the archive

Etho was Grian's most loyal spy. And Grian was happy. Not only was this helping the Resistance win, but Grian was getting closer with Etho by the day.

It was that exact thing he had been thinking about when he heard a voice interupt his thoughts.

"Grian. We need to talk."

"Etho! I was just thinking about you! What do you want to talk about?"

"I wanted to ask if you'd like to -uh - it you'd want to maybe go out with me? It doesn't have to be anything fancy and you don't have to-"

Grian stepped over to Etho and took his hands.

"I'd love that a lot."

---

"Do you want to enact the sword?" There was a sense of certainess in Etho's tone, as if he knew the answer would be a resounding yes.

He was right, of course, as Grian yelled out "Yes!" very excitedly.

As he did, Etho made his way over and tackled the avian in a tight hug.

"I missed you."

It was said clear as day in the deafening silence that existed this high up. Both knew they missed eachother, but they also knew that below them their friends were fighting.

"I wish we could stay like this. Up here."

"I do too, Etho. But we both know that wouldn't be fair to everyone else."

Etho gently pulled away from the hug and stood up, reaching out a hand to Grian.

"We should go on a date after this. After we get back to Hermitcraft, I mean. I don't think any date would be very romantic at this stage of the server."

This earned a light laugh out of Grian and the two began walking to the ladder.

"I am your sword. Tell me what to do."

When he was gifted his wings it was painful. Unlike any pain he had ever felt.

He could never forget how excruciating it was to feel them growing beneath his skin until they burst out. He could never forget how much blood there had been afterwards. The bleeding was constant for days.

The others had always sworn that it was normal, yet when he saw the other recently gifted, they were fine.

The pain never fully went away. There was always a stinging when he flew or his wings brushed against something.

He had been told it would be fine.

He had been told it would heal in hours.

He had been told that everyone else was going through or had gone through the exact same thing.

What bullshit.

How pathetic did they have to be? To lie to a child?

He just wished that never would have happened.

His wings even still hurt while he preened them. After nearly twenty years. And what did he get? More lies. More people saying he was lying.

He hated himself for falling for their lies, even if he had just been a kid. He guessed some part of him had just wanted something positive to be able to believe. Maybe he never fully believed it himself.

He remembered neglecting his wings for the first few months. Someone else would do it for him, and most of the time they would not be gentle.

He had fallen back into that habit after he was old enough to leave, then the habit left after he realized it only made things worse.

Well, that's what he wished. He really never liked just leaving them, but when they hurt that much he couldn't bring himself to touch his wings, he wouldn't.

For years after he left he was alone. There were people that were kind and people who had offered to help when they had seen the state of his wings. He was still alone.

Sometimes he wanted to get rid of them. Chop them off or something. Those were just thoughts though. Nothing he could ever be brave enough to act upon.

His wings had been in great condition when he had joined that server, but good things never last and his wings soon were filthy.

The players on that server had noticed and asked about it, saying he could talk to them if he needed. He never did. He thought it was all fake.

Then he joined their next season, and he felt closer to certain players. He didn't think he could call them his friends yet.

His wings never got particularly bad that season. He had only neglected them for a week at most before he was able to preen them properly.

The season after that was when his wings got really bad. They were so bad that he had shut himself inside for weeks without coming out. He had told his friends that it was just some nasty cold, and they had just given him soup and get well soon gifts.

Every now and again he would muster up the energy to start preening, but never really finished.

When he finally stepped out of his house, his wings had looked fine enough from the outside, and none of the village members questioned it. They just said that they were glad that his cold was gone.

Now it was the beginning of the season after, and he couldn't bring himself to stop welling in his thoughts and he couldn't take care of himself.

Only one person had noticed. One he had grown particularly fond of and close with. When he had asked about the wings, and why the avian looked a mess, he had just broken down.

He let his friend preen his wings, and they didn't hurt as much. He had been thorough and hadn't missed a single spec of dirt. It had taken a significantly long amount of time, but the friend had insisted that he was fine with it.

He loved his friend, more than he thought friends could love one another. He couldn't tell what his feelings were, but he didn't really mind it.

Grian was happy.

Grian was cared for.

And, most importantly, Grian's wings were clean.

Grian was in love. So incredibly head over heels in love. He didn't plan on ever saying anything though. After all, he wasn't going to risk confessing and then losing a friend because his feeling weren't reciprocated.

No, he was quite content with watching from a distance. Yes, his eyes lingered on the man a few moments too long. And yes, he found his eyes drifting to the man's lips more often than not. And of course he had thought about kissing him. Void, he probably thought about that a bit too much. But he would be fine dwelling in his own feelings for Scar. He would be fine not telling anyone.

It's not like he was particularly hiding it, because he was sure it was obvious, it's just that he wouldn't directly tell anybody. Even if someone caught him tracing Scar's scars, or smiling a bit more whenever the man was laughing. Even if someone confronted him about it and asked, "Hey, Grian, I've noticed how you've been looking at Scar. Do you like him?" he would simply deny it and move on.

At least, that's what he had planned on doing. However, he never thought of what he'd say if Scar himself was the one to confront the avian.

It started off with the standard, "Grian, we need to talk," and Grian simply saying, "Okay."

They had sat in silence for a few moments before Grian asked what Scar wanted to talk about. He hoped it was just something simple, like a shop or base. Maybe Scar wanted to start a shop together. Maybe Grian's anxiety was annoying him for nothing.

"Grian, I've seen- oh jeez this is harder than I thought. I've seen how you've been looking at me. A-and acting around me. You don't have to answer if you don't want to, but, well," Scar took a deep breath. "Grian do you like me? Like, as – you know – more than a friend? I- Do you have a crush on me?"

Grian froze. How was he supposed to answer that? Even if Scar said he didn't have to, it would be clear what the answer was if he chose not to say.

"I- um- I-" he didn't know what to say. He could lie and say he wasn't madly in love with his best friend. But then, what if Scar was asking because he felt the same? Or that couldn't be what was happening and then if he confessed then he'd ruin his friendship with Scar.

He was somewhat aware of the fact that his body had started shaking, and that his vision was tunneled onto the ground that he was looking at. He was also aware of the fact that it was getting harder and harder to breathe.

"-an. Grian? Hey there. Oh, gosh. I- I'm so sorry. Hold on-"

Grian heard a shuffling noise and the uncapping of a bottle. It was so loud. The avian felt something brush against his hand.

"It's water. You should drink it. It should help." Scar spoke in a soft tone, which Grian was thankful for. "You should try to sit down, if you can. I can help if you want."

All Grian could muster up was a nod, and next thing he knew there were hands on his back. Then he was sitting on the ground.

"Just listen to my voice."

That wasn't hard to do. Grian loved Scar's voice.

"I know I'm the one who asked you if you liked me, but I think I know the answer. I'm so sorry. I should've just- I don't know. What I'm trying to say is, I like you. It's probably more than a crush but I've liked you since Third Life. I'm surprised that no one's noticed."

Grian's breath was steadying and his vision was clearing.

"Th- thank the Void. I- I like you too. A lot. I was never going to say anything 'cause I didn't want to ruin our friendship but I like you a lot and I really, really want to kiss you but I'm too scared to ask and-"

Grian was cut off by Scar closing the gap between the two. It was exhilarating, and Grian loved it. He loved Scar. He loved the way his hair always flowed in the wind. He loved the way he smiled. He loved that that he would answer differently every time someone asked him about his scars.

Grian was in love, and he was the happiest he had ever been.

The others had been gone a while. Etho knew this. He also knew where they were and that he could easily get there with the same method he used when travelling to his singleplayer worlds.

He was too scared to go. What if Joel didn't remember him? He would be heartbroken. He couldn't risk it.

For a long while, the cryptid just sat in his house, doing nothing. He wanted to go, he really did, but all the "what ifs" circling his mind made it hard.

However, there was no harm in checking it out. Etho still had the compass, after all. He could easily go see how they had all gone.

See, Etho was the type of person who simply wouldn't do something he didn't want to, meaning he would sometimes have to force himself to do something. This usually took a fair amount of energy to do, which was why you would rarely see the cryptid doing something he wouldn't normally do. His current situation was more difficult. He didn't want to go because he was scared, but if he did go there was a chance of him seeing Joel again.

Etho forced himself up and walked over to his door, standing there for a few moments of hesitation. Was this really something that he wanted to risk? Was the possibility of a negative outcome a reason not to go? It was then Etho remembered something that Xisuma had said to him once. "Saying you'll do something is easy, but you will never know what will happen unless you take action. If something turns out bad, then at least you had the confidence to try."

The thing was, Etho was not confident; not now at least, not about this, but there was still a part of his brain that wanted him to try. The cryptid walked through his door and up the steps, emerging at the bottom of Bdubs' monolith. Compass in hand, the man was off.

He was led to what he assumed was Grian's base. The assumption being made due to the robot in the cave. The robot in question spat out a piece of paper the simply read "Wait."

So, Etho listened. He waited. He didn't know how long he did. It must have been a few days at least, but he waited. That whole time he didn't move, didn't blink, just kept his eyes staring at the purple portal.

He kept waiting as people began to come out of the portal. Hermits. They didn't notice him. Etho stayed still but was beginning to lose hope. He was losing hope until Grian came through and mentioned that "They said something about following us."

Etho didn't know who this "they" was that he was talking about, but he waited nonetheless.

More people came through. Some Etho knew, others he didn't. He stared and stared at that portal.

His face lit up as he watched Joel, who was, for some reason, dressed up like a Greek god. Their eyes met and the next moment they were running to each other, Etho still going unnoticed to everyone else and Joel being ignored due the the chaos around them.

Neither one in the pair was much of a hugger, but despite that, it felt right for them. No words had to be spoken to know that they deeply and truly loved eachother.

Joel was the one to break up the hug and, without hesitation, he kissed Etho. He didn't care that the mask was in the way. He didn't care that other people had started to notice that the pair was there. All he cared about was himself and his partner.

When they broke apart Joel found himself staring into Etho's eyes. Then he was enveloped in another hug from the cryptid.

"I missed you."

Three words. Three simple words that normally wouldn't mean much, but for Joel, it was enough.

They were home.

They were together, so they were home, and nothing could take that away from them.

They didn’t know.

Grian had to keep reminding himself of that. The emperors didn’t know. How could they? How would they know that Grumbot was what Grian considered to be his son. He couldn’t blame them really, for not believing that he had made a functioning AI. He couldn’t blame them for not believing that he and his friend Mumbo, whom they didn’t even know for sure existed, had originally made Grumbot for a mayoral campaign.

[Click]

[GRIAN]

Statement of Beef Vintage, regarding the reappearance of two of his friends. Statement taken directly from subject, November 20, 2022. Statement begins.

[Silence that lasts a few seconds]

[BEEF]

Oh! This is where I start?

[GRIAN]

[Exasperated]

Yes.

[BEEF]

Okay. Well, about two years ago now, a few months over that, my two best friends went missing. It was like they had just taken their things and vanished. They were my roommates at the time, and we lived in a decently sized apartment. It was constantly full of stuff. I don't think Etho ever got around to unboxing all his things. That's why it was weird when I came home one day and all of their things were just... gone.

or

Beef makes a statement of when Etho and Pause disappeared

When he had found out that the hermits came through the rift, he was excited, hopeful. He thought that somehow his soulmate had come through.  

"So, who all came through the rift?"  

Grian could see the hope in his eyes.  

"Oh Joel... I'm so sorry. Etho didn't come through."  

"Oh... Oh well. Guess I'll just have to wait right?" the god just laughed sadly, not really knowing how else to react.  

"How do you even remember Double Life?"  

"I remember a lot of things, Grian. Not sure why."  

"Ah well. I'll see you later then, need to go make sure the hermits aren't getting themselves into trouble. Take care."  

"Yeah, I will. Bye G."  

Grian turned before he left, leaving Joel with one last bit of information.  

"I'm sure Etho'll turn up at some point. I haven't talked to him much since after Double Life, but I know he remembers. He'll find his own weird way here."  

And then the avian was off, leaving Joel to himself.  

That was a foolish decision.  

or

When Joel finds out Etho didn’t come through the rift, he decides to take things into his own hands

"You know what this place could use? Some Mezalean heads!"

Scott just stood, staring at the eleven foot god.

"Joel, what in the world is a Mezalean head?"

Joel froze for a second before quickly saving it.

"New toys! I don't have them stocked just yet, but by tomorrow they will be for sale in the toy barn!"

"And what exactly do these toys look like?"

The god stood for a moment, trying to come up with a design for this nonexistent toy on the spot.

"They look like a creature I saw in a book. They're mossy and mushroomy and cover in azalea leaves. The place they live is called- uh- it's called Mezale! So I call them Mezaleans."

"Actually you're right! Those could look so cool under here!"

Joel let out a sigh of relief that Scott actually belived him.

Problem was, now he had to create enough toys to stock up the shop by tomorrow.

If only he had been more careful with his words, this wouldn't have happened. It's not like a mortal like Scott would have understood anyway.

He said his farewells and left, saying that he'd probably add toy sherriffs to this black market Scott has going on.

The flight back home was nice, but every time Joel saw something that remotely reminded him of Mezalea his mind would travel back in time. Just for a split second. For a split second, he would be back at his palace. Or he'd be back at his and Lizzie's wedding. Or he'd be looking at his palace after it had been split in half by the reactor.

He needed to lie down.

The hermits are a strange species.

A species that, despite being the same, look so different from one another.

Maybe that's what tipped Scott off.

The way that his eyes could never seem to focus on them, even though he saw them clearly.

It was worse with a lot of them. Like the one called Impulse, who had claimed to know Scott.

However, it was horrible when he looked at the one called Pearl.

She was so blurry, yet so clear.

So- familiar, but at the same time so strange.

She gave off a really strong magical aura, much like Joel's, but stronger.

Even her clothes were familiar, though she claimed that they had appeared when she emerged from the rift.

Scott decided it was best to keep her close, even if she didn't seem all that evil. And if that were the case, then that just meant he'd have a strong ally.

Another peculiar one was Grian, who Scott somehow felt the effect least of, but always felt like he was being watched whenever he was around the winged guy. He also could never seem to bring himself to look Grian in the eyes. It was cery unusual.

He also saw an incredibly strong aura coming of the avian, this one a mix of both red and purple.

It was almost overwhelming.

Joe Hills was yet another oddity.

On the outside, they seemed human enough, but there was something... off about them.

She didn't seem to understand human customs, and was easily confused.

What Scott know for sure after interacting with her once, was that this hermit was nowhere close to being human.

He was more like a cryptid than anyone else.

Jimmy didn't know what to think when his former soulmate walked through that rift.

Part of him didn't want to believe it, wanted to run out of there.

The other part was so happy to see Tango that he just wanted to run towards him.

To be honest, he didn't really know why he had been there in the first place, but boy was he glad he was.

Ignoring everyone else, Jimmy ran straight to Tango, stopping in from of him.

The pair just stared at each other, for a moment they were frozen in time.

Finally Tango broke the silence.

"Hey."

He sounded happy, but in the tone that sounded sad.

Finally giving in, Jimmy hugged Tango.

"Hey."

"You look different. What's with the cowboy get-up?"

"Let's just say I got inspired, though I could say the same to you. Are you okay though? Aren't blazes meant to be hot?"

"Yeah, but I decided I liked the cold this season."

The world froze and they were silent again, a silence interrupted by a sniffling sound.

"I missed you, Canary."

"And I missed you, Coal Mine."

He still smelled like coal.

They had both changed a lot, yet were somehow the same.

In this moment, Jimmy was happy.

In this moment, Tango wanted to cry.

In this moment, the ranchers were together.

It wasn't working. Why wasn't it working? He had done so much research into how sculk worked, and this was meant to be the only thing that one-hundred percent worked. Here he was, curled up in a ball with his wings around him, eyes wide with terror. He was more scared of himself. The sculk was spreading, and it wasn't helping him. All he wanted to do was not start a resistance. Why was it so difficult? Why was the sculk now making him want to even more? It was invasive. It had invaded his mind. His thoughts were a jumble of contradictions. The skulk was screaming for war. He was screaming for peace. He was getting drowned out. He heard something mechanical. He heard footsteps. He heard a voice. He didn't hear what it was saying. He heard wings flap, and another voice. He moved his wings. The sculk was everywhere in his peripherals. It was surrounding him. It was tangled around him, infecting his wings, his skin, his hair. His voice was gravely. "You need to kill me, Scar." He said it so plainly. He didn't think it would work. He was right. All it did was bring him pain as Scar's sword imbedded itself in his chest and he poofed away. He could feel his phone going off as Scar and Mumbo spammed him with messages. He didn't answer. He opened his enderchest. He grabbed his back-up axe. It was all he would need to finish the job. He could not resist if there was no authority to resist. The king would not live another day. The sculk would invade. The axe would decapitate him. The Red King would die today.

i love writing desertduo so much guys

Grian didn't think that his vow to Scar would last, but here he was, back on Hermitcraft and feeling a tad bit overprotective of Scar.

He knew that there were infinite respawns here, but what if something glitched?

Grian would not be risking that.

So, here he was, following Scar around and making sure nothing would hurt his partner.

Were they even considered partners anymore? Surely they would be. Grian at least still thought of them as a team.

"Hey Gri?"

"Yeah?"

"Why are you still here?"

"Scar, I'm here because I want to be. I want to make sure you're safe. I l- care about you." where did that come from? Love? Grian wasn't in love with Scar. He shook off those thoughts and tuned back in to what his elven companion was now saying.

"-It's not that I don't want you around! I just- well you're acting like a mother hen. Plus, you should know that I am plenty capable of taking care of myself. You've seen my muscles! I'll just punch someone if they try to attack!"

Grian only smiled at Scar, eyes lingering on his lips before snapping himself out of it.

"Oh- uh, I'm sorry. Do you want me to go?"

Scar quickly protested, which made Grian's heart flutter a little.

"No, I love your company, and you being here does make- well it makes me feel, hmm, it makes me feel nice. I just want you to stop being so overprotective? You don't have to fully stop or anything, not if it calms your nerves, but just- tone it down?"

"I- yeah okay."

The two continued like that. Grian being somewhat protective while Scar went around doing his normal routine.

Grian slowly began sneaking more glances at Scar, each time his heart felt all warm and fuzzy, and he was beginning to accept that.

He has also noticed Scar doing the same, though Grian couldn't be too sure as to why the elf kept doing that.

Grian woke up the next day bext to Scar, cuddling the man.

Now it's not like the two hadn't done that before. It's just that something about this time was different.

Grian tried moving to get up but Scar just held him tighter, gently, but tighter.

"Scar I need to get up."

"But I love you."

Grian froze, face quickly heating up.

"What?"

"I said I love you." Scar mumbled again sleepily.

"Are you awake?"

"Mhm. Five more minutes?"

Grian was too stunned to speak as he looked down st Scar.

Did he really mean that? Was it even meant to be romantic? Grian couldn't be sure.

What he could be sure about however, was the fact that he was not getting out of bed any time soon.

So, he settled for gazing at Scar's peaceful face.

"Hey G?"

"Mhm?"

"Can we get up?"

Grian only chuckled at this as he subconsciously began playing with Scar's hair. It was getting long and fluffy.

"I thought you said five more minutes."

"But I'm hungry now," he sat up as he spoke, gazing straight into Grian's eyes.

"How are you so pretty?"

Huh?

Was Scar flirting? Wirh Grian?

Grian couldn't help but gaze back and smile, moving his jand to Scar's cheek.

"Whoa. There's a whole galaxy in your eye," Scar held Grian's face in his hands gently.

The two stayed gazing ibto eachother's eyes, until Grian could feel Scar's breath on his face and his heart started racing.

Scar's voice came in a hushed whisper, "Grian?"

"Scar," Grian spoke at the same level as his companion.

"Can I kiss you?"

Grian responded by closing the gap between them, and it was breathtaking.

Scar's lips were so soft and gentle, and they tasted like cookies.

Scar was the one to pull back, taking a breath of air before kissing Grian again.

Grian felt like he was soaring.

He really was in love, wasn't he?

When the pair pulled apart they just sat with their foreheads together, smiling.

"I love you, Scar."

"I love you too, Gri."

Scar would be lying if he said he was upset to be Grian's soulmate.

Out of everyone there, he felt closest to the avian.

He also knew that they worked well together.

Now Scar had thought the feeling was mutual but he was beginning to feel like it wasn't.

The first thing that had tipped him off was the fact that Grian had shouted "NOOO" upon finding out, though Scar had just brushed that off.

Now, however, it was becoming more clear that Grian wanted nothing to do with him.

Scar tried, he really did, to stay close to Grian, but nothing worked.

Then Scar saw Grian with BigB and just knew.

It was unfair, he thought. Unfair that they were happy and he, well, wasn't.

He felt as if his heart was shattered.

It wasn't just that either, his soulmate string had become desaturated and looked dead, if a string could even look dead.

But instead of solving the problem,he just tried ignoring it. He just wanted the feeling of heartbreak to go away.

So, he spent most of his time with the Jellies or anywhere away from the main base really.

That's where he was when Grian came looking for him.

Scar had been cuddles up in a corner, surrounded by Jellies and half-asleep.

"Scar? You alright?"

Scar only hummed in response, afraid that if he answered truthfully he'd never stop talking.

Grian wormed his way next to scar, "Scar I cam tell that something's wrong. You know you can trust me, right? I'm your soulmate."

Scar stayed quiet and looked at the Jellies.

"I can go if you'd prefer-"

"No! Don- Stay. Even if it's only for five minutes. Please."

"What- Scar what do you mean?"

Scar inhaled quickly, "Grian I- I'm not stupid, I know I can be oblivious sometimes but- well I'm not dumb. I know you've been avoiding me."

"What gave you that idea?"

"You're never here, Grian. Even when you are you're too busy to talk to me. I know about you and BigB."

Grian just sat there shocked.

"Scar-"

"No, I'm sorry. It's fine."

Scar got up to leave before Grian pulled him down.

Grian pit his hands on Scar's face and looked him in the eyes.

"Scar, you idiot."

With that, Scar was engulfed in a hug.

"I was just visiting BigB, Scar. I don't see him often. And I'm so, so sorry that I made you think I was avoiding you I-genuinely I have been quite busy and I'm sorry."

"Well then what- what have you been doing?"

Scar still didn't know if he could fully trust Grian, but he was always one for second chances.

Grian pulled away from the hug before fishing something out of his pocket.

"I was gonna give it to you later but- you know."

It was a necklace, and as Scar looked at it he noticed the pendant.

It was a little Jellie.

"I had to ask Etho for some help with it so it's not the best but-"

"G- it's- it's perfect. Thank you."

Scar put the necklace on and immediately hugged Grian.

"I'm sorry for accusing you of avoiding me."

"And I'm sorry it seemed that way."

"Grian?"

"Yeah?"

"Can we stay like this? Just for a bit?"

Grian chuckled lightly, "Yeah."

Dead.

Jimmy was dead first.

He wasn't surprised, if he was being completely honest.

Somewhere along the way, during Last Life he was pretty sure, Jimmy had found out about the Watchers. Well, he found out that they were still active.

They had talked to him, disregarded the rhyming and got straight to the point.

They had told Jimmy that he was cursed.

Cursed to die first in every rendition of this server. They called him the Canary.

Truth be told he didn't mind it all too much, the problem this time around was the fact that he was forced to drag Tango with him.

So, here he was, sat on the grassy hills that was his afterlife, not looking into his soulmate's eyes.

"Jimmy..."

"I-"

"Jimmy it's okay."

"Don't say that."

"But it's the truth," Tango crouched down and when to touch Jimmy's shoulder, to which the canary wacked it away.

He looked at Tango, tears streaming down his face, "Don't say it's fine when you know it's not. Don't lie to me. Tango this is my fault, you shouldn't even be here. You should be back on Hermitcraft."

Tango just looked at the grass.

"But we're in this together-"

"No, we were in it together. Double Life has ended for us, Tango," he pinched himself, "See? we're not connected. Not anymore."

Tango was silent for a moment before standing up.

"You're an idiot, Jimmy, did you know that?"

"So I've been told."

Tango walked off and came back with a small bouquet of flowers.

"Hey, take these. I know it's not much but I thought you'd like it."

Jimmy just stared, tears still streaming down his face.

Of all things, flowers.

"Stop it."

"What?"

"Put the flowers away."

"But-"

Jimmy stood up.

"Leave me alone. Don't follow me. Go. Home."

And so Tango was left, stranded in a field with a bouquet of flowers that never wilted.

Half a heart.

Pearl had gotten down to half a heart and she wasn't healing herself, so Scott assumed she had run out of food.

Scott didn't have food either, and he didn't dare go outside right now.

His head was spinning and it was starting to get difficult to breathe.

Scott stumbled to his bed before lying down, maybe he could message Cleo for some food.

He was too tired for that though, and instead just stayed still in his bed.

Suddenly, he felt as if something had punched him in the gut, and immediately coughed up blood.

He felt the string that tied him to Pearl loosen as a singed end drifted towards him.

He couldn't breathe.

Pearl didn't do what Scott thought she did, did she?

No, Pearl's not that type of person.

Then Scott thought more about it, trying to ignore the pain he was in.

This wasn't Last Life Pearl he was dealing with.

This wasn't his ally, this was his soulbound whom he had declared an enemy.

Of course Pearl would eat a gapple to save her own skin, she had no reason to stay tied to Scott.

Scott faintly heard a door open as footsteps neared.

He assumed it was Cleo, but was in so much pain that his vision was blurry so he couldn't be sure.

Cleo's voice could fainy be heard.

"Scott! Scott don't die on me, for the love of anything don't die. What happened?"

Scott couldn't talk, and he reeled in pain again as he felt an arrow hit him in the shoulder.

There wasn't actually an arrow, but he did feel like he was being stabbed by one.

He tried to breathe, tried to live, but to no avail.

Smajor1995 died

--

pearls pov here :D

Pearl didnt mean to get a golden apple.

She also didn't mean to run out of food and get down to half a heart.

Scott wasn't eating either so their hearts weren't healing.

She could barely breathe and felt like she was about to faint.

Sorry Scott, she thought, knowing full well that her soulbound couldn't hear, and even if he could he wouldnt care.

Now that she was thinking about it, why did she still care?

Scott had already proven that he didn't care about Pearl in the slightest, so why should she care.

She stared at the golden apple in her inventory.

If she didn't eat now she would starve to death.

Even if Scott ate, that wouldn't heal Pearl's hunger.

So she sat in the dark of a cold cave, debating her options.

Would it really be so bad if she ate the apple?

Would it really be so bad if she severed her ties with Scott once and for all?

Well, it was either that or she dies.

She sighed, and took a bite.

A weight was lifted off her shoulders as the red string on her finger loosened and the severed end appeared.

she wrapped the remainder of the string loosely arounder her arm and steadied her breathing, watching as her hearts healed and two yellow ones appeared.

She stood up, and made her way back overground, a new jump in her step.

--

scotts pov here :D