The tension in the room grew painfully stronger. Everyone was sitting together in a square, huddling around the Ludo board. Their shoulders tensed as the midnight silence took over.

'If you even dare go near my pawn, Knowledge,' Courage broke the silence, whispering gravely in one breath, 'I'll—'

Snap.

No one could see. Moonlight was the only source of light the room received. Everyone went curiously blind. No one could even see their own hands in the dark. The room was pitch black. How annoying. Courage gave out an irritated groan.

'Shucks, the power went out again,' she heard Determination, but couldn't make out her exact position. That was unnecessary. She was sitting on her right, but the dark seemed to have obnoxiously switched everyone's position. Or perhaps she was just, Courage guessed, bad at listening in general.

'It's the fifth time this m— OW!'

'Sorry, Knowledge!' Det squeaked. Judging by the vague ruffling sound, Courage guessed that Det had stood up and blindly stepped on Knowledge.

Just a lucky guess.

'Everyone, don't panic!' Courage fell back as a hand impulsively attacked her nose. Her eyes started to water.

'Damn it, Honesty!' Courage fretted, sitting up and massaging her nose.

'Was that you, Courage? Sorry,' Honesty apologized, though Courage couldn't sense any sincerity, 'but don't worry, I got this.'

Honesty must have stood up before rapidly — shaking? The ruffling noise they were making sounded absolutely like shaking.

'Honesty, are you okay?' Knowledge asked, fear in her voice.

'Just a moment,' Honesty replied between pants.

Everyone's confusion was canceled with a bigger confusion as Honesty's body glowed a sharp green. Courage squinted her eyes, adjusting to the sudden change of light intensity. Honesty stood their ground, proudly providing light from their insides. Everyone's face was basked in green. It strongly reminded Courage of aliens and those science fiction stuff Knowledge liked.

Honesty held their head up high with a smile, expecting praises. But they must have noticed everyone gaping at them in silence, because their smile faded and they lowered their head. 'Are you guys okay?'

'What—' Knowledge spoke in difficulty, her voice merely a whisper.

'I swallowed a glow stick!' Honesty replied enthusiastically, 'it was a dare from Rebel. Happened two weeks ago, but I only found out about the glow three days ago and was waiting for the best opportunity to show you guys.' They said it all in one breath.

Silence ensued once more. Courage took a deep breath and exhaled, fixing her sitting position and averted her gaze. Unlike Courage, Determination continued staring in awe, hypnotised by the green beams. Honesty was visibly getting uncomfortable by the silent stares. They shifted and scratched their head. Knowledge seemed to have trouble breathing. Her eyes looked watery, the green light made the shine in her eyes more visible.

A sniffle was heard. Knowledge was visibly tearing up. Her breath sounded heavier and more difficult as she wiped tears away.

'Why the fuck would you—'

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okey this made no sense, back to maths