Grian awoke, lifting his throbbing head from the concrete floor. The last thing he remembered was Xanthe's petrified face, screaming at him to stop. He examined his surroundings carefully. It seemed he was in a cell of some sort. Shackles were lined up, cemented into the wall. Outside the small area looked to be more cells, though there was no prisoners in the ones opposite him. Grian looked down, to see his cuffed wrists going a slightly red colour, due to the tightness.

"Welcome to the Void Prison. Here, you will be punished for your crimes for the rest of eternity!" A larger man said, poking his magical staff through the bars and at the unsuspecting Hermit.

He was obviously a guard and his muscles and scars clearly showed the strength prisoners he'd dealt with.

"E-excuse me, sir. I am not supposed to be here!" Grian eventually found his voice, despite it being sore and unused.

"That's what they all say!" The broad man laughed loudly, moving on down the corridor.

"Hello, Gree-on!" A familiar voice spoke.

Grian turned, seeing Sam's face right in front of his own, staring into his eyes.

"AHH" Grian screamed instinctively. He flailed his arms in the air in surprise, hitting the man in the face. Although it was an accident, Grian knew it was very well deserved.

Sam mumbled something incoherently, rubbing his cheek aggressively.

"Out of all the empty cells, they decided to put you in here with me." Grian stepped as far away as possible from the taller man.

"Yes! Isn't it wonderful? I suspect it has something to do with the fact we came from the exact same world at a very similar time." Sam muttered quietly, thinking aloud.

Grian grumbled, annoyed that he'd have to spend time with this horrible person.

"Y'know, I heard that the guards don't really do anything if prisoners try to attack eachother." Sam grinned at the now seated Hermit.

"W-what?! But isn't it their job?" The winged Hermit asked.

"No. Their job is to keep the prisoners in and make them regret their actions. After those very vague rules, everything else is up to the guards and the people in charge." Sam explained, sticking his head against the bars to look around.

Grian started laughing. It was a strange laugh though; not one you'd expect from the Hermit. It was uncanny and strange, but it most certainly did not sound good.

"G-Gree-on?" Sam mumbled, turning slowly to see Grian chuckling to himself on the floor, with his head in his hands. Even Sam was shook by Grian's sudden outburst.

"Ha... I just realised something... The chances of me being stuck here forever are pretty high... And being tortured by some guards doesn't sound like a very fun way to spend eternity." Grian giggled, feeling his hopes leave his slouched body.

"Well, not much else is going to happen. We'll probably be fed in a dining hall of some sort and meet other inmates but other than that, it will mostly be the guards mocking or hurting us." Sam frowned. This wasn't how he expected to spend his life.

Grian didn't say anything to Sam's comment, shrugging with despair.

"I think it's night right now, judging by the amount of guards on duty." Sam continued talking, despite Grian's obvious dislike for conversation.

"If you think I'm going to sleep with you near me, you must be insane!" Grian blurted aloud, inching away from the man again.

"Maybe I am a little crazy, but I won't try anything! I promise." Sam grinned, narrowing his eyes.

"I don't know what game you're trying to play but I'm not going to sleep." Grian insisted, wondering what Sam was trying to do.

"Suit yourself." Sam shrugged, moving to the other side of the mouldy room.

Grian stretched his wings, noting the red, green and blue splotches of colour, now covered in dirt. He grumbled in annoyance, trying to wipe it away but failing.

Grian glanced over at Sam, who was now layed down on one of the 'beds'. He was facing away from Grian but still looked suspicious.

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The Hermits were all frantically questioning Xanthe on how to help Grian and get to the void prison. Xanthe was terrified of what was happening to his friend. He had heard of stories of what had happened in that disgusting place.

It was over 200,000 square feet of cells and torture chambers. There was only one dining hall which was rarely stocked with food and served as more of a common area. The guards only cared about torturing the prisoners. Other than that, they couldn't care less about the people in there. Most in there deserved it, but Xanthe knew Grian was far from a bad person. He was probably stuck with Sam, too.

"Could you please go over the plan once more? Ren still doesn't understand." Doc asked, nudging Ren who looked a little annoyed.

Xanthe smiled slightly at the antics of his new friends.

"Of course: so as we know, the prison is heavily guarded and absolutely huge. That will make it almost impossible to infiltrate and find Grian without being spotted by anyone. That means we'll have to sneak in. I have a disguise spell in my spellbook but it's not guaranteed that it will work, considering I've never actually used it before." Xanthe smiled at Ren who finally looked like he understood.

"So then we'll dress up as the guards, right Xanthe?" Ren asked, gesturing his hands to the spellbook which lay on the table in front of the all the Hermits.

Xanthe nodded, making Ren grin in return.

"Wait, but won't it be really suspicious if a bunch of guards suddenly show up, all at the same time?" Scar questioned.

"Well, I do have an invisibility spell which is relatively easy. It shouldn't take too much energy. Even with that spell, I feel like we should leave a few people here. It's the only logical thing to do." Xanthe explained, causing a few of the Hermits to mutter under their breaths.

"I know you all want to help, but I do believe Xanthe is correct. There a few obvious people who need to go, but some others really don't need to join us." Xisuma clarified.

"So far I probably need to go, along with X, and Mumbo. We need at least two people who are good at fighting and a healer." Xanthe continued, looking at the group.

"I don't mind being a 'bodyguard'." Doc stepped forward, clenching his metallic fist.

"I guess I could also be a healer." Scar joined Doc at the table.

Mumbo and X both stepped forward to join the other three.

"I'd be happy to help with the bodyguard stuff but I might be a liability with the communicator." False explained, tapping her wrist.

Xanthe nodded, understanding why False couldn't help.

"I'll do it." Iskall stepped forward, completing the main group.

"I know you only need 6 people total but I really think I could help if there's any technological support needed." Tango suggested.

"Okay. You have a point. But after you, no more people can join." X explained, creating a list on a piece of paper he had in his pocket of all the things they needed.

Tango smiled, glad to be helping the shortest Hermit once again.