Acts of Redemption

Break it, put it back together, Break it again

A few hours had passed since he woke up in that stupid bird cage and it was already far too long. Second Coming was annoyed, bored, and his migraine was not helping.

One of the piglins slipped a small waterskin into the cell after he asked for something to drink, which helped a small bit, his mouth wasn't dried anymore.

His right foot was rapidly tapping on the floor, he couldn't help it. Second Coming couldn't keep his mind out of the tragedy he watched, all that fighting, all that pain, for nothing.

All his friends were gone, locked away like animals, his allies long lost, his hope faded away like dust. Tears were ready to go down his face.

─ Anxious, Second Coming? ─ The orange stickman's head snapped to the origin of the voice.

The King himself, the culprit of all this misery, just standing there while holding his staff, Second wanted to jump in his throat and snap his neck right there. ─ What you fucking want??

The taller stickfigure didn't flinch, not even acknowledging the aggressive response; after all, he was expecting it from him. ─ Never thought you to be one to curse.

─ I don't give a fuck about what you think of me! Get me out of here!

─ Oh, but you should care... What I think and what I say is now law. ─ Said the King, spreading his arms, a few Piglins flinched.

Second Coming took a deep breath, gathering all his confidence back. ─ What do you want? You got everything right? Power? Fame? Whatever you were looking for... There is nothing else for you here.

─ Indeed, I have everything... But that doesn't mean I can't want more. ─ With a movement of his staff, the King summoned a chair, common and gray. It was rather comical that he picked this one in particular, his knees almost hit his chest by how tall he is in comparison. ─ I should start by apologizing for the damage made, right?

The leader of the stickfigures couldn't help but laugh, a dry, angry laugh. ─ Apologize for the damage made??? You destroyed the nether, you stole the Minecraft Icons, you slaved piglins, you tortured mobs, you killed our allies, you trapped us into tiny cages like circus animals and you think that apologizing would make a big difference now??

─ Are you sure you are mad at me? ─ The King kept his soothing, calm, annoying voice low.

─ What??

─ Are you mad at me for all those things? I mean... I can understand your allies, but "destroying the nether", "hurting mobs" that's not something you and your gang haven't done before... If that's your reasoning, you should be mad at yourself too.

─ You're out of your mind... ─ Second Coming whispered, turning his head to the wall, he didn't want to see him, he didn't want to hear his words.

─ You asked me what I wanted... So I may as well tell you... ─ Second tried his best to not look intrigued, his curiosity wanted to force him to pay attention. ─ I want you.

─ You... You want me? ─ Second Coming asked confused. ─ Why me specifically?

─ You are the perfect weapon, don't you see? ─ The King smiled, moving a bit forward now, his arms resting on his bended knees. ─ You are stronger than anyone else in this place...

─ I'm not! I'm just like any other stickfigure out there...

─ Oh? Does every stickfigure can shoot laser off his eyes? Or fly?

─ W...what?

The king laughed, going back to his more relaxed pose. ─ Oh please, Kid. You're not the only one who can mess with the computer you know? I've seen what you are capable of, you are extraordinary... I think we can work with that power of yours...

─ I am not 'extraordinary', okey? And I don't want to work with that power; you can drop dead and stop talking to me!

For the first time during their conversation, The King frowned at the prisoner. ─ I'm not demanding your help here... But I want you to consider joining my side for your sake...

─ I don't need to consider anything, I'm not your friend and I'm certainly NOT your ally! ─ Second Coming growled at him, maybe being in this cell was indeed turning him into an animal.

The tall stickfigure got up, getting rid of the chair. ─ Just think about it, ok? ─ He patted the metal bars before walking away.

─ After all... Who knows what can make you change your mind?

Second Coming didn't look up again, but his mind went a million ways when he said it.

With a deep breath, the King walked down the corridor, turning a right down the stairs, where he let his expression grow into a scowl. At the bottom of the stairs the brutes all formed a line as we walked pass. ─ Go get Purple, NOW! Meet me at the castle.

One piglin ran startled out of the tower, obliging to his King's orders.

Flying was the greatest way of transportation in nether, after all, who would anything else than fly around instead of walking on the hot burning soil?

It took Purple literally an hour to fly from one tower to the Castle, landing perfectly on the cooler netherbrick floor of the structure.

His heart would always beat faster when near the King, it was a feeling he couldn't understand, nor shake it off, but the stickfigure did his best to ignore.

With quick steps up the pretty building, there he was. Tall and powerful, sitting in his throne, Purple kneels down before him.

─ My lord, did you want to see me? ─ He asked with a soft voice.

─ I have a special mission for you, my loyal regent, something that I cannot trust anyone else. ─ The soothing voice of the tall figure above him made Purple shiver. He slowly got up again, finally meeting him in the eye.

─ What would it be my Lord? I would do anything.

─ I know you will. ─ The King smiled, one of his hands slowly lifting the shorter stickfigure's gaze. ─ I need someone I can trust taking care of our... Unpleasant guests, I have great plans that need to be executed correctly... And for that to happen, I need to have The Second Coming's loyalty.

Purple looked at him confused. ─ The orange stickfigure? Why... why would he be any value at all, of all of them?

─ I thought I had told you already, this is none of your business to know. All I need you to do is to make them suffer. ─ With that he let go of his face, getting up from his throne.

─ Suffer? You want me to hurt them? How that would be any good to get his leader's loyalty? The orange one is very loyal to his friends, torturing them wouldn't make him want to be on our size...

─ If he's not going to accept us when I ask, then he will when I demand.

With a gulp, Purple nodded, why did it felt wrong?

─ Use the cameras to record everything, I'll show him what will happen if he doesn't agree.

This is wrong.

─ My lord...

This is so wrong...

─ My lord ... It...It must have another way right? We don't need to come to torture methods... We-

His words were cut off by the blunt force of the staff hitting his face, Purple stumbled back tripping down the small balcony and deeply cutting his leg in the process.

─ Do not dare to defy my words!! ─ Roared the King, switching from his soothing caring expression to an angry glare. ─ I am your King! And you will do as I say when I say it! Did you understand?

It took Purple a moment to snap out of his terrified expression into a more serious nod. ─ Yes...Yes my Lord... Whatever you say.

He didn't wait for a response before getting up, and grabbing his Elytra. He flew off the castle as fast as he could, drying tears from his eyes, ignoring the blood dripping from his leg.