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The Farlands were unforgiving.
Especially the further you go.
Wemmbu wouldn't say that Egg and he came underprepared, but they certainly did not expect for their rockets to just stop working, and oh, did it make their journey way harder.
Traveling by foot day and night for an entire month with no sense of direction through the uncanny glitched landscapes with their food stock gradually depleting, all the while fighting back without potions against people who call that hellish place their home had really taken a toll on them.
Dirt and sweat-stained clothes clung awkwardly to their visibly thinning bodies. First there was Sharpness, who kept draining their resources in fights, then there was the long and painful search for the Forge.
They were tired, so incredibly tired.
Exhaustion caused Wemmbu to lose his caution, which is exactly why he was now standing over the End Portal without Eggchan by his side.
The Farlands dwellers thought that it was a good idea to eliminate the threat in the face of Wemmbu by shooting him down into the portal.
Perhaps they just wanted him out of their territory or perhaps the rumors of the End Guardian reached even the furthest corners of the server and they had hoped that he would slay the intruders of his land.
Honestly, Wemmbu could care less about what was on their mind. Certainly not the fact that the near-sighted sidekick who posed no real danger to them previously would take the arrow instead of the actual target.
At the back of his mind Wemmbu clearly remembered Egg getting cozy on the bed in their room, setting his spawn there, deep inside of The Farlands.
He would worry about getting his friend out of the End later.
That was a few hours ago.
Since then there's a few less people roaming the server and a bit more blood on Wemmbu's hands. They were practically asking for it, definitely so after stealing his mace, after annoying him on a constant basis and after they led them a wild-goose-chase with The Forge, which Wemmbu still wasn't completely sure even existed.
They had it coming, each and every one of them was testing his patience from the very start.
Well, at least he got something useful out of it.
The near-broken fishing rods in bright-red shulker boxes clanked victoriously as he moved, the weapon of mass destruction right at his fingertips. Serpentbound had no choice but to provide anything Wemmbu asked of him, which, besides helping him with the cannons, included a restock and mending the badly damaged armor.
Now Wemmbu stood there proudly, grinning ear to ear in his freshly fixed gear, internally debating whether he should mess with the remaining few citizens or just go through the portal and be done with everything at last.
Sleep deprivation and his badly healed wounds, both weeks and hours old, didn't feel like that big of an issue at this point.
Wemmbu will worry about that later as well.
For now, he was happy to finally leave that stupid castle-like build and those stupid Farlands with all of these stupid people.
“As a reward, never come back here again.” said Serpent, poorly patched up after their fight, standing only with his helmet and boots left. Wemmbu wanted to laugh, he could just kill him right there in one motion and no one would be there to stop him, yet Serpent had the nerve to demand something.
So instead Wemmbu just giggled and completely ignored his words, getting a few steps closer to the End Portal, standing on the edge of a frame and peering deep into it. The portal emanated cold air and a quiet hum, the darkness was eerily inviting.
“So this leads to spawn, right? And not some death trap?” his tail swayed from side to side as he turned his head towards Serpentbound.
There was no way that anyone who lived there could set up a trap that was elaborate enough to kill him, and even if there was, MinuteTech would not allow some random punks to build a death chamber on his territory, so this was more of a final jab on Serpentbound rather than an actual question.
Serpent cringed at his words. Even a blind man could see that he was so incredibly pissed at Wemmbu. He grinded his teeth and squeezed his fists even tighter than before. Wemmbu turned around fully and grinned even wider, which seemed to rile up Serpent so much more.
He sharply inhaled and in one move pushed Wemmbu off into the portal.
“Ah, okay” all that he had time to say as the darkness swallowed him and the quiet hum became an ear-piercing screech.
End Portals are weird.
They are nothing like their Nether counterpart. The journey lasts barely a few seconds, but every time it feels like a first time. Like being suspended somewhere deep inside of an ocean, drowning and beings crushed by the pressure at the same time.
Falling through them backwards makes it all so much worse. Your vestibular apparatus gets insanely confused and suddenly your left is on the bottom and vice versa, although you don't feel your body shift even an inch. Nauseating is the word Wemmbu would use to describe this sensation the best
Because of that dizziness was the first thing he felt as he fell out of the portal.
The second was a dull pain to the back of his skull when he hit the obsidian platform. His netherite helmet did very little to protect the head from the impact.
“Dude, what took you so long? I bet I could've traveled back to The Farlands solo and found you there in the time it took you to go through that portal.”
“I was busy, you know!” Wemmbu groaned when lifted his head to the sound.
Eggchan was sitting cross-legged in the corner of the platform, leisurely leaning against dark walls, book in hand and using his coat as a cushion, not wanting to sit on the cold obsidian floor.
A bit of blood stained his left shoulder where the arrow hit, but Wemmbu could see fresh bandages underneath the shirt. Minutes work, no doubt. That's good, Wemmbu thought, he's for sure way calmer now that he knows that his friend wasn't bleeding out for hours all alone.
“Just because I'm in The End it doesn't mean that I don't have access to the chat.” Egg rolled his eye and closed the book, “Bro really got pissed off and decided to avenge me.” he laughed
“Have you seen the way they acted the entire time? Dude, that was me being merciful, I could've easily taken out all of them if I really wanted to” Wemmbu sat up, now mirroring Eggs pose, “Besides, they were just a bunch of chungies anyway. I mean, they did have all of those orbitals and they just decided… Not to use them for some reason? That is so weird, like, I could try to understand that if they had an actual plan, but they didn't, that's the thing! They're stupid.” he waved his arms in an abstract motion as he rambled with a confused expression, “But hey, one man's trash is another man's treasure.”
Wemmbu was sure that if Eggchan could he would have raised an eyebrow at him, the lack of understanding was practically written all over his ‘face’.
They tried to get the cannons in their possession back when they first discovered them, but Nether portals just refused to open and so they practically gave up that idea at the time.
Wemmbu cracked a genuine smile as he pulled out the shulkers, “I kinda figured some stuff out and now guess what I have.”
“Nah, you gotta be kidding me, no way you actually-” mumbled Egg as he scooted a bit closer and took a peek inside the box.
Dozens of fishing rods stared back.
“Bro, in what scenario would you need all that?!” he exclaimed, sending Wemmbu into a fit of loud laughter, “Dude, I'm serious! How many nukes do you need? Ho- How many are even in those?”
Wemmbu was struggling to breathe, taking in a ragged breath as he tried to calm down, “There can never be too many! You never know what awaits you around the next corner.”
“Nah nah, dude that's like. Insane.” Eggs's eye darted around the shulker, mentally counting the rods.
He went quiet for a moment before asking.
“Can I have one?”
“No.”
Eggchan let out a quiet laugh and mumbled something that sounded like ‘figured’.
“Where's Minute? Why is the End Guardian not guarding the entrance, a bit counterintuitive, no?” Wemmbu yawned and stretched out, his back cracked in a few places as he did, “We can break out but like… We shouldn't get on his nerves. You'll be stuck in here with him for a while.”
This room felt like a prison cell.
Way too small. Way too confined.
Closed off from the dimension, opened only by a command from someone on the outside.
Wemmbu walked up closer to the door with a small window. Corridors and halls, all in grey and red shades.
Exquisite interior, he wasn't sure who was the builder for this place, but they sure did a wonderful job. The place fit the owner.
MinuteTech loved his dark yet, in an odd way, flashy aesthetic. He wasn't humble in any way, netherite armor and netherite trims, this entire build, him owning a mace… Him being in control of an entire dimension.
How does someone manage to be this rich and not hide that fact yet be so nonchalant about it?
Wemmbu turned around back towards his friend in hopes that he knew at least something about the guardians' whereabouts.
Egg just shrugged, “He's somewhere around, probably will be back soon. I don't think he can leave the spawn platform completely unattended for long.” his eye scanned Wemmbu from the tip of his horns down to the boots.
“Man, you look like a gang of camels ran over you.”
“Well it's not like I can do anything about it now, can I?” he whined, crossing his arms, “That guy, ehh, Serpent-something, wasn't super excited nor really interested in helping me. And I didn't exactly have time to change when I was macing six people at once so this will have to do for now. Until someone remembers that they have a job to do and actually shows up! I mean, seriously, what does this dude do besides aurafarm all day every day?”
“Why are you offended? I was just making an observation. And, and- Just how am I supposed to know what MinuteTech does for a living? I barely met the guy like five hours ago! ”
“You're the lore keeper, duh? You're supposed to know literally everything about everyone!” he threw his hands in the air “And, just so you know, you don't look that much better, despite you having the ability to get your stuff together and Minute by your side to help you.”
“Touché.” Egg shrugged and hid his book, wincing a bit as he moved, “We need new fits ASAP dude, we can't be walking around looking like we don't know what a shower is”
The loud redstone cracking interrupted them as the door slowly opened.
“I never went too far, not far enough to block out your inspirational speech.” MinuteTechs voice echoed through the room, “Hello Wemmbu. I see you've finally shown up.”
“Ahhh…” Wemmbu rotated on his heels, facing the guardian with a smile, “Hey there Minute, long time no see! Whatcha been up to lately?”
Wemmbu's tail awkwardly scratched the obsidian behind him as MinuteTechs white eyes drilled into him.
The building fell into uncomfortable silence.
In case Minute changes his mind and decides to attack him he can get away, hide with Egg somewhere on the outer island if shit hits the fan.
You never know what to expect from creatures of the Void.
It's not that he completely distrusted Minute. They had a duel in the past before eventually teaming up, it's not like they were foes, but not acquaintances either.
He shouldn't let his guard down.
He shouldn't-
“You look like you're one cough away from withering away. ”
“Oh, come on! It's impossible working with you two!” he was prepared for anything but another blow at his appearance. Eggchan quietly giggled and Minute lightheartedly sighed.
Once Egg calmed down he got up with a groan and used a wall as support.
He wasn't injured that bad, the one worst wound was in his shoulder right now and Wemmbu knows that Eggchan received physical traumas way more serious than that. However, Wemmbu understood why moving even a bit could be a struggle.
Constant travel resulted in lingering soreness that spread all throughout their bodies which was getting harder to ignore each minute that they'd spent in safety of the End.
They needed a break as soon as possible.
“Hey Wemmbu.” MinuteTechs reached behind his back, looking for something, “Catch.”
“Huh-”
Minute threw something from where he stood and instinctively Wemmbu grabbed whatever that was.
A golden apple hit his palm.
“Oh, thanks!” he took a big bite out of it as he walked out of the platform room “Don't mind if I do”
The regeneration tingled somewhere underneath his skin. Small cuts and bruises he gained this day gently closed up and faded. The older, deeper ones twitched a bit under the bandages but stayed the same. They would require a bit more care than a gapple.
“I'll call one of the guards to take the shift. We need to help Egg settle in now that you're here.” Minute closed the door as the angel walked out “Wemmbu, feel free to stay here as long as you need, heal your injuries and rest, as long as you don't bring much danger onto these lands you're welcome.”
Wemmbu clicked his tongue, “Sureee…” he dragged out, hint taken he thought.
Egg lightly elbowed him as a warning to not continue the sarcastic act. All three of them knew that peaceful existence was almost impossible when it came to Wemmbu. But for now they were safe.
“Please, follow me.” Minute turned and headed down the hall.
…
The bandages were a muddy yellowish color at this point.
Usually Wemmbu isn't this careless with his wounds, but due to their unique circumstances he thought that it could've been so much worse.
The deepest slashes were to his side and around the biceps area of his right arm. He left them for last.
The one on his side didn't cause him that much trouble. The bandage came off easily and regen worked seamlessly.
He couldn't say the same for the other one.
Wemmbu was sitting on a chair for about ten minutes at this point, quietly fumbling with the bandages. They were stuck to the wound on his arm, the piece fabric refused to come off without causing him pain. He hissed a bit as he struggled to remove it.
Egg got alerted, head snapping to his friend. He was putting down a few of the books he had on him onto his new shelf, but now his attention was focused solely on Wemmbu.
“Dude, why are you rawdoging it? I'm gonna go find Minute, you need warm water and I have no idea where I can heat it up. Wait a bit.”
“No need. Do I look like a kiddo who can't handle ripping off a bandaid to you? It's not like it's my first time doing this.” before Egg could argue, Wemmbu yanked on the loose end, causing him to fold over himself with a yelp, but succeeding in removing the bandage nonetheless, “Ughhh… This is so annoying”
“Why are you so damn stubborn? You did this to yourself man, I offered you help.” he facepalmed, “Did you reopen it?”
“Nah, well, not as much as I could've.” a few drops of fresh blood showed up from the crusted wound and rolled down to his wrists, “Yo, pass me another regen pot.” he gestured to the general direction of the table.
Egg let out a sigh and shook his head, but went and grabbed the potion, along with a clean cloth and a water bottle. They prepared a few to brew some more potions, but they haven't gotten to it yet. Wemmbu attempted to take the bottle with red liquid bubbling inside from his friend's hands but Eggchan pulled it away at the last second before he could.
“You're just gonna pour the entire thing on top of the cut.”
“I won't, dude, give me the pot.” Wemmbu spoke through his teeth, his arm tense because of pain.
“Don't move and just let me clean this thing. Regen will do you no good if it gets infected or inflamed or whatever the wounds do when you don't take proper care of them.”
Wemmbu mumbled something under his breath and rolled his eyes but complied, extended his arm so that Egg had easier access to the injury.
Each move from Egg was calculated and slow. He carefully wiped the edges of the cut with a damp cloth, not missing a single spot, white fabric turned a reddish brown shade in spots as he did. Wemmbu winced a bit, his biceps ached before as it is but more so now that Egg was putting pressure on it.
He didn't complain though. Eggchan was right, he would've just poured the entire bottle right into the wound, slapped a new bandage on top and called it a day.
Once it looked good enough, Egg began wiping off the streaks of blood that escaped down to his hands.
“I could've done that myself, come on, who do you take me for?” Wemmbu whined, growing impatient, “Don't you have other stuff to do? Dunno, sort your books or something?”
Instead of an answer, Wemmbu received a light smack to the back of his head.
“Dude, books can wait a bit. My strive for knowledge can wait a bit. You, however, imma be honest, I'm not sure. No offense, but you're lowkey kinda stupid when it comes to this type of stuff.” he uncorked the bottle with a pop, “Plus, it's way quicker when someone else does this for you.”
“Whatever…” Wemmbu dragged out, “Do your thing. Who am I to stop you.”
“Exactly.” Egg tilted his head a bit as he brought the bottle closer to the wound, “This probably will sting. Badly. You ready?”
“Nothing I can't handle. So yeah, ready as I'll ever be” he shrugged.
Thick, almost honey-like, liquid sizzled as it touches raw edges. Wemmbu threw his head back and closed his eyes, trying to get his mind away from the unpleasant feeling.
It was painful. God, why is Egg always correct?
When he got slashed during the fight it didn't hurt that bad due to the adrenaline rushing through his blood, but right now, in the quiet of this bedroom, he couldn't really focus on anything other than the pulsating pain.
It took way too much effort not to twitch.
Eggchan carefully spread out about a quarter of the potion around the perimeter of the cut. New flesh slowly began forming, and by the time the sizzling ceased the wound was about two inches shorter and visibly thinner.
“This will definitely leave a scar” Egg mumbled, observing his work, “A noticeable one at that.”
“Will I look badass tho? I mean, scars do make me look more brutal. ” he laughed when he lifted his head.
“Whatever helps you sleep at night. Where did you put the new bandages? I'll wrap this bad boy up and you're free to do whatever you want.”
“Geez, finally. They're on the dresser.”
Paper-white gauze slowly covered up the gnarly sight.
Eggchan was still moving slowly, not wanting to bring him more discomfort. And Wemmbu allowed him that.
Egg was one constant throughout his life on the server. Ever since he joined to help Wemmbu build a colony for Prince Zam he never left his side despite them being almost complete opposites.
He had so many opportunities to leave him, yet he didn't. Because betrayal wasn't in Eggs' nature. This was.
Egg was mostly a pacifist who despised seeing people he cares about hurt. Wemmbu just happened to be one of these people.
And he wouldn't ask for more.
Egg tugged the bandage a few times before tying a small bow. He stepped back a bit, almost admiring his work. Wemmbu also peeked at his arm.
Layers upon layers of carefully wrapped fresh bandages were putting light pressure and looked neat, his friend did a great job.
“It's not too tight, is it?”
Wemmbu flexed his arm a little and twisted it from side to side to check his mobility.
“Good enough.” he smiled, “Thanks. For real.”
“No problem man. Now shoo, go get dressed.” Egg gestured for him to get off the chair, “I need your help moving my stuff from the shulkers inside of here.”
“I'm going, I'm going, gimme a few seconds!” he stood up, hands in the air, “Let me just find a clean shirt.”
For now the Overworld didn't matter that much.
Egg didn't mind staying with Minute for a while and Wemmbu was glad that his friend wouldn't be in the eye of the storm for once. He was sure that Egg himself was tired of being captured by everyone.
For now he didn't mind that his biggest worry was that he didn't know whether Eggchan wanted his lore books sorted in chronological or alphabetical order. Not whether someone is going to ambush them while they're busy.
He would worry about getting Egg out of here later. Perhaps after he has his fun with the orbitals.
But for now it didn't really matter that much.
For now he was at peace for a while.