AN: Last Chapter was pretty favorable. I'm glad I wrote a winner.
Or maybe it's just because I started the Chapter with 'Nothing happens. You can skip it.' I only use that line when something interesting/groundbreaking happens, but when I mention it, there's a spike in viewership. I should be careful with how I use it, reserving it for only the finest Chapters that elevate the story to the next level.
With great power comes great responsibility. With that said, ahem...
NOTHING HAPPENS THIS CHAPTER. YOU CAN SKIP - Nah, I'm just kidding. This is just a wrap-up Chapter to conclude the SutsCo Arc. I think it's good, and there's an Omake at the end.
Let's a go!
Disclaimer: I don't own Minecraft. If I did, I'd keep Snowballs in stacks of 64.
Chapter 193
Non-Disclosure
[The End]
"I trust your shopping spree has been satisfactory?"
The question had been asked by Landon as Cobb, Lenz, and the six Paragons gathered before the fountain portal with SutsCo merchandise in hand. Landon had undone the bedrock cube surrounding the fountain, honoring his promise to let them go free.
"Meh. It was tolerable." Trenay shrugged. The woman had Pocket Boxes stuffed with millions of emeralds worth of merchandise and she had the nerve to act unimpressed. She just didn't want to give Landon the satisfaction.
Cobb was there too. His tears had dried, but he couldn't talk as his throat was hoarse from all his screaming. As such, he kept his mouth shut and smiled peacefully. A heavy burden had been taken off his shoulders and he felt ready to move forward.
"Glad to hear it. Before we say our goodbyes, I have some souvenirs I think you're gonna like." Landon smiled as he dug into his backpack, a sense of trepidation settling over the group.
What fresh horrors did he have in store now?
He held up some pieces of paper, his face beaming as brightly as his eyes. "Badges!"
"You shouldn't have." Doyle uttered flatly.
"You get the Great View From Up Here Badge to replace the ones that got accidentally burned in that freak fire, but you also get the The End? Badge, the Free the End Badge, and the most coveted SutsCoDown Throwdown Showdown Merit Badge! Congratulations! These badges will last you a lifetime!"
Without missing a beat, Cobb lit a fire and everyone gathered round to properly throw away the trash they had been given.
"NOOOO! The freak fire! It's returned to destroy your hard work!" Landon bawled as the badges were burnt to cinders. "Damn you, freak fire! Is there no end to your wickedness!?"
"Can we go now, please?" Baltic asked politely.
"Just a second." Landon wiped his face. "You need some trophy to remember this by." He rummaged in his backpack before pulling out his Dragon Head and passing it to Cobb. "There. A fitting trophy for the dragonslayer. It's yours. May its oversized goofiness help hide your name and face."
"Shouldn't Z7 get that?" Lenz asked. "She dealt the killing blow."
"He's the Executive isn't he?" Landon replied before moving on to fresh business. "One last thing before you go. You need to sign these revised non-disclosure statements." He fanned out eight books to the group, who took them hesitantly. "Read through them as carefully as you want." Baltic did as much, flipping through the pages of every book. "The conditions are fairly basic: don't go blabbing about SutsCo or the Scouts until the economic collapse we got planned goes through. It's just in more legal jargon."
It was as Landon said. The non-disclosure agreement specified that the eight of them were strictly forbidden from relaying to anyone, themselves included, where they got the items, who they got them from, or how they obtained them. Relaying the information encompassed speaking, written messages, secret signals, pointing out phrases, being overheard, and acting out the words in a manner of charades. They couldn't mention anything about the Scouts, nor could they talk about their connection to SutsCo. They also couldn't tell anyone of the information they learned while in the End that directly related to SutsCo or their merchandise, including whatever they learned touring their facility. Selling the merchandise they brought back was out of the question for obvious reasons.
Oddly enough, there was no outlined penalty should they break the non-disclosure pact. Signing the books would promise their silence on the matter and nothing more. There was a small footnote that signing would include pressing a designated button to 'seal the deal', but then they would be free to leave the End.
Not that that would stop Trenay. Cobb could immediately tell she was going to report everything to Carys whether she signed the agreement or not. It was why she wanted to come here in the first place, and Carys would want to know about the Scouts. Similarly, Cobb was going to tell Noman and the guys what he learned about Herobrine, the Prime Dragon, and beacons. Noman may as well use that Nether Star he was carrying since the cultists took one too and were likely making their own beacon. Why else would they steal it from the slain Wither?
Baltic was thorough in studying the books, and he asked Landon a few questions.
"Will we be allowed to craft or brew some of the items we learned about?" He asked. "I want to make these Lingering Potions with the ingredients I've gotten without violating this pact."
"You can craft or brew all you like." Landon assured. "Showing how it's made doesn't affect us one bit. It's why I purposefully left out such a restriction. Besides, it wouldn't be fair to teach you all those recipes only to keep you from using them."
He made it sound like he could stop them from crafting if he wanted to.
"I see no problem in this." Baltic nodded as he was the first to sign his name. He just went in without fear, assuring the rest of them that there was no danger of losing their souls or working a 9 to 5 job.
Eight signatures on eight books were turned over to Landon who eyed them carefully. He gave a pleased nod.
"Alright! Now just press that button on your way out to seal the deal." He pointed to a button connected to a Command Block.
"What's the Command Block for?" Shroud asked.
"To 'seal the deal'." Landon replied vaguely.
"Don't worry, I looked it over." Baltic assured. "We're to think of it as a final confirmation that we signed the non-disclosure agreement and that we'll honor it. He won't be taking our souls."
"You're sure?"
"Just as we're bound by contract, he is too." Baltic said. "He can't stop us."
Z7 had no qualms with the button and was the first to go. She stepped up, clicked it, and jumped into the fountain portal right after. Seeing nothing drastic happen to her helped calm the others who followed her one at a time.
"Remember to skip the poem." Cobb said in a rush, suddenly remembering.
"What poem? You haven't explained-"
"No, he's right." Landon chimed in. "You're gonna want to skip it. Trust us. It's a bore."
"..."
Cobb and Lenz were the last to press the button and jump in. As such, they heard Landon's parting words.
"Phew! Thought those weirdos would never leave..."
[Cobb]
"How can we thank you enough, Gourd Man?"
"You can start by not calling me Gourd Man." I told the guard. I was only still wearing the pumpkin because the Kingdoms thought of me as an Endward Cult Executive. Lenz could take his mask off, but he chose to bask in the praise. They were all applauding us for beating those cultists. It was hardly a thing to celebrate considering they likely escaped to the river below. A fall from here wouldn't kill them if they hit the water. My motto was 'if there isn't a Head, they ain't dead'.
Also, Gourd Man? That was awful!
"Then what should we call you, warrior?" A different guard asked.
Yes! This was chance to come up with a flashy nickname like Lenz.
"Call me... the Pumpking! No, no, that's lame, uh... how about the King of Harvests... no, maybe the Gourd Avenger...?"
Ugh, I was blowing it.
"Well whatever the hell you are, we thank you." The guards bowed respectfully before I could decide on a name and I was forced to forget about it. "We lost many of our brothers-in-arms to those escapees. That woman, Erma_Gourd, had to have killed the most, yet I don't remember a wanted poster for her."
"Ringwood must have underestimated how dangerous she was." Another guard offered his opinion. "We need to draft a wanted poster for her and Maira_Kahel right away. The world needs to know how dangerous these escapees are."
"Yes!"
The guards milled around, scraping up the remains of their friends or else speaking with the Paragons. I felt bad for the guards that gave their lives to try and stop the cultists, which meant my Heart was back where it belonged.
It was precisely because I felt for the wounded guards and Paragons that I was able to fight as well as I did. Getting rid of Erma and the others had been at the forefront of my mind. I was able to think on my feet with Brain and fight on my own with Blood.
Brain, Heart, and Blood. When those three were working in unison, I felt invincible.
A contingent of guards were sent to the riverbank at the bottom of the chasm to locate the four female escapees. The contingent was made up of archers only and would harass the escapees at a distance. None of them that got away were versed in archery, so the guards wouldn't be at much risk. Judging by their grim expressions, they weren't taking prisoners. Those four ladies were in for a rough time for killing the guards.
"You must be Paragons!" One guard cheered as he spoke with Baltic and Trenay. "No wonder you're all so strong! I've always wanted to join you guys! If you hadn't been here, I don't know what we would have done. It's not easy when Captain Veronica is away."
"We only wish we could have gotten here sooner." Baltic handed over some Lingering Potions. "Please distribute these to the injured. Group them up if you can. The effects are quite potent."
"A Lingering Potion! I never thought I could hold one. They're so expensive." He looked at the bottle in awe, clutching it like a newborn as he hurried over to the injured.
"We should make ourselves scarce." Trenay whispered as I ambled over. "I want to let Carys know everything without having to worry about cultists ambushing us. There could be any number of them still hiding in Daymonte. I also can't discount the possibility of those four escapees returning to finish the job."
"What about the non-disclosure agreement?" Baltic asked.
"What about it?" Trenay said callously. "Why should I honor any agreement with those chaotic nutjobs? Screw them for trying to make slaves of us."
"We'll need a new hiding spot." I said, pointing the inn that was just starting to burn out. There was hardly anything left of the seedy place or of the fire Keen started. The Tavern on the Sparks was nothing more than a ruin now.
"We'll need one fast. Heather and Witige still aren't up yet. They need a safe place to recover their strength." The alchemist glanced around. "Anyone have any suggestions?"
"Well..." Lenz said awkwardly, having joined the conversation. "I might know a place..."
"Your old room?"
"Why not?" Lenz asked as he tidied the room a bit. His apartment was one where many students stayed off campus. His room was a small thing, designed like all the rest to take up as little space as possible and cram as many students as they could. It was a single room with a bed, a desk, and a window, yet it was larger than the seedy room that got burned down. The bathroom and shower were communal, the whole floor being designated for men. There was a dining hall downstairs.
The landlord had been nice enough to save it for Lenz. He just had to pay the last few months of rent to be let back in. The Paragons were nice enough to cover the bill in exchange for a safe house.
We neglected to mention fourteen people would be using it.
Heather was given the bed to lay on while Witige was placed on the carpet. Everybody else took a vacant spot. Z7 perched herself on the desk, her bare feet curling along the edge. Lenz and I took off our respective masks once it was just us.
"Dragon masks, tipped arrows," Dwight ticked off with a smirk, "Pocket Boxes, Chorus Fruit, exploding crystals, and Lingering Potions. You guys cleaned up!"
"I assume you got an ample supply for everyone?" Luis asked, earning a nod from Trenay. "Good. Any Wonder Wings or...?"
"No Wonder Wings, unfortunately." Shroud frowned. "But you're not gonna believe this. SutsCo is _."
Eyes widened as Shroud reached for his throat. At first, I thought he cut himself off. Then I saw his confusion as his mouth moved and no words came out.
"What's wrong? SutsCo's what?" Dwight urged.
"Yeah, don't leave us in suspense!" Wing added. "What happened to you guys in the End? Did you find SutsCo?"
"_."
This time it was Lenz trying to speak, but although his mouth moved, no sound came out. He tugged at his scarf and felt around his throat, just as confused as Shroud.
"Why isn't anyone saying anything?" Doyle asked. "Do I have to explain what went down? We fought a _ and _ with the _." Doyle's throat stuck on every other word and he grabbed at his neck, perplexed as to why no sound would come out. "The hell? It's like I lost my voice."
That's exactly what it was. I had a pretty good idea of what was going on, but I decided to try an experiment just to verify.
"The ones behind SutsCo are _." My voice was stolen whenever I tried to mention the Scouts' connection. That was all the proof I needed. "Damnit! We've been censored!"
"Hold on, what!?" Trenay exclaimed, her voice becoming hysterical. "How could _ censor us-!?" Her voice cut off and she raged silently, her mouth working to sound out the words we were forbidden from relaying to anyone.
"What do you mean you've been censored? Like your words are being blacked out?" Wing asked skeptically. "Quit joking around. That's impossible for anyone to do."
Not if they had Command Blocks.
Lenz tore out his notebook and started scribbling something. Good idea. If our words were being censored, maybe we could write it out instead.
That idea died pretty fast when Lenz's scribbling stopped and his hand went unusually still. He lifted his tinted glasses and stared transfixed at his unmoving hand. He couldn't write the words. No matter how he placed the quill to the paper, he was unable to relay what he knew.
This was on another level of bullshit. Command Blocks had no limits. No wonder Landon was unconcerned with letting us go. We couldn't blab if we wanted to. Even Z7's garbled words cut off as she undoubtedly tried to retell our adventures in the End. Having her words smothered made her particularly upset.
"No..." Trenay muttered, her eyes devoid of hope as she took out her map. She tried dropping it in morse code to send her report to Carys, but halfway through, she became unable to drop it. Her hands had gone still. The non-disclosure agreement had specified we were unable to relay any of what we knew to anyone in any way. The map messages fell under that criteria. "NOOOOOO! CURSE YOU, _!" She fell to her knees and sobbed dramatically. "I can't even curse _'s name."
So we couldn't say anything about the Scouts' involvement in SutsCo. Maybe we could use that to our advantage. What if I listed the Big Three guilds only to emphasize the Scouts? Whether I was censored or not, the Paragons would be able to tell who I was talking about through ommission.
With that plan in mind, I opened my mouth.
"_..." I trailed off after failing to utter a sound. I couldn't even start my list to tip them off. Paragons, Berserkers, and SCOUTS. That's what I was trying to say, but my voice wouldn't work with me. Only when I gave up my plan did my voice return. "This is a problem..."
Whatever censor Landon put on us with Command Blocks, it went beyond merely blocking our words. It was like any intent we had to reveal SutsCo and the Scouts was predicted and prevented. So long as we intended to spill the secrets we swore not to disclose, our voices would fail us.
"Fuck _!" Trenay raged in a way that would put Soul to shame. "Fuck _, fuck the _, fuck _, and fuck _. _ can blow me!"
"I feel like the wrong things are being censored here."
"Whoa, so you really can't talk about it?" Dwight said in astonishment. "That's nuts. Who did you meet over there? It wasn't Herobrine, right? Did you find him?"
We couldn't even shake or nod our heads. Even that was classified.
As a matter of fact, the only shareable information we could pass them was the stuff Landon wrote in my Mobs of the Bounty Days book. He had been considerate and cautious when writing that stuff down, and now I knew why. It was to make sure there was no mention of the Scouts. It listed the Ender Dragon as a source of Dragon's Breath, so the Paragons could put together we encountered an Ender Dragon, but that wasn't enough to make the connection with the Scouts. Ironically, if we kept those badges we burned, that would've been all they needed to figure out who we encountered. Did Landon give them to us knowing we would burn them?
Actually, fuck it, if they weren't smart enough to know SutsCo was an anagram for the Scouts, they didn't deserve to know. It was all right there.
Brain: Says the guy who couldn't figure it out to save his life.
Heart: Be nice.
Brain: It's good to have you back. Hope you had a good vacation.
"Open your mouth." Perry demanded of Doyle. "Maybe I can see what's clogging your throat?"
"What are you going to do, jam a fist down his throat?" Shroud joked.
"Yeah, let's leave the examination to someone more closely resembling a medical professional."
"Ya'll are bitches..."
Baltic stepped around Perry and ordered Shroud and Doyle to open their mouths and stick out their tongues. When they did, Baltic's brow lifted in surprise. "Oh dear..."
"Hwha?" Shroud asked past his tongue. He gagged when Z7's hand darted forward and seized his tongue in a vice-like grip. She made Shroud wince and gag as she pulled the tongue taut and showed us all what she and Baltic had seen.
A black 'X' had been inked onto his tongue.
Dwight balked. "Don't see that every day."
"Dv'ev yvvm glmtfv-grvw." Z7 commented before releasing Shroud's tongue. He closed and covered his mouth, looking uncomfortable. I would too if a lady stuck her fingers in my mouth. Z7 looked unbothered as she wiped the saliva onto her shorts.
"Z7 said we have been tongue-tied." Lenz translated, sticking his own tongue out. He had an 'X' too. I probably had one as well. "Every one of us who _ that _ has been silenced. We are forbidden from talking about _ or how they _."
"Now you're just torturing us by talking about it. Or not talking about it, whatever, just stop." Wing massaged his temple.
"Censorship aside, you brought back a ton of merchandise." Luis complimented while examining some of the items Trenay had. "These would have cost us millions in emeralds we don't have, so I'm assuming you harvested them from the End?" We couldn't tell him there was no harvesting involved, or that we had to accept a hardcore, made up showdown with our souls on the line. The truth was stranger than fiction, and something they would never guess. "However you got them, you also returned safe and saved us from those escapees. Mission successful."
"I've been meaning to ask about that." Aurand spoke. "How did our hideout get leaked? That pyromaniac set the fire most likely, but how did she and those other escapees know where we were."
"It was my fault." Perry admitted, stepping forward.
Dwight rubbed his neck awkwardly before joining in the blame. "Both our faults. We went out drinking instead of sticking to our posts. A cultist must've overheard and followed us back."
"Heather and I went with them at one point." Luis added. "The only ones who stuck to their post were Wing and Witige."
"I thought as much." Baltic said before lecturing them. "No matter how easy the mission seemed, it was of grave importance while we explored the End. I dread to think where we would have ended up if those beds burned down before our return." Perry, Dwight, and Luis lowered their heads. "You neglected your post-"
"But you came back and saved the day." I interjected, trying to be lenient. It came as a surprise to Perry and Dwight, who I hadn't always gotten along with. They must've thought I'd rub their noses in it rather than rush to their defense. Maybe I just felt more compassionate after seeing them so injured to protect the beds. I was speaking from the heart. "You kept the beds and your allies safe."
"Cobb, there needs to be some discipline." Trenay said in exasperation.
"When it really mattered they rose to the occasion. We counted on them and they did their job." I reasoned, their expressions lifting. I thought I could see something like respect in Perry's eyes. "Just... next time make it so we don't come back to a burning building?"
Perry laughed a real, genuine laugh. "Sure thing, boss man."
"I'm afraid a slap on the wrist isn't going to cut it." Trenay said grumpily. Maybe she was just using this as an outlet for her SutsCo frustrations, but her anger made Dwight, Perry, and Luis quake. "As punishment, you three and Heather aren't getting any of the stuff we brought back for one week!"
Dwight was the most outraged over that. As a member of the theft and arms unit, he loved new weapons and gear. To be denied after watching it in action was just cruel.
"I think that's a fitting punishment." Baltic spoke with a small smile. "You can watch Witige and Wing enjoy the new equipment while you reaffirm our faith in your discipline."
"Hells yeah!" Wing cheered before apologizing to Luis.
"Now that that's taken care of," Trenay took out her synced map with a sigh, "I have a heavily redacted report to relay to Carys and Jillian. If you'll excuse me..." She placed herself in the corner of the room and began dropping and picking up her map in morse code. Miserably, if I might add.
"Whuh?" Heather stirred from the bed before slowly sitting up. "Where's Maira? Where are we? You guys all got back? What happened to Maira?" She sniffed herself and recoiled. "I really did fall in a toilet! EW! Questions can wait, where's the nearest shower!?"
"Come on," Luis offered. "I can take you-"
"Not you. Someone else." Heather replied coldly, turning her face away from a stunned Luis. An awkward silence filled the air.
"Er... I can show you to the showers." Lenz offered hesitantly, Heather jumping at the offer and hurrying the engineer out the door.
"I'll come too." Wing volunteered, rushing after them. Luis could only chew on his lip in silence. There was a story there... but I didn't really care.
Instead I took out my synced map and checked how far Noman and the others had gotten. They were still in the desert, but they were a lot closer to Exter than we were to Oak Docks. They were also close to Triple Point. If only I could tell them there was a Stronghold there.
At least their blips were all present. They were alive and well.
[Noman]
"The hell...?"
I looked up. "Language."
"Can it. Hey, Anibal! Albert! You getting the same message I am?"
It was nearly dark, the last bits of the sun flickering behind sand dunes. Cobb and Lenz's blips were back, and the Paragons were sending a message. Seems like they returned from their excursion to the End, safe and sound.
The messages being relayed were stirring Carys and the rest up, however.
"I got the same thing." Anibal said with an irritated frown. "It's not like Trenay to give a half-assed report. She's Jillian's best information agent. Something's up!"
"She cut off earlier too." Albert noted. "One second she was about to tell us something about the End, only to go quiet and change the subject."
"I know! What gives!?" Anibal raged, watching her map. "She says their side has tipped arrows and Lingering Potions, but she isn't telling us how she got them or what happened the past few days! I'm a curious little kitty and I want to know how she got the new toys, damnit!"
"Excuse me, curious kitty," Soul spoke dryly, "but are Cobb and the nerd alright? I want to hear from them."
"They're not talking right now. Shut up." Anibal dismissed him. "Trenay says she and the others were censored? What's that mean? Start talking sense, Trenay! Tell me how to get tipped arrows and Pocket Boxes!"
"What about my Wonder Wings?" Carys added, scowling at the map. "I swear, if Cobb ballsed this up-"
"Awfully presumptuous to think it's Cobb's fault." Floyd argued, making Carys scowl.
"You saying my guys made a mistake? Come on, which is more likely?"
"Guys, guys, please." I stepped between the two as the acting mediator. "The expedition has returned from the End. Is everyone present and accounted for?" I asked Carys who glanced at her map.
"...Yes." She said grudgingly.
"Then we should feel relieved." I tried to put things into perspective. "You can communicate at length with Trenay and Baltic and confirm what has happened. They've secured powerful gear as per your instructions, yes?"
"Yeah, but she isn't telling us where she got it exactly. I want to know SutsCo's recipes so I can boost my arsenal!" Anibal complained loudly. "And having a Pocket Box means I can carry my whole collection of enchanted weapons at once! I want to make one right now, so how are they made!? What's the secret?"
"Just be patient, Anibal." Kal chided. "They all just got back. Maybe they need time to compile a proper report."
"Nnnnnn!" Anibal simmered, glaring at the map. "Just tell us what we really want to know, Trenay. Why are you being so vague? Why couldn't Dwight have gone with you; I could get the whole story from him!"
I tried watching the blips over Carys or Anibal's shoulder, but they held them close to the chest while shooting me disapproving glares. Albert was the only one who didn't seem to mind, and I watched Trenay's blip flash dutifully as she relayed her message. I didn't understand a word of morse code, but Albert was able to keep me in the loop.
"She says she got the gear and everyone returned safe. They were attacked by Ringwood escapees - notorious criminals like PearlyKeen and Cyan_Gift - but they were able to repel them without revealing Cobb or Lenz's identities."
"I'm guessing they just hung back and avoided detection?" Carys spoke dully before the blip she was watching continued to blink. "...They wore masks and were instrumental in the victory gaddamnit." She slapped her forehead while Soul wore a smug grin that was so goofy it made me laugh.
"Hey. Hey. How's it feel to hear how our boys are better than your boys? I told you that nerd's a badass. He's one truck accident away from becoming an isekai harem protagonist."
"I don't know what that is, but you better wipe that face off your face before I jam that parrot up your-"
"Raaawk! Carys needs to get laid! Raaawk!"
"I really don't know where he's hearing these phrases."
"That's it! The bird must die!"
Carys swung her diamond scythe at Christopher Squawken, prompting Soul to fall back and cradle him protectively in both hands. He ran away with Carys in hot pursuit, and for some reason he thought it'd be a good idea to use me as cover.
"Noman! You're all about all life being precious, right? Well, sweet, innocent Christopher is about to become a victim of animal abuse unless you do something!"
"Animals don't count in Aikido." Carys spoke threateningly as she advanced. Despite her rage, she was collected enough to remember what I said about the criteria for life. Animals weren't capable of higher thought, so I didn't consider them among the precious lives needing protection. Still, I couldn't let Carys kill Soul's pet without it ending in everyone at each others' throats.
"Carys, you're right that Christopher Squawken is not considered a living, thinking being worth protecting under the laws of Aikido -"
"Raaawk! Fuck you, Noman!"
"- But killing Soul's pet may cause some undue friction that might wind up getting people hurt. I'll apologize on Chris' behalf."
"What am I supposed to do with an apology?" Carys growled. "I don't need useless things like -"
"Carys. Trenay is elaborating on the censorship detail." Carys cut off to listen. "Apparently, Cobb, Lenz, Baltic, Z7, Aurand, Shroud, Doyle, and Trenay herself are unable to tell you the details of their trip. As in they're literally unable to say any more." Anibal looked up with a wary expression. "Baltic and Luis are saying the same thing, so it must be true."
"Censorship? I've never heard of that." Carys frowned in thought. "Whatever they encountered on the other side must have been unlike anything we've seen. Yet they all made it back? Who did it and how? Why bother censoring them when they could've simply killed them? I don't get it."
"Luis says they have X's on their tongues." Albert relayed. "It's like a mark, and it's preventing them from speaking about what happened in the End."
"Seems Luis can talk freely." Anibal checked her map and her eyebrows lifted in surprise. "Cobb's been working on a Mob book? And he has new entries for a Shulker and... an Ender Dragon!?"
A real Ender Dragon? How could that be when the only one in existence had been killed by the First Ten centuries ago?
The reveal that Cobb and the others may have encountered an Ender Dragon had the Paragons in awe. Carys in particular looked very interested in the message.
"So the only fresh information they brought back was in Cobb's little Mob book." Carys surmised thoughtfully. "They can't speak of anything they saw, but the book proves they saw a dragon and a new Mob called a Shulker." She watched the map blip flash as the message continued. "Luis has no trouble relaying this since he wasn't amongst the End group of eight. Trenay can't speak of it because it is a direct secret of SutsCo. If the Dragon's Breath is the key to Lingering Potions and tipped arrows, its source is the Ender Dragon, and they can't directly speak of it," she deduced, "it stands to reason that these Shulkers have to do with Pocket Boxes since they also can't be spoken of. Maybe the Wonder Wings are also tied to the dragon."
She figured that out all on her own based on what couldn't be said? I thought, impressed. I shouldn't have been surprised. Carys' strength wasn't limited to her combat prowess. Her mind was as sharp as her scythe.
But, wait, if I remembered correctly from what Cobb shared of Herobrine's journal entries, then...
"Did they kill the dragon to obtain the Dragon's Breath?" I wondered aloud. Carys heard and turned to me. "If they killed the dragon, they should have a Command Block and the glowing eyes. Do they?"
Carys processed the question before dropping her map in quick succession. She was sending a message. Once she was done, she waited patiently and read their response.
"They have a Dragon Head, but no glowing eyes or Command Block." She answered. "The End threats were only supposed to be Endermen according to Cobb. What's a dragon doing there?" She clicked her tongue. "I want to see it for myself, but we're too far away to check out Daymonte. We'll have to go there another time."
"And I'm going with you." Anibal declared. "I'm too damn curious not to."
"As things are, their arsenal has improved. Our chief alchemist can now make Lingering Potions. He'll make the best use of them." Carys said. "As reports go, this is quite lacking, but there's not much I can do if they're… censored. It's completely unexpected. What sort of being is capable of this?"
Albert looked at his map for a second before turning to me. "Seems your friends got you Pocket Boxes too. They want to know what colors you want them in?"
"Light blue for me." Floyd reserved.
"Ah… I'd prefer a clean, white." I said.
"Brown." Soul chose. "But what are Pocket Boxes anyway? What's so great about them?"
"Idiot. They can expand your Inventory space." Anibal answered. "It's like a chest, but unlike chests, they keep their contents even when broken."
"Shit, really!? Damn, I want that now! I can hold ten axes!"
While holding more weapons was a… noble goal, I was more interested in using the space for alchemy ingredients. I'd need it if I was going to work as support. Speaking of, it was getting late. Now was the time to go digging for lava to build a Nether Portal. Surely Carys was too busy analyzing the recent information to accompany me—
A hand snagged my suit as I tried to sneak off.
"Where do you think you're going without me, invalid? The rest of you set up camp." She called out before shoving me forward.
I wilted under her scrutiny. After almost no sleep last night and a full day riding across the desert, I barely had the energy to dig for lava pools. But if I never pushed myself, I'd stay stuck in a rut the whole trip. I would grasp the chance to learn new skills with my own hands. Just like how Cobb and the others acquired valuable gear.
I couldn't lag behind forever.
[Exter]
King Sdrawkcab sat rigidly at a desk supplied to him by his personal security force. Instead of his royal office, or his throne, he sat atop the Brimstone Bastion with only the warm winds for company. He had been waiting over five days for Entity 303 to arrive, and while Sdraw didn't know the exact mileage of 303's Flight Hack, he expected the Hacker would visit him any moment.
His people had been warned of the possibility (though Sdraw knew it was inevitable as soon as a Bounty Day occurred) and they would hopefully take shelter and honor his wishes to negotiate in peace. Little did they know, a negotiation had already been made, and Sdraw fully intended to supply the Hack Clan with food and their lost brethren.
He also knew to expect a furious Level 10 Hacker. He had done nothing wrong, but 303 would blame him anyway for the Bounty Day. He'd tasked him with locating his missing brethren, which Sdraw was taking care of diligently, but 303 would assume a Hacker died because Sdraw made a mistake, and if the misunderstanding wasn't made clear, Exter could very well end up like Akasha.
Therefore, Sdraw had to choose the right words to reassure 303 that the latest dead Hacker had nothing to do with him.
He ran through dozens of scenarios in his head while he waited. He could approach the topic in four different ways, four different Dominos he could tip, but only one had the greatest chance of toppling the largest Domino and securing the outcome he desired. Ideally, the meeting would end in him gaining the Hack Clan's unconditional trust, but Sdraw would settle for securing Exter's future. He had his words and responses planned for what 303 would say and he was waiting outside to show he had no reason to hide.
All that was left was waiting for the man of the hour to arrive.
Sdraw tilted his closed eyes to the sky as he noticed a dark blot fast approaching. He made a mental note of 303's travel time as he stood from his seat and walked around his temporary desk, his hands clasped behind his back in a relaxed manner.
This ought to be interesting.
The dark blot that was 303's smoke-enshrouded form did not bother to slow down. In fact, the Hacker sped towards the king of Exter with reckless abandon. Sdraw didn't dare flinch as 303 barreled into him, a hand flying to his throat and squeezing tight. Despite the strength behind the grip, Sdraw knew he was holding back from the simple fact he was still alive.
"You have fifteen seconds to convince me you had nothing to do with our newly deceased brother or sister before I wipe you and your Kingdom off the face of Minecraftia. Talk."
Not a lot of thinking time. Fortunately, Sdraw was prepared.
"I have no knowledge of your fallen brother or sister. I have been dutifully searching out wayward Hackers per our agreement. They have been found and brought here through peaceful means, and my guards are catering to their every need. They are being treated with the respect befitting their lineage, and you are welcome to speak with them to verify."
303's grip slackened as Sdraw's opening Domino was tipped. He didn't bring up the Hackers he gathered just to reassure 303. He did it so that 303's threat of total kingdom annihilation would turn into a bluff. The head Hacker could hardly nuke a kingdom where his wayward brethren were hanging around. Before, Sdraw faced 303 without any concrete control. Now it was a different story.
303 still hadn't said anything, so Sdraw continued.
"By your accusing tone, I can assume the fallen Hacker wasn't one of yours." Sdraw made a thoughtful noise. "The gathered Hackers can attest that they stepped forward peacefully. I wouldn't dare strongarm them into coming here. I merely offerred a stipend to any and all Crafters with dark lines over their eyes. Most Crafters only link the dark vapor to Hackers; they're unaware of the lines' meaning."
"So what?"
"So I am blameless in this." Sdraw felt stupid having to point out the obvious to 303. "I can also attest that the two Hackers leading the army of Griefers towards Nitebane are still alive. Considering that the fallen Hacker is neither on your end, nor on my end, there are only two possibilities."
"Two?" 303 said, finally releasing Sdraw. The king fixed his shirt before elucidating.
"Either it's a wayward Hacker outside my sphere of influence, or it's the missing Hacker you brought up at our last meeting, Poulsen."
"Poulsen's been missing for months, why would he die now?"
"I'm merely listing an avenue of investigation." Sdraw explained. "You came here assuming I was at fault for the same reason, no?"
"Don't turn this on me. I still have no guarantee you weren't involved." 303 growled/echoed, his smoke flaring. "I'd watch my tone if I were you."
"I meant no disrespect." Sdraw bowed. A King bowing to a Hacker. He was glad none of his people could see this. "All I am stating is that Poulsen's delayed death could be a possibility. It could just as easily be one of your wayward brethren succumbing to the elements."
Flawwed_Floyd included. Cobb's Hacker servant could have just as easily been the trigger. Sightings of the Beginners in general have been scarce.
"Do you intend to recall the Hackers sent to Nitebane?" Sdraw inquired.
"That's none of your business."
"On the contrary. If we're to cooperate in the future, your problems should become my problems."
Went unsaid was that vice versa applied. Sdraw's problems were to be the Hack Clan's problems. It would have been unwise to say as much. 303 was clearly against owing those he considered lesser.
"The Hack Clan has made no commitment to you at this time." 303 growled/echoed. "Our alliance is active on the condition you deliver food and our missing brethren to us."
"As I've explained, I am gathering your brethren. Food will be provided as well. I'm well underway to securing your trust."
"It'll take more than that, Sdrawkcab."
"Which is why I'd like to provide further assistance." He implored. "Am I correct in assuming you sent a few brothers and sisters to intercept the Griefer army heading to Nitebane?" 303 said nothing. "You are concerned for their safety, and wish to see them return before another Bounty Day is triggered. Nitebane is Carys' kingdom, and she already claimed two of your own. Do you really want to risk it?"
303 was silent, neither confirming nor denying Sdraw's guess. But Sdraw had a firm grasp of 303's protective, big brother nature. He would have gone after the army himself if he didn't have to have a meeting with the king.
"I can transport you to Nitebane." Sdraw tempted, the offer making 303's eyes widen. "An associate of mine has mastery over Nether Portal transportation. He could set up a gate for you to-"
"I don't want your help!"
303's smoke flared and swelled wildly, looking like a great, dark inferno with the Hacker at its center. Sdraw shut his mouth as 303 got up in his face.
"The Hack Clan will handle this on their own. I have no need for you servants of Herobrine or your portals." He turned so his back was facing the king. "This conversation is over. Find more of my lost brethren or I will bathe Exter in the dropped items of your people and your cultists."
303 shot off into the sky, flying back to the Obelisk at hurtling speed. Sdraw watched him go with a closed-eyed, sympathetic smile.
He was covered now. If another Hacker died in the invasion of Nitebane, it would be on 303's shoulders, knowing he could have portaled over in an instant if not for his stubborness. He would never say it to the head Hacker, but Sdraw was actually hoping Carys was at Nitebane and that she would kill another Hacker. It would only push 303 into aligning more closely with the Endward Cult and have the ire of the Hack Clan focused squarely on her.
Of course, in the end, nobody but Ember could slay the Angel of Death. She had made the claim months in advance and got that determined look in her eye. Carys would fall at her blade, but the Hackers would make excellent pressure to flush her out.
Seeing as his head was still attached, Sdraw chalked this encounter with 303 as a victory. The trust wasn't yet there, but the seed of doubt had been planted. Now Sdraw just needed to wait and see how things in Nitebane went.
It was really a win-win for him. Either the Hackers destroy the Paragon-populated Nitebane, or the Hackers lose another and side more closely to the Endward Cult (with a Bounty Day thrown in as a bonus). Either way, the Endward Cult had nothing to lose.
[Lenz]
October 28th. A new day.
I was the first to wake up for a change. Z7 and Doyle were on watch while the rest of us were scattered amongst my apartment. It was surreal thinking back to when I first settled down here, planning my academic path, and comparing it to where I was now. Not even in my wildest dreams would I have accommodated a dozen Paragons and one fisherman.
Truly my path was a winding one.
I sat up from my bed and stretched my arms, remembering all that happened yesterday. We defeated the Scouts and returned to Daymonte, but we could not tell a soul about the Scouts' involvement with SutsCo, nor could we discuss what we had learned about their merchandise.
But we had the equipment. That was an irrefutable fact, and something the Scouts could never take away. We had all gotten stronger from what we learned in the End. I felt so powerful wielding those tipped arrows as the Gray Eagle, and those escapees that were giving the guards so much trouble were routed with ease. The tipped arrows were a fine addition to my arsenal, and thanks to the Pocket Boxes, I had the inventory space to carry them.
Now, I could act as an alchemist, directing beneficial tipped arrows at my allies and detrimental ones at my enemies. Additionally, during the fight with Cyan_Gift, I discovered a use for the crossbow.
It could serve as a preloaded sidearm.
Loading the mechanism would take too much time in the heat of battle, but if I loaded it beforehand, I could save it for when an enemy got too close. Switching to it was faster than fully reloading my bow. It all came down to how fast I could draw it in the heat of the moment.
Quickdraw.
I glanced to Z7 standing watch near the door. She had been trying to impress onto me the usefulness of quickdraw, though I did not pay it much mind. That was my mistake. I wanted to get a better handle on Arc Shot, but maybe a detour into Quickdraw would not be so bad. It would help remedy my poor close combat skills; the next time someone got too close, I could whip out my crossbow like with Cyan. Also, if I preloaded it with a tipped arrow, it could debilitate my opponent with the potion of my choosing. Plus, the weapon had to have enchantments of some kind. A way to strengthen it.
Making the most out of the new crossbow would be the next step in furthering my skills as the Gray Eagle.
With my decision made, I stood up and walked over to the one woman with the reflexes fast enough to train me.
"(Hey, Z7.)" I greeted in her tongue. She regarded me through her curtain of hair while Doyle looked on, pretending he could follow our conversation. "(Could you-?")
"(Sure.)"
I stopped in surprise. "(...Sure what?)"
"(Sure I'll help you out.)" She said flatly.
"(But... but I have not even told you what I need help with...)" I trailed off helplessly, not expecting such a response from her.
"(You're right. Ask me again.)" She stood up and leaned her back against the wall, folding her arms as she waited expectantly for my question.
"Er..." I accidentally spoke in common as I tried to center my thoughts. "(Could you help train me in Quickdraw? I want to learn.)"
Her empty black eyes seemed to brighten at my request. "(I get it. You want to apply it to your crossbow, right? I saw what you did in your duel with Cyan. You have the potential.)"
She saw me? I thought she had been engrossed in her fight with Maira at the time.
Z7 pushed off the wall and pulled a dagger from her belt in an instant, demonstrating the skill with a flourish. "(I taught my sleight of hand to all of my best agents in Team Epsilon. None of them were as fast as me.)" Her dagger was gone the next instant. "(I'll be glad to teach you on the road. You can start by training with that dagger I gave you.)"
I took out the dagger in question and stared at it. I had to draw it from my belt as fast as her? That would not be easy. Plus, the crossbow and its size and weight were another story.
Still, I had to start somewhere.
"(I look forward to learning from you.)" I said with determination.
"(One more thing, nerdling.)" Z7 held up a finger before my face, her curtain of hair shielding her eyes. ("You have to call me Mastah Z7 while we're training.)"
I blinked at the odd request. "(...Why?)"
"(Is it so strange? I would be training you as my pupil.)" She placed a hand on her hip.
"(But... why Mastah-?)"
"(Only Veronica is unfair.)" She spoke in a toneless voice.
Unfair? With Veronica? She only wanted me to call her that as a joke, though I took to using it as a title of respect. She was a world-class archer, after all, and a former Bird of Prey. Now Z7 wanted that title too? Also, I noticed that despite her Jibberish, she was perfectly referencing the word 'mastah' from when I announced Mastah Veronica as my teacher yesterday. She was not saying it as 'master'. Did she just want to be called that?
"(...Alright, but only during training.") I agreed. "(Outside of that, I will speak to you normally.)"
"(Wouldn't want it any other way.)" I thought I saw a faint smirk under her curtain of hair.
She accepted the request so easily, even before I specified what it was. Could it be because we bonded through our shared understanding of the Jibberish language? She was always the first to rush to my defense or lash out at whoever bullied me among the Paragons. She got me my chainmail armor and I got her those sweet berries.
Did this make us friends? I did not see her act this way with the other Paragons. Maybe the language barrier was more of an obstacle to her than I thought. Like Baltic said, she was just so grateful to have someone to really talk to.
I was not about to draw attention to it. It could just be an unspoken understanding between us. The assassin was nice and helping me out, so I could be nice and help her out back. Nobody had to say we were friends. We could be just that, even if we were as different as two people could be.
[Cobb]
"Well, with that detour out of the way, there's nothing to keep us from bidding Daymonte farewell."
The announcement came from Trenay as she addressed the group over breakfast. The Paragons got the food from the dining hall and brought it back so I wouldn't have to show my wanted face. I accepted it gratefully and tore into it, the taste of mushroom stew a pleasant change from steak, mutton, and rotten flesh.
We were going over our travel plans, Trenay, Baltic, and Luis doing most of the talking.
"We shouldn't stay a day longer." Luis said. "To do so would invite further trouble now that the cultists know we're here."
"You think those escapees survived the fall? And the river? While paralyzed?" Shroud asked seriously.
"Only Keen and Cyan were paralyzed, and the arrows have a lower duration compared to a splash potion." Dwight explained. "They would have had a hard time keeping their heads above water, but I can't say their chances of survival are zero."
"They're not dead unless I see a Head." I phrased succinctly. "Alive until proven dead. That's my motto."
"Precisely. They wouldn't be notorious criminals if they died so easily." Witige nodded. "We should leave post haste."
"We should reserve horses, then." Lenz said, only to be refused by Baltic.
"Normally you'd be right. We would need horses. But this time things are different." He took out his map and spread it out. "To continue east, we've decided to cut through the Ohm Mountains . It's steep and the terrain is rocky, but that's what dissuades Griefers and cultists from pursuing us. The horses won't be able to climb such cliffs. We'll have to go on foot, but we won't meet any trouble crossing the mountains."
"I wouldn't mind running into Griefers." I said. "I can relieve them of EXP the same way I've been doing."
"Griefers are one thing," Trenay said, "but if a cultist escapes after finding out we're working together, do you know what would happen?"
"You'd lose the element of surprise?" I guessed.
"Exactly. Just take a look at how yesterday's fight went. Those escapees were utterly unprepared for your intervention. You're resources that the cult doesn't know about. They'd never imagine us working on the same team after our fight in Zeppil." Trenay went on. "If they knew we were collaborating, they'd think twice about showing themselves, or worse, they would ambush us with every last Lieutenant, Executive, and escapee in their arsenal. Can you imagine fending off Ember, Teal, 4Blite, Jade, Leadstripe, and more all at once?"
Well, one of those names wouldn't be there, but I saw her point. "Okay. So we'll keep it covert."
"I have heard about the Ohm Mountains." Lenz commented. "They are quite strenuous to navigate. What are we looking at in terms of travel time?"
"Well, if we had an airship-"
"Would you just let it go?" I stopped Dwight who backed off with his hands held up in surrender. "How long will it take to cross?"
"I'd say around two weeks." I groaned at the number Baltic threw out. "I know that's a lot, but we won't encounter any Griefers or cultists on the mountains. The longer path is the safer path."
I considered using Lenz's ender pearl cannon as a faster means of transport before ruling it out. We could use it before because our target was the foot of a mountain. No matter how good an engineer Lenz was, he couldn't fire the pearl over a mountain. It was too high a trajectory, and I wasn't ready to let him experiment when too much TNT could launch me into the ocean or the Border.
"I had no idea getting to Oak Docks could be such a hassle." I sighed.
"It's a good vacation spot, though." Heather supplied. "The beaches and resorts there are the best in Minecraftia. I could lounge in the sun for hours."
"We'll head out after dark." Baltic decided, stowing his map away. "The cover of night will shield us from prying eyes."
"Hey, since we have a little time," Dwight raised a hand, "couldn't the six of us who were off the End expedition return to the portal and take a look for our-?"
""""NO!""""
Dwight recoiled as four people screamed at him at once, with varying degrees of censorship.
"You have no idea the type of _ those _ behind _ are!"
"They'll make up _ for you to _ and _!"
"And then they'll _ _ _ _!"
"_ _ _ _ _ _!"
"_ _ steal your soul and work a boring job the rest of your life!"
Dwight, Heather, Luis, Witige, Perry, and Wing blinked at what was said and what wasn't said as they were told off on the foolish idea of visiting the End. I couldn't have said it (or not said it) better myself. Those Scouts were too unpredictable, and with Landon's godlike abilities with the Command Blocks, he could very well turn us into pigs and eat us if we ever went back. No amount of Pocket Boxes was worth that.
With everyone against them, the six Paragons dropped the idea and I was allowed to speak up.
"How about instead of sitting around until tonight, we do something serious."
Baltic and Lenz turned to me, perplexed. "Serious how?"
"There's something I've been meaning to do." I said seriously. "Something I want to do. I wasn't able to do it before yesterday, but now, the way I am, with all of you joining in, I think I can."
"Oh, shit." Dwight muttered when he heard my tone. "This sounds intense. What is it?"
"I can't tell you just yet. Not without knowing if you've got what it takes." I impressed upon them the seriousness of the activity I had in mind. "I have to know that you all can handle it." Perry, Shroud, and the others stood up straighter. "You need to be cutthroat, ready to climb over each other to win."
"Who's more cutthroat than us assassins?" Shroud asked rhetorically. "However dirty the job, we can get it done."
"Friendships will be tested." I warned. "And placing your trust in the wrong person could cost you."
A few Paragons gulped loudly at the implications while others looked eager to test their mettle. They grinned in excitement, itching to prove themselves.
"What we're about to embark on shall separate the men from the boys." I kept hyping it up. "For those of substance. Only the strongest will remain standing."
"You've already sold us! Quit beating around the bush!" Perry complained.
"Yeah! Whatever it is, we're up for it!"
"Alright. Just remember, you've been warned. I won't hold anything back." I nodded, putting on my pumpkin disguise. "Come. Follow me."
The Paragons filed out after me, Perry and Shroud at the front while Baltic and Lenz lagged behind, confused as to where I was taking them.
I hid a smirk under my pumpkin.
"You touched the bottom! You're out, Doyle!"
Where had I taken them? Only to Daymonte's indoor Spleef Arena! I got us a private game where nobody would freak out over my identity. The teams were made and the wooden shovels passed out. The Paragons had been so eager to start they were speechless. And dazed. And maybe a smidge furious as they all targeted me. Their grouping up made it all the easier to dig out a hole in the snow for them to fall. I laughed a genuine, happy laugh as I consigned three of the opposing team to the lower levels. I hadn't played Spleef since the Parkour Games in Zeppil, but it really was a lot of fun keeping your footing while digging out the snow your opponent stood on.
And I hadn't lied to the Paragons. This game was cutthroat.
Mid-laugh, I was blindsided by a flurry of snowballs courtesy of Trenay. I teetered on the edge, but quickly recovered by hopping over a hole in the snow. Then Trenay walked towards me with her shovel ready.
"Oh? You're approaching me? Instead of running away, you're coming right to me?"
"I can't drop you to the lower levels without getting closer."
"Then by all means, get as close as you need to." I raised my own shovel and prepared to thrust it into the platform of snow at Trenay's feet.
Suddenly the snow at my feet fell apart as someone dug it out from under me. I fell two levels before hitting the snow, wondering what just happened. Looking up, I got my answer when I spotted an aged alchemist.
"You dug from underneath? How did you reach?" It was then I noticed the bright green particles around him. "Leaping Potions! That's cheating! Performance enhancers are against regulation!" The old man smiled cheekily. "Where's a ref when you need one?"
My complaining was cut short as Z7 darted in, her hair fanning out behind her as she thrust with her shovel. I backpedaled as I nearly lost my footing a second time. The assassin kept pushing me, thus time drawing a second shovel from her belt. It was probably Lenz's.
"Take him down, Z7!" Shroud encouraged.
"You're on my team!"
"And you made it sound like this was something serious!" He countered before digging out the snow under Dwight.
I hadn't lied. With my emotions so jaded, I had no desire to engage in Spleef or goof off or have fun. But now that I had my heart back, I could enjoy life again. This was just a means of making up for lost time.
Heart: Haha! This assassin is really getting into this!
I tried to dig out her footing, but she flipped overhead and landed behind me before sweeping my legs out from under me. As I lay on my side, the snow fell apart around me from her digging and I was forced to grab on to the edge. Hanging there, I glanced up and saw Z7 glaring triumphantly through her curtain of hair, a bare foot raised over my stricken face.
"Olmt orev gsv prmt."
Her bare foot pushed down and I lost my grip.
"Aaaaaaaaaaah!"
I kept screaming even as my back touched the bottom layer of grass that was maybe four meters of a drop to land on. I had my voice fade out to play up the dramatic fall, though.
The Paragons cheered my defeat, even the ones who I had picked for my team. Traitors, the lot of them. I laughed it off with a bright smile, the gesture offputting to Dwight.
"What are you smiling for? You lost!"
"Yeah, and it was fun." I answered back. "It's refreshing not having everything be a life or death struggle, don't you think?"
"Tch. Why can't you just be a sore loser like every other asshole." Dwight ended the conversation rather dispassionately before refocusing on the Spleef game.
The other team seemed to have all the powerhouses as my team started to join me on the bottom level. The other side only lost Lenz and Baltic before it was over.
"There. We played your one game." Luis dusted his hands and dropped his shovel. "Can we be done with this kid stuff?"
"...Actually that was kind of fun." Trenay spoke up. "We could fit another round, right?"
"What!? But this is kid stuff!"
"Actually, I think this is exactly what we needed to unwind." Baltic smiled kindly.
"Yeah! I want a rematch! Perry got me with a cheap shot!" Wing complained before grabbing a new shovel. "We'll win this time!"
"We should strategize." Witige supplied before whispering under his breath. "I'm filling our water bottles with Potions of Swiftness. Everybody drink one before we play."
"Aurand! I thought you knew your way around a shovel! What was all that pit filler talk?"
"You try fighting two guys at once."
"Lenz, stop giving Z7 your shovel!"
"I am merely doubling her offensive skills at great personal risk." The nerd reassured before a snowball splatted against his face. He wiped it off with his sleeve before we reset the snow levels to start a new game.
"Okay! Best two out of three!" Heather exclaimed.
"Rush the assassin!"
"No, no! We should dig a gap to separate us!"
I laughed happily as everyone started getting into the Spleef game. I didn't even mind that performance enhancing potions were being taken, or that Z7 trounced me every other game. We played Spleef all day, my face hurting with how much I was smiling and laughing.
I felt as if a great storm of turmoil was behind me.
Inventory (Cobb): 1 Carved Pumpkin, 1 Leather Tunic [Dyed Green], 1 Diamond Leggings [Projectile Protection IV], 1 Diamond Boots [Protection IV, Feather Falling IV, Depth Strider III], 1 Fishing Rod {Backlash} [Knockback II, Luck of the Sea III, Unbreaking III] {Weak}, 1 Diamond Sword [Sweeping Edge III], 12 Cobblestone, 2 Glass, 16 Ender Pearls, 9 Ender Pearls, 52 Glass Bottles, 1 Stone Pickaxe, 1 Furnace, 17 Flint, 1 Flint and Steel, 17 Oak Wood Planks, 1 Crafting Table, 1 Clock, 1 Water Bucket, 1 Lava Bucket, 1 Milk Bucket, 10 Coal, 64 Snowballs, 25 Snowballs, 4 Ender Chests, 30 Obsidian, 64 Steak, 21 Steak, 2 End Crystals, 15 Rotten Flesh, 1 Book {How to Kill Stuff for Numb Nuts}, 1 Book {Advanced Mob-Slaying}, 1 Book {Mobs of the Nether}, 1 Book {Mobs of the Bounty Days}, 1 Map {Minecraftia}, 1 Book {Citizenship Information}, 1 Paper {Ringwood Entry Pass}, 1 Paper {Zeppil Entry Pass}, 1 Green Shulker Box {Pocket Box}
Green Shulker Box {Pocket Box}: 64 Eyes of Ender, 64 Chorus Fruit
[EXP: 38]
Inventory (Lenz): 1 Chainmail Helmet, 1 Dragon Head, 1 Chainmail Chestplate, 1 Chainmail Leggings, 1 Chainmail Boots, 32 Pumpkin Seeds, 1 Iron Dagger, 16 Ender Pearls, 13 Cobblestone, 1 Compass, 25 Gunpowder, 1 Bow, 1 Bow [Infinity], 1 Crossbow, 42 Arrows, 11 Jungle Wood Planks, 1 Crafting Table, 39 Steak, 63 Chorus Fruit, 1 Map {Minecraftia}, 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}, 1 Red Shulker Box {Pocket Box}, 1 Gray Shulker Box {Pocket Box}
Red Shulker Box {Pocket Box}: 1 Shears, 1 Lever, 13 Tripwire Hooks, 9 Redstone Torches, 8 Redstone Repeaters, 3 Redstone Comparators, 18 Blocks of Redstone, 2 Hoppers, 3 Pistons, 2 Sticky Pistons, 1 Book {Airship Piloting 101}
Gray Shulker Box {Pocket Box}: 63 Arrows of Poison {0:11}, 64 Arrows of Harming II, 64 Arrows of Harming II, 63 Arrows of Weakness {0:30}, 60 Arrows of Slowness {0:30}, 64 Arrows of Fire Resistance {1:00}, 64 Arrows of Healing II, 64 Arrows of Invisibility {1:00}, 64 Arrows of Leaping {1:00}, 64 Arrows of Slow Falling {0:30}, 64 Arrows of Night Vision {1:00}, 64 Arrows of Strength II {0:12}, 64 Arrows of Swiftness {1:00}, 63 Arrows of Swiftness II {0:11}, 64 Arrows of Water Breathing {1:00}
[EXP: 21]
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], 10 Arrows, 3 Brewing Stands, 1 Splash Potion of Weakness {4:00}, 1 Water Bucket, 28 Bones, 12 Steak, 1 Ender Chest, 1 Map {Paragon Minecraftia}, 1 Book {Citizenship Information}, 1 Paper {Gold Citizenship Pass}, 26 Emeralds, 1 Lingering Potion of Slowness {1:00}, 1 Lingering Potion of Slowness {1:00}, 1 Lingering Potion of Healing II {0:05}, 1 Lingering Potion of Healing II {0:05}, 1 Lingering Potion of Harming II {0:05}, 1 Lingering Potion of Harming II {0:05}, 1 Lingering Potion of Harming II {0:05}, 1 Splash Potion of Swiftness II {1:30}, 1 Splash Potion of Swiftness II {1:30}, 1 Blue Shulker Box {Pocket Box}
Blue Shulker Box {Pocket Box}: 64 Glass Bottles, 12 Glass Bottles, 64 Dragon's Breath, 64 Dragon's Breath, 1 Dragon's Breath, 48 Blaze Powder, 46 Nether Warts, 30 Soul Sand, 63 Phantom Membranes , 64 Blaze Rods, 23 Fermented Spider Eyes, 59 Carrots, 55 Melon Slices
[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 Crafting Table, 1 Furnace, 21 Charcoal, 14 Torches, 18 Oak Wood Planks, 1 Cake, 1 Cake, 1 Cake, 1 Cake, 1 Cake, 1 Cake, 16 Pumpkin Pies, 45 Baked Potatoes, 1 Bucket, 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}, 1 Purple Shulker Box {Pocket Box}
[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, 41 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: 44]
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, 23 Dirt, 16 Pumpkin Seeds, 64 Cobblestone, 62 Cobblestone, 32 Jungle Wood Planks, 1 Armor Stand, 57 Steak, 1 Map {Minecraftia}, 1 Book {Citizenship Information}, 1 Paper {Ringwood Entry Pass}, 1 Paper {Zeppil Entry Pass}
[EXP: 41]
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 Iron Pickaxe, 62 Cobblestone, 9 Sand, 14 Sandstone, 1 Flint and Steel, 1 Milk Bucket, 1 Water Bucket, 1 Lava Bucket, 1 Lava Bucket, Lava Bucket, 1 Lava Bucket, 1 Lava Bucket, 1 Bed, 1 Crafting Table, 2 Glass Bottles, 1 Water Bottle, 1 Water Bottle, 4 Ender Chests, 16 Ender Pearls, 4 Ender Pearls, 1 Nether Star, 36 Steak, 3 Phantom Membranes, 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
[EXP: 34]
Snow the Horse
AN: Long Inventory List. Probably the longest yet.
Anyway, this concludes the SutsCo Arc. It was Chapter 181-193. I couldn't name it that for obvious spoiler reasons, but I'm pleased with how it turned out. The purpose of it was to level up Cobb's group, show more cohesion between Beginners and Paragons, and to help Cobb reclaim his emotion and empathy in the form of his Heart.
As antagonists go, the Scouts are chaotic neutral. Landon could kill (and has killed) Cobb with ease, but their only interest is Badges.
More important is the SutsCo gear secured from their victory in the Showdown and the knowledge that Herobrine is somewhere in the End. Cobb and Lenz's arsenal has grown by leaps and bounds, and they're only going to get stronger going forward. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't looking forward to writing their Chapters.
I think I have time for one more Arc before Part VI ends. I'll see how it goes.
Also, here's a random Omake I wanted to write.
Omake: Pick Your Team
"Okay, let's pick our teams."
Cobb and Z7 stood on separate sides, a line-up of a dozen Crafters before them. The Paragons held their shovels dubiously, expecting some rigorous training exercise from how Cobb talked it up. The kind of drills Carys organized. Not play time in the snow. But, like idiots, they agreed to go along with it without all the details and were now trapped into playing a game. After a brief explanation of the rules, they were ready to play a team game. Seven on seven with Cobb and Z7 as the Captains.
Lenz told Z7 she could pick first.
"(Lenz.)"
"(Yes?)"
"(I'm picking you, nerdling. Get over here.)" She said in exasperation. Lenz looked mildly surprised.
"First? For a team?" He spoke in common, looking around at the stronger, more agile choices. "What is happening...?" He muttered, sounding lost before meandering forward.
"Okay, I'll take Shroud." Cobb chose, the assassin stepping to his side. Z7 pointed to Doyle next. Then it was Cobb's turn. "Luis."
Z7 pointed to Trenay.
"I'll take Wing."
"Choose Perry next. He's vicious." Trenay advised, earning a nod from Z7 as she picked the hot-blooded man.
"You mind picking Heather?" Luis asked.
"Why, is she good?"
"She's ruthless and I don't want her channeling her anger with me on the other team."
"Fair enough. We'll take the angry Heather!"
Heather frowned at the comment, but took her place on Cobb's team while giving Luis the cold shoulder.
Z7 pointed to Dwight next while Cobb chose Aurand. He was big and had experience digging as a pit filler. Who better to Spleef with?
Finally, there were two people left to choose from. Both of them alchemists. Either the aged Baltic or the wimpy Witige.
After a while deciding, Z7 pointed to Baltic. He went over to their side and left Cobb to ponder on who to take.
Witige raised both hands in disbelief. "Come on! There's nobody else!"
"I'll take..." Cobb trailed off, one finger tapping his chin. The other Paragons were also humming in thought, as if considering other options.
Witige folded his arms, unamused.
"Alright, we'll take him." Cobb shrugged before Witige slogged over. "Let's play!"
AN: FAV. FOLLOW. REVIEW. PM. FORUM. DISCORD. CAKE.
