[BATIM/BATDR]A Lonely Sepia Melody

Part 16

"Move-!"

A hand gripped the back of Bonzy's vest and yanked them to the right, tilting their vision momentarily. Just as they thought they were about to puke up whatever chips they had found in the Gent building for food, Bonzy saw Audrey struggling to her feet and making it quickly over to them as a long chain whipped past all of them, the anchor on the end of it smashing against the floor.

The chain went taunt as something pulled from its other end and the creature that hauled itself over the edge of the pool of ink was something out of a child's nightmares. Ink splashed against the side of the fountain cupping the ink machine's fuel and dripped off of this creature. Crab-like legs, a twisted face with one cartoon shining eye and one demon gaze, a sailor hat upon its head. This was all Bonzy could see before it was winding its anchor back and they gripped Charlie right back, "Run! Move Charles!"

Of course, they were faced with this impossible challenge to defeat before they were allowed to continue on with their lives. Right now, Bonzy was having a hard time believing that the Ink Demon was the hell-creature of the studio if Wilson's soul was what brought this thing to life. A croaking screech echoed around the chamber as the Ink-Wilson( the original name was stupid, let's be honest , Bonzy thought bluntly) attempted to crush the three under its twirling anchor.

Unfortunately, its forearms were really quite skeletal and Ink-Wilson was struggling to haul the anchor repeatedly.

"One might say," Bonzy huffed as they and Charlie hauled each other across the room, "he's struggling to get his sea legs." They ran into the side of one of the four electrical pillars and Bonzy was prepared for Charlie's scolding at their fantastic puns at such a time. However, they had become quite distracted by the way the door to the pillar popped open and revealed a link full of power. Bonzy's eyes widened and Charlie grinned sharply.

"Audrey! We need to shut the electric towers down!" Charlie called across the room to where Audrey was dodging a flying anchor. "Your Gent pipe will do it!" As the anchor unwound itself from the floor, Audrey made haste towards the two next to the tower, eyeing the electricity in the panel. She lifted her pipe just as Bonzy shoved the other two back with their shoulder, winding their ax up and slashing it out to change the trajectory of the large incoming anchor.

"It's rude to interrupt someone when they're talking!" Bonzy shouted at Ink-Wilson hearing a rather loud screech in response. They'll take that as a compliment. Thank you very much.

"We'll keep it distracted," Charlie nodded to Bonzy, "go for its anchor and keep it irritated." Bonzy grinned as the two split off around the room.

"I can be very irritating!"

The next few minutes were spent with Charlie and Bonzy catching the attention of Ink-Wilson and smashing down on the chain that was attached to the anchor. Every now and then if they got a little close it would try to swipe one of its massive fists at them, whether to ensure they knew what it was like to fly or to grab them, Bonzy doesn't know.

"Your aim is terrible!" Bonzy insulted, unsure if the thing could even hear them. Charlie darted past the anchor and it was rewound after Bonzy smashed their ax against the chain, causing it to vibrate uncontrollably under the force of their swing. "It's like having a battle-ax!" They shouted with glee.

"One down!" Audrey informed them, springing to somewhere in the back of the chamber with her Gent pipe in hand. Bonzy felt something light in their chest due to the look in her eyes when she passed by. It was... certainty. Fighting a battle and understanding that there wasn't an option to lose. Her words and her determined eyes brought a higher sense of courage to Bonzy as they continued to dance with Charlie around the room against the screeching Ink-Wilson. That meant there were three more to go and they could definitely keep it up that long because let's be honest, this thing is stupid. Sub-brick dumb.