Krimson City; The Evil Within short resonances.

Story One: Resonance.

The familiar feeling of dread seeped into his stomach; and it was at that moment Sebastian knew he was royally fucked.

An icy sensation prickled his skin; he was being observed. Like a lab rat in a new trial. It was fair to say that this was how Ruvik viewed him, considering the amount of traps and trials he had narrowly escaped only to be forcibly thrown into something a hundred times worse than the previous endeavour. Not to mention; the hooded man seemed to take a twisted enjoyment from the detective's plights- but what could be expected? The one constant in the ever-changing and breaking STEM was that Ruvik was in control, and would do as he so pleased.

It was a rigged game from the moment he was made aware Leslie had entered the machine; and there was nothing Sebastian, Joseph or Kidman could have done to prevent the events from unfolding in exactly the manner the scarred male desired. In their case- they suffered, horribly.

And yet Ruvik wore that malicious smirk.

"Fuck, I need a drink." Sebastian heaved, as he stepped over the mutilated corpse of one of the many Haunted within this warped version of Krimson City. He had found himself in one of the main streets of the city; but a terrifyingly broken and disturbed version of it. It was filled with the stench of blood that the detective had begun to get used to after such prolonged exposure. Despite the stoic front, Sebastian remained cautious. His gun was aimed and he was prepared to pull the trigger; for he was aware he had to be ready at all times, for anything. Everything was Ruvik's will; and if he willed it, corpses could begin dropping out of the fucking sky.

"I somehow doubt you'll find one here." A wearisome, emotionless voice called out to him- too close for comfort.

Spinning on his heel with his gun raised, Sebastian flinched as he came face to face with the STEM's Core. Ice-cold eyes glared into the detective's own deep brown eyes, and Sebastian could feel a panic building within his chest. Ruvik tilted his head slightly to the side as he observed Sebastian with seemingly utter disinterest, "Are you planning on using that gun on me, detective?" He taunted, malice written on his heavily scarred features, "I doubt it would do you much good."

"Better than givin' up willingly." Sebastian retorted, using the gun as a means of keeping distance between them. Ruvik always had a way of getting too close, simply because he knew it unnerved the other male. He seemed to take great pleasure from Sebastian's discomfort and pain.

"Always one for the enduring show, Seb." The cloaked Core sighed in response, before taking another step towards him, "I wonder just how tired you really are. "

"Fuck off." Sebastian growled in response, instinctively stepping back as Ruvik advanced, "I don't give a shit how tired I am or how curious you are. I've got things to do, and you're in the way." He mused bravely, growing irritated with the killer's constant tauntings. Sebastian feared Ruvik; but letting that show so plainly would be giving the Core ammunition that he really did not require.

Giving a click of his tongue, Ruvik sighed heavily once more, "Language. I could say the same about you, Seb. You are proving more of an obstacle than your partners." He tutted, as if bored. However, knowing Ruvik and the way his mind worked; he was enthralled by the detective's ability to push on with such a burning determination.

Even the way he spat in the face of certain danger and put on a brave front amused him greatly.

Sebastian didn't take his eyes off of the scarred male once; and scoffed, "I hope I get on your nerves." He responded, earning a humourless chuckle from the other man, whom of which reached out, and gently poked the detective's shoulder. At the contact, Sebastian flinched and jumped backwards; fear written on his features for but a short moment. A blink, and one would have missed it before the expression was replaced with anger, "Don't fucking touch me!"

"I didn't realise you were so jumpy, detective." Ruvik mused, that signature smirk pulling at the corners of his lips, "Something tells me you are much more wary of me than you let on. I have barely interacted with you; and yet your fear is so intense. Would you fear me even more if I actually began to mess with you? I have barely started." Violence dripped from his tone like poison, and the detective was growing impatient with it,

"If you're going to do something; do it or get out of my way!" Sebastian snapped irritably, "You're wasting my damn time."

This response seemed to take Ruvik aback somewhat- but yet, part of him wasn't surprised by Sebastian's reaction. He was hot-headed, impatient and determined; however, he had extreme fear and sustained trauma that he didn't let on in most scenarios. An enigma of a stereotype, really.

Who would have thought the detective stereotype would be the interesting one?

Scowling at himself, Ruvik stepped back and eyed the other male with the curiosity that a doctor shows a patient, "I am sure you know all about time, Seb. We will soon see how much of it you have left and how well it treats you." He spoke darkly, before he phased away from sight.

Sebastian could feel the sweat rolling from his forehead. The panic subsided for a moment, but was replaced with unease. Ruvik had not done anything- he didn't teleport him to a different part of his mind. He didn't cause bodily harm. Everything was as it was; and the ghost had just disappeared.

This caused the detective to worry more, however, because no doubt that meant something terrible was up ahead that Ruvik wanted him to suffer through. Nothing was ever easy, and if it was too good to be true- chances are, it wasn't true.

Shaking his head and scoffing once more, Sebastian continued on his way, and turned left down the main road to see Kidman, Joseph and Leslie standing together.

Guns raised, and Leslie screamed.

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Hello all!!

I'm super into this game and have been for a really long time- I have a lot of inspiration to write because of this game; and I apologise that I have been disappearing and then coming back but then disappearing again. This has been the absolute wildest and worst two years of my life!!

I hope you all are well despite everything, though!!

I'm going to make a conscious effort to be writing more again; I miss being here and you all.

I hope you're well; and if you have any prompts regarding The Evil Within short stories you would like to see- let me know!!

Thank you, and until next time!! <3