AN: Howdy y'all.
I beat Hogwarts Legacy. Not only on the hardest difficulty, but also fully platinumed it. It was annoying since I had to play up to a certain mission as all four Houses. Ravenclaw was my main, my sister being Slytherin. Had to make a file for Gryffindor and Hufflepuff.
I now await Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Should keep me occupied.
Celebrated my dad's birthday. He likes watching birds on our feeders, but he hates the fat squirrels that come around and eat everything, so I bought a birdfeeder with a motor. That way, if something heavy, like a fat squirrel, gets on the feeder's metal ring, the ring is set to spin around and throw the squirrel off. Birds are fed and dad is entertained.
A shorter Chapter, but it's more focused. Enjoy.
Disclaimer: I don't own Minecraft. If I did, I'd add smoke alarms.
Chapter 232
Staring Down Smoke
[Lenz]
Needless to say, I felt pretty cheated about what the latest Bounty Day sent us. Lousy bees and honey (or in my vision's case, blocks of honey). I was hoping for something redstone related and was left thoroughly disappointed. Arwen was more optimistic, having received a similar vision about the honey blocks, but not one that emphasized any redstone usage.
Normally, people would spend a Bounty Day testing some of the new stuff presented in visions, but since honey and bees were widely yawned at, everybody abandoned the lackluster Bounty Day and went back to work. In the new Team Zeta's case, that meant working on the large gravel pitfall trap outside the capital. Not one to shy away from a redstone project, I was lending them my redstone expertise.
It was the same trap I used to cull the Griefer army in Halstatt, and this one was made to take advantage of the craters Thed's attacks left on the terrain of stony juts. An extended piston connected to a grid of signs which held up a layer of gravel just above the crater's fatal drop. We needed a lot of signs to make the grid, but Team Zeta and I devised a nifty way to build them safely without risk of falling down.
Me, Arwen, Ines, Belenzia, and several other promising redstone enthusiasts from Nitebane rode atop airborne moving platforms across the crater and just below the layer of gravel being put in. The moving platforms made use of sticky pistons, slime blocks, and the newest addition, the observer blocks. The observers faced outward and would be triggered when someone placed a block adjacent to it. After that, the observer would register the block change and output a signal to the attached sticky piston, pushing a set of slime blocks forward that were attached to a mirrored set of slime blocks, a sticky piston, and an observer. This would move the platform forward one block, or meter. Since a change in adjacent blocks resulted from this signal, the moving platform became self-sufficient, allowing us to safely float along the open crater and place signs in a grid-like pattern. It would only stop moving when we hit the obsidian placed at the rim, as obsidian could not be moved by sticky pistons or slime blocks. Then we would place a block on the other end of the platform to send it back the way it came. It was like a magic carpet, or a prototype airship. Or like the monorails used in Daymonte but more compact.
It allowed us a safe and convenient method for setting up the signs. Other Paragons and Nitebane citizens placed the gravel over that. The pitfall was coming together nicely. Any Griefers that came better watch out-
A Nether Portal materialized out of thin air by the rim of the crater. Paragons turned and pointed at it as a trio of figures emerged. The mismatched gear they wore identified them as Griefers.
"We're alive! It's safe." One Griefer exclaimed in relief before pointing to the capital. "Go back and fetch - Is that Nitebane? I've never been further east than the Origin. It's colder here."
A different Griefer went back through the portal before reemerging with several other figures... clad in dark smoke. Oh no.
One of the Hackers spotted us working over the crater and snorted in disgust before raising a palm.
I rolled off the moving platform without a second thought. Several high-pitched whistles followed and detonated as I dropped. I caught sight of the moving platforms getting hit along with the gravel layer, the signs, and the Crafters working atop it. The initial section of broken signs led to more sections of signs breaking like dominoes. The result was a cascade of gravel that was supposed to be set off when Hackers and Griefers attacked, but not this prematurely.
"Grab your totems!" I heard one of the many falling Paragons shout. My hand was already on mine when I struck the ground. There was a cut-off breaking sound, and the next thing I knew I was sneezing with potion effects on me and suddenly realizing I was half-buried in gravel along with fifty other Crafters. The totem vanished in my hand.
"Everyone alright!?" Ines called out. There were several groans, but it did not look like there was any spilled gear or Heads. We all had totems on our persons.
"They're early! The Hackers were never meant to get here this early!" Belenzia began to panic along with several other citizens.
"Keep your voice down!" Arwen hissed as he looked up. We were sitting ducks at the bottom of the crater, but the Hack Clan likely figured the fall would kill us. Even if it did not and they noticed us still alive, they had bigger concerns to address.
The echoing voice that sounded inside my skull seemed to confirm that fact.
"Ruler of Nitebane. You can hear me, I trust? The terrifying power of the Hack Clan stands upon your doorstep. Entity 303 himself has come to exact justice. Come forth! Face your demise with honor! Bring forth our three siblings, alive and unharmed, or watch as we lay waste to your beloved kingdom. You have until sunset."
It was the same announcement Hack Thed had used. I assumed Jillian and Cobb had gotten it loud and clear. When the demand ended, I uncovered my ears and watched as the Hackers moved away from their Nether Portal and towards the direction of the capital. They were ignoring us, which I was fine with.
"...Nobody panic." I forced my voice to remain calm as I took out my best bow. "Your queen can handle this. She knew this was coming. Right now, we need to focus on getting to safety."
The nearest Paragons and citizens who heard me - and knew of me - nodded and began extricating themselves out of the gravel. Others started mining into the walls of the crater to make a staircase up and out.
Despite my assurances that Jillian would be fine, I found myself worrying about the sheer number of figures pouring out of that Nether Portal. The Endward Cult got them here. There was no other explanation.
Just how many Hackers came to avenge Rrhys?
[Cobb]
When I heard that voice reverberate in my skull, I dropped everything and rushed to the Map Room where I knew Jillian to be. The queen was hunched over the map, several members of her team trying to steady her. The Vivlio Zythopoiias was laid out before her. She glanced to look at me when I entered.
"...Everyone leave." Jillian ordered. "Leave me. Not you, Cobb. You stay."
Team Delta cleared out. Some more reluctantly than others.
"They're early." Jillian stated. "They're early. They got here the same day as the Bounty Day...? Only the cult could have gotten them here this fast. They disrupted the gravel trap outside the walls. No deaths, thanks to the totems. Lenz made it too." She reported. I was relieved for my friend's safety, but I noticed Jillian talking rather fast. "The Hackers number in the triple digits with 303 among them. A force of Griefers accompanies them, but it's far less than what hit Nitebane with Rrhys and Llewellyn. I've told Carys that they're here. She... she says this is perfect." Jillian let out a humorless chuckle. "She wants me to stall them, but they want me there now. I also need to worry about their temper and consider what they might say and do. They could cut their losses and kill everyone if I don't make the situation clear to them. If I fumble it and show weakness, the hostages won't be worth much. They already attacked without fear of retribution. How can I impress the severity of that?"
She was speaking to herself now, her hands trembling as she filled her belt with totems and pressed her hands to the Vivlio Zythopoiias on the table. It was clear the queen was shaking in her beret.
I alone saw all of this. If any citizen or Paragon saw this, they'd think themselves well and truly boned.
Stepping forward, I wrapped my hands around Jillian's shaking hand and made her trail off.
"I'll be out there with you."
"Wha - no." I saw a flash of relief before she stamped it down. "No, that's not your job. They demanded me."
"Well, they're not calling the shots, and it's time we show them that." I smirked cockily.
"...You don't have to do this." She tried to spare me anyway. She straightened up and put on a brave face. "I'm queen of Nitebane. I can handle this myself."
"I know you can," I reassured, "but the two of us can handle it better."
"I..." She faltered as her anxiety won out. Her shoulders slackened and she offered a grateful nod, accepting my help.
"Accepting my help doesn't make you weak. It makes you smart. Only a fool would go out there alone. Those assholes need to understand that we're holding all the cards. They don't get to choose who has to face them." I offered further comfort for the woman. "They'll be spitting mad, but I can take their frustrations off of you. Carys always did say I was easy to be angry at."
Jillian snickered at my joke, her earlier nervousness evaporating.
"There we go. Don't want those Hackers to know they've got you rattled. They can smell fear." I took a couple of exaggerated sniffs at the air around her as I passed. I secured my own totems to my belt while Jillian grabbed the Vivlio Zythopoiias and buffed us both with Resistance, Regeneration, Health Boost, and Absorption. This was us tripling up on our protection before going out to meet them.
Just being there was enough to visibly calm her. Nitebane needed her mind to be sharp and focused. Her way with words could be the one thing standing between us and total annihilation.
We left the castle under the scrutinizing eyes of the Paragons, the citizens, and the delegation from Zeppil. They all saw her calm and steady. Her face was set with resolve. Not a hint of her earlier fear.
We would not be intimidated.
Surprisingly, the Hackers were true to their word. They lingered outside the capital's walls, all of them glaring and emanating smoke that spread out to cover the land like a thick fog, but not one of them launched an attack before sunset. The Griefers didn't make any moves either. They hung back and awaited the Hack Clan's lead. There was maybe two-thousand of them, and about two-hundred angry Hackers. At the head of their group was a figure in a pale hood that shrouded his face in darkness except for his blood-red eyes and black sclerae. He floated on smoke, his feet never touching the ground. His name was Entity 303.
So that's the leader of the Hack Clan. The big brother of all Hackers. Old enough to have spoken to Herobrine, face to face.
Jillian and I used ender pearls to warp closer and save on travel time. 303 and the other Hackers zeroed in on us immediately. There were so many to take in, though only a few stood out. A girl with creamy skin, purple eyes, and long lavender hair with a pearly sheen. A stocky, fierce-looking, dark-skinned man with black dreads, a dark blue bicorn hat lined with white, and black eyes - his dark sclerae making his eyes look like terrifying empty sockets. A lanky man with an oval face, light-gray eyes, horn rimmed glasses, and a balding head with light brown hair in a comb over. Every one of them was marked as a Hacker.
"Insolent whelps." The Hacker with the comb over, Quentin, sneered. "Are you of such limited intellect that you misunderstood my announcement? We demanded the ruler of Nitebane and our captive siblings." Smoke rolled off of Quentin as he raised both arms. "Your poor listening skills will cost you dearly!"
"You don't seem to understand the situation. Allow me - Queen Jillian, ruling monarch of Nitebane - to break it down for you." Jillian began, her words making Quentin and the other Hackers gawk in outrage. "We have three of your siblings - Hannah_Harper, Lewellyn, and Thed_Hearst - held hostage with the threat of death hanging over them. One word from us and they die. If you kill us, our people have orders to execute the three of them."
"Is that so?" The dark-skinned Hacker with the dreads asked mockingly. His name read Youssef_Dreadnought. "As if you have the means to kill them! Their Regen can't be beat, and Hannah-"
"-has a Respawn Hack. We know. We're aware of their abilities." Jillian spoke calmly, infuriating Youssef and the others even more. "Nevertheless, we possess the means to render their abilities useless and execute them completely. You know a Hacker's powers are tied to their emotional well-being. You don't think a loss like this has Hannah and the others shaken? Their powers left rattled?"
"Who are you anyway?" The girl with long, pearly hair asked. Her name was JuneGiselle, and she spoke pompously. More pompously than Hacker fare, I mean. "The leader of this little hovel? You're just taking credit for what Carys did, aren't you? Why don't you go get her and remember your place? And who is this sorry excuse for human excrement?" She gestured to me.
"I'm Cobb." I waved my hand casually. "You may know me by what the Cult calls me - the Darker Billionth." The multitude of gasps from the Hack Clan was about what I expected. Smoke flared up amongst them, and I felt the glares of their dark eyes burning through me.
I had 303's attention for sure.
"It's you?" His voice came out like a mix between a growl and an echo, like he was speaking to me through some dark cave. "You're the upstart from Halstatt? You killed Rrhys and turned Flawwed_Floyd against us?"
"Floyd turned against you the moment he was allowed to be himself without a hundred of you Hackers brainwashing him." I told the Hackers firmly. More than a few raised smoke-infused palms towards me. "Ah ah ah. Remember, if we die, your siblings die too."
Their smoke diminished from that simple threat. They clearly wanted nothing more than to kill us, but they refused to risk the safety of their captured siblings. We got them to understand who had the leverage. Jillian decided to hammer that point in more firmly.
"You're lucky no one was killed when you attacked our workers." Jillian pointed out to the gravel trap in the background. "Had you cost anyone their life, we would have had to make an example out of one of your precious siblings."
"First, I want confirmation while you're still alive to give it." 303 spoke to Jillian. "Is Poulsen dead? We sent him here and we never heard from him again."
"...Yes. He's dead."
"You're all already dead." 303 growled/echoed matter-of-factly. "I hope you know that. Your existence is just a formality at this point."
"I feel like Thed said something along those same lines just before I beat him." I taunted to keep the pressure off of Jillian. 303 turned to stare at my face for a long while.
He pointed at me. "Which of my siblings did that to your face? And arm?"
My eyebrows lifted in mild surprise. He was asking about my marred flesh. He was probably familiar with the blackened skin since he wielded the Nuker Hack himself, even though I doubted he left anyone alive from his destructive attack.
I briefly debated telling him before finding no harm in it. "...It was Thed. He awakened it after Rrhys."
The name had 303 clenching his fists. His body exuded smoke as he radiated anger. He cooled almost instantly as he asked his next question.
"It hurts, doesn't it insect?"
"...Yeah. It does." I nodded. "The skin is raw and tight, and every twitch brings a tingle of pain." I lifted my hoodie and undershirt to show off my blackened pec. "My face will never be the same again, but I wear the scar like a badge of honor. I protected people. I don't regret that."
"That's not a scar." 303 spoke dismissively before reaching up with black fingers and lowering his pale hood. I let out an involuntary gasp. "This is a scar."
With his hood lowered, I could finally see his shadowed face. I had been wrong assuming it was dark because the hood blocked the light. Even at its darkest, some paleness of his skin would have shown.
His face was dark because his whole face was charred black as mine was. The skin was raw and tight, and, as I quickly put together, was the same on his blackened fingers and hands. It got me thinking about what was under his hoodie.
"...Your whole body is marked, isn't it?" I guessed, the words making Jillian snap her head in stunned disquiet.
303 verified my assumptions by willing off his hoodie. His body was fit and muscular, but also the same raw shade of black as his face. Front and back, arms and sides. No inch of skin was left unmarred. He kept on his ragged white pants, but I could see bits of dark skin poking out through tattered cloth. His whole body had been consumed by a Nuker, marring his flesh forever. Yet he survived. Survived to live a life of painful, disfigured agony.
My own arm, pec, and cheek paled in comparison to his damage. The damaged areas ached with every twitch. The skin tight and uncomfortable. I couldn't imagine enduring the same thing over my whole body. How was 303 even sane after all that?
"What... happened?" My curiosity couldn't help but ask. "Did you blow yourself up? Did you fight one of your own-?"
"I'd never fight one of my own." 303 swore lowly. He raised his arm to admire the blackened, leathery flesh that clung so tightly. "This scar is a badge of shame. A painful reminder of the foolishness of youth that cost Null and I our looks."
"When I first awakened Nuker, in the heat of unfathomable rage, I detonated it before me. The sphere engulfed my enemies but also Null and I, the destructive power inflicting unendurable agony upon us, as I'm sure you experienced. It would have taken our lives as well if we weren't both versed in Invulnerability."
Invulnerability? Is that the natural progression of Regen? I thought.
"So, if Thed awakened Nuker," 303 continued, "it's quite possible he hurt himself as well as Rrhys, as I did to Null. So, tell me," he focused his red eyes on mine, "did Thed mar himself? Was it actually him who... killed Rrhys?"
I caught the subtle fear in his voice and recognized the underlying trauma. He almost killed a brother with his powers. That was a mistake he didn't want any of his siblings to suffer. I understood what he was like; he cared for his siblings like I cared for my friends. They were his family whether they were related or not.
"Thed didn't blow himself up, nor did he hit any Hacker with his attacks. It was because I killed Rrhys in defense of my friend that Thed experienced unfathomable guilt and fury, and awakened Nuker. He would've destroyed the capital if I hadn't stopped him, and while I know you and yours don't much care for our city's safety or the Crafters within, those are lives that mean as much to us as your siblings mean to you."
"You're wrong." 303 denied while willing his pale hoodie back on. "Whatever you feel is nothing compared to my grief. Rrhys, Alec, Poulsen-"
"Alec was attacking Daymonte communities all over. Isn't that why you exiled him?"
"I exiled him because he was obsessed with Herobrine's Command Blocks. He wanted a way to harness that snake's power - as if we needed it - and he was unwilling to give it up! He was too stubborn. I thought time away from the Obelisk would help him forget. Instead, you killed him."
"He was out of control." I argued back.
"And you took it upon yourself to swoop in and save the day?" He asked acerbically. "Who are you to take this role, Darker Billionth? On whose authority do you cull my brothers and sisters?"
"I defended my friends when your siblings attacked. That's all I've ever done. And where do you get off accusing me of Hacker genocide when we have three of your siblings alive and unharmed? They're not even being tortured, except by their own powerlessness. That's pretty generous considering how many Crafters they killed!"
"Yet you couldn't extend the same mercy to Rrhys." 303 repeated with barely repressed fury. "Why? Why did he alone have to die in this siege? Was it because my little brother was immune to your paralysis? He looked up to me, and I swore to keep him safe. You made me a liar."
"You act like we should just roll over and die." My face twisted as I glanced away. "Nothing is just going to roll over and die without a fight. This world isn't all about you. We're not the worthless bugs you're convinced we are, and we sure as hell have the tools to fight back."
I noticed 303's smoke begin to thicken. My words were only making him angrier and angrier, yet he kept himself from attacking knowing his siblings were at risk. But, like a boiling kettle, all that pressure had to be let loose or else an explosion would go off.
I sighed and shut my eyes, my hand sliding to my belt in anticipation.
"Maybe I should have tried harder for Rrhys." I admitted. "All I was thinking at the time was protecting my friend. You're right to feel angry. It's warranted and understandable. So, before any further negotiation, I'm giving you permission for one free hit on me without repercussion. Just know that if you waste it-"
There was a sound like a sonic boom before pain exploded through my sternum.
I sneezed as I found myself on my back, staring at the sunset sky. The totem in my grip faded, and I leaned up to realize I was a great distance away from where I had been. 303 was beside Jillian now, though the other Hackers hadn't moved. They gazed in slack-jawed disbelief as I recovered to my feet. I made a show of dusting myself off to add insult to injury, even though on the inside my chest felt bruised and was rapidly being knit together by the totem's potion effects.
Whatever 303 did to me with his 'free hit', it wiped out all my extra Hearts from Health Boost and Absorption. Max tier Resistance and my protective enchantments and armor didn't do much either. He fully intended to kill me - and succeeded - with that one hit. I suppose that was my fault for giving him permission.
After using my dusting off time to think, I slowly walked back to where I started and took my spot beside Jillian. 303 didn't immediately return to his spot. He narrowed his crimson eyes from beneath his hood as he scrutinized me for signs of damage.
"-you don't get a do-over." I finished my earlier sentence before I had been so rudely interrupted. Off to my side, Jillian fought to suppress a smile.
I acted to the world like I was fine. Like my death never happened. I was being blasé about it for two reasons. First, to let 303 have his free shot to alleviate tension and, hopefully, move on. Second, to shake up some Hackers. Their powers depended on their own feelings of superiority. Well, after witnessing their almighty big brother lay me out with all his strength, only for me to pick myself up, dust myself off, and come back seemingly fine, the Hackers were showing naked fear for the first time since arriving. Smoky auras started to wink out as inferiority sunk in.
"H-How is he alive? W-W-We saw him break apart!"
"That was eldest brother's Strength-Timer combo! That Billionth worm should be dead!"
"It's j-just as with Herobrine-"
"That's quite enough, June." 303 silenced the disarray with a few words. His smoke was still firmly coating him like a set of impenetrable armor. "As for the rest of you, compose yourselves. Don't forget what you are."
His words helped most Hackers maintain their smoke, but some, I noticed, struggled to recover themselves in the dark vapor. They were wary of me now.
Blood: Good...
"I demand another free shot. I don't believe I've quite worked out all my frustrations."
"Nope. You only get one and that was it." I replied swiftly. "Everything else, you'll be held accountable for."
303 narrowed his eyes. "I'm sure I hit you. I'm sure my damage was fatal. Is this how you survived four of my siblings? What did you do?"
"All you need to know is that we're not the squashable bugs you think we are."
303's eyes seemed to burn. "Herobrine..."
Jillian jerked. "What about him?"
"This conversation doesn't concern you, insect!" 303 snarled at her before refocusing his smoldering gaze on me. "You remind me of him too... Herobrine. He took a hit from me without dying also. There are parallels between you two. You both stood before me with no fear. Did you know him? Did he pass some defensive secret onto you?"
"I'm in the billions. Herobrine was before my time." I replied. "I'm not out to destroy the world like Herobrine and the Endward Cult seem to be. Oh, but you must know all about the Endward Cult seeing as how you accepted their help getting here despite your feelings towards their Founder."
"Herobrine 'warned' us about the artifacts." 303 emphasized the word with heavy sarcasm. "Never mind that he made them and neglected to mention Notch's Severe Shield. He manipulated the whole thing; made us his pawns to clean up the kings. He used us. A lower insect used us."
Herobrine left out Notch's Severe Shield? I contemplated this new information. Was he worried the Hackers wouldn't be able to withstand it? Was he terrified the Hackers would steal and use it for themselves? Or... was this before he and Notch had their falling out. Was Herobrine possibly protecting Notch?
I figured this was my one chance to get more backstory on the Hack Clan and the kings. I had to stall them for Carys anyway, so I pressed 303 for more information.
"It was still your choice. Your actions." I told him. "You and your siblings were accountable for all that you ruined. How many kings did you kill?"
303 snorted. "You call them kings, but they were just insects ruling insects." He ticked off names with his blackened fingers. "Ferriday, C418, Zipshin, Tanner, Grum, Qorn. They all died miserable, pathetic deaths, as will you."
I noticed the missing names. "What about Jeb and Dinnerbone? And Herobrine? They got away-?"
"They skittered away like spiders before a flame." 303 declared arrogantly. "Dinnerbone knew his time was up, but he took the artifact into that wretched Labyrinth and never came out. Almost got Xavier lost with him if not for his Hack. As for Herobrine and Jeb, they went to ground. We never saw Herobrine again, and Jeb never showed himself no matter how much we attacked Daymonte to flush him out. But then, insects will always find some rock to hide under."
Noman said he found Dinnerbone's Head in the Labyrinth that guarded the Bottes Zephyr. I thought, my mind sifting through memories to piece together the whole story. Dinnerbone knew he was being pursued by Hackers, so he built the Labyrinth to protect the artifact... and he fled there knowing he wouldn't survive.
Herobrine must've gone to the End to hide from the Hackers, but what happened to Jeb? Lenz told me Jeb had been dead for quite some time, but 303 isn't claiming credit for it. Was his Head even identified? Was Jeb proven dead or just presumed dead? Was he actually still alive somewhere, just in hiding? Or, if not, then what actually killed Daymonte's first king?
Uncovering what happened to Jeb was important because his was the one artifact we couldn't account for. Not even Ciro had any leads on the ancient Endabou. Presently, there didn't seem to be any more information 303 could give me regarding Jeb, so I shifted back to our main discussion.
"You keep referring to Crafters as insects. Why? Because you deem us weak?" I questioned. "Considering the number of Hackers Carys and I went through, you'd think we'd be of higher standing."
"I loathe all Crafters the same." 303 swore. "You lot are manipulative and power-hungry. Selfish. Ready to cast aside that which you find useless. Unwilling to teach and shelter those unable to fend for themselves."
"Then you don't know anything about us." I retorted. "Not everyone is so heartless - One of my friends felt awful for what happened to Winslow. Even me! You probably won't believe it, but I gave the Hackers multiple outs. Multiple chances to abandon the siege and go home. They wasted each and every one of them!"
"The number of chances you gave them is irrelevant. I want them turned over at once." 303 demanded. He raised his blackened hand and gathered a mass of smoke that slowly thickened into an ebony Nuker sphere about the size of an apple. He pointed it at the capital, between Jillian and I. "Bring them, alive and unharmed, or watch as I turn those rocky sea cliffs into a vacant beachfront."
"You can't bluff us, 303." Jillian interceded into the discussion. The black sphere in 303's palm swirled faster and grew to the size of a basketball. "Quit trying to intimidate us when we both know you can't afford to fire that thing. Not when your imprisoned siblings are in the blast radius."
303's eyes narrowed as the Nuker sphere grew to the size of an exercise ball. Smoke started whipping around him at the same time. The Hackers behind him stepped back warily, but it was obvious he was just hoping to scare us into submission. Jillian and I held firm.
"I know how protective you are, 303." I spoke slowly. "You're as protective for your siblings as I am for my friends, and I would never sacrifice them to wipe out an enemy." I stared down the violently spinning Nuker sphere. "You're not gonna fire that."
His bluff called, 303 grumbled under his breath before lifting his arm and firing the giant Nuker sphere into the sky. Jillian, the Hackers, and I (and probably everyone shitting their pants in Nitebane) watched the Nuker sphere float up past the clouds and into the sunset sky. It went so high that it vanished from sight, only to expand rapidly into something that eclipsed the sky and appear as an artificial night. It never got close to the stone juts, but it proved 303 had the power to wipe us out like he had Akasha.
Beside me, I held Jillian up as her legs threatened to give out.
"No fear." I whispered to her. She understood, her light-blue gaze hardening as she steadied herself. In that time, the Nuker sphere that blocked out the sky had dissipated back into vapor. The Hackers returned their attention back to us.
"I trust you understand now?" Jillian asked bravely. 303's cold gaze snapped to her.
"The situation is clear. However, I still demand my siblings be returned." 303 spoke. "I'm willing to offer a trade for their safe release. Take me in their stead as your prisoner." To the horror of his fellow siblings, 303 deactivated his flight and touched the ground, his knees lowering and his arms held forward, wrists up, in a show of surrender. "Take me but let them go. I'm stronger than all three of them combined. The head of the Hack Clan, to do with as you will."
"Brother, no!"
"Don't prostrate yourself before them!"
"You are a God! You can't hand yourself over!"
"Listen to your older brother." 303 told them firmly. "The oldest oak has to make way for the fresh saplings if new trees are to flourish. Like the Darker Billionth said," he glared at me, "I would do anything to ensure my family's safety."
It was noble of 303 to offer himself in exchange for his siblings. It made me think back to all the times I threw myself into danger ahead of my friends. He truly cared for them. Noble or not, we couldn't accept that deal.
"No deal." Jillian echoed my thoughts. "Exchanging three hostages for one doesn't add up. The only reason Thed isn't Nuking everything is because his siblings are with him. What would stop you from self-destructing in our custody once your siblings are safely away?"
303 propped himself off his knees instantly, smoke seeping from his eyes as he bared his teeth.
"Not to mention, we have no idea about your full roster of Hacks." Jillian continued. "What works against those three might not restrain you. For all we know, you have a Hack that warps you out of there and leaves us with zero hostages and a whole heap of angry Hackers. There will be no trading."
"...You're annoyingly shrewd." 303 growled/echoed. "But I'm not leaving here without my siblings. You've taken so many already. I'm not about to lose any more."
"Then stop sending them to kill people!" I shouted before Jillian held an arm up to calm me down.
"We can't turn over your siblings. We'd be dead the moment we're out of hostages."
"That's right." 303 unashamedly nodded. "I will kill you. I'll wipe you out in one fell swoop. I'll personally vaporize that capital and every village in Nitebane's territory. Whether you hand them over willingly or we eventually get them out, you'll all be just as dead."
All the more reason to hold on to those hostages for dear life. I thought.
Brain: What now, though? We've denied their one demand, which means we're at an impasse. How are we supposed to keep them here?
It was while I was pondering this that Jillian spoke up hurriedly. "Hold on, what? Nitebane's villages are innocent in this. You can't target them!"
"We can and we will." Quentin chimed in for the first time since 303 had the floor. "Such is the punishment for daring to stand against us. Even if only by association."
"There is no association!" Jillian denied desperately. Too desperately. It wasn't like her. What was she doing? "They would never challenge you. They're not involved. Target us if you have to but leave them out of it!"
"No, I don't think we will." June simpered conceitedly. There was a vindictive smile on her lips. "In fact, wiping them out in one shot sounds too merciful as recompense for Poulsen, Rrhys, Ocan, Urson, Sandra, Winslow, and Thed. A nice, slooow burn with Serafina's boots would make their final moments pure agony. Enough time to let them curse their queen for being so defiant."
"You can't!" Jillian pleaded. "You-You left Akasha's villages alone!"
"The Mess Kingdom's villages were already ransacked and desolate. Little point laying ruins to ruin."
Jillian grabbed her beret with both hands and pulled it tight over her head. It had the same energy as someone tearing their hair out in desperation. She was making a big deal out of this. The villages must've meant a great deal to her, but making the Hackers think that only gave them leverage. She should've been better at hiding her emotions.
I opened my mouth to protest only to catch myself at the last second.
Hold up. Think about this. Jillian is a whiz with words. She knows how to be political and is a damn good liar. My mouth clicked shut as I allowed things to play out. The only reason she's making a show of this... is to purposefully give the Hackers something to negotiate with - the safety of Nitebane's villages. She's putting a bargaining chip in their hand.
Jillian let go of her beret, a subtle look of realization dawning on her face. She looked up hopefully. It was all carefully choreographed.
"If we were to hand over one of your siblings, would you reconsider sparing Nitebane's villages?"
My head jerked in her direction, and I had to fight to hold back my voice. I had to trust she had a plan, even if she was bargaining with the capital's only shield against 303.
303 pounced on the offer. "If you deliver, perhaps we can show a modicum of mercy. Quentin?"
"Yes, brother." Quentin responded before raising a smoke-clad hand. He pressed two fingers to his forehead and shut his eyes, which started to exude so much smoke that his glasses became fogged black, resembling sunglasses.
Jillian and I shared a confused look as Quentin did this, not understanding what Hack he was using.
"Share with me your sight... Hannah_Harper..." Quentin mumbled under his breath. Nothing happened, though Quentin wrinkled his nose. "Thed_Hearst..." He uttered next. Again, nothing happened. "Llewellyn..." He grimaced at the last, unsatisfied as he pulled his fingers away from his forehead and extinguished the smoke around his eyes. He shot 303 a helpless look, making 303 turn back to us.
"We demand the return of Hannah_Harper."
"Her power is troublesome." Jillian ignored whatever Quentin had tried, though she showed hesitance negotiating. "Perhaps Thed or Llewellyn instead...?"
"Hand over Hannah if you want your villages to be spared your fate." 303 asserted.
"This is... this is a serious decision. Hannah has powers that would prove detrimental to us." Jillian wetted her lips as she feigned fear and desperation. "I'll need to talk her release over with my advisors - give me a day to talk it over! Just a day! Until sunset tomorrow!"
303 narrowed his eyes as he stared at her. He lifted a single finger. "One. Day. Until sunset. Hannah."
Jillian nodded frantically to show she understood, but I understood what was really going on. She skillfully arranged their presence for a later time by making them believe their bargaining chip was sparing Nitebane's villages, when really all we cared about was occupying their time. That was time they'd be away from the Obelisk, which meant more time for Carys and the guys to steal the Stivali Magma and Arcticum Arma.
"Until sunset is all I need." Jillian tripped over herself to assure. She was really selling it. "However, I must request you leave the capital's line of sight while we deliberate. The presence of so many Hackers on our doorstep will make people inside nervous. You'll scare them into making the wrong decisions-"
"-or rather we'll scare them into making the right ones." 303 asserted. "You're in no position to be making requests."
"That's right. Now we're the pests." Youssef grinned sinisterly. "We'll stick around until you reach a decision. Serve as a healthy dose of fear to help speed things along. A terrifying reminder of the guillotine over their heads. Right, brother?"
Talk about playing right into our hands. I thought inwardly while outwardly appearing troubled by this development. Jillian just masterfully used reverse psychology to get the Hackers to stick around a whole day AND make them think it was their idea. I had to bite my lip to keep from singing her praises.
"You will have your day to deliberate." 303 granted. "Just know that a lot of pitiful lives hinge on this. Don't let them down, Your Radiance." He sneered before jerking his head in a show that we were dismissed. His siblings turned and started setting up makeshift shelters at the bases of stone juts. The Griefers mulled around like awkward wallflowers, none of them daring to share space with their almighty Gods. Jillian and I backed up as we took our leave, not trusting the Hackers to be above launching a sneak attack. We didn't dare talk until we were safely ensconced behind the capital walls, the sky darkening as the sun dipped below the horizon.
"Holy shit, you're a smooth criminal."
"Oh stop." Jillian waved her hand coyly. "I need to send word to Carys immediately."
"Yeah, she needs to get her ass moving. But what about Hannah?" I asked seriously, my voice lowering. "You know why they wanted her. Her enlarged nametag power can locate where we're hiding Thed and Llewellyn. If we hand her over, they're that much closer to mounting a rescue. If that happens-"
"-We kiss our butts goodbye. I'm aware." Jillian nodded. "We're not giving them Hannah. We'll give them Llewellyn or Thed. It doesn't matter if we tick them off. I don't doubt they'll destroy Nitebane's villages no matter what we give them, if only for spite. And anyway, after Carys attacks the Obelisk, they'll be in a whole other realm of fury. Hostages might not matter at that point."
"You did good, though." I praised again, a hand clapping her back. "You bought Carys some time. She screws this up, it's on her, not us."
"You weren't so bad yourself, letting 303 slug you." She complimented in turn. "Got those Hackers quaking in their boots and made 303 take you seriously. You wound him up pretty good. Why the interest in the dead kings, though?"
"Just trying to piece together the whole story. Do you know if Jeb was ever confirmed dead?" I asked.
"My information network is targetted towards more present matters." She confessed. "History is hazy. I knew Dinnerbone was presumed dead from my background as Zeppil's Captain, but I never imagined he vanished into that old Labyrinth legend. I thought it was another of those old wives' tales, like Xuanwu, or the Seven Tempests, or the Wailing Vale."
"The Wailing Vale was real, don't diminish it. It was a half-Ghast, half-Crafter abomination." I waved airily, my words confusing her. "Long story. Anyway, I need some digging done on Jeb's disappearance, because apparently the Hackers had nothing to do with him."
"They could've been lying." Jillian suggested.
"What for? They claimed credit for everyone else."
"I see your point." She hummed to herself. "I suppose I could contact Captain Veronica through Kenji. The Captain would know more about Daymonte's history, and she's in Ringwood. In the meantime, talk to Lenz and the Team Zeta nerds. They revere Jeb's redstone legacy. One of them must know about his presumed demise. I assume this has to do with tracking Jeb's artifact?"
I nodded.
"Then I'll take the matter seriously. But first, to contact Carys. She needs to know she's got a timetable to keep."
[Mark]
It was late in the capital. I was under the double cover of darkness and invisibility.
The news that Hackers were at the walls was everywhere. It made me regret letting my pride get to me. Now was a dangerous time for Nitebane.
Still, this was the bed I made, and now I had to sleep in it.
Forget spying on Lunar Castle. The place was heavily fortified with guards on every entrance. No space for an invisible body to slip through. The secrets of Carys' inner circle went on in there. King_Cobb - a warrior I endeavored to avoid - was likely staying there, along with dozens of other fighters I stood no chance against. It would be foolish trying to slip in.
Instead, I focused on the citizens and Paragons wandering the streets. I never revealed myself, for they traveled in packs, but I kept my ears open. There was a term I kept hearing from them.
Totems.
It was a term I wasn't familiar with, but the way the citizens and Paragons talked about them, it sounded like they were a miracle item that died in place of a Crafter upon taking fatal damage. It was because of these 'totems' that the capital's inhabitants felt safe, even in the wake of the Hack Clan.
From what I heard, the totems were being farmed somehow, and distributed only to certified citizens and Paragons. Stealing one would be a tall order, but that didn't mean I couldn't learn where they came from or how to obtain them.
In the past, I would have turned my nose at such an item. Now, I could surely use an extra life or two. Especially if those Hackers were about to nuke the place.
[Soul]
Ciro cut the engine when we were about five miles away from the Obelisk. We stopped short so that we wouldn't be spotted by wandering Griefers gravitating towards the Obelisk. They all gathered to it like moths to a flame. It was dark then, but we could see the stone monument that was the Hackers' home towering over the horizon.
We were on the clock, as Carys was quick to alert us to while she brushed Shiroyuki's pelt with her fingers. The Hackers would be occupied until sunset tomorrow. We had until then to secure the artifacts.
However, Carys understood the danger and uncertainty we faced. As such, she opted to send in a few of us to scout ahead. The scouting party included Dyson, Stayer, and me.
Noman came down off the roof with a set of paralysis potions for Ciro, Floyd, and me. He looked resolved, which was a far cry from how he looked yesterday. I hoped to try and explain why I needed the artifact, but Noman didn't pay me any mind. He didn't get it. He was handed power on a silver platter as soon as he spawned. He had no idea how it felt to feel weak. He listened attentively while Albert handed his own potions to the Paragons and Carys went over the plan.
"We have a tight schedule, so I'll keep this brief. The Obelisk is down to a skeleton crew as most of the Hackers took a portal to Nitebane. Jillian has masterfully bought us time - until sunset tomorrow - in which the Hackers will be preoccupied looking frightening and stupid."
"We are in luck. From her report, Jillian saw no sign of Giovanni or Serafina, or their artifacts, which means they're still chilling at the Obelisk with them. The bad news is that 303's second-in-command, Null, was also absent from Nitebane."
Kalmarin clenched his fists so tight his knuckles cracked. Carys took notice of the smoke enveloping him.
"Calm yourself, Kal. I want no reckless revenge plots." That was rich coming from her. "Null's too strong and fast for you and you know it." Reluctantly, Kalmarin cooled off, his smoke dissipating. "Null has the same Speed Hack as Floyd, as well as several others, and stands as a Level 9. He's second only to 303 in terms of power, ability, resilience, and experience. Ideally, we'd want to swat him into the Border with Ciro's handy dandy Hacker swatter."
Ciro raised the Destierro del Palillo in reply, his mismatched eyes flat and face expressionless behind his facemask.
"While we're positive of the presence of Null, Serafina, and Giovanni, we have no idea what other Hackers will have been left behind. That's where the scouts come in." She gestured to Dyson, Stayer, and me. "The three of you will dress up in mismatched gear to disguise yourselves as Griefers. The Kivu River directly below us feeds into Kivu Lake at the base of the Obelisk. You will take the river and head south to the Obelisk by boat. Once you arrive, you are to blend in. Be like the other Griefers arriving. Feign ignorance and act like torches are the hardest recipe you've had to learn."
"They're really that dumb, eh?" Floyd asked.
"To them, learning recipes and the rules of Minecraftia is a hill they are unable to climb and unwilling to attempt. Easier to rob and pillage in their eyes. Especially in the wake of Hackers who do the heavy lifting." Carys summarized succinctly.
"Once you ingratiate yourself with them - I'll give you until noon for this - you are to learn which Hackers are present, locate Serafina and Giovanni as well as their respective artifacts, and locate and destroy the Nether Portal connecting the Obelisk to Nitebane."
"What will that do? Won't the Hackers have a new portal when they return from the Nether side?" I asked.
"Nether Portals don't work that way." Anibal explained for my benefit. "Think of it like this. The obsidian portal frame acts like a tunnel holding up a mountain of rock. When you collapse the tunnel, the pathway is shut off. If one tries to use the collapsed portal anyway from the Nether side, it could pop up anywhere in Minecraftia and whisk you off to who knows where."
"Usually outside of the Border." Albert added.
"Right." Anibal nodded happily. "It's incredibly dangerous making a portal from the Nether side. It's what makes the Eastern Executive's ability to do so so powerful. Hence, why we need to destroy their portal network, but that's Cobb's job."
"If he can manage it." Carys added in a growl.
"He's handled more than you." Noman countered with a bit of bite, earning him a death glare from Carys. I couldn't believe he just said that.
"Not after this." Carys swore softly. "Anyway, we need to destroy the Nether Portal before sunset so that 303 and the rest of the Hack Clan can't return as reinforcements. We don't need to possess the artifacts before sunset. We just need to prevent more Hackers from interfering before sunset. Then we can allot more time for ourselves to take care of business."
"We put more time on the clock." Ciro summed up nicely.
"Exactly."
"Won't that mean that 303 and most of the Hack Clan will be stuck in Nitebane? That sounds like a headache for Jillian." Kalmarin noted.
"They won't be able to do much about it. Not while Jillian still has two hostages." Carys noted while permitting a perfectly brushed Shiroyuki to leap down from her arms. "Besides, it's likely the Endward Cult will rig up a new portal to bring them back. They have to prove their usefulness or 303 will vaporize them."
"That should be it. You have your orders." Carys spoke to Dyson, Stayer, and me. "Infiltrate the Griefers, avoid the Hackers, and use your linked maps to report back when you have everything you need. From there, we'll bring the airship in and coordinate phase two of our assault. You can expect teams for this. I'll arrange them to be of even standing and power once we have all the facts. And remember, the Stasis maps are reserved as a last resort if you need a quick escape out of there. Don't drop them unless you're prepared to conclude the mission. Any questions? Good. Get moving." She hurried us along before anyone could ask any questions, not that we had any. She had been quite thorough.
I knew why she picked the three of us out of everyone to be fake Griefers. It was because we were unrecognized. Undistinguished. Common grunts. Infantry. I didn't share Dyson's pride in being thought of as that.
We dressed ourselves in mismatched gear and used Potions of Slow Falling to get us to the ground safely. Cat-Face and Christopher Squawken were brought along with me. After that, we tossed our boats in the Kivu River and sailed south towards what could quite possibly be certain doom.
I showed no fear, though. This was my time to prove myself. To redeem my cowardice in Akasha. To put myself on the map and claim an artifact.
Everything was about to change. Today.
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, 57 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
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, 60 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}
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, 54 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}, 40 Cooked Cod, 49 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, 55 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, 9 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, 11 Cooked Mutton, 8 Gold Ingots, 11 Blocks of Diamond, 16 Blocks of Emerald, 1 Shears, 1 Milk Bucket, 1 Diamond Helmet [Protection IV, Unbreaking III], 1 Iron Chestplate, 1 Leather Pants, 1 Diamond Leggings [Protection IV, Unbreaking III], 1 Golden Boots, 1 Diamond Boots [Protection IV, Feather Falling IV, Unbreaking III], 1 Crafting Table, 1 Jukebox, 1 Music Disc {chirp}, 1 Bed, 1 Furnace, 24 Torches, 22 White Wool, 61 Cobblestone, 14 Jungle 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, 8 Cooked Mutton, 56 Nether Warts, 15 Soul Sand, 1 Flint and Steel, 10 Cobwebs, 1 Milk Bucket, 1 Water Bucket, 5 Buckets, 1 Bed, 1 Crafting Table, 1 Brewing Stand, 15 Glass Bottles, 4 Packed Ice, 8 Ender Pearls, 60 Glowstone Dust, 23 Gunpowder, 12 Redstone Dust, 60 Blaze Powder, 62 Gold Nuggets, 43 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}, 16 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: Jillian and Cobb stare down the Hack Clan. And Cobb takes an interest in Jeb.
I felt the talk with 303 was dragging at points, so I actually cut some stuff. I also introduced a couple of new Hackers with some abilities from the list of Minecraft Hacks I got as reference.
Carys shows off her tactical prowess. Her plan is pretty solid, and Jillian and Cobb have bought her and her forces some time. Will it be enough? We shall see.
I feel I adequately showed off Jillian's intellect and way with words. And before any of you start shipping her with Cobb, they're just working together, okay? So don't even think about it. Cobb isn't ready to start dating again. Leave him alone.
Four more Chapters before Part VII is concluded. Carys' assault is set in motion. You won't wanna miss the next installment of My Craft.
Place your bets on how many Hackers will die before Part VII is concluded.
FAV. FOLLOW. REVIEW. FORUM. DISCORD. BIRTHDAY CAKE.