Watchers' Downfall: The Hidden Secret [not finished]

danger. the disease. pt1?

'Fwhip? what are you doing here?' xisuma asked 'I also don't know! I got teleported here!' fwhip answered, it was awkward, until the tension broke when scott came flying out of a portal. 'uhm, where am I?' scott questioned, brushing off the dirt. 'I also don't know?! why are we even in the cave in the first place?' Fwhip answered. suddenly, some more players were teleported into the cave.

The cave was dimly lit, shadows shifting as the wind outside rattled the entrance. Scott, Mumbo, PearlescentMoon, and RenDog paced nervously, their faces lit with worry. The air was thick, heavy with the scent of pine and something else—something that made their stomachs turn. Fwhip and Xisuma sat in the middle, their bodies trembling, but neither spoke. The others kept glancing at them, hoping the strange tension would pass.

Scott swallowed hard. "We need to get help. There's got to be someone who can—"

"I'm fine," Fwhip said, though the edge of his voice cracked, betraying him. His hands were shaking as he rubbed his temples. He glanced at Xisuma, whose eyes were glassy, staring at the ground.

Xisuma felt as if a weight was pressing against his chest, but he didn't say anything. The other Hermits crowded around them, their faces full of worry, but Xisuma pushed the concern away. He couldn't show weakness now. Not when their survival depended on them holding on.

But then, it hit him like a wave. A cold, sudden wave of dizziness swept through Xisuma, leaving him disoriented. His vision blurred, the edges of the room swirling as though the world was spinning faster than he could keep up. He gasped, grabbing at the rock wall beside him, trying to ground himself.

"Xisuma!" Mumbo shouted, reaching out, but the room slipped out of focus.

Fwhip, who had been trying to stay strong, suddenly felt the same pull. His vision dimmed as the edges of the cave darkened. A nauseating warmth spread through his veins, making him feel as though he was sinking into the ground. He could hear voices, but they were muffled, distant.

"Fwhip, Xisuma!" Scott's voice pierced through the fog, but it was too late. Their surroundings faded into a blur, and then darkness.

The next thing Xisuma knew, he was lying on the cold stone floor, the weight of his own body pressing against him. The echo of voices reached his ears, and he blinked, trying to focus. Scott's face appeared above him, a mix of concern and relief in his eyes.

"Hey, are you okay?" Scott asked, his voice trembling.

Xisuma tried to sit up, but a sharp wave of nausea forced him back down. His head spun, and the room seemed to pulse around him. "I... I think I'm..."

"Don't try to move," PearlescentMoon said, her voice softer now. "You need to rest."

Xisuma glanced at Fwhip, who was lying nearby, eyes closed and breathing shallow. The color had drained from his face, and the dark circles beneath his eyes told Xisuma all he needed to know. They were both affected, but something inside Xisuma wouldn't let him give in. He couldn't let this disease claim him without a fight.

"What happened?" Fwhip muttered, eyes fluttering open. His voice was weak, like the last breath of wind before a storm.

"It's the disease," RenDog said, stepping closer. "But it only seems to be affecting you two."

Xisuma took a ragged breath and looked around at the others, who were exchanging worried glances. The group was safe for now, but this was only the beginning. The disease had found its way into the Hermitcraft world, and with it, uncertainty loomed over everyone.

Suddenly, a familiar voice spoke from the entrance of the cave. "We heard the news, and we came as fast as we could."

Xisuma's eyes widened as he saw Etho and Bdubs walk in, their usual confident expressions replaced by worry. Etho's eyes locked on Xisuma's, a flicker of recognition and concern passing through them.