/perspective shift Nightmare
Nightmare walked down the dark corridor, lit intermittently with soul torches. The torches were barely enough to keep monsters from spawning. He could tell that the builders had focused more on aesthetics than safety.
But it was fine, really. After all, he was Nightmare, the second best Minecraft player there was. He could deal with a few small mobs.
He turned his head, inspecting the decorations with no hint of surprise. Instead, the expression under his mask showed a bit of exasperation. It was a blend of blackstone and obsidian, with some soul sand mixed in on the walls under the torches.
Nightmare scoffed inwardly. Whoever had made this had really leaned into the whole 'evil villain' stereotype. He had been told the coordinates for this entrance, and not why he was there to begin with. Again, a very stereotypical 'evil villain' thing to do.
Another thing that evil villains did was explain their plans before they were actually completed. He would never stoop that low, he was sure. Monologuing gave the heroes time to counter the villain's plan, and there was really no reason to do it. Then again, if not the hero, who would bear witness to the genius of the mastermind?
Perhaps he would allow himself a small monologue after all. Though that was contingent upon the rest of his plan working as intended, of course.
At first when he had received the message he had assumed that it was Tommy or Wilbur or somebody trying to ambush him, but then he had remembered that he had already lost that war.
It was still hard for him to believe. He had been so sure that that arrow was going to hit Tommy.
And after all, wouldn't it have? It was quite obvious, to him at least, that there was something going on with Tommy. Something that was not normal. His mind continued to try to supply explanations, but Nightmare was not a weak man, and he did not have a weak mind. He would confront the supernatural head on if he had to.
It was a ghost, or something of the sort. An apparition. It had to be.
What else could move the arrow like that? Certainly nothing natural that he knew of.
So it seemed that when Nightmare had seen that other Dream and felt his anger, it had been real.
Of course, this complicated his plans. But in a way, it also simplified them. His original design had involved the people of L'Manburg becoming free anyhow. After all, if it hadn't, then he wouldn't have agreed to the duel. He wasn't sure why Tommy and Wilbur hadn't been more suspicious about his quick acquiescence. If it had been him, he wouldn't have trusted a duel that he agreed to.
But they had yet to understand the full extent of his plans.
The Nightmare.
It was close. Closer than even he had thought.
Now all that was left on this game board was one wild card.
Perhaps not the wildest of them all. But certainly the strongest.
Technoblade.
Nightmare was reasonably sure that Technoblade would be on his side, but it would be a problem if he wasn't. Having to go against another Dream and Technoblade at once?
Even with his skill level, he could forget it.
He may be the second best Minecraft player, but if it was a duel between him and himself it would come down to luck and maneuvering. Add Technoblade to that, the one who had beaten him, and the best Minecraft player of all time?
It wasn't a match even worth considering.
So if Nightmare couldn't find a way to get Technoblade on his side, he might as well pack his bags.
As he made up his mind, Nightmare emerged into a dark room. He pulled out a potion of night vision and held it up to his lips, about to tip it back.
And then he heard the voice.
Nightmare immediately swapped to his sword and spun around, pointing it down the corridor.
"Well, well, well," the voice said. "Looks like you came after all."
With the flick of a switch, redstone lamps behind red stained glass lit up, casting the room into a low light level, dark red.
The first thing Nightmare saw was a sweeping red cloak that flared out above a powerful frame.
The figure was covered from chest to foot in dark grey armor, glowing with the mysterious purple hue of enchantments. And above that was a golden crown shining on a pink, hairless head.
Technoblade was here.