Grian quietly strolled through the small forested area, near the ocean side. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath as the wind whistled past him, spraying him with a light mist of ocean water.

He sighed as he reopened his eyes and smiled. He turned and continued to walk around the deserted island, quietly humming to himself, enjoying the silence and solitary of the land.

He wasn't really paying much attention to his surroundings until he heard a strange unnatural noise.

He tensed and peeked around the trees, cautiously. He gasped and stared at the lone Nether portal that stood before him, active.

His eyes widened and glanced around but didn't spot anyone so he slowly stepped forward, examining the portal. "Where did you come from?" He muttered as he slowly walked around the portal until hearing the noise of someone about to pass through.

He gave a cry of surprise and ran back to the cover of the trees and hid.

He listened as footsteps came out of the portal.

"This looks promising!" A voice called out before another joined him.

"Yeah! Lots of trees! That's a great start!"

Slowly more voices joined.

Too many voices.

Grian felt his breath start to quicken as he started to panic but was startled when he heard a cry from above him and jumped back and looked up to see a man tangled in the branches of the tree he was hiding behind.

"Uh, Scar? A little help?" The man called but "Scar" was howling with laughter.

"Cub Fan, more like Tree Fan!"

"Seriously Scar! Please?!"

A couple of the other hermits moved to come help him.

Grian turned and saw them coming and tried to run off quickly only to have Cub fall out of the tree and on top of him making them both cry out in pain.

Scar quickly ran over. "Cub! You alright?! And- Who are you?"

Grian had gone completely into shock and didn't reply even as Cub was pulled off of him by Scar and the others gathered around him.

"Is he alright?"

"Did you kill him?"

"No, he's breathing..."

"Kid? Are you alright?"

Grian snapped out of it when one of them entered his vision. He gasped and jerked up and scooted back only to find himself surrounded by them.

He started to shake and hyperventilate, curling up into a ball on the ground muttering nonsense and begging for mercy.

The helmeted man who had knelt in front of him stared in surprise before looking at the others. "Give him space."

The others all backed off and broke the circle.

"Kid? It's alright... We aren't going to hurt you. Well. Not anymore than Cub accidently landing on you..."

Grian slowly opened his eyes and looked at the man who smiled.

"See? Here, my name is Xisuma but everyone calls me X," He offered his hand to Grian who stared at it, his eyes glazing over slightly.

"Give me the Nomicon, Grian." A voice echoed in his head, an outstretched hand in front of him.

"No... I can't do that..."

"Grian. Give. Me. The. Book."

"...No..."

The memory of pain flooded his mind when he refused making him cry in pain but held tight to the book.

"GIVE ME THE BOOK GRIAN!"

More and more pain until he was suddenly dragged out of his thoughts and back to reality.

He pulled his hands together against his chest, leaning away from the outstretched hand.

Xisuma frowned a little, lowering it back down. "Do you know where we are?"

Grian hesitated before shaking his head. "No..." he replied quietly, almost unable to be heard.

Xisuma glanced at the others who shrugged, some looking more defensive than others.

"How long have you been here?" he asked.

Grian glanced down in thought. "...Two days."

X looked surprised. "So, do you have a house?"

There was no response at first then Grian shook his head no.

X tilted his head, looking once more at the others. "Is anyone else with you?"

"No."

Grian was more firm. Didn't hesitate either.

Xisuma looked a bit concerned before humming. "Well, you could come with us," He offered but then he saw the looks from the others and sighed. "One moment." He stood and went over to them and they moved towards the portal, whispering quietly but harshly.

Grian stood and moved away from the group, still shaking a little.

Why did they have to show up?

It took him weeks to get here and now there were more people... He closed his eyes. He just wanted to be alone...

He was startled out of his thoughts by X clearing his throat.

He turned to him and stared at him.

X smiled a little. "The others have agreed to let you stay with us for now if you'd like to join us," He offered. "It might be easier to get a camp going until we are all ready to spread out."

Grian hesitated, glancing at the group who watched from the portal and then back to X. He took a deep breath before slowly nodding. "Just... Just for now." He confirmed.

X nodded. "Welcome to the Hermits, Uh... what's your name?"

Grian hesitated before shaking his head.

X just nodded again. "Alright then. Welcome anyway."

Grian just gave a small nod. "Thank you..." He replied meekly.