Speedy, of course, was the first to break the silence.
"Sketch! Guys!"
Before anyone could blink, she blurred forward, wind snapping in her wake, and slammed into them with a hug so tight it nearly lifted them off their feet.
"I missed you so much!" she cried, voice bubbling with relief.
The others didn't exactly share her joy. Choked groans and muffled noises escaped from somewhere inside her iron grip, their faces pressed awkwardly against her armor.
"Uh… Speedy?" Key's voice cut in dryly.
"Yes, Key?" She looked back at him with the widest, brightest smile, oblivious to the carnage she was causing.
"You're killing them." He deadpanned, shaking his head with a chuckle. Ego was beside him, one hand over her mouth, giggling in a soft, melodic tone.
Speedy blinked, finally noticing the bulging blue faces and frantic gasps clawing their way from her friends' throats. She released them instantly, stepping back in horror.
"Shit..sorry! Forgot I'm half vampire now."
"Wait..you're a what?" Spam wheezed, coughing out the words between gulps of air.
"Yeah, it's..a long story." Key's gaze shifted, tone firming as he changed the subject. "How are you guys even here?"
Gamble stepped forward. His hand rose, and in it dangled the limp, broken form of the Void Oculoth. It looked pitiful, like some nightmarish balloon that had been stomped flat.
"..Knocked it out of him." Gamble said simply.
"An understatement." Key muttered, a smirk tugging at his lips.
Before anyone could answer further, Nythra narrowed her eyes at the ground a few paces away.
"So what happened here? And..is that a headless petrified corpse over there?"
Everyone turned to follow her stare.
"Looks like it." Sketch said with a chuckle. "Damn speared through the mouth? Cold."
Ego stepped forward then, her presence shifting. A subtle weight pressed down on the air.
"He deserved it. And I can show you why." Her crimson eyes burned, her voice carrying that dangerous velvet tone. "My name is Ego Zandros, Vampire Goddess."
Her eyes flared red.
The air shimmered with her will. In an instant, Sketch, Nythra, Spam, and Gamble's eyes flashed crimson as well. For a long, tense minute, they stood frozen, their pupils reflecting her divinity then just as quickly, the glow faded, leaving only silence in its wake.
Ego raised a hand before questions could erupt. Her lips curved into a smile.
"I know. Thank you all."
That broke the tension. Nythra and Spam rushed forward, nearly tackling her in a fierce embrace.
"Filth..such filth. I wish I was there." Nythra seethed, voice heavy with venom as she held Ego.
"I'd have chopped off his balls and shoved them down his throat and sent that bitch to the deepest pit of the Abyss." Spam spat, her fury radiating.
Ego's smile widened, touched by their rage and loyalty. "Trust me when I say they're going through that, and worse..for eternity."
On the side, the others gathered, their attention drawn to the grisly sight of King de San's ruined head. Sketch's jaw clenched tight, his glare sharp with disgust.
"What an impulsive disgrace," he spat. "Definitely deserved his fate."
Gamble's fists trembled with restrained fury. He gave a hard nod, knuckles popping.
Sketch then questioned. "So that's the next plan? Finding her home, right?"
"Yeah." Key nodded. "But we have to proceed with caution. The Unknown group sounds very dangerous."
"With all of us here though?" Speedy's eyes sparked with determination. "I think we can handle them. Best to leave as soon as possible."
Sketch nodded, turning to Ego. "You ready? It's time to get you home. I'm Sketch, by the way."
Ego inclined her head, silver hair glinting faintly in the dim light. "Nythra and Spam already told me your names. I appreciate all of you, and I will remember your kindness forever. Like Key said, The Unknown are extremely dangerous, and we must use our full strength to fight them. Fortunately.." her hand flexed, power rippling faintly around her, "I can create a portal to my home instantly. No wasted time traveling."
She looked over each of them slowly. Their eyes reflected only resolve. Loyalty. Courage. It struck her harder than she expected, her chest tightening with an ache she hadn't felt in a long time. She had to steel herself, swallowing back the tears threatening to escape.
It had been too long since she believed people like this could still exist.
Too long since she thought she'd ever feel hope again.
Key stepped forward then, the quiet center of their storm, and met her gaze. His nod was firm, his voice unshakable.
"You already know. We're more than ready to end this shit."
Ego let out a laugh. Not cruel. Not bitter. Something small and genuine.
"Then let's.."