Faded Ink: Chapter 12
Error could only lie down on the white ground of the Anti-Void, his figure flickering with every passing moment. Suddenly, his white surroundings transformed into a chaotic sea of red, filled with scratches and distortions. The sky grew darker the further it stretched into the distance.
"What the-" His exclamation was cut short by the abrupt change.
He stood up and looked around. "What... is this place?"
Before he could finish his thought, text appeared in front of him, interrupting his contemplation. As he read it, he frowned, as if he recognized it.
"Welcome, Error."
"Ugh, what do you want?"
"It's about that humiliating loss you had against the Protector of AUs."
Error's frown deepened, his skeletal eye sockets narrowing as he gritted his teeth. "Why would you remind me of that, huh? I'm leaving. Enjoy yourself."
He turned and opened a glitched portal, but a sudden force grabbed him, preventing his escape.
"HEY! WHAT THE F*CK IS YOUR PROBLEM, HUH?!" he burst out, his voice full of rage. Such outbursts were typical for him, given his unpredictable mood swings.
"Error, your escape attempts are futile. I need you to do something."
Error struggled against the unseen force, his frustration mounting. "And why should I listen to you?" he spat, his voice dripping with defiance. His eyes darted around, searching for any possible way to break free.
The text responded, unyielding. "Because you have no choice. Failure to comply will only lead to further humiliation and confinement."
Error's fists clenched, his whole body trembling with barely contained fury. "Fine," he growled through gritted teeth. "What do you want me to do?"
"Really simple, Error. There are a lot... of flaws in your fighting style."
Error's eyes narrowed further, his teeth grinding audibly. "Flaws? You think you can lecture me on my flaws?"
The text remained unperturbed. "Yes. If you want to avoid another defeat, you'll need to address them. We're going to make you stronger."
Error let out a derisive snort. "And why should I listen?"
"You have no other choice," the text replied. "Now, shall we begin?"
"What will I even do? You just brought me to this... timeline? Ugly too, not even enjoyable to look at-it's just a bloody mess."
The text flickered before responding. "Your task is to train and confront your weaknesses. This place, as unpleasant as it is, will push you to your limits."
Error sighed, exasperated. "Great. Just what I needed."
"Embrace the challenge, Error. It's the only way to ensure you won't face another humiliating defeat."
Error rolled his eyes, but the defiance in his stance softened slightly. "Fine. Let's get this over with."
Suddenly, monsters beyond human comprehension began emerging from the ground.
"WHAT THE HELL-" Error shouted, instinctively pointing at one of them. Red strings shot out from behind him, stabbing the creature.
The text reappeared. "Good. Use your instincts, Error. These creatures will help you identify and overcome your flaws."
Error's rage flared. "ARE YOU KIDDING ME? You throw me into this hellhole and expect me to fight these ugly, pointless things? What's your problem?"
The text remained calm. "Your problem, Error. These battles will make you stronger."
Error continued to argue, his frustration boiling over. "Stronger? This is ridiculous! These monsters are hideous and fighting them is pointless!"
The text flickered ominously. "These monsters will continue to emerge, and they will start to adapt to your fighting style. If you do not improve, they will defeat you."
Error's eyes widened slightly, the reality of the situation sinking in.
He grumbled with a deadpan angry stare,"Adapt? What kind of twisted game is this?"
"One that you must win," the text replied. "Or face endless defeat."
"Shut up, will ya," Error replied annoyed, only to dodge an attack from a fleshy tentacle.
"Hey, don't touch me!" he shouted, his red strings lashing out instinctively to fend off the creature.
The text flickered again. "Focus, Error. These creatures won't wait for you to be ready. Adapt, or be overwhelmed."
Error spent the next hours fighting monsters endlessly. The repetitive action became boring, but he continued nonetheless.
"They're not adapting. What the hell are you talking about?" he muttered, irritation clear in his voice.
"Hm, it seems I've underestimated you," the text responded.
"Heh?! So now you agree?!" Error scoffed, a hint of triumph in his tone.
"Well, fighting-wise, you're still full of flaws. You're only keeping up because of the raw power difference," the text explained.
Error's smirk faded, replaced by a scowl. "Flaws or not, power is what matters. What's your point?"
"My point is that raw power won't always be enough. If you don't refine your skills, you'll eventually meet an opponent who can exploit those flaws, which is something that already happened," the text replied. "These creatures are just the beginning."
Then, the entire world collapsed apart. The Anti-Void created another timeline. As the process unfolded, Error began speaking to it.
"Why even focus on me? Don't I have a job to do, huh? One purposely given to me by you? Also, wouldn't that squid be able to find this place in the meantime of this training?!"
"That is not a concern," the text responded. "I sent a save file to keep that guardian busy."
Error grumbled, crossing his arms. "Great. So while I'm stuck here playing your twisted game, the real work is on hold. Fantastic."
"This training is essential," the text insisted. "Only by overcoming your flaws will you be able to fulfill your purpose effectively."
Error sighed, looking around the newly formed timeline. "Fine. Let's just get this over with. I just want to get away from this."
In the new landscape of the Anti-Void's created timeline, Error faced a relentless onslaught of monstrous creatures. Each one exploited a different flaw in his fighting style, capitalizing on his lack of finesse and strategy.
Error's frustration grew with each battle. His attacks were wild and uncoordinated, often missing their mark or failing to inflict significant damage. The creatures, sensing his weaknesses, adapted quickly, countering his every move with calculated precision.
"No, no, no!" Error shouted in frustration, narrowly dodging a flurry of attacks from a particularly agile creature. His red strings lashed out haphazardly, struggling to keep up with the creature's speed.
The text appeared before him, its words a stark reminder of his shortcomings. "Your impulsive nature leaves you vulnerable, Error."
Error glared at the text, his frustration boiling over. "I don't need your lectures!" he snapped, swatting at the text as if to dispel it. But deep down, he knew it was right, yet, he refused to believe it.
As the battles continued, Error's stubbornness kept him from adapting. He stubbornly clung to his brute force approach, refusing to acknowledge the need for change. The creatures exploited this flaw mercilessly, wearing him down with each encounter.
Days turned into weeks, yet Error remained trapped in the same cycle of frustration and defeat. His attacks grew more desperate, his movements more erratic. The text continued to offer advice, but Error ignored it, convinced that sheer power would eventually prevail.
But the creatures continued to adapt, their attacks becoming more coordinated and relentless. Error found himself cornered more often, barely managing to escape with his life.
One particularly brutal battle left Error sprawled on the ground, breathing heavily as he struggled to get up. The text appeared once more, its tone stern yet concerned. "You cannot continue like this, Error."
Error gritted his teeth, his pride wounded. "I... I won't give up," he muttered defiantly. His mind could not accept the fact that he needed better coordination; he won't give in, be hated everything here, so why should he listen.
Suddenly, a creature attacked his breathing figure, but he catched his neck in time.
"I SAID, DO NOT TOUCH ME." He screamed at the creature, and started wrestling it while choking it.
This will go for a long time.
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