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All Hallow's Eve

Yandere!Block Tales x Monster?Reader

Warnings: Obsession and other general yandere behaviors, violence, MC is getting all the trauma with this one, mental torture/suffering, emotional breakdowns, Hatred, self-harm, blood, this is me taking the things that have been happening and turning it up to 11

Note: Bunny/MC is gonna be suffering in this one!! (What's an OC for if not to have trauma?)

And GODDAMN THIS IS LONG. Yall better be fed after this.

--☆☆☆☆☆--

Other Parts in this Series

--☆☆☆☆☆--

Obviously you bought Shedletsky another bucket of chicken using the tix you literally found everywhere. Like the stuff was surprisingly easy to gather when you had to fight people and how they had a weird tendency to drop it all over the place.

...

You wonder how Griefer is doing.

It's your fault he became like this. Became like you.

Your breath hitches for a moment.

What..?

You should've moved and stopped him, snatched the Venomshank away from him when you got the chance. You could move fast enough to do it.

Why didn't you do it?

No. No- You didn't- you didn't know he would stab himself- you didn't-

You let him become like you.

Why? Is it because you're lonely? You want others to lose their humanity, so you have other monsters to surround yourself with?

No- No- Nonononono- That's not-

It's your fault you didn't stop him. It's your fault Thaniyel had to be devestated. It's your fault any of this even happened, isn't it? Why didn't you just knock the device out of the figure's hands?

You stabbing it is why it went off. Why it dragged you back here. You should've just saved Builderman right then and there.

But you didn't.

You monster.

You're not a monster-

You are.

You've always been one.

YOU'RE NOT A MONSTER-!

Look at your scales. Your tail. Your arms. Your claws.

You're alone. A freak. A monster.

Everyone who gets close will only hurt you. Will only use you and toss you aside when they've had enough. When you're useless to them.

You're a failure who couldn't save anyone. Did you even save the King? Are you sure he's free from the effects of the Ice Dagger? Think of his face, the spikes of ice, how his eyes never stopped glowing.

You can't help anyone. You aren't worth anything to anyone. You aren't even worth something to yourself.

Monster.

"I'M STILL A HUMAN!" You snap at the swords, the voices, every ounce of doubt and rage and hate you feel towards everything. You feel the gaze of others going about their day turn to you, concern and confusion and fear etched into their eyes.

You shrink back, claws digging into the chicken as you quickly scamper away, hiding in a barren alley as you pull your disguise more onto yourself. You push the glasses up, tighten the mask and hood, and hide your tail and extra arms.

You tear out any signs of the plants that are trying to grow back out of your wounds. You don't bother to mop up the dribbles of blood. You just go to Roblox HQ to get started on the next batch of your quest.

You want to see if Shedletsky will take the damn swords back. The voices grating on your ears hurts. Their whispers of rage and negativity weigh you down. Crushing you beneath the weight of hate.

...

You feel like that child again. The one who was betrayed by someone they loved and trusted and held all their faith in.

The one with their legs crushed. The one who nearly died in an explosion he set off.

The one who had their heart replaced by a crystal that tried to mimic what once was.

Just like how you mimicked humanity. Desperately trying to be what you once were but would never be again.

If there was anything you hate, it was yourself.

--☆☆☆--

Each claw lightly taps on the floor as you walk into the basement. The paper bucket is now creased from how tightly you gripped onto it. No matter what you did to straighten it out, it was hopeless.

You just hope he wouldn't mind...

"Darn cane..." You hear Shedletsky mutter, your ears perking up slightly under the hood. "This thing's so wobbly..."

"Shedletsky? Sir?" You call out, growing slightly closer with a single step.

"Ah! Is that who I think it is?" You don't see him, but you sense Shedletsky's grin. "Have you recovered enough from your wounds? How was your journey? C'mere and tell me about it!"

You walk into the room you spoke to him last, and he quickly hobbles over to you. Somehow, in the two days since you've last seen him, he has both gotten out of the full body cast and wheelchair and is walking around with a cane and bandages on his head.

"How's it goin-" He trails off mid-sentence, clearly bewildered and surprisingly disappointed to see you in your disguise. Then again, he's never seen you in your usual outfit disguise, so...

"Wow! You- you recovered quickly!" You blurt out, trying to change the topic, "Already out of the wheelchair? Uh- how..?"

"Ah- uh- that's the power of fried chicken for ya!" He jokingly says, clearly not going to explain anything. "...is that for-?"

"Yes! It's for you!" You say, handing over the chicken quickly, "And- uh- since you're doing better, I'd like to return the two swords I have collected to you. Please."

"What? No??" Shedletsky says, looking bewildered, "I'm definitely not in the condition to hold onto them right now, [Name]."

You heart sinks into your stomach.

"Anyways, you've been doing a perfectly good job at protecting both the Ice Dagger and Venomshank from what I've heard, excluding your injures previously." He gives you a worried look, "Why would you want to hand them back over to me now?"

"..." You stay silent, unsure if you should admit to the voices. "...the swords... they're..."

Don't tell him.

Why would he believe you?

It's only going to make it all worse.

You've made him worry enough. Be useful and just do your quest.

It's your only purpose until he tosses you away...

"...I just worry they'll be less safe if I'm just traveling and casually carrying them around." You finish, the half-truth falling off your tongue with little resistance.

"Really?" He asks, before laughing, "Well, there's no reason to worry about that! You're already doing a wonderful job, and practically no one expects you to have them. I'm sure practically everyone expects them to be with me, so they're safer than ever with you. Don't worry about a thing!"

You nod slightly, feeling awkward and horrible for not explaining the voices that gnaw at your skull.

"Uh... why are you all covered up though?" He asks you, raising an eyebrow. "I can barely see your face."

"This is to not spook people-!" You quickly explain, "This tends to scare them less so... I hide myself."

"...don't do that-" He starts to tell you, but you cut him off.

"I'm glad you're feeling better!" You blurt out, "Hey, maybe you'll be able to like... journey with me or something soon!"

"..." He stares at you silently, before smiling, "...yes, I'm looking forward to that! Regardless, tell me what happened in Turitopulis! I've heard bits of information from Mayor Thaniyel, and I was hoping you could explain everything!"

You stay silent for a moment. Then you explain what happened to Griefer. You leave out the guilt and how the voices wormed their way into you, not wanting to make this already worried man more concerned.

You just want to find Builderman and go home...

Shedletsky is silent, any trace of a smile gone. "...so they've gone after the others."

You nod slightly and Shedletsky takes a breath.

"Then there's no time to waste. I haven't heard any distress from the other guardians yet..." He snaps his fingers, "We should use the downtime to grab the Ghostwalker!"

You tilt your head as he continues. "There's a manor on the far side of town... Some say it's haunted, but I think that's the charm of it! Just be careful, I guard it with the evil undead!!"

As he laughs, you stay still. "...eh?"

His laughter dies down as his expression shifts to one of confusion. "...what's that look for? You know I'm kidding, right? They're just normal zombies! Don't worry about it! They might give you some trouble, though..."

"...uh..." You don't feel comforted at all.

"If they do, just give them a lil' bop on the head! They regenerate every night anyways!" He says, not noticing your discomfort. "It's a shame I can't escort you inside... how impolite of me!"

"It- it's fine." You stammer out, hoping he's joking about the zombies.

"Regardless, the train in West Bizville will take you there! The manor is quite the tourist attraction at this time of year, so please try not to disturb the public while your at it..."

You open your mouth to reply, but then he hits you with, "No, you wandering around without hiding yourself isn't bothering anyone. So you can stop hiding yourself."

At your hesitation, he raises an eyebrow at you. You hesitantly pull down the hood and pull of the mask and glasses, and he smiles.

"That's a start..." He muses, "Thanks for all your help, sweet pea! Here's a little something to help you get on the earliest train..."

Shedletsky rummages around in his pockets, and pulls out a pen and train ticket. He writes down something on the ticket before handing it to you. You take it and pocket it.

"Now off with you!" He instructs you, "Retrieve the Ghostwalker, for Builderman!"

You nod and head out, immediately putting back on the glasses, mask, and hood when you're out of his sight.

All you are if you show yourself is a bother. Everyone will judge you when they see you, you'll only disturb them as you go about.

Hiding yourself is the only way you fit in. How you feel human. How you don't feel like a bother to everyone and everything...

So hide yourself. Hide yourself like a mouse in the walls. Like a spider in the corner. Like a monster in the darkness.

And you do just that as you go to the train station, using the signs as a guide as you do it.

You approach the conductor who stands at the door of the train, and they flash you a grin.

"Well, hello there! Today's transportation is to the far-away Spooksville! Are you interested in boarding?" At your nod (figuring Spooksville is where you gotta go), the conductor holds out a hand, "Well then, one ticket please!"

You hand them the one Shedletsky gave you, and the conductor freezes in place. "Th- this ticket!! H- he even signed it himself..?! And left a note..?"

You stand there awkwardly as the conductor reads the ticket, before giving you a wide-eyed look. "...Welcome aboard, honored guest!! Come! Allow me to escort you inside! All aboard!"

You awkwardly follow them onto the train, wondering just what Shedletsky wrote on there...

--☆☆☆--

"Well, here we are!" The conductor tells you, smiling brightly at you as you stand in the passenger car awkwardly. "Wonderful day for a ride, isn't it? Grab a snack from the shop nearby or chit chat as you like! You're in a bit of a ride, partner... so make yourself comfortable! But don't forget to sleep at a decent hour! There's a special event help in the next car early in the morning!"

They pat you on your shoulder, grinning. "Alright partner, have a wonderful ride! And if you get lost, feel free to ask for help!"

You nod and walk away, too nervous to speak to anyone at all. All you do is explore the train, buy a ton of food (god youre starving. You eat a ton already and its been a long while since you had any food), and eventually go find your sleeping room and decide to sleep early.

Much to your dismay, there's only a bed, but luckily it was shoved into a corner, so it was fairly easy to nestle against the wall and drift off...

...

All you have are nightmares about him.

How he betrayed you. Tried to kill you.

You wonder what his life is like. Does he know how he ruined yours? That he's the reason you aren't human? How you hate him yet don't at the same time?

You wonder what he looks like. Would he recognize you? Would he hate you? So many questions, yet you don't want the answers.

...

The voices crept into your dreams. Making them worse than they ever were on their own.

You jolt awake randomly as the train moves, and you know you're sleeping terribly and yet don't care much. You just know you'll feel just a bit better, and thus can't truly care.

...

You lay on the bed, the sounds from the rest of the train quieter than before beyond the rumbling of the machine on the tracks and the sound of wind whooshing by.

You lay on your side, before your gaze turns to your uncovered arms. Your body. Every scale, every crystal, every claw.

You examine a hand, and how even in the dark the talons gleam and shimmer, radiating a danger you keep under firm control.

You look at the plants starting to sprout again, not bothering to pluck them out.

Well... not out on their own.

Your gaze is mere slits as you hover a hand over one spot with flowers starting to bloom.

Do it.

You don't scream, barely even wincing as the sharp claws dig into your arm. They pierce past the scales and bore into your flesh, tightly grasping onto the entirety of the plant as you rip it out.

Your blood flows onto the sheets of the bed, and all you feel is guilt for making the job of whoever has to clean up harder.

Then you look at the bloodied flesh and plant in your hand, the flowers already wilting when out of your skin. You drop it into a trashcan conveniently left for you, not even phased as the air causes the wound to sting.

You aren't happy when you see the plant already starting to regrow, even quicker than before. It's relentless, ordering itself to stay and not caring about your wishes.

You don't relent either, tearing out as many plants as you can find. And even ripping out the larger crystals on your body.

...

You hate this. You hate your body. You hate the plants.

You hate.

--☆☆☆--

You awaken, apparently having fallen asleep sometime after your pruning session. And already your wounds have mended over, with only slight discolorations in your scales, only a truly talented eye would notice.

This wasn't the first time you pruned yourself. And wouldn't be the last. But every time, scales would come back instead of human skin. It was never human skin.

...

You wish it was.

You hear thuds and crashes, and you crawl out of bed, not evening having time to put on anything (beyond the shirt and pants you already have on) before the conductor bursts into your room.

"Oh my goodness, get down!!" They tell you, panicking, "They don't know we're here, I-"

"Woah, woah! Breathe!" You yelp out, scurrying over as they practically collapse into your arms, "What's happening?"

"I-" They wheeze, and then squeak and hide behind you as two bandits stride into the room.

"Well well... look what we have here!" One of them says, brandishing a baseball bat. "Looks like we got a... wait, what even are you??"

"...I'm [Name]." You reply, ears twitching as one of your arms is outstretched to help shield the conductor more.

"You idiot, that's some kinda monster!" The other bandit says.

Ouch...

They're right. You're a monster.

You shake your head slightly, ignoring the voices.

"Let's drag these two back to the bosses..." The first bandit says, "They're cuttin' extra shares of the loot for grabbin' hostages! Get 'em!"

As the conductor squeaks and the bandits charge, you just quickly rub two of your hands togther before sticking them out palms first, electricity crackling off the talons.

Neither bandit stops in time to avoid running face first into your hands and getting electricuted thoroughly. Both collapse to the ground, and you sigh as you shake your hands and the electricity goes away.

"Are you okay?" You worriedly ask the conductor, who's tightly hugging you from behind.

"Oh my goodness... thank you!" They squeak out, " You saved my life..."

You ruined one already. Saving another won't do anything to fix what you've done.

"Of course, of course..." You say, surprised by how... unbothered they seem to be with your appearance or how they are pressed against your relaxed spikes.

A silence falls between you two for a moment. Before the conductor blurts out, "AH! WAIT! THE ENGINEER!!!"

Your eyes widen as they continue, "He's in the farthest left car of the train! If something happens to him, we're all DOOMED! PLEASE!! RUN!!!"

"On it!" You squeak out, only realizing you didn't even put on your hoodie, much less any of your other disguise pieces.

You facepalm but don't hesitate much longer. You gotta save the train and protect this engineer fellow from the bandits!

Everyone is panicking, and you fight off any bandits who attack you or any innocents cowering about as you rush to the front of the train.

You never expect to see Red and Blue standing over a collapsed bandit in there. Nor Noobador in control of the train, even wearing a hat.

"AAAAND STAY DOWN!!! Take THAT bucko!" Red orders, clearly proud of himself as he laughs. Blue seems a little more apprehensive as she nervously rubs the back of her head.

"That's already two of them..." She notes, then both she and Red look over at Noobador, "Hey boss, you okay over there?"

He sighs. "Just grand over here, kids. We've got a loooong way to the station, though. You kids think you can hold those dummies on your own?"

"W- well..." Blue hesitates, clearly unsure.

"HAH! NO PROBLEM!!" Red declares, "THE POWER OF RED AND BLUE WILL SEE IT THOUGH!!"

"Y- yeah..." Blue says, trailing off. Though the moment she notices you walk in, her expression brightens. And since you aren't all disguised (not even your hoodie on), she looks in even more awe than ever before.

Red, meanwhile, is just shocked. Then angry. "Yo, chump! We've just tossed TWO of your crew! You're about to be the third Bandit to get CRUSHED!"

"Wait, Red!" Blue yelps out, "Don't! It's... them..."

Red's eyes widen as he looks from you to Blue, and back to you. "Oh! That monster fella you got that crush on!"

"It's not a crush!" Blue squeaks out, "And they're way older than me!"

"Yeah, yeah. And you got a crush on them." Red says, crossing his arms, "Honestly, I don't see it. They're pretty and all but like... not enough for you to crush on or something."

"I-" Blue sighs, clearly embarrassed. "It's not-"

Noobador glances over with a bewildered expression, and you just shrug as you awkwardly stand there.

Then a bandit peers into the room, and you all just look over at them.

"..?" Red then looks angry again, "HEY!! Don't think I don't see YOU over there!!"

"Red... I don't think I can take another one of them..." Blue admits, nervously backing up a step.

"Huh?? What do you mean?!" Red asks, "Boss! We need help over here!"

"Does it look like I can let go of the wheel??" Noobador asks, returning his focus to the tracks. "Hey! You! Scaly punk! Are you just gonna stand there?!"

"No sir!" You blurt out, summoning your claymore as you assume a defensive position.

...the situation is a bit dangerous, yes, but...

Don't summon him.

You can handle these bandits.

All you'll do is bother him.

There's no need to summon Snowy. You'll just beat up these guys and will be fine.

"Come on!" Red says, "Let's kick these bandits to the curb!"

"Y- yeah..!!" Blue says, determined.

--☆☆☆--

The fight barely lasts a minute. You easily zap and swipe at these bandits while blocking each blow. You even interfere and block some attacks from hitting the kids, scolding the bandits for trying to hurt children.

"WAHAHAHAHA!!!" Red smugly laughs as he kicks at one of the unconsious bandits, hands on his hips. "THE POWER OF RED AND BLUE PUSHES THROUGH!! AND THE ALMIGHTY RED SAVES THE DAY!!"

Blue nervously approaches you as you set down your claymore, pulling out a band-aid and pointing to a small cut on the back of your hand. "You... you got a little hurt there..."

You smile and offer your hand as she sticks on the band-aid, giving you a shy smile.

"Thanks kiddo." You say, patting the top of her head with a hand. She looks a little flustered, before turning her attention to Red.

"What about me?"

"You... uh..." Red grins, "DID SUPER AWESOME AS ALWAYS!!!!"

"And what about them?" Blue asks, standing close to you.

"Uh-" Red blinks, "THEY DID OK I GUESS?!?!?!?!"

"Only ok?" Blue asks, disappointed as you really don't mind.

"...FINE, THEY WERE SUPER AWESOME!" Red declares, "LIKE... SUPER DUPER AWESOME!"

"Wh- what's your name?" Blue shyly asks you.

"I'm [Name]." You introduce yourself, "I'm happy I could help in any way I could."

"[Name]..." Blue murmurs, eyes shining, "Wow... your name is pretty."

"Yeah! It's actually a kinda cool name!" Red says, approaching you too, "How did you do those moves with your sword? Can you teach me? CAN YOU?"

You blink, surprised at both kids looking at you in awe in a way.

"Alright dummies, pay attention." Noobador says, saving you slightly from the kids crowding you. "Go look down the hall. See any more of 'em?"

You go peer down the hall. "No, can't see a single bandit!"

"'Cus they all ran home crying!!" Red finishes, "From [Name]'s super awesome sword-moves that they're totally gonna teach me!"

You rub the back of your head as Noobador sighs, relieved yet also a little annoyed at both kids clearly having some sort of childish infatuation with you. "It's about time... now come on! The train doesn't run itself, dummies."

You raise an eyebrow at Noobador's frustration, clearly understanding this man is exhausted and annoyed by the bandits' antics-

...

When you see a green noob peering in from one of the train's windows, you immediately sense danger. And as a purple noob also comes into view and Noobador notices them, you immediately move at your fastest speed to block a mace-swing from the green noob.

Blue and Red immediately back up as both the green and purple noob scowl at you. You just wrap your tail around Noobador and forcibly move him back to be with Blue and Red as you defensively stand between the two groups.

"Long time no see, scumbags!!" The green noob says, sneering at Red and Blue. Blue cowers behind you, as Red looks very defensive.

Noobador moves forward to also defend Red and Blue, standing next to you as he glowers at the green and purple noobs.

"Should've stayed out of the way, you brat!" The purple noob tells you with a glare, "You have NO idea how LONG it took to track those two down!"

"And looks like ol' Yellow is helping you play the hero!" The green noob says, scoffing.

"YOU'RE THE ONES WHO SENT THESE BANDITS?!" Red asks, startled, "WHY?! BOSS NEVER DID ANYTHING TO YOU!"

"'Nothing'?" The purple noob asks, growing more enraged, "NOTHING?!"

"That 'boss' of an uncle of yours took you two from us!" Green says, enraged.

Oh you walked RIGHT into another family drama, didn't you..?

"I took them to protect them from you..." Noobador mutters, assuming a defensive position right next to you.

"And who's this... freak?" Purple asks, "Your auncle?"

"..?" You fall silent, before realizing, "N- NO!? NOT DATING ANYONE! JUST SOMEONE WITH DECENT MORALS!"

"Pfft- what 'morals'?" Green asks, sneering at you. "Like a couple of little kids with some freak on their side could ever outdo us!"

Break their kneecaps.

Oh, this must be why Griefer had a weird obsession with your kneecaps... it was 'cus of the voices.

"That's right!" Purple says with a sneer, "The power of Purple and Green is tough and mean!"

Everyone is silent, before.

"Touch the kids, and I'll break your spines." You snarl out, feeling some heavy and powerful force nestle its way into your voice.

Everyone gives you a look of sorts. Mostly, it's looks of surprise, but Noobador seems pleased with how willing you seem to defend these children.

"...try us." Green tells you, "Hey, Purple. While we beat them to a pulp. Let's teach these kids a lesson, eh?!"

"'Cause we're Purple and Green!" Purple says with a grin.

"The best that's ever been!" Green finishes.

And then the fight begins.

--☆☆☆--

These two put up far more of a fight than any of the bandits did. They seemed weakened, and you and the kids were pushed to a corner as Noobador was in a different corner.

Purple and Green were taking this moment to gloat, and you decided to take advantage of this.

"Pssst, kids." You whispered to them, "How about we do a trio attack?"

Immediately, Red gives you an excited look and has to have his mouth covered by Blue, so your plan of a surprise attack of sorts isn't ruined.

"Okay, both of you get on the claymore, I'm gonna launch ya." You say, grinning as you turn your claymore to flat-side up. Both kids hop on, and you raise the claymore, angle it slightly, and then throw the kids directly at Purple and Green, both of them brandishing their swords.

Neither of the two foes react in time to avoid the two children coming at them in the blink of an eye.

Both collapse to the ground as Red and Blue triumphantly stand over them.

"Tsk... Playin' dirty a ringer, eh?" Green asks, glowering at the two, "Cowards..."

"W- we'll never give in!" Purple declares, "Purple and Green are tough and m-"

She doesn't get to finish her sentence as Noobador grabs both and wacks their heads together, knocking both out cold as he tosses them aside.

He strides over, and you are now very much questioning why he never wears a shirt.

...just avoid looking there, [Name]. Man pectorals can't weaken you if you never acknowledge them. Just focus on his face...

"Uncle!!" Blue calls out, clearly happy her uncle is completely fine beyond a few bruises.

"Boss!! Are you okay?!" Red asks, as Noobador just stands there for a moment, gaze locked on you.

His attention snaps to the kids suddenly, and his voice, loud and angry, rings through the car. "GET. BACK. TO. WORK!! OR DO I HAVE TO KNOCK SOME SENSE INTO YOU TWO?!"

"Eep-" Blue yelps out, cowering behind your tail.

"R- right away, uncle!" Red stammers out.

"THAT'S. 'BOSS'. TO YOU."

"R- RIGHT AWAY, BOSS SIR!!!"

And with a squeak, the kids dart over to the control-board-thing, and they handle it like they've been doing things like this for years.

His gaze returns to you, and he points at you to leave the car. You back out into the previous car as he follows you, and you both stop outside of the car. Your back is pressed against a wall as he is... uncomfortably close.

"...you." He says, before sighing and rubbing his forehead.

He's still wearing that red wrestling mask. It's... kinda a weirdly intriguing sight to see this middle-aged (stubble and all), very muscular man who's dressed up like a wrestler wearing a conductor's hat and being an engineer.

"...sorry for calling you a 'punk' earlier." He says after a moment, "And a 'monster'. And a 'kid'. And for trying to beat you up earlier too... I didn't know about the whole Shedletsky situation... It just seemed like you were giving the kids a hard time."

"Ah-! N- no hard feelings, sir!!" You yelp out, grinning sheepishly. "...they're a real precious bunch."

He smiles slightly. "Yeah, they are... Blue's absolutely infatuated with ya. 'Pretty monster person' this... 'Pretty monster person' that... It was all she'd talk about. It drove Red up the wall... but looks like even he's decided you're 'cool' now."

"Heh, yeah..." You admit, "Uh- usually kids can tend to be pretty interested in me. Hope it's not a bother or anythin'..."

"Nah, it's no issue." He tells you, and you two awkwardly stare at eachother. "...thanks... for saving them."

You tilt your head as he continues. "Red and Blue couldn't handle them alone. Heck, if you weren't there, those two idiots would've gotten the jump on me and knocked me out cold."

"The kids are quite the handful, but... they have good intentions at heart." He glances at you for a moment, "Kinda like you."

"Hm?" You tilt your head, confused.

Noobador pays no mind to your bewilderment as he continues talking. "And anyways, someone's gotta look after them. Because clearly, they don't. They've been chasing after us for years... trying to indoctrinate the kids into criminality. Why else wouldn't I take the kids away from them?"

"You did the right thing..." You murmur one of your arms rubbing your shoulder.

Ah, a few more scales popped up. Even now, despite everything, it's still spreading.

...

You wonder how much longer you have until it entirely consumes you.

"Glad you think that." Noobador tells you, "I just want what's best for them."

He's silent for a moment, before suddenly going, "And what's best for me! What do you think of my outfit? Name another person who's both a luchador AND engineer! Haha!"

At his grin and attempt to make you think he isn't soft, you giggle. "It's quite snazzy, sir. I like it."

"Heh, thanks." He says, flashing you a grin. "...anyways, take it easy, lizzy. I'm gonna work on cleaning this place up. Rest up for now, you deserve it."

"Lizzy?" You echo, confused.

"It's 'cus ya look like a lizard with your scales and all that." He muses, "...if ya want, you can hang around here. The kids would like that. Just don't let them get too loud, alright?"

"Yessir!" You say with a nod, earning an approving look from the man. Then you follow him back in, happily believing you made some new friends today.

Until they throw you aside.

Goddammit- SHUT. UP.

--☆☆☆--

Of course, what you were now wasn't the end of your mutation of sorts. Why would it be?

You were still... too human. Still had your mind fully intact and a decent amount of your body in a humanoid shape.

But gradually, bit by bit you were continuing to transform. It wasn't as quick as your inital mutation, where you basically were left looking like this. But over time, day by day, the scales on your body would creep out further.

It was only a few scales popping up at a time. Maybe a new spike sprouting. Or your horns curving back slightly. Or your legs shifting to be more canted. It was slow but noticeable enough over the course of several years.

The scales on your arms used to end a few centimeters before your elbows. But now they're halfway up your upper arms. The ones on your face too used to just be on the bridge of your nose, but then they spread out.

You knew by the time you were thirty, at least, your body would be fully that of a monster. Would you keep your mind? You didn't know.

All you knew is this is why a certain organization allowed you this temporary humanity of sorts. When you were still able to pass as one with disguises.

Eventually you'd be put back in there care. You knew that.

Back to the experiments and tests and all that.

This was a closely guarded secret of yours, alongside him and how you came to be this way. You'd always skip past questions regarding you being like this, it was a talent you mastered over time.

...

You wonder if any of the friends you have, the ones you recently made... would they hate you if they found this out? What if you met them once you were fully turned into a monster? What then?

...

Why did any of this happen to you?

Why weren't you allowed to be a human?

Why did he betray you?

Why?

--☆☆☆--

"Welcome to Spooksville!" The conductor tells you with a grin as you leave the train, with you now back in your disguise as per usual. "Please watch your step as you exit the train cabins... and thank you once again for your heroism! We at Bizville Railways are forever thankful!"

"Ah, no issue!" You reply, waving a hand sheepishly. "It was the least I could do."

"On your way out, stay clear of the cemetery! There's all sorts of creepy-crawlies in there..." They say with a grimace.

"Shame that's exactly part of where I'll need to go..." You note, dismayed.

"Eh?! You WANT to enter that place?!" The conductor asks you, bewildered. "You're... so much braver than I am... are you by chance... going to Telamon's Manor?"

"Yeah?" You reply, confused.

...wait didn't Shedletsky say that he guards it??

Uh- maybe he guards it for Telamon! After all, you're sure Telamon is a busy guy... he didn't even stay long to talk with you last time you saw him at Snowy's castle...

Or he's lying to you and he is Telamon.

Oh please, he wouldn't.

How do you know that? Everyone just uses you.

She didn't.

And yet she paid for that by dying. Everyone you care about gets hurt. You can't save anyone.

Be quiet...

Useless. You're useless.

BE QUIET!

"I see..." The conductor says, snapping you out of the voices trying to ensnare you. "Well then, be on high alert! The undead mean business! Good luck out there, friend... you might need it..."

You nod, and bid the conductor farewell as you walk away from the train.

...you miss her. Aster. The kindest woman you ever met, even if she could be awfully abrasive.

And the first person you truly fell in love with. Who never betrayed or used you.

But who was killed for trying to get you out of the labs back when you and her were two lovestruck seventeen-year-olds. Before the deal and your offer of humanity.

You hope she's at peace, wherever she is.

"H- hey! Wait!!" Blue's voice rings out, bringing you to a stop as you look back and see both kids running up to you. "Thank goodness you're still here... now Red! Remember what we're gonna say?"

Red stands there, looking like he already forget. "...they're gonna teach all of their sword moves?"

"Red!! No!" Blue says, "The other thing!!"

"Oh, right!!" Red gets closer to you, offering you a card you take. It's a Call card. "Here ya go, [Name]! This is our thanks for you helping us earlier!!!"

"You're so cool..." Blue murmurs, a bit embarrassed.

"Yeah!" Red says, grinning, "Call us if ya ever get into trouble!! And together well be [Name], Red, and Blue!"

"Always staying true!" Blue continues.

"And workin' together to power through!" You finish, grinning under the mask.

"Haha, yeah! You got it!" Red says, thrilled.

"You'll come see us and Uncle Noobador again sometime, right?" Blue asks you, hopeful.

"Of course." You say, "After all, I do need a ride back to Bizville after this part of my quest is done!"

Blue looks thrilled as Red cheers. "Okay- OKAY! Make sure to get on the train at the time Boss tells ya, okay?? Don't be late at ALL."

"Understood." You say with a nod, amused at the kids' excitement.

"WHERE ARE THOSE KIDS?!" You hear Noobador call out, and both of them flinch.

"...better hurry-!" You tell the two, motioning them off.

"Ah jeez-!" Red yelps out.

"Bye, [Name]! See you soon!!" Blue squeaks out,

"See ya!" Red says, and both run back to the train.

You laugh a bit, knowing you'll put the card to good use someday. You just turn back to your path, quickly save a guy duct taped in a tree, and head off to the Manor.

After a quick picture in front of it you send to Telamon.

You also finally turned on autocorrect on your phone after some prankster turned it off and didn't tell you where it was in the settings (praise Noobador for helping you out with that).

I'm at your house

Really now?

Ha, so you are!

Let me know if any trouble arises. I'm more than willing to lend you a hand

Thank you Mr Telamon

Of course

You still can't believe he saved himself in your contacts as 'Bird Husband'...

--☆☆☆--

The cemetery was fairly easy to get through, with the zombies not posing much of a threat as you easily defeated each one in a fight if they went after you.

Telamon's manor was truly an imposing sight, and you felt just like you did when you first met Telamon in person...

Thankfully, no issues were posed as you were able to stride in with no issue. In fact, a butler (who looked awfully like a zombie...) greeted you upon entering.

"Good evening, lovely patron!" He said with a smile as you walked in, bowing at you, "Welcome to master Telamon's Manor. The master has put much of his wealth into this beauty!"

Not even a god can escape needing to have money to function in society, eh?

"Come, let me give you a tour of the grounds!"

And the butler does just that, showing you each and every room here, until a thief in the kitchen brought the tour to an abrupt end and you stood before him in the dining hall, awkward.

"My sincerest apologies, dear patron... but the dignity of Telamon's Manor must be upheld! Now, where was I..." He thinks for a moment, "Ah! Of course! At last, dear patron, is the dining room! Here, you may dine with our residents! And I can ensure you our meals will be fantastic! And with that, our tour has ended."

"Thank you so much." You say, relieved.

"Thank you for your patience," He replies with a smile, "Do you have any further questions?"

"...is this place... haunted?" You ask, recalling Shedletsky's words.

"Hah! Oh, please! Don't make this old man chuckle!" The butler laughs a bit, "There's nothing haunted about this place! Why, that's just an ol' lorekeeper's tale! I assure you, dear patron, there is nothing of the sort! This here is a pristine establishment! And with that, I politely ask future assumptions to... be at a minimum."

You fall silent, and he glances away.

"Ah! Er... it appears something important has slipped my memory! Forgive me, my dear patron... for there's something I must attend to. In the meantime, feel free to shop around the Manor. The kitchen sells wonderful items at this time of year! But now, I must take my leave."

He backs away a bit. "And please... do not follow."

"Wait-! What about the-" He leaves the room before you finish, the word 'Ghostwalker' dying on your tongue.

Failure. You should've asked him before. You didn't. Useless.

You stand there awkwardly, before-

"Oh! Hey there!" Your head snaps over as Kyoko approaches you with a bright smile, "You're [Name], right? Yeah! I remember you from TURITOPULIS! What have you been up to recently?"

"Oh- uh- just... getting some swords for Shedletsky." You admit, "I... I just got the Venomshank... and... uh... a- a lot happened there..."

Kyoko expression shifts to one of concern. "I... I see. W- well, you're a much braver adventure than I am. Heh, and I don't say that lightly. But, tell me. Are you okay?"

Don't be honest. All you'll do is bother her.

You make everyones lives harder. Do her a favor and lie. Keep the truth to yourself.

She'll only use the truth against you. To hurt you. To use you.

"..." You take a breath, "I... I'm not doing well."

Kyoko frowns as you continue. "Brad... he... he became a monster. Because of the Venomshank. And- and I could've stopped him, but... I didn't. I didn't- I didn't expect him to do any of the things he did- but..."

You scratch at the plants under your gloves. "I- I feel like I'm at fault for what happened. Like everything would be fine if I wasn't there. Like me being there made it all worse. And- I feel that way about a lot of things. And I'm- I'm angry and resent myself. But I can't show it. And there's these voices that gnaw at my head and they just... won't be quiet."

"...it hurts, everything hurts and I feel worthless." You admit, your eyes burning from tears.

Kyoko's expression is soft as she places a hand on your shoulder. "Please don't push yourself too hard. Maybe I'm overstepping my boundaries but... Us adventurers... have to stick together, right? That includes looking out for one-another!"

You tilt your head as she continues, pulling you in for a hug. "You're really tough, you know that? But... you don't have to do this all yourself. I've been alone on my own adventures my whole life! And at the start, there was nothing better! The wind in my hair, the smell of the autumn breeze... There's nothing like freedom! Being one with the wind!"

Her gaze is gentle, warm, loving... "But sometimes, even that can get a little lonely. Happiness only sours when enjoyed alone, after all. And sometimes I'd even miss that crazy sister of mine. So, I really mean it when I say this... It's ok to talk. It's ok to ask for help. If something's bothering you, I'll always listen. You're not a burden, you never are."

You take a shaky breath, resting against her slightly. "...thank you."

"Heh! No problem! You can always count on a fellow adventurer!" She grins at you, "Just keep your head up high, man! And remember, if you ever need anything... I'll be right here! ...Don't be surprised if I ask for help too someday!~ Haha! Anyways, good luck with your quest! I'm always rooting for you!"

You nod slightly, and she gives you a warm look as you pull away.

Follow the butler.

But he-

You need answers. Follow him.

You hesitate, but... what's the harm?

So you do just that and follow after the butler, wandering through some desolate garden-esc space before following him through a towering green-yellow portal into what you only can describe is some alternate version of the manor.

And this one? Definitely haunted.

Well, here you have no qualms about taking off your disguise.

You wander through, fighting off ghouls and speaking with some ghosts as you go until you stumble into the kitchen and-

...

Oh god-

"Are you my ghoulish assistant I ordered? I've been waiting..." The ghost of the Kitchen Wizard asks, his back turned to you as he hovers slightly above the ground. "I knew RentAGhoul(tm) would be much faster this time..."

He turns to look at you, and his eyes widen in a mix of shock and 'oh god not this again'.

"YOU." He says, horrified, "FROM BLACKROCK CASTLE. NO. NONONONONONONO. NO! I am NOT letting you touch this dish! I remember exactly how you- you..."

He trails off, watching you back into a corner and press yourself against the wall, wheezing and shaking and panicking.

He's shouting at you again. Why.

Why why why why why why why why why why

Stop. Stop shouting. Stop it

Stop it stop it stop it stop it stop it stop it stop it stop it

He hates you. Of course he does. Why wouldn't he?

He just wants to hurt you, doesn't he? To kill the monster you are.

Kitchen Wizard hesitates, seeing your terror and fear as he takes a deep breath, adjusting his glasses slightly.

"...why are you crying?" He asks you, "Do you think I'm going to attack you?"

You don't reply, covering your face with your hands as your claws dig into your hair and flesh.

"..." The Kitchen Wizard is silent, before hovering closer. You don't respond a hand gripping one of your horns so tightly it cracks.

"Woah- woah!" He says, immediately floating back slightly, unsure of what exactly to say or do to calm you down, "I'm not going to hurt you! I- I..."

He falls silent. "...I'm not angry at you. Annoyed, but not angry. I'm not going to shout at you."

Your eyes snap to stare at him suddenly, your pupils mere slits as he frowns. "...I'm not mad at you, I promise. Just... take a deep breath. I'm not going to do anything to you."

You slide down to sit on the floor, your knees at your chest as the voices scream in your head about how the Wizard 'lies' and 'hates you'. Kitchen Wizard hesitates, before drawing closer and tentatively reaching a hand out to pet your head.

He's lucky he's a ghost, or he'd be jolted by a painful amount of electricity.

He just pats your head, his hand feeling both like air and like it's there at the same time, which is a feeling strange enough to draw you a little more out of the mental cocoon you nearly got trapped in.

"You're okay." He tells you, looking a little frustrated but remaining patient and calm. "Why are you here?"

"Ghostwalker..." You murmur weakly, still gripping onto your head.

"...I see." He says, "Who are you getting it for?"

"Shedletsky..."

"..." The Kitchen Wizard is silent for a long moment, "Is that also why you came to Blackrock Castle? For the Ice Dagger?"

"Yes..." You mumble.

"...okay." He says, "So you truly-"

"I was never meant to be your assistant and you just- you just weren't listening to me!" You blurt out, "I tried explaining- I really did- but- but you just ignored me! You ignored me and then got mad at me and hated me and- and-"

"I- I don't hate you..!" The Kitchen Wizard tells you, startled, "I just thought- I... god, I'm an idiot..."

He rubs his forehead, before returning his attention to you. "I'm sorry. I wasn't aware you weren't the assistant I ordered and I should've listened to you when you told me that. That is my fault."

"...I'm sorry I messed everything up..." You whispered, "I- I couldn't tell the difference between the bottles..."

"...that makes sense, considering how I organized them in opaque bottles..." He sighs, "Dammit."

You're both silent for a long, long minute.

"...I don't blame you for anything that happened that day." He tells you, "You were... clueless. Completely so. I can't blame you for panicking when I... was an ignorant buffoon, to put it lightly."

As you calm down bit by bit, able to drown out the voices more and more, you start to relax. The Kitchen Wizard's voice is... really soothing, honestly. It's as smooth as softened butter...

"...if you're here for the Ghostwalker, you've come to the right place..." He tells you, helping you up, "But, I hate to rain on your parade, that thing is HEAVILY guarded downstairs. Master Telamon hired a bodyguard just to keep it safe."

"Not surprised..." You admit, your voice still a bit shaky.

"It's not just a 'bodyguard'. More... of a 'thing'..." The Kitchen Wizard says, grimacing. "Not like you... it's... horrifying. It scares me."

You rub the back of your head as the Kitchen Wizard falls silent.

"...I can handle it." You say suddenly. "What is it? Manmade horrors beyond my comprehension? An emotion given physical form? A literal god??"

"..." The Kitchen Wizard gives you a skeptical look, before sighing, "I'll tell you what. I know you're more competent than I initially thought... if you help me prepare a meal for the residents, I'll get you a potion to help you slip by that horrible thing. Do we have a deal?"

"Yes!" You blurt out, "And- uh- I'm [Name], by the way! Nice to meet ya! Sorry you're... dead."

"...why, you didn't kill me." He responds, raising an eyebrow. "I quite literally believe you are unable to kill anyone, [Name]. Anyways, the first thing I need is a vial of Spider Cider. I distinctly remember some in the Green Room to the right. Bring some back to me, and we'll go from there."

"Sir, yes, sir!" You declare, quickly darting out.

"...what a strange being..." Kitchen Wizard murmurs to himself after you leave the room, turning his attention back to the meal, "Awfully adorable though... hm... I wonder what food they like..."

--☆☆☆--

Honestly, you feel more accepted in this haunted manor than anywhere else.

Perhaps, after any trace of humanity in you is gone (and if your mind stays intact), you could stay here? After all, no one else here is necessarily human either. And they are all quite kind to you...

Something to consider, you suppose.

Like you'd be accepted here... nowhere accepts you. You're a freak anywhere you go.

You choose not to reply to the voices. Better to not do it anyways.

You approach a... strangely alive noob in the Green Room, who smiles at the sight of you.

"YO! wHaTS uP!!! WeLcOmE tO mY QuIz sHoW!" Quiz show..? "HmMhMhMhMhMhM... GuEsS WhAt! wHo iS tHe CrEaToR oF tHiS MaNoR?"

"Telamon is, I suppose." You reply to the noob, a little confused by how you got no choice in your participation.

"yUU gOt iT!!!! YeAh!!!!" The noob giggles, "qUeSTioN tWOO!! wHaT sWoRD iS hElD dEEp iN da MaNoR?!?!?!"

"The Ghostwalker is." You reply, smiling a bit. Well, the questions are surprisingly fun...

"yUU gOt iT AGaiN!!!! LlES GoOoO!!!" The noob laughs gleefully, "qUeSTioN tHREEEEEE!!"

Suddenly, the noob's smile is gone, and red taints your vision.

"Why are you worth anything?"

You flinch a bit at the change, and you shake your head. "Sorry, what?"

In a blink, the red is gone and noob is giving you a confused smile.

"yUU dIdNt HeAr ME?" They ask, "i SAid, 'The following problems require theusw of the quotient rule. In the following discussion and solutions will derivative of a function h(x) will be denited by D{h(x)} or h'(x). The quotient rule is a formal rule for differentiating problems where one function is divided by another. It follows from the limit definition of derivative and is given by D{f(x)/g(x)} = [g(x)f'(x)-f(x)g'(x)]/[{g(x)}]. Remember the rule in the following way: Always start with the 'bottom' function and end with the 'bottom' function squared. Note that the numerator of the quotient rule is-"

They keep talking for a solid minute until they ask you to "Differentiate g(x) = [1+ln(x)]/[(x^2)-ln(x)]."

You don't miss a beat as you reply with, "[1-(x^2)-(2x^2)ln(x)]/(x((x^2)-ln(x))^2]."

"GrEAT jOB!!!!" They suddenly say, clapping their hands, "I lEt yOu uP dA LaDDeR NoW. bYE. .e wave."

You smile as a ladder appears from out of the ground and you climb up it, wondering why you're having auditory and visual hallucinations now...

Is... this a effect from the voices?

You try not to think of it as you climb up a spiral of floating objects to get a spider and return to the Kitchen Wizard.

"Huh. You actually found some? This quickly?" He asks you once you return, clearly surprised.

"Was... I not supposed to?" You nervously ask.

"N- no-! I'm just surprised at how quick you are, that's all." He says, not wanting to send you spiraling again. "...I have another ingredient request."

"What is it?" You ask, perking up.

"This recipe calls for some dust."

At your clear surprise, the Kitchen Wizard gives you a look.

"What? Dust will help sweeten the flavor. Have you never garnished with steamed dust before? It's a somewhat similar concept to salting your meal."

"...back home, all I can afford is salt and pepper." You reply, a little nervous. "Occasionally another seasoning if it's on sale or I have extra cash, but it's basic like garlic powder or oregano..."

His look changes to one of concern. "...how often can you eat food you genuinely like?"

"Rarely..." You earnestly reply, "Usually I only eat once a day with the amount I eat..."

"...no, absolutely not." The Kitchen Wizard suddenly tells you, "Tell me your favorite food and then go get the dust."

"Eh? Why?!"

"You know why." He tells you, crossing his arms. "Tell me."

After a moment of hesitation, you tell him your favorite food that you only had like once. He hums a bit, and then motions you off with a wave of his hand and telling you 'there's dust in the Black Bedroom upstairs'.

You dart out, ready to go complete the request as you wonder why he wanted to know your favorite thing to eat?

Because he's probably going to make it for you. But he's busy, so telling him will ultimately do nothing but disturb him.

Shut up, SHUT UP-!!!

...

Picture your surprise when you walk into the bedroom to see Terry and a lighter blue penguin sitting on the bed.

"Oh! Hi stranger!" The new penguin says, waving a flipper at you as he seems innocently happy with everything going on.

"Dude." Terry says, looking pissed, "What is GOING ON here bruh. Did you do something stupid again???"

"A- all I did was walk through a door!" You reply, as Terry waddles over, hops up, grabs you by the collar, and drags you down to his eye level.

"If you get hurt because of your own stupidity..." Terry tells you, glowering at you. How can a penguin look weirdly terrifying? You don't know...

"Uh- I-" You stutter out, "Uh- who's that little penguin right there?"

Terry lets go of you, and you immediately stand back up as he gives you a deadpan look. The other one just keeps waving at you and is happy when you wave back.

"That's Jerry, my little bro." He tells you, "Yeah, after seeing how much he's grown up... And by that, I mean not at all. I decided to take him under my wing for a while. Lil' bro needed some talking to. Guidance, if you will. He's always been into spooky crap growing up... So I thought this would be nice. He's calling it a 'Family Vacation', but I wouldn't go that far. I just like seeing him safe and happy."

"Aw..." You say, finding it adorable Terry has a soft spot for his little brother, who happily waddles over to you.

"Hiii!" Jerry tells you, "Hi stranger!"

"Hi Jerry!" You tell him, happy, "I'm [Name]! It's nice to meet ya!"

"Big bro told me all about you after you left... You're so cool!!! I wanna grow up to be just like you!" Jerry says, waving his flippers, "Jumping over giant gaps with ease... Toppling large buildings with a single ball throw..."

"...I- I don't do most of that stuff..." You say, glancing down at Terry who gives you a look.

"Yea, ya do." He tells you.

"They'd call me SUPER JERRY!!! World's greatest penguin! Yeah!! Hehe~" Jerry is in his own little world, before waddling even closer. "You're even cooler in person! Your arms are so cool!"

"Aw, really?" You ask, rubbing the back of your head, "Thanks, little guy! I'm honestly kinda embarrassed about them, ehe~"

"..." Terry's eyes narrow, "Why are there plants on your arm?"

"Ah- uh-" You hesitate, "Just a little bit of plants I glued on to look all cute and stuff! Whaddya think?"

"I like them!" Jerry says, "Ooh! I wanna glue plants to my wings!"

"NO!" You and Terry blurt out in sync. At Terry's suspicious look your way, you quickly explain. "It's just 'cause the glue would mess up your feathers, Jerry. Trust me, you'd rather not have plants glued onto your wings."

"Oh, okay!" Jerry says, unbothered.

"...why are you here anyways?" Terry asks you, annoyed, "Trying to mess with our vacation?"

"I'm here for the Ghostwalker." You explain, a little sheepish. "Y'know, for Shedletsky?"

"Cool!!" Jerry says, "I wanna go on quests too someday!!"

"Maybe when you've grown up a bit." Terry tells him, crossing his flippers as he gives you a look. "Have you found it yet?"

"Teehee... nope!" You reply, sheepish.

"...Wow. Some master sleuth you are dude." Terry says with a roll of his eyes, "Do I have to do everything around here? It's like I can't even leave you to your own devices..."

"Hey! I'm close to getting it! I just need to get some dust for Wizzy!" You say, realizing you've already made a nickname for the Kitchen Wizard.

"...'Wizzy'?" Terry asks, looking slightly bemused.

"The Kitchen Wizard. He's helping me. I just need to get ingredients for him." You reply, sighing. "Look I'll just grab some dust and I'll be outta your feathers."

"Nuh-uh, no." Terry says, "Knowing you, you're only ending up hurt by the end of this. I'm helping you look for it."

"Eh?" You ask, confused.

"Jerry, stay here." Terry tells him, earning a happy "okay" from Jerry as Terry looks at you again, "I'll look downstairs after I'm done checking out our room. See you."

"Uh- okay!" You squeak out, climbing up the floating objects till ya find the dust and scampering back to Wizzy.

"Well, that's quite the handful you got there." He notes as you give it to him, with him clearly pleased. "Not much one to disappoint, are you?"

"Aw... thanks..." You say, a little flustered by the compliment.

He examines the dish, looking happy. "Well, it smells like it's coming along nicely! What a beautiful dish... I just hope a single pot of soup can last suppertime."

"Is there anything else you need, Wiz?" You ask him, curious.

He thinks for a moment. "Well, I have the dish almost complete... only thing I could think of is... maybe a side-dish?"

You stay silent as he thinks, you scratching a bit at one of the plants with flowers that bloomed on your arm.

"Ah! I know!!" Kitchen Wizard blurts out, "Downstairs, I've got a supply of meat. I have a turkey I've been meaning to use up! Would you mind grabbing that real quick?"

You nod as he looks pleased. He gives you some quick directions and tells you to hurry, and you do just that.

--☆☆☆--

"Now I'll just turn down the heat a little bit..."

The Kitchen Wizard looks up as you stumble into the kitchen, and his eyes widen at the bullet hole in your arm you wrapped your gloves around as a makeshift bandage.

"Are you-?" He starts to say.

"Gun."

"What do you-?"

"The turkey had a gun." You hand him its corpse.

"...I see... uh..." He motions you to go sit down, and glides over and gives you a bowl of shark fin soup with the instructions to drink it. "I should've specified it was alive. Sorry about that."

"It's okay..." You nurse the soup as he grabs something else, and god does the burger taste devine. You take this moment to truly... examine him, in a way. He has a robe on that matched his old hat, and outside of everything being slightly translucent, he still has the same blue skin and black clothes on under his robes, with a math equation plasted over the front of his chest. How he has on a classic chef hat, and this man is... quite tall and thin. Almost gangly in a way. And he wears golden glasses with star-shaped charms hanging off them.

He's also... uh... kinda cute...

You'd never be able to have a relationship with him.

But-

He's dead and you aren't. It would never work.

...

"...thank you for keeping your side of the promise." He tells you, "And now, I'll fufill mine."

He hands you a bottle of a potion and your favorite food neatly wrapped up in a bag.

"That's a special potion I've been hanging onto." He tells you, "Whilst under its affect, you CANNOT move. Please be careful with it... Drink it only when you have to get by dangerous things. It's not the tastiest, but it'll get the job done."

"Yessir..." You say, smiling at him as you stand back up.

"Wait. I need to warn you," He says, placing a hand on your shoulder to stop you, "The Ghostwalker is beyond dangerous. If you manage to slip by and find it... Do. NOT. Touch it. Only those of a pure soul can wield it. And any who are deemed unworthy by the blade..."

He trails off, hesitating. "...lose their life to it upon contact. Immediately. So please, PLEASE. If you find the Ghostwalker, find me. I'll safely wrap it up and give it to you. Do you understand? This is genuinely dangerous?"

"...my soul isn't-?"

"No, no! I'm sure you're soul is pure compared to most, but what if the blade doesn't think the same?" He sighs, "I... I just want to keep you safe, okay? That's the only reason you cannot touch it. Understood?"

"...I..."

######

###########

#######

##########

"Understand."

--☆☆☆--

It was easy to get to the basement again.

"Yo. What's good dude??" Terry says as you approach him, as he stands by the conveyor belt that is your way forward once you pass that fence. "No luck finding the Ghostwalker?"

"I'm close." You tell him, "Soon enough, I'll have it."

"Uh... cool." He says.

"Though if you find it, don't touch it. It'll kill anyone instantly if they grab it and don't have a pure soul." You say, "Wizzy will grab it for us."

"That sounds pretty suspicious, bruh." Terry replies, "Whatever, I'll do what you say, I guess. Even though I think I'm pretty pure myself."

"Don't." You tell him, some force weighing on your words as you speak. "Don't touch it."

"Wow dude." Terry says, scoffing, "Whatever. Do you have anything to drink on you?? I'm like, parched dude."

You hand him an apple juice, which he guzzles down.

"Alright, I'm gonna keep searching." He tells you, "That sword has to be around here somewhere..."

You nod and leave, using the Ghost Potion to get through the fence with no issue. Jerry is on the other side, and he eagerly helps you complete the puzzle to progress.

Then you face off against... some sort of Slasher? Well, the fight is easy. And ends with you getting a new ball.

You barely pay any mind to your next conversation with Terry, outside of using your new ball to break the boards on the ground and get into the room with the Ghostwalker...

And the voices were thankfully silent. It was merely your own thoughts gnawing at you.

"I hope this isn't some kind of dead end..." Terry says as he follows you down, "YO! Dude that's it! That's the Ghostwalker!!!"

"Yay, we found it!" You chirp out, "Let's go tell Wizzy!!"

"Oh right. It'll kill us if we touch it." Terry says, "I forgot. I mean, it doesn't SEEM that dangerous to me."

"Appearances are decieving..." You murmur, eyes locked on it.

"...dude, you okay? You're acting weird." Terry says, concerned.

"Just... a lot on my mind." You admit, "It's better to be safe than sorry."

You catch Jerry with your tail as he falls down after you two.

"DUDE. I TOLD YOU TO WAIT UPSTAIRS." Terry snaps at Jerry, clearly worried out of his mind.

"But big broooo... this place is so coooool!" Jerry whines as you stand him back up. "There's like skeletons and everything!!!"

"Listen to your brother." You tell him.

"Um... what are you two doing in here?" Jerry asks, confused.

"You're coming with me and [Name] to grab the Chef." Terry tells him.

"Oooh! A chef!" Jerry says, excited. "Is he gonna make us dinner?"

"Jerry, it's time to go." Terry tells him, ticked off.

"Ah!! Okay Terry!!!" Jerry says, nodding.

"C'mon, you doofus," Terry tells you, "Let's get this over with already. Let's grab the chef and get outta here."

You nod, and-

Grab it. Take it. Take the sword.

You freeze in place, watching as Terry and Jerry go.

Who are they to say your soul is impure? Who are they to stop you?

Shedletsky is using you for this quest... surely he knows your soul is pure enough for this?

They have no right to try and stop you. Take the sword.

You glance behind you at the blade, lodged tip down. The semi-translucent handle gleams faintly, as if begging you to take it.

Take it. It's your right.

Take it for yourself.

Pull me out... please...

...

Your legs shake with each step you take, the voices squirming and whispering as you reach out.

You hesitate, unsure, but the voices urge you.

Do it.

Release it.

Please.

Let it out.

And you grab it.

...

The moment you make contact... it all goes dark.

--☆☆☆--

"####..."

"[Name]..."

"[Name]!"

You jolt away, laying in some sort of bed with red covers as you look around wildly, before-

"Builderman!" You blurt out, immediately hopping over and ensnaring the man in a tight hug. "How-? Where-? What-?"

Builderman chuckles, rubbing the back of your head. "Easy there. I'm more worried about you right now... are you alright?"

"I- I'm okay..." You mumble, still tightly holding onto the man with all four of your arms. He's surprisingly shorter than you.

"I see you already know who I am, but an introduction is still in order." He says with a smile, "I'm David Baszucki, better known as Builderman. I've been trapped inside this sword for... a long time, now. Too long. But I heard John sent someone to rescue me. That's you, right?"

"I- I guess?" You admit, pulling back.

"...I was afraid you'd say that." He says, frowning. "You tried to unsheathe the Ghostwalker... and the blade deemed you unfit to be weld by. I was worried something like this would happen..."

"Where are we?" You ask, pulling away entirely as sitting on the bed, "Why are the voices... silent?"

"Voices?" Builderman asks you, confused.

"There's some voices within the swords that... speak to me. Tell me to do things, tell me to do or think hurtful things." You press a hand to your ear, "They're silent. I can't hear them at all. And- and..."

Everything you had on you, excluding your clothes, are gone. You can't even summon your claymore.

"Where are we..?" You ask again, nervous.

"It appears we're both trapped now." He tells you, frowning as he looks out a window, "But there is a way out. Safety is built into everything we do, after all. We'll need to purify your soul."

"How would we do that?" You ask, confused.

"You'll need to come to terms with your negative traits." He tells you, "Only than can you be a true wielder of the Ghostwalker. And you and I can escape. These negative thoughts... these fears... they're all in your dreams, all in your head."

"And when your conscious is clouding your thought..." Builderman offers you a hand, "Imagination is our greatest assest. And your imagination is your only limit. So lets push the boundaries of it, shall we? For together, we can change the world!"

You take his hand as he smiles at you. "So, what troubles you? What clouds your mind and soul."

"...my state of being, and what I am." You admit, "I fear to lose humanity, especially when I have so little of it left. Over time it slips away from me more and more, and I fear that someday I'll even lose my ability to think and everything that makes me... 'me', and I want to stay in the past. Stay human. But... I don't know if I can."

Builderman's gaze softens, and he gives your hand a reassuring squeeze. "Come. Take a walk with me, and we'll work to solve all your woes together."

Then you and he walk out into the dream world, hand in hand, together.

The place is surreal, and soon you come to a white room with an open hand, one finger having a yellow orb floating over it. With a nod from Builderman, you approach, and together you enter the world as you touch it.

Of course, you're attacked soon after you step in by what you can only describe as a corruption of sorts. Abstract, with crystals jutting out of them.

Though, they seem to have their sights set on Builderman, who you swiftly act to defend with your claws and sharp bits.

You stand before him as the enemies disappear, taking his hand again.

"I promise to protect you, Builderman." You tell him with a smile.

He returns it, "And I promise to see this through 'till the end."

And you two resume your walk, traversing through the mind-bending space, passing by creatures that speak of your thoughts of greed and desires, of how you yearn for humanity and the lengths you'd go to take it back.

Then you and he fall into a black void, trapped in a maze of yellow arms. You hesitate, but with his hand on yours you find it in yourself to go, seeking to venture through the maze.

Momentarily, his hand is out of yours, and you panic until you feel it return. But... it feels different. More... squishy... and colder.

You look down to see a yellow hand intertwined with yours.

"Builderman-!" Is all you manage to blurt out before another hand grasps onto you, and both pull you out of the maze and through the void.

You fall... and fall... and fall for... who knows how long?

You aren't sure.

Both arms are ensnaring you in a hug of sorts, and soon echoing laughter fills your ears.

"Gotcha!" They say, and soon you're face to face with a yellow humanoid figure with a circular void for a face and boneless arms that seem to be able to stretch and bend any way they please. And currently they're wrapped around you like you're some precious stuffed animal. "Hahaha! You're easier to snatch up than any sword, Creator! Didn't even try fightin' back!"

You should remain calm, shouldn't you?

"Why should I fight back against my own emotions?" You ask, curious.

"Ah, aren't you quick in the head?" They ask you, face widening slightly as if they're smiling. "Do you think I'm not gonna hurt ya? Well, I'm gonna take your heart and use it like a ball! It's gonna be mine! Haha! You're all mine now!"

"I know you're not going to do that..." You tell them, "Because if you were, you would've done it already. But all you're doing is holding me close... because... you... you aren't that bad."

The emotion pauses, head freezing in place. "...eh?"

"You're my Greed, that much is clear." You note, "But you aren't evil by any means. No. You're just... my desires, in a way. You're my wants, my wishes, and my biggest want is to be human again. You're that want. And... that doesn't mean you're entirely bad. Sure, you have your negatives, but they aren't... all negatives, if you get what I mean."

"...you're actin' like this is some show that's gonna end all happily and the like." Greed tells you, sitting you down in their lap as you realize you're in some sort of pit of Tix. "What if it's not? What if I'm really just gonna hurt ya? What then?"

"I'm not worried." You admit, "I'm supposed to come to terms with my negative emotions, not kill them. My want for humanity can definitely be interpreted as negative, yes, but it's not all negative. I can come to terms that I'll always have wants, but I have to approach them in a way that doesn't hurt anyone."

"...includin' yourself." Greed finishes, before groaning and smacking their face against your chest and not moving. "I hate your stupid 'moral' crap, Creator. Ya let everyone walk over ya and ya never take like you should! Drives me up the wall."

Your gaze softens a bit. "...you really just want what's best to me and don't wanna admit, huh?"

You're both silent for a moment.

"Can you let me go please?" You ask.

Greed scoffs and tightens their hold. "Ha! No. You're mine. Mine mine mine! No one elses. I ain't sharin' ya with any of those idiots out there and definitely not letting it get anywhere near ya."

"What does that mean?" You ask, curious.

"Lookie 'ere, Creator of mine." Greed tells you, stretching an arm far enough to point at themselves. "I ain't yer only emotion that happens to get all sentient and the like. There's others, and we've been aware for a good long while. And I ain't the only one that wants ya. And, since I'm all materialistic and such, I ain't willin' to share."

They pull you in tighter, and you swear you feel them purring. "Haha... mine... all mine..."

Fuck...

Uh...

Maybe logic and reason can save you now? After all, this is your mind... may as well put your thoughts to good use.

"Technically, I'm always yours." You remind them, "You're a part of me. And since this is my mind, my dream world taken form in the Ghostwalker... surely I'll be able to return here somehow, right? And even in the waking world, you're still in my head. Even if you let me go now, that doesn't mean I'm gone, right?"

"...nah, I don't wanna share." Greed tells you.

"Well... if you aren't the only one who wants me, surely one of the others will come here and take me away, right?" You ask, which gets Greed's attention, "I'm sure they wouldn't want you to horde me... so isn't guaranteeing you'll see me a bit often better than having me for awhile and never again?"

"...damn you and your stupid logic..." Greed tells you, reluctantly loosening their grip on ya, "Can't believe you've long since came to terms with me too..."

"You never were that bad..." You tell them, patting them on the head as they snigger.

"Please, you have no idea how bad I am, Creator." They tell you, "...anyways, your 'friend' is on their way. I recommend ya get goin' before I change my mind and decide to tick 'em off a little more~"

"Got it." You mumble, amused, and leave. Walking out of this space, you enter a black void, where Builderman stands with his back turned to you.

"David!" You call out, and he tenses and turns around.

For a moment you thought his eyes were red, but he blinks and they're just the same as before.

"[Name]! Are you alright?" He asks you, quickly approaching you. "You were just... taken."

"By my Greed," You tell him, "But... I've already come to terms with them long ago. It's okay for me to want to be human, as long as I don't hurt anyone, including myself, in the process. And while I'm not always great at that, it's not solely my Greed's fault."

"Hm... it appears a different emotion is leaving you impure..." He murmurs, "...you need to face them. It's the only way you and I can go free. And, I believe in you, [Name]! You can do and create anything you put your mind to! So, why don't you and I continue our walk?"

You nod, and you two go. But you don't take his hand again.

Because you feel something is off.

Because you never told him your name.

--☆☆☆--

You enter the next orb, entering a world of blue and lightposts, where you feel... purposeless. Alone. Even as Builderman forces his hand into yours, this feeling doesn't change.

As as you step into a world of white and ducks, you feel alone. And you continue on, into a void of black and blue, where you follow a series of sounds to go the right direction as an eye below is shut.

But with one misstep, it opens, and you're whisked away to an empty void. Builderman isn't here this time, and you... are truly alone.

You think back to your friends, your family, the woman you loved before she was taken by that damn gun...

...

You lost them all at some point, or some time you will lose them. You'll have to return to the future, so... are any friends you made now worth it?

Even then, you'll eventually become fully a monster. And then will be fully alone.

"...but... is it truly wrong to be alone?" You ask, "What if it... doesn't bother me?"

Static fills your ears as something shifts behind you, and you look back to see a blue mound- larger than you- has formed in the void. It opens into a pitch black circle and blinks, a dot-like pupil appearing and focusing on you.

"Ohh..." It groans out, "Ohhhhhhh..."

Another emotion?

"My... eye... is twitching..." It says, both quiet and loud all at once. "In all my life, staring into the abyss... Never have I seen anything quite like this..."

You smile as it leans in closer. "You, are definitely special, my beautiful creator..."

"I could say the same, my lovely Solitude." You tell it, reaching out with a hand to stroke what you only assume is the top of it's head.

You think they purr at that, with the pupil taking a more heart-esc shape.

"I want to stare at you forever..." They tell you, as more eyes open within the void. All are focused on you.

It makes you... uneasy, to be honest. You never were one for attention, after all.

You knew your Solitude was not the emotion weighing you down.

"Hm... but what if I can't stay?" You ask them as they creep closer, their soft body pressing against yours, feeling like warm clay.

"I'd be sad..." They admit, "And have you stay a little longer..."

"What if I'd told you I'd come back?" You reply, as they grow closer and wrap around you a little more, as if their limbless body was hugging you.

"I would be pleased..." They whisper to you, practically staring into your soul.

"...thank you for making me not scared of being alone once my humanity is gone."

"Of course..."

"May you return me to Builderman? As long as I'm here, I know you'll be able to stare at me as you please..."

"Mmmm..." More eyes open around you, "...okay."

And in a blink, you're back at Builderman's side. His head snaps to look at you, and for a millisecond his eyes flash red. But they're normal before you even blink.

...why do you feel heavier than before? Like whatever emotion that's weighing you down is taking advantage of your moments of peace to ensnare you more and more.

"Creator, your eye-!" Builderman blurts out, "Are you alright?!"

You blink, before realizing there's... something, in your right eye. Something keeping you from seeing out of it (thank god you have three more eyes)

"...do you have a mirror? Or something reflective?" You ask Builderman.

"Use my hat." He tells you, growing closer so you can do just that.

In the faint reflection, you see your right eye is pitch black, with a familar blue pupil.

"...Solitude is making good on their promise to watch, hm?" You muse, as the pupil moves to look at your other eye. You smile, and the pupil shifts to a heart for a moment.

"...what?" Builderman asks, looking concerned.

"I just met another emotion, no big deal." You tell him, "But... this emotion isn't what's weighing me down. If anything, Solitude has done nothing but help me. Sure, I may struggle more with friendships and such... but I can still make them. All I am is okay with being alone."

Builderman blinks, surprised. "I... see. My, you seem like your soul is already nearly at peace, considering neither your Greed nor Solitude weigh you down, and you accept them wholeheartedly... I wonder what is weighing you down..."

"I have a feeling it's an emotion so intwined with my state of being not even I realize it weighs me down..." You admit, rubbing your neck.

"You look... tired." Builderman notes, "Even a bit weakened... that can only mean one thing. We're getting close to finding what is truly clouding your soul. It's grip will tighten on your soul. You MUST stay strong, [Name]. Together, we can finally break free from this world!"

"Would I not return here when I sleep if this is my world of dreams?" You ask, "Sure, the Ghostwalker may have given it more life, but... I will return here in my dreams, right?"

"...yes." Builderman admits, "I believe so. But nonetheless, getting out of here now will allow you to easily to leave when you return."

"I see..."

"Come, let us continue our walk." He tells you, taking your hand again, "We're close. And I'll be here with you every step of the way. Let me know if you get too tired to walk. Let's finish this. Once and for all. Together."

"...m'kay..." You reply, your thoughts swirling with confusion as to why Builderman is trapped in your dream world, distracting you enough you don't see the glare 'Builderman' and Solitude share.

...

You feel dread.

--☆☆☆--

Walking though surreal landscape is... strange... Builderman stays close, and you defend him from many enemies that threaten him, because none of them seem to want to hurt you.

Doors shut as you go, until you enter a void of black with a forest of purple.

A sign points you to the right, but following it only leads you to where you began. So you go the opposite way, and progress deeper into the woods. A purple haze surrounds you as you do, and you feel... your fears.

All of them.

They hurt.

But you don't relent.

Soon, a sign appears. You read it.

'IT'S using you. You need to SNAP OUT OF IT. IT wants to use you. ITS lying to you. But you cannot see that. I know I'm not strong enough to face IT alone. Please let me live. I'm begging. Please just follow the path. Head to the right. Before it's too late. I beg of you.'

...

"Builderman..." You suddenly say, "Stop following me."

Builderman immediately freezes, a smile of disbelief crossing his face. "Wh- what?"

"I- I know you aren't even the real one. You aren't Builderman." You tell him- them- whatever it actual is. "You're just... some illusion. You aren't helping me find what emotion clouds my soul. You're just... there. So... stay away from me."

"..." Builderman stares at you, before their eyes turn that uncomfortable bright red.

You waste no time and run, going right just as the sign asked you.

But this time... you go forward, ending up deep in the woods. You follow along the path, until a tree that looks unlike the others comes into veiw. You approach, and the branches unfurl into arms. It draws back, it's triangle... head? Torso? Whatever it is, it seems like it's shrunk, like the pupil of an eye.

You tentatively reach out, and it hesitantly lets you touch it. It's torso/head increases a bit in size, as it seems a little more at ease. "Shh... I'm not going to harm you at all. There's nothing I will do to hurt you, Fear of mine."

"I- I- y- you actually-" They quake a bit, arms hesitantly reaching out to touch your cheeks, "You actually listened to me. You- you opened your eyes and... and..."

They trail off, before hugging you tightly. "Thank you- thank you for understanding and- and..."

"I know all you want to do is protect me, Fear." You tell them, hugging them back, "Do you go about it in the best way? N- not quite, but I'm not upset. You do your best and that means a ton to me."

"Y- You're so kind..." Fear whispers, "How does it even exist..? Is it only here because you- you can't be kind to yourself..?"

"What is... it?" You ask, confused.

"...your HATRED..." Fear whispers to you, "It pretends to be Builderman, hoping to use you to get rid of us... b- but it never expected you to accept each and every one of us. It is what weighs down your soul. And- it wants to use you to escape. By any means necessary."

"...then I need to make sure it doesn't." You tell Fear. "I'm ready to confront my Hatred."

"NO!" Fear blurts out, "NONONO YOU CAN'T!! CREATOR, IT WILL KILL YOU!!! Y- you need to st- stay here! I- I can protect you like this and- and- and-"

"Fear... it's going to come here sooner rather than later." You tell them, "I- I feel exhausted, honestly... it's trying to worm into my soul completely, and I know it's only a matter of time until it forces its way here to take me for itself."

Fear shakes as it holds onto you, absolutely terrified for you.

"...I promise I'll okay."

"I can't lose you." Fear tells you, "My Creator, I NEED you. I- I don't want you hurt- l- look at your arms. Your body. That all came because I wasn't able to fufill my duty and protect you..."

"None of which was your fault." You told them. "Now... let me do this."

It takes a moment, but they let you go.

"I'll see you soon." You promise them, before pulling away, and going to confront your Hatred.

--☆☆☆--

Each step you take hurts. Each movement feels like something is pulling and squirming, trying to force it's way inside you and ignoring your agony.

Each ragged breath stings, each blink makes tears drip from your eyes, and the scales on your skin feel more like barbs digging in.

You step into a blank void of black. Where Builderman stands facing you, smiling.

"Haha, I hope you were kidding about telling me to stay away, [Name]! I'm Builderman after all. I'm no 'fake'." He says, giving you a slightly worried look, "I fewr the emotion weighing on your soul-"

"Is you." You snap, cutting him off. "I know what you are, Hatred. Stop these games."

"...ah, you're exhausted." He notes, eyes narrowing, before flickering red. "Because you let your soul become open. Weak. Corruptable. DEFENSELESS. E X P O S E D . S U S C E P T I B L E . V U L N E R A B L E . Y O U ' R E . F I N A L L Y . A L L . M I N E ."

Then 'Builderman' crumbles, and a veiny, beating heart takes its place.

Everything goes dark, and suddenly you're on the bed in the house you first woke up in. You sit up, the physical pain you experience shoved to the back of your head as you stumble out.

...

It couldn't bear waiting for you to walk to it. It wasn't patient enough.

No, it wanted to toy with you face to face. So it made the door lead right to its heart.

To your heart.

"O H [N A M E]. F O O L I S H , F O O L I S H [N A M E] . J U S T L I K E A L A M B B E I N G L E D T O I T ' S S L A U G H T E R . . ."

...

You stare down the heart, your body exhausted just from the short walk.

It did this on purpose. Weaking you into a fight you couldn't win. Stripping you of everything. Your blade. Your cards. Your items. All of it, gone.

"Hatred..." You mutter, as the heart shifts and splits open, turning to a humanoid being of red that stands before you. Horns jut from its head, with it's tail lashing, the spikes on the end almost slicing through the air itself.

"C R E A T O R ." It tells you, it's voice uncomfortably pleased. "Y O U . . . Y O U A R E I M P E R F E C T . F L A W E D . I E A G E R L Y A W A I T F I X I N G Y O U . S O O N , Y O U S H A L L B E P E R F E C T ."

"I don't want that." You say, steadying yourself.

"I C A R E N O T F O R Y O U R D E S I R E S ." It tells you as it draws closer. "I A M Y O U R H A T E . Y O U R D I S D A I N F O R Y O U R V E R Y B E I N G . S O W H Y . . ."

"W H Y D O I C R A V E Y O U S O ?"

You choke as it slashes across your arm with its tail, looming over your weakened and shaken body.

"I A M G L A D Y O U C A N N O T F I G H T B A C K ." It tells you, placing a hand on your chin and tilting your head up. " M M M M . . . B R E A K O F F Y O U R C R A C K E D H O R N ."

You shake, desperately trying to stop two of your hands that go up against your command, ignoring your internal screams for them to cease as they grasp onto your horn and snap it off. It drops onto the ground, clattering to Hatred's feet as it just... stares. With it's blank, empty face.

Blood dribbles from where that horn once was, and Hatred tilts your head up to stare into your eyes.

"I W I L L M A K E Y O U P E R F E C T ." It says, sounding... gleeful. "B U T F I R S T . . . I W A N T T O E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R R A G E . . ."

Suddenly, any pain, excluding from where your horn was broken off, is gone. You stand up, and realize in horror that Hatred is now fighting you.

...

You're still exchausted. It's playing dirty. You have nothing on you.

...

You're not going to win.

--☆☆☆--

You gasp as you collapse to the ground, Hatred looming over you.

"A L R E A D Y D O N E ?" Hatred asks, "H M M M . . . I S T H I S B E C A U S E O F T H E P R O M I S E Y O U G A V E M E ?"

"I promised to protect Builderman..." You tell it, "Not a fake like you."

Hatred is silent for a moment, and you let out a garbled scream as it stabs you in the shoulder with its tail.

"P A T H E T I C ." It tells you, "W E A K . A L L B E C A U S E O F Y O U R O W N S E L F - L O A T H I N G . Y O U R O W N H A T E . Y O U L E T M E D R A G Y O U D O W N , C R E A T O R . . . N O W , L E T M E C O N S U M E Y O U ."

No- NO!!!

You draw back, mind scrambled. What do you do? What can you do?? All you have is your body and-

And...

...

This body. Even if it's inhuman, it's yours. It's been yours. It'll be yours.

And yet you resent it. Since it takes away your relationships, makes you unable to have your wishes granted, and leaves others scared of you. It scares yourself as it slowly loses more humanity day by day.

...

But it's you. And it'll always be you. Until the day you die.

There's nothing wrong with this body, is there? Many other people seem to adore it, after all. People tell you to show yourself. People who care. And those are the only ones who matter to you.

...

And here, right now, you aren't alone.

So you do the only thing you can.

You stand up, and call for help.

There's no Snowy that comes to your aid. No Red and Blue.

But your Emotions do.

Hatred seethes as Greed, Solitude, and Fear manifest, joining the battle on your side as you charge yourself up, and steady yourself.

"Hatred..." You say, "You told me I had to 'purify my soul'..." You say, as you summon summon not your claymore, but the Ghostwalker, Venomshank, and Ice Dagger into your hands. They resonate with you, as if the versions in your head holds nothing but approval for you. The true versions. Not the voices tainted by hate. "And I'm doing just that."

You still yearn to be human. Still are isolated in a way. Still are terrified to become a monster wholly and entirely. Still hate your more inhuman side...

But at the end of the day, you're you.

And there's no one else you'd rather be.

--☆☆☆--

Hatred whispers your name as it's defeated, and it all goes black once more.

You feel something smacking your face. Specifically, two very fast-moving flippers.

"[NAME]!! WAKE UP, YOU IDIOT!!!" Terry orders you, and you blink as you come too and sit up. Before you stand Terry, Jerry, and the Kitchen Wizard. Terry grabs you by the collar and shakes you just as you notice Terry is holding one of your horns. Specifically the one you broke off in the Dream World. "DUDE. WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?!"

"Oh thank goodness!" Wizzy explains, relieved.

"They're awake!" Jerry says, happy, "But their horn is still broken."

"Eh, it's okay..." You tell him, "It'll grow back."

"Cool!" Jerry says.

"Why was it even broken in the first place- AH! YOUR EYE!!" Terry shakes you again, "WHY IS YOUR EYE ALL BLACK WITH A BLUE PUPIL?! WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR ARMS"

"Oh? You're still here, Solitude..?" You ask, smiling slightly. Your gaze goes down, and you see a yellow pattern that matches Greed's arms and hands woven around both of your lower arms, and shapes that matches Fear's arms on your upper ones. You also see glimpses of the same triangle that was Fear's torso/head on the front of your chest, from what you can see. "You too, Greed and Fear..?"

"WHAT HAPPENED?!" Terry asks, pissed.

"Anime moment." You reply, smiling.

"STOP BEING CASUAL ABOUT THIS! I THOUGHT YOU DIED!!" Terry orders you.

"It's okay!! No need to worry anymore! See? They're fine!!" Jerry says, happy.

"I-" Terry sighs, annoyed. "...whatever."

You stand up as Terry reluctantly lets you go, only to be tightly hugged by the Kitchen Wizard. You hesitate, but hug him back.

"Please, never worry anyone like that again." He asks you.

"Yessir..." You reply, and he tentatively lets you go.

"Can you walk?" He asks you, concerned.

"They won't be able too when I'm done with them." Terry says, seething. Everyone flinches as one of Greed's arms seem to peel off you- still connected to your body- to go smack Terry.

Soon though, you snicker as Greed's arm returns to being part of you. "Ha! Looks like they really found a way into the waking world, even if slightly."

Your gaze goes around your body, and you see your tail is now a familar shade of red, with your tail no longer ending in a bulb, but instead a series of spikes that look like a mix of your own and theirs...

"Even you did, huh..?" You ask, as your tail only twitches in response.

"Wow! You got new powers, huh?" Jerry asks, looking eager.

Terry groans. "No more pulling any more dumb stunts, dude. You nearly got yourself killed."

"I'll try my best." You promise him, as he scoffs about 'both his siblings being idiots' in response.

"...I'm outta here, man." Terry says, "Come on Jerry. We're going back to Roblox HQ. Shedletsky said he needed us anyways. See ya there, [Name]."

"Ah! Okay!!" Jerry says, and both he and Terry leave. It's just you and Wizzy now.

"I'm surprised you awoke from your slumber." He admits to you after both penguins are gone. "I thought you would end up... like me."

"I see..." You murmur, "Well, I didn't, okay? I'm alright."

Both of you fall silent.

"So... like..." You trail off, "Are you... busy after this? Maybe wanna like... hang out sometime... have food together... sorta maybe..."

"Go on... a date?" The Kitchen Wizard asks, surprised. You nod, and he smiles. "...you know, I'd like that."

You two smile at eachother, and he goes over to the Ghostwalker. "Now then, let me-"

You pull it out, with no hesitation. The voice that speaks to you is tainted with nothing at all. Nothing but the Ghostwalker in it's entirety.

I'm honored to be held by you.

"It's mutual." You admit quietly to the sword, who lets out a pleased hum in response.

"..?!" Kitchen Wizard is stunned, completely and entirely. "N- no way... You actually... purified your soul..?"

"I did nothing of the sort. My soul was pure enough." You admit, "All I did was... come to terms with myself. All of my Greed, Solitude, Fear, and Hate... all a part of me I accept."

You flash him a grin. "After all... what's exactly wrong with who I am?"

Even with all your mental suffering... and the suffering you know is to come...

You have every right to be happy in this moment.

And to finally wholeheartedly accept yourself for what you are.

You may be a monster, yes...

But you're you.

And that's why you're loved.

#endri yaps

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