The labyrinth of monsters (a Hermitcraft and third life AU fanfic)

Chapter 23 - Grian

I'm beginning to learn where stuff is in the maze. For the first few days I stuck to Cub's side for protection and direction. I told him all about life outside the maze. He told me about Scar. Slowly, we became less like allies and more like friends. He let me sleep inside his and Scar's home where I quickly discovered how good he was at making cakes, and we became even closer.

About a week has passed, and I'm walking down an area of the maze I don't know, joined by Cub, Ren, Joel and Tango. The latter still isn't talking. I understand why. 

'Tango, Grian, Joel, I'll introduce you. Don't talk until they invite you to. Try not to stare too much, and don't look like your judging them. I doubt that many of them will trust you.' I nod back, listening closely to Cub's advice. Apparently, all of the Maze-folk are meeting to discuss all the deaths and to make future plans. Me, Joel and Tango were also invited. Word has got around quickly that we've joined them. 

Finally, the maze opens up into a room via a hidden entrance in the wall. Everyone else is inside, and watches us as we enter. Staring at the floor, I make my way to an empty chair. Cub and Tango sit either side of me. I glance over at the former for further help on socialising and fitting in. He doesn't reply.

'So, I'm guessing we all know why we're here.' Slay speaks first, and I look towards where he is. It's then that I notice who's sitting next to her.

'Jevin?!' I burst out. I can tell everyone's focused on me now, so I try and calm down. 'W...why are you here?' 

'I got tired of the other place. Everyone was making fun of me because I'm a slime. I took their silent advice and left with Slay, or Gem as she's actually called, when she asked me to.'

'Who the new guy?' I hear Hels mutter. I glance across to them, sitting back into my seat. Next to him, a bearded man I assume is Pozdol Guy shrugs. 

'Maybe we should introduce ourselves before we discuss other things.' Cub recommends. I nod, hiding my relief. 

'Fine. I'm Gem, I can create plants and vines, Jevin's my friend. Winged boy has already told us who he is.' Iskall glares at me and I sink down further, hiding the redness of my face. 

'I'm Joel. I come from outside the maze. Ren's been looking after me ever since. I came over with these two.' 

Someone's told him what to say... I think to myself resentfully. I guess no one thought I should learn how not to embarrass myself. 

'I'm Ren. Half-dog, half-man.'

'Tango.' I Look over at my friend. He doesn't elaborate, fixated on the table.

'Anything... else?' Hels asks. I notice that his eyes are blue, not red, and the plume of his helmet is just a feather, not actual fire like before. I don't question.

'My friends all died?' 

'And moving on...'

'I'm Grian. I also come from outside the maze...' I pause as I think of what to say. 'I've been living with Cub.' 

'I'm Cub, the only vex still... alive. I can do weird magic stuff.' 

'I'm Wels.' I blink at the different name, visibly confused. 'I share a body with my psychopath brother Hels.'

'And I'm Beef. I can create dirt and podzol and stuff like that. I also like llamas.'

'Now let's get onto talking about...' death I finish silently in my head. Everyone's silent, clearly knowing the same thing. Gem doesn't need to finish. 'So Martyn and Scar are gone?' 

Cub stiffens next to me at his friend's name. I look worriedly over, but he recovers quickly. 

'Scar was killed by someone called Impulse. Impulse later killed himself. He didn't want anyone to get too upset about it, and died as cheerfully as he always tried to be.' 

'Impulse was my best friend.' Tango mentions. 'His brother's death was caused by Scar. He was trying to get revenge.' 

'SCAR DIDN'T KILL HIM!' Cub's on his feet. I shrink away from his fury. 'It was one of your lot that killed him! I recall Impulse killing them too, right?' 

'Cub, sit down.' Gem orders. 'Tango? Is this right?'

'Skizz would've died if you hadn't tried to kill him and Impulse already. He thought it was fair. He was also my closest friend, so...'

'And Martyn's death?' 

'Someone on their side killed him. I think it was an accident.' Ren explains briefly. Gem nods. 

'And how many of their side have we killed?'

'I killed someone. The person in a superhero outfit.' 

'Jimmy.' I add. 

'Yes, him.'

'Anyone else?'

'I killed someone. I think the others called her False?' 

'That's right.' 

'And that's all?'

I think through all the deaths. 

'What about Scott? You know, the person with blue hair?'

'He's still alive. Martyn didn't want him to die.'

'But I found his body!' Jevin replies. 'He was definitely dead.'

'Not quite. Me and Martyn saved him.'

'And...'

'He's still too hurt to come to this.' Joel adds. 'But he's awake.'

'That's good. Now, what will we do about the others.'

'They'll want you dead,' I add, trying not to sound too pessimistic. 'All of us. Doc said if saw us, he'll kill us.'

'Well, that's nice.' Wels mutters unhelpfully. 'I like being hunted and killed. It really is my favourite activity.' 

'Wels, shut up.' 

'Fine... is there anything else to discuss?'

'We were still discussing how everyone wants to kill us?' Reminds Beef. 

'Yeah... I'd suggest all if us stick together as more than one. Beef, Wels, you stay together. Cub and Grian, me and Jevin, Ren and Joel... Tango? Who are you with?'

My grieving friend merely shrugs. 

'I don't know.' 

'Ren, can he stay with us like he already has a bit?' Joel pleads. Ren nods back. 

'Yeah.'

'Cool. Now, if that's all, let's all set off. Stay safe, ok?'

We all say our goodbyes, before returning back into the maze, the realisation sinking in that it's not only the others that find it absolutely terrifying. 

Another bad chapter... 

Slightly better?

Maybe? 

But probably not...