The sound of galloping echoes trough the empty village's roads as Technoblade, on the back of his most beloved horse, Carl, ride into the night. The locals do not dare to ever step outside, the ones already there hiding to the best of their abilities. They have all heard the stories of the monster with red, blazing eyes who shows up in a blooming kingdom just to crumble it before the next sunrise. They all saw the strange man riding trough their peaceful village, wearing the same look as the monster from the fables.

But Technoblade could not care less for what the locals think of him. He is feeling... many other things that are more important at the moment.

Why. Why now.

The white raven that has brought him the letter is flying in front of him, somehow being able to keep a speed equal to the horse's, it's wing flaps being heard regularly. The paper it had delivered is held tightly in Technoblade's fist, crumpled and ripped.

Greetings, old friend.

It has been a long time since we last talked and I deeply apologize for that. But I guarantee you, I left you to your own devices for a good reason.

I have sent you a raven. One of my dearest and strongest ravens. If you wish to follow it, it shall lead you to me And then, old friend, I shall explain all of my actions.

I know you must be mad at me. It was not an easy decision to cut contact. It was heartbreaking for me too. But in truth, I was supposed to do it a long long time ago. My heart stopped me, perhaps thinking it would be easier if I waited, but it was not. Leaving someone you hold dear is had no matter what. But my conscience was slightly lighter knowing we would one day meet again.

That day is coming soon. Weather you come to me or I come to you.

For I, my friend, need to ask you for a favor. A favor that I promise, will be returned in tens.

-The Crow Father

Technoblade hates to admit it to himself, but part of him is excited about meeting Phil again. And... Weirdly enough, the voices seemed not to mind Phil's betrayal. Either that, or they mind it too much. They just keep repeating his name over and over and over again. They could be excited or have murderous intentions, hell if Techno knows.

But as he rode past the empty roads of the village and followed the raven towards the mountain pass, he started feeling weary. Why did Phil send out a raven for him only when he needed a favor? Techno remembers finding a letter of goodbye from Philza sitting put on the deserted throne that was once their meeting place. The crumbled castle, ruins of what were once tall, intricately made pillars and huge, imposing ceilings painted with gold and silver, what was once a lively court of nobles and servers alike, all that crumbled under the two god's boot. A beautiful kingdom, yes, but a greedy and cruel, an empire on the rise, a league of merciless conquerors. Not that Technoblade ever cared about the moral compass of those he fought, they could've been heroes for all he cared. But both him and Philza agreed that if this Empire was going to be left unchecked for much longer, it might become impossible to stop.

And so they had thwarted the threat while it was still little. They had done so much together. And then he left. Just like that.

But as he's following the white bird, Techno stops his horse suddenly. There's a little figure in front of him, blocking the road. A child.

A small boy with brown hair, teary eyes and a wooden sword. Techno notices the child has small ram-like horns. Perhaps this child was marked by the goods too, he thinks. The voices seem to agree.

Tiny god!

Ram child. Child ram.

Crush him while he's still little!

Techno disregards the voices' call for blood and looks at the small boy.

"You- you need to-" he says between tears. "You need to leave this place alone! It's not yours to conquer!"

Taken by surprise, Technoblade laughs. This kid has surely heard the stories, the fairytales and the horror filled campfire tales. Does he really believe he has a chance? That he can stand up to the Blood God? And with a wooden sword too!

Show him wrong! Kill him! The voices demand. The white raven has landed on a nearby rooftop, watching with curious eyes.

"I'm just here in passing. And it's not like you could stop me anyways." Techno says amused. "So get out of my way or i will run you over."

He could've very well gone around the kid, but this isn't what this is about. For a being so frail to challenge Technoblade, the only way he could proceed was to make him admit defeat by standing aside. After all, a challenge is a challenge, no matter who it comes from or who it's addressed to. And to Technoblade, once a fight breaks out, the only way to truly win is to spill the blood of your enemy. Retreat is cowardice and not something he'd accept. He makes his own rules. And he really doesn't feel like killing a child tonight.

Thankfully, the boy steps aside after a few seconds of hesitation. Technoblade is relieved and the voices sigh with disappointment. He pulls on Carl's rein, telling the horse to go again. The white raven takes flight once more.

The rest of the journey is quite uneventful. With Carl's incredible speeds, they make it in just one night. They see forests of tall pines, rivers of clear water, small and big towns and mountains of granite and limestone: nothing the god hasn't seen before.

And same goes for the castle they finally arrive at. As the raven flies towards the high towers, far from it's followers, Techno finds himself looking at the big fortified walls and wonders if Phil wants him to strike them down. But that cant be it. There must be something else.

And so, the god steps foot on the wooden bridge that would change his life forever.