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“Again and again and again and again”
“Do it again, do it again”
“Again and again and again and again”
“Do it again, do it again”
“Again and again”
~~~~
They were hammering away at the walls of their enclosure again.
Builderman had discovered where, exactly, in the forest that the terrain began to loop back in on itself. It had taken a few tests of making Shedletsky walk until he complained (which only took a few minutes to start) until he figured it out, marking the boundary with a thick line in the dirt. The area they had available wasn’t too small, but it wasn’t particularly large, either. Only so many animals were spawned in their enclosure’s borders, and Two Time’s garden could only support so many people.
The CEO had taken to trying to chip an exit into their walls with every free moment he could spare. Whether it was quite literal, using a chisel and hammer, or simply exercising his limited power by trying to shatter the wall, the other Survivors had to frequently come and fetch him from his work.
“Builds, I don’t think this is working how you’re hoping it will.” Shedletsky advised, arms crossed as he leaned against a nearby tree.
Builderman was at it again, this time with the chisel. He ignored the Avian.
“I simply must agree, it is not within these efforts we will become free.” Dusekkar dipped his head in a nod at Shedletsky, who smiled back at him.
“Yeah! There’s gotta be a way outta here, but this isn’t it, Builds. It’s like trying to dig through a cement wall with a plastic spoon. Theoretically it might be possible, but it’d be easier to do literally anything else.”
“Shedletsky’s words ring true, though this behavior feels as if it came out of the blue.” Dusekkar pressed, concern painting his pumpkin head. Builderman sighed, finally leaning back from his futile attempts at escape.
“....We need to get outta here. The others, they’re mostly Mortal, they’ve got lives to live. We don’t know how long we’ll be here. That could be their entire lives gone, by the time we get out some other way. And you don’t know this won’t work. Maybe I just haven’t tried hard enough yet.” Builderman crossed his arms, glaring down at the invisible seam of their containment.
Abruptly, he was lifted in the air by a familiar pair of talons, Shedletsky lifting him up to his feathered ruff.
“Take a break, Builds! Maybe we can work on some other ideas in the meantime!” He chirped merrily, already beginning to walk away with Dusekkar at his side.
“Agreed, old friend. Let this not be your means of an end.”
“Yeah, what he said!”
~~~~
Their first alternative attempt was a failure. So was their second. And their third. And their fourth.
Their fifth attempt provided some…. Interesting results.
“Can someone…. Please help me?” Noob sniffled from where they sat wedged halfway in the floor of the map. Two Time was crouched next to them, gently patting them on the head in comfort as Taph and 7n7 tried pulling them out by their arms.
The entire group of Survivors was surrounding the area, despite how they should be trying to survive the Round. The Killer, 1x1x1x1, was even there, leaned against a half-broken down wall and watching with extreme amusement on her face.
“Okay, so that didn’t work.” Shedletsky declared to Builderman, who was writing notes on a notepad he’d had stored in his toolbelt. He had a lot of things in his toolbelt.
“At least there is no pain, for screaming does not reign.” Dusekkar suggested half-heartedly, right before Noob started crying in earnest.
Somewhere in the background, 1x started laughing maniacally. Guest 1337 took a large step away, deciding that he’d rather try to pry Noob from the floor geometry than deal with any of that.
“It is alright, dearest Noob. At least you are not harmed?” Two Time tried to comfort, receiving a tearful look in return.
“But it feels so-so, so uncomfortable!!” They wailed, large wet tears sliding down their face. Two Time cooed softly at them, petting their canine ears gently.
“Just hold on, kid, we’ll have you out in a jiffy.” Guest 1337 declared, kneeling down and wrapping his arms around the exposed parts of Noob’s middle. They sniffled loudly.
Bracing himself, the Soldier began lifting, gritting his teeth as he began straining. The ground around Noob started to crack from the force, and they whimpered nervously.
Finally, in one swift motion, the ground broke entirely, still wrapped around Noob as they were lifted free of the floor. They yelped as they were all but tossed into the air, everyone staring at Guest 1337 in either horror or awe from the sheer strength one man held.
Noob was carefully caught by the Soldier, who sat them down a short ways away from the hole he had created in the map, ignoring the three Admins who immediately started poking at the hole.
Builderman promptly jumped in the hole, like some sort of idiot. Everyone winced as the CEO almost definitely died from the experience, the timer increasing by thirty seconds.
“Well, time’s almost up. Time to start running, little Survivors.” 1x growled, before sending out a Mass Infection into the shrieking crowd.
~~~~
7n7 panted, his stamina nearly completely exhausted. Chance spun around, aiming his gun at the Killer, Mafioso, before falling to the force of a Corrupt Nature being thrown directly at their skull.
The time set itself to just over a minute. Music began to play and-
Wait. That wasn’t the right song.
Mafioso and 7n7 stared at each other for a long moment as the opening notes of Plead began to play.
“That’s-” 7n7 started.
“Not uh. Not quite right.” Mafioso agreed, a hand coming up to rub the back of his neck awkwardly.
“This just-” The Demon Hybrid swallowed.
“Feels weird now?” Mafioso asked, receiving a nod in response.
“Really weird.”
“....I’m still gonna kill ya, by the way.”
“Yeah, that’s about what I expected.”
~~~~
Running. Panting. Their stamina draining with every step. They could practically feel the Slasher’s hot breath on the back of their neck, his thundering footsteps just a step behind their own. Noob sweated profusely as they darted to and fro, trying to dodge the incoming attack.
The Slasher lunges forward, flinging Noob forward with the force of his attack and-
“NOT AGAIN!!” Noob wailed loudly, now halfway through a wall entirely. Half of their torso, one shoulder and arm, and one leg were sticking out of the wall on the side of the Slasher, who had paused in sheer confusion.
“Oh dear, it appears our Noob has run the walls afoul, do you think we can pull them free, little owl?” Dusekkar asked Two Time, the two having been keeping nearby the chase as their cooldowns ticked down, hoping to assist the poor Canine Hybrid.
Two Time shrugged, stepping forward as Slasher hesitantly tugged on Noob’s free arm, causing another bout of wailing to ensue as a result.
“We may certainly try, Divine Pumpkin!” The Avian announced merrily, walking around the wall to see Noob’s teary face. They patted the side of the Noob’s head gently, offering their kindest smile.
“Do not fear, my canine friend, for your entrapment within these walls shall soon come to an end.” Dusekkar rhymed, beginning to try and use his staff as some sort of leverage.
Two Time grabbed onto Noob’s arm, and began trying to pull them free with a wickedly strong grip. Unfortunately, despite the pulling from one side and the pushing from the Slasher’s side, Noob seemed quite firmly stuck.
With no one to see him, Slasher signed sadly to himself.
“[Now it just feels bad to kill them….]”
“Divine Pumpkin, I fear we may have to call Guest 1337 over once more!” Two Time’s voice echoed from the other side of the wall.
“I fear so, little owl.”
“NOT AGAINNNN!” Noob wailed miserably.
~~~~
Shedletsky and John Doe circled each other, eyes narrowed as they followed each other’s path, trying to predict who would move first.
“Tough luck, big guy, gettin’ me for last.” Shedletsky taunted, trying to tick the timer down. His eyes flickered to a potential path, before resettling on John, who stabbed his spike into the ground.
Spreading his wings slightly in panic, Shedletsky darted for the escape that was about to be cut off, reaching a hand out towards it as the spikes erupted from the ground.
While usually Shedletsky would bounce off of the expertly timed spikes, it seemed that today would be an exception, as he suddenly found himself on top of them instead.
They both paused, John staring up at Shedletsky with as much confusion as a nearly mindless, corrupted beast of a man could possess. Shedletsky stared back down in equal confusion, somehow perfectly balanced on top of the spikes.
He carefully tightrope walked his way over the spikes, reaching the top of a wall that sat directly next to them, and hopped on top of it. Shedletsky grinned down as John Doe’s expression scrunched up in frustration, stomping in place angrily and creating a Digital Footprint.
“Too bad, big guy! Can’t reach me all the way up here!” The ancient Avian taunted, laughing at John Doe’s obvious frustration. Was it a bit unfair to abuse such a bug in his favor? Perhaps.
Were the Rounds themselves entirely unfair in the first place? Also yes.
Did Shedletsky feel any guilt about this? Not particularly.
“Tough luck, Johnny boy! Maybe next time you’ll get me!” Shedletsky laughed, wincing slightly as another onslaught of spikes raised from the ground. They were just too short to do anything about his position, and he laughed harder at the enraged expression on John Doe’s face.
Shedletsky would come to regret his decisions the next Round he had with John Doe, where he was promptly hunted like a wild animal for dinner by an unforgiving monster of a man.
Mistakes were made. Many mistakes were made.
~~~~
“Oh thank goodness it’s not me this time….” Noob sighed heavily, leaning forward onto their knees as the Survivors crowded around one of the entrances to the Horror Hotel, everyone looking upwards.
Builderman, for some odd reason, had spawned on top of the roof. He was crouched by the edge, estimating the jump, while Shedletsky kept yelling about him doing a backflip on the way down.
“I’m not doin’ a darn backflip, Shedletsky.” Builderman barked at the Avian, who laughed merrily instead.
“Um, Dad?” c00lkidd, who appeared out of literally nowhere and gave every Survivor a literal heart attack, tugged on 7n7’s sleeve. The Demon Hybrid startled visibly, but did not flinch away from his son.
“Ah- Yes, c00lkidd?”
“Why is he up there?” The child asked innocently. 7n7 blinked rapidly, his tail swishing nervously as he fidgeted with his hands.
“Ah, um, well, you see, he spawned in wrong, dear.” The Hacker explained to his son, who nodded slowly at him.
There was silence between the two for a moment. Shedletsky had stolen Dusekkar’s staff and had taken to poking up at Builderman, who was quite literally hissing at him. The other Survivors were milling about, either watching the scene unfold, or keeping an eye on c00lkidd, who appeared non-hostile for the moment.
“....What does that mean?” c00lkidd asked suddenly, breaking the silence. 7n7 sweated anxiously.
“Well, it uh, means that when he was brought to the map, he didn’t show up in the right place.” He said slowly, watching as c00lkidd nodded and hummed thoughtfully.
“That doesn’t seem very fair for playing tag.” He commented, and 7n7 dipped his head in acknowledgement.
“No, it’s not. But it was an accident, and Mr. Builderman didn’t do this on purpose. Do you understand, sweetheart?” 7n7 explained further, receiving an “Ohhhh” in response.
“Ohh, I get it now! He just needs some help getting down! And then we can play!” c00lkidd enthused, clapping his hands together merrily. 7n7 laughed awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck.
“Maybe let’s…. Not play tag today, ‘kidd?” He suggested, much to c00lkidd’s confusion.
“But why? You love playing tag!”
“Uh, yes, usually….” 7n7 started. “But wouldn’t it be nice to take a break? And- And sit together? I’ve, uh, really missed you, sweetheart.”
c00lkidd paused, his eyes growing distant for a moment. 7n7 froze, fearful that his sweet son would lash out in his confusion. The nearby Survivors grew tense, Sentinels preparing their abilities, Supports getting ready to act, when c00lkidd relaxed, smiling happily at 7n7.
“Yeah! Let’s hang out, dad! I missed you too! I gotta tell you all about what’s happened lately! Mx. 1x built us a whole big CABIN!” The little Demon Hybrid enthused, and 7n7 softened at the sight.
“Really, buddy? C’mere, why don’t you tell me all about it?” He prompted, placing a careful hand on c00lkidd’s shoulder as he began leading his son away from the Survivors. They watched the two go warily, no one daring to follow.
Shedletsky was still poking Builderman with Dusekkar’s staff.
“Yeah! Mx. 1x worked allll day and alllll night and then bam! There was a big cabin made! And I have my own bedroom in it!!”
“Really? That’s wonderful, c00lkidd. You’ll have to pass her my thanks, sweetheart.”
“I can do that! Okay, okay, and then I got to DECORATE my room!! Mx. 1x helped me get a racecar bed and everything!”
Well, that explained that one Round where 1x was all but building a nest on the racecar bed in the Horror Hotel.
~~~~
The three Admins sprawled together on the doubled up mattresses that made up Shedletsky and Builderman’s shared bed, each sighing loudly in exhaustion.
The past few Rounds had been…. Chaotic, to say the least.
From music glitches to poor, sweet Noob getting stuck in the geometry multiple times, to Builderman getting stuck on a roof for an entire Round, to Shedletsky’s eternal suffering at the hands of John Doe, it had been a very, very long few days.
There had been normal Rounds mixed in with the glitched ones, which had just added to their combined exhaustion. Going from a relaxing Round of chaotic glitches to a proper Round full of survival attempts was hard on the mind, and exhausting on the body. The three were content to take their short break together, in the shared cabin of Shedletsky and Builderman.
“I must say, my dears, that our attempts of escape went worse than we feared.” Dusekkar began, receiving groans of acknowledgement in response. He tutted, sitting up properly in order to address his partners.
“Our efforts were however not in vain, as our knowledge has ceased to wane.” The Mage commented.
“Oh yeah? In what way?” Builderman asked sarcastically as he sat up.
“We know what not to do, to find an exit that is true.” Dusekkar actually shot finger guns at Builderman, causing Shedletsky to erupt with laughter between them.
Two sets of talons reached out, snagging Builderman and Dusekkar by the scruffs of their clothing, pulling the back onto Shedletsky’s large chest. A twin set of “Oof!”s sounded out from the two, before they settled, not bothering to fight the strong hold.
“Enough chatter, more cuddling! I’m tired after all of that, and I know you two are too!” Shedletsky chirped, wrapping his arms and wings around his lovers. It was so rare to have Dusekkar in his arms, the other man usually more touch adverse than Builderman was. The Mage literally slept in his own cabin by himself most nights, after all.
“Yeah, yeah, calm down you big chicken. You’ve got us where you want us, no need for more fussin’.” Builderman drawled, rolling slightly onto his front and extending his arms upwards to rest in Shedletsky’s fluffy ruff.
In his defense, it was very soft, and Shedletsky usually encouraged him anyway.
“We are within your grasp my love, and tonight I will not observe from above.” Dusekkar decided, curling into Shedletsky’s embrace warmly. He was allowed to seek out affection sometimes, when he felt the mood strike him.
Albeit that mood was rather rare to strike, but it was fine nonetheless.
“Although, I must note your tendencies have increased, you even prepared the Survivors a feast!” Dusekkar explained, concern painting his tone. Shedletsky merely laughed.
“I’m fine, guys. Feel in perfect health as always. You don’t need to fret!”
“Well, if you’re sure….” Builderman trailed off, receiving another huff.
“I’m fine, you two. And, awful as it is to say, but I don’t know how I’d handle this place without you two.” Shedletsky hummed, a smile still on his face despite the dark words. Despite the grimness, Builderman and Dusekkar nodded as well.
“Couldn’t do it without either of you, I’d say.”
“To think of such a day, my heart would be frightened away.”
“Glad we’re in agreement!” Shedletsky chirped merrily. He pulled the two ever so slightly closer, cooing softly as he settled in on his back, wings comfortably outstretched so that they weren’t squished too awkwardly underneath him.
The Realm they were trapped in may be unstable and near impossible to escape from, but they would find a way. They’d free everyone, no matter what it took.