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Looking back on his three lives, Nufuli realized he probably wasted his first two.
Nufuli lost his first life by being reckless, throwing himself into an unwinnable situation, blinded by his confidence in his skill. He had been stupid and arrogant, Rat had tried to come save him but he had just died right in front of her. Nufuli had been dead weight. He spent his second life becoming more skilled, more powerful, more of a threat so he’d never be a burden to anyone again. Yet he still couldn’t stop Rat getting banned by Sharpness.
His second life ended similarly, Nufuli recklessly throwing himself into an unwinnable situation against a guy who was playing god. At least that time he died with the goal of trying to protect his friends, though it was tainted by failure. Dimoffy died because of his attempt at playing sacrifice. Loonac survived that encounter but died in the void later on anyway. He couldn’t protect his friends then, so he devoted his third life to protecting those close to him, even if that meant pushing them away.
His last life, despite it being the most problematic, was somehow still his favorite. At first he was more on edge about his mortality, but Nufuli had made peace with the fact he was going to die eventually, it was inevitable.
He just wished it lasted longer.
~+~
Despite their short time using [Soul] and [Body], Nufuli had quickly adjusted to being bonded with Slushly. Their hearts were beating in tandem, feeling the same twinges of pain, the same effects running through their bodies, brushing death only to be pulled back by the others' presence. Even as Rat hit him again and again, sword beating against Nufuli in his half netherite, the remaining armor threatening to break, Nufuli didn’t die, no matter how many times he precariously teetered on half a heart. The feeling of invincibility would have been intoxicating, if only for the fact the power of [Soul] and [Body] made him and Slushly as glass canons, ready to shatter the moment Galaxy was able to put together 2+2 and realize just what he needed to do to make the duo meet their end.
He should have seen it coming, he should have tried to be more aware of his surroundings, at least having Slushly keep a look out for Galaxy trying to sneak up on them in their battle, or have just done something more to prevent what they feared was going to happen.
But he hadn’t seen it coming, he had been too focused on fighting Rat, on ensuring Slushly was keeping himself alive, clinging to the hope that maybe they both got to end this fight alive.
The only warning he got was a small pop in his ear of the enchanted bundle being used, the brush of a player moving past him and the swirl of invis particles. Nufuli’s eyes widened, the realization already clear in his mind. No no no no no no- not now- not when we’re so close-
He had run out of time.
Nufuli opened his inventory. The amethyst shard was gone. No more immortality. No more time. He felt the connection with Slushly break, his own body faltering as it lost the other half, feeling oddly alone. His heart was left beating alone in his chest, the shared effects quickly vanishing, particles evaporating from his body. Nufuli’s head immediately snapped up to look for Slushly in his panic, hoping that he at least had the blaze rod still. So long as Slushly had it, he’d be fine, just not linked to Nufuli.
“What was that- what was that?!?” Slushy frantically shouted, rushing to get Rat off Nufuli. The leviathan immediately began chugging golden apple after golden apple, throwing pearls to try and keep the onslaught of attacks off him even for a moment.
He was only delaying the inevitable.
"Someone took the shard-” Nufuli’s mind was racing. They were out of time. The plan was falling apart and if Slushly didn’t use the book soon, they’d both be dead. He refused to let Slushly die, not after everything they had gone through together, Nufuli would ensure Slushly would get out of the fight alive. He let out a grunt as Rat’s sword slammed into his side, causing a totem to pop.
“What?!? How-” Slushly’s voice raised in panic.
A figure among the pillars caught his eyes. “Galaxy.” Nufuli hissed. Invisible, like a coward, holding that damn shield as if it was something to be proud of. Nufuli should have known, he should have known, he should have known-
Rat’s cruel laughter broke his thoughts. “Oh~ maybe Galaxy’s not so useless after all huh!” She grinned, diving down to spear him. Nufuli scrambled to get out of the way, throwing a pearl to dodge. Galaxy jumped into the fray as Nufuli webbed himself, shoving gapple after gapple into his mouth, the regeneration and absorbance barely keeping up with his rapidly depleting health. “Slushly I’m not- I’m going to die!” He shouted over the constant sound of the swords hitting against his armor, eyes darting towards his teammate, seeing the dawning horror of the realization wash over him, the electricity sparking frantically in erratic patterns.
“Nufuli what do I do-”
The plan. Nufuli took in a sharp inhale. He was going to die, it was inevitable. Rat and Galaxy were set on targeting him, his armor rapidly decreasing in durability, the amount of gaps ticking down like a timer. If Galaxy took the amethyst shard, that meant Slushly was still immortal. Galaxy would survive, but so would Slushly.
Nufuli turned to Slushly, trying to assure him, to push Slushly to do what needed to be done. “It’s okay, it’s okay! Slushy, it's okay!” They needed to complete the mission, to kill Rat, to put an end to Vanguard and its madness.
Slushly frantically shook his head, trying to get between Nufuli and his attackers. “It’s not okay! You’re going-”
“The book! Use the book!” Nufuli snapped, cutting him off as he pearled to the other side of the room, buying himself a moment before Galaxy and Rat descended like vultures.
“I can’t!”
“Slushly it’s okay, just do it!” He was down to less than 20 gaps, his chestplate durability was growing closer to red each hit. The only chance of success was Slushly using Kunara Rupture on Rat while she was too focused on killing Nufuli.“Slushly-” He screamed, looking at his teammate pleadingly.
“You’re my only friend. It’s not okay-”
Rat let out an amused snort, grinning ferociously. “Back off! He’s my friend.” She said tauntingly. Fury welled up within the leviathan, but he couldn’t get into an argument with Rat, not here not now. It wasn’t like she’d listen to him anyways. Nufuli ignored her, pearling away once more. Slushly had to end this, without Nufuli. He was strong, he could bring Rat down one more life and Nufuli could at least get the satisfaction of dragging her down with him.
He could at least be assured Slushly got to play just one more day.
“I- I- I’m sorry.” Slushly called out. In his peripheral, Nufuli could see Slushly shaking as he dug through his inventory, fumbling to grab the book out, eyes shining with tears.
The pearl he had thrown collided against the throne, Nufuli tossed to the ground by the impact, jammed into a corner. Rat was on him a second later, followed by the sound of armor shattering. He was out of time. “My helmets are gone!” Nufuli shouted, his desperation increasing. “Just do it- Slushy please! Please just do it!” He was almost out of gaps, his chestplate was about to break-
“JUST DO IT-” He screamed, bracing his arms against Rat’s relentless sword strikes, feeling the armor chip.
“I’M SORRY!”
“NOW-”
The last thing Nufuli heard was the sound of an explosion.
~+~
That should have been it. That should have been the last Nufuli ever heard, saw or felt. His death would save others, keep the peace of the server. Despite his insistence on not being a hero, Nufuli hated to admit almost every action he took somehow led him down the road of one. He didn’t deserve that, not the role or the title or any of the credit. He’d never done it for the server, he just- want his friends to be safe.
At least with him dead, they’d be safer.
Nufuli could be at peace with that. Slushly would get the credit for killing Vanguard 1, Rat, ending her reign of terror over the server and appointing Slushly as the hero he deserved to be. Vanguard would hopefully crumble after everything they had just done, be gone for good. That would allow HD to get avenged in a way. Loonac wouldn’t have to worry about getting dragged into his messes, Doopter would be safe as well, and Dimoffy wouldn’t have to always be so anxious wherever Nufuli was around.
Still, he just wished he got to play a bit longer.
Loonac deserved a proper apology, he should have at least tried to recruit him, just so they could have talked. He should have given him more than just a lousy snowball, done something he wanted to do for once, gotten to know the friends the snowman made before him.
Nufuli wanted Dimoffy to come back, to tell him what he was so worried about and for Nufuli to help fix it. Just to even talk with him, listen to the ghost as he joked around, as he talked about traps or a cool new location for a base, to see him wearing the barrier banner again on his shield.
HD deserved to have Mugm properly banned, to have a proper grave and memorial in her honor, for people to know her name, to know she was good, that she wanted to be a hero. She deserved much more than the revenge Nufuli had been so set on giving her.
Doopter still needed her helmet to finish off her small memorial at his base, someone needed to be there to make sure he didn’t overwork himself, to make sure he didn’t go crazy with loneliness or worry.
Heck- as much as Nufuli hated to admit it, he should have been there for Galaxy more, he fought or went through something alone, that something leading him to Mugm. Galaxy had been there for Nufuli, during the revival, convinced him everyone deserved a second chance of life, yet Nufuli never gave anything in return. Nufuli hated the guy for joining Vanguard, but he just wanted Galaxy to explain it to him, to show Galaxy what Vanguard really was, to make him see what he was truly doing.
Even Rat, Nufuli should have tried harder to find her after the revival, should have been stronger and less stupid when they took that bounty for Sharpness. He should have done something more, maybe then Vanguard wouldn’t have existed.
And Slushly- he deserved more than someone like Nufuli. He should have tried harder to find a way where both of them got out alive so Slushly wouldn’t have to be alone again. He shouldn’t have betrayed him, he should have helped him more too so Aspen hadn’t died. But Slushly could get Aspen back. He knew where the Eye of Revival was, knew how they worked and what to do with it. He could get her back, he wouldn’t be alone then, he’d get the happy ending he deserved.
Nufuli, so lost in his thoughts, didn’t realize that he could open his eyes, not till the sound of something distant in the background caused his eyes to flutter open. He expected darkness, a pitch black abyss, but instead, he was floating, weightless, surrounded by stars glittering blue, green, and white, contorting as the nebulous world shifted around him. It reminded Nufuli of the End Portal, the vastness swirling around him with the stars twinkling, almost in greeting, letting him drift in the endless expanse.
It was beautiful.
He tried to suck in a breath, only to find he couldn’t breathe and yet- he didn’t need to. He was simply existing. Nufuli attempted to move his arms to try and move to a more upright position to look around, but found himself incapable of doing so, frozen still as the abyss moved around him. His armor was gone, inventory empty, no levels, nothing. He was just- floating among the stars. It should have sparked at least some level of concern, for him to grow panicked, to feel trapped or alone- and yet he just-
-felt at peace.
He didn’t know what any of this was, he didn’t know where he was, how he was here, or even why. But he didn’t care. This was the end for him, a last moment of bliss, of sanctuary before he was truly gone from the server. He slowly closed his eyes, ready to accept his fate, to be dead, and move on from the world.
The sounds that startled Nufuli ‘awake’ before had picked up again, just as he closed his eyes to accept his fate. He was getting a bit annoyed now. First he died, then he made peace with the people in his life, finished by thinking of his regrets, what more was there for him to do? He was ready to die, to move on from the server.
Right? He didn’t have much of a choice anyways, he was dead, the only revival eye was back at his base, Slushy the only living soul who knew of its existence, and Nufuli knew that he’d be the last person Slushly wanted to revive, especially considering Aspen was dead as well. There were so many others that deserved a second chance (well technically a third) at playing on the server. Nufuli had played his time. So why did he hate the idea of leaving it all behind?
Nufuli really wished he had more time. More time to adventure, explore the dimensions that were within Wisp, discover hidden civilizations, encounter more command block items. More time to relax, set up a base that wasn’t just meant for grinding or housing his valuables, hanging out with his friends, reconnecting with Loonac and Dimoffy, just listen to them instead of dragging them around on his adventures, help Slushly out in his heroic tasks or whatever the kid wanted to do . More time to get to know other players, the ones he had never met, or the ones he simply met in passing, get to know their stories, what they had done on the server. More time to fight, to get better against opponents who weren’t just after his life, fights that were fun, that had him laughing as he wind charged up into the sky before crashing back down. He just- wanted more time.
The feeling of peace he felt before vanished, replaced with a longing to live. Nufuli stared into the nebulous expanse of glittering stars, wishing he could have lived.
And then the sounds began to speak to him.
At least Nufuli was pretty sure they were speaking to him. He couldn’t tell, the sound too muffled and different, clearly not in any language he understood. After concentrating for a few seconds, Nufuli was able to differentiate the sounds into two voices, though he still couldn’t make out what they were saying. He was still mildly sure the voices were speaking to him, having caught his name twice. At least he was pretty sure it was his name and not some random word that happened to sound like ‘Nufuli’.
Slowly though, Nufuli could begin to pick out words, the marbled mesh of sound becoming something achingly familiar, words that he could remember but not quite place.
The voices must have realized this, because text began to appear in front of his eyes, floating in the nebulous expanse with him. There were two different colors, green and blue, every line or so alternating in color. It took Nufuli a second longer than he’d like to admit to realize that the colors corresponded each to a voice rather than being an aesthetic choice. In his defense, he didn’t think dying would have so much thought put into it.
The text was, however, not in a language Nufuli could immediately read, but one he did recognize, standard galactic, enchanting table language. He could pick out some words and letters, but the translation was garbled. It felt like the voices were trying to explain the incomprehensible secrets of the universe to him. His brow furrowed in confusion and concentration as Nufuli tried to quickly translate the text as it scrolled past him, before finally, like a divine granted gift, the letters all clicked into place and Nufuli could understand.
It was the End Poem.
“and the universe said I love you”
“and the universe said you have played the game well”
“and the universe said everything you need is within you”
“and the universe said you are stronger than you know”
Nufuli realized that at some point, he could feel again, the realization only dawning upon him as he felt tears slip down his face.
“and the universe said you are the daylight”
“and the universe said you are the night”
“and the universe said the darkness you fight is within you”
“and the universe said the light you seek is within you”
“and the universe said you are not alone”
It felt stupid, to cry over a poem he’d seen a dozen times before after killing the dragon. And yet, as Nufuli wiped the tears from his face, he continued reading the words as they scrolled by, his body able to move once more.
“and the universe said you are not separate from every other thing”
“and the universe said you are the universe tasting itself, talking to itself, reading its own code”
“and the universe said I love you because you are love.”
The abyss around Nufuli suddenly began to change, golden particles buzzing in the air around him, out shining the glittering stars, consuming Nufuli in a glowing light that made him feel alive, his entire body buzzing. The leviathan let out a gasp, breathing in air for the first time since he died. He looked down at his hands, his entire body now glowing a vibrant gold with cracks of emerald green, similar to how a totem near popping appeared.
Nufuli looked up, to see the words still scrolling past his eyes, slowly fading as the light, as Nufuli, grew brighter and brighter.
“And the game was over and the player woke up from the dream. And the player began a new dream. And the player dreamed again, dreamed better. And the player was the universe. And the player was love.
You are the player.”
“Wake up.”
The glowing overtook the nebulous abyss, forcing Nufuli to shut his eyes as sensation flooded his body once more.
And when Nufuli opened his eyes, he saw the sky.