Lost in the Abyss

The Universe, was in fact, saving up for something BIG

(I'm referencing Clown's thoughts from last chapter into the title. You know what I mean.)

(Branzy POV) 

Darkness, pure nothingness. Nothing but whispers and thoughts. Entropy's voice rings in my ears. "I'm still here..." "I'll always be here..." It's rather odd sharing a mind with a creature. I cannot tell which thoughts are mine anymore. My body is moving on its own... yet I can feel it.

"Entropy?" I whisper into the suffocating darkness. 

"Human...Yes, I'm still here. I won't be leaving soon." They respond. 

"Why...why have you done this?" I question Entropy.

A sudden memory explodes in my mind. Distorted images of being tossed into the void, a betrayal. Following the remembrance was many more scenes of being helpless, weak, and forgotten. My head throbs with the mental pain before subsiding. 

"You see, you and I aren't much different. Forgotten, weak, lonely. I undersssstand that." Entropy's voice had a hint of malice, but also relatability. It's as if we get each other's pain. "I only took over your body for m- our benefit." 

"For how long...?"

"As long as needed. I can live forever, and so can you." Entropy suggests.

I contemplate the offer for a minute. "You're not actually giving me a choice, are you?"

"Well... no. But then again, who wouldn't want to live forever? Plus, if you die, I die." They explain. 

"Why'd you even give me my memories back?" I ask, confusion growing.

Entropy replies, "You'll be stuck with me for eternity. It's not like I have to keep your memories from you." 

"Why can't you find another host? I'd much rather have my own body, no matter how alike we are...please?" I say, a desperate attempt at freedom. 

Entropy lets out a long cruel laugh that seems to echo everywhere. "Another host species? Do you have any idea how annoying it would be to share a conscious with... I don't know... a rabbit? You're at least somewhat pleasant. Don't go taking that for granted though. There is plenty of other humans in this dimension." 

Their words send a chill up my spine. I shrink back into the void and stay silent. I remember everything now, even Clown. Oh Clown... would I ever see him again?

(ClownPierce POV)

I hear footsteps from down the hall. Is Parrot coming back with Branzy? I eagerly wait to see who's arriving. It'd be impolite to run up and check, so I must be calm. A cold laughter rings in my ears. That's- that's not what I was expecting. I walk over to the dim hallway and peer into the darkness. Squinting my eyes, I can make out the faint outline of a walking person. Before I can get a closer look, a tentacle shoots at me. I swiftly duck and run to the other side of the room. 

No, no, no! Not this again, it can't be! We killed that- that thing! Roxi is already springing into action as they firmly plant their claws into the floor. Standing their ground as the lurker approaches. The figure comes into view, it's Branzy. Only it isn't him. Black liquid consumes his eyes, a horrific sight. Eight tentacles protrude out of his back, along with the same old tentacle resuming its place in his head. Roxi's tail lashes from side to side as they stare at the beast. This isn't my boyfriend anymore...

Branzy's voice mixes with a distorted one, further enhancing the frightening sight. "I should thank you for bringing me back to the surface. How good it feels to breathe clean air. It's a shame you two must die now." Another tentacle sails through the air, aiming for my chest.

 I inhale sharply and close my eyes, bracing for death. Only...nothing happens. I open my eyes ever so slightly to see what actually happened. The black tentacle hovers just centimeters away from penetrating my skin. It twitches and squirms as if fighting itself. I can hear Branzy's voice more clearly in the mix. 

"Don't touch him." His body whispers. I'm assuming he's talking to the parasite in his mind. "If you want my cooperation for... however long, then you'll leave my boyfriend alone." Is he compromising with Entropy? God- I hope he wins this argument, for mine, and the world's sake. 

The tentacle retracts and resumes its place off to the side. Now the voice sounds more distorted when speaking, Entropy's voice. "Fine, but I will kill that dragon. They don't mean anything to you." Entropy is talking about Roxi... They're going to kill Roxi?!  Branzy can't help but comply with the lurker. The beast turns their eyes upon Roxi.

Roxi opens their mouth to speak. "The feeling is mutual. I want to rip you apart tentacle by tentacle!" Their voice is badly accented, and many vowels get replaced by similar sounding growls. "This tongue wasn't made for human language..." They say, recognizing their voice's malformation of words. "Doesn't matter. Prepare to die, you overgrown worm!"

Entropy speaks up in their distorted voice once more. "My tongue may have been made to speak Sritherian, but that's not going to stop me from insulting you." They retort. "Your kind are so full of themselves. Too bad you're the last one! Looks like dragon extinction is imminent." 

Roxi lets out a soft hiss, flames escape through their teeth. Suddenly they unfurl their wings and leap into the air. Using their rock-hard scales, they burst through the roof. Splinters shower the room, momentarily blinding Entropy and I. Entropy growls and quickly retaliates. Their tentacles shoot through the new opening, propelling them up and out of the house. It's highly uncomfortable to watch my boyfriend's body be manipulated by the lurker. I stand there gawking at the broken ceiling. I get this awful gut feeling that the greatest showdown in history has just commenced. 

An ear-splitting shriek combines with a bellowing roar to produce a horrifying sound. The noise seems to reach even the farthest corners of LifeSteal. It's all I can do to not go deaf from the volume. I can't stay here any longer. I rush towards the exit door and onto the battlefield.

(Roxi POV)

A tentacle reaches out towards me and slams into my face. The blow didn't do much damage, but the sting... the sting afterwards hurt like heck. "Poison..." I realize. There must be some kind of natural poison coating the tentacles. It isn't enough to kill, but it can still harm me. I quickly counterattack and bring my tail towards the lurker. The tough scales smash into the monster's skull, causing them to stumble back. Their tentacles dig into the ground; a support; a crutch. At this point in the battle, most of the humans have arrived from their bases to check out what's happening. 

The masked human (who took care of me), exits the house we were previously in. He watches on in horror as the clash occurs. That's when it hits me... The lurker I'm fighting took over a human's body. I can't kill them without harming someone innocent! Torn between thoughts and instincts, I accidentally gave Entropy time to strike. They use their limbs to propel forward at me. Their tentacles held in front like claws. I try to hop out of the way, but I am struck in the leg. A dark purple gash swells up on my thigh. I fall back and nearly collapse before righting myself somewhat. Clutching the wound, I stagger back, unable to stand well. 

It's no use, I have to trap this thing, not kill it. Entropy slithers towards me with bitterness in those dead eyes. Suddenly they're struck with an arrow to the side. I turn to look at the bowman, a man completely red, skin and all. Using the time to my advantage, I quickly brainstorm where I could put Entropy. I've got it. The Nether!

(Sup Beans? Sorry bout the short chapter. It'll have to do for now. -Your very busy author. Word count: 1316.)