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Wifies was not a stranger to difficulty. Fractured memories told him of countless challenges, puzzles and prisons and secrets unlocked through blood and sweat, countless notes written down, scribbled out, chests filled with books of abandoned ideas. Throughout these, he’d been alone- or at least, that's what the memories told him. Who knew if it was true- but if Wifies went down the rabbit hole of wondering whether the images spinning in the back of his head, that cut his mind like knives when he reached for them, he’d never come back.
Wifies’ armor was soaked from the rain outside, the heavy metal inexplicably warm against his flesh, which felt cold, cold, cold. Perhaps it was merely the rain that had poured through every gap in the netherite, soaking into his skin and clothes as soon as it had started. Or perhaps it was because Wifies’ flesh and blood and mind were not his own, that he was a clone, a robot created for a reason that danced out of his mind whenever he tried to think of it.
Clownpierce’s voice echoed throughout the room, as cold as the rain and deadly as the sword that hung from his belt, glistening with the magic that rippled across all their armor and weapons. Wifies knew what it felt like to have that sword slice and tear at him- he’d felt it far more than he’d like, though anyone who’d been struck with netherite would say the same.
“My cards are on the table, but that still doesn’t change a thing. You’ve come this far.”
Clown’s voice was eerie, less cold than it usually was, but not because he was being friendly. Clown knew he was in charge of this situation. No matter what Parrot or Wifies did here, he would still win.
“You can walk out right now.”
For a moment, Wifies wanted to. He wanted to run far from Clown and his traps and tests, run with Parrot back to his farms, or what was left of them. Forget Ken, and everyone else- but mostly Ken, who’d saved his life, if Wifies was really alive. Ken, who’d brought him into the world, who’d been the first person to believe he was real- even though Wifies knew he wasn’t.
But that wasn’t something he could do, and if Parrot decided to run from this, he wouldn’t be Parrot. Even though Wifies knew in his gut that the final item they had to give was Parrot’s prized spyglass- the thing that let him look ahead, check for traps and players, which gave him a sense of security because with it Parrot could check things, could be sure of his surroundings. Wifies knew how much it mattered to Parrot. He also knew Parrot would have to make a choice; to give up his spyglass to save their friends, or run again.
“I’ll stay right here. I won’t chase you, I won’t do anything.”
Even if Clown was telling the truth, they couldn’t run. Wifies was over running; he had Parrot, he had to rescue Ken, and even a deadly Clown who could kill them both right now wasn’t going to stop him.
“It's up to you. You put the last item in here, and I’ll take you to your friends.”
Do it Parrot,
Wifies thought, he hoped.
Do it for Ken, for Rek, for everyone that's missing. Do it for me,
Wifies allowed himself that selfish thought for a moment, just a moment. He let himself think that he was important enough to Parrot to be a factor in his decision. Wifies almost chuckled at this idea that the shell of something dead would matter to anyone.
“You can finally know where they are.”
Wifies looked at Parrot. He was staring at Clown, completely still. Wifies knew if he tracked Parrot’s gaze to Clown’s mask, Parrot would be looking slightly below the black markings that stood out where Clown’s eyes would be. Wifies knew Parrot didn’t want to answer, and wished he could do it for his friend. Wifies remembered the biting cold of the void that he’d stepped into for Parrot so clearly- it hadn’t been cold like the depths of winter are cold, but cold like the lack of flesh where a knife had carved it out was cold. Pure emptiness, much like the void of the end, but without air and dust drifting into it from the strange rocks that filled the void dimension.
Wifies shook his head, as if that would clear the blackness that lurked in the dark corners of his mind, and watched Parrot. After a moment, Parrot turned to him, his black eyes almost meeting Wifies. Wifies knew Parrot was asking him whether it was worth it, whether to take the leap further into Clown’s grasp.
“I mean- I’ve been through this one too many times to know where this is going.”
Wifies looked into Parrot’s eyes, trying to tell Parrot he would follow him to the end of the earth and beyond. The thunder outside seemed to pause for them in this moment, letting the two of them have this last peaceful second before they jumped.
“I know you have.”
Parrot said quietly, almost meeting Wifies’ eyes. It wasn’t a statement, but a question. Parrot was asking Wifies whether they should jump.
“I don’t disagree.”
Wifies held very still, waiting for Parrot’s response.
“This time Wifies,”
Parrot met his eyes, his face as unreadable as always.
“This time we’ll be together.”
Wifies allowed himself a little smile at his friend.
“That's exactly what I was thinking.”
Parrot turned towards Clown again with a slight sigh. His hand went to his belt, fingering his spyglass.
“All you.”
Wifies wasn’t sure whether he meant the words. He knew that if Parrot gave the slightest inclination that he wasn’t ready then Wifies would take his hand, lead him away from Clown and they’d go back to the farm. But Parrot wouldn’t do that. They both knew the next moments were inevitable.
And so Parrot walked towards the pedestal Clown stood behind, his hand on his spyglass. He pulled it off of his belt, fingering the shining copper and leather, gazing into the glass lens for a long moment.
And then he reached out and the spyglass was set in the frame waiting for it. A click let them know it was fixed there, and the floor rumbled as the final beacon activated. Wifies felt the energy of it wash over him, flooding his blood with nether-born warmth. It might be comforting to some, but to Wifies beacons had always felt like swimming in lava. Even with fire resistance coursing through his veins, the molten rock still splashed at him, threatening to drag him under and burn him to dust and then to nothing.
Clown chuckled lightly for a moment.
“All right, well. I’m honestly excited for you to see this place. This is the best thing I’ve ever made.”
Wifies didn’t listen as Clown went on about how they would be trapped forever, that no matter what they would never escape, never get the spyglass back. He watched Parrot. Parrot, who hadn’t taken his eyes off his spyglass, within arms reach yet so far away.
Wifies didn’t know what would come next. All he knew was he and Parrot would face it together.
And that was all they needed.