How to train your hoglin

Sun Palace

Ranboo woke slowly. He was in a soft bed, staring up at a sandstone ceiling. He felt tired and achy, but he couldn't feel his injuries.
Phil
He sat up with a start and stared around. The room was simple but clearly belonged to someone wealthy.
"You're awake." A kind voice said from the door.
Ranboo turned and saw what looked like a totem of undying, but part shark.
"Who are you?"
"I have many names, just like the rest of us immortals. But you can call me Foolish."
"Foolish. I'm Ranboo."
"I know."
"Where's Phil?'
Why do you care?
Ranboo ignored the little voice.
"Resting. For a while, we thought we were going to lose him. Fortunately I've gotten pretty good at healing."
"Why are you helping us?"
Foolish tilted his head. "King. Besides, I'm not about to turn away two immortals in need. Besides, death in the desert is not a fun way to die. Dehydration and sunburning is painful and slow."
King? Ranboo wondered. Who was that?
Ranboo nodded. "What about our horse?"
"Ah, Cloud. One of Herobrine's prized stallions. Known throughout the land for their bravery and loyalty." Foolish sounded sad. "Ranboo, he's gone."
"He left?"
"He took the heat and lack of water so you and Phil didn't have too, but he isn't immortal. You two might have survived several days more, albeit in extreme pain. Cloud didn't have that."
"What do you mean?" Ranboo asked.
"He's dead. We buried him in a place of honor yesterday."
Dead. Gone. Ranboo looked down. He hadn't known the horse for long, but he'd been brave.
"I'm sorry. It's hard to lose a friend." Foolish said quietly.
"Now what?" Ranboo asked.
"Well, that's up to you. And the Angel. I will help where I can."
Ranboo's stomach grumbled angrily.
"I bet you're hungry. Come along."
Ranboo followed Foolish out of the room, his particles following, trying to offer advice. Although it was useless, Ranboo appreciated the effort.
Foolish led Ranboo through halls, halls which dripped with gold and jewels, to a massive dining room. The space was taken up by a massive table, which was covered in platters and bowls of food and drink.

Ranboo's stomach growled again. Foolish smiled. "Eat whatever you want."
Ranboo watched as Foolish left the room, then attacked the table.
Potatoes, pork, golden carrots, steak. Ranboo ate it all.
His particles yelped at him to slow down, but he ignores them. He was so hungry.

Foolish walked down the hall, still able to hear the Enderling devouring his food. Luckily his many servants had made plenty.
Foolish ducked down a side corridor and opened a concealed door in the wall.
Down stairs he went, until he reached a massive room with walls of gold, emerald, lapis, and carnelian.
A large mirror pool waited within, where Foolish would seek answers from the only person he bowed to. King.
Foolish pulled three pure white jewels from a hidden pocket and tossed them into the water.
Slowly, images formed in the clear water. They were pale white, glowing in the smooth teal water.
Foolish studied them, commiting them to memory, and knelt, bowing his head and lifting his arms in a symbol of respect.
He bowed to King, and King alone. Even when images such as these appeared, images which made some part of him want to tear the room apart.
"As you command, King." He said softly, his heart growing heavy at the request. The travelers had been through so much, he did not want to do this to them.
Still, King's orders were to be followed, and Foolish had to obey. He always had to obey.

After all, the Dreamon King was a god in this world, even to the immortals.

Heh heh heh