Chapter Text
Again?
It happens the same way.
JadenMan runs, weaving through the alleys as Wemmbu and Rejoice mercilessly chase him.
Rejoice is laughing, golden hair whipping behind him as he follows, sunflower yellow elytra strapped to his back.
The floor drops straight down below him.
Wemmbu moves faster this time.
He knows it’s coming, has analyzed this situation hundreds of times, had searched endlessly for a way to come back to this.
He grabs for Rejoice’s wrist before the stone fully gives out.
For one brief second, he thinks he’s done it.
He’s stopped it.
Then the stone crumples again.
Rejoice’s weight pulls him forward as his hand slips lower, lower, and lower.
The grip loosens, until Wemmbu is meeting empty air.
Wemmbu hears himself scream before Rejoice even hits the bottom.
The wardens awaken and darkness answers.
He dives this time.
He doesn’t care about strategy.
He doesn’t care about the sonic booms that rupture through his ribs.
He lands beside Rejoice.
Too late.
Midnight claws tear through flesh as Rejoice reaches for him — smiling, fucking smiling — like this is just another bad joke.
Then—
silence.
——————————————————————————————————————————
Wemmbu wakes up on the rooftop again.
The sun is rising as the familiar spire fades into view.
Rejoice’s voice drifting upward:
“Bro! You alive up there or did you fall asleep brooding again?”
Wemmbu doesn’t breathe.
He doesn’t move.
His hands are already shaking, ribs still aching with the fresh bruises of grief.