Hey ya'll, it's Enderdeath! I hope you're having a great day, and I hope to make it even better with this new chapter! This chapter has 1,150 words. NOTE: I do not own Mianite, any YouTubers mentioned, Minecraft, and really, I don't own anything except the idea.

Chapter 10

Well, Ryley had to admit that he had felt better before.

I mean, having an arrow wound in your stomach was what most would generally describe as a painful experience. Ryley certainly had no desire to relive that moment. Getting shot with a poisonous arrow once was only one time too many.

Dec had kept him updated on news from the Nether. Dianite had been less than thrilled that he had needed help from 'puny mortals', but had admitted to Dec in private that he was indeed grateful. The demons had lost well over half their population, and just days after the battle, were driven out of the Nether caverns that they had called home.

Viisdul himself hadn't been killed or captured, but the demon that had shot Ryley had been taken prisoner and killed quickly. "Quicker than he deserved," Dec had muttered.

Other than that, nothing else had happened other than the fact that Ryley's friends were happy to see him back. They were more than a little confused by his name change, but they accepted it without much question. Linden had disappeared off to who-knows-where shortly after she saw Ryley home safely, leaving no trace that she ever existed. Only Ryley and Dec's word kept the other's belief of the lone warrioress alive.

Ryley had mostly gotten over his grief for Dynamite, but it was still a sensitive subject. Whenever anybody brought it up he would fall silent until another subject was introduced to the conversation. Then Ryley would resume talking as though nothing had ever happened.

Ryley had been confined to his bed for almost a week after the battle, but after several days of good food, good rest, and a warm bed, combined with the factor of a couple healing potions, Ryley was finally beginning to improve. He could now walk around, at least for about five minutes, without falling flat on his face. Granted, he had to lean heavily on Dec, but still. He was walking.

Ryley sighed, closing the book he was reading and setting it on his bedside table. It was actually quite good, filled with interesting poems, but Ryley just wasn't really in the mood for reading right now. Besides, most of the poems were about death or sadness and to be perfectly honest, Ryley had had enough of that lately.

A soft knocking on the door caused Ryley to raise his head. "Come on in," He called, unsurprised when Dec walked into his room.

"How're you feeling?" Dec asked. Ryley answered with a shrug.

"It could be better but it could also be a whole lot worse. I also feel like I'm hungry," Ryley smiled when Dec laughed at his joke.

"Glad to know you're still the cheerful young man that I've known for such a long time now," Dec smirked. "But alright, I'll go get you some mushroom stew."

"I actually think I want to try walking to the kitchen." Ryley interrupted Dec, "Yes, I know I'm still not up to full strength again. Yes, I know I'll have to walk down a set of stairs. Yes, I know I'll probably collapse before I even reach the kitchen. I still want to do it."

Dec stared at Ryley. Ryley stared right back. Neither of them backed down from the silent argument they were having in their stares.

"Fine," Dec finally conceded. "But I am going to walk right beside you to catch you if you fall."

"And I'm perfectly okay with that," Ryley said smoothly. "I really don't think I need a concussion from falling and hitting my head on top of all this other stuff."

"My gosh, your sarcasm," Dec rolled his eyes. "Come on then, up you get." Ryley obediently sat up on the edge of his bed and from there, eased himself onto his feet, holding on to Dec's shoulder. He put one foot in front of the other, doing his best to walk in a straight line and to block out the pounding headache he had from even moving just a little ways. He gritted his teeth, closing his eyes stopping right before the stairs.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Dec asked.

"Oh, of course I am! I'm just all sunshine and rainbows right now, Declan!" Ryley hissed, but then his voice immediately softened. "I'm sorry, Dec. It's just – it really does hurt, and when I say it hurts, I mean it hurts a lot. I still want to try going downstairs though."

"It's your call," Dec murmured. "Though if you need to stop, let me know. There's no shame in relying on someone for help, especially with the state you're in."

"I know that," Ryley muttered, then let his full concentration go to walking down the first step without tripping. Wow. Was coordinating smoothly always this difficult?

Gradually, step-by-step, Ryley made his way downstairs. Dec was by his side during every second, murmuring words of encouragement and occasionally reaching out to grab Ryley when he stumbled. Ryley was grateful for his friend's help and he sighed in relief when he made it to the first floor and even ground.

"Well, I know I'm not looking forwards to going back up," Ryley grinned, attempting to make a joke. Dec rolled his eyes again and led Ryley over to the dining room table, firmly ordering him to stay put while he fixed the stew.

"Yes, Mom," Ryley smirked.

"Sometimes I wonder why I'm even friends with you," Dec sounded annoyed but Ryley caught the teasing glint in his eyes. To add to the humour of the situation, Dec raised his voice, doing his best impression of a female tone, "Alright, son, that's enough. Now you stay in your chair or you won't get any dessert."

"No! I want dessert!" Ryley couldn't help it – he burst out laughing, which was not a good thing considering his wound. "Oh. Ow. That actually really, really, really hurts."

"I'm not surprised," Dec snorted. "Now will you just cooperate for a little while with no sarcastic remarks? I get that you've been cooped up in one room with only my 'boring' self for company, but please. Chill."

Ryley waited in silence as Dec prepared the mushroom stew and ate it silently with a murmured word of thanks. The silence actually felt very comforting.

But there was one thing that the silence needed. Yes, only one thing could make this silence more comforting.

That thing being a girl with short auburn hair, beautiful brown eyes, and the most warrior-like, feisty, lovable attitude Ryley could imagine.

Yes. That's all the silence needed.

And it was at that moment that Ryley vowed that as soon as he got better, he was going to find Linden. No demon, promise, or curse was going to stop him.

But he was in love with Linden and that was something he would never be able to deny.

Aw! #Ryden fluff!

Random Observation: Now, I know you're thinking 'Ender. Your stories like this are usually only ten chapters long. This is the tenth chapter. This is no way to end a story.' Well, you're right about all those things, especially this not being a good ending to a story. What if I told you... that this story is going to twenty chapters instead of the usual ten. Would you be happy? I hope so, because that's what's happening!

ironhideandratchet4ever: I SHALL NEVER STOP! ;)

MyBrokenHeart123: Yes. I just did that.

TheAmazingQwerty: Um... like I said, you asked for it!

RusYRP: Thank you! And I think Dec would like Linden, but feel a little protective of Ryley around her, kind of like a father. ;)

Lieutenant Side Salad: Nonononono! I will never ever ever kill Linden! I love her character too much! ;)

IaniteTC: *laughs nervously* Um...