Chapter Text
“Today, you both shall set out on the grand path to rebirth—“
They turn over, pulling their blanket tighter over their body.
“Timey, let’s go to the field!—“
Their eyes squeeze shut so tightly it starts to hurt.
“…It is in your name, great Spawn, that I make this sacrifice—“
The dried tracks of tears stain their cheeks. They’ve given up trying to wipe it off.
“…I love you.”
This is what Spawn planned for them. What they were destined to do. So why do they feel so bad now that it’s done?
…
Spawn, would they ever sleep?
“…Oh? It seems I’ve found an angel.”
Two Time blinks, trying to adjust to the light suddenly shining in their eyes. When had they gotten out of bed? They’re in that flower field again, but it’s bright now, but they can’t see the sun. The ‘sky’ is almost white, and a light, hazy mist hangs low over the blooms. They’re in that same fateful spot, but there’s a notable absence of the corpse they’d left in the grass. But on their back is a pair of featherless wings, made only of bones and a thin layer of skin. Those weren't there before they’d gone to sleep. That must be what he meant by ‘angel’—
Wait, what who meant? Whose voice was that?
They spin around, hand hovering over their hip, reaching instinctively for the dagger they’d been gifted just before. It isn’t there, leaving them defenseless, but the man in front of them doesn’t look like he’s interested in harming them… yet, at least.
He’s tall, more so than even their partner had been, and yet he wears a grey robe that still somehow trails along the ground. A halo made of flame burns behind his head, and similarly to them, he has wings— though his are larger, even comparatively to his size, and covered in magnificent brown and white feathers. A black capelet sits upon his shoulders, the large hood pulled up, casting a shadow to obscure his entire face. Deep brown curls peek out from beneath the fabric, accompanied by another, smaller pair of wings, bouncing slightly as he tilts his head, watching them.
Overall, he's imposing, and… ethereally beautiful. He seems kind of important, but…
“Who are you?”
The question, so flat and genuine, brings forth a laugh from the man’s lips. They can’t see his face, but his tone makes the amused sort of bewilderment very clear, like he can’t imagine someone doesn’t know who he is. He clears his throat, and in a grand, haughty gesture, he spreads his wings and his arms out wide. “I am Telamon, of course. You know, one of the Admins? Champion of The Heights? Some might even call me the God of Robloxia?”
Two Time shakes their head, still clueless. “The only god I know is Spawn.”
He scoffs, his shoulders dropping, and an awkward beat of silence falls over the both of them. Two Time clasps their hands, their fingers twisting and tangling together. Really, they’re being genuine, they don’t know who he is or what an Admin is— being raised in isolation will do that to you. He feels… genuinely curious, his arms crossing over his chest.
“Spawn, huh? …I see. That’d explain it. Ah, Dusek was right about that group still existing…” He’s muttering more to himself than to them, but they catch his words anyway. ‘That group’? ‘Dusek’? What?
..He soon shakes his head, dismissing the thought. “Oh, nevermind. My name is Telamon, and as I said, I’m kind of a big deal. It’s rare I find someone who’s never heard of me.”
“...My apologies.” Two Time bows their head, their voice taking on that reverent tone they use when speaking to their Elders. If he’s a god, then respect is necessary, lest they cross him.
But he makes that scoffing sound again, uncrossing his arms and taking a step closer. “Okay, none of that. It’s fine, it’s rather refreshing. Come on then, little angel, what’s your name?”
“...Two Time,” they answer, cheeks flushing at the nickname. Despite his encouragement, they still feel anxious, seeming to shrink into themselves as he approaches. The wings on their back give a slight twitch, still getting used to their own existence. “Um.. Why are you here?”
The question makes Telamon glance around, though they could only tell by the subtle movement of his head beneath his hood. “...Well, looks like I’m in your dream. One of my… powers is visiting others’ dreams. Usually I don’t do more than peek, much less manifest and talk to the dreamer, but it seems you’re an exception.”
Their brow furrows in confusion, they don’t remember falling asleep— but they suppose it makes sense. They don’t remember waking up and coming out here either. “Why me?” They ask, and the god just shrugs.
“Who knows; I suppose something just drew me to you. Honestly I don’t even think I stopped here intentionally… Haha.”
He moves forward again, stopping at their side. He really is much taller than them, it’s intimidating… but he seems completely docile, simply surveying the flowers, standing with his hands clasped behind his back. “..So, Two Time. What are you dreaming about? What does this place mean to you?”
…What a question, they think. How could they answer? How much should they tell? He’s a stranger, for one, but a stranger who also happens to be a god. Surely admitting to human sacrifice would only spell trouble for them. They settle on something vague, but not inaccurate. “It was.. our favorite place.”
Another moment of silence passes, and they feel his gaze shift back onto them. “‘Was’, huh?” His wings adjust slightly. They can’t tell if it’s judgement or pity in his tone, or if it’s completely neutral and they’re just reading into it in their panic—
“Mm. A shame.” He places a hand on their upper back, between their wings, making them flinch. But he keeps it there, clearly as an attempt at comfort, so they try to settle down. “Well, I can see why. It’s beautiful here. Isn’t it wonderful, the kind of scenery we have in Robloxia?”
“..I suppose,” they reply, “Not that I have seen anything beyond here. But any world that can hold something so beautiful is a blessed world indeed.”
“Haven’t seen- geez. I know your little group stays pretty secluded in the forest, but I didn’t think it was that bad,” Telamon says with a chuckle. Two Time wants to say something, but he goes on before they can interject. “You ought to explore a bit further, you know. There’s a lot of beauty out there. Better than this, even—“
“Nothing can be better than this.”
The cultist’s sudden outburst catches the admin off guard, making him stop his talking all together. He watches them from the corner of his eye, noting the tension in their frail frame- and the way the garden seems to blur around the edges.
“..Alright,” he says, the word rolling slowly off his tongue. “Nothing better. But still. There’s a lot of beauty to behold, and it’s a shame for a mortal to be so restricted. Consider wandering a little further than your forest at some point.”
Two Time has heard a similar idea before, haven’t they? Words that fell from their favorite lips, in their favorite voice, while they were wrapped up safe in their favorite arms. “We should try exploring more, Timey. See what else life has to offer. There has to be more than just Spawn, right? Doesn’t something here feel… wrong?”
…How they wish they’d said yes.
“I can’t,” they say now, just like they did back then. “I have duties I must fulfill here.” That earns them a click of Telamon’s tongue, and they turn to look up at him. They should move the topic before they start to cry. “Come to think of it, since you are a god, don’t you have duties as well?”
The man beside them smirks, the feathers on his head ruffling slightly. “Trying to get rid of me already, hm?” Two Time starts to protest, but he waves dismissively. “It’s fine, it’s fine. You’re right. I’m a busy man, and I’ve lingered in one place for too long. It seems like you’re about to wake up anyways.” He places a clawed hand atop their head and rustles their hair. “May you mourn in peace, Two Time.”
He flaps his wings, and the mist surrounding the landscape engulfs him, leaving nothing in his place. The garden around them goes fuzzy, and then their eyes are fluttering open to the familiar sight of their room in the cult’s dorm. They can hear the voice of Elder Amarah calling everyone to morning worship.
‘May you mourn in peace’.
If only.