Chapter Text
D3rlord walked throughout The Village with a watchful eye, scanning the deafening and desolate town. The only sound that could be heard was the paved dirt and gravel crumbling beneath his metallic boots.
After the encounter with.. Whatever was behind that golden gate, as well as his quick venture back to the surface to warn Avery, he decided to go back to The Village. He couldn’t leave. Or—rather, he felt like he didn’t have a choice. He wasn’t the same man that found moss in a cave. He never would be.
His mind wasn’t completely shattered. Staying in The Village kept him relatively ‘sane.’ He wasn’t sure why, but he was thankful for the safe space.
He opened the door to his house, not bothering to close it. It was a nice, comfy home. He patched up some of the roofs and walls to make it into a proper house. Dark oak pillars with stone lined the walls, having bookshelves that stood high laying against them. There were a few chests, a furnace, and a crafting table. To top it all off there was a yellow bed, fit for two. Though he took up both slots. It wasn’t like anyone was coming down here with him.
The bed engulfed D3rlord’s body as he laid down, his unease and exhaustion consuming him. This pattern had been going on for a while. Waking up, eating, reading, walking around town, then coming back home to do it all over again.
D3rlord sighed, looking up at the ceiling. It wasn’t so bad here. He just had to adapt, like he usually does.
“Gah!”
D3rlord’s ears perked up.
“What was that?”
D3lord mumbled to himself. He sat up, glancing out the window frantically. He saw nothing. His eyebrows furrowed in thought. The chest creaked as D3rlord opened it, grabbing his stone sword.
That couldn’t have been someone, right? He had to have been hallucinating. He was isolated all this time. It wasn’t impossible, but the possibilities didn’t ease his worries. He didn’t know who this person, thing—or entity was, but he wasn’t going to let it catch him off guard.
Sneaking out of the window, he landed on a patch of grass behind his home. He stayed close to the walls, scouting. His heart battered like a drum against his chest. He wasn’t scared. He wouldn’t admit it.. Not again.
He waited. His ear twitched as he heard the familiar sound of paved dirt and gravel. It was getting closer, and D3rlord could feel the grip on his sword getting tighter with every step. He could feel the tension in his muscles.
And then, he saw the shadow.
Sprinting along the grass, he held his sword tight, getting ready to step into the strike when—
“Avery?!”
Both of the men’s eyes widen. D3rlord stayed in his defensive position, his eyes remembering the familiar face. When he was gifted with knowledge, he had seen Avery receive the same world that he did, but he hadn’t seen this outcome to happen. Or maybe he did. Maybe he just didn't remember. He has been here for a while.
Wait a second, how was this even possible? He didn’t see Avery join the world at all. Was that someone else's doing? Does that mean the whispers were following him too?
D3rlord quickly dismissed his thoughts as soon as he realized how frightened Avery was. He coughed.
“Avery–”
“What the fuck? How do you know my name?!”
Sweat rolled down his translucent face. Avery took a step back, holding onto his torch tight. His expression became guarded.
D3lord gulped. “It's.. a long story, Avery.”
“Well- you better start explaining.. guy.” Avery stammered. He shifted in place, trying to mask his growing discomfort. “What even is your name?”
“Derlord. It's— Derlord.” He sighed. “Look, I'll explain everything in time. You should get inside first.”