A Glitch of Magic - a Hermitcraft (and third life?) Fanfiction

Chapter 17

Hey! Wattpad F*****G got rid of my chapter again. 

I literally want to throw my IPad across the room.

As far as he was concerned, Grian's life trapped alone in the darkness was better than Cub's freedom. 

A million times better. 

He'd only been there for around a day, but it had already felt like eternity. He'd had to watch, silent, at Herobrine left hand side while all the other hermits on his side were turned into Vexlings. Watched as they grew used to their magic. Knowing that in a few weeks time they'd wake up crying as the magic grew to a point of uncontrollability, forcing itself out with wings and flares of blue. Just like he'd faced. Just like Scar'd faced. The power that had torn their life apart too much, and still continued to destroy it. Herobrine had even worn the black and gold robes of the Head Evoker. It was the only rule he'd kept. No masks. No order. Only chaos, and cake so sweet it made Cub want to puke. 

As soon as Herobrine had declared their meeting over, and sent Etho off to spy on the other surviving hermits, Cub ran over to the nearest quiet building - Grian's starter base - and slammed the door behind. There was a knife left on the stairs, so he grabbed it, holding it pointed at his chest. Panting. He'd do it. He'd f*****g do it. And show Herobrine he wasn't in control of everything. 

The door closed.

'It's not going to work, you know.' 

Cub dropped the weapon, turning to see Tango. 

'Tried it on my first day. Just respawned again. If you want to vent off your anger by causing yourself pain, I'd try this instead.' 

He pulled off the bandages on his arm that Cub hadn't noticed before, showing off a row of clean cuts, some still bleeding. 

'How did you know I was here?'

'I didn't. This is just where I normally go to hide from Herobrine. And to think about Impulse.' 

'Can I ask what happened to him?'

'I killed him.' Tango spat back bitterly, sinking to the ground. 'Herobrine tricked me into killing him.' Tears rolled down the boomer's face. 'He died thinking I wanted to kill him.' 

Cub walked slowly over to his side, joining him. 

'It'll be ok.'

'But it won't! How are we going to defeat Herobrine when we've been forced into obedience?!'

'I don't know. But we will. Don't worry.' 

'You were ready to kill yourself a minute ago.' Tango accused.

'That was before I knew someone else needed me.'

'Why does that change anything?!'

'Because I care about my friends' lives. And you're my friend.'

'Well, if you want to help, then find a way to do necromancy that actually works and bring back my best friends.' 

'Tango, I-' 

'Don't worry. He'd probably just hate me anyway.'

Just as Cub was about to make some kind statement, someone shouted outside. In fact, there was a lot of shouting outside. He scrambled to his feet, looking out the window (Is there a window in Grian's starter base?).

Outside, a group of hermits were running away from what looked like all the others on Herobrine's side. His eyes flashed blue. 

Protect Herobrine. 

Stop them from finding Grian. 

'Come on. We need to help.' He hated the words his mind made him say, but said them anyway, helping Tango to his feet. Cub ran outside, a pair of Vex-wings already flashing to life behind him and a sword in hand. Tango was next to him, covered almost head-to-toe in vex-magic fire.

Now they were nearer, they could see that the attackers were Iskall, Mumbo and Hypno, the latter staying back and the former two holding hands as they raced over to where some traitor had told them Grian was. Fury filled Cub, and he grabbed the collar of Mumbo, making him yelp in fear. 

'ISKALL!' The spud cried. 'HELP ME!'

'MUMBO! NO!'

'Go away or I'll kill him.' Cub spat. 'In front of you.'

'I DON'T WANT TO DIE!'

An arrow flew past as Hypno open fired. It was the only one as Doc had reached the rebel and yanked the bow from his hand. 

'Uhh... guys? This isn't going well.'

'OH, REALLY?!' Snapped Mumbo. 'I HADN'T NOTICED.'

Iskall's just blocks away from where Herobrine hid Grian. Cleo's nearest to him, with Keralis standing almost equally near. No one's attacked him yet. 

'I guess we see what our problem is.' Cub grinned as he spoke. 'What should you do? Which Architech should you save?' 

'DON'T LISTEN TO HIM! HE'S DOING BAD STUFF!' Mumbo squawked. He was quickly shut up by a sword to his throat. 

'Do you attack me and get back Mumbo, or do you try and find Grian. And, if you take too long, Doc will kill Hypno.'

'I don't want to die.' The black-clad hermit added helpfully. 

'Neither do I.' Mumbo uttered, too scared to say much else. 

His mind quickly made up, Iskall charged at Cub. The vexling dropped the moustached brit, taking to the air, letting them think they were free. Letting them think they were safe. Doc still hadn't freed Hypno. Good. 

Just as Iskall began to walk off, Cub landed in front of him. 

'Where are you going?'

'Away?'

'I never said anything about you being able to escape afterwards.'

'Mumbo, run.' 

He didn't need any further orders as he dashed for freedom. Just as he'd reached the terraformed mountain that was Pearl's base, Tango pounced, slaying him in seconds. 

'MUMBO NO!' Iskall howled his friend's name. 'YOU PROMISED HE'D BE SAFE!'

'Did I? I was merely asking which one you wanted to safe. There was nothing about actually letting you go.' Cub laughed. 'You really think Herobrine would be happy with you getting away?'

'Let me go.' He pleaded again. Cleo held him back. 

'Oh, no. You're not going free.' 

'LET ME GO!'  Iskall struggled, trying to escape. 'PLEASE! WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS?'

'Because Herobrine wants us to.' The truth of the situation made Cub pause. Why was he doing this?! Why was he listening to Herobrine? What had turned him into a monster like him?

'Cleo, let him go.' He ordered quietly. 'You too Doc.'

I watched them run off, too scared to gather their best friend's body, before returning to Grian's house in silence.