philippaki asked me to write again with a crossover chapter, based on one of the things we role played jokingly. We we're only planning one chappy, instead it got epic size.... enjoy.

Karma was glad that daddy seemed much happier lately with Nightmare here but he was still rather bored. It seemed they had even less time for him lately and even going around the home with Ink got dull after the tenth time. It would be nice if he could go outside again but for some reason that was no longer allowed, so he mostly spent it in his room.

Holding his rainbow bear plush he huffed annoyed, as today no one could spend time with him. 

He just wanted to go out again...

Between Omniverses

Karma stiffened as he found himself in this weird place again but couldn't help the way he lit up in excitement. This place was so much fun and there was so much to do! Much better than home at the moment.

He gleefully explored some more, often spending the most time in his 'room' or the art room, which weirdly looked cleaner then the last time he had been here. Had the owner of this place been and cleaned up..?

Shrugging that thought off he continued painting, only stopping when he realized that daddy may not be very happy with him being away for so long.

That is when he received another shock. Apparently time in this place was weird, as when he went back home he found out that no time had passed at all. This place was awesome!

After that discovery he started to visit this weird place more and even felt more confident staying here for longer periods of time. It's not like daddy would notice either way.

He was currently in his 'room' looking at the books on the shelf with interest. It was an odd selection of books with something called 'Judge magic' having a whole shelf to itself. He preferred the ones about animals and stars, surprised some constellations happened to match the markings on his wings! Didn't he already know that though?

He wondered what else he could learn here and remembered he had passed a library the first time he had been here. Maybe he could surprise dad with all the things he learnt! They seemed a tad stressed lately, so hopefully this would cheer them up.

Humming he made his way to the library, surprised he didn't get lost, considering he had only seen it once before. Was his memory finally getting better..?

Shaking the thought off he skipped over to the books, looking over them in interest. There were so many but he had no clue where to start.... Maybe just starting at the shelves closest to the door was best?

Karma was happy with his plan but stiffened as he noticed that someone else was here. It seems it was time to go!

-

It had taken Karma days before he felt confident enough to try and go back and he was relieved when he didn't sense anyone when he arrived. Why was he also disappointed?

He was enjoying his little routine, so was shocked when he once again sensed the same being as before nearby. He wanted to leave but stopped himself before he could do so, feeling an odd urge to see them in person.

Squeezing his bear plush close he cautiously made his way towards the odd SOUL, feeling an equal sense of dread and anticipation flow through him. He peeked his head through the library door and was very glad they were not facing his direction, as it gave him a chance to look them over.

...they didn't look scary but daddy said he should be careful of other beings, as not everyone was nice. He fidgeted in indecision before deciding he could make it a game. Sure the stranger might not know they were playing but that just made it more fun!

So that's what he did. Whenever he came and sensed them, he quietly stalked them before running away to hide. It was a long game of hide and seek, with not really any end but he was so winning! He bet they had no clue he was there.

Giggling he made his way to the kitchen after another successful hiding attempt, hoping to find something easy to eat. Daddy had put on the annoying mittens again and he just couldn't take them off. It wasn't his fault his neck was feeling so itchy!

Grumbling, he opened the fridge, looking at the sandwich inside in surprise. He didn't make that...but it did look good. Looking at it suspiciously for a few minutes his hunger won out and he grabbed it, happily munching the food.

He wondered what he should do today? This place seemed endless and he still felt there was much more to explore.

------

Traveller was having an issue.

A very confusing issue.

He knew Karma was random with visits, but it was now getting strange.

Was... Karma avoiding him, usually he was getting getting hugs if they were both at his home. He had almost met up with him several times, but... the avoidance was now worrying.

He had felt almost fright from the child when they were both home.

Fright of himself.

So he'd done his best to deal with it, made sure Karma had a clean environment and food in the fridge.

But one thing for sure, he needed to speak to Oneiro.

Karma giggled as he passed by the strange monster yet again, proud at how good of a hider he was. He was sure daddy would be proud!..if he ever told them that was. He was unsure why but he felt uneasy even thinking of telling daddy about this place or what he was up to. Frowning at the odd thought he suddenly twitched as he heard a sound.

...Had they found him already?

When the silence persisted he hesitantly made his way to the noise, holding his bear close in slight worry. He chirped in surprise at a colorful pile of pillows on the ground, curious where they had come from. He was suddenly finding a lot of cool items since the stranger turned up. Were they just throwing items away?

He smiled as he touched one, liking how soft it was...Surely they wouldn't mind him taking this to 'his room'?

Plan decided he happily took his new prizes, thinking they would be great to sit on while he read. He had recently found a book about a place where daddy was apparently a human. Such a strange place! Yet somehow familiar.

Traveller sighed in relief as Karma took the pillows, he'd pulled them out of storage. he'd created them when practicing magic, and some were made by hand.

Still...

Enough was enough...

He vanished with the sound of wings...

And then he was elsewhere, he knew Oneiro's magic well enough to track him down within seconds due to he was Karma's adoptive father. The other monster looked stressed, and had his Nightmare with him..

Traveller did not know if this Nightmare has a nickname.

"You, have five minutes to explain what is going on with Karma."

Oh, how nice they hadn't even noticed he was here by the feel of there shock.

Ordeal let out a strangled yelp as a monster randomly appeared, already reaching for another cigarette in his stress. Going by the relief coming off his brother he guessed they knew them and he was more than happy to leave this to Oneiro to deal with. He had been around far too many overpowered monsters lately and was frankly feeling rather overwhelmed.

He was barely able to deal with his brother and the craziness they brought to his life, he did not want to add more to the collection!

He let out a shaky breath at the magic coming off the new monster, nudging his brother to start speaking, ignoring the warning growl with practice. Oneiro had been far too on edge lately but considering that Karma was missing How many times did it make this time? How did a child get into such weird situations?!he could see why.

"Did you find them? Are they okay?...was that thing near them?~"

Oneiro rapidly fired off questions, feeling slight hope that things would get better soon. This was the closet lead they had in months!

"I said..." Traveller scowled "What the funk is wrong with my soul child!"

He grabbed Oneiro as if he weighed nothing, and slammed him against a wall holding him by the neck.

He rarely got angry, it took a lot to get him angry. But something was wrong with karma, his only family and didn't seem to recognize his magic and fled if he got near. Oneiro knew there were ways to call him, Karma had a few times cheerfully told him he'd almost called him using certain magics in the past.

Ordeal looked away, acting like nothing unusual was happening. He was getting far too much practice doing this lately..

He shakily let out a breath, blankly staring at the purple smoke coming from his cigarette, a brief passing thought that it was much darker than usual. What had his insane brother dragged him into now?!

Oneiro shivered at their anger, wincing as Travellers hold grew tighter the longer he didn't speak.

"C-Code manipulation..on b-bones..404~"

Oneiro wheezed out the words, hoping it would get them to stop. He had a slight fear he was about to be dusted and gong by the look in Travellers sockets, he felt it was very likely to occur if he said the wrong thing.

Traveller released the much taller monster his wings bristling in agitation, Oneiro dropping limply to the floor.

"Explain in more detail... and why did you not call out to me, I should not have to come home to a child frightened and hiding from me in our home," Traveller growled.

Oneiro looked up at them, not feeling confident in his ability to stand up yet.

"They were kidnapped by Error!404 and didn't even recognize me when we met!~"

He still felt a burning fury about that fact and a lingering worry where Pale had gone. He hoped for his child's sake that they were still alive.

"I only got a brief glance at the new marks around their neck but it did resemble Code~"

Too short of a time to decipher anything but he was confident that it was to blame for the issues.

 
"I tried to call you, T-Traveller. I've tried for months to call y-you but nothing ever happened...you should know that Karma at least recognised your name the last time we met~"

He was morbidly curious if the 'White' Demon' had changed his child more since the last time, feeling rather nauseous at the thought.

"Your in luck, he's at my place where Error!404 cannot get to," Traveller said taking a deep breath forcing himself to calm, feeling his wings stop bristling as much. He made them vanish, as Oneiro were still giving there agitated feathers worried looks.

He rubbed his face at how complicated things had become "And you said you called me? Karma said you know the way to send summon requests as you have my title and that should have been enough."

Oneiro was relieved but it was sadly a short lived feeling. Sure they might be at Travellers home now but that didn't mean they would stay there willingly. They had called the thing 'dad' after all.

"I did. I wouldn't be surprised if you received my call in a few months, as I'm pretty sure a Deity is involved with this mess as well~"

He stood up, folding his wings behind him, sighing in exhaustion. He might not sleep but he had been expending a lot of magic lately, with far too few breaks.

"A Deity... lovely," Traveller said dryly leaning against a wall "Any idea of which one?"

He disliked many deities even if some we're fine, Blue Fate was pretty cool. The beings we're lower on the totem pole as he understood it. Shell had explained to him once where deities stood just above demi-gods, and were lower then gods. Really, the OverRealm gave him a migraine.

He was going to have to give Oneiro his phone number wasn't he?

Stars... he really should have given it to him long ago, but Karma had thought it funny when he mentioned it.

"..It felt like Chaos~"

Oneiro would have much preferred Fate to them, as he at least had a vague idea what they would do. Chaos was a wild card and most likely very proud of the fact. This was such a headache to deal with...

He could see why the Deity was intrigued by his child but did they really have to aid 404?!

"404 also felt rather insane, Traveller. They were at a level that I was surprised they could even talk, let alone plan anything this sophisticated. I wouldn't be surprised if the Deity gave a little 'push' to make things more fun~"

Oneiro knew insanity well, so felt rather qualified to talk about this topic, even if he could sense how uneasy this made his brother. He never made it a secret he was insane and felt no urge to cover it but at least he wasn't completely unreasonable.

"Stars, I hope its not a deity of chaos.. there always a pain..." they moaned, he sighed "Give me your phone for a moment."

Oneiro wordlessly handed his phone over, not wanting to push the clearly stressed monster further. While he waited he brushed his wing against his brother, feeling a touch of guilt at how tense they were.

"Ni-Ordeal. You can go if you want~"

He was still getting used to their chosen name but considering how many multiverses they had been through lately, it had been necessary to use a different one. He had been rather annoyed dealing with so many Negativity Guardians, making him appreciate his brother so much more.

"...are you sure, Oneiro?"

"Yes. I feel searching the way we have been is going nowhere. You should take a break~"

Oneiro felt he would most likely find his child by accident then by actively searching, considering the Deity he was dealing with. Of course he would continue his search, as they still had no clue what multiverse Karma was currently staying in with their 'dad'...he really hoped they weren't in the AntiVoid, already dreading the thought of having to search the endless white.

"Keep me up to date, Oneiro"

"I will do, brother~"

Once they had left Oeniro turned towards Traveller again, taking his phone back with a questioning look.

"I gave you my number, I also... updated it. You'll be able to get hold of me anywhere without issues now," Traveller responded, he rarely got to improve electronics with his magic. The battery never dying was just a side effect.

Okay he as lying but he wasn't saying anything, Oneiro would just have to figure out any other things he'd gifted the phone with.

"I'm under the contact name of Hearth, in case someone else takes the phone somehow."

"Thanks~"

Oneiro was grateful to have a more reliable way to contact them now and put his phone away, feeling some stress just melt away.

"..if Karma is still there I advise you to keep your wings visible. It seems to make them much more agreeable~"

That is if 404 hasn't changed that about his child as well but he was hopeful they weren't a total maniac.

"Alright... now, can you explain the sequence of events this 404 caused," Traveller asked.

"Depending on what is what I'm going to have to leave more things for Karma at my home. He still using the art room like normal, and seems to be playing hide and seek with me."

Oneiro sighed but knew it was important to share this, even if he was still shaken by what he had witnessed.

"Once they kidnapped Karma it took me many months to find them again. That is when I noticed some odd changes in Karma. Their eyelight was now blue and their reactions were off....I saw them willingly go near a Reaper, Traveller. A Reaper!~"

That alone spoke volumes of what had been done to them, considering they usually stayed as far away from those variants as they could.

"I'm guessing some memories have been blocked and some switched to replace 404 as the main caregiver but there is a few...issues as well~"

He took a moment to gather himself, before he felt strong enough to continue.

"...It also seems the 'marks' have some extra features to them. I have no clue what activates it but sometimes it will light up, as if punishing Karma. Their condition was not ideal when i last saw them~"

That was a light way to put it, as the last time he saw them he had slightly feared they were about to dust in his arms. The marks were also revolting, reminding him far too much of an electric dog collar, making him darkly wonder if 404 wanted a child or a pet.

"404 has convinced Karma that i am a stranger and that any monster that shows concern or grows too close to Karmas, is not to be trusted~"

That is what he gathered, from talking with the monsters in the multiverse he initially found them in.

"..But you might be different. They might not remember having a brother but when i pointed to the pin you gave them, they knew it was from someone called 'Traveller'~"

"They can never truly remove everything of me from his mind, I am his soul parent," Traveller said growing more and more unhappy, his eyes unfocused knowing Karma was in his home right now.

How dare this creature take his brother, play family tearing away his real family.

He forced himself to relax again, as his magic was becoming agitated.

"I'm blocking some of the abilities of the pin, Karma can't take anyone into our of our home.. I don't want him to accidentally bring that thing there," Traveller said his eyes flashing as he did, then grew thoughtful.

"Do.. you have anything with this monsters magic on it?"

Oneiro shook his head and then briefly hesitated, knowing that Traveller wasn't going to take this next part well.

"I don't but i did notice a new bead on Karmas scarf that felt like 404~"

"Well.. this will be fun, at least i know why he's acting like this again... well.. I have a few things I can see to get him near enough to talk," Traveller muttered to himself.

He stared at the adult monster frowning "When was the last time you ate?"

It took Oneiro far too long to understand the question and then even longer to think of an answer.

"..I think it was a Tuesday?~"

"Today is Sunday," Traveller said flatly, Oneiro couldn't help Karma if he collapsed.

"You sit, I'm stealing your kitchen and making sure you eat," Traveller said marching away, it was good thing he hadn't eaten the pot of soup he'd been saving for Retconned. It was frozen in time within item space, so he just needed to reheat it.

Oneiro collapsed in a seat by the table, his body aching with how little magic he currently had. He winced when he finally took in his wings, trying to remember the last time he had preened himself....he drew a blank but in the end he wasn't that surprised.

He had lost himself to his instincts the last time Karma was taken and trying to keep fully sane this time had been trying but very much needed. It did mean he forgot some of the 'little things' like eating but at least he had rational thought. He would rather not 'wake up' covered in dust again, that had been a pain to clean.

"Eat," Traveller said, placing a large bowl of homemade soup in front of Oneiro and a spoon. He also placed a cup of tea, Oneiro better appreciate it as it was one of his private teas but the other monster needed the magic boost from it.

Oneiro dug in, quickly finishing the soup and was now nursing his cup of tea, enjoying the boost he got to his magic.

"Thank you. That was very much needed~"

He took a sip of the tea, his eye lights brightening back to their usual level. Perhaps he should start to keep a better watch of his health, as he just realized everything looked much clearer then before. How bad of a state had he let his body get to..?

"I'll leave you the rest of the soup, take care of yourself because Karma will need both of us once he's safe," Traveller said "Go take a shower and sleep, I'll be looking into this... and preen your wings."

If anyone had seen this scene they would have laughed, as a tiny child mothered an adult monster.

"I will, Traveller. Go on, you have more important things to get to right now. I will be fine~"

Oneiro already felt so much better after some food and was already planning to have a very long shower. It was going to take him hours to sort his wings but he knew Traveller was right. Karma would need support once they were free of that thing, being in top tip condition would be vital.

Then Traveller was gone, to the sound of wings.

He had a tiny nebela in his home.

——

Karma was happily eating a bar of chocolate, he had found hidden in a chest of draws in one of the rooms, which spurred him on to find even more!

Daddy was still too busy, so he spent most of his time in this place now. Sure time might not pass while he was here but at least he got to do something fun, instead of just sitting in his room.
..he was still kind of lonely but that was okay! He had his bear, with its really nice magic, so he was happy enough. It was fine..everything was fine. Why was he alone again? Had he been bad?

The sound of soft singing filled the air, then slowly the smell of pancakes and chocolate filled the air.

Chocolate pancakes.

Karma twitched when he noticed the stranger was back and quickly finished off his prize, before looking in the direction the noise was coming from in wariness. His mouth watered at the smell of food and he cautiously made his way to the smell, frowning when he realized that it was in the same place the stranger was.

Taking out his bear from his inventory he peaked around the door, focusing on the pile of pancakes on the table...they looked really good and he drooled when he noticed the chocolate syrup on the table as well.

Now this was a tough choice: Leave and have no pancakes...or stay and have to deal with a stranger.

..maybe he could have the best of both options? Seeing that the stranger was looking away he slowly made his way to the table and grabbed a fork, cutting into the pancakes. He took a bite and lit up, sitting down to eat the rest, happy to ignore the stranger near him.

Traveller felt amused, Karma never could resist this for breakfast.

As if not paying attention, he placed a hot chocolate with Karma's favorite marshmallows in front of the babybones. His wings twitch, it was so amusing... yet also so sad it came down to this.

Karma was so very tempted to lick the plate clean and chirped in surprise when he saw a hot chocolate nearby. He reached for it, pausing when he saw the stranger so close but slowly continued when they didn't react negatively. They were smiling at least, so he thought that was a good sign.

While he was drinking his gaze lingered on the strangers wings, eye light brightening at how colorful they were. He had never been this close to them before, so it was a great chance to look them over.

Putting his empty cup down, he started to feel nervous again and squeezed his bear tight, trying to focus on its magic for comfort.

"..thank you for the food"

Daddy did say he should be polite to others, as it helped to reduce Negativity. He had no clue why that was so important but daddy had looked rather serious on the topic, so he had readily agreed.

"Your welcome, would you like anything else to eat?" Traveller asked softly, it had... taken a lot of chocolates placed to get Karma so near. Those chocolates he had made, so had magic Karma was familiar with. The workroom he made them was hidden, otherwise his nestling would have gorged himself on them.

Karma fiddled with his scarf, quietly asking if he could have an apple. The stranger was really nice so far and he smiled when he spotted their star eye shapes. They were very colorful, just like their wings and his own wings twitched when he saw them glow. That was so cool!

"I think I have an apple, the island doesn't have any apple trees..." Traveller said and dug through his fruit storage.

"Here you go, sorry its tiny but that's all I have apple wise." he said placing it on the table after washing it "Do you want it sliced and on a plate?"

"No thank you"

Karma grabbed the apple, turning it over, as if looking for something.

"..it doesn't glow?"

He quietly mumbled, feeling puzzled where that thought had even come from. He had never seen glowing apples before..had he?

He suddenly felt the annoying itch around his neck start up again and started to scratch it, feeling smug that he avoided having to wear mittens today. His daddy might have been sneaky putting them on him but he was getting even sneakier!

Once he was done scratching he pouted at the dust now staining his fingers, knowing daddy was going to be so grumpy once they found out. Adjusting his scarf to hopefully hide the evidence, he ate the apple, feeling much fuller now.

"That was yummy!..What's your name, mister? I'm called Karma"

He shyly asked, feeling much more relaxed being near them. Anyone who gives him food can't be too bad.

"Traveller, little one only apples from tree of feelings glow," Traveller said, wanting to jump over and heal his child at the site of dust "From Dreamtale or Dreamswap."

"Would you like some healing cream for your neck?" he asked.

Karma winced when he heard their name, trying to ignore the headache that sprung up.
"'Dreamtale'?..yes. There is a Dreamtale, isn't there. So many multiverses.."

He said dazedly, his fingers twitching, really wanting to scratch his neck again.

"...dad got so angry when he saw the apples. He didn't mean to hurt me..but who is daddy then? They look so different...."

Karma closed his sockets, trying to push back the weird memories, not paying any attention to what he was saying.

This was happening way too often for his liking and he finally gave in to the urge to scratch, just wanting it to all stop. He let out a breath of relief, when the images suddenly vanished, looking at Traveller tiredly.

"..will the cream hurt?"

Karma asked calmly, as if the last few minutes never happened.

"No, its plants grown with healing magic. Most it would feel like is a bit cold, and the urge to nap after," Traveller promised, he should know he made it.

"Then yes please"

Daddy had started insisting on checking his neck every night, to make sure he hadn't scratched himself, so hopefully this cream would hide all the damage he had done. Otherwise he knew he would be forced to wear mittens even more. He did not want that!

"Move your scarf nebula," Traveller said pulling out a glass jar of the cream, unscrewing it letting out a minty scent.

Karmas hands hovered over his scarf, warring with a mix of emotions. He felt a sudden burst of rage at the question but also a sense of insecurity, as if he should feel embarrassed at showing his neck.

"..you won't laugh, will you?"

Karma anxiously questioned, finding it very important they answered this. He still felt uncomfortable looking in a mirror without his scarf around him and even his eye light unsettled him some days.

"I never laugh little bird, unless sits in joy and with others never at others," Traveller promised, he would never hurt Karma.

Karma studied them for any dishonesty, before slowly lowering his scarf, so they could apply the cream. He had no idea why daddy made weird faces when they saw his neck, as it looked rather normal to him, no matter how many times he looked in a mirror.

He still couldn't help the way his hands shook as his neck was exposed and tried to distract himself by looking at Travellers wings, stiffening as they got closer to him.

"You ready little one," Traveller said pulling off his robe, so it wouldn't get any of the healing cream on it.

Karma gave a shallow nod, refusing to make eye contact, as he was feeling rather on edge. He just wanted this to be over with, so he could wrap his scarf properly around him again.

"Remember its cold," Traveller said Karma flinching as soon as it touched, and carefully began to spread the cream on Karma's neck taking in all the details he saw then gently rubbed it in feeling relived as it quickly began to heal the damage Karma has done to himself.

"I'm done, does that feel better?" Traveller asked shifting back, then washing his hands in the kitchen sink.

Karma quickly adjusted his scarf to be back to normal, barely fighting the urge to scratch his neck again. It had taken everything he had to stay still for Traveller, not liking the conflicting burning and cold sensation he felt, every time they touched him. He was not doing that again! He would rather wear mittens.

"It was great, thank you Traveller"

He automatically lied, fiddling with his scarf to distress.

"If your sure," Traveller said, and placed the mostly full jar in Karma's hand.

Karma briefly scowled at the item but still put it in his Inventory, happy that daddy had shown him how to use this type of magic. It was so very useful in storing all his chocolate!

"Traveller. Will you answer a question i have?"

"If i know the answer," he replied.

"Why is there a room with my name on the door here?..Is there another 'Karma'?"

"Karma, you already know the answers you've just forgotten them.." Traveller said feeling soul broken.

Karma thought hard but was annoyed when he didn't get any new memories.

"Sorry. Daddy said i have bad memory but i will try really hard to remember"

He frowned as another question popped up, feelings that things were not adding up.
"..can monsters change appearance easily, Traveller?"

He was getting odd flashes when he looked at daddy lately, suddenly seeing them without wings and with blue and white eye lights instead but weirdly they both felt like they were his daddy...did he have two daddy's?

Karma's eye light flashed between red and blue, before settling back on a deep blue color, without the babybones being any wiser.

"Not quickly, unless they know how to shapeshift and that's a super rare skill. I can, but it leaves traces upon there magic no matter what form they take," Traveller admitted "I think the one time I showed you, you said when the shifting magic smelled like a hint of strawberries."

Oh... he had not like his nebula's eye changing like that.

Karma hummed, not remembering smelling that around daddy...that must mean he did have two daddy's! Wonder why winged daddy never told him?..Maybe they didn't want him to feel embarrassed about forgetting his other daddy? So many questions and they just never seemed to end.

"Oh, by the way. I really liked the books in Karma's room. Judge magic sounds so interesting, it's a shame I don't have it. Sounds rather useful"

He felt odd thinking of the room as 'his', but thinking of it as someone else's helped. Made his headache less annoying as well.

He nuzzled his bear, purring as the magic in it started to encircle him. He loved it when it did that, even if he still had no clue where the plush had come from.

"Go ahead and take them, I can replace them easily," Traveller smiled "If your good enough at Judge magic, rumor has it you can see the true state of beings rip away the illusions even on oneself and the caster can't place them on you again."

Oh it was true...

He would have rather Karma had finished reading the books before that creature kidnapped him.

"Thanks!" Karma chirped happily, glad he would have more entertainment when he got home.
"You sure know a lot of things, Traveller. I bet your memory is great"

He was rather jealous of this fact, as he seemed to forget even the basic things, no matter how many times winged daddy reminded him.

At least they didn't get upset repeating themselves but he still felt frustrated every time it happened.

"Hold on a second," Traveller grinned, and tied a tiny string around Karma's finger "To remind you,"

Karma's wings fluttered in happiness, looking at the string gleefully. This would surely help him remember Traveller now.

"Thanks!...will you be here the next time I come to visit?"

Karma's blue eye light flashed, with their lively expression becoming more neutral, soon showing only a politely interested expression.

"I come and go, for I travel. So you never know, but you are always welcome here as before nebula and can always call upon me," He said rubbing there skull, relieved when they didn't pull away.

"Thank you, miste-Traveller!"

Karma blushed in embarrassment for almost forgetting their name, hoping they didn't notice.

"No problem Karma, why don't you go play outside. You we're working on a tree fort last time we spoke," Traveller smiled.

"I was?...but daddy says i can't-"

Karma abruptly shut his mouth, realizing that neither of his daddy's were here, so he could do what he wanted now.

"Okay! See you later, Traveller"

He made his way outside, surprised he had missed such a cool thing. Good thing Traveller came to remind him!

Traveller grit his teeth once he was sure Karma was outside, feeling them excitingly play at there tree fort.

He held up his hand a savage grin briefly on his face, a wisp of gross magic floating above it, and all those lovely scans of that little 'gift' that thing had placed on Karma.

"Got you," he smirked, then sealed the magic and scans away for now.

A burst of laughter came from the tree fort and he smiled.

Karma... with this he and Oneiro could start fixing this, till then he'd do his best to keep karma safe here.

He turned back to the fridge, some thing never changed and Karma would want a snack after playing.

Karma was breathless from laughing so much, not remembering the last time he had so much fun. He lay on his back, staring up at the tee fort in curiosity. He might not remember it but it showed clear signs that he had been here before. He was curious about what else Traveller knew.

He winced as he stood up, trying to wipe away the dirt from his clothes, pouting at how dirty he had gotten. He really needed a bath again and with that tingly white powder stuff again. His bones were looking chalky again, not to mention he didn't seem to be healing as well anymore. 

He really hoped daddy didn't notice, knowing they would get even more overprotective...maybe he could solve it before they could spot it?

Making his way back inside he was surprised to see Traveller still here, unsure what to think about this fact but his new plan was still a go.

"Traveller. Do you know where I can get a SOUL?"

He did get a lot of energy when daddy fed them to him, so maybe he just needed to eat them again?

"Why do you need a soul?" Traveller asked confused, absently brushing dirt off Karma.

Karma confusedly let Traveller clean him, wondering why everyone asked the same question.
"To eat it..?"

He hadn't meant for it to come out as a question but he was unsure what else he would be doing with one. It can't be that uncommon to eat them. So many were driven insane by the power, so many monsters he had to collect.

"Sweetie, is your dad.. feeding you souls instead of feeding you magic, if he's having issues generating enough magic there are ways around that," Traveller said making sure not to show his horror "Babybones aren't suppose to eat souls as it damages there bodies and there own souls."

He went to a drawer and dug through, pulling out one of the unopened packages of magic supplements he had in stock. he was surprised how many times he'd needed these for others on his journey, and now here he was given it to Karma. He passed the box to him.

They and Oneiro would likely have a very sickly babybones on there hands later due to those souls.

No wonder his bones were off.

Karma warily took the box, looking over the instructions in puzzlement. If what Traveller said was true, then why had he been fed so many SOULS?

"...daddy said my magic was too low and I needed a boost. They tried to feed me magic but for some reason i never got full"

To be honest he felt starving most of the time nowadays, no matter how much he ate. He idly scratched his neck as he took a supplement, his wings twitching at the new magic in his system.

"Its safe to take three every six hours for a week, before one tree times a day with meals when your not getting enough magic and your bones are getting effected," Traveller explained "I'd suggested taking the other two you can have right now and take a bubble bath. Maybe a nap after."

Karma looked thoughtfully at his new supplements before taking two more, briefly closing his sockets in relief. That really did feel so much better, he had missed having his magic be more available to him. He could feel his magic spark in his hands before he abruptly stopped it, feeling the burning feeling return...He should probably wait until he was more recovered, before he tried that again.

"A bath does sound nice. Do you mind if I use the one here?"

"Go ahead, have fun and there are plenty of bubble baths to choose from and soaps," Traveller grinned "There are spare clothing in Karma's room you can use and I'll wash these ones right." That felt extremely awkward, to offer Karma borrow his own clothing.

Karma knew that to be true but was glad he had permission to use this place now.
"Thanks Traveller. That would be great"

The less evidence he had been up to something the better. Who knows how daddy would react otherwise. The AntiVoid was so very lonely.

"Now go on, there are plenty of fluffy towels for you to use," Traveller said grinning,

Karma was really looking forward to this and made his way to the bathroom, chirping happily as he saw even more colorful soaps since last time. Traveller was the best!

He enjoyed a long soak in the bath, purring as he soaked in the warm water. Once he felt clean enough he found the fluffy towels Traveller mentioned, wrapping one around him as he went to 'Karma's room.

Of course he picked an animal onesie to wear and paused when he was done putting on his scarf again, looking at the bed in indecision...they did say he could stay. He made his way to the bed and crawled in, starting to feel very drowsy. A short nap should be fine. He took out his bear to cuddle and fell asleep, feeling so very safe.

Traveller slipped into the room tucking Karma in and kissing there skull, he hated this. Hated 404 for taking his family away, and now he had to regain Karma's trust again and 404 could do it again anytime they wanted. He wiped his face before any tears could fall onto Karma, and quickly gathered Karma's dirty laundry to clean.

"Sleep well Karma..." he whispered, then turned off the light and left the room.

——

Karma was sitting on the ground and staring at the wall, feeling so very numb. His hands kept squeezing the air, as if searching for something but he had no clue what he was missing. He studied his clothes in seeming fascination, poking at the dust covering it in puzzlement...where had that come from? A better question was how he ended up here?

Humming he looked around what he guessed was a bedroom, feeling no urge to get up. He had just been with dad hadn't it been daddy? but now he was here. Magic was weird...

At least the string on his finger was pretty and brought a sense of comfort to him.

"Karma, breakfast is ready!" Traveller called out from the kitchen, he was glad Karma had returned after leaving for a few days but there magic was screwy again even if it seemed to settle down faster the closer he was. he hadn't even had time to track down Oneiro with the scans, he'd been about to call them when Karma was suddenly home.

Karma twitched at the call and tried to sense who it was but failed, his magic feeling so very sluggish. He sighed as he heard his name be called again and struggled to stand up, feeling rather dizzy when he managed it. He tiredly made his way to where he could smell food, so glad that it wasn't far away.

He had to take a break when he reached the door, looking at the nearest chair in slight betrayal.

 Why did it have to be so far away?

"Hey whoever you are. Do you mind helping me for a second?"

He knew he wasn't supposed to talk to strangers but he was far too drained to care right now, not even able to muster any fear at being practically defenseless right now.

There was a rush of footsteps, and Traveller briefly stilled at seeing Karma's condition.

"I'm the Traveller, you forgot me again," he said quietly, he moved forward and picked up Karma placing him in a way he'd be able to feel his soul. He wanted to cry, his nebula had been gone such a short time why had his condition gotten so badly so quickly. He headed to the kitchen, freaking out how light the babybones was as this was nowhere near a healthy weight.

He was less healthy then when he first came here with his pin, when they first spoke to one another.

Karma was really enjoying the warmth this monster was giving off, glad he no longer had to walk. That had been far too exhausting.
"Sorry for forgetting....I'm getting you dirty, Traveller. You should put me down". He mumbled, not really wanting them to but thought he should at least be polite.

"Oh this is nothing nebula, don't worry about it," Traveller said cheerfully "Now do have energy to sit in your chair, or do you want me to feed you till you do. I have your magical supplements ready for your visit."
Dust was easy to clean, art mess also.. mud not so easy.

Karma grimaced at the thought of moving, allowing more of his weight to settle onto Traveller.
"Help please"

He was pretty sure he would fail miserably if he tried himself and would rather not be covered in food.

"Alright then sweetie, supplements first then food." Traveller said sitting at the table, and brought over the magic supplement pills and a glass of tea a type he knew Karma liked.

Karma gratefully drank the tea but it took much longer before he was convinced he needed the pills as well.

"Can I eat now?"

He was feeling slightly grumpy at having to take the pills, really wanting some real food. That feeling soon fled and he twitched in unease, staring at a random point in the distance.

"I think I should go. Dad must be so worried.."

"Time is different here, you'll return home as if you never left so you have time to eat," Traveller promised.

Karma slowly nodded in understanding, feeling like this was not new information.
"Oayk..food?"

He asked pleadingly, really hoping they hadn't been lying about this.

"Bacon and eggs today love," Traveller said nuzzling them, and carefully fed them till they were full then wiped there face.

If Karma got even worse, he.. he didn't know what to do. But...

His hand clenched briefly out of site.

There was a weird way he could put Karma in stasis till they could reverse it.

Karma curled up on their lap once he was done, letting out a quiet purr in content, not noticing the stuttery quality to it.

"That was good. I bet my dad would like you. They aren't a very good cook, kind of like Palette"
He giggled, not noticing the name he mentioned.

"Don't worry, I'm a very Gothy cook Karma," Traveller said softly, gently rubbing there skull as it soon leaned against his chest. He ran his other hand through Karma's wings gently, gently preening it and removing the bad feathers he could from this angle... there was a lot of them. 

This 404, clearly did not know how to preen and Karma didn't remember to anymore.

Karma melted into Travellers touch, stretching his wings so they could access more of his feathers. He let out quiet chirps, ruffling his wings happily when an itchy feather was removed. 

They were really good at this, much better than dad. Maybe his dad could get some lessons?

"Can you get the annoying feathers on my back? Dad missed those last time"

"Of course nestling," Traveller whispered nuzzling him, shifting his arm to work on there wings. Giving his own tiny purr as Karma absently began to feed off his magic, not even noticing as he did. Oneiro took such good care of Karma, that he never needed his big brothers magic. And as Karma's soul was recreated from his own, there was never any issues of magic rejection.

Karma unconsciously nuzzled Traveller, letting out a chirp of surprise when he was now able to sense their SOUL. That food must have helped him a lot.
"You feel funny, Traveller. It's almost like there are two of you!"
He let out a giggle, for some reason finding this fact very amusing.

"Funny right," Traveller said with a warm smile nuzzling Karma again "Want to go outside by the make to nap, then we can go see the cows and chickens. You still haven't named the new goats or sheep."

Karma stiffened, looking at Traveller with fragile hope, wondering if this was a trick.

"..I'm allowed outside? I don't have to go back to the white again?"

"Of course not, I said your always welcome here. I only got the goat and sheep because you asked. Be a bit silly to keep you inside, while there is not true sky in the between babybones need place to play," Traveller told him, the goats were a pain in the butt, He'd had to upgrade there area ten times, they kept escaping there area somehow.

Goats were evvvvil.

"I'd like to see the animals then..please"

Karma said excitedly, trying to push back his sleepiness. He had no clue what they were on about though, as he didn't remember meeting them before. Perhaps they were mistaking him for someone else..?

"Alright, lets head outside," Traveller said getting up, walking through the house and outside. 

Only pausing long enough to slip his feet into his shoes. He hoped this would help, as Karma had a favorite cow he'd named sooty due to there coloring.

Karma had insisted on walking but he did have to grab Travellers hand, in order to stay stable. He grumbled in frustration, lighting up when he heard animal noises. He tugged on Travellers hand in excitement, cooing as he saw some sheep.

"Can I pet them?"

Karma didn't notice how relaxed he was acting around Traveller, boldly pulling them around the place so he could touch all the animals. They ended up eventually stopping at a pretty dark grey cow, with Karma trying to cuddle it despite its rather large size.

"Sooty is very friendly and loves hugs and petting, her milk makes the best cheese and butter," Traveller chirped, enjoying the fact Karma was reacting the same to the animals.

"I love her so much!"

Karma's eye light had changed to a star as soon as he had seen the animals, with little sign it would return to normal anytime soon.

"Do you think dad will like her, Traveller?"

He distractedly asked, fully focused on petting Sooty as much as he could.

"Of course he'd like Sooty, Sooty is a good cow," Traveller said with a smile, and he meant Oneiro not 404.

"It's a shame that animals can't live in the AntiVoid"

Karma would have liked a companion while dad was away but it was fine. He loved his dad and would hate to disappoint them, so listening to what they said was important.

Traveller hummed thoughtfully, he himself was immune to the AntiVoid.

"Is your dad okay with cats?" he asked.

And he was a shapeshifter, it had been a very long time since he took tiny forms.

"Maybe? He has never said no to animals, I just didn't want to accidentally hurt any"
Karma usually just napped while there but he was looking forward to being allowed out again. He sometimes felt that it would never happen.

"I'll look into AntiVoid safe animals, I think I know a few," Traveller said, there were animals that could survive they were usually born from certain multiverses where the AntiVoid met the Void "So don't worry, just enjoy and relax your time here, I'll see if I can find you a companion for when your not okay."

"I'm always fine. I'm very happy with my dad"

Karma spoke as if in a trance, reciting something that was almost ingrained within him. He dazedly pet Sooty, eventually shaking it off and smiling widely at Traveller.

"You think you will be able to find one?"

"I traveled far and wide nebula, should only take me a few weeks real time at longest to find one for you. They don't even have to eat of drink these cats, so you don't need to worry about feeding them," Traveller promised, actually he could get one in minutes but he would have to arrange some things so neither Karma nor 404 would realize certain things of the cat.

"Really?! You would get me one?..why?"

Karma leaned against Sooty to face Traveller, feeling slightly suspicious of the offer. The urge to go back to dad grew but he stamped it down, wanting to hear them out first. His SOUL felt so warm near them. Just who were they really?

"Your happiness matters, you might not remember me but I remember you," Traveller said softly.

...Karma's 'happiness'? He tilted his head in confusion, wings stiff behind him at the odd words...What a weird monster. Only dad cared for him LIE, so it was rather novel hearing that someone else did as well.

"I see..thank you then, for still caring i mean"

Traveller kneeled down till he was face to face with Karma and smiled, gently he touched there skull "We are all beings of choices thus I care, our choices make us who we are for I believe in free will. I choose happiness."

"So you 'chose' to make me happy by getting me a cat? I don't see how this will make you happy"

Sounded like a lot of effort to put into someone, who remembered nothing about them. Traveller was just plain weird. His blue eye light looked them over, trying to dissect their motives...he did like them rubbing his skull though.

"You'll understand when your older, maybe not in body but in mind and emotions. Sometimes, growing up is harder when your an eternal child," Traveller laughed "Shall we go take our nap now?"

Karma scowled at the non answer but soon let out a yawn, rubbing his sockets sleepily. It seems his body was not happy being awake for so long.

"A nap sounds good...you won't leave, will you?"

He asked with slight apprehension, not really wanting to be alone. Dad did that far too often.

"No... I'll be here when you wake," he promised, offering to pick Karma up again.

Karma raised his arms to be picked up, doubtful he would make it back to the tent otherwise. He squeaked as he was grabbed, initially stiffening before relaxing in their arms, resting his skull against their shoulder. He let out another yawn, struggling to stay awake.

"I did promise a nap by the lake, there's a nice spot by some flowers," Traveller said nuzzling him, he sipped across the island to the lake where butterflies swooped above it avoiding fish that tried to get them if they got to close to the water. This place had grown rather huge since Karma's initial falling visit, he had added so many new areas.

If only the between was a bit safer, then it would be a safe place to live forever.
Smiling he lay them both down between some flowers, spreading there wings to use as a blanket around them.

Karma was briefly confused why they didn't go back inside but the warmth and weight from Travellers wings vanished those thoughts. Sleep was much more important right now. Shifting to be closer to Traveller, he closed his sockets, easily drifting to sleep.

"Sleep well my Soulchild..."

------

Karma had been looking forward to this day for ages! He still had no clue how he kept coming back to this place and was kind of surprised that dad hadn't noticed yet but he wasn't complaining. He was getting a cat today!

Today would be even better if he wasn't feeling so tired..but it had been nice seeing the Traveller more often. The AntiVoid had been far too boring lately, so seeing another monster had been nice.

"Hello there Karma," Traveller said spotting them, smiling at how excited they were. In his arms was a large white cat with ghostly like eyes, with white error symbols. There ears were much longer then normal cats, to take in sounds foreign to the place that spawned them. There long tail and ears, were trimmed with soft blue energy. The species didn't have a name, but were very loyal to the beings that tamed them.

It was also technically an avatar, not a summon or anything. Specially created for Karma, its body reacted as a real void cat and it had been a pain to create a protosoul that would pass even a check and its eternal magic systems.

The cat avatar was special, as he'd created a small split of his own mind to run it.
It also meant, if somehow killed Traveller could bring the avatar back. He'd had to get Shell to help him with the avatar.

He didn't mind the fact that technically the avatar could split from him entirely, become its own being... but it would be Karma's companion even after this.

He just.. would never tell Karma how painful it was to create the split, normal non amnesic Karma was still upset that his big brother hurt his own soul to create his own.

"You really got a kitty?" Karma got closer, looking at the cat in awe. He lightly started to pet their head, slightly afraid he would accidentally hurt them. His magic had been weird lately.

"..and they are okay to live in the AntiVoid?"

"There spawn where the AntiVoid and Void meet, people don't usually see them as they can fade and vanish from sight. They usually avoid people, but are loyal to those that like them or truly tame them. Afraid you'll have to focus your ability to see death to see them when faded, as there kind of phased between death and life when like that. Now.. this big ball of fluff needs a name," Traveller said placing the void cat avatar down, the cat yawned and stretched.

He hadn't even programmed that in, a cat was a cat.. even if they didn't start a cat.

"Murp..." the cat mewed.

Karma crouched down to be near them, giggling when the cat sniffed his outstretched hand and let him pet them more.

"You have such pretty eyes and your fur is soft.."

He quietly told the cat, already enamored with them. He had never seen anything like them before and thought they were absolutely perfect.

"What gender are they, Traveller?"

"There genderless, so a gender name doesn't matter here," Traveller said kneeling down "Did you remember to eat the magic supplements before you came, after all while friendly you still need to tame them so they stay."

"I did!" Karma had found it hard to do so, as his memories of this place kept trying to slip away but the thought of getting a cat made him determined to remember.

"How do I tame them, though?"

"Place your hand near it, and put a wisp of magic in it. The cat eats it taming it, meaning you bond with it. So its your pet, if the bond gets good enough the bond can become a familiar bond then you will be able to speak to it mind to mind," he explained, sadly a familiar bond was unlikely while he was controlled by 404. The familiar bond, would also fully separate the cat and himself fully, mind you if the cat somehow did die he would be able to pull it forth.

Shell had mentioned, that a familiar bond would cause the proto soul to become a true soul.

"Then... once you feel the taming bond start forming you name them to complete it. Just remember, you only get one chance to name them."

Karma nodded in understanding, eye light briefly flashing red with Determination. He stopped petting them and placed his hand near the cats mouth, summoning a spark of magic, thankful he was strong enough to do this. He watched as the cats long ears perked up, feeling his magic be absorbed by the animal. Once he felt something new begin to form inside him, he spoke.

"I name you Nix. After all, 'nothing escapes karma'"

Karma eye light flared pure white at the words, before returning back to the unnatural dark blue color. He grinned as Nix settled in his lap, loving how big they were.

"I did it, Traveller!"

He totally missed Traveller shiver as the bond formed, as till the avatar fully split as a familiar he'd get feedback from it.

"That you did Nebula, a very good name also... did you wish to stay for lunch?" He said nuzzling Karma's skull fondly.

"Murp," Nix said headbutting there skeleton.

Karma buried his face in Nixs fur, loving the little sounds they made in response. Cuddling his new friend in his arms, he looked at Traveller, purring loudly in his happiness.

"Yes please. Dad forgot to feed me again. They are so silly"

"Alrighty then, did you want anything particular?" Traveller said getting off, offering there hand so they could go to the kitchen "Also do you need more boxes of supplements, I picked up more."

Hopefully there was no more souls eaten, but either way he was stuffing Karma with food and magic every time he appeared.

Karma let Nix down to grab Travelers hand, holding it while they walked to the kitchen.

"Can we have burgers? Also I'm not sure, I have to check"

He let go of their hand and rummaged in his Inventory, grinning when he pulled out the boxes of supplements. Placing them on the table he grew confused why only one box was open and even then, it was rather full still.... did he really forget to take some?

"I should be good for a while, Traveller"

That was if he actually took them this time. He should probably start leaving notes to do so, as a reminder.

"Just tell me if you need more okay," he replied making sure not to react at the sight of the supplements box.

Oh stars.. and he had no excuses to get another scan, Karma would flee due to 404 if he tried.

Poor Karma, poor souls.... just.. how badly was Karma's body now.

"What type of burgers do you want and toppings, we have fresh mushrooms right now if you want some," he asked.

Karma put the supplements away, before sitting on a chair and thinking about what he wanted
"Can we have veggie burgers, with the mushrooms as well?..Is that too much?"

Traveller made great food! He really liked the-...he drew a blank but whatever it was, he had enjoyed it!

------

Oneiro walked into his home to see an exhausted looking Traveller sitting at his table, face planted on its surface.

"It worked, he and Nix the void cat are both at that things AntiVoid," Traveller told him, voice a bit muffled from his position.

"That's good. It will makes things much easier from now on~"

Oneiro sighed in relief and made his way to the Kitchen to grab some snacks and tea, having made sure to take much better care of himself since Travellers scolding. Once he placed the items on the table, he sat down and waited for them to gather themselves.

 
"Any particular reason you look so drained?~"

"He's in very bad condition, I was feeding him my magic the whole time he was there and he wasn't processing it well... I'm worried on his body... every time he leaves that thing makes him worse."

He sat up properly, looking just done.

"I've tried to migrate the damage with supplements, bit hard when as soon as they leave they forget they have them," he said tiredly.

Oneiro winced at the news, frankly surprised that Traveller didn't look worse. Magical feeding was a natural process but donating such large quantities of magic could not be good for them.

 
"You might be powerful Traveller but you cannot keep up with this. We will need to act soon, before it's too late~"

"I know, but I'm narrowing down what AntiVoid there hidden in," he replied "Any lucks with the scans or copies of the magical signature?"

Oneiro darkly glowered at his mug of tea, taking a sip to hopefully calm him down.

"No. I keep getting blanks or being led to a random monster, in what seems to be the most irritating multiverse ever~"

This is why he really hated dealing with the Deity Chaos, as you could never get what you wanted easily.

"At one point the magical signature somehow matched me!~"

He had not been happy that day, feeling as if he was being taunted at that point. The only thing keeping him somewhat rational was that he knew that Traveller was meeting up with his child, so at least they he knew they were alive.

"Right now he and Nix are alone playing, due to the taming bond Nix is reminding him to eat supplements so its slowing down the damage to his body," Traveller told him, one of his eyes was ghostly blue as he was seeing through the cat.

"Has the thing been seen around Karma much?~"

Oneiro didn't think he had ever hated anyone so much, as he did 404. At this point he would consider the villagers he had grown up with as 'saintly', compared to what 404 had done. He couldn't believe he was saying this but why did they have to be so insane? Insanity was so much harder to deal with in enemies.

"Not even one appearance since he got Nix, if not for all the snacks I forced on Karma to take with him and the supplements he would have starved to death," Traveller said gritting his teeth "Come here, I have a way for you to see Karma. It will be brief and disorienting though."

Oneiro sat beside them, grateful that 404 hadn't been near his child, yet at the same time terrified they could have dusted without Travellers intervention.

"What do I need to do?~"

"Try not to move, or I'll loose concentration," Traveller grinned, he placed a hand on his glowing eye and placed his other over Oneiro's left eyes sharing the connecting with Nix for a few minutes.

"-we can probably explore some more soon, Nix...I wonder when dad will come back? It feels like it's been a while. Maybe I should just take a nap again.."

Oneiro drank in the sight of his child for the first time in months but he did not like what he saw, internally wincing at their flickering eye light. It was hard to remember to stay still, when he saw Karma slump on a pile of pillows, looking so drained from such a small movement. He wanted to just grab them and let out a hiss of frustration, when the connection suddenly cut off but not before he noticed a large shadow suddenly appear over his child.

Once Oneiros normal vision returned he leaned back in his chair, rubbing his face in stress.

"...I am so thankful you gave them Nix, right now~"

Traveller pulled away rubbing at his face a bit the glowing a little less strong "So am I, its very tiring and frustrating to be only able to watch. Even if Nix started as an avatar, they were made a cat.. and cats are weird thought processes"

He sighed, he really needed more sleep but he was watching Karma via nix and sifting through reality for the correct AntiVoid.

Well, once Karma was safe and Sound with Oneiro he was sleeping a week.

"It... would be so much easier if Karma could remember he could call me, then I'd be able to get through the interference caused by Chaos and be by his side in seconds."

"Call you..?~"

Oneiro looked thoughtful over Travellers words, finding that rather useful to know.

"Do they really have to remember you, though? Would just speaking your name out loud work?~"

Surely they could subtly use Nix to nudge things along, as every other method seemed to be failing them right now. If only 404 would leave the stupid AntiVoid with Karma, it would make things so much easier.

"They have to mean it, to call upon me. Intent has power, since his soul was recreated from part of mine that intent will link our souls...." Traveller trailed off, and when Oneiro looked at him he saw the eternal child had fallen asleep.

"..that cannot be comfy~"

Oneiro carried them to the couch, not wanting to disturb them further by moving any further. He was so glad they didn't have their wings summoned, as that would have been a whole another issue.

He rubbed his face tiredly, feeling so done with this whole situation, before deciding to message his brother. Hopefully they might have some good news for him. It was getting harder to hold onto any hope at this point.

——

"-FIND ME! Need to move yet again. Thieves, the lot of them. I knew I should have dusted them when we last met. It seems my mercy is being repaid in the worst way"

Karma sleepily stared as dad talked to themselves, grumbling at how loud they were being. He held onto them tighter, when they made a sudden jerky movement, whining unhappily.

Why did he have to be carried so often? Sure he had missed them but this was just too much. He just wanted to sleep! He enviously looked over at Nix, who was curled up on his pillow pile, wishing he could join them. They looked so very comfy..

He chirped in confusion when his head was suddenly tilted up, now looking directly at his dads face. They were making a rather odd expression.

"Dad?..what's wron-"

"That cookie pin. How did you get that pin again, little one?"

....Karma had no clue what they were on about. At his continued silence he saw dad move a hand towards his scarf, feeling them take something off it. They quickly hid whatever they had grabbed, before adjusting his scarf yet again.

"It seems someone needs another healing session, little raven"

Karma hissed unhappily but didn't protest further, when he felt his dad place their hand on the back of his neck. He may dislike the feeling but it made dad happy, so he reluctantly put up with it.

He jolted as he felt their magic wash over him, his SOUL racing at the unpleasant sensation. At least this time he didn't have to hold his magic back from attacking dad, so he guessed that was an improvement.

"You are being so very good, little crow. Don't worry, we can go outside again once I deal with a few issues. Just go back to sleep. I will sort everything out"

Karma needed no further encouragement, far too tired to want to do much else.

------

"That bastard!"

Traveller woke up swearing, he rarely swore.

But right now, totally needed. He took a deep breath realizing he must have fallen asleep and Oneiro moved him, he felt a lot better he'd known he'd needed sleep badly.

Oneiro nearly threw his phone across the room in alarm, at hearing Travellers voice shout out. It had only been a few hours since they had fallen asleep and he was surprised they had woken up so soon.

Making his way to the living room he stopped by the entrance, wary to get closer. He could sense how angry Traveller was and he had no wish to make it worse. The last time he saw them like this, he ended up being slammed against a wall. He did not want a repeat performance!

"..everything okay, Traveller?~"

Traveller blushed embarrassed "Ignore the swearing." he said with a cough.

Taking a deep breath, he replied for real "Sorry, apparently if I fall asleep linked up to Nix I take a total backseat to him while asleep" feeling upset, he explained what he had seen.

Oneiro clenched his jaw in anger, feeling his fingers sharpen due to his magics wish to act out. Now if only the target of his ire was here right now.

"The thing is acting rather bold but at least we know we are on the right track~"

If they were causing 404 to have to move more often, then surely they had to be close.

"He hasn't moved to a place I searched already, I have them tagged. So there's that," Traveller yawned "Wonder if he realized the pin returns to Karma instantly yet.. if he keeps trying it goes to Nebula's item pocket."

"Let's hope he doesn't. No need for anymore 'healing' sessions~"

Oneiro was suddenly hoping their insanity had gotten worse, so they would miss details like this.

"He's sleeping again, 404 can't seem to see the cat.. gotta love that ability of Void cats," Traveller snorted.

Oneiro let out his own chuckle of amusement, taking pleasure in anything that would
Inconvenience 404. Nix was such a vital part to the plan to find Karma and an excellent spy, already helping to move things along much faster than before.

"..you should really rest more, Traveller. You are already spreading yourself far too thin~"

He felt slight guilt at how much they were doing but there really was nothing he could do about it. Karma was likely to bolt if they spotted him, while Traveller could at least get closer to them when they appeared in the in between.

"Mind if I steal your couch a bit longer... if I go home.. I'll just continue to search more?" he asked quietly, and with Karma the way he was.. it felt so lonely.

"I don't mind but I do have a spare bedroom you can use, if you would prefer to sleep in an actual bed~"

Oneiro had no issue offering such a small thing and it's not like it was a great hardship on him. This place had more rooms than he knew what to do with, even if this place was still smaller than his main home. He politely ignored the tear he saw Traveller shed, sensing just how hard this whole situation was on them.

"Please... and thank you.."

"No need for that, Traveller. You are my child's 'beloved big brother' after all~"

Oneiro lightly commented, leading them to a room to use. He waited until they entered the room, before speaking up.

"Don't be afraid to use anything in my home, Traveller. Have a good rest~"

He left them alone, hoping they took up his offer. They might be powerful but that did not mean they were invincible. Everyone could use some help, every now and then after all.

Traveller pulled off his robe and shoes and shifted under the covers, a bit of blue magic turning the light off.

He was so tired...

"Karma..." he whispered, as he fell asleep.