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Chapter 46: The Voices Are Living Rent Free In Your Mind

Did a little plot reworking because we weren't entirely happy with what we had planned. This new stuff is a lot better, and we're pretty excited for y'all to see it :)

And Mel, I swear to god, if you even THINK about leaking the plot I'd like to remind you that I DO know where you live- 

Also, the chapters are going to be getting a little longer as I've realized we're gonna need to pack some lore in as I'm planning to go all the way to the reset of the server, whenever that will be (It's rumored to be in a few months, so we've got our work cut out for us :)   )

You took the day off from working with Schlatt to spend some time sparring with Punz. There was a make-shift training ring that Tommy and Tubbo used to use during the L'manburg war on the outskirts of the town, its walls still standing strong despite the holes shot through the wood. When you arrived, Punz was already there, cleaning off debris off the sand and shoring up the ring. He looked up as you approached, giving you a wave in return to your own. 

"Morning, Y/N!" he called. You shook your head, accepting at this point that everyone seemed to know your actual name. At least no one had asked any questions- yet. "Sorry about the state of this place," Punz apologized, dumping a load of twigs and plastic into a small pile outside the pit. "No one's used the place in a while."

You swung yourself into the pit in the ground, the sand crunching softly under your boots as you scuffled it experimentally. "Yeah, I didn't even remember this place until we decided on sparring for today's lesson. It's not too bad, though. In fact, it's held up pretty well, when you think about what it's been through." Slowly, you turned in a small circle, surveying the entirety of the pit. "Besides, it'll be good to get some stuff off my mind."

There was a soft thud as Punz jumped down as well, then the sound of metal on leather as he unsheathed his sword, grinning at you. "Ready, kid?" You rolled your eyes at the nickname, unsheathing Orphan Slayer and looking up and down the length of the blade critically, making sure it was in good condition.

"I'm twenty-fucking-one, you absolute asshole."

"Oh- right. Forgive me: You ready, twenty-fucking-one year old child?" You sighed, but you knew he could tell you really weren't that annoyed. In fact, it was nice to hear some sense of humor other than Technoblade's- or Tommy's. 

Shrugging, you nodded. "Bring it, 'Absolute Asshole'." 

Punz wasted no time charging you, and you bent your knees slightly, shifting your stance to be able to move faster and keep your balance easier. At the last moment, he side-stepped to the left, cleaving his sword at your head, but you anticipated the move and ducked, pulling your sword across your chest and blocking the sharp edge from stabbing you in the stomach with the light leather sparring armor as you rolled towards him. He brought his foot up sharply, nearly catching you in the face, but your flinched backwards just in time. Unfortunately, the leather-wrapped hilt of Punz's sword caught you, knocking you back forward. Grunting in pain, you rolled to the side right as the sword cleaved down, clumsily swinging your sword at hi arm just in time to block his latest attack.

Stumbling backwards, your head throbbing, you tightened your grip on the sword as you staggered forward, momentum growing as your speed slowly picked up. You turned, skidding around Punz, sending dust flying through the air, caught on the strong breeze and tossed like some gilded breath of a god. He leapt, anticipating your sword slashing at his legs, rolling away through the sand, flipping to his feet and turning, waiting for you as you staggered to your feet, winded and growing wearier as the moments passed.