"Hey, Gen," Reaper said, making Geno jump.

"Damn it, Death-" Geno turned around angrily. "Stop sneaking up on me like that. I almost punched you, jerk."

"Go ahead. You hit like a temmie anyway." Death smiled. He looked slightly tired.

Geno growled and crossed his arms. "What do you want?"

"I was just taking a little trip to the Save Screen before I head off into the land of the dead," Reaper responded with a shrug.

"You're going today?" The glitch asked, eyes wide.

"I said I would wait a few more days but... It felt weird having it on my mind. I'm not used to doing this kind of stuff. Not a fan of reviving people."

"I guess if it means you don't have to think about it anymore..." Geno said quietly. "Are you doing it now?"

Reaper nodded. "Might as well. Just woke up... I'm at my energy peak." He smiled.

Looking at Death, Geno was trying to hide his worry. If it was as power-consuming as Reaper said reviving someone could be, what would that mean for him? What if it took too much power? Who would Geno have then?

"So, I might be kind of beat after I'm done. Just make sure I don't do anything stupid while I'm tired and out of it, okay?" Death looked down at Geno, who nodded slightly. "I also need you to make sure Ink is alright, too, when we come back. He might be a bit confused after I bring him back... Just fill him in, and send him off, okay? He'll probably find Dream or something."

"Um.. alright. Go on, then, I guess. Don't hurt yourself or I'll hurt you worse."

"Is that your version of worry, Geno?" Reaper asked jokingly. Geno's face lit up with blush and he looked at Reaper coldly.

"No, you asshole," he said, his voice cracking slightly. Death smiled.

"It's alright, don't be embarrassed. It's cute when you worry."

Geno's face burned more. He pulled back his fist and got ready to throw a punch, but before he could strike, Reaper laughed and teleported away quickly, leaving a flash of light and a few sparks burning on the grass below Geno's feet. The glitch stomped them out and crossed his arms irritably, sitting down in wait for Death to return with Ink.

* * * 

It's a sad thing, being next to someone who you can't communicate with even though they know you're there. It can be upsetting to have them say little things like...

"I'm sorry. For everything. I was a shit person to you and now I can't even look you in the eye and apologize."

Things like that can really tear you apart. It definitely tore Ink apart. Error finally broke down after Death left the other day. He'd said how much it bothered him that Ink was very clearly there yet the two of them couldn't communicate. He'd apologized... multiple times, when he was ready. 

Ink talked back. He responded, even though he knew Error couldn't hear him. He could have sworn, though, for a split second the two of them made eye contact once... However, maybe that was just Ink's imagination.

Since Death left, Error hardly left his void at all. He barely slept, and it sort of worried Ink. Even monsters needed sleep, not just humans. Luckily, however, Error did leave to eat every now and then.

Now Ink was sitting next to Error in the void, watching as Error worked on sewing a puppet of his. Ink'd gotten used to them by now, and he actually found Error's hobby interesting. (Plus, his glasses looked adorable on him.)

Error looked like he was about to say something, but Ink was suddenly pulled out of the void by a force unbeknownst to him. He yelped and landed in some huge plaza, surrounded by several glowing monsters and people as far as the eye could see. All of them were spirits, he realized with wide eyes. He swallowed and tapped the nearest shoulder.

"E-Excuse me, do you know what's going on?" Ink asked hastily. The monster turned to Ink with her brow furrowed. She shook her head but kept eye contact. Her animal ears were pinned back as if she were upset.

"Someone's saying the reason every spirit in the afterlife was brought here because there's a reaper here. They say it's going to resurrect someone... But that hasn't happened in ages," the monster explained, then she turned back around.

Ink widened his eyes, remembering what Death had said just a day ago about bringing him back from the dead. This happens every time a god wants to revive someone? Ink thought, astonished. He looked up to see the shadow of Reaper floating high over the crowd, slowly, as if he believed that the very thought of having spirits touch him was revolting. Ink's gaze followed him.

Reaper's solemn, emotionless eyes zeroed in on the area Ink was standing in. The spirits next to Creation gave a murmur, a collective gasp of what if he picks me?

Death lowered himself next to Ink, causing the crowd to disperse and clear the way for him. He eyed everyone staring at him, looking serious and nearly threatening. Quickly, he took Ink by the wrist and for a split second, Death looked as if he were in immense pain, then for both of them, everything went white.

---END OF CHAPTER 23---

At this point, when I finish a chapter, I have to go back and check to see what chapter it is. Help me remember "24" for next time!

Countdown to chaos: 3