With a near-hypnotizing flash, the group had been thoroughly teleported to the Nether. Most definitely not the greatest place ever, but one that would keep them from the Wither Storm. After all, the Nether was the center of the earth. It would help them to get to the Order's temple much quicker than in the overworld. Even still, none of them knew how they were standing the excruciating heat that baked on them. They stood by the portal, wondering what their first move would have to be.
"We did everything we could." Lukas broke the silence, thinking about Gabriel that had been left behind. However, they were more than thankful that Petra was with them.
"What are you saying?" Axel grumbled, still holding somewhat of a grudge against Lukas.
"He froze." Jesse stated, crossing his arms. He wasn't too particularly happy about the situation either. Lukas began to stammer in defense,
"What... no. Y-You cannot..."
"Gabriel was taken by the monster because of you." Jesse began to lose his cool, "Jane was in danger, we all were. We called for your help, and all you did was stand there and watch! If it wasn't for Gabriel, we all would've died."
"Jesse, please..." Jane begged, trying to calm her tense brother.
"You cannot put that on me!" Lukas cried, looking at everyone as they stared at him, "I got scared... just for a second."
"You got scared?" Axel teased without humor as his large figure approached the blonde haired young man, "You got scared? That's your excuse?!"
"It wasn't my fault!"
"You got scared and it's not your fault?!"
"Axel, stop it!" Jane commanded, standing in between both him and Lukas, "Obviously he feels bad, and we do not need friction here. If we cloud our minds with this, we won't survive. We have to be the sharpest we've ever been."
Axel growled, "Who cares about what's coming up? We gotta go back!"
"No! We just have to wait. Think about what you're walking into. You'll only get yourself killed. And we need every person on this team if not more. There's nothing you can do up there."
Falling through the portal to more than slightly startle them all, a man made a rough approach. Ivor. The last man they wanted to see.
"You again." He growled at the sight of the twins and everyone else. Standing up he glared daggers at them all, and clenched his fists as if he wanted to kill them, "You... you ruined everything! Don't pretend you don't know. You took my most valuable potion!" Throwing a punch to Ivor's face, Jesse released the pent up anger, "More needless violence. It solves nothing. Learn the lesson now, or you'll share Gabriel's fate. There's nothing left up there! Nothing but that Wither Storm."
"The world is in danger because of you!" Jane snapped, feeling her body tense up from the utter frustration.
"And you're the one that just won't keep your mouth shut!" Ivor yelled in her face.
"Back off!" Petra pushed him away, "You're crazy, and I don't trust you."
"I've noticed your actions." Ivor retorted to her with narrowed eyes, "You're a go-getter, for one. You show bravery. But, there is a fine line between bravery and stupidity. I'm pleased to announce that you have crossed that line. All of you have!"
"Don't you even think about-" Olivia began, before being interrupted by Ivor shouting,
"ENOUGH! If you all will just shut up for one second, I can explain how we get out of here." He pointed down a dark pathway and continued, "Through that tunnel is a network of mine carts built by the Order of the Stone. It's your only way out. But I won't be going with you. I'll use my imagination to escape this infernal heat. I would wish you good luck... but luck won't carry you through the Nether. You have my sympathies." Stopping to give them a deadpan look, Ivor drank down an Invisibility Potion and ran off, leaving the group in silence.
The quietness of the place only allowed sounds of bubbling lava to meet the ears of the silent group. But as the seconds passed, a soft whimpering could be heard, like a cry. It sounded harmless at first, but grew louder and closer. It turned from a cry to a whine, and after deciding whatever was making the noise was behind them, they turned around. A large, white figure, with eyes closed and tears stained on its ugly face, they knew exactly what this mob was. A Ghast. With its slithering tentacles beneath as it levitated in the air, the Ghast opened its blood red eyes and let out a high pitched inhuman scream that gurgled with saliva.
"RUN!" Jesse yelled, leading them down the dark tunnel. The Ghast followed them, screaming and searching for the first person of the group to pick off. Coming up to the mine carts Ivor had mentioned, they all hopped in, hoping to outrun the Ghast on tracks. The mob was becoming more aggressive by the second. Spitting out fireballs with a scream was definitely a start, but as the mine carts drove down with its passengers, the mob ceased to follow them.
The next few minutes of the mine cart ride existed in silence. More likely from the fear and shock they all had to overcome. And the sight of an ocean of lava flowing beneath them. It was truly terrifying. They hated the Nether.
"I'm starting to achieve more respect for you." Olivia turned around to tell Petra who was sitting behind her, "I heard you got your Wither Skull from the Nether personally. How did you survive?"
Petra laughed, "Skill, I guess. And determination. Persistence pays off."
"Except for when it doesn't..." Axel groaned and Olivia rolled her eyes.
"Why are you eavesdropping on our conversation?" She asked him, trying to sound upset.
"You guys are literally sitting right behind me! I can't help it. Besides, there's nothing else to do other than just sit in this mine cart."
The ride continued, and the track laid straight... for the most part. Until Lukas screamed, they all noticed the seventy degree drop approaching. Reuben, who sat on Jane's lap, squealed in fear while burying his little pink face in his owner's shirt. Diving down the steep track, they all shouted at the top of their lungs, gripping onto the edges of their mine cart. While driving through a low tunnel after the drop, they all ducked down, still feeling their adrenaline rise to its peak. The track made a click-clack noise, and it was a rough ride. More ups and downs, even a few mobs along the way. But arriving to the destination with the portal to where the temple was supposed to be was the sweetest thing for them to see. They were ready to escape the world of lava.
The overworld was dark. It was night, and the Wither Storm was nowhere to be seen, much to their relief. The monsters would be coming out, on the downside of things, and they could already hear the zombies growling. After deciding to build a treehouse for the night, they did so, making sure to have a small campfire up their as well. It was a perfect, cozy, roofless abode.
"I'm going to tell you something, but you have to promise not to freak out." Axel suddenly announced with excitement, "I have cookies!"
Passing them all out to the hungry group, he gave one to everybody, even Reuben... except for Lukas, who stayed sitting the furthest away in a corner. Jane brought the chocolate chip cookie up to her mouth, about to take a bite, when her brown eyes drifted over to Lukas. He looked so cold, so tired and hungry. Looking back down at her cookie then over at him, she stood up and sat down by his huddled figure.
"Here." She spoke softly, placing the cookie in his hand.
"Oh... thanks." He replied with a sheepish smile, slowly taking a bite and smiling wider. Axel crossed his arms. He was secretly hoping Lukas would somewhat starve. There was definitely unforgiveness between the two.
"I think you're the most understanding of us all." Lukas spoke to Jane after he finished eating, just loud enough for her to hear.
"It's nice of you to say so." She replied, trying to not blush.
"I'm serious! If it weren't for you, I probably wouldn't have tagged along in the first place. I noticed your virtuous actions, and they inspired me. I... I guess what I'm trying to say is that I admire you. A lot. A-And..."
Without letting him finish, Jane took Lukas' hand in hers, throwing a lopsided grin in his direction. It was now his turn to blush.
Olivia, noticing what was happening out of the corner of her eye, decided to interrupt and say to Lukas,
"If you had to, which would you rather fight: a hundred chicken-sized zombies, or ten zombie-sized chickens?"
Lukas chuckled, "That's a good one. Lemme think..."
"How can you guys joke at a time like this?" Axel growled, furrowing his brows, "That Wither Storm is still out there. Most likely coming for us! Not to mention that Gabriel... is gone. There's nothing funny about that."
"We're only trying to keep our spirits high." Petra replied with a smile as she sharpened her sword, "And honestly, I never got to thank Jesse for pulling me through the Nether portal. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for him."
Jesse winked at her and she did the same.
"We should get some rest." Lukas announced as both he and Jane stood up, "We gotta start looking for this temple as early as we can. Now, my guess is, if we start at the portal and kind of split up-"
"Whoa, what are you doing?" Axel snapped, cutting him off.
Lukas crossed his arms, "Did I do something to you? I'd really like to know, because you keep getting on my case for what seems like no reason. I know I'm not the leader... but someone needs to step up!"
Axel chuckled, "You're the only one wearing that stupid jacket."
"Take that back!"
"Can't. Wouldn't."
Lukas was feeling aggravated, and it showed in his tone, "You know what? I get to wear this jacket because I know how to build. But that doesn't mean I don't know how to break things!"
"Your threats don't scare me now that we know how you really are."
"You are way out of line! I wasn't going to bring it up... but I can only take so much!"
"Would you all please stop fighting?!" Jane shrieked, "You two seem to hate each other, and..." She couldn't even finish her sentence. All the pent up stress and frustration caused her to burst into tears and fidget with her braids.
"Haven't you done enough damage for one day?" Axel snapped at Lukas, referring to the crying young woman beside him.
"Now you're blaming me for her crying?!" Lukas yelled, "I don't have to take this. Listen... why don't I just leave, and let you guys hash this out?"
"You can't leave. It's dangerous out there!" Olivia remarked, finally being another person to show some sympathy.
"I can take care of myself. It's what Axel wants, right?"
"No... please, Lukas." Jane whimpered, trying to stop her tears, "Don't leave. We need you here."
Agreeing to let Lukas stay, they all huddled in their own corner of the treehouse. Axel and Lukas made sure to stay as far away from each other as possible. It didn't take long to hear thunder, and for raindrops to fall, soaking them all due to no roof. Jane was asleep, and Lukas could not get her crying image out of his mind. Slipping his leather jacket off, he whispered,
"It may be stupid... but it'll keep you warm."
And with that, he wrapped the leather jacket around her sleeping frame.
