Your Local God

[Eclipse lands in the trees. It's been too long since he was back- he got distracted and his job kept holding him back and he had a.. small issue with his boss- okay so maybe he's panicking a little? Yeah. He gets to panic, considering what he missed? What kind of parent figure just up and dips for this long? Sure it wasn't like it was willing but- still!]

[... He smacks the side of his head. Whatever. Focus. He still doesn't have a lot of free time, whether he can come up with an excuse for extra time or not]

Reaper was sitting outside of the cabin, staring at the dirt and deep in contemplation. He had been thinking about the consequences of his actions and maybe...

Just maybe he has been regretting them. Who knows where his brother is

[new message: im home]

[he clicks their tongue against the roof of his mouth. He’s so doomed. Reaper’s going to be so mad at him.]

Reaper blinked once, dismissing the ping as Read and spoke up. His gaze never left the ground.

[he walks further out into view- he definitely looks different. Almost entirely different besides coloration, and the ever present missing eye. Though now it seems to bleed- cry. The previously stagnant gold now dripping from the eye socket to fall and disappear in the air.]

..I wanted to return much sooner, I promise. There were… complications.

What happened to your face, Father?

Reaper huffed, his shoulders slackening with a wry grin.

[he smiles, shrugging as if the implications aren’t more concerning.

[Eclipse lands in the trees. It's been too long since he was back- he got distracted and his job kept holding him back and he had a.. small issue with his boss- okay so maybe he's panicking a little? Yeah. He gets to panic, considering what he missed? What kind of parent figure just up and dips for this long? Sure it wasn't like it was willing but- still!]

[... He smacks the side of his head. Whatever. Focus. He still doesn't have a lot of free time, whether he can come up with an excuse for extra time or not]

Reaper was sitting outside of the cabin, staring at the dirt and deep in contemplation. He had been thinking about the consequences of his actions and maybe...

Just maybe he has been regretting them. Who knows where his brother is

[new message: im home]

[he clicks their tongue against the roof of his mouth. He’s so doomed. Reaper’s going to be so mad at him.]

Reaper blinked once, dismissing the ping as Read and spoke up. His gaze never left the ground.

[he walks further out into view- he definitely looks different. Almost entirely different besides coloration, and the ever present missing eye. Though now it seems to bleed- cry. The previously stagnant gold now dripping from the eye socket to fall and disappear in the air.]

..I wanted to return much sooner, I promise. There were… complications.

[Eclipse lands in the trees. It's been too long since he was back- he got distracted and his job kept holding him back and he had a.. small issue with his boss- okay so maybe he's panicking a little? Yeah. He gets to panic, considering what he missed? What kind of parent figure just up and dips for this long? Sure it wasn't like it was willing but- still!]

[... He smacks the side of his head. Whatever. Focus. He still doesn't have a lot of free time, whether he can come up with an excuse for extra time or not]

Reaper was sitting outside of the cabin, staring at the dirt and deep in contemplation. He had been thinking about the consequences of his actions and maybe...

Just maybe he has been regretting them. Who knows where his brother is

[new message: im home]

[he clicks their tongue against the roof of his mouth. He’s so doomed. Reaper’s going to be so mad at him.]

A gurgling cry of someone choking on their own blood, followed by the crunch and wet snap of flesh rang through the trees that was followed by the sound of a predator enjoying its prey.

[the trees above bend downwards. Weighed down by the bot resting atop them. Shimmering holographic panels float idly in the air, getting swiped away as his head flicks upwards and towards the sound.]

She was by far one messy eater, not caring at all for how the viscera and blood pooled everywhere. She ate more like a savage beast, almost feral.

The scent of something unfamiliar caught her attention though, making her stop mid arm chomp. Rose dropped the poor human's arm and stood up, looking around and sniffing the air.

Fresh blood was plastered on her face and clothes and of course, she didn't seem to care that it was there at all. She grinned widely, bloody teeth shining in the sunlight.

She skidded to a halt, hissing up the tress.

“And.. why should I?”

Why hide yourself like a coward? Face me!

Such a Bloodmoon response to start flipping people off. Rose snarled angrily, getting agitated with these games.

[he hops from branch to branch, never down to the ground but closer to her. Amused, they just watch her from the trees.]

“It’s been such a long day… is it a crime to have some fun?”

[they think a bit, slowly forming an idea in his head. He shimmers and shines, as his metallic body gives way to the silicon and rubber of their more humanoid form- one he’s been working on a bit since he’s last used it.]

A gurgling cry of someone choking on their own blood, followed by the crunch and wet snap of flesh rang through the trees that was followed by the sound of a predator enjoying its prey.

[the trees above bend downwards. Weighed down by the bot resting atop them. Shimmering holographic panels float idly in the air, getting swiped away as his head flicks upwards and towards the sound.]

She was by far one messy eater, not caring at all for how the viscera and blood pooled everywhere. She ate more like a savage beast, almost feral.

The scent of something unfamiliar caught her attention though, making her stop mid arm chomp. Rose dropped the poor human's arm and stood up, looking around and sniffing the air.

Fresh blood was plastered on her face and clothes and of course, she didn't seem to care that it was there at all. She grinned widely, bloody teeth shining in the sunlight.

She skidded to a halt, hissing up the tress.

“And.. why should I?”

Why hide yourself like a coward? Face me!

Such a Bloodmoon response to start flipping people off. Rose snarled angrily, getting agitated with these games.

[he hops from branch to branch, never down to the ground but closer to her. Amused, they just watch her from the trees.]

“It’s been such a long day… is it a crime to have some fun?”

[they think a bit, slowly forming an idea in his head. He shimmers and shines, as his metallic body gives way to the silicon and rubber of their more humanoid form- one he’s been working on a bit since he’s last used it.]

A gurgling cry of someone choking on their own blood, followed by the crunch and wet snap of flesh rang through the trees that was followed by the sound of a predator enjoying its prey.

[the trees above bend downwards. Weighed down by the bot resting atop them. Shimmering holographic panels float idly in the air, getting swiped away as his head flicks upwards and towards the sound.]

She was by far one messy eater, not caring at all for how the viscera and blood pooled everywhere. She ate more like a savage beast, almost feral.

The scent of something unfamiliar caught her attention though, making her stop mid arm chomp. Rose dropped the poor human's arm and stood up, looking around and sniffing the air.

Fresh blood was plastered on her face and clothes and of course, she didn't seem to care that it was there at all. She grinned widely, bloody teeth shining in the sunlight.

She skidded to a halt, hissing up the tress.

“And.. why should I?”

Why hide yourself like a coward? Face me!

Such a Bloodmoon response to start flipping people off. Rose snarled angrily, getting agitated with these games.

[he hops from branch to branch, never down to the ground but closer to her. Amused, they just watch her from the trees.]

A gurgling cry of someone choking on their own blood, followed by the crunch and wet snap of flesh rang through the trees that was followed by the sound of a predator enjoying its prey.

[the trees above bend downwards. Weighed down by the bot resting atop them. Shimmering holographic panels float idly in the air, getting swiped away as his head flicks upwards and towards the sound.]

She was by far one messy eater, not caring at all for how the viscera and blood pooled everywhere. She ate more like a savage beast, almost feral.

The scent of something unfamiliar caught her attention though, making her stop mid arm chomp. Rose dropped the poor human's arm and stood up, looking around and sniffing the air.

Fresh blood was plastered on her face and clothes and of course, she didn't seem to care that it was there at all. She grinned widely, bloody teeth shining in the sunlight.

She skidded to a halt, hissing up the tress.

“And.. why should I?”

Why hide yourself like a coward? Face me!

A gurgling cry of someone choking on their own blood, followed by the crunch and wet snap of flesh rang through the trees that was followed by the sound of a predator enjoying its prey.

[the trees above bend downwards. Weighed down by the bot resting atop them. Shimmering holographic panels float idly in the air, getting swiped away as his head flicks upwards and towards the sound.]

She was by far one messy eater, not caring at all for how the viscera and blood pooled everywhere. She ate more like a savage beast, almost feral.

The scent of something unfamiliar caught her attention though, making her stop mid arm chomp. Rose dropped the poor human's arm and stood up, looking around and sniffing the air.

Fresh blood was plastered on her face and clothes and of course, she didn't seem to care that it was there at all. She grinned widely, bloody teeth shining in the sunlight.

She skidded to a halt, hissing up the tress.

“And.. why should I?”

A gurgling cry of someone choking on their own blood, followed by the crunch and wet snap of flesh rang through the trees that was followed by the sound of a predator enjoying its prey.

[the trees above bend downwards. Weighed down by the bot resting atop them. Shimmering holographic panels float idly in the air, getting swiped away as his head flicks upwards and towards the sound.]

She was by far one messy eater, not caring at all for how the viscera and blood pooled everywhere. She ate more like a savage beast, almost feral.

The scent of something unfamiliar caught her attention though, making her stop mid arm chomp. Rose dropped the poor human's arm and stood up, looking around and sniffing the air.

Fresh blood was plastered on her face and clothes and of course, she didn't seem to care that it was there at all. She grinned widely, bloody teeth shining in the sunlight.

A gurgling cry of someone choking on their own blood, followed by the crunch and wet snap of flesh rang through the trees that was followed by the sound of a predator enjoying its prey.

[the trees above bend downwards. Weighed down by the bot resting atop them. Shimmering holographic panels float idly in the air, getting swiped away as his head flicks upwards and towards the sound.]

Reaper couldn't return home. In fact, he couldn't even think straight.

He hadn't moved from the spot where Grim was slain, crying until he no longer could.

His howls of pain echoed through the forest like the roars of a wild animal that couldn't be named. It was feral. It was raw. It was haunting.

As time went on, the sun set and the forest was blanketed in darkness.

Reaper sat there, staring at the white faceplate he saved from Grim's body. He had accidentally cracked it a bit when he tore it off. He gently traced a claw around the empty eye socket.

Grim was gone.

His head was silent. But his stomach was full of his other half. He could feel his own nanites reach out and absorb the remains into himself, fueling him with sustenance and replenishing the energy he used to fight off the possessed Moth One and the Vulture.

Reaper looked down at his right arm and noticed that his plates were changing color to match that of his brother along with his right leg. Well. It seemed fitting...

They did promise they would be one of the other were to ever die.

Reaper replaced the white half of the faceplate back into place and clicked it back in. He slowly stood up and began to pad his way through the trees and into the darkness.

He needed .....

Elara was just trying to recuperate from the incident with Montzy and getting fixed without Bloodmoon hovering. Getting senors to recalibrate can take time and internal adjustments. She was heading to the kitchen when it felt like she was punched in the chest.

GrimReaper had been reluctant to leave the cabin ever since Elara came back from being repaired. They were tense. Stressed. And almost damn near mother henning the hell out of their partner.

It got to a point where she insisted they get some fresh air and "cool off". Perhaps they were being a little suffocating...

They were getting low on food stock anyhow. It had been past time to hunt again. With so many Bloodmoon variants living under one roof, sustenance was constantly needed.

Except for BloodyHarvest. They didn't eat much meat. Which was fine. GrimReaper never questioned it...

They were following the tracks of a large buck, silently moving through the forest. Something in the air made them pause. Their head shooting up to take in their surroundings as they sniffed at the air.

Something... Familiar...

They didn't always smell like that, did they? Something was off.

Bloodmoon got down on all six limbs to start crawling like a giant red spider in their direction, each step cautious. They spoke lowly to address N0va when they got within five feet of them.

His irises are green.

They're not meant to be green

The blank expression they held shifts to a grin they shouldn't have.

A voice that isn't his speaks

They immediately bared their teeth and stood upright, their claws slowly extending to razor sharp points as a warning growl vibrated in their chest.

The voice that speaks to us...

They knew.

It is not the same as theirs. That is not the voice of the Moth One.

"N0va" pulls a knife from his pocket, the metal covered in green veins

"you've foiled my plans far too many times, Bloodmoon. It's about time I rid of you"

Bloodmoon hissed loudly as quickly used their magic to evade N0va, taking flight just out of reach. They crossed both sets of arms over their chest as they grinned down at the possessed Moth.

Their wings open and they take to the sky as well.

There's scars along the wings, electrocution scars.

They can't let the Programmer know-!

Smart enough....

Maybe if they hit them hard enough they can jumble the connection a bit? Worth a try.

N0va knows how to fly but the Programmer doesn't, at least without struggling

There's a brief moment where the green flickers to purple but settles back on green after a few moments.

But in those few moments, N0va looked absolutely terrified.

They hoped their brother could forgive them if it came down to that... But Bloodmoon wouldn't allow themselves to lose a fight to this...T r a S h.

After a few moments after the knife is thrown, N0va tumbles out of the tree, one of his wings torn from the fall and bleeding.

They caught the knife with their tail and tossed it across the forest carelessly, away from the battlefield.

Bloodmoon laughed collectively, their tones both low and high in pitch to sound menacing as they slowly descended down to N0va. They smirk at them, their malice aimed at the Programmer.

Hard to control someone actively fighting your influence, isn't it? Fools like you will eventually learn that no one enjoys being controlled.

Their grin turned hostile, wide and downright vicious.

N0va is surpressed back into his own head.

"luckily, I have a few spare weapons on me"

This Programmer knows nothing of combat.

Bloodmoon whipped around, ruthlessly backhanding N0va with one of their upper hands. It would send them careening back to the ground which they would chase their falling body to grab N0va by the face and pick them up, pinning them against a tree.

They quickly set them down gently, releasing their face. Their expression softens as they frown at the injury they inflicted upon a friend.

His antenna lower a bit. Not much but it's noticable.

They frowned a bit, glancing at the injury they caused with a flicker of guilt in their eyes.

"he kidnapped me a while ago. Did something to me and now he has the ability to control my body. He was gone for a good while but somehow, he keeps finding a way out of his own grave"

He curls in on himself

He tries to warn Bloodmoon but unfortunately his reaction was too late

The only reason they probably didn't sense Vulture Bee was because the stench of the Programmer was still around. It made the Bee a little harder to detect. Their eyes widened as they spun to great Vulture Bee with a snarl --

Stopping short to look down at the pain in their chest. They saw the knife. At the moment, they thought nothing of it and immediately grabbed at Vulture Bee with their claws, fully intending on ripping into the violent animatronic.

But that grin was unsettling.

And that's when they felt it. Their arm jerked violently, missing a fatal blow completely.

Bloodmoon coughed and a large amount of blood and oil surged up from their jaws spilling onto their clothes and all over the forest floor.

On the inside, corruption was happening. Bloodmoon stumbled to their knees and quickly their singular form separated.

Reaper gasped as though he needed oxygen to live, his chest heaving. The sick feeling was gone. But how?! He looked over to Grim who looked weak and tired. A small, shit eating, grin was plastered onto his face. Reaper panicked, a deep pit of despair welling inside of him. He scrambled over to Grim, scooping him up into his arms to cradle his brother.

What did you do?!

He shook Grim lightly, who only let out a wheezy chuckle. Reaper looked over to Vulture Bee, his eyes leaking bloody tears.

"it's a virus that's meant to completely destroy an ai. Seems it wasn't as potent as I needed it"

No!!

Reaper whispered harshly. He didn't want to believe it. Even as he looked down at Grim, who kept smiling through the pain he felt.

Grim could feel his mind slipping. Memories, knowledge, databases of his very code were slowly getting deleted. All he could think of were his brothers, Elara and his children. It was so painful...but he was also too tired to writhe in pain nor would he give the Programmer the satisfaction that it hurt.

They've been through worse ...

Reaper held onto Grim desperately, shaking his brother gently, his voice box glitching as he shouted for his twin to remain with him.

BROTHER! NO! YOU ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO LEAVE ME! WE ARE SUPPOSED TO REMAIN TOGETHER!

Grim just grinned softly, leaning his head slightly to nuzzle Reaper as he weakly replied in simple binary. Ah, he couldn't even speak anymore. But at least he could be understood by the one that mattered most to him in this moment.

Remember our promise, Brother.

The last thing Grim saw was his Brother's sobbing, pained, face before his world went dark . . .

Reaper stared down at his brother in slight horror, completely frozen. His voice cracked, soft and weak as he tried to shake his other half awake.

Bro...ther....

Reaper's voicebox glitched as he screamed, suddenly shouting as he let out a howling roar of agony. His other half - his brother - was gone...

BROTHER!!

With a heavy heart, Reaper opened his mouth and began to eat away at the metal that made his brother.

He wouldn't dare touch any of the wires, chips or even his chip - in the case the virus could possibly transfer to him somehow. Instead, he began to burn them using his magic and he did so with heavy sobs, choking on pieces as he tore into Grim.

They would be one forever... As promised. In some way - they would always be one.

The only thing Reaper left was the white half of Grim's faceplate.

He stared down at it, bloody and oily tears plopping onto the sheet of metal that was left of his brother. He stared at it for a moment before he began to pry off half of his faceplate with a hand, screaming in agony as he did.

The pain still couldn't compare to the hole left in his heart.