"Where have you been?"

I had just stumbled into the mushroom house, my limbs longing for sleep. After the masquerade and suspending myself in the air above the lava, I felt exhausted.

Puffy stood in our room, hands on her hips. She gave me an expression that a mother would give if their kid had returned from sneaking out. Yet, I could see the concern hidden beneath it.

After Dream and Tommy left, I let my wind lift me back up to the bridge and I wobbled my way home, running on fumes. My mind had been stretched thin with the egg and now I was trying to form a plan to get Tommy out of exile.

I flopped down on my bed, my face in the pillow. My words were muffled when I spoke, "I had to do something with Karl." Patches, who moved in with me after we abandoned our other house, curled up next to me.

Puffy came over and sat on the side of my bed, her pirate jacket brushing my hand. "Were you gone all night?"

I nodded, almost falling asleep. My friend continued, "You didn't do anything dangerous, did you?"

I knew I probably shouldn't lie, but I couldn't tell her that Karl was a time traveler. So I just shook my head, no.

"Okay, good. Do you need anything?"

I shook my head no again and she got up to leave. A thought struck me though, and I grabbed her hand quickly. "Could you tell Sam I want to meet with him tomorrow? Near the prison?"

"Sure, y/n. Now get some sleep. You seem exhausted." Her voice was sweet, comforting.

In a way, Puffy filled a place in my heart. I had never known my family, the Dream Team had filled their place. Dream was no longer a part of that, but Puffy took his spot.

I heard the front door click shut and I fell into a deep, dreamless sleep. Apparently, I had been extremely tired because the next time I had woken up, it was the next morning.

Puffy was stirring in her bed, her hair in a white mess. I smiled sleepily at her, my voice quiet. "Good morning."

She laughed. "Good morning, sleeping beauty. You should feel well-rested now. You slept so long I thought you were gonna outsleep George."

I laughed at her teasing. I actually did feel more rested than I had in a long time.

My thoughts drifted to Tommy. He looked so destroyed yesterday and what Dream said to him probably wasn't helping. The masked man was trying to get into Tommy's head, so I would have to act soon.

Tommy was strong, but Dream was smart enough to know how to break people down. And now that he was a literal god, it only added to his power.

While I was lost in thought, Puffy had gotten ready, heading towards the door. She turned to face me. "I talked to Sam last night, he said to meet him at the prison just after sundown. He has to work on some prison redstone so he can't meet earlier."

Concern was in her gaze as she spoke to me, "Do you need anything else before I go out with Niki?"

I gave her a warm, reassuring smile and said, "No, I'm okay. Tell Niki I said hi."

She nodded and exited, leaving me alone with Ghost and Patches. The latter was perched on the windowsill next to my bed, gazing out. She hadn't seemed too upset about not seeing Dream anymore.

I ran my hand down her back causing her to start to purr. If anything, she seemed happy to be with me and Ghost, who was quickly becoming more comfortable with her.

And Ghost was just happy to have a friend and to be with me. He liked Puffy as well, so at least they got along.

After sitting for a few more minutes, petting Patches, and trying to brainstorm how to get Tommy out of exile, I gave up and got dressed. I could already feel the summer heat seeping into the house, so I opted out of wearing my usual cloak.

I left Ghost at the house to lounge with Patches while I went to El Rapids. Now that I was well-rested and my magic felt regenerated, I could help Sapnap with his own magic.

And teach him to not randomly set things on fire.

As I made my way up the grass incline to El Rapids, I could see the members of L'manberg gathered around something on one of the platforms. They moved, and I squinted, seeing a poster now hanging up.

My brows knitted together in annoyance at the large wanted poster. Techno's face was posted in between the words, saying dead or alive. The group really did want to find Techno.

I just sighed and continued upwards, where I could see Sapnap, Karl, and George clustered together. The air felt so much warmer up here, from the lack of trees and buildings.

Although the sun's beams were directly beating down on us, it would help with Sapnap's training.

"Hey, guys!" I called, making them turn their heads from where they had been sitting on the grass.

"Hi, y/n!" Karl said, who looked well-rested after our eventful night. Some concern ebbed out of me, Karl's eyes mirroring the same when he saw how energetic I was.

"Sapnap, are you ready to start your training?"

He didn't even respond, just hopping up and beaming at me. Excitement crackled in the air, and I could feel Sapnap's magic sizing itself up inside of him.

We started with basic training, how to pull the magic into his fist and how to keep the flames from going out immediately. It took a few tries for the fire to stay burning in his palm, but when he got it, he yelled in triumph.

"Now that you can call the magic, you need to understand something about it," I said, holding my own small flames as an example. "Your magic isn't something that bends to your every will, it's an extension of your soul."

He watched curiously and quietly as I let the magic do as it pleased. It danced along my palm up to my arm, crossing over my shoulders without burning my shirt. "It's its own being. You are simply working together, not using it."

"Why do your flames look different than mine?" Sapnap said, peering at the silver flames he had let continue to burn in his hand. They sparked and spit, in a way like it was laughing.

My flames, since it was burning on their own, were a deep blue, with hues of purple flickering in. It moved back down to my open hand, settling.

"Magic is like another part of you, so it melts into your personality. Your flames represent yourself and how others view you." I smiled at what I said next. "Since you're more of a hot-head, your flames spark."

George, who had been watching contently from the side, piped up, "So, does that mean your flames are smoother than Sapnap's because you're calmer?"

I turned to face him. "In a way, yes. But it's also because I've had far longer than Sapnap to get comfortable with my magic. I've learned it like a friend, I know its weaknesses and strengths."

"Will mine ever get there?" Sapnap asked, making me turn back to him.

"Yes, as long as you have some patience and are willing to take the time to learn your magic. And it will take time, fire is not the easiest to tame."

Memories of training with the flames when I had first started, flashed in my mind, accompanied by the images of forests on fire as well as some buildings. Thankfully, I had learned my water abilities before then.

"Once you get more comfortable, your magic won't lash out with your emotions." That was one thing I was worried about with my friend. Since he could get so angry, the flames could follow the emotions and end up lighting someone on fire.

"What you're saying is that my magic is like a new friend?" Sapnap said, laughing.

I nodded, laughing as well. "Yes, it is. And thankfully you found your magic, you needed a friend."

"Hey! I'm not that much of a loser, I have you guys!" He shot back at my teasing.

We continued training, still using simple tricks. I kept water ready at my fingertips, in case Sapnap lost control.

Surprisingly, he kept a handle on it. Every few minutes, with some effort, he made the flames grow in size, but they remained under his control. He could change the shape of it, changing them into flowers or small items.

I could tell after a while though, that he was becoming fatigued. His magic wasn't used to being spent for so long after resting, unnoticed. Sapnap made an effort to hide it, but I could see it through the flame's shrinking size and how they flickered.

"Alright, that's enough for today." Sapnap looked at me, pleading. "No, Sap, you need to rest. You can't push your limits so soon."

"Fine, but can we train again soon?" I smiled at his eagerness.

"Of course. For now, give your fire a break." I waved goodbye, eyeing the setting sun.

Sam had said he could meet after dark, but I might as well head over. Maybe I could help him with whatever he was doing, or I could see him sooner than what we planned.

As I walked down the prime path, I let my flames disappear. I doubted I would need my magic to be with Sam, he always seemed to be glancing around for threats.

Skeppy's mansion came into view, a large shadow now cast over it with the sunset. The prison had shot up, now almost fully complete. The outside was done, with towers and looming walls.

The inside was still mostly a shell, empty of cells. Sam was still working on the inner workings, making the security and redstone machines. The building made me feel on edge, with the memories of the nightmare.

I made my way up to the entrance building, glancing around for Sam. His chests that normally sat outside, were missing, but where would he have gone? He knew I wanted to meet with him, Puffy had said so.

Maybe he was inside somewhere. I stepped into the building, pressing the button that would send a notification to the front desk.

After a second, I thought he wasn't in there. Then a notification appeared on the small screen above the button, saying to come in. It was odd that he didn't use the speaker to let me know to come in.

I wearily stepped into the portal, teleporting to a building in the Nether. I waited a moment and went back into it, being taken back to the overworld. This time, I came out in the main part of the prison.

The inside was made of all black checkered blocks, redstone lanterns built into the ground. Levers with signs above them were placed against the back wall, behind the desk and lectern that held an opened book.

I walked up to the empty desk, peering around at the closed doors that led to lockers. Quartz outlined the doorways in an intricate, twisting design. The prison interior was simple but chilling.

"Sam?" I called out into the small space.

No one responded.

How did I get let in if Sam wasn't around?

My magic stiffened, wrapping around me in protection for some reason. Warnings started spewing at me like a fast river, urgently trying to push me back through the Nether portal.

I stepped backward, away from the desk, staring into the corners of the back wall. I kept my back to the portal, taking steady steps towards it.

There was something off here.

My ears caught the sound of a footstep a moment too late, my back crashing into someone's chest.

I whirled, clutching the handle of my sword, in its sheath. My stance became tighter as soon as I made eye contact with the smiley face.

I took a step back towards the desk, never taking my eyes away from the man. "Dream?"

A chilling smile appeared below his mask. "Hello, y/n." His voice sounded different, yet it was still collected. He sounded more powerful.

The heels of my boots clinked against the bottom of the desk, pinning me in place. Dream stayed where he was, his ax strapped to his back while he stood confidently.

"What are you doing here?" I asked carefully, glancing around for an escape.

"I'm here to see you. I heard that you were going to come see Sam, so I thought I would intervene." He cocked his head to the side, feigning innocence.

"How did you know I was coming?" My magic tried blanketing my panic, trying to soothe my nerves.

Dream noticed the change in my magic, the way it was trying to comfort me. He pulled his mask to the side, his features softening. "Why is your magic acting like that?"

"Like what? And answer my first question."

I didn't believe the show he was putting on for one second. I couldn't trust him anymore, not after how he treated my friends and practically ignored me.

His clover eyes were gentle, but I knew there was something else behind them. "Like it's trying to shield you from me. And I happened to be nearby when Puffy came by."

It was odd to me that he had just happened to be around when Puffy was talking to Sam. Dream was never anywhere without a reason.

He took another step towards me, and I tensed, raising my hands. Magic tingled at my fingertips, ready to attack. "Don't come any closer."

"But I can make you feel better. Here, just let me-" He stretched out his arms to engulf me in a hug, but I side-stepped him. My magic ripped free, guarding me, flames encasing my hands.

"No, Dream. We aren't like that anymore." I shook my head, ignoring his saddened expression. It wasn't real, nothing he was showing me was real.

"Why not-"

"You've changed!" My words cracked in the air, slicing it. "You're not who you used to be. The power has gotten to your head!" Small weights began to lift off my heart with each sentence.

He stayed quiet, staring at me in disbelief. He acted like he had no idea that he was hurting me.

"Dream, I loved you, and now I don't know who you are." Tears burned my throat as I tried to bite back at them. Emotion was crashing over me. "I know where you plan to put me, and how you've been treating Tommy and Tubbo."

"Y/n-"

"What happened to you?" My voice was wobbly with despair. This was a stranger standing in front of me.

"I'm still me! I'm just the God of Chaos, and I got this power for you! It can help us! We can rule these lands together!"

"Now you sound like Schlatt!" Hurt flashed on his face but I kept going. "Schlatt, and now the prison!"

Gentleness melted away to form seriousness in his gaze. "The prison is the safest place for you-"

I laughed, no humor in it. "So you were going to put me in here! You bitch!" I yelled, anger bubbling above the sadness. There were quiet snaps as my magic became agitated.

Dream didn't flinch at my raised voice, instead just coming closer to me. He stopped slightly in front of me when I raised my flaming hands.

"Y/n, I would never do anything to hurt you. This world is one big hellhole and if I can protect you by putting you in here, then I will!" His voice cracked with emotion, "I can't lose you."

At that moment, I felt the bond between us snap like a string pulled too tightly. A strange sense of freedom washed through me, my heart lifting.

Although it was still fractured and cracked from him, I felt like I could heal now.

I lifted my chin, confidence rushing in my veins. "You keep saying that, but you've already lost me!"

My yell echoed in the small room, rebounding off the walls. We stared at each other, the familiar feel of connection was now gone. In a way, it felt so much better without it.

When he didn't say anything, I continued, "Got nothing to say?" I scoffed. "You probably already knew that deep down I wasn't yours anymore, but you just couldn't admit it to yourself."

My words were lashing out like a whip, but he needed to hear them. I couldn't stop the flow of the words, not after I had waited so long to say them.

"Dream, we're done. I can handle you hurting me, but you hurt Sapnap and George. That's not okay." I felt heat grow near my forehead, sparks falling down in front of my eyes.

My powers were angry, the strength of them emerging in the shape of a crown. Lightning and fire intertwined, floating around my head.

"I'm not going to stand you manipulating Tommy and Tubbo, and if you even think about trying that on me, I'll make you regret it." My voice dripped with poison, but I was done. I couldn't handle him anymore.

"Y/n, I've never manipulated you. I love you!" He was becoming angry, the strain in his voice apparent.

"I can't trust you, Dream. Not anymore. So leave me alone, and leave my friends alone." I leaned forward slightly, anger pouring out of me like a spilled potion. "I won't hesitate to step in if you go near them."

I raised my flames, my threat striking home. Any love or gentleness that had remained, disappeared in his face. I was no longer speaking to Dream, I was talking to the God of Chaos.

I kept my hand on my sword handle but I stepped around him with an air of confidence. My back wasn't turned to him as I came within a foot of the Nether portal.

Dream stayed in his spot, glaring at me. Before I went through, I glared back. "Goodbye, Dream."

A twisted, unsettling smile slowly spread across his face, sinking into his emerald eyes. "You aren't going anywhere."

My eyes widened as he lifted his hands.

Invisible threads spread from his fingertips, red lines racing for me.

~~~~

ayyy i finally said the title lol

YO I'VE BEEN SO EXCITED TO WRITE THIS CHAPTER! I've been planning the next few chapters since the first book, and I CANNOT wait to upload them. I hope you all like them as much as I do :)

make sure to stay hydrated and eat something! stay safe homies