AN: It's Wednesday! That means I can at least pretend I adhere to Wednesday updates as opposed to whenever I get around to finishing a chapter.
Updates every Wednesday. Best joke ever, amirite?
Whatever. Enjoy a sizable Chapter. Not Tell Me A Tale sizable or The Last Lieutenant sizable, but sizable all the same.
Disclaimer: I don't own Minecraft. If I did, I'd put Illusioners back in. Why make them if you don't use them?
Chapter 228
Breaking News
[Lunar Castle: Amphitheater]
Queen Jillian let out a shaky breath as she stood concealed before the threshold leading out to the balcony podium of Lunar Castle's amphitheater. Once upon a time four months ago, she had been nervous on this brink just as she was now. Last time it was to announce her identity as the slayer of Hackers. Now it was to admit the opposite.
She could hear the restless crowd outside baying for answers. There were thirty-three hundred Crafters out there, most of them Nitebane citizens unaware of Carys' command of the kingdom. They had been summoned by this announcement and promised that all their questions regarding Cobb, Carys, and Nitebane's safety would be addressed. There was a very real possibility they would not like what they heard.
On the brighter side, a small fleet of six airships had arrived from Jillian's home kingdom of Zeppil, commanded by Jillian's successor, Captain Fo. They had yet to announce their reason for being there, but Jillian had a hunch it was about Carys' united army of kingdoms. Zeppil must have heard about the Hackers and their army, so they came to judge Nitebane's defense for themselves. If they liked what they saw, a united front was assured, and Zeppil's forces could be counted as the Paragons' forces.
And didn't that just heap more pressure onto Jillian's slender shoulders. How desperately she wished she could just tug her beret down and close herself off from the world and these responsibilities heaped onto her by Carys. Alas, she couldn't just shy away from the burdens. She had to bear them if she wanted the Endward Cult obliterated once and for all. What the Southern Division did to her homeland for all those years...
She wouldn't let Minecraftia suffer the same.
Steeling herself one final time, Jillian marched out past the threshold and towards the balcony podium, her head held high and proud.
Below, the thousands of Crafters standing in the amphitheater that had been raising a din of collective sound quickly quieted upon seeing Queen Jillian make her appearance. They listened with bated breath, many of them seeking assurances as to Nitebane's continued safety, or else wondering if their trust in their Queen was misplaced. After all, was she really in command or was Carys_Angel?
Jillian intended to tell them. She wrote a script detailing everything that she would reveal. They included many things the people would not like, but that she felt had to be said and would be said with or without Carys' say so. However, the Angel of Death had given permission to follow said script, and thus Jillian resolved herself to announce it in its entirety to the people of Nitebane no matter what sounds of outrage were raised in response. She had Paragons downstairs manning the doors in case any violent souls decided to revolt and siege the castle. In an effort to say her piece without interruption, she was going to continue and tune out the responses of the Crafters listening. All she'd register was volume being lowered or raised while she spoke.
"There have been," Jillian began, her voice carrying on the wind, "many rumors regarding the past couple of days. Some are off the mark while others are completely off the wall ridiculous. But then there are some that are closer to the truth than anyone realizes." The volume below rumbled noticeably. "Today, I intend to address these rumors to you, the people of Nitebane. You will be given nothing but the truth for the duration of this announcement. You may ask yourself, 'How do I know what she's saying is the truth?' You will know this is the truth because there are things I say which you will not like, and I should have no business telling you as it will lower your faith in me as your queen. However, spitting out some lie to placate you will only hurt my standing more, so I will only speak the truth to you. If an admission of a mistake is enough to break your faith in me, then it never should have existed in the first place. I am as human and as fallible as anyone. This is not an excuse but a statement of fact. Today, you will get all the facts."
The volume died down.
"To begin," Jillian took in a great breath of air, "I am not your savior. I am not the woman who killed the two Hackers that ruled this place. I did not kill Ocan and Urson, nor was I anywhere near the battle when it happened. I am a figurehead. A puppet tasked with rebuilding Nitebane on behalf of my guild leader, Carys_Angel. It was her who killed Ocan and Urson. It was her whose forces helped to 'liberate' this ruined kingdom. All I did was meet with the skyscraper communities and pretend to be in charge." The volume below raised. "I am a Paragon and former Captain of Zeppil, JillianLikeAVillian. The citizens of Nitebane who had been scraping by in the skyscraper communities until recently: You were considered - for all intents and purposes - as pseudo Paragons. You were our soldiers, but were left unaware as to who was really in command. You did not know the Paragons were involved, and you were left out of knowledge only the official Paragons would know. Many of you noticed this distinction over the last couple of days as it became more pronounced. It was done so that news of the Paragons' command would not spread to our sworn enemies, the Endward Cult. You were left in the dark to keep our involvement discreet, but that is no longer possible, presently. The Endward Cult knows we are here."
"We liberated Nitebane," Jillian continued with a heavy heart, "to use you. We sought to leverage the hardy survivors of this ruined kingdom and restore it to some semblance of its former glory so that we may control a kingdom. From there, we intended to reach out to other kingdoms to form a united army against the Endward Cult. We've already secured Zeppil and Ringwood, and we are hoping more will join under our banner. Zeppil, as you can see, has already sent over a delegation of airships for this very purpose."
"I was placed in charge because of my experience in Zeppil. I was there during the worst of the Southern Division's reign. It was my responsibility to keep people alive as these skyscraper communities have done before. Carys' skills are more suited to combat, and she did not wish to be tied to one place as a monarch. However, don't think that I was an ineffective leader. I took pride in helping to rebuild this place, and I have since grown to care for this kingdom and its' people as if it were my home. Make no mistake; I care for Nitebane."
The volume raised again, sporadically in certain spots. Jillian tried to tune it out, but there were already accusations and outcries that she was lying. Not from everyone, but from some.
"I care for Nitebane!" She repeated in a shout. "Enough to fight for it against Hackers! Enough to arrange EXP exports to jumpstart our economy and budget the reconstruction of our roads and buildings! Take one look at Nitebane and you can see how much it's changed from the disrepair I found it in! If I only saw this kingdom as an easy supply of troops, would I invest my time in building it back up and giving you a nice roof over your heads? Would I care about providing you with food and some semblance of a normal life? Ask yourself these questions whenever you start to doubt my devotion to this kingdom!"
The pockets of volume died down significantly, though Jillian could still feel the distrust. The citizens of Nitebane did disapproved of being used, no matter what Jillian provided for them. She sighed heavily as she moved on to the next point of controversy.
"Putting that aside, I understand many of you are questioning how the suspected Executive King_Cobb factors into all this." Noises of assent emanated from a majority of the crowd. "King_Cobb isn't an Executive at all. Neither is Flawwed_Floyd a Lieutenant. They were framed and you've been lied to. Now let me explain!" She had to raise her voice in response to the earsplitting roar coming from the amphitheater. The outrage could likely be heard from the capital's outskirts. "Let me explain! It wasn't just the citizens fooled, but the Paragons as well! Carys_Angel, or the Angel of Death to many of you, lied to us all about King_Cobb and Flawwed_Floyd being cultists. The story she ordered me to tell you was the same story she told us; that Cobb and Floyd jumped her and the comrades she was traveling with and killed them all in the name of the Endward Cult, leaving her the sole survivor. That never happened."
"What really happened was that Carys lost her prized pig steed because Cobb killed and ate it in front of her. Not realizing he basically stepped on a landmine with that one." Jillian muttered the last bit to herself before continuing. "Carys framed Cobb, hoping he would be brought in alive so that she could exact vengeance. He eluded capture until recently, though he broke out and fought in Nitebane's defense. He did this out of guilt, as he is not entirely blameless in all this. He revealed Carys as the Angel of Death to our enemies, both knowingly to the Hackers, and unknowingly to the Endward Cult. While the Hack Clan were always going to send their people to attack us, they never would have demanded Carys if not for Cobb's actions. He felt responsible for the Hackers, and thus stepped forward to deal with them at great personal risk."
"There's been duplicity on both sides," Jillian admitted sheepishly, "which is rather sad considering the two agreed to an alliance shortly after Cobb's home kingdom of Ringwood was attacked by Withers. Yes, Cobb is allied with the Paragons!" She repeated louder over the growing volume. "He is allied with us despite Carys' hatred of him because Carys believes - rightly, as I'm sure you've witnessed - that Cobb is a powerful, loyal ally. Cobb's Beginners and Carys' Paragons have postponed their hatred for each other in the interest of stopping the Endward Cult. As such, and with our alliance made public, Nitebane will be exonerating King_Cobb and Flawwed_Floyd and shall rescind all wanted posters for the two, effective immediately."
"Many of you may be thinking that Cobb is more to blame for the state of things in Nitebane, or maybe that Carys is responsible. I find assigning blame on this a moot point, for regardless, there is speculation amongst our wisest advisors that the Endward Cult and the Hack Clan may be working together. This speculation-!" Jillian strained her voice to be heard over the deafening cries coming from below. It was so great that Jillian had to call for order several times before having to wait for everyone to settle down after a few minutes. "This speculation is based on the convenient blinding of our lookouts by a third party, as well as certain verbal hints made by the Hackers during the battle. We will be pressing the imprisoned Hackers further on this and report our findings as soon as possible. No longer will Nitebane operate on secrets. What we know, you'll know. I will be lifting the lockdown of Lunar Castle and welcoming any disgruntled citizens to scour our information records to keep you abreast of the daily ongoings of Nitebane. Intel, profit margins, budgeting records, business dealings, exports, imports, infrastructure, construction projects, restoration projects, foreign correspondence, alliance pacts. Anything you can think of is now public knowledge. We're all about transparency."
"But there's little point in staying if we can't reassure you of your safety here." Jillian spoke next. Her claim of transparency was being met with stunned silence by the citizens. She was daring them to search Team Delta's meticulous record-keeping and call them out on any further lies. They could see for themselves what was true and what was false, and they could enter Lunar Castle as they pleased.
"The question you may all be asking yourselves is, 'How can we keep you safe when the Hackers are sure to attack again?' Well, we have the answer here." She held up the Vivlio Zythopoiias, pressing her finger to the page to fire a bistre beam into the sky, much to the startled gasps of those watching. "This is no ordinary book; it is an artifact made by Herobrine himself and gifted to the first King of Akasha before it was stolen from hand to hand until it found its way here under the possession of the same bounty hunter who brought in King_Cobb. This book can cast any existing potion effect, debilitating or enhancing a Crafter for a period significantly longer than a standard potion. It is with this book that we have rendered three Hackers helpless and imprisoned, and while we possess those three hostages, the Hack Clan will be paralyzed from attacking us as they had Akasha. The Hack Clan values their own very highly - too highly to risk the death of one. We shall use them as a shield, and we shall use the Vivlio Zythopoiias to capture any more that show up on Nitebane's doorstep."
There was a rallying cry from the Paragons in the crowd. It was echoed by many citizens. Not all, but most.
"Furthermore, we will be mass-harvesting a new kind of item to further aid our defenses." Jillian continued. "They are called Totems of Undying, and they have the ability to stopper death. By simply holding one upon death, you will come back alive, the totem destroyed in your stead. Please contain your disbelief." She held up a hand to silence the rising volume. "There will be demonstrations of these rare items as we start pulling them in, and every Paragon and citizen that agrees to remain in Nitebane will be assigned one for your personal safety. These are not to be abused or squandered frivolously. Each one should be considered a life you could have lost while in your possession."
"If you deem these safety measures are insufficient enough, or that your faith in me has been lost, you are free to leave Nitebane and seek your fortune elsewhere. I will not be stepping down from the throne. Not while there is a very serious threat. You're stuck with me, and I will use every tool at my disposal to keep this kingdom, and the Crafters who call it home, safe. So either follow me and watch as I handle this responsibility, or leave these lands and never return. I will not force anyone to stay, but I will not tolerate claims that someone can do a better job than me."
While the Paragons respected such fierce words, the citizens were less appreciative. Many of them raised complaints and booed the Queen, all but demanding she step down.
"This is our kingdom!"
"We didn't suffer centuries of hardship at the mercy of Griefers just to be used by you Paragons!"
"She started a manhunt all over a pig!? That's outlandishly petty!"
"Why should we listen to her when she's Carys' puppet!?"
Jillian did her best to tune out the harsh words. The only consolation was that the protests were in small pockets amongst the citizens - maybe a tenth of the audience. She was expecting the numbers to be a lot worse and for a bulk of the population to overthrow her. Below, she could see citizens raging against the front entrance of Lunar Castle in an effort to break in. Members of Team Alpha - including Perry and Heather - held them back with shields to prevent entry, but it was high time she ended this announcement. The truth was out, and as she exited the balcony with just enough dignity for it not to be called fleeing, she wondered if there would be any citizens left in Nitebane after tomorrow.
[Eastern Division HQ]
"I'M REALLY SORRY ABOUT THIS! HAWAWAWAA!"
Carmen burst apart under Erma_Gourd's double diamond sword cyclone helicopter attack, but the Hybrid's pieces became four miniatures that hugged the floor while Erma's blades passed harmlessly above.
"Disculpa no aceptada!" The miniatures leapt upon Erma's legs, their molten skin heating up to a blistering degree and causing the timid woman to howl in pain. She fell over backwards, halting her 'HAWAWAWAA' style.
Sam_Vatar fired two quick shots with his bow, the arrows thunking upon the approaching shield before KillGore used his superior EXP strength to bash him in the chest and send him to the ground. Sam arched his back, gasping for air as the wind was knocked out of him. KillGore stood triumphantly before getting grabbed in a bear hug from behind and hauled off his feet by Brandeen.
"Unhand me, you philistine!" KillGore's legs kicked angrily in the air before he was suplexed head first into the glass tunnel separating the inside of the corridor from the ocean. The glass predictably broke, spilling water across the floor while KillGore's head was forced into the water. He made drowning noises as his limbs flailed.
"That's the way, Brandeen." Mox praised as she rushed over to force the munchkin more firmly into the water. She smashed her mattock into his gut to make him run out of air faster. "Any last words, shrimp? Besides gurgle gurgle."
Carmen's miniatures shied away from the water as it flooded the floor and swept over Erma's prone body. She wanted to help, and she knew water couldn't hurt her, but her Mob instincts couldn't help but avoid it.
Fortunately, her other clones shared what she saw.
KillGore's flailings grew feebler as Mox and Brandeen held him under. The midget was just about to drown when Spring came barreling in and squashed Mox against Brandeen's unmovable body. Spring bounced off, but not before yanking a gasping for breath KillGore out of the glass wall. Brandeen hauled Mox to her feet and KillGore plugged the wall with a random block he had on hand, allowing Carmen to rejoin the fight.
This time with all her clones.
"Carmen's hivemind saw you getting jumped." Spring offered in way of explanation. He then narrowed his eyes at the Plagues. "Is 4Blite so cowardly he sends his stooges to do his dirty work!? Or is he afraid to face me in our duel?"
"4Blite didn't give an order." Sam recovered. "We're simply removing his obstacles."
He aimed at Spring, only to veer his aim when Carmen and her clones rushed him. He backed up as he fired, his arrows hitting each clone and turning them into miniatures.
"Not so tough when you're cut down to size, are you?" Sam taunted, rearing back a leg and trying to punt one of the mini. They scurried around him or under his legs, and when he turned around with his gaze on the ground, his eyes were drawn up to the giant Hybrid that had reformed in a kneeling position from the low glass ceiling. Her back was to him, but she looked over one shoulder with an expression of dislike before throwing a massive backwards kick that struck Sam like a truck and sent the Plague crashing into Erma, and then the both of them into the glass wall at the end of the corridor. The glass cracked and the floor began to flood again, the approaching water making the giant Carmen crawl forward to avoid it.
Water lapped at KillGore's legs as he tackled Brandeen. His low height and superior EXP strength enabled him to come at Brandeen's gut like a cannonball. It wasn't even a contest as Brandeen found himself pushed back by the midget's strength. However, that changed when the larger man lifted KillGore off his feet and held him still for a moment before grabbing an arm and a leg and swinging him around and around until he flung him at Spring's legs and sent them into a heap on the floor.
"Hey, hey, HEY! CEASE AND DESIST!"
Everyone froze mid-combat at the angry voice of Lieutenant MarkAble. The Lieutenant took one look at the giant Hybrid with eyes like a deer in headlights before he plugged up the hole in the glass wall and surveyed the rest of them.
"Well, if it isn't Teal's pet. Afternoon." Mox greeted pleasantly, though Mark frowned at her.
"What in Herobrine's name are you all doing?"
"They attacked us. We were just passing by when that Hybrid flipped out and kicked us." Sam grunted hastily as he and Erma got to their feet. His words brought forth a string of protests from Spring, Carmen, and KillGore, but none of it was distinguishable (especially since Carmen was angrily speaking a whole other language).
"You trying to stand out? Shrink yourself down this instant." Mark ordered the Hybrid. She looked mutinous until Spring whispered for her to obey. Then, reluctantly, she split up into her four normal sized clones, three of them with their arms folded and the fourth flipping off Sam.
"It's as Sam says." Mox chimed in. "That giant walking booger went ballistic and tried to kill us, Spring and KillRoy helping her."
"That's KillGORE you lying who-!"
"These four ambushed KillGore!" Spring hurried to explain. "They want to wipe us out so that 4Blite has an easier time ascending."
"You're arrogant to think you're any kind of competition." Sam dismissed. "4Blite will mop the floor with you."
"Mark. Sir. Come on." Spring pleaded. "Who has the track record of making promising Executive candidates disappear? You know they're guilty."
His eyes flicked from the four Plagues to the three amigos before he shook his head. "I'm gonna remain neutral here and let the seven of you off with a warning. Can't read through lies like Ember. So both of you go your separate ways and stay out of each other's hair." He walked between the two with his hands held out. "No one's dead, so you get a pass this time. However, I expect you all to make an effort to avoid one another. Considering what's at stake with your approaching duel, I can forgive some high tensions."
"Sir, they attacked us."
"They're liars! And they can't take a beating!"
"I don't want to hear it." He shut their words down. "There's an announcement we're missing every second I waste here, so clear off. Go on."
"...And if we refuse?" Mox asked dangerously. The Plagues looked to her nervously as she turned the mattock around in her grip. Like she was actually considering adding Mark to the kill pile just to be rid of Spring and his support. Mark leveled a flat stare at her. "If we press the issue here? What will you do? Or do you think you, the Weakest Lieutenant, have the power or authority to stop any of us. Well, Mr. Unremarkable?"
At those words, Mark fully turned to the Plague, his head cocked. A curious grin played on his face.
"Has your vaunted intel network overlooked what I am? I'm a dead man's switch, lady. I just have to die to you and let tactical nuke Teal do the rest. Or do you think the four of you combined can match..." Mark's eyes widened. "Oh. Teal. What are you doing here?"
The four Plagues whipped around so fast it was comical. They stared at empty space, for Teal was nowhere around. Despite the bluff, they grew pale and a cold sweat had broken across all their foreheads. Spring, Carmen, and KillGore stifled their laughter as Mox turned back around and tried to save face. She tried to regain control of the scene, but her illusion of power had crumpled.
"Get out of here." Mark dismissed like they were pests. "You have no power."
"You're the one with no power. Only a Lieutenant because you're in Teal's pants." Mox spat venomously.
Her words brought on a flicker of emotion from Mark. Now that the Spider Queen got going, she wasn't about to stop there.
"People only listen to you because they know Teal will break their bones if they don't. You didn't earn any of it. You're the weakest Lieutenant. The only thing you're the greatest at is being the strongest Lieutenant's greatest weakness. You're nothing without her but a way to hold her back and hurt her. Some lover you are."
With her insults thrown, Mox flicked her head contemptuously and the Plagues left down their end of the corridor. Mark stood staring at their departing forms, his expression showing a twinge of unease.
"...She doesn't know what she's talking about." Spring tried to comfort the Lieutenant. "Don't listen to them. Hey, they're the ones running with their tails between their-"
"I thought I told you to clear off." Mark interrupted without looking at any of them. "The auditorium. Get going. And don't let me catch you starting anything."
There was a note of finality in his words. It was so unquestionably strong that the three amigos had no choice but to comply. Carmen split herself up into her smallest forms and concealed herself in Spring and KillGore's clothes before the trio departed down their end of the corridor.
Mark lingered for a while longer, his gaze distant as he thought on Mox's words. His insecurities fed themselves on her words - words he thought himself so many times.
[Eastern Division HQ: Auditorium]
KillGore and Spring were among the last to filter into the packed auditorium. Spring, who was still considered a traitor, was already invisible thanks to his potion. He stood guard around KillGore, his eyes scouring the crowd for Plagues and finding them against the far wall. 4Blite was among them. They were glaring daggers at KillGore.
I better not leave KillGore alone for a while. Spring thought sensibly. If not for Carmen's hivemind, the little guy would have gone the same as 4Blite's competition.
Lieutenant Mark entered the auditorium last, closing the doors behind him as he did. The crowd parted for him - and Teal as she joined him - as the Lieutenants walked to the stage where many an announcement had been made. Abyssmal was already there at a podium. His single eye roved over the crowd, silencing them all with its gaze. Once they had all settled down, he began.
"On November 26th, four Hackers and their army of nearly ten-thousand Griefers were repelled by Nitebane. Their forces were a combination of highly skilled Paragons of the Angel of Death's inner circle," the crowd hissed at the mention of the Paragons and the Angel, "one of our founder's nine artifacts," Teal made an involuntary movement to the blue leather cap at her belt, "and, as I'm sure you've heard, King_Cobb, the Darker Billionth."
The questions came flying soon after.
"Is the Darker Billionth working for the Angel of Death?"
"Should we expect four Bounty Days?"
"Is that artifact so powerful to crush four Hackers? What chance have we got against that?"
"I doubt even a Wither could do much."
"Didn't Cobb do something to kill the Withers in Ringwood?"
"From what we gather," Abyssmal continued uninterrupted, "Nitebane has ordered a recall of King_Cobb and Flawwed_Floyd's wanted posters, so it seems that, yes, they are working together. King_Cobb's guild - the Beginners - are working with the Paragons." There was a collective moan of despair from the crowd. "Our intel suggested that the Beginners were moving west and the Paragons east, but it has come to our attention that is not the case, and unless they possess the same level of portal mastery as me, we can only assume the Beginners and Paragons have divided their forces. We're unsure of the full roster on either side."
"As for the four Hackers that were dealt with, we're certain that only one of them has been killed. The other three are being imprisoned - as impossible as that sounds - and will likely be used as hostages against the rest of the Clan's inevitable retribution. For now, expect a single Bounty Day on December 3rd, three days from today."
There was some excitement at the idea of new items, but it was overshadowed by the news that two of Minecraftia's mightiest fighters were now teamed up. A real power couple.
"...Are they banging, you think?"
"Excellent question!" Abyssmal pointed to the cultist who asked that. "Are they banging? And could this have been stopped if I'd been permitted to woo her to our side first? These are the sorts of questions we need to be asking, people!" The one-eyed Executive was speaking with more fervor than he had before, prompting Mark to hide his face under his hands before pushing Abyssmal off the podium. The Executive clung on valiantly as he tried to be heard.
"With my charms, I coulda done it! I coulda, I tell you! Why doesn't anyone believe me!? I'm a casanova! A charmer of women! A lady killer! Skirts drop at the mere sight of-!"
"That's enough of that." Mark pushed Abyssmal into Teal, the woman restraining the Executive and clamping a hand over his mouth. Her expression showed deep revulsion, like she just found a steaming turd in her toilet. The audience of cultists watched the exchange awkwardly.
"Ahem." Mark cleared his throat. "I know you're all scared by this news about Carys_Angel and King_Cobb. Hearing their triumphs, it's hard not to be a little intimidated. However, the cult is not trailing behind. We've made our own strides. I was hoping Abyssmal would tell you this, but since he's an insufferable sleazebag I guess it falls to me."
"Firstly, we have been in talks with the Hack Clan. Our Executives have been arranging an alliance of sorts for the past few weeks." Shocked gasps were elicited from the crowd. An alliance with Hackers was unheard of. They never cared for anyone but themselves. "They're an enemy of Carys and Cobb, so Nitebane's victory over the Hackers will only impress the need for this alliance and push them further towards us."
"Secondly, the expedition to the Morel Islands uncovered a secret ritual developed by our Founder. Hybridization. The power to make a Crafter part-Mob. Those of you familiar with the Magma Cube Hybrid that attacked the Northern Division's Head Depository should understand how powerful these Hybrids can be. We intend to use this ritual on willing volunteers to bolster our forces. I can attest to their power."
At Mark's words, an eager, hungry expression began to play upon Teal's face. She was interested in Hybridization and already had the perfect Mob in mind once preliminary testing was out of the way. She was willing to wait until all risks were eliminated. After that, she'd do the ritual and become a powerhouse unlike any other. It would remove her one weakness and make her unstoppable.
Indeed, the mention of Hybridization seemed to spark interest in many of the listening cultists. The power promised from their Founder's research was too tantalizing to ignore. Carmen, a Hybrid herself, looked gleeful peeking out of KillGore's vest to see so many people interested in Hybridization. Surely, if all those people became Hybrids, they'd no longer look at her as a lone freak. She could show herself and fit in.
"Third, we have a stable source of Withers thanks to our resident Mob Grinder expert, KillGore. Take a bow, KillGore." All eyes flew to the midget who preened proudly before dipping into a humble bow. The applause greeted him, along with appreciative whistles and whoops. Even Teal tittered with a 'Way to go, munchkin! Aow!' that only served to irritate him. "He's built us a Wither Skull Grinder in the Nether. We plan to secure it, connect it through to the portal hub, and start cranking out Withers to be planted or airdropped on the populace. I very much doubt Carys and Cobb can cover all these threats if we bombard them."
"Alright, I'm good now." Abyssmal extricated himself from Teal and took to the podium. "Thank you, Mark. I'll take it from here."
"Take what? We're done."
"Not quite. I have one more announcement." Abyssmal stated before clearing his throat. "Spring_Fever. I know you're in the audience. I can see your invisibility particles near KillGore." Spring's heart began to hammer over being called out. All eyes were on KillGore again, though this time lacking any of the praise they showed moments prior. Already he could hear mutterings of 'traitor' and see people draw weapons from belts and backpacks. Parker alone didn't look confused, having been approached earlier that day.
"What is this cabrón think he's doing!?" Carmen hissed from Spring's bandana.
"I know you're there, so come on up." Abyssmal beckoned again. "I figure we can get this announcement done now. Saves me having to wrangle everyone up again. Come on. Let's get this over with."
Seeing no way to refuse, Spring separated from KillGore and cautiously made his way to the stage. He bumped into people as he went, his invisibility keeping him hidden to all but the Executive who continued to usher him forward. Indeed, Abyssmal's eye tracked him persistently. His eyesight was just that good.
Once he pulled himself onto the stage, he saw Mark holding out a bucket of milk to the air. Spring accepted it and drank it down, dispelling his invisibility and revealing himself to everyone. The low muttering persisted, a few confused gasps thrown here and there.
"So the rumors were true. The traitor is here."
"Why is the Executive allowing him to live? Allowing him to walk amongst us?"
"He colluded with that monster."
Spring's chest heated up as the Carmen miniatures simmered angrily.
"Is this favoritism of some kind? Did he bribe the Executives?"
"There's been a lot of rumors running around." Abyssmal spoke loudly, one of his arms slinging over Spring and dragging him close to his side. Very chummy, even if it made Spring awkward. "So time to set the record straight. Spring_Fever here has been officially pardoned. He returned the Heads he helped steal, and he in no small part contributed to the Wither Skull Grinder. In fact, you could call him the driving force of the project the rest of us Executives signed off as being too costly. For his accomplishments - call it a token of apology - us Executives have seen fit to forgive his lapse in judgement. Furthermore, we've unanimously nominated him as a candidate for the Southern Executive role, as he meets all the requirements."
It was like a dam had burst. The crowd's cries of outrage echoed through the auditorium as they protested putting a traitor on top like that. They were rightly upset. How many other candidates worked hard for the role only to get passed over in favor of a traitor and a thief? They glossed over how he returned the Heads in the end. It didn't matter. He was and would always be a traitor in their eyes.
Parker sighed in the crowd, expecting such backlash. His reaction was more subdued, having heard it from Spring himself.
"Settle down. Settle down." Abyssmal tried to calm them, but they wouldn't go completely silent. Not on this. "Spring was the only choice for the job on account of the mysterious disappearances of our other promising candidates." His one eye seemed to slide towards 4Blite and the Plagues as he said this. "We already gave the matter plenty of thought."
"I don't think you have!"
A voice belted out amongst the crowd, the speaker getting lifted up on the shoulders of the three nearest cultists. It was a black gentleman with a long nose and gray eyes. His name Inso_Svastto, an Eastern Division cultist.
"Oh?"
"I'm not happy with this decision. No matter how unanimous you Executives decided it." Inso began. "Think of the example you're setting! It's okay to forgive traitors so long as they give us something impressive back? This man broke our trust! We're already on the outs with the kingdoms, and this cult is the only place we can relax and have faith with one another. Be accepted and accepting to anyone who follows Herobrine's teachings." He pointed a finger at Spring. "He robbed us! He told that giant slime monster how to rob from us and helped her do it! Would we be so forgiving if he leaked our bases and names to the kingdoms? Treachery deserves punishment, else we're right where we started in letting Attila go loose! You all remember attila_akrasia, don't you?" He asked his fellow easterners. Many of them nodded grimly. "That woman is now a Captain of Nitebane and one of Carys' minions. Not a day goes by that I don't think we should have liberated that traitor. That we should liberate this traitor!"
His words brought murmurs of assent from the listeners. 4Blite and the Plagues were among the loudest supporters.
"He doesn't even have two Lieutenants!" One cultist shouted. "How can he be a candidate!?"
"If he wants forgiveness so bad, we should liberate him and call it even." Mox suggested, earning much support from her peers. She flashed Spring a nasty smile from across the auditorium as the crowd grew restless.
Someone actually climbed the stage with a sword out. He lunged for Spring only for his wrist to get snagged by Teal and snapped like a twig. His cry of agony was silenced after Teal roundhouse kicked him in the face and knocked him off the stage.
"...Thank you for de-escalating, Teal." Mark massaged his temples at her ruthlessness, even as she missed the sarcasm and cooed at the compliment.
"You make a good point." Abyssmal told Inso. "However, rest assured, this promotion is more punishment than you think. See, there's only one other candidate for the role - the Northern Lieutenant, 4Blite. 4Blite, go on and stand up tall. That's a good lad."
The dark-skinned Lieutenant rose, even as the crowd parted from him. His icy eyes were locked on Spring, promising death. Spring gulped audibly.
"4Blite and Spring are the only two for the job. 4Blite won't back down, and Spring isn't permitted to abstain as part of his punishment. You know what that means, I trust."
Several voices in the crowd made noises of dawning realization as it hit them. As murmurs and explanations spread to those who were ignorant of the traditional death duels.
"Dead men can't argue. Spring's life is already hanging in the balance." Abyssmal explained for the benefit of the crowd.
"A duel? Sweet~! Can I throw down too?" Teal vibrated with energy until Mark came over to make her settle down.
"So what you're saying is that he'll be forgiven if he kills a Lieutenant. Otherwise, he's dead." Inso scratched his head. "Ideally, 4Blite should win then and rid us of the traitor."
Guess that's one more person I don't like. Spring thought crossly.
"But if the opposite happens, the traitor is rewarded, and we lose a powerful, loyal Lieutenant."
"Powerful? Sure. Loyal? Mmm. Ember doesn't seem to think so." Abyssmal wiggled his hand in a so-so gesture. 4Blite turned his glare on the Executive. "The promising candidates we selected didn't up and vanish without someone having a hand in it. Even if we can't prove it. All you need to know is that both parties are of equal standing in terms of loyalty, but only one can be the Southern Executive. If you truly think Spring's days in this realm are numbered, you won't begrudge him a few animosity-free weeks. You'll only have to put up with him if he wins."
"...I guess I could call that a punishment of sorts." Inso thought aloud. "Having him prepare himself for a fight he has no hope of winning. As his last days pass by and his panic mounts. The stress would be torture."
Spring vowed never to be friends with Inso_Svastto.
"I still don't agree with this decision. Disloyalty should not be given even a slim chance of forgiveness. Or would it be the same if any of us committed treason?" Inso folded his arms as he was lowered to the ground by his fellow cultists. "Even should he win, Spring won't be welcomed any time soon." Several cultists nodded in agreement with Inso as they turned distrustful gazes towards Spring. He had a feeling he would still need those Invisibility Potions to move around the HQ.
"So long as you don't kill him before the duel. We're arranging it for some time next month." Abyssmal started before Mark shuffled over and muttered something to him. He kept his voice down, but whatever he said had Abyssmal turn his eye towards the Plagues. 4Blite still hadn't broken eye contact with Spring. Abyssmal nodded back to Mark before resuming.
"I forbid anyone from killing Spring or his two Lieutenants before the duel." Abyssmal spoke seriously. "Who those Lieutenants are should be known by the ones I'm expecting to cause trouble... and have already caused trouble from what I've been told." Many cultists shared confused looks, but it was 4Blite and the Plagues who understood the message. "Many of the promising candidates I handpicked for the Executive position have gone missing. Not even their Heads have turned up. It's making me question certain parties and filling me with doubts that Spring_Fever and his supporters will survive until the time of the duel. So I'm gonna make a promise right now. If Spring or any of his supporters were to vanish inexplicably, or get crushed by a falling anvil, or drown in the ocean, or get exploded by Creepers, or, hell, even struck by lightning, then I, as a superstitious man, will blame certain people in this crowd, with or without evidence." The Plagues stiffened across the room under Abyssmal's perceptive, blood-red eye. 4Blite finally broke eye contact with Spring to glare back at Abyssmal. "And then I'll mete out a more permanent punishment and show just how dangerous a monster I can be."
Nobody dared to utter a word in the silence that followed. Abyssmal's killing intent was just that strong. It wasn't even directed at Spring, but he felt nervous standing next to the Executive. At least now the Plagues wouldn't bother him, Carmen, or KillGore anymore.
Hopefully.
"Final word," Abyssmal's warmer tone broke the spell he cast on the audience, the mood improving as everyone relaxed. "We'll need to send some spies to Nitebane. I'm told by our resident spy expert that she lost contact with the agents she had placed within the Paragons' ranks." Mox turned away, looking disgruntled. "Ergo, we'll need volunteers to journey into the lion's den and report on what they're up to."
"I'll do it~! Pick me, pick me, pick me~!"
"Volunteers that don't have a wanted poster, please."
"Oh, I can just wear someone's Head~" Teal waved aside morbidly. "It got me into Lunar Castle last time. Maybe that long-haired assassin will be there. Momma wants a rematch~"
"Anyone at all?" Abyssmal ignored her as he addressed the crowd. Mox made an involuntary movement only to reconsider and back down. She had cause to investigate what befell her spies who had so far been undetected for years. Perhaps revealing the Paragons' outposts outed them in the process.
Mark looked contemplatively at the ground, a deep frown on his face as he mulled over the mission. He kept that face even as no one (Teal notwithstanding) volunteered to be a spy in Nitebane. For good reason, as the spy would be surrounded by enemies at all times.
"Ugh. If anyone works up the courage, you can come to me in my office for the mission detail. Not you, Teal!" Abyssmal snapped at the incessantly hopping, hand-waving woman. "Probably gonna have to be me..."
"Why not send your 'promising Executive', sir?" One cultist threw out snidely.
"May I take that sass as a willingness to volunteer?" Abyssmal asked coolly.
"...No, sir."
"That's what I thought. Awful quick to volunteer others before yourself."
With nothing more to say, Abyssmal dismissed the audience, which began to disperse and filter out of the auditorium. Spring saw 4Blite and the Plagues muttering between themselves, no doubt reconsidering taking out Spring and his acting Lieutenants after Abyssmal's clear warning. Even if 4Blite got rid of Spring, his status as the only remaining candidate wouldn't save him from Abyssmal. He'd be as good as dead. Better to wait until the duel where he had permission to kill Spring.
Spring also noticed Parker's gaze on him. His mentor watched with a neutral expression - with neither pride nor scorn - before turning on his heel and exiting the auditorium.
Spring sighed miserably only to feel a tiny hand under his tank top warming the spot over his heart. A moment later, KillGore slid beside him in an obvious show of solidarity.
He may be an outcast, but he had supporters. The three amigos. They got into trouble together, and it looked like they'd get out of trouble just the same.
It eased his burden, if only slightly.
[Eastern HQ: Abyssmal's Office]
Lieutenant MarkAble stood resolutely outside Abyssmal's office door. The Executive had retreated there shortly after the announcement, apparently receiving a message from Executive Sdrawkcab delivered by Leadstripe. It wasn't hard to imagine what it was about. The news from Nitebane was just that surprising. Despite all their advantages, Mark saw how affected Abyssmal looked by the news. He could hear the tail end of his Executive's musings.
"-from the Obelisk to Nitebane. What if those stuck-up wretches say no? Sdraw's putting too much stock in them. I still have to make a portal to KillGore's grinder. What's the point in being an Executive when I can't delegate my work to someone else?"
Mark knocked on the door.
"Come in."
The Lieutenant slipped inside and walked up to Abyssmal's desk.
"Sir." Mark began, marshalling his courage. "About that espionage mission in Nitebane..."
"What about it-? Oh, no. You can't mean to-"
"I'm easily overlooked and I'm one of the few Lieutenants with my anonymity intact. I can enter Nitebane's capital as myself."
"Teal will stand out like a sore thumb, though."
"...Who says I'm bringing Teal?"
Abyssmal looked Mark over seriously as if expecting him to call this a joke. When the moment never came, Abyssmal continued carefully.
"You realize she'll go with you."
"I just need a few days. Keep her busy with some mission."
"She'd never let you do this. Going alone into the lion's den-"
"I know." Mark said wearily. "But I have to do this." Mox's words about him not earning his place and relying on Teal had affected him more than she realized. Teal would do anything for him, except allow him a challenge to prove himself. He was only allowed problems for her to fix by beating to a pulp whomever she had to. This was a chance to use his skills at going unnoticed to spy on the Paragons. He wouldn't hold her back. "Besides, you have enough on your plate from what I overheard just now. We all need to chip in."
"If anything happens to you, she'll... she'll kill us all." Abyssmal said it half-jokingly, half-seriously.
"Just do whatever you have to do to keep her away from Nitebane." Mark begged. "Keep her busy for a few days. I'll be back before she knows I'm gone."
"You don't need to do this. Alright, I know I said I needed volunteers, but-"
"Aside from paperwork and potions, what am I good at?"
Abyssmal opened his mouth.
"And handling Teal." Mark added.
Abyssmal closed his mouth.
"I need this, Abyssmal. If only so I can respect myself. I'm a Lieutenant. It's time I proved myself one."
Abyssmal leaned back in his seat, his gaze on the ceiling.
"You have my respect." Abyssmal spoke quietly.
"Respect that's not just for getting with Teal, I mean." Abyssmal snorted at that.
"Hoooo boy..." He exhaled. He drummed his fingers on the desk as he considered it, Mark remaining quiet all the while. "Alright. I'll have her accompany me to beef up KillGore's Wither Skull Grinder." He relented. "I'll keep her busy. Just get back in one piece, alright? Mission be damned. Cuz if you die, Teal will go on a warpath to Nitebane and get curbstomped just like those Hackers. And then I'll be down two exceptional Lieutenants."
[Ringwood: Palace Ruins]
"...What did you say?"
Wynn_Whispers - Queen Wynn Whispers - asked the newly instated Captain KenjiStrawWalker to repeat his words as she braced herself against a table to mask her shaky legs.
"I said," Kenji held up his linked map, a breathless excitement gripping him, "your friend Cobb beat four Hackers."
Wynn felt a shiver pass through her. She felt a mixture of disbelief and pride for her precious friend. A smile began to spread across her face as she lowered herself to the floor, laughing shakily.
She could still remember knocking Cobb out in the Razed Bar as if it were yesterday. That same newb that could now challenge Hackers...
It was hard not to feel jealous. Cobb grew in such a short time, but what was Wynn doing besides letting her king down? And then there was Ember_Waves, sparing her life for the simple reason that she was important to Cobb.
"It's all over the linked maps." Kenji continued. His voice shook with awe. "He - King_Cobb - he fought four Hackers at once. He defended Nitebane. They have Hackers hostage! It's unheard of! I can only imagine the battle - but Jillian's recalling his wanted posters. She's made an announcement and everything! She's going to absolve him and Floyd."
Wynn laughed. It was an unusual sound coming from her - more uncommon after the Withers - but she felt compelled to laugh after hearing about Cobb's latest exploits. Just when she thought she was making strides, he zoomed past her. If nothing else, it invigorated her to work harder than ever to fix up Ringwood. Of course, she still had to prepare a thousand sets of diamond armor for Nitebane.
"Also, Jillian sent something." Kenji continued. "Those thousands armor sets Carys demanded as tribute? Go ahead and arm your forces with them."
Wynn's head snapped up. "What?"
"Jillian wants it to be a show of good faith between Queens. A solid alliance." Kenji was smirking as he said this. "Nitebane has enough defenses now that they've been entrusted with a certain powerful artifact. It's only fair Jillian return the favor. Ringwood's sparse forces need the armor more than Nitebane."
"And Carys is allowing this?" Wynn asked skeptically.
"Definitely not, but it's Jillian giving the blessing, not Carys." Kenji asserted. "Jillian will take responsibility if Carys takes offense. The populace in Nitebane is unhappy with Jillian, though. Following her announcement, nearly twenty percent of the citizens chose to leave. These numbers are separate from the Paragons' forces, mind you, but it's still a blow. This full disclosure schtick isn't like her at all. If our united army doesn't come through..." He shuddered. "Well, at least we got Cobb. With him and Carys on our side, I feel like we can't lose."
Wynn wished she could be that inspiring for her people. Proving her worth in the King's Trials wasn't enough. With the whole world watching to see if Ringwood could rise from the ruins, she had to deliver results. The people were counting on her.
Spurred by Cobb's success and elated that the diamond armor she was procuring would be going towards her own forces, Wynn decided it was time to make her own overtures towards Carys' united army.
"Prepare a missive for Lazuli, Jolin, and Dover Plains." She ordered a surprised Kenji. "A four kingdom alliance isn't nearly enough. Let's try for seven."
[Nitebane:?]
Cobb let himself be led, blinded, down a set of stone stairs by a gentle hand. To be extra sure he couldn't see, Jillian had inflicted him with Blindness using the Vivlio Zythopoiias on the grounds that nobody - not even Cobb - should know where the Hackers were being held, as a glance from Ember's Soul-Gaze would tell her all he knew.
He knew, of course, the three Hackers were being held in Thed's Nuker crater. It was the only spot, to his knowledge, that broke through to the Void, thus acting as the perfect threat to drop any of them into. The unfathomable Void under the bedrock was feared even by those godless jerkwads. However, Cobb didn't need to know exactly how to reach the prison from the surface, or how to navigate what felt like a maze of tunnels to reach the holding cells. Cobb was actually curious how the Paragons built all this when the Hackers showed up a mere two days ago.
He knew they had to go down to reach bedrock level, but the number of stairs made his legs tired. Being blind also sucked. Like you were trapped in the same darkness you first spawned in, only worse since you couldn't see your own self either.
"No offense, Jillian, but I have a pretty good idea where they're being held." Cobb spoke blindly to the space before him, all the while being led down more stairs. "We're in Thed's Nuker crater, right? No other spot broke through bedrock."
"Incorrect." She countered. "When Poulsen crossed Nitebane's borders, he dueled Kal and employed the use of his Creative Control Hack to create a contained pitfall. It deleted every block from the surface to the lowest level, including bedrock. Therefore, there are two spots within Nitebane's territory that've broken through the bedrock layer."
"But Thed's crater is closer."
"And thus, the smarter choice to hold them, yes."
Better to have them close in case another Hacker wielding Nuker came along. Ideally, they should be within the capital instead of the outskirts, but that ran the risk of Thed doing something suicidal and spiteful... and stupid.
"We're here." Jillian announced. Cobb was handed a bucket of milk which he drank readily. His Blindness was dispelled, and he could see what the underground prison actually looked like.
It looked unsightly at first - nothing but cobblestone and iron bars. Cobb realized he wasn't the best interior decorator, but he had to admit the prison was very bare bones. Nothing like Ringwood's prison or Jolin's Root Cellar. But then, Cobb realized, this was a built-in-a-pinch prison. They didn't have the luxury to smelt stone and then arrange it into ornate bricks. There was some softer wood serving as furniture - chairs and tables and beds - and a dozen heavily armed Paragons guarding a set of three levers along the wall. Three. Coincidentally the same number of Hackers.
Cobb saw them too. Past a large glass window that overlooked the massive crater Thed had carved out. The cells were iron-barred with gravel floors and suspended over the Void by the thinnest of bridges. Cobb saw glowing redstone running along half of them and connected to extended pistons. The Hackers were under constant threat of being banished into oblivion. The other bridges had railings and were obviously to allow Paragons to walk back and forth, carrying food and water, checking up, or doing whatever else the Hackers needed while immobilized and blind. Oh yes, the Hackers were kept blind. Helped discourage any ideas of escaping.
"They can't hear us in here, can they?"
"Not unless they have some echolocation Hack hitherto unmentioned." Jillian retorted. Cobb was pleased she had dropped the 'sir' title he disliked in favor of just being herself. Went unsaid was the newfound respect the two had for each other. "Now remember, the angrier you make them, the more likely they'll give us genuine information. People are careless when letting their emotions get the better of them."
Brain: I know that feel.
Part of the reason Jillian dragged Cobb down there first thing after clearing his name was to interrogate the Hackers. As the one to defeat them and remind them they weren't Gods, his presence would infuriate them the most, thus making them bare their emotions openly and reveal tidbits and hints that Jillian needed to verify whether they were working with the Endward Cult or not.
"Make them mad. The angrier the better. I recommend targeting their superiority complex."
After being an annoyance to Crafters all over Minecraftia, now Cobb was being told to harness that power for the greater good. He waited his whole life for this moment.
Cracking his neck seriously, he walked towards the iron doors leading out onto those walkway bridges. They reminded him of the ones in Jolin, albeit thinner. The cells and viewing station were illuminated by torches, though the crater itself was impossibly dark. He clung to the railing as he gazed into the darkness below. It was a darkness deeper and more inescapable than that which was above. A thin ceiling of cobblestone high up separated the surface from the prison, blocking this bottomless darkness from sight.
The three cells were separated from each other, like three caged islands. Each one had a walkway to get to it, an iron door to enter it, a redstone connected piston kill switch to doom an inhabitant at the first sign of trouble, and a bed - the only concession of comfort - for the respective Hacker to lay upon, paralyzed and blind.
Yet the Hackers weren't exactly paralyzed. Hannah_Harper was, yes, but only because she didn't have the Strength Hack necessary to counter the Weakness half of the paralysis potion combo. She was left blind and paralyzed on the bed, the effects topped off by Jillian and the Vivlio Zythopoiias on a weekly basis. Any longer without and she'd be able to see and move.
Llewellyn and Thed_Hearst, on the other hand, both had Strength Hacks, meaning the paralysis combo of Weakness and Slowness would only slow them down so long as their Hacks were active. They could move about their cells as sluggishly as they wanted, though they were also rendered blind and stripped of all items like Hannah. No chance to FastPlace anything, and no chance for Thed to Nuke his way out without killing his siblings and himself.
As Cobb's footsteps drew nearer to the cell, he watched Thed and Llewellyn slowly incline their Heads towards him, their gazes blind. Dark smoke was coming off of them like there was a fire burning inside.
"It's me. Your Darker Billionth."
The dark smoke around all three of them thickened to a miasma at the sound of my voice. It seeped between the iron bars and floated down to join the Void's inky blackness. Darkness returned to darkness.
"You..." Thed's voice was low and threatening.
"Me. Yeah."
"You..." Hannah parroted just as dangerously.
"Uh, yeah. Me."
"You..."
"On a scale of one to ten, how me am I? Ten. I'm me. We get it."
"""You..."""
Cobb scratched his cheek before going for a different approach. "I suppose the three of you think this is all my fault."
"It is your fault!" Hannah blurted out, immobile on her bed. "You started this!"
"Oh yeah? You can't make me feel guilty about any of this. Llewellyn will tell you I gave you an out. I tried to make him and Rrhys-"
"Don't you dare speak his name, cockroach!"
"-leave Nitebane and end their siege. They were about to too. If you just walked away when I gave you the chance-"
"And let you get away with killing Poulsen!? And Sandra!? And Winslow!? ALEC!? OCAN!? URSON!?" Hannah's voice got higher and higher as she screamed each name.
"I don't enjoy killing your people. They left me no choice."
"Liar. You love it." Hannah spat, tears flowing down her cheek. "All those Bounty Days they bring, how could you not enjoy it?"
Cobb took note of that, as, he was sure, did Jillian. Someone informed the Hackers about their connection to Bounty Days. The only ones with that information were the Beginners, the Paragons, and the Endward Cult. Two out of three of them wouldn't have passed that along; Only the Endward Cult would share that information. Cobb continued.
"Those dead Hackers mean something to you?" His words made Thed bristle. "Well so do the thousands I don't doubt have died to them over the years. The Crafters you and your fallen brothers and sisters murdered - they had friends, they had girlfriends. Those Hackers died because they were out of control and threatening to kill others. Whatever sheltered life you godless Hackers have been living all this time, let me give you a lesson from the school of hard knocks: If you're willing to kill, you better be prepared to die yourself. Anything else is just hypocritical."
"Oh, indeed." Thed spoke with savage relish. "And I trust you and this wretched capital are prepared to die once 303 finds out what you did? Akasha will look like a slap on the wrist! I only wish I could live to see it. To see the look of despair on your face as-"
"Well, you might get your chance." Cobb cut him off, his words giving Thed pause. "After all, you'll be living. You'll be kept breathing. N.D.Y. Not Dead Yet. Anything is possible so long as you're alive to see it done."
"...You're not here to kill us?" Llewellyn asked, and Cobb was pleased to hear the naked fear in his voice.
"It's been a cycle so far." Cobb spoke idly. "A Hacker dies, you send Hackers to kill us. Those Hackers die, you send more people to kill us. And when you send your people to kill my people for killing your people, we kill more of your people. It's a tiresome loop."
The Hackers simmered at being called 'tiresome'. Cobb could imagine how they longed to be free to kill him.
"So this time, we're going for a different approach. Instead of killing you, we're going to keep you alive. We have the power to keep you alive, and therefore the choice. There's nothing more you hate than hearing of a fallen sibling? Well, I'm gonna have to correct you on that point. There's something you hate even more." The Hackers looked confused and scared. "You hate the common Crafter. You loathe our mere presence, or that you're forced to breathe the same air as us. Your superior-than-thou attitude as you consider us beneath you. Mere insects to be exterminated. Well, these same insects are now keeping you alive, and I bet it just tears you up inside."
"While you're in this prison, we won't torture you. We won't hurt you or starve you. We won't abuse you or lord over you with our power. No, we'll do something worse: We'll take care of you." Cobb smirked as he saw a flash of revulsion cross the Hackers' faces. "You'll have your own personal attendants - the filthy Crafters you'd normally never stand to be in the same room with - to feed you, give you water, bathe you, wipe your ass, tuck you in when you sleep. You'll be entirely dependent on us to do everything for you. Here, you have no power. Paralyzed and blind as you are, we're the only ones who can care for you. The same Crafters you felt beneath you suddenly have you at their mercy. Quite the reversal, wouldn't you agree? If nothing else, this should humble you quite nicely."
"You filthy fuck!" Hannah screeched.
"I'll have you know I showered yesterday."
"When I get out of here-"
"You'll do something unspeakably horrible to me and my friends, I'm sure." Cobb disregarded carelessly. "Or do you think the Endward Cult will come rescue you?"
"They're no allies of ours!" Thed was spitting in fury.
"Yeah, right. How else could you know to call me the Darker Billionth?" Cobb kept winding them up. "I bet you guys are thick as thieves with the cultists."
"We're using them, not the other way around!" Hannah snapped, her smoke billowing out of her eyes. "That man thinks he can trick us with a so-called partnership like he's tricked so many others, but he's as duplicitous as a snake, I can tell. He can't trick us like he's hoodwinked Exter-"
"What about Exter?" Cobb asked quickly. Too quickly. It was Thed who caught on first.
"Wouldn't you like to know? We may not be allies, but we still stand to gain by withholding what we know." He gave a vicious smile. "You'll be in for a surprise."
"Who's the duplicitous man who approached you about me? Was it an Executive?"
Following his lead, Hannah and Llewellyn kept their mouths shut. Cobb wouldn't be getting anything else out of them today. At least he was able to verify there'd been a meeting between the Hack Clan and the Endward Cult, as well as confirm that his theory about Exter's involvement was correct. Whoever this duplicitous man was that approached the Hackers, he was clearly high up. The Hackers thought themselves using the cultists, but it was more likely they were both using each other. The start of an alliance, if nothing else.
"Enjoy your victory over us while you can, insect." Thed swore. "Because after 303 is done with you, we'll have the last laugh."
"Big talk from the guy who begged for his life. I know there are Crafters who did the same to you before you stamped them out like bugs." Cobb spoke coldly. "You aren't invincible, and you sure as hell aren't innocent. Maybe your time in here will make you see that."
Seeing as there was no point interrogating them further, Cobb went back the way he came across the bridge and into the viewing room where they would not be overheard.
"Sorry." Cobb apologized to Jillian. "I showed too much interest in Exter. Made them clam up."
"You did fine, and that's not just empty praise." Jillian assured with a light smile. She had been on the walkway, silent and attentive, the Hackers never knowing she was there. "We now know for sure the Endward Cult met with the Hack Clan, and I'm willing to bet this 'duplicitous man' they referenced is none other than the west's Executive."
"You caught that they know about Bounty Days?"
"Yes."
"Then they'll know, won't they?" Cobb asked with the same resigned acceptance reserved for knowing a hurricane was about to hit. "They'll know a Hacker died next Bounty Day. They'll guess it was one of the four sent here."
"Yes."
Jillian was appearing calm for the sake of the Paragons behind her, but Cobb could see a quiver in her light blue eyes. Vivlio Zythopoiias or not, she was facing the prospect of more Hackers. Some of the citizens - nearly six-hundred, according to Team Delta's estimate - were already fleeing Nitebane after her announcement. That left them with twenty-two-hundred citizens and five-hundred Paragons - a respectable force, but a smaller one all the same.
"I'll be sticking around a while longer." Cobb decided, the words making Jillian visibly relax. "I got to show Captain Attila about those _. Then there's those enchantments you promised me, the totem harvesting I should oversee, testing exactly what my new tridents can do. Lots to keep me busy here in Nitebane." Cobb added casually. "Oak Docks can wait."
"...Having you here is an inexpressible comfort, Cobb." Jillian smiled.
"Well I have to be, don't I? You made me out to be some shimmering evil-vanquishing beacon to rally behind." Her announcement did away with his wanted status at the cost of twenty percent of her citizens. He had to offset her losses after she held up her end of the bargain.
"I told the truth today. Nothing more, and certainly nothing like how a politician should be." She sighed wearily. "Honesty doesn't suit me."
"Those Zeppil guys liked you."
"Oh, joy. My former kingdom likes me. Much wow."
"Don't buckle now, alright? You're not on your own. You'll have Baltic and Z7 and me to help out." Cobb reassured her. "We got a few days until the Hackers realize what happened. Unless, you know, the Endward Cult blabs on us first." He shook his head. "Whatever. Why don't we get some rest? It's been an exhausting day. We can start shoring up our defenses tomorrow."
"I'll take you up on that. I just need to report what we learned from those Hackers to Carys. See if she has any insights to offer."
[Lazuli: Northwestern Tundra]
"Ease up on that plate, ma'am."
"Got it." Executive Ember_Waves leaned back, her foot lifting off the wooden pressure plate under her instructor's commands. Flying an airship wasn't so difficult a task as she thought. It helped that the Asmodeus was made for ease of use. "That good?"
"Very good, ma'am." Her instructor, an old cultist from Zeppil, told her. He was her co-pilot, coaching her through flying the Asmodeus. She wanted to learn. Ember had hoped Jade would teach her, but...
This instructor was good. Not as good a flyer as the late Lieutenant Conway_Fors of the Southern Division, but passable all the same.
"We're nearing the drop zone, ma'am." Another cultist, an egghead intellectual, informed her. "You can start to ascend, now."
"Roger that." She saluted, acting like she wasn't the one in charge of this test. She pulled back one of the levers on the console and began to ascend.
"Easy! Easy." The flying instructor warned. "Don't move forward anymore. We're close to the Border, ma'am."
"Copy that."
Higher and higher she pushed the Asmodeus. The cold winds howled outside, the temperature within dropping and forcing Ember to bundle up her bolero jacket. She could see her breath it was so cold. The snowy tundra expanse below stretched for miles north, even though the Border prevented further passage. Ember could see the snow-capped mountains to the south, then the ice spikes and frozen lake to the east where Lazuli's capital lay. There were some villages dotted about, but nothing nearby.
It made for an acceptable test site, the Northwestern Tundra. It also wasn't that far a flight from the new Northern HQ.
"We've reached optimal elevation." The scientist informed her. He moved to the speaking tube along the wall and cleared his throat. "Safe elevation has been reached. Proceed to arm payload."
There was a garbled affirmative reply back before the cultists in the loading bay went to work. Ember knew they were arranging the soul sand and Wither Skeleton skulls she got from KillGore into the blueprint for the most destructive Mob in all of Minecraftia. The Executive held her finger over the bomb button of the console. Instead of dropping TNT, however, they had repurposed the bomb bays to drop something worse.
"Wither is ready, ma'am." The scientist relayed. "You may open the bomb bay doors and commence the test."
Ember nodded before pressing the button. There was a mechanical shift below, followed immediately by an ominous ringing and a dark purple bar of Health dropping out of sight while slowly filling up. Ember handed the controls over to her co-pilot and slid down the ladder into the loading bay. The bay doors were open, and the crew of cultists were all looking down, heedless of the cold winds, as they gazed at the flashing Wither dropping to the tundra. Ember watched it too. She watched it with a hungry gaze.
The explosion was muted this high up, but Ember and the cultists could see the devastation it wrought. From the crater, the Wither immediately started flying around and firing explosive skulls, perhaps sensing life hovering hundreds of meters overhead.
It never reached them, however, for it clipped the invisible barrier of the Border and died instantly. Its Nether Star landed in the snow outside the barrier while its EXP floated aimlessly on the ground.
The cultists breathed a sigh of relief that everything went to plan. The test was a success, and the Wither didn't get jammed up in the bomb bays. The Asmodeus was safe to airdrop Withers, now. At their elevation, they would be safe from the resulting fallout of the Wither's rampage. There was always the option of planting Withers and fleeing the blast radius with Nether Portals but airdropping them allowed for a mobility factor. The delicious irony that the Angel of Death's own airship - a gift from Zeppil for vanquishing the Southern Division twenty-five years ago - would now rain destruction upon Minecraftia was not lost on Ember. Poetic justice for GardenWalker.
"Flawless test run." Ember wore a satisfied smile as she returned to the ladder and climbed up. There were more Withers where that came from once KillGore's grinder was secured.
Now they just needed some targets.
Inventory (Cobb): 7 Obsidian, 1 Ender Chest, 44 Chorus Fruit, 26 Snowballs, 3 End Crystals, 1 Fishing Rod, 1 Fishing Rod, 1 Fishing Rod, 1 Trident [Riptide III, Unbreaking III], 1 Trident [Loyalty II, Channeling], 1 Diamond Cutlass, 1 Map {Minecraftia}, 1 Green Shulker Box {Pocket Box}
Green Shulker Box {Pocket Box}: 53 Eyes of Ender, 32 Blocks of Emerald, 8 Emeralds, 1 Lapis Lazuli, 64 Books, 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: 42]
Inventory (Lenz): 1 Chainmail Helmet, 1 Dragon Head, 1 Chainmail Chestplate, 1 Chainmail Leggings, 1 Chainmail Boots, 1 Iron Dagger, 9 Ender Pearls, 1 Bucket, 1 Compass, 1 Bow, 1 Bow [Infinity], 1 Crossbow, 1 Crossbow, 1 Crossbow, 1 Crossbow, 1 Crossbow, 1 Crossbow, 1 Crossbow, 1 Crossbow, 1 Crossbow, 42 Arrows, 1 Crafting Table, 1 Furnace, 62 Dark Oak Planks, 50 Chorus Fruit, 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}: 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 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, 62 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}
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 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}, 45 Cooked Cod, 54 Cooked Salmon, 56 Arrows, 16 Firework Rockets {Flight Duration: 1, Small Ball x 7, White x 7}, 16 Firework Rocket {Flight Duration: 1, Large Ball x 7, White x 7}, 1 Map {Paragon Minecraftia}, 1 Paper {Gold Citizenship Pass}
[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, 14 Torches, 9 Oak Wood Planks, 1 Cake, 1 Cake, 1 Cake, 38 Cookies, 62 Baked Potatoes, 2 Buckets, 1 Book {Citizenship Information}, 1 Paper {Gold Citizenship Pass}, 1 Purple Shulker Box {Pocket Box}
[EXP: 47]
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, 1 Shears, 2 Iron Ingots, 4 Steak, 2 Sticks, 29 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]
Inventory (Soul): 1 Diamond Axe [Sharpness V], 1 Iron Pickaxe, 62 Iron Ingots, 20 Flint, 12 Gold Ingots, 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, 34 White Wool, 61 Cobblestone, 32 Jungle Wood Planks, 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}
[EXP: 41]
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 Iron Helmet, 1 Diamond Chestplate, 1 Iron Leggings, 1 Iron Boots, 1 Iron Chestplate, 1 Iron Pickaxe, 60 Nether Warts, 20 Soul Sand, 1 Flint and Steel, 1 Shears, 10 Cobwebs, 1 Milk Bucket, 1 Water Bucket, 5 Buckets, 1 Bed, 1 Crafting Table, 1 Brewing Stand, 33 Glass Bottles, 4 Packed Ice, 1 Ender Chest, 16 Ender Pearls, 4 Ender Pearls, 3 Phantom Membranes, 61 Glowstone Dust, 29 Gunpowder, 18 Redstone Dust, 61 Blaze Powder, 62 Gold Nuggets, 61 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 Enchanted Golden Apple
[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}, 21 Cooked Chicken, 28 Apples, 1 Bow [Power I], 36 Arrows, 12 Ender Pearls, 1 Bed, 1 Crafting Table, 1 Furnace, 40 Torches, 31 Sand, 12 Cobblestone, 21 Oak Wood Planks, 1 Water 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: 37]
AN: Lot's going on as breaking news stretches across Minecraftia, and both sides gear for war.
Once again, I'm finding I write easier with third-person than I do first-person.
FAV. FOLLOW. REVIEW. FORUM. DISCORD. CHOCOLATE-DIPPED COOKIES.