Quest for the Emblems

Chapter 23

The wither was proving to be a terrifying enemy, they had to be constantly on their toes to avoid getting blown up. Tommy finally gave the final blow and it dropped a glowing red core. Everyone breathed out a sigh of relief, when Dream picked the emblem up.

"DAD!" Fundy's cry cut through the silence.

They quickly ran over to see a withered Wilbur, with Niki and Fundy crying hysterically.

"No..." Bad breathed out, and Skeppy pulled him close as they both let their tears fall. Eret bent down to comfort Fundy, and a teary eyed Tommy and Tubbo appeared by Niki's side. Karl and Dream stood frozen in shock, not wanting to believe that he was gone.

Sapnap glanced over at George who seemed to be conflicted.

Sapnap leaned into whisper in his ear, "Is he...?"

"No, not yet." George answered grimly.

"There is no way we can get him somewhere private without arousing suspicion." Sapnap pointed out.

George let out a sigh, "I know," he answered as he started to walk towards Wilbur.

"Are you sure about this?" Sapnap asked walking beside him.

"I can't let him die," he then looked Sapnap in the eye. "Whatever happens, take care of Dream and mum for me."

Sapnap frowned, but nodded.

When George reached Wilbur, he bent down and kindly ask Niki to join Fundy on Wilbur's other side. Niki was confused but agreed, she wobbled over with the help of Tommy and Tubbo, and held Fundy's hand tightly. George slowly started to open the part of his robe that covered his chest.

"George? What are you doing," Dream asked, as the rest of the party continued to watch George's every move curiously. They all gasped when the George's blue core came into view.

The party immediately looked at Sapnap for any form of explanation, but the raven head mage ignored them. George placed both hands on his core, the familiar feeling of power surging through him came and he raised his hands over Wilbur's body. A warm light covered Wilbur's body and the wither effect slowly disappeared, after sometime Wilbur's eyes shot open.

"Wil!" Niki yelled as she and Fundy attacked him in a hug, which Tommy and Tubbo soon joined.

The rest of the party continued to stare at George, but the sage didn't dare look up, he was much to scared of what he would see. Suddenly he had a vision and stood up quickly, keeping his gaze to the ground.

"George," Bad finally said, "explain to us why you have a core." he demanded.

George just stayed silent, he looked like he was preparing for something, his head tilted to the side, as if he was listening for something.

"George! Answer us!" Skeppy demanded.

In a flash, blue wings suddenly shot out of George's back, he then circled them around the party protectively. Not a second later a rain of arrows were fired at them, each of them hitting George. The man's eyes rolled back and his eyelids closed, as he landed on the floor with blood seeping out of him.

The party hardly had time to process what just happened, before they were surround by armed soldiers.

"The Lynix army," Dream declared as he prepared for battle.

"What are they doing in the Nether," Skeppy asked.

"Probably to stay undetected," Bad concluded.

There was no way they would get out of this unscathed, especially with George down. Suddenly a gust of wind, that nearly blew them off of their feet, rushed through, and the party closed their eyes to avoid the sting. They heard the cries and yells of the Lynix soldiers, and when they opened their eyes they saw a large black dragon with purple glowing eyes.

The holder of the fourth emblem was right in front of them, they all knew it but couldn't find the courage to move. The dragon attacked the Lynix army, sending them off running. Once they were gone the dragon turned its attention to the party, they all tensed up and got ready to attack. The dragon however was not here for them, it flew towards them, scooped George up in its talons and flew away.

"George!" Sapnap yelled as he tried to chase after the dragon, but stopped in his tracks when it flew over a lava lake.

Defeated, he went back to the group who looked at him with distrust, it hurt the most when he saw Karl looking at him like he had just betrayed them.

"You've got some explaining to do," Wilbur pointed out, "but first we deliver the emblem to Jasmire."

Sapnap nodded and stole one last glance at the direction that the dragon flew in. I'll save you George, don't you worry.

They were welcomed back in Jasmire's palace by Queen Vivian, but they were all surprised to find Philza, Techno, and Myra there as well.

"Well done, now all we need is the last one." Philza declared happily. Sapnap saw Myra tense up, and went over to give her a comforting squeeze.

"What are you all doing here?" Dream asked.

"Myra had a vision that Lynix would pass through the Nether on their way to attack Jasmire. We were just about to meet them for battle," Techno explained

"We encountered them before coming here, they were chased away by a dragon." Skeppy informed the group.

"A dragon?" Vivian asked looking at Bad for confirmation.

"It's the one that holds the fourth emblem." Bad said.

Myra turned her attention back to Sapnap, "Where's my son?" she asked in a worried tone.

"Forgive me my Lady, I couldn't protect him," Sapnap said, guilt evident in his voice.

Myra lowered her head and tried to hold back the tears.

Karl walked forward, "My Lady I believe you have some explaining to do about you and your son. Why does George have a core?" He asked.

"Karl! Know your place," Sapnap yelled, he may like Karl, but he will not have the brunette forcing Myra to do things she was uncomfortable with.

"It's okay Sapnap, they deserve to know." Myra reassured, giving Sapnap a grateful smile then turning to face the group.

"It's time I tell you all what my son and I really are..."