(So uhhmm I want Grian to have a cup of tea so ima break the laws of Minecraft for a bit and say that tea is one of the drinks that exist in Minecraft)

(mention of blood)

POV: Grian (Lol almost wrote Xelqua by mistake)

Location: Mumbo's base

I sipped a steaming cup of tea as I sat down in the chair placed beside Mumbo's bed. He was still unconscious and hadn't woken at all.

I had taken over for Xisuma that morning after he found Stress asleep at Mumbo's beside during the night and I could tell he had been beating himself up for not protecting Mumbo better. However, I didn't confront him about it as I wanted him to actually get sleep. I hoped he had actually fallen asleep.

I returned my focus to Mumbo and took a sip of my tea. He still seemed like he was just asleep but I knew that wasn't the case.

I sighed and returned my thoughts to the positive things. He was alive and he wasn't going to die, I wouldn't let him.

I stood up and walked over to the window, looking outside at the sea. I noticed a streak of red coming toward me from the sky and immediately knew who it was.

I watched as EX landed near me and greeted him with a small smile.

Keeping his helmet on, he came over to Mumbo and looked him over. "I wouldn't have taken control of his body had I known this would've happened," he said quietly, his voice filled with regret. I quietly sighed. "I know," I replied.

I went over to the chair and sat down, still holding my tea. EX grabbed another chair and pulled it over.

We looked up as the sound of rockets came from nearby. I saw a green armored player fly closer, his head covered by a helmet. From what I could see, Xisuma hadn't slept.

"You were supposed to sleep," I said as he landed. He shrugged and replied, "I couldn't."

His gaze landed on EX and the red-clad Watcher looked away.

"You two better not start fighting," I said, looking between the two of them. Xisuma sighed and didn't respond.

Instead, he headed over to Mumbo and looked down at the unconscious hermit. "Has there been any change?" he asked without looking away from him.

Now that he was closer, I could see bags under his eyes through his purple visor.

"No," I answered. He didn't respond again.

EX leaned forward, resting his elbows on his thighs as he looked off to the side.

"Why were you at that Academy?" Xisuma asked, startling me before remembering EX was beside me. I managed to hide my surprise and waited for EX to respond. "I don't know," he answered after a few moments. "What d'you mean?" Xisuma replied, looking confused as he placed his gaze on EX. The Watcher sat up and met his brother's gaze. "I do not know why I was at the Academy. I trained there and it just so happened you decided to attack while I was there," he replied.

Xisuma glanced away for a moment. "How'd you get there?" he asked. EX sighed. "Xisuma, they took my memories," he said. Xisuma's gaze snapped to him, his eyes widened slightly in surprise. "What?" he managed to reply. "I don't remember where I was before the Academy. All I can remember is a few good times and... A few bad times," EX explained. Xisuma froze a bit, knowing what he meant.

"EX, I want you to know that I was shocked when my friends attacked you like that. I could already tell you had broken something when you fell but I just froze. I couldn't move, I couldn't..." Xisuma paused for a second, looking away as he searched for the right word. "I couldn't help," he said, glancing at EX with guilt and regret filling his purple gaze.

EX froze a bit. "Xisuma..." he began hesitantly. "Who gave us the helmets?" he managed to ask, meeting his brother's gaze. Xisuma sighed. "We got them for our birthday the year before I left for the Admin University," he said, looking away. He looked back as he said, "They were from our father. He wanted us to be closer even though I was going away and he was..." He trailed off, his gaze moving away. "Dying," EX finished for him. Xisuma nodded, finding it hard to speak.

EX let out a small laugh. "I remember now, thank you, Xisuma," he said quietly. Xisuma looked at him and smiled, his eyes crinkling up to show that he was smiling.

It faded as he thought of something. "You don't remember being on the Hermitcraft server before going to the Academy?" he asked, his gaze darkening with worry. EX shook his head slowly. "I don't, " he replied. Xisuma sighed. "Nothing?" he asked. "Nothing, " EX replied.

I casually sipped my tea, reminding them that I was there. I smirked when their gazes snapped to me at the same time.

"Carry on," I said. "Don't mind me."

Xisuma cleared his throat and took a step away. "I'd better go get some sleep," he said.

"Xisuma," EX said, standing up and facing him. "Yeah?" He said as he paused. "I don't remember what you look like..." he said awkwardly, glancing off to the side. Xisuma's gaze landed on me. "Not right now," he said when he looked back at EX. He nodded, saying, "Okay."

Xisuma cleared his throat again. "I'll come check on him again after I get some rest," he said, referring to Mumbo.
I sipped my tea. "Alright. Stress will probably be on shift by then so see you later, X," I replied. He waved and flew off.

EX let out an exasperated sigh as he sank down into his chair. He pulled off his helmet, dropping it to the ground, and ran his hands through his hair. "I wish I knew what I did," he said with a frown. "You'd have to ask someone about that," I said. He sighed again and hung his head. "Who'd want to talk to me? I'm the guy that apparently ruined everyone's lives and doesn't even remember it," he replied, sounding miserable and slightly bitter. "How about Stress? She probably heard about it," I suggested. He thought about it and nodded slowly. "I'll ask her later," he said quietly.

I finished my tea and headed to Mumbo's kitchen to put the mug in the sink.

When I returned, I saw EX standing up while putting his helmet back on.

He gazed down at Mumbo, regret probably filling his gray gaze.

"D'you think he'll wake up while I'm here?" He asked without looking at me. "I don't know," I answered truthfully.

He sighed and began to walk away. "Where are you going?" I asked, concern for him appearing in my eyes. "I dunno... Maybe I'll go wander the Shopping District and scare everyone because of it." The misery in his voice worried and saddened me greatly. "Verix..." I said with a frown. He sighed and turned toward me.
"Should I find Iskall and ask him what I did?" He asked, gripping his left arm with his right hand. I sighed as I thought about it. "I don't think he was around when you were here," I said quietly. He nodded and looked away.

"Well, I guess I'll see you later. Bye Grian," he said before walking off. I waved as he rocketed away, soon becoming a red dot in the distance.

I sat down on the chair, my gaze resting on Mumbo. He seemed so peaceful but I knew he was battling for his life. Whether or not he was losing was the fact I didn't know.

I pulled my knees up to my chin and wrapped an arm around them to keep them close.

My mind wandered back to the mention of the attack on the Academy. I began to wonder what Xisuma was thinking when I saved him and then wondered if he suspected that that Watcher Initiate was me. I pushed the last thought away and immediately thought of the image of a smoking ruined Academy.

I shook my head and pushed the image away.

A thought came to my mind: Myriel would laugh at how much has happened to me. Then I paused, trying to figure out what I meant. I knew who Myriel was but I didn't know why I thought that.

I sighed and shook my head again before resting my gaze on Mumbo.

I didn't know how to help him.

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~POV CHANGE~

I sighed as I sank down onto my bed. Grian had told me to sleep but I wasn't sure if I could. My mind wandered as I wondered where EX was. Did he want to talk to me alone?

I shook my head and laid down. I remembered my helmet was on but was too tired to pull it off.

I tried to sleep but the rest didn't want to come. I rolled over and stared out the nearest window at the sky.

I began to think about all of the good times EX and I used to have before I left for the Admin University, peace falling over me. Finally, I drifted peacefully off to sleep.

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~POV CHANGE~

I silently soared high above the Shopping District, my gray gaze running over the shops, stalls, and various buildings and decorations.

I suddenly realized my elytra was about to break and carefully glided down to the ground. I managed to land without any issues and took off the breaking elytra, putting it into my inventory.

I glanced around, seeing no one, and began to walk along the pathways. I walked with my head hanging toward the ground since I didn't have pockets to put my hands into.

A few of the hermits that saw me immediately turned and walked the other way, making me wonder for not the first or last time what I did. I looked up as one of the hermits came up to me without fear. I looked at him warily and saw a sad smirk on his face.

"Hey EX," he said, definitely aware of who I was.

I remained silent as I looked at the green-eyed man in front of me. He wore a brown cowboy hat on his head as well as a long brown trench coat.

I cleared my throat a bit and glanced away. "I'm sorry, I slightly lost my memory of this place and I don't remember who you are," I said without looking at him.

His smirk seemed to grow a bit. "You wouldn't know me anyway. I'm Scar," he said, holding out a hand. I hesitantly took it, shaking it gently. "You already know who I am, I'm apparently the big monster of the server," I said, a bit of bitterness entering my voice.

Scar glanced at a hermit that was hiding behind a shop and smiled. The hermit, who had pale blonde hair and blue eyes, hid better behind the shop and didn't emerge from behind it.

"Why are you being nice to me?" I asked warily, looking at him. Scar's smile increased. "All the stories I heard about you didn't seem to be true when I saw you flying overhead and walking with your head in the dumps," he explained.

"Come on," he said, gesturing for me to come with him. "Let's go to my base where we can have more privacy." I started to follow him but noticed him pulling out rockets. "Uhm, my elytra's broken," I said while pulling out rockets. He wordlessly handed me a spare one and I equipped it before taking to the sky after him.

As we flew, I noticed several scars on the hermit's face and I assumed that was where he got his name from. However, I wanted to ask. I opened my mouth to speak but he beat me to it. "Why are you here after over 6 years?" he asked, his green gaze glancing over at me. I hesitated and closed my mouth for a moment. "I went to a school," I answered simply. Since Xisuma already knew I was a Watcher, I didn't think there was much of a point of intently hiding it and making up reasons. He nodded slowly.

"What were you going to ask?" he said, still looking at me. I hesitated as we neared our destination. He glided down and landed. I followed him.

"Why do you have those scars on your face?" I finally asked. He fell silent for a few moments and looked away, clearly trying to figure out how to answer. "I was attacked when I was younger," he answered quietly, his smile faded from his face. "I was taken from my family and my memories were lost. All I remember is that I was taken and tortured." His voice was filled with enough pain that it made me feel a bit guilty. "I-I'm sorry," I managed to say. He shook his head and wiped away a tear with his sleeve. "It's not your fault," he said, his voice lightening a bit.

He turned to look at me and I got a better look at his scars. A few crossed his nose and a larger one was splayed across the left side of his face, like a streaky splatter of blood. The image of the scar burnt and bleeding flashed through my mind and I reacted with a slight grimace.

"Why do you and Xisuma wear helmets?" Scar asked, not seeing my grimace. I met his gaze through my black visor. "To be honest, I forgot until Xisuma explained it to me. Our father gave them to us before Xisuma left for the Admin University. I guess we've both worn them since," I explained quietly. He nodded in understanding.

"If you don't mind my asking, who was the last person to see your face? I know that in all of Hermitcraft, no one has seen Xisuma's face," he said cautiously. "Grian," I answered. He seemed surprised so I clarified, "We've been friends for a while and I trust him enough to see my face." He nodded in understanding.

He led me further into the base and offered me something to eat. I declined and just awkwardly stood beside the wall. He didn't sit down either.

"EX," Scar began, meeting my eyes. "Why is your aura purple...?" he asked hesitantly.

I froze, horror coming over my gaze.

In my terror, I slipped into Galactic as I said, "How can you see that?!"

(2373 words)

(cliffhangers are great ;3)

(I wanted to have something important happen in Chapter 20 but then I remembered I have to finish this part of the story lol)