Dream - 001
[What follows is a skewed version of in-game events. For how things really went down, see this video. Apologies for the boss fight in the middle. The story starts back up again at around 5:50 and ends at 7:40.]
So the Embryon had made it this far. That was impressive, but just showing up and asking for aid wasn't going to earn them an alliance. The Maribel had no need to team up with weaklings. (Especially when a good many of its own members lacked any real skill.) They didn't want to fight, they said after slaughtering and devouring many of the Maribel on the way to their leader. Bat smiled. He didn't know why.
With a nod from Jinana, Bat was walking towards the group. He was the second strongest member of the tribe (Strongest!) and should easily be able to handle these Embryon tribesmen, even if there were three of them.
Dull gray eyes regarded them over his drawn dagger. There was only a hint of threat in his voice as he addressed them. "My name is Bat. Remember it. It will be carved into your corpse."
Then the red-headed one taunted him. (Fool!) He needed no more provocation than that. Moments later, they were engaged in combat.
...Sometime after, he found himself a beaten mess on the ground.
The red one, now a great two-headed monstrosity, approached him and he knew - going to die it isn't fair - but he could hardly move. His legs wouldn't obey him and the best he could do was slide weakly back across the dirt. A huge hand reached for his head, and then -
A gaping maw, set to swallow him whole, obscuring his vision... A great slathering tongue and rows of sharp teeth... going to be sucked into it... going to die...
No, he was still alive. Something, someone had stopped him. Not Jinana. She was his leader, but she knew the law. The same law that allowed Heat to devour him as he was defeated...
Devour your enemies! Ascend to Nirvana!
Was he being saved? Why?
It's an insult. Finish the job.
It was so much easier to be angry now that he'd been spared. Angry? How was that? What was anger? Was it this feeling that threatened to tear his chest apart - that which narrowed his eyes and caused his teeth to clench together painfully?
How dare they? I'll kill them!
He would, but he couldn't move. The red one tossed him aside as Jinana spoke with the pink one... They're flirting! It's disgusting! The announcement was given. The Maribel and the Embryon were to be allies.
Because of their bleeding hearts? As if the red one wouldn't devour our entire tribe given the chance. The woman says some pretty words and Jinana falls all over herself. Why don't they just make out here, and at least give us a show for it? I refuse to work with them. I REFUSE.
His eyes flashed purple and remained that way, voice now heavy with emotion. "Jinana, you can't trust them! If I had more power..."
But she wouldn't listen, already too focused on her new plaything. She told him to tend to his injuries, and though the tone of her voice remained the same monotone, he could just feel her disdain. He could see it in the eyes of his fellow tribesman. He'd lost.
Three to one! It was hardly even. Any of you come at me one on one. I'll kill you all!
They all walked off together, leaving him behind without a word. He hates them all so much he can hardly think straight.
Turn your back on me... I disown all of you.
ALL of you.
---------
Bat jerks awake, rubbing at his eyes. He can't even recall when he fell asleep. He has no idea the Dreamberry has broadcasted any of that, and he lets himself start to doze back off again.