Inktobertale 2021 : Compilation of novels

18th of October : Sacrifice

"He's far too strong now !"

Above the deep red abyss that tore the ground of the Doodle Sphere, stood Blue, along with all his friends. His brother was carrying the hurt body of Ink. 

"If we let him go any further, then the whole Multiverse will collapse on itself !" screamed Dream.

"I... I can still fight." said Ink.

"Don't be stupid. I'm afraid that... there's nothing we can do now." answered Fell.

"Actually.. maybe there's a way." said Science, with a concentrated look on his face." This is like a drainpipe ! It absorbs any matter that comes near it. But if something with enough determination to not let themselves be absorbed jumps in, then... they might block it, and the wormhole will collapse on itself, and close."

"So... someone will have to sacrifice themselves ?" asked Swap.

"Unfortunately, but... who would have enough determination ?!" concluded Science.

"Wait ! Ink, no !" Swap suddenly screamed 

Ink had jumped out of his arms, and was now at the edge of the hole. He made a military salute with a great smile, and let himself fall into the pit. As he fell, many large obstacles appeared, blocking his path, he broke right through the weakest ones, and avoided the others the best he could. He had to stop this from happening. He was getting closer from the source. Once he'd have reached it, it was only a matter of holding on, right ?

"I am Ink, I was born to protect this Multiverse, even at the cost of my own life !" He screamed. He had never felt like this, so... alive.

"...And you really think it's worth it ?" said a familiar voice behind him.

Ink froze, turned around to see where the voice came from, and his jaw dropped. Blue was falling right behind him, with a sad smile. "Seems like, even when saving the world(s), I must make sure you don't do anything stupid."

"B-Blue... NO !!! DON'T DO THAT !"

"Sorry, but... I can't really go back now, can I ?"

Tears started coming out of Ink's eyes.

"...Why ?"

Blue's smile became a little more sincere.

"Ink. I have a family, and friends too. I know true happiness, and I think I have the best life I could ever have. But you... You've yet to discover all of that. You've got so much to achieve. It wouldn't be fair for you to be the one dying now, right ?"

Ink couldn't find the words. His heart was broken. He had a thousand things to say, but couldn't find what to begin with. 

"You're so eager to save the Multiverse, but you can't realize that you have limits, Ink. No soul, no determination unfortunately. But for someone who wished his whole life to be popular, dying as a hero is perfect, right ?"

"Please... don't."

"Ink..."

Blue had now passed before him, and they were only a few meters away from the source.

"...I'm gonna enter the source. Then, I want you to use all the energy you have left to climb back up, and out of the hole."

"I'm sorry..."

Blue could no longer hold his tears, but he kept looking right into Ink's eyes.

"Don't be sorry. You have nothing to be sorry about. I want you to smile later on when you remember this, okay ? All I have left to do now...

Is to thank you.

Without you, I would never have real friends, I wouldn't know all the things that make me happy now. I wouldn't be able to piss off Fell, go on adventures with Dream and you, have fun with Papyrus-me... So thank you, Ink. Thank you for allowing me to become the Magnificent Sans."

Blue extended his arm in what looked like a final handshake, and finally entered the source as his fingers touched Ink's. The white light emanating from it enveloped him, until only his smile remained visible, before disappearing as well.

The hole spat out an object before finally closing. Everyone gathered around Ink, making sure he was fine.

"Glad you managed to came out, Ink, but... where's my brother ?" asked Swap. "He said he'd bring you back, but... He's not... here..."

Ink didn't answer, as he let tears flow against the smile he couldn't brush off his face. All of his vials had broken during his escape, his stuff had been absorbed, he really had nothing left. But he didn't care. Or he did, rather, which was the most important. Putting his hand against his chest, he could feel something inside.

A brightly shining, upside-down white heart.