Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Life... and Death.

War... and Peace.

Creation... and Destruction.

One always exists, but not without the other.

They go hand in hand, falling in step beside one another.

Without Life there is no Death, without Death, there can be no Life. Without War, there can be no Peace, without Peace there is no War. Without Creation, Destruction cannot be, and without Destruction, Creation cannot be.

At the beginning of time, there were three gods. The god of Chaos, War, and Destruction, the god of Order, Peace, Creation, and the goddess of Balance, Life, and Death.

They combined their magic, their powers, to create worlds, universes — man.

Eons upon eons in the future, long after the gods stepped down from interfering with the lives of man — long after man killed all hybrids and locked away magic — man would call this moment: The Big Bang.

However, until then, the three gods roamed their creation. The three siblings working in perfect harmony.

Balance was the first to create a champion.

She met a man, one of the sea, a captain of a vessel, and she grew fond of him like she did no other human that she breathed life into.

He had something about him that drew her in, and after time together, she revealed her true nature and offered him to become her Champion. To live as long as Balance was needed, to live until he was killed.

And he accepted.

Upon seeing their sister achieve such a feat, Chaos and Order wanted their own champions, but both saw how Balance's Champion worked among humans to create nothing but balance, a true Champion at heart. They refused to choose their own Champion with no less of a penchant for their own domains.

Order chose a man with horns of a goat, one who could control and bring order to a chaotic country, and the Champion of Order was chosen.

Chaos found a man with a mask of white, a man who strove long before Chaos found him, to dedicate his life to the god. And so, Chaos chose him and bestowed him his blessing, creating the Champion of Chaos.

The Champion of Chaos and the Champion of Order simply did not get along, yet the Champion of Balance could mediate them enough.

Their gods decided their choices were good.

Then Chaos caused the first extinction level event.

And Balance was thrown off.

Order became weak, too weak to do anything.

She could not keep up with all the deaths, her natural instinct to create life was fighting her. She chose a woman who she had befriended before the event, who had died in the event, who understood the course of Death, and gave her her blessing, creating the Angel of Death.

Between the two of them, they handled the extinction event and Order's power returned; Balance was restored.

Order worked harder after that, forcing his control over it all, creating things to enforce Peace and Order. His Champion worked hard to add to this Order.

Yet like too much Chaos, too much Order is also wrong.

It was slow, Order pushing his control over everything in a desperate attempt to never feel weak again, and Chaos felt the pain he had forced on his brother.

Chaos faded, he realised it after a war that was meant to happen was suddenly shut down when Order appeared and huge ravines divided the armies, preventing War and forcing Peace.

Chaos tried to alert his elder sister, Balance, that the scales were being tipped but he failed as his powers began to disappear.

However, in a last ditch effort to bring Destruction and Chaos, Chaos forced a portion of his last remaining power and the second extinction level event hit.

Balance was feeling the scales tip but didn't understand why, things were in order and she was young and naive at the time. She didn't realise too much Order meant no Chaos, and no Chaos meant the scales were tipped.

Then when the event hit, she and her Angel had many many more people to reap. Order had the Creation of so much food that there was so many people.

Balance and her Angel righted the wrongs and recreated Life. Balance scolded her brothers for being so careless, she scolded herself for being so naive, and they agreed that they could not handle four domains each among themselves and decided to change things.

Balance would become the goddess of Balance and the realm: The End.

Chaos would become the god of Chaos and the realm: the Nether.

And Order would become the god of Order and the realm: the Overworld.

Their Champions would remain as such, but the three gods agreed to not be so involved with every dimension so much. The Overworld — with so many humans — would need Chaos' hand to maintain Balance. Just as the Nether would need Order's hand to maintain Balance.

They combined their powers in attempt to create three more gods, but this was new to them. They knew not how to imbue portions of themselves into three beings and it failed.

However two new gods were created.

One of Life, Destruction, and War.

One of Death, Creation, and Peace.

Balance decided she would raise both infants, imbued with power itself, in the End, while her brothers and their Champions would attempt to maintain Balance in the Overworld and Nether.

She and her Champion and her Angel returned to The End, the Angel of Death remained the primary reaper of souls but she made an effort to be at The End and around the two godlings as often as possible.

Balance doted on the boys with much love, the Champion of Balance took to Peace while the Angel took to War.

Then Balance felt the scales tip, only this time, it was much more drastic. And this time, it was in a direction she had never felt.

Balance ran to her brothers to find them locked in battle. However, opposed to legends, not with each other.

A being of pure Nothing had arrived with the intent to force the amazing universes the siblings had created back to it's state of Nothingness that it was centuries ago.

And Nothing was winning against Chaos and Order. They were powerful, and plenty powerful to defeat Nothing, but Nothing's presence alone caused their power to dampen. 

Balance arrived and the three siblings together, their own presences amplified their powers.

Balance arrived and they pushed Nothing away long enough to speak to her brothers.

They would create a new dimension, pour their very beings into it, and lock Nothing into a new dimension.

The battle was long, on the Overworld, things were disappearing, returning, wars were suddenly ended and started.

It was mayhem.

The Nether was even worse.

But in the end, the three siblings locked Nothing away into the realm they called: The Empty.

Because whatever was in there would be soon consumed by Nothing, soon become a dimension of Nothingness. Empty.

Because of the opening Nothing had with Balance being absent — nearly able to overwhelm Order and Chaos, Balance could not risk being absent again.

The Angel of Death and Champion of Balance met with the three siblings, Chaos bestowed his blessing on War and Order bestowed his blessing on Peace. Balance gave them both her blessing.

Then they sent both the Angel of Death and the Champion of Balance to take the two toddlers and raise them as humans. To raise them well and teach them even better.

And they did.

Soon splitting up, the Champion of Balance returned to the seas, becoming a Captain again and sailing the seas to bring Balance and help people. The Angel of Death moved to the mountains and fields, she went to her husband — a man she put her own blessing on as Balance had given her a portion of her power that was taken and given to the babe that the Champion of Balance cared for, but it wasn't before the Angel of Death gave her husband immortality.

As she arrived with the baby, her own son came running out of the cabin to her. She introduced him to his new brother, a baby she told her husband that her Lady had blessed her with to raise and care for. That he also had her Lady's blessing and she would need to teach him.

Her husband understood and they raised their sons together.

The Captain of Balance raised Peace on his ship, teaching him the importance of Balance but also the importance of Order — with the occasional help from the Champion of Order — and worked him through his gaining powers.

War eventually left his risen family, the Angel of Death having recently told him of his true origins, he decided to go on a journey to find Peace. He didn't want the Angel of Death to call for the Captain of Balance, he trusted that if they were meant to work alongside each other, he'd find them no matter what.

The Angel of Death's husband never knew of his second son's origins. Never. Nor did their son know, not for many centuries.

As the son of an immortal and an Angel, their son did not age as a normal human would. Rather at a much slower pace, forcing the family to move homes every few years.

War went on his journey, he caused Destruction and brought Chaos wherever he went, but Life also flourished. Crops would grow better and even through fires would start easier, if the habitants could manage it, they'd collect all the harvest before it went aflame.

Then War came across a child, in the Nether, during his journey.

War knelt down, pulling out a meat stick and offering it to the shivering piglin child hybrid.

"Hey, it's alright kid, I won't hurt you," War assured, the voices in his head telling him that this child was special. Touched by Chaos himself but never blessed.

The kid took the meat and ate it quickly, terrified of War.

"Look, I promise everything will be okay? You come with me, and I swear I'll protect you," War swore and unknowingly, bestowed his blessing on the child.

The kid lit up and moved to War's side.

War looked the part of a young teenage human, nothing special about him. Bright golden hair the colour of the sun, brighter blue eyes the colour of the sky, he often wore red as well.

"There you go kid, I'm..." War trailed off as the voices screamed at him about the new power in the kid.

"What did you do?"

War turned and saw the Champion of Chaos appear, his voice was not filled with malice or anger, yet amused curiosity.

The Champion of Chaos wore garb of green, fit for their time, and a white mask that he angled to the side to show his face, freckles and bright green eyes. Blond hair, not as golden as War's but as dusty as a sandy beach, was peaking out under a green hood.

"I-I don't know... I promised I'd help him..."

The Champion of Chaos knelt by them. "You gave him your blessing. He's now the Champion of War. You have to make sure he doesn't turn out wrong, make sure he isn't corrupted by Nothing."

"Nothing..." War murmured. The Angel of Death told him stories of the deity that nearly killed his creators. His technical parents but imagining the three of them as his parents when they were siblings was weird, besides he preferred the Angel and her husband as his parents. The Originals were simply his creators. "I can't raise a kid, Dream!"

The Champion of Chaos, or Dream, chuckled. "What's Kristin's husband's name? Phil? He's raising that half-angel kid, maybe he wouldn't mind taking in another stray."

War scoffed out a laugh. "I wasn't a stray!"

Dream ruffled his hair. "Sure, Tommy. It's just a suggestion anyways, there's no way I could raise a kid. Chaos is no place for a child... nor is War, I guess.

"I'll send him to Philza," War decided with finality. "Without contacting him or like, telling me where he is, can you tell me where to find the Captain?"

"Right, you're trying to find Peace. I think Schlatt knows, I've never met the kid. Schlatt likes him though. Jordan doesn't think having a Chaotic influence in his life is safe yet — even after four centuries. You'd think Jordan's his actual Dad the way he treats him." Dream smiled. "Definitely in the Overworld though, stick to there and water. Follow rumours of the Captain being places and you'll catch him eventually. If you want, I can take the kid to Philza, maybe be a Chaotic influence in his life and help Philza raise him?"

War nodded. "Alright kiddo, what's your name?"

The piglin hybrid stared at him.

"Good thing he doesn't understand Common," Dream said. "Can you speak Piglish?"

"Of course I can," War snapped.

He made sounds like a pig would in rapid succession.

The piglin hybrid responded.

"Technoblade," War said, "his name's Technoblade and he doesn't have a family."

"Alright, come on Techno let's get you to your new family."

War urged Techno to trust Dream and soon enough, Dream was taking the child through an obsidian portal.

War made his way to a different one.

He stepped out back into the Overworld near a fishing village.

He jogged onto the wooden panels. "Oi! Have you heard anything from the Captain lately?"

A fisher looked at him. Sizing him up. "Yeah actually, kid."

War waited. Then his eyes flashed with annoyance. He pulled out a gold coin and tossed it to the fisher.

The fisher grinned. "Heard he was out on the Western Coast, ended a huge war 'round there not long ago."

War nodded and headed out.

After out of view of the humans, he allowed huge red and golden feathered wings to appear on his back and he took off into the air. Letting out a boisterous laugh as he flew through the sky.

War traveled, he searched, spent a whole century unable to find nor catch up with the Captain of Balance or his supposed 'other half' Peace.

He was on an island of mushroom cows when the Angel of Death flew down, her black raven wings flapping as she landed.

"Hey —"

"Mumza!" War smiled at her. "How's it been? How's Phil and Wilbur?"

"They're doing well," she nodded, "Phil's taken to Technoblade. Wilbur thinks they're twins, he's barely aged over the last century. I can sense Chaos on him. I contacted Balance but she said there was nothing to worry about. Have you found Peace yet?"

War sighed. "Not yet. I've gone to every town and city near this ocean — sometimes I'm months off and they haven't been there for a while and other times I just missed them by a few hours! I can sense him — I think it's him at least. Peace. This feeling, this pull toward the ocean and I've tried to follow it but really bad storms force me to go back. Uggghh!"

The Angel sat down beside him, squeezing his arm. "It'll be alright, don't worry. Balance always told Jordan and I about how you two were meant to work together like she's meant to work with Chaos and Order, you're brothers, whether you were raised together or not."

War sighed. "How's Phil? And Wilbur and Techno?"

"They're doing well... Phil and Wilbur are still sad over your supposed death. Then again no normal human lives as long as they think you would be. You should start changing your appearance, darker hair, darker eyes, maybe a new colour to the wardrobe. You look the same and are around people for too long, they'll start to make legends out of you in no time. Unless you think you're ready for that sort of thing." The Angel said. "

War hummed. "I dunno, I'm staying as myself but I want to find Peace before I change anything."

"You'll find him. Don't worry."

"I know I will. I can sense him. He's... sad, I think. Sad but happy? I don't know but I know he's out there and I don't care if it takes another century, or twenty, I'll find him," said War, determination rolling off him.

The Angel smiled, she wrapped War up in her wings and pressed a kiss to the top of his head.

"I have to go, I love you darling,"

"... love you too, Mumza."

She smiled and spread her raven wings and took off into the air.

War watched her disappear into the clouds and pushed himself up.

There was a ship in the distance, he walked to the edge and looked at the ship. The pulse — the pull that was pulling him to Peace, was going right through or on that ship.

War nearly spread his wings to go but then he locked eyes with one of the shipmates.

A boy, his physical age, soft tousled brown hair, blue eyes that reflected the ocean perfectly. Even at this distance War could see the pure confusion and longing that crossed the boy's face.

He was frozen to his place as the pull grew more powerful.

That was Peace. That was him.

Then a man appeared behind War.

"Sorry kid, not yet." He wore noble's garb and he grabbed War.

War couldn't react before they were across the realm.

"No!" War ripped himself from the man, he stared at where the ship was in his vision but it was gone. They were in a field now. "No I was so close! Who even are you?!"

"I'm the Champion of Order, Schlatt, nice to meet you kid," he waved with a smirk.

He had well-kept brown hair and dark brown eyes, he wore black noble's garb, the opposite of the Champion of Chaos' green assassin garb.

"Come on, Schlatt!" Speak of the devil, the Champion of Chaos stepped out of an obsidian portal that appeared. "They're meant to be together!"

"It's too early. Jordan's his caretaker and he decided on six hundred. Peace cannot leave until he's six centuries old."

"That's bullshit!" Champion of Chaos snapped. "Jordan's an idiot! T — War deserves to meet Peace and Peace deserves to meet War!"

"We aren't their guardians, Dream. You push for Kristin's choices and I push for Jordan's. That's how it goes and how it will go."

"That's — that's too much Order and you know it, Schlatt!"

"What's wrong with a little more Order?!"

"You know what's wrong with it! We saw it ourselves! You saw what happened to Order when Chaos took it too far and I saw what happened when Order took it too far. We should know not to push the scales, Schlatt!"

"Sometimes the scales need a little pushing —"

"That's enough."

A man appeared in a flurry of purple particles.

A man in a red coat with loose not quite messy but not well-kept brown hair and darker eyes.

"Jordan! He's insisting that sometimes Order should be more!" The Champion of Chaos glared at the Champion of Order.

"It should! We cannot risk too much Chaos!"

"Then don't push for more Order!"

"Chaos harms more people! Our jobs are to help people!"

"Order will only reap Chaos! You know this! Once Chaos realises there's too much Order he will try to balance things out!"

"Exactly!" The two younger men went silent as the Captain of Balance pushed between them, holding them both at arms length. "Balance. Too much Order will force Chaos' hand because Order will not stop, and too much Chaos will force Order's hand because Chaos will not stop. We need to prevent either from becoming 'too much' to keep the scales in check. It takes all three of them to keep Nothing locked up, if one loses their power Nothing will break free."

"Thank you!" The Champion of Chaos huffed.

"Fine." The Champion of Order huffed. "I'm going. Take War home, Dream."

"War — oh sorry kid," the Captain of Balance just noticed War.

War stared at them, his normally blond hair now dark brown.

Then the Angel appeared in front of him. "Which of you freaked my son out so much that he prayed to me?"

The three Champions had flashes of fear in their eyes at the sight of the Angel of Death.

"Kristin!" The Captain of Balance laughed awkwardly. "I was just sorting these two out — I'm going to go back to my ship —"

"Wait no!" The Champion of Chaos said quickly. "Why the fuck can't War meet Peace?!"

The Captain of Balance stopped.

"Excuse me?" The Angel demanded. "Are you keeping War and Peace separated?"

The Captain glanced at War.

The Angel sighed. "Tommy, go. Try and find that ship if you want —"

"Do not —"

"He is my charge not yours, Jordan. And I said he can do as he wishes as long as he is not here. Now, out, Tommy."

War spread his red and gold wings and took off into the air.

That plain soon became a huge desert, word spread that Death's Angel and Chaos' Champion fought against Balance's Captain and Order's Champion.

But that was a legend. A myth.

However, all myths have places in truth.

"It's been two centuries!"

Destruction was all around due to War's rage. He caused the Destruction and ruin that raged around him, yet he could not care.

He spent three centuries trying to find Peace, after the first two he finally caught the Captain of Balance's ship, only to discover that once again — he only just missed Peace. Peace had left the moment he could in search of War.

The last century has been a wild chase of the two boys trying to find each other through Chaos and Order. Neither wanted help in their searches, neither wanted their guardians or anyone to help them find the other, but honestly it was getting ridiculous.

Today was the day War and Peace would turn seven centuries old. And War was angry, livid, annoyed, that he had yet to find Peace. Only that one glimpse so many years ago.

The war around him eventually ended, with all of the soldiers dead, only death surrounded War now.

War looked around the Destruction he caused.

"Dang it," he muttered.

"Oh fuck!" War looked up and saw a young boy — blond hair with brown roots — standing with his hands on his hips as he overlooked the carnage. "I swear if I missed this fucking son of a bitch again I'm going to loose my shit."

War stared at him, he pushed himself up from the ground.

"He leaves a fucking huge trail and somehow I haven't found this bitch yet —"

"Hey! How are you alive?!" War questioned.

The boy turned to him, his eyes widened and War froze.

"War?" The boy said tentatively.

"Peace?"

"Yes! Yes! Finally!"

"Finally?! I've been trying to find you for two hundred years longer!"

"Lies! I've been trying to find you since fucking second century, but Dad wouldn't let me go too far..."

“Dang it."

Peace gasped. "You don't curse?! Oh I'm fixing that, how can the embodiment of Destruction not curse?!"

"What — I just don't I guess..."

"Say fuck,"

"What?! No!"

"Come on, say fuck!"

"I won't,"

"Come on,~ say fuck," Peace pushed.

War rolled his eyes. "No,"

"Fine, I'm… Toby, god of Peace, Death, and Creation,"

"Theseus, god of War, Life, and Destruction," Theseus laughed.

Toby grinned. "I'll corrupt you yet, Theseus. You're stuck me now."

"I don't think you will, but you can try,"

"Well —"

"Gods! What did you two do?"

The two boys turned as the Angel of Death flew down. "Tommy..."

"Mumza, I finally found him!" Theseus lit up. "Toby is Peace!"

"Hello, Miss Angel of Death ma'am! I promise to corrupt Theseus into saying curse words!"

She smiled softly, laughing a bit as she shook her head. "I'll let you off this once — just because I know how long you two have been trying to find each other. Tubbo — I'm not reaping these guys."

"Oh come on, Kristin!"

"Nope, Tommy caused this so you have to clean up after him," said Kristen.

"Fuck you! Fine!"

Kristin laughed, she took back off and Toby sighed.

"Thanks for that, bitch," he shoved Theseus. "I swear if I have to spend all of fucking eternity picking up after you I'm going to go batshit."

Theseus laughed. "Suck it, prick."

"Oh my gods, you're an actual angel, give me a few minutes to reap this field and start a meadow," said Toby. "Can you decompose the bodies faster or...?"

"I dunno, I can try? It's a type of Destruction, innit?"

"Or Creation, I can cause fungi to grow faster but maybe you can just destroy the bodies, give it a shot!"

And finally, Life and Death was reunited again.

Chapter Text

Where Life went, Death followed.

Theseus went by many names, Ares for the battles he fought, Achilles for the lives he saved, or Theseus when he's actually acting god-like, his god-name. However, he favoured the name Tommy, the name his older brother gave him, the name he chose.

Toby also followed many names, Atlas for the world he created and held up Thanatos for the souls he moved on, or even Toby to those who knew him before he met Theseus. However he kept his god-name secret, Tommy would call him Tubbo, and the people of the nine realms knew him by his domains.

Tommy made and discovered he could make new gods. That he could bestow godship.

Tommy was going through a large city, disguised as a regular kid and his plans to steal, Tubbo was outside the city likely freaking people out by causing the trees to grow faster.

He gave himself lighter hair, platinum blond hair and grey eyes, really going into opposite of Tubbo who was disguised with jet black hair and dark eyes.

He made to grab a loaf of bread but tripped over his own feet and crashed onto the Rocky path.

Some people huffed and nobody bothered to help him.

"Need a hand?" Someone laughed lightly.

Tommy looked up and saw a hand, the owner of which made his eyes widened.

"Wow, people don't help you often do they?"

The man was young, he wore a yellow bard's garb and a guitar was on his back. His eyes were a warm brown and his hair dark brown.

Tommy laughed a bit. "Not really," he took his hand and the bard pulled him up to his feet.

"How old are you? Fifteen?"

Centuries, Tommy thought to himself. "Something like that, is that a guitar?"

"Yeah, actually! I'm a bard, I've been playing 'round these parts a few years," he smiled.

"Really? Can you play now?"

The man laughed. "Yeah, sure, let's find a spot." He went and sat down on a bench, setting his guitar in front of him he began to strum.

Tommy sat on the dusty ground by the bench, listening to him play, his eyes fluttering shut as his mind took him back hundreds of years.

The music ended and Tommy opened his eyes to see an orange sky. The sun was setting low.

"You're awake now?" The older teenager smiled gently, offering him a hand. "Do you need a place to stay? I got a small wagon but you might be able to fit if you need some sleep."

Tommy took his hand and he pulled him up. "Really? If you're offering then... sure!"

"Come on, my wagon's right outside of town. I'm Wilbur by the way."

"I'm... Theseus."

"No nicknames?"

Tommy hesitated. "I'll tell you nickname when we aren't surrounded by people, deal?"

Wilbur laughed. "Deal, you're a fucking weird gremlin child, come on."

Tommy happily followed Wilbur out of the village to a small wagon where a piglin hybrid was at.

"Hey Techno!"

"Did you seriously bring a stray?" Techno sighed.

"I guess I did," Wilbur smirked wryly. "Theseus this is Techno."

"Theseus? Like the Greek's?" Techno looked Tommy up and down.

Tommy smirked. "Nope, Theseus like the god of Life, War, and Destruction."

"Powerful name, your parents must've wanted a good future for you."

"I guess, oh Champion of War," Tommy leaned on one hip with a smirk.

Wilbur and Techno froze.

"How did you know?" Techno growled.

Tommy willed his clothes to turn into long robes of red.

"It's not just a name, Technoblade."

Technoblade dropped to his knees immediately, Wilbur soon followed.

Tommy smirked. "So... you're Wilbur, the Angel of Death's son."

"Yes... sir."

"Ah lose the sir, I have a proposal for you. Technoblade here, he has immortality so long as he isn't killed, you have a number on your lifespan, however. I cannot give you eternal life like your father, however... I wonder... will you consent to me trying something out on you? I don't think it'll kill you if it goes wrong." Tommy said nonchalantly.

They both tensed.

"Yeah... yeah, you can," Wilbur said eventually.

"Will!"

"If this works then you're actually stuck with me, Tech. If not... the day was going to come anyway. Go for it, Theseus."

Tommy took a deep breath.

Immortality... music... songs... rhythm...

Who knows if this is going to work?

Not Tommy that's for sure.

Suddenly, Wilbur glowed yellow and collapsed. Tommy promptly followed.

"Wilbur!" Vines grew from nowhere and grabbed Techno, restricting him.

"Don't touch him." A new voice rang, Tubbo walked out of the trees. "This is uncharted territory, Champion of War. Theseus is attempting to create a god."

Techno stared at him. Tubbo resembled more of a young man than a teen.

"Who are you?" Techno demanded angrily, his normally dark eyes turning red.

"I go by many names, Death, Peace, Creation... Thanatos, Demeter, Gaea, you may call me Peace or Death. Theseus is my counterpart, and as such, I cannot allow you to risk his life in ruining this unknown ritual."

Techno nodded. The vines holding him back retracted back into the ground.

"Do you... do you have a Champion?"

Tubbo shook his head. "Technically, no. But technically, yes. The Angel of Death is technically the Champion of Death, however, she is not my Champion, she is Balance's Champion. Balance chose her and Balance blessed her, I did not."

"Kristen?"

"Yes, Kristen."

"How long will this take? How will we know if they die?" Technoblade sounded worried.

Tubbo looked at Tommy. "Kristen will be here should Wilbur be reaped, she marked his soul centuries ago that only she may be able to take his soul onward. I, of course, can override it however I will not... Theseus remains alive. Do you know your job as Champion of War?"

Technoblade shook his head. "No. I cannot remember the day I was blessed either. All I know is that the Champion of Chaos took me to Philza and Philza raised and taught me everything I know."

"Wars are your power, you fight any battle that is not one-on-one and it will become a war, carnage will follow in your wake." Tubbo didn't pull his gaze from Tommy. "Loss of life and loved ones. You have the power to turn the tides of war so long as you can fight it. You must adapt and be adept, grow as time changes. Do not underestimate anything. Never underestimate anyone. Theseus will know more, but I have a small understanding."

"Oh..."

"Do not take your powers as power. You must be responsible, never delve in senseless war. War with no meaning is Chaos, Chaos is not your domain, do not encourage it. Let the Champion of Chaos encourage Chaos and the Champion of Order push him back."

Suddenly, Tommy gasped, he lurched up and Tubbo instantly moved to him.

"You alright?"

"Y-Yeah — holy cow — is Wilbur —"

Wilbur gasped, Techno helped him up.

"Did it... did it work?" Wilbur looked at Tommy. "I..."

Tommy smiled. "Hail Wilbur, god of music."

He bowed his head, a sign of respect but not lowering himself below him. Tubbo mimicked him.

Techno was shocked into silence.

"As time goes on, should something become a defining feature of yours it will become a part of your domain, not everything, but somethings," said Tommy as he lifted his head again. "So be careful, you wouldn't want to be the god of music and murder now do you?"

That broke the ice and Wilbur burst into laughter, pure melodic laughter.

"No, I don't think I do," Wilbur laughed.

"So — Tu — Death, could give Wilbur an overall rundown of what he gets to do? I'm going to talk with Technoblade for a bit," said Tommy.

Tubbo nodded. "Yeah, go ahead."

Tommy waved Technoblade away.

"So, go ahead, talk," Tommy said once they were out of earshot of Tubbo and Wilbur.

"Why did you pick me?"

Tommy pursed his lips. "If I'm honest... I didn't. I found you in the Nether, the voices of those who died in war said you were 'touched by Chaos', you were scared and I swore to protect you and help you. I guess that whatever out there that enforces blessings took that as good enough and then, bam, Champion of War. Why you were Champion of War and not Destruction or Life, I have no idea. Then the Champion of Chaos showed up and I asked him to take you somewhere that you'd be raised well and understand your new powers, he took you to Philza. I know Philza — he doesn't know me but I know him."

"So... it was an accident?"

"Yep — but I don't care. Kristen and the Champion of Chaos both like you so I say you're pog — and you're a mortal with a bit of Chaos in you, means you're special. Pretty neat I got you first, even if it was an accident," Tommy smiled. "Anyways, War is a kind of... self-sustaining thing until Death chooses his Champion of Peace, and he won't have to unless you start doing things to cause and put War on another level above Peace."

"So... I shouldn't do anything?"

"No! No, you can do whatever, just like, don't push it. Fight wars, cause them, whatever. Just don't turn the world into War, then we'd need a Champion of Peace, ok?"

Technoblade nodded. "Yeah, yeah I get it."

"Good — oh and don't like cause a huge fight without cause, that's not War that's Chaos and your job isn't Chaos. Chaos and War can go hand in hand but War has a bit of Order, there is strategy, organisation, got it?"

"Yep."

"And if you ever need me, just like, pray I guess. I don't know how it works but the Champion of Chao—"

"I know Dream, you can say his name."

Tommy smiled. "Well Dream told me he can contact Chaos through prayer, Chaos doesn't always answer but Dream said Chaos always gets his prayers. I might not understand cause of the voices — you have them too don't you?" Techno nodded. "Yeah, they're pretty bloodthirsty. Then again my companion is Death himself so we get plenty of blood. Legit they've called me the Blood God because of this one time I — anyways, I may not be able to know if you're praying to me because of all the voices but I've never heard prayers — maybe I have to unlock them? I'll ask Chaos when I can."

Techno laughed. "You sound as young as you look."

Tommy rolled his eyes. "I'm older than you, idiot."

"Still sound young."

"Ok, I'm leaving — have fun!"

Techno laughed and they went back over to Tubbo and Wilbur.

They were sitting on a low branch in a tree, Tubbo had created himself a miniature version of the guitar and Wilbur was walking him through playing it.

"Like that?"

"You're getting it, but that's not really a guitar. It's different... could you make me another one or like a blueprint? New instruments don't come around often."

Tubbo smiled. "Sure! As long as you teach me guitar, I'll figure out this thing... Ukulele."

"Bless you," Tommy said instinctively.

"Oh shut up," Wilbur said at the same time.

Tubbo choked and he fell off the branch, laughing.

"Shut up?" Tubbo looked at him incredulously, still laughing. "You're a fucking bitch."

"Why thank you, tiny bastard."

"Yo! He curses! Please help me corrupt Theseus, he refuses to curse!" Tubbo pleaded.

Wilbur laughed. "Techno doesn't curse either, I've been trying for a few centuries and he just refuses to."

"Please help me corrupt Theseus?"

"What do I get in return? I'm teaching you all these instruments and I help you corrupt Theseus?" Wilbur raised an eyebrow. "I want something in return."

Tubbo straightened. "What...?"

"I want your name."

"My name?"

"Death —"

"Theseus, please stay out of it," Wilbur cut Tommy off. "Your name has been more elusive than meeting a god, everyone knows Theseus' god-name, the only name we know you by is your domains. Death, Peace, Creation, I want your name."

Tubbo shifted back a little. "Umm... I... I'll pass. I-I..." he waved his hand a paper appeared, tied in a scroll with a single string. "Th-the blueprints. For the Ukulele."

Giant raven wings grew from his shoulders, he wrapped them around himself and then he disappeared, the only thing left behind was a single black feather.

"I tried to stop him," Tommy sighed. "He's sensitive about his name. He chose it a long time ago before I met him — before I blessed you," he added to Technoblade, "and even I don't know his god-name. Names have power, Wilbur. If someone has your god-name they can pray to you — they can summon you. I think that's what Death is scared of. Being forced away from someplace without his consent. Champions have the... a taste of a God's power but they don't have to respond to summonings. Gods do."

Wilbur looked guilty. "I didn't mean to scare him off."

"I could tell, you had a question that you could finally have answered... you're lucky I'm feeling more Life than Destruction right now, I gotta go find him. Bye, you two."

Tommy disappeared in a pillar of fire.

Chapter Text

"Found you,"

Tommy sat down by Tubbo at the top of a sea stack, their wings visible. Tommy's legs swung over the crashing waves while Tubbo hugged his.

"I'm sorry for running off," Tubbo said softly. "I just..."

"It's fine, you were scared. Your god-name is... personal, it's something nobody knows. Except the Cap --"

"Mmm," Tubbo squeezed his face in a wince. "He doesn't. Nobody does."

Silence fell.

Tubbo was laying down in a huge field, an ancient battlefield that has been bathed in blood too many times.

He could feel the souls who refused to move on, he could not force souls onward. Those that remained added to Tommy's and his Champion's voices that plagued their minds.

Wars were growing, Tommy was busy more often and Tubbo could be reaping souls behind him, but he didn't feel like doing that today.

So today he was laying in a field, a meadow once soaked with blood, eyes closed as his vision was red with warmth.

"Are you ok?"

Tubbo's eyes fluttered open, someone was standing above him, their face hidden by the glaring light.

"I'm fine," Tubbo sighed. "Just tired... tired of the wars."

"Those are getting bad, my brother was drafted into the front lines," They sat down beside him, Tubbo closed his eyes again.

"Mine too. I don't know when I'll see him again, I'm kind of worried."

"Older or younger?"

"Younger, technically. We're more of twins I guess..."

"And you weren't drafted?"

"Do I look old enough? He's several inches taller, the soldiers don't think I'm old enough to fight," Tubbo lied smoothly.

"Do you want to?"

"No. I'm rather fond of Peace... and you?"

"I agree, peace is... much better than what's going on. I'm still too young to fight but I don't think I would want to either way," they said. "I wonder if the legends of a God of Peace is true sometimes, nobody has met them before... we can't even pray to them."

"Yeah..."

"I just wish Peace would come, I don't... I don't want to lose my brother."

Tubbo sat up, he opened his eyes to look at his new companion.

They were sitting cross-legged, picking at the grass. Their hair and skin black and white spilt down the middle in contrast. Green and red eyes, small horns only beginning to grow.

Tubbo's breath involuntarily hitched.

They flinched. "I-I know... I'm —"

"N-No, no it's nothing, I just... I guess I wasn't expecting you to be so tall I guess," Tubbo said, averting his gaze. "So..."

"I'm Ranboo, half enderman, half something else."

Tubbo smiled back at him. "I'm... Toby," he slid his into the grass, "I saw some horses back there when I got here. Have you ever ridden one before?"

Ranboo furrowed his eyebrows and shook his head. "No, I'm just a baker, only nobles can ride horses."

"Bullshit. Come on, I'll teach you." Tubbo stood, he offered Ranboo his hand.

Ranboo took it and as he stood, Tubbo's eyes flashed blue — his chosen colour — for a second from their disguised hazel.

"Come on!" Tubbo pulled him toward the herd of horses, smiling widely.

Tommy slashed his sword, letting out a laugh.

He kept the platinum blond appearance when he was around Technoblade, Dream never said his personal name around Technoblade. To them both, he was Theseus.

They fought the war, blood everywhere.

The voices screamed for more, cheering every time Tommy sliced off a head or Technoblade slid his sword deep inside someone's chest.

The War was Chaos, and they were having fun.

Tubbo spent a lot of time with Ranboo while Tommy was off fighting.

Ranboo would speak of peace, the idea, in a way Tubbo never heard, they'd sit in the meadow, Ranboo's head in Tubbo's lap as Tubbo strung a flower crown together and Ranboo would just talk.

He shared his fears, he shared his worry, he shared his beliefs. He had a small cheap shrine in his home dedicated to Peace and Death, pleading not to take so many souls, praying for Peace to come and stop War.

Tubbo didn't know if he could. Not only was Tommy — War — on the front lines and amplified the flames of War, but so was War's Champion and Chaos' Champion.

"— I've been talking your ear off haven't I?" Ranboo sighed, cutting himself off, three weeks after he and Tubbo met. "I'm sorry, I just... I feel comfortable around you."

"It's alright, I don't mind."

"Why don't you tell me more about you? You know nearly everything about me but I can't say I know anything about you."

Tubbo smiled softly, he set the flower crown to the side. "I dunno, I've got a rather boring life, Boo."

Ranboo froze.

"Boo?"

"You don't like nicknames? Sorry. I'll admit, in my life, I've never met someone quite like you. You're so... insistent on peace, you support Peace and pray to them, you pray to Peace and Death even though it's common knowledge they don't answer prayers. You're... an enigma, and I... I..."

Ranboo sat up. He turned to face Tubbo. "You can talk to me, you know?"

Tubbo pursed his lips. Then he flinched as Ranboo touched his hand, pulling his hand away and holding it close to his chest.

It stayed silent, only the sound of the wind in the tall grass.

He was growing attached, Tubbo knew it. He couldn't... he shouldn't get attached to a mortal, he'd only feel pain when he had to move them onto the next life.

Tubbo sighed. "Ranboo, I... no."

He pulled away, standing up and starting away.

"What? Toby wait! What's wrong?"

"Nothing! I just..."

"I'm sorry, I-I — I crossed a line and —"

"You're fine! You didn't do anything wrong!" Tubbo insisted. "Just... go home, Ranboo. Go pray to Peace... use Daedalus. Pray to Daedalus."

Chapter Text

Tubbo fell against a tree, he didn't realise a god could become so attached to a mortal. Why did he give him his god-name? Why? He didn't even tell Tommy it yet this mortal he's known three weeks knows?

Damnit.

"Are you okay?"

Tubbo jumped, a teenager was there and looked very concerned about him.

"Whoa — I'm not going to hurt you," they had dark brown hair that tread the line of black, matching eyes, a white shirt and a black coat. "What's your name?"

Tubbo was shaking. "T-Toby, y-you?"

He smiled gently. "I'm Nick, are you okay?"

Tubbo nodded mutely.

"That's good — my horse is just outside the forest, I can take you home?"

Tubbo let out a sad laugh. "Home?"

Nick's gaze somehow softened. "Or you could come to my place, my Dad won't mind."

Nick held a hand out to Tubbo, gloved in black, a flame pin was on the black lapel of his jacket.

What did he have to lose? He already gave his god-name to a mortal.

But Ranboo isn't a normal mortal —

Tubbo took a shaky breath and took Nick's hand.

The ride was a sort of blur for Tubbo, but next thing he knew was Nick was leading him into a nobles' home, not just a nobles' home, the castle.

"Come in, it's alright," Nick assured. "Guess you don't know the royals of this kingdom huh, kid?"

Tubbo swallowed and shook his head. He never really bothered with knowing, they were dead before Tubbo could care.

Nick laughed. "It's just me and my Dad these days, my P — other father is leading the charge in the war. You look like you could use a bath — what's your favourite colour? I can get you some new clothes."

Tubbo bit his tongue as Nick led him down a long hall. He shouldn't bother these people but...

Fuck it, why did he just naturally trust people who were kind to him.

"Green," Tubbo said softly.

Nick smiled. "Good choice," he reached a door and pushed it open. "This is one of the guest rooms with an en suite, you can change into whatever you find in there and I'll have the seamstress get to work."

"Y-You don't have too —"

"No I insist, kid you look pretty ragged. I've never been happy with the situation the lower class citizens have but it's how life works. If I can help just one person I'll be happy."

Tubbo looked down and just nodded.

"Now go clean up."

Tubbo ended up being dragged by Nick around everywhere.

"You should be looser if you're fighting with a sword," Tubbo said nonchalantly as Nick was training against a mentor. He was sitting on the grass in a tailored green jacket while he watched.

"What?" Nick put a hand up and his opponent stopped.

"You put a lot of power in your attacks, you can't use a sword like yours in that way, you'd need a long sword or an axe, your fighting style doesn't work with that sword," Tubbo explained, he pushed himself up. "You need a more power based weapon, not a speed weapon."

Nick raised an eyebrow. "How do you know so much about fighting?"

Tubbo shrugged. "My Dad was a Captain, he taught me everything."

"A Captain? In an army?"

"No, a ship. A pirate I guess."

"A pirate?"

"I guess," Tubbo nodded.

Nick grabbed a sword. "Would you do me a favour and duel Sir Jacobs for me?" he offered it to Tubbo.

Tubbo hesitated. "Sure... is that okay?"

The mentor smiled. "I'm fine with it! If Prince Nick says then it's fine," he had brown hair and a soft kind face. Tubbo was caught by surprise from the purple and green circle in his eyes. 

"Come on, Toby. I want to see if you can fight," Nick urged. "Karl can go easy on you."

Tubbo took the sword. "Don't go easy... just go," he stepped into position and Karl did as well.

Nick backed away.

A beat passed and Karl attacked, a simple slash.

Tubbo ducked he slid under Karl's swing and hit the butt of his sword just below Karl's ribs, under his armpit. It was right where a chink in one’s armour would be depending on the armour.

Karl dropped like a sack, he gasped and panted.

"Holy fuck!" Nick breathed. "Karl —"

"I'm fine!" Karl huffed. "That was so cool!"

Tubbo smiled sheepishly. "Thanks..."

Since then, Nick kept making Tubbo fight with him, Tubbo started teaching him how to fight with an axe and Nick grew even better (and broke less swords).

Tubbo was laying in his bed when he heard it.

Daedalus...

He froze. The voice rang in his head, respectful and pleading, pleading for Peace.

Tubbo took a deep breath. He's been waiting for this.

He stood up, pulled on new clothes and disappeared in a wrap of black feathers.

"Gah!"

Ranboo jumped back as Tubbo appeared a few feet behind him. His hair much darker and eyes even more so.

Tubbo stumbled slightly, his eyes widening. He coughed and straightened.

"About time," Tubbo said, not looking at Ranboo at all. In fact he refused to even look at his direction. "I was wondering if you truly believed in peace, in me."

"D-Daedalus—"

"Yes. Don't use that name more than you have too, there's a reason I'm the unnamed god," Tubbo said. "So, you want to make a difference, hmm? Bring Peace?"

Ranboo was staring at him, no recognition in his eyes.

"I-I do, I don't want eternal war and it feels like this war will not ever end. There are rumours of War himself being on the frontlines."

Tubbo hesitated, what if... if... logically he shouldn't... but he acted in the name of Peace not Death... what if Tommy is tipping the scales?

"I don't... no..." Tubbo furrowed his eyebrows. "Wait, fuck!"

Ranboo startled.

"Umm, sir —"

"Damnit Theseus, you're going to kill me," Tubbo breathed. "I can't — he has both Tec — I can't handle it alone."

"What's wrong?" Ranboo managed to ask.

"War is on the front lines," Tubbo confessed. "War, the Champion of War, and the Champion of Chaos. I figured it wouldn't hurt if they let off some steam and this war has been going on... nearly a decade now. Fuck! I should've noticed sooner!"

"What?"

"I can't..." Tubbo's eyes flashed. "Ranboo Beloved, how far are you willing to go to embrace Peace? How far will you go to stop this war and enforce Peace?"

Ranboo’s eyes widened. "I... I would love to be able to stop this war, I'd... I'd do anything I guess. The only person I care about is already out there and at risk and the other person I care about kind of just disappeared so..."

"Well, how would you like to be my Champion?" Tubbo raised an eyebrow. "My Champion of Peace."

Ranboo's mouth dropped and he started stammering. "I-I mean — I don't — I've never met — I —" he went silent then he knelt. "It would my honour to become your Champion, Daedalus."

Tubbo winced. "Yeah, Umm, before you... I should probably..."

His hair lengthened a little, lightened to brown and his eyes turned blue.

"It's Toby.”

Ranboo snapped his head up and his mouth dropped further. "What — you — oh. Oh. Th-That makes more sense actually. My-My choice doesn't change though... it wouldn't be a bad thing to be stuck with you for eternity."

Tubbo couldn't help the smile that spread on his face. "Really?"

"Really."

"Fuck you."

"What?! Why?!" Ranboo looked affronted.

Tubbo shot him a playful glare. "I've lasted nearly twenty centuries without caring about a mortal. Then you just had to show up."

Ranboo laughed a little.

"And stand up, holy fuck I hate it when friends bow."

"I thought I was your first mortal friend."

"And I have decided I hate it when friends bow," he rolled his eyes as if it were obvious. "Anyway, Champion?"

Ranboo shakily nodded. "Yes. Yes, I'll be your Champion."

Tubbo smiled. "Well then, I have no idea what I'm doing so let's just jump in shall we?"

"You're insane — go for it."

"Ok, Ranboo, do you swear to do your best to encourage Peace and to maintain Balance? To do your best to keep War in check and prevent the scales from tipping?"

Ranboo nodded. "Yes — I-I swear."

"Ok — I, Daedalus, swear that I will do everything in my power to protect and help you, Ranboo, but should the day come that your soul must move on I will not prevent what is meant to be.”

A breeze flew through the room even though the windows and doors were shut. A soft breeze that instantly relaxed Ranboo.

Tubbo smiled. "Ranboo the Champion of Peace, has a nice ring to it?"

Ranboo smiled back. "That's... it's a bit surreal. Umm, so what am I supposed to do?"

"Don't worry boss man, I'll teach you! Peace is pretty easy because even if I don't get involved it still comes, cause wars always end eventually, it's just this time around we need to end this War. Capital 'W'. So, can you fight?"

"No... if I'm the Champion of Peace then I shouldn't have to fight."

"Have to? No. Need to? Yes. Just stay close to me. And concentrate, hold onto peaceful moments, things that bring you bliss and happiness, it amplifies your aura — it doesn't affect anybody with extended or eternal unless you focus your aura on them — but for mortals it should give them a sense of peace and lower their aggression temporarily. At least that's what the Captain told me." Tubbo said absently. "Do you want to jump right in the middle of the war or is that too fast?"

Ranboo stared at him. "Umm, yeah give me a second, just Umm... walk me through the whole Aura thing again? Then can we do like, basic defence before we go?"

"Sure — tomorrow night though, dawn is coming and my present hosts probably shouldn't know I'm a god. Just try meditating and getting in tune with your aura and I'll help you more tomorrow at sunset."

Ranboo nodded. "Ok, bye Toby."

"Tubbo," Tubbo smiled at him. "My close friends call me Tubbo, and even if you don't think you are now, one day you will be."

Ranboo spluttered and Tubbo let out a laugh before he was gone, a single feather drifting to the ground from where he disappeared.

The next day, Tubbo appeared in Ranboo's home and he almost collapsed upon arrival.

"Tubbo!" Ranboo caught him just barely, the shorter (physically) immortal was almost limp.

"Fuck — I'm fine," Tubbo pushed himself up, wobbling. "I-I just, didn't get enough sleep is all. Let-Let's start training you. W-We need to fix the war. Theory can start later."

Ranboo hesitantly pulled his hands away from Tubbo, watching him carefully. "If... if you're sure."

"Yeah I'm sure, let's just... okay, first off, War and his Champion give off a similar aura to myself and you, only theirs increase aggression and ours decrease it. Because ours is in direct contrast to the natural instinct — which is confrontation and fighting — we have to concentrate and amplify our auras to properly fight off War's aura. Right?"

Ranboo nodded. "Okay... so how do I... amplify my aura?"

"I-I — I don't have time to teach you the proper method right now. S-So for now we go outside. I have to teach you defence."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes I'm sure. We can't risk War, his Champion, and the Champion of Chaos trying to attack us. I may not be able to die but you can, and I'm not risking your life," Tubbo said shakily. "And they don't know my real appearance, so don't freak out if I look different, okay?"

Ranboo nodded. They went outside and Tubbo materialised two swords, the second he did so he nearly fell over. However he steadied himself before Ranboo could turn around.

"Here, just... follow my example," he held out one of the swords.

Ranboo held it tight in his hand.

"Looser, it has to swing naturally. Using a weapon will feel awkward in your hand now that your natural instinct is to talk things out," said Tubbo, demonstrating how to hold the sword. "You need a strong stance, relax your shoulders — there you go, now block."

They spent practically the whole night training, Tubbo losing energy faster than Ranboo, at a worrying pace.

Come dawn, Tubbo looked practically transparent.

"I-I gotta go, k-keep practicing, meditate and try to focus your aura more, I'll be back tonight. Get some rest," Tubbo said, he didn't wait for a response before disappearing.

He landed in his room at the castle and promptly fell onto his bed.

He blinked. "Well... so that's how it f-feels... T-Tom..."

He trembled as his very being began to fade.

"Toby?" A knock sounded at the door. "It's Nick."

"C-Come in," Tubbo said, pushing himself up. Nick opened the door and came in.

"Fuck, Toby, you look horrible. What happened?"

"I-I... I'm fine, don't worry. H-How are things?"

"Well... the war has gotten worse, a lot worse. Dad — King Halo, he's worried about King Zak.... We don't know when the war will end, children younger and younger and men older and older are drafted into the front lines, father said any able bodied person — male or female, hybrid or not — are to be drafted as long as they are sixteen or older." Nick sighed. "I don't want kids on the front lines when I can't be there myself."

"Nick..." Tubbo fidgeted, his hands practically going through each other. "I swear to you, I will do everything I can to end this war. Okay?"

Nick laughed sadly. "I... Thanks Toby, but I don't think you can do anything... everyone is about to lose their families and I... I, the fucking crown prince, can't do anything about it."

"I need you to pull the armies. Tomorrow, at dawn, send an envoy to the front lines to draw up a peace treaty. I swear the gods will step in."

Nick sighed. "Toby, rumour has it, War himself is on the battlefield. There is no ending this bloodbath until there isn't anymore blood to give."

Tubbo shook his head. "No. No I can't — send the envoy."

"Toby —"

Tubbo didn't wait to hear his response as he disappeared, flying faster than any other being and to Ranboo's doorstep.

He felt his power sap more and his hands fell through the doorknob.

"Ranboo!" Tubbo called, moments later Ranboo was at the door.

"Tubbo? What —"

"We're leaving now." Tubbo grabbed Ranboo and they were gone.

They appeared in a battlefield coated from East to West in blood. But no soldiers fighting.

Tubbo nearly collapsed again, but he pulled himself up.

"I need you..." Tubbo gasped, "to take me to the-the tents on our left."

Ranboo lifted Tubbo up and started leading him toward the tents on their left, as he was told. Trudging through mud liquified from blood, Tubbo pressed his palm to Ranboo's chest and Ranboo gasped, pausing as warmth filled him and Tubbo flickered.

Ranboo helped him move faster, they barely entered the encampment when swords appeared at their throats.

"Please! My friend needs —"

"General Achilles," Tubbo raised his head, cutting Ranboo off as he pushed himself off him. Large pure white dove wings grew on his back and a sceptre of olive wood appeared in his hand. "Take me to General Achilles and his Commanders."

People were silent and a path was opened straight to the obvious leader's tent.

Tubbo walked straight, his head held high. Even though his form flickered, he still radiated power. However little he had left.

He pushed the tent doors open.

"Theseus."

The arguments inside the tent silenced.

"T — Peace?" Tommy gaped.

Tubbo narrowed his eyes, meeting his gaze to Technoblade and Dream. Ranboo stood behind him.

Suddenly, an explosion sounded far away and Tubbo gasped, his form fading and he nearly to his knees, holding onto the olive sceptre.

"Oh no..." Dream breathed.

"Achilles —"

"Out!" Tommy ordered, cutting off Technoblade. "They're attacking! Fight back!"

The other generals and commanders all left the tent, leaving only the two gods and the three champions.

Tommy moved around the table. "Toby —"

"Y-You need to stop." Tubbo pulled himself back up to his full height, shaking. "I... I can't..."

"Theseus," Dream said, "we went too far. R-Ranboo —"

"We'll talk later," Ranboo interrupted. Looking very shocked.

Dream nodded and looked back at Tommy, who was pulling Tubbo back up. "We went too far. All this War has upset the scales... it's... he's fading. If he fades completely life will be thrust into eternal War, it will weaken Order and Nothing will be freed."

Tommy inhaled sharply. "Holy fuck, I am so sorry. I'm so so fucking sorry."

Tubbo laughed weakly. "You cursed... fuck..." his hands phased through the staff as screams and war cries echoed from outside. He phased through Tommy and onto the ground.

"Toby! No — Techno! Dream! Stop them!" Tommy ordered.

Dream grabbed Techno and they ran outside.

"I'll go too — Dream, wait!" Ranboo called and he ran after them.

Chapter Text

"So you're gods... you're champions..."

Nick was hosting the three Champions and two gods in the castle while the kingdom was celebrating the rather sudden end of the war.

Tubbo nodded weakly, leaning on Tommy. Despite them managing to fix things, he was still completely drained.

"Mhmm — thanks for the envoys, boss man," Tubbo said softly, not fully heard by the others.

"And Clay! You didn't tell me!?" Nick turned on the Champion of Chaos.

"Yeah! I thought we were brothers. I mean I know and don’t care that it's not by blood because it never was but you don't keep that kind of secret!" Ranboo agreed, frowning sadly.

Dream laughed awkwardly. "Yeah... y'all deserve an explanation."

"Damn right, we do," said Nick, crossing his arms.

"So... I'm the Champion of Chaos," Dream rubbed the back of his neck. "Since like, I don't know, somewhere around... twenty... eons ago? Something like that, I'm not sure. I wanted to take a break for a bit and I met you," he looked at Ranboo, "and I got attached, then I met you," he looked at Nick, "and I was pretty happy. Then Theseus came and suggested letting loose and starting a huge war, and I haven't been able to just... do that in so long."

"So you..."

"Partially caused the war, yep."

Nick pinched the bridge of his nose then punched Dream in the face.

"That's for nearly destroying my kingdom," Nick said, glaring with blazing eyes.

Tommy and Techno had twin looks of disbelief etched on their face, but Dream just laughed.

"Fair enough," Dream said as he wiped his nose on his sleeve, leaving more blood on it.

Nick sighed heavily, but he was smiling. "I'll talk to my Dad but you guys can stay for as long as you want. Really."

Tubbo grinned, he pointed at Nick. "You'll regret that offer bossman."

He didn't, actually.

After a few years of mainly Tubbo and Dream staying there, though now with the threat of fading gone, he would've been teaching Ranboo to fight if Techno didn't ask to.

Tommy wasn't sure if it was a good thing or not that the Champion of War was teaching the Champion of Peace how to fight.

Tubbo found himself in an interesting dynamic with Dream and Nick, the two were practically brothers and always arguing but in that fun, fond way that Tubbo often found himself doing with Tommy or seeing Tommy do with Techno or Wilbur, or seeing the latter two do with Wilbur.

Tommy came by often if he wasn't always there. They'd been hanging around the kingdom, they were present when Nick was crowned king, Dream was knighted as Nick's personal guard as well.

It was a year into Nick's reign when a very bad plague went through the kingdom. Tommy didn't think much of it, he and Tubbo saw thousands die daily but...

Nick was broken up over it, he did so much to restrict the spread of the plague but he never asked Tommy or Tubbo for help. He saw it as his duty as King. His fathers were still alive but both were old and Nick was trained to be king his whole life.

Tommy could see the sense of duty in Nick's eyes.

Tommy was in a room, he had given in and let his blessing as Life roll over the kingdom, giving people strength just as Tubbo's presence has kept the kingdom in a wonderful state of peace over the last four years.

The doors swung open with a bang, Tommy stepped away from the window and pulled his hand back.

Nick walked in, in full royal garb meaning he'd just returned from a meeting or something similar. Tommy bet he needed to vent about the latest state of affairs and Dream was busy. Nothing new.

Then he went to his knees in front of Tubbo.

Tommy's breath hitched and he knew in this moment Nick wasn't here to rant about the kingdom.

He was here to beg for it.

"Don't take them," Nick begged quietly. "Please, Lord Death. Spare my family and my kingdom. I'll do absolutely anything, just allow them life. Do not take their souls. Please —"

"Your fathers time are dwindling," Death cut off and Tommy saw the shift. Tubbo was now in god mode. Nick froze up at Death's words. "Their time can be replenished, have no fear, but as this sickness gets worse neither will survive. Your kingdom will lose over half its inhabitants."

"What can I do to ask you to stop it? To save them?" Nick begged.

Tubbo knelt down, Tommy was surprised by that movement.

Death reached down and lifted Nick's chin, he guided the king to look up and no longer bow, though he was still on his knees.

"It is a steep price, I have two choices for you. One is purely selfish and the other is selfless, however you must be careful of your choice as one may be what the other appears to be."

Nick was begging. "Please, Death. Please save my fathers. They are on your doorstep and I beg you, do not answer."

Death was silent for a moment longer. "Your first choice, I will heal your fathers and place a blessing that allows them and the rest of your family safety, safety until you reach the age of thirty-five. Your kingdom will also be relieved of the plague, not completely but they will find their immunity to it become immensely stronger."

"Or?" Nick asked warily. Tommy agreed with that wariness, this appeared to be selfless but could it be selfish? And how?

"Or, I offer you something I've never offered anyone before." Death held down his hand. Tommy didn't see the perfect parallelism to when Nick had found Tubbo in the woods.

Nick and Tubbo saw it.

"You are the Fire King, King Nick. You are the Blazing Sun of the Badlands. I give you the option of godhood. I bestow upon you immortality and your domain that corresponds with you, and you may use the power given to you to lead your kingdom into prosperity, however I warn you, should you choose godhood over my help, your fathers will not survive this plague and you will live for eternity."

Nick stared at Tubbo, Tommy did as well.

Silence remained.

Tommy realised quickly how one seemed selfish but was selfless, choosing immortality and leaving your father to die seemed selfish but being able to bring a kingdom into prosperity, under the promise of one of The gods, and receive the power to truly make a difference to these people... it was selfless. Sacrificing the chance of eternal rest and reuniting with the fathers that Nick loved more than anything — except maybe the man he was courting who also happened to be his personal trainer and guard when he was younger — was selfless. Choosing to keep his fathers and have his kingdom healed while Tubbo did the work to heal it, that was selfish. Not sacrificing anything but gaining everything. It may have not been  selfishness by definition but it was selfish.

Tommy knew the truth behind Tubbo's options. Tubbo was attached to Nick and he didn't want to lose him.

Tommy was too, but Tubbo hadn't lose people he'd grown attached too. Tommy got attached to mortals often but he let them go. Tubbo...

Nick took Death's hand. "I'll take the second one. Let me save my kingdom... and can I say goodbye to my fathers?"

Death smiled, gentle that Tommy might've thought he'd become Peace. "Of course. Let's do that first. Perhaps you should get their permission, after all, a parent's consent could change the power of your ascension."

Tommy snorted to himself, Tubbo didn't need consent and it wouldn't affect Nick's power. They didn't need to test that to know that. Though, it could be that Tubbo didn't want to rip this young man from his family without at least some consent, Tubbo was nice like that.

Tommy would've just given him godhood then and there.

Tubbo adorned his Death persona, ink black hair and eyes, pale skin and long robes.

He walked with Nick into the king's parents bedroom.

Tubbo could see the lack of life in those mens eyes, Darryl Halo was closest to dying. Without any divine intervention, he'd be dead by dawn. Zak Halo would be dead by the next dusk.

Tubbo watched their hourglasses drain. It wouldn't take much to pour more sand on top.

But Tubbo was attached to them both, in the last four years both Halos were... he cared for them more than he could admit but less so than Nick.

He knew he had to learn to let go, he never had to let go of mortals before in all his centuries alive because he never got attached to mortals. The first was Ranboo and now Nick and then Zak and Darryl.

He had to choose, and Tubbo knew he would choose Nick forever ago. He saw the flames in Nick's eyes, the blazeborn demon adopted by humans was meant for something more, even if his present placement was king of a very large kingdom, Nick was meant for more.

Tubbo wasn't someone who tempted or tested fate.

"Dad, Pop," Nick said softly, the doctors swiftly left the room. Leaving the royal family and Death alone.

"Hey," Darryl said hoarsely, paler than he ever was.

Tears gathered in Nick's eyes. "I... I'm sorry. I-I... I begged Death to spare you two, you and the kingdom but he... he gave me two options and I..."

"It's alright, Nicky," Zak coughed. "Choose them. You're the king. We'll see each other in the After."

Tears fell now, Tubbo watched Nick break. "But we won't."

Tubbo chose that moment to let the shadows that hid him from sight to fade away. "Your majesties."

Nick looked up at him, eyes pleading but filled with reluctant acceptance.

"Who..." Darryl stared at, weakening by the second.

Tubbo placed his hand over his forehead, letting a bit of magic heal him enough for clarity in this moment, now he would die about the same time as Zak.

"I have many names, Death, Peace, Creation, Atlas, Demeter, Gaea, but you would know me as Toby."

His form flickered to the person Tubbo had been posing as for the last four years.

"I am not here to take you, not today," Tubbo told them. "But we need your consent for the choice your son made. I offered him two choices. One, where both his kingdom and family would survive this plague and he remain mortal, or where his family would pass while the people survive and your son would lead them to prosperity, he would become a god in this option."

"I chose the second," Nick said brokenly. "I-I want you to live but I... I'm the fucking king. I have to put them first and I hate it!"

Flames erupted near them and Tubbo just looked at them before they died.

Nick crumbled. "I... I chose prosperity and godhood. I... Dad, Pop, I want to ask for your permission to do this. To become a god."

Tubbo didn't speak. He waited.

Darryl nodded after a second. "Do what you believe is right. We'll always be there to watch you, Nick. Right Zak?"

"Yeah," Zak smiled weakly. "You do your best as a king, Nick. Then you go and be the best god. We'll watch. Remember we love you."

Tubbo thought Nick broke earlier, he was wrong. This was the moment that Nick broke.

Nick sobbed, holding onto both of his fathers hands like a lifeline.

Tubbo turned away, intending to give the family time —

"Wait," Darryl rasped. "Lord Death... we are going to die soon. Allow us to see our son become a god, please."

Tubbo turned, he hesitated then nodded.

He and Tommy had discussed how he raised Wilbur to godhood in extensive detail before. Tubbo was confident he could do it.

"I can grant that... though a warning should be given. I have not personally risen a mortal to godhood, my counterpart has and the god of music is the only ascended mortal. Your son will be the second. I'm inexperienced in this regard, I know he will be safe but I make no promises for those witnessing."

"I'd rather die watching my kid become a god then from a damn cold," Zak coughed violently as he finished his words.

Tubbo smiled and nodded.

"Are you ready?" Tubbo asked Nick.

Nick nodded.

Tubbo focused all his power on Nick, recalling the passion and energy that Nick had, the ambition to do good and the power he cultivated to make sure he could accomplish it. He was a blazing fire.

Orange and red flashed like fire through Tubbo's vision and he grasped it. He curled it into an orb and pushed it to where he could sense Nick.

His eyes fluttered open and to his luck he still stood.

Nick fell to his knees as he glowed a fiery orange, the colour of fire.

His eyes flew open as Nick looked up, eyes blazing with new power.

Tubbo smiled, he bowed his head, a sign of respect. "Hail, Nick, god of fire."

He sensed the pride coming from the two mortals near them and the surge of determination that flowed through Nick.

"Choose your next path carefully, Fire," Tubbo warned. "Your power is unyielding and destructive, but also gentle and fulfilling."

Nick nodded. "I'll remember, and I'll be the best king I can as I reign. I... I can still be king, right?"

Tubbo smiled. "Of course. And I'll teach you how to appear to age, it's a lot easier than you think… I’ll be back at noon tomorrow.”

Understanding crossed Nick’s face as he turned back to his family.

Tubbo did return the next day and let their time run out, he took Nick’s hand and as he reaped Zak and Darryl, he led Nick with them into the Nether.

“You have a couple options,” Tubbo told the two souls as he did all souls. Soulmates were lucky in comparison to other couples, they could choose together. He set the options out in front of them, remain in the Nether, survive in it’s hell scape, and one day return to the Overworld reincarnated. Or they could move into The End, remain there for eternity as souls, floating endlessly and eternally.

Darryl wanted the chance at reincarnation, Zak was more leaning to moving on but once Darryl mentioned reincarnation, Zak chose it too.

“The Nether is not compassionate, best of luck my friends.” Tubbo let their souls into the Nether.

He turned to Nick, who looked a little more hopeful.

“Not everyone reincarnates,” he said. “Some can’t last in the Nether and turn into the monsters you see around you. Others are stronger and reincarnate into something on the Overworld.”

“They’re strong enough,” Nick said determinedly. “I know they are.”

Tubbo nodded. “Alright. Well, time for you to learn how to be a god. Then you can learn on your own how to be the god of fire.”