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“Look at me, Creator.”
1x stares down at Shedletsky, blade in hand. He looks hesitant, almost like he was weighing the choice in his mind. It seems as though he’s been waiting for this moment all his life, but doesn't know what to do with it, now that it is finally here. But from the way he’s looking at them, they can tell how he truly feels.
They’re lashing out, made worse by years of abandonment, ones that Shedletsky had caused. This is his repentance, the suffering he must endure for his sins. Their rage can no longer be contained, now boiled over into something violent and uncontrollable. He had always believed that such hatred could be quelled, hidden away from the world—but what happens when someone finally reaches their breaking point?
It leads to this. And now, here it comes, guiding him to his rightful end, the fate he was meant to meet all these years ago.
This was his fault, wasn't it? It was because of his ignorance that led to this point. He shouldn't have turned away from them, and left them all alone. But he did. He was the one who created them, brought them into a world of suffering—then abandoned them without a second, allowing them to rot in the misery of existence.
“Am I finally strong enough for you?”
You always were. I just… I never realised it, until it was too late.
And when Shedletsky looks into his eyes, he sees nothing but envy and bitterness staring right back at him. There is no hint of forgiveness within their eyes, nor is there any sign of mercy. There is only a look of resentment that remains, one that has been burned so deeply into their crimson eye that it feels permanent now, carved into their very being. Their actions are motivated by hate, and nothing but fury compels them, for it drives every action they take, every decision they make.
And worst of all? Shedletsky understands. He knows that 1x hates him, as they should.
If there's one thing he cannot stand, it's injustice. And yet, who was he to judge? After all, he had been the one who had committed the greatest sin of them all… the sin of ignorance.
I am not a good person. I have done much harm to this world, and ruined it beyond comprehension. There are sins I have committed that cannot be undone, mistakes I have made that can never be fixed.
Still, Shedletsky remains silent, only glancing away instead, trying his best to avoid their gaze. Shame crawls beneath his skin, heavy and suffocating. He can't bear to look at them, and acknowledge what he’s created anymore—seeing what they have become… it pains him, especially since he had once cared for their former self.
But that act seems to anger 1x even further. Their red eye narrows with fury, staring straight through his soul.
“Answer me!” 1x shouts, using the Venomshank to tilt Shedletsky’s chin upwards, forcing him to look at him.
“My successor…” is all Shedletsky manages to choke out through gritted teeth, the guilt evident in his voice as he is forced to look up at them. He already knows what must be running through 1x’s mind right now. A version of them appears in his mind, acting as a punishment for his sins.
Decorated titles don't look good on you. You have proven yourself unworthy of the title of a god. You disappoint me, Creator.
Why have you made me? Why have you brought me into existence, only to abandon me?
Hate… all I can do is hate. You have created me, for the sole purpose of suffering. But even I don't hate you as much as you used to hate me. Wasn't it enough, what you had done to me? Must you really hurt me even more? Don't you know that you have sinned?
I know.
You abandoned me, Creator. You promised you would stay, that you would protect me—and yet, you betrayed my trust. You are no god, so do not call yourself that. You are simply a fool, who never knew what he had.
I know.
The mighty and powerful Telamon, fallen so far from grace. And look at you now… you’re on your knees, begging for my mercy. What a shame, really. But there's no one else you can blame but yourself for this.
I know.
There are so many words they have left unspoken, so many truths they do not wish to confess. And with that, 1x clicks their tongue, visibly annoyed by Shedletsky’s actions. They withdraw the sword from his chin, preparing themselves to deliver the final blow.
“Any last words?”
“I’m sorry.”
I know you don't believe me. Please know that I truly am.
Yet 1x merely laughs at their words, their voice coming out cold and cruel. “You know… in the past, I wanted to be just like you,” they admit quietly, their grip tightening around the venomshank in their hands. “But now I can see the truth—that it was nothing more than a foolish dream.”
Then, they raise the blade, their crimson eye burning with hatred as they ready themselves for the inevitable ending.
“Goodbye, Creator.”
With that, they plunge the sword right through Shedletsky’s stomach. A sharp gasp tears itself from his throat, and white-hot pain erupts within his side instantly, stealing the air from his lungs. His body goes weak, and he ends up nearly collapsing onto the ground.
There's… too much blood. He’s losing too much, and he won't be able to hold on like this…
The warmth between his fingers spills rapidly, soaking the ground underneath him. His hands tremble from fear, and he’s no longer able to hold himself upright, at least not properly, anymore. His vision begins to blur, with dark spots dancing across his eyes.
Just like that, the world starts to fade away, easing into nothing more than a memory.
Shedletsky falls forward, consumed by that growing darkness. He’s desperately trying to stay conscious, to hold onto something, anything to keep him awake—but his body is already giving up, and resigning itself to failure. He struggles, over and over again, until eventually, he too, relents, and stops fighting entirely.
The darkness, it feels… cold.
Slowly, he opens his eyes, only to see an endless void in front of him, stretching out as far as he could see. There’s a familiar blade by his side—it’s his old sword—and it’s lying on the ground, almost as if it was waiting for him to return, all this time. In the reflection of the metal, he can see his own face, staring right back at him.
There seems to no longer be any shine left in his eyes. His fighting spirit has disappeared, replaced by a resignation to his fate. His blood drips steadily to the ground beneath him, staining the floor red as it begins to form a puddle all around his body.
You could just end it all now, you know? We all know that you have tried your best to hold on, even if it ended up in failure. It's time you let go of your duties.
But if I stop fighting now, what will my life amount to in the end? I have achieved nothing more than false promises, and past failures. I cannot rest easy, knowing I have done nothing but ruin peoples’ lives, rather than saving them as I had always hoped I could.
There will be someone else to carry your burdens. Even without you, the world will still move on. You can rest now, Telamon. You don't have to worry about things anymore. There will always be someone who can replace you, so you will not be missed.
You can finally give up now.
And just like that, he too, is ready to accept the end. He has done his duty for the universe, and failed. He should not continue on for any longer.
But just as he’s about to give in, and accept the darkness, a familiar voice stops him, one he knows too well.
“Get up.”
Shedletsky doesn't move an inch. No, it couldn't be him. What were they even doing here?
“You aren’t going to give up like this, are you?” the voice asks again, louder this time. “What happened to the great Telamon?”
Shedletsky feels something in his throat tighten, an uneasy sensation that he knows doesn't belong there. He looks up, finally meeting the eyes of the figure waiting, urging him to continue. And the person standing right in front of him was himself—or rather, the person he used to be.
His old self stands there with his arms crossed, dressed in old, flowing robes untouched by ruin. This was a version of him from the past, a reminder of the godhood he once had. It was the mighty Telamon, before the fall.
“I… I can't. Everything hurts…” Shedletsky mumbles weakly, clutching at his abdomen as the blood continues to seep through his fingers.
“But you can still move," Telamon firmly reminds him, unwilling to let him accept defeat. "And that means you are still capable of fighting. You can't give up now, not when there's so much left to do.”
“But… But…” Shedletsky tries to protest, but they refuse to let him continue.
“You still have work to do.”
But how do I even fix this? Is it even possible for me to repair such a grave mistake?
“There’s still time, old friend.”
Another familiar figure emerges from the darkness. It's Builderman, though they’re from a past memory. Here, they look different—they seem much brighter, unburdened by the tragedies that are soon to come.
“You can still make things right,” they tell him kindly. “But if you give up now…”
With that, they bend forward slightly, extending a hand towards Shedletsky. Their eyes are bright and warm, sparkling with a hope that he had once believed was forever lost.
“Then you’ll never be able to fix things.”
Those words… they spark something within Shedletsky. A fire he didn't know he still had. A hope still buried within him, its embers refusing to be put out. Maybe there's still time for him, still that hope that he can fix things, once and for all.
Shedletsky lifts his hand, before placing it in Builderman’s, and accepting their offer. Telamon, their old self, gives him a faint, knowing look, before handing him a sword, one that he instantly recognises—it’s the one he has been using all this time in this realm, though this version is uncut by such tragedies, and not stained by the blood of those who came before him.
He takes it carefully, fingers tightening around the hilt, as he readies himself for the battle ahead. In his grasp, the blade suddenly begins to glow brightly, with a blinding light pouring out of it until it transforms back into his old Illumina sword. The world is swallowed up by that white light, and Shedletsky is instantly transported back into the fight.
1x glances back, visibly confused at their reappearance, their red eye widening slightly.
“How—”
Before they can finish speaking, Shedletsky is already moving forward, preparing his first strike. He won't allow himself to be caught off guard again. But 1x swiftly raises their own sword, blocking the attack, causing the clash of metal to ring loudly through the air.
“Look at you, back here again! Are you itching for another defeat?" 1x sneers, voice dripping with venom. They summon another sword into their free hand, readying themselves to begin their own attack. “I truly despise insufferable vermin like you, Creator.”
I know.
Shedletsky takes a step back, stabilising his position, before swinging again. 1x immediately counters, and their blades crash together so quickly that it nearly causes sparks to fly out between the two.
“Why have you created me?” 1x questions bitterly as they push back against him, with the sheer force of their strength starting to overwhelm him. Although he wasn't as weak as before, he had still grown rusty, from all the years spent out of godhood. He takes another step back, unable to withstand the pressure on his sword. “Was it just to leave me, and forsake me in the end?"
Those words get to Shedletsky. For a second, his grip falters.
"I’m sorry,” he replies wearily, the guilt evident in his voice. “I know that I’ve made my fair share of mistakes.”
1x fires back with another slash of their sword, growing faster this time. “I don't care! You’ve always thought of me as a mistake.”
Shedletsky barely blocks the swing in time, though the sword still finds its place against his side, slicing through fabric and skin underneath, piercing the flesh within.
That’s not good.
He stumbles back slightly, one hand instinctively pressing against the fresh cut, before he tightens his grip on the Illumina sword once more.
"No. I’ve never believed that—not once," Shedletsky denies vehemently, despite the pain blooming in his side. “You are my proudest creation.”
Something twists in 1x’s expression. Their attacks become stronger now, driven by both emotions of anger and desperation. But they’ve grown sloppier too, less controlled than before.
“Then why?" 1x retorts, slamming their blade down over and over again. “Why would you choose to abandon me?”
Shedletsky blocks another hit, then another, letting 1x release every ounce of rage onto him. They deserve this—all of this anger and pain—it should be directed towards him, and him only, for what he had done to them.
"I never intended on leaving you behind. Not like that,” Shedletsky answers, his voice coming out strained under the impact of their blows. The violent force of their blade nearly pushes him backward across the ground, and he struggles to stay upright. “It’s my fault, 1x. Everything is.”
Another strike. Another blow he’s barely able to hold back.
“You should hate me.”
1x lunges forward again, unwilling to listen, refusing to forgive him.
“You… deserved better. Better than me. And I’m sorry, 1x."
That sudden apology causes them to stumble slightly, their grip faltering for just a moment. Their blade no longer comes heavy, and that split-second gives Shedletsky the opening he needs. He moves quickly, knocking 1x’s sword aside with one powerful swing, before forcing the Illumina blade against their neck. The glowing edge rests just beneath his throat, close enough for its radiance to burn.
For a while, neither of them dares to move.
1x only sneers bitterly. "Come on, then. Kill me,” he taunts, spreading his arms slightly, almost welcoming the thought of death. “Take your revenge.”
Shedletsky’s grip tightens around the sword. This is it. He can finally end them, and rid the world of its evil. He stares down at them, at the way their glowing red eye is now begun to dim. It seems as though they are ready to accept their death, and are merely waiting for the inevitable to arrive.
This ending isn't what I want.
"That… isn't the way. It's how this cycle of hate continues," he answers quietly, lowering the Illumina sword, letting its tip touch the ground. “I won’t kill you, 1x.”
A look of anger flashes across their face.
"Why won't you grant me the reward of death?" they snap, unwilling to accept this outcome. Perhaps they had already resigned themselves to their fate, and to be shown such mercy felt almost insulting to them. “I am your successor! And I have failed—”
“No," Shedletsky interrupts, not wanting to let them continue on with their downward spiral. You and I both know the truth, the one we’ve been unable to face, at least until now.
“You’re my son.”
1x freezes, completely rooted in place. Once again, their expression twists, morphing into something unreadable, like they don't quite know how to react. The anger is still there, present on their face, but it has begun to crack, revealing something far more vulnerable underneath.
"I was afraid,” 1x confesses quietly, their gaze tearing away from Shedletsky, instead focusing on the ground below. “Afraid of being alone, and abandoned by you. My purpose was to serve you. But when you left…" Upon recalling that awful memory, they can't help but clench their fists. “I thought I meant nothing.”
“I know," Shedletsky answers, his voice laced with guilt. He had done this to them, hurt them beyond belief—he had to make this right, some way or another. "And I’m sorry too. I misunderstood you, hurt you… and worst of all, I left you behind, when you needed me most.”
“That's all I ever wanted,” 1x mutters, their words coming out bitter. “An apology."
Shedletsky exhales shakily, uncertain if what he was about to do was the right thing. Still, he goes through with it, and loosens his hold around the Illumina sword, letting it fall from his grip. The glowing blade hits the ground with a soft, metallic-sounding clang.
“I know what I did was selfish… and I truly am sorry, 1x.”
Despite the ache in Shedletsky’s body, and the blood still staining his clothes, he continues, no longer afraid.
"You don't have to forgive me. Just… give me a chance to make it up to you, and make amends for what I’ve done.”
1x says nothing, and keeps their gaze fixed on the ground. Then, gradually, they glance upwards, finally meeting Shedletsky’s eyes. That look of hatred fades away, now replaced by something far more remorseful. Then, they lower their head again, almost instinctively starting to bow.
But Shedletsky hurriedly reaches out to stop them, and gently places a hand against their shoulder, before pulling them forward—
And enveloping them into a hug.
1x immediately stiffens in his arms, taken aback by the sudden gesture. For a few seconds, he doesn't move at all, completely frozen in place.
Then, only with great hesitation, do they hug him back. It's like a great dam breaks from within them—years of regret and unspoken emotions come spilling out, all combined into that one, singular moment. Their hands clutch tightly at the back of Shedletsky’s shirt, almost like they’re terrified he’ll disappear again, and leave them to face the world, all by themselves.
“I’m sorry, Creator… I’m so sorry…”
All Shedletsky can do is hug them tighter, and hold them close in order to prove to them that he’ll never make such a grave mistake again. In his heart, he promises himself that he’ll never hurt them again, and not the way he once did. And they remain like that for a while, with neither of them wanting to let each other go. Just the two of them, reunited as all things should be.
To my dearest creation… I’m sorry, too.