At Their Mercy

Chapter 28: Twin champions

A/N: I have received my registered nurse license, so celebratory update!

I'm very happy people were completely on board with the last chapter and what I've decided to do. Both of Nightmare's forms are too lovely for me to just dismiss. Things are... wow, getting close to seeing the end, huh? Not anytime really soon, but I can see a resolution in the future.

Enjoy

Killer had his feet kicked up on the couch, muddy shoes staining the nice leather. He had been thinking about everything that had happened recently, specifically during their fight in that strange universe. Nightmare had been off ever since that day, locking himself away in his office and refusing anyone's request to enter. Hearing the spirit shout how he wouldn't let him go, whoever he was, still rung in his mind. What did it all mean?

He jolted as the main doors slammed open, immediately on guard as he spotted both Dream and that damn god lugging someone along. "Hey! What the hell are you two doing here?! You think this is some kinda safe house where you can drag your-?"

"Killer, we swear to everything above and every star in the sky, if you don't let us through we will pull your soul back out ourselves." The skeleton between the two threatened, the tone lighter, but familiar. Killer squinted his eyes, watching as the mystery skeleton gave him a glare with dual-coloured eyes, black sludge covering the side of his face.

"Boss??" Killer sputtered, recognizing him despite his vastly different appearance. "What's going on? What are they doing here? What happened to you?!"

"Shut up!" Nightmare snapped as the other pestered him with questions. "And clean that couch! We don't want to see one muddy footprint by the time we're done in our office!" He demanded as the three brushed past him. Killer watched with muted confusion as they headed up the stairs, drawing several more confused looks from other members of the manor as they stuck their heads out of various rooms.

Erratum closed the door behind them as they entered Nightmare's office, separating them from the prying eyes of the others. They helped Nightmare settle behind his desk, watching him slump into the chair with an exhausted sigh. Dream was hovering nearby, seeming to want to fret over his brother's condition. Errata stood quietly, waiting for Nightmare to say anything. Finally, the spirit opened both of his eyes, gazing from Dream back to Errata.

"You..." Nightmare started, sounding in disbelief. "I...we don't know how you did it... I- we don't know how you figured that out. We... sorry, this is all a little surreal." He admitted, placing a hand on Dream's arm as the other came to hug him from his side.

"I could only imagine." Erratum spoke with sympathy, seeing how much the other had suffered. Nightmare panted as one hand came to touch the side of his face, breath quickening as he felt the familiar tar substance on his face.

"Nighty! Nightmare, relax!" Dream pleaded as the other hyperventilated, hands shaking as more of the thick negativity spread down his neck as he abruptly got to his feet. Dream continued to panic, which only seemed to set Nightmare off more. Erratum moved quickly, grasping onto both of Nightmare's wrists and directing his gaze up to them.

"The more you feel powerless and afraid, the more they're going to react. They aren't there to take over your body again, only to keep you safe. If you feel like you're in danger, they're going to take more dominant control over you." Erratum soothed him, making sure the other kept watching them. "Just look at me, Nightmare. Take a few easy breaths, and they'll know you're okay." They instructed him.