3

The journey to Las Nevadas is long and hot. Well, maybe that's because the founder of Las Nevadas just had to put it in the middle of a desert. Of course, the journey wasn't painstakingly long since Wilbur could scout out for the country from the air. There were moments along the way where Techno would call up to the boy flying above if he saw anything. A faint response would be given, Techno would have to rely on his hearing to be able to receive said response.

The city is small, yet flooded with lights under the night sky. A large, lit-up bridge lays in the center of the large area, where a large fountain lays underneath. There's a ferris wheel shining red, a large restaurant that rotates sat on a pole held by bending pillars underneath. Said restaurant has open space with what look like glass railings in the middle of the circular exterior sat on top. Wilbur thinks it just might be his favorite structure in the whole city.

An old-looking movie theater sits somewhere near to what looks like a city-hall building. It seems an awful lot like the court back in Matastead, but larger and brighter.

A large sign stands in front of the two gods, it reads "Welcome to Fabulous Las Nevadas" with lights surrounding it. It's outlined in blue, as well are the words the same blue, excluding Las Nevadas which is in red. Well-gardened bushes line the concrete path they walk along.

A man with black hair poking from a dark-blue beanie approaches them. He wears a white button up with a red tie, black suspenders, and a dark-red corset with gold laces. His black jeans are incredibly ripped at the knees, thighs, and shins. A black and white checkered patterned cloth hangs from the black belt he wears. A scar lays across his eye in a slash. Concrete sound under black, platform boots as he walks to them with a cunning smile.

"Welcome to Las Nevadas," He says and holds out two hands. Apparently he's caught Wilbur's attention with the way he's eager to shake his hand. Techno, on the other hand, is just slightly hesitant with shaking his hand.

"It's a wonderful city you've built here," Wilbur smirks and looks around the glowing city. "I'm William, but you can call me Wilbur."

"Pleasure to meet you, Wilbur. My name is Quackity," he nods and gives his hand one last shake before moving to Techno, who's hand is already unlatched from his. "And you?"

"Technoblade," he murmurs and nods at the man before him. "You must be the founder?"

"That I am," Quackity gestures to the large city behind him with a broad smile. He stuffs both hands in his pockets, his chin tilted slightly upwards. He's shorter than the two, and appears to be human.

"Are you mortal, by any chance?" Wilbur asks and glances at the man's back, who looks as well. He chuckles to himself before answering,

"No, no I'm not. I'm the god of greed. Come, follow me."

"Yes sir," Wilbur replies and follows the man like a puppy. Technoblade rolls his eyes at the prince and follows along with him.

They arrive at a club that's not too large, it's one story. Round, wood tables are placed variously along the building where many other gods seem to be playing poker. At the back of the store is a large bar with too many drinks to even name. Even for Technoblade, who's seen it all practically. Heads turn to stare at them as they enter. 

Especially towards the blood god, infamous for massacres. Quackity parts from them with a smile and heads to the direction of an open area where people are dancing, wings and horns entwined.

"Well, I'm getting a drink," Techno sighs as Wilbur scurries to the dance floor happily. Music floods his ears, but it's not too loud for him. Although, he will say he's unaccustomed to it.

Technoblade sits on a stool in front of the curved counter. The counter is marble, the wood holding it is a dark brown. He rests his head on the palm of his scarred hand. "Can I get a beer?" he calls out to no bartender in particular.

"Blood god," A familiar voice remarks smugly, catching Techno's attention. He looks up and sees a familiar man with clawed, black hands standing in front of him. He wears a black button up, pants, and a white belt that tilts on his waist.

"War god," He frowns and crosses his arms on the counter. "Didn't think you would be a bartender, huh? Wars have gotten too boring?"

"Never thought I would catch you at a club. Killing got boring, didn't it?" Sapnap smiles wryly, hands flipping a glass smoothly. He slams the glass in front of Techno, leaning down.

"I'm not in the mood," He sighs, knowing Sapnap is trying to provoke him.

"I'm just making small talk dude," Sapnap shrugs, "whilst making your drink."

"Not that much to make. You grab a beer, you pour it, you put ice," Techno stares at him with eyes casting daggers.

"You don't scare me," Sapnap stares back into red eyes, "In fact, I think you've weakened, Technoblade." Now Sapnap stands tall over Techno, who still sits. The black haired man's arms are crossed over his chest as he stares down at him.

"You know I haven't," Techno replies, not willing to start a fight. He grabs the glass filled with drink and takes a sip.

"Prove it to me," Sapnap holds his arms out wide, presenting himself to Techno. Free to hit.

"I won't prove it to you," Techno drinks again, setting a now empty glass on the counter.

Weak? The voices murmur, growing angry. Prove it to him. You haven't gone weak.

"I used to hear your name written all over war, Techno," Sapnap continues. "Now it's full of normal reasons, the name Technoblade has no meaning. You're weak, Techno."

"I'm not going to fight you, there's a kid here," Techno uses as an excuse, an excuse to not satisfy the voices. He knows that if he does, they think they can get away with it again.

"A kid? Where's the Technoblade everybody feared? Who didn't care if there was a kid in the area? That Technoblade was strong. You've gone soft-"

Techno moves in the blink of an eye, using two hands to shove the man backwards. Sapnap crashes against the shelves of drinks, wincing at the impact. A few fall and shatter, silence falls over the room. Techno is leaping over the table, using one hand to force himself upwards.

Sapnap grabs a jar full of a drink neither have time to recognize. He swings it at the pink-haired man, who catches him in the act. He snatches the jar from his hand, grabbing it by the neck and crashing it against Sapnap's head instead.

Sapnap, having been delirious from the first two hits, doesn't have time to dodge the foot that goes crashing into his guts. His hands fly to where it hits, grabbing Techno's boot. He pulls it upwards quickly, throwing Technoblade to the ground. His head hits the counter with a crack, the pain being welcome.

Techno doesn't expect the boot that comes crashing into his stomach. Techno cries out and clutches where it hits, rising to his feet. Sapnap stands in front of him, blood dripping down the side of his face from glass. 

The war god grabs a bottle from behind him, he flips it in his hand, catching it by the neck. He smashes it over Techno's head, who is far too unaccustomed to hurt. Blood drips in a rivulet down his face. It lands on his eyebrow, staining it with blood, and just barely passes his eye.

Techno grabs Sapnap by the neck roughly and pushes him into the shelves. He lands a punch to his face, the amount of blood that falls and the crack that sounds tells both of them it results in a broken nose. Sapnap's head falls to the side, limp as he cries out from the pain. His nose aches, and a rough hand grips his jaw, forcing him to stare into red eyes.

"Do you still think I've weakened, Sapnap?" Techno says through gritted teeth, and raises his fist.

Said fist collides with the other's gut, making him slump over as Techno lets him go, allowing him to fall to his knees helplessly. He's about to kick him in the side when familiar hands grab him from under the arms and pull him away. He recognizes the scolding voice as Wilbur's, Quackity following it.

"Answer me!" Techno demands despite the calls for him to stop, "Am I weak to you, Sapnap?"

No response is given.

"Technoblade, calm down!" Wilbur's voice scolds from behind him. He spins him around and holds him against the inside of the counter. "What is wrong with you?"

"He provoked me, Wilbur." Techno defends himself and protests. He attempts to throw his arms out, but Wilbur's hands still pin his shoulders down.

"That doesn't mean you can start a bar fight for gods' sake!" Wilbur shouts while people watch, interested.

"I couldn't help it! The voices- the voices demanded it." Techno murmurs, hoping Wilbur won't notice the last words.

"Voices?" Wilbur asks, "What voices, Technoblade?"

Curse his hearing.

"I hear voices, I hear them constantly," Technoblade sighs and shoves Wilbur off him.

The time god, a man with freckles and curly brown hair, helps the war god up to his feet. He carries him away from the counter as Technoblade watches like a hawk. Wilbur runs his hands through his hair, eyes meeting straight with Techno's.

"Well, tell the voices in your head to pull their shit together," Wilbur shouts, making Techno flinch just slightly, not understanding the gravity of having them in his head. He storms away and out of the club. Quackity watches him walk out and turns to Technoblade.

"The voices, what are they saying now?" Quackity asks timidly, unsure if it's a subject to poke at.

"They're saying for me to chase after Sapnap, and beat him to a bloody pulp," Technoblade answers sourly, facing the god of greed that stands on the opposite side of the counter. He lifts himself on top of it, leaping to the other side.

"But I won't, because I know better," Techno continues and sighs, leaning on the counter, propped on his elbows. People have gone back to dancing and minding their own business. "I'll go find Wilbur."

Without another word, he walks away. Techno pushes through the crowd as politely as he can muster. When he reaches the glass doors he doesn't hesitate to push them open and scan the sandy area around him. The city stretches above him, and by the side of the door sit's Wilbur, idly pouring sand between his hands.

"Wilbur," Techno calls his attention. The brunet looks up at him, then back at the sand.

"I'm sorry for yelling. I didn't mean to. I've been losing my temper more often," Wilbur apologizes, shooting a small glance at the blood god by his side. "I reckon it's because of pent-up anger. You know?"

"No, Wilbur. I shouldn't have started that fight," Techno replies and slides down the wall to sit on the sand beside Wilbur.

"You couldn't help it, like you said."

The words roll off Wilbur's tongue into a silence. The two sit under the night sky, music booming inside. It's a comfortable silence, one that is welcome. Wilbur continues to pour sand, Techno soon joining.

"When do we go back home? To Matastead?" Wilbur asks as he abruptly stops touching the sand. Instead he reaches into his pocket and pulls out what seems to be a pack of cigarettes.

"Two more days. Put those cigarettes away," Techno demands and watches Wilbur stuff them back in his pocket. Yet the lighter remains in his left hand. A flame lights, then goes off, then back again as he slides his thumb over the gear.

"Damn it," Wilbur curses at the response and closes the lighter again. "Well, I'm off to the hotel. Have fun, yeah?"

"I'll try," Techno says and watches Wilbur walk inside to say his temporary goodbyes to others. When he walks back out he wears a smile, he says goodnight to Techno and walks to the large hotel.

Not long after Wilbur leaves, an unfamiliar man walks out. He looks panicked and overwhelmed. His hands are clamped over his elf ears with eyes screwed shut. His skin is half black and white. He wears a simple black and white button up, and black pants with white sewing. A gold ring sits on one of his horns, which are both black and white. He wears an obsidian crystal pendant around his neck. Black, circular glasses hold black chains with crosses hanging off.

"You alright there?" Techno asks the man, who jumps at the sudden words. Techno stands up, not expecting the man to be so much taller than him and slightly transparent. He must be at least eight feet tall, and it's not an exaggeration at all.

"Yes, I, uhm, I'm fine. Just, just the music, uhm, it was too loud," He stammers for words, and jumps yet again at the hand being placed on his shoulder.

"Would you like to sit with me?" Techno asks understandingly with a small smile on his face. Ever since he met Tommy and Wilbur, he seems to smile more.

"Sure," he smiles brightly and sits on the sand beside Techno. He fiddles with the cross earring hanging from his ear.

"What's your name?" Technoblade asks unsurely, he still isn't set on having conversations started. Nevertheless, he tries his best to make more friends as Tommy requested he do. He still has yet to meet Tubbo.

"Ranboo," The man replies and looks down at him (which, frankly, is a bit embarrassing for Techno), "I already know yours, there's no need to tell me."

"I reckon you do," Technoblade murmurs, not bothering to ask how. But Ranboo doesn't mind elaborating.

"I've heard it many times from the ghosts of the dead. Most deaths are caused by the fatal Technoblade, one who's sword has slayed so many," Ranboo speaks in an almost poetic way, calmly and softly. His words are carefully chosen, a complete contrast from many Techno knows.

"I'm sure you have, Ranboo. I've slayed many over the eons."

They sit in silence the rest of the night, until Technoblade leaves for the hotel.

In the morning it's hot, the sun is already too much to muster. Even so, they go outside and meet with the other gods roomed on the same floor. Ranboo is wide awake and outside of his room by the time Techno, an early riser, walks outside. Techno and Sapnap pointedly avoid each other. Sapnap looks like he might be bruised on his stomach as he winces when he walks. Techno's head pounds from the glass smashed on his head. That night he had to pick glass shards out of hair.

The time god is helping Sapnap walk with a hand on his shoulder. Techno personally thinks he's overreacting quite a bit. It was just a few hits, what could hurt so bad? Quackity heads out of his door, looking tired. Wilbur follows moments later with a skip in his step. When he sees Quackity he gives him a smile, and waves excitedly at Technoblade, Techno waves back and eyes the tired god of greed,

"I take it you didn't sleep well?" Techno questions,

"No, I didn't. How did you sleep?" Quackity returns the question, the answer being a shrug.

In all truth, Techno laid awake until the early hours of the morning. The birds had begun to chirp when he fell asleep, the morning dew had begun to dry. So, Techno had figured he should get some sleep at the very least. By now he regrets staying awake, he has to drag himself to the lobby on the bottom floor for breakfast.

Waffles sit on plates at chairs that everybody floods to. Techno is the last to sit down, and he sits between Ranboo and Wilbur. Fortunately, there is no silverware so he has an excuse to eat with his hands. It's been a while since he's had a regular breakfast, the ones at the castle were way too much for him. Chatter spreads around the table, Technoblade staying quiet.

Wilbur is talking to everybody, making friends easily. Wilbur himself is impressed since he hasn't been outside of the castle grounds in a bit. He's already starting a conversation with Ranboo about burgers, and how Ranboo can cook and whatnot. It's interesting to Techno, how easily Wilbur seems to make friends.

When everybody is finished, Quackity enters the room. Well, everybody is finished except for Wilbur. He stuffs the waffle in his mouth and gulps it down. Quackity folds his arms on the table, waiting for those who eat to finish their food. When they do end up finishing, he smiles cunningly.

"I would like to have a dinner, separately, with each of you representing kingdoms," Quackity says and glances over the table with careful eyes. "You're free to roam Las Nevadas, I'll let you know when I'm ready."

It's not long before Techno and Wilbur receive Quackity's summons. They both stroll up to the rotating restaurant, neither are quite sure what it's called yet. A guard named Foolish guides them into the elevator that Wilbur presses the button to for a questionably long time.

The elevator doors release a satisfying ping as they open before the three. The elevator is glass, allowing them to see the plains of Las Nevadas as they go up. It makes Technoblade motion sick, something he never expected, he has to hold onto the railing inside to stop himself from swaying.

"Motion sick?" Wilbur asks, finally breaking the silence between the three.

"Yeah," Techno manages to reply and slaps a hand over his mouth. He feels sick to his stomach, something he isn't familiar with.

"Here," The guard hands him a bottle that appears to be motion sickness pills. Techno takes them gratefully and dry swallows one, which Wilbur disapproves of. He wrinkles his nose at it, but the pill ends up making Techno feel better.

"Thank you," He mutters, avoiding looking out the glass panel. Instead, his knuckles turn white as he grips onto the elevator railing, bracing himself.

When the elevator comes to a stop at the top of the building, Techno is the first to stumble off. His hands brace his stomach and immediately he scans for Quackity. Said man sits at a table near the glass railing, where Techno is eager to sit down. Finally, calmness. Well, not for long after Wilbur practically throws himself onto the chair next to Technoblade.

"How did you both sleep?" Quackity asks and gestures to the two of them. Techno only shrugs,

"Not much," he says.

He's already asked this, the voices interject.

"I slept pretty well," Wilbur smiles, an eager response.

"That's good to hear, Wilbur. Sorry you didn't sleep well, Technoblade." Quackity nods at the two of them and calls over a waiter.

Said waiter has fox ears, the same color as his red hair and tail with white at the tip. According to the name Quackity calls him by, his name is Fundy.

"What can I get for you all?" Fundy smiles and holds a notepad and pen at the ready.

"Can you bring us three glasses of red wine, Fundy?" Quackity smiles, where Fundy nods and rushes to the back of the restaurant. Techno assumes the kitchen must be there. They sit in silence, except for the voices. The voices are the only ones Techno hears in the time they wait for Fundy to bring the drinks.

Something isn't right, they hiss.

Moments later, the waiter does indeed come back with three wine glasses filled with red wine. They thank him, Techno only murmuring. When the glass is set in front of him, he immediately takes a sip. Even in eons, he's never had wine before. Especially not in such a fancy setting.

"Do you like what I've built here?" Quackity gestures to the open air outside.

"Yes, yes I love it! I think this building might be my favorite," Wilbur smiles brightly and gets up from his chair. He walks over to the railing, placing two hands on it and leaning over. "What a wonderful view."

"Wilbur, don't fall," Techno calls out to the boy admiring the sand below him, filled with buildings and city lights.

"I won't," Wilbur calls back, paying only half attention to how far he leans over the railing.

Then it happens impossibly slow. Wilbur goes toppling over the edge with a scream, both Techno and Quackity jumping from their seats.

Techno launches himself to the railing, one hand gripping onto it as the other catches Wilbur from the back of his shirt with a call of his name. The boy below him smiles up at Techno smugly, a glint in his eye.

"So, you do care," Wilbur smirks and laughs to himself. Techno's brows furrow together, his face flush with anger.

"Fuck you," he spits out sourly and lets go of Wilbur's shirt entirely. The boy below yelps and flaps his wings before he hits the sand. "Aw, I was hoping you'd fall," Techno calls down with a hearty laugh.

"You love me," Wilbur calls back as he flies up to the railing, landing with both feet slamming on the glass rail.

He almost crushes Techno's hand, who moves it out of the way just in time. Wilbur casually hops down from the railing, sitting back in his seat as if nothing happened. Techno sits down as well, crossing his arms.

"Wilbur, please don't die in my country," Quackity chuckles, picking up his glass.

"You got it, boss."

Techno is silent as the two chat around the table. Occasionally the voices will suggest it's the perfect moment, they would be caught off guard. He chooses to ignore this, settling down in his chair. He is completely silent for the time, being the first to finish his wine. He doesn't remember when, maybe 10 minutes into the conversation, he interrupts.

"Quackity," Techno chimes in suddenly, stopping Wilbur in the midst of his ramble about poetry and music.

"Yes, Technoblade?" Quackity replies calmly, sipping from his half-empty glass.

"I know you aren't here for small talk," Techno frowns, crossing his arms across his chest as he sets down the empty glass in his hand. "Get to the point, I don't like having my time wasted."

"So quick to get to the point, aren't you, Technoblade?"

"You wouldn't waste my time by stalling, would you? Would you?" Techno leans over the counter threateningly, staring into hazel eyes.

"I don't stall," Quackity smiles wryly, turning to Wilbur, then back to Techno. "I want to make a deal, an alliance, if you will."

Technoblade laughs loudly, throwing his head back in sarcastic glee as Wilbur glares at him. "Alliance?" he questions and looks at Quackity again, "What do you possibly have that could benefit us? You just started your country, didn't you? Do you even have an army, Quackity?"

"Well, no-" Quackity begins, only to be interrupted again.

"My point exactly. Please, do tell what you have to offer," Technoblade leans back in his chair, hands placed behind his head in a leisurely manner. "I mean you have my time, and I'd even say you have my attention, Quackity." The words roll off his tongue and into a silence where the only sound is breathing from the three.

"I could offer my support," Quackity says softly, hands clenched to fists on his thighs. The demeanor of the room has quickly changed.

"Support? What good does support do us with no military?" Techno scoffs, his eyes attempting a roll.

"For a man who's never ruled a kingdom, you sure seem to know a lot," Quackity snaps in an annoyed tone. His wings flutter beneath his shirt, which is uncomfortable.

"For a man who just started his country, you sure seem to be eager," Techno counters and blows pink hair out of his face. His fangs show quite visibly in the moment.

"Technoblade, may I ask you something?" Quackity pauses, making sure he can ask the sour question about to leave his tongue. Yet, he doesn't wait for an answer. "Why are you here? Shouldn't you be killing people?"

"Shouldn't you be tricking people?" Techno shoots back, his voice is shaking as he tries to contain anger desperate to be released.

"Hey, uhm, maybe we should just calm down?" Wilbur suggests quietly and is quickly shushed down by Technoblade's hand. Wilbur frowns, uncomfortably sitting in his chair as the two argue.

"Tell me, Technoblade, what's the blood god doing on the outskirts of a desert? Are you planning to kill us all?" Quackity questions him like a lawyer, he feels like he's in court.

Technoblade rolls his eyes again, avoiding eye contact with the other god. "No, I've been trying to get past that."

Get past it? The voices question with sarcastic laughter. You can't escape us, blood god.

Of course Technoblade knows that, he knows they'll be stuck with him, and he'll be stuck with them. Nevertheless, he could always attempt to ignore them.

"What happened in the bar says otherwise," Quackity cracks a smile, revealing a golden tooth lined with the scar on his eyes.

"What happened at the bar is none of your business, Quackity."

"It's my country, I'm pretty positive it's my business."

"Quackity are you here to make an enemy or an ally? Choose," Techno sighs exhaustively. He's really too tired, and too angry to deal with him.

"Technoblade, don't avoid the subject. It only proves how tempted you are," Quackity clicks his tongue, shaking his head from side to side.

"Tempted? What are you, the devil leading me to sin? Quackity, I've fallen far below sin," Technoblade spits out, his voice livid with anger.

"That's clear to all of us, Technoblade. You can't control yourself," Quackity smirks cunningly, knowing he's getting under his skin.

And he is.

"I can control myself just fine," He reassures the other sourly, even as the voices scream at him. He's so close to doing what they demand.

"Say, what are those voices of yours telling you to do now?" Quackity asks with mock innocence, like he knows it's a heavy subject, and pretends not to.

"They're telling me to kill you with the dagger in my boot. And by the gods if you say one more thing, I might do it," Techno growls and leans forward, his hand reaching to the inside of his boot.

Wilbur grabs his hand tightly in an attempt to stop him. They both know he would do it anyway. And they both know they can't afford that. Techno turns to stare at the angel of chaos, wordlessly telling him to let go. When Quackity starts talking again, it doesn't matter.

"Do it. Prove to me you aren't in control of yourself," Quackity shouts gleefully and stands up, arms wide.

He does.

Techno moves quickly, and although Quackity expected it he can't help a gasp of surprise when he's tackled to the ground. Techno leans over the other, knees on either side of him, fist raised. He's fully prepared to murder Quackity right here and right now.

"Prove me right! Prove to me you haven't changed!" Quackity shouts up to him, eyes wide and a sadistic grin slapped onto his face.

The blood god would've punched him and broken his nose if not for Wilbur grabbing the back of his shirt and yanking him off of Quackity.

"No, no let him do it, Wilbur," Quackity reassures the man and hoists himself to his feet, "Let him prove it to me- to everyone- that he can't control his emotions nor his actions."

So, Wilbur lets him go. Technoblade wiggles his shoulders from the tension that is released from them. His fists remain clenched at his sides. All he wants to do is wipe that smug grin off of Quackity's face.

It's all the voices want him to do.

"You've made a goddamned enemy," Technoblade spits sourly and signals for Wilbur to follow him. Quackity stands there with a smile still on his face. They walk to the elevator, and after waiting for a long time Technoblade almost rips open the doors himself.

"Technoblade, what was that in there?" Wilbur questions as soon as they step off the elevator and onto sand under their feet.

"Quackity happened, Wilbur. It's nothing for you to worry about," Technoblade sighs and runs his hands through his hair.

He let it happen again. He let the voices win.

Wilbur doesn't push on from there. He doesn't like to bother Techno in moments like these, nor will he ever want to. He remains silent along the way, and by the next morning they leave turgid Las Nevadas.