Chapter Text
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“Sooo, does anybody remember which way we went … ?” Shedletsky asked, looking up from the hug with wide eyes, just realizing they’re probably lost now.
“I’m not sure …” 1x1x1x1 shook its head. Of course it wouldn’t know where they’re at … in this strange forest, it only woke up not long ago. The Creation hopes at least BrightEyes would know, this place could get really cold at night … terrible place to sleep. Speaking from experience, it remembers sleeping out in the cold, dead forest once because it was too tired to drag itself back into the cabin. Worst decision ever, almost froze to death.
Both Shed and it look over to Bright, hoping she’d say something to indicate they're not gonna rest outside tonight. It shivered at the thought.
"For your information, yeah, I do know which way to go" BrightEyes playfully eyed Shed "Maybe next time listen to me and don’t run off too far ‘kay?” She spoke up with the playful smirk she always wears, “Looking at you, 1x …”
It stayed surprised for a brief moment before sheepishly muttering out a response “Uh- sorry …” She sighed again but didn’t seem mad at all, hopefully. The Creation doesn't want her to be mad at it ever. It folded its soft gray wings back in nicely, as nice as it could. Just not knowing what to do right now, 1x1x1x1 fidgeted with his hands. The restless feeling still haunts it, clearly.
“Aw come on, don’t be ! Where’s the fun in hiding near the seeker ? Gave me a good challenge !” Shed grinned widely, lightening up the mood since he sensed something's going on. 1x could see didn’t buy that at all, surely he hasn’t lost his excellent skills in detecting people from miles away, right ? Him and BrightEyes, both masters in sword-fighting, should be able to detect its presence in matters of seconds, no ? Though, for some unknown reasons, the mere act of going easy on it makes it feel a little warm inside.
The egotistical Telamon would never do something so human like that, right ? He values his pride above everything.
“Alright alright- good point, it’s definitely more fun that way" She admitted with a defeated smile, "Now, follow me, yeah ? Try not to get lost.” Bright waved a hand gesturing for them to follow close. "No promises !" The avian cheered, swinging his arms back and forth as he walked. So blissfully unaware.
BrightEyes looked back once to make sure they're still keeping up, intentionally slowing down a bit to reach out a hand to 1x. It didn't hesitate this time, it sped up to match her laid-back pace.
The wind blows gently, she hums a lullaby as she walked. It immediately recognized it ... Oh that sweet song. How could it forget ? The Creation tried its best to mimic her, humming along. And soon, the yellow admin would join in too. What a happy family reunion, though only to 1x1x1x1.
The walk back is … surprisingly nice.
So peaceful. It didn't even even notice the headache's gone already.
The grass crunches beneath its small feet. It occasionally stops to crush some dried leaves, making a satisfying crunch noise. Even got into a competition with Shedletsky to see if who can crunch more leaves. How cute.
It follows the two adults in front steadily, yet its eyes are always wandering off to admire the forest. Wild flowers of many colors, the Creation wonders how long has it been since it has seen any flowers that’s not wilted. Being trapped there made 1x appreciate little things like these. Such delicate things can’t grow on the harsh soil there, how sad. A particular purple flower reminds it of someone.
A particular someone who often rants about how sad it is that nothing good can bloom there.
"Aww !! Look, squirrels ! Look at them and their biiig acorn." Bright cooed, pointing at them excitedly. "That one looks like you, Shed ! Taking four acorns, how gluttonous !" That comment made it crack a smile, chuckling with one hand over its mouth. "HEY ! That's not me !! If I were a squirrel, I'd take more than just four." He declared, yep, absolutely gluttony.
1x1x1x1 could feel itself brighten up by each seconds. How can Shed and Bright do that ? Admirable. Or maybe it is just not that hard to please ? No way ...
Yet, something still bothers it. Its mind drifts back to them.
To Azure, to John, to Noli, to Jason, to the children.
Are they eating well ? Eating anything at all ... ?
What has it done to deserve this Too Good To Be True fate while they suffer ? It wonders if they are looking for it right now.
Does anyone miss it ? Will anyone miss it ?
...
Probably not. Why would they ?
Maybe it shouldn't think about them, but it's hard not to. Why ? It remembered those first days together with them kids, it was so so annoyed. They're so loud and childish, something it never got to be under Telamon's 'care'. Is it really … jealous of children ?! How low has it stooped ? First getting sentimental over its dumb group of killers, now this ? Ridiculous.
Aside from cooking, it hasn't really contribute much to the group anyway. It leaving couldn't possibly leave a big impact, right ?
Well they say a butterfly can't see its own wings throughout its entire life, only others can.
“Mister Azure !” The child tugs onto one of his tentacles. “Yes, Pr3ty ? What is it this time … ?” He looks worried too. How come ?
“Where’s miss 1x1x1x1 ? Why hasn’t she come back yet ? It’s been more than twelve hours already … “ She replied, her voice missing its sassy spark. “We’re hungry !” Bluudud spoke up, stomach grumbling. "S-she's not in her room ...." The pink child stuttered, she's getting more and more worried.
"...."
“I’m sorry ... I don’t know where he is either …” Azurewrath sounded so guilty saying that to the children. But what else can he say ? He doesn’t know where he is, and he certainly can’t lie about it. Azure clutched the potted plant closer, searching for some bits of comfort. “I can cook up something, probably.” Which would be a miracle considering he's never cooked anything edible before. The cult has always provided food so he didn't need to learn how to.
“Oh … Okay, thank you for your time ... Come on, Bluu, let’s go.” Pr3ty removed her hand from mister Azure’s tentacle. Her eyes have lost its cheeky spark. Where has he gone to ?
“C00lkidd won’t like his answer …” The boy muttered under his breath, crossing his arms over his chest. “I know, there’s nothing we can do about it.” She only hopes miss 1x1x1x1 is doing well, her Drakobloxxer tail dragging lifelessly. Is she getting replaced like mister Jason ? Please no ... Nobody could ever replace her in her heart.
“Hey- are you going or not ?” He asked impatiently, tapping one foot on the wooden floor repeatedly. “Yeah yeah. I’m just really worried.” I’m worried too, kids. Azure thought, but he didn’t say it out loud. With 1x gone, the children are his responsibility now. Well- they’ve always been so but not his main responsibility, he rarely ever keeps an eye on them. He watches as they walk away, possibly going to inform c00lkidd about the sad news. Oh children ... You're too young for this
Whatever it takes, he’ll do his best to take care of them, that’s what the Creation would want him to do if they were here. He'll make sure the children won't have to worry about anything ever, as children should.
When will The Adversary come back ? Maybe later, maybe never. Azure desperately hopes its the latter.
Oh Adversary, you don't know how much you mean to them, you never do. A source of comfort to us damned beasts in this lifeless dimension.
Please, never come back to this Hell.
Be free as a bird, oh Adversary.
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