Before I could react, red threads wrapped around my wrists, arms, and ankles. They tangled in loops around me, connecting me to the man in front of me.

The strings were unnatural, with their crimson glow and the way they appeared out of nowhere.

I gaped at Dream, whose hands were raised with the string wrapped around his fingertips like he was holding me like a puppet. He had a sinister smile across his face, his eyes dark with malice.

I lifted my arm to tug the strings away, but when I did, Dream moved his hand in a backward motion. Instead of going backward as I intended into the portal, I stumbled forward, from the harsh tug.

"This would've been so much easier if you had just listened to me." His voice was gentle, despite the evil look on his face.

My glare burned into his eyes, my voice hard, "I don't know what the hell these things are," I gestured to the lines between us. "But let me go."

He just frowned at my words. "You aren't understanding what I'm saying." He tugged the strings again, my feet moving without my control. "I'm not letting you die out there just because you think things are different between us."

What the hell was happening?

"Dream, things are different! You aren't who I used to know!"

He snapped then, breaking his gentle demeanor. "Tell me how I've changed! It shouldn't matter if I have! I still love you and I'm doing everything I can to protect you because I want it to be us until the end!"

Every word and thought I had held back about how he was different, bubbled to the surface. If I was going to make a stand, now was the time.

The strings were pulled tight between us, my every move now held in his hands. My magic fought to be unleashed, ready to sever our connection. I kept it down for just a moment longer.

"You used to be respected! And then you got this position with the gods, let the power and greed take over, and started being selfish!" I shot out the words like bullets. "Even now, when you say you are doing this to protect me, you aren't listening to me! I can protect myself!"

"You have no idea what you're up against!" Another creepy smile spread across his face. "I have big things planned. I don't want you out there when I put those plans into action," He paused. "I can't have you trying to stop me."

A strangled laugh simmered in my throat, my words sounding choked. "So, that's the real reason! You're scared of me!" The broken laugh tore free.

His face turned serious once more, his words sounding how he looked, "No, I'm not-"

"You know that if I really wanted to, I could kick your ass and exile you from your own lands! I'm just too nice to do it." I flung a hand back at the portal. "For the sake of George and Sapnap!"

"I am just trying to protect you all!" His voice was louder than I had ever heard it, making me flinch.

He noticed, the strange switch in emotions happening once again. His eyes softened and for a second, just for a second, he lowered his hands. The strings became loose, dipping.

I took my chance, swiftly stepping as far away as I could get, reaching for my sword. My magic ripped free in flames and thorns, trying to cut away at the lines.

But Dream saw my movements, instantly pulling my arms back against my sides and my feet were being dragged in steps towards him. The flames and thorns were useless against the strings, not even making a mark on them.

I was trapped.

As I was being brought closer, I struggled. I wouldn't go down without a fight. "Sam! Sam!" I yelled, hoping he would be around.

Dream was just laughing as he pulled me in closer, his light wheeze replaced by a maniacal noise. "He won't hear you, he's too deep inside the prison. And your magic can't help you here."

I was within a foot of him, my struggles ineffective. Panic was racing through me, not just because my magic couldn't save me, but also because no one was around. If I was locked in prison now, no one would know where I went.

The threads were stronger than any chains or rope. I had no idea where Dream even got this power, but it was extremely strong.

Snap!

A blinding, golden light appeared to my right, making Dream stop tugging at the strings. We both had to quickly close our eyes from the brightness.

When I opened my eyes, I was looking into furious amber eyes. Gold, wavy hair framed her delicate face, moving in a phantom wind. Her flowing dress dazzled with brilliant sunlight.

"Neomi!" I yelled, trying to escape the hold Dream had on me. He stood frozen, staring at the woman.

I had never seen her angry, whenever we had met, she was calm and kind. Now, rage rippled off of the Goddess of Light in waves.

She turned her hot glare on Dream. "Let her go now." Her usual honey voice was edged with emotion and power.

Dream didn't respond, only balling his hands into fists, making me step towards him. Every move I made right now was out of my control, giving me a familiar feeling of being trapped.

Heat bathed my skin from the closeness of the women, although, it wasn't a blistering heat. It was more of comforting warmth, soothing the panic raging in me. My magic clung to her like she was a mother.

"God of Chaos, you are new among us, but you should've learned by now that you need to listen to orders." She spoke with such confidence, clearly the higher ranking person in the room.

He scoffed. "I'm just as powerful as you are, Goddess of Light. I don't have to listen to what you say, and y/n is coming with me." My jaw dropped open at his sureness.

Her eyes looked as if they would set ablaze, which I wouldn't be surprised if they did. She paused for a moment, glancing at me with uncertainty. "That's where you are wrong. You do not have the authority to take a goddess anywhere."

He looked at me, continuing to talk to her, "What do you mean? She's not one of us."

Before responding to Dream, she turned to me, her face relaxing a bit. "I will explain everything to you later, for now, I need you to trust me."

Back when I had first met Neomi, I would've been stubborn and refused to not ask questions. But I had learned and had enough memories of the goddess helping me, to just simply nod and raise my chin.

She turned back to him, sunbeams beginning to form in her hands. "Unfortunately, for you, she is one of us. She holds a position as high as my own, much higher than yours."

Shock wrapped the room in a thick blanket. Neomi had never mentioned anything like this.

Still, despite the news, Dream tugged on the strings once more. I stumbled forward, but the goddess caught my arm, pulling me back. She pulled against the strings, making them draw taut.

"She isn't going anywhere with you." Neomi raised her hand and brought it down in a slashing motion.

Light sliced through the red threads, severing our connection. They disappeared, making them become invisible again. I felt my magic rush back to me, wrapping around me in protection.

"No!" Dream shouted, lunging for me.

I instinctively took a step back, but suddenly I was falling. Light pierced the world, painting over my surroundings.

The last thing I saw before I had to close my eyes from the blinding lights was Dream's desperate, unhinged face, reaching for me.

-

I was thrown back out of the light, with the words, 'Run as far as you can, my dear. I will speak to you as soon as I can. I bought you some time.', running through my head.

My surroundings morphed into a forest, oak and birch trees sprouting out of shrubs and overgrown grass. The sun had set while I was trapped with Dream, bathing the world in complete darkness with the moon blocked out by clouds.

Heavy footsteps began behind me, snapping me out of my daze. Dream's voice called out into the night, "Oh, y/n! Come out!"

I quickly glanced around, recognizing the forest. Behind me was Eret's tower beside L'manberg and the lights of the nation hazy beyond it. A figure came dashing over the hills, aiming for me.

My instincts kicked in, pushing away from the swirling confusion and fear of the events that happened seconds ago. Although it was just as stunned as me, my magic pushed my running faster with wind.

I dodged the trees, moving deeper into the forest. There was a place where I could possibly hide from the madman behind me.

Thankfully, my heightened eyesight made it easy to run in the impossibly dark night. The only sound was the frantic beating of my heart, my footsteps ushered into silence.

"Y/n!" Dream's calls were further away now. His voice sounded quieter as he lost my trail and became disoriented in the woods.

But I didn't stop running. I didn't until I could no longer hear even the faintest sound of his footsteps or until the oak door carved into the hill came into view.

The sign above the door, Pogtopia, remained but was scratched and covered in dirt. It was a miracle that the little room beyond the door hadn't collapsed in on itself. It was exactly as the rebellion had left it.

I barricaded the door with some left behind chests, straining my ears for any noise outside the door.

Not even the crickets chirped in the summer night.

I was safe, for now.

The sound of dripping water was somewhere deeper in the ravine as I climbed down into it. It was pitch black in here, and even my eyes were struggling to make out my surroundings.

Quiet crackling filled the area when I summoned flames in my palm to light my way. Dust and dirt covered everything, including every single button that had been left behind.

I lifted my hand higher to peer at the forgotten ravine. The multi-colored buttons from a few months ago remained, no longer threatening to blow up the base. Someone had come in and removed the hidden TnT Schlatt had hidden.

Ghosts of the past were in every corner I looked, I could practically feel the memories of Tommy and Tubbo running past me, chasing each other while laughing. As if to fill the hole of the past, my wind nudged me.

Along with the memories, came the pain, etched into each rock.

This was the place where Wilbur began his descent to madness and despair.

It almost felt wrong to be in here, like I was disrespecting his last moments alive.

The old potato farm was a mess, dirt no longer kept tidily in the rows. Only weeds were growing now, the potatoes that were left behind were rotten or completely gone.

A smile hinted at my lips in this room. I had spent hours upon hours in here with Techno, talking and farming while everyone else slept or planned the revolution. It made my heart ache for my old friend.

Further down the ravine, from where I was standing, I could see the tunnel that led back to L'manberg. Just before that, was a dark splatter, a stain on the ground that would never leave.

My unlit hand brushed my side, where under my t-shirt, ran a jagged scar. I had gotten that here and almost died in this ravine.

A haunting chill ran up my spine at the image of my dying form pressed against the wall, with Wilbur standing in front of me, shocked.

I turned away from the scene, marching down to the other end of the cave. Around the corner, was a small room with two beds and a cot in the corner. In between the beds was a bedside table with a lantern.

Lighting the lantern, I sat down on the edge of Tubbo's old bed. He had left his bed tidy, the morning before the war, while Tommy's, of course, was a mess.

Unlike on the other side of the ravine, here there were mostly good memories. Whispers of laughter and teasing were sewn into the stitches of the pillowcases. Even in the midst of war, Tommy and Tubbo had stuck together.

My heart squeezed. At least then they had each other.

Now, one was across the ocean, being manipulated by the same man I used to love. The other was trying to run a nation with a governing body that wouldn't listen to its president.

I missed the memories I had with the three of us. They were my best friends, and now I couldn't even reach one of them.

Despite the summer weather, the ravine was rapidly becoming colder. My flames warmed me to a certain degree, but I would have to spend my magic for hours while I tried to sleep if I wanted to stay warm.

Sighing, I stood, shuffling over to my old cot. Before I laid down, something caught my eye.

Shoved in between the bed and the wall, forgotten about, was an old L'manberg uniform jacket.

I pulled it out, with some effort, and held it out in front of me.

The old name tag had Tommy's name scrawled across it, covered in dirt and ash. The navy coloring was dulled from age and use. Several places were ripped and torn with holes.

Even though it was disheveled, it looked loved. Tommy had been one of the founding fathers of L'manberg, with Wilbur, and this jacket was one of the few remaining relics.

We had been at war soon after, but before, Tommy and Tubbo had shown me their new uniforms with pride. The image of the sleeves hanging over Tubbo's hands and the proud look Tommy had, crept into my mind.

Wilbur had made the uniform jackets himself, with the help of Fundy's sewing. He made the jackets slightly larger so that the boys could grow into them.

So they could grow into their new home.

In that moment, I felt an overwhelming surge of guilt. Behind the gods and wars for power, was the black and yellow walls of L'manberg, built to protect Wilbur's loved ones.

And we had torn it all down.

Before the guilt could crush me, I laid down on my cot and draped Tommy's jacket over my body for warmth. It wasn't much, but it would let me save up my magic.

My mind was still racing yet my eyes drooped, descending me into the dream world.

-

I didn't wake up to the blinding lights where I met Neomi or the dark ravine where I had fallen asleep.

Instead, I sat up, finding myself in a field I had never seen before. Long, soft grass surrounded me, with dark oak trees lining the area. Wildflowers sprouted up from the brown earth, in pinks and purples.

The sky above was painted in pastel orange and happy yellow, a never-ending sunset. The sun was beyond the horizon, yet it didn't move.

A warm breeze rustled the tall grass, pushing my unbound hair off my shoulder. Everything felt calmer here, my muscles were no longer sore or taut with anxiety. I had a soothing feeling wash over me.

I stood, looking around for any sign of how I got there.

Hadn't I just gone to sleep?

"Y/n."

I jumped, spinning around. A gasp left my mouth when my eyes fell on a blue jacket and a black colonial hat.

"Wilbur?"

~~~~

oop is that wilby?

if you couldn't tell, I rly missed old l'manberg, and old wilbur was I was writing this chapter lol

Just to clarify, the red strings is one of Dream's powers. They are like strings that are just connected to him, representing his control over everyone. I got the idea from fan arts and my cover for this book has them. If u have more questions, comment and I'll answer 🥰

have a wonderful day :) stay hydrated and safe!