   you   know."

"I   won’t   fall   for   this."

"I   want   you,   but…"

"What   do   you   want   from   me?"

"I’ll   never   give   in."

"I’m   trying   not   to   care."

"You’re   playing   with   my   patience."

"Don’t   make   this   harder,   please."

"I   can’t   stop   this   feeling."

"I’m   already   in   too   deep."

"You   won’t   walk   away   unscathed."

"You’re   walking   a   fine   line."

"I’m   trying   to   stay   calm."

Call him sentimental, but reconnecting with a fellow demon who used to trigger wars for the knights to thrive in? Basically their job agent. Now that is something to get nostalgic over, especially since Cain's relapse, the deeper he sinks, demands worthy company able to survive around him. And able to handle what homicidal beast lurks underneath his skin. He practically beams at Kosiax with gleeful approval of the mess she turned that fellow into. The bruises she caught? Will fade, although the former knight would even say they suit her— violence looks great on a wretched being.

"Come on, now. The beer is not that bad", Cain counters with a crease to his brows rooted in skepticism barely serious in nature. And hands her the beverage back she abandoned minutes prior. "It's a pity in retrospect, you know", he sighs against the brim of his own glass. "That you didn't actively join the knights. There's potential." The way she killed this guy? Obviously not only her tongue is forged for trouble. However, they have to bury the body or burn it... Cain never liked leaving a mess behind. "I never asked why, did I?"

⚚・・・・・AND ALTHOUGH SHE IS RELUCTANT TO TOUCH ALCOHOL WITH A BUSTED NOSE, KOSIAX PARTAKES BY CHUGGING THE REMAINS OF HER ABANDONED ALE. It does not matter what goes on over her shoulder. If the humans are going to call law enforcement, an open-fire pub is going to authorize lethal force. The demon thinks she can borrow a quick gun from the abandoned trenches of war somewhere. It won't tilt the scales too much, and Amon won't write her a post-it note to find in her frozen office. She eyes her glass where the foam mixes with blood.

"Not my department." KOSIAX offers as an aside to the other demon currently indulging in his beverage. She considers the follow-up question while the mortal crowd thins out through the front doors.

The demon can almost hear the sirens in the distance, or maybe it's the static of the music overhead, equalized by the silent horror of a man pounded into pulp. The laws of self-defense in Hell are broader than those for the initial aggressor. She gets to tug on loopholes when her nose is broken. She sits up in her chair, driving her shoulder blades together for a beneficial stretch. The diplomat wants nothing more than to submerge her entire face into a sink filled with ice and stand there for hours until every single cube melts into oblivion.

"I am a Messenger," she answers finally, rolling the sore spot in her nape. "That's it." Made this way, STITCHED this way, and stuffed this way with Traitors. "I don't have clearance for that." Amon is never going to enlist KOSIAX in the Fortress of War, which is the kind of raise the diplomat does not care for. More responsibility? More blood? She sort of likes telling people to kill each other and watching them stumble over an illusion of choice. KOSIAX tilts her head.

"I kind of like working in Limbo, you know? Frozen nowhere, random angels in abandoned apartment buildings. My office," she pauses, swirling the melted foam with her blood before shooting it back. She slams the empty glass down on the bar counter. The bartender is gone; the first one to go, by the way, like a rat.

"Has its own icicle decor. You simply cannot compete with that."

It must be some mean-spirited joke of the universe that nearly everyone she knows happens to be obnoxiously tall-- seriously, what's in the water around here? Dolores watches KOSIAX as she looms in her doorway, the red neon of her open sign splashes across her stark white hair like blood, but eventually she answers her with a simple "... Yes." She's not beating the Dracula allegations. The attorney gestures for her enter her place of business. "Can I help you with anything?"

⚚・・・・・KOSIAX LEADS WITH HER SHOULDERS AFTER A BRIEF PENDULUM PROPELS HER FORWARD. She enters the quiet office and notices the settled dust over the shelves first. A detail she prescribes to a careful library of knowledge. She hangs out by the seats, but doesn't help herself to a cushion just yet. The demon prefers standing while conversing on matters of business. Who knows, maybe she has to dash right after to the next assignment. War never sleeps, and the Messenger isn't allowed to either. She rests her hands in her pockets, thumbing at her leather gloves.

"Noted." KOSIAX refers to an earlier point. Next time, she is going to make her knock sound like a bomb went off. She hopes that it suffices for the Miss. The demon isn't exactly allowed to summon Hell's Bells from the beyond. Although, she figures, the haunting tolling could have added a kick to her entrance. She eyes Dolores and cants her head.

"I'd like some legal advice. On a...contract. What do people usually use for-" she pauses, recalling the intricacies of many Hell Treatises she had to memorize to be good at her job. Some of them were directly threaded into her Soul. Naturally, they spring out when the opportunity provides itself. Today, it seems like, Judas and the Other Two, are awful quiet. KOSIAX looks back to the attorney. "-Consideration. What's a good value in exchange for, let's say," she shuffles a little.

She knows what she wants to say, but Dolores is not a war general. She has to filter her words through neutral language. "Equipment."

₊˚⊹ ㅤa collection of loose quotes taken from the last kingdom (netflix, 2015). these quotes are from various seasons and characters of the tv show. writing/roleplaying prompts. from fluff to angst! feel free to edit as you see fit; happy writing!

⚖️You’ve Reached Durán Law: @kosiax liked this post for a starter.

"Jesus-- do you always have to lurk in doorways Dracula style?"

⚚・・・・・A DEMON RIVALRING THE HEIGHT OF THE DOORWAY FROM AN EXTRA KICK OF HER HEELS. KOSIAX tilts her head at the human attorney, then at herself. She is wearing her usual black trench a lighter layers underneath. Unassuming. Intimidating to some. The demon scoffs and crosses the threshold into Dolores's office.

"Jesus usually lurks above doorways." She remarks flatly. "Will it satisfy you if I knock louder next time?"

a selection of dialogue prompts from the game resident evil requiem. feel free to change pronouns / details as needed.

‘we found another body.’

‘perhaps it’s time for you to face the past? confront that fear head-on.’

‘i won’t force you to go, but do you think you can do this for me?’

‘there might be answers inside.’

‘why am i even here?’

‘you have been on that thing all day.’

‘we need to keep our voices down.’

‘tell me what’s going on.’

‘now is not the time. stay close.’

‘i’m calling the police!’

‘i’m so sorry. this is all my fault.’

‘i’m the one that brought you here.’

‘we have so much to do.’

‘you’ve got to be shitting me.’

‘don’t do anything stupid.’

‘someone help me!’

‘well, fuck. let’s make this quick.’

‘back to square one.’

‘we’re running out of time.’

‘you gotta stay calm.’

‘where the hell am i?’

‘don’t come any closer!’

‘what the hell was that thing?’

‘i’ll be fine. i hope.’

‘you can’t see, can you?’

‘why are you in there?’

‘who made a mess? why the mess?!’

‘what if i can’t get out?’

‘this might be useful.’

‘so loud… my head… keep it down!’

‘don’t fuck with me.’

‘it’s your fucking fault!’

‘give me a fucking break!’

‘you laughed at me!’

‘well, at least it’s easier to walk around now.’

‘come in. i won’t harm you.’

‘why did you kidnap me?’

‘it took forever to find you.’

‘you’re not like other people, you know. you’re quite… unique.’

‘there’s no escaping your destiny!’

‘did anyone hurt you?’

‘please, i really need your help.’

‘you handle this. i’ll handle… that.’

‘i thought that thing was dead!’

‘you’re an investigator, right? well, investigate.’

‘when was the last time you brushed your teeth?’

‘you are an ignorant fool.’

‘you’re a dead man walking!’

‘sorry, i was a little tied up.’

‘hope i’m not next.’

‘you felt that one, huh?’

‘sorry, but i’m not on the menu.’

‘you’re killing me.’

‘well, hey. at least we’re in it together, right?’

‘oh god, i really don’t wanna go in there.’

‘ugh, it got in my mouth…’

‘hold on tight!’

‘why’s it so loud?’

‘let’s play.’

‘here, i kept this safe for you.’

‘do you maybe… wanna leave with me?’

‘it’s not safe here.’

‘we need to keep moving, okay?’

‘it’s okay, we’re not infected.’

‘you don’t need to worry about me.’

‘are you lying to me?’

‘have you seen the same shit i’ve seen?!’

‘look, we’re out of options here.’

‘how much longer do you think any of us can survive?’

‘we can help each other.’

‘it’s a deal.’

‘found you.’

‘hello, gorgeous.’

‘i can’t stop the bleeding.’

‘hey, hey, look at me. we’re gonna be okay.’

‘i’m sorry. i know it hurts.’

‘i need to keep you safe.’

‘are you listening? i said stop!’

‘you feel lost, but you’re not. you’re exactly where you need to be.’

‘i’ve been waiting for you.’

‘i’ll just go it alone.’

‘we’re in this together. till the end.’

‘i’ve always been good at working in the shadows.’

‘just don’t do anything too risky, yeah?’

‘gonna have to find another way around.’

‘you’re a real pest, you know that?’

‘haven’t you had enough?’

‘looks like someone else was here first.’

‘guess the only way in is through then.’

‘looks like they left in a hurry.’

‘something’s missing.’

‘i’ll have to shoot it down.’

‘so the rumours were true.’

‘don’t be ridiculous.’

‘i thought i had a short fuse.’

‘don’t mind if i do.’

‘some things never change.’

‘watch your back.’

‘this is my lucky day.’

‘do you still think about what happened there?’

‘sorry. this isn’t the time, we need to focus.’

‘this day just keeps getting better and better.’

‘i don’t give up that easy.’

‘i’ve had enough of you!’

‘i know the feeling.’

‘should’ve worn a helmet.’

‘so many attempts. so many failures. such a waste.’

‘it’s past our bedtime.’

‘please just be a bad dream.’

‘what’s done is done. you need to focus on the future.’

‘i had a feeling you’d make an appearance.’

‘sorry, but i don’t have time to spare.’

‘i’m gonna do some digging.’

‘i guess this is my stop.’

‘this is one very deep hole.’

‘just so you know, i’ve killed every plant i ever had.’

‘i’m getting the feeling i’m not wanted around here.’

‘we finally meet.’

‘didn’t realise i had such a big fan. how about an autograph?’

‘worried about me? how sweet.’

‘sneaky bastard.’

‘coming from you, that’s quite the compliment.’

‘time to finally get some answers.’

‘don’t embarrass yourself. you can’t beat me.’

‘you still need me, right?’

‘me? feel like a million bucks.’

‘where does this take us?’

‘your guess is as good as mine.’

‘how long was i out?’

‘i couldn’t make a difference.’

‘i’m coming with you.’

‘i don’t want any more regrets.’

‘whatever it takes, count me in.’

‘if anything happens to me… you promise… you’ll end this.’

‘you think you can give me a boost?’

‘this is it. i did it.’

‘where have i seen this…?’

‘life takes unexpected turns, don’t you think?’

‘looking back, do you feel that the choices you’ve made have contributed to… your present circumstances?’

‘what you sow, you reap. isn’t that the natural order?’

‘what would you like the world to know?’

‘i’m not a young man. i don’t have the energy i once did.’

‘your body can’t take much more.’

‘i’m gonna settle this.’

‘haven’t changed much, have you?’

‘let’s get this over with.’

‘what kind of legacy do you want to leave behind?’

‘humans cannot predict when death will come for them. this is why they have hope.’

‘i was wrong… and i am plagued by guilt.’

‘happiness cannot be achieved at the expense of others.’

‘i think that’s enough for today.’

‘aren’t you beautiful?’

‘is there anything else you’d like to tell me?’

‘i’ve said my piece. i only hope it serves as a requiem for those who have passed.’

‘this is finally my chance to do something.’

‘please wake up. come on, wake up.’

‘i was just resting my eyes.’

‘let me help you.’

‘i don’t know the password.’

‘i can buy you some time.’

‘fulfill your destiny, and all will be forgiven.’

‘at least… i could save you.’

‘please know that you are my hope.’

‘there’s nothing special about me.’

‘do you know how much time and money i wasted on this?’

‘don’t you see the genius?’

‘your ignorance is staggering.’

‘it seems your skills have… diminished.’

‘sacrifices must be made! in the grand scheme of things, a few lives are nothing.’

‘give it up. it’s over.’

‘there’s no way out, is there?’

‘i’m not gonna leave your side.’

‘i guess this is it then.’

‘i feel better than i have in ages.’

‘thank god. i’m glad you’re okay.’