Honey....slime blocks.....redstone dust.....repeaters..... what else would Mumbo need?

Probably some food, that would be useful. Possibly some weapons as well. Mumbo wasn't the best at PVP, but he thought maybe Iskall or False could use them? That would be the safest move, maybe some shields would be useful as well. The Redstoner pulled his communicator from out of his pocket, reading a few texts that Iskall and Grian had been sending him. They were mainly just concerned on where The mustached hermit was, but Mumbo only reassured them that He was perfectly fine. Mumbo put my phone back into my pocket, as He grabbed a few iron ingots, beginning to craft a couple of shields.

It was quiet, crickets beginning to chirp as the sun began to go down, setting over the gigantic jungle. It would have been peaceful, if two psychopaths weren't loose somewhere in the server. Mumbo decided to pick up the pace while crafting, a bit worried that He was being..watched. Was he being paranoid? He felt like there are eyes glued to the back of his head, watching the Redstoner as He finally finished crafting. Mumbo shoved as many shields as he could into a shulker box, lifting it up and moving towards the elevator. His legs felt heavy and tired, And Mumbo couldn't seem to figure out why, that strange fog seeming to cloud Mumbo's mind once more.

The Redstoner slowly walked toward the bubblevators, Mumbo's footsteps becoming uncertain as his legs shook, his entire body beginning to go numb.

What was going on?

Why was He feeling like this?

Why were his eyelids going heavy?

Why does he hear footsteps?

Who's here?

Was he even moving?

What's going on?

Why is everything dark?

Questions buzzed around Mumbo's head, the groggy feeling returning to the pit of his stomach. Something sharp pierced Mumbo's skin, the numb feeling leaving his body as The Redstoner snapped awake, holding his chest, which was now bleeding. Mumbo's vision was fuzzy, but slowly the world returned, Hels and Ex standing above Mumbo's body, which was relaxing on the stone flooring.

"I told you, we just needed to stab him until he woke up!"

"Whatever Hels, let's greet our new friend."

"wh-what.....?"

"You're going to help us out." Said Ex, bending down and tilting head to make eye contact with Mumbo. The mustached hermit's heavy eyelids screamed at him, telling him to go to sleep, that Mumbo should ignore the two. But Mumbo's brain wouldn't let him sleep, all of hid fear dulled down the strange fog in his head.

"I....I don't want to help you.....!"

"Fine then, would you rather help us, or do we have to give you this..?" Ex held up a crimson potion, slightly shaking it before he uncorked they top of it, a spicy smell filling the air and causing Mumbo to choke up a bit. Hels grabbed the Redstoner's chin, threatening to pour the dark red potion down his throat.

"O-okay! I'll help!"
"Good, I'm glad you could be reasoned with."
"What do you even want from me anyways?!"

"We just want you to convince the other hermits that we're gone. We can't have the hermits hiding from us, now can we?"

"B-but...I-I...how?!"

"Make something up, lie to them. I don't care. They need to think that we're gone."

"But I can't lie! I'm horrible at it!"

"Fine. I'll handle this. But don't think you're off the hook. Take all those resources and this blueprint, construct a prison hidden away in a mountain or something."

Before Mumbo could speak again, Hels grabbed the redstoner's arms, steadily lifting Mumbo up and off the ground. He forced the Mustached against the wall, not like he could fight back, Mumbo's entire body was tired, he could barely think straight. Ex reached into Mumbo's pocket, pulling out his communicator with a smile. He turned away, beginning to type away at the screen.

"Hels, give Mumbo the antidote for our little potion."

"You sure? He could run off and tell the others."

"If he does, we'll find out, and I'll personally make sure Mumbo pays for his mistake..."

Hels nodded, pulling out a white potion and shoving it down Mumbo's throat, the cool and sweet liquid seeming to clear the Redstoner's head. Everything seemed to return to Mumbo's senses, and He could stand on his own once again. Hels shoved a shulker box into Mumbo's hands, handing him an iron pickaxe as well.

"Get to work, and if you tell anyone, we'll make sure you and your friends suffer.."

~~~~~~~

Mumbo> guys
Mumbo> I'm working on something, so I will be pretty busy

Mumbo> but I think I found a way to stop Hels and Ex

Mumbo left the group chat.

~~~~~~~~

"What was that all about..?"
"Not sure kid.." TFC said, scratching his beard.

Everyone went quiet, which wasn't common for the hermits. Most were watching Xisuma, anxiously waiting until he woke up. He was resting in Tin's arms, the admin barely breathing. The small group of hermits had taken his hemet off, making sure he wasn't hurt too bad. The only thing that was wrong was the potion particles. They wouldn't go away, no matter what the hermits tried. Most were starting to worry, but Grian was more worried about Mumbo.

The way he sent those last few texts...it didn't feel like....Mumbo. Grian thought to himself. He was probably going crazy, but He just worried about Mumbo. The small hermit glanced to Iskall, who was sitting with Stress in the corner. Grian had constructed a large underground room, but the ceiling was low, and everything was made out of stone and dirt. It wasn't the best, but it was safe..for now.

Iskall seemed equally as worried, but Grian didn't go over to talk to him. He simply pulled out his communicator, texting Mumbo privately to make sure he was okay.

~~~~

Grian> you okay dude
Mumbo> I'm fine
Grian> stay safe, im worried about you..
Mumbo> sure, whatever

~~~~

Something was definitely off.
But what..?