Chapter Text
Screams filled the air, thick plumes of smoke covering the cracking sky. Screeches of dragons overrode the crackle of fire, the twisted reptiles soaring through the air and blending in amongst the smoke.
Venti heaved and choked, pushing a beam off of his back - the metal of his claw ornaments scraping against the scorched wood, tainting the steel with ash. The Archon flapped his ashed wings pitifully to brush away smoke so he could get clear air into his lungs, to little avail. He peered up to the skies - between the smoke plumes and dragons, he saw the god who started this all. An individual from a realm beyond this one.
What was their goal?
Venti knelt back and sprawled out his wings before shooting into the sky in a streak of teal. He felt the familiar cool metal of his scythe appear in his hands as he swung the weapon blindly, to where he presumed the god was now infront of him. The Archon's guess was correct, as he heard a screech and curses, accompanied by the sight of a gold liquid glaring against the dull gray of the skies and staining the blade of his scythe.
The other god quickly retaliated, grabbing Venti by the throat with a clawed hand. Venti squawked, wings flailing helplessly as his scythe dissipated into feathers - instead clawing at the mysterious gods arm. The metal claws adorning his hands sunk into the other's skin, drawing up more of the unusual golden blood.
The mysterious god lifted their other hand, wrenching two claws into Venti's eye and behind his eyeball, yanking down all in the same swift motion.
Venti shrieked, steel claws driving bone-deep into the other god's arm as he tried and failed to pry them away. He felt his nerves rip and the skin down from under his socket tear, as the intruding god wrenched out his eye. He sputtered and choked, from both the smoke and hand around his neck.
The mysterious god suddenly swung him to the side, hurling the former bard into the remanents of what had been the church. Split wood and broken stone tore at his skin and Archon outfit - blood and ash soaking into and staining the white fabrics with crimson red and black.
Venti coughed violently as blood welled in one of his pierced lungs, he shakily tried to push himself up to his knees. The God of Freedom didn't even notice the mysterious god walk up behind him, until they had reached down and grabbed one of his wings - jabbing the heel of their foot into his back as they suddenly yanked, until the delicate feathery appendage audibly snapped and tore. Venti screamed.
Comet lay idly on the edge of one of the towering buildings in the city that is Penacony. He tossed a bolt up and down, the consistency of the metal hitting his palm reddening the skin. His other arm was tucked behind his head as a makeshift pillow to separate his head from the hard concrete of the ledge.
Boring, boring...his back hurt. That's why he was laying down in the first place. Just to evaluate his spine. Or some shit. He doesn't know - it just helps.
The former god then sat up, tossing the bolt off of the ledge. He shuffled, dangling his legs off and peering down. The two Vision's on his long braids scraped against the stone, clinking together. He kicked his feet slightly, dead gaze boring into the people shuffling along the sidewalk below. His eyes narrowed.
Comet huffed. He pulled out his phone as he felt it buzz in his pocket. Aventurine.
This bitch Varka, but gayer
<[You at the warehouse?]
[No. I'll head over right now, though.]>
Comet pocketed his phone before pushing himself up to his feet. He balanced along the edge of the building, reaching the side - he leapt down and jumped between the two buildings that made up the alleyway, boots thudding against the brick until he hit the floor. The Visions adorning his person jingled loudly. He slinked through the alleys behind the towering buildings.
What could Aventurine want from him? It wasn't really often the gambler asked where he was. Typically just sent a "you alive?" text once in a blue moon. Sometimes he'd show up to his warehouse where he sort of made home, though. Other times Comet would appear at Aventurine's place.
"Like a fuckin' stray cat." Ratio would say. Which- is sort of true? Aventurine did label Comet as such when the Stoneheart brought Comet to see Ratio.
"I brought a stray cat!" Aventurine grinned at his clearly exhausted husband, who stared at the two other men - who were actively covered in blood.
"....What did you do." Ratio deadpanned at the familiar crimson, before his gaze slid over to Comet.
"That's a weird ass fucking cat."
Now he's here.
Comet slipped in through the entrance of the warehouse. An old building he's sort of found residence at. Since, well, where else can he go?
The former Archon already saw Aventurine there, the Stoneheart looking around - waiting for Comet's arrival as he tapped his foot.
"Patience isn't your friend?" Comet remarked. Aventurine yelped and jolted, spinning around to look at Comet. He blinked before collecting himself - expression oddly serious.
"Comet."
Now it was Comet's turn to be frightened. He glanced to the side before back at Varka 2.0 here, tilting his head.
"What'd I do-"
"They know you're still alive." Aventurine said suddenly. There seemed to be an audible record screech before complete silence. The blonde watched Comet for a few more moments before continuing.
"There's a bounty on your head."
Comet stared for a long moment. Fuuuuuck. As if he didn't have enough to worry about. As if he didn't already want to fucking kill himse-
...
Fuck.