"3... 2... 1... GO!"

Xisuma's voice rang through the jungle, and they were off.

Nine Hermits zoomed through the jungle, feathers and rocket trails swirling through the air.

Xisuma took off and watched from above as his friends soared through an elytra course of his own making.

The first was False, who had reacted to Xisuma's countdown the fastest.

With his agility and small form, Grian was in second, fast approaching False.

In third, having almost fully recovered, was Tango. He was only a bit behind Grian, but he could not seem to overtake the speedy bird man.

Only a few metres behind Tango, Ren was beginning to catch up, trying to push Tango down to fourth place.

Zed was in fifth, trying his best to catch up.

Cub and XB held 6th and 7th. Cub was drifting through the loops, carefully avoiding any contact, and XB was doing much the same.

Xisuma flew along with them, watching events play out. Since he didn't have to make it through the hoops, he could easily keep up with False. She was focused like no one else, her goggles fastened and her normally loose hair tied up and tucked behind her. She was in it to win it. Xisuma slowed down a little to watch Grian. They had considered making him wear an elytra for the sake of fairness, but now the wings were too large to fit underneath an elytra comfortably. However, the use of his wings still couldn't seem to get him into first.

A yell behind him made Xisuma turn, and he saw that Tango had smacked into one of the hard concrete rings. Ren had taken the opportunity, and leapt into third.

Cub began to approach Tango, and at this, the hermit rubbed his face and leapt back into the air.

Ren's small success seemed to boost his speed, and he began to get closer to Grian. Grian didn't seem to notice, absorbed as he was in the twists and turns of the course.

Xisuma saw False hesitate some ways ahead, forgetting the route for a moment. Grian took full advantage of this, racing forwards and gaining on False quickly. Tango had damaged his elytra a bit when he hit the ring, and was now far behind, contending with Cub to get fourth place. XB simply seemed to be enjoying himself and, despite his slow speed, still softly ran into several hoops.

Xisuma heard a yell, and returned his attention to the front of the race. Grian and Ren were right beside each other, but Ren seemed to be struggling. The gusts from Grian's wingbeats were setting him off course, and he wobbled dangerously close to some of the rings. False was still in the lead, but not by much. Slowly but surely, Ren and Grian were catching up.

As Xisuma followed them, he glanced up for a moment and was surprised to see a wall looming before him. He lost track of the race for a moment, trying to right himself. He laughed, and spammed his rockets, catching back up. However, now Grian was right behind False, and Ren was a ways behind. Looking back, he saw Ren frantically using rockets, regaining altitude.

Ah. he must've hit that ring.

Now, with Ren too far behind to catch up, they were in the final stretch. False looked back quickly, and seemed to be surprised by how close Grian was getting. She fired off a few more rockets, and began to widen the gap between them.

Grian seemed frustrated, and his face was beaded with sweat. It looked like every wingbeat was a struggle. False let out a laugh of exuberance as she soared through the last hoop, and headed straight for the finish.

An angry light shone in Grian's eyes as he followed, and his wings lit with small crackles of electricity. He barreled past False and smacked into the finish line just before she aligned on the platform. False seemed shocked and confused.

This is bad. They gave him those wings, I'm sure of it!

I think it's time to put an end to this, and put the plan into action.

~ ⬩╎リ⬩ ~

Grian strode into the centre of the shopping district, his tail swishing over the bricks. He wore the mask, but this time, he had a resolution. This time, he would do something good for everyone. He would make up for the bad things he had done, and once he was forgiven, he could reveal that it was him.

And I'll finally be free of this secret!

He sensed a potential opportunity coming from a small cave beneath him.

Someone was confused, and confusion meant that someone needed help. It was the middle of the night, and would remain so. Someone had asked no-one to sleep over the communicator, and it was the perfect opportunity to try to use his newfound power for good.

He followed the feeling of confusion into a ravine.

His talons clicked on the stony floors as he paced through the ravine, looking for the source of the confusion.

Eventually, he turned down a tunnel, feeling the feeling of confusion increase. He faintly heard a voice, whispering to itself.

"So I went left, placed this torch... or did I go right?"

Grian recognized that voice. Apparently, Etho was lost in these caves. He flew through the tunnel until the walls narrowed, preventing him from spreading his wings. Up ahead, Etho was looking at his communicator, presumably trying to figure out his coordinates.

His back was turned, and Grian could easily sneak up on him.

Just before reaching the Hermit, Grian knocked a stone with his foot, sending it rolling across the ground and alerting Etho to his presence. The man turned, his face going a bit pale. He took a step back, and Grian felt the confusion quickly turn to fear.

The extreme wave of power was almost intoxicating. Grian closed his eyes for a moment, feeling the electricity race through his veins.

No! No, use it for good! Help him out.

Grian pulled in his wings more and tried to make himself look less threatening. He reached out a talon slowly, offering his help.

He saw Etho's expression flicker between fear and curiosity.

Grian closed his eyes, the anticipation was killing him.

Maybe I can finally make amends...

Suddenly, the fear seemed to ebb away. Grian opened his eyes eagerly.

Etho was grinning triumphantly, leaning on a... a stone button...

It's a trap!

Grian tried to flee, but metal bars closed in around him. He tried to break them, but his arms felt suddenly heavy. As lava flowed around his enclosure, two other Hermits, Xisuma and Tango, emerged from the shadows, congratulating Etho. Grian felt weak and helpless. Even moving his arms was a struggle.

What is happening?

The sound of pistons echoed around him, and he was quickly enclosed in a small 3-by-3 metre cage, hot iron surrounding him on all sides. He stared hopelessly out of the cage, barely able to stand upright. Xisuma stepped forwards and removed his helmet. Grian shivered.

Cold hatred shone in his eyes.

"We've got you now."

The strider man fastened back on his helmet and reached out towards the floor. Grian was looking about rapidly, searching for a means of escape.

His energy was rapidly fading, he felt sleepy, and could barely move anymore. In a last-ditch attempt, Grian took some of his stored up power and sent it crackling along his cage. He collapsed, weak from the exertion. Xisuma jolted back, barely avoiding a surge of purple energy.

The lightning dispersed in a few minutes, and the cave was silent.

Grian heard the crunch of footsteps, and someone whispering.

There was an odd pinch on one of his wrists, and then the other, he lifted his head and tried to figure out where it came from.

Xisuma quickly darted away from the cage, and Grian saw why. His wrists were now chained to the metallic floor, keeping him in a kneeling position. There really was no way out now.

I have to let them know it's me now. It's my only choice.

He opened his mouth to speak, bracing himself for the turmoil this would cause.

Oh, best not to do that little one.

The little voice was back. Grian ignored it. He had to tell them. He again began to speak, and again he paused, the voice returning.

Do not speak, Xelqua. Do not fret, we will come help.

He tried to force the foreign presence out of his head angrily. To his surprise and horror, his mouth would not move. He felt the presence taking over his mind, forcing him to the back.

NO! I need to tell them!

No response.

Etho and Tango had gone further down the cave and were out of earshot.

Xisuma was looking at Grian, as if thinking.

Finally, he spoke.

"Leave. Your kind aren't welcome here. I know why you've come, but he belongs with us now."

Grian remained silent. What was Xisuma going on about?

"Look, there are plenty of worlds out there. Why are you so set on him?"

Xisuma sighed. His next words were soft, pleading even.

"Please, just leave him be. He's suffered enough already."

Without waiting for a response, Xisuma stood, walking out of the cave and taking off, Etho soon following.

Grian was confused.

Was Xisuma talking about me? Why would these creatures come for me?

That's when the soft slither of a blade distracted him from his thoughts.

Tango stood outside the cage, and Grian could feel his friend's fear and pain, washing over him and helping him regain his energy. Tango held a dark blade on one hand, and seemed like he was steeling himself.

Grian sared into Tango's eyes, and paled as he realised his friend's intentions.

He... he wouldn't... would he?

Tango raised his blade and stared straight into Grian's face.

"I'm sorry, whatever you are, but you're a danger to this server."

Grian tried to stand up, but the chains kept him kneeling. He squeezed his eyes shut, and attempted to use his power, but he couldn't find fear in Tango anymore, only steely determination. Grian felt a few tears begin to wet the inside of his mask. This isn't how things were supposed to go!
He couldn't take off the mask now, he couldn't even move. He couldn't speak. He couldn't do anything.

Someone... please... help me...

Tango lowered the blade and sighed.

He seemed angry at himself, and kicked a rock across the floor.

Grian could see the turmoil written on Tango's face. Become a killer, or risk the server...

He attempted to raise the blade again.

Suddenly, there was a soft flash of light. A tall Watcher was now standing behind Tango, its mask mirroring his own. Tango didn't notice, absorbed as he was in his own thoughts.

He could feel the creature's intentions. To kill. To destroy.

He couldn't let this happen. He pushed past the presence in his mind, desperate to save his friend.

"Tango, watch out."

Tango hesitated as he was about to let the sword drop.

"I... your voice... how do you know my-"

And then a shining blade protruded from his chest. Tango looked down, surprise flashing across his face. The blade withdrew, and Tango slumped to the ground, his eyes blank.

"TANGO!!!"

Grian yelled. The creature approached, but Grian backed as far away as he could.

"Do not be afraid, little one. The player will likely survive. Come, our sibling wishes to see you."

The creature dropped its blade, and it dissolved into grey smoke. Its talons ripped through the iron bars as if they were nothing, but Grian could tell that this Watcher felt fatigued as well. It broke Grian's chains, and he rubbed his wrists with relief.

"Come along, before more players arrive."

They emerged from the cave into the early dawn light. Grian took a deep breath. That was awful. His new otherworldly acquaintance built an odd structure out of obsidian. It was like a nether portal, but it was missing blocks. It looked similar to the symbol on both of their masks. The Watcher made a few odd motions in the air, and a crackling portal opened up before them. The Watcher stepped through, and beckoned to Grian to follow. Looking behind him, Grian hesitated. Who knew where this portal led? He looked back into the portal, where the creature was still waiting.

It's time to go.

It's time to figure out this whole mess once and for all.

And Grian stepped through the portal.

...

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