Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Shedletsky awoke in an unfamiliar place.

He rose from a messy bed that creaked along with his movement. The bedsheets were torn, as if it had been slashed multiple times by swords with rage. Blinking, Shedletsky looked at his surroundings. He was currently inside a dim room with a weak light that flickered every so often, hanging from a thin string from the ceiling. There wasn’t much to look at in the room either. A row of bookshelves stood idly on one side of the room, bearing a collection of dusty novels that seemed to have not been touched in ages. Ragged strokes that resembled tally marks were etched on the wall on the other side of the room. The room overall seemed very cold and unwelcoming. However, Shedletsky failed to notice the two horribly bright green swords glowing underneath the bed.

Shedletsky continued to rub his eyes and blink away the sleepiness as he realised: This was definitely not his bed. And he was definitely not in his cabin.

Hopping off the bed, Shedletsky headed towards the room’s door. As his hand headed towards the doorknob, he hesitated. Did he get kidnapped? Did he sleepwalk to somewhere else in the forest? What really happened that made him wake up in this unusual place? Snapping out of his thoughts, he slowly turned the knob and proceeded to enter a hallway that led to a much brighter living room (or, that was what Shedletsky assumed was the living room in this unfamiliar cabin). As he was about to head into the brighter room, a voice rose from inside it.

“1x? Why are you up so early?” The voice was rough yet friendly, but still made Shedletsky shiver in slight fear.

Slowly stumbling towards the source of the voice, Shedletsky entered the “living room” to see…

…John Doe?

— — — — — — — —

1x1x1x1 awakened to the faint but very noticeable sounds of talking.

Are those noisy kids seriously up so early? 1x thought while half asleep. Grumbling, they rose from…their bed? No, it couldn’t be their bed. It was missing the signature creaking, the blade marks on the bedsheets that 1x always made after losing a match…yep, it was not their bed. The room was also way too bright for 1x’s liking. Multiple swords lay in an organised row on the floor, next to some sort of big container that was filled with chicken legs, which 1x did not pay much attention to. What they really cared about was the fact that there seemed to be multiple people talking outside the room. And now with listening sharper than it was when they were just waking up, 1x heard voices that didn’t sound like c00lkidd, bluudud, or pr3typriincess. They sounded way more like…the survivors?

“...letsky…wak’n up yet.” “...ate too much chicken…” The voices faded in and out, but were clear enough for 1x to distinguish between them. Builderman and Dusekkar. Wait, Builderman and Dusekkar? 1x was a killer. Why were they hearing the survivors’ voices? 1x paused.

Turning back to the container that they dismissed earlier, 1x opened it again. The chicken legs sat in there proudly. As 1x closed the container, it hit them. There’s only one person that eats that much chicken, 1x thought bitterly. I’m in this stupid chicken guy’s room. What a great start to a new day. With their newfound realisation, 1x went towards the room’s door and opened it wide.

As soon as 1x stepped out, a voice greeted them from below.

“Shedletsky! You’re finally awake. What took you so long?”

1x looked over the railing of the floor they were on to glare down at the person responsible for the greeting. They stared as Dusekkar’s smile faded into an expression of shock.

“1X?”

Chapter Text

“...You aren’t 1x.” John Doe tilted his head in confusion.

“You’re right, I’m not. Where am I?” Shedletsky breathed a sigh of relief as John did not attack them at first sight. It still felt very awkward talking to a person that had killed him probably hundreds of times with no mercy, however. Shedletsky kept a safe distance from the killer just in case things were to escalate.

“This is the killers’ cabin. What are you doing here? Where is 1x?”

How am I supposed to explain? Shedletsky thought to himself. He has no clue where 1x is right now. Did they switch places? He had no idea. But he didn’t know what answer to give to John. What if John got mad and started attacking him? What should he say?

“...I don’t know.” Shedletsky finally managed out.

“Who are you then? I don’t think I’ve seen you before-”

“H3Y J0HN! WH0 4R3 Y0U T4LK1NG T0?” A loud voice broke through Shedletsky and John’s conversation. A purple figure appeared in the room. Their head was split into two sides. One was covered by a tragedy mask, and the other half was a skull. They wore a spiky steel crown on top of their head. Their body was split between a plain purple side and another darker purple side covered with binary code. They were no one other than Noli.

“15 1X 4W4K3 0R S0M3TH1-WH0 4R3 Y0U?” Noli asked as they pointed at Shedletsky.

Shedletsky blinked. How could Noli not recognise him after void rushing into him oh so many times in all those matches?

That was when Shedletsky decided to look at himself and what he was wearing. The all-too-familiar black robe with the gold-rimmed hood. Lifting his hands to his head, the ticklish feeling of his head wings welcomed him. Turning his head slightly, he saw the fluffy feathers of his black and gold-tipped wings. He also took note of how his voice sounded deeper and colder.

Shedletsky went pale.

No, it can’t be.

Telamon. The identity Shedletsky had left far back in the past. It had come back to haunt him once again.

“Nonono, why do I look like this? I thought I left it all back there, why am I like this? This is horrible, what did I even do to become like this again?” Shedletsky panicked, trying to take off the robes that he once wore with pride he wanted off as soon as possible. After a long minute of struggle, Shedletsky stopped, groaning as he observed no progress in the robes’ removal. They clinged uncomfortably to his body, loose yet still making him feel trapped at the same time.

The frown on Noli’s mask deepened as they observed Shedletsky. “4R3 Y0U 0K TH3R3? Y0U L00K L1K3 Y0UR3 F1GHT1NG Y0UR 1NN3R D3M0NS.”

Noli’s not wrong, Shedletsky grimaced. I am technically fighting with some sort of demon I left behind at the moment.

“I’m fine, these clothes are just really itchy, that’s all.”

Shedletsky, Noli and John looked at each other in awkward silence, not knowing how to continue the conversation. Noli still looked slightly confused and concerned, while John simply sat there, unmoving, with his gaze still fixed upon Shedletsky. Shedletsky thought of making a joke, but held back. Now is not the time for jokes, Shedletsky, Shedletsky warned himself. You’re twenty studs away from two killers. One wrong sentence and you’ll blow your cover.

After a long while of simply staring into Shedletsky’s soul, John finally spoke. “May I ask a question, if you don’t mind?”

Shedletsky nodded, not wanting to stand in the midst of the silence any longer.

“What’s your name?”

Shedletsky froze.

Chapter Text

Dusekkar’s exclamation made 1x freeze as it rang around the cabin.

This isn’t good, 1x thought. I’m in the survivors’ cabin, and now that my presence here is known, they are definitely going to try to kill me right now. Wait, what am I thinking, I’m the legendary 1x1x1x1. The physical manifestation of hatred itself.I can crush Robloxians with my bare hands. I’m not scared of this construction worker that thinks oh-so highly of himself and a guy that has a pumpkin for a head. What am I holding back for? I can do anything.

“Yeah, 1x. That’s m-” They paused. Their voice sounded way, way higher than it should’ve been. It sounded just like them before…a certain someone sent them to the Banlands.

“Oh darn, you really look like your younger self…” Builderman muttered worriedly.

Hearing this, 1x immediately looked at their hands. They had grey skin. They proceeded to look at their torso. They were wearing a long-sleeved white shirt covered by a soft, hand-knitted vest that their mother Brighteyes had made for them on their 8th birthday. Bringing their hands up to their head, they felt nothing but the soft feeling of their white hair and two unusual stumps (weren’t their head wings supposed to be where those stumps were?). Their domino crown was nowhere to be found. And to make things worse, 1x felt nothing on their back weighing them down (where were their wings? They couldn’t feel them.).

Since when did they look like this again? Why was this happening? And why did it feel so wrong to be in the body they were supposed to be in in the first place? The sudden changes made 1x dizzy with confusion. In addition, the wary glances they got from Builderman and Dusekkar were not helping at all. It only made 1x feel more upset about their current condition and more…scared? (why are they feeling scared? They’re not supposed to be able to feel that emotion, right? They can only feel anger and hatred. Nothing else. Nothing. Else.)

At that moment, three other survivors burst into the main cabin, who 1x recognised as the horribly unlucky weakness-stacking gambler Chance, the very annoying healer Elliot, and the war hero Guest 1337 that bluudud kept rambling on about because of the fact that his hair was blue.

“We heard a shout, so we came to check in on you guys. Is everything okay?” Guest stated, not noticing 1x’s presence on the second floor.

As Builderman and Dusekkar reassured the trio that everything was fine, 1x contemplated whether to sneak back into Shedletsky’s room or to continue observing the group of five survivors from above. If they got caught, they would have to deal with the survivors asking heaps of questions about them, as they probably didn’t know what 1x looked like before the hatred fully corrupted them and transformed them into the killer the survivors knew. But going back into the room wasn’t a great option either, as someone would probably come in to check on Shedletsky and find them instead.

“Hey! You up there! Show yourself!” Chance shouted, making 1x jolt.

Hesitantly, 1x poked their head out from the top of the railing of the second floor, now having a clear view of all five survivors staring intensely at them. 1x instinctively shuffled back a little bit, afraid of the amount of attention they were getting all of a sudden (why were they scared again?). After a slight pause, they gained enough courage to mutter a quiet “Hi.” (1x hated that they sounded so weak and shy. They’re not supposed to sound like that.)

“Are you new here? I’ve never seen you around before.” Elliot asked, tilting his head in confusion. To Elliot, 1x seemed like an innocent kid completely oblivious to their new surroundings, needing help and guidance. Elliot couldn’t help but feel bad for the kid, being forsaken at such a young age (or so Elliot thought).

“I’m pretty sure the kid’s new. Looks kind of wary of everything.” 1x heard Chance whisper to Guest, who simply nodded in response, more focused on hearing a response from 1x.

Did you hear that, 1x? 1x thought to themself. You’re acting too timid and shy. Step up your game.

1x adjusted their appearance to make it so they looked less anxious and more confident in exploring the place. However, as 1x did so, their response exited their mouth involuntarily. “Yes, I am. Could you show me around this place? I don’t know anything about this place.”

1x froze after speaking. Why did they just say that? Sure, they could get a tour around the survivors’ cabin, but what about Builderman and Dusekkar? They definitely knew that they were 1x. There was no doubt that at least one of the two would come up to 1x and ask about their response to Elliot’s question.

Snapping out of their thoughts, they looked at Elliot, who hadn’t reacted to 1x’s attempt to seem more bold. He kept a small but friendly smile on their face. “I can show you around if you want. It’s still morning, so we have a lot of time.”

Before 1x could react, a voice cut through their conversation.

“Is it okay if I show the kid around? I’ve had nothin’ to do in the past few days except for designing better sentries, which I’ve been doin’ for ages.”

1x turned their head to find that Builderman was the one responsible for the sudden request. Dread filled them as they realised that Builderman probably asked to hopefully gain an opportunity to talk to 1x. I don’t want him or Dusekkar to talk to me, 1x grimaced. They know too much. They don’t need to know any more.

“If you really insist, Builder. Chance, Guest and I will go check up on Taph and Two Time then. Thanks for the help.” Elliot flashed a grin towards Builderman as he exited the cabin along with the gambler and war hero, leaving 1x and the two survivors that first saw them in there.

Builderman extended his hand towards 1x. “C’mon, kid. Let’s take you for a walk.”

1x hesitantly took his hand, slowly following him towards the cabin exit.

“Is it okay if I tag along too?” Dusekkar questioned from behind. No, I don’t need more people being annoying and talking to me, 1x said in their head. In contrast, Builderman nodded, gesturing to Dusekkar to follow him and 1x outside.

1x sighed, knowing that they were in for a long ride.

Once outside the cabin and far from the other survivors, Builderman spoke up.

“So, 1x, I have a few…no, many, MANY questions to ask you.”

Chapter Text

How was Shedletsky supposed to answer that question?

To expose himself as a survivor in disguise, or claim his identity as someone he vowed to never become again? They’ll definitely kill me if I say I’m Shedletsky, he thought. But I’m not him. Not anymore. But I can’t tell them I’m him either. What do I do now?

“S3R10U5LY? Y0U D0N’T R3M3MB3R Y0UR 0WN N4M3? TH4T’5 R1D1CUL0U5.” Noli chuckled. They were given a harsh glare from Shedletsky in response.

Claiming himself to be Telamon seemed like the better option (Shedletsky hated the fact that it was true). Not only could it give the two killers a good impression of him (assuming Noli and John knew about the legendary god Telamon and his absolutely amazing sword fighting abilities), it would also save Shedletsky from getting killed (for now).

“...Telamon. Yeah, Telamon. That’s my name.” Shedletsky muttered bitterly as he stared at the floor, feeling the shame and regret boil inside him as he uttered that name.

Silence.

“T3L4M0N? L1K3, TH3 G0D T3L4M0N?” Noli spluttered in shock. Shedletsky raised his head to look at them.

“That’s correct.” Shedletsky’s frown grew as he felt the hole he had dug himself deepen. But there was no going back.

Noli couldn’t believe it. “TH3R3’5 N0 W4Y! I’M F4C3 T0 F4C3 W1TH T3L4M0N! H0LY SH-" "It’s an honour to have you here, Lord Telamon. We’re more than glad to be able to talk to you.” John Doe cut Noli off, afraid that Telamon (Shedletsky) would be angered with Noli’s immature behaviour.

“0H R1GHT. S0RRY, L0RD T3L4M0N. 1 W0N’T D0 TH4T 4G41N.”

Shedletsky blinked. Noli and John…still respected him? Even after the god disappeared without a trace a long time ago? And even after the Spectre’s influence on the two killers? Strange, but at least Shedletsky was now far from getting mauled by the duo. With this realisation, Shedletsky adjusted himself to look more menacing and more powerful. I should act more like him, he thought. Make sure the two killers know who they’re talking to. Wait, what?

Shedletsky shook his head. He was even THINKING like him now. Was this seriously what an old black hooded robe could do to him? You’re still Shedletsky, he reminded himself. You’re just Shedletsky in a costume cosplaying someone else. Nothing else.

“Lord Telamon? Is everything alright?” John Doe’s scratchy voice woke Shedletsky up from his thoughts. Shedletsky had almost forgotten that the two killers were still awaiting his response.

“Yes, yes, I am fine. It is best if you showed me around. I have no knowledge of this strange place.” Demanding a tour of the killer cabin felt horribly awkward yet satisfying for Shedletsky. But that’s what he would do, right?

“There isn’t that much to showcase here, but we’ll try our best. And one more thing. This is the killers’ cabin, so I’m assuming you’re a killer like the rest of us.” John stated, standing up. His voice was more shaky than before, probably due to Telamon’s presence.

Wait, Shedletsky paused. I’m not a survivor anymore? I thought the Spectre just accidentally spawned me in the wrong place. That doesn’t really explain the clothes, though. And I hate the fact I told John Doe and Noli I was him. Now I’ll have to bear with all the “Lord”s and the mentioning of his name. Great. Shedletsky shook the two thoughts off, not wanting to dwell on them any longer. He watched as John walked towards the hallway with the killers’ rooms. However, just as John’s mouth opened to speak, a familiar corrupted and choppy voice echoed through the cabin and Shedletsky’s head.

“A MATCH WILL BE STARTING SOON. TODAY’S ROUND WILL BE A LITTLE BIT SPECIAL. BE PREPARED.”

“5P3C14L? WH4T D035 TH4T M34N?” Noli commented.

John frowned. “I don’t know, but the last time it happened, every survivor got their health tripled. Needless to say, it wasn’t fun.” Turning to Telamon, John explained to him, “When a round starts, one killer and six to ten survivors will spawn in a random map. The killer’s goal is to kill all of the survivors before time runs out. The survivors’ goal, on the other hand, will be to complete generator puzzles to decrease the timer and survive until the end of it.”

None of what John Doe explained to Shedletsky was new to him, but he still nodded in response, still using his Telamon disguise. Shedletsky hoped that the next round wouldn’t have him as the killer. He wasn’t ready for Builderman’s reaction when he recognised Telamon. And he REALLY wasn’t ready to kill the survivors he was literally friends with.

“THEY DESERVE NO MERCY, TELAMON. A KILLER MUST ALWAYS AIM TO KILL ALL THE SURVIVORS.”

Shedletsky winced, from both hearing the Spectre’s sudden response and the fact it called him “Telamon”.

“Are you alright?” John wore a worried expression as he tried to check if Telamon was okay.

“I’m fine. I don’t need help.” Shedletsky spat, fixing his posture. Don’t show weakness, Shedletsky.

John, though surprised by Telamon’s cold reaction, once again tried to continue the tour. But the moment he tried to speak, the round had started.

Shedletsky was engulfed by a wave of darkness, which knocked him unconscious as he was transferred to the round’s chosen map. He blinked out of sight right in front of John Doe and Noli, who simply looked at each other, not knowing what to do due to the person they were giving a tour to was missing at the moment.

“Good luck, Lord Telamon.”

—

“KILL THEM ALL, TELAMON. SHOW THEM WHO YOU REALLY ARE.”

With that message, Telamon (???) awoke from their temporary slumber. Blinking open his eyes, they widened in shock as he found himself in a very, very familiar place.

Sword Fight on The Heights.

Chapter Text

1x looked away from Builderman.

“I don’t want to hear your stupid questions. Leave me alone.” They snapped back.

Builderman flinched. He wasn’t used to the younger version of 1x talking back, especially since they were looked after by Telamon back then (would he consider Telamon to be “looking after” them though? It was more like “strictly monitoring” them, probably). He expected more of a shy and less intense reaction, but apparently 1x didn’t have the same personality that they used to have at the moment.

Builderman tried to calm 1x down, just like how he always did when they came to him crying about Telamon being mean to them. “Hey now, calm down. There’s no need to be so blunt.”

1x yanked their hand out of Builderman’s grip, and turned their head to glare at him. “You think I’m still the timid kid from back then? Well, jokes on you, I’m not. Again, I don’t want to hear your questions. I don’t even want to be here. I never wanted to spawn here in this disgusting survivors cabin instead of the killer cabin and look like this again. The only thing I’m planning to do is get out of this place and go back to looking like myself (don’t I already look like myself?). So leave me alone and go back to giving your sentries some useless upgrades.”

Builderman felt offended and backed off slightly. Dusekkar cut in, asking, “You spawned in the survivors cabin on accident?”

1x scowled as they recalled the experience from earlier. “Yes. I woke up in Shedletsky’s bed. In his room. And I don’t know how.”

“Then if you spawned in his bed, then where was Shedletsky?” 1x simply shrugged in response, not wanting to continue the conversation on that subject.

Wait, if 1x spawned in Shedletsky’s room and Shedletsky wasn’t there, Builderman thought. Then does that mean the same happened to Shedletsky but in the opposite way? Spawning in killers’ cabin inside 1x’s room? Surely that didn’t happen. The Spectre wouldn’t risk losing a survivor by spawning them in the killers’ cabin and getting them killed after being discovered. But where else would Shedletsky be transported to? He wouldn’t wander into the forest randomly. And from what I know and what he told me, the Spectre doesn’t have anything it especially dislikes about Shedletsky, which means the Spectre wouldn’t mess around with Shedletsky any more than 1x. So does that mean…

Something clicked in Builderman’s head.

1x spawned in the survivors’ cabin looking like their old self. Then Shedletsky must have woken up in the killer cabin looking like…

Builderman knew the answer now. And he was HOPING he was wrong.

“Dusekkar,” Builderman whispered to the man with the pumpkin head to try to get his attention. “I think I just realised something.”

Dusekkar, who was watching 1x sulk and stare at the ground, turned towards Builderman. In a hushed tone, he replied, “What? Does it have something to do with them?” He gestured towards 1x, who seemed to not have heard their quiet conversation.

“Err…yes. Kind of. You see…”

“What about me?” 1x piped up. Both admins turned to 1x.

“Don’t worry, 1x. It’s nothing much. Just an observation I made.” Builderman reassured them. Dusekkar nodded in agreement.

“Don’t lie to me. It’s obviously something serious. What are you trying to hide from me?”

Builderman looked at 1x with a pained expression. He didn’t want to hide things from them, but it was something that 1x shouldn’t have knowledge of at the moment.

1x seemed to notice, and backed down a little. “...Did I do something wrong?”

The sadness and fear in 1x’s voice made Builderman feel even more guilty. I guess the Spectre didn’t only change their looks, Builderman observed. Maybe the kid that was trapped in that corrupted body full of hate is finally showing.

Builderman knelt down to the kid’s height and patted them on the shoulder. “No, no, you did nothing wrong, I assure you, 1x. But there’s just something I can’t tell you, and I’m sorry for that. Truly sorry.”

1x didn’t feel fully convinced, but they still nodded as a sign of acceptance of the apology.

Right then, a voice that had always hurt 1x’s ears rang across the survivors’ cabin and its surroundings.

“A MATCH WILL BE STARTING SOON. TODAY’S ROUND WILL BE A LITTLE BIT SPECIAL. BE PREPARED.”

“A special round? Will we be getting triple heath again?” Builderman grinned at the announcement.

Dusekkar sighed. “I hope not. I was the ONLY survivor to not be affected with that, and I’m pretty sure it’s because the Spectre is still annoyed at the fact it had to teleport my entire house while I was taking a ten minute power nap to bring me into this realm.”

Suddenly, in the corners of the three survivors’ vision, darkness began to creep in.

“Well, looks like the round’s about to start.” Builderman stated.

“Please, no more triple health advantages.” Dusekkar pleaded (Plead? c00lkidd and 007n7 LMS OST? Get it? I’m not funny sorry).

1x simply sighed as they let the darkness claim them, knocking them unconscious as they were teleported.

—

“DOES THIS PLACE SEEM FAMILIAR, 1X1X1X1?”

1x opened their eyes, only for them to see the place that 1x had least expected but dreaded the most.

Sword Fight on the Heights.

—- —- —- —- —- —- —- —-

THIS ROUND’S KILLER: Telamon

THIS ROUND’S SURVIVORS: Builderman, Dusekkar, Elliot, Chance, Noob, Guest 1337, Taph, 007n7, Two Time, 1x1x1x1

Chapter Text

The timer began.

1x mind replayed the announcement of the round’s killer over and over, praying that they just heard it wrong.

Please, Spectre, 1x begged in their head. Don’t do this to me. I didn’t do anything wrong, did I? Please, I’ll do anything. Anything to leave this round.

The Spectre did not give a direct answer, but a low, evil chuckle could be heard faintly, echoing around the map.

Normally, 1x would feel more angry towards the Spectre rather than scared of it, but for some reason, which 1x didn’t know what it was, 1x began to feel slightly less hateful and resentful of everyone and everything, slowly recovering the emotions they hadn’t been able to feel in who knows how long. But 1x hated it. It felt so strange, so alienlike. Like they shouldn’t be able to feel other things. It wasn’t normal.

At that moment, someone gently tapped on their shoulder.

1x jumped, whipping around and unsheathing their sword (it was actually Shedletsky’s, 1x just took it from his room so they could have a weapon to use just in case), pointing it at the person responsible for tapping them.

They were met with a nervous-looking Robloxian that wore a burger hat (which was topped with a small yellow head) and a blue shirt with a funny face on it. The Robloxian backed away at the sight of 1x’s sword, not wanting to be attacked.

However, 1x recognised him and lowered their sword. “007n7.”

007n7 relaxed slightly. “That’s me. Apologies, I saw you looking pretty freaked out just now, so I walked over here to see if you were okay.”

“You know who I am, right?”

“Err…yes. 1x1x1x1, correct? I heard your name in the round’s announcement, and since there isn’t anyone that looks like a new survivor besides you, I'm assuming you’re 1x. Even though you look quite different from what I remember when you were a killer.”

007n7 staying by their side and checking up on them was confusing to 1x. “Yeah, you’re correct. But why do you care so much about me? Shouldn’t you be staying away from me? I’ve killed you hundreds of times when I was a killer and mocked you even, why not do the same to me?”

“Because I don’t want you to end up like me. You see, the other survivors…don’t really like me. Some of them even hate me. It’s probably because I was a former hacker and caused a lot of destruction back then. Plus, I can’t really do much to help the team. Sure, I can spawn a clone in hopes of tricking the killer into following it, but even if that does work, no one thanks me. Sometimes Taph or Noob talk to me, but otherwise, I’m practically alone.”

1x blinked. 007n7 was disliked by the other survivors? 1x couldn’t help but feel sorry for the former hacker. Being on a team where everyone hates you and having your best friend AND son on the team that specialises in killing you. Sure, 7n7 had a pretty nasty history with wrecking havoc in places such as Work at a Pizza Place and making the various admins who had attempted to stop him infuriated by failing to do so, but the other survivors simply leaving him to be completely alone with barely anyone to talk to just didn’t feel right.

1x shook their head. Why did they care about 7n7 so much? All he did was ask if they were alright. They only had around a minute or two of proper conversation. Maybe it was because 1x felt actually cared about? And how 7n7 was actually concerned about their mental state?

Suddenly, a terrified scream erupted from the other side of the map. 1x stood up, instinctively taking a step forward in the direction of the sound.

“You should go help them,” 007n7 suggested. “You can use your sword to stun the killer. It has a cooldown just like your killer abilities, though. So be sure to time it right.”

007n7 doesn’t know about my history with him, I guess, 1x noted.

“And what will you do?”

“I’ll complete the generators. It’s the most I can do to assist the others besides spawning clones.”

1x nodded, a quiet “Thank you” leaving their mouth before running off.

—

“Why is he SO FAST?” Elliot exclaimed, throwing another pizza at Chance, who was low on health from his gun exploding twice (both at 3 charges. Chance sure was unlucky today).

“I don’t know, but we need to focus on juking and dodging his attacks.” Guest said with gritted teeth, clutching his injured arm.

Noob and Dusekkar were already dead, being the first two victims of Telamon’s mission to eliminate everyone in the most painful way possible.

“Your attempts to survive are useless,” Telamon hissed. “All of you will burn and fall under my wrath.”

Two Time tried to backstab Telamon as he mocked the survivors, only to miss due to Telamon’s incredibly fast instincts (he turned around just before the dagger reached him). This ended up with Two Time suffering a nasty blow, causing them to fall below half health.

“Guest! Two Time! Over here!” Builderman shouted to the two low health survivors, gesturing for them to come over to his dispenser, which was protected by a sentry in front of it. The duo immediately rushed over, desperate to regenerate their health.

Telamon noticed this, and immediately rushed towards Builderman, who was the most vulnerable as he was standing a bit too far in front of his sentry.

But right as he was about to collide with Builderman, he stopped. Builderman flinched, but didn’t back away.

The two stared at each other for a solid five seconds.

“...Builder?...What-what’s happening?” Telamon (Shedletsky) spoke up.

Builderman’s eyes widened, surprised by the sudden change in tone.

His mouth opened to speak, but the opportunity was long gone.

(TW: Slight gore)

Telamon took out a glowing green sword, wielding it with a wicked grin.

Holding Builderman up with his other hand, Telamon positioned the sword and drilled the sword right through his torso. Builderman let out a shrill cry, in horrible pain due to the stab.

The other survivors all froze, unable to move as Telamon tortured Builderman with his painful procedure of stabbing him over and over (Two Time and Guest hadn’t even reached the sentry yet).

A stab through his arm, a slash across his body, another drill through his leg.

Builderman’s vocal chords grew hoarse as he became a bleeding mess, mutilated by Telamon’s attacks.

“D-don’t…do this, I know you’re s-still there…Shedle-” Builderman was cut off mid-sentence as Telamon finished him off with a clean snap of his neck. His plea, though heard by Telamon, was not heard by the survivors, for it was too quiet.

“I don’t play by your rules, anymore, Builderman. Maybe you should consider listening to me instead.” Telamon laughed, tossing his bleeding body aside…

…to reveal a horrified 1x looking straight into his eyes.

Chapter Text

Dead: Noob, Dusekkar, Builderman

Alive: Elliot, Chance, Guest 1337, Taph, 007n7, Two Time, 1x1x1x1

—

Seeing 1x, Telamon's terrifying grin couldn’t help but widen.

“Well, look who we have here,” he remarked. “It has been a while, has it, 1x? Here for another round of sparring?”

“So THAT’s 1x?” Chance exclaimed, surprised to see the former killer with a different look.

“Really? They look very different.” Taph signed as they prepared to toss another subspace tripmine towards Telamon.

“Wait, so are they a killer or a survivor?” Guest questioned, now standing next to Builderman’s dispenser and regenerating health slowly.

“The Spawn announced their role as survivor,” Two Time recalled as they regained health by the second next to Guest. “And the Spawn always speaks the truth.”

“But how can we trust them? They’re basically a killer with different looks and a different moveset.” Elliot narrowed his eyes, suspicious of 1x.

“I’m a survivor now. I-I’m not going to hurt you guys, I swe-”

Without a warning, Telamon charged straight into Chance, landing a heavy blow onto the unlucky survivor. “Enough,” Telamon declared. “You are such a noisy bunch. Perhaps you people need some silencing.”

Elliot frantically tossed a pizza towards Chance, but travelled next to Telamon rather than Chance himself, now requiring Chance to somehow juke Telamon to take the pizza. Unfortunately, Telamon was too fast for Chance, who failed to perform the juke as Telamon relentlessly stabbed again with the green sword (the Daemonshank?).

Chance’s health quickly dropped to 5, and soon fell to the ground, dead after a couple of Telamon’s perfectly aimed strikes.

Pulling the sword from Chance’s corpse, Telamon snickered as he scanned the remaining survivors. Guest and Two Time had both already regenerated back to full health with the help of the dispenser. Taph had prepared a nest of tripwires and subspace tripmines on one of the islands, and was slowly backing up into it. 007n7 was nowhere to be seen. 1x was simply standing there, eyes not leaving Builderman’s lifeless body. Elliot was in a corner, too close to it to run to the other islands on the map without Telamon striking him at least once. Plus, his cooldown on Rush Hour was still present, leaving them practically helpless.

Telamon’s gaze settled on the pizza deliverer. “Ah, I have found my next target. This will be easy.”

Elliot, petrified, did not budge. He simply stood there as Telamon landed his first blow on him.

But as Telamon was ready to land the next, a sword sliced him across his back with a sharp slashing sound. The attack stunned Telamon, making him unable to move for a good few seconds.

“ELLIOT! RUN!” A slightly high-pitched voice shouted, making Elliot unfreeze. It turned out to be 1x, the one also responsible for slashing Telamon. They’d given him a small chance to escape, albeit being accused of not being able to be trusted by Elliot himself.

I know you don’t really trust me because of the past, 1x told Elliot in their head, but I hope that with this, I can begin to gain your trust.

Elliot flashed 1x a weak smile as a sign of thanks, before speeding towards the island where Taph’s nest was located.

Telamon, now free from the stunning effect, turned to glare at 1x. “You imbecile. You will pay for this.” Leaving his insult with 1x, Telamon charged towards the island Elliot had fled to.

Elliot was sure he could reach Taph’s nest before Telamon caught up to him, but as he looked back to check on Telamon’s whereabouts, he tripped on the last stair.

Elliot frantically tried to pick himself up, but it was too late.

Telamon cackled as he grabbed Elliot by the back of his shirt, ending his life with one clean stab of the green sword.

Taph was Telamon’s next victim, helpless as they were cornered as well, not being able to leave the island due to Telamon standing on the only pathway out of it. Telamon had somehow been able to see through his five tripmines, landing blow after blow on Taph until they were in the same condition as Builderman.

Guest and Two Time tried with the best of their abilities to stun and run from Telamon, but in the end, they both ended up dropping dead on the floor, with Telamon retrieving the sword from their bodies with an evil smile.

007n7 had teleported to the main island sometime during Guest and Two Time’s battle with Telamon (to find out why the timer had increased to a whopping six minutes and to check up on 1x), which turned out to be a mistake. 1x tried to stun Telamon with another slash of their sword, but unfortunately missed due to Telamon’s fast instincts. 007n7, though tanked a few hits with his clone, was soon added to the list of survivors stabbed, slashed, and mutilated by Telamon and the glowing green sword.

007n7’s body fell onto the bridge of one of the lower islands with a thump.

The timer decreased to one minute and thirty seconds.

Telamon jumped down from the higher bridge to the main island, where 1x stood.

“Well, 1x. It is better now, isn’t it? No more pesky survivors creating noise. It is just you and me now. There is no one to focus on but me.”

1x remembered Telamon saying that in the past.

— — — — — — — —

Telamon had spawned them in his private server of Sword Fight on the Heights.

It was empty except for 1x and Telamon himself, who were standing face-to-face, a slight distance from each other.

“This is where your training will start.” Telamon stated.

1x, who was only a small child of around 5, smiled at his statement. “Am I going to train until I become as skilled as you, creator?”

“Not as skilled as me, but close. We will practise sparring every day here from now on. You must grow to become a skillful swordfighter. Do you understand, 1x?”

1x was giddy from excitement. “Yes! I understand! Can we start now? This will be so fun! (so, so fun.)”

Telamon nodded. “I will go easy on you, as it is your first time. But you must not expect the same next time.”

1x nodded vigorously in response, not wanting to wait any longer.

“It is just you and me now. There is no one to focus on but me.” Telamon informed them.

With that, Telamon slashed his sword with a swift motion, slow enough for normal swordfighters to parry, but not slow enough for 1x. 1x’s left arm took the hit, making a nasty cut which immediately started bleeding.

1x shrieked in pain, clutching the wound on their arm in hopes of stopping the intense bleeding, but Telamon did not show a reaction.

“You must not waver under pain. Stand up straight now. We will try again.”

1x was still dizzy from the pain, but stood up eventually and continued to spar with Telamon, even though 1x knew they had no chance against him.

That was how 1x’s first few scars appeared on their body. 1x had never found swordfighting fun after that.

— — — — — — — —

“Let us not dwell on this moment any longer.”

Telamon’s statement brought 1x out of the memory. Now alert of their current situation, 1x drew their sword, ready to fight.

Telamon did the same with the Daemonshank (1x saw this and felt mad. That was supposed to be theirs, not his.)

Some song had began to play in the background.

“Now, let us begin our spar.”

Chapter Text

♪ Empurple ♪

—

Telamon rushed at 1x, sword ready to puncture their body. 1x dodged just in time, the adrenaline rush from their fear making them more alert. Telamon skidded to a stop, turning his head to look 1x with a death stare. Telamon had nothing on his mind except hate and determination to kill his target. With a wicked grin, he charged again towards the terrified survivor.

Despite the fear overwhelming 1x, they still managed to land a slash on Telamon, stopping him in his tracks, but did not stun him. 1x noticed this and that their sword’s cooldown had disappeared. It was not a normal Last Man Standing. It was a pure swordfight between creator and creation.

Distracted, 1x did not notice the incoming attacker as he rammed the Daemonshank right into 1x’s body. 1x screamed in pain as their vision was filled with glitching rectangles, blinding them for a good five seconds. Is this what the survivors felt when I stabbed them with one of my Daemonshanks during the rounds? 1x thought with gritted teeth as they ran from Telamon. The glitching rectangles in their vision soon disappeared, allowing 1x to see the distance they had gained from Telamon. Knowing that Telamon would catch up soon with an effortless charge, 1x held their sword tightly, ready to fight back.

Their health bar read 72/100.

—

♪ She rides on the power lines, wondering what kind of person she’ll become tomorrow ♪

—

Barely avoiding another one of Telamon’s “charge and attack” combos, 1x thought back to when they were truly a kid, just reaching the age of 12.

They followed a strict routine of waking up at 7 AM sharp, eating breakfast (one of their favourite times of the day, as their mom Brighteyes was the one that made the breakfast), practising swordfighting, having lunch (if they were lucky), having more sword fighting practice, having dinner, and going to bed. Occasionally, Telamon would bring them along to the Roblox HQ when he needed to discuss important things with Builderman. Whenever 1x asked their creator why they did the exact same thing every day, Telamon would always respond with, “To make sure you are strong enough. Do not ask me again.” But 1x never really got to know what Telamon was preparing them for.

That is, until they realised they were just a vessel for Telamon’s hate.

A storage container.

Telamon just trained them to be strong so they could withstand the powerful corruption of his hate. All that hard work and skill developed, which 1x thought was an amazing achievement, just to use to make sure they could contain a god’s anger, struggle and hate. 1x hated the fact they realised very early on, but never did anything about it. They always thought it was just a funny made-up idea that they had overheard from Builderman and Telamon’s conversations, and always believed that Telamon was preparing them to become a mighty swordfighter, one that would be known all over Robloxia, or so Telamon said.

It was all a lie. A horrible, dirty lie.

—

♪ She hides her fate, the girl in a black dress is thinking ♪

—

1x didn’t want to accept their fate, to be corrupted and plagued with Telamon’s bad emotions that had built up almost to the breaking point. They should’ve known earlier. They should’ve done something. But they knew it was inevitable. So they hid it from everyone, even their mother who loved them so, so much. They couldn’t let anyone know that they would soon become a physical manifestation of pure hatred, unintentionally made to destroy and corrupt.

1x felt the hate starting to appear inside of themselves when they were 5. A tingling sensation that urged them to act more on emotion rather than careful thought. They focused more on brute force in swordfighting rather than strategy. Oh, how they wish they didn’t listen to the voices of the hate inside them. When they turned 7, they thought of overpowering those voices with their own, pure, innocent one, but it was already too late.

The hate grew, taking control of their body little by little. The poor Robloxians murdered by 1x were all victims of 1x’s brutal attacks, done with no mercy, and with pure hate and anger. Less and less Robloxians dared to go to Telamon’s swordfighting class, now knowing it was practically a class that brought them straight to their death.

Eventually, it was only Telamon and 1x. 1x had turned 10 by then. Telamon had clearly grown way less hateful and cold, while 1x, on the other hand, had grown way MORE hateful and cold. 1x began being able to land blows on Telamon, not caring if Telamon was wounded or any of the sort. Telamon soon lost the power to control 1x’s movement and behaviour. 1x noticed this, and laughed. They liked it. They liked the smell of blood coming from the wounds of their abusive creator. They liked feeling powerful, especially when against the god they had once feared and yearned to please. (Was it really them that liked it, though?) (No, it wasn't. It was the hate.)

—

♪ The answer has rusted ♪

—

The simple, classic sword clashed with the Daemonshank with a loud CLANG, the sound ringing around the map. Telamon slashed, 1x parried. 1x tried to slice, Telamon dodged. The clanging of the two swords used by the duo repeated again and again, both people unable to land any hits on the other.

“Stop resisting,” Telamon uttered in a low tone, lifting the Daemonshank up and bringing it down in hopes of hitting 1x. “You are only delaying the inevitable. You will perish under my sword, and there is no alternative ending.”

“The Daemonshanks are mine, not yours. Give them back.” 1x hissed, parrying the attack with their sword.

“I merely lent them to you. They are still my swords. They were never yours. Everything you own is mine, including yourself. You belong to me.”

1x froze at his statement. No, they said in their head. I’m not yours. I never was. As they were about to utter their thoughts, Telamon sliced them in the arm, making 1x hiss in pain, clutching their bleeding arm to cease the bleeding.

Their health bar read 44/100.

—

♪ What will you be like, the Rebecca in the vase? ♪

—

The hate had continued to corrupt 1x. At the age of 12, they had practically lost themself to the parasite eating away at them. 1x no longer showed empathy or grace in their swordfighting. They spoke with a flat tone that contained no joy or whimsy in it. They didn’t think like their old self anymore. And most importantly, they were missing the smile they always wore no matter what.

Why couldn’t they smile? Or, at least, have a genuine one? Though the hate still controlled much of their mind, the remaining part of it couldn’t help but long for the happiness and lightness of their past self. But what could 1x do? They were powerless to stop the infection.

Later on, they lost sight of their true self. Sure, they looked rather similar, but they had transformed into a completely new person inside. A person that hated everything and everyone with a burning passion, mind lost in causing destruction anywhere they went. The domino crown, which they had always worn on their head ever since Telamon had gifted it to them as a present for “performing better than usual” when they were young, had become their symbol instead. Robloxians feared them. The rumor of “1x1x1x1 is coming for you.” spread rapidly, spreading fear and terror among the people of Robloxia.

When 1x found out about the widespread rumor, they couldn’t help but laugh. Robloxians begging for mercy for their lives not to be claimed by 1x’s wrath, it felt amazing. Yet their true, broken and fragmented self was screaming inside, begging the monster the hate had created out of them to stop their wrongdoing.

This isn’t me, 1x had cried out to the hate. Bring me back. I don’t want to be like this. I don’t want to be a destroyer, I don’t want to be a villain, I don’t want to be a monster.

—

♪ The real me, feeling stuck in the throat, is empurpling ♪

—

The memory fueled 1x with another adrenaline rush. He tricked me, 1x thought bitterly. He led me into taking all of his negative emotions and losing my own identity because of it. They turned towards Telamon, raised their sword, and brought it down with force. You filled me up with your hate and acted like you didn’t hurt me in the process of doing so? Well, this is what you get for that. Telamon had not expected this move, and did not avoid it in time. 1x’s attack was successful, a clean slash down on the torso. Telamon let out a cough, seeing the blood trickle down their robes.

Nevertheless, Telamon took the small portion of time that 1x took to look at their achievement of slashing Telamon to hit another blow on them, which resulted in the two trading hits in the end.

Though injured, Telamon spoke as if nothing had happened to himself. “Do not make this any harder. Give in. You will not win this fight. You are fighting a losing battle.”

1x also recovered from the pain of the recent attack, hunching over ever so slightly due to the fact they were one hit from death. However, their expression showed no pain, and instead was completely cold.

They looked up at Telamon. “No. Never.”

They lunged at Telamon. I will show no mercy, just like how you did the same before.

Their health bar read 16/100.

—

♪ Will you try to open my left hand and have a look? ♪

—

Back when 1x wasn’t constantly being cut and beaten up by Telamon, which they recalled to be around the age of 4, they lived a somewhat normal life as the child of Telamon and Brighteyes. However, Telamon had always insisted that 1x called him “creator” or “Telamon”, but never “father”, “dad”, or any of the sort. It had always confused 1x. Did Telamon not want to be their father? Was it just personal preference? Or maybe…they weren't enough for Telamon? That was what 1x always assumed it to be.

But Telamon still took care of them. He preened their wings. He brought them around Robloxia, showing them the wonders of the place.

When Telamon brought 1x to the Roblox HQ for the first time, everyone stared at 1x like they were some type of alien. Was it because 1x looked nothing like their creator (except for their wings, 1x supposed. But unlike Telamon, their wings were snow white, contrasting to Telamon’s jet black ones)?

Though being afraid of the intense gazes of the various workers in the headquarters, 1x still found joy in the fact that Telamon held their hand gently but firmly as they walked inside the building, a soothing touch that the present 1x had long since forgotten the feel of. Telamon, at that time, had also frequently smiled at 1x, happy to be able to walk around with them (which many, many Robloxians noticed). They missed that feeling of their creator’s warm hand wrapping around theirs protectively, and the warm grins they received from him. Telamon had seemed so much like an actual father, but now that 1x looked back at it, the hope for that to be true was long since gone. Though the present 1x hated Telamon with their whole being, 1x also hated to admit that they actually missed that version of Telamon.

Builderman, seeing 1x for the first time, had taken one look at them, and chuckled.

“Telamon, I thought you always said you were busy with many things, not even having time to stop by for a chat practically all the time, just walking through lookin’ all grumpy and stuff. What happened to you? Since when did you have the time to have a kid? How much free time have you had?”

Multiple workers turned in their spinning chairs to look at Telamon.

Telamon? The most feared god in Robloxia? Having a kid? What, had he become soft by having a child and taking care of them? Robloxians were more used to the god’s eternal cold expression and his tendency to destroy one or two of the workers’ desks without an explanation (the workers always assumed Telamon was just having a bad day, or he caught someone slacking while doing work). They had not expected Telamon to arrive with a drastically softer expression, gently holding the hand of a child full of curiosity and excitement.

Had Telamon become weak?

Telamon’s former soft gaze transformed into the harsher, angrier one everyone was used to (except for 1x).

“It is not my child. It is a mere creation of mine.”

1x hadn’t understood what Telamon meant at that time, so they simply looked around, smiling at everyone’s glances and shocked expressions.

Builderman tilted his head. “Seriously? They look like a kid to me. Come on, don’t be so mean, Telamon. If you’re gonna have a kid, at least treat them like one. You can’t just dismiss ‘em like that.”

Telamon narrowed his gaze at Builderman, letting go of 1x’s hand in the process, flinging it forcefully away.

Telamon leaned over to Builderman, whispering so quietly that even the man with the builder hat could barely hear his words. “It is not my kid. I am still Telamon, and I do not have time for unnecessary things. And I do not show weakness. 1x1x1x1 is simply a piece of code, and it is up to me to decide its fate.”

—

♪ It’s still embedded with blue eyes ♪

—

1x hit Telamon, blow after blow. Segments of Telamon’s health bar disappeared in a blink. Telamon was now almost down on the floor, not being able to attack due to how little health he had. 1x smirked, positioning their sword downwards, right above Telamon, ready for a final stab.

Suddenly, they were filled with the memory of Telamon’s former, calmer gaze. The one thing that had always filled them with peace and calm.

They stopped in their tracks, and pulled back their sword. Their head started to hurt, making them clutch their head with their free hand. No, I can’t kill him. It’s too much. Killing him will only make me guilty. Now that I remember everything, I can’t do it. I just can’t.

Hunched over, clutching the wound near his stomach, Telamon looked up at 1x, who looked back with a seemingly blank stare.

Telamon Shedletsky coughed out some blood. His vision was cloudy with red flashes every so often. His mind was foggy with the Spectre’s influence, but it was still clear enough for him to process what was going on. He couldn’t read 1x’s expression, but Shedletsky knew he had to say something to attempt to tell 1x that the “Telamon” mindset the Spectre had forced into him was temporarily gone.

“...1x? Can you hear me?” Shedletsky asked with a hoarse voice. He sounded normal now, Telamon’s gruff and harsh voice nowhere to be heard.

The person the question was directed to’s eyes widened as they sensed the change in his voice.

Kneeling down slightly, they responded with a small, timid, “Shedletsky?”

Shedletsky nodded, relieved that 1x didn’t simply continue their combo of slashes. Though Shedletsky hadn’t looked at his health bar, he was pretty sure his health was close to nothing, judging by how horribly red his vision was tinted.

Shedletsky coughed out more blood. “I want to tell you something.” He managed to choke out.

—

♪ If I saw that, would I be surprised? ♪

—

1x sat down, next to Shedletsky. They flinched slightly as Shedletsky inched closer to them, but relaxed as he signaled to them that he wasn’t hostile with a small smile.

Shedletsky breathed in, ready to speak. “The first thing I want to say is…”

1x knew what Shedletsky was going to say. They knew it. Yet this was the one time 1x truly took in the two words Shedletsky said right from the heart.

Shedletsky felt tears start to run down his face as his voice broke. “I’m sorry.”

—

♪ I just want to try to live once with genuine feelings only ♪

—

1x stared at his creator, now with tears falling down his face.

They had never, ever seen him cry. Not even once. Even when 1x (when they were a killer) mocked him during rounds for being "weak", unworthy of the power he held, unreliable due to his massive number of missed slashes, Shedletsky still stood his ground, only wincing from the insults and carrying on dodging 1x’s mass infections and entanglements.

Seeing someone that they were created by, looked up to for so long, and sought to please breaking down by their side made 1x’s heart break. 1x had thrown so much anger, hatred and sorrow towards the admin, and yet here he was, apologising to them with genuine guilt and sadness.

1x knew it wasn’t entirely their fault for hating Shedletsky so much, but part of them still blamed themself.

“I-I’m sorry for everything. I know I wasn’t…the best person to you back then. I did terrible things to you. I hate myself for that. But I’ve changed. I really do want to make up for it. I’ll do w-whatever it takes to make it up to you. I promise, 1x. Please give me another chance. I know this may not be the best apology, but…i-it’s the best I can do for now.”

1x was at a loss for words, but still tried to say something (to give a response or…comfort Shedletsky, somehow?).

“I…”

1x felt something wet trickling down their face.

—

♪ If we hold hands, it would be great if you could understand ♪

—

Tears?

Was 1x crying?

This isn’t normal, 1x thought, watching as the small droplet fell from their face onto the ground. I haven’t been able to cry for years.

In the midst of his crying, Shedletsky looked up to see his creation processing the feeling of crying as they touched their face, their hand coming in contact with another droplet trickling down from their eyes. The droplet was followed by many more, soon too much for 1x to wipe away and consider it nothing.

Shedletsky’s eyes widened in surprise. “1x? Are you…crying?”

“I’m not supposed to be able to cry. Why am I crying?” 1x I’m supposed to hate you. I’m supposed to stab you right now and win the round. Why can’t I stand up and just do that? Why am I feeling this?”

Shedletsky, though also still crying himself, tried to pat 1x on the back, and the other let him. “I don’t know, but it’s good that you’re able to feel sadness right now. I’m not exactly sure why we’ve transformed into…what we look like now. Maybe the hate is finally dissipating slowly. And that’s a good thing, right?”

—

♪ Please, forgive me and “Purple” ♪

—

1x didn’t answer Shedletsky’s question, but whispered back, “I’m sorry too.”

Shedletsky nodded, knowing that 1x probably blamed themself for all the things they’d done when they were corrupted by the hate and when they were a killer. But Shedletsky thought the opposite. He thought he himself was the one at fault. But 1x probably would not be convinced.

The timer was ticking down. There were fifteen seconds left.

Both parties were not in favour of killing each other at that moment, so they sat next to each other, letting their tears fall onto the rocky grounds of the Heights.

—

♪ My wavering self is being dyed purple ♪

—

The timer’s ticking echoed throughout the map. The song that had been playing through the entire Last Man Standing was reaching its end.

1x’s quiet sniffling could still be heard, but not Shedletsky’s.

Five.

Four.

Three.

Two.

One…

1x felt a sharp pang of pain coming from their torso.

They looked down, only to see that the Daemonshanks were drilled right through their torso.

Turning their head around, Telamon’s evil presence welcomed their gaze once again.

“I told you so. You will never win against me. You are a failure, and that is the truth.”

The last thing 1x saw was Shedletsky’s horrified expression as the body he couldn’t control threw his creation onto the ground, finishing them with one final stab.

— — — — — — — —

The killer won.

Chapter Text

1x opened their eyes.

They found themselves lying on the cold, hard wooden floor of the survivors' cabin. They held out their hand to feel the texture of the floor, and realised it was still shaking from the adrenaline of the battle that had happened between Telamon and them less than a minute ago. They still felt numb from their crying during Last Man Standing, the moisture left behind by the tears stretching from their eyes down to their chin that were signs of their recent breakdown were still present.

It’s a good thing the other survivors couldn’t see the battle, 1x thought as their hand gently felt the dips and bumps of the wooden planks. Or else they would find out about everything, and it probably wouldn’t end well for me or Shedletsky. Why am I caring for Shedletsky? That’s not something I would do normally, right? I can’t lie, though, I feel less angry and upset at everything than I was before. Is it the Spectre’s influence or is it just me acting up?

As 1x was pondering, a worried voice spoke up from above them. “1x? Are you okay?”

1x sat up, looking up to see the survivor that had asked the question. It was none other than Elliot, who had kneeled down to get a better view of them.

1x wanted to give the survivor a genuine and honest response, with something similar to, “No, I’m not, because I was just murdered by my creator that was being brainwashed by the Spectre, and they killed me right as the round was about to end.” But they knew better than to speak the truth at that moment.

They stood up, brushing themselves off and nodded. “Yeah, I’m fine. I’m just tired from all the running.”

Elliot raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure? You didn’t really run that much during Last Man Standing. We saw you sitting next to…the killer half the time.”

They saw me? How?

“What are you talking about? That’s not true.” 1x tried to dismiss the concern by acting oblivious, but Elliot shook his head.

“Survivors can spectate the round, 1x. We were all watching as you talked to Telamon. We couldn’t hear what you and Telamon were saying, but you guys seemed to be apologising to each other. Did something happen between the two of you?”

1x gulped. Why didn’t the Spectre tell them about this? Oh, 1x was in heaps of trouble now. What should I say? How do I get out of this?

While thinking of a response, 1x noticed all the other survivors looking at them, awaiting a reply. They noticed that Builderman was fidgeting with his jacket, probably worried that 1x would spill everything about Telamon, about Shedletsky. But why would 1x tell in the first place? They didn’t need the survivors fussing about the history behind themselves and their creator (1x felt too numb to acknowledge that hateful part of themselves that objected to 1x keeping their mouth shut and to reveal the horrible person Shedletsky once was).

After considering what type of response to give for some time, 1x finally spoke, though in a vague tone. “I…kind of have a history with Telamon?”

The silence that followed their response was deafening. It didn’t last very long, though, as Chance took the opportunity to speak up.

“So, were you guys having relationship troubles, or…? Were the two of you in a romantic relationship or so-”

“NO! No, we were not partners.” 1x clarified quickly, disgusted at the thought. “It’s a long story. And it’s complicated. I’d rather not tell you guys about it.”

“Yeah, yeah, that’s fine. Dang, I thought you were kinda in the same situation as Two Time or something, killing your loved one for “the Spawn” and all that stuff. Looks like I was wrong.” Chance noted.

Two Time turned towards the gambler. “Hey! The Spawn gave me a reward for that, which is my second life. It was the right thing to do, because the Spawn approved of it. The Spawn always approves of the correct actions.”

1x noticed Dusekkar sighing. He probably knows all that Spawn cult nonsense is a hoax, 1x assumed. But it’s probably not the best time to tell the cultist.

As Two Time and Chance bickered, the other survivors slowly turned away from 1x and continued their former conversations. At that moment, Guest walked up next to Elliot, facing 1x. Surprisingly to 1x, his face had a gentle expression on it (1x was more used to the glum, harsh expression that Guest always wore during matches, ready to block and punch the killer at all times).

“I noticed that you look pretty tired after Last Man Standing. Do you need a rest? I’m sure there’s a room for you upstairs. After all, the Spectre provided every single survivor with their own room, so you probably have one too, as you’re a survivor now.”

1x, being themself, probably would’ve responded with a harsh no to the blue-haired war veteran if they weren’t so tired (1x hadn’t felt “tired” in so long. When they were a killer, they’d either not sleep completely or shut their eyes until they somehow fell asleep). 1x would refuse the opportunity to rest, but if they didn’t, they’d probably fall asleep while walking somewhere soon enough. Reluctantly, 1x nodded, accepting the proposal.

Elliot nodded at Guest, who gestured at 1x to follow him upstairs. 1x quietly followed the man, tuning out the conversations of the other survivors down below.

Reaching the top of the staircase, 1x and Guest scanned the hallway, which was lined with various doors with a name written on each one in different styles, presumably written by the different survivors. On one side were five doors, the first one the one leading to Noob’s room. The door was colourful, filled with shapes, patterns and drawings. 1x noticed one of the drawings looked like Guest 666. It reminded them of how Guest 666 would sigh and mutter, “I miss them.” in the killer cabin every once in a while. Maybe the two longed for the relationship they once had in the past? 1x couldn’t help but feel sympathy for the two (and since when was 1x able to feel that again?).

“Noob really likes drawing. They draw almost all the time, including right when they’re back in the cabin after a match.” Guest informed 1x, who acknowledged what he said with a slight nod.

The second door led to Elliot’s room. His door wasn’t as bright and cheerful as Noob’s, but it still had a few pizza slice drawings next to his name (which was written in bubbly letters). The next doors went as listed: Taph, 007n7, and Chance. They weren’t that special to 1x, so they just carried on scanning the rest of the door in hopes of finding one that belonged to them.

Two Time, Guest 1337, Dusekkar, Builderman…and lastly, Shedletsky. None of the doors had 1x’s name written on it.

“Seriously? I don’t have a room?” 1x sulked, now knowing that they probably had to sleep on the hallway floor or in some random survivor’s room now, unless…

Guest also seemed to notice the lack of 1x’s room. “Seems like the Spectre isn’t feeling kind today. Are you okay with sleeping in another survivor’s room, then? I’m sorry that the Spectre hasn’t provided you with a room yet.”

1x knew it was best to say yes, but that would open up the opportunity of 1x sleeping in Shedletsky’s room (as it wasn’t being occupied due to 1x and Shedletsky’s roles being switched and all of that nonsense). But on the other hand, 1x didn’t want to sleep in any other survivor’s room, nor did they want to sleep on the cold, hard floor. Though half regretting their decision, 1x agreed, accepting their fate.

“That’s good. Well then…Shedletsky went somewhere, didn’t he? I guess you could sleep in his room for now, I’m sure he wouldn’t mind.”

Great.

1x sighed internally. Well, I guess I have no other choice. Saying no to Guest would be mean. Wait, why am I thinking like this? This isn’t me. Maybe I’m just tired.

“Yeah, that’s fine. Thanks.” Guest smiled back warmly.

1x suddenly had a thought. “Can I ask you a question?” The blue-haired man nodded.

“Why do you care so much about me? Why are you so…kind to me? I don’t deserve your empathy and kindness, so why show me it?”

Guest patted 1x on the shoulder (it made 1x flinch slightly, but that didn’t cause any trouble). “I guess I have a soft spot for kids. I have a family, and I love them so, so much. I gave them all the love I could have possibly given to them before I ended up here. So I guess I need someone like my kids to show love to. And you just so happen to be here. I also had some…bad experiences as a child, and I don’t want that to happen to kids like you. Everyone deserves a good childhood.”

I didn’t really have one, 1x responded in their head. But thanks anyway. I really don’t want to think about the past right now.

“You should go get some rest now. Tomorrow’s gonna be another big day.”

Listening to Guest’s words, 1x slowly trudged towards Shedletsky’s room, dreading the fact that they had to sleep in their creator’s bedroom. They still felt numb and upset due to the events that happened in Last Man Standing. Sleeping in Shedletsky’s room made 1x feel even worse.

Turning around, 1x saw that Guest had already left, and probably went downstairs to talk with the other survivors. 1x couldn’t help but admit to themself, Guest has only been gone for a few seconds, but I already miss his company.

Stumbling into Shedletsky’s room, 1x reluctantly laid themselves on his bed. It was more physically comfortable than their old one, but felt more mentally uncomfortable sleeping in it. Feeling icky, 1x jumped off the bed, not wanting to come in contact with it any longer. It felt disgusting. Wrong.

Sighing, 1x laid down on the bedroom floor, staring at the mesmerising patterns of the wooden planks. Looks like I’m sleeping on the floor after all, 1x thought in disappointment.

I hope tomorrow’s match has a different killer than today’s one.

Closing their eyes, 1x drifted into an uneasy sleep.

—-

The rest of the survivors were all still engaging in conversation downstairs (well, except for 007n7, who was left with his own thoughts in the corner).

They were all discussing about 1x and what they had said earlier.

“What do you think 1x meant when they said that they had a history with Telamon?” Elliot wondered.

“I honestly have no idea. It could mean anything, because there’s so many different implications behind the word “history”.” Taph signed.

The survivors all looked at each other in silence.

“I have another question,” Noob suddenly piped up.

Everyone else turned to look at them.

“Where’s Shedletsky?”

Silence yet again.

Chance simply shrugged. Multiple others followed suit, not knowing the answer to Noob’s question

“Great. Now we have two mysteries to solve. What are we gonna do?” Chance remarked.

Elliot seemed to notice Builderman’s unusual uneasiness. He decided to speak up about it.

“Builderman? You seem to be a little bit fidgety. Do you know something about this? You’re the closest to Shedletsky here, after all.”

Builderman gulped.

Chapter Text

Telamon had been knocked unconscious when the round ended.

As he was teleported back to the killer cabin, a voice rang through his head. “NOT BAD FOR A FIRST TIME, TELAMON. NEXT TIME, DON’T BE FOOLED BY THE SURVIVORS’ ANTICS. ESPECIALLY THAT ONE YOU WASTED TIME ON TALKING TO. DO NOT DISAPPOINT ME NEXT TIME.”

Shedletsky felt himself lying on a bed. One that did not feel like his own once again.

Eyes snapping open, Shedletsky sat up, noticing that he had woken up in the same bed as the one he did that morning. Shedletsky rubbed his head, which had started to hurt right after he woke up. He recalled the events during Last Man Standing. Shedletsky being brainwashed by the Spectre into killing everyone, snapping out of the Spectre’s hypnotisation when approaching Builderman for a solid few seconds but still killing Builderman in the end because the Spectre willed his body to, him apologising to 1x, 1x apologising back, the two sitting in silence as the timer ticked down, Shedletsky being brainwashed once again and involuntarily killing 1x, all of it.

Shedletsky shuddered. The moments where the Spectre had taken control of his body were horrifying and painful. During all of those times, he had wanted to shout out to the survivors that he was still alive and was just being controlled by the Spectre, but he was unable to. And it hurt so much watching his survivor friends getting slaughtered by the body that Shedletsky had lost power of commanding.

The body didn’t really feel like his, though. He didn’t feel like himself even when he had control over it.

Sighing, Shedletsky got off the bed, which made a creaking noise as he stepped off of it. That was when he noticed the two glowing green swords. The Daemonshanks. The Spectre had equipped him with one of them last round.

That was when Shedletsky realised that he was in 1x’s room.

1x’s room is so empty, Shedletsky observed. The only thing that’s in here is a bed, a few bookshelves, and a light that I’m pretty sure is going to fall one day. Why do they never bother to at least brighten things up in here a little?

Telling himself to do that later, Shedletsky opened the bedroom door and walked out into the cabin hallway.

Walking towards the main room, Shedletsky looked at himself. He was still wearing Telamon’s attire. The thought icked him, but he decided to try his best and brush it off, wanting to deal with it at a later time.

Spectre, if you’re listening to my thoughts, I hate you for this. I really do.

Noli and John Doe were in the main room just like in the morning, chatting with Azure, who had probably woken up during Shedletsky’s match.

John was the first to react to Shedletsky’s footsteps that made the wooden floor planks creak slightly. Turning around in his seat, he nodded towards Shedletsky as a greeting.

“Hello, Telamon. How was your match?”

Shedletsky blinked in confusion. Oh right, he realised. They still think I’m Telamon. I guess I’ll have to stick with that.

Shedletsky sighed. Though the fact that John still referred to Shedletsky as Telamon was disturbing, Shedletsky had started to feel less bothered by it, for some reason he didn’t really know.

No, that’s not right, Shedletsky. You’re not Telamon, you’re Shedletsky. Why doesn’t it bother you as much when the killers call you Telamon anymore? Stop thinking weirdly and go back to being normal Shedletsky.

Snapping out of his thoughts, Shedletsky looked up to see Noli and John Doe staring at him expectantly, awaiting his answer.

“Oh, right.” Shedletsky noticed his voice had gone deeper once again as he spoke. “The match went well. All the survivors easily fell under my wrath.” I totally did not have difficulties in killing one survivor in particular.

John nodded. “That’s good to hear. During your match, all the other killers have woken up. Do you want me to introduce them to you?”

No, because I know all of them due to them already having killed me dozens of times each.

“Sure.”

“Great,” John nodded. “Let’s start with Azure since he’s here at this moment. Azure, would you care to introduce yourself?”

“Yeah, sure. My name’s Azure, I like nightshades and gardening. I…”

Shedletsky slowly tuned out Azure’s speech, not too interested in learning about the killer’s backstory. At that moment, he heard the distinct two-word combination of Two Time.

Shedletsky paid full attention to Azure after that. Being himself, Shedletsky loved listening to stories of past relationships. He didn’t know the exact reason why, but he just went with it. He wanted to hear Azure’s perspective on the insane cultist that never said anything besides about the Spawn being right all the time, wishing someone luck on behalf of the Spawn, or claiming that the Spawn had blessed them that day.

“…I’m a member of the Spawn cult, in case you didn’t know. Well, I was, until my ex-lover Two Time sacrificed me to the Spawn. I knew it was for the greater good, so I didn’t mind that they did that to me. But the Spectre took control of my mind when I was forsaken, and forced me to believe that I myself hated Two Time during matches. I never did and never will. But I’m not exactly sure how to get that message across, considering all of us get corrupted whenever we become the killer in a match. At least, all of us besides you, Telamon. Do you get brainwashed during matches too?”

“Me?” Shedletsky reconfirmed. Azure nodded, gesturing for him to continue. “Well…”

Shedletsky paused. He had absolutely no idea how to answer the question.

The more Shedletsky thought about how to answer Azure’s question, the more Shedletsky thought about how Azure’s relationship with Two Time was somehow similar to the relationship between 1x and himself. Had Shedletsky betrayed 1x like how Two Time betrayed their partner? (“betrayed 1x”? Get it? Hahaha! Yeah no I’m so not funny) By creating 1x, promising them that they would train to become an amazing swordsman, but corrupting them with his hate and anger instead? Shedletsky didn’t know what to think of that.

Improvising a response, Shedletsky simply replied, “No, I do not get brainwashed by this entity you call ‘the Spectre’. I merely punish the pesky survivors for getting in my way.”

Seemingly satisfied with the response, Azure nodded, and moved on to a random subject to not create any awkward silence (Shedletsky noticed that Noli had already left the room, presumably somewhere else in the cabin minding their own business).

“So, Telamon, do you ever use your wings in matches?”

…Oh.

Shedletsky shrugged. “No. I don’t plan on using them. They’re not very convenient to use in such fast-paced matches like the ones that occur here.”

At that moment, John decided to make a simple remark that Shedletsky would dwell on for the next long period of time.

“1x also had wings once, if I remember correctly. They told me that their wings used to be shiny and gold-tipped, like your black ones, Telamon, except that theirs was white. Unfortunately due to an incident that they haven’t told me the details about yet, they were ripped off of them brutally and now all that remains are the stumps.”

Shedletsky’s eyes went wide with great fear as he recalled the incident. He didn’t tell the other killers, but inside his head, he knew that Telamon was the one responsible for ripping 1x’s wings out. The man responsible was the man Shedletsky used to be.

Shedletsky’s head started to spin. He felt sick.

John Doe noticed Shedletsky’s pained expression. “Are you alright, Telamon?”

“Y-yeah.” (No, Shedletsky was in fact not alright)

I need fresh air. Remembering that event is already too much for me. It hurts to remember.

Clutching his hooded head, Shedletsky excused himself and went outside the killer cabin, breathing in the fresher air outside.

It eased the headache a bit, but Shedletsky still felt dizzy from the pain.

As Shedletsky sat on the grass outside the cabin and breathing in the fresh outside air, a familiar glitchy voice rang inside his head.

“DOES IT PAIN YOU TO REMEMBER YOUR PAST ACTION, TELAMON? DOES IT MAKE YOU FEEL GUILTY WHEN YOU HAVE TO FACE THE FACT THAT YOU ARE TELAMON?”

“Shut up,” Shedletsky hissed at the voice. “Go away.”

“WHY, TELAMON? ARE YOU AFRAID OF FACING YOURSELF? ARE YOU SCARED OF YOUR TRUE IDENTITY? ARE YOU SCARED OF…YOURSELF?”

Chapter Text

“Wake up, sweetie. It’s time for breakfast.”

A gentle voice soothed 1x as they awoke from their slumber.

1x felt a hand caress their face. The touch was warm and tender, making them lean in towards it.

Their eyes opened slightly, and noticed the kind and calming presence of their mom, Brighteyes. She was kneeling next to 1x’s bed, trying to wake them up. The sun shone through the bedroom window, casting light in the room. The warmth of both the sun’s rays and their mother’s touch made 1x temporarily forget all the pain and agony they had gone through the past few days.

During that time, 1x and Telamon were not on good terms, Telamon rapidly getting more frustrated with 1x’s failure to show signs of improvement in their swordfighting skills.

1x could think about that later. Right now, they could rest in their mother’s presence.

Brighteyes lifted 1x from the bed soon after that thought, making 1x whine and instinctively try to grab ahold of the blanket they wanted to continue sleeping with.

“Sorry, 1x, but it’s time to wake up. Telamon wants you to practice more swordfighting with him today. He seems pretty unhappy today, so it’s best for you to be quick.”

1x’s head jerked up. A day where Telamon was upset was always no good. Unless 1x didn’t do anything wrong, those days always ended up with them returning home crying to Brighteyes because of the harsh punishments Telamon would give them on those days for messing up during training.

1x was fully awake with that realisation, now with the goal of not making Telamon even more upset that day. It was a difficult challenge (Telamon had high standards for 1x), but 1x would try to do the best that they could.

The present 1x wished they could forget that day.

1x had eaten their breakfast in a hurry, finishing their cereal in a few big bites and emptying the apple juicebox in seconds. 1x figured it was best to arrive early, making sure they wouldn’t be late and make Telamon become even more agitated.

“Bye mom! See you later!” 1x waved to their mom before opening a small admin panel Telamon had given them to teleport to different locations quickly (teleporting was the panel’s only function, as Telamon wanted it to only be used for getting to places faster and nothing else). 1x pressed a button on the panel that read “SFOTH”, the place 1x and their creator always trained in. Pressing the button actually led to Telamon’s private SFOTH server, as there no sword fighting Robloxian could possibly interrupt their training (and there was no one to witness the punishments Telamon gave 1x when they didn’t perform well).

Successfully teleporting to the Sword Fight on the Heights private server, 1x scanned their surroundings in search of their creator, who had not shown up yet. 1x breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that they were definitely early to the training.

Just then, a dark figure appeared before them, and 1x knew exactly who it was. Their creator.

Telamon turned to stare at 1x. His face was blank, making 1x worry that he could’ve gotten mad at the fact that 1x was earlier to arrive than him.

But after a good few seconds, Telamon moved, approaching 1x with slow steps, still showing no emotion on his cold face.

“You’re early.” He remarked.

“Yes I am, creator. I came here early because I wanted to make sure I wouldn’t be late.”

Telamon simply nodded as a sign of slight satisfaction, which made 1x less worried about possibly having another day of Telamon scolding and punishing them.

“Well then, we shall begin our training once again. I must ensure that you improve and are able to perform the skills you learn quickly.”

1x nodded.

“You do understand that you have not been showing any progress recently, 1x?”

Oh.

“Yes, creator. I understand.”

“Then why do you not work harder to improve? Do you not want to become better at swordfighting?”

1x looked at the ground, a sour expression on their face. I’ve been trying so hard every day, 1x thought bitterly. But it never pays off. I don’t show improvement half the time because you keep moving on to learning even more strategies and moves so fast that I can't keep up. And you always scold me because of that. Don’t you at least appreciate my effort?

“I do want to be better.” 1x spat with annoyance. It’s just that you

1x jolted as Telamon lifted them up by the collar of their shirt. Staring coldly into their eyes, Telamon glowered.

“Do not speak to me with that tone ever again. You are wasting precious time. We will start now, and you will show improvement, or you will face the consequences. I have given way too many chances for this already. Do not let me down again.”

1x frowned, albeit nodding their head reluctantly in order for Telamon to put them down.

Putting down 1x and backing up slightly, Telamon announced to them, “We will spar now. Get ready.”

1x unsheathed their sword, basic-looking and way less fancy compared to Telamon’s glowing green swords (1x couldn’t help but admire those swords). Their sword was also dull from all the sparring and training. 1x always wanted to polish it, but never found the time.

Without warning, Telamon charged at 1x, ready to land a strike. 1x dodged the attack just in time, doing the same with Telamon’s next few attempts to land a blow. Personally, 1x would consider that impressive, but since they’d done this multiple times in the past, Telamon would probably not be satisfied with that feat alone.

Avoiding another attack with a parry with their sword, 1x couldn’t help but be fueled with confidence and pride. Telamon must be pleased with me, 1x smiled. I don’t think I’ve ever managed to dodge this many hits in a long time.

1x let out a chuckle as they ducked, making Telamon’s swing of their sword a miss.

Confidence taking over them, 1x decided to take a chance and swing their sword in an attempt to hit Telamon. However, Telamon’s instincts were terrifyingly fast, dodging the swing and making 1x lose balance with a swift blow to their stomach.

1x fell to the ground with a thud.

1x clutched the wound Telamon had given them, trying to stop the blood flowing out of it.

Their vision was blurry from the impact and the blood loss, but not foggy enough to make out the shape of the figure that loomed over them. Well, I guess I’m in trouble. 1x accepted their fate. Surely Telamon's “punishment” wouldn’t be that bad, right?

Telamon looked down at their creation with seething anger. “What did I tell you? Unless your opponent is down in some way, never swing your sword downwards towards them. I’ve spent too long telling you this again and again. I guess you really never learn.”

Telamon continued. “And do you think I did not hear you laugh earlier during our spar? That is unacceptable and disrespectful. You do not mock your creator.”

1x scowled. “What, I was just happy that I was dodging so many of your attacks. Aren’t you proud of me in any way? All you do is complain when I mess up. You don’t even care when I’m able to perform a skill well. You’re so ungrateful, I’d rather just quit training. It’s pointless.”

Telamon grabbed 1x by the collar of their shirt once again. Looking dead into their eyes, he snarled, “You’re not grateful for the fact I am investing so much time into taking care of you and helping you get better at swordfighting. You’re just a piece of code. I created you. Your only job is to listen to my orders and follow them. You’re supposed to only feel the emotions I allow you to feel. Why won’t you obey me just like all my other creations?”

Telamon proceeded to throw 1x onto the floor, making them hiss in pain.

1x sat up slowly, glaring back at Telamon with a death stare. “That’s because I have a life. I have free will and I’m able to do way more than your old good-for-nothing creations can do. I’m not just an object. I’m a Robloxian. One that can think, move, and feel on their own. I don’t need you to live my life and I don’t want you in my life anyway.”

Telamon stepped towards 1x and grabbed their left wing.

“I’ve had ENOUGH. This will make you shut up once and for all.”

With those two sentences, Telamon gripped their wing with a terrifying amount of force and twisted it.

A deafening crack could be heard.

1x screamed in pain and agony as their wing was wrenched in an abnormal angle, the bone present at the base of their wing now snapped clean in half.

The skin and feathers on the wing were still intact, somehow still allowing the wing to stay attached to 1x’s back.

However, the rest of 1x’s wing didn’t stay in good condition for long.

Telamon used their free hand that wasn’t holding onto 1x’s wing to grab one of the Daemonshanks, and used it to cut away at the rest of 1x’s already damaged wing.

Every slice made a gashing wound on their wing (gashing wound? Slasher ability? Ha ha ha), the cuts multiplying by the second. Telamon also took his time to forcefully tear at the feathers and skin of the wing. 1x could only watch as their wing got destroyed by their creator and cry due to the unbearable pain that only got worse.

Little by little, 1x’s left wing turned from a glowing, gold-tipped white wing that had the beauty of an angel’s one, into a blood-stained, mutilated, torn and tattered mess of feathers, skin, and bone.

Telamon proceeded to perform the same procedure to 1x’s right wing and their head wings, which fluttered like crazy, as if they were pleading for Telamon to cease his actions. Yet Telamon showed no mercy to the poor pair of fluffy wings, which were torn and wrenched in terrifying directions that 1x wished to not know. The blood of the destroyed wings trickled down their face, dripping down onto the studded floor of the Heights.

As Telamon worked on their right wing, 1x mustered the strength and courage to bring their hand up to their head, and felt the two bundles of torn skin and feathers that were once their head wings. Once their hand came in contact with their former head wings, 1x immediately retracted it, due to the horrifying texture of the head wings and also the intense pain that Telamon had once again induced by dragging the sharp tip of the Daemonshank along their right wing.

Their head wings were bent in a way that made them wrap around their head like a halo, one that 1x was forced to wear, a bloody, messy one that displayed their failure, wrongdoing, and weakness.

Trembling with tears rolling down their eyes endlessly, 1x begged Telamon for mercy. They didn’t want to rebel anymore. They didn’t want to have their own thoughts and feelings anymore. They didn’t want to have free will and stray away from Telamon’s orders anymore.

They didn’t want to live anymore.

In response, Telamon screamed two cold words at them. “SHUT UP.”

1x heard a gut-wrenching sound of skin tearing apart.

And they felt skin tearing apart.

At that moment, they realised. Telamon was ripping their wings off. The wings they had once shown off, the wings that they had once borne with pride, the wings that their mother had always admired and praised, the wings they had loved, now being forcefully removed from them.

Such an important part of them, gone in the blink of an eye.

1x knew they were powerless to stop it. But they still tried to. They turned around in hopes of making Telamon lose his grip on their wing, only for Telamon to still hold onto it tightly.

1x turning around turned out to be a horrible mistake.

Due to Telamon’s strong grip, 1x’s wing still remained in his hand as 1x turned their back away from him.

The wing ripped apart completely, removing itself from 1x’s body with a deafening sound of tearing.

1x screamed, the pain and agony of one of their wings completely detaching from their body coursing through them.

Stop it, 1x pleaded. It hurts so much. I just want this to end. Just let me faint or die. I don’t want to feel the pain anymore.

Yet, 1x didn’t pass out or pass away, and continued to experience the process of Telamon tearing out their wings.

Their right wing was the next victim, gone with a simple rip that still added to the burning pain 1x felt and cried because of.

Their head wing “halo” was ripped from them as well, but the blood that flowed down from the stumps still continued, mixing with the endless tears that flowed down 1x’s face, drenching the ground of the island.

The Heights’ main island soaked up 1x’s tears and blood, letting the sorrow that the liquids brought along with them seep through its ground. It embraced every last drop, almost as if it was showing sympathy for 1x.

After a long painful process, Telamon finished what he had planned to do. Standing up and glancing at the bloody, dirty mess he had made 1x become, he left the private server, muttering “Useless.” as he teleported away.

1x simply laid there, trembling and sobbing as the dusty air of the Heights listened to their cries and gazed at the aftermath of their suffering.

1x closed their eyes, hoping that they could wake up in their warm bed and that nothing bad had ever happened that day.

——

1x woke up in a cold sweat.

They sat up instantly, observing their surroundings frantically.

They were back in Shedletsky’s room.

I’m back, they thought. It was all a nightmare. I’m fine.

1x took deep breaths as they wiped the sweat beads that formed on their forehead while they dreamed.

Calm down already, 1x, 1x scolded themself. There’s nothing to be scared of right now. Get yourself together. Stop panicking like all those scared survivors.

Five long minutes passed as 1x finally felt like they were back to normal.

It wasn’t long before 1x realised that it must’ve been the Spectre that made them have this nightmare. It made sense, since 1x hadn’t had a dream in ages.

1x’s face soured as they cursed the Spectre in their head.

Why remind me of this again, Spectre? I don’t want to remember how I lost my wings again. Telamon should’ve been the one that lost his wings. He deserved it way more than me.

“YOUR WISH IS MY COMMAND.” The Spectre’s glitchy voice boomed inside 1x’s head, making them jolt.

What?

Chapter Text

“I’m not afraid of myself. I’ve just changed and I don’t want to go back.” Shedletsky hissed at the Spectre.

“THEN WHY HIDE YOURSELF FROM OTHERS, TELAMON? ARE YOU AFRAID THAT THEY WILL FIND OUT WHO YOU TRULY ARE?” The Spectre cackled, amused at Shedletsky’s sudden defensiveness.

“NO! I’m not Telamon. Not…anymore. I’m tired of you and all the other killers calling me that and I just want a break. Why did you do this anyway? For your own entertainment? To cure your boredom? Whatever it is, it’s not funny. Stop it now.” Shedletsky’s frown deepened as he argued back, wanting to end the conversation quickly.

“AH, I CAN’T ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS. YOU’D KNOW TO MUCH IF I DID. I DO LIKE THE FACT THE OTHERS KILLERS STILL ACKNOWLEDGE YOU AS TELAMON, HOWEVER. I ENJOY IT VERY MUCH.” The Spectre chuckled, further angering Shedletsky.

Shedletsky gritted his teeth. “Why won’t you just shut up?! First you make me transform into whatever this is, and now you’re mocking me. What did I even do? No one else had to go through this awful switchup besides 1x.”

Shedletsky keeled over as he felt a sudden pang of pain. It was as if an uncontrollable force slapped him across his back and caused him to lose balance. The Spectre’s voice rang inside Shedletsky’s head once again.

“I AM THE ONE IN CONTROL HERE. YOU CANNOT TELL ME TO ‘SHUT UP’ OR ANYTHING OF THE SORT. YOU DO NOT QUESTION MY DECISIONS EITHER. AND I AM SIMPLY REMINDING YOU OF YOUR TRUE IDENTITY. 1X WAS SIMPLY FOR MY AMUSEMENT. THEY ARE FUN TO WATCH WHILE THEY ARE INFURIATED.”

I don’t want to be recognised as Telamon anymore, Shedletsky grimaced. I don’t want to be called the terrible person I once was. It’s painful and makes me wish I was Shedletsky all along. I can’t bring myself to ask 1x for forgiveness for my past actions, but I need to try at some point.

Shedletsky was about to stand back up and talk back to the Spectre, but it said something right as he was about to open his mouth. “AH, LOOKS LIKE YOUR CREATION HAS AN INTERESTING REQUEST. I’M FEELING SLIGHTLY MERCIFUL TODAY, SO I SHALL GRANT IT.”

Is the Spectre also talking to 1x right now? What request is 1x making? Does it have something to do with me?

“IT INDEED HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH YOU, TELAMON.”

“What does 1x want from me? If it helps fix our relationship, I’ll do it.” Shedletsky replied confidently, wanting to commit to rebuilding his broken bond with his creation.

“I DO NOT KNOW. BUT I SHALL GRANT THEIR REQUEST ANYWAY.” The Spectre chortled, preparing to take action.

Shedletsky blinked. What could 1x possibly wish for to happen to him? Surely it wasn’t bad, right? Based on their behaviour from the previous match, they wouldn’t wish for something bad to happen, right? After all, they were literally apologising to each other back then.

But the Spectre had other plans.

Shedletsky let out a shrill cry as pain shot through his back. Doubling over, he fell forward into the floor. Shedletsky sat up, legs folded under him and his face slightly dirty due to the dirt on the ground coming in contact with it. His breath shuddered, the immense pain continuing to linger after the sudden pang. What was that?

A drop of red liquid fell to the floor from between Shedletsky’s neck and shoulder, which was followed by a couple more. The other side of his body seemed to have the same condition as well, red droplets falling every so often.

Am I bleeding?

Turning his head, Shedletsky’s eyes widened as he noticed that the feathers of his wings were dirtied with blood, looking as if they were in the process of being yanked out from his body.

What’s happening to my wings?

Terrified by the horrific sight, Shedletsky tried to retract his wings as much as possible, hoping it’d lessen the chance of his wings being torn even further.

It was not successful.

Shedletsky screamed as he felt a wave of pain course through his body once again. His wings became increasingly less attached to his back, the skin, muscles and bone all slowly ripping and snapping apart. Crashing onto the floor once more, Shedletsky's entire body trembled in agony as the Spectre continued to tug on his wings with an unknown and unstoppable force.

His head wings were not safe from the Spectre’s wrath either. They suffered the same treatment as the pair of Shedletsky’s wings on his back.

With a trembling voice, Shedletsky pleaded to the Spectre. “Please, stop it…I-I’ll do anything, just don’t…n-not my wings…”

No response.

Just the continuation of the relentless pulling on Shedletsky’s practically detached wings, bleeding infinitely and soaking the robes Shedletsky wore, just like how the blood of 1x’s torn wings splattered on it before.

Tears had begun to fall down Shedletsky’s face as he felt the gut-wrenching feeling of removal of the wings he had once shown off to the people of Robloxia as a sign of power and strength.

The feeling wasn’t only in his back, though. Shedletsky felt as if parts of his body, mind and soul were being torn away from him.

His pride, power, strength and courage, all ripped away from him in an instant.

Shedletsky was too dizzy from the pain to notice that the Spectre had already finished its task. He continued to lay on the cold, grassy ground, gasping and still shaking as the aftershock of the experience lingered.

“I HAVE DONE WHAT I HAD PLANNED TO DO. I WILL DEPART. MAY YOUR WINGS BE DELIVERED TO THE ONE WHO DESIRES THEM.” The Spectre announced, whose presence slowly disappeared as it let out an evil cackle.

1x wanted to rip my wings from me and give it to themselves? Why would they do that? Is this revenge for all that I’ve done?

Shedletsky gritted his teeth in anger as he shakily stood up, and noticed the fact the blood had made the robes sticky and wet, now darker and redder colour due to the blood soaking the clothing.

Shedletsky began to feel a throbbing headache as well, probably because of the huge amount of blood loss. The pulsing pain made his vision fog up slightly, but it didn’t stop him from getting back on his feet with rage.

I need to clean myself up. I hate this disgusting feeling of being covered in blood and I want these robes off now. I promised myself I’d try to fix the relationship between 1x and me, but this is too far. 1x is paying for this. What were they even thinking?!

Not caring that the other killers would see his condition, Shedletsky stormed into the cabin, heading directly towards the bathroom. The other killers, who were busy discussing the possible whereabouts of 1x and trying to choose someone to cook for the future meals, as they assumed 1x had gone missing.

Shedetsky’s loud footsteps rang around the cabin, making the other killers pause their conversation and turn to look at him.

Shedletsky didn’t bother to look at them or even say a word to them, and continued his way towards the bathroom.

“...You alright there?” Azure tried to ask Shedletsky with a concerned expression, very aware of the way his robes were completely soaked with blood.

Shedletsky did not respond, reaching the bathroom and slamming the door behind him, and locked it to ensure no one barged in to worry about him even more.

“Should we knock on the door and ask him if he’s okay?” Azure turned towards John Doe and Noli, who both shrugged, unsure of what to do.

Inside the bathroom, Shedletsky gripped the sink’s edges, looking down at it as the throbbing pain in his head continued to pulse, making him wince.

Droplets of blood, fresh from the wounds located where the stumps of the wings Shedletsky had lost less only a few minutes ago, dripped down into the sink bowl. In response, Shedletsky simply stared at the droplets as they trailed down into the drain, disappearing from his sight. He felt numb, his body and mind completely exhausted from the torture the Spectre had put him through not too long ago.

Shedletsky looked up and observed his reflection in the mirror above the sink. He looked completely worn out, his eyes puffy with dark eyebags visible under them. His hair was messy and unkempt, slightly tinted red by the blood from his head wings that had managed to stain it. The robes were still sticky and damp from blood, clinging to Shedletsky and making him feel icky. The wings on his back were gone, the only trace of them ever being there being the uncanny stumps that were left behind. Shedletsky, though tired, couldn’t help but notice how the stumps on his back looked unusually similar to the stumps 1x had on their back after…that incident. His head wings were in the same condition too. Small sad stumps that were almost completely covered by his thick hair, but visible enough to identify at a close distance. They looked almost like horns, like a little symbol of Telamon’s evilness and cold heart. Shook by the discovery, Shedletsky immediately tried to cover it up, managing to hide all of it away in his many layers of hair. And despite everything, Shedletsky couldn’t help but wonder, wasn’t this what 1x looked like when I ripped their…no, I mean…their wings were ripped off? Shedletsky quickly dismissed the thought. That doesn’t matter right now.

Shedletsky then brought a hand over to the part of the robe that covered his shoulder and gripped it tightly. Some of the blood that part of the clothing had absorbed went onto his hand, but Shedletsky didn’t care. He wanted the robes off now.

Shedletsky tugged at the clothing with all his might, trying to get at least that part of the robes off his shoulder. He even tried unbuckling the belt that helped keep the robes in place. But after a few long minutes of painful struggle, there was no avail.

Slamming his fist onto the sink counter, Shedletsky reluctantly accepted defeat. Curse you, Spectre.

I became vulnerable in front of 1x, showed them kindness, and begged them for forgiveness with my whole heart, yet 1x decided to repay me by ripping my fucking wings off.

Deep inside Shedletsky, the emotion of hate, which he hadn’t felt in so awfully long, began to flicker to life once more.

1x, Spectre, both of you will pay. And I will stop at nothing, yes, nothing to take you both down.