Kayne/Shadow Co-Op : The Ruiner's Punisher
With the words spoken next, Alatus knew he was right. The other team was sent to their graves by the Monarch who rules these lands. However, what he was unsure of was whether it was done on purpose or if it was done with a strategic plan in mind. It was not truly any of his business that happened. If he died in the process of bringing down the old to set a new precedent, so be it. He had made that decision a long time ago that this was what he wanted.
However, the next statement was not something he had been interested in. The God of Ruin had declared that one of them would be able to ascend to the mantle of a horseman. He just shook his head at the thought. He didn’t crave that position. Some of the others here would kill for the chance to become one of the generals, but he, on the other hand, could care less. That was what made the surprise of what happened next even greater. Diz was going to hold interviews, and he was the first to be spoken to.
Giving a slight sigh, he turned to follow the god. His weapon returned to its original form of a bracelet on his right wrist. As he followed, the ruins of what had been left behind were a bit unnerving as they represented the end of something to make way for something new. It was a stark reminder of the circle of life. Something has to die for something new to be born. They had traveled a bit before Diz stopped and faced him.
The alcove loomed like a forgotten monument to a machine god’s ruin. Massive, rusted cogs leaned haphazardly against one another, their jagged teeth locked in an eternal embrace of decay. Broken gears, some larger than houses, jutted out of the cracked ground at chaotic angles, their surfaces corroded and stained with streaks of black ichor that hissed faintly in the oppressive air. A dim, eerie light emanated from thin, fractured seams within the machinery, casting jagged shadows across the warped metal walls of the alcove. The faint hum of dormant energy coursed through the air, punctuated by the occasional creak of shifting metal, as though the ancient mechanisms were groaning in their eternal slumber.
A pool of viscous, oil-like liquid gathered at the center of the alcove, reflecting the dim glow like a dark mirror. The acrid scent of burnt metal and decay hung heavy, mingling with a faint, almost melodic whir that seemed to echo from nowhere and everywhere at once.
"Unfortunately, comfort isn’t exactly a luxury we can afford in these meetings, Alatus," Diz remarked, his voice tinged with mock regret as he turned to face the Punisher. "But, as they say, there’s no rest for the wicked. Let’s get started." He crossed his arms, his expression hardening into one of cold authority. His piercing crimson eyes locked onto Alatus, scrutinizing him as if they could unearth the truth buried within. "First," Diz began, his tone sharp and deliberate, "explain to me how Kabuto managed to break free from his restraints." The weight of the question hung in the air, as though Diz's gaze alone demanded more than just words.
The question asked was not unexpected, since he had wondered the same thing. However, answering the question was a completely different story since he didn’t have an answer to give, making an excuse was out of the question.
“How the hell am I supposed to know?” Alatus answered and stared back into the bottomless pit of the eyes of the god before him. His ice-blue eyes stared right back. Somewhat coldly as he crossed his arms. “It was a pain in the ass to get him beaten down enough to even put those chains on him. I am used to eliminating my target, not playing nice, and trying to keep them alive.” Alatus said as he cocked his eyebrow. “The real question you are asking is if I didn’t do my job? If you can’t tell, you are blind,” he said, not backing down from the god of Ruin.
As soon as the God of Punishment's defiant words left his lips, a searing, excruciating pain tore through his core, radiating outward like wildfire. His knees buckled under the unbearable agony, his body crumpling forward. He barely caught himself on his forearms, his breath ragged as his celestial form twisted unnaturally. His skin bubbled grotesquely, surging with unstable energy as if his divine essence was on the verge of violently consuming him from within.
Above him, Diz loomed with an air of cold amusement, his open palm hovering ominously over the writhing deity. The Ruiner’s expression was unchanged, his smile as calm and calculated as ever, even as his power inflicted unimaginable torment on his subordinate. “My sincerest apologies, Alatus,” Diz began, his tone laced with mock politeness, as though he were discussing something trivial. The words reached the Punisher through the haze of agony, each syllable a cruel reminder of his predicament. “I must have misheard you.”
The pain surged again, a fresh wave that sent shockwaves through Alatus’s trembling form. His bubbling body threatened to explode at any moment. Diz crouched slightly, bringing himself to Alatus’s level. “Do me a favor, won’t you?” the God of Ruin continued, his tone unerringly casual, as though addressing an old friend. “Repeat yourself. Louder. Clearer. I’d hate to misunderstand you again.”
The pain that ripped through his body was completely debilitating. Alatus didn't expect the god to react in this way. He accused him, and he only returned it in kind. However, he was now at the receiving end of the gods' anger. Trying to compose himself enough to answer was an impossibility. He would just have to try and get the words out.
“ I… don't know… how he… escaped,” Alatus spoke in a pained and breaking voice. “I did… everything… you commanded.” Those were the only words he could get out as the pain increased and he fell completely on the ground curling himself in upon himself to stop the pain.
Diz withdrew his hand, halting the waves of torment coursing through Alatus and granting him a moment's reprieve. “Mistakes happen, Alatus,” Diz remarked casually, his tone almost conversational as he shrugged one shoulder. “However, usually, this particular kind of mistake narrows down to one of two causes.” He straightened his posture, his piercing crimson eyes locked onto the weakened deity below. “Incompetence,” he began, his voice taking on an edge of cold authority, “or betrayal.”
A faint, cruel smile tugged at Diz’s lips as his gaze darkened. “But please,” he continued, his tone mockingly generous, “enlighten me, Alatus. Surely, there must be other explanations for how Kabuto managed to escape his restraints. I pride myself on being open-minded, after all.”
Once the pain stopped Alatus exhaled sharply as his body relaxed. He was still unable to move as Diz spoke to him as if he was speaking to an old friend. An almost laughable concept. His breathing was still ragged as he pulled his body into a string position. He was sitting on his knees as he looked up at the god of Ruin. Looking at him cautiously. He would have to choose his words a little wiser with him.
“I wouldn't betray you. Though I am not incompetent either. I don't know what happened. The only thing I can think of is sabotage. Someone set me up.” Alatus said with a little fear in his voice. He didn't know if Diz would accept his answer.
Diz loomed over Alatus, the oppressive silence stretching between them like a noose. The God of Ruin's ever-present smile widened, dripping with mockery. “Well,” he began, his voice smooth, almost jovial, “it’s fortunate that you managed to prevent Guinevere’s escape in the end. That does suggest your loyalty remains firmly aligned with our rebellion.”
He tapped a finger against his chin, feigning deep contemplation. “Sabotage, however?” His crimson eyes glimmered with malicious curiosity. “That would mean someone else in our little group has reason to betray us—or perhaps a personal grudge against you. Any particular ideas, Alatus?”
Not daring to stand up as the god contemplated his response. He spoke of his loyalty being aligned with his cause, but something told him that Diz was still not completely convinced of his innocence in the matter. Alatus lowered his head as he closed his eyes. Does Diz truly see him as a traitor? This would not end well if he did. He has done everything Diz has asked of him, yet he suspects him of being a traitor. Lifting his head once more he looked at the God.
“I have no idea if any of the gods in your rebellion have a grudge against me. As you know I have given up hunting the deity that destroyed the village I called home. Maybe that God is in your ranks. If they are then that would explain what happened.”
"Perhaps," Diz mused aloud, a dark glint in his eyes. "Fingers crossed we can find this treacherous god and punish him properly. The fate of traitors…" He smiled, his teeth stretching into something more canine. "Should be far worse than death, far worse than even the Abomination itself." Diz chuckled softly, savoring the thought. "But alas, I have nothing more for you. We both know you do not seek the mantle of the Horsemen. And as for me," he waved a hand dismissively, "I best get to the rest of these meetings."
He paused for a moment, his gaze turning more intense as he leaned in slightly. "Just one last thing," he continued, his voice colder. "It would be in your best interest to find the deity who sabotaged you, especially if it’s the one from your past." His lips curled into a sly grin. "What better feeling than the sweet taste of vengeance, hm?
Alatus felt a cold chill run down his spine when he saw the look in the God of Ruin's eyes. He almost looked like a mad dog that would tear you to shreds just by looking at him the wrong way. Was this the true face of Diz? A question he was in no hurry to find the answer to. Picking himself up off the ground he got himself into a kneeling position as Diz grew close and whispered in his ear. This sent a chill down his spine as he didn’t dare move.
“I will do the best I can to find the tractor.” He said in a shaky voice as he was still afraid of what The god of Ruin had in mind. He didn’t think saying any more would be a good idea. He stood up and bowed respectfully to the God. He needed to be really conscious of how he spoke to Diz from now on. He didn’t want to feel that pain ever again.
“I will take my leave. Who is it you want me to send in next?”
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