Chapter Text
“Uhhh… Player?” Cassie asked nervously before she felt the harsh gust of the Windforce—that same sword she trusted them with—nearly knocked her over. She could barely walk after the strong wind, let alone run; a usually helpful effect when she used to wield it… but she couldn’t focus on the past, especially since THEY were approaching rather quickly. She tried making distance before stopping, raising her arms to hopefully block whatever attack THEY were going to make.
It was only the sharp clash of metal that made Cassie open her previously tightly closed eyes. It was the mayor’s son—Brad was it? Though she barely processed what had happened before he wound up and punched THEM backwards. THEY smashed against a tree, coughing weakly which made Cassie wince.
“K1LL1NG THEM, N0T S4V1NG U.” Brad scoffed before walking over to THEM, crowbar held tightly in his barely shaking hands.
“Umm… okay?” Cassie said, unsure before running off into the woods—hopefully to find some help.
“Griefer… please.” They gasped, clearly having the wind knocked out of them as they clutched their side—the deep cut from earlier felt like nails and shards of glass were stuck in their side.
“C4N’T F00L ME, U D4MN DEM0N; I KN0W U 4REN’T PL4YER.” Brad said, trying to seem unfazed by the thought of whatever this THING might be. He was starting to regret not noticing it sooner, but now’s not the time to reminisce; he had to deal with THEM.
THEY gritted their teeth, before a quiet, slightly manic laugh came from them.
Brad barely dodged… whatever the hell that was; like 2 golden, chalky textured hands that grasped at him. The hands stilled slightly before twitching, promptly grabbing and flinging him. Landing hard on the frozen ground as pain shot through his right arm—though he didn’t let it deter him. Brad stood up rather quickly when he noticed THEY were running at him—the feeling of his… wait, where the hell was his crowbar?!
He barely registered his crowbar was flying towards his head as he grabbed the linked sword on instinct. Player had gifted him a while back—since they said they didn’t need it anymore… back when they were Player. Thankfully, Brad deflected the damn thing. Though, he hadn’t noticed THEY were right in front of him until after they had grabbed him by the neck, holding him against a tree. He attempted to swing the sword before he felt a sharp pain in his chest—THEY must’ve stabbed him, huh?
THEY threw Brad to the ground afterward, seemingly self-aware of the slow decline in his fight. A painful grunt as Brad was the only thing giving away the sheer pain he felt—physical and emotional. This was one of his friends, and they were beating the shit out of him. As if one stab wound wasn’t enough, he felt another sharp pain in his hand.
Brad stared at that… the Venomshank—now stabbed into his palm, already feeling the poison seeping from the blade. If that isn’t some poetic irony… or just a sick joke: it doesn’t matter. He swung the linked sword at THEM one final time, though his exhaustion made his wrist easily caught by THEM. Smiling, THEY twisted his wrist before grabbing the sword, raising it above their head like a cheap horror movie scene. This is where Brad Thaniyel dies, isn’t it? Guess he cheated death one too many times and this is the universe’s vengeance. He braced for the final stab—though it never did come.
“Hey there, easy buddy.” Kyoko said gently as she grabbed THEM by the nape of their neck. THEY almost immediately went to stab the girl; although, whatever trance THEY seemed to be in seemingly disappeared as soon as the sword hit her forearm.
“Heh, oww…” Kyoko sighed, as if simply dealing with a problematic kid instead of her possessed friend.
“We are having a talk later.” She said before opening their menu and teleporting them to the Guru—hopefully he’ll be able to sort them out while she made her way there. She nonchalantly grabbed the hilt of the linked sword and pulled it out of her arm before handing it back to Brad—who was clearly pissed off about the whole ordeal. She handed him a first aid kit while patching her own wound.
“You doing okay?” Kyoko asked, as if the whole thing was just another Tuesday.
Brad scoffed, “U G0T N0 IDE4...”
She didn’t reply before starting to walk off to where the Guru’s house was, leaving Brad to figure out what the hell just happened; not before pulling the Venomshank out of his hand—tossing the damn thing on the ground harder than necessary.
Guess the group is going to have a talk… about whatever possessed Player—literally and figuratively—into beating the hell out of Brad.