Given An Unwanted Second Chance

Chapter 52

I let out a startled gasp as my eyes flew open and I shot up, grasping at my chest as I struggled to breathe.

"E-Eclipse!"

I blinked a bit, trying to clear the sleepiness from my eyesight.  Dreamswap Nightmare looked perturbed, and I could sense my Nightmare's presence once more.

"H-Hey..."  I spoke softly and shakily, trying to calm my racing soul.

I heard footsteps come from the other rooms and glanced over, seeing Cross and Error approaching.  "Eclipse?  You seem a bit out of breath."

I looked away, swallowing roughly.  I managed a humorless grin.  "Nothing like falling off a building and being reminded of your attempt because someone was pissed."

Hmph.

I narrowed my eyes a bit as the physical Nightmare spoke.  "Are those memories...actually memories?"

"I think so.  I tend to get a bit lost in them..."  I trailed off, thinking.  "...it's so strange to think that my current name was given to me long before I ever appeared in my current predicament."

"What does that mean?"  Cross asked with confusion.

"She had a short memory where she was speaking about her nightmares.  There was apparently a woman who called her Eclipse in them..."  Nightmare explained quietly.

"Who originally gave you the name Eclipse?  Did you name yourself that?"

I shook my head.  "Dust gave it to me.  I didn't really have the mind to get a different one, so it stuck with me.  Even Y/N doesn't feel...like me anymore.  Or maybe it does?"  I tilted my head.  "Y/N was my beginning, Eclipse is my present."

Then what is your future?

I looked down a bit, tilting my head.  "I guess my future is up to me."

I summoned my soul, glancing over it to make sure it was okay.  The hole is the center was filled with liquid negativity once more, and the cracks that had originated from it were gone.  The main apple was shining brightly, just as brightly as the swirls of perseverance, bravery, and determination.  I glowered a bit at the silver device before shaking my head, letting my soul fade once more.

I folded my hands in my lap, glancing uneasily at the squad.  "I really am sorry for the trouble that was caused yesterday."

"You have nothing to apologize for, Eclipse."  Nightmare said softly.  "Your Nightmare, on the other hand..."

I felt a pang of annoyance in my head, making me involuntarily wince.  Nothing was said from him, though.

I gave a weak sigh.  "He was angry...though it wasn't entirely at Dream.  I'm pretty sure he's ticked with me for not blocking the check.  I was never taught how to, so it's been...rough...each time I am checked.  That second time Dream checked me, Nightmare...kind of blocked the check?  The brief descriptions usually given with checks were not there.  It was eerily...silent."

"He probably did his own version of rejecting the check...though since you didn't block yours, it kinda bled through to him not being able to fully reject."

My hands pulled at the threads of my clothing...shapeshifted clothing?...while I struggled to form words.  Eventually, I spoke with confusion tinging my voice.  "How did you touch him, Nightmare?  Dream...whenever he came into the dreamscape, his blades couldn't interact with my Nightmare.  I would assume the same with attempts to physically touch.  Yet you grabbed his tendril easily?"

"Might have to do with their similarities?"  Cross ventured a guess.  "Both guardians of negativity?"

"Maybe.  I can't really see another reason that'd make sense."