Chapter Text
The grandfather clock that sat in the center of the cabin clicked as it counted the seconds, its pendulum swinging ominously as it shone in the dim lighting. Its ticks echoed throughout the survivor cabin, the only other noise that filled the silence being the crickets chittering outside.
It had been about an hour since the last round, everyone sitting in the living room in an uncomfortable silence as they each hesitate to mention the elephant in the room. They had rounds where they all lost sure, but this one left them feeling stunned and uneasy. It was like when they all had first arrived in this eternal damnation, hopeless and scared, distraught that their lives were taken from them in an instant. Only then did they start having hope for freedom, escaping this eternal hell while also outsmarting the killers and making their suffering manageable. However that sudden violent nature displayed from a little girl, the hatred and anger in her eyes, it reminded them of their reality. Their reality that not only were they all suffering for eternity, but some of their enemies are also just children. Children who were brainwashed and physically warped into something unrecognizable, something they had no control over. A cruel reminder of their helplesness and the control being left to the thing that held them all captive.
And their warden is someone who created hell for their own sadistic amusement.
A special kind of hell that was created just for them.
Noob sat with a pale look as they curled into themselves on the couch, the admins silent as they stared at nothing in particular. Even the ones with perfect poker faces had their looks dropped, Chance frowning as they flipped their coin and Shedletsky's arm twitching against the hilt of his sword. Even Two Time's uneasy smile seemed more strained than usual, their leg bouncing rhythmically against the wooden floor.
Silence stretched on for a good minute or two before Chance loudly groaned, catching everyones attention as he leaned forward in their seat.
"Okay so.. what the actual fuck just happened."
Chance said sternly, his question coming out as more of a harsh statement as Noob looks at them with a shocked expression.
"Chance-!"
"No. Someone has to say it, what the fuck happened over there? We had a plan and followed it to a tee-!"
He looks at the other sentinels, Two Time's eye twitching as they were about to reply only for Shedletsky to cut in.
"And we did! We just.. made a miscalculation that's all."
"A miscalculation? I saw both you and Two Time there and you didn't do anything when Seven got his head crushed in."
"Well why didn't you interviene-!"
"Hellooo! Lady luck pulling the strings, I was weakened!"
Chance said pointedly as they waved the coin in their hand, Two Time slowly turning to look at the gambler pointedly.
"It wasn't our fault the child's sudden strength overpowered ours, neither of us could've predicted that."
"Exactly!!"
Shedletsky agreed as he slumped against the wall, running a hand down his face as the cultist clasps their hands together.
"May our glorious Spawn give us a sign on how to overpower the creature and ensure our victory."
They preached, which earned an awkward silence from everyone else and a frustrated look from Dusekkar.
"Will you cease this nonsense? Your preachings to the false prophet had never made any sense."
"Excuse me?"
Two Time's gaze darts to the pumpkin mage who crossed his arms while Builderman stepped behind him, trying to calm the situation.
"Guys, please-"
"Where were you when the onslaught occurred? If I recall, you haven't done anything to assist us nor Seven, at the very least an attempt was made on my part."
"I was on the other side of the area assisting Noob and Guest, I wouldn't have made it due to the distance and quite frankly I have done my best."
"Maybe you should have helped the former admin and exploiter instead of them, Guest can overpower the killers easily with his strength."
"Oh Telamon- you-"
Dusekkar lets out a breath as he feels his anger and frustration simmer, Taph standing behind him while looking around in confusion. Two Time's grin twitched at the sight before looking away and closing their eyes, their leg since stopped bouncing.
"Ironic of you claiming the Spawn is a false prophet yet you claim this 'Telamon' is real."
"I- You-!"
Dusekkar swivels his head towards Shedletsky who in turn averts his gaze and clasps his hands together, nonchalantly whistling as Dusekkar narrows his eyes. Elliot, who stood against the wall perks up, clearing his throat.
"Look- arguing isn't going to get us anywhere. We need to figure out a plan for next time she's in a round, things went horribly and we can't get wiped out again."
"That's the problem."
Everyone turns to look at Guest who was sitting next to Noob and Chance, his arms crossed as he leans back.
"Compared to everyone else we know next to nothing about the Pink one, the violence
was.. sudden."
"Perhaps.. um.. we could study her tactics like last time..?"
Noob mumbled, earning a sigh from Guest who uncrossed his arms and runs a hand through his hair.
"This was a sudden switch, with how many killers there are its bound to take a while to analyze."
"Oh.."
Noob looked down to which Guest rests a hand on their shoulder, a silent comforting gesture.
"I ain't saying we can't- just that it'll be a slow process that could take months."
The others fell silent as they took in Guest and Noob's words, the hope that they were starting to believe in now gradually fading. Elliot pondered for a moment before a thought crossed his mind, his expression grim.
"..Do you think the Spectre is going to do this to the other two?"
"What do you mean?"
Guest looks at Elliot who fidgets with his hands before crossing his arms.
"It's just.. Pr3ty had a sudden surge of strength and anger- is it possible the Spectre is behind this and doing this with the other two kids?"
The group went silent at that, the possibility of the Spectre harming and warping the kids further was nowhere close to zero.
"It.. could be a possibility, but nonetheless we need to keep our guard up. They may be children but their mentality and strength are nothing to be glossing over."
"..What?"
The survivors freeze at the unexpected voice, their gazes moving towards the staircase where 007n7 stood, at the midst of walking down as he overheard the conversation. It wasn't often Seven joined their conversations, his abilities hindering him to a degree that left him almost helpless, a quiet man he was.
"Hello former exploiter."
Two Time greeted with their usual uncanny grin, some survivors giving them a look for their reminder of the man's past. Chance cleared his throat, flashing their poker face as they crossed their legs.
"Hey hey Double-O-Seven! Care to join us on our little uh.. discussion?"
"Um..-"
"Ah, that reminds me!"
Two Time interrupts as they perked up, their head tilting as they look at the single father.
"You were the first one to succumb in the round, were there any clues or indications you may have noticed when encountering Pr3typriincess?"
007n7's lips press into a thin line at the reminder, being shoved into this meeting wether he liked it or not.
"I.. honestly can't think of anything."
"Well surely you must have noticed something, her tone shifted when she looked at you now that I think about it."
Shedletsky spoke, his brow furrowing as he settled off the wall and slung his sword over his shoulder. 007n7 thought for a moment, recalling back he did see her gaze shift towards him as her eyes went manic. It sent a shiver down his spine recalling her feral expression as she lunged towards him, shaking his head abruptly.
"L-look whatever the case I don't think I saw anything that was weird other than Pr3ty... being mad and targeting me."
"Curious.. If I recall correctly she never targets survivalists first, she usually does the sentinels."
Two Time mused, the group going silent as the clock ticked in the background. Elliot however had a look in his expression that seemed almost suspicious, staring at 7n7 for a moment.
"..You're hiding something."
"What?-"
"You're doing the thing where you fidget and look away, I know that look 7n7."
Elliot said sternly as Seven's eyes widen slightly, his eyes darting away at the uncomfortable atmosphere.
"Eli what are you talking about?"
Chance said asked as his brow furrowed, sensing the atmosphere getting tense again.
"He's hiding something, he fidgets when he's lying."
"Isn't he.. always doing that?"
Noob mumbled which went ignored as everyone looked at Seven, the single father tensing under their gazes.
"L-look.. even if I did it wouldn't be much help."
"That doesn't mean we condone secrecy, we all agreed to share our experiences equally."
Dusekkar said as his gaze narrows, 007n7 slinking back as the attention made him uncomfortable. He hated getting attention, even more so if it was scrutiny despite dealing with this before and even now.
Before he could form a response everyone freezes as Two Time abruptly stood up, dagger in hand. They all stayed in stunned silence as the cultist approached the exploiter with long quick strides, 007n7 braced himself for whatever was coming only to be met with Two Time staring at him at a close proximity with that creepy smile. The cultist then plucks something from Seven's burger hat with their dagger and pulls it back, a tiny bow was now sitting through the blade as they inspected it and lifted it up for the others to see.
"I believe we found the trigger, looks like we can use this as a lead."
The survivors blink as they all stared at the bow, spider noob chittering in disappointment as the bow was plucked from them. They all then look at the former exploiter, their expressions already enough for Seven to know that they expected answers.
This was going to be a long one..
"You're growing soft."
"..What?"
A young 007n7 said as he was cradling a red pill baby in his arms, his glasees crooked as his eyebags were prominent on his face. The robloxian looked over his shoulder at his companion who stood leaning against the doorframe, their expression unreadable behind the tragic theatre mask they wore.
"You're growing soft, it's been a month since you found the thing. And it has also been a month since we searched for the Void Star."
"I just.. I don't wanna leave the lil guy alone y'know? And I don't want anyone to believe I kidnapped the kid."
He said as looked down at his arms, the pill baby cooing as they stir in their sleep and snuggled close to their caretaker.
"Look.. I hadn't had much luck finding him a good home and given my track record, I can't go around willy nilly giving out a devil lookin' baby."
"You've said that already."
"Noli- patience is all I ask."
Seven said exasperated as he stood up from the couch, facing Noli who now stood in front of him. It was difficult to read what Noli was thinking, his voice monotone with a hint of frustration.
"And I've given you that, we can't take care of a newborn baby Seven. Our finances are tight and we have classes, have you forgotten that?"
007n7 didn't answer as his head lowered, the red baby snoozing in his arms as they were oblivious of the two roommates arguing.
"..I promise once this is over we can go back to normal and search for it, but right now this is a priority."
Noli sighs as he runs a hand down his mask, turning away as he walks towards the front door.
"I'm gonna go cool off."
They grumbled as they opened the door, Seven quietly calling out to him as he tightens his hold on the pill baby.
"..You're not going to end up like Six, are you..?"
Noli froze in place as he was halfway out of the door, slowly turning around to face 007n7 with an unreadable expression underneath his mask. For a moment neither said anything, holding their gazes before Noli finally spoke.
"That's low even for you."
Before Seven could even respond Noli turns around and walks out, shutting the door behind him.
Noli always thought back to that time whenever he's alone, truly he isn't one to reminisce about the past but lately his mind was at a whirlwind. He sat in the dark kitchen, fiddling with the Void Star on his palm he thought about those words Seven had told him. 'You're not going to end up like Six, are you?' Who the hell says that after said person passed not even a month ago at the time? Noli sneers at the thought, he had known Six via Seven and his friend group at the time. A quiet one they were, but their ambition and dedication made up for that, he admired that about them in a way. Despite not being as close with them compared to Seven, he was hit pretty hard when he found out of their passing after they disappeared, working on some 'project' or whatever.
It sent him goosebumps at the thought of a slow death, their own ambition led to their downfall. Perhaps he had the same fate as them, looking down at the star in his palm Noli stared. What is he thinking? Of course he hasn't, sure he may have damaged himself getting that power, but he is still here isn't he? With great power comes great sacrifice, it just so happens that Six was on the recieving end. What did Seven know? He achieved his goal and it's all that matters, dangling it in front of Seven was the best outcome he could've hoped for.
However something was bothering him..
He kept reminiscing of the past a lot lately, more specifically memories of Seven and the life they could've had. But beneath those thoughts were small fragments of 6w6, not direct memories of them but mentions and slight glimpses of the mage. Noli didn't know why he was specifically reminded of them, but he had a clue of one of the reasons he thought of them.
The pink one.
From the moment he arrived at this hell he noticed a few key details relating to Pr3ty, her mannerisms and etiquitte were just like theirs. Her bursts of anger and overcomplicated speech patterns matched theirs, hell- her name is the same at their gui for crying out loud! There was no doubt in Noli's mind that Pr3ty and Six were related in some way, if she was the project Six was working on was anyone's guess. But is he willing to do anything about it? Of course not! That'll take the fun away from her realization that she has potential, a potential he knows the man upstairs will have plans for. And that includes the other two that most likely have similar abilities as her.
"AH!"
Noli flinches at the noise and looks over his shoulder, seeing C00lkidd who stood wide eyed while opening the fridge. Kid probably thought he was alone in the dark kitchen only to see him sitting on the table, that probably looked scary especially with how Noli looked with the mask.
"Sorry uncle Noli- you scared me!"
"4P0L0GY 4CC3PT3D."
C00lkidd quickly rummaged through the fridge and frowns, appearing to not find what he was looking for. Noli sighs as he fiddles with the dimly lit Void star.
"B0TTL3S 4R3 TUCK3D 4T TH3 B0TT0M."
"Oh!"
C00lkidd ducks and rummages through the bottom shelf and perks up, pulling out a small water bottle.
"Thanks uncle Noli!"
C00lkidd says as he waves at the Void god, scampering off as Noli waves back. If there was one thing Noli could give credit to Seven for, it was raising the kid. Despite the circumstances, he's gotta give it to the kid for staying all cheery and lighthearted.
He should probably take pointers from that.