Chapter Text
Dark, everything was dark, something 1x1x1x1 was familiar with.a quiet darkness somewhere in the back of their mind that provided her some semblance of peace. The noise of talons hitting good tile shook them from their quiet, as the door to their room was opened. This room held no windows, no amenities, no joy. Only a solitary mattress complete with bedding, a small shelf that held their clothes, their swords, a whetstone ,and a destroyed training dummy. The room itself is solid, flat, no indentations, a perfectly smooth cube.
Slowly 1x stood taking their swords from the shelf, and almost excitedly running up to the door. There stood Telemon, the tall imposing figure of a god that fathered them. Politely she bowed, looking up to him as he turned away from the door with a quick flick of his wings. No words, that was fine, it's just like every other time.
1x looked down at their hands, no longer stained with black, instead a soft gray and their torso no longer see through. Another memory, further back than they'd like, but one she didn't have the energy to change. Quickly they follow behind Telemon letting the memory play out as it's intended.
Rushing up she grabs one of his sleeves tugging on it lightly. “Telemon! Telemon?" Their voice called out younger, happier.
“What do you want?" He asked, hardly turning to address them, leading them through the inner caves of the heights to the blinding outside light.
1x made a noise of discomfort as they brought an arm up to shield their eyes. “I have a request?” She looked up to him waiting for any indication they shouldn't before getting none and continuing. “Could I call you father?"
Telemon turned them in what they think is shock, the younger 1x couldn't read his face, though now they were certain it was disgust. " If you do well in today's training, you may.” He gave a curt nod as he crossed the arena readying himself as 1x did the same.
A silent countdown began, 1x flipping one of the swords in their hands before rushing forward, slashing at Telemon, through the god in a relaxed manner parried and pushed them back with a gust of wind. Quickly 1x moved to act again, throwing one of their swords and rushing up after it, swinging the blade at Telemon's legs. Telemon wise as we ever used his own sword to redirect the one thrown and raise his above their back.
"Dead.” Telemon's voice called out, as 1x looked up to see the blade. "Though it was a good attempt, you've still lost one of your swords and put yourself in a compromising position.” He critiqued using a gust of wind to retrieve the other sword. “You're getting better, 1x1x1x1. Now, again.” He barked, allowing 1x to back up and reorient themselves.
Failed attempt after failed attempt, with many of them ending up with 1x supposedly dead, they'd finally managed a win. Tired, exhausted and smiling as they looked up to Telemon. “Telemon, sir. Did I do well?" She asked, taking in several deep breaths.
“Yes you did well. Very well. I believe you've earned your request." The tone didn't sound quite right, but he'd said it regardless.
1x gasped, quickly dropping to their knees in a thankful bow. “Thank you father!”
1x1x1x1 didn't bother with the rest of the memory; it made them feel weird, something unfamiliar that they no longer understood. So they laid on the couch, her eyes closed, the distant sound of chaos unfolding in the cabin. Before, a solid weight settled on their chest, and they felt hands in both their wings and hair.
Slowly he cracked his eyes open only to be met with c00lkidd sitting on their chest. With an annoyed sounding sigh she looked around spotting the two other children; Pr3typriincess messing with his hair and Bluudud running a hand through the feathers of her wings. “Children. Why are you bothering me? I'm resting. “
“Auntie 1x, uncle Noli blew up the kitchen again and we're hungry. Uncle John isn't here enough for us to ask and Jason is out.” Pr3typriincess whined.
1x looked to the others to confirm. c00lkidd simply offered a tired nod, attempting to curl up on their chest, while Bluudud nodded solemnly. She ran a hand down her face, scruffing c00lkidd but the back of his sweatshirt as gently as they could muster and set him back down on the couch and they stood. He could kill Noli later, right now she needed to corral John to somewhere safe and get the kids food.
The kids were left to cuddle together on the couch as she stalked off, their wings tucked closely and a tail swinging behind themselves . As he looked for John they scratched at their chest claws slipping past the transparent green to scratch at bone.
When they'd found John , he'd been staring into a corner muttering something about it being broken and not quite right. She was sure he was muttering something about broken code, though honestly for one of his off days he seemed passive. Good. Slowly backing away, not wanting to interrupt Johns passive staring they moved to the kitchen.
The kitchen itself was a burnt and charred mess explosion damage ( though contained) coated the room along with blood and viscera. 1x rolled his eyes as she made eye contact with Noli who was currently attempting to reassemble the oven and stove. They made their way to the fridge bringing as all inside was nothing but junk food and the occasional animal carcass. But they'd found something hopefully tolerable for the children; a couple yogurts and a plate of nachos. It certainly wasn't much but with John out of commission it was all they really had. She'd fight whomever they belonged to later. Not bothering to warm up the nachos he returned to the couch, setting down the food on the coffee table they presented it to the children who though tired happily tore into the food.
With the children satisfied and no other worries they made their way outside of the cabin. As they stepped out they moved to the docks the sky dark with eternal night as The Specter wills it so. With no sign of Jason she stood at the docks fanning and spreading them open to feel the breeze against the worn and withered limbs.
Suddenly she felt a presence behind her, something like cracking static that unsettled them. He didn't turn to face it . She knew better. A clawed static hand touched his shoulder immediately a searing burning pain ignited beneath the touch, though she made an effort not to react.
1x.
You've been doing quite poorly in rounds as of recent.
It spoke, every word feeling like a searing sharp pain that blossomed in cuts across their skin. Still she made an effort not to react.
How shall I correct this?
It hummed, placing a hand against the base of his wing. That same burning feeling eliciting from.the spot where it touched.
“Jason's been doing poorly as well." She mutters between gritted teeth. Their posture stuff and rigid with pain.
Jason is already being dealt with.
We are talking about your faults, not his.
It's hand presses against the fragile limb forcing it down at an uncomfortable angle in a sharp sudden manner.
You've gotten too comfortable here.
Things have become too regulated despite the addition of someone new.
You're no longer driven by fear and hatred.
Is it the children?
Should I dispose of them?
“No, leave the children alone; they are serving their purpose! The rounds, they are simply… predictable?.." He hurriedly tries to explain, an uncomfortable feeling lingering in their chest as it mentions the children.
It glares, at least it feels like it does as it's hand grips tighter in the wing stretching it out. It's hand leaving his shoulder and finding the joint of the wing and blending.
Predictable?
I see you are growing bored, that's why your performance has slipped.
No worries I can fix that my dear.
1x doesn't have the time to respond before a scream is torn from her throat as it breaks the wing, bone snapping at awkward angles as it pulls and bends. As he's reeling from the pain of fragile bone being broken in several places the feeling of hands find their way across their throat. Squeezing and pressing against their windpipe with the added searing and burning pain.
She reaches up their eyes darting as he looks for a figure to grab hold of, claw at, swing at , stab. But he finds nothing as she struggles to breathe. Their one working wing flared out, flapping awkwardly as their tail swung wildly as they tried to claw at invisible arms, kick at a body that wasn't there, and struggle.
My games are not predictable.
Perhaps Telemon was right about you.
You worthless, pathetic, untalented thing.
How could you of all creatures kill Telemon and now you can't even kill ten measly survivors!
Yet you dare tell me my games are predictable.
I'll correct this.
With the dam already broken 1x choked on a pained noise, air struggling to make it to his lungs,as she clawed at the dock struggling and attempting to pull themselves away. They were struggling with their vision beginning to spot. Wordless gasps and chokes, barely made it past their lips , the cabin too far to even try screaming.
As their struggles and desperate attempts to free themselves slowed. Her vision darkened, and she felt the dock below leave her, the only thing he could register as their body decided to give up was the feeling of the searing pain being eased away and a splash.
Notes:
If anyone ever makes fanart or a spin off please tag me @the-demons-writings or @fruitbowlsngoals on Tumblr I would actually love that
Chapter 2: Splash!!
Summary:
1x almost drowns, twice. :3
Notes:
I don't have much for this but I'm very very excited about this fic , 1x's dynamic with John doe is so silly to me. And little 1x also means so much to me expect to see more of them
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
In, hold, out, repeat. Heavy desperate gasps left a child as they coughed and wheezed, bile painting their lips as they held their stomach. “T- Telemon sir… I apologize, I… I hadn't meant to embarrass you!” 1x1x1x1 quickly but quietly struggled to ramble out .
Telemon glares, watching as they struggle to recompose themselves as they choke on their own air.
Distantly on the outskirts of the arena two figures sit, one the gray form of the admin Builderman, the other the pale yellow form of the admins son, John.
“Get up, collect yourself, and go again.” Telemon states with a harshness in his tone that feels unfamiliar to them as he steps back. His wings flared as he glanced at the admin.
Sucking in a breath and wiping the bile from their mouth with their sleeves. They pick themselves up staggering to a stand and backing up. They have no confidence as they stance and fling themselves back into combat with the god.
Strike. Failure. Collect themselves. Repeat. A cycle that happens for most of the day until they just about collapse from exhaustion.
Telemon briefly tells them to go clean themselves. However they simply can't, their body aches, their spirit aches, and the only one to approach them is the admins son.
A hand is offered out as they're weakly collecting themselves, cleaning spittle from their mouth, and trying to make themselves look presentable. They briefly hold pride, refusing to take the hand, then grab it as the boys look softens.
They're pulled up with unexpected strength, the hand holding theirs not letting go as they're lightly dragged past their father and the admin catching clearly what's the tail end of a conversation about them.
“-lderman, I do apologize for that absolutely pathetic and untrained performance, my pupil isn't quite worthy yet. They're rather unskilled when it comes to the sword.”
Is all they manage to catch before they're dragged into the mountains vast hallways away from the two adults. John held their hands tightly, a smile on his face as he dragged them away.
“That was pretty cool, all that sword work you did I mean. Honestly you did great if you ask me. You're quite the talented swords person.“
They nodded silently following behind until they were brought to another balcony. They don't feel like they did great, matter of fact all the ache is telling them they didn't do well at all.
“Do you have a name?" John asks, mismatched eyes looking at them with curiosity and excitement.
They open their mouth to inhale and respond, only to swallow—
Her eyes shoot open as she realizes she's inhaled water. He coughs quickly trying to expel the liquid from his lungs only to inhale and take on more.
Dark water surrounds them, slight rays of moonlight peaking through, though fractured. If they weren't being pulled further under they would almost call it nice to look at.
Gasps leave them despite knowing the situation they're in. The pain they were in previously, failed to ease up.
After a couple desperate attempts they decide attempting to clear their system will be a pointless endeavor until they can get themselves out of the water.
He claws and pulls at the water gaining no real traction. She flails, unable to swim. A singular wing flaps as she tries desperately to pull up and chance breaking the surface of the water, but the limp weight behind her, and her flailing against the current only seems to drag them further.
Realization slowly dawns on their face. They're going to sink and drown here if they don't do something. Though surely the specter wouldn't kill them, right? Surely this is just a test.
Hurriedly he looks around, panic evident on his face though he doesn't quite know the feeling itself. She claws, scrambles anything.
Their lungs hurt and scream for air, but they refuse to give in, to drown here.
Their mind races for a solution, an answer, something, before it jumps back to John. With John in the back of their mind they stop their flailing for a brief moment.
John during days of clarity had always noted something about the water being wrong. She herself had never seen it, but it had to exist if John could notice it. Code had always been something he was keenly aware of and he always muttered about how if left they could manifest as something physical.
Struggling to stave off breathing for moments more, they looked and searched for anything that would indicate a wrongness in the space. Nothing but dark water and faint light above. As they were beginning to lose hope they spotted something, something reflective in the dark waters surrounding them that shouldn't be reflecting light.
Scrambling with a sense of urgency in their chest towards the reflective something. Still with no real idea how to swim, or manage themselves in the water she began flailing towards it, in a desperate gamble that it would get them somewhere.
Thankfully it did. Touching the small reflective something he was shunted into the sky far above the island they rested on, but they could see the cabin from here.
Hurried gasps and coughs left them and they focused on breathable air, feeling both great and awful in their chest. If their wing wasn't broken they very well could glide over to the shoreline but that wasn't an option.
The water came again far too fast. A loud splash as they hit the water with enough force to shake the waves again. At the very least this time they were near the surface. Pulling at the water she wheezed desperately trying to keep her head above water long enough, but the waves continually forced them back down.
Distantly taking a walk outside stood Noob humming a song to themselves as she looked around a sudden splash caught his attention as he stood. Briefly she turned to the cabin worries before shouting “Guys, I think there's a new survivor!!"
He quickly takes off running to the docks rolling up their hoodie sleeves as they rush to get into the rowboat, distantly seeing Elliot, Guest and Builderman all follow after.
Builderman decides to stay on the shore letting the other three row out to where the water was disturbed. Guest does most of the rowing as Noob points out where they see a hand. As they all approach, Noob leans over the boat, grasping at a clawed hand and struggling to pull them into the boat.
Despite the claws digging into their arms, they use both their hands to keep hold of the new person. Though they nearly tumble out of the boat, if it weren't for Guests help they surely would've gone overboard.
"Elliot I need you to keep the boat here best you can while I help Noob pull them up.” Guest calls out leaning over the side with Noob adding a secondary hold to the hand of their supposed new person. Who at the very least has stopped frantically flailing. Elliot simply nods clearly they don't have the time, but the other two work together to heave the person onboard.
As they are pulled up, and sort of dumped into the boat everyone gets one good loot at them. And for a moment they all go still, shock passing over every survivors face as they see 1x1x1x1.
1x hacks and coughs slumping against the side of the boat limply. The three stare at each other before Guest gestures for Elliot to row towards the shore.
1x leaned over the boat continuing to cough and choke on water, their hair drifting in the water as the boat moves. They could all hear 1x vomit as everything settled.
As they dock the boat Elliot is the first one out the boat, running off immediately. Cautiously Guest pulls 1x from the boat, the latter barely conscious. Guest practically carries them like a damsell in distress, though to Guest's own thoughts it was concerning how light the killer was ignoring the fact their wings are waterlogged.
Noob pulled a hair tie off their wrist and had started moving to put 1x’s hair up. All of her injuries were evident, old battle scars from previous rounds, burning handprints in their shoulder and throat, the wing laying limply at their side. What was also made horribly evident very quickly was their lack of clothes.
Collectively they decided to push past that last point, as Elliot returned with a medkit.
“Set them down gently. Guest I'll need your help in not the best with this sorta thing, and Shed is on his way out to help with the wing injury."
There was a brief awkward pause and Elliot opened the medkit and began pulling out gauze, burn cream and bandage.
"Don't.. Don't you have wings too Elliot?” Noob quietly asks in the silence, only for Elliot to squawk at the sudden mention.
“I mean I do but I don't— I don't fly , mine aren't big enough for that, plus I bind." Elliot quickly rambles out earning a look from Guest. Noob then turns her attention to Builderman who's been staying in shock the whole time.
Noob quietly offers a hand to Builderman, which he takes. Though they're both briefly startled by 1x sitting up and shoving Elliot away as they roll to their knees and cough up more water.
"Get the fuck off of me !” they shout, In-between weak retching. Shaky breaths leave them as they slowly stagger to their feet. “Where.. where is it !? I'll kill it, I'll kill it with my bare hands if I have to!”
The group watched for a moment, none of them really wanting to get close to the killer. 1x swayed on their feet, took a couple steps forward then collapsed.
If it weren't for Guest’s quick reaction time they certainly would have hit the floor. Cautiously they were gently set back down so Elliot could tend to their injuries, bandages and gauze being wrapped in place.
Rushing out only moments later is Shedletkey. Who stares in horror at the killer on the ground, suddenly tense. He cautiously approaches, being hurriedly beckoned over by a focused and possibly panicking Elliot. He already knows what he's here for, a broken wing. He can't help but stare, the state of them, their scars, the state of their wings.
He turns back to Builderman, who gives him a concerned look. “Builder.." he sucks in a breath, hands shaking " you got anything I can use to put this up?”
Builderman takes a moment sighing as he pulls out a few larger but thin pieces of wood. Giving them to Shedletkey and watching as he uses them to set the wing. Tying it down with bandages to ensure the wing can't move.
As Shedletkey finishes, Elliot finishes tying gauze and bandage around the burns on their neck.
Elliot breaths out a heavy sigh, then immediately sucks in a panicked sounding breath. “Oh my god I can't believe I just did that. Holy fuck are they going to kill me when they wake up? What the fuck do we do!” he whisper screams, throwing his arms up in exasperated and stressed defeat.
Collectively they all share a moment of tense silence. No one entirely sure of what to do.
Notes:
If anyone ever makes fanart or a spin off please tag me @the-demons-writings or @fruitbowlsngoals on Tumblr I would actually love that
Chapter 3: Good soup
Summary:
The survivors talk a little bit, and they try to reason with 1x
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Everyone had gathered in the kitchen, most of them collected at the table. Some standing, some sitting, but most importantly they were all in the same room. Quiet talking and mummered conclusions about the new addition in the cabin reverberate around the room , everyone clearly a little nervous.
Elliot stood in the kitchen ,dicing up ingredients and rodding them into a pot going over a mostly steady flame. His hands still slightly shaking from his hurried bandaging as he glanced toward the group.
Noob was as politely as they could, assisting Elliot in the kitchen, stirring the pot and offering light suggestions on what they should buy to put in the soup. Noobs recent claw cuts have been cleaned and bandaged. Faintly over the chatter they hear Elliot ask for a spice and hand it over, in a sort of half paying attention kind of way. Their eyes linger practically drawn to 1x. Who was carefully laid on the couch in front of the fireplace to warm up.
Above all the chatter Guest stood and cleared his throat , loud enough to catch the attention of most of the other survivors. Which immediately quieted the room. Builderman quietly thanks him as they switch spots , Builder moving to take front and center stage in the discussion. “Alright, alright settle down, all of you please. Listen, we don't know what happened or why they're here, but the least we could do is give them a chance. For the very brief moment they were awake they seemed confused, panicked even. " Builder starts, glancing between the room as he expects to hear interruptions but nothing comes quite yet.
" Perhaps The Specter is giving us a new option, or it's just trying to confuse us, for now I don't want anyone trying to aggravate them. As far as we know they're still a killer. Elliot also seems very passionate about not leaving them to their own. Personally I trust Elliot's judgement.” he turns to the room , briefly glancing back at Elliot. Who shys away opting to focus more on the soup and not accidentally chopping a finger off.
Twotime finally speaks up a glance over at the unconscious killer. “So they're staying, and we aren't sacrificing them? Her? It? Whatever, would it be acceptable if they get hostile first, after all it's 1x and we haven't exactly known kindness or clarity from her, especially Shedletkey."
Shedletkey glares at Twotime crossing his arms with a huff, though he finds himself regularly glancing back to 1x. Something paternal stirring inside of him, he knows why. He simply refuses to acknowledge or act or it.
" We will treat her like any other survivor for now just, with watches and rules in place, I don't think any of us exactly trust them not to stab us in the back so it's only reasonable.” the admin sighs, lifting his construction cap and running his hand through his hair.
“Our enemy rests in a bed in our home, the least we could do is not leave them alone." Dusekkar mumbles, the flame in his eyes unfocused as if he were seeing a vision. “ Though they are bruised and battered their heart still matters, while filled with hatred their blood it splatters, stitches and time with kindness on our mind may we hope to mend a very broken friend."
For a moment the room pauses, everyone attempting to decipher the riddle put forth by the wizard.
Chance stands up slamming his hands on the table, causing the duo in the kitchen, Taph and 007n7 to flinch. “Duse, you couldn't possibly be telling us to try and befriend it. They've killed us without mercy so many different times, we should be returnin’ the favor! She, it- whatever they don't like us never have never will! And for fucks sake can we get em some clothes!"
Guest clears his throat. “They seemed occupied threatening to kill it. We gotta figure out what happened to ‘em. Why, they nearly drowned in the lake. But I do agree clothes would be good for ‘em."
Shed doesn't say a word as he removes himself from the table and heads upstairs. Builderman glanced in his direction clearly worried for a second but deciding to let him leave, this was his daughter laying there after all.
07 takes in a breath watching 1x stir but not wake. Part of him wants to run through the other half wants to see the chaos unfold. Everything seems far too peaceful at the moment as the conversations and concerns of what to do with them continue.
Telamon stood behind them with a hand firmly on their shoulder. This felt all too familiar, Telemon behind them something warm and wet on their hands. Looking down they see their own black stained arms, their swords, and a robloxian looking at them in horror.
1x is shaking, hesitating, the blades of their swords lingering above the robloxians head. They can feel Telamons claws dig into their shoulder as he squeezes harder, a silent invitation to finish it. They can't, the person below them looks terrified, defenceless.
As they drop their guard the person below them sighs, though quickly panics as a sword is slammed through their skull. 1x is pulled off the person, their hands and outfit covered in blood. Telamon practically pulling them up by their muscle shirt.
“What the hell was that!" he shouts, gesturing to the body with a hand.
“I— they looked scared, innocent! I couldn't do it.."
“Couldn't do it, because they looked scared? Your opponent won't do the same thing, you know.”
“I- I know. I just— they didn't have a weapon and they seemed so… innocent.”
With shaking breaths 1x bowed apologetically, to say they were trembling would be an understatement. Every movement he made was terrified and every breath filled with caution.
Telamon turned away from them a familiar flick of his wings sending them scrambling to their feet to follow after. Following Telamon on a steady walk back to her room. They stop at her door, Telamon turning around and grabbing one of their wrists.
As harsh clank and the sound of metal snapping, quickly followed by the reeling of chains causes her to pull her hand back. Looking down, a greenish black shackle sits at her wrist. similar chains pool at the ground then fade off into nothing.
“You've lost this arm for the week. You are not to use it whatsoever. You must figure out a way to make it work. As your opponent would've taken something from you today, whether it had been an arm, an eye, a leg, it could've very well been your life. You are not to hesitate, perhaps if you do better we'll find reason to remove the cuffs themselves.
As Telamon left they themselves moved to clean off, blood covered hands and arms difficult to clean with only one hand. As 1x stares at their hands the scared look on the person's face currently burned into their memory along with the sudden action of Telamon slamming his sword into the person, the memory making them flinch.
Jolting awake 1x nearly knocks heads with the person above them. Hissing as they cover their eyes with their hands , frowning at the bright lights above them. It takes her mind a while to register anything, even longer for her body to catch up. She feels something being placed into her hands, her chest tightens and her stomach knots up as she feels herself heave.
A wet cough leaves him as she leans against whatever she's been made to hold. They feel sick to their stomach, they heave and vomit once again, their stomach far more empty than they believe it's ever been.
They taste saltwater and bile. They probably died, the Specter must have wished it so. They felt restricted, probably more chains to make the next round more interesting.
Predictable as they said.
Blinking away bleary eyes they start to cue in on their surroundings now less in their own head. There's a hand on their shoulder that doesn't feel familiar, someone in front of them and their same weird restricting feeling.
Looking down, mainly looking for the restriction. She finds herself covered in an oversized white hoodie that's back at the sleeves. Mocking, how fun. Clothing isn't exactly something she enjoyed not when the use of her arms were critical and no one had opened back clothing for her wings aside from one of the kids. It was simply just easier not to wear anything.
Sparing a glance between their arms to see who surrounded them. They caught three familiar yet unfamiliar figures as they peaked. The soldier, the rookie and her creator. She felt a growl in her throat build, though it was quickly interrupted by coughing.
Cautiously their creator reaches for what they realize is a bucket and for a moment their grip on it tightens. She searches for hostile intentions amongst the room. Then the smell of food catches their attention. Turning their head toward the rookie in a snap their eyes lock on to the bowls they're holding.
The bucket is carefully pried away from them and cautiously the rookie holds the bowl out to them. She stares, half expecting it to be a joke, for what they assume is soup to be thrown at them. For a moment longer they start to study the rookie.
They look like John, at least John before they saw him here.
For a moment they soften and take the soup they don't bother with words, the fact she hasn't killed them yet ought to be thanks enough.
There's a collective sigh around the room as no one gets attacked. They notice their creator isn't currently in their vision anymore and the other two seem weary. The rookie or as she might start calling them kid John, walks up and takes a seat beside them, no words, no questions they just do.
There's a quiet “What are you doing?" from a voice she recognizes but can't name. Though no one answers them.
She hears a gasp behind her and her wings twitch (one painfully so) but she makes no actions aside from bringing the bowl to her mouth.
“Do- do you want a spoon?" kid John offers, holding one out to him. He in turn levels a glare causing them to shy away and turn back to their own food.
She coughs again, it's still wet and uncomfortable but they push past it to drink from the bowl. He's expecting it to taste awful despite the nice smell. Like it would be nothing more than warm blended vegetables, but the moment she actually tastes it she feels guilty for eating.
She gets about halfway through the bowl before roughly setting it down and going to stand. Her vision darkens but she stays upright waiting for it to return. They grit their teeth and continue much to the dismay of kid John.
They almost reach the door before the pizza delivery boy stands in front of it , almost stern.
“ 1x," he starts, a tremble in his voice. “ I cannot allow you to leave."
“You can't allow me to leave.” her voice rasps as leans down and she gets in his face. He looks terrified. “ You and I both know you can't stop me from leaving." She glares, reaching to her hips, only to find neither of her swords.
He knows they're here, he'll just have to call them back unless the Specter has done something about that.
" I know, but you're injured—”
“I will gut you!” they hiss, pulling one of their swords to them and pointing it at the healer in front of them.”I have better things to do than to sit here and be held hostage. Now fucking move."
It's a bit of an empty threat, she really doesn't think she can kill anyone right now. Especially not someone as defenceless and terrified as him. Not right now. She's not angry enough, and she just wants to get back to the killer cabin so she can make sure the kids are okay.
"Like what?”
"Noob!”
Noob? She glanced back to see kid John speaking up, at least she knows their name now. They're half tempted to answer, to be honest , but they cannot do that right now.
“It's none of your damn business. Now move."
“Are you going to try and kill it?" Noob asks again, their voice still wavering nervously.
"If you keep asking questions I'll kill him, the soldier and you. I have better things to do right than answer your stupid fucking questions. Injured or not I'm going to do what I have to.”
"You didn't even finish eating.” Noob retorts, and 1x can't help but feel annoyed and slightly bested because they in fact didn't ask a question
“I don't need to." 1x snarls. She doesn't quite want to admit that the food was good, that clearly despite the situation the survivors were in they were doing much better than the the rest of them.
“Please. You're hurt , you shouldn't be doing all this."
“Why the hell do you want me to stay so bad? Are you trying to kill me ? Nothing in this situation benefits you, the only person who even stands a chance in a fight against me ran. Coward "
“This isn't for anyone's benefit other than yours. Noob said you crashed into the lake, you're covered in burns. Your wing is broken and in the absolute nicest way possible you look like shit!” Elliot speaks up, raising his voice just a bit mainly to draw 1x’s attention..
“..." They can't even argue. She feels like shit, so she must look it. But she needs to go. She's almost certain the kids are in danger and johns out of commission. They can't be stuck here, they need to go kick it's ass.
“1x." the soldier calls out this time, taking a couple steps forward. There's something in his eyes, something she can't quite understand. They think it's pity. “Please just calm down and let us help you, you wouldn't believe it but these two are incredibly stubborn when they put their mind to it. Unfortunately that means when they want to help someone they'll help?”
1x snarls as they lower their swords, she doesn't have the energy for this. Everything still aches, and they can still taste the soup. She wants to collapse here and now but the kids, and the others ..
Cautiously Noob approaches and takes their hand bringing them back towards the couch and sitting them down. He can see the exhaustion on her form. "Just rest a little longer. Please, not even you deserve to be left on your own injured in this place.”
She sighs, collapsing into the couch. It's so much more comfortable than they initially thought. They'll only stay as long as they have to no more no less…
Back at the killer's cabin the kids have washed up and were patiently waiting for 1x1x1x1 to return. Pr3typriincess currently sat on the floor folding paper into different shapes. Bluudud on the other hand was bothering a clearly tired c00lkidd.
"kidd, c'mon you've gotta stay awake for auntie, she'll be back soon, she's never gone for too long.”
c00lkidd let out a quiet groan swatting at Bluududs hand and moving to cover his head with his hoodie. Bluudud frowns, continuing to attempt to bother him.
" Pr3ty, I think there's something wrong with kidd”
" Yeah of course there's something wrong with him, you're messing with him!"
“That's not what I-"
They're quickly cut off by the door slamming open. Excitedly Pr3typriincess stands only to immediately deflate as she sees Jason at the door. Disappointed and now slightly annoyed she glances back at c00lkidd, actually getting a good look at him. Bluudud is right he doesn't exactly look well.
Humming, she stands up and walks over, placing a hand on her brothers forehead. She frowns realizing how warm he actually is. Pulling back she rushes up to Jason.
“Jason, did you see auntie 1x out there? c00lkidd is sick”
" Ki..ki..ma..ma."
Pr3typriincess blinked, lost as she didn't understand. She thought for a second before turning to Bluudud.
“I'm gonna go find uncle John, maybe auntie told him where she was going! If not we can go to uncle Noli”
Jason, now no longer interrupted, moved to take a bloody bag into the kitchen. Pr3typriincess covers c00lkidd in the blanket that usually sits on the couch for 1x. After gently patting c00lkidd’s shoulder she runs off to where she remembers finding John Doe earlier.
“Uncle John, Uncle John!?" she called out finding the man had shuffled further away from where she had found him before. Though he seemed a little more coherent
He glanced towards her tilting his head. "Yes, little one?” his voice sounded tired, a tad bit glitchy and strained but he was talking.
“Auntie 1x is missing and c00lkidd is sick." She looks up at him with the most distress he's seen on her face.
He nods, sighing, and moves to lead her downstairs. "I'll look for her. Can you take c00lkidd up to your room? I will fix it.”
Notes:
I'm actually so glad people like this story the thoughts been in my brain for like a month now and I genuinely appreciate all the kind words
If anyone ever makes fanart or a spin off please tag me @the-demons-writings or @fruitbowlsngoals on Tumblr I would actually love that
Chapter 4: Put the damn shirt on
Summary:
It's the smalltalk chapter guys yayyyyyyyy/sar
Notes:
I love each and every comment , like genuinely thank you all so much. qwq
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Weight.
That was supposed to be grounding, right?
Well, currently it wasn't.
A small weight sat curled up on 1x's chest. A small feline that Noob had affectionately referred to as midnight. As ruthlessly cute as the thing was, it was in c00lkidd’s spot and didn't want to move. It was kind of annoying her.
It could've chosen anywhere else and they think they would've been fine, but its current position was making her irrationally angry to the point she couldn't rest. Though it's not like she really wanted to rest right now anyways.
The hoodie that was put on her, though much larger on their form, felt restricting along with the bandages she was wrapped in. There was also the fact she didn't exactly enjoy the feeling of the material touching her skin.
Her earlier attempts to take it off were met with panic and begging to keep the garment on. Frankly she found it stupid and impractical, despite the warmth it provides. It simply restricts movement and serves to snag on things. She assumes they're making her wear it for a tactical advantage if she were to attack them.
Glancing towards the fireplace, her eyes spotted a figure. The soldier was sitting in an armchair staring at them. He'd confiscated their swords earlier, earning himself a dull wound on his forearms.
The silence was tense, clearly neither of them trusted the other but it was the nicest compromise that didn't involve a possible death.
She was a prisoner in this scenario, and someone needed to play guard.
The sound of footsteps quickly drew 1xs attention to the stairs, where they spotted Noob. An awkward smile plastered on their face as they held a variety of blankets and pillows.
“I found some spares!" they quickly call out, rushing up to the two.
Guest visibly softened as he reached for a blanket, something comfortable and light. While gently refusing a pillow. Noob then turned her attention to 1x, offering from the pile
1x shifted, eyes scanning the pile as they looked. Nothing exactly was the same as the blanket they'd had and they already felt restrained enough with the clothing.
" I don't need it , now will you get this thing off of me.” she snarls, crossing her arms.
Noob paused, glancing down at the cat settled on top of 1x, he almost wished she could take a picture." The kitten or the hoodie? because we've argued abou-“
" Both.”
" I'll just get the kitten then." Noob nervously looks over to Guest before reaching out a hand to gently scoop up the kitten. 1x shifts making them flinch, much to 1xs amusement. Though the cat is removed from their chest allowing them to relax.
1x sighs, crossing her arms and leaning her head back on the arm of the couch. She has nothing to say to noob, well she has questions. However they weren't alone and they wouldn't be until she was trusted. So she kept quiet.
Her wings uncomfortablely tucked behind her and aching, but there was no other way to get comfortable without literally having her back exposed. It doesn't matter, she'll be fine.
Noob made their way back upstairs, the kitten in his arms, wrapped in the remaining bundle of blankets.
Awkward silence lingered between the sentinel and killer. The only noise between them being the crackle of the fire and the faint rattle of chains that lingers as 1x shifts.
It stays quiet for a solid while long enough 1x has time to think, and worry. The kids had likely noticed their absence, or they were asleep. They almost hoped for the latter. Hopefully someone has gotten John to his room to rest, or to the couch. Their mind begins to wander to what the other killers might be doing.
Then the sentinel speaks, interrupting her thoughts. “So what did it do to you? For you to want to kill it “
" Nothing that concerns you soldier.”
" Guest, Guest1337. And clearly it's enough to make you attempt to escape, I can tell what you're doing.” Guest sighs, shifting in the arm chair, his face primarily lit by fire. “You're waiting for me to fall asleep so you can leave, because you know the rounds start up again tomorrow.”
1x stays silent for the most part, hissing quietly as they lean back on their wings. How did he know that? She’s been waiting since they escorted her back to the couch.
And almost as if on cue he explains. “You keep glancing towards the door like you glance at other survivors when you plan to switch targets. You're very expressive when you're strategizing”
Telamon would have words. Probably something about how their face should try and convey as little emotion as possible in order to stay unpredictable. They honestly could give less of a shit .
“I suppose you should know I'm also not the only person down here right now. Elliot is too.” Guest continued, despite 1x’s inner monologue.
" I can kill him far easier than I can kill you.” she mutters, looking away. " Why don't you just let me leave? I'm dangerous to you all and my injuries will give you an advantage next round.”
" Because Elliot and Noob seem to care about everyone, as much as they're both terrified they want to help you."
“It's not worth it. I'm not some thing that can be saved. If you wanted to save something or someone save the kids—” she pauses , she hadn't meant to say that last sentence aloud but she did. She's thinking about those little monsters alot…
Guest goes to say something but the sound of pans clattering and a yelp in the kitchen catches his attention. He stands quickly rushing to the doorway of the kitchen, spotting Elliot frozen on one of the counters looking panicked.
“Wha-"
“There's a rat in the kitchen! Where's Midnight?"
“Elliot breathe, Midnight's upstairs with Noob it's fine the rat won't hurt you."
“Guest this is not Ratatouille, It's unsanitary and knowing it it's probably cursed, or will give us the plague, or something!"
1x snickered from the couch hearing them bicker back and forth before standing. The abrupt rattling of chains following them as they walk into the kitchen.
“It's just a rat, calm the hell down.” she states, rolling her eyes as she quickly drops to her knees near the sink. She takes a quiet moment then reaches her arm under the cabinets. There's a quiet squeak before she comes back up holding the now dead rat and walking back out. "See, it's that easy.”
" Please don't eat that…" Elliot mutters , climbing down from the counters and reaching for a rag.
1x stays silent as she looks at the rat then at Elliot. She could eat it just to see him squirm but that wouldn't get them out of the situation they're in.
Instead they sit back down on the couch holding the rat in their hand and focus their energy. It's draining at least physically, to trade some of their energy and a life to call forth one of their own but soon they have a zombie sitting in their hands.
She studies it for a moment trying to figure out exactly which one it is before leaning back "Three, it's good to have you back. I apologize for the small form, but I need you to do something for me." she glances behind her, looking at Guest in the doorway then turns to whisper to the zombie.
“Find a way back to our cabin and come get me when you do." She sets down the zombie letting it scamper off to find a way back.
Guest stands concerned with what he's just witnessed, but he returns to sit anyway. He has no more questions seeing as 1x doesn't seem interested in answering them.
The night passes with the faint noise of Elliot making and cooking pizzas through the night. At some point Elliot retires to bed, and Guest falls asleep, leaving 1x a line with their thoughts and no noise. The fireplace has long since died out and they didn't feel like reliving memories not after the last couple.
A shallow static filled chuckle broke through the silence, filling the space.
It was back.
Her hand clenched into a fist as she eyes the surroundings. Trying to catch a glimpse of it before she felt a presence beside her.
It seems you've managed to escape.
How.. did you do that?
No matter. it seems you're stuck here for now.
Perhaps I should throw you back to the bottom of the lake?
Learning to swim might do you some good my dear.
1x stays quiet clearly trying to ignore the Specter as she runs her claws through her hair. Guest didn't seem disturbed from his sleep so of course it was only taunting her.
How about we make a deal darling.
Do you want to go back?
Make sure the children are okay?
Play my game and I'll make sure you can.
Or continue to ignore me and watch those you harbor emotions towards suffer.
Jason has kindly sorted out his issues with his performance.
So now it is your turn.
You have time to make your choice!
If you want to play my game, keep one of them with you when one of the rounds starts.
The more useful the person, the more lenient I might be.
The static feeling left just as quickly as it had appeared. 1x took a heavy breath trying to steady herself. She hated that thing just as much as she hated her creator. She didn't exactly want to play its game either, but she'd get to go back if she did.
Heights above she wishes she could sleep like a normal person.
Shedletkey sat on his bed, his wings splayed out behind him and Builderman worked to preen them in the early morning before the rounds started up. Builder's hands were familiar and the practiced motions felt nice in his wings. Though the air was a bit tense.
“So…are you going to tell them?”
Shedletkey paused glancing back at Builder, his wings dropping as the conversation finally started. “B, I can't. They're gonna have questions, so many questions.”
“It would be better if you tell them and they know compared to 1x outing you on the spot. "
" I know.. but I'm not him anymore, I don't have that power anymore. If I did, surely I'd be able to kick The Specter ass and get us all out of here , right? Besides, isn't her blatant hatred of me enough? “
Builder sighs as he leans over Shedletkey's shoulder, hugging him from behind. “ You can explain that to them. These people trust you. They trust you to protect them like I trust you with my life. And sure, sometimes you whiff and mess up, but this game we're stuck in was never tilted in our favor."
" Builder… they're gonna kill me, 1x is gonna kill me. The fact that she hasn't made it a goal already tells me something isn't right here.”
"Tela, maybe they defied it, it clearly had intentions to try and kill her. We found them half drowned in the lake with a broken wing."
“I know just, give me some time , if she leaves then I won't have to say anything, not yet at least.” he mutters, placing his hands over top of builders and hugging himself. “Now how about we go get some breakfast."
Builder nodded, pressing a quick kiss to Shedletkey's shoulder, then moved from behind him to stand. Shed quickly followed after making their way downstairs.
As they both made it to the bottom of the stair they were greeted with a very concerning sight. 1x being held down by Guest, Twotime being held back by noob, and what looks to be the shreds of the hoodie Shedletkey has given them on the floor.
Taking in a heavy breath Builder turned to walk forward as Shedletkey returned upstairs to find 1x something to wear.
" What the hell happened here?” Builder asked looking between the group, mainly looking to Noob and Guest for an explanation.
" Twotime tried to stab them and they retaliated.” Guest quickly explains, he looks regrettably down at 1x having used their chains as an extra restraint.
“Listen to me, the Spawn demands a sacrifice! It whispers of betrayal and pain. We cannot allow them sanctuary here anymore! Please my friends listen to me, the Spawn is yet to be wrong!” Twotime quickly rambles out as Noob pulls them to the kitchen.
The group can audibly hear 1x snarl, their chains going taught as they try to pick themselves up. “Get off of me or I'll fucking kill you.."
Guest shakes his head. “Not yet, just give us a moment to separate you two, check you both over for injuries and-"
“I'm fine get the fuck off of me! I'm not hurt and you're all lucky I didn't kill that damn cultist.”
Guest glances at Builder who sighs, taking off his hardhat and running a hand through his hair. " Guest, can you please take her outside? I'll bring you both breakfast and we'll have a group meeting about this later."
Guest nods, then as carefully as he can picks up 1x and makes his way outside with them.
Builder looks around a little further, spotting a shattered plate near the couch where 1x was. But he continues further , making his way into the kitchen to spot Noob and Twotime. " Twotime.. why'd you try to stab them?”
" They were hostile! They are hostile! Noob simply tried to help them and they— they refused, I don't understand how anyone could refuse such kindness!”
" Twotime, it's fine really I should've expected them not to eat much, they hardly ate any of the soup, but they looked hungry. I just guessed wrong “ Noob frowns very cautiously letting go of Twotime, whose tail is twitching back and forth angrily.
" Alright, so Noob offered food, 1x reacted poorly and you attempted to stab them so they fought back in self defense?" Builder asks, running a hand down his face. He didn't have the energy for this just yet. Several of them still needed to eat breakfast, and Elliot needed to be woken up soon.
Noob simply nodded as Twotime huffed, they were in the right and they know they are.
Glancing at the clock he sighed. " I'll clean up the mess and take Guest his plate. You two go about everything like it's a normal day and wake Elliot up, we don't need him asleep during the round, it'll take forever to find him."
As the mess was just about sorted Shedletkey made his downstairs with another hoodie of similar style to the last though this time it was all black. Shed spares Builder a quick questioning glance and Builder gestures to the door.
Before Shedletkey could make his way outside with the garment Noob basically hands him two plates.
" One of these is for you and the other is for Guest. Please.. just take that out with you?"
“Of course kid, it's no problem." He quickly shrugs, moving outside only to see 1x settled rather peacefully on the ground holding something in their arms, Guest stood near by his arms covered in claw marks that leaked with familiar green poison.
He offers the plate out to Guest who takes it and sighs, relaxing some now that he has a reason to.
Shed takes a breath then walks up to 1x offering out the hoodie. " Here, to replace the one that ripped.”
" I don't need it, it's uncomfortable.” she replies, hardly glancing up to him.
“You're not decent , just put it on."
“I don't need it. It's restricting enough with the bandages." There's a snarl in her tone as she rests one of her hands on her legs now side eyeing him.
“1x, please you'll make people uncomfortable. Just wear it .”
" I do not care about your standards of decency, no one back in my cabin was ever uncomfortable with it so I am fine. "
Finally looking down at what they seem to be holding, only to see Midnight. “Listen 1x please just do it , I won't ask you anything more."
With a huff 1x snatched the hoodie from his, pulling it over themselves. They grab him by the collar of his shirt glaring.
" This is the final time I listen to your instruction. You are not my father and you are a lousy creator. The next time you speak to me I will paint portraits with your blood and use your feathers as decoration.” she hisses in somewhat of a whisper.
Letting him go she stands stomping off towards the forest leaving Shedletkey stunned, he never expected them to listen to him. The look from Guest is worse though, he looks curious, almost asking if they should talk. Ultimately he decided to shake his head , walking back inside with his plate and storing down on the couch to eat.
The rounds had shortly begun, but back amongst the killers there was a hefty bit of concern. Jason returned last night, and seemed alright. Noli had attempted to make breakfast, and John was looking after the kids.
Still with no sign of 1x .
It was concerning for all the killers, none of them had ever simply disappeared and not come back.
As Jason left for his round, John found himself in the children's room, clear headed and concerned. Pushing past the slightly foggy feeling that sat with him he brought a clawed hand up to c00lkidd's forehead.
He frowned watching the c00lkidd squirm away, he had an awful fever, probably something serious. John sighed, they didn't have medicine, at least not that he knew of. He'd probably have to make something, but he's not exactly equipped to do so.
Pr3typriincess and Bluudud hovered over his shoulders regularly checking with him to see if c00lkidd was doing any better, reluctantly John had asked them both to help him play nurse. He patiently taught the two what to do and to get either him or Noli if things seemed like they were getting worse or better.
He doesn't hate to admit it, but he's worried. 1x having gone missing and now c00lkidd being sick, if the other kids get sick he's not sure what he might do. Though sooner than he'd hoped Jason's round was over, the killer, having won, immediately retreated to the cabin kitchen.
John was next up next. As he took a breath he let the foggy feeling cloud his mind. He didn't exactly want to kill. His round was a bit of a blur. The gray one tried to talk to him again. The words still fuzzy in his mind, something about knowing him and knowing he could be better. And the yellow-blue one cautiously called out to him.
He remembered muttering something, maybe something about medicine and hurting. But nothing seemed to make sense in his mind aside from the fact he knew he lost. He believed he spent the round wandering behind the two who talked to him. Their voices so familiar yet so distant all at the same time.
When his round ended the foggy feeling thankfully left him for the time being. He decided he'd make food, he thought about making soup, but he wasn't sure they had the materials for that.
So, canned chilli with hunted meats it was!
Bluudud kindly helped him in the kitchen as Noli's round started , Pr3typriincess regularly running updates down to him on c00lkidds status.
Thankfully the other two kids ate, however getting c00lkidd to eat was a bit of a hassle the kid could hardly stay focused enough to eat. He'd clearly rather sleep than try to eat but he couldn't let the kid starve while they were sick. At the very least he'd eaten and would probably eat later too..
As Noli’s round ended, the kids were left for last. Though surely The Specter weren't so cruel it would leave a sick child to participate in a game.
Much to the dismay of everyone it would.
c00lkidd being the first up for the children.
With c00lkidd gone the cabin held an unfamiliar tension as John moves to step outside. Noli being instructed to watch the kids. John needed to find something, any evidence that pointed to 1x being alive.
The forest line, nothing. The campfire, nothing. The lake, nothing.
…
Nothing?
He paused, slowly turning back to the lake then lumbering over to the dock. The broken code was gone. The Specter never cared about things like that so surely it would still be there. He thinks he remembers seeing broken code around still. Nothing's been fixed.
So why is the one in the lake gone?
He glanced down at the wood boarding of the dock letting his eyes focus on his surroundings rather than the absence of code. Feathers laid out on the docks, sporadically like a struggle might've taken place.
Did 1x do that?
Did 1x and Jason fight? No, 1x certainly would've put up a fight and Jason would've bee
n injured.
Glancing back at the water he frowned.
Could 1x swim?
The grounds of Planet Voss were quiet, suspiciously so. All of the survivors had managed to gather in one spot and not a single person was injured or had even seen the killer.
It couldn't be someone new right?
Noob sat by a generator slowly fiddling with the wires as they looked around, anxious something or someone would come up behind them. Guest stood nearby, basically keeping guard.
“Alright, I'm going out to look. We can't all sit here terrified. Maybe it's 1x?” Elliot called out, making his way to exit the base.
007n7 quickly stood nervously reaching out towards Elliot " Elliot, hold on you can't just go out on your own.”
" Then come with me, I'm not going to sit here terrified the whole time.” Elliot huffs crossing his arms as he stands at the entrance.
Chance sighs and he dips his head to walk forward. “Alright, if you two are going you'll need at least some form of defense. Safe to say I'm feeling lucky."
07 frowns but sighs joining the two as they all cautiously begin to traverse Planet Voss. They cut through the middle using the many half walls as cover. They get about half way to the other side only for 07 to stop as he hears familiar sniffling.
Lingering back 07 pauses and looks around. He purses his lips about to say something, then shakes his head and decides to dart off.
When he finds his son he frowns, though no longer small and holdable like he used to be, instead he's monstrous with more of his demon-esque features having grown in.
It's the first time he's actually getting a good look at him without being strangled, but what truly breaks 007n7s heart is the fact c00lkidd is curled up as tightly as he can, tears pricking his eyes. He lets out a cough and only curls up tighter.
Hesitantly 07 kneels down resting a hand over his forehead noting how warm he seems to be. Checking the area, he frowns. There's no medkit nearby, and there's no guarantee the medkit will actually have any medicine. His son shouldn't be here in this condition. Reaching down and grabbing c00lkidds hand he sighs. He doesn't want to alert the others, that might cause more trouble than it's worth.
He wishes he could do something, but there's nothing that he could convince the others to do other than work on the generators. So for now he sticks by his son's side. He wishes he could do more as the time idly ticks by but there's nothing much he can do to improve the situation.
As the time ticks down to the last ten seconds of the round he presses a kiss to c00lkidd's forehead.“Oh kidd…I'm sorry bud, I wish I could do more for you. I'll bring you some medicine tomorrow, hopefully I don't need it though.” he mutters, pulling c00lkidd into a hug as vision fades to black and the round ends.
Notes:
"Hey Chance?"
"Yes Elliot?"
"Where the FUCK did 07 go?"
"Uh- shit."
If anyone ever makes fanart or a spin off please tag me @the-demons-writings or @fruitbowlsngoals on Tumblr I would actually love that