Chapter Text

Prologue

What a beauty was the once powerful king of the server. Although as expected: a monarch shall fall. And so did his downfall start. He was losing his rule, the people had started to lose their trust. The economy started to fail, and then grew the king's fear. For one day: they could revolt.

He then summoned his closest followers; his court. For surely, they could guard him against the horrors that could arise if his people rebelled.

To the magnificent “Crastle”, they called it; he summoned his court. Individually they were to arrive and discuss, with his loyal advisor nearby.

First was the loyal guard, the one who would save him from tragedy; as he claimed. The king had plans for what he was to do: slay those who had defied the vault and bring their freshly decapitated heads. Albeit: the deed would not end in his favor. Little did he know, his “loyal” guard had no good intentions.

Chapter 1

Inside the “Crastle”, Ren and Bdubs spoke about the court. They were then interrupted by Scar’s sudden entrance into the room. They welcomed him, and they discussed what matters had to be done. As they discussed more, Ren grew into a rage, recalling the event of the vault’s break-in.

“I want you to bring me the head of every heathen! That was at that party defiling the vault!”, he roared, echoing around the room.

Scar considered what he should do: he then responded.

“Yes, my Lord.”, his eyes shot up to look behind where Ren sat. He stood, “Seems like you’ll be receiving your first set of heads, Ren.” The Soup Group was spotted; spying on their whole discussion. Ren leaped to his feet and ran to the bell, its ear-bleeding rings spread throughout the room.

The Soup Group started to escape, scattering around like rats, hoping for a chance at survival. Their escape attempts were to no effect, as Scar was not far behind.

They flew out of the windows: Scar chased them. Death was not escapable; they would receive their karma. When they thought they had escaped; arrows flew. Doomed to death, such a gruesome one as well.

Blood was splattered on the luscious green grass. It was no longer an area of beauty; it was now an unpleasant sight to see. A reminder of what would happen; when you provoked those with such power.

Scar went to place the bloody heads on each of their posts; lined up with the names of all those who were at the party. Once he placed each head, the blood stained the post it was on. This was an exciting and fun experience; soon he would have the head of every Hermit who was at that party.

They would receive their karma: although Scar’s intentions differed from what Ren had in mind. He wasn’t doing this to bring justice, there was a greater motivation: he never joined the court for peace.

The collection of heads required was quite a handful. An accomplice would help; but who would help in the gruesome act he would have to do? There was someone he had in mind. They would enjoy the chaos of this task; his sidekick: that label didn't feel right; his right-hand man?

That would work, they would be equals; a duo that would never split.

At that idea, he started the short flight to the one he had his eyes set on. A duo is always better than being alone. Especially for this task. Although, the thought came; he would have to betray him. He was on his list of heads to collect; he couldn’t avoid that fate.

For now, that would be ignored; he could come last.

Once he arrived, he searched. There were many areas where he could be; he could even be elsewhere on the server. But that thought was quickly dismissed, as he heard the sound of an elytra fly above him.

“Hey, Grian! Down here!”, at the sound of Scar yelling, Grian started to descend. Colliding into Scar on the way down. He then landed next to Scar; who fell back from the impact.

“Oh hey Scar, how was the fall? How did the ground taste?”, Grian said with a grin.

“Not great; I fell on my back and now it hurts!”, Scar said, sitting himself up. “Oh! Grian! I just remembered. I came here to ask you a question. Do you want to murder Hermits with me and bring their heads to Ren?”, Grian stared in silence. “Is that a yes, or a no..?”

“Uh, I guess we could?... Actually! Yeah! Let’s have fun with this too!”, Grian said, reaching for his sword. “Who do you want to kill first?”

“I actually have a list! It’s all of the people that went to the party in Ren’s vault.”

“I-I went to that party..”

“Oh! Don’t worry! You’ll be fine! I won’t take your head!”, Scar said in a reassuring voice “For now at least..”, he muttered.

“What was that?”

“Nothing! Let’s go kill Cleo first! I saw her over in Scarland.”, Scar said, flying off. He looked back from the sky, Grian stood there not moving. Although he quickly flew to catch up with Scar.

They continued to kill more Hermits, their clothes quickly soaking with blood. They had collected quite a bit of heads in their killing session: but not enough; there were still empty posts.

Stepping back, they both looked at their collection of blood-soaked heads. Their owners fine now, although; what would they do if they weren't? What if they didn’t turn out fine; never respawned?

Grian stared in a slight bit of disgust, their friend’s life-less heads placed upon posts; shown off as if they were trophies. Was this what they could call fun? It may not have caused much distress, but it was still twisted and disgusting.

He looked over at Scar; smiling. Proud of what he had accomplished. He didn’t know how to feel; was he supporting such a gruesome disgusting plan? Was it as bad as he thought it was? It was no matter; he couldn’t change what he already pushed into action. This was the first domino; they couldn’t stop the chain now.

“Look at all the heads we’ve collected! Wasn’t that fun, Grian!”, Scar said admiring their work, “..Grian?”

“Oh..! Yeah… It was”, his voice trailed off.

“It doesn't sound like you had fun.”, Scar said, turning to Grian. “I have an idea! What if we got you a hero name! Like I’m Hotguy, and you can be... hmm-”

“I could be Cuteguy? Because you know; I’m cute?”

“That sounds like a great name! Cuteguy , it suits you! We’ll have to get you a costume now, and a weapon too!”

As time passed, Grian grew more concerned about Scar. His questionable actions; the enjoyment he got out of it. What could he do now? Did he have to intervene and stop it from escalating further? With the number of lives, he took; it was time to take action.

He would act on this by killing Scar; maybe it could snap him out of his blindness.

It didn’t end as planned. 

He lost to Scar: worse; his expression changed. His kind and caring face faded into a hostile, unwelcoming look. This couldn’t get any worse; he knew Scar could be capable of many things. It wasn’t worth the growing risk.

For now, he would be cautious: only defensive when provoked. Every moment spent with him now would be filled with fear and anxiety; he could be tipped off at any moment; then the worst could happen.

Grian was in the cave with Grumbot, preparing to ask questions. Suddenly the sound of an elytra flies by him. It was Scar.

“Hey, Grian. What are you doing with Grumbot?”, Scar asked.

“I was just about to ask him some questions.”

“That sounds cool, can I try?”

“Sure! Just take a paper and write a question on it. Then walk over and put it in this chest.”, Grian said, handing Scar a paper.

Scar took the paper and started writing his question: then dropped it in the chest. Grumbot then processed the paper: then spitting out another one with an answer written on it. Scar picked it up: he turned to Grian.

“What’s wrong?”

“Grian, what does Grumbot mean by, “You were the best for 5 minutes” Grian! Was I a good mayor in the other universe?”, Scar grabbed onto his shoulder and shoved the paper into Grian’s hands. He took the paper and looked at it: then looked back at Scar.

“Uh, I don’t know what this means, Scar! All I know is that you were mayor, then you weren’t. Mumbo took your place, and something happened to me that caused Grumbot to reply with, “My Grian was sorry too” I don’t know what happened in this Grumbot’s universe! But apparently, it was bad!”

Scar gripped his shoulder tighter; Grian pulled out of his hold. They stared at each other: Grian stepped back defensively.

“I’m just- I’m gonna go… build the rest of my base! Uh, bye Scar!”, Grian flew off immediately. Scar stood there: watching the paper fall slowly as Grian dropped it.

Scar was left with Grumbot: silent, except for the wind: and the sounds of beeping. It seemed as if Grumbot was staring directly at Scar.

There would be something lost that day. Something new replacing it.

They would avoid each other afterward: although they would have to speak eventually. When that time arrived, they were no longer on an equal level with each other. One was out for power: and the other feared for the worst.

There was no longer a balance: one was weighted more than the other. It would not end well.

Scar’s new comments struck as threatening to everyone around him. He was no longer the same heartwarming, cheerful person: but it was not their highest of concerns. As they had Ren; the twisted monarch above them. This was seen as a much higher concern to them than Scar’s sudden turn of face. This would prove to be fatal later on.

It seemed his short conversation with Grumbot arrived with its issues. Although the only other person that knew of this discussion was, Grian. So seeing his sudden change brought him concern and suspicion. Was it connected to what was happening?

As said already: it was not the most of their concerns. So it was not brought up and spoken about. They could have done something, but they didn't.

With all that was happening; it was unpredictable what would happen next. The world had fallen into its own chaos; although a new counterforce was arising.

An old friend was entering the world. From a familiar time; although not the one we know of and enjoy. Brought through by its old creation; its meaning for existing.

A familiar: but new face arrives on the server.