Hegemon's words hang heavy in the air as he contemplates his situation, his thoughts swirling with uncertainty and apprehension.
"I've been hiding out here for countless years," he murmurs to himself, his voice tinged with a mixture of resignation and determination. "Each passing moment feels like a wasted opportunity to set things right in my universe. But venturing into the Abyss in my current state... it's a death sentence."
As he rises from the grassy field where he had been lying, a sense of urgency courses him. The weight of his past actions and the looming threat of retribution gnaw at his conscience.
"If I don't fix everything," he continues, his voice growing more resolute, "he will hunt me down. And I do not doubt what he's capable of."
Suddenly, the scent of smoke fills the air, and Hegemon's attention is drawn to a figure standing behind him—a skeleton clad in a bright orange hoodie and green shorts, casually puffing on a cigarette.
"So you're finally deciding to leave, huh?" the skeleton, Phose, remarks, his tone tinged with amusement.
Hegemon whirls around to face Phose, his hand instinctively summoning the Code Manipulator to his side.
"What does it matter to you if I stay?" Hegemon retorts, his gaze locked with Phose's. "This isn't even my universe."
Phose's expression remains nonchalant as he responds, "True, this is my universe—the Phose universe. But if you go seeking the Abyss in your current state, you'll meet your end... again."
Hegemon's grip tightens on the Code Manipulator, his resolve unwavering. "Are you going to try and stop me from leaving?"
Phose shakes his head, a wry smile playing at the corners of his skeletal grin. "I'd be a fool to stand in your way, brother. But I can't let you go unprepared, especially after witnessing what you're capable of when threatened."
A flicker of emotion crosses Hegemon's face at the mention of brotherhood. "You're not my brother," he replies, his voice tinged with a hint of sorrow. "No one can replace him."
Phose nods in understanding, his demeanor shifting slightly. "I know," he acknowledges. "But you're being hunted, and I won't stand idly by while a different version of my brother meets his demise. I may be lazy, but I'm not THAT lazy."
Tension crackles in the air as Phose's eye sockets ignite with an eerie orange glow, his gaze locking onto Hegemon's piercing white eyes.
"If you're so eager to leave, I suggest you head to this universe," Phose advises, his voice carrying a weight of certainty as he gestures with the cigarette, tracing a word into the air with the flame: Storyschicht.
Hegemon narrows his eyes, suspicion flickering across his features. "And why should I trust you? How do you know about this universe and what lies beyond me? What aren't you telling me?"
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His hand hovers dangerously close to the Code Manipulator, but Phose remains composed, unfazed by the threat.
"We were once a trio if you could call us that," Phose explains calmly. "She possesses a unique ability to see the blood you've spilled in your lifetime."
Hegemon's expression darkens at the mention of his past deeds. "And you think it's wise for me to seek her out?"
"At least if you manage to befriend her, you won't be alone in your time of need," Phose reasons, his tone softening. "And remember, I've got your back. So go fix your mess."
With a silent nod, Hegemon activates the Code Manipulator, disappearing from Phose's realm and reappearing in the familiar void. Before him sits a figure, a presence both comforting and unsettling—an encounter that promises to unravel the mysteries of his past and shape the course of his future. The atmosphere in the Void shifts as Hegemon confronts the figure seated upon the throne.
"So, you finally returned, huh?" King Vörher's voice echoes through the void, tinged with bitterness and betrayal. Before Hegemon stands a figure, half-skeleton, half-human, adorned in regal robes with a crown atop its head.
Hegemon's gaze meets the King's, his expression a mask of stoicism as he absorbs the King's accusation.
"What happened to you?" Hegemon inquires, his voice betraying a hint of concern.
The King's demeanor darkens, resentment simmering beneath the surface. "Ruling a Multiverse is quite tiresome, don't you think? Especially after you abandoned me," he retorts, his tone laced with bitterness.
Hegemon remains silent, his features impassive as he absorbs the weight of the King's words.
"I've been all alone, with no one to turn to," the King continues, his voice tinged with anguish. "After centuries of solitude, ruling this damn multiverse, you think you can honestly come showing up out of the blue again!?"
With a sudden surge of power, the King rises from his throne, his eyes ablaze with purple and white light, a menacing aura enveloping him.
"What exactly is stopping me from killing you where you stand?" the King demands, his voice dripping with malice.
Hegemon's stance remains resolute, his resolve unwavering as he meets the King's gaze with unwavering determination.
"Yeah, I ran away like a coward, afraid of death," Hegemon admits, his voice steady despite the weight of his words. "And I could hold it over your head that I created you, but I won't. There are still things I need to atone for in my life, and if being sorry to you is the first step on this road, then I truly am."
The tension between Hegemon and the King lingers in the air, palpable in the silence that follows Hegemon's declaration. As the seconds tick by, the King's intense gaze softens, the fiery light in his eyes fading back to their normal state.
"What exactly are you planning to do now?" the King inquires, his voice tinged with a mixture of curiosity and resignation. "I'm going to assume you'll leave again?"
Hegemon remains silent for a moment, contemplating his next move. With a steady breath, he finally speaks.
"I am seeking allies to rectify the wrongs I have committed," Hegemon replies, his tone earnest and resolute. "I know I can't accomplish this task alone, especially after learning that I am being hunted. Whether it's by him or not, I am uncertain. But if it were truly him, I believe he would have summoned me by now."
The King uncrosses his arms, his expression softening slightly as he regards Hegemon.
"You know where to find me," he concedes, a hint of begrudging acceptance in his tone. "And though I may not be pleased with you yet, I do accept your apology. Just don't keep me waiting for too long."