[Ben is heedless and insane with grief. His sword cane is suddenly in his hand, from where, he doesn't know, but there it is, and he's slicing and dicing demons left and right, indiscriminately.
The llama sprouts a pair of heads and runs by Raphael, spitting wet balls of fire and gronking.]
[And Raphael is momentarily baffled by that, but only for a moment; then he raises his left hand, wheeling the net in a blazing arc above his head before he flings it at the llama.
Eventually, when Ben wakes up, he is going to reflect on how ridiculous that action is. But for now, he's merely trying to run damage control long enough to calm Ben down, maybe redirect this dream . . .]
[Ben's sword has become a sickle for reaping, and he's bringing in a vast harvest of dead demons right now. He's black with blood, but they have to pay and pay and pay and pay--
Horrible, screeching laughter sounds all around him. He's gotten turned around in the fog, and suddenly Raph is right there in front of him. He stops the swing of his arm barely in time, and the blade halts, vibrating, an inch from the Archangel's neck.
Ben yanks his arm back and falls to his knees, panting.] Raph...
A dream only, Benjamin. A shadow of what Wrath might make of you. A warning, nothing more. [Raphael wraps one arm around Ben's shoulders, resting his other hand on Ben's hair.] You know I cannot lie.
[Ben makes a noise down in his throat and closes his eyes. His heart kicks against his ribs like a wild horse, and he can't catch his breath.] Feels so real.
[Something headbutts him violently in the back, sending him sprawling into Raph's arms. Oh, look, it's a two-headed fire-breathing llama.] Even my dreams aren't usually this freaky. Which might explain why it feels so terribly real.
Guri's not gonna die over this thing, is he, Raph?
[Raphael sighs and Looks at the llama before turning his attention back to Ben.]
I am not of the Seraphim, son of God. That sight of theirs is not given to me, and it may be that even they could not give answer to that question. The Father knows.
[Raphael shakes his head, keeping up the embrace.] You cannot borrow that trouble, Ben. You will drive yourself to this act of Wrath if you dwell on What if. And if that happens, all you gained from having my brother as your Guardian will be lost to you.
I would be willing to bet on it. [Raphael spares the llama another Look.] Whatever comes when you face the Asylum, Ben, it will come in its own time. Take this for what it is -- not a vision of a certain future but a warning of what your darker impulses might do if left unchecked.
Cruel as your subconscious is, there is a part of it which has also been influenced by all you've learned of the Father and His desires for you. [Raphael runs a hand over Ben's hair.] And it is that part which seeks to show you the terrible price of giving yourself over to your Wrath.
[Ben nods against him.] Okay. Okay. It's just a dream. And a warning.
I can deal with that. [The llama headbutts him again.] I would dearly love to know where the fire-breathing two-headed llama from Hell came from, though. Because I don't even know, Raph.
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The llama sprouts a pair of heads and runs by Raphael, spitting wet balls of fire and gronking.]
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Eventually, when Ben wakes up, he is going to reflect on how ridiculous that action is. But for now, he's merely trying to run damage control long enough to calm Ben down, maybe redirect this dream . . .]
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Horrible, screeching laughter sounds all around him. He's gotten turned around in the fog, and suddenly Raph is right there in front of him. He stops the swing of his arm barely in time, and the blade halts, vibrating, an inch from the Archangel's neck.
Ben yanks his arm back and falls to his knees, panting.] Raph...
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This is a dream, son of God. Only a dream, a shadow of a shadow. Be at peace, Benjamin. Be at peace.
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I killed--
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... Guriel?
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Here, now, it is merely in your mind. You have the power to shape it, to change it if you wish. It is only a dream. No more.
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Guri's not gonna die over this thing, is he, Raph?
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I am not of the Seraphim, son of God. That sight of theirs is not given to me, and it may be that even they could not give answer to that question. The Father knows.
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But He's not telling.
I don't mind if I die, Raph. If I die, I win. Probably the reason I'm still alive.
[He shudders.] But if Guri dies...
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Worse.
[A shuddering breath.] It's just my subconscious. Spinning out worst-case scenarios. Like it does. Right?
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Cruel as your subconscious is, there is a part of it which has also been influenced by all you've learned of the Father and His desires for you. [Raphael runs a hand over Ben's hair.] And it is that part which seeks to show you the terrible price of giving yourself over to your Wrath.
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I can deal with that. [The llama headbutts him again.] I would dearly love to know where the fire-breathing two-headed llama from Hell came from, though. Because I don't even know, Raph.
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