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<Grian’s POV>
“What do you think you’re doing Xelqua?”
I swallow sharply, holding my breath anxiously. Ever so slowly I turn around to face Zara, one of the watchers specifically appointed to keep an eye on me. Make sure I don’t try to escape again. Which is exactly what I was trying to do just now…
“I- eh- I…”
Think Grian, think!
“I wanted to Watch Evo again! I’m sorry, I’ll return to my room I promise!”
I can’t see whether Zara buys my lie or not because of the mask covering her face. I fiddle with the too long purple robes everyone wears, eyes downcast like a good obedient Watcher. The robes are yet another way to hide all identifiable features. They say it’s because we’re all the same but we’re not. I will never be one of them! As long as I’m alive I will keep fighting against them, I will keep trying to escape. For Evo.
“You were using an awful lot of power just to watch a destroyed world.”
She’s definitely not buying it. Uh oh.
“It’s time you learn a lesson Xelqua.”
With a snap of her fingers my body locks up, unable to move an inch. No… NO, not again! Please not again!
She drags me through the endless corridors, hallways and stairs. Room after room passes by. Watchers occasionally look up at my floating body, held tightly in her magical grip. Even with their masks I can see they’re disappointed.
All too soon the dreaded hallway comes into sight. Rooms on either side leading to the containment areas. She opens a rift into the sealed off room before forcing my body through. The rift closes behind me, locking me into the endless white void.
“PLEASE, NO! LET ME OUT! LET ME OUT!
I claw at the walls.
I scream until my voice is hoarse.
I kick until my legs give out from beneath me.
Nothing works. I’ll be trapped in here at the whim of my internal terrors until they decide I’ve learned my lesson.
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A sharp pang in my chest forces me awake. Heavy breaths echo through the room as I desperately try to calm myself. Slowly my vision focuses and I can see. I can see! I’m not in that void. I’m on Hermitcraft, I escaped… I did it! I’m safe. Mumbo is here, one of my best friends from before .
I’m still antsy. Pinpricks like little spiders crawl up my spine and down my wings. On instinct I spread my feathers to smooth them out, the repetitive motion always relaxes me. However as soon as I spot the dark purple of my wings my heart beats against my chest all over again like it’s trying to jump out. Memories of them flash before my eyes.
My glamour must have dropped while sleeping.
I glance around my little room in the sunken ship I claimed as my own. Wide eyes searching for any prying eyes that could have possibly noticed the strange colour. I hold my breath as if that will help to discern any sounds that shouldn’t be here. There aren’t any.
Just breathe…
You’re okay Grian…
Just breathe…
Once I’ve calmed down enough I wave my hands in a smooth motion before whispering in Galactic.
“⊣ꖎᔑ ᒲ𝙹⚍∷”
Glamour
The spell instantly takes effect and my wings turn back into a set of parrot ones. With red at the top, yellow in the middle, before finally fading into blue. A bit of anxiety settles at the comforting colours. But not nearly enough that I can go back to sleep. I still feel like there are spiders crawling all over me. Maybe a midnight-flight will help get rid of them.
I need to get stuff from the shopping district anyways. I don’t want to run into people, so going this early while the stars in the sky warn you to sleep lest you want Phantoms to come haunt you, makes for a perfect opportunity to avoid everyone.
Realistically, I know I can’t avoid the others forever. I’ve been here for two months now and besides a select few hermits nobody has even seen me yet. For now though, I’d like to keep it that way.
I’ll meet them eventually…
Maybe…
Give it another month… Or two.
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< Etho’s POV>
I sigh sharply before rubbing my eyes trying to get rid of the exhaustion weighing me down. My brain has been going haywire recently. I can’t sleep because the sensation of the pillow against my face is making me feel all itchy. Despite having dark blinds covering the windows there’s still too much light. To top it all off I can’t seem to faze out the sounds of leaves rustling in the winds. Owls hooting from atop their perch. Growls from the undead walking the caves below that I forgot to light up. Let alone the annoying screeches of the Phantoms reminding me how long I’ve been awake for.
The lack of sleep unfortunately makes processing all these stimuli worse.
I can’t even touch a block anymore without my hands feeling like they’re gross and just wrong . Urging me to scratch at them and rip the skin off just so I don’t have to feel it anymore. I’ve tried using gloves but they rub against my wrists in all the wrong ways.
It’s not usually this bad but ever since that new hermit joined it feels like I haven’t been able to function. It’s not his fault, of course. Just, the matter in which he joined indicates so clearly that he must have been on the run. Something bad happened to the guy, who’s name I definitely didn’t forget. It makes me remember the time I was on the run. My tails swish from side to side rapidly as a memory forces itself to the forefront of my mind.
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A soft whimper escapes me as I curl deeper in on myself, back pressed against the cold wall of the cage. Too many eyes peer down upon me, ugly curiosity clouding their vision.
“I wonder if it would make a good cloak?”
“It seems nimble, I’m sure it’d do well in a fighting ring.”
“Dad, can I keep it as a pet?”
The voices all clamour over each other, each word more disgusting than the last. I just want it to stop! I press my hands over my fuzzy ears, trying to block out the sounds. It doesn’t work.
A louder voice booms above all.
“The auction will begin now! The starting price of this wonderful specimen starts at $500.000.”
I press hard against my eyes, desperately trying to hold back the tears burning behind their confines.
“5-6-7-800. Do I see- yes, 900!”
I snarl at the signs going up in the air, rich people bidding absurd amounts of money to take me. As if I’m some sort of famous painting to hang on the wall. I shudder at the thought that some of them would actually hang me up on the wall.
“11-12-1300! Who’s going to take it home?”
Just let it be done already! The auctioneer's voice is too loud, the sound ringing in my ears. It physically hurts yet there’s nothing I can do about it. I hate feeling helpless. But that’s what I am, stuck here in this cage. About to be sold off to some scum of the earth with weird hobbies. My future is uncertain and I hate that. If I knew what to expect, who would take me, what they’d force me to do. I can at least mentally prepare for it. Now, I can’t do anything but wait.
“1700 going once- going twice--”
“1800! 1800 going once- going twice…”
“SOLD! For $1.800.000 To number 53! You can collect your possession at the end of the auction in the backrooms.”
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A shudder runs through me and my remaining tails keep up their motion, occasionally slapping against one another. I can’t stay here, cooped up in my base that usually brings me comfort. A feeling like butterflies sporadically bumping against my skin and one another envelops my entire being. No matter how many times I scratch my nails against my skin the feeling doesn’t dissipate. Instead the butterflies grow in size until they’re hummingbirds desperately trying to find a way out of my body. Unable to take the energy within any longer I grab my elytra. I need to get out right now.
Not wanting to waste my time either, I decide to go to the shopping district. It’s still very early in the morning, the sun not having bothered to wake up yet. It’s the perfect opportunity to avoid everyone. The thought of seeing anyone else put the hummingbirds inside into overdrive. Their wings beating in time with my heart.
I’ve never been the most social hermit, preferring to keep to myself. I won’t avoid the others forever, I just need some time.
Maybe a month… Or two.
The thought makes the fox part of me longing for companionship whine pitifully.
I secure my elytra with a satisfying click. With a couple rockets strapped to my belt I’m ready for take-off. With a practised hand I light the first fuse, the force of the air bursting through the tube pushes me off the ground and into the air. I wince slightly at the sudden rush of sounds. As I level out the sounds become less grating against my ears. The hummingbirds turn back into butterflies.
Soon enough the shopping district comes into sight.
I haven’t been here in a while so I just peruse the streets, uncaring about what direction I’m going. The only sounds are my own footsteps echoing into the finally quiet night. For the first time in a while I feel like I can breathe.
Until…
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Another set of footsteps round the corner. A winged person with red, yellow and blue feathers stops in place. Our eyes lock in an uncomfortable staring contest. My heart rate picks up and I want nothing more than to move away. Run. Flee. Be anywhere but here. My knees lock up, my feet refuse to move. The hummingbirds are back, more than ever before. Bumping against every muscle, bone and tissue.
The staring contest goes on.
And on.
And on.
Out of nowhere he moves away and with that common sense returns to me. Moving behind the building I slink back into the shadows. Eyes trained on the corner, waiting to see if the unfamiliar hermit walks past. After years of practice my footsteps are quiet like screams in the vacuum of space. I slowly walk backwards. Step after step after step.
Something bumps against my tails and I swirl around, jumping backwards. An unsolicited squeak leaves my masked lips. The hummingbirds multiply and I feel like there’s barely any space left.
From the other person I hear a high-pitched chirp before they launch themselves into the air. Wings flapping rapidly to gain height. At the same time I move back into the shadows before climbing up a tree for a speedy retreat.
I feel like I’m on fire, like I might spontaneously combust if even one more thing happens. The hairs on my tails bristle and I can feel them against my back. Itching, moving, irritating. Like a bright red warning sign screaming: DANGER!
My eyes dart back and forward, scanning the horizon as if something might appear out of nowhere. Every crackle, snap, buzz and screech send new shots of adrenaline pumping through my veins threatening to burst at a moment's notice.
Realistically, I know I’m safe. But no matter what I do my body doesn’t want to calm down. My mind races with endless possibilities of what could possibly go wrong.
A burning longing for the safety and calm companionship of my littermates overwhelm me. The way we would play together, knowing we’re safe with dad watching over us while mom is out hunting. The feeling buzzes against my skin until I relent and activate my communicator. Knowing deep down I’ll never see my family again.
I can barely see the screen as the letters dance teasingly before my eyes. I don’t think, I can’t think, I just press the first name that pops up. The sound of the com calling for someone makes me jump once more and I tumble down the tree.
My knees buckle from underneath me and I curl up into a ball on the wet grass. Tails enveloping my body like a shield, separating me from anything and everything. A strange wetness drips down my cheeks.
Click.
“Etho?”
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<Grian’s POV>
Red and black eyes meet mine and I freeze in place. The cold of the void crawls along my spine, like in a painful memory my body locks up. It’s not magic, but it feels that way. Just as terrifying, just as strong.
All I hear is the rapid thump thump thump of my heart beating against my chest. It threatens to break free from its cage. Wanting to be in this situation just as little as I do.
His eyes still pin me in place for reasons beyond my comprehension. He might be grinning underneath that mask.
Zara hands me a white mask to cover my eyes with and truly See for the first time in my life. I don’t want it.
“Take it. You’re one of us now, Xelqua.”
That’s not my name, I want to scream. But the words don’t leave my mouth.
“Take it.”
The words are more forceful this time. Even without magic I can feel the strength of those words ripping into my body. My fingers tremble as I place the mask against my eyes. My vision goes dark before-
All at once I can move again. My wings flare out to their full width trying to appear bigger than I feel. In a single fluent motion I’m behind the building. My unmasked eyes Watch, carefully, precisely, just like I’ve been taught. As the memory fades so does my ability to See. Once more I’m in the shopping district. The light of stars illuminating my way, no lantern able to reach this far. My feet move backwards in time with the beating of my heart. I’m surprised it didn’t actually jump out of my chest, leaving me to die in a pitiful heap on the ground.
Something soft brushes against my wings, the alarm bells in my head ring harshly in my ears. My hindbrain screams at me to get out, away from the predator.
I don’t remember flying up in the air, speeding home nor diving underwater. Yet I must have done that as I’m back in my sunken ship in a bottle. Safe. The only proof that any of it is real is the lingering feeling of being Watched. And maybe my wings dripping water onto the wooden floors, that too is a bit of a giveaway…
Despite the situation being over I still feel cold. Despite my wings wrapping me in a protective cocoon. Despite the feeling of a warm blanket comforting my shoulders. I’m so, so cold.
A hiccup sounds in the silent room.
In a burst of purple magic I can See the entire bottle and beyond. There is no-one hiding. No-one could have made that noise. No-one… But me.
The hiccup comes again.
And again.
And again.
It’s not until I feel water drip down my cheeks that I realise those noises are coming from me.
I can’t remember how long it’s been since I cried. I wasn’t allowed to show weakness there, the consequences of doing so were quick to show. In the safety of my starter house on the best protected server out there, I dare to cry.
Each tear represents something I’ve lost.
Each sob something I fear.
Each shiver something I’ve been through.
When the tears dry and the sounds fade, I feel just a little bit better. With tired bones I drag myself to my bed. It doesn’t take long before sleep claims me. For once, not plagued by nightmares.
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3 months later
<Etho’s POV>
I stroll down the shopping district at a leisurely pace. The communicator on my wrist is activated, but I’ve closed the holographic imagery.
“Yeah he’s pretty nice. Also chaos incarnate it seems, in the little time we met he’s managed to flood my base with chickens.”
I humm in response.
“You can’t avoid him forever, Etho.”
Beef’s tone switches, the lightness dissipating slightly, replaced by a stronger undertone.
“We’ll see.”
I roll my eyes as I hear him sigh. He sputters some nonsense before managing a reaction.
“Etho, that’s not a challenge!”
A grin spreads over my features, invisible to everyone.
“It is now.”
“ETHO!”
With a flick of my wrist I end the call, revelling at the idea of how Beef might react to that. I can imagine his mouth falling open before snapping shut. His jawline tensing up before releasing again. I can almost hear the deep sigh he must be letting out and I chuckle at the thought.
All too soon the air around me turns heavy. My pace slows to a halt as his words truly sink in. He’s right. Unfortunately. I can’t avoid Grian forever. But the thought of seeing the avian again makes my skin crawl. Despite it having been three months since that awful meeting, it doesn’t let me go.
I wish I could forget it ever happened, but every time I close my eyes I see it again.
The way our eyes meet.
The way my body freezes.
The way my heart beats in my chest much too fast to be healthy.
The way his feathers bump into my tails.
The way he shoots up into the air.
The way my brain screams, all rational thought forgotten.
The way I called for help.
The way Beef picked up and heard me panic.
The way he spent an hour trying to find me as I was unable to respond.
The way I clung to him like a life-line.
Beep beep
The sound of the emergency alert frees me from the memory. My eyes struggle to focus as I look at the small screen on my communicator. Eventually, I’m able to decipher the message.
Xisumavoid: Attention to all hermits! Due to a glitch in the weather system there’s a high risk of a sudden storm appearing. Please take caution and stay inside. If you are not close to your base, take cover in the nearest building. And NO FLYING!
As if the universe itself heard the message, dark clouds appear above. Merging together to create a giant blanket of darkness. Rain cascades down soaking me to the bone in an instant. The only light remaining is the strikes bathing the world in white before that too gets swallowed by the void of the clouds.
Another flash of light soon followed by roaring thunder. In that small flash I see something or rather someone plummeting from the sky. A silent scream on their lips as the noise gets drowned out by the storm.
Flash . CRACK .
The body plummets into the river next to Scar’s terraforming shop.
Flash . CRACK .
Without thinking I sprint towards the water, jumping into the wild waves desperately searching for the fallen hermit.
Flash . CRACK .
The water illuminates and I see a hand reaching for the sky.
Flash . CRACK .
My body slams against the rocks as the waves keep growing in size. Still I keep going.
Flash . CRACK .
Finally my hands grasp upon someone’s shirt and I drag their head upwards so they can breathe.
Flash . CRACK .
The image of red, yellow and blue wings fade before my eyes.
Flash. CRACK .
The water slams us against another rock and I can feel my consciousness starting to slip.
Flash . CRACK .
An out jutting rock serves as our saviour as I pull us up out of the water. I don’t recognize the area in the dark.
Flash . CRACK .
I spot a cave nearby and start sprinting towards the cover. A gasp of relief leaves me as the rain stops pelting me.
For a while I just breathe.
In and out.
In and out.
Until…
A groan sounds from deeper inside the cave. Quickly I turn on my communicator, its low light illuminating the space slightly. From the darkness a zombie steps forward. Arms outstretched like a bad attempt at making me think it wants a hug. I feel for my tools around my waist, only to find they’ve been washed away by the water. Oh…
Guess a fist will have to suffice.
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<Grian’s POV>
To my surprise, I don’t wake up in my bed still gasping from a painful respawn. Even though I’m certain that I should have drowned after falling from the sky. My wings had been soaked through and were way too heavy to swim with. Instead, I don’t really know where I am. Just that it’s dark and I hear mobs. There’s another sound here, heavy pants that are certainly not coming from the monsters.
Did someone find me?
After a little struggle I manage to turn on my com, its dim light casts upon the walls of what I can now see is a cave.
Rocks jut out from the sides, cracks run along the walls and ceiling. Further down I can see stalactites forming, still small but there nonetheless. More importantly, I see who saved me.
My wings flare out in panic as I spot grey hair, with the black and green outfit. The motion instantly sets my nerves alight and I can’t hold back a small scream. Clearly it alerted the other to my presence as he whirls around.
Our eyes lock.
Please not again…
Luckily- or unluckily our moment gets interrupted by the hiss of creeper emerging from behind Etho. The flashes of the mob lights up the space, signalling that it's getting ready to blow. With lightning fast reflexes- no pun intended, the hermit strikes. Hitting the mob backwards, unfortunately not far enough to stop it from igniting.
The following flash is much brighter. The sound of the explosion gets drowned out by the thunder. The impact of it however, does not.
Another scream sounds and I don’t know whether it’s coming from me or Etho. I feel a body hitting mine, blasted backwards from the shockwave. Rolling off towards my left soon after. As I hear the rattling of the rocks above I know it’s not over yet.
Before I can react, the ceiling caves in, plummeting us in complete darkness.
My left wing is covered in ruin and my legs are stuck under a bigger rock. Carefully I try to move my wing, only for it to flare up in pain.
“HHHNNGGG!”
Ahh, that’s not good. That’s really bad actually…
Next I try my legs with just as little luck. They’re hopelessly stuck. I do still have my arms free, surprisingly. While I can’t reach behind me to get the rocks off, nor can I reach my splayed wing. I can reach my communicator. I set it to the brightest setting to look around.
To my left I see that my wing got lucky as a couple of big rocks have crushed most of Etho’s body. Only his head and one arm got away scot free. If I had been just a little closer, my wing would have surely been crushed beyond saving.
I’m pretty sure this counts as a worse meeting than the last one. Which I didn’t think was possible.
But here we are. Stuck under a collapsed cave with a storm raging outside. Meaning other hermits can’t exactly reach us. Even if I am to find out where we are.
Well nothing better to do than talk, I guess.
“This is worse than the first time we met…”
His eyes, glinting with pain, glance at me.
“Nah, this is normal.”
Despite the agony burning through my body I still laugh. Instantly regretting it as another burning flash of pain spears through my wings.
“Did you jump in the water to save me?”
Silence falls over us. Heavier than the blanket of rocks that have trapped us. Minutes or hours, who knows, pass without another word spoken.
“Pretty sure you’re crazy, must have been the wind blowing you out.”
I smile weakly at his honestly pathetic attempt to brush it off.
“Thanks, Etho.”
He doesn’t respond.
Beep. Beep.
Xisumavoid: Doc mentioned to do a roll call to make sure everyone is safe. Respond ASAP with your location. Do tell if you are hurt/ scared so we can help each other out. There is no shame in either. As for me, I’m in my base, safe and sound.
Seeing as I can access my communicator I quickly relay the message to Etho.
“Ah…”
A wise response, truly.
DocM77: With X in his base, a bit of water damage to my robotic arm but I’m taking care of it.
Iskall85: With Mumbo at Sahara, we’re fine. Btw Doc, I can come over after the storm to help out!
DocM77: Thanks.
“So… What are we going to say?”
His head turns to face me again.
“You should mention you’re hurt. Not sure where we are, can’t see the coords.”
“So are you!”
“Don’t know what you’re talking about.”
I roll my eyes at his words. Despite the situation a grin spreads over my pained face.
“We both have zero self-preservation, do we?”
“Seems like it.”
MumboJumbo: at Sahara!
MumboJumbo: wait, you already knew that, I’m such a spoon.
FalseSymmetry: with Stress, Cleo and Ren for a girl’s night at my base, we’re all good. Ren is a little freaked out but we’re here for him
TinFoilChef: I suppose I shouldn’t question why Ren is there for a girl’s night. In my mine by the way, I didn't realise it’s storming.
RenTheDog: can’t a dog enjoy a ladies night, am i right my ladies
RenTheDog: ladies? dont leave me hanging man
One after the other, responses flood in. Everyone in varying degrees of safety, alone or with others. Tango doesn’t seem to be having a great time either. Trapped in his base alone while being deathly afraid of lightning storms. Though Zedaph and Impulse are on call with him now, so that’s something.
Xisumavoid: That leaves @Ethoslab and @Grian, are you guys okay?
“Etho… We’re going to have to respond, they’re asking about us specifically. What should I type? I don’t want them to worry…”
For a second I’m afraid he’s not going to answer me, but then I hear him scrape his throat before coughing. Not very surprising with all the dust here.
“As much as I hate this, we’re going to have to be honest. Not sure my spine isn’t broken and your wing isn’t looking good. We’re not getting out of here without help. Send our coords.”
“I hate that you’re right.”
“I usually am.”
I bark out a laugh at that.
“Sure you are, I totally believe you.”
“Good, you should.”
The lightheartedness creeps away from us through the cracks, winding its way out of the cave. All I’m left with is a feeling of dread at having to expose our predicament. From the looks of it, Etho feels the same way.
Reluctantly I pull up the coordinates to this place
Grian: im with etho we’re both hurt from a cave in at 3363 54 924
Xisumavoid: How badly are you two injured? Can you wait for a rescue party until it’s safer or not?
A pang of guilt traps itself in my chest with the weight of a bowling ball. If I hadn’t fallen, Etho wouldn’t have to save me. He’d be fine. Now his spine and legs might be horribly injured, despite the casual tone at which he said it. It’s all my fault… I never should have come here. What if the Watchers found the server and they caused the weather glitch?
While the guilt nearly drowns me I force myself to type out the message.
Grian: etho is badly hurt, his legs and back are stuck under rocks, i can see a cut on his head
His head turns in my direction and I see him squinting at the screen.
“You better tell them about your wings and legs or I will rip out my arm from under these rocks to type it myself.”
Swallowing at the threat I quickly type another message
Grian: my left wing hurts and my legs are stuck.
“You suck.”
I say with no real heat behind the words.
“Can’t have you exposing me without a little payback.”
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<Etho’s POV>
Not sure how he managed it, but Grian is soundly asleep despite laying in the most uncomfortable position ever. I’d be jealous if I wasn’t so focused on keeping an eye on the small yet steady stream of water flowing through the cracks.
My throat stings painfully and another cough rips itself from my chest. My lungs hurt as I take a raspy breath. I’m pretty sure there’s some kind of sharp rock stuck underneath me. That’d explain why it feels like I’m being stabbed every time I breathe. Reluctantly I pull down my still soaked mask to aid me in breathing.
I instantly feel naked without it. Small shivers like countless worms crawl over my body, from my face down to my chest until it stops midway through.
…
I can’t feel my legs and partly above that.
The realisation sends another shot of panic through my veins. Like boiling lava has replaced the blood flowing within, burning me alive from the inside out. I can hear my breathing heavy against my ears and the pounding of my heart in my throat. Another cough wrecks me and I can’t help but wince.
How much longer ‘till the rescue party arrives?
Will they even come in time?
More shivers crawl down me at the thought, all stopping just about halfway down my body. I really don’t want to respawn… Depending on the matter of death there are certain side-effects. Respawning after slowly being crushed to death while also suffocating because my lung has been pierced sounds awfully painful. I’d rather not go through that.
More water drips down, my right arm that I’ve laid underneath my chin is now getting wet.
Scrap dying from being crushed to death. If they don’t hurry up we’ll drown first.
In a desperate attempt to get up I continue clawing at my attacker, trying to get his hand off me. Yet no matter what I do, the hand doesn’t relinquish. My lungs beg for air and it takes all my willpower not to give in. My legs spasm uselessly, not hitting the guy holding me underwater. Slowly my mind grows foggy and before I can halt it, I take a breath.
Water fills my lungs and the pain becomes unbearable. My scream gets swallowed in its grip, never reaching the surface.
Until finally my body stops fighting and I feel myself slip into the painfully familiar void of death.
I don’t know how long it takes, but before I know it I’m back. Jerking off the bed I fall onto the ground with a hard smack. Lungs gasping for breath over and over again yet it still feels like I can’t get enough. I still feel like I’m drowning. My throat screams in pain and I don’t realise I’m screaming too until I hear my owner shout.
“SHUT UP OR I’LL DO IT AGAIN, UNDERSTOOD!?”
Trembling softly I nod. Forcing my body still, I lay on my side. Slow spasms are the only movement I make, restricted by the chains around my ankles.
“Etho?”
The words snap me back to reality, a reality that despite the agony, is still much better than the memory.
I gasp for breath again before yet another cough interrupts me. Finally though, I’m able to respond.
“Yeah?”
My voice sounds raspy and low, the sound grating against my ears.
“You okay?”
There’s no excuse, no joke or hearty comment to make the answer lighter. I frankly don’t have the energy to even try.
“No. You?”
“No…”
It seems Grian is in a similar boat.
Afterwards the silence envelops us both yet again. We’re staring at the water creeping down, most of my arm is now covered.
Beep. Beep.
Another alert. Turning my head becomes more and more painful but I manage. I suddenly remember I took off my mask because Grian stares at my face. Ugly scars exposed to the world. A look of something akin to shock flashes over his face before schooling back into neutrality. He glances back at his communicator, looking at the newest message displayed on the screen.
Xisumavoid: @Grian, @Ethoslab, We’ll be there in less than 10 minutes. We have some healing equipment with us. If we can, we’ll teleport you to spawn where Doc and Stress are currently setting up a medical tent. If not, we’ll travel by foot. We have stretchers with us.
“10 minutes…”
Grian whispers, I can hear the relief in his voice.
10 minutes… It sounds so short yet feels so long. I’ve never had the best sense of time, hence why my sleep schedule is so messed up. But here in this cave, those 10 minutes feel like one of the longest in my life. Not the longest… No, those belong to a whole different period of my life. One I’d rather forget about but never seem to be able to.
Neither of us knows what to say, so we keep quiet instead. The water has reached my chin now, forcing me to breathe through my nose lest I want to drown myself. It doesn’t help that the urge to cough hasn’t decreased in the slightest. But coughing now means risking swallowing water. In these few minutes it’s already happened once, I’d rather not repeat it.
Finally, I hear something other than my raspy breaths or Grian’s panicked sniffs. I hear the sounds of hermits, talking, walking, coming closer.
“Etho, Grian, can you hear me?”
We both exhale in absolute delight at that voice. Xisuma is here. We’re going to be okay.
“In here!”
Grian shouts. His tone is mixed with so many emotions I can never hope to recognize them all. It’s hard enough when it’s just one, let alone this many falling over each other in a whirlpool of feelings. The same is happening inside of me.
“We’re getting you out of here, hold on!”
I hear the sounds of blocks being placed and the steady flow of water halts in its tracks. Oh thank Notch, that was too close for comfort. Not that any of this is comfortable.
The first crack of pickaxe beating against the rocks sends yet another strange sensation down my body. It stops just slightly higher up than before.
Soon, the first streaks of light emerge from where a rock disappears in front of me. I blink against the surprising brightness of what I can now see is a lantern. A face comes into view, specifically, Beef’s face. I can’t help but sob in relief at seeing my closest friend.
More rocks break away and within very little time the area is completely open. Behind the group of four hermits I see a dirt covering shielding them from the rain still pelting outside. The group approaches, careful not to step on any outstretched limbs.
Mumbo scoops up the water, pouring it down a deep hole he dug. After a couple buckets, the water is nearly entirely gone and I can breathe through my mouth again. And cough without risking choking. Apparently, my body has been waiting for that as I burst out into an agonising fit.
“Etho!”
I’m not sure who’s talking anymore.
Strangely enough, the light of the lantern seems to dim though it doesn’t flicker. Slowly it gets darker and darker. The others don’t seem very concerned with it though. They just keep talking, their words a jumbled mess in my head. Why are they mumbling so unclearly?
I blink. My eyelids feel heavy, much too heavy for me to keep open. I didn’t realise there are rocks on them too. But it must be, why else would they be so heavy?
Something shakes my shoulder but I can’t seem to focus on it. They’re probably removing the rocks from my back. That must be it.
Another shake.
I barely register it anymore.
Every sensation drowns in the sludge stuck in my brain until I feel nothing at all.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
<Grian’s POV>
It’s been 3 weeks and 4 days since the second awkward meeting, apparently. I’ve forgotten most of it, probably because of the painkillers. My left wing is in a splint now and will require at least another month of healing before I’m even allowed to glide. This is going to be hell. Maybe worse is that in order for the splint to fit, it needed to be shaped according to my actual wings. Meaning… The dark purple colour is back and in full view for everyone.
Seeing Mumbo’s shocked face when he saw the different colour is something I never want to see again. He’s the only one that knows that I did have parrot wings at one point in my life. While he doesn’t know what happened, I’ve got a feeling he has an idea. He’s not stupid, despite his spoon moments. He knows something happened to my original wings.
If I have any choice in the matter, he won’t learn what the Watchers did.
I look to my right, staring at the white curtain separating me and Etho. Despite being unable to see him I can feel a heavy rock weighing down my stomach. My eyebrows furrow and a soft headache forms at the motion. I feel terrible…
From what I’ve heard, he’s going into surgery soon. Doc has created an exo-skeleton together with Iskall for him. It’s similar to Scar’s. With it on he’ll be able to relearn how to walk. It’s not a perfect fix, he’ll still be in a wheelchair most of the time. But it’s something. Still, if it hadn’t been for me. He’d be fine. I’m the reason he’s paralysed.
Carefully I get up from the bed, making sure to keep as quiet as possible. A shiver runs down my spine at the thought of Stress seeing me walk on my broken ankle. I’ve learned how scary she can be. Honestly, much more terrifying than Doc. While he’s intimidating in appearance, it’s clear he’s a softy deep down. Stress… She’s another breed entirely. The way her sweet voice can change in an instant is frankly horrifying. I can still hear her words when she caught me trying to put glamour back on my wings.
“Excuse me.”
Two words. That was all. Just two words. They were the most powerful words I’ve ever heard. Stronger than any magic I’ve seen, and I’ve seen a lot.
Luckily for me, I manage to get out of bed silently. I pull back the curtain just a little to take a peek. Etho stares straight at me.
“You better get back in bed or I will call Stress on you.”
I gulp at the threat. Quickly I pull the curtain further back and make my way to the bed again.
Despite my many plans for apologies, they fall silent on my tongue. Wilting at that now familiar gaze.
“Just so you know, Stress and Doc have blackmail on us now.”
The words are casual, but they hit me with a rush of dread. Oh no…
“How bad is it?”
I don’t want to know, but I do kind of want to know.
“I’ve got a copy of most of the clips, we can watch them together and suffer.”
By now, I’ve learned to never question how Etho gets these things, he just does. Even when high on painkillers it seems.
“Oh, you can’t watch those without me.”
Stress’ giddy voice makes me fear for my life. These are going to be much worse than I thought.
Soon enough. Our beds have been moved so they're next to each other, I can watch the clips through Etho’s com that way. Stress is standing on his other side. She looks way too happy to be here.
The first clip plays and I sink into the cushions as I see my face staring at the ceiling, wide-eyed.
“They weeerre rooommaates.”
There is no way that is my voice. This is a lie. This is fake. I don’t believe it. I do not sound like that!
From behind the camera’s Stress giggly voice sounds.
“Who are roommates, Gri?”
I look directly at the camera as I say the next words, like they have some special meaning.
“The biirdie en the fox.”
The camera shakes violently as Stress is clearly dying from laughing too hard. My high self just continues to stare at the camera with wide eyes.
Meanwhile I curl deeper into the soft pillow, trying to hide myself from the other two.
“The birdie and the fox, huh. You know foxes eat birds, right?”
While I can’t see his face anymore since he’s off oxygen and thus can wear his mask again, I can tell he’s grinning like a maniac. I just groan in embarrassment before I get an idea.
“Time for an Etho one.”
Reluctantly he complies.
The next clip plays. On it Etho is shown wiggling his arms in the air. The rest of his body doesn’t join in, though clearly not from lack of trying. His face is contorted in what must be utter concentration.
“What are you doing?”
It’s Doc’s voice behind the camera this time. While I can’t hear any emotions behind the deep tones, he’s clearly amused.
“I’mmm the worm kiing!”
This time, he can’t hold back a bark of laughter, the camera shakes along. As if it too is laughing at Etho’s misery. As I glance at him, I can see it’s his turn to shrink into the pillows. Mumbling something or another.
“Not sure worm man agrees with you there, buddy.”
With that the clip ends.
Worm man?
“Who’s Worm Man?”
“Definitely not Zed in a Worm costume. Much like you’re not Poultryman in a chicken costume.”
I chuckle lightly, my unsplinted wing fluttering along.
“It wasn’t me, it's the man in the chicken costume!”
“Exactly.”
Stress exclaims. A smirk falls over my face and from the look our apparent ‘Worm King’ sends me, he knows exactly what I’m about to do.
“Don’t you mean- eggsactly?”
Stress physically deflates at the horrific pun.
“Next!”
My own face appears on screen once again. Arm stretched out towards Etho’s bed, tracing faint patterns into the air. The camera pans over to the other bed. Brows furrow over Red and black eyes. His face is uncovered still, scars on display. Sneaking a glance at the other I can see him pulling up his mask a little further.
The camera pans back.
“Yoouuu’re prettyyyy.”
My face contorts in giggles on screen, still tracing the scars in the air. Meanwhile Doc seems to be dying behind the camera. The screen pans over to Etho again where we see him staring wide-eyed at me.
“You’re high…”
He answers surprisingly soberly.
“Prettyyyy.”
It sounds again just before the camera pans back to me one last time. The clip ends there.
I expect some kind of response from Etho, but he doesn’t say a word. As I look at him I see him pulling at his mask again, fingers trembling slightly. His gaze is unseeing as he clicks on the next video.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
<Etho’s POV>
Watching those clips was a bad idea. Not because my own clips are embarrassing, though I must say I didn’t expect to hear me mutter ‘I’m the worm king’. It’s the third clip that bothers me. The way Grian was tracing my scars. Scars that I’ve tried to hide ever since I got that mask.
It’s the only way I can look at myself without hating my reflection. But now Grian has seen them and has commented on it. Doc and Stress have seen them as well. I never intended for anyone to lay eyes on my face. Except for Beef and X, that was intentional.
Ever since that clip the memories have been trying to overwhelm me. Try as I might, I’m not sure how long I can hold it back. I don’t want to remember.
I pull at my mask as if I can undo everyone’s memories with it.
“You know… I may have been high, but I wasn’t wrong.”
The voice snaps me from my thoughts and I turn to face Grian. There’s no sign he’s lying or pulling my foot. Not that I’d feel it if anyone would actually pull at my foot.
“Those scars don’t make you ugly Etho. They’re proof you lived, that you survived.”
Maybe one day I can look back at that sentence and believe him. Maybe one day I can tease him for it with a shit-eating grin on my face. ‘You just called me pretty and you weren’t even high this time’. For now though. I can’t.
But if he’s got the guts to tell me that, he should hear it too.
“Same goes for your wings. No matter what colour, shape or size, it doesn’t change who you are. You’re Grian, a true hermit.”
Now it’s time for Grian to fumble, his right wing twitching along. Purple. Not the familiar red, yellow and blue. Like my scars, I’m sure it has a story. It carries the proof he survived.
“Welcome to Hermitcraft G.”
He laughs at that, a true laugh. It’s a beautiful sound. I’m surprised when I find myself laughing along.
“Bit late on that one, chief.”
“Only 6 months, not too bad.”
“Thank you, Etho…”
He doesn’t mean the belated ‘welcome to hermitcraft’.
“I’d do it again in a heartbeat, no matter the cost.”