p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"uspan style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"Chapter 22- Tale of Two Brothers/span/u/em/strong/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThe rushing river of light swept us away from the Doodle Sphere so fast, I thought I'd left my soul behind. The path to safety stretched out ahead. On either side, rapids churned in the opposite direction, leading to who knew where./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI sensed the imbalance immediately. We were drifting to the left. Before I could do anything to correct our course, I collided with the boarder. Rushing magic rasped past, chafing my bones like sandpaper. Ink and Dream nearly followed me in. In desperation, I unfurled my right wing. The force nearly tore it from my shoulders, but we were yanked safely back into the middle./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanDream squirmed to keep us in the center stream, struggling as I was. But as he leaned to avoid the rapids, his foot brushed the left side and the tip of my wing caught in the right. Suddenly the three of us were spinning out of control./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI tried to summon a protection bubble. There was too much raw magical energy swirling past. The shield wouldn't manifest. I gasped and cried out as my grip slipped. Dream lunged to grab my wrist. We nearly lost hold of Ink. I hugged tighter to him, as did Dream. We had to be close, now. Just a bit further…!/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanRight as we were ripped from each other's arms, we burst through the other side of the portal. Tumbling to a stop in a lush patch of buttercups, I struggled to my hands and knees. Through my churning vision, I found Ink and grabbed his shoulder. My healing magic barely held his decaying HP steady. A moment later, the glow was joined by the golden, encompassing light of Dream's magic./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI held my breath as the Artist's stats flickered. Static rippled around his body, dropping his HP faster. The gold haze blazed brighter, combatting the vicious virus. Another wave of static fizzled in the air… and finally, at last, Ink's HP started increasing. Dream and I collapsed flat to the ground with synchronized sighs of relief./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"never… again," I insisted. I assume the blurred motion to my left was Dream nodding his head./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanExhausted, we lay unmoving while we waited for the sky to stop spinning. Unfortunately, though, our rest was brief. I'd barely gotten my senses untangled when I noticed a rustling sound—approaching fast. Dream must have heard it, too, for he suddenly rolled, snagged Ink and me, and teleported./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanWe dropped onto an overgrown platform high in the cavern wall. Peeking over the edge, I observed a small flower pop up in the field where we had landed. I assumed it was the Flowey of this world./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Hello?" the tiny plant ventured, puzzled. "Is someone there?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanA glance at Dream told me not to answer. Flowey peered into the branching tunnels, appearing concerned. I ducked behind the ledge as he scanned the recesses of the cave. Evidently, the flower hadn't caught glimpse of us; he abandoned his search and gazed longingly up through the fissure in the earth./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThe big, curious eyes glimmered warmly. He seemed passive, which was rare for these typically soulless, malicious flower-monsters. My world's Flowey had been an absolute emmenace/em. Pinkish-white petals framed his happy little yellow face, and he smiled as a sunbeam fell across him. Then, from a neighboring cavern, there was a distant call./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Flowey? Where did you go?" The flower turned back./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Sorry, Frisk," he replied. "I thought I heard something." Wriggling his roots, Flowey tunneled a narrow crack in the dirt and disappeared down it. The ground closed behind him. A minute passed in silence./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I think the coast is clear," Dream finally declared. I released a sigh of relief, inexpressibly weary from all the soul-stopping scares. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"i take it haventale isn't aware of the aus?" I guessed. Dream nodded./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Correct," he confirmed. "It'd be best if our presence goes unnoticed. We can't risk losing access to this world." I frowned, pondering this strange statement. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"lose access? how?" Dream stammered incoherently, then nodded to himself./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I suppose you mightn't know of the phenomenon," he mused. "This is a harmonious world, and thus, it can be easily disrupted. Say, for example, the Sans here learned about the Multiverse," he explained. "If he decided to conceal this life-changing discovery from his brother—his character counterpart—it would break the unity of this peaceful universe. To protect its inhabitants from mind-altering events, the world would seal itself off from the Multiverse."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"… ah," I murmured lamely. I wondered why Dream thought emnow /emwas a good time for a Multiverse lesson. My frazzled mind couldn't grasp this puzzling concept. Dream seemed to notice my confusion, for he concluded simply—/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"We must stay quiet and out of sight." I nodded./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"okay."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThere was a long silence, during which Dream stared tiredly ahead or at Ink. I watched him, itching to ask where he'd gone and why he hadn't heard me calling for him. He was intensely distracted, though, and was avoiding eye contact. Obviously, he wasn't eager to talk to me. I almost let it go in favor of a nap. But eventually, I quit fiddling with my hoodie's silver wing-charm and spoke up./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"you know," I started carefully, "you never answered my last question." Dream sent me an inquisitive glance. I met his gaze, tried a sympathetic smile, and asked— "are you alright?" Dream's steeled expression twisted into one of surprise. He hadn't been expecting that question. Then, he smiled apologetically./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Yes. I'm alright, Serif," he affirmed softly. "Thank you. Please, forgive me for leaving, earlier; I wasn't there when you and Ink needed me." I shook my head./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"there's nothing to forgive. you couldn'ta predicted this would happen. we've all had a heckuva day, and you needed some space. i get that." He heaved a conflicted sigh./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Even so, love, I am sorry. You never should have been forced to handle such a frightening scenario, alone." At this, I grinned calmly./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"nah, i wasn't alone," I reminded him. "you came back in the end. that's all that really matters." An appreciative smile tugged at Dream's tired eyes. He observed me thoughtfully, then sat back against the cavern wall as his gaze wandered skywards./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I didn't answer em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"any/em of your questions earlier, did I, Serif?" he noted, his voice even and quiet. I shook my head. Dream contemplated his next words carefully. Finally, nodding to himself, with his faraway gaze fixed on the sunlight above, he stated— "Well, once upon a time, atop an idyllic hill beneath an endless azure sky… there was a tree."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanAt "once upon a time," I pulled my knees to my chest and rested my chin atop them, eager to hear one of Dream's grand stories. He was exceptionally eloquent, and had enough enthralling tales to fill a library. Perhaps this one held some answers. Dream smiled and continued./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"From the tree sprouted an entire universe, and two twinning souls to rule it. One child, the embodiment of happiness and light, protected the half of the tree that grew golden apples. His brother, the personification of worry and night, was appointed over the side that produced dark fruit. Together, the princes governed their kingdom in harmony and protected the delicate balance of the peaceful world."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanConsidering his description, I concluded Dream must have been one of the tree's caretakers. Perhaps that explained the faint apple-scent that perpetually followed him. The urge to chuckle vanished as I realized/spanspan style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';" Dream was emactual/em emroyalty/em. How did I not notice sooner?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanHis elegant circlet wasn't a decorative accessory; it was a crown. His regal stance and sophisticated speech were evidence of a regimented upbringing. Plus, his heritage probably explained why he slipped into UK diction on the rare occasions he got agitated. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThough I'd never seen him exert it over others, Dream had a natural authority about him. His gentle, humble spirit and soft-spoken personality hardly matched the image of a high-born prince. Yet, simultaneously, I couldn't imagine anything emmore/em fitting./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"The fruit had the power to heal, to kill, create and destroy. The smallest slice could cure the deadliest disease or vanquish the fiercest beast. Its fame spread rapidly. People journeyed from far and wide to behold the splendor of the tree, for indeed, there was none other like it. The golden fruit was praised and cherished, but the dark fruit received nothing but fear, and even disdain… as did the young prince that cared for it."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI began to sense a hint of bitter remorse in Dream's tone. He was fiddling with a buttercup and staring straight ahead, now, completely lost in his memories./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Over the years, despair slowly took ahold of the lonely prince. His cheerful brother, consumed with the kingdom and his own pursuits, failed to see the signs until it was too late. Hoping to endear himself to his beloved subjects, the dark prince made a dangerous decision. He decided that he himself would care for the golden apples."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanEven Ink seemed to detect the change in his friend's mood, now. He stopped twitching and murmuring in his sleep. It was as if he too was listening to the tale./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Noble as his intentions were, as soon as the prince touched the forbidden fruit, it turned black. Panicked, hoping to hide his mistake, he plucked the apple. But once he did, the leaves wilted and the bark greyed. Filled with fearful rage, the subjects accused the prince of conspiring against the kingdom and attacked him. Cornered, desperate, with nothing to defend himself, the prince ate the dark apple."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanDream rested his head at the wall behind him and gazed up at the sunlight once more./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Worries keep us alive and safe. Without night, we wouldn't appreciate the stars. There is a time for peace, and there is also a time for war. But left unchecked, such things quickly tear people apart. Vengeful hatred consumed the hunted prince. Before his twin could climb the hill to stop him, he had consumed nearly half of the remaining dark fruits, corrupting his mind beyond hope of reason and drowning him in darkness."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanDream's eyelights dimmed, his starry irises rounding into mere ovals. I'd never seen him so despondent. I began to regret asking him so many questions, questions that forced him to relive a chapter of his life that had cut so deep./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"The remaining prince had no choice but to confront his brother. He ate the last unsullied golden apple and fought to protect his world. But the power of many dark fruits could not be overcome by one golden apple. The corrupted prince won, tore the world apart, and sealed his brother into a prison of stone for over an age."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThen, Dream's wearied eyelights morphed back into stars, and he smiled to himself. Voice far warmer, he continued./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"The child of light eventually broke free and escaped. It was then he met an unlikely friend that became family, in a colorful corner of the Void that became home. He found his calling as a Protector, and after many wonderful years and harrowing adventures, well…" Dream turned his faint smile my way and concluded in a soft whisper— "Here I am, today." I suddenly recognized the parallels and finally made the conclusion./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"nightmare's your embrother/em," I breathed. Dream nodded. "that's why he singled you out. that really was stone. that's why—! oh." I suddenly felt rather guilty. "that's why you didn't want to hurt him." Dream sighed./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I'm certain I can still save Night," he murmured earnestly. "He spared me when we first fought. Some days, he hesitates before attacking. He doesn't hunt me like Error hunts Ink. What if Night's still alive in there, somewhere? While there's life, there is still hope, right?" Dream reconsidered his statement. "Or, perhaps Ink's opinion is correct; perhaps Night is beyond saving, and I just don't know how to let go. Perhaps I am being foolishly optimistic. I cannot tell. What do you say, Serif?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanMy mind went blank. Having Dream ask emmy/em opinion on the fate of his brother was positively daunting. My one interaction with the corrupted Destroyer hadn't exactly been endearing. He seemed utterly evil, to me. What could I say? Even if Night was alive, was there really a realistic chance the prince could be emrestored/em? It seemed impossible. Then, I smiled./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"i'll be honest… i may have somewhat underestimated you. you're more than sunshine and lollipops. you're a lot braver than i coulda guessed." A touched grin tugged at Dream's face. "and, no. i don't think you're just being optimistic. if night is alive, there's still hope for him; he's still got you on his side."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanDespite the fact Dream had no physical soul for me to ping nor gold to show for the hurt, I could have sworn I glimpsed a brief shimmer of golden light around him. He smiled brightly, encouraged. But whatever Dream was going to say in reply was forgotten as Ink, still fast asleep, dopily murmured—/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Um-hmm! Apples are my emfavorite!—/emtoo…em" /emas he rolled over and blindly chomped down on a nearby dandelion./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanWe burst into overtired laughter, wheezing for air from behind our fingers as we tried to suppress it./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"what was emthat/em?" I whispered hoarsely./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Oh, all the talk of fruit must have made him hungry," Dream guessed, wiping away welling tears of delight. He tugged the flower from the Artist's teeth. "He must be dreaming."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"hey, what if we got some apples for ink when he wakes up? think he'd want them?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I doubt he'll remember this," Dream confessed. I chuckled./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"he probably won't. but he did just say he loves 'em, so it'd be a win-win."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanAnd at this, Ink gave another eager, affirming murmur, and left us laughing once again. Soon, though, our chuckles turned to snores as Ink was finally healed, and the three of us fell safely asleep./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThe rushing river of light swept us away from the Doodle Sphere so fast, I thought I'd left my soul behind. The path to safety stretched out ahead. On either side, rapids churned in the opposite direction, leading to who knew where./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI sensed the imbalance immediately. We were drifting to the left. Before I could do anything to correct our course, I collided with the boarder. Rushing magic rasped past, chafing my bones like sandpaper. Ink and Dream nearly followed me in. In desperation, I unfurled my right wing. The force nearly tore it from my shoulders, but we were yanked safely back into the middle./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanDream squirmed to keep us in the center stream, struggling as I was. But as he leaned to avoid the rapids, his foot brushed the left side and the tip of my wing caught in the right. Suddenly the three of us were spinning out of control./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI tried to summon a protection bubble. There was too much raw magical energy swirling past. The shield wouldn't manifest. I gasped and cried out as my grip slipped. Dream lunged to grab my wrist. We nearly lost hold of Ink. I hugged tighter to him, as did Dream. We had to be close, now. Just a bit further…!/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanRight as we were ripped from each other's arms, we burst through the other side of the portal. Tumbling to a stop in a lush patch of buttercups, I struggled to my hands and knees. Through my churning vision, I found Ink and grabbed his shoulder. My healing magic barely held his decaying HP steady. A moment later, the glow was joined by the golden, encompassing light of Dream's magic./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI held my breath as the Artist's stats flickered. Static rippled around his body, dropping his HP faster. The gold haze blazed brighter, combatting the vicious virus. Another wave of static fizzled in the air… and finally, at last, Ink's HP started increasing. Dream and I collapsed flat to the ground with synchronized sighs of relief./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"never… again," I insisted. I assume the blurred motion to my left was Dream nodding his head./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanExhausted, we lay unmoving while we waited for the sky to stop spinning. Unfortunately, though, our rest was brief. I'd barely gotten my senses untangled when I noticed a rustling sound—approaching fast. Dream must have heard it, too, for he suddenly rolled, snagged Ink and me, and teleported./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanWe dropped onto an overgrown platform high in the cavern wall. Peeking over the edge, I observed a small flower pop up in the field where we had landed. I assumed it was the Flowey of this world./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Hello?" the tiny plant ventured, puzzled. "Is someone there?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanA glance at Dream told me not to answer. Flowey peered into the branching tunnels, appearing concerned. I ducked behind the ledge as he scanned the recesses of the cave. Evidently, the flower hadn't caught glimpse of us; he abandoned his search and gazed longingly up through the fissure in the earth./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThe big, curious eyes glimmered warmly. He seemed passive, which was rare for these typically soulless, malicious flower-monsters. My world's Flowey had been an absolute emmenace/em. Pinkish-white petals framed his happy little yellow face, and he smiled as a sunbeam fell across him. Then, from a neighboring cavern, there was a distant call./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Flowey? Where did you go?" The flower turned back./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Sorry, Frisk," he replied. "I thought I heard something." Wriggling his roots, Flowey tunneled a narrow crack in the dirt and disappeared down it. The ground closed behind him. A minute passed in silence./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I think the coast is clear," Dream finally declared. I released a sigh of relief, inexpressibly weary from all the soul-stopping scares. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"i take it haventale isn't aware of the aus?" I guessed. Dream nodded./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Correct," he confirmed. "It'd be best if our presence goes unnoticed. We can't risk losing access to this world." I frowned, pondering this strange statement. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"lose access? how?" Dream stammered incoherently, then nodded to himself./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I suppose you mightn't know of the phenomenon," he mused. "This is a harmonious world, and thus, it can be easily disrupted. Say, for example, the Sans here learned about the Multiverse," he explained. "If he decided to conceal this life-changing discovery from his brother—his character counterpart—it would break the unity of this peaceful universe. To protect its inhabitants from mind-altering events, the world would seal itself off from the Multiverse."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"… ah," I murmured lamely. I wondered why Dream thought emnow /emwas a good time for a Multiverse lesson. My frazzled mind couldn't grasp this puzzling concept. Dream seemed to notice my confusion, for he concluded simply—/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"We must stay quiet and out of sight." I nodded./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"okay."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThere was a long silence, during which Dream stared tiredly ahead or at Ink. I watched him, itching to ask where he'd gone and why he hadn't heard me calling for him. He was intensely distracted, though, and was avoiding eye contact. Obviously, he wasn't eager to talk to me. I almost let it go in favor of a nap. But eventually, I quit fiddling with my hoodie's silver wing-charm and spoke up./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"you know," I started carefully, "you never answered my last question." Dream sent me an inquisitive glance. I met his gaze, tried a sympathetic smile, and asked— "are you alright?" Dream's steeled expression twisted into one of surprise. He hadn't been expecting that question. Then, he smiled apologetically./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Yes. I'm alright, Serif," he affirmed softly. "Thank you. Please, forgive me for leaving, earlier; I wasn't there when you and Ink needed me." I shook my head./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"there's nothing to forgive. you couldn'ta predicted this would happen. we've all had a heckuva day, and you needed some space. i get that." He heaved a conflicted sigh./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Even so, love, I am sorry. You never should have been forced to handle such a frightening scenario, alone." At this, I grinned calmly./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"nah, i wasn't alone," I reminded him. "you came back in the end. that's all that really matters." An appreciative smile tugged at Dream's tired eyes. He observed me thoughtfully, then sat back against the cavern wall as his gaze wandered skywards./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I didn't answer em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"any/em of your questions earlier, did I, Serif?" he noted, his voice even and quiet. I shook my head. Dream contemplated his next words carefully. Finally, nodding to himself, with his faraway gaze fixed on the sunlight above, he stated— "Well, once upon a time, atop an idyllic hill beneath an endless azure sky… there was a tree."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanAt "once upon a time," I pulled my knees to my chest and rested my chin atop them, eager to hear one of Dream's grand stories. He was exceptionally eloquent, and had enough enthralling tales to fill a library. Perhaps this one held some answers. Dream smiled and continued./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"From the tree sprouted an entire universe, and two twinning souls to rule it. One child, the embodiment of happiness and light, protected the half of the tree that grew golden apples. His brother, the personification of worry and night, was appointed over the side that produced dark fruit. Together, the princes governed their kingdom in harmony and protected the delicate balance of the peaceful world."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanConsidering his description, I concluded Dream must have been one of the tree's caretakers. Perhaps that explained the faint apple-scent that perpetually followed him. The urge to chuckle vanished as I realized/spanspan style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';" Dream was emactual/em emroyalty/em. How did I not notice sooner?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanHis elegant circlet wasn't a decorative accessory; it was a crown. His regal stance and sophisticated speech were evidence of a regimented upbringing. Plus, his heritage probably explained why he slipped into UK diction on the rare occasions he got agitated. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThough I'd never seen him exert it over others, Dream had a natural authority about him. His gentle, humble spirit and soft-spoken personality hardly matched the image of a high-born prince. Yet, simultaneously, I couldn't imagine anything emmore/em fitting./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"The fruit had the power to heal, to kill, create and destroy. The smallest slice could cure the deadliest disease or vanquish the fiercest beast. Its fame spread rapidly. People journeyed from far and wide to behold the splendor of the tree, for indeed, there was none other like it. The golden fruit was praised and cherished, but the dark fruit received nothing but fear, and even disdain… as did the young prince that cared for it."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI began to sense a hint of bitter remorse in Dream's tone. He was fiddling with a buttercup and staring straight ahead, now, completely lost in his memories./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Over the years, despair slowly took ahold of the lonely prince. His cheerful brother, consumed with the kingdom and his own pursuits, failed to see the signs until it was too late. Hoping to endear himself to his beloved subjects, the dark prince made a dangerous decision. He decided that he himself would care for the golden apples."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanEven Ink seemed to detect the change in his friend's mood, now. He stopped twitching and murmuring in his sleep. It was as if he too was listening to the tale./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Noble as his intentions were, as soon as the prince touched the forbidden fruit, it turned black. Panicked, hoping to hide his mistake, he plucked the apple. But once he did, the leaves wilted and the bark greyed. Filled with fearful rage, the subjects accused the prince of conspiring against the kingdom and attacked him. Cornered, desperate, with nothing to defend himself, the prince ate the dark apple."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanDream rested his head at the wall behind him and gazed up at the sunlight once more./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Worries keep us alive and safe. Without night, we wouldn't appreciate the stars. There is a time for peace, and there is also a time for war. But left unchecked, such things quickly tear people apart. Vengeful hatred consumed the hunted prince. Before his twin could climb the hill to stop him, he had consumed nearly half of the remaining dark fruits, corrupting his mind beyond hope of reason and drowning him in darkness."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanDream's eyelights dimmed, his starry irises rounding into mere ovals. I'd never seen him so despondent. I began to regret asking him so many questions, questions that forced him to relive a chapter of his life that had cut so deep./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"The remaining prince had no choice but to confront his brother. He ate the last unsullied golden apple and fought to protect his world. But the power of many dark fruits could not be overcome by one golden apple. The corrupted prince won, tore the world apart, and sealed his brother into a prison of stone for over an age."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThen, Dream's wearied eyelights morphed back into stars, and he smiled to himself. Voice far warmer, he continued./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"The child of light eventually broke free and escaped. It was then he met an unlikely friend that became family, in a colorful corner of the Void that became home. He found his calling as a Protector, and after many wonderful years and harrowing adventures, well…" Dream turned his faint smile my way and concluded in a soft whisper— "Here I am, today." I suddenly recognized the parallels and finally made the conclusion./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"nightmare's your embrother/em," I breathed. Dream nodded. "that's why he singled you out. that really was stone. that's why—! oh." I suddenly felt rather guilty. "that's why you didn't want to hurt him." Dream sighed./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I'm certain I can still save Night," he murmured earnestly. "He spared me when we first fought. Some days, he hesitates before attacking. He doesn't hunt me like Error hunts Ink. What if Night's still alive in there, somewhere? While there's life, there is still hope, right?" Dream reconsidered his statement. "Or, perhaps Ink's opinion is correct; perhaps Night is beyond saving, and I just don't know how to let go. Perhaps I am being foolishly optimistic. I cannot tell. What do you say, Serif?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanMy mind went blank. Having Dream ask emmy/em opinion on the fate of his brother was positively daunting. My one interaction with the corrupted Destroyer hadn't exactly been endearing. He seemed utterly evil, to me. What could I say? Even if Night was alive, was there really a realistic chance the prince could be emrestored/em? It seemed impossible. Then, I smiled./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"i'll be honest… i may have somewhat underestimated you. you're more than sunshine and lollipops. you're a lot braver than i coulda guessed." A touched grin tugged at Dream's face. "and, no. i don't think you're just being optimistic. if night is alive, there's still hope for him; he's still got you on his side."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanDespite the fact Dream had no physical soul for me to ping nor gold to show for the hurt, I could have sworn I glimpsed a brief shimmer of golden light around him. He smiled brightly, encouraged. But whatever Dream was going to say in reply was forgotten as Ink, still fast asleep, dopily murmured—/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Um-hmm! Apples are my emfavorite!—/emtoo…em" /emas he rolled over and blindly chomped down on a nearby dandelion./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanWe burst into overtired laughter, wheezing for air from behind our fingers as we tried to suppress it./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"what was emthat/em?" I whispered hoarsely./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Oh, all the talk of fruit must have made him hungry," Dream guessed, wiping away welling tears of delight. He tugged the flower from the Artist's teeth. "He must be dreaming."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"hey, what if we got some apples for ink when he wakes up? think he'd want them?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I doubt he'll remember this," Dream confessed. I chuckled./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"he probably won't. but he did just say he loves 'em, so it'd be a win-win."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanAnd at this, Ink gave another eager, affirming murmur, and left us laughing once again. Soon, though, our chuckles turned to snores as Ink was finally healed, and the three of us fell safely asleep./span/p