we can all learn things(just maybe in different ways.)

Freedom

"I want to stab him." Wilbur announced plainly.

"Get in line."

"I dream of seeing his neck snap."

"Poggers. Do you have a rope or a ribbon or something?"

Wilbur patted the pockets of his trousers and pulled out a thin leather strip, handing it to Techno. He took it and bunched his pink hair behind his head, tying it in a loose bun.

Though he had a moment to rest, it wasn't over yet.

But it would be soon if they didn't get moving.

Several moments later, after the Schlatt situation had been somewhat sorted out(Techno really didn't want to go over and talk to him; frankly, he was already stressed enough. He was fine just watching Tommy storm angrily away and Tubbo follow him hesitantly while Phil and Schlatt had a 'friendly' discussion about staying away from the traumatized teenagers), Techno finished tying up his hair and made his way over to the others. Eventually everyone gathered(it took a bit of persuasion for them to realize that no, the fight wasn't over yet, and they had to move before reinforcements came). Dream nodded at Techno and gripped a cracked brick in the blackstone wall of the courtyard. He pulled on it and it shifted with a resounding click. Moments later a section of the wall started to move, the hum of redstone energy and the shifting of pistons cranking to life behind the bricks. Within seconds there was a doorway that had not been there before meters away from Dream's outstretched hands. Beyond the door was yet another tunnel, lit by torches at random intervals. The walls were cracked from decades of age, moss and vines creeping up the stone supports.

"What the shit?" Tommy whipped around. "Why weren't we using this the whole time?"

"I only know about this one." Dream responded, a mote of irritation lacing his tone. "I know there are probably others but this one is the only tunnel I've been through other than the first one. Stay close, it's old and probably about to cave in."

"Question- why are we going into the ancient dark tunnel conveniently not high enough to fly through? This bitch smells older than my ex-wife." Schlatt complained loudly. Techno rolled his eyes. At least he was sober enough to comprehend the danger of the situation.

"Because if we go up through the palace we'd just get jumped again." Phil responded, his wings tucking tightly against his back. "I'm not risking anyone's life again."

"We're literally fine. We've got two huge-ass warriors and a bunch of bird people. We could take them easily." Schlatt countered.

"Maybe in the courtyard." Techno interrupted, taking a torch off the wall and holding it in front of him as they started forward, sheathing his sword. "But in the corridors leading up to the palace there isn't enough room to fly more than a couple of meters in the air and it's all close-quarters combat. We'd be goners."

"Plus if we go up that way the guards' chambers are within a hundred meters. We'd be twice as outnumbered as we just were." Sapnap cut in quietly. Techno glanced over at him but he was looking down, brushing dirt and grime off his short sword until it was at least semi-visible in the stuffy darkness.

Schlatt shrugged. "Fine. But if I die because of your dumbassery, don't say I didn't warn you."

"Shhh." Dream shushed him. "We're going right below about five hundred guards right now. Be quiet, idiot."

Their footsteps echoed softly on the cracked stone, the blackstone bricks fading into normal cobble lined with years of moss and lichen. The torches at random intervals stopped appearing and suddenly Techno and Phil were the only ones with light sources. The fire cast a flickering yellow-orange glow fighting faintly against the suffocating darkness. Several times his torch almost sputtered out and he had to draw it closer to him, protecting the flame with a cupped hand. The path was uneven and cracked.