Chapter Text
Xisuma had called a meeting amongst all Hermits, something important had to be discussed. It was a new world, everyone assumed it would be the average meet up with new rules being given.
They thought incorrectly.
>Xisumavoid< I need you ALL to stay indoors and not let ANYONE in your bases for some time. Hermits, we need to stick to our name.
>TinFoilChef< Deal
>ImpulseSV< lol the hermit hermits
>Keralis< Sweetface, is that our only rule this season?
>Grian< That seems so counterproductive for pranks and entertainment! =(
>TangoTek< Hold on WHAT?!
>Hypotized< wack, why
>Bdouble0100< WOAH WHY?!!?!!! IS SOMETHING CRAZY HAPPENING?!?!
>Cubfan135< Are you worried about the flu? Lol
>Docm77< Probably lol
>EthosLab< I call dibs on taking camp in the end
>TangoTek<HEY I WAS GOING TO DO THAT
>EthosLab< gg
>FalseSymmetry< we aren't even allowed to spar?
>GeminiTay< wait why can't we interact with each other after this?
>GoodTimesWithScar< WAIT THAT'S BAD FOR BUSINESS
>Grian< A bit better for your lifespan too lol
>GoodTimesWithScar< HEY lol
>ijevin< Scar's right for once, real bad for business. Guess we won't have a shopping district this season???
>Iskall85< Don't like that
>JoeHills< Uh oh?
>MumboJumbo< Xisuma please tell us why, my anxiety is eating me alive as we speak!
>PearlescentMoon< Wait wait we need to stop spamming the communications to see when he responds first!!
>Rendog< This is the opposite of cool dudes
>StressMonster101< Guys stop
>VintageBeef< Oh I can do that easy. Tinfoil and I got that down
>XbCrafted< Yeah we know that but shhhhh
>Welsknight< What is even going on anymore?? Lol??
>ZedaphPlays< Oh this is going to be interesting!!!
>ZombieCleo< LOL
>PearlescentMoon< GUYS SH, XISUMA PLEASE CONTINUE
The communications go silent from all the buzzing notifications after some time. Xisuma was taking his time typing despite the urgency and tensity now spread in the air.
>Xisumavoid< It is a sickness, yes.
>Cubfan135< Knew it
>Docm77< Not that bad
>Xisumavoid< Men. Allow me to continue.
Silence yet again before another response.
>Xisumavoid< Not the flu. Not the cold. Worse. The Boogey Virus. Don't laugh. It sounds like a silly name, I know. This should be taken seriously despite the name. Someone soon will be infected. I don't have any control over it. Something followed us here.
All at once the chat is in a panicked uproar. Scared. Anxious. Using jokes to cope with the serious news. Too much at once.
>Xisumavoid< Please calm down. Take deep breaths. Especially you Mumbo.
>MumboJumbo< I am trying so hard.
>Grian< Count to 4 and slowly inhale and exhale, think about your Redstone contraptions you want to try out soon.
>MumboJumbo< Okay..
>Xisumavoid< Thank you Grian.
>Grian< =)
>Xisumavoid< I need you all to start separations immediately once I give more information. Keep notes.
>ZedaphPlays< Already on it
>Xisumavoid< Of course you are.
>ZedaphPlays< >:) Notes come in handy!
>Xisumavoid< Right. Especially now of all times. Now listen.
Xisuma breathed in, slow and steady. Shaking. Trying his best to relax. He usually had control over situations just in case. He didn't have control this time. This thought didn't help him.
>Xisumavoid< The Boogey Virus is hard to notice. It takes over instantly. At first you won't be able to feel it. Over time? You will. I am not entirely sure what it will do to you since it affects everyone differently. Though one symptom stays similar. An insatiable hunger and craving to kill. Rules are as follows.. Do Not Interact with ANYONE. You do not know who is infected until they act up. Do not let anyone in your home. All of us may be friends, however, this virus affects the brain.This season we were just going to have different amount of lives, but the death would be permanent when you get to your last life. This virus with this challenge really doesn't mix well. Please stay safe.I want you all to spread out Immediately.
The communications were completely silent after that. Everyone running off in different directions at top speeds or at least to the best of their ability. Listening to Xisuma without any sassy or snarky joke. There was still respawn mechanics but no-one knew their amount of lives. Not even Xisuma.
They would be treating this world as if it were a hardcore one.
Chef bunked on the side of a mountain, digging into it immediately. Wels a starter cobblestone castle on top of Chef's mountain. Hypno was laughing as he waved to them both, right across from them he made a small cobblestone house.
Grian made rush at a treehouse near the jungle. Scar was doing the same yet more detailed, farther away from Grian.
Mumbo was making an underground bunker. Much like a panic room. Away from ALL hermits. He wouldn't be sleeping.
Jevin had begun an underwater glass dome base. Xb accidentally made an underwater base that looked like an anemone near Jevin's glass dome.
Gem was making a starting cabin in a flower biome, Stress was making a wooden house shaped like a carved rose nearby.
Iskall stuck to a snow biome to make an igloo. Making a goal to make as many farms as possible while making friends with the polar bears.
Xisuma made haste on a start of an enderdragon skull base out of stone for now. Keralis kept a modern look to his base, farther from Xisuma but still close enough to see him through a window.
Pearl made a crescent moon inside of a mountain, way farther than most hermits ran.
Cleo went to find an underwater ship wreck to tidy it up, making it her starter base.
Bdubs sheered a bunch of trees to make a humble bush home.
Zed was mining for iron to make his base an underground lab later on, though at night he would sleep in a dirt hut.
Doc just made a dirt hole in the side of a mountain that would fit a bed. He had bigger plans for a broken goat horn base. Shattered peices of skull around.
Cub had started to make a panda sanctuary out of jungle wood, he would just be sleeping on a bed in the middle of them. 'emotional support pandas' he joked. Halfheartedly.
Ren had gathered so many wolfs, turned them into dogs and gotten armor. Paranoid. He didn't have a base yet. He wouldn't sleep yet. His base idea was a giant doghouse as a bit.
Beef had taken over a nice village to live among them. Trading with them already. Felt like home. If he couldn't interact with the other hermits, he wanted to befriend the villagers.
Joehills was doing a bit and made a hobbit house in a hill. Joehillshill she called it.
Impulse decided to set himself loose in the nether, making a base near his portal. Nether brick house. Meaning he called dibs on the nether. Tango followed after Impulse. Despite Impulse calling dibs, Tango went to find the fortress, making camp inside it. These two did not have to worry about beds.
Ethos didn't sleep until he found the stronghold, making home in the library. Reading would be his sanctuary for his sanity during these times.
False made a hammock on a tree to sleep in. She was planning on making a huge training grounds along with a medieval times cottage. All in a nice spruce biome.
>Xisumavoid< Everyone set up? Spread out?
>Keralis< GASP!! PRINCESS!! Take us out to dinner first!!
>GoodTimesWithScar< LOL NICE ONE
>MumboJumbo< Keralis!! You're worse than Scar
>Grian< lol
Everyone started to loosen up once they followed directions, felt more safe. Keralis's joke seemed to lighten up the mood even more. Stress snorting out laughter at it, Iskall too. Xisuma rolled his eyes affectionately.
>Xisumavoid< Everyone set your spawns. Get some rest, don't let the Boogey be your pest.
>Iskall85< That joke is worse than diorite.
>Grian< LOL aw c'mon I thought it was good
Everyone hesitated before setting their spawns and getting rest. Everyone besides Tango and Impulse that is.
Next day the communications were empty. It was an uncomfortable radio silence. No death messages. No jokes. All of them were working on their own projects. Busying themselves. Not even Grian spoke. Uncharacteristic.
Another nights rest passed. Another day. More silence. It was making few of them restless.
>Grian< Okay okay I know we aren't allowed to interact with eachother, but does this have to count? It's only through texts!
>GoodTimesWithScar< Finally, I was going to go crazy
>ImpulseSV< The silence wasn't even awkward, just unlike us
>Grian< Xisuma?
There was no answer.
>GoodTimesWithScar< Keralis is Xisuma okay?
>Keralis< He's having a nice well needed rest!
>GoodTimesWithScar< ooOoho after what ;)
>MumboJumbo< SCAR
>Grian< He is so lucky I can't come over there, he is so lucky
>Docm77< I can send some TNT his way
>MumboJumbo< please
>Docm77< On it lol
>GoodTimesWithScar< NOOO
Doc was only giving false threats. All of them speaking as if they always did. Some familiarity. Fear makes people do and say many things.
>Iskall85< Speaking about TNT, I could hook you up with some
>Docm77< How would you get it to me?
>Iskall85< Good question
>Grian< Wait, crazy idea
>MumboJumbo< All of your ideas are crazy
>Docm77< lol
>Grian< true, but, Mumbo remember our messaging system?
>GoodTimesWithScar< ;:) oooo???
>Grian< Scar shut up
>MumboJumbo< Scar shut up
>Iskall85< LOL
>Grian< anyways
>Grian< what if we make a huge messaging system, to everyone? We can still have our shopping district....just in home delivery!
>Keralis< I love it!
>MumboJumbo< That is actually brilliant. The Redstoners and I can get it set up. It'll take time but it won't be impossible.
>ZombieCleo< Yeah about that
>Ijevin< guys not to burst your bubble, but some of us are underwater. That is going to be a lot of tunnels. Who's going to be crazy enough to do that?
At first the chat was about to continue in silence to think. There are plenty of crazy hermits, but who wanted to risk their unknown lives for underground tunneling.
>Bdouble0100< DID SOMEBODY SAY TUNNELING?
>Keralis< Bubbles!
>Grian< PERFECT! Yes, we did! We need a messaging system! You could do the community a big favour with your hobby! After that the Redstoners would go in and set it up. It could be like one big trading system! We can all still interact, just at a distance.
>Bdouble0100< I get to have fun AND help my friends? DEAL
>Grian< Amazing! You're the best!
>Keralis< Of course bubbles is the best! Best eyes and face I know! Well one of them!
>Grian< You always have such a way with words
>MumboJumbo< Such a way indeed!
>ImpulseSV< I can help with the setting up
>TangoTek< same here. We both are in the nether but we can set another camp out on the overworld with you all near our portal.
>ImpusleSV< Yeah! We can be the main shop where you get anything you need from the nether!
>EthosLab< That's a good idea. I can be where you all can get any end items.
>Grian< =D
>Grian< That's the spirit!
>Ijevin< I know a few of us from under the depths can think of a shop too.
>ZombieCleo< You bet we can, we can turn on private messages and get that planned out.
>MumboJumbo< I missed this.
>Grian< Me too buddy, me too.
Everyone seemed to calm down, tension loosened. Bdubs setting out to dig a tunnel from his house to the others. Getting everyone to DM him their personal coordinates. Afterall, he wasn't a stranger. He was a good friend who was only setting a few things up. They were sure Xisuma would love the surprise they were all working hard on. Sure that he would enjoy the effort and high spirits in such a hard time like this.
Days passed. Four more. Nothing but hard work was put into this, the chat was now always full. Lively. Fresh as if the Boogey Virus was just an after thought, not a threat at all times. At this point they all had their bases near finished, the Redstoners with the help of Bdubs had a trading system up and running, and things felt back to normal.
The only thing on the back of everyone's minds was an insane urge of curiosity about Xisuma's whereabouts. He was known to disappear for some time and come back whenever he pleased. That was normal. However, it wasn't normal for him to do so without warning.
>Grian< Hate to be that guy, just kidding I love to be that guy, but Keralis...question!
>Keralis< I am all ears!
>Grian< Have you seen Xisuma? Heard from him? Maybe in your private messages or just saw him passing by? Busy with projects or? It's..been some time! I'm just worried I won't get to see our community project!
>Cubfan135< I was just about to ask the same question actually..
>TinfoilChef< I know I keep to myself but I'm usually sending him messages..not a single of them have gone read or answered..
>Keralis< I haven't seen shishwhammy since the last time I saw him napping! I went to knock on his wall to check on him but no answer!
>Grian< That's no good!
>MumboJumbo< Gentlemen! I'm sure he's just slaving away down in the mines? Too busy dodging creepers to text, maybe give him more time?
>Grian< Yea...YEAH! I'm sure it's that! Creepers are such jokesters.
>Docm77< Watch your next words birdboy
>Grian< Or what?
>Rendog< I'll let the hounds loose, favor for a friend.
>MumboJumbo< As much as I love threats and fighting, I don't think now is the time! All of us are very worried about Xisuma I'm sure.
>Docm77<...
>Rendog< B( yea
>Grian< =(
>Keralis< I miss his perfect face!
>MumboJumbo< You..it's hidden by a helmet.
>Keralis< If you had such big big gorgeous beautiful beautiful eyes like me, you could see his face even with the helmet
>TangoTek< freak shit
>Grian< Excuse me?
>TangoTek< I MEANNN
>TangoTek< Yeah I'm not taking that back, c'mon, it's Keralis I'm talking about here
>MumboJumbo< Language.
>TangoTek< >:|
>ImpusleSV< lol
>Keralis< Aw so rude to me! So mean! So cruel!
>Grian< So foul!
>Keralis< SO FOUL! EXACTLY!
>MumboJumbo< Uncalled for really.
>TangoTek< Aw c'mon guys
>TangoTek< it's TRUE
>Grian< so mean to him and for no reason
>MumboJumbo< So unjust!
>Keralis< UNJUST! You owe me a drink for such mean mean words!
>TangoTek< What?!? Noo , Impulse back me up here
>ImpulseSV< Sorry I can't hear you, I'm busy piglin farming
>TangoTek< ITS TEXT?!!!!!
>ImpulseSV< Sorry can't read
>TangoTek< WHAT
>TangoTek< SOMEBODY, ANYBODY, BACK ME UP HERE
This bit winded up going on throughout lunchtime. Everyone teaming up against Tango, affectionately bullying him for his reactions. His dramatic reactions got them through the day. Apologizing to him by sending over too many pumpkin pies. They all had a laugh about it. Waiting hours for Xisuma to respond. Finally a response.
>Xisumavoid< EVERYONE KEEP IN YOUR HOMES. I MEAN IT. I love the community project but something happened to me. I was out for some time. I didn't catch who the killer was. Whoever it was got me while I was chopping down trees. Meaning I am down a life. Please stay safe.
>Keralis< Sweetface I adore you, but are you so sure we should stay alone? Wouldn't that make us easier targets?
>Grian< Keralis has a point here...You were alone and got killed!!!!! Alone or not we are good as gone! Some friendly teaming up would give more firepower.
>Xisumavoid< And what if even with multiple hermits, there was still a death? That would mean multiple people's lives at stake. I already dislike the thought of ONE life at stake.....
>Xisumavoid< so no. No teams.
>Xisumavoid< Whoever is the Boogey or experiencing side effects, tell everyone immediately. Quarantine yourself. Lock yourself away. Stay self aware.
>Cubfan135< "If you're the killer and you know it clap your hands"
>Docm77< LOL
>Docm77< "If you're the killer and you know it, Simon says tell on yourself."
>Bdouble0100< IT'S ME. I'M THE BOOGEY.
>Keralis< Bubbles!!!
>Grian< That would have been funny if it wasn't so soon..
>GeminiTay< Too soon! If you really are the Boogey, don't come near me please!
>Docm77< "If you're the killer and you know it, pretty please with a cherry on top, don't touch me" <3
>Cubfan135<Lol.
>Xisumavoid< Alright I get it. It sounds insane. I know.
>Xisumavoid< I just don't want any more of you killed off.
>Grian< Wait.
>Grian< Xisuma........
>Grian< If you are telling us the truth..Why didn't we see a death message?
Communications silenced. It seemed to be a running trend.
>Xisumavoid< Wait. There...it didn't show a death message?
>MumboJumbo< Oh dear end.....this is like all my nightmares coming true at once..
>TinfoilChef< Really oddly specific nightmares you are having there bud.
>ZombieCleo< No death messages? At all? That's..we are really out here running blind..
>StressMonster101< A girl is owning up to her name right now
>FalseSymmetry< I'd like to go after the Boogey once we find out who it is.
>Welsknight< I could assist.
>FalseSymmetry< Yess
>Xisumavoid< No..nono. Don't. This just keeps getting worse.
>Rendog< Maybe Grian could open detective services again and find out who it is!
>Grian< :0 OH YEAH!!
>Grian< I can sleuth out the imposter!
>impulseSV< among us
>Grian< LOL
>MumboJumbo< Stop that
>Iskall85< LOL AMONG US
>Xisumavoid< I know this is a stressful time..please take this more seriously. Grian you can find out who it is if you're very confident in your detective skills..though I really suggest against it. You could be the next victim.
>Grian< But think about it! I can also be the one to quarantine the mad man! Or woman! Or nonbinary? Iskall, Joe.
>Joehills< :-)
>Iskall85< Called out
>Joehills< What an ally! :-P
>Grian< LOL
>Iskall85< LOL
Xisuma sighed. Nervous. Locking his door. It seemed he would just have to get wood from the trading system the other hermits made. The Boogey was near by. Bdubs, Keralis, Chef, Wels and anyone else near by. It could be any of them.
>Keralis< There is weird sounds coming from the trading system. Anyone else hear it?
>Xisumavoid< Please don't be pranking me like this right now.
>Keralis< I tell no lie, I would say look into my eyes but you know
>Keralis< No it sounds like rats. As if rats were in the walls.
>MumboJumbo< HATE THAT.
>Grian< maybe it's some chickens?
>MumboJumbo< Grian. I swear. Now is not the time for "poultry man".
>Grian< He's happily retired and married I'll have you know.
>MumboJumbo< I
>MumboJumbo< What?
>Grian< What?
>GoodTimesWithScar< Awkwarddddd
>Iskall85< ^
>MumboJumbo< Nevermind.
>Keralis< Shhh Sweetfaces shhh shh shhhh
>Keralis< Listen.
>Keralis< Listen closely. You will hear.
Everyone paused. Wherever they were they walked to the nearest Trading System railway. Listening. Five minutes go by, no sound.
>StressMonster100< I don't hear anything.
>Keralis< Quiet.
>Keralis< Listen.
>Keralis< It is like heart beat. Patience.
Silence fell again.
On the seventh minute there is a faint sound. Stretching. Squelching. Unnecessarily nerve wreckingly, uncomfortably moist sounds.
>StressMonster101< Nevermind oh my god nevermind
>Keralis< Hear it?
>StressMonster101< Loud and Clear
>Grian< I hear it too
>Grian< Wait how is it everywhere in the tunnel system? Do you think it's just water leaking in? It does sound pretty wet.
>Grian< Scar not a wordd
>Keralis< It is not water.
>Docm77< It is definitely not water.
>ZedaphPlays< Leaking water does not sound like THAT. If your leaks tend to sound like that, my brother in Christ, do I have some news for you!
>MumboJumbo< Let me believe it being water, please let me have this, please
>ZedaphPlays< Woopsies?
>Grian< Fine
>Grian< It's not water.
>Grian< What is it then?
>Bdouble100< Someone should open up a wall or two to find out maybe?
>ZedaphPlays< I could! For science!
>Bdouble100< For science! :D
>Xisumavoid< Don't you "For science!" this.
>ZedaphPlays< Too late! BRB
>Bdouble100< He'll be fine :D
>Keralis< He has the sweet sweet scientific protection!
>MumboJumbo< Scar don't even try it
>GoodTimesWithScar< Oh c'mon!!!!
More playful bickering happened in the background as Zedaph's communicator buzzed softly on his wrist. Fixing his lab coat he walked back over to the closed redstone door that the trading system was behind. Placing a gloved hand on the wall, he ran it by, testing to see if he could feel any vibrations from where the sound was coming from. The sound was paused for now. He waited. 7 minutes, the sound could be heard again. From where he could hear it,he places a hand on the wall. Pulsating could be felt. Like a heartbeat as Keralis said.
"Fascinating..." Soft whispered interest left his lips before he got out his pickaxe. Swinging at the wall to open it up like a greedy child with a cookie jar. Upon opening the wall there was a large crimson red growth along the dirt. "oh... I could use you for samples! I'll just tell the group we just have a little plant overgrowth." Zedaph started to type on his communicator. Unaware to the mass stretching out to him.
>ZedaphPlays< Good news guys! It's just some massive red plant growth! Nothing to be worried about! I'll start testing it right away! BRB
>Xisumavoid< ZEDAPH DON'T.
>Xisumavoid< ZEDAPH!
>Xisumavoid< WHO KNOWS WHERE ZEDAPH LIVES?
>Bdouble100< I do! :D Can I go get him?
>Docm77< That's weird wording
>Xisumavoid< PLEASE GO GET HIM
>Xisumavoid< We don't know what that mass is! Don't touch it! Be safe!
>bdouble100< I will!
Zedaph's ankle was grabbed immediately after he went to get a vial for samples. A forced yelp left him as he tripped. Goggles protecting half of his face from the fall. "..wh-" He tried to get up, dizzy. The grip on his ankle getting tighter. "Oh that's interesting!!!" He chuckled nervously before sitting up more. "Heyy little-big? Guy! Can you let go? Please? I promise I'll take good care of you in my lab!-" More vines escalated up Zedaph's body. Pulling him close to the wall. "Okay how about I just get a sample and call it a day?" The pulling continued. Faster. Rougher. "Wait wait-"
Bdubs tore through Zedaph's trading system door with a netherite pickaxe. "Hiii Zed! Knock knock!"
"Oh bubs! Thank goodness! Can you help me with this? I can get a sample and I'll get you some resources in my chest for helping!" Zed sounded desperate. Smiling to see a good friend come to help.
Bdubs walked out of the door, shadows falling behind him, light showing his appearance much better. His award winning smile wasn't there. His eyes were still the big ones he was known for. Yet different. Red and white. His pickaxe was now held at a more threatening angle to Zedaph's neck. His smile making an appearance again as he kneeled down lower to give Zedaph a better look at his face. Red vines were shown so strongly over his face among his golden freckles. Grown out as if they were his own veins.
Zed got pale. "...My good best friend bubss- You aren't here to help are you?"
"Aw,you were always so smart! No I AM here to help. Just not YOU."
Zed grew more pale, as if he were the one sick, not the other way around. "Were?"
"Past tense silly. Since you too will be past tense. Buh bye!"
A couple swings left the man on the ground dead. Body being dragged off into the walls. Everytime he respawed, four times, he was killed in a different way with the netherite pickaxe. None of the deaths being called out.
Bdubs's smile was now back, teeth sharp. Holding Zedaph's communicator.
>ZedaphPlays< Like I said, nothing to worry about! The sounds will be gone soon!
>MumboJumbo< That's a relief! I can get some sleep knowing that.
>Xisumavoid< You really had us worried there.
>ZedaphPlays< All thanks to your help, Bdubs was able to come get me. If anyone else needs help, call for him. Really helpful.
>Xisumavoid< I'll keep that in mind!
>Grian< Good job buddy!!!
>Keralis< Beautiful bubbles!! Very beautiful job!
The chat flooded with positive feedback towards Bdubs. Unaware of his work.
>Bdouble100< Aw thank you guys, you're making me all red faced.
He couldn't stop giggling to himself at his little inside joke. Going around Zedaph's base and looting it for anything that would come in handy with his hunger for death. Only to not care for any of it, stepping inside the wall and replacing it as if it wasn't broken in the first place.
The day was coming to an end and Bdubs new life goal was coming to a beautiful start.
He was going to help all of his friends.