Masa con Papas: Proxy's Memory

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As the dust settles, you put your sword down.

You slowly approach the other dog, Rook trailing behind you with a nervous energy as always.

You offer it a hand, a little comfort.

It takes it.

There’s a brief calm between the two of you, one you’ve desperately needed over the past few days..

Charon: It’s over, you need help?

Bucket slowly lumbers back onto their feet, shaking their head.

Bucket: I’ve never said that I’m finished.

Charon: Really?

Bucket: To show me this resolve is only to be returned with the same.

Bucket: So….

Bucket: Consider yourself more than earning your name and title.

Charon: Is that what it took?

Charon: In that case, I forfeit.

Their ears flop down in disappointment.

Bucket: Pardon?

Charon: I could’ve cleared you out in far less.

Bucket: You’re lying. Show me-

With a swift gesture a fortress of with sharpened arms protruded around the dog.

Charon: In my domain you’re hardly a challenge. But I knew you wouldn’t accept that.

Bucket: Your domain? You mean the entity-

Charon: His name is Styx and I’ve inherited this void. You’re more than welcome as a guest but it’s my land in the end.

Bucket: Mm.. backing down then?

Charon: You speak through the blade you hold. I’m out of words for you.

Bucket: I see..

Charon: So, your decision? You were offered Styx’s surrender.

Bucket: I’ll hold the contract, at least until the job is done.

Bucket: If I see anything out of line I will execute him on the spot, clear and simple.

Charon: Mm..

Bucket: That proxy of yours is odd, doesn’t seem to care much to fight.

Charon: Honestly.. Neither do I.

Bucket: And yet you choose to pursue knighthood? To be a champion of the people without the will to draw your sword?

Charon: I’ve plenty the courage and moreso the motive to drop anyone who’d harm the innocent.

Charon: And should you ever become an enemy to life itself, I’d cut you down too.

You retract all the weapons away, freeing the other dog.

Charon: But… I want to end the cycle.

Charon: A world that needs people like you and me is one that deserves better.

Charon: And if that means we fade from the earth, so be it.

Bucket: You’re really serious..

Charon: One day I’ll return home with you, and you can live out the rest of your days as intended..

Bucket: And what would that be?

Charon: Mortal, loved, and inevitably your life will end quietly in the comfort of your home.

Charon: No more martyrs or gods in this family.  Styx?

The rabbit appears, a contract in hand.

Styx:  Of course..

He offers it out to the knight.

Styx: Take this, assurance that I’ll behave. If you’re not satisfied..

Bucket: Odds are I won’t be.

His ears seem to pull back at that.

Bucket: But..  I suppose a chance is more than warranted.

They take the contract and look back directly at you.

Bucket: I don’t think I understand how you operate. You really remind me so much of your great aunt..

Bucket: Miracle you’re this held together. She’s long been lost in her own mind.

Charon: She just needs a talk.

Bucket: You won’t get far.

Charon: Doesn’t have to be me..

You take a moment to really take in the world around you. The towers, the floating island, the endless skies…


Charon: Styx, what is this place exactly?

Styx: A graveyard from another life. One I couldn’t make out for the life of me. Must’ve forgotten it a long time ago…

Charon: I’d like to take a look, something is calling me..

Styx: Easy to get lost, could be days before you make any significant progress.

Charon: You ever tried?

Styx: Aye..

Styx: This is the lowest level of the castle, the one that teeters on the edge of existence.

Styx: The end of a story, the start of another. A Nameless World..

Charon: I see..

Styx: Does that answer your question-

Charon: I need you to cover me for a bit.

Bucket: Absolutely not.

Styx: Pardon?

Charon: Take care of things out there, I need to dive further.

Charon I feel.. Something calling.

Bucket: I’ve agreed to give him a chance, to give him control of the front-

Styx: I don’t exactly disagree, people wouldn’t exactly care much for me out there.

Charon: There’s someone out there, no?

Styx: Hickory…

Styx: But… I don’t know if I should disrupt their current work.

Styx: They’re on the verge of a discovery themselves-

Charon: Hickory signed a pact with you, the least you can do is ask.

Charon: Know it’s been a good time since you two have talked but-

Styx: We’ve been plenty in contact since I’ve returned. They’re in Plaza as we speak..

Bucket: You’ve had that info on hand..?

Styx: Mm. They asked me to stay silent however. So….

Charon: Find them. Group needs to talk to them if they’re on this job, don’t want any surprises.

The entity opens his mouth to speak, only to stay quiet for a long time.

Charon; Styx? Please…

Styx:... Alright.

Charon: See if you can get Rosario to help you out too. A hired hand won’t have a stance.

Styx: …You’re serious about this then?

Styx: I’ll stay safe if you promise you will.

Charon: Aye.

Styx: Return home. Even if you can’t find what you need.

Charon: Mm..

Styx: I’ll… have my own proxy meet with you. You and Rook need more to back you up if you want to get anywhere. I feel she’s still around despite everything…

Charon: You take care of everyone out there, mean it.

Charon: You want to prove you’re a different man? That’s your chance.

One last gesture, a rift underneath both Styx and Bucket.

Bucket: You’re really going so fast? I..

Bucket: I felt as if we just started talking..

Charon: You had plenty of chances, and if you stick around awhile you’ll get more.

Charon: See you both on the other side..

A big blinding flash as the two are transported away.

You give Rook a small but tired smile, the proxy returning it with a warmth you need right now.

This Nameless World is yours.

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PROXY’S MEMORIES: MASA CON PAPAS
END OF PART 1
PART 2
NAMELESS WORLD: MASA CON PAPAS
Perspective: Styx Brimstone