Wilbur

She stands in the gardens, on a track of land smoothed over by loose gravel and packed dirt. On the opposing side of the track, a rather small circle made from mesh hangs tightly across a wooden easel, painted with hollow white and red circles but a full one in the middle. She wears white, as well, but she compliments her shirt with black high-waisted pants instead of red ones. Her hair, too, is as white as the clouds above, pulled back into a high ponytail. Her eyes shift with a cool yellow color, glowing with precision as she stares down the target. She shifts her body, pulling back on the string of her bow. The arrow's point gleams in the sunlight as she aims it. Her eyes narrow, and suddenly there is a release. As the arrow snaps forward, the bowstring snaps back. Luckily, she wears an arm guard and bracer to protect her thick clothing and fragile skin. The arrow lands in the center circle, cutting through with ease.

"What are you looking at?" A voice calls from behind Wilbur. He turns his attention away from the window to discover that the companion he has been waiting on to awaken finally has. Techno's piercing red eyes reflect back all the light in the small candle at his bedside, making him look inhuman in the darkness. He attempts to sit up, but he winces, lowering himself back against the many pillows trying to support his upper body.

Wilbur smiles gently as he stands up from the cushioned chair. He reaches over to take the damp towel off of Techno's forehead. He dabs it in a basin of water kept magically cool. After wringing the towel out, he places it back on Techno's forehead. All the while, he speaks, "I was watching Shubble. She has taken a liking to archery. It makes her feel closer to Lilka which in turn makes her feel closer to her gnomish heritage. She won't say this out loud, but I can tell that what she's really looking for is a productive way to spend her time. We're all floundering out here."

Techno winces again. Wilbur dares not speak about it. In all the time Wilbur has spent at this bedside, Techno has professed time and time again that he is fine. Remarkably, the poison is not progressing as quickly as it did in their first lives, which means Techno has a few more months ahead of him. Unfortunately, slow does not mean stagnant. Wilbur has looked at the wound many times to know that it is progressing and it is painful, regardless of what nonsensical standards Techno is holding himself to. Wilbur is afraid to admit that Techno's strong facade might entirely be his fault. Techno must know that Wilbur would be absolutely crushed if he were faced with the truth. The one thing keeping Wilbur going is that even if Techno dies, he will be reborn. Wilbur will scour all the nations to find Techno again. Hopefully, he will do so before...

"You're thinking about him again," Techno points out. Wilbur forces his face to relax. His eyes burn with the intention to cry, but no tears linger at the edges of his vision. He has given up on the useless pastime called crying. It brings him no closer to clarity or emotional stability. His expressions, however, could still use some work. Apparently, he always gets a particular face when thinking about certain subjects. Most of them are natural. This one, Wilbur wishes to get rid of.

"How can I not when I'm treating your wound?" Wilbur snaps, gesturing towards the blankets. Underneath, Wilbur can practically see the glowing purple cracks appearing across the skin like Kristin's Touch of Death. The memories associated with the color and shapes hurt his heart, but the fact that Techno is dying from Taint in this life- like their first- is disheartening. Wilbur can feel the phantom pains of what he went through. They linger across his body, never diminishing.

"He didn't mean it," Techno assures Wilbur as if the king doesn't already know. If a soul is lost- even temporarily like Tommy's was- parts of it chisel away. Even worse, Tommy was brought back by a champion of the goddess of chaos. Wilbur has done his research, and while she isn't an inherently evil goddess, she doesn't exactly stand for peace and virtue, either. Tommy has full access to his godhood and his memories, but he lacks the emotional depth to understand it all. He's a hollow husk acting on the real Tommy's watered down instincts. Wilbur wishes he could see Tommy again. He doesn't know if he'll be able to do anything, but he can try using his domain.

Techno turns his head to the other side of the room with a frown. He speaks to the empty air. "It isn't his fault. You cursed me because of my actions, not his. Whatever he does has nothing to do with your fight with me."

Wilbur remains patient as Techno continues his conversation. Techno assures Wilbur that he's merely speaking to the Blood Gods, but Wilbur can see it in Techno's eyes. There is a reflection of a woman. She does not move or speak in the reflection when Techno looks at her, but Wilbur knows that she is whispering to Techno. Whoever she is, she's attempting to drive Techno insane. Wilbur can stave off the insanity, but Techno is bloodied with curses from his previous lives. He was not always a righteous soul. He made way too many enemies with people who later became wraiths of agony and vengeance. Wilbur doesn't know how to set their souls at ease. Tommy would have been able to because he's the god of life and light. He would have been able to purify them enough that Techno could be free. Unfortunately, the Tommy they're dealing with doesn't seem too inclined to help Techno right now.

"What about Philza? Any word from him?" Techno growls, turning his attention away from the woman in his eyes to Wilbur again.

The brunette frowns, breathing in so deeply it makes his heart hurt. He tilts his head back to the window, searching the skies. "I have news, but I didn't want to tell you in fear that this would hinder your health in the long run."

"He's dead," Techno responds coldly with passionless eyes.

Wilbur shakes his head. "Worse. I don't know if he's alive or dead. I was sent a letter from Captain Puffy. Grand Duke Sam and his children returned to their estate. Archmage Gemini has officially put in her resignation as Archmage in order to join the Hermits. Fwhip will be returning soon with the seraphim and Captain Puffy. Philza and Niki are gone. It was later discovered through some magic that Phil and Niki entered into the portal that opened up during your fight with the Red Army along with a few others who we do not know the identities of. Gemini is certain a god led them there, but she cannot discern which one because the god has a powerful presence concealment skill. Puffy has shared to me that in her capacity as the godmaker, she believes the portal is to the End. A Hermit named Grian agrees with her."

Techno stares at Wilbur for a long moment before asking, "What are we going to do?"

"A number of things. I will support the grand duke in his endeavor to reestablish King Bad and Prince Consort Skeppy as the rightful rulers. I have accepted Gemini's resignation, and I plan to put Prismarina in the position temporarily until I can find a way to replace Queen Ogien with Prismarina. I will appoint Shubble as my personal guard. Captain Sparklez will have his position transferred to Schlatt. I have also accepted Duke Tubbo's request to rename his territory, though he is still in the midst of deciding. Fwhip will return to his territory along with the other members of my war council. Obviously, Princes Scott and Xornoth have returned to their homeland. Scott wishes to inform you that you are no longer bound by his nation. He's attempting to transfer power away from his parents at any cost. I call this a wise decision knowing what I know about the empire's current leaders," Wilbur answers the question without getting to the answer Techno blatantly wants. Wilbur lowers his hands into his lap. "Other items I am less inclined to finalize. I must get rid of the seraphim and the Enderians as soon as possible. It is for the safety of the known world. I refuse to let the universe punish me once more. I cannot simply kill them, however. That would be a sin to my mortal side, and it would further displease Tommy to learn his biological sister is gone. I can solve the issue of the Enderians by sending them back to whence they came. Hopefully, Aimsey and Ranboo will get along enough that they can cooperatively find Phil and Niki for us. It's the seraphim that pose the biggest threat right now."

"We can send them elsewhere. Beau is originally from a kingdom in the Tri-Kingdom Alliance. While Andor claims to be a simple wanderer, there is more to him than meets the eye. His status must be greater than his reputation. Freddie will go with the other two. Grian is already in the Badlands," Techno reasons, starting to close his eyes.

"I can follow the first plan you have presented, but Grian is on his way here," Wilbur breaks the news gently. He waits for Techno's reaction, but all he hears is a soft noise coming from the man's chest. Techno has fallen asleep, probably due to pain. He has short bursts of energy, mainly spending his days slumbering. Wilbur frowns once more, but he does not attempt to wake Techno. He lets his brother rest as he looks back out the window. Shubble continues to practice her archery. The skies remain clear of any flying creatures. And although peace has settled across the land, Wilbur fears the real war has only just begun.

Book one is done!! This has taken way too damn long. Thank you all for reading this far. I literally would not have done it without you barren few who comment. But even if you don't comment, I still appreciate you. When I wanted to give up on this book, I looked to you all for the will to continue and you gave it to me every time without fail.

Before book two publishes, I will be writing an anthology series filled with oneshots about some characters pasts and a few of the past lives.

Confirmed ones:
- The lives of Mianite, Dianite and Ianite, the guardians of the three realms (and possibly the reason why they were split, not to mention this would include Alex and Steve's backstory as they are Dianite's children. Also the origin of Taint, the godmaker, and Kikoku. These three are mega important)
- Jack Manifold's past (including some Niki lore)
- The gladiator life (including Genevieve and Techno's curse)
- Captain Capsize (Tubbo's mother, the lover of both Captain Sparklez and Schlatt, at different times ofc)

Maybes:
- The Mortal God and the Golden Monster (what actually happened between Charlie and Tommy)
- Philza and Kristin's FIRST meeting
- The creation myth (how Mojang, the universe, created the worlds)
- The storm (aka the great divine purge)
- Captain Puffy's life

What would you guys like?

There are a few things I can't do for lore reasons next book, but be assured that all questions will be answered (even if I have to do it in the comments)

Again, thank you for reading and see you soon for the story of the triplets