A/N: I found out what Zalgo is today. I've been trying to find out from this other thing I've been reading. If you don't know, it's kinda like tͩ̐̌͗hi͑s͂̇ͮ̆̇͗. It's crazy text that looks amazing. So on the other chapters in this (and one chapter in Tainted), I've changed a few words to have this text. Nothing major - just more artistic, I guess? xD Oh well, it's cool text to use either way. I'll try make them so the words are still legible too, so it doesn't ruin reading it. I also hope I don't go overboard when using it ;P It's a bit addictive since it's so cool~
"I'm coming with you, Rythian." The red-haired female stood before me, insisting she came with me. "That's final." I sighed, glancing away. I didn't want her to get hurt – I cared for her too much.
"Zoeya...are you sure? It might be dangerous. Why don't you stay here with Teep? He'll protect you." I suggested. The green dinosaur nodded, his trust bow strapped to his side. But my attempts to reason and persuade her were futile. She completely ignored my reply as she walked outside. I shook my head. So stubborn at times. I guess that's why I like her. I turned to my dinosaur friend. "Look after the base, alright?" I ordered. He nodded, waving as I left to find Zoeya. She hadn't gone far; she didn't know where she was going. I, on the other hand, did. My Ender senses were guiding me. I didn't really understand why, but they just were. I had told her it was juts a quick walk, just to get some fresh air. She just wanted to stay with me. Zoeya...my loyal companion and lover. Sometimes I wish you weren't so loyal. Our fingers intertwined as we walked together. I noticed her happy smile across her face, not being able to stop myself from smiling as well. At least nobody could see. I never removed my mask, after all. Only once...only to Zoeya, and I made her swear to never tell anyone about it – not even Teep. And she kept to her word. Loyal Zoeya to the end.
"So where exactly are we going, Rythian?" She asked curiously, watching the nature around her. She was always attuned to nature for some reason. Maybe because she's a little crazy. Another reason why I love her.
"Just for a walk, Zoeya; just as I said before." I replied calmly. I didn't want to create suspicion, especially when I could feel...something. I still didn't know what my Ender side could feel. If only I were a little more adapted... No. I CAN'T let that side take hold. Never...I will never let it happen. "I said I'd be fine alone, but you insisted on coming along." I reminded her. She giggled, making me smile more. "Are you enjoying it?" Zoeya nodded, her child-like eyes staring back into my Ender ones. "I'm glad..." I whispered. I watched her gaze shift, looking at something in the distance. I followed her gaze, seeing a pool of purple. What...? This looked bad. Zoeya let go of my hand, walking towards it. "H-Hey, Zoeya...you shouldn't go near that." I warned, but she didn't listen. I took a few steps forward as she got closer. Something wasn't right; my Ender side was flaring, screaming, shouting at me. I didn't understand. What was wrong?
"Rythian, this looks all gooey..." Zoeya called back. Her eyes were off the taint, and I watched it grow behind her. It was going to attack her, I felt it. I had to act instantly. Using my Ender powers, I teleported next to Zoeya, using myself as a shield as the taint came crashing down on my torso. I growled, pushing Zoeya away from the taint. She was stunned but I had to get her moving.
"Run, damn it! Just run, Zoeya!" I shouted, pushing her again. I felt the taint all converge on me, soon my vision becoming blurred with blood. Through the taint and blood I watched Zoeya flee. At least I could die knowing she was safe...I guess. "Bastard taint..." I muttered, using Enderbane to slash at the taintacles. They moved away, giving me a chance to recover. Glancing around I tried to find an escape. I found none. Soon they would be on me... Zoeya...have I failed you? I said I'd protect you...I suppose that's not a failure. You're ok, you're running. Zoeya...I'm so sorry. Maybe this is it? I couldn't even tell what was going on anymore. Everything was a blur of purple and dark red. Am I dying...? Does it matter? I don't understand... Falling...fad̙̲̫̠̘̭i̞̯͉͇ng̠̼̠̤͕̩ͅ...
"Good night, Ḛn̼̳̱͙͖̬̠d̦ͅe̱̗̥̗̺͙r̝̭͔̝̯b̞̳̙̞͍̱ͅo̮r̞̭̖n!"
[You protected me, R̳yt͖̗̱̯h̭͈i͍a̞̱n̖. Don't ever believe you didn't. You ALWAYS protected ḿ́͟e̴̡͜͟.]
Zoeya's POV
I ran as fast as I could. I felt guilty, but I did as I was told. He knew what was best, after all. That's what I was telling myself. 'Run. Run because he told you to. Rythian knows what's best. I need to run.' I nodded. I didn't realise how far from Blackrock we had gone, but I had to get there. Teep was there. He'd look after me and then we could both go and find Rythian. I couldn't just abandon him after all the times he's saved me. It's a debt I would never be able to repay – but this was a start. Soon our base came into view. 'Yes.' I thought. 'Home. Teep will be there.' I ran twice as fast as I was already going, never once looking back. I burst through into the base, seeing the dinosaur standing there. Relief swept over me like a gentle breeze, as I ran over to my friend.
"Teep! Thank Notch you're ok!" I quickly hugged him, sighing quietly. "Rythian's been attacked! I don't know what by, but we need to help him!" I explained quickly, stepping back from the dinosaur. Something...felt off. I watched him for a few moments, and he made no reaction. "...Teep? What's wrong?" This wasn't right. Usually he'd be out in a second if I even hinted that Rythian was in trouble. But now...he did nothing. I hadn't noticed it before, but something was different about his eyes, and his skin... I winced, falling onto my knees. My body felt weak, tired. My vision was shaky, but I couldn't work out why. Soon I was having double vision, looking at my hands. Purple trails lined them...what? "What's happening...?!" I whispered, looking up at Teep. A figure appeared behind him, but I couldn't tell who it was. I watched them kneel down beside me, their hand running gently across my cheek. Tired...so t͕ḭr͚e̜̗̝̮d̲̱̣̗...
"Sweet dreams, Zoeya."
[You ran, Z̋̒̇oͥͭ͌ͭ̍̌̈eỳ̀͛̌͋ͥ̇aͪͣ͗̔͆͒̆. But it ḓ̯͍̗͇̥̜̯i̫̻̗d͎̯͉́n̹̜͖̥̕'͎t̵̥̝ save you. You wanted to help him...but look what happened.]