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nebula-starlight · 6 years

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Comatose (pt. 6) - Secrets

First: Prologue / Last: Reverse

I was inspired by recent events in the community to develop this chapter, honestly. Hope you enjoy!

“Jack... Vhat are you doing?”

He struggled with the cords keeping him hooked up to dozens of machines, ripping lines free amidst Schneep’s increasing protest to stay still. Like hell he was after what that demon had done to him! And the community... his fans... had they even known the difference? He couldn’t just sit there and watch as everything crashed down around him!

“Dude, relax.” A hand reached out, gripping his shoulder in a firm but reassuring gesture. He didn’t even need to look at who it was, the voice providing him enough information. “You’ve been out of it for months. Jumping right back in is too much strain...”

“I don’t care,” he muttered, shaking his head as he pulled away from Chase’s slacking hold with a huff. “Everyone needs to know the truth.”

“Vhich one?”

The steeled gaze he brought upon himself was, possibly, rightfully earned after his comments months ago with the doctor in private. Except now he knew it hadn’t been just the two of them alone in the room at that moment. He couldn’t look at Henrik, keeping his eyes averted as he struggled with a particularly stubborn IV lodged in his hand.

“You weren’t yourself, Schneep. The others never knew... The fans practically condemned you the minute they saw those images...”

His chest felt tight, pain squeezing along his lower back and spine as the prolonged pressure on weakened muscles proved to be too much. With a hacking cough, he collapsed back onto the crinkled sheets, energy all but spent. He couldn’t go to sleep. Even closing his eyes would only bring back the terror, the feeling of that sharp steel cutting through his neck as he sat paralyzed, gaze leveled at the blinking camera in a desperate, silent plea for help.

There was a chance that falling asleep would, however, bring about the return of the nightmare that was so engrained in his mind. How his condition worsened as thin strings looped around his wrists and ankles, pinning him down onto a cold surgical table as the doctor loomed over him. He thought, at first, that Henrik was there to help but then he heard it echo underneath each word... That far too haunting giggle. The glitch was there. No one was coming to save him this time.

“Stay vith me buddy!”

Jack jolted back awake, recoiling from the concerned hands touching his neck as his gaze scanned the room in rising panic. Whitewashed walls, the thick scent of heavily bleached products... He couldn’t be back there. Why was he back there? He thought the nightmare had ended after...

“Jack? You okay? You scared us for a second there.”

He shuddered, eyes flickering wide open in terror as the irritation affecting his throat caused him to cough again, tasting the rich metallic taste of iron in the back of his mouth. Trying to keep himself grounded, he looked up at the individual who’d spoken, seeing the blur of red and blue but failing to produce a name to go along with the familiar face. He’d heard the voice in his dreams sometimes. Always in a whisper. Always begging him to come back. What had he said...?

It was... Oh, he knew it. Just on the tip of his tongue... Why couldn’t he remember?

You need to wake up!

He screamed until he was hoarse, jerking back as the sound of electricity crackled through the air. Something was wrong! Why was he experiencing this crippling pain? He hadn’t died. Surely his mind was just playing tricks on him. It wasn’t real... It couldn’t be real...

“You just had to antagonize things, didn’t you? It was too soon, Chase! He just woke up from a damn coma for fuck’s sake.”

“How the hell was I to know he’d respond like that? I’m not a doctor, Marv. And in case you weren’t aware, ours is currently curled up in a corner in a state of panic because of the day it happens to be!”

The voices... He knew the voices. Remembered them even if the names eluded him. The magician... Marvin, wasn’t it? Hadn’t he seen him in the dream trying to break the shackles? He said he was sorry for not naming him sooner before...

A fresh surge of pain split through his head, his hands shaking as he tried to reach up to his skull to soften the throbbing agony. Everything was on fire. He heard sirens, then the creeping crackle of approaching static. Why wouldn’t it leave him alone?! What had he done to warrant such continued punishment?

Lashing out as he squeezed his eyes shut, he felt his foot connect with something hard and he pulled back, shuddering as another cough nearly caused him to collapse as he turned to support himself with a hand curling into the sheets under him. He wasn’t weak... He wasn’t sick... Nothing mattered but escape. The fans had to be told. He had to see they hadn’t left him. Being alone had sparked that paranoia that always whispered in his ear that he was a useless nobody.

‘Jack, good sir, take it easy. We have you.’

His strength left him, falling onto his side in a coughing fit as warm blood dribbled down his chin. He had to make sure they were okay! Even if it was costing him days of recovery he needed to see he wasn’t alone. Being alone meant that thing was there... watching him, judging him silently.

He opened his bloodshot eyes with a desperate surge of strength, searching past the concern gazes of Marvin and Chase to where a certain doctor was indeed curled up in a corner rocking back and forth. Occasionally Schneep would mutter something under his breath but it was too low to make out, his hands buried deep in his untamed hair as he was almost invisible to the others.

How hard was the day for the only other one of them that had been possessed by the demon? His heart went out to him, it really did, but he was still coughing up blood and that alone was making it hard to concentrate. He had to stay awake! He had to...

Jack’s head dropped, his violent spasm finishing with a low gurgle as the magician and father exchanged a silent glance. It had been touchy for several days now with their creator lapsing into moments where he’d seem to be alert one moment and then suddenly be frantically trying to get away before his strength would abandon him and he’d pass out. Had it not been the particular day it was, they knew Henrik would have been helping to keep him calm. Something always seemed to pass over him, his eyes going from clear to cloudy before becoming violent as though he wanted out of the bed despite it being the safest place for him so he could heal.

“It’s passed for now,” Marvin noted, adjusting his cloak before going over to Henrik to see if he could help. They all had known the day would be difficult but having Jack wake up only to still be out of it continued to weight down their optimism. If only all of them could come together...

Chase, however, hung back, using the edge of the already bloodstained sheets to wipe at Jack’s still open mouth. What caused him such stress? He would never get better if he kept spazzing out every day. Rolling his creator onto his back with a sigh, he smoothed out the sheets and pulled over the unused chair to sit and wait. It seemed that was all he ever did now besides making videos, and even that had been cut back to one a day.

‘You help out more than you realize...’

The hairs on the back of his neck rose, fear twisting in his gut at how raspy the voice sounded. He dare not glance behind him, eyes flickering over towards Marvin and Henrik instead. The magician went rigid, his chest barely moving as the edges of his cloak were crushed under his curled fingers. It wasn’t just him hearing it then, right? That voice really was there.

“You aren’t supposed to be here. I saw your mangled body! How the glitch cut out your soul.” The words were forced out through clenched teeth as Marvin let his cape fall beside Schneep, standing up and addressing the intruder by name. “Explain that, Nether.”

“Magic, my dear magician. Well... that and a bit of a certain influence.” The voice wavered, shifting tones as it became fully audible. Chase immediately jumped to his feet and whirled around, ready to protect both Jack and Henrik if necessary from the combined threat.

Neither of them recognized the body it had taken, the slim but sizably muscular male frame as the top of its head was slicked back with green tipped hair. Sporting a bloodstained gray hoodie and long black pants, the figure approached with barely any noise.

“Such a shame the community places trust so quickly in an ego and then rips it away. That’s when it’s the easiest for me to slip in and do what I do best...” He smiled, the grin not one of friendliness or comfort but, rather, one of almost murderous intent. “I wouldn’t worry too much over Jameson right now, despite the fact he’s likely doubled over in pain as the fans battle over whether he is pure or a puppet. Much the same happened to Henrik last year before my grand appearance. Of course, you can try to help them but I promise it won’t do any good.”

He stalked forward, eyes glowing a bright green. Chase flinched back, remembering to his horror that he had indeed seen that glow before. It was still as unnerving as it had been back then. “So, who will you go to? The mute or the doctor... We’re all waiting Brody.”

“Go to him,” Marvin hissed at his brother, stepping in front of him as magic swirled around his hands in preparation for use. “I’ll protect Jack and Henrik as long as I can.”

As soon as the younger ego had bolted out of the room, the magician shifted uneasily as he noticed Nether watch Chase leave without saying a word. Did he already have a plan in place to trap the two of them? He hoped not but feared what a mix of intellect and manipulation was capable of when under control by the glitch.

“Round two, huh?” He scoffed, glancing over at Jack out of the corner of his eye. If Nether knew he was awake...

“Who you do think woke him?”

Marvin was sure his heart dropped to the pit of his stomach at the remark, the emotions he’d shoved deep down causing his eyes to burn. It wasn’t true! Jack had broken free from his coma all on his own. He had to have.... Anything else was-

“A stab in the gut?” The tainted soul chuckled, twirling a hand to summon the signature weapon of choice used by the glitchy demon. “A metaphorical one as the case may be but certainly it can become physical.”

Marvin shifted his footing, eyes narrowing as the green fire surrounding his gloved hands glowed brighter. After what had happened the last time they fought he wasn’t exactly confident but he knew someone had to protect their creator. If one fell they all would. And killing the root would destroy the branches. Certainly the glitch would be aware of that or did he even care?

“Come now, you really think I‘d go away simply because of an injury like that?” He stepped closer, pointing the tip of the blade directly at the magician. “Where’s that sense of reverence you once had towards me when we first properly met?”

“You aren’t him, not completely.” Marvin countered as the room darkened, the glow of green the only visible light source.

The possessed soul growled, baring his teeth right before he lunged forward and slammed him up against the bed railing at the end of Jack’s bed. Cold steel pressed against his neck, the feeling bringing back memories of what he’d seen inside their creator’s head. Somewhere in that body had to be Nether but he didn’t know how to wake him... nor if he even could. A power source... that’s what Anti needed with the illusionist’s soul. That’s why he appeared different, having used a form none would recognize.

“Is that so?” The rasp sent a chill down his spine, noticing how the glowing green eyes drifted towards Henrik. “Oh, my dear puppet, you are quite mistaken. The good doctor knew exactly who this pathetic body belonged to... only it was far too late to make any difference. Before he had a chance to say anything Jackaboy got sick and well... I think you know where that went.”

It couldn’t be possible... Had Henrik hidden more information from them? Just exactly who was the body this monster walked around in?

“Who is he?” Marvin reluctantly pulled back his magic away from his hands, deciding on a whim to see if he could appease the creature by letting him think he had won. “The one you wear, I mean.”

“His former host...”

The voice was strained yet distinct enough that he recognized it, attention darting over to where Schneep was slowly pushing himself up into a standing position with one hand wrapped around his chest. It was easy to see the pain hadn’t left him just yet by how labored each breath sounded but Marvin was glad he had an ally this time around. There was always strength in numbers after all.

Leaning heavily against the wall, it took the doctor a moment to get his breath before he continued. “Zhat is zee reason no one recognized him.”

“Deceiver... Speaker of mistruths... Is there any other reason to find interest in such a powerful being?” The multi-layered voice shifted, becoming closer in sound to Anti’s for the question as the being stepped back. “Simply taking advantage of what lays around unused.”

Unused....? That couldn’t be right, unless... Marvin’s eyes widened, recalling he did in fact see Anti cut out Nether’s soul while in Jack’s mind. The glitch hadn’t just taken a power source, he... He trapped the spirit there without any sort of anchor to his physical form. That’s why there had been no shadow perched on the bed railing. It also explained Jack’s spasms...

“Tell you what,” the monster rumbled, one eye still glowing green while the other faded to a vibrant crimson recognizable as the soul who was being used for power. “I was going to make a show of power to all those lovely fans but, instead, I think I’ll wait. It’s far too easy to get them whipped up into a frenzy and drag out their suffering.”

Taking a step back, he waved away the knife with a flurry of glitches before he started to fade, the only thing truly visible being his heterochromatic eyes. “There’s sure to be a special milestone coming up after all. What better time then when everyone’s guard is down.”

The glitch left with the warning still in the air, a chill coming over Marvin as he turned to Henrik for an explanation. How was it they’d gotten into this mess? Furthermore, just what exactly did the doctor know that he hadn’t told to anyone else?

“Stay here,” he warned, grabbing his cape off the floor and clasping it back around his neck. “I’m going to get the others and then we’re gonna sit down for a long meeting. You’re doing it again, Henrik. Why can’t you just trust us and stop hiding things? We are your brothers after all!”

“Did any of you stop him vhen he showed up?” The doctor softly muttered, glancing away from the stern glare as his posture changed to one of guarded defensiveness. “Nein...” He stepped away from the wall, hands balling into tight fists as Marvin noticed tears glisten in his red, puffy eyes. “You left me alone vith Jack! None of you came. No vonder Jackie left us.”

“What? But he...” Words failed him, the knowledge that the eldest ego had fled draining him of his earlier anger at Henrik hiding information.

“He left us,” Schneep repeated, throwing out a hand towards Jack. “If one goes down they all vill. Anti knew about zee parody. And how to break us apart.” He sighed, sagging against the bed railing as Marvin stepped away towards the door. “Go get zhem.”

“Sit down first, Henrik.” Marvin thought better of leaving immediately, spotting the unused rolling chair left from when Chase went out and brought it over for the doctor to collapse into. “Now then, I’ll be back shortly with the others. Be ready to tell us everything you’ve hidden, no matter how scarring it might be. We are stronger than you seem to think.”

#comatose #jacksepticeye #jse fanfiction #jse egos #dr. schneeplestein #chase brody #marvin the magnificent #jameson jackson #jackieboy man #antisepticeye #the illusionist (nether)

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orphanbrigade · 6 years

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Back To School

Orphan Brigade [Baby Years]: The story of how an infamous crime lord became the guardian of three children and a teenager.

(Previously posted in six sections. This is just the whole story together in one post!)

(Trigger warning: Kidnapping and Gun Violence)

Getting the Lads prepared for school was always a nightmare. Mostly due to the fact that the Lads weren’t interested in attending. They would much rather stay home and play video games.

Ryan, Jack and Geoff drew straws to see who would be the unfortunate soul who had to take the Lads Back-to-School shopping.

“Shit...” Ryan muttered to himself as he realised that he had chosen the short straw.

“Good luck buddy.” Geoff laughed, patting Ryan on the back before making a quick exit.

“I have a list of all the stuff they’ll need.” Jack explained, passing Ryan a list of supplies and enough money to cover the expenses. “It’ll be fine.”

“Don’t lie to me Jack.” Ryan responded in monotone as he left the room to tell the boys the news.

Ryan looked at the list in his hands, then down at the boys who were waiting impatiently. They had just arrived at the mall and the lads were already bored.

Boredom was dangerous for the lads. That’s when they caused the most trouble.

“….Okay. So here’s what we’re going to do. Whoever finds an item on my list first gets a point. Whoever gets the most points at the end of the day gets a prize.”

The lads eyes lit up.

“What kind of prize?” Gavin asked excitedly.

“You’ll have to find out.” Ryan gave the boys a mysterious smile and ushered them into the first store.

“Right.” He grabbed a basket. “First item is rulers. I need three rulers.”

The boys bolted off, each picking a different aisle to hunt for the desired object.

Ryan smiled to himself, proud of his strategy. This was the first time he’d ever seen the boys eager to shop.

The only downside with his plan was that the boys were split up and would constantly disappear out of sight.

Ryan wasn’t too worried though.The lads were smart. They knew not to wander too far away and to retrace their steps if they got lost. Ryan trusted them so didn’t worry too much about keeping a constant eye on them.

Every time an item was dropped into his basket, Ryan used his old-timey announcer voice to award points, making the lads giggle.

“And Ray pulls ahead in points with his discovery of three, that’s right three, shiny new pencil cases!” He announced dramatically, checking his list to see what else they needed.

After a few moments he realised that it had been a while since Gavin had earned any points.

In fact, it had been about ten minutes since he had last seen the boy.

Now Ryan was worried.

“Well?” Ray looked up inquisitively. “Whats the next one?”

“… Gavin.” Ryan responded, taking Ray by the hand. “We need to find your brothers.

Michael was found almost instantly. Straining to reach some pencil cases from a shelf far higher than his little arms allowed him to reach. He was swearing under his breath as he struggled.

“I already got those.” Ray boasted.

“Have you seen Gavin?” Ryan asked.

“Nope. He went that way to find the pens before?” Michael pointed down the aisle.

“Hold Rays hand.” Ryan told him. “Don’t let go okay?”

Michel pouted, upset that the game was apparently over. “Fine.”

“He has to be nearby..” Ryan said, mostly to himself, as they searched the aisles. “Maybe Geoff is right, we should get tracking chips for you guys.”

“Like you put in dogs?” Michael asked.

“Exactly.” Ryan nodded, glancing around for any sign of their tiny Brit.

He scowled as he spotted Gavin’s backpack near the entrance of the store. Ryan knew exactly what had happened.

Someone had kidnapped Gavin.

Ryan had to hand it to him, Gavin knew exactly what to do in an emergency.

After finding Gavin’s backpack near the entrance to the store, he soon spotted one of Gavin’s shoes by the water fountain. This was followed by a friendship bracelet that Gavin always wore around his wrist (he had made ones for Michael and Ray but they never wore them. Michael kept his in a box of precious things and Ray had his looped around a strap of his backpack).

One thing became very clear to Ryan, Gavin was leaving a trail. Like Hansel and Gretel leaving their trail of breadcrumbs.

As they walked, Michael picked up anything that belonged to Gavin and stashed it away in his backpack for safekeeping, determined to give the items back to their rightful owner.

They eventually came to an apartment block, Ryan glanced up at the towering building. There was so many rooms, he had no idea where he would even start.

“Hey Ryan!” A voice broke Ryan out of his quiet contemplation.

He spun around to find Trevor looking at him with a cheerful smile.

“Trevor? Perfect.” Ryan placed a hand on Trevor’s shoulder. “This is important. I need you to take the boys home. Don’t stop for anything. If anyone you don’t know tries to stop you, just keep walking and call Geoff or Jack. Okay?”

“What’s going on…?” Trevor asked tentatively. “Where’s Gavin?”

“I’m going to go find him. But I need you to look after Michael and Ray. Can you do that for me?”

“Um, yeah! Of course!” Trevor nodded adamantly.

“Do you have a weapon?”

“I don’t exactly carry weapons around with me all the time.”

Ryan pulled out a flick-blade from his pocket. “This is the best I have right now. Take it. Just in case.” He pressed the knife into Trevor’s hand.

“No way!” Michael yelled. “I’m going to help get Gav too!”

Ryan knelt in front of Michael. “I know you want to help him. But trust me, this is the best thing we can do right now.” Ryan reached into his bag and pulled out his trusty black skull mask. “I’m going to get him back.”

Trevor was way out of his depth.

He was used to baby-sitting the lads. He did it all the time when Ryan was busy with school, family or heists. That part was easy.

But clearly something terrible was happening.

He had no idea what had happened. But Gavin was missing, Ryan was shaken, and the remaining lads clearly didn’t want to talk about it.

Trevor had never known Michael be so silent. Frankly it was a little jarring.

Ryan’s warning rang in Trevor’s head as they walked. Trust no-one.

Trevor had never been much of a fighter, but he certainly wasn’t going to let anyone hurt the boys. He kept one hand in his jacket, his fist curled around the knife Ryan had given him.

He glanced down at Michael, realising that the boy was carrying two backpacks. “Do you want some help with that?” He offered.

“No!” Michael shook his head adamantly, clutching the backpack to his chest.

Before Trevor had a chance to respond, a fist crashed across his jaw, sending him to the ground.

He opened his eyes to find a tall, burly man grabbing Ray by the hood of his jacket.

“Come here you little Twerp.” He rasped, his voice hoarse from years of smoke damage.

Ray kicked at the mans shins and Michael launching himself on the mans other leg, punching and kicking. The series of blows probably would have caused a lot of damage if Michael had been taller than the mans hip.

Trevor got his his feet. His legs were shaky and his ears were ringing. But he had a job to do. He had to protect the kids.

He yanked out the knife from his pocket, flicking it so that the blade snapped out into place. “Let go of them.” He demanded.

The mans eyes fell on Trevor and he laughed. “How are you going to make me?” He asked with a sneer. “You’re not much bigger than these brats. And that knife is so small I could use it to cut my nails.”

“Let. Them. Go.” Trevor repeated, lifting the knife.

The man opened his mouth to respond, but a baseball bat crashed into his abdomen, knocking the wind from his lungs.

Trevor looked over to find a teenage boy who he recognised from school.

The boy looked over at Trevor with large, panicked eyes. “Run!”

The student scooped up Ray as Trevor grabbed Michael and the pair sprinted away.

After a few blocks, Trevor slowed, totally out of breath. They were almost at the penthouse so he placed Michael back on the ground and leaned against the wall to catch his breath. “Thanks.”

“No problem.” The teen lowered Ray. “He looked like he was about to steal the kids… That is what was happening right? Or are you the kidnapper?”

Trevor laughed. “I’m the baby sitter. Thanks Man. You have no idea how much I appreciate it… Sorry, I can’t remember your name.”

“Alfredo.” The boy laughed. “Don’t worry about it though. I think we only have English together.”

Michael pointed to the bat in Alfredo’s hands. “Why do you have that?”

“I’m on the baseball team.” He explained with a shrug. “Do you guys live close?”

“They’re just in that building there.” Trevor pointed. “Come on, Geoff will want to know everything that’s happened…”

Ryan was completely unarmed.

He had (wrongfully) assumed that the shopping trip would be rather straight forward, so he had only brought the small flick knife which he carried at all times.

But he’d given that the Trevor, figuring that if someone was targeting the boys their guardian should be armed.And Trevor needed all the help he could get.

Ryan didn’t need a weapon. He could raise hell without one.

The mask hid his face, but his body language radiated pure rage.

Gavin’s trail continued through the building. The last hint was a small patch of blood staining one of the doors.

Without forming a plan or exit strategy, Ryan kicked the door down. The hinges snapped from the force and the wood crashed to the ground.

One look was all Ryan needed. It was clearly a rival crew with a grudge against Geoff and Jack. Five men were stood in the room; one by the door way, two smoking by the window, and two on the couch talking to a clearly terrified Gavin.

Ryans fist come in contact with the face of the man by the door. Using the element of surprise to his advantage, he spun the man around, looking for a weapon. As he suspected, Ryan found a gun attached to the mans belt. He yanked it free from its holster.

“Ryan!” Gavin squeaked, his voice filled with panic.

“Close your eyes Gav.” Ryan demanded, raising the gun.

Gavin squeezed his eyes shut and flinched every time a bang rang through the air. He counted every gun shot. After the tenth, everything went silent.

The room had gone silent. Gavin didn’t know who fired the bullets or where they had landed. He was far too scared to open his eyes to find out. He didn’t want to see Ryan hurt. Or worse.

“Keep you eyes closed Gav.” Ryans voice gently broke the silence, getting closer to him. “Don’t open them, okay?”

Gavin kept his eyes squeezed shut. “Okay.”

“Promise me?” Ryan asked as he picked Gavin up.

“Promise.” Gavin clung to Ryan, exhausted and frightened.

As they exited the room, Gavin was tempted to take a look. One peek wouldn’t hurt. He just wanted to know what kind Ryan had done to his kidnappers.

Before the temptation could overwhelm him, Ryan gently placed a hand on the back of Gavins head, softly pressing the boy into his shoulder so that it was impossible for him to see anything.

Ryan pulled off his mask and they quickly escaped the apartment building. Ryan started the walk back to the penthouse, keeping a soft grip on Gavin, not letting the boy out of his arms.

“Hey Ryan…” Gavins voice was so quiet Ryan barely heard him.

“Yeah?”

“How many of the constellations do yo know?”

Ryan smiled gently, knowing that Gavin was just trying to distract them both. “Well, let’s see… There’s Andromeda, Antlia…”

Ryan continued naming constellations until they reached home. Ryan left Gavin safe with his family, Jack and Geoff fussing over the lad while Michael and Ray asked him a million questions.

While they were distracted, Ryan snuck away and headed back to the store. He bought everything that the lads needed for school, teddy bears for each of them and a pack of glow in the dark stars.

When he returned, he affixed the stars to the lads ceiling in secret, trying his best to recreate the constellations.

By the time bedtime arrived, Gavin was too scared to sleep, afraid that he would be taken again.

He hugged his new teddy tightly and gasped in surprise as he rolled over and spotted the stars. Gavin quietly recited the list of constellations under his breath, as if he was counting sheep, and slowly fell asleep.

#fahc #fake ah crew #Achievement Hunter #fake ah crew au #ah

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thehobbblog · 7 years

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Entry #26

I’m not entirely sure what happened today. We stumble upon an oasis, which was nice. It’s good to see oasises exist down here. We could have pushed past it, with our water supplies filled. We decided to stop in and check it out regardless. It was pretty, very serene. A pool of pretty clean water, surrounded by palm trees. Shellers were wandering around, and one giant Dungeon Breaker was lording over it. The palm trees had coconuts, but they were huge. Like, you could fit two people in there for an incredibly uncomfortable bath. Anna went up to fetch one, but it felt a bit like stealing. You know how like in Aladdin they have the cave where everything’s free, but if you touch any of it you all die? I don’t know, I just felt like someone would have claimed this oasis by now. Maybe someone who had a big dungeon breaker pet, or a druid. It didn’t bother Anna, who knocked three coconuts down. It didn’t bother Avram when he punched a hole in one with his bare hand. It didn’t bother Weylinn as he started looking for bottles to keep the milk cold--the pitch black sickly sweet milk--and it bothered the Devily as the nearby sand dunes began to move. A group of purple skeletons popped out of the dunes, and began swinging implements of battle. Lucas screamed that he saw them before, when I got the cloth. The Devily hopped on to the Burnt to engage them. I don’t know what possessed me to do it, and I couldn’t tell you why I don’t regret it. But I ran back to the cart, to try and come at them from the side. And in the free time that I had, I took the scarf out and tied it around my face. I can come up with reasons now that it’s over. The best one I can come up with was that I was reaching for the linen mask and missed. I’m pretty sure I made the decision consciously. Undead in the desert are a real risk, and after last night I was in no mood to lose anyone else. I was in even less of a mood to let Weylinn let the Devily die. Getting yourself killed is still killing yourself. I don’t know. I was confused, I was stupid, I was jealous. All of those things quickly gave way to anger. I was so mad, indescribably furious. Everything happened so fast. I saw the Devily taking damage he didn’t need to, and it made me upset. I saw Anna hanging on a top of a tree, and I was incensed. Weylinn used an armour spell he should have already had up, and I was fucking enraged. The skeletons were laughing at me, I could see blood, but there wasn’t any. Stuart chirped in distress, he wanted to help. I didn’t see Avram, because I stopped seeing anyone. I was completely beside myself And I was enraged I don’t know how to describe it. I don’t think the skeletons deserved it. Every breath through the bandanna brought another wave of Violence into my mind, and I was breathing heavily. Images of the mangled bones, torn flesh, glorious battle. Nothing was dead, that’s too good. But it was hurting. And I was hurting a lot. If I seem oddly clinical, it’s because I’m not sure what of this is my memory, and what isn’t. Because I don’t really remember anything past putting on the cloth. I get flashes, images. I think I screamed a lot, because my throat was hoarse. I caused a lot of pain, very quickly. I saw blood, I saw pain, there was screaming, there was crying. I saw you, and I saw your face. LBG 16B3. Beautiful music rang through the air, or bones were breaking. I can’t tell. The scarf whispered sweet affirmation, and I followed it’s instructions. I wasn’t aiming at skulls, or whatever kills skeletons. I wasn’t even aiming at skeletons. There were no skeletons. There was everyone I’ve ever failed. Or maybe it was me. Everything I hated was currently in front of me, and I wanted it in pain long before I would let it die. Slashes flew faster and faster, unnaturally accurate and painful. I think the only reason I was still holding the shield was because I couldn’t bear to release the fist. Vision blurred, and I saw Evil. Just like I was when I was a Paladin. I can’t answer questions about it, because I don’t know what happened. But it felt fantastic. And I woke up in the sand, with everyone clambering over me. Weylinn wanted to talk about it, but my throat was so dry. There were a lot of dead skeletons. I’m told one of them caught fire, I’m pretty burnt. I don’t remember that. I remember the screaming. Apparently I started screaming, and collapsed when they were dead. Everyone tried to get the scarf off but it wouldn’t let go. It did, I guess. I hope I didn’t scare anyone, but I need to understand what happened. Maybe I should have one of them video tape it next time, if I learn what caused it. The scarf was off, and I put it away. I know how much grief I gave Alice for trying to control the scarf, so I’m probably a fool as well. But maybe I can make use of it, for good. Maybe I should get rid of it. I want one of the cigarettes so bad. The Devily was almost dead, bleeding into the sand. It’s dust was already disappearing. Everyone spent their healing spells healing the living, but I was too tired to be mad anymore. He didn’t die, as much as he wanted to. I split my water with him, in apology. Some of the dorks do magic, and find that the skeletons work for Cortez. Cortez wants fire, so that’s good. I wanted to light them all in a funeral pyre, and the rest of my friends stopped me. It bothered me regardless. I was already getting angry again. The group decided to beat a name out of the Devily, who didn’t want one. The also didn’t want to use his number, 48601. They called him Suicide, and the Burnt will be Bitter. It’s kind of cute. We had a lot of time to chat, and think while we rested a bit. I took some hits in the fight, it seems. I don’t remember any of it. Stuart still loved me, and that’s the most important thing. He showed me how good he was at intimidating the various shellers, and then fell into a coconut. I didn’t tell anyone about his bath, but he’s still sticky. We eventually load up and leave. Nobody questioned me on what happened, and I don’t care to bring it up. I wonder if I can do it again. We go north, and eventually stumble on to whatever business Weylinn wanted us to take him to. I don’t mind the trip, we met the Devily and I got to work out some anger. But he very specifically told me to stay behind, while he does something with Jules. He wanted to do “The thing”. Where Jules becomes a magical girl. I have no idea what he’s playing at, but I hate it. Weylinn was going on and talking on about how delicate this situation is, and how only he’s qualified to talk to the whatever it is. I guess he forgot that every time he’s ever tried to be diplomatic with anyone it fell in the dirt, the idiot. “Trust me on this one” he says. Just let him take Jules, and go do something secret with the most powerful thing we’ve seen. I gave him what he wanted. I didn’t care anymore. If I came with him, as some sort of intimidation measure I’d just speak up and get us all killed. It’s much easier to make him pay for his sins later. I hope whatever he does isn’t irreversible. The thing he was meeting was a pink Devily, but I’m told it’s a Ghul. So like, a super powerful genie. The last time we did business with a genie it was horrible, but I guess it’s out of my hands now. Weylinn opened his mouth and addressed them by the wrong title, and I’m really surprised she didn’t remove him from reality that instant. He gave her two gifts, and she talked for a long while. I couldn’t make out everything, either the wind or my fury was drowning it out. I definitely caught what she wanted me to hear. She was the one who gave me the scarf, on Violence’s request. I’m marked. Jules was tainted, but not as tainted as she could be. Weylinn wanted to make her some kind of slave. Weylinn isn’t Weylinn, he’s Theron. He kidnapped Jules for some money, and did everything else terrible you can do. Then he stole Weylinn’s name and lost his memory. Theron is neck deep in Violence’s plan, this Weylinn thing is just some amusement while they do what they want. And Weylinn is a selfish son of a bitch, who deserves the worst despite what he tells everyone around him. I was fuming, I was beyond livid. I was ready to crack his skull open in the desert sun, if it weren’t for Jules. Weylinn gets to live for now. Have it known I’m going to execute Theron on sight. Weylinn even got the easy way out. He got to be catatonic, and silent for over a day. Couldn’t handle it. The big baby couldn’t handle being told what a monster he was. And is. He kidnapped Jules for some coin, and demands to be forgiven because he forgot he did it. A bump on the head doesn’t absolve him, it only delays the sentence. We eventually make camp, and talk about whatever we can that isn’t how Weylinn just enslaved the soul of the girl that we’re trying to save, who he stole. We come to the aftermath of the Butchery, and it turns out Anna's negotiations also ended with all the fish people being genocides. We talk about how terrifying the dust is. And we talk about the Darkness. Nobody wanted first watch, so I took it. I didn’t watch, just looked over Grandpa’s letters. I felt peaceful actually. Stuart has cute little snores, he doesn’t have to deal with complex moral issues. I guess if you’re as stubborn as Anna, or stupid as Weylinn you get to ignore them as well. I envy them.

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