The day of the assassination.

Grian woke up, feeling off.

It felt different and his first thought was the Watchers.

But he ignored it, pretending that everything was alright. Much like the fucking author lmao

Anyways, he went about his day, quietly making himself a tea and deciding what he wanted to do for the day. The Hermitcraft server was more layed back than the other places he had been to. At least he could breathe in a bit easier.

<Xisuma> server meeting, please arrive at the shopping district

He sighed, there goes his plans.

He abandoned his tea and opened his wings (long story) and flew off.

---

Swooping down, people were mumbling to each other. A large screen was set up.

"Hello everyone, I'm going to make this quick but there is a dire emergency in one of the other kingdoms. A world wide interview was given a few minutes ago. I will play it back for you all." Xisuma said, turning on the tv.

Grian's heart lurched.

Jimmy.

"Hello citizens of the Ocean Empire." Jimmy said, waving to the camera. His eyes darted to the side. "My parents were assassinated at three pm today by a group of rioters. I am acting king for the moment until everything settles down and we can execute a plan." Grian could see him pause before looking straight at the camera. "I swear, for as long as I am here, I will meet your needs."
There were a few whispers in the background, telling him to stop. "My parents were killed. I don't want anyone else to go through that. I may be only fourteen, but I will get this right. I will be your king and rule with kindness and honesty. Please, trust me." Jimmy was crying. Grian's heart fell, just wanting to hug him and tell him that everything was going to be okay. "I will work hard. Just please don't do anything like this again. They were the only people I had left." The camera then abruptly shut off.

And they were quiet.

Grian clenched his fists in anger. If he hadn't have left, Jimmy would be safe and his parents would still be alive. Jimmy wouldn't have to make any decisions or promises like this.

The other Hermits looked upset.

"I can't believe that someone would do such a thing, he looks so upset." Stress said quietly. Others agreed with her.

"Grian, this came in the mail for you." Xisuma said, holding out two envelopes.

He took them carefully, recognizing one with the family crest.

Dear Grian,

If you do not come in twenty days, I will become king permanently. If you do arrive before then, you will become king. It is your choice to make.

Sincerly, Jimmy

Grian recognized the scribble of handwriting. His brother always signed his letters like this. He would become king, he would protect his seablings from the burden of the role. He opened the second.

↸ᒷᔑ∷ ∴ᔑℸ ̣ ᓵ⍑ᒷ∷ ⊣∷╎ᔑリ,
∴ᒷ ⍑𝙹!¡ᒷ ℸ ̣ ⍑╎ᓭ ꖎᒷℸ ̣ ℸ ̣ ᒷ∷ ⎓╎リ↸ᓭ ||𝙹⚍ ╎リ ⊣𝙹𝙹↸ ⍑ᒷᔑꖎℸ ̣ ⍑. ╎⎓ ||𝙹⚍ ∷ᒷℸ ̣ ⚍∷リ, ∴ᒷ ∴╎ꖎꖎ ʖᒷ ∴ᔑ╎ℸ ̣ ╎リ⊣ ⎓𝙹∷ ||𝙹⚍. ||𝙹⚍ ⍑ᔑ⍊ᒷ ᓭ𝙹ᒲᒷℸ ̣ ⍑╎リ⊣ 𝙹⎓ 𝙹⚍∷ᓭ ᔑリ↸ ∴ᒷ リᒷᒷ↸ ╎ℸ ̣  ʖᔑᓵꖌ. リ𝙹ʖ𝙹↸|| ∴╎ꖎꖎ ᒷ⍊ᒷリ ꖌリ𝙹∴ ||𝙹⚍ ᔑ∷ᒷ ⊣𝙹リᒷ.
∴ᔑℸ ̣ ᓵ⍑ᒷ∷ᓭ

He hid the letter quickly, trying to ignore how panicked he felt. He couldn't let his fears get in the way.

But... they could go after Jimmy.

Was he going to take the chance?

Who knows?

(Ayoo we got a Grian POV chapter)

(ᓭ!¡𝙹╎ꖎᒷ∷ᓭ ⎓𝙹∷ ℸ ̣ ⍑ᒷ ∷ᒷ∴∷╎ℸ ̣ ᒷ 𝙹⎓ ℸ ̣ ⍑ᒷ ᓭᒷᓵ∷ᒷℸ ̣ ╎⍊ᒷ ⍑ᒷ∷ᒲ╎ℸ ̣  ᔑᓭ ∴ᒷꖎꖎ)