Champion ~ Book 1

Chapter 9

Dream attacked first, swinging his ax at Technoblade as hard as possible. His opponent thrust his weapon away and spun around, lashing out and managing to dig one of his blades into Dream's shield. Dream yanked his shield away and swung again, this time he hit Techno on the side and sent him stumbling backward with a gasp of pain. I- I hit him! Dream thought, narrowing his eyes and throwing himself forward again. His diamond ax clashed with Techno's two swords and they stared at each other for a moment before Technoblade flung him away again.

Techno growled and lashed at Dream with one blade. Dream held up his shield but the moment he blocked one blow another came in and dug a jagged line down his arm, causing him to yelp with pain. Dream staggered aside and was forced to accept another two rough blows before he managed to hold his shield up and block a third and fourth. He grunted and thrust forward, flinging Technoblade backward with his shield before swinging his ax at Techno's head. He managed to knock the golden crown onto the ground but he missed Techno's face.

Dream and Technoblade both looked at the crown as it rolled away from them before turning back to the fight. Dream held up his shield to deflect another two blows before swinging again, this time catching Techno on the arm and leaving a long trail of blood along it. Techno flung him away again and this time Dream didn't attack right away. He quickly set his shield down and pulled out his fishing rod, causing some people in the crowd to let out laughs. You idiots, just watching me fight this guy. Dream thought, raising the rod. I don't need your approval on what weapon to use. Dream whipped his arm forward and managed to hook Techno's long red cape. He then yanked his arm back, causing Techno to stumble and get entangled in the line and his cape. 

"This is why I don't wear capes," Dream muttered, dropping the rod and taking his shield again. While Techno was struggling against the line Dream lashed out and landed a rough blow on Techno's chest plate. He thought for sure it would have knocked the other man over but it didn't, it only cut the lines off him. Oh no. Dream thought, stiffening and Techno raised both his swords. He held up his shield and Techno dug one of his blades into the wood, almost piercing Dream through it. He yelped and tried to yank his shield away but it wouldn't come off the sword. Techno used his other sword to land a deep blow on Dream's leg where it had only just healed and forcing him to stumble backward and drop his shield. 

Techno flung the broken shield away and started forward again, diamond blades in hand. Dream held his ax tightly and managed to block the first blow, but not the second. This happened repeatedly with Dream unable to block both blows and he finally realized why Techno had brought two swords instead of a shield. That's a good strategy. He thought, letting out a cry of pain as Techno landed such a hard blow on his chest plate that it almost tore completely in half. 

Dream yelped again as two blades pierced through his leather armor and dug into his skin. Dream lashed out once more but Techno deflected the blow and flung Dream's ax away before slicing upward and cutting straight through the mesh Dream's mask was made of. The mask fell apart into two half-pieces. The mask fell to the ground and skidded across the dusty earth. Techno purposely stepped on one of the halves, cracking it, and then lashed out at Dream with both his swords. Techno jerked his swords away and kicked Dream in the chest, forcing him to the ground. Dream gasped and stared up at Technoblade as he aimed one sword at Dream, his blue gaze cold. 

"Ladies and gents, I think we have a winner," The announcer called. Dream stiffened, meeting Techno's gaze fearfully. This is it. I lost. Dream thought, breathing heavily. He could see Technoblade was out of breath as well and for some reason, he hadn't killed Dream yet. The only sound Dream could hear was the pounding of his own heart and the ragged breaths of Technoblade. The crowd had fallen silent. 

"Just- just kill me so I can see George again," Dream said after a moment. Techno's blade was only an inch or so from his throat now but Techno still didn't move. 

"Apparently they're talking again!" The announcer called. "I wonder what they're saying!" Techno's diamond sword quivered slightly and Dream took a deep breath. Nothing happened. Technoblade met Dream's gaze for a moment before turning around and walking away, flinging his sword into the dust as he went. Dream watched, a bit dumbfounded, as Techno made his way back to the iron doors. He vanished after a moment, leaving Dream still lying on his back in the middle of the arena.