The Enderhermit

Bruised Hands

AN
Sorry it's been a while since I last posted. Probably don't expect another chapter for a bit. I wrote most of this instead of doing homework, mainly calculus, and i should be focusing on it.
End AN

The stone walls of Grian's hidden cave echo with the sound of metal pounding as he strikes his netherite hammer onto the glowing orange iron on his anvil. The usual sweater that he wears lays on top of a chest on one side of the cave leaving the scars that it usually hides in plain sight to anyone in the cave. He glances up at the clock hanging in an idea frame on the wall. He still has a few hours before the sun rises.

He didn't bother trying to go to sleep. He knew after the stressful day he had he wouldn't be falling asleep anytime soon, not even taking the nightmares into account.

He continues to hit the metal to form it into a blade without much thought, relying on muscle memory. Hitting the metal to release the stress that the day brought him.

Clank.

Grian waits next to the portal nervously. Most of the Hermits were waiting with him talking excitedly with each other. He's always worried he might have traveled through the End one too many times or someone will catch onto something more. He could never thank Xisuma enough for allowing him to join this family but he is always worried his past will come back to haunt him.

All of a sudden, the portal starts swirling around even more to show someone coming through. They all quiet down as Xisuma steps through the portal.

The way X refuses to look Grian in the eyes tells him everything. He won't like whatever news Xisuma has. 

"So… anything important happened at your meeting?" Stress asks unaware of the tension in the air.

"... There has been a concern with the health of a group of people called Wynncraft."

Clank.

"Surely you don't mean…" Mumbo starts with a realization on his face. He was the one who recommended Grian to join their world so he got pulled into the investigation of the Enderknights.

"If they are having health concerns, the admins should let the Wynnians deal with it themselves. How do you know they even have problems?" Grian adds. He knows that Xisuma is referring to the case about the other Enderknights and himself. The air got thick and everyone got silent.

"Grian… two of them simultaneously fainted."

Clank.

Grian's eyes widen with realization. The others are also being affected by whatever is happening to the End. "Do you know why they fainted?" Grian asks with concern.

"No. It was taken to the admins because there was no cause as to why it happened in the first place. We believe it might be connected to a larger problem that happened at the same time." Xisuma looks over everyone before continuing, "there have been problems happening in the End that are causing major concern of perma-death. Everyone needs to avoid going to the End unless there is an absolute necessity. If you do need to go, please let me know."

"That still does not excuse the admins from going behind the Wynnians backs. Again." Grian said only to be met with silence.

Clank.

"What is Wynncraft?" someone asked quietly. Grian looks over to the direction the question came from to see Beef. Grian stares at the ground wishing he could disappear.

"It is a world without admins but has its own types of magic. The world is filled with people native to it." Grian faintly hears X explain. They are so much more than that. They are the only ones not from A… the only ones other than the others that understand who they are.