[ Hivemind!AU. A bot will be soon created to fill in on it. ]

In the crumbling remnants of a once-bustling metropolis, Coil surveyed the derelict playground that had become a makeshift battle arena. Rusting swings hung limply from chains as shadows danced across the cracked pavement. A shivering civilian stood before him, skin stretched taut over protruding bones—a haunting sight that spoke of hardship and decay. This exposed figure, a ghost of humanity, was a stark reminder of the world outside. Coil, a Playgrounder with an unmistakable flair, flicked his heterochromatic eyes toward the trembling man, his left orange horn gleaming ominously against the dim light.

"You think THAT will work, punk?!" Coil sneered, his voice dripping with disdain as he gestured toward a crumpled piece of parchment in the civilian's hand. It was covered in arcane symbols, a failed attempt at summoning a miracle or maybe some protection in this chaotic realm. The civilian’s desperation resonated with Coil, though it was masked beneath layers of bravado. Just as the man mustered courage to retort, a sudden gust of wind whipped through the playground, sending shivers down their spines. In that charged moment, the civilian lunged, intent on delivering a desperate blow, but Coil’s reflexes had already begun to kick in.