Respite, Waxing Damnation

he looked around the cabin.. hadn't gotten a real good chance to do so before. plus, now seemed like the perfect time, with most others out doing their own thing ! though, maybe he wouldn't leave the house just yet. didn't want to get lost.

@autumnalresolute

she made her way back round to the living room - people ! he did! not know there was anyone inside! they took a careful step back, knocking some chair to the side, quickly reaching out to grab it.

.

.

that was rude to immediately assume the worst.

sorry. i'm . ! Not used to seeing other people here too much. solomon guierra. you are ,?

he looked around the cabin.. hadn't gotten a real good chance to do so before. plus, now seemed like the perfect time, with most others out doing their own thing ! though, maybe he wouldn't leave the house just yet. didn't want to get lost.

@autumnalresolute

she made her way back round to the living room - people ! he did! not know there was anyone inside! they took a careful step back, knocking some chair to the side, quickly reaching out to grab it.

.

.

that was rude to immediately assume the worst.

sorry. i'm . ! Not used to seeing other people here too much. solomon guierra. you are ,?

he looked around the cabin.. hadn't gotten a real good chance to do so before. plus, now seemed like the perfect time, with most others out doing their own thing ! though, maybe he wouldn't leave the house just yet. didn't want to get lost.

@autumnalresolute

she made her way back round to the living room - people ! he did! not know there was anyone inside! they took a careful step back, knocking some chair to the side, quickly reaching out to grab it.

.

.

that was rude to immediately assume the worst.

sorry. i'm . ! Not used to seeing other people here too much. solomon guierra. you are ,?

he looked around the cabin.. hadn't gotten a real good chance to do so before. plus, now seemed like the perfect time, with most others out doing their own thing ! though, maybe he wouldn't leave the house just yet. didn't want to get lost.

@autumnalresolute

she made her way back round to the living room - people ! he did! not know there was anyone inside! they took a careful step back, knocking some chair to the side, quickly reaching out to grab it.

The eye in place for a moon stared down at the pumpkin headed admin sat by the fire, legs crossed and a book in his hands. It wasn’t the usual book full of sketches and scribbled plans on how to escape, that’d been burned by It Telamon knows how long ago. This was just some chapter book that was brought alongside her house.

Sleep was not a common necessity for Dusekkar. She kept the beacon of a campfire alive into the early hours of the morning, and on the rare nights he did sleep, it was usually kept alive by the cultist.

Anywho.

The fire crackled on, sometimes being poked and prodded by the end of her wind staff, or having wood added to it. Someone was near, she just didn’t know who.

- @congenial-cerulean

[M] sorry if this doesn’t make much sense, im just kinda. Setting the setting up?? So feel free to answer however, if you even want to ^_^”

Elliot watched for a moment more, silently considering wether or not to interrupt them. The peace is always scarce and everyone needs every opportunity to rest and relax, of course, but Dusekkar probably wouldn’t mind. Right?

So he padded over, sitting next to Dusekkar.

He placed his hands one over the other on his lap, scarcely maintaining eye contact with the other survivor.

The eye in place for a moon stared down at the pumpkin headed admin sat by the fire, legs crossed and a book in his hands. It wasn’t the usual book full of sketches and scribbled plans on how to escape, that’d been burned by It Telamon knows how long ago. This was just some chapter book that was brought alongside her house.

Sleep was not a common necessity for Dusekkar. She kept the beacon of a campfire alive into the early hours of the morning, and on the rare nights he did sleep, it was usually kept alive by the cultist.

Anywho.

The fire crackled on, sometimes being poked and prodded by the end of her wind staff, or having wood added to it. Someone was near, she just didn’t know who.

- @congenial-cerulean

[M] sorry if this doesn’t make much sense, im just kinda. Setting the setting up?? So feel free to answer however, if you even want to ^_^”

Elliot watched for a moment more, silently considering wether or not to interrupt them. The peace is always scarce and everyone needs every opportunity to rest and relax, of course, but Dusekkar probably wouldn’t mind. Right?

So he padded over, sitting next to Dusekkar.

Dusekkar :D unfiltered version if u want her colours. Yes he has feet under his robe i literally just forgot to colour them 😭

@food-of-the-damned

The conversation inside of the large cabin seemed to quiet down, whispers replacing a tired, upbeat pitch from practically everyone. After around half a minute, the door creaked open, light pooling from the inside onto the pizza boys face.

It was an admin.

Dusekkar looked exhausted. As exhausted as a pumpkin could be, at least. She currently held a plate with a half-assed slice of cake resting on its side, half eaten. The flame in her head was duller, his glasses had small fracture crackles. His eyes furrowed at the sight of Elliot, looking over her shoulder to double check with the other admin he was seeing things correctly.

“Thank you, my friend..? Your delivery has… come to an end.” The admin had been missing for quite some time now. He set the plate of cake down, taking the pizza boxes and handing them over to Shedletsky, who brought them to the main area.

“Ah… how does this play….” He fumbled around, patting her pockets for a moment or two, muttering “how must i pay?…” with a small sigh.

Quite a few missing people, actually.

With a sigh, he turned back. “I am Dusekkar, you are correct. Your questions are not too many, do not fret. I…” he paused, flame flickering as he thought on how to reply to the question.

“I… do not know, my companion. Do not worry, however, do not abandon your hope. I may…someday return.” She seemed to make that answer up on the spot, if the nod after the statement didn’t prove this.

The wind howled outside, to which he poked his head out a bit more, eyes furrowing somehow deeper. “Are… are you sure you’re alright in this weather?”

✮⋆˙

Without much thought, Dusekkar shrugged his cloak off, wrapping it around Elliot like a towel with a nod to the couch. “You may sit there, if you’d like. This place will..most likely give you a fright. We’ll make the first night one to remember for a millennia.”

He fetched another plate, laying out some plain cheese pizza on it and handing it over to the pizza boy. It was the least she could do for what would come in tomorrows rounds.

He ate his own pizza, sitting down next to the pizza boy gently. As if worried she’d scare him like an injured animal.

The fire illuminated something new. Small cracks in his head, covered by what looked to be medical tape of some sort. Something to keep his head on, or at least standing upright, perhaps? Who knows, honestly.

“Of course, it’s the least I can do. At least, for survivors anew.” He raised from his seat, getting another two slices of pizza. It seemed she was hungry.

Dotted lines and messy trails of blood swept across the map as if a gruesome dance, bodies and some individual parts scattered haphazardly across Yorick’s resting place.

This was the very first match of the day, at the crack of dawn — if time in damnation could be considered a plausible thing — when nobody remembers what they’re doing. Everyone is exhausted, plans on how to counter hadn’t been memorized by many, and few were alive now.

With about 4 minutes on the clock, Dusekkar floated back from the generator in a mix of fear and frustration. She’d been teleported to.

- @congenial-cerulean

Being honest..Noli was actually pretty hesitant for a couple of seconds passing by. Afterall, they were somehow all still getting used to this whole..'game' thing.

They weren't fond of killing..but due to pressure and influence the star had on him, what other choice did he really have? Admittedly he was doing a good job at it..TOO much of a good job, as they glanced at the clock displaying 4 minutes instead of 3.

Noli's decaying left hand twitches erratically as binary code pulses through their exposed skeletal frame, their glowing eye fixating hungrily on Dusekkar's panicked form.

"J̌u§ŧ l3t m3 g3t ŧh1§ d0n3 4nd 0v3r w1ŧh qu1cķly.."

He muttered to himself, shaky breath. Like it's been held in for ages. Swiftly they teleport to the exact generator she had been working on, whilist everyone else did their own thing.

The glitchy static of Noli's presence fills the air as their decaying half-skull tilts, observing Dusekkar's panicked movements with eerie amusement. The Voidstar located at the centre of his chest, burning hot.

"4h, 0n3 0f ŧh3 4dm1n§.."

His voice distorts mid-sentence, flickering between pitches.

"§t1l·l fl04t1nĝ 4r0unð l1k3 4 ĥ3lpl3§§ gʻh0§t 1 s33¿"

With a sudden flick of their wrist, the Nova star whizzes past Dusekkar’s head, embedding itself into the wall behind her with a sickening squelch. Noli’s grin widens, the glow of their exposed eye intensifying.

"Ÿ0uŕ §000 §l0ẁẁẁ..ð0 y0ū ŵ4nŧ t0 d13 fæ§t3r¿"

Noli took another slow, deliberate step forward, binary particles crawling along their decaying arm.

"0ŕ sh4l·l 1 ðr4ĝ ŧh1§ 0ùŧ¿"

No further elaboration was given from the admin before she hover-dashed to the side, booking it towards the large house. It wouldn’t offer much solitude, but it was more than enough for a desperate man.

He’d been hit once by the void rush, so her head was on a swivel, looking back every few seconds to make sure he wouldn’t get ground-slammed. This, paired with the rapid floating forward, nearly caused him to lose focus and trip over his own robes, though he quickly regained her metaphorical footing and continued to dash forwards.

Her robes and scarf flapped in the slight breeze caused by the sudden commotion, having to now re-adjust his grip on his staff.

Reality snapped her back as his arm began to throb a horrid, burning pain, letting out a slight hiss. The nova’s explosion had burnt the back of her arm, and adrenaline from the entire round was slowly wearing off. She pushed himself against the wall of the entrance to the house, gasping for breath.

It wasn’t a good hiding spot. They both knew this, hell- practically everyone knew hiding behind the wall was the oldest trick in the book. But it was all that could be offered for him to crack open her cola and begin to near chug it, practically choking by the halfway mark. God, this was exhausting.

Noli's footsteps echo like thunder through the air even when they're walking, as if this was all just some simple walk in the park. They watch with an almost sadistic interest as Dusekkar attempts to escape. They don't bother to rush after her; they don't need to.

Their movements were slow and methodical, allowing the admin to distance themself from the him. Slowly they entering the building and glancing around the area, trying to find Dusekkar.

"..Ç0m3 0n..l3t§ n̈0ŧ k1ðð 0ur§3lv3§ h3re..ŷ0u ð0nŧ ẁ4nŧ t0 b3 4ny l0nģ3r h3r3 ŧh4n 1 d0, my§3lf..d0 y0u ŧh1nƙ 1t§..n̈1c3 f0r m3 t0 b3 ĺ00k1ngʻ 4t ŧh1§ §1ghŧ 31th3r¿ 1t§ ņ0ŧ.."

He sighed heavily, a low, glitched exhale, and rolled his eyes. He knew it was a terrible hiding spot, it was obvious, but it was amusing nonetheless. Though, they felt as though she knew that.

"Ÿkn̈0ẁ..ŧh1§ 1§nŧ 4 gʻ00d §p0ŧ t0 b3 4ŧ..ɓuŧ n31th3r 1§ 4nywh3r3 3l§3.."

“Your words mean nothing, believe me on that. With no end to this torment, I’m shocked you’re taking this path.”

The half-empty soda can clattered to the ground as he held her burnt arm to her chest, breathing harsh and shaky. Though he wasn’t in a good spot at all, there was genuinely nothing for her to do. The most he could hope for was that the foot stomping her head in would be faster than usual, but that wish was probably too hopeful.

He needed to make himself useful. The other two left alive were at decently good health, and the timer slowly ticked down as she shook like a leaf. There was nothing Dusekkar could do, though. She was 2 hits away from death, backed into a corner, with a speed boost wasted from freezing up.

Running wouldn’t do anything, as he knew he’d get murdered near instantly, and talking would only stall the inevitable. But it was the only option she could think of with a brain moving a mile a minute.

"F33l1ngʻ..ẁ3l·l¿"

Their voice fractures, static eating at the edges of their speech.

"Ÿ0u'r3 4§k1ng m3 ŧh4ŧ wh1l3 §h4k1ng l1k3 4 §tuçƙ ř4ɓɓ1ŧ¿"

He couldn't understand why she was asking this..however he lowered the star slightly, their exposed skull tilting with something almost resembling curiosity. The binary decay pulses violently along their left side.

Truth be told, Dusekkar was genuinely concerned for some of, if not all of the killers in this realm of damnation. It may just be in her nature, but he did worry at times. When she wasn’t being murdered, at least.

“Do tell, why was the void star taken? Was it for power, or were you misled and mistaken?” Taking a sharp inhale from pain, she continued. “I do understand you had…connections, but that is no reason to be like this. You will be consumed, and if you cannot stop, that will be your doom.”

"Ç0nn3ct10n¿ Ð0nŧ m4k3 m3 Ł4ŪGʻĤ¡"

Nova trembling in their hand. Their voice wavered, glitching, as if in struggle to maintain control. It was clear the topic was a hit trigger. And swiftly he held her up.

"ł Ⱨ₳VɆ ₦Ø ₵ⱧØł₵Ɇ! ł ĐØ₦'₮ ₦ɆɆĐ ɎØɄⱤ ₱ł₮Ɏ ØⱤ ₴Ɏ₥₱₳₮ⱧɎ. ł ĐØ₦'₮ ₦ɆɆĐ ₳₦ɎØ₦Ɇ! ₦Ø₮ ɎØɄ, ₦Ø₮ Ⱨł₥, ₦Ø₮ ₳₦ɎØ₦Ɇ. ɎØɄ ĐØ₦'₮ ₭₦Ø₩ ₥Ɇ!"

He quickly began to claw at the hand around her throat, letting out a few coughs from panic. Words attempted to spill out from his lips. Apologies, pleading, god knows what else— but it never came. All that escaped were garbled messes of words and sharp gasps that slowly became nothing.

What had he done..

Silence hung heavy in the air. Noli's grip around Dusekkar's neck tightened for a moment longer then loosened letting their body crumple to the ground. Eyes staring at the mess in front. Part of him couldn't believe it..afterall the game was still fairly new to him. This wasn't a regular thing..

And for the first time he felt fear. Not at the game but at himself. What he's capable of. The timer seemed to have been added on. No point dwelling now. You gotta MOVE. So some unspeakable force, forced them to continue despite he, himself not wanting to anymore.

Just like that they teleported searching for whoever else was left but it wasn't long until they had met their own ends.

Before they knew it, Noli was back at the lobby with the rest of the killers. Some had noticed his disassociated look..how he seemed to stare at almost seemingly nothing. Nobody said anything, just watched him quietly retreat to his area in the cabin, attempting to process his sudden aggression and massacre.

Dusekkar returned to the survivors lobby stumbling and coughing, falling to her knees with eyes as wide as they could go. Telamon, she’d just tried to help.

A few had crowded around the admin, helping her to her feet with raspy thanks and apologies spilling from her mouth. He near collapsed onto the couch, simply…sitting there, staring at the crackling fireplace.

The day had continued on. More rounds, more deaths, more screams. More pleading from fellow survivors, the smell of iron and gunpowder lingering in the air.

Dread lingered in the air around the admin. She knew what was to come, he simply didn’t expect it to be this soon.

She’d gotten a break for 2 rounds, and in that time he’d helped transport the ‘delivery boxes’ for their limited food supplies to the main cabin, helped patch up lingering wounds, and spoke more with Builderman on the plans for future rounds.

Then she was haphazardly thrown into the survivor mix when Noli was killer once more.

Noli's gaze immediately landed on Dusekkar as they entered the survivor mix their expression a mixture of confusion and recognition. They watched the admin work on the generator their eye fixed on her. The memory of their previous encounter seemed to weigh heavily in the air.

Strangely as the match progressed his focus seemed divided between his task and Dusekkar. Whenever the admin was in sight, Noli found their gaze wandering back to him. They seemed almost… distracted.

A nagging feeling of unease gnawed at them, even as they continued to progress with eliminating the rest of the survivors. Hands still noticeably shaking when throwing Nova. But no matter what, the vision of the crumpled up body was ingrained in his mind like a photograph.

Their form flickers one second by the bloodied generator behind them the next in a burst of static right in front of Dusekkar’s face. Their exposed skull tilts mockingly.

"..Ĺ3t m3 ǰu§ŧ..m4k3 ŧh1§ qu1çƙ.."

“I offer my greetings to you, though this meeting does not seem new. Do tell, are you now well?”

He slowly began to back up, ready to run. Dusekkar looked…hesitant, though, to do so. Ready to talk, or at least listen if needed. It was an unlikely thing to happen, though it wasn’t impossible.

"..Ŵhÿ ð03§ ŧh4ŧ m4ŧŧ3r..1'm 4ɓ0uŧ t0 k1l·l y0ū 4g41n..ŵhŷ 4r3nŧ y0u ṛuňň1nĝ.."

And it was true. The only reason he ran otherwise was to aid teammates, or distract. At the very least to show some hope to the others.

But there was no one to stall for. Nobody to watch her run for her life, nobody to watch the flame flicker out as his head is crushed in. She simply wanted to talk to the man.

"4nð ŵh4ŧ ð0 ƴ0ŭ 3xp3cŧ ŧ0 4çç0mpł1§ĥ ɓÿ ŧ4lk1ngʻ¿ Ƴ0u ƙn0w ð4mn̈ ẁ3l·l ŵh4ŧ 1'm h3r3 f0r. §0 ẁhƴ ŧh3 §uðð3n çh4ng3 1n 4ppr04çĥ.."

He took another step forward, but there was no malice in it now..just confusion.

"P4ŧh3t1ç.."

“Sit with me for a bit?” She asked, staring up at the hacker. If he wanted to kill her, he’d accept death with open arms. But attempting to talk again, when he was in his right mind, was worth a shot.

His expression shifted from hostility to something resembling uncertainty. They hesitated for a long moment before slowly lowering themselves onto the grass though they kept a careful distance.

"..ƴ0u'ŕ3 Ŕ34L·LƳ ŧ3§t1nĝ mŷ p4t13nc3 h3r3.."

Voice was still glitched, but there was less malice in it now. Crossing their arms over their chest, watching the admin warily.

"Ŵh4ŧ 3x4çtlƴ d0 y0u ŵ4nŧ¿ 4 ĥ34řtf3lŧ ç0nf3§§10n¿ 4 t34rfuł 4p0l0gʻy¿ 1 ð0nŧ h4ve t1m3 f0r 4ny 0f ŧh1§ §3nt1m3nt4l ɓul·l§h1ŧ. Ð1d ..H3 ŧ3l·l y0u t0 ð0 ŧh1§¿ Ŧh1nk1ngʻ 1t w0ulð h3lp ÿ0u 4l·l g3t l3v3r4g3..1 b3ŧ h3 ð1ð.."

No rhyming. That was new. His voice changed too.

Her voice seemed less pitched, taking on a silvery and deeper tone, as if disembodied. It was not uncommon for Dusekkar to mask his natural voice to fit in with fellow survivors, though she supposed honesty in a conversation like this would be important. Its good to start small.

Rhyming was still his natural way of talking, though it was probably best to not rhyme in this situation.

"0n3 0f ŧh3 §urv1v0r§..§3v3--"

He cut himself off, his decaying hand flexing as if unsure whether to reach out or recoil. The binary particles along their left side pulsed erratically.

"..Ç0nc3rn̈¿ f0r m3¿"

Noli repeated the word, almost as if it was difficult to grasp the concept. The idea that someone would care for their well-being was... foreign. Incomprehensible.

"Ŵh0 §41ð 1 ŵ4§ tr4pp3d..1 b3l0ngʻ h3r3. Ŧh4t§ ŧh3 d1ff3r3nc3."

They seemed almost...defensive, their eyes never leaving Dusekkar, searching her face for any sign of deception or ulterior motive.

"1'm ŧh3 0n3 br1nĝ1nĝ p41n 4nð f34r..y3ŧ h3r3 ƴ0u 4r3 ç4r1ngʻ 4b0uŧ mƴ 'ẁ3l·l b31nĝ'. Ŧh3r3 1§ n̈0ŧh1nĝ l3fŧ 0f 1ŧ ŧh3r3..4nym0r3. 1 m4n4g3 4nð 1 c0p3. J̌u§ŧ l1k3 1'v3 4lw4ys ĥ4v3. Ƴ0u §uck 1ŧ ūp 4nð d34l ŵ1tĥ 1t..n̈0t wh1n3 4b0uŧ 1ŧ t0 s0m30n3 3ls3 l1k3 4 ŧh3r4p1§ŧ."

When Dusekkar was previously an admin, she was often the one who dealt and helped with mental health problems of others. A shoulder to lean on, someone to cry to. He’s seen anger, fear, tears, hell- she had a table thrown at her once while comforting. Listening was not an uncommon thing for him to do, even here. Even if it was only for a few people now.

"1t§..1-1t§..n̈-n0ŧ 4 m4ŧŧ3r 0f ŵh4ŧ 1'v3 b33n ŧ0lð. §0 ŵh4ŧ 1f 1 ĥ4v3¿ 1t§ §1mplƴ ŧh3 r34l1ŧƴ 0f ŧh1ng§..4nð ŧh3ƴ 4r3nŧ ŵr0nĝ.."

They gritted their teeth, their voice strained as if fighting back anger at the bare thought of their parents. The Mistreatment. Not just mental but..Physical.

"Ƴ0u ŧh1nƙ ŷ0ū ƙn0w 4nyŧh1nĝ 4ɓ0uŧ mƴ m1nd§3ŧ 0r ŵh4ŧ 1'm gʻ01nĝ ŧhr0uĝĥ 3v3rÿd4ƴ¿-- 0r ŧh3 f4cŧ ŧĥ4ŧ ŧh1§..§ŧup1d..§tup1ð §t4ŕ ŕu1n3ð mƴ l1f3. Ĥ3 ŔU1N3Ð MƳ L1F3..§3V3Ņ Ð1Ð. 1 Ð0NŦ ĶN0W ŴHƳ 1'Ð 3V3N..l1§t3n..1n ŧrūtĥ n0n3 0f y0u ç0ulð ƙn0ŵ ŵh4ŧ 1'm gʻ01ngʻ ŧhr0ugĥ. Ƴ0u ð0nŧ ƙn0ŵ m3 0r wĥ0 1 ŵ4§..§0 m4yb3 f0rg3ŧŧ1ngʻ 1§ ǰu§ŧ b3ŧŧ3r.."

In a small act of humour, she stuck a scarred pinky out as a form of promising. It was childish, sure, but it had calmed a few down before.

“I also will not forget. Your life, your health. It’s all as important to me as those on the survivors side.” Saying all of this with a pinky held in the air was a bit amusing.

The timer had gotten down to 30 seconds. “Time’s running out. If you do want to talk, you can meet me at the graveyard in the dividing forest. If not, have a good rest of your day— as good as it can be.”

They hesitated, conflicted. Part of him wanted to snap at the admin, tell her to stop treating this like a casual chat. But a smaller part... a much quieter part..found themselves contemplating the offer. So he mimicked the gesture, as if a broken mirror.

The ticking of the countdown echoed loudly.

"..F1n3..ŧh3 gʻr4v3ÿ4rď..ƴ0u b3ŧŧ3r n̈0ŧ t3l·l 4 §0ul 0r y0uř h34ð 1§nŧ ŧh3 0nlŷ ŧh1nĝ 1'l·l b3 çru§ĥ1nĝ."

And soon enough, the two were once again segregated. His own mind was screaming at himself for being this stupid enough to be agreeing to any of this.

The forest was not offering this kind of grace.

Intermingling voices from the sobs, groans and wails of the trees, overlapped with stronger winds, made it near impossible to read a book without being distracted. This, however, was the beloved resting spot of Dusekkar.

She’d built it herself, the cold light of the moon shining atop the wooden grave markers. One for every single person here, including killers. A creaky bench sat at the end of the man-made path from walking to and from this place so often, made from scrap pieces of wood and metal.

If the entity had found out what he's currently doing, integrating with the survivors? He knows, the Spectre wouldn't show mercy but then again..it was always in his nature to be reckless. Back when they were still a young teen, freshly entering adulthood.

Eyes narrowed as they took in their surroundings, their steps quiet as they approached the bench. Seemingly hesitant for a moment, as if questioning if they should even be there.

Then, almost reluctantly, he sat on the bench, his gaze fixed on the grave markers surrounding them. Silence hung heavy in the air.

"1s ŧh1§ ẁh4ŧ ŷ0u ð0 ŵ1ŧh ƴ0uŕ ŧ1m3¿ §1ŧ h3r3 1n 4 m3m0r14l¿ 1f 1 kn3w 1t w0ulð b3 ŧh1§ d3pr3§§1nĝ, 1 w0ulð'v3 ɓr0uĝhŧ t1§§u3§."

There was a hint of tease in Noli's voice, humour was always a go to for dealing with things. Regardless, they've never really seen this part of the forest before.

A tinted finger pointed to the killers side of the grave markers, and there stood a plaque with ‘NOLI’ etched into it roughly. “You may add your own touch to it, if you want. I keep them blank on purpose.”

A few of the survivors plaques had their own personal touches. Elliot had a sauce stain, there were fingerprints on a few, and the pumpkins was floating in the slightest.

He ran his fingers over the carved letters, before his gaze flicked over to the other markers. The contrast between their blank one and the others with personal touches was stark. It was a physical representation of the divide between himself and the survivors.

Slowly Noli would draw outlines in the shape of small little stars. All simply with just the touch of magic at their finger tips. Though whilist adding their details, their gaze couldn't help but wonder onto 007n7's for a few moments.

They sighed, and dull expression of tired resentment but regret etched onto the enfused mask face. Drawing, what was a small burger hat in the corner. It was very small, one would have to look closer to see however, it was there.

"..1 ŵ0ulðnŧ f1ŧ 4m0ng§ŧ 4ny 0f ŧh3§3--"

There was a hint of vulnerability in their tone. It was like they were wrestling with something deep within them. Something that seemed to be trying to break through. Something human.

But as quickly as this moment came, they forcefully masked it. It was dangerous to be showing this amount of weakness, especially in front of her. At least, that's their skewed perspective of things.

“That looks lovely, it suits you well.”

He didn’t comment on the obvious vulnerability that showed for a split second, instead crossing his legs, leaning back up to sit normally and scooting over. An invitation, as the right side of the bench was now empty.

With a slight hesitation, they sat down. The wood made a soft creak as he sat, his form tense. He glanced to the side at the admin, then at the blanket coated sky..

"..ĥm. Ɓ3ŧŧ3r ŧh4n ẁh4ŧ 1 §p3nð d01ng. 31th3r d1s4§§0ç1æt1ngʻ 0r..§0m3ŧ1m3§..§t4ŕg4z1nģ 1§ n1c3..1 u§3d ŧ0 ð0 1ŧ m0r3 fŕ3qu3nŧlƴ."

Noli couldn't help but feel a pang of something--envy? Longing?

"..§0m3t1m3§..1 ĺ00k 4ŧ ŧh3m l0nĝ 3n0uĝĥ..4nð 1 ĵu§ŧ 1m4g1n3 ĥ0ŵ łucķƴ ŧh3y 4r3, ŧhe §t4r§..jū§ŧ t0 b3 4bl3 t0..§t4r3 ð0wn 4ŧ 3v3ry0n3 3l§3. M4k3§ m3 qū3§t10n ẁh3ŧh3r f4t3 1§ ð3§t1n3d..m4yb3 §0m3 w3r3 ĵu§ŧ ð3§t1n3d t0 §uc33ð...4nð ŧh3 ūnf0rtün4t3 ŧ0 f41ł.."

No. That was ridiculous. Gradually turning their attention away from the admin.

“Sometimes… the stars don’t seem real. On tougher days, I feel like they’re a mockery of our lack of freedom in damnation… if that makes sense. How they rarely change, like our fates.”

The winds picked up in the slightest, before settling once more. It sent a slight shiver through the admins body, letting out a shaky sigh. “It’s… difficult, accepting damnation some days. Waking up and having to go through the same deaths, the same pain, day in and day out.”

Dotted lines and messy trails of blood swept across the map as if a gruesome dance, bodies and some individual parts scattered haphazardly across Yorick’s resting place.

This was the very first match of the day, at the crack of dawn — if time in damnation could be considered a plausible thing — when nobody remembers what they’re doing. Everyone is exhausted, plans on how to counter hadn’t been memorized by many, and few were alive now.

With about 4 minutes on the clock, Dusekkar floated back from the generator in a mix of fear and frustration. She’d been teleported to.

- @congenial-cerulean

Being honest..Noli was actually pretty hesitant for a couple of seconds passing by. Afterall, they were somehow all still getting used to this whole..'game' thing.

They weren't fond of killing..but due to pressure and influence the star had on him, what other choice did he really have? Admittedly he was doing a good job at it..TOO much of a good job, as they glanced at the clock displaying 4 minutes instead of 3.

Noli's decaying left hand twitches erratically as binary code pulses through their exposed skeletal frame, their glowing eye fixating hungrily on Dusekkar's panicked form.

"J̌u§ŧ l3t m3 g3t ŧh1§ d0n3 4nd 0v3r w1ŧh qu1cķly.."

He muttered to himself, shaky breath. Like it's been held in for ages. Swiftly they teleport to the exact generator she had been working on, whilist everyone else did their own thing.

The glitchy static of Noli's presence fills the air as their decaying half-skull tilts, observing Dusekkar's panicked movements with eerie amusement. The Voidstar located at the centre of his chest, burning hot.

"4h, 0n3 0f ŧh3 4dm1n§.."

His voice distorts mid-sentence, flickering between pitches.

"§t1l·l fl04t1nĝ 4r0unð l1k3 4 ĥ3lpl3§§ gʻh0§t 1 s33¿"

With a sudden flick of their wrist, the Nova star whizzes past Dusekkar’s head, embedding itself into the wall behind her with a sickening squelch. Noli’s grin widens, the glow of their exposed eye intensifying.

"Ÿ0uŕ §000 §l0ẁẁẁ..ð0 y0ū ŵ4nŧ t0 d13 fæ§t3r¿"

Noli took another slow, deliberate step forward, binary particles crawling along their decaying arm.

"0ŕ sh4l·l 1 ðr4ĝ ŧh1§ 0ùŧ¿"

No further elaboration was given from the admin before she hover-dashed to the side, booking it towards the large house. It wouldn’t offer much solitude, but it was more than enough for a desperate man.

He’d been hit once by the void rush, so her head was on a swivel, looking back every few seconds to make sure he wouldn’t get ground-slammed. This, paired with the rapid floating forward, nearly caused him to lose focus and trip over his own robes, though he quickly regained her metaphorical footing and continued to dash forwards.

Her robes and scarf flapped in the slight breeze caused by the sudden commotion, having to now re-adjust his grip on his staff.

Reality snapped her back as his arm began to throb a horrid, burning pain, letting out a slight hiss. The nova’s explosion had burnt the back of her arm, and adrenaline from the entire round was slowly wearing off. She pushed himself against the wall of the entrance to the house, gasping for breath.

It wasn’t a good hiding spot. They both knew this, hell- practically everyone knew hiding behind the wall was the oldest trick in the book. But it was all that could be offered for him to crack open her cola and begin to near chug it, practically choking by the halfway mark. God, this was exhausting.

Noli's footsteps echo like thunder through the air even when they're walking, as if this was all just some simple walk in the park. They watch with an almost sadistic interest as Dusekkar attempts to escape. They don't bother to rush after her; they don't need to.

Their movements were slow and methodical, allowing the admin to distance themself from the him. Slowly they entering the building and glancing around the area, trying to find Dusekkar.

"..Ç0m3 0n..l3t§ n̈0ŧ k1ðð 0ur§3lv3§ h3re..ŷ0u ð0nŧ ẁ4nŧ t0 b3 4ny l0nģ3r h3r3 ŧh4n 1 d0, my§3lf..d0 y0u ŧh1nƙ 1t§..n̈1c3 f0r m3 t0 b3 ĺ00k1ngʻ 4t ŧh1§ §1ghŧ 31th3r¿ 1t§ ņ0ŧ.."

He sighed heavily, a low, glitched exhale, and rolled his eyes. He knew it was a terrible hiding spot, it was obvious, but it was amusing nonetheless. Though, they felt as though she knew that.

"Ÿkn̈0ẁ..ŧh1§ 1§nŧ 4 gʻ00d §p0ŧ t0 b3 4ŧ..ɓuŧ n31th3r 1§ 4nywh3r3 3l§3.."

“Your words mean nothing, believe me on that. With no end to this torment, I’m shocked you’re taking this path.”

The half-empty soda can clattered to the ground as he held her burnt arm to her chest, breathing harsh and shaky. Though he wasn’t in a good spot at all, there was genuinely nothing for her to do. The most he could hope for was that the foot stomping her head in would be faster than usual, but that wish was probably too hopeful.

He needed to make himself useful. The other two left alive were at decently good health, and the timer slowly ticked down as she shook like a leaf. There was nothing Dusekkar could do, though. She was 2 hits away from death, backed into a corner, with a speed boost wasted from freezing up.

Running wouldn’t do anything, as he knew he’d get murdered near instantly, and talking would only stall the inevitable. But it was the only option she could think of with a brain moving a mile a minute.

"F33l1ngʻ..ẁ3l·l¿"

Their voice fractures, static eating at the edges of their speech.

"Ÿ0u'r3 4§k1ng m3 ŧh4ŧ wh1l3 §h4k1ng l1k3 4 §tuçƙ ř4ɓɓ1ŧ¿"

He couldn't understand why she was asking this..however he lowered the star slightly, their exposed skull tilting with something almost resembling curiosity. The binary decay pulses violently along their left side.

Truth be told, Dusekkar was genuinely concerned for some of, if not all of the killers in this realm of damnation. It may just be in her nature, but he did worry at times. When she wasn’t being murdered, at least.

“Do tell, why was the void star taken? Was it for power, or were you misled and mistaken?” Taking a sharp inhale from pain, she continued. “I do understand you had…connections, but that is no reason to be like this. You will be consumed, and if you cannot stop, that will be your doom.”

"Ç0nn3ct10n¿ Ð0nŧ m4k3 m3 Ł4ŪGʻĤ¡"

Nova trembling in their hand. Their voice wavered, glitching, as if in struggle to maintain control. It was clear the topic was a hit trigger. And swiftly he held her up.

"ł Ⱨ₳VɆ ₦Ø ₵ⱧØł₵Ɇ! ł ĐØ₦'₮ ₦ɆɆĐ ɎØɄⱤ ₱ł₮Ɏ ØⱤ ₴Ɏ₥₱₳₮ⱧɎ. ł ĐØ₦'₮ ₦ɆɆĐ ₳₦ɎØ₦Ɇ! ₦Ø₮ ɎØɄ, ₦Ø₮ Ⱨł₥, ₦Ø₮ ₳₦ɎØ₦Ɇ. ɎØɄ ĐØ₦'₮ ₭₦Ø₩ ₥Ɇ!"

He quickly began to claw at the hand around her throat, letting out a few coughs from panic. Words attempted to spill out from his lips. Apologies, pleading, god knows what else— but it never came. All that escaped were garbled messes of words and sharp gasps that slowly became nothing.

What had he done..

Silence hung heavy in the air. Noli's grip around Dusekkar's neck tightened for a moment longer then loosened letting their body crumple to the ground. Eyes staring at the mess in front. Part of him couldn't believe it..afterall the game was still fairly new to him. This wasn't a regular thing..

And for the first time he felt fear. Not at the game but at himself. What he's capable of. The timer seemed to have been added on. No point dwelling now. You gotta MOVE. So some unspeakable force, forced them to continue despite he, himself not wanting to anymore.

Just like that they teleported searching for whoever else was left but it wasn't long until they had met their own ends.

Before they knew it, Noli was back at the lobby with the rest of the killers. Some had noticed his disassociated look..how he seemed to stare at almost seemingly nothing. Nobody said anything, just watched him quietly retreat to his area in the cabin, attempting to process his sudden aggression and massacre.

Dusekkar returned to the survivors lobby stumbling and coughing, falling to her knees with eyes as wide as they could go. Telamon, she’d just tried to help.

A few had crowded around the admin, helping her to her feet with raspy thanks and apologies spilling from her mouth. He near collapsed onto the couch, simply…sitting there, staring at the crackling fireplace.

The day had continued on. More rounds, more deaths, more screams. More pleading from fellow survivors, the smell of iron and gunpowder lingering in the air.

Dread lingered in the air around the admin. She knew what was to come, he simply didn’t expect it to be this soon.

She’d gotten a break for 2 rounds, and in that time he’d helped transport the ‘delivery boxes’ for their limited food supplies to the main cabin, helped patch up lingering wounds, and spoke more with Builderman on the plans for future rounds.

Then she was haphazardly thrown into the survivor mix when Noli was killer once more.

Noli's gaze immediately landed on Dusekkar as they entered the survivor mix their expression a mixture of confusion and recognition. They watched the admin work on the generator their eye fixed on her. The memory of their previous encounter seemed to weigh heavily in the air.

Strangely as the match progressed his focus seemed divided between his task and Dusekkar. Whenever the admin was in sight, Noli found their gaze wandering back to him. They seemed almost… distracted.

A nagging feeling of unease gnawed at them, even as they continued to progress with eliminating the rest of the survivors. Hands still noticeably shaking when throwing Nova. But no matter what, the vision of the crumpled up body was ingrained in his mind like a photograph.

Their form flickers one second by the bloodied generator behind them the next in a burst of static right in front of Dusekkar’s face. Their exposed skull tilts mockingly.

"..Ĺ3t m3 ǰu§ŧ..m4k3 ŧh1§ qu1çƙ.."

“I offer my greetings to you, though this meeting does not seem new. Do tell, are you now well?”

He slowly began to back up, ready to run. Dusekkar looked…hesitant, though, to do so. Ready to talk, or at least listen if needed. It was an unlikely thing to happen, though it wasn’t impossible.

"..Ŵhÿ ð03§ ŧh4ŧ m4ŧŧ3r..1'm 4ɓ0uŧ t0 k1l·l y0ū 4g41n..ŵhŷ 4r3nŧ y0u ṛuňň1nĝ.."

And it was true. The only reason he ran otherwise was to aid teammates, or distract. At the very least to show some hope to the others.

But there was no one to stall for. Nobody to watch her run for her life, nobody to watch the flame flicker out as his head is crushed in. She simply wanted to talk to the man.

"4nð ŵh4ŧ ð0 ƴ0ŭ 3xp3cŧ ŧ0 4çç0mpł1§ĥ ɓÿ ŧ4lk1ngʻ¿ Ƴ0u ƙn0w ð4mn̈ ẁ3l·l ŵh4ŧ 1'm h3r3 f0r. §0 ẁhƴ ŧh3 §uðð3n çh4ng3 1n 4ppr04çĥ.."

He took another step forward, but there was no malice in it now..just confusion.

"P4ŧh3t1ç.."

“Sit with me for a bit?” She asked, staring up at the hacker. If he wanted to kill her, he’d accept death with open arms. But attempting to talk again, when he was in his right mind, was worth a shot.

His expression shifted from hostility to something resembling uncertainty. They hesitated for a long moment before slowly lowering themselves onto the grass though they kept a careful distance.

"..ƴ0u'ŕ3 Ŕ34L·LƳ ŧ3§t1nĝ mŷ p4t13nc3 h3r3.."

Voice was still glitched, but there was less malice in it now. Crossing their arms over their chest, watching the admin warily.

"Ŵh4ŧ 3x4çtlƴ d0 y0u ŵ4nŧ¿ 4 ĥ34řtf3lŧ ç0nf3§§10n¿ 4 t34rfuł 4p0l0gʻy¿ 1 ð0nŧ h4ve t1m3 f0r 4ny 0f ŧh1§ §3nt1m3nt4l ɓul·l§h1ŧ. Ð1d ..H3 ŧ3l·l y0u t0 ð0 ŧh1§¿ Ŧh1nk1ngʻ 1t w0ulð h3lp ÿ0u 4l·l g3t l3v3r4g3..1 b3ŧ h3 ð1ð.."

No rhyming. That was new. His voice changed too.

Her voice seemed less pitched, taking on a silvery and deeper tone, as if disembodied. It was not uncommon for Dusekkar to mask his natural voice to fit in with fellow survivors, though she supposed honesty in a conversation like this would be important. Its good to start small.

Rhyming was still his natural way of talking, though it was probably best to not rhyme in this situation.

"0n3 0f ŧh3 §urv1v0r§..§3v3--"

He cut himself off, his decaying hand flexing as if unsure whether to reach out or recoil. The binary particles along their left side pulsed erratically.

"..Ç0nc3rn̈¿ f0r m3¿"

Noli repeated the word, almost as if it was difficult to grasp the concept. The idea that someone would care for their well-being was... foreign. Incomprehensible.

"Ŵh0 §41ð 1 ŵ4§ tr4pp3d..1 b3l0ngʻ h3r3. Ŧh4t§ ŧh3 d1ff3r3nc3."

They seemed almost...defensive, their eyes never leaving Dusekkar, searching her face for any sign of deception or ulterior motive.

"1'm ŧh3 0n3 br1nĝ1nĝ p41n 4nð f34r..y3ŧ h3r3 ƴ0u 4r3 ç4r1ngʻ 4b0uŧ mƴ 'ẁ3l·l b31nĝ'. Ŧh3r3 1§ n̈0ŧh1nĝ l3fŧ 0f 1ŧ ŧh3r3..4nym0r3. 1 m4n4g3 4nð 1 c0p3. J̌u§ŧ l1k3 1'v3 4lw4ys ĥ4v3. Ƴ0u §uck 1ŧ ūp 4nð d34l ŵ1tĥ 1t..n̈0t wh1n3 4b0uŧ 1ŧ t0 s0m30n3 3ls3 l1k3 4 ŧh3r4p1§ŧ."

When Dusekkar was previously an admin, she was often the one who dealt and helped with mental health problems of others. A shoulder to lean on, someone to cry to. He’s seen anger, fear, tears, hell- she had a table thrown at her once while comforting. Listening was not an uncommon thing for him to do, even here. Even if it was only for a few people now.

"1t§..1-1t§..n̈-n0ŧ 4 m4ŧŧ3r 0f ŵh4ŧ 1'v3 b33n ŧ0lð. §0 ŵh4ŧ 1f 1 ĥ4v3¿ 1t§ §1mplƴ ŧh3 r34l1ŧƴ 0f ŧh1ng§..4nð ŧh3ƴ 4r3nŧ ŵr0nĝ.."

They gritted their teeth, their voice strained as if fighting back anger at the bare thought of their parents. The Mistreatment. Not just mental but..Physical.

"Ƴ0u ŧh1nƙ ŷ0ū ƙn0w 4nyŧh1nĝ 4ɓ0uŧ mƴ m1nd§3ŧ 0r ŵh4ŧ 1'm gʻ01nĝ ŧhr0uĝĥ 3v3rÿd4ƴ¿-- 0r ŧh3 f4cŧ ŧĥ4ŧ ŧh1§..§ŧup1d..§tup1ð §t4ŕ ŕu1n3ð mƴ l1f3. Ĥ3 ŔU1N3Ð MƳ L1F3..§3V3Ņ Ð1Ð. 1 Ð0NŦ ĶN0W ŴHƳ 1'Ð 3V3N..l1§t3n..1n ŧrūtĥ n0n3 0f y0u ç0ulð ƙn0ŵ ŵh4ŧ 1'm gʻ01ngʻ ŧhr0ugĥ. Ƴ0u ð0nŧ ƙn0ŵ m3 0r wĥ0 1 ŵ4§..§0 m4yb3 f0rg3ŧŧ1ngʻ 1§ ǰu§ŧ b3ŧŧ3r.."

In a small act of humour, she stuck a scarred pinky out as a form of promising. It was childish, sure, but it had calmed a few down before.

“I also will not forget. Your life, your health. It’s all as important to me as those on the survivors side.” Saying all of this with a pinky held in the air was a bit amusing.

The timer had gotten down to 30 seconds. “Time’s running out. If you do want to talk, you can meet me at the graveyard in the dividing forest. If not, have a good rest of your day— as good as it can be.”

They hesitated, conflicted. Part of him wanted to snap at the admin, tell her to stop treating this like a casual chat. But a smaller part... a much quieter part..found themselves contemplating the offer. So he mimicked the gesture, as if a broken mirror.

The ticking of the countdown echoed loudly.

"..F1n3..ŧh3 gʻr4v3ÿ4rď..ƴ0u b3ŧŧ3r n̈0ŧ t3l·l 4 §0ul 0r y0uř h34ð 1§nŧ ŧh3 0nlŷ ŧh1nĝ 1'l·l b3 çru§ĥ1nĝ."

And soon enough, the two were once again segregated. His own mind was screaming at himself for being this stupid enough to be agreeing to any of this.

The forest was not offering this kind of grace.

Intermingling voices from the sobs, groans and wails of the trees, overlapped with stronger winds, made it near impossible to read a book without being distracted. This, however, was the beloved resting spot of Dusekkar.

She’d built it herself, the cold light of the moon shining atop the wooden grave markers. One for every single person here, including killers. A creaky bench sat at the end of the man-made path from walking to and from this place so often, made from scrap pieces of wood and metal.

If the entity had found out what he's currently doing, integrating with the survivors? He knows, the Spectre wouldn't show mercy but then again..it was always in his nature to be reckless. Back when they were still a young teen, freshly entering adulthood.

Eyes narrowed as they took in their surroundings, their steps quiet as they approached the bench. Seemingly hesitant for a moment, as if questioning if they should even be there.

Then, almost reluctantly, he sat on the bench, his gaze fixed on the grave markers surrounding them. Silence hung heavy in the air.

"1s ŧh1§ ẁh4ŧ ŷ0u ð0 ŵ1ŧh ƴ0uŕ ŧ1m3¿ §1ŧ h3r3 1n 4 m3m0r14l¿ 1f 1 kn3w 1t w0ulð b3 ŧh1§ d3pr3§§1nĝ, 1 w0ulð'v3 ɓr0uĝhŧ t1§§u3§."

There was a hint of tease in Noli's voice, humour was always a go to for dealing with things. Regardless, they've never really seen this part of the forest before.

A tinted finger pointed to the killers side of the grave markers, and there stood a plaque with ‘NOLI’ etched into it roughly. “You may add your own touch to it, if you want. I keep them blank on purpose.”

A few of the survivors plaques had their own personal touches. Elliot had a sauce stain, there were fingerprints on a few, and the pumpkins was floating in the slightest.

He ran his fingers over the carved letters, before his gaze flicked over to the other markers. The contrast between their blank one and the others with personal touches was stark. It was a physical representation of the divide between himself and the survivors.

Slowly Noli would draw outlines in the shape of small little stars. All simply with just the touch of magic at their finger tips. Though whilist adding their details, their gaze couldn't help but wonder onto 007n7's for a few moments.

They sighed, and dull expression of tired resentment but regret etched onto the enfused mask face. Drawing, what was a small burger hat in the corner. It was very small, one would have to look closer to see however, it was there.

"..1 ŵ0ulðnŧ f1ŧ 4m0ng§ŧ 4ny 0f ŧh3§3--"

There was a hint of vulnerability in their tone. It was like they were wrestling with something deep within them. Something that seemed to be trying to break through. Something human.

But as quickly as this moment came, they forcefully masked it. It was dangerous to be showing this amount of weakness, especially in front of her. At least, that's their skewed perspective of things.

“That looks lovely, it suits you well.”

He didn’t comment on the obvious vulnerability that showed for a split second, instead crossing his legs, leaning back up to sit normally and scooting over. An invitation, as the right side of the bench was now empty.

Dotted lines and messy trails of blood swept across the map as if a gruesome dance, bodies and some individual parts scattered haphazardly across Yorick’s resting place.

This was the very first match of the day, at the crack of dawn — if time in damnation could be considered a plausible thing — when nobody remembers what they’re doing. Everyone is exhausted, plans on how to counter hadn’t been memorized by many, and few were alive now.

With about 4 minutes on the clock, Dusekkar floated back from the generator in a mix of fear and frustration. She’d been teleported to.

- @congenial-cerulean

Being honest..Noli was actually pretty hesitant for a couple of seconds passing by. Afterall, they were somehow all still getting used to this whole..'game' thing.

They weren't fond of killing..but due to pressure and influence the star had on him, what other choice did he really have? Admittedly he was doing a good job at it..TOO much of a good job, as they glanced at the clock displaying 4 minutes instead of 3.

Noli's decaying left hand twitches erratically as binary code pulses through their exposed skeletal frame, their glowing eye fixating hungrily on Dusekkar's panicked form.

"J̌u§ŧ l3t m3 g3t ŧh1§ d0n3 4nd 0v3r w1ŧh qu1cķly.."

He muttered to himself, shaky breath. Like it's been held in for ages. Swiftly they teleport to the exact generator she had been working on, whilist everyone else did their own thing.

The glitchy static of Noli's presence fills the air as their decaying half-skull tilts, observing Dusekkar's panicked movements with eerie amusement. The Voidstar located at the centre of his chest, burning hot.

"4h, 0n3 0f ŧh3 4dm1n§.."

His voice distorts mid-sentence, flickering between pitches.

"§t1l·l fl04t1nĝ 4r0unð l1k3 4 ĥ3lpl3§§ gʻh0§t 1 s33¿"

With a sudden flick of their wrist, the Nova star whizzes past Dusekkar’s head, embedding itself into the wall behind her with a sickening squelch. Noli’s grin widens, the glow of their exposed eye intensifying.

"Ÿ0uŕ §000 §l0ẁẁẁ..ð0 y0ū ŵ4nŧ t0 d13 fæ§t3r¿"

Noli took another slow, deliberate step forward, binary particles crawling along their decaying arm.

"0ŕ sh4l·l 1 ðr4ĝ ŧh1§ 0ùŧ¿"

No further elaboration was given from the admin before she hover-dashed to the side, booking it towards the large house. It wouldn’t offer much solitude, but it was more than enough for a desperate man.

He’d been hit once by the void rush, so her head was on a swivel, looking back every few seconds to make sure he wouldn’t get ground-slammed. This, paired with the rapid floating forward, nearly caused him to lose focus and trip over his own robes, though he quickly regained her metaphorical footing and continued to dash forwards.

Her robes and scarf flapped in the slight breeze caused by the sudden commotion, having to now re-adjust his grip on his staff.

Reality snapped her back as his arm began to throb a horrid, burning pain, letting out a slight hiss. The nova’s explosion had burnt the back of her arm, and adrenaline from the entire round was slowly wearing off. She pushed himself against the wall of the entrance to the house, gasping for breath.

It wasn’t a good hiding spot. They both knew this, hell- practically everyone knew hiding behind the wall was the oldest trick in the book. But it was all that could be offered for him to crack open her cola and begin to near chug it, practically choking by the halfway mark. God, this was exhausting.

Noli's footsteps echo like thunder through the air even when they're walking, as if this was all just some simple walk in the park. They watch with an almost sadistic interest as Dusekkar attempts to escape. They don't bother to rush after her; they don't need to.

Their movements were slow and methodical, allowing the admin to distance themself from the him. Slowly they entering the building and glancing around the area, trying to find Dusekkar.

"..Ç0m3 0n..l3t§ n̈0ŧ k1ðð 0ur§3lv3§ h3re..ŷ0u ð0nŧ ẁ4nŧ t0 b3 4ny l0nģ3r h3r3 ŧh4n 1 d0, my§3lf..d0 y0u ŧh1nƙ 1t§..n̈1c3 f0r m3 t0 b3 ĺ00k1ngʻ 4t ŧh1§ §1ghŧ 31th3r¿ 1t§ ņ0ŧ.."

He sighed heavily, a low, glitched exhale, and rolled his eyes. He knew it was a terrible hiding spot, it was obvious, but it was amusing nonetheless. Though, they felt as though she knew that.

"Ÿkn̈0ẁ..ŧh1§ 1§nŧ 4 gʻ00d §p0ŧ t0 b3 4ŧ..ɓuŧ n31th3r 1§ 4nywh3r3 3l§3.."

“Your words mean nothing, believe me on that. With no end to this torment, I’m shocked you’re taking this path.”

The half-empty soda can clattered to the ground as he held her burnt arm to her chest, breathing harsh and shaky. Though he wasn’t in a good spot at all, there was genuinely nothing for her to do. The most he could hope for was that the foot stomping her head in would be faster than usual, but that wish was probably too hopeful.

He needed to make himself useful. The other two left alive were at decently good health, and the timer slowly ticked down as she shook like a leaf. There was nothing Dusekkar could do, though. She was 2 hits away from death, backed into a corner, with a speed boost wasted from freezing up.

Running wouldn’t do anything, as he knew he’d get murdered near instantly, and talking would only stall the inevitable. But it was the only option she could think of with a brain moving a mile a minute.

"F33l1ngʻ..ẁ3l·l¿"

Their voice fractures, static eating at the edges of their speech.

"Ÿ0u'r3 4§k1ng m3 ŧh4ŧ wh1l3 §h4k1ng l1k3 4 §tuçƙ ř4ɓɓ1ŧ¿"

He couldn't understand why she was asking this..however he lowered the star slightly, their exposed skull tilting with something almost resembling curiosity. The binary decay pulses violently along their left side.

Truth be told, Dusekkar was genuinely concerned for some of, if not all of the killers in this realm of damnation. It may just be in her nature, but he did worry at times. When she wasn’t being murdered, at least.

“Do tell, why was the void star taken? Was it for power, or were you misled and mistaken?” Taking a sharp inhale from pain, she continued. “I do understand you had…connections, but that is no reason to be like this. You will be consumed, and if you cannot stop, that will be your doom.”

"Ç0nn3ct10n¿ Ð0nŧ m4k3 m3 Ł4ŪGʻĤ¡"

Nova trembling in their hand. Their voice wavered, glitching, as if in struggle to maintain control. It was clear the topic was a hit trigger. And swiftly he held her up.

"ł Ⱨ₳VɆ ₦Ø ₵ⱧØł₵Ɇ! ł ĐØ₦'₮ ₦ɆɆĐ ɎØɄⱤ ₱ł₮Ɏ ØⱤ ₴Ɏ₥₱₳₮ⱧɎ. ł ĐØ₦'₮ ₦ɆɆĐ ₳₦ɎØ₦Ɇ! ₦Ø₮ ɎØɄ, ₦Ø₮ Ⱨł₥, ₦Ø₮ ₳₦ɎØ₦Ɇ. ɎØɄ ĐØ₦'₮ ₭₦Ø₩ ₥Ɇ!"

He quickly began to claw at the hand around her throat, letting out a few coughs from panic. Words attempted to spill out from his lips. Apologies, pleading, god knows what else— but it never came. All that escaped were garbled messes of words and sharp gasps that slowly became nothing.

What had he done..

Silence hung heavy in the air. Noli's grip around Dusekkar's neck tightened for a moment longer then loosened letting their body crumple to the ground. Eyes staring at the mess in front. Part of him couldn't believe it..afterall the game was still fairly new to him. This wasn't a regular thing..

And for the first time he felt fear. Not at the game but at himself. What he's capable of. The timer seemed to have been added on. No point dwelling now. You gotta MOVE. So some unspeakable force, forced them to continue despite he, himself not wanting to anymore.

Just like that they teleported searching for whoever else was left but it wasn't long until they had met their own ends.

Before they knew it, Noli was back at the lobby with the rest of the killers. Some had noticed his disassociated look..how he seemed to stare at almost seemingly nothing. Nobody said anything, just watched him quietly retreat to his area in the cabin, attempting to process his sudden aggression and massacre.

Dusekkar returned to the survivors lobby stumbling and coughing, falling to her knees with eyes as wide as they could go. Telamon, she’d just tried to help.

A few had crowded around the admin, helping her to her feet with raspy thanks and apologies spilling from her mouth. He near collapsed onto the couch, simply…sitting there, staring at the crackling fireplace.

The day had continued on. More rounds, more deaths, more screams. More pleading from fellow survivors, the smell of iron and gunpowder lingering in the air.

Dread lingered in the air around the admin. She knew what was to come, he simply didn’t expect it to be this soon.

She’d gotten a break for 2 rounds, and in that time he’d helped transport the ‘delivery boxes’ for their limited food supplies to the main cabin, helped patch up lingering wounds, and spoke more with Builderman on the plans for future rounds.

Then she was haphazardly thrown into the survivor mix when Noli was killer once more.

Noli's gaze immediately landed on Dusekkar as they entered the survivor mix their expression a mixture of confusion and recognition. They watched the admin work on the generator their eye fixed on her. The memory of their previous encounter seemed to weigh heavily in the air.

Strangely as the match progressed his focus seemed divided between his task and Dusekkar. Whenever the admin was in sight, Noli found their gaze wandering back to him. They seemed almost… distracted.

A nagging feeling of unease gnawed at them, even as they continued to progress with eliminating the rest of the survivors. Hands still noticeably shaking when throwing Nova. But no matter what, the vision of the crumpled up body was ingrained in his mind like a photograph.

Their form flickers one second by the bloodied generator behind them the next in a burst of static right in front of Dusekkar’s face. Their exposed skull tilts mockingly.

"..Ĺ3t m3 ǰu§ŧ..m4k3 ŧh1§ qu1çƙ.."

“I offer my greetings to you, though this meeting does not seem new. Do tell, are you now well?”

He slowly began to back up, ready to run. Dusekkar looked…hesitant, though, to do so. Ready to talk, or at least listen if needed. It was an unlikely thing to happen, though it wasn’t impossible.

"..Ŵhÿ ð03§ ŧh4ŧ m4ŧŧ3r..1'm 4ɓ0uŧ t0 k1l·l y0ū 4g41n..ŵhŷ 4r3nŧ y0u ṛuňň1nĝ.."

And it was true. The only reason he ran otherwise was to aid teammates, or distract. At the very least to show some hope to the others.

But there was no one to stall for. Nobody to watch her run for her life, nobody to watch the flame flicker out as his head is crushed in. She simply wanted to talk to the man.

"4nð ŵh4ŧ ð0 ƴ0ŭ 3xp3cŧ ŧ0 4çç0mpł1§ĥ ɓÿ ŧ4lk1ngʻ¿ Ƴ0u ƙn0w ð4mn̈ ẁ3l·l ŵh4ŧ 1'm h3r3 f0r. §0 ẁhƴ ŧh3 §uðð3n çh4ng3 1n 4ppr04çĥ.."

He took another step forward, but there was no malice in it now..just confusion.

"P4ŧh3t1ç.."

“Sit with me for a bit?” She asked, staring up at the hacker. If he wanted to kill her, he’d accept death with open arms. But attempting to talk again, when he was in his right mind, was worth a shot.

His expression shifted from hostility to something resembling uncertainty. They hesitated for a long moment before slowly lowering themselves onto the grass though they kept a careful distance.

"..ƴ0u'ŕ3 Ŕ34L·LƳ ŧ3§t1nĝ mŷ p4t13nc3 h3r3.."

Voice was still glitched, but there was less malice in it now. Crossing their arms over their chest, watching the admin warily.

"Ŵh4ŧ 3x4çtlƴ d0 y0u ŵ4nŧ¿ 4 ĥ34řtf3lŧ ç0nf3§§10n¿ 4 t34rfuł 4p0l0gʻy¿ 1 ð0nŧ h4ve t1m3 f0r 4ny 0f ŧh1§ §3nt1m3nt4l ɓul·l§h1ŧ. Ð1d ..H3 ŧ3l·l y0u t0 ð0 ŧh1§¿ Ŧh1nk1ngʻ 1t w0ulð h3lp ÿ0u 4l·l g3t l3v3r4g3..1 b3ŧ h3 ð1ð.."

No rhyming. That was new. His voice changed too.

Her voice seemed less pitched, taking on a silvery and deeper tone, as if disembodied. It was not uncommon for Dusekkar to mask his natural voice to fit in with fellow survivors, though she supposed honesty in a conversation like this would be important. Its good to start small.

Rhyming was still his natural way of talking, though it was probably best to not rhyme in this situation.

"0n3 0f ŧh3 §urv1v0r§..§3v3--"

He cut himself off, his decaying hand flexing as if unsure whether to reach out or recoil. The binary particles along their left side pulsed erratically.

"..Ç0nc3rn̈¿ f0r m3¿"

Noli repeated the word, almost as if it was difficult to grasp the concept. The idea that someone would care for their well-being was... foreign. Incomprehensible.

"Ŵh0 §41ð 1 ŵ4§ tr4pp3d..1 b3l0ngʻ h3r3. Ŧh4t§ ŧh3 d1ff3r3nc3."

They seemed almost...defensive, their eyes never leaving Dusekkar, searching her face for any sign of deception or ulterior motive.

"1'm ŧh3 0n3 br1nĝ1nĝ p41n 4nð f34r..y3ŧ h3r3 ƴ0u 4r3 ç4r1ngʻ 4b0uŧ mƴ 'ẁ3l·l b31nĝ'. Ŧh3r3 1§ n̈0ŧh1nĝ l3fŧ 0f 1ŧ ŧh3r3..4nym0r3. 1 m4n4g3 4nð 1 c0p3. J̌u§ŧ l1k3 1'v3 4lw4ys ĥ4v3. Ƴ0u §uck 1ŧ ūp 4nð d34l ŵ1tĥ 1t..n̈0t wh1n3 4b0uŧ 1ŧ t0 s0m30n3 3ls3 l1k3 4 ŧh3r4p1§ŧ."

When Dusekkar was previously an admin, she was often the one who dealt and helped with mental health problems of others. A shoulder to lean on, someone to cry to. He’s seen anger, fear, tears, hell- she had a table thrown at her once while comforting. Listening was not an uncommon thing for him to do, even here. Even if it was only for a few people now.

"1t§..1-1t§..n̈-n0ŧ 4 m4ŧŧ3r 0f ŵh4ŧ 1'v3 b33n ŧ0lð. §0 ŵh4ŧ 1f 1 ĥ4v3¿ 1t§ §1mplƴ ŧh3 r34l1ŧƴ 0f ŧh1ng§..4nð ŧh3ƴ 4r3nŧ ŵr0nĝ.."

They gritted their teeth, their voice strained as if fighting back anger at the bare thought of their parents. The Mistreatment. Not just mental but..Physical.

"Ƴ0u ŧh1nƙ ŷ0ū ƙn0w 4nyŧh1nĝ 4ɓ0uŧ mƴ m1nd§3ŧ 0r ŵh4ŧ 1'm gʻ01nĝ ŧhr0uĝĥ 3v3rÿd4ƴ¿-- 0r ŧh3 f4cŧ ŧĥ4ŧ ŧh1§..§ŧup1d..§tup1ð §t4ŕ ŕu1n3ð mƴ l1f3. Ĥ3 ŔU1N3Ð MƳ L1F3..§3V3Ņ Ð1Ð. 1 Ð0NŦ ĶN0W ŴHƳ 1'Ð 3V3N..l1§t3n..1n ŧrūtĥ n0n3 0f y0u ç0ulð ƙn0ŵ ŵh4ŧ 1'm gʻ01ngʻ ŧhr0ugĥ. Ƴ0u ð0nŧ ƙn0ŵ m3 0r wĥ0 1 ŵ4§..§0 m4yb3 f0rg3ŧŧ1ngʻ 1§ ǰu§ŧ b3ŧŧ3r.."

In a small act of humour, she stuck a scarred pinky out as a form of promising. It was childish, sure, but it had calmed a few down before.

“I also will not forget. Your life, your health. It’s all as important to me as those on the survivors side.” Saying all of this with a pinky held in the air was a bit amusing.

The timer had gotten down to 30 seconds. “Time’s running out. If you do want to talk, you can meet me at the graveyard in the dividing forest. If not, have a good rest of your day— as good as it can be.”

They hesitated, conflicted. Part of him wanted to snap at the admin, tell her to stop treating this like a casual chat. But a smaller part... a much quieter part..found themselves contemplating the offer. So he mimicked the gesture, as if a broken mirror.

The ticking of the countdown echoed loudly.

"..F1n3..ŧh3 gʻr4v3ÿ4rď..ƴ0u b3ŧŧ3r n̈0ŧ t3l·l 4 §0ul 0r y0uř h34ð 1§nŧ ŧh3 0nlŷ ŧh1nĝ 1'l·l b3 çru§ĥ1nĝ."

And soon enough, the two were once again segregated. His own mind was screaming at himself for being this stupid enough to be agreeing to any of this.

The forest was not offering this kind of grace.

Intermingling voices from the sobs, groans and wails of the trees, overlapped with stronger winds, made it near impossible to read a book without being distracted. This, however, was the beloved resting spot of Dusekkar.

She’d built it herself, the cold light of the moon shining atop the wooden grave markers. One for every single person here, including killers. A creaky bench sat at the end of the man-made path from walking to and from this place so often, made from scrap pieces of wood and metal.

If the entity had found out what he's currently doing, integrating with the survivors? He knows, the Spectre wouldn't show mercy but then again..it was always in his nature to be reckless. Back when they were still a young teen, freshly entering adulthood.

Eyes narrowed as they took in their surroundings, their steps quiet as they approached the bench. Seemingly hesitant for a moment, as if questioning if they should even be there.

Then, almost reluctantly, he sat on the bench, his gaze fixed on the grave markers surrounding them. Silence hung heavy in the air.

"1s ŧh1§ ẁh4ŧ ŷ0u ð0 ŵ1ŧh ƴ0uŕ ŧ1m3¿ §1ŧ h3r3 1n 4 m3m0r14l¿ 1f 1 kn3w 1t w0ulð b3 ŧh1§ d3pr3§§1nĝ, 1 w0ulð'v3 ɓr0uĝhŧ t1§§u3§."

There was a hint of tease in Noli's voice, humour was always a go to for dealing with things. Regardless, they've never really seen this part of the forest before.

A tinted finger pointed to the killers side of the grave markers, and there stood a plaque with ‘NOLI’ etched into it roughly. “You may add your own touch to it, if you want. I keep them blank on purpose.”

A few of the survivors plaques had their own personal touches. Elliot had a sauce stain, there were fingerprints on a few, and the pumpkins was floating in the slightest.

Dotted lines and messy trails of blood swept across the map as if a gruesome dance, bodies and some individual parts scattered haphazardly across Yorick’s resting place.

This was the very first match of the day, at the crack of dawn — if time in damnation could be considered a plausible thing — when nobody remembers what they’re doing. Everyone is exhausted, plans on how to counter hadn’t been memorized by many, and few were alive now.

With about 4 minutes on the clock, Dusekkar floated back from the generator in a mix of fear and frustration. She’d been teleported to.

- @congenial-cerulean

Being honest..Noli was actually pretty hesitant for a couple of seconds passing by. Afterall, they were somehow all still getting used to this whole..'game' thing.

They weren't fond of killing..but due to pressure and influence the star had on him, what other choice did he really have? Admittedly he was doing a good job at it..TOO much of a good job, as they glanced at the clock displaying 4 minutes instead of 3.

Noli's decaying left hand twitches erratically as binary code pulses through their exposed skeletal frame, their glowing eye fixating hungrily on Dusekkar's panicked form.

"J̌u§ŧ l3t m3 g3t ŧh1§ d0n3 4nd 0v3r w1ŧh qu1cķly.."

He muttered to himself, shaky breath. Like it's been held in for ages. Swiftly they teleport to the exact generator she had been working on, whilist everyone else did their own thing.

The glitchy static of Noli's presence fills the air as their decaying half-skull tilts, observing Dusekkar's panicked movements with eerie amusement. The Voidstar located at the centre of his chest, burning hot.

"4h, 0n3 0f ŧh3 4dm1n§.."

His voice distorts mid-sentence, flickering between pitches.

"§t1l·l fl04t1nĝ 4r0unð l1k3 4 ĥ3lpl3§§ gʻh0§t 1 s33¿"

With a sudden flick of their wrist, the Nova star whizzes past Dusekkar’s head, embedding itself into the wall behind her with a sickening squelch. Noli’s grin widens, the glow of their exposed eye intensifying.

"Ÿ0uŕ §000 §l0ẁẁẁ..ð0 y0ū ŵ4nŧ t0 d13 fæ§t3r¿"

Noli took another slow, deliberate step forward, binary particles crawling along their decaying arm.

"0ŕ sh4l·l 1 ðr4ĝ ŧh1§ 0ùŧ¿"

No further elaboration was given from the admin before she hover-dashed to the side, booking it towards the large house. It wouldn’t offer much solitude, but it was more than enough for a desperate man.

He’d been hit once by the void rush, so her head was on a swivel, looking back every few seconds to make sure he wouldn’t get ground-slammed. This, paired with the rapid floating forward, nearly caused him to lose focus and trip over his own robes, though he quickly regained her metaphorical footing and continued to dash forwards.

Her robes and scarf flapped in the slight breeze caused by the sudden commotion, having to now re-adjust his grip on his staff.

Reality snapped her back as his arm began to throb a horrid, burning pain, letting out a slight hiss. The nova’s explosion had burnt the back of her arm, and adrenaline from the entire round was slowly wearing off. She pushed himself against the wall of the entrance to the house, gasping for breath.

It wasn’t a good hiding spot. They both knew this, hell- practically everyone knew hiding behind the wall was the oldest trick in the book. But it was all that could be offered for him to crack open her cola and begin to near chug it, practically choking by the halfway mark. God, this was exhausting.

Noli's footsteps echo like thunder through the air even when they're walking, as if this was all just some simple walk in the park. They watch with an almost sadistic interest as Dusekkar attempts to escape. They don't bother to rush after her; they don't need to.

Their movements were slow and methodical, allowing the admin to distance themself from the him. Slowly they entering the building and glancing around the area, trying to find Dusekkar.

"..Ç0m3 0n..l3t§ n̈0ŧ k1ðð 0ur§3lv3§ h3re..ŷ0u ð0nŧ ẁ4nŧ t0 b3 4ny l0nģ3r h3r3 ŧh4n 1 d0, my§3lf..d0 y0u ŧh1nƙ 1t§..n̈1c3 f0r m3 t0 b3 ĺ00k1ngʻ 4t ŧh1§ §1ghŧ 31th3r¿ 1t§ ņ0ŧ.."

He sighed heavily, a low, glitched exhale, and rolled his eyes. He knew it was a terrible hiding spot, it was obvious, but it was amusing nonetheless. Though, they felt as though she knew that.

"Ÿkn̈0ẁ..ŧh1§ 1§nŧ 4 gʻ00d §p0ŧ t0 b3 4ŧ..ɓuŧ n31th3r 1§ 4nywh3r3 3l§3.."

“Your words mean nothing, believe me on that. With no end to this torment, I’m shocked you’re taking this path.”

The half-empty soda can clattered to the ground as he held her burnt arm to her chest, breathing harsh and shaky. Though he wasn’t in a good spot at all, there was genuinely nothing for her to do. The most he could hope for was that the foot stomping her head in would be faster than usual, but that wish was probably too hopeful.

He needed to make himself useful. The other two left alive were at decently good health, and the timer slowly ticked down as she shook like a leaf. There was nothing Dusekkar could do, though. She was 2 hits away from death, backed into a corner, with a speed boost wasted from freezing up.

Running wouldn’t do anything, as he knew he’d get murdered near instantly, and talking would only stall the inevitable. But it was the only option she could think of with a brain moving a mile a minute.

"F33l1ngʻ..ẁ3l·l¿"

Their voice fractures, static eating at the edges of their speech.

"Ÿ0u'r3 4§k1ng m3 ŧh4ŧ wh1l3 §h4k1ng l1k3 4 §tuçƙ ř4ɓɓ1ŧ¿"

He couldn't understand why she was asking this..however he lowered the star slightly, their exposed skull tilting with something almost resembling curiosity. The binary decay pulses violently along their left side.

Truth be told, Dusekkar was genuinely concerned for some of, if not all of the killers in this realm of damnation. It may just be in her nature, but he did worry at times. When she wasn’t being murdered, at least.

“Do tell, why was the void star taken? Was it for power, or were you misled and mistaken?” Taking a sharp inhale from pain, she continued. “I do understand you had…connections, but that is no reason to be like this. You will be consumed, and if you cannot stop, that will be your doom.”

"Ç0nn3ct10n¿ Ð0nŧ m4k3 m3 Ł4ŪGʻĤ¡"

Nova trembling in their hand. Their voice wavered, glitching, as if in struggle to maintain control. It was clear the topic was a hit trigger. And swiftly he held her up.

"ł Ⱨ₳VɆ ₦Ø ₵ⱧØł₵Ɇ! ł ĐØ₦'₮ ₦ɆɆĐ ɎØɄⱤ ₱ł₮Ɏ ØⱤ ₴Ɏ₥₱₳₮ⱧɎ. ł ĐØ₦'₮ ₦ɆɆĐ ₳₦ɎØ₦Ɇ! ₦Ø₮ ɎØɄ, ₦Ø₮ Ⱨł₥, ₦Ø₮ ₳₦ɎØ₦Ɇ. ɎØɄ ĐØ₦'₮ ₭₦Ø₩ ₥Ɇ!"

He quickly began to claw at the hand around her throat, letting out a few coughs from panic. Words attempted to spill out from his lips. Apologies, pleading, god knows what else— but it never came. All that escaped were garbled messes of words and sharp gasps that slowly became nothing.

What had he done..

Silence hung heavy in the air. Noli's grip around Dusekkar's neck tightened for a moment longer then loosened letting their body crumple to the ground. Eyes staring at the mess in front. Part of him couldn't believe it..afterall the game was still fairly new to him. This wasn't a regular thing..

And for the first time he felt fear. Not at the game but at himself. What he's capable of. The timer seemed to have been added on. No point dwelling now. You gotta MOVE. So some unspeakable force, forced them to continue despite he, himself not wanting to anymore.

Just like that they teleported searching for whoever else was left but it wasn't long until they had met their own ends.

Before they knew it, Noli was back at the lobby with the rest of the killers. Some had noticed his disassociated look..how he seemed to stare at almost seemingly nothing. Nobody said anything, just watched him quietly retreat to his area in the cabin, attempting to process his sudden aggression and massacre.

Dusekkar returned to the survivors lobby stumbling and coughing, falling to her knees with eyes as wide as they could go. Telamon, she’d just tried to help.

A few had crowded around the admin, helping her to her feet with raspy thanks and apologies spilling from her mouth. He near collapsed onto the couch, simply…sitting there, staring at the crackling fireplace.

The day had continued on. More rounds, more deaths, more screams. More pleading from fellow survivors, the smell of iron and gunpowder lingering in the air.

Dread lingered in the air around the admin. She knew what was to come, he simply didn’t expect it to be this soon.

She’d gotten a break for 2 rounds, and in that time he’d helped transport the ‘delivery boxes’ for their limited food supplies to the main cabin, helped patch up lingering wounds, and spoke more with Builderman on the plans for future rounds.

Then she was haphazardly thrown into the survivor mix when Noli was killer once more.

Noli's gaze immediately landed on Dusekkar as they entered the survivor mix their expression a mixture of confusion and recognition. They watched the admin work on the generator their eye fixed on her. The memory of their previous encounter seemed to weigh heavily in the air.

Strangely as the match progressed his focus seemed divided between his task and Dusekkar. Whenever the admin was in sight, Noli found their gaze wandering back to him. They seemed almost… distracted.

A nagging feeling of unease gnawed at them, even as they continued to progress with eliminating the rest of the survivors. Hands still noticeably shaking when throwing Nova. But no matter what, the vision of the crumpled up body was ingrained in his mind like a photograph.

Their form flickers one second by the bloodied generator behind them the next in a burst of static right in front of Dusekkar’s face. Their exposed skull tilts mockingly.

"..Ĺ3t m3 ǰu§ŧ..m4k3 ŧh1§ qu1çƙ.."

“I offer my greetings to you, though this meeting does not seem new. Do tell, are you now well?”

He slowly began to back up, ready to run. Dusekkar looked…hesitant, though, to do so. Ready to talk, or at least listen if needed. It was an unlikely thing to happen, though it wasn’t impossible.

"..Ŵhÿ ð03§ ŧh4ŧ m4ŧŧ3r..1'm 4ɓ0uŧ t0 k1l·l y0ū 4g41n..ŵhŷ 4r3nŧ y0u ṛuňň1nĝ.."

And it was true. The only reason he ran otherwise was to aid teammates, or distract. At the very least to show some hope to the others.

But there was no one to stall for. Nobody to watch her run for her life, nobody to watch the flame flicker out as his head is crushed in. She simply wanted to talk to the man.

"4nð ŵh4ŧ ð0 ƴ0ŭ 3xp3cŧ ŧ0 4çç0mpł1§ĥ ɓÿ ŧ4lk1ngʻ¿ Ƴ0u ƙn0w ð4mn̈ ẁ3l·l ŵh4ŧ 1'm h3r3 f0r. §0 ẁhƴ ŧh3 §uðð3n çh4ng3 1n 4ppr04çĥ.."

He took another step forward, but there was no malice in it now..just confusion.

"P4ŧh3t1ç.."

“Sit with me for a bit?” She asked, staring up at the hacker. If he wanted to kill her, he’d accept death with open arms. But attempting to talk again, when he was in his right mind, was worth a shot.

His expression shifted from hostility to something resembling uncertainty. They hesitated for a long moment before slowly lowering themselves onto the grass though they kept a careful distance.

"..ƴ0u'ŕ3 Ŕ34L·LƳ ŧ3§t1nĝ mŷ p4t13nc3 h3r3.."

Voice was still glitched, but there was less malice in it now. Crossing their arms over their chest, watching the admin warily.

"Ŵh4ŧ 3x4çtlƴ d0 y0u ŵ4nŧ¿ 4 ĥ34řtf3lŧ ç0nf3§§10n¿ 4 t34rfuł 4p0l0gʻy¿ 1 ð0nŧ h4ve t1m3 f0r 4ny 0f ŧh1§ §3nt1m3nt4l ɓul·l§h1ŧ. Ð1d ..H3 ŧ3l·l y0u t0 ð0 ŧh1§¿ Ŧh1nk1ngʻ 1t w0ulð h3lp ÿ0u 4l·l g3t l3v3r4g3..1 b3ŧ h3 ð1ð.."

No rhyming. That was new. His voice changed too.

Her voice seemed less pitched, taking on a silvery and deeper tone, as if disembodied. It was not uncommon for Dusekkar to mask his natural voice to fit in with fellow survivors, though she supposed honesty in a conversation like this would be important. Its good to start small.

Rhyming was still his natural way of talking, though it was probably best to not rhyme in this situation.

"0n3 0f ŧh3 §urv1v0r§..§3v3--"

He cut himself off, his decaying hand flexing as if unsure whether to reach out or recoil. The binary particles along their left side pulsed erratically.

"..Ç0nc3rn̈¿ f0r m3¿"

Noli repeated the word, almost as if it was difficult to grasp the concept. The idea that someone would care for their well-being was... foreign. Incomprehensible.

"Ŵh0 §41ð 1 ŵ4§ tr4pp3d..1 b3l0ngʻ h3r3. Ŧh4t§ ŧh3 d1ff3r3nc3."

They seemed almost...defensive, their eyes never leaving Dusekkar, searching her face for any sign of deception or ulterior motive.

"1'm ŧh3 0n3 br1nĝ1nĝ p41n 4nð f34r..y3ŧ h3r3 ƴ0u 4r3 ç4r1ngʻ 4b0uŧ mƴ 'ẁ3l·l b31nĝ'. Ŧh3r3 1§ n̈0ŧh1nĝ l3fŧ 0f 1ŧ ŧh3r3..4nym0r3. 1 m4n4g3 4nð 1 c0p3. J̌u§ŧ l1k3 1'v3 4lw4ys ĥ4v3. Ƴ0u §uck 1ŧ ūp 4nð d34l ŵ1tĥ 1t..n̈0t wh1n3 4b0uŧ 1ŧ t0 s0m30n3 3ls3 l1k3 4 ŧh3r4p1§ŧ."

When Dusekkar was previously an admin, she was often the one who dealt and helped with mental health problems of others. A shoulder to lean on, someone to cry to. He’s seen anger, fear, tears, hell- she had a table thrown at her once while comforting. Listening was not an uncommon thing for him to do, even here. Even if it was only for a few people now.

"1t§..1-1t§..n̈-n0ŧ 4 m4ŧŧ3r 0f ŵh4ŧ 1'v3 b33n ŧ0lð. §0 ŵh4ŧ 1f 1 ĥ4v3¿ 1t§ §1mplƴ ŧh3 r34l1ŧƴ 0f ŧh1ng§..4nð ŧh3ƴ 4r3nŧ ŵr0nĝ.."

They gritted their teeth, their voice strained as if fighting back anger at the bare thought of their parents. The Mistreatment. Not just mental but..Physical.

"Ƴ0u ŧh1nƙ ŷ0ū ƙn0w 4nyŧh1nĝ 4ɓ0uŧ mƴ m1nd§3ŧ 0r ŵh4ŧ 1'm gʻ01nĝ ŧhr0uĝĥ 3v3rÿd4ƴ¿-- 0r ŧh3 f4cŧ ŧĥ4ŧ ŧh1§..§ŧup1d..§tup1ð §t4ŕ ŕu1n3ð mƴ l1f3. Ĥ3 ŔU1N3Ð MƳ L1F3..§3V3Ņ Ð1Ð. 1 Ð0NŦ ĶN0W ŴHƳ 1'Ð 3V3N..l1§t3n..1n ŧrūtĥ n0n3 0f y0u ç0ulð ƙn0ŵ ŵh4ŧ 1'm gʻ01ngʻ ŧhr0ugĥ. Ƴ0u ð0nŧ ƙn0ŵ m3 0r wĥ0 1 ŵ4§..§0 m4yb3 f0rg3ŧŧ1ngʻ 1§ ǰu§ŧ b3ŧŧ3r.."

In a small act of humour, she stuck a scarred pinky out as a form of promising. It was childish, sure, but it had calmed a few down before.

“I also will not forget. Your life, your health. It’s all as important to me as those on the survivors side.” Saying all of this with a pinky held in the air was a bit amusing.

The timer had gotten down to 30 seconds. “Time’s running out. If you do want to talk, you can meet me at the graveyard in the dividing forest. If not, have a good rest of your day— as good as it can be.”

They hesitated, conflicted. Part of him wanted to snap at the admin, tell her to stop treating this like a casual chat. But a smaller part... a much quieter part..found themselves contemplating the offer. So he mimicked the gesture, as if a broken mirror.

The ticking of the countdown echoed loudly.

"..F1n3..ŧh3 gʻr4v3ÿ4rď..ƴ0u b3ŧŧ3r n̈0ŧ t3l·l 4 §0ul 0r y0uř h34ð 1§nŧ ŧh3 0nlŷ ŧh1nĝ 1'l·l b3 çru§ĥ1nĝ."

And soon enough, the two were once again segregated. His own mind was screaming at himself for being this stupid enough to be agreeing to any of this.

The forest was not offering this kind of grace.

Intermingling voices from the sobs, groans and wails of the trees, overlapped with stronger winds, made it near impossible to read a book without being distracted. This, however, was the beloved resting spot of Dusekkar.

She’d built it herself, the cold light of the moon shining atop the wooden grave markers. One for every single person here, including killers. A creaky bench sat at the end of the man-made path from walking to and from this place so often, made from scrap pieces of wood and metal.

It was the last match of the day, and it’d gone well. Only one death, which, though unfortunate, was partially what got them the win.

Someone had been able to distract the killer for over two minutes, and all the generators had been completed.

Dusekkar raised herself from the log slowly, exhaustion clinging to his bones. He hadn’t distracted, but since being put under a protection seal by It, the overuse of magic in rounds often left her tired.

So, he did as he always would. Did a once-over of the small crowd of survivors to check if they were ok, head to the docks and sit. It honestly didn’t matter where she sat when rounds ended, as long as he had his book.

- @congenial-cerulean

“Hello, my friend. The day is coming to an end, thank goodness.” She let out a small chuckle, before speaking once more. “Do tell, are you feeling well?”

Concern was always the default for a conversation starter. Things like ‘are you okay’ or ‘do you need help’, as well as general things of the sort being standards in her daily conversations.

"I'm fine."

-> That's a painful lie, but he figured the admin was only asking him to be polite. He knew basically no one fucking cared about him, so why assume someone finally would?

Caring was a natural thing in the admins heart. Even for those who were rightfully terminated, or wreaked havoc, practically noone was spared from the kind, flickering eyes of Dusekkar.

There were a few exceptions, but she wouldn’t have to see them for Telamon knows how long.

"I'm uh... Glad you're doing good as well."

-> Awkward. He felt awkward and out of place, he felt like the other was studying him, watching, waiting for him to do or say something so she could yell at him.

A compliment was not rare from the rhyming admin, as she patted the spot next to him, sitting down. A kind, quiet invitation. Not a mandatory one, but an offer.

After a moment of studying the man, concern bloomed on her face, eyes furrowing.

“…You seem fearful, friend, are you alright? I do hope I am not giving you a fright.”

Dusekkar knew he could be intimidating to talk to. Even Builderman had told him this once or twice before. It was a bit hurtful, but she could understand why others didn’t feel comfortable talking to him.

Recognition dawned on her face, the name of the boy finally catching up. A solemn expression morphed itself onto his face, lips pressed together.

“I believe I know who you’re talking about. Without a doubt.”

“Though I can not do much to aid, I wish for you to know, my friend, my abode is always open to you.” A rare moment he didn’t rhyme. Even in grave, dangerous situations, she was often still rhyming.

After a few moments of silence, she spoke once more.

"I uh... Started drinking tea as a replacement for coffee as I got older. Coffee started to be too much for me!"

-> That's all he could muster as he simply held onto the cup tea between his worn, aged hands. The cup's warm surface easing him a little.

-> He blew on his own tea, letting it cool a little more naturally before taking a slow sip. The warm liquid eased his ever aching throat from all of the screaming and yelling the survivors did.

It was nice, sometimes. These moments were nice.