Chapter Text
Light rain pattered on the exterior of the Airship. A storm had started a few days ago and hadn’t let up since, which Vex found strange. Though she found that this kind of weather was perfect for a tad bit of light reading. They had snatched one of the many books from the middle of a pile in Diansu’s room. It didn’t surprise them that he hadn’t noticed yet. ‘States of the Afterlife: Vol. III - Expanded Edition’ was its name. A strange book indeed, and Vex had no clue how Diansu had stumbled across it. But here they were, reading through it with little interest.
The book wasn’t really a book of facts, nor was it really useful to anyone in any way. It went on and on about theories and ‘if’s. It was very unsure of itself. Vex sighed, sitting up. They weren’t even sure why they chose to read this book, and not be sensible and choose one that meant more, or revealed more. Something titled ‘100 Ways: Revenge Edition’ would be far more suited for their taste.
The thought made their chest burn with rage. They knew they had to be patient, but whoever tried to get rid of Vexintrus would pay. No matter how many lives it took in the process. They sighed, closing the book and setting it on their bedside table. Their hands trembled as they did, not too far from a rose shaking in a breeze. Patience, they assured themself. The time will come. No one will expect it. Not from you.
Though another part of them argued. With the state I’m we’re in? There’s a good chance they’ll-
Patience, they repeated. Vex rolled their eyes. Their eyes trailed around the room from pure boredom, which was when their eyes caught on their door. It had been creaking loudly every time it was opened, which was unfortunately very often. Another reminder that the ship was still quite a bit of a mess… And that they needed to go back out for more materials.
Refraining from sighing again, Vex got up, stretching a bit before going out into the main hall. As much as they tried to sneak past Diansu’s and Void’s room (who had been revived a few days prior due to Diansu’s insistence), the duo always seemed to sense when Vex was around, as a few seconds later Void stepped out of their room. Vex could tell that Diansu was trying to listen as well, though they didn’t care.
They glanced back as Void joined them in the hall.
“Where are you off to?” Vex hesitated for a second, almost completely forgetting what they were going to do.
“Ah-” Right. “I was going to collect more resources. My door’s creaking.”
“I could come with you,” Void offered. They were all too cheerful for Vex’s liking, but they kept them around. The more the… Well, not merrier, but…
Vex shrugged. “Of course, if you want.” Void happily began following behind them as they arrived at the hatch and opened it. The outside was still gloomy, a factor Vex had entirely forgotten about. There was a breeze, and, though it was gentle, it was whipping freezing rain droplets right at them. They subconsciously adjusted their goggles as the pair looked around for a moment.
“No one in the immediate area,” Vex finally said at last. “The rain will give us a bit of cover at least. Let’s go.”
They didn’t check to see if Void was following them. They knew they would. For a long while, neither of them spoke. Normally Void was very chatty, but either Vex’s frustration at the rain (and the fear of that frustration being directed at them, if they made the wrong move), or just the journey itself deterred them from talking most of the way.
Little ground had been left untouched during the storm; the dirt had been churned into mush, mud sticking to their boots. The rain soaked them to the skin, quickly absorbing any warmth it could like a thirsty plant getting its first taste of water. Water ran down their neck. Vex shivered but continued on. Arriving at the forest, under the cover of damp leaves, didn’t help either. Cold rain still ran off of the smooth leaves, leaving the space above them still dripping.
“This is going to be fun,” Vex muttered. They were only realizing now that the wet wood would have to dry first, and would also be harder to split, making their task a lot more difficult. Making it miserable.
They suddenly had the urge to sit down and cry like an idiot.
Taking a deep breath, they turned back to Void, who was staring off into the distance. Vex elbowed them, which made them jump, though it got their attention.
“I’d say about eight wood stacks for both of us. We can keep 4 stacks total just as logs in case someone wants to use them in a build, the rest we turn into planks. Make sure to replant any trees you cut down. Yeah?”
Void only nodded. Vex narrowed their eyes. They wouldn’t tell what, but they were afraid of something. Though Vex only turned away. Whatever it was, it wasn’t their problem. The two set to work, hacking at the trees with axes, with spares in a chest Vex had placed beforehand. The rain made it more difficult to cut. But it gave Vex time to think. And drown out the annoying humming Void was doing that they could somehow hear over the rain.
Need something more to do then cut down trees, they half-heartedly thought as they sluggishly hacked away at the stubborn, damp, impossible bark this particular tree seemed to have. We should…
Should what? What would-
Steal something. The thought burned into Vex’s mind, making them pause for a brief moment. Take something valuable.
But our small group should stay hidden… y- I- we’ve always said to bide our time. Be patient. The last word was almost said in a mocking tone. Now-
Now we strike, the other voice insisted. If we get our hands on something, something deadly that they can’t use anymore-
The thought was unanimous, like two light bulbs being connected to the same lever and flickering on.
The Dusk’s Epitaph.
There’s no way-
We can, if we-
Something tapped Vex on the shoulder. They nearly flung the axe at whoever had touched them, which would’ve ripped Void’s head clean off if Vex hadn’t managed to control themself.
Void flinched under their gaze. “Sorry. You were… staring at the trunk you were cutting,” they said quietly. Vex glanced down. The tree they had cut had fallen over some time while they were wrapped up in their thoughts. They blinked before returning their gaze to their ally.
“Is… that all?” Vex said blankly.
Void glanced around nervously. Vex barely had time to process it before Void had leaned in really close. Way beyond their comfort zone (which normally had a radius of three to four blocks, but that wasn’t the point).
For a hot second, Vex thought Void was going to do something else entirely other than just whispering in their ear. But what they said might have been a little creepier. A little bit worse.
“Someone’s watching us.”
Vex froze. Their eyes trailed the horizon. It couldn’t have been Mouthpiece, right? No. They weren’t anywhere in sight. Their head twitched as they continued thinking. But…
Who could be watching them?
***
Nox hadn’t intended to get in trouble that day. He had really just wanted to go on a walk to plan. His last plan to kill Blake hadn’t gone through well. Though a better question might be: when has any assassination on any player gone over well? He rubbed his temples, the dry, burnt skin aching like it almost constantly did. The rain was dreary, though he didn’t feel a lot of it through his armor. Only the cold. Man, his skin sucked. The charred husk had lost all of its functions, one of them being thermal regulation. So.. great! Hypothermia risk!
Nox had no clue how he wasn’t permanently dead yet.
He really had no clue why anyone would find him useful. Sure, he was good in a battle. Some people might be weird enough to find him good company. He.. he didn’t really see any of those traits in himself. Not anymore. Not since Lux had died.
He hadn’t hated her when it had happened. Nox had been trying to save her from all the things she didn’t recognize. The memory of her dying was burned into his mind.
Nox shook his head. Focus. Plans. He took a deep breath. And that’s when he heard voices.
His chest seized. He thought for sure it was Blake, or someone else who had a grudge against him for no reason and was going to kill him. But as he listened…
Oh, Nox thought, suddenly feeling a bit stupid. They weren’t approaching him. Nor were they trying to sneak up on him. They weren’t even trying to be quiet. Nox approached slowly. The rain suddenly felt so much more present. Maybe because it was hiding his trail.
He stopped behind a thick trunk as the trees suddenly gave way into a clearing. Saplings were planted everywhere where dirt was still exposed, places where trees had once been, growing fast. And the people in the clearing?
Lux and Void. Nox didn’t remember if he had really ever properly met Void, but he remembered when Lux had found their grave, right beside Zombie’s. He remembered how she had zoned out for an unsettling moment, silently grieving. And then that moment had snapped.
Nox shifted slightly. Void’s head shot up. He jumped so badly he nearly stepped on a twig and outed himself, though he managed to only step behind the tree a little more. He watched as Void scanned their surroundings, momentarily stopping on Lux, who had ceased their cutting all together and was staring at a stump in front of them. Then their gaze continued on, sweeping by the tree Nox was hiding behind. It was a long moment.
But Void, jumpy as they were, seemed to let it go. He silently let out a sigh of relief as Void went to prod Lux, who jerked around so fast Nox though they might’ve killed Void right then and there for touching them. Void then said something quietly to them, Lux looking back at the stump before answering something that Nox once again couldn’t hear.
Void then whispered into their ear. Lux went rigid, immediately scanning the horizon.
Shiiiiiiiii-
Apparently, Void had not, in fact, let go of it. Lux twitched her head, almost like they were confirming something only they knew. Then, slowly, painfully.. They turned their head to look Nox directly in the eye.
He thought that gaze would make him lose the ability to breathe, because it sure felt it did for a hot second. He could only stare back for a moment. Long enough for Void to lock onto him, too. Lux muttered something to their companion. Void nodded. Both of them simultaneously dropped their axes, which made an unpleasant squelching noise as it hit the muddied forest floor.
Lux then casually called out, “We won’t hurt you. If you show yourself.”
“Aw, fuck that,” Nox muttered. I do not believe that for one second. Not with those creepy golden eyes of Lux’s. Yup, I’m fucked.
And he ran.
He could hear them trailing after him. He sped up. He slid under a low branch when he thought going around it would take too much time. Not once did he look behind him. He knew what was coming.
He kept going.
Trees blurred around him as he ran. His lungs had begun to burn long ago. His bones ached. He couldn’t feel his throat, nor his ribcage. His legs trembled. But Nox could still hear them.
He kept going.
Until he couldn’t. He had gotten so close to Spawn. So close. And then his legs had given out. Grass met his face. Nox barely felt the impact. His entire body felt numb, his breathing unsteady, short and fast. His vision was covered in swaying black spots. Every noise that was made was too sharp. He could barely see.
Nox had no idea how Lux and Void managed to keep up with him. He didn’t know how they looked completely unmoving by the long run. He didn’t know why he continued to lay there. Why he didn’t run. He felt like he couldn’t move.
The pair slowly approached him. Lux’s gaze never once left Nox, not even when Void spoke to say something he didn’t process at first.
“What are we going to do with him?”
Nox forced himself into a sitting position, which hurt like a bitch, and scrambled away from them. “Don’t touch me!” He yelled, reaching for his longsword. Lux glared at him, a long, evil look that sent shivers down his spine.
“Keep your mouth shut, and we won’t touch you,” they promised, though Nox didn’t believe a word of it. He was trembling pretty badly; half because of exhaustion, the other half out of pure terror. He knew he was going to die here, whether it be temporary or permanent. In response to Lux, he shakily nodded.
Lux unsheathed their axe. They must’ve picked them back up when he ran. Its blade was dull from use, but he could tell it would still hurt if used against skin. And Nox could tell that Void’s was sharper, fresher. They would have Void do anything if they were to.
“First off, give us your armor and weapons.” The demand made Nox’s blood run cold. But, out of fear, he obliged, yanking off everything as fast as he could. Lux closely watched his every action. He could feel their gaze, even as he averted his gaze and tossed his sword over to them. The rain had already begun soaking his clothes, and he pulled the Oceana banner-scarf closer to his face.
The moment he let go of his weapon, Nox felt like an idiot. They only had iron axes. He could’ve easily overpowered them. But that smile… it threatened more than Lux should be able to actually do to him. Like it could kill him if it got sharp enough.
Lux proceeded to say, “Now that that's out of the way!” They approached him slowly, axe shining cruelly in the dim light, droplets spilling off its edge. Nox’s eyes widened. “You wouldn’t happen to know where the Dusk’s Epitaph is, do you?” Even Void looked shocked at the question.
Nox gripped at the wet grass, tearing out small bits of it as he thought. Then, slowly, he answered, “...It should still be with RAT.. But it’s been so long since anyone saw him… there’s really no way of telling where exactly it might be.”
Lux frowned, as if this was an answer they didn’t wish to hear. But that really wasn’t something that was under his control.
And then something sharp was pressed up against his neck. Nox had been so out of focus that he didn’t have anytime to process before Void had their axe against his next. He froze, glancing up at them. Void didn’t look down, only paying attention to Lux, who had begun to walk away, back to where they had come from.
“Take care of him,” they called. They didn’t so much as look back. “Catch up to me once you’ve cleaned up. We can collect the wood we’ve chopped and head back to base.” Nox froze as he processed the words. He didn’t get any more time to think as his head was separated from his neck.
Funny thing was, he was still alive for a good ten or twenty seconds after. Nox got to watch the blood run off Void’s axe as they walked away, the rain wiping any trace they had ever been there. He got to watch his vision fade, slowly and quickly. He got to watch as the rain suddenly worsened, a moderate drizzle forming into a full on thunder storm.
And, finally, him losing consciousness and respawning.
…
Nox’s breathing was intensely heavy as he woke up in his bed. His hands immediately reached for his neck. His thoughts were speeding at a million miles per hour as he scrambled up, having to support his weight on a nearby table for a moment. He didn’t even give a second thought of securing a second set of armor, or another weapon. He sprinted out of his house. His mind had tunnel-visioned on one thing:
They’re going to find me. And they’re going to kill me once they do.
He didn’t know exactly where he wanted to go; he didn’t care about what he had heard. Nox only wanted to find somewhere safe to stay. Somewhere comforting. He subconsciously headed through a Nether portal nearby, taking himself along paths he couldn’t properly register. Then he went off the beaten path, going through another portal that was slightly dug into the ground. And where did he end up?
RAT’s cabin, of course.
Though Nox thought that it would be a good opportunity to warn the masked rat, his fear barely registered the idea. A twig snapped near him. His chest seized in pure panic, only repeating, they’ve found me they’ve found me they’ve found me they’ve found me they’ve found me they’ve found me they’ve found me they’ve found me they’ve found me they’ve-
Nox ran up the cobblestone steps, every moment thinking he was going to trip, and then he would be caught, and then he would die, over and over, until he didn’t have the energy to respawn again. His breathing continuously caught in his throat. His throat began to hurt again.
Without any hesitation, he ran straight into RAT’s storage room. Nox wasn’t sure why he felt safer in one of his worst enemy's houses than anywhere else. But the times he had been there, he was so calm, and felt so comfortable, he may have grown a little attached.
And what luck, too. As he was curled in the corner, he heard someone approach. Assuming the worst, Nox pleaded.
“Don’t hurt me, please, not again- I’m not a threat I’m not going to do anything please please please please please I’m sorry I-” He glanced up. The footsteps had paused while he was ranting, begging. He paused as well. Though it took a moment for him to recognize the face, he finally took into consideration that he had a chance to escape. A chance to make allies, and fight against his fear.
Standing in front of him, a confused and worried look spread across their face,
was Astron.