The Wizard of X (A Hermitcraft/Wizard of Oz Fan Fiction)

5. Cold Words

=== Fast-forward Time by an Hour ===

(I managed to escape the A77 agents and retrieve the time machine! Now that we're back in the present where we belong, let's get back to the chapter! I don't know where Jellie ran off to though... Eh, she'll be alright I'm sure.)

"Where could he be...?" Mumbo muttered under his breath. He paced back and forth under Stress's courtyard willow tree, waiting impatiently. The ends of his grey winter trench coat flapped in the wind.

Iskall rested against the tree as he watched his moustached friend in slight amusement. It was funny to see the usually calm and collected Hermit pace the grounds. One hand was in his pocket, fiddling with a wooden button, while the other tugged at his moustache. He muttered under his breath as he walked. Iskall had never seen Mumbo look so on edge before. Well, except for times when his redstone machines blew up in his face, or just decided to stop working for whatever reason. But those were beside the point.

Iskall could not help letting out a slight chuckle at the sight. Mumbo noticed and stopped pacing to face his friend, "What's so funny? Aren't you the slightest bit worried about him?"

The two Hermits had volunteered to wait for Grian outside in the courtyard, while the other Hermits helped Stress prepare food, beds, and other supplies inside. An hour had passed since Xisuma called everyone to the castle.

Iskall pulled the hood of his iskallium green snow jacket over his head and blew warm breath into his cold hands. "He's probably just packing an emergency shulker box or making a last-minute trip to the shopping district on his way here. You need to relax dude."

"He's had plenty of time to get here though!" Mumbo cried, throwing his arms in the air, and dropping them to his sides in frustration.

They both looked toward the northeast horizon. The menacing tornado was now visible from the ice castle, and they watched as it moved across the distant waters. It was not far from the mainland, only a few minutes and it would be upon the shopping district, just as Xisuma had said.

Mumbo began to pace around the tree again, "The storm is getting closer to the mainland by the minute and Grian still hasn't shown up. He hasn't even tried to call or message anyone! Something has to be wrong..."

"Mumbo..." Iskall tried to interrupt.

"If he doesn't get here soon, he won't be able to come without hitting the tornado..."

"Mumbo."

"What if he didn't get Xisuma's message...? He might not even know what's going on!"

"Dude, will you just listen-"

"He could get hurt out there... and then I'll never forgive myself! We have to go look for him!" Mumbo took out his elytra, preparing to take off.

"Oh, for goodness sake, Mumbo!" Iskall pushed himself away from the tree, rushed up to the redstoner and pulled the elytra off his back before they could be strapped on. "I know your worried about Grian. I am too. But it's better that we stay here where it's safe and wait for him."

"But waiting is all that we've been doing..." Mumbo sighed. "Iskall, what if he needs our help?!"

"I'm sure he's perfectly capable of looking after himself." Iskall replied coolly. After he saw the troubled look on Mumbo's face, he sighed and gave the elytra back.

"Dude, please think logically for a second. If we go out there to look for Grian we could be caught in the storm as well. Then the others will have two more Hermits to worry about, and no doubt they'll put themselves in danger to come look for us-"

"I guess that means you're not coming with me." Mumbo interrupted. He strapped on the elytra and turned to leave.

Iskall grabbed his arm, "You can't just go out there by yourself!"

Mumbo just brushed him off, "Someone has to make sure that Grian is alright..."

"Then who will make sure you're okay? What if something happens to you?! You'll be on your own, you brainless idiot!"

That did it.

Mumbo turned back to face him, anger almost erupting out of nowhere. "I can't believe you! If it were us lost out there, I know Grian would stop at nothing to find us! Don't you care what happens to him?!"

"Of course, I care! I'm worried about him too! But if we go out there, we'll be putting ourselves in danger! We can't help him if we're in trouble ourselves, can we?!"

"Grian is in danger right now! I'd rather risk going out there than not doing anything at all! I thought you of all people would be with me on that."

"Mumbo, I am with you! But I'm not prepared to walk blindly into unfamiliar danger without a solid plan."

"Grian wouldn't need a plan..."

"Yeah well, I'm not Grian."

"No... You're not." Mumbo turned away and walked towards the edge of the castle yard. He looked back over his shoulder one last time, glaring hard at Iskall. "Because Grian is ten times the friend you'll ever be! So, if you'll kindly excuse me, I'm going to go and find him! Whether you care or not."

He took out his rockets and lighted one, leaping into the air, allowing the elytra to catch the wind and take flight.

"Mumbo, wait!"

As Iskall watched Mumbo fly away, he stood alone in the courtyard, confused and speechless. He was not sure whether to be angry at Mumbo's stupidity, guilty for allowing him to go alone, or jealous because he thought Grian was a better friend.

Not that Grian was not a good friend. He was Iskall's best friend! But it hurt Iskall to know that Mumbo, his other best friend, cared more about Grian than him.

He shouted after Mumbo in anger, "Fine! Leave! Put yourself in danger like the absolute spoon you are! Go find your 'gold hearted friend'! You'll see if I care!" He doubted that Mumbo heard.

For the moustached Hermit had flown into the dark stormy clouds and out of sight.