Dream watched the dust circle around him, dancing around and whipping his clothes with the wind. He didn't know if Punz was doing this, or if it was just nature itself. He considered asking Punz to stop the wind for them, but decided that the energy shouldn't be wasted on such small tasks.

"Are we ready?" Dream turned to Scar and Punz.

"Yes." Scar replied, and Punz only gave a small nod. Dream nodded back and turned back to the enemy's castle. Taking a deep breath, he snapped his fingers, asking with signals if Sapnap and Bad were in position. When three quick snaps were sounded, Dream banged the end of his axe to the ground.

Dream spun his axe around and held it out in an attack position when Punz whispered. "People in the air."

It's Phil and Grian. It has to be. Dream thought. "You deal with it." He ordered Punz. "Scar, is there anyone on the ground?"

"Two." Scar replied. Dream nodded to himself. They could take on four people. The Child's Entourage didn't have experienced fighters.

So when two shapes charged out of the dust, Dream swung as hard as fast as he could. A childish yelp as one of the two jumped backwards, and Dream ordered Scar to help Punz as he started to fight.

Dream almost laughed out loud as he caught sight of who his opponents were. Tommy and Tubbo. A smirk spread across the masked man's face. He knew he could take them.

He swirled with the wind as he parried and jabbed, blocked and slashed. His netherite axe shined purple despite the dust flowing around them, and Dream realized that he had an advantage over Tommy and Tubbo. Over everyone, he realized. His mask blocked the dust from getting in his eyes, enabling him to see better.

Dream laughed again as Tommy shouted commands at Tubbo. How does he not realize, Dream thought, amused. That he will never beat me in a fight? If this was a one-on-one, I would have won from day one. Dream swung with astonishing strength towards Tubbo, whose arm shook as he received the blow.

Dream smirked, but grunted as someone dropped onto him from the air. He back-flipped, trying to get the avian off of him, and Grian landed with a thump on the floor. Dream's face twisted into a frown. Grian has foiled so many of my plans. He thought to himself. I should probably make him pay.

But as he looked down towards the avian, Dream could only find a funny, joyful gremlin who likes to cause trouble. A memory surfaced, from oh-so-many months ago, when they had first settled down.

Grian: Hey Dream! Are you coming to live next to us?

Dream: mm hmm. I was thinking I could keep an eye on Scar.

Grian: You know, that would be nice. He lost a life on the first day last season, because I pranked him. But then again, I can't count how many times I've died from flight damage.

Dream: pranks? Well I better keep an eye on you too!

Grian: we'll see if you can! *laughs*

Grian had sent Dream a basket of bread the next day, with a note that said, 'a welcome present for a new 'hermit'' with a picture of a bread Grian that he had drawn himself.

"Dream?"

Bad's voice snapped Dream out of his reminiscing. He looked around, finding that Tommy and Tubbo were fighting it out with Sapnap and Scar, and Punz was still dealing with Phil. Grian was still in front of him, but he was fighting Bad now. "Dream?" Bad repeated, deflecting a blow from Grian.

Dream locked eyes with the hermit, and watched as his black eyes softened from his hard determination. It made Dream wonder, in what world did Grian live in, when he even felt things for his enemies.

Dream shook the thought away as fast as he could. He was supposed to be fighting Grian, not thinking about his life. "Retreat!" Dream yelled. If Sapnap and Bad were back, it meant that they had set the trap successfully, and there was no need to keep fighting.

Dream watched as his comrades raced back to their mountain base, exchanging final blows before retreating on his command. He was the last one to leave, sprinting after his allies.

He did, however, catch sight of Grian's curious eyes before he disappeared into the safety of his own base.

WC: 746

ok i lied, im sorry, this chapter wasn't very interesting but i promise the next one is. 100 percent. pls trust me on this

'edited' on Jan 23rd 2022