AN: Sorry for the wait. I'm starting a new job and it's tough finding the time for typing. On the plus side, you get a longer chapter. From now on, look to the Corn Cobb Weekly Forum (link on my profile). It'll have the update percentage and give you an idea how close I am to pumping out a new chapter.

With that said, I think I did pretty good on this one. It involves a lot of perspectives, but it's written as one chapter as opposed to the rotating chapters of the last Arc.

Almost to 600 Favs and Follows! HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Ahem. Enjoy.

Disclaimer: I don't own Minecraft. If I did, I'd add more food.

Chapter 182

A Day of Distractions

[Exter]

Testificates were the original beings of Minecraftia. The first sentient forms of life before Crafters arrived.

As beings of this realm, they were finely tuned to how its phenomena occurred. They could sense the minute changes in air quality, wind direction, and the very energy of the world itself—enough so that they could predict certain events weeks in advance. They could predict a coming storm and, more importantly, they could determine when a new Bounty Day was coming.

This time was no exception. The citizens of Exter were overjoyed to hear that another Bounty Day would grace Minecraftia. The Testificates said that the day would be October 25th. Tomorrow. And although the Testificates warned that this particular Bounty Day would be dangerous to their way of life, the Crafters shrugged it off, lost in the excitement of what it would bring.

However, Exter's King, Sdrawkcab, knew better.

He knew what a Bounty Day meant. He knew a Hacker had died. And thanks to his Domino ability, he could see the consequences laid before him. So, in the week leading up to the Bounty Day—between continuing his search for errant Hackers and fulfilling his responsibilities as Executive of the Endward Cult's Western Division—he found the time to arrange a speech, to be delivered to the people the eve of the Bounty Day.

There were some things he had to make known to his loyal citizens if he was to maintain their trust. It was a decree he knew he had to make sooner or later. This just gave him an opportune time to present it.

And so it was that King Sdrawkcab left the secure confines of his private study and ascended to the top of Brimstone Bastion to deliver his speech. He rested his hands on the railing of the nether brick fortress and looked down at the packed square. Everybody in the Kingdom's capital had come to see him. He was a fair and beloved king to his people. His words were held in high regard. Built over years of delivering on his promises and providing wealth and prosperity.

If he told them to jump, they wouldn't ask how high. They'd just jump.

The din of restless murmurs died the moment he took to the balcony. You could hear a note block it was so quiet. They were all waiting to listen.

"Citizens of Exter," Sdraw began, stepping closer to the railing, "I have—"

He purposefully stumbled going towards the railing and threw himself over. His body plummeted off the side, earning a chorus of panicked shrieks from the packed square that was coming fast to greet him.

As he nose-dived off the bastion, he watched rapid movements below; the crowd moved to intercept. From within belts and backpacks, cushioning materials were hastily withdrawn. Water buckets, beds, slime blocks, cobwebs, and all other manner of cushy blocks were placed down in a kind of safety net by guards and citizens alike.

When people worked together, it was amazing what could be done, and in how short a time. The Ten Kingdoms took only a few decades to get set up. Akasha built the Hackers their Obelisk in less time than that. And in just a few moments, the gathered citizens of Exter had constructed a safety net with which to catch their plummeting monarch.

Sdraw landed safely upon a slime block, bounced once, and then fell on a bed of cobwebs, sticking fast. From behind eyelids opened so thin they appeared closed, he watched concerned citizens reach out for him, helping him out of the cobwebs, and checking him over for injuries. The relief of the masses was palpable now that he was safe.

They said many things, then. Much fussing about his safety. He bore it all, dusting his blue suit off as he extricated himself from the cobwebs. He offered a closed-eyed apologetic smile, wiping his face with a volunteered piece of paper.

"Thanks and apologies are in order." He nodded coyly. After verifying his safety, the closest in the crowd gave him some space and quieted to hear him. "Let it be known that even the royals have bouts of clumsiness. Though, usually not as near-fatal as that one." There were a few nervous chuckles as Sdraw took a gander at the balcony from which he fell. "Were it not for your quick thinking and timely action, I fear I would have been undone." He let his words settle for a bit before clapping his hands. "Now then. Perhaps I best continue my speech down here, where I'm less likely to fall."

More laughter. Less nervous now that things were back to normal. Nothing broke the ice quite like taking a tumble.

But that wasn't why he purposefully threw himself off the balcony and played it off as clumsiness. He was good with making plans, but this had little to do with furthering the Endward Cult's goal. It was merely a product of his labors… and a guilty pleasure, if he was being completely honest. Going off the side wasn't part of any plans, but he had his selfish reasons.

You could fight for power your whole life—buy, bully, reason, and negotiate your way to the top—and issue commands that must be followed. But it is significantly harder to inspire people to act on your behalf. The people of Exter saved his life of their own volition—he didn't have to utter a word.

It was the stuff of dreams, to be so beloved that everyone takes action on his behalf. His thoughts, being translated into actions, by his people.

That was the kind of power that took a lifetime to nurture.

But enough of indulging himself. He had an announcement to deliver.

He cleared his throat. "There is just cause for celebration. Today, on the eve of a Bounty Day, Minecraftia will be graced with many new marvels and wonders. The exact nature of these developments will be up to you, the common Crafter, to ascertain. I trust you will share whatever you discover with your fellow man, and aid in this exchange of information."

He received many nods from the crowd and a few agreeable murmurs.

"However, things are not all positive as of late. Every light has a shadow. Every ray of sunshine has a storm cloud." His voice impressed grave seriousness upon the people, demanding their full attention and absolute silence. "I'm sure you're all heard the rumors about Akasha's fate. Trust me when I say these are no rumors. Akasha has fallen. A Kingdom of tough, hardy men and women has been wiped off the map entirely. One only has to look to see that the large mesa upon which the Kingdom was nestled upon has been reduced to nothing."

His words were delivered with blunt certainty; He didn't sugarcoat it. The Hack Clan's powers were always a foreboding mystery. No one knew nor wanted to know what they were capable of. Only in their wildest dreams could the people of Exter imagine them capable of erasing whole landscapes.

"Sadly, there is more." Sdraw continued, pacing before the listening crowd. They parted to let him pass, their eyes wide an afraid to hear more. "Akasha supplied the Hackers with a home—the Obelisk—but also a monthly tribute of food. In exchange, the Hack Clan agreed to tolerate their neighbors and let bygones be bygones." He frowned deeply. "That has changed."

"With Akasha gone, the Hack Clan will likely seek out a different supplier for their food. Likely a Kingdom, and within close proximity of their Obelisk. I can only expect that to mean Zeppil, Dover Plains… or us."

Sdraw allowed the message to sink in as the members of the crowd looked to their neighbors in worry. They wanted nothing to do with the clan, but the possibility was out there.

They didn't know that Sdraw already agreed to give them food. Not only that, but he agreed to find their wayward brethren. Ten of them. The citizens didn't need to know either of those things.

"As it stands, I'm prepared to receive a 'visit' from the Hack Clan sometime shortly after the Bounty Day arrives. They will demand an audience with me, though they will never call it that." He sighed resignedly—the act carefully fabricated to appear as a weary ruler. "I hope that we are not chosen to supply them with tribute, but I cannot discount the possibility. Exter is the closest neighboring Kingdom. Until I'm sure, I will assume they will arrive within the week, and I will await them, out in the open!" He had to raise his voice when the crowd started screaming in dissent. "OUT IN THE OPEN, to strike a deal and ensure our Kingdom's continued safety!"

The roars of refusal were deafening. The people of Exter were proud and strong—a result of their first king, Zipshin, and his rebuffing of the Hackers in the Stigmata Wars centuries ago. He had paid with his life, but the Hackers were repelled and the Kingdom survived. Akasha was less fortunate. And now Sdraw was telling them he'd cut a deal with those godless beings. Worse, that he would wait and risk his safety when he was beloved by all.

"THIS IS NOT UP FOR DEBATE!" He howled righteously, stunning the crowd into simmering down. "I'm preparing for the worst! Refusing the Hackers will call them all down on us! It will be Akasha all over again, and I refuse to watch as my people are reduced to dust and echoes!"

He panted heavily after his exclamation, wiping his face down with the same piece of paper while his subjects quieted down.

"A few shipments of food are a small price to pay for your lives." He said firmly. "So long as I am your king, I will prioritize our survival above all else. You may resent me, call me a coward for cutting deals with Hackers, but when the alternative is going to war and dying a pointless death, I will cheerfully accept the former."

Another pause to allow the message to sink in. They weren't shouting anymore, but it was clear they disagreed with taking over the tribute.

"Forgive me for dampening your moods. This is still the eve of a Bounty Day. You should be celebrating." He shook his head. "Think on what I've decided. If it helps, consider it as us shouldering the burden of the Hack Clan so that others don't have to. However, don't think I plan to feed a pack of killers forever. If they try to break an agreement or do us harm, and there is no possibility for peace, well…"

He spread his arms out, a reassuring smile coming to his face easily.

"Then we'll beat those bastards back. Powers or not, we are men of Exter. We do not go quietly. I'll count on your strength, then."

The explosion of raucous cheers and applause was deafening. Throw out a comment to play up the people's strength and they lose themselves in patriotic fervor.

"Of course we'll fight!"

"Those Hackers don't scare us!"

"You can rely on us, your highness!"

"LONG LIVE HIS HIGHNESS!"

"SDRAW! SDRAW! SDRAW!"

Sdraw allowed himself to be chased away by the applause, back into Brimstone Bastion. As soon as he was inside, he ordered his guards to bring him a week's worth of foodstuffs. He also insisted he would perform his royal duties on the open ramparts of the bastion, and that he was to be unguarded. They protested, at first, but he chose the right words and assurances and got his way in the end.

So he sat cross-legged on the ramparts with a chest of papers and food before him. He swiftly went to work as if it was another typical day. The warm air of Exter blew against his face and made him sweat. And it was that alone that made him sweat. Not the fact that the Hack Clan's leader, Entity 303, would soon be arriving with questions about how another of his brethren was killed.

Sdraw knew it was coming. Hiding in his office would be a waste of time and lead to collateral damage. Better to wait on the ramparts, out in the open, where 303 would have no trouble finding him.

When that time came, Sdraw would have to rely on his silver tongue to appease the incensed Hacker. With everything he knew about him, he began to run simulations in his Head. He saw the dominos scattered about, and it was his job to line them up in such a way to achieve the most satisfactory conclusion. At least now the citizens wouldn't question why 303 made a beeline for him.

Plans within plans.

[Floyd]

"You're saying you got jumped by a water cultist? That's a new one."

"Do I look like I'm joking?" I was still dripping from my dunk in the river, my back to the sun getting dried first. "His name was Drowned_One, but I was almost the drowned one. Creepy nutcase was going on about holy water."

"Raaawk, creepy nutcase!" Soul's parrot chimed in. Cat-Face rubbed his face against my leg, trying to comfort me.

"Drowned_One was his name?" Noman asked. "You sure it was Drowned_One?"

"Believe me, I was close enough to read it." I rubbed Cat-Face behind the ears, listening to him purr. "Why? You know him from somewhere?"

"He was among the wanted posters in Westmarch." Noman looked troubled. "The escapees from Ringwood. Drowned_One was among them."

"Riiiiiiight. I thought his name sounded familiar." Soul rubbed his chin. "And there were rumors that they joined up with the Endward Cult. I wouldn't put it past them. Imprisoned for years, they'd look at the cultists like their saviors."

"I don't see that guy playing well with others." I grimaced as I wrung water out of my turtleneck.

"Is cultist such a far leap from water cultist?" Soul asked wryly.

"We should alert Carys." Noman suggested. "We're planning to raid the outpost tomorrow. If Drowned_One really has taken sides with the Endward Cult, we might lose our element of surprise."

"He only saw me. And I never dropped any names."

"All the same, she'll want to know."

"Tch. Fine. We'll tell her." Soul groused. "Bet you she'll be all uppity about it."

"Then maybe I should be the one to talk with her." Noman volunteered. "Aikido preaches non-violent interactions. You two can act as support."

He had a point. Noman was the most clear-headed of the three of us. For one, he wouldn't be swinging axes at Carys if she were to insult him. He was our best negotiator. With that decided, Noman gathered himself and began to plan what he was going to say to the Angel of Death.

"HEY! YOU THREE!"

And then Carys shattered his plans with a single exclamation.

The three of us whirled as Carys marched towards us with an irritated expression on her face. The other Paragons followed in her wake with varying emotions playing upon their faces. Kalmarin looked troubled while Anibal looked enthusiastic—outstripping Carys to reach us.

We lined up nervously. What made her so upset? We hadn't even told her about Drowned_One yet!

Anibal was the one who got to us first. She latched onto an uncomfortable Noman with sparkles in her eyes. She couldn't stop the eager words from tumbling out of her mouth.

"Is it true that Bounty Days are triggered by slain Hackers?"

The question caught us off guard and allowed Carys a vocal follow up.

"I just got a report from Baltic." She held up her map. "He tells me your pair of pals were aware of a link between Bounty Days and Hackers. So my question is," she planted her hands on her hips, "how come I'm only hearing about this now!? We've been traveling for nearly a week and you didn't think to share such valuable information? Wanted to keep it to yourselves, hm?"

"It's not true, is it?" Kalmarin asked. He looked deeply troubled, desperate to know the truth. "I never heard of such a thing while in the Hack Clan. No Hacker ever died, true, but still…"

"Go on and tell us!" Anibal's arms shivered with excitement. "I'm a sucker for new weapons and gear, and these Bounty Days promise all that in spades!"

"W-Wait a second! Hold on!" Noman slipped out of Anibal's grip and held up his hands towards Carys. "Yes, it's true, but… but we weren't hiding it! You never asked!"

"What sort of excuse is that?" Carys stomped forward, prompting Noman to retreat. "Whether we asked or not, it's information that must be shared! Bounty Days provide us with new means of warfare, new enchantments, new potions, new Mobs, new blocks! It's an advantage to be utilized, and until now we had no idea we could manipulate it in our favor. Does that sound like inessential information to you?"

"It's not about importance." I piped up, placing myself between Noman and Carys. Her crimson eyes glared at me, but I continued. "Beginners and Paragons. We're two groups of people with no prior interactions to speak of. We have no idea what you don't know! Information that might seem standard to us—like the Hackers and Bounty Days—might come as a surprise for you. Similarly, you might know things we don't, assuming we're all on the same page when we're not."

Carys' eyes narrowed, but I saw her shoulders loosening up. Kalmarin was still reeling from the reveal about Bounty Days. He really had no idea. That meant the Hack Clan had no idea either.

"When you asked us about cultist information, we gave you everything we had." I continued. "But when it comes to specific nuggets of wisdom we picked up, we're clueless as to what needs to be shared and what you already know. Would you have us recount everything we ever learned in the hopes of gleaned some vital piece of intel?"

"…No." Carys relented. "I suppose that would waste too much time."

"Are there any other secrets you guys know?" Anibal asked. "Like about the artifacts?"

"…Like what?" Noman replied hesitantly. "Do you, er, know that the Hack Clan possesses two of them?"

"They know." Kalmarin nodded. "Boots that summon multicolored fire and leggings that can freeze a Crafter solid. I've seen them in action before I left the Clan."

"See, this is what we're talking about." I tapped my foot impatiently. "We told you something you already know and keep quiet about things you don't. How are we supposed to exchange information like this?"

"Alright, alright, I get it." Carys relaxed. "From now on any information we learn, we'll share with everyone. Keeps everyone on the same page. Agreed?"

"Then on that note," Noman began, "we wanted to tell you about an escapee Floyd ran into."

One short explanation later and Carys and the Paragons were brought up to speed on Drowned_One.

Carys hummed to herself. "I remember Drowned_One. He was responsible for a series of murders a while back. Drowned all his victims and had an unhealthy obsession with water." She glanced to the Red River. "Could've been drawn here. It's the largest source of water in the Redbone Desert."

"But do you think he's linked with the Endward Cult?" Soul asked. "You said there's an outpost here somewhere. It can't just be a coincidence."

"It's definitely not a coincidence." Carys folded her arms. "Drowned_One, and the other escapees, are all working with the Endward Cult." Our eyes widened at how sure she sounded. "Up near the villages in Lazuli, we got Paragons reporting about a series of murders. Almost a thousand Crafters were killed and their Heads were all missing. Furthermore, Ringwood's escapees were sighted, and their respective MO's fit. Burned homes were PearlyKeen's doing, while the frozen Crystal Lake had cracks in it from where Drowned_One drowned his victims."

"You… figured all that out?" I asked, impressed.

"Jillian's information network is reliable everywhere but in the west." Anibal supplied. "We also got reports of Keen, Cyan_Gift, and one other accomplice attacking Jolin. That arsonist set fire to the trees and would've burned the place to the ground if the guards and Berserkers hadn't acted as fast as they did. Fires were put out, but the three escapees escaped again."

"Considering how Keen got from Lazuli to Jolin within the span of a week, combined with the missing Heads," Carys surmised, "it's safe to assume the escapees are in league with the cult. Which means Drowned_One's proximity is no coincidence. We'll likely encounter him in the outpost."

"Damnit." I cursed. "If I had known he was a cultist, I wouldn't have been off-guard. He'll warn the cultists about me—he might have even seen us working together!"

"Doubt it." Anibal shook her head. "You were downstream when he attacked you, yeah? The way you explained it, you scared him off. He wouldn't have followed you to us."

"But he will be expecting a Hacker and a Beginner." Carys commented. "Well, this changes things."

"It does?"

"Yes. See, the plan was for us to go in while you three attack from the shadows." Carys explained. "But since Floyd got spotted, it'll be you three leading the charge."

"Say what!?" Noman panicked.

"You heard me." Carys gave a shark-like grin. "You're going to be tasting blood tomorrow, Noman. While they'll be distracted by the Bounty Day, you'll don that Severe Shield and give 'em hell."

Noman visibly trembled and Carys had to grab his arms to keep him from running.

"No chickening out. This'll be a good chance to toughen up for future battles. No more Aikido softness." She started to drag him off. "Come. We need to prepare you for what is likely your first raid."

"Way to negotiate, Noman!" Soul cheered in response to Noman's stricken face. "Guess we'll need to prep ourselves too."

"Right. Kalmarin!" I called out to Carys' Hacker. "Can you give me another Strength lesson? I want to see if I can use it by tomorrow."

"…Sure." He accepted, still looking a bit out of it. "It'll give us a chance to talk."

[Cobb]

The Trans-Kingdom Railway, or TKR, was a better mode of transportation than horseback or walking. There were four sets of rails along the illuminated, raised wooden platform—two going towards Daymonte and two going away. We'd often pass engineers, builders, and guards speeding in the opposite direction. The rails were level the whole way through, providing a smooth, non-jostling journey from start to finish. It was a little unnerving passing under all those guard towers, but the powered rails were propelling us so fast that the guards didn't have the time to examine the name over my head. Instead, they allowed us to pass simply because of the red leather caps we donned.

The lead guard had really saved us there.

It was also nice riding above the trees and Mobs, even as the sun sank and the moon came out. The tracks were illuminated by redstone lamps and high enough that nothing got in our way. By midnight, we had reached our destination.

The Automated Kingdom, Daymonte.

Built along the walls of two intersecting chasms, the technologically advanced kingdom of redstone boasted some of the greatest inventions in Minecraftia. Home of the Redstone College, Potato Tech, and, as I recently discovered from Herobrine's journals, was founded when Jeb was led there by Eyes of Ender. Straight to the Stronghold and the End Portal.

Riding towards the x-shaped chasms was a completely different experience at night. Lights burst forth from the ground with unparalleled splendor, casting the surrounding rugged badlands in shadows. I could practically hear the hum of moving pistons and parts shaking the rails. It was a kingdom of activity. A kingdom that never slept.

The only kingdom on earth that could have spat out a nerd like Lenz.

As our carts sped towards it, the rails suddenly dipped, the tracks angling into the ground. Seems the station was in the kingdom itself. Likely heavily guarded. Time to disappear.

I prepared to shed my armor and drink the invisibility potion Baltic gave me before realizing something I should have realized one minecart ride ago.

My Inventory was full!

"Shoot…" I hissed under my breath, my hands full with my armor. It was no trouble while wearing them, but I couldn't wear them while being invisible! I had no belt space, no backpack space, and we were coming in hot into the station with my hands overflowing with five pieces of armor!

"Okay, don't panic…" I glanced off the side of the speeding minecart, then looked behind at the procession of Paragons riding after me. I was positioned in the middle; Lenz, Baltic, and a few other Paragons were in front of me.

The station was close. In that instant, I did what any rational person would have done.

I threw the iron boots, iron helmet, and red leather cap in the air, drank the invisibility potion, and dove out of the speeding minecart.

Now, in retrospect, I could've either done two-thirds or one-third of those three things without consequence. Doing all three at once left me with a bruised knee where my leg hit the ground while I was safely invisible. The other carts ferrying Paragons went speeding by and I was left in a kind of underground tunnel just shy of the station.

Kept my green-dyed tunic, though. I thought, smirking through the pain in my knee.

From the looks of it, I got out not a moment too soon. As soon as Lenz and the Paragons pulled into the station, they slowed to a stop and were beset by red-capped guards. I watched quietly, creeping out of the tunnel and climbing atop the stone offloading platform.

"You aren't guards." One guard accused, his sword drawn and pointed at the Paragons. "The TKR isn't ready for human traffic. Who gave you permission to use it?"

"One of the guards let us pass. It was an emergency." Baltic mediated smoothly. "We were given a Maintenance Pass. Here." He handed it to the accusing guard. "You can check its validity."

While he perused it suspiciously, another guard looked over the group.

"A party of thirteen? Awfully unlucky."

"We do not believe in superstition." Lenz replied.

"And how come there are fourteen carts here?" The same guard asked. "You missing someone?"

"Er…" Lenz faltered but Trenay interceded.

"Ah, that was my fault. I put down my cart but it hit a powered rail and sped out from under me. Had to put down a new one."

"Ah, I see. Happens all the time." The guard dropped it and Lenz's shoulders relaxed.

Finally, the guard gave a satisfactory nod at the Maintenance Pass. "Doesn't seem like a forgery. The thirteen of you are all together?"

"Yes, sir." Baltic said.

"Alright. Sorry for the hassle, but the TKR really isn't fit for Crafters to use yet."

"Well, it certainly got us here fast." Wing complimented. "I'd love to ride it again once it's properly completed."

"Lots of Crafters feel that way." The guard smiled. "Anyway, this is usually done at the toll gates, but I'll need you all to present Citizenship Information, Entry Passes, and a tithe of emeralds. Six apiece."

"Okay, everyone. Cough up." Perry called out, prompting the Paragons to start digging for emeralds. Some of them—Lenz included—had to go to an ender chest to secure the necessary funds while others handed over their Citizenship Information and passes. I noticed that the Jibberwoman let one of her assassins pay for her.

"You guys keep a Jibberwoman among you?" One of the guards asked with clear wariness. "She going to be a problem? Can she understand what we're saying?"

Just from the guard's tone, Z7 clenched her fists tight. Her empty eyes stared past her curtain of hair and onto the floor.

"You. Give. Pass. Yes?" One guard spoke with the slowness one reserved when talking with stupid people. "Pass. And. Information."

"Dzmg gl gib hzbrmt gszg ztzrm drgs ml gvvgs?" She replied, prompting Lenz to get between them.

"R kivuvi blf mlg grv gsvhv tfziwh rmgl kivgavoh, gszmp blf!" Lenz spoke in Jibberish. The Paragons and guards made confused expressions while Z7 snorted amusedly under her curtain of hair, her fists loosening. "Qfhg rtmliv gsvn."

"…Ru R nfhg." The assassin relented, handing over her information and pass.

"Are you a Jibberman too?" One guard asked of Lenz. He waved the idea aside, his tinted glasses masking his eyes.

"No, no. I am a Crafter." He assured. "All Jibbermen and Jibberwomen can communicate. Learning the language is just my way of understanding them better."

"But they're wrong in the head." One guard spoke like it was a matter of fact. "Their brains are as scrambled as their names. You can't understand something like that—"

"I would kindly ask you gentlemen not to insult our comrade." Baltic spoke sternly, his serious expression mirrored by the listening Paragons. Warily, the guard dropped the topic.

The guards were so busy checking emeralds and information, I was able to sneak around to the exit with my invisibility still active. Whenever they were ready to leave, I'd walk out with them.

"Any reason why the toll increased?" Lenz asked, handing over his Entry Pass and tithe.

"To pay for the TKR, obviously." A guard answered. He scanned the documents carefully before returning it to the engineer. "We also need to step up security. People are afraid after the shitstorm in Ringwood and they want security. That costs emeralds. We're already busting at the seams with the refugees we took in. If Ringwood can't get their shit together, Daymonte's gonna suffer."

"Ooooh…" One guard made an appreciative noise when the Paragons handed over their passes. "A Gold Pass! And you've got twelve of them? Just who are you people?"

"Just a couple of worldly travelers, touring the kingdoms." Baltic accepted the pass back and Lenz raised a brow.

"What is a Gold Pass?"

"It was set up by… well…" Baltic hesitated, the guards glaring at him pointedly. "Rhymes with Shmerobrine."

I took a step closer to listen better.

"Carrying Entry Passes was required to enter a Kingdom, but you needed ten passes to go everywhere. It was cumbersome and filled up too much Inventory space. So… Shmerobrine… he came up with the idea to condense them. All a Crafter had to do was collect all ten and turn them in at an official registration facility. They'd register you and present a Gold Citizenship Pass, acceptable at any of the ten Kingdoms. Aside from a convenient way to hold all your passes, it inspired many Crafters to travel the world and make a collection of it. They're fairly rare for civilians who wish to settle down."

Yet another thing Herobrine was involved in. He seemed to have a hand in everything. A real proactive man before his fall from grace.

It was difficult to pinpoint my feelings for the guy. On one hand, he was the Founder of the Endward Cult and the architect of so much misfortune in the world. But he was also a brilliant researcher who paved the foundations for the Kingdoms and studied Mobs so that Crafters would have an easier time dealing with them.

The rest of Minecraftia seemed to hate his guts. I saw Lenz had to stow away his Herobrine book copies in an ender chest so the guards wouldn't freak out. Herobrine's writings and his name were taboo; it wasn't just in Akasha. Baltic couldn't even say the name out loud for fear of angering the guards. They all hated him.

Maybe because I knew his story from the journal entries, it made me more lenient. I defended his writings in Akasha. I kept his Mob books and even started writing my own. Did I agree with Next Life Theory? No. And I despised the Endward Cult for what they did in Ringwood.

But Herobrine himself… I don't know. It was a gray area. I didn't even know if the guy was dead or not. The Endward Cult seemed to think I knew where he was, but I hadn't a clue.

…Just a hunch.

My thoughts turned downward towards the stronghold I visited the last time I was in Daymonte. Now that I knew better, I knew it was one of Herobrine's labs. It was still there, along with that End Portal.

…I could go visit it. See if my hunch is right.

I thought about it until the guards finished searching through Lenz and the Paragons' gear. Still invisible, I joined them as they walked past me, the guards waving us forward. We exited out onto a stone bridge poking out of the chasm wall.

Once again, I was mystified by the lights and movement of the Automated Kingdom. The slime elevators and landing pads (how could I forget those engaging ways to get around?), the zipping minecarts, the flashing lamps, an airship here and there—

"Oh," Lenz sobbed, averting his gaze from the wool sails and wooden craftsmanship, "I cannot look. It reminds me too much of my Asmodeus."

"I think you mean our Asmodeus." Perry growled. "It'd still be ours if not for you. Now it's in the Endward Cult's clutches."

"What's in the past is done." Baltic ended the argument before it could start. He then pressed a few emeralds into Lenz's hands. "Here. Take this and book a room at the Tavern on the Sparks. You and Cobb." He whispered urgently.

"You're ditching us?" I whispered, still invisible. Baltic looked around trying to find me before holding out his hand incessantly. He shook it twice before I realized he wanted me to take it. I grabbed hold and squeezed to show where I was. He added his other hand and gripped tightly as he whispered more.

"A Kingdom like Daymonte will have Endward Cult spies lying in wait. We can't be seen with a Beginner like Lenz when we're purported to be enemies." Once again, I had to concede that Baltic had a point. "We'll book a separate inn from you guys and draw the attention."

"The Paragons are the bigger catch anyway." Dwight boasted lightly. He was then tripped by an invisible leg.

"Are you guys going to be alright?" I felt obligated to ask. "What if you're attacked?"

"Oh, we're counting on it." Aurand noted grimly.

"Unless three Lieutenants ambush us with a decent number of cultists, we should be able to handle ourselves." Luis assured. "Worry more about Lenzington. He's appearing by himself."

"Assuming AceOfJades told them about me." Lenz muttered.

"Alright, fine. Is Carys gonna flip?" I asked. "We're splitting up—"

"We already map messaged her." Baltic held up his map. "Told her about the Bounty Day connection with the Hackers. She was surprised, you know. Wants to know if you have anything else worthwhile to share."

"How am I supposed to know what she doesn't know?" I remarked, annoyed. The mention of Jade and Carys irking me. "Should I just divulge everything so we can compare notes? I don't have that kind of time."

"It was just a suggestion…" Baltic trailed off. "We'll meet at the Tavern on the Sparks tomorrow. Right after the Bounty Day. In the meantime, we need to take care of a few errands for Carys while we're here."

"What sort of errands?"

"Nothing duplicitous. Not when she has her honor to think of." Baltic flashed a wry grin. "We need to check up on an order she placed with SutsCo. There's a store here in Daymonte."

SutsCo? I thought. First I'm hearing of it.

"Alright. See you tomorrow." I nodded, prepared to turn and go. However, Baltic still gripped my hand.

"One more thing. Don't leave the tavern. Lay low. You're a wanted criminal and the Endward Cult will hear if you're spotted."

"You think I'd be dumb enough to go out in public as a wanted man?"

"Not dumb, just impulsive. Much like Carys." I wish I wasn't invisible so he could see my grimace. "Please, just stay out of sight until we meet back up. I'll have more Potions of Invisibility and you'll be free to roam Daymonte. But until then, you and Lenz should confine yourselves to your room. Maybe experiment with the new Bounty Day stuff…?"

I sighed wearily. House arrest. It was being chaperoned by Wynn all over again.

"Fine." I agreed, Baltic finally letting go of my hand. "You know where this tavern is, Lenz?"

"I believe so." He grew up in this Kingdom, after all. "I will admit, it is one of the seedier ones."

"Whoopee…"

As we split up from the Paragons, I noticed Z7 lingered. She cast a curious look in Lenz's direction. But when the engineer looked back, she turned and followed her comrades. Lenz didn't seem bothered by it, though. Instead, he took a deep breath and drank in the redstone surrounding him.

"Ahhh, it is good to be back home. I missed the sounds of pistons and the flashing lights."

"I bet you did." I chuckled. "You can take the redstone out of the nerd, but you can't take the nerd out of the redstone… or something along those lines. Hey, would you want to go visit the college?"

He raised a brow. "Did you not hear Baltic? We need to reserve a room at the tavern. Attract as little attention as possible."

"But it'll be a quick stop." I reasoned. "It's on the way. Why not?"

"It is most certainly not on the way." Lenz frowned. "Need I remind you that your invisibility has a time limit? Once it expires, Daymonte's guards will hound you worse than Hunderprest."

"I know… but… you know…" I was beating around the bush. Lenz could see that.

"Cobbert, what is the matter? Why do you really want to visit the college?" He lifted his tinted glasses. "Does it have something to do with Herobrine's laboratory?"

"…That obvious, huh?" I joked, though Lenz wasn't laughing. "Alright, yeah, I want to check out Herobrine's lab again."

"What ever for?" Lenz protested. "Cobbert, there is nothing down there. I myself revisited that dark place after our return from the End. There were no records or research notes to speak of, and that Creeper Hybrid that blew itself up was the only witness we could question. Those books you found were all that was left. The place has been cleared out. Picked clean."

"I want to see if we missed anything." I defended. "I can't explain it, but after reading through Herobrine's journal entries, I feel like I can look at his lab in a different light. I want to check the End again too. If the portal is still intact, we can—"

"What do you expect to find there?"

The simple question had me biting my lip. It wasn't what I expected to find, but whom.

There was a bridge of End Stone in the End. Built over that inky void of emptiness. Someone had to have built it. Might still be there. Waiting…

Lenz scratched his messy hair as if there was an irksome flea. "We cannot visit the lab. Your invisibility will have run out by the time we are done. And the Paragons will want to know where we are going."

"We'll make something up." I waved aside. "Tell them we're getting milk and eggs or something."

"You do not intend to tell them?" Lenz asked, looking disappointed. "All that talk about honor and spite? Of information kept concealed?"

"They don't need to know about a boring dimension full of killer Endermen and End Stone. Because that's all that's there."

"If that were all that was there, why do you wish to return so badly?"

"…"

"Informing them is an inevitability. While in another dimension, our map blips will vanish." He pointed out. It was something I hadn't thought of. "Floyd and the others will wonder why our blips disappeared, and the Paragons are the only ones who can send Map Messages to one another. If we pass the message, we need to tell them everything."

"Ugh, then forget about the End!" I threw my arms up. "I don't want those Paragons anywhere near it. We'll just check out the lab and call it a day."

Lenz couldn't fathom why I was so against their involvement, but it made perfect sense in my head. If Herobrine really was in the End—as I assumed—he wouldn't be eager to meet a guild swearing everlasting vengeance against his cult. Similarly, the Paragons wouldn't want to meet the Endward Cult's Founder in some unknown, dark dimension.

Besides, the Paragons would have no interest in the End. There was nothing of value there. Not unless you were a mason.

[Baltic]

"What do you mean the reservation got pushed back!?" Perry raged before the panicky SutsCo clerk. "We were told it'd be available soon, and our boss paid top dollar to get on that waiting list!"

"I'm sorry, sir. We had a beautiful set of Wonder Wings all ready for your benefactor, but they were stolen in a recent and very grisly robbery at our Exter location. Two of our employees lost their—"

"I don't give a shit about your employees! How are you going to make this right!?"

"…Store credit?"

"BAH!" He threw his hands up and I quickly commanded Dwight and Luis to restrain him before stepping up to the counter myself.

"Apologies for my friend there." I gave a slight bow. "However, I do agree that something must be done on your end. You accepted our money and promised us the Wonder Wings. So, what do you intend to do about it?"

"Store credit?"

"Aside from store credit." I deadpanned.

"W-Well, we will be doing all that we can to secure a fresh set of Wonder Wings. A-And you have our sincerest apologies. Here at SutsCo, we pride ourselves on customer service. I can assure you we will be looking into this."

"Is that all?" I asked, letting my disappointment hang there like some heavy axe. It made the clerk sweat. Time to deliver the killing blow. "Do I have to speak with your manager?"

The effect it had was immediate. "No! No, no, no! No need to involve the manager. I… ah… I can give you a ten—no, a twenty percent discount! For the inconvenience. Your emeralds will be returned once we obtain the wings proper. Will that be to your satisfaction, sir?"

"It'll have to be." I gave a slight sigh. It'd be the best return we'd get for it. "Throw in that store credit and I'll turn a blind eye."

"Y-Yes, sir. Of course, sir." The clerk bowed profusely before ringing up a SutsCo Store Credit coupon. Good for four-hundred emeralds worth of merchandise and redeemable at any SutsCo affiliated store. Now, four-hundred wasn't much, given that most of the useful items—Lingering Potions, Tipped Arrows, Pocket Boxes—were expensive, but it was the best they were going to get.

"Carys won't be pleased." Aurand noted. "She really wanted those wings."

"Who'd be crazy enough to take what was hers? Aside from King_Cobb, obviously."

"Obviously."

"We'll have to be the bearers of bad news." Trenay acknowledged. "We shouldn't contact her now, though. She'll be busy with the raid and then the new Bounty Day stuff."

"Everyone will be busy with the new Bounty Day stuff." Heather smiled. "Glad we're not raiding any outposts. I want to take my time and enjoy the new stuff."

"It's brilliant timing on Carys' part. No better time to do a raid than when the masses are reveling in the aftermath of a Bounty Day." Witige complimented. "In fact, I bet there are other people out there, right now, making plans for when this Bounty Day hits. It'll be a wonderful day of distractions."

[Nether]

Spring couldn't believe he was planning to do this for some Hybrid chick who kidnapped him.

'I want to go back to normal, cultista. I need to Hybridize with a Crafter this time.'

'Hybridize? That another funny word that's supposed to mean something to me? I thought we were done when I brought you to Alton.'

'The night that puta madre changed me, I lost mi restaurante, mi amor, and mi apariencia—my looks. I've made peace with two out of three of those things. This is the last. We're fixing this strawberry jello face!'

'Again, you're not ugly.'

'No me seas condescendiente.'

'…What?'

'Just do this one last thing for me and we're done, cultista.'

'Ugh, whatever. So what is this Hybridization ritual?'

'It's the same ritual that puta madre used to make me like this. The same ritual your culto will be making use of. With a sample of Mob DNA, you can become part-Mob. Hopefully, with a sample of Crafter DNA, I can reverse the process.'

'That's why you need a thousand Heads? You need that much DNA?'

'No. The Cabezas are merely the base cost. Materia, he called it. We'll need one more as the actual DNA along with a jukebox, some redstone dust, a cauldron, and the Cursed Disc '11'. We also need to perform the ritual at midnight during a New Moon.'

'Ughhhhhh, a thousand and one Heads? I might be a killer, but that's a lot of work. And '11'? Nobody likes that music. Where are we supposed to get that?'

'You tell me. I haven't been around for centuries, remember? Where should we look?'

That brought him to the present. He and Carmen (and her three clones) were sitting in the Nether, just a short walk away from the Lazuli portal that would take them to the Endward Cult's new Northern HQ. They were keeping a low profile. Waiting. Planning.

Spring knew his own strength. He was better than the average cultist grunt, but he wasn't as good as the Lieutenants. He wasn't a brute like XoX, nor was he charming and backstabby like Jade. He wasn't even the bundle of bubbly destruction that was Teal_Larkspur. Any one of them could scrape a thousand Heads in under a week, but not him. Not while he was acting alone.

He would have to hunt Crafters down, corner them in two or three person groups, then carefully pick them off and gather their Heads without any authorities or bounty hunters catching on. He'd only have Carmen to help him out, and while she was devastating in her giant form, how many could she really smother to death at a time? Five? Six? He needed a thousand… and one.

If he screwed up, the only Head gathered would be his own.

There had to be another way. And there was. And it came from a simple question most cultists asked at one time or another.

Where do the gathered Heads go?

When cultists fulfilled their Head-hunting quotas, the Heads were always handed off and transported to the respective HQ. North, South, East, or West. Many Heads were burned when the Southern Division fell, but the other divisions still had their storage facilities intact. These places were referred to as Head Depositories.

Within were double-chests upon double-chests upon double-chests of Heads—stored by Herobrine's example with the supposed purpose of tracking how many Crafters had been slain in Minecraftia. Just as Helena tracked the Crafters that were born, the Head Depositories tracked the Crafters that were dead.

If what Carmen claimed about the Heads' purpose in making Hybrids was true, then they'd be closely guarded from here on in.

And Spring was planning to steal from it.

He dragged a hand over his face as he contemplated such a crazy idea. He was going to rob his side of a thousand and one Heads. It was easier to think about when considering those thousand Heads were probably the result of his fulfilled Head-hunting quotas. He'd been with the Northern Division long enough. And those were the Northern Division's Heads. As the new HQ was getting set up, they'd allotted an underground chamber for the Head Depository. A third of the Endward's Cult's amassed Heads were down there. At least thirty-million.

Would they really miss a paltry thousand-and-one?

So he and Carmen were waiting outside the portal. Waiting for the upcoming Bounty Day to distract the cultists within the Northern HQ. They'd busy themselves exploring the new Bounty Day stuff and Spring would just waltz in, explain away how he escaped a Magma Cube Hybrid, and grab the Heads before getting the hell out.

But even that plan had road bumps! He couldn't carry out a thousand-and one Heads. A Crafter could only ever carry thirty-six items in his belt and backpack. Even if he wore a Head and used the extra inventory of his ender chest, he'd carry out sixty-four Heads. The four Carmen clones could do the same—sixty-four Heads per clone—to total three-hundred-and-twenty Heads. It would take at least four round trips to get all the Heads needed for the ritual.

The cultists would notice. If not the back and forth trips, then the four walking masses of lava. It was a lousy plan with so many things that could go wrong. He told Carmen as much while they waited.

"Joder. Then forget stealing." She was in her giant form, lounging back on burning netherrack and uncaring for the heat. Her legs were crossed with one foot bobbing rhythmically. "If we want Cabezas, we can just kill for them. Plenty of Crafters to choose from."

Spring looked up, caught by surprise.

"Are you feeling alright?"

"Hm? Asi asi." She wiggled her hand before peeking open a glowing eye. "Por qué? Do I seem not alright?"

"No, I mean…" Spring struggled to voice his thoughts. "I'm a killer and you're a chef."

"La major del mundo!" She boasted with a vibrato laugh, snuggling deeper into the netherrack.

"Yet you're talking about killing Crafters like it's no big deal. Like it's just breaking a few eggs to bake a cake." Her eyes snapped open, the glowing orange dimming slightly. "Killing isn't a big deal for me, but the way you, a chef, sounded just now seemed kinda callous. I guess I was just surprised is all."

Carmen uncrossed her legs and sat up, her giant movements causing the ground to shake slightly. Spring shimmied away, careful not to get squashed. The look on Carmen's face was confused and slightly alarmed.

"I… Why did I say that?" She raised a hand to her lips, her eyes darting. "Dios mío, I would never want to kill. The cultistas, I had no choice. But… to suggest killing innocents." She pressed a hand to her forehead. "Misteriosa. I-I don't know what came over me. To say such things…"

She sounded too genuine to be faking it. And for what purpose?

"…Maybe it was just a slip of the tongue." Spring tried. "You want to return to normal so badly. Happens to the best of us. I once let slip I wanted to kill some Crafters before I was ready. Had to chase them across a forest and into a cave. I was a rookie, then. Eager to please and wet behind the ears."

She clung to the words, nodding slowly. "Sí… sí… Just a slip of the tongue." She sat up and hunched over, her arms draped over her knees. "So we'll be stealing, then? No killing?"

"It's the safest bet." Spring said before giving a dry chuckle. "Not by much, though. We're still stealing from my bosses—people that could kill me in a minute. And if Ember uses Soul-Gaze on me after it's done, she'll know everything."

"The bruja…" Carmen noted somberly. "You're taking quite a risk, then?"

"Oh? Suddenly concerned for your kidnapee?"

"Ha! Hardly!" She straightened her back and glared down at him with glowing orange eyes. "If you die, I'll have to find a new cultista to bully. Eso es todo."

"I'd expect nothing less." Spring smirked before rubbing his chin. "I dunno. I'll probably have to own up to helping you. Might have to replace the Heads I stole over the next month. I don't have anything else to offer them and Ember already thinks I'm a lost cause."

Carmen listened attentively as the killer spilled his guts.

"You know, I think I'm starting to understand the saying, 'Never mix business and pleasure.' I'm trying to woo my boss when she's clearly focused on other pursuits." His stomach rumbled noticeably so he dug into his backpack for a morsel to eat. "She's more my boss than someone I can approach. I'm thinking of her as someone I have to appease instead of someone I can ask a favor of. That alone should be a sign that we just can't mix."

"Entiendo. I understand." Carmen nodded. "Alton and I always pushed one another. We were always trying to impress or outdo. It wasn't a far cry from flirting, and business became pleasure in our case. You should always love what you do."

"Yet you gave him up—" Spring stopped himself when he saw Carmen's face. "Never mind. Sorry to bring it up." Finally, Spring managed to extricate a piece of bread from his backpack. He dusted it off and prepared to take a bite, only for a pair of oversized fingers to reach down and pluck it. "Hey! I said I was sorry!"

Spring tried to wrench the loaf of bread back, but Carmen in her giant form was far stronger, pinching the bread between two fingers and lifting it up with Spring in tow. The cultist had both hands on the loaf and was swinging six feet off the ground like a pendulum as he struggled for the wheat product.

"Necesitas comida de verdad. You need real food, not this stale hunk of tonterías." She jiggled the hand pinching the bread and Spring was forcibly shaken off before falling onto the netherrack platform. He rolled over in time to watch Carmen chuck the loaf of bread in a smooth arc over the side and into the sea of lava.

"There." She dusted her hands off. "Now, I'll prepare a real meal." She fanned her large molten hands out. "Allow me to show you the difference between eating and dining."

With a snap of her fingers, the large Hybrid divided into her four normal-sized clones before they simultaneously went to work. One clone pulled out the ender chest Spring got her back in Salt Point. She set it down and the other clones gathered about it to draw items. One pulled out a furnace, charcoal, and salmon while another set down a crafting table and started making bowls, tables, and chairs. The third clone went off to pick mushrooms and the fourth one set down a brewing stand and some bottles of water.

"We'll be preparing for you a fine charcoal-grilled salmon with a side of mushroom stew."

"Might I recommend the Thick Potion?" The Carmen at the brewing stand suggested. "It'll pair well with the meal."

"Uh, sure." Spring said before he was sat down at the newly constructed table by one of the clones. It gave new meaning to the phrase, 'setting the table'.

It was amazing how coordinated they could all be. They were all the same person, yet could perform unique tasks without any mental difficulty. They shared the same senses, but were also their own selves. These were all skills Carmen possessed—brewing, cooking, gathering, setting tables—and she was doing them all at the same time through her clones. A one-woman cooking crew.

The clone sent to gather soon returned with the mushrooms. The wooden bowls were handed off to her without a second glance and she set about to make the five portions of stew. The salmon finished cooking at the same time the Thick Potions finished brewing. Everything was then carried to the table and set down, the fish still piping hot and fresh from the oven. The bottles and soup bowls were set down last beside bits of paper intended as napkins. Then the clones took their respective seats at the same time and said, in unison:

"Buen apetito!"

Without delay, they dug into their meals. Spring knew they didn't need to eat—they'd never get hungry as a Hybrid—but food to them was a sacred affair. They were chefs. And they'd settle for nothing less than the finest cuisine they could prepare.

One clone sipped at the Thick Potion, swishing the bottle back and forth as she tasted it. Another took deep gulps of the stew, humming in appreciation. Another cooed in delight after sampling mouthfuls of the charcoal-cooked salmon. They enjoyed their meals at different stages, allowing the sensations to melt together into their collective hive mind.

They all suddenly stopped enjoying their meals and turned to face Spring with eyes narrowed on his untouched food.

"It's gonna get cold."

Not wanting to anger her, Spring quickly took a bite of the salmon. However, as soon as his tongue tasted the meal, his tastebuds exploded at the succulent flavor of the fish. Could fish really taste so good just by cooking it over charcoal? He wanted to savor the taste forever, but all too soon it was gone. Instead, he moved onto the stew and slaked his thirst with the bottle of Thick Potion.

The stew was rich and creamy—chalk full of mushrooms that tasted like they were massaged with golden hands rather than gathered in the hellish Nether dimension. What did Carmen do to the mushrooms to make them so delicious? And the drink! It had a sparkling, effervescent aftertaste that somehow elevated the salmon and stew to a new level of flavor!

Needless to say, Spring licked the bowl clean.

"Te gustó?" One clone asked while dabbing at her mouth with a piece of paper. "Was it to your liking?"

"It was delicious!" Spring praised. "But what did you do to prepare it? That was the best meal I ever tasted."

The clones accepted the praise smugly and one of them set about gathering the empty bowls and glasses.

"Let's just say I picked up some culinary tricks over the years. However, the ingrediente más importante es el amor."

"…Love?" He translated, having heard the word more than once from her.

"Yes. Love." The clones said in unison. Now that the meal was done, they set about breaking up the tables and chairs and packing it all away. Spring volunteered to help in return for the meal, which the clones accepted gratefully. "I love to cook and please the palate. Thus, my cooking is a cut above the rest. Magnífica!"

No doubt about that. If the Hybridization ritual couldn't fix her, she'd have a promising career opening a restaurant. She wouldn't need employees when she was a one-woman staff.

Unfortunately, cooking spectacular meals wouldn't help get those Heads out of Northern HQ.

While breaking up the chairs and handing them to the clones, Spring noticed the ender chest they were all using. They were each depositing stuff into it, and, even before, they had taken ingredients and things out of it.

He furrowed his brow at the idea. Didn't that mean they all had access to the ender chest?

"Hey, Carmen?"

"Yeah?"

"Do your clones share the same ender chest inventory?"

"Well, of course we do." She dismissed with an airy wave. "We wouldn't have been able to get our ingredients otherwise."

"…Are you telling me you can take out whatever your other selves put in?"

"Dios mío, YES!" She belted in her vibrato tone. "We all have access to the same ender chest inventory! What of it?"

Spring smiled.

"You just made this Head heist a hundred times simpler."

[Baltic]

By the time we finished waiting on the SutsCo line and failed to get Carys' order of wings, it was early morning of the next day. October 25th. The Bounty Day. Hardly a good way to start the day.

We were dead tired when we dragged ourselves to the first inn we could find—the reputable Stonewall Inn. It was built into one of the chasm walls and had a flashing redstone sign with its name out front.

Without Cobb or Lenzington, we had an even dozen. Two rooms would suffice. It'd be cramped, but nobody (aside from Heather) would mind. We all had our own beds. Z7 took her three assassins, Dwight, and Trenay to one room, and I bunked with Witige, Luis, Wing, Heather, and Perry.

By our clocks, the sun was just starting to rise. We set down beds, foisted the watch on some unfortunate soul, and flopped on our beds straight to slumber land. We'd get some shut-eye before the Bounty Day triggered in the afternoon.

That was the plan, anyway, before it was jarringly derailed by violent thumps and crashes in the hall.

Heather, Luis, and I awoke first (Heather with bags under her eyes and a blistering glare). We armed ourselves and awoke the others before bursting into the hall to the sight of combat between Z7 and her assassins and some thugs with unmistakable black-leather caps. Cultists!

"Death to the Paragons!" One shouted before swinging at Doyle. He barely parried it, wincing under the force.

"These aren't your average grunts!" Dwight exclaimed, falling back from his own fight. "They're faster! Sturdier!"

"For the glory of 4Blite!" Another cultist shouted before teaming up on Shroud and disarming him. Z7 and Aurand were the only ones winning their fights.

I dug into my pocket and began throwing splash potions left and right. Mainly Weakness and Poison. Witige did the same. The cultists screamed as if scalded and shrunk back, allowing Heather, Luis, Wing, and Perry—the combat unit—to sweep them up. Kal would be proud.

First there were twelve cultists. Then eight. Then three. The narrow hallway offered little cover for them. They fought tooth and nail despite being weakened and poisoned. They knocked out Doyle and Shroud and managed to break Wing's arm, but Z7 dealt the killing blow, throwing out her daggers with such blinding speed that the three remaining cultists were reduced to discarded gear.

We all sheathed our weapons and took a moment to catch our breath. Trenay, however, took it upon herself to pick through the cultists' gear.

"That was close." Luis panted. "Hey, can I get a heal over here? Wing's arm is pretty messed up."

"Looks like we were right to split up from the Beginners." Dwight commented, rubbing his sore shoulder. "They must've seen us check in. We can't stay here."

"Too bad. I'm going back to sleep." Heather grunted while rubbing her eyes. She marched back into her room without another word.

The inn's staff soon showed up, drawn by the commotion. They saw the piles of gear and had panic attacks before I went out to explain the situation. I pointed out the black caps and that they were cultists, and that they should probably alert the guards. They left soon after.

"Why were they so tough?" I asked after dealing with the inn's staff. "Their EXP levels were unusually high for grunts. And their combat skills…"

"I think I have an answer." Trenay said. "One of them shouted 'For the Glory of 4Blite!' These were his men. But more than that, I recognize one of these guys as a prisoner of Ringwood. These guys were some of the escapees."

"So they really have joined hands with the cult." Perry said. "They're 4Blite's pawns."

"Knights would be a better term." Trenay noted. "Unlike the common cult grunts, these guys have diverse skill sets. Based on our fight just now, I'd put them at the same level as any one of our fighters."

"R szmwovw nbhvou." Z7 muttered, reclaiming her daggers from the dead escapees.

"The team leaders are still stronger. Aside from Baltic, the others—Kal, Z7, Anibal, Jillian—could manage two or three of these guys at a time. Carys is a whole other story."

"What about Cobb and the nerd?" Dwight asked.

"Mviwormt." Z7 asserted with a slight glare in Dwight's direction.

"Not sure. They handled Griefers pretty well. And that Lenzington is a better shot than me." Trenay admitted. "Without seeing them in a fight against the escapees, I couldn't say. But based off of Cobb's one-sided fight with Perry—"

"Can we stop talking about that!?"

"—I'd say Cobb is at the same level as a team leader."

"I agree." I nodded. "We made the right choice splitting up from them. The cultists can't know we're allied. Not yet."

"So what now? Are we going to sit around here and wait to get ambushed again? Maybe by a Lieutenant or Executive this time?" Wing asked sarcastically.

I pondered silently to myself for a few moments before deciding. "…Everyone get some rest. Luis, Perry, Aurand, Dwight, Trenay. Help get the injured and unconscious into beds and pick out two people for watch. When the Bounty Day hits, we'll check out and rendezvous at Cobb and Lenzington's place. The Tavern on the Sparks. We'll stay invisible."

As the Paragons carried the unconscious Doyle and Shroud to bed and Luis helped Wing back to his room, Witige and I set down our brewing stands and went to work making Potions of Invisibility for the trip. Splash Potions would be best.

"The Endward Cult grows in strength by the day." Witige commented, inputting his blaze powder to heat up the stands. "Do you think some of the escapees could be at team leader level? Or higher?"

"If so, 4Blite would have a hard time controlling them." I noted. "However, if he somehow has their absolute loyalty, then…" I trailed off. "Then who knows what."

[Noman]

My hands shook as I held the Severe Shield before me.

Carys and the Paragons proved their usefulness yet again. From the intel they… extracted… from the cultists, they were able to pinpoint the main entrances into the Endward Cult outpost. It was buried under the sands and supported via a sandstone roof. Supposedly, they expanded on the existing sandstone caverns and made a base of it near the river.

As an outpost, it was sure to have a portal and some incriminating evidence if we could find it.

We'd be going through the main entrance. Our job was to wreck havoc, kill cultists, and cause a suitable diversion. Meanwhile, Carys and the Paragons—under the cover of invisibility—would hit the other entrances in the outpost, cutting off any chance of escape. The cultists would all be funneled to the portal, and, if things went well, so would we.

Carys had wanted Cobb and Baltic's group to tackle the Eastern Division and sabotage their portal network. However, she wasn't one to overlook an opportunity to strike first. With any luck, we'd travel through the portal and discover the Endward Cult's network of highways in the Nether. It was one big web, and it would lead us to every portal and outpost the Endward Cult had. Division Headquarters included.

A lot hinged on this raid.

My hands were shaking terribly as we waited outside the main entrance— a small sandstone cave. We were well hidden, ready to attack as soon as the Bounty Day struck. That was the signal. Meanwhile, Carys and her Paragons got themselves set up.

"Nervous?" Floyd asked, while looking pointedly at my trembling.

"Y-Yes…" I nodded. "What about you?"

"I'm not. This isn't my first raid." Soul volunteered. "I did one back in Akasha with Obsidian, remember?"

"But they weren't really cultists, were they?" I couldn't help but point out. "They were just McGahn's political enemies. They were innocent."

"That's the difference between then and now." Soul asserted. "These guys are definitely cultists. They hunt people down and kill them. That's their job. They deserve no mercy."

"But what if—?"

"No, Noman." Floyd spoke with authority. "I know what you're thinking. You want to find some way to spare them. This is one of those moments where that isn't possible." I shrank into myself at his bluntness. "Carys has us as the diversion while they stalk in the shadows. You can spare as many cultists as you like, but it won't mean anything since the Paragons will just finish them off. And these people will want to kill us. We can't pull our punches. What's the point in risking ourselves when the outcome won't change?"

"What about at Cobb's execution? We found a non-violent solution then!"

"We didn't have Paragons to factor in." He sighed. "We're at war, Noman. No two ways about it. If you can't kill cultists, then… maybe you should just hang back."

The words hurt, which was probably their intent. He was forcing me into a decision: To choose between my friends or my beliefs. The worst part was that I was sorely tempted to do just that. Hang back and let Floyd, Soul, and the Paragons bloody themselves. I'd be kept clean of it all.

But I couldn't do that.

With shaky hands, I strapped on the Severe Shield and readied my sword and shield. Floyd watched on quietly before giving a nod of understanding.

"It's almost time. Get ready."

[New Northern Division HQ]

"Spring? Is that you!?"

Spring walked out of the Nether portal and into the Northern HQ like he had gone on a grocery run instead of being kidnapped by a giant humanoid Magma Cube. He kept a hand pressed against his bandana, but he had an easy smile on his face as he strolled down.

"Course it's me. You know anyone else who can rock hair like mine?"

"Oh, thank Herobrine you're still alive." Parallel_Parker, Spring's friend and partner, strode forward and gripped his hand. "4Blite told everybody you got kidnapped by a giant monster and that you were as good as dead! I should've known he was bullshitting us."

"Ah, actually, no. I did get kidnapped." He admitted awkwardly.

"But then… how did you get away?" Another cultist asked.

"Oh, you know. I used my charms and skills and managed to slip away when the giant wasn't looking."

Under his bandana, four sets of hands burned his neck. He bit back a cry.

"Must've been one stupid monster." Parker supplied.

The scalding intensified and made Spring's eyes water.

"Are you crying, Spring?"

"I'm just so overwhelmed that I made it back safe and sound!" He exclaimed, throwing his hands around the two closest cultists. "I've been through such an ordeal since the Morel Islands."

"Well, I can imagine Ember will want to hear all about how you escaped the beast. You know 4Blite said she went right after you."

"You mean… she's still looking for me?" Spring asked, feeling slightly touched.

"Don't jump to conclusions, you dog." Parker nudged his shoulder with a knowing smirk. "She didn't want another Jade scenario. No more MIA's."

"Right." He realized. He was just a grunt. She said so herself. "So she isn't back yet?"

"No, but we'll send a message to her that she can call off the search." He waved a hand and a cultist went off to do just that. "It shouldn't take long for her to get back. Then you and she can have a face to face."

"R-Right. Can't wait, haha."

If the two got face to face, her Soul-Gaze would see right through him… and his plans to rob them of Heads!

"You came at just the right time." Parker continued. "The Bounty Day is in a little bit. Everyone's gathered in the mess hall, ready to receive their visions. It'll be great."

"ACTUALLY!" Spring exclaimed with a step away from parker and the other cultists. "I'm a little tired from my kidnapping. If it's all the same to you, I think I'll just get some rest."

"Really? This early?"

"I've been through a lot, Park."

"Oh, alright. If you insist. But you're missing out." He added. "Do you need someone to help you to your room?"

"No, no. I can manage. Go enjoy yourselves." He urged with a smile. "Happy Bounty Day."

"Alright. I'll check in on you later. Take care." Parker and the other cultists took off. Only when they filtered out did the mini Carmen clones in his bandana peek their heads out.

"Anyone ever tell you you're a terrible actor, cultista?"

"And you could double as a scalding scarf." He snapped before pulling out a pickaxe and prying up the floor. "Coast is clear. Get your doubles here on the double."

Two normal-sized Carmen clones emerged from the portal at once and crept forward. Spring didn't want them out in the open for too long. As soon as the floor was pried up, it revealed a vein of lava just under the surface. The two clones lowered themselves inside—their physiology guarding them from the lava—and started to crawl forward. Spring sealed the floor back up to make it look as good as new.

'Listen, Carmen. Your ability is more amazing than you think. Especially from a shipping perspective.'

'Qué?'

'I just thought up a way to sneak you in, get the Heads, and get out all in one trip.'

'Care to explain, cultista?'

'The New Northern HQ in Lazuli. It's a new base, so we're still in the remodeling phase. Fact is, it's colder than what we're used to, so someone came up with the bright idea to lay down lava veins under the stone floor to keep things toasty and warm. We bucket up lava from the Nether and pour tracts of it down before building the floor over it. These lava veins run all over the HQ.'

'Ah, cerebro grande! I see what you're getting at. I'm fireproof and lavaproof, so I can use these lava veins to sneak in. But what about the Cabezas?'

'That's the easy part. All you need to do is leave one of your clones here with this ender chest. Two of your clones will be sneaking in via the lava and the final clone will be with me, broken up and hidden in my bandana. I'll explain the rest of the plan as we go, so split up, quickly. Rapidgo rapidgo!'

'That's rápido! Get it right!'

"Have them follow my footsteps. I'll guide us to the Depository." Spring told the mini-clones in his bandana.

"I still don't see how we can smuggle a thousand Cabezas in one trip." One clone whispered.

"I'm working on it." Spring assured as they walked down the halls. As he guessed and as Parker said, the cultists were all in the mess hall awaiting the Bounty Day. Security was lax.

While the two Carmen clones had little trouble crawling through the veins of lava beneath the floor, Spring had little trouble stopping by the supply room and picking up some obsidian, blaze powder, and an ender pearl.

"An ender chest?" One of the mini-clones asked.

"An ender chest." Spring nodded.

Down the hall, a left, a right, then another right, and they were there. Just outside the Depository.

"Okay, you guys are up." He reached his hand down and plucked the four mini-clones out of his bandana. "You're on lookout. All the clones had linked sight, so hide yourselves around this corridor and tip us off in anybody shows up."

"Comprendida." The four mini-clones saluted before being lowered to the floor. They then scurried about, finding dark corners and blind spots from which they could keep watch.

With that done, Spring opened the door to the Depository and slipped inside. Turning around, he couldn't help but whistle impressively.

There were hundreds of thousands of double chests along smooth stone slab shelves in rows stacked to the ceiling. Ladders were arranged to reach higher shelves in a room a hundred meters long and a hundred meters wide. The same length of a football field… whatever football was.

The Head Depository was a marvel—the culmination of centuries' worth of hunting Crafters and robbing them of their Heads. Every quota the Northern Division fulfilled was resting in this room. The cultists moved it once when they fled Ringwood. Now, only a small portion would be moved again. The rest would be put to use later depending on what the Executives thought of Hybrids.

Spring shook off the reveling when he heard a banging coming from the stone floor. He withdrew his pick and smashed open the floor to reveal the vein of lava and, after a moment, the dark red and black skin of Carmen. She blew out a stream of lava before hoisting herself up.

"Took you long enough." She was disgruntled as she pulled up her other clone. They then saw the shelves full of double chests and there was a hint of fear in their eyes. "Dios mío… These are all Cabezas the cult has gathered?"

"Yeah, and if they catch us, ours will be joining them." Spring said while hurriedly setting down a crafting table.

"Hybrids don't leave Cabezas behind."

"Just my Head then." He mashed blaze powder with the ender pearl to make an Eye of Ender, then he combined it with the obsidian to make an ender chest before placing it down. "We need… we need chests to send over. Then we can send over the Heads."

"Send over to whom?"

"To your clone in the Nether!" He snapped, making the two clones pause for thought. "You share an ender chest. So anything you put in—"

"—my other self can pull out!" Carmen finished, her body suddenly energized as she ran over to a double chest and broke it with a kick. A tidal wave of Heads spilled out, but Carmen sought out the chests before bringing them to the ender chest. She placed them inside and waited a moment before crying out excitedly.

"Asombrosa! It vanished! My other self took them out! I can transport gear!"

"That's what I've been telling you!" Spring hissed before taking a pickaxe to another chest. He tossed them to a clone who then placed them in the ender chest. It only worked if a clone placed them inside. Then a clone could withdraw them. "We need a thousand-and-one Heads… twenty-seven Heads to a chest…" He crunched the numbers in his Head. "So we need at least… thirty-eight chests. Thirty-eight! We'll have to store them in the Nether for now, but we can transport again when—!"

Spring suddenly cut off. He dropped the pickaxe so his hands could come up to grip his pounding skull.

Inside and underground, it was impossible to distinguish the stillness and muteness. Outside, the sun had turned flat, the snow had lost its cool sensation, the spruce trees robbed of their features. Nature held its breath as a ripple of flowing numbers and signs spread across Minecraftia in rainbow hues.

A great oppressive force swooped over the two clones and Spring.

"Cultista?" The two clones looked over before dropping everything when Spring fell to his knees in apparent pain. "Spring!"

They hurried over and took his arms from both sides, kneeling down to check his screwed up face and strained expression.

"It's… it's happening…!" He managed to peek an eye open just enough to see the unaffected clones, their faces full of alarm and concern. "How come… you're not… feeling it…?"

"Feeling what!?" They cried in unison. "What's happening to you?"

"The… Bounty Day…!"

They shook their Heads. "I'm… I'm not like you, Spring. I'm a maldita. A cursed one. I don't feel whatever you're feeling it. Whatever all of Minecraftia must be feeling. Since I took this form, no Bounty Day visions come to me."

Spring broke out into a cold sweat as the Bounty Day's information was driven deep inside his skull. He grit his teeth as the vision played out.

He saw himself in a snowy forest, with green bushes at the base of the spruce trees. These bushes pricked him when he tried to force his way through; they were thorny. But they were also dotted with berries of the deepest red. They could be plucked. And eaten.

Sweet Berries…

[Lenz]

"Cobbert! The Bounty Day!"

I clutched my head right alongside Cobbert from the safety of our run-down room in the Tavern on the Sparks. His invisibility had long since expired and I could see the pain on his face as information was forcibly bestowed. I mirrored the expression, my head threatening to burst.

The vision struck like a hammer. Sticks, string, an iron ingot, and—GASP—a tripwire hook! Was it a new redstone contraption?

However, when arranged, it was no product of redstone. They molded together into some sort of handheld contraption with a taut string. If I did not know any better, it looked like a miniature bow.

A… crossbow…?

There was more, though. A firework was loaded into the crossbow. I saw myself pick up the loaded weapon and fire it into the distance. The projectile left a glimmering trail in its wake before it exploded in a gray cloud of shimmering sparkles.

But were fireworks all it could fire?

[Cobb]

"Agh!" I groaned as my Bounty Day vision struck.

I saw a Mob with a big forehead, a bigger nose, and carrying a banner on its back. At first, I thought it was a Testificate, but then what Testificate had sickly gray skin?

This thing had heavy, dark eyebrows bent into a vicious scowl. No peaceful Mob would look like that. And it was carrying what looked like a crossbow. A plum-colored flannel shirt with brown boots and some metal-and-leather hunting equipment on its shoulders and belt. And the banner it carried was a reflection of its sickly gray face, right down to the giant nose.

It had to be a new Mob!

The vision continued. I saw myself fighting the strange new Mob. It fired arrows at me like a Skeleton, but had to pull back the crossbow string each time before it could fire. It was a cinch to kill close-range. Not a problem. And it dropped the banner it carried as well as its crossbow.

But something was up. After killing the Mob, I saw myself beset by dark green potion particles. They swirled around me and I felt a dark, ominous force settle upon the Cobb in my vision.

I saw myself sheathe my weapon and wander off. I went home, to a sprawling village. It was teeming with Testificates and Iron Golems.

As soon as the Cobb in my vision entered the village, a war horn sounded. The dark green particles swirling around him faded. The Testificates panicked and fled into their homes while the Iron Golems moved to the village's outskirts.

A small army of those crossbow-wielding Mobs appeared. They directed their crossbows at the charging golems and fired. The golems took minimal damage and when they got close enough, they swung their heavy club-like arms and flung them into the air, killing them. The battle was theirs.

But another war horn sounded.

More Mobs arrived… some I've never seen before sporting dark gray buttoned shirts, cyan pants, and grisly axes. They had the same sickly gray skin as the crossbow-Mobs and the same big noses and foreheads as the Testificates. They were also fast… and strong. They managed to slay some golems in this all-out war.

The Iron Golems only barely managed to hold them off before the war horn sounded a third time. This time, however, the attacking Mobs were joined by a massive beast with thick, dirt-colored skin, a pair of sharp horns, chain-covered limbs that didn't quite connect with the main body, a saddle on its back, and a giant nose and forehead just like the rest! Every heavy step it took was accompanied by the jangle of a chain. I could only describe it as a cross between a rhino and a triceratops.

It swept through the Iron Golems, roaring and ravaging their numbers, goring through metal bodies with a piston-like charge. Cracks formed along the mighty golems, and while they were preoccupied with the four-legged beast, the axe and crossbow carrying Mobs were free to attack the village.

They broke down doors, cornered terrified Testificates, and killed them. The Iron Golems were helpless to stop them, and soon enough, the entire village was eradicated. Even the Cobb from my vision.

It was a nightmare, and a grim reminder that Bounty Days brought both good and bad things.

[Baltic]

"Endure it!" I hissed through the spike entering my skull. "It'll pass!"

The Paragons clutched at their skulls, a few putting up brave fronts under the assault of Bounty Day information.

The vision came with blistering clarity. A wooden bowl, two mushrooms, and a certain flower. The type mattered. It created a stew with some suspicious purple and green bits floating about. And upon drinking it, the Baltic from my vision gained a potion effect! The type depending on the flower ground into the stew.

The effect didn't last long. No more than five seconds. It wasn't a substitute for potions.

…Unless the stew offered effects that couldn't be found in any potion.

[Soul]

"P-Pandas…!" I declared, my mind reeling from the visions. "Oh, God, its rolling all adorable like! I can't take it! I neeeeeeed one!"

"Steady, Soul! Steady!"

"This is the signal! We need to attack the outpost! GO GO GO!"

"Now the baby panda is sneezing! Hold on baby panda! Soul's acomin'!"

[New Northern Division HQ]

"Spring! Háblame!" One of the Carmen clones urged. "Talk to me! Are you coming back?"

The visions subsided and Spring's senses returned. He nodded numbly and the clones helped him to his feet. He waved them off, however.

"Just… get the blasted Heads…"

Time was short. They had to transport the Heads while everyone was preoccupied in the mess hall. The two Carmen clones dragged Spring over to one of the shelves before leaving him there to resume their work.

They pillaged chests and scooped up handfuls of Heads, depositing them all into the ender chest. Just like with their cooking, the clones worked as a unit. All part of the same whole. They knew when to fill the chest up and when to steal more Heads. It made it easier when all they had to do was run over the piles scattered about the floor. They had a good system of it.

They were about halfway to a thousand when they suddenly stopped, their heads shooting up and alert like meerkats sensing danger. One of the lookout mini-clones in the corridor outside must've spotted something.

"Maldición! Someone's coming! We have to kill her!"

Again, there she went jumping to murder. She was supposed to be a chef. What was with the blood thirst?

There was little they could do to explain away the missing chests and piles of Heads on the floor. Carmen was right. They had to kill the interloper, whoever she was… as long as it wasn't Ember.

Spring readied his sword while the two Carmen clones positioned themselves on either side of the door. A dark silhouette passed in front of it before creaking open the door and stepping inside. Spring caught a glimpse of midnight blue hair and a maroon jacket before recognizing the woman as Mox_Faith—one of 4Blite's direct underlings. A Plague, as he referred to them, and an escapee of Ringwood.

She tutted as she saw Spring. "Someone isn't enjoying the Bounty Day festivities. You're a long way from your room, Spring_Fever. What ever are you doing?"

Before Spring could say anything, the two Carmen clones lunged towards Mox and a third tackled from behind, having been reformed from the mini-clones on watch. They had her surrounded.

But, in a feat of acrobatic parkour, Mox whipped out an iron weapon and used it to hook onto the frame of the door before flipping up and perching atop it. The three clones smacked into each other and their bodies jiggled like gelatin.

"Pinche puta!" One cried out before glaring up at the door frame.

Mox took a leap from the door and onto the nearest shelf. She ascended a few levels up the ladder before settling on a high vantage point far out of reach. She sat with crossed legs and looked down upon the four with her Iron Mattock resting in her lap.

"Hope you don't mind, but I'm not much of a fighter." She called down. "I work in information. Like the kind that includes you stealing Heads and colluding with this glob of goo. What will Ember think?"

"Vete al infierno, puta barata!"

"Who you calling a glob of goo!?"

"It's not what it looks like?" Spring tried half-heartedly before shrugging. "Ah, fuck it. Carmen, keep loading the Heads. Triple-time. I'll keep her off you."

"Didn't you hear me when I said I wasn't a fighter?" She inquired idly.

"So you'll sit up there quietly and do nothing?"

"…Well, I hardly need to exert myself to impede a lowly grunt." She set down a Crafting Table and combined an iron ingot, string, sticks, and a tripwire hook. They combined into a crossbow. "Feel honored. You'll be the first Crafter I test this new weapon on."

She loaded an arrow and pulled back on the string before leveling the crossbow not at Spring, but at one of the Carmen clones. She fired and the arrow struck true, the clone splitting up into four mini-clones from the damage.

"Just like a Magma Cube. Have to stamp out every last bit." She loaded another arrow and the Carmen clones all dove behind shelves. It was just Spring and Mox now. "You know, 4Blite really dislikes you. If I kill you, I just might make his day."

"You want to make his day? Go join him in bed." Spring retorted defiantly.

[Obelisk]

The Hackers slowly removed hands from their heads. No longer did they feel beleaguered by the intrusive information forced upon their brains. The blinding visions of the Bounty Day had come and gone and the pain subsided.

However, they now understood what Bounty Days truly meant for their brethren. One of their own had died a week ago.

Suddenly, the top of the Obelisk burst in an explosion of inky darkness as Entity 303 rocketed towards the ground. Hackers shrunk back in alarm as their leader descended, afraid his wrath would alter the savannah's landscape as it did to Akasha.

At the last moment, however, he swooped up to hover above the amassed Hackers. Hacker smoke was swirling around him in a thick fog. His pale hood, drawn up, obscured what might well have been a thunderous expression that no Hacker would want to lay eyes on.

Another brother or sister was dead.

Entity 303 took to the title of the eldest. He made that title his own by selflessly gathering and protecting his fellow Hackers like they were his own flesh and blood. His love for them was second to none, and it often manifested in his overprotective nature. He was the big brother of the clan. The leader of the Hack Clan.

And he couldn't stand his brothers and sisters dropping like flies to lowly Crafters.

"Thed, Hannah." 303 growled/echoed. "I want you to fly after Llewellyn and Rrhys. Make sure they're okay, and then bring them back immediately."

"On it." Hannah obeyed without missing a beat. Her Hacker smoke swirled around her, and, in a great leap, she took to the skies. Eastward. Thed lingered a moment longer, his Hacker smoke taking its time to cover his body as he turned to 303.

"What are you going to do?"

"I'm going to see if that two-faced bastard has anything to do with this." 303 growled/echoed. "Null! No one else is to leave the safety of the Obelisk until I return with an explanation! See to it!"

Null nodded grimly. "Go give that king a piece of our mind, brother."

303 nodded back before zooming into the sky towards Exter. Thed took the skies himself and went after Hannah as she flew in the direction of Nitebane.

As he flew, a thrumming rage began to build up within 303's body. He was a ticking time bomb in search of an outlet, and if he didn't like Sdraw's answer as to how another Hacker died, he would unleash his almighty power, Nuker, in the heart of Exter.

Minecraftia would run out of Kingdoms before his family ran out of Hackers.

Inventory (Cobb): 1 Leather Tunic [Dyed Green], 1 Diamond Leggings [Projectile Protection IV], 1 Fishing Rod {Backlash} [Knockback II, Luck of the Sea III, Unbreaking III] {Weak}, 1 Diamond Sword [Sweeping Edge III], 12 Cobblestone, 28 Sand, 2 Glass, 51 Glass Bottles, 1 Stone Pickaxe, 1 Bed, 1 Furnace, 17 Flint, 1 Flint and Steel, 17 Oak Wood Planks, 1 Crafting Table, 1 Clock, 1 Water Bucket, 1 Lava Bucket, 1 Potion of Slow Falling {4:00}, 1 Milk Bucket, 8 Ender Pearls, 14 Coal, 37 Snowballs, 6 Ender Chests, 24 Obsidian, 64 Steak, 32 Steak, 15 Rotten Flesh, 1 Book {How to Kill Stuff for Numb Nuts}, 1 Book {Advanced Mob-Slaying}, 1 Book {Mobs of the Nether}, 1 Map {Minecraftia}, 1 Book {Citizenship Information}, 1 Paper {Ringwood Entry Pass}, 1 Paper {Zeppil Entry Pass}

[EXP: 38]

Inventory (Lenz): 1 Iron Dagger, 1 Shears, 1 Lever, 9 Redstone Torches, 1 Bed, 8 Redstone Repeaters, 3 Redstone Comparators, 18 Blocks of Redstone, 2 Hoppers, 3 Pistons, 2 Sticky Pistons, 13 Cobblestone, 1 Compass, 25 Gunpowder, 1 Bow, 1 Bow [Infinity], 52 Arrows, 11 Jungle Wood Planks, 1 Crafting Table, 7 Ender Pearls, 64 Steak, 5 Steak, 1 Splash Potion of Healing II, 1 Potion of Regeneration II {0:22}, 1 Map {Minecraftia}, 1 Book {Airship Piloting 101}, 1 Book {Notebook}, 1 Book {Citizenship Information}, 1 Paper {Daymonte Entry Pass}, 1 Paper {Ringwood Entry Pass}, 1 Paper {Zeppil Entry Pass}, 1 Paper {Akasha Entry Pass}

[EXP: 19]

Inventory (Baltic): 1 Iron Helmet [Protection III, Unbreaking III], 1 Iron Chestplate [Protection IV, Unbreaking III], 1 Iron Leggings [Protection IV, Unbreaking III], 1 Iron Boots [Protection III, Unbreaking III], 1 Iron Sword [Sharpness II, Unbreaking III], 1 Shield, 1 Bow, 1 Diamond Pickaxe [Silk Touch I, Mending I, Unbreaking II], 25 Arrows, 4 Brewing Stands, 1 Splash Potion of Weakness {4:00}, 1 Splash Potion of Fire Resistance {8:00}, 64 Glass Bottles, 42 Glass Bottles, 1 Water Bucket, 59 Blaze Powder, 55 Nether Warts, 30 Soul Sand, 28 Bones, 64 Phantom Membranes, 9 Golden Nuggets, 64 Blaze Rods, 26 Fermented Spider Eyes, 59 Carrots, 58 Melon Slices, 22 Steak, 3 Ender Chests, 1 Map {Paragon Minecraftia}, 1 Book {Citizenship Information}, 1 Paper {Gold Citizenship Pass}, 26 Emeralds

[EXP: 30]

Inventory (Z7): 1 Diamond Helmet [Protection III, Unbreaking III], 1 Diamond Chestplate [Protection III, Unbreaking IV], 1 Diamond Leggings [Protection IV, Unbreaking III], 1 Diamond Boots [Protection III, Unbreaking III], 1 Iron Dagger, 1 Iron Dagger, 1 Iron Dagger, 1 Iron Dagger, 1 Iron Dagger, 1 Iron Dagger, 1 Iron Dagger, 1 Iron Dagger, 1 Iron Dagger, 1 Iron Pickaxe, 32 Cobblestone, 1 Bed, 1 Crafting Table, 1 Furnace, 21 Charcoal, 9 Ender Pearls, 14 Torches, 18 Oak Wood Planks, 1 Cake, 1 Cake, 1 Cake, 35 Pumpkin Pies, 26 Cookies, 45 Baked Potatoes, 1 Milk Bucket, 1 Splash Potion of Invisibility {8:00}, 1 Potion of Swiftness II {1:30}, 1 Potion of Night Vision {8:00}, 1 Potion of Slow Falling {4:00}, 1 Map {Paragon Minecraftia}, 1 Book {Citizenship Information}, 1 Paper {Gold Citizenship Pass}

[EXP: 42]

Inventory (Floyd): 1 Mob Head {Creeper}, 1 Iron Sword, 1 Diamond Helmet [Projectile Protection IV], 1 Diamond Chestplate [Projectile Protection IV], 1 Diamond Leggings [Projectile Protection IV], 1 Iron Pickaxe, 2 Iron Ingots, 64 Steak, 52 Steak, 2 Sticks, 31 Coal, 20 Torches, 1 Fishing Rod, 1 Furnace, 1 Crafting Table, 1 Minecart, 1 Bed, 1 Boat, 1 Diamond Boots [Projectile Protection IV], 16 Gunpowder, 16 Ender Pearls, 2 Ender Pearls, 1 Splash Potion of Invisibility {8:00}, 1 Bucket, 1 Map {Minecraftia}, 1 Book {Citizenship Information}, 1 Paper {Ringwood Entry Pass}, 1 Paper {Zeppil Entry Pass}

[EXP: 34]

Stratus the Horse

Inventory (Soul): 1 Diamond Axe [Sharpness V], 1 Iron Pickaxe, 64 Iron Ingots, 28 Iron Ingots, 20 Flint, 12 Gold Ingots, 1 Milk Bucket, 1 Diamond Helmet [Protection IV, Unbreaking III], 1 Iron Chestplate, 1 Diamond Leggings [Protection IV, Unbreaking III], 1 Diamond Boots [Protection IV, Feather Falling IV, Unbreaking III], 1 Crafting Table, 1 Jukebox, 1 Music Disc {chirp}, 1 Bed, 1 Furnace, 24 Torches, 34 White Wool, 58 Dirt, 23 Pumpkin Seeds, 64 Cobblestone, 62 Cobblestone, 32 Jungle Wood Planks, 1 Armor Stand, 64 Steak, 6 Cooked Mutton, 1 Map {Minecraftia}, 1 Book {Citizenship Information}, 1 Paper {Ringwood Entry Pass}, 1 Paper {Zeppil Entry Pass}

[EXP: 26]

Long-Face the Horse

Cat-Face the Cat

Christopher Squawken the Parrot

Inventory (Noman): 1 Diamond Sword [Sharpness I], 1 Diamond Chestplate {Severe Shield}, 1 Leather Boots {Bottes Zephyr} [Dyed White], 1 Green Shield [Beginners], 1 Flint and Steel, 1 Milk Bucket, 6 Buckets, 2 Cobblestone, 1 Bed, 1 Crafting Table, 1 Water Bottle, 1 Water Bottle, 1 Water Bottle, 1 Water Bottle, 5 Ender Chests, 16 Ender Pearls, 5 Ender Pearls, 1 Nether Star, 51 Steak, 3 Phantom Membranes, 1 Splash Potion of Healing II, 1 Book {Citizenship Information}, 1 Paper {Zeppil Entry Pass}, 1 Paper {Akasha Entry Pass}, 1 Map {Minecraftia}, 1 Enchanted Golden Apple, 1 Diamond Helmet, 1 Iron Chestplate, 1 Diamond Leggings, 1 Diamond Boots

[EXP: 26]

Snow the Horse

AN: We're officially in 1.14 boys and girls.

This Chapter is basically everybody reacting to the latest Bounty Day. This one was brought to you in part by Poulsen's death. RIP, we now have Pillagers.

Cobb's group is in Daymonte, Carys' group is in the Redbone Desert, and Spring is off robbing his workplace. The Plagues are also active pieces on the board, as are the Hackers.

If this Chapter seemed like too much was going on at once, then you understand why I did my rotation Chapter technique before. It gave the readers focus instead of trying to keep up with four groups at a time.

Anyway, look to the forum for questions about the update schedule. Wednesdays are still the publish days.

FAV. FOLLOW. REVIEW. PM. FORUM. DISCORD. CUPCAKES.