(Major warnings: mention of death, manipulation, pretty much everything you get from all my other fics into one.)

     The sun was burning his skin, eyes squinted in the afternoon light. Sand was shifted under his feet as he climbed to the highest point. He stopped at the edge and looked down. Taking a deep breath, he-

     The bump of the Hermitcraft(TM) Bus woke Grian up before his nightmare could get worse. Hermits were in the seats, chatting about goals for the new season or were making blueprints already.

     He rubbed his eyes with enclosed fists and let out a small yawn. No matter how much sleep he tried to get, none of it would make him feel fully awake.

     "Bad nap?" Grian jumped before he noticed it was Mumbo in the seat behind him. Iskall was next to him in the aisle seat, talking to Etho in another row.

     "Nah, just excited about the new start." It was partially true. He was ready for a complete reset in his life after-

     "Same, do you have any plans for this season?" Mumbo's smile was the same as it had been in Season 6 when it was Grian's first year on the server. It was welcoming- but at the same time, it was like he viewed Grian as someone completely new.

     Plans for the season?

     Grian's eyes widened. He had no clue how he was going to make this season happen. There were no preparations of a spot to choose, no designs of a starter and permanent base, just nothing was done. His first season was planned meticulously, every detail done with perfectionist's work. He thought he could wing it like-

     "Hey, don't worry about it." Mumbo broke him out of his panic with his soothing words. Something in the coal eyes of the redstoner looked vaguely like sympathy and understanding. "I have barely anything planned either. All I got is a weird costume and a vague idea of what character I want to play."

     "Character?" Grian asked slowly. He remembered that from sometime ago.

     "Yeah, like your Sherlock Grian or Poultry Man and Ren's Ren Bob and Tomato Yoshi."

     The builder with every force he believed in, tried not to flinch at Ren's name. He had no clue why it put an unsettling feeling in his gut.

     "All you have to do is come up with some funky way of starting the season. You don't have to go all out, just something natural." Mumbo sounded like he believed in Grian to get this right. How can he get something right when he has no clue what it is that he is supposed to do. "Just take your time to think about what you want to do."

     With that, the mustached Hermit joined in on Etho and Iskall's conversation, leaving Grian to ponder alone.

---

     The bus slowed to a stop and everyone stopped talking.

     Some pointed out the windows and murmered to their seat partners about something outside. Xisuma stood up from the driver's seat, taking off his helmet so he could talk to everyone.

     "Alright, everyone," he called out, all eyes going to him, "the new Hermits will be waiting outside and I want everyone to be on their best behaviour. The bus will be moved from this area in a few days to where I am going to live so for now, please don't mess with it with anything. Especially with eggs, last time that happened was a disaster." The bus laughed, sharing a joke Grian didn't get. All he knew was that it was from a season before he joined. "Now, if anyone needs to change outfits, find one of the villager houses and use that to change. Any other questions, requests, or concerns, personal or not, come find me." Everyone called his voice the 'Dadsuma' voice. He treated everyone like he was their dad just offering advice. It made him perfect fit to be the admin of the group.

     "Altight, off we go!" He opened the door and everyone got into the aisle to get off.

     Grian felt like he couldn't understand anything happening. It was too fast but slow at the same time. When was he supposed to enter the line? Was he supposed to say something before he entered?

     "Grian? You going to go?" Iskall asked, breaking him out of his stupor. There was a space in the line for Grian to cut through if he wanted.

     "Nah, I'm still gathering my things. You go ahead." The Swedish man gave him a look before shrugging and walking ahead. More people followed him as Grian collected his things together like paper, quills, and inkpots. He had his pencil as well to use on the bus but it went untouched for the whole ride. After he put things in his bag, he just continued to stare at it. His bag used to be a light red color but now it was white. It was unevenly bleached and he couldn't recall why.

     "Grian?" He jumped again and turned to see Xisuma, staring with his dad look. "Would you like to talk about something?" He asked, leaning against one of the seats.

     "Nope, just got lost in thought about the base I am planning on making. You know how it is, constantly thinking of new ideas and such." Xisuma looked unsure at that but slowly nodded his head.

     "Yes, lots to think about." He seemed to be deep in thought like he was studying everything Grian said or did. He finally shook his head in indecision, training his eyes on him again. "I hope if anything really is bothering you that you know you can come to me, alright?" Grian nodded his head. He didn't need to be a baby about all this. He was fine, just a small hiccup.

     The two of them got off the bus and were greeted by the other Hermits talking to the newest members. It was loud and exciting, filling Grian with anticipation and adrenaline. He felt like something big was going to happen. He was on guard, reaching for a phantom sword that used to sit at his hip. Ignoring the feeling, he grabbed at the strap on his bag. His knuckles turned white from how tight he was holding onto it.

     It went by in a blur after that.

     Grian vaguely remembered Mumbo introducing the rules and all the new changes to the season. They had this talk many times before so he continued to let his mind wander. And before he knew it, everyone was running in different directions.

     It felt like seconds passed between them arriving and starting the season but he knew it had to be about a hour.

     The builder was about to walk in a direction when he watched as Cleo attacked Bdubs who was screaming in the distance. Scar was laughing and cheering the Zombie hybrid on.

     The Grastle stood ontop of the hill, over the valley and allowed for no intruders to enter. Guards usually stood place but one of them left to use the elevator. Screaming could be heard from behind the walls-

     Grian turned the other direction. He didn't know those people very well and he had already created a mission in his mind. No need to useless distractions when there was stuff to be done. New lands needed explorers who would benefit the environment.

     "Grian, wait up!" He turned to see Mumbo chasing after him. In his peripheral vision, he could see Hermits respawning and rushing back into their battle with weapons that Joe supplied.

     "Hey, what's up?" Grian asked, turning away from the scene behind him to walk in stride next to the taller man.

     "Well, I have no clue what I am doing but it seems you have an idea so I just wanted to tagalong for awhile." He shouldered his backpack so it sat higher on his shoulders. It looked like a potato sack created into some weird bag.

     "Alright, I guess I'm going with the naked man." He shrugged with a smile tugging at the ends of his mouth. Mumbo gasped in mock offense, holding a hand to his chest.

     "I can't believe you! I do have pants on! They just oddly look like flesh."

     The smell made him want to throw up. It smelled of burned and rotted-

     "Yeah..." the conversation went flat after that as they made their way around. Grian had no clue what he was looking for exactly but he hoped it would be perfect once he found it.

     "So, did you come up with a plan?" Mumbo asked after a few minutes of their awkward silence.

     "Yeah, I am planning on going to the End." It was a vague comment as to not reveal anything.

     "Already missing the wings I see."

     Sure, he missed the weight of his wings but he had already gone without it for awhile. He wasn't too eager to return to flying. The idea of being high in the air scared Grian even though he would have no worries like someone would have with an elytra. The code automatically made his wings disappear when he didn't have the advancement the same as other Hermits do. He had to earn them like them when they got their elytras. The wings would reappear and he could go back to soaring in the free sky-

     Falling down, tumbling towards the sand-

     "Are you doing alright, Grian?" Mumbo asked over his intrusive thoughts. He turned and could see the familiar concern that he had seen in other's faces.

     "I'm fine, just excited is all." His usual answer rolled off his tongue with ease. It doesn't mean anyone believed it.

     "You seem a lot more preoccupied than usual," Mumbo noted with a nod of his head.

     "Just thinking of my plan and all." He could see the mustached man observing him from the corner of his eye yet he pointedly avoided it. He doesn't know why everyone is being weird around him. One minute, he was in Hermitcraft Season 7, laughing with friends and the next people are looking at him like he grew another head.

     The world border was too small compared to Hermitcraft. They had no way to go to escape except-

     Grian shook the thought off again. No, he hasn't been on another server since he joined Hermitcraft besides MCC. There is no reason he should be seeing stuff that hasn't happened and never will. But all he can see is dead bodies and bloody people.

     It's just a fluke.

---

     Grian hit the iron sheet with his hammer, a bang ringing out.

     He and Mumbo found an area the farthest North and claimed it. Scar caught up to them after he was killed by a skeleton (Grian tried not to think about it) and Impulse followed afterward. Pearl, the last member, found them making a weird 'Boatem' Pole that sat in the middle of the field. She joined along and it was complete. They were to be called the Boatem People.

     He wiped the sweat off of his brow, swinging the hammer at the metal again. He had finished making a helmet, boots, and trousers, now all he needed was a chestplate. It was never easy making the armor to form to the body but every Hermit had speacial templates that fit their exact form they could use to help the process go easier.

     Clang!

     Clang!

     Bang! Three bodies exploded into the air. People around were staring in shock and some rushed to the blast site. He felt pride knowing-

     Clang!

     He still had a lot to do, no time to ponder over whoever that was.

---

     Finally, suited in decent armor and having his bag full of items he will need, he is ready to step into the End.

     The portal glimmered just below him, beckoning him to warp into the Dragon's island. He had no clue what would be on the other side; the landscape always changes. He could spawn on the island or he could be blocks away from jumping into the inky black void.

     Working up his nerves, he entered and warped onto the platform. It wasn't a bad spawn but he still had to work to get up. He took his time, dodging the gaze of the tall mobs that roamed the lands.

     He could see the beast he came to slay, flying without a care in the world.

---

     Exp showered down when Grian made the final blow. The magic curled toward him, bouncing as he walked toward the center. There, up on the pole in the fountain, was the egg he so desired to get. It was the reason he ventured to a place he was scared of.

     Fighting the dragon alone reminded him of Evo. He remembered being sucked out of the world he created and plopped into Hermitcraft with no warning. He couldn't say goodbye to his friends and had to make new ones in a foreign place. He missed them dearly but he was kind of glad he got invited to this place. It was beings called the 'Watchers' who did so. They said it was his destiny or whatever to meet these people. He saw them again before he was leaving with his friends for the new season. Another destiny or something.

     Grian honestly didn't care, it never really messed up his life and from what he did research about the Watchers, they weren't evil. They are mythological gods that watch the future and lead people to the best paths. He never saw them again but the end always brought up the memory of them.

     He sat up in his bed after entering the portal, egg in his arms.

     He got up and immediately put on display, writing a sign to make sure the other Hermits wouldn't touch (although he knew it would never, begrudgingly, work.)

     "Hey Grian!" He jumped and turned to see Scar...

     ...except it wasn't Scar. His face was mutilated, likely it was beaten. There was no sign of a weapon wound so it was from a fist fight. His skin was gray and his eyes were bloody red. Grian realized he made a mistake, his eyes were white and blood was pouring down them in some sick and twisted type of tears. He wore no shirt, showing off scars and muscles that Grian didn't know he had. It brought an overwhelming sense of fear, betrayal, and anger in him.

     "Grian, what is this?" He blinked and it was regular Scar, pointing at the egg with curiosity. The other Scar was smart, cunning, and evil. This one was stupid, couldn't think of a plan to save his life, and lovable with his goofy grin that sat on a pink and untouched face.

     "No, don't touch-" Grian was just about to pull Scar away when the other Hermit tapped it with a 'boop.' The egg disappeared.

     "Wait that thing disappears?" Scar asked, looking around for it.

     "Yes, that's why I wrote a sign about it!" Grian was already frustrated as it was but this was pushing it.

     "Sorry, I tried to read it but gave up." Grian sigjed. He forgot about his dyslexia and of course he would be curious. If it were a trap, he wouldn't be able to stop-

     Grian watched as the Sand Castle was destroyed, explosions ringing out and avalanches of sand falling. Scar came tumbling out, looking mildly distressed.

     "I'm sorry Grian, I completely forgot. It almost killed them. It was almost successful." Scar had half the heart to look guilty. Grian just sadly smiled.

     "We will get them next time."

     "Grian?" He shook his head. Scar was standing there, nervously fumbling with his hands. Mumbo was off to the side, watching.

     "Are you doing alright?" Mumbo asked, coming up to the two, gently placing his hand on his shoulder. Grian jumped again, flinching from the contact. Mumbo pulled his hand back quickly in response.

     "Yeah, just spaced out for a second." He could see the two others exchanging glances with each other.

     "Alright.... uh, how do we get your egg back?" Scar asked, pointing to the object that was rolling on the ground.

     Grian sighed, grabbing his things to go and get back the egg.

---

     He had no clue what to do.

     There was no plans and it felt like forever since he had tried to make something permanent. Something in his mind told him to keep moving and never stop looking behind him.

     On a whims, he created his house. It was a blind battle trying to make it look good. Hermitcraft had a standard like no other. He heard of the horrid dirt house starter bases in distant lands like the 'Dream Essempi.' No, he couldn't be a savage like they were.

     Rumors of those lands spread around fast. Everyone knew the name and everyone wanted to be as far away from it as possible. It was a normal kingdom, set with the ruler being Dream with his friends as advocates. Tales of how the server went downhill fast were whispered about.

     Revolutionaries tore up the kingdom, fighting against the injustice of the leaders. A young man, using his words as a weapon and his kid brother who was only nine years old when it all started. It got increasingly worse.

     The once peaceful kingdom became a bloodbath. The infinite lives were reduced to three but instead of being able to travel out to another land at the end, you were forced to stay. The kid was now sixteen, his brother died, he had been exiled twice in his life, he had been tortured, manipulated, and brutalized. He watched as people abandoned him and he had eventually died, only to become a puppet to the ruler. He was revived, along with his brother, and became a legend in itself. Nobody in the kingdom had any clue that it was wrong, the border wall was thick and hazy to outsiders. People join, just walking over in a daze. It has been seen as a trick to get more people to feast on. A recent story of another kid joining was spread around. Leaders of other nations kept a strong hold, making sure nobody would leave and go to the other lands.

     Those lands were poor. It was one of the poorest kingdoms to ever rise yet it was one of the most powerful. The fact that the leader was able to keep everyone locked inside and manipulate people to join was a feat in itself. Those who are dead in those hardcore kingdoms could float past the border and come alive again. There, they stay. People warned that if anyone ever crossed that border and died, they would be put in a purgatory. Those were only legends from hundreds of years ago but they seemed to be revived. Leaders were scared of the Dream Essempi and hardcore world in general. People stopped creating those kingdoms when the rumors of the powerful relm emerged.

     The Hermits were nomads. They collected the diamonds and created large structures for living. It's what made it so interesting in the first place. They stayed for a few years and then moved to the next area, starting all over again. Technically, they were powerful monarchs. It was a democracy more than anything yet they still had titles. Nobody was officially a leader, it is more like they just wanted to follow the man who created it all, Xisuma. He held the rules and the power. He kept the border up and could do anything he pleased but because they worked together, everyone had a say. Grian was technically a Duke but he didn't care for formalities much. He has been a king a few times and even a common civilian in others.

     One time though, he was a advisor hidden as a commoner.

     It was a roleplay, the king he was under loved to roleplay as a commoner. Grian on the other hand hated it. He had power yet he had to pretend to be in pain with everyone else. He knew it wasn't how common civilians get treated and it wasn't fair. He left as soon as he could and formed the Evo kingdom. He never wanted to be like his former friend was.

     Shaking his head from his thoughts, he realized he was putting items in his bag. He brought his hand out of it, pulling a music disc and a rabbit hide from it.

     He swallowed down the bile that threatened to come up and put them away in his chests. He had a vague clue what they were doing in his bag but he didn't want to admit it to himself.

     "Grian?" He jumped and saw that it was Mumbo before placing a hand over his beating heart.

     "Jesus, you scared me!" Grian said, letting out a laugh as he continued pulling items from his bag to put away. There was ten obsidian and a flint and steel. "What are you doing here?"

     "Just watching you pack for some reason. You have been doing it for thirty minutes and I don't know if you even know where you are going." He let out a stifled laugh, it was anxious and worried. "I shouldn't call Xisuma, should I?" Grian's eyes widened at the implication.

     "No, it's fine. I wasn't going to the Dream Essempi. It does feel like I need to go... somewhere." He muttered under his breath. Mumbo still looked unsure and in his hand was his communicator. Grian pulled out a pair of headphones and some red flowers.

     "I think I should really call Xisuma-"

     "No, don't!" Grian held his hands up, unsure of how he could stop his friend from doing so. He watched as the communicator dropped out of his friend's hand and fell to the floor.

     "Grian... is that a gun?"

     Blinking, he realized he was holding a gun from the very first kingdom he lived in by himself: Samgladiator's Roleplay City.

Words: 3654
Written: Sunday, August 22nd, 2021, 10:45
Edited:
Originally Posted: Sunday, August 22nd, 2021, 11:16 pm