"First things first. If we're going to save Xisuma, we need to choose carefully who should go." Doc said, addressing the other five hermits. "Any nominations?"

"False, for one." Iskall said. "She's our best fighter right now."

Joe nodded. "Stress, you should go as well. We don't know the condition Xisuma's in, and if worse comes to worse, you're the best at healing."

"Alright. I just hope we're not too late." Stress sighed.

"We should send Ren too." Doc said. "And perhaps Scar."

"Sounds like a team." Iskall replied. "I'll go contact them now."

"Wait! I'm coming too!" Mumbo said quickly.

Doc frowned at Mumbo. "Are you sure?"

Mumbo nodded. "I just... I have a gut feeling, okay? I don't usually get those."

"Are you sure?" Grian asked worriedly. "I don't want you getting hurt."

"I don't want you getting hurt either. But you're my best friend. I'm worried about you." Mumbo gave Grian a weary but hopeful look.

Grian gave him a weak smile in return. "Okay. You're coming."

_____________________________

False inspected the glowing blade again, flipping it over and re-reading the enchantments carved into the handle. After Iskall had told her about the mission, she and Scra had taken it on themselves to make god armour and strong swords in case of a fight.

Sharpness V, Fire Aspect II, Smite V, Sweeping Edge V, Unbreaking III, and Knockback II, all present.

"That's one down, four to go." False called over to Scar. "How's the armour coming along?"

"Almost done with the first set of boots." Scar called back.

"Whatcha put on them?"

"Prop four, thorns three, proj prop four, unbreaking three, fire prop four, blast prop two, as well as depth strider three, just in case." Scar answered. "I'm about to stick feather falling four on, and then I'm onto the helmet."

"I think that's every enchantment possible." False said, impressed. "Aside from mending and the curses, of course."

"And frost-walker." Stress added, poking her head in. "Either of you have any fermented spider eyes, by any chance?"

"Oh, hi Stress! There should be a couple in that chest over there." Scar guestered to a chest on the far wall of the enchanting room.

"Thanks love. I'm making a bunch of slowness potions." Stress said, retrieving the eyes. "Splash ones, of course."

"Smart, but have you made healing and regen yet?" Scar asked.

"I've got a shulker full of regen, and the healing are brewing at the moment." Stress said, sneaking a glance at the sword over False's shoulder. "Wow that's a really nice sword Falsey!"

"It could be better, the anvil took away some of the durability. Got any diamonds on you? I need to repair it before it fully sets." False said, sticking the sword into the hot coals again.

"Uhh, here's a couple." Stress said, handing them over. False thanked her before going back to work.

Stress turned to Scar. "So the armours going great?"

Scar nodded. "And the brewing as well, yes?"

"Mhm! Ren's helping. Well, Renbob is."

"He switched to his alter?"

"Yep!"

Scar shrugged. "Makes sense. I'd switch to Cap, if he was any good at enchanting. Anyways, how's Grian doing?"

"He's with Joe right now."

"And what about Mumbo, Iskall and Doc?"

"Mumbo and Doc are putting together a makeshift plan, while Iskall's making nether trips to get supplies for the potions." Stress replied. "Good luck with the enchanting!"

"Good luck to you too!"

____________________________

Excuse me while I *screams*

So writing setup is hard, but a glass of ice later, and I've got this *gestures to the chapter*

Let's just say I listened to the wrong music while writing this XD (way too many songs on my mp3 player)

Also, some interesting news: I've begun to piece together some lore for the sequel, including a whole scene that explains how the mystery boy ended up in the void with the voidling.

And a hint for some theories, Alter-egos are a very important plot point.

Quick note: The animation I promised a while ago is kinda off my priorities list, and might be scrapped in favor of a trailer for the sequel. Whichever I decide to finish, I'll attempt to upload onto YT, but I don't have a perfect computer, so no promises.