Grian stood up after softly lulling Xisuma to sleep. The man did too much. Always focused on everybody else but never himself. Besides, he would've tried to stop him.

Careful not to wake anyone up, he slowly picked his way out of the den of his sleeping friends. Grian then retrieved a pen and pad of paper from his chest monster and leaned it against his knee. He loathed the idea of leaving in enough itself but he couldn't bear to just flee with no explanation.

But what to write? He knew the more information they had the more danger they were in. He had to give them something or else they'd try and go after him, hence putting themselves in danger. He signed, their determination to help fellow Hermits was truly admirable, but it was now becoming a problem.

Should he say he hated them? Maybe it would get them off his trail for a while. No, he couldn't say that to them, even in note form. He wasn't heartless enough for that. The very thought of doing such a thing made him.. well the author doesn't actually know the word for it. If sad and mad had a child it would describe the feeling. Besides, if they tried to talk with him it'd all come crumbling down.

They would get a little context he decided. Hopefully enough to keep them satisfied long enough for him to deal with things, but not enough to make them big enough targets that They would go for them instead of him.

In the end, he came up with a short message. Hopefully good enough to placate his friends for a while.

Dear Hermits,

I will be leaving the main island for a little bit. As you probably saw, it is no longer safe for me to stay with you guys. I wish I could tell you more but I don't want you to be put at risk. If my suspicions are correct, you would all be in great danger if I did.

Do not try and follow me if you value your life, sanity or freedom.

I will be fine and I will return, someday.

G.

Was it vague enough? He'd just have to hope so seeing as he had to get to packing soon. The sun was coming up and he wanted to be long gone by the time his friends woke up. The note was carefully positioned the note so it could be seen easily from the nest of pillows and blankets that were concealing his companions. Next, he had to gather all he would need for his little trip. He didn't know how long it'd be until he'd seen the first people he'd called family in a while.

Enough sappy shit. He had work to do if he was going to be sure they'd be safe. If he didn't leave now he might never get the courage back up to do it again. Not to mention the Hermits would be watching (heh) him like hawks after what happened last night. He just needed to pack a few things. His tools, some food, a couple of magic weapons he still kept for emergencies, and... his old mask?

He didn't remember getting that back. Last he remembered was throwing the damned thing into the void. It used to appear when it was really inconvenient but that was back in season 6, it hadn't shown up again in years.

Alova.

Grian didn't want it anywhere near him. He wanted to leave it here, buried under many chests. Unfortunately for him, Watcher artefacts were crazy powerful. Like, if a regular player were to somehow activate it then they'd either; a) be driven to insanity b) spontaneously combust, or c) become one of them. He slipped the stupid thing into his pocket with a defeated sigh, he could chuck it out safely later.

Het stacked the last of the necessary supplies into a shulker box and then into his inventory. There was a picture hanging on the wall that taunted him. It was of all of Boatem after the village was just formed. Grian had framed it because of one specific person. It was the first picture Pearl and him had taken together after reuniting. The first in which the two were truly free.

Or so they'd thought.

Despite its now-bitter undertones, he grabbed it off the wall and hugged it to his chest. He could feel tears pricking back up but he wasn't about to deny Pearl her dying wish. "Stay safe, don't let them get you too."

Patting his cheeks dry as he went, Grian did one last final check to make sure he had everything. But just before he turned to leave, he heard someone in the doorway.

"Grian? What are you doing?!"