(crap i forgot to show you guys... so earlier sometime idk how long ago... uh April 28th, i got fanart and its above. thank you so much, JellyFish3145, its my phone's home screen now <3 and ahhh it's so cute

also, sorry for the late update and stuff, i wanted to do a longer chapter but my computer decided to be a zucchini and not load the document

also, to the comment chain where i said i was almost done editing it like five hours ago? ... i may have gotten distracted trying to learn some of the HC remixes on piano- [rn i know intros of Hermitgang, His Response, and Resource Gathering])

Colors. A multitude of colors flashed in my eyes. Some of them I have never seen before. Most of them were dull, but some neon colors appeared and blinded my eyes.

The feeling in my feet and hands returned, as if they had gone numb. It spread through my body until I could feel it all again. Those colors faded as my eyes fluttered open, vision glazed over. After furiously blinking many times, I was fully aware of my surroundings, all the pain gone. I was floating through a small part of the galaxy. Stars dotted the black infinite space that looked like the void. Galaxies spun like disks, and the stars blinked in and out of existence.

My armor wasn't on me. I was wearing my red sweatshirt and grey jeans again. They seemed new, no loose thread or rip in either article of clothing. The sleeves were rolled down to my wrists, but since it was cold here, it will stay like that.

I pinched myself, wincing as my nails dug into my skin. Scoffing quietly, I looked around for answers to the millions of questions that ran through my head.

Was I not dead? I swear I had been blown to smithereens when I exploded that magical core thing I don't fully understand. I thought I was blasted out the window and landed on the End's floor. That was over a hundred blocks, I should have died.

I wandered around as best as I could. The way to move around was similar to creative, except it was like walking through a pool of syrup. As I moved a block or so forward, small cubes of land and water started materializing. It was like looking at different worlds, both creative and survival. Random builds littered the multitude of tiny cubes that faded into and out of existence.

One familiar cube came into view. It was Hermitcraft on a miniature scale. I stopped and gazed at it, taking in all the miniature builds that I watched get constructed. Reaching a hand out, I brushed the mini world.

My vision flash, and suddenly, as if it were on a screen, I watched the events unfold on the Hermitcraft server.

"... seriously left without us!" Tango tightly crossed his arms, eyebrows furrowed and lowered. Stress sighed, as she was probably the one that is trying to calm everyone down. They were in the Shopping District, and of all places, the courtyard of Sahara.

"Of course they did, they wanted to protect us." She laid a hand on his shoulder, giving him a tight but not painful squeeze.

"We are literally a family, they should have brought us with!" Cub clenched the sword in his hand until his knuckles turned white.

"Xisuma said they'll make it back alive and well. They'll be fine," Ren said, albeit unsure. I heaved a heavy sigh and pulled away from Hermitcraft.

I dread the moment we go back.

"Welcome," a female voice said, pulling me out of my musings. I snapped my head towards the speaker. There stood... or floated a human-like figure. She was much taller than me, not unlike everyone. Hair as black as the void flowed over her shoulders, ending at her hips. She wore a long grass green gown, the part flowing and floating as she hovered. It was peppered with small, intricate designs of beautiful flowers.

"I've been waiting for this moment to come... ever since they started their goal of taking Minecraft over," she continued with a musical voice, coming closer to me. I suddenly fell to an invisible platform, crashing to the ground. She landed on her feet, holding a chocolate colored hand out to me. I reached out for it with a shaking hand, but paused before we touched. Looking into her eyes, she kindly smiled and nodded. I grasped her hand, pulling myself to my feet.

"Who are you?" I asked as I brushed myself off. She tilted her head, staring into my eyes. It pulled away as I realized their eyes were different colors. I hadn't noticed it before, but one was as blue as the sky, the other was as dark as the night. Both had dark bags under them as if she hadn't slept in a while.

Now looking closer, she looked slightly beat up, as if she had gotten into a small fight. She had a small cut on her cheek, a bruise on her forehead that was mostly hidden by her hair, and a cracked lip.

But she acted as if nothing was wrong, as if it were normal to have those injuries.

"That's up to you, Grian. Xelqua. Charles," she said. I blinked at the last name. Her voice was quiet and kind, one that would be used when you're exhausted but don't want to hurt anyone.

"Charles? Where'd that-" She waved her hand, a lazy but knowing smile on her face. Nervously picking at my red sweater, I glanced around, breaking eye contact.

"Nothing worth explaining," her angelic voice rang in my ears. She stepped back, the dress pooling at her feet.

"Uh-" I so smartly stuttered. She waved her hands around, white magic softly glowing around her. Realization hit me like a brick. Her clothing, how she's here, the kindness she gives-

"Y-you're Minecraft," I peeped, shrinking back. Minecraft laughed, nodding her head.

"Come." She grinned and turned around, starting to walk again. "So, you, Iskall, and Aquinnternal joined us today." I slowly walked besides Minecraft as she leisurely strolled past the worlds.

"I guess so, yes," I said in her silence. She nodded, gazing at the plethora of worlds. Her eyes lingered on each of the worlds before moving to the next one.

After a few minutes, Minecraft asked, "You do realize this is going to go down in history, right?" She paused. "Written on old paper... the red cover bordered in fancy intricate gold design... your name in golden cursive..." Her voice trailed off as if she was lost in her thoughts.

"But I don't want that-"

"Grian, it's inevitable. That explosion, though it may not have physically destroyed places outside a certain radius, certainly reached every corner of Minecraft's existence. Everyone felt the pulse... and the shockwave that came from it. I know I did, literally threw me off my feet." She gently smiled again. I'm beginning to think it's their most used expression, which wouldn't be a bad thing.

"I..." I sighed, knowing that Minecraft was correct. "I guess so." Minecraft stopped walking and turned to me.

"Before we complete what I brought you here for, I want to give you something." A relatively small box materialized in Minecraft's hands. She held it out to me. I gingerly took it from her hands, eyebrows furrowing. Minecraft gestured for me to open it.

I dusted about eight years of dust collecting on the top. Carefully lifting the flaps up, I peeked inside. Pictures in their frames were placed carefully, tightly packed and neatly organized. I slid one out of its place, turning it to see the picture-

"Oh my goodness." I almost dropped it in shock. If I recall correctly, these were the pictures that lined the tunnel back in that server all those years ago. This picture I was holding was the one where Mumbo and I were in the tree moments before the branch snapped, sending us to the floor in a heap of teenage mess. We were so young... we looked so different. But even though it was over a decade ago, both of our eyes still held that mischievous glint we would sometimes get in trouble for.

"Thank you," I whispered, holding the picture to my chest. I thought I lost these forever. Minecraft nodded, gesturing with her head for me to follow her again. I stuffed the box and picture into my empty inventory and fell into step with her.

"Now, I'm sure you realized you're dead." I nodded, still at a loss for words. "I'm- we're giving you an option. You can either stay here, or go back." My footing faltered as I stared at her with wide eyes.

It was unheard of to come back from perma-death.

Minecraft chuckled at my reaction. She gracefully folded her arms behind her back and said, "The reason we're giving you this option is because it wasn't your time yet. Sound familiar?" She asked with a slight tilt of her head. I mutely nodded once again. "Before you decide, I'll show you what is going on in the End." Dipping my head once, she grasped my hand and held it tightly as if I would get lost.

We were suddenly on endstone. The Facility was in ruins with only a few parts still standing. Mumbo was sobbing over my dead body. The other's were gathered there, crying at the three deaths.

Minecraft led me forwards, and before I knew it, we were standing over my corpse and Mumbo. My body was so beat up, damaged, and gruesome, I turned away and threw up. With a wave of her hand, Minecraft cleaned it up. Rosy red spread across my face as I averted my eyes from my physical form and watched the Hermits.

They were a mess of tears and shock. All of them looked extremely beat up, and for a few, it looked like they shouldn't be walking.

My chest felt like someone dropped a brick on it. My lungs almost stopped at their grief, my throat thick with guilt.

It's almost as if Minecraft knew I would be guilt tripped.

"Well Grian, it's your choice. You are the player," she said. I ripped my eyes off the scene in front of me and

"I..." What do I say? The corner of Minecraft's lips twitched upwards at my hesitance. She stepped in front of me and turned with a twirl of her dress.

"I'll give you time." Minecraft faded from sight, a chuckle fading as she did. I stood there, stunned silent as the Hermits panicked about what they should do.

"Grian?" A familiar voice asked. I whipped around, seeing Iskall there. He looked like he didn't go through a fight. No trace of blood, no magic wound, nothing at all. His clothing was still intact, even the normal rip in his jeans were gone.

"Iskall..." I breathed. He slammed into me at full force, wrapping his arms around me in a tight hug. I winced and wrapped my hands around him, awkwardly patting his shoulder. "Iskall- I need- air," I wheezed. He loosened his grasp, but didn't let go. His shoulders were shaking; whether from crying or laughing, I'm not sure.

Farther away, my former instructor stood awkwardly to the side, hands folded behind his back and eyes averted. Quinn looked at least ten years younger; it was as if the stress had been taken away from him.

"Instructor," I called out. He slowly looked up towards me, brushing the hair out of his face. Quinn gave me a faint smile, one that showed clear exhaustion.

Turning my head away, I released a heavy sigh. What was I supposed to do, choose between living and finally resting?

I could stay here, finally rest in peace. I was so tired of living... all the obstacles that were thrown my way have been taken care of as best as I could...

However, I knew the Hermits would be heartbroken. Especially Mumbo... he lost two of his best friends. I couldn't bear seeing him and the others in such a state.

But Iskall... and Quinn...

"Iskall..." I said. He finally released me, looking me in the eyes. "I'm sorry." Iskall grinned, though tears started to form in his eyes.

"It's alright, man, I didn't expect you to stay... Aw, it's going to be so boring," he complained. Quinn dramatically put a hand to his chest, dropping his jaw to the floor. I snickered, giving him a 'ha ha jokes on you' look.

After a few seconds, I muttered, "Iskall, I'll find a way-"

"If you try hard enough- which I know you can do since you entered Spectator and Creative- there is a chance you'll be able to communicate with them. I'm sure you'll find out," Minecraft said, materializing to the side. I yelped and jumped away, startled with her sudden appearance. She then arched an eyebrow. "Have you decided?" I nodded, looking over my shoulder. Iskall grinned. It reached his eyes. Quinn sent me a close-lipped smile, dipping his head once. Turning back to Minecraft, I met her eyes and held her eye contact.

"Send me back," I confidently said. "But-" I raised a finger. "-is it possible for you to bring Iskall back too?" Minecraft blinked, taken aback. A few seconds passed before she smirked, an odd expression on her face. Iskall stood back, stunned to silence. His eyes were wide- dare I say, rivals Keralis'?- and his jaw hung open. "What are you trying to do, Iskall, catch flies?" He snapped it shut with an audible click and glared at me.

"... I guess I owe you that after you saved me. Quinn can not go back, though." Behind Minecraft, I saw Quinn nod his head. I hummed in agreement, steeling myself for whatever pain I would feel.

"Wait, y-you can actually d-do that?" Iskall sputtered. Minecraft smiled caringly, flashing their white teeth.

"Yes. You are playing in the worlds I can decide what ultimately happens," she replied. In the blink of an eye, she was less than a meter away. Magic of all colors glowed and flashed around her, creating the brightest aura I have ever seen. I squinted, trying to move my hands in front of my face.

However, I found that I couldn't move anything... as if I were paralyzed. She stared me down, muttering in Galactic quietly.

After a few moments of her chanting, Minecraft waved a hand in front of my eyes before pressing her thumb to my forehead.

"Wake up."

(i made that decision with Iskall as i was editing this. okay? are you happy? do i not get murdered anymore?)