y/n pov

I had woken up as soon as George had left. Dream was gone before him, but the latter did not have as quiet an exit. My magic made my sleep lighter while I was healing, trying to protect me from any threats.

So of course I woke up when George fumbled out of the room. He had tripped on something, I wasn't sure what, and had fallen. I rolled my eyes and kept my breaths even as he exited.

Once I was sure he was gone, I sat and listened. After a few minutes of hushed conversation, the faint sound of the front door clicking shut found its way into my ears. I laid still for a few minutes longer to ensure that they wouldn't return.

I carefully moved the sleeping cat to my pillow as I sat up. I could feel the slight tug of my stitches but I ignored them. My legs longed to stand and no longer stay in bed. Thankfully, Ghost stayed asleep or he would've made me stay in bed.

I bit down on the inside of my cheek as I hung my legs over the side of the bed. My magic was like a worried mother, trying to usher me back into laying down. Ignoring it, I pushed myself off the bed into a standing position.

My wound's screams were faint from the numbing ointment, but I could still feel slight sting. I knew the stitches were still fresh so I had to be careful with them or they would rip open.

Not only would I feel pain from the wound if that happened, but I would also receive a headache from being scolded for it. Also, I didn't want George's work to go to waste and him have to do it again.

I took small, hesitant steps at first to test how much I was able to move. When the stitches didn't tug, I took normal-sized steps. I knew that I wouldn't be able to run until the war, but this would do.

Careful not to twist my body wrong, I made my way to the slightly ajar door. I crept out of the room being unaware that someone else was awake in that room.

Pinpricks ran up and down my legs as they screamed in protest. I shook them awake, climbing up the stairs towards the front door. My sword was leaned against the wall, discarded from when I was rushed in.

Instead of placing it at my hip, I grasped it in my hand to not weigh down my side. When I pushed open the front door, a warm breeze brushed in. My magic tingled at it.

Someone had given Ash some hay and water, as well as taken her saddle off. Most likely Techno. He was the one with the most experience with horses. After all, he did own more horses than all of us combined.

She had her head in a bucket of hay underneath a wide tree. Her ears pricked as I made my way over to her, a smile spreading on my face.

As I walked, I glanced to my left, seeing two figures way off in the distance. I knew it was them, but I made no move to stop them. I wouldn't be able to catch up to them in time so I just continued on my way to Ash. I hoped Dream wouldn't hurt Wilbur.

"Hi, sweet girl." The horse neighed softly, trotting up to me. Even though I had just gotten her, she seemed just as grateful as Ghost that I was alive. She pressed her head into my hand, closing her eyes. There was already a strong bond between us, after my near death experience.

I smiled, rubbing my hand over the white splotch that covered almost her entire forehead. My voice was hushed, "Thank you for staying with me when I was injured." She huffed through her nose in response.

She seemed to sense something before me, whipping her head towards the woods. I glanced behind her, "What is it?"

For a moment there was nothing but silence. A ringing began in my ears from how hard I was straining them. Ash was completely still. Something wasn't right. Even my magic was uneasy.

And if I had learned anything from the past day, it was to listen to my magic.

But I didn't want to leave Ash out here exposed. I knew that I wouldn't be able to fight that well with my healing wound, but if needed, I would die for my animal. She had saved my life, so I owed her a life debt.

I almost jumped out of my skin at the sound of the front door opening. I whirled around as fast I could without hurting myself, to find Karl. His fluffy hair was sticking out at all angles from previous sleep. A sleeve-covered hand was rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

I kept my body slightly angled towards the woods, walking over to the boy. Ash stayed frozen, her eyes darting between the shadows that were created from the trees. Her stillness was causing my magic to grow even more worried.

Keeping my voice low, I half-faced Karl, "What are you doing out here?"

A small smile danced on his lips, "I could ask you the same thing." Ash stomped her foot, still staring out into the woods, "Karl, I don't think it's safe for us to be out here."

Confusion replaced his smile, "Why not? Dream wouldn't have left you if he didn't think you were safe."

"He knew I would be safe inside, with Sapnap and Ghost. He didn't think I would come out here." My eyes darted around, searching for the unseen threat.

"Then why did you come out here?"

"Because I needed to get out of bed for a little bit and I wanted to feel the summer air." My eyes snagged on something in between shadows. Ash saw it too, huffing angrily at it.

Two dark eyes were staring at us from the tree line. The only reason I spotted them was because of the slight reflection of moonlight that was in them.

But human eyes can't reflect as strongly as these ones were. And there was only one person who had eyes like this.

I stayed facing them but placed a hand on Karl's arm, "Karl, we need to go inside. Now."

My magic coiled, unconsciously calling a storm. Thunder rumbled from behind us as I started to scoot the two of us towards the door. My horse heard our movement, slowly backing up.

I froze as the thing's voice called out, "And where do you think the two of you are going?"

My blood ran cold, horns appearing above the man's eyes.

-

I schooled my features as the voice morphed into a form. He must've been crouching because the eyes moved higher. I didn't break eye contact as a horned man stepped from the shadows.

His sly smile twisted his face as he tugged on the cuffs of his suit. I felt Karl quake slightly under my hand, fear coming off of him in ripples. I tugged him behind me as the man took a step closer.

Ash stomped her hoof at him to tell him to stay away. He stayed where he was, making the wise decision to not get near the horse. I made a mental note to give the horse an apple later. If we got out of here alive.

I sneered, "What are you doing here Schlatt?" My sneer turned into a smirk, "You know Dream will murder you if he knows you got this close to me." I locked my mask into place, not letting him see my fear or wound.

Dark amusement danced in his eyes, "Oh, do you need lover boy here to protect you?" It was his turn to smirk, "I never took you as one to hide behind a man with power, y/n."

I stalled, continuing the conversation. What Schlatt didn't realize was that by talking, he was giving me time to tunnel into my magic. I was building fire, a shield ready to snap into place if needed.

I laughed a humorless laugh, "Schlatt, you should know better than anyone that I'm strong enough to defend myself." His amusement disappeared, "Or do I need to give you another taste of unconsciousness?"

Ash stomped her foot again as the man lifted his own to take a step forward. He shot a dark look at the animal, staying planted in his spot, "I'll cut right to the chase then, I have a deal to make with you."

Karl's hand shook as he clutched my sweatshirt. I had to have my sweatshirt washed of the blood, so now I wore a purple one. Thunder rumbled once more as I turned my head slightly to look at the boy, "Go inside. Wake up Sapnap."

He stared wide-eyed up at me, nodding. Before he could step away, Schlatt cleared his throat, "I wouldn't leave if I were you."

I glared at the man, "And why should we listen to you?"

He smirked, "Because I don't want our little meeting to be ruined with other people joining."

Karl was about to step away but I stopped him, not looking at him as I placed a hand on his. I could feel him staring at me but I kept my eyes on Schlatt, "Why the hell are you here?"

The man rolled his eyes like an impatient teenager, "I already told you, I have a deal to make with you."

I crossed my arms, leaning on my uninjured side. I tried to not make it known of my injury, "You're more out of your mind than I thought if you think I would agree with you."

Rain began to fall, plopping in fat drops onto my shoulders. I couldn't be out here for long or the stitches would be destroyed from the water. I moved some of my magic towards the wound, warmth radiating from it.

A feral smile spread across his face, black mist swirling around him, "I have a deal that you can't refuse."

-

I waved my sword around, acting as if I were bored, "Well, get on with it."

He squared his shoulders, "I won't completely stab the shit out of Quackity when I see him next, if-," He laughed maniacally, "if you betray someone."

I scoffed, the rain falling a little harder, "And why the hell would I do that? Big Q can defend himself," I rolled my eyes, "Also, why would I backstab someone for you? That's a stupid deal."

His smile only widened, "Ah, well you see, that's where I've got you." He ignored my horse, sauntering towards us. Ash moved to my side as the man stopped several feet away, "I'm sure you know by now that Quackity and I go way back. We've been friends since before the darkness overtook me."

He shoved his hands into his pockets, "One day when we used to live together, he almost got himself killed. But I saved him," He leaned forward, "So he owes me a life debt."

I masked the fear that snaked through me. Life debts in this world could never be broken, no matter what. And now, Quackity basically bowed down to Schlatt's wishes.

He stood up straight again, "Due to his life debt, I could kill him and he wouldn't be allowed to refuse." Droplets rain down Schlatt's horns, turning black from his mist as they fell, "But, if you go through with this deal, then I will release him from the debt."

Karl's body shook once more behind me. I ignored it, contemplating for a moment. I gave him a hesitant look, "And who am I supposed to betray?"

The human side of Schlatt disappeared as he gave me a dark smile, "Tommy."

-

I could feel my mask slipping, thunder now rumbling directly above us. The air crackled around me with electric currents that only my magic could feel.

Tommy? He was one of my best friends, how was I supposed to betray him?

Only the sound of droplets hitting the earth was heard for a moment. Schlatt took that as an opportunity to keep talking, "C'mon, I know how much you care about Quackity. This deal is truly in your favor."

I knew that was bullshit. Schlatt was in control of this situation. And he knew it, a sly smile spreading across his face. He knew that he was winning me over.

I slightly shoved Karl, whispering, "Go inside, now. Stay with Sapnap, and tell him what's going on. He'll keep you safe." The boy turned, "And don't let him come out here."

Karl hesitated for a moment and I could see that he didn't want to leave me. His voice was a bit wobbly, "Be safe." I nodded, tracking him with my eyes as he ran inside.

I turned back around, placing a hand on my horse's neck. Schlatt had a strange glow to him as lightning streaked across the sky. The storm was getting worse and I was about to be in the worst of it.

I gave Schlatt a hard look, "So if we make this deal, your life debt over Quackity will automatically disappear, correct?"

Something evil danced through his dark eyes as he stepped closer. He was know about a foot away, his dark shadow looming over me, "Yes. As soon as we shake on it, it'll be gone." He winked at me, "And I can't go back on that because the gods will ensure it goes through."

My magic stretched out across the dark plains as it sensed two approaching figures. I recognised the feel of them, darting my eyes to Schlatt. If I was going to agree with this, I had to do it now or Dream would come back to see me shaking hands with the devil.

He sensed my urgency, smiling darkly. He thrust out his hand, "Let's shake on it."

I bit my lip, staring down at his hand. Was I really this stupid?

I never thought I would be making a deal with Schlatt after what he had done, but here I was, reaching my hand out towards his.

His hand engulfed mine in a bone crushing grip. I gritted my teeth, squeezing just as hard. Lightning flashed above us, illuminating the animal in his eyes.

Schlatt placed his other hand around my wrist. I bit down on my grimace from the pain that emitted from the bruises. I couldn't let him know about the pain.

Something dark washed over me, my words coming out harshly, "It's a deal."

He smirked, "It's a deal, darling."

~~~~~

uh oh we made a deal

don't worry, the next part will be out soon lol. I have a plan, so DO NOT FRET, y/n isn't that stupid to make a deal without a plan lol

I hope you all have an amazing day or night, and make sure to drink water!