AND WE'RE BACK! With another half-perspective chapter! 

N i c e

WC: ~515 (screams)

Enjoy!

Grian sighed, sitting on the bed. Cleo had messaged Mumbo saying that she had Grian with her, and he asked for her to take him back up to the surface, where they would regroup. Cleo had kindly offered to guide the Watcher out of the caves, but then left him in the house. 

Grian snapped his hand, letting the familiar purple flame come. Something about it was so refreshing, so calming, so serene. His magic always made him feel that way. It was a part of him, but somehow also completely separate. Ignoring the small pull in his stomach that came with using said magic, Grian continued to keep it out. 

It was good to practice his magic, anyway. Magic was like a muscle, the more you used it, the stronger it became. Grian was pretty sure that was why his was so strong. Hours of nothing better to do left him with a lot of time to train his magic and mind.

Grian blinked, his magic vanishing. Footsteps sounded behind him. The Watcher grinned, then turned to see Mumbo stepping in the house.

POV Shift: Mumbo

"Erm, hi Grian," Mumbo greeted the Watcher awkwardly. He knew with one look in Grian's lavender eyes that he had overheard his and Doc's conversation. 

"Hey," Grian's voice was soft. Something glowed in those lavender eyes, but Mumbo couldn't put a finger on it. Awkwardness floated in the air, making Mumbo shift uncomfortably. 

"I know I don't belong here," the Watcher started, his voice remaining quiet. "I belong with the Watchers. But, there being no way for me to get back there, I'll just have to deal with this kind of thing. I don't mind." Mumbo blinked, surprised.

"I thought you said you weren't going back," he pointed out. Grian rolled his eyes. 

"Well, where else am I going to go?" he flashed back. Mumbo hesitated, before saying.

"If you stay here, I'm certain the other Hermits will accept you," Grian gave a small huff of annoyance.

"What makes you think I want to be here?" he snapped. Mumbo flinched, almost feeling as if he had been struck. Grian snapped his hand, a dark purple flame coming to it. 

"Oh," Grian practically whispered, his voice sending shivers up Mumbo's spine. "I'm going back to the Watchers alright."

Something's wrong.

What happened?

Is he mad at me?

What is he doing?

What's going on?

"I... you said that the crimes they've committed are unforgivable and that you refuse to be among them..." Mumbo said slowly, his heart sinking to the bottom of his chest.

"I said WHAT?" Grian spat, his lavender eyes practically glowing with fury. Hatred. Venom.

Is all of that directed at me?

Of course it is, who else would it be?

Before Mumbo could say any more, all he saw was a flash of purple, and his breath was completely knocked out of him as he was thrown backwards.

Did Grian just...

Blast me?

Confusion mixed with fury as he stared at the Watcher, who was advancing on him.

Doc was right.

He's stabbing me in the back.

The first chance he got.

Mumbo gave a small smile as he pulled out a sword.

Well... two can play at that game.

Hehe.

-Storm