Purple Magic

Chapter 29

Over the next few days Grian, Xisuma and - surprisingly - Hels felt off. Sometimes they had blank moments where they didn't know just what they were doing. Mumbo was worried for his friend. Grian was getting more and more intense with the G-team. It was unlike him to yell out orders and insults - that was Doc's job.

Other times Grian was found crying in his base as if something horrible was going to happen. Whenever anyone except Xisuma or Hels caught him, he'd stop immediately. Mumbo was very worried. Grian usually was one to be clingy and express his emotions freely. But now Grian would keep to himself and hide his emotions.

Mumbo still remembered when he'd tagged Grian with redstone. What happened to that Grian? The old Grian was extremely expressive when he'd shown how annoying the trap was. Mumbo wished he could have the old Grian back. The old Grian who wouldn't yell like he was genuinely angry. The old Grian who'd run into his arms yelling "MUMBO!!"

But what has become of that Grian? 

~~~~

Xenia was worried to say the least. The two people who she cared about in her life had flipped. Like Grian, they'd become very personal. So much so that Hels's existence wasn't known by anyone. Xisuma demanded it which was scary in of itself - Xisuma never demanded anything. Not even a bottle of water.

Hels was more agitated than usual. He'd lose his temper very easily. Anytime Xenia approached him, he'd act as though she was some sort of scumbag. This wasn't the Hels whose lap she curled up in. This wasn't the Hels she had a crush on. This wasn't the Hels she laughed with that night on the rooftop. 

Xenia didn't know what to do anymore. All of the Hermits noticed. For Team Star, it was an advantage. Even Doc knew when to stop - especially since his own teammate was experiencing the same. Sometimes she'd find Xisuma crying to himself but he stopped when Xenia came in. Same with Hels and according to Mumbo - Grian.

Because Xisuma clearly wasn't in a right state of mind, Xenia took over. Being an admin wasn't easy. It may have been the hardest thing in the world without some help. It was hard for her. Xenia sighed. She hadn't slept in days. Bags were under her eyes and her eyelids were heavy and drooping. 

The only bugs left were those regarding lag. "Those can wait," she muttered as she walked down the cave. The cave where it all started, where Xisuma found her. If she hadn't been humming that tune...
The female Watcher shuddered at the thought. "I wouldn't have gotten my brother back."

She flew towards the G-team base. It looked epic in the moonlight. "Iskall and Grian really did a good job," she murmured. With a pang, she thought of Grian. He was experiencing the same and she didn't give a damn about what happened to him. She only thought of Xisuma and Hels. She suddenly felt guilt.

She got inside the base and to her surprise found Xisuma crying in the corner. He hadn't noticed her so she kept it that way, inching closer to hear him. "N-no," he seemed to say "D-d-don't hurt them. Th-th-they d-don't h-have to pay for m-my mistakes. D-do w-what y-y-you w-want to me. J-just d-don't hurt them. P-p-please."

Xisuma seemed to be talking to someone but no one else was in the room. Xisuma's helmet was off and his reflection stared back at him in the visor. Xenia was confused. She should also be in the reflection. Or that's what she thought until she saw Xisuma's reflection's eyes were black. Reflection-Xisuma held a sword and swung it.

Xenia was horrified. She needed a way - any way to get her brother back. Her mind ran through all the things that could be happening to him. The one she thought most suitable was possession. That was the only explanation. Her mind worked even faster while she watched her brother suffer. 

Something Xisuma held dear. A snippet from his past. A happy memory. But their past was horrible. There was almost nothing. Almost. Then it hit her. Music! Of course! Music always cheered Xisuma up. She played a tune on her flute and Xisuma turned to her. His eyes were black. She played more in desperation.

Xisuma's eyes flickered between black and emerald green. 'A little more,' she thought to herself. Xenia wasn't the most musical person without Xisuma but she tried. That was all that mattered. Xisuma's eyes stayed green for longer and longer. Xenia could feel him coming back to her. Little by little. This only meant one thing to her at the moment.

If this worked, she could bring her friends back.