Before taking Dream's hand, I pulled a single potion from my belt. Somehow two of the potion bottles had not been cracked in the explosion. The one I unclicked had a lime green liquid in it, the other was dark red.

I stepped closer to Dream, chucking the bottle towards the ground. It shattered, sending pieces of glass flying in every direction. The lime potion coated both of our black boots for a moment before disappearing. A second later, swirls floated between the two of us.

Finally grasping his hand, we walked into the smoke, towards the sound of voices. I could hear how destroyed Tommy's voice was, after the explosion as well as seeing his brother die. His voice grew louder as we reached the edge of the explosion.

I glanced at Dream, "Jump when I do." He gave me a nod, watching for my jump. There was no way out of the pit we were in, besides going skywards.

Thanks to the potion of leaping that had survived the fall, getting out of the pit was easy. I angled my face up towards the smoke covered sky. I bent my knees, and pushed off, jumping blindly into the air.

The world disappeared below me for a moment, Dream's hand tugging me. And then there was grass under our feet again, less smoke surrounding us. My cape settled around my back once more.

I could see the smile on Dream's face, slightly below his mask. The white smiley face was dusted over from the remains of the explosions. The crack that had been there was now slightly bigger.

"Where are they?" My voice sounded smooth after the magic washed over me. No dust lingered in my throat, or anywhere on my clothes, now wrapped around my shoulders in a solid form.

Dream nodded his head towards where the smoke was thinning. Techno and my wolf were stood on the same side of the chasm as we were, digging through an ender chest. The Manberg army members were lining up behind him with a hand on their weapons.

I didn't hesitate, tugging Dream after me towards Techno.

As I walked out of the smoke cloud, I got a better view of the destruction. A large pit was now in place of L'manberg, stone and dirt still tumbling down to the bottom. Different ores stuck out from the walls, including iron and coal.

Small waterfalls of dark water were streaming into the pit, creating pools on the floor. The lake that had been beside the van was now quickly depleting as it poured into the chasm.

The storm above was still gathering, angry lines of lightning lighting up the dark clouds. They were waiting to be released.

Ghost was the first to notice, pricking his ears towards me. He broke off from Techno's side, sprinting towards me with his tongue out. His pure white color had been slightly greyed from the clouds of particles but no injuries marked him.

I released Dream's hand, crouching to embrace the dog. He practically knocked me over with his size. I could feel several people's gaze land on me while I pet Ghost, letting him lick my face.

I lifted my eyes from Ghost to Techno's. He was holding soul sand, as well as a darker item that he had pulled from his chest. No dust marked his armor or mantle, probably from being out of the way.

Giving him a small smile as I sauntered up, "Well, I see that your plan is underway."

Amusement danced in his eyes despite the destruction and sadness that was now surrounding the sight. If any sadness marked his soul, it was masked for the time being. After all, his twin was no longer here.

"It indeed is." He turned back, placing the soul sand in a T shape. Now that I was closer I could see the object that was tucked under his arm, a single wither head. He spoke quieter, "Glad you're alive. Thank you for protecting us."

I nodded, watching the group on the other side. "I'm sorry I couldn't stop him."

He shrugged, repeating the process of placing the soul sand twice more. "You tried. It's not your fault, Bia."

I smiled despite the context of the nickname, turning to Dream. The rebellion was slowly coming together, scurrying about to check on one another. "I bet you're happy right now."

He tilted his head, "And why would I be?" I could hear the teasing in his voice.

I grasped his hand, beckoning to the pit with the other, "This is what you have wanted since the black walls were first built."

"You're right." He squeezed my hand, "But I'm even happier you're alive." His voice turned soft with the last words. Even in the middle of war and destruction, he still managed to mess with the butterflies that flapped in my heart.

The smile that marked my face disappeared as Tommy realized what Techno was doing. Two heads each were placed on top of the soul sand shapes, leaving one to be placed to spawn the beasts.

I hadn't known Techno was thinking of using withers, but it seemed efficient enough.

Tommy's eyes widened as he stepped forward towards the cliff. His face twisted from heartbreak to anger. Tubbo stood slightly behind him, staring at the soon to be withers. The rest of the rebellion wrapped behind them.

"Stop right now!" His voice brought the attention of the rebellion towards the withers.

Techno scoffed, stepping forward. I stepped with him to stay in line. Dream stayed a step behind me with Ghost and the Manberg army. I glanced over my shoulder, seeing that Bad, Ant, and Skeppy had changed sides.

"Tommy, do you think you're a hero? Is that what this is?" The pink-haired man gestured his hand towards the rebellion and then the great pit.

The boy's face fell slightly, "I just wanted... I just wanted L'manberg!" Heartbreak crept back into his voice. A small thread of doubt wound itself around my heart.

I shoved the doubt away, trying to focus on what Techno was saying. Just because Tommy wanted his home back didn't mean he could just saunter back in with a new president.

"That's all I ever wanted!" Tommy's voice cracked slightly with emotion.

"No, you wanted power."

"I didn't! I-"

"Tommy, you just did a coup. You just did a hostile government takeover and then immediately instilled yourself as president." Techno no longer sounded like an older brother, but now a soldier that was backstabbed.

There was a hint of hurt in his voice, "But the thing about this world, Tommy, is that good things don't happen to heroes." He glanced at me, passing over a wither skull. The head felt ashy in my hands.

Tommy's face dropped even more as if he were just noticing me, "Y/n?"

I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to form words. "Tommy, I'm with Techno on this." I opened them again to see Tommy's face turned to anger. Tubbo's face was still marked with sadness but I kept my focus on the other.

"Don't you see? Government has been the thing that has hurt you over and over! But you still want to elect a president!" I waved my hands around, "Why can't you just live in peace?" Thunder rumbled following my spike in anger.

He opened and closed his mouth, grasping for words. He stared at me in anger.

When he didn't respond, I continued, "Without government, this world would be better!" My magic was crackling with anger, slowly becoming audible for the others. "I just took out the darkness so that there could be PEACE! We risked our lives!"

Concern danced on the rebellion's face as loud snaps emitted from my magic. The lightning above us was arching down towards the ground, but not touching yet.

I took a deep breath, but not releasing the simmering anger. "If you don't stand down, we will have to take action."

Once again he didn't respond, prompting Techno to step in. He was much calmer than I, having a stronger grip on his temper. He stared Tommy down, "Let me tell you a story, Tommy. A story of a man named Theseus."

The rebels' faces grew slightly confused but let the man continue, "His country was endangered and he sent himself forward into enemy lines, he slayed the minotaur, and saved his city. You know what they did to him, Tommy?"

"What did they do?" The boy's voice was quieter, trying to connect the dots.

"They exiled him," Techno said, immediately following the boy's question. "He died in disgrace, despised by his people. That's what happens to heroes."

Tubbo innocently looked towards us, "But he saved everyone?"

Techno ignored the boy's question, handing a dark skull to Dream. I sensed Techno's movements, the three of us stepping back towards the soul sand.

"But if you want to be a hero, Tommy? That's fine." Techno half turned, lifting his hand that held the skull.

Tommy tensed, placing a hand backward. His hand faced his best friend, protectively. His face turned slightly pleading, "Technoblade, please don't do this."

"Do you want to be a hero?"

Tommy talked over him, "No, I don't want to be-"

Techno's voice rose louder than I had ever heard it, swiftly turning, "THEN DIE LIKE ONE!"

Dream and I mirrored his movements in seconds, placing the final heads into place. There was a satisfying click, like the final piece being placed into a puzzle. The ground shook slightly as the withers were brought to life.

All in a matter of seconds, the soul sand took the shape of ribs with a glowing blanket wrapping around it. A dull blue flickered in the back of their eyes as their jaws snapped down in silent screams.

Where they couldn't scream, the rebellion's screams filled their place.

Dream quickly pulled me and my dog off to the side as one of the wither skulls snapped towards my head. Violent whooshing sounds filled the air as they took flight. I muttered under my breath, "Holy shit."

Techno was smirking as the withers whooshed past him towards the group. His voice rang out above the explosions from the mobs, "Chaos!"

The rebels split apart, running in every direction to avoid the beasts' shots. They raised their swords and bows, aiming towards the cause of destruction. The land was becoming even more destroyed, the gap deepening.

Techno took advantage of the distraction, running at them with his sword drawn. I gave Dream a look, the two of us running after him with our own swords raised.

I let my lightning rip across the sky. I embraced the pull of magic, wrapping around my armor and sword. The air crackled as lightning struck the ground in multiple places, sending electric currents through the ground.

The rebels dodged the withers while trying not to run into the lightning bolts. I snickered, raising my fire sword.

-

Despite our efforts to stop them, the rebels still managed to take down two withers. The third remained, shooting off explosions in every direction that a rebel ran in. The destruction spread in craters past the large pit.

I was locked in combat with Fundy when the last one hit the ground. An eerie quiet filled the air as people lowered their weapons, staring at each other. Unlike Fundy's uneven breathing, mine was steady.

He eyed me, backing away towards where Tommy was talking to Tubbo. I let him walk away, heading towards Techno and Dream. I could see another skull poking out from his grip, but he hadn't spawned it yet.

Ghost pranced happily at my side, not spooked one bit by the chaos. Dream was arguing with Techno, "Just spawn it."

Techno shook his head, facing the group that was stalking towards us. I raised my sword as Techno raised his crossbow.

"There will be no new government today."

Tommy continued walking towards us, fists clenched at his sides, "No."

Techno didn't respond, no longer caring about what his brother had to say. Any hurt that had shown before was gone, shoved deep down with the grief for his twin. I was sure it would emerge when he was alone.

His eyes flicked to the man beside Tubbo. There was a slight hint of longing as he stared at his father. He hadn't seen him in years.

"It'll be over my dead body."

-

Techno turned on his heel after his words, walking off towards the Northside of what used to be L'manberg. His cape billowed behind him with his brisk steps.

Dream gave me a small nod as he faced the dispersing rebels. Tommy and Tubbo stared out at their destroyed nation, with Quackity and Fundy on their backside. As I stepped away, Tommy gave me a crestfallen look.

It hurt that I had hurt my friends, but they were only leading themselves down a dead end. What they didn't understand was that I was trying to help. I would amend things with Quackity and the two teens later.

Techno was standing at the docks, staring at the rising moon in the distance. I could feel the exhaust finally starting to creep into my bones after the long day of fighting. Even my magic, after being spent for hours on end, was starting to quiet.

Which left my slightly broken bones, aching. My magic had filled in the cracks while I was fighting but now, it was seeping out. There was a slight burn in my ribs.

"Techno?"

He stayed facing the moon, "Hello, y/n." There was a slight hint of fatigue in his voice.

I stepped up next to him, admiring the water. It was a teal color, with ripples of dark blue intertwined. The areas that were lighter were see-through, showing the pale sandy floor. Colorful bits of coral poked out from it, adding bursts of color.

I wondered how I had never seen water like this before. It had stayed clear and beautiful, despite all the war and violence that scarred the land just a few miles back.

"I think I'm retiring."

I arched a brow, facing away from the water. Techno's crown glinted slightly in the white moonlight. His face was now towards mine, "I need a break."

I smirked at him teasingly, "The great Technoblade needs a break from violence?"

He chuckled, somehow still sounding monotone, "I need time to regroup to take down the government."

"Ah, that makes more sense." We watched as stars poked out in the dark sky. Smoke was still floating in the air, being carried in the wind. It coiled and twirled, dancing with the stars. "Where are you going to go?"

He glanced off towards the North horizon, into the ocean. The water turned darker out there, "Somewhere far away from here."

I nodded, staying silent. I knew Techno was never one for too much emotion, so I didn't want to show my small drop of sadness. I had grown close with the man over the times of planning and enacting violence.

We had bonded over the strangest things, but I already knew our friendship was unlike mine with Tommy or Tubbo. We had farmed potatoes for hours, brewed potions, talked about whispers that echoed through our heads. I was going to miss it.

He felt like the family I had never had.

I bit back at the salt of tears as they formed in my eyes. The world became a little blurry around the corners as tears threatened to fall.

He must've noticed, but didn't say anything. I was probably making him uncomfortable or anxious, so I quickly swiped at my eyes with the small part of my sleeve that was uncovered.

Suddenly, he reached inside his cape, digging around for something. I kept my eyes forward as I tried to keep my tears at bay.

But when Techno took my hand from my side, pressing something round into it, the tears broke free.

His face wasn't anxious or uncomfortable when he looked at me, "So you can find me when I make a base."

I smiled through my tears, grasping the item close to me. My broken bones screamed when I moved, but I pulled the man into a hug. I expected him to be stiff or to pull away, but instead, he wrapped his arms around me.

The hug only lasted a moment, probably as much as he could handle. But I didn't mind.

He stepped towards the swaying boat that was attached to the docks. It rocked slightly as he stepped into it, careful to not get his cape wet. Grasping the oars, he looked at me one last time,

"I'll see you again, soon."

My eyes tracked him as his form got smaller and smaller as it disappeared into the distance. The dark sky wrapped around him, melting him into the horizon.

Once he disappeared, I wiped my eyes, smiling as I stared at the item in my hand.

Although it wasn't working yet, the compass would point to wherever the man set up. Once he did, the compass would begin to glow slightly with a purple veil.

Until then, the needle pointed in the direction of the dark sky.

~~~~~

o7

THIS CHAPTER WAS SO HARD TO WRITE FOR NO REASON, so I'm sorry if its bad lol

so this book will be ending soon, but don't worry, the next book will be coming out immediately after. i drew the cover for the next book and I'm so excited for it :)

have a lovely day! stay safe and hydrated!