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There's gotta be another way out
I've been stuck in a cage with my doubt
I've tried forever getting out on my own
But every time I do this my way
I get caught in the lies of the enemy
I lay my troubles down
I'm ready for you now
Deep breaths.
The piglin kept repeating this within his head where he stood in front of the void She asked him to go through, investigating something odd that had appeared on their radars.
Technoblade had been spending some time catching up with the Death Goddess while he was between realms, enjoying watching through Her crows how Phil and his family were. He admired how his best friend had finally slowed down enough to settle for a while, spending time raising two hatchlings with his dearest companions in that realm. It had been a while since Techno himself had rested, at peace residing in the realm of Death until something alerted his Goddess’s attention.
A world he left behind moons ago suddenly became active again, with the faint traces that life still existed on it despite the literal nuke that went off. Just as curious as the one responsible for him escaping time’s decay, She ordered him to investigate. Mysteriously the radioactive aftereffects had cleared themselves a while ago but this was the first hint something or someone had survived.
Leading to Technoblade standing before the green-tinted galaxies in the portal, taking one last look at the Goddess with a small smile he steps through. Closing his eyes he lets dimensional travel take over and allows his thoughts to guide him back to the cursed soil of the Dream SMP.
His thoughts reminisced on fleeing from these grounds with Niki, Ranboo, Michael and Phil on his heels after She rescued them, mere weeks before it was blown to kingdom come. All five mourned those they lost, Ranboo and Niki taking their friend’s losses especially hard, spending time in Phil’s home world to mourn them within the safety it provided while deciding what they wanted to do next.
Techno never said it aloud, but his heart ached for a few youth in particular who certainly didn’t deserve the fate that was dealt to them. He foolishly wondered if some of them had survived, the smallest shred of hope waving within his rib cage while the memories flew forth of who they had left behind here.
Landing heavily on the floor of the Syndicate room, Techno keeps his palm on his axe’s hilt as he stands upright peering around while keeping his ears open. His focus is drawn back to the nostalgia that filled this room as his mind accepted he actually had returned, thinking of the meetings with his dearest companions here where they discussed world events.
“Goddess, it's like nothing changed.” His deep voice is soft, letting his free hand slide across the top of each chair as he passes them by.
Staring down at the seat their mysterious ace up their sleeve never claimed, Techno’s heart fills with sorrow thinking of who was supposed to. Sighing, he leaves their stronghold to make his way to the surface carefully.
He is surprised how much remains intact as he ascends, pausing for a solid few moments when he sees the cabins that once protected him and his platonic life partner and brother-in-arms Philza. From his experiences worlds that face catastrophic destruction do not look like this, a sanctuary gone dormant with no one left to remember the stories that were told here.
Tossing the quickest look to the home-in-the-hill that their ward had built, a certain smaller boy with heavy scarring that was the piglin’s fault flashed to the forefront of his mind. That kid in particular tugged at Techno’s heartstrings, especially now that time had dulled the anger he once held. They were both a product of this world they woke up into, perhaps in another reality they would have been closer.
Clutching his weapon close, he makes his way to his home and finds his animals perfectly safe, something that blows his mind he quickly sets them all free. It hurts more than Techno would ever admit but he knew this was for the best, once he left this world he preferred they would fend for themselves going forward.
Giving one last belly rub to Steve, he hugs the polar bear while wiping away a tear. He knew it was time, but it didn’t make things any easier. The massive white creature lumbers off towards the river, going to fish his days away in the comfort of freedom.
Techno takes a moment inside each structure they left behind, reflecting on what had transpired between both the best friends and everyone else they coexisted with under this sky. Running a fingertip alongside the tapestries hung from his home’s walls, he decides to investigate some of the earlier settlements here to search for any signs of the life energy that blinked back alive here.
Bring me out
Come and find me in the dark now
Everyday by myself I'm breaking down
I don't wanna fight alone anymore
Bring me out
From the prison of my own pride
My God
I need a hope I can't deny
In the end I'm realizing I was never meant to fight on my own
Which is how Techno ends up striding up the prime path heading towards Tommy’s base, his heart in his throat trying not to let his emotions overwhelm him. Usually he had them more under control but between the hope someone he once fought with survived and the guilt of how scarred the young came to be here, this piglin wasn’t quite feeling like his normally stoic self.
His feet take him down the main path made of oak planks, something beckoning him to follow as he changes to head towards the crater he was partially responsible for. The massive obsidian grid hung high in the sky still, greenery covering it as nature slowly reclaimed this abandoned land. A project begun by Philza ages ago, giving life to this sorrowful land that once was a symbol of independence before it was blown to bedrock.
“L’Manburg, what a relationship we have.” Techno mutters, his thoughts switching between the iterations of this city he had seen and those who once called this settlement theirs. They finish on the time he was dragged down main street in shackles for a poorly-disguised execution, shaking his head he checks around wondering why he had been called here.
Finding a path down to the bottom of the huge wound in the earth, Techno observes the tattered flag that still hung in the middle of the lake cupped within. Kneeling at the shore, he bows his head in respect of those who gave everything for this doomed ideal, spurred on by an unstable man with a silver tongue.
Goddess, the innocent went through far too much here. As the older generation, they had failed to protect the youth, he knew returning here would open up some scars but he was surprised with the ferocity they tore anew.
“It’s about time you came back.”
Startling upright as that sentence fills his brain, his mouth drops open as a golden crown breaks the calm surface of the water, followed by someone he thought he would never see again.
Eret arose from the waters beneath L’Manburg with pearlescent eyes glowing, hair fluttering in an unseen breeze adorned in regal clothing fit for royalty. Techno instinctually reaches out to them only for his hand to pass through their forearm, their deep musical giggle drawing his stunned attention back to their serene face.
“Hello, old friend.”
“It was you?” He asks the brunette, who shakes their head gently.
“No, my body has already passed on.” They appear to be sad, brushing their cloud-white dress flat. “But my spirit remained as there were children I had to protect, at least until someone trustworthy discovered they had survived.”
“Who?” Techno had to know, beyond grateful to the kind soul who floated before him.
“I had three chances to give and gave them to those I thought were worthy of my last decision before I am to be revived without my memories once more, so my cycle may begin again.” Techno admired their strength facing the idea of forgetting themselves, their Herobrine ancestry came at a devastating cost but also the reward of saving the being they loved most. “One resides here, in the city he gained leadership of while he was still too small to wear a president’s uniform. The next is in the cavern of his regrets, the last is within the desert that is not real. I entrust their souls to you, now I must return to my Totem’s side to await when I am needed next. The first was far too stubborn to remain in slumber while he healed, but the others still needed to be awakened from the state I placed them in to preserve their bodies.”
Technoblade can only respectfully bow to them, this version of this ethereal person had been by far his favourite. They were wracked with guilt yet poured that energy into archiving everything that happened here, no matter how painful. A rare Monarch Techno didn’t wish to dethrone, they had always been amicable or nearly friendly here, even as an anarchist and royalty. He would miss them greatly.
He watches as they fade from before his very crimson eyes, giving the smallest wave before their eyes close with a wide smile as the sunlight pierces where their form once occupied. They truly must have been near the end of their energy, Techno appreciated they had held out for as long as they did. But he also knew now they were free to be at Foolish’s side, watching over him for as long as he needed before their next world together and felt the smallest amount of envy wishing that could be himself and his crow right now.
It was a truly selfless act to give up their three chances, forgetting their own life to allow others to keep their memories. Techno had a feeling he knew exactly who was who, but he waited to confirm it within his heart until he saw them in person.
Climbing back up to the sky, the first youth in question is visible upon the horizon perched upon a walkway built long after the last explosives fell. Dangling his legs over the edge, he doesn’t see the piglin for the longest time until he is within speaking distance.
Tubbo startles when he catches sight of his lotus-petal hair, nearly at his side before he finally speaks.
“What the hell are you doing here, Techno?” Gravelly and cracking like it hasn’t been used in months, his once joyful voice is chock full of defeat. “Come to mock me once more, this time through a vision? I am alone here, and have been for far too long, it’s about time the hallucinations began I suppose…”
The piglin freezes with the acidic stare Tubbo sends him, waiting for the barely an adult boy to speak further. “Left me behind in fact while you fled with my husband and child, neither of whom I have seen in moons. I’ve just been stuck here, drowning in the things I regret and loneliness.”
“I’m sorry.” Something neither of them expected, Tubbo’s anger fades the tiniest amount hearing the sincerity with which he spoke. “Someone amazing gave you another chance with these memories an’ we failed to search for survivors sooner, that is completely on me.”
“You are sorry?” Tubbo is thrown, more and more confused by this encounter. “This has to be my imagination right? I have had nothing but the phantoms of my past plague me, there is no other soul on this server to speak of.”
Reaching a hand out, Techno hopes his expression is forgiving and open to the brunette. “It’s time to move on from this world, Tubbo, but not before we rescue two more.”
“—move on?” Tubbo hesitantly places his own in Techno’s palm, shuddering as the realisation settles in that this is reality when their flesh meets.
“This place is not one for the young, only the dead.” Techno looks back towards the pit, thinking of the regal soul who spent their last energy here. “Someone graceful an’ unique gave you their everything for a second chance, do not waste it away here among the unfinished.”
“You said two more?” Tubbo’s soft voice is much different than the harsh edge it had before, hesitant optimism returning. “Also who saved us?”
Techno’s own smile is weighed down with sorrow, wondering if he should reveal their decision before realizing Tubbo’s curiosity wouldn’t end until he found out. “Eret protected you, but they used up the last of their lifetime here to do so.”
Watching Tubbo’s face fall, he gives another peek behind the curtain. “Mourn who they were upon this soil but I can promise you this is a more familiar path to them than anyone, they’d do it happily a thousand times over.
“Now come, we are returning to a place that will hurt us both.”
Every little thing that I've known is every thing I need to let go
You're so much bigger than the world I have made
So I surrender my soul
I'm reaching out for your hope
I lay my weapons down
I'm ready for you now
“You got to be fucking kidding me.” Tubbo mumbles under his breath when he recognises the direction they set out in, Techno chuckling.
“It’s unsettling for me too, kid, but Eret pointed me this way.” Taking a deep breath as that entrance to below comes into view, thinking of the memories they would be descending into.
“I swore I would never step foot here again.” Tubbo’s pale gaze is haunted, something that tugs at the piglin’s ancient heart.
“We go in together, I’m here for you kid.” Techno hates the apprehension that crosses Tubbo’s face at his oath, before he shrugs and walks forward into the dark.
Techno follows, taking a deep breath of surface air before they begin the descent into the place that made one of their own insane. They make their way slowly after the pink-haired man produces two torches and lights them, taking up the rear while the brunette walks ahead.
“I have a feeling we are here for Tommy.” Tubbo’s soft voice echoes gently, Techno nodding along. “Last I heard he was in the prison luring Dream and Punz towards their deaths though, not anywhere near Pogtopia.”
“What?” Techno asks harshly, Tubbo flinching as the piglin stares him down. “I am not upset with you—just…just tell me what happened.”
“He had this harebrained scheme he was going to bait them into the prison then made me set up the nuke’s path directly to him.” Tubbo shudders, wrapping his one arm around his torso. “I tried to talk him out of it but it’s impossible to say no to him when his course is set. The only saving grace was the fallout should have taken me too…”
“Yet this world remains untouched from explosive damage, that is curious.” Techno comments, reminding himself to ask Her when he returns. “I wonder if Eret is responsible for that with her ancestry—”
Tubbo’s interested look reminds him to stop talking as they reach the bottom of the ravine, both attention being drawn to the field of wildflowers before them. Techno places his hand on the handle of his axe, his guard up seeing the field of sunflowers, alliums and white lilies at the bottom of the cavern where they shouldn’t exist, Tubbo approaching slowly towards the shape in the middle covered in emerald blades of grass.
“Technoblade?” Tubbo looks to him for support, asking about answers to something Techno had no idea how to respond to.
Suddenly the grass erupted as someone sat up in the middle, sunshine hair full of the displaced flowers and wild sky eyes landed on the two before him. Tubbo lets out a scream and throws himself towards Tommy, Techno watching on with a smile while keeping an eye on their surroundings. The reunion of best friends leaves the piglin’s ears ringing but he feels their joy deep within his chest, warming himself with their happiness until Tommy’s gaze once again returns to Techno.
“What are you doing here, Blade?” The intentional distance makes Techno wince internally, not blaming the boy for how this might appear.
“He’s here to save us.” Shocking all here, Tubbo steps in. “We were given another chance to flee this world after we rescue one more, it’s time we leave.”
“Leave?” Tommy sounded so lost, Techno could only hope to spin this in a positive light.
“Tommy this world wasn’t kind to you, an’ it’s time you know peace. I am here to guide you into your next realm with your memories of this one intact because someone selfless gave their all for those they believed deserved another shot.” He kneels down before the confused blonde, holding out his hand. “It’s time to heal, dear child, something you were never allowed to do here. Someone special wishes for you to live on, therefore you shall. If you choose to come with us of course.”
Holding up his free hand to Tubbo’s protest, he finishes his comment. “I will never force you to do anything, ever, especially after what you have been through. I simply wish to give you a choice of if you wish to move on or stay in this world that will only become more empty. Most people have already left, onto what they were destined to do next.”
“Will I ever see them again?” The vulnerability in Tommy’s tone hurt the piglin’s soul, giving the smallest smile.
“Perhaps some you will, some you won’t. What I have learned over my many eras alive is people come into your life for a reason an’ leave when they are meant to. You have to treasure the moments you have an’ take what they taught you into the future. They remain alive as long as someone remembers them, but here is not your home anymore. Not one you will find any forgiveness within, anyways.”
Tommy takes one last look around the button-covered walls, a thousand stories forming a vicious storm in those sky eyes before he gives the smallest nod. Tubbo stands quickly then helps his taller best friend follow suit, wrapping their hands together they both look to Techno for guidance.
“One more stop, we need to go to Las Nevadas.” He tells them, both of them seem confused but follow Techno as he makes his way back to the stairs upwards.
“How did you know to come back?” Tommy asks the pink-haired warrior, an inquisitive expression indicating to the piglin he wouldn’t be able to avoid answering this easily.
Debating how to answer this question, he decided to start near the beginning as Tommy had always been aware there was something different about the piglin compared to nearly everyone upon this server minus a few exceptions. “Philza wasn’t lying when he said he was married to a Goddess, none of that is false. Centuries ago we swore to the Death Goddess that we would become Her Angel an’ Blade, Her hands in worlds that caught Her attention. A little while ago She noticed this world had signs of life once more so She sent me to investigate an’ I am glad She did.”
Tommy and Tubbo trade looks full of a thousand questions, Tommy eventually speaking once more as they draw closer to the surface in a much softer tone than his usual sharpness. “Me too, Techno, me too.”
His ancient heart heals the smallest amount hearing Tommy address him in such fashion, instead of just ‘the Blade’. The conversation fades away until the warm sunlight is above them once more, Techno himself is very glad to be back under its harsh glare.
Looking back to see the best friends still behind him, clasping hands, he admires how the sunshine above illuminated Tommy’s golden tresses like a heavenly halo. Tubbo appeared to be relieved they had finally left that cavern, ruffling his own chestnut tresses with his free hand of the dust that had already settled from that musty cave. Both of these children had been through several lifetimes of pain in a short few years, he hoped where they were destined to go next would allow them some measure of peace.
Bring me out
Come and find me in the dark now
Everyday by myself I'm breaking down
I don't wanna fight alone anymore
Bring me out
From the prison of my own pride
My God
I need a hope I can't deny
In the end I'm realizing I was never meant to fight on my own
It takes them most of the day to arrive at their last location, neon signs of ‘Las Nevadas’ flickering as they approach. Both Tommy and Tubbo had about a thousand more questions about the Death Goddess along the way, Techno answering them to the best of his abilities. They grew quieter as they approached the false desert, snowflakes falling on their hair from above showing how wrong the biome was.
Techno is surprised how many of the signs still had power, the lights practically blinding in some locations as darkness slowly crept across the sky as night approached. He lets his pace slow until it matches the two boys behind him, their conversation slowing as Techno addresses them.
“Do you have any idea where to look? I never spent the most amount of time here—”
“I have a few spots we can check.” Tubbo offers, looking tired yet alert. “Quackity and I had quite a history with diplomatically working out our issues with here and Snowchester, I know the layout well.”
Turns out they didn’t even have to go looking, the moment they grow closer to the casino a similar field of grass greets them except this one was covered in thistles and holly. He waits for Tommy and Tubbo to catch up, arriving at the patch of emerald and flowers at the same time. The boys kneel down beside the shape covered, waiting for the person it protected to awaken now that they had arrived.
Techno sent another thanks to Eret’s soul for what they had chosen to do with their remaining energy, the final person they came to rescue sitting up slower, more guarded. Purpled’s hand remained on his sword where it hung across his back after he spotted his company, violet eyes widening seeing who stood before him.
“What the fuck is going on?” Purpled narrows his unique coloured orbs, all three holding up their hands showing no weapons. He looks between the trio, raising an eyebrow. “In what universe are you three working together?”
“Techno came back to save us.” Tubbo steps forward and speaks aloud. “You weren’t aware of this but this world should have imploded with a nuke, someone special gave it all to save us three and Techno has come to guide us to our next destination.”
Purpled’s paranoid expression is one Techno relates to, hand still holding the hilt of his weapon before he eventually lowers it after coming to a decision. Tommy offers his hand, helping the other lean blonde stand up from his bed of grass and flowers.
The boy in the allium-coloured sweater stares up at the platform above them, a haunted gaze crossing his face before he shakes his head making his antenna bounce. Turning back to the piglin, he schools his face carefully to neutrality before speaking once more.
“So what next, Technoblade?”
Asking the question Techno was just wondering about, he decided to follow his gut. “Now we are to return to a room I had hoped one day you would see but under better circumstances, Harpocrates.”
That title confused Tommy and Tubbo, looking between the two with many inquiries within their matching blue gazes. Purpled gives a small smirk which Techno matched, wishing things could have worked out differently so he could have experienced fighting alongside this skilled young warrior.
“What the fuck does that mean?” Some of Tommy’s spark showed in those words, Techno’s worries about his mental state dissipating hearing that sass return to his sharp tongue.
“You will see, young one.” Techno decided to keep the mystery for a little bit, gesturing with his finger back the way they came. “Let’s go back to the Arctic Commune an’ you will understand soon, I promise.”
I don't wanna be incomplete
I remember what you said to me
I don't have to fight alone
The oddest group of four arrive at what used to be Techno’s home here, stepping out of the portal only for Tommy to complain about the cold. Without any further thought Techno hands over his thick, fur-lined cloak to wrap around the loud blonde’s shoulders, Tubbo was used to the climate and Purpled was too stubborn to say anything about it.
All three boys had lapsed into their own conversation, Tubbo revealing Eret’s choice to Purpled along the way which led to the smart blonde growing pensive and bittersweet. They were discussing their history on the server, Techno playing a simple observer while he sent a prayer wherever these souls were destined they would arrive to the comfort they never received here.
The warrior piglin arrived here with anger in his heart and was leaving full of regret, upset he let his emotions get the best of him leading to both physical and mental wounds on the generation he should have protected. Especially the boy behind him where most of his face is covered in scars, a close range firework explosion wrecked havoc on his flesh that protected still growing bones.
“Techno, where are we going?” Speaking of, Tubbo pipes up behind him to which the piglin turns his head to observe the shortest member of their current party.
“To my book club!”
“What?” Tubbo followed up with a sly look crossing Purpled’s face which Tommy catches.
“Oi, bitch, what do you know?” Tommy’s wild smile is wide and full of teasing, Purpled placing his finger against his lips which leads to the sunshine blonde growling in frustration. “Book club? I never heard of no book club on this fucking server.”
“Ah, then it did its job well.” Techno can’t help the gloating smile as Tommy seethed, Tubbo chuckling at the antics around him. “Though I doubt Tubbo is entirely innocent, I’d imagine he was probably suspicious when his husband would be away for hours.”
“I admit I was curious but didn’t want to push my luck so I stayed away and played willfully ignorant.” Tommy’s playful rage turns on his best friend, who looks entirely unphased. “We lived peaceful lives as neighbours in the North, I didn’t want to add to my tally of countries I have lived within that you blew up.”
“Yeah, sorry ‘bout that.” Techno rubs the back of his neck, Tubbo waving it off.
“Water under the bridge bossman, no worries. Right now I have more questions about how this book club is our ticket off this goddess forsaken server.”
“What happened to everyone else?” Purpled asks the question Techno was waiting for, thinking of the reports the Death Goddess had let him view.
“Nearly everyone was destined for new worlds, their memories archived by those who control these worlds an’ reborn somewhere else. A select few were given terrible limbo for their actions as punishment until the one who controls them has decided they have enough.” Techno had given Purpled a brief recap about how he arrived here and his connection with the Death Goddess before Eret’s choice was revealed which had shifted the topic away. They had an eventful trip through this world’s nether one last time, both in fighting off enemies and things spoken aloud that was a weight released off all of them.
They cross the fenceline Philza spent hours crafting before Tommy freezes, looking back over his shoulder causing the rest to pause.
“Are you positive there is no one left besides us?” He asks Techno, who was hesitant to respond until a crow appeared before him with vibrant eyes.
All three boys startled as the piglin remained unphased, allowing it to perch upon his shoulder before giving a message in a language aeons old. Mumbling words back, it disappears into nether-coloured particles once more as Techno meets Tommy’s questioning look. “Both Eret an’ the Goddess assure me you three are the only ones remaining fated to leave this world. Our pets an’ animals we bonded with will live out the rest of their days in peace until there isn’t a single one left, then this realm will go dormant.”
“A peaceful end to chaos.” Tubbo comments, the piglin nodding.
“These skies are about to overlook harmonious moons for the first time in seasons. It’s time to leave them in your past.” Techno consoled the youth, hoping his message would comfort their grieving hearts. “I can only empathise with what you faced here, but please know if it’s worth anything at all, I am proud of you for becoming who you are.”
It felt very odd to be as vulnerable as the pink-haired man was at this exact moment, the boys before him also thrown before without a word Tommy tosses himself into Techno’s arms. Tubbo follows suit while Purpled remains back, choosing to watch instead as this tough old warrior held the boys he felt the most guilty about hurting. Tommy had rested his head into the crook of the Blade’s neck where Tubbo rested his against his chest, memorising how it felt in this moment of their own peace.
Phil would be teasing the hell out of him in this exact moment which only made the grin on Techno’s face grow wider, desperately blinking away the tears that filled his eyes. Once it's passed the entire trio scrubs their eyes clear before they finally continue past Techno’s home to the lava lake that protected the entrance of the stronghold.
Techno has to convince them it's safe to do what he was asking, Tommy being the first to trust his word and leap in followed by the other two. Tubbo and Tommy link hands once more when they reach the bottom of the fall, getting in the same boat to slide across the ice all the way to the heart of this ancient structure turned meeting room by himself and his best friend.
Purpled is taking everything in as they journey, a quiet sadness within his intelligent eyes seeing what he missed out on. Techno nudges his shoulder against the man at his side, the pair of best friends following a little bit behind after they climb out of their boats.
“I wish you could have been here too.” He admits only for him to hear, the blonde meeting his gaze with his own. “You were always our contingency plan yet we never fought side by side, I regret that fact now as I always heard you were proficient as a fighter.”
“Have to be for the types of jobs I took to get by here.” Purpled pats the sheath of his sword, taking a deep breath before his expression changes to one of determination. “Next time we meet, we shall see who is the better swordsman.”
“Deal.” Techno isn’t positive that will ever happen, but it brought his own heart a measure of happiness making this agreement.
He pauses outside the grand doors that protected their greatest secret, turning to his companions. “Are you ready?”
All three trade glances before nodding, Techno watching their expressions as he tosses the door open. Tommy and Tubbo’s mouth drop open as Purpled observes with a careful yet awed face, bright lava bubbling beneath their ‘table’ with the portal fully functioning within its otherworldly frame of pale yellow and a mix of blues and greens.
“Welcome…to the Syndicate.” Techno can’t help being dramatic before the young adults, sweeping his arms wide as he leads them into the space Phil spent a moon decorating and preparing after Ranboo stumbled across the series of rooms. “Sic semper tyrannis, thus always to tyrants, this was our anarchist organisation that discussed current events an’ went on several missions for the causes we believed were just.”
“I wanted more than anything to be here…” Purpled trails off, finding the seat with his code name and settling into it beside the table humming with power.
“You knew?!” Tommy’s yell makes Techno flinch, Tubbo staying quiet as he takes everything in.
“We recruited him a while ago but never had the chance to call him in, wanting those against us to not know we had a plant within their ranks.”
“I wasn’t sure where I stood within Las Nevadas and one day came across Phil deep within the nether gathering resources, we got talking and I mentioned how I felt lost and unsure of my future. He asked me then and there about potentially joining and I told him I would think about it, later accepting the invitation.”
“It’s how we kept an eye on Las Nevadas an’ what Quackity was up to.”
“Damn.” Tubbo breaths out, Techno chuckling at that. “I had no idea your network extended through both Snowchester and Las Nevadas.”
“Easier to keep an eye on our closest neighbours an’ be prepared, better than being caught unaware.”
Techno steps closer to the glowing square, holding out his hand for Tommy and Tubbo to step up to their level. “Now then, time for one final leap of faith.”
Ascending to his side, Purpled on the other, all four looked down at the abyss shaded like galaxies waiting to catch them.
This time, Techno lets the tears he held back until this moment fall, hating this part of having mortal friends. He would be the one to carry forward their memories eventually, none of them held the same blessing that protected his flesh from the ravages of time. One day their clock would hit their final midnight, a cycle endlessly repeated that hurt a little bit more each time.
Especially with these souls he came back to save, each of them had taught this old piglin something unique. Besides Phil, Tommy was the first person he met ever that could match the piglin’s will. Even after everything he had experienced here, his fierce spirit remained strong through circumstances that would have broken weaker mindsets. From when Techno first set foot on this world to now, Tommy’s maturity spoke volumes from what it used to be, despite being learned through terrible things.
Tubbo’s resilience in times of agony and tragedy could be praised through several sunrises, a strong sense of honour guided his heart. He earned himself a spot on a list a rare few did, Techno felt he could truly trust the boy now. Even after several attempts on each other’s life, Techno had been ready to extend a similar invitation of joining the Syndicate to the brunette until they had been forced to flee previously.
Purpled kept to himself, something Techno could relate to and admired, knowing in times of strife he could have counted on the blonde’s support. He went where the pay was good, and only took jobs that benefited him. In fact, Techno saw quite a few similarities to his younger self within those clever orbs, he wished they could have spent more time together in complete honesty.
“It’s been a pleasure to get to know you all.” Apparently not out of grand words, those at his side turn to look at Techno. “Even though our memories have a whole range of emotions attached to them, I wouldn’t trade them for anything.”
“Hey Techno?” The quietest he has ever heard Tommy speak, Techno meets their eyes together. “We are good, yeah?”
“Course, kid.” Techno’s smile is genuine, reaching over to clasp his shoulder. “Keep your chin high Tommy, I am glad we met.”
“Will we see you again?” Tubbo’s question reminds the piglin once more of their ages, his expression changing to a gentle one.
“Tell ya what, when it comes time for you to move on from your next worlds I’ll put in a request to be the one to collect you.”
“Sounds like a plan, Techno.” Tubbo nods, tacking on. “Thank you again for helping save Michael from Sam, I’ll never forget that act of kindness.”
Joining their hands together once more as Purpled and Techno already said what they wanted too, all four take the step forward into their next lives together. A warrior and three young adults who shared this world’s story left this realm for their final time together, a sweet harmony surrounding the event both within their hearts and across the Dream SMP’s now abandoned settlements.
A place for the dead grew silent from alive voices, only the whispers of memories tainted the winds now. Caressing cold stone walls and around objects whose owners left them behind, nature slowly overtakes where feet once walked. Flowers bloomed where souls died and greenery overtook harsh structures that weren’t inherently evil, only used by those with wicked purpose. Across floors once stained with crimson rust lichen crept, burying the negativity under new growth.
Life rose from death, hastened by the peace this realm had eternally achieved. Eventually it would only survive in the memories of those who would remember it, but Techno doubted anyone would forget it anytime soon. There were too many stories to relate to here, ones that taught him and many others lessons they needed to hear.
Though tragedy and joy went hand in bloody hand here, there was a certain unity found in the most dangerous of moments. Despite everything, he was grateful for every breath he took within the atmosphere, and would reflect on it as long as his heart shall beat.
Bring me out
Come and find me in the dark now
Everyday by myself I'm breaking down
I don't wanna fight alone anymore
Bring me out
From the prison of my own pride
My God
I need a hope I can't deny
In the end I'm realizing I was never meant to fight on my own