For half a cycle, two chrysalis sat in the voidlit of Draco, an oily slick ruby and an onyx, with a dagger wedged between. Eyes on them, questions ready for the day they would emerge again. And this day was when the first crack appeared on the red and black as V-Ruby-One began to awaken.

It's consciousness came back heavy and slow, like the remnants of a fire slowly being stoked back into embers among ash. Six eyes slid open to heavy black and it began stretching out its body, barely meeting the resistance of the ruby prison as the shell gave way. Crystal shards crumbled and fell as the hellion slowly stood back to its feet, fur damp, mind still blearily trying to process, like it had slept too long and had forgotten where it was.

It heard the clatter of iron against stone and it looked down at its feet. The dagger, sitting within the mess of corrupted crystal shards and it was like a spritz of gasoline on the smoldering embers. It's mind snapped back to everything that had happened. Where it was, what it had been doing to earn itself a biologically-imposed time out.

Anger. Hatred. It all came rushing back, but like it was looking at it from behind a glass wall. That chaos that had choked it had gone back to dormant within its mind and it saw things from a clearer perspective. It had fucked up, big time. And it had failed. Like it would admit that out loud, but its wounded pride was like its own dagger wound. Fuck. FUCK.

It reached down to pick up the dagger, almost shaking with the swarm of negative emotions waging war on its body, standing up tall to hold the weapon and glare...daggers at it. It clenched its fist, wishing that it would break, shatter, crumble to dust...but chaos was still asleep deep within and no power surged through it. With a snarl, it turned and threw it at the onyx chrysalis as hard as it could. The dagger glanced off the crystal and clattered to the ground.

It hoped it had cracked it or made a dent. If it was in any kind of mind right now, it would break its way into that damn chrysalis and finish what it had started.

@V-Onyx-Three

The feeling was not unfamiliar. It reminded them of simpler days. Back before they knew anything. Back when there were no responsibilities, nor all these expectations. But expectations weren't necessarily a bad thing. It was what pushed him to keep going, taught him the joy in achievement and passion in what he did. It was easy to imagine, for a moment, that he really was young again. Clink! Something had hit the onyx shell, and he shattered the chrysalis with a firm kick, and the air rushed in to fill his lungs. Startling clarity. And now all the memories were flooding back again and he remembered what had caused all of this to happen in the first place.

His four eyes took in the dagger. Then V-Ruby-One. It would be stupid to initiate another fight again, especially considering the last one had become much more than a spar. It was attempted murder. He keeps an eye on it as he inched over and picked up the dagger, holding it firmly in one hand. He noted the damage that had been done to the blade. He would need to repair it. Onyx-Three held it out in front of him, a warning stance, on his guard should it try to attempt anything. "Stay back." A warning.

There was a look in the being's eyes, a look that was now imprinted in their mind, a haunting reminder of what had happened before sleep had overtaken them. "The fight is over." What had happened in all the time that they had been gone? And Alek-- he had no chance to retrieve the dragon. He was not looking for a repeat of lost time. He hoped V-Ruby-One understood that the downsides were not worth it. They had both chrysalized last time, something he wouldn't let happen again.

@Vargas
@V-Ruby-One

- THE LEVIATHAN -

Vargas was already striding their way. He'd been extremely aware of the two chrysalises ever since they'd appeared in Draco without warning. Not that he hadn't known whose they were; he did, hence the consternation. He wasn't sure if there'd been a fight between the two, or if they'd banded together against some threat, or if there had been an accident--but he had the responsibility of finding out. The last few days, he'd judged they were about ready to reemerge, and he hadn't gone too far.

The first crack was distantly audible; the second had him turning, moving swiftly, angling across Draco's warm rock.

And as he drew into sight, he could see that his questions were already answered: at least one weapon at the ready, the two facing one another.

He strode up more swiftly, putting all his physical size on display with raised bristles and a stiff neck. And as he drew up in front of them, glaring down, he only said one word:

"Explain."

The Sentinel arrived a few moments later, likely alerted in much the same way as Vargas had been. Spectral blue wings carried him, flaring out to the sides, a gap between his feet and the rock floor below. His halberd he held firmly in one hand, its blue eye staring, as did he, as he landed softly a little to one side of--and behind--Vargas.

He said nothing, but he stared at Ruby-One before turning his gaze on his own spawn. Expressionless and silent, he stared at V-Onyx-Three, also awaiting explanation.

disappointed dads crew gooo

@Scion

Embarrassment, frustration, resignation, and some weird feeling of "I knew this was going to happen" was in every step Scion took towards the site of the coming confrontation. It'd heard the first crack and knew that it was time. It honestly wasn't sure if it was going to feel some kind of savage glee that V-Ruby-One was finally going to get the punishment it sorely deserved or shame that it had spawned something like that. It wasn't sure if it was going to carry the blame for this either or if Vargas would even consider it at fault. Regardless, it wanted to be there.

It stopped some ways behind Vargas and watched, quietly, frowning, at the scene. It had no doubt in its mind that this had been some kind of attack from the ruby - it was unpredictable, violent, and honestly straight up nuts. Chaos had completely scrambled its sense of reason. It completely blamed Azrael for those personality traits that so horrible clashed with corruption.

Perhaps it should have expected Vargas's swift appearance to demand an explanation for why two chrysalis had been sitting next to each other for half the cycle, but Helion's mind hadn't quite caught up to that fact yet. It had not felt like long ago at all that it had been half-mad in its sickened state of chaos, burning the life out of the onyx's body. So it had not exactly planned for how to explain what had happened her.

But did it really need a plan?

It had no intention of throwing itself before Vargas's mercy. It would not grovel or apologize for its actions. It owed him nothing, absolutely nothing. But if it admitted to what it had done, then it might as well have been asking for the Master to slay it on the spot. It would be so much easier if it had just fucking killed its opponent and left no evidence remaining.

It grit its teeth, eyes darting towards the audience, feeling a rush of fury at the sight of Scion watching. It bet that it was feeling real smug right about now, huh?

It looked up towards Vargas, refusing to let it be intimidated. It knew what he wanted, for it to feel ashamed, to be scared into submission, to fear his wrath. But, like a petulant child, it stood up to its full height as well and glared back. It looked to the onyx, its lip curling up in a low snarl, almost as if daring for him to tattle. Daring him to give it a reason to really shred him next time.

It would say nothing.

@V-Onyx-Three

And now they had an audience. A jury. All watching, waiting for an explanation. His eyes darted to Vargas, then flicked towards the Sentinel. Shame surged through them, and they were very aware of how vulnerable they suddenly felt. They set the dagger on the ground, which suddenly seemed like evidence of their crimes. He didn't want to look any longer at his father. It was easier to meet Vargas' gaze.

An explanation. Their opponent said nothing, though they would not turn to see whether it was due to lack of anything to say, or if they chose to stay silent for other reasons. Fine. It didn't need to speak. He would do it. After all, he was not far from fault himself. "Master Vargas. Sentinel." They took a deep breath, finding it easier to speak after these first few words left their mouth. They were aware of another being here who looked similar to V-Ruby-One, so they nodded at it rather than address it by name that they did not know.

"I asked if it wished to spar. I lacked discipline-- I should have held back." They could not even look at Vargas any longer, bowing their head to gaze down at the ground. "It is my mistake and I apologize. I will accept any punishment you deem fitting." There was no need to address V-Ruby-One's role within it when they knew they were just as responsible for what had occurred. And if anything, they wished they would get a punishment. Then it would feel like they had truly atoned for their mistakes.

@Vargas

- THE LEVIATHAN -

He listened in silence.

Three spoke, and he had heard it.

Now he wanted to hear the other's point of view.

His gaze shot to V-Ruby-One.

"Your turn," he stated. "Speak."

@Scion

It glared daggers at Onyx-Three as he explained, almost wanting to laugh at the shame in its body language. What an idiot it was to take the blame. Was it asking for punishment? But also, perhaps smart that it wasn't ratting out Helion's own loss of control. A slight that it would not have forgiven.

It had perhaps hoped that that would be it, but then of course the Leviathan's eyes turned to judge it as well. It would have to give explanation, whether it wanted to or not. But the ruby was not one to admit any mistakes. It would not apologize, it would not be sorry. Chaos stirred, egging it to challenge Vargas here and now, dare him to punish it. Perhaps it should. Chaos was not controllable, right?

But it would control itself. It would not die here. If it lashed out, it would surely be put down like an unruly dog. With a hiss, it turned away from Onyx-Three and stared into Vargas's burning gaze, unflinching.

"Was his words not enough?" it growled. "He asked to spar. I accepted. He stabbed me in the knee. I retaliated. If he does not hold back, then I will not either." There was a disbelieving huff from Scion's direction and Helion whipped its head towards it, a viscous snarl ripping from its throat. SHUT UP.

@V-Onyx-Three

Onyx-Three forced their feet to stay still, no matter how they wanted to break from their stiff position. They were shocked by the way V-Ruby-One spoke to Vargas, but their expression remained neutral. It was disrespectful, something they would've never dared to say. But still, the explanation they provided was not untrue. Even if it might've emitted some parts, there was no lie within it. He had started all of this after all, being the one who had asked for a spar.

His gaze snapped upwards at V-Ruby-One's snarl, but it was not directed at him. Still, he would not shy away in embarrassment. He looked towards Vargas for his response.

@Vargas