Given An Unwanted Second Chance

Chapter 15

"Ah, hello!"

Gradient looked around at the many acres of farmland as Farm greeted us from the doorway of his house.

Horror smiled happily.  "Farm!  It is...good to see you...again!"

"Right back atcha!  I assume you're here for the food supplies?"

Horror nodded.  "Are they...ready?"

"Just about!  If you'd like to hang around, they'll be ready in 30!"

"This place is very scenic."  Gradient said, still looking around.

Farm glanced down at Gradient.  "It is indeed!  Who are ya, little one?"

"I'm not THAT little!  And I'm Gradient!  Hello!"

"Apologies, Gradient.  The name's Farm.  My brother's taking care of the supplies with the rest of the group, so you can meet 'im later."

Gradient grinned.

I smiled at Gradient before looking at Farm as he approached us.  "It is good to see you, as well, Farm."

"Ah, Eclipse!  How are ya doin'?"

"I'm better than before, though the betterness comes and goes."

"Eclipse, can I go look around?  This place is so big!"

"You should ask Farm that."  I chuckled.

"Oh, he can look around!  He can even play with some of the farm animals, if he'd like ta."

Gradient gasped.  "Really?!  Yay!"

Gradient ran off to the nearby barns, excitement clear from both his actions and the senses of emotion I was getting from him.

"He looks a lot like Error..."  Farm mumbled, his happy expression dropping slightly.

I glanced at Cross, and Cross mumbled to me words only I could hear.  "Farm ought to know, at the very least."

"You sure? "  I whispered back.  He just nodded.

"There's...a reason for that."  I said quietly.

Farm glanced at me as I continued.  "Gradient is Error's kid.  Though we'd like to keep that particular bit of info unknown to others."

"We don't have ta worry about the destroyer coming here searching for him, do we?"  Farm asked with worry.

I shook my head.  "He has a bond, but he's kept it closed for a while now.  I doubt any of the Star Sanses know where he is right now."

"Why exactly DO ya have the destroyer's kid?"

I tilted my head from side to side.  "We didn't kidnap him, before you begin thinking down that path.  He's a little...miffed at them with their treatment of us and our line of work.  Granted, it's an expected reaction, but they went a little far yesterday..."

"What did they do?"

I winced.  "Uhh...they...kinda fused their souls together to create a monster of a monster.  That creature was what killed Nightmare...and is sort of the reason I'm in his place now."

"Hmm...I'm not too familiar with souls and how they work, but taking over another's soul isn't exactly...a thing."

I shrugged.  "I don't get it, either."

"Well, either way, I'm glad you're doing better.  Even if it comes n' goes."

I smiled at Farm.  "I know I said it already, but thanks for helping me.  Not many would do that knowing who I am.  Or...well, who I look like."