Chapter Text
Stormz had made up his mind. He was going to turn himself in. It was a risky move but his friends, Jelex, Kymiyo, Dumb, they would all be safe if he did this. He wouldn’t have to deal with protecting others from danger, from putting others in danger. He wouldn’t have to deal with guards constantly threatening him, and his friend’s safety. It was the, only option.
Stormz stared at his bounty board, his bounty had gone up since the last time he’d been to Soria. He saw Jelex and Dumb’s posters as well, only a couple blocks away from his own. They were posted right outside the King’s castle, a reminder of how rich Soria was; each of their bounties being worth a disgusting amount. It was also a reminder of how much influence Soria had on the people.
Influence they used to control people. Stormz thought it was funny how they called themselves a peaceful nation, yet all they’ve done was bring pain and loss to him and who he considered friends.
He took Envy and ripped the posters of his friends off of their boards, all except his own. Stormz walked with pride as he entered the king’s castle. He dragged the back of Envy on the ground, splitting the carpet beneath his feet. His wings lagged behind him as he walked.
Stormz adjusted his grip on the weapon as he lifted his hands to block incoming windcharges from the guards that lined the palace. Viscous cobwebs were poured onto his feet and wings, halting his procession.
Manic laughter came from the king. “What brings you, to my throne, once again,” Kunzy sighed like he was greeting an old friend.
“Is there any way out?” Stormz asked blankly, staring at the crazed king’s eyes.
“Is there a way out…is there a way out?I don't know Stormz, you tell me,” Kunzy giggled, mocking Stormz’s inquiry. He had Stormz, finally he had Stormz. He was right here, in his castle, tied up and surrounded. He was done for. Kunzy would gain honor back from the syndicate and prove once again he is fit to rule. He had everything under control.
Everything under control…
Stormz stayed silent, he knew the way out. He knew he could just, drop the scythe to his feet and he could have a chance at walking away. The syndicate would probably still be after him, saying he did steal a superweapon afterall.
“What? Can't say anything now that you're not hiding amongst my guards? That you’re not invisible anymore and wearing someone else’s skin?” Kunzy walked closer to Stormz, practically frothing at the mouth at the sight of Envy, “You know that little Scythe you use? Give it up. Give it up and you can be free. Free from everything! Live amongst your friends! What was his name…Dumb?”
“You had us both on bounty boards out there,” Stormz asked, his blank face holding a glimpse of discontent. His eyes fixed on Kunzy he asked, “I assume you sent guards on both of us. Do you know where he is?”
“Maybe I do, maybe I don’t?” Kunzy cocked his head, playing with his food.
Stormz groaned, “That-you can't just reply with a clown answer,” he was tired.
“YOU WANNA TALK CLOWN?” HAH! Stormz you entertain me you know that? You really do,” Kunzy cheered. He walked further into the depths of his lair, making sure it would be hard for Stormz to pull something.
“Come here and I’ll tell you what..” Kunzy motioned to follow.
Stormz wasn’t some dog on a leash. “Im not gonna walk if you tell me to,” Stormz scoffed as the guards that surrounded them poured water on his legs, loosening the cobwebs and soaking his boots. He shook off the stringy mess and stood firm, flashing Envy at any guard that dared to push him the wrong way.
“Oh you think you have a choice?” Kunzy teased. Reluctantly, Stormz strided down the hall, still dragging Envy behind him.
“You really have to mess up the carpets?” Kunzy sighed, unamused. It was petty, and Stormz knew that all too well. He just didn't care at this point.
“To answer your question, yes there’s a way out! Just give me your scythe and this can all be over!” The King demanded. Stormz stood there for a moment, knowing his decision. As much as he wanted to just fight his way out of this situation like he’s done times and times before, he felt oddly at peace with just letting Envy go. He felt contempt, not satisfied-wouldn’t go there-but he felt as if it was the right thing to do. Give up the scythe and live somewhere far away from Soria, or even the Syndicate’s reach. It might not be the ideal life but at least it’s a life where he knows he wouldn’t be respected for putting people’s lives at risk.
‘I’ll do it, I have to’ Stormz thought, his intentions clear.
Stormz raised his scythe that laid heavy in his hands, the cold embrace of the metal he would miss on hot days. He would miss the thrill of fighting with it and using its powers. Stormz was ready to think back to those times as mere memories. He lifted Envy, about to speak before he heard a voice throb in his head. It was almost like someone was talking directly into his head.
“You don't get to do that” the voice said, deep and almost angry.
“Are you gonna drop me the scythe?” Kunzy drew closer, his guards circling around the two.
“Was that just me?,” Stormz looked around in confusion, shaking his head.
Kunzy impatiently taunted, “What are ya talking about? What are you? Losing it or something?” He laughed nervously.
“Wha-what do you mean I’m losing it, did NO ONE else hear that?” Stormz eyes the guards that surround them.
“Back off, give us some space,” Kunzy commanded, “Someone was probably whispering something to you, messing with you.” Kunzy paced back and forth from his throne to the target in front of him.
Stormz didn't speak, he knew someone was talking to him. He heard his voice clearer than ever in his head. Great, another thing he had to deal with.
“Are you gonna drop me the scythe or no?” Kunzy asked, desperation clawing at his words, “Cmon im getting impatient.”
Stormz spun around once more like a lost child looking for his mother.
“Dud that literally can not just be me—“ he said.
‘Was Stormz stalling?’ The thought grazed Kunzy’s mind.
“Come on, just stop messing around. I-Im being serious,” Kunzy manifested a mace of his own, wielding it with sweaty palms.
“Okay-im not—WHOAH, WOAHH OKAY!” Stormz’s dead eyes widened at the sight of Kunzy’s mace. How did he have that? The only mace he knew of was the one Dumb had. This shouldn’t have been surprising considering he is the king of Soria and controlled by the Syndicate. Not to mention the rewards for the bounties they had put on Stormz and Dumb’s heads. The king probably had access to all sorts of things via the Syndicate or somewhere else. Regardless, seeing one was still a huge surprise.
“Drop it. I said drop the scythe,” Kunzy yelled, hostility lacing his words. Stormz was still trying to figure out who the hell was talking to him. It wasn’t one of the guards, and he wasn’t losing it. He knew he wasn’t loosing it, he heard that voice beam into his head.
“DROP THE SCYTHE!” The King repeatedly yelled into his face, Stormz tried to drown out the noise to think but he couldn’t.
His arms started to feel, weird. Almost like the feeling of sleep paralysis or not wanting to get up in bed that morning. His heartbeat pounded in his ears as it quickened. He started to breathe faster than he should, he never had any sort of breath issues before unless he was in an intense fight. His eyes started to droop as if he wanted to fall asleep. His wings became heavy on his back. He leaned on his scythe to support his weight, his nerves went cold and and his mind blurry like he was about to pass out. He felt as if a vacuum was puling his mind.
What was he doing? This isn’t what he came here to do. He didn't come here to suddenly get sick and chicken out. He wanted to come here to give up the envious scythe in his hands that had put so many people in danger.
“I said, you don't get to do that” The voice beamed once more into Stormz’s head. He could hear the manic shouts of the corrupt king fade.
“Dont get to do wha-“ Stormz’s was cut off as body went limp, his wings dropping to the ground and he felt as if he were going to collapse.
He blinked.
Suddenly he wasn’t in the castle anymore. He was in a desolate land, he blinked as shades of Crimson came into view. The ground contrasted the azure skies that reigned above him.
Great. Another thing to go wrong in his life. First he gets hunted down from tens of guards, ghosted by his friend, has a massive bounty placed on whoever could take his head, and is then taken down like a dog by a crazed Nepo baby!
This place felt almost unnatural. He could see his body but he couldn’t FEEL it. There was no air that brushed against his skin, no fluctuating temperatures. Was he in a dream? The feeling was uncanny. The sound of Kunzy’s screams was replaced with the sound of blowing wind that gave no feel against the skin. Pools of lava in depressions in the earth gave no warmth. As he scanned the desolate land he spotted a glint of armor shining in the red light. Stormz took to the skies to get closer to the player, wearing a full set of netherite armor, same as himself. Flying felt different too, the usual weight of gravity and the cold breeze was absent. They stood tall and had glowing white eyes and horns. He landed across from the player.
“Ohhh hey bro, you just uh. Come here for fun?” He joked, tired of this shit he had to deal with.
“Hi, good to finally meet you,” The player replied. It was the voice. This player, his voice was the one that was burned into Stormz’s head.
“Hey, so, what is this place?” Stormz waved around in confusion. He wanted to go home and now he was somewhere that looked like literal hell.
“You’ve escaped me one too many times Stormz…” The player said, wielding a netherite sword.
“Oh! So we’re gonna play this game! Okay, yeah yeah great, GREAT” Stormz groaned, burying his face in his hands, giggling out of pure confusion.
“So, like-what is this place anyway! Like where are we!” Stormz asked, stretching his wings in frustration.
“You’ll become familiar to all of this very soon,” the player chuckled. Stormz continued to giggle, he didn’t know what the fuck was going on. Gosh, he wanted to punch himself for sounding like Kunzy and his iggling ass.
“WHAT DOES THAT MEAN!” He yelled out into the wasteland.
“I think you know where this is going,” the player laughed as he splashed down potions, the glass evaporating? Nothing made sense anymore and Stormz didn’t care at this point.
“Oh okay, yeah. Every time, EVERY TIME, okay, OKAY!” The familiar purple scythe spawned in his hands, yearning to be used. A set of potions appeared in his hands as the white-eyed player crept closer.