Chapter Text
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Well that certainly went great. Nufuli was now sitting on the cold floor of the cell, with an adventure mode on. He should've known it was coming the second Quakitus asked for him and Otterlii to come. God, no matter what they always find someone close to him to use as a leverage, don't they? He always-
"Hello? What's up?"
An unfamilliar voice snapped him back into reality. He looked towards the place it was coming from. A small window giving a tiny peek into the cell beside him.
There stood a girl that looked rather friendly, too happy for someone who's imprisoned. She was smilling from ear to ear like a little kid.
"What do you mean what's up?" Nufuli was confused on, why would she even initate a converseision with him in the first place.
"I mean what's up and there's not much to do but talk a bit down here." She kept shifting her weight from one leg to another.
"I mean- i don't know. I don't really feel like talking i guess." While it was true that there wasn't anything else to do beside talking he was truly tired of other players."I mean i got thrown down here after trying to save the entire city. Kill Vanguard." Well, i guess that's as far as we go for not talking to other players. Nufuli truly couldn't keep his mouth shut when it came to a certain, usually important, things.
"Wow that's really noble!" The girl leaned closer to the glass almost pressing her whole face onto it. She squinted her eyes for a moment and then her entire face lit up.
"Wait aren't you Nufuli? You know the player who revived the whole server and also killed that creative mod guy?" She tilted her head to the side.
Right, that time. Recallingman, Sharpness and his team, Wyll now freaking Vanguard why is it always him who gets involved into that kind of mess. Risking everyone's life, alongside with his own.
This is why Loonac left couse you're selfish.
Right, Loonac. Maybe you were right.
"Yeah i guess but i don't really like praise for that." To be honest, he was getting far too much credit for killing Recall while Loonac got little to none, even though he sacraficed his own life for the couse. Even Nufuli's fragile ego, was able to recognize that he wouldn't get this far without Loonac's help.
"Why not this like really serious acomplishment?" Yeah, the part not everybody knows about is that, he did it for a selfish reason. Guess, he just didn't want to be alone. And what's the point of doing something selfless, if it's just because you're selfish?
While it may sound like an oxymoron there wasn't any better way to describe his actions.
He would've never revived the whole server, if Loonac and Dimo weren't dead in the first place.
When Galaxy told him about the world literally dying, he was too focused on getting his friends back, to care.
See and that's another thing if it weren't for the world literally dying around him he wouldn't have revived other people in the first place.
"You saved the whole server twice!"
"Mhm" he just nodded he wasn't about to tell this random person about how terrible of a person he actually was.
Oh well, i guess big mouth strikes again, huh?
"I mean looking back at it i really didn't do any of those things for overall greater good of the server. I just wanted my friends to be safe."
You could say that, Nufuli has always been quite an oversharer.
He took a few steps back and leaned against the stone cold wall. Standing to the side of the girl.
"I mean does that makes you a bad person?" Well, it should.
"I don't know." He muttered exhausted.
"If what you did wasn't for the server itself but for what you wanted that kind of seem selfish." She made sure to emphasise on the kind of part. Thanks for stating the obvious.
"Thank you, bro" He smiled sarcasticly. He couldn't be mad, there wasn't any reason for her to sugarcoat it.
"Everything i do just seems selfish."
He was about to countinue but the sound of netherite againt the floor snapped him back to reality. He looked up, his eyes finally leaving the ground. There he saw a familliar yet unpleasent face making it's way up the stairs.
Quakitus? The hell was he doing here again?
Then Astral came into view walking behind him like a dog on a leash.
"Talk's over!" Quakitus loudly announced .
He didn't seem to enthusiastic about having to come down here once again.
"Bro, why are you here again?" What more could they possibly want from him. Was talking also not allowed or what?
"I'm still not giving you my items." Nufuli made sure to clear things up before moving on to anything else they possible could demand from him.
"Yeah, yeah i know. We're just taking you on a little trip." Quakitus walked over to the cell breaking the glass to let Nuf out.
Before he even got the chance to step out of the newly added exit, he was stopped by Astral who hit him with their stupid snowball. Great.
"What kind of trip? Are you seriously moving me somewhere else?" He waited for an answer but quickly realized he could only drem about getting it. That's when he heard a metal click. He looked down to his hands which were cuffed now.
Hell nah.
"What kind of trip requaires me to be cuffed?"
"Not my call" Quakitus answered with a shrug. Not long after that he was able to move again.
He glanced back at the girl, he could tell from her expression that she was suspicious of the whole thing, so was he.
But if it wasn't Quakitus call then going by the basic logic it was one of his higher ups which still leaves like 3 more people but atleast it eliminates both of the twins.
He couldn't lie, he kinda had a gut feeling whose request it was. And for god's sake he truly hoped he was wrong.
Quakitus took one look at him to make sure Nufuli was right behind him. Since you can never be too cautious, Astral stood behind him so it'd be granted he won't try to escape .
"Okay we better get moving" Quakitus shoved his hand in one pocket while playing with the key to the cuffs with the other.
After what felt like years of waiting, he strated walking, Nufuli and Astral trailing right after him. He was moving rather casualy, like he was taking a walk on a sunny day. Nufuli could've only assumed that it gets repetetive when it's literally your job, but come on man, could've atleast act a little bit more attentive.
"So who's the one bossing you around?" Nufuli wasn't about to give up on getting that information out of him. You can say a lot of things about Nufuli but you cannot deny his outstanding determination. And the fact that he could be kind of pain in the ass.
"Come on, bro" Nufuli groaned then rolled his eyes performativly. "If you won't tell me i'll keep nudging you, might aswell you know."
"Not happening. Besides you'll know in a minute."
The three of them took a flight of stairs further down. Some messy tunnels that looked like nobody walked through them in years. Nufuli was pretty sure he could see a few spider webs near the celling. It looked awful.
He noticed the end of the passage in the distance. So they're taking him to a diffrent building? Why bother? He understands he's strong and all that, but come on at this point it's just glaze. He's flattered that they assumed he was the one who broke the core but come on man. You can't make that kind of assumption just because he's so incredible.
Yeah, Nufuli that's for sure the reason why. For sure it's not that [Tide] apeared in chat alongside with the kill massage. That's totally not the reason why they found you.
Him and his escort finally reached the end of the tunnel.
Since the start of his stay in here he mostly spent time in the mines or in cell. You would think that it wasn't enough for him to forget that you can't stare directly into the sun. Well, you'd be wrong.
Nufuli quickly lowered his head, bringing his chained hands up to rub the corners of his eyes. Good thing that his hands were cuffed in front of him.
After a few seconds of keeping his eyelids shut he finally regained his eyesight. He took a look around himself.
City of life was quite frankly a beautiful place, on the higher levels atleast. Tall trees and occasional flowers were certainly a contrast to spider webs and stained with, whatever , floor.
The city's whole system of lifes was so dumb though. He got treated like a noob just because he's on his last life. Mind you, most of people on the server are living their 2nd life right now. They got second chance on this server because of him.
Another irronic thing was that Mugm and Stormz were also on their last life. That just made the whole thing even more ridiculous.
Perhaps you could even argue that he was better than them since the only two times that he has died he was killed by a creative mod player.
If there's one positive outcome of him being transported by them, it's that it gives Dimo, Otterlii and Evpark another chance. A shot at destroying the rest of the cores. Good thing that he gave Dimo his mace. He wouldn't do it for just anyone, but he truly trusted Dimo. Atleast i can buy them some time, right? I guess i could stall for a bit, right? It makes the whole attempt a little less dangerous for them and it makes Astral and Quakitus unable to intervine. Come to think of it it wasn't too bad of an idea. In Nufuli's opinion atleast.
"Okay, we're propobly almost there. Mind telling me?"
"Nufuli, i already told you i won't, besides you should really act more serious do you have any idea of what you've done?" Quakitus gave him a quick yet heated glance over the right shoulder.
"And i already told you that i don't care about your stupid cores" he shot back.
"God, Nufuli" Quakitus exhaled ostentatiously. "If i were you i would keep my mouth shut the second we arrive"
"Why though?" Nuf whined. "See, how am i supposed to know how to behave, when i don't even know where we're heading" his tone got louder.
Out of the blue, he got nudged on the back with, what he could assume was the hilt of Astral's sword.
"Okay, okay calm down. Geez" suddenly they're way less chatty, than they were while outside of the city. Seriously, what's with everyone in here? The sudden shift in Quakitus's mood was prominent. Was he seriously freaking out that much over the core? He's acting like his lifes were depending on that thing.
...
After a few more minutes they stepped off the passage. The hell? The clinkering of the netherite boots was now muffeled by the soft grass. They kept making their way under the tree branches. Seriously can't they just take the usual route.
Where are they even taking him at this point? He thought that maybe they're just taking a short cut or something like that, but they were in the middle of nowhere. It didn't look like they were getting anywhere any time soon. They were getting near the border of the city. So, what now? And when he was sure they just dragged him to the edge of the mountains he saw two houses stuck to each other. Purple and yellow.
Okay, he might have an idea now on why they dragged him here.
"So that's the place?"he finally spoke up.
"Damn, what makes you say that Sherlock? Is it the purple and yellow or is it the fact that we stopped?" Well, fuck you Astral. He'll be the bigger person here and ignore them.
"Sooo, what now?" He tilted his head to the side.
Quakitus took a few steps towards the rocky hill. That's when Nufuli finally noticed it.
A stone entrance, opposite to the houses, practically laced with moss on each side. Some of the branches grew towards the place, causing the leaves to give it an incredible cover. Not his fault he didn't spot it earlier, okay?
Nufuli watched as the twin took a simple plain button out of his inventory and carefully placed it onto one of the walls.
A sound of pistons moving the blocks out of the way filled the place. The three by three opened giving Nuf a peek inside, that he eagerly awaited for. And there it was the base.
The whole thing was mix of yellow and purple wool, terracotte and concrete. It was also decorated with occasional gold or amethyst blocks. It matched twins aesthetic pretty well. His base still looked better though.
"Well, you were so eager a while ago" Quakitus remarked. To be honest, he hasn't even noticed he has been staring. Now that it hit him, it was kinda of embarassing. Astral shoved him foward.
"Okay, okay i'm going calm down, bro."
They took steps foward then stopped as the hallway was coming to an end. Nufuli looked down, oh. There was a hole in the floor, most likely a drop down leading into the actual part of the building.
Nufuli was standing at the edge staring at the ground beneath them. Then, once again, Astral just had to shove him foward, of course they did. They might be even more annoying than vanguards. Speaking of which, Quakitus said it was higher ups call, so why the hell are they in their base. Are the higher ranking ones homless or something.
Even though Nufuli tried his best to land on his feet, he was still cuffed, meaning he couldn't really keep his balance straight. He stumbled onto the nearby wall. He used his elbow to push himself upright to face the actual base. It was kept in same aesthetic as the hallway the only new addition was spruce wood. In this part it seemed like it was the main block, the previous constant purple and yellow now fading into the background details.
It was quiet. The previous sounds of nature no longer acomapanied them. No sound of leaves shuffling under the wind or the branches breaking, just silence.
"We're here." Quakitus clasped his hands togheter. It no longer sounded like he was talking to Nufuli, but rather like he was announcing it to someone else.
Atleast they've arrived. Nufuli looked down at his food bar which was getting kinda low. Normally Nufuli'd reach for one of baked potatos in his inventory if it wasn't for those damn cuffs.
I think i did a rather neat job, at buying them time. Nufuli's mind kept drifting towards his friends. For now atleast though, he should really focus. He can't afford to let his guard down.
Nufuli looked around no soul in sight. Strange.
He was then provided with a single wind charge. He stared at it for a while pondering if he should try escaping. It would be reckless, that's for sure. But isn't it worth atleast a try. They won't kill him af-
"Only use it to go up. Don't overthink it" Quakitus placed his palm on Nufuli's shoulder. Squezzing it a bit. Sometimes he really feels like an open book. That's irronic.
"Wasn't planning on doing anything else." A lie. A blatant one at that.
Without much of protest he threw the thing under his feet. Immediately jumping into air.
Unlike Quakitus he landed rather quietly. No sound of hard netherite hitting the ground, just the cheap copper. A subtle reminder that he was the only one in the room without the proper gear, aside the few items that they let him keep.
He placed his hands on the fence to make sure he wouldn't fall off. Astral like the little guard dog they are followed after him and Quakitus.
Then he noticed a dark, tall sillhouette standing on the right side of the platform. A well recognized by him figure, looming over a shulker box and an ender chest. Familliar wicked grin plastered on it's face.
Mugm.
What the hell?
Mugm's the reason he's here in the first plan. He's the one who has killed HD. He's the one who's been tormenting him for over a week. And now he was, calling for him? Nufuli already suspect what the converseision will be about. It was pretty easy to guess.
Quakitus went over the fence, while Nufuli just stood there stunned. He looked, back and forth between two vanguards, still visibly shocked.
"The hell" he finally managed to murmur something, which earned him a small smirk on voidling's lips
"Hello Nufuli."
Nufuli automaticly straightened his back. No matter what he couldn't allow himself to be vulnerable now. His shattered ego pulled itself togheter for this one time. He'd rather look like cocky idiot than an easy target.
"Took you long enough" Mugm huffed. "Quakitus help him get through the fence."
Quakitus answered with a simple nod.
Nufuli was baffled, he never saw him so compliant.
Not wanting to seem incapable Nufuli jumped over the fence. It wasn't too hard, but it being over his knees and also his wrists being bound togheter certainly didn't help.
"It's been a while since we talked, man" Mugm looked him up and down, taking in the miserable sight.
"Yeah it certainly was" he agreed with a click of his tounge. Nufuli was trying his best, to keep his guards up.
"See, i've sent for you, because i really can't stand watching you waste yourself away." What was that supposed to mean? "My offer still stands you know."
"I assumed you'd knew my answer by now. No matter what i won't join, bro."
"Seriously? No matter what? That's an overreach don't you think? See you're a lot of troubles for us and it'd be just way easier having you on our side."
"I don't see how that's my problem"
"I've given you many chances Nufuli. My patiance has it's limits too, you know?"
"Does Stormz even know about this? I ran into him before arriving to the city and he didn't seem too happy about this plan."
"Let's just say he doesn't get a say in this."
At this confession Quakitus slightly twitched.
"You won't have to worry about him soon anyway. But in case you're still thinking about refusing, i just want to remind you of your friends who are still trapped in here. Not only them but also the ones outside of the city. Loonac for an example."
At mention of his friends, Nufuli's body stiffened. He didn't want to burden any of them espeslly Loonac and Doopter, they chose not to invole themself into his mess for a reason. Beside Mugm had already kindapped them before, there was nothing stopping him from doing it the second time.
"So what'll you say Nufuli? Would you rather risk their last lifes?" Mugm spoke way too casual for someone threatening to kill his friends. "You're strong and i truly respect you as a fighter atleast, which is why i'm doing it. You're too emotional to see, that this is the best decision you can make for your own sake."
"Alright, bro. Best decision i can make? Are we serious? You expect me to join after you killed one of my friends and then threatened the rest of them?" Nufuli let out a quiet chuckle that was mostly a result of his pent up frustration.
"Nufuli-" Mugm spoke firmly "are you seriously willing to place your friends's lifes on the line? There's no reason for me not to kill them. I don't like wasting resources but i'm willing to do so if i have to."
Memories started flashing in front of his eyes. He'd rather die then work with them, but he couldn't let his friends down again.
He called Slushly a shuckle on his leg , yet he wasn't any better.
Okay, calm down. Dimo, Otterlii and Evpark most likely are planning on destroying another core now. Once they suceed at breaking every single one, the barrier of the city will be destroyed. And then... then what? Will he even be able to escape?
He trusted them, he was willing to put everything on one card. His mace included. If he can take up more time from two of the vanguards, it would be even better. He can't solve everything just by storming in without a plan. He is strong but that doesn't make him invincible.
Getting close to them can give him far more opportunities, right?
"Fine.I'll join your stupid vanguard."
A wicked grin spread on Mugm's face after hearing that.
"I'm glad to hear you finally choosing the right thing. Quakitus you're dismissed."
Dismissed? Isn't it like Quakitus's base?
As Astral and Quakitus started making their way towards the exit, a ring of the comunicator cut through the silence. Quakitus looked at his wrist, checking the device.
Nufuli, being nosy per usual, turned around. Staring at his tensed back.
"What?"Quakitus just stared baffled, he then turned around to stare back at Nufuli, dumbfounded. "How the hell?" He then proceeded to point at Nufuli with his hand, moving it simultaneously up and down.
"So, you mind explaining, man?" Finally, Mugm asked the right question for once.
"Someone broke the second core"
Oh my god, he knew they'd manage.
"So, tell me how the fuck did one of the guards see [Tide] in chat?"
Wait, Tide?
Oh shit that's how they knew it was him. Now Dimo used it. They still don't know it's Dimo, atleast. It leaves only 3 suspects though. Otterli, Dimo and Evpark. God, he has to come up with something, now.
Everyone in the room were now staring intensly at Nufuli.
Oh, fuck.
"Quakitus go and search their base. Try finding them. When you find them just message me."
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Dimo kept walking down the stairs. The invisibility helped but it would be no use if that Quakitus guy, or whatever his name was, came back.
But, since they did destroy the core most of the guards should be there, meaning that it should be a quick rescue. They walk in, they bring Nufuli back and done.
One person stopped walking, most likely Otterlii, it was hard to tell with the effect on.
"We're here" the guy spoke up, confirming his assumption.
They walked onto the floor where Nufuli was supposed to be held on. They looked around.
Each wall filled with cells with a red heart shaped windows, if you could call it that. Nothing too special. He squinted his eyes trying to see Nufuli through the tinted glass.
He couldn't spot him.
"Hello? There's no guards here" they really did sent everyone to the broken core. "You're sure he's here?" He didn't fully trust Otterlii he went along with his directions, because they got some good items from him. Also because Nufuli insisted on it.
"Yes, i'm sure they locked him up right in front of me" Otterlii got defensive pretty quickly.
"Who are you looking for?"
At the sound of unfamiliar voice Dimo quickly grabbed the hilt of the mace. It was a girl, one of the prisoners.
He was half joking, when he said that they propobly had killed Nufuli by now. Even though getting a mace would be nice, he didn't want the guy to just die.
"Wait, have you seen the guy that was brought here? Nufuli?" Evpark walked up to her cell.
"Oh, Nufuli?"Well that's a reasuring start. "You guys are late"
"The hell's that supposed to mean?" They make a yes or no question so complicated for no reason.
"The guards came for him already."
Well, atleast they tried, right?
"What?" The three of them asked in synch.
"They didn't say much just that they were taking him somewhere, they said it wasn't their call though" she explained.
"Why though?" He kept nudging.
"I have no idea" she admitted with slight guilt in her eyes.
From what he understood, from Evpark's explanation, someone with higher number was bossing them around.
"So, what do we do now?" Evpark asked, playing with his spear per usual.
"We go back" he declared.
"Wait, can't you like let me out? Please?" The girl was banging on the glass with one hand the other pressed flat aginst it.
Dimo walked up to her, he tried breaking the glass, but it wouldn't budge. They were in adventure mod.
"We're leaving."
"Huh?" The girl looked up at him as he started backing away.
"You sure we-" Otterlii tried offering an alternative.
"We don't have time for this. We came here for Nufuli and he isn't here. We're leaving" his tone got lauder, making sure he got the point across.
"Where can we go?" Dimo asked, already climbing up the stairs.
"Umm the base..?" Evpark suggested. Well the base wasn't the best idea since they already knew about it's existence.
"What about the smuggler thingy? Do they know about that?" Dimo looked over his shoulder to stare at Otterlii.
"No-" He started, not really convincing. "i don't think that they do."
"Well, than that's where we're going. We regear and destoroy the rest of the cores."
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