Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Purple.

 The deep colour of the walls, flickering with different hues as light and shadows danced across it, was the first thing they had come to know.

 The tunnel held little answers as to their predicament, and as their conciousness grew they found they were unable to explore.

 Stationary, held in a spherical form of light, but the form wasn't their prison. A greater power than they could understand kept them locked in place, and they hadn't the words to explain the emotions that made them feel.

 Save for the flickering lamps, they were alone. Sometimes, they'd hear movement and nervous chatter from entrance, and rarely a brave Elsen would wander down — only to flee in a panic when they lied eyes on them.

 Try as they might to call out to them, they were unable to speak in their present form. But they tried, fruitlessly, every time someone wandered down. 

 Time was meaningless to them. They could have felt the first spark of conciousness years ago, or perhaps only yesterday. But it didn't concern them, because a shift in this reality far beyond their new form of life had been felt.

 A divine duty. A purpose. A certainty that they exist for a greater reason, and one they should prepare for. What this duty is, is out of their current understanding, but they know they'll understand when the time comes.

But they cling to it, a new vigor of life like they had never known before. And they waited.

_______

 A bap, and a light scratching of nails, pulled them out of their meditative daze. They floated in place, but turned their attention down to a cat who wore a sharp grin, one who was looking at them with great fascination.

 "Ah. I must confess," The cat began to talk! "I was beginning to believe that I alone held conscious thought within this mine. But I am pleased to be mistaken, and to have my initial suspicions be proven right."

 The cat settles on its hind legs, peering up at them expectantly. A pause draws out before a look of realisation settles on the felines features. 

 "My deepest apologies; it appears I have yet to introduce myself." He tilts his head as he regards them, "I am the Judge. Please forgive my ramblings — I have only heard of Spherical Add-Ons in legend. I wish to know your name, dear spiritual entity."

 Alpha. They answer, but they still can't speak. They try to will the words to come again, but all they feel is deep gnawing emotion that they suspect is dread settling in. They can't communicate! Not even to the one singular entity that stopped to acknowledge their isolated existence.

 They're drawn out of their spiraling when their prison of a body flashes brightly, a burst of light. A dawning understanding settles in the cats eyes.

 "How terribly inconvenient. You cannot engage with your environment." Correct. And they hate it.

 The cat walks around them, gazing up at them as if peeling away their very existance. 

 "Add-Ons by nature are creatures of bonds. I myself tried to affiliate with you, but it appears we are not of the same physical order." The Judge stops to sit again, and looks up at them. They see themselves reflected in his big eyes. "In order to be freed, you must be tethered to another soul."

 The words ring true, despite only now learning this knowledge. They want to cry out for the cat to try to bond again, as he is the first soul who's dared approach them.

How long until another visits?

 The Judge seemed to have sensed the mood shift, his smile grew impossibly wider. "Never fear, my Spherical friend, I may just know a soul compatible with your own."

 As if on cue, assured footsteps descend from the entrance of the tunnel. The Judge immediately jumps into a wordy greeting, but Alpha pays the words no mind as they set their sights on the new person.

 He carried an air of certainty and intimidation about him, and that divine duty that they had begun to feel all that time ago seemed to be echoed in his stance. His outfit was... a choice, but what do they know about fashion! Alpha watches his every move with bright curiosity, a certainty in the air that this is the one.

 They zone back into the conversation when the pair approaches them, and the Judge is still in full talkative swing; "... But I am thinking... Maybe you, one who does not have a physical order, will succeed in affiliating this spiritual entity to yours."

 The odd man stops in front of them, and they have little time to register the calculating look on his face before he reaches out to them.

 The whole world shifts and brightens, threatening to overwhelme them before they're able to categorise their new senses. They draw in a breath, the first in their life, and taste smoke.

 They look around with bleary eyes, blinking away the brightness despite how dark the tunnel is. Their gaze settles on the Judge, who's babbling about something 'wonderous' and 'fascinating'. Then their gaze wanders, to the lamps that steadily settle in their sight and stop burning their senses. 

 Touch is the next sense that settles in. They feel fabric bunched in their clenched fingers, a tunic, worn by someone stood so impossibly rigid that he might as well be carved from stone.

 They finally look up into the mysterious man's eyes, trying to decipher the odd way he's looking at them. They eventually settle on impatience. 

 They immediately back up, plams up in a gesture they hope conveys an apology, but their feet are unsteady and their legs give way. They collapse to the floor, right next to the cat.

 "Dear me." He rubs himself against one of their arms, and his fur is soft. "That will take a moment to get used to, but I have full faith you'll learn quickly."

 They reach out to the cat, fingers playing across the top of his head. They enjoy the sensation so much that they nearly forget that they haven't spoken yet.

 "I'm Alpha." They speak to the cat, as he was the only one to ask their name. Then they look up at their new companion, but his gaze is hidden underneath the shade of his cap. "And I think I'm yours now."

 "So it seems." The man finally speaks. He offers a hand down to them, and they stare at it for a second before placing their own in his. He pulls them to their feet.

 He appraises them for a second, before letting go and turning to the Judge, "The chief of the specters isn't here?"

 "Sorry, but I fear I have to respond in the negative. Apart from this Add-On, I have not crossed the way of a single soul in this lieu." The cat responds.

 A curt nod, and the conversation has come to an end. The man looks back at them, "Follow me."

 He marches off, and they hastily fall into step beside him. They cast one last look at the Judge, wishing to stay with the feline for just a bit longer. The Judge smiles knowingly at them, before they turn and climb the stairs.

 "Do you have a name?" They ask, turning to glance up at their companion. He really hasn't said much, they note, despite the divine bond they now share.

 "The Batter." He responds monotonously.

 "Well... it's nice to meet you Batter." It's an odd name, but so is the Judge. 

 They finally step foot outside. And it's bright and... wet? They look up, and quickly scrunch their eyes shut at the rain. It's not unpleasant, but it is cold.

 The Batter had already marched ahead, speaking to an Elsen. Alpha ignores them, choosing to look down at themselves and their new form. 

 Humanoid, like the Elsen, or perhaps more like their strange companion. Pale, much like all lifeforms they've met so far, and even whiter clothes. White hair too, it trickles over their vision as they touch it — not quite as soft as the Judges fur, but still pleasent to touch. 

 And their hands, they look, are unremarkable besides their right being adorned with three rings. And those, they instinctively know, are important somehow.

 A shadow falls over them, and they note that it's quiet now. 

 Their capped companion looks down at them, bat slung over his shoulder. "The mines are open to us now. Ready?"

 They pull a sour face. "But I've only just stepped foot outside." 

 That look of impatience settles on his face again, and Alpha counters it with their own displeased expression. He sighs, "Our duty leads us down there. We must rid the mines of its ectoplasmic infestation."

 That they understand. It feels right, like it's always been their calling. For which it has.

 He turns, expecting them to follow. But calls back in a less firm tone. "We'll be outside again soon enough. Our journey takes us through all the Zones."

 They settle into pace beside him, and they descend into the mines. "It does?" Less of a question, and more an admission of excitement.

 He nods, and says nothing more. They have a feeling conversation will be difficult with their companion.

 The entrance to the mine is similar to the tunnel that they had come to exist in, but it was far more livelier with the Elsen milling about. Well, as lively as Elsen get.

 They stray from their path, chosing to speak to one of the Elsen cowering next to a wall closest to the entrance. 

 "You've come to eliminate the spectres?" The short man wheezes, not making eye contact. "Thats good news."

 He must have heard their conversation outside. They nod, and smile at him, "Sure are." Then they add quickly, "Stay here, until it's safe."

 "Yes sir." He nods quickly.

 Alpha shakes their head at the 'sir', and turns to find the Batter conversing with the others. Or rather, staring down at them with an air of menace as they babble about the mines, hoping to appease him.

 "Quit it." They mutter at him, "You're freaking them out." They're not sure where the boldness is coming from, but it feels right. So they don't question it.

 He levels a glare at them, but they ignore it and turn to start walking deeper into the mines. He is intimidating, and Alpha notes that if it weren't for the bond, they wouldn't be walking into darkness with him. But the bond burns, telling them to trust it, and to trust him.

 He catches up quickly, but all he says is: "Do you have a weapon?"

 "No." They pause, thinking. "I don't need one."

 "Hm." He sounds uncertain, but trusting. 

 The pair step out into a large and desolate room, and a strong hand on their shoulder stops them from proceeding. 

 "Show yourselves, corrupted children." They turn to look at him as if he's mad, he pays them no mind as he continues to speak, "Prepare yourselves to suffer our judgment."

 Alpha only just senses the specters before they're suddenly surrounded.

 They instinctively take on their Spherical form as the Batter leaps into action, taking out 3 spectres in one swing.

"Common Spectres." He calls out to them over his shoulder, but they barely hear him as they lunge forward and slice through a couple of them.

 The group of spectres fall easily, and the battle is over in seconds. Alpha returns to their companions side, humanoid again as they look around at the dingy room. But nothing else steps forward.

 "We were meant to find each other." He says in flat tone, but it feels like praise.

 They start to formulate a response, but it's cut off by the sounds of scuttling and a growl echoing from deeper into the mines. They both reflexively turn to look in the direction of the sound.

 "Ready?" He says, and it's less of a check in and more of a quiet order.

 They walk past him, "Always."

Chapter Text

 The mines were oddly sparce of life, despite the distant chattering of entities they were hoping to sneak up on. The pairs footsteps were calculated, and no words were exchanged, but Alpha wondered if they should be making noise to draw the attention of the spectres.

 Twist and turns lead them to a lone Elsen, huddling in a corner murmuring that he was working. He didn't look busy, and they named the burning feeling in their chest as sympathy towards the poor distressed man.

 They looked up at their companion, intending to insist on leading this poor Elsen outside, but he seemed to have understood their expression, as a terse shake of his head silenced their plan.

 With a displeased sigh, and a last look towards the Elsen, they follow him and continue their sweep. Still the silence settled on them, and Alpha found themselves poking around boxes.

 They find many a curiosity; some strange meat, and a 'Joker'. It's as they sit on a chest, reading the fine print instructions on the back of the Joker slip, that the first call to action within these stretches of corridor comes to them.

 "Alpha!" The Batter calls out through gritted teeth. 

 They look up to find him surrounded by three gruesome floating heads, all gnashing their teeth and a gross substance dripping from their open maws. 

 The Batter had already swung and taken one ghoul out with a deafening crack as they register it all going down. "Magnolias," he calls out as Alpha approaches, already swinging for a second.

 They're late to the fight, but they fly past him in their Spherical form and successfully take down the last Magnolia. Narrowly missing it's teeth.

 The fight concludes with their last second efforts, and their curiosity quickly switches from the now-dead ghouls and back to the Joker ticket in their hands. 

 The Batter steps up to tower over them, "Don't get distracted." 

 They reflexively shrink back from him, his evident displeasure dampening the excitment at their new-found treasure. 

 They look up and scowl at him, responding by waving the ticket at him. "This thing can revive people from the dead! Did you know that?" 

 The blank expression on his face tells them no, he didn't, and they pull the ticket out of his reach when he goes to take it from them.

 "And it's mine!" He's not the only one that gets to snap. "Stop with the attitude, lest a battle leaves you needing this!"

 He regards them, something unreadable in those piercing eyes. Then he turns without a word, decidedly done with the argument. They follow him, taking it as a win and pocket their ticket. They exit the mines after a second run in with the floating heads — only to find that their path is barricaded off, save for a ladder that leads them back outside. 

 "Thats it?" They mutter. Looking back the way they came, "Boring."

 "Nevertheless, our path leads us onwards." 

 Alpha flies to the top as he begins his climb, and takes in their new surroundings. Too transfixed in the waves of liquid plastic that an Elsen successfully sneaks up on them.

"Did you come from the smoke mines?"

 They flinch, and the Elsen flinches at their flinch. They flash him what they hope is an apologetic smile, "Uh-"

"Yes." A sudden hand on their shoulder quells another flinch.

"But... But... But there are loads of spectres down there..." The Elsen, now responding to the Batter, stutters out.

"Yes." His voice is flat, bored.

 The ensuing back and forth between Elsen and Batter leaves them dumbfounded. It could hardly be described as a conversation, what with the Batters dismissive answers, but something sympathetic in them notes that he's probably as new to all of this as they are.

Still, they think, I could do better than this.

 They listen to the Elsen begin a monologue about the metal works, their eyes darting to the distant Elsen arms deep in half a cow. They grimace. The talk turns to the barns, and they feel more than see the Batter straighten up at the prospect of a fight.

 And with that, the Elsen dismisses them. Along with the promise that they'll remove the barricade to the mines. Alpha shrugs the Batters hand off them, and makes a beeline to the barns.

A flash of white had caught their eye.

 They stop at a fence, looking over at the strange animals beyond. One bumbles over, a large beast with with no aggression in its eyes, emitting a low tone as if greeting them.

 Alpha reaches a hand out, leaning over the fence and tentatively touching the top of the cows head. It's a strange sensation; its short fur damp from the rain, but it's still soft to the touch. 

 The Batter joins them by the fence and leans against it. "The Elsen say an inspector is due, we must hurry."

 ________

 The barns turn out to be far more livelier than their brief trip into the mines. A mere few steps in has the pair staring down a large spectre, a rather lively thing that seemed eager to attack — but the Batter was quicker to strike.

 He calls out to them, a name for this type of spectre, but something burning on the edge of their conciousness takes their attention. A flash, a whisper, as if divine wisdom itself is what lifts their hand out, reaching.

 'Saturated Chain.' Their mind breaks through the fog, and the spectre is taken out by an odd visage of interlinking radiance. 

 They stare, bewildered, at the space the spectre previously occupied. A bubble of excitment rises up at their new found ability, but also that they could access it outside of their restrictive Spherical form.

 Their companion is silent, and they turn to see a glimmer of suprise etched into his strong features. They smile, giddy and brightly. 

"Cool, right?!"

"It's useful." Is all he has to say, before turning heel and heading into the next room.

"Useful." They scowl. Though unsure what they're offended by.

 Armed with their newly acquired ability, they and their companion make short work of the barn. Alpha finds their natural place behind the Batter in battle, edging around him to deliver blows that require no physical contact with the spectres. 

 All fun and games, until their amusment is snuffed out when the last spectre dodges the Batters attack — and sinks it's teeth into his forearm. A guttural growl emits from their companion as blood seeps from the wound. Alpha lashes out and kills the offending spectre.

 The Batter looks over his punctured arm, chest heaving with heavy breathes from either anger or pain. Alpha can't tell which. 

 They start to approach him, but he drops out of his stun and makes to ascend out of the barns before they can utter a word. They follow quickly.

"Are you okay?" Stupid question really, but they want to fill the silence. 

"Hm."

 They sigh in response. His lack of conversation was starting to grate at them. 

"Shut your trap, you poor moron." A high screech is heard from the entrance of the barn, and the pair hurry up their steps to listen in. 

"No... I... Yes..." A stressed muttering.

"Have they been in there for long?"

 An one sided shouting match begins, and it's clear they're talking about them. The Batter holds out a hand to stop them from peaking outside, tilting his head to listen.

"... I could've done it." The brutal voice continues, "But you don't deserve it. Too bad for you, you'll just have to take care of your problems yourselves."

 Alpha frowns at the words, and the Batters white-knuckled grip on his bat tells them he feels the same way. 

"... I command you. Get the fuck out of my way this instant, if you want to keep your job." Then they hear heavy footsteps retreating, and all that's left is the ragged breathing of the beat-down Elsen.

 "Someones having a bad day." Alpha whispers.

 He casts them a glance, before marching outside to talk to the bewildered Elsen.

 As he begins an awkward conversation with the stuttering man, Alpha takes it upon themselves to follow the loud man... who can still be heard over the tops of the buildings. Taking their Spherical, they take flight over the barns and catch a peak at the formidable man currently towering over another poor Elsen.

"Do any of you sorry sacks know how to do your damn job?!" 

 Alpha decides they've viewed enough, and returns to their companion side in time to hear:

 "But he's hostile. I must destroy him." From the Batter.

 Alpha grimaces at him. The Elsen utters out a terrified squeak of a plea not to harm the angry man, and Alpha finds that they, strangely, agree. A look of irritation flickers across their companions face, but the Elsen is able to divert it with the news that the mines are now unbarricaded.

 The Batter dismisses the Elsen, and turns heel to reach out to a strange yellow box. They watch in fascination as his wounds heal before their eyes.

"A save point. A beacon of healing." He explains, noting their expression.

 He gestures for them to follow him as he begins to walk, but a blind panic fills them and they reach out to grip his wrist. He turns to look sharply down at their hold, and then level a challenging look into their eyes. 

 They meet his challenge, stepping closer to get a better look at his eyes under the shadow of his cap. 

"We are not killing that man." They keep their voice firm.

"He is impure." He levels back coldly, like it's fact.

"He's an ass — sure!" They look at him incredulously. "But we are here to fix things, to protect. Not—"

 "It is our duty, Alpha. Why do you fight our divine directive?" His words ring true, but they still feel wrong.

 Their argument dies on their tounge, unable to understand why their opinion differs from their given duty.

 The Batter takes their silence as an agreement to his views, and pulls his wrist free. He starts walking again, bat across his shoulders.

"You will understand in time, Alpha." He doesn't turn around to speak, "Just let the divine guide you."

Chapter Text

 The promised excitment of a spectre-filled mine became a reality, though all the lamps were mysteriously shattered. Alpha peers up at one.

 "Do you think the spectres did this?" They poke at a shard of glass. "Or maybe the Elsen thought it would confuse and contain them?" 

 "It doesn't matter." Ever the conversationalist their partner. "Allow faith to guide your steps."

 He continues on, walking into the darkness, and Alpha follows behind swallowing the urge to snark back at him. The light from the entrance slowly dwindles to nothing, until only the sounds of footsteps from their companion is left to guide them.

 "Halt." The Batter orders from a few feet ahead.

 Alpha tilts their head, expecting to hear a scuffling or tell-tale sign of spectres closing in. Nothing.

 "Return to your Spherical form." Another order. Firm, with no room for protest, but Alphas finding they're good at protesting.

 "What?! No!" They huff. "It's restrictive! And I can't speak!"

 All that follows their complaint is a pregnant silence, before he speaks in a less demanding tone;

 "We need light."

 They tut, but do as they're told. They follow behind him, peering over the top of his head as they cast light on the way forward.

 The mines turn out to be a daze of battle. The spectres more active, and far more ferocious, than any they'd met before. And the convulsed layout of the tunnels leaves them looping back on themselves. 

 But a way out, after countless hours of battle, is soon determined. 

 They turn a corner, seeing the distant lights of the exit for a second before the pairs view is blocked by a towering beast. A "January" their companion calls out as he delivers the first blow.

 Alpha lashes out at the same time as him, but their physical blow is unsuccessful. The beast swings it's large claws in their direction, and snatches them out of air.

 They try to pull free, but a swing from the Batters bat is what makes the beast let go. It throws Alpha to the side, and in a panic they shift out of their Spherical form. Intending to break their momentum, but only making the inevitable collision with the wall more disastrous.

 The back of their head collides with stone, and they cry out. Vision swimming and blurring as they crumble to the floor, and they try to breath through this new awful sensation.

 The back of their head pulsates, the pain blossoming and burning as their eyes sting with the pressure. The continued battle goes ignored by them as they reach a shaky hand out to touch the back of their head — and it comes away warm and sticky.

 In a fit of anger, they lash out with a chain attack, successfully hitting the beast in the chest. Their last surge of effort zaps their remaining energy, and their vision fades.

________

 They slowly awake in a lamp-lit room, the first thing they register is a familiar yellow box that their hand is gripping. Or rather, the Batters hand over theirs is forming the grip.

 "That sucked." Their voice comes out weaker than they'd like, and the Batter helps them to sit. 

 They tilt their head to look at him, suddenly realising their close proximity. He looks at them strangely, and they can't decipher the expression, so they can only look back awkwardly.

 He moves as if to speak, but approaching footsteps cut off any possible conversation. He stands, bringing Alpha to their feet as he does.

 A chuckle is heard.

"The characters are starting to pile up, aren't they?" A curious masked man speaks. "Though, this is new."

Alpha manages a "huh?" As the Batter asks "Pardon?"

"What I'm saying is—" he shakes his head, seeming to cast away his words. "Is that this is new." And he looks at Alpha as he speaks. Then he laughs again, "But we will discover the truth of this new run in due time, won't we dear reader?"

"Batter. I think we've found someone crazier than you." They half whisper to their companion, not taking their eyes off the man.

"Who are you?" The Batter asks. Ignoring Alphas remark.

"Ah. Now that was scripted. I'm Zacharie, the traditional items merchant that's necessary in every vid– story. I'll always find myself in places you're going to visit before you arrive. But enough blether. I'm not one of those characters you need to listen to for hours. So, lemme see the color of your credits."

 He starts pulling out all sorts of wares from his too-large rucksack, and the Batter walks over to conduct business. Alpha follows, peering around him to look at all the items, but the feeling of eyes on them makes them pause.

 The glance at the merchant, and find his gaze locked onto them. Unreadable, under that mask, and it makes them uneasy. They step back a few paces, and leave their oblivious companion to finish up business.

 The Batter steps away, and places some items into their hands before gesturing for them to follow. They drop a quick curious glance at their goods, before hastily following him. Not wanting to be around the masked man a second more.

 The Batter had marched through the doorway when Zacharie calls out, "Alpha."

 They pause, one foot over the threshold. They don't look back, yet they can feel his eyes on them.

 "If I may deviate from the script for a moment," He sounds friendly, so why does it put them on edge? "Instincts are a powerful thing, you should follow what your intuition tells you." A pause. "Even if it's astray from what our strange bat-weilding friend insists upon."

 They look towards their bonded companion, who's now listening to a babbling Elsen. They have their disagreements, and they're clearly not on the same page regarding morality — but he's all Alpha knows. They couldn't deviate from him, they're not sure if it would even be possible, and they find that they wouldn't want to find out either. They'll follow him, even if murder is the path they have to take.

 They let their pause be acknowledgment enough to Zacharie's words, and then they leave him behind to join the Batter at the now-open elevator.

 They step inside, and watch him input the numbers '99999'. The elevator starts to ascend, but the slow ticking of floors tells them it's going to be a long ride.

 But it gives them time for questions.

 "He was weird, right?" They look up at him.

 "Hm." And then, "What did he say to you?" 

 "Uh." They parse over the mysterious message, and decide to omit some details. "Something about instincts and following them, but that's all common sense. Why was he staring at me?"

 "I'm not sure." Fat load of comfort this guy is. They huff and lean against the wall of the elevator.

 They look down at their new items for a moment, and then hold them up to the Batter. "What are these?"

 He rests his bat against the wall of the elevator before turning to them, he plucks the paper slips from their hands. 

 "Luck tickets." He explains in monotonous tone. "They can heal minor injuries." 

 He passes them back, and they pocket them. Then he picks up a silver cuff.

 "A Radius Epidermis." He takes their right hand, and starts placing it on their wrist. "It aids battle."

 How? They want to ask, but they're halted by the Batters scrutiny of their three silver rings. They wait for him to ask, just so they can tell him that they don't know either. But he says nothing.

 He moves onto the cloth, unfolding it to display a tunic similar to his own. Alpha sneers at it.

 "Take your shirt off." He instructs with zero awareness.

 They balk. "Like hell I am!"

 "You're covered in blood." He sighs. "You'll be wearing this." He gestures to the new tunic.

 They look at the dull shine of the elevator walls, and it's enough to let them see a partial reflection. They peer over their shoulder, angling awkwardly to catch a glimpse of the dark stain that covers the back of their shirt. 

 "Fine." They relent. "But turn around."

 He just looks at them. Perhaps abit confused.

 "Turn. Around." They state more firmly.

 He rolls his eyes, but follows their order for a change. He turns, and they quickly divest themselves of their old shirt and slip on the tunic.

 "Great." They look down at their new clothing, identical to the Batters. "We're the whole circus now."

They glance up at the rising floor number, and it reads 78662. They let out a breath.

 "Where are we?" They ask.

 "The plastic administrations." As if that clears up any confusion. "This zones guardian is known to have an office on one of these floors."

 "And we're here to rid this building of spectres?"

 "Yes." A pause. "And the guardian."

 "Excuse me?" They feel an argument building again.

 "We must purify the guardian also." He states firmly. "He's a plague on this land."

 "Seems counter productive." A disapproving expression from him makes them double down. "I'm serious! Who's going to run this place if you kill him?!"

 "Does it matter?" His voice is cold.

 "Yes!" They look at him incredulously. "You can't seriously be—"

 "Alpha." He cuts them off. "Our divine duty is to purify this land by all means necessary. We are but tools for this grand purpose. You know this to be truth, our bond sings with this meaning."

 He's right. And they fucking hate it. They glower at him with displeasure, but he holds their glare. A moment of silent dueling goes down, before they relent and turn away.

 "Don't fight it." He says in a lighter tone. "We are helping this land, and it's inhabitants. Don't protest against good."

 I'm protesting against murder, they think. But there's no use arguing, they'll just have to hope they can postpone the inevitable.

Silence.

 "You can feel our bond?" They ask, picking a positive.

 He tilts his head to regard them, that glower of his gone. They feel a little lighter that he doesn't seem to hold grudges. "Yes." He breathes. "It's a guiding force for our duty, and it's the purest thing I have come to touch. Can't you feel it?"

 "Of course I can feel it." They look down awkwardly. "You never said anything. Not even when it first happened."

"What was there to say?" 

 They don't know. They peer up at him, and he looks at them in confusion. He's new too, a voice in their head says. 

 "Don't worry about it." And they're speaking just to keep him engaged now, "Thanks for saving my ass out there."

 "Don't do it again." They give him a funny look, they really don't plan to do that again- "It was... distressing."

Odd.

 The door dings open before they can comment, and the pair walk out to be greeted by a familiar face.

 "Zounds! You again." The sharped grin Judge speaks, looking at the Batter in particular, "You are decidedly everywhere. One could believe that you are following me."

 Alpha makes their way over while their companion speaks, and settles onto their knees next to the Judge.

 "The administrations of Shachihata are a complex and puzzling one, but allow me to speed up your journey." The cat speaks, nuzzling against Alphas knee. "The floor you seek is 10,258. The Elsen on the ground floor spoke about it in such a buzz."

 They reach out to pet his head, and a deep rumble emits from the cat. "I must say, you are more personable than your bonded companion." He speaks to them.

 They laugh at that. A new feeling and expression bubbling in them, and they enjoy it.

 "Judge." They ask. "Do you know anything about my predicament?"

 The cat peers up at them, front paws on their knees. "Whatever do you mean?"

 "Some weirdo named Zacharie was in the exit of the mines, said I was 'new'." 

 "Ah yes. A new soul." He begins in a thoughtful tone. "This lieu has sprung forth many a strange phenomena, but new beings and new consciousness alike are showing up in decreasing rarity. It's hardly a thing to be concerned about."

 "No I know that, I mean—" They sigh, shake their head. "Nevermind. I'm sure I'll figure it out eventually."

 The Judge looks at them with a thoughtful expression, before stepping off their knees. "I hold no doubt that you will succeed in your endevour. For now, the post office awaits."

 They say their goodbyes and stand up, turning to find the Batter leaning against the doors of the elevator, waiting. But he hadn't hurried them, they note curiously.

 The journey down to floor 10258 is tiresomely long, and it passes without chatter. Alpha decides to sit down for this trek, coming to a stand when the doors finally open again.

 The room that opens before them is desolate of life, and an absolute mess. Boxes are stored haphazardly and take up most of the walkway; Alpha opens a couple, nosey as ever, but they only contain envelopes.

 Uneventful, until they run into a panicked Elsen.

 "... I'm... I'm very afraid... Help me." And before they could react, the Elsen head goes sploosh.

 Alpha stares at it in mild terror.

 "A burnt." The Batter explains. "Corrupted, much like the phantoms."

 The Batter starts fighting, as does the now burnt Elsen. Alphas stomach flips at the sight, but if the Elsen is already dead... they hit out with a chain attack.

 "Maybe... Maybe his suit has taken control of his- of his brain." It wheezes one last time before fading away.

 "Strange." The Batter remarks. Before heading up a staircase.

 "You could say that." They follow him, taken aback by what just unfolded.

 The floor above reveals a desk with a note, which the Batter promptly starts reading. Alphas attention is taken elsewhere, when a small flash of white darts around the boxes.

 A strange rat-like creature floats forth, a long tail whipping madly behind it. It was almost cute! Alpha, decidedly bored after a long trip in the elevator, attempts something stupid.

 They reach out a hand, attempting to pet it's head. 

 It snarls and lashes out with its claws, cutting into their hand. They hiss at the pain, quickly slapping a luck ticket over the wound. "Yea. I deserved that."

 The Batter swings in to take it out. A "Tiburce", he tells them.

 The battles won, and they start moving again. "How do you always know their names?" They ask him curiously, it was like clockwork with him.

 "A competence of mine." He seems eager to explain. "I can know them intimately; their names and weaknesses."

 "Hm." They pick up another note and pass it to him. "Pretty cool."

 After a few more run ins with the floating ghouls and another burnt, the pair make it to a desk guarded by an Elsen.

 "The uh... access to the lift is forbidden." They wheeze, but sounding firmer than their coworkers. "Unless... You have the code."

 "681452." The Batter answers quickly. Alpha looks at him in puzzlement, before realising the notes must have meant something.

 The Elsen squeaks in fear. "You... You must not pass! I don't want to die!" SPLOOSH.

 The burnt lunges over the desk, and the two fall into place to defend themselves.

 Once the battle is won, and the Batter administers a luck ticket to himself, the two then venture in through the now unbarricaded door way. 

 The sounds of battle are heard before Dedan is. And they both peer curiously in to his office as he easily takes out a gang of spectres. 

 "He's clearly not one of them." They remark quietly to their companion.

 "... YOU!" The Guardian screeches, pointing at the pair once he spots them. "It's you, you're the source of all my troubles! The ectoplasmic lords who have been eyeing my beloved zone! What do you want? Why've you decided to be a pain in the ass?"

 The Batter steps into the room, and they follow. But Dedan isn't done shouting.

 "I've dedicated my whole life to this place! You've got no right to ruin it with your damn ghosts! SHOVE OFF!!"

 "You're mistaken." The Batter states loftily. "We are not phantoms. We're purifiers. And we have come to purge the world of those ectoplasmic beings."

 "How dare you respond?" The guardian looks agast. Gesturing maddly at the Batter. "And how dare you imagine that I'd just put up with this shit... Listen good. I'll make this simple. Get outta here and take your goddamn specters with you, or I'm gonna kill you. I hope that's clear enough for ya. If I see you again... You're dead!"

 And with a flash of light, the guardian of Zone 1 teleports out of the room.

 With a renewed sense of purpose, the Batter strides back to the elevator. 

 "Do you understand now?" He looks to Alpha, as the lift begins it's descent.

 "I understand that it's not as black and white as you make it seem." They speak carefully. "He's horrible. But he's no spectre."

 The Batter says nothing in response, perhaps realising it's futile. 

 The elevator opens on the ground floor, and the pair stride through the work space and back to the outside world.

 They head for the nearest tram station. Vacant of a vehicle currently, much to Alphas annoyance, and the rain is coming down heavier.

 A lone Elsen stands on the platform, glancing at the pair only to quickly turn away nervously. Alpha pities him.

 "We're looking for Dedan. This Zones guardian." They try for light conversation.

  The Elsen stutters for a moment. "The Queens Generals house is in Alma." Then he shuffles away from them, to the farthest edge of the platform.

 But it's confirmation, one that the Batter seemed pleased with. They step up to his side again.

 "How long will the tram take to get here?" They're not sure if he'd even know.

 "I don't know." And they were right.

 They reach up, and snatch his cap off his head. They place it on their own head to shield themselves from the rain, cautiously ogling the Batters blonde hair.

 He doesn't protest. Only watching them back with veiled amusement. 

Chapter Text

 Despite its late arrival, the tram was quiet. The Elsen waiting alongside them skittered on before them, and the two others onboard stared at the odd pair as they boarded.

 The Batter snatches his cap back from them, and sits in the seat furthest from the small gaggle of Elsen. Alpha takes their place beside him, waving at the Elsen watching them.

 At Alphas attention, they abruptly turn away and face the front of the tram. Alpha pouts at their lack of engagement, slumping back against the seat.

 "This zones Guardian keeps them on edge." The Batter states simply.

 "I figured as much." They glance at him, and he's fixated on the view whizzing past the window opposite them. "But they're just so... sweet? You know? I'm glad we're here to make this place safer for them."

 "Hm." Is all he offers.

 Alpha thinks they're starting to understand him. That was a 'hm' of agreement, they think.

 "Don't start petting the Elsen." He speaks again.

 "Huh?" They look at him quizzically. 

 He looks back at them, expression still devoid of any emotional tell-tales. But they think they see amusement. 

 "You have a way of exploring the world with your hands." His tone isn't scolding. "I witnessed that moment with the Tiburce."

 Alpha just looks at him, and then they burst into laughter. They clap a hand over their mouth when they notice the Elsen spook at the noise, they shake their head.

 "And I'd do it again." He's looking at them oddly. They point a finger at him. "And don't tell me what to do, I'll pet a damn Elsen if I want!" 

 That odd look continues, like he's trying to understand something. Then, to their amazement, the corner of his lips twitches upwards.

 A smile? Holy fuck.

 "Our stop is here." He's on his feet and by the doors before they can blink. They file the moment away to think about later, feeling strangely giddy at the first genuinely positive interaction they've had with him.

 Not that the others were negative. Just... business-like.

 The tram pulls up into Almas station, and they follow him outside and into the entrance building. 

The other Elsen skitter past them, flashing work badges and gaining entry. The pair follow and step up to the Elsen on guard, and he stutters;

 "I... Uh... I don't have the right to let anyone pass..." His eyes shift towards some posters, before nervously coming back to them. "Unless... Unless they answer some questions..."

 Alpha turns to glance up at the Batter, who's unreadable. 

 "We don't have time for questions." The Batter states firmly. "We are here on a sacred mission."

 The Elsen, wide-eyed, but a stickler for his job; "This is... for security. I-I insist. Please... we keep notes to remind our staff of the answers." He raises a shaky finger to point towards the notes on the wall.

 The Batter stares him down, and Alpha braces for a violent confrontation. Instead, he sighs, very much a tone of irritation as he turns to walk over to the posters.

 Alpha remains where they are, a moment of silence before an idea comes to mind. 

 They step up to the Elsen, and place their hands gently on his shoulders. He trembles under their finger tips, but they smile softly at him.

 "Alma is riddled with spectres, right?" They say in a calm tone. 

 "Y-yes." He squeaks. "They swim in the meat."

 That makes no sense to Alpha, but they continue.

 "Well, that's what we're here for!" They grin brightly. "Dedan, the Queens General, sent for us. We're here to eliminate the spectres."

"O-oh really?" There's a spark of hope in his eyes... that dies quickly. "He never left a note... I should have known of your coming."

 They shake their head, and reach a hand up to smooth the Elsens hair back. The Elsen blushes slightly under the contact.

 "The decision has only just been made. But he said you'd know to follow orders without his say-so, that you're smart like that." They lie smoothly.

"O-oh yes, sir! Of course." The 'praise' from his boss makes him stand straighter with purpose, he steps out of Alphas reach and presses a button to open the gates. "Good luck out there!"

"Thanks, buddy." They smile sickly-sweet at him. Then in a sharper tone, "Batter!"

 Their companion looks back at them, and they sharply nod towards the now unbarricaded entrance.

 He looks between Alpha and Elsen quizzically as he approaches, but promptly leads them into Alma without question.

 Once they're out of earshot of the Elsen, they lean in to whisper to the Batter.

 "Petting the Elsen worked." They smile mischievously.

 He looks at them pointedly, and shakes his head. 

 "Unbelievable."

They laugh brightly at his reaction. 

 An Elsen is already in front of them when they calm down, as if summoned by the new appearances. He jumps into an introduction of Alma, and the meat works, and Alpha only pays half attention.

 This place was odd. More odd than the rest of this strange Zone. The pools of liquid red makes them feel queasy, and they look over the Elsens shoulder to the main building — at least they won't be outside for long!

 "Well, uh... there... Who are you, anyways?" The Elsen speaks to the Batter.

 "We've come to liberate the world of malignance." 

 "Oh... Oh really? Uh... well then..." He fiddles with his tie. "Can you liberate me?" Sploosh. 

 Alpha recoils at the burnt. "Why do they have to do that!" They whine.

 The Batter strikes out at it, and Alpha spots a Tiburce join the foray. They hit out at the ghoul while the Batter has the burnt covered, this time keeping their distance.

 The fight passes without injury to the pair, and they begin walking again.

 "That sucked." They grumble. A sudden idea strikes them; "Do you think a Joker would work on burnts?"

 He glances at them, and shakes his head. "It doesn't matter. They are touched by impurity, they're already lost."

 They frown, but accept his words. Up ahead, they spot Zacharie waving at them, wares already out on display.

 "Oh great." They huff.

 The Batter heads off, speaking to Zacharie and conducting whatever business they need. Alpha, deciding not to approach so they don't have to interact with the weird merchant, watches the pair.

 And Zacharie watches them back.

 Business concludes soon enough, and Alpha starts walking before the Batter can catch up. They decide to head left, suddenly curious to see the rivers of meat.

 An Elsen guards a station, he wheezes as they approach. "Please... please let me work."

SPLOOSH.

 Another burnt fight down. Alpha slaps a luck ticket on their arm as the Batter pokes at the switch the Elsen was guarding. The sound of teleportaion echos behind them, and they both turn to find a... duck boat?

 Alpha is immediately beside it. "Oh this is neat! Come on." They step into the boat and sit down.

"This isn't necessary to our mission." 

 Alpha remembers the words of the Elsen at the gate. "Yea. It is, actually." They pat the head of the boat as a summons for their companion to join them. "Elsen at the gates said the spectres swim in the meat!"

 The Batter stands straighter at the mention of spectres, if that was possible with his already stiff posture, and regards the boat.

 "It's not big enough for both of us. You should return to your Spherical form."

 "No." They look at him stubbornly. "I'm riding the damn pedalo!"

 He looks at them, unreadable, and reaches out to poke the boat sharply with the tip of his bat. The boat rocks with the movement.

"Get. In. The. Boat. You coward!" They hiss.

 He glares at them, but offers no more protest as he tentatively steps into the boat. Alpha scoots to the front, intending to steer and pedal the boat, and the Batter settles in behind them.

 Happy with their win, they start pedaling. The noise of the meat under the boat makes them uncomfortable, they shiver at the feeling, but they press forward.

 The buildings of Alma loom over them, decorated with odd numbers that they quietly trust their companion to make note of. And the rivers are oddly quiet, bar the sounds of meat, that they begin to wonder if the Elsen was exaggerating the Spectres reach.

 A hand clamps onto their arm, and squeezes. "Up ahead." The Batter speaks quietly.

 They pause the pedalling, stopping to listen. Something white barely breaks the river of meat, slithering ever closer to the boat, until it breaks out of the waves.

 The ghoul was huge. A large gator-type looking thing with sharp teeth, it loomed over the boat before Alpha struck out with a chain attack.

 The beast roared, diving down at it's attackers just in time for the deafening crack of a steel bat meeting it's jaw. The Batter, now standing and one leg perched on the lip of the boat, looked ready to jump at it.

 Alpha hits out with another chain attack, simultaneously gripping the Batters leg to stop him from jumping. The last hit is enough, and the ghoul collapses into the river.

 They drag him back to sit in the boat, the Pedalo rocking dangerously at the movement.

 "If someone needs to draw one of those things away — I'll do it." They admonish him. "Can you even swim?"

 "It can't be too hard." They huff at his words.

 They start pedalling again, and reach the end of the river without further issue.

 They come to another platform, and an Elsen up ahead guarding another pedalo station. But Alpha leads their companion down the path and away from the guard, they'll deal with him later if they need the pedalo.

 Further up the path, is yet another Elsen guarding another pedalo station.

 "The pedalos are precious around here, huh." They remark, and get no response from their companion.

 They walk closer, and note a seperate lake that contained a locking mechanism. The Batter, putting two and two together, starts heading towards the Elsen.

 Alpha quickly grabs him, a hand to the bicep as they point to themselves. 

 "No point disturbing him, I can fly. Call out the shots and I'll input the code."

 They give him no time to protest, flying off in their Spherical form to hover over the blocks, waiting.

 They catch him shaking his head, before walking over to the edge of the sidewalk, he looks over to them. And he did remember those weird numbers, they knew he would, and they soon make short work of the mechanism with his help.

 "See, no need to bother the Elsen!" They say as they come to stand beside him again.

 Ever the talker, he says nothing. They continue their walk across the platform, only to find a dead end and another Elsen guarding a Pedalo station. 

"Bugger it." They turn heel. "We're going back for our pedalo."

______

 The Batter had taken to sitting on the edge of the pedalo this time, anticipating more Troquantarys, and Alpha peddled the boat.

 The journey was oddly quiet, not a ripple in the meat, nor a word from their companion. It wasn't until they could see the approaching boardwalk that something burst out of the water.

 And it promptly caught the Batters arm between it's large jaws. 

 A near-inhuman growl emits from deep in his chest as Alpha swings up in their Spherical form, and cuts through the beasts neck. It drops the Batter, and Alpha pushes him into the boat before he collapses into the river, but his bat is lost to the meat. The Troquantary is finished off with a second hit, and Alpha then quickly pushes the boat to shore.

 As they help him out of the boat, they regard his mess-of-an-arm with a wince.

 "Dude, you've got to stop getting chomped on by spectres." And maybe, there was a hint of worry in their voice.

 They offer him a luck ticket, but he shakes his head.

 "Save point ahead." He grits out.

 They huff, keeping a hand on his back as some kind of reassurance of support as they lead him over.

 "You don't have to be so stingy." They watch as he clamps a bloodied hand down on the yellow box, and the wound vanishes. "I'm sure Zacharie wouldn't mind more purchases."

 A chuckle is heard behind them. Of course he's here, he never left! "Certainly. And I spy a bat-less Batter, care for an upgrade?" The merchant asks with a hidden grin.

 The Batter approaches him with rigid posture, and Alpha can spot the tell-tale signs of exhaustion. And maybe they feel it too, not that they've had experience with exhaustion before.

 The Batter selects a new bat and clothes, saying no words to the merchant, before gesturing for Alpha to follow him.

 He heads straight for Dedans headquaters.

"No." Alpha jumps into his path, shaking their head. "You can't seriously be thinking about confronting him in this state!"

"I'm fine." He starts to move around them, and they place their palms on his shoulders to hold him back.

 "No. You're not. You're exhausted. I'm exhausted." They sigh wearily. "We haven't stopped since we met. Let's rest for the night."

 He regards them coolly, and they can sense the protest rising, so they add;

"You need to be in top form to take him on, that fucker is huge and mean. We'll stand a better chance with rest."

 He backs down at that remark, and they grin.

 "Come on, I saw a residential block this way. Maybe there's a spare room." They pat him on the chest and start walking, not looking back and assuming he'll follow.

 He falls into step beside them. "You're bossy."

 "Damn straight I am."

______

 The residential block was far emptier than they had expected, a couple of lights on in houses, but also alot of doors unlocked.

 Despite their nerves, the Elsen seemed trusting.

 The pair find an empty apartment, small much like the Elsen, but containing a bed and a sofa along with other amenities.

 "Take the bed." They insist. "The sofa is big enough for me."

 He offers no protest, and starts taking his top off.

 "Hey! What the hell—" Alpha near squeaks, whipping around to face away from him.

 "It's torn and bloody. I have a new one." They don't respond to his words. "I don't understand your shyness."

 Alpha thinks about it, hand clamped over their mouth as they stare at the floor. There isn't any reason to be shy, it's not like they obey nor know about social etiquette, but it still sends them into a fluster.

 "I'm dressed." Is all he says, before they hear him move to the bed.

 Alpha unceremoniously collapses onto the sofa, letting out a breath. They focus on the sensation; the sofa was more comfortable than they'd imagined, so they curl up and cling to a cushion.

 "Batter?" They speak, but the stillness of the room confirms that their companion had already fallen asleep.

 They find that amusing, and close their eyes in a bid to summon their own sleep.

 It comes fitfully to them. In and out of conciousness, until they're left starring into space. Rest is rest, they reckon, but it was irritating not being able to sleep.

 They find themselves staring at their rings, studying them for any kind of clue as to the importance they know they represent. None come, but an idea quickly forms.

 They stand, creeping over to the bed to watch their companion for a moment. Still sleeping. They won't be long, they promise, and quickly sneak out of the apartment.

 Zacharie remains where they last saw him, despite how late at night it is. They round on him;

 "You're still here?"

 "I am where ever you need me." Cryptic as always.

 "So you're stalking us?" They cross their arms.

 He laughs. "I wouldn't quite phrase it like that, no. I am guidance. Which is what you're here for, no?"

 His rucksack is firmly on his shoulders, no wares out for display. That eery feeling like he knows far too much starts creeping on them again.

 They hug themselves, putting the need for comfort down to the cold temperature outside. They step closer to the strange man.

 They hold out their right hand, wiggling their fingers to show off the rings. They say nothing, knowing he'd know their question without words.

 He shakes his head. "That is for you to discover, Alpha. Your role has changed, and with it, comes new tools."

 "Changed?" How could it change, when they've been here for such a short time.

 The first signs of hesitancy show up on the man, in the way his shoulders stiffen. "This isn't the first time you've passed through here."

 "But the Judge said I'm new." They shoot back.

 "New, yes, in a way." He grips the straps of his rucksack more tightly, as if bracing for something. "An agency that is now your own."

 "Stop with the cryptic ass shit and tell me plainly." 

 Shake of a head. "It's too early—"

 They have his shoulders gripped tightly in their hands before they can register their own movements, "Zacharie!" They breath sternly, but a slight widen of his eyes makes them back off.

Fear.

He chuckles, brushing the moment off. "Tell me what you do know, Add-On."

 They take a moment, arms crossed again. "I know that I'm... new. But I'm starting to believe it's just my conciousness that's new." 

He nods. 

"And despite, supposedly, being on the same divine duty as my bonded companion," they continue. "... I'm struggling with his actions. I know he's right about Dedan, but... why am I sympathetic for the guardian?"

 Another nod, an understanding. "Because your life comes from Dedan. Not intentionally, no, but an embodiment of a promise lost, and a kind heart gone cold." A pause. "And this has always been fact. Your new found consciousness comes from elsewhere, however."

 They weren't expecting such honesty, even if they had asked for it. It feels right, but it also feels sour. Something hot burns at their eyes...

 "So I'm... Dedan?" They sneer at the thought. "An echo of him? What— there's no me, is there?" 

 A chuckle, all too friendly for how they're feeling. "No no no, my dearest friend. You misunderstand me." He takes a breath. "Your divine directive is an echo of him, and you may share some similarities with our, uh, vibrant guardian. But this life is yours, Alpha. You bear your own traits, and your own distinct decisions on how to lead your life — that is what's new." 

 When they don't speak, he continues. "This hasn't happened before. And our world is now shaped by your presence. The Batters Add-Ons, now given conscious life... the only individuals he ever truely trusted."

 Add-Ons. Plural. But they find it doesn't suprise them.

 "Is the Batter aware of this?" It's too much information, but it's theirs to bear.

 "No. Or at least, I've noted no indication that he's aware of any other alternative." He relaxes, and his tone becomes resolute. "I've told you more than I should have, but it fares well for the narrative for me to have done so — you have Dedan to contend with now. And I trust you'll know what to do when then time comes."

 A dismissal. The conversation comes to an end. Alpha stands in shaky silence. 

 They take a deep breath, coming out here was a mistake. But it could be made worth it...

"... do you sell jumpers?" It's fucking cold.

 A chuckle. "Oh certainly! The cold does bite in Alma, does it not?" 

______

 The Batter is still asleep when they slink back into the apartment, new jumper keeping them warm. They collapse back onto the sofa, feeling worse than they did with the January.

 And they still don't know what the rings are for.

Chapter Text

 It takes the Batter a moment to remember where he is. He blinks awake and takes in the small apartment fit for an Elsen, sun beaming in and brightening the contents of the room.

 Sleep was odd. But it was welcomed. He feels better for it, even if his dreams were haunted by spectres.

 He sits up, stretching out his shoulders before reaching up to straighten his cap. His eyes immediately search for Alpha, and he finds his Add-On curled up on the sofa still sound asleep.

 And they're wearing something new?

 He stands and walks over on quiet feet, and peers down at them. He finds himself oddly uncertain if he should wake them, or let them sleep, despite the itch at the back of his mind making him impatient to start the day. 

 He studies them. Their hair a mess, features relaxed in sleep, and their new jumper with a strange symbol on the front. One that is partly obscured by a hand that rests on their chest.

 His eyes narrow as he reaches out to move their hand, and feels something dangerous flare in his chest at the sight of the familiar heart sewn into the jumper. 

 Time passes uncounted as he holds unmoving, looking down at them. A confused "Batter?" eventually pulls him out of his turmoil.

 "Where did you get this?" He grits out to a now awake and confused Alpha.

 "What?" They look down at the tips of his fingers resting against the heart. "From Zacharie."

 His eyes narrow at them, a quiet 'continue'. 

 "It was freezing last night!" They huff at him. "Can't I buy something from a merchant?!" 

 "You left without waking me. What if something had happened?" He hisses. He quickly reins his temper in, pulling away and standing straighter. "We are bonded, Alpha, I could have solved your problem."

 Alpha is silent, studying him with a mixture of emotions. He can't quite name his own, but he can note that he's strongly put off by them choosing Zacharie over him.

 "Do you trust me?" They ask, no defiance in their tone. A sincere question.

 "Completely." The answer is instant, he'd never lie. "But do you trust me?" 

 They nod, then push themselves up to sitting. "Of course." They breathe out. "I wouldn't be following you into this mess if I didn't."

 They seem to think they have a choice, against the divine mission. But the dangerous feeling brewing from earlier is quelled when he realises that they remain on this path because of him. 

 Would he continue this path if he didn't trust them? He finds that, yes, he would. The mission comes first. But would he do it without them? No. He needs them, wants them.

 "Then trust me to help." He responds in a tired tone, the energy for this exchange had gone. 

 They raise both palms at him. "Yes boss."

 Satisfied with their answer, no matter the snark, he steps away and grabs his bat from the floor. Once firmly in hand, he returns to Alpha's side pushes them back against the seat with the tip of his bat to their chest.

 He speaks before their protest spills out. "I have let you have your fun in Alma, but I need you to follow my lead now. Dedan is dangerous, and for the sake of this land we must take him out; I expect no more protests from you, hesitation could cost us the battle. Understood?" 

 They hold his gaze, silent before rolling their eyes. "Again: yes boss." They shove the bat away from them. "I hardly want to play a part in this battle, you know that. But I'll always have your back - I promise."

 He nods at their confirmation, already aware of their grievances but grateful they're not protesting. 

 "We should head out before he starts his patrol." He indicates with a nod of his head for Alpha to follow him out.

 He's walking out the door when he hears a quiet, "Someones cranky in the morning." 

______

The Judge greets them as they step into Dedans headquarters. All toothy smile as Alpha drops to their knees next to the cat to greet him. The Batter watches their movements closely.

 "You seem bewildered by the unique architecture of this place. If that is the case, you should learn to concentrate." The cat purrs against Alphas hand. "In order to not be misled whilst choosing the opportunities offered at each corner of the maze, you had better remain and ponder a little while longer before crossing one of these trap doors next time, young drunkards."

 The Judge spoke in a far too wordy way for the Batters liking, no matter how helpful his advice. With the twisted explanation now out of the way, he was eager to get going — but Alpha seemed transfixed by the cat.

 He pauses his order to get moving, watching them from the doorway as they ran their finger tips over the tip of the Judges head. They laugh at something he said, and the Batter realises he zoned out of the conversation.

 "Alpha." He summons.

 "Yea, yea." They stand. "Oh-" They pull their jumper off, revealing the tunic that the Batter had bought them yesterday. They fold the jumper up, and place it by the Judge's feet. "Can you look after it, please? It'll only get torn in battle."

 "Certainly." The Judge settles on top of the folded jumper, pawing at the fabric. "The best of luck to you both, I shall go no further than this threshold."

 He waits for Alpha to step up beside him before they both enter into the maze. It begins with a purple hallway, containing four identical exits that he and Alpha pause before moving to inspect the next.

 A melody is heard beating louder from one corridor, and the Batter takes Alphas wrist in hand and walks them both through it.

 "Don't trust me to walk or something?" They start, but they don't attempt to pull their wrist free as the Batter leads them on through a second doorway.

 He doesn't respond, because he feels it's obvious he's guiding them so that they don't lose each other.

 Despite the Judge's wordy warning, the Batter takes pride in the fact they cracked the maze swiftly. They step outside, another building ahead looming over them. 

 Alpha walks over to open a chest, one that was left perfectly perched at the entrance. They hold up their bounty, a Joker.

 "Not ominous at all." They deadpan.

 They've been quieter today, he notes. Silent in the maze, no comments to offer about where they're heading. 

He places a hand on their shoulder.

 "Follow my lead." It's both order and an attempt at comfort, but it comes out monotonous.

 "I know." They say wearily.

 "Or..." he hesitates, uncertainty overcoming him for the first time. "I can go alone, if this troubles you."

 They shake their head, but they don't meet his gaze. "It's our divine duty, right?" Their voice is tight. "I... I can't let you get yourself killed in there. Come on."

 They shake him off, and head towards Dedans office. He must trust them to know their limits. He insists on entering before them however, a couple of strides and then he's ahead of them, and it's not a moment more before they're stood in the guardians grand office.

 Dedan paces behind his desk, and the Batter waits for him to notice them.

 "YOU!" The Guardian snarls. "By the Queen's thousand faces! Are you crazy? Are you just completely brain dead?! What part of "I'm gonna kill you" didn't you understand?"

"We're here to eliminate you." He states with certainty, stepping further into the room.

"You're insane." The Guardian slams his large fist into the desk, it creaks under the assault. "I'm the guardian of Zone 1. It ain't nothing without me! What mental disorder got your blind faith to hide even the slightest bit of evidence from yourself?"

He feels more than sees Alpha stiffen beside him, and he knows what they're thinking.

 "We're the ones who are going to purify this world. And you're the pest that eats away at this land. Prepare yourself." He brings his bat up, gripping it in both hands. A sick sense of satisfaction building in him at the thought of completing their mission in this zone.

 Dedan marches up and over his desk, "You'll taste the pain, you sick spirit." He launches himself at the Batter, claws glinting in the light. "I'm gonna cut your face to remove that insufferable smile!" 

The Batter expertly dodges the swip of claws, and Alpha is up in the air in their Spherical form. He swings his bat up, a deafening crack against the underside of the guardians jaw.

 And it barely sets the man off kilter.

 He roars and swipes at Alpha in the air, they meet his attack by slicing through the palm of his hand. He growls, and they back off and up.

 The Batter takes his brief distraction to slam his bat into Dedans chest. The Guardian swipes back with a heavy, glowing hand, straight to the side of the Batters head that sends him flying.

______

 He blinks awake to a panicked Alpha, eyes wide and shifting between the Batter and an angry Dedan rapidly approaching them.

 "Up!" They hurriedly pull him to his feet. "He sent you to sleep!" 

 Dedan is upon them quickly, and he grabs Alpha by the throat and flings them across the room. They'd learnt from the January, the Batter notes as he swings at Dedan again, as Alpha shifts mid air to their Spherical form to catch their fall.

 The two descend into a rapid onslaught against the guardian, dodging swinging claws and Hour Hands. 

 "You're both pathetic!" He screeches, slamming his fist into his desk and splintering it. He takes a chunk of wood, and throws it at the Batter. "You'll be begging at my feet for mercy in no time."

 The Batter dives out of the way of the projectile, but it clips his arm leaving a bleeding wound in its wake. He stumbles, quickly fishing out a luck ticket while ignoring the pain.

 Alpha aims for Dedans neck, but the guardian slaps them out of the air with a glowing hand. Alpha crumples to the floor in human form, shaking.

 The Batter swings in at the same time that Alpha springs back up, and they blunder into the path of his attack that he has to quickly abort with a growl of annoyance, and they start punching Dedan in the chest.

 "Fucking asshole i'll fucking kill you—" they're muttering unintelligibly as they swing at the guardian, punches achieving nothing but bloodying their own hands.

 The Batter tackles them, pulling them away from the guardian as they thrash in his grip and Dedan roars with laughter.

 "Pa-thet-ic!" The guardian howls.

 The Batter shoves a piece of Belial’s meat in front of Alpha, and they mercifully take it without protest. He feels the effect of the meat take hold as it heals them, they relax in his arms as the Fury passes.

 Alpha, now restored to health, lashes out with a chain attack. It hits Dedan squarely in the throat and sends the guardian stumbling backwards, spluttering out expletives.

 The Batter takes the guardians moment of backwards momentum to kick him in the chest, sending him sprawling to the floor as the Batter takes a sharp swing down on his head.

 A sickening crack resounds across the room, but the guardian holds his own as he reaches up and grips the Batters face in his large hand. The Batter claws and kicks at the guardian, muffled and slowly running out of air.

 He feels the guardian swing him through the air and slam him into the floor, the pain sings through his senses and knocks out any remaining breath he held.

 The guardian let's go as the Batter registers the light of Alpha slinging into Dedans wrist. The guardian roars and rips them out, holding the Add-On in his other fist before squeezing.

"NO!" The Batter roars, stumbling to his feet.

 Dedan casts Alpha aside, who's now-human body slams into the floor deathly-still.

 The Batter races over to them, but Dedan swings at him.

 "You'll be joining them soon enough!" He screeches. Claws cutting into the Batters chest and sending him tumbling backwards and away from his partner.

 He hisses out a breath, slapping a luck ticket on himself as he pulls himself to his feet again. He charges at Dedan with a cry, swinging his bat up to collide with the side of the guardians jaw.

 And the crack as the bone breaks makes him giddy.

 He leaves behind the furious guardian, who he's certain is healing himself as he takes this moment out of battle, and throws himself to Alphas side with a Joker in hand.

 It takes a moment too long to work that he feels fear set in, but they soon suck in a breath. He pulls them to their feet, and into a relief-filled side hug as they re-gather their senses.  

 "Stay behind me." He orders, and they nod quickly against his shoulder. He let's go, and steps in front of them. "I don't think he has much left in him."

 Dedan thumps over to them, slower than before.

 "Yield Dedan." Alpha calls out. "We can end this."

 "Like hell!" The Guardian screams. "I'm going to decorate my office with both of your corpses."

  The Batter steps out to meet the guardian, more swings and blows are exhanged as Alpha throws throws out more chain attacks from behind him.

 The guardian splutters with each hit, and he slowly starts to recover less and less between blows. The room becomes quieter, no more snarky quips, and only the sounds of sicking battle is heard.

 The Batter, entirely zoned in to beating the guardian before him senseless, pulls back when the guardian slumps to the floor and doesn't attempt to get up.

 Alpha comes to his side, and the guardian wheezes out;

 "Is... this... a joke?" He tries to pull himself up, but his own blood pooling on the floor makes grip difficult. "I... I... I lost? L o s t." He hisses out.

 The Batter, focused only on the dying man before him. "You've been defeated, Dedan, Guardian of the first zone." He brings his bat up one last time, and swings it down on the guardians head.

 "This land is now pure."

 Mission completed, for this zone. Satisfaction is the only emotion he feels. He turns away from the fallen guardian, intending to leave for the second Zone.

"Alpha?" 

 He turns to his companion, who has their bloodied fist to their mouth, face pale as their wide eyes gaze down at the guardian. 

"Alpha." He tries again.

 They shake their head, casting their gaze to the side.

 "Wait." They say quietly as they start walking over to the guardian. "I see..."

 He moves to stop them, but the expression they level at him makes him stop. There's pain. 

They step over to the guardian, and kneel. The Batter, rooted to his spot, can't quite see what they're doing at this angle, but they soon stand up.

 They approach, and slap a plastic card to his chest forcefully.

 "We'll need that for the second Zone." He looks down at the "cancer" card, and activates it.

______

 The nothingness is strange, and it makes him uncomfortable. The whispering from nowhere and no-one, sometimes mentioning their names, all he can do is ignore it.

 He places a hand on Alphas shoulder, guiding them over to the distant light of Zone 2.

 "Alpha." He tries yet again. "Talk to me."

 "What is there to say?" They say in a flat tone echoing his own.

 "We completed the mission." Alpha needs comfort, and he's not sure how to give it. "Don't let guilt drag you down. You've freed the first Zone."

 "Hm." They sound uncertain, and he wishes he could share his confidence. But they loop their arm around his, and that's enough for him to know that they'll be okay.

 He looks down at their entwined arms as the light of Zone 2 starts to engulf them. He notes they only wear two rings now.

 "You've lost a ring." He remarks.

 "Yes." They look down at their hand, unreadable. "Must have been in battle." 

______

 In the depths of a bloodied office, a room and Zone flickering between vibrant colour and a pristine white, a dying guardian reaches out a clawed hand, and snatches a silver ring off the ground.

Chapter Text

 Zone 2 is bright and very pink. But its also dry; which Alpha is thankful for. They stand on a platform, surrounded by a never ending sea of liquid plastic that softly laps at the shore. The sound is soothing to their frayed nerves.

 The Batter leads them over to a red box, and they both heal up from their recent fight. It takes away the pain and the layer of dried blood, but it does nothing for the bone-deep tiredness. Alpha looks over them both, and absentmindedly notes the tatty edges of clothes - a mess, the pair of them! Alpha longs for their jumper, but at least this Zone is warmer.

 They must have been zoned out for a moment too long, refusing to think about what just went down, because a hand reaches out to cup their jaw and lift their gaze to meet the Batters.

 "Do you wish to rest?" He asks, and that's certainly concern they hear.

 They shake their head, no, but the movement is restricted by the Batters hand. They absentmindedly lean into it, the touch making something twist in their chest. 

 "Nah. This place seems relaxed, I think I just need to keep going." A pause. "Are you okay?" 

 He nods, once. "You died during battle."

 So they did. They find that in the grand scheme of things, it doesn't bother them. "Yes? And I'm okay now."

 Alpha had been so in their head lately, that they can't note when the Batter started caring so much. But maybe it was always there? Their mind supplies a snapshot of their conversation in the elevator of the plastic administrations, "It was... distressing."

 Maybe they've been reading him wrong the whole time.

 They reach up and take his hand away from their face, interlocking it with their own fingers as they guide him into walking. They muster up their usual courage, 

 "Come on, let's be nosey. You know neither of us can resist." His stiff posture relaxes at their familiar attitude, and he follows them without further word.

 They flex their right hand at their side. Whatever that ring meant, and they were still none the wiser, their divine duty had lead them to placing it at Dedans side.

 Whatever the outcome of that fight may be, both they and the Batter had completed their missions. Traumatic or not, they leave it in the past.

 Alpha pauses at a sign beside the path they walk, it reads "Bismark" along with an arrow pointing towards the impossibly tall building ahead, labeled as "library".

 They glance at their companion, then the looming building, and then make their way up to the main entrance and inside. Alpha let's go of the Batters hand at the sight of milling Elsen.

 "... You shouldn't lend any more books to that man. He tears out the pages. It's almost dangerous." They catch the tail end of a conversation between two Elsen, one behind a desk.

 "... I'm going back upstairs." The one closest to them says, and he does indeed skitter back upstairs.

 "Hello, welcome to the library." The Elsen behind the desk greets them as they step up to him. "Uh... I should point out that the upper floors are inaccessible because of the spectres."

"There are specters in this building?" The Batter speaks, and Alpha absentmindedly notes this Zone isn't as quiet as they had hoped.

"Uhh... Y- Yes... Why do you ask?"

"I will eliminate them." He says with conviction.

"El... eliminate the spectres?" The Elsen fiddles with the spine of a book. "But... uh... uh... You know, uh, you... you could get hurt... and uh... there's nothing for you up there. Just walls, shelves, stairs, and an old cat."

Old cat? Alpha perks up at that.

"A cat? I'll go up and purify the upper floors." And so does the Batter, it seems.

"Ah... Um... good... Okay. Don't be too loud, then. And the fourth floor is not really accessible... People have torn pages out of the books. So I don't want to go up there. It could be dangerous." The Elsen wheezes, trembling somewhat.

 Alpha smiles at him, and they turn away to head up the stairs.

 "I'm doing nothing wrong..." an Elsen mutters to himself at the base of the stairs. "I'm just looking at the wall."

 Alpha looks to the Batter, grimacing. "They're a bit... odd in this Zone, right?"

"Hm." They both step onto the first floor. "More frightened than the first."

 There's shelves among shelves, thousands of books stacked neatly that it leaves Alpha uncertain where to start. But they do, because they'll never not be nosey, and pick out a book from the closest shelf.

 It contains diagrams of flowers. Pretty, but they're not sure what to do with the information, so they place it back.

 The Batter also starts picking out books, following their footsteps. He picks out one that says, "I have run out of oxygen." And Alpha huffs a laugh as he quickly shoves it back.

 They find, between the pair of them, many stories of old along with informational texts. But their curiosity comes to an end when an Elsen interrupts them.

"Don't turn the pages... it makes too much noise." He fiddles with his fingers nervously. "O... okay?"

 The Batter gestures for Alpha to put their book back, and they sigh as they place it back before climbing another set of stairs.

 "I take my words back, this Zone is going to be stressful." They run a hand through their hair. 

 The next floor is larger, with adjoining rooms full of more shelves and books. They move past them all, but come to a stop at the end of the room; Their access to the upper floors was, as stated, barricaded off. Alpha leans against the nearest wall with growing weariness.

 "Now what?" They grumble.

 The Batter steps up to them, crowding into their personal space. They make to ask him what the hell he's doing, a new fluttering in their chest chokes down their words, but he only leans in and over to pluck something up behind them.

 He has a piece of paper in his hand, and he inspects it for a moment before passing it to them. Oblivious to their crisis. 

 "I believe these are the pages the Elsens were talking about downstairs." He doesn't sound concerned at all about the problem.

 Alpha inspects it, and it's gibberish with a patterned background.

 "Do you think if we fix all the books they'll let us upstairs?" They look to their companion.

 "A good a plan as any." And he turns to pluck another page off a nearby wall.

 Alpha breathes out as their personal space returns, and then pushes off the wall to start wandering the room in search for more pages.

 The vandalised books had been left where they were dropped on the floor, Alpha finds four while the Batter only finds three pages. 

  They both return to the centre of the room, where Alpha drops to sit cross-legged on the floor. They open all the books to the torn pages, and the Batter passes down the three pages he found. They begin matching up the patterns to the books. 

 "Is there not a fourth page?" They glance up at him.

 "No."

 Well, that wouldn't be a job complete if they don't have all the pages, they muse. "Maybe an Elsen around here has it, work your charm on them and see if you can pester it off them?" They smile sickly-sweet up at their companion.

 He rolls his eyes at their order, but they're pleased when he doesn't protest and heads downstairs.

 Now alone, they finish afixing the pages back into their correct books.

 A white mass slowly decends from above, and they startle to see three spectres gawking at them.

 "Oh, come on!" They complain as they spring up into their Spherical form. Now Batter-less, they'll have to win this fight themselves.

 Can't be worse than Dedan.

 Alpha lashes out with a chain attack, and one spectre falls easier than expected. But another one rounds on them and lashes out, and it... mutes them?

 They summon their chain attack, but nothing happens. They flash in irritation, and take the last two out with physical attacks.

 The end of the fight brings feeling back to them, and they're able to summon a chain attack far too late. The muteness was only a temporary hindrance, at least.

 They start gathering the books quickly, intending to find the Batter when the man in question comes up the stairs again.

 "Elsen by the park was hiding it behind his back." He passes the last page down to them, and they quickly fix it back in. "Cost me 100 credits."

"What?!" They stand with all the books in arms.

 The Batter shrugs. "Said something about the page freeing him from fear, I don't understand."

 Alpha shakes their head, "You and me both."

 They start heading downstairs and back to the head librarian.

 "Caught three spectres while you were gone." He turns to regard them as they speak, "Fuckers muted me, but they're not terribly difficult pests to deal with."

 He offers no comment, and Alpha starts to wonder if they'll lose this chattier Batter soon.

 Once they reach the main desk, Alpha plops the books down in front of the Elsen who jumps at the muffled noise. Despite watching it happen.

 "We fixed your books for you." They grin at the man.

 "Ah... ha! That... That's very good. I... I'll let you up then. That... That's great." The Elsen mumbles. Reaching to poke something under the desk. "The fourth floor's now accessible... for you and you only..."

 Alpha turns and claps a hand to the Batters shoulder. "We did it! Woop!" And they run back up the stairs.

They leave the Batter behind, but he soon catches up. Sure enough, the way has been unbarricaded and they ascend yet even more stairs.

 "Slow down." The Batter reprimands them. "I should enter first. We don't know what trouble we could face."

 "It can't be that bad—"

 "It could be the guardian of this zone." He cuts in.

 They sure hope not! They've barely recovered from the first! But they do as they're told and step out of the way, letting the Batter take the lead.

 "I'm bossy. But you're a mother hen!" They're not really sure what a 'mother hen' even is, but it feels accurate.

 He doesn't turn to speak. "Forgive me for caring about you."

 His words, no matter the snark behind them, makes them feel fuzzy and warm. They clap a hand over their chest, over their heart, in a dramatic display that only they witness.

 They step out onto the new floor, and sure enough a cat is wandering the halls.

 But it's vibrant grin is turned upside down, and it's eyes shine with something wise. They're definetly not the Judge.

 "Who... who are you?" The cat questions. "What is that in your hand?" It looks to the Batters bat.

 "You're not the Judge." Their companion unhelpfuly states.

 "The... the Judge?... No. No, I am not." The cat paces, sizing the pair up. "My name is Japhet. I am the creator of this city. I am also the one leading the phantoms, the royal instruments of my vegence." 

 The Guardian of Zone 2. Alpha has to bite back a groan of complaint.

 "You're the chief of the specters?"

 "Specifically, they are my arms, sent to me by the Queen to restore justice to this zone." The cat stops in front of the Batter, looking up at him. "You must have been very determined to have set foot onto the stairs of this library. I recognize in you a certain courage, an exceptional trait for a fear-riddled place such as this." 

 "However." The guardian continues. "My revenge will not leave anyone unpunished. Thus, you shall be the first to succumb to the blasts of my ectoplasmic army!"

 The cat launches himself at the Batter.

 Japhet successfully sinks his claws into the Batters shoulder, but Alpha dislodges the cat easily with a chain attack.

 "Hey stop. We're not here to hurt you—" Alpha speaks at last.

 "Silence!" Japhet snaps, eyes locking onto them. "I know what befell the guardian of Zone one. And you will feel my justice!"

 "Wait—" but the Batter already strikes out. And the sight of a bat colliding with a cat makes them feel sick.

 The guardian slides across the floor, but is otherwise unharmed. He bares his teeth, "Alto!"

 The Batter is flung back against a wall by an unseen force, and Alpha winces as they throw another chain attack at the guardian to cover their companions back.

 "I must confess that I may have underestimated you. Unfortunately for you, I would discard all manners as a gentleman when neccessary. Especially for a new enemy." Japhet speaks, prowling closer. "Spectres, come to me! Dance together and echo the song of the righteous! The torment of men heals my wounds... Your body will feed the intangible spirits for eternity!" 

 Silence. 

"Phantoms?"

 The Batter is on his feet and by their side now, both of them watching the guardian quizzically.

 "Phantoms, come to me! I command you!" The cat raises its voice.

 More silence follows his words.

 "Curses! By what magic, baleful human, do you manage to prevent my ectoplasmic acolytes from joining me? No matter! You will taste my wrath!"

 Japhet, done muttering to himself, lashes out with Alto again. But the Batter dodges. A couple of blows are exhanged either side, with Alpha keeping their involvement pitifully minimal, but the guardian soon relents.

 "Poor fool! It is not yet time for me to reveal my true nature!" And with that, the guardian runs past them and deeper into the library.

 Alpha groans, turning to face the Batter. "That was close! I didn't have another guardian fight in me, not just yet!"

 "Japhet is a concern for later." The Batters gaze is transfixed ahead, behind them.

 Alpha turns, and there floats a blinding light — a Spherical Add-On, much like themselves.

 "No. Fucking. Way." Plural, they remember from Zacharies words. They bound over to the new guy, eager smile on their face.

 But of course they can't speak. Alpha couldn't, and they remember the lonely days of being trapped in that annex tunnel.

 "Bond. Like you did with me." They instruct the Batter.

 He does. Stepping up to the new Add-On, he reaches out a hand and gently touches the edge of their light.

 They tumble out, but with far more grace than Alpha, into their human form. Alpha reaches out to catch them, and they freeze at their touch.

 "I can stand!" The new one speaks, abit more bitingly than Alpha had expected.

 Alpha sheepishly holds their palms up in surrender.

 "Just wanted to help." Their elation deflates. "I'm Alpha. And mister tall, dark, and intimidating here is the Batter."

 The new one regards them both, curious.

 "I'm Omega."

Chapter Text

 Omega had spent, well, their whole life wandering the upper floors of the library. It hadn't always been like that, however, in the beginning they were restricted to a stationary position.

 Until Japhet showed up.

 The little bird had introduced himself as the guardian of Zone 2, twittering with explanations as to the Add-Ons mysterious existence.

 Omega couldn't talk, and Japhet had never found a way to help them speak, but by virtue of being the Zones guardian — he had given them freedom of moment! And recognised an intelligence behind the silent Add-On.

 Japhet would regularly accompany them, seeming eager to have a quiet yet listening companion. He taught them plenty, and showed them the many floors of the library. They found they enjoyed learning, and defending this place from the spectres.

 Omega liked Japhet. He was kind, and generous, if a bit neurotic. But one day he just... disappeared.

 They continued their guard of the upper floors, hoping to catch a glimpse of the little bird. But no such eventuality came.

 Until one day, they hear the guardians tell-tale competence. They shoot down the stairs, and the many floors, dodging the many spectres loitering in the library as they race down to greet their friend.

 But all that remains are two humanoids. 

 They recognise, quickly, the sight of another Add-On. Even if their humanoid appearance was unfamiliar to them. Then the mysterious capped man reached out, and successfully bonded with them — something not even Japhet seemed capable of.

 They spring to their feet, and awkward introductions are given. Omega was familiar with the idea of having an alternate form, and this one felt more freeing.

 "Was Japhet here?" They ask of their new companions.

 The Batter nods. "Yes. But he fled deeper into the library."

 "We should find him!" But their companions don't seem to be in a rush.

 "Yea. We intend to." Alpha speaks beside them. "Just not now. He gave us a beating, we need to take it easy."

 A beating? Who the hell are these people? 

 "You are familiar with the divine mission?" The Batter asks them, and they bristle at his careless tone.

 "Of course!" They scowl. "I've been purging this library of spectres throughout my entire existence!"

 Alpha steps inbetween their view of the Batter, and raises their palms to them. "Dude, you're one of us now. We're not here to argue. Chill."

 They feel a rising need to argue at the disrespectful tone, but a small voice in their head offers that these are indeed their bonded companions. The pair have done no harm, and so they need to back off... lest they start to dislike Omega. The thought makes them upset.

 They relent. "I- I'm sorry. It's been so lonely in here, with nothing but spectres that want to hurt me."

 Alpha gives them a soft smile, and tentatively reaches out to place a comforting hand on their shoulder. They relax.

 "I get it. Well- I didn't have spectres in the tunnel I was found in, but I was lonely." Alpha comforts. "You've got us now, we'll look after you."

 Omega quickly nods, grateful, and the Batter turns heel and starts heading down the library steps.

 "He's not said much." They remark to Alpha as they follow him.

 "Man of few words, our Batter. You'll get used to it." 

______

 The now trio makes it down to the reception area of the library. Omega had been here once before, but it was fascinating to perceive it in their human form.

 They were taller than the Elsen, though they note they're the shortest of the trio. Alpha only slightly taller than them, and the Batter towering over them both.

 The librarian calls out, and Omega swivels to look at him. "Are... are you alright? You didn't get hurt up there?" They're confused, until they realise he's talking to their companions. "Well, at any rate... I saw a cat... I suspect it to be by the south entrance."

 Omega catches their two companions glancing at each other, communicating without words. The Batter nods for them to follow the retreating form of Alpha.

 Outside, sits a cat. One with a very sharp grin. "Greetings, dear comrades. Has your journey not taken you to a place of optimum conditions?" He greets them, sat on a pile of fabric. "This is a drier area compared to previous surroundings. I must admit that I for one am delighted. The feline gent is not very fond of rain."

 Alpha, they watch, sits to greet the cat. A hand reaching out to touch its head.

 "Omega, this is the Judge." Alpha smiles up at them. "And Judge, this is Omega. The second Add-On of our party."

 "Oh quite!" The cat moves away from Alpha, and rubs itself against Omegas leg. They smile, charmed, and reach down to pet him. "Friendly too! I trust you'll fit in just fine Omega, my best of luck to you my dear."

 The cat turns to Alpha again. "You left in such a hurry, I hadn't the time to return your jumper. But never fear, I carried it to this very Zone."

 "And Batter." The Judge turns to their odd companion. "I have heard from an old friend that the shopping mall in the northern part of the city has fallen victim to ectoplasmic assaults. Perhaps it would be wise for you to hurry on over there, and illuminate it with your purifying light."

 He says nothing, merely nodding to show that he accepts the cats words. Alpha stands, collecting their jumper, and they indicate for Omega to follow them and the Batter.

 "It was nice to meet you, Judge." Omega waves good bye, and the Judge smiles brightly at their retreating form.

 They fall into step beside Alpha. "What's that?" They point to the jumper.

 Alpha unfolds it, showing off a cosy jumper with a heart in the centre. "I bought it in the last Zone. Don't visit, it's fucking cold over there."

 Omega winces at their harsh language. They reach out to touch the jumper, and it's soft.

 "Do you want it?" Alpha asks, and Omega looks back at them sheepishly. "It's warmer here than I'm used to, you can wear it if you want."

 Omega takes the offered jumper, feeling strangely warm at the kind offer. "But what about you? Your clothes..."

 Alpha looks down at their own tattered clothes. "Don't worry, the Batter will buy me a new tunic. Isn't that right?" They call out to the Batter.

 "Hm." Is all he says, without turning around.

 "He likes me." Alpha grins. Omega can't tell if they're joking or not.

 They step into the mall, the dull music the first thing to assault their senses. Then a man up ahead chuckles at the approaching trio, and Omega frowns.

 "Buenos dias, dear friends. What's a better place to shop than a shopping mall?" He opens his arms wide, indicating the little shop he's set up.

 The Batter starts rummaging through his wears, though Omega detects some hostility in the way the Batter glances at the merchant. Though the merchant seems unphased.

 Alpha leans against the counter top, watching the interaction closely.

 "The newest of our party. Omega, is it not?" The merchant speaks, attention now on them. How did he know their name? "I am Zacharie, your dealer of wares and knowledge."

 "I have knowledge." They bristle under his penetrating stare.

 Alpha glances at them, but Zacharie speaks before they do. "Oh but of course, but I know the way ahead."

 "You're spooking them." Alpha shakes their head, and claps a hand to Omegas shoulder. "He likes speaking in riddles." They explain. "You'll get used to him too."

 The Batter finishes shopping, exchanging credits for wares. And to Omegas suprise, immediately takes Alphas wrist and guides them deeper into the mall, Omega can only follow in confusion.

 The Batter stops in the next room. Alpha with their arms crossed over their chest as they stare down the man as he sorts items into piles. 

 "You're still not over that are you?" They sigh, and Omega is definetly missing something here. 

 "There's no need for conversation. Let me speak to him." Alpha scoffs at his words, but they're silenced by items being placed into their hands.

 The Batter then turns to place items into Omegas hands too. "You could do with some armourment."

 They look at their gathered items, again oddly touched by being gifted things. They know what everything here is for of course, they've read about it, and they place the new Epidermis on their wrist and pocket the tickets and meats.

 Alpha, new tunic in hand, walks behind a wall to change into their new one. Upon return, they point at the Batter.

 "Do the same. Your lack of modesty will give the new guy a heart attack."

 To Omegas suprise, the Batter takes the order. Once he retreats, they ask Alpha:

 "What's going on between you two?"

 "What do you mean?" Alpha looks at them, confused.

 Omega glances at them, and then the direction the Batter went in. "He pulled you away from the merchant, now you're talking about modesty. Is that jealousy rolling off him?"

 "What- No!" A pause. "I don't think so? It feels more... protective." Alpha looks deep in thought. "I snuck out to buy that jumper." They point to the one in Omegas hands, "and he was... less than pleased that I left without telling him first."

 "So... controlling, then?" Omega frowns.

 "Again. No." Alpha looks as concerned as they feel. "He was worried, that something might have happened to me." Alpha shrugs, exasperated.

 "But you're capable, surely? You've fought plenty before we've met, right?" 

 Alpha just stares at them, and Omega reckons they're unsure of what to say. Out of the corner of their eye, they watch the Batter return, they lean in to whisper.

 "It's jealousy." They step away, leaving a floundering Alpha, and then they quickly put the jumper on.

 The Batter looks between the pair, then frowns at Omegas new attire. 

 "What are your abilities?" He asks them instead.

 "Well, I'm more of a medic." They're eager to explain, hoping it'll get the pairs approval. "I can cure Poison, Muteness, Blindness, and Sleep... and I'm slowly working on other afflictions. I can also deal impacts of random success, but I'm... better at support."

 Alpha claps them on the shoulder. "Wish we had you from the start, that's awesome!"

 They feel warmth building in their chest, and they look to the Batter for approval too. A twitch of his lips conveys a brief smile, and then he says: "Useful."

 Omega beams at them both, they've been accepted! 

 "C-come on. I've read about the mall, I can help solve it's maze-like structure."

Chapter Text

ALPHA

 The mall is less of a mall, and more of an endless stretch of storage for boxes. Alpha, in typical fashion, insists on opening a couple.

 "You can't steal!" Omega admonishes them.

 This new Add-On was... testy. Even if they seemed to mean well. Alpha liked them, that much they were certain of, but they worried too much.

 "This place is probably owned by Zacharie." They respond, but close up the box of luck tickets to save an argument from breaking out. "He won't miss an item or two."

 Omega frowns, and Alpha sighs at their frowning. 

 "No fun allowed with you people." They stand and motion for Omega to lead again, and Alpha falls into step beside the Batter.

 "I've ended up with two bossy Add-Ons." The Batter shakes his head.

 "It's the universes way of keeping you in check." Alpha grins at him, looping their arm with his again. "I hope the third is even worse."

 "Third?!" The Batters eyes widden, and Alpha bites back a laugh.

 "A trinity." Omega speaks, turning to look at the pair. "We come in threes. One per Zone, that's what Japhet told me. Father," They point at Alpha. "Son," They point at themselves. "And the Holy Spirit. Whom by deducing the route you've taken, they'll be in Zone 3."

 The Batter walks in contemplative silence, but Alpha speaks. "Japhet told you that?"

"Mmhmm." They start walking again, but speak over their shoulder. "Japhet told me alot of things about how the world worked, he was very knowledgeable. He was my friend, but... I've not seen him recently."

 "We met him in the library." The Batter speaks. "He said he was chief of the spectres." 

 Omega stops to look at the Batter, puzzled. "Why would he say that? He left me to cleanse the library of them!"

 Alpha winces. "He seemed pretty trigger happy. Said the spectres were for him to wield to deliver justice... or something like that."

 Omega frowns, and looks to the floor. Alphas heart aches for them, coming to terms with the evil that their guardian commits is something that Alpha never really came to peace with. Despite how badly he had hurt them, Alpha still sympathises with Dedan.

 "Maybe we can speak to him, hm?" Alpha tries, stepping away from the Batter and to Omegas side. "If you're his friend, he might snap out of his craze."

 Omega meets their gaze, and nods quickly. "Yes. I suppose you're right, it can't hurt to try."

 "But." The Batter begins, and Alpha turns to look sharply at him. Impressing through their gaze that they'll kick his ass for what they suspect he's about to say. "Japhet is dangerous, and willingly subjects his people to the phantoms. If he can't be reasoned with—"

 "Then we have to kill him." Omega says, coolly and with certainty. Alphas jaw drops. "I know. We purify the land through any means neccessary."

 Alpha feels their heart sink into their stomach, and they turn away from the pair. Moving to sit on a box and place their head in their hands.

 "Alpha?" They hear Omega approach. "It's okay, really. He's smart, but, he knows he's commiting sin. He'll know we're coming for him."

 "Then why would he befriend you?" They drop their hands, and look at Omega wearily. "There's some good in him still!"

 Omega looks to the ground, dejected. "I don't know. And I'm going to try to reason with him. But it's either him or the entire Zone, can you condem the Elsen for the sake of one Guardian?"

 They don't respond, and the Batter is awfully quiet through out all of this. They don't look at him.

 "I've killed one guardian, I don't think I can manage another." They say in a small voice. Picturing the cat in the library, and then Dedans corpse.

 "It's our duty—" 

The Batter cuts Omega off. "Alpha, we're here to purge this Zone of its ectoplasmic forces first." He sits next to them on the boxes. "You'll come to terms with Dedans death in due time, and then you'll be ready for Japhet."

 "And if I'm not?" They turn to look at him sadly.

 "Then we will figure that eventuality out if it happens." 

 Alpha says no more, wanting desperately for the conversation to drop. The Batter stands, and offers his hand out to them. They look at it numbly for a moment, before accepting it.

 He guides them to standing, and then pulls them into a hug. Alpha barely registers the action before they're pressed against his chest, his arms around them a comforting weight as one hand plays with their hair.

 "We should have rested." He speaks into their hair. Alpha moves to hold him back, not trusting their voice to speak.

 "They're tired." He says a little louder, speaking to Omega. "We haven't stopped since eradicating the first guardian." 

 Alpha jumps minutely at the feeling of a third hand, pressed against their back. 

 "This place has so many rooms, nothing terribly comforting or fancy, but good enough to barricade and rest in." Omega offers.

 "We'll stop when we find something suitable." The Batter promises, and Alpha nods against his chest.

 Alpha doesn't really want to move. Feeling both vulnerable and content, basking in the attention the Batter is paying to them, but also the comfort Omega is giving.

 They soon pull away, and they feel Omegas hands on their shoulders, steadying them from behind.

 "You're ours, Alpha." Omega speaks. "We'll look after you."

 ______

 The continued journey through the labyrinth of a mall goes without further discussion. Though it seems after the first 5 turns, Omega loses all sense of direction, and they end up in circles.

 Alpha thinks it's funny. 

 As they turn another corner, they come face to face with two large rodent-like creatures. Gnarly looking things, with sharp teeth and beady eyes. They scamper closer when they spot the trio.

 "Massu." The Batter tells them, as he swings at the closest one. The beast squeal-screeches at the hit.

 Alpha hits out with a chain attack, and they note with excitment that it's mildly stronger than it was previously. Upgraded. 

 Omega, peering out behind them, hits out with a blur attack. It does little damage, and instead gathers the attention of both Massu.

 "Stay behind me." The Batter orders, swinging out at one of them and successfully killing it.

 The second skitters towards the two Add-Ons. Alpha pings up into the air, as does Omega, then Alpha dives down to attack it physically.

 The second Massu is quickly finished off between the three of them, and the Add-Ons drop back down to the Batters side.

 "We're a good team!" Omega smiles. The trio begin walking again. "Rather ugly those things though, aren't they?" 

 A singular Massu hops around a corner up ahead, Alpha laughs.

 "Oh Omega, it heard you!" 

 "Sorry!" They whine, not quite catching Alphas joke. 

  They make short work of it, the Batter only lightly grazed by the beasts claws. Omega hands him a luck ticket.

 They continue their walk, on and on and my god when does it end. Alpha bites back the urge to start complaining.

 They eventually come across a chest, and the two luck tickets it contains Alpha immediately pockets for themselves. 

 "If Zacharie didn't want me to take them, he wouldn't put them in a nice pretty box to entice me." They silence Omegas complaints before they start.

 They eventually come up to a door way that looks like the entrance into this maze, but when entering, really only leads them deeper into the complex.

 And so they enter the new section, the corridors are both new and dizzyingly similar, and they're immediately greeted by something even more convoluted than the Massu.

 "Gilles de Rais." The Batter calls out, quickly as he swings at it. "They have a strong resistance to attacks performed by Add-Ons."

 "Huh?!" Omega puzzles, as Alpha quips; "That's fucking rude!"

 They watch from the sidelines as the Batter fights this thing solo, and Alpha muses it's pretty entertaining watching him work. 

 Omega holds out a luck ticket to the Batter when the beast gets the better of his leg, he then quickly jumps back into the foray.

 "He's pretty hot, right?" Omega suddenly whispers to them, transfixed by the sight.

 Alpha startles and turns to them, eyes wide. "The Gilles de Rais or the Batter?"

 Omega slaps Alphas shoulder, and Alpha howls with laughter. "The Batter! My god Alpha!"  

 Alpha keeps giggling to themselves as they lean their head on Omegas shoulder. No, Omega is right, their companion is... Alpha blushes, not wanting to name it. But he was fun to watch in action.

 The Batter, after successfuly taking down the ghoul, and putting on an impromptu show, turns to his oddly amused Add-Ons.

 "Is everything okay?"

 Alpha begins giggling again, and has to turn away from the Batters confused expression.

 "Oh them?" Omega says far too calmly, indicating Alpha. "Very tired. They might be losing it."

 "I am not losing it!"

  The Batter shakes his head, and indicates for them to both follow. "We'll find a place to stop soon."

 When the Batter turns to lead the way, Alpha pinches Omegas side. They squeak at the action, and Alpha has to cover their mouth to stop the laughter from rising again.

 They head deeper into the mall, despite already feeling lost, a couple of corners pass without incident, until one corridor has them come up against a huge white mass.

 "Okay. I might be losing it." Alpha stares dumbly up at the large beast.

 "A whale." Both the Batter and Omega state at the same time.

 The trio look between each other, do they fight it? They silently question. The Batter seems to decide yes, as Alpha starts to protest. He swings out, just as Alpha is caught by a gust of wind conjured by the looming beast.

 They slam back against the wall, crying out expletives but their voice doesn't work. Then they lash out with a chain and... nothing.

 "You're muted, hold on." Omega helps them to standing, then cups their face. An odd, but pleasant, feeling spreads from their finger tips and across Alphas body.

 "Oh- thanks, Omega." They speak once cured.

 Omega smiles at them, and they both join the Batter in battle.

 The beast, by their luck, was obscuring a room. Once the whale fell to their assault, the trio investigate the small room and find it free of spectres.

 The Batter wedges the door shut, and then pushes a few crates against it to keep it closed.

 "This will do. We can rest here." He says, and Alpha hears a tired note in his voice too.

  Alpha sits on the floor by the farthest wall. They contemplate briefly how they're supposed to get comfortable enough to rest, but exhaustion settles in quickly, and the heaviness in their limbs makes them not give a damn.

 The Batter sits beside them, and Omega in front. Alpha watches curiously as the other Add-On pulls out their assortment of tickets and meats, and starts sorting them into piles.

 "It's good to keep count of stock." Omega explains. "And I'm not nearly as tired as you two, I can take watch while you rest."

 Alpha 'hmps' in acknowledgment, leaning against the Batters side and closes their eyes.

 He pulls away.

 "Wha-" They squeak as he grabs them around the waist, and pulls them onto his lap. He cradles them against his chest, and their face burns furiously. "What. The hell are you doing?!"

 "You get cold easily." He explains far too casually. "You'll be warmer with me than on the floor."

 Alpha side glances in Omegas direction, and the other Add-On is smirking at the ground. Alpha huffs.

 "This is ridiculous-" They're shushed by the Batter smoothing back their hair.

 "Rest Alpha, we don't know how long we have until we're disturbed in here." 

 They grumble to themselves, thoroughly flustered — and now they're starting to understand why. 

 But they relent. Closing their eyes and relaxing into the Batters comforting hold, they quickly drift off to sleep with the weight of his hand in their hair.

________

OMEGA

 Omega's two companions remain sleeping for a good couple of hours, and it gives them time to sort themselves out.

 Their combined stock, because Omega counted the ones on their companions too, totalled to 17 luck tickets and a wide array of meats.

 And 11 Jokers.

 An awful amount of Jokers, and the Batter seemed to be carrying the most. They wonder how many times these two died before they reached them, and Omega frowns at the thought.

 They liked their companions. An odd pair, with a history that Omega was slowly unraveling, but they were welcomed into the fold easily — their shared bond singed with the growing appreciation they had for Omega.

 Omega was home now, and they'll do anything to protect these two. 

 They eventually move over to curl against the Batters side as the man awakens, not needing as much sleep as Alpha, and they're warmly surprised when he moves to wrap an arm around them as they drift off to sleep.

______

 They some how awaken before Alpha. They shift, sitting up straighter and turning to look over their fellow Add-On in concern.

 "They've slept alot." They remark quietly to the Batter.

 "Exhausted." He says, glancing down at their shared companion still resting against his chest. "They... were resistant to fighting Dedan, it's affected them more than they'll admit."

 Omega had learnt quickly that Alpha had a bleeding heart. It complicates the mission, feelings, but Omega doesn't think they have it in them to quell that love Alpha holds for everything. And neither does the Batter, it seems.

 "And you?" They look up at him, catching his piercing gaze. "Did you fare okay in that fight?"

 "Yes." And it seems truthful. "We had a mission, we completed it, that's all that matters to me."

 Omega feels something left unsaid in the way he casts his eyes away from them.

 "But?"

 "But." He sighs, and theres a hesitancy to speak. "Alpha died. I watched Dedan kill them, and I was helpless to stop it. I felt our bond go cold, they were ripped from me... I failed them."

 Omega lays their hand on his shoulder comfortingly. "I don't think they see it like that." They might not have been around for it, or have known these two for long, but Alpha was open with how they felt about everything — and they had shown no hard feelings towards the Batter. Rather, it was the opposite.

 The Batter is quiet, contemplating their words. 

 "Is that why you have so many Jokers?" He nods. "I see. Well, our duty is going to lead us into dangerous waters like that. People are going to die, and be revived, and it's not anyone's fault."

 He nods once more, then turns his gaze away from them. They wonder if he's used to talking about his feelings, but they reckon he isn't. They let the conversation go and leave him to think.

 Alpha eventually stirs awake, and Omega sits up straighter when they do.

 "I have never slept so deeply in my short life." They mumble.

 "You needed it, it seems." Omega says.

  "Hm." Then, Alpha turns to the Batter. They note with a hint of amusment that Alpha seemed to have forgotten their close proximity to their companion, if the slight flinch back so they weren't directly in his face was anything to go by. "Aren't your legs dead from me sitting on you?"

 "I'm fine." He holds their gaze. "It was worth it."

 "Hmpf." Alpha flusters, and immediately backs off and up into standing. Omega joins them, and the Batter soon after.

 "We still need to find our way out of this mall." Omega begins. "But this place was divided into two parts, we're on the last stretch now!"

The trio set off again, the Batter taking the lead this time. A couple of Massu are spotted on their travels, and they're dealt with as they come up, the three make it through without serious injury.

 "Batter." Omega asks, arm looped with Alphas as they follow him. "Did you come into existence with Alpha, or before?"

 The Batter was quiet for a few paces that Omega wonders if he had heard their question, then he says. "Before."

 "What was it like?"

 "I... spawned in Zone 0." Alpha glances at Omega at his words, and Omega shares their intrigue. The Batter continues. "It was a desolate Zone, but the Judge was there and he taught me combat and the way of the lands. The draw of the divine duty, and a yet-to-be bond made me impatient to leave, and I followed both until I met Alpha. Then things started to make sense."

 Omega contemplates the driving forces behind the Batters steps, but Alpha locks onto the mention of Zone 0. 

 "The Judge has a Zone!?" They ask, a tinge of excitement in their voice. "Why haven't we visited?"

 "There are no spectres there." The Batter states simply. 

 "But..." Alpha pouts, but the Batter isn't looking. Omega nearly laughs. "The Judge is there! And it sounds safe enough to rest in."

 The Batter stops, and turns to face Alpha with a displeased expression. "Try not to invest yourself so deeply with the Judge. I sense no... ill will about him, but it does you no favours to grow attachments."

 He turns and starts walking, leaving Alpha with a rising argument. He speaks again. "I will consider the possibility of using the Zone as a rest spot, however." 

 Alpha tuts. And Omega elbows them, they turn to scowl at them, but Omega only smiles and leans in to whisper. "Jealousy."

 Alpha rolls their eyes dramatically. "He's a cat!" 

 The Batter glances back at their outburst, but says nothing. 

 Up ahead, they spot another entrance way. The trio enter, but it's only a small storage room. As quickly as they entered, they turn to leave, before a sound stops them in their tracks.

"Hhh."

 Alpha is immediately off to investigate, and the pair follow them.

 A lone Elsen is found huddled in the back corner. "I'm lost..." he wheezes. 

 Alpha places a hand on his shoulder. "We're heading out ourselves, come on, we'll lead you out."

 The Elsen splutters for a moment, but quickly nods. "Yes... thank you..." He quickly skitters out from his corner and into the middle of the group, Omega offers him their hand.

 The Elsen takes it, and the Batter is frowning deeply at the exhange. Alpha steps up to him, finger pointed against his chest.

 "Don't. Start." They grab his shoulders and turn him around, pushing him out of the door. "We have no reason not to save him." 

 The now group of four start making their way through the endless maze again. The Elsen squeaking at every sound, but Omega keeps him close.

 Just as they spot the exit, a Gilles de Rais scrambles around a corner, heading straight at them. 

 The Elsen screams, and Omega shoves him behind them so he can't see the fight. 

 Alpha hits out with a chain attack before remembering the ghoul is resistant to Add-On attacks, the attack bounces uselessly off the spectres body.

 The Batter swings in and down on the ghouls head, it growls as it hits the ground, before it springs up and sinks it's claws into the Batters thigh.

 He growls, hitting out at the ghouls arm, but only making it's claws slide and dig deeper into his leg. Alpha, now in Spherical form, lunges at the beast and pushes it off and way from their companion.

 "Omega!" They call out. Omega quickly dives in, and pulls the Batter away from the foray. He slumps to the ground, and Omega digs through their supplies.

 "Luck tickets aren't going to work well against such a deep wound, I'll have to use multiple." They apply one, and wait for it to set in. They point to the Elsen, "Don't move, stay where you are— and Alpha! Our attacks don't work—"

 "I know!"

 Omega looks up just in time to see Alpha pick up the Batters bat, bang it against the floor twice to get the ghouls attention, and then swing it over their shoulder and say;

 "Batter up!"

  Omega absentmindedly passes the Batter another luck ticket as they watch Alpha start swinging at the ghoul with the bat. They land a successful blow to the side of the head, and a second to the stomach, before the creature collapses.

 They turn around, proud as punch, and Omega laughs.

 "Not bad huh?" They swing the bat over their shoulders as they approach the trio. Omega places a third luck ticket on the Batters leg, and it finally closes the wound. He mumbles a thanks, preoccupied.

 They look to the Batter, who's... smiling brightly up at Alpha.

 "You've been paying attention. Well handled." He says, coming to a stand.

 They pass him his bat back. "I'll be coming for your job next, watch out." But they're glowing at the praise.

 Omega spots the Elsen looking wide eyed, peeking over a box, so they motion for him to follow. 

 "We're out now, come on!"

  The four make it through to the exit, and find the Judge staring up at a painting of a cat. "Is this publicity not so effective and efficient whilst defying the basics of consumer marketing?" He speaks as they approach.

 The Batter pauses beside him, glancing up a the painting. "For silkier hair: The meat fountains of Alma." He reads. 

 "Oh, you can read?" The Batter scowls down at the cat, who only grins. "Anyway, I am glad to have found you. Maybe you can help me unravel the mystery that fate has placed before me."

 "It turns out that my brother has been living in this area for many years." The Judge hops up onto a box as he speaks, so he can look everyone in the eyes more easily. "He has a special affinity for colours of the cool kind. Unfortunately, I have so far failed to cross his path. I have tried to betake myself to the roof of the library, where he resides. However, I found the door closed. Even the long hours of intensive, repeated meowing and compulsive scratching did not do a thing."

 Omega has never seen a cat within the library, they're sure of it. Alpha to their side looks confused, and the Batter unreadable as ever.

 "My request is as follows:" The Judge continues. "If at the bend of a corridor you happen to see Valerie, give him my greetings." 

"Okay." The Batter says, and motions for the pair of them to continue on their way. The Elsen hovers nervously, before noting that this was indeed the exit, he gives the trio a nervous wave of thanks before sprinting out of the door.

 Once out of earshot of cat and Elsen, Alpha whispers between their partners. "The only other cat we've seen is Japhet, have you seen another around here Omega?"

 They stop in their tracks, confusion wracking their thoughts and they're sure it's echoed in their face.

"Japhet isn't a cat." 

Chapter Text

 He listens intently, and quietly, as his two Add-Ons have a back and forth about Japhet. Not an argument, despite their bickering he's noted no hostilities between his two companions, but the confusion in the room was palpable.

 "But he introduced himself as Japhet, Guardian of the Second Zone!" Alpha exclaims. 

 "Well... any old cat could do that!" Omega sighs. Hands flying up in exasperation. "Japhet is certainly a bird, he freed me from my stationary prison — a pretend-guardian couldn't!" 

 "You met us in that room, Omega." The Batter finally interjects. "You were following him. Was it not Japhet you heard?"

 Omega pauses, that near-frown forming on their face that the Batter has come to know as them thinking deeply. "I heard his competence attack. Alto."

 "Yea. That was the cat!" Alpha puzzles. Omegas frown deepens.

 "Cat or bird, it doesn’t matter. We will locate him." The Batter closes the conversation. It doesn't matter what form the guardian takes, the journey is still the same. "But for now, we must progress with our mission."

 His two Add-Ons glance at each other, but the stalemate is broken by Alpha shrugging. Omega shakes their head, and then points behind the Batter.

 "Pedalo call point. It'll take us to the park."

 "The park?" Alpha questions, stepping over to summon the Pedalo to who-knows-where.

 "Yes! They have a roller coaster!"

  ______

  Omega seemed to know the layout of this Zone well, for they lead the way and take the trio to a platform with a newly-summoned Pedalo floating in the plastic.

 Off shore there was a platform that seemed to descend below the sea, which must be their destination. With far less hesitation than in Alma, for he had learned that the Pedalos were more hardy than they appeared, he promptly moved to sit inside it.

 He looked to his two partners. 

"Are you joining me in the boat? Or following behind?"

 Alpha takes it as a summons, and moves to sit behind him. He keeps his gaze on Omega, who looks hesitant, but they quickly decide to follow in their Spherical form.

 It was a short enough trip, and there was a notable lack of spectres swimming in the plastic, and they're soon climbing out of the pedalo and joining Omega who's now stood on the platform.

 "What's down here?" He falls into step beside Omega as the three descend into the long tunnel.

 "Well, it's not a terribly large park, and it only holds three attractions." They begin, rolling up the sleeves of their jumper. "It was never developed further, the Elsen are quiet fearful of it, you see."

 "Japhet? The spectres?" He asks pointedly. 

 "Um." They take their gaze off of him, and onto the approaching exit ahead. "Neither have been sighted down here. This place is a creation from the merchant we met earlier, and well, by your observations, the spectres only seem to follow where Japhet leads—"

 He stops in his tracks, frowning down at them. "Then why are we here?" He sighs, displeased. "You've led us off course, Omega."

 They wilter under his gaze and tone, and he's not sure how to feel about their reaction. But it feels sour.

 "I... I thought it best to show you all of this Zone..." They stammer. "And Valerie might be here—"

 "Valerie isn't our concern." He cuts in, and they duck their head down. "If we cross his path, then we will solve the issue at hand. But we mustn't stray from our duty."

 They're quiet, offering no retort. But it doesn't feel like an agreement is reached, not like when he and Alpha have their moments.

 His Add-Ons were similar, yet so different. Where Omega stood solidly on their stance to complete their shared divine duty, Alpha was hesitant. But where Alpha was willing to share their grievances, and back talk him if necessary, Omega was not.

 "We're exploring the damn park, rock-for-brains." Alpha starts. "Our duty isn't going anywhere, and neither is Japhet. Let Omega have this."  

 He'd made an error. And while impatient at the thought of postponing further action, his chest feels heavy at the thought of upsetting them. They were his, as much as Alpha was, and he refused to be the source of their misery.

 He relents, relaxing his posture and looking to the floor. "Alpha is right, we can spare time." They won't look at him, and hes not sure how to close this gap. "I'm... not mad Omega. Forgive my tone. You can make suggestions at any point in this journey, divine knows that Alpha does. I'm merely anxious to complete this journey."

 "Aren't we all?" They finally look at him. They're upset, he can see that, but they're engaging again at least. "I'm only trying to help."

 "I know." He grounds his bat into the floor absentmindedly. "And I appreciate that. More than you know."

 They're quiet, but they seem to settle. He offers his hand to them. "Come on. Show us. I'm sure Alpha is eager to see."

 They look between him and Alpha, before taking his hand. They say nothing more, but he feels lighter that they seem to accept his words.

 "He likes you, Omega." Alpha steps up on Omegas other side, amusment in their voice. "This is pretty good behaviour from him. He once pinned me with his bat to make me listen to him."

"Extraordinary efforts are needed with you Alpha." He shakes his head, feeling the tug of a smile at the usual banter.

 "I'll take that as a compliment."

 Omega is smiling between them, amused. "Speaking of bats." They point ahead to a strange floating object. "Hit that."

 It's not a spectre. Even if it floats like one. But he isn't going to deny their order, so he steps up to the strange object and readies his bat. He swings out, with perhaps more force than was necessary, and it pops. 

 And out floating down from it, a ticket.

 Omega picks it up. "It's a Fortune Ticket. Like a Luck Ticket, just stronger." They pass it to him, and he pockets it.

"This place has alot of cool prizes, we could win some gear." They say as they lead them inside. 

 A jaunty tune plays throughout the large room. It's peaceful inside, if only because the Elsen filling the room are stood stock still as if not wanting to draw attention to themselves.

 "Are they all like this, Omega?" Alpha questions, when they over hear an Elsen muttering about how terrifying this place is.

 "Yes. I believe so." They lead their group to the right. "They're fearful of everything. Japhet hates it, even if he made them that way." 

  Made them that way? He finds himself curious, as not even Dedans Elsens were this fearful. But his two Add-Ons had already left his side, and summoned a new pedalo.

 "This is a maze balloon-pop game. Um, we win things like we did at the entrance." Omega explains, though neither Add-On make a move to sit in the boat.

 "Could be useful." He says. They seem to be waiting for him. With a sigh, he moves to sit inside and start pedalling. They both follow in their Spherical forms.

 The ride is quiet, only they seem to be playing. The first stop is immediate, and Alpha flies forward and pops the balloon. They drop into their human form, and pick up a ticket.

 "Two whole pieces of meat!" They reach into the boat, and drop it into his lap. "We'll be saving money at this rate."

 That much he can agree on. This place seems to have its perks. He continues on, peddling up and around corners to the next station.

 "A fortune ticket!" Omega calls out after collecting the item, they pass that to him too.

 The Add-Ons race each other to the next balloon, and he only manages to catch up after Alpha wins the sprint and holds up four pieces of Belials meat. Again they're placed on his lap, and he figures with a hint of amusment, that he's only here to carry their bounties. But they're enjoying themselves, so he dutifully follows.

 He pedals along, but the underwater motors push him past the next balloon. He pauses, feeling abit ridiculous floating in place as he waits for his companions to catch up.

 Omega collected the first balloon, loudly cheering that they won a Loyal Symbol, which they keep for themselves. They return to his side, and move to sit behind him in the pedalo to show off their winnings.

 He isn't sure what to say, but he wants to share in their excitement. He takes their hand in his and squeezes it gently, keeping hold as Alpha whizzes past them and onto a platform around the corner.

 "Oh its just a switch—" Their voice floats over. "...'Preventing access to the roller coaster'— no we don't want that." A click is heard, and they must have switched it off. 

 They head back over, pausing in their Spherical form. They flash, and then bob in frustration as he looks on in confusion. They suddenly push into the boat, and wedge themselves in now-human form in front of him.

 "I was trying to say: I've switched the roller coaster on, and we should go!" They grin.

 "What's a roller coaster?" Perhaps he should have asked earlier.

 "Fuck if I know." Alpha shrugs. "But it sounds fun, so we're going."

 A pause. "You're in the way of the pedals." 

 They roll their eyes at him, he's not really sure why. Omega adds: "I see one last balloon ahead Alpha. You have it."

 They're off like a shot. And he utilises his returned space to start pedalling towards the exit. 

"An Inspiration!" They call out from the platform, then in a quieter voice. "Whatever the hell that is."

 As they return to the start of the game, Omega explains: "You can utilise it in combat. Unlike competences, it can't be resisted by our foes."

 Alpha, now stood back at the entrance of the game, looks down at it. "Huh. Alright."

 He motions for Omega to step out of the boat first, and then starts passing his two Add-Ons the prizes they've 'won'. Once he's out and stood beside them, Alpha shoves half of the items into his pockets;

 "We should really buy a bag." They mutter.

 He makes a noise of acknowledgment. He halts his companions before they flee into the main building again, he points to an Elsen guarding a door.

 "What's in there?"

 Omega shrugs, and walks over to speak.

 "Th... this is the boss's office." The Elsen wheezes. 

 "Is he in? We're his friends." Omega asks. The Batter frowns at the word.

 The Elsen shakes his head. "No. And I... I cannot let you enter. Not un... unless you have proof... that you're his friends. Without proof... I might get in trouble."

 "Leave it, Omega." He summons them away. "It's not needed."

 They comply, and begin to lead them back out and through the main hall, a spring in their step as they charge straight ahead, Alpha hot on their heels. Straight outside to... Elsen sat in chairs.

 "This is... hhh... terrifying." He hears one mutter from a chair.

 "This is the roller coaster?" He asks. It's a bit pathetic.

 "Um, thats the new one. We're here for that roller coaster." He turns to Omega as they speak, and they're pointing up at a large towering structure. The stairs leading up to it seemed to reach into the sky — it was no wonder the Elsen were avoiding it.

 Alpha takes his hand and starts dragging him towards it. He wasn't scared, no, that wasn't fear he was feeling. But it seemed an unnecessary risk when there weren't spectres to make it worth while.

 "This isn't necessary." He plants his feet down, and refuses to move. Though Alpha keeps tugging at him.

 "We're here to have fun!" They place their other hand over his wrist, increasing their grip. "Fun is neccessary. Stop being a chicken."

 He refuses to budge, despite how surprisingly strong his partner is. 

  "If you're worried about the height, know we'll catch you if you fall." Omega says as they mimic Alphas grip on his other hand. Their words were not comforting at all.

 "I can wait here." The combined strength of his Add-Ons were making him lose this battle.

 "But we want you with us! Must we beg to spend time with you?" Alpha whines. "Or go sit with the Elsen, and try not to pass out on the chairs."

 He sighs, relenting. He let's them drag him towards the stairs. They both cheer, giggling to themselves at their win as they climb, keeping him locked in their grip.

 Whatever happens next, it was worth it to see them happy.

 "Don't say I never do anything for you both." He mutters.

 He could see the whole of Zone 2 from up here. The height didn't bother him, he found, but the swaying of the old metal platform was making his knees weak.

 "Hey, why the hell is there a statue of Zacharie here?" Alpha promptly dissolves into laughter at the object.

 "He's the owner of this park, as I said, maybe he wanted to be immortalised alongside it?" Omega inspects the statue too.

 "It's bloody ridiculous." Alpha leans against it as they calm down, but the statue shifts away at the force applied to it. "Woah— it's not bolted down." A pause. "OMEGA! Let's stick it on the roller coaster with us."

 "What- why?" But they dissolve into laughter too, so they and Alpha start pushing it into the front seat of the coaster.

 "This is a waste of time." They either don't hear him, or they choose to ignore him.

 "Right. Where are we all sitting?" Alpha claps their hands.

 "I'll sit up front. You two behind me." He moves to sit up front, not waiting for agreement.

 "Suit yourself." Alpha climbs into the seats behind him, and Omega settles in after.

 "Pull the bar down." Omega points over his shoulder to a metal frame. He does as he's told, and it locks into place across his lap. It's restrictive, and makes him feel trapped.

 His cap is pulled off of his head, he turns to see Alpha clutching it. "You'll lose it otherwise." They pass it to him. "Hold onto it."

 He takes it back, holding it tightly in his fist. Neither of his companions seemed stressed by this situation, so he tries to follow their lead. He faces forward again, let's out a breath, and relaxes.

 "When does it start—" His voice is lost to the wind as the cart sails down the track. He hears screaming, but his focus is sharply on the rapidly approaching sea of plastic at the bottom.

 As quickly as the ride gathered speed, it slows down and is caught at the base. He breathes a sigh of relief as it comes to a stop, and the bar holding him in clicks open.

 He quickly exits, and rushes to hide the shake in his legs as he meets solid ground. He places his cap back on his head, and pulls it down to shield his eyes as he pokes his bat on the ground and leans on it for support.

 Alpha all but falls out of the cart, howling with laughter. Omega drags them to their feet, grinning along with them. Alpha points at him.

 "You screamed!" They clutch at their stomach as they double over with laughter. "Man, you were terrified!"

 He turns his gaze to look back at the park, keeping his expression carefully neutral. "That wasn't me screaming. I wasn't scared."

 "Yes it was. And yes you were." They clap him on the shoulder. "Oh come on, don't pout!"

"Awh you're embarrassing him Alpha!" Omega attempts to come to his defence, but he can hear their amusment too.

 "Do we get a prize?" He shifts the conversation, itching to leave.

 "No. Just this photo I collected from the desk." Omega holds up a picture. It's of the the ride; his two Add-Ons with their arms up in the back, grinning, and him... mouth wide in terror.

 "Bin it." He grits out.

 "No." Omega shoves the picture in their pocket.

 He sighs, thoroughly defeated, and walks past them both to head back into the main entrance. 

 They catch up, and Alpha falls into step beside him, placing their hand in his. They're smiling up at him, and reach up to flick his cap higher to reveal his gaze.

 "There's no judgment from us." Their eyes are bright as they regard him, white hair a mess from the wind, and face flushed from the excitement. There isn't an ounce of strength in him to protest in embarrassment, not when this is the happiest he's seen them.

 Something in his chest tightens, not so differently from the terror he felt on the coaster, and he has to look away.

 "Hmm." Is all he can muster in acknowledgment, squeezing their hand.

 His companions had lead him into the third game, despite not fully registering ending up there, he watches as Omega steps up and across from an Elsen.

 "W... welcome." He greets with more cheer than he's seen an Elsen capable of before. "Play, play, play the Balloon Game! If... If you win, you get the grand prize. But... But if you lose, you might be sad. So... uh... be careful."

 "I'll play!" Omega smiles over at the host.

 "Okay..." He smiles back. "Here are the rules. It's easy. When it's your turn, you can choose to pop one, two, or three balloons. When it's my turn, I'll do the same. The one who's left with the last balloon loses the game. Do you understand?"

 Omega quickly nods. 

 "O-okay. I'll go first." The Elsen steps forward, and pops one balloon. 

 Omega pauses, finger pointing towards the balloons as they mutter under their breath. They must be counting, he muses.

 They step forward to pop three.

 "Okay." The Elsen murmurs, stepping forward to pop a singular balloon again.

 Omega, more assured, steps forward and pops three. Leaving five on the platform.

 The Elsen pauses, seeming unsure, before popping two.

 Omega takes out two more, leaving one standing. 

 "Ay, way to go Omega!" Alpha cheers, and Omega smiles back at them.

 But something feels wrong.

 "I... I've lost?" The Elsen wheezes, looking panicked.

 The Batter grips his bat, stepping over and quickly ushering Omega behind him.

 "No... That's impossible... I have been cheating from the start..." The Elsens wheezes come in quicker breathes and higher pitches. "You cheated!!! You bear me much ill will!"

 His head explodes, halos of light encompassing the smoke that replaces his head. The Batter quickly reads it with a Wide Angle.

 "A Valzong-Burnt. A bit tougher than regular Burnts, but we can handle them." He swings in as he speaks, hitting the burnt in the stomach.

 His Add-Ons thrum around him in their Spherical forms, Alpha hitting out with a chain attack and Omega with a blur. The three make quick work of the Burnt.

 Once it succumbs to their blows, they're left on the platform to survey the tattered remains of the game. Omega picks something up from behind the counter the Elsen was managing.

 "A necktie." They hold the fabric up, looking distressed. "We killed an Elsen... over a necktie!"

 "I mean... I hate killing them as much as anyone, but he kind of started it." Alpha sighs beside him.

 Omega frowns. "I guess." They rejoin the group, and the three leave the game. "But that really put a dampener on things."

 The Elsen out in the main foyer are now running around screaming. 

 "There are spectres in the park."

 "I'm so scared."

 "Wh-where did they go? We're going to die."

 The Batter shakes his head at the cacophony.

 "There aren't any spectres." But they don't hear him over their own anguish.

 "Oh let's just go." Alpha sighs.

 "No. Wait." They both turn to Omega, who speaks. "Let's try Zacharies office again? Maybe he can help."

 ______

"Is... Is that a photo of the boss?" The Elsen on guard looks over the photo from the coaster, remarkably calmer than the Elsen losing it in the entrance. "A... And you're right next to him? On a roller coaster!? But that's terribly dangerous! Well... at any rate... I guess you're a friend of the boss. You may enter."

 He opens the door, and steps aside to let the trio in. Zacharie isn't inside, but the place is full of chests like those they've found before.

"Bah. He must have left this for us." Alpha starts opening them, collecting up the odd orbs inside. Omega looks like they're going to protest, but the Batter silences them by following Alphas lead.

 Alpha was right, in the mall. Zacharie is most likely rich enough to not fret about missing stock.

 Omega shakes their head, popping under the desk in the middle of the room before reappearing. They hold up a black rucksack.

 "We'll take this too then. We need it." They pass it to him.

 He starts unloading his pockets of their stock and winnings, Alpha and Omega passing him theirs too. Piles of Luck and Fortune tickets, Jokers, and the types of meats, along with the new found strange orbs.

 He sorts them into pockets, for easy access. The healing tickets and Jokers in the front, and the meats and orbs in the main deeper hold of the bag. He keeps a section of tickets out, he pockets a bunch before passing Alpha the others.

 "Just incase we're separated." He insists. He zips up the bag, and then holds it out to Omega.

 "Our medic. You should be in charge of supplies."

 They look between him and the bag, before gently taking it with a soft look on their face. "Of course." They shoulder it, adjusting the straps to fit them. "I won't let you down."

"I know." 

______

 They promptly decide to leave the park behind. The fun had been had, and he was eager to get back on path. 

 As they make it back to main land, the sights of Zone 2 still as they left them, he finds he doesn't quite trust the quiet.

 As they wander the boarder of the library, they hear commotion from the east side. A loud voice seething over the buildings. 

 "Somethings wrong." He motions to his companions, before bursting into a sprint.

Chapter Text

 "I c-can't let you in." The Elsen guarding the entrance to the residential area stammers. The trio bear down on him as Japhets voice rings out across the air. "It's for residents only— unless you have proof you live here."

 They'd arrived here in record time, only to be halted at the entrance. 

 The Batter grits out, anger darkening his voice. "Do you not hear that?!" He gestures sharply in the direction of the screeching voice. "Let us in!"

 "I... I can't..."

 "Oh for—" Omega slings their bag off their shoulders, digging inside for the tie they won. They brandish it at the Elsen. "We wouldn't have this if we didn't belong here, right?"

 "Oh.. oh.. my apologies. Of course..." He stammers as he lowers the barriers.

 They quickly throw the bag over their shoulders and follow their companions inside. From somewhere deep within the convoluted layout of the residential blocks, Japhet can be heard:

 "There is still time to repent of your omissions, ungrateful wretches! Crave my pardon immediately, or I will send you back to limbo this instant!"

 Silence follows his words, and the trio glance at each other. They feel sick – they'd never heard such vitriol from their guardian. As much as they'd promised they could take him out if it came to it, they suddenly feel lost now the reality of it presses down on them.

 "Poor cretins!! I am here, right in front of you, ready to send you to hell! So? Are you ready to apologize to your father and protector, you band of wimps?"

 "We should move, now!" The Batter leads them deeper into the village.

"Aaarrggghh!! I hate you! I hate you all!" A loud screech of frustration follows. "... But that was me! It was I who made it all like that for you! Are you all so blinded by your pathetic fear of living?" He seems to be having a conversation with someone. "That is it!! I am going to teach you to respect me!"

 Screams of Elsen follow Japhets tirade, and the Batter freezes. 

 "He's unleashed spectres into the area." Omega wonders how he can sense them. "Let's purge these impure beasts... and fast!"

 Omega springs up into their Spherical form, as does Alpha, and the pair follow the Batter into the foray. 

 The first turn of a corner has them immediately face to face with a large spectre. A gruesome giggling thing, malformed with the faces of smaller spectres as the host body worked against itself. It's body warped as it approached the trio, and it seemed the individual heads wanted to escape.

 "A Porter Specter." The Batter calls out over his shoulder. He swings at one, hitting it square in the middle of its body, and Alpha lashes out with a chain attack.

 The spectre only giggles at the attacks it recieved, and before Omega can throw out their own attack, the spectre lurches — all of its smaller facets pulling away and ripping the host body to shreds. It dissolves into a multitude of smaller spectres, all hovering with gleeful looks on their faces.

 "Quick!" The Batter grits out. 

 The three of them target the spectres separately, and Omega thanks the divine force guiding them that these smaller spectres fall quickly to the assault.

 "One down." The Batter starts moving again. "We need heavy assaults next time, don't let them split!"

 He starts running, and Omega takes in the carnage as they pass by. Elsen were screaming in fear, too wrapped up in the horrors to run to saftey, leaving them running in rapid circles.

 Some with whisps of black smoke wafting from their open mouths, and Omega hoped they could solve this crisis before any Burnts erupted. 

 They spot a spectre chasing an Elsen on the roof top of a building. They start speaking, before realising their restriction. They drop down into their human form, and grip the Batters elbow.

 "Up top!" They point to the chase. He nods, taking the instruction and charging into the building.

 They follow him up, and the trio corner the spectre as it giggles at the flailing Elsen.

 They begin a co-ordinated assault on the spectre, this time their efforts are successful — one last attack from Alpha stops the spectre before it can split.

 The Batter makes to head back down stairs again, but the frightened Elsen cuts him off. 

 "No... no... please I'm so s-scared." He wheezes.

 "Move!" He towers over the Elsen, eyes glinting dangerously.

 "No! Help me please—" Sploosh. 

 The trio back away from the door as the now-Burnt charges at them.

 "We don't have time for this!" He swings out, but the Elsen is resilient to the attack.

 Alpha and Omega swarm around him, continuing a frenzied assault. The burnt keeps lunging at the Batter, and Omega moves to dive in front of one large swing of its whispy hands in an effort to stop it.

 But they're not quick enough. It collides with the Batters chest, and sends him sailing off the edge of the roof.

 If Omega could scream, they would. They follow his trajectory in a blind panic, but he meets the ground before they can catch him. Their whole being burns with anguish as they watch him collide with the floor, the life draining from him instantly at the sickening smack of head-to-pavement. The blood pools out from under him as they drop down into their human form, quickly gathering his head into their lap.

"ALPHA!" They cry, swinging their back pack off their shoulders and desperately searching for a Joker.

 "Get him up!" They hear their fellow Add-On cry out in a strained voice. "I can handle the burnt!"

 Omegas hands shake as they pry a Joker free from a pocket, and their vision blurs as they quickly apply it to the back of his head.

 Their breathing comes out in shaky gasps as they wait for it to work, and they whine against their own accord as they begin to cry.

 What was it they said to the Batter? 'People are going to die, and be revived, and it's not anyone's fault.' It sure feels like their fault—

 He gasps a breath just as Alpha rejoins them, and he quickly sits up with a growl.

 "We need to keep moving—" He pauses when he locks eyes with them, and Omega wills their emotions to calm down. He grabs them by the back of their head, and pulls them in until their forehead rests against his.

 "I'm okay. Shhh." 

 They close their eyes as they hum in acknowledgment, they take a couple of deep breaths.

 "Guys!" Alpha calls out, and the pair seperate at the sound of Alphas chain attack hitting with a squelch.

 Another spectre bears down on them, and the Batter scrambles for his bat before leaping at it. Omega quickly gathers their things, and springs back up in their Spherical form.

 The Batter takes the ghoul down with a second swing, and he successfully averts yet another separation.

 "This way." He rightens his cap, and runs down a path.

 The next few minuets seem to stretch for an eternity. A dizzying stretch of battle, Porter Specters and Burnts alike dive into their paths, and the trio tear into them with terrifying efficiency.

 Healing items are exhanged at a rapid rate, but Omegas frayed nerves are soothed that no Jokers are needed. 

 By the time they complete a final sweep of the residential area, at peace with the fact all impure entities are taken care of, Omega feels like they're about to drop.

 The trio gather in the square as Elsen gather around them, and Omega holds a tired Alpha up as the Batter speaks to the residents.

 "We've purified this place, but this zone has not yet been freed of it's true pest." He speaks loudly. "Where can we find Japhet?"

 The gaggle of Elsen look at each other in confusion. One steps forward to speak.

"Uh... who is Japhet?"

"The cat who directs the spectres." The Batter sighs.

 "Uh... the cat? Um... I don't know..." The Elsen mutters. "Anyway, we thank you for helping us. But, uh... That thing you have there..." 

 The Batter looks down to where he's pointing, and gestures his bat. "My bat?"

"Yes... your bat... That's an awfully dangerous object... I'll have to ask you to leave the residential area." The Batter stiffens at the order. "You... you should understand, of course... it's a measure of security."

 The Batter relents, and the trio is promptly escorted out by the gaggle of Elsen. Alpha mutters under their breath, "Bold enough to kick us out, but not fight the spectres."

 Omega shakes their head, and watches as the barricade to the residential area is raised once they're outside. The Batter leads the group to a yellow block, and they all restore their health.

 A blur of white patters into their view, and they nearly spook before registering the figure as the Judge.

 "I am embarrassed, I admit, but it appears I need the help of your purifying abilities." The cat comes to a sit in front of the three. At receiving no verbal complaint, he continues. "Valerie, my beloved brother, appears to have fallen into the depths of uncontrollable madness. He calls himself Japhet, and, in addition to being the royal agent he has never been, proclaims himself chief of the spectres. A mere delusion, I assure you, my brother is neither."

 The Batter glances back at them, and Omega shrugs a shoulder. Willing him to listen.

"He has now settled on the roof of the library." The Judge continues, uninterrupted. "And, although I suppose this could have been just a coincidence, it seems that ghosts are swarming the corridors of the same building."

 He looks at each member of the trio, eyes wide as his smile dips into a frown. "Please, I implore you all, I believe our two goals align, and your skillful violence would be of great asset."

"Okay." The Batter agrees, and Omega feels Alpha sigh in relief. "We will follow you to the library." 

 "Excellent, my gratitude is yours." The Judge sides up to the Add-On pair, wiggles a bit, and then leaps onto Alphas shoulders. "Onwards, then."

 Alpha reaches up to pet the Judge, as does Omega. The cat purrs at the attention, and the two start walking, following the Batters lead.

______

 The library is as silent as ever, and the four of them start ascending. Up through the lower floors, and through the floor that Omega bonded with the Batter on, and the way up was now unobstructed.

 "Our way is unbarricaded. It seems my dear brother was in a hurry to hide." The Judge speaks, though Omega notes he seems weary. They reach out to scritch him behind an ear in sympathy. 

 He welcomes the sympathy, but his attention perks up as the four step out onto a balcony.

 This is all familiar territory for Omega, for they have wandered these very paths many times, but it was bittersweet to see it all again with their new friends.

 Wherever the divine mission comes from, it leaves them with a deep ache and certainty that they'll be facing down Japhet soon enough.

 They enter into the building once more, into a large room filled with more shelves and books. A rattling is heard ahead, and the sounds of books falling to the floor make them pause.

 The Batter is already upon whoever it is, and swings towards them. "A burnt and two spectres." He calls out.

 Alpha and Omega fall into position behind the Batter, and the Judge comes up to step beside him.

 Omega watches, cautious of him getting hurt, but they needn't have worried.

 "Critical Aneurysm." The feline hisses as he leaps into the air. The spectre he targets falls within one hit.

 While the trio take care of the burnt, the Judge moves onto the next spectre, and expertly takes that one down too.

 Once the fight concludes, in a very timely manner, the Judge sits and licks his paw clean.

 "Holy shit. That was incredible." Alpha remarks. Though they stay quiet, Omega can't help but agree.

 Maybe he could help with Japhet.

 "Setting aside the foul language, I appreciate your compliments." The Judge looks at Alpha with a wide grin, before pouncing on their shoulders again.

 The Batter is stood, quiet, and they wonder what he's thinking. He says nothing, instead settling for a nod of thanks to the Judge. They feel their heart swell at the brief, but positive, interaction.

 They remaining journey is quiet, everyone deep in thought of what they might find at the top. Another balcony passes, and whales float overhead casting dark shadows. But none, thankfully, dive towards the group.

 The stairs are never ending, Omega had only ever taken this trip in Spherical form before, and they note how tired they're getting. They haven't stopped to rest yet, but with the Judge expectantly wanting their help, Omega doesn't have the heart to ask for a break.

 They finally reach a room, one with a coded lock preventing access to the library roof. But someone had already been through, and left the access open.

 "I took the liberty of completing this complex puzzle, but upon completion I was granted the forethought to find and request your aid." The Judge speaks up. "Our way is clear, and only the roof that my brother hides upon awaits."

 They step out onto a balcony, and they look up at the towering roof, accessed by a long ladder that seems to stretch up endlessly into the clouds.

 "Oh boy." Alpha mutters, staring upwards.

 "Nice view from up here, don't you think?" A chuckle is heard, and they turn to find Zacharie sat on the ledge of the balcony. "But don't think too much on the height, for you have more pressing concerns ahead."

 He swings his bag down onto the ground and starts unpacking.

 "What are you doing up here?" The Batter towers over him. Zacharie pays his posturing no mind.

 "I am where you need me most. And if you intend to face Japhet, then well — you're going to need the stock to do it with." 

 The Batter frowns, and Omega looks up cautiously to the top of the roof. "Japhets here?" They ask quietly.

 "This is, as the readers would call it, the boss battle. But I suppose you weren't quite expecting it so soon?" He regards them thoughtfully, and the Batter starts sorting through the wares.

 "I wonder what business Japhet has with my brother." The Judge mutters worriedly. 

 "Valerie, of course." The merchants tone dips from his casual friendly tone, and into something more serious. "Perhaps he will fair better this time." 

 "Excuse me?" The Judge looks on in confusion, and with perhaps a hint of offence.

 "You talk too much." The Batter snaps, slapping a bunch of credits into Zacharies open hand. He takes his newly purchased items, and hands the majority to Omega to store away. They note with interest that he wields a new bat.

 Zacharie only chuckles at the attitude. He packs up, standing up straighter but not shouldering his bag.

 "May I speak with Alpha alone, before you all head sky-wards?" 

 The Batter snaps around to face him, and Omega catches a brief glance of a snarl on his face.

 "No."

  Unphased, Zacharie pushes. "I really must insist."

  The Batter looks ready to swing at him, fist tight around the handle of his newly acquired bat. Alpha quickly passes Omega an armful of Judge, but before they can intervene, the Batters whips around to face them, concern suddenly etched on his face.

 "Japhet." He breathes.

 "Yes?" Alpha looks at him quizzically.

 He steps up to them, placing a hand on their shoulder. "Are you ready?"

 "They need to be." Zacharie cuts in. "Alpha, this battle can only be won with you—"

 The Batter growls, teeth bared. "Quiet!"

 "Nah. He's right." They nod, the Batters expression quickly shifts to a hint of concern. "If he has Valerie... and after that shit-show in the residential block... he's more dangerous than Dedan. I want to help."

 They speak with conviction, and Omega feels proud of them. The Batter nods once, regarding them a second more before stepping away to look at them instead.

 "I'm fine." Omega quickly speaks. "You know I'll do whatever is needed."

 "And I will be accompanying you." The Judge speaks from their arms. "I must assure my brothers saftey."

 The Batter regards the cat for a moment, then gestures upwards with a brief nod.

 "Then let's move."

Chapter Text

 The Judge, having taken refuge on his shoulders while the Add-Ons flew to the top, jumps to the floor of the roof as he steps off the ladder.

 "Valerie!" The Judge quickly patters over to greet the cat sat in the middle of the roof.

 "Valerie?" The cat regards the Judge with a vacant look. "That ... is the name of the cat. You are mistaking me for someone else. I am Japhet the fire bird, Guardian of zone 2!"

 "Stop with these paranoid delusions, dear brother!" The Judge yowls. "Come with me to zone 0. I have built a cellar where we can forget our sorrows!"

 "I am not your brother!" The cat stalks towards the Judge, eyes still vacant but somehow a deep burning fury echoes in them. "I do not even belong to any race of predators! Take a look at my real face, you poor, pathetic cat!"

 A crack, and Valerie's jaw bone is forced open beyond its hinges. Out pokes the head of a small white bird, it's features etched with anger.

 "Va... Valerie?" The Judge quakes. The Batter hears one of his Add-Ons sob at the sight, but he doesn't turn to see which one.

 "You do not understand, do you?" The now-revealed Japhet twitters. "I am not Valerie! I am Japhet! I have taken control of your miserable little brother, one who dared to think he could take me as a meal — his pathetic efforts were futile."

 The Judge pins his ears back, lowering to the ground as a low, pained, mew escapes from him.

 "Enough!" The Batter finally speaks out, voice hard. "I grow tired of your theatre of grief. We are here to destroy you, Japhet, he who claims to control the spectres."

 Japhets beady eyes narrow as he gazes up at him. "I've awaited this moment, purifier. I will not go down without a fight."

 "Japhet." A small voice speaks up to his left. He turns to see Omega approach.

 "Omega?" The birds gaze softens, he twitters meekly. "You join his forces to vanquish me? After everything?"

 "It doesn't have to go down this way." Their voice trembles as they step closer. He braces himself to pull them back. "Please. Let Valerie go. I can nurse you back to health, things can be as they used to be!"

 "You think so?" Japhet puts on a show of speaking timidly, but he can see through the act. "You know, I always saw something worthy in you Omega... come closer, my dear, so you may help free me from this prison."

 Omega nods quickly and starts to move, but the Batter quickly pulls them back by the wrist.

 "No!" He admonishes them. They pull their wrist free with a cry.

 "He's listening, let me—"

 "No." His voice is grave, final. "He's manipulating you, don't listen to him."

 "Omega." Japhet speaks louder, firmer. "He is psychopathic, can't you see that he's using you?! We must kill him, it's the only way!"

 They look between him and the guardian, their breathing coming in shorter gasps as they consider their options.

 "I can't hurt him." They whimper. His chest constricts with something akin to terror and anxiety, but it burns bright and warm. 

Adoration.

"So be it." The bird snaps. The body of Valerie twitches, his head snapping to an unnatural angle. He spots the Judge at the corner of his vision, his fur standing on edge as he watches his brother deform.

 "I did everything for those fools." Japhet twitches further out of the mouth of Valerie with every twitch. "They were like my own children, but they only care about their own pathetic little hassles! And like all disrespectful children... they must be punished."

 The body of Valerie twists, and with one last lurch, large wings spread forth. Towering above them all, now stands Japhet. A great wingspan, stretching out as he appreciates his new found space.

 And Valerie. Whos deformed and tattered remains, fall and hit the floor of the roof with a sickening thud.

 "How blessed are the wicked to gaze upon my true form before they are vanquished beneath my heel." He ducks his head down, and gazes into Omegas eyes. "I am not a God. I am not perfect. Yes, I have sinned, I admit it, but my responsibilities are far beyond those of a mere mortal. I expect none of you to understand."

 The rooftop is silent, not a breeze disturbs them as the two hold each others gaze. He isn't quick enough to save them.

 "Alto." The guardian speaks. Omega is thrown backwards, and to the edge of the roof top. Muted.

 Alpha dives in and catches them before they topple over the edge. With a roar, the Batter swings at the birds legs.

 Japhet springs into the air, the Batters bat only manages a pathetic tap to the ankle. 

 A hiss to his right, and the Judge leaps into the air too. He expertly latches onto the birds flank, claws digging in as the bird screeches.

 "You fool! I laid waste to your pathetic brother — you think your measly claws will harm me?" He shakes the Judge off, and the Batter dives to catch the cat.

 Despite the birds posturing, his pristine white feathers glisten with specks of red.

 His Add-Ons swing in on a dual assault, flying through the air as Chain and Blur land on the Guardian simultaneously. He cries out in anguish, and bats his left wing sharply to knock the pair of them out of the air.

 As he's distracted, the Batter takes a running leap, and swings harshly at the birds knees. A sickening crack fills him with satisfaction.

 "So disrespectful!" The Guardian cries. "Tenor!"

 He's forced back by a powerful gust. He tumbles to the ground, quickly trying to stand again but he feels the world spin. Sweat beads at his temples, and he feels sick.

 "You're poisoned." Omega is suddenly in front of him. He barely registers their touch, but their competence is cold as it works on him, and it feels soothing. "There you go." They hum.

 He nods a thanks, quickly getting to his feet and retrieving his bat. 

 "The world isn't as black and white as he makes you think it is!" Japhet is chasing Alpha through the air. "We cannot be divided into good and evil, it's not as simple as that. What I have to do is necessary for the good of the land, and it will fall without me!" He lashes out with a wing, but Alpha dodges. "I see it in your hesitancy, Add-On, you know this to be truth."

 "Alpha!" He recalls them. Leaping back in and catching the bird in the flank, deepening the wounds inflicted by the Judge, as the Guardian flies low. "Ignore him."

 Japhet takes Alpha out of the air with a Tenor attack, and Omega follows their trajectory to help.

 "I am sick of the sight of you!" Japhet throws out a wing to hit him, but he holds his stance and swings out with his bat to meet Japhets 'punch'. 

 The Judge springs up onto his shoulders, and utilising the momentum and height, he launches off of him and springs at the birds face. Claws angling deep below his eyes, as the Batter throws another swing to the birds side.

 Japhet teeters backwards, swinging his head to dislodge the Judge and a wing to send the Batter along with him.

 The Guardian is silent, breathing heavily at the sudden onslaught of attacks. He gathers himself, and flies off to hover over the Add-Ons. A now healed Alpha in Omegas grip.

 "I may be vengeful, I may be violent, but I have never lied." He grits out, directly talking to Omega. "You know this to be truth, Omega. So listen when I speak, for I have cared for you Add-On, and I wish you to not fall to your inevitable destruction at the hands of the man who proclaims to love you—"

 He's suddenly struck by a burst of unseen force, it sends him swinging off of the edge of the building. The Batter had unleashed an Inspiration. The damage wasn't as high as he had hoped for, but it did shut the guardian up. The Batters chest heaves with anger, he can all but feel his partners resolves break under the guardians onslaught of lies.

 His Add-Ons stay on the ground as Japhet soars back up into the air.

 "Move!" He orders them. They hesitate, and it pains him to see them do so, but they quickly decide to return to his side.

 Japhet lowers onto the platform, breathing deeply and feathers looking tatty.

 "He knows so much." Alpha stammers under their breath next to him.

 "He doesn't." He grits out, not taking his eyes off the approaching guardian. 

 "The Batter is right." The Judge braces next to them, waiting to spring. "Do not heed Japhet's words, for he knows little of what he speaks."

 "I refuse to be slighted by the weakest Guardian of our ranks." Japhet squawks.

 The Batter turns to regard the Judge in confusion. Guardian? But the feline bares his teeth, and at the top of his lungs:

 "Aneurysm Rupture!"

 The guardian topples at the hefty assault, head swinging to the side as he collapses to the roof. Right next to Valerie, as if by some sick joke.

 His Add-Ons are quiet beside him. He finds, unlike Dedans defeat, he just feels hollow. Tired. Even if he's relieved the guardian has stopped talking—

 "So, I have been slain." The bird twitters from the ground pitifully. "You can be proud to have completed your mission, Batter. May the new world be what you desire."

 He steps up, looking down at the bloodied guardian who has given up the fight. He raises his bat.

 "You've been defeated, Japhet, Guardian of the second zone." All he feels is exhaustion as he swings his bat down one final time to the guardians head. "This land is now pure."

 The roof top is quiet. Learning from his first fight, he reaches within Japhets plume of feathers, and pulls out a Pisces Card. 

 "We're done here." He steps away. "Let's move on."

 "Wait." Alpha speaks quietly, and it's almost like time repeats itself. He turns to them, confused.

 "Alpha?" They look defeated, and pained. It's like Dedan all over again and he can't understand why.

 They reach into their pocket, and after fumbling for a moment, they pull out a Joker. They step towards Japhet.

 "Alpha!" He dives at them, pulling them back towards his chest as he holds them firmly in his arms. "What are you doing?!"

 They reach out pitifully with the Joker, but he feels their resistance drop as they slump into his arms. He snatches the ticket out of their hand.

 They break down into body-wracking sobs, every cry feeling like knives to his chest. He holds them tightly, but not to restrain them. He ducks his head down into the crook of their neck.

 "A-alpha?" He feels lost, uncertain. But he wants their anguish to stop.

 "Please—" They wail. "It's not for Japhet— it's for Valerie— please let me give it to Valerie!" They sob, quieter. "His death isn't required for the mission— please let me save him."

 He takes in their pleas, and quickly nods against them. He passes back the Joker, and they take it with shaky hands. He holds them until they're on steady feet.

 "Okay." He says quietly.

 The Judge is looking up with shining eyes as Alpha steps over to Valerie. They sit on the ground, making a pained sound; he's unsure if they're hurt, or just taking in the sight of Valerie.

 "He might... be too far gone, Alpha." The Judge speaks as he patters over to them, rubbing his head against their side.

 "I have to try." 

 He watches as they place a Joker onto the cats body, and then dig into their pockets for multiple fortune tickets. They lay the tickets against the worst of the wounds, and watch as the lifeless body soaks up the tickets.

 Silence. A minuet passes, and he readies himself to drag them away from the cat.

 A cough.

 "Valerie!" The Judge's voice pierces impossibly high.

 "P-pablo?" Valerie squeaks.

  The two cats rejoice, the Judge butting against his brother as Alpha shakily returns to their feet.

 He steps up alongside Alpha, as does Omega on their other side, he places his hand on their back comfortingly. They turn to him, and their bright smile catches him off guard. It's beautiful.

 "We did it!" They beam. "God he was such a bastard to deal with, but we took him down and saved Valerie!"

 They're getting it. He muses to himself. And the relief at them finally feeling at peace with the mission is immense.

 The two cats walk over, and Valerie headbutts Alphas leg.

 "I owe you thanks. I... I really thought that was the end." He glances up at them nervously, seeming still off-kilter by the whole ordeal. Alpha kneels to pet him.

 "Judge." Omega speaks up, shaky. "Can... can we stop in Zone 0 to rest? Please?"

 The Judge looks to Omega, then the Batter, as if seeking his agreement. He nods once. They need to rest. And his new found respect of the cat leads him to trust him.

 "Then certainly." He grins brightly. "It's the least I could offer after such gracious help." 

 The Batter moves to activate the Pisces Card, but Alpha holds their hand out.

 "What else?" He looks at them wearily.

 They pull one of their silver rings off, and fling it down to the birds corpse. 

 "I believe that's yours. You feathery bastard."

______

 The walk through the nothingness feels a little lighter than last time, even with Omega pressed nervously against him.

 "W-whos whispering?"

 "Ignore it." He wraps an arm around them, leading them off to Zone 0. Alpha already ahead.

 He studies them, watching them walk with the two cats. The purpose of their rings were lost to him, but why haven't they told him?

 Did they purposefully leave the last one with Dedan?

 He decides he needs to speak to them. The divine duty seems to have other ideas for his partner, and he wants privy to it. 

And what was going on between them and the merchant?

 Unbeknownst to him, and all but the eyes of the Judge, Zone 2s light flickers between colourful and white. As life refuses to relinquish to nothingness.

Chapter Text

 Zone 0 was serene. The bubbling of plastic, the warm temperatures, and the absence of troubled life, all lead to a calming atmosphere.

 The Judge had lead them through the small Zone, and shown the trio to the upper floor of the sole building. 

 "It's not much." He had spoken, showing them the bare room. "But it may be yours to do as you please with."

 The feline siblings had left them to their peace, stating that they're off to reside in their own quarters. Alpha rather liked the room, even if there was nothing inside — the Judge had given it to them, the weight of his words insisting that this place could be called theirs.

 For them and their companions. A place of their own. It was an odd concept to consider, the only thing they could ever call theirs was their clothes and their bonded companions, but it was welcomed.

 And they were fucking exhausted! There's no cushions, or beds, or blankets, but they slump to the floor, lying down against the cool surface. Omega lays down next to them, lying their head on their chest.

 Alpha wraps an arm around them, and sleep nearly claims them before they register the Batter towering above the pair, looking down.

 "My god man, rest!" They can't read his expression, and they're too tired to care. "What's wrong?"

 He merely shakes his head, and moves to sit by the wall closest to them. Slouching against it as he pulls his cap over his eyes, and says nothing more.

 Alpha huffs at his quietness, but it's not out of the ordinary. When sleep attempts to reclaim them, they don't fight it.

______

 When they awake, not only are all of their limbs stiff, but Omega is gone. 

"... 'mega?" They sit up with a groan, their body protesting the movement.

 "They're downstairs with the cats." 

 They turn to look at the Batter as they stretch out their arms.

 "You haven't joined them?"

 "We need to talk." He steps over to them, unreadable. And they sigh.

 "If this is about Valerie, I will kick your ass." He helps them stand, and they accept the help without hesitation. Only to have themselves turned around and pressed against the nearest wall, he keeps them in place with a hand to their chest.

 "We can talk without intimidation tactics." They sigh, thoroughly unimpressed but not at all worried by their companions behaviour. "You do know that right?"

 "Alpha." He begins, and they raise an eyebrow at him challengingly. He holds their gaze for a moment, before reaching for their right hand and bringing it up between them. His thumb traces over their knuckles, before moving to the remaining ring.

 He looks at it, then up at them, and holds their gaze. They know what he wants to ask, he's easily readable now, but they're nothing if not difficult.

 "If you want a conversation, you have to use words."

 The hand on their chest pushes them more firmly against the wall, but not painfully so. They keep their gaze on him challengingly, not backing down.

 "What's the significance of the rings? Why give it to the Guardians?" He finally asks. They detect no hostility in his voice, but he sounds guarded.

 "I... I don't know." He glowers at them, but they're telling the truth. "I'm serious! Whatever divine foreknowledge that runs through us, it itches at me to leave a ring at each guardians defeat — I don't understand it! Not the significance, not what they do or what they represent, I just know that I have to."

 He regards them, his expression dropping into something thoughtful. He nods once. They pass his assessment.

 "Why haven't you told me?" His holds on them don't relent, and they're growing distracted by the thumb that's tracing their knuckles again.

 They shrug. It was a good question, but again they don't really know.

 "It just... felt like forbidden knowledge? Like I should keep it to myself?" They've tried parsing out this mystery, but the divine works in mysterious ways. "I'm not plotting anything, nor working against you, I just... get this feeling you'd be mad at the knowledge."

 "Mad?" He looks at them in confusion. "Why would I be mad?"

 They raise their free hand up in a show of equal confusion. "I don't know." Then they glance down at the hand on their chest, holding them in place. The Batter sighs.

 "I'm not mad." He removes his hand, and let's go of theirs. But he doesn't back up. "I just wish to understand the mission in its entirety, and I wish to understand you." 

 "Yea, well, you and me both." 

 "If that is what the divine tells you to do, then there is significance to the act." He sighs. "We must complete it, I wouldn't go against the directive."

 They're unsure how to respond, so they just nod. But they feel unburdened. They've been carrying this 'secret' for so long, fearful for some reason that he might react negatively.

 But he hasn't. And they feel closer to him for it.

 "Well, if we're done here." They start to move away, but he grabs them by the waist and pushes them back against the wall with a small amount of force.

 "Oh for FUCK sake—" Their hands fly down to try to pry his off, but they don't budge. They find themselves flustering at the hold. "Use your fucking words! I don't see you getting this handsy with Omega!"

 His gaze darkens, but not in the sinister way they're used to seeing from him. 

"Zacharie." 

 They blink at him. "Huh?"

"He asked to speak to you." 

 "He sure did." How the hell is that their fault? "I don't know what he wanted to say, you didn't let him speak."

 "What happened in—"

 "Is everything okay? I heard Alpha—" Omega ascends the stairs, coming to a stop at the top with a look of bewilderment at the sight of the pair of them. "What's going on?"

 "Mr talkative here can't have normal conversations." Alpha calls out to them. "Don't worry about it, I can handle his tantrums."

 Omega tilts their head, assessing the grip the Batter has them in. They look back at Alpha, their expression spelling out 'I'm not stepping in the middle of that'.

 "If you're sure." They promptly turn and head back down the stairs, not waiting for confirmation.

 Alpha turns to give him a stern look, and he continues his tirade now they're alone again.

 "What happened in Zone One?" They give him a dumbfounded look, edging him to elaborate. "When you snuck out to speak to the merchant."

 "This again?" They groan, thumping their head back against the wall.

 "This again." He affirms, his grip tightening as he waits for them to answer.

 They might as well bare all to him, because he's only going to stew in it otherwise. 

 "I told you, he was looking at me funny." They answer, looking up at him as he crowds a little closer. "I couldn't sleep, and I was curious about the rings, so I thought I'd confront him."

 The Batter only watches them, and they continue in his silence. "He seemed to know alot about my predicament, my existence. I asked him about the rings, and he said something cryptic about me having to discover the answers for myself."

 They sigh. "Then he started talking cryptically about my role. That's it's changed, both new and old. And don't ask — I have no idea what that means. That my life, Omegas and the next Add-On we're yet to meet, is an off-shoot of the guardians of our Zones power."

 His eyes narrow. "But I don't know what it means. That crazy fucker knows more than he's telling, and I could have learnt more yesterday!" They shake their head. "But thats it. That's all that happened — well, then I asked to buy the jumper — but that's it! I both know more and less at the same time!" 

 Hes quiet, studying them. The moment stretches out and starts to make them uncomfortable, worry sets in that they've upset him.

 "You're curious about your existence?" His voice is surprisingly soft.

 "Yea. Aren't you?"

 He looks off to the side, before shrugging. "Not particularly. I know my mission, I know my bonds, that's all I need."

 His gaze returns to them, and it's less piercing. "You could have asked me." 

"Yea, I get that now." They feel a twinge of sorrow, they should have trusted him more. They reach a hand up, and cup his jaw. "I'm sorry. Forgive me?"

 His lips twitch in a small smile, and they can't help but copy his expression.

 "I'll get the answers out of him for you."

 They can't help but laugh at the image that pops into their head, of him interrogating the poor merchant. "Just be nice, he's the only merchant around and we need his shit."

 He's silent, smile growing sharper. His gaze expressing to them 'no promises'. They pat the side of his face.

 "Are we done here now?" 

 He takes their offending hand in his, and quickly turns his head to press his lips against the inside of their wrist. "We're done." 

 They let out an undignified squeak, face burning so hot they're sure they're on fire. They break free of his hold, and he steps away, they don't meet his gaze as they head to the stairs in a daze.

 "We should find Omega..." They blabber, feeling their wrist tingle with the echo of his touch.

______

 "Is everything okay?" Omega asks as the pair meet them downstairs.

 Omega is sat cross legged on the floor, the two cats loafing in front of them, along with little cakes in the middle. Alpha zeros in on the scene as they move to sit next to their companion.

 "Yea. Good. Whatever." They stammer. Omega looks at them quizzically. "I'll tell you later. Boring mission stuff."

 "Speaking of." The Batter comes to stand behind the pair of them, choosing not to sit. "We should get going soon."

 "Soon, indeed." The Judge purrs. "But for now. Join us for a celebratory treat, they're my dear brothers favourite."

 "We have them imported from Zone 3." The quieter cat speaks up as Alpha reaches for a cake. "I hear that's where you're headed next."

 They spend the better part of the afternoon just chatting with the felines. The Batter seeming a bit out of place, but he eventually sits back to back with Alpha, not involved with the merriment, but present and listening.

 If this is what life could be like for them, Alpha would do anything to secure it.

 ______

 After Omega re-counts their stock, the trio decide its time to continue their journey.

 "Safe travels, dear friends." The Judge follows them out to the floating red cube, like a mother seeing her children off. "We shall not meet within the confines of Zone 3, I must remain here to rehabilitate my dear brother — I hope you understand."

 "Of course." They reach down to pet him one last time, and wave to Valerie who's peering out through the door.

 The Batter leads them back into the nothingness, and Alpha steps up to Omega and loops their arm with theirs.

 "Are you holding up okay? After Japhet?" They ask softly.

 Omega looks at them with a sad smile, they nod. "Surprisingly... yes. I'm sad to see him go, but he turned out to be rather vicious." They look towards the Batter, who's leading them all onwards. "Do you ever think he might be right? About the world not being neatly divided into good and evil?"

 Alpha shrugs. "Maybe. But one good argument doesn't mean his other remarks are of sound mind."

 "I get that." They nod. And in a whisper. "He thought the Batter was dangerous."

 Alpha huffs, their lips twitching in a humoured smile. "He is. But so are we. And so was Japhet. I think that's just how life is."

 Omega smiles, settled at their answer. "You're right." 

 "I'm always right." They grin brightly.

 "I wouldn't go that far." Omega giggles, and then they nudge them. "Hey. What happened between you and the Batter?"

"Ugh. Long story."

 They explain it to Omega as they walk up to the light of Zone 3, and down into the zone. They deserve to know, really, considering the conversation covered the topic of their existence. The Batter remains quiet, though they know he's listening in, but he doesn't object to the conversation.

 Though they leave the kiss out of the retelling... for now. They'll tell Omega later.

 "Hm." They don't seem pleased. "So I'm... like Japhet? Surely not! I'm nothing like him!"

 Alpha winces at the familiar defensive nature, and settles for a: "You're book smart, I think that's what you've gained from him."

 "Oh.. oh I guess so." Alpha smiles, crisis averted. "What about you, what similarities do you share with your guardian?"

 "They're argumentative." The Batter calls out, leading them up the boardwalk into Zone 3. Alpha looks up to regard the tall chimneys absentmindedly as they call out to him.

 "No I'm fucking not—" They clamp their mouth shut, and Omega laughs at them. 

 "And the swearing." He continues.

 Omega grins at them. "And you, Batter? Who are you reminisce of?"

 As they step inside the building, he pauses. A lost look on his face.

 "I don't know."

Chapter Text

 At the lost look on the Batters face, they quickly drop the topic. The first building they've entered in this zone was empty, and they choose to focus on that.

 "I'll be back in a minuet." They read, a note left on the front desk. They turn to their companions. "Do we know anything about this zone?"

 Alpha shrugs, and the Batter looks at them blankly. Alpha looks to them as they speak, "Was kinda hoping you would know something."

 They shake their head, stepping away from the desk. "Just that the figure head of this zone is a man named Enoch. But Japhet said he hasn't been heard from in a while..."

 The Batter places a comforting hand on their shoulder, and they cover it with their own. "We need not know anything but our mission. We've made it this far, and we will make it to the end."

 "The end?" They hear Alpha ask, but Omegas already off to investigate a poster on the wall. "Well... there was always going to be an end. But, what happens after?"

 Omega pauses, hand midair tracing the odd map they've found, as they zero in on the conversation. But the Batters silence is heavy, and they're starting to wonder if he doesn't know — or if he's ommiting something.

 What was the end goal of purification? Free of the spectres, certainly, but what of the zones that are now guardian-less? They make a mental note to demand to investigate the first two zones after they complete this one.

 "Leave it Omega." The Batter says. It takes a moment for them to realise he's talking about the odd map. "Come on."

 They turn to look at Alpha, who's now echoing the Batters previous lost look. They click their fingers to get their attention, and offer their hand out to them.

 "Our Holy Spirit is around here somewhere." They smile at their companion as they take their hand. "They'll know more."

 Following their bat-weilding companion outside, only a lone Elsen is sat lounging on the ground. He barely registers their approach, and speaks without looking up: "The plastic is beautiful today."

 The trio simultaneously look out across the ocean of plastic. It wasn't any different than Zone 2.

 Without further ado, they enter the next building. Omega immediately recognises it as a cafeteria, a few sparse Elsen milling about with trays and plates that hold a couple of white cubes.

 But no spectres.

 The Batter promptly turns to the right, the pair of them following him, and out descend from nowhere are a group of spectres. They shouldn't have spoken so soon. 

 "Blind spectres." He quickly informs as they fall into defensive positions behind him. "Should be simple enough."

 He strikes out at one, and a second hits out at them. The spectre packs a punch, the world tilting painfully as they struggle to keep their footing, but they regain it as they quickly throw out an attack.

 "Okay?" The Batter calls out, not looking back as he continues to charge at the group of spectres.

 "Fine." They quickly respond, watching as Alpha ducks out of the way of a similar assault, having learnt from Omegas reaction. 

 Neither of them have taken their Spherical form. They had found they preferred their human form for many reasons, but within battle it was useful — they needed to play medic. Alphas reasoning remained unclear.

 The fight quickly concludes, and before Omega can complain that these spectres are stronger, light overcomes their senses... and they're suddenly back outside.

 "Teleporter." Alpha huffs.

 "You've seen this before?" They look at them in puzzlement. The Batter offers them a luck ticket, but they decline it with shooing motion of their hand. They're awfully low on stock after Japhet.

 "Dedan used it as a form of transportation." Alpha says quietly. "I don't see what purpose it has here though."

 "Maybe to keep fights out of the cafeteria?" They offer.

 "It doesn't matter." The Batter sighs, leading them back in. "Let's try again."

 They make it a few more steps in before more spectres descend. Hefty blows are dealt to either side, Omega spots a light wound on the Batters cheek, the fight concludes and—

 Back outside.

 The Batter tenses in irritation, and Omega can't help the smile of amusement.

 "We'll get it, let's try again." They offer hopefully.

 Retracing their steps, he then takes a different turning and they make it half way towards a door at the end of the cafeteria before they're surrounded again.

 Alpha is muted, Omega heals them, and then they're back outside again.

 The Batter covers his face with his hands as he emits a deep growl of frustration. Alpha buries their face into Omegas shoulder as they shudder with silent laughter.

 "Again!" He orders in a rough voice.

 They don't make it so far the fourth time. A burnt suddenly appears to their right, and it deals a hefty enough blow to the Batter that Omega insists he takes a Fortune Ticket.

 And then they're back outside.

 The Batter looks thunderous, shoulders tense as he sneers back at the building. They don't think they've seen him lose his cool this much before.

 "Say 'fuck' Batter." Alpha taunts him, and they don't seem concerned when that dark gaze shifts to them. "Swearing is good for the soul. Go on, say fuck." 

 He half growls and half sighs, promptly walking back inside without a word, and Omega shakes their head at Alpha as their companion laughs to themselves.

 The Batter, remembering steps that seemed clear, retraces his earlier successful feats. They reach an Elsen, and upon questioning him about this strange teleporter maze, all he says is:

 "Are you aware that the patterns made by the leftovers on your plate mean something?"

 The Batter scowls down at the man, but unlike the first two zones, the Elsen here seem unphased by everything around them.

 They almost make it to the end of the room, but the Batter pushes a chair out of their path and then out descend four spectres from nowhere.

 They're outside as soon as the fight concludes.

 A loud bang of metal on metal startles them, and they quickly clock that the Batter has thrown his bat down in anger. The Elsen looking out over the plastic only slowly glances back at them, before deeming the situation non-urgent and turning away again.

 "This is growing tiring." He grits out through his teeth.

 They share a glance with Alpha, who still looks mildly amused. Omega takes the moment to quickly, and far too timidly, speak up.

 "That map... back at the reception." The Batter turns his dark expression to them, and their resolve quickly deflates under it. "M-maybe it's for the cafeteria?"

 His expression loses the dangerous edge, and he quickly nods towards the first building as if in instruction.

 They waste no time, near running back to the entrance and snatching it off the wall. Sure enough, it matches the layout of the cafeteria. 

 Upon returning, they find Alpha with their hands pressed against the Batters chest, standing close as they look up at him under the brim of his cap.

 They don't quite catch what was said or done, but the Batter seems somewhat calmer as they hand him the map.

 He looks over it, angling it so Alpha can too, before handing it back to them.

 "Lead us." His voice is still rough with irritation, but he quickly adds in a softer tone. "You have a better sense of navigation." 

 They nod quickly, eager to help solve this situation. They take the lead, their two companions following after them, and re-enter the cafeteria for hopefully the last time.

 The Batter almost had the correct path last time, so they retrace his steps and lead him further down the correct avenue. They experience no more surprises as they finally reach the door.

 There immediately greeted by Zacharie, wearing a new cat-like mask. He opens his arms wide in greeting.

 "Good day, dear reckless accomplices." He cheerily speaks. "I've somewhat changed, anatomically speaking... But you have obviously recognized me at first glance! I'm your friend, the Judge!"

 The Batter comes to a stop in front of the man, frowning down at him. "Zacharie?!"

 "... So my disguise is no match for your keen and unforgiving eyesight!" He chuckles. "Pablo is rather preoccupied right now, and has asked that I continue in place of his guidence."

 The Batter doesn't seem pleased, if the re-tensing of his shoulders is any indication.

 "Anyway, I'll be hunting down obscure clues that I shall take pleasure in revealing to you little by little in the most destructive manner." Zacharie continues, unphased as ever.

 "You've been meddling alot recently." He says, displeased. They know the Batters talking about the talks with Alpha.

 "Well." Zacharie straightens up, seeming to have read between the lines. "It's necessary."

 The two stare each other down, and they brace themselves to intervene. But Zacharie quickly switches back to his bright persona with a chuckle.

 "Are you going for a stroll near the dormitories in the meantime? I've heard that the spectres there are quite active! The dorms are on the upper left of the cafeteria, it's right next door. Go and check it out. You may find some interesting clues." He gestures back towards the door. "Talk to me when you're done."

 The Batter scowls, but promptly does as he's told, his Add-Ons hot on his heels.

 "I don't trust him." He grits out as Omega takes lead again.

 "He's a bit odd." They agree, somewhat. "But he's been awfully helpful, and he seems to be on our side."

 He says nothing as they lead their companions to the left dormitory, but they sense he's out of arguments. They can almost feel his agreement, despite a dark tinge edged to it. 

 Their bond seems to be speaking louder as the days go on.

 They step into room, one Elsen by a bed jumps at their appearance. "Uh... uh... I'm hiding nothing! I promise!"

 They wave a hand to dismiss him. These Elsen were worryingly odd.

 "There are no ghosts under the mattresses." Alpha barks out a laugh at the poster they're reading. "Well shit, I never thought they would lurk there."

 They walk further down the long corridor, now being lead by the Batter again. He stalks into one bed quarters, and promptly opens a chest.

 They open their mouth to admonish him for stealing from the Elsen, but they're interrupted by one Elsen peaking around the door way.

 "There's no need to fear." He shakily smiles at them. "No one bears you ill will." Then he quickly ducks away again, and back to wherever he came from. The trio look at each other. 

 "Okay. They're creeping me out now." Alpha huffs as they hug themselves.

 "Agreed." They speak as they eye up the vacant doorway nervously.

 The Batter places a hand to their lower back, and guides them over to Alpha. 

 "Stay behind me."  

 They near melt at his concern when he places a hand to theirs and Alphas face comfortingly, before he turns and heads out the doorway.

 They catch Alphas soft expression, and their companion theatrically places a hand to their own chest, over their heart. Omega smiles knowingly.

 "We're good, boss, don't worry." Alpha quickly sides up behind him, but their attempt at cheer quickly dies as they reach the end of the corridor.

 "Who are you all?" An Elsen speaks, glancing around at the three spectres that are caging him in. "Are you... spectres? You... You're not bad ghosts, right? O–Of course not... You're our friends."

 The spectres lash out at him, and he cowers, looking down at his torn and bloodied clothes.

"This... this isn't a serious injury... I'm sure..." He wheezes, before the spectres lash out at him one last time. He drops to the floor, dead.

 "Taste our holy wrath, corrupt souls." The Batter leaps into action before they can process the scene.

 They and Alpha fall into place beside him. The ghouls turn to face them, one championing a floating crown.

 "Aim for the Crown of the Dead." The Batter instructs. "It's a healer."

 The spectres seem to head the Batters words also, as they single Omega out in their attacks. They grit their teeth at the assault, but hold steady as their companions shield them from the worst.

 The fight is quickly concluded, and the Batter loops an arm around their waist to keep them standing. Alpha passes them a fortune ticket.

 They lean heavily on the Batter as they shake their head at the ticket. "It's our last one."

 "I took two from the chest." The Batter takes it and administers it against their protest. "It doesn't matter if it was the last one, either."

 They feel better for the healing, but the Batter doesn't quite let them go yet. "Thanks." They smile at their companions.

 They look back at the dead Elsen, and the Batters grip tightens on them. "He wasn't scared." He speaks. "Reviving him would be futile, they don't see the spectres as a threat."

 They whince at his words. He's right, but it still pains them that they can't help this one. After a moment, and a shaky nod, they pull out the map again, and stand straighter. "C'mon, it's a short path to the next dormitory."

 Keeping to the map meant that they'd yet to bump into more spectres, and at this point they were relieved for that. 

 The next dormitory is quiet, but they wouldn't have been paying attention anyway — for a ring of light stands grand at the end of the corridor.

 "Oh hell yes!" Alpha cheers as they grab the Batters wrist and yank him down the hallway. 

 Omega nearly laughs at the helpless way he's dragged by them, and they quickly follow behind to meet their new, and final, soon-to-be companion.

 They've never been on this side of the experience, and they internally grumble at the memory of snapping at Alphas help. Hopefully this would be better.

 The Batter regards this new one, more hesitant, Omega muses that he's uncertain if he wants a third bumbling around him. But he quickly pulls out of his thinking, and reaches out to bond with them.

 The new one drops and topples onto the Batter unceremoniously, and he has to quickly catch them. He props them up by placing his hands on their shoulders, their hair a mess as they quickly look around their new companions.

 "Finally." They beam with the brightest smile. "You're all here!" 

Chapter Text

 Life wasn't so dull chained to the dormitories. 

 The Elsen, strangely unafraid of the spectres, were not afraid of them either. The ones that lived within these quarters would regularly come up to them and yabber about their day, and some would even give them sugar!

 They were awfully sweet, much like the sugar they gifted, and they always bid Epsilon good night before they went to sleep. 

 Because of them, time passed quickly and unnoticed, even if the constraints of not being able to speak and move darkened their mood. 

 But one day, a strange man turned up. One wearing an odd white mask with a painted wide grin.

 "Greetings Epsilon." And he had known their name! How odd. But their open bond sang an incorrect tune, he wasn't theirs to claim. He didn't try to claim them, either.

 "Ah, your soul mates will be here in due time." He chuckled, having somehow sensed their thoughts. "But for now, allow me to enlighten you on the possibilities that await."

 Stationary as they are, they had no choice but to listen as he proceeded to delve into a one-sided conversation. He told them about their companions, who he promises will arrive any moment, and how one called 'Alpha' is altering the path their mission takes so a brighter future can be achieved.

 They think he's crazy, especially when his speech quickens in pace;

 "Apologies, Epsilon. But for the sake of this world, I really need you to know." 

 He goes off into a tangent about how they, the Add-Ons, are the only ones that can knock 'him' off course from total destruction. That they now exist as they do for that very purpose—

 They start attempting to access their competences, they've used them before when spectres have entered the dorms, and they want him to shut up!

 What could he possibly know about their divine duty? He wasn't an Elsen, and he didn't seem like a Guardian, and he wasn't theirs. So his meddling, and his words, were unimportant. They know their divine duty, blessed with it even, words of a commoner can't sway a god.

 "Your Divine Path has two avenues." He chuckles, but he seems nervous now. "I have personally gifted you the new one. Don't waste it, you won't get this life again. I had to pull some strings, you see."

 They barely register the second remark, entirely focused on the first. Two paths? Yes. They can sense that. A light and a dark. 

 "And I need you to chose the light."

 They buzz and brighten dangerously. How could he hear—

 "I play a bigger part in this than you think, dearest friend. This isn't my first play through." He tilts his head, and they see his eyes shadowed by the mask narrow as he focuses on something. "They're here. But I have full faith you'll choose this new life of yours. We'll meet again very shortly, but for now, farewell Epsilon."

 Then they were promptly left alone to wait. Confused, and feeling off tilt. But they can sense their companions approach, the open bond aching to cling to them, and they eagerly await the closing of that thread. 

 ______

 Time passes, but not as long as what has passed so far, and soon enough the door they're facing opens.

 They instinctively recognise two Add-Ons, and ones excitement at seeing them makes them so giddy with happiness they could burst. They wish they could reach out, but they could only wait as the distance is closed by their companions.

 The tall man they drag up to them is peculiar, but the bond sings happy tunes at his appearance, and Epsilon knows that he belongs to them too.

 The zing as the bond is completed is a dizzying rush of positive energy, and they care not how they land on their feet. Once their senses settle, they throw themselves forward and hug the man infront of them.

 "I'm Epsilon." They speak. Speaking is new, it feels odd. "I was told you were coming."

 The man freezes under their hold, but it doesn't really matter to them that he doesn't reciprocate. Because he's theirs and they're his, and that's all that matters. All four of them, finally together, and the world is set to rights.

 "Who told you?" The man finally speaks.

 A tut is heard from behind them, and the Add-On that was excited to see them pulls them away from the man. 

 "I'm Alpha and this— OOF." They fling themselves at them too, and their hug is finally reciprocated.

 They quickly let go, and pull the other Add-On into a hug. "I'm Omega." They speak more calmly than the other one, and the hand their companion places on their back is comforting. "And this is the Batter." They gesture to the tall man, who regards them with an unreadable expression.

 "There was a masked man." They answer his question, and his expression immediately darkens. Perhaps he knows of his meddling too. "He told me about the mission, and that you'll be here soon."

 "Wait here." He points to the three of them, and he quickly turns heel to storm down and out of the dorms. They hear Alpha sigh.

 "Have I done something wrong?" It doesn't feel like they have, but the Batter didn't quite react to them as they'd hoped.

 Alpha takes them by the arm and leads them to the beds, and the three of them sit down. They keep hold of their arm, and Omega on their other side takes their hand.

 "No." Alpha speaks. "He's got a bit of a... problem with the masked man, that's all."

 Well, the masked man was certainly odd. And knowledgeable. But confronting him wasn't neccessary to the mission, so they don't quite understand the reaction. 

 "I'll go find him if he's gone for too long." Alpha sighs. "I kinda like him, and would rather he didn't get a bat to the head."

 Epsilon frowns. "Would he do that?"

 Alpha looks around them to peer at Omega, then shakes their head. "I don't know."

 The silence that follows is awkward, and Epsilon isn't sure how to fill it. So they stand, and their companions look at them oddly as they move over to the opposite bed.

 They lift up the mattress, and grumble when it's empty. "I'm sure I saw them hide it here."

 "Hide what?" Omegas tone is curious, and maybe a bit concerned.

 "Sugar!" Epsilon smiles back at them. "Have you had some? It's tasty."

 The other two glance at each other, and Omega nods with a small smile. "We've had cake—"

 "Oh I love cake!" They quickly slam the mattress down, bounty not found, and sit in the middle of their companions again. 

 "What's the deal with our tall friend?" They suddenly ask.

 The two glance at each other again, and Epsilon has to wonder if they can speak telepathically.

 "He's a bit blunt, a bit aggressive with completing the mission. But... hes nice. And he looks after us." Alpha offers, and their glance away tells them that they're hiding more. 

 "Don't worry about his cold introduction." Omega speaks, and they turn to face them. "He was like that with both of us. You'll get used to him."

 They have more questions, but heavy footsteps echo down the hallway until the Batter suddenly comes to a stop in front of the bed they're sitting on. He doesn't sit, just towers over the three of them.

 "I have spoken to him." He looks at Alpha, before turning to face them all. "The same cryptic nonsense he's told you, Alpha. But I managed to get one answer out of him: the rings are a power source, they reset the zones."

 Alpha sits up straighter, and Omega looks curious. "They are?" Alpha speaks, hope in their voice. "Thats a good thing? Right?"

 The Batter nods. "If that's what the Divine wants, then yes."

 They glance at Alpha, and spot their hand adorned with a singular ring. They've missed half the journey with their companions, and it makes them upset.

 "He won't tell me more about our existence, however." The Batter continues. "He said some rubbish about us having to find out later."

 Alpha is quiet. Epsilon recounts the one-sided conversation he had with them, and find that the knowledge he's given them doesn't quiet give them the answers to that question either — but they suspect he has something to do with all of this.

 "Is he dead?" Alpha asks suddenly, looking up at the Batter in challenge. They feel Omega tense next to them.

 "No." The Batter regards Alpha, the corner of his lips briefly twitching in a smile. "We need his shit."

 Alpha breaks out into a stunning smile, and Epsilon shares in their happiness — even if they're clueless in context. Then they stand, gesturing for them and Omega to follow suit. 

 "Let's continue." They watch in fascination as Alpha tilts their head up, and kisses the Batter on the cheek. He ducks his head shyly at the affection.

 Oh. They think they're starting to understand. They could work with this kind of dynamic.

 The Batter gestures for them to follow, and once his back is turned, Omega slaps Alphas arm. Alpha grins, blushing.

 "What was that?" Omega asks in a hushed whisper of suprise.

 Alpha ducks their gaze shyly in a similar manner to the Batter, and Epsilon giggles at the reaction. "He did it to me first!" Alphas voice is below a whisper, and they nearly miss their words.

 Omega squeaks, covers their mouth. "You never told me!" The mumble behind their hand.

 Alpha just points to the Batters back, and then up to their ear. And that's easy enough to decode, he's probably listening to this too.

 "I've seen the Elsen do it." Epsilon suddenly offers up, mostly just to join in.

 "What?!" Alpha looks to them, wide eyed.

 "I had a view of their beds. They do more, sometimes they take their clothes off and—" Their mouth is suddenly covered by Omegas hand.

 "Shush!" Omega stammers. "I don't want to know!"

 Alpha smacks a hand to their shoulder as they howl with laughter. Neither of them notice the Batters stopped and turned to face them, until they nearly crash into him.

 "I concur." He's looking directly at Epsilon, and they smile at his disturbed expression. "Omega, lead us out of here."

 Omega pulls out a map, but Epsilon quickly shoos it away. "Oh no, there's a quicker way out."

 They step out of the dorms, and into the cafeteria. It smells so sweet in here, but their companion is eager to get going. They'll have to find sugar later.

 "Epsilon?" He speaks, confused.

 They say nothing, just step off path to be greeted by a group of little spectres. Nothing terribly dangerous.

 "Oh not this again." Alpha sighs.

 Epsilon smiles brightly at them all. "Would you like to see a Tragedy?" 

 Before any one can answer, they click their fingers. "Surrealistic Tragedy." They whisper, and all of the spectres drop dead on hit.

 Epsilon cheers happily at themselves as the teleporter encompasses them all, and pings them outside.

 "Holy fuck that was awesome." Alpha grabs their shoulders and shakes them once they all land. They grin at the praise.

 "Impressive." Is all the Batter comments, and he continues walking off to a different building.

 Alpha looks at them, amazed. "Impressive. He says." 

______

 The trio of Add-Ons follow him down into the underground. 

 "Where are we going?" Epsilon speaks up.

 "Zacharie said to take the monorail, it's our only access to the other areas." The Batter speaks over his shoulder, stopping on the platform.

 They nod at his words, and then: "Who's Zacharie?"

 "The masked man." Alpha explains. 

 It's cold down here. Temperature was a new experience, not something they felt in their Spherical form, but they're not eager to return to that form just yet. They eye Omegas jumper longingly; despite its tattered and bloodied appearance, it looks warm. They quickly side up to their companion, link their arm with theirs, and cuddle up to their side for warmth. Omega stutters at the sudden attention, but they don't protest it. 

 They climb into the tram once it arrives, minutely surprised to find it smaller than they expected. But it was also vacant of life, giving them and their companions the space to take over. Omega leads them to one seat, and they watch as Alpha and the Batter take the one opposite.

 "I've never ridden a tram before." Omega speaks up as the transport starts moving.

 "It's good fun." Alpha looks out of the window in disappointment. "... When there's actually something to see."

 Darkness is all that passes by as they wizz through the tunnels. But Epsilon isn't too concerned by the view outside, they want to take in their companions instead.

 "When Zacharie spoke to me, before we met, he said that our mission was two paths." They mumble against Omegas shoulder, breaking the silence. "He also said it wasn't his first 'play through', whatever that means."

 "Pay his words no mind." They meet the Batters gaze as he speaks. "He knows nothing."

 "I think he knows everything." The Batters expression turns dark at their words, and their bond sours for a moment.

 The silent stand off is broken by Alpha taking the Batters hand in theirs. "You know they're right." The Batters scowl turns to them as they speak, but it softens. "Don't start shit! He's clearly on our side."

 "But why does he insist on speaking to you three, and not me?" 

 Alpha holds his gaze, slowly breaking out into a humoured grin. "Because you're intense to deal with."

 The tram clicks to a stop. Epsilon flashes a smile at Alpha as they all disembark. Area 2s platform is identical to Area 1s, and Epsilon waves to the receptionist as they pass through — they beam happily when their greeting is met with an equal wave.

 The Batter is the first to step outside again, the three of them following behind, and up ahead a familiar chuckle is heard. They peer around the Batters tall form, and spot the masked man — Zacharie!

 "Too bad Batter!" He says with a chuckle. "I won the race and arrived before you." A race sounds fun, Epsilon thinks, shame he didn't win it.

 "However, it was scripted." Zacharie continues, joyful. "You had no chance of success anyway. So, here's a little something to help you forget the pains of such an unappealing defeat."

  A prize! That's awfully kind. They can see why Alpha likes him. The Batter accepts the parcel, and they see it's a piece of meat — food, so its useful.

 "I'll leave you now to search the area." Zacharie continues, slowly walking backwards. "If you find something suspicious, don't hesitate to let me know as soon as possible."

 And he's helpful! They have to wonder what his role in all of this is.

 The masked man turns and heads towards a door way up ahead. Now the odd moment is over, the Batter gestures for them all to follow him to the left, but Omega stops him with a hand to the shoulder.

 "We need stock."

Chapter Text

 They follow Zacharie into the building. Omega was right, their stock was abysmally low, and they were all in dire need of new clothes after the fiasco in the cafeteria. They look mournfully to the now-tattered jumper, but knowing it gave their companion comfort until the end was worth it.

 Zacharie is behind a counter when they enter, leaning forward on his elbows as he surveys the group.

 "So, what's new?"

 "Nothing." The Batter looks at him quizzically. "We're here for stock."

 "Ah, no can do comrades, I am merely your guide." He says in a friendly tone. "You'll have to ask the kindly fellow next door." 

 Zacharie and the Batter have a stare off. The 'guides' relaxed posture and bright humoured eyes tell them he's doing this purely to wind their partner up. Alpha has to cast their gaze to the floor to hide their amusment.

 The Batter stiffly walks out of the building when Zacharie doesn't relent, and the trio follow him closely into the next building along.

 Upon entering, Zacharie steps through a hallway connecting this room to the other building as he fixes his original mask to his face. He chuckles as he turns to face the group, swinging his backpack up onto the counter.

 "I should make a bit of money after all." 

 "Your theatrics are unnecessary." The Batter scowls, stepping up to look through the wares. Omega joins him.

 "I wouldn't say that. Your companions seem amused, and isn't that what matters?"

 The Batter turns to look at the three of them, and Alpha has to hide their face in their hands to stifle their laughter. They hear him sigh.

 "Epsilon, how good to see you on your feet!" Alpha looks over to their new companion as Zacharie greets them, and they watch as Epsilon steps up alongside the Batter to look over everything. "I trust that you'll heed my words?"

 "Yea yea, head to the light or something." Head to the light? Alpha watches on in confusion, but Epsilon is already sailing ahead with another train of thought. "Do you have any sugar?"

 "Ah, no, I don't." The Batter looks between the two as they speak, before returning to his shopping. "But Epsilon, dear, I advise you to hold off on the sugar for just a little while — you'll understand in time."

 Epsilon frowns, and Alpha mimics their own confusion. Why won't a merchant sell something as simple as sugar? 

 Between the Batter and Omega, they set aside a host of new stock, and a hefty amount of credits are exhanged. Zacharie packs up after the deal is completed, but before he turns to leave, he slides over a bundle of fabric to Omega.

 "A new jumper. Free of charge. A gift, even." 

 They take it, and hold up an identical but pristine version of their old jumper.

 "What do you have to gain from this?" The Batter takes Omegas wrist in his hand, looking over the jumper they now hold.

 "Why do I need to gain anything?" Zacharie shoots back.

 "Everything is transactional with you."

 A chuckle. "No. Not always." He looks between Omega and the Batter, before casting his gaze over Alpha and Epsilon. "It's the little comforts that make life worth it, yes? Consider it a reminder, that there's more good in this world than bad."

 Holding onto the straps of his bag, he quickly leaves for the previous room before any more questions can be thrown at him.

 Omega shrugs. "A gifts a gift, why complain?"

 Alpha steps up to them to help them take their rucksack off, as the Batter gathers some defensive equipment to pass to Epsilon.

 Omega starts packing away the healing stock, back into a neat and orderly fashion that comes naturally to them. Alpha reaches out to poke at the tattered holes of the old jumper, a small smile on their face as they're lost in thought.

 "I never did give it back to you." Omega pulls them out of their thinking. "And I got it ruined."

 They raise their gaze to meet Omegas, and shake their head fondly. They reach out a hand to cup Omegas face, and pull them in until they can place a gentle kiss to their forehead. Affection towards the Batter left them weak at the knees, but affection towards Omega felt calming — both feel good, and right, but the difference was fascinating.

 "It was yours. It gave you comfort, so it served its purpose." Omega smiles at them. "I think that nutter knew that, hence the freebie."  

 The Batter returns to their side, new tunics in hand. "Pack the jumper away, you won't need that right now."

 Omega throws them an amused expression, but they do as they're told. "I would have left the last in Zone 0 if I had a change of clothes." 

 "Zone 0?" Epsilon asks as the Batter hands the tunics out.

 "Our home." Alpha smiles at them. Home, that was a nice word. "We'll take you there, when we have a moment. You can meet our friends."

 Epsilon smiles brightly, and they can't wait to take them back. Somewhere safe. 

 They glance down at their new tunic. "Right. Um—"

 Omega takes their jumper off, throwing the tattered remains to the ground, and quickly adorning their new tunic. Alpha flusters at the sight.

 "For someone that's so bossy, it's the most basic of things that shut you up." Omega teases, tucking their tunic into their trousers.

 "At least something works." The Batter agrees, taking his cap and tunic off. But he doesn't change out of his undershirt... and maybe, maybe, Alphas a little disappointed. 

 "Yea whatever, fuck you." They turn their back to their companions, quickly taking off their own tunic and replacing it with the new with a huff. "Divine forbid my weakness is you guys."

 When they turn around, the two Add-Ons at least have the decency to pretend they were looking else where. The Batter however...

 "Mind your business!" But he only smirks at their flustered snap. "Ugh. Let's get going."

______

 Their journey through the treatment centre is promptly cut short as they realise their way is barricaded, giving them access only to the first room.

 "Great." They look at the barricaded doorway with disdain. They tap the nearest Elsen on the shoulder. "We need access... please?"

 The Elsen looks between them, and the barricaded doorway, before shrugging with zero concern for their predicament. "The Director says if we keep to our stations, we'll continue to get it. One must keep to their duties, or otherwise..." He shudders, turning back to his work.

 "It?" They turn to look at Epsilon, hoping for some insight.

 "The sugar." They look up at the pipes running across the walls. "Each work shift is rewarded with rations."

 "Right." The sugar again.

 The barriers suddenly lift, and they turn to look at the Elsen quizzically before Omega and the Batter return to their side.

 "There were switches hidden behind some boxes " Omega says casually as they head into the next room. "Took a couple of tries, but we figured it out."

 The next room is almost identical, though this time the switches are more visible... but further apart. 

 "This place is guarded to the nines." Alpha grumbles.

 Twin sets of heavy footsteps make the four of them pull into tighter formation, and from around the wall walk out two tall ghouls.

 They stand taller than even the Batter, their long tendrils and claws swaying as they approach with heavy breathes.

 "Von Gacys." The Batter calls out as one leaps in to swing at him. He doesn't get a chance to swing out before Epsilon hits out with a Tragedy, and both entities cower back at the attack.

 It gives the group a solid opening to begin their assault, Epsilon once in a while swinging in with a Tragedy again when the entities get too emboldened.

 But with their help, only minor injuries are dealt to the group, and the attack concludes quickly.

 "Okay." Omega speaks out. "There's three switches. Everyone head to one, and I'll try to puzzle out the order." 

 No one argues with the order, and they head out to seperate switches.

 Alpha, up at the top right corner of the room, over hears an Elsen mutter to a coworker about his portion size. Sounding displeased about his lack of dessert. Again, they think, it's all these Elsen seem to think about. 

 Omega starts calling out the shots, and it takes a couple of tries and fumbling before they triumphantly call out that the second doorway is now unbarricaded.

 "There's a security code." The Batter tells them as they gather around them. 

 Omega peers around his shoulder, and they reach around him. "What's that?" They point at a small picture.

 "Looks like one of those ghouls." He pauses, then quickly types in the ghouls designation. The door clicks open with a ping, the password was accepted.

 "Let's see what all these security measures are for then." Alpha waltzs in ahead of their companions. As the doors swing open, they halt at the scene in front of them.

 Three Elsen cower at the sight of three spectres. Almost an even match, but Alpha readies themselves to dive in to their aid.

 "No... no... The sugar, don't touch the sugar..." One Elsen wheezes, and that's when they clock the mountains of white powder filling the room. It smells sickly sweet.

 "Sh- shove off spectres! Get out!! Get OUT!!" To the surprise of the whole group, the Elsens lash out and successfully take out the group of spectres.

 Before they can ask if they're okay, one Elsen turns to them and points an accusatory finger.

"You! You want to eat our sugar too!" 

 All three Elsen rupture at the same time. Towering burnts with large claws.

 "Burnt from sugar deprivation." The Batter calls out, quickly pushing Alpha behind him as he takes the lead.

 "Sugar... deprivation?" Epsilon asks weakly, quickly lashing out with a Tragedy.

 The three fall into place behind the Batter, and they began their assault. Fighting burnts didn't seem to get any easier for Alpha, but these guys seemed sicker than most. Their blows were heavy, and Omega had to dish out a Fortune Ticket to the Batter who was flung backwards by a large claw to the chest. Epsilon, surprisingly them with a secret aid, stops behind Alpha and places their hands on their shoulders, their being thrumed with the joint power of them both as they lashed out with heavy-handed chains.

 The burnts fell soon enough, and they turnt to regard Epsilon with curiosity. 

 "Classic Drama." They smile, but they seem shaken. "It boosts an allies attack, gives you a better chance of success."

 "Thanks." They place a hand on their fellow Add-Ons shoulder. "Are you okay?"

 Epsilon looks at them with wide worried eyes, and they both jump at the sound of a voice.

 "Mmmh... It smells awfully sweet around here." Zacharie had followed them in, cat mask obscuring his features. "Without a doubt, that is due to the pile of immaculate granular powder. Better known as sugar."

 "Seems so." The Batter looks back at them, and Epsilon steps closer to Alpha until they're gripping at their tunic.

 Zacharie looks at them too, and Alpha thinks they can see concern in his gaze. "Well, this is quite surprising, I didn't expect to find such an ingredient at this po— in this place. Best to get going to Area 3, your answers are held there."

 He turns to leave, but pauses at the threshold between rooms. "By the way, I suggest caution on your way back. The employees seem to be feeling... a bit under the weather. Hurry along, I'll meet you in the next area."

Silence remains after he leaves, and Alpha looks down at Epsilons clenched hands in their tunic. "Epsilon?" They ask in concern.

 "I'm okay!" They quickly breathe, letting go and stepping away. A banging, and a toppling of a desk, is heard from the room they came in from. "We should go before it gets worse."

 The way back out of the Treatment Centre is pure mayhem. Burnts fling themselves at the group, all symptoms from sugar deprivation and madness. Accusations are flying, that the group are attempting to steal the sugar and are lying about the spectres causing harm, and Alpha finds themselves losing their temper.

 "We're not after your fucking sugar!" They lash out a Von Gacy that joins in on the carnage, and it's all they can do to keep up with the rapidly gathering enemies.

 Epsilon, despite their growing anxious nature, is an absolute blessing in this fight. It seems their Tragedys don't have an upper limit of ghouls they can affect, and Omega is constantly leaping in to replenish their energy levels.

 They're able to push back into the first room. The Batter leading the way, his bat almost a blur as he expertly swings out and deals devastating blow after blow.

 They lash out with a chain attack, but they're cut off by something colliding with their back and sending them tumbling to the floor. Before they can pop up in their Spherical form, a Burnt swings down with heavy claws, and everything goes dark.

______

 They reawaken in the Batters arms, carried and huddled against his chest as they draw in a breath. He looks down at them in concern, and they note the sudden change of scenery from the Treatment Centre to the cold underground of the monorail station.

 "The Treatment Centre?" Why didn't they revive them to help?

 "I made the call to leave, after..." He grips them tighter, schooling his features into something more stoic. But they already caught the pain in his eyes. "It's overrun, it's not worth our effort."

 They spot Omega and Epsilon following them in silence, and the Batter doesn't slow down to set them on their feet. They press a hand to his chest.

 "It's our job." They look up at him in confusion. He's the first to push through pain and carnage to complete the mission! "We have Jokers, and healing items, why the fuck did you leave?!"

 "Don't question my orders." They scoff, and he frowns at them as he adjusts his grip on them. "You were killed, and Epsilon is feeling unwell. I had a choice to make, so I made it."

 They reach the platform for the tram, and he lowers them to their feet. They already miss the way he held them. They settle with looking up at him, trying to parse him out, and reach a hand up to his forehead, "Are you feeling okay?" 

 He lightly slaps their hand away. "I'm fine." He grits out.

 "Right." They pat him on chest, disbelieving, but dropping the argument.

 He'd chosen their saftey over the mission. They've always known he cared, it's been evident since the beginning, but something monumental has changed. It makes something squeeze in their chest, and they feel breathless at the intensity of this new feeling.

 He doesn't seem willing to talk anymore, so they'll have to save the interrogation for later. The tram arrives not long after, and he insists the three of them enter first. 

 The tram is empty, thankfully, as Omega quickly takes Epsilon over to a seat. Epsilon lies down, placing their head in Omegas lap, and looking decidedly both sick and terrified.

 "What's wrong with them?" Alpha asks, reaching out to run a hand through Epsilons hair.

 "I don't know. They're not suffering from any status affect that I can heal." Omega stammers, looking at their companion worriedly.

 "Will I be burnt?" Epsilon looks up at Omega fearfully.

 "What?" Omegas face twists in shock.

 "The Elsen gave me sugar, while I was waiting for you guys to find me." They shiver. "I feel sick, like it's all I can think about and I need more. Deprivation, that's what he called it." They look at the Batter in worry.

 "You won't go burnt. Can't go burnt, even." Omega quickly speaks, and Alpha takes Epsilons hand in theirs. It's clamy. "It's a biological reaction only known to Elsen, and we're something else. I... I don't know how deprivation is going to effect you, but we'll see it through... Your ours, we'll see you back into health."

 Epsilon seems to settle at that, closing their eyes as they whimper. Alpha turns to look at the Batter, who's no longer hiding his concern.

 "We should head back to Zone 0 until they're better."

 "We can't." He takes his cap off, and runs his hand through his hair. "Without a zodiac card, we can only leave this Zone via a red save point, and we're too far away from the first we saw."

 They bite their lip in worry. "The next, then. Wherever that is." He nods his agreement, but is otherwise quiet.

 Epsilon shakily pushes themselves to sitting, Omega settling their hands on their shoulders to steady them. "I'll be okay. Our divine duty guides us, and it will deliver me to health."

 They're not really sure it works like that, but they're not going to crush Epsilons hope. 

 They step away, letting Epsilon have their breathing space. They feel arms encircle them from behind, and then they're pulled flush back against the Batter. The support is like a lifeline, and as he buries his face into the crook of their neck, they realise he needs it too.

  The four of them stay like that, quiet for the remainder of the journey. Epsilon steadily grows less pale, Alpha thinks it was more panic than sickness, and Omega helps them to stand as the tram comes to a stop. Before letting them go, the Batter places a harsh kiss to their neck that leaves them stuttering for breath, then he guides them towards the door before they can recover.

 His sudden increase in attention towards them was leaving them off-kilter; not that it was unwelcome, because it very much wasn't, but they can't help wondering about the reasoning behind it all. 

 Area 3, they quickly focus on, is a bit odd in landscape. After leaving the station behind, they're immediately met with a small platform that holds only towering chimneys. Their height rivalling that of Zone 2s library, and there appears to be no access to anywhere accept a tall ladder leading to the top of a stack.

 They laugh deliriously. "Fantastic. Exactly what we need."

 The four of them stand at the base of the chimney stack looking up. The Batter places his hands on Epsilons shoulders;

 "We can rest as long as you need."

 He's met with an immediate shake of their head. "No. Justice can't wait. I'll be okay, I promise."

 He doesn't seem too pleased with their protest, but he takes their word at face value. He squeezes their shoulders before letting go.

 "All three of you, follow me up in your Spherical forms. No climbing." His voice is stern, leaving no room for protest as he shoves his bat down his tunic and starts climbing.

 They wait until both their companions are up in the air before following them, the three wordlessly bracketing around the Batter protectively.

 The climb feels like an eternity, and of course the singular stack with ladder access is the tallest amongst the chimneys, and they climb ever higher than the others. Every time the Batter pauses to survey the increasing sudden drop below him, Alpha buzzes harshly against his back to get him to move again. They're not sure a Joker would be enough to heal from such a fall.

 Once they get to the top, Omega swinging in front of the Batter to bracket him as Alpha keeps to his back, Alpha nearly loses it at the scene before them.

 There is no ladder down the inside. The purpose of the initial ladder is lost to them if there's no destination!

 "We need to go down." The Batter grits out as he stands on the narrow lip of the chimney.

 Yea, well, no shit. They internally grumble.

 Epsilon buzzes nervously to their left as Alpha formulates a plan. But communicating it was another issue entirely.

 They swing down to his hand, nudging at it. He looks at them, confused, and they scream with every ounce of strength they'e got through their bond:

'Hold!'

 A look of realisation settles on his face — could he hear them? He takes a firm grip to the lower half of their Spherical body. Omega and Epsilon sensing the same, as he reaches to grip onto Omega, and Epsilon flies out to cover the space below them in the chimney.

 They try again, willing the words through their shared bond;

'Trust us?'

"With every fibre of my being." He responds, taking a step of faith out into the open mouth of the chimney.

 Between them and Omega, they're able to keep him hoisted in the air. His grips on them both knuckle-white, but the sensation of touch is muted in this form.

 'Lower', and then, 'fast'. Is what Omega says through the bond.

 With precision, they start decending down into the chimney, Epsilon hovering protectively below the Batter.

 It's dark inside, the only light comes from the Add-Ons themselves and the dwindling opening of the top of the stack. They're unable to see the bottom, or how much further they've got to go, but they will the Batter to keep his grip for as long as it takes.

 They're suddenly caught off guard by a common spectre whizing past them, quickly swinging the Batter out of the way as Epsilon below throws themselves at it and kills it.

 'No attack.' Alpha can feel the Batters grip slipping. 'Avoid and protect.' 

 They get an affirmative feeling from Epsilon as they retake their place.

 The spectres seem to be numerous within the stack, as if escaping something. But down is the only way left to go. The four move as one, and Alpha thinks they can start to see the ground before a spectre pings up and slams into Omega.

Their companion goes spinning as the Batter loses his grip on them, Alpha bearing his whole weight as the bond screams with mutual terror. Epsilon shoots up to take Omegas place, and Omega once under control swings down to take Epsilons place.

 A sigh of relief even if they have no lungs, they continue their descent.

"Omega?" The Batter checks in.

 They don't respond. The bond darkens from their corner, spelling out their anguish.

 The descent felt longer than the climb, but a flicker of orange light soon greets them as they make it to the ground. They spot piles of sugar, which are being shoveled by an Elsen that doesn't acknowledge their sudden appearance.

 Once the Batter is safely down on two feet, the Add-Ons drop back into their humanoid forms.

 "I hate this fucking Zone." Alpha doubles over, hands on their knees. Panting.

 "Seconded." Epsilon places a shaky hand on their back.

 "Omega?" They hear the Batter ask again, and they look over to see them backing off with tear filled eyes.

"I dropped you." They cover their mouth in horror, looking a small knock away from falling apart. "You trusted me."

"And I still do." The Batter is able to corner them, cupping their face in his hands. "I put trust in you that you'll be able to get me down here safely, and here I stand: safe. Regardless of any hazards outside of our control, you never failed me. Could never fail me." 

 "We are One, Omega." Epsilon speaks out. "Where one fails, we all fail. Where one succeeds, we all succeed. That's our nature, don't single yourself out."

 Alpha has nothing nearly as eloquent to add, so they speak with their new found voice, and impress their love through the bond.

 Omega smiles, shakily, only managing to echo that love back out to their companions. 

 "Okay?" The Batter asks, still holding them.

 "Yes." They nod against his hold.

 There's a brief flicker of a smile from him before he pulls them in, leaning down to capture their lips with his. Omega all but melts into him, and Alphas own heart thuds loudly at the sight.

 When he pulls away, they're breathing deeply and clearly flustered. He smirks at the sight before him, and then gently leads them back to Alpha and Epsilon.

 "Let's go, stay behind me." He nods towards a staircase, bat in hand as he takes the lead again.

 Alpha glances at Omega, and mouths 'wow' at them with a grin. 

 ______

 The sight that greets them downstairs is at great odds to the emotional moment previous. 

 Piles of dead Elsen, and... another shoveling them into a furnace?! The scene is gruesome, and the lone living Elsen doesn't seem phased at handling his bloodied bretheren so carelessly. Epsilon freezes next to them, and they quickly pull them into a hug to shield them from the sight.

 "Where did you come from?" The Elsen turns to look at the group with vacant eyes.

 "We jumped down the chimney." The Batter says in a cold voice, surveying the scene before them. 

 "Ah." Is all the Elsen has to say.

 "What is this place?" The Batter prompts him.

 The Elsen regards them all for a moment. "Uhm... you're in the sugar ovens of Vesper. Here, we burn the corpses of people who have died, and thanks to an ingenious sewer system, we can transform the vapor into sugar..."

 Alpha zones the rest of his explanation out as Epsilon trembles against them. Their companion murmuring; "The sugar is... Elsen? I've been eating Elsen..."

 They pull away and take Epsilons hand in theirs guiding them towards the stairs. "They can't stay here. We'll be upstairs." They don't wait for an answer, but they hear no protest either as they lead Epsilon up the stairs again.

 Their companion collapses against the wall with a sob, shoulders shaking as their face twists painfully. "They were feeding me themselves. I'm addicted to dead Elsen." They double over and whine in anguish.

 Alpha catches them and pulls them into their lap, holding them tightly as their heart pierces at the sight. "I don't think they know!" They stammer into their distraught companions hair. "They don't know. They thought they were gifting you something nice, shhh."

 Epsilon sobs in their arms, and Alpha curses the divine plan for birthing them in this hell hole of a zone. Omega rejoins them first, the Batter following closely behind.

 Alpha just quickly shakes their head at the questions they can feel unsaid. "You know what's wrong." They turn and kiss Epsilons temple soothingly. "We need to get out." They grit through their teeth. "Where's the way out?!"

 "I don't know." The Batter stalks past them, surveying the small room. He loops back to them quickly. "The only way out is back up through the chimney, or the sewers."

 "Sewers!" They quickly help Epsilon to standing. "C'mon."

 The sewers are cramped, but it's spacious enough for the Batter to crawl and the others to follow. A mercifully short path too, and they're soon back... At the tram station.

 They double over in manic laughter, not registering their companions tri-fold looks of concern.

 "We're back!" They stand up again, hands brandishing violently to the platform. "We never had to go through all of that fucking nonsense, we should have gone straight to the next station!" 

 Zacharie steps out of the tram, and their gaze snaps to him as he speaks. "You did. My explanations could not do the horrors justice, you needed to see it." 

 "The fuck is wrong with this zone?!" They snap at him, as if it's his fault. He's unphased, thankfully, because they hate how they sound right now.

 "Too much. It needs your healing light." Is all he says. 

 "We must purify this zones guardian." The Batter interjects. "Where can we find him?"

 "Yes, of course." Zacharie says, more guarded. "I have an access card for Area 4, follow me." He steps back into the tram.

 The Batter counts the three of them in before stepping in behind them, and Zacharie sets the tram into motion with a tap of his card.

 "Are we ready to take on the guardian?" Omegas voice wrings with concern, looking between the frayed group.

 Alpha nods, determined. "Yea, we are. We've got to be."

 The Batter regards them with both concern and curiosity, they don't give him time to speak.

 "Dedan and Japhet, despite their violence, were trying to achieve something good. What the hell is this fucker trying to achieve? No..." They point a finger at the Batter. "I understand you now. This asshole needs to be dealt with for the betterment of this land."

 He looks at them in a way they can only describe as reverence, and his pride sings through the bond.

 "Alpha." They turn to look at Zacharie as he speaks, and his tone is darkly serious. "Try not to let the darkness claim you."

 Was he asking for them to bestow sympathy? They nearly sneer, but the tram lurches to a stop before they can voice their complaints. Zacharie looks down towards his hards, and despite his features being obscured, they sense melancholy from him.

 "It seems we have a problem." He says in a tight voice. "It's best if you all check it out, I'll hold the tram."

 They look back at the Batter, and he immediately nods towards the door of the tram.

 "Epsilon should stay here." Omega speaks up, and Epsilon looks like they're about to protest.

 "I've got them." Zacharie takes Omegas space beside them. "Go. This problem can't wait."

 Omega and Alpha follow the Batter out onto the tracks. It's dark, and even colder than the platform, the only light illuminating the tracks came from the inside of the tram.

 A shadow passes up ahead, small and frantic. The two Add-Ons shoot up in to their Spherical forms to illuminate the figure.

 An Elsen. Clutching at his chest as whisps of smoke start to engulf his features.

 "What are you doing in the middle of the track?" The Batter approaches, and the Elsen looks at him in terror.

 "Help me." Smoke engulfs him, but he holds his stance as if attempting to hold himself together.

 The Batter swings out, and Alpha can only watch in terror as his bat collides with the man's chest with a sickening thud.

 "Help." The man crumbles, refusing to lose himself to impurity.

 The Batter swings down again, and the man cries.

 'STOP' they impress through the bond in panic.

 "No. He's impure. He needs to be cleansed." He swings down again, and all the man does is plead for help.

 'Not yet he's not.' They impress weakly.

 Without thinking, they throw themselves infront of the man, collapsing into their human form as the Batter swings out.

 His bat halts centimeters from the side of their face, the air singing with the whistle of an impact that didn't happen. They look up at him, breathing heavily, and he looks back at them in horror.

 "Alpha! Move." He hisses.

 "No." This is a challenge that they're not backing down on. The Batter doesn't move his bat, holding it in the air next to them. "He's asking for help. His impurity can be healed with medical aid, not death."

 "It doesn't matter." He swings his bat back over his shoulder, poised to strike. "We're here to cleanse this land. We will deliver him to a better eternity."

 "Omega, grab a fortune ticket." Alpha orders, not taking their eyes off the Batter.

 "No." Omega freezes at the Batters counter-order. "Alpha. Move."

 His tone is deathly gravel, and they know they're dangerously pushing their luck. He's terrifying, towering over them as his face is shrouded in darkness, strong form poised to deliver a deadly blow.

 But if killing a helpless Elsen is the path he wants to take, then they'll play no part in it.

 "No."

 He growls, a low animalistic sound. His teeth bared, and they're sharper than Alpha remembers them being. A word through the bond is impressed to them from him, 'disobedient'.

 "You want to kill this man?" Their voice shakes against their will. "You'll have to go through me."

 It's an understatement to call this gamble dangerous. But he chose them over the mission once, they pray he'll do it again. 

 But he remains poised, calculating, his grip tightening on his bat and Alpha wonders if he really will swing for them. The tunnel is silent, the only sounds are the Elsens and Alphas twin heavy breaths of terror.

 He swings down onto the track with an animalistic screech, they flinch at the action. Then he reaches out and roughly pulls them to their feet, they look up at him and note that two eyes have become four.

 "Omega. Fortune ticket. Then get back on the tram." He growls, dragging Alpha back into the vehicle.

 They're pushed onto the waiting transport, and they look at Zacharie and Epsilon with wide fearful eyes. Omega and the Elsen quickly follow them in, and to their relief, the Fortune ticket had done its wonders.

  "You did it. Alpha." The pride, and relief, in Zacharies voice is unmistakable. As if he'd been through this before, and he'd finally got the result he'd prayed for.

 The tram is silent as it starts moving again, and Alpha can't bring themselves to move — much less make eye contact with the Batter.

 "Don't look at me like that." The Batter grips their jaw, forcing them to look at him. His features have returned to normal.

 "Like what?" They breathe, trying to settle their nerves.

 "Like you're scared of me." They feel his fingers tremble.

 "You are terrifying." They laugh humourlessly. "But I'm not scared of you. You're mine, completely, what do I have to be afraid of?"

Chapter Text

 They don't move from Zacharies side for the remainder of the ride. Whatever it is they've gotten themselves into with these people, the terrifying argument they just over heard is making them regret joining this mission.

 Not that they had a choice, really, they're to follow the Divine regardless of emotions — in that regard, they understand the Batter. Zacharies words about two possible paths keep ringing in their head, and they're starting to understand that the Batter and Alpha have two very different concepts of this mission.

 Still. They'd known both for such a short amount of time, and yet Epsilon doesn't think they could part with either of them.

 Its enough to pull them out of their downward spiral of misery, and the shaky symptoms of withdrawal are easy enough to ignore with determination. Zacharie places a hand on their shoulder when they sit up straighter, and the comforting weight of it grounds them.

 His relief at Alphas achievement, however, is what grounds them the most. Maybe things will be okay. 

 When the tram pulls into the next station, they're the first to get off, with Zacharie keeping up with them.

 The rescued Elsen is shaking in fear, and Zacharie leaves their side to swap places with Omega. He pats the Elsen on the shoulders comfortingly, but the man just flinches.

 "I'll take him somewhere safe." He looks around the group, and that wide grin on his mask feels out of place. "You should all head in. I'll catch up with you."

 Epsilon gives him a weak smile before he leaves. The idea that he's coming back to help is comforting; this group is in tatters.

 It's quiet, neither four of them wanting to make the first move. The Batter at least has the decency to look ashamed, head ducked as he pokes the ground with his bat.

 A deep breath next to them, and Omega breaks the silence. "I understand your reasoning, Batter, but I'm proud of you for choosing what's right."

 He doesn't seem like he's going to respond, but he eventually says; "It doesn't matter, in the long run."

 "It doesn't need to." Alpha speaks, and they sound soulfully tired. "He might very well go fully burnt before Zacharie can get him help, but we did the right thing — we showed him mercy. Showed him that people care."

 He's silent, and this time he doesn't speak up.

 "Is there something you disagree with?" Alpha rounds on him, but they look too exhausted for it to mean anything but posturing.

 He remains silent, and Epsilon sighs. "I think he agrees with you. Just.." They get a passing vision of darkness, of a world gone cold. "He's looking at the grand scheme of things."

 Alpha regards them, and they can see the realisation that they know more than they're saying, but Epsilon says no more.

 "It doesn't matter." Omega sighs, and Epsilon realises they're talking about this debate and not... whatevers to come. "We need to face the Guardian before we're all too run down to fight."

 ______

 There's no station or receptionist that greets them inside, just two branching pathways leading onto quiet hallways. The Batter immediately leads them to the right, and they find themselves amoungst long hallways full of doors. 

 "Where do we go first?" They speak up. Reaching for the closest door only to find it's locked.

 "Ignore the rooms. The Divine will guide us down the correct path." He marches ahead, and they look back at their fellow Add-Ons with a shrug.

 They still try the handle of every door they pass, however. But most are locked.

 They turn a corner, and up ahead an Elsen flitters nervously outside a door. He's wearing a long coat that hides his features, and they're starting to wonder if this building is some kind of laboratory.

 "Hello?" Omega calls out as they approach. "I don't suppose you know where the Directors office is?"

 He turns, staggering limply on his legs, he let's out a low sigh as his vacant eyes meet the groups. He's in a worse state than the Elsen in the Treatment Rooms.

 "D- Director?" Sploosh. 

 "He was already too far gone." The Batter hesitates before swinging in. And wasn't that curious?

 As Alpha throws an attack out, three spectres drop out from nowhere and join the fight, and Epsilon grins at the sight. Dealing with multiple targets was less time consuming than a singular target, after all.

 They must be getting better at their Tragedies, as a singular hit takes out all but the Burnt — who swipes out and hits the Batter across the face.

 Omega tumbles after him, and Epsilon sides up to Alpha to give them support as they throw out the finishing blow.

 They turn to their fallen companion once the fight concludes, Alpha stepping over to his side.

 "Are you okay?" They ask, placing a hand on his shoulder in concern.

 "Fine." A monotone answer. They whince at Alphas dejected look.

 They take Alphas hand as the group starts walking again, trying to impress some comfort to them. Something they'd learnt from Alpha, who seemed to communicate through touches.

 The other doors are locked, though they're amused to find one that's bricked up instead. A few more Burnts charge at them as they make their way through the building, but they're taken down easily enough.

 "They're all Burnt here." Omega whispers in concern. 

 "The closer we get to the Director, the more carnage." The Batter agrees quietly.

 The hallways are never ending, but not in a way that gets them lost. They come across a barrier preventing access to a path deeper into the building, and that must be where the Director lies. But they can only press on to find a switch for access.

 The next set of corridors are identical, bar being placed in a different pattern. They're yet again full of locked doors, and crazed Burnts, and their group doesn't seem to be getting any happier.

 The Batters posture is rigid and precise, and he doesn't look back to check on them as much as they're used to him doing. Omega seems to be doing the checking in his place, however, a they flit about in the middle of the pack nervously.

 And Alpha. Epsilon isn't sure whether to pry, but their once vibrant companion was a dull shell of themselves.

 But nothing gets fixed by waiting.

 "Did he hurt you?" They whisper, and Alpha looks at them with wide eyes.

 "No." They shake their head. "A little bit of rough manhandling, but nothing intending to hurt me."

 "Then what's wrong?" 

 They shrug in open confusion. "With me? Nothing. I pushed him, he got upset, we both did wrong — that's the end of it." They run a hand through their hair. "It's him that's off." 

 Epsilon is quiet, still trying door handles as they pass. "You should speak to him."

 A door clicks and swings open. It's dark inside. 

 "I found access." They speak out cheerily.

 The other two return to their side, and the Batter takes the lead in. An overhead light clicks on; it's a small room, barely enough for all of them to stand in, and in front of them is an Elsen doubled over.

 "My legs... sting me." 'Sploosh' wouldn't be quite the right word for his burning process. He suddenly grows a couple of feet, hands contorting out into deranged claws as his head blackens and snaps up into great jaws.

 "Oops." Is all they mutter for leading their group into this.

 The Add-Ons all shoot up into their Spherical form, the minimal space would have their heads taken off by the Batters swings otherwise.

 "A Pastel Burnt." He calls out mid-blow. These things were becoming more creative— "A burnt of malicious tendencies."

 Weren't they all? They think, but this particular one seemed eager to pin the group. Its sweeping claws kept diving at them, and it's maw was opening ever wider.

 The Add-Ons could dodge easily enough, but the Batter was suffering under the brunt of its attacks. Despite the groups best efforts, this particular burnt seemed immune to damage.

 Confusion rings out through the shared bond, until that feeling turns to horror when a head pokes out of the throat of the Burnt.

 'The fuck?' Alpha impresses through the bond, and the swearing through such a sacred connection amuses Epsilon greatly. 

 The Batter holds his swing, waiting for it approach, before throwing out a blow that dives between it's open maw and takes out the strange head.

 The Burnt stumbles backwards, finally taking damage.

 "New plan of attack." The Batter instructs, and he needn't say any more for them to understand.

 After what feels like hours of dodging attacks and edging the Burnt on, a couple of more strikes to the strange head has the creature topple over.

 "The... the city belongs to us." He hisses out, before dissipating as all Burnts do.

 The Add-Ons drop down, Omega quickly tending to the Batter as Epsilon dives for a chest. It's what the Burnt must have been guarding, and they're curious to the importance of its contents. They flip the lid, and find an even smaller box.

 They gently lift it out, and open its lid too. The little tune it starts playing startles them, but they smile at it's sweetness. They lift it up to their companions, who are looking at it in varying degrees of interest.

 "Cute, right?!" They beam.

 "It is." Omega smiles at them, then motions for them to stand. "Come on, let's get going. Take it with you."

 They follow their partners out of the room, but their focus is on the little box.

 "I knew if I followed the cacophony of violence I'd find you all at the heart of it." A humorous and light voice rings out, and Epsilon whips around to see—

 "Zacharie!" They beam at him happily.

 "Epsilon!" He cheers back, stepping up to their side. He points a finger at their box. "A music box, what a rarity indeed."

 "Zacharie, why have you followed us?" The Batter speaks, the monotone has changed to tiredness. But his arm is around Alphas shoulders, so that's a plus, right?

 "I said I'd help." He flourishes his hands to indicate himself. "Well, no, I didn't quite word it as such, but nevertheless, I offer my services! This zone has tired you all out alot more than last— I mean, earlier than expected."

 He shakes his head at his slip, Epsilon regards him curiously as he continues speaking. "I've already solved the problem of access, so follow my lead."

 He turns and starts heading down the hallway, Epsilon gives their companions a cheerful giggle at his antics before following him.

 "Do you like it?" They hold out the music box to him, popping the lid to let the tinkle of music play.

 He takes it from them, inspecting it in his larger hands. "A beautiful melody, I agree." He's silent, and his mask makes him unreadable. "Epsilon... could I ask something of you?"

 They look at him curiously, but nod quickly. "Sure!"

 "When this mission is over, I have someone I want to introduce you to." There's a wistful edge to his voice. "A friend of mine. She loves music. Perhaps you'll play this for her?"

 A friend? And Zacharie trusts them to meet her? They feel giddy with warmth, much like when they bonded with the Batter. They smile brightly at him.

 "I'd love to!" He is as unreadable as ever, but his eyes shine with happiness. They quickly point at the box. "Could you keep it safe for me? It would only get destroyed in battle."

 "Thank you, Epsilon." His voice is soft, and he cradles the box close to his chest. "And of course, I'll keep it safe."

 They smile at him, turning back to glance at their companions who are following in silence. Their conversation has lead them to the staircase that was barricaded earlier, and sure enough it's now clear for entry.

 "You must not be here." Alpha reads aloud, looking at a poster. "And we thought Dedan was a miserable fuck."

 Zacharie chuckles. "Enoch is a... larger-than-life fellow. But he's more inclined to conversation that the other two." Was that a hint? They don't linger on it, because the posters stating the same warning start to become more numerous until the wall disappears under the onslaught.

 "Do you think he knows we're coming?" They ask to no one in particular.

 "Quite possibly." Zacharie leads them into the next hall. "Enoch, despite never leaving his office, seems to know all."

 The next room contains a complicated block puzzle — except its already been completed.

 "I've solved it too." Zacharie looks back at the group with a knowing chuckle. 

 "There's a catch to this help. Spell it out." The Batter grits out.

 Zacharie says nothing until they stop in the next room, right next to a floating red block — which must be what the others were talking about earlier. He turns, and faces the group with a flourish.

 "I've helped you, dearest friends of mine. So I need you to help me." He looks at them all, but his gaze stops on the Batter. "Your mission is nearly complete, and I know you're tired, but I need you to power through and complete it — and don't go back to Zone 0 to rest, not until this is done."

 Epsilon frowns. They were looking forward to stopping, but if this mission is nearly complete?

 Alpha looks full of questions. "There's no point turning away now, we'll take on the Director and then we'll rest."

 "The mission doesn't end with him." The Batter turns to look at them, they look at him in confusion but Epsilon knows they can feel the truth like they do. He doesn't turn away as he speaks to Zacharie. "They're tired. I can't make them continue after this."

 "Why not?" Zacharie asks far too casually.

 Epsilon regards him with narrowed eyes of confusion, they thought he cared.

 "Because they're tired." The Batter repeats.

 "No I caught that." He chuckles. "They're exhausted, they look ready to drop. But the mission comes first, no?"

 Ah. Epsilon thinks they're starting to understand. They watch the Batter, and the flicker of emotions that cross his strong features that they're sure he can't even name. 

 "The mission is... secondary." He almost sounds confused. But they can tell he's fighting against something grander, two directives fighting for dominance. "I have a duty of care towards them."

"A 'duty of care'. If that's what you want to call it." Zacharie sounds amused, but his tone quickly shifts back into something serious. "You'll do well to remember those words, Batter. But... I still can't let you into Zone 0, not just yet."

 He steps off to the side before questions can arise, and the Add-Ons are all looking at the Batter in tri-fold curiosity. 

 "Please." Zacharie sweeps a hand in the direction of the Directors office as if he was a showman. "The Guardian of Zone 3 awaits, and this is as far as I'll take you. Look after our bat-weilding friend, you three, he's having a bit of a crisis."

Chapter Text

 Everything made sense until this zone. His mission; the Divines calling rang clear, and he had no doubts or hesitations as he let it guide him. And his bonds; the unification of souls, born to follow the same path and be One and Equal.

 So why did those two conflict?

 The mission required no feelings. They were tools, a means to an end, to purify without discrimination — and to free the lands into blissful oblivion.

 Epsilon, his newest partner, seemed to follow the same reflections as him. They saw the mission as the priority, and despite their shaky start on their path, they held their own to a frightening degree. They don't protest, just throw themselves into the Divines hands and let themselves be guided. They were a beautiful display of power, and he was enraptured.

 They reflected his own mindset. But was that still true of him? And had he really stopped to check in with them? 

 And then there was Omega. Knowledgeable and caring, they held this teams life in their hands — and he gave himself willingly. Their loving personality held them all together, and despite their sensitive nature, they remained head strong. They may challenge him, and he welcomed it, but they knew their path and they've never strayed.

 But has he been pushing them? They feared failure, and rejection – at what point would they be afraid to protest him? He didn't want them to be afraid.

 And seemingly above even the Divine itself, there was Alpha.

 His Alpha. Perfect, strong, and terrifyingly capable. A being so pure of heart that they kept straying from the mission, or perhaps, the Divine had other plans for them. He didn't understand the division between them, or why when he followed the Divines plan it hurt them.

 Where the Divine lead him to the right, they went left. The two guiding forces in his life, and he was being torn to shreds between the directions. He should trust the Divine first, the mission, but following Alpha came as naturally as breathing. And he'd suffocate without them.

 He wanted nothing more than to appease them. Let their beautiful smile be his compass, and lead him into salvation. But instead, he was only failing them.

 Because he was leading them into oblivion.

 He knows how this mission ends, how it must end. It was simple, at first, it mattered not to him how short this life of his would be — until he met them. 

 To lead his Add-Ons, to lead Alpha, into that same fate? His resolve to the mission was fracturing by the second. He couldn't condem them. No, more than that, he wanted to be selfish — he wanted this world to remain in torment so he may spend even a minuet more with them.

 But he can't protest it. The Divine has him chained. He walks to this certain fate helpless, unable to fight the directive but begging for it to relent. Selfish, perhaps, but his wants still felt pure.

 He doesn't know, anymore. Nothing made sense, neither path felt like a wrong turn, and yet they both fought against each other. He couldn't understand it.

 So all he could do was walk. Through a strange flat labyrinth with open pools of plastic, onwards to the Guardian of Zone 3. His beautiful companions following behind, and he only hopes he can keep them safe.

 They reach the final threshold. A giant door looms in front of them, a metal plaque foretelling the Guardians presence. He pauses, building the courage to ask his companions if they're ready, but Alpha reaches him first.

 They draw his attention by wrapping their hand around his wrist, and he turns his attention to them as they speak.

 "Are we okay?" He looks at them with veiled confusion. "Since the... Elsen... You seem cold with me. I— I don't want to go into this fight without resolving this."

 How could he ever be cold with them?

 He pulls them into an embrace, holding them tightly against him like a lifeline.

 "The mission has me... conflicted." He doesn't know how to explain, he hasn't the words, but he needs to try. "Emotions complicate decisions, but they're all that guide you. I'm... not upset with you Alpha, I could never be." He presses a kiss to their forehead, and he treasures every piece of affection he can have with them. "I just keep hurting you. And I can't bear it."

 "You aren't hurting me." They speak, pulling away enough so they can look up at him. "You'd never get away with that." He can't help but smile at their usual snark. "And as for the mission; you keep treating this as a solo adventure. But we're a unit, we're One — like Epsilon said, stop trying to seperate yourself, and let us guide you too."

 They always made sense, a clarity that he always knew was there but never understood until they spoke it. He can only nod his agreement, there's nothing more he can add.

 Their expression shifts from reflective to playful. "You called me disobedient."

 Right. He did. 

 "Thats because you are." His lips twitch into a smirk, and he lifts a hand to trace a finger over their jaw. They let out a breath at the touch. "But thats the way I like you."

 They make a noise between a whine and a growl as they fluster, and he zeros in on it like a shark to blood.

 "Asshole." They snark back, but the bite of it is lost amoungst their blushing. "Right in front of the Guardians office? Come on now—"

 There's a laugh off to his right, and Epsilon is stiffling their amusment with a hand. Omega has completely turned away from them, but their fluster is obvious. All feels right again amoungst the bond.

 Alpha pats his chest, and steps away to take their breathing space. He allows it, given the circumstances, and turns to regard Epsilon more seriously.

 "Epsilon. Will you fare okay going up against your Guardian?"

 They look at him oddly. "Why wouldn't I be?"

 "Me and Omega might have freaked at having to take our Guardians out." Alpha sides up next to them. "It's okay if you're having mixed feelings."

 They quickly shake their head, in that erratic hair-bouncing way that was unique to them. "I don't know this guy. He's never left his office. I'm okay."

 Its good enough for him. He gives a moment more for protests, but none arise, so he motions for them to follow him into the office.

 The large door is heavy, and he presses his whole weight against it and let's it bounce open with a bang.

 He was looking straight ahead, unsure of what sight to expect — but he wasn't expecting to have to crane his head up.

 "Who are you?" The giant booms.

 It's a miracle this room could hold his stature, and he thinks he understands why this guardian has never left the confines of his office. He was a towering beast of a man, leering down on the group with a large sinister grin.

 Large-than-life. Zacharie was right.

 "I'm the Batter, and these are my Add-Ons." Battle plans formulate quickly in his mind, but this was going to be more difficult than Japhet. "... and we've come to purify you, mister Director.

"Purify? But that's ridiculous!" The giant chuckles, large chest heaving with the effort. "Nothing justifies this drastic measurement! The Queen's sent you, hasn't she? Naturally, it's the Queen. It has got to be her. Whoever it was, I refuse!"

 The bond sings with confusion, and it confirms his earlier suspicions. His Add-Ons aren't aware of the Queen's existence... or the child's.

 "Is our mission a directive from the Queen?" Epsilon speaks up. He doesn't turn to look them, choosing to keep his sights on Enoch.

 "No." That much he's certain of. The Guardian looks curious at the exchange.

 "Then where does such a grandiose threat hail from?" He sneers down at them. The Batter feels uncomfortable under his penetrating gaze, small and perceived, like the guardian was peeling away at his very existence. "Peculiar indeed. You're not like the Elsen, neither. I wonder how you came to be. But irregardless, I won't stand for your demands."

 "It's not a question of choice." He retorts back, finding his edge again. "You're the monster that rules this horrible manufactory. We are here to make you atone for your sins."

"Monster? Horrible manufactory?" He slams a hand down on his desk, and it surprisingly doesn't break under the loud collision. "This is my fortress of happiness! My wall against the specters! The people here were happy, before the phantoms came. Incidentally, I still don't understand why the dead won't just disappear."

  "... The dead?" He asks in confusion. But he feels understanding grow within the bond, like they're starting to understand.

 "Oh, but of course, The ghosts, I mean." The Guardian smiles, sliding back into a conversational tone. "They are the souls of the dead... Has that thought never occured to you? It's only logical!"

"It makes sense." Omega breathes to his left. "A fantastical notion. I read about it in the books Japhet had, but... could it really be that simple? And you, Director, you have nothing to do with the spectres?"

 "Of course not!" The Guardian laughs in offence. "I'm Enoch, the Guardian of Zone 3. My sacred role, bestowed upon me by the Queen Mother herself, is to forge a land for men to thrive upon—"

 "But they're not thriving." Omega cuts him off.

 Enoch narrows his eyes at them, and The Batter resists the urge to push them behind him and away from that gaze.

 "Your Elsen are addicted." They don't seem disturbed, however. "Their life spans are cut short because of withdrawal from the sugar forged by their brethrens corpses! Only then for their dead to attack the remaining living — this place isn't a circle of life, is vicious circle of suffering."

 The tense silence that follows is suffocating, but he can't help but to turn to look at Omega in pride. Their gaze remains locked to the towering guardian, the righteousness of the mission rolling off them.

 "I wasn't aware." The Guardian mutters, with perhaps a hint of sadness. "I haven't gazed upon the Zone with my own eyes since it's creation. I created it in their image, you see, I am unable to traverse it with my stature – a sacrifice I willingly make, I am but the living engine of this Zone that holds it together."

 A confession? 

 He's lost on how to proceed. Omega is staring up at the giant with something he can only read as hope. But the mission called for one resolution: Purification.

 Or did it?

 "I get it now." Alpha joins the conversation, a breathless voice of understanding. And hope, much like Omega. He turns to look at them, and they're smilingly so serenely. "Why we exist. The Guardians, all three of you, you're so locked in your own minds, trying to do good, that you're out of touch with the land you've built. A promise lost."

 They turn to look at their two fellow Add-Ons. "We're echoes of the guardians. Left out in the hearts of the Zones to understand what's gone wrong..."

 "... and we can lead them back into the light." Epsilon follows their lead. The bond sings brightly with a mission he's not familiar with, but it's pure and blinding.

 "The arrogance of it!" The Guardian sneers. "We are gods amoungst men! What do you, tiny life forms, hope to understand against the grand schemes of our divinity! This Zone is nothing without me: kill me, and it falls to nothingness!"

 "Nothingness?" A fearful murmur from Alpha, quiet.

 "We're not here to kill you, if you'd just listen—" Omega starts, panicked.

 "I won't take such disrespectful murmurings and threats. I will concede to your concerns, but I can't allow you to leave." The Guardian slams his hand down onto the desk, before vaulting his hulking form over it in a frightening display of speed. The group instinctively cower backwards.

 His large shadow falls over them. "Ahahaha. Fear me like the menacing shadow of your imminent extinction!" He swipes a large hand out at them all

 "Why is no one capable of just talking!" Alpha yells before springing up into their Spherical form, the other two follow suit.

 "You demented child of evil." The Batter swings out to meet the giants palm, but it only pathetically bounces off the flesh. "The last grain of sand has fallen through the hourglass of your life."

 He tries again, diving for the large Guardians ankles with a heavy swing — but it barely registers to the Guardians physique. The Add-Ons swing out up ahead, Epsilon supporting Alpha as they throw out a heavy chain attack — it bounces off uselessly.

 The towering guardian swipes them out of the air, and they're sent tumbling to the wall. 

 "Mwahahaha, I am exceptional!" The Guardian delights. A feeling of doom settles on the Batters shoulders, and he realises the Guardian has yet to hit out with any heavy attacks of his own.

 They're not going to win this.

 "He's monstrous." He calls out, gathering his Add-Ons attentions. "We need to flee."

 'What?!' A tri-fold voice rings back at him through the bond.

 "We can't win this." He backs up towards the offices exit, but the Guardian revels in his fear. He swings out a palm and smacks him away from the door.

 His Add-Ons catch him before he collides with the wall. Omega behind him, propping him up, and the other two at his side.

 "You never ask to flee—" Alpha catches themselves. Because they're wrong — he's been doing it alot recently. And he doesn't understand either. 

 The Guardian takes no time to stomp up to the group and resume his towering. 

 "Bitten off more than you can chew, Purifiers?" His laughter booms off the walls. "Your faith has lead you to your deaths. But I will make it blessingly quick, I assure you."

Faith.

 He's not sure if he has any left. This mission isn't clear to him anymore, and he finds himself wandering in darkness. The only thing he finds himself certain of is his partners—

 Alpha.

 He grabs their wrist in a frantic motion. "Give him the ring." He instructs.

 They look at him in open confusion, "Now?"

 He's uncertain what the ring accomplishes, despite Zacharie's assurances that they 'reset the zones'. 

 "Now!"

 The Guardian pauses as they fumble to slip their last ring off their finger, then they hold it up. 

"Catch!" They throw it up to him, and he catches it easily in his large palm.

 "What in the Queen's thousand faces—" 

 The world turns a blinding white. He can hear and see nothing, scrambling out blindly to reach for his companions. As his finger tips find two of them, the world comes crashing back.

 It's dark, and a familiar but strange whispering is heard. They're back in the nothingness.

 He has Alpha and Epsilon is his grip, and he pulls them towards his chest. 

 "Omega?" It comes out more desperately than his stoicism prefers.

 "I'm here." They speak from behind him, walking around until they're settled inbetween Alpha and Epsilon.

 Alpha groans. "You're telling me I could have just done that the first two times?" They slump against him. "We got our asses whooped by Dedan and Japhet for nothing?!"

 "I wouldn't be so certain." He looks over the field of nothingness, and to the bright colourful light of the first two zones. "We should retrace our footsteps, and see if our mission was successful."

 Epsilon springs out of his grip, looking eagerly at the first two Zones. "I want to visit!" They're racing off before the others can speak up.

 Omega shakes their head with a fond smile. "I concur. I was going to suggest it, even, once we left Zone 3." They step away to follow their eager companion.

 Alpha takes his hand in theirs, walking backwards as they guide him so they can lock their gaze with his. They say nothing as they look at him affectionately.

 "What?" Their smile grows to amusment at his confusion. 

 "Nothing." They say fondly, and his chest constricts longingly. As the familiar light of Zone 1 engulfs the group, he feels them impress an achingly strong emotion through their bond.

 It takes him a moment to recognise it as love. 

 Who needs faith, when he has them.

Chapter Text

 The sight that greets them is cold. A once vibrant and damp zone, filled with the sounds of waves of plastic and distant clanking of workers, now stands silent.

 And white.

 An all encompassing white void drains the colour from the surroundings. Rivets of colour stretch out like veins of lava, as it is slowly claimed by white.

 Or, perhaps, the colour is bleeding into the white? They nudge their shoe at one vein of white clashing with colour, but they can't discern which side of the battle is winning. 

 Either way, it's wrong. It feels like death, or something more sinister than that, and a clawing panic seizes their chest.

 They already miss the soggy rain. The still and almost non-temperature of the air only makes them feel worse.

 A loud banging from the heavens makes them hunch closer to the ground, they look up at the sky with wide eyes of fear. Their fellow Add-Ons cower closer to them too. 

 "What the hell is happening here?" They grit out in a whisper, not wanting to draw the attention of whatever is knocking up above.

 "This isn't how it's supposed to be." The Batter doesn't seem disturbed, only confused.

 "Yea, no shit." They quickly straighten up and walk down the board walk. The tram station sign is strangely unreadable, and the track is silent — no tell tale hum of the line being active. They tentatively step down onto the tracks. "There's no tram! And no Elsen!"

 They turn to look at down the tram line, squinting against the harsh white, and to their relief the familiar colour of the zone seems to be more solid up ahead.

 Without checking for their companions, they start walking down the line, Omega quickly falling into step beside them. The lack of additional footsteps eventually makes them pause, and they turn to see Epsilon staring up in concern at a lost looking Batter.

 "It's okay." Alpha calls out in a soft voice. "We'll get the zones fixed. I think giving the guardians a whooping affected the power to the zones, Enoch did say—"

 "The zones should have fell to nothingness." The Batters tone is too monotonous for such a statement.

 "No—" Their voice quakes, fearful of both the idea and the whispering and banging they can hear. "Why would they fall to nothingness? why would we want that?!"

 The Batter clenches his jaw, not meeting any of their gazes. He taps his bat against his leg in a show of nervousness as he finally speaks again.

 "Thats the mission." They feel sick, and Omega grasps their hand tightly. "This land is now pure. Or rather, it should be. I don't understand why the colour remains. The process should be instant."

 "This— nothingness isn't pure." Omega stammers. "Condeming life to the nothingness, the world and everything we know—"

 "Thats the mission." He grits out, repeating himself. Alpha thinks they can see pokes of sharp teeth.

 They let go of Omegas hand, as much as it pained them to leave their side, and storm up to the Batter. They grip his tunic tightly in both fists as they size up to him.

 "We've ruined everything!" They're too upset to cry, but they still burn with the need to. "We're here to fix—"

 "No." Epsilon speaks up, and they don't look at Alpha as they turn wide eyes to them. "He's right. This is what was neccessary."

 "Like fuck it is!" They yell. They push the Batter away and he barely flinches at their anger, they turn their attention to Epsilon instead. "We're here to reset! Not destroy."

 "You're on different paths." They keep their head ducked, refusing to look at them in their anguish. "I understand what Zacharie meant now. Two paths, a light and a dark, you two have been working against each other from the start."

 They whip around to face the Batter again. Their soul feels like it's being split into two, the pain transcending anything they've felt so far. Their vision blurs with unshed tears as he looks at them with shame. They can't tell if he's disappointed in himself, or in them.

 "You—" They sob. "I thought—" He steps forward, reaching for them, and they stumble backwards away from him. "But I—"

 "Alpha—" He pleads, but they don't let him speak as they turn and run down the tram line. Chasing colour, the last visages of life, and Omega chases after them.

 The next platform eventually arises, and they ignore the burning in their lungs as they climb up. The colour was less patchy here, but the white and eerie silence still prevailed.

 "This..." They turn to Omega, who links their arm with theirs and pulls them to their side. "This is where I met him." 

 Walking through familiar, yet strangely altered, surroundings, they find that the annex tunnel they were brought to life in has been blocked off. Flooded.

 "Wait—" They hear the Batter call out behind them. They quickly drag Omega off and down into the mines before he can catch up.

 The lamps are still working, but with each shift of the light the colour of the walls drains away and then pops back. It's maddening, and its all their fault. 

 "We will sort this." Omega leans in to whisper, but their shaky voice doesn't sound certain. "Alls not lost just yet."

 They don't trust their voice to speak. It doesn't matter, anyway, they'd only be voicing their protests. They pull Omega further into the mines and away from approaching footsteps... only to hear more up ahead.

 Heavy. Certainly nothing like the Elsen. Or even the January's that loitered in these tunnels.

 "Hello?" Their voice trembles.

  Three towering humanoids thump out of the darkness. The tunnel just about enough space to accommodate their height as their ghastly features twitch at the sight of the two Add-Ons.

 "What the fuck are those?!" 

  One emits a high pitched shriek, and lashes out with clenched fist. They feel something snap in their chest as they're sent flying back.

 They collide with a person, and they recognise the Batters uniform as he helps them to standing. They wheeze at the pain.

 "Secretaries. They've come to reclaim the land." He explains as Epsilon bypasses them to lash out with a Tragedy. 

 "We killed all the Elsen just to let these bastards take their place?" They grit out. They look up at him, and hes looking back with four eyes. "That. Isn't. Pure."

 "I know." He sounds broken.

 He heals them with a Fortune ticket, and they rejoin their two companions to take the terrifying entities down.

 The Secretaries hit terribly hard, and they seem formidable in resistance against the groups attack. Alot of healing takes place, the group struggling against the onslaught, but Epsilon finishes the gang of entities off with a final Tragedy.

 Alpha slumps to the floor, gripping at their hair as their companions finish healing from the battle.

 "Alpha." The Batter comes to a stop in front of them, offering his hand down to them. They just look at it. "The purification of this zone isn't complete, it's gone wrong. This zone clings to life, and Epsilon believes its due to the power of the rings you left behind."

 Maybe. They cling to that hope. They don't know where the rings came from, or what they really do, but if the Batter is unsure... then they mustn't be part of his grand plan. 

 He keeps his hand out. "Alpha... I knew this would happen—" They sneer, of course he did. 

 They slap his hand away, helping themselves to standing. "Thats what you meant. Why you let me save that Elsen on the tracks — it doesn't matter, because they're all condemned anyway!"

 They finally meet his gaze again, the pain in their chest worse than the broken rib. "Like you've condemned us."

 He throws his bat down, but not in anger. He slumps against the nearest wall and trembles as he looks at his bruised hands, and they realise he's upset.

 They have too much heart for this confrontation, but Epsilon and Omega seem to be wanting to keep out of this exchange. They pull in a shaky breath as they step up to grip his biceps, supporting him.

 "I love you. For fuck sake." They sob, tracing their hands down his arms to take his own hands into theirs. "I trust you. God. I still do, against better judgement."

 "Alpha." He ducks his head, hiding his features behind the brim of his cap. But they rip it off so they can look at him. He let's out a deep breath. "It took me too long to realise you viewed this mission differently. I don't understand why the Divine has seperated us like this but... I chose you. Possibly a little too late, but I now follow where you lead. I– I can't condem you three to this, I've done everything in my power to keep you safe."

 "You left the Treatment Centre..." He grips their hands tighter. 

 "Not in vain. Not for this." He looks at them, and they can't withstand the intensity. "I let you save the Elsen because I believed in your vision for a better world. But, I don't know how to fix this. It's not part of my directive."

 They look to the other two Add-Ons as they finally let the tears fall. Omega places a hand on their shoulder comfortingly.

 "Zacharie, in his curious ways, seemed to believe in you Alpha. And he didn't seem concerned about..." They smile weakly. "There's still hope." They close their eyes and let out a stuttering breath as Omega kisses their temple. 

 But the Divine has no more answers for them, this is as far as their directive takes them.

 "I don't know." They say weakly.

 The Batter takes their face in his hands, a thumb tracing their cheek and wiping away their tears. They lean into it.

 "We'll find a way." He leans down to place a kiss to the corner of their mouth, and they close their eyes at the sensation. "I've failed you. Forgive me. But we will find salvation."

 They believe him. He seems so lost, and hurt, and confused — it pains them, but their bond sings with truth.

 "I forgive you." Because they're too weak for any other alternative.

 His hand shifts to cradle the back of their head, and then he pulls them in until his lips clash desperately with theirs. It's messy, and emotional, and they really have no idea what they're doing — but it's perfect, and they melt into the affection as they cling to his tunic to pull him closer.

 He breaks the contact after a moment, pulling back just far enough to lean his forehead against theirs. Their breathes intermingle as they try to steady their racing heart.

 "I love you too." He breathes, and now they want to cry for a different reason. "I love all three of you. My devotion is yours."

 Maybe things will be alright. They'll find a way, they have to. They press a quick kiss to his jaw, and they pull back reluctantly when they hear heavy footsteps deeper in the mine. He seems less concerned, just looking at them with a wistful look as if they're not neck deep in a 'purified' zone.

 "Not these guys again." Epsilon whines, but they're already stalking towards the sounds.

 "You are a major distraction." Alpha flusters at the Batter. He claps them on the shoulder with a knowing smile as he takes the lead again.

 "Stay behind me." The Batter taps Epsilons shoulder, and they fall behind as they pop up into their Spherical form. Casting light into the dark tunnel, as Alpha and Omega follow the pair.

 The sounds ahead grow louder. The loud thumps of the strange humanoid ghouls, their heavy breathing as one screeches — and then there's a loud bang, the sound of something heavy colliding with the wall. One of the creatures sounds like it's struggling, and then let's out a high pitched noise like it's screaming.

 "Where in the ever loving fuck did you freakshows come from?!" A familiar voice screeches. "Piss off!" Another crash and a screech. "I'm already tired of your fuck-ugly faces!"

 Dedan. Alpha feels both overjoyed and slightly terrified. The Batter orders Epsilon to drop out of their Spherical form, extinguishing their light.

 The group approach quietly and hide behind a corner, watching as the violent guardian effortlessly takes out a gang of Secretaries. They watch as Dedan points at an Elsen, a trembling figure shrouded by darkness. A familiar silver ring glints on his long bony claw.

 "YOU!" The Elsen trembles under the attention. "By god, are you waiting to get killed?! Get up the ladder, go home, rest — I don't give a shit! But you're not safe here."

 The Elsen nods quickly, fleeing their protective guardian and towering ghouls alike.

 The Batter pushes his group back the way they came, and they quickly hurry out of the mines. 

 "He should be dead." He looks at Alpha quizzically.

 They can only shrug in confusion at the new information. "He was! I saw you finish him off!" The Divine created the rings to restore the zones... but maybe that couldn't happen without the guardians. "I have no fucking idea man, this is beyond my comprehension too! But he seems... better? Right?"

 He was actually solving the problem of infestation, and he at least seemed to care about that Elsen. Maybe the shakedown they gave him did him some good.

 Epsilon laughs suddenly, and Alpha turns to look at them in confusion.

 "I get the echo theory now." They grin, mischevious. "You sound like him, Alpha."

 They scowl, but it's just posturing. "Oh shove off!"

 Epsilon howls with laughter, and they can only grumble in retort.

______

 The group had decided to double back to the red save point. With Dedan still alive, this zone was in safe enough hands.

 The group hurry over the nothingness, and drop into Zone 2. The previously vibrant zone looked in a worse state than Zone 1, the white void all but consuming it, and the banging from the heavens continues.

 "Again I ask." Alpha looks heaven wards. "What is that?" 

 "The Divine?" Epsilon offers, but then pales immediately at the horrifying implications of that.

 "Let's not worry about it for now." Alpha quickly shushs them, taking their hand and following Omega who is already charging into the vacant zone.

 They barge into the library, and the three of them just about keep up. It's colourless, and no receptionist is around to greet them this time. Omega sails past it all and charges up the stairs.

 "Omega. Slow down." The Batter calls out after them.

 They don't listen, and their group have to run to keep up with them. They reach the floor where they first met them, and Omega pauses.

 "Omega. This place may well be plagued with Secretaries too." The Batter clamps a hand on their shoulder.

 "Then let's be quick." They pull themselves out of their thoughts, and continue their sprint up the stairs.

 The library, the further up they go, starts to bleed back into vibrant colour. Alpha realises the cause of Omegas desperation as their companion calls out;

"Japhet?" They cry.

 "Shh." The Batter admonishes, but its for naught as something seems to have heard them.

 Stepping out onto the first balacony, they stop to overlook the zone. Most of it stands in bleak whiteness, but parts seem to be flickering back to life. 

 They're halted as the other end of the balcony is blocked off by two Secretaries. A familiar grotesque appearance to the ones loitering in Zone 1, but they bear different markings.

 "Quick." The Batter orders, and Epsilon is the first to strike out.

 The battle is tough, and the Batter nearly topples over the edge of the balcony with one nasty blow, but the group press on in silent harmony.

 One strike from a Secretary has Alpha dizzyingly sick, and they collapse to the floor as they shakily seek the cool surface for respite.

 Omega ducks down and covers their body with their own, and a feeling akin to ice spreads across their body as they're healed from the poison.

 "Okay?" They whisper in their ear, running a hand soothingly through their hair.

 Alpha nods against the touch. "Yes. Thank you."

 Omega kisses the top of their head, and helps them to stand. The battle is wrapped up by a grinning Epsilon.

 "I won that round too!" They beam excitedly.

 "Well, at least someone's having fun." Alpha sighs as they begin their journey back up the library.

  They reach the last balcony in silence, pausing to look up at the stretching ladder. It feels only yesterday that they climbed it... and maybe it was.

 The Batter starts climbing, and the three follow him. They're not sure what to expect, but the sight that greets them wasn't on their list of possibilities.

 They find a large egg. Colour bleeding out in rivers from it, as if feeding the zone.

 "Japhet?" Omega whispers.

 "Your guardian is an egg?" Epsilon looks on in confusion, and Alpha has to bite their fist to not laugh at Epsilons innocent question.

 "Uh, no." Omega catches their look of amusment. "He was a firebird, a phoenix..." They press their hand to the large shell, and then press their forehead against it. "Born from the ashes of destruction, time and time again." They whisper reverently.

 So Japhet wasn't quite as up and ready as Dedan, but something was happening. Something was healing.

 The Batter steps up behind Omega, and places his hands on their shoulders. "Leave him to rest."

 "What about the Secretaries?" They turn to look at him, open concern on their face. "Maybe I should stay here, stand guard."

 He shakes his head, stern, as he pulls them away. "No. You won't fair well against them by yourself."

 Their lips twitch into a frown, and they look up at him pleadingly.

 "He's right." Alpha speaks up. "You'll just get yourself killed. Japhet is a Guardian, he'll be okay by himself."

______

 They don't bother to search the rest of Zone 2, the Guardians presence was enough to confirm their suspicions.

 Once back in the nothingness, they all pause.

 "Enoch definetly isn't dead then." Epsilon speaks. "And maybe... he doesn't need to recover like Japhet. Should we still check?"

 The Batter nods once, quiet. But Alpha catches his glance to Zone 0.

 "Zacharie said we needed to finish the mission first." A dawning horror sends goosebumps creeping across their arms, they pale as they look at the Batter. "He knew. Oh my god— would you have killed the Judge for the sake of the mission?" All the guardians. Even if Zone 0 held no population bar the cats.

 But their relief is immense when he shakes his head no. "The mission didn't call for his death."

 It's a really careless way to word it, but they can read him well enough that they know he didn't mean it so carelessly.

 "But then," Omega starts, glancing around the nothingness. "We've been to all the zones. Where else is there to visit?"

 The Batter motions his bat to a dark corner of the nothingness, and Alpha can now see a faint light pulsing.

 "We must take care of the Queen."

 "Kill the Queen?" Alpha nervously counters. "I thought we were done with the murdering?!"

 The Batter sighs, and looks away. "Thats where the mission calls for us to go next, and where the answers to all our questions lies."

 They frown as they keep their eyes on the new light. 

 "Zone 3 first." A bone weary request, they were ready to drop. "Maybe if its more stable than the other zones, we'll find somewhere to rest."

 ______

 They find Zone 3 flickering between colour and the relentless white void. But it's blissfully quiet of the Secretaries influence, and the eerie banging and whispering.

 They agree not to hunt down Enoch, as signs of his continued life still echo around the zone. Despite no signs of Elsen, or the lack of smoke pumping out of the tall chimneys, they find a note plastered to the cafeteria doors. An order for all Elsen to return to the laboratories for 'symptom treatment', and Alpha hopes that means what they think it does.

 Epsilon leads them cheerily back to the dorms that they were found in, and Alpha has to wonder where they get so much damn energy from. But they're immensly relieved at the lack of spectres, so there's no convulted path to follow this time.

 The Elsen all seemed to have followed the order of their guardian. Beside the tell-tale signs of living, like the plates of left over sugar and the ruffled bed sheets, the area is void of life.

 They head to the end of the dormitories corridor, where Epsilon was held, and duck into the small room of beds next to it. 

 "I could sleep for a week." Omega collapses on one of the bottom bunks, only just managing to take their rucksack off in time. They drop it to the floor, and Epsilon flops unceremoniously on top of them with an 'oof'

 "There's a perfectly good bunk above me." Omega wheezes, but the way they run their hand through Epsilons hair foretells they're not protesting the company.

 "Nah." Epsilon curls up against them and closes their eyes. "This ones better."

 It does look cosy. But the bunks barely fit for two people, considering they're built for Elsen, so Alpha turns and makes to climb up the opposite bunks ladder.

 They don't even reach the first rung before they're yanked into the bottom bunk, flipped, and pressed down into the mattress by the Batter.

 They huff as they look up at him in mock annoyance. "My life just flashed before my eyes."

 He only rolls his eyes — four eyes, still — at their dramatics. He moves to settle next to them, and they turn on their side to face him. They reach out to touch his jaw, turning his face gently as they inspect his strange new features.

 "What's with the four eyes and pointy teeth?" They quickly ask.

 He gives them an uneasy look, before sighing and responding. "I.. appear to have more than one form. The more emotional I get, the more I lose control."

 They smile sympathetically at him as they run their thumb over his cheek bone. "Hey. It's alright. There's nothing to be ashamed of."

 He turns his head and kisses their wrist, an echo of the first kiss he gave them. They hum happily at the affection.

 He is nerve-rackingly attractive. His new features don't change their opinion at all. They've done a good job at ignoring their signs of attraction for most of the mission, but being boxed in by him on the lower bunk was giving them far too much space to realise their feelings.

 They shift closer and bury their face into his chest, hiding their face but also seeking comfort as exhaustion catches up with them. He wraps his arms around them and pulls them tightly against him as he buries his face into their hair, they feel him inhale before kissing the top of their head gently.

 "Rest, my love. No harm will ever befall you under my watch." He murmurs.

 The future is darkly uncertain, but the present was perfect. Sleep claims them easily, and they drift off with the feeling of contentment and love filling their shared bond.