Chapter Text
Cleo wasn't sure they were going to win against a battle between Scott and Gem, one of them being a winner of a previous season. The other one being known for being a murder machine if she wanted to. Still, Cleo's chances were never zero. So when Scott and Gem fought between each other and Cleo managed to land the last hit on Gem, ending her series, it was slightly surprising, and just managed to make Cleo even more eager for a win.
So while she was now stuck fighting Scott, both of them laughing at the moment, the zombie that was slowly creeping behind Scott didn't seem that important at all. The zombie was only lost by the darkness of the night, with nothing but the light of the stars and the village.
It was all fun and games, actually, that was until the zombie was the actual reason for Scott's demise.
“Oh? You got some fence posts in your hand?” Scott had remarked.
“Yeah, that's true.” She showed them off due to having them in her hand. Sword in the other.
“Okay then.”
“We're good?”
“We're good-”
And those were famous last words, because the next thing Cleo saw was Scott evaporate in surprise with the zombie she had seen fully killing him. She gasped and took some steps back in delightful surprise before throwing in more laughter. They killed the zombie that just killed Scott before just standing in the middle of the field
She looked at her offhand, seeing the names that remained on the server. Only hers stood red, while the other two remained gray. Which could have only meant one thing:
“Yay!” They laughed with a small wheeze. “Victorious!” She raised her sword up towards the night sky before laughing again. “I don't know how that happened.” She told the audience, confused but glad nonetheless.
They did it, Cleo had won! And it only took her five series and having to be invited into an April fools special. Honestly? Benefiting for Cleo. However, there was nothing else left to do on the server, having only her as the last one standing. And with no more content to produce, it seemed that her win had to last short. It was about time, though. Plus, the VR headset was starting to get a little annoying.
Luckily for them, as they looked around, behind them, there seemed to be a wandering Creeper. A perfect way to go out with a bang. “Hey, Creeper buddy!” She walked directly towards it. “Creeper, Creeper, Creeper. Kill me, kill me, kill me.” Due to only being VR, Cleo just faked a hug with the Creeper as it began to start the explosion, she sang as the explosion went directly into her face. The white fog completely knocked out Cleo's vision.
A wheeze with a laugh came by as their last life finally cut loose. That was it, end of session and end of video. She took off the headset, her muscles relaxing, finally not being succumbed to having her view blocked off by countless blocks, pun intended.
“Now, I'll just have to stop the re…cording.” As Cleo opened her eyes, their excitement changed rather into feeling baffled.
Cleo stood on nothing. Like absolutely nothing.
Instead of being in her own room, with walls and a floor she once stood on. Cleo found herself looking around, an endless void with nothing but herself. And with strangeness, came even more.
Even if she could see, feel, hear, and move, however, she was no longer her per se. They looked at their hands, panicking soon taking over. They were still hands, just, not theirs.
Not only that, but they were green, chipped red nail polish on top of some of her nails while her hands were covered in what she deemed as purple gloves. Her wrists were also looking different, green bracelets made out of fabric while the VR motion controllers hung. Yep, this was absolutely weird. Cleo immediately did not care for the VR headset as it fell out of their own hands.
“What the actual f… What the heck?!” They screamed out. However, the weirdness did not end there. They looked at what they were wearing, it resembled an eighty's disco or gymnast outfit, the green skin still following it. She noticed the stitches that were dug deep into her skin, and as she slowly reached into their face, it was definitely one that wasn't theirs. Their hair was different, too, a large, curly, orange mane that she could barely describe as hair fell onto their shoulders and largely longer than what their usual hair length was on top of Cleo.
Cleo quickly got to the conclusion that this was absolutely her Life series´ skin. And boy did that get her confused. There was no humanly possible way that could just make her change into that. It even seemed that Cleo was an actual zombie now. What the fuck. That was a statement.
They cursed under their breath, there was no way this was actually happening. They continued to look around, continuing to see nothing but herself. And the fact that her body might not even be theirs anymore was slightly concerning. They looked up, only a small dim of light could be found upwards all the void. However, it was way too up, Cleo doubted that they could reach it without using any support. It was pretty high up, similar to how far the sun can be seen whenever you go outside.
So there was absolutely nothing. Cleo might as well die and rot here. Still, Cleo had to at least try to ask for help.
“Hello?! Anybody here?” She screamed at the top of her lungs, making a ´u´ shape with both of her hands to surround her mouth in order to generate more volume at her words. Only the echo could be heard.
They continued to look around, waiting for an answer. That was until the change of scenery changed beneath them.
Right under their feet, the VR headset seemed to have a longer light generating out of it. Like if it was trying to be caught. Calling to her. As if it was that the VR headset was the one to respond to Cleo's cry out.
She picked up the VR headset, somehow still intact after they threw it, and there was no longer the death screen behind the lenses. In fact, there was a completely different view inside of them. Purple glowed, faint little stars could be seen inside of it.
Unless the screen was the only thing that got damaged, Cleo found no actual reason as to why the glimmer was now there. Screw that, she probably would want to know anyway! This whole thing was weird anyway, it might also be the reason they were now… that.
Whatever remained on the headset could be just malice, the chances of Cleo just being coaxed into their own death were pretty high. Perhaps they were already dead and this was limbo! Although, that didn't explain as to why she was now the human version of some blocks that had pixels on it. So, yeah, it may or may not be Cleo's time to die.
Anyhow, it wouldn't hurt her that much if Cleo got just a little curious.
With a sigh, she put on the headset with eyes closed and grabbed the motion controllers as if they were going to play a VR game again. Cleo wasn't really sure if it was still recording, but, hey, she could use some content to post if it did.
Cleo opened her eyes, and found herself yet again in a dark, black, void. However, not entirely empty this time.
They immediately gasped in horror. What Cleo was looking upwards was not an ideal way to find eldritch entities that somehow could only be seen on digital screens created by the human mind, but, could Cleo complain?
It hardly looked human, what Cleo could even guess was a cloak would be the only characteristic that they could deem as normal of the whole situation. It was definitely bigger than Cleo, with her having to stretch all her neck to look up and the creature having to arch down to stare. Which, apparently, was the only thing it could do, it only had one eye. No mouth or ears, and probably, it couldn't shed a tear. It didn't even blink to Cleo as it continued to stare.
Cleo took some steps back in reflex, that thing could have easily snapped her in two. Her mouth was wide open as the desperate need to run was considered as a pretty good idea.
[ ZombieCleo, ] It spoke. Because apparently, it could do so without even using a mouth. [ We've been waiting for you. ] It talked again, this time, it's eye directly looking at them.
Before Cleo could just flat out faint with their body now still yet cold, the thing did not budge. [Do not fear, ZombieCleo. We do not harm.]
“Uhh, what the- who- why- just- what is this?! Who are you, did you turn me into this?!” Cleo pointed her thumb towards her chest as she looked up. “Where am I ?” They ended up asking.
The creature moved, flowing through the void in circles, surrounding Cleo. [You are on what we call the End Branch. Since you are officially a winner, this is where you will rest till the end of your time. However, this is not exactly what it looks like.]
She scoffed, “Unless you have a different meaning as to what is called a kidnapping, then I think this is exactly what it looks like.” Cleo called out bitterly as they followed whatever was surrounding them with only their eyes.
It treated Cleo like a joke as it chuckled. [We did not do that. You won. This is the price.] It replied. “…huh, a price, you say?” Cleo pushed further.
[Correct.]
“Then… where are the others? Or is this just a form of torture? Screw-screw that question, how did you even manage to get me in here?!” Cleo kept insisting, her gaze furrowing with their eyebrows. [We are afraid to inform that there are no answers that we can provide to you, ZombieCleo.] A really cocky reply to a being whose tone of voice never changed, Cleo grunted.
Yet, not like Cleo could ever give up that easily. “You keep mentioning there's a reason, you keep being ominous, you keep gatekeeping me! That's supposed to be Scott's job!” They claimed, but the creature did not fret. “Just answer me!” She shouted.
[Questions which can not be sought for answers must remain questions. ZombieCleo, you are here for a reason, none of your questions will not be answered until we watch otherwise.] It stood up, revealing the actual height of Cleo's capturer, its head could no longer be seen.
Cleo groaned. “Fine! You wanna be that way? Then just let me die here, won't you?” She complained. Seconds of it not responding, Cleo grew instantly annoyed and decided to just stop the talk.
Cleo freed themselves from the grip of the controllers and started to take off the headset with a little trouble. And as they did, the creature continued to watch them as it talked. [You cannot die in the winner's limbo, ZombieCleo. You can only be cursed. You are not cursed, though. Isn't that interesting? That is why you are in the End Branch. We will watch you forever in it, too.]
She stopped struggling and looked up in a hurry. “You're telling me I'm immortal now?”
[Correct.]
“And you-you're telling me I am stuck here?!” Cleo laughed, fear and nervousness creaking over their voice. “Like- forever? I am stuck here? Forever?” Cleo repeated. It did not reply for a couple of seconds before speaking.
[Perhaps not forever. You might as well try to get out by yourself from the End Branch.] It then disappeared, small glitches leaving its trace. [However, in order to leave and go back into the real human realm, the Solar System needs to flourish once again.] It was now behind Cleo, giving them a scare as they turned around to see it better. “… The solar system?” Cleo heard themselves asking, completely lost.
It nodded. [Correct. Allow me to explain.] The void that was around them was now filled with what could resemble space in a bat of an eye, each little star, constellation, planet, and particle could be found covered in glitter purple and shining bright materials. [Where we are from. The games only exist due to the help of those who have won. The Sun, the stars, the Moon, and Mars, there's also the one before you, Earth.] As everything was being named, each little orbit started to create a circle, similar to a crown, on top of her capture's head, the sun in the center on top of its one eye. [They are the reason these stories exist. All of their tales are told, and with that, the audience is left with wanting for more. However, something has happened with all of these champions.]
The sun cracked, the rest followed suit before turning into dust and smoke, making Cleo lose some of their sight, however, that didn't stop the discussion. [Each winner has something corrupted within their code. After death, each of these winners have gotten what we deem as cursed. You and the other one are the exceptions so far.] Well, as if that was useful. “Where's the other winner, then? Why are they not here with me?” Cleo asked for questions.
[It is hard to… describe. However, being alive stops no corruption from reaching anyone.] Oh. Okay, so the supposed winner wasn't dead and Cleo did die in their game, however, it decided to just make it Cleo's problem. Got it. “Uh-huh… but what does this lead to anyway?” They pressured, as they were finally being cleared from the fog.
[You are different from other winners, ZombieCleo. You know about the games more than any of them. We suppose that you know that it is not actually what we deemed it as?]
Cleo remained baffled. They got even more lost every time the creature opened its mouth. “You mean the Life series? I-i mean, I suppose I know more behind the scenes. Not like I am one of the ones who do the making like Grian, though…” They trailed off. [And that is exactly what we want from you.] It said calmly and just started to float a little away.
[You know this is just a content series. You know it as a fun content material that you and other friends agreed to do every once in a while.] It was getting further away, so Cleo walked with it as it talked. [The other winners seem to not know that whatsoever, and actually think all of this is real. You have to use a VR headset in order to be in the games at the moment. You know the truth. Although not all of it.]
Cleo breathed shakily as she tried to follow along. “What do you want from me?” They dared to ask.
The creature stopped floating and remained completely still before breaking its neck, if it even had one, to look towards Cleo, its body then slowly turned around to the same direction. [There won't be any more games if their files remain cursed. You, ZombieCleo, may be our and their savior. If you manage to break their curses, we will grant you a very heavy reward.] It chuckled, the echo faltered quickly.
“You'll… get me to leave?”
[Correct.]
“What sort of game is this?! I think we both know that I play games on a couch for a job, right? I know I’m not cursed or something- but. Why me?” Cleo exclaimed, their voice raising its volume with every worry that grew.
[Not all of us are from your realm. We can't fix everything. We are and perhaps never will be all mighty.] Well, to look like a God, it certainly was surprising to hear that out of its mouth. [We are only asking for a small service, ZombieCleo. And we are sure that you will be able to provide it to us.]
Cleo raised an eyebrow. “So you want me to fix all of your issues?” They asked, annoyed.
[Incorrect. We want you to help to restore a better future for the series. With no correct Solar System, no life can flourish. With no life flourishing, it means that every member from the games are at risk of losing an audience.] Cleo stood silent. Just trying to catch on to what they meant was a total headache. But if what it said was true, then that meant-
“There won't be any more Life series?”
[Correct.] It said with its raspy voice.
On one hand, that just meant a loss of views, which wasn't that bad, she could still work on Hermitcraft. However, on the other hand, it would also mean that Cleo would just see their friends less and less, and some aren't on Hermitcraft, and even if the Life series were not created in a flash, not seeing them again would be kind of devastating.
And this series was one of Grian's pride and joy, if there were no other games, Cleo would just be one of the reasons Grian would no longer have a series.
Another thing, if this was Cleo's ticket to get out whatever nightmare she was alive and breathing on. They stood no choice.
She sighed. “Fine. I'll help you. Just- tell me what to do, and then you'll let me leave, right? And you'll get the series going?”
[Yes, that shall be your price for the exchange. If you free the winners, we will free you, perhaps more if we look forward to it.] It told them while nodding along. [So, do we have a deal, ZombieCleo?] A hand appeared in front of Cleo, the fingers sharp as knives yet only an outline of the hand stood.
They looked towards the hand, before clashing with it, and started to shake its hand with theirs. “Deal.”
It nodded as it let go of Cleo's hand. [Eyes are the way towards the soul, ZombieCleo. Do not forget that.] It added before the wind with purple hue was surrounding them at once. [Now, are you ready?] It seemed to have asked.
“Can I at least get your name before I go into this whole burden?” Cleo asked bitterly, as the handshake was done.
[We see all. We experience all. We do all. Furthermore, we want all. The label you can use for us is the Watchers.]
________
They slowly raised their heads up. Sand filled all of Cleo's view, even though they could not feel any of the grains in which she laid down, perhaps because she was still playing with virtual reality figures. However, they immediately started to cough with the amount of things Cleo was inhaling.
The last thing Cleo saw was a flash with the symbol of the Sun before ending up here. It looked as if it was an abandoned land, the smell of blood and smoke filled most of Cleo's senses before realizing where she was.
This was definitely Third Life, more precisely, Monopoly Mountain.
The Viewer? Watcher? Or whatever they called themselves, told Cleo that the previous winners were stuck cursed forever after death, this must be Grian's curse then. Just… back in Third Life. Well, what remained.
There were just gigantic holes everywhere as smoke floated around it. If it weren't for the desert and its thousands of grains of sand, the chances of nothing remaining there would be big. Cleo just found Monopoly Mountain absolutely wrecked.
“Grian?” She tried to call out. However, it seemed that she was alone, with no Grian or anyone in sight. Not that weird considering that Grian was the only one left standing, and that's with the fact that he killed himself.
In fact, talking about it, Cleo could guess that she is where Grian landed after his fall, because as she looked up, besides the sun, there stood the actual Monopoly Mountain and not that far away stood a burnt cactus ring with blood covering most of it.
Cleo stood up and wiped off the sand that was on her outfit. It felt odd, not seeing her being a block in literal Minecraft, whatever this place was including Cleo's own limbo, it at least spared her from the sights of just cubes.
She climbed over onto the top of the Mountain, which wasn't that far, and found the actual iconic cactus ring just from a little further away.
Between all the Life series crew, the first last fight of the series as a whole always stood as one of the best moments. The glory of the last fight was between Scar and Grian stood heroic. However, knowing that perhaps it wasn't going to be cool anymore since Cleo was no longer in the world she knew and rather was on one where the games were fully real could be a bit of a mood down.
Thinking more about it, the dread and fear of just being forced upon a death game wasn't entirely pleasing. Cleo doubts that no one actually enjoyed any of these once inside an actual one.
But hey, Cleo's game was all about fun and games, was it not?
“Grian!” Cleo tried yelling louder, as if that were any better. Who were they kidding? It did not help at all, Third Life’s map was huge ! Grian could be anywhere!
Still, they kept going.
Walking upon reaching the cactus ring, overwhelming gloom rested upon Cleo's sight. Their eyes widened as her blood went cold.
It was bloody, the old smell of iron overcoming mostly everything, really. Hand prints made out of blood, some tears of fabric on the ground, in the middle of it all, it was something that drained all of Cleo's color on sight.
Barely recognizable anymore with all the bruises, blood leaking from it as a crow (those weren't in Minecraft) chipped away from it. Its face no longer looked like one, tears leaking from the open eye sockets as there was a smile on the face while part of the skull leaking through, not to mention the uncomfortable position it rested on if you were alive. There were countless broken bones from the looks of it, and the neck was completely snapped. Rotten flesh was also in view, and all of it came from a friend Cleo had known for quite some time.
That was Scar’s corpse. Like, an actual corpse.
Even though it was all VR, Cleo couldn't help but gag just by looking, if it weren't for her now being another rotten flesh human, maybe Cleo would have vomited. That was a dead body in front of them. And this was Minecraft!
“Oh fffffffffreaking hell, man!” Cleo held back a swear. And ran away from the corpse as fast as possible. Whatever that nightmare fuel was, it was definitely a way to torture someone.
Looked, they liked death, but being in front of it wasn't that great.
As they ran without any direction, it was quick for Cleo to already end up lost, somehow, she managed to run so far that they were no longer in Monopoly Mountain, despite the fact that running that fast wasn't humanly possible, that might as well be the power of VR, actually.
The desert Cleo stood was rather closer to where BigB’s old base used to rest. Well, what Cleo remembered as a forest. If it weren't for the fact that it was all demolished by one of the main reasons seeming to be gunpowder and an explosion.
It smelled recent, as if it was just set off, how odd, as if… a certain someone didn't just set it off. Well, Cleo believes that they might know where Grian was. Although it was rather odd the amount of explosions that stood around them. Grian was quite known as a creator of chaos whenever he felt like it, but not necessarily with fire and burning everything around him. That was more Scar's thing, and the Mr. GoodTimes stood dead!
At least the explosions and fire could mean that the ghost of Grian was in there somewhere. And even though the first two times gave Cleo nothing, people always had told them that the third one's the charm.
“Grian! Are you in there?” They called out while walking beneath the fog, their sights were limited, but at least Cleo could see where they stood.
Swoosh
Something moved with the fog. Too fast for Cleo to even see. “Grian? Is that you?” She called out again, this time, more serious than before. When no response came, because apparently he wasn't going to come out the easy way, Cleo scoffed. “I'm guessing you don't wanna talk. Fine. Fine by me. Still, I have to free you from something or whatever they said, so I'm not giving up that easily- woah!” Something aimed directly for Cleo's neck and landed a hit with a kick, knocking them down immediately.
It started to choke her out, although Cleo was told that she wouldn't die, she stopped believing that for a bit. Its grip was strong on her neck, barely having any conflict as Cleo tried to fight back. When she looked up to see who the attacker was, there he was.
Those big eyes full of void, the brown hair and the iconic red sweater- or apparently- a poncho, was right on top of Cleo.
Grian, the winner of Third Life.