Inquisitive

Chapter 14 | Aftertaste

There was the sound of something being ripped, such a soft sound filled the silence.

Ink blinked and...and then...

("Error!")

He saw how Horror became wild like a beast, and sprinted toward the black skeleton who was falling right now.

("You know! You know he will do that! And yet you-")

He saw how Killer gripped Dust's grey shirt, magic flickered his whole body.

("You heard what he said. It's his wish, and who am I dare to-")

He saw how Dust just lying on the ground, ignoring how each of his words ignited Killer's magic more.

("Quit it-!")

He saw how Nightmare let go of Dream's hand and rushed toward Killer, pulling him away from his victim, though his eyes glared at him with glowing eyes.

("Don't kill him. It's not the time to play around and you better-")

He saw—

("How dare that creature tear his SOUL! It should be me that overpower him! That dirty monster-)

Ink trembled when Fate unleashed her divine power.

("This should not be this way! He should be obeying me! I'll punish him! I'll—")

Gravity started to push everyone to the ground. It feels like something pressuring them down. All of them have a hard time to stand. Horror falls not far from Ink, hand still reaching toward Error while his mouth lets out a low growl.

This isn't what he wants. He heard a weak whimper from Dream's mouth. Mob gasped, trying to catch his breath. Cross gripped the grass, trying his best to stand up and yet he was completely glued to the ground.

He doesn't want this. He never wanted this. Stop.

("If we didn't have those rules, I'd already eliminate all of u! You disgraceful creatures. U are nothing but just a fragment of life and I can just kill all of u—")

Not his family, not his comrade, not his creation. All of them are his and he needs to protect them. This needs to be stopped.

("U don't deserve to live! Know your place, mortals! I will—")

"S-stop"

Fate paused when her talk was interrupted. Her eyes flickered toward her child. "Stop? Why do you want to stop? I can do it. Just wait for a while and that Destroyer will-"

"Please stop!" Ink asked-no, he begged her. Tears leaked from his eyes. " Just. Stop. I-I don't want it" a silent plea, just a quivering voice, begging her to just...stop

"You don't? Then, what do you want? I'll give it to you. Just say it. Everything for my child" his whole body trembled when fate caressed his cheek. He wants to shove the woman away from him, away from Error, away from everyone. He realized how dangerous she was to everyone. She was on another level from him and Error. He felt disgust at how this woman was the one who created him.

And yet, he endures it. If he provoked the divine being, then there would be more harm than good. A fake smile was decorated on his face. " I want to rest...Mother" he spat the last word softly, hoping that Fate did not notice how hateful he felt right now. Fortunately, Fate just focused on what Ink called her, like a fool. And this time, Ink never felt so thankful until now.

"Are you tired? Oh, of course you do. It's been a while you play for a long time" Ink flinched but fate didn't notice it. " I'll let u rest now" She let go of Ink with a satisfying smile. Her eyes stared at others and said, "You are lucky today. However, my child, if u want to discard all of them, call my name and I shall arrange it" Ink just stood silent with a smile. Fate huffed before she turned back into a lump of strings and gone like she was never there.