Oh man, it's been a while, but here it is anyway.
Review replies:
KrazyKat-Thank you! I can tell you enjoy the story, so enjoy the future chapters whenever they come and stay tuned for them.
Minecraft (and Story Mode) belong to its rightful maker(s). That is all, so head on now. Enjoy!
I was sitting on the red bed looking out the window relaxed, my head slightly poked out looking at the far ground below me. The sun was now coming down from the sky, darkening the entire world very, very slowly.
It wasn't so long before I was accommodated into the home of the two legs Steve and Alex, and everything so far has been amazing. They treated me kindly and offered a home, their home, to me. Teaching me about the world, learning about common customs of their species, so many nice things.
I also discovered about genders, which I am yet to understand, and that I was classified as the one called a female, though I'm not sure just what advantage it gives me, except I am placed in the same group as Alex, but I don't mind it. I want to know more about what separates males and females into these groups, so will try to remember the questions the next time I meet them, including call them as he and she, according to Alex.
From the corner of my eye I spotted the torn cloth I wore during my first appearance here. This dress I appeared in was neatly folded, stitches adorned its surface from fixing the holes and tears it had. Alex insisted I had a change of cloth, or clothes as they called it. I now had on what were called a blue shirt, black pants, and black boots. Alex had to help me with changing since I didn't know how to put them on and take off the dress I had, and Steve was completely useless at helping, only running out the door and slamming it shut. He didn't show up until Alex and I came out.
Speaking of Steve, he was more calm, and at times a little intimidating with the way he stared at me, but I don't think it's too much of a problem. He was scarier than Alex by many levels, but I wanted to ignore those features as much as I could and like Steve just as much as I liked Alex. I wondered if he knows or is suspicious about what I am. I now felt very nervous.
Was he pretending to be nice to get my guard down? Maybe he's planning to attack me when I least expect it? Does he desire to get something from me? What could I have that he would want? I sighed and rubbed my head, feeling a headache coming.
Or maybe I'm just being very ridiculous and paranoid. Yeah, that must be it.
"Endelle!"
I blinked, coming back to reality. I suddenly realized I was back in the real world and with my face plastered against something hard, the invisible wall. I removed my face from the window panes and rubbed it, feeling slight numbness on the area. My previous thoughts sunk to the back of my head when I saw Alex outside looking up at me and waving some strange tool in her claws down at the green ground. Next to her was what I knew was a crafting table, but there was also another object which looked just like the grey one I took the food out in my first encounter with Steve. Alex waved the picaxe at me, well she definitely got my attention now.
I waved back at the two legs, said being smiled more and stopped waving.
"Come down I wanna show you something! I think you'll really like it!" Alex exclaimed, 'her' voice muffled by the invisible material called glass panes.
I just tilted my head like what I often do. Alex just gestured with her claws to come down. I nodded my head and decided to answer Alex by leaving her line of sight. I made my way towards the sealed entrance of my new domain, opening the door with some slight difficulty since I wasn't used to using my claws for such a complex task of turning the doorknob. My claws are better simply used for slashing, climbing or tearing things apart.
Once I managed to obtain my victory against the door I made my way towards the stairs. Another challenge came to mind, which was to go down the stairs on my two back legs. I was still getting used to it and the more I walked, the better I could maintain my balance, well in flat land. I guess this comes naturally the more it is done. If this is the case then I should start a sort of walking routine.
I grabbed onto the wood columns on one side of the stairs, what I think were called rails as Steve said, and began making my way down to the bottom. It was rather unpleasant. I kept fearing falling down, that I would slip once or twice when I took a step down and possibly fall to a painful death. I kept my hold to the rails very firmly and thankfully made it to the flat wood ground in one piece. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, then exhaled in relief.
Another victory for me. I suddenly remembered the reason I was down here and fast walked to the entrance door. Another battle won against a door knob later and I found myself looking at the greens, browns and blues of the outside world. Alex was spotted with her arms crossed and staring at a pink four legged creature nuzzling the grass, my presence apparently going unnoticed at the moment. I came out fully from behind the door and crept up to the unsuspecting being. Alex has yet to notice me, so I smiled a little as a plan to startle her came to mind. Alex suddenly turned, staring straight at me which made me froze. I smiled, though it quivered. Alex eyes were wide, which eventually softened.
"Hmm trying to scare me are you? To tell you the truth I wasn't expecting that, but I guess I caught you before anything happened," Alex chuckled. "To bad, but you can have other opportunities to scare me, but good luck on that." Alex's expression soon became more serious. She walked closer and stood beside me.
"Okay, now that you're here, we can get as to what I called you for. You never mined before, have you?" Alex asked. I tilted my head, which gave Alex the answer.
"So, you never mined before, and mining is a crucial part in this world. I never met someone who doesn't know how to mine but you'll be an exception due to strange circumstances. You need to know the tools for mining, so come over here." Alex ushered me towards the crafting table, furnace and small chest. I glanced at the items curiously, wondering what role they had to do with this 'mining'.
Alex opened the chest and rummaged through its contents until she found what she was looking for. She held out a white double-pointed tool with a wooden neck, the strange pointed end shone in the light.
"Look at this Endelle, this is a picaxe, an item used for mining and something you must NEVER leave it behind if you go of to caves for ores and resources." Alex placed the axe down and searched for something else. I took a closer look at the 'picaxe', restraining myself from picking it up, for now. She picked up a wooden stick, but the other end was lit up with a bright ball.
"This is a torch, though im pretty sure you already seen one, we have them everywhere in and out of the house."
We had? I looked back towards the house, and indeed there were some 'torches' placed on different parts of the wooden domain outside. I can't believe I never noticed these before, why didn't I when I was scrunchanizing the new home? My shocked trail of thoughts were broken when Alex pulled out another item from the box.
"This is a sword, never leave home without just like the picaxe incase mobs come at you. Here is also a shovel, though it is best used to remove dirt. You shouldn't mess up the shovel to remove stone and ores and the picaxe to remove dirt and gravel, because that's just wasting good items. I also got food in case of hunger, armor for protection and lastly, some regen potions for to heal in case of severe damage. You already saw these in action with Steve." Alex dusted her hands as all the items she mentioned and showed were displayed on the ground around her. I looked at each one in wonderment. I was very intrigued, fascinated and excited to use them, if Alex will let her do so.
"These items are all for you to get, I have a second set of these same items, so no worries, except for this clock which is an item that tells the time of day ,there wasn't enough gold to make a second one." Alex motioned to the tools.
All these items, all for me? Alex turned around to take her own items, and that was when I rushed to check out the new tools. I went first for the picaxe. I picked it up carefully through the wooden neck, my claws folded around it practically perfect, as if made to perfectly fit in them, and lifted it. It felt somewhat heavy, but not enough to make me drop it. It almost felt comfortable to wield. I placed it down soon to check the rest out giddily. I especially had fun messing around with the torch. The blazing fire and smoke was mesmerizing to watch as I waved it around in the air. It reminded me of something before.
"Hey Endelle, we should go now if if you are to learn more about mining. Right?
I nodded to Alex rapidly. Alex picked up and pocketed her items in quick profession. I looked at my items strewn around, so i picked them all up quickly and tried to pocket them just like what Alex did, but I just ended with half of them disappearing somewhere and the other half dropping to the floor with loud thuds and clanks. I saw Alex turn around with a surprised expression.
"You don't even know about storing items into your inventory huh?" I just tilted my head. Alex sighted.
"This is important for you to know, your inventory is used to store your items and carry them wherever and whenever you please, though the space is actually limited, not infinite. How to pocket your items? We'll all you have to do place them into your pocket."
'Easier said than done' I thought. I tried to do what Alex did before. I picked up the shovel and did the same, or the equivalent of the action Alex took to 'pocket' her items. This time, my claws came back with nothing. I hummed in surprised happiness. But where did it go? And how do I take back out? Was it transported into the so called 'inventory'?
"You did it!" Alex beamed. I gestured towards my claws, trying to get the message across as to how to get them back. It took a bit for Alex to get it, smiling once it was understood.
"Do the same action to but instead think about the item you wish to take out."
I hummed in thought, then done as I was told. I thought about my items, and suddenly I saw images of the items I know I stored away. It looked as if the images and the information were drilled into my brain, it surprised slightly. I saw several of my items neatly lined up in a row. I should take out one of them to test my inventory skills, and reassure myself that they haven't disappeared forever. I didn't want to trouble Alex to get more for me.
I decided to choose the picaxe. It took me a moment to realize I was holding the pickaxe I chose. I snapped my head towards the object, turning it around for anything amiss. I decided to check my inventory again, there I saw the picaxe wasn't there anymore.
"There ya go, wasn't that hard or complicated right?" Alex beamed. I nodded blankly, my mind still processing.
"Mining is another important activity, as mundane as it may be. Some don't like mining, but I'm pretty sure everyone has gone mining at least once, or more. Where would they get their resources anyway? Anyway, we should get going now since the sun is setting." I raised an eyebrow. Wasn't night time dangerous with the mobs everywhere? Why should we go mining at such a dangerous time? Alex looked confident however. She picked up whatever items remained, no there was nothing left except ourselves.
"I should also tell you, going night mining is rather bountiful. Going mining all night in a cave until dawn, and while there is the chance of running into monsters, it is actually easier with the obstacles in their way, like walls and cliffs. Taking them out with arrows is the best solution, but its best to save them for when they are needed, such as creepers. Those things can make some whooping damage on us, makes me wonder how you have survived so long on your own."
I looked down on my feet nervously. I didn't hear Alex say anything else.
"Anyway, are you ready?"
I looked up to see a smiling Alex, an iron pickaxe on her right hand. I fumbled a little with my pickaxe before settling it down on my side. I walked to stand next to Alex.
"Okay! Follow me, there is a nearby tunnel which should lead to a large cave system."
Alex raced away, so I went to follow her. My legs were quivering at the exercise, but I don't think it shouldn't be a problem now. I'm still very surprised at just how quickly I learned to walk like them. Im happy myself, more for not falling on myself. Not just walking, but learning. From what I was told I learned more words in a day than what a toddler learns in a few years, as Steve said. I feel proud of myself now.
The house was becoming smaller and smaller until I couldn't see it anymore through the green foliage of the trees. I began to worry, but I should try and place my trust on Alex on this. It couldn't go wrong. Alex is very smart and i'm sure she couldn't make mistakes.
Alex suddenly stopped, and I didn't. I couldn't stop my running and so I ran and tripped on a tree stump not too far up ahead. I groaned, pushing myself to sit on the grass. I felt something grab me under my arm and pulled me to stand. Alex appeared by my side and gently brushed whatever grass got suck on my clothes.
"Sorry, I didn't know you would have continued. Are you alright?" I nodded, then I looked over myself for injuries. There were none, so Alex and I walked continued and walked forward to the cave entrance. It wasn't large, but it wasn't small either. It was just big enough to allow the two of us entry side by side with enough space to stretch our arms out on each side without restrictions.
"This is it, this cave was dug out and expanded by Steve and I. We explored much of the place but there is still territory to see, mostly because we kept running out of torches. We won't do anything drastic here, this is only to bring you a sense of mining, and not going to the unexplored areas. I'll too dangerous for you? I'll take you to the explored, and lit, areas first, then go mine." I nodded at the command.
Alex took my arm and walked me inside the cave. My eyes wandered around the grey, cold place. This place looked just like the other one I was in with the fury chicken creature before I left, I wasn't sure if this was actually the same cave. Maybe all caves looked like this?
"Endelle, there are some stairs coming up, a lot of stairs. I will hold you when we go down, and please be careful where you step alright?" Alex said.
I looked onward and indeed, there was no more ground to see. When we got closer, I saw the familiar step of stairs, a long way down, much longer than the one in the house. Thankfully there were railings on each side, so it was easy to hold and navigate myself down. Alex was still holding my hand, as if knowing that I needed her assistance. While I wish I could do this myself, there were too many stairs to focus on, and it was a very long way down. I felt nervous all of a sudden. I felt Alex grip my hand tighter.
"It's alright. Just take it slow and steady."
I let go of Alex's hand.
"What are you doing?!" Alex cried out. I held onto the railings more tightly as I scaled down the long stairs. I saw Alex try to reach and hold my hand again, but I gently pushed away. I had the desire to go down on my own. Alex, reluctantly, put her hand to her side and stood aside to watch. She was in front of me, so she went on to stepping down the stairs, backwards. She was holding on the railing with one hand with her back against it, and the other free, probably to help me if something were to happen. But how can she go down these stairs without having to look forward?
"We're here now."
I reached the last step just when she said that. My feet met the relieving feel of flat ground, and no more stairs in sight. I sighed and let go of the railing's end. A tap on my shoulder made me turn, Alex was motioned with her head to come onward. Silently, I followed.
"Guess you are thankful those railing were there right?"
I nodded. Alex smiled and turned towards the mouth of another cave. Torches lined the cave's walls everywhere, some wooden platforms made bridges connecting to other places unreachable by hand. Ocasional dirt, grass or mushrooms were seen as the two of us moved forward. I have learned about some of these things back home, but not a lot, such as what those mushrooms taste like.
"This is it, Endelle. Welcome to the mineshaft!."
The mushrooms left my sight, and eyes were welcomed to the grand expanse of so many tunnels that i didn't know if I could count them all. My mouth slaked a little, shocked at the extensive network of this cave and tunnels, just how many were there? And how long does it go?
"This is a mineshaft, a network of tunnels that lead to more tunnels, or other areas. This place is pretty cool, it helps us find and discover treasures, ores, and can become a sort of road to other areas that are very far. But it can be easy to get lost in here," Alex rubbed the back of her head. My head sloped in confusion.
"Anyway, there are many places to mine in here. There are some parts where Steve and I haven't touched, or bothered to collect its resources and ores to be left to get at another time. But this is a good thing for you. You can get your first resources and learn more about mining, and earn experience."
I smiled, and Alex smiled back. Alex motioned again with her head. Alex led me towards one of the tunnels. This one was a lit up with torches with the walls all smoothed out to have the torches placed neatly in a line. When we walked inside, I saw some colorful, and sparkly spots on some parts of the tunnel. They looked very beautiful. I tapped Alex on the shoulder and pointed at the sparkly objects.
"Those are the ores Endelle. I told you about them back home, though, it was only the redstone, yet, that was block of redstone, not redstone ore. Anyway, here you can find ores in their natural habitat. Iron, gold, and if your lucky, some diamonds. There's mostly iron ore and some redstone here and there, but their are common in certain places. Why don't I show you how to mine the iron?" Alex walked towards a wall filled with the shiny iron dots.
Her picaxe was in her hand, its form shined in the glow of the torches around us. I watched her raise the picaxe over her head, and began hacking on the sparkly iron ore wall. My eyes widened when the sparkly wall began cracking, and the more Alex kept hitting it, the more the cracks grew. Alex made one more hit, and the wall broke, a small piece of the wall fell down and transformed into a small, rotating block. Alex picked it up and went over to me.
"You saw that right? That was mining, and this, is a block of iron ore," Alex juggled the small block of iron ore, catching it nearly professionally.
"It's your turn now."
I perked up, picaxe in hand. Alex stood back to give me space while I approached the wall, the my hands around the pickaxe handle twitching. I now stood in front of the sparkly iron ore wall. I eyed the wall, looking at the sparkly ores with adoration, they looked simply beautiful and shiny. However, I couldn't just stay and look at them like this, I had to so something, and that was mine them as what Alex wanted me to do. I dislike having to break them from the wall, but I really wanted to get one. So raised my axe over my head, stepping back to get my balance after the axe nearly fell off from my hands behind me, and struck the shiny iron ore wall. A small crack breached the surface of the wall. I them struck the wall over and over, the crack growing and growing. The crack now covered the entire block. One more hit, and the wall shattered completely. On the ground, a smaller version of the iron ore spun slowly. I smirked triumphantly and bent down to pick up the block. I turned it around to examine it from several angles, and noticed there wasn't any crack or indentations where I struck it.
"Got your first ore, now you're a novice miner," Alex chuckled. I smiled while I gripped the sparkly ore.
"Would you like to help me mine the rest of the iron?" I nodded. Alex spun her picaxe in her hands spectacularly before she moved next to me. She struck the wall, making the wall crack a little. I followed in on her lead once I stored the ore in my inventory my hold and experience with the picaxe growing the more I struck the wall. We continually broke and collected the ore, our stacks of iron growing, but the wall being devoid of the sparkly ore more and more. I had a sudden thought, I could decorate my part of our domain by placing sparkly ore everywhere. My mouth stretched from the thought. The room would look very pretty, and not just iron ore, but other ores that Alex told me about, if they are anywhere in this mineshaft.
The last iron ore was mined by Alex, but I didn't mind since I had a lot in my inventory now, and I'm sure I can't fit them all in my room. Besides I wanted space for the other ores. My hand with the axe drooped once done, my arm feeling a tad bit tired. I turned to Alex who didn't look tired at all, she actually looked pumped and went towards another wall with more iron. I have the conclusion that she is very skilled at mining, having it done so for a very long time, so she had developed the strength and endurance to mine for long periods of time. I just started mining, so I shouldn't be surprised with my weak arms.
"Are you tired?" Alex asked. She was looking directly at my drooped arm. I noticed so I raised my axe higher to change her view. Actually, it was more like I swung my pickaxe in an arc and settled it with using both hands to hold it.
"Hey, Maybe you would like to sit down for a bit? I don't want you to strain yourself. It will come back to bite you later if you do."
I shook my head no. I didn't want to just stop and rest, I wanted to continue, collect more cool and sparkly ores and gain strength with mining which will be useful in the future. The more strength I gain the better I mine, and fight if it ever comes to it. I was told about mobs, and I need to be strong if I ever have to fight some of them. Alex made a face, then rubbed her chin. Before I came here, I had so much strength that I could destroy things not from my domain just by slamming on them. This new form of mine must not attribute my previous power. I'm so small, and so weak, but I desire to be strong again, mining can help me gain some.
"Maybe we should take a break."
I gaped to Alex. Didn't I just say, or gesture, that I wanted to continue? I narrowed my face into a glare to Alex, but she just chuckled.
"Cute, sorry but I won't let you overwork yourself. I don't want you to strain your arm, which will last a painful amount of time. So please, let's take a break for now and then we can continue on later."
I wanted to disagree, but I noticed how the arm that was holding the weight of the picaxe was quivering. Alex seemed to have noticed too because she was smirking very smugly. I huffed, and decided to give in to her demands, for today. I stored my picaxe back into my inventory, and my arm drooped to my side, feeling relief that there was no longer anything to hold, yet the strain was made it painfully hard to raise my arm. It wasn't very bad, but raising my arm over my shoulders was hurting. I sighed.
"Told ya. Your body isn't mining material at the moment, so you will have to exercise frequently so your body will get used to mining, like me." Alex pointed at herself, then spun her picaxe again spectacularly. I rolled my eyes and walked towards a lone cobblestone block nearby and sat on it. It felt a little uncomfortable and cold, but it will do for now. I turned my head towards my arm, then spun it in a circle, trying to massage it a little despite the slight stinging pain.
"I have to go check on something, so you stay there and rest. Alright?" I sighed while I nodded. Alex walked past me, her picaxe stored away when I watched her go. While I watched her, I saw that she continued onwards towards another tunnel however there wasn't quite a lot of light coming from it. It was rather difficult to see in it. I wondered just what she planned to do in there.
Alex was soon out of sight, her form no longer visible. A nagging thought clawed through me. What if she got lost? Or fell somewhere where she couldn't get help? I fidgeted with my fingers a little. Alex was very strong, and smart. I shouldn't be worrying about her like that, maybe what I should be worried about is what else Alex will be teaching me, and have me do, about mining. I shouldn't be worrying about her, I trust she will be fine.
While I waited for Alex to return, I used my time by circling through my items. I checked out the sword, the torches, some of the potions, and lastly to my excitement, the sparkly iron ores. I stopped at the ores and stared at them. It was so sparkly, not like the torches which just give off light, but the iron ore has specks of light that dance and reflect from the ore by the torch's light rather beautifully. I was nearly hypnotized by the shine it bared. I gently traced the sparkly ores exposed to the surface of the grey block an-
BOOOMMM!
I shrieked and fell forward. I covered my ears from the sudden loud sound, my body curled up in a protective position. I felt the ground shake slightly, but it rattled my skin and bones despite the harmlessness it composed. Once everything settled and the noises died almost as instantly as it came I rose my head and snapped towards the direction it came from, uncovering my ears slowly. I merely stared, unmoving at where the explosion came from, my mind going a hundred thoughts at once.
The same place Alex went.
My mind ran through mortifying opinions as I ran towards Alex's location.
What happened? What was that loud noise? Is Alex okay? What was that tremor? I knew if I didn't run fast enough I may never get my answer, so I sped up as much as my legs would let me. It was actually starting to hurt, my legs were feeling very weakened with the need to stop and lean against a wall or a stone block to rest them. I couldn't stop for long, I needed to know what happened, right this instant! I want to know if Alex is okay.
The closer I approached the area, the more I noticed it was getting darker and darker, but I wasn't going to let that stop me. I stopped at the sounds soft groaning. I upped my speed to reach faster, and when I turned a corner, I froze at the sight.
There was large hole that ate part of the floor and wall in the dark tunnel, the crater smoked slightly as well. Next to the hole was a fallen torch, which illuminated the unconscious and unmoving figure of Alex next to it. I rushed over and kneeled down to her face. She was covered in a dark substance that smell faintly of fire and ash, along with her clothes and armor.
I heard her breath out, then in. she was alive. I sighed in relief, my back and shoulders, and my heart, relaxed. I then examined the large, still smoking hole with wonderment and nervousness, her sword laid a small distance away.
'What caused this? Was Alex doing something here?' I wondered. Alex was probably trying something out, and she hurt herself doing so. I read a book that Alex and Steve provided me with, and I remembered a page that spoke about an item called TNT, an item that explodes when activated. Maybe Alex had TNT hurt herself when she used it. Or, it could have been a creeper. I was taught about mobs by Steve, and told me creepers explode when they get close enough. Maybe a creeper exploded near Alex. Wait, maybe it was ghast shooting a fireball at her. I paused on my thoughts once I realized that those ghast creatures are only found on the red fiery place which I can't remember the name at the moment.
I felt Alex twitch on my arms, so I looked down on her soot covered face scrunched up in pain. I knew she was very much hurt, so I had to get her out to be healed, and quickly. I then remembered we had healing potions. If I gave her one, then she will be all healed up. This place was too dark to see, so I placed my arms under and around hers to drag her back towards the large lit up chamber. I dragged Alex at a steady pace as I didn't want to hurt her anymore than she already is. Her armor made some loud scraping noises, which bothered my sensitive ears, but i ignored it with the best of my ability.
Hhhhssssss…
I paused. The tunnel went silent, creepily silent. I swore I heard a noise just now. A rather familiar noise. However, I heard nothing else. I looked around one more time before resuming with dragging Alex.
I heard the noise again. I paused and looked around again. There was nothing. I glared at the darkness, wanting it to stop distracting me from helping Alex. I dragged Alex again, this time not pausing when I heard the noises again. The scrapping of Alex's armor made it difficult to focus on it, but I still heard it, though it was faint. However, I paused when a new noise, the small tip and tap of something walking...closer. I snapped my head around rapidly, feeling very nervous. Very, very nervous.
I finally snapped my head towards the darkness of the cave, and there was when I saw it. It was a green, four legged creature. Like the one in the other cave I been. I gasped slightly as it approached me, hissing angrily.
I realized that it was actually a creeper. Those green creatures that explodes.
I placed down Alex gently and stood in front of her. When I looked behind it, I realized that it wasn't alone. A few more creepers waddled out, all hissing impatiently. Not only that, but crawling creepily along the walls were small and dark creatures with glowing eyes like redstone. These new creatures had multiple legs, which was rather disturbing to look at. These creatures hissed too, their mouths filled with sharp fangs and dripping saliva, which made me back a little.
I curled my fists tightly and growled under my breath. I didn't know how to fight these monsters. While I was getting used to my body every hour, and learning how to use it like Alex and Steve, I didn't have any knowledge on how to take down creatures like these. I reached down into my inventory and took out the shovel. I was aiming to get the sword, but a shovel should do nicely. I held the shovel in front of me and glared at the incoming creepers, ready to fight.
I wasn't going to let them harm Alex.
I growled and raised the shovel over my head, and raced towards the creepers. The creepers continued to approach, but they suddenly stopped. I didn't. I continued to run fiercy, ready to pound them with my shovel, but they spun around and ran off into the darkness.
I noticed I arrived at the brightly lit center chamber, so I dragged Alex closer to the center and placed her down gently. She was still alive and breathing, but probably not for long. I needed to make this fast.
I reached into my inventory, and took a po-wait, I took out the sparkly ores. I frowned and placed it back in my inventory. I reached again and took out… my picaxe. I frowned deeper and placed it back, I reached a third time and took the… shovel. I sighed, frustrated. I decided to throw the shovel away instead. I reached and took out…. The picaxe again. I threw it behind me.
'Hmmm, if I empty my inventory, i'll find the potions...eventually.'
That is exactly what I did. I couldn't seem to find my potions, since I kept taking out all other items, thus my inventory getting smaller and emptier. Every single time I took the wrong item threw them behind me, which I will pick up later. There was absolutely no way was going to let these wonderful items handed over to me by Alex be left to rot. There goes the torches, the sparkly ores again, the pot-WAIT!
I jumped for the potion which I unintentionally threw behind me. I caught it just before it hit the ground, then brought it close to me, thankful it didn't fall and break . I quickly went over towards a still Alex and bent down to pick up her head. I opened the potion and gently poured it in her mouth. Once the potion was emptied, Alex suddenly coughed, spraying some droplets of the potion onto the floor. When I took a closer look on her face, I saw the injuries, including the ones on her arms, disappear. I threw the now empty potion bottle and gently patted Alex's cheeks to get another reaction from her. From the corner of my eye I saw her hand fly up to rub her forehead. Her eyes and mouth scrunched up once her hand made contact with her skin, then her eyes opened. She looked around until her eyes settled on me.
"E-Endelle?"
I nodded vigorously happy. Alex pushed herself to sit upright, still rubbing her head dizzily. I had my hand behind her as support to stay upright and not fall back.
"Jeez, what happened?"
I just shrugged my shoulders. I only had theories about what could have happened back there, not the truth. I had a feeling, however, that maybe the exploding creepers were responsible. I wanted to know, Alex should have the answer unless whatever happened damaged her head. I stood next to her and poked her shoulder. Once her eyes were on me I gestured with my hands to hopefully have her understand what I was trying to say. I pointed at the tunnel she was, then to her, then I raised my arms to make a confused motion. I saw realization in her eyes.
"Oh… well, there was creeper, that appeared from nowhere. I never realized it until I turned around with its face right in front of me." I then motioned for why sue went there in the first place. I wanted to learn how to write, making motions to talk was confusing and not very effective.
"Last time Steve and I were here, we left a chest with ores that we mined at the area. Our inventory was full, and we couldn't pick up the ores, so we made a chest to store it. Then we left, wanting to get them back another day, with empty inventory. But the main reason that tunnel was dark was because we ran out of torches and materials to make more, and we went into the cave regardless. I went there to place torches and brighten it, but it seems there were monsters in there. I knew there were but I didn't expect a creeper to creep behind me without me noticing it was there."
Alex coughed in her hand before she tried to stand on her own. Her legs were shaken and covered in soot, and I went to help her retain her balance. I let her use my arm and shoulder as a crutch to stand up, and wrapped my other arm to hold her steady. She tried to walk, but her legs kept shaking and collapse under her weight.
"Thanks. Um, do you have another potion with you, if you haven't used them all on me, just incase?" I nodded. Alex smiled thankfully.
"Good, because I may need it later, and I bet I will have a hard time trying to get my potions from my own inventory, maybe. I can't focus completely at the moment. My vision is still murky and my other arm feels numb."
I was concern at the sound of those words, but her injuries shouldn't do anything permanent. I didn't know a lot about how Alex's and Steve's bodies worked, or their kind, but I don't think her injuries will sustain within her entire life. Unless I'm wrong and it does situation for life, but I just don't know. I felt Alex move, so I turned towards he and saw her take out her clock. She brought it very close to her face, probably trying to make out what it was depicting. Alex blinked several times.
"We could get back home, but it's in the middle of the night so we may have to stay the night unless we decide to bail it straight home now. I don't want to put you in danger, mobs could come out and after us with how dark it is. My legs also seem to not be cooperating with me at the moment," Alex sighed.
"Steve was right, maybe I shouldn't have brought you out here at this time. I just took a creeper to the face back there."
I frowned slightly. I didn't like seeing Alex being upset like this. She seems to feel very, very guilty for me being here. I wanted to show her that it wasn't. She needed to be cheered up, she might feel very upset, and not want to do this again. I loved this, I loved going mining and getting these beautiful sparkly ores, and liked Alex a lot, even Steve despite not being as close to him as I am with Alex. I perked up once I remembered the iron blocks. I gently placed Alex against a stone block, I saw her turn to me, confused. I went over to where the sparkly ores were spinning slowly on the ground. I picked them and went back to Alex, showing her excitedly the treasures we rewarded ourselves with. Alex chuckled merily.
"Well, this trip was a least not a bummer for you," Alex said. She then placed her hand under her chin, thinking.
"Hmm, I haven't taught about smelting have I? I only read to you and mining. Teaching you how to smelt is a great idea," Alex beamed. I just tilted my head.
"Okay, Endelle, take this."
I walked over to Alex as she dived into her inventory, I watched, intrigued as what she could be getting. When she was done, in her hand was what I remembered was called a furnace. Alex then extended herself to me.
"Take it, and place it down. Smelting is another important factor to getting around in this world."
I nodded, and placed the now small furnace. It grew to the size of the stray stone blocks everywhere. I smiled in victory, thought this was a very easy task in my opinion. I turned back to Alex for guidance.
'Good. Now, do you see that chest over there?" Alex pointed towards a small chest at a corner. I went over and opened it up. I saw a few items I knew, but others which I had no idea were.
"In there you should see clumpy, black items. Those are the coal. Take those."
Indeed I did. I bent down to pick up the clumpy black items that were described. The item called coal, felt very weird in my claws. It also I stroked the side of the coal while I walked back to the furnace, and my hand began getting stained from the coal's skin. A black, soot smelling scent watched watched, making me huff out the smell. I saw Alex watching me intently.
"You got it! Now go to the furnace and place the coal on the bottom hole." Alex pointed at the lower region of the furnace. I walked in front of the furnace and placed the coal inside as instructed.
"Alright, now get you iron ore and place them inside the hole at the top on the coal."
I turned my head towards the gap at the top half of the furnace. I suddenly remembered the time I found the furnace in the bright green forest. Where I got the delicious food it had inside. I suddenly wondered if cooking the iron ore would become something delicious. Not wanting to wait any longer, I placed around half the sparkly iron ore inside. Once my hand was out of the furnace's gap, it suddenly turned bright, very bright, inside like a fire was just sparkled. I was so startled that I jumped backwards. I heard Alex chuckle.
"It's just a flame, but don't put your hand inside while it's still flaming, unless you want to get your and burned,"I nodded in agreement, remembering Steve"s furnace. I turned back to Alex for guidance, but she dismissed it by a wave of her hand.
"There is nothing else to do, just wait until the blocks are done. Once it's done you will get iron ingots."
I looked back at the furnace one more time before sitting down next to Alex. I saw her lean back and close her eyes. I leaned back but I just looked up at the stony grey ceiling and torches above. My muscles felt more relaxed, and my mind could ponder and process the experience, so far things have been interesting.
"We can rest a little, smelting all those ores will take a bot of a while," I heard Alex say, which I nodded.
"Hey, maybe you'd like to play a little game while we wait?" I turned to face Alex, who displayed a playful grin.
"Its called I Spy. It's very simple, want to try?" I smiled with a nod.
So much time has passed when we played the game Alex suggested. It was very simple, but was kinda fun to be honest. Alex would describe something and I had to guess what it was that she describing. I would get it right sometimes, and other times I would get wrong. I mean, who knew that some small 'plants' called 'mushrooms' growing nearby were described as 'mushy'? I never seen mushroom until now.
Anyway, the burning, or as Alex called it smelting, was finished. Alex, who was now completely healed, and I went towards the furnace to pick up the iron. She gave me the item, saying they were mine, which I giddily took. Alex then went to smelt her own iron while I was examining my ingots thoroughly. I was so surprised as to how a rocky block of sparkly ores could turn into a thin sheet of some strange white shiny smooth block by burning it?
When Alex was done, we settled down to rest and eat.
I never realized I was hungry until Alex pulled out a thin sheet of something called steak. The moment she pulled it out, my mouth was salivating at the mere scent of the steak. I couldn't wait to know how it tastes like. To my great joy, Alex had another piece of steak with her, which she gave to me. Not a moment too soon I sunk my teeth on the flesh of the steak.
I felt like I was dreaming.
I didn't know how to describe this. It was just so intoxicatingly tasty. And to my misfortune, I ate my steak way too fast to enjoy another bite, and so I frowned. My frown deepened when Alex said she needed to save the rest of the steaks when we get hungry again. I wish I could tell her that I was still hungry, or pester her for another, but in truth I couldn't. I just wanted to get another bite of steak, I really wanted to, but I didn't want to lie to Alex. I decided that I should be patient and wait to get hungry.
But it will be challange, but I'll take it. alex has always been so nice to me.
Once eating was done we went back to the tunnel where we were mining the sparkly ores. The place was now riddled with holes from our last mining session, giving it a jagged terrain kind of look. Alex stepped forward and looked around.
"There isn't much here for us, but we can go to a new tunnel now that this one has run dry, there should be more new caves nearby," Alex said turning around to face. Then she made a face. "Unless you want to go back to the house and rest. I tilted my head, when Alex pointed out.
"You look tired, your eyes are slanted, and your eyes have slight rings around them. You probably want to continue, but trust me, things are best experienced when you feel energized." I felt my fingers around my eyes, trying to feel the rings that Alex was speaking about, buy all I felt was my skin. I gave up feeling my eyes and faced Alex, which was when I saw her pull out the clock. Her eyes widened at something.
"Hey, daytime is arriving! We should round up our things to leave towards the house. Let's go!" Alex soon rushed away towards the large chamber, and I followed right behind her. Alex was going around, collecting all the items that she could carry. I decided to do the same by going towards a chest towards the far left.
It didn't take very long to empty the whole thing, and I went back to Alex once done, who was storing an item into her inventory that I couldn't identify.
Alex looked around the chamber,"that's all we had, now we're ready to go." Alex motioned me to follow her, and so I did. We headed up towards the surface.
The surface was no longer a dark, creepy habitat for monsters to live in. It was now filled with bright sun rays, which helped lighten the mood in both of us. Alex waddled out, the sun rays brightened her appearance, a stark contrast to the dark cave and torch light. My mind wandered to the rather beautiful landscape just like before. It never seizes to amaze me. Alex took a deep breath as she extended her arms wide, making her look like she wanted to hug the air.
"I am so glad for the sun. There was no way we would have gone the distance to get back home in the night. Always remember Endelle, the sun is the human's best friend," Alex chuckled. I'll try to remember that.
"Let's head home now, and I'm sure that Steve will kill me for being rather careless back there. If he finds out that is," Alex winked. I didn't say anything, as I just went to follow Alex's lead. I walked next to Alex, wanting to stay close to her, but also keep an eye for her as she still is slightly disoriented from the recent monster experience. I feared that she have died back there by that explosion, but thankfully she didn't. Seems I also should look out for her, like she looked out for me.
Chapter is 8,590+ words
Chapter published on- 5/29/2018
Welp, I'm glad I finished this chapie. Took a few edits and some re-reads in some paragraphs to see all is well. Alex took the transform mob out to mine, and almost got the blonde killed, should had Steve come with you girl. Atleast Endelle has experience on mining and the basics along with a few more extras.
Also, I'm going to start to post how long each chapter is depending on the tens place. Example, if a chapter is exactly 6,789 words, then it will be posted as 6,780+ words, if it reaches 6,780 or over it will be posted as 6,790+. You get the picture. Pre-chapter and post-chapter notes don't count towards the number of words.
Now time to write what the next chapter has in store.