Of Love and Death.

The Past Chapter 17: Blood on the Floor Pt. 4

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Mind was still holding Form's hand. Still clenching it tightly, like a lifeline. Both for him and for his friend. He was pretty sure he'd cut off circulation in the other shadow's fingers. But Form had yet to complain. And Mind wasn't going to let go, not in the slightest. Not when the storm of his friend's thoughts were screaming inside of his head.

Red. Form's thoughts were all red. The red of Blood's blood, strewn out all over the floor. Most of them had stepped in it. Weather because they had to see the body-to see Blood. Or because they just didn't notice it there. It was haunting the other shadow. Mind could see it so much. Feel it. Form's eyes were shut. Against the light, and so he couldn't see anything red or black or the like.

Maybe it wasn't helping that Fire was right next to the two shadows. That he was as scarlet as the gaping wound. But Mind couldn't ask his boyfriend to leave. The sun's warm wing over his shoulders was the only thing keeping the physic sane. If Fire moved Mind the tears that were still slightly falling down his face would become even more of a torrent.

As it was, the few moments that Fire had disappeared to change and wash the blood off of him had been a form of physical torture. Casting Mind into a pit where he was alone. He had been supposed to be the pillar alone now. He had already been the pillar that supported Form. But that was only because he and Fire were leaning on each other. Like had kept doing the moment the sun had come back.

However, Form couldn't see anything outside of that red haunting his mind, and the black in his eyes. All things that just kept reminding the shadow of Blood. And, Mind didn't know what to say. So, they all stayed in silence, clustered up in Light's throne room. All of the other Nexus Forces, the present ones at least, were dotted around the room in places. Currently, it was just the nine of them who knew about the disaster sitting in an abandoned corner of the Orb. Now covered by blankets and laid softly on a bed.

And they were all sitting silently, unable to even contemplate what to do next. It was in that state that Gravity arrived, with Water and Earth running in front. Gravity being the sun that Light had sent to get the two aforementioned Nexus Forces. Sight had been nowhere to be found, and certainly nowhere that could be found urgently.

Water did not look panicked. But he did look concerned. His thoughts said as much. Apparently, Light's absolute fury and terror had come across when Gravity tried to explain what little they knew. However, he didn't expect what had happened.

So, Water came in spouting energy and bravado. Angry bravado. But bravado nonetheless. Striding with wide steps and sandy hair slightly flowing, ready for a fight. Or just an argument. But, there was that lightness. Hopefulness. Not really understanding how bad things were. Not understanding that a line had been crossed.

"Alright, what's so bad that you couldn't even send Sight?" Water asked the room. But Mind could tell he was faltering a little bit. The way everyone in the room had just looked up when he entered. Their eyes all faded. White not as white, black not as black. Mind saw the way his thoughts started running through possibilities that he hadn't considered. Like the Snakes coming back. If only.

Instead of answering, Light turned to Water. Little small tears in the corner of the dragon's eyes. The sandy-haired Sun cowed backwards at that moment. Mind could see him looking around the room. The little thing he hadn't picked up on. That someone was missing from the room.

At that moment, Mind turned away. He didn't need to see another person realize what had happened in their absence. So he looked away as Light stood up, opening his mouth to speak in a low tone. And the shadow's gaze ended up settling on Earth. He told himself to look away. He didn't need to delve into her thoughts and see her realize. Realize every horrible thing that had passed. Realize that Fire was wearing borrowed clothes and looked like a drenched ember because he'd had to wash all the blood off of him. And burn his old trench coat and pants because there was no way to get those stains out.