Chapter Text
Grian awoke slowly, eyes heavy with burden.
“Oh thank goodness!” A voice called out, drawing near in warmth.
Grian smiled as he realised who it was— Mumbo and Lizzie.
“Mmb” He groaned.
“I’m here Gri.”
A vast multitude of eyes were on Grian as he sat up. Right— the trial.
Grian sighed. “What’s the verdict?”
Mumbo held tight to Grian. “Nothing yet. The jury is talking in the back. But it was time to wake you up. Are you okay?”
Grian nodded. “I guess you can say that.”
Soon, the jury came out from a side room.
Someone whispered into the judge's ear.
“The jury has found Grian…”
The room held its breath, some for, some against.
“Not guilty by circumstance, responsible by consequence.”
People murmured in confusion.
The judge sighed. “We cannot forget the damage done just because of coercion. Therefore, we are modifying the rights of this individual to best atone. Grian, you will be bound by an oath mark to not keep secrets or leave Hermitcraft without permission. You must go to therapy, and your admin will become your guardian.”
Grian sighed in relief.
“Not only that, but you must write an apology letter to everyone you have hurt, regardless of intent.”
The judge hit the gavel hard. “Bring the oath maker.”
A few minutes later an old man in a ragged cloak stood before Grian.
“Hello, young man.”
“Hi.”
The man took out magic paint, brush strokes tickling Grian’s neck.
“Repeat after me—this might sting a bit.”
“I, Grian.”
“I, Grian.”
“Vow to never keep secrets again.”
“Vow to never keep secrets again.”
A sharp sting, like that of a bee, burned Grian’s neck as the ink seeped in. Grian sighed in relief once it was done.
“That concludes this trial. Xisuma, please escort him back to Hermitcraft.”
Xisuma nodded, helping Grian stand.
Once Grian was warped back to Hermitcraft, he collapsed in Xisuma’s arms, his family around him.
Tears poured down like rain fall.
“I-I’m sorry. Please—” He cried. “Please, I’m sorry.”
One by one, hands laid upon his back.
Xisuma smiled, “You’ve had a hard day. One no one should ever have to go through. I can’t promise that everyone forgives you. But I can promise that we still love you.”
That made the tears flow faster.
---
Time passed.
Chaos began and ended.
Fishing took up a majority of his time.
But no one cared.
Everyday he’d write an apology letter.
Every day he’d spend with the other Hermits, trying to learn to be forgiven.
And when the portal came for the next season of their lives, Grian stepped through with confidence.
Because the Hermits were his family, and even if he couldn’t keep secrets anymore, he knew they’d love him anyway.
This was his requiem.
___
In another world, in another land. Xebedee stirred, furious of what has become of his disciple. Waiting to strike again.