Darkness.
Utter darkness.
It swallowed him whole, not even giving him a chance to breathe.
He opened his eyes and saw nothing.
No light.
No life.
Nothing.
He was alone in the endless dark expanse.
There was nothing.
He was alone.
Completely.
His voice would not work.
He was beginning to fade.
"N-no!"
The only words that left his mouth were negative.
He was being swallowed by the darkness once more.
He reached out for help.
"Please!"
His voice echoed in the vast emptiness of the void.
No response.
His head was devoured.
It was dragging him down.
Down... down...
A crushing weight was placed on his entire body.
Nothing made sense anymore.
He could feel the blood slowly dripping from his mouth.
And yet, his eyes were lifeless.
Even as he was thrown around like a rag-doll.
Even as he was consumed by the darkness again, strangling what little life he had left from him.
No.
The only thing that was going through his mind was not how to escape.
It was...
'No one... saved me. No one... cares..."
And, as the last of his consciousness faded away, he cursed his own selfish behaviour.
"Why would they care? I'm useless."
And then...
The abyss claimed one more life.
He shot awake in a cold sweat. He was panting as he put a hand to his forehead. "D-damn..." He glanced over at his sleeping partner, slightly glad she hadn't woken up. In his disoriented state, he could've really worried her with his 'condition'.
It had started... not all that long ago, actually. Just after they had defeated the Kishin, Asura, to be specific. But each night, they were getting horrifically worse. At first he was just alone in the endless void, but now the void killed him. What was next?
And what's more, he was starting to get affected by it. His friends had told him that they had noticed his unusually withdrawn behaviour. He had told them not to worry, but...
He shook his head, laying back down. He stared at the dark ceiling, knowing there was actually a ceiling there (he had checked countless times) as he blinked slowly.
What to do?
About the nightmares, because they can't keep happening. He wouldn't allow them to keep happening. Sooner or later, they were going to get in the way.
But, to not dwell on the negative things in life, he quickly changed his train of thought to what he was going to do the rest of the night. Like hell he was going to go back to sleep.
Glancing back at the clock, he noted it was two in the morning. He sighed, sitting up and silently walking across the room.
He could train... or make something to eat... or go for a walk...
The last one actually sounded pretty good to him at this moment. He pulled out his normal outfit and walked out of the room, as to not disturb his partner.
As he got dressed, he was on alert just in case his partner did wake up and scared the living daylights out of him. It's never happened before, but then again...
He's never had really bad (and recurring) nightmare before.
You can never be too careful.
He liked Death City while it was early in the morning. It was nicely lit up by the moon, and almost completely silent. Just the way he liked it.
Sure, he was a loud mouthed, arrogant prick sometimes... but he only wanted the attention on him so everyone was silent.
Silence is peace. And he loves peace.
He claimed he wanted to surpass God.
If he did, no one would have to fight anymore. There would be peace.
The only bad thing about his supposed 'goal' was... yes, there would be peace... but it would be a fearful peace. People would fear fighting because they would know he would come after them and kill them.
He hated fear, but loved peace.
Hypocritical.
He knew for a fact that all peace was uneasy. It was a fact of life that he had to remind himself of constantly.
As he neared his destination, he became focused at the task at hand. The place where he was going was a great place to stargaze. He looked up and sighed.
Gallows Manor.
The stars were beautiful that night, twinkling calmly and silently. It almost calmed him enough to put him to sleep, but...
He shot up, suddenly remembering something. Reaching into a secret pocket that not even his partner knew he had, he pulled out his cell-phone and groaned.
4:53 AM.
He had better be heading home to get ready for school and to make sure his partner wasn't worried about him being missing.
"Fuck..." He muttered as he jumped from the spike he was currently sitting on to another closer to the ground.
He slipped in quietly, heading over into the kitchen to grab a snack before his partner woke up and made him breakfast. It was a silent ritual that he had started for himself. He'd wake up from his nightmare, go for a walk, stargaze, return home, grab a quick snack, and then pretend like he was training the whole time when his partner woke up.
As he munched on his second cereal bar (he had gotten a surplus of them for this situation.), he walked into the main room and pulled out his Ipod. What he didn't get was when his partner found him starting this ritual (exactly a week from when they killed the Kishin), she was shocked to find he had an Ipod. She still didn't know he had a phone, though.
He sighed as he leaned against the wall, having nothing better to do for the next couple of minutes. If his little nightmares had taught him anything, it was that his partner was a heavy sleeper but she always woke up at 5:00 on the dot.
Speak of the devil.
"Oh, good morning." She smiled warmly, still in her night-clothes as she walked in. "You're up early, as usual."
"Yeah." He replied, giving a small smile in return.
"Training again?" She asked, walking over to the entrance to the kitchen.
He gave a loud 'mhmm' in response, leaning his head back and closing his eyes.
"That's good. So hey, did you study for the test today?"
He opened his eyes and looked at her, but he didn't move his head. "Come on, Tsubaki. Even if I did, I'd still fail." He smirked.
"Black*Star, you should at least try." She sighed, facepalming.
He lowered his head, closing his eyes and letting out a small laugh. "A God like me doesn't need to study! I'm the great Black*Star remember?" He grinned, looking up to his partner in the doorway.
She sighed again. "Alright, if you say so... I'm going to go get ready for school, okay?" She walked out of the room.
After she left, his grin faded immediately. He hated acting like his old self. It was getting difficult, too. But, in truth... sometimes when he woke up and went to stargaze, he'd bring his book and homework just to study.
Just because no one thought he studied didn't mean he actually didn't.
He sighed. He knew that everyone thought he was an idiot. He knew it himself. He was a little slower at things than everyone else...
"Damn it!" He punched to wall next to him, beginning to get frustrated with all his thinking. Maybe today, he'd act like how he feels instead of how his image was put up.
Oh yes. That sounds like it would be the most fun he has had in awhile.
-Change in PoV-
It was a normal day that day. The sky was clear, and therefore symmetrical; the people (though asymmetrical) were happy. It seemed like nothing would ever change, now.
It had been at least six months since the Kishin had been destroyed. Life had returned to normal, but Kid had a feeling. Call it an instinct, call it an afterthought, but he just knew something was going to happen.
So, naturally, when he up the steps to Shibusen that day, he wasn't exactly expecting what he saw.
No, the Maka and Tsubaki talking thing wasn't new. Soul was somewhere, but that was usual as well.
But, the new and weirdest thing was...
Black*Star.
It was such a minor change that no one who wasn't close to him would notice. He just had a... darker aura than usual. His clothing had changed to a white sleeveless shirt with blue pants. A long white scarf was wrapped around his neck and he somehow found a way to hide his mouth with it, cutting off any grins or frowns he might have.
Kid narrowed his eyes, cringing only slightly when he noticed the scars littering the other's body. He breathed in before walking up to them.
"Oh! Good morning Kid!" Maka greeted happily. Either she was an idiot, or she was hiding her distress about her friend.
"Good morning." Tsubaki bowed in her usual way of greeting with a smile on her face. She has to have noticed, but isn't saying anything.
"Good morning." Kid smiled back. "Where's Soul this time?"
Maka rubbed the back of her head, laughing nervously. "Sick. He really wanted to come today, but..."
"If he was sick, then he has to stay home. Not only for his good, but so that he doesn't spread whatever sickness he has." Tsubaki nodded.
"I see. I hope he gets better." Kid said in a cheerful tone.
DING, DING!
"Ah, there's the bell. See you two later!" Maka waved, turning to walk away while talking with Tsubaki. Both shot a worried glance back at Black*Star when they got to the doorway.
"Not going to class?" Kid asked, turning to face the blue haired boy. He shook his head. "And why is that? Do you have a mission?" Kid questioned, not liking the fact his friend was cutting class.
"No. I'm sick too." Black*Star responded calmly.
"Then why are you here?"
"To see Tsubaki off." He stated, turning to leave.
"Shall I walk you home?" Kid offered. Why? Well, for one he didn't feel like going to class (stupid tests) and two, he was concerned for his friend. The one who claimed he was sick and yet didn't look it. Besides, he was Death The Kid. His dad would get him out of doing anything.
Black*Star shrugged. "Whatever. Just don't go all symmetry on me, okay?"
Kid shrugged as well. "Sure. As long as there isn't that much stuff that bothers me." He walked over to his friend's side, falling in step with him and staring at him curiously. They descended the stairs in silence.
"What?" Black*Star asked, averting his eyes over to the side.
"Well..." Kid decided to be blunt. "I didn't want to seem like a bastard up there with Maka and Tsubaki, but... You seem different. Is something bothering you?" Then, to cover up his worry, "I mean, my only rival should be at his best at all times, right?"
Black*Star glanced over at him, his eyes holding some unknown emotion. "I guess." He sighed. "I'm fine, just a little tired."
Now that he mentioned it, he looked paler than usual and he had a sort of dead limp to his walk.
"It's not a 'little' tired, something tells me..." Kid said, looking at his companion wearily.
They got to Black*Star and Tsubaki's house quickly enough, and Black*Star invited Kid inside.
-Change of PoV-
Black*Star was staring at Kid across from him. It was really awkward, to be honest. They had nothing to do. Nothing on TV, they couldn't study together...
Black*Star had even declined training. His head hurt too much to even think about it.
"So, Black*Star. Tell me, what's up?" Kid asked, taking a sip of his drink.
"Nothing is up." Black*Star snapped back. Kid raised an eyebrow.
"Oh. I see." He looked down into his drink. "Well, I just figured..." He grinned as he looked up at the boy sitting across from him.
"If you didn't have anything to hide, you wouldn't be so protective."
Black*Star gaped. Had he really been that obvious? Oh well. "Che, like you'd care." He looked away.
"Ah, so there is something wrong." Kid laughed slightly. "Have you told Tsubaki?"
"Of course not." Black*Star sighed, leaning back against the wall and closing his eyes.
"She cares about you, you know. Even if-"
"I don't want to worry her with something that's not important!" Black*Star interrupted the shinigami. Kid blinked, tilting his head.
"Black*Star... whatever you think is 'not important' is starting to take its toll. What's going on?" He asked, setting his drink down and scrutinizing the other's form.
Black*Star opened his eyes to glare at Kid. He sighed, relaxing himself before staring straight at the other.
"Nightmares." He said simply.
"Nightmares?" Kid repeated, looking as if he was wanted to add a 'that's it' to the statement.
"Yep." Black*Star confirmed.
"What kind? Surely, they must be horrific to weigh down the great Black*Star." Kid smirked.
Black*Star shifted uncomfortably. He didn't like the idea of remembering them. "I don't want to tell you." He growled.
"The sooner you do, the sooner you can find out how to stop them and get back to normal self." Kid explained.
"No." Black*Star turned his head. "I don't exactly mind..." He lied.
"Black*Star..." Kid said in a warning tone.
Black*Star closed his eyes, deep in thought.
"N-no!"
"Please!"
Reaching out for help that won't come...
Gasping.
Death.
Destruction.
Fire.
His friends are dead.
He's holding a knife in his hands.
He has a grin that threatened to chop his head off.
He laughs.
-Change of PoV-Slight timeskip-
Kid fidgeted over in the corner, waiting with the usual group (minus two, of course) for Stein and Nygus to finish their examination. Black*Star had just... collapsed. Having nowhere else to take him (the only hospital was farther than the school was from Black*Star's house), he had taken him to the school 'nurse's office'.
"Oh, I hope he's alright..." Tsubaki worried quietly. Maka put a hand on her arm in a comforting gesture.
"I-I hope he's alright t-too." Chrona stuttered out. After all that mess with Asura, he had joined Shibusen as a student and he hung around the usual group.
"Sheesh, I wonder what happened." Liz commented, staring intently at the door like she could make it burn with her mind.
"Collapse! Collapse!" Patty sang happily, oblivious to everyone around her.
Kid shook his head. "You're too happy about this, Patty." He sighed.
Everyone watched as the examination room's door opened and Stein wheeled out. He had a serious look on his face, as if he was concentrating on something other than telling Black*Star's friends what's wrong with him.
"What's wrong?" Maka asked, concerned.
Stein removed the cigarette from his mouth, blowing out smoke. "Well, for starters..." He turned to look at Tsubaki. "Has Black*Star been sleeping well?"
Tsubaki thought for a couple of seconds. "He started getting up before me and training, but I don't know if he's been doing anything else." She responded firmly. Just in case it's her fault. Kid added to his previous thought.
"Why, what's wrong?" Kid asked.
"Apparently, from what I can conclude, Black*Star has been suffering from Insomnia... for one." Stein said, lowering his head so that the light reflected off his glasses, hiding his eyes.
"I-Insomnia?" Tsubaki and Chrona said together, though Chrona was much more quiet. Stein hummed a confirmation.
"Another thing. He woke up while we were examining him." Stein replaced the cigarette. "Turns out the Insomnia was from nightmares."
"Nightmares? Is that it?" Liz sighed.
Stein nodded. "Not just any nightmares. I fear that it might be something more... concerning than that."
Everyone tilted their heads in confusion. "What do you mean?" Maka asked.
"It seems that these nightmares have been getting increasingly horrific." Stein sighed. "According to Black*Star himself, they started out in an empty black abyss. His most recent, however-"
He was cut off by a loud crash coming from the room, along with a yell, "Please! You can't do that!" Stein turned and opened the door, seeing Nygus standing on one side of the room and an open window on the other.
"Where's Black*Star?!" Kid asked, his eyes darting around the room.
"He jumped out the window!" Nygus said, obviously frightened that the boy was going to hurt himself.
"He can't go too far. He's at his limit both physically and mentally." Stein said calmly. "I'd hurry, though. That boy can do wonders." He smirked.
-Change in PoV-
Black*Star ran, not knowing where he was going and not caring. They know now. He thought as he dodged a tree. When he got into a forest, he would never know. I can't face them... Not when they know the Great Black*Star is suffering from such stupid things as nightmares. He stopped by a tree, grabbing at his hair and pulling it lightly.
Pretty soon, he'd lose himself.
He kneeled down, still in the same position as before, as he thought about the dream he had just had a few (minutes? hours?) ago.
It had started out as normal, the darkness. But this darkness was more... uncomfortable. It was hot, like a 90 degree summer day with the humidity up to one hundred percent. Looking around, he realized what was making it so hot.
Fire.
Suddenly, it was all around him, crackling and burning walls he didn't know existed. The flames stayed away from him but consumed everything in sight. He twisted around. This is new.
He felt something in his hand, and looking down, he found a knife. The knife glistened in the fiery light. And coating its silvery surface was red liquid that ran down and dripped. Noticing where it landed and how there was a trail, he followed the trail with his eyes and saw...
Everyone, laying on the ground, dead. Several stab wounds covered their bodies, and their blood poured out like rivers. His eyes widened, and he dropped the knife.
Look at who you are.
A voice rings throughout the burning room, and he turns again.
Look at what you're becoming.
He finds himself in an entirely white space, and he suddenly misses the darkness.
Maka appears in front of him. "You're nothing but an annoyance. I hate you."
She's replaced by Soul. "How could I ever be your friend?"
He's replaced by everyone he knows, all in a circle. They all chant the same thing. "Murderer, annoyance, useless." He fell to the ground, his hands held over his ears to try and block out the chanting. It wasn't working.
The mass crowd of people are replaced by two people, standing side by side.
"Weakling. You can't even surpass me." Kid spoke with a tone of arrogance.
"You're useless. I can't believe I put up with you." Tsubaki smirked.
And, as if that wasn't enough, Kid grabbed Tsubaki by the waist...
and they kissed.
All of this happening while everyone's voices continued laughing and chanting those same three words.
Black*Star shouted to the heavens, punching the tree behind him. He needed to get moving.
To where, he didn't know.
But he can't stay here.
Sorry this is a little long. Compared to the other chapters, this is probably going to be the longest. But enough about that! This story is probably the weirdest one I've ever written. Black*Star having nightmares? Evil.
I'm just going to warn you now. This story will contain OOC-ness. This is one of my first Soul Eater fanfics, anyway. I know that that doesn't protect me from the rules of keeping them IC, but... Oh, and another thing. This will be slightly AU, which I will explain (probably) in the next chapter.
Good night people! ~ frozenclaw888