"Eret, what is this?" Fundy called, his voice muffled behind the brick walls.

I stood in a small tunnel, waiting for the doors to the other side to be opened. It was a cramped place, making the anxiety even worse. My nerves were high as I waited for Eret's move, as I had been for the last bit.

"This is the Final Control Room," Eret's voice rumbled out.

A chorus of gasps and awing erupted as more people shuffled into the room beyond. After a moment the chests that had been placed groaned open, revealing their empty pockets.

"The chests are empty?" Wilbur questioned, only to be cut off by Tommy.

"What does this button do?" Tommy asked, curiosity getting the best of him. My heart clenched when I heard him press the button, revealing our places with the black stone sliding away.

Across from me, I saw Punz and Sapnap lunge forward through one tunnel, George cracking potions and following through another, and finally Dream smirking and straightening his mask before sauntering out. I shook free my nerves and jumped into the fray.

Shouts arose as we stepped from the walls, pushing down the rebels as they tried to escape. My sword collided with Fundy's as he raised it towards me. Dream stood in front of the exit, shoving Tommy and Wilbur to the ground.

"Down with the revolution, boys," Eret echoed from the darkness of a hall we had left, only his white eyes glowing, "it was never meant to be." Then he turned and ran, not sparing a glance back at his betrayal.

Tommy and Tubbo looked at each other, hurt in their eyes. Wilbur was in shock, only looking up at Dream.

Dream smirked at them from behind his mask and pocketed his sword. "Hello, again boys. So glad to see you."

George snickered at their surprise and kicked away the pile of swords the L'manbergians had dropped, pushing them into a pile with a loud clatter of metal on metal.

"What's wrong? Didn't you like Eret's little surprise?" Sapnap grinned viciously at them, his own fire burning in his eyes. Tubbo shrunk back from it, into Tommy's side, and I felt the strands tighten around my heart with a twinge of regret.

"Take their things, and then..." Dream hesitated, looking up at me. I prayed he would remember the words I said to him in the tent only a few nights ago. He sighed and continued, "Release them back to their territory."

I gave him a small nod with content, but Sapnap didn't take his response as kindly.

"What? Dream now's our chance to-" he exploded, turning on our leader.

Dream only tilted his mask towards Sapnap and burned a glare through the white material, invisible but strong enough to get the man back in line. Sapnap grumbled and sheathed his sword to get to work.

I stood guard of the tunnels and Dream stood in front of the entrance, while Sapnap, Punz, and George took the L'manbergians' weapons and armor, backing away when they finished.

The rebels were left empty-handed with only their uniforms instead of the dazzling diamond and iron armor. I fought to keep the pity out of my mind, focusing on the fact that they were unharmed and being set free.

Though, a part of me felt bad for just kicking them down to force them back up again hours later in another fight.

"You'll pay for this Dream, I swear on it," Tommy swore, gathering himself and Tubbo into a standing position. Malice dripped off his tone.

Dream stepped aside to let them out, carefully shielding the new pile of loot with his body.

Wilbur raised his chin, despite the bruise blooming on his cheek, and led out the others without a glance back at us or their stolen items. Tommy threw a vulgar gesture at Dream as he passed but remained quiet.

Once their steps faded into the distance, Sapnap unleashed his temper. He turned on Dream as the other stooped to pick up the weapons and armor. "What the hell! We had them right there and we let them go?"

"There was no need to hurt them now, Sap. We have plenty of wartime left for that," Dream said coolly, clearly not wanting to have this discussion.

"The war would've just ended! Why are we letting them embarrass themselves further! We got our point across-"

"This war is nowhere close to being done. If we forced them to surrender now, they would just come back stronger," Dream shot back, suddenly turning on Sapnap holding his netherite sword and Tommy's diamond one.

For a second, I feared he was going to attack Sapnap, with the sheer anger in his tone and the tense stance he held with two weapons. Sapnap seemed to think so too, because he took a step back, his hand straying for his sword.

I stepped towards Sapnap, slightly putting myself in between them. Punz placed a hand on Dream's shoulder, who just shook it off.

My magic, silently searching over Dream, returned to me feeling cold and confused. There was another presence in the room as if it were leached to Dream, and my magic hated it.

"Dream, chill out," I said slowly, magic hesitant at my fingertips. "We're a team. Sapnap was just asking a question."

I felt his gaze turn on me from behind his mask, and after a moment, he relaxed enough to return to pick up some of the armor and weapons. Anger remained fuming out of him, even with his back turned.

"The war is not over until I say it is," he finished over his shoulder, temper snapping. "End of the conversation."

I glanced up at Sapnap, who locked his jaw and just shook his head at me.

The room plunged into an awkward silence, only the scraping of swords and chest plates lingering. My skin prickled with Dream's outburst. It wasn't odd for Dream to get angry fast, but this had come out of nowhere when Sapnap had had a genuine question.

We walked back through the tunnels and wooden trails in a silence so thick it was like we hadn't just had a small victory. On the bright side, there wasn't another presence looming over Dream now that we were out of the cramped space.

I dropped the pack of stolen weapons I had carried next to the firepit in our camp and marched off without a word to the others. None of them seemed to mind that we all went our separate ways.

There was an empty field on the opposite side of the camp that the forest was, long and flat into the distance. Snow was still on the ground in the shade of the surrounding trees, but the open grass was muddy with it melted.

My boots quickly became murky and cold from the ground, but I paid no attention to them, not when war was raging in my mind.

I understood that we were in a war with L'Manberg, and all was fair, but it had felt wrong kicking the rebels to the ground and stealing all their hard work just to set them up for another fight. The fear in Tubbo's eyes made me wilt like a flower without the sun.

On top of that, Dream had snapped with such intensity that it even cooled Sapnap's hothead off. He had been confident and charming before we entered the tunnels into the Final Control Room, but that had vanished in the face of L'Manberg.

Genuinely, I was glad that he hadn't wanted to hurt the men, but why hadn't he made them surrender then? Sapnap was right; we could've ended the war and left with free loot, but Dream had let the fighting go on without any real reason.

A tap on the shoulder brought me out of my thoughts and I realized I had made it to the middle of the clearing, the sun shining directly over. If I hadn't been shaken out of it, I would've made it to the other side of the field without noticing.

Dream was behind me, his mask pulled to the side to reveal the smile on his face. Clearly, he didn't feel the tension in the air if he was back to being his calm, assured self again. Though, when he saw the look on my face, the grin dropped.

"What's wrong?" He asked. "Did you get hurt?"

He placed a hand on my shoulder, and I slid out of it, taking a step away. Hurt flashed across his face as if he didn't realize what he had done in the Final Control Room.

"I'm not hurt," I replied, knitting my brows together in confusion and anger. "I'm wondering what the hell happened back there. You practically exploded in Sapnap's face. Why the hell does the war have to go on?"

Dream sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Y/n, I know that if we had let them surrender, or even come to some sort of deal, Wilbur would've just laughed in my face and rebuilt his army. He's not an idiot."

"You're right, he's not an idiot. That's why if you had let him surrender, he probably would've done so because if he lets this go on, someone is going to get hurt. Do you think he wants to see Tommy, his brother, get hurt? Or Fundy, his son?"

My magic tingled again as Dream scoffed, something foreign lurking in the shadows across his face where the sun didn't hit. It warned me, whispering that this wasn't Dream, but someone higher.

"I've given him multiple chances to surrender, and he's ignored them all. If someone on his side gets hurt, the blood is on his hands, just like if something happens to my team, then it's my fault," he replied, his tone becoming tired and quieter.

He paused for a moment, waiting for me to fight back. I wanted to, fire burning in my core to make him march to L'Manberg and force them to stop this madness, but I didn't. Fighting Dream was like punching a brick wall with bare fists. He wouldn't move unless something drastic forced him to.

"I already apologized to Sap," he started again, breaking the silence. Now that surprised me. "He's still mad, as he should be. I just need him to understand this war is far from ending."

Part of me eased knowing things were being smoothed out between Dream and Sapnap. Sure they had their times when they fought, but it was never as intense as this. This wasn't just some brotherly misunderstanding.

"Can you tell me why it can't end?" I asked, my fire dying.

"Because I know that even if I let them surrender, the conflict will find its way back into our lives through them or something worse. Keeping the war going is letting me keep things in control." He reached out, grasping my hand. "This is our best option and theirs too."

I still felt uneasy with his response, but the anxious magic retreated into a slumber, no longer feeling that foreign presence in him. It was like it came and went in waves, exploding when Dream was angry or smug, then disappearing when he settled.

There was something darker going on here, something Dream wasn't telling me. Before I could question him further, he gave me a small hopeful smile and let go of my hand to grasp at his side.

"I brought wooden swords if you want to train," he said, pulling free two swords to hand one to me. "Or we could just do some practice rounds to let off steam. Your call."

I weighed the wooden sword in my hand, debating. There was still the pressing matter of the evil lurking around Dream and the conflict between our team. Yet, the magic in my veins begged for a release, wanting to let go of today's emotions and conflict.

For now, Dream had returned to normal, Sapnap had been apologized to, and the war would continue whether I liked it or not, so this was the best it would get. Holding a grudge and being angry would only make my life hell.

So I shrugged and unlatched my sword sheath and cape to be placed on a stump. Dream took it as a good sign and smirked, going to stand in the driest patch of grass he could find.

I took a spot across from him and raised my sword, tensing. Only slight exhaustion nipped at my mind from earlier, but I ignored it and raised my chin.

"Five rounds," I stated. "First to three wins." There was no need to explain the rules when we had done these hundreds of times before. As soon as knees touched the ground, the round was over.

"Ready to get your ass beat?" He replied, giving me that smirk that said, You have no chance.

I rolled my eyes and ignored his jab, only a tiny smile turning my lips up. He knew as well as I did that I was his even after spending hours together, training until we couldn't lift a weapon. It was just his way of distracting me.

Without further comment, I counted down from three and shouted go, and immediately, he lunged with brunt force. But I was smarter and ducked his swing, letting my sword stay low and tucked while I moved. I ended up behind him, swiftly taking the chance to kick out his knees.

He fell to the wet ground, ending up on his knees. One point to me.

When he looked over his shoulder at me, a little bewildered by my quick action, I was already smirking at him.

"Is that all you got?" I asked, putting a hand on my hip. Magic cheered in my bones, laughing at his loss of words.

He just let out a wheeze and stood, brushing the mud off his dark pants. When he was ready, he shrugged and raised his sword. "I was just warming up."

"Sure, sure," I said, letting a small laugh of my own out.

The next few rounds carried on, him winning two in a row. I didn't let him win the last one, meaning, I had two and he had the same. We were tied, leaving just one round left to redeem the winner.

Dream stood from being shoved to the ground, the loss echoing in his frown. He tensed his sword with a new challenge, focus clenching his jaw.

I steadied myself, calming the sparks at my fingertips. The day's anger and anxiety flooded my senses, fueling the need to win this round. "Last round."

I called to go, and waited, knowing he would make the first move, as he had been for the past rounds. Instead of jumping towards me with his weapon raised, he was the one waiting now, watching for my move.

Right when I had enough of his new pattern and I intended to lunge, he moved. He rushed me, sword low and aiming for my side.

Without thinking, I flung my free hand to the side, wind moving at my command.

A strong gust slammed into Dream, sending him stumbling to the side, though he did not lose his footing. His sword disappeared from his grasp from the force, sliding across the wet mud, too far for him to grab.

I didn't slow. I knew from past practices that Dream was just as dangerous without a weapon as he was with one. Technically, we had never ruled out me using my magic in training, but it went as an unspoken agreement for me to not use it.

Magic slipped back inside of me, knowing it had cheated a little. I let it and focused on running at Dream, pulling back my sword to push him over. I swung when I was within reach, but he danced out of the way and turned on his heel to jump towards me.

Surprised, there was nothing I could do but fight to keep my scream in as we tumbled to the ground together, his arms wrapped tight enough around me to keep me from slipping free. At the last second, I let free a stream of wind, softening the fall just a bit.

Dream ended up on top of me, his outstretched arms keeping him from crushing me. For a moment we just breathed in silence, out of breath from the fight and abrupt ending. His face was inches from mine, allowing me to see each freckle and scar across his nose and cheeks.

My heart fluttered and I suddenly couldn't see an ounce of evil in him.

"I think I won," I said before something stupid came out of my mouth.

He laughed and I felt it rumble through his chest. "You're the one who cheated, so I think I won. Nice try, though."

I rolled my eyes but gave in to the smile, glancing out at the field past us. The sky was changing from soft blues and greys to the darkness of twilight, stars poking out in the distance. Soon the temperature would drop and perhaps snow would come again, or we would be blessed with an early spring.

"I guess you won," I replied grudgingly, knowing I would get back at him for it later. I looked back up at him.

He remained smiling, but pink now tinted his cheeks. Had that been there before? Was it just from the fight?

Or was he blushing?

Wind swept between us, sweetly warm at my choice, and flung him softly up and onto the ground next to me. I laughed at his humph, suddenly feeling colder without his presence so close to mine.

To make up for it, I reached between us and grasped his hand, squeezing it in teasing apologies.

Out of the corner of my eye, I swore I saw the blush deepen, meaning it definitely wasn't an effect of the exercise. His squeeze back was enough to let me release his hand and rise, picking up my wooden weapon.

I held a hand out for him and he took it, my feet not daring to slide as I pulled him up.

"We're definitely having a rematch at one point," I said as I reclasped my cape and sheath, adjusting the weight properly.

We began walking back to camp, the center fire burning like a beacon for us. Punz, Sapnap, and George were gathered around it, easily spotted in the coming night and firelight reflecting their returning smiles.

The image gave me a thought, everything will be fine.

"Just to lose again?" Dream added jokingly, throwing an arm around my shoulders to tug me into his side. I laughed but didn't push him away.

"In your dreams," I said, not feeling another presence close by.

-

Dream pov

She remained at his side as they settled on one of the logs around the fire. Her presence alone was what kept him from slipping into his tent and staring at the canvas roof for hours, begging for the voices in his head to shut up.

She was the only thing that kept them quiet.

For now, one managed to slip in before being ushered away by her laughter at something Sapnap said.

There was still some tension between him and the boys, evident from his outburst in the Final Control Room. It would settle again, as it always did.

But Dream was their leader as well as their brother. He needed them to understand that if he was going to get them through this alive.

Somehow he had become their leader through unspoken words, a few years ago when he, Sapnap, and George had settled and began the Community House. It had only been the three of them until others trickled in, soon enough, y/n joining them.

Recently, at the sight of black-and-yellow walls echoing with rebellious cries, a whisper sounded in his mind, a different cry than the usual screaming anger or silent frustration. It promised safety for these lands, united as one, his friends safe.

It said he could be a god, just like it was. He would be its human form, just to help take care of these lands.

Dream wasn't foolish enough to believe it. But as hard as he stomped on it, shoving it in the corners of his mind, acting as if it weren't there, it always came back.

Either in luring whispers or bouts of power that were so strong they took over his whole body, leaving him defenseless in his brain as he watched his body move without his will.

Only the people around him, those he loved and held closest to, were enough to quiet them now. Y/n, especially, either from her bright magic or her nature.

Though, as the war continued, it told him that this war was just beginning. And it took over more often, using his fitness, intelligence, and emotion, everything that made him human, against L'Manberg, and now his friends.

They were building. The gods wanted more.

They wanted to destroy the nation, take his land and power back, and make people fear him.

A god. One of chaos and darkness. That's what it wanted him to be for it.

He refused, but that only fueled the thing's fire.