It was the day of the banishment and everything was ready. Sam had been dragged outside to the centre of a circle, which had been painted with purple dyes. Runes had been painted inside the circle and some decorative stars had been placed around the ring.

"You ready?" Grian whispered to Xanthe, who was nervously fiddling with his hands.

Xanthe nodded, looking at all the Hermits around him, expectant and waiting.
Doc and Ren had been assigned to 'damage control'. That meant they were fully equipped with armour and weapons in case Sam felt like running. The rest of the Hermits were just chatting or standing around, waiting for the ritual.

"You got this, Xanthe!" Xisuma smiled kindly, reassuring the taller man.

Xanthe smiled in return and started making his way to the centre of the circle, where Sam sat, contemplating his future.
The prince clapped twice and the purple dyes started glowing, capturing the attention of all the Hermits.

Xanthe closed his eyes whilst sprinkling dyes around in specific patterns, which also began to glow brightly. Sam looked petrified, seeing the glowing getting gradually closer.

Xanthe's eyes opened, seeing the man on the floor and feeling a sudden rush of anger. San was the reason he hadn't seen Grian for years. He was the reason Grian was terrified of white rabbits. Sam was the reason Grian was hurt, physically and emotionally. And Xanthe could put an end to his reign of terror.

He finished the dye sprinkling with a smaller circle around Sam's cowering body.

"I, Prince Xanthe of the Void realm, hereby ban you permanently from this server and any others you have visited. You will spend the rest of eternity in the Void Prison!" Xanthe shouted, pushing his hands outwards, making the glowing almost blinding.

Suddenly, a cylinder of light encased Sam's body vanished. When the cylinder disappeared, Sam was gone, leaving no traces of where the man had been.

Grian couldn't believe it. Sam was finally gone. After years of torture and torment, he'd never be able to hurt anyone ever again.
Grian instinctly ran forwards to Xanthe to hug him.

"GRIAN STOP-" Xanthe shouted, seeing Grian trying to embrace him.

But it was too late. Another cylinder of light had erupted from the ground and the next second, Grian was gone.

Everyone stared in disbelief. In a single minute, one problem had disappeared and another had materialized.

"W-what happened...?" Mumbo asked, breaking the silence.

"... He's gone." Xanthe muttered mysteriously.

"Is he... In the same place as Sam?" Doc questioned, making sure to keep far away from the circle.

Xanthe nodded, feeling a lump form in his throat and tears appear in his eyes.

Mumbo was horrified. He'd just gotten his best friend back and he was gone once again. He didn't even notice Scar's arm wrapped around his shoulder, and his head against his back. Scar was also very upset. His first thought was 'we have to get Grian back' but he wasn't sure how, and the longer he thought, the more his head was filled with doubt and dread.

"Is there a way to get him back?" Xisuma asked, trying to keep his composure.

Xanthe hesitated before answering, "Well, there is one way... But it's very dangerous and it will require us all to put our lives on the line..."

"We'll do whatever it takes!" Ren stepped forwards, the other Hermits murmuring in agreement.

They were expecting all their problems to disappear that day, but many more difficulties would arise on their ventures...