Chapter Text
I felt the dread slowly creep through my body as I looked around. Grian hadn't planned for another life series yet, and along with that people like Xisuma and Doc were here. I locked eyes with the powerful parrot hybrid, who looked the same amount confused as the rest of us. The brunette took a deep breath, pushed his glasses up on his nose, and took a step forward.
"I am sure everyone here is confused. And believe me, I am too. We have to stay calm and figure this out. Whatever is happening, it's probably the work of the Watchers. Just stick together. Act like this is the Life Series but with new members." He lookas around at everyone, who all just stared at him with varying expressions; some showed suspicion, some showed trust, and a few were almost blank, as if this had happened before. I drew in a breath that smelled of desert and saltwater, and spoke up, cutting through the momentary, tense silence.
"I agree with G. We should just act like it's the Life Series." My statement was taken in the same way as his, those looks. I glanced over at Martyn, who was whispering to Jimmy, seemingly arguing with him quietly. Then at Doc, who was standing there, looking around at the terrain, seemingly planning. I returned my gaze to Grian, the avian's eyes looking skywards. He was so tense, but it was hard to tell what he was thinking. The tension between all of the members here was palpable. My thoughts were booming in my head, and my eyes were still traveling between those three people.
I sighed, and broke my still position, walking over to Doc. This caused everyone else to start moving as well, everyone going into their own little groups. I looked up at the man, one of the few taller than me, and he looked down at me too. I couldn't tell what was going on in that brain of his, but I could see the love and concern in his eyes. He looked over at Martyn, who was on the verge of fighting with Jimmy at this point.
Doc looked back over at me, his expression showing disappointment mixed with amusement as Martyn throws the first punch. I watched as they fought, neither having anything but their fists. It brought me back to Third Life, where Scar and Grian were fighting with nothing but their fists, beating each other to death. I looked down at the ground, my tail drooping. Would we have to do that? Would I have to fight my lovers? No, I wouldn't. I couldn't. I felt a hand on my shoulder, and looked back up to meet Doc's gaze.
"You okay?" He asked, and I nodded. I was lying, even without speaking. I was the opisite of okay. How could I be okay right now?! We were trapped in a server with who knows how many lives, we didn't know how to get out, or what would even happen in the end. I watched as Tango yanked Jimmy out of the fight, the Canary hybrid squirming in the taller man's arms. Martyn smirks, crossing his arms. I smiled, shaking my head in amusement. I looked over at everyone else, and to my surprise there was someone I had never seen before, hugging onto Grian so tightly that the Avian was laughing, but attempting to find his way out.
I usually knew everyone in these things from either MCC, the Life Series itself, or something of those sorts, but I had never seen this man. He had jet-black hair, headphones around his neck, and a strange outfit that was a mix of red, blue, and black. I turned to Martyn, who had seemingly followed my gaze, but was now still. silent. The blonde's eyes were wide, and he suddenly broke into a run.
"What's..." I trailed off, confused. "What's he got to do with that dude?" Martyn had run up and hugged the unknown guy from behind, and in the time I wasn't looking Jimmy had joined them. Xisuma was watching, a look behind that visor that was purely father-like. I found myself smiling, seeing such a wholesome moment between my friends, and who was clearly their friend.
What drew me back to my surroundings was the quick disappearance of the light. Usually the sun was in the middle of the sky at the beginning of the Life Series, but this wasn't that. It was some twisted game we were thrown into randomly. I looked back at Doc, who was smiling too. He looked down at me, before taking my hand.
"Shall we go build a base?" He asked, starting to lead me away. I nodded, following. We made our way to a cave, having collected resources like wood and cobblestone along the way. We started building, making a simple starter base just to survive the night. I suddenly felt arms around my torso, and I jumped slightly. I turned in the person's arms, and saw Martyn. I let out the breath i'd been holding, and let out a laugh.
"Don't scare me like that, dude. I thought you were a skeleton or zombie or something." I said, pulling him inside the base, where Doc already was. We set up our beds and went to bed, or at least Doc and Martyn did. I laid in my bed, staring up at the stone ceiling. I drew my hands up to my face, and let out a long sigh. I hated the Life Series, but I loved it too. I just had to pray this would be like that. I just had to pray that I could die and then respawn back in Hermitcraft, and just wait for everyone else to come back as well. That's how every other game has worked. That, or we could watch the rest of it as a spectator. I looked over at Doc and then at Martyn. At least they were here with me. They looked so peaceful, but they were tense, even in sleep. I finally let my heavy eyelids droop, and I drifted off.
The sun began rising, and I opened my eyes. I sat up, seeing that Doc was gone, and Martyn was cooking some chicken in a furnace. I walked over to him, stretching and letting out a wide yawn. He smiled at me, and I returned the gesture. We ate, then left for Spawn. Hand in hand we walked, but once we arrived, we saw something that was purely shocking. It was Grian. He was on his knees, his wings stretched out as far as they could go, showing their beautiful reds, blues, greens, and yellows. I watched his eyes, which were an unusual purple. He was seemingly trapped in place, staring up at the sky, eyes wide. His wings then began to slowly degrade, turning a sickening green. He began to almost foam at the mouth, his skin turning pale. He collapsed, before pulling himself to his feet. His eyes, now empty, black, and soulless, locked onto us. He pulled out an iron sword, dashing at us.
I pulled Martyn out of his way just as the avian passed, who fell to the ground. Martyn took my hand and we began running. I stumbled over my own feet, but followed him. I looked behind us, and Grian was now looking at the ground, having dropped the sword. His skin was almost mint, but duller. I then, quite stupidly, tripped. I fell into Martyn, who caught me in a dipping pose, as one would do in dancing. I inhaled sharply, my face burning, but my tail wagging to betray my happiness with this closeness.
But that happiness did not remain. A twig snapped, and Martyn turned his head. Grian was slowly making his way towards us. I stood up straight, this time being the one to grab his hand and run. We'd lost him by the time we got back to our base. Doc was waiting there, a concerned look over his face. At this point the sun was near the middle of the sky, shining down on all of us with unbearable heat. I slowed to a stop, letting go of Martyn's hand. We made our way inside, and locked the door. I slid down it, sighing as I sat on the ground.
I let my ears fold back against my head as I buried my face in my arms. Screw this game, screw the Watchers, screw whoever was doing this. I hated feeling this pathetic. I took a deep breath, and pulled myself to my feet. I had to be confident. For them. I walked towards the other side of the home we had, picked up an iron pickaxe, and opened the door into the cave. Doc and Martyn just watched as I left and shut the door.
Now in a dark cave, I pulled out a torch. I walked around for a while, mining until my inventory was nearly full. I suddenly heard mining behind me, and I spun around, holding my torch out to the darkness. I pulled out my sword, before seeing it was just Bdubs. I sighed, dropping my head.
"You scared me, dude!" I exclaimed, an amused, tired smile on my face.
"Sorry. You here late-night mining too, I'm guessing?" He said, securing his pickaxe in his belt.
"Oh? How late is it?"
"When I came down here the sun had already set." Bdubs explained, reaching for the clock he usually carried on him. He pulled it from his pocket, before returning his gaze to me. "It's around 11pm."
"Ah." I say, sheathing my sword. "Well I'd better be heading back now. Good talking with you." I smile at the shorter brunette, before turning to leave. He waves, and we both head our own ways. Once I get up out of the cave, at least 25 more minutes must've passed. I opened the door quietly to find Doc asleep, and Martyn sat at a desk, reading quietly. The still-awake blonde looks up, smiling at me.
I put my things away and walked over to him, giving him a hug. I look over his shoulder at what he's reading; it's some spell book in Galactic. I rested my chin on top of his head, closing my eyes for a moment.
"You should get some rest." He said, turning the page of his book.
"I know. But I want to stay with you." I whispered, feeling true bliss within this hell-hole of a world.
"I'll be there soon, don't worry. I just need to finish this page." He promised, making me sigh.
"fine." I whined playfully, making him chuckle. I walk over to the bed, laying down next to Doc. I laid there for a few minutes, listening to the clock tick on the wall. I honestly didn't understand how people could fall asleep so fast. I always just stayed there for hours, awake. I soon felt Martyn climb into bed beside me, and I turned to face him. I smiled, hugging him. We stayed in that comfortable position until I drifted off.
Though after I had fallen asleep a weird feeling came over me. The dark void of time and space within my own sleep was contorted, shifted. I would reach out and my fingers in front of me were fuzzy, and not quite opaque. My eyes felt heavy, but they wouldn't close. My throat felt tight but no tears spilled out. There were sounds of rain, but when I looked around nothing was there. I took a step backwards, and began to fall. I tried to yell, I tried to make any noise at all, but no sound came from my mouth. I pulled my knees to my chest, giving up. My ears folded back against my head, and my tail wrapped around my legs. I looked around again, before burying my head in my arms. I let out a quiet whine, and that's when I woke up.
(Little bit of horror-ish stuff for this next bit. Be careful if you can easily picture things in your head when given a description)
I sat up, looking around the room. It seemed strange. Things were elongated or squished, the door was wide open, letting a chilling breeze in, and everything was abnormally dark, as if the moon and stars didn't exist. I looked down at my hands, which were also affected; they were freakishly long, and pointed at the end in an uncomfortable manner. I then let my gaze fall onto Martyn.
He was lying next to me, but his eyes, as soulless as Grian's were during the incident, were wide open. He was staring directly at me. A chill went down my spine, and it only got worse when I looked over to where Doc should have been. His spot was empty, and when I looked up I felt pure terror. He was standing in the corner of the room, limbs elongated, eyes sunken in, and expression horrifically dull. I glanced back at Martyn, who then pinned be down by my wrists. I cried out for help, but my sobs sounded drowned out and whisper-like.
I looked over at Doc again, who was now standing over me, his eyes intense yet voids of black all the same. I felt my tears pouring down my cheeks, but a hand reached to wipe them away.
I jolted awake, seeing Doc's concerned face close to mine. He wiped my tears. He no longer looked so terrifying, instead just himself. I sat up, making Martyn groan. His arm was around my torso, but he removed it and rubbed his eyes, looking at me. He was normal again as well, and so was the room. No void of darkness, no weird, dimension-shifting furniture, no cold breeze. My face fell to my hands, and I let out a sigh.
"I apologize for waking you two." I mumbled, my voice still carrying fear within it.
"Hey, don't worry, it's alright. Do you want to talk about it?" Doc soothes, but I just shake my head. He wraps an arm around me, and I drop my shoulders. I was terrified to go back to sleep, but I did anyways, holding Martyn's hand and wrapped in Doc's embrace. But as I had feared, the moment I let my eyes droop too far, I was back. (More horror) Doc's embrace was crushing, his hand now almost choking me, when originally it was simply resting on the back of my neck. I saw Martyn standing by the door, his back to me. He sounded like he was crying, so I gently called out to him.
There was a sickening snap as his head turned to look at me, but the rest of his body remained how it was. I felt my chest tighten, but I couldn't look away. Another crack, alike to the sound of bones breaking, rung out at his body turned to face me. He walked over, but my attention returned to Doc as his grip tightened further. I tried to pry myself from his grasp, and as I did so I felt Martyn's hand on my shoulder, he pushed me down, causing pain in my neck I haven't felt since 3rd life. I screamed as the pain shot through me, and I quickly got up into a sitting position.
Suddenly I was back in the normal house of mine, with the normal lovers of mine. The pain slowly faded, and my breathing began to calm. I was drenched in a cold sweat, and now Martyn and Doc were both by my side.
"I'm okay." I reassured them, but my shaking voice betrayed me.
I was able to convince them to calm down, and for the second time we laid back down. I, however, did not close my eyes. I stared at the ceiling, but the images and the pain was burned into my brain. I felt a tear fall down my cheek, but I remained still. I remained still until the early morning sun shown through the windows. Doc yawned and sat up. As usual he was the first one awake, and I didn't feel like explaining my actions to him. So I let him stand up, and wrapped my arms around Martyn instead.
I felt Doc's gaze on me, and my heart rate increased. I had a tiny voice in the back of my head saying that this was still a nightmare, that my lovers would turn hostile and attempt to kill me once more, just for me to wake up. I looked up at Martyn, and his gaze met mine. He was clearly still waking up, but he wrapped his arms around me nonetheless.
I let out a quiet sigh, praying that I would never have to leave this warm embrace.
"I know you two are awake." Doc said. Martyn pulls me closer, and for just that split second I panicked, but then relaxed a moment after.
"Yeah, so what? I'm still tired." The blonde muttered. In moments like these it was hard to remember we were in an uncertain game of death and at the fate of the Watchers. We were just peaceful. I glanced over at Doc, who looked unamused. He shrugged, walking away from the bed.
"Fine then, I suppose I will eat breakfast by myself." He began to search for something to cook. Martyn groaned, but got up, dragging me along, causing me to laugh. Even as we ate breakfast, then went our separate ways for the day, I was smiling.
Though as I was mining in the caves, footsteps ran towards me. I spun around, and my axe hit against a diamond sword. I pushed the person back, and saw that it was Bdubs. His skin was a deep green, and his eyes soulless. I had seen that look before. As we fought in the cramped mining shaft, my mind began to race. At first it was Grian, then the nightmares, and now Bdubs. I had seen the man just the night before, and now he was completely different.
I shoved him aside, careful not to hurt him too badly, before grabbing my bag and running. I dashed through the caves, and I could hear Bdubs right behind me. The door to the house came into sight, and I yanked it open. I quickly shut it behind myself, panting as I looked out the small window. Bdubs was glaring at me through it, that diamond sword still in his hands.
I drew in a breath, and shoved a rock in the door to wedge it shut. I looked out at the man I knew, or at least used to, and sighed. I pulled out my axe, and pulled open the door again. He dashed at me, but I parried his attack with the flat of the axe blade. I yanked his arm, trapping him in a headlock with my axe at his neck. He looked down at the blade, something close to resembling emotion flickering in his eyes for just a moment.
"I'm sorry, Bdubs. I despise this if it is the work of the Watchers, and please do forgive me." I drew the blade across his neck, and he let out a sound that was almost a plea, but it was as if it was from his throat; it was a growl. He fell to the floor, and I was expecting him to fade away into dust, like what always happened, but he didn't. He was just on the floor, the awful green slowly fading, replacing with a blue-ish grey — the colour of a dead man. I dropped my axe to the floor, watching the blood fall from his neck in a chilling way. I picked him up in my arms, knowing that he was far lighter than me. I carried him to the hills outside, setting him with the moss and the trees. I left him a note, wishing him to be in good health if he were to respawn, before leaving. I returned home, cleaning up anything that remained, and put my axe away. I couldn't bear the thought of killing another man. I should be used to it, but it was as if our minds were not affected here, unlike the way the Life Series changed us.
The door opened, and I turned to see Martyn walking through the door. I sighed, walking over and resting my forehead on his shoulder. He led me fully inside, closing the door with his foot.
"Is something wrong?" he asked. I walked over to the bed, sitting down on it.
"I had to kill Bdubs." I said.
"What?""He was like Grian. Hostile. He most likely respawned, but I still feel so awful for doing it." I buried my face in my hands. Martyn walked over to me, sitting beside me on the bed, an arm around my shoulders. I leaned against him, staring down at the floor. "I would rather be in the Life Series rather than suffering through this. I feel so much guilt. I'd rather be emotionless."
"Don't say that," The blonde comforted softly. "I like having you all 'feeling-emotions'. It's nice to hear you laugh and smile and such."
"I... Thank you, Martyn." I whispered. He smiled and hugged me fully. As I looked over his shoulder, I couldn't help but feel like something was off. I just ignored it, closing my eyes and relaxing in the embrace. I then fell asleep quite fast, most likely due to the fact I had gotten no good sleep the night before, and Martyn was warm. Though soon I was back in the void of my own thoughts. I was in a bright white, blinding room. I lifted my hand to my eyes, trying to shield them from the light the best I could.
Then my hands both flew back, and my legs were swept from under me. I was pinned against the wall with some invisible force, and I struggled against it, even as someone entered. They were tall, wrapped in a black robe, eyes glowing a dark shade of purple. I yanked at the chain-like force, unable to break free. The tall figure walked towards me, and tilted my chin up with his finger. I yanked my head away, my teeth bared in anger.
"What do you want from me?" I asked, glaring at the figure I had grown to hate just by the grin on their face. The being grinned.
"Entertainment." They simply stated, before pulling out a small, sheathed dagger from their cloak. They pulled off the leather covering, the blade glinting in the bright room. I watched with a forcefully dull expression, whilst the being looked at me with barely contained excitement.
The being lifted the blade, lightly scratching it against my cheek, not yet drawing blood. I felt the fear rising within myself, but I stayed quiet. I stayed still. They then went again, still light, over and over until it was enough to draw blood. They continued doing this all over my body, almost drawing sobs from me many times. I was left with my head down, blood slowly pooling below me, and getting in my eyes. I then heard soft sniffling.
I opened my eyes to see Martyn curled up, shoulders shaking with quiet sobs. I felt the pain slowly fade from my body, and I wrapped an arm around him. He tensed, before looking towards me. I used my free hand to wipe his tears, and he sighed, hugging me tightly. I rested my head on his shoulder, allowing him to cry.
"What's wrong?" I ask.
"I don't want to lose you, Ren," he says, pulling away to look at me. "but I know I will. I'll lose you, I'll lose Gri, I'll lose Taurtis again, and I don't want to. I want to keep all of you right here, right now. I don't want to go back. I don't want to go back into that awful void. I don't want to be back with my thoughts again — alone. I'd take Evo over this!" I'd heard of the Evolution SMP before, but not that much. All I knew was that some of the people I knew were in it, and some of them were people I didn't know. I also knew that the Watchers had something to do with it, taking it over or something. And that Grian became a Watcher because of it. Martyn wiped his eyes with a sigh, still holding onto my shirt with one hand.
"You won't lose me. I promise."
"How do you know that?!"
Martyn exclaimed, almost waking Doc up. I sighed.
"I just know. Grian was planning another Life Series for one day soon. I don't want to lose you either, believe me, but I know I will never lose you forever." I hugged him tightly, barely even believing my own words, but knowing the blonde needed them. Martyn nodded, tears still lingering within his eyes, but not letting them out.
"Thank you, Ren," He murmured. "I'm so happy you're here with me."
"It's my pleasure to be here with you." I said, running my fingers through his hair gently. He smiles, closing his eyes again. I did as well, finding myself just back in that white void. I looked up at the Watcher, who looked thoroughly annoyed with me, glaring at me while playing with the dagger in their hand. They smirked as I was trapped against the wall.
"Back for more, you pesky dog?" They say, grinning while holding the blade up to my cheek once more. I sighed heavily, knowing there was no way to escape this. I just closed my eyes, letting him hurt me. If I didn't react he would eventually stop, right? After a torture-filed night that felt like days, I woke up. I looked over, seeing Martyn still hugging onto me, but awake. I smiled at him, before scanning the room for Doc. Instead what I found was the door wide open, and Joel panting, having just entered.
"You," He breathed out, hostility clear in his tone and face. Martyn sat up and so did I. "you killed him, didn't you? You killed Bdubs!" I was left in shock. How did he even find out? And why was he this mad?
"Didn't... he respawn?" I asked, still waking up, but now with a racing heart.
"No you idiot! I wouldn't be here if he did!" Joel exclaimed, making his way towards us. "How would you feel if I just killed your partner, right here, right now?!" He threw a punch at Martyn, Clearly angry as hell. The blonde blocked the punch, pushing Joel back.
"What's your problem, dude? Just accept that he's gone for now!" Martyn sighs.
"you'll see him on Hermitcraft after this is all over anyways." Joel, still seething with anger, just rolled his eyes.
"And how am I supposed to know that's true?" He asked.
"Because that's how all these stupid games work! Now let us be, asshole." Martyn said as Joel crossed his arms. The brunette glared at them both, especially me, before turning to leave.
"Fine, Martyn. But don't forget your little boyfriend's a murderer." He said as he left. I just looked down at the bed.
"It's not like I wanted to kill. I don't. Now that I know that we won't respawn, I especially don't want to." I said, looking down at my hands, remembering how blood had felt on them time and time again. I winced, before letting out a breath.
"I swear I'm gonna kill him one day just for the sport," Martyn muttered. I leaned back against the wall, covering my face with my hands. I would really prefer 3rd Life again over this. I would prefer any of the Life Series when I couldn't feel that I was being a cruel person. I would prefer to be alone in a void over this. Martyn continued. "because that idiot needs to be taught a lesson for once. I just—" he stops abruptly, letting out a groan of annoyance. I looked over at him, almost equally angered.
"I could attempt something." I got up, walking over to the diamond axe on the wall. Martyn joined me. He took the weapon off the wall, turning it in his hands. I drowned in the memories of any time I were king, whether Hermitcraft or the Life Series. I felt an invisible scar along my neck, where the axe of the Red Winter had slain me, and brought along the horrors of that very season. I remembered how I died by my Hand's side, and here that man was, facing me with that very same on-the-verge-of-crazy look in his eyes. I remembered it all.
I felt his hand in mine, both of us with our gazes to the sky. I firmly held the axe in my grasp, it's blade holding blood from battles of past. I closed my eyes, letting the weapon loosen within my fingers. Martyn croaked out a final goodbye:
"I.. will never forget you... mi'lord... see you one day again..?" I responded in a sob.
"Yes, Hand. Of course."
And now here I was, all those thoughts leaving my mind as I looked back at the blonde. I let a smile fall onto my face, but my hands were shaking. I let out a scoff of laughter, and pulled out my communicator.
RenTheDog: "Let Red Winter befall us once more."