The Hunt

♡ ̆̈XXII✩

"Ugh!" Sapnap groaned, landing on the cold stone beneath him. He and the hunters have arrived at Everlost Village, dragging him through the castle. Instead of taking him to Queen Rosa and King John first, they immediately took him to the dungeon. They had to walk to the castle's main room to the back where the dungeon door was encountered, taking him down the annoyingly long flight of spiral stairs. Many of the hunters almost slipped while making their way down. Some were still on them after the rest made it to "safety."

"Yeah, I think these stairs are far more dangerous than this dungeon," Punz sighed, holding onto the wall as he walked down the last few steps. Sapnap sat on the floor, looking around. The place was poorly lit, only a few torches could be seen propped up against the wall by a small entrance. The dungeon was huge, almost as big as the entire castle's foundation. Now, they were standing, or in the prince's case, sitting at the entrance.

Further down, were the cells. "Come on," Dream said, nudging the prince's knee with the tip of his boot. "Get up and walk."

Sapnap sighed as he reluctantly nodded, pushing himself up from the ground. He followed the blonde, turning back to the rest of the hunters. They all huddled together, afraid of what might've happened throughout the years in the room. Behind them, Bad and Skeppy stood. The raven was trying to keep the brunette from running off, pulling Sapnap away from Dream, and making a break for it. Sapnap softly smiled as he realized the brunette was holding the sage blanket he had taken from the guest room.

However, his smile faded as his eyes shot toward the guard following. Quackity held his pouch full of things. Sapnap looked away for a moment, realizing that his crown was inside. Fear struck him as he looked at Quackity once more. The guard's eyes stuck to the ground like glue, holding the pouch tightly in his hands. "Eugh..." Dream groaned, lifting his hand to his mouth and nose.

Sapnap turned his focus to the hunter, tilting his head in confusion. He looked around, finding the cells. Inside were chains latched to the walls and gags. He assumed they were dirty and hadn't been touched for years since he could see rust on the metal of the chains and what he hoped wasn't mold and dry blood. In some of the cells, deteriorating bodies were found on the floor. Sapnap gasped as he realized there were bones everywhere, especially skulls.

"HmPh!" he gagged, slapping his hands over his mouth.

"What? What is it?" Quackity asked, grabbing Dream and Sapnap and turning them around.

"Do you guys not clean this place?!" Dream exclaimed, grabbing Quackity and pushing him forward to take in the scene. Quackity took a deep breath before turning around, and shaking his head. "Our Queen and King have never told any of the butlers or maids to clean the dungeon. This place is off-limits to everyone besides the Queen and King and whomever they order to come down here."

Sapnap turned around, looking for Bad. The brunette remained with the guards, talking to them rather angrily. Suddenly, one of the hunters turned around, whistling. "Yo, guard," Sam said, "It's time you and Bad head back up and talk to the Queen and King about our little buddy. We wouldn't want to keep them waiting, right?"

Quackity sighed as he gripped Sapnap's shoulder and gave Dream the pouch. Sapnap turned to him, staring at him in regret. The guard pulled him close, whispering low for Dream not to hear. "I forgive you for not telling me..." he whispered.

Sapnap smiled as Quackity pulled away, walking off without another word. He turned to look at the blonde beside him, catching those deep emerald eyes. "This might be the only time I feel sorry for you," Dream said. "I wouldn't want to be in any of these cells."

The prince gulped as he turned to the cells again, groaning at the sight of the skeletal remains. "I'm more surprised that my people keep their dungeons cleaner than this..." he said. "They have the decency to deep clean everything before throwing someone new inside."