Chapter Text
Whatever you do at the crossroads, don't turn left.
The first line in a book that started a very complicated relationship between two-or technically three-people.
D3rlord3 didn't expect for this to happen at all. Sure, he had all the knowledge in the universe but it was quickly assumed there was an exception when it came to the King in Yellow. He couldn't see his future in regards to the giant eldritch horror of a being.
Perhaps I should rewind a bit.
New Years Eve: D3rlord3 had been exposed to the powers of the King in Yellow and gained knowledge over every subject, every event past or present, and every thought that has ever crossed anyone's mind. If it were anyone else in his shoes right now, they'd be dead at the foot of those yellow gates. Fortunately for him, he was already a smart enough individual that the pain he suffered was still tolerable within his day-to-day life. There were limits, of course, but he could make do.
The first time D3rlord3 met Avery face to face, it was an interesting experience to say the least; Avery's sheer determination to save D3rlord3 was quite charming in his eyes. D3rlord3 felt like a puppet most times because he always knew what would happen next. There were no alternate timelines, it was just the one. He knew the exact coordinates of each step he took and if he tried to change that, his body wouldn't let him. But when he saw Avery, something shifted within him. He saw more opportunities open up, more paths to take that weren't set in stone. He felt alive around him. They both did.
"Avery, you can't stay here you have so much life to live." He spoke in a low tone: caring and a little bit scared but with his mind set on scaring him enough to leave.
"AND I OWE IT TO YOU!" Avery took a step closer to him, clearly distraught and firm on the idea he was going to save him.
"NO YOU DO NOT. THAT IS AN INSANE THING TO SAY, YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW ME!" D3rlord3 stepped forward as well, putting his hand on Avery's shoulder.
"YOU WARNED ME, DEREK! YOU'RE ONLY PART OF THIS BECAUSE IT WANTED ME. IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT YOU'RE HERE AND I'M NOT LETTING YOU DIE FOR ME."
"Avery if you don't go then we'll both die." Derek huffed.
There was a long pause in the conversation. Avery looked to the ground, not wanting to admit he didn't know what to do. Avery hadn't even realized Derek was slowly backing him to the edge of the floating platform they were on.
"It's okay, you might not even remember me when you're out of here. Who knows how this place works." Derek asked softly, both hands on Avery's shoulders. "Now will you please just go?"
Avery sniffled, "…No." He muttered stubbornly.
Derek sighed and considered his options. "Fine. What's in your inventory?"
Avery blinked in confusion and wondered how that could possibly be relevant. He wiped his eyes and opened up his inventory menu: "Umm… A crafting tab-" His words were cut off from the force of Derek's hands pushing against his chest and knocking him off of the platform. Avery struggled in the air as he fell off the platform, shouting out a broken "Wait!" before disappearing.
Derek's lip quivered as he watched him fall. He wasn't sure how his story would end; Maybe Avery would log off and forget about him or maybe he'd keep trying to get him back. Somewhere in Derek's heart he hoped it was the second one.
"Isn't it pathetic? How much you care for him?" The King in Yellow chimed in sinisterly from a distance behind Derek.
"Shut up. You don't know anything." Derek drew his sword and turned around.
"Quite the opposite, Vessel. I know everything. I know you won't defeat me and I know you will never see him again. So why don't you just stop trying?" The King's tone was disgustingly sarcastic and babying, only adding fuel to Derek's fire.
"Your sadistic little speeches wont get to me, idiot." Derek drew closer, "I already invoked the spell to delete you, we both know there's nothing you can do anymore."
As the last of the King's eyes disintegrated, a low, devious laugh escaped him. "It's amusing how wrong you may be sometimes. I'm surprised you didn't notice sooner."
Derek tilted his head, "What?"
"The spell." The King went on, "It doesn't delete me. It simply… Merges us as one. We will share a mind and soul. You unfortunately aren't my complete puppet but it will do."
Derek froze in his place, thinking everything through in his mind. No, he was sure he got the right spell, he read it through multiple times and that isn't what it said. Or at least that's not how he interpreted it. Even if the King wasn't lying, he still knew everything about the author and their intent. It couldn't be. Could it? Derek suddenly felt a heavy weight on his back and shoulders that made his armor seem like it was 20 times heavier than usual.
"That- That isn't…" He was unable to catch his breath.
"Don't look so weak. You act as if you're dying." The King sneered, his voice fading. He was finally disintegrating out of existence. Or, well, out of his current form.
Derek felt his body become heavier over time until he inevitably passed out, becoming an open host to share a body with. He didn't expect for this to happen at all. Sure, he had all the knowledge in the universe but it was quickly assumed there was an exception when it came to the King in Yellow. He couldn't see his future in regards to the giant eldritch horror of a being thus how the possibility of merging completely slipped his own mind.