The explosion of the Megidolaon shattered the gilded air of the Lab with a resounding shockwave, ripping through the golden staircase. Maruki, caught mid-sentence, moved with surprising swiftness, propelled backward as if carried by unseen threads. The tentacles unfurling from his back latched onto the walls, anchoring him high past the chaos.
The detonation passed beneath him, scattering sparks and golden dust. Maruki’s gaze flicked downward, his glowing golden eyes narrowing as his usual calm expression faltered into one of visible annoyance and disappointment.
He hovered there, his lab coat fluttering from the aftershock, and looked down at Kou, who charged up the staircase with unrelenting fury. Maruki’s voice, soft but steady, carried through the cacophony.
"I am not your enemy, Corvus-san," Maruki began, his voice tinged with regret. He raised a hand in a placating gesture even as the tentacles tensed, ready to react. "But the pain in your heart—it's so immense that even Azathoth has responded to it. Its presence here is a reflection of your torment. That is what I’m trying to understand."
When the greatsword lunged, Maruki swiftly flew back- already different from a certain Maruki who Kou must have known. This Maruki had spent a month fighting in the mementos, he knew the moves. He knew the song. But-! As soon as he's about to raise his arm to retaliate, he stops and instead dramatically goes for the railing again as a tentacle shoots and suddenly grapples into the walls. Another tentacle follows. He is now hovering in air itself, several feet above where Kou must have stood as he takes in the ever expansive Lab.
He hovered for a moment, the faint hum of the Lab growing louder, as though the very environment was listening in on their exchange.
"I will return the tape," Maruki continued, his tone softening but still firm. "But only when I have the answers I seek. This isn’t just about me. I know how important it is to you—and for that, I truly apologize. But the truth is something we both need."
His advances forced him to grimace, , his tentacles withdrawing slightly before he snapped his fingers.
The Lab responded instantly. The loudspeakers crackled to life with an ear-piercing screech, cutting through the golden haze of the Palace. A distorted yet oddly clinical voice echoed across the space:
"ALERT. SECURITY PROTOCOLS ENGAGED. DEPLOYING ADDITIONAL MEASURES. OTHERS PLEASE REMAIN CALM AND EXIT THE PREMISES."
His tone remaining calm yet resolute. "I’m not trying to intimidate you, Corvus-san. But I can’t let this spiral any further. These shadows—they won’t harm you. Not unless you force my hand."
He gestured to the lingering forms, his voice dropping to a softer note. "They’re here to ensure things don’t get worse. For you. For me. For everyone caught in this mess."
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The detonation passed beneath him, scattering sparks and golden dust. Maruki’s gaze flicked downward, his glowing golden eyes narrowing as his usual calm expression faltered into one of visible annoyance and disappointment.
He hovered there, his lab coat fluttering from the aftershock, and looked down at Kou, who charged up the staircase with unrelenting fury. Maruki’s voice, soft but steady, carried through the cacophony.
"I am not your enemy, Corvus-san," Maruki began, his voice tinged with regret. He raised a hand in a placating gesture even as the tentacles tensed, ready to react. "But the pain in your heart—it's so immense that even Azathoth has responded to it. Its presence here is a reflection of your torment. That is what I’m trying to understand."
When the greatsword lunged, Maruki swiftly flew back- already different from a certain Maruki who Kou must have known. This Maruki had spent a month fighting in the mementos, he knew the moves. He knew the song. But-! As soon as he's about to raise his arm to retaliate, he stops and instead dramatically goes for the railing again as a tentacle shoots and suddenly grapples into the walls. Another tentacle follows. He is now hovering in air itself, several feet above where Kou must have stood as he takes in the ever expansive Lab.
He hovered for a moment, the faint hum of the Lab growing louder, as though the very environment was listening in on their exchange.
"I will return the tape," Maruki continued, his tone softening but still firm. "But only when I have the answers I seek. This isn’t just about me. I know how important it is to you—and for that, I truly apologize. But the truth is something we both need."
His advances forced him to grimace, , his tentacles withdrawing slightly before he snapped his fingers.
The Lab responded instantly. The loudspeakers crackled to life with an ear-piercing screech, cutting through the golden haze of the Palace. A distorted yet oddly clinical voice echoed across the space:
"ALERT. SECURITY PROTOCOLS ENGAGED. DEPLOYING ADDITIONAL MEASURES. OTHERS PLEASE REMAIN CALM AND EXIT THE PREMISES."
His tone remaining calm yet resolute. "I’m not trying to intimidate you, Corvus-san. But I can’t let this spiral any further. These shadows—they won’t harm you. Not unless you force my hand."
He gestured to the lingering forms, his voice dropping to a softer note. "They’re here to ensure things don’t get worse. For you. For me. For everyone caught in this mess."