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Chapter Text

The Nether was a hot and red stained landscape of lava lakes, basalt towers and persistently growing forests. It was a dimension unforgiving to the weak, yet fruitful in powerful resources for those who knew how to use them.
Technoblade visited often. It had a presence all too familiar to his anarchist ways, where the mobs wandered untethered to rules and the strong were respected. He gathered resources expertly; cutting down vines, slaying blazes and trading with piglins. Technoblade bit into his golden carrots with a crunch and watched as the piglins scrutinised his gold. It gave him a brief break from walking as he leaned against a netherack wall and surveyed the landscape for dangers. The sounds of bubbling lava, zombie groans and piglin chatter reached his ears as he breathed the heavy air. He tensed as an unexpected hand rested on his shoulder and he looked over to see a piglin. It’s face seemed determined as it spoke its language to him but Technoblade couldn’t understand.
“Ugh, sorry but i don’t-“
Technoblade was cut off as the small group of piglins began joining the first and getting louder. They waved their hooves insisting something.
“Are you trying to get me to leave?” He asked with furrowed brows.
The piglins gnashed their teeth in frustration and turned to each other. The piglin by Technoblade’s side gave him sad defeated eyes. Techno paused at seeing them. They held eye contact, the piglin giving a soft rumble before Technoblade blacked out.

Chapter Text

Technoblade awoke feeling drained.
What happened?
His eyes trailed along the small cave he found himself in, scrutinising every detail as he tried to regain his memory.
Why did the piglins-?
His train of thought ended abruptly as he found his first major problem.
He wasn’t a human anymore!
Well... humanoid!
He grunted as he sat up and realised he’d become a hoglin.
Four hoofed legs, a large body covered in fur and a face more piggish than it had ever been.
He felt along his teeth with his tongue and found his usual tusks were as big as an adult hoglin’s now.
What the heck was happening?!
He racked his brain for a reason.
An answer.
There wasn’t any explanation he could find.
Getting to his feet uncertainly, he shook his fur out and felt his senses settle.
Sniffing the stale air of the cave, he could tell the piglins hadn’t been around for a while.
He picked up the smell of mushrooms though and followed his nose carefully to the bowls sitting in waiting.
So were the piglins trying to harm him or help?, he wondered. Were the piglins the cause of his transformation?
He ate cautiously, then a bit ravenously, licking the bowls clean.
The piglins clearly knew how much a hoglin needed.
Feeling his energy return, he dragged his shoulder against the cave wall to find the tunnel leading to the exit.
A short walk later and he saw the light.

Stepping into the open he found himself surprised to see the Nether.
A part of him expected a fighting arena, or at least a self important brat claiming he’d captured him.
That couldn’t be a good sign that Techno thought that way.
Technoblade sighed, searching the rock formations for familiarity before picking a direction and just walking.
He’d fix this.
Once he figured out why he’d transformed he could reverse it.
Tail flicking behind him, he set a determined pace to find the portal he had gone in through.
Once he had a starting point he could work from there.

Chapter Text

This sucked.
Technoblade came to another ledge overlooking a lava lake and groaned.
Being a human meant he could build his own bridge across, but now his trip was doubled by walking the long way round.
Following the cliffs edge on tired hooves, he felt his stomach growl again.
“Oh shush.” he grumbled to himself.
His words didn’t work with his new mouth but he’d begun talking a little to himself.
There weren’t any nearby forests and he didn’t know what was safe for a hoglin to eat.
I miss the taste of golden carrots, he thought a bit deliriously.
Turning away from the edge, he walked into a little “clearing” where netherack walls reached the ceiling and came full circle.
He’d be reasonably safe from ghasts and other mobs here.
He lowered himself to the ground slowly, aching from his travelling.
Feeling relief in his muscles from not carrying his weight anymore, he let out a heavy puff of air.
About to lower his head, he raised it sharply at a sound.
Tip, tip, tip ,tip, tip.
He swivelled his ears, searching for the source he couldn’t see.
The wall not too far from him began crumbling before a hole appeared.
“Ok. Now where are we?” A voice said as a man stumbled past the rocks whilst holding a pickaxe.
Techno unconsciously tilted his head before he realised who it could be.
Philza…?
The man finally caught sight of Technoblade’s large form.
At the spread of shocked wings, Techno knew for certain it was his friend.
“Oh. Easy there big guy.” Philza put a hand up and shifted to look less threatening.
Techno snorted.
He wasn’t some beast ready to charge for no reason...
Philza’s eyes seemed worried, glancing back the way he had came.
Technoblade realised Phil only saw a strange hoglin now.
A bit hurt but unsure of how to fix this, he lowered his head against his better instincts and waited for Philza to make the first move.
If communication was as simple as eye contact, he willed Phil to understand him.

Chapter Text

Philza paused as the rather large hoglin before him lowered submissively.
He could see in its shoulders it wasn’t relaxed but it's face was open and expectant.
Philza’s eyes searched the creature's form and picked up on the large scars that lay faintly among it’s fur.
He had first assumed it was an aggressive hoglin but now, watching it lay before him, he realised the chance that it was an outcast was a possibility too.
Carefully checking the area for other hoglins, Philza noted the one before him didn’t move.
A rumble came from it's direction but it’s throat hadn’t moved like when they typically made noises.
The realisation that it was hungry came to him as he very slowly inched back towards his tunnel.
His portal was just among the netherack.
He could race through and build another one, in a safer location, before the hoglin got to him.
The creature's stomach rumbled again and this time its expression fell. It’s tension disappeared almost in defeat as it watched Philza reach his exit.
Did- did it want him to stay?
Philza watched it closely, waiting for another move.
It simply stared back and something inside of him began eating him.
Guilt?
He frowned and withdrew some of the golden carrots he had taken with him.
Could he really leave this hungry animal when he had resources to spare?…
He’d never fed a hoglin before. They usually stayed in forests to prevent starvation.
The hoglin finally made a small encouraging noise as it watched the war within Phil.
Philza felt his heart flutter with fear, having already made up his mind, but scared for his safety.

Philza cautiously stepped past the rocks and inched over the netherack towards the hoglin.
It raised it's head slowly.
Throwing a few carrots towards it, Philza waited for it to snatch them up.
The hoglin huffed and gave him a look as it extended its neck and failed to reach them.
It whined moving back and waiting for Philza to do better.
Philza blushed in embarrassment.
At this point he was taunting the poor thing.
Shuffling even closer, he got the carrots within range… the hoglin just looked at them.
“I-it’s ok.” Philza cleared his throat.
It looked up at him almost in a frown.
“Go ahead.”

Chapter Text

“Go ahead.” Philza encouraged kindly.
Sure Phil. Let me just “go ahead” and eat off the floor, Technoblade grumbled in his head.
This oh so brave man that everyone praised was doing a terrible job of living up to his name.
Techno could literally smell the fear wafting off him.
Technoblade gave a last side eye to the man as he picked a carrot off the ground with his mouth and promptly ate dirt.
Gee Phil, he thought sarcastically, I sure am loving your generosity.
Techno turned his head away to show his displeasure as he chewed the juicy vegetable in his mouth.
Some strength flowed back into his system but he would need to eat a lot more.
Eyeing the carrots still on the floor he licked his dirt covered lips and went to get another.
“Here.”
Technoblade looked up to find Philza holding a carrot out to him on a flat hand.
Finally, Techno thought, gazing upon his friend’s unsure but slightly amused expression.
Slowly reaching forward Techno grabbed the vegetable gently from Philza’s hand.
Truly enjoying it now, Technoblade relaxed and savoured it.
He opened his eyes, looking towards Phil as the man laughed at him.
“Oh, you remind so much of Technoblade.” Philza smiled. “He would be just as dramatic about food as you.”
Technoblade huffed at his friend's obliviousness and opened his mouth for another. They’d get around that problem.

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Philza realised this was the tamest hoglin he had ever met.
Feeding it carrot after carrot it seemed to understand him well.
“Alright.” Philza clapped his empty hands.
“Time for me to be off. I did come here for a reason and that reason was not you.”
He turned to head back to his tunnel but was stopped as the collar of his shirt was gripped.
His hand went to his hat as his feet lifted off the ground and he was deposited further away from his exit.
“Hey! Mate, you can’t be doing this!”
The hoglin was now standing next to him giving a noise borderline whining.
“I’m looking for my lost friend. I can’t stay with you.” Philza explained.
The hoglin’s head indicated to the Nether outside.
Philza went to insist some more before closing his mouth, giving the hoglin a look and walking a few steps to where the hoglin wanted to go.
Was it implying he was stuck with it now?
The hoglin followed him dutifully those few steps and looked at his face when he stopped.
“No, no, no.” Philza shook his head. “I’m looking for my friend Technoblade. I’m not going with you.”
He tried to continue to his tunnel before the hoglin blocked him with its entire body.
Philza sighed angrily, staring up at the hoglin who was considerably larger than him.
“I’m not staying with you.” He said.
The hoglin made a sound of reply before stepping to his side and pushing him all the way to the main entrance.
Digging his feet in hard but ultimately resulting in no change, Philza ended up overlooking a large lava lake from their position on a netherack outcropping.
He took in a sharp breath.
The Nether before him felt so much larger now…
A sense of hopelessness overcame him at finding a single person amongst its vastness just as the hoglin’s face came over his shoulder and rumbled.
Maybe… maybe he did need the creature’s help.

Chapter Text

Technoblade felt accomplished at pressuring Phil to stay with him.
They walked side by side as Philza scoured his eyes over the landscape. The man was so busy looking in the distance, Technoblade became the one watching their immediate surroundings.
Out of range ghasts, harmless zombie pigmen...
Technoblade tested his sense of smell again. It had been useful before, maybe he could use it to identify mobs.
Nothing but the smell of sulphur and ash.
Perking his ears, Techno listened to the sound of Phil’s footsteps instead.
One, two, one, two…
His footsteps abruptly stopped making Technoblade whip his head back in concern.
The man was squinting at the horizon, most likely at a piglike form that was most certainly not him.
Techno gave a long sound of annoyance.
They were going too slow.
Turning back and standing over Phil impatiently, his friend finally tuned back in and nearly slashed him with a sword.
“Ahh! Mate! You can’t just do that, you scared me!” He yelped clutching his chest.
Techno gave a grumble.
While Phil was waisting time, he had decided to continue his search for his old portal or even one of the piglins that had been with him.
If he could lead Philza there, they could figure it all out.
Right now though, Philza was trying to find a hybrid that just didn’t exist.
Leaning over to grab Philza’s shirt again, the man ducked out the way.
“Nu-uh.” He shook his head. “You’re not dragging me around anymore. Stop it!”
Technoblade tried to get him again but was stopped as Phil grabbed his tusks and kept him at arms length.
They locked eyes and Philza saw only a glimpse of mischief before Technoblade pushed him over his nose and carried him.
“Let me go!” Philza cried flapping his wings.
Techno ignored him as he peered past his limbs at the path and continued the way they had been heading.

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Philza was ranting his displeasure before it soon became obvious the hoglin didn’t care.
He sighed and flopped defeatedly, watching the hoglin's face closely.
It was quite determined. Stubborn even, just like him.
He watched it's focused eyes and began patting the top of its nose absently.
It was an awkward position for the both of them…
“You content to walk the whole Nether like this?” He asked.
The hoglin paused and finally looked at him, giving an unnecessary puff of air.
Phil pulled a face as he felt its hot breath then took their lack of travelling to drop to the floor.
He’d avoided getting down before for the fear of getting trampled. Now, he stretched and watched the hoglin expectantly for its next move.
Surprisingly it got closer to him and knelt forward, giving full access of its back.
Philza swallowed and looked at the hoglin's face for confirmation. It's expression was unimpressed but it gave a head movement none the less.
So, with a judgemental hoglin peer pressuring him, Philza had no choice but to leap up and…
He didn’t quite make it the first time.
Jumping up again he grabbed its fur in his fists and pulled himself up with a struggle. His wings flapped erratically but he got his hands and feet figured out and made it.
Sighing, he nearly fell off again when the hoglin stood up.
He smiled sheepishly as it looked back at him.
It gave the sass of an eye roll as it turned it's head forward and grumbled.
“Look we can’t all be graceful like you.” Philza bristled at the attitude
The hoglin chuffed then bounced forward a step, nearly losing Phil.
“Ok! I’ll quieten down. No more complaining from me.” He replied adjusting his hat and getting a tight grip in the hoglin’s fur.
It rumbled triumphantly and with a shake of it's head it began walking again.
Philza felt it’s shoulder muscles work and moved his body unconsciously in time with the hoglin's gait.
It was weird but not unlike the many horses he had ridden.

Chapter Text

After a while he relaxed into it and began searching their environment for his friend once again.
Techno was independent sure, but something had been nagging him a few days after Technoblade had entered the Nether.
Running fingers absently in the hoglins fur, he thought about all the possible resources his friend could have been gathering. Looking out for forests and nether fortresses, his vision zeroed in on every piglin and zombie pigman that wandered around.
They’d find each other, Philza was sure of it. If he ended up back in the Overworld to find an exasperated Technoblade at his antics, that would be fine by him. Right now though his instincts told him he was meant to be here.
Bringing his focus to the hoglin he was on, Philza finally realised he had a creature that was emotionally attached to him. It hit him hard in that moment that the two had bonded and he didn’t know the solution to their eventual separation. Taking a deep breath of hot Nether air, he knew neither could live in the other’s world.
One problem at a time, he reassured himself. They’d cross that bridge when they got there.

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Philza was freaking out about something. Technoblade didn’t know if he was consciously doing it but the man was fiddling and adjusting is wings fairly often.
Focusing his senses to his friend sat on his back, Technoblade could feel Philza’s energy radiate spikily.
Searching around, Technoblade spotted their first forest. It was a crimson one. Maybe they could find food and a place to rest for a moment. He was hungry and as he sniffed for danger he could tell the place was bountiful in mushrooms.
Curse his inefficient metabolism that couldn’t last three seconds without needing more food.
He rumbled a warning to Philza as he headed towards it. His friend stiffened and patted his side nervously.
“Hey now. Maybe that’s not the best idea? The red forests always have the most hostile mobs.”
Technoblade snorted and continued on. He could take them.
Besides, Philza knew how to fight as well.
The piglins shouldn’t be too much of a problem.

Chapter Text

Technoblade’s size soon became an apparent problem. Philza had to get off at the tree line, when the vegetation thickened, and now he was chopping down a path of vines due to Techno already having gotten trapped in them. It was a little humiliating on Techno’s part to call for help but Philza only laughed a little at his expense before quickly setting him free.
“So-“ Philza huffed as he hacked another thick vine. “Why are we here?”
Techno groaned remembering he had been foolish enough to think they would take a break here. Rumbling out an incoherent reply, Phil pretended he was in on the conversation.
“Right. Your idea was very smart but I think we should be heading out as soon as we can.”
Technoblade glared at his back. That wasn’t what he said. He’d just been complaining about the tight spaces. Shaking his head, he turned his attention back to checking for danger. The tantalising smell of food distracted him a fair bit but when he started feeling the ground shake he got worried. Giving Philza a distressed warning he instinctively pulled his friend to his shoulder. Philza didn’t seem to feel what he was feeling, as he talked too much for comfort, so Techno silenced him with low huffs. Keeping his ears swivelling, Technoblade continued feeling the vibrations through the ground.
Thump.
Thump.
Thump…
Whatever it was paused and Techno prayed it couldn’t sense them. A guttural call echoed through the trees finally making Philza as uneasy as him.
Leave us be. Go away. Techno chanted in his head. He stayed deadly still.
The creature, who couldn’t be too far away from them, chuffed then began moving again. Techno tracked it’s progress as it moved past and soon it was on its way.
Staying vigilant it took several moments before his muscles unloosened and he stepped away from Philza.
“What was that?!” Philza whisper shouted.
Technoblade looked at the direction it had left in then steered Phil in the opposite direction with his head. It was a pretty good sign to leave the forest.

Chapter Text

Following Philza as they treaded down a more clear path, Techno stopped when he spotted a cluster of mushrooms.
Danger or no, he was STARVING now. Like a child going behind their fathers back for cookies, Techno checked Philza’s position then beelined for the mushroom patch.
Chomping down on them, he relished their taste and texture. Back when he was human he’d never particularly cared for them.
Licking his lips and searching for more, he faintly appreciated he could eat them without worrying about dirt finding its way into his mouth.
Sniffing now, he followed his nose to the base of a tree and found more fungi. Tearing it off, he checked for Phil again and rumbled a loud noise to stop his friend from leaving him in the dust.
Ignoring Philza’s complaints with a flick of his ear, Techno got closer to the bark and accidentally ate some.
Expecting it to be rancid, Techno stuck his tongue out in disgust but tasted something delicious. Closing his mouth slowly and questioning his sanity at this point, he took a cautious bite.
Still amazing. Shrugging it off he began eating it. What’s another weird hoglin quirk to the list? He certainly was weird even before his transformation.
“We can’t stop here, mate!” Phil whisper shouted, now by his side. “Remember what was out there about to kill us?!”
Technoblade found he could only eat the juices of the bark and spat the rest out. Going to tear more crimson veined bark from the tree Philza gave an exasperated sigh.
“You really are just fattening yourself up to be eaten by something bigger.” He conceded.
Technoblade turned to him offended.
He wasn’t!
Perking his ears to an eerie sound, Techno huffed and glared at Phil’s “I told you so” look.
Philza trekked back the way they were originally going and Techno turned to follow.
Getting the last juices out of the bark, Techno spat it out and felt his mouth yearn for more.
It kind of felt like he’d had a glass of water and needed more. Were the juices as quenching as cacti in the desert? Techno hadn’t really thought about the heat too much.
Bringing his attention to it now, the Nether’s heat didn’t bother him nearly as much as before.

Chapter Text

Of course they had to stumble into hoglin territory.
Huffing from fighting two hoglins away at once, Techno bellowed for them to stay back.
Philza stood uselessly behind him, being the obvious target once the hoglins figured out he had the importance of a hoglin pup to Technoblade.
They fluffed up in a larger threat display which Techno wished he knew how to return.
Instead lowering his head and growling, he watched them circle to either side of him.
This wasn't a good position.
Backing up into Phil, he willed his friend to get the message and start running. Philza did turn and start moving but the hoglins charged.
Knocking his friend to the bushes, Technoblade rammed into the side of the one on his right. Feeling a hit to his own flank, he made sure to push his opponent onto the ground and turn to the other, tusks drawn.
Biting and getting bit, Technoblade threw his weight into the hoglin crashing them both to the forest floor. Flailing legs caught him in the chest as his first opponent stood up.
Roaring to draw the beast’s attention away from Philza’s direction, Techno untangled himself and charged.
Most people ran away from him at that point.
The hoglin didn’t care about who he was and what reputation he had.
Technoblade clenched his teeth at the impact. The hoglin met him head on and now they were locked together.
Techno stared it in the eye, this bastard wasn’t going to beat him.
The hoglin clearly thought the same.
Bracing his hooves, Technoblade held his position as the hoglin pushed forward. Feeling his neck and shoulders strain, Techno racked his brain for a way to win.
He’d never fought like this, how did he-?
The second hoglin rammed him to the ground.
Barely catching the way the first hoglin untangled its tusks, Techno rolled farther out of reach. His side was screaming but he never stayed down in defeat.
Leaping out of the way as another attack came, he ran straight into the tusks of the other hoglin. Whipping around and catching the creature’s face, Technoblade was barrelled into again.
He couldn’t fight the two of them!
Silencing his traitorous brain, he calmed his mind and took a breath.
They were coordinated, he would give them that, but they weren’t thinking of the battle like he was about to.
Positioning a tree behind him, the one with the injured face charged.
Side stepping, he heard a resounding crack. He glanced back to see it’s tusks were entrenched in the bark, leaving Technoblade a chance to charge for the other.
Locking tusks once again, Technoblade didn’t hesitate to be the one pushing.
It rumbled as it resisted, Technoblade easing off slowly to convince his opponent it was gaining ground.
Backing off completely the hoglin gave a squeal as it fell forward and Technoblade drove it’s head into the dirt.
Holding the greater power, Techno held it down as it tried to beak free. It gave stressed noises as it’s friend fought harder against its prison.
They knew they were screwed, how was he going to get them to run away though?
Giving a deep threatening drawl, he let go and charged for the tree trapping the other hoglin.
The hoglin, misinterpreting him, braced for impact only to have the tree smashed to smithereens.
It scuttled backwards, away from him, turning and reaching it’s friend. They watched him fearfully, glancing at the smashed tree.
Technoblade roared.
Fleeing with grunts of fear, Techno kept up his stance and waited for their sounds to disappear.
Tail swishing, he strained his ears for only a moment more before deflating and groaning in pain.
Philza… he remembered. Heading to the bushes, Technoblade sniffed around getting a nose full of prickles. That couldn’t have been nice to land in…
Techno called out and perked his ears, staying silent for any noise. A rustle came from the tree next to him and Technoblade looked up to spot his friend clinging to a branch.
“Hey there… friend?” Philza laughed unsurely.
Technoblade rumbled warmly.
What a scaredy cat.
Philza spread his wings for balance and awkwardly turned so he was hanging upside down. Letting go with his legs, he swung and landed with useless flaps.
Technoblade approached him and pocked with his nose for injuries. Philza laughed nervously once again and glanced at the tree Techno had demolished.
“Glad I wasn’t in that tree…” He mumbled.
Technoblade realised that was what had got his friend so frazzled and pushed his head fully for Philza to hug. Phil softened, the way he always did with affectionate animals, and carded Techno’s fur.
“Thanks for the save mate.” He spoke gently. “Can’t forgot you were fighting for a reason.”
Technoblade rumbled softly. That’s why they stuck together. Technoblade would always save Philza in his times of need.
The man finally caught the injuries to Techno’s side and immediately the roles reversed.
“We’re going to have to patch you up.” Philza stated searching for the offending signs of blood.
Techno released a breath and allowed Philza to lead him to the clearing.
“Let me get some supplies.”

Chapter Text

Technoblade hated his situation. Having been ordered by Philza to stay put, he was currently resting on the disturbed dirt he had been fighting on moments prior. Philza was out of his sight and there was only so much straining his ears could do when other sounds of the forest were getting in the way.
Giving a distressed bellow, the best his mouth could do to yell Phil’s name, Techno’s eyes fixated on the last place he’d seen Philza.
Get back here Phil in one piece or I swear to god…
He narrowed his eyes.
Philza came back through the foliage tripping over the plants grasping at his legs.
“Mate, shush!” He scolded rushing to Techno’s side.
Technoblade rumbled a complaint. Phil couldn’t be left unsupervised!
“I can’t leave you alone for even a minute can I?” Philza asked dropping some crimson bark and squashed mushrooms next to Techno.
Well… that too.
Technoblade grumbled and blew hot air at Phil just the way he hated.
“Eew!” Philza complained taking a step back.
Technoblade finally caught sight of the offerings in front of him and paused.
“Please just eat up you grumpy crouch.” Philza continued on in the background. “I’d be able to do a lot more if you weren’t so clingy.”
Technoblade mellowed and looked up at Phil apologetically. The man’s wings puffed for a moment then smoothed back down with a sigh.
“Apology accepted.” He conceded awkwardly.
Technoblade shrugged off his friend's odd behaviour and reached for the bark immediately. He was SO thirsty. Chewing happily, he watched Philza drink from his own bottle then eat the poorly hidden golden carrots from his pocket. Philza had said earlier he didn’t have any more but Technoblade’s sense of smell was a little too perceptive to that trick.

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Philza waited for the hoglin beside him to turn from rhythmic breathing to soft rubbling snores.
He lent against its side and felt its body stand like an immovable wall between him and the predators of the forest.
The creature really was a worry hog…
He had done his best to patch the pig up with the small amount of supplies he had. Thin bark was supplemented for gauze pads and the water inside helped clean the wounds from germs. Phil had laughed at the hoglin, covered in odd red squares standing out against his fur, but petered off at its expression that once again seemed too understanding and expressive.
Embarrassment…
Could hoglins even feel human emotions? It’s “apology" from earlier had also rattled Philza a fair bit. He wished he knew more about its kind so its behaviour would stop catching him off guard.
Philza carefully stood up and without disturbing the hoglin, made his way to the path he had gone down earlier. Now that the he wasn’t stressing the poor animal out he could properly forage for supplies. Picking up any odd bits of foliage he reasoned he could make use of, mushrooms and vines, he soon had his arms full. Dropping them off at the edge of the hoglin's clearing he made sure to take several trips.

The forest’s noises continued their haunting tune as Phil weaved some thin vines together similar to a blanket. He’d done this task many times to carry supplies on long trips, make simple bases and… yes, he had used it as a blanket once or twice. What Philza had always seen as disturbing, his mind drifted as he worked, was the way pockets of the Nether had their own cycles relative to day and night. The crimson forest currently had a heavy cloud reaching from the crown of the trees to the netherack roof of the Nether. It made the glowstone’s light dim and the shroomlights amongst the trees stand out like gentle night lights. A faint red tinged mist swirled at the level Philza was at and he naturally felt drowsier like all the other animals under its thrall. He yawned, feeling his eyelids grow heavier, and paused to watch the hoglins chest rise and fall in breathing.
So much for making progress while he wasn’t supervised…
Philza draped his almost complete blanket on his supplies to hide them from predators. Getting up he stretched his arms and wings out and headed back to the hoglin’s side. He could only imagine its reaction to him not sleeping there after how persistent it had been in getting him there in the first place. Avoiding its injuries, he settled down and felt the hoglin’s fur at his back like a warm embrace. Positioning his wings over top of himself as he often tended to do, Philza sighed and felt his tension go away.
He couldn’t recall ever having such a peaceful night in a crimson forest…
Rocked by the hoglins breathing he quickly succumbed to sleep.

Chapter Text

Technoblade couldn’t help sprinting as the two found the edge of the forest.
They made it!
He gave a loud call of relief in the open air, glad he could shout out and actually KNOW nothing was within range of hearing him.
His tail swished behind him as he trotted in a wide circle checking his surroundings. The netherack hung in its jagged stalactites and pointed cliffs, red stone of various shades bearing scorch marks, gouges and quartz patches visible as far as the eye could see.
Technoblade missed seeing the looming roof of the Nether after so long amongst the trees. The light of the glowstone paired with the lava’s glow lit the cavern much better in his opinion than shroomlights dappled against tree trunks and amongst vegetation.
Philza took some time catching up and Techno gave a happy snort as his friend emerged from the trees with their equipment strapped to his back. Catching Phil’s eyes, his face was the closest to a smile as he could muster. Philza gave a small laugh, shoulders easing down at the lack of predators and wings opening just slightly at the open environment.
“Yeah me made it.” Philza smiled.
Technoblade caught on to the way Philza’s wings were positioned, the same as whenever Phil had the urge to fly but felt he couldn’t. He snorted to catch his friends attention then reared just above the ground.
Time to get those wings moving!
Techno turned and galloped to the edge of the netherack outcrop. Checking back to see Philza’s confused face, he gave a deep call, then found a path down the cliffside.
Hooves hitting the rocks at a falling rhythm, he scrambled down. The weight of his hind legs threatened to topple over his shoulders at the steep descent but Techno kept himself steady and weaved down like a mountain goat.
At the bottom he hit the ground hard on his front hooves and kept his momentum going to trot back to a level position. Glancing back up the way he had came, Philza’s head just peaked out.
Technoblade indicated the direction he was planning on going in.
Come on you flightless bird, Techno thought fondly, spread those wings and follow me!
Technoblade gave a last challenging roar, turned, then ran full out. His back to Philza, he trusted the man would figure it out.

----------------------

“Whoo!” A call followed a few moments later.

Chapter Text

Philza had freaked out as his hoglin bellowed next to the cliffside then disappeared on its way down. He ran to the last place he saw him and took in a relieved breath as the hoglin finished it’s trek down unharmed and looked up at him.
What had brought such an odd behaviour?
It gave him an indicating look and a gesture of the head then turned and galloped full out with a roar. Phil’s wings fluffed out in alarm at being left behind so suddenly.
Wait! He needed to get down the cliff as well!
Taking the first uncertain step he looked back up to track the hoglins progress and realised he’d never catch up by the time he got down.
“What are you doing mate?!” He yelled. “You’ll lose me!”
The hoglin gave a small jump then continued on. It had slowed a little but hadn’t stopped.
Philza’s heart cried out to follow. Don’t get left behind, don’t get left behind, don’t-
Philza’s body naturally tilted forward and before he knew it, his feet had lost their purchase.
Catch up! His instincts yelled unaware of the danger they were putting him in.
Philza pushed himself away from the rocky edge, wings opening in preparation. He quickly corrected himself and flapped, wings slicing through the Nether’s stale air like they were thick clouds.
He wasn't rising.
No! he screamed in his mind.
Philza unconsciously drew back on his experiences gliding through the Nether and stretched out his feathers to widen his wingspan to the fullest.
It gave him a split second to think as he chose to dip towards the ground and use his momentum to rise up. His clothes barely caught on the sharp rocks of the netherack as his wings caught the air he was creating and he shot upwards.
“Whoo!” He yelled as he spiralled sky high and steadied to a better glide on the climax of his rise.
The hoglin ran below him, still slightly too far ahead but at least Philza was gaining ground. As he got closer, he heard the hoglin’s feet pound in a strong and steady beat. The drumming caused him to flap harder, fighting his environment to continue his flight.
His lungs struggled against the thick heat; it was a stark contrast to the thin cold air of high altitudes in the Overworld. He began sweating and his wings ached, his body gliding to the ground against Phil’s wishes at the weight he carried from his supplies.
He came to the hoglin’s level. The two racing across the netherack at a more casual pace.
“I can’t hold this any longer!” Phil warned. The hoglin eyed him then began slowing.
Phil readied himself, detached the netting on his back with the supplies, then crashed to the ground in a roll a few moments later. Wings tucked around him quickly to avoid injuring them, he travelled far before slowing and eventually stopping.
Philza stayed in his curled position for a breath stopping moment, a groan immediately leaving him as he turned on his back and letting his wings open. Everything ached; his body, his wings, his lungs…
It was a pleasant feeling though. The kind of aches you got from a satisfying exercise doing the things you loved.
He winced feeling the ground vibrate as the hoglin trotted over to his side. It sniffed at him, Phil making sure to give another theatrical groan just in case it hadn’t heard him the first time.
He couldn’t hide his smile well enough, the hoglin spotting it and giving him a look Technoblade would have been proud of.
Standing over him, Phil expected it to nudge him to a stand but instead it snorted and lay its head on top of him as it joined him.
“No! No! No! Don’t do that, don’t do that!” He freaked out suddenly.
He scrambled to stop it’s path towards him. “You’ll crush me!”
As it landed on his chest, he fully expected the kind of unpleasant pressure you got when a large dog lay on you with all it’s careless weight. A full grown hoglin was nothing in comparison to a dog, even if it was just his head, and he immediately stressed about his safety.
The hoglin ignored his efforts at shoving him away and as his head came to Phil’s chest it was, controlled and... comfortable. It made Philza pause holding his breath.
When no weight changed, he then sighed at the realisation the danger was averted and relaxed.
How was this creature so attentive?
“You’re smarter beyond my knowledge aren’t you pal?” He asked.
It gave a large sigh to match him and Philza scanned his eyes over it’s face critically. It angled its head to look back at him, Philza now searching it’s eyes for an answer. It rumbled, expression turning to one of fondness.

Philza broke eye contact and turned his attention to the Nether’s roof when the mystery of his hoglin friend continued to remain unsolved. Letting himself loosen up, his hand reached up to the hoglins fluffy neck and patted it in reciprocating love.
Shadows on the ceiling swirled gently and the sound of bubbling lava calmed Phil’s racing heart and unsteady breathing. The hoglin continued to watch him attentively and Philza eventually smiled back at him tiredly.
His face was hot and it felt like his wings had a few too many feathers out of line. His back was uncomfortable, with rocks sticking up from the ground but all in all Philza enjoyed the peace that settled between them.
What a magnificent being, he admired.
Hand moving to fiddle with the short fur on the hoglin's face, they lay there for quite an enjoyable amount of time.

Chapter Text

Philza grumbled as he struggled to realign the feathers on his wings. It was a tricky task on the best of days but walking at the same time really pushed it to borderline impossible.
Technoblade kept an eye on the struggling man as he lead them in hopefully the right direction.
“Ugh.” Philza complained as he worked on the long primary feathers at the end of his wings. Technoblade rumbled in sympathy knowing just how strainful it was to hold the appendage in a curled position. Philza had stayed up on long sleepless night’s with him complaining about the process.
Now though, Technoblade regretfully couldn’t help his friend no matter how much he wanted to. Hoglin hooves weren’t good for much.
They wondered over to a cave leading through the netherack and Techno nudged Phil for his opinion on going through. The winged man paused for only a second, clearly having his focus elsewhere, and hummed a yes.
Techno rolled his eyes fondly and guided Phil through.

---------------

“A little higher.” Philza asked.
Technoblade lifted his head higher at Phil’s request and stayed still as his friend balanced on his head. Having a larger form meant Phil’s weight was pretty insignificant but Philza’s energy radiated discomfort at literally standing on him.
“All good put me down!” Philza said, a bit too rushed and with too obvious of a pitch change.
Techno huffed and paused to think about it.
Phil could wait.
Besides the whole point of this was so he could see through a gap in the netherack cave. Technoblade suspected he’d barely even looked through it.
Philza sighed at Techno’s inaction before explaining himself,
“I don’t think this is too good for your neck mate. I’m holding most of my weight on the wall, lower me down or at least let me stand on your back.”
Technoblade would have bristled if he could at hearing Philza wasn’t putting trust in his strength.
Holding onto the wall?! Seriously?!
Techno pushed his head up higher forcing Phil to lose his grip; stepping into Philza’s fall path, the man ended up on his back.
Grumbling loudly to show his displeasure with Phil, Techno turned and began following the cave back to the exit.

Philza spluttered once he got over his initial fright, then dragged himself to Techno’s shoulders to complain.
“What the hell?!” He said as he climbed over their supplies strapped onto Techno’s back.
Technoblade rolled his shoulders to adjust everything, forcing Phil to sit up against the supplies almost like a seat.
Techno internally smirked at his friends beat of silence then continued on.
“Oh don’t think you’ve gotten out of this!” Philza said, shifting and holding Techno’s fur for balance. “You’re attitude paired with your actions are giving me a lot of grief!”
Technoblade rolled his eyes and remembered all the other children Phil had lectured over the years. Those tactics weren’t going to work on him.
In fact, it was probably Philza’s experience with children that was once again pushing against Techno’s attitude to help. If he had felt hurt he would have warned Phil and found another way to raise him up.
The two had agreed early on in their friendship that Phil couldn’t treat Techno as fragile and in return Philza was always allowed to come to Technoblade if he needed to get something off his chest. Of course, since Philza didn’t know his new hoglin friend was in fact his old friend, they would need to reestablish that.
Technoblade zoned back in to Phil’s chatter when it turned to silence. Lifting an ear and tilting his head to look towards his back, he saw Philza distracted with his thoughts.
Techno gave a noise to bring his friend back to reality.
“Just realised you might be like Technoblade where you don’t want me thinking for you huh?” Philza shifted and looked him in the eye with a questioning smile.
Technoblade rumbled and kept eye contact in the hopes Phil would connect the dots.
His friend merely folded his wings with a nod and turned his attention back to their surroundings.

Chapter Text

Technoblade roared in triumph as Philza spotted his portal and cheered.
“We’re close! We’re so close!” Philza yelled.
Technoblade began galloping across the netherack, Phil yelling about how they could finally find his friend.
All Techno could think about was how from here he knew exactly where to go to hunt those piglins down.
Mind set, he got close to the portal then turned his head skywards to spot the glowstone cluster that marked which direction he had taken. About to travel towards it, he startled at Philza’s weight sliding off his back.
Thinking his friend was falling, he turned to stop him with his head, only for Phil to manoeuvre around him and race to the portal.
“Phil no!” Techno shouted in nonsense.
Philza’s wings spread out as he stopped just before the purple swirling doorway and his head swivelled quickly to spot any traces of his friend left behind.
“Phil!” Techno tried to say trotting up behind him, he didn’t get much of a chance to do anything as Philza turned to him with a conflicted expression.
“Sorry mate… I’ll come back for you. I promise.” He said.
Technoblade blinked and just like that, Philza had stepped through. Bellowing for him to stop, Techno ran forward just as Philza disappeared.
He thrust his nose in after him, planning on following, but his snout felt like sticking his nose into snow.
It hurt!
Retracting his nose immediately from the BURNING cold, he rubbed his nose against his leg to warm it up. Grunting and turning his attention back to the portal, he stared at it in disbelief at Philza’s actions.
That wasn’t the plan! The two of them were supposed to retrace his steps to the piglins, find out what had happened and turn him back!
He paced in a straight line, watching the moving portal for Philza to pop back in any second. Snorting, his pacing grew to small circles then large ones as he guarded the portal from mobs.
His tail flicked nervously and after who knows how long, he realised Philza hadn’t gone through just to check for his presence on the other side.
There was a village nearby…
Phil must have seen it and gone there for answers.
Techno groaned and felt his instincts scream for him to follow.
He couldn’t, he thought as he paced again. Hoglins zombified too. It was a death sentence walking to the other side.
Giving involuntary moans of distress, Technoblade didn’t know what to do.

—————————

Guilt immediately attacked Philza as he made it to the other side. Shaking it off stubbornly, he searched the grounds all around the portal and spotted the markings of Techno’s attempts to conceal his hoofed prints.
Finally getting a lead, his spirits soared.
The last image he had of the hoglin running to him in fear broke his moment of joy.
Shaking out his wings, Philza turned to the sun and breathed in the Overworld air. Spotting a village from his vantage point on the hill, he ran towards it and launched himself into the sky.
Wings beating powerfully, unhindered from the feathers he had brushed back into place, Philza’s heart filled to the brim and he let out a laugh.
Riding air currents and circling through loops and dives he raced to the village and landed with a hand on his hat and cheeks flushed from exercise.
He’d missed flying!
Stepping into a speedy walk, he greeted villagers as he walked past and smiled at some of the usual behaviours of eye rolls and grunts.
Aiming for the biggest building at the centre, he politely declined the people that offered him trades. Opening the door enthusiastically, a bell rung above his head and a villager turned to him with a hum.
“Have you seen a piglin hybrid around these parts?” He asked.
The villager gave him an expected “no” and he smiled at his loyalty before pushing forward.
“He wears an emerald of friendship.” Philza opened his palm and showed his own identical emerald.
The villager scrutinised it then assessed his clothing. Nodding at passing the coded message, he told Phil of how the hybrid had come through and shared his riches.
“He was supposed to come back in a week but he never emerged back out of that portal.” The villager said.
Philza’s face fell and the villager’s eyes softened.
“I’m sorry for your loss. Really, but you must know how low of a chance he had of surviving to begin with. The Nether is no place for Overworlders.” He said solemnly.
Philza nodded at the statistics and warnings that had been told to him many times before. He sighed and thanked the man as he exited the building and headed back up to the portal.
Flying the short distance he pondered on whether Technoblade was actually alive.
No.
Shaking his head he settled near the portal and searched again for Techno’s presence.
Technoblade was smart. He was a survivor. More importantly he knew how to fight and he could survive days without eating.
The man wasn’t dead. Philza knew he was too spitfire for that.
Digging up Techno’s emergency supplies of food and water hidden in a hollowed out tree, he checked they were still consumable and moved them to under his arm.
Breathing a heavy sigh, he faced the portal once again and stepped through.
Hopefully the hoglin would forgive him for his actions.
He still had a friend to find…

Chapter Text

The hoglin was keeping a very tight hold to his grudge.
Walking beside the seething beast, Philza had truly run out of words at this point.
“I’m sorry.”
The hoglin ignored him as he turned his head to follow a seemingly invisible path.
“Look…I… know it was unfair to you. Really. It’s just… I thought this whole ordeal would be over by now.” Philza said scanning his rocky red surroundings that stretched for an eternity.
“When I saw that portal, all I could think about was finding Technoblade on the other side. I could imagine so clearly that look of surprise he always gives when I track him down. I thought I’d interrupt him from smelting or foraging or something.” Philza said frustrated.
He kicked a rock across the ground and only then realised the hoglin had slowed down and was watching him intently.
Philza opened his wings in irritation and flapped his pent up energy out with a groan.
“Ugh! What I mean to say is — I’m not going to do that again. I could have told you my plans, waited at least a few hours before leaping in and abandoning you. You’ve been nothing but kind and helpful and I probably left you thinking I was gone forever.”
Philza paused then cringed at his own realisation.
“Im really sorry mate.”
He wrapped his wings around himself dejectedly and wondered what he would do now that he’d essentially ruined his relationship with the only company he had.
Hoglins were interesting creatures.
Philza knew next to nothing about them and their loyalty.
A dog would of jumped and run towards him with blind affection at his reappearance, a horse would of perked their head and waited attentively for him to lead them to their next location.
The hoglin had stopped, Philza presumed after pacing, then huffed as he walked away from him.
Philza was surprised when he felt the hoglins warm snout press against his crossed arms and wings. Opening himself from his tight posture, the hoglin head butted his chest in apprehensive affection.
“Thank you.” Philza whispered wrapping his arms around the hoglin's face loosely and dropping his head onto the hoglin’s forehead.
“I’m so sorry.” He repeated. “You deserved better than that.”

Chapter Text

Hot air hit Technoblade in the face making him growl in irritation.
He squeezed his large shoulders between two basalt pillars, hooves sticking in the grooves of the biome’s floor uncomfortably.
“Mate this is incredible!”
Philza whooped as he spiralled in the air above Technoblade on pockets of heat thermals.
“I didn’t know I could do this!”
Techno kept track on Phil’s position then returned to getting out of his tight prison.
Breaking through, he heard the tell tale sign of cracking within the pillar before it broke apart, ash flying in the air.
Technoblade huffed, this wasn’t the first pillar he had broken and the path of destruction he was creating was getting on his nerves.
“Come on mate, you can’t keep stopping at every pillar! You still have quite a distance to go before you get through this biome!” Phil yelled down to him unhelpfully.
Stepping forward, Technoblade felt the basalt floor give way under his weight like soft bark. He walked slowly, hating his lack of stability.
A lava pool bubbled next to him and he eyed the danger warily. Stepping up onto a basalt ledge, he placed his footing with the utmost caution to avoid falling into the lava.
Climbing higher, he leaned against the towers for support and made his way down to ground level the first chance he got.
“You’re doing great!” Phil yelled.
Techno chuffed, concentration unwavering as he scaled downwards.
No hoglin in their right mind would ever put themselves in this kind of danger. His weight and size was going to kill him in this place.
Reaching the ground, which had another lava pool, he grumbled at it angrily.
The black soot of the basalt had rubbed off on him and he shook his fur out. Stalling before his next climb, he took deep breaths and felt his lungs fill with ash and hot heavy air.
Wishing he had a way to cool his temperature down, Technoblade navigated his next path upwards.

Muscles getting tired, he pushed himself onwards like any other climb he had done before his transformation. His mind being the only thing keeping him going, he sighed with sore lungs as Phil yelled to him he had made it halfway.
Reaching the peak of another basalt ledge, Techno looked down and noticed his path would lead to stable rock. Taking the time to scan his surroundings from his vantage point. He figured it was a good spot to rest before moving forward again.
Philza landed beside him as he got to ground level, wings folding as a satisfied sigh left him.
“We should be able to reach the other side in a few hours.”
Technoblade rumbled as he lay down on the blackstone floor, relief overwhelming him as he gave his muscles a break.
Philza shifted awkwardly and seemed to mull over a decision in his head.
Walking towards Techno, he sat slightly away from the hoglin, prompting Technoblade to stretch his neck out and drag the winged man towards his side.
Philza yelped in surprise then had to readjust as Techno curled around him and closed his eyes.
“Still protective of me then?” Philza laughed awkwardly.
Techno groaned in a tired reply; he never held grudges against Philza.
Watching the winged man fly through the heat thermals, always worriedly checking on Techno, he realised the man was still feeling guilty about running through the portal without him.
He could only imagine the amusement he’d have if Phil actually came to find him with a befriended hoglin in tow.
He’d have listened to the man talk for hours about his journey. Even reassuring him when he stressed about hurting the hoglin’s feelings.
Thinking on it, it was probably good Technoblade was the hoglin Phil found.
If his friend had gotten attached to a real hoglin, Techno wouldn’t have the guts to separate them.
Giving a big sigh, Technoblade’s mind continued to wonder as he gently fell asleep. Philza noticed the hoglin’s change in breathing and soaked up the creature’s steady presence as he rested against it’s side.
It’s behaviour suggested Philza was important to him. As he stayed on guard watching for danger, he vowed to prove to the hoglin he was going to look after it the same way it had been doing to him.

Chapter Text

Philza was talking to some piglins. Piglins that approached him which was odd…
Piglins never took the gamble of approaching overworlders. There were too many risks, too high a chance of being mistaken as a threat…
These piglins didn’t seem to remember the danger. They only had eyes for the hoglin that currently stood behind him with a wary growl.
A silent conversation with eye contact was shared between the tribe before one stepped forward.
The hoglin didn’t like that and to be honest neither did Phil-
He took a step back just as the hoglin stomped his hoof and bellowed. All the piglins flattened their ears wincing away.
Philza’s shoulders eased as the hoglin snorted.
“Do you know what’s going on mate?” He asked without turning his gaze from the piglins.
The tribe was grunting and gesturing between themselves as the hoglin gave an all encompassing huff.
Yeah… seems he did and he wasn’t happy with it.
Phil couldn’t help a smile as he leaned back and patted the hoglin’s flank.
Prime how he’d done that a million times with Techno to put him at ease.
“Oh you’ll be fine.” He reassured. “Look at you, you could take ‘em.”
The hoglin snorted and raised its head with theatrical pride.
Phil chuckled as he patted him again and pushed away.
Approaching the piglins his hand hovered with the magic to summon his sword as he tried to get an explanation out of them.
It was hard to piece it together, in fact at first they didn’t want to talk to him but they resigned when they realised they weren’t going to get any cooperation from the hoglin.
Cursed…
It was the word they repeated again and again. A sort of worried connotation to it as they snuffled in the hoglins direction.
Their eyes begged for Phil to fix it as some looked between him and his friend.
“…How?” He asked.
They perked, all pointing to the blue forest in the distance. It would take a long time to trek around the lava lake…
Philza couldn’t help the disbelief on his face.
“Ritual, freedom. Heal.” They insisted.
Phil wanted to resist the idea. Walk away in case it was a trap but… looking at the hoglin they gestured to his gut told him otherwise.
With a step that twisted at his mind but felt right in his heart he started their crazy journey towards the blue forest.

Entering the blue forest Philza shivered as the temperature dropped and his breath clouded in the air.
The piglins grunted and followed a path invisible to him, the eerie purple of the enderman’s eyes forcing his gaze to lower.
Walking for a while with the endermen watching him he frowned when he remembered the nature of the creatures.
They were always guardians of some sort. They wandered the overworld looking for magic to protect but when in a different realm… When in larger groups… You knew to keep your eyes down and respectfully move on.
Prime what was he leading them into?
The group of piglins following their rear came up to box Philza in. He glanced at them warily jumping as the hoglin snorted at him.
He looked back at his friend to find his signature judgemental look. It eased his nerves as he laughed and continued walking.
They’d be fine…

They came upon an ancient stone structure. A circle on the ground cracked and damaged enough for the images carved through to seem ethereal.
Phil breathed in awe at the crumbling vertical rocks. Neon blue gems sat inside as patterns swirled down towards the circle.
This was what the endermen were protecting…
The piglins moved into positions on the circle.
Technoblade stepped forward to join them pausing as Phil placed a hand on him.
“I don’t know about this one mate… What if you get hurt?”
He chuffed fondly, closing his eyes as he pushed his head up against him.
Drawing back Phil smiled as he whispered, “I trust you.”
Technoblade felt the magic through his hooves and knew it was safe. It called to him as it hung in the air pushing against his fur almost in reassurance.
He stood in the centre raising his head proudly to indicate he was ready.
The piglins took hold of each others hands, locking Phil out from the ritual and beginning their chant.
The gems glowed, purple eyes locked onto him from the forest as the endermen’s vibrating calls echoed through the spell.
It was haunting and overwhelming as he closed his eyes and pinned his ears. His front hooves crumbled underneath him, the magic rising up past his veins and into his blood.
He bellowed a sound of pain as his fur rippled. He barely registered Phil’s shout join the cacophony as his breathing grew heavier and he promptly blacked out.

Philza was terrified for the hoglin as he watched it scream and collapse. The neon blue magic was swirling around him, the endermen screeching and wailing as the piglins chanted.
Philza rushed forward ready to tear the piglins linked arms apart only to lose his breath as he got near.
The magic was a lot.
He gasped falling onto his knees as his lungs constricted painfully. He could hardly breath.
He wheezed looking up at the mess of light and colours to see the hoglin shifting before his very eyes.
Prime that looked like… a person.
He groaned and curled over to rest his forehead on the forest floor. He felt like throwing up…
The feeling grew and grew before it suddenly eased.
The chanting died down and the endermen rattled into silence.
Philza inhaled desperately and fell over on his side to witness the gems dim.
His head spun and his vision swam as the piglins finally let go of each other. The eldest immediately rushed to him.
“You shouldn’t have approached the circle.” He grunted.
Phil groaned squeezing his eyes shut as the tension finally left his body.
The piglin snorted and kneeled beside him, hefting him up against Phil’s wishes into a sitting position.
Philza felt like the life was sucked out of him. His muscles were immensely fatigued as he collapsed against the piglins side, his stomach rolling as he focused on making his wheezing breaths even.
They sat like that for a while, the rest of the piglins grunting and conversing elsewhere.
Prime…
Feeling some sense of normalcy return to his body Philza cracked his eyes open to see the piglins crowded by the human now laying in the centre of the circle.
Too weak for words Philza moved his arm to make a grabby hand unsuccessfully towards his friend. He needed to know if the hoglin was alright…
The elder holding him up made a sharp sound, the piglins all looking over and nodding as they picked the human up.
They brought him over and presented him to Phil, the shock of knowing exactly who he was looking at making him feel faint again.
“T’chno?” He whined eyes watering as they brought him close enough to touch his face.
He was real.
Technoblade groaned and squinted his eyes open.
Philza felt weak all over again.
“You idiot.” Technoblade croaked with a pained smile. “I was right beside you this whole time…” He inhaled shakily. “And you didn’t even notice.”
Phil sobbed and fell forward to hug his friend. “Don’t do that to me ever again!”
Technoblade winced. “Not planning to…”
They lay like that for a while trying to regather themselves after all that magic.
Philza chuckled wetly holding Technoblade tighter. “I can’t lose you.” He declared. “You saw me search. For you I’d travel to the ends of the three dimensions to find you-“
“You still left me at the portal.“ Technoblade deadpanned.
Phil scoffed drawing back. “You know why I did that!” He laughed more genuinely whipping his tears away. “You’re just deflecting the embarrassment of my undying loyalty. Can’t ever keep things serious with you.” He teased.
Techno chuckled. “Maybe… but we do have an audience.” He titled his head to the piglins crowded around them.
“Thank you.” Philza bowed his head to them.
They grunted pleased sounds at his gesture.
“Let’s go home?” Philza asked his friend. “I think we’ve had enough adventures for one day.”
Technoblade softened at the exhaustion running through his voice. “Yeah.”
Philza grunted to the elder and organised for them to lead them home. Getting safely to the portal Techno joked he’d be sending Phil to collect resources from now on.
Philza huffed hefting Techno more onto his shoulder as they walked into the portal.
“I agree.” He said stepping out into the Overworld.
He wasn’t leaving his friend like that ever again.