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1. Eggchan
Getting attacked, for a civilization that hasn’t even started yet, and for some shady Prince he doesn’t even know of, honestly blows – in his humble opinion. No wonder Wemmbu was so out of it as soon as these guys retreated. Once the dust had settled, Egg had hurriedly sprinted towards him, Wemmbu was swimming rapidly to the beach shores and climbing out of the body of water he fought in.
There were some bruises and cuts he had but it's not too life threatening. Nothing like a few golden apples and some healing pots can fix. Egg only had some slight tears and cuts from his suit. Perks of not being treated too seriously he supposes, and how most of them only focused on Wemmbu during the fights.
He was mostly concerned when Wemmbu stood out of the water. His whole body was beginning to sway, eyes rapidly blinking, posture slightly hunched back, like he was going to pass out from stress. Until eventually, his legs teetered, collapsing without warning.
Alarmed, Egg put a hand on Wemmbu’s shoulder before he had a chance to fall face first towards the ground.
“Yo, you good man? You looked like you were about to fall over there.” Egg asked. He checked closer to see any possible head wounds. He can see Wemmbu kept staring at the grass ground far too intensely.
His head snapped to Egg, eyes scanning rapidly over his torn suit. Confusion evident in the scrunch of his face.
“Where-” Wemmbu said before his mouth shut abruptly. He looked behind and spotted their base up the hill.
Perhaps it was out of pity but their attackers thankfully didn’t grief it too much. The only damage done is their attempts to their entrance on their home. Granted, it still looks like they’re poor and homeless but hey, small mercies.
“Oh yeah, yeah …” Wemmbu said. He got quiet after that, contemplative. Then in a daze opted to look at him again. “Look, I'm fine, Egg. Really. Let’s just head back home and forget this all happened.”
For how fast Wemmbu switched between emotions, Egg wanted to joke to lighten the mood. Put a little quip in there to defuse the situation, but defaulted to silence. He really wants to pry him any answers on why they got attacked, but it’s obvious how his friend is not doing good right now. They can discuss what happened when they’re heading back to their base, instead of somewhere in the open.
“Alright, I’ll take your word for it.”
While they were walking, Egg tried – key word, tried – to have some sort of small talk. Something mundane such as why they were attacked in the first place. Possible reasons or motives. Hell, he even jokingly suggested a possible connection to Prince Zam, considering he could supply them with enough gear for the attempted raid.
He expected an insistent defense from Wemmbu, as all the other times he expressed his suspicions of the benefactor slash ruler. Not one word was spoken. Just silence and straight concentration to their path home.
It was concerning to say the least, hopefully not some sort of bad omen.
In some sort of spite to his internal musing, he felt a certain shift happen real time.
Wemmbu tensed as he blocked Egg with his arm. Sword clenched, ready in his hand. Egg halted his steps and went behind Wemmbu’s back. Looking up to see the top of the hill their base resided on. The tip of a name-tag taunting them from up above.
Flamefrags were standing there. His head scanning around the area. At their base. If he was so brazenly standing there then that means they’re likely going to finish destroying their base and are hiding to ambush them.
They were so cooked. Oh my god.
Wary about Flame, Egg was ready to either defend from the back or preferably, flee to a safe distance to let Wemmbu do his thing. What he didn’t expect, exactly because it seemed too out of character for him, is Wemmbu getting out of his defensive posture, and putting his sword back in his inventory.
He, much to Egg’s added confusion, started fishing out of his pockets for his comms device instead. Skimming a message that he was unfortunately too slow to sneak a peak at before Wemmbu quickly shoved it back. Wemmbu then exhaled, almost like relief, as he began running towards the hill, to his previous enemy, and then tried to, no, tackled Flame to hug him.
Huh?
Okay, the delirium of blood loss (albeit only a small amount) must be getting to his vision. It’s not like the prospect of Wemmbu hugging someone is abnormal. Trust him, he’s been subjected to it many times before – rare but not unnatural considering how long they’ve known each other. To a total stranger who also tried to kill them however? Yeah no, he’s missing some crucial information here.
Once he managed to catch up to them they seemed to be talking. It’s hard to catch their words when they’re huddled up together, whispering to each other closely. Acting like they were gossiping school girls. And not that they weren’t trying to put a sword through each other’s guts a few hours ago.
At least it brought Wemmbu’s mood up, because he sprinted back to him with a pep in his steps instead of the vigilance from before, a grin evident on his face.
“Change of plans, we’re betraying Zam.” Wemmbu said, hands on Egg’s shoulder, leaning inches closer to him, tone giddy with delight. “Destroy a bunch of his stuff too. Well not destroy it per se, more as an insurance. Semantics and all that, don’t worry too much about it.”
If he had eyebrows he would be raising it higher and higher. Don’t get him wrong, he’s glad that Wemmbu seems to agree with him now that the ruler wasn’t trustworthy. Still, why the change of heart and sudden bloodlust coming from?
On top of him being incredibly chill with Flame right now, it’s all been so strange and baffling. Egg followed Wemmbu along (and Flame now apparently), as they tried to rummage through their chests to peruse all its contents. Gathering up all the gaps left remaining to heal from, along with all the other items given to them by PrinceZam.
“Not that I disagree with your plan, but are you going to explain the sudden friendship I wasn’t aware of or….?”
Wemmbu stopped in his tracks of finding materials for his new found desires of explosions. Face scrutinised, resting his hand on his chin as if debating to himself whether the mere thought of him opening his mouth is too incriminating for him to answer.
To his far left, Flame rolled his eyes.
“Bro just tell him!” Flame exclaimed, inspecting a piece of gunpowder and putting it in his inventory, “Like, I don’t know why you’re always delaying it, you’ll tell him eventually! There's no harm in saying it at the start. Also wow, I forgot how you used to be like, really poor at the beginning. Like this is really depressing bro.”
Wemmbu glared at him, especially the laugh Flame had after the end of his sentence. Egg swears he heard a snipped shut up before Wemmbu locked eyes intensely towards him.
“This is going to sound crazy but you just gotta trust me on this.” Wemmbu held a face filled with determination – yet he could tell there was a certain tiredness of what he was about to say. He nodded in understanding.
“Egg, we’re stuck in a timeloop. It sucks and bro, it’s been ages man and we don’t have any leads yet.”
Alright, not what he expected then.
When he heard these words, his singular eye widened, almost wanting to step back at that statement. He thought that Wemmbu was kidding. Nope, he can sense he was one-hundred percent serious. He doesn’t know how to tangibly deal with this. This isn’t what he imagined happening on a random night. If there was one thing he knows, Wemmbu’s not the type to lie or prank over something ridiculous like this. His antics would be more on the side involving a lot of TNT (like what he’s likely doing right now to the aforementioned PrinceZam). And he wouldn’t claim anything as unbelievable and unlikely as being stuck in a timeloop of all things.
That doesn't mean that this recent info isn’t a lot to digest.
“Damn,” Egg added, surprise clear in his voice. Thinking on what Wemmbu was saying, “That’s rough dude. I was thinking you got hit with retrograde amnesia or some other bullshit. My bad man.”
Wemmbu’s eyebrows furrowed. Egg saw Flame cock his head to the side, arm blocking his mouth, suppressing the threat of another laugh. As soon as Flame noticed he was watching him, he switched back to focusing on the chest. As if the contents of wood blocks were utterly fascinating to him.
“What? I don’t have a – What does that even mean, Egg?” Wemmbu asked incredulously.
Egg shrugged in response, “Sorry, just thought you hit your head or something. Considering I only knew him as the guy who tried to kill us a couple of hours ago.”
“In my defence, I was only ordered to attack you guys! There’s a difference!” Flame interjected, now hit with the ire of questioning. As if that was a good excuse considering his whole group is now the reason he has to stitch up his suit. At least they weren’t at risk of dying again. So he considers it a win. Somewhat.
When Flame and Wemmbu finished searching through chests, they proceeded to share their plans of wanting to make what was something called an orbital strike cannon. Egg, however, could tell that it’s not an agreed upon plan. Since Flame keeps giving Wemmbu a specific ‘look’, and Wemmbu keeps giving him another pointed ‘look’ except making the motion of him fishing for whatever reason.
No other word was uttered to their telepathic mind reading as they split up in the opposite direction (these guys got to give him a translator – how the hell is he supposed to help in their plan when this is the expected communication). The only thing he got from it is that they’re splitting up to get the necessary materials and farms for the cannon. Of course, Egg chose to follow Wemmbu. Towering up higher and higher to get the right height for the creeper farm. Placing the right block for the schematics that Wemmbu conveniently has.
Almost like he’s done this thousands of times. Well, that sentence has some truth to it now that he thinks about it.
His mind strayed back to Flame. He probably won’t betray them if the time loop story was true. Plus he’s also stuck in the same predicament with Wemmbu so double insurance in that front.
Their creeper farm was almost done. It’s one of the more simpler designs compared to the more complicated ones, as long as it gets the job done he doesn’t really care. All that’s left to do is get the gunpowder. Sweeping and killing across these monsters in a steep pocket. It’s quiet besides the sound of creepers hissing. He wonders if it's the right time to ask the burning questions he’s been curious to hear.
“I wanted to try to talk to him,” Wemmbu said offhandly, as if reading his mind. “Zam I mean. Flame at the start wanted to straight up slime him, to get it over with. Diplomacy was suggested occasionally, didn't work out – frustrating Zam was at that time – but hey at least we tried.”
Egg didn’t understand but nodded nonetheless as Wemmbu continued talking.
“I miss my mace bro, I’m thinking of making a new one since Zam probably won’t give it back at all. He’s going to put a bounty down our poor heads too.” Wemmbu lamented. “Speaking of which, we should go save Parrot from being hunted by Clown in a few days. God, I don’t want to do his stupid prisons again. Trying to fake it without being too suspicious is harder than it looks.”
Egg hummed again, thinking through his words. Only getting disturbed when he heard Wemmbu’s yawn across from him.
“I’m bored.” Wemmbu sighed, sword sweeping the mobs of creepers more freely. Egg was inclined to agree. However, he saw the way Wemmbu gazed at him for far too long a moment. Wemmbu got up closer to Egg with a care-free pose, a knowing glint to his eyes and an easy going smile, “I know what you want, Egg. Ask away any questions from one of the certified time looper experts.”
He paused, taken back. Trying to conjure up what words he wanted to say, “I guess if you don’t mind, I could ask how you got into this mess in the first place.”
Wemmbu eyes darkened. He stabbed the creeper with a little too much force.
“Oh my god, you’re never going to believe it, it was so dumb!” Wemmbu stressed, “A random chungie tried to jump me in prison with a stupid potion. There weren’t any effects so I tried to sleep it off. Come next day I woke up to me restocking items with Flame because Lettuce wanted us to fight a thousand players.”
Wemmbu stabbed another creeper more forcefully. “Have you ever had someone in your ear demanding you an escape plan you don’t even know of? It was torture bro.”
No he hasn’t. It does sound dumb and exhausting. If Wemmbu was in prison, then he’s also in prison too.
He doesn’t know Zam so maybe he’s the type to imprison his enemies for the fun of it. Or Clown like Wemmbu insinuated. Admittedly, the thought of accompanying Wemmbu and Flame to clash against that amount of people makes him want to hide in the End at the mere idea of doing it.
“Damn. The future lowkey sucks.”
“Bro I know right,” Wemmbu said. Egg nodded fervently as he deliberated over what he wanted to ask next.
“Okay then…how about me?” Egg said, a hint of giddiness to his question, “In the future. Am I cool? Did I gain a good amount of aura points in my time here?”
Wemmbu’s face was caught off guard and then responded back. “Well, I would say you did become a hostage a lot. More times than I can count. So negative aura right then and there.”
Egg deflated. Honestly, he should’ve probably expected that considering his less than stellar pvp skills.
“But…you did kill a diamond player, I remember it a lot in the loops before because you looked genuinely giddy as hell every time. And you documented a lot of lore as the Lore Keeper.” Wemmbu reminisced.
He checked if he had a good amount of gunpowder before he walked back to Flame, who was approaching their quaint farm.
“Diamond player?” Egg questioned, confusion evident in his voice. A mischievous smirk appears on Wemmbu’s face once he sees Flame getting closer to them.
“So basically, another dictator named Ashswag pops up –” Another? “– And they have these ranks which indicate how high you are, with diamond being the highest. Think of it as having the same pvp skills as little ole’ Flame right here.”
Wemmbu pointed to Flame accordingly, “Which translates to you totally soloing him in a one v one.”
His previous doom and gloom was swiftly replaced. “Really?” His eye lit up with pride and cheered, “W glaze!”
Flame’s chill posture was quickly swapped with one of indignance, pointing towards Wemmbu accusingly. “Bro I left you alone for one minute and you’re already slandering my name.”
Egg watches as Wemmbu cackled with delight, dodging the oncoming attacks of Flame yelling and chasing him intensely in circles with his sword.
“You know what? You can keep talking, you wouldn’t be saying this when we’re training with Mane for the hundredth time!” Flame said. For some reason, Egg felt a shiver up his spine at the mere mention of this Mane person’s name.
2. MinuteTech
“You’re making a huge mistake,” Minute shouted back. Dodging the sword headed to him.
In all honesty, while he was not exactly telling the truth to him on Wemmbu’s disappearance, Flame’s obsession and subsequent denial over his rival’s supposed death is teetering to an unhealthy degree.
“If you teamed up and set aside this stupid rivalry, you could both be so powerful.” Minute said.
It’s obvious he was stalling, but he wasn’t wrong either. If they teamed up he can imagine a world where they’re both regarded strongly to the average player. He sees Flame momentarily getting distracted by the Luke chungie and uses that to his advantage and rummages through his inventory.
He cursed, checking the dwindling resources and potions left. He might have to go further into the End dimension, and as much as it pains him to admit it, retreat until Flame calms down from clinging on to a dead corpse.
Being too busy trying not to die, he didn’t notice the potion particles creeping closer to Flame’s body. His jacket’s hoodie jerked around, as if some invisible force was pushing him to the side. Flame grunted, torso roughly collided with a nearby obsidian pillar.
“Sorry Minute, just give him a moment.” Minute stopped, hand hovering the golden apple he was about to chug. Double taking over the familiar voice near his ear.
“Wemmbu?” That was Flame’s voice full of hope. His hunched up body scrambling right back up away from the hard wall. Minute catched himself tripping over in surprise. Seeing disbelief in Flame’s shocked expression turned into cold determination.
“I knew it. Come on bro, show yourself and let’s have a rematch. No cheap tricks this time!” Flame shouted into the air.
Minute felt a phantom cold settle over his shoulder, Wemmbu’s voice whispering in his ear. “Sorry for this dude, it's just time travel stuff. He hasn’t rewinded yet. I’ll explain later.”
What? Time travel? Before Minute could utter any word Wemmbu he quickly suited up and went to the End’s exit portal. A shouting Flame running and following closely at the back of a floating armour set.
“Yo, you okay Minute?” He heard the sound of Egg’s voice behind him, laced with concern, no longer hiding inside the End walls. The Luke guy standing there in blissful curiosity hovering beside him.
Minute sighs, headache and dizziness from his open wounds clearly apparent now that adrenaline and an opponent isn’t distracting him. Threatening him to pass out on the spot, “Nah, it’s fine Egg. Today was…strange to say the least.”
He saw Egg’s head slowly turn back and forth to where he and Flame fought, then to the portal Flame followed Wemmbu like a moth to a flame. He shook his head in dismissal. “Did Wemmbu go with Flame? He said he’d tell you about the time loop problem he’s having.”
So it's not time travel like he said, but a time loop. Minute quietly mutters. Desperately, he feels the need to sit down in a chair to process what Egg just implied. It may just be his mind, but Egg’s outline was turning shaky to say the least.
“Minute? Woah, hey wait-”
-
When he opened his eyes, he was greeted with the hovering faces of Wemmbu and Egg. Worry was filled in Wemmbu’s eyes that disappeared in a blink when his grogginess went away.
“Yo Minute you okay?” Wemmbu said. He made a noise of approval. He sees a silent sigh of relief from his friend when he goes straight back to Egg. Requesting for him to get more health potions and gapples.
“Hey uh, sorry for barging into your stuff.” The sound of Flame’s voice alerted him to his presence. Stiff and awkward. He strained to stand up from the makeship bed he’s been sleeping on.
“Are you going to attack me again?” Minute said, slowly. To which Flame shook his head. He made another pleased sound at the gesture of peace he’s been given.
“That’s good to say the least.” Internally, however, he sighed in relief. At least no one here got hurt badly, to his knowledge at least.
By the side of Flame, he closely examined the wall filled with drawings and notes. Dot points of the events he encountered. He focuses on Wemmbu’s penmanship, bold and attention grabbing, detailing entries and oddities about Echo’s in the Farland. He remembers Wemmbu telling him the adventures he had during the Farland, but only the barebones reason why Egg got trapped in The End in the first place.
Underneath it was a drawing from Flame. Eerily reminiscent of a memory of a Diamond Player using diagrams to get the point across better to the lower ranks. In what he can only discern as an open grass biome, and a crude figure of Flame stabbing a red, caracal hybrid straight to his face. Geez what did that supposed, poor projection do to get him to draw that?
“So, a timeloop huh..I see you took my advice quite well.” He conspiratorily said. Gesturing to the board he was observing.
He sees Flame bristle at his tone.
“What? No way dude,” Flaim exclaimed. To which he heard Wemmbu protest in rebuttal.
“Nah, Flame’s in denial. We’ve experienced everything together.” Wemmbu claimed happily and dodged another swipe from Flame.
There was no real heat to their words and actions. Contrary to the expression Flame had before when he was fighting him, tense and desperate, this time it was more easy going and light. Talking like they’re having fun adventures and not forced to go through their past with a fine tooth comb. A banter that reminded him too much of old memories he wishes to bury.
He frowned as Flame and Wemmbu kept talking. Maybe he was selfish, but the ability to control time is a powerful thing to have at your disposal. If he had that at hand, there were potentially hundreds of people he could’ve helped with this knowledge. And along with that, hundreds of people that would’ve abused the ability in the wrong hands – or fishing rod in a certain dictator’s choice.
Perhaps it was foolishness that led to this stray thought. But would it be selfish to plead for them to look out for someone who he once trusted?
Stubborn as his ex friend voidling is, would he even accept their help in the first place if he knew their circumstances?
“--You know, this lowkey reminds me of that time Boosfer and I fell into the nether void and found that underground dimension.”
Minute registered the words out from his spiraling mind. Hang on, underground what?
Flame furrowed his eyebrow, “So that’s where you went?” He paused as if he was struck with realization. “Wait bro, so you could’ve died for real in that hole.”
“Yeah, imagine all that effort stalking me gone because of Boosfer. Lowkey embarrassing for you not gonna lie.” Flame tried to swipe at Wemmbu for the second time.
That shouldn’t even be possible. He made sure–
He glanced to see Egg back, holding all the healing items in his hands.
“Do you know what they’re talking about?” Minute whispered, possibly in horror.
“Not a clue man,” Egg shrugged.
Despite this revelation, at least he is comforted in the fact he has a brother in arms in not knowing the future, to which he
is unfortunately just as clueless as him.
3. JadenMAN
When he went to recruit some people to get the rumoured treasure in the Great Sea, he didn’t imagine it would cause him this much turmoil.
Finding the invis guy felt like a gift sent by the gods. Despite not seeing anything besides his diamond, netherite trimmed armour and the raspy voice changer complicating things, in the three weeks he’s met him it was a wonder to fight so beautifully by his side. Rain drizzled down as they danced to their enemies’ graves. Not to mention how nice it was to have someone akin to a friend again. A shoulder to lean on, especially after burning his bridges with Flame.
He wouldn’t be ashamed to say that during that time, there was a part of Jaden that dreamed that this mysterious invis person would be his second in command - his quartermaster in his pirate civilization. Where he’d whisper future plans in a secret room underneath tavern floors. So finding out the invis guy was Wemmbu all along? And him immediately bolting before he could ask him any questions? Now things have turned very complicated.
He wanted to be mad.
In between trying to restructure the former Point Ranger to his own vision, there were many harrowing nights dreaming in his own bed. Replaying the same scene over and over again. Wemmbu at his back, voice monotone of the boisterous and confident spirit he had before, turning against him before he elytra’ed away.
He imagined many things in these dreams – stopping Wemmbu from leaving him is high in those lists. Trying to wrangle an explanation from him are in a few of them too.
Are you in danger? We’re enemies, so why choose to spare him of all people?
Some of the more darker thoughts wanted to kill him. To repay all of the many transgressions he’s been humiliated to. He’d ground himself before something like a strategy were to ever take a solid place in his mind.
It was a stupid, idiotic train of thought anyways. Wemmbu can always switch to his shulker box, all his netherite gear for him to use like he observed (and used) back when it was the two of them exploring. Why would he even go along with this when Jaden owed him a massive debt for saving his life countless of times?
And maybe, there was a small part of his heart who clinged on to the image of Wemmbu as his second hand. Right by his side. Tempted to keep the veil on and pretend like the death message was a mere glitch in the system.
It was only a few weeks later that the person that’s been haunting his mind barged right to his doorsteps.
Wemmbu – well, the Invisible Knight, as he heard his pirates gush and proclaim his invis guy’s been titled as – was here. Among the noises of the many patrons, he saw the familiar floating armour slamming open the entrance. Interrupting the levity he had with another crewmate over talks on expanding the market shops right on the east.
He stands, excuses himself, offering a quick apology, and quickly walks towards the person he’s been, not exactly dying to meet, but it's a close enough feeling anyways.
Closely, another invisible person was following behind Wemmbu. Most likely Egg. Though why he’s wearing a plain netherite set rather than Wemmbu’s diamond one, if they’re trying to stay low like he theorized, is an oddity he only confided himself in.
He saw the staring and whispers from the local customers. He put his hand up, promising to them that he can handle it. Technically, armour wasn’t allowed on the tavern’s premises, but he can make an exception or two for this moment.
Reconciliation is not what he initially dreamed of. They both sat down at a table, away from all the wandering eyes from his mates. With only an invis Egg standing by Wemmbu’s side, strangely quiet and subdued. Initially, he thought he would’ve taken charge of the conversation, the same questions he dreamed about asking. Much to his surprise, Wemmbu was surprisingly receptive.
“I was just bored bro, nothing more than that.” Wemmbu bluntly admitted, catching Jaden off guard.
Then he added, “Like I said, I wasn’t lying on why I wanted to go to the Great Sea. I was stressed with being exposed so I didn’t give you an explanation. So, the only thing I regret is that I didn’t get a chance to thank you for protecting me.”
Strangely, it sounds rehearsed. An actor repeating the lines in a play, especially the cracking of his voice at the last part of that sentence. However, maybe it’s his mind playing tricks on him, but it doesn’t negate the sincerity in his voice. Not even with the scratchy Batman voice changer making it hard to decipher what exactly he was saying.
“No, no, it’s not your fault.” Jaden added, afraid to shut down this moment. “I only wanted you to stay for a bit. The thing is, I don’t really..blame you at all? You’re my friend now so I understand why.”
He cringed at the awkward phrasing. Almost wanting to throw himself out of the window to his poor fumbling of a conversation. Worried about how quickly he referred to him as a friend made him seem a little bit too desperate. The only thing that made Jaden not clutch his head in distress and apologise was Wemmbu’s creep of a smile on his face.
“D’aright. Alls forgiven bro.”
So, handling their issues went better than expected. Only a bit of minor hiccups and there’s some lingering resentment he can’t shake off. But with time bitter memories can fade with quality time. So, as a token of peace, he even tried to invite Wemmbu and Egg to join his pirate crew.
Though, unfortunately, Wemmbu declined because he’s busy with a project. But he did say he’ll call up if he was ever interested. However, even with the face of rejection, he’s already accepted him as an honorary part of his crew. He’s done this before, he can wait until the time is right.
The glint of a sword snapped him out of his musing. Egg was brandishing it towards Wemmbu. He sat up quickly, wondering if he should intervene. He can excuse the armour, but he draws the lines of a potential brawl.
“You did say to try everything,” He heard Wemmbu cryptically say, before dashing towards the exit. Leaving the invis Egg and him alone, standing there awkwardly.
He didn’t get a chance to debate whether to continue his talks with his pirates when Egg grabbed his arm. Feeling a burning sensation with the tight grip Egg had. Dragging him out of the tavern and running into the quieter parts of Point Ranger. Jaden almost winced in displeasure over how fast they were going.
At the alleyway, in front of him, Egg drank a bucket of milk and then –
Then Flame appeared. His heart sinked deep.
“What’s up bro,” Flame inched closer to him, Jaden too shocked and paralyzed to move. “Listen, Wemmbu thinks we can make up. But like, I honestly don’t believe so –”
His mind is still reeling. Since when were they friends? Was it in the Farlands? Was that why he betrayed the team? Flame’s not the type of person to seize the opportunity to not fight against the one who stole his title. He’s heard enough yapping from the guy on Wemmbu’s skills and the clash they had going on.
Or no, he clearly must’ve been mistaken. Often, the solution to a problem is the simplest one to answer. So logically, the more realistic answer is that he was talking to an imposter.
“ – And even if you hate me now, you should – wait bro, what the hell are you doing –”
He brandishes his trident and mace, getting ready to propel himself up towards the rainy sky. Intending on getting rid of this phony who’s wearing his ex-friend’s skin. Unfortunately, the imposter Flame seemed to know exactly what he’s planning. He blocked Jaden’s view with a shield and flailed his arms in panic.
“Oh my god bro, chill!”
Perhaps out of foolishness, Jaden actually stopped. Weapons out mid-air, preparing in case the imposter was only stalling him.
“Genuinely, if you’re wondering why I’m not killing you straight out, I have much more issues than a temporary title– ” That was eerily similar to his thoughts. And Flame saying he doesn’t care about titles? Jaden pulls out his trident to try and smite the imposter again,
“ –But like, just because I think he can doesn’t mean he is. I can assure you that I’m still the strongest, and not even he can change that. So please, put the trident down bro!”
Jaden grimaced, seeing the defensive arms out Flame had.
“And if you don’t believe me, then can you at least believe that we’re teaming up so we can defeat a common enemy.”
That does seem oddly familiar. Remembering the small formed team back on the Farlands. He can begrudgingly believe in that excuse. He lowered his weapons to comply with Flame’s demands.
“LAW. They have my friend in there.” Flame confessed to him. Ah, so it seems Lettuce is planning to repeat what happened through their past tyrannical leaders. That…does complicate things.
And while he can’t see his eyes, he doesn’t miss the tilt in Flame’s head looking towards the mace in his hand. The one he stole from the farmer hovering over their last bout. Strangely, Jaden feels not betrayal like all the other times he thinks about his old brotherhood, but something of guilt instead.
“He’s not even supposed to be there at this point,” Flame hissed, spitting hatred in his heart. “Whatever bro. The point is, we’re planning to stop him nuking your place. Do you mind if you like, try to find and let us temporarily retreat here if things go bad?”
There was a silent moment between the two. Jaden is almost tempted to forget the night and sleep early in denial over everything. Key word – almost. With exasperation, he answered, “I can’t believe I’m going with this. Sure, why not bro. So long as you don’t involve the citizens much.”
He saw Flame’s shoulder relax a little bit. Before the sound of muttering came from him. Jaden raised his eyebrows in confusion, much to Flame’s notice that he actually stopped in his ramblings.
“Oh sorry bro, it’s not you – it’s just, I bet Wemmbu we’d be fighting to the death at this point before I could even utter a word. Ugh, bro’s going to be so smug about this.” Flame said, a whiny but familiar sound he’s heard before countless times.
“Seriously? Why even try at all?” Jaden exasperatedly asked. Flame just shrugged in response.
“I’m trying to keep it fair.” Flame said. Jaden crossed his arms and huffed back. The nerve of that guy. Unbelievable. He doesn’t know why he agreed to the deal at all.
Only the splashing sound and glass breaking does he ever register the warm presence gone and exited from the alleyway. When Flame left, he collapsed to the ground, clutching his hands on his forehead.
What a night. He mutters to himself.
-
A few weeks had passed again. He heard the occasional citizens’ rumours on the miraculous rebirth of a previously dead Wemmbu. How he and Flame’s infamously griefed numerous LAW bases across the server. True to his word, he kept on searching the outskirts of the Pirate Civilization if there’s ever a sliver of their presence. A slightest hint of a familiar tell to look out for, despite the protests from his fellow pirates begging him to take a break.
Now, believe him, if someone had told Jaden over what he’s going to see with his own two eyes, he would have chuckled hysterically at such a distasteful joke.
There. Something was moving in the sky, transfixed to a once familiar face descending from up above. One he hasn’t seen since he was overwhelmed by a hoard of wardens he released a while ago.
There in the corner of his periphery was Rejoice, the Rejoice, flying with his elytra.
Gracefully, he glided down to the ground like a rolling panda. Which means his attempt at landing, met him a harsh trajectory to the left, almost colliding with the shops’ roofs. Sending his body to crash to the lake underneath the local fishing dock. Fishes scattering much to the angry complaints of the fishers there. Jaden prayed to some gods above that Rejoice didn’t see him. If only to maintain the wilful delusion that he was somehow hallucinating. From lack of sleep or lack of water. Anything at all.
However unfortunate, Lady Luck wasn’t on his side.
Rejoice sprinted towards him, weaving left and right over market crowds, and right where he was. Body huffing and puffing. Head stopping, then lolling right to his face. Way too close for his comfort.
“Hi Jaden!”
What the fuck how are you alive.
“Hello Rejoice.”
At risk of swearing like a sailor, and with an inner mind not in turmoil, Jaden automatically lifted his hand up to greet him. He made a mighty effort not to make sure his hands shook as he tried to cheerily offer him a tour to his civ.
Rejoice, unsurprisingly, was enthusiastic and accepted the deal. A mix of ‘ooh-ing’ and ‘aahh-ing’ could be heard by him at every large building in his civilization.
Rejoice was particularly excited to gawk at the colourful mushrooms that were awfully similar to a similar structure to his previous civ. Jaden made another mighty effort not to cringe at his pitiful attempt at atonement. Oh well, at least Rejoice seemed to enjoy it.
Dead players aren’t– they’re not supposed to be able to revive. To be brought back. Hypothetically, a death message can be shown when a person is still alive via a totem glitch, but that’s the only exception he can think of. For Rejoice, who was already long, allegedly, dead at this point, this shouldn’t be remotely possible.
This was awfully reminiscent of one person who was supposed to be dead too.
While Rejoice didn’t say it, Jaden and he knew this tour was used to stall. For why he’s alive and why he’s even trying to play nice with his murderer. Who Jaden knows the reason is because of a certain, perplexing Invisible Knight. Teaming up and skedaddled with Flame for some mysterious plan he isn’t privy too. At this moment, what is he exactly supposed to say?
Sorry for robbing you of the chance to touch the sun on your face again. If it helps, your death pissed off my ex-enemy so much his face was engraved on my memory. Burning all my items and trapped me in the abyss you called home. He wanted to kill me, but he valued your words instead.
And right over here is the local tavern! Go get some exquisite refreshments and make sure you’re not brandishing any weapons by the way!
Luckily, Rejoice is able to take the initiative more than him. Much to his relief. When Jaden showed him his personal home, he wanted to talk to him privately. Boy what a tale he spun.
“I remember standing on this gold block, near this huge castle. Flame told me it’s called the Underworld, a place underneath the nether void.” Rejoice pauses, intensely eyeing the sunflower on his hand. A rueful smile forming. “The next thing I knew, Wemmbu was hugging me. Asking me if I was okay and pleading with me to take some of his loot.”
How in the world did they find this out without dying? Jaden almost drops his mouth in the horrific implication. For his sake of mind, he hopes those two got that info from word of mouth. And not that they fell into the void for fun – or worst, out of desperation.
“Also, not to worry. I forgive you.” Jaden freezed as he registered what Rejoice said, Not processing what he heard, he could see Rejoice fiddling with his inventory and handing something over to him.
It was a netherite set of armour. The patterns of the trims similar to the one he’d seen the previous rag tag group of.
“This means congrats on your official friendship armour!“ Rejoice gleefully exclaimed, tightly hugging him. Jaden winced as the guilt panged in his heart again. Still he answered in a whisper.
“...Thank you, Rejoice.”
When he accepted the invitation it was like Rejoice’s sunny disposition radiated over him. Previous anxiety washing over him. Maybe as a token, he could also invite him as one of his honorary pirates too.
After the sun went down, he led him to one of the many available houses. Rejoice looks happy now but right now rest is a top priority. Point Ranger is far from spawn so he needs to recuperate from the long journey he had.
Jaden wished he could contact Wemmbu and Flame. He asked Rejoice where they were but apparently he had no clue either.
He almost curses this server’s instability over this. It would be a lot easier if this stupid world could give him access to global chat like it used too. To wrangle an explanation over what those two are messing with. It was wishful thinking, but he really hoped he’d have some time to process what exactly Rejoice said.
He really, really hoped he’d end the day with no one surprising him.
-
It was a quarter past midnight when someone kept banging on his door. Rudely, he might add. Though Jaden’s still awake scouting at these LAW reports from his spies, it’s the principle of the matter damnit.
Not to mention, he could see, at the corner of his window, the feather plummages of Parrot and Theo waiting at the front door. As soon as he opened it, he was met with the determined face of Theo swooping in front of him. A sword straight to Jaden’s neck.
Fuck’s sake.
He can see Parrot’s panicked look. Trying to pry Theo off of him. What in the world are they doing here at this time of hour?
“Theo, stop bro.”
“Parrot –”
“Bro please, we’re not here to threaten him.”
“...Fine,” Theo sheathed his sword back to his inventory. Jaden touched his throat where the blade was placed. No nick thankfully.
Parrot guided Theo behind him and took on a protective defense. Despite his attempt to appear confident, he could see the caution, his hands skirting to Theo nervously, legs twitching to back off and readying itself to take flight to the door that was ajar.
“Yo, sorry for disturbing your sleep, but we need your help. I was hired by Flame to investigate Wemmbu’s disappearance since he believed he wasn’t dead.” Parrot said, starting off. “And I find it incredibly suspicious how Flame called off his search, claiming he doesn’t believe in it anymore and coincidentally, they were last seen together side by side.”
An expectant look crossed Parrot’s face contrasting with Jaden’s calm facade. Waiting for the words to settle in before continuing.
“I have reasons to believe you have a clue on where they are. I last saw you with the Invisible Knight, who I believe is Wemmbu. The last location of the Invisible Knight was in your civilization. Many of your tavern patrons say they’ve seen two invis people talking to you specifically,”
Oh we’re so cooked. Jaden almost muttered out loud.
Parrot began pacing across his room. Left and right, deep in thought.
“I wanted to follow Wemmbu again to give my friend some justice and closure. But recently, books were leaked about the LAW’s plan for an election. More importantly, their plans on building a special orbital cannon. Right after, there were words of a prison break belonging to one of their bases.”
His breath hitched. The talk he had with Flame before echoed in his mind.
“Look, we genuinely don’t want any trouble, but there’s something suspicious going on. Something that could ruin lives. So, if Wemmbu or Flame talked with you I’d like to know soon please.”
While Jaden doesn’t want to fight them now, he definitely wasn’t going to go back on his word. He squinted in their direction and cleared his throat.
“Wait, wait, I’m sorry. Just to make it clear, you believe my Invis Guy is Wemmbu?” He imitated a shocked tone of surprise, eyes wide as possible. “Him off all people? Sorry but why? I would never harbour two potential enemies of mine.”
He winced when Parrot shifted his eyes ever so slightly. Flight or fight instincts kicking in. He could attack first, but there’s the issue of Theo and his carts though.
“I know it doesn’t sound believable but trust me on this. I have no idea what they’re up to.” Jaden firmly said. Trying to shrug off how nervous he’s feeling. He tried to back up and fiddled around for a strength potion on hand.
Still, Parrot kept shifting his eyes. He walked forward, deeper into his house. Staring – but not at Jaden. There, at the dark corner of his wall. Floating particle effects.
Jaden pulled out his sword as Theo prepared his bow to a possible spy or enemy.
“Hey Parrot!” The spot enthusiastically greeted them, surprising everyone.
“Spoke?” Parrot said.
“Yup that’s me!” Spoke answered, drinking a bucket of milk as the effects went away. “You might be wondering why I’m exactly here. Well, a little purple cat snitched and was utterly shocked that you and your little friend group found a way to revive someone back from the dead.”
“What?” Parrot asked in disbelief. Jaden’s heart dropped when he heard what he was saying.
“I know! I know! It sounds impossible! But my ears didn’t deceive me. So I’m asking,” Spoke shuffled ever so closely and pointed right towards him. “How did ya do it?”
“I don’t know.”Jaden answered truthfully. His throat may have been in danger, but Spoke’s interrogation might’ve made his throat clam shut. He only knows where they revived Rejoice, not how they revived him. But Jaden could see Spoke wasn’t exactly pleased with his answer. There was disappointment in his white eyes – and something like childlike curiosity, or mania, boiling in it. It almost sends a shiver down his spine.
“If you say so! Luckily, I think I know how they managed to do it…”
Jaden tensed, his jaw clenched. He can see Parrot lowering the gap between them as Theo follows, leaning closer to Spoke at a solid distance away, waiting.
“...Time travel.” Spoke spoke gravely.
Silence met the room. Jaden almost dropped his jaw in disbelief. Nobody talked before Parrot stood up and put a hand on Spoke’s shoulder. Expression solemn he thought Parrot was attending someone’s funeral.
“There’s–,There’s no way you’re serious bro.”
Spoke put a hand over his chest, mouth set to a grave line and pointed accusingly at Parrot.
“I am totally serious, Parrot,” Spoke faux argued. “Think about it. What if Flame and Wemmbu stumbled upon a wormhole? Or some other dangerous thing out there!”
“That doesn’t make any sense.”
“It does! It does! You get that dead person’s past copy and you put it in the future time to replace the old one instead–”
“What are you even saying bro.”
He turned out Parrot and Spoke’s bickering, with Theo in question being the poor mediator trying, and failing, to calm both of them down.
He made the grave mistake of peeping at his window. Their invisibility potions flickering in and out as he sees the outlines of six, or perhaps seven, people huddled together in a group. In order, was Wemmbu and Egg at the front, with Flame and the Farmer behind him. Next to them is Princezam (for some reason?), Rejoice (he’s supposed to be back to bed, that sly liar), and two other people he couldn’t identify.
Briefly, for a moment, Wemmbu and him locked eyes. Uncertain and panicked. But only for a moment.
And then it began raining.
The sound of splashing sparked an idea in his head. He has a plan. He will not like this plan, but he will do it. For their sake at least. And if it helps him aurafarm on his opponents then well, nobody needs to know but himself.
Jaden sprinted out of the door, droplets of water hitting his body as he propelled his trident to fly up. Leading them in the opposite direction of the so-called invisible group. He heard the muffled yells of Theo disappear as he ascended to the clouds. The sounds of rockets ringing closely behind him.
Wemmbu and Flame knew what they’re doing. He trusts them. For now at least.
4. ManePear
When Ash asked him to join his so-called “Invisible Mafia”, he declined politely at the Dictator’s oh so kind request to recruit him on the basis of his strength as a strong player. It was less of a greeting and more of him being ganged up on. With his goons failing to intimidate him by trying to push him into the corner of death.
He didn’t think they were desperate enough to hire a posse of hitmen to threaten Flame’s life, straight to his face no less. Man, those people must be desperate. Even if the plan was stupid as letting him state their plans before they could’ve taken his bro hostage.
He slashed the leader straight to his chest. Blocking hit after hit from each goon’s flimsy mess of a jumping. Birch biomes aren’t the best terrain to fight in but nothing he doesn’t have experience on. He was focused on one of them when he saw a sword straight to the chest to the goon he was dueling it. Only when the body fell over could he see who it was.
Oh.
It was Flame.
“Yo bro.” he said.
“Hey bro,” Mane talked back, clipped.
They fought together. It was the nostalgia talking, but he forgot how exhilarating it was synchronising their moves together against hordes of enemies.
Occasionally, he glances at Flame.
He looks older for a lack of a better word. Back when they were kids they trained a lot, there’s a particular stance to sword fighting he’s stressed the importance of to him. Shoulders should face forward, the leg leading is bent at the knee. Then the back leg should be completely straight.
One downside to only having him around as the practice dummy (chungies don’t count) is that he used to be a lot more hesitant and sloppy, for the fear of killing him for real.
Seeing him again after this many months and how he's a lot more guarded, walls around and directed at him – usually reserved for strangers. It’s not devastating, it’s just disheartening. Mane slashed the last of these invis chungies as he saw Flame cycle the loot of their fallen brethren.
“Bro I wish I could kill Ash right now. He’s always so persistent with this recruitment stuff I swear,” Flame complained. His head tilted back to Mane standing there observing him from afar. Awkwardness was clear in his voice over what he said next, “Uh, so…did you get my letter?”
Yes. He did get the aforementioned letter. It was very descriptive and wordy.
Hey Mane,
Top secret thingy to be done,
Dw about me I’ll manage,
With love,
Flame
“Yeah dude, Zam wasn’t happy with your attempt at an apology poem.” he responded back. Zam was a good payer, but he didn't need to hear his boss's hourly rants on Flame turning traitor without sufficient notice – and directed to him no less.
It was hard not to maintain nonchalance and stand quietly by when Zam kept raving on his throne. Reading the reports by his spies on how the supposed traitor was seen frolicking in a flower field with his most hated enemy.
It was even unbearably worse during meetings. Zam kept staring daggers at him as if he was the one who encouraged his bro to dessert in the first place. He may have to endure being hunted and bunker down for a while because he, ironically, also chose his enemy. But between that humiliation ritual or freedom, he would choose the latter over the former in a heartbeat.
He could tell that anecdote to Flame. See the poor attempt to not be mortified at one of his secret self indulgences of flower picking being exposed. For some reason, perhaps to maintain his little bro’s dignity, he chooses not to.
“You could’ve messaged me in the private chat. Talk to me like, face to face.” Mane opted to say instead. And wasn’t that a kicker? That he didn’t even bother giving him an explanation at all. It’s not like the option didn’t exist or vanished out of thin air. Predictably, Flame stuttered in defense.
“Oh I, um, I forgot that was an option.” Flame sheepishly replied.
You forgot that was an option?
“Dude please don’t give me that look.” Flame pleaded.
“Bro, I clearly messaged you back. Your communicator should work, right?” Mane felt the urge to run away again. It could be the scorching sun or the recent battle talking but he was getting exceedingly tired over this nonsense.
“Forget it bro, I don’t really care, okay? This whole conversation is a lost cause–” Mane pretended the not so subtle flinch Flame did. He made a conscious effort to keep going, turning his back around and ready to book it. “ – Anyways. If you’d like to be alone then that’s fine bro. You do you man. Bye dude.”
“Wait. Come back please,” Mane stopped in his tracks of walking away.
“You’re right. I’m perfectly fine doing things alone.” Flame said, “And this doesn’t make any sense at all but I need your help for a friend. I’m your bro, that has to count for something.”
“It's a bit too late to ask for favours when we haven’t seen each other for a while.”
Despite his refusal, and Flame’s devastated frown on his face, he considers the offer carefully. His bro isn’t the one to owe someone, and for a friend he isn’t disclosing no less. Knowing him, he would’ve stubbornly kept begging until he accepted. Or god forbid, chased him to the ends of the Farlands if need be.
In anyone else, he would’ve immediately tried sliming them to scare them away.
However, it's Flame. For some reason, he alone managed to tug at his heart strings to consider the deal. Well, he’s flexible – he can make an exception just for him only.
“Bro, all right, fine. I get it. Stop with the kicked puppy dog eyes and tell me what you want me to do.”
–
Mane is surprised that the super, secret location Flame is dragging him to is his very own tree house. It’s strange to hear the creaking of stepping on the rickety, wooden stairs that aren’t solely him. Once he got up to the top he caught a glimpse of two people. Wemmbu, he refuses to read the implication of him already being in his base, and Eggchan, the eyeball guy who is always following him. Huh so this is his friend he wants to train with. Or so Flame says.
In any other circumstances, he would’ve already shooed such unwanted guests. Instead, he sighed and watched them carefully.
“Hey,” Mane did his best to whisper in Flame’s ear as he craned his neck to him. “Why’s Wemmbu cowering like he’s prepping himself to get ambushed? I haven’t even started yet.”
It’s not apparent to the naked eye, but he can feel the anxiety radiating off Wemmbu. The hand holding his mace has some slight tremors to it. Could be nerves. Afterall, he does have the aura and reputation to back up those feelings. Okay, he can work with this.
Flame shrugged, “I dunno bro.” But Mane could swear a hint of nervousness to his tone.
Okay, whatever, he can work with this.
“Flame, get ready.” He can hear the titular, confused What coming from his brother’s mouth as he shoved him closer to an alarmed Wemmbu. “Practice match. Loser who pops three totems has to clean the house.”
Wemmbu pounced on Flame immediately as Egg backed up in the ensuing fight. He can hear the cries of Flame over how unfair it was for Wemmbu to use a mace.
“You,” He pointed towards Egg. “Will be my sparring partner.” Egg spluttered out an excuse and begged not to duel. Predictably, he failed at both and Mane managed to pin him down in a matter of minutes.
He heard the sound of a couple of totems popping and looked back to how much Wemmbu was faring with his bro.
Cobwebs all over the floor as Wembu gets higher ground and maced down. Flame gritted his teeth, trying to stay balanced over the shockwave and the sound of another totem popped. Mane frowned.
“You got really sloppy at pvp bro.” He jabbed to Flame. He heard an incomprehensive, indignant noise before Flame focused and struck his sword at Wemmbu, who blocked the incoming attack.
Okay, he wasn’t one hundred percent honest. Wemmbu is pretty decent, he'll give him that. He’s not gonna beat Flame anytime soon but he can see him giving a run for his money. Instead of a few minutes getting tapped like an unprepared noob, a proper outside duel with them both would be an hour at least with the right resources.
Wemmbu misses with the mace, Flame strikes back. Another totem. Before he could recover, Flame struck again. Three totems down.
Flame cheered as Wemmbu cursed, “I’m throwing, I’m throwing. I’m not usually that bad...”
Mane gets closer towards them. He did a quick congratulation towards a glowing Flame and put his hand on Wemmbu’s shoulder. Who was busy pursing his lips and glaring at the ground.
“Wemmbu, as my student, my wise analysis is saying that you’re not great, but you’re not bad either. You’re so-so, you feel me bro? With enough time, I can train you to be an excellent master combatant.”
He didn’t expect his little speech to change the mood on Wemmbu’s face so quickly. Oh my god is he genuinely close to tearing up? What’s with that dumbstruck face all of a sudden? He looks to his bro for help. Only for the heartless traitor to shrug at his helpless plight.
In the end, he didn’t even get a chance to dull out a penalty for him. Deciding to hit the hay instead and dealing with it tomorrow. Wemmbu protested, along with his accusation of what Mane saw, but nonetheless complied and used one of the spare rooms Mane had. Mane was planning to go to bed, but catched a glimpse of Flame into the kitchen.
An opportunity too good to ignore, Mane decides to sneak up on him.
“So what ya making?” He asked.
He sees Flame’s shoulders jump in surprise, only to calm down once he sees it was just him. His bro held two bowls filled with dough covered with a cloth. Probably baking – Mane was more of a ‘trust the process’ cooking guy growing up.
Flame pursed his lips, hesitating for a second. Then in a small voice. “It’s bread for a friend, he’s called Lomedy.”
He hummed in understanding. Flame’s been getting a lot of friends lately. First Wemmbu and now this Lomedy guy.
Mane grinned diabolically, then he propped up his head with his hand and said, “A friend huh? You know bro, when you wanted me to train someone I thought it was the Sponges guy. Always see the dude follow you around during guard patrols.”
Flame’s face scrunched up, flailing his hands to motion some sort of disgust. “What bro? No way! Bro’s too much of an annoying troll. Besides, Lomedy doesn’t like to kill. So, he probably wouldn’t like being a guard all that much…” He trailed off.
Silently, he’s glad that at least Flame is not totally friendless. Though a friend with a no kill code is definitely odd given how Flame operates but he won’t judge. Though, he hopes Lomedy is a better sneaker than Wemmbu. The unsubtle way Egg and Wemmbu’s were watching them in the upper part of the tree house would definitely dock them points in the stealth category.
Still, telling them how obvious they are can wait. He wants to hang out for a bit with Flame before he ropes Wemmbu back to his attention.
“Why did you stop? Tell me more about your friend bro, we have enough time.” Mane responded. “Besides, I think there’s an audience with us.”
While Flame, in an impressive record time, whipped his head up top and was distracted, he tried to help by nonchalantly putting the resting dough to the counter. Cursing loudly when he lifted it up and the parts of the dough stuck on the surface. Much to his own despair when he heard the taunting delight of a sadistic, giggling Flame in the background now staring at him.
“Dude, you’re so bad at this. Not gonna lie, you're worse at breadmaking than Wemmbu. ”
He and Wemmbu baked together? Actually, Flame was always fussy with me going to the kitchen when he’s in the zone. It's a wonder why you even let me in here in the first place.
“Bro just let me cook.” Mane said anxiously, yelping when the dough kept sticking despite kneading the stubborn dough with more flour. Flame’s giggles hovering over him.
5. LettuceK
A battlefield will always have a winner. Losing all these prisoners because of Wemmbu and Flame might make him lose out in the short term, but in the long term it will all work out in the end. Those two criminals have been a thorn in the side by their mere existence. Ever since their arrival to the server and especially in the present. A prime symbolism of anarchy that he will snuff out.
Granted, he was a bit ticked off at their audacity to barge into his office and started messing with his stuff. It’s an utter pain to leave it in that state. Only left there to reinforce their unruly nature, should any bystanders pass by and pass along his message back to the populace, so he’ll leave it be for now.
It’s such a shame they turned out this way. For once the server’s future was starting to look up. Capital City was finally used to further help the poor and helpless. For every citizen be free to pursue what they want (to a certain degree). Like it should’ve been from the start.
If only Flame wasn’t such a murder freak and kept killing his people. It’s not that they're at fault; he built his base right next to their turf. There were consequences that he needed to deal with.
Wemmbu was better but that’s not saying much. The Invisible Knight had such a good reception to the public, he mourns for what could’ve been – to keep such a strong fighter in their guard forces and be behind his side and bow to his commands. Though, once the invisibility potion runs out what happens then? Even if Wemmbu was the self-proclaimed Invisible Knight, the many destroyed civilizations and crimes were sure to haunt him everywhere.
Poor Loppezz specifically, one of his many people in command, had a bone to pick with him. Remembering the defeated frame and pained look on her face as her once mighty mountain was reduced to a hollow shell he entrusted him with.
It’s also an undeniable fact that the Invisible Knight used his invisibility to do crime a few days prior. So he would’ve relapsed anyways. Tempting this fantasy may be, it was a doomed idea to even entertain. This, along with many other injustices, affirms to him that these types of people won’t change. Their use as pawns would vastly benefit others if they’re used to promote him to a King instead. And the allocated time for them to fight was almost upon them.
A splitting headache quickly interrupted his train of thought. He clutched his head, furry ears flattened in irritation. A pain really. He didn’t think he’d have this distraction, but ever since the meeting with the two criminals it's been nonstop for ages. Not just that, it feels like he’s had a sense of deja-vu of some sort. In the way those two goofed around with such an ease of no concern.
Even with him, he felt something familiar in the way he’s paced around his office when he contemplated the encounter. Which may be the reason why he entertains the ideas quickly forming in his head.
He discussed it discreetly with his Deputy. He expects the pushback from Ace of course. Concerns on the potential fallout and the not so subtle plea to not waste too much blood and life over such a risky detour, even if they were no good criminals.
In any other lesser leader they would’ve already made threats, questioning why they’re trying to ask such treacherous questions. For daring to speak over Lettuce as if they were equals. But that’s what he always admired from this man. Conviction in his ideals and the confidence to back it up. Although it seems like the Deputy’s hesitation would infer him to be unloyal, he can always trust him to be his second shadow.
He wants to attack them early. Get them off guard. There’s a whisper in the back of his mind; Inquiring at first but demanding over time.
Lately, Lettuce has prided himself of always being two steps ahead. That’s why he’s in his position in the first place.
So why oh why, the voice sneers, is he respecting their demands at all? Call it arrogance but he doesn’t have to do it in their time. He’s not gonna let these pawns dictate the future King’s move over these sorts of trivias.
Despite the scorching hot sand of the messa, his head is steady as he and his army approaches Flame’s home base. Flame and Wemmbu standing there at the front of his door. Oblivious. Lettuce looks at the sun rising over the horizon casting a shadow over the small hut – he’s not at all superstitious but he’d like to think it's a lucky sign for what’s to come.
He sounded the goat horn to signal for his army. A swift charge to attack them.
Through his spyglass he can see the startled looks as the numerous soldiers surrounded them. Flame in particular, used his enderpearl and teleported closer to him. Which almost made Lettuce’s jaw drop in surprise before his body snapped and backed up a few feet away from the bloodthirsty fighter.
Backing away and sneaking from Flame, he took a few breaths to calm himself down. Glad to see a sword not directed at him as Flame is forced to focus on Lettuce’s own personnel instead.
He didn’t see it but he heard it. Too occupied by the numerous dogs from Flame descending on him. He hissed as their fangs were way too close to his clothes.
It was only a few minutes if he had to guess. But there. At that moment. He felt a shift in the atmosphere at that moment.
An anguished, viscerous scream was heard across the battlefield. Piercing and raw– one he knows very well.
He ducked near a nearby river and checked his comms. Scrolling back to see a familiar name in the chat.
Wemmbu was smashed by _ventthatguy
On the outside, he reserves himself only to show smug satisfaction. On the inside, he reminds himself of only one mantra. One down, one to go.
He spares a glance to the battlefield above. The sight of many players impaled at the hands of one sword named Fragger.
It’s no surprise the Immortal Demon is angry. Not only was he left to fend for himself against a hoard of his men, the person who ruined his strongest reputation – and who was supposedly forced to team up with – got maced by some random chungie too.
He checks his inventory to see if he should get some backup items. Oblivious. It was only for a moment–
The last thing he sees – before he could equip his totem, before he could activate his stasis chamber – is the Immortal Demon’s sword struck into his face.
+1
Wemmbu blinked. One second he was talking to Flame, the next he’s back at the abandoned Mafia Outpost. A fishing rod at the palm of his hand. Hook, line and sinker, anticipating bloodshed and the taste of assured victory. Back when he first fought Flame he always mused to himself – was it superiority, vengeance, or the comfort of protection willing his body to send raining explosives onto Flame himself? He wishes he could give himself a solid answer to that question.
It’s a dizzying scene to balance, mainly because he’s trying to not tumble off the roof with his time-loop induced nausea. Despite how many times he’s done this bullshit, it truly never gets better adjusting to getting transported to random points of time.
The million dollar question is, if it’s this time’s Flame or his Flame instead?
“Bro, do not aim that thing at me,” Flame shouted as he scooted his head lower to view the ground below where the demon stood. “I’m not keen to be shot by your canon for the fiftieth time already!”
Oh yep, it’s definitely his.
“Boo, you’re no fun,” Wemmbu teased, sticking out his tongue, but complied and put the rod back to his inventory, gliding to Flame with his elytra.
Walking with Flame to his base came second nature to him. There used to be a lot of bickering, whose plans they should go to and no, Wemmbu, for the tenth time, we need to wait and find the right time before we bust Jaden out of prison sooner.
Or dude stop yapping about me in front of Prince Zam’s vicinity. You’re going to get caught as a double agent quicker than last time.
But most times they’ve opted to discuss recent stuff when they've already reached Flame’s house. Leaving them in silence, only the sound of shifting sand as the base gets closer on the horizon.
Timeloops from Egg’s books are different from the ones they experienced. They detailed only looping to a specific point in time, compared to theirs where it picks and chooses willy-nilly.
It also said that any person stuck in it would be driven mad – Wemmbu is grateful that he worked with a duo instead. People, their friends, can comprehend, but they can’t truly experience it themselves. In a shitty way, he won’t speak it out loud, but he’s glad that Flame’s there with him.
However, what they don’t tell you about experiencing time loops is how predictable, and yet unpredictable it is.
Strangely, he likes the ones where he and Flame don’t do anything much. There was that time where they were brainstorming more ideas in The End to get out of the loop and, in the spirit of their rivalry, challenged each other to make the best dinner possible. He had the pleasure to see Minute’s apprehensive face turn into delight when they presented the dishes to him as a judge.
Although seeing old faces, such as a dead friend’s haunting voice apologizing for dying does do weird things to his heart he’ll begrudgingly admit. Though he won’t miss the times of frantically trying to restrain Flame from not sliming Jaden out when they got looped during the Farlands.
Some loops can be a bust. A complete failure he’s glad to leave behind. Wemmbu still felt the guilt when they decided one of their plans was for Flame to not join the Mafia that time, and Ash decided he wasn’t too happy with the rejection and targeted Mane. Then his mentor…
Besides, he and Flame don’t really like to talk about that incident anyways. If at all. Just grit their teeth and move on.
For every fight they’ve done, for every blood spilt between them – his rival, his friend, always seems to know what he’s feeling. Not just in the practical sense of predicting his every move, but in the emotional sense too. Flame has taken him out of truly troubling situations in multiple loops, always citing the stress that Wemmbu hadn’t even noticed.
Until the demon had gone through strength after strength potion, in order to desperately claw his own bruising hands to bring their bleeding selves back to the safety of a base. Or in more desperate times, a hidden corner to recover and chug gaps quietly. Reassuring words murmured amongst themselves.
He himself had noticed that underneath the stoic mask that Flame often wore, a whole array of emotions lay buried behind microexpressions that no one but Wemmbu could hope to read.
The little dimple of a smile he tried to hide whenever Ashen barked happily over leftover steak that he gave. A knowing, mischievous shift to his face during petty squabbles of stealing resources from stolen shulkers. Shaking hands and a quiet stinging in their voice when someone stabbed their backs. Noticing the fear in their enemy’s daring eyes, hurling excuses after excuses as they brandish their swords for protection, as if its mere existence will save their fates they’ve already long sealed.
Both Flame and Wemmbu knew those emotions far too intimately. To them, there's nothing a human can do to reason with these monsters. You should kill it before it tries to kill you. They’d whispered. Why do you think they’re considered the strongest players after all?
It was late evening when they arrived. Wemmbu could feel his wrist tiring trying to recount everything he’s known into paper and flopped his body to the table on a pile of notes. Flame, personal heavensent being that he is, made steaks for the both of them, with a side of hot chocolate to wash it all down.
Wemmbu didn’t move out of his position, but he did take a peek to bring his plate closer to him. Flame opted to stand on the wall with his mug, staring far too intensely at the drink in his hand. Watching the bodies of tiny marshmallows going in circles around the rim, an aimless, floating feeling to it.
“Y’know bro, I’m glad that at least I’m not alone dealing with this.” Flame blurted out loud.
“Yeah bro same.” Wemmbu murmured, face planted to the table scattered with notes.
It's a strange yet comforting feeling. To have someone consistently be by his side other than Egg.
“I’ll admit, despite the many times we’ve gone back in time…you're still one of the strongest people I’ve had the pleasure to fight with.” Flame whispered, almost to himself. However, Wemmbu’s impeccable hearing heard it very clearly.
Wemmbu tried not to make it too obvious how fast he whipped his head out of the table.
His first thought he wants to bluntly reply with is really? He catches himself from saying that embarrassing part out loud. Flame’s said that plenty of times yet he still gets caught off guard by the sentiment. He hasn’t really wanted to be the title of the strongest for a very long time, but to be considered that from a man who used to admonish him for using it made some deep-seated fear in his chest loosen.
Despite the colossal fuck up he did back when the LAW ambushed them in a previous loop; made him stupidly freak him out and choose the idiotic decision to shield Flame from that stupidly persistent mace wielder. Seriously, what was he thinking, they can’t die for real so why did he still try to protect him? It's a miracle that Flame worriedly checked over him in the next loop and not made fun of him for dying so early.
“Thank’s for telling me what I already know,” Wemmbu teased, much to the tired frown creeping into Flame’s lips. “Wow dude, that’s basically you admitting that I’m the strongest player–”
Flame groaned, “I regret what I said bro.”
“Nuh-uh, no taksies backsies.” He replied back.
“I will slime you bro.”
“If you kill me, then who’s going to keep you company?”
Flame made the motion of putting his hands out in defeat, “Oh my god. Bro, you’re like, genuinely unbelievable.”
“Wouldn’t have it any other way,” Wemmbu dodged Flame’s half-hearted attempt to swing his sword at his couch. Lingering closer to him, he hovered his hand on the top of Flame’s head. Remembering the goals Flame gloated during the teamup against Lettuce and his army, he can see in real time Flame freezing as he patted his head.
“But thanks again, by the way.” He admitted. “We don’t need to worry, we’ll figure this out eventually.”
Adjusting to Wemmbu’s hand, Flame huffed. Wemmbu thought Flame would try to cover his face to hide his smiles like all the other times he’s done so already, but to his surprise he didn’t. Instead, he laughed freely, smiling like he didn’t have a care that they’re probably going through countless other loops to break out of this mess.
He didn’t know it yet at the time, but when he saw that glowing happiness directed at him, Wemmbu felt an inexplicable emotion form on his face.
“Yeah, yeah. Sure dude. We got this.” Flame said. And Wemmbu couldn’t agree any less with their own declaration.