Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Roblox HQ always had its ups and downs, its busy days, and its laid back ones. Some days would be loud, raucous ones where every worker, moderator, and admin alike would be high on some good mood one way or another, the laughter and high spirits infectious in their spread.

Other days could be languid, laid back, and almost silent in their approach. Where workers would be either too tired from a restless night or the thought of the paperwork they'd be facing like a sword fighter in the SFOTH arenas.

However, there were days that every worker dreaded.

The days where the silence wasn't just the tired thoughts of overworked mods, it was the silence of hushed whispers and a knowing that something was going to happen.

It would start like any normal day, until someone started rumoring, and from there, it was a plague. One where the haughty laughter died down, and those who weren't in the loop followed as well. Even if they didn't know what was coming, it was almost ritualistic in the collective silence.

Once, it was the death of a high figure, another, the banning of an admin. These days would remain in the memories of those who heard, of those who hushed.

Soon would be another, not that anyone would know it just yet.

Taph moved through the halls silently, footsteps barely present. The only sound that could be faintly heard was rustling of fabric and the flutter of feathers as he moved. 

It was a strange occasion for the demolitionist, not being in the HQ, he'd been there more times than he could count, that's for sure. It was the summons, the letter carefully slipped into his daily paperwork, the orders for houses marked for removal, dead servers long forgotten, and the occasional damage report for neighboring addresses.

Meeting with the admins wasn't an everday occurence, maybe passing talks with Doombringer as he handed off the stacks of banned robloxian's houses needed to be destroyed to the demoltion team, or even a kind hello from Brighteyes as she walked the halls. 

But to be ordered to speak with Builderman himself, and to be told in secret no less, was something unheard of.

Of course Taph had noticed something was off when Doombringer had personally assigned everyone their tasks, perfectly portioned so no one person was overworked or left with barely anything to do. But the smiles and carefree laughs the man had given died down when he'd reached the mute demolitionist. Doombringer had slipped a letter into his stack at the last second, before handing it off with a quiet "read it" under his breath.

Taph had taken great care to make sure no one saw him sneak off to an uninhabited corner before opening the letter like it held all the worlds secrets. There, sat the pristine handwriting only belonging to the head CEO, and an order to arrive at his office at 6pm.

The tension from reading the summons was terrifying, but struck him with awe all the same. For Builderman to personally ask for Taph to meet him was riveting, leading Taph to complete his daily work in record time.

However, this led to Taph having nothing to do in his time waiting for 6pm to arrive.

Wandering the halls aimlessly, peering into different departments waiting for a few minutes to pass was almost torture.

He would walk down one hall, head up some stairs, check the clock on the wall, move to the other side of the floor to then descend the stairs to the floor he was on before, check the clock, listen in to a few of the mods on break for a while, check the clock, and repeat.

With only five minutes until Taph needed to be at Builderman's office, the demolitionist could only start worrying over pointless nonsense. 

Perhaps he should head there now, being early is always a good thing, right?

No. Builderman said to arrive at 6.

Maybe he's done something wrong, and he's being admonished for whatever he's done.

But Taph scoured his mind, a week, two weeks, even a month, a year into the past, not a single thing could come to mind as to anything he could have done to receive direct punishment from Builderman.

At this point, he had wasted those five minutes, and he finally stopped his pacing at the door that could potentially spell his end or be a great reward.

So he entered. Exactly 6pm on the clock.

What greeted him wasn't what he expected. He could've imagine a handful of things, maybe Builderman with a scouring face waiting at his desk, or a kind smile that said 'Come on in! Don't be shy!', but what truly awaited him was neither.

It was Telamon and Builderman arguing. As soon as Taph walked in, he was brutally reminded of the fact that one, he forgot to knock in his hurry to be exactly on time, and two, he couldn't exactly announce his arrival to the two bickering, practically god-like beings.

So Taph could only stand awkwardly at the door and listen to the two while he waited for the two to notice he'd entered.

"When you told me you needed a demolitionist for a secret job, you didn't mention it being a fake death scenario! For Roblox's sake, Telamon!" Builderman spewed into the winged god's face.

"Oh please, it's not the worst plan to come to mind, and certainly not the only. There are other ways, Builderman." Telamon only calmly replied, although the glint in his nearly hidden eyes spoke of an underlying anger.

Builderman stood up from his desk, to walk around and grab at the front of Telamon's robes, a dark look in his eyes.

"I may put up with your outlandish ideas from time to time, Telamon, but let me make this clear. In no world, real or not, will I let the workers of this company fall to the hands of your plans. What do you think would happen, should you 'fake your death' using one of my demolitionist? Not only would your devoted followers tear them apart, but tear down this whole building looking for answers."

It wasn't just malice, it was warning, and Taph knew it was true. He may not know the full context of what he walked into, but hearing 'fake death' and 'Telamon' in the same sentence was enough for a shiver to make its way down his spine.

Telamon was an influential figure, not as powerful as Builderman in terms of raw power, but in terms of devotion, Builderman was severly outranked.

While Builderman didn't flaunt his power like a true god, Telamon did. People looked to Telamon with reverence, while people looked to the other with respect. It didn't help Telamon's case with the past reminders of how dangerous those so-called religions could be.

Taph had seen the damage himself, when the reports of damage control would come in, for houses burned to the ground marked with symbols of the fire ring, or even in rarer cases, that spawn cult running around making an appearance, still slipping through the admin's fingers in the shadows.

Telamon raised his hands in a surrendering motion, although he sent a clear glare towards the other, dark eyes studying the other man, seemingly watching what made him tick.

"I never said that anyone would find out, now, did I? A simple task, done in a moment and looked at no longer. No trace of the demolitionist, no word of what he's done." Telamon cracked a grin, devilish, and slightly tilted, like he knew his words would give a lift to his side of the argument.

Taph could only pause in his breath, a dawning of understanding coming over him. There was reason here, for why it was him that was summoned. Why he of all people, would be sent for a task. A task that needed utmost secrecy, a mission that could never be spoken of to no one. Not a word. 

Builderman stood for a moment, before letting go of the other man, a deep look in his eyes that Taph couldn't fully understand. Was it anger towards the other knowing whatever he proposed was right, or was it acceptance knowing that he couldn't win?

"Telamon. I cannot condone you sending off Taph to do that, knowing the backlash he and the other demolitionists could face. Should word get out, should someone connect the dots, it wouldn't just be him, it would be you, me, and any other admin you decide to let in on this." Builderman turned to face to the window, overlooking the streets far below. He let out a sigh before continuing.

"You want a new life, a new chance, I get that. But involving others in this for an unnecessary risk, it's not right."

Telamon let out an exaggerated sigh, one that felt mischievous, like a card up his sleeve yet to be revealed. Taph almost felt like he should leave, to pretend he had heard nothing, before Telamon's voice cut through the silence once more.

"Perhaps. But, I think you left a key factor forgotten, my dear Builder."

Builderman slightly turned his head back to face Telamon. 

"And that is?"

Telamon grinned, practically ear to ear.

"What say you, little demolitionist? You've clearly been entertained long enough."

Taph froze, breath caught. He saw Builderman's head snap to towards him, then to the clock above the door, and then let out a deep sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"I...do forgive me Taph, the time slipped my mind, and I hadn't heard you come in. How...how much did you happen to over hear?"

Taph stepped forward, out of the shadow of the door, before raising his hands to sign.

'Since you yelled at Telamon for wanting to fake his death.'

At that, Builderman walked over to his desk and promply crumpled into it, head in his hands. Telamon stayed unnervingly still, watching the scene like it was the most interesting drama that he had careful orchestrated. In a way, he had, Taph supposed.

"So, not much. Taph, I suggest that you don't ask more on this matter, it's a foolish attempt on Telamon's part to try and involve you in this."

Telamon finally made his move, walking to Taph, and leaning down to be eye level with him. Taph could only wonder if Telamon could truely see what lies beneath the darkness of his hood, what scars were hidden, to not be unveiled.

"I ask you, little fledgling. Do you wish to follow through with this rite? The information you will gain through this is not something to be to be considered lightly. Information that could potentially be your end, in the wrong hands."

Taph had to think. What could possibly warrant his skill, his life. And why, of all people, was Telamon, the holder of the seven SFOTH swords, god of the heights, plotting to fake his own death? And what did Builderman mean by Telamon wanting to have a new life? It was all too confusing, and Taph heavily debated turning around and leaving, sparing himself the danger, the future justice that may be imposed upon him. But at the same time, would he rather be left with more questions unanswered? More words unsaid? What if another demolitionist was to replace him where he stands right now?

Taph was stuck. But he had to choose. A minute passed, then two, the whole room silent as Telamon studied his every twitch and breath. Builderman watching, silent,  the whole time.

Finally, Taph brought his hands up, for what could possibly be his worst mistake.

'Whatever it is, I'll do it. If it means that no other demolitionist gets put in my place, I'll take the mission.'

Telamon snapped back and turned to Builderman, spreading his three pairs of wings out in a prideful boast, he had won.

"See? He has signed his word, a true declaration. No better proof than that."

Builderman looked like he was a few seconds away from banging his head in annoyance at the other god's antics.

"No. This is not a settled matter. Not only does he not know what his 'mission' is, but nor does he realise what the consequences are. Taph, Telamon wants you to blow up his entire manor, with the premise that he'd be 'inside it and receive a deadly fate.' This fool of a god wants to fake his death so he can become a 'whole new person.' You do understand what this means should word of it gets out, right?"

Taph paused, taking the information in. Telamon's Manor? Some assumed it was just a myth, a place spoken of to scare people. A place worshipped by Telamon's follwers to dangerous extremes. He knew the impact such a destruction would bring. It would be like whacking a wasp nest, his followers would hunt down whoever was responsible for their great god's 'death', and completely eviscerate whoever did the task.

He understood fully well why Builderman was against the idea now. A death wish, to not only the poor soul who would do such a thing, but to anyone connected to that person.

What could he say to that? What could he possibly say to a task such as that, a mission fitting the role of suicide in disguise? If Taph was conflicted before, he was downright torn to shreds in contemplation now.

"Hmm. Awfully decisive, aren't you? Of course, it is not a mission to take with a grain of salt, after all." Telamon paused, before his eyes snapped to attention, a great idea he seemed to just come up with. "How about you take that magician with you? Dusekkar, his name is? Should any...pests try to involve themselves, the mage should be able to allow you to flee any time. Perhaps you'd be more willing then?"

It was a push, a hand reaching out for Taph to accept. Should he? He wasn't familiar with the pumpkin-headed admin, after all. Not that anyone was, he could assume. Dusekkar rarely left his own study and library, and when he did, most steered clear of the mage, not intending to interrupt whatever path the man had set forth upon.

It would be safer, and with the information already given to the demolitionist, he doubted that Telamon would let him leave without trying to bribe him with every deal known to mankind.

"What say you, Builderman? Would you accept our 'deer' mage to accompany Taph? Less risk, as you wish."

Builderman tilted his head to look at Telamon, deep in thought. A minute passed, before he sighed once more, and came his answer.

"It'd be an improvement. However, I'm still not keen on you're little plan, and I want your promise that if things turn south, no involved parties are hurt by this."

"You have my word, dear Builder. No harm shall come upon them." Telamon responded sincerely, a rare occurance if Taph's ever seen it.

'Then I too, will accept on these terms.' Taph signed to the two.

Taph can only hope that Dusekkar will not be upset by his impromptu involvance in this, and he internally apologized for the headaches about to come.

Chapter Text

For Taph, the rest of the day seemed to just drag on. From the moment he clocked out, each step left another thought lingering in his mind as he continued on his way home.

Why does Telamon want to fake his own death?

Why does Telamon even need a demolitionist for this?

Why involve Dusekkar, out of any of the other admins?

. . .

What happens if someone finds out?

Taph shook his head to clear the thoughts building up like a storm. Each thought left more questions unanswered, and he wasn't sure if he even wanted answers to some of them.

He could only hope that the following days would be alright. Each move he makes, big or small, could end up with more lives than necessary put at risk.

- - - - - - - - -

The next morning Taph already knew what awaited him at HQ. He of course had to make sure the mage knew of his temporary companionship with Taph for the next few days.

Walking through the halls, the demolitionist turned down corners he'd yet to visit, a clear path set for Dusekkar's library. Why an admin had a whole library tucked into some floor of the HQ wasn't something Taph thought too much into, but it was still strange nonetheless.

What once was lively chatter from coworkers and hustling mods slowly drowned out into silent, monotonous dread, like stepping into a dragon's den. Taph reached a set of doors clearly marked just as the 'Library', almost as though it was the most normal thing to exist here. 

Taph knocked a few times on the door, not wanting a repeat situation of yesterday, and listened. He heard a muffled "Come on in!" before he pushed the doors open.

He quickly noticed Builderman seated in a plush chair with Dusekkar hovering nearby. Builderman rose from his chair to make his way over to the demolitionist, before guiding him over to where the mage had been pacing.

Said mage then turned to Taph, and even though the man possessed no pupils, the demolitionist could feel Dusekkar's gaze run over him. It was intimidating, being so close to a person who could incinerate his entire being with a single incantation.

However, it also brought awe to Taph, being that the person in front of him was considered to be the ghost of HQ for how little he was seen outside of his own study.

It wasn't the first time Taph had seen the mage, but it was the first time he'd come face to face at such a close distance. From a close angle, Taph could finally see that there was indeed a orb of flame inside the pumpkin head, and Taph could only wonder if it would burn to touch, or if it was some different kind of energy.

Many would dream of a meeting with Dusekkar, as some speculate he could potentially rival even Builderman in terms of power. As much as the demolitionist would wish to ask if that were true, there were greater matters at hand.

Taph exited his own thoughts to see the other two gazing at him. He slowly realised he had been staring, and although his face was obscured by shadow, the look Builderman gave him was knowing.

It almost felt awkward, nobody had moved or spoken in what felt like a solid minute, and as much as he wished he could break that silence, there wasn't much he could do.

'Apologies, I should introduce myself. I'm Taph, one of the demolitionists working under Builderman.'

Dusekkar tilted his head slightly before responding as well. "Taph is your name I see, I was told as much. It is indeed a pleasure to meet you, and I greet you kindly as such."

Ah, that's right, Taph thought, he speaks in eloquent rhymes, as hard to decipher as that may be.

Builderman clasped his hand together and adressed the two of them.

"Alright, now that introductions are out of the way, onto a more serious note. Dusekkar, as we've already discussed, you'll make sure that Taph is neither discovered nor harmed in the destruction of Telamon's Manor. And Taph, you'll leave the place in as much rubble so that there's no doubt that Telamon is 'dead.' We clear?" Both of them nodded their heads in agreement. "Good. Take as much time as you need. I'm sure that winged fool can wait."

It was a short-lived meeting with Builderman before he left, but Taph did suppose that the other man must've been pretty busy anyways.

"I do suggest we be on our way, should this task take us the whole day." Dusekkar didn't even let the man sign a word before raising his staff. The world started to distort around the two, although Dusekkar seemed unphazed.

It was only a matter of seconds before light struck Taph's eyes, and his sight cleared enough that he finally recognized where they were. The two were now standing in front of Telamon's Manor, the grand doors looming ahead.

Better than walking, I guess...

He approached the doors, and gave them a push. As the doors opened, the interior slowly came into view. To say it was grand was an understatement. Just inside the door was already a full room with a grand chandelier hanging, and a staircase leading up to more rooms, hallways on either side.

Decorations and portraits filled the room, each one as extravagant as the next. Taph almost felt sorry for what the manor would look like soon.

Dusekkar followed in after him, gazing around half-heartedly, though his expression remained unimpressed.

"That god and his self-centered portraits never cease to be, but at least with his attention to himself here, he doesn't bother me." Dusekkar huffed, though it almost sounded like he was trying to make humor from it.

'You think he gets tired of gazing at himself? I'd be shocked if he did.' Taph signed to the mage.

"If he truly were so bored of fawning over his own reflection, it would make sense why he wants a new form to start a new collection." Dusekkar hummed before continuing.

"I must impore if you do not mind my intermission, if it would be possible of me to cause my own demolition?"

'All yours.'

A genuine smirk crossed Dusekkar's face, before he aimed his staff at a large artwork of Telamon overseeing the second floor. In a moment, the portrait was set aflame in a spark of blue fire, before spreading over the rest.

If it were any other situation, he sure he would've reasoned with the mage over pointless destruction of property, but Taph knew that the rest of the building would end much the same as the portrait has.

As Dusekkar watched the smoldering artwork, Taph moved to one of the hallways. He gazed in, analyzing where he could place his explosives to create a clean collapse of the structure.

Moving in, Taph figured he'd get to work, as he would rather not waste too much of Dusekkar's time, and to get the trouble out of his way. He reached into his cloack, grabbing his inventory bag that HQ supplies all demolitionists with.

A simple thing, that could store as much as needed, and as much as wanted. Taph dug around for a bit, trying to decide what would be best for a large building such as this. Perhaps a time bomb, a subspace tripmine, or even something as simple as a stack of dynamite would do.

He decided on his favorite, of course, and moved to set a few time bombs at central columns, which in their destruction would cave in the ceiling above as well. 

He was about to set down the last one, before Dusekkar grabbed his attention.

"Perhaps it would be wise to not use tools such as these, as many would link a clean destruction to the demolitionists with ease."

Dusekkar's words made Taph pause. What he said is true, the work of a demolitionist is practically spotted at any major house removal. It was public knowledge of how a cleanly destroyed building would appear.

Blowing up Telamon's Manor in such a way would bring protestors to HQ within a matter of hours, maybe even less. If the mage hadn't spoken, there was a good chance that Taph would'be quite literally blown his cover.

'You're right, thank you for reminding me of that. I should think less like a professional demolitionist, I guess.' Taph signed, and paused to think, before continuing to sign to the other man.

'A professional would try to minimize outside damage, such to neighboring properies. However, someone without experience and aiming to kill wouldn't bother, just wreaking destruction in an attempt to catch their target in it as well.'

"Indeed that would be the case, more destruction, a goal to erase."

'Well then, let me borrow your mind for a moment, will you? What would you do in this case? Non-magically, of course.'

Dusekkar took a brief moment to think, as well as gazing around the hallway.

"This is not such a query I've been proposed before, but a simple answer I'd suggest is using c4?"

Taph nodded in agreement before fishing out his inventory bag once more, and searching through it for the moldable blocks. It wasn't often that Taph used c4, as setting it up took more time than necessary to complete a job. It was good however for large rooms with minimal supports, and that was actually a common thing for the Manor so far as he could tell.

Moving to one of the pillars against the wall, he removed the c4 from its wrapping and stuck it to the pillar before inserting the detonator wires that could be detonated remotely. Much better than having to be nearby when they blow up, at least.

He continued with this with all the pillars in the room, before leaving back out into the main room. He breifly wondered if he should work on the upstairs rooms as well, but the supports of the lower floor being destroyed should be enough to collapse in the second floor. 

He still decided to move through the upstairs rooms, Dusekkar in tow trailing behind, as he gazed at Telamon's possessions. He was still scouting out places to put c4 to cause a bit of extra damage, he wasn't a total peeper.

'It truly makes you wonder why Telamon would be so willing to destroy everything he owns? And for what? What "new life" did Builderman mean?'

Taph signed out, wondering in Dusekkar had any clue as well.

"It appears we would both be at a loss for what that man has planned, my thoughts are the same as yours, we can only hope for that this matter does not get out of hand."

Dusekkar seemed lost in thought as he answered. It truly did appear that the other admins had been left out of the loop.

"How about we discuss another topic before we bore ourselves to death, tell me Taph, how has your knowledge on destruction come to such depth?"

Taph internally thanked the mage for changing the topic, although it did steer them back to their job right now.

'Builderman hired me a few years ago, back when I was younger. Admittedly, I wasn't too fond of having to destroy people's houses at first. Since they were a home to somebody, you know? But I kinda learned to get over it after seeing the reports detailing just what some of those people had done.

After a few months, I started picking up on things from the other demolitionists. They're the ones who taught me most of what I know. I cherish them all for that. The rest, it all came from trial and error, learning things myself.'

"I must say, the path you and I take are one and of the same, for we gather our wisdom from far to many people to possibly name. What we cannot gather from them, we experiment, in hopes we can pass on the truths we learn to others with the very same sentiment."

Taph smiled under his mask and hood. Dusekkar truly is good company to have, rather than being left alone to destroy, as he had for almost his entire career.

'I agree.'