Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

This had to work...

Everything seemed to fit so perfectly...

Every piece of wood.

Every pane of glass.

Every little detail was in place.

This was it, this had to work...

------------------------

Where had it started? Grian had been young. He was sure of it. It isn't every day you just pick up a book and suddenly start hearing a voice. That... That wasn't normal, he recognized that. He didn't care though...

The was a voice so similar to his own, but he had tested it in a mirror once it was most definitely not him talking to himself. It talked about building, about the grandness in life that can only come from something that had been created and crafted with your own hands. Grian had to admit the passion had dazzled him and he had been so young and impressionable that he dove right into trying to become like the builders the voice talked about.

Yes... That had been how it started but it was also so much more than that. It was the small talks and silent whispers in the dead of night that kept him going. He had been so alone as a child and as high school had drawn near things only continued to spiral. Few friends were around and those that were had never been good for him.

Not like the voice had been. Not like Xelqua had been. His best friend. The only person truly on his team. The voice is so ungodly similar to his. This had to be a cruel trick he sometimes finds himself thinking, but the thoughts never stay long. At least not when Xelqua mimics his laugh and tells him it's no trick it's just 'the cosmos having a little fun.'

A little fun. Ya, that sticks with him too. Probably more than it should have. If building had become a passion for him because of Xelqua then so had the chaos that Grian paraded around under the name of fun.

Years have passed since then and the two of them were still as close as ever. Grian was almost convinced Xelqua knew more about him than even he did and honestly, he wasn't really complaining, there were so few people in these worlds that he trusted it was nice to just have someone who understood him.

It was also not like he hadn't learnt anything about Xelqua in that time either. He knew it should matter to him but honestly, he didn't care as much as he should have when he found out the voice in his head was a demon. Maybe he should have. Maybe he should have been seeking help, a cure, anything to free the potential torment of his soul being eaten. But no, he couldn't bring himself to even attempt to consider it more than a tired fleeting thought that only showed up when he was far too grumpy to really be functioning.

So here he was. A big plot of land far far away from the hermitcraft main island. He knew this land was only meant for resource gathering and sure he may get in trouble if someone came across all the rustic houses that formed the perfect circle, even if they didn't know what it was for. But Grian was committed to this he had everything in place, Right down to a Vessel for Xelqua to use... Kinda.

A robot sat in the center of the circle. Honestly, it was more of a shell than anything no programming needed just bits and bobbled that that needed to move and bend in a human manner. The plan was set both Xelqua and Grian were on the same page with this. Originally there had been a small fight about how to get Xelqua here and honestly, it did make sense no one wants to use a fake body but it was all he could do without giving up his own body. The world he was in wasn't populated enough to find a host without killing the few friendships he had and being kicked from his home. So it really was this or nothing. Xelqua had relented in the end but only on the condition that oddly enough: if he could grant one wish of Grians. There was no answer on what kind of wish it was just that it had to be one of Xelquas choosing and seeing as Xelqua was Grians best friend it didn't seem as dangerous as it probably sounded to any onlooker.

It was time. Grian starts the spell, it's familiar to him. Even if his tongue has never spoken the spell before he has had the whole thing memorized for years. It's in a language once long-forgotten only brought back into use when taught to Grian as a Second language from Xelqua. He's sure he knows every step, every vocal line, every command to the cosmos to bring his friend to him... And it works.

His eyes are blank, black like the void yet they hold something there. It was almost too real like you could actually feel the coldness of the emptiness between worlds when looking too long. They were clearly not dead and soulless as the shell had been before the spell started.

"Xelqua?"

Grians voice was a lot quieter than it had been in years. His heartbeat was racing did everything go as planned? He almost Jumped when the shell moved... Well, he guessed it wasn't a shell now it was his friend it had to be Xelqua.

"Ya, It's me... Looks like everything went exactly as planned you did well."

Xelquas Voice still sounded exactly like his, but this time he was really hearing it. He was really hearing his friend... Even if said friend looked exactly like him..? That was not how the Robot had looked like before, he wondered if that was part of Xelquas magic or if the soul transfer turned it into how the demon looked. Part of him hoped it was magic and not the latter cause that would mean that in all realities the only way Grian could have someone he trusted was if it was just another version of himself.

Xelqua gave him a smile. "Now don't think like that. I know I have a body now but that doesn't mean I can't still hear your thoughts when I want to."

Grian took a breath at that. Of course, Xelqua had never once cared for privacy why would he be nice and give it now. It just wasn't in his nature. Still, Grian moved forward not exactly hurt by this fact. Xelqua stands slightly shorter than himself, he's quick to offer a hug. The first of many if all things go as planned. It's nice. It feels safe, and Grian relaxes for a moment before Xelqua laughs.

"How about we jump right into that wish I promised to give you?"

It was a simple enough question. It did slightly worry Grian though Xelqua clearly had something planned still, he nodded. The demon in front of him made a happy sound and took a step back holding one of Grians hands in his own palm up as he uses his other to drag sharp nails into the mortals palm enough to draw blood. Again Grian stays calm fully putting his trust in the other as he just lets himself watch what Xelqua is doing. Blood is poured from one person's hand to the others before a Purple flame engulfs it. There is a sizzle than a laugh, unlike anything he has heard before. Confusion sets in that definitely did not come from either of them, still, he stayed still though.

Xelquas hand seemed to dance through the air now drawing symbols with the Fire. He's summoning something Grian can read it in the magic and then once again the area is alight and a new person stands between the two of them.

They look of flesh and bone, with scars littering their face and, a small relaxed smirk on his face. He almost started a speech about the price one pays for summoning a demon before a strange look crossed his face.

"This isn't a soul contract... What's going on here how did you two manage to summon me?"

He sounded upset for a second before Xelqua took a step closer. "Scar relax it's me, Xelqua. I know how much you hate it in the other realm so I thought I'd do you a favor." Xelqua sounded proud of himself happy even but scar did not share the same enthusiasm.

"That would be nice and all but I can clearly feel that I am bonded to something... Someone...' The taller demon's eyes landed on Grian, looking him over. Almost as if analyzing and calculating what to do next. "I see you a few wards are in place... A barrier around his soul. Yet... No actual claim..."

Scars hand reaches out eyes widening slightly when it makes contact with Grians cheek. There's a soft 'oh' from his lips while Grian is just left there puzzled and confused. "I don't understand... How is this related to whatever wish you wanted to gift me, Xel?"

The shortest of them gave a bright smile. "I'm granting your wish to never be alone again."

Grians eyes widened flickering with panic, where was Xelqua going that he needed to bring in someone else to grant that as a wish!?

Xelqua's bright smile softened though, Grian could tell it was cause he had been listening to his thoughts again and even if he couldn't tell the demon answering his silent concerns outed him. "I'm not going anywhere Grian. I Plan on staying close but Scar here. He's going to stay closer."

Scar gave a small huff at that almost like he was mad about the idea of staying near a mortal. "You could have asked first you know. I'm always up for an escape from that hell hole. You know I would have said yes, but this. This is a bit much, even for you."

Xelqua still looked proud. "I wasn't going to take any chances with Grian. I know how you can get. Sometimes you're honeyed words others you're chaos incarnate. Either way, you are in it to win and if I was going to bring you here I wanted to know that Grian was safe to be around you."

"And you thought the best way to keep him safe was to wall off his soul from outside interference and tie my very being to his blood?" Scar looked more confused than anything but then something dangerous crossed his eyes. "What's stopping me from just locking him away like a little bird and just ditching you?"

This was the first time Grian felt actual fear over this entire situation. What was that about blood and being locked away?! This most definitely was NOT anything he wished for.

Xelqua though didn't seem fazed. "I summoned you Scar and if you dare give me a reason to suspect any wrongdoings I will Rip your soul from this world piece by agonizing piece and make sure you can never reform on either plain ever again."

The smile that stayed on his face honestly made the threat even more haunting for Grian to hear but it did seem to do the trick as Scar raised his hands in defeat. "Okay, Okay. I wasn't really going to do anything I just wanted to see exactly where the limits were and how much thought you put into this beforehand. I promise you the only harm that will be done to your human is a little bite here and there."

Grian wanted to say no to that he didn't want chunks missing! Please someone tell him that was some sort of demon joke!

No one tells him that though. Xelqua Just nods satisfied with the answer before quickly turning around and putting a hand out towards Grian's Rustic house summoning circle. Then in a flash, all that is left are blocks upon blocks of material ready to be picked up and but back in the shulker boxes they had come from.

After that, it would be time to head home and hope the meeting that Xisuma would most definitely be holding over the two new residents of the world wouldn't happen till the afternoon...

Chapter Text

The light shines in through the window when Grian finally awakens. A quick glance out the window tells him it's sometime around noon but after looking at his communicator he finds it's actually closer to one. Strange he was expecting to be woken up earlier to either a direct message or someone at his door telling him Xisuma had called a meeting... Actually looking over the log from the day it looked like there was not a single question about the two new people on the server. In fact, he couldn't even see the message of the demons joining the server at all. He almost thought he had just dreamed it all up before he heard Xelqua's voice in his head 'about time you woke up come downstairs I've made you lunch.'

Grian gave a sigh of relief at that, okay good if it had been a dream there was no way that would be how Xelqua would greet him like this. Talking about getting him food, that wasn't the demon's form of a joke. He got up quickly putting on the overly big sweater he had always been known for wearing. Perfectly comfy for any weather in Grian's humble opinion. Soon he was heading down the stairs, hushed whispers making themselves known to him. It was something about just asking nicely. Honestly, he wasn't sure cause as soon as the floor creaked under his weight the whispers stopped and a figure moved into the doorway, Scar.

He had a small frown on his face that was quickly hidden away for a pleasant smile "Well hello there little ---" He cuts himself off before clearing his throat. "Your name is Grian, right? I don't think we necessarily had much time to exchange pleasantries last night before you went to sleep. My name's Scar, I am a demon of the Greed realm." Scar gives a low bow hand to his chest, piercing eyes never once leaving Grians as he does.

Xelqua gives a snort from further in the room. "Yes Scar you are being very dapper right now but he's going to see it's all a ruse sooner or later. Why don't you just relax."

Grian could only blink when Scar gave a gasp and turned back to the other demon. "You really mock me like this? I'm just trying to make a good first impression!"

"Right cause yesterday didn't count at all."

"Exactly! That was clearly the free trial. This! This is the actual thing."

As much as Grian was 'Enjoying' the two bickering he quickly squeezed himself past Scar to go sit at the table. He had been promised food and he was not going to just stand there awkwardly as he waited to be invited into his own kitchen. Thankfully as soon as he took a seat Xelqua was floating over to him with a plate of food and a friendly smile. "Good morning G! Here's your food just as promised."

He seemed proud... Probably prouder than he should have been. The food in question smelled more like a campfire and honestly, it looked like the cinders you would find there after it goes out too. "... Thanks Xel. It's... It looks lovely..."

------

Food had not in fact been lovely. It had been one of the worst things he ever had tried but it was his best friend's first meal in this world and he couldn't be rude... Yet. He would get his revenge eventually but that day was not today. No, today was to find out why no one was freaking out over new people on the server! Or at least it would have been if he hadn't walked out of his house only to find something new directly to the left of his house. A brand new build stood right there almost as if it had been there this whole time. It was tall and looked like it was right out of a storybook. Somehow a giant house on wheels had rolled itself into town. How no one seemed to notice though was what really got to him. Mumbo was standing not too far away backed up to the edge of the boatem hole as he stared at his base probably plotting out what needed to be worked on next if he had to guess.

"Hey Mu--" Grian had begun to walk closer, he had started before he heard both his and Mumbo's name being called. He turned to see Impulse running towards them. Impulse's hands were on both Mumbo's shoulders in an instant "Tell me you see it!"

He sounded desperate, almost scared. "Tell me you're just as confused as I am about the new building! Pearl said it's always been there and that 'Scar' built it! Who's Scar!?"

Grian was confused at first but then Mumbo spoke up worry coating every word. "Mate are you okay? You know Scar. He's been here since like 4 worlds ago."

"Nonononono They to you too!" Impulse almost looked like a cornered animal, this was so far from the person he was so used to seeing. Panicked eyes met his and Impulse was soon in front of him begging him as well to remember that things had changed overnight. Grian opened his mouth intending to say something, really he had been intending to calm him down but he was quickly spun around and shown his own house. "There! There you see that's weird right!? Your house was nowhere near this big yesterday!"

It clicked then what had happened.

Xelqua and Scar had done something and apparently didn't think it appropriate to give him a heads up about it. He had seen how powerful Xelqua was yesterday able to destroy entire towns in a single flash of light. Grian wouldn't be surprised if the two of them working together could build large structures in the span of a few hours as well. And though the initial base he saw looked nothing like his handy work Grian's base mixed perfectly with the new addition. It clearly had been made by someone who knew his style and seeing as he learnt his style from Xelqua it made sense that he could mimic it this perfectly. As for memories that didn't shock him either Xelqua had done wonders for him growing up, taking away nightmares making others forget they had ever seen him, or even putting in false memories to throw off suspicion of anything being wrong. But to go back through 4 worlds of memories just to integrate Scar into the hermits seemed a bit overkill to him. Then there was the matter of Impulse freaking out, even now staring at him with a small hope that he will freak out just as much as he was.

Grian remembered when he first met Impulse the small whisper Xelqua had given him. 'The warning. Never make a deal with that man, trust me. Demon's only ever want your soul.' Impulse had never had told him, never had confided in him that secret, but Grian knew the panicked man in front of him was a demon too. He may not know all the facts or rules about it all but if he had to guess Demon magic didn't work well on other demons.

Grian steadied himself. It was a simple plan: just ask Impulse to come inside his home. Scar and Xelqua were both in there they could easily sort this out, but apparently, that was too good of a plan for the fates to let play out and just then his base door slammed open, out stepped Xelqua looking absolutely livid. "Xel..?"

Xelqua's eyes are not on him but Impulse who seems to have turned white in horror as the short demon stomped his way over. Just past him, he could see Scar leaning on the doorway amused smile on his face. "Get away from him." Xelqua's words dripped with venom as he took Grian's hand making sure the other didn't try and drag the human away as he backed up. It was honestly a scary moment, he could see the rage building behind the dark void filled pupils yet not once did Grian find his touch to hold the same malice.

Impulse was backing up hands raised in surrender, Grian had turned to face him, to take in what was going on. It was more shocking than anything to find the frozen scene in front of him. A Bee was nearby completely stationary in the air as if nothing but a picture. Mumbo was still staring at them, but it was clear he wasn't seeing, not really at least. Time had stopped and Impulse could clearly see that he was in danger. Grian wanted to tell the two to stop as well. To just calm down, but Xelqua was back to speaking again "If you dare lay another hand on my human I will make you wish you had never sought refuge on this world." He growled. "Now go, I have to rewrite memories to make up for your mistakes. And if you Dare try and tell them what's going on again I will rip out your tongue."

Impulse's eyes momentarily dart towards Grian's and a look of grief and regret crossed his face before he turns and runs. Not stopping for a single moment even as Grian calls after him.

It was now Grian's turn to get mad, to tell Xelqua that they could have worked things out if he hadn't jumped so quickly to violence, but he never got a chance to as the short demon called Scar over to take Grian inside. "Wait no! I have to get mad at you."

Xelqua snorted the rage Grian had seen in him dissipating as he did. "Grian I can hear your thoughts I have already heard all about how you plan on chewing me out, but where it stands that other demon is a danger and I was not about to let him push his way into my territory." His words sounded believable enough and for a second Grian almost let go of that anger, till he remembered it was Xelqua that was the new one to the server. This was clearly Impulses 'territory' first and of course, he was going to panic when it got invaded.

Xelqua just shrugs though and waves him off before directing his attention to Scar. "You had something to ask Grian remember. Why don't you take him inside so you two can talk. I'm going to stay out here and make sure that all my memories are still in place and that I can erase this little outburst that just happened."

It had clearly not been a question, none of it had been and as Grian was lead inside part of him wondered if he had made the wrong move summoning his best friend to the server...

Chapter Text

Once Grian was inside and sitting Scar took a step back. He had a small frown on his face as he looked at Grian, something calculating behind his eyes. Grian figured it was cause Scar had something to tell him, according to Xelqua that was the reason for him being shoed away but honestly now he wasn't sure if that had been just to get the Human away from him or not. Maybe Scar looked like that cause he was struggling to think of a question so as to not make Xelqua look like a liar. "Do you really have a question to ask me?"

Scar straightened up at that. "Yes, I do. I'm just trying to get a feel for the situation right now. Normally I'd be contracted to the humans I interact with. I could just have a little peek in their heads if I needed insight on how to approach a topic. Past that demons don't have the same... 'Sensitives' that humans do and I know what I can get away with. This is not ideal for but I do suppose I'll take Xelqua's advice and just be forward... I need food."

Grian tilted his head as Scar half ranted at him. "Okay? Is that cause you couldn't stomach Xel's cooking? Are you trying to get me to make you food?" This was weird. Something was sounding alarm bells in his head but he couldn't tell what.

"Yes and No." Scar sighed. "Xelqua being the brat that he is decided the best way to make sure I stick around is to make sure your the only one who can feed me."

Grian's two brain cells did their best to rub together and connect the dots Scar was throwing down, but he wasn't even sure he was on the same page. "So... Like you need my permission to eat or...?" He was drawing a blank.

"Kinda but not really." Scar gave a chuckle, there was a slight edge to it like he didn't want to be doing this. "I need blood... Your blood if that wasn't clear." Scar could see the confusion in Grian's face so he continued on. "Xelqua in his completely out of touch 'I've never been a human' mind though, oh human's give blood all the time this will be fine."

Grian definitely did not see this as fine but at the same time, he could see Scar was frustrated with this event as well and chose to not make things hard for either of them. "Okay, let's do this... Do you like-- Is this like a Vampire thing where you like need my neck? I know infinite lives are a thing here but I like I have 94 levels right now and would rather not lose them..."

Scar put his face in his hand. Part of him felt bad, clearly thinking Grian's agreement must have been due to some misguided trust for demons. Every layer in hell knew never to trust Xelqua's honeyed words even he wasn't on the same level as Xelqua when it came to manipulation. But he was hungry and Grian wasn't going anywhere Scar had plenty of time to see just how tangled the human was in Xelqua's web of lies. "How about I just try it with your arm? I have fangs and everything so it shouldn't be too much of a wound left behind."

Grian gave a nod though had a frown on his face. Scar wasn't answering him about the whole death thing, but he supposed levels weren't that hard to get back and from the sounds of it this was going to be new for the both of him so maybe if he was lucky the demon had just refused to answer to avoid needing to say he didn't know the answer. Either way, he held out his arm to scar after pushing up his sleeve.

Scar's teeth hurt he wants to pull back as he hisses in pain, but Scar holds firm making sure nothing is ripped or torn before the numbness sets in. It's a weird feeling, Grian knows what's going on but after the initial shock it all quieted down and he just sat there awkwardly till the dizziness started to set in. He supposed it made sense blood loss was known to do that but he stayed quiet. His thoughts drifted to play out small scenes in his head. Telling him what would happen if he fought. If he didn't. If he died here and now only to find he was damned to never respawn for helping a demon...

Then flowers. That wasn't his thought, he could picture it too clearly. It was too vivid not to be real. 'Grian, relax with me. Take a breath. Just focus on the field. You won't die. I promise.' Xelqua was in his head again. Helping to keep him calm as Scar had his fill. He had been mad at the Demon not even Twenty minutes ago but he supposed they wouldn't have been so close if friendships broke that easily. Grian chose to trust in Xelqua's words even when he felt his own body weaken and slump forward against Scar. Everything slowly faded away but Xelqua's voice was still there telling him it was okay.

---------

When Grian wakes up he is in his bed. At first, he thought he must have died he was still so dizzy and disoriented but after feeling something in his hand and giving a gentle squeeze he found his wrist hurting as if muscles had met an active wound which just wouldn't be the case if he had respawned. Sitting up and taking in what he was holding he saw Scar there in a chair slumped over the bed and sleeping as his hand stayed tightly curled around Grian's.

"He's been there since I got home. Maybe he feels bad for making you pass out. Hard to say. He was once human maybe guilt still runs through him." Xelqua hummed from the doorway. He looked amused like it was all just a little game to him, and maybe it was. The indifference the demon showed was nothing new to Grian, nothing that put him off any longer.

"Should I wake him up? What time is it?" Grian looked out the window as he spoke. The sun was setting guess that meant that he wasn't getting anything done today...

"It's Seven. " Xelqua smiled. "And I've got food for you. Just stay in bed don't need you falling down the stairs now." He half snickered at his own joke before heading down to fetch whatever it was he deemed food this time around.

Grian's eyes watched the doorway for a few moments before glancing down at Scar, free hand moving to run through the demon's hair. Scar looked so peaceful right now, so different from the scheming he had seen so far. It was nice... This was nice.

Chapter Text

A few days had passed since then and Grian was starting to get used to the two new demons really being there. He could see the start of a little rustic shop seated just at the edge of the water now. Probably slightly too close to Impulse's base but it seemed harmless enough, he'd yet to see any altercations over its placement at the very least. As for Scar, the man seemed to always be working. If Grian had thought the rolling house had been big for a starter base it was nothing compared to what was going on now. Scar's Base had been expanding, new additions were added almost daily and it was honestly starting to look more megabase than starter.

Right now though it was bedtime. Xelqua was halfway across the map gathering resources but he had sent a private message not too long ago just letting him know he was going to try and sleep. It was just him in the house, he had assumed Scar was all set up in his base seeing as he hadn't really seen him much these last couple of days. Guilt, that's what Xelqua had theorized. Scar didn't seem like the kind of person that would feel guilty about anything but he supposed he was just an outsider at this moment what would he know?

He didn't really get a chance to dwell on it as his communicator had gone off, expecting to see the good night message back from Xelqua he looked. 'Scar fell out of the world' Grian snorted, looks like the Boatem hole had claimed Scar, hopefully, he didn't lose anything too valuable. He was looking at his communicator when he heard the shuffle from the direction of his bed and when his head snapped up to see what was moving in his room he was shocked to find an exhausted-looking demon there. "Scar?"

Scar shifted uncomfortably for a moment he seemed tense, eyes not meeting his but then he took a breath seeming to steady himself and push back the tired look Grian had just seen and smile. "Grian, my friend hello. What do I own this pleasure?"

Grian blinked, was Scar really trying to play it off as if he didn't just spawn in his bed and this was just some normal event? "What? Scar your in my bed, don't act like you didn't just spawn here after dying!"

Grian instantly regretted raising his voice as Scar's shoulder's slumped "Oh, you saw that." he was back to looking tired, the demon's eyes not meeting his own. "Well, I guess I should get going."

Grian watched the man try and stand only to stumble slightly hand going to his head as he squeezed his eyes shut and tried to steady himself. This wasn't working. Grian didn't know what was going through the demon's mind right now but he knew when someone wasn't taking care of themselves and needed a push to do so. "Just lay down it's okay." He sighs as he moved over to Scar, pulling back the sheets before guiding the Demon to lay down.

Getting Scar to sit was easy enough but he refused to let himself lay down at first, just lightly shaking his head. "No, no, I can't stay I can't kick you out of your bed, that's just rude this isn't even my base."

Grian rolled his eyes as he moved over to the other side and climbed in as well. "You're not kicking me out the bed is big enough for both of us and honestly you look like you're in rough shape. I don't think I can trust you to get home in one piece even if you are a demon. Besides if you stay the night I can make sure you get fed tomorrow cause it seems to me you've been avoiding it." He gave a yawn as he once more tried to push Scar to lay down.

He was a little proud when the demon complied and let himself lay down. Grian watched him for a few seconds just trying to see if he was going to shuffle to get comfortable but when he didn't he moved to click the button to turn off the light and get himself comfortable. There was a soft exchange of good nights before Grian drifted off to sleep leaving Scar to lay there awkwardly wondering why the human wasn't getting the salt and kicking him to the curb.

--------

It was still dark when Grian's eyes fluttered open. He had almost been expecting to be alone or at the very least for his bed partner to be sleeping but it seemed he was wrong on both fronts because staring back at him were a pair of piercing icy blue eyes that seemed to glow in the dark. Neither of them said anything for the first couple minutes both not sure what to make of the situation before Grian gave a small laugh. "I see neither of us are very good at the whole sleeping thing are we?"

Scar shifted his gaze away from him. "I suppose, but in my defense, this is still a very new place for me. I don't know if I can just let down my guard like that." There was something in his voice that almost seemed like a pout, It was honestly a little endearing.

Grian gave a soft smile, this wasn't exactly something he did often but it seemed like Scar needed it. He shuffled closer, making sure to be slow and give Scar plenty of time to protest and get away before he pulled the taller man into a hug. He felt how tense Scar was in the embrace and made sure to keep the hold light, something that could be easily broken. The demon never tried to get away he just slowly relaxed, glowing eyes drifting close after a little bit. "You really aren't trying to get rid of me, are you? You're not even slightly scared I might one day kill you?"

Grian just gave a hum in response his own eyes closing as he settled down to sleep once more. "We can talk about that in the morning. For now, just sleep." He said as his hand moved to run through Scar's hair in an attempt to get him to fall asleep first.

Chapter Text

Grian doesn't normally dream. It's been years. Peace came from the ability to go to sleep tired and a few minutes be met with the bright light of day fully rested and ready to go. That wasn't what was going on now though. When he fell asleep that second time, with the feel of Scar's hair still lingering in his memory his eyes opened up to darkness.

It wasn't the same feeling of a warm bed and someone sleeping near him, it was cold and empty it pulled at his being, threatening to rip his very code apart. He tried to scream out but it was swallowed by the void as not even sound could escape it. In that moment he remembered this wasn't a few-minute thing, this wasn't the quick death that came from something like the boatem hole, this was deeper, this was where no living being was ever meant to reside. This was not where any bit of code should be about to survive. So why now did it feel like years were passing? Why did his thoughts scream out to forget this feeling? He could hear the static of a name trying to be said in his head, 'Please ---- I don't want to remember yesterday make it go away. I just want to be saved.' it overlapped, repeated, got louder, quieter, desperate, angry, sad... This wasn't a one-time thing it was constant begging for what felt like a millennia. And just like that, right when he thought he was on the verge of falling into insanity be began falling upwards.

Quickly a light grew closer the sound of whispers started up in the back of his head as the blinding light engulfed him. Voices got louder, but words weren't recognized two beings spoke to him sounding powerful and strict. Grian hated strict but something told him not to speak out against it. The conversation of unintelligible words continued on for some time as his head swam with a tense sense of danger like he was guilty of something like would be found out any second and killed over it.

Then he was once more flung upward this time for a much shorter fall before the scene changed to one he recognized. He was in the end, he knew he was cause he had only been there again a few weeks ago he recognized this scene though it was moving past him fast and... Backward? Green balls of experience quickly flew past him as up in the air a dragon was reforming he felt his body move and jerk as he ran around arrows returning to his hand before he put them back in his inventory. There was a feeling of adrenalin Excitement and a little worry... But it was weird the worry felt more like a clawing at the back of his head and not a forefronting feeling that one would expect from fighting a monstrous creature for the first time.

He couldn't focus on it though as he heard Xelqua's voice in his head he still couldn't understand it but after it was said the worry faded and was replaced by confusion. He was walking backward now, eyes trained on the ground as not to provoke the endermen in their homeworld. Then down he was moving, blocks appearing before his eyes back to the stronghold portal. The scene changed and for a moment darkness... Someone spoke.

'Don't tell him you remember and don't let yourself forget this time Grian.'

Then in an instant familiar faces were around him... Why was he in a stronghold with the members of Evo?