Given An Unwanted Second Chance

Chapter 63

I paused after the portal had closed, my senses shifting.

The space within the Mainframe had been neutral, but the faint flow of the negativity-filled space hit me full force once I was within it.  But...it wasn't painful...or helpful.  It just...was.

"Eclipse?"

"Ah, I'm okay.  Just...adjusting."  I replied somewhat dazily, trying to get used to the sheer...not-overwhelming emotional air.

"Are you in pain?  Is the negativity hurting you??"

"That's...the thing.  It isn't?  Nor is it helping.  It just...is there."  I frowned.  "It's not like...the inability to feel the area's aura, so to speak.  Not like a normal human.  I can feel it, but it isn't...hurting or helping.  It's...weird."

"As long as it isn't hurting you..."  Gradient murmured.

"I'll tell you if it is, okay?  Now, I remember the layout of this place, so let's see if the others are all where I think they are."

"You remember the layout, but what hallway are we even in?"

I took a deep breath.  "Good question."

"I guess we walk until we hit a familiar room?"

I nodded, and we did just that.

5 minutes later, I paused, scratching my head.  "We must've got deposited in a weird section because I recognize nothing."

"You're not supposed to."

I let out a rather embarrassing squeak as Nightmare suddenly popped up in front of us, having melted out of the shadows.  He had startled me.

He just gave me a look.  "Why did that shock you?  I know where you guys are at all times within this realm, as should you."

I tilted my head.  "Ah.  Right.  I probably could've used my ability to find you guys...  But what did you mean 'you're not supposed to'?"

"Something you did not learn to do was to be able to manipulate this realm.  I left it unchanged for a long time as I knew how to keep Dream out, but I altered it the moment I stepped through."  He let out a dark chuckle.  "Scared the others quite a bit to see the world literally warp around them."

"Are the others...okay?"

Nightmare got a mischief-filled smirk on his face as he grabbed me and Gradient with his tendrils, making me yelp.

"Nightm----"

...and pressing darkness.

...then ambient light in the darkness of the realm.

"----are, what----"

I cut myself off as he dropped us, chuckling.  While his emotions were mostly blocked, I sensed a little...mirth?

I then suddenly got crushed in a hug.

Considering the black and white in my vision as well as the white scarf (and I could easily see the three other skeletons), I knew it was Cross.

"H-Hi, Cross."  I stuttered, surprised by the action.

Horror came over, putting a hand on Gradient's head.  "Good to...see...you, kid."

Gradient didn't reply, and as I pulled back from Cross's hug, I saw that he was frowning.  He was uneasy.

"Gradient?"  I asked, the uneasiness worrying me.

"Uh...I think the effects of corruption are still lingering.  Do you guys...feel different right now?"

Nightmare narrowed his eye, looking over his group.