Chapter 26

"I'm so happy to be your president, I mean I'm just…"

Tubbo's voice fades as I slip away, behind the stand. The grass bends under my boots and the button slides into the wall easily. The walk down the hallway feels like I'm walking into my home. The room feels familiar, like a dream I know I've had before. The button looks at me like an old friend. Yet the seat feels uncomfortable, like bricks under me.

There was a special place…

I slump in the chair, feeling far away. The song in my head is distant and the words escape me. I just want to be back, back to L'Manburg where I was happy. But now I'm here, knowing that I have to blow up L'Manburg, it's now or never.

Go and emancipate…

I stand up unexpectedly, my legs carrying me back and forth, from wall to wall. I exclaim in discomfort; the song suddenly loud in my ears. I feel antsy. I stop in front of the button. It's a simple button that can, no, will cause so much destruction but I know deep down that that's a good thing. I put my hand next to the button, spreading my long fingers out.

"How many times have I been here?" I ask the button quietly, staring at it. I feel my face contort as my hand forms a fist on the walls. My fingernails dig into my palms, carving crescent shaped moons.

Push the button, push the button, push the button…

I cry out, slamming my fists into the wall on either side of the button.

"THE THING I BUILT THIS PLACE FOR DOESN'T EXIST ANYMORE." I yell to myself,

I need to press the button, I need to press the button, I need-

"What are you doing?"

I whip around and stare at the man in the doorway like I was seeing a ghost.

"What are you doing?" He repeats, voice echoing down the hallway.

"Phil?" I rasp, swallowing hard. "Why- how are you here?"

The short man walks down the hallway, his green kimono swaying and his grand grey wings fluttering nervously. He tilts his head, blonde hair shimmering in the torchlight.

"Will." My father says with his hands on his hips. I gulp,

"Uh, I- We won! L'Manburg's free now!" I nod quickly and shiver at the sweat dripping through my hair.

"Uh huh," Phil hums, unconvinced. He adjusts his green and white striped bucket hat, then looks up at me. "And what are you doing now?"

"I- uh," I stumble over my words, inching closer to my dad. It had been so long since I had seen him last and now, he was in front of me seeing me at my lowest. "I'm just- do you know what this button does?"

I shuffle to the side to show the powerful stone button in all its glory.

"Yes." He answers shortly, and I nod then jerk violently.

"I'M ALWAYS SO CLOSE TO PUSHING THIS BUTTON. I COME HERE ON INSTINCT, EVERYDAY. Why can't I push it?"

Phil's eyebrows knit in pity and I flinch at the sound of fireworks in the background.

"They're fighting." I state turning to the button, "Again. This is the problem."

I shake my head and turn back to Phil, smiling sadly. My heart is set like stone.

"You know there was a saying by a traitor." I say, "He said,

It was never meant to be."

I lean back on the button, pushing it into the wall and sigh in relief.

"NO!" Phil cries as I raise my hand in a salute. He jumps out for me and his arms pull me away from the wall as L'Manburg explodes.

I start to cough as the dust settles, which turns into a chuckle then into all out laughter. I crawl through the rubble to the edge of the room to survey the chaos.

"L'MANBURG" The scream escapes after months of turmoil. I stand unstably, looking at the torn landscape before me. "MY UNFINISHED SYMPHONY!"

I look down at my feet and spot my sword that had been strapped to my back then look at Phil, looking out at the havoc I had caused. I had finished what I had set out to do.

"Kill me." I breathe, staring at the sword. Phil turns to me sharply,

"What?" He asks, taking a step towards me.

"Kill me Phil, KILL ME!" I say, lunging for the sword. I pick it up and give it to Phil, wrapping his hands around the hilt so he holds it. I relax and turn to the view once more while Phil looks at me furiously, "Kill me where I can see my L'Manburg."

"YOU'RE MY SON!" Phil yells, but I know my fate. "You're my…"

"Kill me." I whisper, gently putting my hand on his elbow.

"You couldn't just let it be?" Phil chokes angrily. I close my eyes slowly, ignoring the cries of sadness and victory outside the room.

"Do it." I whisper, barely audible. "Everyone wants you to."

He looks out of the room to the people watching curiously in the rubble. I look down at him and gasp when the sword slides into my stomach.

"Will!" Phil cries, letting go of the sword. My knees crumple under me and I fall. Phil catches me in his arms, wings encasing me in a perfect world. I laugh feebly, clutching Phil's arm. Tears run down my cheeks and blood dribbles down my chin, but I smile up at Phil,

"Thanks Dad." I murmur, taking my final breath to the sound of war and Phil's cries as my vision fades to blackness.