(yes, another sad one. I'm aware. This one will be very noticably shorter, but nonetheless heartbreaking...in some way. I don't know. I'm really good at writing these types of stories apparently. Also, be aware, this will not be directly connected to anything. All the other stories are, but this one will not be. And you'll see why. I also highly recommend listening to the song while you read. It'll set the mood.)

~~

Silence was heard around the area. Even as the absence of voice, it blocked out everything. Even light, in a way, wasn't felt or seen despite the sun being out between a parade of clouds. How bizarre.

Dream wiped sweat from his brow and glanced around in haste. He was relieved to see his friends alive and well, even if just a bit shaken up. The fight had taken a lot out of them, heavy blows and near misses on either side, with deep cuts, scratches, tears of their clothing, magical blood oozing from their wounds at different speeds and consistencies.

He took a breath, then looked around more.

And more.

And more.

And more.

Dream got up and began to frantically search around. His companions were fine. . .except one. Where was she? Had something happened to her? Was she ok? She had to be ok! She had to be!

"Seneca!"

He cupped his hands around his mouth and yelled desperately for her. Calling her by name, pleading. Hoping that she'd answer.

. . .but nobody came.

Far more scared now, he went into a sprint and ran around the perimeter. Ink watched with a knowing glance, helping Blue stand up and fixing the smaller skeleton's wounds the best he could. Should he say? It would help, but it may crush Dream in the process.

Dream ran to the others, panting, and giving off an air of worry. Franticness. He was beginning to slightly panic.

"Dream. . .she's. . .um. . ."

Said Ink, though hesitant, as he knew what this would do.

"She's over there, but-"

As soon as he pointed in the direction, Dream ran away, towards where he wished to find Seneca. He had to find her.

Turning a corner, he saw her limp on the ground. It didn't process in his mind. He thought she was simply passed out from the fight, or knocked unconscious from Nightmare throwing her. He quickly raced to her side and held her close.

"Seneca? Seneca!"

He almost let her go as soon as he touched her. He wasn't used to skin, but every other time they touched, she was warm. But now. .

"Seneca, you're ok. . .r-right?"

No response. And. .her body was ice cold.

"No. .no. No no no no no. No, Seneca. No!"

Nightmare and his crew followed the sounds of despair, and the depressing realization. He wasn't too surprised to see Dream crying over Seneca, but he did find it intriguing that the latter had. . .well. . .

"Ah, Dream. A horrible revelation, isn't it? To know that no matter how hard you tried. No matter what you did, and how much you cared for someone, they still perished."

Dream wasn't crying yet, but he sure felt like he would. The negative energy was weakening him each second. Making it harder and harder to fight back. What good would it be to have his friend die in vain? This was to protect her, yet he failed to do that before, so now he had to live on in some way. Somehow. He wouldn't. . .lose. .like this. Not after she. .

"Shut up, Nightmare. .she's. .she's not. . .d-dead. She's just. . .passed out. .not dead."

It was getting harder to hold back.

Nightmare motioned to Error, who used his strings to grab Seneca's SOUL. It was black and torn in many places, but had green around the edges. A testament to her never-ending kindness and generosity, despite how much she tried to hide it. The strings slowly began to pull it away before Ink used his brush and slashed the strings. He grabbed her SOUL and-

crack

One piece fell to the ground.

It felt like Dream's world was crushed. His eyes went wide as he stared in disbelief.

Another piece crumbling.

He couldn't believe it. He just. . .couldn't believe it.

Another.

Another.

Another.

Another. . .

The last piece held by a thread. The only thing remaining of her SOUL. The only thing. The last thing he had of her.

gone within an instant.

He couldn't bear to look at anyone. Dream gave in. He couldn't do anything anymore. He stood up and looked Nightmare in the eye, a stern look, though his determination and will was no more.

"I'm done. Take all you want from me."

Ink and Blue were about to protest and drag him out of there, but they were swiftly taken care of by the rest of Nightmare's crew. Though they couldn't kill Ink, they could get rid of Blue in much the same way as they did with Seneca. And make his companions watch the whole thing.

"No! Dream! You can't do this! We're your friends!"

All Dream could do was hold Seneca tight to him, and let one single tear leave his eye before everything went black.

Several years later, the world was a wasteland. No life stood. .

but. .

A single, golden rose.

~~

(Yeah. I don't regret anything.)