Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The world was dark. It had been shadowed for years but it had only turned truly blank after a weakness potion had been thrown at his face. The small window that he used to stare out of, for any semblance of life outside of his prison, had become nothing more than a faded memory. The only thing it now provided was a bit of warmth, to his ever-pale skin, and dusk every night. His world had truly lost everything that had brought any life into it, when his vision was stolen.

Tommy didn’t remember much from before he was locked away in his tower. He remembered trying to help his family gain the blessings of the Goddess of Death. He had only wanted them to look over the scriptures like he had, so they could understand that she did not want sacrifices. The Goddess looked upon sacrifices with disdain because she hated people being brought into her realm earlier than they should have been. She condemns those that use sacrifices as a form of offering, but no one would listen to him. No, worse, they dismissed him and mistreated him for what he said. They had locked him away and beaten him when he continued to insist on his findings. He was only 10, he had only been trying to help.

He knew now that he would have been better off keeping quiet. If he had not said anything then maybe they would have, at least, continued to tolerate his existence. Instead, he had tried to help, where they thought they knew best, and it had cost him what little he had. He had already been ostracized because of the golden hair he had been born with. There had not been a baby born of anything so bright into his family for centuries, but it wasn’t his fault. He wasn’t trying to be a bad omen; he was a child that had wanted to be loved and thought he could change his standing within the family. He had spent 3 years reading and studying the scriptures of all the “darker” deity’s he could find. Learning all of their teachings and rituals but no one would listen to him.

“Is it ready for the ritual?” said a deep voice from outside of Tommy’s little room. It was dry and deep, leading to Tommy believing it to be one of the elders.

“Yes, Master Edwards. We bathed and clothed it in the linens, then withheld food for 28 hours after giving it the potions,” Replied one of the regular guards outside of his cell.

Has it really been that long since he ate? When had they bathed him? Maybe that was why they had knocked him over the head, so they could take him out of his cell to bathe him. But why? He was tired and could barely bring himself to move, did it have something to do with the potions or was the lack of food finally getting to him. Either way Tommy did not have the energy to chat with the guards that came into his room, like he usually would. No, he just sat in the windowsill as his wrists were tied far too tightly and pulled hard. He could do nothing but stumble after the people pulling on his wrists. He couldn’t help but wonder what the surroundings must look like. He wondered if the images in his head were off, was the grass a different shade of green, was the sky really that blue?

He couldn’t help but cry out when he was shoved onto a hard surface. It was rough and jagged on his back, though there was nothing he could do when he felt his limbs being chained. He still felt weak and lethargic in a way he had never felt before, it didn’t feel like a weakness potion, but he couldn’t figure out what had done this. He heard the chanting start; he felt the magic swell in the air. He felt the white-hot burning pain of a blade being dragged up his arms. He cried out at the pain, he felt raw and frayed and he just wanted the pain to stop.

Please make it stop.

The room of people, stared at the altar they had constructed, they stared at the bloody boy, a child of one of theirs and watched as his blood began to form the summoning circle for the Blood God. The Goddess of Death had refused their offerings and now they had moved to one of the other ancient ones. They watched as the boy on the altar cried and the sigil was made with him at its center.

Tommy’s blood began to pull itself up, began to make a humanoid shape before glowing bright red. When the glowing died down, there stood a large man. He had to be roughly 7ft tall with braided pink hair reaching his mid back. He had blood red silk and satin draped around his body, with golden jewelry draped across that. Rubies and Emeralds adorned his clothes. He looked every bit the deity he was. With a sword strapped to his waist whose handle was made of bone, Same with the mask that covered his face.

All the people in the room could tell he was a Deity meant to be feared. He was large and elegant but could kill you without a second thought. They were all stunned that one of their rituals had actually worked, so shocked in fact that they all turned to one another and started to mumble. They missed the look the Deity gave the sacrifice on the table, the way he reached out and cupped the innocent boy's pale face. The Deity was angry, and Tommy knew. If this was the Deity, he thought it was then his family were in for a world of hurt. He didn’t want them to get hurt.

“Pl-” Tommy’s voice was weak, and it broke off into a small cough, “Please don’t hurt them. They don't know about the stipulations.” His small voice was laced with so much empathy that the Deity above him, couldn’t believe it was towards the people that had done this to him. The small boy, Tommy the blood around him called out, was more worried about the people willing to use him to summon a Deity than what said Deity would do to him. As the sacrifice he now belonged to the Deity he was given to, yet here he was, laid out in something that did nothing to hide the malnourishment and abuse he had suffered. He was laid out for the God to see, and he didn’t like what he saw, didn’t like the fact that these people had used an innocent soul for a summoning of him.

“I won't, my dear,” The deity told Tommy, his voice soft and laced with a care the boy had never heard towards him. Tommy couldn’t help the whimper that fell from his lips as the warm hand holding his face was removed, only to sigh in relief when a hand was placed on his stomach. He was so content to just feel the soft touch that he couldn’t help but fall into the wave of tiredness that crashed over him.

The Deity watched as Tommy’s consciousness fell away. He let his control of blood take hold of him and stop the bleeding before he could bleed out. He turned back to the group that botched his summoning after removing his hand from the boy's body.

“Who was the orchestrator of this,” The God’s voice boomed across the crowd, making them all turn to him.

“Oh, great Blood God, I am the one that set up the summoning. We hope the sacrifice will be of more use to you then he ever was to us.” There was murmured agreement while they all bowed to him. “We have summoned you here to ask for your blessing in our family.”

They all jumped as they heard the booming cackle come from the Deity. “You have made a mockery of my summoning circle, have not read through my scriptures and have turned against one of my main teachings, and you expect me to bless you,” His voice grew darker the more he talked, venom dripping from every word.

“What do you mean, Great Deity,” The orchestrator asked. “We have yet to read the scriptures because we didn’t know if the summoning would work. We had planned to read them through if the summoning had worked.”

“Yet this sacrifice knew the teachings of multiple gods by heart,” The God said, jestering to Tommy. “How is it that he knew of the teachings but none of you did?”

“The boy lies,” Said a different voice from the crowd, “He claims things that could never be the truth. He speaks of teachings that make no sense to the Deity they pertain to.”

“You mean the fact that the Goddess of Death does not like sacrifices, or that the Angel of Death is, in fact, an angel made by the Goddess and not a myth,” The God asked. He saw the way their faces went through many emotions, before settling on denial. “Are you going to accuse a God of being wrong?”

He watched once more as they registered the fact that they were about to argue with a god and stopped. “But how have we forsaken you my lord,” the orchestrator spoke once more, “We were wrong about the Goddess but what does this have to do with your teachings?”

“The blood must never be from the innocent,” the Deity growled out. He was pissed, that much was obvious, but he was also sad, sad for the boy that had wanted nothing more than to help this group of fools. “The blood used to summon me should never be from an innocent creature. Only those that have done unforgivable things should EVER be used in my ritual.”

The faces of those in the room went pale, they had forsaken two Deity’s and they had summoned one of them. “We apologize for the mistake, but please spare us,” the orchestrator begged, beckoning everyone to bow down. “We ask that you spare us. Show us mercy my lord, we did not mean to forsake anyone.”

“You will never be forgiven for your insolence,” the Deity spoke loudly, projecting his voice, “However you will remain alive for the simple fact that your sacrifice has asked for this.” The deity watched as shock took hold of the many bodies before him. He wanted to tell them just how much the one they had wronged had to do with their continued survival. “My sacrifice has asked for you to continue living and he is the only reason you will continue to walk this world,” he spat out the last part, eyes hard and sharp teeth bared.

“What will happen to the boy,” came a female voice from the back, the blood around the god sang out mother, calling for the one that had created the body it came from.

The Deity’s eyes became colder, if looks could kill the woman would be dead. The God’s face split into a sharp smile, one that had meant the end to many, “He belongs to me now, it matters not my plans, as you have gifted him to me.” He watched as the group all looked at one another, “Did you think I would leave him here,” the god asked, “You sacrificed him to me, which means he is mine to do with as I please and I will not let what belongs to me stray from my domain.”

“Please, you must not take him away,” the mother once again called out, pushing her way to the front, “I am his mother, I need to make this right. Please you can’t take him away before we can repent for all the mistakes we made.”

“You mean like the one that left him blind,” The god couldn’t help the demonic growl that laced his voice,” You mean like the hits and kicks from the men who were supposed to be watching him.” The blood had told him the story of his boy's life, the pain and the sorrow that came with a boy far too young for this. A 10-year-old boy that had been through more than most can withstand in a lifetime and had remained pure and kind despite this.

“Bind? What do you mean he is blind,” there were many mumbles asking the same question, but the broken voice of a mother overtook them all.

“I see,” the deity said, turning to look at the orchestrator who looked to be trying to disappear into their robes, “You didn’t tell anyone about that little incident then, did you Edward Hughs.” No one moved as a tentacle shot out and wrapped around Edward, as he was brought forth and dangled in front of the God. “Did you never share the fact that you dosed the boy in potion after potion to check the effects they had when mixed. Did you never tell them how he would scream in pain so you would dose him in a near lethal amount of weakness potions. What about what you did to the poor thing when he was so out of it, he couldn’t fight you off,” the last sentence had many in the room crying out at the implications, the implications of what one of their own had done. “You see, I know everything that he has been through. His blood has told me all there is to know about that poor boy. It has told me about the life he has lived, the nightmares that are far from being a dream and the hope he had every time that someone would just care enough to save him. But not a single one of you ever did.” The Deity looked out over the crowd, over the monsters in human skin that had done nothing but break down the child lying bloodied and bruised behind him.

A truly evil smile stretched across the face of the fool in the Deity’s grip, “He used to scream every time I touched him, he cried out for help and begged me to stop until he passed out.” The tentacle tightened around the man, leaving him breathless yet the smile stayed on his face, “He always made the prettiest sounds when I forced my way-” he was cut off by another tentacle stabbing straight through his chest.

“Never in my many years traveling worlds have I met beings as undeserving of kindness as you lot,” The Deity told the group, anger and hatred framing every word. He walked over to Tommy’s mother. “Beings as disgusting and hateful as demons yet wearing human skin like some kind of disguise.” He dropped the body of the dead man at the feet of his boy’s mother and walked back towards the body on the altar, gingerly wiping golden hair from his eyes. He cupped the boy's face and watched as he nuzzled into the touch, allowing his eyes to soften just a tad before once more facing the group on the far side of the room. “None of you deserve the kindness this boy has shown you, but I will stick to my word,” The Deity scanned the group, making eye contact with the boy's mother, who had tears falling down her face, “I will let the rest of you live, as long as you never seek me or this boy out again. You are to suffer with the decisions you made and never make these mistakes again. If you do, whether this generation or one many years down the line, you will be slaughtered without mercy.”

He heard murmurs of agreement from the group, not one complaining after learning what they had. Learning that their negligence and ignorance had caused nothing but pain to someone that tried to help them. Not a single person voiced any displeasure with the God’s handling of things, as he gingerly picked up the boy from the altar and held him close, like something precious. They watched as the child they had all hurt snuggled into the chest of what was a “dark” God and continued to sleep peacefully. As the boy that had every right to be bitter and angry towards them was taken away by a God that only let them live because of the boy's pleas. The only reason they were ever even allowed to watch it happen is because a boy loved them so much more than he should have.

“You will never see Tommy again; this is a promise sworn on the name of the Blood God on the name Technoblade.” With that the Blood God and his sacrifice were gone.

Chapter Text

Technoblade had never felt so drained, when he got back to his domain. He was tired and disappointed that mortals could do this to a child. He looked at Tommy, still cradled in his arms asleep, and couldn’t help but feel remorse. Few people ever tried to summon him and those that did took great care in his ritual to make sure it was done properly. He rarely has reason to be upset with mortals and ever rarer does he find the need to hate them. He may be considered a darker Deity, but he does not go around just killing for the hell of it. Yes, he is known for granting blessings where other Deities do not, but he rarely takes it upon himself to have any sort of emotion towards humans. Yet, this boy seems to bring out all the emotions he has and has managed to dig his hands into his very soul while bailey being awake for most of it.

“What are you doing to me kid,” The god asked the sleeping boy, walking towards his personal quarters. Many expect his domain to be a bloody wasteland. A place where, if anything, is painted in the blood of those that have earned the scorn of the Blood God. And to some, depending on how Techno feels, may see it that way but the Gods true domain was a large white temple with gold accents. His furniture tends to be made a spruce with red cushions. He never did not need blood as some proclaim, he does not require blood to survive. As long as there are things that live there is blood, and he will remain.

He shifted Tommy to one side as he opened the door to his room. A large canopy bed sat in the center, with gold satin curtains framing it. He placed Tommy down on the red silk sheets and summoned a blanket gifted to him by the god of creation. He tucked the blanket around him and left the room. He had some explaining to do, and he knew a few gods and goddesses that may want to know how he ended up with a motel child. He knew Kristen and Philza would want to mee the child he had taken a liking to and probably Dream. The God of creation often came around to spar so he would probably have to let him know first.

“What have I gotten myself into,” he whispered to himself as he sent out a burst of energy to called forth creation himself. He watched as the God appeared in a flash of green.

“Techno,” Dream greeted confusion coloring his tone, “What did you need? You don’t usually call for me?”

“I wanted to warn you,” Techno started, sitting down on the throne sitting in the front of the room. “I have acquired a new sacrifice.” The word sacrifice was spit with such venom that Dream recoiled.

“What happened? I have never seen you act this way about this before.” Dream was confused, he and the Blood God were both created by Prime at similar times. With Techno only being about 100 years older than him, yet he had never seen the other so upset. In the millennia’s they have spent with each other, this had never happened before. Dream watched as the usually eloquent speaker struggled to find his words, through his anger.

“I’ll just show you,” Techno sighed out, not having the energy for words right now. He slowly led the other god back to his room. “Be quiet,” was the only thing Techno said before opening the door. He watched as Dream froze in the doorway; eyes glued to the tiny figure on his bed.

“Techno,” Dream whispered, taking in a shaky breath, “Please tell me that this is some kind of sick joke.” Dream looked over at Techno, begging with his eyes for this to be a lie, only to get a head shake in return. “Oh Prime,” he whispered as he slowly made his way to the bed, “He’s so small.” Dream looked down on the boy dwarfed by the bed he was laying in, curled up in the blanket that he had hand made for the other god and couldn’t stop the noise of distress. Dream took a seat on the edge of the bed and reached out to the child, he let his power wash over the boy, reading into his very being. “Oh, you poor thing,” tears escaped his eyes, “you poor, poor thing.”

“He was used as a sacrifice to try and gain my favor,” Techno said as he sat on the other side of the boy. Dream didn’t know when he left his side.

“But your ritual requires blood of the evil,” Dream said, cupping the child's check and watching as he nuzzled into the touch. “He is purer than anyone I’ve seen in decades.”

“He is, and it does,” Techno said, eyeing Dream's hand, “They didn’t read my scriptures, or talk to any of my followers. They just decided to summon me and sacrifice someone they say as a burden.” Dream flinched back at the title of burden, reminded of his life under the previous God of creation. His eyes flicked to others, and he just shook his head.

“His story is a sad one, and his time in the mortal plain was far from kind to him,” Dream told Techno.

“He cried out for help on the altar but begged me not to hurt the “family” the used him as a sacrifice,” Techno sat back against the headboard, watching as Tommy curled closer to him.

“His family did this to him,” venom dripped from every word, “What kind of horrible people do you have to be to sacrifice someone in your family?”

“That’s not all that happened, I know you can get an overview of his life, but the details are needed with this one,” Techno said, pulling Tommys head onto his lap.

“Tell me,” Dream said, voice like steal in his resolve.

So, Techno told him everything he had learned. He told Dream about the experiments and the cruel men that had been put in charge of the poor boy. He told him about how Tommy lost his sight, and why his family was the worst kind of people in the world. He held nothing back and with every word Dream’s fury grew. His blood boiled, but his hands running through Tommy's hair remained gentle and calm. He had been through enough and didn’t need any more pain.

Chapter Text

It had been hours since the God of Creation had left. Techno had not moved from his place on the bed, Tommy’s head on his lap. He ran his hand through the boy’s hair and couldn’t help the sigh that left his lips. The other god had been just as angry at the treatment of Tommy as he had. The fury had swallowed his mind till he had to excuse himself before his power became too concentrated and hurt someone, most likely the little mortal. Techno had known the other for a long time, but he had never seen him so upset. The treatment Dream had to face at the hands of the previous God of Creation probably had a lot to do with his reaction.

Techno remembers when they all found out what the last God, XD, had been doing. He remembered how rage burned through his core when he found Dream hiding in his domain. He had felt the blood being spilled in his domain, had felt the godly ichor leaking on to his sacred realm. When he had found the younger god, bleeding and bruised, he had been furious. Dream was innocent, being one of the youngest gods, just a century younger than Techno but he was so much better. He had been soft where techno was sharp and had worked to temper down the other. Dream had been a close friend even back then and had done nothing to deserve the shitty treatment he got. XD had beat Dream to a bloody mess and he had run to Techno, and the Blood God had shown no mercy to his tormentor. It meant nothing that XD was nearly as old as Death Herself, that he should have been more powerful than techno could have ever hoped to defeat. Techno had torn the old god apart, down to his very soul. He had left nothing that could be used to regenerate intact and had laughed as the gods' life was stomped out. He had gone back to his domain and brought Dream back from the brink, took care of him till he was able to so himself.

The only interruption they had, had been when Death and her angel came. Upon XD’s death Kristen had read the book that contained his sins and good deeds and had been appalled at what she found. She had been furious at the acts he had been committing for centuries and had made it clear to Prime that she had not known before that. She had not known or would have taken care of him herself, apologizing relentlessly to Dream for leaving him with XD. Dream had accepted her apology and Death, Kristin, and her angel, Philza, have since proven to be great friends to have. No one on the council would oppose one almost as old as Prime so no one tried to fight for punishment for the merciless erasing of the other god.

In the end Techno could understand the anger Dream felt at this situation and when the time came that the family would break the deal, then there would not be only one deity that came down to tear them apart. The gods would not be kind to those that had hurt someone that should never have been hurt. When the humans broke the constraints of the deal, which Techno had the feeling it would be within the mother's lifespan, no one would survive.

When the small body beside him started to squirm, he knew Tommy was waking up. He felt as the small body tensed and the contact of the sting of the deep gash across his chest. He watched as the small boy opened his unseeing eyes and closed them again. Techno knew he was scared and that he could feel the power emitting from his very being, but there was little he could do about that. A god could not hide their aura in their own territory.
“Good morning,” Techno said, his hand still stroking through the boy's golden hair, “Do you remember what happened?” He watched as the boy pulled his thoughts together, as his mind thru off the haze of sleep.

“You're the blood god,” The boy asked, eyes wide and off by just a few inches. The boy's voice shook as he remembered the ritual he was used in, as he realized that the god above him had been summoned in a botched ritual. “Wh-What are you gonna do to me,” he just barely asked loud enough to hear, “I didn’t meet the requirements for the ritual.”

“Darling,” Techno cupped the boy's check, grip gently as he met Tommy’s sightless eyes, “You are not at fault for their negligence. I will not place blame on you for them not getting my ritual correct.” Tommy shivered at the anger behind those words. He could feel the gods' fury at his ritual being botched.

“I’m sorry,” Tommy whimpered out. He knew the deity said he wouldn’t take his anger out on him, didn’t blame him for not being a good sacrifice, but the fear was still there. He had been hurt for so much less and he didn’t want to know what horrors an angry god could do to him. He squealed as he was picked up and placed on the god's lap. He felt as the arms loosely wrapped around him, sturdy but easily leaveable if it came down to it. He didn’t know if the god realized just how safe that made him feel. The idea of being trapped in someone’s arms, none the less a man, would have made him lose it. He couldn’t help the tears that fell from his eyes, couldn’t stop the small sobs that fell from his lips. He was scared and relieved all at once, and it was confusing and overwhelming.

“You’re okay now, shhh. No one here will ever hurt you again. I won’t let any more harm to you, again.” Techno repeated this like a mantra until Tommy’s sobs fizzled away into hiccups. Until he went lax against the deity’s chest, relaxed and willing to let whatever was going to happen. Tommy was comfy and couldn’t help leaning into the fist embrace, in a long time, that was not meant to cause harm.

“Why did you take me,” Tommy couldn’t help it. He wanted to know why the god would want him. His family had always shunned him and the people that passed through, always ignored him. He couldn’t understand why anyone, let alone a god, would want anything to do with him.

“Tommy,” Tommy’s shot up from the gods chest, “You were a sacrifice to me, meaning they gifted you to me. You belong to me; your very soul now holds my mark, and I don’t let what mine be hurt.” It was as simple as that to Techno. Tommy was his to do with as he pleased, and all he wanted was to take care of a boy that had been mistreated by everyone he came across. “You are mine to take care of and mine to protect. I will not let harm come to you; I promise you this.”

Techno held onto Tommy, as he cried once again. He held on as the boy pleaded with him to be telling the truth, to not leave him behind to others. He listened and promised to be there for him whenever he needed him to be. Techno promised the small shivering boy on his lap that he would stay where others had left, he promised to be there through thick and thin.

Chapter Text

It wasn’t long before the boy, once more, went limp in his arms. Tommy was tired and it was evident in the way we didn’t fight as he was picked up and carried into the connected bathroom. Tommy didn’t protest as the God gently set him in the sink and conjured up some medical supplies. Techno watched as the boy’s face twisted when he dabbed the long slices on his arms with peroxide and bandaged them both.

“Dear,” Techno said, “I need to bandage your chest. For that I need to take off the sacrificial gown.” Techno watched as the emotion’s swiftly danced across his face. He watched as fear and hope both fought for dominance in Tommy’s milky blue eyes, “I swear on my divinity that I only want to help.” He watched on, once again as more emotions played across his face. He was relieved when Tommy nodded apprehensively, for Techno to continue.

Techno was gentle as he took off what was left of the sacrificial garb. He went slow, not trying to overwhelm the little thing. He talked Tommy through what he was doing, allowing the boy to understand what was happening around him. Techno couldn’t help the small smile that grew on his face as Tommy slowly relaxed. He was surprised that once he was done, his little sacrifice leaned against his chest. He gently wrapped his boy in his arms, picking up the 10-year-old and cradling him to his chest.

“How could they have hurt you so much,” Was all Techno could think. Techno could not understand how humans could have turned their backs on his boy. He was kind and willing to put in work to help his family. Work that not even the elders of their clan had been putting in. Then instead of checking if this information was true, they threw him away. Locked him up, beat and harmed him in ways Techno wouldn’t even have wished on XD. Nothing, living or dead, deserved to be used as a toy, to be experimented on with potions.

Techno Gently set Tommy back down on his bed, covering him back up and brushing his hand through his hair one last time. “Sleep, Dear. No harm will come for you in my realm,” Techno whispered, using his divinity to push magic into the room around them. Letting it wrap around his too small charge. He left once he was sure the boy was asleep, he still had a Goddess and her angel he wanted to talk to.

Death was a precious friend, and he would be damned if he didn’t tell her about this new development in his home. He knew she had trouble with this group before and he knew she would despise this turn of events. Life was such a precious thing, it was part of why she had been ready to kill XD again, when she learned what he had been doing. XD had been using his power to push living creatures into bloodbaths, had used that same bloodlust on dream and nearly killed the young godling. Death did not take kindly to someone ending a life sooner than needed. While she understood criminal’s and others needed to be ended for the greater good of humanity, the ending of innocent people was something she would never forgive. Techno had a feeling that once he told her of what that group of humans had sacrificed to him, he would have another Deity ready to smite them.

Now Death’s Angel was another story. Philza was a pleasant person to be around, he was kind and respectful despite being older than half of the pantheon. When Death had claimed him, Techno does not know, but he does know that it predates every God other than Death and Prime. Philza had been the one to help raise him into the power of his divinity, had helped to teach Dream to control and channel his power after he became a full time God, he now is. Philza is kind but protective of what he comes to see as his family and Techno had the feeling both Death and her angel were about to fall in love with the small thing sleeping in his bed.

Unlike with Dream, who would come at the drop of a hat if Techno called him, Death would need a reason for this meeting. So, he sent out a burst of energy telling her that he had a new development of the family that has been irking her for years now, that would get her moving.

And moving it got her. Not even 10 minutes passed before the Goddess of Death was walking into the Temple. Techno had waved away the throne that usually sat in the main entrance and replaced it with a comfy sitting area. He watched as Kristen and Phil took a seat opposite of him.

“Techno,” Kristen started, “What could have possibly brought your attention to this despicable family?”

“Does the fact that they decided to move on to me, answer that question,” Techno asked, venom once more souring his voice. Kristen and Phil looked at one another, in all these years they had never seen the younger act like this. The younger god had always been detached and uninterested in the lives of humans.

“What could they have done to earn your ire,” Phil asked.

“They decided to summon me,” Techno started, voice icy. “They decided to use someone they saw as an inconvenience for the sacrifice.”

Kristen’s hands tighten around her dress, her eyes questioning and understanding at the same time. “They used an innocent, didn’t they,” She asked, her voice tight. There had only been one other time that this mistake had happened since Techno came into creation. One other family had made this mistake, and they had paid for it. “Who did they Sacrifice?”

A look of dread crossed Techno’s face, “A child,” he whispered. His voice was still icy but there was an undertone of sorrow there, that had Death herself covering her mouth.

“How old are they,” came Phil’s soft voice. He had once been human; he hadn’t had children of his own but had devoted his life to an orphanage under Lady Death’s name.

“He is 10, his name is Tommy,” Techni told them. “He is one of the most innocent beings I have ever encountered.”

“10,” Kristen said, her voice shaking, “They sacrificed an innocent child for their own selfish desires.” Kristen’s anger was palpable, you could taste it in the air. The rancid taste of decay always meant pain for those that managed to anger the Goddess. “Those moronic mortals have the gull to get my teachings wrong, then they go and sacrifice someone with so much ahead of them.” Tears had slipped from the goddess’s eyes as she spoke. Phil moved too slowly bring his wife into his arms.

“He was one of theirs,” Techno told them, once Kristen had calmed a little. “He had tried to learn your teachings, mine as well.” Techno sighed, “He tried to teach them how to favor the gods and for it he was locked away and taken advantage of.”

Both Phil and Kristen froze at those last few words. They stared blankly at Techno, trying to look for a hint of dishonesty but there was none to be found. “They… they…,” Phil was unable to finish that sentence, the very thought that someone could do that to a child was horrifying.

Techno nodded at the unasked question, “One of the elders used him for experimenting with potion effects, when Tommy was no longer able to fight, he would take advantage of him.” Techno watched as Phil paled, hiding his face in his hands. “Kristen,” Techno addressed the other deity, “He will have entered your domain by now.” Kristen's smile was wicked and promised an endless amount of pain for the one who did this. “The boy is blind because of the potion experiments. He is small and frail,” Techno continued, “I intend to keep him, he will become one of my vessels. He will be mine to take care of and mine to protect.”

A much calmer, kinder smile crossed Kristen's face, “You have claimed your sacrifice as one of yours.” Phil smiled when he recognized what Techno planned on doing for Tommy. Turning the boy into a vassal would allow him a form of immortality that linked directly to the deity that gifted it. It would link Tommy’s life with Techno’s meaning the boy could not die until Techno does. It means that when the boy turned 30 his body would stop aging, though he would already age much slower than a normal human. But it also means that he will be Techno’s to take care of. Where Phil had become Lady Death's Angel thru marriage, Tommy would become almost like a demigod of Blood.

That's when Phil cackled, “You’re adopting a child TechnoBlade.”

Kristen also started laughing, “DadnoBlade,” she wheezed.

They both ignored the huff and eyeroll they got of the other.