Break the cycle

Killer's POV

I sigh to myself to give me some courage today.

I go downstairs to see everyone already waiting for me.

Red : What was taking you so long, Boss ?

Killer : I was verifying the plan one last time. Horror and Dust, you stay together. Red, you will come with me.

Dust says nothing. Like usual, he just glares at me in silence. Horror just nods.

Killer : Ok. Well then, let's go...

I open the portal. I manage to hide my pain. We all go through. I close the portal nearly as soon we all got through.

Dust : Where are we going though, Boss ? You didn't tell us anything.

Horror : Yeah, what are we doing here ?

Killer : We are getting somebody special. Unlike you all, there is a chance to prevent him from unnecessary suffering. Something I couldn't do for you.

They just nod.

Killer : Horror and Dust, you will keep an eye on the village. Please, prevent anyone from coming near the tree on the hill. ... Oh, and if you see a small skeleton with a crown wearing a cape, don't hurt him. I don't really care what you do to the others, but, leave this one alone.

Horror : Ok.

They do as I asked and stop at the base of the hill, looking at the village. Red is walking behind me and I groan from what I see.

I summon some magical knives and shoot them at those damn brats who all scream in pain.

The purple skeleton they were harming jolts and turned to them, then to us while I walked toward them to a faster stead.

Killer : Do you find this funny, you damn brat ? How about I play with you, then ? Let's have some fun ?

They all back away and I walk toward the purple skeleton to look at his injuries. I glare back at them.

Killer : Get out of my sight while I am still being kind.

They don't need me to tell them twice.

Red : You are really going to leave them alone ?

Killer : Yeah. I said it, I don't really care about most people here. Though, judging by the situation... Red, there is a skeleton child going by the name of Dream, he most likely is somewhere in the village. Go find him. I need to talk to him too. I was hoping he would be here, but we got unlucky.

Red : Will you...

Killer : Do you really need to ask ?

Red : ...Tch... Then, I will be back.

He teleports away.

Killer : Now that we are alone...

I see him backing away.

Killer : I won't harm you. And, before you start thinking about nonsense, no, I am not interested in the apples of that tree. What I want is talking to you, your brother and your Mother, Nightmare. Well, especially you, to be frank.

I am pretty sure a sad smile must have escaped me.

Killer : For now, let's heal you. Though you heal faster than a normal monster, this isn't a reason to leave it alone.

I reach my hand toward him, and I see him hesitate, before letting me do.

I heal him and while I was doing so, Red comes back with Dream.

Killer : Oh my, I knew you were fast, but I didn't think it would be that fast. Good job, Red.

He just nods while Dream rushes toward Nightmare when he sees he is injured.

Killer : I will say it in advance, but I am not the one who did it. Nice to meet you, Dream.

Dream : How do you know my name...?

Nightmare : I agree.

Killer : Understandable question. You sit next to your mother. Red, make sure nobody comes to interrupt us, please. Oh, and make sure Dust isn't losing his patience, please.

He nods and goes. I turn toward the twins who already went to their spot under the tree.

Killer : I will begin by introducing myself. The name is Killer. As for how I know you two, this is a long story... Let's just say, I know what is awaiting you two. And I don't want you to walk down that path, because I wish for your happiness.

Nightmare : How are we supposed to believe it ?

Killer : You have no reason to.

He jolts.

Killer : I will be honest, I don't expect anyone to believe me. Not even my team. Because I know they don't remember those things... If I know what is awaiting you, this isn't because I am some kind of prophet. This is because I have lived by the side of a Nightmare for decades. I served under him and I was in the first seat to see everything. If I could forget like everyone else, I would have been grateful for it.

I clutch on my soul. I can still remember all of it so clearly.. why nobody else does...? I feel a hand on my cheek and jolt. Dream looked at me with concern and I noticed I cried.

Killer : Oh, sorry, this isn't the time for it. But, thank you, Dream.

Nightmare : ... In that so-called future, what should be happening ?

Killer : ... The bullying you are going through will continue, until one day, you touch Dream's golden apples and turn them black by accident. This anger the villagers that attempt to kill you. The only way out of it for you being by eating the apples and gaining power... but, the negativity is too much, even for you and you get corrupted by it. Centuries later, you formed a band I was a part of, as the first member and your right-hand. And you tried to get rid of the last golden apple, the soul of Dream.

They both get pale.

Killer : In the end, Dream managed to accept his brother was long dead and killed my Boss. Only one negative apple survived and he takes it back here, to plant that apple alongside his own soul, dying in the process. And, something tells me this isn't the first time nor will it be the last, if we don't do something to change it...

Nightmare : ... There is something I don't get. You don't know "me" but that corrupted version of me, right ? So, why do you seem like you care ?

Killer : ... I wished for my Boss to be happy, but, because he really only was negative, happiness wasn't something he could ever feel again. So, the only way for a Nightmare to be happy is to save you. And...

I look at Dream.

Killer : ... I want to atone too. For all the suffering I inflicted on someone whose pain I should know better than anyone. I don't want you to follow in those footsteps. So, please, give me a chance to prevent it.

They exchange a look.

Nightmare : ... We need to talk about it, including with our Mother.

Killer : I know. I am leaving you to discuss it. ... oh, by the way, eating only one negative apple isn't harmful and would give you new power, Nightmare. Same goes for Dream with the positive apple. Alongside those powers would come the ability to feel people's feelings.

I leave them.