A Nightmare's Honor

Responsibility

Author's ([Sky]'s) Note: This chapter contains direct and vague mentions of blood, death, and a very goofy conversation :3 Enjoy! 83

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{M} Anima Blue POV:

I nervously paced outside the Blue Apprentice's house, my friend Pneuma Blue Steve standing idly nearby.

"Anima, maybe it's nothing. Maybe he just... went for a stroll?"

"Holy colors, we're all gonna die, Pneuma!! The Blue Leader left the World Beyond for 'other duties', and now the Blue Apprentice is missing! What if Specter was right?!"

Pneuma placed his hands on my shoulders firmly, stopping me where I was. "Don't think like that, Anima," he ordered me, concern edging his voice and expression. "The Blue Leader told us that there was nothing to worry about, so don't worry. Panicking will get us nowhere. Besides, we still have a duty to do!"

"We haven't seen a lost soul in ages!! What if- what if they aren't making it to the World Beyond?! What if they're going to... you-know-where?"

Before Pneuma could respond, a cacophony of lightning exploded a few blocks away. We both stood rigid, watching the blocks they were striking with interest and fear. The lightning was stronger than I had ever seen, sending ripples along the pure white grass that normally wasn't affected by powers. There was more lightning than I had ever seen, as well. Normally only one or two people would teleport at a time to or from the World Beyond, but clearly this had to be more.

Then, just as suddenly as it began, the lightning stopped, revealing four Steves. Except they weren't any Steves. It was four of the seven Leaders: the Orange, Green, Violet, and Blue Leaders.

The Blue Leader collapsed onto his hands and knees, gasping for breath while the other three Leaders were looking around with utter appalment.

"What just- happened?!" the Orange Leader exclaimed, kneeling down to help the Blue Leader to his feet.

He wasn't able to lift him alone, so the Green Leader assisted."Blue, are you okay?" he asked gently, pulling out the Green Crystal.

Pneuma and I stared at the group in shock. I locked eyes with the Violet Leader, who approached us. I noticed that he felt... strange. He had visited the World Beyond in the past once. He had come to see an old friend that had died. His soul had felt a little diminished then, but he had clearly still been optimistic at heart. Now, however, his soul felt empty.

The Blue Leader lifted his head to look me in the eyes, though he seemed to barely have the strength to. His eyes had a tired, distant look to them that chilled me. It felt as though he was approaching a death he had long since accepted, and he was staring at me for the very last time.

"Where..." the Blue Leader trailed off, his voice weak. "...The Blue Apprentice..."

"He's missing," Pneuma replied with a shocking calmness.

"I see..." the Blue Leader's eyes seemed to dull, as though they were glossed over by age or exhaustion.

Then, he shakily lifted the Blue Crystal towards me. I hadn't noticed earlier, but he had had it gripped in his hand tightly when he arrived. Now, his grip seemed to slacken as, per a mumbled request by him, the Orange and Green Leaders helped him approach us.

"Anima. The Blue Apprentice is... no longer with us. I cannot sense his soul."

I brought a hand to my mouth, gasping in shock as the others responded similarly.