Chap 22 – New bonds
- So you can cause so much joy and euphoria in people that they have some kind of heart attack and die? - Killer asked in amazement.
- Something like that, or at the very least be able to put them in an out-of-control lunatic state. In any case, it is very useful for generating negativity in AU's.
- It must be hilarious, you have to show it to me sometime.
- I will use it on you if you don't shut up, you asked for the story so be quiet and listen. - Seeing him cover his mouth with both hands, Dream remembered what it was like to deal with his own Killer. Although he would never admit it, he missed this kind of company a little. - With my new powers I turned the multiverse upside down, that idiot guardian was not able to stop me in time, and once I had enough power, I challenged him to a duel.
Killer knew that unless this Dream was a ghost, he was the winner of the duel, but he was curious to know what happened next. However, Shattered took a long time before continuing to speak, as if he needed to reorganize his memories.
- And I killed him, the same way he killed my brother. I used his white paint capable of dissolving matter, part of me wanted to display his body for the whole multiverse to see the failure of his guardian, for all to see my magnificence under their protector and fallen hero. But to steal his life the way he stole my twin's was poetic, and knowing the love for poetry books that my brother possessed, I believe he would approve of this method. - At this point Shattered stopped narrating in the expectation that Killer would make another annoying comment, but to his surprise none came. When he could no longer resist his curiosity he turned his gaze to his fellow traveler and saw that his eyes were almost glowing.
- You are so nice and so different from the Dream I met, I'm sure you and the boss would be great friends, but obviously I would still be his number one. - That was the last thing Killer managed to say before a tentacle hit him in the middle of his face like a punch.
- That was disgusting and weird, don't ever say something like that again. But back to the story, what happened next was similar to what happened to you in accomplishing your goal. The multiverse was mine, there was still Error causing problems, but I had plans to deal with him, but then... he appeared.
- Nothing.
- Exactly, it seems that any multiverse lacking one of the main people responsible for keeping the scales under control gets his attention and then disappears. The next thing I knew I was here, I met with a pink and female version of my brother who was the complete opposite of him, she offered me a new home, but I quickly refused and walked away. Things would never work out between us, since then I have been trying to find some way to find a new multiverse, until I heard rumors from people coming from other clusters that there was some guy who was able to create portals to other multiverses.
- And now we are after him, but doesn't that mean that if I had taken a little longer then I might not have found you in that house?
- Exactly, I was just about to leave when you showed up.
- So it's like fate bringing us together to go on an adventure together. - And again, a blow with the tentacle was delivered to Killer's face.
- I told you not to say those disgusting and strange things again.
- You would really get along with the boss.
Because Zero Infinity was able to regenerate anything in its domain, using materials to build something was not possible since they would just return to their place of origin. However, there were constructions randomly scattered around the place, no one knew exactly how they were created, but for anyone who had come this far, such a detail was simply insignificant and the last thing they would worry about.
Currently in a house similar to the Skeleton Brothers', lived a small group consisting of four Sans, and in one of the rooms of the house, a pink Nightmare lay on her bed thinking about the words spoken by Annihilation earlier. Her attention was drawn to the door when the human version of Killer entered.
- You've been quiet since then, are you feeling all right?" - The human asked as he pulled out a chair to sit down.
- Is the emotionless boy showing empathy? Has this place finally made you crazy? - Said Nightmare with a smile as she plopped down on the bed to face her visitor.
- I always need to know how you are doing, so I can update my evil plan to become the leader of the group... or maybe I'm just trying to be nice. - Replied Killer, returning the smile.
- "Almost taking a step beyond", this step is the term used to describe someone who has become a Wayfarer here in Zero Infinity. I never really worried or thought much about it, but after what I heard through Annihilation, I think I finally understand what my mission is in this place.
- I was going to ask you about that, what was that pink light that came out of you earlier? - With a gesture of her hand, Nightmare motioned for Killer to come closer.
As he did as ordered, a pink aura appeared in Nightmare's hand and touched the human's face on the spot. Soon the aura spread to the rest of his body and created a sort of bubble that enveloped the body of both of them.
Like all the Sans who had gone through the King of Nightmares procedure and had become his right-hand man, Killer either possessed diluted emotions or they were simply absent. So to feel something he often enjoyed the adrenaline his body generated in battle, however, once the pink light enveloped him, even if only for a short period, he was able to feel his soul returning to normal.
Long-forgotten feelings like serenity, the result of someone who was at peace with himself, came over him. Followed by warmth and affection for those close to him and compassion for others. All of this returned at once which brought tears to his dark eyes.
But with a slap that pulled Nightmare's hand away, Killer jumped back frightened.
- Don't you ever do that again! That's not who I am anymore! - Shouted Killer as he quickly wiped away the few tears that had come to light.
- Those words would carry more weight if you hadn't already fallen in love with someone. But that's okay, I won't force you to feel that way if it's not what you want. - Staring at her hand, which now no longer emitted any light, Nightmare continued. - Anyway, with this it's official, I am a Wayfarer now, and my power is capable of bringing pleasant emotions to others... similar to what Dream can do, although it seems to be on a slightly larger scale. Considering my goal and that we are living in a place full of broken people, this is quite convenient. - Despite her words, there didn't seem to be much joy in her tone.
- If your goal hasn't changed, then I don't understand why you don't look happy. I thought that's what you want. - Noticing that she didn't intend to use her power on him again, Killer managed to relax.
- Zero Infinity officially sees me as one of its their now, any chance of finding a new multiverse to live in no longer exists. Any chance I might have had to undo my past mistakes has been lost forever.
- Hey, look at me. - Holding his boss's face with both hands, Killer looked deeply into her eyes before continuing. - You managed to save that hardhead's life, and you accomplished something even more difficult than that, you changed me. If in the past I had heard that I would one day join a self-help group focused on saving strangers, I would have laughed and ripped the heart out of whoever said it, but look at me now. Until a moment ago I was crying like a little girl. - His last remark provoked a slight laugh from Nightmare. - You're already righting your wrongs with what you're doing here, and I'll be by your side to help you... and by help I mean I'll kill any bastard who tries to get in your way. I softened, but not that much, the part of being a psychologist for others is still yours. - Without time to react, Nightmare's pink arms wrapped around him in a hug.
- Thank you, that means a lot to me.
- Can I ask you something?
- If it is within the limits of reason, of course.
- Reason and my name cannot be used in the same sentence. Anyway, this is something that only the guardians of emotions can do, since where we are is not possible to sleep. But you can do that can't you? Make others fall asleep.
- Is that what you really want?
- Yes, I... want to rest my mind a little. - Releasing himself from the embrace, Killer lay down on his companion's lap and closed his eyes. - It's not every day that you fight with a version of yourself.
- Did you fight that Killer we saw earlier? - Nightmare asked in a disapproving tone.
- Knowing my nature and that there were two of us, what did you expect? - Replied the human with a confused expression as if the answer was obvious.
- Do you want me to make you dream about her? - Said the more mature of the pair after sighing in surrender. She didn't want to ruin the moment with a useless argument.
- These wounds won't heal if I keep poking at them, just let me have a moment to forget about it.
- Very well then. - Resting one hand on the human's eyes, his body slowly became more relaxed until his breathing became uniform and his body finally fell asleep. - If I had someone like you, maybe my multiverse would still exist. - Just then she remembered what she had just heard. "These wounds won't heal if I keep poking at them". - But that is not important now, what is important is to keep looking for those who need help, together with you by my side.
Behind the door, two Sans could be found crouched down trying to listen to what was going on inside the room. And after hearing the couple's final words, Ccino said:
- I ship it. - His statement was answered with a positive nod from his companion who had his life saved earlier by Nightmare. - Let's give them some privacy now.
Pretending not to be aware of the presence of the two who had just walked away, Nightmare just smiled and watched the white haired human on her lap rest. This was only the beginning of their journey.