AU: Mesmeric Leader (HAHA I'VE THOUGHT OF ANOTHER WAY THAT HYPNO COULD HAVE BEEN A HUGE PROBLEM- You'll read to find out in this one >:3)

Context: As Sabre struggles with the Unnamed's persistence and the stress of his current situation, he goes on a walk to try to relax and calm himself. However, someone was waiting for him to let his guard down...

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[3rd Person POV]

Sabre walked along the village path, attempting to take his mind off... pretty much everything. The Unnamed had become more and more insistent on speaking to Sabre for a reason he didn't know, and it definitely wasn't helping with the situation he was dealing with at the moment. Trying not to look at his corrupted arm, he kept telling himself to stop thinking about Shadow. He just needed a small break to relax, and then he could deal with the problem.

One step after the other, he continued on the looping dirt road, once again passing by the forest nearby. He found it peaceful, especially on nights like these. The soft wind rustled through the leaves, making a pleasant sound. Tracks of small animals like rabbits were left imprinted on the dirt, and flowers sprung up from the grass.

However, as he gazed into the forest, he stopped. There was something odd further into the trees. Something... red? No, there's magenta too...

Suddenly a smiling face leaned out from behind a tree, looking directly at him. A red being with magenta marks and splotches dressed very formally in a deep red coat with off-colored rose gold accents, dress pants, and burgundy shoes that looked much too fancy to be walking around in a forest in. He had numerous pieces of golden jewelry, all with gemstones swirling in crimson and fuchsia colors. A gilded necklace that draped over his front like decorative ribbon, multiple rings on his fingers, dangling earrings that almost touched his shoulders, and a circlet encrusted with what looked like rubies. Something was odd about the stranger's eyes, but Sabre couldn't exactly put a finger on what- ...

Eye contact. A strange feeling instantly washed over him, but it wasn't... unpleasant. It was as if everything else around him had melted away. In fact, so did his stress. He couldn't remember why he had been stressed out in the first place. All that was there was the forest, and the regal stranger.

The being gave a friendly wave, smile growing, then motioned for Sabre to come closer. Walking towards the stranger, Sabre only focused on him, but as he had almost reached him, he suddenly disappeared from behind the tree. Confused, Sabre glanced around before seeing him behind a tree again, further into the forest. When had he moved?

The being motioned for him to move closer again, this time saying something. Sabre was too far to hear him, but he could still understand what he was saying.

"Come on." The stranger mouthed, still beckoning him.

Sabre followed.

As he walked further and further, his surroundings began to change. The leaves of the trees turned a stunning red, accents of some sort of pinkish color visible if the leaves were turned just right. The trees themselves became more curved and twisting, like springs. The sky, while still starry, became a soft coral and rose color, clouds fluffy and a pale pink. Everything seemed to be covered in a comforting, dreamlike haze.

Finally, he reached a clearing, where the mysterious, mesmerizing being stood in the center. His warm smile still on his face, he looked at Sabre with a welcoming joy. When did his arm return to normal?

"There you are. I've been waiting for you." The stranger said, offering a hand. "Come here."

Before even realizing it, Sabre had walked to the odd stranger, stopping in front of him. He stood still as a statue, silent as he continued to gaze into his entrancing eyes.

"Good. You've done well, coming all this way." The stranger grinned. "You don't need to worry anymore, my friend. It's all alright now. There's nothing here that could harm you, or your... friends."

Who?

"Here, let me see your face. I'd like to see who I'm talking to, you know."

He didn't even look away as the stranger reached his hand up to his blindfold, it slipping off and falling to the ground seconds later. The being grinned wider as he got a look at Sabre's eyes, which are a muted red. A ring of magenta takes the place of his pupils, their brightness contrasting their dull background.

"Very good. You've done so well, my friend. You're quite the talented person, hm?" The stranger continues, despite receiving no reply. "Now, if I could..."

The stranger's hand suddenly moves, his fingers pressed against Sabre's temple. Sabre still continues to just stare, his only movement being calm, slow breaths.

"What's been troubling you so, my friend? So tense and fearful, it must be such a difficult struggle for you. What are you afraid of? What are you fighting? It's taken up so much of your thoughts."

He didn't remember why, or what it was. The stranger's eyes darted around as if searching for something, until he stopped just as quickly as he started. Curiosity, then the same warm, comforting smile.

"Ah, I see now. It's never been easy for you, being a soldier in a war you weren't meant to fight. And now, even though it's over, it still chases you. Your enemy faces you, until he is replaced by another, just like before." He says. His fingers move to a different spot on his temple. "This cycle uses all your energy, trying to play a game of endurance. It tires you so... yet you still fight. But you are still so exhausted."

His fingers press on the spot where he placed his hand, and like a switch had been flipped, Sabre suddenly feels drowsy. He sways, his legs threatening to give out from under him, yet he still keeps his eyes focused on the stranger's despite his blurring vision.

"I know how you can escape this cycle, my friend. I know a way you can finally rest." The curious being says, his voice now seeming to echo. "Please, let me help you. Think of it as... your reward for battling the world for so long. All you need to do is look at me..."

The stranger brings his other hand into Sabre's view, his gaze shifting from his eyes to it. He curls his fingers, positioning them to snap.

"Rest now, and sleep well."

Click.

In an instant, Sabre begins to fall, however the stranger quickly and effortlessly catches him, gently lowering him to the ground. Even just a glance confirms that he's fast asleep, already deep within his dreams. The stranger smiles, hovering his hand over him and making a peculiar motion.

Reddish magenta, vine-like objects rise from the ground and bind Sabre's limbs, wrapping around his body as well. The stranger still grins as he stands over him, although now it seems more sinister.

"No harm can come to my people, if everything in the outside world is turned tranquil." He says quietly to himself. "Especially you."

The strange clearing seems to disappear, as do the strange colors of the trees and sky. As the sun begins to rise, any trace of the outlier hero is gone.

Except for the grey blindfold, lost, laying on the forest floor.