Overcoming Insecurity.

A shard of pain cut into Dwayne's head and caused it to throb. He blinked back the nausea that threatened to empty his stomach then took a deep breath.

“What just happened? Who is he?” he asked. When no answer came he tugged at the sleeves of the now azure being that stood where Apathy had been.

A bemused “Hmm?” was he only response as she watched the red figure with an indifferent countenance. She briefly stared at the commotion then turned to face Dwayne, “We need to talk.”

“Even I know that, but I'd like some kind of answers to my questions before we talk,” this was the first time Dwayne had become impatient in months. His nails dug into his palm when he balled his hands into fists.

Azure's eyes illuminated with a baby blue hue along with her hair and she clasped her hands together, “Kam'Ikugo; Stagnant Clock.”

An outward burst of translucent azure energy emanated from her as soon as she tore her hands apart. This energy coated every body within the immediate area and instantly froze them in their tracks. All except for Dwayne.

All his anger melted away into something much like see, eyes and mouth open wide, “Wh—”

“I momentarily froze time to give us an opportunity to speak over your situation,” her eyes returned to their normal vivid lavender as she looked at Dwayne, “Ask.”

“Why am I here?” the question slid out effortlessly as it had been at the front of his mind the entire time, “Also, who is that and what does he want?” he asked, indicating at Black with his eyes.

“You are part of a breed of eccentrics categorised as Agnii who are beings who draw power from their emotions, permitting them to bend both the psychological and secular laws of existence to their liking. Simply put, you're an abomination. Your current objective is to claim power from your most dominant emotion and rid the rest of their powers.”

Dwayne did his best to digest the relayed information with an open mind, nodding when she finished and smiled with understanding, “Alright, that seems cool. So how do I actually retrieve this power from you guys?”

In response, Azure took two steps forward, her breath insanely cool as her nose brushed against Dwayne's nose and even colder when she light pressed her lips onto his. Dwayne's face flushed a deep scarlet and he almost bit his tongue with shock. Most of all, the coldness of her lips soothed him somewhat, “Now blink, take a look around and tell me what you see.”

Dwayne did as instructed and saw that within the sternum of every figure was a sphere that complemented their colour. Black, however, had a large bubbled filled with miscellaneous spheres that did not even match his tinge.

“Lots of. . .balls?” he said uncertainly.

“Precisely. Those aureoles are our power sources and for you to attain either one of our powers, you simply have to extract the sphere and inhale it's essence. It'll dissolve instantly and only then will your brain wake you,” she continued and heaved a sigh.

“Black over there is Insecurity. He has been possessed by the latent darkness inside of you and had been trying to perfect himself for years. He's done this by devouring more and more of your Components until one day where he became a true representation of the monster he was. His very being faded into darkness and with every one of us he ingested, he grew stronger. Today is the day he plans to eat us all. . . except you.”

“I seem to be quite the exception as of late,” Dwayne sighed and gave an infinitesimal shake of his head, he knew he wasn't going to like the answer to his next question but he asked it nonetheless, “Why won't he eat me specifically?”

Azure flicker Dwayne's forehead, leaving the struck area a delicate pink and watched him wince at the pain with indifference, “Use your brain Hie'lus Dwayne Daniels. We are currently within your Subconscious Realm, if he were to eat you, he would cease to exist unless he were to find another host to possess.”

Her entirety faltered as though she were glitching before solidifying once more. In her possession was the book she had been reading when Dwayne first saw her, the brown leather bound volume was still pristine and had the scent of fresh ink strongly clinging to it, “It would benefit all that is in existence for you to learn how to suppress, amplify and use your power accordingly. I've written down all the fundamentals of Agno power, armed combat and martial arts so that you may grow stronger. Read it, breathe, live it.”

Dwayne did not have time to respond before the translucent energy lost its grip on reality and giving way to the restoration of time.

Ire bellowed in rage and rapidly launched myriad blasts of fire toward Black to make himself the subject of his attention. "Give her back you asshole!"

The blasts of fire were simply drawn into the void along with more chunks of the ground. Black didn't even bother to give any form of response except for strengthening the suction. As soon as it had strengthened, the suction ceased. The cackle of static, the smell of ionized air and Black's surprised grunt all culminated within a split second. Immobilized by the current coursing through his entire nervous system, he was assailable.

"Now die at the receiving end of my Deific Impaler," Red declared whilst he descended upon Black with a long drill tipped spear-like appendage of stone that enveloped his entire left arm. The apex entered Black's mouth and Red pushed down with all his might, impaling the throat of his foe and pinning him to the ground with it as it protruded out onto the other side. His lifeless caramel gaze met that of the orange figure that stood a few feet from him, "Thanks, kid."

Gaiety gave a nervous nod but was satisfied for Red's gratitude. His mouth stretched into a toothy grin and he held a thumbs up. "Anytime!"

Ire picked up Melancholy and they both broke into fits of giddy laughter. Paranoia joined them together with a meaty hug.

"Woah!" Dwayne's eyes lit up with puerile elation and awe at the sight he had just witnessed. Without thinking, he wrapped the azure figure into an embrace. Her skin was so cold that it forced him to let go.

Nobody noticed until it was too late: lengthy black vectors snaked up Red's entire arm and forced open his mouth, then with a loud slurping sound, Black was gone. Flashes of bloodstained memories, screams and murderous intent flooded Red's mind, causing him to clutch and pull at his burgundy locks. He groaned in agony as two horns sprouted from his temples. The entire ambience changed, as if time itself were holding it's breath. As if he were mindless, Red glared directly at Dwayne, his body shaking with maniac laughter.

"Remember me, Dwayne." Azure's delicate palms met the ground with much grace before she called out, "Ihel!" The ground quivered and tore apart as large serpentine entities wrought of clear ice emerged beneath each and everyone except Red who had been possessed by Insecurity. The serpents lifted them skyward in a circle that besieged Insecurity.

"I'm sorry guys. I can't take it anymore. The fighting, evading and watching each and every one of you get devoured. . . I just can't deal with it anymore — she bit back a sob as her eyes glinted with tears. That's why, for Dwayne's sake, I'm going to give Insecurity what he's always wanted. Forgive me for the my selfishn-"

"Nonsense!” shouted Paranoia with reassurance, “There's no need for you to apologize Apathy!”

"Yeah, we were all kind of tired too. I'll take this as a long ass nap or whatever." Sarcasm said with the slightest of smirks.

"You bet it. I honestly hoped this day would come anyway, so cheer up!" Squealed Gaiety with his high-pitched voice.

"I was going to take us all down eventually, I just need-" Envy began.

"Shudup!" said a voice nobody recognized until they saw who it was. The blue baby was pointing at Envy who looked astonished. "Shudap! Shudap! Shudap!" he clapped and giggled. Everybody went ballistic for his first words.

"You heard the little guy. Shut your jealous ass up and be grateful you green snot. Oh and, thank you Apathy. Your protection has been most comforting to live under." declared Ire with much pride as he held Melancholy in his arms.

Apathy wiped the forming tears in her eyes, "You guys. . .okay, let's put an end to this little squabble of ours." and gave the most subliminal smile that made even her eyes sparkle like crystals of ice.

Dwayne felt torn but admired the mettle they had and held back the sobs in his chest. He looked at each and every one of them. "I-I just met you all, but I feel like I've known you all my life. If it's not too forward if me, I'd like to proudly say that I love you!"

"Du Wain!" shouted Melancholy with his meaty fist in the air, a cute confidence about his chubby face.

"To Dwayne!" they all agreed. Apathy beckoned her arms downward and the serpents dove in descent.

Insecurity opened the void once more, welcoming the falling prey, his head pronged with crimson horns. They entered the the void, one by one without hassle until only Dwayne remained, descending upon him, arm outstretched and tears streaming from his eyes. Black felt a shard of pain slash at his heart and faltered, unable to fend off the falling boy.

"You will never be forgotten guys!" Dwayne declared, then with a cry of battle, his right arm plunged into the chest of Insecurity. His grip tightened on the book he was given then in he went into darkness which was broken by an emission of lurid effulgence that filled the entire area.