The Nightmare King learning of a universe where a band of adventurers "destroy" them, and just grabbing the party's counter parts in their universe while they are smaller. Their The Nightmare King's kids now, at least Kalina and Baron like the goblin, even if maybe one of the kids is happy and it's the wood elf who clearly thinks this is a dream.
ficlet frenzy note: i really didn't intend to write this originally, cause the scope was really big, and it felt like i wouldn't be able to encapsulate everything. but also, i love bad endings. and kristen applebees. so... hey! (written during @d20ficoff)
“C’mon, Kris! Let’s go play!”
She can’t help but flinch at the sound of that merry voice, filled with such boundless happiness. Shifting slightly, Kristen manoeuvres her body around in the tiny alcove she’s tucked herself away into. At the young age of eight, Kristen’s still small enough that she can squeeze her body into the dip of the tree, curling up into a ball and hugging her limbs close.
It’s the closest thing to comfort that she can get in this forest, to hold herself close. If she closes her eyes and sinks into her own mind, maybe she can trick herself into believing she’s back in her home with her mom and her dad and her little brothers — curled up in her bed, warm and cosy and safe.
But she’s not back home anymore. She hasn’t been for a while.
[read the rest on ao3]