It wasn't like Horror to step into anyone's business. Only one thing mattered, and that was for Nightmare to keep his end of the deal. As long as there was a steady food supply coming in, that was all that really mattered. So, to block Nightmare's attack from hitting that little monster. It confused him. And scared him. It was like he was moving on his own. The fear that had entered his soul was all consuming, a beacon calling for help. Help he wouldn't normally give, because nobody fucked with Nightmare and lived to tell the tale. Horror was already getting that murderous look, like he was debating, not stopping at all and just ending him there. "b-boss- i-it wasn't me! y-ya know i-i'd never!" Then Dust came in to shield the kid as well. The kid grabbed onto the back of his jacket (he was the less scary one), and he seemed to get all the more protective. Dust hated kids. It was a well-known fact. Killer seemed immune, though, too influenced by Nightmare. "it's the brat." Killer deduced. "it's controlling them, somehow." A new light of interest ignited in Nightmare's eye.

🟡🟣

Fable didn't get it, but she was happy that somebody came. She looked up at the hooded skeleton and he looked back down to give her a return smile. "it's true, you think i want this thing attached to me? i would rather run my attack into her soul. damn thing is making me smile at it" Dust grumbled. Fable didn't get it at all, but when the mean skeleton thingy reached for her, they tried to stop him and restrain the limb, the scary one lifting his axe to cut it off, protect her- but the mean skeleton was so much more powerful, two more tendrils slammed them into the back wall and she was alone again. The mean skeleton dragged her forward and she almost lost her footing. "how interesting, so you can put others into thrall with your emotions..." She didn't know what that meant. She didn't know if it was good or bad. Nightmare turned her around to see the two skeletons that helped her, and he released them. They immediately went to save her. "stop them, fable, or i will hurt them badly." Nightmare ordered. She didn't know how, though. She didn't even know she was doing it!

🟣🟡

Nightmare watched Dust shortcut close to grab Fable, to which he gladly shoved both him and Horror away. Killer had walked towards the wall so as not to get caught up. Good, Nightmare didn't want him interfering. "you better hurry. my patience is starting to run thin, brat." Nightmare warned her lowly. Her emotions betrayed her confusion, though. Did she not even realize? Dust summoned magic bones and a blaster. "boss, any day now!" Dust growled out in fear. If he released his magic, Nightmare really would kill him. Horror was also trying to summon up his own magic. She was getting scared and desperate, which was causing those two to react. And if she wasn't even aware... Nightmare needed a new approach. He didn't want to clean dust off his floor. Just as the blasters were about to go off, leading the magical charge, Nightmare let her go. Fable stumbled and ran to Dust again to cling to him. The magic attacks stopped instantly. "we got off on the wrong foot, fable. how about i take you back to dream, yes?" He would play nice, for now. Thrall would be a useful asset if he could teach her how to use it.