Ker was still fuming even after she emerged from the other side of her portal.
Meeting with that Weavile, Tranquill, and Noivern had been an utter waste of time. Grim had made it seem so important, like her existence would abruptly end unless she spoke with those three, but it had amounted to absolutely nothing. They had only been three lunatics, endlessly prattling. She didn't know how they lived with themselves, honestly believing their inane delusions. She couldn't even begin to fathom why they thought she would believe a single word they said either.
There was an explanation for this, Ker then realized. In a dimension primarily ruled by humans, they had a saying that ants could never hope to comprehend humans. How could ants, simple creatures that only knew to scavenge for their colony, ever understand the humans who build entire societies across multiple lands and domesticate creatures of lesser intelligence? Ants couldn't. Their feeble, primal minds could only comprehend primitive instincts. To them, a human is nothing but an obstacle, something to avoid if they wanted to continue about their insignificant lives.
Ker realized now that those mortals she spoke with were her metaphorical ants. They could only see the multiverse with their limited perspective. It was impossible for them to be able to view existence as she could.
Oh, but what did this epiphany matter? She had still wasted so much time with those idiotic mortals. If those mortals hadn't shown up, she would still be with Gallows. She would be wandering through the vast multiverse with him drifting by her side, searching for perfect targets to practice techniques on. Or maybe if she wasn't bettering herself, she and Gallows would be having fun of their own. That amusingly sinister ghost was always a pleasure to be with, no matter what they were doing together. She couldn't ever think of a time she was ever bored of him. Every word he spoke was an alluring whisper, a perfect gateway to her soul. Every momentary touch, even the faintest brush against her form as he drifted past her, was a rush of buzzing, exhilarating energy. Then of course when he was actually trying to tease her, and that was always an experience.
But Ker couldn't have any of that now because of those mortals. Because of them, she had to search for that Chandelure, something that made her antsy. She had never wanted to part ways with him. If she could have it her way, she'd spend every single moment of her existence with him. She didn't have the obligations and limitations mortals had, besides the occasional welcoming ceremony for new ghosts. She didn't need to commit to a mundane job, didn't need to sleep to recuperate after a long day, and didn't need to visit anyone else that demanded her company. She could do anything her heart desired in her literal eternity of a life whenever she wanted, however long she wanted.
At least, that was true until that unfortunate encounter. She hoped an eldritch abomination was in those mortals' dimension right now, plaguing their lives with horrid nightmares as it relished their beautiful screams. Ker could practically hear their shrieks now, a melody of suffering stringing the night. It almost made her forget about the seething bitterness clawing at her soul.
Ker took in her surroundings. She found herself standing along the shoreline of a beach, the crashing waves of the ocean the only sounds to keep her company. The sun had long set into the horizon, allowing a comforting blanket of darkness to cover the sky. She could see a few constellations offering their soft glimmers of light in eternal black, but they paled in comparison to the radiance of the two crescent moons. Their soft, ethereal lights cast a faint, white aura over the horizon, as well as ripple along ocean's surface in the form of two pillars. Though the light wasn't as encompassing as the sun's, it allowed Ker to see the beach with all the clarity she needed. She could see the foam of the waves as they rolled onto the shore, the muted brown grains of moist sand holding all the footprints of its daytime visitors, and even a few tiny crabs scurrying into the water. She never needed much light to see, or really any at all, but she had to admit that it did feel nice to have something radiating her way, however dim it was.
The rolling waves rushed past her legs, but the water didn't break as it collided against her form. It only swept past her and retreated back into the ocean, as though she didn't exist at all. Ker didn't even feel the blast of cold, but she had grown to expect that. After all, how could she feel anything when she didn't have a real body?
Ker strode across the sand and kept an eye out for even the vaguest semblance of a purple flame. She had told him to meet her along the shoreline of this particular ocean, but she had never specifically said what part of it. She had anticipated that she would spot his fire in an instant, like a beacon in the middle of a treacherous storm. However, now that she was actually here, she realized that had been a terrible plan on her part. Gallows's flames, while eye-catching and far brighter than feeble candlelight, weren't exactly bonfires. If he wandered into the midst of a thick fog, his light wouldn't shine through the grey; the mist would only subdue his flames' glow.
Ker groaned at her own stupidity. Next time she saw him, she was going to make their meeting spot somewhere more defined and less spacious. Maybe she could take him to that one insidious night club running amok with devils just waiting for a perfect moment to devour the drunken prey they had so masterfully lured in with promises of intoxicating pleasures. She had wanted to visit that place again, if only because it was deeply satisfying watching mortals' bombastic ecstasy abruptly get swallowed up by escalating hysteria.
Or maybe she would make their next meeting spot that one abandoned castle in-
Something curled around Ker's arm. It yanked her off her feet before dragging her into the sand. Ker squirmed and lashed out of whatever held her captive, but found it had coiled itself around her entire arm, like a snake does when it suffocates its prey. It felt just like one with how the body felt smooth and slender, yet gripped her with an impossible strength.
"Hello again, Ker."
A purple flame lit up in front of the Sableye, followed by a pair of glowing yellow eyes so pleased to see her. Ker's heart melted a little at the sight. She hurried to her feet before she pressed her forehead into the space between Gallows's eyes. Despite his glass-like form, nuzzling him didn't bring Ker any sort of discomfort.
Gallows chucked to himself as he released his grip around her wrist. He tried to swoop back, but Ker swiftly grabbed one of his tendrils and pulled him back to her. She needed his warmth, his ghostly fire licking at her.
"It seems that someone really missed me," Gallows cooed softly.
"Yeah…" Ker muttered quietly, almost too embarrassed to say the word aloud. "I… I did. A lot."
Even though that Chandelure didn't have a mouth, Ker thought she saw something resembling a devious smile in the light of his fire. But she couldn't check more closely, because Gallows tied one end of a tendril around her arm and pried her away from him. Ker pouted and pounced at him, but he only drifted out of the way.
"Hey, get back here!" Ker whined.
Ker lunged at him yet again, but Gallows darted to the side all the same. His eyes gleamed with that teasing light as he unwound his tendril from her and sped out to the moonlit ocean. He stopped a short distance away from the shoreline and beckoned her with his frolicking flames.
Ker gritted her teeth. Oh, she understood what was happening now; he was toying with her. Most boys would give anything to have someone as affectionate as Ker. They would immediately welcome the warm embraces and loving kisses of someone who wanted them and only them.
But not Gallows. Ker knew that tricky ghost refused to be so eager. He preferred to drive her mad, to revel in her desperate longing. He would only indulge Ker in her desires after he had deemed her torment adequate.
Well, if that was how he wanted to be…
Ker chased after the ghost and ran straight into the foamy waves. She sank deeper and deeper into the ocean the further she went, but the water didn't slow her in the slightest. To her, traveling through the water felt the same as walking across the sand. Yet another joy of not having a real body.
It took Ker a laughable five seconds to reunite with Gallows. As soon as she was right beneath him, he swooped into the far deeper parts of the ocean. Particularly, the parts of the ocean where one couldn't walk on the bottom anymore, if one could even see it. Gallows must have thought he was so clever. After all, though she couldn't possibly drown, how would she be able to catch him? By the time she would surface from the murky depths and grasp for him, he could have flown far beyond her reach.
Oh, but that was where Gallows was wrong…
Ker swam through the water as gracefully as a sea serpent. Rather, she flew through it. She didn't need to swim, as moving through the water was exactly the same as traveling through walls. She stayed just below the surface as she rushed toward Gallows. It was quite fortunate that he wasn't trying to hide from her like he had been before; his violet flames served as a perfect beacon in the darkness. Of course, he was probably only doing so because he couldn't make his game too difficult. After all, Ker was sure that he wantedher to catch him. He only wanted to make everything a challenge, a hilarious endeavor. Such a funny ghost he was.
She drifted through the black ocean, silent as could be, until she found herself right beneath Gallows's hovering form. Then, before he had any chance to react, Ker shot out of the water like a Prinplup. She latched onto Gallows's tendrils with her claws, tightening her hold as she giggled. Gallows tried to shake Ker off of him, but she wasn't going to let him have any of that. No, he wasn't the only one allowed to have fun in this game.
Ker giggled as she pulled her face up near the Chandelure's own, and then licked the spot underneath his left eye. Gallows made that comical hissing sound as his flames shuddered. The air still didn't have that sweet flavor Ker craved from him, but his reaction was a reward in itself. Seeing him this distraught when he was normally so composed left her grinning wide.
But ah, she couldn't stop now. She couldn't be satisfied with only this, even if it was highly amusing.
The Sableye shot the Chandelure a devious smirk, and then yanked him down. She felt him resist her pull, but it was futile; Ker dragged him into the sea all the same.
Gallows writhed and clawed at the air when he was mere inches above the surface. His flames billowed and crackled violently, even turning insidious shades of blue as he struggled. Surely, if those flames touched Ker, they'd reduce her very soul into nothingness. And yet, the threatening display only filled Ker with a euphoric rush that manifested as a hysterical laugh. It gave her that last bit of strength she needed to submerge the hapless and flailing ghost.
The water swallowed up Gallows without hesitation. Ker felt him freeze, now petrified in horrid anticipation. Very soon his flames would be snuffed out. Very soon his very life-force would cease to be, rendering him into oblivion. Or, at the very least, agonizing pain would shoot through his form and his tortured screams would reverberate across the ocean.
At least, she knew that was what Gallows anticipated.
In actuality, Gallows's flames still burned. Though clearly surrounded by water, the flames hadn't shrunk in the slightest. They only offered a fuzzy sphere of blue illumination for the both of them. It didn't take Gallows long to realize this, and when he did, he stared at himself so strangely, as though he had suddenly found himself in a new form. Not a single hint of his typical conceit and deviousness self seemed present in the Chandelure before Ker. He very much seemed like the meek self he had pretended to be when the two had first met. But this time, Ker knew it wasn't a façade. No, she could tell that he was genuinely at a loss. She knew, because she could taste his irresistible dread drifting all around her.
She wasted no time taking it in. The corners of her mouth curled up as the dread seeped into her, thick as honey and just as sweet. She could barely keep her focus on the delectable Chandelure as a giddy dizziness came over her and melted him into warm, otherworldly colors.
So this was why Gallows always wanted her dread. Nothing, not a single thing in all of existence, could ever compare to the utter ecstasy that was taking in Gallows's fear. Mortal dread was sweet enough on its own, but Gallows's dread… oh. Oh, after tasting his delicious fright, Ker feared that she would never be able to devour mortal emotions again. They were utterly tasteless compared to Gallows's fear. They lacked the sudden surge, the buzzing that made her soul burn brighter than the sun.
It was an ethereal sensation completely out of this world, as though she had died right there, but then revived not even a moment later.
"Ahahahahah. Ahhhhh. Oh, so this is what it feels like," Ker giggled.
Any semblance of weakness disappeared from Gallows's expression, though certain cautiousness remained in his eyes.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
Some of the blissful haze in Ker's mind cleared, just barely enough for her to see straight again. She let out another little giggle as she sent Gallows a sinister grin.
"Oh what, you really thought I was going to drag you down here if you could actually get hurt?" Ker asked smugly. "I'm not that evil."
Gallows chuckled to himself as his flames returned to a pleasant, violet shade. The pleasure washing over Ker vanished not long after that agreeable color manifested, but she found she didn't mind much. Sure, the taste had been all that she had hoped for, but having Gallows look at her like this was still quite satisfying.
"Ah hah. Ah, I see now, Ker," Gallows purred. "Though I understand many of the implications of being a ghost, I must admit I thought I had kept some flaws of my mortal form, as would you. I hadn't anticipated that you could move as freely through the ocean as you could anywhere else. After all, for all of your ghostly abilities, you still wander about the mortal realms as a mortal Sableye would. You certainly dance like one."
"Well sure, I can't float like you can, but I can do pretty much everything else you can do," Ker explained. "You and me are special as ghosts, you know. We don't have bodies anymore. We just look like Pokémon, but when in reality, we're just souls that can't really be hurt by anything stupid like water or fire or whatever. We're like… borderline invincible."
"So we are."
The Chandelure was wordless for a moment before a sly glint crackled in his eyes.
"So, how did it feel, being able to frighten me for the first time?" he asked coquettishly. "I'm sure it must have been quite the experience for you, to frighten another ghost like yourself."
"It was like the most amazing thing ever," Ker said dreamily. "I mean, there were some other ghosts that I've managed to scare, but your fear was way better than theirs. Yours was way more delicious and sweet."
"And what if I told you that I wasn't very frightened at all? What would you say if I told you that while I was quite anxious as to what would happen should I fall beneath the water's surface, I didn't dread it as a mortal does when death stares at them in the face? What would you say then?"
"I'd say that you're a liar, because I totally saw you panicking and desperately trying to get away from me."
"Oh, but what if it was all simply an act, Ker? What if it was only to humor you, to allow you a moment to be the mastermind of our game?"
Ker glared at Gallows, searching for anything that might hint that he was bluffing. She searched for a flicker in his flames, a crack in his conceited expression. However, all she could find was bottomless vanity utterly delighting in her baffled thoughts.
Gallows made an odd clucking noise as he closed the distance between the two of them. He embraced Ker, something that she welcomed eagerly.
"You're absolutely adorable in your stupor," Gallows cooed. "It's almost as endearing as when you're fumbling over your own words."
"Sh-Sh-Shut up," Ker growled before she grinned a little. "I still got you either way. You really were scared. I finally got you after all this time."
"Yes, but you still have yet to truly terrify me. So enjoy this little victory while you can Ker; it won't be so easy to frighten me next time."
"Oh, I am. I am."
She wasn't lying. She could still taste the faintest bits of dread seeping out of Gallows's form now that she rested against him. She savored these lingering remnants of his dread, lapping them up quietly. They didn't provide her the same kick that they had before, but they still sent warm shudders through her being. She honestly felt she could fall asleep as she took in the fading emotion. She imagined that Gallows could hold her in his tender hug as she slept soundly, lulled into slumber by his melodious voice and the muffled sounds of the sweeping ocean.
Except… she couldn't. Ghosts couldn't sleep, and she knew that. So then why? Why did she want that when sleep was nothing more than a mortal nuisance?
"So, were those mortals from before a bother to you?"
Ker snapped out of her daze to find she still had her forehead pressed against Gallows. It took her a moment to decipher the foreign words in her head that she knew to be her thoughts.
"Oh, well kind of," Ker grumbled. "They tried to make me go with them somewhere and kept rambling on about some stupid, crazy stuff. To be honest, they were complete weirdos."
"Is that so?" Gallows asked with a hearty chuckle. "What could they have possibly said that would make you think this? Considering the morbid and insensitive remarks you make on a frequent basis, I honestly didn't think that anything could offend you."
"Well, if you must know, they said that they were some being called Keeper of Realms before it split itself into them. And then they started saying I was also a split soul and needed to go with them. Tssssk, I wonder what could have possibly messed up their heads like that."
"Perhaps it was the work of a trickster god from their dimension. In my dimension, we had stories of a certain god that plays games on mortals out of sheer boredom. His name was Hoopa, always seducing mortals into accepting his tempting offers before slowly ruining their lives through such offers. He found no greater joy than to listen to the anguished wails of his victims, begging to be set free of their torment."
"Oh yeah, I think I've heard of him. Well, one version of him. I'm sure every dimension's Hoopa is different. I bet at least one version is even a nice guy, actually granting wishes out of wanting to be a good Pokémon."
"Hah, a charitable Hoopa! It's almost too comical to imagine. If you had lived in my dimension and said that to anyone, they would have slandered you as a Hoopa cultist. Trust me when I say that you don't want to have that title latched onto your name."
"Well it's not like they would have been able to do anything about it. They can't hurt me, no matter how much they want to. Maybe I'll even go to your dimension and say I'm a cultist just to see what they would try to do to me."
"Hmmhmm, well it could potentially be an amusing spectacle. But regardless of that, you have my sympathy for having to be in the presence of those delusional mortals. I had my suspicions that they would be a nuisance, but I didn't realize that their plans involved swaying you into their group. Had I known what those three actually wanted, I would have forced them to leave you alone, most likely by threatening to burn away their souls if they didn't depart immediately."
"Aww, thanks. I'm just glad I was able to get away from them and be with you again. Felt wrong not being with you."
Ker blushed a little after she said that. Ah, she still wasn't used to being heartfelt. Sure, it was ridiculously easy to spew out her demented thoughts that almost no one wanted to hear, but to actually be just a little sincere…
Gallows laughed to himself as he pulled away from Ker. Ker almost wanted to grab onto him and keep him close, but stopped herself. She would look clingy if she did that. She had already acted insecure enough; she couldn't push it. Gallows had to have a certain tolerance level for these sort of things, and she honestly didn't want to put him off because she couldn't keep her impulses under control. She needed him as much as the mortals needed water.
And yet, the thought of pulling him back for another embrace was just so inviting. She could feel her claws twitching, ready to snatch that Chandelure at a moment's notice and hold him tight.
"So umm, I just realized something," Ker said suddenly, desperate to shoo away the urges.
"And what might that be?" Gallows asked earnestly.
Alright, what did she want to ask? What could she possibly say that wouldn't make her look like an idiot? Hmm, what had they just talked about? Well, they had discussed her unfortunate encounter with those bothersome mortals. There was nothing more to say about that. There was also what Gallows's dimension's version of Hoopa did to the mortals in his spare time. There wasn't much more to discuss about that either, unless she wanted to ask if he had ever met Hoopa or knew someone that had been tricked by the conniving god.
It was then that Ker realized there actually was something the two could talk about. It honestly surprised Ker when the revelation hit. Despite all of the time she had spent with Gallows, she had never once considered initiating the topic now formulating in her mind. She almost felt ashamed, never having this thought even once cross her mind before. Now the more she thought about it, the more she needed to speak it and make it a reality. It very much felt like a cancerous growth invading all of her mind space.
"Uhhh… you know, I just realized I never really asked you anything about your mortal life," Ker said as she played with her claws. "I mean, we've known each other for a while, but we've never actually talked about ourselves that much, have we?"
"Hmmm, no, I'm afraid we haven't," Gallows realized. "Most of our conversations revolve around the game and how to play it."
"Yeah. So I was thinking… maybe you could tell me a little about yourself? I mean, I like you and traumatizing mortals with you, but I'd like to… uhhh, understand you… if that makes sense."
"So you mean to say that you want to be closer friends?"
"Oh please, we're more than just friends and you know it," Ker scoffed with a lewd smirk. "I see the way you look at me when you're eating my fear. I really doubt friends look at their other friends that way. Well, unless they're one of those kinds of friends…"
"You know what I mean, Ker," Gallows stated, unfazed by her remark.
Ker immediately dropped her grin as the sinking feeling in her stomach returned.
"Yeah, I do," Ker admitted with a defeated groan. "And yeah, I want to get closer. Because you know, I'm kind of curious to know how you got so smart and crafty. I mean, I am cool with just having things the way they are right now if you want, but I think it'd be nice to make you less of a giant mystery. Because that's essentially what you are, you know. You're like steeped in this bottomless darkness that I can't navigate through."
And it was true. Ker didn't know a single thing about Gallows besides the fact that his name used to be Ignis and was a master of deception. The more and more Ker thought about this, the more she realized how strange it was to spend all of her time with someone she knew barely anything about. Admittedly she had done this with Bell, Adam, and Zel, but they had never been particularly interesting enough for her to want to understand them. But Gallows, he was a fascinating ghost, most certainly.
She genuinely hoped that Gallows didn't find the request strange. While their entire… bond was already quite peculiar and lacked any true label, she hoped more familiarity didn't taint their relationship. Closeness had the uncanny ability to either greatly enhance or outright destroy pre-existing connections.
"I suppose there's no harm in sharing intimate information with you," Gallows said dismissively after a while. "You'll have to pardon me however, if I'm rather vague at times. I hardly share personal information with anyone."
Ker smiled. Ah, perfect. Now she only needed to think of questions to ask.
"Okay. Well, what were you like when you were mortal?" Ker asked. "Like, what did you do?"
"As a mortal, I was the eldest of three children, all boys," Gallows began, his voice ringing with fond nostalgia. "Nameless and Umbra were the names of my brothers. I never spent much time with them however, and the same could be said regarding my parents. Oh, they were all agreeable Pokémon and there was hardly any qualm between the five of us, but I often spent my days outside of my home. While out and about, I would study pedestrians from hidden places. You see, though we all enjoy believing that we are all different from one another, all mortals actually share many similar traits. Particularly, their behaviors and cognitions are quite similar regardless of who they are and their background. I can't remember how I came to this conclusion, it's been some time, but when I did, I gained a fascination with the mind. The mind holds such deep complexities, yet it is also so predictable and malleable under the right circumstances."
"And then you used that knowledge to mess around with everyone," Ker stated bluntly.
"Yes, I did. Very much," Gallows said with an unsettling chuckle. "Oh, I knew I could have taken many paths after I learned of the beauty of the mind. I could have been like many psychics and followed them into their sophisticated field, dissecting the mind in an attempt to find the answers to life's greatest questions."
"So then why didn't you?"
"Because there is no purpose in finding these answers. No matter how much mortals progress, in the end, their existence is nothing more than a fleeting moment in the infinities of time and a minuscule speck amongst the vast multiverse. On any given day, an entire dimension's population will fade away into oblivion, to become nothing more than the fleeing shadows of a new dawn. No matter what how far they advance, a day will come where they will simply disappear, and the multiverse will not remember them."
Ker didn't know how she wanted to respond to that. It lined up with her own philosophy regarding mortal existence, though the thought that Gallows had known all of this as a mortal sent shivers down her back. She couldn't imagine living her life, knowing that nothing she did mattered in the grand scheme of everything.
"Thus, I decided that rather than waste my days away fruitlessly chasing after a purpose that means nothing, I'd spend my mortal days as how I saw fit," Gallows went on, indifferent to the nihilistic information. "Because after all, if my existence had no lasting impact, then there was no reason to abide by the flimsy rules created through a myriad of perceived realities. Why should I conform to the endlessly tainted views of existence when I can see existence for what it truly is? There was no sensible reason.
"And so, with these thoughts, I devised the game. A game where, through manipulation of mortals' most valuable tool, their minds, you temporarily destroyed their fabricated reality and offered them a glimpse of true reality in its raw, apathetic form."
"But I thought the game was just to make others scared," Ker said pointedly.
"Oh well yes, it does. But the reason the victims are consumed with dread, little wraith, is because you force them to realize their view of reality is fake. You, who wear a mask and become that which you're not, enter their comfortable lie of a reality and abide by their rules. You make them comfortable, make them feel at ease as you become a part of their reality. Then-"
"Then… when everything feels right and they totally trust you," Ker cut in, realizing where this was going, "you rip off the mask and reveal that you're not who they think you are. You make them realize everything they believed about you was an elaborate lie. And then… their reality falls apart from the shock of it all, and they're forced to see the actual, uncaring reality that wouldn't even notice if they just died right there."
"Precisely," Gallows purred. "Seems you truly do understand the game after all."
Ker grinned. Ah, it felt so good to hear him say that. Praising her intellect didn't fluster her in the slightest. After all, she already knew she was a smart Sableye. Hearing someone reaffirm that only made her heart swell with pride.
"Now then, is there anything else you would like to know about me?" Gallows then asked.
"Uhhh, yeah, I think there is," Ker said. "How exactly did you find out about us ghosts? When you were playing the game with me and trying to spook me, you made it sound like you already knew a lot about my kind."
"Well as a ghost-type, it wasn't exactly that difficult to figure out. Your kind even thought I was one of them until they noted how my emotions tasted."
"Oh, so you really were a Chandelure as a mortal. You really weren't lying when we first met. I thought you were some Infernape or Ninetales. Then again, you seemed pretty comfortable with your form when Grim brought you over to my dimension… most new ghosts scream for a while. It's honestly half the fun of the welcoming ceremonies. Well at least to me it is."
"Hmmm, interesting. I didn't realize that so many of the ghosts were not ghost-types originally."
Gallows took a moment to look over Ker.
"Were you always a Sableye?" he asked.
"Well… probably?" Ker replied with a reluctant chuckle.
"Probably? What sort of answer is that?"
Ker smiled awkwardly. She hadn't expected this subject to ever come up in their conversations. It certainly never occurred in any of her other conversations for as long as she existed. It seemed taboo to discuss even though it never actually bothered Ker. However, she saw no harm in sharing the truth with Gallows. It was only fair to share personal information of her own.
"I actually don't remember anything about mortal life," Ker confessed bashfully. "I only remember my life as a ghost. The oldest memory I have is just me laying in the spectral realm with this uhhhh… giant black thing hovering over me."
"Black thing?" Gallows asked.
"Yeah, I never really saw its face. But, I'm pretty sure it was Grim. Kind of sounded like him too since I remember the voice whispering things to me. Kept saying 'Ker, your name is Ker. Your name is Ker. Such a perfect name it is, Ker', or something like that."
"And the fact that you cannot remember any aspect of your mortal life doesn't bother you in the slightest?"
"Well, not really? I mean, I guess I should be kind of bothered, but I'm not. I don't really care who I used to be as a mortal, and I'm pretty sure no one misses me. Besides, I'd just get super depressed if I let this whole thing bother me, and I don't want to waste an eternity being a mopey ghost."
"Fair enough. I imagine you haven't changed much as a ghost, however. I undoubtedly believe you were always a demented little Sableye."
"Well of course! I really doubt something like ripping out my soul would change me much. I bet I even begged Grim to make me a ghost because I was so bored of mortal life. Like you! Because that's totally what you did, isn't it?"
"Possibly."
"Oh come on, you can give me a better answer than that."
Gallows chuckled, but he wouldn't elaborate any further. Typical Gallows. Even when he agreed to be open with Ker, he still kept some air of mystery about him. It was almost infuriating. But then again, Ker had known what she had gotten herself into when she agreed to let Gallows stay in her company. He would always remain enigmatic in some shape or form, no matter how much time she spent with him.
Ker saw Gallows's gaze wander to the ocean floor. Ker followed his eyes to see a large cluster of kelp wads emerge from the murky sea depths. They seamlessly blended into the darkness with their sickly brown skin, only noticeable thanks to multiple crimson lights illuminating ominously from their pulpy bodies.
The two watched as the ocean current brought the plants closer and closer to them. Now Ker could see more details about the lifeless plants, like dull shades of purple running down the sides of the stalks and pink, crown-like leaves sprouting at the top of each tangle.
But most of all, she saw something oozing from a single protruding leaf of each of the kelp. Something smoky and dark like Octillery ink, but far thicker.
Then it finally hit Ker what was actually happening.
"Oh… you guys aren't kelp," Ker realized. "You're Dragalge. Oops. Forgot you guys are why nobody ever goes into this ocean."
All of the Dragalge sprayed Ker and Gallows at once with their poison, dousing them in the toxic murk. However, Ker didn't fret. Though the venom pooled around her and clouded her vision, it had no effect on her. She could barely even feel the acid against her violet form, likening it to a light breeze blowing past her.
When the poisonous cloud dissipated, Ker still found the Dragalge circling her and Gallows, watching them with their cruel eyes. As soon as the kelpy creatures realized that the two ghosts were unharmed, however, they wasted no time in retreating back into the shadowy depths below. For such monstrous beasts of the ocean, they sure fled awfully quickly.
Ker couldn't stop herself from laughing.
"You know, this is something I really like about the ocean, especially at night," Ker said with grin. "There are so many things in the ocean that defy everything mortals understand. The mortals that live in the ocean look totally alien compared to all of the mortals living up on the surface. You'd get nightmares from just taking one look at the things here. But worst of all, you'd never even know you were their next meal until it was too late. You'd just be bobbing on the surface, and then something will grab your leg and drag you down to your doom. You'd scream and cry for help as your life slowly slips away, but it would just be silent air bubbles coming out of your mouth…"
Gallows's eyes lit up as he made an odd trilling sound. He swooned as his flames flickered and danced enthusiastically. Ker didn't think she had ever seen Gallows this elated before. He had always seemed content whenever he spooked Ker, but now he seemed genuinely cheerful.
"Ahhhh, that was absolutely beautiful. All of it. I had my doubts, considering no one I've ever encountered revels in the ghastly aspects of reality, but you've alleviated all of them. Dear Ker, you're proving to be everything I hoped you would be and more. Truly, you are the one I always knew existed somewhere throughout the infinities."
Gallows laughed giddily. Ker joined him, though not without some hesitance. Something wasn't right about his eyes. There was something glimmering in those yellow circles of his, something underneath the jovially morbid mask he always wore. Something volatile.
"I like to watch you release your demons," Gallows then said, his voice taking on a sultry tone. "Oh yes… your darkness… your beautifully twisted darkness that lusts for chaos..."
A carnal longing crept into his expression. Ker shivered a little, but she couldn't tell if it was out of anticipation or apprehension.
"Oh Ker…" Gallows went on, eyeing her hungrily. "Where were you all this time? Where were you when I first came to be in the nothingness of existence? I've been searching for you for an eternity."
In a flash, Gallows ensnared Ker in his tendrils, holding her tight against his form. He shoved her hard against his face as his flames ate away at her form. They burned her soul with a frightening intensity, as if trying to devour her completely. Ker yelped and struggled, but Gallows's grip proved relentless.
"Owww, Gallows!" Ker hissed as she pressed her claws against his eyes. "Quit it!"
The Chandelure suddenly stopped. He released his hold around Ker and pushed her away from him. Ker moaned as she checked over herself. A number of wisps streamed from her form, making her resemble a living flame. Ker didn't find the sight particularly alarming, but a dull ache still radiated over her entire being.
"I'm… I'm sorry. I didn't mean to harm you."
Ker looked back at Gallows to find that he still kept his distance from her. She could see his flames trembling as he shot her a pained expression. Ker gave him a soft stare as she drifted toward him.
"Hey, it's alright. It was an accident, right?" Ker said gently. "I know you would never hurt me on purpose. Or at least, not like that."
"Of course," Gallows assured weakly. "I merely… I only wanted to show how much I cherish you, but it seems I took it too far."
"Well don't worry about it. It's not a big deal, really. Let's just forget it ever happened."
Ker shot him a devious grin.
"Besides, there was something kind of nice about the pain," Ker said teasingly. "Like something salty in the sweet words you said to me."
"Oh, you might not want to tell me that," Gallows chuckled awkwardly. "I just might repeat my actions."
"Maybe I want you to."
Gallows's classic conceited expression returned in an instant. Ker's heart leapt with joy as she closed the distance between them and hugged him the best she could. He returned the embrace and ran the end of his tendrils along the back of her horns. Ker's appearance returned to normal as the two held each other close.
"Well either way, thanks for telling me about your life," Ker said with a beaming smile. "It was nice to know more about you. You really are a fascinating Chandelure."
"Thanks," Gallows replied smoothly. "I'm glad we had this conversation. It felt oddly satisfying."
"Think you can tell me more about yourself?"
"Of course. I'll tell you anything that you would like to know, dear Ker. Ask me anything your heart yearns for, and I'll whisper the answer into your very soul."
A tongue of flame brushed against Ker's neck, sending waves of pleasure rippling across her form. Ker eagerly pulled Gallows closer, relishing his everything as his fire licked her and worked its clever magic. She couldn't stop herself from writhing and moaning as a hazy bliss consumed her.
And yet, even in her salacious rapture, Ker could still taste the subtlest hint of dread seeping out of Gallows.