Stygiophobia

Peace at dusk

The devil, the merchant, and the angel left the comfort of Quackitys expensive home and ran fast down the old cobbled roads of hell. The angel clung to Dream tightly, the fear of falling never left him no matter how many times they had ran.

"He's far past Tommy's house, out towards the blood ocean of the first circle of hell! If we don't hurry he may flee to the second circle." Quackity started through his heavy breaths, turning past the medics clinic and towards Sapnaps house.

Sapnap and Karl don't live far from the pit, so passing their house will only be a part of their journey. The blood ocean is out past Tommy's house; the boys live nearer to the ocean due to its safer distance from the pit. Yet they still deal with things like this.

"Who would willingly leave the first circle!? The pit is in this circle, only people who can't protect themselves flee this circle, and travel forever just to get food!" Dream was confused as ever, not even understanding why people travel past the second circle in the first place. If souls are so scared of final death, you'd think they'd make bonds with stronger demons.

The soul withers without food, so truly it makes less sense.

"I don't know, maybe he's collecting angels to flee this circle? It makes the most sense. But he's fucked with the wrong boy, because I like that boy, and nobody fucks with the only merchant in hell!" Quackity yelled, finally passing Tommy's old, run-down home. "God, all three of them live in this dump, it's unjust. They'll live like kings in the new house I will build for them." Quackity stopped at the little path towards the door, staring at the cracked windows and scorched walls.

"How did we not know it was so bad for them? Look at this place, you can tell it's been broken into many times." George grimaced, staring at some holes near the dirt.

"I knew it was bad, but I didn't know it was this bad. They always seemed so happy and content." Quackity sighed, walking up to the door and stepping inside.

There were no couches, no beds, no furniture. Nothing in sight is worth anything. The only thing he could find of value was a little photo hanging on the wall in a crystal white frame. It was of the three boys, smiling at the camera next to a fire. Quackity gently took the photo off the wall and stared at it.

"So that's why Tubbo asked for a photo frame." Quackity sighed, staring at the photo and lightly touching the glass. "It's the only thing he's ever asked for." Quackity nearly teared up, looking at the pure joy on the children's faces. "They're so happy, it almost hurts to know they ended up here, it's unfair. They're good people, and care so much about each other. They deserved better than this." Quackity felt a tear run down his face and quickly straightened himself out, brushing off his cheek and making the photo disappear.

"Where'd it go?" George asked, staring at Quackity in sympathy.

"My personal room. I'll put it up in the main living space of the boys once the house is built." Quackity stood straight, entering the only other room in this dump, the bedroom. Dream and George followed behind.

"This place is a wreck." Dream was definitely disgusted. There was practically nothing, but old tattered blankets on the floor, three dirty pillows, and a little candle in the corner. There were holes in the wall, the door was practically falling off its hinges, the glass window was all cracked, and the wooden floor was rotting.

"I can't believe they live like this, how could they not have asked for help?" George seemed so upset for them, looking at how they were forced to stay. They genuinely had nothing, and still all seemed so happy. It was pitiful.

"They won't have to live like this anymore. I should've taken them in when I first met them months ago. They fell after you, George, they were so lost and confused, but they all stuck together throughout it. I heard that Ranboo was a merchant and sought him out, but when I saw that he was a boy, I just couldn't. I kept him at my house trying to figure out where he lived, but Tubbo and Tommy came banging on my door; they knew of me, and knew I don't let other merchants roam hell. They were so scared, but I let them come in. I grew fond of them, truly I did. Ranboo always comes back to my house, looking for Tommy and Tubbo, and looking around my house at all my 'fascinating things'. I love those boys, very dearly with all my heart. They're just kids, they deserve more than this." Quackity picked up a little blanket with bees on it. "I'll clean this and give it to Tubbo, it's definitely his." He made it vanish in a snap.