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Derlord's greatest mistake was leaving Avery to his own devices. He only knew it once the man stood before him. He obviously looked hurt- emotionally, of course- but, Derek couldn't have known Exactly Why. Maybe it was the lie from before. Betrayal was a bitter pill to swallow. Except, that wasn't it either.
<TheMostMayo> You lied to me
The words stung, but he wouldn't show any weakness. No hesitation. After all, this was for Avery. For the world. Derek has decided how this would go the moment he stepped through the first set of doors. But. Avery's avatar walked over, and the look on his face was… Was this Avery? Or another doppelganger?
<TheMostMayo> I went to the top of that tree.
<TheMostMayo> And do you know what I found, Der?
<d3rlord3> What did you find, Avery
Derek could feel his head throb… The answer was going to be nothi
<TheMostMayo> A book.
What.
<TheMostMayo> I found a book.
Avery's gaze slipped up. To the eyes staring them down. The King was oddly silent.
<TheMostMayo> In a barrel. It was out of place. I figured, either you put it there, or this thing did.
<TheMostMayo> ... Judging by the lack of an answer, I'll go with the latter.
The barrel. The Book. The Spell. Derek quickly found himself going back, ready to paste in the-
<TheMostMayo> Its incomplete. The version you got.
His finger froze, mid-click.
<TheMostMayo> So. If you found it first? You can copy and paste it if you want. But it won't do anything.
<d3rlord3> Avery.
His breath had caught in his throat. His hands were shaking a bit now, as he craned his body to sit up. Closer to the screen. Closer to the avatar, as his character almost looked bewildered.
<TheMostMayo> It needs a clean host, right? That's what the book said. It picked me, because I'm Stupid.
<d3rlord3> No
<d3rlord3> No, no. Don't say that. You're not.
<d3rlord3> Avery, you're not stupid.
<TheMostMayo> Its okay. Its one of those things that you just kind of accept after a while
<TheMostMayo> lol
<d3rlord3> Did you see it. The King.
<TheMostMayo> No. We started merging after I read that book.
<TheMostMayo> I didn't even read it aloud.
<d3rlord3> No
<d3rlord3> No no no Avery
<d3rlord3> Avery whats the rest
<d3rlord3> The rest of th spell
<d3rlord3> Avery what is it
Their avatars were close now.
<d3rlord3> Avery
<d3rlord3> Avery
<d3rlord3> Say something why arent you answering
Avery's head tracked his movements. Derek's panic only rose as he noticed his migraine… Beginning to lessen. The knowledge wasn't constantly pouring into his brain now. Even when he glanced away from his screen.
<d3rlord3> Avery please
<TheMostMayo> okay. I'll say it.
<TheMostMayo> I STAND AND GIVE
MY EYES TO YOU ONE BY ONE SHADOWED SHORE FAR UNDONE TO YOU I POUR CORRODED SUN WAKE ME AS ONE BENEATH THE SKY OF MELTING GOLD THE ANCIENT SHEPHERD TAKES ITS HOLD I BECKON YOU ON HALLOWED FLOOR A CLEAN VESSEL I OPEN THE DOOR
The reaction was instantaneous. Energy crackled through the room. Derek could feel even further relief, which only made him all the more anxious.
<d3rlord3> Avery stay there
<d3rlord3> I know where you are
<d3rlord3> Im goming just stay there
Derek's avatar stopped moving. Though it still stood, as Avery could feel golden ichor start to gush from his nose. Then, the pain. It was excruciating. It felt like a thousand hammers bashing into his skull. Like he was being torn apart, atom by atom. He didn't remember falling out of his seat, and he didn't remember getting sick, and he didn't remember nearly tearing his own hair out, and he didn't remember when the black limb had reached out of his computer and dragged him back into his seat by his throat.
He only really started thinking again as he sat in the chair. The pain was still agonizing, but. He could feel himself slipping. And with that slipping brought a delightful numbness.
You did a wonderful job. I will make this as painless as possible. For Us.
A voice in the back of his head whispered, as one of those black tendrils almost stroked Avery's cheek. He tilted his head towards a nearby window, and watched. He could see the fireworks outside. They didn't make him feel lonely anymore. They weren't reminders that another year had passed and he was alone.
He looked at his screen, hands shaking from both the agony and numbness creating an odd mix- it felt like dying. If Avery had to compare it to something. His hand reached out, and he took a labored breath as he began to type.
<TheMostMayo> I didn't like fireworks for a while. They made me sad. They were made to be blown up, and then they were gone
<TheMostMayo> You can't imagine how much I cried when I found out about stars.
<TheMostMayo> Looking up at them now though. They look different.
<TheMostMayo> I can physically see every chemical reaction. I can see every single speck of color.
<TheMostMayo> I wish we could've watched them together. I would love to watch the fireworks with you.
<TheMostMayo> Dance under the stars.
<TheMostMayo> But it'll be okay. You'll have people to dance with soon.
<TheMostMayo> You're stubborn. Just as stubborn as I am.
<TheMostMayo> So I know what you'll do. I just feel bad. Looking at how long you're going to regret not saving me.
<TheMostMayo> For you it'll feel long. But. I wish I could show you.
<TheMostMayo> Its like a firework. Its just. Temporary.
<TheMostMayo> (I dunno. I'm not good at that poetry stuff.)
<TheMostMayo> Until next time, friend.
He couldn't make his hands move anymore. No. There was more golden ichor on his keyboard now. It dripped from his eyes. His lips. He leaned back, staring back outside the window. Even as men in black suits slipped into the room, beginning to restrain Avery, he didn't fight them. He couldn't. He was… Enraptured. In every reality. At every single micro-instant. It was just. Such a beautiful night outside.
Derek kicked down the door of a dingey apartment, frantically running inside. Avery. Avery. Even if he couldn't access all knowledge at once right now, he knew this was where Avery lived. And yet he was gone. Gone from his bedroom. Gone from his desk. Even Derek's old laptop that was synced to his current one was gone. He felt anger. He felt shame. He had failed and Avery was- Avery was-
“WHAT THE HELL IS THE D.M.S?!”
He crumpled to his knees. This couldn't- this would NOT be the end. Derek decided. He was not going to stop. He was not going to rest. Until he had RIPPED that FOOL KING out of Avery's head and torn it asunder.
Even if he had to tear through a government facility to do it.
Derek still has access to All Knowledge Ever. Its just not Wrecking Him like it was before. He would not bow out. His part wasn't over yet.
Derlord has always been a sore loser.