Your body collided with the floor harshly, causing your mind to spin and lose focus again. When your vision cleared, you could see Dream standing above you, hands straight by his sides. You could practically see the frown behind his smiling mask. He made no move to help you up as he usually did, instead, he simply stared down at you as you pushed yourself from the floor.

Dream was ready to give up on you for the day. He could tell that you definitely weren't in the right mind to train today, especially with the number of times he caught you off guard with a move you've been deflecting since the beginning of your training. Maybe giving you a day off wasn't the right choice.

When you woke up this morning, you felt energized and ready to start the day. You were excited to get back to training and show Dream how much you've improved since you started. Since the incident with Technoblade that morning, however, your mood completely switched. No matter how much you tried to shake it off, you couldn't stop thinking about what it meant. Sure, he was a naturally quiet person but it was abnormal for him to completely ignore you like that, especially when the two of you were getting along so well over the past few weeks.

... Could he be going back on his word?

There's no way, he's not the kind of person to do that. Technoblade would also know that Tyche would be unforgivingly upset with him. Maybe that's why he couldn't look at you, though.

The thought made you clench your fists and purse your lips, refocusing your attention on the green man in front of you. While you readied yourself for another attack, Dream stood there like he was taking a nap standing up.

"C'mon, Dream. I'm ready."

"No, you're not," He responded simply.

Your stance faltered slightly but you quickly regained it, starting to glare at him. "Let's go, I'm not going to wait all day."

Normally, you wouldn't try to taunt him but you were just so upset that you needed to get it out somehow.

The man sighed in response, his head dipping low as he swiftly laughed at you. You readied your hands, bringing your arms in front of your face to block his punch but he instead went for your feet, swiping them from underneath you. Once again, you tumbled to the ground and your head hit the mat with a loud thump.

Dream stared down at you like before, annoyance bristling his skin. "You're forgetting the basics."

You squeezed your eyes shut, feeling a dull headache begin to form where you bumped your head. Dream was right, you were forgetting the basics. The thoughts and emotions swirling in your head were blocking your combat reasoning skills. Despite that, you rose back up and got ready again, sinking into a lower stance.

Dream shook his head at you and turned away, starting to gather his stuff from the table.

"Hey, what are you doing?" Your voice came out harsh, even though you didn't mean it to.

"We're done for today."

"You can't quit yet, I still have another hour."

"Unless you get whatever you're thinking about off your chest, nothing is going to happen in the next hour."

At that, Dream turned back around to face you and hoisted himself onto the table. The green hooded man patted the empty space next to him, motioning for you to take a seat.

You squinted at him, body curling inwards at the thought of spilling everything to him. Was he trying to become your therapist?

Dream tilted his head at your hesitation, leaning back onto his hand. It was a stalemate for a few seconds, neither of you backing down from your positions. Ultimately, you decided to give in, knowing that Dream was too stubborn to give up.

"H-Has Technoblade seemed off to you lately?"

It was the closest thing you could think of asking without straight up saying 'Does Technoblade have a problem with me?'

Dream drummed his fingers on the table and hummed. "Not really. Why?"

You felt the urge to glare at him for pressing for more.

"He just seemed a bit distant this morning."

"And...?"

"And... I was getting worried that he might have changed his mind."

Dream sighed loudly. "That's ridiculous."

You shrunk more at his statement, slightly regretting ever bringing it up in the first place. You should've just left and quit for the day.

"He's probably just stressed. It's normal for him to be like that."

"This felt different. It was like he couldn't even stand to be in the same room as me."

"Well, he's introverted."

You clenched your fist and stared coldly at Dream. At this point, you couldn't tell if he was trying to reassure you or blatantly dismissing your feelings.

"Look," Dream said, "If you really think there's something wrong then why don't you just ask him?"

You lowered your gaze to the floor, thinking about how you could bring the topic up. The next time you would see him today would be at the meeting with the Elders. The best bet would be to bring it up to him after since you wouldn't want to cause a scene. You could also observe how he felt during the meeting to see whether Dream was right or not.

"I doubt that Technoblade would even think about doing that," Dream continued, "And if something like that did happen, then there's more than one person here that knows you."

A small smile began to form on your face at his words. You knew he was referencing himself and Tyche. "Thanks, Dream, that means a lot."

Rather than responding, the green hooded man pushed himself from the table and grabbed a wooden sword, tossing it in his hand.

"So, are we ready, then?"

•••

The meeting did not go as well as you had hoped. Technoblade continued to turn his head or avert his gaze, doing anything to ignore your presence. Tim (you'd recently learned his name) did not stop sending you dirty looks. It seemed he was still upset by your presence and believed you shouldn't be here. You'd made eye contact with him multiple times during the meeting and every time he would double down, staring you down with such malic that it was like he was picturing your dying right there.

The worst part is Technoblade noticed and didn't do anything to stop it. Normally, he would clear his throat or adjust in a way to pull Tim's attention back to him but the hybrid sat in silence almost the whole meeting, letting all of the Elders argue with no purpose.

By the time you left the room, you felt defeated. A dark, heavy pit formed in your stomach again. Though Dream's reassuring words replayed in your head, it didn't do much to prevent your mind from racing. Technoblade left the room in a rush. leaving you to stumble out behind him, your hopes crushed with every thump of his boots.

Dejected, you headed to the first place you could think of: Tyche's room.

An overwhelming sense of guilt washed over you when you raised your hand to the door. You shouldn't be here. Tyche was a child, too young to be in this mess. She didn't deserve to be the least bit worried about this. Even if she was the only person who could save you, you would never put that kind of task on her shoulders.

Slowly, your hand dropped, face warming as tears began to pool in your eyes. It was stupid to be upset over such small actions, over little theories you created in your head, but it all felt real. So, so real. The theories and thoughts, the dread and panic. Everything together overwhelmed you to the point where you thought you were going crazy.

If there was one moment where you wish you were a child again, it would be this one. You wanted your parents back. You wanted your dad to hold you close to his chest as your mom scratched your head. You wanted your dad's affirmations and your mom's kisses. You wanted a good friend, one that could understand and share your burden until you could find a way to get rid of it.

You didn't have that. And you wouldn't have that. But you could imagine you did.

•••

Technoblade wordlessly gazed out of the red-stained glass windows in his bedroom, across the vast glowing lava lake. Some may say the view is beautiful, mesmerizing even. To Technoblade, however, it was monotonous and bland. He woke up and fell asleep to the same sight every day. That's why when he felt the need to think in peace, this was one of his go-to places. He could simply stare and let his mind wander.

Dream was upset with him. Shortly after you and Dream finished combat training with morning, Dream decided to pay him a visit. Technoblade had just come back from his office after talking to Tyche. He was already overwhelmed from having to comfort Tyche and the thought of having to tell you such private information that most of what Dream said went over his head. As expected, Dream did not react well to that, throwing in a few petty insults here and there to get his point across before leaving his room with clenched fists.

He understood why he was so angry, Technoblade had gotten the gist of what he was saying. Dream and you had grown close, enough to be considered close friends. Dream's friends were few and far between so he tended to be more protective of them.

Apparently, you had been acting differently that morning after breakfast and ended up telling Dream that you were worried he'd changed his mind about letting you stay in the Nether. The green man then proceeded to scold him for his behavior, claiming that you deserve better and that the least Technoblade could do is acknowledge you.

He had no clue that you'd react like that after this morning. Maybe stress was high, and like him, every possible horrible situation plays in your mind.  However, he still refused to talk to you after meeting with the Elders. The hybrid had already had a time and place in mind to talk to you and if you were to catch him out of that all because you felt nervous then it would mess up his plan. So, as soon as the meeting had ended, he fled, leading him to the red-stained glass windows.

It was time. No matter how many times he'd run through it in his head, the nerves never dissipated and his heart never stopped racing. You were still a mystery to him. He couldn't predict how you'd react and that scared him. Technoblade hated unpredictability. But he couldn't go back on his word, especially when Tyche was depending on him.

•••

Technoblade stood in front of the large double doors, gathering to courage to push them open. What if you weren't here? You'd usually spend time in the library after Tyche had gone to bed so it shouldn't be any different but the possibility of it made him nervous. He'd already tried to meticulously plan what he'd do, the steps he'd take, the words he'd say. Technoblade didn't want anything to go wrong.

With a deep breath, he pushed through the doors, stepping into the tall room. Just as he'd planned, you were buried underneath a blanket on one of the armchairs, face buried into a book. You'd glanced up at him when he entered and then immediately looked back down, avoiding his gaze. Technoblade let the door shut behind him, strolling over to a familiar bookcase and grabbing a book he'd already read ten times before.

Quietly, he sat down in the chair about six feet away from you, pretending to open the book and start reading. In his mind, Technoblade was going through his checklist of things to do. You'd not responded to his presence so he automatically went to plan B. The hybrid peered over his own book, glancing at the one that sat in your hands. On to plan C. The book you were holding was unfamiliar to him, which was extremely odd considering he'd read almost every book in the library. The one clutched in your hands had a dark red leather cover. There wasn't a title or signature on the front cover or the spine and the pages were tinted yellow.

Slowly, it began to click in his mind. He'd been told about these books before but he'd never seen them in person. Not many people were able to get their hands on them.

"Where's that from?"

The inquiry caused you to raise your head and notice Technoblade's eyes locked onto your book. "This is my father's."

The hybrid closed his own book, now solely interested in the one in your possession. "I recognize it. How'd he get it?"

You'd suppose telling him the truth wouldn't be so bad. Either way, it could be to your advantage. If he were to really exile you, you'd be dead and Technoblade would be the only one to know. If you continued to stay, he might trust you more from telling him the truth.

"He got it while he was working."

"What'd he do?"

"My dad was a strategist for the Greshams. He was often asked to survey lands so he was required to go out on long trips. It was great for him because he always had a passion for exploring but nothing could overpower his interest in the Nether."

Technoblade tilted his head. Your father was a strategist. That explains why you said your dad would enjoy reading The Art of War.

"Did he travel the Nether often?"

"No, he never did," You answered solemnly, "He was forced to join the military when trouble Eddingborough began to have trouble. His troop was sent to the capital but he never returned."

The thought of it still sends shivers down your spine. You and your mother both waited months to hear back from your dad or to hear from the Greshams what might have happened but nothing was ever declared. For all you know, your dad and his troop could have gotten lost or maybe it was just taking extra time. As time moved on, however, your hope began to dwindle. You knew he was most likely dead but you didn't want to admit it. Over time, the realization became easier to come to terms with but the feeling of uneasiness still lingered.

"I'm sorry for your loss," Technoblade bowed his head to you slightly.

"It's okay." You took a moment to continue, "Luckily, I still had my mother. She helped me through the grief of it, even though she was experiencing it herself.

"What was your mother like?"

"She was a very compassionate and hardworking woman. My father met her on one of his surveys. She was a farmer at the time but became a maid when she moved with my dad back to Eddingborough. After my dad's death, people began to see her differently. Some rumored that she went mad."

From the distaste on your face, Technoblade could assume those rumors were not true. People tended to attack in moments of weakness, even if it's small things like rumors.

"Is she still working for the Greshams?"

"No, she died a few years ago from a zombie infection. Unfortunately, because of so many attacks, the Greshams had run out of any cure."

Inspired by your genuineness, Technoblade could feel the confinements of his chest loosen. You'd been so blatantly honest with him, so willing to offer your trust that he felt guilty for not doing the same. Maybe Dream was right, you did deserve better. You deserved answers and you deserved a place where you could stay and feel safe and trusted. Who knows how long it's been since you've had that.

"I never knew my parents," Technoblade started by expressing some common ground between the two. "I was banished for being a hybrid and had to learn to survive by myself at a young age. Unfortunately, since that was the only thing I had on my mind, I didn't have much of a moral compass. I would do anything for food or money."

You sat your book down as Technoblade talked, fully engrossed in what he was saying. From what you knew of him, the hybrid was not one to open up to anyone so to have the pleasure of knowing these things meant a lot to you.

"Phil found me after I'd been mugged. He quickly took me in and raised me as his own. Wilbur grew used to me over time and Tommy was so young he doesn't even remember but it was a difficult adjustment. I had to completely change my way of thinking. Despite how much I've changed, people in the Nether still know me as the person I was when I was a child. Stories here travel quickly."

Technoblade paused there, letting himself take a few moments to recover. He didn't tell a lot of people this so saying it all out loud made him rethink what really happened in his life. It always seemed to carry more emotions than he wanted.

"How did Tyche come along?"

The question was expected and it was one he'd rehearsed a million times before. He was ready to tell you and most importantly, Tyche was ready to tell you.

"About seven years ago, I decided to go on a mission since Phil finally let me go. I was traveling in the Nether to save some time when I heard a child screaming. It distracted me so much that I followed the sound and found a group of piglins..."

Technoblade began to zone out, rethinking about the moment he'd seen Tyche. It'd been so many years yet he could still remember it so clearly. There was a group of them huddled around the toddler with one holding a long, golden blade above her head. The shrieks of terror that left her mouth still echoed within his head.

"They were going to execute her because she was a hybrid. Next thing I know, I have Tyche and I start taking her back to Phil. For some reason, over time she stuck by my side so I was mainly the one who raised her."

"So, is she related to you?"

"Not biologically."

That took you a bit by surprise. They looked similar, from their face to their hair and they both came from similar backgrounds. You decided not to push further, instead, asking a more light-hearted question.

"Why is she named after a Greek goddess?"

Technoblade smiled gently, happy you'd caught onto such a thing. "I didn't know her name after I had rescued her so I named her Tyche. If it weren't for me being there and her screaming at that moment, I would have never met her. I named her Tyche because it felt like I was fated to meet her."

"That's very sappy of you," You teased, causing Technoblade to frown at you, "But admiring to hear. Thank you for telling me."

Feeling awkward, the hybrid tried to shrug it off. "Thank Tyche. Only me, Philza, Tommy, Wilbur, and a few others know. I expect you can keep a secret."

"Of course," You assured before leaning back in your chair. "Now, care to tell me more about this Greek mythology?"

•••

Finally! I've been so stressed to write this chapter because I've been thinking about this scene since the beginning and I don't want to get any details wrong or mixed up. I also had a pretty hard time writing it because I feel bad when stuff is just dialogue but a majority of this was background story. I also wanted a way to lead up to it instead of just dumping it on everyone.

Happy new year!

A lot has happened since I last posted. I learned that my laptop can only handle about 107 pages on my google doc or it crashes so I had to create a new one lol. I'm sorry it took so long, hopefully, this long chapter made up for some time. I do not expect to be posting or writing regularly since I start my next semester very soon and it will be brutal.

There's a bit of fortress arc (that's what I've nicknamed it) left before we move onto the next and final arc.

I hope you all have a wonderful day/night. Drink water and get plenty of rest!