Corrupted - A Hermitcraft (and Empires) Fanfiction

25: Cub

And now, the opposite of the last chapter.

:)

(Just over a week ago)

'NO!'

I scream, slamming on the Vex-magic door I can still sense Scar behind. 

'LET ME GO! LET ME OUT OF HERE, SCAR!' My claws are useless against the crystal but I still try to break through it. 'LET ME OUT! XISUMA WILL KILL YOU!'

A yelled reply. I continue hammering, screaming, fighting for escape. Even the force of all my skulk can't do anything to break free.

'LET ME GO!'

No reply. But I still keep trying. I have to get free. I have to get out. I can't just be stuck here forever... I can't. If I ever get out... Xisuma threatened me for failing once. Now I've been trapped... 

Maybe it's safer in here.

No. No it's not. I need to get out. I need to get free. I can't be stuck here any longer... outside, I hear mumbled arguing I ignore... I know it's not going to work. Nothing's going to work... I step back until I reach the opposite wall, run forwards...

Pain.

Just pain, and a solid wall that's still not letting go... I slide to the ground, curling up, trying not to start crying. Nothing will work. Nothing is working. I can't get out.

A hand against the wall on the other side. A voice.

'Cub... if you're in there. Below all the stupid skulk. If you can still hear me... I'm here. I'll always be here. We're going to save you, ok?' 

Scar. 

Stupid Scar.

Stupid stupid Scar.

If I ever get out I'm killing him. I'm not even trapping him with skulk I'm just going to kill him. Xisuma probably wants me dead anyway for getting trapped. He'll replace me soon enough. I know he will. He's got Grian.

'Remember when we first met, Cub?' Scar continues speaking. I cover my ears, hugging my legs closer, hands tight into fists. 'Early Season 4. I'm not counting the one meeting in Kingdomcraft...' He doesn't stop talking. Scar just talks and talks and talks and talks and I can't fully block it out my with just my hands. Talking about his stupid life. Stupid memories. Stupid, stupid, stupid... I curl up tighter as he continues talking and talking until-

I scream, skulk shooting out, covering everything. My voice grows hoarse, scream turning to sobs.

Silence.

Darkness.

Alone.

Now I'm just completely alone. 

I stay sat there in the silence, crying, staring out at the flickering blue constellations of skulk surrounding me. A flash of Cub's memory comes to me, lying under the moonlight with Scar, staring up at the stars. It's the last I know before I slowly close my eyes and drift asleep.

I don't know how long has passed. 

Sometimes I sit awake, but most times I'm just asleep, curled up in the corner of the box, the skulk around me, comforting me. I can't hear anything outside, but I don't want to. They can plan and talk and be free all they want. As long as I don't have to hear them. Silence is better. Silence and-

Light.

I'm blinded, squinting, as I claw my way to my feet. Sunlight.

Freedom.

Hermits.

Scar.

Standing there in front of me.

I grin, pulling the skulk around me. I don't step into the light until I'm sure I'm protected. And I don't just step out.

I pounce.

Scar falls back as I sprint out, skulk attacking. He's fast, taunting as he darts out the way. But the darkness made me strong. I'm not going to let him escape...

A shove.

I hit the ground.

I shriek, trying to stand. But I can't. Someone's holding back my arms and I can't break free... the sunlight above still blinds me... I can barely see Scar in front of me, laughing, taunting.

'I'LL KILL YOU!' I snarl back threats, insults. He did this to me. 'THE SKULK WILL KILL YOU! I WILL GET MY REVENGE!'

'I'm sorry.' Scar. But behind me - no. No not again. I haven't fallen for it again. The fake Scar. Another cackle of laughter. I screech with fury. I still can't escape. If he's too strong to get off with fighting, I get him off with pain.

He bites back a swear as I dig my claws deep into his arms, skulk spreading behind me, up his arms. A whimper. But he doesn't relent.

Pain.

Fire.

Vex magic. I scream as it burns through the skulk, my skin, my soul... my struggles grow, gripping tighter, trying to get Scar away. But the agony blinds me more than the sun.

'JEVIN! NECKLACE!' Scar demands over my howls for freedom. Another f***ing hermit appears next to me, pulling something from my pocket, holding it around my neck. The necklace. The one Xisuma broke. I try to hurt the new hermit too, but can't. I don't have the strength. I don't have the Skulk.

The Skulk.

I feel it being torn away from me. Torn from my mind, my body, my life. I struggle even more, tears down my face, begging for freedom, death, anything except this unending, unstoppable, unrelenting pain.

'SCAR YOU'RE GOING TO KILL HIM!' The other hermit, the one with the necklace, yells.

'I DON'T CARE! I'M NOT LETTING THE SKULK HURT HIM A MOMENT LONGER!'.

'NO!' I screech. 'LET ME GO!'

'I'll kill you, skulky. I will kill you with the passion of a thousand Scars or I will die trying. Cub is the greatest, kindest, smartest person I have ever had the honour of meeting. And he is and always will be my best friend and I will do whatever it takes to stop you hurting him a SECOND longer!' Another flare of scorching vex magic, tearing me apart, joined by a new feeling. A new sense. Someone inside my mind fighting as hard as I am.

Scar please Scar help Scar help Scar help kill it hurt it get it away from me save me save me Scar save me.

No.

Cub's getting free.

'NO!' My shout turns to another scream, my fights growing weaker and weaker as I feel the skulk dragged away from me.

Scar I'm here Scar save me please I can take it free me let me go kill the Skulk kill it please get it away from me.

I send skulk further towards Scar, hurt him more... my claws are already covered in blood...

Scar do it hurt it destroy it save me

'NO... MORE!' Scar screams, a final force, a final yank at the skulk and-

It's gone.

I collapse.

And the world turns black.

:)