Roy paced back and forth across the living room as Shrignold leaned back smugly on the couch. He cracked his neck and let his eyes trace the disgusting human with all his stupid problems. Why should he have to apologize to this wretch for anything? He was the one who interjected and ruined the lesson anyways.

Roy pinched the bridge of his nose and glared back at the tall freakish butterfly man. He pondered how he'd get him into the machine room. Perhaps he'd have to use force, or maybe he could simply stab him out in the open and drag him all the way there. Of course then he'd have to clean the blood out of the carpet, which wouldn't be too hard if he did it remotely, but it'd be difficult to time it right while the trio were still outside. Hmm, it'd be easier to just lure him to the room itself.

Crossing his legs and glancing at his nails, Shrignold waited in anticipation.

"I told you not to harm him."

The butterfly grinned. "I know, I'm fully aware of what you wanted. Why else would I have done it?"

"You were supposed to do what I said," Roy continued coldly.

"Did you really think you could order me around just like that? Especially when you were getting the lesson ohhhhhhhhhhh so wrong?" Shrignold stood up and towered over Roy with his 7-foot-height. "I don't know who your last employees were but I can assure you, I'm not like them."

Roy narrowed his eyes and tried fiercely to keep his calm. He couldn't slip up now. He wasn't even halfway done with his plan! Shaking his head slowly, he turned around and headed towards the machine room.

"Are you ignoring me? Really now? The silent treatment is so childish," Shrignold giggled and followed him at an uncomfortably close distance. Straight into Roy's trap.

It didn't take long to arrive in the room, although Shrignold did hesitate at the entrance. There an overwhelming heaviness emanated from the inside and he tried to get himself to step back. Roy turned back towards him.

"Are you scared of a room?" he asked in a monotonous voice.

Shrignold rolled his eyes and rushed in, slamming the door as loud as he could. He threw his glance down at the checkered floor.

"I think you'll severely regret going off script," Roy muttered as he made a few adjustments to the dials on the machine. "I have plans for my son. I can't just let him get whisked away by any ordinary old cult leader. He has to suffer how I planned, for his own good."

Shrignold laughed to himself. "Wow, that's really working out for you. I've told you before, there's nothing you can do to stop me!" He giggled to himself. "I'll do whatever I want with him. After all, he looks like an optimal vessel for my dear king's aspects!" He folded his hands together and thought excitedly about the prospects of it.

Roy twitched compulsively. This went unnoticed by Shrignold, who continued to ramble on. "He's already got the heart mark, it's just a little faded. All I need to do is reactivate it again and get my wonderful Malcolm to finish the ceremony, and he's as good as ours!" He flexed his fingers repeatedly.

Roy clenched his teeth and grabbed a screwdriver, hurtling it towards Shrignold and sticking it in his left eye. The butterfly screeched and yanked it out of his face, blood gushing out of the now ruined eyeball. He fell backwards onto the ground and clutched at his face, shrieking obscenities. Roy rushed over to him and kneed him in the jaw, sending his whole body toppling to the floor again.

"ONLY I can decide what happens to my son! You are NOT to interfere with MY rat!"

Shrignold groaned in frustration and grabbed Roy's leg, pulling him to the floor as well. He stood up and wheeled back to kick him in the ribs. "HOW DARE YOU RUIN A GOD'S FACE LIKE THIS!"

Roy was sent flying a few inches from the force of the kick. He reached into his pocket for the special screwdriver. Pushing himself to his feet, he prepared to zerg rush Shrignold. Just as he sprinted towards him, the butterfly spread his wings and tried to fly above Roy.

Roy reached up just before Shrignold drew out of reach and jabbed the screwdriver into his leg. Then he pulled him back down and tore his wings viciously before shoving him to the ground and plummeting the weapon into his shoulder. He paused and watched Shrignold struggle, completely unable to free himself.

Roy sighed and let his face relax. Emoting like that was too much. Too much for him. He leaned closer and whispered to Shrignold.

"There are no gods here but me."

...

After sending Shrignold's body to the machine, Roy wiped off his screwdriver. He thought about what would happen with Malcolm now. He'd completely wasted his chance with the Love Cult, especially now that he'd taken away one of the king's aspects. He wondered how long it would take Malcolm to notice, or would he feel it right away? What would it feel like, what would it...

Roy looked into the distance and spotted the three returning from the woods just in time. He walked out the front door and waited patiently for them to arrive. His son ran clumsily up to him and jumped in his arms, trembling. He looked at his dear rat's face.

A black goo remained around his left eye.

Perhaps he hadn't wasted his chance completely.