The Watchers—demigods and gods fueled by chaos and rage, driven by an insatiable need to destroy servers. These malevolent beings thrive on the downfall of realms, masquerading as benevolent helpers while corrupting the very fabric of the worlds they infiltrate. The Watchers offer their assistance to admins burdened by the stress of maintaining order, presenting themselves as saviors. But behind their guise lies a sinister intent, one that inevitably leads to ruin.

Only one admin ever truly resisted the Watchers, battling against their malevolent influence with a resolve that was unmatched. His fight was valiant but ultimately futile. He vanished without a trace, leaving behind a server in shambles, its once vibrant community reduced to whispers of what had been. Unlike other admins who have recounted their encounters with the Watchers, this one simply disappeared, his fate a haunting mystery.

The hermits of Hermitcraft are well aware of this tale, a dark legend that serves as a grim reminder of the dangers posed by the Watchers. They know all too well the cost of accepting the aid of these purple-robed entities. The Watchers offer solace in times of distress, mending problems only temporarily, or worse, exacerbating them. Everyone knows the peril of making a deal with these creatures, yet the temptation often proves too great for those desperate enough.

The domain of the Watchers is a place shrouded in mystery. Those who have ventured into their realm return changed, their silence about what they witnessed more telling than words. Among the hermits, there are those who survived the destruction of the Evo server. They speak little of their experiences, their trauma palpable in their silence. They recall the admin who vanished, a figure both revered and mourned. He was young, protective, and caring—a brother to some. His strength and intelligence were undeniable, but in the end, his inexperience was his downfall.

Xelqua, that was the admin of the Evo server's name. Dressed in a Link outfit with vibrant blue eyes that seemed to pierce through to the soul, he was a figure of legend. A tapestry of the long-forgotten admins hangs on a wall, and among them is Xelqua, immortalized but presumed dead. He wore a necklace that matched one of my hermit's necklaces—hers was a hand-carved crescent moon, while his was the sun. The day he disappeared, she found it broken next to the world spawn. She didn't find all the pieces, but they kept insisting that the Watchers took their admin. Nobody really believed them, and no one was willing to search the Watchers' domain for him.

Xisuma, the steadfast admin of the Hermitcraft server, had been grappling with mysterious glitches and severe server breaks. Initially, he believed these issues were player-induced, but despite his relentless efforts to diagnose the problem, he found no clear answers. Joe Hills, ever the supportive friend, attempted to assist, but their progress was minimal. The glitches persisted, and with them, Xisuma’s frustration grew.

Everyone urged Xisuma to take a break, to rest and approach the problems with fresh eyes. But Xisuma, ever the diligent admin, felt the weight of the server's well-being on his shoulders. Ignoring their advice, he sought solace in the End, hoping its serene and desolate landscape would provide him with the clarity he needed.

In the back of his mind, the disappearance of his brother, Xavier, loomed large. The glitches had coincided with Xavier's vanishing, adding another layer of stress to Xisuma's already heavy burden. He couldn’t shake the feeling that the two events were connected, and this nagging suspicion only added to his determination to fix the server.

As Xisuma traversed the eerie expanse of the End, he found a momentary respite from the constant pressure. The silence was a balm to his frayed nerves, and for the first time in weeks, he felt he could breathe without the weight of the server’s issues pressing down on him. However, in this isolated place, far from the comforting presence of his friends, Xisuma was vulnerable.

Xisuma was alone and stressed. He ended up sitting down next to a pile of rocks, trying to clear his mind. Suddenly, he heard a giggle—soft, eerie, and distinctly not from an enderman. His heart raced as he looked around, convinced he was being followed. His eyes widened in shock as he spotted a creature casually approaching him, though it seemed more like it was floating than walking.

The creature was dressed in deep purple robes with intricate white detailing. Its face was concealed by a pristine white porcelain mask that covered everything down to its cheeks, ending in two sharp points on either side of its nose. The most striking feature was its large white wings—two sets, one folded gracefully under the other.

"Admin," the creature called in an eerie tone that sent shivers down Xisuma's spine.

Xisuma's breath caught in his throat. The creature's presence was both mesmerizing and terrifying, and he felt an overwhelming sense of dread. He knew instinctively that this was a Watcher, one of the chaos-driven beings that thrived on the downfall of servers.

"Who are you?" Xisuma managed to ask, his voice barely a whisper.

The Watcher tilted its head slightly, the porcelain mask catching the dim light of the End. "I am here to help you, Admin," it replied, its voice smooth and haunting. "I can fix the glitches, ease your burdens. All you need to do is trust me."

Xisuma felt a cold sweat break out on his forehead. He remembered the stories, the warnings, but the weight of his responsibilities and the mystery of his brother's disappearance pressed heavily on him. The Watcher’s offer was tempting, dangerously so.

"Why should I trust you?" Xisuma asked, trying to summon his usual resolve.

The Watcher’s wings fluttered softly as it moved closer. "Because I could help you rest. You seem tired, Admin," it said, ending up right in front of Xisuma. "Let me help you take care of the server. Let me help you find your brother," its voice as smooth as silk, each word a soothing promise.

Xisuma's hesitation was palpable. He knew the stories, the warnings about the Watchers. He felt a chill run down his spine as he looked into the creature's masked face. "I shouldn't trust you. I know what you are," he said, his voice wavering as his confidence faltered.

The Watcher leaned in closer, its presence both comforting and unnerving. "But you have no other choice, Admin," it whispered. "You are alone, exhausted, and your server is falling apart. I can fix everything. I can bring your brother back. All you need to do is let me help you."

Xisuma's mind raced. The weight of his responsibilities, the relentless glitches, and the mysterious disappearance of his brother all pressed down on him. The Watcher's words were tempting, dangerously so. But deep down, he knew the risks.

"How do I know you're telling the truth?" Xisuma asked, his voice barely more than a whisper.

The Watcher's wings fluttered again, creating a gentle breeze that seemed to carry its words. "You don't," it said simply. "But what do you have to lose? If you continue as you are, the server will collapse, and your brother will remain lost. Let me help you, and you might just save everything."

Xisuma felt a pang of desperation. He wanted to believe the Watcher, to accept its help and find the answers he so desperately sought. But the stories of the Watchers' deceit and destruction lingered in his mind.

"I can't," he said, his voice breaking. "I can't risk it."

The Watcher tilted its head, a soft sigh escaping its masked visage. "Very well, Admin," it said. "But remember, the offer stands. When you are ready to accept my help, I will be here."

With that, the Watcher began to fade into the shadows of the End, leaving Xisuma alone once more. The silence that followed was oppressive. It would be months until he found himself in the End again, more stressed and frustrated than before. The server’s glitches had only worsened, and the weight of his responsibilities felt heavier than ever.

As he wandered the desolate landscape, seeking solace and answers, he was met with the Watcher yet again. This time, the creature's presence was immediate, its eerie giggle echoing in the emptiness.

"Is it still a no, Admin?" the Watcher taunted, its voice dripping with mockery. "I could fix everything with just a snap of my fingers."

Xisuma clenched his fists, the temptation gnawing at him. The promise of an easy solution was alluring, especially when his every attempt to fix the server had ended in failure. But during the months that had passed, Xisuma had pieced together a grim realization: the Watchers had taken his brother, and they had no intention of giving him back.

"You think I don't know what you've done?" Xisuma said, his voice shaking with anger and resolve. "You took my brother. This was all your doing."

The Watcher's expression, hidden behind its porcelain mask, remained unreadable. "Your brother is beyond your reach, Admin," it replied smoothly. "But I can still help you. I can make everything right."

Xisuma's heart ached with the weight of his decision. The server was on the brink of collapse, and every day felt like a losing battle. But he couldn't give in, not when the cost was so high.

"No," he said firmly, though his voice wavered. "I won't make a deal with you."

The Watcher sighed, a sound filled with a mock sympathy. "Very well," it said. "But remember, Admin, every moment you refuse my help, your server edges closer to destruction. And your brother... he remains lost."

With that, the Watcher faded into the shadows once more, leaving Xisuma in the oppressive silence of the End. He felt the weight of his choices more acutely than ever, the burden of his responsibilities pressing down on him. The path ahead was uncertain, but Xisuma knew one thing: he would not surrender to the Watchers.

The moon was getting too big for his liking, and it was getting too close to his server. Xisuma ran to the End, seeking protection and, though he wouldn't admit it, silently hoping to meet that Watcher again. Most of the hermits had managed to escape the server or slip into the void before the impending destruction, but a few hadn't made it. Among the lost was Keralis.

When Xisuma saw the death messages for his friends, a blood-curdling scream tore from his throat. He clutched his chest and fell to his knees, the agony of loss overwhelming him. "No, no. This can't be happening!" he cried into the void, his voice echoing in the emptiness.

A familiar, eerie giggle resonated around him. "I can bring them back, Admin. Make this all feel like just a bad dream," came the Watcher's voice.

Xisuma looked up, and there it was—the Watcher, its presence both haunting and strangely comforting. This time, the Watcher reached out and touched Xisuma, gently pulling the bottom of his space helmet to lift his gaze. The Watcher's smile was visible even behind the porcelain mask.

"I could make all this pain go away," the Watcher said, its voice as smooth as silk, its words a dangerous lullaby. "What do you say?"

The Watcher removed its hand from the bottom of Xisuma's helmet, no longer holding his head up. Xisuma's resolve crumbled under the weight of his grief and desperation. "D-do it. I can't lose them," he stuttered, his voice breaking.

The Watcher's smile widened, and it leaned closer, its wings casting an otherworldly glow around them. "Very well, Admin," it whispered, the words carrying a chilling finality. "Your wish is granted."

With a snap of the Watcher's fingers, reality seemed to warp and twist. The unbearable weight of Xisuma's grief lifted, replaced by an eerie calm. The End's darkness enveloped him, and for a moment, everything felt like a distant, surreal dream. Xisuma's last thought before consciousness slipped away was a mixture of hope and dread, knowing that he had made a pact with forces far beyond his control.

Xisuma pov

I woke up in my bed at home with a loud gasp, panting heavily. I wasn't in my armor, and my helmet was nowhere to be seen. My hand was pressed against my chest, as if to hold my heart together. Slowly, I turned my head to the left, my breath catching in my throat.

There he was—Keralis, sleeping peacefully, cuddled up against a pillow. Tears filled my eyes as I took in the sight of him, so alive, so serene. I couldn't believe it; he was back, just as the Watcher had promised. The events of the past hours felt like a distant, horrible nightmare.

I reached out a trembling hand, gently touching his shoulder to reassure myself that he was real. Keralis stirred slightly but didn't wake, a soft smile on his face as he remained lost in his dreams. The overwhelming relief and joy coursed through me, mixed with a lingering sense of dread.

I had made a deal with a Watcher, and though I had my friends back, the cost of that decision was yet to be fully revealed. For now, I let myself bask in the moment, cherishing the sight of Keralis alive and well. But deep down, I knew that the true consequences of my pact with the Watcher were still to come, and I would have to face them sooner or later.

I ended up cuddling up to him, holding him tightly as if he might disappear if I let go. Keralis stirred, waking up slightly confused. When he saw my tear-streaked face, his confusion turned to concern. I felt his hand gently run through my hair, a comforting gesture that only made my emotions overflow.

"Shishwammy?" he asked, his voice sleepy and bewildered.

Just hearing his voice made me cry harder. I clung to him, my grip almost desperate. "Keralis," I choked out between sobs, the relief and fear mixing together. "You're here. You're really here."

Keralis, still half-asleep, wrapped his arms around me, offering what comfort he could despite his confusion. "Of course, I'm here," he murmured, his tone soothing. "What's wrong? Why are you crying?"

I couldn't find the words to explain. How could I tell him about the Watcher, the pact, the terrible choices I had made? All I could do was hold him, hoping that for now, this moment of peace could last.

As Keralis continued to gently stroke my hair, I held onto him tightly, seeking solace in his presence. I could sense his confusion growing, especially as I started to apologize repeatedly. My voice trembled with emotion, and despite my efforts to calm down, I couldn't stop shaking.

"Shishwammy, what's wrong?" Keralis asked, his concern deepening as he held me closer.

I took a shaky breath, trying to find the right words amidst my overwhelming emotions. "I'm sorry," I managed to say, my voice cracking. "I'm so sorry, Keralis."

He shifted slightly, his eyes meeting mine with a reassuring calmness. "It's okay," he said softly, his tone comforting. "You don't have to apologize. Just tell me what happened."

His words washed over me like a soothing balm, and I felt a sense of relief knowing he was using his powers to help me calm down. As my trembling subsided, Keralis gently broke eye contact, giving me space to collect myself.

"What happened, shishwammy?" he asked in that gentle tone of his, his concern palpable.

I took a deep breath, grateful for his understanding but still hesitant to burden him with the full truth. "I just had a really bad dream," I admitted, my voice wavering slightly. "I dreamed that I lost you and others."

Keralis nodded sympathetically, his expression filled with compassion. "Nightmares can be terrifying," he murmured. "I'm glad it was just a dream."

I nodded back, feeling a mix of guilt and relief. I wanted desperately to tell him about the deal I had made with the Watcher, but uncertainty held me back. I didn't know the full consequences of my actions, and I couldn't risk dragging Keralis into a situation I didn't fully understand myself.

For now, I held onto his presence, grateful that he was safe and alive beside me. We stayed cuddled together for a while longer until eventually, the responsibilities of the day called us to get up and address the others, making sure everyone was okay. I recounted to Keralis who had perished in my dream, and he listened patiently, his comforting presence a stabilizing force in the midst of my turmoil. I couldn't help but feel unworthy of his patience and understanding.

As I got dressed in my armor and helmet to face the day, I noticed Keralis also preparing in the bathroom. His presence was a grounding reminder of normalcy amid the surreal events of the night. I couldn't shake the feeling that I had put him in danger with my deal with the Watcher, but seeing him going about his routine helped alleviate some of my anxiety.

"Are you ready to go?" I asked as I finished securing my armor.

Keralis emerged from the bathroom, adjusting his gear with a reassuring smile. "As ready as I'll ever be," he replied, his voice steady despite the gravity of our situation.

As we left our home, I couldn't help but notice Hels and Wels engaged in another heated argument, their voices carrying in the air. It felt like a sense of déjà vu, a familiar scene playing out, but today the moon wasn't looming ominously overhead, casting its eerie glow. I took it as a reassuring sign that today would be different.

Hels had been particularly aggressive ever since my brother went missing, his temper flaring at the slightest provocation. Despite everyone's efforts, no one seemed able to calm him down enough to prevent these frequent clashes with his brother. It was no surprise to see them at odds again, but Keralis and I chose to ignore their altercation as we continued toward the shopping district, where most of the hermits were likely gathered.

As we walked among the bustling shops and familiar faces, I felt a mixture of relief and apprehension. It was good to see everyone going about their daily routines, seemingly unaffected by the shadows that had haunted my dreams. Yet, beneath the surface, I knew the threat of the Watcher and the consequences of my pact loomed large. For now, though, I focused on the present, grateful for the semblance of normalcy and the companionship of Keralis by my side.

Pearl's sudden embrace caught me off guard, her hug tight and filled with unspoken emotion. Big B joined in, his presence a solemn reminder of the shared history from the Evo server. Their shaken demeanor spoke volumes, and I could sense they knew more than they were saying.

Memories of the old admin flooded back, the realization hitting me like a weight in my chest. He had possessed the ability to grant players the power of time travel—a power that had shaped the fate of our server in ways we were still grappling to understand.

As Pearl held me, her words came through the speakers of my helmet, a quiet murmur that carried a heavy weight. "You shouldn't have done that."

Her words struck a chord deep within me. I knew she understood the gravity of my actions, perhaps even more than I did myself. The decision to strike a deal with the Watcher had consequences that rippled beyond my control, affecting not just me but everyone who called this server home.

"I had to," I whispered back, my voice strained with guilt and uncertainty. "I couldn't lose him. I couldn't lose any of you."

Pearl and Big B held onto me a moment longer, their embrace a silent reassurance amidst the turmoil. Together, we stood in the midst of the bustling shopping district, each grappling with our own fears and regrets. The echoes of the past and the uncertain future loomed over us, a reminder that our actions, even with