Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Scar was in a frenzy. After he and Pearl killed Gem, he hid behind a tree. He thought to himself, “This is it. I can win!” The rush of health returning to him was intoxicating. A surge of power was felt through every vein in his body. Before he had time to relish the feeling of power, he heard a dog. He turned to face the creature, and it pounced. He moved out of the way but still sustained an injury.

Pearl. The only person who had been kind to him throughout his time in Secret Life. He ran as fast as his legs would allow him.

Pearl began to panic. She didn’t want this for Scar. Not that kind of death. She called for her dogs, but it was too late. They set their sights on their target.

Scar threw TNT at the dogs, which exploded, killing most of them. The final dog charged at Scar, and he was forced to shoot the dog with an arrow.

Pearl was now in Scar’s sights. He pulled his bow back and shot arrows. After one had hit Pearl in the shoulder, he dropped Zombie eggs so they would begin to attack her as she was weakened.

“You can try it, mate! C’mon Scar. C’MON!”

Scar took another arrow and hit Pearl in the chest. As he began to grab another arrow, she hit him with her sword. Scar felt the flames envelop him as he began to burn. He screamed for a brief moment before he grabbed the water he had in his inventory to put himself out.

Scar looked at his body for a moment before realizing he would have even more scars after this game.

Scar quick on his feet grabbed more TNT to try and explode the woman behind him. She dodged the TNT and managed another swipe on her sword. She was hurting, but she would rather die than ever show her opponent that weakness.

Scar put himself out once again before pointing his bow at Pearl. She had her shield up. Scar’s brain was moving fast to try and figure out how to catch her off guard. A small but devious smile appeared on his face as he yelled.

“Pearl! Behind you!”

She turned for a brief moment before an arrow was caught in her shield. She was brought back to the fight in an instant. She then thought to fight fire with fire.

“You better look behind you. No, I’m serious.”

Scar couldn’t help himself as he quickly checked his back. Pearl engaged, but Scar heard her approach. He immediately began to fire off arrows. As he ran around her, he managed one shot which cause Pearl to fall into a pit. She disappeared into the pit.

Scar didn’t hear the thunder over his heartbeat. He jumped into the pit.

“Pearl! I’m comin’ for ya! Where’d you go?!”

Just then, a voice appeared in his head. He could sense hands wrapping around his face. This voice. It sounded like…

“She’s dead, Scar. You won.”

Scar was stunned. Grian was dead. How could his voice…. He was stunned and hardly noticed the zombie attempting to kill him. He snapped out of it and killed the zombie.

Scar was at a loss. “How’d the guy with no friends win?”

Silence greeted him. Nothing else. He looked around frantically for Grian as if he weren’t dead. “Well, I guess the only thing left to do is succeed the task.”

Scar looked at his book and read the task one final time.

Win Secret Life

He walked up to the statue. The center of it had a symbol that he never quite understood the meaning of. He didn’t care anymore. Scar assumed he would just be shot out of this game, just like all the other winners.

He submitted his task and felt his body recover from his fight with Pearl. He closed his eyes, waiting for him to be taken to whatever place.

But nothing happened.

He opened his eyes, and he saw another book manifesting before his eyes. Scar had a look of confusion in his eyes as he picked up the book.

Win Secret Life

He was confused and figured it was some sort of mistake. He turned his task in once again, and the same thing happened once again. He tried to turn in the task over 20 times before he had given up.

Scar turned his head to the sky. It was getting dark. He sighed, leaving the Secret Keeper for now. He returned to Trader Scar’s and rested until dawn.

The night was anything but restful. He found himself unable to sleep, only thinking about the Secret Keeper and Grian’s the mysterious voice he heard after Pearl’s death.

Scar wanted to apologize to Pearl more than anything in that moment. Though that is simply how the game is played, he felt horrible betraying the one person who treated him well during the entire game.
The sun rose, and Scar had barely slept, mind full of thoughts from the events of the previous day. He stepped out of Trader Scar’s and looked past his sunflower field. Though it didn’t give him an advantage, he loved his sunflowers.

Scar saw in the distance a figure at the Secret Keeper. Scar kept a good distance, observing them. His stomach dropped as he thought he recognized the figure. It looked almost like… No. That can’t be him.

Scar took his weapons in hand and approached the stranger with caution. As he got closer, he could make out the long purple cloak with eyes around the edge of the cloak. The hairs on his body stand up, and goose bumps appear all around.

He stood tall and suppressed every nerve in his body and strolled up to the Secret Keeper. “Well, hello there! I assume you may be one of the people running these games! I haven’t been able to take my leave back to my home server, Hermitcraft. Would you be able to assist me?”

The Figure stared at him for a moment. After an uncomfortable few minutes, Scar was about to walk away. He turned his back to the figure and fell to the ground. Suddenly, gravity had been doubled. Scar couldn’t stand under its weight. He looked up, and then he saw it.

Thousands of eyes stared into him. Not just looked at him, but he felt their gaze throughout his whole body. He could barely move when he heard “Hello Earth.”

Scar felt dizzy. The sounds entered into his skull. It rung through his head, and he could feel his vision going blurry. Then a hand on his back. Scar immediately fought back with all of his might.

Gravity seemed to get lighter, but the pressure on his back didn’t loosen. He fought against the hand, but he could barely move under the pain. This opponent knew where to hit to hurt him.

“You cannot leave us yet, Earth.”

Scar tried to look up at the cloaked figure, but the hood of the cloak covered their face. He tried to crane his neck, but another hand pushed his face into the dirt. He scowled as he felt more pressure all over his body.

“Who are you?!” Scar yelled with more force than he intended. He soon discovered his mistake.

“Silence!”

Scar felt Gravity increase, but this time it was tenfold. He could hardly breathe as the eyes pierced every part of his body. His body was in agony, and his vision went dark. He was about to pass out when the world returned to him. His breathing was heavy. At that moment, he realized that he was dealing with something far more powerful than he anticipated.

The cloaked figure waited a moment and continued after Scar remained silent.

Obedient.

The cloaked figure looked at Scar and released his face from being pushed into the dirt. It seemed pleased. He was easily taught.

“You may get up.” The statement was flat. Scar tried to pick up on any hint of emotion. Any kind of weakness, but he couldn’t detect anything from their voice alone. The pressure was released from his back. He groaned as he began to stand, unstable.

As Scar stood, he tried to get a closer look at the person's face. Was this even a person?

Scar began to speak again. “Well, my name is Scar! Sorry if you confused me with this ‘Earth’ person you speak of!” He stuck his hand out to shake the person's hand, only to feel a sharp pain in his wrist.

The person had gone above his hand and grabbed his wrist with all their might. Scar felt a surge of pain crawl up his arm. He winced, and he tried to fight back, which caused the pain to be even worse.

“Do not SPEAK unless spoken to!”

They let go of Scar’s wrist, and he stepped back as far as he could before he sensed he would be hurt again. The person looked at Scar for a moment before finally speaking.

“You will learn Earth, we are not to be trifled with.” The figure approached Scar. He attempted to step back but felt an invisible force keeping him in place. They towered over Scar. He was already tall, but to have someone taller was more than intimidating.

It grabbed Scar’s face and tilted it at every angle. He couldn’t fight against the movements. He felt like an object they wanted on display or a pet of some kind. Now that they were so close, Scar could investigate the figure's face more. The symbol on the Secret Keeper’s face was on the mask of this thing. From what he could tell, it seemed pleased as it investigated Scar’s features.

“You will remain here for the time being. We need you for something very important.” The figure looked Scar up and down before saying, “Enjoy tending to your sunflowers, Earth. They will need care.” And with that, the figure disappeared.

All the pressure that had built up in Scar’s chest was released all at once. He began to breathe heavily, and he fell to his knees. His legs were shaking, and he felt like he could pass out. He looked up towards the Secret Keeper, and he felt shivers down his spine.

Scar got up and moved towards Trader Scar’s. He was limping badly and needed his cane, which he left at his home base. When he returned to his home, he looked around at his surroundings. He couldn’t see any eyes watching, but he still felt as if every move he made was being watched.

His paranoia was getting to him. Scar couldn’t help but look over his shoulder at every point. When the night fell, he couldn’t sleep. Though he hadn’t slept the night before the events of the day caused him to be unable to sleep without someone on a lookout.

If only this were the desert-

He shook his head, getting the thought out of his head. He was never mad at Grian for killing him in that desert. He would be lying if he said that it didn’t hurt when he abandoned him afterwards.

First was Last Life. Scar was hoping for some kind of alliance, but all he received was the cold shoulder and threats against his life. He shuddered at the memory of the obsidian cage and the death of Yellow Snow.

Second Double Life. He was his soul mate. They could have tried again and truly won together. Scar wanted to try again so bad. He was Desperate. Grian still chose to abandon his soul mate for another. BigB. What did he have that Scar didn’t? He was bitter thinking about it.

Last but not least. Scar had given up on getting Grian to care for him the way that he did. He couldn’t keep doing this to himself. Scar had Cleo and Bdubs. But he still cared about Grian. No matter how many times he burned things or made it hard for the Bad Boys, he still cared. In the end, that trust Scar gave him was what took his final life.

Scar was exhausted just thinking of all the previous games. Slowly, without his consent, he had drifted to sleep. His dreams were filled with the horrid memories of sand in his face and under his fingernails. Preening Grian’s feathers and taking care of Pizza.

Monopoly Mountain. The last place he truly called home.

Chapter Text

When Scar woke up his eyes felt heavy. Yesterday had felt like a bad dream yet as he sat up but the pain in his back reminded him of the events of the previous day. He shivers as he remembered the figure. Something about how he had to stay in Secret Life and tend to his sunflowers. 

Scar got up feeling his body ache. He grabbed his cane and went to his sunflowers. They were about the only thing he could worry about until he could leave. 

As Scar watered his plants he the thought had finally occurred to him. How long would he be stuck here? He shook his head knowing if he thought any more on it his anxieties would over come him. 

The sunflowers seemed to be in order although he noticed a patch of them weren’t doing as well. Scar investigated the inconsistency and realized the soil was the problem. He left Trader Scar’s to go and find better soil to replace the old dirt that surrounded that patch. 

Its a delicate procedure but Scar slowly gathered enough soil to fill the area. With a shovel in hand he walked over to the patch of sunflowers. They seemed to be in poor health despite the care he had given them. Carefully scar dug out the roots of the plants and removed the soil. 

The risk of the plants dying were high but Scar had faith that they would survive. The plants were replaced as the new fresh soil was replace around them. He watered to soil to help it settle and walked off.

Scar felt something bring him back to the Secret Keeper. He couldn’t quite figure out why but it felt like it was beckoning him. His cane in hand as the sunflowers wrapped around them with the lilacs and poppies on his cloak he had made for his red and final life. 

Scar looked around at the server where his friends were all not long ago. He could see the Mounder’s base in the distance. The half burned earth made Scar more bitter. “Earth”. That name. Why would those things call him Earth? There were too many questions and too few answers. 

“Well, hello!”

Scar jumped. He spun on his feet and saw… no it can’t be.

“Grian?” 

His heart was pounding. He wanted to run up and hug the man. He could feel the tears forming despite his best efforts to contain them. Before he had even realized it his hand was shakily reaching out to Grian. He felt a hand touch his but when they had made contact it wasn’t him.

Scar gasped and pulled his hand back. The tears originally out of happiness now turned into a bitter feeling. The creature laughed as they removed the features that made them look like Grain.

Scar was horrified. These creatures seemed to have the ability to transform into the people he cared about the most. He could feel his heart breaking into thousands of pieces on the spot as he stared at the creature at a loss. 

The creature took notice that the jig was up and transformed into a different appearance. It laughed at him as it did so. “I do apologize! I couldn’t help it! Seeing the hope in your eyes was just adorable.”

The creature had a mocking tone. Scar had his sword in his hands immediately as he prepared himself. “My name is Xanith. I am here to help answer some of your questions while you remain here in Secret Life.” A devilish grin appeared on Xanith’s face. “Perhaps even a favor if you behave yourself.”

Scar was hesitant to trust anything or anyone. He gripped his sword tightly in his hand praying that he could fight back despite the dull pain along the entire lower half of his body. 

Xanith looked at Scar with a smile. That smile was what he hated the most. It showed no fear, only a playful nature. They viewed Scar as a toy. His body language was anything but friendly and they picked that up very quickly. 

“Well I can see we won't get anywhere. Maybe you have questions for me?” This one seemed much more patient than the creature Scar had met the other day. 

“Why do I need to stay here?” Xanith’s smile grew even deeper as if recalling something. 

“You are collateral. If you’re here someone else will stay in check.” Scar felt his stomach turn to knots. Who could he be collateral for? No one cared about him like that anymore. 

“Who are- No. What are you?” Xanith seemed to be expecting this question. They opened multiple eyes which surrounded them. Scar felt his knees go weak but he remained standing barely. The weight was removed after a moment before Xanith answered. 

“Good Question. We are the Watchers. We help run these silly little games.” 

Scar didn’t know what to make of that. Watchers. What could that mean? His head was spinning and he hardly noticed the Watcher approach him. 

He snapped back to reality when he felt a poke on his chest. Every sense told him to fight. Without thinking he swung his sword at Xanith. They dodged gracefully landing only a few feet away. 

“What did I say about behaving yourself Earth?” Scar felt his stomach drop as he remembered the previous day. He backed away as far as he could before he felt arms holding him in place. The Watcher from the previous day help an iron grip on his arms. 

The fear in his eyes was palpable. The pressure being put onto his arms made him drop his sword. Xanith approached once again that devious smile all over her face. 

“⍑𝙹∴ ᔑ∷ᒷ ||𝙹⚍ ↸𝙹╎リ⊣? ╎ℸ ̣  ⍑ᔑᓭ ʖᒷᒷリ ᔑ ∴⍑╎ꖎᒷ ᓭ╎リᓵᒷ ╎'⍊ᒷ ᓭᒷᒷリ ||𝙹⚍. Wᔑリℸ ̣  ℸ ̣ 𝙹 ⊣ᒷℸ ̣  ᓵ𝙹⎓⎓ᒷᒷ ᔑ⎓ℸ ̣ ᒷ∷ ╎リ ⍑⚍ʖ?”

“∴⍑|| ↸𝙹 ||𝙹⚍ リ𝙹ℸ ̣  ᓭ!¡ᒷᔑꖌ 𝙹⎓ 𝙹⚍∷ ᓵ⚍∷∷ᒷリℸ ̣  ᓭ╎ℸ ̣ ⚍ᔑℸ ̣ ╎𝙹リ? ∴ᒷ ᒲ⚍ᓭℸ ̣  !¡⚍リ╎ᓭ⍑ ⍑╎ᒲ.”

“⋮⚍ᓭℸ ̣  ᒲᔑꖌ╎リ⊣ ⍑╎ᓭ ᒲ╎リ↸ ᓭᑑ⚍╎∷ᒲ ℸ ̣ ∷||╎リ⊣ ℸ ̣ 𝙹 ⎓╎⊣⚍∷ᒷ 𝙹⚍ℸ ̣  ∴⍑ᔑℸ ̣  ∴ᒷ ᔑ∷ᒷ ᓭᔑ||╎リ⊣ ╎ᓭ ⍑ᔑꖎ⎓ ℸ ̣ ⍑ᒷ ʖᔑℸ ̣ ℸ ̣ ꖎᒷ. ⍑ᒷ ∴╎ꖎꖎ ⊣∷𝙹∴ ℸ ̣ 𝙹 ⎓ᒷᔑ∷ ᒷ⍊ᒷリ 𝙹⚍∷ ᓭ!¡ᒷᒷᓵ⍑.”

Scar couldn’t understand a word of what was being said. He could only assume they were speaking about him and how to deal with such a indiscretion. He mind was swimming with what they would do. He realized he was helpless. He couldn’t fight. 

After a moment they both looked down at him. His heart was beating so fast it could leave his chest. Scar felt a kick to his knee forcing him to kneel. Scar fought back despite know it useless when the hand of Xanith grabbed his face. He was forced to look up at her face. Though the mask covered most of it he could sense the evil eminating from them. With their other hand they placed it on Scar’s forehead. 

Light was all that scar saw. He was blinded by the sun. He was laying on his back and he felt the sand under him. He stood and saw Monopoly Mountain. It wasn’t destroyed. 

“Scar! What are you doing? We have a war to plan!” Scar froze. This had to be fake. He felt a familiar hand on his shoulder. It brought so much comfort. The heat, the blistered hand bringing him back to earth, the sand everywhere on his body. 

Slowly Scar turned and was met face to face with Grian. The man he had loved since the beginning. Before the games he always felt connected to Grian. The avian looked tired as he had Pizza right behind him. 

Scar smiled as he picked Grian up into a hug. Grian squawked in protest before slowly calming down and allowing his companion to hold him. Scar held Grian as if he was a precious gem. He felt nothing but reverence for the avian in his hands. He put him on Pizza and took the reins. 

This felt right. Scar guiding Pizza with Grian on his back. Back in the desert, with Monopoly Mountain. He turned back to face Grian while his eyes were still green. 

What he was met with instead was something that looked like Grian. He was wearing a Watcher cloak. It reached for him but Scar learned fast. He jumped away from the hand. 

Scar stood in the sand staring at ‘Grian’. He felt his chest rising and falling before the figure spoke. “Scar? Are you alright? Whats happened to you?” It sounded like him. It made Scar sick to his stomach. He checked for a weapon of any kind but he seemed empty handed. 

‘Grian’ got off of Pizza and approached Scar. Scar stepped farther back until he felt his foot falling. Sand enveloped him as he fell backwards. ‘Grian’ reached for him but couldn’t catch him. The sand surrounded him and he was in darkness. 

Scar’s vision cleared and he was breathing heavily. He was back in Secret Life with the Watchers. Xanith cupped Scar’s cheek cooing at him. “There there it’s over now. We will love and care for you. All you need to do is listen.” 

Scar was confused. It felt so real. The phantom feeling of the sand in his hair felt so real. He wouldn’t be surprised if this was fake at this point. He was stunned. He was barely blinking. 

Xanith looked at Scar and saw a mixture of equal fear and confusion emanating from his person. “Can you do that for us, Earth? Listen and you will be loved and treasured like you were back then.”

Scar’s breath hitched. Grian. He missed him. Void he missed being wanted. More than a second choice. Being treasured? It didn’t sound bad but Scar new better. This would never end the way he would want. Everytime someone promised him something it was always fake. 

Grian said he would be by his side forever… 

Look how that turned out. 

Scar stayed silent, choosing not to respond to the Watchers' words. He averted his gaze from them, hoping he wouldn’t have to respond. The hand that cupped his cheek crept down his face until their fingers were wrapped around his throat. 

The grip was gentle as it waited for a response from Scar. When no response came the grip around his throat tightened drastically. Scar couldn’t breath. He gasped and tried for air but the grip on his throat got stronger. 

“Ungrateful.” The Watcher from behind spat with venom in his voice. Xanith began to loosen their grip on Scar’s throat as he gasped for air and coughed violently. His vision was blurry as he felt himself on the verge of passing out. The watcher behind him let go of his arms and he collapsed onto the ground. 

Scar grabbed at his throat on his hands and knees he gasped for what little air he could get into his lungs. He felt a hand move through his head. He recoiled at the motion flinging himself back and away. Xanith had knelt down to his level before standing once again. 

“We shall leave you to think about that offer. You are wanted. We can give you that love again.” Xanith said as they looked to the other Watcher. They watched as Scar attempted to stand. He tried to seem stronger than he was. An amused look appeared on both of their faces as they disappeared into the void. 

After they had left Scar collapsed in on himself. Why was he here? They had said collateral, but for who? He couldn’t help but wonder who on earth he would be collateral for. He could hardly move as he finally felt air in his lungs. 

Slowly Scar began to stand. He had to leave. Once he had a decent amount of strength he grabbed his cane and left for the border. 

—

He gathered as many materials as he could to try an escape the border. He could feel a gaze on him at all times but ignored it in order to leave. He didn’t know muhc about the border. Someone like Grian or Etho would know.

Scar was beginning to miss everyone. He was alone for most of Secret life. He craved a social life. Maybe escaping the border would make a way for him to escape. 

He placed the dispenser against the border. He never felt trapped by it before. Now as he looked at the barrier before him, it felt like a cage designed just for him. He had to get out. 

Scar wanted to see Jellie and the other Hermits again. He wanted to see the real Grian.

He put the buttom of the dispenser and hoped he could get into the boat. He pushed the buttom and saw the boat half way through the border. Scar jumped into the boat and was able to leave the border.

Scar felt so much relief. His shoulders relaxed as he began to walk away. He smelled the air and it smelled of freedom.  

He took a 6th step and then he felt it. Pain shot through his entire body. He felt his body shrinking in on itself. He stumbled back and the pain disappeared. He looked up unsure of what that was. 

Scar ever the persistent man took a step forward again. The same pain enveloped his whole body. His head was being crushed and his soul felt like it was being pulled out of his body. 

He stumbled back and the pain stopped. He stared to the horizon looking at the freedom that taunted him. He wanted to scream. It was just his luck to be trapped in a cage with no way out. 

Scar was a con man. He would always find a way every time. The Watchers were different. He couldn’t con them the way he would a regular person. They truly had all of the power. 

In previous scenarios Scar could at least fake some semblance of control. It would work most of the time. He could act confident enough and anyone would believe him. These creatures knew everything about him it seemed. 

The way they attacked him both physically and mentally was too planned. Knowing the weak spots on his body and bringing him to Monopoly Mountain…

Scar shook his head trying to ignore that memory. He turned around and was face with Xanith. They always had this unnerving smile on their face. 

“Now now Earth, you won't be able to leave like that.” Their smile was unsettling to say the least. 

Scar ever the business man schooled his expression. “I was just checking the integrity of your security system! I must say you truly thought of everything!” Scar tried to hide the anger with the last sentence but a small amount might have slipped. 

Xanith ignored his insolence and reached their hand out towards Scar. They easily pierced through the border in doing so. Scar’s eyes widened as the hand effortlessly reached for him. He reluctantly took the hand and it gently guided him back inside of the border. 

Every hair on Scar’s body was standing as he made contact with the Watcher. He stepped through the threshold and Xanith smiled. This smile felt somehow more genuine but Scar still had his guard up. 

“Doesn’t that feel better? Outside the border the feeling of your soul being pulled out is no fun.” Scar couldn’t help but agree but he returned his hand to his side. His back was to the border. He realized he couldn’t leave even if he wanted to. He was cornered. 

Scar nodded his head trying to hide any nerves he had towards them. They seemed pleased with his response. “You’ve had a long day today, Earth. Perhaps we should return you to your ‘humble abode.’” The way they said that felt patronizing. Scar had looked up to the sky and noticed it was getting dark. He sighed in defeat.

“I can get back on my own but thank you for your… hospitality.” Scar forced a smile and tried to walk past Xanith. They stepped in front of him still smiling. 

“Please I can walk you home. You wouldn’t want my friend to find out about your little escape attempt right?” Scar went wide eyed. Blackmail. The oldest trick in the book. If the other Watcher discovered what Scar had attempted it most likely would mean a world of pain for him. 

He hated being on the receiving end of this kind of exchange but he couldn’t twist this in his favor unless…

“Well how kind of you! Allow me!” Scar said with a dramatic flair. He extended his arm out towards the Watcher before him. They took it as he guided the Watcher to his home. He rambled about his various and most fun adventure with many details added for dramatic affect. 

They eventually made it to Trader Scar’s. Scar had let go of Xanith’s arm and turned to them with the biggest flair of showmanship he could muster.

“Welp! I am not here safe and sound!” He said with a little bow. Scar glanced up at Xanith, hoping they would be pleased. To his delight, from what he could tell, they seemed amused. That’s exactly what he needed.

“Phew! Look at the time!? I should really hit the hay if you know what I mean. Thank you for your lovely company today!” Scar was hoping this creature would leave him. Xanith tilted their head at Scar.

“Of course! Sleep is important since you need it to keep this act up.” Scar froze.

“You didn’t think your fake willingness would fool me? Earth, you will learn we know everything .” Scar felt the weight of those words. They poked at him like the cactus ring in the desert. 

“I hope you enjoy your dreams tonight. They were tailored just for you.” With that, Xanith disappeared. 

Scar attempted to sleep, but his mind was racing and didn’t allow him such privileges. 

For the first time since he thought he would kill Grian, Scar was scared. 

Chapter Text

Grian was surrounded by Gem and the Scotts. He couldn’t escape. This would be it for him. He had really hoped he would win but it didn’t seem in the cards for him. Impulse got one final thrust of his sword through his chest. 

Grian looked at the shimmering blade in his stomach and looked up at Impulse. His smile was sickening as he pulled the blade out of Grian’s gut. The moment the blade left his stomach, Grian felt his organs spilling out of him. He attempted to grab them and shove everything back inside. 

He fell to his knees on the cold stone. He heard the three players walk away as he was left in the pit to rot away. Slowly, his vision swam and turned dark. The void slowly consumed him as he drifted away from life. 

He woke up feeling lightheaded. The itching in his wings from the sand was almost unbearable. He had to look for Scar. Grian had found Pizza and looked for the man. He then saw Scar rubbing his eyes and standing up. 

Grian was exhilarated. The love of his life was standing, basking in the desert sun once again. He went up to the man with excitement in his voice.

“Scar! What are you doing? We have a war to plan!” 

Grian noticed that Scar froze, his shoulders tensed. Grian was concerned and placed a hand on the man's shoulders. Scar slowly turned around, and after a look of momentary shock, Scar exploded with excitement. 

Before Grian could blink, Scar had picked him up in his arms. A squawk left Grian’s mouth on instinct, but he soon calmed and allowed Scar to hold him. Grian felt so happy to be in this moment with him, his Scar.

Scar placed him atop Pizza and held the reins in his hands, guiding them back to the top of Monopoly Mountain. Scar looked back towards Grian. His face shifted from happiness to pure fear. 

Grian was confused. And reached for Scar to make sure he was okay. Scar dropped the reins and jumped away from his reach. Grian was confused. What had happened? 

“Scar? Are you alright? Whats happened to you?” Grian said with genuine concern in every word. Scar looked afraid of… him?

Grian took a step off the llama and approached Scar. He didn’t know why he seemed so scared. 

Scared stepped back even further and fell into the same disappearing. Grian began to panic.

“SCAR!”

Without thinking, Grian jumped into the sand. He felt sand envelop him. He kept diving and diving until he reached… nothing. 

He left the sand and found the void surrounding him. Only after inspecting his surroundings did he realize he had his Watcher cloak on. Grian felt thousands of eyes on him. He rolled his eyes before he began to float in the void. 

Surrounded by eyes, Grian felt himself shiver slightly. 

The sound was sent straight into Grian’s Skull 

“̇/ᒷꖎᑑ⚍ᔑ”

“Xelqua”

He didn’t expect a meeting immediately after death. He could still sense the phantom pain in his stomach. He was not in the mood for this. He wished to begin planning the next game or build on Hermitcraft. 

∴ᒷ ⍑ᔑ⍊ᒷ ʖᒷᒷリ ⎓ᔑ∷ ℸ ̣ 𝙹𝙹 ꖎᒷリ╎ᒷリℸ ̣  𝙹リ ||𝙹⚍. 

“We have been far too lenient on you.”

 ̇/ᒷꖎᑑ⚍ᔑ...

“Xelqua…”

∴⍑𝙹 ᔑ∷ᒷ ||𝙹⚍ ꖎ𝙹||ᔑꖎ ℸ ̣ 𝙹?

“Who are you loyal to?”

Grian didn’t like where this was going. He felt that he was on trial rather than a regular check-in. Anxiety was beginning to bubble in his throat, but he was confident he could get out of this. 

They weren’t catching on to him.... Were they?

╎ ᔑᒲ ꖎ𝙹||ᔑꖎ ℸ ̣ 𝙹 ℸ ̣ ⍑ᒷ ∴ᔑℸ ̣ ᓵ⍑ᒷ∷ᓭ ᔑリ↸ ℸ ̣ ⍑ᒷ ∴ᔑℸ ̣ ᓵ⍑ᒷ∷ ᔑꖎ𝙹リᒷ. ℸ ̣ ⍑ᒷ ⊣ᔑᒲᒷᓭ ⍑ᔑ⍊ᒷ ʖᒷᒷリ ⍊ᒷ∷|| ᓭ⚍ᓵᓵᒷᓭᓭ⎓⚍ꖎ ╎リ ⎓ᒷᒷ↸╎リ⊣ ||𝙹⚍. !¡ꖎᔑ||ᒷ∷ᓭ ∴╎ꖎꖎ ⎓𝙹∷ᒷ⍊ᒷ∷ ʖᒷ ᔑℸ ̣  𝙹⚍∷ ↸╎ᓭ!¡𝙹ᓭᔑꖎ. 

“I am loyal to the watchers and the watcher alone. The games have been very successful in feeding you. Players will forever be at our disposal.”

What Watchers whispered amongst themselves for a while. Grian wasn’t sure what they were saying, but he hoped they trusted his trained statement. He was confident that they would accept this. 

ᔑ∷ᒷ ||𝙹⚍ ᓭ⚍∷ᒷ  ̇/ᒷꖎᑑ⚍ᔑ?

“Are you sure, Xelqua?” 

The name rang in his ears. He almost recoiled at the name. He was starting to get more nervous. His eyes were darting around, trying to catch a glimpse of anything. All he could see were eyes everywhere. 

||ᒷᓭ. ╎ ᔑᒲ ᓭ⚍∷ᒷ. ╎ ᔑᒲ ᔑ ∴ᔑℸ ̣ ᓵ⍑ᒷ∷, リ𝙹ℸ ̣  ᔑ !¡ꖎᔑ||ᒷ∷. ᒲ|| ꖎ𝙹||ᔑꖎℸ ̣ || ╎ᓭ ℸ ̣ 𝙹 ||𝙹⚍ ᔑリ↸ ||𝙹⚍ ᔑꖎ𝙹リᒷ.

“Yes. I am sure. I am a watcher, not a player. My loyalty is to you and you alone.”

Grian spoke with caution, trying to not leave room for anything to be mistranslated. The Watchers continued to whisper. When he felt every single eye looking through him.

ℸ ̣ ⍑ᒷリ ∴⍑ᔑℸ ̣  𝙹⎓ ᒷᔑ∷ℸ ̣ ⍑? ∴𝙹⚍ꖎ↸ ||𝙹⚍ ʖᒷℸ ̣ ∷ᔑ|| ⚍ᓭ ⎓𝙹∷ ⍑╎ᒲ?

“Then what of Earth? Would you betray us for him?”

Grian gave a confused look. 

ᒷᔑ∷ℸ ̣ ⍑? ╎ᓭ ℸ ̣ ⍑ᔑℸ ̣  ∴⍑𝙹 ∴𝙹リ ᓭᒷᓵ∷ᒷℸ ̣  ꖎ╎⎓ᒷ? ∴⍑𝙹 ∴𝙹リ?

“Earth? Is that who won Secret Life? Who won?”

The watchers giggled as they watched him rack his brain. It took a while of thinking before he finally realized who they were talking about. Grian felt everything in his body go cold. A look of fear appeared on his face. 

╎ ⊣⚍ᒷᓭᓭ ℸ ̣ ⍑ᔑℸ ̣  ᔑリᓭ∴ᒷ∷ᓭ ℸ ̣ ⍑ᔑℸ ̣. 

“I guess that answers that.” 

Grian schooled himself. Scar was in danger, and he had to get him out of it. He just needed to figure out how. 

⍑ᒷ ᒲᒷᔑリᓭ リ𝙹ℸ ̣ ⍑╎リ⊣. ╎ ⍑ᔑ⍊ᒷ ʖᒷℸ ̣ ∷ᔑ||ᒷ↸ ⍑╎ᒲ ╎リ ᒷ⍊ᒷ∷|| ⊣ᔑᒲᒷ ᔑ⎓ℸ ̣ ᒷ∷ ℸ ̣ ⍑╎∷↸ ꖎ╎⎓ᒷ. ⍑ᒷ ↸𝙹ᒷᓭリ'ℸ ̣  ᒲᔑℸ ̣ ℸ ̣ ᒷ∷. 

“He means nothing. I have betrayed him in every game after Third Life. He doesn't matter.” 

A Watcher appeared from the void in front of Grian. He recognized Xanith as they emerged from the void.  Their smile always disturbed Grian. He rarely saw them without it. 

⍑ᒷ ℸ ̣ ∷⚍ꖎ|| ╎ᓭ ᔑ ⊣ᒷリℸ ̣ ꖎᒷᒲᔑリ. ⍑ᒷ ᒷ⍊ᒷリ ⍑ᒷꖎ↸ ᒲ|| ᔑ∷ᒲ ᔑᓭ ⍑ᒷ ʖ∷𝙹⚍⊣⍑ℸ ̣  ᒲᒷ ʖᔑᓵꖌ ℸ ̣ 𝙹 ⍑╎ᓭ ʖᔑᓭᒷ. ᒷᔑ∷ℸ ̣ ⍑ ᓵᒷ∷ℸ ̣ ᔑ╎リꖎ|| ᓵᔑ∷ᒷᓭ ᔑʖ𝙹⚍ℸ ̣  ||𝙹⚍. ╎ℸ ̣ ᓭ ᓭ⚍ᓵ⍑ ᔑ ᓭ⍑ᔑᒲᒷ ||𝙹⚍ ↸𝙹リ'ℸ ̣  ∷ᒷᓵ╎!¡∷𝙹ᓵᔑℸ ̣ ᒷ.

“He truly is a gentleman. He even held my arm as he brought me back to his base. Earth certainly cares about you. It's such a shame you don't reciprocate.”

With that, Grian felt his heart break, but soon after it broke, he truly processed Xanith’s words. A cold sweat appeared everywhere on his body. 

∴⍑ᔑℸ ̣  ↸𝙹 ||𝙹⚍ ᒲᒷᔑリ? ∴⍑ᒷ∷ᒷ ╎ᓭ ⍑ᒷ?!

“What do you mean? Where is he?!” 

Grian said that with much more force than he had intended. Immediately, he realized he had given away everything with one question. He cursed himself for being so gullible. 

Xanith’s smile became even more sinister as they showed Grian where Scar was. He was greeted with a sorry sight. Scar was at Trader Scar’s, clutching his knees. He held his secret task and opened it. His face showed nothing but bitterness as he threw the book onto the floor. 

The more Grian observed he began to notice more details. The bags underneath Scar’s eye, his eyes turned back to green, the tear stains on his secret task. He felt his breath hitch as he took everything in. Void, he never wanted this for Scar. He wished he could go and comfort him right then and there. 

The avian hadn’t even realized the visible emotion on his face as he stared at Scar. he felt helpless to stop this. Grian looked up to Xanith and scowled. 

∴⍑ᔑℸ ̣  ↸𝙹 ||𝙹⚍ ∴ᔑリℸ ̣ ?

“What do you want?

Xanith tilted their head. They were enjoying watching Grian crack. 

∴ᒷ リᒷ⍊ᒷ∷ ᔑᓭꖌᒷ↸ ⎓𝙹∷ ᒲ⚍ᓵ⍑ ↸ᒷᔑ∷  ̇/ᒷꖎᑑ⚍ᔑ, ⋮⚍ᓭℸ ̣  ||𝙹⚍∷ ꖎ𝙹||ᔑꖎℸ ̣ ||. ∴ᒷ ∴╎ꖎꖎ ʖᒷ ꖌᒷᒷ!¡╎リ⊣ ᒷᔑ∷ℸ ̣ ⍑ ╎リ ℸ ̣ ⍑ᒷ ᒲᒷᔑリ ℸ ̣ ╎ᒲᒷ. ╎ᒲ ᓭ⚍∷ᒷ ⍑ᒷ ∴╎ꖎꖎ ᒷリ⋮𝙹|| ⍑╎ᓭ ℸ ̣ ╎ᒲᒷ ∴╎ℸ ̣ ⍑ ᒲᒷ ᔑリ↸ ʖ𝙹⨅╎∷ ∴╎ꖎꖎ ℸ ̣ ᔑꖌᒷ ⍊ᒷ∷|| ⊣𝙹𝙹↸ ᓵᔑ∷ᒷ 𝙹⎓ ⍑╎ᒲ.

“We never asked for much, dear Xelqua, just your loyalty. We will be keeping Earth in the meantime. I'm sure he will enjoy his time with me, and Bozir will take very good care of him.”

Grian sent a death glare in Xanith’s direction. He hadn’t realized what he had done, emotions completely taking over his actions. It was only when he felt a force tighten around his body, restraining him, that he realized he had messed up. 

Xanith or Bozir approached Grian, and Xanith grabbed his face violently. Grian winced slightly at the new pressure on his face. 

↸𝙹リℸ ̣  ℸ ̣ ⍑╎リꖌ ∴ᒷ ∴𝙹リℸ ̣  ⍑⚍∷ℸ ̣  ⍑╎ᒲ. ∴ᒷ ꖌリ𝙹∴ ||𝙹⚍ ⍑ᔑ⍊ᒷ ʖᒷᒷリ ℸ ̣ ∷||╎リ⊣ ℸ ̣ 𝙹 ⊣ᒷℸ ̣  ℸ ̣ ⍑ᒷ !¡ꖎᔑ||ᒷ∷ᓭ 𝙹⚍ℸ ̣  𝙹⎓ ℸ ̣ ⍑ᒷ ⊣ᔑᒲᒷᓭ. ᔑꖎꖎ ∴╎ꖎꖎ ʖᒷ ╎リ ᔑℸ ̣ ℸ ̣ ᒷリ↸ᔑリᓵᒷ. ℸ ̣ ⍑ᒷ リᒷ ̇/ℸ ̣  ⊣ᔑᒲᒷ ᓭ⍑ᔑꖎꖎ ʖᒷ ||𝙹⚍∷ ᒲ𝙹ᓭℸ ̣  ᒷꖎᔑʖ𝙹∷ᔑℸ ̣ ᒷ 𝙹リᒷ ||ᒷℸ ̣. ╎⎓ ||𝙹⚍ ⎓ᔑ╎ꖎ ||𝙹⚍∷ !¡∷ᒷᓵ╎𝙹⚍ᓭ ᓭᓵᔑ∷ ∴𝙹リℸ ̣  ᒷ⍊ᒷ∷ ꖎᒷᔑ⍊ᒷ ᓭᒷᓵ∷ᒷℸ ̣  ꖎ╎⎓ᒷ.

“Don't think we won't hurt him. We know you have been trying to get the players out of the games. All will be in attendance. The next game shall be your most elaborate one yet. If you fail, your precious Scar won't ever leave Secret Life.”

Grian didn’t know what else to say. He could barely speak, given the way his face was being held. He nodded his head before their grip was removed. He felt the force around him dissipating, and he felt himself falling once again. 

∴ᒷ ∴╎ꖎꖎ ᓭᒷᒷ ||𝙹⚍ ᓭ𝙹𝙹リ  ̇/ᒷꖎᑑ⚍ᔑ. ∴ᒷ ∴╎ꖎꖎ ℸ ̣ ᔑꖌᒷ ⊣𝙹𝙹↸ ᓵᔑ∷ᒷ 𝙹⎓ ᒷᔑ∷ℸ ̣ ⍑ ⎓𝙹∷ ||𝙹⚍.

“We will see you soon, Xelqua. We will take good care of Earth for you.”

Grian reached towards them and tried to scream. He continued to fall through the void, the weight of everything he heard sinking in. He wanted to kick and scream, but nothing could escape. 

As gravity continued to take him, he finally found solid ground. He woke up on his base in Hermitcraft. The server was almost ready for season 10, and people were beginning to take their leave. Grian felt sick and couldn’t stop himself. He threw up off the side of his base, his vision swimming. 

Scar was trapped, and it was his fault. He felt his hands digging into the earth, tears forming in his eyes. He didn’t even feel the buzzing in his pocket as his communicator went wild. 

He was paralyzed, unable to fully process anything in the world around him. He didn’t even notice the man flying over to his base. They landed a few feet away and noticed Grian’s state immediately. 

The man knelt down and began to rub Grian’s back. “Grian? Are you alright, mate?” the voice snapped Grian back to reality as he heard the voice of the admin Xisuma.  His head shot up. They were bloodshot, the tears still visible on his face. 

“Were the games that rough on you? I haven’t seen you like this since…” Grian was frantic and grabbed Xisuma’s shoulders. The admin was caught off guard as he tried to support himself with the sudden weight on him.

Grian’s eyes looked wild as he spoke, “Xisuma! They took him! They took Scar!!!” 

Xisuma’s eyes shared the same wild look as Grian's with those words. The voidwalker knew all too well what it meant to be taken by the Watchers, and the Avian would certainly know better than anyone what fate awaited Scar. 

Xisuma collected himself and put his hands firmly on Grian’s shoulders to ground him in reality. The avian froze for a moment before he seemed to have calmed down. 

“What do we know about getting Scar out?” Grian thought and racked his brain as much as he could. His brain was frazzled, and he could barely think straight. 

“He is in Secret Life. They are using him against me… I was such an idiot! He is trapped, and it's my fault! How can I save him when they have an iron grip around him?!”

Xisuma listened intently to Grian, trying to think of any way he could help. He opened the server console and searched for ‘GoodTimeWithScar’. The admin did everything he could to track Scar’s location. He would never invade someone’s privacy in this way, but this was an emergency.

Xisuma dug as far as he could and couldn’t find anything for Scar. As he searched through the code, his screen turned black. He tried to reset his console, but nothing seemed to work. As he was about to try another reset, a symbol appeared on his screen. 

The symbol was two L shapes with squares at the end, making an incomplete rectangle. Xisuma was horrified as he recognized it as the Watcher symbol. He tried everything he could think of the remove their presence. But they wouldn’t disappear. 

“Grian! How do I get them off?!” Grian stood at the console and felt eyes piercing into him. He opened his communicator and connected it to Xisuma’s console. Code spread all over his communicator when he saw text appear on his screen. 

||𝙹⚍ ∴ᒷ∷ᒷ ∴ᔑ∷リᒷ↸  ̇/ᒷꖎᑑ⚍ᔑ. ᔑᓵℸ ̣ ╎𝙹リᓭ ⍑ᔑ⍊ᒷ ᓵ𝙹リᓭᒷᑑ⚍ᒷリᓵᒷᓭ. 

Grian froze. Xisuma took note of his reaction and leaned over his shoulder. When he looked at the avian’s screen, he saw words from an ancient language that both he and Grian knew well.

“You were warned, Xelqua. Actions have consequences.”

Chapter Text

When Scar slept, he only had nightmares. The parting words Xanith had left him over a week ago were certainly a promise. He dreamed of the desert. Grian, in all his beauty, became a bloody mess on the floor with organs spilling out of his gut. 

Later, when Scar was cleaning the bodies around the server, he found Grian exactly as he had dreamed. It crushed him. He checked his communicator history and found he was slain by Impulse. 

The more Scar slept, the more restless he became. He dreamed of the Watchers. They were always hurting Grian, or worse, Grian was hurting him. The memories of double life haunted him. He tried too hard to get him to love him back. It never seemed to work. 

Scar was holding his knees, feeling hopeless. He picked up his secret task, and the words still taunted him. He opened the book and saw the words he had been reading for over a week. 

Win Secret Life

Scar became angry. His emotions overcame him, and he threw the book across the room. He had buried all of his friends who still had bodies that remained, and just wanted to go home. He was so close to finishing Scarland. Jellie, the cat who has been his companion, was probably being taken care of by Cub. 

He missed people. Scar was an extrovert. Being isolated like this made him yearn for anything. Most animals on the server were dead. At least he had his sunflowers. That would take his time throughout the day, so he isn’t so alone. 

He felt droopy. The lack of sleep was making his thinking slower than normal. These Watchers know how to keep their prisoner weak. Scar shook his head. He couldn’t think like that. If he did, he would admit defeat.

Scar realized he had to get up and do anything other than mope, and grabbed his cane. Exploring the server was fun, although it felt smaller and smaller with each loop of the server. He knew every creature within the border, yet he still hoped for something new. 

Many parts of the server remained untouched by the players who used to roam around. It craved for something to be built. Something that Scar would build. For the first time, ideas went rampant through his mind. Perhaps a forest. The acacia logs would work well to create a small forest with them. Maybe some drip stone and terracotta as well!

With the chests placed on the ground, Scar began to search for materials. He started with the logs since they would be the easiest for him to gather, followed by the terracotta and dripstone. All these together, Scar’s vision was coming together. 

Each block placed made this server feel more like home. He was allowed to create without worry and placed every block with care. Scar took a step back to admire his handiwork as he heard footsteps approach from behind. He internally groaned but turned to face the Watchers. 

“Well, hello there! What can I do for you two on this fine day? I am currently very busy, as you can see with the forest, so if this could be quick, that would be much appreciated.”

Scar leaned on his cane with the base of the tree behind him. The Watchers didn’t speak, which left Scar worried. 

∴⍑ᔑℸ ̣  ↸𝙹 ||𝙹⚍ ∴ᔑリℸ ̣  ℸ ̣ 𝙹 ↸𝙹 ᔑ⎓ℸ ̣ ᒷ∷ ℸ ̣ ⍑╎ᓭ?

Xanith began to speak in that language Scar didn’t understand. It made him frustrated but also nervous because of what happened last time. 

∴ᔑリℸ ̣  ℸ ̣ 𝙹 ⊣ᒷℸ ̣  ℸ ̣ ⍑ᔑℸ ̣  ᓵ𝙹⎓⎓ᒷᒷ ᔑℸ ̣  ⍑⚍ʖ ||𝙹⚍ ᒲᒷリℸ ̣ ╎𝙹リᒷ↸? 

The other Watchers continued to talk as if Scar wasn’t there. It felt bad enough to be alone, but the way they spoke as if he wasn’t there was what pissed him off the most. His face twisted into one of annoyance as he looked upon the Watchers before him.

ʖᔑᓵꖌ ℸ ̣ 𝙹 ℸ ̣ ⍑ᒷ ↸ᒷᓭᒷ∷ℸ ̣  ∴╎ℸ ̣ ⍑ ⍑╎ᒲ? 𝙹∷ !¡ᒷ∷⍑ᔑ!¡ᓭ ᓭ𝙹ᒲᒷℸ ̣ ⍑╎リ⊣.... ↸╎⎓⎓ᒷ∷ᒷリℸ ̣ ?

Scar noticed a nod from the second Watcher. When will the bastard tell him his name? 

Just as Scar was lost in thought as they stepped closer to him. The trunk of a tree was all that he had felt as he attempted to step back. The approach was imminent when they stood directly in front of him. 

“Heard of personal space? I mean, you are breathing down my neck a little.” Scar gave a small chuckle at the end to try and hide the nerves that crawled up his body. With the tilt of their head, Xanith spoke.

“Please give Xelqua our regards.” Scar’s confusion was visible on his face. The hands approaching his head had barely registered because of the confusion in his mind. 

Scar felt pressure on his temples as once again the world went white. He blinked as his eyes adjusted to the sudden darkness. The void was all he could see. As he floated, he felt total sensory deprivation. His head moved all around him, trying to find something other than himself as an anchor. 

As his eyes wandered the endless abyss, a figure appeared floating in the void. They floated before him with a worried expression. Scar attempted to speak but found no noise could leave his throat. 

The figure looked around and locked onto Scar. He gulped, confused as to what was happening. The mask covering their eyes seemed to shift. Their hand reached towards him, trembling. 

ᓭᓵᔑ∷? 

The voice seemed to be trembling? Scar didn’t understand, but the voice sounded familiar. 

ᓭᓵᔑ∷! ╎ℸ ̣ 'ᓭ ᒲᒷ! ⊣∷╎ᔑリ! ᓵᔑリ ||𝙹⚍ ⍑ᒷᔑ∷ ᒲᒷ?!

It was then that the voice registered in Scar’s mind. Grian. The man he had been thinking about the entire time. All his nightmares of the previous games they all centered around him. His mind was swimming as his brows furrowed. He wore their clothes, and instead of the parrot feather, he had become so accustomed to preening that they were white, like those of an angel. Was Grian one of them? Or was this the Xelqua that they had spoken of? 

The Watcher seemed bothered by Scar’s hesitance. But they reached out again. Scar had no other anchor in this endless void. He hated this with every fiber in his being, but he reached out. There was no trust left in him from anyone with those clothes. 

When they made contact, Scar softened. It was the real Grian. He had memorized every groove in his hands as if they were the most precious diamonds. The moment contact was made, it felt like an electric pulse shot between both of them. Grian pulled Scar in with an aggressive amount of force as Scar felt the security of those loving arms around him. 

Scar felt tears begin to flow. He tried to speak again but couldn’t. Grian cupped his face as tears were evident through the mask that covered his eyes. 

╎ ∴╎ꖎꖎ ⊣ᒷℸ ̣  ||𝙹⚍ 𝙹⚍ℸ ̣... ╎ !¡∷𝙹ᒲ╎ᓭᒷ.

The words rang through Scar’s head, yet he still couldn’t understand them. Each word sounded like code manifested into speech. He did everything he could with body language that he couldn’t understand. 

Scar felt a tight pull on his waist as he was held closer by Grian. His face was buried into the avian’s shoulder. For the first time, he felt safe. It felt like an elytra guiding you through the wind, a cup of tea being offered by Xisuma, a hand on his shoulder from Cub, or even the feeling of sand surrounding him as he guided a llama up the mountain. 

Scar pulled back to take a look at the face of the man whom he loved more than anything. This moment felt as if they were back in the desert. As he looked up to find the face of his lover, he was greeted by the face of another.

Scar tried to escape immediately, but the grasp around him was ironclad. With every movement he made, the grip of the other tightened. Screams couldn’t escape from him as he felt his chin being tilted up. 

“You mean nothing to him. Xelqua is ours. He will never love you again.” 

The tears in Scar’s eyes changed from tears of joy to despair. The first words he could understand were the ones he wanted to hear to least. His worst fear was confirmed. When he saw Grian in the desert in those clothes, he couldn’t remove the nagging feeling. 

The figure disappeared as the void around him morphed. Scar felt himself unravel and put back together. He was left in the void for god knows how long. He could hear his own heartbeat, his mind spinning. 

Another tug was felt as Scar felt himself return to the overworld. He was still standing on his tree but collapsed immediately upon his return. Everything in the world felt like too much. The void was nothing; the overworld was everything. 

He was hyperventilating, still in a panic from what had occurred to him. Grian, the man Scar loved, was a Watcher. He felt sick to love a creature like that, but it was also his Grian. He couldn’t hate him even if he tried. 

A hand was felt on his back, rubbing circles in. Scar couldn’t even fight it has the tears continued. He was on his hands and knees, nearly crawling into a ball. Though the hand was from a Watcher, it still helped to ground him. 

“Shhhhhh, it’s okay.” 

Xanith’s voice grated on Scar’s ears. He couldn’t bring himself to say something snappy back. There was a hand on his chest, and he felt himself being pulled into an upright position. He has against the trunk of his tree as Xanith’s arms wrapped around his shoulders. 

He couldn’t stop the tears from flowing. Xanith’s arms, despite everything inside of Scar that screamed danger, were a grounding force. His shaking had slowly dissipated with the faux comfort that was provided by the Watcher. 

Scar looked to Xanith with suspicion lacing his gaze. “Do you feel better now, Earth? I do regret having to do such a thing. Xelqua forced our hand, you see.”

“This Xelqua you speak of.. Who are they?” Scar was praying to any god that existed that his fears weren’t true. 

“Hmm? Xelqua? Surely you know him.” They paused, putting a finger to their chin. “Although you would know him by another name. Grian was his player name, if I remember correctly. Truly a magnificent talent.” 

Scar felt his world collapse once again. The one he cared for and loved so dearly was one of them. Tears threatened to return at the confirmation. His posture drooped. Anyone who looked at the man could tell his whole world was destroyed with only a few sentences. 

Xanith stood and offered Scar a hand. “Come on, let's get you back to your sunflowers. Perhaps some rest is in order for you.”

Scar attempted to stand on his own, but his legs nearly gave out. Xanith grabbed him to stabilize him. They took slow and steady steps, Xanith going only at Scar’s pace. Were it not for his previous experiences, he would think this one of the kindest gestures he has ever experienced. 

The stabilizing hand on his waist as his arm was over their shoulder. His cane was in if off-hand hand trying to help ease his pain. Thankfully for Scar, he had spent a large amount of time repairing the damage to the ground. That had made their journey far less treacherous. 

Trader Scar’s was finally within view as the sunflower field grew more dense. “I like what you’ve done with the place! It really feels like there is life here.”

Scar couldn’t help but feel a small semblance of pride as the Watcher complimented his current residence. He could never call this place home. They stepped inside, and Xanith gently laid him down on his bed so he could rest. 

Xanith sat on the side of the bed, making sure Scar wouldn’t move from his bed. The moment he hit his bed, he could barely move due to the pain surrounding his body. Sickeningly, he felt a hand brush against his cheek. The action felt too intimate. Only Grian could do that. 

After receiving a small glare and the silent treatment, Xanith decided to take their leave. They stepped towards the door but stopped at the door frame. 

“You really are special. I’ve never met a player who was as resistant as you.” 

Scar gave a wide-eyed stare as Xanith left. He was alone once again. He could finally be alone to process everything. His body was so tired, his eyes refusing to stay open. Slowly, he drifted to sleep. 

That night was dreamless.

Chapter Text

The message on his communicator made Grian’s heart drop. Xisuma tried even harder to find anything, but his admin panel completely shut itself down. His gaze turned to the Avian next to him as he saw his eyes somehow grow darker. 

“Grian.” He said in a stern tone. “Don’t do something stupid. I know you care about hi-” 

“I DON’T CARE! SCAR IS TRAPPED BY THEM AND IT'S MY FAULT!” Grian’s breathing was heavy as he looked at Xisuma with desperation lacing every feature in his face. The admin knew he couldn’t stop Grian, but he could at least try.

“I’m sorry, Grian. I can’t let you do this. You’ll be putting Scar in more jeopardy.” Xisuma stepped closer to Grian as he took a step back. He felt the back of his base as Xisuma inched closer. “It's not just your life at risk, it's also Scar’s. Think before you act.”

The words felt patronizing. Grian deep down knew he was right, but he couldn’t stop himself. Without thinking, he opened his Eyes. Xisuma jumped back as the eyes opened, surrounding his wings. The Eyes stared through Xisuma, and Grian opened a portal behind him. 

Xisuma saw Grian step into the void. It was too late for him to reach out to him. He saw his friend leap into the void.

<Grian has left> 

<Mumbo Jumbo> ??????

<Keralis> Everything okay?

<Cubfan135> Where is Scar?

The communicator exploded with notifications after Grian’s sudden departure. Xisuma had no idea how to explain without exposing Grian. These next few days were going to be hell. 

—

Grian’s clothes changed into his Watcher robes as he stepped through the threshold. He was greeted by Bozir, a Watcher he had hated since he first joined them. 

Bozir hardly expressed any emotions, but when he did, Grian feared him more than the endless expanse of the void. 

∴ᒷ ᔑ∷ᒷ リ𝙹ℸ ̣  ↸𝙹リᒷ ∴╎ℸ ̣ ⍑ 𝙹⚍∷ ᓵ𝙹リ⍊ᒷ∷ᓭᔑℸ ̣ ╎𝙹リ ᔑʖ𝙹⚍ℸ ̣  ᓭᓵᔑ∷! ⍑ᒷ ᓭ⍑𝙹⚍ꖎ↸リ'ℸ ̣  !¡ᔑ|| ⎓𝙹∷ ᒲ|| ℸ ̣ ∷ᔑリᓭ⊣∷ᒷᓭᓭ╎𝙹リᓭ. ꖎᒷℸ ̣  ⍑╎ᒲ ⊣𝙹. 

“We are not done with our conversation about Scar! He shouldn't pay for my transgressions. Let him go.” 

̇/ᒷꖎᑑ⚍ᔑ ||𝙹⚍ ⍑ᔑ⍊ᒷ ⎓𝙹∷ᓵᒷ↸ 𝙹⚍∷ ⍑ᔑリ↸. ∴ᒷ ℸ ̣ 𝙹𝙹ꖌ ||𝙹⚍ ╎リ ∴⍑ᒷリ ||𝙹⚍∷ ⎓∷╎ᒷリ↸ᓭ ꖎᒷ⎓ℸ ̣  ||𝙹⚍. ∴ᒷ ᓭᔑ⍊ᒷ↸ ||𝙹⚍ ⎓∷𝙹ᒲ !¡ꖎᔑ||ᒷ∷ᓭ ᔑリ↸ ||ᒷℸ ̣  ||𝙹⚍ ᓭℸ ̣ ╎ꖎꖎ ᑑ⚍ᒷᓭℸ ̣ ╎𝙹リ ∴⍑|| ∴ᒷ ↸𝙹 ℸ ̣ ⍑╎リ⊣ᓭ? ℸ ̣ ⍑╎ᓭ ╎ᓭ ⎓𝙹∷ ||𝙹⚍∷ 𝙹∴リ ⊣𝙹𝙹↸  ̇/ᒷꖎᑑ⚍ᔑ. 

“Xelqua, you have forced our hand. We took you in when your friends left you. We saved you from players, and yet you still question why we do things? This is for your own good, Xelqua.”

Grian bit his tongue. He fucked up. They figured him out, but he had to find out at least how to get Scar released. 

╎ ᔑᒲ ⎓𝙹∷ᒷ⍊ᒷ∷ ⊣∷ᔑℸ ̣ ᒷ⎓⚍ꖎ ⎓𝙹∷ ℸ ̣ ⍑ᒷ ⊣∷ᔑᓵᒷ ℸ ̣ ⍑ᔑℸ ̣  ℸ ̣ ⍑ᒷ ∴ᔑℸ ̣ ᓵ⍑ᒷ∷ᓭ ⍑ᔑ⍊ᒷ ⊣╎⍊ᒷリ ᒲᒷ. ᓵ𝙹⚍ꖎ↸ ╎ ʖᒷ ⊣∷ᔑリℸ ̣ ᒷ↸ ᔑ ᓵ⍑ᔑリᓵᒷ ℸ ̣ 𝙹 ᓭ!¡ᒷᔑꖌ ∴╎ℸ ̣ ⍑ ᒷᔑ∷ℸ ̣ ⍑?

“I am forever grateful for the grace that the watchers have given me. Could I be granted a chance to speak with Earth?”

Grian tried to hide his disgust with the name given to his love. He didn’t seem to pull it off as he saw Bozir get a smile on his face. Shivers went up Grian’s spine in anticipation of what punishment awaited him. 

𝙹⎓ ᓵ𝙹⚍∷ᓭᒷ. ||𝙹⚍ ᔑ∷ᒷ 𝙹⚍∷ ↸╎ᔑᒲ𝙹リ↸ ╎リ ℸ ̣ ⍑ᒷ ∷𝙹⚍⊣⍑. 𝙹⚍∷ ⎓╎∷ᓭℸ ̣  !¡ꖎᔑ||ᒷ∷ ℸ ̣ ⚍∷リᒷ↸ ∴ᔑℸ ̣ ᓵ⍑ᒷ∷. ᓭℸ ̣ ᔑ|| ∷╎⊣⍑ℸ ̣  ⍑ᒷ∷ᒷ. ╎ ∴╎ꖎꖎ ∷ᒷℸ ̣ ⚍∷リ ╎リ ᔑ ᒲ𝙹ᒲᒷリℸ ̣. 

“Of course. You are our diamond in the rough. Our first player turned watcher. Stay right here. I will return in a moment.” 

Grian couldn’t hide the surprise on his face. Would they actually bring him to Scar? He never expected this. The void was all-encompassing as he waited patiently. He was racking his brain for some kind of trick or loophole they would abuse, but he came up empty. Maybe showing he was okay would keep him in check.

After what felt like an hour of waiting, Bozir appeared behind Grian with a firm hand on his shoulder. Grian hadn’t expected the hand that caused him to jump. Bozir leaned next to Grian’s ear, leaning down to his level. 

𝙹!¡ᒷリ ||𝙹⚍∷ ᒷ||ᒷᓭ. ℸ ̣ ⍑ᒷ|| ∴╎ꖎꖎ ᓭ⍑𝙹∴ ||𝙹⚍ ℸ ̣ ⍑ᒷ ∴ᔑ||.

“Open your Eyes. They will show you the way.” 

Grian did as he was told and saw someone floating in the void. He looked closer and felt his whole body tense as he realized who was in the void. He turned around to Bozir with a glare. 

||𝙹⚍ ᓭᔑ╎↸ ╎ ᓵ𝙹⚍ꖎ↸ ᓭ!¡ᒷᔑꖌ ∴╎ℸ ̣ ⍑ ⍑╎ᒲ! ⍑ᒷ ᓵᔑリ'ℸ ̣  ᓭ!¡ᒷᔑꖌ ╎リ ℸ ̣ ⍑ᒷ ⍊𝙹╎↸! 𝙹リꖎ|| ∴ᒷ ᓵᔑリ!

“You said I could speak with him! he can't speak in the void! Only we can!” 

Bozir’s smile deepened. Grian wanted to shrink back seeing such a sight. 

||𝙹⚍ ᔑᓭꖌᒷ↸ ╎⎓ ||𝙹⚍ ᓵ𝙹⚍ꖎ↸ ᓭ!¡ᒷᔑꖌ ∴╎ℸ ̣ ⍑ ⍑╎ᒲ, リ𝙹ℸ ̣  ⎓𝙹∷ ᔑ ᓵ𝙹リ⍊ᒷ∷ᓭᔑℸ ̣ ╎𝙹リ.

“You asked if you could speak with him, not for a conversation.” 

Grian cursed himself for his idiocy. He looked at the Watcher before him with pure anger. 

リ𝙹∴  ̇/ᒷꖎᑑ⚍ᔑ, ∴ᒷ ℸ ̣ ᔑ⚍⊣⍑ℸ ̣  ||𝙹⚍ ʖᒷℸ ̣ ℸ ̣ ᒷ∷ ℸ ̣ ⍑ᔑリ ℸ ̣ ⍑ᔑℸ ̣.

“Now, Xelqua, we taught you better than that.” 

Grian moved back, but not soon enough for Bozir to grab him by the throat. It had been years since Grian had been grabbed like this. He had almost forgotten the feeling. Almost.

ʖᒷ ⊣∷ᔑℸ ̣ ᒷ⎓⚍ꖎ ||𝙹⚍ ᔑ∷ᒷ ᒷ⍊ᒷリ ᓭᒷᒷ╎リ⊣ ⍑╎ᒲ. ℸ ̣ ⍑╎ᓭ ╎ᓭ ℸ ̣ ⍑ᒷ ꖎᔑᓭℸ ̣  ℸ ̣ ╎ᒲᒷ ||𝙹⚍ ∴╎ꖎꖎ ᓭᒷᒷ ⍑╎ᒲ ⚍リℸ ̣ ╎ꖎ ||𝙹⚍∷ リᒷ ̇/ℸ ̣  ⊣ᔑᒲᒷ. ℸ ̣ ᔑꖌᒷ ╎リ ᒷ⍊ᒷ∷||ℸ ̣ ⍑╎リ⊣ ||𝙹⚍ ᓵᔑリ. ||𝙹⚍ ∴╎ꖎꖎ リᒷᒷ↸ ℸ ̣ 𝙹 ⊣𝙹 ℸ ̣ ⍑∷𝙹⚍⊣⍑ ᓭ𝙹ᒲᒷ ℸ ̣ ∷ᔑ╎リ╎リ⊣ ᔑ⊣ᔑ╎リ. 

“Be grateful you are even seeing him. This is the last time you will see him until your next game. Take in everything you can. You will need to go through some training again.” 

Grian felt a push, and suddenly he was in front of Scar. He could see Scar attempt to speak, yet no words could leave his mouth. Grian felt his heart shatter at the sight. He reached out without thinking.

ᓭᓵᔑ∷? 

“Scar”

Grian felt his voice quiver. 

ᓭᓵᔑ∷! ╎ℸ ̣ 'ᓭ ᒲᒷ! ⊣∷╎ᔑリ! ᓵᔑリ ||𝙹⚍ ⍑ᒷᔑ∷ ᒲᒷ?!

“Scar! It's me! grian! Can you hear me?!”

The desperation was obvious in his voice, but he didn’t care. Scar looked on guard. Why would he be scared of him? He pulled his hand back, but after a moment reached again for Scar. He was desperate to feel his touch. The look of distrust didn’t leave Scar’s face as he reached his hand out towards Grian.

When they made contact, Scar’s face softened entirely. Grian felt every string on his heart tug. He couldn’t help himself, and he pulled him tightly to his chest. Where Scar was pulled in, he felt the tears making his robes wet. 

Grian pulled back to see Scar’s face as he cupped his cheek. He hadn’t even noticed the tears forming in his own eyes as he looked at his love. 

I ∴╎ꖎꖎ ⊣ᒷℸ ̣  ||𝙹⚍ 𝙹⚍ℸ ̣.... I !¡∷𝙹ᒲ╎ᓭᒷ.

“I will get you out.... I promise.”

He knew Scar wouldn’t understand his words, but he hoped that maybe he could decipher the meaning in them. Grian had pulled him in once again into a tight embrace when his arms fell empty. Grian looked all around to find him when he was met with Bozir. 

||𝙹⚍∷ ℸ ̣ ╎ᒲᒷ ╎ᓭ ⚍!¡. ∷ᒷℸ ̣ ⚍∷リ ℸ ̣ 𝙹 ℸ ̣ ⍑ᒷ ᓵ╎ℸ ̣ ᔑ↸ᒷꖎ ⎓𝙹∷ ⎓⚍∷ℸ ̣ ⍑ᒷ∷ ╎リᓭℸ ̣ ∷⚍ᓵℸ ̣ ╎𝙹リᓭ. 

“Your time is up. Return to the citadel for further instructions.” 

Grian nearly lunged at them when he felt a force wrap around him. It felt crushing, and he couldn’t move. He gasped for air that he couldn’t find and felt himself being moved through a portal. There was no way to fight. He was helplessly dragged along. 

The force dissipated as the portal closed in front of him. The surrounding room made shivers crawl up Grian’s spine. It was his room back at the citadel. His hands shot up as he attempted to form a portal back to Hermitcraft. No power came to him. In an act of desperation he opened his eyes and saw nothing. 

Nothing was more terrifying than seeing his fate. He had been sealed in his room with no power to defend himself. Panic set in. He was stuck, and no one could help him. The only person who knew where he was was Xisuma. 

Grian took some time to investigate for any weak spots in his room. When he looked closely at his surroundings, he found that there were seals surrounding every corner in the room. He was a bird in a cage. It had been years since he had been in this situation. The wings on his back itched for the sky, not for the stone walls of a prison. 

Anger overtook him as he punched at the wall with all his might. He felt a crack in his hand as he cradled his hand. Blood had begun to pour from it as he growled. 

ꖎᒷℸ ̣  ᒲᒷ 𝙹⚍ℸ ̣ ! ↸ᔑᒲリ ╎ℸ ̣ 

“LET ME OUT! DAMN IT!” 

He said the words with venom hanging from every word. Silence followed. No one was near or at least wanted to reveal themselves. His mind was spinning trying to think of any way to escape. With no communicator, he was on his own. Xisuma wouldn’t compromise Hermitcraft just to save him. 

Grian picked a corner with nothing in it and let his wings wrap around himself. The spiraling thoughts weren’t helping. Scar knew who he was, and he couldn’t tell him about Evo. Void, he was a monster. 

He only joined the watchers to ensure his player's safety, but so few of them survived. The Watchers only ever wanted to control him. Now he was once again trapped by the walls of the citadel. There were no windows into the void, only the stone walls that haunted his dreams. 

Grian sat in the room for hours without disturbance. When he heard the door begin to open. Grian shot his head up and saw Bozir standing in the doorway. Grian looked at him with hostility. 

∴⍑ᔑℸ ̣  ↸𝙹 ||𝙹⚍ ∴ᔑリℸ ̣ ? ᓵᔑリ'ℸ ̣  ||𝙹⚍ ᓭᒷᒷ ╎'ᒲ ʖ⚍ᓭ|| ᒲ𝙹!¡╎リ⊣?

“What do you want? Can't you see I'm busy moping?” 

Bozir showed no emotion on his face as he motioned for Grian to follow him. He didn’t want to follow, but he knew staying in that room would leave him even more irritable. 

Down the corridors, Grian saw many familiar faces. All of them made him sick. He didn’t want this, but now he had to work with the hand he had been dealt. They made it to a door Grian recognized. 

The room beyond was used to punish Watchers who were out of line. Grian stepped back, realizing he was the next Watcher to use that room. He continued to back away when two Watchers appeared on either side of him and grabbed him, forcing him to move forward. 

He fought every step of the way, refusing to give in to them. He was soon strapped down to a chair and couldn’t move any part of his body. His wings were spread uncomfortably, and his hands were bound tightly. 

There were tools spread across the table. Grian didn’t have to use his imagination to guess what they would do to him. 

リ𝙹リᒷ 𝙹⎓ ℸ ̣ ⍑ᒷᓭᒷ ∴╎ꖎꖎ ∴𝙹∷ꖌ. 

“None of these will work.” 

At that, Grian became worried. He had expected the usual punishment for his insubordination. It hadn’t occurred to him that they would do anything different. A pair of scissors appeared in Bozir’s hand. They were long and sharp with a glisten of gold on the handle. 

Bozir then approached Grian’s wings. Grian’s eyes widened as he tried uselessly to escape his restraints. His wings were his only hope of escape. No creature can survive the void without wings. As he squirmed, the other watchers held him down. Grian couldn’t think of anything that he could do to stop this. 

!¡ꖎᒷᔑᓭᒷ! !¡ꖎᒷᔑᓭᒷ ↸𝙹リ'ℸ ̣  ↸𝙹 ℸ ̣ ⍑╎ᓭ! ╎'ꖎꖎ ↸𝙹 ᔑリ||ℸ ̣ ⍑╎リ⊣! ╎ リᒷᒷ↸ ᒲ|| ∴╎リ⊣ᓭ ℸ ̣ 𝙹 ᓭ⚍∷⍊╎⍊ᒷ! 

“Please! Please don't do this! I'll do anything! I need my wings to survive!” 

Bozir stopped right before the scissors made contact with Grian's wings. 

||𝙹⚍ ᓭ⍑𝙹⚍ꖎ↸ ⍑ᔑ⍊ᒷ ℸ ̣ ⍑𝙹⚍⊣⍑ℸ ̣  ᔑʖ𝙹⚍ℸ ̣  ℸ ̣ ⍑ᔑℸ ̣  ʖᒷ⎓𝙹∷ᒷ ʖᒷℸ ̣ ∷ᔑ||╎リ⊣ ⚍ᓭ

“You should have thought about that before betraying us.”

With that, Grian heard the clipping of his wings. He screamed in protest, begging for them to stop, but the damage had already been done. The restraints were slowly loosened as Grian could finally see his wings. It would take months before he would be able to fly again. 

Grian was then guided out by the Watchers back to his room. They threw him to the floor and locked the door behind them. His wings wrapped around himself but didn’t cover him entirely anymore. He mourned for the loss of his only escape.

Chapter Text

Scar woke up and, for the first time, felt rested. There were no Watchers, just him alone with his thoughts. Seeing Grian made him so happy, but it also made him yearn for more time.

The Watcher who took Grian’s place during the last moments of the encounter made him want to puke. “You mean nothing to him. Xelqua is ours. He will never love you again.” What did that mean? 

The words, “Xelqua is ours.”, rang through his head. They seemed almost possessive of Grian. And why would they call him Xelqua? Scar had no clues to follow and certainly no records that could be found in secret life. His communicator was being heavily monitored, and he was unable to access anything outside of Secret Life as he would in Hermitcraft.

Scar knew that pondering these things wouldn’t get him anywhere with the little information he currently had. As he stood, a dull ache throughout his body with the motion. The cane in his hand supported every movement as he moved back to the trees he had begun to build.

The ache in Scar’s heart was getting more difficult to ignore. Where was Grian? Could he find him again? What if he were stuck here in Secret Life for the rest of his life? These questions kept eating at him more and more. The Watchers seemed to enjoy keeping him as a toy. 

The blocks being placed didn’t have any love at all. The attention to detail wasn’t the same as what Scar would usually make. If someone on Hermitcraft were here, they would have been able to see it. Void, he missed them.

After an entire day of frustration, he gave up on trying to do anything productive and walked back to Trader Scar’s. Scar assumed he would be alone for a good while because of the previous week. They most likely won't pull anything unless it's important. Whatever that meant. 

The sunflowers he had changed the soil around had been doing well. Sunflowers were beginning to tower over him. Maybe he could make a maze to get lost in. He could base it on the spiraling thoughts in his brain. Scar thought about it, and it might be an interesting way of coping. 

He began a mental map that could be interesting, but in the end, the idea could be either a brief joy or just another chore to annoy him. Scar started to have a bitter taste for doing anything that would make this place feel more like a home.  

Still, he went about his day. Planting trees, sunflowers, and constructing a habitable place for him to be in. Everything was in place, and he was able to finish the day tending to his sunflowers. 

Everything in Secret Life felt wrong. No other people, hardly any animals, only the sunflowers felt truly alive as Scar scanned the lands. He hadn’t even realized the tiredness that seemed to creep to the front of his mind. With the sunflowers surrounding him, darkness took over. 

—

Days turned into weeks, weeks turned into months. Scar was alone and left undisturbed. The isolation made him feel as if he were going insane. Had it even been months? Everything in the world felt like it was meaningless. The border felt as if it were closing in, and none of the animals around could fill the hole that Jellie had left.

The forest Scar was building looked beautiful, but there was something missing. With every block he placed, there was no passion in the trees he was making. Everything he did felt wrong. Each tree didn’t have life in it. There were no remnants of pranks gone wrong or another person's influence. 

Everything felt empty. The depression that had crept up on Scar was getting overwhelming. He craved for any interaction. The Watchers would even be a grace. In this experience, he truly learned what it meant to be alone. 

The last time he felt this alone was during last life. Every single attempt to make friends left him more isolated than the last. Grian at every point hurt him, even after everything in the desert. Yellow snow didn’t have to die. He never thought Grian would kill them. He never thought Grian would threaten him with that obsidian box or that Joel would betray him so many times. That enchanter was his only lifeline to the rest of the players. 

Without that enchanter, he knew no one would ever concern themselves with the likes of him. It hurt to see every member on the server not only give him dirty looks of disgust, but pity at the same time. Scott was the nicest to him throughout Last Life, but he was never an ally.  

Magical Mountain was more like a plateau that only Scar cared for. It was a lifeboat drifting through the ocean as cruise ships refused to assist the stranded stranger. 

The memories of Last Life didn’t help with the dread that permeated within him. The sunflowers were growing out of control, seeming to climb onto every surface. Even Scar himself noticed that he had more sunflowers on his person at all times. Everything just felt off. 

Scar made his way to the Secret Keeper, hoping for something to change when he submitted the same task every day. After pushing the button, the same task appeared in his hand. He turned after another disappointment when he saw someone standing behind him. 

A giant smile appeared on Scar’s face. He couldn’t contain the joy of seeing anything other than the creatures in Secret Life. As he looked closer at the figure, it looked like… “Grian?” 

Grian didn’t say a word but extended his hand. Scar lunged forward and took it greedily. The moment he made contact with the hand, he felt subtle differences. This wasn’t Grian standing before him, but someone else. He was about to recoil when the grip of the stranger's hand became tighter. 

Scar couldn’t escape the grasp of his hand and was pulled into an uncomfortable hug. He was trying to escape the entire time.

“Let go of me! You aren’t him! Who are you?!” Scar screamed wildly, continuing to fight out of the grasp of the person. Their arms wrapped around him, forcing him to be unable to struggle. 

The smile of the stranger grew sinister. They still wore Grian’s face during the whole ordeal. They tilted Scar’s head, forcing him to face them. His face was filled with disgust as he was trapped in their arms. 

“Hello Earth. It’s been a while since we have spoken.” Scar recognized the voice. It was Xanith the Watcher who seemed to have complete control over this world. Over his life. His face didn’t change as he glared daggers into them. 

“Let me go and we can talk.” Scar said with a firm voice. It was said with a finality implying he wouldn’t say a word until he was released. Xanith seemed to frown at that but soon released their grip from Scar. 

He jumped back a few feet before he felt himself breathe a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding in. He suppressed the tears that wanted to surface from the disappointment of his lover not standing before him. Xanith took a moment to transform back into their regular self and looked at Scar, still with that smug smile. 

“How are you enjoying yourself? We want to ensure you are comfortable while you are here.” 

The words took a moment to register in Scar’s mind. He was dumbfounded at the question. In what world would he ever be enjoying himself? Every word felt like a slap to his face. His face changed into one of pure anger, his emotions completely overtaking him. 

“Enjoying myself?! HOW COULD I EVER ENJOY THE PERSONAL HELL YOU HAVE CREATED FOR ME?! COMFORTABLE?! ARE YOU THAT INSA-”

Scar felt himself lift into the air as a hand grasped the back of his neck. He attempted to fight back against whoever grasped him so aggressively. His legs began flailing in the air as he tried to get out of their grip. 

“Now, Earth, you should know better than to lose your temper with us.” The words sounded condescending. Their grip on Scar tightened as he struggled to breathe. He continued his struggle, but slowly felt his body becoming weaker. The Watchers surrounding him seemed to notice as well, dropping him to the ground before he could pass out. 

The effects of gravity took him quickly as he fell to the ground with a hard thud. When he was on solid ground, he couldn’t catch his breath. With each attempt to breathe, he felt the oxygen get caught in his lungs as he coughed. 

Scar heard footsteps approaching him as he struggled to pull himself together. He attempted to look at and meet the figures towering over him, but felt a foot bringing pressure down onto his back. He tried to fight it, but it didn’t take much effort to force him down onto his stomach. 

The pressure being put on his back was causing him more pain. His breathing had become steadier as he looked up to the best of his ability. Xanith was smiling while the other Watcher had the same neutral expression. 

“I am truly sorry to hear such complaints, but lashing out is no way to get improvements to your new home. Think of us as landlords. We take your complaints and try to improve upon them! Doesn’t seem too bad, does it? Now, do you promise to stay in line? I did wish to have this conversation eye to eye.” 

Scar forgot how much he hated their presence. He couldn’t tell which he preferred. Loneliness or the pain the Watchers bring. Reluctantly, he nodded but only to remove the pain from his back. The pressure was removed from Scar’s back, and he felt firm hands assist him in standing. 

Scar stood on shaking legs, trying to find his balance. Xanith approached Scar and handed him his cane. He hadn’t brought it with him that day, so how had Xanith brought his cane to him? He didn’t care anymore and simply accepted it. 

“Now that you’ve calmed down, how about you calmly answer my question. How are you enjoying yourself?” 

The question still left a bitter taste in Scar’s mouth. He didn’t know whether to tell the truth or to lie. Either way felt like a wrong answer but silence would most likely be the only wrong answer. 

“Well other than the crippling loneliness and the nearly nightly nightmares, been juuuuust peachy!” 

There was a sarcastic tone lacing every word in his voice. The smile he plastered onto himself never reached his eyes. Scar’s eyes were dull. There was nearly no life in his eyes. 

“Hmmm. Crippling loneliness? That’s something we could take care of for you!” 

Scar tensed. Whatever they were going to do, he knew deep down it would only hurt him. That was how they operated. He was finally beginning to learn. He watched Xanith turn their back to him, and he felt his eyes covered by the hands of the other watcher beside him. He hadn’t expected the attack from behind. 

His eyes remained covered for a long time. Scar didn’t feel any pain, which was a start. Not being able to see what they were doing still made him feel unnerved. 

ᔑ∷ᒷ ||𝙹⚍ ᓭᒷ∷╎𝙹⚍ᓭꖎ|| ⊣╎⍊╎リ⊣ ⍑╎ᒲ ᔑ ᓵᔑℸ ̣ ? 

God Scar hated when they did this. Purposefully keeping him out of conversation all so that they could use it to hurt him later. Although he supposed he would find out soon enough.

╎⎓ ╎ ∷ᒷᓵᔑꖎꖎ ⍑ᒷ ⍑ᔑᓭ ᔑ ᓵᔑℸ ̣  𝙹リ ⍑ᒷ∷ᒲ╎ℸ ̣ ᓵ∷ᔑ⎓ℸ ̣  リᔑᒲᒷ↸ ⋮ᒷꖎꖎ╎ᒷ. ℸ ̣ ⍑╎ᓭ ᓵᔑℸ ̣  ꖎ𝙹𝙹ꖌᓭ ╎↸ᒷリℸ ̣ ╎ᓵᔑꖎ. ╎⎓ ⍑ᒷ ᔑᓵℸ ̣ ᓭ 𝙹⚍ℸ ̣  𝙹⎓ ꖎ╎リᒷ ℸ ̣ ⍑ᒷリ ∴ᒷ ᓵᔑリ ᓭ╎ᒲ!¡ꖎ|| ℸ ̣ ᔑꖌᒷ ℸ ̣ ⍑╎ᓭ ᔑ∴ᔑ||.

Scar heard the other watcher sigh in annoyance. That was never a good sign for him. His whole body tensed at the small action. 

“Hold out your arms.” Xanith ordered. Scar did as he was told and held out his arms. He felt fur in his hands when the hands covering his eyes lifted from his face. When he opened his eyes, he saw the most beautiful creature on the planet. For the first time in months, a genuine smile was on his face. 

Jellie, the cat he loved and was missing everyday, was here in his arms. Without him even realizing he began to cry. He hugged the cat tightly as if she were going to disappear. 

“How did you even get her?” 

Xanith’s smile didn’t seem malicious, but actually happy? Scar was put on guard by that alone and held his cat tighter. 

“Well, you said you were lonely. This is a gift for creating such a beautiful server. Just remember it can be taken away just as easily.”

At that, Scar’s grip on Jellie became tighter, and he glared daggers into Xanith. They decided to ignore his transgression and continue to walk. The second Watcher moved past him to move to her side. He could at least breathe a sigh of relief that they walked away from him. 

“Enjoy her presence. I’m sure she will prove to be a good companion.” 

With that, Xanith and the other Watcher disappeared. Scar was left alone, but he didn’t feel left alone. He had Jellie with him now. The first thing to do was to get a place set up for her. 

Fishing for food for her reminded him of home. Then creating nooks for her to crawl into at Trader Scar’s made everything feel more like Hermitcraft. It still would never be Hermitcraft, though. 

The weight of the cat on his chest helped him to fall asleep. His dreams consisted of a small cat running loose as he gave chase with his friends. Maybe that wouldn’t be a dream soon.

Chapter Text

As the days went on, Scar found himself much less lonely with Jellie by his side. She was grounding him in reality. Many of his nightmares were eased by the presence of the one creature who had been through it all with him.

According to Scar’s messed-up calendar, he had already been stuck in Secret Life for around four or five months. Time blended together with the days of loneliness that consumed his thoughts every day. The Watchers would only make occasional appearances throughout, mostly leaving him alone. The longest gap between visits he could count was two months.

By the time they appeared that day with Jellie, he had hardly cared that they were his captors. Just having someone to talk to was enough to make his day infinitely better 

Scar continued about his day building trees. For the first time, he felt some semblance of passion. He constructed over three trees in one day. 

Scar had exhausted himself, and yet he couldn’t help but feel proud. He was so happy to have Jellie back, even if he wondered how Cub let them get to her. 

He shrugged, knowing it would lead nowhere. He had his cat, and that was all that mattered. Playing with her made him happier than words could describe. Everything felt right with her by his side. 

It was the end of the day, and Scar was enjoying the stars in the night sky. Jellie was on his chest, purring. In moments like these, he was grateful he actually listened to some of Cub’s rambling about the universe. 

The constellations in the sky he was able to somewhat identify, and with the comforting presence of Jellie, it made the whole experience relaxing. 

As the stars shone down upon Secret Life, he was content. Scar let his mind wander, and that was his mistake. The stars above him… they were the Gemini constellation. Not only was Gem now in his thoughts, but also the day Cub taught him how to identify them. 

Bitterness welled up in his chest. He had killed Gem with his own hands. The look that she gave him was that of the red haze. She looked like she wanted him dead more than anything.

And Cub. Void, Cub. His best friend. He missed him so much. There was a hole in his chest where Hermitcraft would be. Scar began to spiral as the thoughts of his friends returned to him. Almost every day on this server, he had thought about them. 

This time, with the reminder of his past life upon his chest purring contently, he found the emotions were far greater than before. Even with the comfort that Jellie could bring to any soul, it still wasn’t enough to cure his loneliness.

Tears began to form as Scar remembered them all. Xisuma, impulse, Cub, Etho, Gem, and worst of all, Grian. Grian was still at the forefront of Scar’s mind despite everything. 

He began to pet Jellie’s back in an attempt to calm his rising emotions. Tears began to roll harder than they had in a very long time. He hated the feeling of being alone. He hated the Watchers for putting him through all this suffering. Scar couldn’t tell if he was beginning to include Grian among them. 

His grip on Jellie became tighter as his mind searched for something to ground him. The vibrations on his chest were doing the trick. As he lay in the sunflower fields, which had grown to the point of becoming weeds, his eyes became tired, and he allowed himself another night outside under the comfort of the stars.

—

Scar awoke surrounded by Sunflowers, and he felt as if they started to grow onto him. He pried the roots from their grip on his body as he stood. Sleeping on the ground didn’t help his body from aching, as he felt a dull pain throughout his body. 

Jellie was sitting off to the side, chewing on her tail. Scar was concerned by the action. She had never done that before, and if there was a medical emergency, he couldn’t bring her to Hub for a vet visit.

He walked over to Jellie, and she looked up at him as innocent as ever. He moved down to her level to investigate her tail. He slowly pulled it from her mouth and checked under the fur. It seemed to be irritated, but mostly because of the chewing rather than any external factor. 

Jellie had never been surrounded by so many sunflowers so perhaps she was slightly allergic. Scar leaned down to pick her up and brought her inside to Trader Scar’s. She hopped out of his arms and began to climb the chests stacked on the wall. 

Scar raised an eyebrow at the action. She usually wouldn’t jump out of his arms while he is standing. Under normal circumstances, she would just push for him to let her down. She was acting very strangely in comparison to her normal behavior. 

Perhaps it was the unfamiliar environment and her life being thrown out of whack that was causing the strange behavior. Scar would be lying if he said he wasn’t concerned, but he did his best to adjust her to her new home. 

She stared down at Scar. He stared back at her with his half smile, but as he looked into her eyes, he noticed something off. He attempted to coax her down, which normally she would obey without trouble. This time, however, she jumped to an even higher area. 

He was left unable to reach her. Scar sighed, knowing he wasn’t going to get to her at this moment. He sat on his bed and felt around his head for any hair out of place. He did his best to unfurl his hair, allowing it to fall past his shoulders.

His hair had grown past his collarbones. It drove him crazy with how long it got. Scar decided to go to the river with a pair of sheers in hand. He knew the shears wouldn’t be the best, but they would get the job done. 

The river was glistening under the afternoon sun, allowing Scar to see himself clearly in the water. The shears began to gravitate towards his hair as he did his best to guide them. With a nervous tremble in his hands, he began to cut.

Hair fell from his shoulders, and as Scar looked in the river, he wanted to curl up with how choppy it looked. He had done his best to fix it, but in the end, it was still a botched haircut. 

As he looked into the water, he was able to make it slightly better with a more precise look. In the end, his hair was good enough. It wasn’t the best, but it could have been worse. I mean, he could have let a nervous wreck like Mumbo do it with his shaky hands. 

But then again, if Mumbo did it, he wouldn’t care. He would just be happy that one of his best friends was there.

He sighed and went out to his forest. It seemed to be almost complete. With one or two more trees, it would be done. Then what? What on earth could Scar continue? He could have made that sunflower maze, but there was no passion behind that project. 

Scar was back in his slump. Despite Jellie being there with him now, he still felt an emptiness that his friends had left behind. He was grateful to the Watchers for giving him something, but even then, he was worried about Jellie’s health. There was no way to bring her to a vet here, and if she needed care, she would die. 

Scar caught himself in his own thoughts. Since when had he ever been grateful towards the Watchers? They were the ones putting him through this hell to begin with. Everything in his life was uprooted because of Secret Life. He shouldn’t be grateful for the bare minimum. 

Scar walked towards his forest and took in the sight of it all. Everything about the build screamed Scar, from the terraforming to the unnaturally large trees that now grew from the ground. It felt like a small escape. A way to walk back into Hermitcraft, the home he missed so dearly. 

With the finishing touches being added, Scar felt at ease with himself for making something beautiful despite his lack of motivation. He was proud that he didn’t just sit there and let his body rot away. 

And… he didn’t die.

Scar was still on his red life. He didn’t know what death would do to him. If he ended up returning to Hermitcraft, he would be ecstatic. But the worst-case scenario was a permanent death. Perma-death was something every player feared. It usually came with time. All things must come to an end, but Scar was still so young. He had a loving cat to take care of as well as friends to make smile. He had too much to live for. 

Secret Life was no place he would ever call home, but even so, he was able to find and create beauty where no beauty should ever exist. 

Scar was thoroughly satisfied and returned to Trader Scar’s to spend time with his only friend. He opened the door and was greeted by Jellie's demands for food. He smiled and prepared her food. 

She happily began to eat away at the salmon Scar had caught. Scar smiled at the cat. She was always so happy to have food. 

He was examining her as she ate to try and figure out why she was acting so odd in the morning. She seemed perfectly normal after eating. She looked at Scar pleading for more food.

“Now you listen here, missy! You just ate up so much food! Don’t be greedy!” 

Jellie seemed to understand his words and felt disappointed. She still jumped onto his lap to request her daily cuddles from her owner. Scar felt every emotion relax as she curled up in his lap. 

She leaned into every touch that was provided by Scar’s hand. She turned over to receive her much needed belly rubs. He was happy to fulfill the demands. He began to rub her stomach. Scar was completely captured by the cat on his lap and looked at her with loving eyes. 

After a few moments, Scar froze. He looked at Jellie on his lap and felt his stomach drop. On her stomach, there was a small grey patch of fur. He knows for a fact she didn’t have that before. He examined the cat more closely and discovered more subtle differences. The colour of her eyes, the colour of her paw pads, the small nick missing from her ear. 

Scar wanted to throw up. He thought he had gotten one mercy. One thing to make this prison even slightly more bearable, and that one thing was never real. Jellie was still with Cub on Hermitcraft. She was still in the Vex’s care. 

Tears formed, and Scar couldn’t help but let them fall. The cat on his lap didn’t understand his sadness and seemed to try and comfort him. It only made him feel worse. She acted so much like Jellie, but there were small differences. 

He put the cat on the ground, and she stared at him with curious eyes. Scar could barely look at her. He found himself bringing his knees to his chest and letting his head rest on them. He couldn’t stop crying no matter how hard he tried. 

The one mercy, taken away with one little observation. The hopelessness crept back in like a weed. No matter how much Scar tried, the weeds would always come back. Now that there was nothing to keep him here, his mind once again wandered to find some kind of escape from this hellhole. 

Scar wracked his brain for anything. Where could he go that he hadn’t tried before? He thought and thought and then... It hit him.

The End.

Bdubs had a task to kill the enderdragon, so he wouldn’t need to worry about that at least. He could teleport to the end islands, and maybe he could find Grian in the void again.

Scar sighed, knowing he needed rest for the days to come. He lay down on his bed, preparing himself for sleep. Tomorrow would be an adventure, to say the least. His eyes drooped, and he allowed unconsciousness to take over, and he drifted off. 

The night wasn’t restful, but it wasn’t terrible either. As much as he hated it, that cat did bring him some comfort. He needed a new name for the cat, but he would figure that out later. Hopefully, he wouldn’t have to if this botched plan worked. 

Scar prepared his gear and grabbed as many building supplies as he could. This would be a long trip. The end portal wasn’t far. He had found it after his first few weeks of exploring the enclosed space. 

The portal looked like an endless expanse. Just looking at it was making Scar more nervous. He envisioned himself floating in the endless expanse of the void. He remembered the feeling of nothing, which was more than he could process. It felt claustrophobic yet also like it expanded forever. 

He shook his head to shake away his anxieties and jumped in. He felt himself unravel and reconnect as he materialized onto the obsidian platform. His breathing was heavy, and his knees gave out as soon as he landed. 

The breaths he took were shallow. The air was thin, which made it even harder to catch his breath. Scar looked up and saw the remnants of a bridge that was most likely created by Bdubs, Impulse, and Pearl. He smiled, seeing another sign of his friend's existence in this world. 

He climbed the unstable bridge and found the portal to the end islands. He built his way up to them and crawled in. He felt his body change as he rematerialized in a new environment. The end islands were just as vast and empty as he remembered. At some point, he stopped endbusting himself because the end gave him the creeps. 

Scar steeled himself for the long journey ahead of him. He began to slowly bridge out into the void. Everything felt just as it had in that vision he had. The void that surrounded him felt suffocating. The anxiety began to creep up his spine. 

In Scar’s mind, the void had many millions of eyes. He felt each one of them staring down at him. His breathing became unsteady. The panic of everything was setting in. This newfound fear of floating forever in the endless expanse of the void was creating anxieties that Scar didn’t even realize he had.

It was infinite. Almost like space. But space had stars in the sky to study while the void was pitch black, aside from the blocks Scar placed underneath him. He took a moment to recollect himself, reminding himself of his goal. Get back to Hermitcraft or find Grian. 

The former was greatly preferred. Maybe Xisuma went to wander the void to look for his missing player, or perhaps he could somehow end up at the end of Hermitcraft. He didn’t even know if such a thing was possible, but perhaps on the slim chance that it was, he could find his way home. Hell, he would even take Empires at this point. He just had to get home. 

—

Scar had been traveling for hours. He still couldn’t look at the void without wanting to throw up. He was beginning to run out of blocks to place. He couldn’t go back to the end islands for supplies. He prayed to whoever would listen that he would stumble across an end island soon. Even if it had a dragon, he could at least evade it.

—

More time had passed, and Scar had finally run out of blocks. He cursed himself for not bringing more. Perhaps if he were smarter, he could have gotten farther. The bridge was already dangerous to cross, and walking back would be a nightmare he wouldn’t wish upon anyone. 

He sighed and turned around, knowing he could only go back to retrieve more blocks. Only in his disappointment did Scar’s ear pick up a sound coming from the void. The void had been nothing but silence up until this point. He stood tall, observing his surroundings but not finding anything in the black abyss. 

Without realizing it, Scar had quickened his pace. He began to run as fast as he could back to the end islands while feeling thousands of eyes staring down on him. He ran until his breath became staggered. 

Scar took a moment to breathe when he heard the same sound. It was closer. Now that it was, he could clearly hear what it was. The flap of a dragon's wings. When it registered what that sound was, he was about to continue his run when he heard it. The enderdragon’s roar. 

It was right next to him. Scar turned and was faced with the dragon flying right next to him. It flew right through the platform Scar was standing on, and he began to fall through the void. 

Scar reached out, desperate to grab the platform, but his hands fell empty. Gravity took him. The air enveloped him as the void approached. This was it, he would perma-die right here, right now. 

The bridge disappeared, and he felt the void unraveling every part of his body. He tried to scream and reach out for anything that would ground him, but nothing came. He closed his eyes and realized it would be hopeless. All he could do was be at peace. 

As his eyes closed, he heard the flap of the dragon’s wings again. After a moment, Scar felt claws wrap around his body. He was no longer falling but soaring. When he opened his eyes, he saw the dragon dragging him from the void. 

His vision was blurring as his body attempted to recover from the void damage he received. He couldn’t keep his eyes open, and he lost consciousness. 

—

Scar woke up lying on endstone. It was the original island he started on. He could see the dirt and cobblestone pillars left behind by his friends. Blinking slowly awake, he arose and felt his head throbbing. 

“Ah, welcome back, Earth! We were sure worried when you disappeared.” 

Scar felt his body go stiff. That voice… it was Xanith. They must have found him. Was the dragon one of their other pets? His breath hitched as he turned his head to find Xanith standing right behind him.

“Well… hello there… I must admit, I am certainly not in the most sociable of moods.” 

Xanith’s laugh was piercing to his ears. Scar knew he was in deep shit but at least let his headache subside. He groaned as he attempted to stand up. With a hand on his knee, he felt two hands aggressively pull him up. He winced at the sharp tug on his arm. He turned his head towards the other Watcher. They always accompanied Xanith wherever they went. 

Scar felt himself being dragged towards the edge of the void. He fought back with all his might, but he was purely at the mercy of the two Watchers standing before him. 

“Now, Earth, why would you try to come to the void? It's very dangerous without one of us to monitor you. You could have experienced perma-death.”

He stood being held by the other Watcher. Scar didn’t want to be thrown into the void, but he knew they wouldn’t. Whatever their goal was, they needed him alive for something. 

Scar gritted his teeth. “I was just checking your lovely security system! Surely if there was a way even little ‘ol me could escape, I would be able to report it back!” 

Sweat was dripping down Scar’s face as he lied through his teeth. He had no idea if they would buy it, but it might just amuse them enough to make whatever they planned to do a little easier on him. 

“Oh my, how thoughtful of you! You truly did not need to go through the trouble. We have ensured that we haven’t made ANY oversights for you. I can promise you this is the most secure server in existence.” 

Scar felt a small part of him die with those words. He knew they were most likely true, but he still wanted to hold onto some kind of hope. 

“Bozir, do as you please.” 

The other Watcher, Bozir, as Scar discovered, began to smile. He had never felt more terrified in his life. Bozir had never shown emotions in front of Scar, and to see such a sinister smile made his skin crawl.

Scar felt a force wrap around him, and he was lifted off his feet over the void. On instinct, his feet searched for something to stand on. With the flick of their finger, Scar felt himself get launched. He braced himself for impact as he hit the obsidian pillars. 

There was a loud cracking noise as he crashed into the pillar. Blood began to trickle down his mouth as he slowly attempted to stand upright. The obsidian pillar had a large indent where he had landed. He was violently coughing as he tried to catch his breath. 

A hand violently grabbed at his face to force him to look up. Stars were beginning to form in Scar’s vision as he attempted to focus on anything. All he could find was the smile of Bozir. He tried to fight away from his grasp but that only made him tighten his grip. 

Scar felt his body lift into the air with an intense pressure on his face. With his feet dangling off the ground he felt helpless to stop whatever Bozir had planned for him. Even still he refused to stop fighting. His legs were swinging in the air as he tried to kick Bozir. 

He felt himself get thrown into the pillar once again as he coughed up more blood. The pain in his back was becoming unbearable as he felt himself slump down. He knew he wouldn’t be able to walk for days after this. He needed a wheelchair but they would never give him such a blessing. 

He felt blood drip all around his body but he was barely conscious. His body went almost completely limp as he lost all his energy. He could barely look up as the darkness began to surround his vision. 

He felt hands on his cheeks but they seemed more gentle than before. He blinked and suddenly he was back on Hermitcraft. Cub stood before him with his broad shoulders and labcoat that went down to his ankles. His glasses hung on the bridge of his nose and his hair seemed to be a bit messier than he remembered. 

“Cub? Is that you?” 

Cub remained silent as he seemed to be assessing the damage on Scar’s body. Scar felt himself relax just by being with Cub. Void he missed him. It felt like an eternity since he had last seen his best friend. It felt like a warm blanket that he hadn’t experienced in years. 

“You should really be more careful. I won't always be around to care for your injuries.”

Scar felt a gentle hand wrap bandages around his various injuries. He wanted to jump into Cub’s arms and force the man into the tightest hug he could muster. He could hardly move his body at this point and he couldn’t discern what was fake and what was real.

He attempted to reach out for Cub when he felt a chain form on his wrist. The chain was a purple hue with the Watcher symbol engraved on it. Scar fought against the chains with what little might he had, but with each attempt, the chains grew tighter around his wrists. 

His voice tried to call for Cub in a desperate last ditch effort but then another chain appeared on his throat. It tightened the more he tried to speak. He desperately wanted to say so much to him. Words that he never said on Hermitcraft. 

His bond with Cub was stronger than almost every Hermit. He was his support throughout every season. Even after the games, Cub would always be willing to listen to every trauma, even though Scar would only share the surface level with him. 

There was so much he wanted to say that he suddenly couldn’t. Cub’s eyes began to turn a shade of purple as a smile crept onto his face. This wasn’t a smile that he would wear. It was something they would. 

“Earth, it’s time for you to return to Secret Life. That is your home. Hermitcraft isn’t looking for you and even if they tried… They would never find you.” 

Scar felt sick hearing that name come from his friend's mouth. Everything felt wrong. Cub would never say that and yet he stood before him saying those same words. Was this like the encounter with Grian? Could it be this was the real Cub? Or was this some nightmare they conjured just for him? 

He couldn’t differentiate between delusions and reality anymore. The isolation left his brain unable to decipher them. The more that Cub spoke the more he desperately wanted to speak. 

“You have a new home and that is Secret Life. You are important to a greater cause. All you need to do is stay.” 

Every word felt like a knife being stabbed through his heart. Why did it have to be Cub? Of all the people to say this to him, he was the worst. Scar felt a bit of himself break when those words were spoken. 

His heart felt as if it had shattered, never to be put back together. An empty pit formed deep into Scar’s being. It was slowly consuming him with every new word that left Cub’s mouth. Tears formed in his eyes and he tried one last time to reach for him but felt the strong tug of chains holding him back. 

He was helpless. Trapped like an animal in a zoo. He was on display for anyone who passed by to mock and torture. It felt as if he would never leave this place. So what if he was there for something important? He couldn’t care less. But why was no one from Hermitcraft looking for him? He missed his friends more than anything but did they not care for him? 

Last life came flooding into his mind. He was left alone on Magical Mountain for so long that he felt insane. The only reason anyone bothered to get him was for the enchanter. It was a lifeline to any kind of socialization. All the Hermits ever did in that game was look upon him with pity. They never even bothered to help.

The only person who gave even the slightest helping hand was Scott but even that alliance was tentative at best. Every memory of every Hermit abandoning him surfaced without him even realizing it. 

Scar didn’t even notice that he had stopped fighting the chains which began to wrap themselves even more intricately around his body. 

“Go back home, Earth.” 

Scar opened his eyes again and found himself being carried into Trader Scar’s by Bozir. Xanith seemed to be walking just ahead of them, content as ever. He couldn’t see the chains around him but even still he felt them regardless. For once, he didn’t fight out of their hold. He allowed himself to be carried without much of a fuss. 

They carried him into the building where they laid him down onto his bed. Scar felt numb as they did so. He looked up at the two Watchers with hollow eyes and they both smiled. 

“We will ensure that you make a full recovery. I will be here most of the time but I do have other duties so Bozir will take over from time to time.” 

Great now he was being physically monitored 24/7. He didn’t even have the energy to groan at the newfound information. He simply accepted it. They seemed to notice and their smiles grew deeper. 

Scar didn’t have any energy left. He felt himself falling asleep. The last thing he saw was Bozir leave as Xanith opened an admin panel for what he could only assume to be Secret Life.

The dreams that followed were less than pleasant.

Chapter Text

Grian had been locked in his room for weeks. In the overworld, much more time had passed than in the void. The Watchers had told him that if he wished to free Scar, he would need to come up with the next game, but it had to be something the avian would never under normal circumstances do. 

He had been racking his brain this whole time to think of a new game that would not only satisfy the Watchers but also free Scar from Secret Life. 

The pressure was on. With every idea, he felt it wasn’t good enough. What could possibly satisfy the Watchers enough to release Scar? Or maybe if he does too well, they won't release him.

Grian couldn’t find the balance. Everything seemed too much but also too little. They made it clear to him that if he wanted to leave he must come up with a new game for them to enjoy. 

Going through “training” again also didn’t help. He would be forcibly taken out of his room. They were trying to break him again. Make him their obedient servant. They wanted their Xelqua. 

Xelqua was everything Grian would never be. Manipulative, uncaring, and willing to kill anyone if it was ordered. He had already been down that path, but when he was brought to Hermitcraft to monitor the players and learn about their admin, he relearned his player attributes.

He yearned to be a player. Free from their watchful eyes and building to his heart's content. 

It all felt wrong being flightless and without his player friends surrounding him. He glanced at his wings out of habit and saw that they only seemed a little better than before. He still had about four months left before he flew again. 

Grian was about to give up and rest for the time being when he heard the doors open behind him. He whipped around to see Bozir standing before him. His shoulders tensed seeing them standing in the doorway. 

∴⍑ᔑℸ ̣  ╎ᓭ ╎ℸ ̣  ℸ ̣ ⍑╎ᓭ ℸ ̣ ╎ᒲᒷ? ᒲ𝙹∷ᒷ ꖎᒷᓭᓭ𝙹リᓭ?

“What is it this time? More lessons?” 

Grian was unamused. He was about to finally rest for a while and maybe get some new ideas, but now he had to be interrupted by them. Bozir stepped further into the room, which caused Grian to instinctually step back. As he took a step back, he felt the wall behind him.

╎ ʖᒷꖎ╎ᒷ⍊ᒷ ╎ℸ ̣  ╎ᓭ ℸ ̣ ╎ᒲᒷ ℸ ̣ 𝙹 ᓭ⍑𝙹∴ ||𝙹⚍ ᔑ ⍊╎ᓭ╎𝙹リ 𝙹⎓ ℸ ̣ ⍑ᒷ ⎓⚍ℸ ̣ ⚍∷ᒷ. ╎⎓ ||𝙹⚍ ᓵ⍑𝙹𝙹ᓭᒷ ℸ ̣ 𝙹 ᓵ𝙹リℸ ̣ ╎リ⚍ᒷ ℸ ̣ ⍑╎ᓭ !¡ᔑℸ ̣ ℸ ̣ ᒷ∷リ 𝙹⎓ ╎⊣リ𝙹∷╎リ⊣ ||𝙹⚍∷ ↸⚍ℸ ̣ ╎ᒷᓭ, ╎ℸ ̣  ᒲᔑ|| ᓭᒷ∷⍊ᒷ ||𝙹⚍ ∴ᒷꖎꖎ ℸ ̣ 𝙹 ꖌリ𝙹∴ ℸ ̣ ⍑ᒷ ᓵ𝙹リᓭᒷᑑ⚍ᒷリᓵᒷᓭ ╎リ ᔑ↸⍊ᔑリᓵᒷ. 

“I believe it is time to show you a vision of the future. If you choose to continue this pattern of ignoring your duties, it may serve you well to know the consequences in advance.”

Grian didn’t like where this was going. The last time they showed him a vision of the future, he was back in Evo.

—

Grian was breathing heavily. None of his friends had jumped into the portal with him. He was left alone to fight the beast. With the final blow, he managed to slay the dragon and free the end. 

Sweat dripped down his brow. He was exhausted after fighting the dragon alone. Why did no one else jump in? There was no way that Jimmy knew. He wouldn’t be able to keep his mouth shut, and normally they would make him wait for five minutes and then jump in.

He was worried that something had happened to the portal. Seeing the Watcher symbol carved into the wall above a completed portal should have every alarm off in Grian’s head and yet he still jumped in. 

They were all talking about how easy the dragon fight would be with all ten of them there. None of this should have happened. He walked up to the portal, hoping to find his friends on the other side. When he jumped in, he was left floating in the void. 

He didn’t know if this was some kind of glitch. He couldn’t find his admin panel. Was he stuck? He looked around for anyone or anything. He attempted to yell out but found his words wouldn’t come out. In the endless expanse of the void, nothing could escape. 

Eventually, two watchers appeared before him. He had seen the two of them in his dreams, and yet he couldn’t speak. He tried to ask where he was or why he was hear, and yet no sound was made. 

“You are probably wondering why you are here.”

They spoke, knowing he couldn’t speak. Grian decided a simple nod would do to convey his emotions. 

“You have proven yourself! You are intelligent, cunning, and have a knack for planning things out. You are a talent who is one in a billion. We have gone many lifetimes without encountering one such as you.”

Grian didn’t like where this was going. Why would these Watchers be praising him when they have been annoying him for months? He didn’t understand what game they were playing, but he wasn’t planning on playing on their terms. 

“You are our diamond in the rough! We want you to join us. Become one of us, and we can promise you those on Evo will be safe.”

The last part of that felt more like a threat. Grian visibly didn’t seem comfortable with the idea at all. He needed to get back to his players and get them off of Evo. He should have realized sooner how dangerous these creatures are. 

He tried once again to speak. He was always a slow learner. His face morphed into one of frustration as he realized once again that he couldn’t talk. They seemed to notice. 

“Well, if you wish to talk, if you become one of us, you can speak freely in the Void. We want nothing but the best for you. Are you uncertain of the future we can provide?”

Grian nodded aggressively. He wanted to get back to his friends and get them as far away from these monsters as possible. 

The taller watcher had remained silent during this encounter. They approached Grian with both of their hands, making contact with his head. In an instant, his vision went white. 

Grian was looking at Evo from above, but it was different than when he had left it. The other nine members were all having fun, but he couldn’t find himself in sight. They didn’t seem to care that he was gone. They were simply enjoying themselves. 

He was happy to see his friends having fun, but he was bothered by the lack of himself in the picture. Would this be their lives without him? He continued to watch their peaceful life as he noticed the sky.

In the sky, there was a figure who looked ethereal. Upon closer inspection, he found it was himself? Grian was confused but then one of the Watchers began to speak. 

“This is the future you would have with us! You would have the power to protect everyone you love. They would be safe from harm.”

There was a pause in their words.

“However, if you choose to not join us…”

The Watcher’s hand went across the land and the server was collapsing. There was fire everywhere, with holes to the void opening up. Grian saw Martyn and Netty running to find safety when Netty tripped. She fell into the void before Martyn could save her.

He wanted to scream. He could only watch. There was nothing he could do in this version. He found himself at the center of it all on his admin panel, trying to fix the server, but it was far too late. 

“The server will collapse. You want to save your friends… don’t you?” 

Grian’s breath hitched. He hated where this was going. He would have no choice if this was their fate. If he could keep his friends safe, he would.

“We will love you and care for you. There is such a lack of perfect beings in this world, and you will be one of them, only if you join us. You’ll have power beyond your wildest imagination, be able to create servers for thousands, and best of all, truly protect those you love.”

Grian felt the greediest parts of him surface. If all those promises were true, then he wouldn’t be helpless anymore. What happened to Taurtis would never happen again. He could actually protect someone he cared for. 

He was brought back to the Void with the two Watchers standing before him. 

“So… Do we have a deal?” 

One of them extended their hand gently so Grian could take it. The gesture felt like one you would give a lost child before finding their parents. He was still hesitant, but his hand gravitated towards the Watcher's hand. 

He took their hand and from then on they showed him their “Love”. That love was conditional. It took him a long time to realize he was a bird in a cage. He would never fly freely again. 

—

Grian snapped himself out of the memories of years ago. He could never turn back the clock, despite how desperately he wished he could have done so. That future he saw before was a false one. How could he trust that the future Bozir would show him this time would be real? Grian decided to be bold instead.

ᔑᓭ ᒲ⚍ᓵ⍑ ᔑᓭ ℸ ̣ ⍑ᒷ ⎓⚍ℸ ̣ ⚍∷ᒷ ╎ᓭ ╎リℸ ̣ ∷╎⊣⚍╎リ⊣ ℸ ̣ ⍑ᒷ ꖎᔑᓭℸ ̣  ᔑℸ ̣ ℸ ̣ ᒷᒲ!¡ℸ ̣  ᔑℸ ̣  ᓭ⍑𝙹∴╎リ⊣ ᒲᒷ ℸ ̣ ⍑ᒷ ⎓⚍ℸ ̣ ⚍∷ᒷ ↸╎↸リ'ℸ ̣  ᓭᒷᒷᒲ ᓭ𝙹 ᔑᓵᓵ⚍∷ᔑℸ ̣ ᒷ. ⍑𝙹∴ ᓵᔑリ i ℸ ̣ ∷⚍ᓭℸ ̣  ╎ℸ ̣  ℸ ̣ ⍑╎ᓭ ℸ ̣ ╎ᒲᒷ?

“As much as the future is intriguing, the last attempt at showing me the future didn't seem so accurate. How can I trust it this time?”

Bozir stood still for a while, seemingly to process the question. Grian felt himself shift uncomfortably on his feet. They approached him again as he attempted to back away, only to find the wall behind him. A hand was lifted, and it slapped Grian down to the ground.

Bozir didn’t seem to be holding back as Grian’s ears rang. He was on his knees, attempting to recover, when they stepped down to Grian’s level. 

̇/ᒷꖎᑑ⚍ᔑ, ╎⎓ 𝙹リꖎ|| ||𝙹⚍ ᒷ⍊ᒷ∷ ꖎ╎ᓭℸ ̣ ᒷリᒷ↸. ℸ ̣ ⍑ᔑℸ ̣  ∴𝙹⚍ꖎ↸ ⍑ᔑ⍊ᒷ ʖᒷᒷリ ᒷ⍊𝙹'ᓭ ⎓⚍ℸ ̣ ⚍∷ᒷ ⍑ᔑ↸ ||𝙹⚍ ꖎ╎ᓭℸ ̣ ᒷリᒷ↸ ᔑリ↸ ꖎᒷᔑ∷リᒷ↸ ᔑᓭ ||𝙹⚍ ∴ᒷ∷ᒷ ᓭ⚍!¡!¡𝙹ᓭᒷ↸ ℸ ̣ 𝙹. ||𝙹⚍ ᓭ⍑𝙹⚍ꖎ↸ ꖌリ𝙹∴ ʖᒷℸ ̣ ℸ ̣ ᒷ∷ ℸ ̣ ⍑ᔑリ ℸ ̣ 𝙹 ᑑ⚍ᒷᓭℸ ̣ ╎𝙹リ ᒲ|| ᔑ⚍ℸ ̣ ⍑𝙹∷╎ℸ ̣ ||. 

“Xelqua, if only you ever listened. That would have been Evo's future had you listened and learned as you were supposed to. You should know better than to question my authority.”

Grian hated being talked down to like a child. He glared at Bozir, but not before the other grabbed him by the throat. He couldn’t breathe as the hand closed in, closing off his throat. 

He tried to pry the hands off of him, but he wasn’t strong enough against a true Watcher. No matter how much they tried, he would never fully become one of them. 

Bozir’s other hand approached Grian, and his vision went white once again. It was the exact same feeling as all those years ago. His eyes opened, and he saw Scar. He was still on Secret Life. The man had seemed like he had given up on escaping. He had never seen Scar look so defeated before.

The sunflowers surrounded the server, and when he took a closer look, they had begun to grow on Scar himself. How long had he been sitting there? Grian wanted to desperately to reach out and help him, but he knew this was only an illusion.

ℸ ̣ ⍑╎ᓭ ╎ᓭ ∴⍑ᔑℸ ̣  ∴╎ꖎꖎ ʖᒷᓵ𝙹ᒲᒷ 𝙹⎓ ᒷᔑ∷ℸ ̣ ⍑ ╎⎓ ||𝙹⚍ ᓵ𝙹リℸ ̣ ╎リ⚍ᒷ ℸ ̣ 𝙹 ↸ᒷꖎᔑ||.

“This is what will become of Earth if you continue to delay.”

Grian bit his cheek. He knew deep down that this was true. They would hold Scar in Secret Life for as long as necessary. The world began to change slowly to Hermitcraft. 

The Hermits were all gathering as they prepared their journey for season ten. Not only was Scar there, but Grian was as well. His eyes widened.

╎ᓭ ℸ ̣ ⍑ᔑℸ ̣  ᒲᒷ? ╎ ᓵ𝙹⚍ꖎ↸ ⊣𝙹 ʖᔑᓵꖌ?

“Is that me? I could go back?”

Bozir smiled, which left Grian on guard. They seemed to try to be comforting. 

̇/ᒷꖎᑑ⚍ᔑ, ╎ ꖌリ𝙹∴ ||𝙹⚍ ∴ᔑリℸ ̣  ℸ ̣ ⍑╎ᓭ. ᔑꖎꖎ ||𝙹⚍ リᒷᒷ↸ ℸ ̣ 𝙹 ↸𝙹 ╎ᓭ ╎ᒲ!¡∷ᒷᓭᓭ ⚍ᓭ. ∴ᒷ ᔑ∷ᒷ ∴╎ꖎꖎ╎リ⊣ ℸ ̣ 𝙹 ⊣╎⍊ᒷ ᔑ ᓭᒲᔑꖎꖎ ᔑᒲ𝙹⚍リℸ ̣  𝙹⎓ ⎓∷ᒷᒷ↸𝙹ᒲ ╎⎓ ||𝙹⚍ ᓵᔑリ !¡⚍ꖎꖎ ℸ ̣ ⍑╎ᓭ 𝙹⎓⎓. ╎⎓ ||𝙹⚍ ↸╎ᓭᓵ𝙹⍊ᒷ∷ ⍑𝙹∴  ̇/╎ᓭ⚍ᒲᔑ ᓵ𝙹↸ᒷᓭ ⍑╎ᓭ ⎓╎∷ᒷ∴ᔑꖎꖎ !¡ᒷ∷⍑ᔑ!¡ᓭ ∴ᒷ ᓵ𝙹⚍ꖎ↸ ꖎᒷℸ ̣  ||𝙹⚍ 𝙹⎓⎓ ℸ ̣ ⍑ᒷ ⍑𝙹𝙹ꖌ ᒷリℸ ̣ ╎∷ᒷꖎ||. 

“Xelqua, I know you want this. All you need to do is impress us. We are willing to give a small amount of freedom if you can pull this off. If you discover how Xisuma codes his firewall, perhaps we could let you off the hook entirely.” 

Grian’s eyes widened. He looked at Bozir with unbelieving eyes. There was no way they were serious. His eyes gained a small shimmer of hope as his lips quivered. 

||𝙹⚍ ᒲᒷᔑリ... ╎ ᓵ𝙹⚍ꖎ↸ ʖᒷ ᔑ !¡ꖎᔑ||ᒷ∷ ᔑ⊣ᔑ╎リ?

“You mean... I could be a player again?”

||ᒷᓭ. ∴𝙹⚍ꖎ↸リ'ℸ ̣  ||𝙹⚍ ꖎ╎ꖌᒷ ℸ ̣ 𝙹 ⋮𝙹╎リ ℸ ̣ ⍑ᒷᒲ ⎓⚍ꖎꖎ|| ᔑ⊣ᔑ╎リ? ╎ ꖌリ𝙹∴ ᒲᔑ∷ᓭ, ᒲ𝙹𝙹リ, ᔑリ↸ ᓵᔑリᔑ∷|| ∴𝙹⚍ꖎ↸ ꖎ𝙹⍊ᒷ ⎓𝙹∷ ||𝙹⚍ ℸ ̣ 𝙹 ⋮𝙹╎リ ℸ ̣ ⍑ᒷᒲ. ||𝙹⚍ ᔑ∷ᒷ ℸ ̣ ⍑ᒷ ᓭ⚍リ ℸ ̣ 𝙹 ᓭ⍑╎リᒷ ⚍!¡𝙹リ 𝙹ℸ ̣ ⍑ᒷ∷ᓭ. ᒲᔑ||ʖᒷ ℸ ̣ ⍑ᒷ ᓭ⚍リ ᓭ⍑𝙹⚍ꖎ↸ ∷ᒷℸ ̣ ⚍∷リ ℸ ̣ 𝙹 ℸ ̣ ⍑ᒷ ᒷᔑ∷ℸ ̣ ⍑.

“Yes. Wouldn't you like to join them fully again? I know Mars, Moon, and Canary would love for you to join them. You are the sun to shine upon others. Maybe the sun should return to the Earth.”

Grian couldn’t believe what he was hearing. It felt like this was all a dream. If he did what they were telling him to do, not only Scar but he could be free as well. That sounded too good to be true. Even among the Watchers, many promises, this was by far the one Grian believed the least.

Despite that, hope was at the forefront of their mind. Fuck, he knew he was being stupid but, some part of him really wanted to believe them. 

⎓╎リᒷ. ╎'ꖎꖎ ↸𝙹 ╎ℸ ̣.

“Fine. I'll do it.” 

Grian’s vision returned to normal. He was standing in his room at the citadel. He hated this room, but he knew he had to go big or go home for the next game. He hadn’t even realized, but Bozir still had his iron grip around his throat. They released their grip, and Grian gasped for air. 

His body collapsed as he attempted to return the air to his lungs. He was coughing up a storm as he slowly regulated his breathing. Slowly, his gaze turned to Bozir, who was still standing over him. 

Grian began to rub at his throat, but this time he had a newfound look of determination. He began to stand, and he looked Bozir in the eyes. 

╎ ᓵᔑリ ᒷリᓭ⚍∷ᒷ ℸ ̣ ⍑ᒷ リᒷ ̇/ℸ ̣  ⊣ᔑᒲᒷ ∴╎ꖎꖎ ʖᒷ ℸ ̣ ⍑ᒷ ᒲ𝙹ᓭℸ ̣  ᒷꖎᔑʖ𝙹∷ᔑℸ ̣ ᒷ 𝙹リᒷ ╎ ᓵᔑリ ᒲᔑꖌᒷ ╎ℸ ̣. 

“I can ensure the next game will be the most elaborate one I can make it.”

╎ℸ ̣  

“It”

∴╎ꖎꖎ

“Will”

ʖᒷ

“Be”

∴╎ꖎ↸

“ Wild ”

With that declaration, Grian turned to his table and began to write in his book. He began to write any idea that came time mind, which would be pure chaos. Every day, except for the first day, he would ensure death. 

In order to survive, one must thrive on chaos. The more he thought about this game, the more he realized this would be the most difficult of them all. 

Chapter Text

Scar was forced into bed rest after the incident with Bozir and Xanith. They have been watching over him 24/7, not only to ensure he recovers but also to prevent him from escaping. 

He felt like he was on house arrest, but he was already in a prison. He had lost more privileges due to his actions, just like any other facility. 

The cat was gone. He hadn’t seen it at all since he returned. Xanith most likely removed it from the server, leaving him with the animals that were already there. 

Scar sighed in frustration. He wanted to walk around at least, but every time he attempted to move, Xanith forced him back into his bed. He felt like a child being told no, but he had to stretch his legs 

“Y’know, the more I stay in this bed, the stiffer my leg will be. If you really wanted me to heal well, then please let me go walk for even five minutes.” 

Xanith looked up at him through their mask and gave a small smile. They turned back to their admin panel and continued whatever work they were doing. Scar sighed, knowing he wouldn’t be allowed to walk today. 

“All the better to make sure you don’t go running off.” 

At those words, Scar’s blood ran cold. They were keeping him down on purpose. In that moment, he realized he had to find a way to get up even if it killed him. The only problem was that Xanith never left. The only time either watcher left him alone was when they needed to talk about him. They would speak outside and in that unknown language.

Despite knowing how it would go, Scar decided he would try to stand again, although this time he would fight back against the hand that pushed him down. 

He began to rise, and he felt Xanith’s gaze return to him. With his cane in reach, he grabbed it. He moved his legs as fast as he could over the bed so he could feel the ground on his feet. 

Scar gave Xanith a daring glare as if to say Try it. I dare you. Xanith sighed and typed something on their admin panel before standing. Scar mirrored the action and stood leaning more on his cane than he would care to admit. 

He moved to brush past them, but felt a hand on his chest. 

“I am going for a walk. You can’t stop me.” Scar sneered. His eyes narrowed as he looked over the Watcher standing next to him. 

“You never learn, do you? You and Xelqua both have that in common.” The hand on his chest tightened around his shirt. The grip was aggressive as if to warn Scar before he did something stupid. 

As they said, he never learned. He pressed on without care for what would happen. The worst thing that could happen was that he got injured again. He was so used to having new scratches or bruises that he didn’t care anymore.

Did he even care if he were to die ?

When he stepped forward, the hand slipped off of him. He was surprised at the action but gained more confidence to press on. 

“If you walk out that door, I can promise you that you will experience more pain than you ever have before. The desert ring will seem like child's play.” 

Scar’s hand was on the door, and he froze. The words sank into his mind, and he felt a twinge of doubt, but he still knew what he needed to do. He couldn’t back down. 

He turned the doorknob and stepped outside. He felt the air brush against his skin. For the first time, the outside in Secret Life felt relaxing. The smell of sunflowers, for once, wasn’t suffocating. 

It felt like he stepped out on Hermitcraft, if only for a moment. He continued to walk for a few steps when his head felt fuzzy. The ground began to move, and Scar couldn’t tell if he was hallucinating. 

The ground below him split as he felt himself rise in the air. Xanith walked out with their admin panel still open. Scar felt like a shulker had hit him and was experiencing the floating aftereffects. 

The ground around him began to fly as he saw the world collapse before him. The fuzziness in Scar’s head hadn’t gone away. Xanith began to fly up towards him. For the first time, they exposed their wings. They seemed to be a pale purple, just like Grian’s when he floated in the void. 

“Don’t you see Earth? I hold all the cards here. The world could be destroyed with a simple command. I’ve gone easy on you thus far. Bozir was meant to give you the harsh punishments, but you have forced my hand.” 

The fuzziness still wasn’t clearing in Scar’s head. He processed the words but barely. 

“I could change your code, perhaps. Maybe then you’ll learn. I could turn you into a full blooded vex, or perhaps I could make you never walk again.” 

Those words made his breath hitch. Could they really do that to him? He didn’t wish to find out, but perhaps this action pushed them over the edge. Scar felt his vision blur, and the world was swirling. 

The heat around him seemed to increase. He felt as if he were back in the desert. Opening his eyes again, Grian stood before him in the cactus ring. Scar knew better than anyone else that he was about to die. He prepared himself for the inevitable when that same scratching voice appeared in his mind. 

“What if you actually fought back? Dear Xelqua probably wouldn’t stand a chance.” 

Scar felt himself lose control of his body, and suddenly, he realized he was being puppeted. He did everything he could to take back control. He felt every punch land on his lover’s face. The blood that dripped from his knuckles, the bones crushing beneath him, the feathers falling everywhere as Grian desperately tried to land an attack. 

This was the last thing Scar wanted. Was this what Grian felt like in the cactus ring? No wonder he isolated himself for months. Every sound, every feeling, made him want to throw up in disgust. Soon enough, the avian stilled. 

Scar gained control over his body again, and he cradled Grian like he would a precious gemstone. The tears began to roll before he could even stop them. The world was going dark again. 

Grian’s body began to slowly disappear as the darkness surrounded them. Scar desperately tried to bring him back. He couldn’t keep losing him again and again and again…

The void surrounded Scar, and he saw Grian floating in the void. Despite the Watcher cloaks and mask that he wore, He could still recognize him. Grian turned to him, and Scar felt another glimmer of hope. Maybe this time he could speak with Grian. 

He tried to open his mouth, but nothing came out. Grian stood in the void, and then Scar saw his wings expand. Grian expanding his wings was always a sight the Scar had treasured. When he did this, they felt like the most beautiful wings in the world. 

That moment of tranquility relaxed him, but only for a moment. On Grian’s wings, hundreds of eyes appeared. They all stared into Scar, and he felt himself getting picked apart down to the smallest line of code. 

“You mean nothing to me. I was only ever meant to watch .”

Scar thought he understood the Watchers, but he soon realized that this was far beyond him. Watch what? Why would they have Grian be one of them but still playing? 

He reached out towards the avian in some sort of attempt to take him back home. Bring him back to the world of players and not whatever world the Watchers kept him in. Bring him home. 

The eyes were unnerving as they scanned every feature of Scar. He felt as if he were under a microscope and they were looking at every part of him down to the cellular level. 

Scar assumed he would be thrown into the next scenario, but the eyes just kept staring at him. Every eye was tracing every part of the man. It felt cold and uncaring. Someone who was just watching with no intention of intervening. 

When Scar was eventually brought to the next place, he still felt the eyes surrounding him. Everything looked like eyes staring into his soul. Secret Life reformed around him, but the world was more distorted upon his return. He floated in the air, only seeing eyes staring down at him from the sky.

Every movement he made, every breath he took, he was being watched. Scar had never felt this before. He felt like he was going insane from paranoia. There was no way there were eyes on him constantly. 

Slowly, the world returned to normal. The ground was no longer glitching, and gravity was returning to him. Xanith stood strong on the ground with a smile on their face. 

Scar didn’t think the punishment was as bad as it could have been, but this feeling of being watched made it impossible for him to stay comfortable.

“I have blessed you with an ability most players never get to experience. You should feel honored.” 

Scar gave them a look of confusion. Why would he be honored? If anything, he felt uneasy. “What blessing could you have possibly given me?” Scar sneered at Xanith as the words left his mouth. 

Xanith’s smile grew deeper. “I only provided you with the ability to see us at all times. We have always been watching. You can now see us at all times.” 

Scar felt his breath hitch. He looked towards the sky and saw eyes littering the sky. It wasn’t in his head. He truly was being watched like an animal at the zoo. Every movement monitored, every breath seen. 

“Most go insane within a month. If you surpass our expectations… perhaps we could arrange something greater for you.”

Scar didn’t want to know what ‘ greater’ meant. As the words sank themselves into Scar’s skin, he realized that every escape attempt he had made, they knew about before he even attempted. They saw the notes and plans. Could they search his mind? He didn’t even know at this point. 

“Now go back inside Earth. You must continue your bed rest.” Xanith approached Scar and walked past him. He didn’t turn to enter Trader Scar’s, however. He attempted to continue forward despite the creeping feeling of being watched crawling up his spine. 

Scar got about 5 steps away before he felt a weight appear on his shoulders. He looked down to see what could have appeared. What met him wasn’t hands but the same purple restraint he had dreamed of so many nights. The Watcher symbol was etched into the front of it, and it glowed a purple hue. 

It took him a moment to process that he was in reality and not in a dream. All of that came crashing down when he felt a sharp tug on his throat. The force sent him falling backwards and to the ground. His lungs gasped for air as he coughed violently. 

“Don’t force me to treat you like a dog. Just come inside.” 

Scar felt the smallest tug on his neck again as if to guide him into the building. He stood shakily on his feet. If looks could kill, Xanith would be in hell after the glare he gave them. 

He turned around and continued his walk. Scar knew this was a futile effort, but he felt he had to. There was a need to prove he had some autonomy in this hellhole. It only took half a step before he felt the collar tighten around his throat. He was stopped in place as he attempted to move forward. 

The violent tug on his neck sent him flying back to the door of Trader Scar’s. He couldn’t breathe, the wind being knocked out of him. He crawled to his knees, trying to gasp for any kind of air in his lungs. No air could find its way into his lungs, no matter how hard he tried. 

He stayed on the ground collecting himself as the feeling of air very slowly returned to his lungs. He couldn’t breathe for about 30 seconds, which felt like an eternity. 

A hand came down and grabbed the collar of his shirt. He was dragged back into Trader Scar’s and thrown onto the bed. He could barely breathe, but he knew he had to stay down this time. Even if he wished to leave, Trader Scar’s seemed to be the one place where the eyes didn’t reach him. He felt calm knowing the only pair of eyes were Xanith’s. 

As if their presence was a comfort. It was a small mercy that Scar would gladly accept at this point. His body was tired and strained. Darkness seemed to consume him as he passed out, still with the chain around his neck. 

—

It had been another few months since Scar was “blessed” with the ability to feel and see the Watchers' gaze on him. If Scar was being honest with himself, the paranoia was getting to him more than anything else. 

Before, he felt isolated and felt nothing around him, and now he felt as if he were prey being stalked and watched until the perfect moment came to strike down. Scar tried to stargaze as he had grown accustomed to, but all that met him were thousands of eyes staring down at him. 

Every corner he turned to there were eyes on him. It felt terrifying to be under constant surveillance when he could feel their gaze on every line of code. Trader Scar’s was the only place on Secret Life where he didn’t feel their gaze. It became his safe haven.

No Watcher would meet his eyes there, and he could sit and feel at ease. A rational part of Scar knew that they were still watching, but they had hidden their presence when he entered the building. It gave him the false comfort of being alone.

He never thought he would ever crave loneliness, but after everything, feeling their gaze on him at all times, he wanted that alone space more than anything. If he ever could return to Hermitcraft, he would most likely not want to be with anyone for quite some time. It was a total switch from the emotions he had brewing in himself before. 

This was no blessing. It was a curse. 

Scar had no hope of escape. They were keeping him in Trader Scar’s like it was an enclosure he made for himself unknowingly. He was becoming fed up with being cooped up in his own hell, but there were no solutions. 

 Scar had given up. There was no other way to describe it. He felt himself giving up after many months of both suffocating isolation and the feeling of never being alone and watched at the same time. 

Something snapped in Scar on this day. He didn’t want to be in Secret Life, but there was no way out. The only way out he could think of… he was actually considering it. 

The thought of flying through the air, feeling the wind beating against his face, as he made one final descent into darkness. He wanted to see his friends again so desperately that it was eating away at every part of him. 

It has been roughly a little over a year and a half, by Scar’s calculations, that he has been isolated. He had Jellie for a month, which was the only company he had enjoyed since his imprisonment. 

Everything felt hollow. There was no reason for Scar to continue clinging to his red and final life. What would happen? There was the smallest chance that he would end up back on Hermitcraft. Was that risk worth it? 

There was also a much larger chance he would return to the void or whatever the afterlife was. 

Scar mulled it over in his mind for days. He wasn’t eating properly, not moving his body enough, and certainly doing no form of self-care in this state. 

In the end… he felt every road led to the same fate. He didn’t care about the world anymore; he just wanted to escape. 

It was the only way. 

Scar got himself up and began to walk outside. He felt his body go on autopilot as he went to where Gem, Scott, and Impulse lived. 

The diving board was on the edge of the cliff. He looked down at the water, but also at the ground right next to it. The ground looked so far yet so close. 

Scar felt eyes staring at him from the sky, a presence appearing at his side.

“Earth… What do you think you are doing?” 

Scar didn’t even look back. He didn’t feel it justified a response. 

Xanith pressed on. “Killing yourself won't change anything. Come back, and maybe we could talk about some more comforts for you. Perhaps we could get you a new cat?” 

Scar knew the words were sweet, but they would never come to pass. The world around him could only focus on the ground before him. Before he realized he had moved, the air began to envelop him from every angle. His hair was flowing in the wind. 

Scar felt calm. It would be over. He would finally be free. The ground approached fast, and he made contact. Every bone in his body broke. It took only a second when death claimed their last victim on Secret Life. 

Scar felt a bed beneath him. Was he on Hermitcraft? Excited at the thought, he opened his eyes expecting Scarland. What he was met with was the inside of Trader Scar’s. 

Dread pooled in his stomach. He felt sick. How could he still be here? Was he still alive? Scar checked his communicator, and his name was still red, and all of his hearts had returned to him. 

Xanith appeared in the room only moments after Scar’s attempt. He looked up at them with confusion. “Why… am I still alive?” 

Xanith gave a smug look at the man beneath them as they said. “This is no longer a hardcore server. As I said, everything is accounted for. All this just for you, Earth.” 

He wasn’t even surprised anymore. Scar just looked down at his hands. They were shaking after the impact, the lingering feeling of them shattering still present. 

“You now have exhausted every attempt. You will be left here until further notice.”

Scar didn’t even react. He felt lost. He can’t even take control of himself even in death. 

Xanith left the room and disappeared. This would be the last time Scar would see a Watcher for a very long time.