Blood for the Blood Gods: A Skepnoblade Fanfic (ON HIATUS)

Chapter Ninteen

"Wish you were here, Zak," Dave muttered as he slipped on his "combat" outfit. It was just a black shirt with beige pants, breathable but tight, and thick so the weapons wouldn't pierce his skin. It was the morning of the MCC, and his joints still ached from the week of trading for the event.

After staring at his image in the mirror for a solid second, Dave started to make his way down to the castle gates, where the carriage to take him and the other contestants to the arena awaited.

He passed by a couple more warriors, such as Darryl and Finn as he walked towards the carriage.

"May the best man win," Finn remarked as they headed down. Darryl followed close behind, eyes straight forward and seemingly staring at nothing.

"Uhm, yeah," Dave replied, staring at Finn's feminine features. "May the-ehrm, best man win, Finn."

"Oh, it's Rose."

"What?" Dave turned his head so they couldn't see the confusion in his eyes.

"Yeah, it was a joke at first, dress up as a girl, haha woman funny. But yeah, when I'm a girl, it's Rose. When I'm a boy, it's Finn. And for the record, I'm not queer. It's a joke."

Dave paused. "You dress like a boy?"

"Can we change the conversation?" Darryl called from behind them. "You muffins are giving me a headache."

"Fine. Are any of you gonna try and team up?" Finn, or Rose, asked.

Dave grunted in reply. "I don't know yet. I mean, it won't harm anyone to try and make some futile alliances, right?"

"Yeah," Darryl agreed. "I would've tried teaming up with Zak. He seems to know what he's doing." There was a hint of a blush in his tone. Wait...does Darryl like Zak too? Is that why he strived to beat Dave in that duel?

Rose snapped her/him-how bout their, their is a nice word. Rose snapped their fingers. "So, heard about your new nickname. I gotta say, Technoblade wasn't on my top list of names for you. I was thinking maybe something to do with a blade, or blood."

"How 'bout pork chop?" Darryl said teasingly.

"Mm, that wouldn't work." Dave brushed his shoulders nervously. "There's at least seven other people here that are half-pig."

Rose snickered. "You're not wrong."

Dave grinned in reply. It was nice just speaking casually with these two. Just guys being pals, talking about stuff. Wait, isn't that a gay term?

"Oh, look. We're here."

Rose stopped in their tracks, giving an exaggerated bow to let Dave enter first. "After you, my liege."

Scoffing, Dave entered the large carriage, finding many people already in there, some milling around and some sitting alone. Luckily, no one stopped to greet the pig. He awkwardly walked to the end of the carriage, letting Finn, Darryl, and one other person from Porcus to sit near the entrance.

"Hello, Dave!" Phil said cheerfully, sliding over so Dave could sit. Next to him sat Prince Wilbur, his son. He wore a simple fleece yellow sweater, dark grey padded pants, and a home-spun light grey beanie atop of his unruly hair. He held a lute, and strummed a couple of lazy cords as he greeted the pig king. Dave swore he could hear a couple of swoons from where the women sat. He couldn't blame them. Wilbur was handsome.

"How're you faring?" Phil asked in a fatherly way, nudging Dave's shoulder. He realized he was staring at Will, and he turned back to the King, embarrassed.

"F-fine," he stuttered out.

Phil nodded. "Hope you are. I am terribly sorry about Zak."

Dave gave a sad nod, clasping his hands together. "I couldn't even save him...I could've, but all I did was watch..."

The king put a hand on the pig's shoulder. "It's okay. I know you, you will get him back, no doubt about it."

Dave nodded his thanks, eyes on his hands.

"In happier news," Wilbur interrupted, setting down his guitar. "I'm sure many have already told you this, but nice new nickname."

"Yeah, yeah. Technoblade funny, haha."

Phil hummed. "Technoblade, eh? Where'd that come from?"

"Don't ask me," Dave replied. "Maybe my insane sword skills."

"The only thing that's insane is you," Wilbur remarked, tossing his beanie around.

"Very funny." Dave snatched the beanie, tossing it into the prince's face.

"You guys are bantering like brothers, honestly," Phil chuckled.

The carriage shuddered to a stop. Dave heard a faint nicker of a horse, signaling they had arrived.

"Well then, it was nice seeing ya," Wilbur said in his stupid English accent. "May the best man win, Technoblade," His tone was not mocking, but a friendly jab.

"Right back at you." Dave waved to the two royalties as he exited the carriage, barely stopping himself from gaping at the arena. In the noon sun, it sparkled like diamonds, and the air held a jolly feel to it.

Zak would've loved it here, Dave thought sadly.

"May the best man win!" Everyone shouted, dissolving into friendly banter and laughter.

Oh, Zak, where are you?