Given An Unwanted Second Chance

Chapter 56

I could tell Gradient was getting sleepy several hours later.  He was trying to fight it off, but between the emotionally charged day we just had plus all the training he's been going through, he was failing.

"You guys can go.  I can tell you're getting tired.  I'll be okay."

Gradient made a sad face.  "I-I don't...want to leave you alone."

I grinned slightly.  "Technically not alone what with the voice in my head."

I heard Nightmare tch, making me chuckle.  At least he was a bit more lively than before.

Cryo placed a hand on Gradient's head.  "You should rest.  You've been doing a lot the past month and a half with nearly no breaks."

"I just want to help Eclipse and get this over with.  I'm terrified of the omniverse collapsing."

"Working yourself to death is not gonna do anything, Gradient."  I said softly.  "Take a break sometimes.  No one will fault you for it.  No one really CAN fault you for it considering you're just with Cryo, and Cryo would never fault you."

"Correct."

Gradient made a distressed sound.  "I miss you..."

I gave another smile, though it was noticeably tighter.  "I miss you, too.  Just a bit over 6 more months and I'll come home, okay?  I will find a way home."

Gradient nodded quietly, looking pained.

I turned my gaze to Cryo.  "Give him a bunch of hugs for me."

Cryo gave their own tight smile.  "All that and more."

"I will see you guys later.  Count on it."

Gradient waved shakily as Cryo closed the portal.

I let out a heavy breath, slumping.

"Geez, I thought y'all would never shut up."

I flinched hard, my head shooting up.  The voice sounded like it was above me, so I looked up.

A red and purple eyelight glowed at me from the darkness as the owner of said eyelight shifted into view, dropping down from the tree I was tied to.

How the fu---  How did we not know he was there??

You still have your emotion-sensing ability pulled in.  You haven't released it since I've been conscious of the waking world.

Oh...

I let that ability go, now steadily sensing the emotions around me.  It was no longer painful since we weren't in overwhelming positivity here.

I sensed curiosity and a small amount of suspicion from this Dust.  I also vaguely sensed irritation, though it didn't seem to be coming from him...but near him.

"So what brings you to my little slice of hell?"

My gaze softened as I looked at him.  "A certain JR leader."

Dust narrowed his eyes.  "JR...?  Oh, that's that stupid guardian's group, right?  He's mentioned it once or twice...or 8,000 times."

"You sound uncertain about that."

"Well, when you're part of a world that resets constantly, it gets tough to remember what has happened when."

I tilted my head.  "Don't you guys remember your resets anyway? "