Messengers of Mankind

Pity (3)

"So, your name is George?"

"That would be correct."

George scoffed, eyeing Sapnap in disdain. "And what kind of a name is Sapnap?" He retorted, securing his bow onto his back as he held his gaze.

Sapnap glared at George. "You're treading on dangerous waters here, buddy. I suggest you keep your mouth shut." His words were laced with venom.

George shifted slightly at his spot beside the campfire, impervious to the intense glare Sapnap had him under. "I expected nothing less from a firebender." His reply was light and rather nonchalant, and surprisingly did not reciprocate Sapnap's hatred.

He watched out of the corner of his eyes as his response elicited a wheeze from Dream, who was seated besides him. A small smile curved on his lips - it didn't take an intellectual to guess that Sapnap was fuming at his response.

During George's nearly 5 hours of stay at the two's base, he'd have learnt quite a few things.
One, that the guy named Sapnap was easily set off, especially when it's George that gets on his nerves. Two, the guy named Dream has a dry sense of humor and wheezes like a tea kettle. The third fact, which George deemed to be the most important, stems more from observance than factual information  - something George had picked up almost immediately upon encountering the two. It was their cold and rather unforgiving exterior, terse words, and the stoic composure that gave a sliver of who they are.

The fiery yet bleak light that Sapnap's amber irises held told George that he had gone through hardship and had known pain all too well.

Dream, even with his facial features hidden, emanated a menacing aura. He was not just menacing, but also mildly psychotic. The inhumane abilities he possessed were only contributing to George's fears.

They were reminiscent of the Last Stand. Countless normal and mechanized soldiers had died there. George could still vaguely remember their faces, so bloodthirsty and overcome with vengeance. Dream and Sapnap had the same look about them, though they seem to be less caring for revenge. Though, that doesn't mean that they do not intimidate him. Even when George had gotten to know them beyond their exterior, something about the two still frightened him to the core.

They were not afraid to kill.

The small yet childish argument lasted long into the night, eventually finishing with a spectacular ending of Sapnap's defeat. Dream, having been a spectator the entire time, offered to clean up the base for them as they both were too tired to do so. Laid down in their respective corners, they reminded Dream of two harmless kittens. Though, he knew that the both of them were far from harmless.

"That was amusing, thank you for putting on a show for me." Dream snickered, watching Sapnap polish his flamethrower in a corner of the base. "I have to admit, though, that was the most childish thing you two could have ever done."

"Just shut up, Dream." Sapnap was still fuming, albeit he was giving a light, wry smile.

"Will do." Dream finished what he was doing, proceeding to extinguish the small campfire. They could not afford to leave the fire crackling throughout the night, as the dwindling fire may attract mecha phantoms, or mecha endermen, which is exponentially worse. The humanoid black figures often blend into the night, and were easily agitated by any changes in lighting around them. Not to mention the phantoms - those utterly terrifying flying creatures that somewhat resembled a scorpion were vicious and nocturnal, always hungry for living souls to destroy.

George and Sapnap, overcome with fatigue, had already started to doze off in their respective corners. Settling into a crook of his own under a secure roof of fallen beams and pillars, Dream silently watched their sleeping faces.

The young brunet's pale face was faintly illuminated by the moonlight. His small, pink rimmed mouth was slightly open. His chest rose and fell rhythmically, exuding a sense of peace about him. Long lashes flickered imperceptibly as he dreamt. In his sleep, he looked younger, and more vulnerable. Dream wondered how he had survived this far into this chaotic world.

In comparison, Sapnap's face was a lot more contorted and appeared to always be in a state of exhaustion. His brows were furrowed, and he seemed to be curled up in a fetal position. The flamethrower lay besides him, pristine and as deadly as ever. Though, deep down, Dream knew that Sapnap had never wanted once to use those weapons his very life depended on. He had never once wanted to fight, even though he had no other choice.

Pity bubbled up in waves within Dream's chest. Pity for his two companions, pity for all those who had died, pity for this fragmented world, pity for everything that was supposed to go right.

Yet he doesn't feel pity for himself. His hands traced his chest as a bitter feeling rose up within his heart. He was a monster, a monster made by the very thing he had once dearly loved.

Monsters don't pity themselves. They should not feel for anything.

His calloused fingers repeatedly ran over the four prominent scars on his chest, directly over his heart - the monument of betrayal forever engraved into his flesh.

The hot coals of the dying fire stubbornly refused to smother. The charred branches still glowed a faint orange, emanating slivers of warmth.

Dream subconsciously hovered his gloved, freezing hands over the placid fire. Warmth from the dying embers spreads across his fingertips upon close intact, caressing them with gentle reassurances. He had not remembered the last time he felt so at peace.

Moonlight blanketed the ragged tiles of the crumbling office floor in fragments of shimmering silver. It flickered as clouds danced across the mesmerizing moon. The glowing orb hung over the indigo sky, decorated with thousands of brilliant diamond-like stars.

If only the world could be as peaceful and quiet as the black, velvety night.

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HOLY SHIT - IM SO SORRY THAT I HAVENT UPDATED FOR OVER TWO WEEKS - IM GENUINELY SORRY PLS DONT KILL ME

Anyways this is a bit of a heavy chapt for filler purposes, hope you enjoyyy

(UNEDITED)

Published Aug 22th.