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Shedletsky, and the rest of the survivors, know killers can still die during rounds. This was figured out when c00lkidd, bruised and bloodied in a particularly rough match, got shot by Chance, and the game ended early even when nobody was working on generators at the moment. He remembers how furious 007n7 had been when they all had a collective realization of what just occurred, the father screaming in rage and hands curling into fists, ready to beat the living shit out of the gambler.
After things had settled down and the group was put into yet another round, the sentinels (plus Builderman, with his sentry) wanted to figure out if all the killers could be killed, not just c00lkidd—so the plan began. And the killer for the match was 1x1x1x1.
None of the survivors knew if they could even die, and most were skeptical of testing out the newfound theory on a god-like being who could serverwipe without hesitation. Even so, they continued on with the plan, because the worst that could happen was a brutal loss. Right?
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Shedletsky shudders as the cold air of the map hits him. He can hear Builderman already starting up a sentry, Chance flipping their coin, Two Time pulling out their sharp dagger, and Guest 1337 looking around for the killer. A sigh leaves his lips before he can stop himself. He carefully unsheathes his own sword, the weight familiar yet still heavy.
The sound of chains rattling immediately alerts the group's attention. They all duck, desperate not to get hit by a stray Mass Infection, and thankfully, none of them do. The projectile gets dangerously close to killing Chance, who's probably on Weakness 100 for all Shedletsky knows, but other than that, no one has taken any damage. Yet.
Suddenly, footsteps, uneven and fast-paced, begin coming toward the survivors' direction. Shedletsky can immediately tell who they belong to. It's 1x1x1x1—and not too far in front of them, Guest 1337, who's leading them toward the "trap."
Chance cocks his gun, and with quick movement, they take aim and fire, directly hitting the killer in the chest. Guest takes advantage of the stun and charges 1x1x1x1 closer to the sentry, which rapidly begins firing bullets onto its target. The killer growls in anger as they slowly get back up, but as soon as they try to destroy the sentry, Guest blocks and punches them afterwards. At this point, 1x1x1x1's anger is getting incredibly apparent, and a bead of sweat drips down Shedletsky's face. His grip on the Linked Sword tightens.
Before he can go in to stun the killer, Two Time beats him to it, the cultist sneaking up behind 1x1x1x1's back as they recover from the parry and lunging in for a stab. Their manic grin widens, and it sends a shiver down Shedletsky's spine. He'll never get used to that creepy smile.
"You'll pay for that," 1x1x1x1 hisses, slashing blindly in front of them as Two Time scatters away. They charge up another Mass Infection, and this time, it hits the sentry and a survivor, specifically Guest. Shedletsky's only centimeters away from being struck. He can hear Builderman beginning to create another one, and he silently prays 1x1x1x1 doesn't notice the rather loud noises.
The pattern goes on like this for a while, with all the sentinels attacking 1x1x1x1 as soon as their ability cooldowns are over. A few unfortunately die, namely Noob and Elliot, but with the way things are going, it seems the killer is almost dead, and the extra time they have on their hands with none of the generators being fixed are surprisingly in the survivor's favor.
1x1x1x1 coughs up blood, staining the wooden floor beneath them a sickly green. Their grip on their swords are faltering, Shedletsky notices, and they're even swaying on their feet as they stand up. He then realizes that they're probably one hit away from death, and with all the other sentinels being on cooldown, along with Builderman's sentry being destroyed, Shedletsky knows he has to deliver the final blow.
He takes a step closer. 1x1x1x1 backs up, glaring at him with unforgettable rage. They trip and fall to the floor. The killer looks impossibly small in this position.
"Don't put your fucking hands on me," they shout, but the words are weak. They lack the bite they usually have.
Shedletsky does not listen to the sharp demand. He can feel the eyes staring at his back—Chance, Guest, Two Time, Builderman, all the survivors waiting in deadly anticipation for the kill, and—
—he does not swing his sword.
He leans down, instead. Slowly. As if facing a scared animal and not a fourth dimensional being of his hatred.
1x1x1x1 flinches. Their entire body is stiff, silently waiting for the attack that will finish them off. They expect cruel words, a mocking laugh, anything.
What they do not expect is for Shedletsky to come down to his knees and cradle their face gently. His hands are callused and scarred but are also full of a warmth 1x1x1x1 has never felt in their life. Their eyes widen slightly.
To be frank, Shedletsky himself doesn't know what he's doing, either. He can feel the excited stares slowly turn to confusion and judgment, but right now, he cannot find it within himself to... care.
"I'm sorry," he whispers.
Only two people in the room can hear what he says: 1x1x1x1 and himself. The killer does not move a muscle—they do not attack, they do not send out an Entanglement, they do not stab their swords through the vulnerable man in front of them. They stay stunned and silent.
Shedletsky continues. "I'm sorry for reducing you to a piece of myself. I'm sorry for forcing you into a body you didn't ask to be in. I'm sorry for refusing to see the potential you had because I was selfish and arrogant. I'm sorry for... everything."
The creation blinks slowly. That action is the only thing that tells Shedletsky they're still alive, that he's not talking to a cold corpse.
"You're sorry," they repeat. He nods. They let out a breathless laugh. Crimson eyes close for the last time.
"Forgiveness is a long process." He knows that. "I still hate you." He knows that. "Your apologies feel meaningless." He knows that.
"And still... you... Ha. Thank you."
Shedletsky swiftly drives his sword through his creation's chest. They cough and sputter, spraying green blood over his white shirt, but they don't resist. His arms wrap around their body, embracing them softly like they're a newborn baby. He realizes that he hasn't blinked once this entire encounter. There's a lump in his throat, for some odd reason.
"I love you. Please know that." His voice cracks and wavers at the end.
He is well aware 1x1x1x1 did not hear that. They are long gone by the time he says it. He does not notice the tears streaming down his eyes, nor does he notice Builderman slowly coming up to him, kneeling down, and putting a warm hand on his shoulder, telling him, "You're alright, Shed. Let it out."
The round ends. Shedletsky wins holding the dead body of his creation.