Demeter - Ranboo

~twenty-two~

"Oh, can it, memory boy. We all know you can't even swing that axe," the man with the headband sneered. Ranboo looked as what I could only assume was how the other kids saw him. Looming, watching, his long limbs eerily still.

"Shut up Sapnap," Ranboo snapped, his grip on the handle of his axe tightening. He wasn't normally so assertive or cross. If I was being completely honest, it kind of scared me. Even the man with the headband, Sapnap, seemed taken aback.

"Ranboo," Dream called out in a singsong voice, hauntingly soft. "She doesn't deserve you, Ranboo. You're not a good person." Ranboo began shaking. It was getting to him.

"Don't listen to hi-" The hilt of Dream's sword slamming hard against my shoulder, and then the excruciating pain that followed. That was what sent Ranboo over the edge. One moment he was standing in front of me, the next he was kicking Dream to the ground, just a foot or so away from me. Ranboo was very quick on his feet, knocking away both Sapnap and the man with the goggles' swords out of their hands before turning back around to face Dream. Shouts and grunts came from both of them, their bodies moving so quickly. Dream was a bit heavier on his feet, while Ranboo barely seemed to even touch the ground.

He had made a small circle around me where no one could reach me. Somehow he managed to constantly switch between all three of the men, never seeming tired. I could see the frustration building behind Dream's eyes, the tenseness of Sapnap's movements, and the sluggish swings of the man with the goggles' sword.

"George, help me!" Sapnap shouted at the man with the goggles during one of Ranboo's onslaughts. George had been catching his breath, leaning over with his hands on his knees. Reluctantly he ran to Sapnap's side, throwing Ranboo off his rhythm ever so slightly.

Arms around my waist, hoisting me up over his shoulder. Hot searing pain through my shoulder. The only thing I could see was the back of Dream's dirty blonde head. I couldn't even try to pound on his back with my fists; I could barely lift my arm.

"You will put that girl down," a woman's voice declared with determination and authority. I knew that voice. Ophelia.

"What are you gonna do if I don't?" Dream teased as he stopped walking. Looking up, I could see George and Sapnap laying on the ground and Ranboo standing over them.

"I'll have to call my higher-ups," she retorted, the sound of armor clinking together as she moved falling onto my ears. Dream scoffed.

"And who might they be?" He said. He thought he was humoring her, patronizing her. She laughed at his oblivious arrogance.

"Oh, have you heard of the Angel of Death and the Blood God?" She said, and I heard the telltale sound of Phil landing on the path. I could feel Dream stiffen beneath me. I checked on Ranboo again, only to see George and Sapnap with their hands up and weapons far from them. They were defeated. Before I could register any more, I was promptly thrown onto the ground, facing Dream and those unsettling lime green eyes. I hated him. I didn't even know him and I hated him. I hated the way he spoke to Ranboo, and I hated the way he thought the world belonged to him.

"I thought I told you to leave," Technoblade said, his monotone voice strangely threatening. Ophelia rushed to my side, running her hands over my arms and neck, checking for injuries. She stopped at my shoulder as soon as she saw my face contort with pain at the touch. She was wearing white iron armor that had vines growing out of nearly every opening. A diamond sword hung at her hip, vaguely glowing purple.

"Of course. How could I have forgotten our wonderful exchange?" Dream said, bowing deeply in mockery before turning around to where George and Sapnap were. Ranboo was nowhere in sight. "Send Callista my love." And then he disappeared into the forest.

Technoblade looked furious. "I will not be doing that," he muttered, sheathing his axe and kneeling down in front of me. "Alright. Where does it hurt?"

"Oh my God, Techno. Her shoulder's broken. Even you should be able to identify that much," Ophelia sighed before scooping me up. I would never not be surprised at how strong she was. Technoblade glared at her before breaking into a smirk. They must be friends.

We started walking to my house, and by we, I mean Ophelia carried me while she, Phil, and Technoblade walked to my house. It was a good twenty-minute walk, and the moon was already high in the sky.

"I'm really proud of Ranboo," Technoblade said quietly. We were nearing houses, and it would be wildly inconsiderate to be having a loud conversation so late at night.

"Are you?" Ophelia replied, her voice just as low. It surprised me how quietly she walked, what with all that armor and then also me in her arms.

"We've been teaching him to fight-" Technoblade started.

"I haven't been doing anything, mate. It's all you," Phil chuckled lightly. He was walking behind us and his presence made me feel safe. Every now and again a crow would swoop down and land on his shoulder before flying off again.

"You know, I don't think that was him fighting," I chimed in, my voice strained. All of the adults looked at me, expecting me to elaborate. "Well, for one, his eyes were purple." They nodded. "And second, he never talks to anyone as rude as he did then. He's never so aggressive," I finished.

After a bit, we made it to my house, and Ophelia gently set me down. I had to lean on her for support; I was just so tired. Ophelia knocked on my door first, standing with her arm around me, waiting for my parents to answer. Eventually, they did, which made it painfully awkward that Callista's king and his half-bird caretaker were standing at the door of a peasant girl's house with a female iron golem. Quite an odd scene.

"I'm sorry to wake you, Mr. and Mrs. Wright, but I would like to ask for permission to help take care of your daughter in the comfort of her own home," Ophelia said with practiced warmth. She sounded like she had done this dozens of times. Immediately my parents nodded, stepping aside to let us in. Phil and Techno, however, stayed in the doorway and began to speak. But Ophelia was ushering me up the stairs before I could hear what they were saying.

"Holy- Mel what happened?" Willow whisper-yelled across the room as I sat down on my bed, Ophelia following. "Are you okay?" Within moments she was at my side, searching my face for any answers.

"She got jumped by some-" Ophelia paused. "Some not very nice people on her way back home from work," she explained. I watched Willow's eyes widen slightly, fear creeping into her drowsy eyes.

"Is she gonna be okay?"

"Physically? After a few weeks of intense potion usage and rest, yes. In standing with your parents? Who knows."

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short chapter bc mother is tired and has to finish packing for Vacation

i hope you enjoyed!!! remember to eat food, drink water, take meds, and go to sleep!!!!!!! right now!!!!! idc!!!!! sleep!!!!!!!!!

love youuuuuuuu see you in the next chapter :>