Chapter Text
Blackrock was carved into the mountain, forever drenched in snow. It is surprising that early Inphernals even survived here. But they did through shear force of will, and the not afraid to. leave behind the ones that couldn't perform. It became their philosophy. Excellence through hardship. Expected out of everyone.
The facility carved into the mountains served a lot of purposes, Including training Young. Two pairs of footsteps echoed through the Halls. One that had proved his excellence. And one that was just about to.
The young Inphernal followed his instructor. Hyperlaser wasn’t what you would expect from a soldier at first glance: average in height and stature with small blue horns, and a gear that always seemed a bit too big for him. Just a painfully average Inphernal that got lucky.
He would have been thrown out of the program if he didn't have the hyperlaser. Barely above average at most things. While others could excel at at least one thing he was always just middle of the road.
never last but never first. If he didn't have a gear I could annihilate in an instant he wouldn't have even been considered. But he did have one thing above the others, born out of this painful mediocrity,
Drive. Drive to practice when everybody was relaxing. Drive to study when everybody was sleeping. Drive to not waste his gear. And this drive was the reason that he was chosen. First one to take the final exam from his batch.
You could feel his heartbeat in his ears. The sweat on his forehead. But he kept his composure face blank, gear ready. He observed as they got in deeper and deeper into the facility. With less and less Inphernals until they got to the door.
The instructor hadn't looked at him during the whole walk. Stopping in front of the door and turning to hyper laser. His expression is blank but his tone is clearly a warning.
“Don't even try to memorize the code.”
Hyper laser could feel a piece of annoyance in that voice as he placed his gaze firmly onto the floor. Hearing the babes and bobs. This was it his final challenge, his final obstacle. The final thing standing between him and his purpose.
And then he heard it pressure releasing. Looking up once more wide open and the instructor was stepping inside. Gripping his railgun a little bit tighter. He took a step and entered the room.
A small white room similar the dormitories. The first thing that hit him was a strong smell of iron. A familiar smell that he cannot fully place. And he heard the sound of heavy breathing, and sobbing? He finally looked at the direction to see an Inphernal
Covered in blood and bruises. Their legs for bent in an unnatural shape clearly broken. Wearing nothing but bloody shorts, clearly shivering. Every single inch is covered in bruises and cuts. In their hands are handcuffed behind them.
Their eyes met his. Bored and black and clearly puffy from crying. They didn't speak but they looked at him. He looked at him with fear and desperation. Those eyes those eyes were begging him for something.
But before he could ask what it was his instructor grabbed his shoulder. Instinctively looking at him and he was different. He was smiling. A smile that he was familiar with. A smile of anticipation. The instructor squeezed his shoulder. And spoke with excitement.
“They were spy that try to infiltrate. Glory to black rock we managed to apprehend them. Just finished beating the information out of no use for them at this point. You will be the lucky executioner Hyperlaser.”
There was so much cheerfulness in his voice. So much energy. He was going to enjoy watching this. Hyperlaser just stood there frozen. He wasn't supposed to be an executioner, he was supposed to be a mercenary.
Those eyes were looking at him piercing into his soul. Any part of him knew what was about to be asked of him. Feeling his shoulder gets squished a little bit more. The instructor added in a much more threatening tone.
“It seems you need a little bit more explanation Hyperlaser. This will not be your permanent position. We just need to make sure you can do your job. I know that we've been training us since spawn, but your targets were never alive.
It clicked in his mind. What he had to do. His eyes switching between the grin on his instructor, and the pleading eyes of the prisoner. Gripping his raygun just a little tighter. As he led his instructor finish.
“Some Inphernals don't have what it takes to truly be a mercenary. They hesitate on the field and we can't have that. So show me you will not hesitate. That you will fulfill your orders. Prove that you were not a waste. Prove your excellence.”
A silent nod a silent acknowledgement. He will fulfill orders. He will prove that he's not a waste. He will prove his excellence. He aimed right at the head. There was a change in those eyes. A look of acceptance.
There was only a second between pulling the trigger and the bullet hitting the prisoner. He could feel the energy going through his horns his whole body. One perfectly lined shot. Of the whole room was filled with blue light.
And then there was a body underground with their bloody pile for a head. Hyper laser stared at it the feeling of something warm and wet on his clothes. That smell of iron he was now recognising. And the sound of clapping.
“Congratulations Hyperlaser.”
He should be happy, he should be happy. He just proved himself. He just took out a spy trying to destroy Blackrock. Glory to Blackrock, glory to Blackrock, glory to Blackrock. He isn't going to cry, he isn't going to vomit.
He's going to smile. This is a happy occasion. It's going to tell all of his friends that he passed. He knows they're going to pass to. And then they can all celebrate being true mercenaries.
“You're feeling it right? Thrill of the kill. It's going to be your favorite feeling soon.”
Yes he's feeling it. The thrill of the kill. He's fine, he will be fine. Turn into his instructor with a smile.
“Thank you for the opportunity.”