The house was empty when Dream decided to wake the mortals.

He gently woke them and they left Puffy's house shortly before sunset. Their walking was quiet, the only sound being the chilly breeze ruffling through the tree leaves.

The crickets had stopped recently, disappearing as the weather grew colder. Dream could tell that they would need warmer clothes soon. So, before they left the area completely, they went back into the town.

Dream bought three cloaks and heavier layers, trading out their boots for thicker ones. With the leaves beginning to fall, the winter chill was obviously on the way and the three mortals took the warmer clothes with gratitude.

Then they were back on the road, heading northwest― to Technoblade.

Out of the blue, George asked, "Dream, how do we know the dagger will work? What if we have the wrong one?"

Dream cast a glance to his left, studying George. He replied, "I don't know for sure, but we're on our way to see someone." Dream pulled out the paper that Puffy had given him and handed it to George. "The place we're going... it has many scholars that hopefully will be able to translate the writing."

George's eyes skimmed the paper before he handed it back to Dream. He asked, "Where are we going?"

"To Kinoko Kingdom― home of the largest library in the world."

~

The group travelled through the night, well rested after staying at Puffy's. There wasn't much conversation. Dream mulled over the numerus scenarios that could go wrong in Kinoko Kingdom. The kingdom was terrifyingly large with a large population and an skilled army of mercenaries that were trained to kill from a young age.

The land there was beautiful, filled with exquisite architecture and decorated with mushrooms. It was a peaceful kingdom, one that avoided war, but if needed, would go to war for an ally. The cities in it's lands were also peaceful, but Dream didn't know how the people would react to him, specifically, being there.

Dream wasn't well liked there.

It would make sense, because he had killed one of the kings many decades ago. An order that Techno had given him and a mission that Dream completed after weeks of studying guard patrols from sitting up on rooftops and mapping out the territory.

He didn't think anyone would recognize him, most of the people who might were either really old or dead. Dream hoped they still didn't have a bounty on his head, but he had to be prepared for the worst.

The large castle of Kinoko Kingdom loomed in the distance, taking Dream's breath away. The sight was spectacular, it had changed greatly since Dream had been there last. He wondered how much their security has changed since he assassinated a former king.

As they neared the gates, Dream pulled his hood up. He scanned the path ahead of them warily, spotting several guards posted. There was a line of foreigners waiting to get into the kingdom and the guards were searching bags and pulling back hoods, asking for names and places of origin.

Dream swore and stopped, pulling the mortals out of the line. They gave him confused looks, but Dream just pulled them far away from the gates and the people.

"Dream?" Sapnap asked, confused, "What's going on?"

Dream paced back and forth, muttering, "We need a new plan. A way for me to sneak through. I can't show my face here."

"What do you mean?"

Dream continued to mutter to himself, "Well, technically they haven't seen my face, just my mask, so that's a plus, but... with my ears― they'll get suspicious. Fae aren't common, so they'll do a background check on me." Dream pinched the bridge of his nose. "Well, fuck."

Sapnap's eyes caught on something, his brows furrowing. He walked past Dream to a small outpost near the road. Dream saw him rip a paper from the wood and he brought it back. Sapnap glared at Dream, hissing, "Why the fuck are you on this wanted picture?"

Dream frowned at the smile mask that stared at him. He snatched the paper from Sapnap and read through the description: WANTED, dead or alive. Fae male named Dream, wanted for the murder of King Christopher I. Reward will be given once identity is confirmed.

"It's been fifty years!" Dream muttered with a scoff. George took the paper from him, paling at the words.

"You mean to tell us," Sapnap said angrily, "that you killed their king?!"

"Yeah," Dream said evenly, "it was one of my assignments a while back. I didn't think they were still looking for me."

Sapnap shook his head and George passed the sign to Callahan. Dream asked, "Do you guys have any ideas on how we get in?"

Callahan and Sapnap shook their heads. George thought for a moment, his brows pinching together in concentration. He offered, "What if we turn you in― like, we 'caught' you and we're bringing you in for the reward. We could get us all in."

Dream chewed on his lip as he thought, nodding slowly. Sapnap said, "You're forgetting that the guards would probably escort us through the city, to the king. We don't want to go to the castle, we're here for the library."

Dream looked at the guards as they ruffled through bags and scanned papers. "We can take them," Dream said. "You guys tie my hands behind my back, loosely, and once we get far enough in the city, I get out of the ropes and we'll knock them unconscious."

"You say that like it's the easiest thing in the world. What if it backfires and they call for more guards? Or if they knock you out? Or don't let us come with you?" Sapnap questioned.

"They won't," Dream assured him, "trust me."

Sapnap sighed and pulled out a rope they had bought a while back from the pack. He cut it shorter and tied Dream's wrists together. As he was tying, Dream talked them through it, "Alright, you guys need to act aggressive. Shove me around, act greedy for the reward money. Act like you despise me for killing their king."

"That shouldn't be too hard," Sapnap muttered. The pyrokinetic asked Callahan, "Do you know how to fight?"

Callahan shrugged and put his index finger and thumb close together, but not touching, showing that he knew a little. Sapnap turned to George. "And you, you'll be able to use your telekinesis if needed, right?"

George cringed, glancing at Dream, who nodded. George nodded and muttered, "Hopefully."

"Don't be a pussy," Sapnap said, trying to hype them up. "No hopefullys, we need confidence. We're going to get through the gates and then we're going to kick those guards' asses, got it?"

George's face turned determined and he nodded sharply. Callahan's eyes were alight with excitement and nerves. Sapnap cracked his knuckles and gripped Dream's arm. Callahan grabbed the other.

George's eyes widened. "Wait, why do I have to do the talking?"

"Because you have pretty privilege," Dream joked, although his tone was fond. He cast a reassuring smile to George and said, "Sapnap will back you up, don't worry. Just speak strong and demanding."

George took a deep breath. He started walking with purpose in his step and Sapnap and Callahan followed, gripping Dream's arms tight and pushing him as they walked. Confused and angry looks were sent their way as they pushed through the line, cutting in front.

A guard held his hand out and said disinterestedly, "You have to wait your turn. Go back."

"We have Dream," George said with as much force as he could muster.

The guard's eyes narrowed and he looked between the four of them, his eyes studying Dream skeptically. "Doesn't look like Dream to me."

Dream scoffed under his breath. How the fuck would the guard know? His hood was pulled up and his head was hanging in faux defeat.

"Are you denying my word?" George asked, his voice raised.

The guard gave him a bored look. "Sorry kid, we get so many people claiming to have Dream, when it's really just a fake."

"Are you calling me a liar?" George seethed, his anger deceiving even Dream.

The guard opened his mouth to respond, but George cut him off, "You haven't even seen his face yet and you're already jumping to conclusions?! What would the king say if he heard this?"

The guard studied George suspiciously. Sapnap said, "Listen here, you asshole, maybe listen for once in your life."

Sapnap pulled back Dream's hood. Dream kept his chin pressed to his chest, hiding his face and waiting for Sapnap to continue. Sapnap gripped Dream's hair roughly and yanked his head back. Dream didn't flinch as he stared the guard dead in the eyes.

People gasped from behind them and the guard's eyes widened when he saw Dream's ears, whispering, "A Faerie..." He looked back at George, his eyes narrowing as he said, "You brought a Faerie, but how do I know this is actually the real Dream?"

"Shouldn't you take him to your king to decide that?" George questioned.

Another guard came up to the guard they were talking to with a nervous look. The two whispered and nodded. The first guard gave Dream a side eyed stare, grumbling. Four guards were brought up and they took Sapnap and Callahan's places.

"You'll be escorted to the castle, please refrain from misbehaving," the first guard warned, opening the gate.

George nodded, his mouth in a satisfied smile. A sword was suddenly pointed at Dream's throat and one of the guard's holding him muttered sternly, "Make a move and an arrow will be shot through your throat."

Dream's eyes snapped to the guard towers, seeing a glint of an arrowhead. George's face fell and he met Dream's stare. Dream willed his eyes to convey, Wait until we're father in the city, away from the towers.

George nodded just slightly, continuing to follow the leading guard. The two guards holding Dream pushed him roughly, but Dream said nothing. Behind him was Sapnap and Callahan, and behind them was the fourth guard.

The walked further into the city, Dream's patience holding up. Many people stared openly at Dream, he was the center of the group and his appearance left many people with mouths dropped open. It wasn't terribly rare to see Fae, but it certainly wasn't common.

Dream gritted his teeth when the sword point nicked his throat and he decided he'd had enough. George, Sapnap, and Callahan all knew that the signal was when Dream started to fight. So, Dream twisted his wrists, loosening the ropes that bound him.

Sapnap noticed this and turned around, punching the guard behind him. The two guards holding Dream turned around in surprise and Dream used this time to pull out his hands and knee a guard in his groin. The sword fell from his neck and Dream's punch was enough to knock the man unconscious.

He turned to the other guard and knocked him out as well, barely even breaking a sweat. Sapnap and Callahan took care of the guard behind him and George was fighting the first guard. Dream went to help, but he stopped when George kicked the guard's chest, sending the man into the nearest building wall. His head hit stone and the guard fell to the ground, unconscious.

George turned around, panting heavily and wiping at his bloody nose. That was hot, Dream suddenly thought. He blinked, shaking the thought off, and grabbed George's wrist to pull him into an alley nearby. Sapnap and Callahan followed and they all stopped for a break.

People were shouting in the streets, causing quite a commotion and several more guards appeared. They shouted orders at each other and split up. Dream turned back to his friends and said, "We're going to have to split up."

Sapnap nodded, a determined expression on his face. Dream said, "Sapnap and Callahan, go around and cut through the back entrance of the library. George and I will find a different way in. It'll be easier to sneak around in groups of two."

Sapnap and Callahan left, pulling up their hoods and disappearing into the streets. Dream turned to George, who was still trying to stop his bloody nose. He chuckled and George threw him a glare.

"You didn't teach me how to dodge," George defended.

Dream figured that that was true, but he didn't comment. Instead, he pulled out cloth from the pack on George's back and held it against George's nose. "Y'know," George muttered, "if you hadn't killed that king, we wouldn't be here right now. We'd be in that library, free of problems, and one bloody nose less."

"That's true, but who doesn't like a challenge?"

George lifted his eyebrows in a pointed look. Dream's lips twitched in a smile and he pulled the cloth away, tossing it to the ground. Before George could respond, Dream said, "Let's find the library."

Dream pulled up his hood and George did the same, the two leaving the alley moments later. They walked quietly through the noisy streets and Dream grinned when he saw the large, wooden doors in front of them. The library.

They stepped in and Dream approached the lady at the front desk. He pulled out the paper with the unfamiliar language and asked, "Can you read this?"

The woman gave him a curious glance, but she shook her head. She pointed to a door and said, "Go in there. I can't read this, but he can."

Dream muttered his thanks and went into the room. George closed the door behind them and Dream placed the paper on the desk in front of the man.

Brown eyes, framed with glassed, lifted to meet his. His curly hair shifted and he sat up, his eyes lighting in interest as he studied the paper.

"Read it," Dream demanded, "out loud."

The man's gaze narrowed and he lifted a hand. "Take a seat, please, I insist."

George sat down and Dream followed suit, hesitantly watching as the man's eyes skimmed over the paper. The human said, "I haven't seen this language in years."

"Read it."

"Let me see your faces," the man said, ignoring Dream's demand and tilting his head.

Dream stood up abruptly and pulled out his sword. He walked around the desk and placed the blade to the human's neck. Dream snarled, "I said, read the fucking paper."

The man's fingers interlaced on the table in front of him and Dream could hear the slight tremor in his voice, even though he said calmly, "Let's do this like civilized people. Sit back down, please."

Dream didn't move, he wasn't going to. He planned on getting the information needed and then leaving. They only had so long till they had to get to Technoblade. Time was not on their side.

The brown haired man tried again, "I'll read the paper, just take your sword from my neck. You don't need to get aggressive."

When Dream didn't budge, George stood up and walked around the table. He placed a hand on Dream's shoulder and whispered, "Hey, I want to leave this place, don't you?" When Dream nodded, George continued in a heartbreakingly gentle voice, "So, sheath your sword and we can talk. The sooner we do, the sooner we can leave, yeah?"

Dream sighed and removed his sword from the man's neck. George sat back down and Dream walked around the desk. The man calmed down, his hands splaying flat against his desk as he went to speak.

Dream shot forward, pulling out a dagger and stabbing it into the man's hand. The human screamed as the blade pinned his hand to the wood table. George stood up from his seat and pulled Dream back, shouting, "What the fuck, Dream?"

Dream shook the hand off his shoulder and turned away from George. He was going to get what he wanted, if the human lived or died, who cared? He leaned over the desk and said harshly, "Read the paper."

The human's eyes were wide in terror and pain. He babbled, "It just says that the blade can send whatever it was bound to back to their realm. A-and also something about how..."

Dream lifted another dagger and waved it in front of the man's face. He crooned, "Keep going, wouldn't want your other hand to have the same punishment."

"I-it's supposed to be punctured in the heart!" he replied quickly, closing his eyes in fear. His chest rose and fell as he added, "you need to let the jewel on the hilt fill up with blood and then the ritual will be complete."

Dream leaned back, turning his dagger over in his hand as he hummed in approval. The man opened his eyes, pleading, "I told you what you wanted, please leave."

Dream tilted his head and asked, "What's your name?"

The man's face twisted in pain when he looked at his hand. Sweat dripped down his face and he said quickly, "Wilbur! My name is Wilbur! Now please leave!"

"Wilbur," Dream teased, a sadistic smile on his face. He murmured in a sickeningly sweet voice, "your compliance is much appreciated, Wilbur."

And with that he swiftly swung his hand out, slicing Wilbur's throat and ending his misery.

Dream turned around, grabbing the paper before it could gather any more blood. He met George's face and his grin faltered.

George was standing in the corner of the small office, a hand over his mouth. His hood was halfway back and his eyes were visible, wide with horror. Tears ran in streaks down his face as he stared at the dead man.

Dream approached him, a concerned expression on his face. He lifted his hands to George's face and whispered, "George?"

George flinched, his back hitting the wall behind him as he looked into Dream's eyes. His hands shook and he spoke with a trembling voice, "Don't― don't touch me."

Dream's hands fell to his side and he nodded in acceptance. He figured George would have this reaction, but anyone who could read the paper shouldn't be left alive, in case word got back to Technoblade.

Dream stepped back and walked out of the room, letting George have sometime to think.