Chap 20 – One step beyond
- Give me one reason why I shouldn't blow your head off right now. - Threatened the corrupted version of the guardian of positivity.
- Straight to the point, all right then. I was told that you could... - But before Killer could finish his sentence, an arrow composed of the familiar black substance was fired into his skull.
Unlike before, this time due to the short distance it was not possible to dodge the projectile, resulting in a skeleton with part of its head missing stretched out on the ground. But it didn't take long for it to regenerate as if nothing had happened.
- If you know it won't work then why...
- It's still a pleasure to shut your mouth. - And again a shot was fired. And as expected the wound was healed in a matter of a few seconds. - Certain habits never die. Now listen, I don't know what you have been told, but I can't help you so if it is a master you are looking for I am sure there are several versions of my brother out there who would love to have a new puppy, so get out.
"I believe the term 'motherfucker' would be the more correct term when used instead of 'exotic'." - Thought Killer as he remembered the words of his human version.
- There are no other versions of my boss here. - Commented Killer as he stood up.
- Of course there are, maybe you just haven't seen them. - Said Dream without ever lowering his bow.
- I know who you're referring to, I've actually seen other Nightmares around, but they're not the boss I'm looking for. - At the end of his sentence, a shot was fired into his shoulder, but Killer didn't even seem to feel the impact as his body didn't move.
- I'm not in the mood for mind games, I don't care how broken and needy you are, I don't...
- You're not listening. - Removing the projectile from his shoulder and throwing it to the ground, Killer continued. - My boss is someone with the guts and determination to rule an entire multiverse and kill everyone in his path, so much so that he succeeded. So it wouldn't be a bizarre little place like this that would bring him down.
- I get it, you lost the love of your life and you are in denial, my answer remains the same. - Ignoring the debauchery, Killer showed one of the rare moments where he actually spoke seriously to analyze something.
- He is dead, I know that, and there is no way to bring him back. - Walking over to one of the broken windows, his gaze landed on the small figures moving on the horizon. - At first I thought there shouldn't be much difference between one version and another, but looking at you... I can see that I was wrong. This place may not allow physical death, but it causes the mental death of its inhabitants.
"A philosophical Killer, living and learning... I guess." - Dream thought to himself.
- Never would someone like my king allow himself to be beaten by a place like that, but what did I see out there? Gazes of defeat and acceptance, even the Nightmares that should be a symbol of power showed they had become empty shells, shadows of what they once were. I refuse to follow someone like that. - Looking away from the horizon to his listener, Killer approached him. - I can tell that this place hasn't broken you either, so you might be able to help me with what I want. I want a new multiverse with a Nightmare as strong as mine.
- For someone who seems so loyal and devoted, aren't you in a hurry to find a new leader?
- And what do you expect me to do? Cry and behave like the losers out there who can't accept their losses? No, I have a life to live, so that's what I'm going to do. - Hearing all this talk, Dream finally lowered his bow and let out a long sigh.
- Besides being more agile than my Killer, you also seem to be better with words. So tell me, what exactly do you want my help for?
- I don't know, you tell me.
- What do you mean?
- A human version of me said you could help me, so here I am.
- So you traveled all this way without knowing if I really exist to receive a supposed help that may very well be nonexistent?
- Exactly.
- At least in idiocy you two are equal. - And again, a shot pierced Killer's head. - Just so I don't lose the habit.
At the edge of an forest, a small group could be seen having a discussion with one of its members. The target of the persuasions was FlowerFell's Sans, who had his back to the others as he stared into the darkness outside the safe zone.
Judges relating lovingly to the human who fell underground is not a frequent occurrence, but in the various timelines between various AU's, it is understandable that certain stories like this might occur. FlowerFell however, is a universe programmed to never have a happy ending between the love of a monster and a human, but for one couple in particular, this rule has been broken.
Perhaps because their Ink is one of the rare female skeleton monsters, this resulted in an artist with a slight penchant for romantic endings, so she made the decision to unite the couple, even if this was against the wishes of the creator of that AU. But no one expected the consequences that such a decision might result in.
Being the guardian of the AU's, Ink's duty is to protect their original programming, whether good or bad, so anyone who tries to cause an ending other than the original would have to deal with the artist's interversion, and in many multiverses, this is always a reason for a fight between Dream and Ink. But in this particular multiverse, that confrontation has had its roles reversed.
A law-abiding Dream confronted a more emotional Guardian than usual. And with this small event, a series of events unfolded, the couple that was the origin of everything and just wanted to live their lives in peace were dragged into a battle that was not theirs. And the result was the death of the human.
In a moment of rage, Dream had his life taken over by an artist blinded by her artificial emotions, who not long after suffered from the wrath of revenge from the brother of the guardian of positivity. And amidst all this chaos was a lost Sans who could not understand what it was all about. For what was in front of him were children in adult bodies, but with godlike powers, irresponsible beings who did not deserve the position they had. At that moment his words cursed the whole multiverse for the injustice it was suffering, and his prayer was heard by someone.
At the end of his trial, this Sans was the only survivor in the midst of endless darkness. His fate would be the same as that of many if not for the luck of finding a pathlighter in time. Not long after, he was found by the current group trying to prevent him from returning to the darkness.
- The relationship of those two was never good, they just used my story as an excuse to do what they did. And you are no different either, what you do here is just a way to ease your conscience of your past mistakes, you don't really care about us. - Even though his back was turned to the group, it wasn't necessary to see his face to notice a look full of disgust. - I should never have come out of the darkness. - Looking at the place where the light was dying, a human form with an outstretched hand could be seen.
- That's not very nice to say, how many people out there do you think would waste their time trying to help broken people like you? - Said the human version of Killer in a threatening tone, although he wished to do this Nightmare's bidding in helping others, still he would not take insults lightly. But a hand stopped his advance.
- Irresponsible guardians are unfortunately something that can be found frequently out there, I myself was one of them at some point in the past. But that is the trap in Zero Infinity, to be stuck in the past, I have changed, and so can you. - Slowly Nightmare began to walk towards this Sans, but before he could say anything more, a grotesque voice that sounded as if several individuals were talking at the same time came up.
- Those who have not been found by the light and those who have not fallen into despair. We are waiting for you. We are the darkness. You will feel good with us. Open to us. Accept us. We will never abandon you. - Outside the safe zone, the amalgamate in the form of Frisk opened its arms and waited patiently for its possible new victim.
- I didn't knew your Frisk, but if she really loved you, the last thing she would want is to see you become food for that thing. We are all here because we lost something, but if we survive, we have to live on behalf of those who didn't make it this far. - Placing her hand gently on Sans' face, Nightmare continued. - A person only dies when they are forgotten, your family, your friends, all those you care about, you are the only one who remembers them, but none of this will matter if you become one with that thing. Is that what you really want? If it meant something to you, then find a new purpose and honor their memory. - Along with the touch of this peculiar Nightmare, a faint pink aura began to envelop Sans who was stuck in the past. Slowly, the presence of that aura began to calm him as well as clear his mind.
- There is only us. They are gone. There is only us. You are alone. There is only us. You will never be lonely with us. There is only us. Hungry to find those who want to live, but will lose their will to move on. There is only us. Choose us. For there is only us. - At this moment, several Frisks appeared, all with twisted smiles and outstretched hands hoping to embrace one more victim.
- He is wrong, we are few, but we are more than anyone. That thing is not your only option, look behind you. - Doing as commanded as tears came down, Sans could see the faces of those who were his companions from when he first arrived here.
- By her rules I will not stab you while you sleep, not that we need to sleep around here, but you understand. Just change that depressed face you wear all the time. - From the moment they met, this was the nicest thing Killer had ever said to him.
- At least no one raped you, so stop complaining and get your ass back here. - Ccino commented with a look of impatience as he held his cat in his arms. Soon after, the cat meowed. - He agrees, and says that you are an idiot.
- They may not be the most sensitive of friends, but they are what you have. Unless you prefer that. - Pointing his finger at the hideous creature in the darkness, Sans seemed to finally regain his senses as he began to think quietly about how many Frisks that being had already consumed. At that moment, the pink aura surrounding him grew stronger.
- You should live for something. Life without purpose is just existence. Do you want to just exist? We can fix this. - Thanks to impatience and the fear of losing another meal the amalgamate was becoming more agitated.
- No, you don't offer salvation, you only offer more despair. I deny you. - With a firm tone, the Sans from FlowerFell made up his mind to continue living and stepped back from the edge he was about to cross. This resulted in an angry reaction from the strange being that began to crash into the barrier of light that prevented its advance.
- You are nothing without us! We can give you purpose, not them! We are your only salvation! We...
- I think he's already made his choice. - Suddenly, a voice composed of glitches appeared in the direction of the darkness, but his figure could not be seen.
For a moment, the amalgamate remained silent, until, as if being dragged away, his bulky body disappeared from sight into the darkness, the only evidence that he was still there would be thanks to his constant cries of pain composed of dozens of different voices. Those present just watched in silence and astonishment when a relatively small figure appeared.
- You've almost taken a step beyond, keep up this work and it's only a matter of time before you become a permanent inhabitant of Zero Infinity. - Said this stranger to Nightmare.
From his appearance, anyone could tell this was an Error, but there was something different about him, because instead of the word "ERROR" appearing on his body as in the form of glitches, what appeared was the word "ANNIHILATION". And refusing to give any further explanation, this Error simply went back into the darkness without any fear and disappeared.
- What the hell was that? - Asked Killer, still unsure of what had just happened.
- Annihilation, one of the most famous and oldest inhabitants from Zero Infinity. This was my first time seeing him. - Nightmare explained as she noticed that the pink aura surrounding Sans had returned to his body and disappeared.
- Is it common for someone to be able to kick that thing's ass? - Asked the human Killer again, his fighter instinct screaming to have a fight with that Error.
- No, he is not famous for nothing. From what little I know he is one of the few crazy enough to take Nothing head on. But that doesn't matter now, let's get out of here. - In a hurry to change the subject, the words of that strange Error resounded in her mind.
Far away from that place, a pair walked towards another part of the edge of the safe zone they were in.
- What exactly are we doing here? - Said Killer, thus breaking the silence that had been going on for a while
- The ability to travel to other multiverses is rare, you have to meet certain conditions to achieve it. I heard rumors of someone with these abilities, but he is on another cluster, we will have to find him first before we do anything. - Explained the corrupted version of Dream while observing the surroundings.
- But we can't just walk through the darkness outside, what's your plan? - A shiver ran through his body as he remembered what was on the other side of the light, but Killer did his best to hide his nervousness.
- Pathlighters show up here quite often bringing idiots like you, we just need to sit and wait. - Finding a comfortable place to sit, Dream continued. - In the meantime, you can tell me what my brother was like in your multiverse.
- That might take a while. - Killer commented as he moved closer to his companion. - Well... as usual, it all started with humans screwing up.