Chapter Text
Once the fingers were pointed towards Saparata, his life turned into a living hell. For months, all he's done is run, lay down temporarily, run--run, run, run--that's all he does nowadays. And today wasn't any different.
Saps ran across a forest, his legs numbing, they felt like falling off already. This all started when Flux planned the deaths, and had the Conspiracy plant the trap on the roof of his house. He would never do that, and now everyone thinks he's this evil mastermind that's behind everything. He wouldn't do that to Jophiel, she was his sister, for Ish's sake.
But none of that matters to anyone. Saps finally stopped behind a tree near a river bank. He leaned his back against the tree and collapsed down to the ground, he buried his face into his palms and just... cried. He was so tired of the constant running for months, unable to catch a break, and trying to prove his innocence.
Obviously no one was listening. Who would believe him? Saparata? The 'one' behind the murders on Island two? It was frustrating when no one would listen, and all Saps could do was stubbornly live through it all. Snowbird was with Flux, they shared blood--the one coursing through their veins, and Snowbird chooses Flux? Saps was furious, and upset--that Snowbird helped take part in Jophiel's death.
And Flux was out there, somewhere, living comfortably in Luminara, whilst he suffered because of his crimes. How long has he been running away? How many days has he been awake for? Saps grabbed a fistful of his hair and pulled, hard enough to rip out a few strands. He was hungry, really hungry, all he's eaten for Ish-knows-how-long are potatoes. He stole them from a village, he couldn't afford to get caught with his face being plastered on posters everywhere.
Saps just wanted to right the wrongs. Let everyone know that it wasn't him, and that it was Flux, he wanted everyone to know that he wasn't his sister's murderer, then maybe die in the end. It was more than possible--him, dying. If things don't work out, then he should just... give up? Saps was always one to give up when things got too difficult, that's how his life ended last time, when he jumped off a tower.
Because he couldn't handle it anymore, being Theria's leader and failing them. Flux was by his side then, too. And now he was the one who kickstarted the hunt for him. How ironic. Saps doesn't want to think of getting revenge, killing Flux and diving his axe into everyone who wronged him--no, he wasn't going to do that, it was wrong.
When the next world starts, people would probably do the same thing to him. And that wasn't something Saps wanted.
No, what he wanted was to make things right. Even if that included letting them walk all over him before he fixes things. Pathetic plan, he knew that. He'll die trying. Even if he died right now without anyone knowing the truth, he can always clear his name in the next world, can't he?
He rested his head against the tree's bark and inhaled deeply. When was the last time he slept more than an hour? Saps leaned his head and looked up, watching the leaves fall slowly, they were so far up, and in seconds suddenly so close to his face. One landed right in front of him, Saps held it in his palms and crushed it.
That felt amazing.
How badly he just wanted to laugh like everything was alright. Who cares if he died right here and now? It's not like he would stay dead forever. Ish has this messed up way of making sure everyone stays alive, and only dies once they have reached old age, it's messed-up, but they can't do anything to stop it. They're all just pieces on a chessboard, entertainment for the gods.
He should just sleep.
Saps squeezed his eyes shut, relief taking over him in an instant. He just hoped he'd remember a few things from his dreams, rather than just seeing nothing. Everything was so tiring, hiding, and running away from the rest of the world as they try to capture him, then execute him.
That couldn't happen in his sleep.
Right?
Saps woke up.
Not really.
He was dreaming.
He stared down at his own fingers, suddenly free from the cuts and blisters. His hands were clean, no dried up blood, or dirt clinging to his skin. It was surreal. Saps' fingers touched his face, tracing his cheek. Was this a dream? He pinched himself, wincing when he actually felt it. So, not a dream? Seeing as he can feel pain.
Saps let out a hollow laugh, where even was he? He was in a blank space, the walls were white, so were the ceiling and floor. His clothes were new, it was how they looked before he had to flee his island. It felt great not being messy for once in weeks, Saps stretched his arms and walked around. It was all just... white. He wanted to be back on his island, take a long, undisturbed nap--
Something shifted below his feet, he yelped, jumping back. However, once he returned to his senses, the white room started regaining color--and furniture. What the? A few seconds passed, and Saps couldn't believe his eyes. He got up and just stared at his surroundings.
His vacation home.
He was in the meeting room, no one was there besides him. What was this? How was this possible? Saps blinked, having trouble processing what he was seeing. Was this reality or not? He pursed his lips and walked outside, where the ocean calmly moved. The sand below his feet felt heavenly, and the salty scent of the sea infiltrated his senses. And for a quick minute, it felt like home again.
It felt like he wasn't currently sleeping behind a tree in the middle of nowhere and hallucinating his home in a dream. How good it felt, to just forget about his problems momentarily, it was something he longed for. The scene helped him clear his mind for now, at least he wasn't running anymore. He was tired of that.
He'd love to think that nothing was happening and it was all just a really bad dream that never happened.
But things weren't that simple.
Saps wasn't dumb. He knew this moment wouldn't last forever, he was just having an extremely detailed dream that he somehow remembers every detail of. Thinking about it, this was really weird, but then again, he can handle weird if it meant giving him temporary bliss like this.
Just when he was beginning to fully enjoy this moment, a sudden cold chill down his spine interrupted him. "Over here." What? Saps turned around, nothing. "Beside you." His heart started beating loudly against his chest, Saps slowly turned right next to him.
Where someone else stood. Someone he didn't recognize. "Who are you?" Saps asked, slightly horrified. He backed away, pulling his cloak closer. "Answer me." This person, whoever they were, how were they here? Saps had no idea if this was a dream or not, but regardless, someone else discovering his presence was bad.
The yin-yang man tilted his head to the side and smiled. He placed his hands behind his back and approached Saps. "I won't hand you over to the Flux guy." Saps shivered. "Even if I wanted to, I couldn't." He happily said, pupils flashing red.
Saps was startled, his throat went dry and he had no idea what to say. "You haven't answered my question." He reminded him. This guy was odd. A half of his face was burned, and he kept twirling that spyglass around his fingers like a toy.
"You dream of being free." He said, as a matter of fact. Saps was frozen in place, and the man took that as an opportunity to get closer to his face. "I've seen your dreams in the past. Sad, and depressing." His dreams? Saps gulped--dreams?
The man's expression was dark, he was resting a palm on his cheek. "Is that it?" He questioned again, staring at Saps like he was an interesting, exotic creature. "I can help you." He whispered, too close to Saps' ear. Saps jumped back holding the place where the man's breath tickled his skin.
"How will you help me?" Saps whispered, baffled. He didn't want to play into whatever insane thing was happening right now. "As far as I know, you aren't real." He scoffed, crossing his arms. This was a dream, this guy must be spouting nonsense.
He laughed--boisterously, his voice cracking slightly. "I'm very real." He smiled, placing a slightly charred hand on his chest. "I'm just not from your universe, Saps."
Whilst he giggled, Saps started trembling, fear rushing through his body. He barely managed a whisper when he said--
"How do you know my name?"
Silence passed, and the longer the man said nothing, the more terrified Saps became. Who was this person? One of the gods sent down by Ish to toy with his mind? He huffed, hands pressing down on Saps' shoulders.
"I told you, haven't I?" His grin got impossibly wider. "I have seen a lot of your dreams. I've watched you have nightmares about this 'Flux' guy, I have seen that dream where you went nuts and killed everyone who wronged you." Saps's jaw dropped, once he processed exactly what the man said, he shook his head.
But before he could deny anything, the guy beat him to it already. "Don't even deny it. You don't remember it now, but I do. I'm dead, I float through people's dreams and wish I see something entertaining to keep myself busy. And you." His hand slithered to the back of Saps' neck. "By far, have intrigued me the most, Saparata."
Saps couldn't control the shivers he felt, right when the mysterious person's cold fingers clamped around his nape. "Who are you?" He repeated, hoping he would get a proper answer this time.
"Wifies."
He bit down on his lip. "Why do you want to help me, Wifies?" Saps asked, staring straight into Wifies' monochrome eyes.
"Because I have nothing better to do, I'm already dead in my universe." Wifies said with a monotonous voice. "My best friend hates me more every time I linger in his dreams. So I thought, why not make use of the infinite amount of time I have? Besides, you want revenge too, don't you?"
Saps inhaled sharply. This was something he didn't want to admit just earlier, but maybe... just maybe, it was time to change his pathetic way of thinking. "I want him to pay for what he did." Saps replied, an answer that finally satisfied Wifies. They held eye contact, and every second that passed, the red in Wifies' pupils would only glow brighter. "I want to be free."
"Can you help me achieve that?"
Wifies smirked. "I'll do my best." He whispered, it was only when their faces were so close that Saps realized Wifies wasn't even breathing, and the burn on his face seemed only a few months old.
Saps hadn't even realized when the scenario of his vacation home changed into Flux's place in Luminara. "He's preparing for the elections right now." Wifies said, backing away. "His opponent, LegacyAn is being forced out by Flux." Wifies began explaining, pointing at the frozen, but realistic statue of Flux.
A face that he hasn't seen in months. And now that he was seeing that face again, Saps anger only grew. The Presidency? Seriously? "Go to the Covenant, bribe him with two stacks of diamonds, and he will let you live under his protection." Wifies added, holding Saps' shoulders from behind him.
"TurnTapp." Saps deadpanned. "You think the Dictator will help me?" That was as ridiculous as saying Flux was innocent.
Wifies hummed. "He isn't on any side. And his nation is poor, they will need the diamonds, he will gladly accept them and give you shelter." He pointed out.
"If I die because of your suggestion..."
"You won't." Wifies confidently stated with a smug grin. "Now go, your little brother is searching for you, and if you don't wake up now, he'll catch you."
What?
"Snowbird?!" Saps yelled, the sheer loudness of his voice startling Wifies. "He's onto me?!"
The scenario changed again, back to the woods where Saps slept soundly. His little brother was searching through the wood for any sign of him, getting dangerously close to where Saps was. "Oh, Ish." Saps panicked. "How do I wake up?!"
"I'll help you out for now." Wifies said, he flicked Saps' forehead harshly, making him stumble backwards. "Good luck, Saps."
When Saps woke up again, away from the.. dream world, and with Wifies gone, he scrambled up from behind the tree and stole a boat by the dock.
Who even was Wifies, and why was he helping him? He still felt the slight throb in his forehead from where Wifies flicked his finger at, how was this even possible..?
He can think about that later, right now, he needs to get away from Snowbird.