Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Quackity was very angry. 

He had been doing this for months now; every, single day. Often, a new form of torture would be used, anything from nails to axes, yet no result would be shown. Of course, he hated the man's guts so there was some joy in seeing him anguish every time a new scar was formed or blood was spilled. None the less, it was extremely frustrating to see that nothing was going the way he wants.

"Listen here, you motherfucker," seethed Quackity. "You tell me all you know about the revival book, and everyone's happy. Got it? Now spill it!"

In front of him was a bloodied man, now only limply lying in a puddle of red.  It was a sad sight: sullen cheeks, scars that blanketed every inch of his skin, matted hair which originally would had been closer to a shade of blonde now more brown, and droplets of blood still oozing out of his injuries.

The most notable part of this man was perhaps his eyes. Those dark, dead eyes. Initially they would have been a brilliant green, reminiscent of spring grass or glittering gemstones, now wilting leaves and rotting. They say that eyes are the gateway to the soul. If that's the case, then perhaps it just goes to shows how broken he was.

"Not going to answer, are you?" said Quackity. "Fuck, I'm tired of this shit anyways. You should feel lucky that I've only been here for five hours. Next time I come, you better open up that pretty little mouth of yours and give me the revival book. Or else..."

He smirked.

"You'll be wishing you were dead instead. See ya later,"

"Dream."

• • •

Quackity had left, leaving Dream still bleeding on the ground. Perhaps it had been a careless mistake, or just a way to prolong his suffering, but Quackity had left a few "gifts" on him, quite literally.

Dream struggled to push himself up, and began dislodging the metal blades, nails, and ax that had been embedded into him. One by one. 

Cling, ting, thuck.

He then laid there, staring up at the same ceiling that had been over his head for almost a year. 

Tick, tock. 

Those vacant eyes, used to be so free and so full of laughter, now empty and wandering. 

Tick, tock. 

He used to get paranoid from the clock's ticking, but now it was just background, a whisper, a reminder of how long he has been in here, and that the end was in the distant future of forever.

Tick, tock.

At times like these, perhaps the best thing to do is to think back and look through your memories. Of the happy times, of the childish times, of the times before everything changed. So he did, digging through the fading emotions of the past.

The memories flowed like a river. Whether it was the jokes, the games, or any other seemingly trivial thing, they were all delightful. It may be the only thing that reminded Dream that he was still alive and made him feel alive.

Dream closed his eyes and tried to relive those memories.

The tweet of birds was interrupted by the sound of screaming and wheezing.

"Sapnap! Get back here!" shouted George, whose sleep had been interrupted by an ice-cold bucket of water that materialized out of nowhere and was now drenched from head to toe.

"No way, sleeping beauty woke up?  Guess Dream didn't need to kiss you after all, huh?" teased Sapnap, wearing a smug grin. 

As they ran around chasing each other, Dream was doubling over and laughing so hard one would be concerned for him. This was a normal day for the Dream Team, where mischief and laughter filled the emptiness from sunrise to sunset.

"Language!" yelled Bad, a cute frown sitting on his dark face. Apparently, Sapnap had yelled "fuck" a little too loud. Oops.

"Did you want me to kiss you, George?"  Dream asked, a smile plastered to his face.

"W-what? N-no, of course not!" Stuttered George, evading Dream's gaze and growing redder by the second.

"Aw, did sleeping beauty want his good night kiss? I'll give you one, come here!" Mocked Sapnap, puckering his lips and stretching out his hands towards George.

"Don't MOCK ME!" Attacked George, taking a swing at Sapnap who ducked by a hair.

And they continued running around chasing each other, laughing and shouting at the same time without a care for the past or the future. 

BOOM!

Suddenly, the peaceful scenery exploded into flames and dust. Now, instead of wildflowers, blood covered the earth. Instead of laughter, shouts and angry cries sounded the air. Instead of friends, enemies chased one another to death.

Dream stood atop a building, looking down on it all. At the gray that replaced the green, at the tyrants that replaced family, at the grief that replaced joy.

And as he hid his emotions behind the mask, always smiling...

Plop. A single tear rolled down Dream's face and dropped onto the obsidian. Where had it all gone? He asked himself. Where had it all gone?

But, as always, only silence answered him. So he buried that thought deep in his heart, and sighed.

Dream looked up at the lava. It was so bright, so warm that if he'd gone any closer it would have burned him. But there is warmth in fire, even it it hurts you. So he went a little closer, and a little closer still until he could almost touch it.

Dream looked into the lava. It was all the same: just a continuous flow of burning liquid that trapped him in. But still, Dream felt as if there was something in all of that. And as his eyes searched through the reds and oranges and yellows, he paused.

Sapnap...?

His eyes widened. Was that his friend? One of his best friends that he had wanted to protect, only to lose? Had he come to visit him? Is this perhaps...a chance to redeem himself?

His quivering lips stretched into a small smile as he reached out a hand towards the magma,  ignoring the burning and pain while being overwhelmed by the rush of emotions of longing, of grief, and the ache of wanting to repent and amend this lost camaraderie.

"Sapnap..." Dream whispered.

The memories all flashed in his head again; The sound of explosions, the smell of blood, the sight of chaos and discord, all swirling about in an ugly swarm. But this time, the shadows faded away into sunny hills and lush forests, into the SMP that was still a beautiful and tranquil paradise.

Dream wanted to go back to those times.

He wanted to reunited with his friends, to laugh without a care in the world, to be freed from the burden of having to pose as the villain, of losing everything just so he could piece everything back together again.

"Sapnap...I'm tired." murmured Dream. "The SMP is peaceful now, right? I'm sure everyone hates me, but at least they're together. I can rest now, right?"

"..." He paused.

"Please...take me home."

Dream reached out his hand and tumbled forward.

[Dream tried to swim in lava.]

Chapter Text

[Dream tried to swim in lava.]

Sam stared at the six words in front of him. What is Dream up to now? He wondered. But the thought did not stick, which happened all across the SMP. Most brushed it off as another incident of Dream trying to make his presence known or as a joke, with few people even bothering to think about the announcement for long.

Just being stupid again, I guess. Well, it's not like he would do anything harmful to himself anyways. Thought Sam, who then looked in the direction to the entrance to Pandora. I just wish Quackity would finish up his "reunion" faster and get the revival book.

• • •

Guess it's about time I get back to the visits, huh. Thought Quackity. What should I do this time, hm...? I'll go a little rougher since he interrupted my date. How dare he remind me of his presence. He smiled, plotting away in his mind.

"Quackity? What's so funny?" Asked Karl, noticing his fiance's sudden sudden fit of chuckles.

"Yeah, Quackity? What's up with you?" Said Sapnap, who was lying by his side.

"It's nothing you guys. Just excited for the future, that's all." Replied Quackity, smiling at his fiances' attention. It was one of the only things that's stayed positive in his life, with his loved ones by his side and a country to run. 

And of course, the visits.

They were fun too.

• • •

Hm, hm~ 

A soft tune echoed through the seemingly endless halls of Pandora's Vault, intertwining with the thump of foot steps.

"Hey Sam, anything happened when I was gone?" Asked Quackity, hands crossed behind his head and smiling.

"No, everything's fine. Other than that message, things were pretty quiet." Answered Sam. "Actually, a little too quiet..."

"What was that, Sam?"

"Nothing."

So the humming started again as the pair continued to walk towards the cell that contained the deadliest man on the SMP.

• • •

Click. Sam pressed the lever and waited for the lava to start falling. Quackity was just on the side, sharpening his blade as he hummed to the ticking of the seconds. 

Can't wait to see his face again, thought Quackity. Just imagine what it'll be like to witness that fearful expression! And I'll make him bleed, oh yes I will. And perhaps as a bonus I'll get the book today. If not, well, guess I'll come back tomorrow~

"Quackity, it's ready." Said Sam, seeing that the lava was dropping.

"Alright. And you'll let me take my weapons, won't you?" Cooed Quackity, obviously knowing the answer, which was yes. 

"Just try to get the book today, alright?" Sam sighed, finding it harder and harder to put up with this.

"Fine." Quackity said as he eyed the dropping lava, ready to step onto the platform that will take him to his prisoner.

But as the lava depleted, Quackity noticed something weird. Dream seemed...off? He couldn't quite figure out what was wrong, but ignored it anyways. What could possibly have happened anyways?

So he stepped onto the platform and started moving towards the cell. "Oh Dream~," He singed. "How have you been doing?"

Quackity stepped into the cell just as the prisoner turned around.

"Who are you?"

Chapter Text

Fire was the only thing Dream could see.

When he woke up, he was in a chaotic room. Fire was burning everywhere and explosions occurred spontaneously.  The walls were painted an ugly yellow, with smiles etched onto them.

He himself was restrained by dark metal chains that wrapped around all parts of his body, which completely immobilized him. Just outside his reach was a button and a sign that labeled it "Water". Obviously, a press of the button would quell all the discord of the room.

The flames licked at his ankles, at his face, as if mocking him for his helplessness towards the situation. The constraints would tighten each time he moved, their sole purpose to torture him, both physically and psychologically.

And Dream would stare indefinitely at everything in the room. At the sign, mostly, for it constantly reminded him of just helpless he was, and at the smiles, which lied, and told him that everything was fine.

And as he was ripped apart from the inside and burnt from the outside, as his spirit bled out all of its colors and as the smoke stung his eyes, he would only helplessly hang from the chains that held him back, and wear a charcoal mask that smiled, always.

Had Dream bothered to listen, and to look behind him, he would have heard the song of birds and of the serenity that existed just outside a door. He would have found the key sewed into his sleeve and the other button, the one that released the chains and let him free. He would have seen the path that led outside, opened the door with the key, and walked to his friends and pets, and to the now lost and forgotten relationships.

But most importantly, Dream would have realized that the fire did not need to be put out, as it would die out in no time and pave the ground for the life of the future.

And he would have found happiness once again, and his long lost humanity, now buried and torn by the swarm of voices, screaming control, control, control.

But that's just the thoughts of an optimist, since Dream was already too far gone to return.

• • •

Darkness was the only thing Delusion could see.

Well, that's not actually the truth, he thought. There's also a chest with books and potatoes, a clock, a lectern, a cauldron, some glowstones and a random pool of water in a corner of the cell. Perhaps it was meant to be a toilet?

Speaking of the cell, what's with all of the crying obsidian everywhere? It looks horrible and just makes the place even more depressing than it already was. Add that to the fact that the only "exit" was a wall of lava, the situation's looking pretty helpless.

But at least it's something new, right? There are potatoes for when hunger strikes, and books to write in for fun. Seems like a few was already written in, although they're a little weird when you think about the setting of their creation...

But, like most ghosts, Delusion didn't focus on negativity for too long, so he just drifted around the cell, mostly confused but still not thinking much of it.

After some time passed, who knows how long, his mind began to wonder.

I wonder where George and Sapnap are... Delusion thought. And Bad, and Sam, and Alyssa, Ponk, and Callahan. Are they also t̴̄̂͘r̴͆̈́ǎ̸̯͈̺̞͇̀͜p̷͒͌̐͘ṕ̸̧͕̻͜e̴͌̊̄d̶́ ̶̼̗̤̇̋̾́͋̚l̵͗ḯ̶͆k̸͉̤̣̱͇̊̈́̽̂ȩ̷̱̫͚̟̓̍̑̍̈́̆͜͝ ̶͍̬̭͒m̷̈́̿e̵͌?

Suddenly, a headache sets in, knocking him off balance. What...just happened?

Fragments of scenery and flashes of color flickered in his mind. What is this? I don't remember this happening before...

But, of course, the thought does't stick for long, as Delusion quickly lost that thought and found a new way of passing time: counting the amount of glowing particles on the wall, which he proceeded to do so.

Glop, gurgle.

The lava behind Delusion, seemingly never ending, started to shift a little, which Delusion obviously didn't realize at all. After all, it sounds like that all the time anyways, so how could their be any notable difference?

And as the lava dropped completely, a man wearing a dark blue beanie and slightly confused expression stepped onto a platform, which began to move towards the "box".

Kch, kch, kch, klunk.

The platform clicked into place before the cell opening, and the man on top began to step into the confinement.

"Oh Dream~," He sang. "How have you been doing?"

A voice...?  Wondered Delusion. Well, this is new.

Delusion turned around, only to see a man he didn't recognize.

So, he asked.

"Who are you?"

Chapter Text

The gurgling of the lava was the only sound that could be heard as the two men stared at each other - one shocked, one curious, both awfully confused.

"Wha...did you just say?!" Quackity broke the silence first.

"Um...who are you?" Questioned Delusion, who was now even more confused as to why the other man was so stupefied. Perhaps he's a little dim, he thought, nodding in his mind.

Quackity, who was in fact a bit daft for ignoring Dream's change in appearance quickly decided that this was a trick and snorted. "Ha, so you think you're so wise, huh? Well guess what, that trick doesn't work on me! No need to play dumb and pretend you have amnesia. I know that you know who I am, don't you?"

Quackity began to step forward, attempting to threaten Dream to give in and realize that this wasn't going to fly. But, of course, things would go contrary to what he had imagined.

"Um, no actually. I don't know you. So can you tell me who you are?" Answered Delusion, thinking that perhaps his name would be better suited for the man across from him. "Oh, and can you tell me where I am? Since it seems like you came from beyond that wall of lava."

Now this had Quackity stupefied, since it really does seem like Dream no longer remembers him, seeing how the normal Dream wouldn't have spoken that way or ask for his location, which would have been evident just by looking at the state of the cell.

So Quackity decided to retreat for now and talk about this with Sam. Perhaps he might have an idea as to how they should proceed and figure something out later.

"SAM! Bring the bridge over! There's something we need to talk about." Shouted Quackity.

Sam? Dream thought, thinking about his friend whom started the SMP with him. Is Sam here too?

"Alright. Lava lowering now." Answered a deep voice from outside the lava.

Sam!

"Sam! Hey Sam, is that you? It's me, Delusion! Are you in a box too or are you free? Also, what is this place?" Delusion shouted, glad to finally hear the voice of someone he knew.

Now this shocked both Quackity and Sam. Why did he call himself Delusion? And he remembers Sam?

What is going on?

• • •

Sam and Quackity were currently in a verbal stalemate over, of course, Dream.

Ah, perhaps it would be better to call him Delusion since that's how he referred to himself?

"But what I don't understand is why the sudden amnesia?" Asked Sam. "Did you do something to him last time?"

"Not anything that would turn him into a clueless idiot, at least."

"But he didn't have any visitors after you, so it has to be something you did. Unless..." Sam paused.

"Unless what?"

"He did it himself."

"What?" Quackity had a sneaking suspicion on what Sam was trying to say, but it was absolutely absurd! Surly, he wouldn't...

"Remember that message about Dream trying to swim in lava? Maybe it wasn't just a façade, maybe he really did try to swim in lava?!"

"...W-what are you suggesting?"

"That he SUICIDED! That he went into the lava by himself and killed himself! Oh no..." Suddenly, Sam wasn't so calm anymore.

"W-what is it?" Quackity was scared to hear what he had to say.

"If Dream is dead..." Well, that settles it. "Then the one over there must be..."

It was something that didn't need to be said. After all, it was painfully obvious what was being insinuated.

...his ghost.

But that thought alone left both men in stupor as they heard a lighthearted shout from across the lava. They turned to look, closely this time, at the man they had both feared and broken.

He didn't look so similar now.

His originally torn and tainted orange prisoner's garment was replaced with an oversized tea green sweater, with sleeves that reached halfway down his hands and comfortable black jeans. Rather than scars that covered every inch of his body and blood coated on all the wounds, his skin was less rough and the freckles on his face were still visible. His hair was no longer long, unkept and matted but clean, and he has full cheeks that didn't show signs of malnutrition and hunger.

His eyes, which had previously been so dull and dead that they didn't seem to belong among the living, now a brilliant green, full of life and a sparkle to prove it. And although he had a mask, it no longer covered his face. Rather, it was positioned on the right side of his head, with no cracks and bearing a cheerful grin.

His whole character seemed to shout happiness, naked emotions that were no longer hidden or unseen. He was so... bright.

What happened to him?

• • •

They eventually decided to talk to Delusion and ask him about who he knows and anything major that he remembered. Delusion was, of course, elated to 1) finally converse with someone and 2) do something. So he proceeded to do what they asked after crossing over the lava for the first time.

"Um, let's see...I know Sam, who's right here, as well as George, Sapnap, Bad, Callahan, Alyssa, and Ponk." He started. "And as for events, we were building the Prime Path and some other stuff, but that's about it I think."

This shocked both men, Sam a little more since he was familiar with what Delusion was describing. Those are the early days of the SMP, so before Tommy joined...

Quackity, on the other hand, was surprised for a slightly different reason.

That's it? That's like, barely anything. Even less than Ghostbur!

"Oh yeah, can you guys finally tell me where I am now?" Delusion interrupted, quite happy that since he's given them what they wanted first, he can get what he wanted.

But instead, he was faced with silence, uncomfortable glances, and shifting gazes. Since, it's not like they can just tell an innocent ghost that there's now a prison on his land, he was a prisoner, and he died there. Not exactly the easiest thing in the world.

"What, is there something wrong?" Asked Delusion, getting slightly suspicious of the two.

"What, no, of course not!" Quackity said in a hurry. "We're at Pandora's Vault."

"Quackity...!" Sam shushed. How could he just tell him?!

But Quackity didn't care since things were bad enough already, so he ignored Sam's agitation.

"Pandora's Vault...? Where is that? Actually, are we even still on the SMP?" Delusion questioned, glancing between Sam and the man named Quackity. It was a weird situation.

"Uh, technically we're no longer on the SMP, but it's really close so don't worry!" Quackity spewed out, trying to not to upset the ghost. Who knows what could happen?

"Huh, wonder how I popped up here." Delusion pondered for a bit. "Well, anyways!"

You're just gonna throw that aside?!

"Hey, can we go out? I wanna see what's out there!" Delusion was back to his normal carefree self and was quite excited.

"Oh. Um, sure. I guess you can." Said Sam. "Since your a ghost now..."

"What was that?"

"N-nothing! Here, follow me."

So they started walking away from Dream's cell and began traveling through the numerous hallways towards the entrance of the prison.

"Oh yeah, forgot to tell you this." Quackity started.

"You're dead."

"..."

"Huh?"

Chapter Text

Imagine that you woke up in a small, dark space, with a very limited amount of equipment and daily necessities. But that's okay, since you don't actually need much to survive. So you treated this only as a slight bother in the back of your mind and carried on, day after day.

Suddenly, a man appeared, calling you a liar and threatening you with a weapon. But you know that agitating him will only makes things worse, so you carefully explain to him that you don't know him and wait for a reply. At least you now know that your friend is here, and that you're not alone!

And they tell you all you wanted to know, so of course you'd be content and follow them. Hasn't it been a long time since you've seen any sort of greenery?

But as you were walking outside, the man who you first met, Quackity (?) blurted out "You're dead."

What does that mean?

• • •

"W-what do you mean?" Delusion stuttered. "I'm dead?"

"N-" Sam tried to speak, but Quackity was faster. "Yeah, you're dead. A ghost. The left-overs of an idiot."

"...Who?" Asked Delusion.

"Dream," Quackity answered. "The worst villain of them all!" 

Quackity!

"And you know what?" He continued. "This was the place he ended up because of that!"

"W-what are you talking about?"

"It's a fucking prison! What else could it be? Ha, and he thought he was soooo smart. Ended up kicking himself in the ass!" Quackity cackled.

No, that's impossible! 

"What could he have possibly done to be sent to prison?!" Delusion yelled, emotions beginning swelling up like rising lava.

Quackity just laughed that off. "Didn't I tell you, he's a villain! Always was and always will be! He betrayed his best friends, started wars, and bombed Manburg. If he isn't a villain, I don't know what he is."

"In fact, good thing he died! Now the server's gonna be soo much better." He added, eying Delusion for a reaction.

Well, he got what he wanted.

Delusion was in total shock, eyes wide and lips quivering. Suddenly, a wave of sharp pain punctured his brain, making him bend over, hands holding his head.

Wh, what is this...? He could barely think straight. Pictures...?

There were flashes of color, some accompanied by explosions and shouts, others only silence. 

They played like a tape out of control, swirling and swarming  inside him. 

It never seemed to end.

So...loud. Delusion winced. Too...LOUD!

He screamed.

• • •

Sam and Quackity watched as the ghost doubled over while holding his head. His eyes were tightly shut and he was shaking. 

Wh-whoa. Thought Quackity. This is way stronger than Ghostbur's reaction.

D-Delusion... was the only thought Sam could conjure up.

They noticed Delusion whisper something, but they couldn't make it out due to the... wind?

Why's there wind inside the prison? They both wondered. But that thought didn't stick for long, as suddenly, the most shrilling sound filled their ears.

• • •

It was a scream, they could tell, since Delusion's mouth was hanging open right in front of them. But it was more like the screech of a siren or the dying call of an enderman, except the shriek was far louder than the cry of the ender dragon or the hum of even a blue whale.

As they covered their eyes in pain, they tried to look up at the ghost. But what met their eyes was not one they were familiar with.

Delusion was... crying, to say the least. Black green tears rolled down his face, and his eyes were dyed black. His mouth seemed to be ripping apart and a typhoon of green swirled within its depth.

His skin began to crack, cutting through his face, green spilling out and burning him as they drooped and collected on his chin. 

His body also seemed to be fading away, wisping into transparent strands and dissipating into the air.

The ground and walls shook as if there was an earthquake, the floor around Delusion eroding.

It was...monstrous, inhumane, and completely horrifying. But if Quackity and Sam were to think back to this event, then they might realize how... sad the scream was.

• • •

Quackity and Sam fought hard not to fall over or faint from everything, but it was hard.

"WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON!" Quackity cried. "SAM, CAN YOU KNOCK HIM OUT?"

"I'LL TRY." Sam yelled as he started to move towards Delusion, a task more hazardous than expected.

But there weren't the only ones having a hard time.

• • •

Delusion was in incredible pain. All he could see was darkness with smoke that floated all around cracked and slanted mirrors that reflected scenes he had never seen before. 

Wh-at is this? He thought through the headache that plagued his thoughts. Are these... memories or something?

Some mirrors played violent events that shocked Delusion, with TNT exploding everywhere and people, if they can be called that, raising their weapons against one another. Blood pooled on the floor, water flooded lungs and buildings alike, and death stood as the sole constant in this world of war.

Other mirrors showed glimpses of things that either preceded the events or displayed the result. Delusion could recognize a few of his friends, faces painted with the color of the sunrise and gazes as determined as the proudest wolves. The aftermath, yet, showed them leaving the battlefield bruised and tattered. 

Although it seems like they've won quite a few of the battles, Delusion could feel something within him aching, forming lumps in his throat and causing his heart to pulse faster and faster. Before he realized, a single tear had escaped his eye, followed by another, and another.

"...Huh, why am I crying?" He asked. "What is this feeling...? Am I... sad?"

Delusion chuckled to himself, beguiled by such a thought. After all, he doesn't remember there ever being a time where he'd felt such an emotion, of short, shallow breathes and a drowsy mind drowning in angst.

He looked up once again at the mirrors, and noticed some different scenes flashing by. He recognized a few of the people who were present in that memory, the familiar purple glow from a portal coming from behind them. 

Delusion felt a sense of unfounded relief wash over him upon seeing a man in white lead the rest into the dark room and surround him. 

He then saw a blond child come up to him, pointing an ax at his face and him backing away. Delusion could feel fear deep inside him, but it being overshadowed by a strange calmness. 

The child swung the ax.

Wack! He died.

The mirror turned black for a split second before the same scenery appearing once again, the child still holding the ax in his hand, preparing for swing two.

Wack! He died again. But, the difference was that this time he wasn't so calm anymore. After all, if he's already died twice, then that must mean he's only got one life left... Delusion concluded.

He could see a hand, his hand, rising up against the ax's next attack. The child didn't stop and kept advancing towards him, ax over his shoulder, swing ready. 

But something must have happened since the child suddenly stopped with a surprised expression. He stumbled backwards a bit before showing an angry expression and started to presumably start shouting. 

The mirror then turned black again before displaying all of the people who appeared gathering around him. After a blur of actions and emotions, he was held captive and was taken away to a giant structure of netherite.

What is that? Wondered Delusion.

Suddenly, the mirror began to crack, which surprised him. The shattering of glass began to sound all around Delusion as violent swirls of smoke began to blow.

Wh-what is happening? Delusion was a little frightened by the sudden escalation of sounds and movement in the mysterious dark space. What happened after going into the... prison.

Delusion suddenly remembered what Quackity had told him. 

Prison... right, it was a prison.

Smoke continued to turbulate the space, swarming around the mirrors in large, cloudy tuffs. Shards of glass splintered off the mirrors and sprinkled onto the ground. 

It was a chaotic space.

Soon enough though, the mirrors stopped cracking and was now playing the scenery of the place Delusion woke up in. It's the netherite box I stayed in. He noticed, slowly reliving the short time he had spent in there.

It seemed like an infinite amount of time had passed with practically nothing happening at all. There were a few alleviating visits, although short lived, still much needed. 

But in the end, all that Delusion did was watch the lava pour down indefinitely, listen to the numbing tick of the clock, write book after book of complete nonsense, and feel his mind deteriorating into insanity.

It was draining.

Chapter Text

While Delusion was standing in his mind and watching memories he has no recollection of, Sam and Quackity were trying to step towards him and stop what was happening.

"SAM, YOU TAKE THE LEFT AND I'LL TRY FROM THE RIGHT, OKAY?" Quackity yelled to Sam.

"OKAY" Replied Sam.

They started inching towards Delusion, the obvious center and cause of the storm. They were pretty scared of what's going to happen next, but decided ending this would be the best.

Sam was able to move a little faster than Quackity since he's bigger, so he got near Delusion first.

"SAM, CAN YOU REACH HIM?" Shouted Quackity.

"YEAH, I THINK SO."

"WELL RESTRAIN HIM, KNOCK HIM OUT!"

"I'LL TRY."

With one struggling step after another, Sam went up to Delusion. It was obvious how he was in pain, as the black tears spilled out and his skin cracked and dissipated into the swirling typhoon of energy around him.

And despite everything, all the times Sam had turned a blind eye to the screams of his former friend, all the times he had let Quackity bring weapons into the cell and torture Dream, he felt... bad.

This was... his friend. He was back as the boy who always smiled, ran through the forests with them, opened them up to this world and gave them something.

What happened?

But it was no time for reminiscent thoughts as the stability of everything was at stake, so Sam blinked twice, focused, and lunged at the crying ghost.

Swoosh!

With a quick swing to the back of Delusion's neck, the ghost gasped and rolled back his eyes as he began to fall.

The storm suddenly exploded, causing Sam to get pushed back and Quackity to fall over and hit the hallway wall.

And as Quackity was groaning about the pain, Sam rushed over to Delusion, who had collapsed onto the ground.

He picked him up and examined his condition.

The black liquid that was coming out of Delusion's eyes had stopped, but the tear streaks could still be seen, stuck to his face.

Delusion's face had also stopped cracking, but the parts that had already dispersed were now painful, bleeding wounds.

He himself was unconscious, which was probably a good thing considering how wounded he was, but there was no way to know when he will wake up.

Sam sighed in relief seeing how Delusion didn't seem too hurt, and after taking off his cape and carefully placing Delusion on it, he turned to Quackity.

"Quackity, what the HELL!?" He screamed, clearly very mad at him.

"What? Are you saying it's MY fault he went crazy?" Quackity questioned, offended by the accusation.

"Yeah, why else would that have happened if YOU didn't just blatantly tell him about everything? And I know you did it on purpose to get a reaction out of him." Sam said angrily.

"He was bound to find out eventually. Besides, at least he's knocked out now, and we'll just have to make sure that doesn't happen again. Treat it... as a test." Quackity nonchalantly replied, putting it off as "no big deal".

"You- hah..." Sam sighed, too stressed to deal with this. "Whatever, we need to get him to a house and treat his wounds. Come on, help me carry him."

"You want me to go near him again?" Quackity began to argue, but seeing Sam's expression, he begrudgingly complied. "Fine, who cares."

With that, they continued to walk out of the prison.

• • •

Delusion wandered a little around the space, inspecting the mirrors and trying to find a source for the lingering smoke to no avail.

Most of the mirrors weren't too bad, although it did seem like whoever was behind the actions, this "Dream" person, was mostly very secluded from the rest of the SMP, which had a lot more people than Delusion remembered.

Who were those people? He wondered as he drifted around the space. And what happened?

But like most things that happened to him, he didn't think about it for too long.

Well, I guess I'll see when I get out of this place. He glanced at the mirrors again. Though for someone who's doing so much, there's so much less people around him, huh. Delusion wondered as he thought about what he's seen happen around Dream.

And strangely enough, I can feel what he's feeling when I look at the mirrors. Most of the time it's just something like anger or regret, or both. He found that a little funny. But there's always those times when he's not around people and make me feel something... else.

Delusion was a little confused by this specific emotion, as he hadn't really felt it before. There was that time when I was l̵͔̂̂ĩ̴̯̺̍ṫ̴̙̼t̸̫̳̉l̷͖̝̅̀ě̵̦̩̉... The thought stopped as a headache began to set in. Oh whatever.

I wonder if it's that feeling they call... what was it again? He thought for a moment.

Oh right, loneliness.

He continued to wonder.

• • •

Eventually, after looking at either the ever-pouring lava or people fighting, Delusion noticed someone he remembered. Sapnap! One of his best friends who had been with him since the beginning. He was about to call out to him and say hi, ask him how it's going and what's happening outside when his friend began speaking.

At first, it was just some random things. It was odd that he didn't actually want to converse with Sapnap, but perhaps it's because they've been estranged for quite a while. Delusion felt a little excited deep within, but maybe it was just him.

Sapnap seemed nervous in the box, mostly just trying to make small talk and commenting on some stuff. Dream didn't really respond except for writing in a book a few times.

Sapnap started talking about what he's apparently heard from the warden, about Dream misbehaving and such, in which Dream replied on paper "eventually". Sapnap didn't seem to like this.

"I love you man, but...got to stay here. This...where you belong...Maybe...one day, if...-ool with it."

Delusion was happy to finally be hearing his friend's voice, although it was filled with static. But the one controlling the actions, Dream, didn't listen, and passed the book back to Sapnap with "eventually" still written on it.

"...-an't try and escape, okay?...I miss...there with us...what you did...got to stay here...is where you belong...know, maybe...come and visit...-ill come and visit you."

"We can...-e friends, but you ha-...-o stay here."

Delusion was getting a little agitated now. He couldn't quite put a finger on it, but he could feel... something coming, and it wasn't good.

"I w-...be clear to you, okay. Wh-...-ings you did. That's what got you in here. So...need to...-ay in here until...long you need to...try to come out, if...try to break out early Dream..."

What... is he trying to say? Delusion was worried, as his emotions were becoming harder to suppress. Maybe they weren't even his emotions.

"I mean, you only...-ne life left and...don't think it's going to be Tom-...not...-o be Techno."

Wha...

"If you break o-ut of this prison, it's going to be m-e who takes your final life."

Sapnap kept talking, something about how he doesn't hate him or anything and that it was nothing personal. But Delusion was stunned, unable to move or even think. The words rang loud and clear in his mind.

"We ca-...-ill be friends, I can still co-...-d visit you." He heard Sapnap say.

"You can sti-...trust me."

Kkkrr. Another crack shot up through the mirror in front of Delusion, slicing through his reflection.

This time Delusion didn't react as much as he stood still, shocked.

He's... going to kill me...?

What... does that mean?

He's my friend... isn't he?

No... this can't be...

No...

No

NO

NO!

The smoke started to surge again, stronger this time and whirled around Delusion. He wanted to scream, but couldn't get a sound out. He could only stand and stare as everything broke down around him.

Sapnap, in the mirror, started to walk away as well. No! Delusion tried to reach for him. Come back!

But his friend never came back.

The mirrors continued to crack and break away.

• • •

The lava parted and a familiar yet unfamiliar man came into the box. He wore a blue beanie and a scar through his left eye, while taking strides towards Dream as he smiled.

He talked for a bit, mostly blurred words that were hard to understand the intent of. What is this now? Delusion wondered, still a little depressed from Sapnap's visit. Seems like the stress this time would be a little harder to get rid of.

Quackity stepped right in front of Dream and smiled wide, flashing a golden canine tooth as he began to take out something from behind him.

Wha...

He pointed the blade towards Dream's neck as he sneered.

"I'm gonna make your last days in prison HELL Dream."

...

"Quackity?"

Chapter Text

Sam, with his hulking figure, strode through the foliage towards the SMP as he carried a bundle on his back while Quackity quietly grumbled as he stepped besides him.

It was a strange sight to witness if you didn't know what was going on, but these two definitely did. After all, they were the only ones to experience the bizarre events that just occurred in the prison.

"Sam, hey, wait- slow down. It's not that urgent." Quackity asked while stumbling.

Sam stopped and turned around, facing Quackity. "Not urgent? He was literally BLEEDING, Quackity, and still is. Not only does he have wounds all over his face, but he's also unconscious. You call that 'not urgent'?"

"Well, I mean he's a ghost, so it's not like he could DIE or anything..." He mumbled the last part.

"Well, he's still hurt, so walk faster!" Sam ended the conversation.

They continued trodding towards Sam's house in silence.

• • •

A small blond child with a tendency to get loud strolled through the forest. Hm, he thought for a bit, should I visit Sam at the prison? It's been a while and I want to make up with him from...last time. The flashbacks were not pleasant. And maybe Dream too...?

So he quietly trodded along the path to Pandora's Vault, on his way to one of his worst memories for a kind of redemption. Not for him, of course, just one, maybe two other people.

Before he knew it, Tommy had appeared in front of the prison. He looked around for a bit but no one was there? Huh, that's weird. Probably at his house instead then, doing some weird shit.

Tommy looked and waited around a bit more, before starting his walk towards Sam's residence. But the result surly was not something he had expected.

• • •

"Delusion's condition may be more severe than previously thought." was Sam's conclusion after trying to just bandage him up, which didn't really work as the bandages were soiled practically immediately upon contact. Makes sense, I guess, seeing how my cape is soaked with blood. He thought, glancing over at the cloth sitting in a bucket of water.

Worse still though, it seemed like Delusion was also becoming feverish.

"Quackity, can you get a bucket of water?" Sam shouted. "Oh, and while you're on it, get a towel too!"

Since Sam was at Delusion's side the entire time trying to clean up his wounds, Quackity had no choice but to start rushing around as well.

With that, the entire house was practically on fire, with the two men scrambling about trying to take care of a single ghost, when there was a knock at the door.

"Aw man, this is really not  a good time for a visit!" Quackity exclaimed, calling Sam who had been upstairs at the moment. "Sam! There's someone at the door!"

"Okay, I'll be there in a minute!" Was Sam's reply, followed by a cascade of noises that didn't sound all too pleasant and eventually footsteps.

Sam opened the door.

"Hi Sam! Um, what going on in there...?" Tommy tried to glance inside, only to see Quackity running up the stairs carrying a bucket and a towel.

"Oh, uh, it's nothing! Just, you know, something came up and we needed to prepare! Haha..." He tried to explain, but Tommy wasn't really buying it.

"Uh-huh, sure. Well, I wanted to talk to you for a bit, you have time for that?" Tommy raised an eyebrow, trying to see just how busy Sam and oddly enough, Quackity, were.

"Welllll, not really. See, it's pretty urgent and there's no time for rest." Sam glanced upwards to the cursing of Quackity. "So no, sorry."

"Hm, well, any chance I could come over tomorrow?" Tommy asked, hoping for a yes to get this over with.

"...sure."

"Great! Then I'll see you then. Later, bitch!" He laughed before running off.

Sam looked after the direction Tommy went towards for a bit before closing the door and resuming his tending of Delusion.

• • •

"Well that was weird," Tommy said to himself. "I wonder what was going on, with even Quackity there... wait, why was Quackity there?" He paused, racking his brain for a possible answer. "Eh, maybe he just wanted to visit too."

As he monologued, the grass beneath his feet disappeared, replaced by sheets of snow and the landscape began to change. Tommy walked through some trees before settling his eyes on his best friend.

"Hey Tubs, how you doin'?" Tommy shouted, catching the goat hybrid's attention.

"Oh hey Tommy, what brings you here?" Tubbo replied, looking up from Michael.

"Just thought I should visit." Tommy said as he walked over and sat down next to Tubbo. "Oh hey Ranboo." He waved to the enderman hybrid, who waved back as he walked over.

With that, the three talked for a while, had their laughs, and played with Michael until the sun began to set.

"By the way, something's going on with Sam," Tommy blurted out. "Quackity was there too, for some reason. I think something might happen soon..."

"Huh." Tubbo thought for a moment. "Well, do you have any clues?"

"Not really. He just said 'something came up' and left it at that. I'm meeting him tomorrow though, so maybe I'll find out then."

"Well, it can't be anything too big, right? Maybe a creeper or something exploded a portion of his house. Who knows."

"Yeah, whatever. Do you have a spare bed? It's getting late and I'd rather not fight with mobs."

"Of course."

• • •

"Haa, well, that's finally taken care of." Sam sighed, looking down at Delusion who was a little more stable now.

"Man, what the hell is wrong with him? I mean, Ghostbur didn't do this for sure." Complained Quackity, wiping at the beads of sweat that had formed on his forehead.

Sam stayed silent since although it's ridiculous to be complaining about a ghost that they've only met for a day, almost two, there was some truth to Quackity's words.

"...It's getting late, so you should stay over." He said. "I'll show you to your room."

"Sure."

With that, the people of the SMP drifted off to sleep. But someone wasn't having so good of a dream.

• • •

Quackity woke up and walked to the kitchen, seeing Sam preparing breakfast for...three people?

"Hey, who's the third dish for?" He asked as Sam turned his head around.

"Well, just in case Dr- Delusion wakes up and needs something. Tommy said he's coming today too so I just give it to him if he hadn't eat." Sam set the food down on the table.

"Nah, I think you're just over thinking it." Quackity waved his hand at Sam, mocking this move.

"...I'm going to check on him." Sam said as he walked away towards the room Delusion was in.

But the second he opened the door, he realized that something was wrong- Delusion was moving.

Sam rushed over, seeing that he seemed really uncomfortable or bothered by something and checking the ghost's injuries.

"Quackity! Come over here, I think something's happening." Sam shouted.

A few seconds later, Quackity appeared at the doorway and saw the situation as well. "What's going on with this guy? Is he gonna wake up?"

"I don't know, but we should prepare for whatever happens-"

Knock knock.

Oh great. "It must be Tommy. Wait here and watch over him, shout if something happens." Sam stood up and walked towards the door.

"Sure, just leave it up to me." Quackity said, clearly annoyed but doing so anyways. Who knows what could happen? He doesn't want a repeat of the prison incident, after all.

Quackity could hear Sam opening the front door and greeting someone, probably Tommy, and letting them in. He also saw the ghost on the bed suddenly open his eyes, which shocked him.

Delusion was out of breath, panting with his eyes wide open, a mixture of fear, shock, and something else painted on his face.

Well, that's definitely something. Quackity thought. So he shouted and started at the door when he heard a weak whisper behind him.

"...Quackity?"

 • • •

Sam opened the door. "Hey Tommy, good morning."

"Good morning, Big S. May I come in?" Tommy proudly said, obviously quite eager to converse with the creeper hybrid.

"Sure. You had breakfast?" He asked, closing the door after them and gesturing towards the food on the table.

"No, actually. Thanks for the meal!"

After Tommy finished eating, Sam asked Tommy his question. "So what brings you here? I was not really informed of anything happening."

"Well, you see," Tommy started, "I kind of wanted an official conversation between us to settle the, um, things that happened at the prison the last time I visited." It seems recalling the past was still a little too much.

"Oh, right. Of course. I should explain what happened. So-" Sam started, only to be cut off by a shout coming from Quackity. "SAM!"

"I should go." He said, standing up from his seat and rushing over towards the source of the shout.

Wha...? Tommy was really confused, but was kind of curious as well so he followed Sam.

Sam suddenly stopped at a room's entrance, causing Tommy to almost smacking face-first into the creeper hybrid. Before he could complain though, he heard a whisper from inside.

It clearly wasn't Sam, and couldn't have been Quackity either. So who was it...? Tommy peeked over Sam's shoulder, but what he saw shocked him.

"Dream...?!" Tommy exclaimed.

He was shocked, completely dumbfounded. Not just at the fact that Dream is in Sam's house, laying on his bed and that Quackity's here too, but the fact that Dream wasn't in prison anymore.

Wait, hold on, on a second thought, he looks pretty different. Tommy paused to inspect the man. He's not in his prison outfit but instead a sweater, his skin is oddly pale, and his eyes are white?! Wtf?! And he's whisping away...

"Tommy, I can explain." Sam hurriedly said, nudging at Quackity to support him.

"...Uhuh, sure. I guess you should explain this first before you explain the things at the prison." Tommy hesitantly said, glancing over at Delusion.

The ghost noticed this and looked up at Tommy, who flinched from the sudden attention. "Um, hi Dreeeaaam. How's it been, haha..."

But Delusion only cocked his head to the side and asked a question in return. "Who are you?"

Tommy was speechless, and shot a look at Sam and Quackity. "Um, what?"

Sam walked over to Delusion and told him to wait a bit, before pushing Quackity and Tommy out the door into the hallway. He sighed, "Well, we should explain what's going on."

"Yeah, you should. First of all, that's Dream, right?" Tommy asked, really questioning the situation here.

"Welllll, not exactly..." Quackity trailed off, scratching the back of his neck.

"What do you mean 'not exactly'? And why doesn't he remember me?" Tommy was a little upset on this. His tormentor doesn't even remember who he was?

"Sigh, we should start from the beginning." Sam said, gesturing towards the kitchen. "It's going to be a long talk."

 • • •

Delusion sat on the bed, thinking about what he just witnessed in that dark world and just then in the room.

Quackity said he was going to make every day hell for me, didn't he? And seeing how he said that I'm dead before...he must have done something to alive me then. Delusion sighed.

"Ugh, why does everything have to be so complicated?" Delusion complained. Of course, he was the only listener to this comment.

And who was that boy behind Sam? He looks a little similar... A sudden memory flashed in his mind, accompanied with another headache. Was he the boy with the ax?

Sighing again, Delusion plopped back down onto the bed. "What in the name of Prime is going on?"

Chapter Text

Tommy was in deep thought.

"So, what you're saying is that's a ghost, and Dream's dead?" He finally asked, looking up at the man across from him.

"Yes, that's what I said." Answered Sam, nodding.

Sigh. 

"How did this even happen? When did it even happen?" Tommy said out loud, trying to sort through all of the information.

"We think it might have something to do with that message on him trying to swim in lava." Sam stopped for a moment. "But we don't know the reason."

The atmosphere grew heavy as the three contemplated what they knew about the ghost, which wasn't a lot.

"Wait, you said that after you guys met him something happened while you were coming out, and that's why he was on the bed. What happened? You kind of skipped over it..." Tommy noticed, looking up to Quackity seemingly very nervous and Sam a little more uncomfortable than before.

"Uh, so Quackity wanted to see what would happen if he told Delusion the truth..." Sam started, eyes darting around the room. "So he said he's in a prison and that he's...dead plus some other stuff..."

"WHAT!?" Tommy was stupefied. Quackity told Dream's ghost that he's dead and that he's in prison? How could he do that...

"Wait, so what happened after you told him?" Tommy questioned, now concerned for the following events that would have caused Delusion to get hurt.

Quackity and Sam shot each other a look, and it wasn't a good one. "Um..." Quackity started, "Well, we don't actually know for sure."

"What do you mean 'you don't know for sure'? You were there!" Shouted Tommy, part confused, part angry, and just a little bit curious.

"Well, from our point of view, he suddenly grabbed his head and screamed." Sam said.

"Wha-"

"And then there was this weird...storm that just appeared around him. His skin also started to crack and this black liquid came out of his eyes. The storm was pretty strong, too, like a mini tornado had appeared. We were even pushed back it."

Now Tommy was really curious, but also more confused. A storm came out of him? How is that even possible?

"Yeah, I didn't have good footing, so I got slammed into the wall. It wasn't a good experience, you know?" Quackity nonchalantly commented, thinking back to his sore shoulder.

"O...kay, so what happened next?"

"After I got close enough to him, I knocked him out." Sam said, reliving those moments again in his mind. "Then we carried him here."

"Huh." Tommy exhaled. "Well that's weird." 

"Yeah, and you weren't even there." Quackity scoffed.

"Well I think we should go ask him what happened." Sam commented, looking at Quackity and Tommy. "He probably knows something."

The other two nodded in agreement, and the trio readied themselves for their confrontation with the ghost.

• • •

Delusion was current two, no, make that three things.

One, he was a ghost, which should have been obvious now that he thinks back to it. I mean, how else would I had been able to float and not starve to death? Stupid. He thought to himself.

Two, he was confused. But still, what was that dark space and the things I saw in it? Also, who is that boy and what did Quackity mean and do? Argh, it's so confusing!

Three, he was bored, so terribly bored. On top of everything, there's like, nothing in this room other than a bed and a chest, and that only have clothes and some weapons. What did they expect me to do, just 'be a ghost'? Even more stupid.

So Delusion got up and started to wander a little, looking here and there for something, anything, to lose himself in.

"Oh?" Delusion suddenly realized. "I'm a ghost, so can't I just go through stuff?" 

He was getting excited. Wait, but  how would I do it? Do I just, like, think or something? He thought for a bit. "Whatever. Let's just try it out!" 

Delusion stood in front of the door, which was made of solid wood. Okay, let's do this! 

One, 

two...

three! His hand became a little more transparent and phased through the wood. 

"Huh, I di-"

"Ahh!" A scream suddenly sounded.

Delusion quickly retracted his hand, looking down at it. Is that a sound effect or something...? He looked up just as the door swung open.

• • •

Quackity took the lead this time, striding towards the door with Sam and Tommy a little behind him.

He was just about grab the doorknob when a pale, grayish hand suddenly appeared out of the door, reaching towards his face.

"Ahh!" He screamed, falling backwards. "For the love of Prime..."

Sam and Tommy rushed over, Sam busting open the door while Tommy helped Quackity stand back up.

"What happened?!" Sam shouted, only to see Delusion holding his hand and looking up at him. "Huh?" 

Tommy saw Sam stopping and looked into the room, only to see the ghost staring back at them a little surprised.

Everyone looked at each other, dumbfounded and silent for a good five seconds before Delusion broke into a ha and started wheezing like a tea kettle. Tommy, who had thought this was the end of the surprises, flinched at the sudden laughter, stunned at the scene before his eyes.

Dream...genuinely laughing? I guess he really is a ghost huh... 

"...Delusion, what happened?" Sam asked the ghost, calming himself down. Delusion chuckled for a little longer before coming to a stop, still smiling wide.

"Ha, so I thought I might be able to pass through stuff since I'm a ghost, you know? So I reached my hand out through the door to test it out, and I guess Quackity..." He paused, looking over to the man. "...was just about to enter and was startled."

The silence ensued, Delusion looking nervously at the three surrounding him. They all showed the same uncomfortable expressions, Tommy shifting his feet and Quackity's gaze constantly landing on the walls.

"Um..." Delusion whispered.

"Huuh, Delusion, we need to talk to you." Sam said, straightening his back as he began to walk into the room. Tommy and Quackity followed behind.

"Oh, um, okay..." the ghost said sheepishly, cowering a little and backing towards the wall.

Quackity and Tommy sat down, Tommy on the bed and Quackity on a chair. Sam leaned against the wall next to Tommy and they all stared at Delusion, who was left awkwardly standing in the corner.

And the stalemate continued for a little longer, until the ghost spoke.

"Um, can you stop looking at me like that? It's a little uncomfortable..." he glanced towards Tommy.

"Oh, uh, sorry." Tommy broke his gaze, looking away. He doesn't act like Dream at all...

"Let's get down to business." Sam spoke out. "Delusion, we have a few questions for you. Just try to answer, okay?"

Delusion's head shot up at the call of his name, eyes a little fearful. "Oh, of course. Ask away."

"...So we were wondering, Delusion." He started, pausing for a bit. "What happened after Quackity told you the, um, thing in the prison." Delusion looked up, surprised.

"Since we just saw a giant storm come out of you, and you were... crying and stuff. I don't think you could hear us back there either..."

The ghost was a little stunned, to say the least. "I...did that?" His voice quivered.

"You don't remember?" Quackity asked, skeptical of his reaction. "You literally exploded, man!"

"I- I don't know..." Delusion could feel his breath quicken and something inside him pounding, thudding from the depths of his vessel. "I- it was dark."

"Dark?" Tommy chimed in, curious in Delusion's story. "What do you mean?"

"I- I was in a dark... place. There was n- no light, just darkness." Delusion began to recall, the moments flashing back into his mind. "And I s-saw these mirrors around me, as tall as this room. And there was smoke, too. They swirled around the them."

"Wait, hold up. You were in a dark space, with no light whatsoever, with mirrors and smoke?" Quackity blurted out. "Does that even make sense?"

But Delusion ignored him, too caught up in his own memories to stop. "And the mirrors were showing me some things, like there was fights and stuff. I think they might have been my... memories? Or were they even mine..."

"Delusion." Sam interrupted. "Calm down and tell us slowly."

Delusion snapped out of his trance, the burden suddenly lifted. "Okay."

He told them his story.

• • •

A shadowy figure floated through an equally dark space, eyes glowing an eerie red as they scanned left and right, inspecting the space they found themselves in.

"𝐇𝐦... 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠... 𝐀 𝐠𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭, 𝐡𝐮𝐡?" It mumbled, a smirk beginning to form on its lips. "𝐋𝐞𝐭'𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐡𝐞'𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬... 𝐡𝐞𝐡𝐞𝐡𝐞..."

The silent cackle echoed, slowly, to no one's ears.

Chapter Text

"I woke up in a black space." Delusion began.

"It was... pretty empty, I think. Some parts are a little blurry." He thought for a moment. "And then I noticed the mirrors; they were floating around me. Smoke, too."

Sam, Tommy, and Quackity quietly listened to the ghost's description of this strange place, of its endless darkness and the mysterious lack of gravity. I wonder what it means... Tommy wondered.

"I tried to leave the mirrors, but there was always just more. Or maybe they followed me, I don't know." He frowned at his lack of clarity. "Then I noticed the mirrors playing some something, so I went to look."

"What were they playing?" Quackity asked, a little more curious. "Like a movie or something?"

"I guess? I would hope they were all just a movie, but you guys were in it. Or maybe you all became actors? But I felt strangely connected to it all..." Delusion whispered the last part, too quiet for anyone but himself.

"Nah. Who's got the time for that?" Quackity scoffed. "So after that? Then what?"

"I... was confused at first. They weren't showing anything I remembered, but some of the people in them were my friends, like Sapnap and George and you guys, too." Delusion nervously looked up to see their reactions. There wasn't much, maybe a hint of surprise.

"Some of it was calm but the rest was, um, violent."

"Violent?" Sam spoke up.

"Yeah, there were people fighting each other and blowing stuff up and everything was getting destroyed." The ghost hugged his arms and quivered. "It was soo loud..."

They were speechless. Delusion, Dream's ghost, was acting soo weak in front of them, but when they reflected on what he'd said, they realized he wasn't wrong. Was war... the right option? Tommy wondered, but Delusion started speaking again.

"Sometimes there would be just normal, everyday things but the more I watched the more chaotic it got. And there were so many people too, most I've never seen before."

"Like who?" Tommy asked. "Can you describe them?"

"Uh, there was a short, brown-haired kid with goat horns that seemed to get pushed around a lot, there was also this really tall half-black-half-white guy with a crown, and this brown-haired man wearing a trench coat and glasses." He started listing off the people he remembered. "Um, I did see this man in a white hoodie a lot when they were fighting, oh and there was that pink haired... pig hybrid? He also wore a crown and was really good at fighting."

Tubbo, Ranboo, Wilbur, Punz, and Techno. The three named in their heads. So he doesn't remember them... at all?  

Tommy felt kind of bad. Imagine, that you don't remember anyone, even if they weren't your friends. That's kind of sad, innit?

• • •

"Then I remember... fighting with the short boy and you." Delusion pointed to Tommy. "I think I won and then we went to this dark place." He looked uncomfortable.

"There were... discs, lying on the ground. And there was a path with a bunch of stuff, labeled too." Delusion shifted his feet. "I think... you looked scared? Disgusted? Maybe both?"

This gave Tommy a flashback to back when they were in that place. He...remembered that? He recounted the SMP, all present, standing together to put Dream in the prison. Tommy had a bad feeling.

"And then I walked away, and you two were talking about something. Then the man with the white hoodie came through a nether portal." Delusion felt a lump in his throat. "Then more people came."

"I remember... seeing Sapnap there." Quackity furrowed his brows hearing that name come out of Delusion's lips, which he noticed were slightly quivering. "He was pointing a sword at me."

The ghost placed a transparent hand on his chest, where his heart would be. "I think I felt...sadness? I-I don't know how to describe that feeling. It was like my chest was sinking to my feet, but at the same time feeling my heart rip apart and break into a million pieces. It was like something was caught in my throat and made me unable to speak, yet I had a million words to say." He caught his breath. "Something wet fell from my left eye then."

He looked at his hand, grey and wafting away in thin, transparent streaks. It was shaking a little.

"They cornered me, and then you came forward with an ax." Delusion looked at Tommy. "And I saw death 2 times before you froze." To Tommy, the words stung like needles, thin but sharp. 

"Then everything was kind of a blur I... saw Sam, and he escorted me into that box, into the prison but Sam, why?" He looked towards the creeper hybrid, at the face of a man he thought of his friend. Was that not the case? Was it ever true?

Delusion's expression, so full of pain, so full of hurt, stabbed at Sam's heart. But he had no words to say. He never did.

• • •

Although he had wished for everything to stay happy, the ghost found it difficult to stay as such. He remembered the tears he had shed as he watched as an outsider, of every tragedy he'd witnessed, the broken faces of friends and strangers alike. Or, perhaps, weren't they all strangers in the end? What kind of friend would stab a sword into their companions with a smile on their face?

But just because he was burdened with these emotions did not mean the three sitting in front of him had to as well. So he didn't share them, not to these people. They were getting along, weren't they? Why make them any more uncomfortable when they could all be happy? He'd like that. He'd like for everything to remain at peace.

So the ghost, unexpectedly even to himself, chose to keep silent about what he saw in the prison. Ignorance, although childish, can be a bliss. And Delusion was prepared to wonder in agony of what the visions might have meant in solitude.

Delusion concluded his experience, scanning his eyes across Tommy, Sam, and Quackity, stopping for just a little longer than necessary on each to read their faces and feel their emotions. 

He could almost hear the cogs in their heads turning, trying to digest the information he'd spewed out. Was that too much? He wondered, worried about how they feel. I hope I didn't hurt them, especially the boy...what's his name? He decided to ask.

"Oh yeah, I haven't learned your name yet. What's your name?" Delusion's upbeat attitude was almost worrying.

"Um...Tommy, Tommyinnit." The blonde boy replied, still a little nervous to speak to the ghost.

"Tommy...Tommy... okay! I'll remember it!" The ghost cheerfully replied.

And with that, Tommy and Quackity soon left Sam's house, hurrying away to their own friends and those they considered family.

• • •

Whether it was important or not, news certainly does make its way around- and this was definitely important. So soon, almost everyone has heard or was hearing about Delusion's surprising existence.

Some showed shock, others fear. Some even found themselves slightly disgusted. But no matter the feelings produced upon learning of Dream's death and Delusion's creation, it was something that circled through every country, through every community.

"Hey, did you hear..." "Wait, really?! Dream..." "And here I though things couldn't get any weirder..." "So he's a ghost..." "Delusion? Who's that?"  Whispers went from ear to mouth.

A man wearing a pair of black-feathered wings walked among them, listening to the usual chatter of the SMP's inhabitants.

Hm? A ghost...of Dream? Delusion? Dream's dead? He tipped his hat downwards. I need to tell him!

And so, away from the SMP he flew, until the grass was replaced by glistening white snow and the rolling grass hills were replaced by towering frost mountains. Until the oaks changed into pine and an endlessly beautiful but barren land stretched in every direction.

He circled above a lone structure, made of wood and stone, cozy and standoffish from the rest of the world. The man landed in front of the cabin and knocked on the front door.

Knock knock.

He could hear the drum of steady footsteps echoing from inside, as it came close and closer. Creak- The wooden door swung open to reveal a man of high stature, dressed in elegant garments and a red robe lined with fur. The crown on his head sparkled in the sun.

"Phil! How've you been?" He asked in a booming voice, deep and monotone. "Did something happen?" 

Phil's nervousness was obvious, so he sighed. "Mate, it's a long story..." His eyes looked sad.

He motioned the man into the cabin, and they began to speak.

...

"Dream?"

Chapter Text

The entire server was in chaos.

It didn't matter the person, everyone's mouth was moving. Some were asking, others complaining. A few were pinpointed and bombarded with questions and screams.

Tommy was one of them, and he didn't know how to deal with it.

"Aye, Tommy!" Yelled a man in a trench coat, huffing as he speed-walked over to the boy. "Tell me, what's going on?"

"A-ah, Wilbur, good to see you too, mate." Tommy's eyes nervously darted around, his brain racing for a way out.

"Tommy, tell me. Please." The urgency in his eyes were plain. Tommy's heart gave in.

"Okay." He gave in.

They walked towards a tree and Tommy started to speak.

 "I was going over to the prison, and found that Sam wasn't there. So I went to his house instead and heard him running around with Big Q which, you know, is like," He shrugged. "Then we were going to meet up yesterday, where I found out Dream...you know, is a ghost now."

Wilbur's distress was clear as day, but he took a deep breathe and asked again. "Tommy, can you tell me how you found out he d- became a ghost?"

"Uh, I was just talking with Sam, then we heard Big Q shout from upstairs so we went to him. Then I saw Dream and of course, freaked out buuut looking closer he seemed different. Then I realized he was a ghost and didn't remember me. At all."

"He didn't remember you?"

"...No, he didn't." And I'm still questioning that.

Wilbur went silent for a moment, brows furrowed. Then he looked up to Tommy.

"Do you know where he is now?" Wilbur asked.

"I think he's probably still with Sam? Don't know." Another shrug.

"Alright. Thank you Tommy." He turned to leave.

"Okay. Bye Wilbur." Tommy sheepishly said. "Oh, and he goes by Delusion now!"

"I'll keep that in mind." A faint reply was the only thing Tommy received.

He sighed, and began walking back to his little dirt house,  tired from this exchange.

But he won't be the only one who's tired.

• • •

Delusion found much fun exercising his new skills as a ghost, which included fazing through walls and often scaring the crap out of Sam.

The warden would often asked the ghost to stop, but the only thing he would get in return is "but it's fuuuuun".

So the only think he could do was sigh in return, and try to get some rest.

Delusion, on the other hand, was very curious of the extent of his abilities. Fazing's one of them, and I kind of leave wisps behind when I float around. Could there be something else? He closed his eyes to think.

It's...dark. Now that I think about it, what was that space I went to? There were mirrors around but they were all floating, and smoke for some reason too...was there a fire? 

The ghost tried to picture that darkness, but found it difficult. ...Huh, I can't seem to remember its appearance... that's weird. I wonder why.

"-𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨?" A voice full of static rang out, oddly clear and echoing within Delusion's mind.

"Wh-wha, huh, who's there!?" He stuttered, a little shocked by the sudden call.

"-𝐡, 𝐚𝐡, 𝐚𝐡𝐡. 𝐎𝐡, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐞 𝐠𝐨.." It spoke again, this time a little clearer.

"Who-"

"𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞! 𝐍𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝐈 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞? 𝐎𝐡, 𝐈 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞'𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐲𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐲𝐞𝐭, 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐈? 𝐎𝐫, 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐈 𝐚𝐦?"

To Delusion, the voice wasn't exactly unpleasant. But...there was something...off, about it. He answered, "...No, I don't think I know you?"

"𝐇𝐦𝐦, 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠..." It paused for a bit. "𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐥, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐞'𝐬 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐞! 𝐀𝐧𝐝...𝐢𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐃𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐨𝐫...?"

Nightmare, Nightmare...have I heard of that name before? Delusion couldn't remember. Ahh, it's so frustrating!

"𝐔𝐡, 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨?" He could hear it raise an eyebrow to his silence.

"Oh, yeah! No, my name's Delusion."

"𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧? 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥? 𝐇𝐚!" It laughed at its own joke, but all Delusion could muster was a nervous giggle.

"𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐥, 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫. 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮'𝐫𝐞 𝐚 𝐠𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭, 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭?" Nightmare blurted out.

"Huh? Yeah, they told me a few days ago." He thought back to the smoke and mirrors.

"𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐡. 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐝?"

"Died...?" Delusion was surprised, to say the least. That's what we're talking about now?

"𝐈 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧, 𝐲𝐨𝐮'𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐢𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐚 𝐠𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭, 𝐝𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮? 𝐒𝐨 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰?" It seemed to have become slightly impatient.

"Um, I don't think so...but I do remember waking up in this obsidian box with lava on one side!" He felt a little proud to have been able to remember this.

Nightmare didn't respond. No, unlike Delusion, he immediately realized what this meant. 𝐍𝐨 𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐞, 𝐥𝐚𝐯𝐚, 𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐭, 𝐡𝐮𝐡?

He sighed. "𝐀𝐥𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭, 𝐮𝐧, 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧. 𝐍𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐰𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞. 𝐒𝐞𝐞 𝐲𝐚."

"Wha-wait!" Delusion still had many questions, but the voice was gone.

For now.

• • •

Is he talking to someone? Sam wondered, picking up on some kind of conversation upstairs. But all he could hear was the ghost's voice.

Eh, ghosts are all pretty weird anyways. Maybe that's just his thing.

He finished cleaning up his house, and then shouted to Delusion. "Delusion? Do you need food?"

A faint reply came after a small moment of silence. "No, I don't think so! But I'm go down!"

Sam heard the door creak open, which was a little frightening since no footsteps followed suit, until he saw the ghost pop out from the ceiling. 

"Gah! For the love of Prime, please don't do that." Sam exhaled, worried he's going to get a heart attack. 

"Oh, sorry! Didn't mean to scare you!" He quickly apologized, reminding himself to not do that again.

"No, it's okay...anyways, what are you down here for?" Sam asked.

"Well, just a little bored, you know, it's been two days..." His voice trailed off, as he glanced around the room.

Oh yeah, he's been up there for a while, hasn't he? I wonder if there's something...

"Well, I guess you could go outside?" He commented.

"Wait, really?" Delusion immediately perked up, eyes bright and voice all joyous-sounding.

"Uh, sure. Of course you can. Yeah." Sam replied, suddenly unsure whether or not this was a good idea.

"Woo! Let's go!" The ghost flew out the door, quite literally.

Sam trekked behind Delusion, a mix of expressions on his face. "...Well, he's happy. So I guess it's fine...?"

But is it?

Chapter Text

While he could recognize the familiar terrain of his server, it was strange to see what was missing- and what stood in place of that vacancy.

Structures stood erect - and crumbled - all over the place, all of which Delusion remembered seeing through the mirrors. 

It...hits you hard seeing it firsthand, huh. His smile wavered a little. Reality sure isn't forgiving.

He thinks of the soft spring breeze, wafting through the air the scent of earth and dew. But now, in it mixed the smell of lingering smoke and dust.

And this forest...seems smaller than before. Have I grown, or has it shrunk? He looked around a little more. Had something left?

But he couldn't think to himself for long, as his ghostly appearance had attracted the SMP's residents. They turned their heads, first with curiosity for what the pale visage in the corner of their eyes was, then with surprise as their eyes opened wide. 

"Look!" Someone shouted. "Is that... Dream's ghost?" Some gasped, some took a step back.

Delusion had been in a trance-like state, drowning in memory. But the noises snapped him out of it, and he turned towards the source.

"Ah, hello!" Delusion smiled and waved, beginning to float toward the small crowd.

They, in return, were shocked at the ghost's friendly demeanor. Like everyone before them, it was a side of "Dream" almost none of them had seen before.

"He-hello." Mumbled Niki, cautious of Delusion's next move. A few silent whispers passed between mouths in the background, until someone passed the crowd and strode toward Delusion.

He wore a white t-shirt with a black turtleneck underneath, the edges of his clothes singed. His hair was black, but it waved in the air like flames, the tips a slight orange, like fire flicking away. 

"What do you want," Sapnap said, voicing wariness and a hint of agitation. His eyes, although orange in color, were cold.

But Delusion didn't notice the hostility. Rather, he was more focused on how different his friend seemed. He tried to speak. 

"Sa-" But before he could, a flare of pain hit his head, making him wince. Images flashed through his mind. 

Remember, a voice seemed to echo.

"If you break out of this prison, it's going to be me who takes your final life." He heard his friend's voice ring in his ears. 

"N-no..." Delusion wanted to refuse the memory. He staggered backward

This caught Sapnap off guard. What...?

"He-hey, what are you doing?" He pulled out his sword, hand tightening on the grip. 

Hearing the sound of Sapnap's voice, Delusion bursts open his eyes. He suddenly turned his head towards the one he knew as his friend, shock painted on his face.

His mouth, gaping open, whispered, "Sapnap..." He released his hands from his hair. Sapnap furrowed his brows at the sound of his name and took a step back. 

"Don't come closer, you-" He began to threaten the ghost in front of him, but Delusion cut him off.

"Are you Sapnap?" He asked, looking right at the man with a sword. Although his eyes were completely white, Sapnap felt as if Delusion was staring into his soul.

"Y-yeah, I'm Sapnap! What, don't tell me you're scared!" He became flustered, his voice rising.

"You're really Sapnap...why...did you say that?" Delusion whispered, the last few words almost too quiet for Dream's former friend to hear. But hearing them only confused Sapnap more.

"Say...what?" What are you talking about?" He continued to keep his guard up. Even if he's a ghost...who knows what he'll do. It's Dream we're talking about here.

"You told me that...wait." Delusion seemed to suddenly realize something. Sapnap raised an eyebrow at the ghost's abruptness.

"Sapnap!" Delusion smiled, shouting out his friend's name. "It's you! Haha! Haven't seen you in a while, how's it been, buddy!"

Now, this change in attitude startled everyone, including Sapnap. He...was acting completely differently just a second ago...what the fuck just happened? Sapnap wanted to speak but found his words stuck in his mouth.

Delusion quickly drifted toward the crowd. In particular, his friend in front of him. He leaned forward, arms outstretched, and embraced him. Sapnap twitched in surprise, but not because of the hug.

Rather, it reminded him of the past, when Dream was a friend- almost family, even. When they had laughed together, when they chased each other through the grass when they would comfort each other when they're sad. He had enjoyed feeling his friend's warmth during the cold nights when they cuddled; it made him feel like the luckiest person in the world.

But now, as Delusion hugged and talked on and on about how much he missed him, Sapnap could only focus on the coldness of his skin. Rather than the healthy skin tone Dream had, it was as if someone bleached out all the colors and painted it gray. 

It felt more like hugging an ice sculpture than flesh, and that...

Sapnap wrapped his arms around Delusion, and whispered: "I'm sorry Dream..."

"What?" Delusion laughed. "I'm not Dream, my name's Delusion."

Sapnap hugged a little tighter. "Right, of course. Delusion, right? Hello."

"Hello." Delusion smiled and snuggled his head into Sapnap's shoulder. 

Sapnap hoped he could continue to hold on to the ghost, but like a little kid, Delusion escaped his arms and flew around the crowd, greeting the people he found unfamiliar and stopping the ones who tried to leave.

Even after death, you still... Sapnap looked at the ghost dolefully, at that gleaming smile he knows he'll never again see on his friend. On Dream, who he now know is dead.

Right...he's not Dream. He's Delusion. Sapnap took a deep breath. I don't know how much he remembers, but he hasn't done anything wrong. So maybe this time...

He looked up at the ghost, still floating as if dancing in the air. Can I...?

That day, Sapnap steeled his heart and made a promise to himself. But what he didn't know was that no matter his efforts, it would all turn to dust.

Like flowers in a flame, everything would burn and dissipate.

 • • •

It was a fun day for Delusion, meeting so many new people, learning their names. Not to mention he also finally met Sapnap again.

But he seemed different...somehow? Delusion couldn't quite wrap his head around it. Hmm...well at least he seemed happier in the end!

So the ghost continued to float down the path, the last rays of the sun slowly turning orange, then red, then purple, and finally black.

"Oh shoot, the mobs are coming out soon! Gotta hurry...back?" Delusion looked at the spider crawling over the pathway, which didn't even turn in his direction.

"Can he not see me?" Delusion leaned his head forward to look. The spider hissed a little, but continued climbing forward.

"Oh..." He realized. It can see me, but because I'm a ghost, it...doesn't care?

Despite this being a good thing, it reminded Delusion of the looks the strangers now living on his server gave him. Was it...distain?

He walked forward.

Guess they don't really like me, huh.

He walked, and walked, and walked until he reached Sam's house. Without greeting the one he thought of as his friend, Delusion floated upstairs and quietly closed the door.

He snuffed out the light and plopped down on the bed, eyes glued to the ceiling.

He thought for a long, long time.

It's dark.

Chapter Text

The first thing Delusion did after opening his eyes was jumping up and flying out the door. Sam, as he has - well, had - the duty of prison guard, was already up.

"Delusion, are you going out today too?" He shouted, stopping the ghost mid-flight.

"Yeah! There's so much more to see! You know, yesterday I met Sapnap again! He seemed to have changed a little... but it was fun!" Delusion said, smiling like candy.

"Ah, I see... well, hope you have fun today as well, I guess." Sam hesitantly replied. He met with Sapnap? Hmm...

"Okay! See you!" Delusion phased through the front door and disappeared without a sound. Sam looked at the spot he was just in, then turned back towards his original task, which was cleaning the kitchen.

This time, Delusion headed in a different direction. Rather than down the original path towards the town, he took a right and ran into the forest, the leaves and branches seemingly reaching for him.

He slowed down a little, passing through the rays of sunlight that escaped the foliage above. It was quite pleasant in the forest, just as he'd remembered it.

He took a deep breathe, savoring the scent of the trees and soil on his tongue. He didn't notice the soft crunch of leaves behind him.

Suddenly, Delusion felt a slight chill down his back. He snapped open his eyes and swerved around, only to see nothing but more vegetation. 

"Huh, that was weird. I wonder what it was... eh, probably just some wind."

He continued walking deeper into the woods as a black feather fell silently onto the ground.

• • •

While Delusion was wandering around the forest, the server was in chaos– again. Their recent encounter with Delusion was now, quite literally, the talk of the town. 

"You met him, really?" Ranboo asked Niki, who had been working on some sweets.

"Yeah, he just suddenly showed up. And he was a ghost, too, like Tommy and Quackity said!"

Ranboo was a little speechless. "What...was he like?" He wondered. Is he anything like the old Dream...?

"Hmm..." Niki thought for a bit. "I didn't get to talk to him very much, but he seems very different. He's a lot...kinder, like the old Dream."

"The old Dream?"

"Ah, you don't know, right? Before most people joined the server, he wasn't as... crazy. Actually, he wasn't a bad person at all. Maybe a few pranks here and there, but nothing to ever harm anyone."

"Really..." Ranboo pondered about those words. 

They said goodbye to each other and Ranboo walked out of Niki's bakery, contemplating his newfound knowledge on the "old" Dream as he traveled out of town and towards Snowchester, his home.

But Ranboo wasn't the only one thinking about Dream.

• • •

For some reason, perhaps too caught up in admiring his surroundings, Delusion was lost, ironic as that usually that prevents someone from losing track of their whereabouts.

He blankly stared into the barren field of white before his eyes, blinking a few times out of complete dumbfoundedness.

"How did this even happen?!" Delusion was incredulous. Usually, the trees and shrubs getting replaced with blatant snow should be obvious enough, yet that somehow escaped his attention. 

"Well this is awkward," He said, to no one in particular. "What do I do now? I've never really traveled to the far north before."

He looked around a little. Due to the erratic and inhospitable climate, there was not a single sign of civilization nearby. Heck, there weren't even animals; he could probably walk for days and only see a few rabbits or birds.

Delusion scratched his head. "Well, I'm a ghost, so it's not like I can freeze to death or die of hunger. Whatever!"

So he continued walking forward into the tundra for a while, but it wasn't like he didn't try to enjoy it. After all, how often has he seen snow? And after so much time in that box, some change of weather is always nice.

Yet, something seemed to be missing...ah, there's no one here. No matter how fun it is to play in the snow, if there's no one to enjoy it with, it'll certainly be less satisfying. 

Delusion sighed and floated forward some more. He then began to notice a change in the terrain: there were definitely still a few, lone trees standing around, but not as many as before. The fields seemed more cleared, and the ground smoother. 

In the distance, there was a structure- some sort of cabin, it seemed. It had two main buildings, each looking like the reflection of the other, with a shed in the front where horses were kept. 

"Huh, what's that? Does someone live here?" Delusion wondered out loud. "In this place? Wouldn't they be lonely?"

He walked towards the house and up its steps. He raised his hand.

Knock knock.

• • •

It's been a while since Techno's talked with Phil about Dream and, well, his death. 

Sigh...what to do... The pigman wondered. Should I just confront Sam and ask him about everything, or should I just kill him? Hmm...

After all, Dream was still his friend, and despite everything has stayed by his side. He wasn't like those betraying, unloyal bastards who only use him as a tool- a stepping stone for their own success, but an ally he could call and rely on.

Man...what happened? Why did you die? He pondered on the possibilities. Was it Quackity? Possibly, but their goal is still the revival book...so maybe not. Was he even murdered at all? That question stopped him cold.

...no, there's no way , right?

maybe lol

what a mystery this is

BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD

L

just kill them all wouldn't that be easier?

ITS QUACKITY  ITS QUACKITY

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

ghostdre

AAAAAAAAA HES DEAD

"Chat be quiet. If you've got nothing good to give then just don't talk at all. I'm trying to think." Techno grumbled. Chat quieted down a little. 

"Maybe the revival book...but where am I suppose to get that? Man, this is harder than getting Tommy to shut up, and that's an understatement."

TOMMYINNIT

E

lil gremlin boi

maybe it was his fault all along?!?!?

dream ghost L

BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD

"No, chat, it was not him. And no, we can go killing later. Prime, this is getting me hungry. I wonder when Phil's coming back."

It wasn't like the day had been any different from any other days. There was still snow outside and no people, and he was alone like he is most of the time. Well, excluding the voices of course.

Who knew it could all change so quickly?

As Technoblade walked towards his kitchen to get some bread, he heard a small creak outside the front door.

Is Phil back? He wondered, munching on the roll. Wonder what he went to do. I'll ask him. 

He finished up his food and began walking towards the front door, looking forward to what news the Crow Father had to offer this time. 

Knock knock.

Techno paused in his steps. Why would he knock? That's weird...

He reached for the handle.

Chapter Text

Dream is dead, and that was now a fact. He's gone to Limbo and a ghost named Delusion's now running around in his place in the Overworld. 

The ghost was, well, pretty different from Dream. They are different entities, after all, so of course they would be different. How to say it...he's like a less matured Dream.

Yeah, that seems appropriate.

Because he lacked the memories from after the onset of bedlam, his personality was more...mild, so to speak. Certainly, he's not without his own traumas, but the ghost can't seem to remember much anyways. 

Especially the sad parts of life. Who'd want to remember those?

Not even talking about how his mind's always wondering, as if his thoughts were boats in a typhoon, swirling around and around until his consciousness catches one and pushes it onto dry land- until that, too, gets swept back into the frenzy.

What a blessing it is, to live a life like that? Uncaring for the constant madness besides him, not even hurtful words can break his spirit. 

Isn't that funny?

• • •

It was... a dark space. Well, maybe not. It's a little hard to tell when everything tries to escape his gaze. 

However, he could tell tell there was a path–after all he was walking on it–intertwining and twisting through a black forest of some kind. Perhaps the forest was white, too. Who knows?

At the end of that path, which was very long–mind you–was a bunch of rocks. Boulders, to be specific, arranged in a disorderly way that somehow ends up looking not chaotic.

𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐠𝐨𝐝𝐬, 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐦𝐲 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐭. He grunted, walking closer and closer to the arrangement of stone.

"𝐌𝐚𝐧, 𝐰𝐡𝐲'𝐝 𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞? 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐥, 𝐈 𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐢𝐭'𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫."

Suddenly, the whole space shook, as if some sleeping giant had awoken and was angry at the disturbance. A booming voice rung out.

"𝒲𝒽𝓎 𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝒾𝓃 𝒫𝒶𝓇𝒶𝒹𝑜𝓍, 𝒩𝒾𝑔𝒽𝓉𝓂𝒶𝓇𝑒?" It echoed out.

"𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐈'𝐯𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐭 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐚~"

"𝒩𝑒𝓌𝓈?" 

There was a brief moment of silence, but then everything shock again. This time, the tremor stronger.

The rock formation began to break apart. Some pieces seemed to melt away, while others merely sunk into the ground. In the center of the arrangement, now vacant, was a splash of cyan, as if someone dropped a jar of bright blue ink onto the ground.

On it sat a chair–well, it could probably be called a throne for its appearance–and on it, a person.

Was it even a person?

It stood up and walked towards Nightmare, stone crumbling off of its shoulders as he moved. He stopped.

"𝒲𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓃𝑒𝓌𝓈?" It spoke. 

Nightmare smiled. "𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨𝐨, 𝐋𝐮𝐜𝐢𝐝."

• • •

Having found two boulders for them to rest on, Nightmare told Lucid about his findings. This, of course, included Dream's death and Delusion's emergence.

"𝒟𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓂 𝒾𝓈...𝒹𝑒𝒶𝒹?" Lucid mumbled, clearly shocked at the information.

"𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐥, 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐡. 𝐈𝐭'𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐚 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐨, 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲, 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐝. 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐰𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐢𝐦?"

Lucid stayed silent. "𝒩𝑜. 𝐿𝒾𝓂𝒷𝑜 𝒾𝓈 𝒶 𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓁𝓂 𝑜𝒻 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒢𝑜𝒹𝒹𝑒𝓈𝓈. 𝐼𝒻 𝓌𝑒 𝓌𝑒𝓇𝑒 𝓉𝑜 𝒾𝓃𝓉𝓇𝓊𝒹𝑒, 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔𝓈 𝒸𝑜𝓊𝓁𝒹 𝓉𝒶𝓀𝑒 𝒶𝓃 𝓊𝓃𝒻𝒶𝓋𝑜𝓇𝒶𝒷𝓁𝑒 𝓉𝓊𝓇𝓃."

"𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐚𝐚𝐭? 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐞'𝐫𝐞 𝐚 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐢𝐦. 𝐖𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐧'𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐞?" Nightmare whined, glancing at Lucid's face.

"𝒩𝑜 𝒾𝓈 𝓃𝑜, 𝒩𝒾𝑔𝒽𝓉𝓂𝒶𝓇𝑒."

"𝐎𝐤𝐚𝐲 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐞." He pouted. "𝐀𝐧𝐲𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬, 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞? 𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐦𝐲 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐭."

"𝒯𝒽𝒶𝓉'𝓈 𝓌𝒽𝓎 𝒾𝓉'𝓈 𝒸𝒶𝓁𝓁𝑒𝒹 𝒫𝒶𝓇𝒶𝒹𝑜𝓍. 𝐼𝓉 𝒾𝓈 𝒶 𝓅𝓇𝒾𝓈𝑜𝓃, 𝒶𝒻𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝒶𝓁𝓁, 𝒶𝓁𝓉𝒽𝑜𝓊𝑔𝒽 𝒾𝓉 𝒽𝒶𝓈 𝒷𝑒𝑒𝓃 𝓌𝑒𝒶𝓀𝑒𝓃𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓁𝒶𝓉𝑒𝓁𝓎..." A pause. "𝐵𝓊𝓉 𝑜𝓃𝒸𝑒 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝑔𝑒𝓉 𝓊𝓈𝑒𝒹 𝓉𝑜 𝒾𝓉, 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓅𝒶𝒾𝓃 𝓈𝓊𝒷𝓈𝒾𝒹𝑒𝓈"

"𝐇𝐦...𝐚𝐥𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭. 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐥, 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐈'𝐯𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐭." Nightmare jumped onto the ground.

"𝒲𝒽𝑒𝓇𝑒 𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝑔𝑜𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓃𝑜𝓌?"

"𝐆𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐚 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐠𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧. 𝐈 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐡𝐞'𝐬 𝐡𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠. 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞, 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡." He raised an eyebrow. "𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠?"

"𝐼 𝓌𝒾𝓁𝓁 𝑔𝑜 𝓌𝒾𝓉𝒽 𝓎𝑜𝓊."

"𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭???" Nightmare gasped. "𝐇𝐨𝐰?"

"𝒩𝑜𝓌 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝒟𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓂'𝓈 𝒹𝑒𝒶𝒹, 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓇𝑒𝓈𝓉𝓇𝒶𝒾𝓃𝓉𝓈 𝒽𝒶𝓋𝑒 𝒷𝑒𝑒𝓃 𝒶𝓃𝓃𝓊𝓁𝓁𝑒𝒹. 𝒯𝒽𝑒𝓇𝑒 𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝒶 𝒻𝑒𝓌 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔𝓈 𝐼 𝓂𝓊𝓈𝓉 𝓀𝓃𝑜𝓌 𝒻𝓇𝑜𝓂 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝑔𝒽𝑜𝓈𝓉...𝒟𝑒𝓁𝓊𝓈𝒾𝑜𝓃, 𝓌𝒶𝓈 𝒾𝓉?"

"𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐡...𝐚𝐥𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭. 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐞. 𝐃𝐢𝐝𝐧'𝐭 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐝𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐤𝐚𝐲." He sighed. "𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐦𝐞."

They walked down the path once more, for who knows how long.

Chapter Text

Technoblade stared down at the ghost in front of him.

Wha- who's this? He inspected him a little. A ghost?

Immediately, his mind went to what Phil had told him just a few days prior. Ghost...Dream...

"Um...hi?" Dream's voice rung in his ears. He saw the ghost shuffle his feet, if you could call them that.

Techno stayed silent, inspecting Delusion's appearance. He does look like Dream...but mixed with ghostbur.

"Are you the new ghost?" He asked, gaze never moving from spirit in front of him.

"Ah, yeah. I'm Delusion. Nice to meet you!"

"Delusion..." Techno's eyes showed a hint of sadness, but they quickly disappeared. "Come in." His voice rang out, low like the drum of a thousand horses, racing across the soil.

"Ah, okay." Delusion floated through the door. After looking around a little, he commented, "You have a nice house!"

"Thank you, I've spent a lot of time on it." Techno replied with a slightly proud tone. It was unusual for him to not speak indifferently, but he hadn't realized at that moment. "Speaking of which, do you have a house?"

"A house?" Delusion tilted his head. "I don't think I've ever really built an actual house, maybe a tent here and there to spend the night."

Knew he was homeless. "Really? Kind of weird that the owner of the server doesn't have his own place, isn't it?"

"Well, if you think about it that way, the server is my home since it's the space I made. So I do have a house- the server is my house!" Delusion exclaimed.

"Besides, I'm not the owner, just a ghost." Delusion's jollity decreased a little. "The real owner's dead. I'm just a replacement."

This didn't make Techno happy. "Who told you that? You're you, and your alive version, Dream, is Dream. You're not a replacement for anyone."

"Oh..." Delusion was a little shocked. He thought the man in front of him would be like a buffer and quieter version of Quackity. He's actually pretty nice...

"Well, no matter what, I'm here now. So I'll live!" Delusion paused for a second. "Maybe live's not quite the right word...but whatever," he grinned. "It doesn't really matter in the end, right?"

"Yeah...sure." Techno, who had been on the receiving end of the conversation, turned towards his kitchen in silence. "Do you want something to eat?"

"Sure! Ghosts don't get hungry, but it'll be nice to taste something once in a while."

"Mhm." The pig man didn't turn around. He only took out a few apples from the cupboard and began cutting them. He sure is...cheery.

Aw hes so cuteee

ghostdream

His name's delusion?

sus

BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD

sadnoblade sadnoblade

"Shut it." Technoblade muttered under his breath.

"What?" Asked Delusion.

"Ah, it's nothing. Here's some apples." He placed them in front of Delusion and pulled out a chair. "So...what are you here for?"

The ghost looked up. "Hm...I guess I just wondered here? There's not really a reason, I think. I was just exploring the biome."

Techno furrowed his brows a little. "So no one knows you're here?"

"Yeah. Sam knows I went out, but I came here by chance. Oh, do you know Sam?"

Resisting the urge to show his anger, Techno replied, "I know him."

The air suddenly went quiet, as they sat together in silence. Only the wind outside could be heard, and even that was a whisper.

"Um...I think I'll g-"

"What do you know about your alive self?" Techno interrupted Delusion, who could tell he was serious through his gaze alone.

"He...was a bad person. A villain, I think, that got put in prison as punishment."

"Who told you that?" Techno's expression didn't change. The atmosphere felt gloomy, like a dark, clouded sky.

"Uh, Quackity. I remember him saying this when we were walking out of the prison. Oh, and Sam was there too." Delusion peeked at the Blood God's face: it seemed to not show any emotions.

Quackity...him again, huh. And Sam, too. "Why were you in the prison?"

"That's where I woke up." Delusion replied. 

Techno just replied "okay" and told the ghost to roam around the house. "I want to talk a little more later."

Delusion looked as the pig man stood up and walked out, whatever was on his mind heavy and dark.

The ghost said nothing.

• • •

The snow crunched under his hooves.

Today's a little colder than usual, Techno thought, looking at his breath, a white mist that dispersed in the tundra air.

He glanced back at his house, the wooden abode he'd spent so much time at. "Why did you always visit my house, Dream?" He remembered saying.

"Well..."

"Wait, do you not have a house?"

"Wha- no! Of course I do. It's just very far from here."

"Will you take me to it?" He asked, half joking.

"...Maybe some other day."

"Just say your homeless, Dream." He signed, peeking at his friend's face for a reaction.

"I'm not homeless!" Dream shouted, clearly flustered.

"Yeah yeah, whatever you say." Techno chuckled. It wasn't everyday the man everyone (other than Techno, of course) feared and hated showed such a different side of himself.

He even seemed... human.

Techno stared at the snow beneath his feet. "You were human when I first met you, too."

He kept walking forward into the forest.

• • •

It was snowing a little.

They weren't big, like the flurries of the winter biome, but like little flakes of cotton, raining from the sky.

It had been a while since Tommy's seen something like that. Last time, he was living with Dream.

"Uh..." He groaned. It was still a sensitive memory.

He was on the path to Tubbo's place again to share some burdens he had on his mind. "Heck, maybe even Ranboo can help."

That's when a shadow entered his peripheral vision.

The boy turned his head, think it was some kind of animal or maybe a friend. But what faced him was neither.

"Kheeiii..." The creeper shuffled forward, its body pulsating white– a sign of an incoming explosion.

"What the fu-?" He dodged to the side just before the creature detonated, leaving a crater in the ground where it had been a moment before, clumps of scorched soil falling like black snow.

A mob? But it's the middle of the day... Tommy laid there, stunned. "I should get to Tubs."

He started running towards Snowchester.

By the time he got there, the snowflakes were a little bigger, the size of grapes. "Big T! Big T!" He yelled, scanning the place for the sign of another person.

"What is it Tommy? Lately, I feel like you've always run here screaming." Tubbo sauntered out from a side-building.

"Let's go inside first. It might be dangerous out here." Tommy had a worried expression as his eyes dashed left and right, before he pushed Tubbo into the place he just came out of.

After shutting the door, the blonde boy heaved a sigh of relief. "So, are you going to tell me what's going on this time?"Tubbo asked.

"Well, let me tell you a quick story." Tommy faced his friend. "It happened while I was walking here, on the path to Snowchester. Guess what I saw"

"Uhhh...Dream's ghost?" He felt uneasy. If that's the case who knows what'll happen.

"No, actually. I saw a mob!"

"A mob, in the middle of the day?"

"Yeah, that's what I said!" A pause. "Got any idea on what's going on?"

Tubbo fell silent. A mob, appearing midday...That's beyond strange; it's practically impossible.

"I'm not sure, but we should tell this to everyone. They might've already seen a mob too."

"Alright, you wanna send a message?"

"Sure." Tubbo pulled out his communicator and began typing. "Was there anything else you wanted me to know? You said you saw it on the way here."

"Yeah, just about the ghost." Tommy said meekishly.

"What about him? I haven't seem him yet."

"Well...what should we do with him? As of now, he seems like he's lost his memories and doesn't know shit."

"Isn't he dead anyways? Why do you have to worry about him?"

"Just...I have an uneasy feeling." Tommy shuffled his feat. "Like something's gonna happen."

"Hm...well, it's probably not that important, right? We can worry about it later. Let's focus on the mob problem right now."

"...Alright."

Tommy looked out onto the thin layer of snow that was beginning to form. Something's gonna happen soon.

Indeed, he was right. But reality was closer than anyone could imagine.

It was approaching, fast.

Chapter Text

With his trench coat flapping behind him, Wilbur strolled on the path to his current dwelling. Current as ever since his revival, he'd been a little unstable– both mentally and physically.

However, his return to his residence wasn't a leisurely one. Rather, the man carried quite the heavy burden on his consciousness.

With furrowed brows, his desolate eyes pondered on the present situation he'd suddenly received news of from the child a few days ago.

It was no secret that Wilbur had loved Dream. After all, how could he not if his praises for the man spilled from his mouth like a leaking cup?

But now that man was dead, a grand obelisk turned to dust. Wilbur had been quite surprised when he heard of it, even initially believing it was some baseless rumor spread by one of Dream's adversaries, perhaps to defile his image further or make him angry.

So it was no wonder he'd felt so lost, and a little hopeless, too, when he heard from Tommy's own mouth that it was true.

What to do, he wondered. How should I proceed? It's not like I have the power to revive others, unlike him who gave me another life. Wilbur sighed, stressed by his personal dilemma.

Maybe, I can go back to limbo and meet him...he paused.

Limbo...

Suddenly, it was as if space had warped. Wilbur found himself, again, on the dark platforms of a train station.

He could almost hear the screech of iron against iron, of wheels that never stopped for him.

It roared in his ears.

"Gasp!" He stumbled, breathing heavily. Wilbur shook his head, "Ugh..." He steeled his gaze. No, perishing will do me no good. I shouldn't relinquish my life to the hands of Death so easily.

"There is that ghost, isn't there?" He began to contemplate the variables. "It would be good to talk to him...he should have some useful information, whether it's about Dream's death or his own birth."

He took out a cigarette and a match. The match made a soft tzzs as it struck against the box, bursting into a quivering little flame. He placed at the end of his cigarette until a familiar scent wafted into his mouth.

"Sigh..." Wilbur looked as the smoke disappeared into the sky. Dusk was ending and lights began to peek through the shrouding clouds. How he'd wished the world just stood still like that, without perturbance, only himself with his thoughts.

Dream...why did you go?

Wilbur had felt so infinitely lonely then.

But the grating growls of the nightly mobs were already echoing through the trees. So without a moment of rest, he hurried home as the smoke and ashes of his cigarette trailed behind.

• • •

It was a normal, unassuming day. Sapnap, as well, was unassumingly walking to get some supplies with nothing in particular on his mind.

That's when he noticed a figure in the distance out of the corner of his eye.

The person seemed to be wearing a hoodie, with purples and pinks and yellows stitched together. Something also glinted on the top of his head.

"Karl!" Sapnap exclaimed, happy to have spotted his fiance. "Have you returned from your trip?"

"Sapnap!" Karl ran up to his boyfriend. They embraced into a hug, squeezing each other's shoulders and kissing each other's cheeks."What are you doing here?"

Sapnap laughed. "I could say the same to you. How was your trip this time? It was kind of short."

Karl's smile faltered for a split second. "Uh...it was kind of weird this time, not gonna lie..."

"Weird?" Sapnap raised an eyebrow. "Was it that different compared to your other ones? Seems pretty hard to believe, considering what you tell me every time." The pair looked for a place to sit and get comfortable.

"Actually, something strange happened. Do you want to know?"

"Of course I do! Tell me, what is it?"

"I think...I met a god."

Sapnap stopped smiling. "A god? What did he look like?"

"I...don't quite remember...but I think he was very tall, and had these huge white wings. I think he wore a green and white robe of some kind, too. But I don't really remember his face..."

But Sapnap had already zoned out by then, as he remembered his own conversation with a god.

"What do you wish for?" It asked, its voice deep and raspy, like some kind of demonic whisper. "Tell me and I shall grant it."

Sapnap's mouth hung ajar for a moment, as his thoughts raced across his mind. "...If Dream steps out of prison..." He looked to be in a state of deep thought. "...I want him to die..."

He paused again. "...In exchange for my own lives." Sapnap looked up at the creature... no, the god."

"I will exchange all my remaining lives for the death of Dream...my brother and best friend."

"Is it worth it?" The god's voice echoed out from underneath its mask.

Sapnap seemed to look into the distance, where the sky seemed to be on fire. The orange clouds gently floated across that canvas.

"Yep, it's worth it." He answered at last. "Its definitely worth it."

"-ap?"

"Sapnap!"

He snapped back into reality as his fiance called for his name. "Huh? Oh, yeah. That does sound pretty weird, huh?" He laughed, his nervousness clear.

"Mhm...anyways, so I met that god or whatever he is. We were in this weird space, with these really tall pillars on all sides and a giant clock-thing below us. And everything was all white and purple. At least, I think those were the colors."

"That sounds pretty cool, I'd say." Sapnap loved it when Karl told him about his adventures. He'd always look so happy. "So do you remember what he say to you?"

"Yeah, actually. He said 'The Overseer of the land and balance has perished to the molten flames of greed. And now, with the absence of his soul which everything rests on, the world has begun to crumble away.'"

Karl paused for a bit to think over what he'd just said. "After that he told me to return to the SMP to tell everyone and a portal appeared in front of me."

"That's pretty cryptic."

Karl laughed like spring daisies. "That's true. But I should probably still tell this to everyone just in case. He was a god, after all. And it seems more like a warning than just a story or something."

"Alright. But how about meeting Q first? You haven't seen him in a while. It probably won't be too late to tell everyone the story later."

Sapnap suddenly remembered something. "Oh, there is this meeting for the SMP, but the date hasn't been decided yet, so we still have time."

"A meeting?"

"Yeah, Tubbo sent out a message for everyone to get together. You could probably tell everyone what you heard there, too."

"That's a good idea. You're so smart~"

"Obviously~ Who do you think I am?"

They look a quick look at each other and bursted out laughing. "Well, let's get to Las Nevadas now. I wanna see what Quackity's up to."

"Sure. Let's go."

With that, the duo started strolling towards their other fiance.

• • •

After Techno left, Delusion had been, with all honesty, a little bored. It wasn't like there was much to do in the tundra anyways, where the cabin was surrounded by an endless stretch of snow and frost.

The ghost sat by the windowsill, staring out at the horizon where white met blue, unsure of what activities he could partake in to pass time.

"Sigh, when's he gonna be back..." Delusion pouted. "I've already seen pretty much all the places around here."

Techno's house wasn't extraordinary, to put it simply. It wasn't some kind of majestic fortress or a towering castle, nor did it house mountains of treasure and look very awe-inspiring; but it still had its own charms that were fun for Delusion to explore.

He'd especially liked the stable and dog house, as they were occupied by Technoblade's companions, who seemed to enjoy his company. "Should I go play with them some more?"

He got up from his seat.

"Huh-?"

Crrreeee- A sound of metal ripping apart seemed to scream from the depths of his mind. He could feel something's presence appearing as his vision started to turn groggy.

"Ugh..." Delusion groaned, putting a hand to his head as he tried to support himself. Swirls of color mashed together, like rough waves clashing against a cliff edge.

It felt like his head was splitting into a million pieces.

"Don't...faint..." He grunted. But it was no use; his vision was turning black.

And as Delusion fell forward, a voice seemed to rung out in the distance.

"𝒩𝒾𝒸𝑒 𝓉𝑜 𝓂𝑒𝑒𝓉 𝓎𝑜𝓊, 𝒟𝑒𝓁𝓊𝓈𝒾𝑜𝓃."

Chapter Text

"Uhh...what..." As Delusion came to, he found himself in a dark space, white mist swirling around his feet.

It immediately reminded him of what he saw in the mirrors after he left the prison, of the wars, blood, and death...

This time, however, there were no mirrors to be seen. Just a thin fog and the black sky.

Rubbing his head in pain, Delusion tried to look around a bit. "Hm...why am I here again..." He whispered to himself, trying to predict what'll come next.

That's when he saw it: a thin crack in the space. It seemed to glow white as a swirling, opaque substance seeped out. Delusion went a little closer.

Crrkk. The crack grew in an instant, quickly widening and causing more of the liquid to spill out. They clung to the darkness of the space, like syrup to the back of a throat.

"What the..." Delusion took a step backwards, alerted by the abrupt change. The space began to warp, crumbling apart like shattered glass. The colors painted the it lurid.

Just as the ghost's eyes darted back and forth, unnerved, the clack of heels pulled his attention towards the crack once more. A dark silhouette materialized, and another quickly followed.

"Is that...a person?" Delusion felt an unexplainable pressure. He fell into a protective stance and squinted at the shadows. They seemed to glow against the background.

"𝐻𝓂, 𝓈𝑜 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝒾𝓈 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓂𝒾𝓃𝒹𝓈𝒸𝒶𝓅𝑒 𝑜𝒻 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓃𝑒𝓌 𝒽𝑜𝓈𝓉. 𝐼𝓉'𝓈 𝓆𝓊𝒾𝓉𝑒...𝑒𝓂𝓅𝓉𝓎." A hollow voice sounded. "𝒲𝑜𝓊𝓁𝒹𝓃'𝓉 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓈𝒶𝓎, 𝒩𝒾𝑔𝒽𝓉𝓂𝒶𝓇𝑒?"

"𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐡, 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥, 𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐧'𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞'𝐬 𝐚 𝐠𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬, 𝐬𝐨 𝐢𝐭'𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐟𝐟'𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝." Another replied, this time the voice a little more familiar.

"Who are you guys?" Delusion spoke out. His voice rung against the silence, and he could feel the cold sweat forming on his hands. The visitors turned to look at him.

"𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐥, 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭? 𝐀𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐬𝐚𝐲: 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐥." The second voice laughed. "𝐘𝐨, 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐮𝐩? 𝐒𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐞?"

The voice's owner emerged into view. Gasp, Delusion quietly sucked in his breath, "It's you!"

In front of him stood the same person he saw in this black space days ago, with the same red eyes that shone in the dark and a mischievous grin that spelled chaos.

"𝐘𝐚𝐲, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐞! 𝐈 𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐈 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐬𝐧'𝐭 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐝 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐫 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫, 𝐚𝐦 𝐈 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭?" He cheered, unfazed by the silence the others responded him with.

"How and why are you here, Nightmare." Delusion said, on guard.

"𝐖𝐨𝐚𝐡 𝐰𝐨𝐚𝐡 𝐰𝐨𝐚𝐡, 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲? 𝐈 𝐝𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐈 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐈 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐝."

"𝒴𝑜𝓊 𝑜𝒷𝓋𝒾𝑜𝓊𝓈𝓁𝓎 𝓂𝒾𝓈𝓈𝑒𝒹 𝓈𝑜𝓂𝑒𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔, 𝓈𝒾𝓃𝒸𝑒 𝑔𝒽𝑜𝓈𝓉𝓈 𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝓂𝑜𝓈𝓉𝓁𝓎 𝓉𝑒𝓂𝓅𝑒𝓇𝒶𝓉𝑒 𝒷𝓎 𝓃𝒶𝓉𝓊𝓇𝑒." The first shadow stepped forward.

Now that Delusion could see the person, he realized that it had the exact same face as Nightmare, except for the fact that his eyes were painted with a bright blue hue and he himself was dressed in a much more militaristic fashion. They might as well be twins, since even their height and body mass seemed the same.

"Who are you?" Delusion asked, astonished at the two's similarity. "Are you guys siblings or something?"

The man laughed in a deadpan tone. "𝒜𝒽, 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇𝑒'𝓈 𝒶 𝑔𝒽𝑜𝓈𝓉𝓈' 𝓃𝒶𝓉𝓊𝓇𝒶𝓁 𝒾𝓃𝓃𝑜𝒸𝑒𝓃𝒸𝑒. 𝐼𝓃𝒹𝑒𝑒𝒹, 𝓌𝑒 𝒸𝒶𝓃 𝒷𝑒 𝒸𝒶𝓁𝓁𝑒𝒹 '𝓈𝒾𝒷𝓁𝒾𝓃𝑔𝓈' 𝒾𝓃 𝒶 𝓌𝒶𝓎, 𝒷𝓊𝓉 𝒾𝓉'𝒹 𝒷𝑒 𝓂𝓊𝒸𝒽 𝓂𝑜𝓇𝑒 𝒶𝒸𝒸𝓊𝓇𝒶𝓉𝑒 𝓉𝑜 𝒷𝑒 𝓇𝑒𝒻𝑒𝓇𝓇𝑒𝒹 𝓉𝑜 𝒶𝓈 '𝓅𝑒𝓇𝓈𝑜𝓃𝒶𝓁𝒾𝓉𝒾𝑒𝓈,' 𝓌𝒽𝒾𝒸𝒽 𝐼'𝒹 𝓈𝒶𝓎 𝓂𝒶𝓀𝑒𝓈 𝓊𝓈 𝓂𝓊𝒸𝒽 𝒸𝓁𝑜𝓈𝑒𝓇 𝓎𝑒𝓉 𝒶𝓁𝓈𝑜 𝓂𝑜𝓇𝑒 𝒹𝒾𝓈𝓉𝒶𝓃𝓉 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝑜𝓈𝑒 𝒸𝑜𝓃𝓃𝑒𝒸𝓉𝑒𝒹 𝒷𝓎 𝒷𝓁𝑜𝑜𝒹. 𝒬𝓊𝒾𝓉𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒸𝑜𝓃𝓉𝓇𝒶𝒹𝒾𝒸𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃, 𝓌𝑜𝓊𝓁𝒹𝓃'𝓉 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝒶𝑔𝓇𝑒𝑒?" He grinned, which-Delusion noticed-had an eerie chill to it.

"𝒜𝒽, 𝓅𝒶𝓇𝒹𝑜𝓃 𝓂𝑒. 𝐼 𝒶𝓂 𝐿𝓊𝒸𝒾𝒹, 𝑜𝓃𝑒 𝑜𝒻 𝒟𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓂, 𝓎𝑜𝓊𝓇 '𝒶𝓁𝒾𝓋𝑒-𝓈𝑒𝓁𝒻,' '𝓈 𝓅𝑒𝓇𝓈𝑜𝓃𝒶𝓁𝒾𝓉𝒾𝑒𝓈." He pointed a finger at Nightmare. "𝐻𝑒, 𝓉𝑜𝑜, 𝒾𝓈 𝒶 𝓅𝑒𝓇𝓈𝑜𝓃𝒶𝓁𝒾𝓉𝓎, 𝒾𝒻 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝒽𝒶𝓋𝑒𝓃'𝓉 𝑔𝓊𝑒𝓈𝓈𝑒𝒹."

"...So you're Lucid, he's Nightmare, and you're both my alive-self's personalities?"

"𝐁𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐨! 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐲! 𝐖𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐠𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐮𝐭!" Nightmare sneered.

"𝐸𝓃𝑜𝓊𝑔𝒽 𝓌𝒾𝓉𝒽 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒿𝑜𝓀𝑒𝓈, 𝒩𝒾𝑔𝒽𝓉𝓂𝒶𝓇𝑒. 𝒟𝑜𝓃'𝓉 𝒻𝑜𝓇𝑔𝑒𝓉 𝓌𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓌𝑒 𝒸𝒶𝓂𝑒 𝒽𝑒𝓇𝑒 𝒻𝑜𝓇." Scolded Lucid.

"𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐡 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐡 𝐚𝐥𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭."

"What do you want from me?" Questioned the ghost, who felt a heavy sense of dread forming within.

"𝒩𝑜𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔." Lucid replied, his tone cool like a frozen ocean.

"You're lying."

"𝐼𝓉'𝓈 𝓉𝓇𝓊𝑒. 𝒲𝑒 𝒹𝑜𝓃'𝓉 𝓌𝒶𝓃𝓉 𝒶𝓃𝓎𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒻𝓇𝑜𝓂 𝓎𝑜𝓊. 𝒲𝑒'𝓇𝑒 𝒿𝓊𝓈𝓉 𝒽𝑒𝓇𝑒 𝓉𝑜 𝓈𝑜𝓇𝓉 𝓈𝑜𝓂𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔𝓈 𝑜𝓊𝓉 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒽𝑒𝓁𝓅 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓊𝓃𝒹𝑒𝓇𝓈𝓉𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓎𝑜𝓊𝓇 𝒾𝒹𝑒𝓃𝓉𝒾𝓉𝓎 𝒶 𝓁𝒾𝓉𝓉𝓁𝑒 𝒷𝑒𝓉𝓉𝑒𝓇." His mouth curved into a smile. "𝒟𝑜𝓃'𝓉 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓌𝒶𝓃𝓉 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓉𝑜𝑜?"

"...Then, what do you know about this place and my past?" He paused. "...And about Dream?"

"𝐻𝓂𝓅. 𝒲𝑒𝓁𝓁, 𝒾𝓉'𝓈 𝒶 𝓁𝑜𝓃𝑔 𝓈𝓉𝑜𝓇𝓎. 𝒮𝑜 𝓁𝑒𝓉'𝓈 𝑔𝑒𝓉 𝒸𝑜𝓂𝒻𝑜𝓇𝓉𝒶𝒷𝓁𝑒." Lucid snapped his head to the right. "𝒩𝒾𝑔𝒽𝓉𝓂𝒶𝓇𝑒."

𝐘𝐞𝐩." He sighed, and flicked his wrist. 𝐀𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐠𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐚 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐦𝐞 𝐝𝐨 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤, Nightmare grumbled to himself. 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐈'𝐦 𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫...

Delusion watched, stunned, as the space began to warp once more. He watched as the floor splashed like water, rising up and molding into the shape of chairs and tables. Globs of the floor also floated up and stretched into things like pillows and cushions, among other accessories.

"Wha-" The ghost started, but was cut off by the sight of the ceiling drooping down like slime, it's swirling pattern moving around like the iridescent surface of soap bubbles. They landed onto the furniture, spreading across them and painted them with color.

"𝒯𝒽𝒶𝓉'𝓈 𝓂𝓊𝒸𝒽 𝒷𝑒𝓉𝓉𝑒𝓇." Lucid commented as everything settled down. "𝒜𝒻𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝓎𝑜𝓊." He reached his hand towards a chair across from him.

Delusion reluctantly accepted the invitation, and all three sat down. Lucid sighed."𝒲𝒽𝑒𝓇𝑒 𝒹𝑜 𝐼 𝒷𝑒𝑔𝒾𝓃? 𝐼𝓉 𝒶𝓁𝓁 𝓈𝓉𝒶𝓇𝓉𝑒𝒹 𝒶 𝓁𝑜𝓃𝑔 𝓉𝒾𝓂𝑒 𝒶𝑔𝑜, 𝓁𝑜𝓃𝑔 𝒷𝑒𝒻𝑜𝓇𝑒 𝒟𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓂'𝓈 𝒹𝑒𝒶𝓉𝒽, 𝓁𝑜𝓃𝑔 𝒷𝑒𝒻𝑜𝓇𝑒 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓌𝒶𝓇𝓈..."

• • •

Sticks and leaves crunched under Techno's hooves as he wandered around the forest.

His nose sniffed the air, trying to grasp any scent that matched the one in his memories. His eyes scoured the ground for any familiar signs.

"Phil?" He yelled, listening for any response. Then he spotted something.

A black crow feather.

"Ah, there it is." He picked it up and began walking in that direction.

"Hey, Phil." He said, looking at the man who took him in. The man turned his head.

"Oh, Techno! 'ello, mate, what brings you here? I was just getting some materials." He raised the wood and food in his arms.

"Yeah, so there's been a bit of an emergency..." Techno started. "Uh, you see..."

"What happened?"

"There's a, uh, ghost in the cabin." He scratched his neck.

"Oh, Ghostbur. Haven't seen him in a while, now have I? So what's up?" Phil replied, still smiling.

"Um, it's actually not Ghostbur..."

"Wait," Phil dropped the grin. "Then who is it?"

"It's Dream's."

"Wait what?" Phil's alert turned into shock. He was stunned. "He's here?"

"Yeah..." Techno shifted his hands.

"But how's that po- what?" Panic was obvious in his eyes.

"Woah woah. You don't have to stress this much. We can just find that book or whatever and bring him back, right?" Techno tried to reassure his friend.

"Yeah, we can do that, but there's quite a few problems." The crow father sighed. "First, as far as I know, there's only one copy of that book in the Overworld, which is -was- on Dream. Now that he's dead, retrieving it is less than possible. Second, do you know what is death means?"

"Uh, does his death specifically do something?"

"Yeah, since he's this server's admin. Honestly, it's really complicated and I'm not exactly clear on it either. But Kristin's been acting a little panicked recently, so it's best we get this fixed as soon as possible." He shivered. "Who knows what would happen if we don't?"

"Alright. Then, let's get back to the cabin. Delusion should still be there. I told him to stay until I went back."

With that, they began to race back to the house, snowflakes dancing behind their footprints. And eventually, the house came into sight, just as the sun started its descent behind the horizon.

The duo walked up the steps towards the front door. The howling of the tundra wind and the creaks of the floorboards were they only sound they could hear.

Techno, as a seasoned warrior, became alert. Knowing him, it shouldn't be this quiet...

He stopped. "What's wrong." Phil whispered, now noticing Techno's caution.

"Wait here." He stepped up to the door. Whooo, he took a deep breath.

The door creaked open.

"Delusion...?"

• • •

The SMP was rowdier than ever. Everyone was making noise, whether it was a conversation on recent struggles, laughs from jokes, or just yawns.

"Guys, the meeting's starting!" Shouted Ranboo, waving his arms to gather the people's attention.

The crowd quickly entered the meeting space, which had seats laid out all around. After they got seated, their voices soon died down. All eyes were on Tubbo.

"So Tubbo, what did you call us here for?" Asked Eret. "It seemed pretty urgent."

"Actually, I was just the messenger. For Tommy. He'll give us more detail." They all turned their heads towards him, who shuffled nervously in his seat.

"So, uh, basically what happened was that I saw a mob. A creeper, to be exact."

"Okay, and...?" Questioned Fundy, raising an eyebrow. "Creepers aren't particularly unusual, are they?"

"Well the problem was that I saw it in the middle of the day."

Everyone fell quiet.

"Well, okay, that is definitely very unusual and very urgent." Gulped Jack.

The hushed silence soon bursted into chatter, filled with questions and mumbling.

"Hey, guys, quiet." Eret yelled over the cacophony. He then turned towards the boy, eyes now far more serious. "Now, can you explain?"

Tommy sighed, his lips contorted into an awkward frown. "Of course."

He began to talk.

Chapter Text

"𝒲𝒽𝑒𝓃 𝐼 𝒻𝒾𝓇𝓈𝓉 𝒸𝒶𝓂𝑒 𝒾𝓃𝓉𝑜 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝓌𝑜𝓇𝓁𝒹, 𝒶𝓁𝓁 𝐼 𝒸𝑜𝓊𝓁𝒹 𝓈𝑒𝑒 𝓌𝒶𝓈 𝓇𝑒𝒹." Lucid began. "𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝒻𝓁𝑜𝑜𝓇, 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓌𝒶𝓁𝓁𝓈, 𝓂𝓎 𝒽𝒶𝓃𝒹𝓈... 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓎 𝓌𝑒𝓇𝑒 𝒶𝓁𝓁 𝓈𝓉𝒶𝒾𝓃𝑒𝒹 𝓌𝒾𝓉𝒽 𝒷𝓁𝑜𝑜𝒹. 𝒴𝑜𝓊 𝒸𝑜𝓊𝓁𝒹 𝓈𝑒𝑒 𝒾𝓉 𝒾𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒶𝒾𝓇, 𝐼 𝓇𝑒𝓂𝑒𝓂𝒷𝑒𝓇, 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒾𝓉 𝓈𝓂𝑒𝓁𝓁𝑒𝒹 𝓁𝒾𝓀𝑒 𝒹𝑒𝒶𝓉𝒽."

He continued. "𝐼 𝒻𝑒𝓁𝓉 𝓅𝒶𝒾𝓃 𝒻𝓁𝑜𝑜𝒹 𝓂𝓎 𝓈𝑒𝓃𝓈𝑒𝓈, 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓌𝑜𝓇𝒹𝓈 𝒸𝓁𝒶𝓈𝒽𝑒𝒹 𝒾𝓃 𝓂𝓎 𝒽𝑒𝒶𝒹. 𝐵𝓊𝓉 𝓈𝓉𝓇𝒶𝓃𝑔𝑒𝓁𝓎 𝑒𝓃𝑜𝓊𝑔𝒽, 𝐼 𝒻𝑒𝓁𝓉 𝒸𝒶𝓁𝓂. 𝐼 𝒹𝒾𝒹 𝓃𝑜𝓉 𝒸𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝒶𝒷𝑜𝓊𝓉 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒹𝑒𝒶𝒹 𝒷𝑜𝒹𝒾𝑒𝓈 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓁𝒾𝑒𝒹 𝒾𝓃 𝒻𝓇𝑜𝓃𝓉 𝑜𝒻 𝓂𝑒, 𝓃𝑜𝓇 𝒹𝒾𝒹 𝐼 𝒸𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓎 𝓌𝑒𝓇𝑒 𝒹𝑒𝒶𝒹 𝒾𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒻𝒾𝓇𝓈𝓉 𝓅𝓁𝒶𝒸𝑒. 𝒜𝓁𝓁 𝐼 𝓌𝒶𝓈 𝓌𝑜𝓇𝓇𝒾𝑒𝒹 𝒶𝒷𝑜𝓊𝓉 𝓌𝒶𝓈 𝒽𝑜𝓌 𝓉𝑜 𝒹𝑒𝒶𝓁 𝓌𝒾𝓉𝒽 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓎𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒶𝒻𝓉𝑒𝓇𝓌𝑜𝓇𝒹𝓈."

"...You're insane." Delusion remarked, incredulous at how this demon in front of him talked about murder without a single quiver in his voice.

"𝐼 𝒶𝓂 𝓃𝑜𝓉 𝒾𝓃𝓈𝒶𝓃𝑒, 𝒽𝑒 𝒾𝓈." Lucid pointed towards Nightmare. "𝐼 𝒶𝓂 𝒿𝓊𝓈𝓉 𝓈𝑜𝓂𝑒𝑜𝓃𝑒 𝓌𝒽𝑜 𝓅𝓊𝓉𝓈 𝓌𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝒾𝓈 𝓃𝑒𝒸𝑒𝓈𝓈𝒶𝓇𝓎 𝒷𝑒𝒻𝑜𝓇𝑒 𝓌𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝒾𝓈 𝓃𝑜𝓉."

"𝐊𝐞𝐤𝐞, 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭! 𝐈 𝐚𝐦 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐞!!" Nightmare cackled. "𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐦𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐈 𝐟𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭! 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐈'𝐦 𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬!"

"𝐵𝒶𝒸𝓀 𝓉𝑜 𝓂𝓎 𝓂𝑒𝓂𝑜𝓇𝒾𝑒𝓈."Lucid cooly cut in. "𝒜𝒻𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝒶𝓈𝓈𝑒𝓈𝓈𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓈𝒾𝓉𝓊𝒶𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃, 𝐼 𝒹𝑒𝒸𝒾𝒹𝑒𝒹 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒷𝑒𝓈𝓉 𝒸𝑜𝓊𝓇𝓈𝑒 𝑜𝒻 𝒶𝒸𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃–𝓉𝑜 𝓃𝑜𝓉 𝑜𝓃𝓁𝓎 𝓉𝓊𝓇𝓃 𝒾𝓉 𝒾𝓃𝓉𝑜 𝒶𝓃 𝒶𝒸𝒸𝒾𝒹𝑒𝓃𝓉 𝒷𝓊𝓉 𝒶𝓁𝓈𝑜 𝓇𝑒𝓂𝑜𝓋𝑒 𝓂𝓎 𝑜𝒷𝓋𝒾𝑜𝓊𝓈 𝒾𝓃𝓋𝑜𝓁𝓋𝑒𝓂𝑒𝓃𝓉 𝒾𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒷𝓁𝑜𝑜𝒹𝓈𝒽𝑒𝒹–𝓌𝒶𝓈 𝓉𝑜 𝒹𝑒𝓈𝓉𝓇𝑜𝓎 𝒶𝓁𝓁 𝑜𝒻 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝑒𝓋𝒾𝒹𝑒𝓃𝒸𝑒, 𝓌𝒽𝒾𝒸𝒽 𝒾𝓃𝒸𝓁𝓊𝒹𝑒𝒹 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒷𝑜𝒹𝒾𝑒𝓈. 𝒯𝒽𝑒𝓇𝑒𝒻𝑜𝓇𝑒, 𝐼 𝒶𝓇𝓇𝒶𝓃𝑔𝑒𝒹 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒸𝑜𝓇𝓅𝓈𝑒𝓈 𝓈𝑜 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝒾𝓉 𝓁𝑜𝑜𝓀𝑒𝒹 𝓁𝒾𝓀𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓎 𝓌𝑒𝓇𝑒 𝑒𝓃𝒿𝑜𝓎𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒶 𝓅𝑒𝒶𝒸𝑒𝒻𝓊𝓁 𝓈𝓁𝑒𝑒𝓅 𝒾𝓃 𝒷𝑒𝒹, 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓅𝑜𝓊𝓇𝑒𝒹 𝑜𝒾𝓁 𝑜𝓃𝓉𝑜 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒻𝓁𝑜𝑜𝓇 𝑜𝒻 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓀𝒾𝓉𝒸𝒽𝑒𝓃. 𝒜𝒻𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉, 𝒶𝓁𝓁 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓌𝒶𝓈 𝓃𝑒𝑒𝒹𝑒𝒹 𝓌𝒶𝓈 𝓉𝑜 𝒷𝓊𝒾𝓁𝒹 𝒶 𝓈𝒾𝓂𝓅𝓁𝑒 𝒸𝑜𝓃𝓉𝓇𝒶𝓅𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃 𝓈𝑜 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝒶𝒻𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝐼 𝑒𝓈𝒸𝒶𝓅𝑒𝒹, 𝒶 𝓉𝑜𝓇𝒸𝒽 𝓌𝑜𝓊𝓁𝒹 𝒷𝓊𝓇𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝓇𝑜𝓊𝑔𝒽 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓇𝑜𝓅𝑒 𝒽𝑜𝓁𝒹𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒾𝓉 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒹𝓇𝑜𝓅 𝑜𝓃𝓉𝑜 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝑜𝒾𝓁 𝒷𝑒𝓁𝑜𝓌, 𝓈𝑒𝓉𝓉𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒽𝑜𝓊𝓈𝑒 𝒶𝒷𝓁𝒶𝓏𝑒."

The ghost could not speak. Lucid smiled. "𝒜𝓃𝒹 𝑜𝒻 𝒸𝑜𝓊𝓇𝓈𝑒, 𝒾𝓉 𝓌𝑜𝓇𝓀𝑒𝒹. 𝐼 𝒷𝑒𝓁𝒾𝑒𝓋𝑒 𝒾𝓉 𝓌𝒶𝓈 𝒶𝓇𝑜𝓊𝓃𝒹 15 𝓂𝒾𝓃𝓊𝓉𝑒𝓈 𝒶𝒻𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝐼 𝒽𝒶𝒹 𝓁𝑒𝒻𝓉 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒻𝒾𝓇𝓈𝓉 𝓈𝒾𝑔𝓃𝓈 𝑜𝒻 𝒶 𝒻𝒾𝓇𝑒 𝒶𝓅𝓅𝑒𝒶𝓇𝑒𝒹. 𝐵𝓊𝓉 𝐼 𝓂𝒶𝒹𝑒 𝓈𝓊𝓇𝑒 𝓉𝑜 𝒸𝓁𝑜𝓈𝑒 𝒶𝓁𝓁 𝑜𝒻 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒸𝓊𝓇𝓉𝒶𝒾𝓃𝓈 𝓈𝑜 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓃𝑜 𝑜𝓃𝑒 𝒸𝑜𝓊𝓁𝒹 𝓈𝑒𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒻𝓁𝒶𝓂𝑒𝓈 𝓊𝓃𝓉𝒾𝓁 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓌𝒽𝑜𝓁𝑒 𝓅𝓁𝒶𝒸𝑒 𝒽𝒶𝒹 𝓉𝓊𝓇𝓃𝑒𝒹 𝓉𝑜 𝒹𝓊𝓈𝓉 𝑜𝓇 𝓌𝒶𝓈 𝓉𝓊𝓇𝓃𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒾𝓃𝓉𝑜 𝒹𝓊𝓈𝓉. 𝐼𝓈𝓃'𝓉 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓈𝓂𝒶𝓇𝓉?" He asked very pompously, clearly proud of this mania he'd caused.

"But why were there corpses in the first place, and who were they?" Delusion asked, a little afraid of the answer.

"𝐀𝐡, 𝐈'𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐨𝐧𝐞." Nightmare butted in, floating up to Delusion's face. He made no effort to hide his insanity. "𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐚 𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐬?"

"...I hope they weren't an innocent couple."

Nightmare froze for a second, then bursted out laughing. "𝐎𝐟 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭! 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬!"

"Wha-"

"𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐠𝐨 𝐬𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 '𝐨𝐡, 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬' 𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐡 𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐡 𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐡. 𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈 𝐬𝐚𝐰?"

"...What?"

"𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐲 𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡, 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐞'𝐬, 𝐦𝐲 𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝. 𝐌𝐲 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰? 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐈 𝐬𝐚𝐰 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐲, 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐨𝐛𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐝. 𝐈 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧, 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐤 𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐰 𝐚 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐲 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐞. 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧, 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞'𝐬 𝐬𝐚𝐤𝐞. 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐝𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐚 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 '𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐦𝐬.'"

The longer Nightmare talked, the angrier he got. A pot of resentment and rage boiled deep inside him, boiling away all of his rationality and care for staying human.

"𝐈 𝐠𝐨𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐲, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰? 𝐀𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝'𝐯𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐮𝐩 𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬. 𝐒𝐨 𝐈 𝐯𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐭𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐬𝐮𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫. 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐡 𝐬𝐮𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐝." He snickered to himself.

"𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐚 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐈 𝐝𝐢𝐝, 𝐬𝐨 𝐈 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐰 𝐚 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞, 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐡𝐨𝐥 𝐢𝐧 𝐢𝐭 𝐬𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐡𝐞'𝐬 𝐜𝐮𝐭, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐤𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐧. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐈 𝐭𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐤𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐈 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐛𝐲 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲. 𝐈𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰?𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐭 𝐜𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐡𝐢𝐭 𝐡𝐢𝐦. 𝐈𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐨𝐨 𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐟𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠~"

Delusion didn't quite know what to say. After all, it wasn't everyday you get a graphic description of how someone murdered their father, and the culprit was grinning from ear to ear.

"𝐈 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐞, 𝐬𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐛 𝐡𝐢𝐦 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫. 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐝𝐢𝐝: 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐮𝐩 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐢𝐦, 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐝, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐤𝐧𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐭." Nightmare closed his eyes to think for a bit. "𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭...𝐨𝐡, 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭! 𝐒𝐨 𝐈 𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐤𝐚𝐫𝐝'𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐬𝐥𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐨𝐤𝐞 𝐮𝐩 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐭'𝐝 𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐧𝐨𝐭. 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝'𝐯𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦. 𝐈𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐫𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐠𝐨𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧."

He suddenly furrowed his brows. "𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐝𝐢𝐝? 𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧'𝐭 𝐫𝐮𝐧 𝐮𝐩 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐨𝐧, 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐤, 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐚 𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝! 𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐨𝐛𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐥𝐲 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐞, 𝐬𝐨 𝐈 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐛𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤. 𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐭, 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐡-𝐬𝐨-𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐮𝐬𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐝. 𝐍𝐨𝐰 𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧'𝐭 𝐈 𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐞?"

"S-so what'd you do after that?"

"𝐃𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐨. 𝐈 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐱𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐮𝐩 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐞." Nightmare waved his hand around. "𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐈 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐱-𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧.."

"Who's the original consciousness?"

Nightmare rolled his eyes. "𝐃𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦, 𝐨𝐛𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐥𝐲. 𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐞?"

"Oh... them I'm guessing that's when Lucid stepped in?" Delusion eyed the man.

"𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐡. 𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐬𝐚𝐰 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝, 𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐮𝐭. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐨 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭. 𝐒𝐨 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐨𝐥-𝐚𝐧𝐝-𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲. Nightmare waved his hands around Lucid, like he was showcasing him as some sort of exotic prize. 

"I see...so what happened after you left?" Delusion asked Lucid. 

"𝒲𝑒𝓁𝓁, 𝑜𝒻 𝒸𝑜𝓊𝓇𝓈𝑒, 𝓌𝑒 𝒸𝑜𝓊𝓁𝒹𝓃'𝓉 𝓈𝓉𝒶𝓎 𝒾𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓅𝓁𝒶𝒸𝑒, 𝓈𝑜 𝐼 𝒹𝑒𝒸𝒾𝒹𝑒𝒹 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓌𝑒 𝓈𝒽𝑜𝓊𝓁𝒹 𝑔𝑒𝓉 𝒶𝓈 𝒻𝒶𝓇 𝒶𝓌𝒶𝓎 𝒶𝓈 𝓅𝑜𝓈𝓈𝒾𝒷𝓁𝑒, 𝓌𝒽𝒾𝒸𝒽 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓃𝓉𝓊𝒶𝓁𝓁𝓎 𝓁𝑒𝒹 𝓊𝓈 𝓉𝑜 𝒻𝒾𝓃𝒹 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝓁𝒶𝓃𝒹." A hint of warmth seemed to flash across Lucid's face, but it was gone as quickly as it had appeared. "𝒜𝒻𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝓂𝒶𝓀𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓈𝓊𝓇𝑒 𝓌𝑒 𝓌𝑒𝓇𝑒 𝓈𝒶𝒻𝑒, 𝓏𝐼 𝑔𝒶𝓋𝑒 𝒸𝑜𝓃𝓉𝓇𝑜𝓁 𝒷𝒶𝒸𝓀 𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓇 𝓉𝑜 𝒟𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓂. 𝐻𝑒 𝓌𝒶𝓈 𝒸𝑜𝓃𝒻𝓊𝓈𝑒𝒹 𝒶𝒷𝑜𝓊𝓉 𝓌𝒽𝑒𝓇𝑒 𝒽𝑒 𝓌𝒶𝓈 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝒶 𝓂𝑜𝓂𝑒𝓃𝓉, 𝒷𝓊𝓉 𝓌𝑒 𝒾𝓃𝓉𝓇𝑜𝒹𝓊𝒸𝑒𝒹 𝑜𝓊𝓇𝓈𝑒𝓁𝓋𝑒𝓈 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒽𝑒𝓁𝓅𝑒𝒹 𝒽𝒾𝓂 𝓊𝓃𝒹𝑒𝓇𝓈𝓉𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓈𝒾𝓉𝓊𝒶𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃."

"𝐇𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐚 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰?" Nightmare said nonchalantly. "𝐄𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭. 𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐢𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐰."

"𝒴𝑒𝓈, 𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝓉𝓇𝒶𝓊𝓂𝒶 𝓌𝒶𝓈 𝒹𝑒𝑒𝓅, 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒾𝓉 𝓈𝑒𝑒𝓂𝑒𝒹 𝑜𝓊𝓇 𝓅𝒶𝓇𝑒𝓃𝓉𝓈 𝒽𝒶𝒹 𝒶𝓁𝓌𝒶𝓎𝓈 𝒷𝑒𝑒𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓌𝒶𝓎. 𝒯𝒽𝑒𝓇𝑒 𝓌𝒶𝓈 𝓃𝑜 𝓃𝑒𝑒𝒹 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝓁𝒾𝓃𝑔𝑒𝓇𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒶𝓉𝓉𝒶𝒸𝒽𝓂𝑒𝓃𝓉𝓈 𝓉𝑜𝓌𝒶𝓇𝒹𝓈 𝒾𝓂𝓂𝑒𝒸𝒾𝓁𝑒𝓈 𝓁𝒾𝓀𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓂, 𝑒𝓈𝓅𝑒𝒸𝒾𝒶𝓁𝓁𝓎 𝓃𝑜𝓌 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓎'𝓇𝑒 𝒹𝑒𝒶𝒹 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓌𝑒'𝓋𝑒 𝑒𝓍𝒶𝒸𝓉𝑒𝒹 𝑜𝓊𝓇 𝓇𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓃𝑔𝑒." Lucid nodded. "𝒜𝓃𝒹 𝓉𝑜 𝓂𝒶𝓀𝑒 𝓈𝓊𝓇𝑒 𝒟𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓂 𝒽𝒶𝒹 𝒶 𝓃𝑒𝓌 𝑔𝑜𝒶𝓁, 𝓉𝒽𝓊𝓈 𝓈𝑜𝓂𝑒𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓉𝑜 𝓁𝒾𝓋𝑒 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒻𝒾𝑔𝒽𝓉 𝒻𝑜𝓇, 𝓌𝑒 𝒸𝑜𝓃𝓋𝒾𝓃𝒸𝑒𝒹 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒽𝑒𝓁𝓅𝑒𝒹 𝒽𝒾𝓂 𝒸𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓉𝑒 𝒶 𝓃𝑒𝓌 𝒮𝑀𝒫– 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒟𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓂 𝒮𝑀𝒫, 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝒾𝓈. 𝐼𝓉 𝓌𝑜𝓊𝓁𝒹 𝒷𝑒 𝒶 𝓅𝓁𝒶𝒸𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝒷𝑒𝓁𝑜𝓃𝑔𝑒𝒹 𝓉𝑜 𝒽𝒾𝓂, 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒶 𝓅𝓁𝒶𝒸𝑒 𝓌𝒽𝑒𝓇𝑒 𝒽𝑒 𝒸𝑜𝓊𝓁𝒹 𝓉𝒽𝓇𝒾𝓋𝑒 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒷𝑒 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝑒 𝒾𝓃." 

"𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐡, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰, 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐟𝐟? 𝐒𝐨 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐭 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐠𝐨𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐧𝐨𝐭, 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐚𝐩𝐧𝐚𝐩, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐞. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐡𝐢𝐦 𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐥𝐢𝐧 𝐢𝐧...𝐓𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐲, 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬." Nightmare rambled on, clearly annoyed. "𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐨𝐲 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥."

"What did Tommy do?" Delusion asked. It seemed like he was a timid boy when I met him...

"𝐻𝑒 𝓌𝒶𝓈 𝑒𝓈𝓈𝑒𝓃𝓉𝒾𝒶𝓁𝓁𝓎 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓈𝓉𝒶𝓇𝓉 𝑜𝒻 𝒶𝓁𝓁 𝓂𝒾𝓈𝒸𝒽𝒾𝑒𝒻 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒹𝒾𝓈𝑜𝓇𝒹𝑒𝓇," Lucid stated. "𝒜𝓃𝒹 𝒶𝒻𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝒽𝒾𝓂 𝑜𝓃𝓁𝓎 𝓂𝑜𝓇𝑒 𝓅𝑒𝓈𝓉𝓈 𝒿𝑜𝒾𝓃𝑒𝒹. 𝒟𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓂 𝒽𝒶𝒹 𝓁𝑜𝓈𝓉 𝒸𝑜𝓃𝓉𝓇𝑜𝓁 𝒶𝓉 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓅𝑜𝒾𝓃𝓉, 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝑜𝒻 𝒸𝑜𝓊𝓇𝓈𝑒, 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝒸𝑜𝓊𝓁𝒹𝓃'𝓉 𝒷𝑒 𝒾𝒻 𝓌𝑒 𝓌𝑒𝓇𝑒 𝓉𝑜 𝓉𝑜 𝓀𝑒𝑒𝓅 𝓌𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝒷𝑒𝓁𝑜𝓃𝑔𝑒𝒹 𝓉𝑜 𝓊𝓈."

"𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐡!" Nightmare exclaimed. "𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐫, 𝐢𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐮𝐬! 𝐈𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐝!"

"But are they not citizens of the server?" Delusion questioned. "Shouldn't they get a say?"

"𝒯𝒽𝑒𝓎 𝓈𝒽𝑜𝓊𝓁𝒹, 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓎 𝒹𝒾𝒹." Lucid answered. "𝐻𝑜𝓌𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇, 𝒾𝓉'𝓈 𝒾𝓂𝓅𝑜𝓇𝓉𝒶𝓃𝓉 𝓉𝑜 𝓀𝑒𝑒𝓅 𝒾𝓃 𝓂𝒾𝓃𝒹 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓌𝑒 𝓌𝑒𝓇𝑒 𝓈𝓉𝒾𝓁𝓁 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝑜𝓌𝓃𝑒𝓇𝓈 𝑜𝒻 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓁𝒶𝓃𝒹. 𝐼𝒻 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓎 𝓌𝑒𝓇𝑒 𝓉𝑜 𝒷𝑒 𝓇𝑒𝓈𝒾𝒹𝑒𝓃𝓉𝓈 𝑜𝒻 𝒾𝓉, 𝒾𝓉'𝓈 𝑜𝓃𝓁𝓎 𝓃𝒶𝓉𝓊𝓇𝒶𝓁 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓂 𝓉𝑜 𝒶𝓉 𝓁𝑒𝒶𝓈𝓉 𝓁𝒾𝓈𝓉𝑒𝓃 𝓉𝑜 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒻𝑒𝓌 𝓇𝓊𝓁𝑒𝓈 𝓌𝑒 𝓁𝒶𝒾𝒹 𝒹𝑜𝓌𝓃. 𝐻𝑜𝓌𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇, 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓎 𝒸𝑜𝓊𝓁𝒹𝓃'𝓉 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓃 𝒹𝑜 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉."

"𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐡, 𝐢𝐭'𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐦 𝐚 𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐨𝐰𝐧. 𝐖𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐫? 𝐍𝐨, 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭! 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐬, 𝐰𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞, 𝐰𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐚𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐝, 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐰𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭? 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧'𝐭 𝐟𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐦! 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧!"

"Oh, I see..." This made Delusion see a lot of things from a different point of view. As he was, he still tried to be mindful of other perspectives, but what the personalities said did make sense. Indeed, he would be angry if someone took away what was once his.

"𝒮𝑜 𝓌𝑒 𝒻𝑜𝓊𝑔𝒽𝓉 𝓁𝒾𝓀𝑒 𝓂𝒶𝓃𝒾𝒶𝒸𝓈 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝓌𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓌𝒶𝓈 𝑜𝓃𝒸𝑒 𝑜𝓊𝓇𝓈. 𝒲𝒶𝓇 𝒶𝒻𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝓌𝒶𝓇, 𝓂𝒶𝓃𝒾𝓅𝓊𝓁𝒶𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓉𝒽𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓉𝓈, 𝓂𝒶𝓀𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒶𝓁𝓁𝒾𝑒𝓈 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒻𝑜𝑒𝓈 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓈𝓌𝒾𝓉𝒸𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒷𝑒𝓉𝓌𝑒𝑒𝓃 𝓈𝒾𝒹𝑒𝓈; 𝓌𝑒 𝒹𝒾𝒹 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓎𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓌𝑒 𝒸𝑜𝓊𝓁𝒹 𝓉𝑜 𝓀𝑒𝑒𝓅 𝓌𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓁𝒾𝓉𝓉𝓁𝑒 𝓅𝑜𝓌𝑒𝓇 𝓌𝑒 𝒽𝒶𝒹 𝓁𝑒𝒻𝓉, 𝓎𝑒𝓉 𝒾𝓉 𝓌𝒶𝓈 𝓈𝓉𝒾𝓁𝓁 𝒹𝓌𝒾𝓃𝒹𝓁𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓈𝓉𝓇𝒾𝓅𝓅𝑒𝒹 𝒶𝓌𝒶𝓎 𝒻𝓇𝑜𝓂 𝓊𝓈." Lucid exhaled. "𝒜𝓃𝒹 𝒶𝓉 𝓁𝒶𝓈𝓉, 𝒶𝓈 𝒶 𝓅𝒶𝓇𝓉 𝑜𝒻 𝑜𝓊𝓇 𝓅𝓁𝒶𝓃, 𝓌𝑒 𝒹𝑒𝒸𝒾𝒹𝑒𝒹 𝓉𝑜 𝒷𝑒 𝒸𝒶𝓅𝓉𝓊𝓇𝑒𝒹 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓁𝑜𝒸𝓀𝑒𝒹 𝒶𝓌𝒶𝓎 𝒾𝓃𝓉𝑜 𝒶 𝓅𝓇𝒾𝓈𝑜𝓃 𝒸𝑒𝓁𝓁, 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 '𝒷𝑜𝓍' 𝓌𝒽𝑒𝓇𝑒 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝒻𝒾𝓇𝓈𝓉 𝒶𝓅𝓅𝑒𝒶𝓇𝑒𝒹. 𝐻𝑜𝓌𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇, 𝒾𝓉 𝓌𝒶𝓈 𝒶 𝓂𝒾𝓈𝒸𝒶𝓁𝒸𝓊𝓁𝒶𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃 𝑜𝓃 𝓂𝓎 𝓅𝒶𝓇𝓉, 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒾𝓂𝓅𝓇𝒾𝓈𝑜𝓃𝓂𝑒𝓃𝓉 𝓌𝑒𝓃𝓉 𝑜𝓃 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝓂𝓊𝒸𝒽 𝓁𝑜𝓃𝑔𝑒𝓇 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓃 𝒾𝓃𝓉𝑒𝓃𝒹𝑒𝒹. 𝒟𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓂 𝓌𝒶𝓈 𝓃𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇 𝒶𝒷𝓁𝑒 𝓉𝑜 𝑒𝓈𝒸𝒶𝓅𝑒, 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓁𝒶𝒸𝓀 𝑜𝒻 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝑒𝒹𝑜𝓂 𝒶𝓈 𝓌𝑒𝓁𝓁 𝒶𝓈 𝒬𝓊𝒶𝒸𝓀𝒾𝓉𝓎 𝒹𝓇𝑜𝓋𝑒 𝒽𝒾𝓂 𝓉𝑜 𝒾𝓃𝓈𝒶𝓃𝒾𝓉𝓎. 𝒯𝒽𝑜𝓈𝑒 𝓉𝓌𝑜 𝒻𝒶𝒸𝓉𝑜𝓇𝓈, 𝒶𝓂𝑜𝓃𝑔 𝑜𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇𝓈 𝓁𝒾𝓀𝑒 𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝒻𝓇𝒾𝑒𝓃𝒹𝓈' 𝒷𝑒𝓉𝓇𝒶𝓎𝒶𝓁 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝑔𝑒𝓃𝑒𝓇𝒶𝓁 𝓈𝓉𝓇𝑒𝓈𝓈 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓂𝒶𝓃𝒶𝑔𝑒𝓂𝑒𝓃𝓉 𝑜𝒻 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒮𝑀𝒫, 𝓂𝓊𝓈𝓉 𝒽𝒶𝓋𝑒 𝒷𝑒𝑒𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒻𝒾𝓃𝒶𝓁 𝓈𝓉𝓇𝒶𝓌𝓈 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝒷𝓇𝑜𝓀𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒸𝒶𝓂𝑒'𝓈 𝒷𝒶𝒸𝓀. 𝒜𝓃𝒹 𝒾𝓃 𝒶𝓃 𝑒𝒻𝒻𝑜𝓇𝓉 𝓉𝑜 𝒸𝓁𝑒𝒶𝓇 𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝓂𝒾𝓃𝒹, 𝒽𝑒 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓃 𝓁𝑜𝒸𝓀𝑒𝒹 𝓊𝓈 𝒶𝓌𝒶𝓎 𝓉𝑜 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒾𝓃𝓃𝑒𝓇𝓂𝑜𝓈𝓉 𝓅𝒶𝓇𝓉 𝑜𝒻 𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝒸𝑜𝓃𝓈𝒸𝒾𝑜𝓊𝓈𝓃𝑒𝓈𝓈, 𝓌𝒽𝒾𝒸𝒽 𝓌𝑒 𝒸𝒶𝓁𝓁 𝒫𝒶𝓇𝒶𝒹𝑜𝓍. 𝐼 𝓌𝒶𝓈 𝑜𝓃𝓁𝓎 𝒶𝒷𝓁𝑒 𝓉𝑜 𝓁𝑜𝑜𝓈𝑒𝓃 𝓂𝓎 𝒸𝑜𝓃𝓈𝓉𝓇𝒶𝒾𝓃𝓉𝓈 𝒶𝒻𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝒟𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓂'𝓈 𝒾𝓃𝑒𝓋𝒾𝓉𝒶𝒷𝓁𝑒 𝒹𝑒𝓂𝒾𝓈𝑒."

"Wait, then how come Nightmare met me first?" Delusion asked. "Wouldn't you guys have broken out at the same time?" 

"𝐻𝑒...𝒾𝓈 𝒶 𝓈𝓅𝑒𝒸𝒾𝒶𝓁 𝒸𝒶𝓈𝑒. 𝐻𝑒 𝒾𝓈 𝒶 𝓅𝑒𝓇𝓈𝑜𝓃𝒶 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓈𝓅𝑒𝒸𝒾𝒶𝓁𝒾𝓏𝑒𝓈 𝒾𝓃 𝓈𝓉𝓇𝑒𝓃𝑔𝓉𝒽 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒷𝒶𝓉𝓉𝓁𝑒, 𝓌𝒽𝒾𝓁𝑒 𝓂𝓎 𝒻𝑜𝓇𝓉𝑒 𝒾𝓈 𝓂𝑜𝓇𝑒 𝒶𝒷𝑜𝓊𝓉 𝓈𝓉𝓇𝒶𝓉𝑒𝑔𝓎 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓂𝒾𝓃𝒹 𝑔𝒶𝓂𝑒𝓈."

"Ha... I see."

"𝒜𝓃𝒹 𝓈𝑜, 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓎𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓁𝑒𝒹 𝓉𝑜 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓎𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝑒𝓁𝓈𝑒, 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉'𝓈 𝒽𝑜𝓌 𝓌𝑒 𝑔𝑜𝓉 𝒽𝑒𝓇𝑒." Lucid concluded. "𝒩𝑜𝓌, 𝓈𝒽𝑜𝓊𝓁𝒹𝓃'𝓉 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓉𝑒𝓁𝓁 𝓊𝓈 𝓌𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓀𝓃𝑜𝓌 𝒶𝓈 𝓌𝑒𝓁𝓁?"

"What I know?"

"𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐡, 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐡𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐮𝐬 𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐞?" Nightmare asked. "𝐀𝐧𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐧'𝐭 𝐭𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐮𝐬?"

"I...don't think so. The only thing I've kept to myself are some details from this space, but I'm sure you guys already know about it..." Delusion looked at the two, nervously looking through his memories to see if there was anything he could've missed.

"𝒟𝑜 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓀𝓃𝑜𝓌 𝒶𝓃𝓎𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒶𝒷𝑜𝓊𝓉 𝒟𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓂 𝒶𝓉 𝒶𝓁𝓁? 𝒪𝓇 𝓌𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝒸𝑜𝓃𝒹𝒾𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃 𝒽𝑒 𝒾𝓈 𝒾𝓃?"

"...No."

"𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞?"

"Y-yes!"

Nightmare and Lucid looked at each other, exchanging eye contact to confirm each other's thoughts. "𝒜𝓁𝓁 𝓇𝒾𝑔𝒽𝓉," Lucid sighed. "𝐼𝓉 𝓈𝑒𝑒𝓂𝓈 𝓁𝒾𝓀𝑒 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓁𝓁𝓎 𝒹𝑜𝓃'𝓉 𝓀𝓃𝑜𝓌 𝒶𝓃𝓎𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔."

The ghost heaved a quiet sigh of relief. 

"𝐻𝑜𝓌𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇," Lucid suddenly said, startling Delusion. "𝐼𝒻 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇 𝓇𝑒𝒸𝒶𝓁𝓁 𝑜𝓇 𝒻𝑒𝑒𝓁 𝓈𝑜𝓂𝑒𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔, 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓂𝓊𝓈𝓉 𝒸𝑜𝓃𝓉𝒶𝒸𝓉 𝓊𝓈. 𝒲𝑒 𝓌𝒾𝓁𝓁 𝒷𝑒 𝓇𝑒𝓂𝒶𝒾𝓃𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒾𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝓈𝓅𝒶𝒸𝑒, 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓂𝒾𝓃𝒹𝓈𝒸𝒶𝓅𝑒, 𝓈𝑜 𝒿𝓊𝓈𝓉 𝒸𝒶𝓁𝓁 𝑜𝓊𝓉 𝑜𝓊𝓇 𝓃𝒶𝓂𝑒𝓈 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓌𝑒 𝓈𝒽𝑜𝓊𝓁𝒹 𝒷𝑒 𝒶𝒷𝓁𝑒 𝓉𝑜 𝓉𝒶𝓁𝓀. 𝒟𝑜 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓊𝓃𝒹𝑒𝓇𝓈𝓉𝒶𝓃𝒹?"

Delusion violently nodded his head.

"𝒢𝑜𝑜𝒹."

And with a snap of his fingers, the space once again began to shift, morphing back into its original appearance. "𝒩𝑜𝓌, 𝑔𝑜. 𝐼 𝒷𝑒𝓁𝒾𝑒𝓋𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇𝑒 𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝓈𝑜𝓂𝑒 𝓅𝑒𝑜𝓅𝓁𝑒 𝓌𝒶𝒾𝓉𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒾𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓂𝒶𝓉𝑒𝓇𝒾𝒶𝓁 𝓌𝑜𝓇𝓁𝒹 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝓎𝑜𝓊." Lucid said. 𝒜𝓃𝒹 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓎 𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝒻𝒶𝓂𝒾𝓁𝒾𝒶𝓇 𝒻𝒶𝒸𝑒𝓈, 𝓉𝑜𝑜.

"Ah, okay!" Delusion exclaimed, and shut his eyes.

All there was was darkness.

• • • 

Techno was pacing around in his living room while Phil sat next to the unconscious body of the ghost on a couch, gently stroking his cold but soft hands.

"So you're the Delusion everyone's been murmuring about, huh?" He whispered, smiling down like a kind grandfather. He is one, technically. "You look so much like Ghostbur..."

Techno paused for a moment, glancing down at the two, then continued pacing. Do ghosts sleep...? Last time I checked, Ghostbur was always active though...

It had been a day since the two returned to the cabin, and except for his faint breathes and a few quiet, unintelligible words, Delusion had been silent.

"Even if he's asleep, isn't it about time he woke up? Or is this just how ghosts work..." Techno pondered, scrutinizing every possibility he could conjure up to explain his ghost friend's unconsciousness. "Hm?"

As if responding to his question, Delusion began shifting his body and started groaning, rubbing one eye with his hand. "Mmhm..."

"Delusion!" Techno sprinted towards the ghost, worry painfully clear on his face.

omg he woke up

!!!

BABYYYY

YAYY

DELUSIONNNN

As usual, Techno ignored the voices. "Can you hear me? Can you see? Do you remember what happened? Why did you collapse? Delusion?" Instead, he bombarded the just-woken-up ghost with questions.

"Huh, wha- oh, hi Techno. Good morning?" Delusion said as he looked around. "This isn't where I fell?"

"Oh yeah. You were just unconscious on the floor, so we brought you over here to the couch." Philza tilted his head towards the windowsill they found Delusion next to. "By the way, my name's Philza. You can just call me Phil."

"Ah, hello...Phil." Delusion cautiously greeted the elder gentleman. He then whispered to Techno, "Who is this...?"

"This is a good friend of mine," Techno whispered back. "He kind of like a father to me and some other people on the server. Tommy's one of them. You've met him, right?"

"Oh yeah, the blond boy. I remember him. I see..." Delusion nodded along.  A parental figure...

"Anyways, now that you're awake, we're all good!" Phil said, energized. "Hm, I can stay around for a little longer, but it's probably about time I get back to the SMP. There's this meeting that's supposed to be going on about something really urgent, so I'm gonna check it out."

He walked over to the front door and waved goodbye to the two, closing the door behind him. They could hear the soft flapping of his wings as he left.

"But do you know why you fell asleep, Delusion?" Techno asked. These kinds of things usually mean something happened.

"Hm, I think I fell asleep because that was the only way I could meet Dream's personalities." Delusion responded nonchalantly, impervious to what such a statement could lead to. Of course, as a ghost, even after encountering entities such as Lucid and Nightmare, he was still a little innocent.

"Heh?" Techno could only respond with the confused onomatopoeia unique to him. "Personalities?"

"Yeah...Apparently because of a bad thing that happened in the past, Dream created these two other consciousnesses or personalities, as they called themselves, to help him move forward, and they've been around for quite a while, actually, since before the SMP was created."

"...Really." Techno said absent-mindedly. Personalities...maybe that explains why he sometimes acts different...

"Well, seems like you've had quite an adventure, so you can go rest. I have to go check to make sure everything around here is okay." Techno said, waving goodbye to Delusion. If you want something just call alright?"

"Okay!" The ghost happily responded.

The pig man shut the door, and the ghost floated away.

• • •

Everyone turned towards Tommy as he began to speak. 

"I was just walking down the path to Tub's place, like I do, and suddenly I heard a hiss behind me. Of course, I thought it was weird, like maybe someone farted or something– but when I turned around, I saw a creeper crawling up onto the path! And it would've exploded in my face if I hadn't killed it in time. So after that I ran to Snowchester and told them about what I saw." Tommy concluded, looking around at everyone in the room.

They were all silent, mostly thinking about what to make of this situation.

"Alright, everybody. Now that we've heard it from Tommy, let's place down our thoughts." Said Eret. "Anyone?"

"I'll go first." Responded Fundy. "Just thinking about why a creeper appeared during the day wouldn't do anything, so we should go into the forests and places farther away to see if we can find anything or maybe more mobs. Since just one mob wandering around in daylight could be a coincident. But if there are a lot more then it would prove these 'daylight mobs' as a threat."

"Yeah, I agree with Fundy over there." Said Quackity. "We should confirm things first before getting too worked up, right? Shouldn't create non-existing worries for ourselves." 

"But isn't that too dangerous?" Niki commented, quietly raising their hand in the corner. "I feel like that'd probably put us in danger. I mean, we don't know what's out there, and not many of us have a lot of lives left."

"I was kind of thinking the same thing." Said Jack, frowning at the two who suggested the idea. "What if there were too many mobs? We'd die instantly, and it's not like we have infinite lives, either. Also, even if we send someone who has more than one life, if that were me, I wouldn't agree to it. Like, losing a life to a bunch of mobs just for this? Nah."

"Hm, then let's all take a vote. Those who agree with Fundy's idea, please raise your hand." Eret initiated.

Despite Niki and Jack's protest, more than half of the room raised their hands. Even so, you can't blame them. With all that's happened on the server, they've learned that safety sometimes comes before vanity. Dream taught them that lesson well.

"All right then. Then let's prepare the necessities for our trip. We'll split into groups to cover as much area as possible, and if you find anything put it in the communicator immediately. We should all have at least one person who has 2 lives on each team."

"Okay."

"Got it."

"Alright."

A wave of confirmation sounded through the room. And with that they left one by one.

"So...what do we do now?" Asked Tommy, looking at the Snowchester couple.

"I guess we'll start preparing stuff?" Answered Tubbo, scratching the back of his neck.

"Sure."

They left as well.

• • •

By now, the flickering of flames had burned into the back of Dream's retinas, and the cackling of fire had become merely a humdrum static.

He, like always and probably for forever, stared down at the ground, and at the soft, warm lights that danced around his skin. It was painful, and it stung every time they got a little too close. But he was used to it. 

It had hurt even before he came here.

The sound of nothing buzzed in his head.

Fshhhhhh-

Then, like all things in his life, it all suddenly changed.

It was a miracle, truly, when a sudden gust of wind let itself lose in the room like a livid beast, making the fire swirl up and dissipate. And just like that, they disappeared, leaving only scorched earth behind. Cinders glowed between the piles of ash, like fireflies on a hot summer evening.

Dream blinked. His eyes widened.

He could not comprehend what had just happened, where everything that had became commonplace suddenly disappeared. His body shook, and the chains that wrapped themselves around his limbs rattled. They tightened a bit.

And like what followed after all miracles, something unusual happened again. Dream struggled as he raised his head, just slightly, to the soft flutter of flapping wings, and of falling feathers that gleamed in the color of the night.

A raven. He recognized. 

It circled above him for a bit, gliding in the still-warm air. Then it made its way down, rustling its feathers a bit before settling on the sign that had imprinted its letters to the back of Dream's mind. It looked up and stared back at Dream, its black eyes glistening like dark gemstones, unlike his own.

Dream found the eyes beautiful.

Then in a moment of irony, those eyes lost their light, and the bird croaked in a brilliant voice, the sound reverberating around the walls. Smoke swirled around the creature and gently fell to the ground subsequently after a bit of drifting.

By the time Dream had realized, the clouds grew into the shape of a dress and a torso, quickly growing a head as well and materializing a face laced with beauty. Thick curls of hair fell onto the figure's shoulders, and a hat bloomed from the crown of its head. A thin veil fluttered at the rim. 

The raven croaked once more before flying up to the mysterious presence, gently landing on one of their fingers.

"𝚃𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚔 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚋𝚒𝚛𝚍𝚒𝚎." A calm and dulcet voice sounded. "𝙸'𝚕𝚕 𝚐𝚎𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚗𝚒𝚌𝚎 𝚕𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚛."

Dream, although stunned, could tell that the figure clad in purple was a woman. And with the signs he'd seen thus far: the raven, the dark smoke, her veiled hat and violet theme, no to mention her appearance in Limbo, only one entity came to mind.

"Are you-" He cringed at the coarseness of his voice from having been unused for so long, and his throat that had been all dried out due to the eternal flames that existed moments before. "The Goddess of Death?"

The lady looked down at him with kind eyes. "𝚈𝚎𝚜, 𝚕𝚒𝚝𝚝𝚕𝚎 𝚋𝚒𝚛𝚍𝚒𝚎, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚑𝚘𝚠 𝚜𝚖𝚊𝚛𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚝𝚘 𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝. 𝙾𝚑, 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎'𝚜 𝚗𝚘 𝚗𝚎𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚘 𝚋𝚎 𝚜𝚘 𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚖𝚊𝚕. 𝙸'𝚖 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚌𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝙿𝚛𝚒𝚖𝚎." She placed a hand over her chest and curtsied a little. "𝙿𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚎, 𝚛𝚎𝚏𝚎𝚛 𝚝𝚘 𝚖𝚎 𝚊𝚜 𝙺𝚛𝚒𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚗."

"...Have you come here to further my suffering?" Dream asked, voice rough and grim.

"𝚆𝚑𝚊𝚝? 𝙾𝚏 𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚛𝚜𝚎 𝚗𝚘𝚝. 𝚆𝚑𝚢 𝚠𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚔 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝?" The goddess said in a tone indicating she was a little taken back.

"Well, you are the goddess of Death, are you not? And you're quite close with the angel of Death, whom we know as Philza. And, of course-" he muttered under his breathe, "-I'm not exactly on good terms with him as of now. Not that I know exactly how much time has passed since my death, but I think my point still stands."

"𝙷𝚖...𝚒𝚝 𝚜𝚎𝚎𝚖𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚊 𝚜𝚕𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚖𝚒𝚜𝚞𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚛𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚒𝚗𝚐. 𝙰𝚕𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑 𝚒𝚝 𝚒𝚜 𝚝𝚛𝚞𝚎 𝙿𝚑𝚒𝚕 𝚒𝚜𝚗'𝚝 𝚏𝚘𝚗𝚍 𝚘𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞, 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚊𝚗 𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢. 𝙰𝚗𝚍 𝚎𝚒𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚠𝚊𝚢, 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚙𝚎𝚛𝚌𝚎𝚙𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚘𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚍𝚘𝚎𝚜 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚍𝚒𝚌𝚝𝚊𝚝𝚎 𝚖𝚢 𝚙𝚎𝚛𝚌𝚎𝚙𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚘𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞, 𝚗𝚘𝚠 𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚒𝚝?"

This time it was Dream's turn to be taken back. "But-"

"𝙽𝚘 𝚋𝚞𝚝𝚜, 𝚋𝚒𝚛𝚍𝚒𝚎." Hushed the lady. "𝙰𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚘 𝚍𝚒𝚜𝚌𝚞𝚜𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚖𝚊𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚒𝚜 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚠𝚑𝚢 𝙸 𝚌𝚊𝚖𝚎. 𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚗𝚎𝚎𝚍𝚗'𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚛𝚢, 𝚎𝚒𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛, 𝚊𝚜 𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝙸'𝚖 𝚊𝚋𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚜𝚊𝚢 𝚒𝚜 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚘𝚠𝚗 𝚐𝚘𝚘𝚍. 𝚆𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚊𝚐𝚛𝚎𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚕𝚒𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚗?" She smiled.

Dream remained silent. Not only because he was face to face with a god, and the one that ruled over his current realm of residence at that, but it had been a while since he was able to or even allowed to speak on equal grounds with his counterpart. Quackity sure didn't allow him to keep any sliver of dignity or pride left in him, and was quite zealous at his attempt to make sure the man would no longer be able to exist at a level above that of a mere animal. His confinement in Limbo, of course, did not help either as he had no one to speak to.

"I..." Dream stuttered, deep in thought.

"𝙷𝚖, 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚗 𝚑𝚘𝚠 𝚊𝚋𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜? 𝙸'𝚕𝚕 𝚛𝚎𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚒𝚗𝚜 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚢𝚘𝚞. 𝚃𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚢, 𝚢𝚘𝚞'𝚕𝚕 𝚋𝚎 𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚎 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚝𝚊𝚋𝚕𝚎, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚠𝚎 𝚌𝚊𝚗 𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚞𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝚑𝚘𝚕𝚍 𝚊 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚙𝚎𝚛 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚜𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗. 𝚆𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚍𝚘 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚜𝚊𝚢?" The goddess proposed, clasping her hands together with a grin.

He swung his head up, mouth gapping open, ignoring the ache in his neck from only facing the floor for months.

Kristin looked down at the poor creature; tattered, abused, with ragged limbs and torn clothes, not to mention his disheveled hair and scarred face. But she, for the first time since meeting him, saw hope in his eyes. There was finally a sparkle in their depths, in the endless pits of muddy green.

"𝙸 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚕𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚒𝚗 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚎𝚢𝚎𝚜." She said, smiling. "𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚏𝚒𝚗𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝚕𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚊 𝚕𝚒𝚝𝚝𝚕𝚎 𝚊𝚕𝚒𝚟𝚎."

And with a snap of her fingers, creating a sharp crack through the room, the constraints that bounded Dream loosened and fell, clanging as they clattered to the ground. Dream, weak at the knees from having been restrained for so long, fell with them. He dragged his arms in front of his chest, hands shaking as he looked at them for the first time in what seemed like a millennia.

"Th-thank you, goddess." He said as his lips quivered. "I don't know what to say..."

The goddess giggled, her laughter sounding like ringing of chimes. "𝙳𝚒𝚍 𝙸 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚝𝚎𝚕𝚕 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚝𝚘 𝚌𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚖𝚎 𝙺𝚛𝚒𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚗?"

Dream paused for a bit. "...How can I refer to someone like you without honorifics?" He said as he tried to stand up.

"𝙰𝚕𝚛𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚗. 𝚁𝚎𝚏𝚎𝚛 𝚝𝚘 𝚖𝚎 𝚑𝚘𝚠𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎. 𝙸𝚝'𝚜 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚌𝚑𝚘𝚒𝚌𝚎, 𝚊𝚏𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚊𝚕𝚕. 𝙽𝚘𝚠, 𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚠𝚎 𝚖𝚘𝚟𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚜𝚎 𝚏𝚒𝚎𝚕𝚍𝚜 𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎?" The Goddess of Death raised her hand and pointed behind Dream. "𝚃𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚕𝚘𝚘𝚔𝚜 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝚊 𝚐𝚘𝚘𝚍 𝚙𝚕𝚊𝚌𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚕 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚋𝚛𝚘𝚔𝚎𝚗 𝚜𝚘𝚞𝚕."

It was then that Dream, for the first time, turned around and saw the pristine hills and lush valleys that shone beyond the room. A quiet sense of happiness seemed to radiate from the place beyond the door.

"Were...they always there?" He asked, his voice shaking.

"𝚈𝚎𝚜, 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚢 𝚠𝚎𝚛𝚎. 𝙷𝚊𝚍 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚗𝚘𝚝𝚒𝚌𝚎𝚍?" The goddess gently asked.

"...No, I haven't known." Dream continued to stare at the place that reminded him of his younger days, of the purer days.

"𝚃𝚑𝚎𝚗 𝚕𝚎𝚝'𝚜 𝚐𝚘 𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠 𝚒𝚝 𝚝𝚘𝚐𝚎𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛. 𝙸𝚝 𝚠𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚋𝚎 𝚊 𝚗𝚒𝚌𝚎 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝚜𝚌𝚎𝚗𝚎𝚛𝚢." She said, taking a step. "𝙲𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝚊𝚕𝚘𝚗𝚐 𝚗𝚘𝚠."

However, Dream did not move. More accurately, he could not move. "Can I...really go there?" He whispered.

The goddess answered, without looking back. "𝙸𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚔 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚞𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚜𝚎𝚛𝚟𝚒𝚗𝚐, 𝚍𝚘𝚗'𝚝 𝚋𝚎. 𝙸𝚝 𝚒𝚜 𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚊 𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚕𝚒𝚖𝚋𝚘, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚊𝚕𝚜𝚘 𝚊 𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞." She turned her face slightly. "𝚆𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚗 𝚝𝚘 𝚊𝚌𝚌𝚎𝚙𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝, 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚖𝚎, 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛𝚜𝚎𝚕𝚏?"

Dream was quiet, but those words rung true and loud.

For myself...

"...Okay."

He took a step towards the door.

Chapter Text

Two figures, side by side, walked along an invisible path made of flowers and soft, fresh grass. They had nowhere particular to go, and they didn't particularly care either. It was just peaceful, and that was all that mattered.

Dream, now finally standing up straight, breathed in the warm air. The sun shined on his skin, but it did not burn, unlike lava and fire. He felt like he could finally relax underneath the wide, blue sky, dotted with wisps of clouds that gently floated across it.

It had been so long, too long, since he had felt so serene.

"𝙷𝚘𝚠 𝚍𝚘 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚏𝚎𝚎𝚕, 𝙳𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚖?" Kristin hummed, clearly enjoying their stroll. Who wouldn't when they see such a deprived man finally look alive?

"I...can't describe it." Dream replied. "I feel...at peace, I suppose. And happy...?"

"𝙳𝚘𝚗'𝚝 𝚍𝚘𝚞𝚋𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚎𝚖𝚘𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗, 𝚕𝚒𝚝𝚝𝚕𝚎 𝚋𝚒𝚛𝚍. 𝙸 𝚌𝚊𝚗 𝚝𝚎𝚕𝚕 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚜𝚎 𝚏𝚎𝚎𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚐𝚎𝚗𝚞𝚒𝚗𝚎 𝚏𝚛𝚘𝚖 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚎𝚡𝚙𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚜𝚒𝚘𝚗."

"Ah, okay."

They continued to walk for a little bit.

"So, uh," Dream speaks up. "What did you want to discuss with me?"

"𝙰 𝚕𝚘𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜, 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚕𝚎𝚝'𝚜 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚛𝚝 𝚜𝚖𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚏𝚒𝚛𝚜𝚝." The goddess replied. "𝚃𝚎𝚕𝚕 𝚖𝚎, 𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚜𝚘 𝚝𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚋𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚒𝚝 𝚙𝚞𝚜𝚑𝚎𝚍 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚝𝚘 𝚛𝚎𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚚𝚞𝚒𝚜𝚑 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚜𝚘𝚞𝚕 𝚝𝚘 𝚖𝚢 𝚌𝚊𝚛𝚎?

The man was at a lost of words. 

"I...suppose I just...gave up? I didn't want...to suffer anymore."

"𝙼𝚑𝚖." The goddess hummed in acknowledgement. Dream continued.

"It'd hurt so much at the time... There was no one on my side and everyone wanted me dead, which I know is my fault and I had planned all that but still...it hurts so much to be alone, you know?"

"𝙰𝚗𝚍 𝚜𝚘 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚍𝚎𝚌𝚒𝚍𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍𝚗'𝚝 𝚝𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚒𝚝 𝚊𝚗𝚢𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚎?" She asked.

"...Yeah. I thought it'd be better if I just let go. And," Dream chuckled, "This might seem ridiculous, but I thought maybe I'd feel a little warmer if I were in the lava, because even though that box was suffocating, I couldn't feel even a sliver of warmth inside me."

"𝚆𝚎𝚕𝚕, 𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚑𝚞𝚖𝚊𝚗𝚜 𝚜𝚎𝚎𝚔 𝚠𝚊𝚛𝚖𝚝𝚑, 𝚋𝚎𝚌𝚊𝚞𝚜𝚎 𝚒𝚝 𝚒𝚜 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚒𝚛 𝚗𝚊𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚙𝚊𝚗𝚢 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎. 𝚂𝚘 𝚍𝚘𝚗'𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚔 𝚒𝚝'𝚜 𝚛𝚒𝚍𝚒𝚌𝚞𝚕𝚘𝚞𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚔 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚢. 𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚋𝚎𝚎𝚗 𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚍 𝚕𝚘𝚗𝚐 𝚎𝚗𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑." She looked into Dream's eyes, which stared back at her with surprise and disbelief. "𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚍𝚒𝚍 𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍, 𝚜𝚘 𝚒𝚜𝚗'𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚎𝚗𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑?"

It was as if a gust of wind blew over Dream, like an invisible curtain that shielded his eyes had been removed. That's enough...Her words continued to ring in his head.

A breeze rustled the grass underneath their feet. With it, all the melancholy seemed to disappear as well.

"𝙽𝚘𝚠, 𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚎𝚕𝚕 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚊𝚋𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚋𝚕𝚎𝚖 𝙸 𝚌𝚊𝚖𝚎 𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚛." Kristin exhaled. "𝙳𝚘 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚛𝚎𝚖𝚎𝚖𝚋𝚎𝚛 𝚑𝚘𝚠 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚘𝚛𝚒𝚐𝚒𝚗𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚋𝚕𝚒𝚜𝚑𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙳𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚖 𝚂𝙼𝙿?"

"Of course. When I first settled here, that supposedly awoke a god, DreamXD, from his slumber in the land. He came to me and asked for my purpose, and I responded that I want to have a place to call home. He agreed for some reason and then made me the admin, which gave me reign over the land and all things that lived on it."

"𝚈𝚎𝚜, 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝'𝚜 𝚌𝚘𝚛𝚛𝚎𝚌𝚝. 𝙷𝚘𝚠𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛, 𝚑𝚎 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚋𝚊𝚋𝚕𝚢 𝚍𝚒𝚍𝚗'𝚝 𝚝𝚎𝚕𝚕 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚎𝚡𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚕𝚢 𝚑𝚘𝚠 𝚑𝚎 𝚖𝚊𝚍𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚊𝚍𝚖𝚒𝚗, 𝚌𝚘𝚛𝚛𝚎𝚌𝚝?"

"Well...I guess no."

"𝚇𝙳, 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝-" the goddess muttered under her breath. "𝚃𝚑𝚎𝚗 𝚒𝚝'𝚜 𝚊𝚋𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠. 𝚃𝚛𝚢 𝚝𝚘 𝚐𝚞𝚎𝚜𝚜, 𝚕𝚒𝚝𝚝𝚕𝚎 𝚋𝚒𝚛𝚍, 𝚑𝚘𝚠 𝚍𝚘 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚖𝚊𝚛𝚔 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚊𝚜 𝚊 𝚙𝚘𝚜𝚜𝚎𝚜𝚜𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚘𝚏 𝚊 𝚜𝚙𝚎𝚌𝚒𝚏𝚒𝚌 𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚒𝚝𝚢?"

Dream thought for a moment. "You would need to save that's entity's marker, or something specific to the entity, and imprint it onto the object."

"𝚃𝚑𝚊𝚝'𝚜 𝚎𝚡𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚕𝚢 𝚛𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝. 𝙰𝚗𝚍 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚌𝚊𝚜𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝚕𝚒𝚟𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚋𝚎𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜, 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚠𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚋𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚒𝚛 𝚌𝚘𝚍𝚎, 𝚘𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚒𝚛 𝚜𝚘𝚞𝚕. 𝚇𝙳, 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚗 𝚑𝚎 𝚖𝚊𝚍𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚊𝚍𝚖𝚒𝚗, 𝚍𝚒𝚍𝚗'𝚝 𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚛𝚎𝚌𝚘𝚛𝚍 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚌𝚘𝚍𝚎 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚎𝚗𝚐𝚛𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚒𝚝 𝚘𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚂𝙼𝙿, 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚝𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚊 𝚙𝚒𝚎𝚌𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚜𝚘𝚞𝚕 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚖𝚎𝚛𝚐𝚎𝚍 𝚒𝚝 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚕𝚊𝚗𝚍. 𝙸𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚛𝚎𝚖𝚎𝚖𝚋𝚎𝚛 𝚏𝚎𝚎𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝚙𝚊𝚒𝚗 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚗 𝚑𝚎 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚖𝚊𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚊𝚍𝚖𝚒𝚗, 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚋𝚎𝚌𝚊𝚞𝚜𝚎 𝚑𝚎 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚕𝚒𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝚜𝚙𝚕𝚒𝚝𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚜𝚘𝚞𝚕 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚠𝚘."

"So...the SMP became a part of me?"

"𝙸𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚔 𝚘𝚏 𝚒𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚢, 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚊𝚗𝚜𝚠𝚎𝚛 𝚒𝚜 𝚢𝚎𝚜." She sighed. "𝚈𝚘𝚞'𝚛𝚎 𝚕𝚞𝚌𝚔𝚢 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚠𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚗𝚘 𝚜𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚎𝚚𝚞𝚎𝚗𝚌𝚎𝚜, 𝚘𝚛 𝚎𝚕𝚜𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚕𝚒𝚏𝚎 𝚠𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍'𝚟𝚎 𝚋𝚎𝚎𝚗 𝚒𝚗 𝚍𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚎𝚛 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢 𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚕𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚒𝚜 𝚍𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚛𝚘𝚢𝚎𝚍.

"That explains the weird headaches I'd get every time there's a war..." Dream flashed back to the times where explosions would rock the earth and how a thin stream of blood would trickle down his head. 

"𝙷𝚘𝚠𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛, 𝚋𝚎𝚌𝚊𝚞𝚜𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝, 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚍𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚑 𝚍𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚋𝚒𝚕𝚒𝚣𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚒𝚛𝚎 𝚜𝚎𝚛𝚟𝚎𝚛." Kristin explained. "𝚆𝚑𝚎𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚖𝚊𝚒𝚗 𝚋𝚘𝚍𝚢 𝚍𝚒𝚎𝚜, 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚘𝚞𝚕 𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚒𝚍𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚋𝚘𝚍𝚢 𝚐𝚘𝚎𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝙻𝚒𝚖𝚋𝚘, 𝚝𝚑𝚞𝚜 𝚍𝚒𝚜𝚊𝚙𝚙𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚏𝚛𝚘𝚖 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙾𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚕𝚍. 𝙱𝚞𝚝 𝚒𝚗 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚌𝚊𝚜𝚎, 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚘𝚞𝚕 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚑𝚊𝚍 𝚋𝚎𝚎𝚗 𝚊𝚋𝚜𝚘𝚛𝚋𝚎𝚍 𝚋𝚢 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚂𝙼𝙿 𝚊𝚕𝚜𝚘 𝚍𝚒𝚜𝚊𝚙𝚙𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚎𝚍. 𝙽𝚘𝚠, 𝚒𝚖𝚊𝚐𝚒𝚗𝚎 𝚊 𝚌𝚊𝚔𝚎, 𝚖𝚊𝚍𝚎 𝚞𝚙 𝚘𝚏 𝚟𝚊𝚛𝚒𝚘𝚞𝚜 𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚛𝚎𝚍𝚒𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚜 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝚏𝚕𝚘𝚞𝚛, 𝚎𝚐𝚐𝚜, 𝚜𝚞𝚐𝚊𝚛, 𝚎𝚝𝚌. 𝚆𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚠𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚙𝚎𝚗 𝚒𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚝𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚜𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜?"

"The cake would crumble away." Dream replied, now realizing the severity of the situation.

"𝙴𝚡𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚕𝚢. 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚂𝙼𝙿 𝚌𝚊𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚛𝚒𝚟𝚎 𝚘𝚗𝚕𝚢 𝚋𝚎𝚌𝚊𝚞𝚜𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚜𝚘𝚞𝚕 𝚑𝚊𝚍 𝚋𝚎𝚎𝚗 𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚛𝚊𝚒𝚗𝚎𝚍 𝚒𝚗𝚝𝚘 𝚒𝚝'𝚜 𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢 𝚏𝚊𝚋𝚛𝚒𝚌 𝚘𝚏 𝚎𝚡𝚒𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚗𝚌𝚎, 𝚝𝚑𝚞𝚜 𝚋𝚎𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚊 𝚋𝚒𝚗𝚍𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚊𝚐𝚎𝚗𝚝. 𝙰𝚗𝚍 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚒𝚝, 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚘𝚗𝚌𝚎 𝚜𝚞𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚒𝚗𝚎𝚍 𝚋𝚢 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚕𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚠𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚊𝚠𝚊𝚢, 𝚠𝚑𝚒𝚌𝚑 𝚒𝚜 𝚊𝚕𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚢 𝚋𝚎𝚐𝚒𝚗𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚘 𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚙𝚎𝚗."

"What...can I do to reverse this?" Dream asked, feeling the pressure of his decision.

"𝙱𝚎𝚌𝚊𝚞𝚜𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚂𝙼𝙿 𝚒𝚜 𝚛𝚎𝚕𝚢𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚘𝚗 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚜𝚘𝚞𝚕 𝚝𝚘 𝚔𝚎𝚎𝚙 𝚒𝚝𝚜𝚎𝚕𝚏 𝚝𝚘𝚐𝚎𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛, 𝚠𝚎 𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚗𝚎𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚘 𝚙𝚞𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚜𝚘𝚞𝚕 𝚋𝚊𝚌𝚔 𝚒𝚗𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚕𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚠𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚋𝚒𝚕𝚒𝚣𝚎. 𝙱𝚞𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚒𝚜 𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚋𝚕𝚎𝚖..."

"What is it?" He asked, fearing the words that would leave the goddess' lips next.

"𝙸𝚏 𝚠𝚎 𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚝𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚊 𝚙𝚒𝚎𝚌𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚜𝚘𝚞𝚕 𝚏𝚛𝚘𝚖 𝙻𝚒𝚖𝚋𝚘 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚖𝚘𝚟𝚎 𝚒𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙾𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚕𝚍, 𝚒𝚝 𝚠𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚍𝚒𝚜𝚊𝚙𝚙𝚎𝚊𝚛 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚋𝚎𝚗𝚎𝚏𝚒𝚝 𝚗𝚘 𝚘𝚗𝚎. 𝚆𝚑𝚒𝚌𝚑 𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚟𝚎𝚜 𝚞𝚜 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚘𝚙𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗: 𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚟𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚖𝚎𝚛𝚐𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚒𝚛𝚎 𝚜𝚘𝚞𝚕 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚂𝙼𝙿." She paused. "𝙷𝚘𝚠𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛, 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚠𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚋𝚎 𝚎𝚚𝚞𝚒𝚟𝚊𝚕𝚎𝚗𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚙𝚕𝚎𝚝𝚎 𝚍𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚑, 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚗𝚘 𝚐𝚑𝚘𝚜𝚝 𝚘𝚛 𝚊𝚗𝚢 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚟𝚊𝚕. 𝙳𝚘 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚏𝚘𝚕𝚕𝚘𝚠 𝚝𝚑𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑?"

"I..."

Dream could not answer. Is he truly willing to sacrifice himself? He was already in limbo anyways, so it's not like the death of a part of the Overworld would affect him. But...

Dream!

The voices of his former friends filled his head, calling out his name as if asking him to save them. All he had ever wanted was to keep them safe, so how could he not agree?

But what about me? Can I really just...disappear after all that? Even after my death?

Kristin looked as the man's face contorted with flashes of emotion. She could almost hear the conflicting thoughts that raged in his head.

"𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚍𝚘𝚗'𝚝 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚍𝚎𝚌𝚒𝚍𝚎 𝚗𝚘𝚠, 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝙸 𝚠𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚟𝚒𝚜𝚒𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚊𝚐𝚊𝚒𝚗 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚗𝚎𝚊𝚛 𝚏𝚞𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚊𝚜𝚔 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚘𝚗𝚌𝚎 𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚎. 𝙱𝚢 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚗, 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚊 𝚋𝚎𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚞𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚛𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚘𝚏 𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝, 𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝'𝚜 𝚋𝚎𝚜𝚝, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚜𝚎 𝚝𝚠𝚘 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝚊𝚕𝚒𝚐𝚗." Then, with a wave of her arms, black smoke once again enveloped the goddess.

𝙳𝚎𝚌𝚒𝚍𝚎, 𝙳𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚖. was the last thing he heard before the dark cloud dissipated along with the Goddess of Death.

Dream could only stare at where she once was in silence, a thousand thoughts warring inside him. 

• • •

George NotFound had suddenly realized that the world he lived in was a very peculiar one.

Although the grass still rustled beneath his cape when he passed over them, and life still blossomed between the rocks and trees, there was something off about the way the birds tweeted their tunes, the way a trickling stream didn't make a single splash out of place.

Now that he thought about it, it was even stranger how when he wanted to meet a friend or foe, he would find them crossing paths. When he wished to be alone, he would get his taste of tranquility.

It was clear that he had missed something, but it was impossible to put a finger on it. Thinking was certainly not his strong suit, which Sapnap and Dream had reassured him was just fine.

Dream...George grasped onto that name. His friend–best friend–of years, and someone whom he had even loved at one point in time.

Do I still love him? He wondered. It was, again, a difficult question. He tried to rid his mind of it.

Either way, how long has it been since I last saw him?  He started to search through his memory, but it seemed like their last encounter was years ago. The memory was too murky for him to deduce what was the exact context of the meeting, but he did know that he'd felt hurt and was angry at him, for some kind of mistake. But what mistake could have made me so angry? He questioned. It seemed like a ridiculous reason to hate him, when once upon a time they were closer than brothers.

George sighed and rested his chin on his hand. Well, I miss him now. He would know how to cheer me up. I wonder where XD is? He thought back to the times where they would roam the SMP and talk about everything from common sense to pranks.

Then, as if the god had heard his question, shining particles of violet light appeared in front of George, gathering into the form of a tall man.

In a flash, DreamXD, the God of the End, manifested into being. His dark green cloak fluttered as waves of energy emitted from XD, the darkness of the Void lining the underside. The god's wings gently flapped a few times, before resting on his back. Two golden halos spun on top of his head, glowing eyes of Ender embedded into them. And reminiscent of Dream, a white porcelain mask was placed where the god's face would be, with a large X cutting across it. 

"XD!" George exclaimed. "It's about time you showed up! I've been soo bored lately, so let's do something fun together!" He peered into the hood of the god, waiting for a response.

However, the answer XD gave was not something the man had expected. "𝕋𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖 𝕚𝕤 𝕟𝕠 𝕥𝕚𝕞𝕖 𝕗𝕠𝕣 '𝕤𝕠𝕞𝕖𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕗𝕦𝕟' 𝕣𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥 𝕟𝕠𝕨, 𝔾𝕖𝕠𝕣𝕘𝕖." He spoke in the dialect of the Old Tongue, something he rarely did with George.

"What?"

"𝔸 𝕘𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕥 𝕥𝕙𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕥 𝕙𝕒𝕤 𝕗𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕖𝕟 𝕦𝕡𝕠𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕝𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕠𝕗 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕆𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕨𝕠𝕣𝕝𝕕. 𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕘𝕠𝕕𝕤 𝕒𝕣𝕖 𝕥𝕣𝕪𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕚𝕣 𝕓𝕖𝕤𝕥 𝕥𝕠 𝕤𝕝𝕠𝕨 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕡𝕣𝕠𝕔𝕖𝕤𝕤, 𝕚𝕟𝕔𝕝𝕦𝕕𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕞𝕖. ℍ𝕠𝕨𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕣, 𝕒𝕤 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕜𝕖𝕪 𝕚𝕤 𝕞𝕚𝕤𝕤𝕚𝕟𝕘, 𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝕖𝕗𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕥𝕤 𝕔𝕒𝕟 𝕠𝕟𝕝𝕪 𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕝𝕖 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕥𝕚𝕞𝕖."

This confused George. "Okay...but what does that have to do with me?"

"𝔻𝕠 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕦𝕟𝕕𝕖𝕣𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕟𝕕, 𝔾𝕖𝕠𝕣𝕘𝕖?" The god seethed, making the man flinch. "𝕀 𝕒𝕞 𝕒𝕝𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕𝕪 𝕖𝕩𝕖𝕣𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕒 𝕘𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕥 𝕕𝕖𝕒𝕝 𝕠𝕗 𝕤𝕥𝕣𝕖𝕟𝕘𝕥𝕙, 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕞𝕒𝕚𝕟𝕥𝕒𝕚𝕟𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝕠𝕗 𝕕𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕞𝕤 𝕠𝕟𝕝𝕪 𝕒𝕕𝕕𝕤 𝕥𝕠 𝕞𝕪 𝕓𝕦𝕣𝕕𝕖𝕟. 𝕊𝕠 𝕒𝕝𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙 𝕚𝕥 𝕚𝕤 𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕖 𝕔𝕠𝕟𝕧𝕖𝕟𝕚𝕖𝕟𝕥 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕦𝕤 𝕥𝕠 𝕤𝕡𝕖𝕒𝕜 𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖, 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕞𝕦𝕤𝕥 𝕨𝕒𝕜𝕖 𝕦𝕡. ℕ𝕠𝕨 𝕚𝕤 𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕥𝕚𝕞𝕖 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕔𝕙𝕚𝕥-𝕔𝕙𝕒𝕥𝕤."

"W-well, at least tell me what's going on before you go!" George stuttered. "What am I supposed to do after I wake up?"

"𝕐𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝕗𝕖𝕝𝕝𝕠𝕨 𝕔𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕥𝕦𝕣𝕖𝕤 𝕔𝕒𝕟 𝕦𝕡𝕕𝕒𝕥𝕖 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕠𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕤𝕚𝕥𝕦𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟. 𝕆𝕟𝕔𝕖 𝕪𝕠𝕦'𝕣𝕖 𝕒𝕨𝕒𝕜𝕖, 𝕘𝕠 𝕤𝕖𝕒𝕣𝕔𝕙 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕞 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕒𝕤𝕜."

"Wha- this is way to sudden!" George pouted. But the god didn't say anything. Instead, he spread his wings and let loose a gust of wind, ender particles washing over George like starlight.

George squeezed his eyes shut and put up his arms to shield himself from them. And when he opened them again, he was staring up into the canopy of the Kinoko Kingdom.

George grumbled. 

As he pushed himself up, he noticed that the surroundings had changed quite a bit: the grass was taller, there were more flowers, and vines had started to crawl up the legs of his bed. "Has that much time passed?" He said to himself. The only response he got was the rusting of the leaves above, which did remind him of what XD instructed him to do.

"Go search for them...was it? My fellow creatures–I guess that means the others. Sigh." After stretching his arms out, he lifted the sheets on him in a swift gesture and rested his feet on the ground. He dusted off his cloak and swung it over his shoulders, fumbling with the clasp for a bit before it made a soft click. And finally, he picked up his mushroom hat, plopping it on his head.

"Alright. Ready to go."

George began walking towards the SMP. As he did, he noticed how here and there, things seemed to be different.  "Prime...how long was I asleep? I didn't think it'd have been this long." Long enough for everything to have changed.

He glanced at the path he walked on. At least they've been taking care of this place.

He continued walking for a bit.

"...This is really boring. Where is everyone?" George looked around. Luckily for him, he began hearing the babble of conversation in the distance. In light of excitement, he rushed towards the source. He soon saw two familiar figures.

"Sapnap! Karl!" He cried out, catching the two's attention. He stretched an arm up to wave at them.

"George! You're awake?" Sapnap exclaimed, now also towards George.

"Yeah, just a little while ago, and rare to see you guys together with out Quackity, huh? Anyways, how long has it been?"

"Yeah, Quackity went back first. And uhh, it's been at least a couple of months, I think. Why?" Answered Sapnap.

"Months?!" He screeched. "Wow, no wonder everything looks different." 

"Well, a lot of things have happened since the last time you were awake." Karl said. "And it's only gotten busier lately."

"What's wrong?" George asked, confused. 

Sapnap looked at Karl, who looked back at him. He turned towards George. "Actually, a lot of things. We should catch you up." 

• • •

Phil flapped his wings three times before he landed on the ground, softly, like a feather. He was on the outskirts of a forest near the heart of the SMP, next to a wooden path that led straight to it. He looked around for anyone he could talk to. I guess they haven't finished yet, He thought.

He waited around a little longer, just hanging around the trees and seeing if there's anything he might be able to make use of. Just then, the doors to the assembly hall bursted open.

As people streamed out, he quickly walked over to find someone to grab. That's when he spotted a next of golden hair. 

"Tommy!" 

"Tommy!"

As the boy looked up, Phil spun his head towards the direction of the one who also called out Tommy's name. It had been a while since he'd heard the voice, mostly out of fear and a wish to not face the one whom he stained his hands with blood. That man also turned to look at him.

They locked eyes.

"Phil?" Wilbur whispered. He could feel a sense of guild starting to bubble up from the depths of his being.

"...Wilbur." Philza gasped. "...What a surprise to see you here. It's...been a while, hasn't it?" He scratched his neck.

"Ah, yeah...it's good to see...that you're...well." The brunette stuttered.

Tommy just stood off to the side, eyes wandering between the two. And they're as awkward as ever, huh? He thought to himself. In an effort to break the tension, he coughed. 

"Ahem." He did so all business-like. "I, er, heard you guys calling my name. So what is it?"

The two turned towards him, mouths slightly agape. "Tommy, please answer me. What's Delusion doing?" Wilbur asked first.

"Dream's ghost? I don't really know...it's been a while since I've seen him." Tommy explained. "Maybe you can ask Sam? I don't think he was at the meeting though, so you'd got to go to his house."

"I see. Alright." Wilbur nodded. After a moment, Philza chimed in. "Tommy, I wanna ask what the meeting's about. But first, Wilbur," He looked towards the man. "Delusion's actually with Techno right now. And before you say anything, he apparently wandered into the tundra and just appeared at Techno's doorstep. You should probably tell Sam before you go though, just so he knows."

"With Techno?" Wilbur sounded incredulous. "Haa, okay."

Tommy chipped in. "Okay, Phil. So basically, I was walking one day to Tub's house in Snowchester, right? But then I heard a sound..." The boy described his experience once again to the older man. "...And so, we're going to go investigate in groups. There's no set time yet, but we're gathering supplies first."

The Crow Father nodded along. "I see, I see. Daylight mobs, huh?" No wonder Kristin said big changes were coming. "Well, I'll have to tell this to Techno. So I'll be seeing you soo, Will?" He motioned the man.

"I suppose so, yes." Wilbur responded.

"And I gotta go back to collect supplies with big T! So see you guys later!" Tommy added, before dashing off.

"Then I will go too." Wilbur said, fidgeting a little. "And...Phil? I'm sorry."

Philza looked at his son, now alive and without a sword sticking out of his chest, his shirt soaking in blood. "...It's alright. Just talk it out next time, okay? Living's not easy, but there'll always be something else you can focus on."

"Okay." He tried his best to prevent his voice from cracking, but he suspected the older man knew anyways.

Phil smiled. "Then, see you later, yeah?"

Wilbur smiled too. "See you later."

Chapter Text

Kkk, Kkk, Kkk.

The sound of pickaxe crashing down on stone echoed through the chambers of  the dark cave.

Kkk, Kkk, crack.

Chunks of rock and metal tumbled off the walls, quickly picked up by a pair of white-sleeved hands and thrown into a bag.

Punz paused for a moment to wipe the sweat off his brows, exhaling as he looked at his progress.

This should be enough for now, he thought to himself. He tied up the sack and swung it over his shoulders.

As he walked towards the entrance, Punz took out his notebook.

Things to do:

- Reunite with Dream

- Finish job #2   ✔

- Prepare for mob hunting 

     - Mine supplies

     - Craft

     - Enchant

- Polish weapons  ✔

Next to 'Mine supplies,' he put a small check, marking it as done. "All that's needed now is to craft them and enchant, huh?" He said to himself as his eyes glided over the page. They stopped on the first bullet, which had yet to be checked off.

Reunite with Dream... 

His face instantly clouded over.

Punz thought back to the times where he and Dream walked side by side, both smiling as they discussed plans and watched the sun sink below the horizon. He remembered watching the man next to him, who, with expressive hands gestures and a face full of glee concocted the most intricate of plots, and how he himself was often in the middle of them.

What joy overflowed his heart then, how beautiful Dream seemed. He was sure there couldn't possibly be anyone else that could make him feel that way, now or in the future.

But everything shattered in Dream's vault. 

They had planned everything beforehand, agreeing on his betrayal and fooling the entire server. Everything seemed perfect. But, of course, perfection is only delusion in the end.

When those words–Sorry Dream, you should have paid me more–spilled from his mouth, it felt as if his throat was squeezed and his heart, twisted. Even more gut-wrenching was when he had to watch his partner be hacked away by an axe, blood spraying from his arms, his chest, and staining the walls. 

He had watched him die then, not once, but twice. He had watched how the man cried in terror when he realized the boy's intention to take away everything right then and there and begged for mercy, mask cracked and face painted with fear. And even then, he could only stand still and clutch the hilt of his sword, among all the others who didn't move a single muscle in attempt to stop the atrocity that befell their eyes. It's a wonder that no one noticed his anger then.

It was unbearable.

Still, he tried to push through. After all, they had agreed to meet up again after Dream escaped his imprisonment. So Punz kept a flicker of hope alive inside him, which burned for what seemed like forever, for the day they would reunite.

But even that light was put out, and he broke.

News of Dream's apparent death rippled through the SMP after Tommy returned from a visit to Sam's place. Punz at first had actually only heard that there was a new ghost, which did surprise him and made him wonder who died. But the moment the name Dream fell on his ears, it was like the sky crashed down. He could never have imagined that one could feel so devastated  in their life, that despair could be so overwhelming. 

He didn't do anything for a long time. That was, until, a message popped up in his communicator. It was from Tubbo, and it claimed that something urgent was in need of discussing.

At first, Punz didn't care much for what the boy said. There was no meaning for him to attend, after all. There was no longer meaning in anything.

That's when he remembered the other news that shocked the server. Dream has a ghost: Delusion. How idiotic of him to forget about that! Of course, a version of the man still roamed the Overworld, and there's no saying what possibilities exist with that fact! Maybe the ghost would have some answers, or perhaps even a clue or two. Punz had heard that Delusion was under Sam's care, and with Sam being a warden–ex-warden–surely he could get in contact with Dream's ghost!

And of course, as if the world wished for everything to go against him, Delusion was not present at the meeting. He asked the ex-warden about it, and all he got as a response was "Delusion disappeared." Putting aside the appalling lack of responsibility, now there was no saying where he could get in touch with the ghost.

What could he do? At the very least, maybe going on one of the expeditions with the other SMP members could help him find the only remnant of his friend somewhere along the way...

Punz snapped back to the present, where he stood in a damp cave, notebook in hand. He sucked in a breath of cool air.

He looked down at his to-do list, and wrote in another two lines at the bottom. 

Things to do:

-  Reunite with Dream

- Finish job #2 ✔

     - Prepare for mob hunting 

     - Mine supplies  ✔

     - Craft

     - Enchant

- Polish weapons ✔

- Uncover the reason for Dream's death

     - Find and meet Delusion

• • •

The Crow Father flapped his wings as he cut through the air, gliding above the trees towards the direction of Techno's cabin.

Suddenly, like a flash of lightning, he sensed the presence of someone he couldn't be more familiar with.

With a twist of his body, Phil flew down, landing on a small clearing in the woods. A soft breeze blew across the grass.

Then, like magic, the ground spew forth a thick, lightless fume that swirled as it climbed into the air. It quickly materialized into the shape of a person.

"Hello again, love," Phil greeted with a smile, a hand on his chest. 

And as the clouds settled,  Kristin responded, "Hello to you too, dear," She said with eyes full of warmth. "I see that you were heading over to Technoblade's residence. Is something the matter?"

"Ah, well, things have been kind of hectic lately." Phil rustled his wings. "Turns out mobs have been popping up during the daylight, and now everyone's going to investigate."

"So things have already progressed this far..." Kristin whispered to herself.

He looked up at the goddess' face. "What brings you to the Overworld today?"

"Oh! I wanted to catch you up on what's been happening outside of this realm, as well as things you should expect in the future. And, I need you to help me with something."

"Of course. What's the message you wanted to pass on?" Phil asked.

"So, I believe you've heard the news by now, but the admin of this server has passed, correct?"

"...Yes, that's true." Phil replied. "Is something wrong with him in Limbo?"

"Mmh...not wrong, exactly, but it is related to him." Kristin said.

With those words, she proceeded to explain to her angel the reality behind Dream's position as the admin, as well as how she had visited the man in the afterlife already and revealed the same truth to him.

"So...Dream's death is the cause of all this?" Phil asked in shock. "Wow, uh, that was not what I thought was the reason..."

"Indeed. Which is why you should prepare for his decision, as whether or not he agrees to sacrifice himself will dictate the future of this land. I've tried my best to persuade him, but ultimately the decision is up to him, and it wouldn't be right to force him either."

"That's true...I guess I should relay this to Techno as well, just in case things turn out for the worse."

"Yes, that would be a wise decision. And make sure to prepare him for whatever may happen as well, since..." The goddess paused. "...they were quite close friends before."

The pair stood in silence for a moment.

"I'll...do that. Thank you, for telling me about this." The Crow Father looked up at his wife. "I hope our next meeting is one with good news."

Kristin returned a small smile. "Yes, I hope so too..."

The breeze blew across the grass still.

• • •

George sat in silence as stories of the waking world told by Sapnap and Karl flashed through his mind.

Some of them were happy, of course, and others came as a surprise. But the vast majority of it all were depressing.

However, nothing could've prepared him for the single piece of news that was completely unfathomable to him. 

"Dream's...dead?" He whispered.

The fiances nodded.

"George..." Karl tried to comfort. "I know it's hard to imagine, but it's true. You have to believe it."

"But how???" He exclaimed. "How could he be dead? Last time I saw him..."

His thoughts trailed off. "Last time..." Their last encounter flashed through his mind. 

He could not deduce the surroundings, or figure out what was the time. But Dream's mask was never clearer. 

"Just say you hate me." His voice rung out.

George snapped back to the present. "Oh no..." He buried his face in his hands. "I couldn't even say sorry to him..."

He could feel the worried gazes of his friends. But he could offer no words of reassurance to them.

"...What have I done?" He mumbled to himself.

What have I done?

Karl and Sapnap shot each other a glance. "Uh...Las Nevadas isn't too far from here. So if you want, you can come with us?" Asked Sapnap. "Or, if you want to stay here a little longer, that's fine too."

George kept his head down. "...I'll go with you." He quietly said. "Oh, and DreamXD said that a 'great threat' has fallen onto this world."

"Wait what?" Karl said in shock.

"He also said that the gods are trying their best to 'slow the process' but that can only stale for time because the 'key' is missing or something." George looked up. His eyes were full of regret. "It might have something to do with the mob situation."

The two sank into deep thought. "Wait...I think that god also told me something similar," Said Karl. "About how the 'Overseer' perished, and how the world's now crumbling away since everything rests on his soul or something like that."

"So that 'key' is called the 'Overseer'?" Sapnap deduced. "But who even is that?"

The three fell quiet again. 

"Well, who or what has gone missing or perished recently?" George asked. "You guys remember anything?"

"Fuck...no way..." Sapnap muttered to himself. "Could it be...?"

"What? Sapnap, speak up." George said impatiently. 

"You guys think...it could be Dream?"

"WHAT?! That's stupid! There's no way..."

Yet, however ridiculous the suggestion sounded, the trio just couldn't bring themselves to root out the possibility. 

"...I mean, it kind of makes sense..." Karl said, stuffing his hands into his hoodie. "He did die recently, and I don't think anyone else did."

"Plus, calling Dream an 'Overseer' makes sense too, since he is the admin of the server." Sapnap added.

"Okay...then what should we do? What can we do?" George questioned, mood sunken. "All we have are words, and that doesn't help with anything."

"Sigh...well, I guess we can at least tell the others." Karl scratched the back of his head. "That's what XD told me to do too. And knowing's probably better than not knowing, right?"

They looked at each other.

"...Sure, let's do that."

• • •

Dusting the snow off of his wings, Phil walked up to Techno's doorstep. He quickly stepped inside and found the man sitting in the kitchen.

"Phil, you're back!" Exclaimed Technoblade. "So, what's the news?"

Sitting down, the older one exhaled. "Well, not too good. Apparently mobs are popping up during daylight hours now and we should watch out for them. They're going on an expedition to find out the reason or something like that soon."

"Hm...I might've actually seen one myself. But it was close to dusk at the time so I didn't really pay it any mind. How strange."

"Yeah, and there's another thing I wanted to tell you." Phil's face grew serious. "It's from Kristin."

Techno stiffened too. "What did she tell you?"

"It's...about Dream, Techno. I want to make sure you can take it." His eyes searched through the other man's. "Will you be okay?"

Techno remained silent for a moment. "Yes, I will."

"Alright. So, after Dream's death..." Phil explained the process behind which Dream became admin, and how now that he's gone, it's going to devastate the server. "Kristin told this to Dream too, and asked him to choose between saving the server or not."

"What's the catch?" Asked Techno, face grim.

"Turns out, if they want to stabilize the SMP for good, Dream's entire soul will have to merge with it, meaning he'll be dead forever: no more Limbo, no chance of resurrection."

Techno sucked in a breath. "So, let me get this straight. Either we lose Dream forever, or the server collapses and mobs overflow."

"...Yes" Phil breathed out. "And," Phil whispered. "That means Delusion, Dream's ghost, will also disappear."

The pig man furrowed his brows even further. "Damn it...why does everything always have to be so unfair?"

Phil sighed. "That's just how life is, Techno. It'll always take away something we love, and we can't do anything about it."

The two sat in silence. "So, what do we do now?" Techno asked.

The Crow Father looked up at the ceiling, eyes traveling over the curves and cuts in the wood. "We can only wait."

"And Delusion?"

Phil pursed his lips. "...Let's wait until Dream gives his answer."

So, there they sat in silence, dwelling over the cruelty of reality and the fate of their future.

• • •

Fshhhhh

Green, mellow blades of grass rustled against each other as the warm breeze washed over them. 

Dream sat in the midst of a small growth of flowers, each one quivering in the wind. However, despite the serenity, his mind was chaotic.

What should I do? He asked himself for the millionth time. Will I regret, if that's even possible?

He did not know what to do with himself. One one hand, he could save everyone from a rotting land. But on the other, he will never be able to see or smile among them ever again.

I still have a chance. I can still change my decision. He repeated to himself. But once the words leave my mouth, I will never be able to go back.

Dream pulled in his legs and looked up at the clouds. They dotted the sky like small clumps of cotton. What do I want?

He closed his eyes and looked at the world.

He found the eyes of those he called his friends and family staring back at him.

He opened his eyes and looked at his hands. They were littered with scars, and a finger was missing.

My purpose...

Suddenly, a gust of air blew through the field, and a smoky figure emerged at its epicenter. 

"𝙷𝚎𝚕𝚕𝚘 𝚊𝚐𝚊𝚒𝚗, 𝚕𝚒𝚝𝚝𝚕𝚎 𝚋𝚒𝚛𝚍. 𝙸𝚝'𝚜 𝚋𝚎𝚎𝚗 𝚊 𝚏𝚎𝚠 𝚍𝚊𝚢𝚜 𝚜𝚒𝚗𝚌𝚎 𝚠𝚎 𝚕𝚊𝚜𝚝 𝚖𝚎𝚝, 𝚑𝚊𝚜𝚗'𝚝 𝚒𝚝?" Said the goddess. She smiled as Dream looked up at her. "𝙷𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚖𝚊𝚍𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚍𝚎𝚌𝚒𝚜𝚒𝚘𝚗?"

He gazed into her eyes. They shined like the stars that hung from the sky in his earliest memory.

"I..."

Chapter Text

The goddess and Dream looked at each other.

"I'll do it." Dream said, eyes now steeled and ready.

Kristin nodded in understanding. "𝙰𝚕𝚛𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝, 𝚊𝚜 𝚕𝚘𝚗𝚐 𝚊𝚜 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚝𝚛𝚞𝚕𝚢 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝 𝚝𝚘." She closed her eyes. "𝙽𝚘𝚠, 𝙸 𝚠𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚙𝚛𝚎𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚍𝚎𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙾𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚕𝚍."

As she opened her arms and extended her fingers, a web of smoke rippled out from beneath her feet. They quickly covered the grass and then climbed upwards, forming a dark sphere around the two. Its surface shimmered like the ocean's tides beneath moonlight.

Dream was in awe, which left his mouth slightly agape. He stared at the terrain, which had changed so suddenly, and then wondered what was the extent of the power a god holds. They can do this, yet still needs my soul to stabilize the world. How ironic.

The goddess raised a hand in front of her, smoke trailing behind her fingers. A moment later, she as well as Dream rose into the air. After they stabilized, she gave a quick smile to the man before swiftly turning her hand in a circular motion while reciting a quiet incantation under her breath.

It was then that Dream realized his skin had begun to glow, and stared at his hands and arms as they shined like golden flames, growing ever-brighter and even a little bit transparent.

When his transformation slowed down, Kristin spoke again. "𝙽𝚘𝚠, 𝚙𝚛𝚎𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚜 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚙𝚕𝚎𝚝𝚎. 𝙷𝚘𝚠 𝚍𝚘 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚏𝚎𝚎𝚕?" She asked gently. Dream looked for words to string together and form a coherent response, which was, for the third time in his life, a little difficult.

"I...guess I feel okay? Maybe a little tingly at the tips." He gave an awkward smile.

The goddess laughed. "𝚆𝚎𝚕𝚕, 𝚊𝚕𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑 𝚒𝚝'𝚜 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢𝚍𝚊𝚢 𝙸 𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚗𝚜𝚙𝚘𝚛𝚝 𝚊 𝚜𝚘𝚞𝚕 𝚒𝚗𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙾𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚕𝚍, 𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚜𝚎 𝚍𝚘𝚗'𝚝 𝚜𝚎𝚎𝚖 𝚝𝚘 𝚋𝚎 𝚍𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚎𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚜 𝚜𝚢𝚖𝚙𝚝𝚘𝚖𝚜." She waved her hand once more and Dream felt his body being lightly tugged towards her. "𝙰𝚛𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚢?" Kristin asked as she reached her hand towards Dream.

Dream placed his hand on hers. "Yes." He said.

"𝙶𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚝. 𝙰𝚕𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑, 𝚋𝚎𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚎 𝚠𝚎 𝚐𝚘–𝚒𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚠𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚘𝚠 𝚖𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚋𝚎 𝚊 𝚕𝚒𝚝𝚝𝚕𝚎 𝚜𝚎𝚕𝚏𝚒𝚜𝚑–𝚌𝚊𝚗 𝙸 𝚊𝚜𝚔 𝚠𝚑𝚢 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚍𝚎𝚌𝚒𝚍𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚘 𝚍𝚘 𝚒𝚝?" She asked, half expecting the man to say that he'd rather keep the reason to himself.

However, contradictory to her expectation, he replied. 

"Well...it's kind of embarrassing to say this out loud. I- mhf, this is hard to admit..." Dream struggled with his answer. "I...just still have some lingering attachments to the SMP, that's all. And maybe towards some individuals too..." He whispered, which did not escape the goddess' ears. "I mean, it wouldn't be right for me to ruin their lives a second time, you know? And my life's over already anyways. Why not put it towards something I loved before? Or, I guess I should say love."

Kristin giggled at his flustered response. "𝙱𝚞𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍'𝚟𝚎 𝚋𝚎𝚎𝚗 𝚜𝚎𝚕𝚏𝚒𝚜𝚑, 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚑𝚊𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚌𝚑𝚘𝚘𝚜𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛𝚜𝚎𝚕𝚏 𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚘𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚜. 𝙽𝚘 𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚜𝚊𝚒𝚍 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍𝚗'𝚝 𝚔𝚎𝚎𝚙 𝚎𝚗𝚓𝚘𝚢𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚕𝚒𝚏𝚎 𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎, 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚒𝚜 𝚙𝚎𝚊𝚌𝚎𝚏𝚞𝚕. 𝚆𝚑𝚢 𝚍𝚒𝚍𝚗'𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚐𝚘 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚌𝚑𝚘𝚒𝚌𝚎?"

"Because I know what it's like to lose everything and to have nothing, not even a future." He said. "And moreover, this is their home. If I took away the only place they had to call home, and forced them away from the place they had spent their whole lives fighting for, then what am I? I wouldn't be able to forgive myself."

Dream chuckled to himself. "I guess it's because I know pain so I don't want others to also feel it, since then I would be a monster who wishes for others' agony. And that's a reality worse than hell."

"𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚊 𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢 𝚜𝚎𝚕𝚏𝚕𝚎𝚜𝚜 𝚜𝚘𝚞𝚕, 𝚊𝚛𝚎𝚗'𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞?" The goddess commented. "𝙾𝚗𝚎 𝚠𝚑𝚘 𝚙𝚞𝚝𝚜 𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚘𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚜 𝚊𝚋𝚘𝚟𝚎 𝚑𝚒𝚖𝚜𝚎𝚕𝚏."

"No, I'm not really like that." He quickly refuted, hanging his head in modesty. "I'm quite selfish, actually. It was for my own greed that the SMP got into this whole mess in the first place, because I wanted the server to remain as it was, which I've realized is foolish in hindsight."

"𝙰𝚕𝚛𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝, 𝚒𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝'𝚜 𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚔." Kristin sighed, at a slight loss for words. "𝙷𝚘𝚠𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛, 𝚛𝚎𝚖𝚎𝚖𝚋𝚎𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚗𝚘 𝚠𝚊𝚛 𝚒𝚜 𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚒𝚛𝚎𝚕𝚢 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚘𝚠𝚗."

Dream wanted to ask what she meant, since he felt a second meaning behind those words. But she pressed on, and the thought escaped him. "𝙽𝚘𝚠, 𝚕𝚎𝚝 𝚞𝚜 𝚍𝚎𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚝." 

She grabbed and swung her robe over Dream, sweeping him up as her wings wrapped around her and twisted together. The surrounding clouds swirled around them as well, encasing them in a mass of smoke. And as they dispersed, the pair was gone as well.

• • •

The sky was unusually clear in the tundra biome. There had been some light snowfall earlier in the day, a little before the sun began its climb in the sky, but now there was not even a cloud in sight. 

Techno had decided to take this opportunity to do some exercise outside in what seemed like forever, starting with sword swings. He stepped into the frosty tundra air, each breath white like smoke, and settled for a flat expense in his backyard.

He inspected the sheath of his sword, made of dark leather that's taken a beating. He then pulled out the sword, its diamond blade gleaming in the sunlight. Putting both hands on the hilt, Techno raised the point and with a brisk tense of his arms, swung the sword down. Swoosh. It flashed through the air before stopping abruptly, just above the snow, exampling an incredible display of skill and control. Techno breathed out before picking up the blade again and repeated the same motion. Swoosh, Swoosh, Swoosh. 

Then, twisting his arm, Techno sliced to the side and jabbed into the breeze. Foosh. Once more, he picked up the sword and stabbed at an invisible enemy. Its reflection of the morning star made it look as if light itself was dancing.

Phil leaned against the frame of the cottage, a warm beverage in hand as he watched his son practice. It was always a joy to see the Blood God in his field of expertise, to watch him wield an armament like another appendage or an extension of his arms.

Yet it was always in those casual moments of tranquility that things tend to happen, and like a bird's innate ability to sense change before its occurrence, Phil suddenly tensed.

As a skilled warrior himself, Techno is always aware of his surroundings. So noticing the other's agitation, he turned towards the Crow Father.

But before he could make out a full sentence, a blast of energy rushed pass him, its epicenter on the other side of the cabin. It carried with it a wave of cold air, gilded with a thin and transparent purple tint. Techno's clothes and hair fluttered behind him.

It was obvious that something had appeared on the other side of the cottage, so he wasted no time to think. He grasped his sword tight and began to run around the house, the quick steps of Philza in toe. The snow flew up behind their feet as they raced to the other side, with the source of the energy soon in view.

It was a tall plume of black and purple smoke, which churned and whirled around itself. Slowly, it began its transformation, spinning slower as it morphed into the figure of a woman with large wings on her back. Finally, as her skin grew firm and clothes settled, the remaining clouds fell to the ground and dissipated.

"Kristin!" Phil yelled. "Are you here with news? Do you have a response from Dream?"

The goddess opened her eyes, and turned a little towards her lover. "𝚈𝚎𝚜 𝚍𝚎𝚊𝚛, 𝙸 𝚊𝚖 𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚙𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚎." She said, smiling.

Techno, as well as Phil, felt their hearts fill with anxiety and restlessness. So he has a response. They thought. This is it.

"What did he say?" Ask Technoblade, trying to keep his voice composed as best he can, which he found difficult. "Did he agree? Or disagree?"

Kristin shifted in her robes. "𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚌𝚊𝚗 𝚊𝚜𝚔 𝚑𝚒𝚖 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛𝚜𝚎𝚕𝚏." She spoke. "𝙷𝚎𝚛𝚎."

She put her hands out in front of her, palms pointed outwards. Her cape blew open as she opened her wings, revealing the darkness beneath. Soon, a small sphere of white light appeared, which slowly grew larger and larger. And once it became as tall as a person, it shrank down like a deflated balloon, revealing the outline of a man, golden and shining.

When the change stopped, the light shattered and fell away, leaving a glowing, see-through Dream floating above the snow. He fluttered his eyes open.

The two were in awe. It was a transformation they had never witnessed, and surly there was no one else in the world apart from them who have either. And Techno, upon seeing the face of his former rival, felt himself overcome with emotions, unable to make even a whisper. He didn't even notice his sword slip from his fingers. It felt to the ground with a thuck.

"Hey." Said Dream, smiling and waving at the man. "Long time no see, huh?"

Techno could only scoff at how lax Dream seemed, while they could barely process the situation. "Hey, you nerd. It's been a while."

Dream laughed in response, a sound Techno had not heard in a long time. "When was the last time we met? In prison? Ah, your bell was super annoying, just so you know."

"Hah, well, at least it made things less boring. Otherwise, all we could do in there was read some child's books and watch you throw clocks in the lava." The pig man returned. "What? Did you rather we hit potatoes instead, and devise a new way to make mashed potato?"

"Haa...I can never win against you." Dream scratched the back of his head, putting on a melancholic smile. "Damn, how do you always make me like this...?"

"Dream." Philza's voice rang out. "Are you...revived?"

"No...not exactly. If I have to say, I'd say I'm kind of like a ghost...or something like that." He answered. "Basically, I'm just a soul right now. See?" He said as he stuck his arm into his chest, which passed right through.

"Heh? But how does that work?" Techno exclaimed his confusion.

"𝙸'𝚕𝚕 𝚎𝚡𝚙𝚕𝚊𝚒𝚗." Kristin cut in. "𝙰 𝚙𝚎𝚛𝚜𝚘𝚗'𝚜 𝚜𝚘𝚞𝚕 𝚌𝚊𝚗 𝚋𝚎 𝚜𝚙𝚕𝚒𝚝 𝚒𝚗𝚝𝚘 𝚍𝚒𝚏𝚏𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚗𝚝 𝚙𝚒𝚎𝚌𝚎𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚌𝚊𝚗 𝚊𝚌𝚝 𝚜𝚎𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚕𝚢, 𝚠𝚑𝚒𝚌𝚑 𝚒𝚜 𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚙𝚎𝚗𝚜 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚗 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝚙𝚎𝚘𝚙𝚕𝚎 𝚍𝚒𝚎: 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚒𝚛 𝚜𝚘𝚞𝚕 𝚜𝚙𝚕𝚒𝚝𝚜 50-50 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚠𝚑𝚒𝚕𝚎 𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚑𝚊𝚕𝚏 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚢𝚜 𝚒𝚗 𝙻𝚒𝚖𝚋𝚘, 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚘𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚟𝚎𝚕𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙾𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚕𝚍 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚘𝚗𝚕𝚢 𝚙𝚒𝚎𝚌𝚎𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝚖𝚎𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚢."

"So ghosts." Techno realized.

"𝚈𝚎𝚜. 𝙱𝚞𝚝 𝙳𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚖'𝚜 𝚌𝚊𝚜𝚎 𝚒𝚜 𝚊 𝚕𝚒𝚝𝚝𝚕𝚎 𝚍𝚒𝚏𝚏𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚗𝚝, 𝚊𝚜 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚖𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠. 𝙾𝚗𝚎 𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚜𝚘𝚞𝚕 𝚑𝚊𝚍 𝚊𝚕𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚢 𝚖𝚎𝚛𝚐𝚎𝚍 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚂𝙼𝙿-𝚠𝚑𝚒𝚌𝚑 𝚒𝚜 𝚗𝚘𝚠 𝚐𝚘𝚗𝚎-𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚊𝚗𝚘𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚒𝚜 𝚎𝚡𝚒𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚊𝚜 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚐𝚑𝚘𝚜𝚝. 𝚆𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚠𝚎 𝚗𝚎𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚘 𝚍𝚘 𝚗𝚘𝚠 𝚒𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝚖𝚎𝚛𝚐𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚜𝚘𝚞𝚕 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚎𝚛𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚒𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚋𝚒𝚕𝚒𝚣𝚎, 𝚠𝚑𝚒𝚌𝚑 𝚖𝚎𝚊𝚗𝚜 𝙳𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚖 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝙳𝚎𝚕𝚞𝚜𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚗𝚎𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚘 𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚖 𝚊 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚗𝚎𝚌𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚒𝚗 𝚘𝚛𝚍𝚎𝚛 𝚝𝚘 𝚋𝚎𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝚊 𝚜𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚞𝚕𝚊𝚛 𝚎𝚡𝚒𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚗𝚌𝚎–𝚒𝚗 𝚊 𝚠𝚊𝚢, 𝚊𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢 𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚝."

"Then why not revive him?" Phil asked.

"𝙸𝚝'𝚜 𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚒𝚎𝚛 𝚝𝚘 𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚖 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚍 𝚘𝚏 𝚜𝚘𝚞𝚕-𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚗𝚎𝚌𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚗 𝚊 𝚙𝚑𝚢𝚜𝚒𝚌𝚊𝚕 𝚋𝚘𝚍𝚢 𝚒𝚜𝚗'𝚝 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚠𝚊𝚢. 𝚂𝚎𝚎, 𝚏𝚕𝚎𝚜𝚑 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚋𝚘𝚗𝚎𝚜 𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚍 𝚘𝚏 𝚊𝚌𝚝 𝚊𝚜 𝚊 𝚟𝚎𝚜𝚜𝚎𝚕 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚘𝚞𝚕, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚊𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚊𝚖𝚎 𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎, 𝚊 𝚜𝚑𝚎𝚕𝚕. 𝚆𝚑𝚒𝚌𝚑 𝚖𝚎𝚊𝚗𝚜 𝚒𝚝'𝚜 𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚍𝚎𝚛 𝚝𝚘 𝚐𝚎𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚘𝚞𝚕, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚗𝚎𝚌𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚖𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚎𝚗𝚍 𝚞𝚙 𝚋𝚎𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚠𝚎𝚊𝚔. 𝚂𝚘 𝚜𝚒𝚗𝚌𝚎 𝙳𝚎𝚕𝚞𝚜𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚒𝚜 𝚊𝚕𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚢 𝚊 𝚐𝚑𝚘𝚜𝚝, 𝚊 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚝𝚎 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚋𝚎𝚝𝚠𝚎𝚎𝚗 𝚊 𝚜𝚘𝚞𝚕 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚊 𝚕𝚒𝚟𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚋𝚎𝚒𝚗𝚐, 𝚜𝚞𝚖𝚖𝚘𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝙳𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚖 𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙾𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚕𝚍 𝚊𝚜 𝚊 𝚜𝚘𝚞𝚕 𝚠𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚋𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚒𝚎𝚜𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚢 𝚝𝚘 𝚐𝚘 𝚊𝚋𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚌𝚎𝚜𝚜."

"I see..." Techno muttered to himself. "So...your answer was yes?" He asked, tilting his head, arms crossed at his chest.

"Mhm, that's right." Replied Dream. "Now, don't be too sad Techno, it's for the greater good and for peace, just like you always wanted."

"Who'd feel sad for you, you nerd. I'm definitely not going to miss you. In fact, I'd be glad that there'll be one less person barging into my house, especially a homeless teletubby." The pig man sulked, turning his face to the side. However, the quiver of his voice did not escape Dream, who only sighed in response. 

Phil, watching from the sidelines, smiled sadly at the two's conversation. Although I didn't really like him, he was a good friend to Techno, wasn't he? I hope Techno won't beat himself over it too much.

"Then Kristin," he spoke to the goddess. "What we need to do now is let the two meet, right? And what do we do after that?"

"𝙸𝚏 𝚗𝚎𝚎𝚍𝚎𝚍, 𝙸 𝚠𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚑𝚎𝚕𝚙 𝚋𝚒𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚎𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚊𝚝𝚎 𝚑𝚊𝚕𝚟𝚎𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚒𝚛 𝚜𝚘𝚞𝚕 𝚝𝚘𝚐𝚎𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚗𝚎𝚌𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚖 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚝. 𝙷𝚘𝚠𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛, 𝙸 𝚠𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚛𝚊𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚌𝚎 𝚒𝚝 𝚜𝚒𝚗𝚌𝚎 𝚒𝚝 𝚒𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚗𝚊𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚊𝚕 𝚋𝚘𝚗𝚍𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚕𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚝𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚎𝚜𝚝, 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚑𝚘𝚕𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚒𝚎𝚜𝚝." She nodded to herself. "𝚆𝚎'𝚕𝚕 𝚜𝚎𝚎 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚜, 𝚠𝚑𝚒𝚌𝚑 𝚠𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚋𝚎 𝚜𝚘𝚘𝚗."

The Crow Father and the Goddess of Death continued with their words, and the two younger men bantered among themselves still. Each pair was in their own little worlds, but their minds understood the fragility of it all, of the time they had of peace. 

Still, just a few feet away, existed a soul who did not yet know anything of glass.

• • •

As a newborn ghost who was curious about everything in the world, Delusion was busy exploring his own powers. With his recent discovery of another space called the Mindscape, and the two personalities that now dwell within it, he wanted to learn its mechanics, and how to control his travels to the place.

It was hard, the whole thinking thing, and how to make his conscience accept its entrance into an unfamiliar space was even harder still. Surly there must be some kind of trick to it, he thought, and I just need to find it. 

But however he wished for it to come true, dreams are not fulfilled easily. He sighed, a little frustrated, and decided to go for a walk around the house. Walks were best for clearing the mind, and maybe something would come to him.

Delusion looked out his window, which was covered in frost and snow. He opened it a crack, and saw that the sky was clear and cloudless. "Oh, the sun's out! I should go look at the animals." He said to himself.

But as he traveled down the stairs (he'd rather not go through the floor boards out of respect for his hosts), he noticed that Techno, as well as Phil who returned a day earlier, were nowhere to be seen.

"Huh, that's weird. I wonder where they went. Maybe outside as well?"

Coincidently, it was at that moment when the sound of converse floated through the walls, and he felt the presence of multiple individuals in the front yard. "Oh, that's where they went! But who are they talking to?"

Delusion pushed the door open, just slightly, and popped his head through. His eyes first landed on Techno's shoulders, which seemed relaxed for the first time. It was then that he saw the glowing figure next to the piglin, who gave off a light he'd never seen before and wore a familiar face.

It was quite the sight, encountering such a strange entity that was both unfamiliar and strange while giving him a sense of deja vu. But before he could pinpoint the source of that feeling, the man who glowed noticed the transparent apparition.

They locked eyes.

Everything became white.

Chapter Text

Just an instant ago, Dream had noticed the transparent wisps of a ghost floating through the door. He then looked up and saw that apparition's eyes, which were pure white and staring at him.

But the moment his own green gems met them, the sense of their minds being sucked towards one another suddenly overcame him, and the next thing he knew, the world was white.

Weirdly enough, Dream's first thought was if he had fallen into the ghost's eyes. But he immediately crossed that thought out since the inside of an eyeball would be dark, not bright and illuminated.

He looked around. 

It was as if some clumsy deity had spilled a eternity's worth of white paint onto the world. There was not a spot that was incongruent, and it was all so intense that Dream thought he'd go blind. He stumbled a bit out of shock, but then he saw the ghost, in front but away from him.

He, too, was confused, and visually more surprised than Dream was, like a puppy that was suddenly drenched in water. But soon, he looked towards Dream as well and they saw each other face to face, for the first time.

The two stood still for a short instant, neither twitching a single finger. Dream inspected the other's face, which he now realized was just a gray version of his own. In fact, all of the ghost's colors were the muted reflection of his skin, his hair, his sweater. And, like it was instinct, it all clicked.

"So you're Delusion, right?" He broke the silence, smiling at his soul's other half. The ghost looked at him in surprise, and Dream thought he could almost see a light bulb light up above his head.

"Are you alive-me?" Delusion exclaimed, which he quickly realized sounded wrong. "I mean, Dream?"

Dream laughed, which Delusion thought sounded very much like his own, but bolder, with untold experience showing through.

"Yes, I'm Dream, the 'alive' version of you. Although, I wouldn't really call myself alive since, you know, I'm technically still dead."

The ghost's eyes widened in shock, along with his mouth, which Dream found quite amusing and honestly a little cute, despite the fact that he was looking at his own face. Perhaps it was part intrigue from knowing he could make that kind of expression, but Dream became a lot more interested in this ghost of his.

"What? Then how are you here?" Delusion asked, clearly confused.

"Hmm," Dream hummed. "To put it simply, I'm a projection of sorts, just an image of my pre-death's likeness. A hologram, if you will."

"Okay...I think I understand." Delusion said, hesitant. He ran over his other self's words in his head, just to make sure he understood their meaning.

"Well, although I can kind of feel your thoughts," Dream commented, which he'd just realized when the other became confused. "Tell me about yourself. What has your time in the Overworld been like?" 

It couldn't have been very pleasant, with all the guys after my throat.

"Um, it was alright." Delusion nervously shuffled in his spot, a tinge of fear behind his voice. But he could feel the acceptance and understanding of his words and emotions from Dream, so he continued on. "At first, I was in this obsidian box, which I later learned was in a prison called Pandora's Box. And this man called Quackity-" Dream winced at that name, but quickly composed himself. "-came in and got all confused. Then I got taken out and it turned out Sam was actually the one running the place. Ah, but you probably know that already, so I'll save you the drama."

"No, it's fine. Although they aren't exactly my favorite people in the world nowadays, it's interesting knowing what they've been up to." Dream said, shrugging off his memory of the bloodthirsty gaze of his former best friend's fiance.

"Okay. Well, they were bringing me out of the prison, right? But then..."

Dream watched as as Delusion went on and on about what happened, taking pleasure in the simplicity of his counterpart's dialogue. It was refreshing, honestly, to hear someone talk that way without hiding their intention or warping their words after so long.

"...And it was the day before I went to Techno's house, but I was just strolling down this path and trying to explore the server when I came upon a bunch of people. Of course, they were surprised to see me, but they all crowded around anyways, and out came–who would've thought–Sapnap! Can you imagine?"

But remembering how their relationship had changed before he came into the world, Delusion glanced at Dream's face to make sure he could go on.

Dream himself was in an almost trance-like state, his ears ringing and eyes blank. He remembered how their friendship became more business-like, eventually fading away into anger and distrust, and then– nothing.

"I will kill you."  Sapnap's words echoed in his brain.

Delusion waited for a response.

"...The last time I met him was when I was still in prison." Dream began. Delusion's ears perked up. "I still wanted to believe that he was my friend, even if both of us could tell that our relationship had soured beyond repair, even though he was one of the guys who joined to bring about and watch my death. But...when he told me that he would personally finish me off for good if I ever stepped out of that cell, I knew that he, too, had left my side. I guess...it was kind of a breaking point for me, knowing that someone who promised to be with me 'till the end had left for good."

Dream looked into his ghost's eyes. "What did he say to you?" He asked. "I'll go beat his ass if he even tried to hurt you." Dream tried to puff himself up and to lighten the atmosphere, which Delusion found kind of funny.

"Ah, no, he didn't really say anything. He was...kind of on edge, I guess, but he didn't reject me. We even hugged, you know. He always gave the warmest hugs." Delusion thought back. "I actually think he kind of regrets his decision, you know? I could kind of tell. Although he did try to threaten me, the shock and grief on his face was plain as day."

Shock? Grief? Dream questioned. He...felt that?

"Why don't you give him another chance?" Delusion asked. "Try to reconcile some time later? I think it's worth giving it a try."

"...You really think so?" Dream's lips quivered. "How are you so sure that he wouldn't just point an ax to my throat and tell me to leave?"

Delusion placed a hand to his chest. He could feel the rue and fear in the one across from him, which could almost overwhelm his own feelings. But he pushed it away. "I know because those were not the eyes of someone who wanted to kill his former best friend."

"That's not exactly convincing, you know."

Delusion pointed his head down and kicked his foot. "I know. But still-!"

"Haha, don't worry. I try to talk to him." Dream laughed, and Delusion silently sighed in relief. "Well, it's been a while, too. It'd be nice to see his face after so long."

Dream looked up. "Alright. So, anything else? You went to Techno's after this?"

"Oh, yeah! I somehow traveled to the tundra, and ended up finding his cabin. And, you know what else happened while I was there? I blacked out, and these two guys–they called themselves 'personalities'–started talking to me!"

"...Wait." Dream's face became serious. "Did you meet Nightmare and Lucid?"

"Yeah, those two!" Delusion replied. "Actually, I just remembered, they called the place we met 'the Mindscape' or something like that. And it was basically a black version of this place." Delusion waved his arm around. "There were also these mirrors floating around, and also smoke sometimes, which I guess are absent here."

I haven't heard from them in a while...so that's what happened, huh? "So, what did they tell you?"

"Um, I'm not sure you'd want to hear it..." Delusion said nervously. Dream could tell that it was another sensitive topic, but what would not facing your problems do? 

"It's fine. Tell me."

"Alright, here goes nothing..." Delusion whispered to himself.

He described the stories he'd heard from the two personalities, cutting out most of their gory details and shortening their descriptions by some degree, just to keep his monologue on the brief side.

"...Ha, so that's what they told you. Welp, I guess you know my backstory now, huh?" Dream covered his eyes with a hand. "But now that I think about it, why didn't you know that? It's technically your backstory too."

"Oh, uh, I have this thing where I forgot everything that you treated as a 'bad memory,' so since our past wasn't exactly pleasant, it was shelved away. Though, it did help me understand you better, so it's not all bad, I guess." Delusion answered, a little sheepish since not having to deal with trauma while being basically the same being felt like cheating.

"But now that I think about it, why aren't they here?" Delusion pointed out. "Nightmare and Lucid?"

Dream thought for a moment. "Hm...I think it's because this is a separate 'mindscape' from the one you met them in." He said. "From what you described, that place seems to be your hidden consciousness, since I had something similar, and is where my memories that were 'shelved away' are kept. And because of that, it's also more closely connected with my own mind, which is where they were before, due to the shared memories. But this blank void is a temporary realm that formed from our physical connection, in the sense that we're two halves of a soul, so those two wouldn't be here."

"Ohh...so that Mindscape was my own unconsciousness, and this is kind of like our own little place?" Delusion deduced.

Dream giggled in response. "Well, I find some comfort in knowing that there's a place where I'm with none but myself and that no one else can intrude on."

The two talked for a little longer. Delusion told Dream about his experience with Techno and later Phil, which Dream all remembered just in case he could use them to get a reaction out of his friend later.

"Well, what about you?" Delusion asked his counterpart after laughing from one of Dream's remarks. "Do you have any stories to share? I'm actually a little curious about what your life was like, and how you saw it all."

He quickly added. "Oh, but if it's too sensitive of a topic, that's fine too. I saw the gist of it through those mirrors in my Mindscape, and I could kind of feel what you felt as they played through."

"Nah, I can't run from everything forever. So I'll tell you. What do you want to know?"

"Really?! Oh, there's tons of stuff. Let's see..."

They went on like that for another while, where Delusion would ask about someone or an event, which Dream would then answer, constantly reminding himself that it was in the past, and that things would be better soon.

"What about that boy? The blonde one, Tommy." The ghost asked.

"Ah, he was...an interesting one, to be sure. You couldn't find anyone one the server who had a more complex relationship than me and Tommy's. If I were to use words from the perspective of the SMP, then he was the hero, and I was the villain." Dream described. "At first, in my eyes, he was just this rowdy little boy who liked to cause some trouble, like all little kids. But then his brother, Wilbur, joined, and their antics went up to a whole other level. When they started L'manburg, I was...displeased. It was probably also part influence from Nightmare, but I did go a little too far. It's my fault he had to fight through so many wars at that age."

Dream's tone was laced with remorse, and the blame in his voice was so obvious that Delusion would've been able to tell even if he couldn't feel the deep sorrow in Dream's heart.

But before Delusion could comfort his counterpart, Dream continued on. "I...took away everything he had. Everyone was right about that, at least. And when he went into exile, I treated him almost like a stress toy, and let out all my anger and frustration on him. I'd thought, just like how the server thought of me, that Tommy was the cause of everything, and I feared that he would rebel and honestly ruin everything again. So I tied up his mouth, and forced him into a cage. 'course, he hates me for it, but it's well deserved. And when I took his disks and threatened that little friend of his, Tubbo, I thought I would die from his gaze alone. Well, I understand how it might've felt like for him. If one of my fr- former friends had been in the same situation, I would've thrown myself at the enemy. But, of course, it all eventually ended, and here I am."

Although Dream wore a smile on his face, the emotions inside him were like a dark river, with rapid-like currents that filled him. Delusion thought his light dimmed a little.

"I see...but what happened in between? You said it all ended. Do you mean what happened in prison?"

"Prison...right, something definitely happened in there, didn't it? Well, as you might know, Tommy got to fulfill a bit of revenge by killing me two times in that disc room, and I managed to stop him in time from taking my last life–not that I didn't die in the end anyways. After that, I was captured and escorted to Pandora's, which is run by Sam. And you would know, wouldn't you, about what he did?"

"What he did...oh. Oh. So that's why..." Delusion suddenly realized. "That's...sick."

"Well, yeah. Another friend that I'd lost, and another friendship down the drain. But isn't that what happened with everyone? Well, maybe except Punz...but I don't even know what side he's on now."

"Who's Punz?" 

Dream looked into the sky, which was just as blindingly white as everything else. "Oh, he's a mercenary that joined later. He was on my side for a while, and we actually made that betrayal plan for the disc room together. I'd even say he was more loyal to me than even Sapnap, and more understanding than George. But...all he wanted was money in the end. So now that I'm dead, I must've lost my value."

"...Huh. But are you sure?" Delusion questioned.

"Sure about what?"

"That he's against you now? I mean, he could've easily chose to be on the other side, but he didn't, right? And you say he was more loyal than Sapnap, who was one of your best friends. That kind of loyalty is not really something money can buy. More importantly, he tried to understand you, didn't he? That's better than what anyone else did." Delusion said. "Or, maybe I'm just being overly optimistic."

"...Is that so? Then, I'll go see him too, aside from Sap."

"Seems like you'll be busy, huh? And what about Techno? Isn't he also a friend?" Delusion asked happily.

"Well, I'd say we're more like companions, or business partners. He tolerates me since I haven't betrayed him yet, which you should know is quite a theme on this server."

"...Really. Alright, whatever you say." Delusion huffed. But...what about those times when he looked out the window and whispered your name? He thought. And surly, when I came back from the Mindscape, the worry on his face was not just for someone whom he thought of as a "companion"...

"Well, back to the original topic. Sam let Quackity bring weapons into my cell, which brought months of pain. Well, at least I think it was months. Time kind of lost its flow in there. Techno did stay with me for a while, but it wasn't for long and he just...disappeared."

"Disappeared? Like some kind of magician?"

"Yep. Poof, and he was gone." Dream tried to show with his hands, mimicking a cloud dissipating.

"Whoa, that's weird." Delusion said, confused.

"Yeah, and you weren't even there to see it."

They both laughed.

"Ha...well, then the old days resumed and I think I was tortured for a few more months. It's actually kind of interesting how he could conjure up so many new ways to incur pain onto a person, you know? But...his visits decreased, and he came less often. I had no clock to make certain, and nothing except the wounds on my body changed, but I'd have to say the duration lengthened to a few days instead of everyday."

"Do you know why he didn't come as often?"

"He's a private man, and I don't blame him. Everyone, by that point, knew it was better to keep their secrets and weaknesses to themselves. But I think he went to go hang out with his fiances, Sapnap and Karl. Before I went into prison, Karl was on some kind of trip, so maybe he'd returned around that time. And...eventually, he barely came at all"

"Ah, I see."

"But the pain. It was still there, never leaving. And–Prime, I can't believe I'm saying this–at least his visits were something I could deal with, something that I could use to distract me and make time run. But by myself, with all the memories that I constantly reminded myself with, with all those deploring thoughts that flooded my brain? It was nuts."

Dream scoffed at the thought, but could feel himself accepting it deep down. Delusion felt it too, but said nothing.

"And then, you know, I was just... bashing my head against the wall everyday, trying to stay sane. But alas, I failed, and you were born." Dream said with a chuckle, finding his own story almost comedic, if nothing else. "Well, I'm sorry about that, that you had to deal with everything I couldn't."

Silence.

Delusion found his feelings...mixed, after hearing what his counterpart just told him. It was a blunt way to put it, sure, but he could feel that deep within his soul's other half, there lied regret, agony, and an insatiable desire to repress all those memories, which flowed to the surface like water out of a broken dam.

"...It's not your fault." He told him. "You only tried to protect what you loved-"

Dream cut him off. "But it is my fault, Delusion." He cried out, voice drowned and on the verge of breaking. "I caused this server, their home, to fall to ruins. I took away what they wanted and replaced it with something I thought was better, with something I liked. I was selfish, so selfish, too selfish. I did the one thing that I shouldn't have done. And look what happened. Look what happened. I'm dead, you had to carry my burdens and grudges, and their lives can never be the same."

"But what are humans if not flawed, if not selfish?" Delusion asked back, a little surprised at his own outburst. But he almost desperate to get his other half to learn what he'd realized while he was in the realm of the living. "Just take a look at everyone else. What are they if not driven by greed at the end of the day? They all wanted their own kingdoms, a position of power, some kind of control over others. And you just happened to have the crime of wanting the same, and of having more."

Delusion went a little closer. "Dream, it's not your fault. I've seen your memories, so I know what you've been through. I've also seen the others, at least most of their faces, and I know that this was the result of all of guy's choices. Sure, they placed the blame on you and somehow convinced themselves that it was true, but it was definitely not. I mean, just look at how the server turned out after you left. It definitely didn't get better." He knew that making these claims based off of what he saw in a mirror could not compare to the taste of blood and the scent of ash Dream physically endured, but he pushed on anyways.

"No no no... I- but I couldn't do anything right. It- it was all my fault..."

"Dream." Delusion said, his tone almost stern. "You couldn't do anything. It was out of your control. How can you say it's your fault when all you tried to do was just change it for the better? You saw how everything began to spiral downhill, but they locked you away and threw away the keys. All you wanted to do was change the path of the river, but they stopped you and let it flood the city. So Dream, it's not your fault, do you understand?"

Delusion almost felt like a parent trying to console their crying child, and was nervous on whether or not he could persuade someone who was do adamant of his complete blame. But Dream stopped shaking his head, and he once again found himself looking at his hands, still so ever-scarred.

Is it not my fault? He asked. But...

"Dream?"

He looked up. Delusion's eyes were white, but they were also pure. Dream could feel the sincerity coming from them.

"I understand." He said at last.

Delusion sighed in relief. "Good. Now, remember that, alright? Take those words with you...wait, why are you in the Overworld in the first place?"

The two stared at each other, blinking. 

"God, how did I forget to tell you something so important...?" Dream cursed himself under his breath. "Right, I'm here because my soul needs to merge with the SMP."

"Wait wha-?"

"Did they not tell you? Basically-"

Dream proceeded to explain all the details regarding how the server started, etc. as well as what he needed to do now. 

"And–I'm sorry for the surprise–but since my entire soul has to merge with the SMP, and since ghosts are also part of the original person's soul..." Dream cringed at his own words.

"...Oh." Delusion also made a face. "Well, I guess I don't really mind."

"Wait, you don't?" Dream said in shock. "But I'm basically deciding your fate for you?"

"Yeah, but it's for the greater good, isn't it? And I haven't been around long enough to really get so emotional. Still, I understand."

"...Are you sure?" Dream asked, sensing some sadness from Delusion. 

"Well, it's a shame, for sure. But yep, I'm sure. Can't go back on the decision now that you're here anyways, right? So why complain about it?"

Dream laughed under his breath. "You sure are optimistic, aren't you?"

At that moment, they both knew that they had reached an understanding. And as if they'd been doing this their whole lives, they knew how to leave this "White Mindscape".

"Then..."

"Okay."

They both closed their eyes.

• • •

To the others, it only seemed like Dream and Delusion blanked out for a few seconds, suddenly gone still and silent with empty eyes. 

But as quickly as they had gone, their consciences returned.

"Yo, are you okay?" Techno asked, raising an eyebrow. 

"Huh? Oh, yeah, just fine." Dream replied.

"Wait, is that Delusion over there? Hey, Delusion!" Phil exclaimed.

Although the full length of their conversation still rang fresh in their minds, the two characters in question had realized that their actual time gone was merely a moment in the real world. They glanced at each other once more, the connection between them stronger than ever, and both smiled in understanding.

"Ah, yes, I'm here!" Delusion yelled as he raced over to the other four, a wide grin still plastered to his face.

"Well, aren't you giddy?" Techno remarked. "What's the occasion?"

"Well, it's a sunny day, isn't it?" Delusion answered. "And I just realized something good."

"Hm, as long as you're happy." Phil said.

Kristin, being a goddess who specializes in souls, knew what had just transpired. "𝙸'𝚖 𝚐𝚞𝚎𝚜𝚜𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚝𝚠𝚘 𝚍𝚘𝚗'𝚝 𝚗𝚎𝚎𝚍 𝚊𝚗 𝚒𝚗𝚝𝚛𝚘𝚍𝚞𝚌𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚊𝚗𝚢𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚎, 𝚒𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚛𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝?" She said, grinning. 

Phil and Techno were a little confused, but knowing that it wasn't anything bad, they decided to just let it pass.

"Now that Delusion's here, we should probably talk about everything, right?" Phil said. "Come on, let's go in."

The door shut quietly behind them.

Chapter Text

Dream quietly closed the wooden door behind him as he walked into the frosty tundra air. He exhaled as he looked into the sky, realizing that he could not see his breath. 

Ah, I'm dead. He thought. So I don't have a body that creates heat.

He looked to his right, towards the horizon that connected the snow clouds and the frozen earth. It glowed like gray candle light, hidden just beyond the world. Long, thin shadows stretched behind the trees and hills, while Dream glowed without one.

He looked back towards the cabin, which was dark and asleep with its inhabitants. Dream tried to imagine their breaths, soft and whispering, as they slept. He turned back towards the Overworld with a smile. 

Dream thought back to what happened the previous night.

"Ms. Kristin," He addressed the goddess. She turned around.

"𝙳𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚖. 𝙸 𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞'𝚍 𝚗𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚌𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚖𝚎 𝚋𝚢 𝚖𝚢 𝚗𝚊𝚖𝚎. 𝚆𝚑𝚊𝚝'𝚜 𝚘𝚗 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚖𝚒𝚗𝚍?" She asked.

Dream replied with another question. "Actually–I'm sure you already know–but I had a conversation with Delusion, my counterpart, and he reminded me to go meet up with those I had a... connection to while I was still alive. You know, just to seal the deal and not leave any regrets. I was wondering if it'd be possible to leave here for a bit?"

"𝙾𝚑, 𝚢𝚎𝚜, 𝚘𝚏 𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚛𝚜𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚌𝚊𝚗. 𝙷𝚎𝚛𝚎."

Kristin tapped Dream's forehead, and a wave of light rippled across his skin, which quickly faded slightly. 

"What's this...?" He asked, feeling a change in himself.

"𝙸'𝚟𝚎 𝚊𝚍𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚍 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚖𝚊𝚗𝚒𝚏𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗'𝚜 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚙𝚎𝚛𝚝𝚒𝚎𝚜 𝚜𝚘 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚌𝚊𝚗 𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚜𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚂𝙼𝙿 𝚠𝚑𝚒𝚕𝚎 𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚔𝚎𝚎𝚙𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚖, 𝚜𝚒𝚗𝚌𝚎 𝙸'𝚟𝚎 𝚋𝚎𝚎𝚗 𝚍𝚘𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚢𝚘𝚞. 𝚃𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑, 𝚒𝚝 𝚘𝚗𝚕𝚢 𝚕𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚜 𝚊𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚠𝚘 𝚍𝚊𝚢𝚜, 𝚜𝚘 𝚝𝚛𝚢 𝚝𝚘 𝚛𝚎𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚗 𝚋𝚎𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝."

"...I see. Thank you." He looked up at her after inspecting himself.

Kristin smiled. "𝙸𝚝'𝚜 𝚊𝚕𝚛𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝. 𝙸 𝚞𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚛𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚒𝚜 𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚊 𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢 𝚍𝚒𝚏𝚏𝚒𝚌𝚞𝚕𝚝 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚌𝚎𝚜𝚜, 𝚎𝚜𝚙𝚎𝚌𝚒𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝚋𝚎𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚠𝚑𝚘 𝚑𝚊𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝚐𝚒𝚟𝚎 𝚞𝚙 𝚑𝚒𝚖𝚜𝚎𝚕𝚏. 𝚂𝚘 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚔 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚊𝚜 𝚊 𝚐𝚒𝚏𝚝 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚝𝚘 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛𝚜𝚎𝚕𝚏. 𝙸𝚝 𝚠𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚋𝚎 𝚌𝚛𝚞𝚎𝚕 𝚒𝚏 𝙸 𝚍𝚒𝚍𝚗'𝚝 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚗 𝚕𝚎𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚜𝚊𝚢 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚐𝚘𝚘𝚍𝚋𝚢𝚎𝚜, 𝚒𝚜𝚗'𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚛𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝?"

Dream thought back to when he was taken away to be locked in Pandora's Prison from the disc room, which he now know was a death sentence. He remembered glancing back at the crowd that'd appeared to take him down, the tyrant he was, and turning away without a hint of emotion on his face. He remembered their eyes of anger, ambivalence, and disappointment that stared back at him, mocking, berating. He remembered the edge of Punz's hood that peeked out from the back, his face hidden, and Sapnap's fists that were clenched so hard his knuckles turned white. He must've wanted to bash my head in, Dream thought.

He hadn't said a word then, but who knew that it would be the last time he saw most of them? After all, a finalized death was almost unthinkable at the time. But perhaps he should've foreseen the future. At least now he'll get another chance, and maybe even mend some broken bonds.

He thanked the goddess again, and went to tell his plans to Techno and Phil.

Breaking out of his short trip down memory lane, Dream noticed that the sky was already on the verge of daybreak. "I better get going now." He muttered to himself.

As the first rays of sunlight peaked over the hills and spilled their golden light onto the snow, Dream walked into the shade of the pine trees, destination set for the server he had let go of.

Without the light of the sun, there was no warmth in the forest's branches.

Dream closed his eyes and thought of the SMP.

• • •

The same idyll path, the same roadside flowers. Everything was familiar, yet so distant all the while. 

He still remembered when they first started, when the extent of their conflict were pranks. But something changed–it's not right to blame anyone, of course, since it was a group effort–and fire burned everything to the ground.

Dream glanced at the Community House, now built of different bricks and of a different design. The whole process of how it was built still rang stark in his mind, but now it was just a shell of memories.

He missed the time when they could just laugh and not worry about anything.

He walked on.

In his absence, Dream noted, many places had been either remodeled or changed. In fact, a large part of the server was almost foreign. At the very least, it's good to see that everyone's still making an attempt at life, he thought.

Before, he would've been unsettled and angry at how the whole place had changed, and perhaps even promised to level everything. But strangely, he felt very calm this time, and accepted the transformation instead. 

Actually, Dream was unsure whether it was just him, but while he was strolling around he noticed that everything felt more...connected, in some weird way. It was a strange feeling, for sure, but he didn't dislike it. In fact, it was as if he was merging with nature, with every leaf and branch, even the grains of sand and small pebbles scattered about. He could feel them, their textures, their locations.

He could also make out the things that were not a part of all this. 

People.

It was still quite early in the morning, and the sun was just barely shining over the trees in the distance. Somehow, when he departed, he knew that he could travel must faster than an average person was able to. In almost the blink of an eye, he'd left the tundra behind and found himself on the outskirts of a different forest, facing the server. 

Is this the perk of being only a soul? He wondered. It's very efficient.

Dream walked North, towards where the grass met sand. He could also feel the warmth of someone he knew. There's only one person who feels like fire.

• • •

Sunlight spilled through the window as morning arrived, lighting up Sapnap's room. The man in question still lied on his bed, softly snoring away.

A stray ray of light fell onto his face, making him scrunch up his face. He rubbed his eyes out of habit, before blinking them open, vision still blurry from sleep.

Then he saw it: a person's outline next to the window, standing under the sunlight. His face was not one he was unfamiliar with, even if the light blended all the features together. 

"Dream...?" Sapnap unconsciously murmured, sleepiness still clouding his judgement.

"Hey Sap." The figure replied.

But upon hearing that voice, the one he used to hear so much in the past, Sapnap snapped awake. He kicked away from the other man, hitting the bed's headboard with a slam.

With eyes wide open and a heart that's begun to race, Sapnap quickly inspected Dream from head to toe, to make sure that there was no immediate danger. But the man's existence alone was dangerous, so he wouldn't let his guard down either way.

Taking a closer following the look-over, he confirmed that it was indeed Dream who was talking to him, instead of Delusion who did not wear as many scars on his face. Sapnap's mind raced for an explanation. If he's here, then...

"What did you do with Delusion?" He threatened, glaring at the older man. Although, it wasn't like he couldn't guess the answer. He must've revived himself somehow. This bastard...

However, Dream did not respond right away. In fact, he showed almost no reaction. The gears spun quickly in his head. 

After a moment, Dream broke the silence. "Don't worry, he's not dead."

The short response stunned Sapnap temporarily, whose face turned into one of confusion. Quick enough, it became enraged once more. "Liar. If that's true, how are you here? I know how Ghostbur died, so don't think you can trick me with another one of your schemes. You can't get through me-"

His ramble was disrupted by Dream's sigh, carrying with it a hint of annoyance. "I'm not lying, Sapnap. And I don't have another scheme, as you claim."

Dream stepped away from the window, towards his former friend. That's when Sapnap realized: he was glowing. Not because of the sun or whatever; literally glowing.

But before he could even react, Dream's semi-transparent body surprised him again, causing his mouth to become even further agape and heightened his confusion. He blinked in shock. "What the- your transparent! And glowing! How's that possible?" He rambled on, bewildered.

The other man laughed in amusement. "Well, long story short, the Goddess of Death manifested my soul into the Overworld, and here I am.

Sapnap's face of stupor made Dream laugh again.

"Explain." He demanded.

"Alright."

Dream told his story.

• • •

"Waitwaitwaitwaitwait-" Sapnap interrupted, emotion indistinguishable. "That's how you became admin?"

Dream, who was stopped midway through a sentence, closed his mouth and nodded. "Yeah. So because of that, my death destabilized the server, and that's why I'm back. You know, to re-stabilize it, like I said earlier." 

"So...you're not actually alive? Or a ghost, for that matter?"

"No, I'm just a projection. I think I actually just look like a floating ball that glows. That's how the goddess described it, anyways."

Sapnap bursted out laughing. "Pwahahaha! Imagine: the great and almighty Dream is just a ball, floating through space~"

Dream rolled his eyes. "Oh, yeah? The strong and heroic Sapnap didn't even realize that someone was in his room until that person said hi."

"Hey! I was asleep, so it doesn't count." 

"Mhm."

"Well, anyways...your plan is to merge with the SMP, right?" Sapnap asked, bringing the conversation back on track.

"Yep. That should erase any kind of problem with the SMP itself, so you guys will be able to continue living on it."

"And...let me guess. Is the mob problem a part of this?" He asked. "The mobs that are appearing during the day?"

Dream breathed a short sigh. "Yeah, those will disappear too."

"What about you?" Said Sapnap. "Aren't you going to die as well?"

"Yeah, well, just think of it as a sacrifice for the greater good." Dream puffed up his chest.

The younger man cringed. "Ugh, you sound so stupid."

"No, you sound stupid!" Dream glanced at Sapnap's face. "What, you gonna miss me?"

"O-of course not! Who's gonna miss you? At least I won't have to see your stupid face any longer. Idiot..." Sapnap crossed his arms, turning his head to the side.

"Haha, look at you, getting all embarrassed!" He laughed. "And...that's why I'm here. To say goodbye."

The air in the room suddenly felt heavy. "This is goodbye, huh... Forever?" 

"Forever." 

Sapnap stayed silent.

"I guess...it's a shame, really. It's only when you know you're gonna die that you start to regret the past, huh. Really makes you think about everything." Dream sighed. "Ah, there were so many things I wanted to do, you know? But time carried everything away, and now...I can only do my best to make sure everyone else can live. At least my last endeavor would be a good one, so you guys better not say I'm a villain afterwards, got it?"

Dream finished in a playful tone, grinning. The other man could only look at his former friend, questioning. It was an expression he's only seen in the earlier days.

"...How can you smile...despite knowing that you'll die?" He mumbled. "Weren't you afraid of death?"

"Oh. Yeah, I was kinda pathetic back then, wasn't I? Begging on the floor like that...Well, just so you know, I just didn't want to die before finishing my plan, okay? I mean, it's not like I could do anything if I'm dead, so life was more important at that moment." Dream said. 

"But...how can you not be afraid to die? All you ever wanted was more power, more control, to the point that you even threw away me and George! And you're saying that death doesn't matter?" Sapnap exclaimed.

Dream pondered for a second. "...If that's what you think, I understand. But I can't say that's how I felt. True, I wanted power and control, but that's not my goal or anything, you know? Just like how there are steps to things, control is just a necessary step for me to get what I want."

"...What you want?" The younger man repeated. "Are you saying you did all that to get power, and that wasn't even what you wanted?"

"Peace." Dream blurted out.

"Huh?"

"I wanted peace." Dream smiled with regret. "I wanted the server to return to how it was, when it was just harmless shenanigans with friends and nothing else mattered. No politics, no kingdoms, no factions. Just...us."

Sapnap could not speak. 

"And...I didn't mean to make you think I hated you guys or that you guys didn't matter, okay? I just wanted to protect you and George, and with all the wars and fighting, I thought it'd be safest if you guys weren't with me. In hindsight, now that I look back, it was a dumb idea. I mean, we of all people ended up becoming enemies, not to mention everyone else who was on my side. I think I was too desperate, so much so that I didn't even consider telling you guys about all this. So, on that note, I'm sorry." He scratched his neck . "Really, I'm sorry."

"...Ha." Sapnap could only laugh at the absurdity of it all. That's what you were doing all that for? He thought to himself as he buried his face in his hands. 

"...Your such an idiot." He mumbled. "Idiot."

Dream hugged his arm. "...Yeah, I'm an idiot."

Sapnap crutched his sheets. "So...are we still friends?" He asked, face still down. 

"Of course. I've always thought of you as my friend. Both you and George."

Sapnap looked up, almost teary. His lips quivered as he looked at Dream. Looking at his transparent body, it was only then that he realized how in just a few days, he'll never get to see him again.

Dream, on the other hand, stepped forward to embraced him. Somewhere in those eyes, he thought, was just someone who wanted to be assured that he hadn't lost one dear to him.

And although Sapnap couldn't feel the other man's arms, he thought there was a certain warmth to the imperceivable touch. He wrapped his arms around Dream's shoulders.

"Stupid...why didn't you say anything? If you just told us, all this would've never happened!" He said as he squeezed his eyes shut.

"Yes yes, and I'm sorry for that." Dream comforted.

"And- and if you had told us, we could've worked something out together! How are you so dumb about this?"

"Haha, I'm so dumb, aren't I?"

"Yeah, you are."

"Mhm."

The sun was now high up in the sky, and the sky was bluer than ever. Unconsciously, Sapnap felt a weight disappear from his heart.

"Are you going to apologize to George as well?" Sapnap asked, still hugging his friend.

"Yeah. Let's go get him now. There are a lot of people I need to meet, isn't there?"

"You bet. Now wait a sec, let me get dressed."

"Sure. I'll wait in the hallway."

A moment later, they walked towards the room where the oldest of their trio stayed. 

"Knowing him, he's probably still sleeping." Sapnap said. "We better wake him up."

"It'd be quite the surprise for him." Dream giggled. "Let's jump-scare him."

"Great idea."

On that word, they arrived in front of Gogy's door. 

"Three...two...one..."

The two screamed out George's name as they bursted into the room. The room's occupant fell onto the floor, now awake and disheveled.

"Wha- Sapnap, what are you doing here?" George grumbled. "And-"

He locked eyes with the other man.

"Hi George." Dream greeted, smiling. "Long time no see."

George leapt into Dream's arms. 

Chapter Text

Back at Technoblade's cabin in the isolated tundra, Delusion was realizing something of his own. 

I've...regained some of my memories.

Well, to be clear, they were Dream's memories, not necessarily his. But putting that aside, ever since the two met, the connection between them had been continuously growing stronger. Just like how when you pour two different-colored glasses of water together, they slowly mix together until they create a new color, Delusion could tell that he was closer and closer to becoming "Dream." 

And...is this how he felt?

Delusion looked up at the sky outside his window as he let the memories wash over him. The sight of birds flapping their wings overlapped with an image of blood splashing into the air, dyeing the soil crimson red. He looked for the eyes of the one that was slain, and all he found was fear.

Accompanying the reminisce were Dream's emotions, as if Delusion was reliving those very moments. He could feel the heart in his chest that thumped from adrenaline, and how his blood rushed through his veins. He could almost feel a sword on his fingertips, ready to slash though anything in his way. Pressure built up in his throat as Delusion felt his muscles tense, and once the recollection ended he fought for a breath, clutching his chest.

He looked at his hands that trembled. The sensation of blade slicing though flesh was almost too real, enough to make him think he'd done it himself. And although Delusion was plenty used to hunting food occasionally–in Dream's earlier days–there was an indescribable difference when the opponent, the prey, was human.

Delusion was sure that more of such memories would return regularly as both he and Dream become closer to being whole, and that his current feelings won't continue to remain foreign for long. At the same time, he wondered how in the past that he'd forgotten, all the people of the SMP had to endure this for years. All the fear, all the wars, all the death.

How breathless would they have been? He wondered to himself. When even the air was filled with the stench of blood?

His resolve for remergance became a little stronger. 

• • •

Punz wiped the sweat dripping on his chin with a hand as he leaned on his pickaxe, resting for just a moment before finishing work for the day. 

It was just a few days before the scheduled departure for the search and extermination of those 'daylight mobs,' and there was even less time to rest. Being the mercenary he was, he always made sure to collect some extra material in case an emergency popped up.

By the time the clouds started turning orange, Punz was back by his base, looking through what he'd collected so far and making some calculations.

The grass rustled behind him.

Noticing a presence, Punz swung around with his weapon in hand to face the possible assailant. You never know; maybe someone still had a grudge, or wanted something from him.

However, to his surprise, hovering slightly above the ground was a man he couldn't be more familiar with. Although his face was more scarred than before and his body glowed like gold, his smile never changed.

"Dream...?" Punz mumbled, eyes wide open. 

"Hey, that's me." Dream responded. "Now, before you say anything, I-"

Dream stopped mid-sentence as Punz suddenly charged towards him. Out of habit, Dream squeezed his eyes shut and held up a defensive position. So this is how it will go, huh...

Yet, rather than an attempted stab at his throat or a slash across his chest, Dream was met with Punz's embrace. Though, due to his constitution, the man fell right through and stumbled before turning back around.

"Huh?" Punz's eyes were still wide with shock as he looked at Dream, who returned a gaze of equal astonishment.

Then, as the result of the weird chain of events, Punz looked down at his hands and felt his arms, seemingly questioning whether that just happened, while Dream stood frozen, mind racing a thousand miles a second.

"Do y-" 

"Dr-"

They said at the same time.

"Ah."

"Oh."

"Uh..."

"Um..."

They stuttered. "You can go first." Dream motioned the other man, almost embarrassed.

"Then, um, are you Dream?" Punz decided to ask. "And...you're real, right?"

The last part stunned the soul momentarily, but he quickly recovered. "...Yeah, I'm Dream. And I'm real, too."

Punz drowned himself in Dream's voice. How familiar the sound was, how he'd longed for it. There were no words that could describe what he was feeling, nor were there anybody who could tell him the name of those emotions.

"Then...why couldn't I touch you?" He said back. "Even ghosts can be felt, but I passed right through you."

"Ah, well, that's part of the reason why I'm here, you see." Dream replied. "Technically, I'm currently dead."

"...Dead?"

Punz was nervous of what he would hear next. Although Dream's death could be considered old news by that point, it was still not a topic he could happily talk about, or even bring up. Somewhere, in the back of his mind, lied a fear of the truth.

"Yes. I haven't been revived, and I'm not a ghost– that's what Delusion is; you've heard of him, right?" Asked the man. A yeah escaped Punz's throat, and Dream continued. 

"So basically, I made a deal with the Goddess of Death, where she'll bring my soul to the Overworld for my...sacrifice. Um, it's complicated, but that's the gist of it."

"What's the sacrifice?"

Dream flinched a little at how cold Punz's tone was, but answered right away. "It's...my soul."

"...What?"

Thinking that Punz didn't understand, Dream explained, "My entire soul. I've given it up. Um, so you know how I'm the admin and all? I was, anyways."

As he explained the past, Dream watched the other man's facial expressions for any changes. But Punz was surprisingly good at keeping a straight face– although his brows were scrunched.

"...So because I died, the server became unstable, and now I'm here to correct that."

The mercenary crossed his arms. "And what? You're just going to die again?"

"Yeah...for good this time." Dream sighed. "Really, I'm just here to say goodbye, since you fought for me the longest. And...sorry for everything."

"What are you sorry for?"

"Huh?"

"I said: what are you sorry for?" Punz stared into Dream's eyes. "You didn't do anything wrong–especially not to me–so don't apologize. If you feel sorry for me in anyway, don't be. Have you forgotten? I'm a mercenary, so I never had a faction I belonged to or a leader I followed anyways. You paid me too, so what's there to be sorry about?"

Dream, taken aback, looked at Punz again. Now, what he previously thought was a face of anger and blame has become...something else. It was hard to say exactly what it was, but Punz...seemed okay?

"You're not angry at me?" Dream asked, voice careful.

"Why would I be?" Punz tiled his head to one side. "Don't tell me, do you think I actually betrayed you back then?"

"I-I..." Dream was flabbergasted. Had he been waiting for me that whole time? "Then..."

"You sure took your time, Dream." Punz grumbled. "Can you imagine my shock once I found out you were actually dead? You better pay me back for that."

"Haha..." Dream covered his face with a hand. "Ha...I can't believe it..."

"You sure aren't bright when it comes to stuff like your own relationships, despite having manipulated everyone else's feelings." He huffed. "Though, I can't say I'm not one of the victims..."

"Punz." Dream blurted out. The one he mentioned looked him in the eyes. 

"Yeah?"

"Thank you." His expression was a mix of relief, gratitude, and joy. "For staying with me even when everyone else had turned away."

"Well, if you put it like that..." Punz pursed his lips.

"Truly, you were a companion- no, a friend, I'd never thought I could have. And for that, I cannot express my gratitu-"

Dream was cut off when Punz shushed him with a finger. "That doesn't suit you at all. And who ever said you couldn't have a loyal friend by your side? Just know this: no matter what, I'll always be here."

Then, for a while, the two didn't say anything. But their gazes alone communicated all the thoughts words couldn't convey. At last, Dream exhaled with a smile. "Then, I'll be relying on you like always, partner."

"Of course." Punz replied, grinning as well. "Then, why don't we share some stories? It's been a while, hasn't it?"

"If that's what you'd like, sure. I don't mind."

"Great. Ah, before that, let's find somewhere to relax. I've been working all day and I can't wait to take a breather. Oh, and this too:"

Punz opened his bag and took out a sandwich wrapped in paper. A soft aroma of cheese began to waft through the air.

"Would you like a bite, if you can?"

"Sure. I think my ghost attribute is limited to other people, since souls can't touch other souls." Dream thanked the man as he took the food.

"Wow, what an unfair world we live in."

"I agree."

The two walked a little distance to a small patch of grass, and sat down as they enjoyed their snack. After a few bites, each shared his own account of the Imprisonment Era. Sometimes, they reacted with gasps, and sometimes with laughter. Others, with swears of vengeance and angry rants.

Once they finished, they turned to look in front of them. Despite their chatter the moment before, the silence was comforting.

The evening stars that had begun to peek through the clouds twinkled while the sky burned like fire, glowing and dimming like cooling ember. The shadows grew long behind each blade of grass, and even more so behind the backs of the two men. 

The ones in question enjoyed their moment of peace while watching the last rays of sunlight fade away below the horizon. Dream looked at the mercenary's eyes once more, and found himself mesmerized by the way they shined like gilded sea waves. A stray word escaped from him lips.

"What was that?" Punz asked.

Dream shaked his head. "Nothing."

He was glad the scarlet twilight hid the blush on his face.

Chapter Text

It was morning, and Sapnap was seated on one of the couches in the main room downstairs. One hand covered his eyes, while the other rested on his knee. He was in deep thought.

It was tumultuous times, for sure, but nothing could've prepared him for yesterday.

"Hey Dream," George asked. "What'd you do in prison?"

"That's a stupid question." Dream rebutted. "What is there to do? Except reading a book that you wrote or looking at the lava flow?"

"Well, did anything happen?" George said, huffing from being called stupid. Dream patted his back.

"Oh yeah, that time Techno broke in. Tell me about that!" Sapnap jumped in. "What happened? Quackity wasn't in a very good mood when he told me."

Dream unconsciously flinched a little at the name. It's been a long time since I heard that...

"Alright. It's a kind of long story, but basically Techno got tricked by Quackity, who thought he'd be a threat if left alone, and got trapped in the same prison cell as me. After that we just kinda hang out, I guess."

"Hang out? With the Technoblade?" Sapnap raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah. It's boring as fuck in there so we just made small talk, and maybe eat a potato once in a while." Dream smirked at him.

Sapnap grumbled as George laughed. "So, what happened after that?" 

"Mm, there was a day that Quackity came to visit, and Techno just...disappeared? I still don't know what happened. But after that, things just went back to how they used to be."

"What do you mean disappeared? Did he escape?"

"I guess, since he's in the tundra now." Dream thought for a moment. "I think Phil had something to do with it."

"Wait, why was Quackity visiting you guys?" Asked Sapnap. "Now that I think about it, it's kinda weird."

Silence.

"Ah, well..." Dream scratched his head. "He was just there to mock us, you know, since we fell for his plan."

"Dream, I feel like your'e hiding something." George said. "My intuition says so."

"You're intuition sucks."

"Shut up."

Sapnap raised a hand. "No, he's right. Quackity's not the kind of guy to go all the way to the prison just to mock you guys. I would know since he's my fiance. What else did he do?"

You might not know your fiance as well as you thought you did. Dream looked at him, a mixture of emotions hidden beyond his eyes. "You promise to stay calm?"

"It's that bad?" George made a face.

"Well..."

George was on one of the armchairs to Sapnap's right, legs placed on the coffee table in front of him and arms crossed. He was staring up at the ceiling fixture, which's brightness was outshined by the sunlight spilling through the large panes of glass.

Both men were hushed and still, only occasionally shifting a limb or tapping a finger. It would've been a strange sight, seeing the two of them just sit there and not do anything in the morning.

But soon, the silence was interrupted.

Boom. The front door swung open, revealing a figure wearing a blue beanie and suspenders. He waltzed in, a sack over his shoulder, before he noticed the man sitting on the couch.

"Hey Sapnap!" Quackity cheerfully exclaimed, waving at his fiance. "How've you been while I was gone?"

"...Quackity." 

Quackity's mood visibly darkened. "Hey, what's wrong?" He said as he stepped towards Sapnap. He then noticed the other presence. "Oh hey George, fancy seeing you here. Have you waken up now? Did they catch you up on stuff?"

The man shot him a slight glare, and sighed as he turned his eyes away. Quackity raised an eyebrow, but looked back at the one in front of him.

"So, something bothering you?" He asked, more or less nonchalant. "Come on, you can at least trust me with it."

Sapnap sighed and stood up. "Quackity." He said, now facing him.

"Yeah?" 

"What did you do in the prison?"

Quackity froze for a split second, and searched Sapnap's face. Although his expression was lax, his eyes were filled with anger.

He scoffed.

"Hah, did Sam tell you something? Knew I couldn't depend on him." He muttered to himself before putting on a smile. "Come on Sapnap, you trust me, don't you? Tell me, what did you hear?"

"Answer me!" Sapnap yelled. "Don't try to weasel out of this!"

Quackity's smile turned into a frown, and all hints of warmth disappeared from his face. He yelled back, "Well, so what! You never cared about him in the first place, so what's so wrong of me to make him feel the pain we had to experience 'cause of him?"

"So it was true, huh? What's so wrong? You fucking tortured him for MONTHS, and you ask me what's wrong? Do you even have a conscience in that fucking brain of yours?"

"Conscience? Don't talk about 'conscience' with me, Sapnap. You were the one who promised to kill him if he ever escaped the prison, and now you're blaming me for giving him what he deserves?"

"No one deserves to be tortured, Quackity! I promised to kill him because I thought if he escaped, he'd be a threat to the safety of everyone else. But he wasn't hurting anyone in the prison."

"He took all of Tommy's lives!"

"We all did equally bad, if not worse, things to others. Tommy was the one who provoked Dream first anyways. I'm not saying that it was right to kill him, but you have no right to hurt him because of it, and for so long as well."

Quackity grimaced, clearly frustrated. "I...I was doing it for a good cause! Yes...that's right, I was doing it for all of us, for you-"

Before he could finish his sentence, Sapnap's fist appeared in front of his eyes and connected with his face. Quackity's head flew back and his body launched towards the ground, landing with a thud. Blood dripped down from his nose and splattered onto the tiled floor, seeping into the cracks. While his ear's rang, he held his nose, dazed and confused.

Sapnap's fist was tightly clenched, and although it was red from the impact, him eyes burned even hotter. "Don't you dare say you did that for me, or for anyone else. It was for your own selfish, twisted desire that you tortured him for that long. It doesn't matter what you say it was for, because I will never forgive you for it."

Quackity, still holding his nose, stared at his fiance. "But Sapnap-" He managed to choke out.

"He was my best friend!" Sapnap exclaimed, eyes pained and conflicted. "Do you know how I felt when he told me what you did to him? You're my fiance, and I loved you. But now I don't even know how I should look at you anymore. Can you imagine what it's like, choosing between your best friend and your partner? But seeing your attitude just now, I guess I have an answer."

Quackity's eyes widened, and he reached out his other hand towards the man. "-Wa-wait..."

"We're done." Sapnap turned his back towards Quackity. "I don't want to see you again."

With those last words, he slowly stepped towards the back of the building, and turned down one of the hallways. George took one last glance at the injured man on the ground, shot him a glare, and chased after Sapnap.

Karl, who had seen part of the fight, met up with his fiance, who was clutching the side of a wall as best he could. He looked at him pensively, before wrapping his arms around Sapnap's shoulders and patting him on his back.

It's okay, he whispered. I'm here.

The man broke into tears.

• • •

Delusion weightlessly sat on his bed, eyes squeezed shut , as flashes of color blinked in and out of him consciousness. Combined with the accompanying white noise and shouts, it was impossible to focus on any one thing for long.

The sheets below him were stretched and wrinkled from his clutch, but he did not have time to worry about how he was treating his room; the discord was overwhelming.

To some extent, Delusion could tell what kind of memories these were. It was mostly of the wars and related events, but once in a while dissimilar emotions would float up as well, and the scenery would transition into an unfamiliar one.

Most commonly, he could see the backs of people as they walked away from him. But as the surroundings seemed blurred, Delusion suspected that these were dreams instead of real events. A sharp pain would shoot through his chest then and choke his breath, while he could only watch as they walk further and further into the darkness. Yet, even still, Delusion could unconsciously feel that there was more to come, something darker, something atrocious enough for it to be buried under everything else.

Ah, I wish I could go somewhere without all this.

Click.

The world went silent.

As if someone had clicked the power button on a TV remote, everything turned dark. Delusion tried to open his eyes, but the result was the same. He looked from side to side, trying to find an explanation. A sudden sense of deja vu hit him.

"𝐇𝐦? 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐨𝐢𝐧' 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞?" A voice called from behind him.

Delusion turned to greet the person. "Oh, so I was right. This is the Mindscape."

"𝒟𝒾𝒹 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓁𝒾𝓏𝑒 𝓈𝑜𝓂𝑒𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔?" Ask the other figure.

"I think so." He said as he walked towards them. "I think I can enter this place when I want to now."

"𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲?!" Nightmare exclaimed. "𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭! 𝐍𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭!"

"𝐻𝑜𝓌'𝒹 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝒹𝑜 𝒾𝓉?" Lucid asked.

"Uh, I think I just need to think about coming here, and voila." Delusion make a show with his hands. "Anyways, what have you guys been up to?"

"𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐥, 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐞 𝐝𝐨 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞?" Nightmare huffed. "𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮'𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐮𝐩 𝐭𝐨, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬."

"𝐵𝓊𝓉 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇𝑒'𝓈 𝒷𝑒𝑒𝓃 𝒶 𝒸𝒽𝒶𝓃𝑔𝑒 𝓁𝒶𝓉𝑒𝓁𝓎." Lucid mentioned. "𝒮𝑜𝓂𝑒 𝓃𝑒𝓌 𝓂𝒾𝓇𝓇𝑜𝓇𝓈 𝒽𝒶𝓋𝑒 𝓅𝑜𝓅𝓅𝑒𝒹 𝓊𝓅, 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓌𝒾𝓉𝒽 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓂, 𝓂𝑜𝓇𝑒 𝓂𝑒𝓂𝑜𝓇𝒾𝑒𝓈. 𝒟𝒾𝒹 𝓈𝑜𝓂𝑒𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓅𝑒𝓃?"

"Ah, well..." Delusion shifted nervously. "I met Dream."

"𝑾𝑯𝒜𝒯?!" The two screamed at the same time.

"𝒟𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓂'𝓈 𝒾𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒪𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓌𝑜𝓇𝓁𝒹? Lucid hurriedly asked. "𝒲𝒽𝑒𝓃 𝒹𝒾𝒹 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓅𝑒𝓃?"

"Um, just a few days ago."

"𝐖𝐡𝐲? 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐝?"

"Calm down, I'll explain." Delusion hushed the two. "It's nothing...too bad."

"Mhm."

Delusion ignored him. "Okay. So basically, the Goddess of Death brought his soul with her to the Overworld."

"𝑾𝑯𝒜𝒯?"

"I'm not done. She did that because they need Dream's soul to merge with the server so that it doesn't collapse."

"𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬𝐧'𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞." Nightmare voiced. "𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐃𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦'𝐬 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐥 𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐩𝐬𝐞?" 

"It's actually the opposite. Without Dream's soul, the server will wither away because he's the admin."

"𝐿𝑒𝓉 𝓂𝑒 𝑔𝓊𝑒𝓈𝓈, 𝒾𝓉 𝒽𝒶𝓈 𝓈𝑜𝓂𝑒𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓉𝑜 𝒹𝑜 𝓌𝒾𝓉𝒽 𝒳𝒟?"

"Yeah."

"𝐻𝓊𝓊...𝓀𝓃𝑒𝓌 𝒽𝑒 𝓌𝒶𝓈 𝒻𝒾𝓈𝒽𝓎." Lucid rubbed his temples. "𝒪𝓀𝒶𝓎, 𝓈𝑜 𝓌𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓃? 𝒟𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓂'𝓈 𝓌𝒽𝒶𝓉, 𝑔𝑜𝓃𝓃𝒶 𝒹𝒾𝑒 𝒶 𝓈𝑒𝒸𝑜𝓃𝒹 𝓉𝒾𝓂𝑒?"

"Not exactly... See, he's not actually revived. Since if he were, I wouldn't even be here, right? He's a wandering soul right now. And when he merges with the server, it'll be more like he disappears for good..."

"𝐸𝓍𝒸𝓊𝓈𝑒 𝓂𝑒? 𝐵𝑒 𝒽𝑜𝓃𝑒𝓈𝓉 𝓌𝒾𝓉𝒽 𝓂𝑒, 𝒟𝑒𝓁𝓊𝓈𝒾𝑜𝓃. 𝒟𝒾𝒹 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝑔𝑜𝒹𝒹𝑒𝓈𝓈 𝒻𝑜𝓇𝒸𝑒 𝒽𝒾𝓂 𝓉𝑜 𝒹𝑜 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉? 𝒪𝓇 𝓂𝒶𝓎𝒷𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓉𝑒𝓃 𝒽𝒾𝓂-"

"No no no, you got it all wrong. It was Dream's own choice, and I agree with him."

"𝐵𝓊𝓉 𝓌𝒽𝓎?" Lucid exclaimed. "𝐼𝓉'𝓈 𝒶 𝒻𝑜𝑜𝓁𝒾𝓈𝒽 𝒹𝑒𝒸𝒾𝓈𝒾𝑜𝓃 𝓃𝑜 𝓂𝒶𝓉𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝒽𝑜𝓌 𝐼 𝓁𝑜𝑜𝓀 𝒶𝓉 𝒾𝓉!"

"Dream told me that it was for the greater good, as well as a way to pay for his mistakes. And above all, it's to protect the place he loved. Come on Lucid, try to think from his position. This was his home, and it was everything he ever wanted to protect. Even if he's not alive anymore, he's going to really lose everything forever if he doesn't act."

"𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐡. 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲, 𝐈 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐢𝐭."  Nightmare cut in, still apathetic as ever.

"𝒩𝒾𝑔𝒽𝓉𝓂𝒶𝓇𝑒...!"

"𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐌𝐏 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐢𝐦, 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬𝐧'𝐭 𝐢𝐭? 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐭'𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫𝐬, 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐚 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐞. 𝐈𝐬𝐧'𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐞'𝐯𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬? 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬?" He shrugged, as if it was no big deal.

"𝐵𝓊𝓉- 𝒷𝓊𝓉 𝓃𝑜𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔'𝓈 𝓂𝑜𝓇𝑒 𝒾𝓂𝓅𝑜𝓇𝓉𝒶𝓃𝓉 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓃 𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝓁𝒾𝒻𝑒! 𝐼𝒻 𝒽𝑒'𝓈 𝒾𝓃 𝐿𝒾𝓂𝒷𝑜, 𝒶𝓉 𝓁𝑒𝒶𝓈𝓉 𝒽𝑒 𝓈𝓉𝒾𝓁𝓁 𝒽𝒶𝓈 𝒶 𝓈𝓁𝒾𝑔𝒽𝓉 𝒸𝒽𝒶𝓃𝒸𝑒 𝑜𝒻 𝓇𝑒𝓋𝒾𝓋𝒶𝓁, 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒾𝓈 𝓈𝓉𝒾𝓁𝓁 𝑒𝓍𝒾𝓈𝓉𝒾𝓃𝑔. 𝒲𝒽𝓎 𝓌𝑜𝓊𝓁𝒹 𝒽𝑒 𝑔𝒾𝓋𝑒 𝓊𝓅 𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝓁𝒾𝒻𝑒 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝓈𝑜𝓂𝑒𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒽𝑒'𝓁𝓁 𝓃𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓃 𝑔𝑒𝓉 𝓉𝑜 𝓀𝑒𝑒𝓅 𝑜𝓇 𝓈𝑒𝑒 𝓁𝒶𝓉𝑒𝓇?" 

Lucid, a demon for logical thinking, found it hard to understand why Dream chose to sacrifice himself. Rationally, it would be completely moronic to go down that route. On the other hand, Nightmare only knew how keep true to his creed, no matter what was necessary to do so.

No one could really say whether this was the right choice, because one's life dictates their point of view, and thus their answers.

"But, either way, I think that if Dream were to be presented with this exact scenario a thousand times, he would give the same response every time." Delusion stepped around a little bit. "You know, I've realized it's not always about 'right' or 'wrong' or some gray area in between, but rather whether you are honest with yourself. It's Dream's decision in the end, so we should just respect his wishes."

Delusion clasped his sweater, thinking back to those lurid bursts of memory. In the midst of the unbearable mania, he could still feel that lingering feeling that always seemed to be drifting away, yet growing stronger as time passed on. Although it still felt a while off, Delusion knew he was closer to understanding Dream.

"𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐡, 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭!" Nightmare exclaimed happily.

"𝐻𝒶𝒶...𝓌𝒽𝒶𝓉𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇. 𝐼 𝒸𝒶𝓃'𝓉 𝓊𝓃𝒹𝑒𝓇𝓈𝓉𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓀𝒾𝓃𝒹 𝑜𝒻 𝓁𝑜𝑔𝒾𝒸 𝓃𝑜 𝓂𝒶𝓉𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝒽𝑜𝓌 𝓂𝒶𝓃𝓎 𝓉𝒾𝓂𝑒𝓈 𝐼 𝑔𝑜 𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓇 𝒾𝓉, 𝒷𝓊𝓉 𝐼 𝓈𝓊𝓅𝓅𝑜𝓈𝑒 𝓌𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓈𝒶𝒾𝒹 𝒽𝒶𝓈 𝓂𝑒𝓇𝒾𝓉." Lucid shook his head, then waved his hand as if throwing away the thought.

Delusion laughed. 

"Come on, let's talk about something else other than the inevitable future. Why not tell me your guy's experience for a change?"

"𝐎𝐡, 𝐨𝐡, 𝐈 𝐠𝐨𝐭 𝐨𝐧𝐞!" Nightmare lit up with excitement. "𝐒𝐨, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞..."

"𝒰𝑔𝒽, 𝐼 𝒹𝑜𝓃'𝓉 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓃 𝓀𝓃𝑜𝓌 𝓌𝒽𝓎 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓀𝑒𝑒𝓅 𝒾𝓃𝓈𝒾𝓈𝓉𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝑜𝓃 𝓉𝑒𝓁𝓁𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓈𝓉𝑜𝓇𝓎."

"𝐇𝐞𝐲! 𝐈 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐭!"

And as Delusion looked at the two banter ever so care-freely, time went on, without ever slowing down for anything.

• • •

"Alright. Is everyone here?" Tommy did a quick headcount, peering over the crowd from a makeshift podium.

Everyone had a weapon in hand, with armor and an inventory of everything they could need. Yet despite their preparations, there was a mutual unease.

The wind rustled the grass and passed over the people, whose's grips tightened as sweat beaded their brows.

"Okay. Let's go!" Tommy yelled as he raised his sword into the sky. His fellow SMP members raised their weapons as well, and the hunt began.

Chapter Text

Darks winds swept through the strange, shadowy void. Two figures stood face to face in its midst, one towering over the other, glowing like the evening sun.

"𝙸 𝚜𝚎𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞'𝚟𝚎 𝚛𝚎𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚗𝚎𝚍 𝚘𝚗 𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎." The goddess commented. "𝙽𝚘𝚠, 𝙳𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚖, 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚢?"

"...Yes." He answered, head slightly lowered. "This is no time for regrets."

Kristin looked at Dream for a moment. "𝙷𝚘𝚠𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛, 𝙸 𝚜𝚎𝚗𝚜𝚎 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝚑𝚎𝚜𝚒𝚝𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎 𝚏𝚛𝚘𝚖 𝚢𝚘𝚞. 𝙸𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎𝚗'𝚝 𝚊𝚌𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚙𝚕𝚒𝚜𝚑𝚎𝚍 𝚢𝚎𝚝?"

"Well..." Dream scratched his cheek. "It just feels unreal, you know? And now that I've met Sapnap and Punz, I wish I could inform those I didn't talk to of this as well. Of course, not to have them forgive me or anything; I don't really care about that. Just...meet them one last time before I'm gone."

"𝙸 𝚜𝚎𝚎." Kristin nodded. "𝙰𝚑, 𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝙸 𝚍𝚘 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚢𝚘𝚞? 𝚃𝚑𝚎𝚗, 𝚑𝚘𝚠 𝚊𝚋𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜? 𝙸'𝚕𝚕 𝚕𝚎𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚋𝚎 𝚒𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚙𝚎𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚗𝚝 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚊 𝚖𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝. 𝙼𝚊𝚢𝚋𝚎 𝚊𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚍 𝚑𝚊𝚕𝚏 𝚊 𝚍𝚊𝚢? 𝙸𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎, 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚌𝚊𝚗 𝚐𝚘 𝚜𝚎𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚘𝚗𝚎𝚜 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚜𝚊𝚢 𝚐𝚘𝚘𝚍𝚋𝚢𝚎 𝚝𝚘. 𝙸'𝚕𝚕 𝚊𝚙𝚙𝚎𝚊𝚛 𝚊𝚐𝚊𝚒𝚗 𝚘𝚗𝚌𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚜𝚞𝚖𝚖𝚘𝚗 𝚖𝚎, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚠𝚎 𝚜𝚑𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚋𝚎𝚐𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚛𝚒𝚝𝚞𝚊𝚕 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚗."

"Will you really let me do that?"

"𝚂𝚞𝚛𝚎. 𝚇𝙳 𝚠𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚜𝚞𝚏𝚏𝚎𝚛 𝚊 𝚕𝚒𝚝𝚝𝚕𝚎 𝚕𝚘𝚗𝚐𝚎𝚛, 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚒𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚏𝚊𝚞𝚕𝚝 𝚊𝚗𝚢𝚠𝚊𝚢𝚜."

"Ah..."

Kristin laughed. "𝚃𝚑𝚎𝚗, 𝙸 𝚠𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚜𝚎𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚒𝚗 𝚑𝚊𝚕𝚏 𝚊 𝚍𝚊𝚢."

She waved her wings, and the darkness began to dissipate.

"Wait-" Dream suddenly called out. The goddess looked at him, asking with her eyes.

"Um, can you go tell Techno and Phil what'll happen? I don't think they know yet, and it'd be a shame if they only find out afterwards."

She nodded, and Dream smiled as well. The clouds faded away to show the brilliant blue sky. And as Kristin soared towards the tundra, Dream trodded away in the snow, vanishing amongst the foliage.

• • •

If a stranger had stumbled upon the throng, they would have thought everyone was headed to war. Well, that thought wasn't far off, except the war would be against something who's identity even the warriors were not sure of.

Tommy took one last look at his fellow server-members before signaling for all of them to split and gather into their own batches. His team was made up of Tubbo, Ranboo, Quackity, and himself. Just a few hours ago, Quackity was teamed with his fiances, Sapnap and Karl, and Sam. But for some reason, he suddenly told Tommy that he'd like to switch teams, so the boy added him to his team. Although it was strange, looking at how Sapnap and Quackity were avoiding eye contact and trying to stay as far away from each other as possible, not to mention the fact that the latter had a bandage over his nose, Tommy guessed they had some sort of couples' fight and shrugged it off.

"Okay guys, we're gonna be going northeast from here. We might not meet any mobs, but the possibility isn't zero. So as a last safety check: is everyone ready?"

Ranboo and Tubbo looked at each other and nodded, while Quackity muttered a yes. Tommy then held up a thumbs-up to the other groups, and waved for the operation to start.

They walked into the wilderness.

A few minutes into the journey, Ranboo became visibly more nervous than the rest. Tubbo tried to reassure his husband. "Hey, if we don't find anything, this'll just be a walk in the park, right? And we can just treat this as some time off for all the hectic stuff that's been going on lately." He also tried to pat the half-enderman on the back. But due to their height difference, it resulted in a rather comedic exchange.

Tommy laughed a little at that, but could see out of the corner of his eye that Quackity was a grumpy as ever. It was like the man refused to have anything other than a frown plastered to his face. The boy scooted a little closer to him and attempted to console him. "Hey, big Q, cheer up would 'ya? We're out here exploring for the first time in a while! And mobs are nothing if you're prepared. Come on, where's the big, buff, and strong president I remember?"

But what he received in response was a spiteful tisk. "What do you know? And what kind of adventure involves me walking with a bunch of fools? I bet you're looking down on me too, all of you fuckers..." He turned away with a scowl and walked a little faster.

"Prime, what's his problem...?" Tommy scratched his head. He was a little behind the others, partially due to Quackity's remarks.

"I see that he hasn't changed huh."

"Yeah..."

He replied on reflex, but did a double-take once he realized that the comment was from neither Tubbo or Ranboo. Not to mention the voice.

Gods, how could he ever forget?

Tommy tripped on his feet but quickly stabilized himself. Now, with his back turned towards the others, he could look at the source. The same face he saw when he sliced apart that porcelain mask, the same hooded shoulders that towered over him in exile, the same shining axe that made him bleed...

"Seems like something didn't go his way. He was always like that, wasn't he? So arrogant, so greedy. Judging by his nose, I guess someone payed retribution." Dream murmured on and on. They do say that when you know you're going to die, you tend to focus on yourself much more. So maybe that's why he didn't consciously realize how Tommy was reacting.

"Y-you aren't Delusion..."

Dream looked at Tommy.

"Well, yeah. He's still back at Techno's place."

"T-then..."

Dream sighed a little. "No, I haven't been revived."

The boy was visibly confused. "Wha-?"

"Mn, I guess the-Goddess-of-Death-asked-me-to-save-the-server-and-I-agreed-so-she-brought-me-to-the-Overworld-and-now-I'm-here sums it up?" He tapped his temple. "Oh, and I'm also gonna disappear soon."

He could almost hear the static in Tommy's head. "Too much at once? Yeah, I get it." He took a few steps forward, while Tommy nervously shuffled slightly to the side. "But don't worry. I'm not here to hurt you or anything. As a matter of fact, I'm here to say goodbye."

"But, but why?" Tommy's lips quivered. "Why me?"

"Because you were the hero and I was the villain." Dream was in front of Tommy now, so the boy couldn't see his face. "And what I did, regardless of my reasons, wasn't right. So I'd like to apologize for what I did to you."

Dream turned around, smiling. Tommy flinched. Not because of the smile, but because of how unfamiliar it was despite the many times he's seen Dream smile.

"In reality, it was only because I dictated myself to be the villain and pushed you into becoming a hero that everything happened. You know, I've learned that with time, you realize everything is just a matter of perspective. And, in the case of our relationship, the SMP's collective view became my view. Still, like what I said, that doesn't mean my choices were justified. Don't you think so?"

"I...I was wrong too." Tommy apologized. He had been thinking quite heavily about everything he's gone through since the last time he met Delusion in Sam's house. "We were at war, a war that we started. And yet, despite everything being fair game, we blamed you for everything that went wrong. Really, it was our mistake. No, my mistake. I-I'm sorry that you had to take the blame. Sorry, for everything."

In the blink of an eye, Dream was next to the boy. He placed a hand on Tommy's shoulder, which, despite there being no physical contact, made Tommy feel warm. "I accept your apology. Ironic, isn't it? We always thought that getting rid of the other person was the solution, that it would solve everything that is wrong with this world. But it turns out the real solution was just a simple apology."

"Haha, yeah. And, big D-"

"Don't call me that."

"Right, sorry. Dream, although you weren't the nicest person to me, I forgive you."

Tommy had the biggest grin on his face, and Dream could feel a part of the weight on his heart vanish once more. This is what I wanted to protect. He thought. This is what I wanted.

At that moment, Tubbo realized that his best friend had been unusually quiet for quite a while. So he turned around, just a tiny bit.

"Delusion?" He exclaimed, causing the other two heads to also turn. "Why are you here?"

Dream looked surprised, but greeted back. "Hi Tubbo. Long time no see."

Ranboo, a little more perceptive than Tubbo, took a step back while Quackity did the opposite.

"YOU-!" His rage boiled over. His curled his hands into fists and charged towards the former admin, raising an arm to attack. However, to his shock, he passed right through, resulting in a mouthful of dirt.

Dream sighed. "You guys seem to never learn that ghosts can go through stuff huh? And either way, I'm not a ghost–which I thought was pretty obvious with all this glitter–so I don't understand the attempts."

Tubbo put two and two together and blurted out, "Wait, you aren't Delusion, you're Dream!" He also too a step back, now glowering at the man. "Why are you here?"

Tommy raised his hands and stepped in between the two. "Wait wait wait. Guys, Dream's isn't here to hurt us. He can't even touch us anyways, so there's no need to be so on guard."

"Tommy, get away from him!" Quackity shouted, seething from the embarrassment earlier.

"Man, you guys don't listen either huh? I see now how the SMP turned out this way." Dream sighed again. "Listen, I'm just here for a brief visit."

"How can we trust you?" Ranboo asked, acting as the three's spokesperson.

"Well, you have Tommy right here for proof, don't you?" Dream pointed his chin towards the boy. "Also, I don't have any weapons on me. See?" He made a show of his inventory, which was basically empty.

"Alright...why are you here?"

"Well, I was just going to apologize and say goodbye to Tommy here, but turns out there were a few more people. So I'll apologize to you guys too. Sorry for everything." He blowed his head slightly.

Dream then explained everything he told Tommy to the three, and with the exception of Quackity, they quickly calmed down.

Finally, he turned to face his arch-nemesis. "...Quackity."

He glared.

"Although I can't forgive you for everything, I'll try to stay hopeful that you've reflected at least a little bit."

Quackity spat in the ground.

"Who needs your forgiveness? And why should I reflect? You deserved everything that happened to you." A grin creeped across his face. "If I could go back, I'd do it again and again. It was your fault that happened to you in the first place, wasn't it? Or have you actually forgotten everything I've told you?"

The other three stood in confusion, but Dream paid them no mind. "No, I remember everything. How could I forget? You tortured me for months on the basis that it was for the revival book, that it was for the greater good. But all you actually wanted was the book for yourself. Even if you had to throw away your humanity. You'd do that to satisfy your wretched greed."

"Shut up!" Quackity screamed. "You-it shouldn't have been in your hands in the first place! It was Schlatt's, wasn't it? Then it should've been mine! I was supposed to have that power! I would've been able to use it for the greater good!"

"But you never did." Dream rebutted. "Every time you had power, you only used it to elevate yourself. You never cared about anyone else."

"What do you know?!"

"I know everything I know. I know what it's like to lose everything, to lose even my goal. My land, my friends, my family, my history...all of that was lost. I know that similar things have happened to you, to all of you. But why does that mean you get to cause others to suffer even more? And under the pretext of 'justice' or 'fairness' at that?"

"I...I..." Quackity clenched his teeth. Come on! You were the one that led Jschlatt to presidency, and the founder of Las Nevadas! A few words are nothing!

Dream knew that Quackity wouldn't say sorry. He just wasn't the type to, no matter what another said. He would never believe he'd made a mistake. "Well, at least think about it. You'll have a long, long time to."

He turned to Tommy, who jolted at the sudden attention. "And Tommy, keep up the good work. You're no longer that naive little kid who needs to be led. I'm sure you can figure it out."

"Huh? Wha-wait-" Tommy reached out a hand. Their conversation was brief, but it struck him more than any other. They finally made up! Also, what did he mean?

But before he could finish, Dream vanished.

• • •

Kristin is a god, which means she can see souls. Not just a soul for itself, but also the things related to it.

So to her, Dream was, in simple terms, another pitiful soul of the time. He had an especially heavy burden on his back, not to mention the scar caused by his becoming of admin.

That's why she'd been so lenient with him, and why she's heading to her angel and his son's home in Dream's place.

𝙳𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚑 𝚒𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚏𝚛𝚎𝚎𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚘𝚞𝚕, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚜𝚘 𝙳𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚑 𝚌𝚊𝚗 𝚐𝚘 𝚊𝚗𝚢𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎.

The snow flurried underneath her dress. She has arrived.

Phil, who was making lunch, hurried outside. "Kristin...! What are you here for? I thought you've already gone back?"

"𝙸'𝚖 𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚊 𝚖𝚎𝚜𝚜𝚊𝚐𝚎. 𝙿𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚎, 𝚐𝚘 𝚌𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙱𝚕𝚘𝚘𝚍 𝙶𝚘𝚍. 𝙸 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚘 𝚜𝚊𝚢."

"And Delusion...?" Phil asked.

"𝙷𝚎 𝚊𝚕𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚢 𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠𝚜."

Although curious, Phil went to call Techno, who, like usual, was training out in the backyard.

Delusion, who was passing by the window, caught a glimpse of Kristin's shadow.

"Seems like it's beginning."

"𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬?" Nightmare asked.

"You know what."

Lucid huffed. "𝐻𝓂𝓅, 𝐼 𝓈𝓉𝒾𝓁𝓁 𝒹𝑜𝓃'𝓉 𝑔𝑒𝓉 𝓌𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝒽𝑒'𝓈 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝓀𝒾𝓃𝑔."

"𝐘𝐨𝐮'𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭?"

"𝒪𝒻 𝒸𝑜𝓊𝓇𝓈𝑒. 𝐼𝓉'𝓈 𝒾𝓁𝓁𝑜𝑔𝒾𝒸𝒶𝓁."

"𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐭'𝐬 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭."

"𝒩𝑜 𝒾𝓉'𝓈 𝓃𝑜𝓉."

"𝐈𝐭 𝐢𝐬."

"𝐼𝓈 𝓃𝑜𝓉."

Delusion chuckled as they bickered back and forth.

Outside, Phil had returned with Techno. They were both expecting news of Dream, although not knowing what it could be made them apprehensive.

"So, what's the message?" Techno asked.

"𝙳𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚖 𝚝𝚘𝚕𝚍 𝚖𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚎𝚕𝚕 𝚢𝚘𝚞..."

The two perked their ears.

"...𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚑𝚎 𝚑𝚊𝚜 𝚑𝚊𝚕𝚏 𝚊 𝚍𝚊𝚢 𝚕𝚎𝚏𝚝."

Silence.

"Wait what?" Technoblade pinched himself to make sure he heard correctly. "Half a day?"

"𝚈𝚎𝚜."

"W-but it's already almost noon! You mean he only has a few hours left?"

"𝚃𝚑𝚊𝚝'𝚜 𝚛𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝."

Phil and Techno looked at each other. "Um, by chance, the ritual hasn't started already right?"

"𝙽𝚘, 𝚒𝚝 𝚑𝚊𝚜𝚗'𝚝."

The two breathed a sigh of relief.

"Do you know where it'll be?" Techno asked.

"𝙷𝚎'𝚕𝚕 𝚜𝚞𝚖𝚖𝚘𝚗 𝚖𝚎 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚗 𝚑𝚎'𝚜 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚢, 𝚜𝚘 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚗 𝙸 𝚍𝚘𝚗'𝚝 𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠 𝚎𝚡𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚕𝚢 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚒𝚝 𝚠𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚝𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚙𝚕𝚊𝚌𝚎. 𝙱𝚞𝚝 𝚒𝚝 𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚋𝚎 𝚊𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚌𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚂𝙼𝙿."

"That's gonna take a while to get to ain't it?" Phil said.

"𝚈𝚎𝚊𝚑."

"Then, Kristin. I'm sorry that we can't talk more, but I'm afraid we'll have to start running if we want to at least say goodbye."

The goddess nodded. "𝙾𝚏 𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚛𝚜𝚎. 𝙸 𝚑𝚘𝚙𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚜𝚎𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎."

They lowered their heads towards her in thanks, and with a nod they headed west, one on foot and the other, wings.

"Oh, and can you take care of Delusion in the mean time?" Techno minced his steps, calling out to the goddess.

𝚃𝚑𝚎𝚢 𝚜𝚞𝚛𝚎 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚜𝚒𝚖𝚒𝚕𝚊𝚛. She thought to herself.

"𝙾𝚏 𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚛𝚜𝚎."

"Thank you!" Techno quickly turned and began running again.

Kristin turned towards the cabin, preparing to head upstairs. 𝙸𝚝 𝚖𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚋𝚎 𝚏𝚞𝚗, 𝚝𝚊𝚕𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚘 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚝.

The door closed behind her.

Out on the tundra, through the pine and snow, Technoblade and Phil made their way towards the SMP with only one thought on their minds.

Please, let us make it there on time...!

• • •

Okay, let's see...I'm pretty sure those were all the groups, right? Dream closed his eyes to make sure one last time.

All the people he could feel, he made sure to at least say hi to. It would't be right to leave them on a bad note. And he knew that there were some who wouldn't forgive him as easily as others, but all that mattered was that he got to say what he wanted to say.

"Alright! Then, I guess this is it, huh..."

It felt abstract. To be exact, Dream does not know if he had completely grasped what sort of undertaking this was. It's probably not the best thing to be realizing at this point, but who can blame him? It was the sort of event that occurred once in a lifetime.

He stood idle for a bit, thinking about the imminent future. Not that he was scared or anything. No, he actually felt quite at peace.

Though, it's a funny thought, welcoming death twice.

"Okay, I'm ready."

Then, as if someone tugged on his heart, Dream felt his soul calling for someone. He recognized immediately who it was.

In a flash, Kristin appeared in front of him, bringing with her the usual black clouds. He nodded at her, and she nodded back.

In a swift gesture, the dissipating mist around her shot up, thickening as they dipped down again and circled around the goddess and Dream. She then raised her hand into the air, towards which the smoke rose as well.

The dark plume of gas swirled into the sky, a storming monolith that only grew. Once it reached a certain height, the pillar blossomed into a dome, which reached the ends of the SMP.

Of course, it caught the attention of everyone.

"That must be Dream, let's go!" Tommy ushered his team members. They began to run towards the epicenter, with the exception of Las Nevada's president.

"Big Q, are you not coming?" Tubbo asked, yelling over his shoulder.

Quackity crossed his arms and turned his head the other way. "Who cared about that freak? If you hypocrites want to go, I won't stop you."

"...Alright." Tubbo hurried off.

He ran up to his friend. "Hey, is it alright to leave him like that?"

Tommy sighed. "Well, it's his choice. They definitely have something more between them, so letting them meet again probably isn't the best idea." Not to mention that bit about torture. Does that mean Quackity tortured Dream...?

He shook off the idea. Not because he didn't believe it-although he would love for it to not be true-but because it was too sinister a thought to have.

With that, the trio entered a small clearing. It was one of the few areas on the SMP that was not touched, remaining to the mercy of nature. Other groups that saw the clouds also began to set foot on the grass, slowly crowding together under the center of the dome. Above the branches of the ancient vegetation floated the Goddess of Death, and in front of her was the one everyone had their eyes on.

The goddess inspected the crowd, the living. She then looked at Dream, who was about to die.

𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚙𝚎𝚘𝚙𝚕𝚎 𝚋𝚎𝚕𝚘𝚠 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚏𝚊𝚌𝚎𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝚍𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚑, 𝚠𝚑𝚒𝚕𝚎 𝚑𝚎 𝚕𝚘𝚘𝚔𝚜 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝚑𝚎'𝚕𝚕 𝚏𝚒𝚗𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝚕𝚒𝚟𝚎.

She opened her mouth and began to speak.

"𝚃𝚑𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑 𝚑𝚒𝚐𝚑 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚕𝚘𝚠, 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚊𝚍𝚖𝚒𝚗 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚔𝚎𝚍 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚐𝚘𝚍𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚝𝚎𝚌𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚕𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚒𝚛 𝚒𝚗𝚑𝚊𝚋𝚒𝚝𝚊𝚗𝚝𝚜."

Everyone felt a lump in their throat at the sound of the goddess' booming voice. Somewhere, deeper in the forest, came the steady drumming of footsteps.

Thud, thud.

The air felt like molasses, and the people's feet were glued to the soil. The drumming continued.

Thud, thud.

"𝙱𝚞𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚊𝚋𝚜𝚎𝚗𝚌𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚘𝚞𝚕 𝚌𝚊𝚞𝚜𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚎𝚛𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚝𝚘 𝚍𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚋𝚒𝚕𝚒𝚣𝚎, 𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚞𝚕𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚍𝚎𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚒𝚘𝚛𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚘𝚏 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚎𝚗𝚍𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚎𝚛𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚙𝚎𝚘𝚙𝚕𝚎'𝚜 𝚕𝚒𝚟𝚎𝚕𝚒𝚑𝚘𝚘𝚍𝚜."

Thud, thud.

"𝙰𝚜 𝚜𝚞𝚌𝚑, 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚊𝚐𝚛𝚎𝚎𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚊𝚍𝚖𝚒𝚗 𝚑𝚒𝚖𝚜𝚎𝚕𝚏, 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚠𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚋𝚎 𝚊 𝚛𝚎𝚖𝚎𝚛𝚐𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚑 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚜𝚙𝚒𝚛𝚒𝚝. 𝙸𝚗 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚎𝚚𝚞𝚎𝚗𝚌𝚎, 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚕𝚍 𝚠𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚋𝚎 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚕𝚎𝚍."

Hooves, followed by a pair of sandals, trodded onto the grass. The men in question breathed heavily, but their gazes did not waver.

Kristin peered at them, but continued with her speech.

"𝚂𝚘, 𝚕𝚎𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚌𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚖𝚘𝚗𝚢 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚌𝚎."

Chapter Text

Almost right after Techno and Philza entered the forest, Kristin's trademark mist spiraled into the air. Although he didn't know exactly what would happen, Techno knew he had to hurry.

So on and on he ran, towards the gas giant that has now grown transparent and covered the sky. His legs felt numb from his travel, but there was no time to rest. If it meant at least seeing his friend one last time, Techno would probably run to the end of the world.

He tried to steady his breath to the rhythm of his steps.

One, two. One, two.

Finally, he could see the purple light that leaked through the trees. He jumped through the leaves.

In front of him were all the SMP members. Everyone he could name: Sapnap, George, Niki, Sam, Tubbo, Punz, Wilbur, Ranboo, et cetera et cetera. Even Tommy was there, and he knew how much the boy disliked Dream.

Truly, it was a miracle beyond description. Even more amazing was that all of them were looking at the same thing.

Well, same person.

Kristin had just finished talking, but Techno didn't hear a word of it. His ears were ringing from the lack of oxygen. All he could do was look in the same direction as the rest; in the sky was the one he wanted to see.

"Dream." He breathed out. His breaths were heavy, but he found that no matter how much he filled his lungs with air, his heart wouldn't slow.

A few server-members turned their heads upon hearing his voice. But before they could say anything, the goddess began to speak again.

It was an ancient language, a strange language too, that the people could not understand. It was similar to the chants they'd hear from witches, or maybe like the cries of endermen. But at the same time, it was not like any. She continued this recite for a few minutes, and they hung on her every word, fearful for the last note as that would signify the beginning of the end.

Finally, someone couldn't wait anymore.

"Dream!" Exclaimed Tommy. Everyone looked towards him, including the man in question himself.

"Is this...is this the only way?" He asked, tentative. He knew it's be hard to change now, but there's no harm in trying.

"I..." Dream looked away, eyes unsure. Tommy took that as a sign of hope and lit up.

"There is? What is it?" He was almost smiling.

Dream, however, shook his head instead of answering. He turned, and said, "No, there's no other way."

He did not want to see the boy's smile disappear.

I'm such a hypocrite.

But despite his rejection, more people spoke up.

"Dream!" Yelled George. "Can't we at least, like, say goodbye properly or something? If you float that high, how are we supposed to reach you?"

"No can do. It's just part of how things are."

"Can't you do it down here?"

He turned away. "No, sorry."

"Not even for me?"

He hesitated, but stayed turned. "...No."

Next up was Sapnap. "Dream."

"Yeah?"

"...I haven't said sorry yet, right? For all the things I did?" He mumbled. "I'm sorry. For forgetting that you were my friend, for letting you go. If I hadn't given up, then maybe-"

"It's alright Sapnap. You don't have to kick yourself in the leg for me. It was I who decided to accept that, wasn't it?"

That's when Punz spoke up.

He, whom no one has been paying attention to, surprised everyone with his outburst.

"But you're the one who's blamed yourself the most!" He exclaimed. "And, I know that you can't forgive yourself because that's who you are, but why must you blame yourself for something that's not even your fault?"

Dream, too, was surprised by Punz. The mercenary he knew would follow things to a tee, and never did anything extra or extravagant, must less bring attention to himself. But the sudden speech made him hesitate for once.

"Punz..." He whispered.

"Dream, please!" He begged. "You can't go!"

Punz could not let him go. Was it because they had been partners for so long, he wasn't sure. But the throb in his chest told him that he would regret it forever if he did.

Dream looked at him lamentably. "But I have to."

He gave a sad smile. "Think of the good side. You'll all be able to live comfortably for forever, right? And remember how you used to be so fond of the smaller things? It'll be much easier to bring that back, since the whole server will be healthier once it's healed."

But Punz didn't listen. "Please," his voice quivered, one hand grasping at his chest. "Don't go."

Dream turned away once more. It was those eyes. If he saw them again, he didn't know what he'd do.

"It's the only way." Dream replied, nodding his head. "This shall be my last duty as the admin of this server, as the one that keeps its balance."

Techno, who was silent this whole time, cut in as well. "Dre-"

BOOM.

But before he could finish, a shockwave spread through the air, bringing everyone's attention back to the goddess. She had finished her chants.

Techno grabbed the chance, which he knew was the last. "Have you forgotten? You still have that favor of mine! And what about all the time I took care of Delusion? We haven't even talked about that!"

"Haha, sorry about that Techno. But as for that favor, how about I use it now?"

"What is it?" He asked.

"Take care of the SMP in my stead."

Quiet.

"What? That's ridiculous! You've always been the admin, but now you want an anarchist to govern it?"

"Well, I think you're suited for it, no?"

"Ugh- why do you care about the server so much?!" Techno asked. "It's never treated you any good!"

Dream answered very easily. "Well, it was the first thing in my life that I truly loved and wanted to protect. So I will fulfill my duty to the end, even if it means I must cease to exist." He let out a small laugh and turned around again. "A legacy, after all, is sowing seeds in a garden you never get to see. So I'll leave the SMP to you guys. Take care of it after I'm gone, alright?"

"Dream!" Techno shouted out again, pleading with his eyes. But Dream never turned around this time.

Sorry.

With that, he floated up to the Goddess at last. She held him in her hands and touched his forehead with her own. Upon contact, Dream's body began to glow, and his feet slowly dissipated.

The people could only watch as his body faded away into a million pieces, sparkling as more and more of him disappeared.

And at last, when he was all but dissolved away, only a glowing sphere of light remained in Dream's place. It pulsed to the steady beat of a heart.

It hovered in the air for a little while, but slowly descended towards the ground. And when it touched the soil, it was as if the earth sucked it up,m. In the blink of an eye it was gone.

No one could speak. After all, it's hard to accept that someone you've been friends with, talked with, laughed with, fought with... was gone, just like that.

Then, as if to quell their worries, a tremor that seemed to come from the most ancient depths of the world shook the ground, and waves of white light rippled beneath their feet from where Dream entered. The earth where it traveled through sprouted flowers, fresh blossoms that tilted their buds towards the epicenter.

The Goddess of Death, who had heard all their earnest, smiled sadly. "𝙳𝚘 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚏𝚛𝚎𝚝, 𝚙𝚎𝚘𝚙𝚕𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚕𝚊𝚗𝚍, 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚊𝚕𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚋𝚘𝚍𝚢 𝚒𝚜 𝚗𝚘 𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚎, 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚜𝚘𝚞𝚕 𝚠𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚒𝚍𝚎 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚂𝙼𝙿 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚎𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚗𝚒𝚝𝚢, 𝚠𝚊𝚝𝚌𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚛𝚎𝚝𝚊𝚒𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚎𝚜𝚜𝚎𝚗𝚌𝚎 𝚗𝚎𝚌𝚎𝚜𝚜𝚊𝚛𝚢 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚕𝚒𝚏𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚏𝚕𝚘𝚞𝚛𝚒𝚜𝚑."

"Well, what should we do now?" Exclaimed Punz, fists clenched and shaking. "Although some can continue on with their life as if nothing happened, there are those of us who have dedicated everything to him." He did not mind or cared for the eyes that looked to him once more, still silently asking what those words meant. All that was on his mind was Dream's back, which vanished before him.

"𝚈𝚎𝚜, 𝙸 𝚌𝚊𝚗 𝚜𝚎𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚍 𝚑𝚒𝚖 𝚍𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚕𝚢, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚘 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚑𝚎 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚗 𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚊 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚙𝚊𝚗𝚒𝚘𝚗. 𝙱𝚞𝚝 𝚛𝚎𝚖𝚎𝚖𝚋𝚎𝚛, 𝙳𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚖 𝚘𝚗𝚕𝚢 𝚍𝚎𝚌𝚒𝚍𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚘 𝚐𝚒𝚟𝚎 𝚞𝚙 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚕𝚒𝚏𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚕𝚊𝚗𝚍, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚜𝚎 𝚠𝚑𝚘 𝚌𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚂𝙼𝙿 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚒𝚛 𝚑𝚘𝚖𝚎." She spread her wings and closed her eyes. "𝚂𝚘 𝚕𝚒𝚟𝚎, 𝚒𝚏 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛𝚜𝚎𝚕𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚗 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚑𝚒𝚖."

With that, she waved her hand and the dome dematerialized. And when the same black clouds that brought the Goddess here swirled around her body, she was gone again.

Philza, who had watched everything from the edge of the clearing, tilted his hat in the direction from which Kristin returned to her realm, and silently paid his respects to the late admin.

• • •

The birds sang quietly in the sparkling snow as the sun made its way through the sky. In the midst of all this was a quant, wooden cottage, and within it, a spirit.

Suddenly, like someone opened the floodgates, years and years of hidden memory spilt into his head, pouring nonstop.

Some were sad, others angry. Some were light, while others heavy and aggressive. But no matter their color, they rushed into Delusion's head like a tsunami, and gave him no time to breath.

The information overload gave him a splitting headache and clouded his eyes. He grabbed his head and squeezed out a tear.

The emotions were overwhelming.

Delusion couldn't help but feel like he was a leaf, caught in a wild thunderstorm of every shade and sound. They pushed him from all directions, leaving his senses mangled and numb.

Delusion grabbed onto his sheets, and heaved his chest up and down. He glanced down at one, which shook and trembled.

I understand. He thought to himself. I understand everything.

Now, he fully knew what Dream had gone through and who he was. To be exact, he became Dream.

There were no longer any differences between Delusion and Dream, and neither was there anything that separated the two. They were one and the same; Dream was Delusion, and Delusion was Dream.

Along with the memories of the past were also how Dream felt during his final moment. Someone might've expected Dream to be rueful, hesitant, or maybe even a little afraid. And, yes, while those existed, Delusion knew the name of what he was feeling as something else. It took him a little bit, because it wasn't the most common of Dream's emotions, but he found it buried in the early days of the SMP. It smelled of spring grass and treetops, and it was the color of Dream's favorite hue.

Ah, he realized, you're finally free.

Chapter Text

After Dream's dissipation, a few things happened on the SMP.

One, and perhaps most obviously, the server's vitality returned. Every leaf seemed greener, and every creature seemed to grow bigger and faster. Trees that could be climbed before now started to tower over the earth, the output from animals increased, and even the sky seemed bluer and cleaner.

In addition, as the server-members noticed, the appearance of mobs decreased. There was of course no more seen during the day, so the people packed away the weapons and materials they'd prepared for the hunt.

Although, that didn't exactly make them happy. Mobs are one thing, and they'd been around since who knows when. But a person– that was different.

Second, there were a few changes in relationships. 

At the time of the event, people did not know, as the three in question hadn't told anyone. But soon enough, news of the fiances' breakup reached everyone's ears. You can imagine their surprise when the couples that seemed more cohesive than anyone suddenly broke apart. 

From that day, as well, Quackity rarely appeared before people. He only really talked with Sam, which meant that the best chance anyone had of getting anything from the duck was through him. Sapnap and Karl continued their lives as usual, though they certainly didn't fight as much, especially the one who's synonymous with fire.

After everything, too, George noticed that he only took normal naps from then on. No more falling-asleep-for-a-year or anything like that. He wondered why, but after Phil told him that XD needed time to rest (which will last for who-knows-how-long)–learning the story most likely from his spouse–George didn't ask anymore.

Though he did miss the face that reminded him of his friend.

Third, the landscape changed. Just a little bit.

The flowers that sprouted from the ground when Dream merged did not wither, and their gentle fragrance wafted through the air that surrounded them. The SMP decided to place a simple pedestal in the midst of all that, made of polished white granite and elements of emerald. Placed on the top was his most iconic item: the porcelain mask. It was broken, so they stitched it together, and cleaned out the dirt, blood, and stones from its cracks. It wouldn't have been right to place a replica instead.

This became the second sacred grounds of the Dream SMP, and those who felt a sense of longing sometimes strolled through the garden's petals. If they were lucky, they might find a green flower amongst the rainbow.

And fourth, Delusion was disappearing.

At first, everyone was kind of surprised that Delusion didn't disappear right away, and a few were celebrating that they could still interact with Dream, even if it was just a facade. 

However, as time passed, Delusion grew more and more transparent, from his legs up. Of course, Delusion knew fully what was happening. Since Dream was the server, him being on it didn't really make a difference. However, the SMP still needed all of Dream's soul to be merged with it for balance to return, which meant the ghost had to go.

When he explained this logic to Techno, the pigman only whispered an "I see" and nodded. Delusion sighed and patted him on the back.

I will become the snowflakes you've found familiar, and breathe the scent of pine in your direction every time you exit the cabin. Don't worry, I'll always be by your side, as an eternal partner.

He reached his arms around Technoblade, a gentle caress. The latter froze for a moment, but let the interaction continue. And when the ghost left for a last round trip around the house, Techno reminisced the lingering touch.

It was... strangely warm.

• • •

Delusion would go on to bid farewell to most of the server members, with the exception of a few who were too... unwilling to meet up with him. It came as a shock to the spirit that soo many of them would shed tears, so he got busy with comforting his friends.

This was especially the case with Punz, who had to try very hard not to jump on Delusion to beg him not to go. All he could muster out was a small "stay, please" and clench his fists.

In response, the ghost pulled out a blue flower, colored lightly with a dash of gold.

"Your eyes," he mumbled. "They're, um, pretty."

Punz felt all the love in the world.

• • •

When he was almost transparent all the way through, Delusion floated towards the residence of his two buddies. They decided to liven things up a little, perhaps to dissuade the moody atmosphere, with a small party among themselves. Cookies, cake, all that sparkle.

He spent the night at their place, and left the following morning. When George and Sapnap woke up, all they found was a scrappy card the ghost left behind, with the words I LOVE YOU written on it.

Three simple words, eight letters in total. 

But it meant everything.

So they weeped.

• • •

On the last day, Delusion went to Pandora, or at least, what was Pandora. A few days ago, the server had come to a consensus that the prison should be torn down, and so they went to work. 

He looked at the room he was in when he came to. Now, there was a small skylight–from someone bashing a whole into the ceiling–so that when Delusion looked up, he would see the soft clouds drift high above. If he were lucky, a bird or two would fly by as well.

Dream would've loved to have this.

He thought as he left.

• • •

Soon, the sun began to set. Everything's shadow stretched west, and a soft breeze carried the scent of spring through the SMP.

Delusion arrived at Dream's meadow with its eternal blossoms. He floated amidst them until he reached the center, where the pedestal was.

Guiding his fingers along the mask, all of its cracks and dents, now fixed, Delusion smiled.

With one last breath, he washed away like a million stars in the sky.