Uhh a lil azuretime/1shot I wrote a few months ago :3
They couldn't take it anymore.
Two Time had reached their breaking point. They had lost any and all forms of sanity and was going to act today. The Spawn had come to them in a dream, requesting an act of loyalty that would be rewarded with a second chance – a second life. All they had to do was to murder someone, that someone being the mos... or second most important person in the cultist's fragile life. Azure.
Azure was a cultist as well, he too believing in the concept of the respawning, although significantly less insane than his partner. The duo had met at their first communal meeting years ago, merely being friends. That was until the Christmas of 2027, where Azure had confessed their feelings for Two.
They had always known there was something between them both (though they doubted it occasionally). The question was of whether it was of good or bad.
In the recent weeks, every waking hour had been riddled with the voices and constant hallucinations; each foretelling of a fateful encounter to come within the dying days of the month. Now Two Time was no stranger when it came to hallucinations, however, they usually came every few days and were reasonably tame. But these... these were different. They almost felt... real; as if fate itself was warning them of an event that would change their life forevermore!
This led to Two Time going to the holy altar to pray to The Spawn more and more often. It was barely noticable at first, where the two stayed for an extra 10 minutes or so after daily prayer; asking for guidance from Him.
"Dedicated to Him, huh?" Azure said with a smirk.
"I guess... heh..." Two Time responded, introspective as always.
These so-called 'trips' became increasingly frequent, inevitably caught the attention of Azure.
"Are you sure you aren't hiding anything from me?" they pressed. Azure had noticed a shift in Two's demeanor. They were becoming quite secretive and reserved, more than normal at least.
"Yeah. I'm sure Azu. Certain." Two Time said flatly, gazing off towards the obelisk.
Eventually, Azure stopped accompanying them; wanting to give his partner, who was obviously fighting internal battles a little space.
"I better leave my partner alone to converse with the Great One". Azure remarked half-jokingly.
With every passing day, a little of what was left of their sanity faded, leading them to disassociate from reality and develop an ever-growing devotion to The Spawn (more so than they already were). This led them to where they were now – Christmas Day of 2029. They had lost all reasonable and rational thought. They couldn't think of anything other than what He'd commanded.
"Oh the irony! On our anniversary too!" they thought manically, giggling slightly.
With shaking hands they took a dagger from it's box. It was the one that was found with Two's parents when they passed all those years ago. The dagger had resided in their room untouched for a decade. Neither Azure or Two Time wanted to touch it out of respect for Two's deceased parents. Until now.
They thought that if they did what they must, their parents must be with them – almost a "Hey Mum and Dad. I did what He asked. I hope I make you proud!"
As they passed the bathroom, Two Time looked into the mirror. One last chance to stop the horrors they were about to commit... Yet, no remorse was felt – only a driving passion to succeed in their task.
"I have to do what He says. It's a chance to get a second life. It's my chance to show my dedication to His cause." they thought emotionlessly. What came next couldn't be stopped. It was vital they did this.
Azure was sitting on a chair in the snow, swinging their legs without a care in the world. Two Time walked in with a blank stare.
"Hey Two!" Azure said happily.
"Hi." Two Time responded.
Azure knew something was up. That wasn't the silly goober of a Two Time they knew. Azure opened his mouth to ask what was up. Only- it was too late.
Two Time had grabbed Azure in a chokehold and stabbed their thigh. Azure screamed out in pain, incoherent words stumbling out of their mouth.
"Wh-H- Two?!! W-HwhadarudingtisItoghulvedm??"
Two Time looked down at them - a cold, merciless empty displayed on their face.
"It must be done. He says so. Anything requested by the Great Spawn must be completed. I am sorry. It has to be done."
Time seemed to slow as the dagger pierced Azure's heart, accompanied by the sickening crunch of ribs. They fell to the floor instantly, almost lifeless. The pair locked eyes in pure horror and disbelief. Then from the dying mouth of Azure – the cultist who Two Time thought was their true love – came forth 4 words.
"What.... have y-you done...?"
And that was that. It was done.
Azure's body lay limp and lifeless on the snow-blanketed earth, never to utter a word or breath again. His blood soaked into the blanket of white beneath, turning the snow to a scarlet red.
A wave of dread hit Two Time like a truck, bringing them back to reality for the first time in a fortnight. They dropped the cursed dagger, coated in the fresh blood of their love, which lay to rest sofltly at Azure's side.
"W-What have I done??" they said quietly, shaking.
Two didn't cry. Two didn't lash out. They simply kneeled over Azure's body, unable to express the insurmountable grief they felt. They stayed like that for a while, wallowing in the numbness, until inevitably passing out.
That night, The Spawn came to them, praising their utmost loyalty to The cause.
"Well done, Two Time. You have done well. As promised, the fabled second life has been granted to thineself. I have given this honour to few, for many before yourself have failed to show their oblivation. You are truly a dedicated member by which you have been given the fabled power of respawning.".
Morning came. Both Two Time and Azure vanished without a trace. Fresh snow had covered any evidence of the fatal encounter ever occurring.
The last thing Two Time remembered was the prophecy given to them by their hallucinations.
When frost doth kiss the earth's cold face,
And joy in hearths finds warm embrace,
Two souls shall walk love's fragile thread,
Bound by fate and doom's cold dread.
On the day before sacred Yule's delight,
When stars adorn the velvet night,
The Spawn shall whisper in shadows deep,
A promise sworn, a vow to keep.
"For life anew, for breath once more,
A soul's price must be paid in gore.
On the day your hearts did align,
Break the bond, second life is thine".
Two years entwined by destiny's hand,
Yet on this night, blood stains the land.
Beneath the wreath and candle's glow,
One shall strike the fatal blow.
The lover's heart shall cease to beat,
Fallen cold at twilight's feet.
As snow consumes the crimson trace,
No grave to mark nor tear to weep,
Two shall vanish without a trace.
The Spawn shall grin, the pact fulfilled,
A second life by blood instilled.
Yet echoes of that fateful crime,
Shall haunt the sands of endless time.
Forsaken by love, by fate denied,
The vanished souls in shadows bide.
Lost to the void's eternal deep.
