The Void Soul

*Home In Mind*

Being back in the village was peaceful for the most part. 

You didn't realize how busy your days were outside of Dirtmouth, until you spent a moment back in your home. Granted you still attended school for the most part, but you usually took the role of a student trainor than anything. There wasn't as much of a challenge as it was before, you were mostly just chilling.

Most of your free time was spent with Mato and Lucius, you would sometimes start a brawl.

You dodged Mato's sweep and jumped over Lucius' strike. They turned their attacks to each other, so you took that opportunity to jab at Lucius. He managed to dodge it, but he didn't anticipate Mato's attack. "Aha!" As he was pushed out, you turned your full aggression on Mato. Dashing and slicing through his weak points, you managed to hit him and the still standing Lucius threw a heavy blow. "Gotcha!" Then shifting his attention to you.

It was such the nature of the brawl, every one of you were opponents.

The three of you went with this routine for the whole entire evening, before they collapsed from exhaustion. To not feel left out, you joined them to lie on the floor.

"My.." Lucius mutters, "I wish we could spend our days like this forever." He said through his heavy breathing.

"I second that." Mato chips in with a laugh, before looking distantly at the sky. "I wonder what those two are up to.."

You felt your senses smile at that thought, because this moment was definitely amazing while it lasted. However, you're not naive enough to ignore the nature of your existence. You doubt that your life would be this peaceful, you've seen enough reincarnation stories to make sure of that.

***

You and Lucius were on your way home, after stopping by a shop for a few art supplies. This was a new routine that the two of you developed, as you discovered your personal pleasures of shopping. It was only small trinkets each visit though, children like you could never hope to afford in purchasing whatever you please.

Then there was that commotion that blocked your path home. People gathered around the Well entrance of the Kingdom, as several bugs were pulling the rope from the well. Playing tug of war against something heavier below.

You and Lucius approached curiously, but was held back by none other than your adoptive mother. "Don't go near them, it's dangerous."

If you have any, you might have raised a brow at that. There's rarely anything that gets your mother concerned. She was a fearsome lady, so much so that she would allow you -—her child— to brave the kingdom without her supervision. Whatever was at the well was definitely concerning enough to got her on high alert.

You and Lucius could anticipate what they were pulling out of the well. No sooner than later, you began hearing a slur of curses. 

"I was destined for greatness!!! I will not let myself reduced into some pathetic merchant!" Then a bug rolled out of the well. "Untie me this instant! How there you treat me like this!"

Upon seeing their eyes, you understood why it was such a big fuss. Orange.

"An infection.." Someone gasped.

"Oh, poor thing." Another whispers quietly.

"I fail to understand why bugs still chose to head down there." Another voice said, gruff and deep. "That well barely does us any good."

The bug was dragged all the way to the clinic, spouting insults at anyone that appeared in his line of sight.

"You two should refrain from visiting the clinic for awhile.." Your mother said, as she nudged you towards home.

Right. You've never told anyone about your encounter with an infected.

***

Of course, it didn't take too much effort to escape your mother's supervision. Only after breakfast though, before that she would definitely be looking for you.

You snuck into the clinic without anyone's notice. You remember this halls quite vividly, this was your home before the Doctor introduced you to his family. Every patient was your friend, and each door held memories of people clinging to their life. However, the patient that you're visiting was not from your nostalgia. They were not welcoming face of this silent halls, nor were they a quiet patient.

Then you heard a commotion a few doors over.

"Cowards! All of you!" A familiar voice shouted. "Worshipping under a false light, you will all be doomed!!!"

That's them.

You invited yourself into the patients room, shutting the door behind you. Their glowing orange eyes widened at the sight of you, before it narrows into a leer.

"A creature so small, do your King really think that you could stop me." The bug spat, straining against chains that locked him to the bed. "Try as you might to seal me away, I'll always come back to haunt your dreams.
Your existence is worthless. I will stay until eVeRYTHING IN THIS KINGDOM IS FALLLEN TO ASHES!" They struggled against the chains, pulling it to get as close to you, but they couldn't even move an inch off it.

You didn't flinch, whole heartedly expecting their outburst. Though you wonder where they acquired such scathing hatred against you, as you were certain that a mere Dirtmouth villager wouldn't curse their kingdom, much less their king. You might have some personal issues with the Pale King, but he was greatly worshipped by his people. It's not often that they perceived him unfavorably.

No matter, you weren't here to decode the mysteries of the infection. The King already has that covered. Your duty lies in keeping your village safe.

You walked over to the patients bed, they struggled against their chains to pull away from you.

'Esme, I can't find Motty!'

You hear your mothers voice echoing through the hallway, as your hand touches the head of the patient.

'Are they not in school?'

"Don't touch me! Stay away!" The patient struggled, as they dodged your hand. But it was futile as they were locked in place.

'They are not with Lucius!'

"Your existence is USELESSS," The bug resorted to direct insults, "A failure! Your efforts are in vain!"

You focused.

The air shifted as you began absorbing the sickly light that surrounds the bug, pulling them into your vessel. The bug's eyes shed orange tears as they continued to struggle in your hold. But as you continue to sap away the sickness that plagues their minds, you see their eyes began to soften. Soon, they lost their will to struggle as their tears changed from orange to clear.

Then heard their quiet sob, as they bowed their head to mutter pleas of apologies. Only when they were clean of the infection did you let go of the bug.

You were suddenly yanked away from the bug and into the protective arms of your mother. Just as you realized your adoptive parents were now in the room with you. Dr. Esme checked over the sobbing bug, clearly noticing the shift of his aura.

"The infection is gone." Dr. Esme diagnosed, his voice whispered as if he himself cannot believe his own words.

All eyes turned to you.

***

1200 words

>>You regularly join in brawls

>>Do you love shopping?

>>Oooh~ the infection is reaching Dirtmouth!

>>You can cure an early infection? It was never really a secret.

February 23, 2026