Heavy is the Head that Wears the Solemn Crown

Thirty-Five - Determination of the Stars

Techno

Techno sat on the edge of the bed. The blanket was pooled around behind him, part of it resting lazily against his thigh. His shirt had been discarded against his pillow to allow him to unwind the bandages around his chest. He did so with the careful ease of someone who had been doing things like this for many years. Although this was his closest brush with death by far, it wasn't the most gruesome wound he's suffered. He could handle the pain and the blood dripping across his body like raindrops on carriage windows.

"I can't believe it took you so long to heal," Alex said listlessly, sitting in one of the chairs that had been pulled up to Techno's bedside. A multitude of people had sat there. He believes Phil was the one who pulled it over in the first place a couple of days prior, but other people have claimed the seat for themselves when they came to check on Techno. Tommy and Wilbur had obviously been there. Kristin came by a few times with new books for the two of them to read. Ranboo comes by every morning after he feeds Pearl, and Tubbo comes by every night after he's finished in the laboratory with Count Fwhip of Snowchester. Niki could by during the time when the two of them used to spar. There had even been a few occasions when Fool came into the room proper or when a soldier from the Antarctic Empire came to tell him something.

"I was hit by an ice attack. You two protect me from fire," Techno defended himself as the last bandage came loose. He threw it in the metal container placed at his bedside by the royal doctor who had been monitoring his progress. Techno didn't need the help of a medic because of his healing factor bestowed upon him as a Champion, but it eased some of Wilbur's worries. It was no skin off Techno's back if a professional came into the room every few days to see how the wound was closing up and estimating when Techno would be healed.

"Regardless, you are healing slower than usual. It must have to do with that beast's demonic energy interfering with our divine power," Steve muttered from the other side of the room. He was standing at the window, his form bathed in shadows because of the sun highlighting his form. Techno looked over his shoulder at Steve. It had been some time since he'd last seen the god. Alex popped in occasionally, but Steve had completely abandoned Techno after their disagreement about what to do with Fool, Tommy, and the other seraphim. Techno had been certain he would never see Steve again. He wondered why it took almost dying for the god to show himself again, or why they still haven't talked about why the two gods deserted Techno in the first place.

"I wasn't prepared for the hit. The next time I face the beast, I'll kill it," Techno reassured his companions. The Twin Flames, another name of the two parasites in Techno's head, were associated with fire and divine. The demonic beast that forged a contract with Scott was their exact opposite. Techno had the advantage of being physically stronger than Scott and having more experience. He would always be able to beat Scott in a fight, but that blast had been entirely from the demonic beast. A being with godlike powers could give Techno a run for his money.

"Blood for the Blood God," Alex hissed cheerfully, something inhuman glowing red in her normally green eyes. The phrase she spoke was something of a catchphrase for the two gods swarming Techno's head. Any chance for violence would have them giddy. No matter how different their personalities were, they both said 'blood for the Blood God'. It was creepy, Techno had to admit, but he was used to it. He always delivered, after all.

"Cringe," Techno tells her. She rolls her eyes at him. He knows an argument is about to start between them when he hears a knock on the door. All attention in the room swings to the closed door. Techno doesn't recognize the knock. Over the course of his healing period, he's come to associate certain knocks with the people closest to him. This was not one in his internal collection, and it seemed too early in the morning for it to be an imperial messenger. The knock continued once more, and Techno called out, "Come in."