[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/r9Sbxts.png[/img][/center]

[@SporkoBug], [@Days]

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Buluc howled as he felt claws dig into his arm. Reflexively, he dropped Jay, and she fell into a crumpled heap on the table. With a voice full of rage, Buluc tried to blindly grab Axen with his free hand, trying to squish him, [i]squeeze[/i] him.

However, he didn't make it far. Alas, the shot Nova lined up aimed and struck true. An explosion of light centering on Buluc’s eye shot outward. When the dust settled, half of his face had been blown off, and he was gripping his face, shrieking with pain.

Slowly, the shrieks died down, and Buluc began to dissolve. Eventually, he was nothing but a scattering of atoms.

All was quiet.

Before, of course, a slow clap was heard over the speaker. The voice of Von Galloes reverberated through the underground room crisp, deep, and clear.

[b]“My, my, what a [i]show[/i]. Even after all this time, you still haven't learned. Anything you cherish, it makes you lose your minds, really. How you chase after it.”[/b]

Von Galloes could be seen peering down at them safely from his observatory window high above.

[b]“Say, have you gotten any closer to discovering why this CDE site behaves differently than the rest? Why the CDE here is more… erratic, than normal?”[/b]

Von Galloes gave a mocking pout, his voice exaggerated.[b]“What, no progress? Tell me you have at least [i]something[/i]? You, Voidlight researcher, you haven't figured this place out yet?”[/b]

A laugh. Cold and staccatic.

[b]“A pity. Well, if you were smart enough to find a way up here, perhaps I could help alleviate some of your… well, troubles, for you.”[/b]

While Von Galloes spoke, a [i]ding[/i] softly resonated through the expanse. The small steel door to the far end slide open, revealing a narrow set of staircases that, indeed, led to the very man who had caused so much suffering to the survivors and the world…