Oneiro and Hearth (Traveller) finally have some clue where Karma is but that is only the start of the road to recovery

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This chapter was created together with Firehedgehog.

I had loads of fun writing this with them and it turned out much longer than expected. Enjoy! 😸

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Between Omniverse

He floated in the between silently, staring at an Omniverse door.

Chains crackling with malevolent power held it closed, Hearth touched the door not hissing or drawing away his hands as they burned from it actually being too cold.

He could feel Karma beyond it, his little brother, his soulchild was there.

"Someone.. is playing games" Hearth hissed angrily, his eyes glowed deathly blue. His fingers dug into the door cracks growing from the moment, he pulled back his hands healing damage as they did.

He watched as the damage he'd caused to the door smooth over, he smiled nastily and held up his hand containing a spark of power.

"I knew I recognized this power, did you really think I didn't recognize the scent of your power contained in Chaos in 404" Hearth told them speck of power, he knew they heard him as he was holding part of their power "Or that it once covered Karma"

There was a feeling of pure rage.

"You and your sick games, my brother is not a toy in your sick game of reincarnation" he said.

There was a feeling of taunting, after he was just a powerful mortal.

Chaos was nothing to them, Hearth was nothing.

"Sounds like you're trying to convince yourself, but now I have enough of your power to sniff you out once Karma is safe you Brat" Hearth snarled and crushed the speck of power.

"Death comes for you FATE"

He knew that the deity heard him.

First find Oneiro, as Karma would definitely need his families love once he was freed.

Still.. he hoped Nix was near Karma.

"No one will be able to play this again" he grumbled, as that piece of crap must have done something to make Karma not call him as he had with 404.

"Hold on Nebula"

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Door to Sealed Multiverses

"Can you get in?" Hearth asked Oneiro curious, he had found his co-parent who had been relieved to see him.

"No~" Oneiro said voice laden with anger, at how someone dared to do this to Karma.

"I... have a way in, but I can't bring anyone else or it will kill them" Hearth told Oneiro, who still looked ready to come anyway "But we need others help, we'll need to keep the attention of that thing so it doesn't spot me"

At that moment a portal opened and an Error dragged a Cross through a portal.

Moments later another Ink and Error appeared, ah.. that must be Pale and his counterpart.

Oneiro had called the Calvary in.

"I was unable to bring more as it seems some monsters are being affected by whatever this is.~" Oneiro said sourly at the low turnout, his eyelights flashing with displeasure as another thing messed with his child.

He himself had been dealing with odd headaches as well and his brother had passed out nearly a week ago with no signs of awakening but he refused to give in to this paltry pain, not when his child was in danger.

He had been having odd flashes of memory with his child in them but they felt off somehow, unsure what the latest thing had done to his child to make this possible.

"I got stuck in a small loop Oneiro, my last contact from everyone was sending you those pictures from the island. Thankfully The island is time paradox free...." Hearth said troubled, he felt so very stressed.

And why was that Cross looking at him like he was an ultimate evil?

"They talk to the crazed one as equals. Karmas 'brother' truly is-*ugh*." X's mini psychotic breakdown was interrupted by Nova tightening the strings around them in silent reprimand, the Cross type in near tears while their mind broke further at being near so many scary monsters.

He had quickly looked away from Hearth when the Code kept spitting out more scary facts about them, never more scared of The Devils coding edits then right now.

Oneiro ignored X and trusted Nova to deal with their 'pet', not in the mood to deal with them right now.

"I haven't been able to call or reach Karma at all. The Bitties that were supposed to be with Karma I found back in my AU a few days ago but zero traces of the babybones.~" That had been the most disturbing part and was unable to ask the Bitties for help due to them still being passed out.

"Did you want to drop the bitties at my place, I... apparently now have a bitty world in a room after my loop?" he offered, if he wasn't so over stressed he would have likely offered the poor Cross hot chocolate to calm him down.

Once Karma was safe and healthy in all ways, he'd ask to meet everyone properly. He should have done it ages ago, especially as there.. well he guessed family friends?

"It would probably be best. I don't really have the facilities to care for them.~" Oneiro was pretty much carrying the Bitties with him at all times, wary of leaving them with anyone considering how much Karma adored the little monsters.

He was frustrated at how little he could actually do here, hissing when another spike of pain went through his skull and very confused by the odd memories that made zero sense.

"Nix is also missing. Do you think perhaps..?~" He couldn't finish his sentence, a part of him hoped the familiar was with Karma but didn't want that bit of hope to be extinguished.

These past few months had been rough and being unable to communicate with Hearth until a few hours ago had hardly helped matters.

"I can feel them very agitated, but unlike with Chaos and 404 I can no longer guide or see through his eyes" Hearth said making a face "But... from the general feel I think he'd managed to be near Karma briefly in this time mess"

"My parental bond with Karma is practically dead. Even your brief connection with Nix is better than what I can get.~" Oneiros muttered darkly while his wings sparked with magic, his patience held on by a mere thread.

He doubted he would be able to even follow Hearth, his headaches getting more frequent and unsure how helpful he could be.

"Let me help you" Hearth said turning, he floated up and placed a hand on Oneiros forehead and gently trickled magic a certain way to release the pressure caused by the paradoxes building up.

"Does that help Oneiro? And do you think anyone else needs it.. we need everyone as healthy as possible?" he asked worriedly.

Oneiros wings relaxed as the tension in his skull quietened down, reaching into his pocket and carefully holding out the unconscious Bitties to Hearth.

"My brother is pretty much in a coma but no one else here seems to be affected.~" He said after a brief scan of his magic on the other monsters, X's mental breakdown was pretty much the norm so was easily ignored.

He darkly wondered how long this torment would last, unable to contact certain monsters since Karma vanished but not having the time to physically go and see them.

This was by far the worst incident to happen so far to his child, able to feel a foreboding sense in the air as if something was watching and laughing at their anguish.

Gently Hearth took the bitties, they were in bad shape.

Too much AntiVoid, was that a dash of Void and so much time power paradox around them it was amazing they hadnt dusted. His mouth tightened a bit, if they were like this.. what about Karma.

Carefully he reached out and started healing them, gently pulling the conflicting magic from their tiny bodies.

"Is it safe for your brother to wait to wake up... he is your sibling and Karma's Uncle, the more we have the better?" He asked, eyes on the bitties as they began to stir.

"Ordeal was stable the last time I saw him and the twin bond between us is alive but I am very hesitant to move him.~" Oneiro was sending most of his magic through the bond to help his twin, a rarely used bond but one he was glad that was still strong even after so many years.

He gently pet the Bitties skulls, sensing their confusion when they woke up but was relieved they all had survived.

"Would you mind checking him over? He is in the AU you stayed in when we last searched for Karma.~" It was depressing to realise how often Karma went missing, cursing the Deities for refusing to leave his child be.

"Of course, while I do that, take these little ones to my home. Call for Sora when you get there, he'll respond and lead you to where Karmas friends can rest" Hearth said gently placing the Bitties back in Oneiro's hands.

Ordeal must be bad, if even Oneiro was this concerned.

"Thank you, Hearth. I will do that.~" Oneiro gently held the Bitties closer to his chest, making sure they were secure before opening a portal to Hearths island.

"Stay here and make sure no one does anything stupid.~" His gaze landed on Pale, truly the only one he trusted to keep the rest of the monsters inline, soothed by their easy agreement.

He truly wondering if Nova had broken X though, especially with how the Cross type was still muttering to themself on the ground and praying of all things.

"You must be Pale, I'll speak to you when I get back.. Karma talks of you all the time" Hearth said with a tired smile, then vanished to the sound of a door closing aiming to Ordeals exact location. His wings bristled at how off everything felt, FATES magic felt rancid. It was definitely them, he'd had to remove it from Karma and Oneiro in the past.

Not that he'd ever tell Oneiro FATE had tried to control him, Oneiros sanity was not the best sometimes.

Between Omniverses

While Hearth helped Ordeal, Oneiro was walking through a place that had become a safe place for not only Karma but him as well but right now it felt empty without the babybones.

He walked down the halls and relied on his senses to pinpoint where the other Bitties would be, somehow unsurprised that Hearth acquired a whole Bitty colony since they last met.

He didn't like how quiet the three Bitties in his hands were though, only able to get a few words from the one named Blot but it was all nonsensical to him.

He would have worried they had died if he couldn't feel them breathing, doing his best to use his magic to soothe the tiny monsters.

"Are you Oneiro?" A tiny voice peeped from the floor.

Oneiro looked down and spotted a Blue bitty, crouching down and letting the three Bitties in his hands to see clearly.

"I am. I assume you are Sora?~" He said softly, pleased Karmas Bitties seemed a bit more lively seeing another of their kind.

"Yes I am, Hearth mentioned you and his son Karma.. Follow me, our door is down this way and we even have a hospital and hotels they can rest in depending on how they are" Sora said, then zoomed down the hallway at startling speeds.

Oneiro was rather surprised at how quick the tiny monster was and just about kept up with them, carefully pushing open the door they stopped at.

"Hearth really did downplay how much they created.~" He sighed at the mini city in front of him, crouching down to let the three Bitties down and confused when they clung tight to his fingers.

"..are you going to find, Karma?" Sunny asked cautiously, body slightly trembling from the past memories and absolutely terrified for the babybones being all alone.

"Of course I will. I won't stop until I find him.~" Oneiro promised, lightly petting their back when the Dream Bitty began to tear up.

"Come on, you three need rest and sleep. Mr Oneiro and Hearth will get Karma back before you know it! Hearth built this for us when he didn't have to.. if he can do that getting his kid back is a snap" Sora cheered, Ambulances drove up fully functioning and bitty sized.

Blot and Azure looked at Sunny to decide on what to do next, the three holding onto each other tightly since they woke up from their 'nap'.

Sunny reluctantly stepped off Oneiros hands, feeling slightly wobbly with the three soon herded to the Ambulances.

"They just woke up after a month of inactivity. Hearth healed what they could.~" Oneiro addressed Sora, not needing to say out loud that the Bitties mind, might be an entirely different matter.

"Don't worry we'll take care of them, you go save Karma" Sora promised softly.

"I'll trust them in your care then.~" Oneiro said softly before standing up and preparing to leave, actually seeing the large set up Hearth created for the Bitties greatly helping to remove another stress from his mind.

"Kick whoever's faults butt!" Sora called as he left the room.

"Oh I will.~" Oneiro muttered darkly before disappearing in a flash, not wanting to waste anymore time in finding his child.

Door to Sealed Multiverses

"Are you sure you are up to this Ordeal, while I've healed you you're still not in the best condition and won't be till FATES stopped?" Hearth asked as he got Ordeal to sit down in a chair, he's created it with Creative magic as the man was still so tired.

Pale was giving the chair looks, like he wondered if he could eat the magic?

Pale was using great self control not to eat Hearths magic, Template having made sure to bring small items for Pale to snack on as they had expected this to happen.

"I'm not leaving. I might not be able to do much but I want to see this through." Ordeal said determined to be here even if his limbs were slightly shaking, feeling Oneiro trickle some magic through their bond.

"Here.. eat this, I usually have food on me" Hearth said giving him some sandwiches, once Ordeal was settled he headed to Pale and Template.

"Hello I'm Hearth, you may have heard of myself from Oneiro. You are Pale and Template?" He inquired to be polite.

"That is correct! I am the fearless Template! Villains tremble before my might and fair maidens swoon at my manly good looks-"

"You are Karmas brother. He says good things about you." Pale uncaringly spoke over Template, his words blunt but lacking any malice while examining Hearth.

"He told me good things about yourself too, he told me about your magical dependency for emotions. But I felt your bond, its quite sweet." Hearth grinned, it wasn't as strong as Oneiro's or his own but it was a family type bond.. almost like an uncle.

"He is mine and I will do anything for them. You are very acceptable and I wouldn't mind getting to know you better for their sake." Pale said seriously, eyelights currently a deep pink and mentally approving of Karma picking another powerful monster.

"You really need to watch your word choice, Pale. You are coming across a tad unhinged there, buddy." Template lightly teased Pale, sighing when he was given an uncomprehending look and unsure why he kept trying.

"What are you talking about Template, he seems rather calm for his type?" Hearth asked bewildered, Pale was rather chill and cheerful compared to the other versions of there type he'd met.

Template was a tad speechless at that claim, looking back at Pale that was somehow looking smug despite their expression not changing a bit.

"He doesn't like to travel to other multiverses that are like ours. He gets scared." Pale said blandly, ignoring Templates whining of 'it's creepy to see another me!'

"Ah.. when jumping multiverses and Omniverses that can be an issue with so many about" Hearth said nodding "But I was wondering if you needed a boost of a lot of magic before you guys start harassing FATE?"

"I wouldn't say no to a boost." Pale admitted without shame, not one to turn down something that would give him an edge and also having a chance to sample their magic.

A monsters magic said a lot about them and it was the best way he used to get to know other monsters, talking a much harder endeavour for him.

"Maybe a small one." Template was far more cautious but had been constantly having to use his magic to help Pale stay calm once they realised the bond with Karma was quiet.

He shivered in remembrance at how Pale nearly ate their whole multiverse in their panic, hoping to never witness that again.

Hearth dug through his item space and pulled out two slightly large rainbow marbles like items that kept shifting colours, years ago he'd been playing around and found out how to crystalize magic into physical forms. This was before he figured out how to create his gifts he left for others, he'd made these ones a few months ago his own personal timeline as they were a good way to store mass amounts of magic.

He was planning to use marbles like this to make more powerful wards and ward stones.

This, was a very good use for them also.

"Try not to swallow them whole, unless its a miracle as there is a lot in them" Hearth said.

Template began to quietly mutter and gush over the new thing, his mind already going through the calculations to make such an item.

Pale gave a simple nod to the instructions and was able to feel the sheer amount of magic in such a deceptively small item, chipping off a small bit with his teeth.

He felt an instant boost of magic, his eyelights flashing a rainbow colour and very much approving of this strange energy source.

"No weirdness?" Hearth asked "I'm only used to giving my magic to Karma"

"Feels like I just ate a copy of myself. Very filling." Pale hummed in approval at the burst of energy, a rare thing to have as his type were a bit hard to catch.

"...what am I listening to right now?" Ordeal whispered in slight horror and staring at Pale with growing wariness, feeling much more alive after eating Hearths food.

He would have thought dealing with the creepy Eclipse was bad enough but to learn cannibalism wasn't as rare as he thought was not a great discovery.

"Don't worry, brother, Pale knows better than to try. Karma is their priority after all and my kid likes you.~" Oneiro reassured Ordeal, once again oblivious to how his words did not help as much as he thought they would.

"I'll give you my phone number later, crystalized magic is easy enough to make and I'd rather have you fully powered up for Karma once he's safe" Hearth responded, ignoring the eat themselves remarks.

Everyone had their own little quirks.

He said a polite goodbye and went to meet the bored Error, who was keeping the Cross from running away.

"The evil approaches, there is no rest for-" X's unhinged rambling was cut off as Nova tightened the strings again, whimpering at the annoyed look he received from The Devil himself.

"Pets can be so hard to train." Nova grumbled in irritation, eyelights flashing when Hearth came closer and looking more alert.

"Do you want me to check his head... he'll be no use in that state?" Hearth asked frowning.

"You think you can fix it? It wasn't particularly smart when I got it and it seems to have gotten worse." Nova said sceptically and lifted X up by the back of their clothes to face Hearth, very much treating them like a misbehaving pet.

Hearth walked over and gently touched X's skull.

"Too many conflicts little one, There was too much damage even before you left the nest." Hearth said frowning, as something had broken in X long before Oneiro met them. He would still have words with Oneiro later, in private as X could barely think properly.

"It's broken?" Nova wasn't particularly surprised as most Cross types were never exactly stable, this one sadly having been the most promising one he had found to babysit Karma.

He had always wondered why his Code edits hadn't been accepted as easily as he expected, betting it was the irritating XGaster that caused most of the issues.

"A tiny bit of core Code cracked, what's your name, little one?" Hearth asked X softly.

X flinched at the question, his mouth opening and closing repeatedly but unable to let out a sound, the seemingly simple question making his mind spin in many directions and letting out a whimper as his head hurt.

"Nothing clear in their Code. Their CHECK is also blank on that front too." Nova spoke up when he saw X go into one of their usual spirals, not having thought much on the way X's CHECK flickered at times but if their Code was cracking it did make more sense.

"Little one.. would you like to fly, guide the way like one of Deaths birds" he whispered soothing the others mind, he needed the Cross to think this clearly.

"..will I be free? It won't hurt anymore?" X whispered hopefully, his thoughts calm for the first time in years and fearing going back into the darkness of his mind again.

"I can use a guide to fly ahead, what follows that will be your choice..." Hearth asked eyes glowing deathly blue, the full offer in X's mind.

"Yes." X whispered with eye lights full of conviction, his mind rejoicing at the offer and latching onto it with his whole essence.

"Close your eyes, and fly Thanatos" Hearth whispered voice vibrating with power, as he was literally changing someone's existence.

There was a press of power and light exploded, black light at that.

When it faded X was gone but a blacker than night crow was on his shoulder one eye a shifting rainbow the other deathly blue.

The newly formed crow let out an echoey caw into the air, the unearthly sound oddly comforting the surrounding monsters, his beak soon rubbing against Hearths skull in clear affection.

"You truly are full of surprises.~" Oneiro sighed softly as he observed what used to be X but his mind was still mainly focused on Karma, moving his hand to help close Ordeals dropped jaw.

"What.. never saw someone use extinct magic before?" Hearth smirked, rubbing the feather on his new familiars chest, Thanatos mind was healed and thinking properly now. There wouldn't be old age for this bird.

"You never said he could do that!" Ordeal hissed to his brother who he could see wanted to laugh at him, making sure to keep his twin between him and the very unsettling monster called 'Pale'.

"It's impressive, isn't it?~" Oneiro enjoyed watching what Hearth could do, mouth twitching when Ordeal let out a sound like they were in pain.

Thanatos playfully nipped at Hearths fingers, feathers fluffing up when he looked at Oneiro and Nova.

Hearth gave Oneiro a look, a look that said there would be..talks.

Oneiros wings shifted at the look, knowing he wouldn't be getting out of that and very much not looking forward to it.

The last talk had lasted for literal days, just knowing this would be even longer.

A very smug smile grew on Hearths face at the shift, there would be no escape.

'What an absolutely terrifying monster.' Ordeal thought, his opinion of Hearth very much unchanging after their first interaction and firmly put them into the 'dangerous' category in his mind.

"Are we ready to start?" Pale spoke up and ignored the odd tension in the air, creating a ball of ink in his hand that formed spikes.

"We are, just remember not to come near me as I shift power types to get in. It will kill any of you, well except Thanatos" Hearth said walking to the Gate.

Oneiros wings sparked heavily with magic, the other monsters in the area also tensing up in preparation but all making sure to keep a healthy gap between them and Hearth.

"Have fun, after all its not often you get to destroy a mass of multiverses in a raid" Hearth said, then an insane amount of death power filled the area. It was so heavy and thick they could not see Hearth nor Thanatos, there was a disturbing sound of chains.

Even Pale shivered.

Then it was gone and so was Hearth and his new familiar.

The Gate was blackened and covered with frost.

"Let's not waste this chance. Everyone prepare to be the most irritating distraction in history.~" Oneiro grinned with far too many teeth, Nova cackling madly in the background as they let their magic loose and ready to destroy everything in their path.

The powerhouses were off, the sight of so many powerful monsters working together a terrifying sight and one that would be talked about for years to come.

In the Paradox

%@£** multiverse

Nix shivered as he saw the walls gain cracks, trying to cover the shivering babybones as much as he could with his fluff, too stressed to even hiss when 404 held them closer to his chest along with Karma, having gathered they were in some unnatural paradox with how sane 404 was right now.

Suddenly the very air seemed to rattle, a strange disquieting cold settled in the air as chains were heard. Well, disquieting to anyone not Nix nor Karma.

Karma whimpered as FATES taunting never ended, her voice constantly in his mind and whispering promises that he knew weren't idle threats.

He hid his face in 404s chest and felt he could no longer trust his senses to be accurate, his mind a mess of thoughts and feeling himself spiral again.

He was scared to feel hope again, his SOUL heavy with fear and trembling heavily in the adult monsters arms.

Suddenly a birds cry filled the air, the bird seemed to appear from nowhere and landed nearby and stared at him with their mismatched eyes.

404 felt a shiver go down his spine at spotting the odd bird, the babybones truly attracting the weirdest attention but could see the familiar looked calmer now.

Karma sniffled and tearily looked at the crow sitting on the table only after much encouragement from Nix the rainbow eye it sported instantly catching his attention.

Nix meowed insistently at the babybones, rubbing his face against Karma when they started to zone out again, fearing they would hide back in their mind again.

At that moment the air/sky went black, black freezing cold mist began to appear everywhere.

The crow cawed as footsteps were heard, in the distance a figure in wispy black robes floating and swirling around them was heading their way. Silver chains seemed to hold the robes together, a deep hood keeping their face hidden from view. Wings were spread behind him, but it was too dark to make out colours.

Their feet were strangely bare, revealing they were a skeleton monster small from their size.

In their right hand was a long slender scythe of obsidian coloured wood for the handle, the metal piece was blacker than black.

Nix perked up at sensing their previous bigger self, the walls of the room seeming to disintegrate into nothing but the void cat didn't fear, knowing the magic causing it was far different to the crazed Deity.

The magic was cold and heavy to those not under Hearths protection but to the familiar and babybones it was like a comforting blanket being draped over them, knowing nothing would harm them.

"W-Who?" 404 stuttered in fear but didn't stop holding the babybones and cat, unsure if this was an enemy or not and refusing to let them be harmed.

"Nebula..." came Hearths echo like voice, Thanatos flew into the air and landed on his persons shoulder shifting their hood allowing two glowing ever changing rainbow eyes edged in deathly blue.

"Brother...?" Karma whispered uncertainty, cautiously looking over and wondering if he was losing his mind.

"You came..?" He whispered with a heart breaking amount of hope but too scared to reach out in case it was a cruel illusion.

Hearth stopped in front of Karma, gently taking them from 404.

"Even FATE nor FATE breaking time will keep me away my little star" Hearth promised, glowing tears slipping down his face. He stared at 404, daring them to try to take Karma back.

The babybones silently cried into brothers neck and held onto them tightly as if afraid they were about to disappear, his body trembling from all the pent up emotions he had tried to bury down over the last few months years, he had been here for so very long and he was so tired of it all.

404 raised his hands in silent submission, knowing better than to try anything and tried to suppress a shiver at the intimidating look in their eyes.

Nix had quickly jumped out of 404s arms and was rubbing himself against Hearths legs, greatly relieved they had found them.

"I'm sorry I'm late, I got stuck in a loop here. Everyone else is distracting FATE.. but little one.. you are not well" Hearth said kissing their skull.

"I c-couldn't get o-out of the RESETS. I c-could o-only help the Bitties. I thought y-you all forgot me. It hurt, brother. Karma shakily whimpered, the time he had been forced to spend in a constant loop felt endless, a new wave of tears coming on and the cracks in his mind slowly widening.

"No... we never forgot us, everyone is outside. Oneiro, Pale, Template. Ordeal, Nova and this Crow Thanatos.. this is X. There is even more outside and many are in bad shape due to Fate. She did a strike across the board" Hearth said rocking them. His eyes softened infinitely sad, an idea came to him. Body would be easy to heal, but mind.. no.

"Rest within my mind and dreams, Karma" he said kissing their skull again, and sealed his child within himself there mindscape.

A door made of Ebony and Ivory stonework glowed in his SOUL, with glittering rainbow stars engraved upon it. From its sides were great stone wings, one of each stone type looking as if they were about to fully open to flight.

The currently death heavy Hearth now looked at 404.

404 was unsure how he was still standing right now, the magic coming from the new monster heavy in the air and lost on what he just witnessed.

His eyelights flickered in uncertainty when they observed him, fingers clenching at his side in anxiety.

"Death is not suppose to claim the some being twice, so choices choices" the deathified Hearth said seriously.

"What choice?" 404 asked carefully while shifting in unease, puzzled on what they were saying.

A deep buried part of him knew they spoke the truth, flashes of madness flickered in his mind before vanishing just as fast, shivering at the terrifying images.

"For now... sleep" Hearth said taking 404's SOUL, he'd decide what to do once Karma had recovered.

"Thanatos, let's find FATE now" he told his crow, who cawed and took to the air.

Mental Landscape

"Wakey Wakey Eggs and Bacay!"

*Slap*

"Ow"

"It didn't even hurt you big baby, Palette this is our mindscape"

"Gothy is mean"

Karma had felt like he haf walked through the odd stone structure for hours and yet he didn't feel tired at all, feeling as if his mind grew lighter the longer he walked.

He paused when he heard other voices, cautiously peaking through an open door and tensing when he spotted the two monsters.

His wings fluttered anxiously behind him, doubt creeping in his mind again and wondering what he was seeing was even real.

"Palette, sometimes I know you're related to an Ink. You woke his mind, but woke him elsewhere!" Goth hissed.

"Karma will be fine Gothy! He's our nebula" Palette said a bit embarrassed, he gave a breakfast wakeup without making sure Karma was at the core of their mindscape castle.

"Our soulchild has never seen us as anything but Hearth and the Traveller" Goth pointed out.

"..brother?" Karma whispered timidly, observing the two monsters chatting in confusion and tensing up when they looked over.

Maybe he had finally lost his mind, trying not to cry at feeling lost yet again, his eyelight dimming with his mix of emotions.

For a moment the representatives of Hearth blinked, there eyes shifting there familiar star shaped rainbow briefly.

"Karma!" Palette said happily, he would have run over and bombarded there child with hugs if Goth, the one in common sense, didn't hold them back.

"Welcome to our mindscape sweetsoul" Goth said softly.

Karma looked very unsure, not moving from his spot and even seemed to be considering whether to turn around and pretend he hadn't seen them.

"Not her again? Not another trick?" He mumbled to himself anxiously but was clearly heard by the other two, looking at the two representations of Hearth like they were ghosts.

"Your mind was in a bad place, so to keep you safe we.. kind of sealed you inside our mind and soul" Goth said a bit embarrassed "FATE can't exactly get to you when your sealed within us"

"If Gothy seems a bit distracted, is that he's mostly in charge of the body as its in full death mode and hunting down FATE with our new familiar," Palette explained.

Karma looked briefly confused by the words before a very thoughtful expression came over his face, almost like a light bulb moment.

"...brother is pregnant with me, then?" He said as if having an epiphany, looking more reassured at his conclusion and feeling less wary at the situation.

"We are not pregnant!!! Your sealed sealed" Goth squeaked blushing heavily.

"Ah ha ha ha" Palette said, looking ready to flee.

Karma was not easily dissuaded from his conclusion and their words were quickly ignored but was now looking far more willing to enter the room and explore now that he fully 'understood' the situation.

Goth was still a blushing mess as he did, but Palette was pointing things out.

"That's the core of the mindscape, it looks like a throne with a sleeping version of our Hearth self" Palette said pointing to where 'Hearth' was.

"You can see the outside by touching the throne, we can see and do things outside without it" Goth finally said, feeling the 'Pregnancy' would haunt them.

"Why are they napping?" Karma curiously tugged 'Hearths' sleeve and watched how they didn't move an inch, still looking to be asleep.

His curiosity soon switched to other parts of the room, the ornate carvings in the wall and the high vaulted ceilings truly catching his attention.

The babybones was still slightly cautious but grew more confident as he touched all the shiny things, contemplatively eyeing a gem in the door and wondering if he could obtain it.

"He's napping because our body is awake, if we're fully asleep we can be Hearth here if you want. But when we're awake, this part of ourselves sleeps" Goth giggled.

"Your still brother though. It doesn't make any difference to me." Karma said simply as if that was all there was to it, more comfortable now that he knew this wasn't another 'game' by FATE.

"Are there more shiny things here?" He grabbed Palette and Goths hands when he walked past them, pulling them along to 'explore', just like he would do with Hearth in the real world.

"This is a place between our mind and dreams, we can have as many shiny things we want. Mind you, if you want to have it real time you can ask us to create it" Palette explained.

"Can you make other things as well?" Karma asked in curiosity and clearly trying to distract himself from the bad memories, his grip on the two tight as if afraid they may vanish.

There was a slight tremble to his wings, a part of him still deeply afraid of being alone again.

Goth reached over and picked him up, nuzzling them.

"Pretty much anything, but they are not real. Once your healthy enough to unseal, we'll teach you how to reach your own mind place. Some books call it a mindpalace or soulrealm" Palette grinned.

Karma clung to Goth as soon as he was picked up, nuzzling into them and letting out a quiet purr at the familiarity.

"I'd like that." He said quietly, body far less tense as he was carried and shown other interesting rooms.

"Did you want to see what we're doing real time? Mind you right now it's pretty dull. As we're flying between layers of reality towards where we feel FATE is" Goth said.

"FATES about to be curb stomped" Goth sniffed nuzzling Karma again.

"Want to see." Karma mumbled after a few minutes but tightened his hold to show he did not want to be put down.

"We'll have to use the throne since your not part of us" Goth said and they walked back to that room "Just touch Hearth or the throne and concentrate on seeing through our eyes"

Karma reached over to the throne, closing his eyes and trying to follow Goths instructions.

The black behind his eyes soon melted away to bright colours, holding in a gasp at what he saw.

Hearth was flying in what seemed to be energy, lightning like power seemed to be striking towards him before washing over him. He could even feel the tingles of power over Hearths wings.

"Cawwww" Thanatos cried flying beside him, a strange black aura around the bird familiar there cry echoey.

'Pretty.' Karma thought in awe, almost able to feel the feathers on Hearths wings as if they were his own, almost getting lost in the sight and feelings.

A Scream of Rage was heard, FATES.

Goth pulled him back "What did you think?"

"I liked it. It felt freeing....is she actually gone now? She won't find me again?" Karma whispered hopefully, almost scared to talk louder despite knowing this place was as private as you could get.

"Almost, we're fighting her defences now.. she'll be gone soon"

Karma buried his face into Goths clothes in response, feeling himself tear up again and just wanting to feel normal.

"Cuddles..?" He whispered hopefully, not in the mood to explore anymore and wanting to enjoy the comfort of being near someone familiar.

"Of course love" Goth said creating a plush loveseat, soon all three of them was cuddling on it covered by the blankets.

Karma cuddled up to the two monsters, happily settling in between them and quickly dozing off, steadily purring while sleepily holding onto the two.

It was better for Karma to sleep through the battle anyway.

------

Deities Realm

Hearth felt reality shatter around him as he finally broke into the place FATE was settled, while mortals only death with the non physical versions the Deities actually had a living body.

DESTINY giggled when Hearth finally arrived just like she had predicted, watching as they stormed through in the direction FATE was and looked forward to the downfall of her sister.

A singular eye looked in her direction briefly, specks of Orange and Celestial.

Choice always knew the choices made.

DESTINY only smiled, her laughter ringing out like a death keel as Hearth walked past, the choice to stand aside and let it happen made long ago.

"Hello FATE" Hearth said as he finally came across the being that lived off the suffering of Karma and others.

"You! You took them from me. They were mine long before you stole them from me. My toy. My entertainment! MINE!" FATE spat out with pure venom, unable to feel the little god anymore and just knew this monster was to blame.

She glared hatefully at the anomaly, the thing that had taken the longest lasting toy from her and all she could feel for them was pure hatred.

*"You made so many choices, horrible ones. Deities are not supposed to torment mortals" Hearth said walking towards her taking in their more mortal like body. Death still swirled around him, the chains of the end clinking as he moved.

FATE scoffed, not taking their words seriously or even seeing anything wrong with what they did.

"It was hardly torment. Just a fun little game. There is no need to be dramatic." FATE truly thought mortals blew things out of proportion and was only having a little fun.

"Did... you ever look at who I am.. what I represent?" he asked curious, voice a bit off.

Strange, had she not noticed the trial. His eyes flared Orange.

"I don't pay attention to every little thing mortals get up to." FATE said dismissively, having spent the past millennia mainly focusing on her longest lasting toy and what other fun she could have with them.

"Your an idiot, an absolute idiot" Infernal said taking over in disbelief, how could she not notice the 'mortal' Hearth was in the trials to become the Greater God of Choice which Deities were lower of. Choice magic and trials were quite noticeable after all.

FATE sneered at the speck daring to challenge her, annoyed her entertainment had been snatched from her.

"Just give me back the little god and I will graciously forget all of this. Seems like a fair deal, right?" She stated more than asked, clearly expecting to be obeyed and not even able to conceive the possibility she would not be.

'There a moron' Hearth thought in disbelief, feeling the aspects of Infernal and Celestial being pissed at FATE.

He was so much aware of them, even though Infernal had blocked out some of what they said.

Something of a trial, stars darn it... he was finally aware of them after they met Sora but he wanted to know more.

"That, will not happen you hag" he said, politeness long gone.

"I wasn't asking, flea!" FATE screeched in pure venom with her hands turning to claws, her features turning ugly and showing the true corruption beneath the pretty veneer.

"Who said you could you brain dead idiot" Hearth said suddenly face to face with her, his hand thrust through her chest around her soul.

"LET GO! Don't touch that! It's not supposed to go like this." FATE tried to claw at Hearths arm with animal-like desperation but it caused no damage, no matter how much power the Deity put into the action.

His other arm reached up and pulled her head close, so they were face to face.

"There is a reason why Deities make sure there creators don't make Reapers too strong you know anymore, thing is... my multiverse was eons and eons before that. They were too strong and even their children were too strong, strong enough to reap higher Deities. We could even stop there souls from returning to the OverRealm" he cooed sweetly into her ear.

"What are you?!" FATE hissed but there was a slight tremble in her voice, finally realising that she may be in front of someone far above her.

"Your Death.. the end, The Traveller... but to you I'm Nebulas big brother and now soul parent" he cooed.

"No...NO! I refuse. Let me go!" FATE sounded more like a screeching animal that knew it was moments from its death, her scrambling increasing but unable to budge from the hold from the demon.

Her sister had warned her her time would come, a brief pang of regret flowing through her for not listening centuries ago.

HIs eyes flares, and infinite power of choices looked into get "I am what can be...will be.. the final choice you made brought me here"

"It was just one mortal! They are nothing!" FATE pleaded near desperately while he fought to get free, shivering as Hearths power brushed over her.

"They say the choice one makes you, but these choices unmake you" he told her, and ripped out her SOUL not even caring at the shock she felt. He wondered if she would survive, some survived after their SOUL was taken at her level for a few minutes.

FATES body felt like a live wire, stumbling and falling to her knees, gasping as if trying to get a breath in.

"G-give it b-back.." She whimpered, weakly clawing at the ground and feeling her body breakdown.

"Did they ever tell you how we can keep you from returning, even back to the sea of SOULS?" he asked her, staring at her SOUL in his hand.

"Give it back..give it back." FATES words were like a broken record and growing weaker by the second, her eyes stuck on where her SOUL was held in Hearths hand.

"Why should I give you mercy, when you gave Karma and none of his reincarnations mercy" Hearth said coldly, his face was empty of mercy "After all, your power will make help heal Karma"

*Crunch*

It was maddeningly loud as he bit into her SOUL, and began to eat it somehow without shattering it.

FATES cries rang out, a clear warning to every other Deity but none truly mourned, DESTINY'S laughter tinkling like bells when silence came over the space.

"I'd say go to hell, but there's not enough of you to go there" Hearth said swallowing the nasty pieces of SOUL, really hoping he never had to eat a SOUL again.

The other Deity's quickly went on with their day, most avoiding the room the cries had come from, apart from a few curious SOULS that peaked in before quickly running away when spotted.

DESTINY hummed a happy tune to herself while walking the gardens, her eyes flashing with many possibilities and knowing the spots recently 'vacated' would need to be filled, curious what the future would now hold without FATE choking all the possibilities.

"Any last words?" Hearth asked as FATE died.

"It was just a game. It was only ever a game.." FATE gasped out before her body finally gave out, streams of light flickering off her body before it all vanished into thin air.

Only a burnt outline on where her body had fallen remained, the mark now a permanent part of the realm and a silent warning to all who saw it.

"Don't do this again, you should have gone to the OverRealm courts or Incarnations to take her down. Her fingerprints of power were everywhere" Hearth said glaring at DESTINY, there eyes told that if she made a choice like this again she would face something worse.

Hubris was worse in his opinion.

DESTINY took the warning to heart but was still unable to stop smiling at their 'sister' finally being gone, so many restrictions now broken on her powers and finally able to do what she was made for.

She knew she had many paths she could have picked but she couldn't deny a vindictive glee how utterly destroyed FATE was, their humiliation sweet in her memory.

Hearth sighed and left, picking up a bird and a cat on the way back.

There was a bad joke in there somewhere, he knew it.

He also picked up a few SOULS that Karma had cared for while FATE had him, he didn't want to see them lost in the void as those multiverses fell now.

?? Multiverse

Hearth stepped out where everyone was supposed to meet up, no longer fully deathified as one could say. He allowed most of his shields to lower, people would be able to feel Karma in the same place as him. To heal Karma, he'd have to seal away his island and be in privacy so he could speed time there so Karma would heal and be unsealed.

This would be weird.

Oneiro head snapped towards Hearth as soon as they appeared, covered in many unidentifiable substances but greatly satisfied by his work.

He had coordinated the plan of attack and felt the distraction had worked wonderfully guessing Hearth had been successful in their part.

"Where..?~" He asked confused when he couldn't see Karma but wasn't worried, knowing that Hearth wouldn't have stopped until they succeeded.

"I had to seal him within me to keep him safe, she hurt his mind alot" Hearth admitted, feeling even more awkward as Oneiro looked like he was contemplating hugging him to hug Karma.

"FATES dead, but.. I'm going to seal the Island and heal Karma.. which means others can't be there" he apologised.

Oneiro didn't exactly look happy by the news but knew he couldn't help much with the healing Karma would need, his SOUL squeezing painfully at the idea of his child needing healing again.

"As long as he is safe.~" He sighed, understanding of the plan and looking over at the other monsters who were cleaning off dust off their clothes.

"I'll inform them of the plan. Stay safe.~" He thought it best he was the one to talk to the others, knowing them better and just knowing Nova was going to be stubborn about seeing Karma.

Dealing with insane monsters could be so tiring somedays the irony truly lost on him.

"I will, its why I'm screwing with time to speed this up" Hearth admitted, otherwise it could be years till the island was sealed.

"Is Hearth pregnant?! What exactly did they do? What even is their magic?!" Ordeal was heard muttering a few feet away, looking close to a breakdown after the entire insane day and the many things he witnessed.

"...I truly wonder how his mind works somedays.~" Oneiro said in pure confusion, wondering if Ordeal was ok.

"No, Karma is sealed inside me.. I am not pregnant. I am an eternal child" Hearth glared, apparently Ordeal needed more pranks.

Ordeal felt a shiver run down his spine at their look, feeling the sudden urge to hide and not leave his home for a very long time.

A sigh escaped Hearth and stared at Oneiro "Alright get it out of your system"

Oneiro didn't have to be told twice and quickly swept Hearth into his arms and hugged them like his life depended on it.

He held on tight but resisted nuzzling them, feeling Karma so close yet so far was very confusing to feel.

"Now let me go" Hearth said highly uncomfortable, even if Karma was thrilled.

Big brother and Dad were getting along after all.

Oneiro gave a quick final squeeze before letting them down, a tad disappointed he wouldn't be able to feel Karma for longer but was at least satisfied he got to 'hold' his child in some way.

"We will never ever speak of this again" Hearth hissed "I'll see you hopefully in a few months"

Then was gone.

"..you know weird people, Oneiro." Ordeal muttered quietly but was unfortunately heard by everyone around him, soon under the scrutiny of many unhinged monsters.

"Makes life far more fun.~" Oneiro smirked in amusement, briefly confused when his brother shuffled behind him but shrugged it off and prepared to deal with Novas likely temper tantrum at not getting to see the babybones right now.

~~~~~

Template: *When asked to help deal with a deity* Sounds like an adventure!

Template: *When asked to meet another version of himself* Are you crazy?! I would never do that!

-

Pale: *Casually mentioning eating other versions of himself*

X: *Having his tenth panic attack since getting here*

Nova: *Deranged muttering as he glares at Pale*

Ordeal: *Looking on in disbelief*...Karma bumps into weird monsters

-

Hearth: *Turning X into a raven using extinct magic*

Ordeal: *Gazing into the distance with a blank look and twitching how no one else bats an eye* I refuse to believe I'm the only sane one here!

-

Hearth: *Appearing in front of 404 in a terrifying visage*

404: *Holding a shivering Karma and suddenly feeling like he is in danger*This was not how I expected today to go...

-

Palette & Goth: *Explaining why Karma is in their mindpalace*

Karma: *Nodding along but coming to a completely wrong conclusion* So brother is pregnant with me!

Palette: *Blue screening*

Goth: *Spluttering and trying to convince Karma they have the wrong idea*

-

*FATE and Hearth making eye contact and having hate at first sight

-

DESTINY: *Having purposeful chosen the path which would be most painful for FATE out of spite* It's so nice to have some spring cleaning done~

Hearth: *Annoyed how he was basically treated like pest control*

-

Hearth: *Revealing how he plans to heal Karma*

Ordeal: *Looking flabbergasted at all this information and coming to an odd conclusion* You are pregnant?!

Hearth: *Already planning many more pranks for them*