>>5219656“<span class="mu-s">How could it?</span>” The speaker replies in a bemused tone, “<span class="mu-s">By the time you arrived I was well on my way–once I realized the power I now wield, it was easy to retreat before you and your friends arrived.</span>”
“Hold on a sec…” Ly remarks as you continue to struggle with what the voice is talking about, “Somethin’ about dis’ sounds familiar…”
“<span class="mu-s">Thanks to the dark sorcery that revived me, I was able to improve myself as I saw fit–I no longer had to gather pieces to form a canvas like some repulsive packrat… with every part I collected, my body became more glorious–more MAGNIFICENT!</span>”
Okay, <span class="mu-i">ow</span>, kinda hurting your ears now… What’s this got to do with you, anyways, huh? Is he one of those ‘<span class="mu-i">performance art</span>’ people or something?
“Stan, I’m pretty sure he-”
“<span class="mu-s">Nothing as gauche as that, no…</span>” the voice replies with a subtle chuckle. “<span class="mu-s">Truth be told, I wouldn’t have discovered you if I hadn’t looped around to see if you had fallen to my traps… but when you emerged unscathed, I knew that I had stumbled upon someone… special.</span>”
“Christ, Stan,” Ly scolds as you feel your cheeks warm up, “you <span class="mu-i">REALLY</span> gonna blush at a compliment from a trap-obsessed murder-” Your skeleton freezes mid-sentence as a chill runs down your spine. “Holy <span class="mu-i">crap</span>, Stan… I… I remember now!”
Suddenly you do too–this guy… it’s <span class="mu-i">HIM!</span>
… you know… <span class="mu-i">HIM!</span>
“... you don’t remember, do you?” Ly asks in a weary tone. “Stan, da’ creep hidin’ in da <span class="mu-g">ARCADE–</span> it’s da’ <span class="mu-r">CORPSE-ART KILLER!</span>”
Okay, that was your <span class="mu-i">second</span> guess! And shit, that makes sense, actually! Dang!
“<span class="mu-s">I’ve followed you ever since, Stanley–just out of sight, of course, but close enough to paint a very <span class="mu-i">basic</span> sketch of who you are.</span>” The voice says. “<span class="mu-s">And, of course, to study your abilities. Tell me: is this ‘<span class="mu-i">Ly</span>’ of yours planning on taking control of me while you ask questions?</span>”
You blink. Damn it, that’s a <span class="mu-i">great</span> idea! Why didn’t you think of that!?
“I uh… for what it’s worth, cupcake, I still feel woozy from da’ <span class="mu-g">QUARTERMASTER…</span>”
Oh yea, you frown, <span class="mu-i">that</span> freak. Speaking of freaks, what’s th-
“<span class="mu-s">No. I’ve indulged your request–now it’s time to indulge mine. The door. NOW.</span>”
And before you can protest, the door to the next room opens with a loud hiss. Almost immediately you hear the sound of two people–one male and one female–crying out in pain. You recognize the former almost immediately–you only really ever heard him cry or feel pain once in your entire life, and that was when you were watching the end of <span class="mu-i">ELIMINATOR 2: DECISION DAY.</span>
<span class="mu-s">GUS!</span>
>CONTD. 