Karkat writhed somewhat in his sleeping apparatus, trying to keep his moans down as he stroked along his own bulge. He was close, so close, he wanted to feel close to his matesprit. He wanted to feel close to Eridan, his patience was wearing thin. He bit his bottom lip, pressing his face into the pillow. So close, so close…He needed the bucket he had kept under his bed, he bet it was dusty because it hadn't been used in over a sweep, but it did not matter.

"Eridan…" he breathed, sucking on one of the corners of the pillow as he reached under the bed. He imagined the seadweller's hands and lips on his body, he recalled the first and only time they had ever been able to pail. So close, he grabbed the handle of the bucket, so close…Eridan, Eridan

No bro…

Karkat felt a cold jolt of chilling agony bend his spine, his release was gone. He removed his hands from his body, gripping the sheets in terror as the indigoblood's voice vibrated throughout his body. Was Gamzee here? He sat up slowly, partially numb from the cold sensation that wracked his body, his bulge retreating, and looked around the room from his spot on the sleeping apparatus. No one? No one was here? He could have sworn he felt Gamzee's cold hands on his back, ready to induce pain or pleasure on compulsion. He took a deep breath and pulled his pants up, he lied back down. He knew it was not possible for Gamzee to be in the Caverns. They had a trip wire system and at the moment of its activation booby traps would've gone off and awoken Kanaya, who would wield her chainsaw at once.

He continued to tell himself this, that it was not logical at all. It was nearly an hour before he mustered the courage to reach into his drawer and pull out a small jar of sopor slime. He would need his rest, and ingesting the substance was his only option.


She was perched elegantly upon the flower-vined branch of the ivory-barked tree. Her shorn hair and sparking eyes, she shut them for a moment, her long red eyelashes twitched as she held her breath. A moment later she opened her eyes, revealing their natural pigment to be maroon. Swirling veins of changing colors surrounded her iris, matching her swirling horns. Her small body was hidden by an elegant red kimono, her abdomen protected by a metal-plated vest; the clockwork insignia imprinted on it. She wiped a maroon tear from her eyes, making sure not to smudge her eyeliner as to not raise suspicion, and removed the vest. She set it besides her seat on the branch, not even caring that it fell, as she let the kimono bear her true sign.

"That's a lovely sign," a pair of butterfly wings eclipsed the moon, she raised her eyes to the Summoner. He was an unknown figure, watching from the sidelines as he formed a secret rebellion the children would inherit, "You should bear it more often,"

"Back again," the Handmaid told him coldly, "I will again deny your proposal,"

He smirked a bit, but not in malice. He could never find himself able to bear any ill will toward the Scourge of the Subjugglator Empire, greater than Dualscar even. Only the Orphaner was greater than this demoness. He was enchanted by her beauty and power, her wisdom, and her devotion.

"You have such power, we could combine our forces and take out both of the oppressive kingdoms," she turned looked him straight in the eye as he spoke, "We could start this world anew,"

"I do not long to change the world," she told him coolly, "I fight for myself, and for Mituna,"

"You're a missionary killer, you know she'll never hold up her side of the bargain," he touched her hand softly, "Knowing especially how your heart as strayed,"

She grimaced, "I have no heart, and even if I did, its active pumps are none of your business,"

"I saw you writhe with the Orphaner in the moonlight," the Summoner told her, "How does your Psiioniic think of you?"

"You do not know the past, present, and future as I," she told him, "I will never save him. 'Tis not my destiny,"

"Then what is your destiny Gogdammit!" he spat, wrapping his hand around her fragile neck. The pulse was faint, "You're but a corpse! A liche, whatever monstrous alchemization you are! You're a killer for the sake of your matesprit, you fought for peace before! Imprisoned, now you scourge so evil can triumph over another evil?! Your war is meaningless…"

She was not intimidated, "I know what I am doing…"

She touched his hand, "While I may not have strength enough…To carry on for Psiioniic, and true I have indulged in pity with the Orphaner, my blood ensures victory regardless of the hero,"

She dug her nails into his hand, "I assure you, I do have strength enough…For this…"

He was gone, in a flash of green, his body proved to be only smoke, his wings dust. He was no longer necessary; he had passed his genetic lineage on. His role had been played, the rebellion he began had been passed on and with his strategic mind their success was guaranteed. She took a deep breath and jumped from the branch, normally she would have been able to land with ease. But her body was heavy, her lungs were aching. Her end was close, she felt it in her bones. The thousands of souls had fossilized and cost her everything in her for her vengeance. Her remaining power was sealed away and protected, for future use. Her legacy complete…Then why, did she feel so guilty? So empty?

She treaded toward the camp, holding her chest as her burdened heart ached with each beat. The dead could only keep her alive for so long, the twisted voices she had reaped were now tearing her fiber by fiber away, in nothing but grains of her former being. The timeglass was no longer in her favor.

"Damara," a warm hand touched her shoulder. He was always warm, she had treaded toward the shore, suicide on her mind. She turned to him, with a gentle smile. He was all she could be passionate about, and he was different. She could see it in his eyes. He had served his beloved many sweeps, his age reflected in his eyes so like instruments of divination, to fall to her romantic folly. To be manipulated and used, as was she. They embraced, kissing everso passionately. She had never told him, he had a role to play after her demise.

"Cronus," she spoke softly, "I will never be able to save Mituna,"

"I am awware you still feel for him," he kissed her forehead, he was so tall compared to her petite stature. She was the only one below him he ever knelt for.

"Cronus," she bit her tongue, "I have to tell you…"

He was not aware of the approaching presence.

"Tell me wwhat?" he asked, kneeling down to kiss her delicate hand.

She held her breath, she heard the bow string tighten, "I pity you…"

She closed her eyes, the tears began to pour, it was over in a moment as the arrow struck through her backbone and through her heart. Dualscar's eyes widened, he hastily stood to grab her as her frail body collapsed against the force. Her eyes were open only a moment as they locked with his, a bloodied hand reached up to touch his face, "Please…Don't let them…burn me…"

"Don't…" she heard pain in his voice, he kissed her mouth softly as blood began to leak from between her delicate lips, "Please, Damara, don't leavve me,"

He held her close, she could feel his body shaking as tears began to stream down his face.

The sparks dispersed from her body, "Only in the midst of darkness, will be carve history…in liquid…nebulars…"

"Damara…?"…Damara…Aradia…Aradia…

"Aradia…" Nepeta nudged her, "We're approaching the site,"

"I'm awake," she smiled softly, "I'm awake, proceed,"


Equius moaned softly as he began to enter the waking world. He felt as though he had slept in, and he had. He had not slept very well at all the previous solar cycle; he kept having dreams of his darling Aradia that stirred him so. Then again, how could he complain about such pleasurable dreams? He sat up and stretched, taking in the calm until a certain noise rustled the air. Maybe an animal was passing by? No, the noise came about again. If this was a predatory animal it may cause damage to his motor vehicle. He crawled out of his tent, finding that the area was clear. He stood, his ear twitching. What was going on?

He groaned in pain as a sudden jolt hit his shoulder. Whatever had hit him had broken upon meeting his flesh. He turned around, finding it was a bullet-like weapon. It was not the best idea to turn around, because a feline-like troll pounced on him. He was in shock for a moment, she had managed to not only knock him down but slide him a few feet away from his tent. He would have fought back but then he saw her olive green eyes: he connected instantly. He felt as if he knew this young troll. She held her claws to his throat before the same sensation hit her as well, she retracted them, remaining on top of him.

"Hi!" she mewled.

"Um…yes, hello…" Equius took a deep breath, "I take it you are part of rebellion?"

She hissed a bit.

"I mean you no harm, I have left the service of the Grand Highblood to aid your side," he told her calmly, "My name is Equius Zahhak, the former right hand troll of the Grand Highblood. Descendent of the E%ecutioner, slayer of the Handmaid and the Sufferer. "

The warrior furrowed her brow, her party gathering in on them with their weapons pointed at the blue blood, "My name is Nepeta Leijon. Huntress of the rebellion. Descendent of the Disciple, the matesprit of the Sufferer and the one who carried on his legacy,"

"I will go with you willingly," Equius commented as one of the soldiers walked toward them with a pair of shackles, "I plead though, in my tent there are two suitcases made of steel. Please, take them with us and treat them carefully. The cargo is very precious to me."