The Stage is Set

A psycho plays with you as I die pt.7

POWER - Ethan Gander
play this as i die - Ethan Gander

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Blue grits his teeth as he spins around and starts to run. His boots thud against the small platforms made of solid ink. They keep him from slowing down as the floor loses solidity. He starts running towards the bubble where everyone else is. He knows that Ink would let him in. Protect him. He needs to make it there first. He looks over his shoulder to see Swap and Creation fight over the sword. One trying to pull it out, the other trying to hold onto it. He stares, watching Creation grit their teeth, tears in their eyes as they use their remaining strength to hold onto the sword. They pull the sword deeper into their chest, wanting Swap to let go.

Creation loses as Swap thrusts the sword in deeper before yanking it out. A wave of Bani's magic fueled his movements, overpowering Creation in a second. A second was all he needed. Creation falls to the ground with a choked yell as they feel their body start to break apart and become liquid once more. Swap stares down at the floor with blurry vision. Oh, how the Creators must hate him. How else would Ink die? Is this what it is to love? To have to be the one to kill them? If it means getting Ink by his side forever, he'll do it until it could be considered insanity. His poor angel was so heartbroken that he would protect the worthless replacement. He'll learn quickly enough. That everything is now his to have. Everything that Ink is, will forever be Swaps. He'll forget the replacement soon enough. Forget all other touches and tastes than his own.

The thought reminds him of what he discovered. Someone else has touched what should not have been touched. Someone else has stolen what is rightfully his. Something that he's been waiting so long to have. He bets that it was that replacement. That replacement has nothing on the original. On him. He'll show Ink why he should forget the others. Forget everything but him. It was always meant to be the two of them. Just them. No one else. All that is Ink belongs to him. His body, his mind, his love. Everything that made him fall in love with Ink will be his. The replacement will learn that it has no say over what happens to his angel. His soulmate. Ink doesn't have a soul bond yet, but he will. He will, and he'll love it. He'll never be able to leave Swap again. Swap will be his world again.

Swap won't allow it.

Blue grunts as he starts to sprint, when did the others get so far from them? He feels no relief. No joy. Just anger, shame, disappointment. He should've aimed for Swap's skull and caved it in like his soul was screaming for him to do. He's never punched anyone with his full strength, he promised to give mercy. Hold back enough should his enemy desire salvation rather than death. The LV weighs on his soul, and now it aches for violence. Swap's found a way to push all his morals to the limit. He feels the footsteps behind him before anything else. He plants a foot, spinning around to nail Swap in the face. The crunch satisfies him for a moment as Swap screams and stumbles backward. Part of his skull chipping off around the already damaged socket. Blue's grin is feral as he moves forward, following Swap. Swap never learned how to fight like Blue; he never got the same training from Ink that Blue did. He dodges the wide swing of Swap's fist, using the momentum to send a kick to Swap's knees. Swap tumbles, and Blue moves to swing a kick down at Swap's chest. It's a clear copy of what Ink had done to Bani. The force of the kick bounces Swap off of what little solid floor is left.

Blue summons a bone attack and nails Swap again from under. Something in him grows elated at the sound Swap's spine makes when his armor caves in from behind. He summons his war hammer and slams Swap from the side. Sending him flying away from him and the group. Blue watches him ragdoll across the floor. Swap struggles, trying to stand up before collapsing back against the floor. This time, he doesn't move. There's no getting up from that, not with how his armor is dented now. Blue huffs, something in him still screaming to follow the body and rip out what's left of his soul. He turns away to face the others.

***

"Woah." Killer blanches as he tries to take in what just happened.

Cross smiles with tears, grateful that Blue was able to avenge what's happened to Creation and Ink. He wipes his tears before gushing. "That was so cool! I remember him working on that! It was so much faster than before!"

Dream follows up with a nod. His wings fluffing out in excitement. "Yeah! Good job, Blue!" He cheers as he moves closer to the dome.

Error and Nightmare exchange a look as the others cheer. What was Ink training them for? Was it this? Scratch that, what does he feed the stars?! They look back to see Blue smile at them. Error watches with awe as Blue seems to float above the ink, nothing but the bottom of his boots touching the ink, even then they aren't sinking into the ink. The rest of their shoes are covered at least to the ankle. Error wonders if Ink is doing it, or if Blue is even aware of what's happening. Maybe Ink is doing it in silent support for Blue? But then why isn't he doing it for the rest of them?

Blue smiles before tears fill his sockets at the sight of everyone. Dream places a hand on the dome as Blue comes closer, he understands. Dream nods at Blue, spreading his wings out to welcome Blue back. Welcome Blue home. Dream feels his tears come full force, happy that Blue is alive. Blue looks only at Dream, nothing else seems to matter, and Cross can't fault him for that. If he nearly died in front of Epic... he would only have eyes for Epic too. Too much to say, to do. Blue places his hand over Dream's hand before pushing through the bubble as if it were nothing but putty. He intertwines his fingers with Dream's and pulls himself into the bubble as it slowly falls. He holds Dream tightly to his chest, wanting nothing but the comfort Dream brings him.

Blue holds him close, kissing the top of Dream's forehead. "I'm home."

Dream laughs through his tears as his wings wrap around them, holding Blue in fear he'll disappear or dust for good. "That's what you say?" He sniffles, "How about an 'I'm sorry for the near soul attack I gave you?'" Dream sighs as he leans his skull against Blue's chestplate. "How many times do you have to scare me like this?"

Blue's smile falls as he looks away. "I'm sorry." He looks over the others for injuries, his gaze lingers on the inky handprint on Cross's face. "Sorry for ignoring you guys. Just..." He nods his skull toward Dream.

Nightmare snorts as he rubs his face. "No need, Blue. Take the time you need for now. I think we all get it." Killer leans onto Nightmare with a nod. Nightmare looks at Error leaning on his other shoulder, "Just take a moment to breathe. I speak for all of us when I say I'm glad you're still alive."

Error nods. "Stay like that," he points at Blue with a glare as Blue raises a brow bone. Error's sockets narrow deeper into his glare. "Stay hard to kill. My soul can take a rollercoaster like that again." Blue only nods.

Cross sighs. "Sorry to break the moment, but did you see where the soul piece went?"

Blue stops and then groans as he drops his skull onto Dream's. "I knew I was forgetting something." He looks at Cross before shaking his skull. "No, but I do have an idea."

Killer follows where Blue points, "Your scarf?"

Blue shakes his skull before pressing a finger against his mouth. "Quiet, someone may be down, but listening ears never stop." His whisper can barely be heard over the sounds the room makes to cover them. Blue continues, "No, somewhere in the ink." Blue knows that Swap is cunning. Despite losing himself and all his morals, he's still smart.

He'll be listening, and he still has those strings.