It was a bit odd that only Xisuma, Scar, and xB came to greet him. Wels wasn't expecting any sort of.. grand welcome, but the thought that the hermits were too busy grieving to come see him was upsetting.

Well, perhaps they just didn't know he was leaving soon. They thought they had the rest of the season, or at least until the memorial. The goal was to leave before that, he didn't want to be involved in anything that emotional.

He stretched, putting the shulker he was loading away. Xisuma had let him use any resources from the admin's base - and Wels couldnt be more grateful. He had potions, weapons, armor, food, totems, rockets, torches, everything he could even think of.

The last time he had gone to Hels wasn't... completely horrible. But he wasn't sure how much it had changed in the years since he'd been there. He grasped a Totem of Undying and latched it around his neck to a chain, tucking the charm into his armor.

"Wow," A voice spoke behind him, "You've gone on to looting quick."

The knight jumped, whipping around to see Etho and Beef behind him. Etho had spoke, looking over at the open shulker that Wels had been prepping.

"I'm not-" Wels cleared his throat, "I'm not looting! I have X's permission."

"Riiiight," Beef smirked, "Why do you need that much stuff anyway?" his smile dropped, "You just got here, are you leaving again?"

Wels frowned under the gaze of both men, glancing to the side, "I only stopped by to see how everyone was doing. I can't stay long and I'm not sure when I'll be back."

The other hermits pouted, even Etho's mask crinkled as he frowned.

"Seriously?" He asked.

"When are you leaving?" Beef stepped closer, crossing his arms over his chest. "Has X told you about the memorial? It's a big tribute - you're gonna stay for that, right?"

Wels shook his head, "I'm sorry, guys, I'm leaving as soon as I can. I'm in a sort of rush, y'know."

Etho and Beef shared a glance before the latter let out a dissatisfied sigh. He looked back to Wels before offering a weak smile, "Can you at least come over for dinner tonight? The NHO and a couple of the others are gonna be there - it's be a great chance to say hi! ... and bye.."

The knight blinked and stared back into the shulker before his guilt won.

"Okay, I can probably do that. I'll leave afterwards."

A smile took over Beef's face and he knocked the hermit on the shoulder, "There ya go! We look forward to seein you!"

Etho nodded, "Yeah, it's been too long, man."

"Of course," Wels smiled back, "I've got to keep packing for now."

Etho put his hand on Beef's shoulder, "Of course, of course," he looked to the bearded hermit, "C'mon man - lets give him some space."

"Oh, yeah," Beef stepped back and both men headed towards the exit, "See you tonight, Wels!"

"I'll be there!"

Wels let out a breath as the two hermits flew away. He didn't really have time for dinner, especially if it involved questioning - but it was the best he could do. The hermits were his friends, and he couldn't let them down.

Hopefully, wherever Grian was, he'd be okay for a little longer.

A thin line of a sun trickled through the exit of Xisuma's base catching Wels' attention. He glanced outside before taking his shulker and stepping out.

It was warm out, a beautiful day, considering the circumstances. He loved hermitcraft. Genuinely. It was far friendly and more welcoming than his home - but of course, it also was a lot smaller. 

Wels came from a world full of conflict - one where honor was based around fighting and proving your strength. It was one of the many planets with a species of strong warriors that felt specially qualified to care for the worlds that they considered weaker. It was similar to Xisuma's home - though far less homogenic in species. 

The King of his world was a Nether-born of the piglin variety. He was harsh and cruel and the strongest ruler Wels had ever seen. 

The knight had served the king for most of his life, he was hardworking and loyal - he had made such an impression that even the king respected his endurance and had even trusted him to personally guard the young prince - the king's only son. 

Not long after the prince's birth did Wels change his mind about the entire "loyalty" thing. Seeing the fear on the young prince's face - hearing the way his father would speak to him. Wels couldn't stand it. He was young as well - and the older guards warned him about his desire to help the prince. But he had ignored them. 

He helped the prince escape when he was old enough.

The prince had returned the favor by joining him years later in the fight to save Xisuma when he was kidnapped. To defeat Xelqua. 

Wels eyed the clouds passing overhead, wondering briefly if the prince could help him again. He was very familiar with both Grian and Xelqua... but he knew the former royal also was quite busy with his own fights. Not to mention he wasn't sure where to find the prince anymore. Grian kept tabs on him more than anyone. 

It left a feeling of dread in his heart. He hadn't been to Hels with out the prince.. He was strong but not nearly as strong as the well trained piglin. He had nearly died to one of the forest beasts when he entered Hels the last time. The place was terrifying, really and he was getting anxious the longer he thought about it. 

But, he had gotten stronger since the last time he went to the forgotten dimension. The last time a hermit had gone missing there. He could fight back this time. He was stronger - and more patient and well trained. 

His anxiety would do nothing to help. This wasn't about him anymore, it was about Grian. 

It was about saving a fellow hermit. 

☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ:⠀ *⋆.*:･ﾟ .: ⋆*･ﾟ: .⋆

"It just seems suspicious to me, that's all I'm saying." Etho spoke, hands behind his head as he and Beef walked down one of the many paths in the shopping district.

Beef rolled his eyes, "Yeah, I get it. But you know how Wels is - the guy is just... busy. He's got a lot going on off-world still."

Etho shrugged, not completely convinced. "Just weird he's not even staying for the memorial. Even TFCs gonna be there. It just doesn't add u-"

"Hey," Beef interrupted, "False and Cub are over there, lets go see them."

Etho blinked, looking over to Stress' potion shop where both Cub and False were loading potions into shulkers. He dropped his arms, and both men made their way over.

False noticed the two approaching first, giving a small nod. Cub noticed and stood.

Etho waved, "Hey, everybody."

False and Cub greeted them back, "Hey, Etho, Beef. What's going on?"

Beef smiled, "Mostly getting fresh air now, we stopped by Xisuma's to see Wels, but he's busy."

Cub agreed as False began loading potions once again, "That does make sense. He has a lot to catch up on if he plans on coming back halfway through a season."

Etho hummed, "Well, he's not planning on staying."

This caught False's attention, "Oh?"

Beef shook his head, "He's already packing to go. Guess he's headed back home."

The brit frowned, "That's... unfortunate."

Beef hummed his agreement, "What are you two prepping for?"

"Xisuma is sending us on a patrol. There's a chance something may have messed with Grian's respawn. We're doing a final check after his memorial." Cub motioned to the shulker, "We're preparing for the worst out there. Leather boots and all."

Etho leaned against Stress' tree, "Kinda weird to have a funeral and then a search party."

"We have to pay our respects eventually, rather he's dead or not."

"I guess that makes sense," Beef added.

False closed the shulker she was working with and stood, breaking it into her inventory. "I know he's busy, but is Wels doing alright? If he's busy I know he'll be bothered if we all decide to stop by."

Beef's smile returned, "He seems to be doing fine! A little stressed perhaps, but aren't we all?" He gave a weak chuckle, "Of course, he also said he'd be coming to dinner at my base tonight. You two are free to show up as well."

False nodded eagerly, "I'd love to, thank you. I want to check on him - I know how stressful our homeworld can be. I don't understand how he keeps going back there."

"You can go without me," Cub said, "I've got a meeting with Scar tonight. I haven't had hardly any time to see him."

Beef nodded in understanding, "That's alright. False you're welcome to show up whenever."

The woman nodded, "I appreciate it."

The group said their goodbyes with fake smiles and flat voices. Dinner at Beef's base was always a fun event - but this time it just seemed hollow. Like an empty promise of something that would never be finished. 

Beef himself was mildly excited to have guests over once more, but a part of him feared that no one would even show up.