Chapter Text
Double Life ended startlingly and abruptly, one minute Grian was alive, and the next he was dead. He groans as he floats towards the Red Velvet Keep, that wasn’t how he wanted to go at all.
Bringing another warden up would have stirred the pot up so much, but he failed. The warden could still make it up and cause chaos, but it won’t be as controlled as if Grian brought it up himself and led it to the others.
“Warden, huh?” A voice says coolly.
Grian turns to see Scar, who is leaning against one of the remaining walls the the Jellie Panda Reserve. He seems impassive, death having doused their bloodlust, but Grian can feel annoyance through the bond that still lingers.
“What about it?”
“Couldn’t let us go out in a blaze of glory, could you?” Scar replies, annoyance seeping into his tone. He shrugs and the emotion seems to fade, “It just seems too boring for you.”
“I didn’t go to the warden to die,” Grian snaps back, “I was trying to stir up more chaos.”
“And the warden was necessary?”
Grian pauses, debating how much to admit. He eventually settles for the truth since it makes no difference, “Wardens are way more frightening then players, in order to gain the most from this, I need as extreme of emotions that I can get.”
Scar is quick to go from surprised to intrigued by the answer, “So, you-“ His look turns more complex as he fails to continue, trying to process what this means.
Grian hums, a little impressed that Scar figured some part of it out. If the spell is making him stay silent about it, he’s on the right track. Whether he’s realized it completely or not, Grian decides to confirm it, “Watchers feed off of emotion, the more potent, the better.”
He nods slowly, “Right. Is that why these games happen?”
Grian studies Scar for a long moment, because that’s skirting the line a little too close for his liking. The magic is still just as strong as it was before, so Scar can’t bypass it at all. It’s really just the context that paints this in a telling way.
“For the most part, yes.”
“For the most part,” Scar echoes, his expression shifting into discomfort rapidly.
Grian may be a little too gleeful to know that he can get under Scar’s skin by saying he does the games for fun. Of course that whole plan is side tracked now since he has a lead on what might cause Scar to act so indifferent otherwise.
The lead is just Scar being a vex hybrid, but it’s a start. The moment these games end Grian is going to start researching things, he can’t stand not knowing. He also feels the need to prove it to Scar that he can figure this out.
Neither of them speak for a while, both standing amongst the ruins of their base as the game continues on. It’s only after they hear a distant lightning strike that Scar speaks, “What exactly do we do here? I don’t remember anything like this.”
“Usually I follow others around, wanting to watch the end of the game. As for everyone else, their spirits probably still linger, but they’re mostly put into a state on unconsciousness, which is why you don’t remember anything after dying, you’re not the most conscious then.” Grian takes a moment to study Scar, “I didn’t intend for you to be pulled out of that as well. So either I unintentionally undid it with your memory block, or us being connected pulled you through.”
“So I’ll remember this?” Scar asks, studying his hands.
Grian nods, “Yup.”
Scar turns to look at Grian again, “Why do that in the first place?”
“Partly so I can interfere in this world without risking being seen by anyone, and partly because it’s an easier existence for them. There’s not much fun with a ton of ghosts just wandering around. It also gives me a start at relaxing everyone’s minds to send them back.”
“Wait, what!?”
Grian rolls his eyes, stepping closer and poking Scar in the forehead, “As I said before, messing with the mind isn’t simple. The temporary blocks are the most I’ll do and they need to be handled with caution. Having everyone in a state of unconsciousness makes removing the block an easier process, for both me and them.”
“Where does that leave me?” Scar asks, cautious and unsettled. He clearly remembers the discussion of erasing memories.
“I will probably send you to join the others after things wrap up here, since it’s still an easier transition to return and I also don’t want you to see me work.” Grian turns around and starts heading towards the center of the map, “Now come on, I want to see what’s going on.”
Scar doesn’t respond, but the bond is transparent enough of a response. There was a flicker of disappointment when Grian said he couldn’t watch before it got consumed by unsettled discomfort. It only makes Grian more determined to understand Scar.
They don’t walk for long before another duo lightning bolt strikes, and Grian quickly changes direction to head there. It’s not much of a surprise to find that it’s Pearl who stands above the bodies, Grian’s felt the whirlwind that is her emotions through this whole game after all.
Being red has given her an outlet that’s ended with a rather terrifying result. This is proven even more by Cleo and Martyn’s appearance, Pearl reaching a concerning level of unhinged.
Grian makes a mental note to take time to ensure that the game’s hold on Pearl is fully gone before sending her back, this would be a disastrous state for her to be left in. It’s not the first time that the game got to someone, and Grian doubts that it will be the last.
Scott’s sacrifice does catch Grian off guard a little, considering how at ends these two were, but it definitely makes things simpler for Grian. He quickly turns to Scar and reaches out to touch his head, “Time to send you back.”
Scar’s eyes widen, but he’s given no chance to respond as they fall closed again. Grian sighs as Scar is sent to join the others in subconsciousness, it’s time for him to get to work.
Grian may have lost all of the human empathy he once had, enough to take glee in the suffering of others, but he holds onto just enough to make him want to ensure that none of them are permanently damaged from the games. They might be a means to an end, but Grian does want to keep them intact.
While Grian does need to delve into the players’ minds in order to do all of that, he doesn’t linger any longer then he needs to. He has no interest in the intricacies of their minds.
Grian lets out a breath when he finishes checking over the last person. With a final check to the world’s code, he snaps his fingers and deletes the world.
He blinks and finds himself in his starter base again, feeling more energized than he has in long while. As much as it would be nice to enjoy the fuller extent of his powers, Grian reins them in, he doesn’t want to get caught, after all.
Grian doesn’t fully dismiss his power, because he has research that he needs to do. He sits down at his table and waves his hand through the air, splitting it to open a portal.
He reaches into it, allowing him access to the library of all written information available. Grian grabs all vex and vex hybrid related books that he can find and summons them into a pile on the table. With another wave the portal closes.
Grian decides to start with what’s known about regular vex as a baseline. It probably won’t give as precise of information, but it should create a good starting point.
The only books about vex he can find on a quick search were illager based books, leaving Grian needing to skim through a lot of it to learn anything. Grian goes through all related books before pulling out a pen and paper to write down his findings.
Vex are a magical based species that aren’t native to the plane most players live on. They thrive on magic and always work to improve the strength of theirs, mainly through deals.
This is primarily seen via evokers creating a deal to bring them out of their home plane, even just temporarily. It is interesting to note how deals aren’t always one sided towards the vex, sometimes restraining them if done wrong.
Grian hums as he sends the books back to where they came from, considering the information. Deciding to wait on forming a conclusion, Grian begins to read the other books, which are a collection discussing hostile mob based hybrids.
These are much easier to skip through to get to what he needs, they also begin painting a clearer picture of the situation. Grian starts writing things down to form a proper conclusion.
Vex hybrids are also magically based, but being part player altered how their reach of their own inner magic is. While deal making still has a firm hold on their magic, vex hybrids can break through a little of that barrier by making deals with themselves.
Due to this, vex hybrids don’t often make deals with evokers, since they’re both on the same plane and an evoker can’t give them more then it takes. However vex hybrids still desire having access to more magic, which leads them towards finding beings with stronger magic to create deals with.
Despite this, like all other hybrids, vex hybrids are players; their instincts do not define who they are as a person.
Grian stares at his note as he contemplates everything. He doesn’t have all the answers, but he certainly knows why Scar isn’t as afraid of him as he should be. Grian’s magic is clearly reacting strongly with Scar’s vex side.
Having shown Scar his magic unintentionally made himself a beacon in that way. Vex are drawn towards magical beings and Grian sure as hell is a powerful one of those.
Yet it doesn’t answer everything.
Grian’s biggest irk was, at least. Scar’s vex side kept him too enamored with Grian’s magic to truly fear Grian as a watcher, but his player side certainly does, especially when Grian is hurting his friends.
Of course that conclusion is flawed in itself, Scar can’t be that swayed by his vex side. There’s something else at play here besides hybrid instincts. Those only answer the baseline questions of this, Grian is still missing the larger picture as a whole.
He briefly contemplates going to Scar about this, see if Grian can trick him into revealing his hand. He had said no more hints, but maybe he will let something slip if Grian can convince Scar that he figured it all out.
Or was Scar’s no more hints comment about just the vex side of this?
Grian shakes his head, another thought coming, he has already admitted weakness once to Scar, he cannot let it happen again. He needs to figure out the rest of this on his own if he is to prove himself to Scar.
He sighs, de-summoning the books and pocketing the note. Grian stands up and puts on the mentality of a normal player returning from the death games, he needs to appear like he’s a normal player.
~ ~ ~
After the meeting with Xisuma ends, Grian is quick to return to his mega base to continue working on it. Part of it is for the act, while the other part is for something to do as he thinks.
Grian doesn’t see Scar for the rest of the day, and it makes him wonder how serious his claim was. Is Scar really going to stay away from Grian until he finds the answer?
Only part of him is relieved at the thought, Grian doesn’t know what to think about the other part.
He gets his answer the following day, Scar gliding into the cave as Grian is fidgeting around with Grumbot. “Well hello there!” he exclaims cheerily.
Grian can’t help but raise an eyebrow as he turns around, “I thought you wanted me to come to you?”
Scar tilts his head, staring up at Grian quizzically for a moment before realization flashes in his eyes. He seems almost bashful as he responds, “Ah, right. I do still mean that in terms of that, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to leave you alone.” A curious look takes over, “Speaking of, have you realized yet?”
Grian narrows his eyes, debating his answer for a moment. Eventually he decides to be somewhat truthful, if only to mend his pride. “I figured out what you meant in terms of being a vex,” he starts carefully, “but that can’t be the full truth of the matter.
“Hm,” Scar hums in agreement, but he seems surprised. “Of course, it wouldn’t be much of a hint if I gave away everything,” despite that, his look says otherwise.
Grian studies his expression, trying to figure out what he’s thinking. Eventually he gives up, knowing he won’t be able to figure it out from Scar’s expression alone.
He jumps down off of Grumbot, landing in front of Scar, “It’s barely been over a day, I can’t figure out all answers that quickly.”
The confused expression lingers, but Scar still smirks, “Really? I would have thought you could figure things out easily.”
Grian glares at Scar, but he knows that he’s intentionally being riled up. “I can, I just can’t spend a lot of time doing it.”
“Mhm, right,” Scar says dismissively. He looks past Grian, “So instead you’re remaking Grumbot?”
Grian looks back before facing Scar again, “I didn’t remake him, he came through the rift. I was just investigating what makes him different from the Grumbot from before.”
“Are you saying this is alternate timeline kind of things?”
“Pretty much, alternate timelines are rather interesting.”
Scar glances back to the rift before looking at Grian again, “So this season you’re just…” he forcibly trails off. He makes a circling motion with his hand in an attempt to deliver his point, but groans a moment later, “This is so stupid.”
Grian shrugs, unbothered by Scar’s frustration, “I can’t risk you telling others about me, this was the easiest way to do it.”
He shifts side to side before something sparks in his eyes, “We can always make a deal.”
Grian just scoffs, “You’re trying to make a deal with me after telling me to learn about vexes?”
Scar shrugs, “You know my motives, so what? This means you should also know that I’m bound to follow my end of the deal.”
“Like you won’t look for a loophole. I tell you not to say anything, and you’ll just write it down.”
He sighs, “I suppose that you’re not going to understand until you figure everything out.” Scar makes a shooing gesture towards Grian, “Go ahead and keep working on your thing, I’m just gonna watch.”
Grian studies Scar for a long moment before giving up with a sigh of his own, he’ll figure Scar out, one way or another. Without a word, he turns around and flies back onto Grumbot, searching for what is keeping him from turning on.