How to train your hoglin

A Sandstone Library

Trigger warning for manipulation, blood, and self-harm. If there's anything else I'm sorry, please tell me in the comments and I will add them.

The Totem was a gracious host. Ranboo and Phil were given as much food as they could eat, and they were allowed to wander.
Foolish even let Phil into his library, a massive space filled to the brim with books.
Phil learned all he could about enchantments, curses, hoglins, life, death, and ressurection.
He also tried to find anything he could in immortals, although most of them were hardly given any mention.
The Dreamon King was noticeably absent, which was unusual. Even smaller libraries often had a legend or mention, but Phil couldn't find one mention.
Still, he spent hours in the library, reading.
Foolish would come and ask him what he'd found, and although the answer was always no, Foolish never seemed upset.
Perhaps he already knew these books, though that seemed unlikely. Or maybe he just hoped Phil wouldn't find anything.

Foolish wasn't around all the time, either. For the couple weeks Ranboo and Phil had been at the sun Palace, Foolish disappeared often.
They didn't know where he went. Phil didn't care, as long as he could stay holed up in the library, but Ranboo started getting curious.
He tried to follow Foolish as he left, but always got lost.
Or, very occasionally, he'd simply be one place somewhere, then wake up somewhere else with the faintest sense that time had passed.
It seemed like he was sleepwalking.

Phil once offered to teach Ranboo more about fighting, but Ranboo refused, preferring to read and write things down.

After two weeks of being at the palace, Phil began to wonder about where to go next.
Foolish had said he would lead them to the Astrals, but Phil wasn't certain he wanted Ranboo to come along.
The enderman could be happy in this giant sand castle, learning about healing from Alyssa.
Maybe Phil should continue alone.

He could go save Techno and they could go home to the Arctic and wait out the wither knights.
It seemed as though they were almost there. Almost to the end.
You may not live to see the end.

Ranboo was confused. Why did he wake up in these corridors? Why was it getting easier to remember things?
He stood up and walked down the hall. He should probably get back before dinner started.
You should run.
The voice echoed in his head.
Philza will kill you. He will. He'll find out what you've done and he'll kill you.
"Shut up." Ranboo snarled.
His particles, agitated, darted around him.
Don't listen to it, Ranboo.
Phil would never hurt you!
Oh yes he would. If it was to save someone he would. Just like he hurt his own sons. Just like he hurt Technoblade. He would hurt you, kill you, if he thought he had to.
Ranboo covered his ears. "I'm not listening to you."
You can't get rid of me. It laughed. Ranboo tripped and fell to the floor. He curled into a fetal position, squeezing his eyes shut. "Just leave me alone."
It laughed harder. I'm YOU. I can't leave you alone. I'm part of you.
"No you're not, you're just an angry voice trying to get me to turn on my friend."
How long have you known him? Three weeks? Give me a break. You've never really had friends. And even if you did, you betray them all anyway.
"Go away!" Ranboo begged. "Please just leave me alone!"
Why would I do that? You deserve this. You always deserved all of it.
Ranboo's claws raked down his face as he tried to tear the voice out.
You can't get rid of me. I'm always here. I'll always be here.
Ranboo let out a strangled scream and began to sob as the worst headache he'd ever felt shredded his brain.
He tore at his skin as tears burned into his face. Two-toned blood soaked the ground.

It laughed.

And laughed.

Then it paused.
I- hmm.
It stopped.
Ranboo blinked away tears, panting. Why had it stopped?
You've managed to summon- how-?
Ranboo tilted his head "What?"
No. You're not the one who summoned. That was someone else. Someone with no business here.
Ranboo was confused. What was it talking about?
You won't. I'm part of him. You can't tear us apart, not without destroying him!
I know. I don't have to. Just seal you away for a bit.
You can't get rid of me. I'LL COME BACK! I SWEAR I'LL COME BACK.
Are you alright?
The new voice sounded concerned.
"Yes." Ranboo whispered.
That's good. I'm sorry he popped up. I've been trying to keep him away from you.
"Who is he? Is he really part of me?"
Yes and no. He's attached himself to you, but he's not actually part of your mind. As for who he is.... It doesn't really matter.
"Who are you?"
Someone who has been told to watch out for you.
"What does that mean?" Ranboo asked.
I can't explain more. And I won't be here for much longer.
"What do I do?"
Be careful, little prince. I cannot protect you forever.
The voice was getting quieter. Ranboo jumped to his feet.
"Don't leave!" Ranboo cried. "Don't leave me!"
It didn't return.
Ranboo slumped against the wall and slid to the ground.
His particles surrounded him, offering words of comfort. Ranboo just wished he could escape.

He began to clean up the red and green blood, pressing bandages to his burns and scrapes.
Maybe it would get better.

It had to get better.

Ranboo angst approaches