The next week and a half continued peacefully, time passing by quickly.

I spent almost every waking minute helping Puffy build her mushroom house that I would share, helping design the structure and placing blocks. Conversations of our pasts filled the quiet hours, lightening my heartache.

Dream hadn't made an appearance, and there had been no word from him. He left not only me but also George and Sapnap alone.

I had spent some more time with the two, outside of Cedar Rapids. Quackity had also been avoiding me after our squabble over the Butcher Army.

I also made more time, outside of helping Puffy, to see Sam. He was easily one of the friendliest people around, never failing to make me smile. When we were planning out the structure for the home, he came to help.

After my trip to Tommy's exile spot, I decided I needed to wait before going back so soon. Since Dream had seen me, it would be safer to not return right away.

Summer was at its climax, raising the temperatures drastically and drawing in thunderstorms at night. Days became longer, the heat making them seem never-ending. When it stormed during the day, I tended to send the storm away, for Ranboo's sake.

A drop of sweat dripped off my forehead, making me swipe my arm over my face. Even though the sun had long disappeared under the horizon, the heat was relentless.

I lounged outside, my body pressed against the white blocks of the mushroom. Puffy and I had finished the mushroom house earlier in the day, completing the ceiling.

Puffy had gone out to help Niki work on their flower shop, which was closer to the Community House. Sapnap, Karl, and George were busy with Cedar Rapids, leaving me alone.

I didn't mind having a moment to myself after all the work I had put into the house. Ghost laid next to me, panting from the heat, while Ash was behind us, tied next to Cottonball.

I waved my hand lazily in the air, calling my magic. Immediately, a cool breeze swept in, pressing against my hot face.

Ghost seemed to appreciate it as well, his panting stopping after a moment. His white fur shifted slightly with the wind.

I leaned my head back against the side of the house, savoring the breeze. My eyes drooped, the heat making my bones sag with sleep.

Join me.

My eyes snapped open, making me bolt straight up. I whipped my head around for the source of the voice, trying to convince myself that it wasn't just in my head.

But no one was around, and Ghost slept, unbothered, at my side. My magic spiked with my fear, instantly wrapping around me in protection. It knew something was around.

"Who's there?" I called out, suspecting Dream was lurking nearby. No response came to my calls, not even footsteps approached. I was alone.

Join me.

The whisper came again, this time it was definitely in my head.

My heart began to press harder against my chest, my anxiety filling me up. The last time whispers were in anyone's minds, it had been the darkness. And that was not a good thing.

Although, I had defeated the darkness. The good gods of this world had assured me that I did.

It was impossible for it to be the dark gods. Right?

We can make peace in these lands.

My magic poked at the voice, hesitantly feeling it. It didn't feel like the darkness, not in the slightest bit. It still felt evil, but it didn't have the same edge the darkness did.

In a strange way, the voice reminded me of the color red and vines.

Join The Crimson.

My magic acted on instinct, trying to protect me by pushing light towards the voice. It didn't react, only pressing towards my mind more.

I grit my teeth in frustration. "Get out of my head."

Before it could say anymore, I gave up on the light, pushing water towards it. Surprisingly, it worked. Water was an odd choice, but it flooded the voice out.

The strange red voice backed off, retreating into the corners of my mind where I couldn't reach it. It left my heart racing and the corners of my vision slightly red.

I closed my eyes, confused. What the hell was that?

The darkness was just defeated and I was being thrown right back into the chaos of the supernatural world. Hopefully, Noemi would summon me soon and explain what that was.

"Are you okay?"

My recently relaxed muscles went tense again, prying my eyelids open once more. My hand gripped my sword while I stood, already pointing at the potential threat.

Quackity raised his hands, backing up, away from my sword. He innocently looked up at me, saying, "Y/n, it's me."

Sighing, I lowered the sword, placing it back in my sheath. I needed to stop pointing swords at people so quickly. I mumbled an apology to my friend, not exactly sure what terms we were on.

He lowered his hands, a questioning look in his eyes. "What just happened?"

I didn't exactly know what just happened, and I wasn't sure if I did want to know. Either way, I was going to keep it to myself.

I could feel the two of us drifting, but I had no motivation to fix it. Since Quackity was planning to pull a stunt against Techno, wanting to end his life, there was no way I could support that.

Even if it separated Quackity and me.

I pushed my fear away, trying to return to a normal expression. I crossed my arms as I said, "Nothing. Is there something you need?" My words weren't harsh, I was just simply asking.

He hesitated for a moment, unsure if he should continue past what was wrong with me. Coming to a conclusion, a smile found a way onto his face.

"Would you like to come to Schlatt's funeral?"

"You're holding a funeral for him?"

"It was more of Bad's idea, but I wanted to see if you wanted to come." He was reluctant, clearly unsure of where we stood as well.

Things weren't the same between us, and it may not be for a long time, but I could at least be there for him.

After all, he had loved Schlatt and watched him grow into the monster he was. Quackity had been there the night Schlatt left Tubbo with Phil, watching as he put his heart into a box and gave it away.

My friend had known Schlatt's soul more than any of us. And clearly, even if he didn't show it at all, Quackity was still learning to move on.

So, I pushed everything aside and nodded. "Sure, Big Q, lead the way."

We walked in comfortable silence, him leading me to the sight of the funeral. The side of the mountain across from L'manberg was dug into, the dirt floor replaced with red brick. Black chairs were set in rows, facing a small podium.

Behind the podium, built into the wall, was a detailed chest. It stood out from the rest of the area, a sign placed on the front of it. It had Schlatt's name written on it.

Before I went to take my seat, I asked Quackity, "Uh, how did you get his body?"

The last time I had seen Schlatt, he was being swept away by the darkness, his body completely disappearing. It baffled me how parts of him were here, within the chest.

He shrugged, unbothered by my question. "Bad said it was here already. The chest just showed up so he thought we should have a funeral."

I eyed the chest suspiciously as I went to take a seat. I sat down next to Tubbo, who smiled cheerfully at me. At least his mood seemed to be improving.

Bad, whose glowing white eyes were watching quietly as people sat, stood tall over the podium. It wasn't surprising that the man had insisted on a funeral for the former president, Bad had always been one to care greatly for people.

Sam, Punz, Fundy, Jack, and several others sat down in the other rows of seats, chatting to each other. I became extremely aware of the empty seat next to me, where Tommy was supposed to be.

As Quackity took a seat in front of Tubbo and me, I turned around to talk to Sam. He was sitting next to Punz, who was talking to Ant across the aisle.

"I hadn't expected this many people to come to this," I said to my friend, him nodding in agreement. "After all, no one really liked him."

"Yeah, I'm surprised you want to be here, after what he did to you and the whole-" Sam waved his hand towards the sky, gesturing. "Mess with the gods."

"Trust me, I don't really want to be." I glanced at Quackity in front of me, lowering my voice. "But I felt bad for Big Q, and.." I cocked my head slightly to my left, towards Tubbo who was talking to Jack.

Sam nodded, opening his mouth to say something, but was cut off by the slight crackling of the microphone. I turned to face the front again, seeing Bad smile and start to talk.

The service was what I expected to be. No real respect was shown for Schlatt, most people cheering and yelling, 'LET'S GO HE'S DEAD!'. Surprisingly, Quackity seemed the most excited to see his old friend no longer alive.

Tubbo cheered along with everyone else, next to me. I stayed quiet, listening to people's speeches, which were just chances for them to insult the man.

Even if I didn't go say a speech, I knew Schlatt didn't deserve the respect of a real funeral. Not after all he put everyone through and played a part in destroying L'manberg.

The man who had been Tubbo's father had long been dead, buried six feet under greed and darkness.

As we were leaving, Bad trying to bring peace to the excited chants, I noticed something different about Tubbo. It wasn't the small horns poking out of his head, or the clearness in his eyes.

No, it was the color of his tie.

Before, it had been green, his favorite color. Now though, it was the deepest red, hanging loosely from his dark suit.

It was the same color as Schlatt's when he was in power.

The night prior to Tommy's exile, Tubbo had told me that he didn't want to become his father, in any way, shape, or form. He had been so distraught and sad over the problem.

I only hoped that the change in the tie was just a fashion choice, not a step closer towards the path his father followed.

Every president of L'manberg has ended their reign and went out with a bang. A dark, explosive bang. I did not want Tubbo doing the same.

Hoping I was just overthinking, I stood from my seat, saying goodbye to my friends. Tubbo and his government gathered together, talking, and Sam went back to the prison.

I was going to just head back to the house, ready to fall into bed, but someone caught my eye. They were walking towards the two-block-tall walls of L'manberg, their wings tucked lazily against their back.

As they disappeared into the nation, I glanced around and followed after them. A door to a new house, set next to Ranboo's, was closing when I stepped through the walls.

My soft knocks were the only sound in the nation as I waited for someone to answer the door. It cracked slightly, a tiny sliver.

Through the small opening, I saw Phil, his blue eyes wearily looking back at me. He glanced over my shoulder. "Um, hello. You're y/n, right?"

I nodded, keeping my voice quiet. "Yeah, and I already know you're Phil. Can I come in?"

Hesitantly, he nodded and opened the door enough for me to slip in. The house I stepped into was cozy, almost identical to Ranboo's.

With one last look outside, Phil closed the door and turned back to me. His wings pressed against the door, scrunched up.

Now that I was closer to him, I noticed how his wings had changed. Before, they had been pure white, unharmed.

But now, the tips and lower half of his wings were marred and gray. Feathers were missing in several places, leaving him unable to fly.

"What happened to your wings?" I asked.

His face remained neutral but I saw a slight change of emotion in his crystal eyes. "They were ripped when L'manberg was blown up."

"Oh, I'm sorry." The memory of Phil's wings wrapped around Wilbur's limp form flashed in my mind. Maybe he had tried to protect his son from the explosion with his wings as a barrier.

He nodded his thanks, his green hat tipping forward. Suspicion was etched onto his face as he watched me. "Why are you here?"

I glimpsed out the windows, trying to see if anyone was around. The nation was empty still, the group lingering by the funeral site.

I lowered my voice, even if we were inside, and said, "I came to see if you've been in contact with Technoblade. I know he's your son, so I thought you might know where he is."

His suspicion only seemed to grow with my words. "Why do you want to know?" I was about to answer when something clicked in his mind. "Wait, you worked with him to take down L'manberg's government, didn't you?"

"Yeah, I don't support their government. Techno's my friend, you can trust me." I tried to seem as truthful as possible, working to win him over.

After a moment, Phil relaxed, stepping around me towards a furnace that was against the wall. He picked up a kettle and a mug, looking at me in question. "Tea?"

I nodded and he poured me a cup of steaming tea. I gratefully took it, cupping the warm mug in my hands. The drink soothed my tense muscles and washed away some of my worries.

Once he got his own mug, he turned back to me. "To answer your question, I do know where Techno is, and he has mentioned you before. I just didn't realize he was talking about you cause he called you Bia."

I smiled, taking another sip of my tea. Bia was the Greek Goddess of force and power, Techno having given me that name as a reminder of who I was and the power I hold.

Phil continued, "He's wanted to let you know where he is, but hasn't been able to. He doesn't want to put you in any danger with Quackity."

"He knows they want to find him?"

He nodded, glancing out where Quackity, Tubbo, and Fundy were walking back into the nation. "He's trying to stay hidden, for now."

We were silent for a moment, sipping our drinks. I longed to be back with my friend, wherever he was, but if staying hidden meant keeping him safe, then I could wait.

Hopefully, Quackity won't be able to find his location. I knew Phil and I would never reveal his location, so he was safe with us.

Phil and I both tensed, our mugs being set down on the nearest surface within seconds when the door flew open. My hand rushed to my sword in its sheath, Phil grasping an ax.

"Hello, y/n, Phil!" Ghostbur floated into the room, cheerfully waving at us. The two of us relaxed, releasing our weapons.

"Ghostbur, you about gave me a heart attack." Phil said, placing a hand to his chest.

"Oh, I'm sorry." The ghost's face saddened slightly, then returned to a smile. "I came to give you two something, but I can't quite remember."

I gently asked the ghost, "Well, where did you come from?"

"Logstedshire."

"Where?"

"It's the place where Tommy lives!"

"What were you doing there?"

Ghostbur cocked his head to the side, smiling. "I stay there with him every now and then. I try to cheer him up. Anyway, I had a mission from Tommy and then I ran into Dream on the way here, and ..." He got a far off look as if he were trying to remember something.

Phil and I glanced at each other, my face darkening. "You saw Dream?"

"Yes, he said ... he said, oh! That's right! He took the invites to Tommy's beach party from me, and said he would hand them out."

Ghostbur's smile widened, proud of his regained memory. But my smile only disappeared more.

Dream was undoubtedly up to something.

~~~~

join the crimson >:)

ik the funeral was before tommy was exiled but I wanted to include it anyways haha :)

have a lovely day! stay hydrated and safe