AN: I got Covid. Again.

Last year it was around the same time. The worst symptoms are behind me now, but I still have this bad cough that flares up when I try to sleep. Only good thing is it got me out of work for a week and allowed me to work on this Chapter.

Was planning to make this chapter longer, before realizing it would have added 10,000 words and made for a mountainous chapter. You guys don't want to read a 20,000 word chapter, right? Right. 'Tell Me A Tale' and 'Last Lieutenant' are too long and empty. Chapters should be 1000 words only.

In all seriousness, though, I know I have a lot to cover, but it just felt better to separate these, since the Chapter title focuses on Carys and Noman's side. You get a shorter Chapter, but you get it now.

DISCORD INFORMATION: For those of you asking for the discord, PM me your discord name and I'll invite you. We've tried multiple times just posting an invite link on the forums, but it always expires. If you want to join the discord and talk to fellow fans about theories or artwork or just random stuff in your life, PM me your discord name and number and I'll invite you.


Disclaimer: I don't own Minecraft. If I did, I'd ass Vaccinations.


Chapter 238

Tinker and Humility

[Noman]

It was in Tinker's secret forging room where I thawed the frozen blacksmith. As it was closer to midnight, the flames produced by the Stivali Magma were now a deep blue. He was the last frozen Crafter to be thawed, the mansion's servants all having already been tended to. Those present to witness his thawing included Soul, Anibal, Spaatz, Carys, Kalmarin, Reuben, Ciro, myself, and a handful of mansion staff who felt up to it. Most of them were in beds recovering from their frozen state.

I wish I could join them. I was barely awake. All I wanted to do was curl up and sleep after such an exhausting battle, but Carys forced me to stay up as there was still business to take care of.

Or she was paying me back for prematurely triggering her Stasis Chamber and withholding information about Floyd's new Hack. I wouldn't be shocked it that was the case.

Tinker was in his petrified pose right where we found him. Turned around, bent over, two middle fingers on display, his pants and underwear willed off, a cheeky smile, and his naked rear mooning us all. It was a little tough to thaw him out without looking at his naked butt, but I melted the ice through the banner curtains we had set up and freed the blacksmith.

"-can kiss my metal-forging buttcheeks, you-" Tinker broke off as he realized he wasn't speaking to the Hacker who froze him. He regained his awareness, his bearings, and, mercifully, his pants. Olive patchwork pants materialized on his person in motes of light, followed by a brown, leather apron that covered his white undershirt as well as his pants. His dark top-knot swiveled as he took in the gathered crowd. "What happened? Who are all you people?"

Before anyone could answer, Shiroyuki the snow fox warped before Tinker's feet and bounded into his waiting arms with a happy bark. "Shiroyuki! You're unharmed! Who loves me the most? Who loves me the most?" He held the creature suspended over his face and bent his arms to lower it and touch noses in a series of eskimo kiss.

I felt awash with remorse as I forgot to think about Shiroyuki, left abandoned at the Obelisk when we teleported out. The fox was able to return when its master became unthawed, but that didn't excuse how we overlooked the small animal. The Hackers could have taken their rage out on the vulnerable vulpine creature. Shiroyuki must've thought the same, since it was glaring at us in between eskimo kisses.

Funny enough, Carys looked like she was about to explain herself to the fox that she was blameless in leaving it behind, but she recomposed herself and instead addressed Tinker.

"Tinker," she began. "I don't mean to break up this heartfelt reunion, but I have some questions for you. My name is-"

"Carys_Angel. I recognize the scythe. Also can read." He added with a nod toward Carys' nametag. He put Shiroyuki down and turned to face us fully. "What day is it?"

"December 4th."

"You mean I've been frozen for a moon!?" Tinker lamented for a moment before remembering where he was. "But this is my inner sanctum. My most secret forging chamber. You may not be privy to that," his eyes narrowed at his servants and housekeepers, "but my staff certainly is. What do you think you're doing coming in here?"

"S-Sir," one of the mansion's workers tried to laugh off the abrasiveness, "we just wanted to see your safe return-"

"Clear out. My forging secrets are mine and mine alone."

"Do we at least get hazard pay?" One worker asked.

"I said GET OUT!" The sudden shout had the staff scrambling away back the way they came. "That goes for you too." He made a shooing motion towards Carys and her entourage. "Get lost."

"You could show a little gratitude." Ciro chimed in, his arms folded as he leaned against Tinker's forge. "If not for us, you and your staff would still be popsicles."

"That right? I should be grateful? I don't recall asking for your help."

"Hey, man. We saved you." Soul spoke angrily. "People died to thaw you out."

"Well then maybe they shouldn't have stuck their noses where they didn't belong."

"So then you'd be fine on ice again?" Carys threatened with a beaming, closed-eyed smile.

"She doesn't mean that." I threw in despite thinking her serious.

The blacksmith scoffed before noticing the chainmail leggings Ciro was holding. "I know those leggings. How'd you pants them off Giovanni?"

"We stuck our noses where they didn't belong." Soul retorted. He seemed to think rudeness was the best response to Tinker's rudeness. To further prove what we did, he withdrew the iron cleaver from his belt and planted it in the floor. Tinker recognized it instantly.

"Obsidian's iron blade. One of my earlier works. Pig iron compared to what my honed talents can forge now. And where did you win all these spoils? Not the Obelisk?" Our silence was telling, causing the blacksmith's mouth to fall open. "No. You didn't."

"We did." Carys asserted. "But not out of the goodness of our hearts. We thawed you out because we need information only you can give."

Tinker seemed to reevaluate his opinion of us in light of our attack on the Obelisk. He eyed us warily, being sure to get a sense from each of us. We weren't just a random band of vagabonds, or some insignificant nobodies. Regardless, I got the impression that he wouldn't bend over backwards to help us. He was mulish and guarded.

"If you're looking to learn my trade secrets, you can forget it. I didn't get to become the best blacksmith in Minecraftia by advertising my craft."

"We don't want to learn how to make your weapons." Carys asserted, though Soul and Anibal made piteous whines of disappointment. "We're here," there was a note of anticipation in her voice and I could feel my own heart pounding, "to ask you who you made certain weapons for."

Tinker raised a brow. "You're asking about my clientele? Not exactly your business."

"It is my business." Carys insisted. "And it's in your best interest to answer my questions."

"So forceful." Tinker commented. "A far cry from how you used to be." Carys' fists tightened on her scythe and she glared daggers. "Sometimes I wonder whether those stories from your past were dinkum or hokum."

"...What stories?" The question came to my lips automatically.

"You don't know? Well..."

In a rush of movement, Carys had Tinker pinned against his forge by the handle of her scythe. He was off the ground, the handle pushed across his neck and choking him. Carys growled something under her breath.

"Quite a far cry!" Tinker choked out defiantly before Kalmarin and Anibal wrestled the Angel of Death off of him. He slid to the ground, massaging his throat. "I may have overstepped my bounds, there. Ngh."

"Carys, calm down!" Kal hissed into her ear. "Don't let him rile you up. You're better than this."

"I'm calm. I'll calmly dispose of him if he starts blabbing about that which isn't his business."

"Yet you want me to divulge my business when it isn't any of your business." Tinker countered. "Unless, of course, it is your business."

"You're talking in circles." Spaatz frowned.

"The purpose of a question is to gain information useful to the person asking it." Tinker explained. "From what I know, Carys and her Paragons only ever have one objective: the eradication of the Endward Cult. So, if you came here to ask questions about who I made weapons for, it can only be because you," he pointed at us, "suspect my clientele of being cultists. Am I right?"

"Brilliant deduction, Sherlock. So how about you answer our questions instead of further wasting our time?"

"What the angry lady means," Soul chimed in, "is that she's asking for a favor. You may be confused as she didn't use the words 'please', 'do me', 'can you', or 'favor'."

Carys glared at Soul for the side-barb, but Tinker's response was quick.

"I don't owe her a favor. I don't owe her anything. She paid for the scythe I provided. Equivalent exchange."

"We thawed you out." Ciro stressed.

"Again, I never asked you to."

"You couldn't ask anyone anything like you were, you-!" Anibal lost her cool before taking a deep breath. "Please, Tinker. We need you to help us out here. The fate of Minecraftia could depend on it."

"Oh, like you give a damn about 'the fate of Minecraftia'." Tinker scoffed. "You Paragons only ever lift a finger to save anyone if it's convenient for you. Case and point: You only thawed me because you needed something. As long as you get your revenge, you'd happily let the world burn over."

"Do you have a problem with us or something?" Spaatz demanded.

"Yeah. My problem is you feel entitled to my help just because you did something I never asked you for. I didn't ask you to save me. I never asked those people of yours to die for my sake. Yet I'm supposed to return some forced-upon-me favor? Che." He spat to the side while Shiroyuki clambered onto his shoulder and clung to the blacksmith's neck like a scarf. "Besides, I've made plenty of weapons. There's no guarantee I can even remember the details of who was given what."

"Are you about to tell me you didn't keep that information around?" Carys asked flatly. "Those would be terrible last words."

"Carys, stop looking for excuses to kill him!" Soul blurted out. "You just want to claim Shiroyuki's ownership by killing its previous owner! We all know it!"

"I can neither confirm nor deny these allegations."

"I'll tell you what I told Giovanni." Tinker looked straight at Carys without fear. "You can't intimidate me like you can everybody else."

If I was understanding Tinker correctly, he didn't want to be saved. Or, rather, he didn't want to feel indebted to us and was making mulish excuses. Either way, he wouldn't be forthcoming with anything, and would more than likely incur Carys' violent tendencies. The woman already had her scythe out, the blade slowly bobbing as she shifted her grip. Toying with the idea of violence.

Tinker already proved himself willing to moon a Hacker. If he did the same to Carys, she'd go ballistic.

Maybe we needed a gentler approach.

"Tinker." I stepped forward. "Your weapons are being used by the Endward Cult to murder countless innocents. Is that what you made them for? Is that the legacy you want to leave behind?"

"And who are you, my well-dressed friend?" Tinker sneered at my attire.

"Nowhere_Man. My friends call me Noman."

"His hecklers call him Notaman." Carys added.

"Notaman. That's clever." Tinker chuckled. "Well, Notaman, this may have escaped your notice, but weapons are made to kill."

"They can protect just as good." I patted my shield.

"Hrm. Maybe." He grudgingly accepted. "But the history of weapons in Minecraftia is bloody violence. Since the first Crafters spawned in and required weapons to kill off Mobs. It was for protection then, but then suddenly everyone has their own opinions and a chip on their shoulder. Crafters killed Crafters. Grudges and revenge blossomed. Wars and conflicts broke out."

"Now everybody wants the best weapons from me. It's no longer enough to have the strength to kill Mobs. They want infinite durability and gimmicks." He waved a hand airily. "I know full well my weapons are going to spill gear and make Heads roll, but that's beyond my power to change. A weapon is a tool, no matter who wields it. Be it Paragon, Crafter, Cultist, or Hacker. What they do with what I make is more their legacy than mine."

I was contemplative for a moment as I digested all that he said. I had to choose my words carefully. If appealing to his pride as a blacksmith wasn't working, there was only one thing left to appeal to.

"As a believer of Aikido," I began, ignoring Carys' eyeroll, "I believe that all life is precious. That there's good in everyone." I locked my blue eyes with his fiery orange ones. "This is your chance to help us stop bad people from doing bad things to people who don't deserve it. We need to bring these cultists to justice, and you're the only one who can help us. Please, Tinker." I lowered my head. "Help us."

Tinker gave me an appraising look as he chewed on his beard and considered my words. I didn't mention the threat of Carys torturing him since I doubted it would phase him. He was fully prepared to die to Giovanni. If this didn't work, then there was nothing left to try but the hard way, which I really didn't want to witness.

Finally, Tinker came to a decision.

"...Which of my weapons are the Endward Cult favoring?"

My face brightened up at his question and I smiled.

"Meh, wipe that grin off your face." He dismissed with a wave. "I'm just curious which of my weapons are the cult's favorites, that's all."

Carys showed a modicum of surprise over Tinker's sudden change in tune, but only for a moment as she had questions to ask. She had to strike while the iron was hot.

"We have a couple of weapons we'd like to investigate, one of which we think you've made recently - a diamond battleaxe."

"Oh, yeah. I made that little number not more than four months ago." Tinker nodded in thought. "A dead drop."

"Dead... drop?"

"It's slang for a prearranged hiding place, usually for espionage." Anibal explained. "Instead of picking up the purchase in person, the buyer arranged it to be left somewhere and picked it up later. That way he or she can remain anonymous."

"But someone had to have contacted you." Carys reasoned. "Someone had to pass on the where and when, and then there's the means of payment."

"The payment was a simple matter. The fifth Stigma was set to pass through my estate. In addition to putting up a substantial sum of emeralds and diamonds, the anonymous buyer diverted the Stigma for me." Tinker stroked his wild beard. "The buyer corresponded through a third party - a messenger named Terenti_Murst. Everything was in unsigned books so I couldn't tell you who bought it."

"Terenti_Murst." Anibal committed the name to memory while Reuben and Spaatz wrote it down in personal notebooks.

"Your diamond battleaxe came into the possession of 4Blite, the Northern Lieutenant of the Endward Cult." Carys let Tinker know.

"Really?" Tinker hummed. "The battleaxe has high damage and high knockback. Only the cleaver surpasses it in terms of damage output. It can also topple nine-meter-high trees in a single swing. You're saying a Lieutenant is wielding such a thing?"

"There are other weapons of concern. I'll rattle them off, just let us know if any stand out." Anibal continued, her fingers ticking off a list of weapons. "One Iron Dagger, wielded by Lieutenant Leadstripe of the cult's Western Division..."

"Oh, I've made dozens of those. It would be impossible to track one."

"...Diamond Cutlass, wielded by AceOfJades," Soul and I tensed at the name, "Lieutenant of the Northern Division."

"Ooh, that one's a beauty." Tinker nodded appreciatively. "I made it long ago, but it was a masterpiece. It was like all the stars aligned. The new moon was juuuust right."

"The new moon?"

"It has to do with the forging process. Never you mind." Tinker dismissed with a wave. "I only ever forged one Diamond Cutlass for the first disciple of the Church of Next Life, a precursor of the Endwalt Cult."

"That would have been great to know twenty-five years ago!" Carys snapped. "Oh, and let me guess, that first disciple's name was Ember?"

"Yes."

"Fuck's sake..." Carys complained.

"Language aside," I started, "I'm afraid I'm unfamiliar with the - what was it? - Church of Next Life?"

"It was a movement after Herobrine's Wither tore up Nitebane." Kal took it upon himself to give us a history lesson. "Believe it or not, some people saw the Wither laying waste to Crafters as a good thing. It was sort of a, scorch the land to ashes to renew the soil. New growth cannot exist without first the destruction of the old. Those that were impressed instead of horrified started the Church of Next Life in Herobrine's name a year or two later and became the very first cultists, called disciples back then. Anyway, someone organized them and shared Herobrine's beliefs and got them killing and absorbing new members, and, a decade later, they became the Endward Cult we know today."

"It was before I was spawned." Carys growled. "The Paragons weren't even a thing. Of the Church of Next Life's original disciples, the only one I knew about was Nitebane's former Captain, GardenWalker, and we all know how he ended up. Had I known about Ember-" Carys turned on Tinker. "Why the hell were you making weapons for them!?"

"It was a request from my King." Tinker defended. "The first King of Exter, Zipshin, was interested in what befell Nitebane. He wanted to know if Withers could be weaponized as a military asset against 303 and his Nuker ability, so he wanted a firsthand account of what a Wither attack was like. The Church of Next Life was full of the survivors of the attack. A deal was struck for the Diamond Cutlass."

"...Zipshin knew about 303's Nuker power?" Kal wondered aloud. "I never knew that. When would they have ever interacted...?"

We were learning all sorts of things. A Crafter as old as Tinker was a wealth of information. This would all be relayed to Cobb when I had the chance.

"So it sounds like Withers were a potential avenue for Zipshin to deal with the Hackers." Ciro chimed in, his mismatched eyes narrowing. "Since the Stigmata War was a thing, he clearly never went that route. Or maybe he thought his Yanhua Gong would be enough." He twirled the bow in his hand as if to mock such a notion. "Still, to cut a deal with the cult, even before they were the cult, and then act all outraged to Herobrine when they started butchering people, and then accept Herobrine's artifact on top of that?" Ciro wrinkled his face in disgust. "I never thought Zipshin to be so two-faced."

"Speaking of two-faced snakes," Soul gnashed his teeth, "that traitorous Jade. Her cutlass has a history. It was Ember's before it was hers. You're right Carys. That information would have been useful. If not twenty-five years ago, then twenty-five weeks ago!"

"I don't go running my mouth off about every little customer." Tinker shot back. "If I did, everyone would know Carys_Angel is the Angel of Death."

"They already know that thanks to these chucklefucks." Carys noted with irritation.

"There's one last weapon..." Anibal continued. "The Diamond Rapier, wielded by Ember_Waves, Executive of the Northern Division."

"You mean she traded up for that? Why? That Diamond Cutlass was like a crowning jewel!" Tinker lamented. "I've made plenty of rapier, but diamond you say? Only made four of those. The years were 89, 272, 347, and 430." He paused. "Though, now I think of it, the 272 one..."

"Yes?"

"It was a dead drop like the battleaxe, and, actually, there was also an iron dagger that was a dead drop - likely your Lieutenant Leadstripe's. All three dead drops were the same location in Exter."

"Who facilitated the drops?"

"That I don't remember." Tinker frowned. "It was so long ago, cut me some slack. Could've been Leadstripe for all I remember."

"And the location?"

"Ah. It was at a loose piece of the Brimstone Bastion's outer wall. It was like a ticket booth. I slid in the weapon, and someone slid me back a written book detailing where I could find my payment. The transactions were completely done in dead drops with virtually zero Crafter interaction."

"The Brimstone Bastion?" Carys balked. "Is that legit?"

Tinker nodded.

"What's the Brimstone Bastion?" Soul asked.

"It's to Exter what Lunar Castle is for Nitebane, or Fort Regal for Jolin." Carys explained. "It's the structure where the monarch operates and reigns from."

Tinker seemed to weigh something in his mind before adding, "If you ask me, I think the buyer is one of the big wigs in the bastion."

"Why do you say that?" I asked.

"How stupid can you be? He practically spoon fed it to you!" Carys insulted before explaining slowly as if to a child. "These weapon trades have been going on centuries apart, and not just anyone can waltz in and out of the bastion. Whoever is arranging these dead drops is likely a regular. Someone who's been there a long time - between the dagger and the rapier, which one was traded earlier?"

"That would be... the dagger. Made it back in 190."

"So between 190 and now. Someone who's held a position of power at the bastion for over three-hundred years." Carys hummed as her brain worked feverishly. "Councilmembers, King Sdraw, heirs..."

"It might not be someone in power." Kal piped up. "We can't overlook guards or servants."

"Or Captains." Carys added with cold, intense certainty. She was remembering Captain XoX and how he randomly attacked me in Galitsino. Never having a chance to prove her suspicions, they had grown muted, but now they had all come roaring back. "As much as I hate to say it, Cobb's flimsy lead might lead us to a big fish. We need to get to Exter."

We had our next destination and a solid lead on whoever ordered the cult's special weapons. While I wouldn't have minded the comfort and furnishings of Tinker's mansion, I very much doubted the blacksmith would let us stay the night.

"How did the deal for XoX's warhammer go?" Carys asked Tinker, hoping for confirmation of her suspicions through some shady dealings.

"It was formally requested through the kingdom's official channels." Tinker explained. "Exter Captains are sometimes awarded one of my weapons following noteworthy feats. Although, in the instance of XoX's hammer, His Exalted Highness paid for it by facilitating a deal with the miners' guild: A bulk supply of iron and gold ingots for a reduced price."

Carys clicked her tongue. "I was hoping for more. Ah well."

"Have you gotten all your questions out of your system? If so, you can kindly get yourselves out of my system, by which I mean my mansion. Scat. Skedaddle."

"Gladly." Anibal murmured. Her and the Paragons made to leave, but not Carys.

"One last thing." Carys raised a finger. "Then I think we will be done."

"Ugh. What?"

"Tinker, you're an exceptionally talented blacksmith." Carys began. "Giovanni left your mansion in tatters. Won't you consider leaving this ruin and making weapons exclusively for the-"

"No."

Carys went quiet, not at all bothered by his refusal.

"Exter is my kingdom. I've made weapons here all my life, and I'll continue making them for as long as Crafters have need of them, whether for good or evil." Tinker swore. "I won't share my secrets and I won't make weapons for any one guild." Tinker turned his back on Carys in a show of closing.

"Figured." Carys shrugged before her crimson gaze sharpened. I knew that deadly look, and so did her Paragons. They exchanged grim looks as she gripped her scythe. "I guess I should end it here." She took a menacing step towards Tinker's exposed back.

I took a step too, placing myself between them and putting on the Severe Shield as innocently as one might put on a shirt. Carys' eyes darted to mine and narrowed.

I heard footsteps behind me as Ciro joined me in placing himself between Carys and Tinker. He had the Arcticum Arma on his legs and the Destierro del Palillo in hand. Carys' eyes flicked to the artifacts, knowing exactly what they could do.

Tinker turned his head and saw us blocking him from Carys. He must have suspected something wrong since Ciro wore the chainmail artifact. The tension was palpable. "What are you dragging your feet for? Are you leaving or not?"

Carys didn't answer right away as her eyes flicked between Ciro and I. She seemed to be debating whether she could get past us and kill the blacksmith. I was exhausted, after all, and she was relatively fresh, a fact I could tell crossed her mind. Ultimately, however, with so many artifacts to get through, and her Paragons not all on the same page about it, she came to the conclusion that it would be a prolonged, unadvantageous fight.

She spun her scythe with a flourish and holstered it back into her belt, her bloodlust dispelling. "...Let's go."

I breathed a sigh of relief as she and her Paragons filed out of Tinker's forging room. Soul and his pets left next, with Ciro and I bringing up the rear in case Carys decided to double back and kill Tinker.

I wouldn't let her kill if I could help it. Not with talk, but with action. Action was all she understood.

Shiroyuki gave a farewell bark.


We departed from Tinker's mansion immediately and without a word. Carys opted to simmer in silence, not even addressing how or why she contemplated killing a man who just helped us. Who knows what was going through her psychotic head.

We all wanted rest immediately, but Carys pushed our protesting bodies further as we wandered into the moonlit Lacquerlands. We were moving north, back to Exter. This time, we would be entering the capital kingdom instead of just skirting by it. We still had to keep a look out for Stigmata, and we expected the journey to take seven or eight days on foot.

Since Floyd was still unconscious, he had to be carried by Soul and I. His new Hack had a hefty penalty, something I'd be sure to tell him when he woke up.

Ciro had also opted to join our group after a brief exchange.

"I guess I best be off."

"Why? Stay."

"And help you defuse Carys? No. No, no. That's one bomb too volatile for me. She's a great leader and a great driving force against the cult, but she's too deadly. Besides, there's one more artifact I need a lead for."

"I agree, but we don't need all the artifacts at once. The artifacts are needed to stop the Endward Cult, yes, but we can start right now towards the Western Division if they're really in Exter. Ciro, surely two-thirds of the artifacts can overcome one-third of the cult."

"...You really want me around? I don't believe in your genteel philosophy."

"You still did a noble thing helping those lost cultists. The fight we had in the past is behind us. Reliable allies are hard to come by. If Carys doesn't protest, I say we could really use your expertise... Captain."

"..."

And that was it. Ciro never agreed, he just silently kept following us and nobody questioned him on it. With his inclusion, our band was ten Crafters strong.

"Raaawk!"

*Mrow!*

...and two pets.

After trekking through the night and dispatching a slew of belligerent Mobs, Carys picked a well-fortified camping spot at the base of an obsidian crag. By then, I was so exhausted from the Obelisk assault and hauling Floyd that I passed out without bothering to set up my bed.

When I woke up the next morning, it was to warm covers and the smell of mushroom stew before me. Someone had been nice enough to put me into an actual bed and make me breakfast.

"Wakey, wakey, not eggs and not bakey." Soul joked, pushing a bowl overflowing with stew onto my torso. "Guess who just woke up."

I sat up as I saw Floyd ravenously tearing into his own breakfast of cooked mutton. He was indeed conscious again, and probably starving for having missed lunch and dinner yesterday. My relief at seeing him recovered gave way to hesitation as I wondered what the best way to tell him about his new Hack was. I remembered the words he spoke to me in confidence when talking about his dream.

'Well, I want a world where Hackers and Crafters see each other as equals. So, by Sandra's rules, if I set my mind to it, I'll eventually awaken a Hack that can make it a reality!'

And boy did he. His anti-Hack Hack was the embodiment of his strong feelings for equality between Hackers and Crafters. A chance to teach the Hackers a little humility. With it being something he wanted for so long, how could he be anything but happy over his latest Hack?

What am I worried about? I thought, feeling foolish. I should tell him right away.

There was just the small matter of being out of earshot of Carys. The woman was just getting up as well, yawning and stretching her back. Her gaze flicked to me before she lost interest and went to prepare food for herself.

Whoever Floyd decides to share his new Hack with, I won't allow Carys to twist him into some weapon.

"I brought him up to speed." Soul explained through gulps of stew. He pulled a face at the taste before looking longingly at Anibal and Kal's breakfast of apples, cooked chicken, and cooked mutton. Cat-Face trotted over and spat out a 'gift' of rotten flesh to cheer him up. Soul reluctantly accepted it and chewed with tears in his eyes so as not to hurt Cat-Face's feelings. "Ugh..."

"So Floyd knows everything about our talk with Tinker last night?"

"Yeah. Only he's wondering why he passed out. Says he can't remember much of yesterday. Kalmarin and Anibal asked him some questions but, like I said, he can't remember anything other than being mad at Null." Soul lowered his voice and leaned in. "You gonna tell me what went down after I warped away?"

"...Floyd hears it first. Then he makes the choice."

"Noman-"

"It's not my place to tell you." I asserted before finishing my stew in one big gulp. "Floyd!" I called suddenly, garnering the attention of the entire camp, blue-nette included. "A word in private, if you please?"

Floyd's eyebrows lifted in question before he polished the rest of his meal and wiped his hands clean of grease. "Sure. Lead the way."

"Anything you two want to share with the class?" Anibal asked teasingly but also curiously.

"We won't be long, and we won't go far." I assured.

Kal spared a glance and made to get up, but Carys grabbed his arm and shook her head before pulling him back down. She murmured something to him before returning to her meal, dismissing us. Not wanting her to change her mind, Floyd and I departed from the camp.

We circumvented the obsidian crag we camped beneath and settled by a small pool of lava a fair distance away from the group. It was far enough away that nobody would hear us. There was also no place to hide if any of them wanted to come over to eavesdrop.

"Soul said you and I were the last ones back." Floyd wasted no time. "Did you see what happened? Is that what this is about?"

"Floyd, I need you to brace yourself for what I'm about to tell you, alright?" I said seriously. "I saw everything. Nobody else here knows what I'm about to tell you."

"O-Okay. I'm braced." Floyd steadied himself and took a breath. "I'm braced."

"Alright." I sighed. "You know how you once said you wanted to see a world where Hackers and Crafters see each other as equals?"

"...Yeah?"

"Well, yesterday, you manifested that wish." Floyd cooked his head. "Null revealed that he froze his own siblings to keep them at the Obelisk against their will." At once, a pulse of smoke radiated off of Floyd as his anger surged at the memory. "You were so frustrated with his superiority, and his prejudice against Crafters, that you manifested a new Hack that mirrors your wish for Crafter and Hacker equality. At least, that's what I think happened."

"What do you mean 'mirrors'? I... awakened a fourth Hack?"

I nodded. "It was a kind of... inverted smoke. It pulsed off of you in waved. Looked like it warped space. But when that distorted smoke passed over Null, it shut off his Invulnerability Hack." Floyd's eyes widened and his breath stopped. "It shut off all his Hacks. Serafina's too. Your new Hack," I paused before delivering, "is an Anti-Hack Hack. It nullifies all Hacks."

There was silence. Floyd had frozen, his face expressionless, but his purple eyes flickering back and forth across my face, as though trying to catch it lying.

"...Nullifies all Hacks?" He repeated in a whisper.

"Anyone in range of that distorted smoke you were emanating had their Hacks forcibly turned off. If you hadn't made Null vulnerable, I wouldn't have been capable of stopping him."

"You... stopped him?" I saw a little flush of excitement and a shadow of a grin cross his features. "What'd you do?"

"I didn't kill him."

"I know that." Floyd said it like it was obvious. That made me inordinately happy for some reason. "You must've done something to him, though. Vulnerable for the first time in however long he's lived. I bet he was shocked. Stunned. Flabbergasted. So what was it?"

"Are you... asking how he was humiliated?"

"It's a fulfilling feeling when an arrogant jerk gets humbled." Floyd nodded, still smiling. "Especially when he was knocking me around in yesterday's fight. Kal would agree. So? Don't leave me dangling!"

I blinked as I thought back to the moment. "Well, I, uh, went for a shield bash to his head to try to knock him out."

"Uh-huh."

"But that didn't do it, so I... mounted him and kept bludgeoning his face with my shield and bare fists."

"Oh my God. You were throwing hands!"

"I was throwing hands." I nodded, an indulgent smiling worming its way onto my face as more memories came to me. "He was confused why his Hacks weren't working, and why he was feeling pain for the first time since unlocking his Invulnerability. It was like you were holding him down for me."

"That's awesome." Floyd was fully grinning now.

"Yeah, I... may have traumatized him a little." I scratched my cheek, sounding apologetic for the first time. "I can't deny it kept him from attacking after you warped out, but I don't want to make a habit of it."

"Oh, wow, I wished I could've seen that." Floyd laughed to himself, feasting on the cathartic feeling of a Hacker being humbled. "Kal told me Null was the Hacker who killed King Grum in Jolin. He had the same Speed Hack as me, which is why the people of Jolin were so wary of me. I feel a sense of justice that I was able to help, both in saving Princess Alaqua and in holding down Null's Hacks. Sort of like I'm making amends for Jolin."

"It's more than that, Floyd." I stressed. "This Hack is what you've been working for, what you've invested your heart and soul towards. It's only because you believed so strongly in Hacker-Crafter equality that you were able to manifest that Hack. That's what I believe." He digested my words with great appreciation and pride. "Your powers aren't a curse. They're a blessing."

Floyd sounded a little choked up as he took a steadying breath. "Thank you." He took another breath and managed to contain his tears while I took a momentary interest in the clouds above to give him his privacy. "About the Obelisk. No one knows this but us?"

"Ye - well, Null probably figured it out, so I'm assuming the Hack Clan knows too."

Unless Null was too traumatized to talk of it.

"What did he call this Hack?"

"He didn't name it, but I don't think it has a name. I don't think anyone's ever seen this type of Hack. Null was baffled by it. No Hacker sought equality. No one except for you."

"Right." Floyd nodded. "Well, if nobody has a name for it, that means I get to name it, and I won't be falling into the same horrendous naming pitfalls like those other Hacks. My names will have class."

"Does the name really matter?"

"When the alternative is having the Hack Clan label it with their bad naming conventions? Yes!" Floyd hummed. "Anti-Hack Hack is too redundant. Null is appropriate, but I can see it getting confusing if the guy resurfaces. Null Space? Cancel? Inversion? Reversal?"

"What about Humility?" I suggested.

"Humility?" Floyd tested the word. "Humility..."

"Right. Since, you know, you're humbling them. Reversing their arrogance." I tilted my head. "Teaching them some humility."

"Yeah. I like that. Humility!" Floyd nodded in appreciation. "My fourth Hack is Humility. A Hacker's worst enemy. Now," he gazed down at his hands, "how to use it?"

"Do you remember how you felt manifesting it?" I asked.

"Not really. It's all a little vague. I passed out using it."

"Cobb said Thed did the same when he first manifested Nuker." I pointed out. "But you were out for much longer. I wonder if this Hack requires more energy."

"But it continued to work even after I was unconscious." Floyd reasoned.

"That may be, but it left you defenseless. Much worse than your Speed cooldown." I sighed. "Floyd, before we talk any further about your new Hack, I need you to decide who we tell about this." He looked up from his hands, having tried and failed to activate Humility. "I kept it a secret out of respect for your privacy."

And because I just knew Carys would demand we take you back to the Obelisk and trigger a hundred more Bounty Days.

"Obviously we'll tell Soul, and Cobb and Lenz later when it's not through the Paragons communication network, but what about the Paragons themselves? Should they know?" Floyd looked contemplative as he weighed the pros and cons of such a decision.

"It's your Hack and your call." I assured him. "I'll support it, whatever you decide."


[Carys]

"What do you think they're talking about?"

I looked up from my food and saw Kal and Anibal looking towards where Noman and Floyd had gone off for their private chat.

As if it was any wonder what they were discussing.

"Probably about whatever went down at the Obelisk that Noman refuses to share." Anibal shrugged. "I think he's lying about doing anything to Null, though. He said it just to intimidate Carys. They probably just tossed their Stasis Maps and-"

"Use your head. Noman's not in the habit of lying. Especially when it comes to getting violent." I pointed out, quieting Anibal. "If it were Lost_Soul, then yes, I'd believe it mere bluster, but if Noman says he beat up Null, then he beat up Null." I chewed slowly on my breakfast. "His latest Aikido technique seems to be super effective on Hackers. I'll have to learn it."

"But you'll test it on Floyd and not me, right?" Kal asked.

"Mm." I made a noncommittal sound before picking through more of my breakfast. "Kal, could you answer something for me?"

"Yes, ma'am. What is it?"

"Has there ever been a Hacker who had that distorted smoke that Floyd had?"

"No, ma'am. It's completely new to me. I'm not even sure what emotions Floyd might've been channeling to manifest it."

I nodded. "And... has anything ever bypassed Null or 303's Invulnerability?"

"Not in all the years I've known them. Not even the Border can kill them while they're Invulnerable, and they never drop it."

I nodded again. "And in all your years, has there ever been a Hacker who could nullify Hacks?"

"Nullify Hacks? Such a thing isn't-" Kal's eyes widened and he sat up straight, his head twisting to where Floyd had gone. "You don't mean-?"

"I mean it fits."

"Say what!?" Anibal shot up, her gaze also following where Floyd had gone. "Carys, are you saying-?"

I shrugged. "What else could it be but that? Floyd, a black sheep in defiance of the Hack Clan, awakened a never-before-seen nullification Hack and shut off Null's Invulnerability for the first time ever." I reasoned. "It explains how they turned the tables. It explains why Noman doesn't want me to know and use such a power to declare war against the Hackers - a war surpassing the current one, I mean. Those distorted, inverse pulses of smoke radiating off of him. I really think Floyd awakened something world-breaking."

"...I don't believe it." Kal spoke suddenly. "Noman could as easily used the Arcticum Arma to incapacitate Null. I don't believe in a nullification Hack."

"Because you would've wanted it?" I guessed, earning a scowl. "Anyway it's just a hunch."

"A hunch you've given a lot of thought on." Anibal looked back to where Noman and Floyd had gone. "I thought we agreed that Paragons and Beginners would tell each other everything. They're withholding information!"

"Oh they sure are. But you know Notaman." I used my demeaning little nickname for the pansy only when he was being a pansy about things. "He thinks I'll become a mass murderer if he's not there to stop me."

"You didn't give him a reason to think otherwise with Tinker." Kal piped up, earning my glare. "Glare all you want, ma'am, but we all know you were about to kill Minecraftia's best blacksmith."

"Sure was." I answered blatantly.

"Why? Just because he wouldn't work for you?"

"No."

"Because he knows your past?"

"No."

"...Were you that smitten with the fox-?"

"For the love of - it wasn't for Shiroyuki, alright!?" I snapped.

"Then explain."

I gave an exasperated sigh. "It's simple. That blacksmith openly admitted to supplying cultists with his weapons."

"He wasn't aware Ember-"

"This isn't about Ember_Waves!" I snapped. "It's about all his clients, and his policy towards them. Guy openly admitted he'd keep making weapons no matter who requested them. He wasn't even aware how many Lieutenants were wielding his merchandise, and he never once said he'd be more cautious. If he's supplying our enemies, and he intends to continue, we either need to contain or kill him."

I stood up and paced before them. "Think about all the people killed by Ember, Jade, 4Blite, Leadstripe. They were facing Tinker's quality weapons. Had they not, they might have lived. What are we going to do if the cult requests more dead drops? Take it upon ourselves to screen all his customers? No. I made him an offer and he refused. I would've been in the right to kill him. I would have killed him if not for Noman and Ciro's interference! You get it?"

""...Yes, ma'am."" Anibal and Kal replied tensely before quietly backing down.

My gaze held on them for a few moments before I broke it off. Those two had grown more and more sympathetic to our half of the Beginners. It was inevitable given all the time they spent together, sparring, training, eating, sleeping, on watch, talking, or else overcoming opponents and obstacles. In the spirit of the alliance, they had forgotten that the Beginners would go back to being enemies after the Endward Cult was beaten.

I still didn't forgive Cobb, and I would fight him again to settle my grudge.

But Noman was the more immediate problem. I wouldn't be able to do my usual brand of violence with him impeding me all the time. He wasn't whining any more. He was doing something about it, which was equals parts annoying and admirable.

I tightened my fists around my arms as I thought back to how he fooled me. How he made me believe he had relinquished his innocence and grown up, only for it to be a ploy to save a bunch of Hackers. And I believed him!

I grit my teeth. Noman stubbornly clung to his Aikido like a drowning man to a life preserver. No matter what I said or did, no matter what he saw or went through, he never gave it up!

Had I been so stubborn, I'd have died ages ago. Throwing my innocence away is the one thing that kept me alive! Why did people like him get to keep it? Because I was around to protect him? Because others were around to dirty their hands so he wouldn't have to? Maybe if he lost everything, he'd finally quit it with his innocent act!

"Carys!"

I didn't realize my nails were digging through my skin until hearing my name being called out by Noman. I also had a dark look on my face which I quickly wiped blank as Noman and Floyd returned. Everyone stopped eating as they approached.

"We have something we'd like to share with you all." Floyd announced. "It's something Noman wanted me to know first, and I've decided you all should know too."

I balked at their candor. Were they really going to say it?

Soul and Ciro, Albert and Reuben, Spaatz and Anibal, Kal and me. We all gathered around to hear them while Floyd took a steadying breath.

"I have a new Hack." He revealed. "I manifested it at the Obelisk. It can shut off Hacks."

There it was. My hunch was right. It also explained everything about how Noman got one over on old Null. Anibal gasped and Kal's face hardened, but my reaction was more subdued, having already guessed it.

"It can shut off-" Soul cut off as he grabbed handfuls of his hair. "That's so broken! What!? So that's why Null dropped me! Those distorted waves rolling off you - you're like a Hacker EMP."

"So you forcibly deactivated his powers?" Ciro questioned. "It looked like an area of effect. Can you control it?"

"I'm struggling to get back into the proper mindset." Floyd answered. "I'll probably need to do a lot of training with Kal to test it."

"What else happened at the Obelisk?" Kal demanded with a rancorous expression, dark smoke leaking from his eyes. The group looked to him in alarm.

"Uh... well, like Floyd was saying," Noman answered warily, "he activated his Humility Hack - that's what we named it - and he deactivated Null's Invulnerability ling enough for me to turn the tables. I used my shield and-"

"And you didn't kill him?" Kal growled, more smoke seeping from him. "You didn't kill Null? Do you know what he did?"

"Kal, he was-"

"DO YOU KNOW!?" He roared, his Triggerbot firing a blast that Noman barely got his shield up to block before it laid him flat, his shield slightly smoking. Floyd, Soul, and Ciro jumped into action immediately.

"Watch where you're shooting that thing!" Soul yelled at him.

"You didn't kill him." Kal gnashed his teeth, forcing his smoke back down. He pointed at Floyd, then. "You? You couldn't move. But he sure as hell could." He glared at the downed Noman. "I should've stuck it out. I should've been there for my moment."

"You were in no condition." Noman tried. "I was thinking about getting everyone out alive."

"I should've been there!" Kal hissed through his teeth.

"You wanna go back, go ahead." Soul gestured towards the Obelisk. "See how far you get."

"Nobody's going back there." I stepped in to break it up. As cathartic as watching Noman get knocked around was, Kal's vengeance wasn't the priority. "The Obelisk is behind us. Though, if and when we cross paths with them again, it'll be good having Floyd's new Hack as an ace up our sleeves. Can I leave it to you to train him, Kal?"

It didn't look like Kal heard a single word I said. He willed his hat off as he wore a far-off look. "You know what I would've given to have a Hack like that and five minutes alone with Null?" He shook his head. "I would've avenged her. I would've reaped sweet vengeance."

"All the more reason you can't awaken Humility." Noman countered steadily. "It's not a Hack fueled by vengeance."

"Say that again when you lose someone you love." Kal glared. A rift had formed between them.

"That's enough!" I raised my voice to be heard over their simmering. "We've had our breakfast and we're burning daylight. Kalmarin! You will train with Floyd to reliably manifest his Humility Hack. Noman! You will train with me and teach your Resound technique. You will both do this separately tonight so as to avoid undue friction and cool off. Got it?"

"Okay." Noman nodded obediently.

"...Sure." Kal's response was dispassionate.

"Sure, what?"

He sighed. "Sure, ma'am."

"Good." I accepted the show of respect and hurried everyone along to pack their things.

It was good that Floyd shared his newest Hack manifestation, but it opened up an unnecessary can of Endermites between Noman and Kal. It would be bad if it impacted their teamwork, but good if it made Kal remember they were only temporary allies.

The walk to Exter would certainly be a long one.


Inventory (Cobb): 1 Diamond Sword [Sharpness III, Fire Aspect I, Sweeping Edge III, Unbreaking III], 1 Diamond Pickaxe [Efficiency II, Unbreaking III], 1 Diamond Helmet [Protection IV, Unbreaking III], 1 Leather Tunic [Dyed Green, Protection IV, Unbreaking III], 1 Diamond Leggings [Protection IV, Unbreaking III], 1 Diamond Boots [Protection IV, Feather Falling III, Unbreaking III], 18 Obsidian, 8 Ender Chests, 43 Chorus Fruit, 58 Cooked Salmon, 54 Cooked Chicken, 6 Rotten Flesh, 64 Oak Planks, 64 Cobblestone, 1 Crafting Table, 1 Furnace, 1 Bed, 30 Blocks of Coal, 64 Torches, 1 Lava Bucket, 1 Water Bucket, 1 Milk Bucket, 1 Potion of Night Vision {8:00}, 64 Snowballs, 64 Snowballs, 16 Eggs, 11 End Crystals, 16 Ender Pearls, 1 Fishing Rod {Backlash 2.0} [Knockback II, Luck of the Sea III, Lure II, Unbreaking III], 1 Trident {Awe} [Riptide III, Unbreaking III], 1 Trident {Shock} [Loyalty II, Channeling], 1 Map {Minecraftia}, 1 Book {Mobs of the Bounty Days}, 1 Green Shulker Box {Pocket Box}, 1 Totem of Undying, 1 Totem of Undying, 1 Totem of Undying, 1 Totem of Undying

Green Shulker Box {Pocket Box}: 36 Eyes of Ender, 32 Blocks of Emerald, 8 Emeralds, 1 Diamond Cutlass, 25 Lapis Lazuli, 64 Books, 64 Glass, 64 Glass, 64 Glass Bottles, 1 Fishing Rod, 1 Fishing Rod, 2 Books, 1 Enchanting Table, 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}

[EXP: 34]

Inventory (Lenz): 1 Chainmail Helmet [Protection IV, Unbreaking III], 1 Dragon Head, 1 Chainmail Chestplate [Protection IV, Unbreaking III], 1 Chainmail Leggings [Protection IV, Unbreaking III], 1 Chainmail Boots [Protection IV, Unbreaking III], 1 Iron Dagger, 16 Ender Pearls, 1 Milk Bucket, 1 Compass, 1 Bow [Power IV, Flame I, Punch II, Unbreaking III], 1 Bow [Infinity], 1 Crossbow [Piercing IV, Unbreaking III], 1 Crossbow [Multishot I, Unbreaking III], 64 Arrows, 64 Arrows, 16 Firework Rockets {Flight Duration: 1, Small Ball x 7, Gray x 7}, 16 Firework Rockets {Flight Duration: 1, Large Ball x 7, Gray x 7}, 1 Crafting Table, 1 Furnace, 62 Dark Oak Planks, 50 Chorus Fruit, 58 Cooked Salmon, 55 Apples, 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, 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}, 2 Fire Charges, 36 Charcoal, 4 Torches, 32 Pumpkin Seeds, 1 Book {Redstone Textbook}, 1 Book {Notebook}

Gray Shulker Box {Pocket Box}: 1 Crossbow [Unbreaking III], 1 Crossbow [Unbreaking III], 1 Crossbow [Unbreaking III], 1 Crossbow [Unbreaking III], 1 Crossbow [Unbreaking III], 1 Crossbow [Unbreaking III], 1 Crossbow [Unbreaking III], 53 Arrows of Poison {0:11}, 64 Arrows of Harming II, 57 Arrows of Harming II, 52 Arrows of Weakness {0:30}, 49 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}, 63 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: 25]

Inventory (Baltic): 1 Iron Helmet [Protection III, Unbreaking III], 1 Diamond Chestplate [Protection IV, Unbreaking III], 1 Diamond 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 Water Bucket, 64 Bones, 1 Ender Chest, 1 Book {Citizenship Information}, 1 Paper {Gold Citizenship Pass}, 20 Emeralds, 64 Cooked Chicken, 49 Cooked Chicken, 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 Regeneration II {0:05}, 1 Blue Shulker Box {Pocket Box}, 1 Totem of Undying

Blue Shulker Box {Pocket Box}: 41 Glass Bottles, 64 Dragon's Breath, 59 Dragon's Breath, 64 Blaze Powder, 64 Nether Warts, 30 Soul Sand, 62 Phantom Membranes, 64 Blaze Rods, 64 Fermented Spider Eyes, 64 Carrots, 64 Melon Slices, 64 Rabbit's Feet, 64 Gold Ingots, 64 Gold Nuggets, 64 Gunpowder, 64 Redstone Dust, 64 Glowstone Dust, 64 Ghast Tears, 64 Sugar

[EXP: 32]

Inventory {Jillian}: 1 Book {Vivlio Zythopoiias}, 1 Diamond Sword [Sharpness II, Unbreaking III], 1 Bow {Artemis} [Unbreaking III, Punch II, Power V, Knockback II, Curse of Vanishing, Infinity], 1 Bow {Apollo} [Unbreaking III, Flame I, Punch II, Knockback II], 1 Crossbow, 1 Crafting Table, 1 Clock, 35 Torches, 1 Book and Quill {Planner}, 1 Book and Quill {Notebook}, 39 Cooked Cod, 45 Cooked Salmon, 56 Arrows, 16 Firework Rockets {Flight Duration: 1, Small Ball x 7, White x 7}, 16 Firework Rockets {Flight Duration: 1, Large Ball x 7, White x 7}, 1 Map {Paragon Minecraftia}, 1 Paper {Gold Citizenship Pass}, 1 Totem of Undying, 1 Totem of Undying, 1 Totem of Undying

[EXP: 53]

Inventory (Z7): 1 Diamond Helmet [Protection III, Unbreaking III], 1 Diamond Chestplate [Protection IV, Unbreaking III], 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, 40 Torches, 59 Oak Planks, 1 Cake, 1 Cake, 1 Cake, 30 Cookies, 51 Baked Potatoes, 1 Milk Bucket, 1 Bucket, 1 Book {Citizenship Information}, 1 Paper {Gold Citizenship Pass}, 1 Purple Shulker Box {Pocket Box}

[EXP: 47]

Inventory (Floyd): 1 Mob Head {Creeper}, 1 Diamond Pickaxe, 1 Iron Sword, 1 Diamond Helmet [Projectile Protection IV], 1 Diamond Chestplate [Projectile Protection IV], 1 Diamond Leggings [Projectile Protection IV], 1 Shears, 2 Iron Ingots, 24 Coal, 20 Torches, 1 Fishing Rod, 3 Cooked Mutton, 1 Furnace, 1 Crafting Table, 1 Minecart, 1 Bed, 1 Boat, 1 Diamond Boots [Projectile Protection IV], 16 Gunpowder, 10 Ender Pearls, 1 Splash Potion of Invisibility {8:00}, 1 Splash Potion of Slowness {4:00}, 1 Splash Potion of Weakness {4:00}, 1 Splash Potion of Weakness {4:00}, 1 Bucket, 1 Map {Minecraftia}, 1 Book {Citizenship Information}, 1 Paper {Ringwood Entry Pass}, 1 Paper {Zeppil Entry Pass}

[EXP: 48]

Inventory (Soul): 1 Diamond Axe [Sharpness V], 1 Iron Cleaver, 1 Diamond Pickaxe, 60 Iron Ingots, 19 Flint, 1 Flint and Steel, 5 Ender Pearls, 8 Gold Ingots, 11 Blocks of Diamond, 16 Blocks of Emerald, 1 Shears, 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, 22 White Wool, 61 Cobblestone, 14 Jungle Planks, 2 Bowls, 19 Red Mushrooms, 1 Armor Stand, 1 Map {Minecraftia}, 1 Book {Citizenship Information}, 1 Paper {Ringwood Entry Pass}, 1 Paper {Zeppil Entry Pass}, 1 Paper {Exter Entry Pass}, 1 Splash Potion of Slowness {4:00}, 1 Splash Potion of Weakness {4:00}

[EXP: 42]

Cat-Face the Cat

Christopher Squawken the Parrot

Inventory (Noman): 1 Diamond Sword [Sharpness I], 1 Shield, 1 Diamond Chestplate {Severe Shield}, 1 Golden Boots {Stivali Magma}, 1 Leather Boots {Bottes Zephyr} [Dyed White], 1 Iron Helmet, 1 Diamond Chestplate, 1 Iron Leggings, 1 Iron Boots, 1 Diamond Pickaxe, 56 Nether Warts, 15 Soul Sand, 1 Flint and Steel, 10 Cobwebs, 1 Milk Bucket, 1 Water Bucket, 5 Buckets, 1 Bed, 1 Crafting Table, 1 Brewing Stand, 15 Glass Bottles, 4 Ender Pearls, 60 Glowstone Dust, 23 Gunpowder, 12 Redstone Dust, 60 Blaze Powder, 62 Gold Nuggets, 2 Bowls, 39 Brown Mushrooms, 1 Book {Citizenship Information}, 1 Paper {Zeppil Entry Pass}, 1 Paper {Exter Entry Pass}, 1 Map {Minecraftia}, 1 Book {The Art of Peace}, 1 Book {Artifact List}, 1 Enchanted Golden Apple, 1 Splash Potion of Weakness {4:00}

[EXP: 35]

Inventory (Kalmarin): 1 Diamond Helmet [Protection III, Unbreaking III], 1 Diamond Chestplate [Protection IV, Unbreaking III], 1 Diamond Leggings [Protection IV, Unbreaking III], 1 Diamond Boots [Protection III, Unbreaking III], 1 Mob Head {Skeleton}, 1 Diamond Sword [Sharpness III, Unbreaking I], 1 Map {Paragon Minecraftia}, 1 Book {Citizenship Information}, 1 Paper {Gold Citizenship Pass}, 13 Cooked Chicken, 17 Apples, 1 Bow [Power I], 36 Arrows, 7 Ender Pearls, 1 Bed, 1 Crafting Table, 1 Furnace, 40 Torches, 31 Sand, 12 Cobblestone, 21 Oak Planks, 1 Bucket, 1 Lava Bucket, 1 Milk Bucket, 43 Coal, 1 Clock, 1 Compass, 1 Iron Pickaxe [Unbreaking I], 1 Wooden Pickaxe {Old Reliable} [Unbreaking III, Efficiency V], 1 Book {Meetup}

[EXP: 43]

Inventory (Anibal): 1 Crossbow {Buckner}, 1 Crossbow {Devers}, 64 Arrows, 38 Arrows, 16 Firework Rockets {Flight Duration: 1, Large Ball x 7, White x 7}, 13 Firework Rockets {Flight Duration: 1, Large Ball x 7, White x 7}, 6 Ender Pearls, 23 Cooked Mutton, 26 Apples, 18 Oak Planks, 1 Crafting Table, 1 Furnace, 1 Bed, 39 Torches, 21 Coal, 1 Map {Paragon Minecraftia}, 1 Book {Citizenship Information}, 1 Paper {Gold Citizenship Pass}, 1 Milk Bucket, 1 Iron Pickaxe, 5 Ender Chests, 29 Cobblestone, 1 Bow [Flame I], 1 Bow [Power V], 1 Diamond Sword [Sweeping Edge III], 1 Diamond Sword [Smite V], 1 Diamond Sword [Fire Aspect II], 1 Diamond Sword [Bane of Arthropods V]

[EXP: 53]


AN: Just checked, but the Inventory List is nearly 2000 words now that I'm juggling what ten characters are holding. Remember when it was Beginners only? It's necessary to show the Paragons are becoming more attached to the main cast, but damn is it a lot to keep track of.

Some lore drops this Chapter from Tinker, talking about the history of the Endward Cult.

Floyd's Hack's real life name is Panic, but it sounds so awful that I wanted to call it something else. Then I remembered, Floyd bashed Kal for the Clan's naming conventions, so why shouldn't he be able to name a never before seen Hack that he wields? Him and Noman bouncing ideas of each other seemed right, and Humility just sounded like such a good name to counter the Hack Clan's arrogance. Just *chef's kiss*.

We go into Cobb's side next time.

FAV. FOLLOW. REVIEW. PM. FORUM. DISCORD. COUGH DROPS.