Ashen Wastes: The Road to Nowhere?

[Kuzuru]

Sleep had come fast for the demon. It was a heavy kind of sleep that even Clappy’s raucous excavating couldn’t dispel. Kuzuru did not dream, he never dreamed. Of course that wasn’t entirely true, he never dreamed because he never truly slept. Sure Renji’s body slipped into the coma-like state of true sleep, but Kuzuru’s mind was still awake. Thoughts of bloodshed and battle drifted through his mind like rivers of sweet syrup. A warmth enveloped his gut and he felt good . This place, this Omniverse, was the perfect playground for a demon such as he. It was as if Omni had crafted a playpen fit for the ageless demon. The thought would’ve brought a smile to his face, but alas his body slept.

After several hours Renji’s body stirred. Kuzuru stood up and stretched, feeling the tightness of his muscles. There was much work to be done today and he had no intentions to let time slip through his fingers. He opened his phone and sat cross-legged on his bed. The blades needed their first target, and he was going to find them one. For about two hours he spent researching potential bounties and their abilities. A kid in a candy store Kuzuru smiled at the selection of potential playmates. They ranged from street-thugs to eldritch abominations to ancient soldiers, all equipped with fantastical weaponry and abilities. This place offered greater warriors than his home universe could ever create, and that made him downright giddy.

Just as he was about to summon a dartboard to decide who would be his lucky victim, one bounty stuck out like a green thumb. Executioner Ballad. This one was perfect. Not a small-fry by any means, but not a walking deity neither. Armed to the teeth with strange weapons and sporting an even stranger complexion, this Ballad would prove to be a fine target. Kuzuru smiled and loaded the VOD of Ballad’s Colosseum battle. It was an old fight, probably recorded before Renji had officially joined Ambrosia. And, as was the nature of the Omniverse, Ballad had to have grown stronger in the passing time. “Perfect,” Kuzuru whispered, “this one will do just fine.”

Once everyone was awake Kuzuru called a meeting in the main room. He had summoned a projector and created a mission briefing. “Alright lords, ladies, and uh, robots,” the demon began, “we’ve had time to rest and get acquainted with one another, I think it might be time to get down to business.” With that he pressed a button on the remote for the projector. A collage of pictures and video snippets danced across the screen all of them depicting the same man. Yellow eyes, green skin, and attire befitting a winter lumberjack made the man. “Presenting the one and only Ballad,” Kuzuru said, “also known as Hashtag Executioner Ballad.” Another few slides flipped through his battle with Adam in the Colosseum, and a few others revealed Dataverse chatter regarding their target. “With the help of Mallory I’ve compiled everything we know about him, you can download it through our database. I’ll be leading this little expedition, and I want Gaige, Dawn, and Claptrap to come with me. The rest of you are still banged up from the other day so please enjoy your R and R. We’ll be leaving for Camelot tonight.” With that Kuzuru shut off the projector and sauntered off towards his room.

Charles looked towards the remaining members of the blades and said, “you lot better bring back some grub, I’ve got a feeling that no one delivers this far out.”