The air was damp and sticky with the midday summer heat which, despite the cold stone of the cobbled cellar he found himself in currently, made breathing harder than it needed to be. The space was already more cramped than he'd like so the stuffiness added by the humidity was less than appreciated. Not that he was exactly in any position to complain about it.

He still complained about it.

His captor wasn't the patient sort however and even just a few minutes of, quite frankly 'mild commentary' in his honest opinion, had been enough to get him gagged. The fabric was itchy against his lips and tongue and made him wheeze even as he tried to chew through it. It tasted like stale potato skins and musty water. A bad combination, but he'd been gagged with worse before. Honestly, it was better than having one of your siblings old socks shoved in your mouth.

With an annoyed huff he took in as deep a breath as he could manage. His side ached from uneven stone flooring, his bare arms both freezing and sweating as he struggled to keep his calm. He'd been told before that the best thing to do in a situation like this was to focus on breathing first, and then work the rest out once certain it was even. Easier said than done.

The rope tied around his arms was likewise fully wrapped around his body, keeping his arms flush to his sides and his hands behind his back. It hurt, but he'd manage. Of course he'd manage. He was a Big Man and he could totally handle this himself.

Rubbing his face along the ground Tommy tried to pull the rag that had him silenced loose. While he wasn't sure if he was near enough to anyone to scream that wasn't even on his mind at the moment.

Air.

He needed air.

He needed to breath.

It was getting really hard, even as he kept focusing on it. All Tommy could feel was that with every exhale he could get less and less back in again. His breaths were coming faster as well despite his efforts because he could only feel the steady decline in the amount he was getting. Could only feel the tightening in his chest as lack of oxygen made his anxiety rise.

The room was too small, the air was too thick and the rag in his mouth tasted like molding potatoes.

He couldn't get enough air.

"You know, if I hadn't gotten proof ahead of time I'd have never considered you were even related." A man's voice spoke from somewhere in the room.

It was nearby but the other's current location meant little. He just, he needed to focus. He couldn't do anything until he did this one thing.

"Seriously, at least if you were adopted it'd make more sense." The man went on, a dull shuffle of steps to the right…or was it left?

"Guessing he got all the good genes then? Or, perhaps not all of them. You have another brother as well if I recall. Not that it matters."

Breath in…

More footsteps.

Breath out…

A shifting of something leathery or scaly.

Breath in…

More steps.

Breath out…

A rush of air at his side.

Breath i-

A startled gasped rushes past Tommy's lips as he's pulled to the side and upwards by his hair, his face forced towards the person who brought him here.

"You're just some scrawny gullible pigeon who lucked out with a lineage that makes you just barely a shelf pedigree canary at best." The man scoffed in Tommy's face as he leaned in just enough that his breath could be felt even over the already moist and close air, "A chicken dinner at worst."

When the mans hand came up to Tommy's cheek the younger snapped his jaw as if to try to remove a finger despite the gag in his mouth. Needless to say it was ineffective. It was also sluggish and uncoordinated as he was still panting for breath. The mans hand dodged the attempt none the less, presumably out of habit, before gripping onto the younger boys jaw like a vice, directing said boys eyes to meet his own.

"Determined to prove the depths of your stupidity are you, Theseus?" The man mocked, laughing at the obvious wince at the name.

Tommy hated that name. Hated how it fell off the mans tongue. How it rung in his ears. How it sounded so familiar and yet so old all at once. How…how he hadn't heard it in years until just now, from this source of all places.

Tommy, despite already being winded and tired fought to cuss the other out, his voice muffled by the rag that easily turned it to gibberish. He twisted his body in a struggle as his wings, tightly bound and pressed to his back, fluffed in indignation and agitation. Even if it hurt Tommy would make sure the man knew he was nothing more than a little bi-

There was loud cracking noise from above them bringing Tommy to a sharp halt. Through the floor and over his former noises he couldn't make out what it was he'd heard, but it had been enough to shake the floor board above.

The man who was with him had tensed sharply as well before tugging hard at Tommy's hair once more, lifting him up a bit higher. The pained chirp that burst from Tommy's throat in that moment left him wincing. His throat ached from it as his vocal chords had tightened too quickly to be healthy for him.

Above there was a thundering of steps, more than one set, and the sound of other unknown crashes and quaking. Part of Tommy recognized the sounds to be fighting well enough, but the logic why or who was lost to him. Wilbur was no fighter, he'd never be able to make a building shake in such a way. The rest of his family-

There was a hand on his throat making him tense up tightly once more. By the feel of it Tommy was most likely going to get bruises from this for the next few weeks. He wasn't exactly hard to leave a mark on and this guy wasn't exactly trying to be gentle.

"Make a sound and I'll be plucking you by the end of the day. Play along nicely and I'll consider letting you go with at least one wing in tact." The man commanded as he grinned into Tommy's ear, hot breath reeking of something foul.

When Tommy failed to reply the man tightened his grip around his neck until the younger was nodding with a mostly strangled whined. Only then did the man removed his hand to wrap firmly around Tommy's shoulders, giving him complete control of where he was facing. His wings were crushed sideways to accommodate the position making the joints ache horribly with how they were bound.

Barely was that arm in place before the door to the cellar stairs burst open with an excessive amount of force. The thick wooden door, now half off its hinges, bounced off the stone wall behind it as a figure descended the steps in hardly the span of a breath.

Tommy was held out facing the new comer, his captor at his back with a firm hold of his head and shoulders as they both stared ahead.

Before them stood a tall red clad individual who was almost tall enough to brush his head on the ceiling of the stuffy room. Even with the heat of summer they wore a red cloak, though the white fur trim was removed. Its golden chains held it securely over the broad shoulders of the hybrid it adorned, the light fabric billowing behind them from their rushed decent.

Long pink hair was tied in a half braid behind him, disheveled from battle while the ever present crown sat slightly askew. The white boar mask rested firm over the mans face, hiding all his features from view aside from barely noticeable white pinpricks where his eyes should be.

Though, that might only have been visible to Tommy and his enhanced hybrid vision. Or more so probably because he knew well enough what lay under that mask.

"Technoblade. So good to see you again." The man behind Tommy was saying.

However, Techno's eyes never strayed towards the man. Instead, Tommy tracked his eyes as best he could. Noted when they lingered over his own face a bit longer than Tommy thought necessary. A flush of embarrassment went through him when he noted Techno's gaze fall to his neck, the pricks of his eyes flicking smaller so that even Tommy lost sight of them for a moment.

Dirty and bound up like some animal Tommy felt the pit of his stomach drop at how this must look to the other. How pathetic he must come across to his brother, the renown champion of the Hypix League and denoted 'Blood God' of the Sky Wars Arena. He'd not seen his brother in over four years and this was how they were to meet once more.

How did he even know where to find him?

Tommy was pulled from his thoughts once more as a hand tugged his hair sharply, earning another distressed chirp before he could choked it down all the way, making it warble painfully at the end.

With his eyes screwed shut Tommy didn't see the way his brother's hand tightened around his axe handle. Or the way his eyes flickered red as they narrowed at the hand in his hair, landing on its owner a moment later.

Xx-xx

"We were just talking about you." The man chuckled, giving his hand a shake and forcing Tommy's head to shift side to side to avoid further pulling, "Odd family line you have."

"Thanks. Its my father's." Techno replied flatly after a moment.

He had to keep his calm. He couldn't sound angry. He couldn't sound worried. He couldn't give the man the rise he wanted. But mostly, he couldn't let Tommy hear how unsettled he was.

His brother looked in poor shape. Ropes far to tight and no doubt cutting of circulation to his wings and arms. He could see the rapid breaths being taken and knew at least part of it was panic already. Between the humid weather and the cramped space he doubted breathing was easy for the other right now.

All the more reason to keep calm.

Tommy had managed to keep himself collected so far it seems. Techno couldn't risk ruining that by sounding too angry, too upset, to Aboloutely LIVID-

KILL HIM

BLOOD

HURTINNIT

SAVE HIM

STOP TOUCHING HIM

MAKE HIM PAY

PROTECTNOBLADE

BLOOD FOR THE-

"I'd take my hand off that if I were you."

Techno felt his shoulders tighten as the man behind his baby brother shifted back a step. The hand that was rested at the younger boys shoulders bore a curved blade that was facing back at Tommy himself. One swift move and it could slice through his neck in a heart beat. At the short distance they were at Techno could see it was sharp and shimmering with an enchantment.

He forced his own hand to relax on his axes handle, though not letting go. With a practiced breath he forced Chat to calm, scolding them for almost inciting him into a frenzy with Tommy still in danger.

"More then that I'm afraid. I'm no fool. Drop it." The man demanded as he narrowed his own eyes, a stupidly eager grin on his face.

There was a pause as Chat started to roar at the outrageous demand of this arrogant fool. This plebeian low life extortionist-

Chat almost silenced at the sound of the Netherite blade hitting cobble stone, sinking into it due to its well care and enchantments.

Technosoft

Shut up

Tommy comes first

Blood later

Hurtinnit

Is he breathing?

Techno's eyes flickered to Tommy at the question. His brother was still being forced to look upwards, but Techno could still his chest moving…or that it should have been. His breath hitching Techno's hand twitched, itching to jump into action at the thought of Tommy being unable to breath. However, barely a second later some of that panic receded. Tommy's chest stuttered into a rise as if it had merely forgotten that was a requirement.

He didn't get a chance to wonder at it as the man was talking once more. His voice proud and booming unnecessarily in the small space.

"Really? That's all it took?" The man asked incredulously.

"You could have asked a bit nicer, but I can overlook that." Techno stated bluntly with a forced shrug for show, "But, hey, its house rules. At least, I'm assumin' this is your house. Doubt you'd just be renting out a random basement for this."

Techno rambled, filling the air with noise, filling it with distraction. The silence had been stifling and he recalled his brother always hated it. So, he'd ramble. He'd fill the air so his brother could hear something other than the man at his back.

"Not exactly the type of arena you're used to I suppose." The man stated, opening his mouth to say more but Techno beat him to it.

"Quite the opposite really. You know, what with it bein' the 'Sky Arenas' and all. This is more like, what, an oubliette? Though, that implies it was a secret or has some kind of threat to it. So maybe more like ahh, discount trench with a roof."

"A-I…what?" The man stammered, his attempted 'serious mood' thrown off by both the flood of words he'd just been pelted with and the subject of them.

"An oubliette. You know, an underground cell with a ceiling hatch. Good at holdin' prisoners and unwanted houses guests like door salesmen." Techno carried on swiftly, hoping he didn't trip himself up as he continued to watch Tommy carefully.

The last time he'd properly seen his baby brother was when he had first left home to join a full scale Sky Wars Tournament. Or, rather the Hypix Challenges that would qualify him for them. Techno had already made a name for himself as a talented fighter and skilled strategist despite the stigma against Piglins, hybrid or otherwise. That attention had its positive and negative sides.

He'd managed to keep most of it away from his family, keeping his home life as separate as he could in regards to his chosen career. It had been months since he'd gotten his family to stop coming to the fights, keeping his opponents from seeing them. After all, not everyone took kindly to being defeated by the 'pig boy'. Even fewer seemed to take well that said 'pig boy' was related to the only Avian family around. They didn't need that kind of attention.

As Techno's gaze lingered on his brother he could see the various bruises already darkening his pale skin, marring the youth that still clung to him. Even in the dimmed room Techno could see the golden blond of his brother's hair had failed to fade into any sort of brown like Tubbo's had. He looked almost the same as he had the day Techno left, if not for the growth spurt that seemed to almost put him on par with Techno, though it was hard to tell with the angle the other was tied at.

One of the biggest changes was Tommy's wings. From what Techno could barely see in their state they were far bigger now. No longer the 'cherub' wings, puffed white with down feathers that were ever barely visible from his back. While Techno couldn't gauge their growth entirely he could at least see the golden yellow and touch of crimson one a few feathers.

"D-don't play games with me! I'm in control here!" The man snapped, bringing Techno back to the moment.

He apparently hadn't appreciated the insult to his intelligence.

"You're going to do what I say. Now. Or I'm going make a killing on the Aviary Market." The man stated gruffly, tugging Tommy's hair once more to keeping his neck exposed and pulling him back a step.

As Tommy was forced to shift in the mans hold once more he couldn't hold back the fresh chittering of distress as his wings were further bent out of shape. His legs shook as he tried to keep upright and Techno had to forcefully swallow the instinctive rumbles of assurance his brain so desperately wanted to make. To tighten his throat until the chuff that started to crawl up it died before reaching his lips.

HOW DARE

STOP IT

LITTLE FLEDLING

HIS WINGS DON'T BEND THAT WAY

CAN YOU HEAR THAT?

KILL HIM

KILL HIM

MAKE HIM STOP

MAKE HIM PAY

"For someone in charge you're doin' an awful lot of shiftin." Techno managed to get out, his tone flat and sharp and just edging on a threat.

"Making sure I don't lose your attention." The man stated with a quick grin, though he frowned a moment later as he tried to straighten his own back, "Mob types tend to have short attention spans after all."

Techno didn't bat an eye at the other has he once more tried to regain the verbal ground. In fact, aside from a flick of his ear at Tommy's breath, huffed and muffled under the rag in his mouth, Techno hardly registered the words at all. He'd heard so much worse over the years if he was honest. Despite the position the other had Tommy in Techno wondered if this guy was truly skilled at what he was doing, or just winging it. Even a greenhorn could get lucky. If Tommy had been caught off guard, then sure. It was possible.

Tommy was a skilled fighter in his own right Techno knew. Even at the age of thirteen, when Techno had left home, he was already miles ahead of the other boys his age. Enough so that Techno was sure that once he came of age and if he wanted to Tommy could well make his own name in the Sky Arena one day.

But, 'battle Tommy' and 'casual Tommy' were different. Casual Tommy was fun loving, brash, loud and carefree. He enjoyed being around people and that gave him a certain trust in them that Techno himself didn't have. If someone really wanted to get Tommy in a bind their best bet was to do it before he got a sword in his hand and while he still trusted them.

Techno would make them regret breaking that trust.

"So, what are you after? Gold? Emeralds? …an autograph?" Techno asked as he tilted his head to the side.

It was a creepy move with the boars mask he wore, which is generally why he did it. However, more importantly it gave him a slightly better vantage on the angle of that knife while his gaze would still appear to be forwards. If he was going to make a rush he had to be certain that Tommy wouldn't get sliced in the process.

"Full of yourself aren't you, Pig?" The man laughed a humorous chuckle.

"I like to call it a 'healthy confidence'." Techno replied easily, shifting his stance ever so carefully.

"Well, no more of that. I've got the winning hand here." The man grinned, "There are two ways for this to play out. I get what I want and you keep your distance in order to get your brother back. Or you attack me, risk his death, and have the whole of the server know you put your pride over your supposed family."

Techno frowned under the mask and fought against titling his head in further confusion.

What kind of stakes were those? What, his brother over his reputation? Is that how low he was assumed to be?

Though, as he looked at his brother, trying to make eye contact and seeing the look of actual apprehension on Tommy's face Techno felt his stomach drop just a bit further. He hoped the dim light was messing with his vision.

"The floor is yours. In theory. Still just assumin' this place is yours and not also stolen." Techno stated as he leveled out his gaze at the man once more.

"First of all, you're going to stop talking." The man snapped quickly, leveling Techno with a glare.

Stop Talking?

We Are Chatno

Eternal

E

One Of Us

E

Lol

In response Techno made a show of shrugging, pointedly ignoring Chat as they preceded to have a field day with the request. He could tell his lack of visible panic or anger was getting on the others nerves and he was counting on it.

Taking Orders?

Technoobey?

No

Pay Attention

Technomime

L

"Second of all, I want you to drop all your weapons on the ground." The man went on, motioning with his head towards Techno's sword that still rested at his hip.

Without looking down Techno let out a heavy breath, moving his hands slowly as he undid the clasps hooking his swords scabbard to his belt. He made sure to take his time lifting it up slightly, showing it was in tact, before tossing it gently to the ground. It had been a gift from his father, but in this instance he was sure the man wouldn't mind the treatment.

What followed next was a trail of two small daggers, a half sword, a singular throwing hatchet and a small curved blade used for hunting. Relatively few items if Techno was honest, but he hadn't gone out prepared for battle today.

As Techno stared at the man he, in turn, stared back at Techno until he raised an expectant eyebrow. Furrowing his brow Techno tried to think if he'd forgotten anything. After a moment he moved to unclasp the pouch belt that hung at his hip towards the back. His potions jostling a bit as he set tat too on the ground. With a slight tilt of his head Techno also patted down his pockets before tossing two lone sticks of dynamite on the pile.

He stared back at the man, who once more stared back. With a hum Techno reached into his smaller breast pocket and pulled out a flint and steel, dropping that as well. He was about to motion that being all before he thought better of it. Reaching up he unhooked his cloak and tossed it on the top of the handle of his still half standing axe.

With that he crossed his arms and stared at the man ahead of him. With the cape no longer wrapped around him the man seemed all the more pleased with what he saw. A fancy white and partly ruffled shirt without a weapon on him any longer. While Techno was still a size bigger than the man himself by height Techno's muscle mass was a touch smaller his opponent. A fact that no doubt had the man smiling with premature pride. Truly though, the greatest benefit of this new exposure was that now any move Techno made could be more easily defined, easier to read.

Technonaked

L

Is That All?

No Withers?

Lame

Why Would He Bring Withers Into A Basement?

Or so the man would think.

While it wasn't ideal and he didn't generally care for it, Techno wasn't a stranger to fighting in his causal clothing. Even his nice ruffled shirts that he particularly liked had seen their fair share of battle.

"Now, the mask." The man demanded, tone sharp and eager, high with the power he felt he truly had.

Techno could see the moment Tommy stiffened at the words, more so then him himself had. Even Chat had fallen eerily silent.

Techno had made it a rule to never go out without his mask on. Not since it had been gifted to him as a new face in the arena. A present from his family to help his confidence in the ring. A crutch to keep his distance with the people outside of his personal comfort circle. Outside of his family. His flock. His sounder. All the words that, to him, meant trust.

This man didn't have that privilege and yet he made such demands. He made them as if he expected to live afterwards.

What a fool.

An anxious trill from Tommy flittered lightly in the air. He was trying to twist his head enough to look at Techno now, the man no longer paying attention to him in order to yank him back. Techno made sure to meet his gaze, a steady hold as he lifted his hands.

Scared

ScaredInnit

Baby Bird

Protectno

Techno could see the uncertain shake of his baby brother's eyes, the glisten of tears that he was fighting so valiantly to keep back. He could see the…the doubt that lingered at the edges and Techno swallowed hard trying to pretend it wasn't there.

Afraid

He made Tommy afraid

Afraid of us?

Blood

We Will Show Him

Protect Tommy

Save Tommy

Make Him Regret

He Wants To See Your Face

Show Your Face

Make Him Pay

SHOW HIM

The Blood God

BLOOD GOD

BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD

Again, Techno took his time in pulling the mask loose from his face, drawing it out and tilted his head ever so much as if it were shameful. As if he had accepted the loss. As if Chat was rolling in his head and growing louder. As a thousand voice chorus wasn't singing for his blood. As if Techno hadn't just spent the last ten minutes measuring the distance between them, their height to the ceiling and the estimated speed a man of his stature would be likely to move at in this heat.

The summer air, the humidity and close quarters had made the room stuffy to begin with, even more so with three bodies taking up the small space. Especially when one of those bodies ran hotter than others. Techno had never been one to mind a bit of heat.

With all that, what Techno had been measuring most, had been keeping track of and feeding into most, was the mans arrogance. With each demand Techno gave into, every command obeyed, the man grew not only bolder, but more confident. The only thing more dangerous than false confidence is that which is assumed to be real and truly earned. Techno knew that, against him, the man stood no chance.

He had lost the second he chose to put his hands on Techno's baby brother.

It all happened in an instant.

With Techno's unwavering eyes on Tommy's.

A flick of an ear

The shiver of ear tuft

And it was on.

Techno's mask was barely moved before Tommy flung his head back as hard as he could with a cry of pain and anger for his effort. The rag in the boys mouth muffled it only enough to keep the room from ringing with the noise. At that same moment Techno lurched forwards, mask in hand and stretched out to catch the blade that had risen up towards the younger boys neck, hooking it in an eye socket and directing it away.

Techno's hand wrapped around the wrist of the man as he tried to pull him forwards into a twisting motion that would, hopefully, release his brother. However, the man wasn't entirely stupid. He knew if he lost his grip on Tommy then he'd be over before he could blink. Latching all the tighter with his other hand he pulled Tommy closer onto him, trying to turn him into a shield.

However, Tommy was fighting back. With another muffled pained yelp Tommy thrashed and tried to flap his wings to gain freedom as his head whipped sharply to the side with a small cracking sound. With a hash and rumbling snarl Techno was quick to grab onto the mans other wrist, trying to keep him from further abusing his sibling in their struggle.

Taking the opportunity the man produced a blade from within his sleeve and took a wild swipe at Techno while he was close. It was another curved doubled sided knife and Techno was forced to step back and release the hand he'd just grabbed and that was subsequently attacking him least he want his chest ripped clean open.

The man seemed more skilled than Techno had given him credit for, true, but Techno was also far more pissed off than he'd let on. With barely a moment to breath Techno shifted his stance and made to separate his brother from this stranger. However, the move was anticipated and the knife came down swift. Thanks to Chat Techno was able to dodge the brunt of it, but his shoulder had been grazed. A red line starting to tint the fabric and tickle down his arm.

Techno didn't even flinch as he weaved to the side and moved in for another attack. The man backed up a step, shoving Tommy behind him and into a wall face first. The boy bounced against the stone with a whimper as his jaw connected with some force, but before he could begin to slide down it and potentially out of range he was grabbed.

The sharp note of distress and pain was enough to even cause Techno to hesitate as the man grabbed roughly at the crushed up feathers tightly, a wild look on his face as he clenched his fist and pulled hard. The sound of agony Tommy made echoed in the room despite the rag, his legs giving out and dropping him onto the stone floor with stuttering lungs. Around him a plume of his own feathers fell and danced like a morbid scattering of petals.

Techno's eyes flickered red.