Chapter Text
He hadn’t meant to.
Not really anyway.
Sure they were all actively fighting and trying to kill him but…
For some reason, Wemmbu feels a sort of…regret.
He hasn’t felt this very often. As a matter of fact, he has only been feeling this sometime after he went invisible. When he took on a new identity. When he was free.
It was small at first. Barely noticeable. He hadn’t even realized what he had done. It was all habit really.
Windcharge up, let gravity pull you down, swap to a mace last second, and thunk
The familiar feeling of landing a mace hit. In most cases, it actually brought him a sort of sick sense of pleasure. No- no that wasn’t the right word- a sense of satisfaction. A sort of pride in his own abilities and capabilities. He’s come very far from the day he first picked up a mace. Missing hits constantly, not equipping his elytra, not attribute swapping when he can- that sort of thing.
Windcharge up, let gravity pull you down, swap to a mace last second, and thunk
Oof, that was a good hit, he could feel it. He’s learned to read Lettuce’s subtle body language while fighting. The slight flick of his ear, the rapid swishing of his tail, the suppressed hiss of pain. Wemmbu naturally picked up on them all.
Windcharge up, let gravity pull you down, swap to a mace last second, and thunk
He isn’t quite sure when he started doing that. Probably sometime after Zam betrayed him, wondering if there were any signs of her distrust in him that lead up to their said betrayal.
Now he takes notice of any signs he’s able to pick up on.
Windcharge up, let gravity pull you down, swap to a mace last second, and thunk
Lettuce let out an involuntarily loud hiss after that hit, which actually seemed to scare the netherite players around him more than it scared Wemmbu, his attacker. This only really worked in Wemmbu’s favor, of course. The less people sticking so god damn close to his target, the higher chance he’d actually hit his intended target.
All of these netherite players seriously messed with his head. It didn’t help that almost all of them were still invisible. Just like the Mafia. Really, a lot of bad things came from the Mafia. Or rather, a lot of bad things happened to Wemmbu during the rule of the Mafia.
Then again, both were true.
Windcharge up, let gravity pull you down, swap to a mace last second, and Thunk
The familiar sound of a totem popping lightly filled his ears, along with the sound of flesh repairing itself. A squishy and wet sound that Wemmbu has become desensitized to. It was normal- expected. Almost sought after. A totem pop means he would have died there. That was his goal. Right?
Windcharge up
Lettuce stopped turning around to fight and simply ran, throwing a pearl and turning around with
Let gravity pull you down
a golden apple in one hand, another totem in the other, bracing himself for
Swap to a mace last second
the threat that was him, following closely behind every step that Lettuce took.
Thunk!
Another totem popped and gone, no longer of use. Disappearing like the dust and ash of a blown out flame and not like the display of gold and emerald it shot out.
Wemmbu quickly equipped his elytra, using the small amount of rockets he had left to catch back up to Lettuce’s pearl.
Let gravity pull you down.
Wemmbu wasn’t sure when he started to have these sort of mixed feelings. Sure he liked fighting every now and then but…it got tiring. Defending a title that people sought. A temporary one at that. He didn’t see the use in it anymore. So…if defending a useless title was unnecessary, then why was killing any different? Except of course, death was permanent.
Swap to a mace last second.
Then again, people always came after him anyway. Again and again, people gave chase into an endless loop. The endless loop of being the strongest. The endless loop of killing a player always had someone ready to replace them.
That, or they were more annoying and just decided to stack up on million totems or something. Like Lettuce. Right now.
Wemmbu doesn’t like to think about the golden sparks of a totem too hard. It reminds him of Rejoyce. How many times he had popped. How many times he practically begged for them all to come to some sort of understanding. To spare people. Even Egg has been pushing him to make more merciful decisions.
Could…could he do the same for Lettuce? He’s done so much to him- forced him to do all theses things for his own survival- put him in jail and threatened to kill Jaden-
Jaden, Jaden the pirate king. His friend. A now ally. He forgave Jaden...didn’t he?
Maybe…maybe he really could-
THUNK-SPLAT
Wemmbu looked over at Gambit, its heavy core suddenly living up to the name as he feels the weight impossibly increase.
It was covered in blood.
Not a slightly older stain of some random chungus he banned- no, this was brand new. It’s ugly deep red glistened in the light, almost hurting his eyes.
LettuceK was smashed by Wemmbu with [Gambit]
Had…had he done that?
Wemmbu, for the first time in a long time, froze in battle. Luckily for him, everyone else seemed to freeze as well. The clashing of swords slowed to a complete stop. The yelling of battle cries and popping of totems all standing still in time right alongside Wemmbu, who kept staring at his mace.
For a moment, no one moved.
Then, a now familiar voice shouted out, breaking the silence with a gut wrenching cry.
“FOR LETTUCE!”
Wemmbu didn't have time to make fun of SargeLAW for finally changing up his repetitive motivational shout, as he was met with hundreds of soldiers all charging at him shouting similar things.
He didn't have time to think or process what had just happened.
He didn't have time to plan a counter attack on the angry mob.
So naturally, he reacted on pure instinct, body forcing him to move with muscle memory engraved into his very bones.
Windcharge up, let gravity pull you down, swap to a mace last second, and thunk.
The cracking of bones seemed to melt into the shattering of armor, and he continued to keep fighting. His mind slowly got foggier and he flew through the air again and again.
Windcharge up, let gravity pull you down, swap to a mace last second, and thunk.
He didn't want to think about it.
Now wasn't the time to think about it
What were his last words anyway-
Stop- stop thinking about it
Just keep moving, and stay here.
Windcharge up, let gravity pull you down, swap to a mace last second, and thunk.
He wasn’t thinking at all, in the moment, just following whatever the next preset motion his body was forcing upon him.
Windcharge up, let gravity pull you down, swap to a mace last second, and thunk.
“██████!”
Windcharge up, let gravity pull you down, swap to a mace last second, and thunk.
His mind felt heavier than his mace. Everything felt blurry and black, but at the same time it felt like it was all too much-too many people, thoughts, feelings-
“████bu!”
Windcharge up, let gravity pull you down, swap to a mace last second, and thunk.
Was the world getting blurry? Was he crying? He couldn't tell.
Windcharge up, let gravity pull you down, swap to a mace last second, and thunk.
“W███BU!”
Who was that? Was that someone talking to him?
Windcharge up, let gravity pull you down, swap to a mace last second, and thunk.
That voice sounds familiar.
Windcharge up, let gravity pull you down, swap to a mace last second, and thunk.
“WEMMBU! OVER HERE!”
Eggs voice cut through all of his thoughts loud and clear, like a drop of water in oil.
Wemmbu whipped his head around to the source, looking his best friend. There he was, clear as day, on the walls. Wemmbu’s only thoughts now were to get past the still blurry crowd of invisible netherite players and reach his friend.
His best friend.
Eggchan.
He had to get to him.
Windcharge up
But this time, with Egg’s floating eye looking at him, so determined and stern yet filled with some sort of worry-
Windcharge up
His feet carried his heavy and sluggish body, thudding against the rubble and stone in a desperate attempt for the wall where Egg stood. Why was Egg looking so worried anyway? Was he low or something? If…if he could recall correctly…he should have some gear to spare- yes, yes, he’s sure.
Windcharge up, again and again until you reach the top.
As soon as Wemmbu got up, Egg quickly grasped his hand and pulled him down into a pit he had apparently dug into the wall. Down they fell until the cold splash of water hit his boots and the sounds of war quickly faded away. Egg led him through what seemed to be an escape tunnel, quickly blocking it off until Egg felt they were a safe distance away.
An escape tunnel? Why were they going through here? They didn’t need to run- he could still fight! He was fine!
“Dude, you are not fine!”
Shit, did he say that out loud?
“Bro- look at your hands! I haven't seen you shake this much since Rejoice-” Egg stopped suddenly, immediately regretting his choice of words in his panic. He took a deep breath.
“Look dude, I’m only gonna hold your hand when I say this only once, okay?” Wemmbu’s hand shook harder, only now noticing it when he felt it go still as Egg’s smaller and softer ones barely covered his own.
“You didn’t mean to kill Lettuce. I can tell. You think I don’t notice these things, but I do bro. You’re my day one, and I know when something’s up. I don’t know what happened for you to have this bad of a reaction, but…you can talk to me man. Otherwise, we’re just some random chungie duo bro.”
Wemmbu smiled slightly. Then he began to laugh. His shoulders shook so violently, that Egg’s hand began to shake right along with him.
Except- why was his vision blurry again? And there was a strange wet sensation running down his face. Egg…Egg was hugging him now- why is Egg hugging him? He’s fine!
“I gotchu bro. You always got me when I need you… protecting me and making sure I’m safe and away from danger. Let me be there for you bro.”
Wemmbu didn’t know why, but he finally wrapped his arms around Egg and let out a few shaky breaths.
He tried to control his breathing, he really did, but damn did such a simple task suddenly feel so difficult.
Wemmbu felt Egg’s chest rise and fall. Rise and fall. Slowly, he attempted to do the same.
Up…down
Up…down.
In…out
In…and out.
He doesn’t know quite how long he was in that little hole in the ground, but he stayed there until he got control of his breathing at least.
“Aw, shit- they’re all still fighting up there-” Egg cut Wemmbu off
“Bro, I haven't stopped getting death messages in chat…I think they’re doing fine. But I dunno, are you fine? Like…I know you’re doing better but I don’t know if you should immediately go back to fighting after all that.” Egg squinted suspiciously at Wemmbu, but they both knew it was one of genuine concern for his friend.
“Yeah, no, I’ll be fine. Seriously. I…I needed that. Thanks Egg.” Wemmbu spoke softly, looking at the angelic eye. He really wasn’t used to feeling all warm and mushy on the inside, it felt weird. Vulnerable.
That wasn’t something he really wanted to feel anymore.
“Besides, I can’t let Flame and Theo take all the credit for these kills. Come on!” he grinned, playfully shoving his shoulder. He began to regear, pulling out more potions and gapples from his enderchest, occasionally bugging Egg for any extra supplies he’d need, before digging up and rejoining the fight.
Deep breaths.
The sounds of explosions and screaming filled his ears once again, as death surrounded the area. But it never fazed him, not when he’s grown used to unfair fights like these. But, as much as he’d rather be laying down in a bed and enjoying his free time, he’s got a fight to finish.
He was already running sort of low on windcharges, so he might run around looking for Flame or-
Immediately, people started crowding around him, all swinging their swords at him but mainly hitting another person. However, this was also getting his armor and health extremely low extremely quickly. Macing was becoming ineffective, as picking just one target was nearly impossible in the angry mob of players.
“Dude, where have you been?! I can’t find anyone bro, I don’t know where anyone is and my armor is getting low.” Flame suddenly appeared, which made more sense as to why there were so many people able to get to him so quickly.
“My armor is getting low too. I have no idea where literally anyone is.” Wemmbu decided not to comment on his previous whereabouts, not wanting to spill his guts out in front of Flame. “Where is the rest of team?!” They hadn’t abandoned them here, right? They didn’t just immediately leave after Wemmbu had…take care of things… right?
“I’m here, I’m here, I’m here!” Theo called out from somewhere in the rubble.
“There's a mass- Yo cart these guys! There’s a huge army!” He kept running, occasionally slowing down to eat a golden apple, as Theo quickly agreed and did so. He caught sight of Spoke flying above, and called out to him asking him for rockets before windcharging up and landing down on a few stray Lawmen.
The repetitive pattern he followed didn’t feel so repetitive anymore. Not when he was keeping himself occupied with conversations amongst his teammates.
He wasn’t fighting this alone.
He wasn’t alone anymore.
Finally, it was all over.