To Be at Peace with Yourself

Chapter 18: Freedom (At What Cost?)

The featured song is 'Atlas' by StormSound

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"Palette! N... no, Palette!" Goth screamed, struggling harder against the hold on his right arm. The soldier dug their fingers into the bone, but he refused to give up.

"Now now, no need to fuss, my dear Angel. You knew that bumpkin for... what, a month at most?" the professor chuckled, turning from the group, "Come along, that pest set us back quite a bit with his outburst earlier."

No... I have to save Palette... he's falling... the only one that ever cared about me is going to die... all because of me...

"No..."

The professor turned, mild annoyance and shock on his face, "Excuse me?"

"I. Said. NO!" 

Magic engulfed the skeleton, throwing off his captor and scattering the rest. The collar on his neck hissed and shorted out, unable to handle the magical load forced into it. 

Goth raced for the edge of the platform and dove over the railing.

Ebony wings burst forth as he spotted Palette's faint silhouette in the darkness below. He tucked the wings into his sides as he dove after the other skeleton, "Palette!"

"Goth?!" The artist looked up, surprised but at the same time relieved. He reached out his hands toward the winged monster.

Goth reached his arms out in return as he closed the distance. His holed hands stretched, managing to close around the other's wrist.

Pulling his hand up, Goth brought Palette to his chest as his wings splayed out to break their descent. He beat his wings furiously, forcing himself upward and out of the divebomb.

Safely out of immediate danger, Goth searched for an exit. 

There were no openings other than large metal doors at the bottom. were too sturdy to break through... everything else was on the platforms above.

We have to go up...

"Goth... what are you thinking?" Palette questioned warily as he took in Goth's expression.

Goth ignored him. The soldiers would be aiming for them once they got their bearings, so he would need to get past them before they recovered. 

He tightened his grip on Palette when he heard shouting from above.

Too late.

"Put up the barrier, stop G01H from escaping again!" the Professor bellowed to the men around him. The monster's wings quivered as an iridescent dome formed above the pair. 

We're trapped... unless... 

Palette gazed up in awe and trepidation, "G... Goth... that's..."

"I can handle it. Trust me," Goth replied, his face set in determination as he propelled himself higher. 

He could feel Palette's grip tighten, but heard a soft confirmation, "Okay."

I have to time this just right...

The small skeleton's soul thrummed as he approached the barrier, pressing on despite his body's desire to rest.

Three... almost there.

Two... "Hold on tight!" Goth shouted.

One... Palette pressed into his companion, bracing himself.

Goth grit his teeth and crashed back-first into the barrier, gasping as the energy burned at his wings and spine. Sparks and feathers rained down as magic clashed with energy in a battle of wills.

"Goth!" Palette shouted, gripping the small monster desperately, unable to see anything in the bright flashes of light.

Now!

Goth let his magic flare and the world around them warped. In a blinding instant, the smaller monster had managed to take them outside. 

His singed wings flapped weakly, some of the feathers drooping and falling out as smoke drifted off them.

"How...," Palette blinked away tears, his starry eyes slowly adjusting to their new surroundings. 

Goth shook his head, gasping for breath as he said, "Not enough... have to... g... go farther... not... safe yet..."

Palette looked up in confusion, finally realizing something was wrong as Goth clenched his sockets and prepared his magic again, "Go-!"

The world warped once more and the scenery changed in another flash. 

The small skeleton grunted, urging his wings to move properly. They gave one last flutter before giving out completely, sending the pair spiraling toward the ground.

"Goth? Goth, what's wrong?!" Palette shouted in rising alarm. 

"P... pal... hurts... I ca... can't...," the smaller gasped, his voice straining as the forest below them drew closer.

Using the last of his strength, Goth turned himself, furling his damaged wings to cover Palette. 

He clutching the artist tight as they made contact with the tops of the trees, tearing through branches and crashing into the ground.

When everything stilled, Palette took in his surroundings... and Goth's unmoving form.

"Goth... Goth! Oh stars, wake up!" the skeleton cried. His companion ragdolled in his arms, the mutilated wings dissipating to reveal the smaller's scorched back and scraped bones, battered by the trees.

Checking Goth's soul revealed a weak glow, but thankfully no more cracks. 

A twig snapped in the distance, causing Palette's skull to shoot up. In the shadows of the trees stood a dark figure.