listen to your heart // dnf // DISCONTINUED

five

 Present Day - August 30, 2856:

King Dream slouched on his golden throne, elbow resting on the side, his head laying heavily in the palm of his right hand. His golden emerald and diamond encrusted crown slowly began sliding down the side of his head. Dream was aware– he could feel the crown messing up his already disheveled blonde curls– and he couldn't care less. He remained still, staring at the clean, white marble floors. His eyes were unfocused and his mind was empty. He couldn't bring himself back to reality. Even the loud 'clank' that he heard after feeling the weight fall from his head, could not bring him back.

King Dream had felt this feeling before. Nowhere near as strong, but it hurt nonetheless. It was the same as three years ago when he was ripped away from the only family he knew. Ripped away from Nick, his other seven brothers, Lani, and his Mom. Ripped away and dropped into a whole new world he knew nothing about. Dropped into a whole new person's life, learning about his 'real' parents and his 'real' identity.

He was so overwhelmed that he couldn't think or feel anything. He just– existed.

But now, these feelings were amplified. He was ripped away from his new family. Ripped away from his greater, stronger connections. Ripped away from those he loved. Ripped away and dropped into a new world, left to learn how to live and rule on his own.

He couldn't handle it– the feeling of loss and being alone.

But I'm not alone. Not completely.

In his blurring vision, he saw quick movement to the right of him, followed by the sound of clinking metal.

"King Dream?" the voice asked, hesitant and laced with concern.

Dream didn't break from his daze, but hummed a reply.

"Are you- can I- are you okay?" he asked, moving his body to where Dream was staring.

Dream finally blinked, resetting his eyes, reluctantly jumping back into his body. He adjusted, tilting his head towards the reddish-brown haired knight.

"M'fine Sapnap."

"Dream..."

Of course he's not convinced. He's known me my whole life. He's my brother. He's the only one I have left...

"I- I can't Sap, not now," Dream sighed.

Sapnap moved closer, resting a hand on his shoulder, "And that's okay. I'm here for you, you know, for whenever you're ready."

"I know," he paused, bringing his hand to rest on top of Sapnap's. "Why did you come?"

"Would you believe me if I said I just wanted to check on you?" Sapnap asked.

Dream's lips tilted, "Once upon a time, I would have."

Sapnap stepped back, hands resting on the tip of his sheathed sword. He took an audibly deep breath, altering Dream to prepare for what he would say next.

"The killings have started again," Sapnap said.

King Dream's eyes widened and he straightened in his chair, he whispered in disbelief, "No."

The air tensed around them, memories of previous killings hung stagnant around them. Memories of their first encounter with the killer itself.

That can't be right. We made sure of that years ago. "Are you sure?"

"Unfortunately so. The motive seems to be the same. The victims are the same as before and so are the markings," Sapnap said.

"I don't understand. How? I thought we ended this years ago Sapnap," Dream said, anger starting to make an appearance.