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It was impossible for Saparata to not flinch at each small drip of water that fell from the dripstone surrounding him. He wasn’t exactly sure why dripstone felt right for the memorial–was he playing a joke on himself, cruelly reminding him of when it all went wrong? Or was he rubbing it in his face, the pointed objects forever symbolizing Flux’s mistakes?
Bittersweet either way, he decided, accepting the fact like it was a math equation. It was easier to put on an act; whether that was impartial, or exaggerated. Something that Flux had realized early on and used to his advantage.
Lost in thought, Saps had been mining dripstone on autopilot; combined with the dim light barely shining around the corner of the cave, he failed to realize that he had mined the top of the dripstone, instead of bottom to top.
The singular dripstone fell, thankfully not on his skull, but a mere two blocks to his right. The sound echoed through the cave, cracking upon the stone floor.
Saps’ vision grew splotchy with patches of darkness as he hastily stumbled to the left, his flight or fight activating before his brain could catch up. His speed brought him tumbling to the ground as he landed amidst the upside-down dripstone growing from the stone floor.
Saps faintly registered that his hands were shaking as he pulled his knees to his chest. The sound of the falling dripstone rang in his ears as unbidden flashes of leaders collapsing bombarded his vision.
With sudden clarity, Saps realized that he could almost see himself sitting on the floor, breathing like he had just been chased. That too brings another flash, running from a guilty verdict and being forced into exile. The images are too vivid, all ending with his final blow to Flux’s chest. He had cracked the stupid diamond chestplate, engraved with the warden’s armor trim. His axe dug into the right side and must have stopped his heart on impact. If he tried hard enough, he could remember the final shockwave echoing up his arm.
That hurt the most–a reminder of Flux’s fate, death at Saps’ own hand.
Saps dutifully noticed that he couldn’t breathe. A small problem, in the grand scheme of things.
It felt like an eternity that he sat there, slowly forcing air into his lungs in an action that was somewhat selfish–considering Flux didn’t even have that luxury.
He couldn’t help but sob into his lap as he experienced heartbreak all over again.
After minutes had ticked by and he had exhausted his body–yet he cried without tears–Saps gathered his wits. Body still wracked with tremors, he pushed up on one knee, willing his feet under him. He took a deep breath, surveying what he could in the dark cave. Bone-tired and emotional, he started towards the exit. He had plenty of dripstone, and would most likely never mine for it again.
—-------
“Saps won!”
“He did it!”
“The traitor is dead!”
Saps mustered a half-smile, surrounded by joyful spectators of the fight. He didn’t have it in him to jump up and down with them. Purple and diamond flashing in the moonlight caught the corner of his eye. Managing to slip through the crowd, Saps stared numbly at the body fifteen feet away. A pool of blood spilt slowly, staining the yellow sand into crimson.
A hand landed on his shoulder, making him flinch in surprise. It was Cass, a conflicted expression on her face.
“I’ll handle everything else, if you want to handle him.”
Lump in his throat, Saps nodded dumbly, willing his mouth to grimace his thanks. Cass nodded back as she ushered the crowd away.
He seemed to have lost time, blinking and finding himself gently setting the body in the back of his boat. His eyes flitted over the body, skipping past Flux’s face. He was afraid to make eye contact with irises that were no longer a bright purple. The sun had set, making the task easier.
Saparata stepped into the front of the boat and without looking back, headed in the direction of the beach where it all started.
—-------
He had spawned on what seemed to be the superior island–trees of every kind, lush hills and a beach coastline. The water glimmered in the sunlight and gave the area a fantastical energy.
It was easy enough to go through the starter motions, gathering wood and whatever food was nearby. His solitude didn’t last long, as he heard the distant shouts of a group of people further down the beach. Curious, he picked up his crafting table and went to investigate.
There were five players already descending into a vertical mine–two were still above ground, and the last one to go down the staircase was facing away from Saps. What he could make out was a regal coat, adorned with gold lining and epaulettes on the shoulders. A mop of black hair, tousled slightly but holding its form in the breeze, matched the dark coat and emphasized its purple accents. Saps found his mouth growing into a wide grin. The way this player held themself, hip cocked, signified a noble upbringing.
The player in front of the noble was facing Saps, and spoke to the noble while eyeing the newcomer. Casting one last glance behind them, the player descended and left the noble to turn and address Saps.
“Well, well, well. We meet again.”
“Shut up, Flux,” Saps laughs, jogging over to clap Fluixon on the back. “Aren’t you happy to see a familiar face?”
“More like an annoying face that follows me everywhere I go,” Flux scowled.
Saps knew better, watching as Flux’s purple eyes danced with mirth. “What, am I that ugly?”
That did it. Flux’s facade broke, pinkening his cheeks as he sputtered indignantly. “No,” Flux muttered.
Saps’ heart clenched at the sight, enjoying the privilege of knowing the way the arrogant man worked. Flux was as human as the rest of them, underneath his shields.
He squeezed Flux’s shoulder, “Are you guys already mining? Mind if I join?”
Flux sighed deeply, pretending to think about it with a hand on his chin.
“Asshole,” Saps grumbled, forcefully shoving Flux away from him. Flux stumbled to the side, shoulders shaking with stifled laughter.
Saps made up his mind. This guy thought he was so funny, he thought, making his way down the crude stone staircase himself. His annoyance quickly faded, replaced by the joy of being able to be in the company of Flux again. Flux had joked earlier that he hoped they would be on opposite islands, but Saps was glad to spend any time possible with his friend.
Knowing that Flux would be following behind him, Saps wonders out loud, “What are your dastardly plans for this season, Flux?”
“I’m actually the vice president of a civilization called Luminara,” Flux announced, predictably only a few blocks above Saps. “Thomas and the others already agreed to join me. What about you, freak?”
Saps shook his head fondly. Typical for Flux to already have a plan, a political one at that.
“I’m not sure. I think I’ll drift around, check everyone out once they get settled.”
“Well, you’ll always be welcome in Luminara when trouble arises.”
Saps paused, turning to look back at Flux. Except, Flux had not been paying attention, preferring to write who knows what on his small notepad. He had been forcibly stopped on the back edge of the same block Saps was on the front edge of.
The advantage of understanding Fluixon for so long meant that Saps recognized the nuances; the slight pitch change as Flux mentioned trouble and warmth in his tone as he told Saps he would be welcome. Flux already knew something was up, might even have a role in it. He still cared to shield Saps if needed, so the “trouble” was probably a big deal.
Ignoring the warmth that spread through his body at the thought of Flux caring for him, Saps questioned, “Trouble?”
Flux furrowed his eyebrows. Another tick, usually when he was thinking of the right choice of words–or lies. “Nothing for you to worry about. Just anticipating trouble with the other island.”
Taking advantage of their closeness, a frowning Saps ran his eyes over Flux’s face. His purple eyes were less vibrant in the dim light, but there was still some sparkle as they made eye contact. There were noticeable eye bags under his eyes, which had only grown deeper with time. His thin lips were quirked, along with his eyebrows, as he silently let Saps make his judgment. Saps let his face soften, letting his back foot fall to the next stair as the moment broke. “Alright man. Let's get rich, shall we?”
“We shall,” Flux grabbed Saps’ shoulders, spinning him around and pushing him down the stairs. Laughter echoed throughout the underground hole as the pair raced to the bottom.
—-------
Emerging into the sunlight had Saparata blinking rapidly. As his eyes adjusted, he crossed the beach and slowly climbed the long staircase to his house; if you could even call it a home.
Walking through the entrance, his heart clenched with feeling. He could imagine only a few days ago, when Fluixon and his crew were messing around while putting the finishing touches on the roof. Thomas was holding the ladder, Snowbird on the top rung placing the last couple blocks. Fluixon was organizing the chests off to the side, gesturing to Hvyrotation and occasionally tossing an item at him and Gotoga. Flux’s hair was pushed off his forehead and he had foregone the fancy coat due to the warm beach air. The purple undershirt hugged his torso attractively, and his hair was curling at the tips. The high school crush that Saps had found himself having only grew with time, and Saps tried not to let his eyes linger on Flux’s figure.
When Flux had noticed Saps walk in, his purple eyes lit up, sparkling with mischief as Saps found multiple items being tossed at his face. Despite his exhaustion that day, Saps had only grinned back, catching each item with a raised eyebrow.
Moments like those were few and far between; he wished that they had more time. His mood darkened, remembering the real reason that they had helped him build the courthouse. He liked to think there was a little good in Flux at that point, and he had helped just because Saps needed it.
Right, he had been going to drop off some of his items. Saps found himself in the exact same position as Flux had been days ago, shuffling through his chests that he hadn’t moved from where Flux had randomly placed them. Straightening, Saps checked his inventory. Satisfied that he had what he needed, he numbly made his way back down the staircase, making an immediate left at the bottom.
His destination was obvious; the dirt was still fresh, a seven foot long, rounded rectangle mound.
Saps had buried Flux in a makeshift coffin, made out of wood in less than an hour. Something that he did pay attention to was Flux himself–wiping off the blood splatters on his chest and face, scrubbing his beloved armor so it was spotless. Saps made the decision to bury him in the same garb as he had died; Flux would have wanted to be honorable, even in death. It had been getting harder and harder to touch Flux’s cold body anyways. He would do anything just to brush against a warm shoulder at his side again, laughter filling the air.
The last act Saps had to do was the gravestone. As he had been shoveling the dirt back into the hole a few hours ago, he had come up with a bitterly ironic idea for the stone.
Kneeling in front of the dirt mound, Saps stabbed into the dirt, securing a layer of mud bricks in the ground. He added another slab on top. Reaching back into his inventory, he found three dripstone. A smaller one on the right, biggest on the left, medium one went on the ground.
Saps sat back on his heels, eyesight unfocused as he stared at the makeshift gravestone. It wasn’t perfect. Flux might have said it had character; only to insult his block choice in the same breath.
He let out a huff of laughter, pulling out the last addition to the gravestone. Nailing in each of the four corners gave him a second to think of what the hell he was going to write.
“Fluixon,” he wrote at the top.
Moved his hand down a line.
“Goodbye,”
He paused.
—-------
“If I have to die, I’m gonna make sure he does too.”
The colosseum felt different at night. The shadows were longer, deeper, while the walls towered over the center arena. It made the wait even more nervewracking, Saps squinting as he scanned the entire circle for a flash of purple.
He didn’t have to wait long, Flux descending into the stadium seats with Thomas trailing behind him only minutes after the message had been sent.
“Wow,” Saps scoffed bitterly. “You actually showed up.”
Flux had placed down a crafting table, back turned to Saps as he prepared for battle. A battle that Saps knew was necessary, but god he wished it hadn’t happened this way.
“Can’t say no to a friend , can I?”
Friend. That had lost its meaning as soon as the trigger was pulled during the meeting. Saps hadn’t known it at the time, but Flux had quickly grown obsessed with possibilities of the future; in the process, throwing away the past. Their past.
Flux held himself stiffly, fists clenching at his sides as he spoke. Saps knew he was nervous and feigning confidence; whether to reassure himself, the audience, or Saps, he wasn’t sure.
Anticipating the worst, Saps called, “Let’s make this a fair fight, okay?”
No response, Flux still messing with the crafting table.
“Flux. Look at all these people, dying because of you,” Saps gestured to his wrist, where chat was a constant stream of death messages.”
Saps watched as Flux flinched at his words, the result of Saps’ reminder. Unsurprisingly, sorrow filled his bones instead of satisfaction at Flux’s guilt. He had forgiven Flux seconds after he had realized Flux’s betrayal. Forgiveness coincided with love; in a way, Saps reasoned, Flux’s ideals overcame him like a sickness. In sickness and in health. Til death do us part.
Saps’ thoughts were interrupted with movement above him.
“You know, Saps,” Flux drawled, jumping down into the arena. “None of this would’ve happened if you had died like you were supposed to.” Flux traded his sword from hand to hand, a challenge.
Saps didn’t rise to the bait. He knew, deep in his heart, that his death would hurt just as much as Flux’s would to him.
The long silence that followed resulted in Flux stilling his sword, his posture slumping in defeat. “I’m sorry for everything you’ve had to go through,” He rasped, purple eyes finally showing their exhaustion as Saps stared.
Saps smiled gently. They both knew what was about to happen. Flux had shown up because he knew he was at the end. It was his last act to try to mend what he could by showing up, admitting defeat and regret in a way that only Saps would understand. It was an apology. One that Saps had already accepted, and would accept in every lifetime.
Flux grabbed a golden apple, taking a large bite and tossing it to the side. He drew his bow, aiming.
Saps lunged forward with his axe already in hand. He knew what he had to do.
—-------
Distantly he noticed his eyes were welling up with tears. There was only one word that could describe Flux. One word that had meant nothing–for a time–but everything, for eternity.
He finally let the tears fall, one at first–a stream of them following after.
With shaking, bloodstained hands, Saparata accepted Flux’s apology with one last written word.
“Friend.”