He went too close to the taint. I was tending to the crops on the farm and I could still hear his shout:

"I've been tainted!"

We both thought nothing of it, just laughed it off. We'd both been tainted before. But, I guess, this time was different. Maybe he got too close, or maybe he was more susceptible this time. Whatever it was, it only took a day for him to show the signs it took HER to show in months. Purple markings, strange mumbling... calling to a 'Mother'...It terrified me. I just wanted a simple farm, and he was just going to help. The taint approached too fast. Oh, why has he become like this?

I could be infected any second too. Just getting too close to it or HIM could cause it to spread. Lalna seems alright around Nano, but HE looks worse than what she became. Maybe because of his different DNA? Being a spaceman, after all. Maybe the taint infected him more easily, or altered him more drastically. I just don't know anymore. I keep my distance. That's all I can do.

One day, he snapped.

I was in the barn, sorting out the chests. He hadn't moved from his spot outside the door for at least two hours. I kept an eye on him constantly. I didn't want him to suddenly attack. Occasionally I tried talking to him, but I was met with the same reply.

"Mother is talking. Mother is all." I sighed, watching the spaceman sit motionless. I stood next to him, but not close enough so he could touch me. I think that's how it spread – through contact - so I decided to keep my distance from him and the ever nearing taint that got closer to the farm.

"Xephos..." I started. I then noticed his hand moving slightly. "You...ok?" I whispered. A deranged giggle escaped from his lips. I took a step back from him, taking out my sword.

"Mother...heh, Mother is coming~" The tainted spaceman giggled. "Soon She will infect all. BECOME all. We, in her embrace, will turn the rest." He whispered. I assumed he was talking about Nano – she was the only other tainted I could think of. I had to get out of here. There was no more time to wait. He had become this...the embodiment of the taint, along with Nano. I glanced out of the back windows, my gaze meeting a terrifying sight. The recognisable taint was just outside the barn.

"H-How did it move so fast?!" I gasped, stumbling back. "It should've taken at least a few more days..." The moment I felt a touch I knew I was gone. I closed my eyes, my body being dragged somewhere. Then suddenly everything felt less heavy, like I was floating. Is this what death...

"For Notch's sake, Sjin! Open your eyes!" This surprised me. Opening my eyes, I realised I was in the air. I looked at my waist, the arms of whoever was carrying me wrapped around it tightly. I knew who it was instantly – not just from the voice. But from the iconic white lab coat he wore. "Seems like it's not safe to be anywhere near the taint anymore."

"Lalna..." I smiled a little. He glanced at me, rolling his eyes. "How did you know to come here?" I asked curiously. "Did something happen to Nano?!" When the thought hit me I became nervous. If Nano had become like him... I waited anxiously for a reply, which seemed to take forever to come. But, I already guessed the answer in the time he took to reply.

"Unfortunately, yes." His voice was shallow – I didn't understand why though. They were good friends, him and Nano. Maybe he saw this coming eventually? "However, I don't think she's been as altered as Xephos has been." He continued. "When I heard her, it was like she was answering to something. Not that she was commanding. From what I heard Xephos say, it sounded like he was commanding." Lalna explained. I nodded, agreeing with him. He DID sound like he was the centre of control. Maybe the taint had decided he was the best for it?

"Do you think we can snap them out of it?" I asked hopefully. Admittedly it was a stretch – Nano had been under the influence for a lot longer than he had, and Lalna had gotten no closer to a cure than he was the day she fell in. I watched his hard glare pierce my hope right through the heart. I gulped, glancing back down at the ground. "S-So where are we going?" I added quietly.

"Somewhere else, somewhere safe." Lalna replied quickly. I glanced at the ground, suddenly realising the extent of the taint's spread. It was in large areas everywhere we flew over. It looked like soon it would be everywhere. I looked ahead, seeing a large structure made from marble...

A/N: Short introduction to this story. Fun fact, this was only supposed to be something like two chapters? I'm writing the fifth one now (Yes, I'm being a little slow with it, but it's fine). Uploads might be slower if I don't get enough written, but it won't be too long between them so don't worry. Also, if you didn't realise, it will always be from Sjin's POV. So it will follow Sjin and what happens to him. What DOESN'T happen to him, you won't know about ;)