Never-Realms

Part 22: New Awakenings

[Second was sweating as he continued to do sit-ups like Dark told him to. Honestly, he needed the workout. But he still had no idea how this would help with his awakened state.]

[Dark would walk around him, nodding and humming as if he was studying his movements. Second was beginning to get slower and exhausted until finally, he fell back with a groan.]

Second: That......was.....at least a hundred.......right?

Dark: It was 300. But hey, don't feel down about that. I can do 500 without breaking into a sweat as bad as yours.

Second: Mgh. How is this supposed to help again? I don't feel very strong right now. I think I got weaker than I was before...

[Dark let out another sigh before scratching his head. He then leaned down, looking into Second's eyes carefully. Second was a bit confused still and in desperate need of water. He was burning up near these lava geysers.]

[Dark then snapped in realization, sitting up as he had an energetic smirk on his face.]

Dark: I know what to do! Since wearing you out didn't work, maybe putting you near death will work!

[Second instantly tensed up and gulped, his eyes trembling in fear as Dark summoned his spike again. Second raced to his feet in a panic and instinctively began to run, not sure why he didn't talk to him before running. Dark frowned in confusion for a moment before he shrugged and slowly began to make his way, snapping his fingers as the area got darker for extra effect. Fear was also another way to trigger it, so if pain didn't work....fear definitely would.]

[Second noticed that the area got darker as he huffed frantically. He wasn't sure how bad he would hurt him and didn't want to sit around and find out. He was wondering why he couldn't wake up and began to get worried. What if he died? What if he was stuck here?]

Second: Please wake up, please wake up, please wake up....-

[He eyed a small area near TDL's large throne and grunted, making a smooth turn into the crevice of the throne as he tried to catch his breath, gripping his chest as his heart was beating faster than a speeding car.]

Second: Why haven't I woken up yet? Even though my head was bashed against metal, I shouldn't have been out this long. There's......there's no way that stickfigure could kill me that quick....I refuse to believe it - I -

[Second then heard the sound of dead leaves crushing against the ground and shut up, taking shorter and softer breaths as he tried to listen for Dark.]

Dark: Second, come on....it won't be hard to see you. You're in my world, bud. And besides... this is your consciousness....whatever happens to your inner self in your head won't affect you in the real world. Sure, it may hurt....but it won't kill you or anything. Remember, these aren't my real wristbands. These are the ones I drew.

[Second evaluated the situation briefly. Dark hasn't lied once in this entire time he's been here, which was honestly shocking. Of course, though, he still had no reason to trust him fully. Moments like this made him really question whether or not he was lying for being truthful.]

[Considering he said that, if he can awaken here and awaken outside his head as well.... doesn't that mean he can get hurt in his mind and get hurt outside as well?]

[As soon as he thought about it, he saw a glow behind him. It was a bright green. He sensed it....but surprisingly, it didn't have either good or bad energy. It was neutral. Until....it started to talk.]

◇~ You said you want to find me....? ~ ◇

[Second recognized the voice to be his own, and his eyes popped open. His heart sped up even more as his eyes were locked on the crack between the throne and a wall. He did not dare move, nor did he think about batting an eye to the strange spirit.]