The Otherworldly Mercenary

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The word rang out like a thunderclap in the vast, echoing hall.

God!

It wasn't a question, nor was it an exclamation born of fear. Instead, it was an undeniable declaration that reverberated within the minds of all present, leaving them stunned. The very sound of it seemed to shatter their resolve. Their bodies trembled involuntarily, and an unexplainable urge to bow down before the man in front of them surged in their hearts. Their eyes, wide with disbelief and awe, reflected the enigma that was Seph.

A hushed silence followed, broken only by the faint sound of shallow breaths. Then came a shout, frantic and piercing, shattering the spell that had entranced the crowd.

"WAIT!!"

The cry sliced through the heavy atmosphere, causing every head to swivel toward the source. Standing at the edge of the room was a man who appeared utterly out of place in this scene of chaos and reverence. He had a full head of silver hair, neatly combed, and wore a sharp business suit that gave him the air of a respectable salesman.

Despite the incongruity, his presence was undeniable.

"M-Mo… Mobius!" gasped the dark-skinned woman, her voice quivering with a mixture of relief and disbelief. Hope flickered in her eyes as though she had just glimpsed salvation.

Seph, whose very presence seemed to dominate the room, shifted his gaze toward the newcomer. His eyes, cold and calculating, scanned the man from head to toe. His voice, when he spoke, was as frigid as a winter storm. "And who might you be?"

The man offered a polite nod to the woman, acknowledging her silently, before turning his attention to Seph. A gentle and disarming smile appeared on his face, one that seemed to diffuse tension without trying.

"My name is Mobius," He began, his tone calm and even, "and I'm an analyst with the Time Variance Authority. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Mobius's response was unorthodox given the circumstances, but it caught Seph's interest. For a moment, the mercenary's icy demeanor softened into something resembling curiosity. He observed Mobius closely, his piercing gaze locking onto the man like a predator sizing up potential prey.

Then, unexpectedly, Seph's lips curled into a smile.

"Finally, an intelligent person," He said, the killing intent that had filled the room just moments before dissipating like mist in the morning sun. "I've been wondering if the TVA's recruitment standards had hit rock bottom. Tell me, Mobius, do you personally vet these so-called agents? Or do they just hire anyone who can hold a weapon?"

Mobius's brows rose slightly, surprised by the sudden shift in Seph's tone.

"Haha," He chuckled lightly, "I'll be sure to pass your feedback to the recruitment department. And I must say, I've never met such a... conversational Variant before."

Seph let out a small laugh, his posture relaxing. "Variant, huh? That's what you people call us. Fine by me. But let's skip the labels. Mobius, may I call you that?"

"Of course," Mobius replied with a nod. "Why don't we sit down and talk?"

With a snap of his fingers, Seph summoned two chairs from the shadows of the room. They slid smoothly across the floor, coming to a halt in the middle of the hall.

Seph gestured toward them with an air of casual authority. "By all means."

Before taking his seat, Seph turned to the dark-skinned woman, who had been standing frozen, torn between fury and fear.

"As for you," He said sharply, "take care of the injured. Go now."

The woman, known as Hunter B-15, hesitated for a moment, her eyes darting toward Mobius for reassurance.

"Hunter B-15, go ahead," Mobius said, his tone calm yet firm. "I'll handle Seph."

B-15 nodded reluctantly, her face a mixture of frustration and resignation. She activated her communication device and began coordinating assistance for the wounded agents. As she left, her wary eyes lingered on Seph, who had already turned his attention back to Mobius.

Once they were seated, Mobius leaned back slightly, adopting an approachable yet cautious demeanor. "So, Seph, what brings you to the TVA?"

Seph's expression darkened momentarily, though his tone remained measured.

"Tell me, Mobius," He said, "have you ever worked tirelessly for years, enduring bloodshed and loneliness, only to finally find a moment of peace? A moment where you thought you could settle down, only to have it snatched away?"

Mobius tilted his head slightly, intrigued. "I suppose anyone would be furious if that happened. Why do you ask?"

"Because that's exactly what you and your TVA have done to me," Seph replied, his voice tinged with bitterness. "I was done with the killing, the chaos. I found someone – Virginia – someone who made me believe there's more to life. And just as I was about to kiss her, your agents barged in. They attacked me. They threatened her. All for what?"

Mobius let out a slow breath, leaning forward slightly.

"I understand your frustration," He said earnestly. "But the TVA doesn't act without reason. There are protocols, rules..."

"Rules?" Seph interrupted with a cold laugh. "Let me tell you about your rules, Mobius."

Without warning, he reached out and touched Mobius's forehead with his fingertips. "Remember who you are."

Mobius's eyes widened as his vision blurred. A torrent of memories – vivid, overwhelming, and utterly alien – surged through his mind. Faces, places, emotions, and events he couldn't place yet felt deeply familiar flooded his consciousness. He sat frozen, grappling with the storm within his head.

Hunter B-15, who had been observing from a distance, shouted in alarm.

"What did you do to him?" She charged toward Seph, her time stick raised.

With a snap of his fingers, Seph halted her in her tracks. She fell to her knees as though the very air had conspired to hold her down. Calmly, Seph reached out and touched her forehead as well.

"Remember who you are," He murmured again.

Both Mobius and Hunter B-15 remained still, their expressions vacant as they processed the flood of memories Seph had unlocked. Slowly, Mobius's eyes regained focus. He looked at Seph, his face a mixture of confusion, awe, and anger.

"What did you do to us?" He demanded, his voice unsteady.

Seph leaned back in his chair, completely at ease. "I returned what was stolen from you. Your memories. Your lives. The TVA erased them and molded you into their loyal pawns. But you're more than that. You're Variants, just like me. Taken from your timelines and brainwashed to serve this... sham of an organization."

"You're lying!" Hunter B-15 snapped, her voice shaking with emotion. "The Time-Keepers created us! We've always been part of the TVA!"

Seph's laugh was harsh and unforgiving. "Do you really believe that? Thousands of agents, all conjured from thin air? No, Hunter. You had lives before this. Families, dreams, identities. If you don't believe me, see for yourselves. The truth is there, waiting to be uncovered."

Mobius's hands trembled as he ran them through his hair.

"This... this can't be true," he whispered. Yet doubt had already taken root in his voice.

Seph leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with intensity.

"Take me to Ravonna Renslayer," He said. "She is one of a very important key person in all this shit. Also, that Miss Minutes, that AI thing of yours. Its job was to keep an eye on all the Variants working in TVA from defecting and recovering their original self. And she is still listening to our conversation."

"Then wouldn't she...?" Hunter B-15 furrowed her brows and asked.

Mobius stared at Seph, his mind still grappling with the storm of memories that had been unleashed. The name 'Ravonna Renslayer' hung in the air like a challenge, and Mobius's lips pressed into a thin line. The analyst had spent years believing in the authority of the TVA and the sanctity of its mission.
But now, cracks had begun to form in the foundation of his understanding.

Seph grinned and said lightly. "I just created a barrier around this entire place. Let alone your little toy to travel around, even a real God might not be able to step out of this place without my permission.

"Now led the way!"

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