[Void Pocket: Access Available]
Whenever you use 'Blackhole Absorption' or a similar devouring ability, the Residues of consumed enemies are stored in your Void Pocket.
Current Residues: 275
'Interesting… I'll have to look into the Void Pocket later, but for now—'
Key blinked away the lingering System text, its faint violet glow dissolving into the fog. The mist curled gently around his shoes, alive, almost listening.
He looked at Speedy.
She was staring back with a hopeful glint in her eyes, her shoulders relaxed but expectant.
"It worked. Thank you."
He gave her a small, appreciative smile.
Speedy returned it with a warm grin, genuine and gentle.
"Of course. If you ever need help with your powers, I'm here. I know plenty about Abyssal Energy since I've been here since I was a child."
She shifted her stance slightly, placing her hands on her hips.
"For now, we should find out how to get out of here."
With that, she turned and began walking forward, her pace casual, rhythmic.
Key fell in step beside her. The world around them stretched like a dream—an endless misty expanse, glowing with strange hues: purples, reds, blues, golds, swirling and curling in slow-motion spirals. A faint light shimmered ahead, distant, inviting.
He glanced at her. Time to bond.
"So… is Speedy your real name or a nickname?"
His voice was curious but relaxed.
She smirked slightly, tilting her head toward him.
"Well, considering I don't know my real name, it was a name I gave myself. Since I'm fast. What about you?"
Key scratched the back of his neck, looking away for a second.
"Actually yeah… and my real name is…"
He hesitated. He hated saying his full name out loud. She'd definitely laugh.
She raised a brow, amused.
"What? It can't be that ba—"
"Key'booga."
Silence.
Utter silence.
Speedy blinked. Once. Twice.
Then—
She exploded into laughter.
It wasn't a simple giggle or a polite chuckle—it was a full-bodied, snorting, gasping, staggering howl. She doubled over, arms wrapped around her stomach, nearly tripping over a stray rock. The mist responded strangely, shimmering with bright streaks of orange and teal, reacting to her joy.
"KEY'BOOGA?!" she wheezed between laughs.
"Oh my Abyss, what even is that?!"
Key groaned and rubbed his face with both palms.
"I know, I know… Don't know what the hell Ma Dukes was thinking naming me that. Sounds like a damn creepypasta or something."
That only made her laugh harder, nearly sending her to her knees.
"You don't know… how much I needed that laugh."
Her voice was breathless, a little softer now, still smiling.
"Glad to be of service." he chuckled, before his tone shifted subtly, but sincerely.
"As much fun as this is… do you mind if I get personal for a second?"
Speedy slowed. Her expression mellowed, sobering.
"Hmm… how personal?"
He gave her a look. The kind that said 'You already know.'
She exhaled.
"Okay… that personal."
A pause.
"Go for it."
He nodded.
"Alright. Earlier you mentioned you've been in the Abyss since you were a kid, and that you don't know your real name… Are you an orphan?"
The question fell between them like a stone into deep water.
The mist dimmed, shadows creeping inward like solemn witnesses. The vibrant hues faded into dull greys and indigos. Even their footsteps sounded quieter.
Speedy cleared her throat, but it was soft and delicate. She took a step forward, then another, her usual bounce gone. Her arms hung still. When she finally turned to face him again, her expression had changed.
She wasn't wearing the mask anymore.
"Yes, that's correct." she said softly.
"Been alone as far back as I can remember."
The words hovered in the air like fog, fragile and cold.
Key said nothing.
He simply listened.
Her eyes drifted downward, to the swirling mist underfoot. Her fists clenched at her sides, trembling.
"I discovered my speed.." she began, but her voice faltered.
"When bandits robbed me and tried to—"
She didn't finish. Couldn't.
Her eyes squeezed shut. Pain flickered behind them—raw, buried deep. Her breathing hitched.
Key stepped forward without hesitation and placed a firm, steady hand on her shoulder. No words. Just presence. Just warmth.
Her breath stilled… then softened. She nodded, grateful, and gave him a small appreciative smile. Then continued.
"Somehow, I ended up in the Abyss." she whispered. "Maybe I ran so fast I got here by accident."
She let out a breathy chuckle, more bitter than amused.
"But hey..I try to keep everyone positive. Put a smile on their faces, you know?"
She turned again to face him, this time her smile was real. Faint. Fragile. But honest.
"I figure if I keep running fast enough… maybe I'll outrun the pain too."
Key didn't speak.
He stepped in and gently pulled her into an embrace. It wasn't just comfort, it was acceptance. A silent promise: You're not alone.
"You're strong… stronger than a lot of people I've met," he murmured into her hair.
"And I'm thankful you didn't choose the dark path. If I could ease and clear that pain, I definitely would. Don't change the beautiful person you are on the inside… and shii, outside too."
Her face turned bright red against his chest.
"This must be a new side, huh? Key'booga the Casanova…" she giggled, muffled.
"Something like th—"
"TurnhisTVoff."
"TurnhisTVoff."
Key paused.
"…The fuck? Is it just me or did I just hear Kendrick Lamar?"
"Aw, how sweet."
A new voice, cold and amused, slithered into the clearing.
"Two new subjects for the King and Queen."
The mist parted like torn silk.
Standing at the edge was a pale, wiry being. Tall, naked, with sharp ears, crimson eyes, serrated teeth..and proudly exposed.
[Low Class Vampire LV.1]
Key's head immediately snapped to the side. Eyes narrowed.
"..Bruh."
He recoiled.
"If your I Am Legend goblin lookin ass don't put that up.."
Speedy gag-laughed.
"Someone's serving shrimp today!"
The creature huffed with offense.
"Hymp! What I have here is respectable by our standards! I show it proudly!"
Key turned to Speedy. She met his gaze.
.
.
"..Who lied to this nigga?"
They both exploded into laughter.
The vampire's pale skin flushed with rage.
"You both will DIE where you stand! And I'll return you to the King and Queen, where they will feast on your dead, rotten corpses like a buffet! That's on me, Von Drago Whippus!!"
.
.
"Von…"
"Drago…"
"Whippus?!"
The laughter escalated.
Unhinged. Cruel. Beautiful.
The vampire screeched in fury.
"DIE! SPACIAL DEVASTATION BEAM!!"
A swirling cyclone of gray Abyssal energy surrounded his hand. The air bent. A sharp whistle, like the scream of tearing fabric, rose as reality rippled.
BOOM.
A colossal beam erupted from his palm, shrieking through the mist and crashing into the laughing duo's last known location. It exploded with thunderous force, a mushroom cloud of black flame surging skyward.
He crossed his arms, smug.
"That'll teach them. No one disrespects Von Drago Whippus."
Silence.
"Psst…"
The vampire froze. His head jerked.
"Let's have a talk."
Key's voice.
Right behind him.