Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Drifting,

Right, that's what I was doing.

What I've been doing for...who knows how long now.

I've lost track of how long, not like there's a way to keep track of time, wherever this place is.

Though something tells me I won't have much longer to worry about simple things like how long I've been here.

Kinda surprised this is what's to expect after you die, just...an endless void that slowly strips down your very essence until you have nothing left to worry about.

I remember kicking and screaming for anyone to come to help me but, after a while, I just came to the hopeless realization that this is, all that's left for me now.

Might as well enjoy what I have left of myself before wherever I am lays the last bit of my existence to rest altogether.

Surprisingly peaceful, In a morbid way.

Yet, also frightening.

So much I wanted to do and enjoy and experience, and now I'll never get to.

At least the stuff I did get to enjoy was memorable enough, especially that one fun indie game.

Kinda hoped for something more if I'm being honest, but, I guess there's not much purpose for you left after you pass away, whether it be earlier than you might have wanted to go.

So now, I'll just wait, wait until I'm inevitably gone from existing altogether.

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(Lamb's POV)

"Make a cult, like I'd ever subject people to the same lies and trickery The Bishops have for years," I said slightly still annoyed at his incessant demands.

It had been a little while after that... incident with Nana's carved statue of me and I decided to have some time to myself before I went out to Darkwood again to free more of the innocent chained people with this new found power flowing through me.

"The Red Crown is mine now is it not? Then I say how to use its powers, not Ratau and certainly not his god." I said remembering the addictive feeling from Nana's 'worship' as Ratau called it.

"And the first thing I'll do with it is free all the others that were chained up like me," I said before coming across some sort of black liquid on the ground.

"What in the?" I said confused at the random placement of this liquid.

"Well, Ratau did say this place used to be his right? Would explain some of the ruined leftovers of whatever he had built here we've found so far." I said looking back at the mysterious-looking puddle.

"Well, might as well leave it only until we can properly clean it up," I said to myself before something slid off my face into the liquid as I wiped my cheek to find a little bit of blood on my cheek.

"Ah, should probably get that taken care of," I said to myself before a ritualist circle suddenly appeared from the black liquid in front of me.

(My POV)

Huh, how strange.

For as long as I could remember there's been nothing but me here and yet, for the first time something else but me is here.

Some sort of ritualistic circle with a weirdly shaped figure was now floating in front of my vision as they reached their hand out to me.

And, even if I shouldn't have been able to,

Something urged me to reach out to it,

So I did, and I made sure to hold on as tightly as I could.

Even if this was the last thing I did, or this was finally the end of my existence, I at least was able to be conscious of this.

So with that last thought, I began to feel myself get pulled forward through the circle until,

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Huh, I could've sworn I would've stopped existing and yet,

'It's almost as if I'm alive again,' I thought to myself before a sword was suddenly pointed in my direction.

"Who. Are. You?" A voice threateningly questioned causing me to focus on said person holding the sword as my mind tried its best to get used to working again.

Thankfully, even without everything at one hundred percent, I could tell right away, something was wrong.

Not even mentioning the fact that the sword they had been threatening me with had an eye on it or the fact that they seemed almost naked if it wasn't for them wearing a cape and having fur attached to their body.

They weren't human, instead they were some sort of anthropomorphic sheep who not only could talk, but also had enough situational awareness to threaten some sort of unknown creature.

"U- *cough* I'm not a threat," I said with my voice feeling rough and slightly hoarse.

"Sure, because someone who just tried pulling me through a mysterious black liquid wouldn't b-" He said before pausing as he began looking up towards my head causing me to look at him confused.

"But I thoug-" He began to say before his face took on a more furious expression, "he lied to me, because of course he would, why would I expect any different," He said slightly gritting his teeth before focusing back on me.

"You, are coming with me," He said before positioning me in front of him as I looked back at him with a slightly annoyed expression.

"Keep looking forward and move, we're going to Ratau so I can get some answers from him, you play nice, and I might do the same, understand?" He questioned causing me to pause for a second before I nodded.

"Good, now move." He said slightly sticking the tip of the sword in my back as I walked forward.

'So much has happened after coming out of that godforsaken place and I can't even have any time to process any of it or what's happening,' I thought to myself slightly overwhelmed with how much was happening.

Yet, weirdly enough even with everything the sheep behind me looked oddly familiar, yet I couldn't place why yet, especially not when my mind was in the middle of rebooting itself from not existing.

'Might as well just take things one at a time Sam, one thing at a time,' I thought to myself silently hoping that things would only get better from here on out.

'At least my memory is starting to come back to me.'

Chapter Text

Walking, was a weird thing to get used to again, even more so with a body that I had just now realized was no longer human.

Instead of my feet and toes being there I had to get used to just having hooves in place of them, leading to some awkward moments as the sheep-like creature behind me kept trying to threaten me to walk normally.

I mean, I guess spending an indefinite amount of time in some sort of afterlife void would do that to you but, it's, still taking some time for me to get used to. 

Not only that but, I'm somehow alive, again.

Not that I'm complaining, any sensible human being would be elated at having a second chance at life, and I'm no different.

The chance, of not only being reborn in a different world unlike my own but also as one where magic seems to exist if that eye on that sheep's sword was anything to go by was already an exciting thought to have.

It will be a bit weird to get used to not being human anymore, all I'm concerned about is my memory surrounding everything I've done in my past life, and miraculously, so far everything seems to be coming back without issue.

'Though hopefully they come back faster than they are right now,' I wished to myself as we continued onwards.

Yet, I can't help but wonder what led to me having this second chance, and better yet, how did I of all people get offered it?

Questions for a later time to consider when my life isn't being threatened.

"We're here, I'm going to move away from you now, if you try anything, I will kill you, understand?" He questioned in a no-nonsense tone.

"Yes," I simply answered as my voice seemed to be sounding a little bit better while also still sounding mostly hoarse.

Without saying anything else the sword tip he had been pointing against my back was finally removed, causing me to sigh in relief while he angrily stomped over to what looked like an anthropomorphic rat-like creature.

Weirdly enough, he had what looked to be a paper drawing replicating some sort of crown on top of his mixture of brown and orange fur, not to mention the fact that he also seemed to be getting there in the ages if the limp and long stick acting as his support was anything to go by.

'And weirdly enough he seems to be familiar as well,' but from where?' I thought wishing my memories would come back to me faster.

"Ratau!' He yelled angrily causing the said creature to jump in shock before turning around to face him.

"Yes? Ahh!" He asked in response before the sheep suddenly walked up to him and held the blade against his neck.

"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't kill you for lying to me," He said threateningly as Ratau looked at him in slight offense. 

"W-What do you mean!? I've told you nothing but the truth child!" He said slightly upset himself as the sheep stepped to the side before gesturing to me.

"Then explain him!" He said angrily as Ratau looked over at me for a bit before his eyes widened out of shock.

"Wha-"

"You told me that I was the last chosen vessel by your master, so explain how he also has a crown!" He demanded causing  Ratau and me to look on in confusion.

'A crown, really?' I thought to myself confused.

Curious and intrigued, I reached up above my head accidentally hitting horns that definitely were not there before until I suddenly felt something else sitting on top.

'Well waddya know, it seems like there is something there,' I thought surprised as I wrapped my hands around it before bringing it down into my view to get a better look at it.

Interestingly enough, the design of said crown seemed to have a weird indent in the middle of the top part of it while also having a purplish tint to its overall blackish color.

Yet, what I found the most interesting about it was the purplish eye that seemed to not only be alive but had seemed to also have been placed right into the middle of said crown.

'Weirdly enough, the design of this looks very familiar, but from where?' I pondered to myself for a second until it suddenly clicked for me.

'Oh right, it was from Cult of Th-'

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And then that's when it finally hit me.

The sheep, his weapon, Ratau, them being anthropomorphic animals, and especially the Purple Crown that I had been carrying around this whole time.

'I'm in Cult Of The Lamb,' I thought to myself before looking back down at said crown as everything made so much more sense.

'I've been brought back from the dead into Cult Of The Lamb as the Lambs Dark Reflection.' I confirmed to myself as I mentally filed the epiphany I just had for later in favor of focusing back on the conversation between the Lamb and Ratau.

"He shouldn't," Ratau said causing the sheep to look at him in confusion letting him go as he slowly walked up to me.

"What do you mean he shouldn't?" The Lamb questioned as Ratau looked back at him indignantly.

"I never lied to you child, you are the last chosen vessel that our master had selected," He said before turning back to me.

"Which makes it all the more confusing on how this one here was able to acquire one as well." He said looking up at me as I realized I seemed to be quite tall now.

"You, explain how you came across that crown," Ratau demanded as I looked over at the sheep whose sword suddenly shifted into a blackish crown with a red eye in the middle on top of his head.

'Alright Sam, just gotta come up with a believable enough lie that'll allow you some space to get your bearings back,' I thought to myself as I racked my brain for answers until I remembered a key detail when the goat was announced.

'He was shown to come out of a dark puddle right? Maybe I can make something believable out of that,' I thought to myself as I spent a few more seconds gathering my thoughts in an attempt to make a believable lie.

"I merely acquired what the original provided," I said lying out of my ass as I gestured over to The Lamb causing him to look on in confusion.

"Speak plainly goat, what do you mean original? Are you saying they're more of you?" The Lamb questioned as I shook my head trying my best to be perceived as perfectly calm right now. 

"No, I was only summoned through your contribution to the Void," I explained as his eyes narrowed in confusion and suspicion.

"Contribution? What contribution?" Ratau questioned equally as suspicious.

"A drop of blood, small enough to not matter, but enough to also provide the Void to reflect said contributor, a gift for your contributions, if you will," I explained hoping that I was being as convincing as I wished I was as.

Though, while I waited for their response I noticed The Lamb reach up to what looked like an untended wound across his cheek before focusing back on me.

'Might've been where the drop of blood came from,' I thought to myself as I remembered the trailer also having The Lamb bleeding into some sort of puddle.

"If what you are saying is true, then explain your attempts at trying to pull me over to your side," The Lamb demanded.

"I apologize for any alarm I might've caused you at that moment, but I simply needed some assistance exiting out of the Void and into your dimension," I explained hoping that would be believable enough for him to move on from.

"This Void you keep mentioning, you say that the place you hail from is one not of this world?" Ratau questioned as I nodded.

"Correct, our realm exists on an entirely different plane of existence from yours, capable of much more than is possible here," I said mentally fearing to make even the slightest mistake here.

"Such as?" The Lamb asked causing me to focus back on him.

"Such as replicating artifacts of power an individual might have in their possession before they summon a reflection of themselves from the Void," I said giving an example for them.

"Interesting..." Ratau said trailing off.

"You called yourself my reflection yes?" He questioned as I nodded causing him to give me a look over making me realize that besides my cloak I basically had nothing on at the moment causing me to put my arms to the side allowing the cloak to somewhat close.

"Well, no offense but you don't seem to resemble me enough to be called a reflection of me, I mean for starters you're not even the right species." He pointed out causing me to chuckle in response.

"I am a dark reflection of yourself, the appearance itself isn't the focus of what comes out of the Void," I said walking up to him noticing that I either seemed to be much taller than I was in my previous life, or The Lamb was much smaller than me.

"It's the assurance of not only being able to match the same amount of power any contributor has, but also having the ability to assist when needed no matter the problem," I explained before slightly backing from him.

"That is the promise that is made when a reflection of said contributor is made," I finished with as The Lamb sat there with a thoughtful expression on their face.

'Hopefully, I was able to convince him I'm trustworthy, the last thing I need is being driven out of the safe area while I haven't even had any time to do anything.' I thought to myself as I continued to wait with my anxiety increasing over whether or not I convinced him.

"I think you should honor the deal," Ratau said as The Lamb looked over at him with an eyebrow raised.

'Yesyesyes, listen to Ratau!' I thought desperately.

"We could always use the help, especially since your cult has only one follower so far, it would be helpful to have a copy as powerful as yourself," Ratau explained as The Lamb glared at him.

"Not a cult, but, maybe you're right," He said as I felt my hope rising.

'Was I actually able to convince him to let me stay? Please tell me I was,' I thought desperately hoping that I had while I waited for The Lamb's verdict.

"One last question," He said, "If I no longer require your services, what will happen to you?" He questioned.

"I will simply return to the Void in waiting for you or another contributor to summon me if my service to you isn't satisfactory enough," I said as he adopted a thoughtful expression for a second until he looked back at me.

"Fine, I guess I see no harm in allowing you to help us, but just to make things clear you do anything I even remotely dislike then I will send you back from where you came, understand?" The Lamb threatened but with noticeably less heat than when he had first met me thankfully.

"Of course," I said calmly betraying the ecstatic and in disbelief feeling I had at somehow successfully being able to lie my way out of being killed.

"Well, if you're really here to help then I might as well introduce you to Nana so she knows someone else has joined us now," He said before turning around and walking off before turning his head back at me.

"Well? Let's go," He said impatiently.

"A-Ah right," I said realizing he meant now as I quickly caught up and began walking next to him.

'Well, I managed to convince him to let me stay and not kill me, but now I have to act as an entity whose only purpose is to be at his beck and command so, that's unfortunate,' I thought unsure about how I was going to be able to keep up this act.

'Well, all that matters now is that I'm safe for the foreseeable future, though whether or not I can keep up this act to stay that way remains to be seen,' I thought hoping that whatever happened in the future wouldn't be too difficult for me to adapt to.

Still though, what are the chances I ended being brought back to life up in the one game universe I played the most?

Chapter Text

"Nana!" The Lamb called out with a slight smile, showing much more happiness toward them than he had at all earlier as he slightly increased his pace.

'Nana, that name sounds familiar, but why?' I thought doing my best to recall them as we approached the purple-fur-colored anthropomorphic bunny.

They seemed to have been busy picking different colored berries off of a random bush as they placed them into a wooden basket before she turned around after hearing The Lamb call out for them.

"Lamb! How are you...today?" She asked enthusiastically turning around and pausing her efforts before focusing on me out of clear confusion of my appearance.

"I'm doing well, though I do have important matters to discuss with you,  one of them being this individual here," He said gesturing for me to take over as I cleared my throat and held out my hand.

"Greetings, I am merely here as assistance for The Lamb and anything he requires help with, but if you wish to refer to me you can simply call me, The Goat," I said introducing myself as casually as I could as Nana reluctantly shook my hand.

"Ok, nice to meet you, Goat," She said awkwardly as I merely nodded in response before she focused back on The Lamb.

"So, any other, important matters you wanted to discuss with me?" She asked as The Lamb proceeded to tell her while I inspected her clothing. 

'Seems as if The Lamb hasn't gotten her anything else to wear yet if her still being in rags means anything.' I thought to myself before focusing back in on the conversation they were having.

"So you're really going into Darkwood?" She asked worried for him as he nodded.

"I have to Nana, there are still so many like us in fear of or already in the process of being sacrificed I need to free and save them all," He said before grasping her hand softly and looking into her eyes.

"Now that I have this power, I can make sure that those I save can come here without the constant fear of losing their life unjustly one day." He explained causing Nana to close her eyes and sigh before focusing back on him with a strained smile.

"Just, make sure you don't get killed on this endeavor of yours," She said as he silently nodded before removing his hands from hers.

"Of course not, there are still things that I wish to be alive for, but don't worry, I now have someone else to assist me in this 'endeavor' of mine as you so call it." He said jokingly while he gestured to me as my mind blanked at what he was implying.

'...What?'

"Isn't that right, Goat?" The Lamb asked as I blinked a few times before responding.

"A-Ah yes, as I've said before, I am here to assist no matter the problem," I said mentally cursing the predicament I put myself in right now.

"See? With us watching each other's backs we'll be as safe as can be, till next time Nana," The Lamb said before suddenly turning away and walking off toward the exit of the ruins.

"Till next time Lamb," I heard her say as she went back to pick the rest of the berries off while I went to join The Lamb's side.

"Ratau! Me and, The Goat will be leaving, be safe and make sure nothing happens while we're gone!" He called out before climbing the steps and passing over the ritualistic-like circle as I walked side by side with him out of the safe area.

Walking down the path that I was once familiar with now filled me with anxiety as no matter where I looked, there was always a a pair of red eyes looking directly at us through the weirdly thick shadows covering the bottom of the trees on both sides of the path.

'And to think, that until we enter Darkwood this is probably as peaceful as it'll be,' I thought unconsciously going over everything that could go wrong in there before I stopped myself and took a deep breath.

'It's fine, you're fine, you're even better than fine, especially now that you have this,' I thought to myself as I attempted to turn my crown into a sword like The Lamb had.

Yet, doing it in the game and doing it for real was a completely different experience since as soon as the crown deformed itself around my arm, it felt as if my whole arm had fallen asleep for a second before the feeling disappeared and the crown fully reformed into a perfectly formed sword into my hand.

"Woah," I whispered in awe as I tried imagining it going back to normal, watching as it did just that amazing me even more.

'Cool,' I thought impressed by the effect until I noticed The Lamb suddenly stop in front of a stone statue modeled after the Red Crown with black-like blood pouring out of the only eye which caused it to pool underneath.

"Wha-"

"What are you really here for?" The Lamb asked confusing me with his sudden question.

"What do you mean? I've already explained tha-"

"That you're here simply to assist, yes I remember," He said interrupting me before turning to face me fully with a more serious expression on his face than before.

"Yet, how do I know you don't have a price attached to your assistance?" He questioned causing his crown to form into a sword as he slowly walked up to me causing me to slowly back up in response.

"For years now, as long as I could remember any time someone offers something too good to be true there's always a price attached to it, from the highest in power such as a Bishop to the lowest of the bottom feeders such as a farmer." He explained pointing his sword threatingly at me again as I held my hand out to the side anxiously.

"And you think I have one?" I questioned doing my best to remain calm as The Lamb's eyes narrowed.

"How could I not?" He questioned seemingly flabbergasted at my response.

"After simply one drop of blood a fully fleshed creature comes from a random puddle made out of a random black liquid offering to help, and you expect me not to think you have a price attached?" He questioned as I had nothing to say in response knowing that if I was in his position I would think the same way.

"Don't you think if I had a price I would've made it known by now?" I questioned in response causing him to simply roll his eyes.

"Maybe, that is unless you're waiting for me to be in your debt thus allowing you to reveal the price of your assistance without any trouble," He answered back causing me to grow a little annoyed.

"If you believe I have a hidden motive or price for wanting to help than why haven't you killed me yet? Or worse sent me back to where I came?" I questioned getting frustrated at the constant questioning even of it wasn't completely unjustified.

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"I don't know, it is, a question I'm having trouble trying to answer myself," He admitted as his crown shifted back to normal on top of his head causing me to sigh in relief as I tried thinking of something to say.

"Well, how about this then, if you're conflicted on trusting my word then let me prove myself to you," I started as I walked up to him which caused him to get into a slightly defensive position as I paused my advance toward him.

"From what I've gathered so far you've lived a life knowing nothing except betrayal, and unfortunately, even if I have no means to betray you, your past experiences only seem to strengthen that conviction against someone like me just trying to help," I finished with holding out my hand causing him to look up at me in confusion and slight wariness.

"So let me prove to you that I am simply here to help, no prices, no lies, no ulterior motives, just, to help," I said waiting patiently for his answer while he stared at me for a few seconds before focusing intensely on my hand.

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"I, don't know if I can trust you," He answered causing me to mentally sigh as I lowered my hand.

'Well, it was wor-'

"But," He suddenly said causing me to focus back on him as he looked up at me with an unsure expression.

"I can, allow you to prove your loyalty," He said causing me to smile in relief.

"However, If at any moment you pose a threat to me or anyone in that place I will kill you, understand?" He questioned threateningly as I did my best to not appear nervous.

"O-Of course," I said slightly stuttering nervously he nodded in acknowledgment.

"Good, now enough wasting time." He said turning around before heading for the abyss-like entryway that in the game would've signified heading into Darkwood.

'Guess he must've already opened the door then,' I thought to myself as we paused at the entryway for a second until The Lamb turned to look up at me again before focusing back on the entryway as he stepped through.

'Leshy, Bishop Of Chaos first huh?' I thought to myself as I tried pumping myself up.

"I'm probably going to have to...kill while I'm here aren't I?" I said to myself dreading the moment for when I was inevitably going to be forced to.

"It's fine Sam, every creature in this place deserves it, you know this, so I mean technically you're doing this world a favor right?" I tried reasoning with myself before I shook my head.

"Thoughts for later, let's not make The Lamb wait any longer," I said to myself as I decided to deal with those thoughts some other time.

Taking in a deep breath I proceeded to do the same as The Lamb did and-

H̶̡̼̎̒̀̀ơ̶̧͎͖͖͚͔̯͍̫̗̼͕̂̈́̍̓̀̍̋̈́̋̊̇̄̽̉̉̈́̍̚̕͜r̸̛̠̒͑̂̊͂̄̌͑͌̄̉̐̓̍̾̏͛͊͐́͊͊̿̈͂̌͆̎́͂̋͂̆̾̍̉̃͠͠r̷̡̧̢̦̲̻͇͎̟̩̣͇̪̭̪̫̭̗̼̰̭̈͐͊͂̎̊́̅̒͐̀̈̍͐́̐̓̌̋͑́̈́̊̾̏̊̑̊͛̉̎̾͑͘̚͘͘͘̚̕͝͝i̸̡̢̡̨̢̪̣̣̫̮̝̗̖͔̺̤͙̣̥͈͚̖̫͖̖̪̺͉͍̗̺̝̱̼̺̯͚̮̹̤̖̍̃͑͆̏̋͑̑̃͂̉͆̃̈͊͂̽̀̇͊̈͑̉͑́̚͘͘͘̚͜͝b̸̲̝̖͉̱̲̝̻͙̪͚̺̭͎̅͂̃̏̑̓̔̐̋̌̉͐͐̋̅̈͊̌̌̎͑̃̈͂̅͑̌̃̃̎̽̊̈́̈́͘̚͘͜͠͝ͅl̵̢̨̛͚̟̺͇͇̖͙̦̪̱̤̯̖̺̘͙̱̯̼̟̱̪̦̱͇̮̩̜̦͖̦̭̜͍̝͍͚̇͗̌̀́͆̎̅̀͐͆̊̓̀̆͊̓̄̀̐̂̓̓̌̽̍̎͌́͋̏̿̒͐̐͌̕͜͜͝͠͠ͅe̸̡̢̢̡̨̢̡̛̛̠͖̯̮͔̰͎̹̳͈̝͎̤̩̞̳̯̪̞̜̼̖͎̠̰̹͕̤̘̺̻̯̳͎̜͇͚̫̱͒̓͌͊̏̒̔̊̉̈͐́́̂͂͆̊̇̆̄͊̃̎̀͛͌̄̃̅̌̕͘̕̕͠͠,̵̢̲̞̟̬̾͛̇̑͌̀͐̍͌͌̔̎̀̀̽̐́̈́̓̑̊̆̎̃͛̓̋͝͝ͅͅ ̴̧̡̢̡̧̙̖̼̭͉̬̲̝͍̟̺̙͍͍̟̝̤͈̰̟̣̹̩̭̥̳̼͍̪̯͈̥͓̹͖͚̬͖͓̩̟̈́͒͜Ḩ̸̨̧̢̛̻͚̥̪͚̫̘̥̤̱͖͚͔͙͙̜͉̞̝͔̜̺̦͉͚̹͚̈́̅̉͂̓̅̏̅̔̂̈̄̔̾̀̀̃̔̋̀̎̂̅́́́͐̈͛͌̕͘̕̕̕͘͝͠͠a̸̰͖̩͎̠͌̐̓͐͆̓̎̽͌̄̕ṯ̵̨̧̡̳̟͈͉̯͈̖̹̰̭̟̰͔̟̻̱̰̜̭͇͖̙̲̼̯̟̫͙̜͇̼̻̜̹̯̞̲̋͒̈́́͜͝ͅê̶̡̹̙̬̟͚̞̠̱ͅ ̵̧̢̧̧̧͙̱̼̰͖͎̱̘͙͓͙̤̮͕͇̳̻̩̘͕̦͔̥͕̯̗̇̄͂́̏̌̾̄̀̌͒͂̑̃̔̎͌̎̚͝Ṭ̵̨̛͔͎̱̟̝̲̖̩́̅̓͑̄͂́͛͊͐̓̿̉̈̽̑̂͒̉̾̾́̐̔̑̕̕͠͝h̴̫̭͊͐̅̇͐̀͆͊̾̄̋͗͗̈́̀̏̀̆̓̌̃̑͌́̍̅͐͐̚͘͝͝͝į̸̢̨̡̢̻͔̬̭̺̤͚̹̺̮̳̱͍̦̜̣̩͈̱̻̬̫̠̳̳̠͖̱͈̰̳͖͚̻͔̗̰́͑͂͆̌̅̃͌̎̀̔̋͂̊̾̀͋̐̋̽͛͗͐̉̃͗̈̾́͘͠ͅs̷̡̧̛̛̤̲̪̮̱̤͍̠̞̟̘͓̳̯̰̩͕̮̞̲̟̖̣̺̹͓̗͓̝̦̑̆̅͌̉͐̒͐̒̃̓́͗̀̆̓͆̅̂̋̋̀͆̈́̎̆̍͑̄̒̈́̚̕̕̚,̴̧̛͚͕̫̩͍̪̹̘̻̺̼̪͍͔͙͙̓̇̌̈͐́͆̒͛͆̒͑̇̿̆̌͌̅̽̀͊͌̄͋͂̚̕͜͝ ̶̡̨̛̯̺̻̠̯͖̞̣̳̞̯̘̹̘̥̗͖̯̯̤͙̤͍̣̲̙̑̏͋̓̓̐̈̀̉̃̀͂̐̑́͋̃̎̋̓͛̐̚̕̚͘͝͠͝ͅͅͅP̶̡̡̨̡̨̧̧̨̧̛͉͖̳͉͔̝̙̖̼̳͓̬̝̟̘̠̫̳̲̮̬̤̥̗̜̠̱̱̞̗̼̥͎̮̳̅̈́̐̇͒̔͐̓́̇̎̊͌́͊̓̑̓́̅͗̀̓̇͊͆̎̿̈̕͘̚͜͝ͅͅl̴̡̧̡͔͓̜̫͈̘̯̯͓̣͖̭͙̍̌̈́̾̿̒́̑̒̚͠͝ě̵̡̛̹͍̓̈́͆̂̈́̑̌̈́̀͊͆̔̔̅͂̓̅̈ą̸̡̮̫̭̩̺̹̻̠̞̦͎̗̖̳̱̼͚͔͉͖̱̥͕͈̜̟͍̺̩͉̹̲̱̠̞̬̲̈́̀͛̋̕͘͜͝ͅͅs̷̤̭̟̼̅̅̂̈͑̾́͑̐͊͌̅͛̅͐̓͑̈́͋̿́̚͝͝͝͝͝͠ȇ̴̢̨͎̮͎̦͙̺̗͙͉̳̪̠̯̗̱̲̞̭̙̩̂̀̓́̾̌̅̅̈́́̍̇̆̓̔͐̿̀́̂́́͒̔͂͘̕͝ ̵̢̢̛̳̥̤̯̜͕̟̖͉̦̦̥͍̪̠̝̞̭̠̼̪̀̑̂̒̑̑́̅̐͗͋͛̽͊̽̓͛͌̉̈́̃̑̅͋̂̑̆̔̅́̕̕̚͜͝͠͝ͅS̸̨̝̳̠̮̤̯̜̭̳͎̹͈͍̯̠͎̱̼̼͎͍̠̹͍̝͖͕̘̫̳̖̦̼̫͈̥̝̪̟̀̊̀̋͑̈́̊̒͗̊̓͛͂͐̈́̎̄͛̃̒́͊̋̓̑̿͘͠t̷̡̨̺̬͚͔̠͔̜̹͕͚̩̺̱̳̘̣͙͖̮͚͕̗̹̭̰͓͌͊̽̓̊̀͆́̈́̾̀̑͛̌̆̎̾͆̎̽̔̈́͂͗̄̊͊͊͑͊́́̉͗̀̍́̃̓̃̓͘͜͜͠͝͝͝ờ̷͉̲̞̟̖͖̱̘̜̙͕̹̗͚͕̼̊̈́͌̍́̂̍͝p̶̡͍̙̥̖̖͍̻̝̰̮̬͎̫̬͓͖̪̼̻̭̩̜̈́̑́́͜,̶̧̧̩̩͓͎̯̹͓̰͓̹̱̙͖̠͎̲͓̹̦͇̬̞͚̲̤̲̺̠̦̙͙̼̽͋̍̉͗̂̈́̊͜ͅͅ ̷̛̜̑̽̿̾̎̋͗̽̏̈́̚͝Ņ̸̢̧̻̙͍͈͇͖̦̞͖͙̼̖̩͎̤̫͚̪̪̯̠͇̮͙̺̱̈́͆̕͘͜ͅͅo̷̢̨̢̢̢̢͔̻̝̲̩̘̥̰̥̲̺͖̺̻̝̺̖̩̮͖͈͙̯̦̟̥̙͆̑́͂̓͑̿̓̐͌͂̆̿̓̎͋̍̊̃͑̔̀͒̓͜͜͜͝͝ͅ ̷̨̢̜͈̞͙͕̫̬̙̠̱̞̭̭̖̜̺͉̝̰̰̖̠̙̋͗̃̋̈́̓̓͌̂̂͂̌̑̎̽̀̊͛̏̾̇͆̐͂͗́͒̇̿̅̔̈̾͛̉̽̽̏̄͊̿̽͒̈́͒̀̕͝M̷̢̧̨̨̥͉͎̬̹̟̹̪͚͕̱̖̥̼̠̪̠͇̹̺̙̭̫͓̠͙͚̗͎͈̞̻̰̯̂̓̍̿̎͛̈́̓̀̌̃̄̌̏̏̉́̀̂̈́̅́͐̐̅̆̽̄͑̌̽̈̐͋͂͗̈̎́̈́͒͘͜͠͝o̸̧̧̢̠̩͙̣̟̰̲͉̙̝̻̟̞̬̪͍̪̣̲͍̜̺͕̓̄̀̓͋̍͑͂̃͊̎͆̈́̃̍͊͐͛͑̃̕͜͠ͅr̶̰̹̼͔̄̀̈͂̃̽̎͆̓͒͛̂͑́͒̈̄̕̕͘̕͝͝͝ḛ̷̡̡̢̧̢̨̛̹͉̜̟̤͎͇̺̟̤̲͎͍̰͉̩̰͍͖͓͖̫̱̭̫̯̎̐̏̎́̓̇̿̀͐̈́͗͂̊͒̄̃̓̚̚̕͜͜͜͠͝ ̸̡̡̨̨͖̖̤̟͓̺̻̺͉̯̖̹̱͔͙̥̲̤͓̥̩͍̞̪̲͇͍͍͆̋̿͊̂̑̕͝Į̵̛̬̟̹̼͎͓͇͙͔͍̠̱̝̖̮̟̣̓͑̇̏̃̇̃̆̋̿̍̍̕͜͝ ̸̧̘̱̭͑͌̍͛͛̾͂̾͒̓̌̓̇̇̔̓̑̏͌̿̈́̒͂͛̽̿̐̀́̿̿̕̚̕͝͝B̷̧̨̨̡̨̡̛̮̘͍̘̬̝̘̝͎̣̣̻̯̟̼̼̳͙̻͚̘̙̟̟̱͔̥̟̻̥̪̙̺͓͒͑̆̀͋̒̅͒̉̈̂̎͑̀̽̆͋͘ͅͅͅͅE̴̡̧̢̧̛̗̣̩͙̘̦̥̩̥̹̞͎̥̖̼̬̗̥͕̼̺̯̞̝̜͙̻̞̱̯͓̫̻͓̘̞̝̟̻̦̿̄̀̿͌̽͒̈́̏̂̍͆̈́͊̀̇͗̎̕͜ͅͅG̵̡̢̧͉͚̰̜͕̭̗͉̱͖̭̝͙͍̝̮͍̪͈͍̲̰͕̹̘̦̺͖͓̗̼̙̥̠̼̃͛̈̓͊̾͊̓͜ͅ.̴̨̨̡̛͕̥̳̻̱̞̺̗̫̼̩͈̫͇̲͔͉̦͍̞̙͇͇́̉͂̿̏́̽́͛̍̽̽̿͐̈́͂̿̂͋̉͂̀͋͗̀̀̇̈̈́̋̅͂̊̕̕̚͜͝͠ͅ

Immediately fucking wished I had stayed dead if it meant avoiding whatever the fuck I had just experienced.

It was as if I was losing my mind and being torn apart spiritually only for everything to go back to normal in an endless cycle that lasted years upon years.

Gasping for air as I'd been suffocating I looked around desperately for The Lamb only to find them lying unconscious on the ground.

"L-am, LAMB!" I yelled out in fear for him as I desperately shook his body causing him to thankfully groan out allowing me to sigh in relief.

"Goat, help me up," He said sounding slightly weak as I grabbed his arm and placed it over my shoulder.

"Lamb, I suggest we leave for now," I said concerned for his health before he suddenly pushed me away stumbling onto his own two feet.

"N-No, we push onward, one obstacle is nothing compared to the actual power of the Bishops themselves," He said looking up at me with a defiant expression.

"If we are to do what needs to be done we will simply just have to get used to experiences such as that," He explained as I couldn't decide whether to agree with his reasoning or drag him back to the others for sounding crazy after experiencing what we just did.

Though unfortunately if I did fight him something told me I would immediately lose if I tried, so for now, I would just have to begrudgingly agree with his reasoning, even if it wasn't based on logical conclusions.

"Fine, I suppose you have a point, in that case, shall we?" I suggested gesturing down the path as he looked down in that direction before nodding in agreement.

"We shall," He said slightly stumbling as I went over to help only for him to stick his hand out in protest.

"I'm fine, your attempts to baby me will only prevent me from fully recovering." He said causing me to frown in response as I went over to him and lifted his arm over my shoulder.

"I sai-"

"I heard what you said and I'm not babying you, I'm simply making sure you don't break your nose simply trying to walk forward," I told him as he huffed in response while I helped him walk down the path we were now on.

(A Couple Of Minutes Later)

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'I'm really starting to hate this,' I thought to myself growing more and more tense as we walked.

We had been walking for what felt like a good 2-3 minutes in absolute silence down this strangely familiar-looking path and it was starting to drive me crazy.

So, in favor of not going crazy with just my thoughts to keep me company, I decided to try and start a conversation.

"So, while we're making our way down this seemingly safe path for now, is there anything you would like to talk about to pass the time?" I suggested as I could see the gears turn in The Lamb's head before he slowly turned his head towards mine in confusion.

"You want, to talk?" He asked sounding confused I nodded while he faced his head back forward.

"Unless it's about saving those imprisoned like me or taking down the Bishops there is nothing to talk about." He said annoyed as I rolled my eyes at his behavior.

"If you wished to not speak then you could've just said so, no need to be rude about it," I said as he shook his head.

"I wasn't trying to, merely telling the truth, there is nothing else that I could think of that would make for a good conversation." He admitted.

"Though, if we're on the topic of conversation starters then tell me more about the Void, what's it like?" He asked as I mentally blanked at the unexpected question.

"What...the Void is like?" I asked doing my best to buy time for another lie only to mentally cringe at the irony of that.

"Yes, you've said you came from the Void so, I'm curious about what's it like there?" He asked as I racked my head for a...

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"Well, as just as you've said there's, not much to say, though, if I had to start, let me ask you a question Lamb," I said causing him to focus back on me expectingly.

"Have you ever died before?" I asked seriously only to regret it immediately as his face hardened before turning away.

"Apologies if that question was too pers-"

"Once, and we'll leave it at that," He answered abruptly as I merely nodded before continuing.

"How did it feel, after you had perished from this life?" I asked him as he looked back at me with his eyes narrowed in suspicion.

"Why do you ask?" He asked as I merely shrugged not wanting to lose the little bit of trust I've scavenged from so far.

"Merely to have a comparison, if you do not wish to tell me then there is no need to," I said as we continued walking down the path.

"You can let go of me now," The Lamb said as I looked down at him with an eyebrow raised.

"Are you sure?" I asked as he nodded.

"I feel fine enough to walk on my own now," He said as I did as he said and let go witnessing as he did seem much better than he was earlier.
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"It was, somewhat peaceful, after I had deceased, why?" He asked not saying more as I was momentarily stunned that he responded at all before I thought of the best way to share this.

"Well, because I guess you could say the Void has a similar, peaceful feeling to it, but, unlike what you experienced, the peacefulness is instead a way of, distracting you from the bitter truth of it," I said fully recalling the horrible experience I had to deal with before The Lamb accidentally saved me.

"Which is?" He asked seemingly fully invested as I was reminded of his presence.

"The fact that if left inside the Void for too long you'll cease to be, and I don't completely mean in a 'goodbye' way either I mean that you're stuck." I clarified focusing fully on him now.

"Stuck, in a constant endless cycle of being remade over and over again only for you to, slowly lose yourself as you can do nothing but come to terms with that fact," I said exaggerating the truth of what I experienced a bit as The Lamb had a slightly disturbed look on his face.

"Then, and only then, if someone like you comes and makes a contribution to the Void we can be free from it," I finished with before smiling down at him.

"So, even if I hadn't had much time to say it before, thank you, for saving me, since if not for you, I think I would've completely lost myself, all the while not being able to do much except accept that fact," I said sincerely not technically lying since he had inadvertently saved me from being completely erased.
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"I...you're, welcome, I suppose," He said awkwardly as I merely nodded hoping that would be enough of an explanation for him before I looked around us.

"Is it just me, or does something feel wrong?" I asked convinced we had already walked this same section of the grassy path many times while The Lamb scoffed.

"That would be implying that anything here was supposed to feel normal," He said crouching down to feel the grass as his face shifted into disgust before standing back up.

"No, if what we experienced earlier was anything to go by, then everything here including us now has been touched by whatever chaos Bishop Leshy has brought to Darkwood," He explained before moving on as I followed.

"Any other mortal being would've most likely lost their mind completely just by attempting to pass through the doorway back there." He pointed out causing me to shiver at the memory of what happened.

"I suspect the only reason we most likely didn't is because of the power of the crowns which allowed us to resist the more intense feelings that would've taken place instead," The Lamb explained as I went over the logic of his reasoning.

"Well, in that case, wh-"

"Quiet!" He said harshly whispering as I looked around in confusion.

"Wha-"

"Shh! Don't you hear it?" He questioned quietly as I tried focusing on my hearing before I was able to pick up multiple sounds quickly heading in our direction.

"It sounds like, something from the trees is heading our way," I said turning towards the side of the path before fully realizing what that meant for us, or more specifically me.

"Yes, it does which means it's time to fight," He said with a slight grin as his crown once again formed into a blade in his right hand.

"Or, we could hide instead," I suggested hoping we wouldn't have to fight as he turned back to look at me as if I had said something stupid.

"Hide? Why would we hide?" He asked sounding genuinely confused as I tried to think of an excuse that wouldn't sound too suspicious.

"Well-"

Just then an anthropomorphic fox-like creature suddenly bursted out from the surroundings of the woods causing The Lamb to summon his weapon in preparation.

"Please," He whimpered in fear as I attempted to calmly approach him only to be stopped by The Lamb who was still looking out into the woods from where the fox had appeared from.

"Fox, if you want to live then I suggest you get behind us," The Lamb commanded as he looked confused before complying as not even a few seconds later what looked to be seven people dressed in cultist-like clothing appeared all armed with various weapons.

"Protect them," Was all The Lamb said before he suddenly dashed forward cutting the first cultist he came across cleanly in half before moving on to the next one.

"FOR THE OLD FAITH!" One of them yelled out causing all of the others to repeat the words zealously before they began charging at us as The Lamb went to take care of the others.

However, even with his efficiency, it seems one of them was hellbent on achieving his mission as he left the other cultists to deal with The Lamb while he focused on us.

'Fuck!' I thought to myself slightly panicking as I converted my crown into a sword just in time to block his attempt to slash me at a vertical angle.

"By the Bishop's command, I will strike you heretics down!" He yelled out as I pushed him away from me using the sword to gain some space.

Yet, seemingly not deterred they simply rushed forward again and, not wanting to let him make the first move I simply slashed back at them across his stomach in an attempt to wound him and buy me some time.

However, when I did, instead of stumbling back with a wounded scar over their stomach as I had expected, I had somehow completely sliced them in half, fully separating their torso and legs from each other as I could only look on in shock.

Yet, even with their torso separated from their body they still seemed to attempt to say some final words until The Lamb came over and quickly finished them off.

"Disgusting cretins, preying on the innocent just to try and satisfy those Bishops of theirs," He said sounding disgusted as I inspected his cloak noticing how it was now more of a dark red due to all of the black blood he had gotten it covered in.

"T-thank you, f-for saving me," The fox said nervously reminding me of his presence as I turned around to find him slightly shaking in place on the ground.

"You're welcome," The Lamb said before kneeling to their level.

"I'm sure you're very scared but I can assure you that you're safe now, in fact, I have an..."

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That was...easy.

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Too easy.

I mean, I know I'm much stronger than they are because of the crown, but, in the game, they were still able to at least take a hit before they died, but here, I cut him in half like he was a piece of paper.

I didn't even have to really try.

I mean, I guess that's good right? At least now I know I don't have to worry about dying from these guys but...

I don't know I...just expected to be in much more danger only to find out that, I was practically invincible compared to these guys.

Wha-

"Goat!" The Lamb suddenly shouted in my face causing me to be pulled out of my thoughts as I was brought back to reality.

"A-Ah yes, Lamb?" I said quickly trying to reorient myself in front of The Lamb's annoyed look.

"I said congratulations, seems like you've managed your first kill." He said as I looked back over at the now corpse with its body split in half.

"Well, almost, I had to finish the job for you but you managed well enough on your own," He said before walking off again.

"Come on now! We still have people to free and that fox was only the beginning." He called out as I quickly caught up to him while also looking around for said fox.

"Uh, actually, where did that fox person go?" I asked slightly confused about their whereabouts.

"I was able to safely transport them back to the ruins where the others are located, a little trick that Ratau did and one, that I was able to replicate myself," He said smirking in self-satisfaction before his face shifted into a thoughtful look.

"How did it feel, when you struck that cultist down?" He asked in such a casual manner causing me to pause as I processed his question while he looked at me in confusion.

"Goat?"

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"I...didn't expect it to be that easy," I said honestly before I continued walking as The Lamb nodded his head in understanding.

"That's understandable, even when I had first struck down a cultist I still couldn't believe how easy it was, but you'll get used to it in time, though for now, let us pick up the pace yes?" He suggested as he suddenly began running causing me to sprint alongside him too.

.

.

.

Yet, I couldn't help but constantly go over in my mind what The Lamb had told me about getting used to it in time, cause the truth was,

I don't think I want to.

Chapter Text

Sorry to get the two people who reads this hopes up but as the title states this is not a new chapter, but a heads up notifying that on the 6th I will be going on vacation(not that I wanna go), and I'm not sure I will be allowed to use my phone over there which means until sometime next week or something like that I won't be able to upload anything.

Again sorry to get the two people who reads this hopes up but I just thought it right to let you guys know so you aren't waiting forever in quiet.

Other than that though I hope you guys have a nice rest of your day, and when I get back I'll make sure to try and upload, so hopefully you guys won't have to wait too long.

Chapter Text

(Some Time Later)

"Looks like we've arrived," Lamb said as the grass path we had been running upon began shifting into an aged cobblestone-like floor.

Similar to the games, it seemed that this place hadn't been visited in a while, since I could see bits of grass beginning to grow beneath it.

Surrounded by stone pillars and walls that looked just as aged and almost as overtaken by nature as the floor beneath me, I couldn't help but take in every small detail I could find about them.

"Of course," The Lamb said bitterly, interrupting my focus on the new environment around us as I looked over to find him focused upon a stone tablet, one with writing on it.

"What is the matter?" I asked as I made my way over to his side as I read the tablet words.

Entering the lands of the Bishop Leshy.

Those who do not follow the ways of the Old Faith will be destroyed.

'Ah, right, there was something like this when you first entered Darkwood in the games weren't there?' I thought remembering my first experience upon entering Darkwood when I played.

"The Old Faith, A cult made up of cowardly Bishops, worthy of worship and people's faith they are not, yet they take it all the same," He said bitterly before forming his crown into a sword as he then sliced the tablet in half, causing it to fall backwards onto the ground.

"Not for much longer, however, they will pay for what they've done to me and my kin, maybe not today, but they will pay all the same," He said before turning to look up at me.

"For now though, we shall carry on and try to see if we can find any more in need of rescuing," He said as I nodded and we proceeded onwards into the next 'room.'

Yet, upon entering, we were met with multiple familiar monsters that, if I remembered correctly, Lamb had faced before when he was first resurrected.

Wasting no time, Lamb's crown immediately shifted into a sword as he rushed forward, causing me to do the same.

Not giving them the chance to react, Lamb quickly made short work of a few of them, cleanly slicing off their heads in the process.

A few of the others got special treatment as he made their deaths brutal, simply splitting their stomachs open for their innards to fall out, hopping and weaving through or around any attacks the rest of them tried to retaliate with.

Surprisingly to myself, I wasn't too far behind either, taking a more cautious approach as I dealt with any of the ones that the Lamb had missed, who were now focused on him.

Being able to stick to the background allowed me to have more room to work with as I quickly stabbed them through the head before they could get the chance to attack.

'Ok, now this I can enjoy,' I said slightly smiling to myself as The Lamb and I continued to work our way through the small horde.

(A Couple Of Minutes Later)

"You're pretty good at this," The Lamb said as we proceeded onwards, covered in whatever black blood and entrails the previous monsters had left on us.

'A little too good,' I thought, not knowing whether to be thankful or suspicious of the fact that I was able to slightly keep up in terms of strength with the Lamb.

Unfortunately, as much as I tried to clean myself up as best I could, most of the blood that landed on the fur around my face and my cloak seemed determined to stay.

"Well, as I've said before, I am merely a dark reflection of yourself; any skills I might have are simply a mere reflection of yours," I explained as he hummed at my answer, peering around a bush before moving on.

"Is that so? In that case, what about me as a creature?" He asked hopping over a fallen tree as I did the same, before looking down at him with an eyebrow raised.

"What do you mean?" I asked before he paused and held his hand up, causing me to wait as we stood and listened.

Satisfied with the lack of noise, he looked back at me and nodded, allowing us to continue.

"Well, you've already said that 'the Void,' the place you originated from, is capable of replicating powerful artifacts such as the crown," He said gesturing to said crown on his head.

"You've also mentioned how you yourself are a 'dark reflection' of me, though, I've still yet to see how that's the case," He said slightly joking, pushing aside some more bushes as I followed.

"So what about me as a creature? Do you have any of my goals or my personal feelings? Are said goals and feelings twisted cause of your 'dark' nature?" He questioned before suddenly turning around, catching me off guard as he looked up at me.

"Or, do you have your own?" He asked as I decided how to answer.

"Do you wish for me to have my own?" I asked before I answered as he shrugged.

"More of a wonder than a wish," He simply answered.

"Well, yes, I do have my own feelings and whatnot, as much as I am simply here to assist, I am still my own pe-creature, reflection or not," I answered honestly as he continued to stare up at me without saying anything, making me more and more nervous as time went by.

.

.

.

"Alright, good to know," He said slightly smiling before turning back around and continuing, leaving me standing there dumbstruck before I quickly caught up.

"Is that all you wished to ask?" I asked as he nodded his head.

"Yes, that will be all," He said as I nodded to myself before a thought sprang up in my head.

'You know, i remember in the game that The Lambs crown was able to change into multiple different weapons, including a blunderbuss as a firearm,' I thought remembering when I unlocked those different weapons fir the first time.

'Plus, if I'm going to be here helping him, then maybe figuring out what the extent of what I can do with my crown would be smart,' I thought as I took off my crown and held it in front of me, catching the Lambs attention.

"What are you doing?" He asked curiously as I closed my eyes.

"Testing something," I said as I tried picturing a different weapon besides a sword for my crown to turn into.

'Well, if The Lambs crown can turn into a blunderbuss, then why not try to go for something a little smaller?' I thought as an intense wriggling feeling suddenly traveled through my body and up to my head, almost as if it was scanning and searching for something.

Hit with the sudden, intense and uncomfortable sensation, I unconsciously took a step back as I began feeling dizzy, causing The Lamb to quickly appear by my side as he assisted in keeping me standing.

"Goat! What is happening!?" He asked worriedly as the wriggling feeling started growing more and more intense to the point where I was convinced something was actually trying to eat into my brain.

When all of a sudden, it stopped,

Confused by the abrupt cutoff, I rapidly blinked my eyes open as I tried reorienting myself.

"Goat, Answer me!" Lamb demanded, causing me to focus back on him.

"A-Apolgies, Lamb I-"

"I don't want your apologies! I want to know what happened!" Lamb sternly said as I couldn't help but feel embarrassed as I tried thinking up a convincing lie.

"W-Well, I was simply trying to see if I could recreate some weaponry I knew of with the crown, seeing as how it could already form itself into a weapon itself," I explained, not exactly lying as I saw The Lamb's eyes soften at my explanation.

"And? Were you able to?" He asked, now less agitated as he looked on in curiosity.

"Let's see," I said as I tried changing the crown into the first firearm I could think of.

Watching as the crown shifted and changed, feeling the familiar experience of my arm falling asleep returned before the crown finished its transformation.

"Ohhhhhh yes," I said feeling very satisfied on an almost instinctual level with the weapon now in my hands.

Unfortunately, while I probably could have gone for a firearm that would've been much better or cooler, like a Ray-gun or something along those lines, I don't know how far the crown can go in terms of futuristic things such as that.

Especially, since seeing as how we've already wasted some time because of my little dizzy experiment, I would just have to leave later experiments like that for a later date to figure out.

So for now, I decided to have the crown form into a vertical barreled sawed-off shotgun, a personal favorite of mine among shotgun variants.

Something small and easy to handle around The Lamb and other friendlies, while also still being powerful enough to put down anything in our way.

Also, combined with the Crown's power, it would not only make handling this even easier, but it would also increase the deadliness of the already dangerous weapon.

"What is it?" The Lamb asked curiously as I held it up for him.

"A weapon, one that I have a personal preference for, though, if you want to know more, let's perhaps walk and talk, shall we?" I suggested as The Lamb blinked.

"Right, we have been wasting some time here, but I would still like to know more about the type of weapon you are holding," The Lamb said as we continued our journey.

"Fair enough," I said aiming it with my right hand into the open space in front of us as I inspected the gun myself.

Interestingly enough, like most of the weapons in the game, the eye itself seemed to have shifted into becoming the handle, positioning itself to be on the top part of the purplish-tinted grip right before the barrel.

"This type of weapon is called a firearm, a device, you could call it, that shoots out a projectile at much faster speeds than something you could throw, or fire from a bow," I explained as I could see his eyes glint with interest at my words.

"I've heard talk of these firearms in the past, but I never got to see one before I got captured, I merely assumed it was crazed talk about someone's arm caught on fire," The Lamb said causing me to chuckle.

"Well trust me, I assure you it is not," I said as I moved closer.

"If this hits a creature's arm, well, let's just say their arm burning would be more preferable than what this would do," I explained as he looked even more eager.

"Well, now you've got me curious to try it myself," He said sounding slightly eager to use it as an idea came to mind causing me to smirk.

"Would you like to?" I asked as his eyes widened before narrowing.

"This isn't some sort of trick is it?" He said suspiciously as I rolled my eyes at his blatant distrust.

"No Lamb, it is not, I assure you, you'll be perfectly fine and healthy after using it," I said handing it to him as he took it and inspected it closely.

'You're pride, however, is a different story,' I thought doing my best not to grin as he continued inspecting it.

"How do I use it?" He asked as I looked around us in this clearing.

"Well for starters, probably in an environment that wouldn't have us in danger of being surrounded or ambushed," I pointed out as he nodded in agreement.

"That would be wise, for now have your crown back," He said handing my crown-turned-weapon back to me before running off in the distance, encouraging me to do the same as we continued onwards.

(A Couple Of More Minutes Later)

"Be wary, we have more cultists up ahead," Lamb warned as I focused a bit to hear more clearly, discovering he was right as I could hear chatter in the distance.

We were now surrounded by an unnatural amount of plant growth while the trees covered most of the sun above us, causing us to take a more silent and slow approach as we came closer to said chatter.

"Should we sneak around?"I questioned quietly as The Lamb turned to look at me like earlier.

"Why would we sneak around? It'd be best to kill them here and now; besides, letting these cultists go would only allow them to continue to do as they please for those damn Bishops!"He whispered harshly as I sighed to myself.

"I suppose you have a fair point, let us see what is happening," I whispered as I steeled myself at having to take another person's life before we made our way closer to the clearing.

Making sure we didn't fully exit or make ourselves visible, we hid ourselves behind some trees as we observed the area in front of us. 

"Three innocent creatures, and five cultists, two of them are bound together while the other one is being prepared to be sacrificed," The Lamb listed sounding somewhat bitter on the second part.

'Thank God we didn't sneak around, who know what could've happened to these guys if he actually agreed to my idea?' I wondered immediately regretting having even offered trying to do that In the first place.

"Are you ready?" He asked as I looked down a the gun in my hand before I tightly held the grip.

"I suppose I am," I said as he nodded and we proceeded to make our way out of the clearing and into the open, immediately catching the attention of one of the cultists.

"Heretics!" One of them shouted causing the others to pause what they were doing as everyone looked over to us.

"Filthy Creatures," The Lamb responded back with in disgust as he leaped into the fray, immediately aiming for the two cultists that were near the creature about to be sacrificed.

Meanwhile, the other three proceeded to charge at me with varying war cries as I simply held up the shotgun with my right hand and fired.

*BANG*

Almost as if it demanded attention, the single shot that was fired drew everyone's attention as they paused, whether it be fighting or waiting, to look back at the source of the loud sound while one of the three bodies charging at me dropped to the floor.

Seemingly stunned enough to momentarily pause the fight, I took the moment to try and see if I could reason with them.

"Do you wish to continue? Or are you smart enough to bend the knee?" I questioned as threateningly as I could, hoping that maybe they would consider not dying for nothing.

"H-Heretics! You won't sway me from my Bishop's command!" He screamed out with fervor, seeming as if just those words reignited the zealousness within the remaining two charging me.

"Then you leave me no choice," I said resigned as I aimed my gun once again at the remaining two.

"For The Old Fai-"

*BANG*

*BANG*

.

.

.

*Sigh*

"I guess it couldn't be avoided," I said to myself before I quickly made my way over to the two bound by chains on the ground.

'Thankfully, the shells or slugs seemed to regenerate like they did for the blunderbuss in the game, meaning I thankfully don't have to worry about reloading,' I thought secretly thankful for that as I reached the two on the floor.

Turning my crown into a sword, I sliced off the chains restraining them as they gave their tearful thanks before reuniting with their friend.

Afterwards, just like with the fox, The Lamb sent the three anthros through a familiar red portal with countless symbols and signs on it as they disappeared.

"More creatures saved, thankfully," The Lamb said before turning his attention to my crown.

"When we get back, you will teach me how to do that," The Lamb said as I looked down at him in confusion.

"Teach you how to do what?" I asked.

"How to turn my crown into that weapon you used earlier," He said as I grinned and lowered my head near his level.

"Oh, very eager aren't we?" I asked enjoying how much he seemed to like the demonstration of the gun.

"How could I not be!? That ferocity that came from it convinced me it would start raining soon just from the sound alone!" He explained in an almost fan-boyish type of way, causing me to laugh at his blatant interest.

"Well, as I've said before, we should probably wait until we-"

Though before I could continue, I saw something in the distance, something that both scared and intrigued me.

Stars, suns, and moons, held up by some string in the distance, which only meant one thing.

"Goat?" Lamb said causing me to break out of my revelation as I focused back on him.

"A-Ah, sorry I was just distracted by someone's decorations over there," I said pointing over to the mysteriously floating papier-mache-looking objects.

"Huh, how interesting," He said curiously.

"Maybe we should check it out?" I suggested as The Lamb seemed to think it over before nodding in agreement.

"That would be wise, though afterwards I say we return before it gets too late," He said as we both looked up at he sky, seeing as the sun was almost beginning to set..

"Well, in that case, shall we?" I gestured as he nodded and we made our way down the path.

With not much else to say, we silently made our way through the overgrown greenery beneath us.

Meanwhile, I couldn't help but think about what Clauneck would have to say about me.

'I mean, he never really acknowledged The Goat in the game, but at the same time, this is reality, for all I know he could be wary of me,' I thought as we continued pressing onwards.

'Though at the same time maybe not, actually...there were comics about Cult Of The Lamb weren't there?' I thought remembering the completely different tone The Lamb in those showed compared to them in the game.

'Combined with how chill he was in the game and the comics, maybe he'll just see me as nothing more than a part of something,' I thought as we reached a couple of clearly aged stone walls.

Each with its own symbols drawn on the walls and lit red candles placed on top of them as the colored wax melted into the already cracked structures.

"Praise Be To The Lamb, Conduit To Great Power, Promised Liberator Of The One Who Waits Below," A guttural yet calm voice said matter-of-factly, causing both of us to pause as the Lamb made his way around the wall.

"What in the-" The Lamb said confused as he made his way around it, before his eyes widened in realization.

"So The Cards Showed Me Once, Many Lifetimes Ago," He said somehow sounding confused yet certain.

'Or has that yet to be?' I unconsciously thought, remembering that line from the comics from when The Lamb and Clauneck first met.

Which would mean-

"A seer!?" The Lamb said sounding amazed.

'This is when the meeting first happens, but isn't this meeting supposed to happen much later?' I questioned, steeling myself as I walked around the wall, coming face to face with said Duck Tarot Card dealer himself.

Unsurprisingly, even while sitting down he seemed to have me beat in height, being what looked to be at least 9ft tall, and that's just with him sitting down.

Interestingly enough, just as in the game, he seemed to have a triangular, pointed red cowl that matched the color of his wings as he sat, cross-legged with his palms touching and eyes closed as if in prayer.

"How I could have used your gifts before my date with the executioner blade," He said casually as I somewhat awkwardly made my way next to him.

"Oh, How Unprecedented, A Second Bearer Of A Crown Walks Into My Abode." He said keenly inspecting me from a distance despite his eyes being closed.

"I Wonder What Source This One Originated From?" He asked seemingly fixed on my appearance before turning to The Lamb.

"Tell Me Little Lamb, Do You Believe Destiny Immutable?" He asked as The Lamb adopted a thoughtful expression.

"I did," He said before posing in a slightly proud manner.

"But now, as you can see, I carve my own destiny," He said in a boastful manner as I rolled my eyes at the display.

"Is That So?" He said in a tone that bordered on sounding as if The Lamb was being talked down to.

"Then I Must Congratulate You, For You Are The First In All The World To Do So," He said, shuffling the cards in front of him before taking four from the deck and separating them.

Putting the deck away, he proceeded to take two each from the four he had picked before placing them on opposite sides of each other on the carpet.

Seemingly satisfied, he then picked a card up from the left side.

"Now Come, Tarry A While, Lend Yourself To Draw Of A Card," He said seeming to take joy in the simple process as he then laid down 'The Deal' card.

"Ah, 'The Deal Is Done, But At What Cost?' " He said repeating the faded line that would usually be readable in the game.

"Yes, The Terms Of Bargains Struck In Anger Seldom Benefit The Obligor," Clauneck explained as I braced myself for when The Lambs Crown would go haywire in an attempt to change The Lambs' perceived betrayal of Nana.

.

.

.

Yet nothing came,

Every second Clauneck hadn't read the card, I waited for The Lamb's Crown to begin going crazy.

But it never came, and as Claueck fully picked up the card, I knew then and there,

Something had changed.

"An Inauspicious Card To Be Sure, But There Is Another Yet To Be Drawn," He said before placing down a card that had my eyes widen.

An 'Gift From Below' card,

But not just any 'Gift From Below,' no,

It was a shiny rainbow sheened 'Gift From Below,' a card that in the game was a part of a certain set of shiny cards, that, if acquired, provided much more than their regular counterparts did.

"How Extraordinary," He said doing a little happy flutter from just putting the card down.

" 'A Generous Return For Your Offering,' "He said as I couldn't help but keep staring at the different and frankly much better card.

"No Matter How Small The Offering May Have Been, You Will Still Be Rewarded Generously In Time," He said as The Lamb and I looked at each other, probably both thinking about the same 'offering' he made.

"The Cards Have Been Drawn, Your Path Lies Ahead." He said having a happy expression on his face.

"Be Glad Lamb, While Troubles You May Have In The Future, Rest Assured They Will Not Be Without Their Rewards," Clauneck said as The Lamb smiled to themselves.

"Finally, it'll be different this time," He said looking as if they were in peace now, causing a small smile to emerge on my face.

Yet, my attention was quickly captured as Clauneck then focused on me as he picked up a card from the right side.

'Ok, ok, here we go, please whatever Gods are in this world let me have some good fortune,' I pleadingly thought as he placed down one of the cards from the right.

A design that consisted of two goblets, one upright and the other upside down in the same vertical position, with the cup part being part of the card's regular color, while the handle was in black with a red x in the middle of the bottom handle.

Spaced between them was what looked like a bunch of black blood or vomit with countless eyes being passed between the two goblets.

"Ah, 'Shoulder To Shoulder, Back To Back,' " He said as The Lamb and I looked on in confusion at the first overturned card.

"Even In The Most Trying Time's, Both Sides Can Rely On Each Other, No Matter The Obstacle," He explained as I sighed in relief.

Yet, before I could fully enjoy the relief I felt, a sudden strong wind appeared out of nowhere as an additional card was blown out of the deck and landed face down on the first one.

"Oh? A Diverging Path," He said picking up the card before flipping it over on top of the first card, revealing it to be another card I didn't recognize.

"Oh, 'From Spark To Flame,' "He said sounding hopeful and resigned at the same time, as I inspected the complex design.

Having a big black x in the middle of the card and cursive e's at each side of each line, the bottom and top open spaces of the x were filled with what looked to be black bombs dripping blood with a red skull in the middle.

Meanwhile, the left and right open spaces were filled with what looked to be two faces with small smiles on their faces as they looked towards each other.

" 'The Comrades,' With The Addition Of A Diverging 'Flint And Steel,' " He said before focusing back on us.

"A Combination That Could Either Blossom Into Something More, Or Burn Until Nothing Remains," He explained as The Lamb and I looked at each other once more, him now with wary eyes as I couldn't help but turn away in worry.

Though not having the chance to fully process what that meant, Claueck picked up the second card as he held it up.

"An Interesting Start For One Such As Yourself, Let's See What More Is Guaranteed For You," He said before placing down the second and final card as I immediately inspected it.

With what looked to be faint roots growing from the top of a purely white colored young tree with few of its leaves left, on top of a mix of enormous white and black hearts circling a different white heart, this one having an unhappy face on it.

Placed on the sides and a bit under said hearts were much fainter and smaller ones, and at the very bottom was what looked to be a purple colored pond with splashes coming out of it.

"Hmmm, 'Risk Pursues The Heels Of Rewards,' "He said sending a sinking feeling into my stomach.

"A Warning To Never Be Too Complacent, For Every Success Could Always Turn Into A Failure," He said placing the card with the rest of the face-up ones.

"Your Cards Have Been Drawn, Your Path Lies Ahead," He Repeated.

"A Future Full Of Potential, But Only If You Do Not Sabotage Yourself To Achieve It," He said as I nodded to myself causing The Lamb to appear by my side.

"Thank you, Seer, for your services, but I'm afraid we'll be leaving now," The Lamb explained as I nodded in agreement.

"I Simply Share What Is Fated To Be, Though Your Thanks Are Always Welcome, Farewell, And May Fate Be Kind To You," Clauneck said as The Lamb touched my shoulder.

"Ready to go?" He asked as I nodded, causing his eyes to turn red while I saw a similar red ritualistic circle appear beneath us before we were transported through the Ether.

Yet, as we were transported back to safety, I couldn't help but think of what else had changed because of me.

Chapter Text

ADJUST TOP SECTION(GRAMMARLY APPLIED) TO MATCH BOTTOM SECTION(ARCHIVE APPLIED)

Finally reappearing back out from within the Ether, I couldn't help but replay the warning that Clauneck gave in my head over and over again.

'A future full of potential, but only if I don't sabotage myself for it? But what does that even mean? What do the cards mean by sabotaging myself? Is it a literal meaning? What am I-'

"Goat," I heard Lamb say forcefully, bringing me out of my spiraling thoughts.

"Apologies Lamb, I was just thinking about the seer's words," I said as his usual stern look slightly softened.

"Yes, well-"

"It's them! They're back!" We heard a voice say, causing us to turn in the direction of the source as we witnessed the earlier creatures we had saved begin to approach us.

"We'll speak later," He whispered before the small group reached us, all kneeling in reverence as they thanked us for our swift rescue and generosity at letting them stay here.

"Please, there is no need to thank us so heavily; we are only doing what is supposed to be normal in this twisted world we now live in," I said, hoping I sounded like I knew what I was talking about as the fox we saved earlier hesitantly came up to me.

Wearing the same rags from when we found him, I was able to take the time to actually notice his slightly messy, yellowish fur before he opened his mouth.

"E-Even so, thank you for saving us," He said gratefully before looking somewhat distressed.

"If you two hadn't found me in time, they would've, and I probably would've died after they did, or something worse that I wouldn't even be able to fathom," He said before looking at me with a thankful smile as I couldn't help but return a reassuring one myself.

"You're thanks are not needed, but they are appreciated," I said placing a hand on his shoulder.

"I am also thankful we saved you as well," I said as I saw his cheeks slightly turn red in response.

'Yeah, trust me bud, I'm feeling embarrassed just dealing with all this attention,' I thought, mentally thanking that I hadn't made too much of a fool of myself.

"Hello again Lamb," Nana said as she approached, causing the new members of our home to step aside as Nana and The Lamb approached each other.

"Glad that you're back and safe," She said sincerely before they separated.

"Glad to be back, and look!" He said, gesturing to our newest guests.

"As I said before we left, we found and saved more falsely imprisoned before they were lives were wasted in sacrifice," He said as the small group murmured their agreements, causing Nana to sigh in relief before she wrapped her hand around Lamb's.

"I am glad to hear that, just make sure you two are careful on any of your other endeavors outside here," She said worriedly as he placed his hand over hers.

"We will," He simply said as I saw a familiar figure begin to make his way closer towards us. 

"Ah! Chosen Vessel, it is relieving to see you unharmed, along with our unexpected acquaintance as well," Ratau said as he climbed up the steps.

"And with new followers as well-"

"Not followers! Simply just creatures like us seeking refuge," He insisted sharply, cutting him off as Ratau frowned for a second before simply sighing.

"Nevertheless, have you managed to discover anything else of use to us?" He asked before discreetly glancing over to me.

"I have, by a seer no less," He said with a smug grin as everyone's eyes widened at the statement, murmuring in excitement at the rare encounter we experienced.

"Truly!? Well what did they say then? Are we in store for better futures or worse tomorrow's!?" Ratau questioned as The Lamb put up his hands in a calming gesture.

"Rest assured, the seer's words were nothing but positive for me," He said before pushing past him.

"Now, if you'll excuse me," He said before clearing his throat and focusing on the small crowd.

"Everyone, please! Make yourselves at home, as long as we all put in the effort together, I'm sure we can turn this place into a true sanctuary for others in similar situations like us to take shelter in," He said, his charismatic and reassuring words doing their work as the small group in front of us sans Nana praised him.

'Well, I guess that's the game's main cult leader for you,' I thought slightly amused at how easily he managed to bring their mood up.

Watching as the group walked off to do other things, the Lamb quickly turned back to face Ratau now that we were somewhat alone.

"So what did the Seer say exactly?" Nana asked as The Lamb grabbed Nana's hand, showing off the brightest smile I've seen him show so far.

"Nothing but good things, well, a little reminder of a deal I had made, but besides that, they had told me my future would be filled with rewards!" The Lamb said joyfully, before sighing in relief.

"No more betrayal, just as I wished for all my life," He said sounding happy as Ratau then turned towards me.

"And, for this one? What did the Seer say about him?" He questioned as The Lamb turned towards me with a look I couldn't discern, causing me to turn away, uncomfortable at the feeling of their eyes on me.

"Theirs...were a little complicated," He answered as Ratau narrowed his eyes in suspicion.

"How complicated?" He questioned as the Lamb's eyes narrowed a little at his slightly aggressive tone.

"Complicated," He said back in an agitated tone before clearing using throat.

"Speaking of, I actually have a few things I would like to talk to him about, so if you two wouldn't mind, I would like some privacy with him please," He said as Nana simply nodded and waved goodbye; meanwhile, Ratau stayed for a couple of more seconds before also leaving.

.

.

.

"Now that we are alone, would you like to...discuss what the seer had seen for you?" He asked, sounding slightly concerned as I awkwardly chuckled.

"Not particularly, especially since I'm not even sure what his predictions really meant for me," I admitted as he chuckled.

"Yes well, I've heard that was a common thing creatures complained about if they ever encountered a seer, and also lived long enough afterwards to tell the tale," He said as I smirked at him.

"Not you however, seems you got a pretty straightforward reading from him," I pointed out as his small smile came back.

"Yes, and for that I am thankful," He said before looking up at me with a thoughtful look.

"I suppose I lucked out by accidentally spilling some blood then," He joked as I raised an eyebrow at his statement.

"What do you mean?" I asked as he rolled his eyes.

"Come now, don't play dumb, I'm pretty sure we're both aware what the seer meant by 'A Generous Return For My Offering,' especially with what you told me when we first met," He pointed out as I hummed in acknowledgment.

"Which is why you're thankful for something you now consider a happy accident," I said as he nodded.

"How could I not? Especially after learning that something I considered an accident would lead to a possible future that I've craved for so long," He said wistfully as he looked into the distance.

"To see our fellow prisoners freed? In a place where betrayal would be a fairytale? How could I not be thankful? And to think, if when we left for the first time and I let my emotions overtake my judgment, I could've possibly ruined the future I had dreamed of," He said sounding upset, as I approached him, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

"Well rest assured, you made the right choice, and seeing as how you were the one responsible for saving my life, I'll see to it that I repay the favor by helping make that future happen," I said sincerely as I saw him smile for the first time at my statement.

"...Thank you, I'm very grateful to hear that," He said sincerely before clearing his throat.

"Now, I think we should talk about what the seer said about yours now, yes?" He said as I sighed at the reminder.

"I suppose, though there isn't really much to say, as C-the seer said, I have a 'Future Full Of Potential, But Only If I Do Not Sabotage Myself To Achieve It,' which could mean about anything," I said slightly stressed out at not knowing exactly what.

"Well, maybe he meant not to try anything desperate to achieve, you know the saying right? 'The road to hell is paved with good intentions,' " He pointed out as I nodded in acknowledgment.

"It could, but again that's just a possibility, unlike your reading where he gave you a straight enough answer, I was left with a cryptic one," I pointed out as I sighed harshly in annoyance.

"Well, I suppose that is true, and since that is the case, I propose we don't worry about it," The Lamb suggested as I looked at him with a questioning look.

"And you say this because...?" I asked as he rolled his eyes in response.

"Think about it Goat, if you need not sabotage yourself to achieve the best future, then your best choice is to not worry about trying everything you can think of to achieve it; therefore, letting things play out naturally might be exactly what needs to happen," He explained as I couldn't help but give him credit for the idea.

"Well, I suppose that might be the best option, still, to not do anything but let things happen? Seems a little off," I admitted as he nodded.

"I'm not saying don't do absolutely anything, just when you do do something, don't do it in the hopes that it'll secure you your place in that potential future," He clarified as I rubbed my face with my right hand in worry.

"I suppose so, though how am I supposed to know what I do or think isn't contributing to my self-sabotage?" I asked.

"You don't, which is why we shall focus on other important things to do," He said as he grabbed and pulled my arm, dragging and surprising me with his strength.

"Which reminds me, I remember a certain someone saying how he would teach me how to use the weapon from earlier?" He reminded me as he pulled me back into the hub area containing the locations as I chuckled.

"Yes, I suppose so," I said as I transformed my crown back into the vertical sawed-off.

'I guess he's right, not like any other person in media who's gotten something similar to my reading ended up making it better whenever they got involved,' I thought before I focused back on Lamb, handing him the crown-transformed gun.

"Incredible that something so small is capable of so much destructive force," He said in awe before looking down the barrel, causing my stomach to sink at the sight.

"How does this even work?" He asked as I quickly went to snatch the gun from him.

"Careful! That's where its 'destructive force' comes from, one shot and your whole head would've been gone!" I called out sternly as his eyes widened in surprise at my outburst.

"I apologize," He said slightly stunned as I took a deep breath in an attempt to calm myself.

"Apologies, but you need to know that if you ever make something like this, you can not, ever face this part towards yourself, in any case," I explained as he nodded, allowing me to hand him the gun again as he followed my advice.

"Now, that thing your pointer finger is next to, is called a trigger, the mechanism responsible for unleashing the guns 'destructive power' as you so-called it," I said as I placed myself behind him, assisting in placing his hands in the correct spots.

"Now, usually when handling a gun like this, I'd recommend holding it with both hands to help with the kickback," I advised as he looked back up at me in confusion.

"Kickback?" He asked, clearly confused at the unusual term.

"Kickback means when firing a firearm such as this, it'll push back with the same force that it fires out, causing it to 'kick back' into the person firing it," I explained.

"Now, I'll be placing my hands over your ears since just like earlier, it'll be making a very loud sound when firing it, so go ahead, try and fire it," I said placing my hands over his ears as he nodded and aimed the gun at a random tree and-

*BANG*

"Incredible..." He said looking down at he weapon in clear awe as I removed my hands.

"I take it from your reaction that you like the weapon?" I asked as he looked at me as if it was obvious.

"Of course! The incredible force I felt, even with the crown's power mixed with the feeling of such power in my hands, and it felt as if I was controlling an eldritch entity's power for myself," He said before pausing and looking up at me.

"Can you summon any more of The Void's weapons for yourself?" He asked with what sounded like slight excitement as I smirked at his enthusiasm.

"Well, let us see, shall we?" I suggested as I held out my hand, allowing The Lamb to hand it back to me before I thought of a gun that was one of my personal favorites.

"It's even bigger than the previous one!" The Lamb said as I felt my grin split across my face in satisfaction at the successful attempt at recreating one of my favorite guns.

The Good Samaritan.

More specifically, the comic version of the pistol, cause while I immensely loved the movie version of it, there was just something about the immense single-barreled that felt right.

Thankfully, it seemed as if the crown's strength more than made up for the huge revolver, making it so that even if it looked a little silly to hold, I had no problem holding it all.

'Now to see how powerful it'll be,' I thought as I gestured for The Lamb to step aside, to which he did, allowing me to aim the gun as I pulled the trigger and-

*BANG*

Almost as if a cannon exploded in front of me, the kickback was almost enough to take me off my feet as I was pushed a tiny bit back, ears slightly ringing at the deafening noise it produced.

"By the gods!" The Lamb called out in shock as my eyes widened at the now collapsing tree, watching as it fell backwards into the surrounding forest.

"And I thought the previous one was ferocious, yet compared to this creation of destruction, the oncoming rain would mean nothing compared to this absolute thunderstorm," He said as I swore I could see stars in his eyes while he inspected the weapons before once again turning to me.

"Do you have any others like this?" He said in clear awe as I chuckled and turned the weapon back into a crown.

"Of course, the question is, which one to summon first?"