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Every time Shedletsky entered a game where 1x1x1x1 was present, a gripping sensation stirred through his mind and traced along his body like some sort of phantom strings.
No matter the settings, he would constantly find another on a subconscious level, as if he was following an invisible thread that tied them both together. It was hard to ignore this captivating feeling. And no matter how much Shedletsky tried to dismiss or rationalize it, this sensation always lingered, refusing to fade.
He fought with himself, but eventually lost and gave in, deciding not to resist their bond any longer that was becoming stronger and stronger. They resonated with each other perfectly, even in proximity, making the air around them thicken. He tried to turn 1x1’s attention to himself, stealing glances at every given opportunity, unable to suppress an indescribable desire for contact.
After all, how could Shedletsky resist someone who is literally a part of himself.
With every encounter, an unspoken tension filled the space between them, an invisible force pulling them closer. It was a weird game that looked more like a test of self-control.
They challenged each other in the hopes of emerging victorious from the duel and making the opponent fall. No matter who bowed their head in defeat, this long game will never end and they will meet again in the next matches, ready to begin the loop once more.
1x1x1x1 specifically found him at the beginning of rounds to take up all the precious time for their fight, not worrying about eliminating other survivors. They were fixated on extracting pleasure from their sparrings.
Shedletsky, on the contrary, learned to quietly avoid meetings, preferring to leave their showdowns for later, especially when he is the last man standing. This was also a game he enjoyed. He made 1x follow him, only to slip away unnoticed at the last moment. He drags his manifestation along with him, playfully calling, only to leave 1x with nothing but frustration.
The Spectre has put survivors into another game. Shedletsky immediately felt the tug inside, 1x was the killer this round. An anticipation settled in his chest and excitement sent a thrill through his whole body.
This game, however, was quite easy for him. Shedletsky looked around, although it didn’t really help, since there were many obstacles that blocked his view and prevented him from finding a way among his surroundings. He relied more on sound and internal sensations to find his manifestation, but there was no actual need to seek each other out, because it would eventually happen regardless.
Shedletsky didn't think much about the direction, one could even assume that he was walking somewhere aimlessly, but still he felt that he was approaching his goal. After a while he sees a figure, standing in front of him at some distance. 1x1x1x1 were easy to see from afar, their transparent body gave off a slight sinister glow around.
1x seemed as if they snapped out of their thoughts and turned their head sharply in his direction and stared right into his eyes. At one moment, Shedletsky felt as if they were trying to devour him with that gaze. He took a couple of experimental steps forward and 1x repeated the same motion after him.
Both opponents started cautiously moving, drawing out a circle. 1x let out a short huff, out of annoyance or amusement, Shedletsky couldn’t tell. He squinted his eyes and grinned, allowing himself to tease a little. He lowered the blade slightly, an invitation to relax a bit and take their fight in a slower manner. 1x1x1x1 rolled their shoulders and adjusted their grip. Judging by the way 1x were squeezing their swords, Shedletsky didn't expect them to go easy on him.
1x closed the distance first, bringing one of the swords forward, clutching their second one, ready for the next possible attack. It was a bit difficult to react to the cutting blow, since it moved quickly due to the large amount of force put into it. Shedletsky blocks it, instantly switching attention to the second sword, taking a step back and creating a distance to provide safety for him. He tried not to take his own sword far away from himself, in order to quickly bring it out again for protection. The first attack is immediately followed by the next one, which was also deflected.
Shedletsky was not delighted with such an aggressive approach and waited for the moment when he could throw his enemy off track. The next moment, 1x changed their position to a more convenient one and attacked with two swords from above, aiming for the head. Shedletsky puts his sword across the two opposite and meets the blow. He abruptly slides his blade and pushes the killer’s swords away to the side, stepping aside after that. 1x, who had previously been putting all their force onto their opponent's weapon, had lost their support and stumbled a bit forward. That was still not enough to fall over completely, but now Shedletsky had an upper hand and a chance to pierce their unprotected body.
Instead, he lightly whacks 1x1x1x1 on the head with the hilt of his sword. It was meant to be playful, but still being a lesson to be more calm and collected. The only thing this gesture did harm was, maybe, pride.
Shedletsky truly enjoyed going against 1x, their usage of strength and strategy made every single fight unique and diverse, although now, he wanted to try to be the one setting the pace.
Shedletsky took the lead, guiding the flow of the fight, his blade determined a measured tempo, forcing 1x1x1x1 to follow his speed. They mirrored and memorised his movements, making a certain pattern. After some repetition they finally managed to catch a state of complete concentration to be able to replicate Shedletsky’s sequence of maneuvers.
And then their smooth dance began, at least it felt like one. Their movements flowed effortlessly, each step and pose were blending into the next. Their battle felt meditative because of the precise repetition. The blades came together, then there was a sound, an almost silent grinding of steel as surfaces slid over each other, and finally, the swords lost contact. Only for a short period of time as weapons clashed again and the cycle continued.
After a while Shedletsky goes into a trance and he doesn't need to control his hands or movements, for him it already feels natural. Instead, he looked at the face in front of him, unconsciously studying it.
1x has mesmerizing eyes, he thinks. Their glow is soft, but the look itself has sharp outlines and pierces the man in front of them. When 1x moved, they left behind a blazing trail that can be traced easily in a dark environment.
This act was returned. 1x pierced Shedletsky with their own gaze, their eyes were filled with passion. The longer Shedletsky looks, the more they seem to pulsate in pattern, setting up new rhythm in their movements.
1x1x1x1 sped up the pace, still managing not to disrupt the smoothness and grace of the cycle that Shedletsky had set up. He could have sworn that their swords were giving an impression of singing, their grinding against each other are akin to voices.
'More. Give me more'
At some point chaos breaks out. 1x accelerated to a strong speed in a few movements and now was rushing around like a wild beast. There was, of course, no smoothness anymore, Shedletsky was forced to keep up again. But in the midst of this mess he was able to figure out the dynamic and resist the swords that were flying at him from different trajectories.
Shedletsky had to move more and literally jump around, this exhausted him the most. Then, he did not have time to follow one of the lunges from somewhere below and his sword flew out of his hands.
Before Shedletsky could fully react, 1x1x1x1 dropped both of their blades and crashed into him with full force, sending them both tumbling. The impact sent a sharp jolt through him as his body hit the ground hard.
His manifestation completely took the initiative, lifting their creator by the collar of his shirt and slamming him back into the ground, causing Shedletsky to completely lose his orientation in surroundings. It takes him quite a long time to finally come to his senses. The first thing he feels is how much his body was burning, which he had not noticed before. Only then he became aware that he is not dead yet, although his opponent had an excellent chance to strangle or cut him with their claws.
Speaking of claws, at the moment one of them was right on his neck, easily piercing the skin and making a wound. He felt that it was not deep, but the warm blood was still flowing generously. 1x seemed to be focused only on it, not paying attention to anything around.
1x1x1x1 never played around with their victims, attacking until the person stopped breathing. And Shedletsky was breathing very well right now. Maybe it was because they were waiting for him to start accepting defeat or begging for mercy, but 1x knew that he didn't do that and never would.
Seeing his chance, he doesn't hesitate, rises up and with a sharp movement turns 1x over their side.
1x landed flat on their back, catching their breath and processing what just happened. Shedletsky hovered over them as he placed his knees on the sides of their body, putting both of his hands on their chest for additional balance.
Still, neither of them did anything, finding such close contact surprisingly pleasant. Shedletsky smoothly shifts his weight and relaxes his legs, now sitting on the killer’s stomach. This movement makes 1x emerge from their stillness and timidly extend one of their arms towards Shedletsky’s neck, grasping it with their palm from behind, the other one clutches his hand. 1x puts some pressure, guiding him closer and Shedletsky complies, now forced to lean down.
The further he leaned, the more uncomfortable the position became. He had to move his hands from their chest to their shoulders, steading and giving himself better support. Eventually, he became almost face to face with 1x1x1x1. Shedletsky tried to guess what they would do to him next, his interest now far exceeded his survival instincts.
1x looked at him point-blank. Suddenly they lift their head and run a hot tongue up his throat under the wound, licking the blood.
Shedletsky exhales in confusion and 1x runs their tongue again, this time from the base of a neck to his ear, smearing the blood even more.
1x1x1x1 pressed him and pushed him closer to them, as if he was trying to break free from their grip. Shedletsky only laughs at this act of possessiveness. If he ignored the fact that his blood is being greedily swallowed, then he could even compare it to nuzzling. Although this act could be compared to something more animal-like.
He reaches out to their hair and grabs a small clump, trying to use force and pull them away from his neck. 1x barely gave in, ignoring the pressure and continuing to lick.
Shedletsky still couldn’t figure out why they were doing this at all. He had a crazy guess that 1x was drawn to him because they are his manifestation. Shedletsky is as much of a part of 1x as they are his.
Did this mean that they were striving for their creator, accepting him only as a part of themselves. If so, then 1x should now realize that they were actually drinking their own blood. One blood for both, distributed between two creatures.
But Shedletsky had no desire to drink his creation’s blood, just the thought of it made his head spin. Especially, since 1x1x1x1 was filled with a strange liquid that looked more like some kind of poison. Maybe for him their connection was expressed differently, like a constant thirst for fights and teasing.
While these thoughts were running in his head, his manifestation finally stopped licking his neck and pulled away. 1x rose from a lying position and sat up, still holding Shedletsky close. They tilted their neck, as if inviting Shedletsky to have a taste too. He shook his head in a refusal, instead choosing to embrace 1x.
They remained stiff at first, then gave in some moments later, cautiously clasping their arms around him. There was no harm in it, the contact between them was actually nice, he thought. If next time 1x1x1x1 asked in a more polite manner, Shedletsky wouldn't mind sharing again .