Return of the First

by VoidWalker45

During a LAN party, a group of friends are drawn into the world of Minecraft. Challenged by Herobrine, our group will meet new friends and enemies, unravel science and magic, and discover that they aren't what they seem. Once the year is done, will they leave or will they stay, obtaining unknown power. Rated M for language, violence, and some sexual content. This is my first story.

14. Chapter 13

Whoa, whoa everyone! Calm down, there's no need for needless violence! Please, put away the torches, pitchforks, sniper rifles, and other various implements of destruction and let me speak. Now that you're not about to kill me, I apologize for the unprecedented nearly year-long hiatus. A lot has happened in my personal life, and not a lot of it good either. So, as can be expected, I haven't had much drive to do any writing until a few days ago. But, for those of you who awaited this chapter without harboring any ill thoughts towards me during said hiatus, your patience is about to be rewarded. Without further ado, I present chapter 13!

-Robert's POV-

"Easy now," I said, holding my hand out towards Skelly, who was on a ledge below me, "all you have to do is reach out and grab my hand."

She gave me a death stare. "Will you shut up!? I'm working on it, so stop freaking me out!" She shimmied towards me, pressing herself up against the rock face so she couldn't see the drop before her. It took her a few minutes, but she eventually grabbed hold, allowing me to hoist her up over the edge.

I chuckled as she tried, and failed, to regain her composure. "C'mon, Skels," I said, shoving her a bit, "it wasn't that bad."

Her voice was as cold as ice when she spoke. "First off, you know damn well I'm terrified of heights, and second," she grabbed my shirt collar, "I warned you not to call me 'Skels'. Do you want me to hurt you?"

I held her gaze as I pressed the barrel of my pistol into her stomach. "The rounds I'm using may be rubber, but, at point-blank range, who's to say they won't punch a hole in you. Do you really want to risk it?" We remained locked for a while, the tension becoming palpable as we stared at each other. After a while, neither of us could hold our serious demeanor any longer, both of us doubling over with laughter.

She released my collar, and undid her ponytail, allowing her grey hair to flow free. "It's getting harder to be serious around you, you know that? I swear, every day I'm near you, I can feel my old self slipping away. What're you doing to me?"

I pondered her question, holstering my pistol in the process. "Can't say I know. I just have that effect on people, I guess. Besides, you're changing for the better. You're a lot more fun then when you first moved in with my friends and I."

One of her eyebrows shot up. "And what's that supposed to mean?"

"It means," I said, raising a squeak out of her as I hoisted her onto my back, "you're much more fun to be around. When you first started living with us, you were so quiet. Now, you're just as animated as the rest of us."

She was quiet for a bit, settling into the makeshift seat my arms had created. "I suppose so. Anywho, what did Cage need so bad that he'd send us up this massive mountain? Or, rather, what would he need that'd be in a Crag biome?"

She had a valid point. I looked out across the landscape laid out before us. Aside from the the bluish rock that covered the tops of these massive mountains, there was nothing in sight. As far as I knew, most mobs never even spawned up here. With a sigh, I was about to make my way back down the mountain, when a sudden crackle caused us to jump. "Robert, you got a copy?" Jack's voice said, seemingly appearing from nowhere.

I fumbled with the radio on my belt, finally getting a grip on it after nearly dropping it three times. "This is Robert, whatcha need Shadowman?"

I grinned as I heard Jack let out a groan over the radio. "One, I told you not to call me that, and two, it seems you guys are close to that signature we picked up earlier. You're probably really close to that item Cage needs. If you're not too busy, I'd suggest looking into it."

I flicked open the sensor Cage had made to locate the item, confirming Jack's suspicions. "Can do, Shadowman. We'll take a look around. Robert out." I turned off the radio before Jack had the chance to tell me off.

I could hear Skelly giggling on my back. "You love teasing him, don't you?"

I pretended to contemplate an answer. "Possibly. Come on, we need to find this thing, whatever it is." I adjusted Skelly on my back and took off at a jog, keeping the sensor open so I could track the signature. As we moved across the empty landscape, the signature on the sensor never moved.

Skelly, who seemed just as confused as I was, reached over my shoulder and held the sensor closer for a better look. "Hmm...Robert...I'm thinking that we need to go underground."

I came to a halt. "What!? There's a reason Crags never have any monsters on the surface, you know!"

Her face didn't even lift from the sensor as she spoke. "I'm aware that the insides of these mountains are feral hotbeds, but, from what I'm seeing on the screen, the object that Cage is after is at the bottom of this mountain. Like, at bedrock level."

I stood there, still and silent, assessing our situation. Cage had refused to allow me to use normal rounds for my pistol, forcing me to use the rubber ones I currently had, so I really didn't have any lethality. Skelly still had her arrows, but that wouldn't do much in the long run. "If we go down there, there is an extremely high chance that we'll be torn apart." I looked over at Skelly, silently asking her if she still wanted to attempt it. She gave me a reassuring look, nodding. With a heavy sigh, I pulled a pickaxe from my pack and began to dig out a path into the mountain. In no time, I had dug a massive staircase deep into the mountain.

I was about to stop for a breather, when I broke through into a cavern. Skelly quickly ducked into the hole and lit up the surrounding area with torches. "Alright, the light should keep the smarter ferals away. Come on in."

I took a light, tentative step into the dimly lit cavern. The massive fissure stretched on for miles, a river of lava bubbling far below. The sounds of feral mobs could be heard all around, some alarmingly close. We stuck close to each other and began to move carefully across the ledge, making sure each step had a solid foothold. We were about to round a corner into a small cave when a large Spider popped out of the entrance. Skelly and I stood completely still as the massive arachnid surveyed its surroundings, eventually crawling over and down the wall of the fissure. We waited for the sounds of its crawling to fade away before moving again. We ducked into the cave, quickly plunking down a few Induction Torches. Their green glow filled the cave, causing many mobs to shriek and run out of the glow.

I flipped the sensor around and checked the signature. "Seems we're right on top of it. We just need to go straight down."

I pulled my pick out of my pack and pulled back to break the stone at our feet, when Skelly caught my arm. "Hold on a sec." She said as she placed her hand on the stone I was about to hit, a slightly pained look crossing her face as her skin connected with the stone. "We can't get down this way; there's lava about ten blocks beneath us here, and from what I can tell, it turns to gravel about half down."

I stared at her, jaw slack with surprise as she gave this information. Curious, I placed my hand on the stone, but felt no obvious difference in heat. "How'd you know there's lava down there?" I asked, curious and skeptical.

Skelly flexed her now red hand as she contemplated an answer. "As you know, the undead ferals burn in sunlight, right?" She started as she continued to feel the surrounding stone for a safe way down. "Well, that stems from a sensitivity to heat that humanized Skeletons and Zombies share. It's not like we have an aversion to fire or anything like that, it's just our lack of body heat makes us vulnerable to sudden changes in temperature or extremes of both hot and cold." I quietly ran this new and interesting bit of information as she continued to search for a safe path. After a bit she finally spoke up. "Dig here."

With a flourish of my pick, I brought it down on the stone beneath me...and immediately regretted the action. No sooner did my pick make contact with the stone did the entire cave floor give way, plunging Skelly and I into a free fall. "What the fuck!" We screamed as we plummeted downward. We seemed to fall forever, the blackness below us seeming to devour the cavern walls that were speeding by. Soon enough, the two of us were surrounded by darkness, no, not darkness, but a blackness that was darker than any fear or twisted thought could ever possibly be. Neither of us could even tell if we were even falling anymore, as there was no longer any air moving around us.

Skelly made an attempt to push herself up. "What the hell...?" She whispered as she stood. I followed her example and slowly got to my feet, cautiously surveying my surroundings. Both of us looked around, trying to make some sense of the all-consuming blackness that surrounded us. "W-Where the hell are we?" She stuttered out, keeping a white-knuckled grip on her bow.

Once again, my gaze swept around, attempting to peer through the black, before I finally spoke up. "I honestly have no idea, however," I said as I grabbed hold of the sensor around Skelly's neck, "the item Cage need is just ahead of us."

I went reeling as Skelly proceeded to back hand me, knocking the sensor out of my hands and flooring me in the process. "How can you worry about something so trivial!?" She fumed. "What the hell is wrong with you!? How can you worry about this...thing when we have no idea where we are!?"

I was about to answer her when a familiar voice burst out of the radio at my hip. "I may be able to assist you on this matter." The voice said.

I nearly dropped radio as I hastily unhooked it from my belt. "Cage!? Holy shit, Cage, is that you!?"

My friend's familiar chuckle emanated from the radio. "That it is friend, that it is. Now before you ask me where you are, I need to ask you to remain calm, as freaking out will draw unwanted attention."

Skelly blanched as Cage spoke. "Why?" She asked.

Cage could be heard clearing his throat. "Well...that's because you two are currently standing in the Void."

-Skelly's POV-

I could feel panic start to well up inside of me as the word "Void" made its way out of the radio. "W-When you say 'Void', d-do you mean-"

Cage's voice interrupted me before I could finish. "Yes, I mean the Void. The bottomless pit that resides beneath the unbreakable bedrock layer. The pit, that, should you be unfortunate enough to fall into the blackness, there is no escape from. I mean that Void." Terror wormed it way into my heart as Cage spoke, filling me to the brim with fear. I was about to start screaming when Cage spoke up again. "However, this time, you all will be able to leave. Don't believe me, look up."

Hesitantly, I brought my eyes upward, jumping at the sight of two bright green orbs hovering in the darkness. "J-Jack?" I muttered unsteadily.

A hollow chuckle filled the darkness as Cage spoke. "That's right. He can't interfere, but, once you get the object I require, he's your ticket out of the Void." The radio was silent as Cage let that little bit of information sink in. "Now, time to tell you about the object I sent you after and why you couldn't use regular bullets. The item I desire is a mythical plant that can only be found within the Void. It's a shining silver in color, small, fern-like fronds and large thorns covering the stems. Only one of said plants will have a deep crimson flower sprouting atop it, once you find it, pluck it and bring it to me."

A deadly silence filled the air as Cage's words flowed out of the radio. Rage boiled up inside of me as I spoke my next words. "You mean to tell me that you sent us to the Void- the inescapable death pit- for a FUCKING PLANT!?" I continued to rant for a good five minutes while Robert stood motionless, obviously zoned out. "Hello, earth to Robert!" I said whilst snapping my fingers in front of his face, drawing his attention back to the situation at hand. "And why aren't you more livid about this?"

His eyes seemed to drift again as he spoke. "Sorry, I was just thinking. I could've sworn I've heard of this plant before…" His words trailed off as he once again became lost in thought. After several minutes of silence, his eyes lit up as he seemed to remember something. "I have heard of it! I read about it in Interdimensional Botany! I think the entry went like this: 'Within the Void grows a fern-like plant clad in shining silver thorns, each containing an aggressive neurotoxin. Atop the fronds sits a delicate, crimson red flower, it's shape resembling that of a hibiscus. However, do not be deceived into thinking these are the only dangers you face. Should anyone be foolish enough to attempt to pluck the flower, the offender will face the plant's wrath. The plant is highly carnivorous, and will attempt to incapacitate and devour alive those who trespass onto its territory. It ensnares its prey by either wrapping it up with its roots, each root being as strong as steel, or by sticking them to the ground using a sticky sap that it can eject from it's massive maw. It's mouth is comprised four large petals, each resembling a tear drop in shape. Long, wickedly sharp teeth line the edges of each petal. The flora uses the teeth to lock its prey within its maw, whilst digestive juices, containing enzymes of unfathomable potency, liquefy the unfortunate victim, the digestion process taking only mere minutes to run its course. However, although dangerous, this plant is considered a blessing in many magical circles. The only thing harvestable is the small flower that sits in the plant's center. Should you survive the plant's onslaught, said flower has many a use. The neurotoxin alone is a valuable catalytic, used for potions, stabilizing agents in mystical fabrics, and is valuable in the processing of magicked metals. The fibers within the stalk, thorns, and flower of the plant have a unique property; the ability to counter a Beholder's decaying gaze. Not only that, but the fibers have the ability to retain extreme amounts of magical energy.' That's all I can remember."

The pieces of this mysterious and dangerous puzzle slowly began to fit together as Robert finished speaking. "Okay… I can understand why you'd need this plant, but what I don't get is why you'd send us to obtain it."

The radio was silent for a few seconds before Cage spoke. "It's because I can't go anywhere near the plant. There were a few things Robert couldn't remember about the plant. One of said things is its food preference. The aura it emits cancels all potentially fatal magics set against it, rendering anyone who possess magic useless...and making them a delicious meal. Normal weapons have no effect on it, either, as it has a ward around it that can only be pierced by magic."

I interrupted Cage before he could continue, "Then how the hell are we supposed to kill it!?"

A heavy, irritated sigh could be heard from the radio. "I'm getting to that. The rubber rounds that Robert has with him have been imbued with a special magicked herbicide. The magical aura it throws is just powerful enough to punch through the ward, making an opening for the herbicide to splash onto the plant. The poison should render the area hit incapable of regenerating its ward. That being said, you have a small window of opportunity before the herbicide wears off, allowing the ward to return, so hit it hard and fast."

Robert and I simply stared at each other as Cage spoke those words and the radio went silent. As we stared at each other, I could see flickers of excitement fill Robert's eyes. "You can count on us!"

I stared at Robert, slack jawed, as he hooked the radio back to his belt and flipped the sensor back on in one fluid motion. "You actually plan on obtaining that plant!?" I asked, panicked, as he checked his pistol and ammo.

A wild smile sprawled across his face as he started walking, checking the sensor from time to time. "I have every intention to! Not only am I dying to see what this beastie looks like, I've been itching for a fight as of late, and I'm not about to pass this one up!" With that he took off in, what I could only guess to be, a westerly direction.

I watched, slightly defeated, as he sprinted off on his course. With a heavy sigh, I took off after him, the sheer emptiness around me unnerving me to the extreme. We ran for what felt like hours, although he didn't seem to notice. As we moved about this dark, abyssal expanse, I felt as though we were being watched. Every once and awhile, I would see movement deep within the darkness, unsure if it was potential threats or my overactive imagination. Right when I was about to draw my bow to attack one of those wisps of movement, I noticed a step too late that Robert had stopped moving, colliding into him. Dazed, I took a few steps back and, when I finally managed to shake the stars from my vision, I was greeted with an incredible sight. In front of me was an expanse of green fields, rocky outcropping, and beautiful shining silver plants, each topped with vibrant flowers spanning the entirety of the color spectrum. "Oh wow…" I said, stunned by the beauty of the area before me, "I never there was something so beautiful in this god forsaken pit."

I walked over to the nearest flower and studied it. The silver fronds seemed fragile, like the slightest wind could shatter them. Atop those gorgeous fronds sat a stunning violet bloom. It's hues were more beautiful than any fabric or painting that I had ever seen. The flower seemed to draw me in and I bent down to pluck it. Just before I could, however, Robert caught my hand and hoisted me up. " I wouldn't do that if I were you."

I jerked my hand away from his grasp before speaking. "And why not? One little flower won't hurt anything."

Once again, Robert grabbed hold of my arm to keep me from grabbing hold of the shining plant before me. "For starters," he said pulling out a Safari Net. With a flick of his wrist, a cow popped out of the net, landing next to the flower I was about to pluck. I watched in a mixture of horror and awe as the ground around the plant split apart as four violet petals engulfed the helpless bovine. "every plant here is a class of carnivorous megaflora. From what I just saw, it's seems they resemble a piranha plant crossed with a malboro and a triffid."

I had to pry myself away from the plant, which was already sinking the petals that comprised its maw back into the ground, having been finished with dissolving the cow. "A what, what and what?"

He simply shook his head as he put away the empty Safari Net. "It'd take too long to explain. Come on, we have to find that plant."

I simply nodded and started after him, scanning the endless sea of flora for our target. We slowly picked our way around the plants beneath out feet, planning each step carefully as to not end up like that unfortunate cow. After a few minutes of searching, a glimmer of red and silver caught my eye. As I turned, I saw a flower that outshone all the others around it. Slowly, cautiously I walked up to the gorgeous plant. It's fronds almost seemed to be made of the silver dust that falls from an angel's wings, making seem ghost-like in quality. The thorns looked as though they were forged of solid silver, shining against the dark horizons that engulfed the sky. Atop sat the bloom, with such deep crimson hues that the petals seemed to be made of fresh blood, pooled and suspended in the shape of a hibiscus. "R-Robert…" I said quietly, half out of caution, half out of reverence, "I found it."

In a matter of seconds, he was at my side, marveling at the stunning flower. "O-Okay," he said as he peeled his eyes away from the plant, "we need to come up with a plan. We have no idea how big this one is, or how strong. So, what we should do is loosely tie a rope at the base of the plant, tie the other end of your arr…" His words began to trail off as I continued to stare at the flower. Slowly, I could feel my arm gravitate towards its stem, it calling to me louder and louder the closer my hand got. My hand passed between the fronds, their ethereal texture giving me goose bumps. Tentatively, my fingers grasped the stem and- "WAIT!" I heard Robert scream, but it was too late. The ground around us began to roil, the green grass turning an ominous sanguine hue, then, it a matter of seconds, it emerged.

The ground around us erupted, throwing us clear for the original site. At least ten silver roots tore themselves free from the ground, each as big around as a Ghast and several chunks long. The true stalk of the plant emerged next, reach and easy fifteen feet into the air before bending back down and stopping at the "bloom". The massive bloom was in the shape of a hibiscus, but in the center was its maw; four large, flesh-like petals, all lined with huge, sharp teeth. Robert and I watched in awe as the four petals closed and a long barbed "tongue" slid out from the center of its closed maw, seemingly tasting the air. After a few flicks, the appendage lashed back into its mouth, and it turned…to face us. The petals tore open to unleash a high-pitched, air-shattering roar, deafening us in the process. The root nearest to us heaved back, then lashed forward like a whip, tear the ground beneath it. Still disoriented from the roar, both of barely managed to dodge, the clipping Robert's arm and my side. Pain exploded through my chest as several ribs broke from the force of the blow and the sudden stop on the ground. Shakily, I force myself up and tried to draw my bow, however, I was met with another root, this time catching the full impact. The blow sent me flying back, breaking an arm and cracking my sternum. I laid on the ground broken and bleeding, watching hopelessly as one of the roots rushed in for the kill, only for it to be stopped short by a bluish-green substance splattering onto it. As the substance spread, the plant let out what sounded like a wail of pain. During this distraction, a saw a maroon vial fall to the ground a shatter, covering me in a sweet-smelling fluid. In seconds, I could feel my bones knitting themselves back together, every crack and pop causing me to wince or cry out. Before long I was able to stand, coming eye to eye with Robert, who seemed rather displeased. "Umm…thanks for that."

Robert only shook his head as he turn to face the plant. "Next time we do something like this, please listen to the game plan next time, rather than diving in balls deep, okay?" I could only nod sheepishly as we looked at the plant. In a flash, Robert leveled his pistol and shot off two more rounds, splattering two more areas with herbicide. "As I hit areas with the herbicide, fill it full arrows, got it?" With that he took off, splattering many areas with the toxic substance. On cue, I drew back my bow, nocking several arrows at a time, and let them fly, one set after another. I peppered the beast with as many arrows as I could, filling the open areas, but it only seemed to annoy the creature. I kept on my assault, but, for some reason, it became harder and harder to move my arms.

Before long, I found it almost impossible to move. As struggled, two words from the passage Robert had recited popped it my mind; aggressive neurotoxin. Fruitlessly, I attempted to call out to Robert. As one of the roots coiled, he came into view, frozen stiff from the toxin. I was forced to watch on in horror as the maw of the plant neared Robert. I struggled as hard as I could, trying to free myself from the toxin's grip, all to no avail. Then, a silent scream formed in my throat as the beast's tongue slide out its mouth, wrapped around Robert's waist…and pulled him inside its maw.

-Robert's P.O.V.-

"R-er- -om- -n -an -o- -e me."

The sound of a voice jolted my out of unconsciousness. 'Where am I?' I asked myself, unable to see in the darkness that surrounded me. 'It's warm in here, the air is cloyingly sweet, and I'm surrounded what feels like…honey?' My thoughts were a scrambled mess, and I was unable to clear my head. While I was trying gather my thoughts, the voice echoed out again, clearer this time.

"Rober- com- in. Can yo- here me?"

I sluggishly fumbled with the radio at my belt and brought it up. "H-Hello?"

The familiar voice echoed out from radio again. "Good, you're still coherent. Listen I need you to drink the fluid around you. It'll clear your mind."

Mind still incredibly muddled, I obediently dipped my hand into the honey around me and took a sip. The fluid, which tasted like cloves and root beer, shooting past my lips like quicksilver, seeming to go straight to my brain. The fog that engulfed my mind was blown away, allowing me to remember everything…including the rest of this plant's passage. "Thanks, Cage," I quickly said I into the radio, "I owe you one." In one swift action, I filled one of the large flasks I carry with me with the digestive enzymes that surrounded me, then shot two pellets of herbicide straight up, blowing a hole in the plant's maw. With a gurgle of surprise, the plant jettisoned me from its mouth, causing me to crash to the ground, dislocating my shoulder in the process. With a grunt, I heaved myself off the ground and took off towards where Skelly was laying. She was frozen stiff, but relief and bewilderment filled her eyes when she saw me. I quickly flicked open the flask the contained the enzymes and slowly poured some into her mouth. One of her eyebrows lifted in curiosity, which was a good sign, before she was up like a shot.

She at the flask and back to me several times before speaking. "What the hell was in that!? I don't feel a bit of lethargy or paralysis from the toxin."

I stoppered the flask and put it on my belt. "Once again, no time for an explanation. But I do have a plan to bring this thing down. Once again shoot were I shoot." With that I took off, dodging beneath and around the roots, waiting for my opening. Sure enough, my target, the beast's tongue, slivered out of the maw, attempting to track us both. I stopped and leveled my pistol, launching my last pellet of herbicide, coating the tongue. The beast let out a horrible wail, which was cut short by one of Skelly's arrows severing the tongue from the plant's body. The appendage hit the ground and began to flail about, whilst every other part of the plant went rigid. "Come on!" I called to Skelly. "Let's go grab that flower!"

We climbed our way up the roots of the plant, coming to the top after a few minutes. At the top sat the very same flower that started this situation. Skelly took a few unseay steps forward. "Are you sure it's safe to pick now?"

I nodded before speaking. "It is. The "tongue" was basically this plant's brain. Without it, it can't defend itself." Still uneasy, she stooped down and plucked the flower. She braced to see if something was going to happen, but nothing did.

With a sigh of relief, she bagged our trophy and looked up. "Okay, Jack. Take us home."

The pair of green orbs obtained a shadowy body and stood before us, holding out its hands. Skelly grasped one, but I refused as I had an idea in mind. "Go on ahead, Skels. I got a few things to take care of here. Get her there safe, eh Shadowman?" The figure let out a groan and whisked Skelly away before she could protest. "Now then," I said, looking over the now green grass below, "let's get started."

-Skelly's P.O.V.-

"What the hell!?" I yelled at Robert as he walked in the door of the main base, Jack in tow. "Why the fuck would you want to stay in that god forsaken pit!?"

With a flourish, he brandished a long bow of remarkable craftsmanship. The bow was a shining silver whilst the string was a bright gold. "I needed materials to make this, a new bow for you. The bow itself is made from the roots of the plant we brought down, whilst it's tongue it the string. Not only that but this beauty as well." After handing me the bow, he produce something equally astonishing; the very same plant that ate the cow. The plant was in a large pot and seemed…content with its new dwelling. "I figured you'd like something to remember our first big adventure together. These were the best I could come up with."

I could feel myself tearing up as I looked at the gifts. I lunged at Robert, wrapping him into a huge hug, one that he returned with equal intensity, causing my cheeks to grow hot. "Thank you so much." I said quietly. "This is more than I could ever ask for. At least let me do this to repay you." With that a gave him a kiss on the cheek. When I pulled away, he stood there like a Creeper in a floodlight, except he was bright red instead of green. Before he could react, I gathered my gifts and started towards my room, smiling to myself. 'Notch…' I thought to myself 'Any more of this and I'll fall for the idiot.' I giggled at the thought as I entered my room. I placed the plant on my desk and gave in one of the cooked chickens I had in my mini fridge, which it ate happily. With the thought of falling for Robert still in mind, I was restless, so to calm myself, I started to test out the bow. With every thwack of an arrow smacking into the target, I could myself calm, eventually mindlessly shooting arrows into the target.

-Chapter 13 end-

I hope this was worth the wait, or at least makes up for it a small bit. Hopefully the next chapter won't take a year to come up, eh? Whelp, till then, see ya in the next chapter!