Inktobertale 2022 : Compilation of novels

15th of October : Are you afraid

"What kind of question is that ?" replied Ink as he kept incorporating colors to his canvas.

"I know it might seem dumb at first glance," said Dream, "but the more I thought about it, the more I felt like asking you. Are you never scared of anything ? Error ? Nightmare ? Some of the AUs you protect even ?"

Ink quietly put down his tools and turned around to see his friend. They had been hanging together in this city for the day, and as the night approached, Ink wanted to have the opportunity to climb on a roof and paint the skyline with the twilight sun, so he really didn't have time to fool around if he wanted this painting done in time. "There's no distinctions to AUs I protect. Dusttale, HELP_tale, Undergut... I get you might find them unsettling, but I don't see a real reason to fear them. As for Error and the other evil gods, it's a matter of habitude, but it's not like they ever scared me at first." He then got back to painting.

"Still, these are only the easiest options. I've never seen you scared. Don't you have a phobia ? Some kind of secret fear ? Time, destruction... abandonment ?"

Ink froze for a split second. "With my primary nature, I can't even feel fear for anything, Dream. Only way for me to ever be afraid would be through the paint mix which allows me to feel all emotions. And then again, like I just said, I've got no reason to feel threatened by anything in the multiverse, so I guess that answers it." 

After that, the two remained silent until Ink was done painting.

Now, are you scared ?

Ink stopped brushing the dirt and debris gathered on Broomie. "What kind of- Wait a second...You looked in my memories again !"

Yeah, well not much else to do when you're stuck in the head of someone who's doing nothing but minor tasks instead of trying to get stronger and beat what's possibly the biggest threat they ever encountered.

"We're just taking a break." simply answered Ink.

A break ? Look at you, Ink. We've still got much to do before being ready, and nearly half of your time is up.

Ink didn't answer, but took a glance in the river next to them. At every blink, his pupils did change shapes, but their colors seemed to get a little whiter hour after hour. "...I know." It was unnoticeable, but Inner-Ink could tell he was actually worried.

You realize that once we come across it, we'll only have one shot. We're gonna have to give it our all...

If we don't want to be reduced to nothing.

No answer again.

...You're scared, right ?

I'm scared.

"...Yeah, maybe."