Thunder rumbled and red lightning tore through the sky as crimson rain fell. Fnipper stood in the air, eyes wide, mouth agape, breathing uneven. His blue hair stuck to his face, his robes clung to his miniature frame.
Shock and disbelief coloured his features as he stared in despair.
[Whispering Coin: Oh my goodness, did you guys see what just happened?]
[Serpent Beneath the River: He's not really dead, right? He can't be…]
[Anonymous 291: I smell something fishy…]
[Anonymous 721: Seems perfectly normal to me. He bit more than he could chew]
Down on the ground, a man laid in a pool of crimson, rain and blood indistinguishable. The horror in his eyes remained even in death, hints of anguish and indignation colouring his lifeless pupils.
Woomp~
Behind Fnipper, space tore, giving way to five humanoids whose only similarity to him were their miniature figures.
At the forefront was a male with little horns and shark-like teeth. He had three eyes, the third being at the center of his head, and all of which had black sclera and ghostly green pupils. He wore dark robes and had pristine fur.
All three of his eyes looked at Fnipper with disdain and disgust, like the mere sight of him sullied existence itself.
Behind him, the other four others had black fur and varying horns. One didn't have any horn but instead had two fluffy tails waving behind them. Their genders couldn't be determined. They wore dark robes with jade plaques hanging down their waist.
"What's the meaning of the Fnipper? You and your streamer are in violation of many of the Bureau of Interstellar Streaming — BIS — codes of conduct, and to make things worse, you went and got him killed?" The three eyed Daemon spoke with absolute loathing.
"Care to explain yourself? Actually, there's no need. I spoke to a few of your colleagues, and they said they all warned you. Alas, your greed brought this on you." One of the other Daemons spoke.
"As Handlers, our duty is to know when to take a step back. We are transcendent beings who have surpassed vain things. Giving in to your greed is a big disgrace to us Daemons." The one with fluffy tails spoke.
Fnipper was silent, like he didn't notice their presence. Then suddenly, a strange light flashed within his pupils. He turned around, his blue pupils still unfocused.
"You finicky bastards… This is all your doing, isn't it?" Fnipper spoke through clenched teeth, his rage seething within him.
"There's no other way they could have known. They were so prepared." He whispered to himself, his pupils darting about before firmly landing on the three eyed Daemon.
"You sold us out. You sold him out… YOU KILLED HIM!"
Fnipper lunged for the three eyed Daemon but the other four Daemon's behind him rushed forward.
Dressed in the signature all black of the Disciplinary Guild, they immediately pinned Fnipper down.
"SILVERFISH, YOU DIRTY BASTARD! I'LL MAKE YOU PAY! I'LL KILL YOU!! CURSE YOU!! CURSE YOUR MOTHER! CURSE YOUR ENTIRE LINEAGE. I'LL MAKE THEM WISH THEY NEVER BIRTHED YOU!!" Fnipper yelled curses as he struggled against the hands holding him down.
Silverfish, the three eyed Daemon, stared down at Fnipper, his expression as cold as ice. The crimson rain pelted against his dark robe, but it failed to stain his silver fur.
"I warned you, did I not? I told you not to do it, but you wouldn't listen. Your greed blinded you just as your rage is now clouding your mind." Silverfish spoke solemnly.
Fnipper's gaze flickered, a brief look of confusion flashing through his eyes, but
It was quickly replaced by more anger.
"Too bad. Even after being confronted, you aren't repentant. If you were, I might have staked everything I have to help you out of your predicament." Silverfish frowned, shaking his head. His gaze shifted to the sky,
"Esteemed viewers and streamers, Channel handler Fnipper and his deceased streamer have violated the BIS code of act 1: section 7a. Hence, the channel Pandemonium will be immediately shut down and Fnipper will be exiled from this quadrant."
[Whispering Coin: Damn… too bad. I was hoping to be his auxiliary patron]
[Keeper of Unfinished Deals: Hehehe, hubris truly is the downfall of men]
"You can't do this. Silverfish! Where's your conscience?! You snake!!" Fnipper spat. The four Daemons kept him firmly pinned down. Silverfish looked at him, sadness marred his features for a brief second before fading quickly.
He looked up and continued,
"As compensation, your streaming services will be upgraded, and you'll gain access to my channel, Andromeda. You will also be given a fifteen percent discount if you show proof that you are from this channel." Silverfish sighed, "I just hope that's enough to make you forget this tragedy."
Silverfish turned to face Fnipper, "You were doing well for an impure. Greed really is the darkest vice." he waved his hand and a portal opened behind Fnipper.
The four Daemons understood it was time. They picked Fnipper up.
"I'll go myself." Fnipper shrugged them off. He turned to look behind him; at the planet, the devastation, the dead streamer and finally, at Silverfish.
"This is just the beginning." Fnipper promised. He turned around and walked into the portal.
It closed immediately after.
[The Tapestry Winks: Wow, so much drama!]
[Exiled to the moon: There's a notification that it's closing in five minutes. I'm out guys, see you in Andromeda.]
[Anonymous 721: Finally. I said it from day one, this channel's content was shitty. Moreover, it's merely Tier 6, Andromeda is Tier 3!!]
[Whispering Coin: A fifteen percent discount for Andromeda and a streaming upgrade is such a steal! Sorry Pandemonium, but I'm off.]
[Anonymous 291: I suspect something fishy]
[Ghost in the rice fields: Who's this anonymous user that keeps spouting bullshit? There's nothing fishy, they got what they deserved.]
[Anonymous 721: I agree with upstairs.]
[The Tapestry Winks: This is so sad, I really loved this channel…]
[Serpent Beneath the River: Fear the return of Pandemonium!!]
[Ghost in the rice fields: Return my ass!]
More chats poured in. Some lamented the closing of Fnipper's channel, some were happy about it while others silently left to cash out their discount.
By the time the countdown timer for the channel got to its last ten seconds, everyone except one viewer was gone.
Just as the countdown was about to hit zero, the viewer finally sent a message.
[Keeper of Unfinished Deals: Hehe, things are about to get interesting.]