TW: Blood and stuff for this one, obviously :^

Series: Rainbow Quest

AU: Horror (from 'Monster' and 'Chains')

Context: Remember how I mentioned that Sabre was turned into a carnivorous creature because of the experiments on him? Well, if you haven't read the AU chapter in that book, he has trouble being able to get food because of that, and all of the animals are mutated, which Orange didn't think it was a good idea for him to eat animals because of that. After a lot of trial and error, with Orange realizing the 'carnivorous' part, he finally has the idea to kill people (aka Steves that were total jerks) and bring them to Sabre for him to eat. This is after the first time they go through with the idea, after there was really no other choice.

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[Orange Steve's POV]

It covers the Hub's floor, making it a bit more difficult for me to clean up the stains. The moonlight gives me sight of just how much of it there is.

I know I should've done a better job of making sure the body wouldn't bleed all over the place, but I was kind of in a hurry. Sabre had been getting weaker for a few days now, and I needed to get something for him quickly. I was worried he was going to die soon... it's only been a few weeks since he got here, but I'd say that we're already pretty good friends.

The idea of what I just did would be horrifying to normal people, but nothing in this world is exactly 'normal'. I wasn't too bothered with killing the guy, I've killed before and that dude was a total idiot anyway. People kill others all the time, whether it be for their own reasons or the victim was a jerk like this guy, so it's not too out of the ordinary. By the way, this has to be the most efficient way I've ever used to get rid of a body. Gone within seconds, bones and all. This idea could actually turn out going very well if Sabre's able to handle it.

I finally finish cleaning the last of the blood off of the stone brick, throwing the ruined towel into the bag I used to drag the body here. I then go over to the large barrel next to my house I've been using to throw away stuff like this, and toss the bag inside. Now that that's done with, I should check to see how Sabre's doing.

As I walk over to where Sabre's been in the woods surrounding the area, I think of how hard it's been to try and fix his... problem. I can't believe those people back where he's from went this far with the tests on him, and it's put quite a few problems in our days. After a lot of trying to find some kind of crop that Sabre could eat, and him just repeatedly getting sick every time, I finally realized that those experiments changed him to the point that he's carnivorous. I feel bad that it took me that long to realize. However, all of the animals here are extremely mutated, and I wasn't sure if that would be safe for him... so I went with the next best thing.

I reach the spot of the woods where I always find him, and just like every time Sabre's leaned against the large tree at the back of the forest. He looks up when he hears me walking over, and smiles. It cheers me up a bit to see that he's still happy despite being so emaciated.

"Hey, Orange." Sabre greets me.

"Hi Sabre! You doing alright?" I ask, hugging his arm since he's too big for me to give him an actual hug. It's hard to believe that someone could be that tall!

"Yeah, I'm doing great actually." Sabre says, smiling. "I haven't felt sick at all. In fact, I'm feeling better."

"That's great!" I exclaim, excited that we finally found something that works. "And... you're okay with the whole, uh... 'it's a person' thing?"

"It doesn't bother me, Orange. I've seen worse happen to others." Sabre replies.

"Perfect." I smile. "I'm gonna go back and try to get more for you, okay? I'll be right back."

"Okay. I'll be here." Sabre says, and then I head back to the main part of the Hub.

I need to go back because I know one isn't enough. It's nice to know that Sabre isn't starving anymore, but he's still going to need more that one so he can keep getting better. Maybe once he's strong enough again he can come with me, but for now I have to go out alone.

I quickly grab another large bag from my house, bigger than the last one, and teleport away with a bow slung over my shoulder and an axe in my free hand.

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I end up in the same part of the forest where I found the first guy. There's still deep crimson painting the grass, undried.

I quickly dash over to a nearby tree, knowing that the friends of that Yellow Steve are going to come looking for him soon enough. He and his buddies are notorious for starting trouble, even with other kingdoms. Pretty sure that nobody's gonna miss them.

Hiding behind the tall dark oak tree, I don't have to wait long before I hear a bunch of voices. Four other Yellow Steves walk into the forest, talking loudly. I keep myself hidden.

"Seriously, he never takes this long to get stuff." One of them says as they get closer.

"Yeah, it's weird." Another adds. "In fact, he's usually first to finish whenever we race each other to gather materials."

"You think something got him...?" A third says, sounding more scared than the other two.

"Chill out, guys." The final one says, leading the way. "He's probably fine-"

They all stop when the one at the front of the group steps in the blood, hearing the squish noise. Gross.

They all slowly look down, and back away when they realize it's blood. They all look scared now.

"Uhm... w-whose blood is t-that?" The scared-sounding one stutters.

"I dunno..." The second one replies.

I quietly ready my bow, placing an arrow on the string.

"Okay, uh- Maybe that's just some animal's blood." The one that was leading quickly says. "Or- Or someone got in a fight."

"What if it was Flare's fight?" The first one asks, trembling. That must've been the Yellow Steve's name.

I'm trying to decide which person to aim my bow at.

"Well, he's probably winning. I mean, you've seen him." The leading one says. "Remember when I told you about how he and I got that Orange Steve pretty good last week? The one with the books?"

...Him. I'm aiming for him. I knew it was these punks that decided to mess with Nerdy.

"I guess..." The scared-sounding one mumbles.

"Uh, yeah, maybe they teleported away or something. We did hear lightning." The second one says.

"Yeah." The leading one replies. "See, so maybe we could just head back and wait for Flare to-"

He's interrupted by my arrow when it pierces his throat. I've been getting good at that.

All of the other Yellow Steves scream as he drops to the floor. One tries to run, but I hit him with an arrow too before he can take more than 5 steps. The other two are frozen in fear as they glance between the two bodies.

I quickly switch from my bow to my axe, and rush behind them. I strike one in the back of his head, and he goes down as well. I shove the other one, the one who's been scared this whole time, and he falls to the ground. I place my foot on his chest so he can't get up, and he looks at me with absolute terror.

"Sorry about this, but I need to help a friend." I say. "Also, you guys are total dipsticks."

He doesn't have time to say anything before my axe plunges into his head, all that comes out of his mouth being some kind of squeak before he dies. I then remove my axe, putting it away so I can get the bag.

More of the burgundy liquid gushes out of the wound, spilling onto the grass and sinking into the ground.

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I'm back with Sabre at the Hub, both of us talking.

He's curled up on his side, still leaning against the huge tree, with me leaning against him. The used bag sits a few feet away near us, along with my bow and axe.

"Thanks again, Orange." Sabre says as he wipes away some blood from his face with his sleeve. "I dunno what I would've done without you."

"It was no problem Sabre, it was actually a little fun." I reply. "I haven't done something that exciting in forever!"

Sabre smiles, and I smile back, giggling. He always has this goofy smile, and every time it makes me laugh.

"Oh, hey, guess what?" I ask, remembering something from during the hunt.

"What is it?" Sabre asks.

"Turns out those guys are the ones that messed with Nerdy Orange Steve last week." I say. "I had a guess it was them."

"Ayy!" Sabre chuckles. "I guess you got some revenge then."

"Hehe, double revenge. You kinda took part in it." I smile. "Since I got to kill them and they got eaten."

I hold out my hand for a fist bump. Sabre carefully holds up his and gives me one, smiling. It's been fun teaching him stuff like this, since he's been stuck in a lab as long as he can remember.

We keep talking for a while, but eventually we both get tired. It's really late, probably around midnight, so understandable. I get up and grab my stuff as Sabre makes himself more comfortable in the grass.

"I'll figure out something for you later, okay? You shouldn't have to sleep outside like this." I say before I walk off.

"Okay, but one thing at a time. You've helped a lot already today." Sabre says. "See you tomorrow."

"Seeya, buddy." I smile, then turn to walk back to my house.

Y'know, today wasn't actually so bad. Maybe I'll get used to this new routine soon.