Chapter Text
For Your Eternity
“You don’t have much longer, Wemmbu.” Minute set down the teacup. A serious expression settled into his aging face. “If you stay home. If you stay with me,” he pleaded.” You’ll have longer.”
Wemmbu hesitated to take another sip. The sill end reinforced the sound of blood pumping through his ears. A shame. The stillness once felt like a comforting blanket. Oppressive now. A prison chain slowly tightening its grip.
“I want as much freedom as I can get,” Wemmbu stated firmly. His brows furrowed. Eyes locked on the tea. “Before I can’t make choices anymore.”
“This will cost you.”
“I want rain.” His purple hands tightened around the cup. His legs waited restlessly for him to make a break for it.
“…rain?” Minute retorted.
“I want rain!” Wemmbu repeated fiercely.” I want rain. I want a blue sky. I want green! I want wind! Quiet wind. The only wind from the void comes with the poems!”
“Do not forsake the whispers, Wemmbu. They are the reason you’re alive. They- “
“They told you how to change my code,” Wemmbu cut him off.” They gave me time to be a person. I know.”
“If you would just be content for once you could live a good life!” Minute’s frustration built. He took a breath.” I want my son,” he said softly.” Being in the end has been slowing the prosses. You’ve only started deteriorating so quick after you ran off on your adventure.”
A pit grew in his chest. “I’m the one being stripped of my personhood.” Wemmbu looked up for the first time.” Maybe, maybe I’ll be able to keep some memories. And I don’t want those memories to be… And what about Egg. If I’m stuck here, I can’t protect him if something happens. I have to think ahead.” He frowned.
“I’ll protect Egg. When you can’t; I will. You know that. And I’ll protect you too. As I already have.”
“And what if I go after you?” Wemmbu questioned. He knew the answer but still couldn’t believe it.
Minute gripped the staff next to the purple and gold tablecloth. Sadness in his eyes.
“You won’t be able to touch me. Not like you could beat me even now.” The end accent in his voice softened. The static, guttural, endermen-like speech hid deep in his chest. A way of speaking to outsiders. Or children.
Wemmbu shook his head. A long silence followed. His chair grew colder. He wanted to run. Get up and run as far as he could. Through the end, the overworld, the nether. He’d run where no one would ever find him.
Minute waited patiently. Leaned back in his chair. His fingers interlaced.
Wemmbu silently thanked him. Thanked him for not caging him into the conversation. He mulled over his words.
“I’ll find a place for Egg,” Wemmbu said finally.” I couldn’t always protect him. I failed him time and time again. And no matter how hard you try he’ll still get hurt if he stays here.”
“Do you have a plan?” Minute asked. Raising a brow.” Is this what this visit is about?”
Wemmbu eyed Minute’s interlaced fingers. They grew tense and were failing not to quake. Minute crossed his legs. Hiding his hands.
“Yea. I want to take him home.”
“Home.” Minute tried to smile.” Home?”
“I consulted the whispers.”
Minute froze.” You know the whispers don’t like to interfere too much. They only want to watch.”
“But devs can change the game to make it more interesting for the players. And they think my idea is pretty interesting.”
“They agreed to open the aether?”
“Just for Egg to pass through. A chance at a one-way trip. The whispers didn’t argue otherwise.”
Minute leaned forward. “Tell me what they said.”
“A crown settled. A chapter ended. An epic at mine own behest. Go forth and entertain,” Wemmbu quoted.
“Mine own?”
“A single whisper replied.”
“…Does Egg know about this?”
“No. And he won’t,” Wemmbu said firmly.” If he knows… he won’t want to leave… I don’t know what will be waiting for him in the aether. But it’ll be a fresh start. This is a chance for him to really be safe for the first time since we were kids. And I don’t want him to see me when I’m not… well… me…anymore.”
Minute thought long and hard.” You boys have caught their attention too many times now. Wow…” Minute laughed in disbelief. Parrot mentioned by the whispers. Individually mentioned!”
Wemmbu frowned. Noting the change in subject.
“And they want you to suffer as their next jester,” Minute groaned.
“So, with the backing of the developers…there must be a way to open the aether. They just don’t want to tell me how cause my wasting time is fun for them.” Wemmbu grimaced.
He sipped the last of his tea and stood. The bitter taste lingered on his tongue.
Minute shot to his feet; sending a jolt of supprise through Wemmbu.
Minute wrapped his arms around him. “I know you hate this but just let me have it this one time, my boy.”
Wemmbu’s skin crawled. He returned the hug.
“The void whispers,” Wemmbu said respectfully; trying not to grit his teeth. His throat itched at the formality.
Minute pulled back but held onto his shoulders.” The void whispers. I love you.”
Wemmbu nodded.
The curtains flared as he burst out the window. Elytra equipped. Wemmbu pushed down the heaviness in his chest. He’d have the rest of his life with Minute in the end. No time to cry about what would possibly be his last coherent conversation with him.
Wemmbu looked out over the void at the island that housed the dragon’s keep. The portal island. Where Egg waited. Where freedom waited. Where soon he’d be imprisoned as a mindless guardian at odds with his own father.
No time to waste on tears. He’d have to wait for his face to dry before landing. And he’s too impatient to even consider the option.
Egg parted from the visitor. Waving a friendly goodbye, he hurried over to Wemmbu. Practically glowing.
“Wemmbu! Wemmbu! Bro! That guys from the Greek server! I actually got to practice. He gave me some pointers, and I got a whole bunch of notes out of him too.”
Wemmbu listened absent-mindedly. Peeking out at the poor player Egg had held hostage for at least no longer than Wemmbu was gone for. He probably logged on to practice his English. Not the other way around.
But who cares? Not Wemmbu’s problem.
“He’s a really nice player,” Egg continued.
“Egg,” Wemmbu interrupted.” Yap about it on the way. We gotta go. Minute confirmed that the rumour I heard about Spoke is true. He’s found another exploit. And I’m gunna get my hands on it before he does.”
“So, there’s really a way into the aether!” Egg exclaimed. Trying his best to keep his voice down.
“Yup! Minute said the whispers confirmed it. And we are gunna beat Spoke there. I’ll need it to stay number one!”
Egg rolled his eye. “If you say so.”
Wemmbu lifted a brow.” What’s wrong?”
“Huh? Nothing.”
“Your voice changed.”
“It’s nothing, Wemmbu let’s just-“
“If the whispers say that there’s a way into the aether, then there is. We’re gunna find more players like you. You’ll learn about your culture and make a couple of new friends. And if anyone has a problem with you, I’ll mace em’!” Wemmbu strutted back to Egg. Looking up at the feathered face, he continued,” We just gotta find out how to get there fast enough to beat Spoke.”