It Was Enchanting To Meet You. || DNF

29. Maps.

"And here's the last place I saw my family," Dream said, pointing to a place on an old aged map that was spread out on the concrete floor.

The map was crumbled and had some tears here and there, along with faded markings and fairly new markings that were in pencil.

George nodded, his eyes slightly straining to make out what was on the piece of paper, but he figured he'd manage just fine.

After their little arrangement, the duo had made a decision to put their plan into motion as soon as possible. It wasn't the best plan, but it wasn't exactly the worse, either. Infact, it was their only plan, for now atleast, given the circumstances.

Brown eyes trailed the length of the piece of paper ; inch by inch, square by square.

George furrowed his eyebrows once he spotted something that looked unfamiliar to him-- he wasn't sure, though. He could barely make it out when the map was in its current conditions. But the name of the place, specifically, building, looked funny.

"Hey, what was once here?" George questioned, figuring that if Dream had the map longer than he thought he did, he would atleast remember what it fully looked like.

Seconds ticked by and the blonde rolled his tongue on the inside of his cheek, his eyes squinted as he struggled to remember what was the specific place on the map. Even though the chart was small, there were alot of coordinates, places, directions and even details printed on it.

"Emperor's Dungeon, why?" The sea green eyed boy muttered out after a few moments, briefly glancing up at the hunter.

George cocked an eyebrow. "What's that?" He asked. "The building belongs to the king. I'm not sure what it is, though. Barely anyone's ever heard about it but apparently it's been around for decades," Dream shrugged. "I haven't heard of it either. And I know everything that's royalty related," the brunette mumbled beneath his breath, bringing a hand up to wipe the sweat that beaded along his hairline in the scorching sunlight.

Dream's lip pulled up into a momentarily smirk as he teased the other. "Awh, is Georgie sad that the king has been keeping things away from him?" The blonde cooed, mimicking the voice of a child.

The brunette propped his hand up below his chin, eyes narrowing at the other while his lips were pressed into a thin line as he said, "No, I mean it, Dream. I know everything that happens or will happen within the royal community and I've never heard of Emperor's Dungeon before." George's voice was rough, dripping with suspicion and confusion, and if Dream was right, then maybe a little hurt too.

It was silent for a minute, the blonde understanding that the shorter was being completely serious. "Okay... so now what?" The masked man asked. George let out an audible sigh. "I don't know, Dream," he retorted, threading a hand stressfully through his wavy, brown locks which had began to overgrow. The American playfully rolled his eyes, deja vu much?

"Dream, how do you know this place?" The brunette suddenly questioned, intensely gazing at the other with a slight glimmer of hope in his big, doe eyes. The blonde cocked an eyebrow, curious to as why this certain place seemed to peak George's interest. "My mom," the sea green eyed boy muttered out, having grown a hatred for resurfacing the horrible times. "It's vague-- I don't remember much, like at all," Dream stated as he shook his head, trying to shake the intrusive thoughts away.

Dream couldn't help but feel a light ping of pain in his heart as he watched all the faith the brunette once regained fade away from his soul. George tried, but he couldn't stop the frown that tugged at his bottom lip. "That's okay, we'll figure it out," he spoke softly, sending a forced, but reassuring,  smile to the taller.

The blonde slowly nodded, wrecking his brain for something-- anything, that would light back the hope in the other's eyes.

But Finally, something clicked.

"George," the blonde breathed out with wide eyes, his brows knitted together. "Yeah?" The brunette responded with uncertainty, taking note of other's shift of demeanor. Dream moved to point at the place where George had pointed out. "Here," he said just above a whisper, reluctantly confusing the hunter. "Here, they're here," the blonde clarified, his pupils dilated.

The brunette's expression morphed into something mixed with sorrow and conflict. "How would you know that for sure?" George asked, already seeing a million ways that this could take a toll on the taller. For example, what if he was wrong? He would've gotten his hopes up for nothing, especially after he's been looking for them for years.

Dream shook his head, fumbling to stand up as he took the map with him in his palm. "No-- no, George. You're not understanding me. I mean all of them-- everyone, who's been taken. Tommy, my mom and my sister--" the blonde said, throwing up his hands to empathize his theory as a smile plastered his lips. "They're all there."

George pushed himself up, fixing his armor as he responded with, "Yeah, but how do you know for sure?" He questioned again, sassily crossing his arms over his chest with a cocked eyebrow.

"Think about it, George. It's so obvious and clear to me now. Hell-- how did I even miss this. It's been right infront of me this entire time," Dream stated, chuckling to himself in disbelief as he past his parted fingers throughout his hair, relief pulsing throughout his veins.

"What do you mean it's been 'right infront of you' this entire time?" The brit asked, his hands carelessly falling to his sides. Dream snapped his head over to the shorter, a beaming smile on his face, but it was unfortunately covered with the piece of plastic which always kept him anonymous.

"I mean that it's literally been in plain sight this entire time," the blonde breathed out. "Think about it, George. Why would the king want to kill people he wants information from? That doesn't make sense now, does it? He's just taking them as a fright-- or using a certain someone as leverage to get something he wants from someone else. Example, he took my mom and sister to get something out of me, but they know as well so they must be alive because the king wants something from them and won't stop until he gets it because he knows that I won't say anything!" Dream rambled, slurring on his words as everything started piecing together.

"Okay, okay-- slow down, Dream. Take a breather," George laughed, putting his hands infront of his chest in a defensive stance. "But yeah, you are right," the brunette said with a smile after his laughter had subsided, excitement pulsing throughout his veins.

"I'm guessing that's our first stop?" The brit questioned once they had started walking again, nothing but happiness drifting around in the atmosphere. "Second. There are usually villages on the west side of the forest. So, when we're out, it's best if we go there and get prepared. Emperor's Dungeon is a very heavily guarded place," Dream responded.

The blonde side glanced the knight, seeing him nod in confirmation.

George couldn't help but let a smile break out on his face.

After weeks of doing nothing but managing, they were finally making progress. They finally had a plan.

~

Rushed and short chapter, sorry:,)

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