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Techno was riding faster than he had in years, possibly decades. Definitely faster than was safe for the Nether. But there was no choice, not now. Not when his student was dead and his friend dying.
He'd sent Niki ahead with a hasty plea to prepare healing potions and Phil behind in hopes of preventing them from being followed. He prayed they would be fine. They had to be. They were strong and fast and Phil had a totem with him. They would be fine. They would . Just like Dream would be fine, too. He had to be. Techno couldn't loose someone else today, he couldn't let Ranboo's death be completely pointless.
Because Ranboo was dead. Dead because of him, because he'd dragged him into this and he hadn't been prepared enough. Because he'd hesitated. Why hadn't the kid ever mentioned he was on his last life? Or had he only ever had one, like him and Phil? Either way, he should have told them. Techno should have asked . Then maybe he'd have thought to bring a totem for him, like he always did for Phil. Maybe he would be alive, then.
Even now the voices were screaming for vengeance, for the blood of the Warden, for the death of the Blood Princes murderer. But they would have to wait. Oh, there would be blood. There would be vengeance. But he wasn't equipped for that sort of fight right now and anyway, there were more pressing things to deal with. Unlike his voices, Techno knew to pick his battles. And right now he had to focus on getting Dream to safety.
Dream, who had saved his life and who had been a victim of those corrupted by power. Dream, who was his friend, behind all the teasing and arguing. Dream, who was sat unconscious in front of him, bleeding from a headwound they hadn't even had the time to bandage. Dream, who was on the way to loosing his last life because Techno hadn't thought to bring healing potions.
But he wouldn't die. Techno had carried him out of the prison after that cursed arrow had struck him down. He had carried him away from the prison, from the mob, dodging arrows and swords left and right. And he wouldn't let him die now, not like this. He wouldn't let this mission be a complete failure, wouldn't let all of the sacrifices be in vain. And so he rode as fast as he could, one hand on the reigns and one around his friend, praying for mercy from a god of blood and desolation. Praying that Dream would not meet Thanatos today. It was all he could do.
They were almost out of the Nether now. He could feel Dreams chest rising and falling ever so slightly, the only sign he was still alive. His breathing had been getting shallower and shallower throughout their escape, but it was still there and that was all that mattered right now. Techno could already see the Portal that would bring them back to the overworld. It wouldn't be much longer now. They'd make it, they would.
By the time they reached the Overworld, Dreams breathing had become uneven. Still, it was there, so it would be fine. It'd only be ten minutes now until they reached the base. They'd be fine. It would be fine.
Techno was torn from his erratic thoughts by Dreams mumbled, barely audible voice. He couldn't make out half the words he was trying to say, but surely this was a good sign, right? The voices seemed unsure, but Techno couldn't stop himself from hoping.
From what Dream was mumbling, he didn't appear to be aware of what was going on. Delirious, probably. Was that a good sign right now, or a bad one? Techno didn't know, but he still held out hope it was the former. Maybe he should try to talk to him? He wasn't exactly good at this sort of thing, he usually left things like comforting people to Phil. But Phil wasn't here. It was only him and the voices. And Dream, seemingly talking to someone who wasn't there.
"Dream? Don't worry Dream, we're almost home. I got you out! You'll be alright, Dream", was what he ended up saying, in a voice that was much less steady than he would have liked. Really, he wasn't even sure if he was trying to convince Dream or himself, at this point.
He wasn't sure if Dream had even heard him. His friend was still talking to whatever ghost his mind had supplied. An "oge", from what Techno could make out. The voices supplied "George" from that, which he thought checked out. Techno still remembered how much Dream mentioned the guy whenever they were training or working together. Vaguely he thought they might be married. Or something like that. He'd never been good at telling these sorts of things.
Not that it mattered right now. What mattered was getting Dream home alive. They were so close now. Techno could already make out the edges of his base on the horizon. He kept talking at Dream in what was probably a pretty poor attempt at being comforting. There wasn't much else he could do.
Between his own rambling and the relieving sight of the base getting closer and closer, he didn't notice when Dream stopped his mumbled conversation with the friend that wasn't there. He had almost reached the fences surrounding his home when the voices brought his attention to Dream's returned silence. It wasn't immediately worrying, probably. He might just have fallen entirely unconscious again. Techno managed to cling to that hope for all of ten seconds.
Ten seconds before he realised that his friend was no longer breathing. Ten seconds before the last of his hope came crahing down on him. Ten seconds before he found that he had failed.
He had failed them. Failed Dream. Failed Ranboo.
He'd failed.