Astro slams the grand doors of Cosmo’s temple open. His expression hard and demanding. He wanted something, and it seems like he won’t leave without it.
Cosmo had ducked instinctively behind his writing desk, slowly peaking to see who it was. “Good grief Astro…. Was the force necessary-? Tick.” He queried, obviously startled by the loud BANG that had come from the impact of the door hitting the wall of his temple.
“My apologies, Cosmo, but there’s something I must ask of you…” Astro explained, stepping towards his desk. Cosmo stood back up, taking note of the void-black marks on his face as he approached. “Shoot! Tick!” He exclaimed, quite curious of what his friend had to ask.
He stopped just a foot from the desk, looking down at Cosmo before he began to speak. “I need you to tell me what’s going to happen to me.” He stated, staring at him with some kind of an emotion he can’t put his gloved finger on.
“Tick…Tock…. Astro, you know I can’t do that. I only tell the Archon of the future! It’s against my contract otherwise.” He reminded, a tiny bit more anxious than he first was when his door was slammed open. “I’m well aware of that, but no one has to know, Cosmo.” he muttered, taking another step closer. He was basically towering over the writing desk at this point, it was ominous…
“I’m sorry, I told you I can’t. Tock.” the time keeper repeated with a bit more authority in his tone, which Astro didn’t seem to appreciate based off the narrowing of his eyes. He began to move around the desk and slowly towards Cosmo. “We can handle this easily y’know. I don’t want to get rough.” he warned, something’s wrong with him.
The time keeper takes a step back, in which the gravity handler follows. “I’ll ask one more time… What’s going to happen to me, Cosmo?” He repeated, staring down at Cosmo with expectation. Cosmo shakes his head, looking away from Astro. He never liked intense eye contact, never. “Tick. I’m not going to tell you Astro. That’s fin- ACK-!” he’d been cut off by a rough, tight grip on his throat. His scarf slowly slipping off his neck as he’s slammed into the grand clock behind him.
“As-Astro please-! Tock-” Cosmo pleaded, struggling as Astro tightened his grip. His eyes were only filled with fury just as his actions were. He glared daggers at Cosmo as he choked him out, his expression….terrifying. The voided spots on his face slowly expanded, he was actively corrupting. Cosmo weakly grabbed onto his wrists, pathetically trying to pull his hands off his throat.
He had all the power he needed to get Astro off of him, but he didn’t use it. He didn’t want to hurt a friend. It was against his morals.
Suddenly, a voice could be heard from the doorway. “COSMO!!” they yelled before an arrow hit Astro’s arm, causing him to release the time keeper from his mean grasp. It was Orion who came to Cosmo’s aid. He bolted to Cosmo’s side, gently pushing him behind him.
“What in the VOID were you doing CHOKING the TIME KEEPER out with your bare hands?! I swear I’ll-“ He was cut off by a reassuring hand being put on his shoulder. “Tock. Tick. It’s fine… Please don’t bother.” Cosmo muttered.
“I’ll explain later… Tick….”
Astro huffed, “Abi in malam crucem…” before storming off. It took Orion every bit of strength to resist stopping him in his tracks and selling him out to The Archon, specially after what his recent behavior. His main concern, however, was the time keeper. His friend.
He checked for any marks on his neck that hadn’t already healed, before he noticed Cosmo smiling. He paused and turned his gaze away from him, clearly embarrassed. “I appreciate your concern my friend, but I’ll be alright. Tock.” He reassured the hunter, giving him a gentle pat on the shoulder.
“Cosmo… Explain.” Orion demanded, the time keeper obviously knew something he didn’t. It must be specially important as well if he insisted on letting Astro go.
