Chapter Text
Fire consumed his dreams and Skeppy woke up with a jolt. The pain persisted past his dreams, though it was no longer the agony of being burned but now, the trembling in his hands and the seizing pain in his chest.
His red scars were acting up again then. Unfortunately, that was nothing unusual for him. Medicine was kept on his nightstand for this exact reason, as well as a bottle of water to wash it down. Skeppy took it, then sprawled back on his bed and tried to ignore the pain as he waited for it to go away, or at least get to the point where it could be manageable.
Skeppy’s old wounds had an unfortunate habit of flaring up every now and again. He was used to it these days, however. It bothered him, but less so, and if the pain was dull enough, Skeppy would just work through it. It was a hassle but he dealt with it, it was his business and his to deal with, nobody else’s.
There was a reason he chose not to tell anybody. He didn’t want anyone to treat him differently because of it. The last thing he wanted was to be babied when he was supposed to be protecting the town. Not to mention, the people of the town sometimes thought of him as untouchable and he didn’t want to ruin that with reality.
Because the reality was that Skeppy was painfully human.
Something told him the flare ups and bad days weren’t gonna go away anytime soon, but Skeppy was still dealing with that part. He could handle it, of course, it was just a matter of wrapping his head around it. He had no way of knowing but something told him that his injuries were a recent development rather than an existing one.
Minutes ticked by in a haze and soon enough, Skeppy felt the worst of it fade. Some of it stayed behind, but he could work with that. He had a potentially busy day ahead of him.
Breakfast first, then the final decision. He worked better after he ate anyway.
There wasn’t a whole lot left in the fridge but there was enough leftovers for breakfast which was good enough. It ended up being a mix of different things but once heated up, Skeppy happily partook in it.
That damned sword was sitting on the table, almost as if it were staring at him expectantly. Skeppy squinted at it back and ended up sticking his tongue out at it.
“Don’t rush me.” He mumbled to it. “I’m eating. Breakfast is important or whatever.”
Skeppy had no proof but it felt like the sword was judging him. On the off chance that it was, he rolled his eyes and ate slower.
It was stupid getting into a fight with a sword but it flipped his life upside down so Skeppy was allowed to be snippy with it.
“Why’d you choose me, huh?” Skeppy asked. “Why not one of those other guys? They’re already geared up to save the world and haven’t been hanging out in one town for all of the three months they’ve been conscious. I’m probably one of the worst picks you could’ve gone with.”
Predictably, Godkiller does not reply, as it’s a sword.
“I have a nice life here, you know.” Skeppy told it. “I’m not particularly interested in uprooting it completely. I’m all for travel but the fatality rate doesn’t exactly make this a vacation. Why am I the guy you chose?”
Silence. Skeppy groaned.
“You suck. Those other guys are fine because they’re just trying to save their world but you- you had to drag me into it. Do you realize how stressful it is to be told you’re gonna be some sort of- big hero? That you might have to make choices and sacrifices? It’s scary, dude. It doesn’t even feel real.”
Nothing. A soft huff escaped him.
“…You chose me because you somehow knew I couldn’t say no, didn’t you?” Skeppy mumbled miserably. “No matter how high the stakes, if I have the chance to save everyone, I’m going to take it. Because bloodshed is bullshit and I got people to protect, even if I don’t belong here.”
Skeppy finished his plate and stared at it while deep in thought another few moments longer.
“Well,” Skeppy sighed, “Time to kill a god or something. You coming?”
Godkiller flashed. So the bastard sword really was somehow listening. Skeppy glared at it.
—
Skeppy had been in the middle of packing when a frantic knock came to his door. Instincts took over and Skeppy zipped over in a split second, both his regular sword and Godkiller on either side.
One of the local bartenders stood there, Terra if Skeppy remembered correctly. They had a scared look in their eye, and it took Skeppy only a moment to ask, “Where’s the problem?”
“Town Square.” Terra ushered him. “Quickly!”
Skeppy didn’t need to be told twice.
There were a few things he guessed it could be before he arrived. Monsters from the Dark Forest, a fight among townspeople that no one else had been able to break up, potentially a rude businessman who wouldn’t leave or a crook who wandered in thinking it was an easy target. All things Skeppy had dealt with in the past.
Instead, he was met with more uninformed individuals who he now knew as Prime’s Army, and a sizable amount at that. Thirteen in total from what he counted, and all of them looked the same as the ones he had seen aside from one. Rather than the light blue symbol of a dove on their face, Skeppy is met with an orange tree, which leads him to believe this has to be their leader.
All of them had weapons but their leader had a hefty looking axe and held it menacingly as one hand gripped a civilian by their shirt collar.
“One more time, I’m gonna need you to cooperate with me.” They said, and Skeppy noticed what appears to be a fox tail poking out of their uniform, lashing from side to side. “We’re looking for a few people and we tracked them here. They’re called the Badlands- one is a feline-folk, another is a demon, and the last is a nature centaur with paws. Does that ring any bells, yes or no?”
Skeppy had seen enough. He stepped forward, not yet drawing his sword but keeping one hand on the handle. “Hey.” Skeppy called out, catching the attention of the leader, as well as the rest of the soldiers. “Do we have a problem here?”
Their leader released the civilian and slowly began walking towards Skeppy. They sized him up, eyeing his swords.“I’m gonna take a wild guess and say you’re in charge around here?”
“I don’t know about being in charge but I protect this town.” Skeppy told him. “I don’t particularly take kindly to people invading it.”
“We’re not invading.” The leader told him, somewhere between polite and sharp. “Simply passing through. On a very important trail and nobody has been able to tell us where the people we’re looking for are. I don’t suppose you could help?”
Skeppy didn’t respond. One of the soldiers stopped at the sight of him and swiftly approached the leader, leaning in to whisper something. Skeppy didn’t have to see their face to know this wasn’t gonna end peacefully.
“Say, ‘Protector of this Town’, you wouldn’t happen to have run into a few travelers and a peculiar sword, would you?” The leader said at last. They took another step forward. Skeppy braced himself. “Because one of my soldiers here says they recognize you.”
“I think I just have one of those faces.” Skeppy narrowed his eyes.
“Really?” They cocked their head. “Well then I’m sure you’ll have no problem with unsheathing your swords so I can take a look at them, will you?”
Skeppy gritted his teeth. Times up.
Magic sword, don’t fail me now.
“Sure.” Skeppy said. He took out his regular sword first, holding it out for the leader to inspect. Then, when they leaned forward ever so slightly, trailing over it carefully as if expecting it's somehow hiding something, he swiftly drew Godkiller and swiped the air with it.
The leader scrambled back. Nothing happens, the sword doesn’t so much as flicker.
Skeppy readjusted his grip and swiped it again. Nothing.
“…Interesting sword you have there.” The leader said. Their voice is undeniably smug as the soldiers began to advance on Skeppy. “Having trouble with it?”
“Oh fuck off.” Skeppy growled and pointed Godkiller at him threateningly. Abruptly, Godkiller began to glow and power shot through it, blasting the leader back and flat on their back.
Skeppy coughed a laugh, relief flooding through him. He had no idea what he did differently but if it humiliated that shithead leader, he didn’t care.
Not until the other dozen soldiers faced him anyways. Skeppy rolled his eyes, reminding himself not to celebrate too early. He opted for using Godkiller as a regular sword rather than attempt to try that trick again. As powerful as it was, Skeppy had no idea how to use it reliably, and he was not gonna get stabbed while trying to get Godkiller to glow again.
“Alright,” Skeppy sheathed his other sword and flipped Godkiller around in his hand. The power tingling in his hands made him grin like a madman. “Twelve on one? I’ve done worse.”
He launched himself at the group, immediately clashing with one in front and kicked out. They stumbled back, allowing him to parry the next one that came for him. With how many there were, Skeppy didn’t allow himself to stop moving, constantly twisting and dodging every blow that came for him. He struck where he could, not enough to knock any of them down but enough to buy him time. Skeppy could last in this fight, but he was still mentally constructing how to win it.
His flow wasn’t disrupted until the leader jumped back into the fight and held their ground. Unlike the rest of the soldiers, he gave Skeppy trouble, juking his strikes and holding his own against him. If it were a fair fight, Skeppy could take him, but now it was thirteen on one and Skeppy couldn’t quite match those odds.
He tried to back up but the leader gave him no room to breathe, striking fast and hard. Not enough to disarm him, nor was it anything Skeppy couldn’t dodge or block, but enough that he couldn’t afford to strike out against the other soldiers. They surrounded him, and even behind the mask, Skeppy could hear the leader smirking.
“Nowhere to run.” They told him smugly. “Come quietly and nobody has to get hurt. Normally I would only need to bring that sword back but you… You can wield it. Prime will be very happy with me if I present both of you to her.”
“Thing is, you can ask anybody, I don’t really do quiet.” Skeppy gave a strained grin back. “Cornered or not, you’ll have to drag me with you kicking and screaming.”
The leader soured at that. “Fine! Have it your way!” They spitted. “But you will be coming with-”
In the middle of their sentence, Skeppy noticed dark tendrils slowly wrapping around the leader’s waist. They didn’t notice until they tightened and with a yelp, they’re hoisted up. All of the soldiers immediately started yelling and Skeppy traced the tendrils back to a familiar figure.
Bad, Ant, and Sam all stood not too far away. Sam had his giant hammer drawn, Ant wielded dual sabre swords, and Bad’s arms are wrapped in shadows that he manipulated as though it’s just another limb to him.
Bad’s eyes brightened when he caught Skeppy’s eye. He waved, only to realize he’s still got their leader in the air and he’s being waved around like a rag doll. Sam and Ant snickered, clearly not the first time it’s happened, and Bad smiled sheepishly.
“Hope we didn’t show up too late?” Bad called over.
“Not too late but don’t make a habit of it.” His lip turned up. “They were actually looking for you three! They must be so excited to see you!”
“They’re fans?” Sam asked, amused. He twisted his hammer around in his hand. “Better give them the welcome treatment then.”
God, Skeppy had never been happier to have backup.
—
They make quick work of the soldiers together. Bad’s shadow-y arms cover any long ranged soldiers; Sam hits them hard and fast with his hammer, knocking several of them down; and Ant is the fastest of the bunch, his dual swords being a force to be reckoned with. All of them combined with Skeppy himself?
They never stood a chance.
With the leader and their soldiers run out of town, the townspeople eagerly celebrate not only Skeppy’s victory but the other three as well. The Badlands, the leader had called them. Must be their official group name.
“Thank you so much for your service,” one of the local restaurant owners, Tai, said, shaking Bad’s hands enthusiastically. “Not only for aiding us but our champion as well! You should stop by my business- whatever you want, on the house!”
“We couldn’t-!” Bad tried to say, but Tai shook his head.
“I insist. It’s the least we could do! All that fighting had to have made you hungry, right?”
Bad hesitated but ended up accepting in the end. Skeppy doesn’t blame him, the townspeople are very adamant about repaying favors, something Skeppy quickly found out after he fended off a burglar without thinking twice about jumping in and helping.
A couple more people approached before the crowd dispersed, going back to their regular life. Skeppy approached the trio with a grin. “Thanks for your help, I really appreciate it. You guys are good fighters!”
“We have lots of experience.” Bad smiled back. “I hate to drop this on you this early but about our offer-”
“I’ll do it.” Skeppy told him. “I want to help.”
“You’re certain? Not that I’m not thrilled but,” Bad glanced around at the townspeople. “They called you their champion. I can’t deny I feel guilty about taking you away from them, or vice versa.”
Skeppy shook his head. “That’s one of the reasons I want to come with you guys! If Prime’s Army is going so far as harassing my town, then getting rid of them will keep them safe. They’ll be fine without me, I’ve only been here three months.”
Ant gave him a look. “Three months?” He echoed. “Didn’t you say-”
Skeppy cut him off before he could continue. He remembered what he said, no doubt. Three months of memories, only three months here. They’re probably smart enough to paint the picture on their own but Skeppy didn’t intend to talk about it yet.
“Not the point,” Skeppy said hurriedly and mercifully, Ant dropped it. “On top of the whole ‘Save the world’ thing, this is my last straw. I’ll come with you guys. Kill a god or whatever.”
That’s a good enough distraction. They all look varying levels of pleased and relieved, with Bad offering a hand at the head of the group. Skeppy took it and gave him a firm handshake.
“Welcome to the Resistance Against Prime!” Bad said. “Our little group is known as the Badlands.”
“Is it because you’re the leader?” Skeppy guessed.
“Kinda! I deal with a lot of the social aspects of the group but we’re all equal.”
“Equal in importance, not in power.” Sam added. “If it were up to power, Bad would not be the leader.”
Bad scowled, a displeased growl following as he glared at Sam. Sam doesn’t even look the least bit sorry, batting his eyes at him.
“What? You disagree?” Sam prompted. “You wanna try 1v1-ing again?”
“…No.” Bad grumbled. “Stop being such a muffinhead, I’m trying to make a good impression.”
“Didn’t you say we should also be honest too?” Ant added innocently.
“You- ugh, stop teaming!” Bad returned his attention to Skeppy, though his tail lashed when the other two snicker, clearly agitated. “Point is, we’re glad to have you. I’m sure you’ll fit in just fine.”
Skeppy found himself smiling. Their banter is comforting- familiarity finds his way into his heart again, even if he doesn’t remember why. Like they remind him of people he knows and he can’t help but want to trust them. To be close with them.
Maybe it’s almost selfish to want to travel with them to chase that familiarity but if Skeppy is gonna kill a god with them, he thinks he deserves to be a little selfish.
“I know you guys wanted to head out today but can we shoot for early tomorrow instead?” Skeppy asked. “I didn’t think about breaking it to everyone before and I think I should do that.”
Bad noded. “Of course! We’re not on a strict time limit so it’s not a problem.” He paused, eyeing one of the restaurants. “Do you want to get dinner with all of us later? Get to know each other a little more?”
“Sounds like a plan. I’m sure Tai will be thrilled you guys are actually taking him up on his offer. Meet back here at seven? I can show you guys where to go.”
They gave an enthusiastic nod. Skeppy smiled and parted with them shortly after.
Godkiller began to glow ever so slightly in his hand.
—
It’s a long afternoon to say the least. Skeppy might’ve only lived in the town for three months but it’s also all he knows. The townspeople, having welcomed him from the very beginning, are sad to see him go but excited nonetheless.
“I remember when you first showed up,” one of the older ladies who he had escorted into the forest many times said, “So lost and unsure. I’ve never seen you shine brighter than you do now. I hope you find what you’re looking for.”
“I’m not really looking for anything.” Skeppy told her.
She smiled at him. “I think you are. And I think you’ve found part of it in those newcomers. They treat you well, I hope?” He nodded. “Then I have no doubt you’ll be fine out there. Take care of yourself.”
She isn’t the first to wish him well. Skeppy gets what feels like hundreds of heartfelt goodbyes, even a few farewell gifts for his journey. One of his last stops is at the medic’s place, who handed him extra medication and a formula.
“Most medics should be able to replicate it,” they tell him, “Don’t run out and take it easy if it gets too much. You have an unusual condition we still don’t know a lot about. I know you’re impatient-”
“I’m not.” Skeppy blurted out. They gave him a look. “…Go on.”
“But,” they said deliberately slowly, “You need to be kind to yourself. You’re not a superhuman. Understood?”
Skeppy nodded and pocketed the items.
“Good luck out there. I mean it, you’ll need all the luck you can get.”
—
His last stop is the fields where he woke up. It’s less out of sentiment and more one last attempt to try and see if he can remember anything more before he goes.
Skeppy had come here a lot in the last three months. Always hoping something would be different, that somehow, he would remember something he hasn’t yet.
It never works. The fields offer him nothing but serene silence. And despite not getting what he wants, Skeppy enjoyed having some time to think. He certainly did now.
Skeppy sighed, letting his eyes shut and take in the silence.
“Hey. We need to talk.”
His eyes flung back open, Godkiller drawn in his panic. However there’s nothing but heather and wheat as far as the eye can see.
“Yeah, no. Not quite, a little lower.”
Skeppy blinked. The voice didn’t sound like it’s being spoken out loud. It’s more like it’s in his head. His gaze lowered, looking around but still found nothing out of the ordinary.
“Ugh, c’mon. Let me just-…”
Godkiller abruptly glowed brighter than ever before and if he wasn’t gripping the handle so tightly, he might’ve dropped it. He almost did, but instead stared in dumb shock.
“There you go.” Godkiller flashed again, twice this time and somehow, it felt like a wave. “Hi. We need to talk.”
“What the fuck.” Skeppy blurted out. He has to resist the urge to throw Godkiller as far as he can manage, reminding himself that not only is this one of the most important things ever been given to him, but that Godkiller is now apparently speaking to him, and that would be rude. Especially considering he’s pretty sure Godkiller wouldn’t be able to get up and walk back over to him.
“Yeah, that’s about the reaction I expected. Last guy I spoke to dropped me and I might not be able to feel physical pain anymore but it wasn’t very fun for either of us.”
“What the fuck.” Skeppy repeated. “You can talk?”
“Yep. Surprise. Haven’t done it in…” Godkiller paused. “Wow, I have no idea. That’s gotta be bad for my mental state but I’m also a sword so I’m not sure I have a mental state. Funny.”
“How- how long have you been alive exactly?”
“Since I was made. Forged. Existed. Whatever you want to call it.”
“And- you’re just speaking to me now?”
“Be honest with me, would you have agreed to go kill a god using me if I immediately started talking to you?”
Any fight on Skeppy’s tongue died at that. He promptly shut his mouth.
“Yeah, that’s what I thought. Sorry but I had to make sure you were actually all in before I said anything. Don’t want to scare off the only person I trust to wield me.”
Skeppy frowned. “Why?”
“Well I don’t know if you heard, but I’m kinda picky about-”
“No- not that.” Skeppy swiftly cut Godkiller off, waving his hand dismissively. “I mean why did you pick me?”
“Oh.” Godkiller paused again. “That’s a more… Complicated answer.”
“Is it…” Skeppy hesitated but when Godkiller waited for him to finish, he pushed out the rest of it. “Is it because I’m not from here?”
There’s a long stretch of silence. “Not exactly.” Godkiller said at last. “But… Well, I do know about that. Knew as soon as I saw you.”
“I have many questions.” Skeppy blurted out. “For one, you can see?”
A laugh echoed in his head. “Yeah, it’s kinda like there’s a giant screen in the void I’m in. Whatever the sword can see, I can see. Handle included luckily, I was worried about the sheath but it didn't blind me.”
“Okay.” Skeppy let that sink in. He supposed if Godkiller is a magical, talking sword who can apparently kill gods, seeing the world around it isn’t too out of the question. “How did you know?”
“About your apparent reality jumping?” Skeppy nodded, trying not to fidget. “I could feel it. It’s only there if you know what you’re looking for and the ability to sense it. It’s sort of like a lingering power. Not yours but distinct.”
“What type of power?”
Godkiller took a long time to respond. “It’s gonna sound bad when I say it.”
“I can handle it.”
“…Death.” Godkiller said, quieter than before. “It’s a mix of death and cosmic energy. Apparently Lady Death had a hand in you being here.”
The weight of his words caused Skeppy to sputter. “You’re saying I died to get here?”
“Not necessarily!” Godkiller stopped him before he can spiral. “Just that she played a hand. Maybe you were dying and she saved your life? Or you went to her willingly? I’m not sure. I only know so much.”
“This…” Skeppy groaned. He found himself sitting down, setting Godkiller beside him so he can rub his face with his hands. “This is a lot. You realize that, right?”
“It’s why I waited.” Godkiller said simply.
“And… You’re really not gonna tell me why you chose me of all people?”
“It’s complicated.”
“So shorten it!”
For a long moment, Godkiller is silent and Skeppy huffed, thinking the conversation is over.
Then he said, “You reminded me of someone.”
He snapped to attention. “I do?”
“Yeah. Someone I used to know. And because of that, I felt like I could trust you.” Another pause. “Is that a good enough answer?”
Skeppy nodded. “Thank you.”
“You know,” Godkiller chuckled, “You’re the first person to say that to me in a very long time. Isn’t that funny?”
“Kinda sad, actually.”
“That tracks. I’m always mixing those two up these days.”
Skeppy watched the horizon. Judging from the silence, Godkiller must’ve be doing the same.
“So.” Skeppy said awkwardly. “We’re gonna kill a god together. You’re cool with that, I assume?"
“More than you know.”
“…Ominous.” Skeppy commented. Godkiller laughs.
“I haven’t laughed like this in ages.” Skeppy can hear a smile and it invoked one from him. “I think we’ll make a good pair.”
“I think so too.” Skeppy told him, and finds he means it.
—
Word of Skeppy going out to dinner before he leaves gets out and before he knows it, it isn’t just Tai spoiling them at dinner, but the whole town. It might’ve been overwhelming if Skeppy wasn’t used to it. His chest is light and fluttered as they gave their thanks, some even giving him little gifts.
The Badlands are floored, clearly not used to this type of response, but they take it in stride. The townspeople wish them well soon enough, not wanting to crowd them the whole night, and leave them be.
“Certainly an enthusiastic bunch, aren’t they?” Ant huffed a laugh, sitting back in his seat. “Can’t say I dislike it though. They’re… Genuine.”
Skeppy hummed in agreement. “They made me feel welcomed here. I’m really gonna miss them, I owe them everything.”
“But you’re certain you want to come with us?” Bad asked hopefully. Skeppy nodded. “That’s good to hear. I know you said it before but… A lot can change in a short amount of time.”
“You’re telling me.” Skeppy snorted. “Yesterday I learned I’m the only one who can connect to some legendary sword that can kill gods. Tomorrow I’ll be off to do just that. It sounds crazy.”
He took a long sip of water from the cups provided to them upon being seated. Then he asked, “How long have you guys been doing this?”
“It’s been a long time for me.” Sam said. “Not just since I joined the Resistance but since I’ve been traveling. Bad here has been with us for a couple years now, Ant has only been here for one but he’s quickly fit in.”
“And… What else can you tell me about Prime? If I’m gonna be killing her, I’d like to know more.”
Sam paused. “Well… We told you the basics- Goddess of Life and Fate who tried to take control of the entire world and was banished for attempting it… Her power was completely gone at first but it’s been building up. She has… Influence in the world now. Mostly through her army- especially the generals.”
“And her army wants to set her free?” Another nod. “How do we keep them from doing that? How do they set her free anyways?”
“There’s a ritual they need to perform.” Sam’s eyes flickered to the table and narrowed. “Her Army attempted it once already. The one they performed wasn’t done correctly though and while it would’ve given Prime twice as much power, they were stopped. Stopped by two heroes who… Who she later killed.” He finished thickly.
“Jeez this lady is brutal.” Skeppy winced sympathetically.
“She is.” Sam nodded solemnly. “But fortunately, the ritual can only be done once every couple years on the anniversary of her banishment. At the end of the year- on the Winter Solace.”
“But they got the ritual wrong last time, didn’t they? Even if they complete the wrong one, she still isn’t free. Unless they figured out a new one?”
The air abruptly became tense. Bad and Sam glanced at Ant with sympathetic looks while Ant refused to look up, his jaw clenching.
“They… Have a lead.” Sam finished lamely. “Not quite the finished ritual but they’re another step forward.”
There’s something Skeppy’s missing here. The way they’re looking at Ant- he had something to do with it. How, Skeppy hasn’t the slightest, but it probably isn’t a good idea to bring it up now. Not when it’s got him in such a bad mood.
“Well it doesn’t matter if they finish it or not, I’m gonna master that sword and take Prime out before anything happens and that’ll be that.” Skeppy said as confidently as he can. To be honest, he isn’t sure if he can kill a god even with the sword, but fake it ‘til you make it, right? No use voicing in doubt, he’s had enough of that.
At his words, the atmosphere is light and airy again and a small laugh escaped from all of them. Skeppy relaxed, mentally patting himself on the back for a job well done.
“We’re glad to have you. Honestly.” Sam told him. “I think you’ll fit right in.”