I Will Give My Life For Love, For I Am Winter Born

[eeeonetwothree]

Omega is quiet on the first Monday after Snow White’s execution. He keeps to himself mostly, patrolling dutifully, keeping to his thoughts to himself.

It’s after the sun goes down that he decides to act on those thoughts, sliding a poorly scrawled note under Ferdinand’s door. The writing is barely legible, but it reads: “MEET ME AT THE ARENA.”

It’s there that he waits for his friend, staring up at the moon, nervousness and guilt weighing on his mechanical heart.

Comments

[markofnobility]

There is no question who the note is from. Omega has made no secret that his dastard of a creator did not see fit to give him the ability for such delicate work. Why would a weapon need to write, after all?

When he arrives he has the Ochain strapped to his arm like a buckler and a small handaxe dangling from his belt, ready for use. It would be fair if Omega thinks he is expecting this to be a trap, even before their next bit of 'motivation' from Typhon. And Ferdinand would not deny a bit of worry for that, no matter how much he trusts his friend. But more than that he half expects a request to spar.

But the energy for it is all wrong when he steps into the arena. Something is wrong in a completely different way.

"I can feel your tension from here, my friend."

[eeeonetwothree]

Omega does not turn to face Ferdinand, but he does visibly slump. His voice, as monotone as it is, sounds defeated.

“I HAVE DISCOVERED THE MEANS TO WOUND TYPHON.”

[markofnobility]

Ferdinand's eyes widen, and his excitement is palpable.

"You have?! Quickly, we must gather the others!"

[eeeonetwothree]

”NO!”

Omega’s upper torso spins around, his optics wide with fear and surprise.

”YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND! THE ONLY POSSIBLE TIME TO STRIKE HIM, FERDINAND…IS WHEN HE TARGETS SOMEONE FOR THEIR EXECUTION!”

[markofnobility]

He freezes as Omega turns like an owl, that tone of fear scaring him nearly as much. Without thinking his hand falls to his weapon, but only to touch, not draw.

"...what?"

[eeeonetwothree]

The rest of Omega follows after him, and the robot drops to his knees. If he had the capacity for tears, he’d be sobbing.

”THAT IS THE ONLY TIME TYPHON IS EXPOSED, FERDINAND. HE IS PROTECTED, OTHERWISE. I CAN TURN MYSELF INTO A WEAPON TO WOUND HIM, WEAKEN HIM…BUT TO DO IT…I MUST…I MUST…!”

Omega can’t bring himself to say it. He can’t do it. He can’t turn his back on everything he’s learned. He can’t do that to his new friends.

[markofnobility]

"...you would have to kill."

He can not harm himself- he must be alive to be executed. And to do that... someone else must die. He walks to him, hand dropping from his axe, no longer afraid his friend is planning to attack him. He too kneels, hands on Omega's arms.

"...there must be another way-"

[eeeonetwothree]

Omega’s torso turns back and forth-shaking his head no.

”THERE IS NO OTHER WAY. I HAVE RUN THE SCENARIO IN MY SYSTEMS OVER AND OVER AGAIN. I CAN FIND NO OTHER ANSWER.

SHADOW WOULD FIND A SOLUTION. SHADOW WOULD KNOW WHAT TO DO. SHADOW…WOULD NOT BE SO WEAK AS THIS…”

[markofnobility]

"Shh, shh... Shadow is not here. Tell, what needs to be done."

There is something stiffening in his heart and spine. He is not even completely aware he has decided something, but he has.

[eeeonetwothree]

Omega does not look up. But he does as Ferdinand asks. Thank his maker that his natural monotone does not allow his voice to shake.

”I NEED TO FINISH THE NECCESSARY MODIFICATIONS TO MY BODY. THE NEW FORGE SHALL SUFFICE. THEN I MUST KILL SOMEONE. I MUST BE DISCOVERED, AND SENTENCED TO DEATH. THEN, WHEN TYPHON TRIES TO EXECUTE ME, I MUST TAKE THE SHOT.”

[markofnobility]

"It can not be done while someone else is being taken?" It feels like a coward's way, but he must be sure.

[eeeonetwothree]

”NO. I MUST BE THE FOCUS OF HIS ATTENTION. THAT IS THE ONLY WAY.”

[markofnobility]

"I see." He stands, gaze steel-sharp. He feels an odd coldness settle over him- similar to when he first used his power. His emotions do not vanish, but they drift into a dull softness that he can observe without any of the painful edges. It reminds him, as it did then, of battle.

"Then we should start as soon as possible."

later that week, thursday night

[markofnobility]

[ it's late. Late enough Ferdinand doesn't expect anyone else to be out. But also late enough he could see someone coming to make sure he sleeps. Or someone could be creeping around looking to kill. So he doesn't have much time. It's time to find Omega and touch base]

[eeeonetwothree]

[ Omega is outside the Forge, his chassis hanging open. Seems he tried to do some modifications without Astarion’s help and ended up shorting something out, only lasting long enough to stagger out of the Forge and fall flat on his back. ]

…help me…

[markofnobility]

Omega-!!

[ he runs to his side, already preparing a Heal]

[eeeonetwothree]

[ Omega looks up at Ferdinand, his optics flickering. ]

…shadow…is that you…?

[markofnobility]

Oh, Omega...

[ his heart breaks- or maybe it's been breaking all week. Hot tears in his eyes from stress and guilt as he pours the magic into his friend]

It is... just me. Ferdinand.

[ he wasn't enough, but he was what they had]

[eeeonetwothree]

[ Omega’s circuit pathways are repaired and components are placed back where they are meant to be…causing Omega to hum back to life again.

He blinks his optics, before straightening up. ]

FERDINAND…I AM SORRY FOR PUTTING THIS BURDEN UPON YOU.

[markofnobility]

No, I made this choice. What happened? You were not attacked were you? Being alone this close to the deadline...

[eeeonetwothree]

NO…I ATTEMPTED TO MAKE MODIFICATIONS WITHOUT ASTARION’S ASSISTANCE AFTER RECEIVING A FLASH OF INSIGHT INTO THE WEAPON’S DESIGN. MY CLUMSY HANDS…THEY MADE NUMEROUS ERRORS…

[markofnobility]

Ah... I understand your rush. But it will do no good if your damage yourself irreparably.

[eeeonetwothree]

…

I THOUGHT PERHAPS, IF I COMPLETED IT EARLY, AND SOMEONE DIED…OBVIOUSLY THAT WOULD BE TERRIBLE, BUT I COULD SOMEHOW TAKE THE KILLER’S PLACE, AND WE WOULDN’T HAVE TO…

[ His voice trails off, the implication all but stated. ]

[markofnobility]

Ah.

[He gets it, he really does. But they both know that Typhon has never let anyone get close when the culprit is taken. Torn right from their arms even.

...he should try to talk Omega out of this. He thinks Omega would listen if he showed even a touch of fear or regret in doing this.

Instead:]

I don't know how possible that would be.

[eeeonetwothree]

[ Omega is quiet for a long time. ]

…THERE MUST BE A WAY. I COULD LEAP IN AT THE LAST SECOND! I COULD SHOVE THEM OUT OF THE PATH OF THOSE WRETCHED HANDS! I could…I cuurddzzzt!

[ He grabs his head, his voice distorting into an endless stream of mad static. ]