Given An Unwanted Second Chance

Chapter 18

CONTINUE~~~~~GIVE UP

I gave a soft, internal sigh.  I didn't really wanna go back and "have a chat" with the Stars about anything, but knowing them, they probably took my dust when I died.

I reached forward after a moment and pressed continue, my vision going blindingly white before becoming black again.

I sucked in a weak breath, trying to focus myself.

I sensed several emotions around me.  Uneasiness, anger, annoyance, and exhaustion.

I struggled to open my eye and succeeded after a moment, noting that the ground I was on was hard and uncomfortable.

It was dimly lit, and I realized with vague annoyance that I was back in that cell again.

I let out a weak sigh as I tried to push myself up.  I had partial success, having to lean on my arms to stay steady in a semi-sitting position.

I heard someone approach me and glanced over, flinching as Error came over from where he'd been leaning against a wall in the cell with me.  He summoned my soul, reaching forward and touching it before pulling back, looking over the screen that popped up.

"...well, we don't have to worry about Code for now.  The mark he left is gone."

"Eclipse!"

I turned my head to look out of the cell, my gaze full of relief to see Gradient okay.

My soul faded out as Error pulled away from me.  He seemed to be the one exuding exhaustion.

I focused on the bonds I had with the group, giving them weak tugs to let them know I was alive again.  I could sense faint traces of worry from the bonds, but as expected, they couldn't get to me right now.

I could sense faint dull amounts of soul pain from the bond with Gradient.  "Are you okay, Gradient?  I know you felt that earlier..."

"I'm fine...mostly."

I nodded slightly, trying to focus on the different emotions I was feeling around me.  I got the exhaustion from Error, the uneasiness seemed to be coming from Gradient (which I could also feel through the bond), but Ink and Dream were a little tougher to decipher.  Though one look into Ink's red pinpricks determined that he was the angry one and Dream was just annoyed.

I felt the urge to summon the tendrils, but I refrained since Error was literally right there.  It just felt strange to not have the tendrils present.  "Now that we don't have to particularly worry about Code right now...what do you guys want...? "

"Do you actually have a bond with Gradient? "  Ink asked, making me wince.  My expression alone confirmed his question, making him sigh angrily.  "And who initiated the bond exactly? "

"I did.  I wanted---"

Ink held up a hand, cutting Gradient off.  "I don't want to hear it, Gradient.  I'm frustrated with you for making a bond with someone who wants nothing but to cause immense negativity."

Gradient huffed.  "I'm old enough to make my own decisions!"

"You were content staying here until she showed up."

"There's a lot that changed when she showed up.  I didn't realize there was another balance until I met her.  I can FEEL it.  It exists!"

"Then why can't I feel this balance, Gradient?  Wouldn't it make more sense for me to sense something so important?"  Dream asked, sounding highly unconvinced.

"I don't know why neither of you can sense it, but it's important!  And Eclipse's work has fixed it to not be so one-sided.  At least, until you KILLED her.  Now it's tipping positive again..."