Phil woke up early as planned and grabbed his hat and already packed bag. He silently made some breakfast and ate quickly. But even after eating Techno still wasn't up so Phil decided to go check on him. Phil silently peeked into Techno's room and found no sign of his oldest son, it didn't even look like he'd gone to bed that night. Phil frowned he had a bad feeling about this.
It's fine he probably stayed out mining. He tried to convince himself everything was fine but was failing horribly.
Phil made his way outside and used his wings to quickly glide down the hill. He looked around for anything that might give him answers a footprint, an apple, anything. He only found two things that could guild him, a few footprints coming from the portal, and Technos pickaxe was missing. Phil pinched the bridge of his nose quietly praying that Techno was okay and had fallen asleep in the Nether. Phil walked around the portal one more time to make sure he didn't miss anything and then went through. It brought back some nostalgia being here. It reminded him of when Techno had been just a toddler. He chuckled to himself remembering how small and quiet his son had been.
Not very small now. Phil said to himself with a little smile.
He caught something moving out of the corner of his eye. Phil looked to his left and brought out his sword prepared to fight whatever lie on the other side of the rock outcropping. Suddenly a Nether skeleton popped up from behind the rocks but appeared to not notice Phil. Phil sighed this would be a long trip if everything scared him. He re-sheathed his sword and turned back to continue straight but instead of lava and rock-outcroppings he saw a MASSIVE pink hoglin and it was heading straight for him. Phil fell over a rock and had to stop himself from shouting as the terrifying creature approached him. Phil once again yanked out his sword.
I don't wanna hurt you but I will if you attack me. Phil said in a low dangerous tone.
But to his surprise the hoglin just laid down in front of him.
W-what? Phil whispered more to himself than the hoglin.
The hoglin got up and got right in front of Phil.
Uhh, do you need something? Phil asked politely.
The hoglin snorted a bit and grabbed the top of Phil's robe carefully and dragged him into a Warped forest.
Hey! Listen mate I don't know what you want but I need to look for my son! Phil shouted while squirming and trying to break free.
The hoglin looked annoyed at his squirming but trotted on. Phil eventually gave up on squirming due to it being obvious he wasn't getting away. The hoglin on the other hand eventually found a dense part of the forest and flopped down and let Phil go.
Finally! Phil stood up and started to walk back in the direction they had come from only to have the hoglin grab him and put him back down on the spot that the hoglin had been laying on. Phil groaned in defeat. The hoglin seemed to happily plop himself behind Phil.
Alright, alright, I'll stick around for tonight, but I need to go in the morning. Phil told the hoglin sternly.
The hoglin just sighed satisfied that his friend was staying put. Phil leaned into the hoglins' fur which was surprisingly soft. Phil found himself drifting off quite quickly…
Blood. Blood everywhere. The house was on fire and Tommy and Wilbur were nowhere to be seen. There were hunters everywhere but they were running from him. In front of him laid some sort of creature that looked like it had been stabbed multiple times. Phil was terrified what happened? Phil tried to scream for his boys but nothing came out of his throat so he screamed in his head. A hunter tried to surprise him from behind but Phil easily caught him by the throat.
Where. Are. My. % #$ing. SONS! Phil screamed.
He was in full murder mode. A groan caught his attention. Phil dropped the man and ran to the groan. Phil fell to his knees. It was Techno. It was his Techno. Techno was covered in blood and had been stabbed multiple times. Phil sobbed hard when he heard grunting. Phil didn't care, and even if he wanted to look tears blocked out the sight of anything. Suddenly something long and wet was dragged across his face.
Phil sat up abruptly and was very aware of the massive hoglin licking his face and making worried grunts and squeals. Phil rubbed his face and took a deep breath.
It was all a dream. He said breathing in and out slowly calming his nerves.
The hoglin again licked his face with a worried expression.
I'm okay mate, I'm fine. Phil said to the hoglin giving it a supportive smile.
The hoglin looked him up and down suspiciously almost as if it knew he was lying.
Alright mate thanks for looking after me but I've got to go find my son now he's likely somewhere near a Nether fortress collecting skulls which means I could be traveling for a while so see ya. Phil said patting the hoglins snout.
He stood up and started walking out of the forest. He knew there was a fortress east so at least the hoglin had taken him in the right direction. The ground started shaking and the hoglin trotted right by Phil's side.
No, you stay. Phil said sternly.
The hoglin sat down obediently.
Good! Phil pat the hoglin and started to walk away again.
The hoglins tail wagged at the pat and it got up and followed its friend again.
Phil sighed.
No, you can't come with me! Phil started pushing the hoglin back using its tusks as grips.
The hoglins ears flopped down and it looked very annoyed. The hoglin let the birdman push him for a minute and then pushed back gently, then stuck his head up which picked Phil up.
NO NO. Phil shouted flapping his wings but still holding on to the hoglins tusk.
The hoglin had its own plan though he knew where the fortress was he could take the birdman there then the birdman would love him! And he'd see- he'd see…. who would he see? Why did he care if the bird man loved him again? Why couldn't he remember? Why did he remember where the fortress was; he'd never been there before?
Are you good? Phil asked the hoglin who had taken him out of the forest and into the Nether Wastes had suddenly stopped and looked upset.
The hoglin shook his head and put Phil down. Phil sat down for a minute to get rid of the dizziness of being shaken.
Alright, big guy- Phil was cut off by screeching.
Phil turned around and pulled out his sword, it was a ghast, a big angry ghast. Phil was suddenly yanked back into a sitting position. He looked up to see the hoglin standing protectively above him snorting angrily. The ghast screeched again as if it was telling the hoglin to move, not that it did much other than make the hog madder from what Phil could see. The hoglin stomped angrily but was being very careful not to stomp on Phil which Phil appreciated. The ghast seemed to give up and started floating away. The hoglin kept standing protectively over Phil snorting. Not that Phil minded much. Phil chuckled a bit and started scratching under the hoglins snout.
You're just like my oldest son you know that? I once got attacked by a baby zombie and he totally freaked out, but it's just cause he loves me. Phil said fondly.
The hoglin collapsed to the right shaking the ground around them and absolutely loving the touch. Phil sat on his knees and scratched this massive gentle giant. He smiled because he knew there was no way he was getting rid of this guy now.
Looks like I'm stuck with you, huh? Phil laid against his new companion's fur.
Unknown to Phil his hoglin friend was vibrating with joy. Birdman loves me now! If anything hurts him I'll kill everything here and then myself. The hoglin thought happy his da- where'd that thought come from? The hoglin shook it off and put his head in Phil's lap.
You need a name, don't you? Phil asked.
The hoglins ears perked up in curiosity.
Phil Jr? Phil asked with a joking smile.
The hoglin looked downright offended. Phil laughed.
Chill out I'm joking Phils my name. Phil said running his fingers along the scar that went over the hoglins snout.
The hoglins ears again perked up happily. Phil? I like Phil! The hoglins tail wagged happily.
How about Theseus? That's one of my son's favorite Greek characters! Phil asked with a smile.
The hoglin paused for a minute he did like it but it felt wrong like it wasn't his, but he didn't have any other names in mind so screw in. The hoglin appeared to think about it then it nodded content with its head scratches.
Great! Now are you a girl or boy or are you okay with me calling you it? Phil asked politely.
The hoglin looked at him with the most deadpanned expression he'd ever seen.
PFFT- s-sorry! Boy, it is! Phil couldn't help but laugh a bit.
Theseus rolled his eyes but kept his head in place.
C'mon, we still need to get to that fortress. Phil said standing up.
But first~ Phil started digging through his backpack and pulled out a lead.
Phil stood up and showed Theseus the lead with a smirk. Theseus looked very unamused. After 10 minutes of struggling, Phil got the lead on him and tried to pull him but Theseus cared very little and dragged Phil behind him for about another 20 minutes before Phil gave up. Phil took the lead off Theseus and prominently plopped on the ground. He laid back and looked up at the endless sky of netherite he wondered if Techno was okay, Phil was pretty sure his son would love his new hoglin friend they acted a lot alike. Theseus laid down and put his head on Phil's stomach, his face below Phil's chin. Phil smiled and pet him.
Alright, get up! Phil pat him one last time before standing up.
Theseus stood up as well. Phil went to his back and started climbing on he used his wings to help him and finally managed to get on Theseus's back. Theseus mentally smiled and started running in the direction of the stronghold. WHOAA! Phil yelled holding onto his hat.