Pochi

"…me]…"

"..ame]…!"

"[NAME]!"

You jolted upwards, making the person also jump beside you.

"[Name], you sleepyhead!" They giggled, kneeling next to you on the soft grass. "C'mon, wake up already!"

Wait… soft grass? Weren't you just with Ivory—?

You felt the soft earth beneath your palms, the green blades of grass slotting in between your fingers.

The air was crisp, the wind breeze cool on your skin. The weather was fairly nice, with the sun not being scorching hot for once.

You sat up, the grass and leaves crunching under you. Something—almost like a wall—with a rough texture pressed against your back. You glanced up, seeing that you were under a big tree.

Your mind was still foggy with drowsiness, the corners of your vision still cloudy from sleep. Though, you could see the field of flowers in front of you.

A sliver of light slipped through the leaves of the tree, making you squint your eyes. Another snicker came from beside you, making you snap your head towards the direction of the sound.

"You're so quiet, [Name]!" The person giggled. "Though, you were always the quiet one out of the two of us." It made you freeze in place.

Why was their face covered? Their features were visible, but it didn't help you remember.

Their voice was so painfully familiar… but you couldn't just grasp it firmly on who this is.

You know this person.

"Who… are you?" The words suddenly slipped out before you even registered it.

"Me?" They pointed to themselves, tilting their head before huffing as if they were offended. "[Name], how could you forget me?"

"I…" You were trying to remember. You really were. But as you tried to even remember a sliver of a moment with this person, it always slipped away like smoke.

But there was something that told you that if you remember this person, it'll make you… hate them.

"Okay! Since you're having such a hard time," They settled right next to you, leaning against the tree, "why don't I give you a hint?"

"…Please." You sounded a bit more desperate than you wanted to.

"What is one of the things that you love, and is always better than me?" They hummed in a sing-song voice, looking at the field of flowers. As you were in deep thought, they slowly stood up, walking towards the path to the flowers.

What was the thing that you were better at than this person…?

Your eyes widened as you realized, feeling yourself scramble to stand up as well. Their hair swayed in the wind, the sun shining down on them.

"Wait—" Your hand started to reach for them.

"I miss you, [Nickname]." They suddenly spoke up. "…Please hurry back soon… Everyone misses you. Mom and Dad, they're…" They started to walk away, seeing them getting engulfed in the light. "It's getting suffocating."

"WAIT!" You screamed out, tripping as you tried to run after them. Your surroundings started to blur…glitch, even. The static started to hum, pitching up to a crescendo.

"I'm sure you'll find your way back." Their voice was being muffled; you could barely hear them anymore. "I know you will."

"I̷̡̊-̷̻̉͋IR̸̰̔͆Į̸̈S̸̯̹͝—̸!̷̛̥"

"[Name]." A voice roused you from your sleep, gently shaking you awake. You jerked in your seat, sitting up straight with your hair sticking out at all sides and mussed up. A string of drool was visible at the corner of your mouth..

"H—ACK!" You almost fell back from your chair as you jerked away, startled by Ivory's call. You squeezed your eyes shut, bracing yourself for impact, expecting to fall against the hard, vinyl floor.

But the pain and shock didn't come. Instead, it was a firm, warm grip of a hand on the side of your shoulder. An arm encircled behind your back.

You cracked an eye open, seeing a blur of pink and white. God, you were still so groggy from that nap. But as it cleared, you can see… Ivory's face?

Wait. Are they…?

"You okay?" They muttered, piercing through the haze of sleepiness. God damn it, your mind was still so jumbled up..

They stayed for a bit—you could've sworn that you felt their hand just tighten its grip on you. Before you can process anything, they gently pulled you up against them.

"It looked like you were having a nightmare…" Ivory added, their thumb rubbing against your shirt. Once they saw you were regaining your consciousness, they let you go—but stayed close.

"You… wanna talk about it?" They mumbled, their gaze fixed on you.

"I… uh…" You looked down to your lap, your fingers digging slightly into the fabric of your pants. How were you supposed to explain that dream? That dream that's always appearing for weeks, even getting more distorted as time goes by.

That dream where they're there.

You didn't understand. You resented them—you absolutely did—why were they one who's there? Why isn't it Mom or Dad?

Your eyes closed, and your mind suddenly subjects to a memory that you didn't want to remember.

"This isn't good, [Name]." It was always like this. Every time. Your mother looking at felt heavy on you almost physically. You couldn't bare to see that same disappointed look.

You feel your head heating up from just hearing this, knowing you're gonna be in this chair, in the dinner table, for a very long time.

"You're slipping," She continued, sliding the report card on the table to where you were seated. It was only a few points that got knocked down—particularly in Chemistry and General Science.

God, why did she always focus on those subjects? It wasn't like you dropped off from the honor roll.

"You have to keep your grades up, or that scholarship won't be for anything. You know how much the tuition is?" She started again. It was always this goddamn spiel. "All that money, and you're not even doing anything."

She proceeded droned on about how you're always in your room, not going outside, and how it wouldn't help or be tolerated in college. "You won't be a forensic scientist if you keep this behavior up."

This always happened when your grades released. It was always about the future—about what they wanted. They both wanted you and your sibling to be forensic scientists like them—to live on the legacy.

Fuck that.

"Better yet, why don't you ask your sister to help you?" She harshly questioned. "She's doing everything right—she know what's best for herself. Maybe you'll learn from her better."

You internally cringed at asking your sibling to help you… Your parents always saw your younger sibling as the 'perfect child', practically the poster person for the family.

Why couldn't they all just leave you alone?

"Speaking of your sister, have you've been influencing her?" Your mom looked at you accusingly, her eyes narrowing towards you.

"What?" You didn't understand what she was insinuating. Your sibling was always a goody two shoes, you were sure they haven't done anything of the sort.

Or was it…?

"You heard me." Her tone became more sharper. "I saw her phone. She had that… Discord app that you have. I saw what she's been sending."

"…You went through her phone?" Saying that sentence felt… wrong to you. A bitter taste on your tongue—foreign.

"Why wouldn't I? She's fifteen, I'm her mother. I need to monitor what she's doing." She refuted. Hah. When you were fifteen, she didn't give a rat's ass about you.

"She's been saying to these strangers on the internet th-that she's—what? What was the word?" Your mother had a distasteful look on her face.

"Anyhow, you need to stop it. Whatever you're doing. She doesn't need anymore distractions. And she certainly doesn't need to be looking like a boy."

Now that's just… You did notice your sibling wearing more looser and androgynous clothing… Why wouldn't you? They did tell you, after all.

"[Nickname]?" Ivory snapped you out of the memory. "You're drifting again…"

"Oh." You wiped the drying drool from your mouth subconsciously, feeling your cheeks heat up a bit from embarrassment. "Sorry. It's just…"

The silence stretched between you two, the classroom suddenly becoming heavy in the air. The hum of the air conditioning became deafening in your ears.

How were you even supposed to explain to them about your sibling—someone you resent so much, but just couldn't bring yourself to hate them?

"It's okay." They reassured you, their voice cutting through the thick silence. "It's fine if you don't wanna talk about it."

You stayed silent for a bit. It was still heavy on you, your mind still processing everything. Before the words slipped out of your mouth. "…You didn't go ahead?"

Ivory let out a huff, as if they were amused by the prospect of your question. "Why would I?" They tilted their head. They looked away, their eyes softening just a fraction.

Your eyes widened a bit at their words. They suddenly looked a bit bashful, before shaking it off. "A-Ahem. But seriously, I couldn't leave you alone."

You slowly looked up towards them, seeing that their gaze didn't meet yours. They cleared their throat, before forcing themselves to look right at you. "…Not with those two guys."

"…Two guys?" You tilted your head in curiosity, suddenly intrigued by these two guys that Ivory mentioned.

"Yeah… One of them is our classmate, too." Ivory confirmed. A moment of silence stretched. Ivory didn't elaborate further; they didn't want you to be uncomfortable after what happened just now.

"But anyways… Axe and Cy are at our usual spot."

It had already been a month since school started, and you've been hanging out with Ivory and the others more. Actually, make that everyday. School had been more fun with them around.

Aside from that, you've always done your usual schedule that you've curated for yourself to grow your social stats—except the slots that were meant for the love interests, were now replaced by Ivory, Axe, and Cy.

You stood up from your chair, grabbing your bag. "Do we even still have time?"

"Don't worry, it's Thursday today, We all have free time after class." They reassured you. "C'mon. Let's go."

⡞⠳⣄⣀⣠⠞⢷ ֹ۪

"I can't believe you guys still didn't eat without me," You huffed in amusement through your nose, holding the packed lunch you brought. But you felt grateful for their thoughtfulness.

The four of you sat by the benches near the barricaded ledge of the roof, the wind slightly harsh today. Nobody else was on the rooftop, so you all could be loud as you want… as long as you didn't mind being heard from the students below.

"Hey! It wouldn't be cool to eat without the both of you unless you said so!" Axe shrugged, now taking a huge bite out of his sandwich. An arm was hung loosely around Cy's shoulder, with Cy begrudgingly eating a spoonful of his lunch.

"What were you guys doing, anyway?" Axe raised an eyebrow in curiosity.

"I accidentally fell asleep…" You rubbed the back of your neck, partially telling the truth. Well, it was practically the whole truth. Kinda.

"Didn't know you were such a sleepyhead," He snickered. "Anyways, what're your clusters, guys?"

Oh right.. Clusters.

Clusters were for the school team events—most importantly, for the sports, and the revered Phighting matches.

They would make the students choose upon enrollment, so that they can adjust. You remembered that there were promotional posters for each cluster to entice students…

But for plot purposes in the sim, you were a special case. You didn't pick one yet. It's a bit amazing how the creator made the actual game fit into this dating sim.

From what you remember, anybody could choose what cluster they wanted. As the player, choosing your cluster can give you some advantages for certain love interests.

But what if you chose a cluster that involved none of them?

Axe pointed a thumb to himself proudly. "I'm in the Playground cluster." Playground cluster was were Coil, Boombox, Skateboard, and Rocket were at, so that's crossed off your list.

"Blackrock cluster." Cy followed, making his response short. Yeah, no. Blackrock had Medkit, Subspace, Hyperlaser, and Biograft—and frankly, you did not want to be in the same cluster as them.

"And I'm in Crossroads." Ivory was the last to say their cluster. Crossroads… maybe you'll choose that.

"Oh… I haven't chosen yet, actually." You scratched your chin, tilting your head. "But I have an idea on where to go."

"Really?" Axe's mouth formed an 'o', a bit surprised you haven't chosen one yet. "Well, I heard the deadline for choosing and shifting clusters was by next week."

"Oh right. Mr. Amerisword said that too for the new students in our class." Ivory recalled.

As the three got absorbed in their idle chitchat, your phone buzzed in the pocket of your uniform. You fished it out, seeing that InfoMeter had new objectives, alongside with some side objectives.

> CHOOSE A CLUSTER. DEADLINE : AUGUST 22. URGENT! > LIVE YOUR LIFE IN THE NEW SCHOOL.

> THERE'S A NEW CAFE NEXT TO THE SCHOOL… MAYBE YOU SHOULD CHECK IT OUT SOME TIME. (RECEIEVED : JULY 16) > THE LIBRARY IS OPEN FOR STUDENTS. IT WOULD BE GOOD FOR STUDYING, OR MAYBE MEET SOMEONE NEW… (RECEIVED : JULY 21)

It was August 13 right now, so you still had a bit of time... Oh well. Besides the sudden onslaught of quizzes and lessons, things were going well at school.

And for once, you felt…free.

Glancing at the faces of your companions, your chest didn't feel heavy anymore. For once, your world wasn't revolving around chasing love—chasing inphernals that weren't even batting at eye at you.

It felt amazing.

This could be your year forever.

⡞⠳⣄⣀⣠⠞⢷ ֹ۪

"Okay. This is getting weird." Skateboard suddenly spoke up at the lunch table, making some eyes look at him. Only a few came to eat lunch together, with others being busy with responsibilities.

"What do you mean weird…?" Slingshot looked at him skeptically, midway through a bite. Shuriken and Vinestaff was also as equally skeptical, but curious about what Skateboard said.

"I mean [Name]," Skateboard shrugged, leaning back at the chair, "they haven't started with any of us. Like, even at all." That was true.

"Oh…them." Slingshot's demeanor immediately deflates, his shoulders slumping tiredly and his eye twitching in annoyance. "Why do we care? They'll just be pursuing us in no time. Maybe they're trying a new tactic; I doubt it'll work."

Usually, you'd start already with your preparations by now, or even more earlier—boosting your social stats, meeting other love interests as early as possible, and other stuff they couldn't bother to remember.

But you weren't doing any of that. None of it.

In fact, you were laying low. You weren't doing anything extravagant that made you stand out. Almost like you wanted to blend in with the normal NPCs.

"Isn't that good?" Coil piped up, his expression indifferent. "They ain't bothering us anymore."

"Yeah, but…" Boombox's visor changed into what looked like a sweat-drop on his forehead. "For some reason, I feel… restless. Like—"

"Like you need to do something?" Sword interrupted. "Like you're stagnant? Like you're… waiting for something, or someone?"

It was total silence after that. Sword did say the truth out loud—the indescribable feeling that's been welling up inside of each and everyone of them. It was definitely the game, no doubt about that.

But it's been getting unbearable. Especially that time has been passing.

Especially that you got new friends.

Sword's been particularly frazzled about Ivory. He's seen you hanging out with them everyday, barely even going to school with him and Rocket anymore.

He's been talking about it to Rocket, but he got brushed off—because Rocket didn't want to acknowledge it.

"There's this classmate of mine that's been hanging out with [Name]…" Sword looked down at the table, moments flashing before his eyes.

You looked so happy with them.

It made him… sad.

"[Name]'s been hangin' out with Axe too." Coil remarked, poking at his food, and unusually quiet today. "And that Cy guy Hyper's friends with."

"What's going on with them?" Shuriken muttered under his breath, the same question that's been stirring in everyone's minds.

Slingshot pinched the bridge of his nose, "I'm just saying, it's just some new tactic they're trying out on us—"

"What's this new tactic you're all talking about?" A voice spoke out from behind them. It was Medkit. He sat down on one of the vacant chairs, closer to Sword.

"Medkit!" Sword exclaimed, his frown stretching into a grin.

"Hello, Sword." Medkit set down his notebooks and folders filled with page tabs and annotations.

"Oh, Skateboard was just talking about how [Name]'s being weird," Slingshot huffed, "As if they weren't already weird and irritating in the first place." he continued to grumble.

"I'm just saying—" Skateboard raised his hands up in surrender. "they're acting way more weirder than usual. Like… I went into their classroom to get Sword earlier with Rocket and…"

"They're with another guy. Like Sword said." Skateboard continued, his eyes glazing to the side as he remembered Ivory staying by your side as you seemed to be asleep.

"I do remember running into them on the first day." Medkit hummed, adjusting his glasses. "I thought it was just my imagination, but.."

"They seemed eager to get away." Medkit recalled your shocked expression. At first, he thought you would beam at his appearance since he was a rare occurrence that would happen at the start.

He braced himself then, expecting you to try and befriend him—much to his annoyance.

But you skittered away like a frightened rabbit.

That stirred his suspicions—as much as he wanted to just sigh in relief, he couldn't dismiss the fact that there was just something wrong.

He believed it more when he saw you with Ivory in biology—while Subspace was arguing with him about nonsense. He was glancing at you discreetly, seeing you among the spectators with the white-haired inphernal. Sword wasn't exaggerating, it seems.

"That's what I was saying!" Sword piped up, his hand slamming down a bit too harshly that the plates clattered on the table. "They're not... hanging out with us anymore!"

"Okay, no need to get worked about it," Rocket's hand flew to Sword's shoulder to get him to sit down, lest he starts a commotion.

"But—!" Sword tried to protest, but Rocket wasn't having it.

"Sword. It's only been a month," Coil drawled.

"'sides, we'll just have to see if they'll just cave in." Coil shrugged, a small, smug smirk stretching on his lips.

Only time would tell.

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You are looking into the face of your creator, Telamon. He is a strict man, but knowledgeable. That's why you trust his words and actions.

Telamon raised his hand, causing a thunderstorm that struck the middle of the Fire Ring. Soon, a "Spawn" sign appears in place and then..The demons. Although your creator prefers you to call them "inphernals," their creepy features unnerved you.

You stood next to the creator, asking, "Is this necessary? Maybe, these new "robloxians" will figure out what to do on their own?"

Telamon is silent at first, but then he smiles. “no.. They need a hand to guide them. And that hand will be them." He patted you gently on the shoulder. "Go meet your new siblings."

"That's what I'd not say.." you muttered softly, but still walked up to them. They looked slightly perplexed, but when they saw the two of you, they froze.

"Welcome to the world." you greeted them politely, looking at them curiously. They shrank in response, but it seems that red decided to be the first.

"Hi.." he awkwardly waved at you, looking at you with naive eyes. That's it, a new way of looking at the world.

Telamon smiled as he came closer. Everyone stood up abruptly, apparently recognizing their creator. "Greetings, my creation. It’s nice to see you” he giggled, when one of them stumbled. “ And this is [Name], your older brother.”

You got a little nervous when their eyes turned to you. You sighed and just nodded. «Yes, I am.”

The white-eyed was just looking into your soul, it's not very nice. But you noticed with your eyes that the black one was missing.

"Telamon.. There's one of them is.. "you didn't have time to finish, as something was laughing behind your back. Reflexively, you hit him, making them scream.

“Ouch! It hurts!" she screamed, backing away from you.

You quickly come over and apologize, but they just looked at you angrily.

Telamon and the others just looked at you both with mild interest, but then the Creator began, "Okay, my lovely creation.. I will explain to you why and why you were born. [Name], stop trying to catch them and come to me. You will be an example for your younger siblings."

From the north, squads of Robots spread out. Their task was simple: investigate the origin of the Lua storm and report back. Along with recording the damage or effects it gave to other regions. The orange lighted biografts swarmed areas that had been hit by the storms, collecting samples of the crystals they found and recording energy readings from the air and surrounding areas. The ones sent to Lost Temple stumbled onto a landscape that was no longer barren, but filled with life and plants. The oasises stretched out far into the desert. Water and plant samples read to be filled with Lua and healing energy. This region was steeped in the Lua.

Subspace was watching the feeds to all the biograft squads. His single eye scanned across each screen before focusing on the miraculous revitalization of the desert. The lost Temple had never been so beautiful as long as he known it. Although he was used to the white cold of the tundra and the red leafed trees that surrounded his home. Whatever caused this, he would find. Although when watching the healing of the other regions, he began to wonder if this energy could cure him of his rot. He breathed out a mist of raspberry pink toxin, a side effect of his condition. The scientist urged the Lost Temple exploration squad to continue on while gathering information. His single eye closed and opened again with periodic naps while watching the feeds and doing his job. One of the biograft feeds on the other screen caught sight of a golden horned inphernal before they disappeared when the biograft passed the crystal they stood beside. It was so fast that subspace would not notice it until the administration reviewed the footage.

A figure walked through the streets of Crossroads. He was glad that nobody paid him any mind as he did. The figure remembered that he needed to get himself a weapon, since the demons of the inpherno were violent creatures. He found a shop that sold weapons and walked to the counter. The older inphernal sitting by the counter looked up to the customer. "How can I help you today?," Zuka asked to the customer. The four horned being before him smiled widely. Zuka felt like this inphernal before him was off. He was taller than most inphernals and had an unnerving smile on him. Those eyes that peered from the shadow of his hood gleamed gold. "I am looking for a fine weapon to take with me as I explore.," The customer said, "A sword, preferably. Money is not an issue." Zuka felt a chill as the customer said 'sword'. Rocket looked over at the customer and looked away before sneering. He was so tall and intimidating. Like when he first saw Venomshank. The grey horned inphernal motioned the customer to follow him into the shop warehouse itself to take a look.

"Most reach for firearms, so I don't have a large selection of blades.," Zuka said, "But what I do have, they are quality." The figure looked at the blades. The former soldier knew that the gaze of his customer was calculating and knew what he was doing. Like this inphernal had been dealing with swords and weapons for years far beyond his apparent age. The figure finally picked up a sword and touched the blade. "This one. It calls to me.," The golden horned one stared. Zuka was a little surprised by the selection, "That one is the highest possible quality without being a gear. It will be over ten thousand bux."

The Golden horned inphernal reached into his robes and produced a stack of Bux for Zuka. The shopkeeper counted it and looked up to his customer, "This is two thousand over." "That's for the sheath I want to purchase as well.," the customer stated and pointed to a plain looking but very sturdy cover for the sword. "That's still more than enough.," Zuka said, wanting to be honest in case this was a scam. To be honest, he was getting unnerved by his guest. Those horns were not a natural color or structure. Those eyes were wrong. This inphernal felt like it should not exist. "Then consider it a gift for getting along with my creations.," the customer said. Zuka turned to get a bag for the customer, but when he turned back. The figure was gone. Just a small pile of money was left in the top jar. All of large bills.

The soldier did not argue with the amount of money that he was given, but he was more unsettled by the one who gave it to him. That smile. It reminded him of Darkheart's. Those robes had a sun pattern on them that looked familiar. A pattern he had not seen since he was spawned. "Who the hell was that?," Rocket asked with a shudder, "Didn't like them at all." "I don't know.," Zuka replied, "And I have a feeling that I don't want to."

You were laid on the bed next to your Mama. She watched your face for indications of you waking up and rejoining her in the church. Your mind however, was somewhere else entirely. It was like you were underwater, yet high in the clouds. A realm of contradiction yet held beauty. You felt like you were floating on the surface of water, but surrounded by grass and plants. The shapes of fish and birds float overhead as you look into the bright sky. All you can do is try and stand up to walk around. To see where you were. It was so bright yet so dark. You could hear something in the distance. The sounds were beckoning you to come closer. You saw lights over a nearby hill and followed it. Music and laughter came from there.

Your small feet carried you through grass so thick it could have been jelly. Colorful fish rushed by you like butterflies in a garden. You crossed over the hill to see your friends. They were all having a party together. "Lualight!," You heard sword shout to you when he saw you,"Come on, you were about to miss the games!" Your face lit up in a smile. There were games and music, all of your friends were together here. They were talking and having fun. You ran as fast as you can to the group to not miss out on the fun.

Your mother was smiling along with your father, talking to Venomshank as Rocket and a Blue horned Zuka was grilling. Darkheart seemed to be trying to catch the fish in the air. Sword was waiting for you to join in a game with him and traffic. Everyone was here. Everyone was happy. You didn't remember helping to plan this party, but you hoped that this day didn't end too fast.

Scythe felt a warmth in the pendant she wore, she looked at you to see if you were waking. You were not. It seemed like you were having a very good dream though. She brushed your hair out of your face before looking up to a knock on her door. Medkit was in the door. "You need to sleep and eat something.," He said. Scythe looked back to you, "What if she wakes up and I ain't there?" "I don't know.," Medkit said, "But you will not be able to take care of her if you neglect yourself. Take a break, I will watch her for a while. Then Crossbow can after that." Scythe huffed, but understood. It was almost morning. She had not eaten or slept since the previous day. She hadn't drank anything. All her focus was on you and caring for you. She had been carefully cleaning your skin and brushing your hair. Making sure your body remained healthy.

Medkit sat beside you before Scythe left. The teal horned doctor sighed and reached out to hold your hand. You didn't grip his hand in your little fingers like you usually did. He had felt the warmth from you before. You were dreaming as your brain and body healed. "How long will you be like this?," He asked, "A few days? A few weeks?' He began to move your little legs and arms for you. "I'll have to make something to feed you if you stay asleep to long. I will not let you starve.," The doctor told your sleeping body. He held your soft little hand as he sat with you. His larger and rough hand carefully held yours as he felt your pulse through your skin.

"Sword is worried about you.," He found himself telling you, "He asked about you." Medkit looked at the crystals that still covered your hair. The growths that covered your body like thin armor. He began to pick them off carefully, gathering them in a small container for study or disposal. He looked to the clock in the nightstand and saw it was already past dawn. He had been working for almost a full twenty four hours. He still didn't feel tired. Your crystals must still be healing him. Medkit felt something fall on his head and hit the floor. The doctor looked behind him to a newly made crystal on the ground. He picked it up and felt the warmth from it. You must have been dreaming something nice to make a crystal that nice. Medkit kept staying with you until your mama came back to rest beside you.

Sword got up after resting in Zuka's apartment. He had been knocked out after being healed by Medkit. The exhaustion from whatever happened wiped his energy out. He gasped as he stood, feeling a sharp pain has his horns prickled from the healing. He walked out and went to say goodbye to Rocket before he headed home. Rocket was looking at a top jar filled with large bills. "That's a lot of Bux.," Sword said, "Did you get a rush?" "No, that's all from one guy.," Rocket replied, "That asshole creeped me out, though. He was as tall as if not taller than your mentor." Sword tilted his head. Was this customer perhaps related to Venom? "What did he look like?," Sword asked. "Uh. He was covered in strange robes and a hood. The robes had writing I can't read on it... oh! And a sun shaped symbol!," Rocket said, "The horns were kind of golden colored and his face was covered by his hood. Except for his smile. It was a creepy smile." Rocket shuddered.

Zuka leaned back after seeing Sword up. "Going back?," He asked. Sword gave him a nod. "Just be careful.," The older inphernal said and waved his only hand. Sword walked out of the shop and into the streets. He saw the devastation caused by the storm. He kept walking, his boots colliding with the pavement. The red horned inphernal remembered how bad he felt during the storm and rushed home. If he had felt it, then his mentor did as well. He had to make sure that his guardian was okay. The young warrior ran towards home, only stopping after catching a glint of gold from an alley. He saw a tall inphernal down that alley. He went back and saw that the inphernal was gone.

There was nowhere for the strange figure to go... He pushed the thought back and returned to running back home. He entered his home and looked for his mentor. Sword found the taller being on the large couch, asleep. He seemed to be resting peacefully. Sword felt relief for his mentor's safety. He saw Venomshank's chest rise and fall with his breathing. He felt the familiar weight of Sisyphus land on him and gave the bird a small pat. "I'm glad you two are okay.," Sword said to the bird and walked up to his room. He stopped and looked at the closed door to the room that was going to be yours. His hand let go of the handle of his door and opened the door to your room. Sword's eyes widened as he stepped in. The crystals you put all over your room had grew from the storm. The sunlight that came through the window hit the crystals, refracting colors and light around the room.

Sword was in awe of the beauty that your crystals had made. He had a small wish that you were still there. That when he opened the door, he would find you smiling up at him. Or helping to train you with how to fight again. Your opened closet still had the clothes you had bought with your own money. He wondered how much more you would try to decorate this empty room if you came back. He saw the large round crystal below the poster of the idol duo you seemed to like. The round gem seemed to call for him to touch it. Sword did not resist, reaching out to touch the gemstone that radiated power and heat. He could hear your joyful laughing from it after touching it. He picked it up and hugged it, feeling it was the closest thing he had to you at the moment. The warmth and heartbeat from it felt like you. He wished that you could feel this embrace.

Deep in the desert, Orange lighted robots kept trodding forward. Their mechanical pace was unimpeded. The Biografts kept marching forward, following the traces of the fading Lua to the origin of the storm. The metal beasts kept marching, further and further into the desert. Their blades became stained with the blood of wildlife and the saps of plants. Their metal feet, muddied by the oasis they tread. The robots stopped before the flames of the old city ruins. The flames were now mixed with the shards of the crystals. Subspace sent the order for the biografts to find a way through the fires, or to go around. Crossbow was perched on a ridge above. She had been looking for more food, but was also looking for your lost doll. Her single eye watched the robots, aware of what they were and who had made them. After all, any enemy to the doc was one of hers as well. She watched the robots try to find ways around the flames of the former king. She wanted to use her gear to push them into the flames so they all would burn, but no.. She had none of that. No great power that would get rid of these invaders.

She just needed to return to the church and tell the Father what she had seen. Crossbow Stood and mounted her vulture. She at least hoped the flowers she had found would be nice to decorate your sleeping body with. She had been wanting to try braiding flowers into your hair for a while now. Her Vulture flew her back to the Church. Crossbow first went to the Father to tell him what she had seen before finding you. When she did find you, she also found her boss next to you. Scythe was asleep. Her non-mechanical arm was over you as a way to protect you, but also to keep in physical contact with you. "I guess I can just leave these in a vase then.," Crossbow smiled before placing the flowers in a vase she found in the ruins. A vase she had given to you. The leader of the scouts left the two of you to sleep. Her boss needed it after what happened.

Crossbow found Medkit taking a break by sitting in the courtyard and looking out at the changed landscape. She sat beside him to look out as well. "Hey doc.," she greeted without getting a response, "Hope you don't mind company." Medkit didn't argue, but seemed to be ignoring her. She took that as a bit of a challenge. "The landscape is a lot more beautiful now.," Cross kept talking, "It's even attracting attention from other regions." That got some reaction out of him, as she saw his head move a little. Like he was only somewhat listening. "Yeah, saw some of those robot things from that Blackrock place you told us about.," Crossbow continued, "Wanted to Ambush 'em, but I didn't have my team... So.. I just came back." There it was, full attention. But, it was more like horror on the Doc's face.

Medkit knew that the weather phenomenon would gain attention, but did not expect his old enemy to react to it, If at all. Subspace was only one to react to something if it would serve to further his work or his ego. If he did react to the storm it had to be from the amount of power it had, or... From the pure Lua energy that had been the creation catalyst of the storm itself. The teal horned doctor felt like you would be in further danger if you were found out by his old enemy. You were in safer hands here, but would be safest away from here. Perhaps, the safest place would be if he returned you to Sword and his mentor. Crossbow watched Medkit's face and reactions, she watched his eye move as he thought about things. This news she gave him made him quite entertaining to watch. Whatever he was thinking about, his eye seems to be both focused and a little more frantic than usual. Whatever it was, she was having a little fun. "I'm just mad that I didn't find the doll that Lualight dropped.," she said, "Either someone else picked it up or it was blown away by the storm. Maybe I can ask Dolly to make her a new one." Medkit was not listening again. He was still in his own thoughts. Crossbow just shrugged her shoulders and took out her canteen before taking a long drink.

She held it out to Medkit. "I am still working.," he said, "I can not have alcohol." "It's not liquor.," Crossbow retorted, "It's a juice and calorie mix Chainsaw made. You haven't eaten anything yet, take some." Medkit cautiously took it and gave it a smell, it did smell like fruit juice, along with some other smells. Protein powder, maybe some powdered vegetables? He took a just as cautious swig. It tasted fine at first, then the bitter hit him. He choked. Crossbow patted his back. "Yeah, the herbs hit you hard when you are not used to them. Don't worry, those are the vine cactus blooms.," Crossbow laughed, "Lua made the same face when she tried a bit." The broken horned inphernal leaned back on the grass and looked to the colorful shining crystals that littered the landscape.

"She's come a long way from that skinny little newspawn we found in the desert. How much the church was able to build and grow because of her.," Crossbow rambled, "I just want her to come out of this alright." She didn't look at Medkit while she talked, only at the crystal that she reached out and touched. "Breaks my heart that her parents had to die in the desert like that."

It had been hours after Scythe had retrieved you. You had not roused yet. She kept holding you. Not letting you go for anything. Even as the thin and sharp crystals that covered you like armor tore at her skin, she refused to let you go. Your body was not as warm as it usually was. Your breathing and heartbeat was weak. You were weak. The Father himself came to see Scythe and you. She answered his questions the best she could, but she could not know what exactly was going through your mind during your outburst. The Father was at least pleased that you were no longer in any danger and settled down. However, his previous hopes of you coming back to your sense were dashed when Scythe mentioned that you were not waking up. Along with being seemingly poisoned by Venomshank. Father Overseer ordered for whatever able bodied scouts to go retrieve Medkit and see just how far the storm had reached. He reached out to touch your head, only to get a spark of lua to his clawed fingers. He retreated his arm back from the sudden surge of pain. He allowed Scythe to keep holding you as there was other things to do in the church. The repairs that needed to be done because of your power. Your mama nuzzled your cheek, hoping that you could still feel her.

Medkit was still curled on his floor. Even with the storm over, it was hard to move with the crystals that had grown around him. Grown out from the blood he spat. A knock at his door was followed by the rattle of the lock and opening. His landlady, Shotgun, had came in to check him after hearing about his screaming. She saw him surrounded by crystals and his own blood and bile. The landlady helped to break the crystals off of him and get him up before asking if he was hurt in any way. He responded that he was not injured, while still leaking crystals from his formerly empty eyesocket. She pointed it out to him and he used a small mirror in his desk to look at the odd growth. "Strange things have happened all over crossroads, Medkit.," Shotgun told him, "I've been getting calls asking if you are available for healing. I can tell them you are not if you do not want to." Medkit took some pliers and pulled the crystal clump out of his eyesocket, dripping his own blood as he did. He healed the wound using his own gear and stitched the eye back closed. "I... Want to.," He gasped, "I am needed." "I'm not one to stand in your way, but maybe you should take some time to get yourself healed first.," Shotgun said while chewing on her toothpick.

She did not stop Medkit as he summoned his gear and put his revolver in the holster on his hip. She could see that his single eye had a somewhat worried expression. Like he knew what caused everything that happened. Shotgun, however, did not ask. She did not care enough it. She just stopped him and pointed to the dirtied carpet. "I will get that cleaned.," Medkit said. She put a new toothpick in her mouth, "You better. This stress you put me under may make me start smoking again." She took a sideways glance at the crystals on the carpet, they had turned from an inky color to a clear and light blue. She thought It sort of resembled the crystals of that the newspawn Medkit had with him for a while. What was her name again? Shotgun left her tenent as he left to go look for those who needed assistance.

Medkit made his way through Crossroads, the cleanup effort had already started with inphernals trying to break the crystals. He stopped when he saw the crystal spark. "Get away from that!," He shouted. His warning was not too late as the inphernals backed away just as the crystal burst, throwing shrapnel like shards in many directions. He was able to heal the ones who were hit before moving on and telling them to spread the word to not mess with the crystals. As he continued on, he saw more and more damage and devistation. All caused by a tiny creature. If what the Father said was true, that you were a god and one of the creator race, then what other horrific power did you hide inside your tiny body? Medkit kept traveling on, stopping at those who needed him. He passed by an inphernal with four horns admiring the crystal. The hooded figure had an unusual smile on thier face as they looked at the crystals. Something about the smile was unsettling as Medkit passed. The figure was not acknowledged by anyone else, like they did not exist. As soon as Medkit turned, the inphernal disappeared. He did know that the strange inphernal had given him a glance, mostly to the crystal that he wore and the crystal suspended between his horns.

Medkit brushed off the strange encounter to make his way to Zuka's shop. If what happened to him was any indication of their health, he needed to get to Sword and Rocket. He was panting by the time he got to the shop. Surrounding buildings and shop owners were helping each other with rebuilding and repairs. Medkit saw zuka handing supplies to another shop owner when he walked up. "Zuka, Where is Sword and Rocket?," Medkit asked the Grey horned inphernal. The grey horned former soldier beckoned the doctor to follow and led him to the apartment. Both of the young inphernals inside looked terrible. Sword's horns were covered in crackling crystals and his dominant hand had crystals growing from his arm. He looked weakened from the flood of pain. Rocket was no better. His limbs were covered in those crystals too. Both looked like they were not able to rest at all. Sword saw his friend and reached towards him. "Medkit..," He said weakly, trying to speak. Medkit took his hand, "Dont talk right now sword. Your body is still being affected."

The teal horned doctor carefully used his tools to excise the crystals from the horns of his younger friend and heal whatever wounds he had. The crystals were not the same as the ones in the streets. These did not burst or shake violently. It was like they were docile. "Medkit. I can't hear her.," Sword said while clutching the crystal pendant, "She stopped crying, but she stopped everything else." The teal horned doctor tried not to react, to keep his Friend from reaching into dispair. Yet he was worried for you as well. He had felt when you went quiet too, when the storm stopped. He would be called back to the church to look at injuries more than likely. He would just have to quickly work for the inhabitants of Crossroads before he was summoned. He turned to Rocket after healing Sword. He was thankful that Rocket did not have any physical injuries. However, seeing what your power did to the crystal powered prosthetics, He realized you were not just able to affect the holders of your crystals. You affected anything that was an energy based crystal. Medkit remembered his inventions at Blackrock, The energy crystal that would power most of the machinery. A crystal he based on the stories of Lua and the energy of the spawn wells. If you were able to do this to Rocket's limbs... You may have shut down Blackrock itself for a week or so. Perhaps even longer If your energy was concentrated by the tundra and mountains surrounding the compound.

He worked silently as he removed the excess crystals, cleaning them to reveal the real one underneath. Medkit rewired the limb to how Rocket needed it. The explosive geared young inphernal watched him. He saw his older friend's expression. There was a lot on the mind of the doctor. "Medkit. Do you know what happened?," Rocket asked bluntly, "Does it have to do with Lualight?" Medkit sighed, "Yes. It was Lualight. I fear that it was not just Crossroads that was hit. Every region was affected by this event." "Is she okay?," The weakened voice of Sword asked. Medkit did not know what to tell him. He did not know if you were. The sudden appearance of the storm and the sheer power it had, along with the sheer pain that they all felt, something had to have happened.

The teal horned inphernal kept working on Rocket's limbs, finishing quickly and letting the younger inphernal test the movement out. Luckily, the crystal growth did not damage any of the internal mechanisms of the limbs. He got up to leave but stopped. "I'm going to help the other injured.," Medkit said, "Please rest." Th doctor left his younger friends to keep looking for injured to help. He was able to find many who were in need of assistance. From some inphernals caught in a diner to the ones in the library. Some had minor scratches, others had severe injury. It was tiring and difficult to get them all. But, he found himself regaining the energy he used quickly. He then understood. Your crystals that were still embedded in his body, on the areas he could not get to, they were healing him.

Even through your own pain, you still had kindness. The crystals in the streets were slowly disappearing. Like cotton candy in water. It was still not fast enough for some who tried to forcefully remove them and get struck with the shrapnel as a result. Medkit felt someone following him after he healed most in the business district. A heavy hand was placed on his shoulder. "The Father requests your presence.," He heard the familiar voice of Chainsaw speak. He turned to see the inphernal behind him. The crystalline brooch he wore had grown out of control, stabbing into his shoulder and chest. His broken horn had shards of sharp crystals peeking from the holes and the missing portion. Medkit could not help but wonder how he was not going mad with pain. Did he also have something wrong with him like Broker, or were the crystals keeping his nerves dulled enough to not feel the damage that was done to him.

Medkit was about to heal him when Chainsaw stopped him. "Not yet," Chainsaw said, "someone else needs you first." The inphernal led the doctor to where he landed his Vulture. The bird was covered in small scratches and scars. It looked at Medkit curiously before bowing to allow the two on its back. After lifting off, Medkit could see the true scale of the damage from the storm. Broken structures and large pillars of crystal littered crossroads. The tower itself was covered in crystals, like a rock with coral. The sun glinted off the crystals, making the scenery sparkle below. If there had not been a storm, this phenomenon of growth would have been seen as wondrous or even beautiful. The two rode on the bird, the expanse of sands and wastes below them stretched. The landscape itself changed because of the storm. Lower areas had accumulated rainwater and turned into many shimmering oasis. The plants around the waters seemed to respond to the power of the crystals and had grown quickly.

Healing plants and edible foliage had spring up in a previously deserted area. It was beautiful. "She still has kindness, even when she is in pain.," Medkit said aloud. He didn't realize he did until Chainsaw laughed. "She's better than us in many ways, other than combat.," The Scout said and urged his vulture to catch a wind current to glide on. Lost Temple had been changed by your hand. The new beauty stretched before Medkit. He leaned over to get a better look, prompting Chainsaw to grab his collar. "Don't fall doc.," The scout huffed, "She still needs you." Something from that mere sentence made him go cold. What could have happened for you to need him? The church appeared in the distance. The structure was covered in large crystals that shone with many colors.

He was allowed to dismount when the bird landed, he hurriedly entered and followed the directions to Scythe's room. He stopped in the doorway as soon as he got there. Scythe was holding you with a tenderness he had never seen from her before. At that moment, she was not the enforcer of the church or the most wanted, she was a mother. Even with her prosthetic arm out of order, she was still holding you close to herself and nuzzling your scalp. As Medkit got closer, he saw some tears had fallen onto your face from her crying at not being able to wake you. "She's not waking up, 'kit.," Scythe's voice was the softest he has ever heard it. "I will not be able to examine her if you are holding her," Medkit said as he tried to take you from your Mama's arms. She pulled back immediately and let out a low growl, "I ain't letting her go again." Medkit didn't argue, he was being paid just to be a doctor for them. But he did feel concern about you. You had not moved or made a sound. Your pulse was weak and breathing was slow and gasping.

Medkit checked your eyes, your pupils did not respond to light. You didn't respond to anything, yet you were still alive. "What is it, 'kit?," Scythe asked. Medkit made an annoyed sigh. He was already counting up everything he needed to treat you. "Coma. Her own system collapsed under the weight of her power.," Medkit explained, "But it is treatable. She will have to be cared for daily, letting her recover slowly." Scythe pulled you back close to her after Medkit was finished with the examination. He started to work on her arm. He noted that she had shed most of her usual equipment and attire, letting your face rest on her bare chest. Her single real eye kept looking down at you with a mix of worry and affection. If Medkit could describe Scythe at that moment, it would be a broody bird. Like how her vulture becomes in the spring.

Medkit worked on the prosthetic arm before he started to heal Scythe. The amount of injuries she had was extensive. She had fought through the storm to get to you and it showed. "How long?," Scythe asked. Medkit hummed questioningly as he looked up at his superior. "How long will it take to wake 'er up?, Scythe repeated. The teal horned doctor didn't know the answer. You could be out for days, months or even years. They would just have to wait and see. But he could still feel the trickle of Lua coming from your body. He saw it slowly healing scythe as she held you. He wondered how it would act now that you were not consciously using it. He heard a sound and looked back to see some members looking in. Newspawn and older inphernals both checking in on Lualight. They must have heard that she was not conscious and came to see for themselves. That or were waiting for their turn to be healed by Medkit. After he finished healing her, Medkit looked at you and Scythe once more. "How did you even break through the storm?," He asked.

Scythe paused, not even wanting to answer. She glared at the others who were peeking in, making them scatter like bugs. Only after did they leave she replied, "It wasn't me. It was Venomshank." Medkit saw the faint toxic green saliva that stained your dress. You'd need to be changed and that dress burned. Medkit wiped your skin of the green residue, disinfecting the area as well. You were resisting the saliva, he wondered if you would be immune to the rot. You looked peaceful. Medkit was a little unnerved by you not being awake and smiling at him as you usually did. He sort of missed how you were previously. Medkit would not admit it, but he liked when he was watching you and teaching you. You were curious and seemed to enjoy being taught by him. Even if you were a bit troublesome to watch.

After he finished healing and talking to Scythe, he was pulled away to the others in the church. He listened to the gossip of the members, each telling about what they experienced during the storm. Each was a familiar story. Sharp pains in the horns. Those with prosthetics had crystals grow out of them. Those with pendants and brooches made from your crystals could hear your screams and crying. All of them felt your sorrow and pain. Some members were annoyed by your outburst. Others, like the scouts who found you originally and had dedicated a lot of time to play with you, felt empathetic to your sorrow and wanted you to be happy again. The most devoted wanted to hunt down whoever had set you off. Medkit had to sit those down and treat them so they didn't hurt themselves. During all of this, he remembered what Scythe said. Venomshank had broken through the storm to save you. Why would one of the swords go out of his way to do that? He remembered also what you had told him before, that Darkheart had helped you. The idea that the swords knew about you and your power scratched at his mind.

Venomshank gasped as he was healed by Darkheart, using one of the crystals you had left in his home. The healing felt great, but the sharp pain of his ribs reconnecting was still there. Darkheart hummed as he set the crystal down. "So then. How was the storm?," He asked with his head resting on his palm. Venomshank felt his chest for any more injuries before answering, "Almost as strong as what He could do." Darkheart's grin moved a little as he laughed, "We're still surprised they are the same species. They look nothing alike!" The cackling god leaned back and let himself float over the floor. Venomshank understood his brother's sentiments. Lualight and Telamon were quite different from each other. You were small and kind, having an utterly beautiful innocent heart and mind. Telamon was intimidating and powerful, a man who could wipe out half of a city with a swipe of his sword if he wanted to. Someone who would shift the layout of a region from his own whims if something was annoying him.

You were small and different. Completely innocent and unaware of what power you held. You could shift anything to your liking, but you want to find out about the Inpherno instead. You sought connection and understanding, not battle and conquest. "That inphernal who took her...," Venomshank said, catching his brother's attention, "She's dangerous, I worry for Lua." Darkheart tilted his head as he saw his brother fading into rest. The ramblings of Venomshank kept going as he tried to fight off resting. "You can rest 'Shank, we're not going anywhere.," the wizard hat wearing sword said and sat beside his sibling. His smile was a kinder one instead of his usual mischievous one. He was telling the truth. Venom couldn't fight it anyway. "We'll just wait until she calls us for help, okay?"

The entirety of the inpherno was rebuilding and repairing after the storm. Places with plant and animal life were revitalized by the crystals dissolving into the water and ground, healing the nature there. The splintered skies were rebuilding damaged buildings. Windforce had to be healed by some of the best healers in the skies before finding that the same crystals that injured her so badly could be used to heal her and cure others of their afflictions. Crystals were gathered carefully, making sure not to make them burst.

In the far north, the facility was on emergency power. They were quickly rebuilding and fixing what was damaged. The higher ups called their head scientist to them to demand answers while also looking at the data that had been gathered. The scientist had to clean himself up and put on his containment suit before standing before the higher ups. "Do you have any answers for what has happened?," one asked, "this storm. It wiped out the entirety of Blackrock's systems in a matter of minutes." "We need to know so that this will not happen again.," another said. The scientist listened to the complaints before clearing his throat. "The origin of the storm is the Lost Temple.," the scientist said, "More importantly, the storm has traces of the same energy as the spawn wells. It was powered by pure Lua energy." Ripples of talk circulated through the panel of higher ups. The scientist reviewed his readings he was able to get from the rebooted computers. It was Lua energy. Lua in it's purest state. He had felt it too, but he also had personally felt the feeling of sorrow, of rage, of pain. Something that only energy should not be able to do. He had a theory.

The heads of Blackrock talked amongst themselves for a bit before turned back to their scientist. "Send Biograft scouts into other regions, we need to see how this phenomenon affected other regions.," the lead of the Blackrock facility ordered. The scientist saluted to his leader while also internally cursing. "I'm sending scouts into Lost Temple first as the storm originally came from there.," the scientist said. The leaders let him go after giving him orders and he telling them his findings. He stalked back to his labs while chewing on his clawed thumb, "This will be the finding of the century, I'll be in the history books."