My Craft

by OnTheCobb

Devoid of memory or purpose, a new Crafter is pushed forth into the unforgiving land of Minecraftia. Armed with nothing but his wits, he must…well…actually he's pretty witless. Hopefully he won't get killed in the first week. Hopefully.

231. Infantry

AN: Hope you're all having a Happy Easter. I'm planning on making some deviled eggs tomorrow for my family and friends. It's an Easter tradition. My dad loves them. But you don't want to hear about my personal life! You want to read the latest installment of this epic tale!

Can't wait for the Zelda Tears of the Kingdom game. Playing Hogwarts Legacy until then to keep me busy.

Enjoy.

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Disclaimer: I don't own Minecraft. If I did, I'd add chocolate bunnies.

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Chapter 231

Infantry

[Nitebane Cliffside]

On a small ledge under the shadow of Nitebane's rocky cliffs, a Nether Portal emerged from thin air and two figures stepped out before dropping off the portal's plinth and off the cliffs. One of them thought fast and choked down a Potion of Slow Falling, slowing his descent rapidly and giving his companion something to latch on to.

"Abyssmal!"

"Okay, so I was a little off. Sue me."

The two landed on a lower ledge and gave themselves a once over before confirming their surroundings. "I got us here, though. Just had the portal facing the wrong way. Happens to the best of us."

"We would've been Guardian bait if not for my potion." Lieutenant MarkAble complained while glancing at the treacherous waters below.

"We're here in once piece. That's all that matters." Abyssmal immediately turned his attention to the cliffs above. He could make out the rocky outcropping upon which Lunar Castle, Herobrine's old fortress, stood. "We're far below them, but these cliff paths are regularly patrolled. Douse us."

Mark wordlessly threw a Splash Potion of Invisibility at their feet while the two divulged themselves of their armor. Mark had stocked up on Invisibility Potions knowing full well he would have to stay unseen this deep into enemy territory.

"I recommend getting back up and hiding or destroying the portal." Abyssmal suggested. His invisible hand gave Mark's a map of Nitebane's capital. "You can get around with this. I won't be available to make you a return portal, so you'll have to improvise, unless you think you can make it back to the cliff portal."

"...Destroying it is the safer bet." Mark decided. "We have no idea how much the patrols remember from these trails. Building a rock wall to hide your portal could just raise alarms. There's also no way of masking the sound. Better to destroy it so they don't find it."

"You do have a plan for escaping, right?"

"It's times like these I wish I stole an extra pair of Wonder Wings." Mark lamented while looking at the steep drop that would have been perfect for gliding away. "I brought enough potions and equipment. I can slip away-"

He cut off when a shadow passed above. He and Abyssmal pressed themselves against the cliffs despite their invisibility. Above them, in the airspace around Lunar Castle, a small airship floated around, its hull casting a shadow on the Lieutenant and Executive before it passed.

The two made their way up the cliffs before reaching where their original portal had been. Abyssmal climbed up while Mark readied his diamond pickaxe to demolish it.

"I hope you know what you're doing." Abyssmal told his Lieutenant before entering the portal and being whisked away.

"Yeah, me too." Mark spoke to no one before he mined the first chunk of obsidian and destroyed the gateway forever. He then began to remove the rest of the frame in silence.

Once he was done, he renewed his invisibility with a fresh splash potion before climbing up the narrow cliff path to the capital.

---

[Lunar Castle: Throne Room]

A man wearing a light brown jacket over a dirty blue shirt, brown pants, and a black gambler hat was escorted into the throne room of Lunar Castle by no less than four diamond-clad Paragons. Seated in the throne was Queen Jillian, looking grave. The man was forced to his knees before her. Standing on either side of the room were rows of Paragons and Nitebane citizens (including Baltic, Z7, and Captain Attila). They were allowed entry since Jillian gave the citizens full access to the castle on the same day she exonerated Cobb and Floyd.

"Alfonso_Bialetti." Trenay announced from Jillian's right side. "You stand before this court accused of collaborating with Trishmegistus in attacking a community within Nitebane's territory, going back on sworn agreements made with the monarch in times of great need, and attempted regicide. How do you plead?"

Alfonso already looked dirty, but the former Bird of Prey looked even dirtier from his time in the castle's dungeons. This was to be the trial Jillian promised him. Even then, it came sooner than he expected. There was no arguing with the charges. Not when they were all true. The Mocha Snipe cast his eyes upward and glanced to the side where Lenzington was watching the proceedings while tucked away behind several bodies. The two archers shared a quick look before Alfonso answered the question.

"...Guilty."

"Let the record show that the defendant pleads 'guilty' for his aforementioned crimes." Trenay spoke aside to another Team Delta member who proceeded to jot everything down word for word. This really was like a courtroom. "I will now go into greater detail regarding the defendant's crimes for the sake of the public."

Alfonso shifted as he settled on his knees for what was sure to be a long, drawn-out speech.

"Alfonso_Bialetti, known more famously as the Mocha Snipe, was a Bird of Prey with a skill for Quickdrawing. After his old guild disbanded, he employed his skills hunting the odd bounty hunter until this year, when he learned of the Tragedy of Ringwood. Terrified by the power wielded by the Endward Cult, he sought protection at the side of fellow bounty hunter, Trishmegistus. He believed her possession of the Vivlio Zythopoiias would protect him from any cultist he ran afoul of. Because of this, the former Bird of Prey turned a blind eye to many of Trish's more underhanded habits, including the death and destruction of Rosses Point, a village within Nitebane's territory."

There were angry murmurs rising from the crowd. Jillian let them go uninterrupted until she silenced them with a rap of her sword handle on her throne like a gavel.

"Following this, Alfonso and Trish captured King_Cobb and brought him to Nitebane with the intent to turn him in. I will remind the court," Trenay spoke louder in response to the weary groans, "that King_Cobb was wrongly believed to be a cultist at the time and has since been cleared. Whether he was innocent or not at the time has no bearing on this case."

Cobb was irrelevant in more ways than one. The guy wasn't even present at the trial. He was too preoccupied by Carys' current plans to care for something that seemed so trivial.

Trenay continued. "Upon reaching Nitebane and being paid for Cobb's capture, Trish was approached with the idea of wielding her Vivlio Zythopoiias against the Hackers in the kingdom's defense. In return, she and Alfonso were promised an exorbitant amount of wealth and enchanted gear to better combat this threat. They agreed, and then tried to flee once they had been paid. Does the defendant have anything to contribute this far?"

Alfonso's mouth was dry. "I do." He muttered weakly. "First, I didn't kill a soul in Rosses Point. It was all Trish and the Raid she summoned. Second, I never wanted to defend Nitebane in the first place. If it were up to me, I would have refused her Highness' deal flat out. It was Trish who pretended to go along with it whilst fully prepared to cut and run."

"But as her companion, you made no move to stop her. Even tried to help her. That makes you complicit in her crimes, no?"

"...I have nothing to say about that." Alfonso backed down grudgingly.

"Then I shall continue." Trenay resumed. "Circling back to how Alfonso helped Trish. When he and Trish were confronted by Queen Jillian and her forces for cutting and running, they attacked and tried to kill the Queen. A battle ensued. A battle Alfonso took well part in. He aided in attempted regicide - a serious crime."

"Very serious." Queen Jillian echoed, her expression stone-faced.

"Thankfully, through the efforts of her loyal forces and one of Cobb's powerful guildmates," Lenz felt more than a few eyes on him, "Alfonso was apprehended and Trish was expelled. She is currently levitating a great yet inexact distance above Nitebane, primed to fall to her death once the effect wears off. We will consider her case closed in this regard. To aptly put it, the sword of justice will fall as soon as she does."

This drew more than a few amused snickers from the crowd.

"In Alfonso's defense," Trenay announced next. "There is fairly little to bring up, but the court will acknowledge he didn't kill a Paragon or citizen, though not for lack of trying. He's been cooperative and well-behaved throughout his imprisonment, and he provided vital information about the effect duration of the Vivlio Zythopoiias, which has been used to better anesthetize the captive Hackers.

The watching Paragons and citizens muttered grudgingly amongst themselves as they acknowledged what Alfonso has done. It wasn't enough to overturn the opinion of him, though. He was still a coward who hid behind Trish and the Vivlio Zythopoiias, and let the girl do whatever she pleased. He was complicit and afraid of the Endward Cult. He wasn't getting any sympathy from the Paragons.

"I believe I've heard enough from you, Trenay. Thank you." Queen Jillian dismissed the girl before addressing everyone listening. "If this was the entirety of his defense, I'd say this was an open and shut case, and I'd either imprison him for life or sentence him to death by burning."

Alfonso shivered at the thought.

"However, there is one more piece of evidence to present: a witness." Alfonso twitched in confusion. Somebody was taking the stand for him? He couldn't think of anyone. Was it Lenz? "I'd be remiss if I didn't let this particular witness say his piece. So, come up to the throne, Jorge."

There was a ripple from the rows of people on one side as a man with short, spiky black hair and a mustache stepped forward. His name was Jorge, and his appearance drew even more confusion from Alfonso.

"This is Jorge. A Paragon." Jillian began as she spoke to Alfonso. "Do you recognize him?"

"No." Alfonso answered truthfully. He couldn't place the man. "I don't know him."

"You ought to. He's the sole survivor of Rosses Point. The man you spotted but told to stay quiet while you diverted Trish elsewhere." Alfonso's eyes widened as he remembered. Jorge was the man he let get away. The man he spared from Trish's temper tantrum. "He just arrived today. Same day as your trial. Like it was fate. Jorge, tell the court what you saw."

"Trish called down a Raid on Roses Point. The Mobs were relentless and deadly, killing dozens of us and only relenting when the Testificates were all dead. Those of us still alive were left weak and unable to defend ourselves as Trishmegistus returned to finish the job. She inflicted wither effects to make us waste away into nothing. I only survived... because I hid. I'm not proud of it. I was scared." Jorge looked at the kneeling Alfonso. "He spotted me. I thought he would tell Trish, but instead he told me to be quiet while he kept her from finding me. I would have died if not for his efforts. I'm just here to return the favor. He's still scum, but he doesn't deserve the death penalty."

"Well said." Queen Jillian nodded before dismissing Jorge. "I was already informed of this by several sources. Alfonso_Bialetti never killed a Paragon, but he did save one. There's no innocent blood on his hands, at least where we're concerned. The death penalty is too harsh, but there should be a punishment for being an accessory to Trish. As Nitebane needs all the able fighters it can get, I have two choices for Alfonso's sentence. He can either serve a life sentence in prison, or eighty years as a pseudo Captain - a Captain in skill and name only and with zero authority - under stringent supervision from the Paragons. One mistake out of line and he will be stripped of this pseudo title and placed in life imprisonment for the rest of his sentence. These are the two options, and the gathered citizens and Paragons will vote on which they would prefer. I shall defer to the jury's judgement in this matter. I only ask that you consider what is best for Nitebane."

The listening citizens showed surprise at being given the choice like this. Usually, it would be up to the monarch to pass judgement, especially in a matter of attempted regicide. However, Jillian was leaving the ball in the people's court, so to speak. It was likely because she didn't want to seem a forceful dictator after only just giving the citizens more say in Nitebane's politics.

Alfonso, for his part, was breathing easier knowing the death penalty was off the table. In the end, his sentence came down to making amends either inside a cell or outside of one. He knew which one he'd choose if he could, but what were the odds that Nitebane's citizens would give him that chance? His defense, after all, had been pretty barebones.

The Mocha Snipe spared a glance at Jorge as the Paragon resolutely refused to meet his eyes. Then he looked to Lenz, the archer who triumphed over him, yet looked anxious on Alfonso's behalf. He shouldn't have cared for an old foe that tried to kill him.

There was a brief respite in which the Paragons and citizens muttered amongst themselves. Decisions were reached, and Jillian formally began the vote.

"All in favor of life imprisonment?"

Hands started to rise on either side of the kneeling Bird of Prey. Alfonso tried to count them all but lost his place several times owing to nerves and new hands being raised. Jillian's eyes swept over them all, counting without difficulty. The hands lowered only when the queen proceeded to the next vote.

"All in favor of pseudo Captain status?"

Once more, hands started to rise. Too many for Alfonso to count, and far more than he deserved. About half? More than half? He couldn't tell, but the citizens and Paragons seemed fairly split. Both Lenz and Jorge had theirs raised in Alfonso's defense. At once, Jillian banged her sword like a gavel to announce the voting was over.

"Eighty years. Pseudo Captain. Case closed."

It was the final bang of her sword on her throne that made Alfonso sag with relief. They only voted for this because they saw it as a waste to imprison a talented archer when he could otherwise be defending Nitebane, but he didn't care. He was just happy not to be cooped up in a cell for the rest of his life. So what if he was trading one wielder of the Vivlio Zythopoiias for another. He'd do whatever Jillian and the Paragons said if it meant his freedom. He'd show them his gratitude.

The sun had never felt brighter than when it kissed his face as he walked out of Lunar Castle.

---

[Lunar Castle: Hospital Wing]

Luis felt a warm body beside his. He blinked his eyes open to find the pretty eyes of Heather staring an inch from his own.

"Morning."

"It's afternoon." Heather fired back pleasantly. "Alfonso's trial is over."

"I missed the trial?"

"I figured I'd let you sleep in for once. You didn't miss much. Jillian's making him a pseudo Captain."

"After all he did attacking us on the bridge?" Luis made to sit up only to wince as he put pressure on one side. Heather zeroed in on it like a hawk.

"How's the foot?"

Luis' foot, like Cobb's pec, cheek, and arm, had been seared black by Thed's Nuker sphere. He wasn't the only one, as many Paragons and citizens, including Shroud and Dwight, got caught up in the attack. Those fully encompassed by the large black sphere were dead. Those partially encompassed were now sporting painful parts and limbs marked by tight, raw, charred skin.

For Luis, having an injured leg was more debilitating than an arm or back. The first few days after the injury, the pain alone made him unable to walk and left him bedridden in the castle's hospital wing. He had recovered to the point of being able to limp, but he was still getting used to the injured foot. He needed more time before he was cleared for combat, even if he was only shooting with a bow. Heather had been caring for him in that time.

"Foot's good." Luis lied.

"Then dance on it." Heather shot back flatly.

"..."

"Well?"

"Foot's bad."

"There we go." Heather reached down on her side of the bed and pulled up some cooked salmon and sweet berries. "Here. Witige said salmon and berries are good for injuries." She handed them over along with a bottle of water. Luis thanked her before eating ravenously. "You know, lying about your injury doesn't make me feel any better about what happened. So don't."

Luis wiped his mouth and swallowed before speaking. "You won't hear me blaming you if that's what you're expecting."

Heather tightened her hold on the sheets. "You only got hit because you pushed me out of the way." She stared down at the bed. "I was struck dumb by that approaching sphere and everyone getting consumed - it was gonna swallow me too if you hadn't-"

"I pushed you out of the way because your face is too pretty to be scarred." Luis told her suavely. He lifted a hand up to rest on her soft, unblemished face. "Whenever I see you, I forget all about the pain in my foot."

Heather snorted, her eyes misty. "You're such a sap."

"Yes, I am." He agreed with a bracing smile. "I'm glad I was here for that, though. Wing was right for trading spots with me. I would have hated to hear something happened to you while I was in Oak Docks. Don't blame yourself. I saved you and this is my badge of honor. I don't care if I'll have this pain for the rest of my life... so long as you're there too."

And then the two were embracing. Kissing. Feeling one another's warmth.

"Owowow! Watch the foot!" Luis hissed as Heather rolled onto it.

"I thought the sight of me was enough to make you forget the pain." Heather teased with a wry grin. She lifted one leg over Luis' hips, careful of his foot, and settled herself on top, mounting him. "Maybe you just need more of an eyeful." She willed off the first layer of her clothes, the motes of light highlighting her lustful eyes.

Luis gulped nervously, afraid that saying the wrong thing would stop this from unfolding.

"Still hurts?" Heather asked as she willed off another piece of clothing. "How about now?"

The pain of Luis' foot, as well as coherent thought, were quickly forgotten. "I-I-I... u-uh..."

"No? Hmm. The sight of me isn't enough. Maybe the feel of me would be more therapeutic." Heather suggested seductively as she lowered and rubbed herself against her man. Luis' hands found Heather's bare hips and squeezed. Heather let out a fluttering moan, her eyes ecstatic and eager. "Still hurts? Or maybe another part of you hurts more? Lay back and let me take care of it."

As the two got into it, an unfortunate Dwight passed by the hospital wing entrance and caught a glimpse of the couple's intimate romp, mid-insertion. He recoiled away from the door with a scarlet face, his lips and eyes sealed shut.

And now I need brain bleach. He thought to himself before fleeing the scene. Next time you get a room, don't make it a public room!

---

[Lenz]

After the trial was over, and Alfonso was spared life imprisonment, I went to the castle courtyard with Z7 and Trenay to get some Quickdraw training in. I demonstrated the Volition Repeater move I had used against Alfonso, firing so many crossbows and rockets that people complained about the noise. Volition Repeater was kind of like a special move for me, owing to its destructive power. It would not beat a Hacker with Regen, but it would decimate any Crafter no matter what armor they had on. Nine max damage rockets would do that.

I also got to test some new enchantments Jillian gifted me. I put them on a few crossbows and found that each one had its use. Piercing upped the damage and enabled my arrows to go through foes without sticking. Multishot let me fire three arrows in a wave at once, useful for widespread enemies. Gunnah had used the same enchantment, and I was happy to find it tripled firework rockets the same way. I also put some major upgrades on a spare bow, empowering it with Flame I, Power IV, Punch II, and Unbreaking III. My light chainmail armor got a similar upgrade to boost my defense.

These were just a few of the perks we enjoyed with Nitebane as an ally. Cobb upgraded his gear too.

And yet, I had to wonder if it would be enough when the Hack Clan came around. This was not just a handful of Hackers; we were expecting the whole clan to show up on Nitebane's doorstep. If they were not stopped by the hostages, Nitebane would face oblivion. That had to be why Jillian gave Alfonso a second chance. He never would have had that if I had not given him a second chance first.

Speaking of the Mocha Snipe, I spotted him approaching in his old armor and wielding his own crossbows. The only difference was that he had a pair of Paragons escorting him. This must have been the strict supervision Jillian mentioned. He was allowed his gear, but only under watchful eyes. His eyes lit up in recognition as he waved to me and ambled over.

"Lenzington! Or... should I call you the Gray Eagle? Well, whatever you are, I owe you for saving me."

"You owe Jillian and the people of Nitebane more for giving you this chance." I told him seriously. "I was rescued like you, and I like to think I repay that kindness every day being a Beginner. Do not squander this opportunity."

"I don't plan to. I'm terrified of facing the Endward Cult," he shivered noticeably, "but being surrounded by so many strong allies makes me feel safer. Like we can actually stand against them."

"We will stand against them." I reassured. Z7 and Trenay nodded beside me. "With everyone working together, how can we lose?"

"Still, a little something extra can't hurt." Alfonso held up his dual crossbows. "Here. Why don't you try 'em out?"

I stared apprehensively at the pair of weapons. An archer's bow was something special. Something you trusted your life with. You did not just let other people hold onto it or wield it. These crossbows were clearly well kept and taken care of. They shone with enchantments, and I had been on the receiving end of them a fair few times to know how powerful they were.

Gingerly, I picked up both crossbows and stared down their sights. They were preloaded and ready to fire.

"Go ahead. Try 'em out."

"...What is the purpose of this?"

"Just get a feel for them, alright?"

Shrugging, I directed them at the armor stands made into training dummies and fired. The two arrows found their marks where the dummy's eyes would be. Nothing distinguished happened with the arrows.

"Now try reloading." Alfonso suggested.

I did as he asked, though I found it was much easier pulling back the mechanism. The string was more loose? The mechanism was less cumbersome? Normally, I needed both hands free to yank the string back into place. I noticed the enchantment.

"Quick Charge III. That is the secret behind your reloading speed." I deduced. It was a crossbow enchantment that drastically reduced the reload time. A fitting enchantment for the Mocha Snipe and his Quickdraw skills.

"That's right. The Quick Charge enchantment upped my fire rate like you wouldn't believe. It's why I invested so much EXP getting it to third tier." Alfonso remarked fondly. "And now it belongs to you."

I blinked in confusion. "What? No. I cannot take these. These are your weapons-"

"They were my weapons. Now they're yours. You were the better archer." He praised humbly. "My undefeated record was broken by your bow skills. That Volition Repeater - I never seen nothing like it. So, since I'm turning over a new leaf as it were, I figure now is as good a time as any to start over. I'll build my skills back up from the basics with a new set of bows. I'll let you hang on to those bows for now, but one day, I'll challenge you again and win them back. That's how Birds of Prey duel for their honor."

I felt flattered by such words, but I honestly had no idea what to do with the additional crossbows. Their low reload time was an improvement, but I already had nine other crossbows to juggle. I preferred original bows anyway since they were more familiar. His treasured weapons would likely end up in my Pocket Box gathering dust. However, Alfonso gave me no room to refuse.

"I shall hold them, then, and use them often." I accepted while internally preserving space for them in my ender chest. "And I eagerly await your... er... challenge."

"Look forward to it." Alfonso extended his hand and the two of us shook firmly. Z7 and Trenay peeked over my shoulders to watch the exchange before the Mocha Snipe backed up, tipped his hat in farewell, and left with his escorts, presumably to begin his work as a pseudo Captain. He definitely had his work cut out for him.

"(You're pretty soft saving him.)" Z7 prodded at my side with a finger, making me wriggle. "(Carys would've let him float off like a free balloon.)"

"(Sparing people can change people. It did for me.)" I replied back in Jibberish. "(If an essay is wrong, you edit it. You do not delete it entirely like Carys is wont to do. No one knows that better than Nowhere. Besides, Alfonso was one of Mastah Veronica's guildmates. I am sure she would have saved him too, if she were here.)"

"Can one of you talk normal, please? I'm third-wheeling it over here." Trenay complained.

"Apologies." I chuckled sheepishly. "Shall we resume where we left off?" I asked, first in common, then in Jibberish.

"(First, a joke break. To lighten the mood.)" Z7 declared dramatically before reversing her dagger and using it like a microphone. "(Mic check, mic check. One, two. One, two-)"

"(Really? Now?)"

"(Of course now. Getting blinded recently has opened my eyes to the possibility of blind jokes. Can't have my material get stale, and I could use your feedback. Be a dear and translate them for Trenay, won't you?)"

"(Are blind jokes not horribly insensitive and offensive to those who have lost-)"

Z7 made a loud spectacle of clearing her throat to interrupt me before she spoke her jokes into the 'mic'.

"(A blind man walks into a bar. And a chair. And a table. And the counter.)"

I groaned audibly.

"(That bad? Yeah, that's a low hanging fruit.)"

"What is she saying?" Trenay asked.

"(Don't tell her that one!)" Z7 blurted out before I opened my mouth. "(This next one is better. Ahem. What's the worst thing you could do to a blind person?)" She allowed a beat of silence for me to translate before delivering the punchline. "(Leave the plunger in the toilet.)"

I felt that joke in my sitting muscle, but it still had me chuckling despite the insensitive topic. I translated for Trenay, earning a giggle that Z7 fixated upon with a hungry eagerness. Other people were enjoying her jokes.

The jokes came faster, then. Some hit, most miss, and all tasteless. It was painful and mortifying having to translate for Trenay. Even more so when an audience started to gather in the courtyard. I just wanted the ground to swallow me up then and there.

Z7 seemed immune to the humiliation her bad jokes caused as she focused more on the reaction from her good ones. She also reveled in my mortification, and of the crowd she drew in. A beaming smile split her face when she elicited a roar of laughter from the growing crowd. She was positively giddy by the time it was over. I never saw her happier.

"(Thank you! Thank you! You've all been a lovely audience! I'll be here all week, unless, of course, the Hackers don't leave us alive for an all week!)"

I wisely chose not to translate that last bit. Bad for morale.

---

[Soul]

The airship we had sucked.

"This airship is ass!" I put words to my thoughts. I was stuffed in a corner between Noman and Floyd with Cat-Face and Christopher Squawken resting respectively on my lap and shoulder. Beside me, Noman didn't comment on my crude language. He just say there, listless.

"It's too cramped!" I pushed my elbow into Floyd's face to punctuate this point. "There's nothing to do! It's an ugly, unappealing mess, it's cold as tits, and it smells like mailman!"

"Yeah, I'm getting bored rifling through people's mail." Anibal commented from Noman's other side. The dark-skinned girl was flicking through pages of books in the stacks of chests that deprived us of our already limited space. "On a side note, VincentMerimeer is having a thriving pottery business and wishes his friend would visit soon, and Aurora_Ko is hoping Tom_Weltner will pop the question soon and sweep her off her feet. You know, I hope he does."

"We are slowly losing our minds!"

"Can't lose what you never had." Carys quipped from near the cockpit. The snow fox Shiroyuki was curled on her neck like a fluffy, white scarf. Surprisingly, she permitted the creature to lounge on her.

"Keep it down back there!" Ciro called from the controls, having heard everything. "What were you expecting? This is no cruise-liner; it's mail delivery! This thing wasn't built to hold ten people comfortably."

"If you're so cramped, take it to the roof like Albert. Spares us your bitching and a bit more elbow room." Carys insulted.

"It's even colder out there! I thought savannahs were meant to be warm!"

We had crossed from the Lacquerlands into the savannah earlier that day. The air was drier and the temperature warmer, but only in the day. At night, we had winds buffeting the ship and only the furnace engines to keep us warm. It wasn't as cold as the nights in the desert or Lacquerlands, but it was still pretty lousy. It was like this ship had never been insulated.

"We really took the Asmodeus for granted, eh?" Floyd commented trying to rub warmth into his shoulders.

"Again. I liked that ship." Anibal added sourly. Carys and a few other Paragons were shooting us death glares.

"Got an ETA for us, Ciro?" Carys called into the cockpit.

"Based on the map," he spoke slowly, "I'd say tomorrow night. Or the morning the day after."

"Hm. The Hacker was killed in the afternoon..." Carys thought aloud, a hand stroking Shiroyuki behind the ears. The fox yipped affectionately. "Tomorrow is the 3rd. They'll know about Rrhys before we get there. Assuming they set off immediately... no, we'll still need to send people in to do some scouting..."

She continued to mutter to herself as she considered her options. The invasion was on her mind, but I was more excited by the imminent Bounty Day. New things would be incorporated into the world tomorrow. Past Bounty Days added so much.

"Whatcha writing, bossman?" Dyson asked of Kal. The Hacker was sat on Floyd's other side, a book in hand and a quill furiously scratching stuff down.

"I'm doing something productive while we're crammed like sardines. I'm jotting down the Hackers we're likely to encounter." We all perked up in interest. Even Noman seemed to come out of his haze to pay attention. "It's been a while, and their Hacks have likely changed, but I'm putting as much detail about my old siblings as I can remember. Appearances, powers, personalities, names. It's like a Hack Clan cheat sheet."

"Good thinking, Kal." Carys praised. "With that, we stand a better chance against any lingering Hackers."

"That's what I was thinking. The problem is, it's been a while." He scratched his head and tapped his chin with his quill. "303 and Null are impossible to forget, but there are a lot of names that escape me. Let's see... Giovanni, Xavier, Quentin, Serafina... who else...?"

Floyd shifted beside me as he leaned over to Kal. "You know, in Nitebane, I remember we saw a Hacker who could jump high and phase through walls. You got him in there?"

Kal's eyes snapped open. "Espen! Right! God, I forgot all about him." He chuckled to himself as he added the name.

Floyd took note of his Hacks. Espen was a Level 5. "Phase, Strength, Regen... Bunnyhop? That's its name?"

"Hey, I didn't choose it."

"And AntiKnockback. That works like it sounds?"

"Yes. Espen can make himself immune to Knockback, just like how Rrhys could make himself immune to potions." Kal explained. "Ciro's Destierro del Palillo will be useless against this man. It would be a poor matchup if he's planning on banishing him towards the Border."

"I'll bear that in mind." Ciro answered, having overheard everything. "Tell us more about Serafina and Giovanni - the artifact holders."

Made sense he was fixated of them. Ciro and his one-track mind.

"Sure thing. I actually have a bit of a story about them. Passed down from generation to generation." Kal reminisced. Everyone leaned forward to listen except Noman.

"When the Hack Clan was forewarned about the kings and their artifacts, forces were split to go after them. Giovanni went to Oak Docks with Serafina and two others and secured the Arcticum Arma, but not before C418 froze one of them. Turned them into a Hackcicle."

"Well, Serafina didn't like that. She's like Hannah - a motherly or big-sisterly type who's fiercely protective of her little babies. She demanded to know how to reverse the petrification of her younger sibling, and she kept C418 on the brink of death until he revealed what he knew. The only way to undo ice was with fire. The Stivali Magma in Lazuli."

"By that time, a handful of Hackers had returned home from Lazuli, swathed in colorful, ever-changing, eternal flame. They couldn't be put out with water, and their Regen was the only thing keeping them alive. With Arcticum Arma in hand, they extinguished their burning siblings, but the frozen one was still stuck. Without the Stivali Magma, there was nothing they could do, and their sibling was too fragile to leave unattended."

"So, Serafina channeled her inner fire, and awakened a new Hack uncreatively named-"

"AntiFire?" Floyd guessed.

"Who's telling the story here?"

"Sorry. Please continue."

"...AntiFire." Kal echoed lamely. "Using that Hack, she was able to venture to Lazuli, ignore the flames, and kill Ferriday, securing the Stivali Magma to restore her sibling. Afterward, she claimed the Stivali Magma for herself as a trophy. Giovanni laid claim to the Arcticum Arma."

"So Serafina has AntiFire. What else?"

"Regen and Strength and Spider - which lets her walk on walls and ceilings. She's only a Level 4. Unless she gained some new ones since I last saw her..."

"What about Giovanni?" Anibal chipped in. She likely wanted to take him out to secure his artifact.

"I remember that sadistic fuck's Hacks." I growled. The humiliation of having to lick his boots clean was still fresh in my mind. And let's not forget what he did to Captain Obsidian. "He had Flight and Strength. Probably Regen too, right?"

"Most Hackers have Strength and some form of Regen or Invulnerability." Kal nodded. "And you're right about Giovanni. He is sadistic. He kept frozen Crafters in his room like trophies, or else left them on the outskirts of the Obelisk as a warning. I already told you he thrives on humiliating his victims before killing them. You're lucky to have crossed his path and survived to tell the tale."

"I sure didn't feel lucky at the time." I scowled with folded arms. Cat-Face rubbed itself on me as a show of comfort.

"He was also Sandra's lover-"

"I reiterate. Ew."

"-so he's probably still mourning. Since Floyd finished her off-"

"-with my help-"

"-he'll hold a grudge. Maybe you could use that? Make him mad and stupid." Kal suggested to Floyd, who was contemplative. "Hacks are tied to emotions. Mess with them and you'll mess with his powers."

"So Giovanni is a Level 3?"

"Level 4. He has a Hack that makes him immune to fall damage, called-"

"AntiFall?" Floyd guessed with a smirk.

"Actually no, presumptuous smartass. It's called NoFall, which makes him immune to fall damage. Often times, he would just shut off his Flight and dive-bomb into a superhero landing. No broken legs. Not even a scratch of damage."

"Well now I'm just lost on Hack naming conventions." Floyd mumbled.

"Serafina is immune to fire, Espen is immune to Knockback, Giovanni is immune to fall damage. Why can't there be a Hacker who's just mune to everything?" Stayer questioned hysterically.

"If you're asking for vulnerable Hackers, I expect there'll be a fair few of them. The Hackers have Exter looking high and low for lost siblings. If they've been brought to the Obelisk, their powers are probably still in adolescence." Carys noted. "No Strength or Regen. They'll make excellent targets to draw away the senior Hackers."

Noman's fists clenched tight against his suit sleeves.

"Why are we talking about targeting the lost ones?" Floyd argued. "What if they're like Pheodora and don't want to be there? Would you be fine killing an innocent Hacker?"

"I'm fine with splitting the Hackers' focus." Carys clarified. "I have no problem using them as a distraction if it suits our needs."

"I'm with Carys on this one." Ciro called from the cockpit. "We could use them as hostages. That way we can take the artifacts without a fight. You're all for that, right Noman?"

"...So now you want my opinion?" Noman growled sullenly. "Now you want my say?"

"You gonna pull a face the whole trip, Notaman? Moping like a petulant baby? How inspiring." Carys drawled sarcastically. "How about you do something useful and familiarize us with what the Stivali Magma can do?"

Noman held Carys' mocking gaze for a long, uneasy minute before withdrawing his Artifact List and flicking open the pages. His voice was emotionless and flat as he read aloud.

[Stivali Magma]

For Ferriday and the kingdom of artisans, I crafted an artifact equal parts art and weapon. The Stivali Magma is a pair of molten boots that dispels the chilling cold of Lazuli's tundra and can summon beautiful, eternal fire that change colors depending on the time of day.

It seemed appropriate for a region of ice and snow to have an artifact that can summon fire. The flames have a rich palette of colors that no artist can resist.

The Stivali Magma has the following effects:

-Fires out a stream of flames whenever kicking out with it. The flames cannot be extinguished by water or rain and are eternal.

-The wielder will be impervious to the cold while wearing the boots. Also impervious to lava and fire damage in the same way as drinking a Potion of Fire Resistance.

-Any flames summoned by the Stivali Magma will change colors depending on the time of day it is. The corresponding times and colors are as follows:

-Dawn: Pink

-Morning: Red

-Noon: Orange

-Afternoon: Yellow

-Dusk: Green

-Evening: Cyan

-Midnight: Blue

-Night: Purple

Appearance: Golden boots with the name Stivali Magma.

Weakness: The flames created from the boots will spread across flammable surfaces and burn indefinitely. Only the ice of the Arcticum Arma can put out the multi-colored flames, just as the Stivali Magma is the only force to thaw the eternal ice. They counter each other.

Fire Resistance can offer protection from the flames for as long as the effect lasts. Alternatively, since the artifacts and their effects don't work in any other dimension, a quick dip into the Nether - ironically the realm of lava and flames - can put oneself out. As for the artifact wielder, attack at a distance. Avoid flames.

Location: Lazuli

"The fire resistance is just redundant in Serafina's hands - or feet." Dyson remarked.

"The color changing fire sounds pretty cool, though." Anibal admired. "Can you imagine shooting out jets of blue flame, like burners? So cool - no, hot."

"It'd be visually stunning." Stayer agreed while Noman stowed the book away. "Green or purple fire is impossible to imagine without witnessing it firsthand."

It wasn't such a pretty sight in Akasha when the Crafters and buildings were wreathed in yellow flames. I could remember how those flames spread from some singular source. Serafina had been there that day.

"The fires are useful," Ciro called from the cockpit, "but laying my dibs on an artifact, I think I'm leaning more towards the Arcticum Arma. It sounds more useful in ending a fight early. Would take too long for a Lieutenant or Executive to burn to death."

Again, Noman's fists clenched tight against his suit sleeves.

"Let's not talk about such topics. You know how Noman feels." Anibal of all people rushed to the pacifist's defense. It struck me as odd until I noticed her scoot closer on Noman's opposite side when we were already cramped. "I'm sorry for how things have gotten, Noman. I may have expressed my interest in the Severe Shield, but I would never take it away from you like what happened. I swear on my honor that I will return it once this mission is over. It is rightfully yours. Until then, however, you must understand why this had to happen." She started massaging his shoulders comfortingly and being overly familiar with him. My eyes narrowed. She was after something.

"We're robbing the Hack Clan. Those Hackers are bound to fight back - you know that. Carys is just taking preventative measures so that none of our side gets put in any danger. That's all." She shifted from rubbing his shoulders to rubbing his neck. "Like you said, all life is precious. Or are our lives less precious than theirs?"

Instead of relaxing into the massage, Noman tensed up and grimaced. He leaned out of Anibal's hold in a show that she should stop. Floyd and I watched the exchange - everybody was watching the exchange - hoping it was over.

It wasn't.

"We're allies, right? Our lives have to mean more than some random Hackers who've probably killed dozens of Crafters for petty reasons. Cultists and Hackers. Who shows a more callous disregard for life than those guys? There has to be something in Aikido that excuses the taking of-"

"There isn't." Noman growled uncharacteristically. "All life is precious. Even the most evil person."

"W-Well, uh..." Anibal was stymied by Noman's flat refusal. No doubt she was hoping to use sound reason to change his mind, not expecting such mulish stubbornness. She switched track immediately. "Noman. Buddy. Carys just values the lives of her allies more than her enemies. She can't afford to go sparing everyone. She's just spreading the artifacts out so we have more room to work with. Now, if I had claim to a different artifact," she hinted at, "Carys might be less inclined to loan me yours. And, anyway, you can't wear two pairs of boots at once, so why not-?"

"I see what you're trying to pull!" I leaned over from Noman's other side, squishing him and making Anibal recoil. "You're trying to get a leg up on the artifact! Cozying up to a guy you don't even like!"

"Th-That's not true! I respect Noman." Anibal tried to sound offended and genuine. "He may blabber on about Aikido, but at least he's willing to risk himself to uphold it. He puts his life at risk before others'. He wouldn't have to, for me, if I had an artifact."

"If anyone deserves that artifact, it ought to be me!" I argued, squeezing closer to Noman's side. "I'm the weakest of the Beginners! Come on, Noman, you know I'm right. Lenz is great at archery, but what do I got? My animal friends?"

"Raaawk! You unfaithful wretch!"

"Don't be like that! I love you guys!" I whispered to Cat-Face and Squawken before going back to Noman. "Everyone's getting stronger but me. I need the Stivali Magma to keep up with everybody."

"You mean you're just not putting in enough effort!" Anibal mocked, hemming Noman in from his other side. We were both leaning against him as we fought for the artifact claim. "Think about it, Noman. Does it make sense giving an artifact to a guy who doesn't deserve it? Look at him! He'd burn himself and those around him. That's just how reckless he is! Now, if you'd give it to me, I'd wield it responsibly-"

"Haven't I been a good friend, Noman?" I appealed. "I feel inadequate as I am. I need that artifact to stand by the rest of you. Besides, I'm the weakest here. Weaker than Anibal - you've seen the results of our spars-"

"If he gives it to you, then I become the weakest!" Anibal argued back, her body pushing tighter against the shaking Noman. "You're used to the bottom! Why should I get shafted because I trained more than you?"

"You Paragons were already gifted an artifact! The Stivali Magma should be for the Beginners! It should be mine!"

"No, it should be - ARGH! CLAWS IN EYEBALLS!" Anibal screeched as Cat-Face was thrown at her face, claws-first.

"Yeah, get her Cat-Face!" I cheered.

Suddenly, both Anibal and I fell forward as the person we were leaning on suddenly squeezed out from between us. Noman stood with his head hunched over and fists clenched. He was trembling with barely restrained anger.

"Neither of you care." He whispered. "You're fighting over the artifact like it's a piece of meat from a corpse. You're already assured of the outcome. To you, their death is a forgone conclusion. Meanwhile, I'm struggling on how to save them."

He glared around the room, though his eyes held particularly on Carys.

"You don't care. None of you care about the position I'm in! Disregarding my Aikido ideals - taking Winslow's life - is what led to Akasha's ruin! Who'll have to pay this time!?"

He turned on Anibal. "Your home kingdom is gone, and you can't even shed a tear! Whatever bad experiences you had there, a whole kingdom of people you shared a home with have been extinguished! And you speak as if you regret being handed an instrument of death, when now, you're doing your best to be granted another one! Don't speak of my beliefs as if you care!"

"And you!" Unexpectedly, he turned on me. "You haven't been a good friend! A good friend would respect my beliefs, maybe even defend them, but all I see and hear from you is pity! You feel sorry for me, like I'm wrong or deluded for sparing lives! You pity me because I'm stuck on a team of killers led by the biggest killer of them all!"

"Get off your high horse!" Carys stalked forward looking like she was going to smack Noman across the face. Instead, she put her face right up in his. "Killing is all these assholes will ever understand! They have their own fucked up beliefs and they can't be reasoned with. Your dear friend, Jade, stuck with you for months, all the while contemplating how she'd murder you. Hackers see us as cockroaches to be stamped out. You can't change their minds!"

Noman held up two fingers. "There's two exceptions to that rule, and they're both standing in this airship."

Floyd and Kal looked up.

"And then there's Pheo. Those three are proof that Hackers are people capable of empathy. All they need is a chance-"

"They've had their chance." Carys cut across him, her voice firm. "If they haven't changed now, they're too far gone."

"Or maybe they just need someone to show them the way."

The two of them stood at an impasse. Neither one compromising on their beliefs. We all watched in tense silence, wondering if this would come to blows.

In the end, Noman backed off first. "I need... I need some air." He refused to look at me. He kicked on the Bottes Zephyr and opened the door outside, letting in the freezing, whipping wind as he did so.

"Sure. Go up to the roof! I'm sure the answers you need are up there!" Carys' sarcastic voice chased him away as she raised it. When the door was shut, she muttered, "What a baby."

"...You're being unusually hard on him." Kal commented.

"If I am, it's because he needs to grow up. The world is a ruthless place." Carys spoke low. "He wouldn't be so virtuous if he was tortured by cultists."

"...Were you tortured by cultists?" Floyd asked.

Carys never talked about her past, and it looked like she wasn't about to start. She clammed up, her eyes firing a hard crimson gaze that made Floyd quietly back off.

"Good going, dumbaxe." Anibal rounded on me. "Now neither of us get the artifact!"

I felt a tick mark bulge along my forehead. "If anyone's to blame for ticking him off, it's you! 'Oh, Noman. Let me massage your big strong shoulders!'" I spoke in a high-pitched falsetto that was a crude mockery of Anibal's voice. "What the hell was that?"

"I was softening him up! Any guy would die to have a dark-skinned beauty like me running their hands all over them!"

"I'm sure Noman wished he were dead too with your knobbly mangrabbers-"

"My skin is like satin, you - ARGH! CLAWS IN EYEBALLS AGAIN!"

"Yeah, get her!"

Anibal managed to extricate Cat-Face's claws from her corneas before hurling the feline back at me. "You and your stupid pets!" She shrieked.

"That's right. Me and my pets. That's all I got going for me." I countered while petting Cat-Face. "They're all that help me stand out. Otherwise, I'm just the angry axe guy." My head hung dejected. Everyone knew I was weak. It was why Carys didn't include me as a Hacker-level fighter. "Floyd's leveling up his Hacks. Lenz bested a Bird of Prey. Cobb fought four Hackers off." Carys growled in the corner. "And Noman is securing artifacts. Everyone's moving ahead, and I'm just left behind." Anibal seemed to consider my words. "Having an artifact is my one chance to keep up. You hardly need it when you're stronger than me."

"Maybe that's how you see it, but you're wrong. In the Paragons, I'm probably the weakest Team Leader." Anibal recounted bitterly. "Z7's beat me more times than I can count. Kal's a Hacker. Carys is Carys. And Jillian has an artifact now that can surmount Hackers. Baltic is weaker, but he's support. He's an old man. Where's the pride in being stronger than an old man?" She asked rhetorically. "I need the Stivali Magma to keep up too. I know it's a crutch, but... but right now I wouldn't mind a crutch." She took out the Severe Shield from her backpack. "Even this thing. I can hardly believe I'm holding such power. Noman holds it every day. Why doesn't he use it? Why doesn't he abuse it? I would."

"Because Noman is made of firmer stuff than the rest of us." Ciro called from the cockpit. "He's the kind of guy who would throw an artifact away with both hands if it meant saving even a single life. He sees artifacts for what they are - objects. That's something... I haven't been able to see... in all my years of obsessive searching..."

There was a note of respect when he spoke of Noman, and one of regret when he spoke of himself.

"I guess what I'm trying to say," Anibal continued, "is that I know how you feel. We both want an artifact to feel adequate around the strong company we keep. If only some selfless stud would relinquish their claim on the Arct-"

"Keep dreaming, satin hands." Ciro cut her off, making Anibal curse herself.

"I suppose you're right." I sagged as I commiserated with Anibal. "We both want to stand out, but, with things the way they are, we're no Carys. We're no Cobb. We're no better than standard infantry."

"And what's so wrong with that?" Dyson asked, offended. "What's so bad about being common infantry?"

"Nothing, Dyson."

"Yeah, I didn't mean-"

"I know what you meant." Dyson cut me off. "Poor fucking infantry. The common grunt. Nothing more inconsequential than the dozens of soldiers catering to Carys. Or the Griefers to the Hackers. Or the cultists to the Executives."

Anibal and I were silent as Dyson went on a rant. It was starting to look like a repeat of Noman laying into us.

"I've got news for you two. Don't you think infantry would've been done away with if it's as insignificant as you say?" Dyson shrugged dubiously. "It certainly doesn't seem outmoded, given how it's still in use by our enemies and us. So why all the hate?"

"Is it because the leaders and generals of history are more noteworthy? They have bigger personalities and motivations that overshadow all others? They're stronger and more powerful? That doesn't detract from the significance of infantry. Otherwise, why have an army at all? Just have a handful of generals duke it out. Pit the strongest weapon against the strongest weapon while we all watch and stake our future on it. That's not how wars are fought."

"There's hundreds of us." Dyson calmly stated. "And we're not strong as Carys or Cobb, but we're not meant to be. We have numbers, a force that the Griefers can attest to. In combat, the role of the infantry is to capture or destroy enemy ground forces and repel enemy attacks. In defensive operations, our role is to hold ground against all forms of attack by the enemy and to carry the battle into their territory by closing in and destroying then. In offensive operations, our role is to close in with the enemy and destroy them independently or in concert with other arms. We're eyes and ears. We're many hands and minds working for a single purpose."

"You should feel proud to be a part of infantry." Dyson told me. "It shouldn't matter if you're exceptionally skilled or not. Many ants take down a mantis. Many hands make light work, and wars are won by occupied troops. Hackers might seem like all-powerful giants, but they can't be everywhere. The Paragons are full of fighters weaker than Carys, Anibal, and Z7. It doesn't detract from their usefulness. And in a draw between superweapons, it comes down to quantity over quality. All it takes is one infantry to make or break a deadlock."

There was a beat of silence after Dyson finished his long-winded rant. I'm sure he was trying to comfort me, but I just couldn't imagine a scenario where a lone grunt could decide the outcome of a battle.

Maybe his words made sense with traditional warfare, but we were fighting against Hackers and Withers that could lay waste to thousands in an instant. What good was infantry against that? Or was it that superweapons were the infantry's weakness? Either way, I disregarded his advice as empty words meant to make infantry seem important. Maybe they were words he was told, or that he told himself, to feel like he mattered, but they were wasted on me.

I wanted to break away from the infantry I was consigned to. I wanted to break away from the helplessness I felt at Giovanni's cruel and twisted mercy. I wanted to be a force to be reckoned with. For that, I desperately needed an artifact to call my own.

I had my eyes on the prize, and Anibal and Noman were just going to have to deal.

---

[Noman]

'You're doing fine, young whippersnapper.' Old Man Bailey assured. The dull thuds and cracks of wood on wood echoed on the mesa we practiced on. Bailey with his sticks and me with my shield. 'Focus on your opponent's legs. If you break their roots, they stumble. Then it's just a matter of keeping up the pressure until-'

Old Man Bailey broke off as one of his sticks was knocked clean out of his hand. My shield pressed up against his chest, and with my free hand I grabbed his other stick to hold it still.

'-until you show me up. Good on you.'

"I'm sorry!' I apologized hastily as I backed off and went to retrieve Bailey's disarmed stick.

'Don't be. You have nothing to be sorry for, son. Not when you won without hurting me.' Bailey praised. 'Remember. "To injure an opponent is to injure yourself. To control aggression without inflicting injury is The Art of Peace."'

The two of us had been training for nearly two weeks on the mesa from sunset to sunrise, pausing only to help teach and feed the Griefers Old Man Bailey had 'adopted'. We were nearing the end of the two-week period, though, and soon, our training would come to an end. I would move on to resume my search for the artifacts - Zeppil was my next destination - but I was concerned that I hadn't learned enough. Even with reading Bailey's copy of The Art of Peace, I still didn't think my new style would allow me to fend off attacks without killing people.

'You have nothing to worry about.' Old Man Bailey assured after I shared my thoughts. 'If you can disarm me, you can definitely disarm some upstart goons. Those Griefers and bandits have zero technique. Bless them, for it makes it easier to disarm them peacefully.'

Aikido resonated so deeply with me the more I read it. My personal favorite quote from the book was, "Your spirit is the true shield."

Chills. Just chills.

But there was still something that bothered me.

'When you fought those Griefers, you hurt their wrists and ankles.' I pointed out. 'Doesn't that contradict Aikido's non-aggression? You're injuring yourself by injuring them.'

'Yes, but you're not killing yourself by not killing them.' Bailey emphasized. 'You cannot allow yourself to die just as you cannot allow your opponent to die. Every life matters, and if you proactively save lives by practicing Aikido, then your life is all the more precious. Every life you spare, every life you touch and affect, can be one more life that can be changed for good.'

'But I'd still hurt them.'

'Only you can decide how much pain you should or shouldn't employ to spare a life. If you cannot live with hurting others, then don't. Target weapons only and leave your foes without a leg to stand on. However, in my experience, a little pain is inevitable. Lost Hearts will always replenish as long as their owner is fed. A life taken can never be returned, but bones will knit and bruises will mend, and they'll do so faster with a Health Potion or two. Make your opponents unable to fight, then heal them cordially to make them feel silly.'

I laughed at the thought. I could just imagine how conflicted the cultists would be after I disarmed them only to feed them and heal their boo-boos.

Still...

'What if you face someone you can't disarm or beat?' I asked curiously. I was thinking of Lieutenant Leadstripe or Ciro_Che. They fought with determination and fire. They wouldn't give up even after getting beaten up and disarmed. 'What can you do about them?'

'Hmm...' Old Man Bailey hummed in thought. 'I think I have an idea what sort of opponents you're talking about. Fortunately, I developed an Aikido technique for just such an occasion.'

My eyes lit up. 'Really? Can you teach me?'

'I don't know. It's fairly advanced.' He sounded reluctant.

'Please, Bailey! I want to avoid killing as much as I can. I want to protect lives.' I spoke firmly. Old Man Bailey must've seen the conviction in my eyes.

'Well... okay. But don't expect to master it straight away!' Old Man Bailey took up his sticks and stood several paces away from me. He stretched his back, leaning left and right, and sounding a number of audible cracks and pops. 'Ooh, feeling my age now. Alright, son. Come at me.'

A little confused, I took my standard stance, shield before me, and rushed Old Man Bailey. Just as I was about to bash his sticks with my shield, there was a blur of movement and then...

Darkness.

When I came to, it was dark out and I had a throbbing pain in the back of my skull. I sat up only to grimace as disorientation took over. I felt nauseous.

A bottle of water was held out to me. I gratefully accepted and sucked it down. Bailey busied himself with mushroom stew and tending to the fire he must've built while I was out.

'...Is it still today?'

'I didn't hit you that hard.' Bailey chuckled.

'What was that?'

'That was an Aikido technique that targets the processing center of the human body.' He tapped the back of his skull in the same spot that I felt throbbing painfully. 'A sharp blow to the back of the head, even with a wooden stick, can cause a concussion and knock out your opponent. Doesn't matter if it's a mere half-a-Heart of damage. The right blow in the right spot, and it's goodnight Sally. Even a glancing blow can stun or disorient, but you want to get a good, solid crack to the back of the skull - really get their brain sloshing around - to down them for the count. Then you heal them and walk off. Peaceful de-escalation.'

'Ugh. Sounds more like you just bash their head in. What sort of peaceful technique is that?'

'Say what you will, but I ended the fight in one hit and dealt minimal damage to my opponent. If you don't like it, you don't have to use it, but this technique works against anyone as long as they're not wearing a helmet. People protect their Heads for a reason.'

'I think I prefer the disarming method, thanks.' I grimaced while rubbing the back of my head. I gulped down the mushroom stew handed to me and felt the blooming bruise fade along with the pain.

---

Starting to wish I paid more attention to that move.

I was on top of the airship, getting air like I told the others I would. There was plenty of air - cold and whipping - atop the airship. The only thing keeping me warm was my suit and the heated brewing stands Albert had going. He had attached them prior to takeoff from Tinker's place so they'd be part of the airship's movable blocks. He was preparing all sorts of potions for the Obelisk.

The Obelisk was an inescapable maelstrom of death and ruin, and I was helplessly getting sucked in. Soul and Anibal were already fighting over artifacts like vultures over a carcass. Serafina and Giovanni were as good as dead to them, and other Hackers would surely jump into the line of fire to protect their own.

They were as fiercely protective as Cobb.

My eyes lit up. That's it! Cobb! That's who's advice I need!

I remembered his outrage over Carys' plan. He didn't want this. Soul and Floyd may have not wanted to defend me, but Cobb would have my back and give me the advice I needed to hear. With any luck, he'd have an answer to my dilemma.

"...Hey, Albert." I asked the Beta-male. "I need a favor. I... I really need advice from Cobb. Do you think you can map message them in Nitebane?"

He hummed as he looked at the dark sky. "It's pretty late. I'll get a response, but your friend might be asleep. Big day Bounty Day tomorrow."

"Please, just try. I need Cobb."

"Alright, I'll shoot them a quick message." Albert relented before taking out his map and dropping and picking it up. A reply came fast, which he relayed. "Lucky you, Witige was up. He's fetching him now."

"Thanks."

It took a long time for Witige to get Cobb. An unusually long time. As the moment lengthened, I passed the time anxiously wringing my hands while Albert occupied himself with potions. He didn't forget about the map, though. He weighed the flapping piece of paper down with a potion and kept an eye on it. Finally, the map blip began to blink.

"Noman? If this is you, answer me this... ah, screw it. I trust these guys." Albert relayed what I hoped were Cobb's words. He trusted the Paragons enough to relax his verification. Carys and the others were most likely sleeping below and wouldn't see this. "Sorry it took so long to get me. I was roaming the grounds because this Obelisk thing is keeping me up."

"Cobb. Help me." I cut straight to the point. "I need your guidance."

"Alright. Shoot."

I told him everything. He was already aware of our attack on the Obelisk, but I let him know about Carys loaning my Severe Shield to Anibal, and about the guilt I felt knowing she'd take lives with that weapon. I told him how helpless I felt. I told him I didn't want more people to die - not even for the artifacts. I didn't want to be part of this attack. I was already blaming myself for Akasha.

The Severe Shield and my own weakness got Winslow and, by extension, Sandra killed, and Akasha took the fall for it. Which kingdom would take the fall this time? I didn't want to be dragged into this fight, and I wished Carys would just call it off.

"I just want to shut my eyes and hope this is all a bad dream. There's nothing I can do." I finished my explanation before following up with an expectant, "What should I do? You know this attack is a bad idea. What would you do if you were here?"

"It's a bad idea alright, but not for the reasons you've got." Cobb's reply came swiftly. "I've got a mark on my face that says fighting Hackers is a risky venture. This whole plan is crazy. Even with you and Ciro and Carys, you guys only have ten people doing this. We had a whole kingdom backing us up. The chances you all make it out alive is extremely low, and I hate how 30% of this task force are people I'm friends with. Even with the Stasis Chambers and artifacts, I'd still call this off."

"Right! So then-"

"But that isn't what this is about." He cut me off. "This is about your reasons for not wanting this. Not mine. You want to avoid death entirely for both sides. I don't."

I felt my heart drop. "You would want the Hackers to die too? You're okay with that?"

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"You spared Thed." I pointed out. "And Hannah. And Llewellyn. Even after the evils they committed - even after the Paragons Thed's Nuker killed."

"I only spared him because of guilt for-" He words cut off before he tried again. "-because I couldn't stand watching someone waste away like that, alright? Sure, maybe it seems like I was preserving life like how you do, but it was just how I felt in the moment. I wasn't even thinking ahead enough to consider using them as hostages. You may not like hearing this, Noman, but I can't find the time to worry about the Hackers' safety. I'm not as selfless as you, who can care for friends and enemies alike. When I see someone raising a sword against a friend, I fucking lose it. Your sense of justice blows mine out of the water."

This was what I wanted to hear from Floyd or Soul. Not pity or feeling sorry for my beliefs. Just acknowledgement and respect. Not rejection of my way being wrong, but acceptance that mine was a quality others lacked. It was gratifying, and if Soul had been that way, I wouldn't have blown up at him earlier.

"The cultists call us Dark and Light Billionths. If the Darker Billionth, me, is meant to mercilessly crush any foe I come across, maybe your role, as the Lighter Billionth, is to offer mercy." He reasoned, using those bizarre monikers the cultists had for us. 'If the dark side is capable of corrupting good, maybe the light side is capable of reforming evil. Maybe that's just your job, because you're strong enough not to give up on anyone. Not like me."

I was touched by his words, once again feeling that Cobb got me. More than our other friends.

"I understand how important saving lives is to you, Noman." Cobb continued. "I understand your difficult position. You feel like you're caught between a rock and a hard place. You want to know what people call that?"

"No, what?"

"WHINING!" I recoiled as Albert had to shout it to get the meaning across. "YOU'RE WHINING ABOUT HOW UNFAIR YOUR LIFE IS! BOOHOO! I JUST HAD TO BRAWL WITH FOUR HACKERS IN A THUNDERSTORM! SUCK IT UP!"

"Wha-?" I was flummoxed. "I... I am not whining!"

"YES YOU ARE! All that time whining can be better spent preparing for what lies ahead, yet you're wasting your time messaging me when you know what Carys is rushing headlong into! You should be readying yourself! Make potions! Train! Come up with a strategy! ANYTHING! Just don't sit around and complain about it! You come off as a whiny baby, and that's not what you are!"

"You're telling me to just mindlessly follow along? To accept that the Hackers are going to die!?"

"NO! I'm telling you to do something about it!"

"I tried, but Carys won't budge-"

"Oh, you tried! You tried!" I could hear the derision. "You are not trying, you are whining." I felt my face heat up. Maybe Cobb wasn't such a good source of advice to go to. "Listen to me. You think I became stronger than four Hackers overnight? No. From Ringwood to Nitebane, I trained my ass off. I poisoned myself daily to bring up my stamina." I paled upon hearing that. "I did Quick Swap and Quickdraw training with Z7. I sparred with Perry. I snagged totems and tridents and SutsCo merch. I fought and lost against a Raid - died in fact. I pushed myself past my limits because I had foes I wanted to overcome. I wanted to be stronger than Carys. Or Ember. Or Thed. Or 303. Those were the goals I set, and I didn't attain them by whining. I did something. You should be doing something!"

I quietly listened as I felt something stirring within me. Some growing confidence that burned hot.

"You want my advice? Here it is. Pay attention. If you truly wish to espouse Aikido, then you'll have to work hard. You'll have to work harder than you can imagine to make your wishes a reality. No one will listen to what you have to say if you won't fight for it. You can't feel dejected or give up. Carys is convinced that Hackers will die, so you need to work hard to stop that from happening. No complaints. No crying. Divert all that energy - your whole being - into making what you want to happen, happen."

He was right. I couldn't give up. My spirit was my true shield. If I let that go, how could I possibly save any lives? I needed to devote as much time before the attack as I could to readying myself to save lives. Cobb didn't care for the Hackers, but he was motivating me to save them because it was what I wanted to do. I would save lives at the Obelisk, and I would do so without killing anyone.

If honesty wasn't working on Carys, I had to be dishonest!

If non-violence wasn't enough, I had to go for the back of the skull!

And if the fight was going to happen, I would absolutely need to prepare-

I was already at Albert's brewing stands, pouring in potion ingredients to make Splash Potions of Weakness and Slowness. Albert watched me work with an approving smile.

"Thank you, Cobb. Albert." I said my goodbye. "I have to go now, Cobb. I have potions to make."

"That's what you should have been doing from the get-go." I could hear Cobb's exasperation in his words. "Good luck, Noman. Keep everyone alive."

"I will." I concluded the discussion, and Albert stuffed the map away back into his belt. While my potions starting bubbling, I began freeing up Inventory space by tossing items off the side. Once that was done, I took out my shield and started practicing Bailey's one-hit knockout technique.

I didn't stop until the sun rose.

---

[Cobb]

December 3rd.

I stood looking out the window of Herobrine's old bedroom. The sun was high. I was a little sleepy from last night's talk with Noman, but I wasn't about to sleep on this.

"I caused this Bounty Day." I said to myself. Nobody else was around to hear me. They were all gathered in front of Lunar Castle. I could faintly hear Jillian giving some form of address as they awaited the world to change. "I killed Rrhys, and now I'm going to see what it brings us."

Despite being prepared, the pulsing ripple hit like a truck.

My head felt like it was about to burst as information was poured directly into my brain. In my mind's eyes, I witnessed a vision of a tree, and in that tree was a beehive. There was a faint buzzing from inside the beehive before a freakishly large bumblebee - it was the size of my head - popped out and buzzed around.

The vision ended just as abruptly, and I found myself back in Herobrine's old room, clutching the balcony railing.

I quickly bolted out the doors to share and compare my findings with Lenz and the Paragons.

I ran into Dwight first.

""What did you see!? Bees! You too? Stop that.""

From the nearest door, a half-naked Heather and Luis tumbled out. "Get your clothes on, Luis! We need to let everyone know abo-" Heather stopped upon realizing the two of us were occupying the hallway and not in front of Lunar Castle with everyone else.

She started to blush with mortification as she willed on all her clothes. Meanwhile, I was contemplating how much I hated couples and regretting getting those two together. My smile and gaze were empty.

"Really gonna need that brain bleach." Dwight remarked.

Brain: Other disturbing image cleansers are available. Like booze!

"Hey! Friends!" Luis tried to pretend he hadn't been caught without pants or underwear on. "How goes it? We just saw bees in our Bounty Day vision."

Brain: More like the birds and the bees.

Bladder: Heyoooooo~!

Before we could act like we hadn't seen Luis and Heather's Nether realm, Baltic, Witige, and a few other Paragons arrived.

"The latest Bounty Day has come!" Witige cheered. "In my vision, I saw bees!"

"What a coincidence! We saw bees too!"

"Same here!"

"So did I - hang on." Baltic eyed everyone dubiously. "We all saw bees?"

Glancing around, I saw that nobody had a rebuttal. "Seriously?"

"...Maybe someone in the crowd saw something different?" Someone suggested.

Minutes later, Jillian was stood high up on a podium, her fingers pinching a nerve on the bridge of her nose. Her tone addressing the crowd could only be described as annoyed.

"Okay! Who here saw something other than bees? Raise your hand."

Twenty-seven-hundred Crafters were present, and not a hand went up.

Jillian threw her papers into the air and let them flutter down like confetti. "Fucking cheap."

"I killed Rrhys for this?" I said aloud. "Who in their right mind would be excited about bees?"

---

[Eastern Division HQ]

"Now don't freak out, Carmen."

"Why would I freak out?"

"Don't freak out."

"Qué es? Why would I freak out? What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong. Something's right. Don't freak out."

"I'm not."

"You're calm?"

"Sí!"

"You got your clones hanging onto you?"

"Dios mío, este chico... Sí, Spring, they're hanging on. Now what's this about, already?"

"Okay, here it is." Spring sucked in a deep breath. "My Bounty Day vision maaay have shown a new honey foodstuff-"

"EYAAAAAAAAAAH!" Carmen screamed happily as she and her clones forewent holding themselves back and keeping calm and quite literally glomped onto Spring. The molten clones swirled and merged around Spring before reforming at full mega size with the cultist held securely in hand. "Where is it!? What's it taste like!? How's the mouthfeel!? What does it pair well with!? Oh, we need to get some right now! Vamanos! Vamanos! Vamanos!"

"Shriiiiiink doooooown fiiiiiirst!" Spring shouted as he was swung around in her massive fist like a toy airplane. As she was now, she was filling out his room and dangerously close to breaching the walls and letting in water!

Once she settled down, Spring took out Mark's Potions of Invisibility. The alchemist was absent from the base, as was Teal, Abyssmal, and KillGore. The little bundle of evil was taking the higher-ups and a handful of cultists to secure their Wither Skull Grinder. However, KillGore had been sure to leave Spring some homework: his secret stash of bottles o' enchanting. Spring was to take the EXP supplements regularly in preparation for his duel with 4Blite. He did so before leaving. Spring would gather more EXP off Mobs outside to bolster his strength.

Under the cover of invisibility, Spring and Carmen slipped out into Abyssmal's portal hub and set off to find the elusive she-beast called honey.

---

[Obelisk]

"It's as I told you, Entity 303." Sdrawkcab clutched his head as he recovered from his painful vision of... bees. "Rrhys is gone. This Bounty Day was his."

"...I know." 303 recovered from the vision but remained kneeling as he felt the loss of a beloved brother. More than that, he was crushed by the weight of guilt. He could've warped himself to Nitebane to prevent it if not for his stubborn refusal of the Endward Cult's portals. The guilt had to be eating him alive.

Sdraw wanted to press his advantage, but his experience in diplomacy told him to be quiet and let the moment sink in. 303 was already aware of his choices. He was also aware that Sdraw delivered food and lost Hackers as per their arrangement. He held up his end. Now it was up to 303 to decide what happened next.

"Executive." 303 growled/echoed the word grudgingly. Black smoke seeped from beneath his pale hood as he floated to his feet. His fists were clenched tight, his eyes ignoring Sdraw as he set them on something far to the east. "How soon can you make us a portal to Nitebane?"

"I already have."

Ignoring 303's reaction, Sdraw dropped his linked map and picked it back up. The next instant, a Nether Portal materialized in the middle of the flat expanse the Griefers were gathered around. Out stepped Executive Abyssmal.

"One portal to Nitebane. Hold the ketchup." Abyssmal quipped before adopting a haunted look. "Dear Herobrine, that was pure cringe. Why did I say that? I look like an idiot."

"You had a portal set up?" 303 turned on Sdraw, furious. "And who is this?"

"A fellow Executive and a powerful ally. He's responsible for our mastery of portals." Sdraw hastily explained. "And I planned for the portal to be established for obvious reasons - in case you changed your mind about wanting to be sent to Nitebane prior to Rrhys' demise." The words made 303 jerk his head angrily. "I wasn't about to connect them without your say-so. This way, you don't need to wait."

303 narrowed his eyes suspiciously at Sdraw.

"I had no ill will, I assure you. We are allies, Entity 303." Sdraw reminded before letting a beat of wary silence pass. "We are allies, yes?"

"...For the moment." 303 growled/echoed. "I still don't trust you. You're as duplicitous and silver-tongued as Herobrine."

"I shall take that as a compliment." Sdraw offered a closed-eyed smile. "A moment! Before you summon your brethren, a word of advice... from an ally."

Again, 303 narrowed his eyes beneath his hood.

"While I had this portal prepared to transport you and your siblings to Nitebane, this is merely meant as an open avenue. An option, if you will, which I strongly advise against."

"...What?"

"If you will excuse my lack of modesty, my exceptional brain has concluded that this venture will prove fruitless. Rrhys may be gone, but my reports state that Nitebane is holding Thed, Hannah, and Llewellyn hostage somewhere in the capital. Even I don't know where." 303 growled furiously at the news, but Sdraw soldiered on. "They are being used as hostages. We both know you won't carelessly nuke their capital and risk killing your siblings. They won't be intimidated by any show of force you have planned. They know what to expect after what you did to Akasha. They will use your siblings as shields no matter what, so why bother sending your forces now? Play it patiently. Allow us time to pinpoint your siblings and rescue them. Then you'll be free to-"

"Don't whisper words into my ear!" 303 shoved Sdraw back while channeling a bit of Hacker Strength. The Executive tumbled back end over end before skidding to a stop against the dirt and dried grass. Abyssmal stopped down to help him up, his one eye watching Entity 303. "This is my decision! I'm in charge, and I say when we attack and how many siblings I bring! QUENTIN!"

At his bellowing command, one of his brothers came hurrying out of the Obelisk along with Null. "You called, brother?" Quentin asked.

"Let everyone know that our retaliation against Nitebane failed. Rrhys is... dead... and the rest have been captured. We set off immediately! Summon everyone here at once! Bring a force of Griefers too! They can test the portals. See that they're safe."

Shock showed on Quentin's face, but he did as ordered. His Hack enhanced voice was heard by all around the Obelisk as he made the summons. While the announcement was made, 303 turned to his second-in-command, Null.

"The fresh spawns and lost ones aren't ready for this level of combat. I don't want them in danger. Stay behind with a few others and keep an eye on them. I'll leave it for you to decide who to keep."

"No, brother!" Null protested in the same echoing growl. "Take me with you! Allow me to take vengeance for Rrhys! I can rescue our stolen siblings! I'm not afraid of some dumb old book artifact!"

"The siblings here matter just as much." 303 emphasized. "Keep them safe. My decision is final."

Null looked like he wanted to protest more, but he deferred to his elder brother's judgement on this matter. "Very well. But I don't like it!" He shot Sdraw and Abyssmal a dubious glare. "Don't trust those insects for a second, brother."

"I won't. I know their kind all too well." 303 echoed/growled.

"There are a few siblings I will definitely need in regard to the resistant lost ones Sdraw brought us." Null noted to himself. Not every lost Hacker was pleased to be there, but they would learn to appreciate their new family.

News of Nitebane was broadcasted to every brother and sister. The siblings mourned Rrhys, but gathered with grim determination at the thought of rescuing Thed, Hannah, and Llewellyn, and laying siege to Nitebane as they had Akasha. Some Hackers were even looking forward to the exercise.

Sdraw and Abyssmal watched with slight unease as countless Hackers flared their smoke in a pre-siege ritual. Gathered Griefers gazed in awe as the clearing at the base of the Obelisk pooled with a billowing black mist.

Unfortunately - or fortunately, in Carys' group's case - Serafina and Giovanni were among the ones kept behind to help Null keep the lost Hackers from running off. There was only one way to do that, and it was a way that 303 neither approved nor knew of.

---

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, 60 Cooked Salmon, 59 Cooked Chicken, 7 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, 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, 62 Cooked Salmon, 58 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}, 1 Totem of Undying

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, 55 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}, 41 Cooked Cod, 50 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 Wood Planks, 1 Cake, 1 Cake, 1 Cake, 34 Cookies, 56 Baked Potatoes, 1 Milk Bucket, 1 Milk Bucket, 1 Book {Citizenship Information}, 1 Paper {Gold Citizenship Pass}, 1 Purple Shulker Box {Pocket Box}, 1 Totem of Undying

[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, 10 Cooked Mutton, 1 Furnace, 1 Crafting Table, 1 Minecart, 1 Bed, 1 Boat, 1 Diamond Boots [Projectile Protection IV], 16 Gunpowder, 11 Ender Pearls, 1 Splash Potion of Invisibility {8:00}, 1 Splash Potion of Slowness {4:00}, 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 Map {Stasis Map}, 1 Book {Citizenship Information}, 1 Paper {Ringwood Entry Pass}, 1 Paper {Zeppil Entry Pass}

[EXP: 48]

Inventory (Soul): 1 Diamond Axe [Sharpness V], 1 Diamond Pickaxe, 61 Iron Ingots, 20 Flint, 5 Ender Pearls, 12 Cooked Mutton, 12 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, 19 Jungle Wood Planks, 4 Bowls, 23 Red Mushrooms, 1 Armor Stand, 1 Map {Minecraftia}, 1 Map {Stasis Map}, 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 Slowness {4:00}, 1 Splash Potion of Weakness {4:00}, 1 Splash Potion of Weakness {4:00}

[EXP: 41]

Cat-Face the Cat

Christopher Squawken the Parrot

Inventory (Noman): 1 Diamond Sword [Sharpness I], 1 Shield, 1 Leather Boots {Bottes Zephyr} [Dyed White], 1 Iron Helmet, 1 Diamond Chestplate, 1 Iron Leggings, 1 Iron Boots, 1 Diamond Pickaxe, 9 Cooked Mutton, 57 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, 21 Glass Bottles, 4 Packed Ice, 8 Ender Pearls, 61 Glowstone Dust, 25 Gunpowder, 14 Redstone Dust, 60 Blaze Powder, 62 Gold Nuggets, 45 Brown Mushrooms, 1 Book {Citizenship Information}, 1 Paper {Zeppil Entry Pass}, 1 Paper {Exter Entry Pass}, 1 Map {Minecraftia}, 1 Map {Stasis Map}, 1 Book {The Art of Peace}, 1 Book {Artifact List}, 1 Enchanted Golden Apple, 1 Splash Potion of Slowness {4:00}, 1 Splash Potion of Slowness {4:00}, 1 Splash Potion of Weakness {4:00}, 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 Map {Stasis Map}, 1 Book {Citizenship Information}, 1 Paper {Gold Citizenship Pass}, 17 Cooked Chicken, 20 Apples, 1 Bow [Power I], 36 Arrows, 9 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}, 1 Splash Potion of Slowness {4:00}, 1 Splash Potion of Slowness {4:00}, 1 Splash Potion of Slowness {4:00}, 1 Splash Potion of Weakness {4:00}, 1 Splash Potion of Weakness {4:00}, 1 Splash Potion of Weakness {4:00}

[EXP: 42]

---

AN: 1.15 Update is here! The joke being that everybody is only seeing bees because there's literally nothing else of notice. Talk about getting shafted by the Bounty Day. Jillian is rightly fed up. Not to worry, Jillian. Next Bounty Day will offer much more.

About the Heather and Luis scene. I wanted a touching scene between these two concerning how he got injured trying to protect her. I also meant to mention Wing and Aurand contacting them from Oak Docks. Instead, the end result was a short T-rated (I hope) sex scene. They both gave consent, so all's good, but the scene kind of just ran that way.

The bee scene was very much the funniest for me.

Lastly, in case anyone was wondering the Stivali Magma's flames change colors at set times as follows:

7:30 AM to 10:30 AM = Morning (Red)

10:30 AM to 1:30 PM = Noon (Orange)

1:30 PM to 4:30 PM = Afternoon (Yellow)

4:30 PM to 7:30 PM = Dusk (Green)

7:30 PM to 10:30 PM = Evening (Cyan)

10:30 PM to 1:30 AM = Midnight (Blue)

1:30 AM to 4:30 AM = Night (Purple)

4:30 AM to 7:30 AM = Dawn (Pink)

FAV. FOLLOW. REVIEW. FORUM. DISCORD. DEVILED EGGS.