(November 10th, 2019)

Word Count: 823
Category: None
Warnings: None

Grian opened his eyes, staring at the same white ceiling. Usually, that would be normal, right?

Not when it isn't where he last was.

He shot up in bed, taking his communicator out. He growled in frustration as he read the date and the time.

Wednesday, December 11th, 2019. 7:00AM. He was so mad he almost threw the communicator against the wall.

"Why can't I get out of this God-forsaken loop!" Grian screamed. He slumped against the wall, rolling up his sleeve. The scar from trying to count the last loop was gone. He scratched another small scratch into his arm with his fingernail. It didn't hurt or bleed, which was a good sign. He stood up, strapping an elytra to his back. He flew out his base, looking around for anything that has changed. He landed in the Shopping District.

"If nothing has changed..." Grian muttered. He ducked down, and threw a trident to his left. As he ducked, an arrow whizzed past and a grunt was heard where the trident was thrown. If Grian hadn't ducked, it would have impaled his shoulder.

"How-" A voice started. They were interrupted when an egg was thrown at the speaker. It cracked open on their head, the liquid dripping down the side.

"You've got to step up your game, Scar." Grian said, smirking. "You're getting predictable." Scar stepped out of the shadow while attempting to clean up the mess.

"It was strategically planned... how did you know I was there?" Scar asked, confusion evident on his face. Grian's smirk faded quickly, replaced by a crestfallen expression. Scar immediately became concerned. He stepped closer, reaching out for the small Hermit.

"Grian..." He started. "What happened?" The builder shook his head, flying away without a word. Going to the Shopping District was a waste of time. For the rest of the day, he spent time in his library, looking for solutions to get out of this loop.

"How did I even get into this mess?!" He cried, tears streaming down his face. He kicked to door to the library open, making it slam into the concrete wall. He flew out of his base. "It's been so long I don't remember..." The rest of the way he flew, he stayed silent. After a few minutes of flying around aimlessly, he landed on top of his base. He sat down, hugging his knees and quietly sobbing into them.

"Every single time it's the same." Grian said to himself. "Every single time Scar tries to attack me. Every single time this happens. And I don't even know how it started!" He sat there, his shoulders shaking. He then turned around, still hugging his knees. "Mumbo, I know you're there. Every single time you are... why should this time be different?"

Mumbo Jumbo climbed onto the top, clumsily standing up. He walked over to his friend and sat next to him. He was silent for a few minutes.

"What do you mean, 'every single time'?" He asked. 

And every time this happens, I tell you. Why should I change now? The builder thought.

"I- I'm stuck in a l-loop. And I can't find a way out. It's been like this for as long as I can remember."

"And you said you don't know how it started..." Mumbo muttered, more to himself than anything. Grian nodded.

"I've tried everything, but I can't change anything. It's always the same, no matter how hard I try to change it."

"Why don't you talk to Xisuma?" Mumbo suggested. Grian looked at him with an unbelieving expression.

"Did you not hear what I just said, Mumbo? I've tried everything, but I can't change anything, no matter how hard I try to change it." He repeated. "You suggested that last time, and look at the time. The sun is already setting."

"S-"

"'-tay up through the night and tell him, Grian.' No, I already said, I've tried. Anyway, something knocks me out at exactly 10:00PM. One time it was a falling block of concrete that someone tied to a balloon. I still don't know how it managed to fly" Grian took out his communicator. 9:55PM. "Why the heck does time go by so fast?" He tossed the communicator over the side of the building he was standing on.

"Why...?" Mumbo started.

"My day will restart in 5 minutes. It's not worth it." Grian replied. "I still can't believe how messed up this fate is." He added. Mumbo hugged the smaller Hermit.

"Good luck." He muttered into Grian's ear. Grian hugged back, very tightly. Just as Mumbo let go, Grian felt something hit his head. Really hard. His vision darkened as he felt himself falling. Before his world went black, he heard Mumbo laugh, saying,

"This time it was a bird."

(If you really want it to be a loop or experience what Grian is in, reread the chapter again.)