Compass

All of his senses were attacked at once. For example, he could feel a fucking knife to his throat.

He felt a drop of blood trickle down his throat and took it as his sign to put his hands up. The icy blade hesitantly retracted. Technoblade crawled back and tried to make his way to his feet. A figure appeared at his side as he fails, crumpling back onto the floor. Not that he could see or anything, but why should he?

"That one's on me, sorry, kid. It should wear off in a few minutes." Techno wasn't sure what she meant. "Weakness and blindness. Can't have you alerting the royal guard of our location," Ah.

After a moment, the fuzziness cleared, and Techno could make out a tall figure. She appeared almost... goat-like? But that wasn't possible. Hadn't they outlawed hybrids years ago?

"The name's Captain, kiddo. I run this ship" Ship? How far away from the castle was he? "This is where you introduce yourself. Have you never read a book?"

Techno stayed silent. He didn't know whether he'd be able to get the words out, anyway.

"Not much of a talker, huh? Well, it's your lucky day since I already know who you are. Technoblade, Prince of the Nether, The Blood God-"

"Cap! Get up 'ere!" The boy in the doorway appeared much smaller than the Captain. He looked almost childlike, which worried Technoblade.

"Shucks, I'll be a second, kiddo. Prince is awake" Captain ruffled his hair, attempting to shoo him away. She failed miserably.

"But Berry's being annoyingggg," the boy whined. Technoblade heard a gasp from somewhere outside.

"And Theseus's being a little brat!" The second person, presumably 'Berry,' shouted from above them.

"Alrighty then, I'll be back in a sec. These two never stop fighting," Theseus pointed out that he didn't stomp on anyone's feet yesterday, rather proudly. "Lethe, can you take care of Prince?"

What seemed like another hybrid seemed to materialise out of nowhere. His hair was two-toned, black and white. Not to mention he was freakishly tall. Enderman. He never talked, only sat quietly next to Techno. He didn't mind the silence; it was a pleasant relief from the chaos of the castle. Until he heard stomping down the stairs once again

"Sorry 'bout that." Captain's return broke his train of thought. "How are you feeling now?"

"Better" Techno muttered, his voice coming out croaky and dehydrated.

"Oh, good! You can talk!" The Captain laughed. "You alright to meet the crew? You'll be here a bit if all goes to plan. Might as well get to know them" She shrugged, holding out a hand to help him up. He took it, following her up the stairs.

There was a kid, the one he saw before. He had fluffy blonde hair obscuring his eyes. Next to him was a much taller person, presumably Berry, given their bickering. An older-looking man was trying to break up the fight, failing miserably. Lastly, off on his own, was a small fox-looking hybrid.

"I don't believe you've met Zephyrus and Champion. Lethe, Theseus, and Berry have introduced themselves already,"

"What's with the nicknames?" Technoblade asked. He didn't need to know, since he also used an alias.

"Protects their families. Especially this one-" She gestured towards Zephyrus. "-Since he's got a wife and kids"

"THAT'S ME," Theseus interrupted "I'M KIDS! And Salmon, but that doesn't matter"

"Right. Lady and Salmon would be killed on sight if Zeph's name was revealed. Aliases are also just really fucking cool," Captain shrugged, before leaving Technoblade with the crew.

~

"Sooooo, what do we do with him?" Theseus whispered to his dad.

"I say we just get to know him. Can't hurt to get used to him being around," the man said, shrugging. "anyway, I'm Zephyrus, call me Zeph. This is Theseus and Berry," Zephyrus pointed to the small blonde and then to the taller brunette "Champion, and Lethe," He finishes by pointing to the fox and enderman hybrids. He didn't bother pointing out that he'd just been introduced to all of them.

"Don't forget Salmon and Lady Death!" Theseus added "Don't expect you to last long enough to meet them though. Cap's ruthless" The young boy stood on his toes, bringing him almost to Technoblade's eye level.

"Now that's just not true" Lethe interjected "She'll probably hire him, it would be nice to have some extra help"

"Shut up Lettuce, we're doing fine by ourselves!" Theseus huffed "Plus, he'd only get in the way. Have you ever even held a sword?" Technoblade nodded

"Actually, I have. I did a lot of sparring back home. You know, so I don't get assassinated?" He was obviously irritated by the kid.

"Shut up" Was all the boy replied with.

~

"Prince, can I see you for a moment?" Captain's head popped out from the door, before disappearing again. Technoblade followed, worried.

"Ok, so. We've been spotted by a ship. I don't know whether they're informants for your father, but chances are you can't go back to the castle." Captain was wearing a stressed look, slightly sympathetic.

"I didn't realise I could? Aren't you supposed to use me as some sort of bargaining chip?"

"We tried." Technoblade pressed for more, but the sheep woman kept her mouth shut. "I'm... sorry. We'll drop you off at our next stop" Captain sighed.

Technoblade returned to his temporary quarters.

"Someone's upset. What's up?" Champ was leaning on the doorway, ears twitching in concern.

"'parently my family don't want me back" the hybrid's gaze softened

"I don't know much about Nether kingdoms, but I reckon you'd make a good king, if it helps" He smiled, not really knowing what else to say

"Thanks mate, just wish my parents thought the same" The fox hybrid sat next to Technoblade, giving him just enough space since neither of them were very touchy.

A small cat pattered down, leaping onto Techno's lap. He blinks in confusion.

"Oh, that's Hannah. We found her curled up in a rose patch. We just can't get rid of her I guess" Champion laughed, reaching over to give her head a small pat. The cat fell limp into Technoblade's leg "Don't worry, she does that. She's fine"

The pinkette's hand was enveloped by soft brown fur as he brushed it through. Hannah put a paw on his arm, keeping it where it was. Technoblade knew he would miss this.

~

"THERE YOU ARE" Theseus almost trampled Hannah as she jumped off Technoblade's lap.

"If you hurt that cat I will commit so many war crimes-" Techno interrupted

"Yeah yeah, everyone loves Hannah, whatever. We've landed. You're a free man. Kinda" The blonde shrugs "Anyways seeya on the other side"

Champion sighs before helping Technoblade up. "Sorry 'bout him. He's a little... on the rude side. He warms up pretty quick, wish you could stay long enough to see that"

~

"Good luck, son" Zephyrus shakes Technoblade's hand, before awkwardly correcting himself "Oh god I've done it again. Not son... mate? Anyways, what I'm trying to say is don't die? You know what, I'm shutting up now"

"Don't let the kid kill Hannah, or I promise I will hunt you down" He moves onto the fox hybrid, who engulfs him in a large hug.

"The kid has a name" Theseus rolls his eyes

"Theseus say goodbye properly" Zephyrus eaises his eyebrows at his son.

"Seeya..." The kid mutters, looking down at his feet. Zeph shoots Technoblade an apologetic look.

Before Technoblade leaves, Captain runs up to him with something in her hands. "You know where to find us."

A compass