A Glitch In The System

Figuring Things Out (Technoblade POV)

Technoblade knew power. He knew what it was like to be met with fearful, intimidated looks wherever he went. He knew what it was like to have the world know your name, to hear Technoblade, it's him, the one who never dies wherever he goes.

There was something different about these so-called-Hermits. They seemed harmless, playful, definitely not dangerous. Somehow, though, they radiated their own kind of power. Especially the helmeted Hermit, who the others referred to as Xisuma.

Xisuma had a regal air about him, one that radiated benevolence. Not quite a leader, not quite a follower, but stuck in an in between state of having power and not using it.

Technoblade didn't respect a lot of people. As a warrior who could best most people with ease, and an educated individual who could defeat anyone with a vicious diatribe, he had very little reason to. Yet, looking at the helmeted hermit, Technoblade felt a strange sense of esteem.

That didn't make him any happier to be here, though, stuck with those insufferable children and an arguably more insufferable Dream.

"Why do you need to know all this?" Tommy asked quite loudly, cutting through Techno's thoughts. His face held a resting bored expression, his eyes dancing around the room as if looking for something to do.

Xisuma patiently answered the question, something most people wouldn't be able to do with that gremlin child. "I need to know the coordinates of where you were as well as a general description of the area. That's the only way we'll be able to send you back to the correct location."

"How long will it take to get them back?" Iskall questioned. The red in his robotic eye glowed briefly, hinting at the subtle aggressiveness in the question.

Technoblade scoffed. "You mean, how long until we're gone?" he said, earning a jab in his ribs from Philza's elbow.

"They're helping us, mate. Doesn't matter as long as we get home," Philza scolded in a low voice. "Lay off it."

Xisuma's gaze bore into him, analyzing him with an intense stare for long enough that his skin began to crawl. "Forgive us for being slightly disgruntled at your sudden appearance. It's been quite a day for all of us." He looked back at Iskall, and Technoblade quietly breathed out a sigh of relief. "As for your question, I should be able to locate our visitors' previous location by tomorrow evening and send them home immediately, if I start as soon as they give me their home's coordinates. As you know, travelling between worlds is more difficult than just teleporting a distance in the same world."
Technoblade frowned, narrowing his eyes. He spoke up, instinctively resting his hand on the leather hilt of his sword. "What do you mean, what world we're in?" His mind raced at the implication that there were different worlds. Of course, there was the Nether. Everyone knew about the dimension of hell.

But Xisuma spoke as if there were more. Many more.

The eyes that looked back at him, though obscured by purple tinted glass, gleamed with the knowledge of someone who'd seen more than Technoblade could've imagined. You are the Blood God, Technoblade reminded himself. You've seen just as much. So what do these strange 'Hermits' know of that you don't?

It was then that Grian looked at Technoblade with something akin to pity, and it was such a strange expression to see on such a young and childish face that Technoblade nearly faltered. "You've had a long day," the blonde Hermit said, without a trace of the mischievous playfulness Technoblade had seen until now. "Maybe you should rest first."

"Grian is correct," Xisuma replied, standing up. "Provide me your coordinates, then each of you can stay with one of these lovely Hermits who found you, if that's alright with them?" A chorus of agreement from the Hermits signalled yes.