Given An Unwanted Second Chance

Chapter 45

Gradient got us back to the Mainframe where Cryo waited.  "Welcome back once more."

Gradient glanced between the two of us.  "I'm glad Eclipse's voice changes when she transforms.  You guys look exactly alike."

I chuckled a bit, looking to Cryo.  "Do you have any advice for me in regards to how I should behave?"

They nodded.  "Since positivity is as high as it is, nearly everyone is happy.  Cheerful.  There's a strange falseness to it that Dream does not recognize.  Anyone who exudes an excessive amount of negativity is detained and...'fixed,' so to speak."

I cringed.  "This form hides my aura, right?"

"Yes."

"...but I'm already naturally negative-inclined.  Pessimist.  How am I supposed to hide my own emotions?"

Cryo frowned.  "I do not know."

I shook my head.  I guess I'd cross that bridge when I got there.  "Another question, then.  What am I supposed to do in a few hours?  I can't hold this form forever.  My soul strains and I have to go back to Nightmare's form until my soul rests."

Cryo perked up slightly.  "I can aid in that.  Here, may I see your soul? "

I nodded, easily summoning my soul.  They approached and reached out a hand, lightly touching my soul.

I sucked in a sharp breath as I felt power flow into my soul.  It glowed brightly for a moment before returning to its normal luminosity.  "What was that?"

They put their hand down.  "I empowered your soul.  You can now hold your human form for as long as you'd like.  It will even hold while you sleep.  However, I will warn you, if you are UNWILLINGLY made unconscious, you will revert into your true form."

"Avoid being knocked out.  Got it.  Another thing.  How do I explain my apple-shaped soul if someone sees it?"

"Another question I do not know the answer to.  I apologize."

"It's okay.  I don't have any other questions."

Gradient looked at me.  "How are you feeling?"

"I feel like running, honestly.  I'm scared.  But...while I technically COULD delay this, it's not a good idea..."

Gradient hugged me once more.  "No one is going anywhere.  We'll all be waiting for you while going about our own business."

I looked at Cryo as something crossed my mind.  "Actually...I do have one more question."

"Yes? "

"...what happens if I die there?"

Gradient flinched slightly in my arms.  Cryo answered softly.  "Your dust will be in Dreamswap, and you will revive there.  This multiverse will suffer the consequences of your passing as it always has.  Nothing will change otherwise."

"And...if my death causes our multiverse to collapse?"

Cryo frowned once more.  "I...Dreamswap would not reset around you, and if you aren't here to reset the multiverse to before your fall..."

"...that's it.  No more multiverse."

"Sounds simple enough.  Don't you dare die in Dreamswap."  Gradient said.

"Right.  Okay.  I...I'm ready."

Gradient let go of me reluctantly, his eyes shining with sudden tears.  I sensed his fear.  "...be safe, Y/N."