Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The Cabin flared to life as murmurs were heard outside of the cabin echoing through the woods, The Npcs only watched as the survivors huddled together inside, the cold wind blowing through the empty forest.

 

Shedletsky laid his back onto the couch watching as the scene unfolded Elliot and 007n7 fighting once again. The other survivors only shifted uncomfortably as the two argued.

 

Only Guest and Chance was there to try to stop those two, but it was useless.

 

“IF YOU DIDN’T LEAD YOUR DAM CLONE TO ME I WOULD HAVE LIVED!” Elliot shrieked as his blood boiled while 007n7 rolled his eyes and gritted his teeth,

 

“Maybe you should have moved out of the way, YOU KNOW I DON’T CONTROL THEM.” He muttered under his breath quiet enough for the others to not hear but loud enough for The worker.

 

“You… DAM EXPLOITER!” Elliot soon stomped his way to 007n7 punching him in the face before getting grabbed by chance as the father looked at him in shock before pure rage came onto his face.

 

Guest was about to grip onto him but was quickly pushed away.

 

The other man quickly threw a punch as Chance stumbled back as the other survivors only watched the two fight like cats.

 

“Enough.” Builderman said tiredly as Guest and Chance pulled the two away from each other both of them Beaten up and badly bruised.

 

007n7 coughed out blood as his tail thrashed against Guest, his horn cracked while Elliot had a black eye and bleeding fists.

 

“We’re stuck in this Hell for… who knows how long we need to work together as a team 007n7 apologize please.”

 

The Father let out a short breath looking away before gripping his vest tightly whispering an apology, Elliot just frowned before pushing Chance away and walking to the bathroom.

 

He quickly slammed the door before sighing and looked at himself the slow dripping of blood onto the sink made him quickly wash his face the bruise still there.

 

He quickly went outside of the cabin finding nobody there before seeing the others outside all mesmerized by something glowing a fire, he quickly ran out panic set into his eyes as the fire grew and the shadows grew sharper before.

 

darkness.

 

Noob shrieked as Chance was taken away by something Elliot stumbled as he watched the others panic.

 

007n7 fell onto the Dark floor as Guest was taken away next.

 

Dark hands Grabbing each person before it was only Elliot and 007n7

 

“ELLIOT!”

 

He heard the man Scream out before it went dark a blinding flash of light before he closed his eyes.

 

You are on a path on the woods,

And at the end of that path is a cabin.

And in the basement of that cabin is a demon.

You are here to slay it,

If you don’t it will be the end of the world.

 

Elliot woke up gasping as he stood up the crunch of the leaves beneath him as he looked at his hands that shook,

 

quick shallow breaths as his heart pounded against his chest a headache growing as he gripped onto the Grass, he was in the middle of a forest.

 

He calmed down his breathing still heavy as he struggled to stand up.

 

A voice echoed.

 

‘Finally you’ve stood up hero now it’s time you’ve went to that cabin now right?’

 

Elliot shuddered looking around his surroundings confused on how he could hear the voice, a short laughter.

 

‘Are you really trying to find me? Hmmm Hilarious but really I suggest you get going.’

 

“Where am I suppose to go..?” Elliot asked confused looking around the trees warping against itself Grass too tall and flowers too short the stars almost dream like before his train of thought was stopped by the voice.

 

‘Do I really need to say it again?’

 

“Say what??? He asked clearly confused about everything that was going on.

 

The voice just sighed before clearing his throat and speaking.

 

‘You are on a path on the woods,

And at the end of that path is a cabin.

And in the basement of that cabin is a demon.

You are here to slay it,

If you don’t it will be the end of the world.’

 

Elliot just stared at the sky his wide eyes bulging at that point before he just walks into the opposite way.

 

‘Hey! Where are you going?!’

 

“Nope I’m not slaying any demon!” He spoke as he continued walking before stopping the flickering lights and the wooden cabin lay on top of a hill.

 

‘Are you sure about that? Hehe how strange it seems like this path also leads to the cabin… How convenient, Everything’s back on track and you can go slay that demon!’

 

The voice was clearly amused before he Walked away again.

 

‘You’re really keen on wasting my time aren’t you? Don’t you get it?! You’ll end the world! Everybody will die! Just go back to the cabin!’

 

“No he won’t do it,
He won’t do somebody else dirty work and stain his hands with blood.”

 

Another voice chimed in.

He knew whose voice that was.

 

“Guest…?” Elliot murmured as the cold wind blew against him, he shivered before the silence sank in.

 

“Yeah it’s me.”

 

“Thank god I thought I would be stuck with that voice.”

 

‘Hey!’

 

Elliot paced and walked before going back…

 

‘Oh, would you look at that! You're at the cabin again! Now, I'm not normally one for superstition or astrology, but I have to say, it seems like the Universe itself is doing its best to bring you to your fated confrontation with the demon!’

 

“Dear Telamon I’m going crazy…” he whispered walking around before going across another cabin he grunted before walking back getting lost within the woods.

 

‘You back into the woods again and soon you see first a flicker at the corner of your eyes and soon its structure is revealed.’

 

Elliot soon ran away once again as he ran The voice spoke once again.

‘Are you doing this to make fun of me? Cause the whole world is going to end if you don’t get inside that cabin NOW!’

 

The voice yelled the glitching like effect at the shout but Elliot continued before stopping seeing multiple cabins

 

He turned back again hoping that he could escape these woods maybe find the others before seeing the woods twist and soon the trees were all cabins.

 

The lights flickered before every cabin went dark all of it seemed to merge together.

 

“I… Were trapped…”

 

Guest spoke his voice almost shaking while Elliot stood in shock at the sudden transformation.

 

‘You’ve doomed us all… you know that right? But of course you do! Otherwise you wouldn’t just wander off into the forest in search of certain death.’

 

…

 

‘You lose track of how long you’ve spent aimlessly tromping through the wildernesss, but it’s not like any of that time is spent lost in the woods really matters, because it isn’t long before the world ends’

 

it was honestly terrifying and before he could take another step, he fell his body going weak as he heard guests voice trying to encourage him to get up but all he could hear was the others voice.

 

‘Everything goes black and you die… I hope you’re happy with yourself.’

Chapter Text

Soft music played as text appeared in front of Elliot’s eyes.

 

‘Chapter 2 The Stranger.’

 

He woke up gasping once again before hearing the voice play out.

 

‘You are on a path on the woods,

And at the end of that path is a cabin.

And in the basement of that cabin is a demon.

You are here to slay it,

If you don’t it will be the end of the world.’

 

“We’re back at the beginning…” he whispered to himself confused as he looked around at his surroundings.

 

“We’ve been here already and we’ve died…” He heard guests voice echo through his head while the voice just laughed.

 

‘I can assure you this is the first time we’ve met and you haven’t died!’

 

Elliot grumbled before looking at his surroundings it was almost the same except for a giant wall surrounding everything he turned at his back seeing the brick of wall he squinted at it in confusion.

 

“Why is there so many walls, they weren’t here last time…” He asked the voice which simply blabbered its explanation.

 

‘What are you talking about? I'm sure those walls have always been there. It makes sense if you think about it. if there weren't any walls in the woods, someone might have gotten lost. Or, heaven forbid, someone other than you might have stumbled onto the demon!’

 

“If he doesn’t remember anything that happened maybe it’s best to keep that way Ell.” Guest said before another voice chimed in a flick of a coin was heard but there was nobody near him.

 

“Ooo I don’t know… I think it’s more fun if he knows what we’re thinking, he’s like… a captive audience!” Chances voice rang out as Elliot sighed in relief.

 

“He might have walled everything but the path to the cabin… But I’m sure we can escape somehow we just have to depend on Lady Luck!” They said as another flick of a coin was heard the familiar sound calming Elliot.

 

“The world really did end the last time… Elliot be careful for all we know we just got lucky..”
The soldiers voice spoke almost spooked at his own words while Chance just whistled before the others voice spoke once again

 

‘The world hasn’t ended yet, and you are never gonna slay that demon with that attitude. Stuff those pathetic little voices to the back of your mind and stay focused on the task ahead.’

 

“They aren’t-!”

“Elliot it’s fine maybe we should just go to the cabin now.”

 

The man walked up at the path seeing the familiar cabin atop the hill with the walls surrounding everything the greenery fading out before the annoying voice was heard once again.

 

‘A warning. Before you go any further…’

‘It will lie, it will cheat, and it will do everything it can to stop you from slaying it. Don’t believe a word it says.’

 

“If we’re stuck going in there… maybe we should trust this demon yeah maybe it’s actually an angel in disguise.” Chance joked and snickered

 

‘Ignore him he’s being difficult for the sake of it.’

 

“Let’s just keep an open mind.”

 

Elliot proceeded to the cabin his legs shaking slightly as he opened the door the light dim as he looked at his surroundings.

 

‘The cabin interior is wrong, a confusing patchwork of many cabin interiors all projected across what’s almost the same space. But it’s all shifted an inch here a foot there-… enough that the seams are never quite visible enough for the place to make any sense…’

 

“What a yapper.” Chance whispered.

 

The voice grunted clearly annoyed but continued.

 

‘The only furniture of note is a plain table, its legs all the wrong lengths. It’s material devoid of feature. Perched on that table is a pristine blade.’

 

“If he wants us to take it maybe we shouldn’t what good is a knife against a world ending demon?!” He said while Guest sighed.

 

“No Chance have you seen this place? We have no idea what we’re dealing with…”
Guest shuddered as Elliot looked at the twisting sides of the cabin all wrong.

 

‘But I already told you what you’re dealing with. You’re dealing with a demon. How many times do I have to explain this incredibly simple and straightforward premise?’

 

“You can’t just say that! Everything here seems so wrong so tangled…” he whispered.

 

‘My job is to describe the facts and to guide you through your job, which is guess what to slaying the demon! And through that action save the entire world.’

 

‘You can’t let fear creep into your heart! You can’t lose yourself before you even get to it’

 

Elliot sighed as he walked near the table grabbing the pristine blade it looked familiar.

“Oh it’s two times dagger!” Chance exclaimed while the annoying voice coughed before narrating his action.

 

‘You take the blade from the table. It would be difficult to slay the demon and save the world without a weapon.’

 

“You look weird holding it like that Hold it in a cool way!”

“Why would he do that?”

“Cause he looks stupid holding it like that it should be like the thumb at the bottom. He will look much tougher and cooler if he holds it like that.”

 

“This is stupid.” Elliot mutters before holding it the way Chance had suggested.

 

He soon walks to the door steeping into the basement before stopping the abyss staring at him while three stairs caught his attention.

 

‘The door to the basement creaks open, revealing a web of branching staircases all built from unidentifiable materials…’

 

‘Nothing here seems to belong, and the closer you examine your surroundings the more confused you get, your head throbbing with the effort of making sense of this place… none of the stars seem to go anywhere, let alone down.’

 

“Dear Telamon this is like a horror movie.” Elliot said while the voices chimed in agreeing.

 

‘The air here has a sickening, almost sludge-like miasma to it, the kind of indiscernible quality that comes from the blending together of every scent there is at once. An odor that is simultaneously everything and yet the sum of it all coalescing into a thick, nauseating nothing.’

 

‘if that demon truly lives here, slaying it is probably doing it a favor.’

 

“I…” guest was appalled clearly to confused to speak before…

 

‘Its voice, a disquieting collage of tone and personality, drags up the stairs.’

 

“‘! H3lLO? HI. what… Ar£ y0u dœInġ here..? AR3 yOu h3re to… -KILL.’”

 

“I don’t like that.” Elliot stepped back clearly horrified at the sound before Guest spoke.

 

“Don’t do this Elliot, turn around and leave. This feels all wrong, like it’s a trap like whatever we do we’re gonna die.” He spoke while Chance just chuckled.

 

“Come on! Don’t be a baby and besides we can’t leave he threw up a wall! No way to go but forward and whatever choice we make, whatever that demon is we know one thing for sure!”

 

“And what’s that chance?”

 

“We can always come back!”

 

Elliot only sighed as he heard the bickering between the two before looking at the three stairs before going onto the right step of stairs.

 

‘You step to the right. The path feels soft and reassuring against your feet. The stairs almost seem to cradle you as you make your way down, like they're guiding your heels from one step directly to the next.

 

You barely have to extend any effort to descend, the stairway doing most of the work for you, and you don't feel like there's any concern that you might slip or tumble or lose your way.’

 

Elliot noticed the way Guest and Chance had quieted down almost as if they could feel it too but then…

 

‘But the further you go, the deeper you sink in. First it's like a lovely plush carpet, your toes digging down and barely hitting any resistance at all. But soon enough you're fighting just to keep your knees from sinking out of sight.’

 

Elliot struggled to move as he kept his knees ahead the soft stairs almost gripping onto him as the annoying voice continued making it worse.

 

‘The softness threatens to swallow you whole, to wrest control of your body and surround you in a false ethereal bliss, pretending to save you from the cruelties of choice and consequence.’

 

“Make it stop!” Guest yelled but the other voice said nothing to stop this.

 

‘It’s slow-going but you manage to fight your way against the overwhelming urge to fall back into the comfort of nothingness, the very struggle to continue forward, consuming your every thought…’

 

Elliot slowly fell down his eyes blurring as he thought of all the things he had went through, death, grief, life itself and pain… so much pain…

 

‘You slowly lose sense of yourself the further you go.’

 

‘Time disappears, and you can feel yourself to unwrap.’

 

‘Physical sensations dull and vanish, until the only things experienced are the endless patterns and emotions of a journey, a continuous march forwards to a destination long forgotten.’

 

‘Consumption and betrayal.

 

Skepticism and blind devotion.

 

Rivalry and submission.

 

Terror and longing.

 

Pain and unfamiliarity.

 

And at the heart of it all, an emotion that can only be described as-‘

 

“‘Are you okay..?’”

 

A soft comforting voice echoed through the basement as Elliot looked up seeing the demon chained to the wall his horn cracked and his tail thrashing against the floor as he backed away.

 

“What… what the… what happened to us?!”

 

“I feel so….strange. Like I’m different but still… the same person I was when we were at the stairs…”

 

‘The demons eyes bright but otherwise shrouded in darkness, watches you impatiently from the other side of the basement. Don't forget why you're here.’

 

“Sorry I just needed to think…” Elliot murmured

 

“‘It’s okay I don’t mind…’” He spoke softly.

 

‘The shadows recede, revealing the demons face.’

 

“007n7?” Elliot muttered seeing the soft expression turn into fear.

 

“‘H-how do you know my name…’”

Before Elliot could speak again as if a mirror cracked 007n7 had another like a clone but it was far too different.

“‘How do you know my name.” The same words but it was more aggressive.’”

 

‘As the demon speaks again it’s almost as if it fractures, and where there was one just one of it there is now another.’

 

“Oh no. It’s like those cabins again! Can …can we put him back?!” Guest was panicking while Chance stayed quiet.

 

‘Again have you been here before?!’

 

Chaos soon erupted

 

“Right. I'm telling him. Yeah, we've been here before. But we never went to the cabin. We just... turned around and left, until...”

 

‘Until ?’

 

“The cabin was everywhere and then you told Elliot the world ended and he died.”

 

‘Oh dear god.’

 

“What do you know what happened to me?” Elliot asked desperate for some kind of answer while 007n7 looked at him clearly uncomfortable.

 

“‘I.. don’t know what happened to you but you look okay now! I understand how you feel, sometimes I feel like I’m being pulled apart too, it’s terrifying but at least you’re here with me you’re not alone and I’m not alone either!’”

 

“‘You’re broken and I am too we’re never getting out of here.’”

 

“‘I barely remember what it was like before this place. Why would I know what happened to you?’”

 

“There’s- more of you…” Elliot whispered but clearly the demon had heard it.

 

“‘Is that suppose to be a joke cause it’s not funny.’”

 

“‘But I feel perfectly fine?’” The neutral one said

 

“‘I’m scared what are you saying..?’” The soft one whispered

 

“‘And what is that suppose to mean? Are you trying to get under my skin?’” The irritated one spoke.

 

‘It fractures again.’

 

“Elliot stop asking question it’s clearly making it worse!” Guest quickly shot before the annoying voice continued talking.

 

‘This is why you need to slay it NOW before things get more complicated than they already are!’

 

“We need to get out of here. It’s making my skin itch…” Chance whispered.

 

Before Guest could speak again Elliot asked another question.

 

“You’re apparently a threat to the world, I was sent to here to slay you.” He said blankly the demons eyes locking in on him.

 

“‘B-but I don’t want to hurt anybody! I like the world I think.. you don’t think I’m some monster do you? Just because I have horns and a tail doesn’t mean that!’” The soft one spoke before-

 

“‘Because I am. Everything you’ve heard about me is true, I’m going to lay waste to everything starting with you.’” A terrifying reflection of the demon shattered from the original.

 

“What do we do?? Can there even be a right choice when all of them are so different..” guest spoke confused and desperate for some answer.

 

‘Stop overthinking everything! Do the right thing and slay it!’

 

“Elliot! Just do something anything! Do all of it if you want this place is hell and it’s only getting worse!”

 

Elliot took a step forward before he could feel himself step back aswell, he could feel himself bleeding and he could feel himself being perfectly fine, before the Annoying voice spoke.

 

‘You take a step forward, your foot lands. But it lands… different. You experience a firm footfall, a gentle tread, a confident stride.’

 

‘You can feel yourself rupture. The room spins, your perception multiplying in a sickening kaleidoscope as your very self is torn apart in so many incomprehensible directions.’

 

‘All at once you use it to strike at its bindings as you remain upstairs and slay it and leave it alone.’

 

‘This is unbearable…’

 

“Everything’s happening at the same time it feels like nothing I-“ Chance panicked the flickering coin now a low ring as it dropped to the ground inside Elliot’s head while the man himself saw the exploiter twist and spiral against its other versions.

 

‘I… nothing and everything, doesn’t go on forever the world and the demon it all collapses on themselves before it all…’

 

“Where did that voice go?” Guest asked before Elliot looked at the abomination before him too many horns too many tails twisting and the walls seemed foggy.

 

“‘“ what happened to me? Us. What am I are we? There are parts of me us that are dead and my body others don’t fit.’””

 

It looked at Elliot with desperate, soft, longing, terrifying, eyes

 

“‘“ I we can feel it them moving around in spaces I they don’t belong! It’s all so too much uncomfortable.’””

 

“‘“Did you YOU do this? Did we I do this can you help me? Help us help me fix us? Me. Pull back us me apart?”’”

 

“We have to help him we did this…”

 

“‘“Please? DO IT,”’”

 

“‘“ Elliot?”’”

 

Before He could speak,

 

A blinding flash of light burned the creature and all that was left was a pile of ashes and a mirror beneath it all.

 

He’ll never know if he heard his reply.

 

“He’s gone? Where did 007n7 go?! Should we find him?”

 

Elliot mesmerized by it started approaching it while guest begged him not to do it.

 

And before he touched the mirror they were gone.

 

He needed to see what was in it.

 

It’s just him.

 

…

 

It is empty and Cold and alone it’s so so quiet here.

 

Elliot walked up the hills of nothing.

 

He looked up seeing fire twisting against a figure.

 

“‘Something finds me in the empty halls. And it brings me a vessel.’”

 

Elliot stepped back seeing the figure in front of him

 

The same figure he has saw moments ago covered in burn marks that covered his eyes and his arms and twisting fire that held him all together.

 

“Who… who are you. “

 

“‘A dim fire in an empty town. What are you?’”

 

Elliot stayed silent before taking a step forward.

 

“Let him go!”

 

The being didn’t answer before it quickly responded as if saddened.

 

“‘I’m sorry. There are some changes that can never be undone, there are some tears that can never be unshed. This is not a place that can hold a fragment of a concept. He was destined to return to me.’”

 

Elliot frowned.

“I… did you send me to slay him…?”

 

A long silence before the heads moved slightly to the right.

 

“‘I have woken up long ago but I am not the one who has trapped you.. I too yearn to be free.’”

 

“Have we met before…?”elliot asked a sense of familiarity beating in his heart before it answered.

 

“‘You are familiar but you are not me. I feel sadness, longing and hope as I witness you.”

 

“Are you 007n7?” He asked Cautiously.

 

“‘ Is that what this vessel calls himself? Then yes I am he is part of me and part of me is him.’”

 

“What happens now?”

 

“‘Nothing, as we are. But I know that there are worlds beyond us, and that we are meant to reach them.’”

 

“‘There may be no exit but this vessel is a creature of perception, he can make you forget if you believe him to.’”

 

“‘Bring me more vessels more fragments and perspectives so that I may be whole, and perhaps we shall bring all freedom.’”

 

Elliot stayed silent looking at the empty ground.

 

“Okay make me forget.”

 

He looks at the distorted figure of 007n7.

 

“‘It asks of me to let you remember him.’”

 

“‘You won’t.’”

Chapter Text

You are on a path on the woods,

And at the end of that path is a cabin.

And in the basement of that cabin is a demon.

You are here to slay it,

If you don’t it will be the end of the world.

 

Elliot woke up gasping as he stood up the crunch of the leaves beneath him as he looked at his hands that shook,

 

quick shallow breaths as his heart pounded against his chest a headache growing as he gripped onto the Grass, he was in the middle of a forest.

 

He calmed down his breathing still heavy as he struggled to stand up.

 

A voice echoed.

 

‘Finally you’ve stood up hero now it’s time you’ve went to that cabin now right?’

 

Elliot shuddered looking around his surroundings confused on how he could hear the voice, a short laughter.

 

‘Are you really trying to find me? Hmmm Hilarious but really I suggest you get going.’

 

“Where am I suppose to go..?” Elliot asked confused looking around the trees warping against itself Grass too tall and flowers too short the stars almost dream like before his train of thought was stopped by the voice.

 

‘Do I really need to say it again?’

 

“Say what??? He asked clearly confused about everything that was going on.

 

The voice just sighed before clearing his throat and speaking.

 

‘You are on a path on the woods,

And at the end of that path is a cabin.

And in the basement of that cabin is a demon.

You are here to slay it,

If you don’t it will be the end of the world.’

 

Elliot just stared at the sky his wide eyes bulging at that point before he just walks into the opposite way.

 

‘Hey! Where are you going?!’

 

“Nope I’m not slaying any demon!” He spoke as he continued walking before stopping the flickering lights and the wooden cabin lay on top of a hill.

 

‘Are you sure about that? Hehe how strange it seems like this path also leads to the cabin… How convenient, Everything’s back on track and you can go slay that demon!’

 

The voice was clearly amused before Elliot sighed.

 

“I guess that’s the only way isn’t it Ell?” A familiar voice rang out as the survivors eyes lightened up.

 

“Guest thank goodness your here dear Telamon I thought I was only gonna hear this voice..” Elliot sighed in relief as the annoying voice gasped in shock.

 

‘I am not annoying…’

 

Before he coughed and continued his dialogue as Elliot stared at the cabin.

 

‘A warning. Before you go any further…’

 

‘It will lie, it will cheat, and it will do everything it can to stop you from slaying it. Don’t believe a word it says.’

 

Elliot tensed as he walked to the cabin the creak of the door echoing through the greenery before it closed.

 

‘The interior of the cabin is almost entirely bare. The air stale and musty while the floors and walls were painted in a fine layer of dust.

The only furniture was a plain wooden table. Perched on that table is a pristine blade.’

 

‘The blade is your implement. You’ll need it if you want to do this right.’

 

“It’ll be easy right..? That demon is chained yeah?” Elliot asked while the voice responded quickly.

 

‘Of course it will be.’

 

He felt his hands shake before grabbing the dagger.

 

“Oh it’s two times dagger.” Guest noticed the detail while Elliot still shook at the feeling.

 

‘You take the blade from the table. It’s be rather difficult to slay that demon and save the world without it.’

 

He entered the basement the stairs creaking under his weight as he held the walls for balance.

 

‘The door to the basement creaks open, revealing a staircase faintly illuminated by an unseen light in the room below.

This is an oppressive place. The air feels heavy and damp, a hint of rot filtering from the ancient wood.

If that demon really lives here slaying it would be doing it a favor!’

 

“That sounds wrong to hear.” Guest whispered while Elliot just sighed his legs shaking as he took one step down.

 

‘Its voice carries up the stairs.’

 

“‘Who’s there?’”

 

Elliot felt his cheeks flush with red.

 

“He sounds dangerous Elliot be careful.”

 

‘Don’t let it fool you. It’s all part of the manipulation.’

 

The voices comforted him as he went down soon meeting eye to eye with the demon.

 

‘You walk down the stairs and lock eyes with the demon the shadows covering its face. There’s a heavy chain around its wrist, binding it to the far wall of the basement.’

 

“He’s so beautiful…” Elliot shook as he gripped the dagger.

 

“‘And there you are. Are you here to kill me or something?’”

 

He asked mockingly almost familiar to the man but he steeled his nerves and stepped forward.

 

‘You step forward, your grip on the blade tightening as you steel your resolve.’

 

“‘Oh no talking. Hah … what makes you think you can kill me?’”

 

“‘I’m chained up here for a reason. And if that dagger is the only weapon you have you’ll have to get close to use it.’”

 

He smirked thinking he had won

 

“‘So you should just drop it, best not risk finding out what I can-‘“

 

Before he continued Elliot quickly ran to him stabbing the dagger into his heart.

 

‘You lunge forward without a moments hesitation.’

 

‘You feel flesh easily give way and look down to see your blade sinking deep into the demons heart the shadows now gone and you could see the demons face.’

 

“007n7?!”

The demon coughed out blood as Elliot lay his body down gently onto the floor his hands shaking now.

 

“Oh god dear Telamon what have I done.” Elliot whispered to himself panicked he had killed the man!

 

‘It’s already done, he isn’t alive anymore he stopped breathing moments ago.’

 

“Maybe we can find the others tell them what happened maybe they can fix this.” Guest suggested as Elliot slowly let go going up the stairs looking at the corpse again before stepping into the cabin.

 

‘With your work done, you make your way back up the stairs, closing the door to the basement behind you.’

 

“I feel… so horrible.” He whispered to himself as he curled onto the floor.

 

‘Well you did kill somebody, Greater good or not, something would be very wrong with you if you didn’t feel at least a little bad. But it was for the Greater good, One of these days. That will sink in and help your guilty conscience..’

 

Nobody responded to the voice.

 

“Let’s just go find the others.”

 

‘You open the cabin door, ready to return to a world saved from certain doom.’

 

‘But a world from certain doom isn’t what you find, instead, what you find is nothing at all!

 

Where a lush green forest stood mere minutes ago, the only thing that stood in front of you is the vast emptiness of some place far away.’

 

“Wait what.”

 

‘Everything is fine, it’s just that you and the cabin are now far away from everybody. Don’t worry, you’ll be safe here. This is good the best actually! Everyone is happy you’ll be happy..’

 

“No! I’m not staying here…” Elliot exclaimed as he tried to exit before finding himself stuck inside he watched as the vast emptiness moved like the ocean.

 

‘What’s done is done Hero.’

 

‘This is what’s best for everybody.’

 

‘Trust me.’

 

Elliot curled up against the floor sitting down holding his wet face that was laced with tears.

 

‘Time passes. You can’t be sure if it’s days, or months, or years or even decades. It’s all a wonderful, boring blur.

 

You’ve never been happier.’

 

What a lie.

 

“Elliot I.. i have an idea to get out of here.” Guest spoke comforting the man sobbing.

 

“Wait what is it?”

 

“You won’t like it but… two times dagger.”

 

“Are you suggesting…”

 

‘I can hear everything you say, little voice. There’s only one thing it would want you to use that blade on, and I’m afraid that thing is you dear hero.’

 

“You’re right it’s the only way out of here Elliot.”

 

The man stood still processing the information.

 

‘Do you hear that? It wants to take this happiness away from you! It wants this wonderful place to end!’

 

“There’s more for us to do I know it. The only way we can escape is by taking that blade using it.” Guest spoke determined as Elliot soon stood up his legs shaking from how long he hadn’t used it.

 

‘No don’t you dare!’

 

Elliot said nothing before going the to basement door…

 

‘I made this happy little place for you! Is this not a good enough reward for saving the world?! An eternity of bliss! You… you ungrateful little!’

 

Elliot blocked out the annoying voices words going down seeing the corpse now just bones.

 

‘The demons body is dust and bones, though the blade you used to slay it is still as pristine as the day you first held it.’ The voice spoke through an annoyed tone.

 

Elliot approached taking the dagger the familiar feeling making him sick.

 

‘You pick up the blade.

 

You stab yourself,

 

And you die.’

 

Elliot coughed out the blood soon falling to the floor his eyes meeting the hollow skull.

 

“I hope this works.”

 

‘The end. Nice knowing you.’

Chapter Text

Soft music played as text appeared in front of Elliot’s eyes.

 

‘Chapter 2 The Spirit.’

 

He woke up gasping once again before hearing the voice play out.

 

‘You are on a path on the woods,

And at the end of that path is a cabin.

And in the basement of that cabin is a demon.

You are here to slay it,

If you don’t it will be the end of the world.’

 

“We’re back at the beginning…” he whispered to himself confused as he looked around at his surroundings.

 

“We’ve been here already and we’ve died…” He heard guests voice echo through his head while the voice just laughed.

 

‘I can assure you this is the first time we’ve met and you haven’t died!’

 

Elliot grumbled before looking at his surroundings it was the exact same as last time.

 

“Oh I know all your tricks now!” He spoke clearly angry as Guest stayed silent.

 

‘What are you talking about? My tricks…? We’ve just met for the first time mind you I already said that!’

 

“If he doesn’t remember anything that happened maybe it’s best to keep that way Ell.” Guest said before another voice chimed in a cold wind blew through Elliot’s clothes.

 

“It’s fine. The Spawn knows it wasn’t so hard to kill that demon last time! It will guide us through it!” The voice spoke unnervingly making Elliot tense up realizing who it was.

 

“Oh hey two time…”

 

“Greetings Healer.”

 

‘Well for whatever reason you’re going to insist… that this has happened before.. at least your hearts in the right place.’

 

Elliot walked slowly up to the hill the rotting greenery following behind looking at the cabin that seemed to be worn down by time.

 

‘A warning before you go any further.’

 

‘It will lie it will cheat, and it will do everything in its power to stop you from slaying it, don’t believe a word it says.’

 

“He won’t be such a problem.”

 

He slowly entered the cabin, stunned at the sight.

 

‘The interior of the cabin is cold, a soft odor of dirt permeating the air. Cobwebs flutter in the corners.

You can hear wind whistling outside, banging the shutters against the windows.

The only furniture of note is an elegant antique table with a pristine blade perched on the edge.’

 

“It changed a lot..” Guest commented.

 

‘The blade is your implement. You’ll need it if you want to do this right.’

 

“Take the blade Healer! We never know if the one you’ve sacrificed will come back… different.” Two time exclaimed.

 

Elliot felt a shiver way down in his spine, before taking the blade in one smooth swipe.

 

‘You take the blade from the table. It would be difficult to slay the demon and save the world without a weapon.’

 

He just sighed a shaky cold breath coming out before he entered the basement going down the stairs that still creaked.

 

‘The door to the basement groans open, revealing an old banister and a creaky. wooden stairwell.

 

Everything is coated in a thick layer of dust, and you can feel it settle into your lungs as you breathe in the stale air.

 

The very building itself feels dead. If that demon lives here, slaying it would probably be doing it a favor!’

 

‘The room below is silent.’

 

“Because he’s dead.” Guest muttered guilty.

 

‘As much as I appreciate the optimism, you shouldn’t be so sure.’ The voice mocked the other.

 

“Creepy.” Elliot whispered as he finally went down the Rotten wood almost seeming like it would break underneath his feet.

 

‘As you descend the final step, the form of the demon comes into view. A skeletal body lying in a heap on the floor, its wrist still bound to the wall by a thick chain.’ Almost confused at his own words.

 

“He really is dead.”

 

“Dear Telamon I’m gonna be sick…” Elliot held his face before hearing the wind.

 

Wait that shouldn’t be possible…

 

‘Before you speak, the top of a head appears from underneath the floor.’

 

Elliot stumbled to the wall his eyes wide in shock.

 

‘Two deep, set eyes stare up at you, followed by a mischievous skeletal grin.’

 

‘And finally, the rest of the body floats up to join the head… wait WHAT this isn’t right.. what’s going on here?!’

 

007n7 a wide grin as his legs faded replaced by a twisting fire and at the edges of his pale white skin his two tails and a burn at his chest, his form now younger looking like how he looked before…

 

“GHOST.” Guest screamed making Elliot close his eyes from the sudden sound.

 

“Just like Azure…” Two time muttered.

 

“‘It’s you.. Hiya killer…I was hoping to see you again after all I have some issues with how our last meeting went…’” He spoke mockingly as he got closer to the fallen man.

 

‘The demon…ghost? Drifts across the room into your orbit, gently running it fingers across your chest and soon grasped your neck as it circles you.

 

‘Its touch is cold and ethereal formless, yet… Real, enough that its icy fingertips send shivers dancing across your skin.’

 

“‘You’ve brought that dagger again… you know that doesn’t belong to you…’”

 

Elliot shivered as the spirit almost seemed to sit in front of him.

 

“‘ You planning to use it? Or are you here for something else…’”

 

Silence before Elliot spoke.

 

“Look uh I’m really really sorry… is there any way I can make it up to you…” he was clearly nervous as the ghost just smirked.

 

“‘Of course there is… just give me the only thing I’ve ever wanted… to get out of here. This basement…’”

 

“‘This place won’t let me leave even if I go through every corner of this cabin. Ive tried before you came back to me, I explored every inch of this place,But i never found a way out i always wound right back here…’”

 

“Maybe you could just leave, he can’t get out on his own.” Guest suggested hesitantly while the sad look of 007n7s face was reflected.

 

‘"Hasn't gotten out' and can't get out' are two very different things.’

 

Before the two could argue the Ghost interrupted him unintentionally but still.

 

“‘But you.’”

 

“‘You can come and go as you please! Can’t you? Please… hitch me a ride…’”

 

He asked desperate as he held onto Elliot’s ragged clothing.

 

“‘ After all…’”

 

His face twisted to something more skeleton like his hollow eyes now more apparent as it distorted.

 

“‘You owe me.’”

 

In a blink of an eye 007n7s appearance went back to the young self the man was.

 

‘NO NOPE ABSOLUTELY NOT!’

 

“Is he asking to posses you..?” The soldiers voice seemed surprised. Elliot had his jaw completely dropped at the suggestion.

 

‘It is, and I hope I don't need to explain why you can't let that happen.

 

It would be catastrophic if it managed to escape this place,

 

and if you let it in, there is very little anyone could do to stop it.’

 

“Wait couldn’t he see you then? I mean I’m pretty trapped in this place with only something to watch you Ell but what about that voice?”

 

“Now isn't that an interesting thought.

We could finally bring him face-to-face with Him.

I wonder what he would have to say to the one who wants him dead so, so badly...”

 

A long drawn Sigh came from the annoying voice.

 

‘You won’t like how this path will play out.’

 

Elliot let out a Trembling breath before nodding. “Alright let’s get this over with..”

 

The demon smiled.

 

‘The demon swims through the air in front of you, pausing for a brief moment as its dark-rimmed eyes stare deeply into yours. There's a hunger in its gaze.’

 

“‘You’re really trying to make it up to me aren’t you?

 

Thanks for being a pal Killer.’”

 

‘What are you doing?! Don't just let IT in! How many times do I have to tell you..’ the voice sighed clearly disappointed at its hero.

 

The demons face twisted once again making the other man start to panic.

 

“‘See you soon.’” His voice dripped with something unrecognizable but it was horrifying.

 

And soon he moved forward seeming to pash through Elliot but never coming out the other end.

 

The voice grumbled before finally speaking

 

‘It rushes forward..

 

and then It’s gone.

 

A sharp chill spreads across your body. It starts in your chest,

 

a freezing numbness flowing out from your heart. all the way down your limbs, your mind

 

growing cloudy and confused as it settles over your very soul.’

 

“It this- this doesn’t feel right! Can - we go back?!” Elliot shuddered and stumbled with his words.

 

Elliot shut his eyes before letting out a scream of agony, before falling to the floor a thud was heard as his body twisted beyond his limits.

 

‘I'm afraid it's too late to stop now.

The numbness gives way to a stabbing pain, your muscles twitching and convulsing

violently, each involuntary movement causing more waves of agony to ripple across your body.’

 

“This is painful to watch.” Guest whispered.

 

‘And you collapse on the floor and everything goes dark.’

 

“Get up I know you feel… heavy but it’s okay we just need to escape and that’s it.”

 

Elliot slowly got up his limbs trembling with each twitch as he limped onto a wall.

 

‘Your eyes flick back open as you get your bearings, your vision swimming as-‘

 

“‘So this is what it’s like to be you hm? Some disembodied voice narrating your every move.’”

 

“He can hear you?”

 

“‘Guest?’”

 

“Oh so he can hear us too!” Two time exclaimed with excitement while the narrator groaned.

 

“‘So many TVs in your head I can see you all…’”

 

“‘Actually That Narrator in your head he kind of seems like something a.. how could I describe it… like an echo of something twisted…’”

 

The voices stayed silent before the Narrator coughed.

 

‘Rude’

 

“‘Kind of like me if I was honest.’”

 

‘I’m just gonna ignore it, You push yourself off the ground. That demon nowhere to be seen-‘

 

“‘Because im in here with all of you? Everybody knows that.’”

 

The narrator let out a frustrated whine clearly already annoyed by the new voice.

 

‘I'm setting the stage! The room is empty, because you made a spiteful, idiotic, and all around foolish decision.’

 

Clearly the voice was talking about Elliot.

 

The survivor shook starting to regret his decision before he looked at the dagger in his hands before.

 

“‘You don’t have to let him get to you… you’re better than that, Your starting to make things right.’”

 

Elliot gritted his teeth through the pain before slicing his stomach dragging it up to his chest the pain was unbearable but still he pushed through hearing the demon shriek in his voice.

 

‘Oh.. wow.’

 

“Elliot?! What- Why would you do that???

 

‘The demon, its spirit bound to your prison of flesh as it had once been bound to the basement's prison of stone, cries out in agony as you slice through organ and muscle.’

 

“‘Why?! Why would you do this.’”

 

He cried out.

 

“‘I don’t want to die in you! I don’t wanna die… I thought you finally understood! But all you wanted was to hurt me again!’” Sorrow laced in its voice.

 

‘Your skin roils and bucks as it violently pushes against it from the inside.

Bits of its seep through, white and glowing with ethereal light, but still the walls of your prison hold.’

 

“Healer you idiot.” Two time whispered as Elliot whimpered against the pain falling to the floor as more blood stained the old wooden logs.

 

“‘I will drag you with me! AND MAKE YOU UNDERSTAND.’”

 

Elliot coughed out the blood seeing 007n7s hollow eyes starting to spill out.

 

“‘GET AWAY FROM ME YOU COLD LITTLE FREAK.’”

 

.

.

.

 

Elliot could feel himself be ripped away like strips of meat being delicately peeled from bone.
But it doesn’t matter no not anymore not when he was the meat.

 

He had been stripped away from himself, or something that used to be him…

 

He was stripped away from something that used to be important.

 

It always hurts when he forgot but then he forgot the pain.

 

“‘WE WERE SO CLOSE TO LEAVING, AND NOW LOOK AT YOU! LOOK AT ME! IS THIS WHAT YOU WANTED?!’”

 

A scream of hatred came from inside his head…? No outside….

 

He slowly opened his eyes seeing something so disgusting a writhing mass of flesh, twitching as more blood leaked.

 

That wasn’t him was it?

 

No it couldn’t be…

 

“‘Is that me?’” Elliot whispered to himself finding his voice different more ghost like.

 

“‘Oh. You’re here with me…’”

 

There was a moment of silence.

 

“‘It hurt too much didn’t it? I’m sorry.’”

 

“‘Maybe this means things will go better… yeah. Maybe everything that went wrong was because of them.’” A hopeful tone in his voice.

 

Gurgling liquid bubbles up from open pockets in the disintegrating mass in front of Elliot, 007n7? His body tried to speak but it doesn’t have the tissues to do so.

 

“‘Wait if we… if we leave together this.. This could count! We have to go before your body dies!’” 007n7 swiftly stood up.

 

“‘Let’s just go!’” Elliot spoke as the demon slowly floated trying to sprint to the Staircase.

 

The two hurtle towards the cabin stairs, but time seems to slow down the closer they get.

In a moment, they were halfway there, and in two moments they were halfway there again.

Halving the distance and halving the distance until the upstairs feels almost within reach.

 

“‘NO- No! We’re not gonna make it! We’re gonna be stuck again! WE-‘“

 

You are seated in a room that is empty. A chain digs into your Wrist, binding one arm to the wall. It is quiet, and you are alone.

 

This is What you deserve. This is What you deserve. This is What you deserve. This is What you deserve. This is What you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is What you deserve. This is What you deserve, This is What you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is What you deserve. This is What you deserve, This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is What you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve.

Elliot became gay and 007n7 was homophobic so Elliot said to him “IM GONNA KILL YOU IM GONNA KILL YOU IM GONNA KILL YOU IM GONNA KILL YOU IM GONNA KILL YOU IM GONNA KILL YOU IM GONNA KILL YOU IM GONNA KILL YOU IM GONNA KILL YOU IM GONNA KILL YOU IM GONNA KILL YOU IM GONNA KILL YOU IM GONNA KILL YOU IM GONNA KILL YOU IM GONNA KILL YOU IM GONNA KILL YOU IM GONNA KILL YOU IM GONNA KILL YOU IM GONNA KILL YOU IM GONNA KILL YOU IM GONNA KILL YOU IM GONNA KILL YOU IM GONNA KILL YOU IM GONNA KILL YOU IM GONNA KILL YOU IM GONNA KILL YOU IM GONNA KILL YOU IM GONNA KILL YOU IM GONNA KILL YOU IM GONNA KILL YOU IM GONNA KILL YOU IM GONNA KILL YOU IM GONNA KILL YOU IM GONNA KILL YOU

Chapter Text

You are seated in a room that is empty. A chain digs into your Wrist, binding one arm to the wall. It is quiet, and you are alone.

 

This is What you deserve. This is What you deserve. This is What you deserve. This is What you deserve. This is What you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is What you deserve. This is What you deserve, This is What you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is What you deserve. This is What you deserve, This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is What you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve. This is what you deserve.

 

Elliot was soon snapped out of his trance as a soft voice came from inside his head, muffled at first.

 

“‘Are you still there?’”

 

The man let out an inaudible sigh before answering.

 

“‘I’m still here.’”

 

“‘Thank Telamon… it’s nice to hear your voice… no think your voice I guess…’”

 

The room was Dark the staircase barely visible Elliot thought before asking the demon something.

 

“‘Are you mad at me?’” He asked his guilty conscience starting to get the best of him, the man stayed silent.

 

“‘I… don’t know. I should be… but I can’t it feels like I’m complete with you. Like I’ve been missing something in my body and you’ve filled it.’”

 

“‘That’s a weird thought isn’t it?’” He continued as he twisted his hands together.

 

“‘You’re acting so different from last time.’” Elliot noticed the sudden shift.

 

“‘I’m trying to make the best of things, we have a chance to start over.’” He said gently making the man almost calm.

 

“‘And besides I never wanted to be your enemy.’”

 

“‘But I.. I killed you! And I even tried killing you again!’” Elliot said frustrated at his own actions while 007n7 only listened.

 

“‘I just feel fine right now I already told you… Things happen for a reason, and if you … trying to kill us both is what it takes for you to finally see what I see… then I’m okay with that.’” He responded as he let his head lay on the Cobblestone walls.

 

“‘I’m sorry for stabbing us by the way.’” Elliot said guilt creeping over his entire soul once again.

 

“‘It’s fine really.. you had your reasons whatever they were. It isn’t good to hold onto the past like that I suppose. It’s better if we move forward together.’”

 

“‘Wait if we’re both in here… what happened to the others?’” He asked.

 

“‘I don’t know.. I hope they’re okay I didn’t like that narrator voice, annoying.’” 007n7 grumbled.

 

Elliot chuckled slightly before it starts to calm down.

 

The silence was deafening.

 

“‘Are you still a ghost?’” He asked making the Demon look down at his hands.

 

Solid, then translucent, then solid once again.

 

“‘ I guess not it’s like it can’t decide at all’”

 

007n7 spoke quietly as he looked at the chain sadly still stuck to his wrist.

 

Elliot snorted for a moment before telling what was in his mind.

 

“‘You know.. it’s stupid but last time when I died I got a title card.’”

The demon chuckled for a bit.

 

“‘Well I’ve never gotten one. What did yours say?’”

 

A sigh came from the voice,

 

“‘No it’s stupid your gonna laugh at it..’”

 

“‘I won’t laugh! I promise I’ve heard worse things.’”

 

“‘The first one I got said…’Chapter 1: The hero and the Demon’ and after we died I got. ‘Chapter 2: The Spirit.’”

 

007n7 laughed out loud tears falling from his eyes.

 

“‘Demon?! Oh Thats hilarious…’”

 

“‘Har har get your laughs out.’”

 

“‘How about a new chapter then?’”

 

“‘Let me think…’”

 

“‘Chapter 3: The Demon and the Man.’”

 

“‘Wow you reversed the roles?’”

 

“‘It’s creative, isn’t it?’”

 

Before Elliot could respond.

 

The click of a latch and creaking hinges, muffled.

 

Something is here.

 

“‘It must be… your body I guess.’”

 

007n7s gaze flicker back to his body it still flickering from ghostly to solid.

 

“‘We’re still wrong. It’s like you don’t know what we’re suppose to be.’”

 

Silence remained before another thump on the floorboards were above. Then another, the scraping of metal against a surface… and then the flickering in his body stops.

 

His body was solid again.

 

“‘I guess you took the blade… it’s hard to do anything without it.’”

 

Elliot shivered as he heard the creaking hinges once again but this time it was clear, closer.

 

“‘Uhm what do I look like to you?’”

 

A silence came before 007n7 sighed.

 

“‘Horrifying, it’s hard to look at you.’”

 

There was movement on the stairs.

 

With each step as the floorboards creaked 007n7 spoke along.

 

“‘Thump’”

Closer.

“‘Thump’”

And closer.

“‘Thump’”

Then the figure emerged shrouded in darkness, scars all around and what seemed to be hair dragging against the floor a single eye staring at both him and Elliot.

 

“‘What the hell I don’t.. I don’t really look like this do I?’”

 

The demon only stays silent looking at the other being with an intent glare.

 

“‘So here we are again. I’m back in chains… and you have your knife.’” 007n7s voice echoed through the room as he shifted uncomfortably but his action limited due to the chain.

 

The head on the figure cocks to the side. Is it inquisitive? Suspicious? Hostile? Its emotions are unreadable.

 

Elliot almost whined from the sight.

 

“‘Okay let’s just stare at each other….’”

Silence passes

 

“‘They must be discussing something.’” Elliot muttered as 007n7 scrunches his face.

 

“‘Is that why you’re always quietly staring?’”

 

Before the man could speak 007n7 spoke up again.

 

“‘I… can’t hear what’s going on there anymore now that I’m back in my own body. Do you want to share your thoughts? I’d only be polite honestly…’”

 

A chuckle came from the body.

 

“You’d like to hear what we’re thinking wouldn’t you?”

 

A familiar coin flick.

 

It was Chances voice.

 

The figure raised the blade above his head, dangling it by the handle in front of his eyes.

 

“But I think We hold the power now.”

 

007n7 let out a snarl, clearly annoyed by the gamblers attitude.

 

But silence remains as the figure continued to stare with a wild grin, but it doesn’t act.

 

“What a shame dear Hacker, ##### had disappeared, and it was so much more fun when we had him, argument after argument, they run in circles not knowing the spawns goal.”

 

“Don’t just say that! Two time you imbecile you just shared private information with the enemy!” He spoke clearly annoyed.

 

“It isn’t private anymore… do we really need all this secrecy? I mean he used to be one of us chance and you’re just gonna…”

 

“Sidebar everyone. NOW. chop chop!”

 

The mind falls back into itself as Elliot panicked.

 

“‘Alright what are we gonna do!’”

 

“‘I’ll try talking to them again.’”

 

“‘Uhm..’”

 

“‘Hello?’”

His words fall on deaf ears.

 

“‘On Telamon why did I think that’s would work they aren’t even listening to me.’”

“‘Maybe try being… assertive!’”

 

“‘You’re … right! No more nice 007n7 fro them! I’m gonna speak my mind.’”

 

“‘HEY I SAID IM TALKING, ARE YOU EVEN GONNA LISTEN TO ME?!’” 007n7 yelled at the being.

 

“So loud the spawn wouldn’t appreciate this but go on dear hacker tell us.”

 

“‘I already know all of that privileged information.’”

 

“Oh yeah and how do you know that?” Chance asked clearly curious.

 

“‘Because he’s in here. With me.’”

 

The figure took a step back clearly surprised as it almost dropped the blade before.

 

“Really now?” Two time spoke coldly before the figure changed its facial expression.

 

“That changes everything!”

 

“It changes things alright. We get to take out two bird with one.”

 

007n7 face turned into horror.

“Stone.”

Chance continued.

 

“‘Wait what…’”

 

“I remember seeing ###### killing you easy. The first time. And now that your back to… being…”

 

“Fleshy?”

 

“Yep! Exactly that you’re fleshy now!. No more of that ghostly stuff… trust me ###### I wouldn’t do this if the world wasn’t going to end.”

 

“But it is so… See ya.”

 

The monster strikes the dagger raised as the Hair that dragged on the floor surrounded him now his hands trying to block the attack.

 

“7! #####! I’m sorry- We didn’t-“

 

Before guest could finish he was stabbed the blood splashing as crimson stained his ragged clothing.

 

.

.

.

 

‘-Demon collapses against the wall.’

 

“That was easy.” Chance spoke a grin from ear to ear clearly encapsulated in their voice.

 

“No. Why would you do that?!”

 

“Come on guest didn’t you hear the Narrator the world wasn’t gonna end how would we.”

 

“‘What are you waiting for…? You won.’”

 

Elliot’s body shifted dropping the dagger a clanking noise as it hit the floor he gripped onto the Demons shoulders clearly panicked.

 

“No- No are you okay?!” Elliot spoke out making the voices stiffen and stay silent.

 

‘Oh!- you’re different.’

 

A nervous chuckle came from Chance.

 

“You’re back! Just as I intended- I know I was never cut out for leadership really!”

 

“‘It’s you in that body again… it felt so empty I’m glad your back he reached out putting his hand caressing the side of his face tenderly and soft.

 

“‘I’m hurt. But I’ll live if you’ll let me…’”

 

“Never.” Elliot said confident in his decision.

 

“‘Wait uhm give me the blade then… I wouldn’t want you to get kicked out of your body again.’” He said smiling as he brought his hands to the dagger.

 

“Okay. Listen. I know you're in charge again, but this is obviously a trick. We can't trust him. We literally just stabbed him!”

 

“And whose fault is that?”

 

Chance stayed silent clearly guilty for his own actions now.

 

‘No god… you hand the blade to the demon, who gingerly cuts himself free from his bindings… You maniac!’

 

“And then what happens?” Guest asked curious before the Narrator continued.

 

‘Then, as his chains clatter to the floor, he turns his back on you and hurls the blade through the basement window, never to be seen again….

 

No no no no no! You need the blade to deal with him!!’

 

The narrator panicked as Elliot only watched.

 

“‘Finally I’m glad that’s behind us. Come on let’s get out.’”

 

‘HE REACHES FORWARD AND TAKES YOUR HAND IN HIS BEFORE EXCITEDLY PULLING YOU TOWARDS THE BASEMENT STAIRS?!’

the narrator was unbelievably in shock he was angry and confused.

 

Elliot smiled widely as they went up the stairs soon stopping at the door.

 

‘NO! Your damming Every and I mean Every single person ALIVE.’

 

“‘Finally one last door and we’re free.’”

 

007n7 chuckled a bit before he looked at Elliot’s eyes, softly.

 

“‘I’m in need of a hand! You might need to open it.’” He giggled at his own joke as Elliot rolled his eyes and opened the door.

 

The two finally stepped outside the stars shining bright as they held each other’s hands.

 

‘You and that demon falls to the ground, exhausted.’

 

‘I hope this all comes back to bite you, do you hear? I hope you’re forced to feel the weight of all the regret that’s ever-‘ and soon his voice quieted.

 

Elliot looked to the side as 007n7 gazed at him a warm smile on both of their faces.

 

“‘I didn’t think I’d ever get to be happy… but I think I am now.’”

 

“‘It just feels.. so hot… it feels like I’m burning.’”

 

His face twisted to pain as he suddenly let go curling into himself a shriek before…

 

Before He could speak,

 

A blinding flash of light burned the man and all that was left was a pile of ashes and a mirror beneath it all.

 

He’ll never know if he heard his reply.

 

“He’s gone? Where did 007n7 go?! Should we find him?”

 

“This feels bad Elliot please I’m sorry just don’t”

 

“Cowards all of them the spawn demands you to look.”

 

Elliot mesmerized by it started approaching it while guest begged him not to do it.

 

And before he touched the mirror they were gone.

 

He needed to see what was in it.

 

He’s withered…

 

. . .

 

It is empty and Cold and alone it’s so so quiet here.

 

Elliot walked up the hills of nothing.

 

He looked up seeing fire twisting against a familiar figure.

 

He stared a slight frown on his face as the twisting fire stared back.

 

“‘Flickering lights of a fire in empty cityscape become pockets of vitality and movement.
I am more than I was before, The town has grown, and so have I.’”

 

“‘Whenever you are ready, I Will wipe your slate clean once again.’”

 

.

“How do you feel about this vessel?”

 

“‘This one is perspectives bleeding into one. You know him better than you know yourself. He will make for an emphatic heart.’”

 

“‘Do not mourn him for you would not mourn yourself.’”

 

“I’m ready to go back.”

 

“I’ll see you soon.’”

 

“‘I love you.’”

Chapter Text

You are on a path on the woods,

And at the end of that path is a cabin.

And in the basement of that cabin is a demon.

You are here to slay it,

If you don’t it will be the end of the world.

 

Elliot woke up gasping as he stood up the crunch of the leaves beneath him as he looked at his hands that shook,

 

quick shallow breaths as his heart pounded against his chest a headache growing as he gripped onto the Grass, he was in the middle of a forest.

 

He calmed down his breathing still heavy as he struggled to stand up.

 

A voice echoed.

 

‘Finally you’ve stood up hero now it’s time you’ve went to that cabin now right?’

 

Elliot shuddered looking around his surroundings confused on how he could hear the voice, a short laughter.

 

‘Are you really trying to find me? Hmmm Hilarious but really I suggest you get going.’

 

“Where am I suppose to go..?” Elliot asked confused looking around the trees warping against itself Grass too tall and flowers too short the stars almost dream like before his train of thought was stopped by the voice.

 

‘Do I really need to say it again?’

 

“Say what??? He asked clearly confused about everything that was going on.

 

The voice just sighed before clearing his throat and speaking.

 

‘You are on a path on the woods,

And at the end of that path is a cabin.

And in the basement of that cabin is a demon.

You are here to slay it,

If you don’t it will be the end of the world.’

 

Elliot just stared at the sky his wide eyes bulging at that point before he just walks into the opposite way.

 

‘Hey! Where are you going?!’

 

“Nope I’m not slaying any demon!” He spoke as he continued walking before stopping the flickering lights and the wooden cabin lay on top of a hill.

 

‘Are you sure about that? Hehe how strange it seems like this path also leads to the cabin… How convenient, Everything’s back on track and you can go slay that demon!’

 

The voice was clearly amused before Elliot sighed.

 

“I guess that’s the only way isn’t it Ell?” A familiar voice rang out as the survivors eyes lightened up.

 

“Guest thank goodness your here dear Telamon I thought I was only gonna hear this voice..” Elliot sighed in relief as the annoying voice gasped in shock.

 

‘I am not annoying…’

 

Before he coughed and continued his dialogue as Elliot stared at the cabin.

 

‘A warning. Before you go any further…’

 

‘It will lie, it will cheat, and it will do everything it can to stop you from slaying it. Don’t believe a word it says.’

 

Elliot tensed as he walked to the cabin the creak of the door echoing through the greenery before it closed.

 

‘The interior of the cabin is almost entirely bare. The air stale and musty while the floors and walls were painted in a fine layer of dust.

The only furniture was a plain wooden table. Perched on that table is a pristine blade.’

 

‘The blade is your implement. You’ll need it if you want to do this right.’

 

“It’ll be easy right..? That demon is chained yeah?” Elliot asked while the voice responded quickly.

 

‘Of course it will be.’

 

He felt his hands shake before reaching out to grab the blade before refusing to.

 

“I’ll just talk to it maybe it’s not actually a demon.”

 

A scoff from the voice.

 

‘It is a demon I already told you that and if you intend to listen to it.’

 

‘It will wrap you in its lies.’

 

The narrator warned but Elliot continued down the basement.

 

He entered the basement the stairs creaking under his weight as he held the walls for balance.

 

‘The door to the basement creaks open, revealing a staircase faintly illuminated by an unseen light in the room below.

This is an oppressive place. The air feels heavy and damp, a hint of rot filtering from the ancient wood.

If that demon really lives here slaying it would be doing it a favor!’

 

“That sounds wrong to hear.” Guest whispered while Elliot just sighed his legs shaking as he took one step down.

 

‘Its voice carries up the stairs.’

 

“‘Hello? Is somebody there’”

 

Soft and caring was the only things that could describe his voice.

 

Elliot felt his cheeks flush with red.

 

“He sounds sweet…and familiar.”

 

‘It’s all apart of the manipulation… You’re playing a dangerous game here coming without a weapon hero.’

 

The voices comforted him as he went down soon meeting eye to eye with the demon.

 

‘You walk down the stairs and lock eyes with the demon the shadows covering its face. There’s a heavy chain around its wrist, binding it to the far wall of the basement.’

 

“He’s so beautiful…” Elliot shook as he gripped onto his ragged clothing.

 

“‘Oh uhm… hi there.’” He murmured looking to the side awkwardly.

 

His hands Twitched against each other as he looked at Elliot again more fearful.

 

“‘Do you think you can get me out of these chains?’” He asked tilting his head to the side his tail flickered against the small lighting.

 

“Let’s… talk first.” The man spoke making the Demon back away to the wall slightly his chain making a thud as he shifted.

 

“‘…okay.’”

 

‘You step closer to it, the shadows now gone and you could see the demons face.’

 

“007n7?!” Guest spoke as Elliot widened his eyes his shaky hands turning still before thinking.

 

“What if it’s a shapeshifter? That changed to look him,…” it truly was a dumb idea but what if it was true the soldiers voice let out an exasperated sigh.

 

“If that’s what you think then maybe.”

 

Soon Elliot spoke.

 

“What’s your name.?”

 

‘The demon looks at you in surprise before speaking.’

 

“‘It’s 007n7… but you can just call me sev.’”

 

He smiled softly his eyes going calm as he responded.

 

“So it is him…” guest whispered.

 

“Alright let’s get you out of here.” Elliot said raising his hand to glance at the chains making 007n7 flinch in response.

 

‘You walk up to the chains, binding the Demon to the wall and give them a tug.’

 

‘It’s large and heavy, far too solid for you to even imagine trying to break them apart.’

 

“‘You don’t have the key do you?’”

 

“It’s probably upstairs” Guest chimed in as Elliot just nodded.

 

‘Doubtful. Whoever locked the demon away down here intended for it to never see the light of day. They wouldn’t have just left the key to its chains somewhere in the cabin.’

 

“I’ll go upstairs alright to check if there’s a key.”

 

A frown before a nod.

 

“‘I’ll be here okay?’”

 

‘You attempt to make your way out of the basement, but the door to the top of the stairs slam shut. You hear the click of a lock sliding into place.’

 

“No!” Elliot screamed as he banged on the locked door but there was no use.

 

‘You make your way to the bottom of the stairs. This would have been so much easier if you’d just taken the blade like you were suppose to!’

 

“Easier for who?” He asked bitterly.

 

‘EASIER FOR EVERYBODY?! Look at the mess you’re in!’

The voice quickly responded a glitch before it coughed and calmed itself.

 

“‘They locked you down here too didn’t they?’”

 

‘There’s a slight panic in the Demons voice,’

 

“‘If I could get out of these chains! I know we can force our way out of here together.’”

 

Before Elliot could speak he flinched as he watched the Demon raise his arm to his mouth. Ripping through his flesh like paper.

 

“Holy Telamon.” The man whispered.

 

‘It barely hesitates before raising its arm to its mouth, its teeth tearing through its limb with the determination of a Trapped wolf.’

 

‘As it rips its flesh from its bone, a sound comes from behind you. The clang of bouncing metal.’

 

‘It's the blade from upstairs. You're not sure how it made its way down here, but if there's a time to strike, it's now.’

 

“Or we could use it to free him.”

 

‘You won’t like what happens when you do that.’

 

He felt his hands shake before grabbing the dagger.

 

“Oh it’s two times dagger.” Guest noticed the detail while Elliot still shook at the feeling.

 

Elliot quickly rushed to the demons side pulling the dagger before grabbing his arm making the demon just blankly stare at him blood dripping still.

 

‘Against your better judgement you place the blade against the ragged, self inducing wound on the demons arm, just above the unyielding chain binding it to this place.’

 

‘You cut into its flesh.’

Elliot gagged slightly before continuing.

 

‘The blade is sharp, and it takes little effort to crack through the bone of its arm.’

 

“‘Thank you! Thank you!’”

 

‘Its limb falls to the ground, and the heavy chains follow suit as The demon went up to you holding your hand against his as it smiled warmly.’

 

‘It smiles softly as it meets your gaze, blood dripping its wounded arm rhythmically to the ground.’

 

“‘Let’s get out of here now!’” He smiled as he turned his back against Elliot.

 

The man followed suit before hearing the narrators voice talking.

 

‘No. We won’t have any of that! The stakes are too high. You can’t just let it escape into the world!…

 

No.

 

I just can’t let it escape into the world.’

 

“What are you talking about!” Guest whispered before

 

‘As the demon approaches the bottom of the stairs, your body steps forward and raises the blade.’

 

“That isn’t fair! You can’t just do that!” Guest spoke stern.

 

‘Watch me.’

 

“‘What are you doing…?’” The demon asks holding his hand against his chest.

 

Elliot warned him.

 

‘Stop that!’

 

“‘Something has come over you hasn’t it? You know you don’t have to do this right?’” He spoke scared, but trying to calm the other man down.

 

‘Your body lunges forward, the blade held low, ready to sink into its heart.’

 

‘But the demon dodges, stumbling against the wall before the blade has a chance to connect.’

 

‘Just stop it! Stop trying to resist me I’m trying to get you out of here alive!’

 

Elliot went still his eyes fighting against some unknown force.

 

‘The blade!

Move.

The.

Blade!’

 

The voice yelled.

 

‘As your body remains frozen in stubborn resistance, the Demon takes a cautious step forward.’

 

“‘I’m so sorry. I’ll… I’ll try to make this quick.’”

 

‘It nervously reaches forwards you and takes the blade from your Infuriatingly rigid… hands.’

 

‘What the hell are you doing?!’

 

Elliot stumbled back before The demon raised the dagger high with his one hand.

 

‘It plunges the blade deep into your chest, tearing through flesh and sinew it is… agony. But you aren’t dead yet.’

 

“‘I’m sorry- please…’”

 

“Elliot just stay strong, we can tough it out until it’s done.”

 

An annoyed voice came out before the narrator continued.

 

‘Whatever. It sinks the blade into your chest again. And again. And again.

 

And you feel every Inch of burning pain that slices its way into your body.’

 

“‘I’m so sorry! I’m sorry! I’m sorry!’” He yelled repeating every word as he stabbed again and again missing Elliot’s heart.

 

…

 

“‘I’m so sorry!’” He yelled out tears filling his eyes.

 

‘With one last thrust of the knife, your legs give out beneath you.

You collapse to the floor, your blood pooling around you, your limbs unresponsive.

the demon stares down at your ruined chest as tears carve rivulets of pink down its blood-spattered cheeks.’

 

“This is the end isn’t it?” Elliot whispered in his mind.

 

‘Oh, that's rich coming from you. As much as id prefer for things to have gone differently.
I can't deny the reality of what's happened.

The two of you made your choice. It's over.’

 

Elliot watched as 007n7 got closer his hand soon lifting his body up trying to comfort him.

 

‘Everything goes dark and you die.’

Chapter Text

Soft music played as text appeared in front of Elliot’s eyes.

 

‘Chapter 2 The Angel.’

 

He woke up gasping once again before hearing the voice play out.

 

‘You are on a path on the woods,

And at the end of that path is a cabin.

And in the basement of that cabin is a demon.

You are here to slay it,

If you don’t it will be the end of the world.’

 

“We’re back at the beginning…” he whispered to himself confused as he looked around at his surroundings.

 

“We’ve been here already and we’ve died…” He heard guests voice echo through his head while the voice just laughed.

 

‘I can assure you this is the first time we’ve met and you haven’t died!’

 

Elliot grumbled before looking at his surroundings it was the exact same as last time.

 

“Oh I know all your tricks now!” He spoke clearly angry as Guest stayed silent.

 

‘What are you talking about? My tricks…? We’ve just met for the first time mind you I already said that!’

 

“If he doesn’t remember anything that happened maybe it’s best to keep that way Ell.” Guest said before another voice chimed in a cold wind blew through Elliot’s clothes.

 

“Yes … he didn’t quite approve of us last time did he? If we are going to save our Beloved! We will have to be sneaky about it.” A confident voice echoed out smitten in a way.

 

“Shedletsky!?” Elliot shrieked as he heard the voice baffled at the way the man was talking about 007n7.

 

“Shedletsky…? What are you- Our beloved???” Guest spoke equally as confused.

 

‘You’re gonna have to be sneaky about your intentions if you try to save that demon.’

 

“Demon? It said The Angel in the-“ He was interrupted quickly by the ex admin.

 

“You should know me and our dear beloved 007n7 are in love!”

 

The man felt his jaw drop at those words.

 

“The three of us will be foiling any and all Attempts you’ve got in the works!”

 

“What.” Elliot whispered.

 

‘We’ll see about that. Whatever you do just be sure to ignore him. Specifically, it sounds like he’d sacrifice the world for the demons kiss.’

 

“What can I say? A world without love isn’t a world worth saving!” He exclaimed.

 

Elliot soon stepped onto the path climbing up the hill seeing the familiar cabin.

 

A warning before you go any further.’

 

‘It will lie it will cheat, and it will do everything in its power to stop you from slaying it, don’t believe a word it says.’

 

“He would never!” Shedletsky spoke before the man sighed.

 

Elliot just let out a sigh as he heard the two ramble before entering the cabin his eyes widening as he saw the interior.

 

‘The interior of the cabin is clean and elegant,

 

its walls draped in fine-threaded tapestries its material soft to the touch,

 

a prison befitting a something angelic.

 

The only furniture of note is an ornate table with a pristine blade perched on its edge.’

 

“Maybe we should take it, We’ll have to use it to free him again.”

 

‘You’ll need it if you want to do it right.’

 

“Alright just to free…”

 

Elliot thought about the way it all hurt… the way he burned his place the way he abandoned him so many times during those rounds especially before… a sense of petty anger creeping up before he continued.

 

They’d come back right?

 

“Yeah… save.”

 

“I suppose we’ll need it to protect him.” Shedletskys voice echoing through Elliot’s head.

 

“I’ll just hope it doesn’t put 007n7 on edge… and hopefully it doesn’t get turned on us… again.”

 

Elliot soon entered the basement walking towards the door ignoring the mirror.

 

‘The door to the basement creaks open, revealing a soft cloud like stairwell. A carpet that glimmered in the light of the torches positioned along the walls.

The basement almost seems welcoming… in the dim firelight.’

 

“Of course only an angel should live in such a place!”

 

‘But still it’s a basement. If that demon lives here, slaying it is probably doing it a favor!’

A cough before the narrator continued.

 

‘A soft voice carries up the stairs.’

 

“‘Is somebody there?’”

 

“His voice!…. It’s somehow even more angelic than last time! I think we might be in heaven boys..”

 

“Calm yourself Shedletsky. You’re taking this a little too far. You barely used to talk to him before all this.”

 

“That was before I got to know him! He’s more angelic than I ever could thought of!” The man fawned as Elliot rolled his eyes continuing down the basement before his eyes widened.

 

‘You walk down the stairs and lock eyes with the demon. There’s a heavy chain around its wrist, binding it to the far wall.’

 

“He’s beautiful even more gorgeous than we last saw him!”

 

“My love! We’re here to rescue you from your unjust and foul… imprisonment!”

 

‘You know it can’t hear you right?’

 

“He may not be able to hear my words… but surely! He can hear my spirit!”

 

“Your spirit is plenty loud.” Guest whispered as Shedletsky let out an offended gasp before the two was interrupted by the voice.

“‘My dashing hero you came back! I was so worried you wouldn’t’” He smiled warmly at him he shifted until he stood up.

 

His robes white and long, and his tail long gone his horns now shifted to look like a halo and at the back, his wings spread out almost covering the whole room it was all pure white beautiful.

 

“Did you hear that? He said we’re dashing!”

 

“He called us… a hero.”

‘Flattery goes a real REAL long way with the two of you, doesn’t it?’ The voice was clearly annoyed but Elliot stayed silent gripping onto the dagger.

 

‘Just do your job hero.’

 

The man glanced at the dagger and the man in front of him.

 

‘Blade in hand, you run the Demon down.’

 

Elliot ran quickly stabbing the man into the heart.

 

“Wait! No! You barbarian, Elliot?! What do you think you’re doing?!”

 

“Elliot?! What- I thought we were gonna save him! Why would you-“

 

‘But you ignore the pleas of the foolish little voices and press on, The demons eyes grow wide with terror as you approach, but it does absolutely nothing to stop you.’

 

“‘W-what?’”

 

‘Your blade pierces its heart and it collapses pathetically to the ground.’

 

“‘It hurts- why? I’m so sorry- did I do something wrong?’”

 

He cried as he tried to get back up but just sobs his whole body shaking as he curled onto himself his wings trying to protect him.

 

“‘I’m sorry- I’m sorry…’”

 

But the apologies soon fall silent as blood stained the floor, the crimson soon falling onto Elliot’s boots.

 

“No, my love! YOU DID NOTHING WRONG! IM SORRY IM SORRY, NOT YOU!”

 

‘And just like that… it’s dead’s! And the world is saved hah! Thank you for seeing this through. I know it must have been difficult!’

 

“God I feel sick…” Elliot whispered to himself not feeling the pride he thought he would have felt.

 

“Sick?… You are Sick? You murdered the fairest creature that’s ever lived! And you… you merely feel sick? I for one am absolutely distraught! Grief stricken- inconsolable!”

 

“I- he’ll come back… I just wanted..”

 

“Wanted what!? Wanted your petty Happiness from murdering him?!”

 

‘Oh get over it you just saved the world!’

 

“Get… get over it?…. YOU SMARMY ASS. There’s nothing in the world! Worth getting over it for! We might as well just end it all!”

 

Before Elliot could speak once again he felt his own body twist the dagger aiming directly onto his chest a cry as he couldn’t move.

 

‘You raise the blade, Aiming the point directly towards your heart- excuse me?! No you absolutely do not do that!’

 

“Wait- Shedletsky now- let’s not make any rash decisions! We should give just think about it for a second!” Guest chimed in quickly trying to calm the ex admin down.

 

“Rash. The only rash decisions we’ve made was running our cursed blade through his heart. This is far from rash! This is the only thing left for us to do now… that HES gone.”

 

“All of you may have previously thought that my passions were too great to stifle,

 

but those were merely passions of joy! My passions of sorrow run deeper than the ocean itself!”

 

“Have at you! Have at you all!”

 

‘I- I don’t believe this.’

 

Elliot gasped as he felt a shock of pain before he fell down looking at the other mans eyes as they both bled together a soft unfocused look.

 

‘You plunge the blade into your own heart, and collapse to the floor…’

 

“Maybe this was for the best… I’m sorry Elliot.”

 

“That’s right. You’re all sorry!”

 

‘Everything goes dark, and you die…’

Chapter Text

Saddening music played as text appeared in front of Elliot’s eyes.

 

‘Chapter 3 The Fallen.’

 

He woke up gasping once again before hearing the voice play out.

 

‘You are on a path on the woods,

And at the end of that path is a cabin-‘

 

Before the narrator could finish.

 

Another voice rang out, Shedletskys.

 

“You horrid monster! Do you think just because we've returned to the woods you've earned my forgiveness?

Our beloved had best be alive and well when we return to the cabin, or you'll never know the end of my wrath.” Agonizing and furious at the man.

 

Elliot shivered falling onto his knees as guilt started to eat away.

 

“He won’t be alive and well when we return to the cabin, because the spawn doesn’t graciously hand second lives to those… who pretend to be their angels.”

 

“He’s dead we… killed him.” Elliot whispered clearly distraught, and disturbed by his own words.

 

“You killed him! And so I killed you.”

 

“And you clearly didn’t do such a good job but perhaps the spawn has given you a second chance.”

 

“Oh, uhm I’m still here.” Guest chimed in clearly nervous.

 

“If you… monsters get to be blessed with eternal life… that means he’s still here! Waiting for us to throw ourselves at his feet in remorse!” The man spoke hopefully.

 

“I doubt it.”

 

‘So you’ve been here before of course, you’ve been here. What count is it this time? Two?’

 

“Three surprisingly what gave it away?”

 

‘Your open discussions.’

 

“I couldn't care less about what he knows.

Every second we stand around arguing in the woods is a second that I'm anxiously worrying about him.

Take us to the cabin, and take us there now!

With each passing moment our relationship may be damaged even further... though I fear the rift between us may already be permanent..”

 

“And then what if it is permanent you’ll kill us… again?”

 

“I’d prefer if we didn’t die again. I’m not fond of dying.”

 

“Why not? We’ve died so many times before in rounds why change now that we’re here?”

 

“It’s unpleasant.”

 

Elliot fell quiet his thoughts tangling within themselves.

 

Why?

Why did he do that.

 

‘Can I talk now?

Yes. I can.

Great. Now that you're listening, let me remind you that if you're here. in the woods,

it means that the Demon is not dead, and that its very existence currently poses a direct threat to the entire world.’

 

Elliot stood up shaking before walking up onto the hill.

 

‘I’m sure you’ve already heard my words of warning in one of your past lives. You’ve managed to slay it once just… don’t muck it up this time please.’

 

“We’ll get our happy ending even if it dams every creature and every person that ever lived!” Shedletsky shrieked.

 

‘Don’t let that voice influence a single decision he’s clearly lost it.’

 

“I hate that im agreeing with Him on anything, but I really don't like being at the whims of someone So.. unstable. It's stressful.”

 

“Yes, having all of those feelings isn't very productive, is it? But we're just passengers here. Why stress over something you can't control?”

 

“Let’s just go to the cabin please.” Guest begged.

 

Elliot just sighed and continued up the cold air blew against his face as the door creaked open his eyes wandered before seeing a ghostly memory of somebody.

 

‘The interior of the cabin feels dry and brittle.

Ancient dust covered wooden beams hold up a crumbling ceiling like mummified ribs, each elegantly carved detail of the stately building preserved in an extended stasis.

Everything here has been kept safe and dry and lifeless.’

 

‘But you're not alone. You can feel something watching you. There is a figure faintly outlined against the dusty wood of the far wall.’

 

“Is that him?”

 

“He does live!”

 

“A ghost.”

 

‘Oh shut up all of you.’

 

‘Before you can make a move. the figure is gone. vanishing behind the doer on the far side of the room.’

 

“The door at the end of the room? But there isn’t a door? There’s a mirror. That’s it?” Guest asked clearly confused

 

‘A mirror? Is this some kind of joke? Did you all plan this out before dying? There is no mirror. There's the door to the basement, the table, and the pristine blade-‘

 

‘That’s strange where’s the pristine blade? There’s always suppose to be-‘

 

“It’s because our gracious spawn had taken such a sacred item from such a beast.” Two time murmured as Elliot shivered at those words.

 

‘I suppose it doesn't matter why the blade is gone, but you're going to have to find it if you're going to do this right. So why don't you march over to that door, and make your way down to the basement?’

 

Soon Elliot slowly approached the mirror the grim icky to look at as he sighed as the narrator blabbered.

 

‘You make your way to the door at the end of the room,

stopping just in front of it. You must think you're looking at that 'mirror' you mentioned earlier.

The one that doesn't exist. Sigh Just reach forward and open the door.’

He slowly reached to touch it before it was gone.

 

‘You reach forward and place your hand on the door to the basement. une handle is just a little to your right, and a little down.’

 

“No way.. left to go but down I guess.”

 

Soon Elliot opened the basement door the creak making an echo as he entered slowly.

 

‘The door to the basement creaks open, revealing an antique staircase lit by weak torchlight.
The air here is so stale it practically stands still, as if the very molecules of this place have been fossilized, trapped for eons until your arrival.’

 

‘Even the blaze of the torches can't penetrate the odorless air. as if they'd run out of fuel to burn ages ago, their light still flickering more out of habit than from adhering to a physical reality.’

 

‘A wispy figure watches you from the bottom of the stairs, face veiled in shadow.’

 

“There he is again.”

 

“He’s just an old memory.”

 

‘Your eyes lock for a brief moment, then it vanishes around the corner.’

 

“I’m sorry.” Elliot whispered.

 

‘You receive no response.’

 

Elliot continued down as the voices bickered.

 

‘You descend the final step, the form of the demon comes into view. A skeletal body lying in a heap of the floor, its wrist bound to the wall by a heavy chain?’

 

‘That… that isn’t right.’

 

“Oh god I feel sick.” Guest whispered to himself.

 

“But we! We just saw him!”

‘Your thoughts are interrupted by a sound of a slamming door and a clicking lock.’

 

Elliot quickly turned his face turning white as he saw the man still draped in white robes wings that were torn apart and a halo long broken. Blood seemed to leak through the chest but no damage was done to the man.

 

‘You turn to see the form of the demon, staring down at you from the top of the stairs, clutching a brightly burning torch-‘

 

“He’s gonna burn us.” Two time whispered.

 

‘I-‘

Before the narrator could speak 007n7 spoke faster.

 

“‘You came back, I’ve missed you.’” A ghostly like voice.

 

“That angelic voice! I’ve missed you too my beloved!”

 

“You snapped back into your role surprisingly quick.”

 

“Yes! Seeing his dazzling countenance again has reignited the warmth in my heart. have found it in me to forgive the sins this body has committed, we can have our perfect romance after all!

 

“‘This place… it’s bad for us.’”

 

“‘We’re suppose to be together Elliot. But… it won’t let us. It keeps making us hurt each other.’”

 

Elliot felt his throat close up as he looked at the man in shock.

 

‘The torch falls from the demons hand and bounces down the stairs.’

 

“‘It will be so much better when it’s gone.’”

 

“No!” Elliot quickly avoided the fire stepping up onto the staircase.

 

‘the skeletal wood of the basement, perfectly dry after uncountable years of dessication, immediately catches fire.’

 

“He’s trying to kill you!” Guest screamed as the fire twisted.

 

“A misplace escalations of his passion… but clearly he still cares for us! I say… we burn with him!”

 

“No! This isn’t what I want! Let me out!” Elliot shrieked as he climbed a little closer to the to
As the fire grew and grew.

 

“‘Dying kept us apart. Dying together will keep us together don’t you see?’”

 

‘The fire grows quickly, devouring the basement, dancing up the walls and painting every surface with strokes of flame. You're choked by smoke, and the air around you grows uncomfortably warm.’

 

‘Please do something!’

 

“Please I’m begging you! Don’t let this happen don’t let me burn!” Elliot cried as he climbed but the fire reached the stairs.

 

“‘You’ll understand when it’s over love. Just like I understood when you stabbed me in the heart! Everything will be okay.’”

 

‘The heat grows in intensity as the flames draw ever nearer. You can practically feel your skin sizzling already.

If you're going to try and stop it from killing you and destroying the whole world, you'd better do something, and you'd better do it now.’

 

Elliot rushed through the stairs as the fire consumed the path, he banged onto the door.

 

‘As you rush up to the stairs towards the demon, the entire cabin erupts into a raging inferno.’

 

“‘Oh my love. Isn’t this so familiar?’”

 

007n7 whispered as Elliot continued banging on the door before the demons hand gently took his and wrapped itself around his hand. It was soft and unbearably warm.

 

‘The demon smiles warmly as it clutches you onto its wounded chest.’

 

Elliot cried as he tried to pull away but was held too tightly forced to watch as 007n7 and him burned their skin melting and blood sizzling.

‘the pain is unbearable at first. livery inch of you screams as your flesh is stripped away, your muscles stiffening as they've cooked, your blood beiline in your veins.’

 

‘But it isn't long before the flames take your nerves, and with them, your ability to feel much of anything.’

 

‘The demons' smile never fades. Its skin peels away, and then its muscle, until all you can see is its charring skull, locked in an eternal grin.’

 

“I’m sorry.” Elliot sobbed until there was no tears that could come out his legs losing feeling as he fell onto the man’s feet until.

 

A blinding flash of light burned the man and all that was left was a pile of ashes and a mirror beneath it all.

 

He’ll never know if he heard his reply.

 

Elliot mesmerized by it started approaching.

 

He needed to see what was in it.

 

He’s grown.

 

…

 

It is empty and Cold and alone it’s so so quiet here.

 

Elliot walked up the hills of nothing.

 

He looked up seeing fire twisting against a familiar figure.

 

He stared a slight frown on his face as the twisting fire stared back.

 

“‘Freedom is in our grasp I know.’”

 

“‘It is close bring me more perspectives.’”

 

“What do you think of this vessel?”

 

“‘This one is passion betrayed.’”

 

“‘But even then his love never faded.’”

 

“‘He will make for a bright heart.’”

 

“‘Do not mourn him.’”

 

“‘For you already have.’”

 

“I’m ready to go back.”

 

“‘I will long for your return.’”

 

Everything goes black and you die.

Chapter Text

You are on a path on the woods,

And at the end of that path is a cabin.

And in the basement of that cabin is a demon.

You are here to slay it,

If you don’t it will be the end of the world.

 

Elliot woke up gasping as he stood up the crunch of the leaves beneath him as he looked at his hands that shook,

 

quick shallow breaths as his heart pounded against his chest a headache growing as he gripped onto the Grass, he was in the middle of a forest.

 

He calmed down his breathing still heavy as he struggled to stand up.

 

A voice echoed.

 

‘Finally you’ve stood up hero now it’s time you’ve went to that cabin now right?’

 

Elliot shuddered looking around his surroundings confused on how he could hear the voice, a short laughter.

 

‘Are you really trying to find me? Hmmm Hilarious but really I suggest you get going.’

 

“Where am I suppose to go..?” Elliot asked confused looking around the trees warping against itself Grass too tall and flowers too short the stars almost dream like before his train of thought was stopped by the voice.

 

‘Do I really need to say it again?’

 

“Say what??? He asked clearly confused about everything that was going on.

 

The voice just sighed before clearing his throat and speaking.

 

‘You are on a path on the woods,

And at the end of that path is a cabin.

And in the basement of that cabin is a demon.

You are here to slay it,

If you don’t it will be the end of the world.’

 

Elliot just stared at the sky his wide eyes bulging at that point before he just walks into the opposite way.

 

‘Hey! Where are you going?!’

 

“Nope I’m not slaying any demon!” He spoke as he continued walking before stopping the flickering lights and the wooden cabin lay on top of a hill.

 

‘Are you sure about that? Hehe how strange it seems like this path also leads to the cabin… How convenient, Everything’s back on track and you can go slay that demon!’

 

The voice was clearly amused before Elliot sighed.

 

“I guess that’s the only way isn’t it Ell?” A familiar voice rang out as the survivors eyes lightened up.

 

“Guest thank goodness your here dear Telamon I thought I was only gonna hear this voice..” Elliot sighed in relief as the annoying voice gasped in shock.

 

‘I am not annoying…’

 

Before he coughed and continued his dialogue as Elliot stared at the cabin.

 

‘A warning. Before you go any further…’

 

‘It will lie, it will cheat, and it will do everything it can to stop you from slaying it. Don’t believe a word it says.’

 

Elliot tensed as he walked to the cabin the creak of the door echoing through the greenery before it closed.

 

‘The interior of the cabin is almost entirely bare. The air stale and musty while the floors and walls were painted in a fine layer of dust.

The only furniture was a plain wooden table. Perched on that table is a pristine blade.’

 

‘The blade is your implement. You’ll need it if you want to do this right.’

 

“It’ll be easy right..? That demon is chained yeah?” Elliot asked while the voice responded quickly.

 

‘Of course it will be.’

Chapter Text

He felt his hands shake before reaching out to grab the blade before refusing to.

 

“I’ll just talk to it maybe it’s not actually a demon.”

 

A scoff from the voice.

 

‘It is a demon I already told you that and if you intend to listen to it.’

 

‘It will wrap you in its lies.’

 

The narrator warned but Elliot continued down the basement.

 

He entered the basement the stairs creaking under his weight as he held the walls for balance.

 

‘The door to the basement creaks open, revealing a staircase faintly illuminated by an unseen light in the room below.

This is an oppressive place. The air feels heavy and damp, a hint of rot filtering from the ancient wood.

If that demon really lives here slaying it would be doing it a favor!’

 

“That sounds wrong to hear.” Guest whispered while Elliot just sighed his legs shaking as he took one step down.

 

‘Its voice carries up the stairs.’

 

“‘Hello? Is somebody there’”

 

Soft and caring was the only things that could describe his voice.

 

Elliot felt his cheeks flush with red.

 

“He sounds sweet…and familiar.”

 

‘It’s all apart of the manipulation… You’re playing a dangerous game here coming without a weapon hero.’

 

The voices comforted him as he went down soon meeting eye to eye with the demon.

 

‘You walk down the stairs and lock eyes with the demon the shadows covering its face. There’s a heavy chain around its wrist, binding it to the far wall of the basement.’

 

“He’s so beautiful…” Elliot shook as he gripped onto his ragged clothing.

 

“‘Oh uhm… hi there.’” He murmured looking to the side awkwardly.

 

His hands Twitched against each other as he looked at Elliot again more fearful.

 

“‘Do you think you can get me out of these chains?’” He asked tilting his head to the side his tail flickered against the small lighting.

 

“Let’s… talk first.” The man spoke making the Demon back away to the wall slightly his chain making a thud as he shifted.

 

“‘…okay.’”

 

‘You step closer to it, the shadows now gone and you could see the demons face.’

 

“007n7?!” Guest spoke as Elliot widened his eyes his shaky hands turning still before thinking.

 

“What if it’s a shapeshifter? That changed to look him,…” it truly was a dumb idea but what if it was true the soldiers voice let out an exasperated sigh.

 

“If that’s what you think then maybe.”

 

Soon Elliot spoke.

 

“What’s your name.?”

 

‘The demon looks at you in surprise before speaking.’

 

“‘It’s 007n7… but you can just call me sev.’”

 

He smiled softly his eyes going calm as he responded.

 

“So it is him…” guest whispered.

 

Elliot let out a heavy sigh as he looked behind him and at the man.
Sweat dripped down his forehead what if the narrator was right.
What if he did end the world?
But still! He’s just a man he knows that.