“LET ME AT HIM!!” Killer snarled, thrashing as Blue held him back. Black clouds leaked heavily from his eyes and Azra stayed bristled but behind Dream.

Dust had just explained exactly what the newcomer had called Horror. Normally, he would not be a tattle tale like an upset toddler but he could not keep this injustice unsaid. Horror’s self-esteem was low enough as it was without the bully bringing him down even more.

“Dream. Your companion has caused quite the fuss among my shiver.” Nightmare’s voice rumbled, shaking the water around him. “And Dust has explained why in detail.” His glare made the Flowey shrink in place, filling him with fear. “I have one question for this miscreant. Why?”

Azra stuttered and couldn’t make eye contact but Dream slipped between him and Nightmare. “Brother, please. He didn’t mean any of-”

“HE DEMEANED HORROR!!!” The roar that ripped through the trench made even Killer and Ink freeze. The ocean stilled with an icy chill and the only light was the intense, angry glow of cyan. Water rushed as Nightmare inhaled deeply and exhaled. “He verbally attacked one of my shiver. He is no longer welcome.”

“Night, he-”

“If he stays any longer, I will turn I blind eye to my shivers’ action.” Nightmare glared down at Dream. “Am I understood?”

“Brother-”

“Am. I. Understood?”

“You can’t just kick out everyone who hurts you!” Dream yelled, jabbing his finger up at the Kraken’s face.

“WHY DO YOU KEEP THEM?!?!” Nightmare snapped and towered over his brother, tentacles lashing around them and nearly smacking Dust, Killer, and Blue. His tendrils formed a dangerous barrier around the group. His eye narrowed at Dream. “Why do you keep swimming back to people who don’t even like you? Why do you keep beaching yourself for them? They only want what you can give them but giving is tearing you apart! You’re killing yourself to take care of everyone else! Set some damn boundaries, Dream!”

Dream’s mouth clicked shut, his golden shine dimming as Nightmare’s words set in. Everyone was still and even the writhing mass of tentacles slowed to a stop. Killer and Dust shared a glance of worry. Something was going on here that only the leviathans knew about. Whatever it was, it was none of their business.

Blue seemed to come to the same conclusion too. He gently let Killer go and guided an oddly silent Ink and a half-trembling, half-bristled Azra away from the tense standoff.

Dust and Killer did the same, collecting Horror and swimming away into the trench. Horror, the second they reached the floor, swam into his fish farm den, shutting out the outside for a bit. Dust watched him disappear with a mix between guilt and sympathy. The octopus was in a rough state with the newbie on top of the whole hunting divers situation. Everything was a mess.

Killer’s back suddenly straightened so fast Dust swore he heard it crack. He looked sharply up and out of the trench.

Dust tilted his head at his companion’s odd behavior. “What? What is it?”

“Blood.” the siren spoke, very straightforward.

Dust rolled his eyes. The shark could smell blood from miles away and acted like it was a superpower.

Killer sniffed the water and his eyes widened with recognition. Then he said something that made Dust’s blood run cold. “Y/n. Dust, it’s y/n’s and Cross’s blood. Both of them.”

“What?!” He grabbed Killer’s shoulder before the reckless siren could bolt. “Killer, are you sure? How do you know?”

Killer growled and pulled his shoulder out of Dust’s grip. “I know blood, Dust, and that’s definitely Cross’s! Y/n’s was a little hard to recognize but I know it! I know it’s theirs!” He looked ready to bolt after the scent. “I’m going-”

“I’ll go with you.” Dust interrupted. Killer started to protest but was cut off again. “Listen, if it’s the divers again, we need to be in groups. Especially if they have both Cross and Y/n. You and me can take on a couple fishermen.”