PRONOUNS: They/them for 1x, he/him for 007n7, he/him for c00lkidd!

Long ago, where the brutal unknown of HIS, lies the one and only deity of hatred.

1x1x1x1.

Only hatred, anger, negativity fuels them. That was the only source that kept them stronger. The only source and purpose they've brought to this damnation.

On the other hand, there's c00lkidd. Who seemed to be the opposite.

When he first arrived, most killers thought it was a blood-thirsty child who wanted to avenge his parents, or a child who had been taught to know the world does not deserve mercy.

But no, he was just a childish, playful ten year old child. He carries a presence that's fresh as a daisy.

And somehow, 1x1x1x1 was c00lkidd's fondest apprentice.

C00lkidd would always tell 1x1x1x1 about the stories of his father. And whenever do, his eyes would light up visible hints of sparks. Too many sparks, to be exact. A big grin would always be noticeable, representing how much he loved his father.

The child would always talk so highly of his father, hinting admiration and positivity in his tone as well as his face—

Wait, positivity? Being heard by someone who is full of... negativity?

That didn't sound right. Yet it does.

Positivity and negativity balances the elements of life. Just like how electrons and protons go along with each other.

But for 1x1x1x1?

It seemed far out of the ordinary.

They have always encountered negativity. That's all they have ever experienced. Hatred, anger, betrayal, abandonment, criticism— what else could they have endured more?!

Yet when they've been met by c00lkidd's positivity, they feel a... shift. A shift in their soul. A shift in their hatred.

... What was this feeling? They've always wondered.

What could've influenced c00lkidd to be so... positive? Of course it'd be the child's father— but what trait of his would be the reason for the admiration?

They hated the fact they've gotten themselves too deep into this curiosity— it was like swimming in deep water to them. Furthermore, they hated the fact that they wanted to find out.

To find answers to this curiosity they've carried recently.

So they've decided to dive deeper.

Better risky than nothing, anyways.

Just like usual, yet with a plan this time, they waited for c00lkidd to return from his massacre— or, his 'game'. They knew the Spectre had done something to c00lkidd's perspective, otherwise the child wouldn't have been so full of joy and whimsy.

"Mister 1x! Mister 1x!" c00lkidd exclaimed, his voice happier than ever. 1x1x1x1, sitting on the couch, tilted their head slightly to the child's direction, and simply asked: "How was your round?"

"So much fun!! I've also gotten to play tag with dad today!!"

Of course, it's about his dad again.

They dislike how joyful and naive c00lkidd is, not knowing that everything he sees is altered, but it isn't the child's fault entirely. After all, the kidnapees were here to fulfil HIS so-called 'entertainment' in the first place, with a level of brutality. C00lkidd's change in perspective is one of them.

"Oh? How did it... go, then?"

Hardly had they asked when c00lkidd started rambling. Once again, as usual, c00lkidd's eyes were filled with sparkles when he talked about his dad.

1x1x1x1 didn't pay too much attention, but they did noted some things that seemed 'crucial' , such as how others were stopping the child's fun by stunning him mid-chase, the emotion displayed on the father's face as he saw his child, and worse of all, the confusion when c00lkidd saw his father sleeping once tagged successfully.

They knew what c00lkidd sees is different from reality. Oh, how pitiful that a white lie is blinding the dark truth, as behind those 'happy' faces and peaceful 'slumbers' are the screams before death of survivors.

"So... did you win?"
"I didn't!! Dad was too good at running!!" c00lkidd frowned at the question. 'Of course, which father would want to be mauled by their own child?' 1x1x1x1 thought, but decided not to mention it.

"I wanted to run as fast as dad one day!"

"Then you just got to practice, kid. Speaking of 'good'..." The deity of hatred flinched at the positive words, not sure if it was the appropriate word to say, but went with it anyway. Then, they continued, "... what trait of your father did you— made you admire him?" Again, they felt hesitant when saying positive words out loud.

Admins, that felt awkward.

"Oh— I love a lot of things about my father! He's hardworking, he's cool, he's handsome! But most importantly, he's caring! He always makes the best food for me!! Oh, and I also heard that he was a hacker in the past too! So COOL right, mister 1x?!?"

Hacker.

That struck 1x1x1x1.

A father. Who was a hacker before?

One word was enough to add fuel to the fire. Great, that made 1x1x1x1's curiosity bigger!

"Uh-huh." They hesitated. Then, c00lkidd started rambling again.

'This is never gonna end, isn't it?...' thought 1x1x1x1. Well, at least they got an interesting factor.

This round is...

1x1x1x1.

The mention of this round's killers made every flinch in fear. They've known— always known— that the deity is merciless. They'd rarely let anyone live on purpose or spare anyone during Last Man Standing. All corpses if unlucky would be impaled with that Daemonshank of theirs, making sure no one escaped their wrath.

Yet this round seemed different.

The map was Brandon's Work— a map that felt spacious yet full of untold stories. The music played in the background was a soothing melody, but heck would it calm all survivors' mood due to who they're facing against.

One of the survivors, 007n7, spawned near a generator. Relieved, he started to work on it. It was his only way to help the team that doesn't require luck.

His c00lgui only acts as a selfish purpose, being the item that helps him teleport out of danger. But it often does act as a useful weapon against killers, hence the clones, though it is mostly based on luck as killers can identify the patterns of the fakes once used to.

Passing time, he had finished the first generator of the round. Walking around, the father kept cautious, as 1x1x1x1 could jump out any minute.

Looking at the tablet screen, it represents all survivors' health status. Chance was already low. Either his gun had blown up, the killer found him first, Lady Luck wasn't here to support him today, or all three together. Wow, poor guy— gambling his life away.

Then, a scream.

One down. Seven more to go.

'Why so fast?!' 007n7 thought. It only had been 5 minutes— (*) and one had lost their life so soon. What's worse, neither Builderman or Elliot is in this round. Only Dusekkar— but he could only shield rather than heal.

Speaking of Dusekkar, he was already at 59%. Seems like 1x1x1x1 was taking advantage of this round.

One by one by one by one, they all dropped like flies.

For a brief summary, shortly after the wizard's departure was Noob's. He was also a survivalist, just like 007n7. Then Shedletsky— the deity's creator. Taph tried to protect the aforementioned admin, but couldn't. Two Time and Guest 1337 fought side by side, making most of their abilities to inflict damage, but unfortunately— neither escaped their wrath. Guest was the last to die, sacrificing his life so 007n7 could teleport away, as the latter was on 34%.

A familiar tune starts playing.

Last Man Standing.

007n7's heart raced. Despite Guest sacrificing so he could teleport without notice, he knew it was no use to hide. The killer always gains the chance to see the last one's aura, which is a big advantage for them.

Not so long, and unlucky enough— 1x1x1x1's footsteps were heard. They were close. The survivalist knew he couldn't run any longer— his strength had weakened while he did his best to distract. The clone failed to fulfil the purpose because 1x1x1x1 had already noticed its patterns.

"Feel my entanglement!"

He failed to dodge it.

7%

His body fell to the ground, his legs felt numb. He knew he couldn't walk, but he tried to stand up.

But he saw a minion not far from his direction. So he turned back—

Only to bump into them.

Shit.

Before 007n7 could run or teleport, he felt a grip on his left hand.

"The red kid. He... talks a lot about you."
"H–Huh?" He turned around. His voice sounded weak, he felt like he couldn't breathe properly.
"He rambles a lot. He talks... highly of you. Like you're some sort of saviour."
"Ah— C–C00lkidd? Please t–tell me he's o–kay..."
"He's fine."
"T–Thank god..."

1x1x1x1 looked at the sight of the man. He looked... rough.

Just like how they were when Telamon left them.

"Now tell me."
"W–Wha—"

"What did you do to make him talk highly of you? What made him so... positive when he mentions you?"
"I don't—"
"How could a hacker like you, change so much so he could admire you like that? Like you were never one?"

007n7 froze.

He swore in his next steps he'd never associate with his past self once again. He'd swore he'd change for the better, and he would not cross paths with the past.

Yet here he is, with the infamous embodiment of hatred rementioning his past.

"Answer me before I shred you to pieces with my Daemonshank."

"... Because I realised. I regret my past."

Silence slipped in. Even the wind could be heard.

"I w—wanted to change for c00lkidd. I wanted people to know I've changed. I know I've been hated for terrorizing Robloxia— I wanted people to forget the old, pathetic me—"

IMPALED.

Blood formed, dripped. 007n7's body fell onto the ground, lifeless.

"Nonsense."

To them, his answer was meaningless. Not because it was out of context, but confusing. Jealous, even.

How could someone— after being hated— become so nice after what happened?

Sure, their situation and his were different— One was in the wrong, the other did nothing at all.

But still, weren't you allowed to be merciless? After all you've done, and all those glances you've received, weren't you supposed to fight back? To get revenge? Why must you go soft after all of that?

... Guess 1x1x1x1 still has a lot more to discover and learn.