Loyal Servant (Crossmare) (Rewrite)

Who Isn't Afraid?

Cross couldn't help but pace a little restlessly as he watched the anti-void's distant haze. Error is out there. Waiting. He glanced back at the others, all standing just outside Paperjam's cabin.

"I'm not sure I like this too much," Dust growled, eyes locked on Paperjam's movements as he curled a rainbow string around his soul. Cross certainty understood his concern, but his desperation to help Nightmare far outweighed his wariness. "I don't want anyone taking control over my soul," Dust continued to complain.

"Don't worry-" Paperjam insisted, taking a step back. They gave Dust a friendly smile, but he still looked a lot less enthusiastic. "I won't be taking any will away from you. I... can't actually... I'm not very powerful. I don't have the same lethality as Error, or Ink's endless creativity. He made my home, not me. I can only make small objects," They admitted, a tad nervously. Good to know.

Paperjam shook their head before returning to the previous subject. "Think of the string more like a shield, or an anchor. So long as it's there, Error won't be able to take your soul away," They explained before gesturing to the others. "Plus it will be harder to lose track of one another while we're all tied together! Oh, and the string will stretch or shorten to stay hovered, so you don't have to worry about tripping over it either."

"Thank you, Paperjam," Cross told them before glancing between the others. Looks like we're all set. Cross lifted his head, standing tall like he had while giving out orders to servants within the castle. "You all best stick to my warning. If Error comes at us with Nightmare, do not let him catch you alone," He reminded them. "He'll use your fears to weaken you. If he succeeds in corrupting your mind, not only will his strength grow, but you'll lose the determination needed to fight."

Horror elbowed Killer. "Hah! He doesn't even know my fear," He argued, smirking like an idiot.

"He does," Cross replied with a stern stare. "Trust me, he does."

Paperjam clasped their hands together with a smile, gathering everyone's attention. "If we're ready, I know a direct portal route to the very core of Error's territory," They said, specifically looking to Cross for permission. A moment before he nodded his head, he caught movement approaching from behind Paperjam. The second he saw the familiar figure, he drew his large blade and glared. Paperjam blinked in confusion. "What is it? Why are you-" When they glanced back over their shoulder, they immediately fell silent.

"Hello, PJ," Ink said, standing before them with his brush in hand. When Dust went to step forward, Cross lifted a hand to signal him to stay. Ink looked far too at ease. He wasn't there for a fight. Instead Ink stared at Paperjam, expression rather blank aside from the cold colors of his pinpricks. "It's been a while since we've caught up," Ink noted before glancing between the others. "Have you made more friends?" He asked.

Paperjam looked annoyed, though they obviously tried to hide it behind a dull and empty stare. "What are you doing here?" Was all they asked in turn, completely ignoring Ink's attempt at small talk.

"I need your help," Ink admitted in a gentle tone. He seemed a little different with Paperjam than he was with others, less abundantly playful and more serious. Perhaps it was an attempt at appearing fatherly, though clearly Paperjam cared little for it. Ink stepped forward, moving cautiously. "Error has the-"

"Yeah. The Book of a Thousand Souls. I know," Paperjam quickly snapped back. Ink paused, and Paperjam crossed their arms. "I know because you left it with Nightmare," They pointed out, gesturing towards Cross and his friends. Killer and Dust only glared at Ink while Horror gave an awkward salute. "Do you understand how disastrous it would have been if Nightmare figured out that book's secret? We would all be corrupted!" Paperjam told Ink, to which he gave a deep nod of understanding. He seemed far from hostile despite Paperjam's attitude.