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Grian’s wings fluttered behind him as he slowly trekked through the forest. The light cyan blue that fades on his arms and legs, as well as his wings, helped to light up the surrounding area. It helped him to not step over inconveniently placed tree roots and unseen stumps. However, it had became a curse for him now. It helped him stand out more in the darkness of the wooded area. He was tired of having to fear for his life every single day and night. He just wanted to rest.
Grian was an allay hybrid. He was half allay and half human, and unfortunately, that put a bigger price on his head. Human hybrids were seen as more valuable because their animalistic traits helped them to advance better at things than that of a normal human, and they still had their skills of reasoning. And apparently, reasoning is the most dangerous thing an animal can have. There were human hunters, but pillager hunters were even worse.
Pillager hunters were ruthless and mostly killed for sport when hunting hybrids, especially allay hybrids. Grian has practically had the stories drilled into his head ever since he was young. He’s heard how pillagers will capture allays and allay hybrids and bring them back to their outposts or their mansions. They stick them in a cage or a cell and keep them there. Grian isn’t sure why, but he’s heard it’s because allays have some sort of connection to vexes.
Vexes, who were the polar opposites of allays, Grian’s never met one, and he never wants to. It is thought that vexes were once allays who were corrupted by dark magic, although others say it’s just how they were born. They can phase through any wall or material. And their airy giggle could leave an allay with nightmares for days.
Grian took in a deep breath of air before deciding to rest next to an oak tree. He sat down, pointing his head up to look at the stars through the tree canopy. He sees the way they twinkle and shine, and it brings him back to a time when he wasn’t constantly running. When he was safe and didn’t have to worry about being captured by anyone, when he was at peace with life, but now all of the safety and peace was gone, and it’s left Grian disoriented, hoping for some sort of relief or relaxation.
Maybe he can somehow get some rest and not have to dwell on all the bad things and thoughts. His wings began to droop until they were hanging limply from his body. He evens out his breathing and closes his eyes, waiting for sleep to come.
…
“Hi!”
Grian jumped so high, he’s sure he could’ve reached space. Fear builds up in his body as he whips his head around, looking for where the voice came from. Or who it came from, to be exact.
“Look up here!” The mysterious voice speaks again, causing Grian to turn his head upwards.
Grian’s heart almost leapt into his throat when he found out who the voice belonged to.
There’s an individual in the branches above. Their arms are helping to stabilize themselves from falling out of the tree, but their legs are hanging off loosely.
But that was no ordinary individual.
It’s a vex hybrid.
They’ve got chocolate brown hair and light skin. Their eyes were as silver as the moon and easily pierced through Grian’s very being. They smiled down at him, revealing blunt fangs, and enthusiastically waved their hand, which had sharp claws. Their wings, like normal vex wings, were large with thick wing membranes, albeit tattered in some spots. They also seemed to be wearing a tan shirt, dull olive green shorts, and brown sturdy boots, which were neatly tied.
But the cherry on top was all of the scars they had plastered all over their body. There was a huge one going across their face, and Grian took notice of the ones that were wrapped around their forearms and legs. It made Grian wonder how many battles this vex had been in, but then he had to remind himself that this was a vex. They were made to serve pillagers and would battle to the death.
“Are you just going to stand there and admire me?” Their giggle echoed through the trees, and Grian could’ve sworn the leaves above him rustled.
When Grian didn’t respond, the vex hybrid spoke again. “Oh, tough crowd then! My name is Scar, and I might just be the friendliest guy around right now.” He pointed his thumb toward himself and smirked. “I also might just be the friendliest vex hybrid! That’s self-proclaimed, by the way.” He added.
Oh Watchers. Grian thought. How strange that the guy named Scar was covered in scars. Was it a coming-of-age thing where they’re named after something they’re good at or their appearance? Grian wasn’t even told that vexes could have names. He was told that they were too monsterous to even have the luxury of something to be called by.
He should probably get out of here. Anxiety was thrumming through his entire being, and his allay instincts were practically crying for him to fly away. However, curiosity had him in a chokehold as he struggled to come up with words.
"I, uh, my name is Grian.” Grian sputtered out, his wings behind him shaking.
“I see that you’re an allay hybrid! Wow, I don’t think I’ve ever seen one. I’ve seen normal allays, but never hybrids!” Scar then threw himself off the branch, but flapped his wings to help with his fall. “You look really pretty!” He complimented him as he walked closer to Grian.
If Grian’s allay instincts weren’t crying, then they were sobbing. Scar began to circle Grian to take in his form, pointing out his wings and the faded patterns on his arms and legs. The vex hybrid was circling him, almost acting as if Grian was his prey, and maybe Grian was his prey. But the vex hybrid said he was nice, right? But then again, it could be a trap.
“Why aren’t you attacking me?” Grian didn’t mean for his voice to be so high-pitched, and he instantly flushed as soon as he heard himself.
“Beeecause I don’t want to?” Scar sheepishly smiled and shrugged his shoulders.
“Wait—hold on, I thought that vexes hated allays?” Grian shook his head.
“I thought I was supposed to hate them, too! I was never really like all of the other hybrids and vexes. While they were pillaging, I would be out petting the village cats or finding a nice lake to swim in.” Scar relished those memories before his tone turned a little upsetting. “They didn’t like that because their whole society is built on the strongest and the toughest. They threw me out and abandoned me.”
Grian shouldn’t feel himself feeling sympathy for a vex of all things, but he couldn’t help himself. “Oh, I’m sorry that happened to you. That sounds really rude.”
And yet, despite Scar telling him all of these bad things, he still had the smallest smile on his face. “I’ve been trying to find somewhere to stay ever since. I guess mob hybrids are scary, though. One time I went to a village, and they kind of sent an iron golem after me! I’ve just been wandering around ever since.”
Grian felt himself calming down more. “I know what that’s like. I’ve been on the run, too. I just don’t want to get caught.”
Scar nodded his head in understanding. “Yeah, if I were an allay too, I wouldn’t want to get caught by pillagers either, especially after what I’ve seen at the outpost.”
Grian shivered at that thought. Who knew what those pillagers were doing to the unfortunate allay and allay hybrids who were unlucky enough to get captured? Grian hoped he would never have to live through that experience.
Grian decided that he had stood here long enough. "I, uh,” he hesitated. “I should probably get going. Gotta stay on the move, y’know?” He joked, although it sounded forced.
Scar’s wings immediately drooped at that confession. “Do you really have to go?” He pouted, slightly cocking his head to the side.
Grian held himself with his hands. “Yeah, but maybe we can meet again someday? The world is only so big.” He said, trying to lighten up the sullen mood.
“I guess that’s true.” Scar hummed before he began waving. “I guess I’ll see you later? Just be careful out there, Grian!”
“You too!” Grian responded, before he quickly turned his heel and began to run out of the forest, flapping his wings to propel himself faster.
He turned his head around to glance behind him, only to find that Scar was now out of his line of vision, covered by the foliage of the forest. Grian felt a pang of sadness in his chest. In a world full of fear and cruelty, he pushed himself away from the one person who actually wanted to talk to him like a normal being.
Grian truly hoped he’d meet Scar again someday.
°°°
“Now look at the pretty little allay. Thought you could get away from us, didn’t you?”
It was one day after he had met Scar and left the forest. Grian had to keep moving on, but he was so caught up thinking about Scar that he didn’t stay vigilant of his surroundings. This turned out to be the biggest mistake of Grian’s entire existence, because now he was laying under the boot of a pillager. There were three pillagers in total, with one vindicator wielding a perfectly polished axe.
Grian had tried to fight back, but it was hard since he had no defensive weapon on him. It didn’t take long until he was captured. They had tied Grian’s wings back, causing him to bite back a cry from how painful it was. Allay wings were very sensitive, and the ropes were practically digging into them. They had tied his arms and legs, too. He was definitely going to have serious rope burn after this, and that’s even if they let him out of the ropes.
Grian finally found it in himself to speak. “Guys, just please let me go. I swear I won’t tell anyone, just please.” Grian hated it when he had to beg, but this was a special scenario. And he just had the slightest hope they’d somehow be nice—
"Well, look at that! He’s beggin’, how sweet.” One of the other pillagers laughed, allowing the others to join him in a chorus of sick enjoyment.
Blood was rushing to Grian’s ears as he desperately looked around. He looked around for anything that could help his predicament, but there was nothing. The hope that Grian had was quickly simmering away.
He would either be put in an outpost, where he would be thrown into a cage with other allays while the pillagers gawked at them. Or, he would be taken to a mansion and thrown into a cell, never being able to see the light of day again.
If Grian were honest, he would rather die than choose one of those options.
Grian could feel his eyes burning, with tears welling up in the corners of his eyes. His whole face felt hot, and tears were beginning to flow down his cheeks. He didn’t want to give the pillagers the satisfaction of his crying, but he didn’t know how else to respond to this stress. It felt like slime was building up in his mouth as he hiccuped.
“Awh, it looks like we hurt his feelings! Look at the little allay cry!” One of the pillagers said, gawking at him with the cruelest smile Grian’s ever seen.
The laughter felt like it was coming from everywhere, and Grian desperately wanted to stop crying, but he couldn’t. Every time he thought he had gotten himself to stop, another sob would escape his throat, and he was back to square one.
Over all of the high emotion and the jabbering of pillagers, Grian could make out the faintest noise. It sounded like something flapping its wings. Grian’s heart began to soar. Maybe someone was coming to save him? But at the same time, it could just be a bird flying by or a hybrid that could care less.
But then the flapping of wings is louder, and Grian can feel wind on his body. The pillagers have stopped talking. Grian hadn’t even realized he had closed his eyes until he opened them.
“Well, hello there.”
No way.
Grian wasn’t positioned at an angle where he could see the new presence, but he didn’t need to be a rocket scientist to recognize that familiar voice.
Scar.
Except it wasn’t the cheery, up-bringing voice he got used to in the forest. He sounded more serious, and if Grian needed to use another describing word, slightly pissed off.
“Ah, no need to worry, boys. It’s just a vex hybrid.” A pillager said, sounding very relaxed. “He’s probably here to check up on the new catch.”
Fear spiked through Grian’s body. Maybe Scar had lied to Grian about not being with the pillagers. He was a vex, after all, and vexes were supposed to be cunning tricksters who would serve pillagers till the day they died.
“Actually, I think that ‘new catch’ might just be my friend you’ve captured.” Scar’s voice sounded strange when he said those two words, ‘new catch’, and it was almost as if he didn’t want to say them.
“Bah, you must be confused! Every vex knows that allays are enemies. Must’ve hit your head too hardly!” Another pillager spoke; his voice was raspy and honestly hurt Grian’s ears.
Scar huffed. “I think the ‘confused’ ones might be you guys. Now, just let me take Grian, and we’ll be on our merry way! No violence.”
“We ain’t crazy!” A pillager shouted. “Aren’t you supposed to be on our side?” He questioned violently.
“I stopped being on the pillager’s side the day I was abandoned for being too different.” Scar hissed through his teeth. “So please, don’t stand in my way.”
“Touch this allay, and I’ll chop your head clean off.” The vindicator pointed his axe towards Scar. “Every pillager, ravager, and vex knows only the toughest survive.”
“You’re outnumbered.” A pillager added. “We’ve got weapons, and what do you have? Nothing. We’re being nice, so if you’d like to make it out of this alive, I suggest you leave.” The pillager then thought for a moment. “Although, it’s not too late to come back to the pillager’s side, nobody wants to be around a vex, so I bet you’ve been lonely.”
Grian’s breath seized in his throat when he heard that. Were they really going to convince Scar to come back? Would Scar even want to go back?
Scar’s expression softened. He then slowly began to walk over to the pillagers. “You’d really take me back?” He muttered, with desperation in his voice.
“Yes.”
Scar then stopped right beside Grian.
And then everything went fast.
Scar immediately hit the pillager right in the chest. With the sound of the impact, it had to have hurt the pillager receiving it. The others were shocked, and in those couple of precious seconds, Scar picked up Grian. Vex were known to be somewhat strong, and since allays were light, it wasn’t impossible for a vex to pick an allay up.
Scar then blended his knees and took off into the sky. Grian’s breathing became erratic as he looked down and screamed, “WATCH OUT!” As an axe came hurtling towards the duo, Scar screeched in alarm and immediately swerved to the right. The vex then dipped down to gain speed, and the two flew away from the pillagers, who were still shouting and yelling in both rage and confusion.
“Are you alright?” Scar yelled from above.
Grian thought for a long moment, his brain still trying to catch up. “Yeah! I think I am, yeah!”
“Great!” Scar grinned. “I’ll find somewhere safe so we can get you out of those dang ropes.” He reassured the allay.
Grian didn’t object to that.
°°°
They had stopped by a river so Scar could tend to the ropes. Grian was surprised to see Scar reach into his pocket and pull out a sharp knife.
“Where did you get the knife from?” Grian asked.
“Knives are given to all vexes! They didn’t really take anything from me when I left, though. I just kept it around for defense.” Scar answered. “Approval for me to cut the ropes?”
“Approved.” Grian chuckled at the way the request was said. “Just be careful, though.” He warned playfully.
Scar then got to work on the ropes. He started with the ones that were tied around Grian’s hands, careful to avoid any contact with the skin. He bit his tongue while he worked. He then moved on to the allay’s legs, cleanly slicing through the rope. He motioned for Grian to turn around.
“This might take a bit since I don’t want to damage your wings.” Scar notified Grian before he gingerly began to cut off the restraints.
Grian breathed in deeply and grabbed onto his pants leg. Little by little, as the rope was cut, he felt his wings become more free. When the rope finally fell off and Scar dragged it away, Grian immediately fluttered his wings and exhaled in a sigh of relief.
“Thank you.” He uttered to the vex, who gave him a toothy grin in response.
“No problem!” Scar answered while looking at the sky. "It's, uh, getting late out. Do you think we should make a small base somewhere?”
Grian was quick to respond. “Probably. We might also want to get a fire going in case we encounter mobs.”
They ended up finding a nice field with a giant oak tree in the middle to camp by. The river wasn’t too far away either. They gathered rocks and sticks that had fallen off of trees for the fire. Scar then grabbed some flint and steel from his pocket to start the blaze, which puzzled Grian.
“Where did you get those?” Grian softly pointed towards the two objects.
“Don’t worry about it.” Scar waved his hand dismissively as he struck the two times together, successfully creating a small flicker that turned into a strong fire.
They sat in quiet for a few moments, with the occasional crackling of the fire to fill the empty atmosphere. Grian felt like he needed to say something so the uncomfortable silence would go away. He sat there and thought for a good minute.
“Sorry that you had to save me like that. I could’ve gotten you killed, y’know?” Grian mumbled, barely audible, but Scar heard him anyway.
“I wouldn’t worry about it! I’ve had so many near-death experiences that I couldn’t count them on my fingers!” Scar admitted as he held his hands up to show his ten fingers.
Grian sighed. “I tried to fight them off. It didn’t matter in the end, as you could see.” He dryly laughed, but there was no emotion behind it.
Scar hummed in thought. “Maybe you need some training!”
Grian shook his head. “I’m an allay, Scar. We aren’t supposed to be violent. We are passive mobs, and it’s in our nature to not fight or even have basic fighting knowledge.”
Scar stared at him, bewildered. “Grian, if I can defy the norm and be friends with you, then what’s stopping you from learning to fight?”
“I just don’t think it’s possible.” Grian paused. “Do you think it’s possible?”
Scar nodded his head. “Yeah! I’ll tell you right now that I think it’s completely possible!”
“So does this mean we’re staying together?”
“For as long as you’d like! I could protect you!”
“And maybe I’ll be able to protect you as well.”