Work Text:
It was raining.
Raining heavily. Raining so hard that rounds hadn’t occurred for the day, which hadn’t happened in quite a bit. Not since…March, if he was remembering correctly.
Noli was not supposed to be leaving the cabin. He had been declared “high risk” by a certain very angry someone and told that if he were to leave the cabin, someone had to be with him.
Like he would listen to that. He wouldn’t be told what to do. He was Noli. He was Chaos Itself. Chaos wouldn’t be bossed around.
Even if he was clearly proving 1x’s point.
High risk. High risk. What a stupid statement. Of course he was high risk. He was a high risk to everyone. To himself, to others, to the damned environment.
Thunder crackled in the distance and he flinched, a hiss slipping out of his mouth. Not at the thunder, no, but at the reaction.
Noli was Chaos Itself, yes, but…
…terrifyingly, he was also made up of the little bits of everyone who had ever touched The Void Star.
He was pretty sure he was still mostly himself. Pretty sure. But then on a rare occasion, something would pop up, something would pop up and some little bit would resurface and he’d find himself afraid of something he shouldn’t have been.
Scared of a storm. Like a little pet. Disgusting.
He couldn’t falter in what he was doing. He had slipped out when no one was watching, clambering out of an open window in his room and shimmying his way down a tree to leave. With any luck, no one would realize he was gone for at least half an hour, and then it’d take them all who knows how long to realize the direction he was going in.
The rain had his entire outfit soaked, and the only thing keeping him from pulling down his hood was wanting the feathers he had tucked into his neck fluff to stay dry–or as dry as they could. He hoped the rain would make people hesitate to search for him, and he hoped even more that a certain bull would be too busy dealing with the rain to catch him out here and start a fight.
He stepped into the clearing as his hoof-like feet squelched in the mud. That clearing. The same clearing 1x had attempted to confront The Spectre in. The same clearing Noli himself had tried to as well.
Powerful, yet powerless here.
Ugh.
The Void Star buzzed, and Noli realized with a start that it was betraying him. It was showing exactly what he was actually feeling.
He was…scared.
Scared of what everything had come to. Scared that he’d never make it out again. Scared he’d be doomed to endless cycles and endlessly watching people he cared about break down while he could do nothing to stop it.
It disgusted him. He disgusted himself.
Chaos, reduced to piloting what was basically a corpse belonging to a species barely anyone remembered anymore.
And then a thought struck him.
Did he…even remember what he looked like anymore?
Not his current vessel, that he knew every inch of. Not his previous vessels, which he could care less about, but…actually him. Or rather actually it, considering that the ‘he’ he mostly got referred to by came from this vessel.
He…
…it didn’t.
Noli shook itself out.
“I W4N7 70 741K, Y0U FR34K!”
The last few times he’d come out here, The Spectre hadn’t responded. He’d yelled at the empty sky, and then given up and gone back to the cabin. He wasn’t going to give up this time.
However, The Spectre did not respond to his yell. The sky simply crackled with thunder.
Noli was already fed up with this.
He walked to the edge of the clearing, not to leave, no, but rather to sink his claws into the thick trunk of an evergreen–most likely a pine–and begin the long ascent up.
It was difficult enough to climb trees without the pouring rain, but with it was a whole other beast. At one point he peered up, trying to see how much further he had to climb, and to his annoyance his hood fell back, soaking his fur even worse than it had already been soaked, and, more importantly to him, soaking the two bright green feathers that were carefully weaved into his fur.
It…would be fine. They would be fine. He would be fine.
He finally scrambled to the top of the tree, grasping on with one of his hands and digging in with the hidden claws of his feet that he’d once heard described as akin to the claws tarantulas had, hidden until he pressed down. With his free hand, he accusingly pointed a claw-finger at the sky.
“WH47, 4R3 Y0U 4 C0W4RD N0W?! 700 5C4R3D 0F 50M30N3 Y0U’R3 5UPP053D1Y M0R3 P0W3RFU1 7H4N 70 C0M3 Y311 47 I7?!”
The sky rumbled ominously, swirling in dark clouds.
Noli laughed. He laughed like it was the funniest thing he’d heard in a while.
“WH47, Y0U JU57 G0NN4 P0U7?!”
…Nothing.
Noli cleared his throat.
“P̵̭̦̬̩͌ͅŲ̷͖̳͝S̶̼̥̩͂̑̇͑S̸̛͙͑̕Y̶̢̡͔͙̮̊̃͝!̸̮̭̹̰́͑”
Suddenly, everything grew cold.
Noli was suddenly struck with the dreadful sinking realization that he did not have a plan beyond “ragebait his captor”.
Uh oh.
The sky darkened and an ominous cloud crackled with electricity overhead. The Void Star buzzed in fear. It sounded like the world itself was splitting open, aiming to swallow him whole and leave nothing remaining.
But it was too late to back down. Not when the answer to his taunting came in a flash of brilliant white blinding pain.
When he next ‘blinked’ into consciousness, his head was throbbing in pain as he lay in the dirt at the base of the tree he had previously climbed into, now split clean down the middle and charred. The air around him still crackled with the discharge of the strike, but strangely enough, despite the pain, he felt no new wounds.
However, something around his throat and wrists felt tight. Heavy and uncomfortable.
He raised a hand with a groan to rub at his head, only to stop at the clanking of chains.
He stared in utter horror at his wrist, spotting a shackle, pitch black with striking red.
Exactly like The Spectre.
A chain ran from it, connecting to nothing and simply hanging there, making a rattling noise whenever he moved his arm. His other wrist held a matching shackle, and when he reached up he felt a collar around his neck that wouldn’t budge no matter how much he tugged, only resulting in hurting the back of his neck when he pulled too hard.
He pulled himself into a sitting position, leaning heavily against the split pine as his vision swam in agony, leaving him breathing heavily to try to clear the pain.
He had messed up. Perhaps this was the worst one, now stuck with these reminders that he was practically currently owned. A disgusting thought that churned his stomach–or maybe that was the pain doing that.
It took him a long while to be able to pull himself to his feet and actually begin walking, hating the new sound that followed him and echoed in his skull. He hadn’t even bothered to pull his hood back up as he stumbled still in the rain back to the cabin, Void Star humming with pain.
He couldn’t count the amount of times he nearly collapsed before he managed to stumble up the porch, shakily placing a hand on the door and preparing for the earful he was about to get.
When he swung the door open, he found Venomshank pointed directly at him. He stared at the sword for a moment, then at 1x, who was brandishing it at him, puffed up in a defensive stance that was rapidly fading as she realized who had just walked in.
“...Noli?” she lowered Venomshank, “What…why…?”
Noli glanced around, seeing most of the cabin standing ready to fight, each ready to jump whoever came through the door, save for Slasher standing guard at the entrance to Kidd’s room, where the child was most likely hidden. He was puzzled for a moment before he realized he’d just walked up to the cabin accompanied by the sounds of chains.
“I thought you were Doom,” 1x breathed out, confirming his terrifying train of thought.
“I…” he started, looking around and seeing shocked expressions, ranging from frightened to disgusted, “...I pi553d i7 0ff.”
“I…No. We can’t have you have those on, we can’t–”
“7h3y w3r3 pu7 0n by i7, X,” Noli shook his head, “I 7ri3d 70 g37 7h3m 0ff, 7h3y w0n’7 budg3.”
“I can’t have the sound of clanking chains in my house,” 1x hissed.
Noli stood, wracking his brain as he desperately, desperately tried to figure something out, even as nothing came to mind.
Abruptly, Azure pushed his way into the conversation.
“Hey, hey,” he assured, “I have an idea, alright?”
Noli stared at him with anticipation, seeing 1x do the same.
“The shackles themselves will probably stay no matter what, but, I’m sure we can get those chains off.”
“H0w?” Noli asked, hating the shake to his voice.
“Do you two remember when I first got into the cabin and having the spawn tail was…wildly uncomfortable for me?” he responded, “And how we got Kidd to use Firebrand?”
“That…yes, yes that will work. It has to,” 1x nodded, “It has to.”
“Right,” Noli watched as Azure headed up the stairs, speaking something to Slasher before he opened the door to Kidd’s room, calling out, “Hey, Chili Pepper! Everything’s alright, we just need your help real quick, alright?”
Noli felt…terrible about pushing Kidd to do this. He felt terrible that he had to expose Kidd to this. Kidd was, however, the wielder of Firebrand, and therefore the one he trusted the most to use the sword.
Kidd slunk out of his room, eyes wide as he peered through the guardrail at Noli.
Ever since…the incident where Noli had temporarily turned feral, Kidd was so heartbreakingly careful around him, like he was afraid Noli was going to snap at any moment.
But there was also determination in his little face as he followed Azure and Slasher down the stairs. He trotted to stand in front of Noli, staring up at him with expectation, then glancing to the shackles for a moment, worry flickering into his face.
“Do you…want me to try to get them off?” he squeaked, tail flicking.
“Ju57 7h3 ch4in5,” Noli crouched down and gently held his arms out, “D0 y0u 7hink y0u c0u1d? I w0n’7 b3 m4d if n07, 0k4y?”
Kidd nodded with a determined little “hmph!”, summoning the deep red sword into his claws with such a strangely well trained flair. After a second, he blinked up at 1x.
“Um…can you…help me?” he chirped at her, “I can’t hold the chains and cut at the same time.”
1x nodded at him and grabbed the chain on Noli’s right wrist, looking to Kidd to seemingly see if it was exactly what he wanted her to do. He nodded back at her and ever so gently pressed Firebrand against the first link attached to the cuff. Noli held his breath, trying to keep himself as steady as possible as the chain eventually fell to the ground.
“...7h4nk5, Kidd,” he breathed out when the first chain was done. Kidd blinked at him for a moment before trilling.
“You’re welcome!!” he trilled. Then, his little face switched to as serious as he could make it, looking concerned, “Do I do the others now?”
“If y0u’r3 r34dy,” Noli nodded.
Kidd gently nodded his head to 1x to tell her to grab the other wrist chain, and he repeated the process.
And then there was a string of silence as he stared at the one around Noli’s neck, suddenly shrinking back, reminding Noli this was just…a scared little kid. His voice warbled with fear when he spoke next.
“I…I don’t wanna do that one,” his voice was small, “I don’t wanna hurt you…”
“H3y, h3y,” Noli assured, “I’m n07 m4d, 0k4y?”
“We’ll switch,” 1x offered, holding out her hand-talons to be passed Firebrand. Kidd hesitated for a moment before he handed the sword over, grabbing at the chain attached to the shackle on Noli’s neck.
“I-Is that okay?” he warbled, “I’m sorry if I’m pulling too hard.”
“Y0u’r3 ju57 fin3, 0k4y?” Noli assured, “D0n’7 w0rry.”
And then suddenly, with one trained slice, the final chain found itself detached, leaving just the shackles behind.
Noli sat down on the ground with a breath of relief, looking around to realize that most of the other killers had already dispersed to go do their own thing. He was abruptly shaken back to putting his focus on Kidd as the tiny reptilian-esque child grabbed onto him in a hug. He hesitated for a minute before hugging him back, breathing out.
“7h4nk5 f0r 7h3 h31p, Kidd.”
“N-No problem,” Kidd hugged tighter, “S-Sorry for being scared of you…”
Noli grimaced, glancing up at 1x, who had desummoned Firebrand back to wherever the swords went when not in an active summon. She was looking at him like she really wanted to yell at him for this most recent stunt, but couldn’t because of Kidd. He pulled his gaze back down, barely able to look at her out of shame.
“...I7’5 41righ7, I’m n07 m4d 47 y0u.”
If he was mad at anyone, it was himself.
Powerful, yet powerless here.
A certain someone needed to know what happened.
Noli wasn’t…the biggest fan of admitting he messed up, especially when he was visibly affected by it. He was even less of a fan of admitting it to an Admin. He was even less of a fan of being escorted to the meeting spot at the barrier, the rain from earlier having petered out and left the ground muddied.
And the absolute, most direly least-fun thing? He still couldn’t properly walk thanks to the absurd amount of pain, so he wasn’t even being escorted; he was being carried.
He twisted his claw-fingers further into Sixer’s fur as he rested on the back of the giant beast, grumbling angrily to himself as he realized just how uncomfortable the shackles were and that he was going to have to deal with them for the foreseeable future.
This whole day was a disaster. Not only was he…honestly terrified now, but he knew that 1x was mad at him. Not the ‘minor annoyance’ mad that he often got as a reaction from her that would disappear within the hour, no, genuine wholehearted mad. The kind of reaction that he’s pretty sure would normally mean she’d avoid him if she wasn’t so desperate to keep an eye on him.
He didn’t like it.
“Youuu ‘rrre pull ing at mmy ffffuu r,” Sixer grumbled at him.
He released his grip with a little “gh—”, sighing afterwards, “50rry, big guy. 7hinking 700 much…”
Sixer huffed as he moved on towards the meeting spot, shaking out his mane, “Thhh ey’ll cccome ar oun d sssoo n. Jusss t…upssse t.”
Noli hummed in hopeful agreement as the two reached the barrier, finding Builderman already standing there, a look of confusion on his face that Noli could see as he peered over Sixer’s head.
“...Wasn’t expectin’ anyone but you, Chaos.”
“51igh7…c4v347 70 b3ing 4110w3d 0u7,” Noli slipped off Sixer back and tried to land gracefully, wincing when he bounced a bit at the landing, striking up his headache again.
“I’ m a chaaa pero ne!” Sixer trilled.
It was then that Builder seemed to notice the glaringly obvious shackles, his face taking on an expression of concern that Noli never thought could be aimed at him, head-wings flicking.
“What’s…Noli, what happened?”
Noli grasped one of the shackles with his other hand, running his thumb along where the chain had been sliced off, “I uh…kind4…h4d 4 1i7713 4rgum3n7 wi7h y0u-kn0w-wh0.”
“...Do they hurt at all?” Builder spoke, with such a genuine concern. So genuine it made Noli sick.
“...N0, n0 7h3y d0n’7,” then, after a pause, “4nd I d0n’7 7hink i7’11 pu7 4ny 0n y0u. I7’5…4 puni5hm3n7 f0r d3fi4nc3.”
Builder’s head-wings relaxed and he let out a sigh, shaking his head, “So we’ve gotta be more careful. How are things goin’ on yer side?”
“D3c3n7. Y0u c4n 7311 S3v 7h47 Kidd’5 57i11 s4f3 4nd 50und,” he assured, conveniently leaving out the issues that had arisen recently. He didn’t need to worry poor Sev, who already had far too much on his plate.
If Sixer was questioning the lie, she didn’t say anything, but did raise a claw, as if asking for permission to speak. When Builder nodded, she cleared her throat.
“Cannn yo u tell Nnnnoob tha t I’m als o alrrrigh t?” they blinked, their voice still like an uprooting tree but with a twinge of nervousness that honestly left Noli hiding his laughter.
“I c’n do that,” Builder laughed, “No worries. They’re doin’ fine too, by th’ by. No need t’ worry about ‘em.”
Sixer made a grumbling sort of purring noise in response and Noli smiled up at them, only for him to stumble and thud against their leg, groaning in pain. When he ‘blinked’ back at Builder, he could see another look of concern.
“...I7 57ruck m3 wi7h 1igh7ning. I7 5uck3d,” he nonchalantly admitted, waving a hand.
“...Maybe y’ should head back t’ yer cabin,” Builder grimaced, “Get some rest. ‘S not good if yer outta commission.”
“H4!” Noli laughed, then gritted his teeth as another strike of pain, “M3 b3ing 0u7 0f c0mmi55i0n i5 gr347 f0r y0u, 7h0ugh!”
“Maybe durin’ rounds,” Builder shrugged, “But not in general. We need ya t’ help us all outta here.”
Then, he paused.
“...I really should let y’all know what yer…y’know, reward is fer helpin’ us out, hm?”
“I thhhough t it wassss jus t free edom,” Sixer admitted, suddenly reaching a claw-paw down to scoop Noli up and lift him to her back again, where he grabbed on and, for just a bit deciding to forgo his want to keep his mask of strength up, splayed himself out.
“Sure, that’s parta it, but uh…” Builder paused, and when Noli peered over Sixer’s head he could see Builder adjusting his hat, “We’ve decided, th’ resta th’ admins on this side ‘n I…we’re gonna pardon y’all completely.”
“Wh47?” Noli’s voice was abruptly soft, “Y0u’r3 j0king, righ7? 7h47’5 ju57 4 b4d j0k3?”
“No, I’m bein’ completely serious,” Builder’s face was indeed completely serious as he nodded, “Complete pardonin’. Slate wiped clean. Even got Chance t’ agree on ITrapped bein’ pardoned. So there’s yer good news t’ bring home.”
Sixer rumbled, some sort of choked noise. Noli nearly went to ask if it was okay, only to pause when he realized why it had made that noise.
“Thhh an k you,” its voice was harsh and soft at the same time, huddling on the verge of tears.
“Don’t mention it,” Builder smiled, “Least we c’n do fer y’all,” he then flicked a head-wing and turned away, “I’ve gotta get back t’ th’ cabin now, y’all take care, alright?”
“Wi11 d0,” Noli readjusted himself, “Y0u 700!”
With that, Noli and Sixer watched as Builder disappeared back into the fog on the other side. After a moment, Noli patted Sixer.
“137’5 h34d b4ck,” he sighed, “W3 5h0u1d g37 50m3 r357.”
And with that, the trek back to the killer’s cabin began, Noli’s spirits much lighter than when they arrived at the meeting spot.