Chapter 24 : Happy birthday
Hey guys, Agithos here for another 9k word chapter. I really have to stop writing really long chapter if I can't cut them into parts. Truth to be told, this chapter was supposed to come out for the two years aniversary of the story but I lacked time and motivation so I decided to write for...*drum rolls*...my own birthday. That's right, if you are reading this the day the chapter came out, then it's my birthday today. But enough about my personel life, without further ado. Let's go with the chapter
Present time, Home, Mickael POV
I woke up the next day^, feeling Ayumi hugging me in her sleep. I had my arm around her belly and she had her's on my shoulder, right where my scar was, the one I got fighting Edun when he nearly cut my arm off. It was one of the best night I had in a while, I had enough sleeping on a blanket on the ground.
"What time is it ?" I thought.
I looked at the window to see that it was almost daytime outside, rays of sunshine passing between some leaves. I felt Ayumi burying her face into my shoulder, making a contented sigh on the way. I smiled and kissed her forehead.
"Hey there, little sunshine !" I whispered into her ear "It's time to wake up !"
She yawned before opening one eye then the other. As soon as she saw me looking straight into her eyes, she sat next to me and gave me a small kiss on the lips.
"Good morning, my handsome knight !" She giggled as she brang herself closer to me, her head now resting on my shoulder. I put my arm around her waist.
"Want to stay like this for a while ?" She asked me with her eyes closed.
I nodded and we began to cuddle. I don't know for how long we stayed like this : Five minutes, ten minutes, one hour. Well...probably long enough for someone to go check up on us. The door slowly opened to reveal Cupa entering into our bedroom. As soon as she was me and Ayumi hugging each other, she blushed madly and quickly exited the room, closing the door.
"I-I am sorry if I interrupted something !" We heard her speak up behind the wooden door.
Understanding what she was referring to, both Ayumi and I blushed before I chuckled.
"Don't worry Cupa, we weren't doing anything of that sort !" I said loud enough for the creeper girl to hear "What did you want to ask us ?"
"I-I just wanted to know if you were awake so that you could come down to eat breakfast with us !" She answered.
"Yeah, give us second, we are coming !"
"Oki doki loki !" Cupa replied before I heard her slowly walk away from our bedroom. I turned to Ayumi :
"We better get up if we don't want another person to come into this bedroom !"
"I agree !" She giggled even though I could see into her eyes she was a little upset about Cupa's interruption.
We got off the bed and I walked to the door. I sighed, smiling.
"This is going to be a really nice week. No king to bring down, no city to save and hopefully no invasion planned on us. Just me, Ayumi and all the others !"
I opened the door and we exited the room. We walked downstairs to arrive into the kitchen where we were greeted by a happy cave spider girl : Vanessa. There was also Ari and Cupa sitting at the table with her.
"Hi Mike, hi Ayumi !" Vanessa waved at us, a piece a bread in her mouth.
"Hey Vanessa !" I replied.
"Hello Vanessa !" Ayumi smiled "You seem to be in a good mood today !"
"Of course I am. Why would I not be ?" She giggled before eating the rest of her bread.
I tried to remember a time I have seen her this happy. Apart from the time we found her sister and the one when we had our little pumpkin challenge, I couldn't find any. As I watched Vanessa walk away from the table, I whispered to Ayumi.
"Why is she so...joyful today ? Did I miss something while we were gone ?"
"Not really, she is always like this a few days before her birthday !" She answered.
Hearing her sentence, my eyes widened but, before I could say anything back, Ayumi covered my mouth with her hand.
"Not here, she may hear us. Come with me !"
Then, she took me by the hand and dragged me outside of the house. We walked for about a minute through the forest until Ayumi stopped and released me. She looked around before sighing :
"We should be safe here. You don't know how curious and sneaky Vanessa can be during those few days !" The skeleton girl in front of me spoke up.
"Why didn't you tell me sooner about her birthday ?" I asked a little anxious "When is it ?"
Ayumi crossed her arms and looked at the ground.
"It's in two days but...you were gone for two weeks and before that, well...you were dead. I am sorry I couldn't find the time to tell you about it !"
"How...how will I be able to find a gift in just two days ? What if she doesn't like it ?" I began to panick only to be stopped by my girlfriend putting both of her hands on my shoulders.
"Calm down Mickael !" She said with a reassuring smile "I am sure that whatever you find, it will be great !"
"I hope you are right !" I sighed "Who will be there ?"
"There will be all of us, Blazette, Charloette, Menos and a few villagers !" She answered after thinking for a few seconds.
"Villagers...really ?" I asked, surprised.
"Yes, I thought it would be good to improve our relations with the village !" Ayumi rubbed her hand on her chin before asking "Did I do something wrong ?"
"No, I don't think so..."
Suddenly, a little girl voice was heard next to us. We both turned around to see a little cave spider girl with red eyes and purple hair staring at us with a grin on her face.
"What are you talking about ?" She asked with a sheepish smile.
Ayumi and I looked at each others before I faced Vanessa, scratching the back of my head and trying to find a good explanation.
"We were talking about...what we could do for the day !" I answered after thinking for a few seconds.
I was hopping the little cave spider girl in front of me would buy that and simply go away. However, we all knew better than that. Vanessa wouldn't simply give up like that. She approached me and poked my chest before putting her face close to mine with a devilish grin.
"Are you sure, Mike ?"
"Hum...well, yeah !" I replied.
Seeing the situation next to her, Ayumi walked behind Vanessa and grabbed her by the collar of her sweater.
"Stop bothering Mickael. Come with me !" The skeleton girl spoke up as she began to drag the little girl towards the house.
"Fine..." Vanessa pouted.
The two girl disappeared into the bushes, leaving me alone with my thoughts...and a giant problem.
"How am I going to find a gift in only two days ? What am I going to buy her ? Clothes, food, books ?" I asked myself, trying to stay calm even though it was pretty difficult.
"Calm down, Mickael..." I heard Notch say inside of my head "Why don't you ask the others what they had planned ? It could give you some ideas !" He then suggested.
"You know...That's not a bad idea, as long as Vanessa doesn't hear us, we should be fine !"
With that plan in mind, I walked back to the house.
1 hour later, Home, Mickael POV
After an hour wandering into the house, I had nearly asked everyone and they all had their gifts ready or almost done. Ayumi bought a book from Eva, the village's librarian. Cupa and Hayden decided to make a little joke gift : A broom which they bought at the village. However, they still had a real present for her, a box full of cookies. Yaebi made a chocolate cake, too bad I didn't brought any candles to put on this birthday cake. As for Andr, she sought Blazette's help to create an eye of ender. I still had one person to ask : Ari. Considering Ayumi told me Vanessa was confined in her bedroom, I was free to move into the house for the time being. At least, she wouldn't pop out of nowhere to ask some questions.
Ari was taking a bath when I arrived, so I had to wait behind a tree until she went out of the pool. Call me a creep all you want but I really needed her help, she was Vanessa's sister after all.
"Hey Ari !" I called her as she was walking back into the house, her hair, still soaked with water.
"Hey Mickael, what's up ?" She responded, seeing me walking towards her.
"I...I need your help, Vanessa's birthday is in two days and I can't seem to find a good gift I could give to her !"
I saw Ari sigh and cover her forehead with a hand.
"I am in he same situation as you, Mickael. I am know I am her sister but, since we were gone for two weeks, I couldn't find the time to create or buy a gift for her. On the top of that, all the gifts I had in mind were taken by the others. I am kinda in a dead end here !" She explained.
I sighed too and closed my eyes. I was hopping she could give me an idea but it looked like I was wrong. There was a moment of silence between us two.
"So...I suppose you don't have any ideas ?" I asked after a minute.
"No, not at the moment !" She answered "I'll tell you if I find one !"
"Thanks Ari. I sall do the same !" I smiled at her and she smiled back.
With that being said, we both returned to the house. Once we were inside, Ari walked into her and Vanessa's bedroom. As for me, I stayed in the living room. The others left a note on the table telling they left to hunt the dinner for this evening. I was thus left alone with Vanessa and Ari for at least an hour. Well, at least, it would hopefully give me some time to have some kind of idea. I started with a few simple ones.
"Clothes ? No, I don't think she would use them anyway. Food ? No, too simple, plus, Yaebi, Cupa and Hayden are already taking care of that. Books ? I don't even know what she likes !" I thought.
As I wondering what kind of present she would like, I noticed a book lying on the floor a few feets in front of me. I crouched and picked it up.
"The spider princess and the human slave !" I said to myself as I looked at the title of the book.
I opened the book and looked at a few pages. It was the story of a human slave abused by the spider king of the castle he was living in. However, this king have a daughter who fall in love with the human slave. Before I could go any further in the story, I heard a little girl yell behind me :
"GIVE ME BACK MY BOOK !" Vanessa said with a slight blush on her face as she snatched the book out of my hand.
"I didn't know you liked romance books. Looks like you have a heart behind your hard shell !" I laughed at her face and crossed my arms.
"S-Shut up !" She almost screamed at me as she blushed madly, holding her books even close to her "You...I'll make you pay for this Mike !" She finished as runned back upstairs. I even heard the door of her room slam.
I chuckled. Hearing that Vanessa liked romance books was something I never even imagined. She didn't seem the type of girl who would read that. I sighed, smiling before going into my own bedroom. I lied on the bed and stared at the ceiling.
"She looked really mad when she saw me with her book. The only time I saw her like that is when I found her..."
My eyes widened as I was thinking of what happened earlier. I finally found the present I was going to give her. I quickly got off the bed and runned towards Ari's bedroom. Arriving in front of it, I knocked on the door. It was Ari who opened.
"Hey Mickael, what do you need ?" She asked.
"I need your help !" I said before I looked inside their bedroom. Vanessa was on her bed, reading the book I found earlier. As soon as she noticed me, she closed her book and looked away from me, a slight blush on her face "But not here, follow me !" I continued.
Ari just shrugged and followed me outside of the house, after making sure a certain little purple haired cave spider wouldn't leave the bedroom obviously. After a minute of walking into the forest, I turned towards her.
"So, what do you need ? Did you finally found a gift ?" She asked.
"Exactly !" I answered, making Ari raise an eyebrow "But I am going to need your help for that !"
"I'll try my best. What are you thinking about ?" Ari crossed her arms.
"Okay !" I sighed, relieved "Do you remember the golden pendant she had with the picture of you two. She really cared about it but, unfortunatly, it was destroyed. I was thinking we could create another one using the ressources we have !" I explained.
The spider gril closed and eyes and seemed deep in thought for a little moment before she placed both hands on my shoulders.
"Mickael, you are a genius !" Ari replied as she opened her eyes full of determination "But...I wonder, what do you need me for ?"
"Well, I never had a good look at the design of that pendant and Ayumi isn't there for the moment. Furthermore, I want this to remain as secret as possible. On the top of that, I don't know how much time Krystal is going to need to create this pendant. I would like for it to be finished as soon as possible. That's why I need you. You will provide Krystal all the informations she needs. We shall take care of the rest. It will be like...a communal gift, like what Cupa and Hayden did !" I said, giving all the details.
Ari nodded, seeming quite happy with the gift I suggested.
"When do we leave for the village ?" She asked.
"We will go as soon as the others get back home, I guess !" I answered.
"Fine with me, I don't want to leave my little sister alone at home after all !"
With that being said, we returned home and spent the next hour talking about everything and nothing, like my relation with Ayumi. It was like she wanted to know everything about what would potentially happen between my girlfriend and I after everything was solved. Truth to be told, I didn't think that far in the future. A small part of me still wanted to go back home. After some time, the front door opened.
"Hey guys, we are back !" Cupa jumped like the happy go lucky girl she was. She was holding a big piece of meat into her hands.
"Hi Cupa !" Ari replied before nudging me.
I nodded at her and we both got up from the table. Then we walked towards the group.
"Ari and I need to go away for a while. Begin without us, we don't know how much time it will take !" I spoke up. Since Vanessa was with them, I couldn't let her know we were going in town to get her her present.
Ayumi raised her eyebrow and crossed her eyes.
"If you don't mind me asking, what are you planning to do ?" My skeleton girlfriend asked.
"Should have been prepared myself for this question..." I slapped myself mentally
"Let's hope you can find a good cover up story !" Notch replied.
However, before I could say anything else, Ari scratched the back of her head. I could even see a drop of sweat coming down her forehead.
"You know...stuff !" She answered with a sheepish smile which made me almost facepalm.
Ayumi and Hayden just looked at each other and shrugged.
"Well...alright...I guess but come back before the end of the afternoon, alright ?" The grey haired girl said after a few seconds a silence.
"Alright !" Ari and I both answered at the same time before we walked right past the group and outside of the house. Out of the corner of my eyes, I could see Vanessa staring at us with a wicked smile on her face. To be fair, I think everyone knew what we were trying to do, including the little cave spider girl. We were the only ones without a gift after all.
Without saying anything to each other, Ari and I entered into the forest and walked towards the town. Once we were sure a little demon with purple hair wasn't following us, we both sighed.
"That was close !" Ari chuckled.
"And whose fault is that ?" I asked back "You realize Vanessa probably know what we are going to do by now, don't you think ?"
"Yeah, but she doesn't have any clue about what we are going to give her !" The spider girl grinned.
"I guess you are right !" I sighed.
A dozen minutes of walking later, we arrived in front of the village. As soon as the guards saw Ari and I walking towards them, they saluted us and opened the gates. Inside of the little town, the villagers were busy doing their daily job. Some were rebuilding one of the last house that were destroyed into the attack almost a month ago. While we were heading to the forge, I noticed Eve, the sentient robot Krystal created after the attack. She was with some kids as they were giving her a rose. She smiled and took it. Eve thanked the kids and they walked away, laughing happily as the sentient robot resumed her patrol.
"Looks like we are finally there !" Ari spke up as she saw the forge entering her field of view.
Krystal was outside, trying to forge an iron armor as we walked towards her.
"Hi Krystal !" I waved at her, making her look up from her piece of armor.
"Oh, hello you two !" She responded "What brings you here ?"
"Well, you see. We kind of need your help for a gift !"
My answer seemed to make the blacksmith smile. She closed her eyes and crossed her arms before speaking up again.
"Oh I see, a wedding ring then !"
I blushed madly. In my back, I heard a certain spider girl snickering before bursting into a loud laugh. I swear, it's a miracle she didn't roll on the floor.
"N-no, you got it all wrong..." I tried to explain before I was interrupted by Krystal who chuckled.
"Relax Mickael, I was toying with you. I guess it's for that little cave spider's birthday. Am I right ?"
"How did you know ?" I asked back, a little surprised.
"Your skeleton girlfriend told me about it. I am one of the very few villagers invited along with the chief's daughter and Gaea !" Krystal answered "So, what do you need me for ?"
Ari and I casted a glance at each other before nodding at the same time. The purple haired girl began to explain :
"Well, you see, I gave my little sister my pendant a long time ago. Unfortunatly, it was destroyed by an adventurer. Mickael and I would like to recreate this pendant. I remember it quite well, it was made of gold with a heart shape at it's center. The heart could be opened and you could place a little drawing or a painting !"
"I am going to need a lot more details if you want me to recreate this pendant !" Krystal replied as she pulled out a feather, some ink and a large piece of paper.
For the next ten minutes, Ari gave instructions for Krystal to follow as well as all the details she remembered about the pendant after five years. When they were finished, Ari picked up the drawing and shoved it into my face. From what I remembered about Vanessa's pendant, the design seemed quite identical.
"Nicely done !" I said "I am sure it will render great !"
"Of course, it will. Mind reminding you who forged your arm blade ?" Krystal chuckled before continuing "Anyway, it will take some time to make, come back tomorrow evening. It will be done by then !"
"Thanks Krystal, we owe you one !" I thanked her before she took a feather and began to write something.
"Don't worry, I'll place that one on your account !" She replied
That being said, we waved at the blacksmith and we left the village. I looked up into the sky and saw the sun slowly going down towards the horizon. We didn't take long though, maybe an hour at the very most. I thought it would take longer than that but whatever. At least, I could enjoy and relax during the rest of the day.
Once we got home, we both smelled the nice odor of cooked porkshop. The other were already eating and I could see Vanessa staring at us. She probably wanted to ask a lot of question but Ayumi surely had forbidden her to ask any of them.
"You came back early !" Hayden spoke up "I was kind of expecting you to get back home later. Did you finish what you had to do ?"
"Yep !" Ari grinned.
Ari and I rejoined the other at the table and we began to eat. During that lunch, we spoke about everything and nothing : The weather, the forest, the relations with the villagers...We tried to avoid speaking about Herobrine and his army, it was our week off after all, didn't want to ruin it. As we were cleaning the bowls, Ayumi leaned towards my ear.
"So, what did you find for her ?" She asked, quite curious.
"It's a surprise !" I replied, grinning "Would be a shame if I spoil it !"
"That's not fair !" She replied, making me laugh "I told you about my gift. Come on, tell me !"
"Nope !" I continued to laugh.
Hearing my answer, Ayumi began to pout and she stuck her tongue at me. Considering Ayumi was supposed to be the 'serious grown-up girl' of the house, seeing her act like a small child was pretty funny...and cute. To be fair, I was totally expecting that kind of things from the little purple haired demon. Speaking of which, she has been told to remain into her bedroom until the birthday party so that she wouldn't come and search everywhere for the gifts.
"Don't worry, you'll see it at the party !" I finally replied as we finished cleaning the last bowl.
The next day, Home, Mickael POV
The next days went pretty smoothly : No monster, no adventurers, no bounty one anyone's head...Most of the time, I stayed home with Ayumi and the others. Hayden and Cupa were the one hunting for lunch and for dinner. Ari and I decided to go get the gift at Krystal's forge while everybody was sleeping to not attract anyone's attention. After we made sure everybody was asleep, we quietly left the house and runned towards the village.
Inside of the little town, most of the lights were already out despite a few drunk villagers still roaming into the streets. One of them approached Ari who took a step back when the smell of alcohol hit her in the face.
"Hey there pretty lady. Mind me offering you a drink ? Then we could go to my place !" He asked between the occasional hiccups.
Unfortunatly for him, of all the girl he could try to accost, it had to be Ari : The most short-tempered girl you could ever find. She glared at him before kicking him straight into the chin. The man fell on the ground, unconscious.
"I am not your 'pretty lady', you pervert freak !" Ari finally answered.
After this little incident, we walked towards the forge and we sighed in relief when we saw light cming from the inside.
"I guess she is not sleeping yet !" I thought.
I approached the door and knocked on it. A few moments later, the door opened to reveal Krystal with the pendant into her hand.
"I figured it would be you two !" She spoke up upon seeing us "Here's what you wanted !"
She handed the pendant at Ari who smiled.
"Thanks Krystal !"
"Don't mention it. I guess I'll see you tomorrow night !" The blacksmith replied.
"Yea, see you tomorrow !" I responded before she smiled and closed her door.
That being done, we finally had the gift in our possession. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Ari who was still staring at the jewel in her hands.
"So, what do you think of it ?" I asked.
"It's beautiful. It-It's just like I remember it !" The purple haired girl replied before checking the heart.
She pressed a button on the side of the pendant to see the heart slowly opening. Inside of the heart was just a piece of paper waiting to be replaced by something else like a drawing or a picture. Ari closed the heart and turned towards me.
"Come on, let's get home before somebody wake up and notice we are gone !" She then spoke up.
I nodded and we both left the village in a hurry. We runned towards the forest to take as less time as possible. When we arrive in front of the house, we opened the front door very slowly. Didn't stop it from making a loud grinding noise when we moved it tough.
"Damn it !" I cursed mentally as I hopped we didn't wake anyone.
As we were climbing upstairs, Ari handed me the pendant.
"Here, take it !" She whispered "We can't take the risk of Vanessa seeing me with this !"
"True..." I responded as I took the pendant from her hand "Good night, we are going to need some for tomorrow !'
"You bet !" She chuckled before opening the door of her room and going inside.
Wanting to take a good night sleep, I did the same and entered into my room. Little did I know a familiar grey haired girl was waiting for me, standing on her feet in front of the bed, her arms crossed and with a accusatory look into her eyes. I gulped and hid the pendant behind my back.
"Mind telling me what you were doing outside with Ari, at this hour ?" She asked as one of her feet was tapping the floor.
"Humm, nothing, nothing at all !" I replied with a sheepish smile.
"Mickael, we have known each other for quite a while, we are even a couple now. I know when you are lying !" Ayumi continued as she began to walk towards me.
Realizing I had no other choice, I sighed and pulled the pendant in front of me. Ayumi's eyes widened a soon as she saw the piece of jewely in my hands.
"Is-Is that Vanessa's pendant ? But...I thought..." She said before I interrupted her.
"Well, it's not really it. Ari and I asked Krystal to forge it for us. We just came back from the village !"
Ayumi looked closely at the pendant.
"They are pratically identical !" Ayumi stated before smiling "It's beautiful. I am sure Vanessa will love it !"
Then she sat on the bed and looked at the ground.
"I am sorry for having some doubt towards you !" She said sadly.
"What were you thing we were doing ?" I asked as I sat next her and wrapped an arm around her waist.
"Well...I-I thought that, during the two weeks you went away...you and Ari could have developped some feeling towards each other !" She answered.
I tried my hardest not to laugh out loud so not to wake the other but Ayumi could clearly hear some snickers coming from me.
"What's wrong ?"
"Nothing !" I managed to say as I wiped a tear out of my eye "It's just that...me and Ari ? Not a chance...Heck, I don't even imagine Ari going out with someone, she is way too wild for that !" Then, I leaned closer towards my skeleton girlfriend "Plus, I already have you. I don't need another girl !"
A second later, my lips were pressed on her's. She wrapped her arms around my back and we fell on the bed. We stayed like this for quite a while, cuddling and kissing before we fell asleep in each other's arms, into a beautiful night sleep. However, that didn't last long as a "WAKE UP, IT'S MY BIRTHDAY TODAY !" Was the first thing I heard the next morning before feeling myself getting shaked "Come on, Mike. Wake up. It's my special day so you have to do as I say !"
I opened my eyes to see two red pupils staring at me. When I looked at the window, I noticed the sun hasn't gone past the horizon.
"Vanessa, go back to sleep. It's not even dawn yet !" Ayumi said with a sleepy voice. I guess I wasn't the only one that got woken up by the little purple haired demon.
"No. It's my day today. I am going to do what I want !" Vanessa replied "I want to enjoy it as much as I can !"
With that being said, she left our bedroom. I yawned and sat on the bed. I turned to Ayumi and saw that she managed to get back to sleep, unlike me. After waking up with a start like this, there was no way I could fall asleep again. I got up on my feet and exited the room. Inside of the hallway, I stumbled upon Ari who was walking like a corpse, dark rings under her eyes.
"Are you alright, Ari ?" I asked her.
She yawned loudly before answering me :
"No...Vanessa prevented me from sleeping more than a few hours. She was too excited by today !"
"I see..."
We both walked downstairs and arrived into the kitchen. As expected, Ari and I were the only ones awake, apart from Vanessa of course which was probably busy waking up someone else or searching her gift everywhere into the house. We prepared ourselves some nice breakfast before we saw Cupa and Andr walking down the stairs. While the endergirl was yawning, the creeper gril next to her waved at us happily.
"Hey Mickael, hey Ari !"
"Morning..." was all the purple haired girl could say.
"Hi Cupa !" I greeted her.
"Today is going to be super fun !" She replied happily as she rejoined Ari and I at the table.
A few moments later, and probably thanks to Vanessa's enthousiasm, everyone was awake and rejoined us downstairs to have a nice meal before working on the preparation for the birthday party.
Sunset, Home, Mickael POV
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY VANESSA !" We all said in unison.
We spent the entire afternoon preparing eveything needed for the birthday, The cake was done, the food and drinks were ready and no gifts were left unwrapped. Vanessa was staring at them with eyes full of excitation. I guess she didn't have that number of gifts on her birthday. There were at least ten gift laying around the table we placed outside for the occasion.
"Are these all for me ?" She asked as she went to pick up one before her hand was smacked away by Ayumi.
"Yes but no touching !" She scolded the little girl "Wait for the guests to arrive before opening them !"
"That's not fair !" The cave spider pouted.
We all waited for the sun to set and for the first guests to arrive before we could really start the party. We heard the portal opening and the first guests arrived. It was Blazette, she was accompanied by Charloette and an old man with long white hair and a white beard.
"Hey, isn't it the 'hot stuff' right there ?" Blazette waved at me "Hi everyone !"
"Hi, Blazette, glad you could come, you too Charloette !" I smiled before I turned towards the old man "And you are...?"
"This ghast is my father !" Charloette answered my question "He wanted to see what my friends from the overworld looked like !"
"Call me Gug !" The old man replied "That's how all the younglings call me nowaday. I heard it's the diminutive of Great Uncle Ghast. Pleasure to meet you !" Then, he handed his hand towards me.
"Pleasure to meet you two sir...I mean...Gug !" I said as I shaked his hand before facing Charloette "Isn't Menos with you ?"
"No, he couldn't come, unfortunatly !" She answered, looking at the ground.
Then she searched into her dress and pulled out a small gift.
"That's for Vanessa !" She smiled as she handed me the present.
"Put it with the other !" I said as I pointed towards the table in the back.
She followed my instructions and walked towards the table, followed by her father and Blazette. Meanwhile, I saw Ayumi greet Jade and Krystal. Wondering why Gaea wasn't with them, I rejoined the group.
"Good evening Mickael !" Jade spoke up as she saw me walking towards her.
"Good evening Jade. Where is Gaea, I thought Ayumi told me you three would be coming together !"
"Don't worry Mickael !" Ayumi smiled "From what I understood, she will come later. She is actually searching for someone to babysit her son !"
I nodded and we led them towards the group. After doing some simple presentation between everyone. I noticed Jade and Krystal were staring at Yaebi with a strange look on their face...almost like they already knew him from somewhere. Pushing that thought aside, I gave Cupa the signal.
Nodding, she climbed on the roof of the house and stared at everyone below.
"Boys and girls..." She began "Today, you are gathered here to celebrate the birthday of a little cave spider : Vanessa. She is turning 15 years old today and, without further ado...LET'S GET THIS PARTY STARTED !"
Out of nowhere, she placed a jukebox on the roof and put a vinyl disc on it. Seconds later, a music could be heard coming from the top of the house. It was relaxing, yet energetic. Cupa jumped from the roof and was catched by Hayden. I walked towards Ayumi as everyone began to have fun.
"With a sight like this, you could forget everything that's happening outside of this forest : Slavery, murder, wars..." Ayumi spoke up.
"You are right !" I replied.
Suddenly, I felt someone pocking my shoulder from behind. I turned around and saw Vanessa looking at me with puppy dogs eyes.
"Mike, now that everyone is here...Can I..." She didn't finish her sentence and, instead, pointed at the wrapped gift still laying on the table.
I chuckled and turned towards Ayumi who simply sighed before nodding.
"Yay !" Vanessa jumped happily before running towards her presents.
That didn't go unnoticed by Cupa who spoke up to gain everyone's attention.
"Listen up, everyone. lil' miss Vanessa is going to open up her gifts !"
Everybody faced the little cave spider girl in front of the table. Ari's sister chose one of the gift from the pile. The present was wrapped with a red tissu and a yellow ribbon going all around it. It was looking like the letter 'T' and judging by the giggle coming from Cupa, I already knew what it was going to be.
"W-What ?" Vanessa finally unwrapped the present to reveal a broom.
"Ayumi told us you were never helping with the cleaning, so, here you go !" Hayden replied.
Vanessa glared at Ayumi who just giggled at her reaction. It was clear to all she was a little upset by this gift...I mean, anybody who would receive that kind of gift would surely be upset. She looked at the ground before a laugh was heard by the creeper girl next to me.
"Don't worry, it's really a gift. It was just a joke !" She managed to say between some laugh. Hayden picked up another gift from his bag before presenting it to the cave spider girl.
"Here you go !" He continued "That's your real gift !"
Vanessa unwrapped the gift and found herself in front of a box full of delicious looking cookies.
"Thank you !" She spoke up after a few seconds.
She placed the box on the table and went to another gift. One by one she unwrapped them all : She was kind of curious about the eye of ender but said thanks noneless. When it was the turn of the chocolate cake, we even had to take it away to prevent her for eating it right away. Charloette's gift turned out to be a small bracelet made of quartz, a mineral exclusive to the Nether realm. It even had her name engraved on it. Finally, after some time, it was the turn of Ari and I's gift. It had been wrapped by Ari during the preparation with a nice golden colored tissue. The only problem is that it seemed pretty big for what was inside.
"This one is from Mickael, Krystal and I !" Ari spoke up making Vanessa snicker.
"Come on Mike, don't tell me you had to seek my sister's help to be able to find a good gift !" She teased
I rolled my eyes and chuckled.
"Shut up and open it !" I replied.
Doing as she was told, Vanessa completely destroyed the tissue covering the gift only to find...another box covering the pendant inside. Vanessa raised an eyebrow before facing her sister who burst out into a laugh.
"I expected you would do something like that Ari !" Vanessa spoke up "You were always doing that when we were little !"
"I know, but it always works !" Ari responded.
Wanting to know what was inside as soon as possible, Vanessa turned towards her gift and unwrapped the second layer of tissue. She pulled out a small wooden box and opened it. Suddenly, we all heard some muffled cries coming from her.
"Is-Is she alright ?" Andr asked with a concerned look on her face.
"Yes, don't worry !" Ayumi replied as she smiled with her eyes closed.
While Ari, Ayumi and I knew what she just saw, the other couldn't understand why she was whimpering. That is, until they saw Vanessa pulling a golden pendant with a heart in the center from the box. Then she put the jewelry around her neck before getting on her feet and facing Ari and I. She had her eyes closed and a few tears could be seen coming out of her eyes.
"You...You are both idiots !" She said as she wipped the tears with her arms. Then she runned towards us and pulled her sister and I into a tight hug "T-Thank you !"
Ari said nothing and simply wrapped one arm around her sister and used the other to gently stroke Vanessa's hair. After a few moments, Vanessa parted from the hug and wipped the tears out of her eyes for the second time. She then looked at the pendant and pressed the button on he side of the heart which opened to reveal a blank paper underneath a a glass.
"It-it just like I remember it !" She said with amazement into her voice.
"Thank Krystal !" I said as I pointed at her "She did most of the work !"
"Thank you !" Vanessa waved at Krystal who just smiled in return.
That being done, it was now time for the big cake. Hayden entered into the house and returned with a giant cake filled with cream, fruits and some layers of chocolate. He placed it on the table and rejoined me as I was talking with Charloette and her father while Andr and Cupa were taking care of cutting it into part.
"I want to thank you and your spider for rescuing my daughter from this human king. Without you, there would have been war between our two kingdoms !" Gug spoke up.
"Thank you but we were not alone you know ? We nearly had the whole city to back us up, and a bounty hunter !" I replied.
I picked a drink from the table and began to gulp it down.
"Still, it would have been a shame if my little daughter here wouldn't be able to take the throne as queen of the ghast kingdom !"
My eyes widened and the drink stuck itself into my throat. As a result, I spitted all the content of my mouth into the ground. After taking a breath, I faced the two ghasts in front of me.
"Q-Queen ? So you are a princess then ? Why didn't you say so ? I mean, we kind of figured out we came from nobility but...princess ?" I asked to Charloette. Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw Hayden having kind of the same reaction as me.
It took a moment for the ghast princess to find a good answer.
"I-I didn't want you to treat me differently because I am a princess. There are enough people treating me like that in my castle. I just wanted some new friends !"
"Plausibe..." Hayden simply replied before realizing something "Wait a moment, if you are a princess and that guy is your father...so that means he is the..."
"That's right !" The old man laughed "I am the king of the ghast kingdom !"
Hayden's and I jaw's dropped on the ground. We weren't prepared for it
"However, I must say goodbye to you all. This party was really fun, even for an old ghast like me, but, as a king, my duty comes first !" He said before floating back towards the portal. He waved at Charloette who nodded back.
"Well, that was unexpected !" I said after seeing the old ghast passing through the portal. As for Charloette, she went to pick up a piece of the cake.
Then, Hayden and I took each other another drink from the table to forget about this whole moment of our lives. We turned around and saw everyone having fun. Ayumi was laughing with Ari who had Vanessa on her shoulders. Andr was drinking next to us at the table. As for the others, they were dancing to the music.
"Mickael ? Do you see Cupa anywhere ?" Hayden asked "Because I can't !"
Looking more closely at the people in front of us, I noticed I couldn't see a familiar creeper girl with orange hair.
"No. I don't !" I replied before asking Andr who was next to us "Hey, Andr ?"
"Huh ?" She murmured as she took her eyes of her drink.
"Have you seen Cupa anywhere ?"
"Yes, she just left for a moment, she will come back soon, don't worry !" Andr answered, smiling.
Hayden sighed in relief, knowing that his precious girl didn't just walk away like that.
"You know Hayden !" Andr began "Since you live with us, I don't recall having seen her this happy after her parents...well...died !"
This time, it was Hayden's turn to spit the content of his mouth on the ground.
"Her parents are DEAD ?" He almost screamed "How come she never told us ?"
"Think about it, how many times did she talk about her parents ?"
Both Hayden and I searched into our own memories. I could tell from his expression he didn't have much more clues than I.
"Well the only time she did talk about her parents is when she mentioned you and Cupa were friends since you two were youngs and that your parents met each others when your mother and father got out of the End realm !" I started.
"Correct !" Andr stated "She doesn't really like to talk about her parents. It's an event she doesn't want to remember !"
"What happened ?" Hayden asked.
"It happened four years ago, the creeper kingdom was hit was an unknow desease, killing a lot of creeper. It was so brutal a victim of that illness would die a few hours after the first symptomes. Unfortunatly, both of her parents got it while Cupa was away. They both died on the same day. She couldn't even say goodbye to them. Since that event, she would always pray for them the night they died. That's why she left the party for a moment !"
Hayden's eyes widened by what he just heard from Andr's mouth. He tightened his fists and looked at the ground.
"Andr, where can I find her ?" He asked her making the endergirl smile.
"I knew you would say that...Cupa is very lucky to have you by her side. She went out that way !" She answered as she pointed towards a part of the forest.
Hayden didn't wait for another reply from the endergirl and dashed into the forest, leaving me and Andr alone. I smiled and sighed as I took a piece of the cake.
"I have to say, tonight is full of surprise !" I thought as I took a bite of the food.
Meanwhile, At the party, Yaebi POV
I was dancing to the music to the music with Blazette and Charloette while the other were either eating or drinking. Vanessa was staring at the gift Mickael and Ari gave her as she was eating the chocolate cake I made. I have to say this little girl has quite a big appetite, like her sister actually. That's something that runs into the family. I also noticed the two girls from the village. I think their name were Jade and Krystal. I didn't know what to think about them, they looked like the were smiling at me...or frowning...I don't know. It looked like they were analysing me. I didn't know what they were trying to do but if it was to make me unconfortable, they succeded.
Just as I was about to ask them what was their problem with me, a woman's voice was heard in a nearby bush. A second later, a villager with a brown dress appeared out of it. She had also a boy on her shoulder.
"I am sorry, I am late !" The woman spoke up as Ayumi approached her "I couldn't find a babysitter in time so I had to bring my son with me. I hope it's alright !"
"Of course it is !" Ayumi smiled as the woman made her son got of her shoulder.
I took a good look at her face and it finally clicked. It was the same woman from three weeks ago. I remembered she called me by my name and that I was her husband before my amnesia. When I looked at her son, I noticed he had almost the same green hair as me, only a little more curly. Upon seeing me, he began to stare as he walked towards me. He stopped a meter in front of me and raised a finger in front of me.
"Daddy ?" He spoke up making everyone stop what they were doing to look at us and at Gaea.
That voice...Even though it seemed distant...I was sure I heard it somewhere...into my memories...I remembered that voice. In a fraction of a second, everything was coming back to me into a painful headache. I put a hand on my forehead and I fell on one knee.
"Daddy ?" The boy asked once again, with a worried tone in his voice.
Everything was coming back. I began to remember a village, outside of a forest. I remembered some blurry things, an assault. Fire coming from some houses, children screaming for their parents. Adults running into the streets. Guards fighting some mobs...and me...in the middle screaming something I couldn't remember. I was suddenly hit by a shadow and I fell on the ground, half unconscious. The last thing I saw was myself getting dragged outside of the village before waking up the next morning in front of my former home. The flashes of memories continued, going backward and further in time. The headaches were becoming more powerful and I grunted in pain. Everyone around me was trying to find something to help me.
"YAEBI !" The villager known as Gaea runned towards me before hugging me.
Suddenly, the headaches stopped and in a sudden flashes of memories, I remembered everything...I am Yaebi, the zombie. I was wandering into the forest starving. I was afraid to die. I heard a woman's voice next to me, and calling me a girl. It was at this moment I met Gaea and her friends. They invited me into their village and offered me food, even though I was a zombie. It was like they couldn't see that I was one...or they simply didn't care. One of the two. During the first hours, they kept calling me a girl, of course, me as a boy was kinda a shock to them when they learnt it.
During the first few days, the others villagers were cautious around me. I couldn't blame them though. Mobs were said to attack village for food or ressources. Only Gaea and her friends didn't seem to saw me as a zombie. Eventually Gaea and I fell in love and we even got the permission for us to marry by the chief himself. After all, It has been a few years since Gaea saw me for the first time. Nine month after our marriage, Gaea gave birth to a son : Samuel. Us three were happy with the life we had chosen.
However, one day, the village went under attack by a group of mob. They attacked during the night, while I was getting back home after my work. I tried to help the wounded civilians while the guards were fighting the horde. After making sure the injured were going to be alright, I tried to get back home, only to get hit into the back of the head. Half unconscious, I looked up and saw two mobs staring at me. I guess the only thing that kept them from finishing me off is that I think they believed that I was with them. The last thing I remember was me getting dragged away by the two mobs. Then, I woke up the next day, alone at the entrence of the cave, without any memory of who I was the day before. I only knew one thing : my name.
"G-Gaea ?" I asked as I felt tears dropping on my shoulder. I was also feeling my eyes getting wet.
That caused the villager girl to look at me
"I-I think I remembered...I remember...everything. Me...You...Us !" I said as I was still trying to figure out if these memories were wrong or just fragments of my imagination. A sudden kiss on the lips from my wife quickly dissipated those thought because I also remembered the rasperry taste of those lips.
"I-I am so glad you are back !" Gaea replied as she kissed me another time. We both began to cry as I let my own tears flow down into my cheeks. I was back...After five years of darkness, I finally got my memories back.
"Hey, you two !" I heard Mickael voice speaking to me "If you want a room, just say it !"
I turned towards him and he was looking at me with a grin on his face.
"Fine...you got me !" I thought as I remembered all the time I teased him and Cupa.
As an answer, I just rolled my eyes and hugged Gaea into my arms while my son was hugging my leg, earning a few applauses from my friends. I sighed, knowing I would have to get back to my old life despite the black hole I have been living in during those few years.
Meanwhile, Into the forest, Hayden's POV
I entered into the forest and followed the direction Andr gave me for quite a while now. Still, there was no sign of my creeper girlfriend.
"Come on, Cupa...Where are you ?" I thought as I looked around me.
I was about to go back thinking I went to far until I heard a quiet whimpering coming from behind the bush next to me. I slowly pushed it aside and saw the familiar creeper girl I was looking for. Her knees were brought up to her face and her back was against a tree. In front of them was two crosses made of wooden sticks. I carefully approached her and put my hand on her shoudler.
"H-Hayden ? What are you doing here ?" She asked as he face turned towards me.
"Well, you suddenly disappeared during the party. I was worried so I asked Andr and she told me you runned off this way !" I answered.
"Sorry..." She mumbled before her face returned into its original position.
I sighed and sat next to her. Then, I looked at the two crosses in front of her.
"Andr told me what happened to your parents...I am sorry !" I spoke up after a moment of silence, making her lift her face from her knees
"Don't be. It's not your fault. It's mine. I shouldn't have left them when they needed me more than anything else !" She replied, wipping the tears out of her eyes.
"You could have gotten infected, you know ?" I asked back.
"I know but..." Cupa began before breaking down in tears "I didn't even had the chance to say goodbye. When I came back, they were already dead !"
I opened my arms as a invitation and Cupa took it as she sat on my laps.
"I am sure they are proud of you from the Aether. You grew up beautiful, you have a lot of friend and a lucky human boyfriend that is very happy to have you by his side !" I said, looking into her golden eyes and playing with her hair.
"Sweet talker !" She giggled before placing a peck on my lips.
I placed my hands into my armor's pocket and I touched something hard.
"Listen, I...brought something...for you. It was supposed to be for after the party, but I think it would be a good moment to cheer you up !" I began as I pulled out what I had in my pocket : An orange rocket with a red heart painted on it. She looked at it and her eyes widened.
"Is that..." She tried to ask before I interrupted her
"Well, yes but not really. It's almost the same rocket but I slightly modified it !" I answered
I placed the rocket on the ground and use my lightning power to light the fuse. A few seconds later, the rocket lauched straight into the sky and exploded into the dark night. The bang of the explosion was heard and the particles were forming a yellow heart into the sky.
"It's beautiful..." Cupa spoke up as she looked at the heart shaped figure into the sky. Then she pulled me into a hug and kissed me with passion "Thank you !"
"Don't wor...Whoa !" I said before I felt myself getting pushed on my back. Recovering from the shock, I opened my eyes to see Cupa on my chest, inches above my face.
"P-Please Hayden...I-I need you !" She spoke up with a small voice and a really big blush on her face.
I gulped. That wasn't what I expected would happen when I got here in the first place. But...I loved Cupa and I was going to show her.
Later, In front of the house, Mickael POV
The party was over. The guests went home and we were all trying to clean the mess. Vanessa took all of her gifts and put them into her room. It was going to take a long time to remove all the junk from the floor.
"Ari, pass me all the bottles you can find !" I called her "I am going to store them into our chest !"
"Got it !" She replied.
A second later, I heard a bush move coming from my right. I thought about calling Nightfall until I saw Hayden and Cupa coming out of the bush. Hayden was staring right in front of him with a face red as a freacking redstone block. As for Cupa, she had a really messed up hairstyle and had a big blush on her face.
"Hum, Hayden...Are you...alright ?" I asked him.
"I-I am fine...I'll just...go to sleep. See you tomorrow !" He replied as he walked into his home. Behind me, Cupa was giggling to herself with still that bright blush on her face.
I glanced mutiple time between Cupa and Hayden's house. I was wondering what happened to Hayden to make him act like this. Eventually, I just shrugged and got back to work. There was still a lot of cleaning to do before the sun goes up.
TO BE CONTINUED...Sorry for those who wanted a lemon part. I don't know how to do these and I want my story to keep its T rating. With this chapter, I wanted to make one more laid back and less focused on the plot of 'Saving the entire Minecratian world by an evil god. So as always PM or review to tell me what you think of the story : good or bad. And if you have any suggestion for the story, feel free to contact me. See you next time :D