Chapter Text
So this was the price.
His fingers brushed the bare skin where the relic should have been as he began walking back towards the abandoned building.
Everything began the moment it vanished. A chain of calamity: the tension, the murder, the trial, the execution. It was similar to tales of omens. Ravens abandoning their nests before a plague, wolves refusing to cross cursed ground, familiars vanishing before the collapse of an empire. Humans were creatures that demanded explanations, however, none would believe the void of the Hellhound earring caused everything.
It all started when that mortal dared to challenge Gundham over a trifle of no consequence. The recollection stung more than he’d want to admit.
His emotions meant nothing in this moment, ruminating on it is a meaningless act. A tragedy occurred, two souls were cast into the eternal abyss. They both had existed as though tomorrow belonged to them. Yet, they were reduced to one’s ability to recall the past.
Gundham spent the night searching for the Hellhound earring before heading to his cottage around sunrise. As the hours dragged on, frustration gave way to exhaustion.
Entering his territory, he reached for his scarf and began to unwind it. As it was pulled free, something slipped loose.
Two torn papers fluttered to the ground, landing upward. He placed his scarf down on his bed before kneeling to pick it up.
The Devas peeked out from the scarf, watching as Gundham analyzed the papers. Their movements were subtle, small rustles beneath the folds.
It was the photograph from earlier in the night. The silent buzz echoed through his cottage as he stared at the photo. The memory attached to it surfaced immediately, his grasp tightened. Unlike beasts, mortals quickly turned on one another without hesitation or warning. Their bonds were truly fragile. How foolish. For a moment, Gundham wasn’t entirely certain whether he meant Kazuichi or himself. Regardless, it would be a waste to discard it, fate placed it in his presence for a reason.
Gundham set the two halves on his dresser and instantly turned away. As he crossed the room, something caught his attention. A paper was resting on the floor near the entrance. His brow furrowed. It certainly hadn’t been there when he originally entered. He picked up the paper, unsure of what unseen force could have delivered it. He unfolded it and began reading what was written:
Yo, buddy! Guess what? That earring you’ve been going crazy for was found by your favorite headmaster! If you wanna see your precious Hellhound earring again, head over to the diner on the newly opened island. Better hurry, who knows what could happen to it! Love, your sweet, sweet Monokuma.
The words blurred into illegible glyphs. He blinked, then read it once more. Under normal circumstances, Gundham would have dismissed it immediately. The bear did nothing without purpose, every offering concealed a hook. Still, the possibility of reclaiming the Hellhound earring held greater importance than whatever pitiful scheme was devised. The intent did not matter as much as the chance that he could recover what had been lost. Any trouble that followed would be worth enduring.
Putting his scarf back on, he departed from his cottage with great haste.
His movements felt heavy as he strode towards the bridges. He possessed neither patience nor energy for caution. In this instant, all that mattered was the reclamation of the Hellhound earring.
At the bridge leading to the new isle stood the rabbit.
“Gundham! What are you doing here?”
“Begone, pest.” He lowered his gaze towards it.
“Wha-?! S-So cruel!”
Gundham simply stepped forward and continued his trek, ignoring the rabbit.
The isle greeted him with silence. He found himself searching an entirely unknown realm, with nothing but fate to guide him.
Without observing his immediate surroundings, Gundham began walking left. The first building he was greeted with stood tall. It was some ancient stone structure that seemingly rose from the earth, its walls were covered in cracks and greenery. Gundham quickly looked at the building before carrying on. His only concern was finding the diner. As he continued walking, his pace increased.
Another large building emerged. Compared to the last structure, this one appeared to be in exceptional condition. Once again, exploring this building could wait, unlike the Hellhound earring. His pace quickened again, in a desperate means to find the structure that held the relic.
Moments later, a pharmacy stood before him. He cast nothing more than a quick glance upon this structure. His annoyance grew with each building. How is it that his soul has yet to stumble upon the diner? His rapid stride turned into a run fueled by fury.
At long last, he spotted it, the diner. A large sign stood prominently above the structure. His pace quickened, he had reached his destination. Before hesitation could take hold, he marched directly towards the entrance.
“Reveal your presence, loathsome creature!” Gundham's voice echoed through the empty room.
Silence.
“Cease your cowardly antics!”
Once again, his demand was followed by silence.
It was inconceivable that he would traverse these desolate paths only to not be met with the Hellhound earring. It must be hidden within the shadows of this building.
The diner stretched before him in rows of vacant booths. Sunlight flowed through the large windows, carving the layout of this domain. The Devas peered over his scarf, analyzing the building alongside him.
Gundham laid his arm flat on the nearest table, allowing the Devas to search the area.
As the Devas scurried around the room, analyzing every detail they could, Gundham began by looking beneath the tables. He crouched beside each one only to find nothing. His exhaustion and irritation grew as he continued his hunt. He then went behind the counter and began opening the cabinets, one after another. Nothing.
Gundham and the Devas continued to search the diner, not keeping track of how much time had passed. Eventually, the whole domain had been thoroughly explored multiple times.
The building was completely empty. Of course, the insufferable creature would never make this simple. He should have expected as much. The bear finds its ultimate ecstasy in the sowing of despair. Yet there he stood, exactly where the bear wanted him. The bear waved the possibility of recovering the relic, and Gundham had chased it as if he were some desperate beast following a scent trail. He prided himself on recognizing instincts, however, exhaustion reduced him to being caught in a web.
Despite all the evidence, a fragment of him still thirsted for the discovery of the relic. He refused to let this chase end in a meaningless void. Unable to sever his ties with this realm, he claimed a seat within one of the booths.
He leaned on the table as the Devas retreated to the sanctuary of his scarf. Moments drifted through the void before a familiar voice approached his presence.
“Hey man..” Kazuichi sat in the seat across the table.
The distance across the table felt far greater than it was. They both held tension in visually different ways. While Gundham sat still with tense shoulders, the mortal sat struggling to remain still. Gundham felt himself faltering from fatigue. In this moment, he felt there was no purpose in engaging with the fiend. He possessed nothing worthy of his limited energy, especially following their last interaction.
“Heh.. Look, I just..” His eyes wandered uncomfortably. “I found your earring.”
“Are you talking about the Hellhound earring?!” He looked up sharply, narrowing his eyes. “Where is it, fiend?”
Kazuichi reached into his pocket and revealed the Hellhound earring. “Here.” He placed it on the table, sliding it over to Gundham.
“In what location did you unearth it?” He inspected the relic before returning it to its rightful place.
The Hellhound earring appeared intact. There were no notable scratches or dents. No disturbances, no lingering traces of interference.
“Uh.. Near the old building.”
“In which dark corner?”
“..What?”
“Do not force my voice to echo once more! In which dark corner was the Hellhound earring?” He furrowed his brow.
“The.. floor? Look, does it seriously matter?” He rubbed the back of his neck.
“Keh..Trust is a matter of cosmic significance.” Gundham's gaze sharpened as Kazuichi’s gaze continued to scurry in every direction. “To imagine that I, the Overlord of Ice, would succumb to such pathetic delusions is pitiful! I scoured the darkness for the relic. When did it fall into your grasp?”
Kazuichi remained quiet, tapping his finger on the table.
“The relic bears no dust. It appears well-preserved for being abandoned outdoors.”
“Ugh..! Fine!” Kazuchi groaned, “I took it! It’s not a big deal. It’s just an earring, man!”
He was no different than the other mortals. “Just an earring.” The thought was infuriating, surely recklessness has a limit. This foolish fiend had held it in his own hands. Had he not observed the consequences that followed? Somehow, he truly believed that it lacked significance. He’s dismissing it as though it were an ordinary accessory. Could he not understand that appearances often concealed a greater purpose? Typical. He held arrogance similar to all mortals. He was interfering with something he did not understand.
“You conspired to deceive me, leading me to believe it had vanished! You permitted me to bear the weight of this upon my own soul!”
“I didn’t think-”
“Certainly, you did not.”
“Hey! C’mon, I was gonna give it back!”
“Do you not comprehend the calamity you unleashed upon this realm?!”
“What..?”
“The vanishing of the Hellhound earring was followed by a chain of misfortunes.” Gundham touched the hanging relic. “The blackout transpired, then two deaths occurred. It began with you.”
“Dude..what?!” Kazuichi grimaced. “You’re blaming me for the murder?!”
“You created the conditions that allowed it to occur.”
“That doesn’t even make sense! If anything, it’s your fault, you lost it in the first place!”
“You sequestered it beyond my grasp! Had it not been for your interference, the dark tide of misfortune would never have breached our realm.”
“I can’t believe Miss Sonia actually wants to hang out with someone like you! Seriously, nothing you say makes any sense!” Kazuichi’s gaze finally met Gundham's. “Are you even listening to yourself right now?!”
How could he speak as if Gundham were a mere passing shadow? Had there not been a point in time when he sought his company? How convenient. Regardless, this was not the point of conversation. He had unrightfully taken the relic. Yet, here he is, using the princess as though she were the reason they stood here now. Like a starving creature convinced the next scrap of food would finally satisfy its hunger, he chased her relentlessly. He hurled himself after her with the determination of an arachnid. The male spends the entirety of its brief existence pursuing the female. It offers everything and risks anything.
“Then perhaps that is your true problem.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?!”
“You assume the princess’s thoughts should mirror your own.” He crossed his arms. “Similar to the redback arachnid, you seem to persist despite the overwhelming likelihood that the devotion will be rewarded with indifference.”
Kazuichi scowled in response.
“You sacrifice your pride and judgement.”
Bang!
In one sudden move, Kazuichi stood and slammed his hands on the table.
“When will you learn to shut up!”
The second of silence stretched into eternity. Items set up on the table rattled before settling back into place. The fluorescent lights above cast an electric hum. The sounds felt distant as the space between them closed in. Sunlight filtered through the windows, illuminating particles of dust that flew through the air. The radiance struck the mortal’s face, only to cast a more profound shadow upon his scowl.
“You think you’re so much better than everyone else–”
The words faded as Gundham’s gaze wandered. The mortal’s presence loomed precariously. So close that his eyes could discern every detail of his being. His hands remained planted firmly on the table, slightly trembling. His chest rose in sharp, uneven rhythms. A crimson tide of fury surged on his face. The fury sharpened the lines on his face, twisting his known countenance into a mask of abyssal cruelty. His lips pulled back with every accusation, revealing his sharp, canine-like teeth. His face was littered with small imperfections, yet they lent him a mask of sincerity far deeper than his soul intended, like a creature incapable of camouflage.
Gundham’s gaze drifted upward, towards his eyes. Dark shadows lingered beneath them, impossible to ignore now that he’d been so close. Somehow, he carried himself with restless energy, constant motion. However, those shadows spoke of sleepless nights..
His eyes narrowed, focusing on the mortals' eyes. Something was awry. His irises had always been pink, but now, another color lurked beneath them. A hue of earthen brown was undeniably present… How could he be so reckless? To permit a mortal to breach his barrier without the proper safeguards! This proximity is a cursed gateway, threatening to subject him to the toxins of Gundham’s essence. The intrusion must halt at once, before the curse consumes him!
“Are you even listening?!” He shouted, grabbing Gundham’s scarf, moving their faces closer.
Their faces were within inches of each other. The realm seemed to narrow, the atmosphere had become suffocating. He was far too close. He was invading a barrier no mortal ever dared to cross. Furthermore, his scarf wasn’t a mere piece of fabric, it was the Devas' territory, and he seized it without permission. The scarf twisted beneath his grip.
“Stay back! My poisonous essence is already tainting your very being!” Gundham tried to pull back. “Get any closer, and you will reap a harvest of eternal sorrow!”
“There you go again with that crazy act!” Kazuichi frowned, tightening his grasp “I knew it, you weren’t even listening to a word I said!”
“You fiend! The corruption is already visible!”
“No. You don’t get to do whatever the hell this is!”
The scarf shifted slightly. With great speed, Maga-Z emerged from the scarf and bit the foolish mortal's hand, forcing him to drop the scarf. Gundham immediately pulled his hand to his scarf, defensively.
“The hell–?!”
“I was attempting to prevent your suffering!” Gundham stood from his seat. “However, you are incapable of grasping the cataclysms I am protecting you from! It is clearly written in the stars that our paths must diverge.”
As Gundham left the diner, the mortal made one final remark.
“I should’ve known that this would be a waste of time!”
The door swung shut behind him. The recovered Hellhound earring rested securely within his possession once more. Somehow, the relief he had expected felt strangely muted. His thoughts lingered on the mortal and his confession. He had possessed the relic without remorse. The frustration simmered beneath the surface, poised to erupt at the slightest tremor of misfortune. He walked down the path leading away from the diner before being stopped by a ringing laugh.
“Puhuhu! Well, well, well! Look what the cat dragged in!” The bear flung his arms open.
Gundham glared at Monokuma, his irritation immediately flared.
The creature stood with that same infuriating grin. As if it already knew every reaction it provoked. It was the expression of a predator watching its prey struggle.
“Honestly, buddy, I gotta say, watching you take the scenic route was just too much fun!” He laughed. “You practically toured the entire island before making it to the diner!”
“You possess remarkable audacity for a deceiving creature.” He grimaced. “You knew precisely what information you withheld.”
“Oooh, how cold!”
“You manipulated events from the shadows and expected me to trust your words.” He crossed his arms. “I should have foreseen this.”
“Technically speaking, I never told a lie! I said you’d get your Hellhound earring back, didn’t I?”
“You trifle with forces far beyond your comprehension.”
“Don’t try to play the victim! Are you saying you’re not the one who started this little tragic event?”
“..What are you implying?”
“I mean, sure, Kazuichi was jealous and acted like an idiot!” it shrugged. “But he wasn’t the one who crushed your friendship into tiny, hopeless pieces!”
“That was no ”friendship”, I would never succumb to a mortal.”
“Oh.. But you did.”
“Watch your tongue, you wretched beast.”
“Is that not the whole reason you’re angry?”
“I care little for your thoughts!” He took a step towards the bear.
“I think you trusted him, and that made him dangerous.”
Gundham continued to stride towards the bear silently.
“A stranger can’t disappoint you, but a friend can.”
“Enough.”
“Puhuhu! You can’t even deny it anymore!”
“Silence!” Gundham stopped, standing in front of it.
“Careful there! Violence towards the headmaster is strictly prohibited!”
How could this beast spout such unwarranted blasphemy?! Gundham wished to unleash his prowess upon this wretched creature, yet he could not risk the sanctity of the Devas. This duel must be deferred to a different hour. Gundham was far beyond such triviality, he could not let his emotions overrule rationality. It searched for a reaction, it wanted anger. He would not provide that satisfaction.
“The day will come when such protections fail you.” Gundham exhaled slowly. “Till then, continue hiding.”
Without another word, he began walking towards the first isle. The bear’s cackle followed him for several yards before finally fading into the distance.
His pace slowed, the exhaustion was making itself prominent. His thoughts felt sluggish, the environment around him seemed distant. Each step across the bridge felt heavier than the last.
His thoughts refused to settle, the beast's words lingered. It had a talent for creating absurd conclusions and wrapping them around fragments of truth. He took a single truth, distorted its form, and surrounded it with enough absurdity that the original meaning became difficult to separate from the fabrication. A poisoned truth, its purpose was to provoke. The idea that the situation represented something deeper was foolish. Accepting anything else would mean acknowledging something far more inconvenient.
A voice interrupted his thoughts.
“G-Gundham!” Mikan stood at the end of the bridge, smiling. “I-I haven’t seen you since the trial..”
“I have been occupied with matters of considerable importance.” His hand flew to the Hellhound earring, continuing to walk.
“O-Oh! You found it!” She glanced at the relic, joining his walk.
“Of course, it has returned to its rightful master.”
“That’s good.. You seemed really upset about it.”
The answer was obvious. The Hellhound earring was not some insignificant piece of jewelry to be forgotten. It was a symbol of his power. Any reasonable being would have been disturbed by its disappearance. The only reason he had been distressed was because of the relic. Not because of who took it.The true problem had always been the relic itself. Anything else suggested a vulnerability he had no intention of acknowledging.
“I’m really glad..” She paused nervously. “U-Uhm.. Have you been sleeping well?”
Gundham's eyes narrowed slightly.
“I-I’m sorry!” Her voice softened. “I just mean… y-you look like you haven’t slept..”
Had his condition truly become that obvious? One night spent retracing his steps, revisiting locations, and pursuing every possibility, no matter how unlikely. He usually maintained a strict schedule according to the beasts he’d care for. Any creature that ignored its body’s limits inevitably suffered for it. He had neglected that need, and the consequences were becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. His path has remained nearly untainted by mortals. Unfortunately, his face immediately came to mind. Had he taken note of Gundham’s look when they were arguing? Not that such queries mattered.
“Hmph.. I, The Overlord of Ice, require little rest!”
“O-Okay..” She paused once again. “I could h-help.. I mean, I just know a little bit a-about exhaustion and stress.. You’re less likely to make mistakes when r-rested..”
Mistakes. The bear's words resurfaced immediately. The creature’s interpretation was flawed, yet the conversation refused to leave him at peace. The mechanic had stolen the relic, lied about it, hidden it, and dismissed its importance. He earned every ounce of fury directed toward him. The events could not be traced back to some error on Gundham’s part. What outcome was the fiend expecting? That everything would return to normal the moment the relic was returned? Foolish. His actions simply had consequences.
“That would be unnecessary, the matter has largely been resolved.”
“Ah.. Okay.” Her gaze shifted to his bandaged arm. “And.. if you ever, um, need any bandages, I could.. get some for you? ..I-I don’t mean to overstep, I’m sorry!”
“I see, very well then. Perhaps fate will allow our paths to cross.”
Before she was able to respond, she stumbled forward. The resulting position looked physically impossible.
Rapid footsteps approached in the midst of her excessive apologizing.
“Are you injured?” Peko helped her stand.
“N-No.. I’m so sorry!” Her eyes welled up with tears. “I’m such a burden.. I’m sorry!!”
“You need to pay more attention to where you’re walking.” She gave a nod in Gundham’s direction. “I see your search was successful.”
“Indeed, the misfortune will cease.”
A quiet squeak was heard as Maga-Z surfaced from the scarf. He climbed out onto Gundham’s shoulder.
“Hmph! Maga-Z has deemed this gathering worthy of his attention.”
“He’s so small..” She giggled. “T-That’s adorable!”
“You witness one of the Four Dark Devas of Destruction and call him adorable?”
“It is rather adorable.” Peko slightly grinned.
“Nothing escapes Maga-Z’s notice. He possesses a ferocity most absolute, one must never dare underestimate his dark power!”
“H-He must trust you then!”
“He does seem comfortable.”
“Naturally!” Gundham smirked. “The Devas entrusted me with their loyalty.”
The conversation continued a bit longer before Gundham returned to his cottage for the night. He felt some of the strain begin to loosen its grip imperceptibly. The knot that had been wound tightly within his chest since the disappearance of the Hellhound earring eased slightly. Yet, the irritation lingering from earlier events couldn’t be erased.