One Block at a Time

by ButterHunter

When people talk about the meaning of love, they often refer to it as a feeling one can only experience, not explain. Or as an impulse triggered by the mind. But me? Love is something that can never be explained, or contained. Love is something we learn, something we crave, and something we need. It is a journey you take. A journey that can only be taken... One Block at a Time.

36. Trust, Faith, and Promises

Eh heh heh... heh heh... heeeyyyy, readers...

PLEASEDON'TKILLMEOHGOD.

I know I'm really late on this one, I know. And I hate that just as much as you all do. I really wanted to get this chapter out on Christmas, or at the latest New Years, but... things happened.

At least it's out now, right? Please enjoy the new chapter!

Chapter 36: Trust, Faith, and Promises

Cameron POV...

It was a long, uneasy night for me.

Usually I fell asleep with no problems, but this night was not to be one of those.

Sure, I fell asleep somewhat quickly, but that was only small consolation to what awaited me in my dreams.

"Cam… ron…" a voice barely sounded out.

"Vi… Vivianna?" I called out.

"Ye...s. We're… here… what…" Vivianna's voice said.

"What?!" I shouted. "I can't hear you fully!"

I concentrated as hard as I could. Slowly, Vivianna's voice grew clearer.

"Can you hear me now?" she asked.

"K-kinda." I replied. "I'm focusing kinda hard."

"Well, just keep it up for a minute. I need to tell you something." Vivianna spoke rapidly. "We just felt another pull. We're getting even lower into your mind."

"That would explain why I have to concentrate so much to hear you…" I murmured.

"I'm afraid there's nothing we can do until this 'pull' wears off." Vivianna admitted. "But given how we just were hit with another, I think there's something, or someone, forcing it to happen. Someone knows you have us in your head. Someone is trying to suppress us."

"..." I was quiet. "Isn't there anything I can do?"

"Well, admittedly, no." Vivianna stated with a sigh. "But that doesn't mean you can't look into this on your own, no?"

"And how do you propose I do that, huh?" I asked sharply. "I'm stuck in this facility until I can find that stupid crown."

"Maybe if you can get up now, you can do a bit of exploring on your own." Vivianna suggested. "And if anyone asks, you can say that Silk or Diana allowed you to. I mean, you must have earned at least SOME respect here, right?"

"Barely." I responded. "But you do have a point."

"I have enough control still to allow you to wake up right now. Once you do, be quiet, but don't be suspicious. And if you see anything that could be used to help you, make sure you memorize it exactly." Vivianna told me. Slowly, I felt my real body waking up, as the dream world started to fade.

"I understand. Thank you, Vivianna." I thanked her. Slowly, the image of the dream world faded away…

And then I opened my eyes in the real world.

First thing I notice: someone's hugging me.

At first, I swear it's Snowy, because that would be something she'd do.

But I realize: Snowy isn't nearly that cold. And… I'm very sure that Snowy doesn't have nearly that much chest.

With a start, I realize that it's Diana. She rolled off her bed and unconsciously grabbed onto me.

After a brief second of panic, I calm myself with some deep breaths. The last thing I want is to wake anyone, especially Snowy, and risk not getting to do some sneaking around.

Diana is softly mumbling in her sleep. I can't make heads or tails of it, but it sounds like she's imagining something peaceful. Perhaps warm thoughts.

As much as I hate to do it, I slowly start wiggling my way out of her arms, as to not wake her.

Unfortunately, her body reacts. Her grip becomes tighter the longer I squirm. By the time I realize that it's pointless, her grip has become one of iron.

"Oh, perfect…" I muttered. "Now what am I gonna do…?"

Slowly, I feel stirring. Then…

"Cam… Cameron?" I hear Diana's voice softly speak up next to my ear.

I look over, and suddenly, we're nose to nose. For a moment, neither of us say anything.

A moment passes, before she blushes hard. Then she looks down slightly to see how tightly her arms are around me, and the blush grows.

"O-oh! I-I'm so sorry!" Diana murmured softly, quickly letting go of me. "I-I… I don't know what to say…"

"It… it's fine, Diana…" I murmur, as to not wake up the other two."Just… you should go back to sleep."

"Y-yeah… right." she agreed, climbing back up onto her bed, rolling up her covers around her again.

"Actually, hey, Diana?" I asked softly.

"Hmm?" she hummed, propping herself up to see me.

"Can you show me to the bathroom?" I asked. Partly to get a general sense of the layout, and partly because I really did have to go.

"Oh! Um, right… follow me…" she muttered, getting out of her bed and waiting by the door.

I quietly followed, glancing back at Snowy one last time. She seemed a bit restless, but she was still sleeping, so that was okay, I guess.

Diana slowly lead me through the halls of the building. I scanned everywhere I could, looking for some indication of an exit or something of the like.

While we walked, I could help but feel that this place seemed far too big to me. There were numerous cell blocks, but every one of them was empty. There were plenty of regular rooms, but most of the doors to them looked like they never had been used.

'Hm… I could maybe take advantage of that…' I thought.

Even when I thought this, it kinda seemed… lonely. Barely anyone was here. To me, it seemed… almost sad.

Finally, we reached where the bathroom was. Diana waited for me while I, erm, did my business and that stuff. Moving on…

Anyway, once I stepped out, I saw Diana looking down at her hands. "Diana?"

She jumped a bit, startled. "Oh! Sorry, I didn't think you were done…" she replied, but… something was wrong with this picture. She… she wasn't looking at me. She was avoiding my gaze, like she was afraid of me.

"Umm, Diana? Is something wrong?" I asked, concerned.

"N-no… nothing's wrong." she countered, blushing.

"Diana." I persisted.

"I swear! Nothing is wrong. I promise!" she insisted.

I almost tried again, until I realized: this was exactly what had happened with her. I refused to give her an inch, and she could only guess at what was bothering me. Now though, those roles were reversed.

I sighed. Diana didn't seem like she wanted to get going yet, so I leaned against the wall next to her.

It was quiet for the longest time.

Until…

"It was six years ago."

Diana looked up at me, surprised. "Wh-what?"

"It was six years ago." I repeated. "Remember that thing that was bothering me before? It happened six years ago."

"..." Diana was quiet, studying my face.

I sighed again. "I really wish I could just forget it now. I lost everything I ever loved that day. I lost everything I ever cherished that day."

I closed my eyes, and slowly slid down the wall, saying softly, "I lost my parents that day."

Diana was so quiet I could practically hear her blinking in shock.

"They… they were so much to me." I mumbled. "My mom… I never knew how much I cared for her. She… she used to tell me stories when I was young, tales of heroes, and far-away lands. Everyday she'd bring me lunch, be it for school or just for roaming the town I lived in. And my dad… he always was so blunt with me. He'd always show me how things were in life. He was the one who first taught me how to shoot a bow, how to fight with a sword."

I pulled out my diamond sword, watching the light reflect off it. "This sword is a vestige of them. My dad's favorite sword, best in the whole town. Everytime I use it, I… I can almost feel them from somewhere, encouraging me. Praising me. Telling me that I will find a way to make life better."

I sighed, and let the sword fall to the ground gently, a light noise ringing down the halls. "But then I lost them. The entire town was in ruins. Whatever houses that still stood were on fire. Smoke hung like a low cloud over everything. But the worst… the worst part was… seeing my d-dead, blood covered parents, on the ground, their t-twisted, broken bodies… just lying there… I…."

I bowed my head down. Tears, very small tears, mind you, were starting to form. But I didn't cry. I already seemed far too vulnerable as is.

"See why I didn't want to tell you now, huh?" I asked with a shaky breath, forehead resting on my knees. "I don't like to talk about them… brings back too many memories."

It was silent for the longest time. Finally, Diana broke the silence. She got down to my level, and slowly stuttered, "I-I… I-I am so… so s-sorry… I… I didn't think-"

"It's not your fault. You had no idea." I said, patting her shoulder.

"S-still… I… I don't know what to say." Diana managed, her arms hooking around my shoulders.

Slowly, she hugs me. It's soft and tender, which almost makes me forget about her coldness. Almost.

I gently hug her back, sighing gently as memories of that fateful night slowly replayed once again.

I don't know how long she hugged me. I don't know who pulled away first. All I know is that when one of us did pull away, I didn't want it to end. And judging by her face, Diana didn't either.

"*sigh*... thank you, Diana." I whispered, staring deep into her gray eyes. "I… I feel a little better now, at least."

"I only wish I could do more… than just words and a cold hug." she got out, looking down.

"It's the thought that counts." I offered. "Now… maybe we should head back. Before we lose sleep."

"Right…" Diana mumbled. Slowly, we got up off the ground and started to head back to the bedroom. But… Diana seemed like she was more focused on me than anything. Hell, she nearly ran into a wall, and didn't so much as even flinch.

Once we got back, I slowly crawled back into the cot I had been given. Diana paused at the foot of her bed.

"Cameron… maybe you should take my bed. It'll be more comfy than that cot." she whispered, kneeling by my cot.

"...huh?" I asked sleepily. Where was this coming from?

"I said you should take my bed for the night." Diana repeated, slowly resting a hand on my shoulder.

"No… no, I'm fine here. You should just go to sleep Diana…" I mumbled.

Diana didn't seem to like that, but she was too tired to argue. Slowly, I heard her move to the other side and get under her covers, slowly mumbling under her breath.

It took me a few more minutes, but I slowly felt myself drifting off…

Until I heard the soft WHUMP noise by my side.

And two arms wrapped around me.

I nearly shouted, but I bit my tongue at the last second. It was only Diana… who fell off her bed in her sleep, hugging me. Again.

My heart was beating out of my chest, but Diana didn't wake up. Somehow she was already asleep, and apparently rolls in her sleep.

Slowly, I relaxed. Diana was just cold. She wanted to warm up in her sleep, so she naturally went to the warmest thing available, AKA me.

Slowly, I wrapped my own arms around her, and felt her sigh in approval. Slowly, I felt myself drifting off once again…

The next morning…

I woke up to gentle snoring in my ear.

I opened my eyes to see Diana, still hugging me in her sleep. Thankfully, I remembered this from last night, so I wasn't nearly as shocked as I could've been.

"Heh…" I laughed lightly, watching her peaceful face. "She looks really relaxed…"

Sadly, I had to wake her, before the others did and saw me like this.

So I gently poked her shoulder a few times. Slowly, she stirred, then her eyes gently opened.

"Morning, lazybones." I greeted, snickering.

"Ugh… you did not just make a skeleton pun to wake me up…" she mumbled, rubbing her eyes.

"I did and I'm proud." I replied cheekily. "Now, can I please sit up?"

Diana looked down and realized she had me in her hug once again. She blushed brightly, but…

"Can… can I stay like this… just a little longer?" she asked timidly.

I became surprised for the briefest of seconds, before deciding to humor her. "Fine. But not for very long, okay? I'm hungry."

Diana looked overjoyed. She restarted her hugging efforts, pulling our bodies as close as they could possibly be. She was still cold, but… I think hugging me all night had some sort of positive effect on her, because she seemed… looser. More relaxed and controlled.

She slowly started whispering things in my ear, but I couldn't make any sense of them. I think she was just whispering sweet nothings, just happy to be near something warm again.

Eventually, she pulled away, seemingly satisfied for now. "Thank you, Cameron… you are a really kind human, you know that?"

I shrugged, and then mumbled, "I may have been told that once or twice…"

"Well, it's true." Diana said, standing up. "Now… let's go get some food, huh?"

We carefully walked out, making sure to not wake Snowy or Silk, who were still fast asleep. We slowly made our way down the hallways of this building.

Diana leads me to a room with a table. She tells me to sit down at the table, and she'll be right back with food.

"You trust me enough to be alone now?" I asked.

"Of course I do." Diana responded, sounding like I was crazy for assuming otherwise. "I always did. You aren't a little kid who needs to be babysat, you're a young adult who can watch over himself just fine. What, you WANT to be babysat?"

"N-no, of course not." I stammered, not expecting that response from her so suddenly. "Just… it's what's been constantly happening."

"Well, I'm not like that." Diana stated. "I've always been the person who's less strict when it comes to rules. You've seen it a hundred times at this point, haven't you?"

I thought about that for a moment. "You do have a point."

"Exactly. Now just relax for a minute, I'll be right back with food." she said one more time, before disappearing through another door off to the side.

Within the next ten minutes, a small assortment of food was on the table. I assumed there was enough to feed everyone once Snowy and Silk woke up, but I quickly was brought back to reality once Diana sat down.

We were quiet as we ate, which felt… off. I think Diana wanted to say something, but she was turning over and over in her head.

I, on the other hand, was still distracted by something. I just remembered my spirit friends, who were still deep within my mind. They said I could still use their powers, but it would be a bit harder…

Slowly, I train my eyes on a small butter dish, away from Diana's line of sight. I began to concentrate on the dish, willing it to rise on a current of air.

It shook slightly, but nothing happened otherwise.

I tried again, this time concentrating harder. It shook, and slowly rose, but fell back to the table just as fast.

Groaning internally, I tried one last time. 'Come on, Aira… don't fail me now…' I pleaded, concentrating as hard as I possibly could.

The dish floated upwards, and stayed there. I did it.

'Okay… that still works.' I thought, letting the dish back down to the table.

"Cameron? Are you okay?" Diana asked me, looking at me strangely. "You've been staring into space for nearly two minutes now."

"O-oh, right, sorry." I apologize, swearing internally for forgetting Diana was still right there. "I was just… thinking."

"Let me guess…" Diana asked softly. "About… home?"

My thoughts instantly shifted over to Susie and Andr.

"Y… yeah…" I managed, looking down at the ground. "Dear Notch, they've probably lost so much sleep worrying about me and Snowy…"

Then, an idea struck me. "Hey… you wouldn't happen to have any paper, feathers, and an ink sac, would you?" I asked.

"What are you…" Diana started to ask, before realizing what I wanted to do. "You… you want to write to them, don't you?"

I nodded. "I need to tell them that we are okay. They think I could be dead for all I know. Please, just do me this one thing."

Diana seemed to be wrestling with it for a moment, but then she looked at my face. I could see into her gray eyes that she really did want to let me, but was worried about… something. What that was was beyond me. But I also saw… she was remembering what I told her when we were at the bathroom.

How I lost everything that day. Now I was asking her to contact the one set of people I considered friends and family.

Finally, she sighed. "Oh… okay, I'll let you, but just this once." she said, with difficulty. "I'll find a spider that'll deliver it. Just… wait there for a minute."

Slowly, she left the room, and came back a few minutes later with few pieces of paper, a feather pen, and an inkwell. "Here. I'll be back in a few once I find someone to take it, okay? Write quickly."

With that she left, leaving me to think about what I should write.

I knew erasing something was a pain, so I had to be careful with what I said. Slowly, I filled the page with what I hoped would reassure Susie and Andr.

I finished my letter and wrapped it into a scroll with a piece of string I found in my bag, and not a moment too soon. Diana walks in, with her a rather disgruntled looking spider, who looked like it just woke up.

"Here. This is Cameron, the one I told you about." Diana spoke to the spider. "Cameron, this is one of our fastest spider mercenaries. He'll get your letter over to your friends. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if he gets it there before lunch."

The spider chattered in its native tongue. "Err, right. Cameron, where's the letter?" Diana asked.

I held out my letter to my friends, and the spider took it with one of its hairy legs. I suddenly had a slight chill run down my spine.

"Please make sure it get's there." I pleaded with the spider. "My friends need to read it."

The spider chattered again, and even if I couldn't tell exactly what it said, I'm faintly sure it said something along the lines of, "Yeah, yeah. I got it."

With that, the spider scuttled out the room much faster than I was expecting. "Huh. You weren't kidding when you said it was fast."

"You should be happy he agreed." Diana said lightly. "I had to pull him away from the other half of his breakfast just to get him to listen."

It was quiet for the briefest of moments, before I stood up and hugged Diana into my arms. "Thank you, Diana. This means a lot to me. It really does."

"D-don't mention it." Diana stammered, taken off guard by my sudden hug.

"I really do mean it." I repeated, hugging her a little closer to my body as thanks.

Slowly, she pulled away after a while, though I think she wanted to keep hugging me. "N-now… back to food." she got out, sitting down at the table.

This time, though, she sat down next to where I was sitting. But I didn't question it. I simply sat down and continued to eat.

All the while hearing her slowly scoot closer and closer to me.

…

A few hours later…

Back at the house…

Susie POV…

"*sigh*... Cameron…"

I was sighing with my head in my hands. The tears had stopped long ago, but I still wanted to cry. Cameron and Snowy were gone. I had no idea if they were really gone, or what.

Fear was taking over again. I was afraid that I lost Cameron forever.

'N-no… Cameron's not dead.' I told myself again. 'He's a tough guy. He'll find a way back home, I'm sure of it…'

But those words weren't as effective at calming me down as they were before. I was afraid for my love's safety. I had no idea where they were, I…

I…

"Hey, hey… calm down."

Andr was here again. We were both sitting by the fire, thinking about those two. Now she was once again comforting me.

"I know they're still out there." she told me, rubbing my back. "They'll come back. I know it."

"But… what if they don't?" I asked.

"No no… don't think like that." Andr told me gently. "They're still alive. I know it."

"But… how do we know for sure? What if they aren't?" I asked, not for the first time.

The kidnapping of Cameron and Snowy hit us both hard, but I think it hit me harder, maybe because I knew both of them the most. I was trying to stay strong for them, but…

"I… I don't know if I can keep living like this." I admitted, my body shaking with fear. "I… I'm afraid that they've… they've…"

"Hey hey, calm down…" Andr said to me, slowly pulling me deeper into her hug. "I can't say why, but I just feel it. They're still out there. They will come back."

"I… I don't know what to think anymore." I said, my voice empty.

And suddenly, a knock came on the door.

We looked over at the door at the sudden knock. Whoever was out there knocked once more, then apparently gave up.

I slowly got up and opened the door a crack. Whoever was there was long gone, but they had left something on the doorstep.

A note, wrapped up into a little scroll.

Curious, I picked it up and brought it in. Andr saw what I was holding. "A letter?"

"I… never get letters." I murmured, pulling off the string and unfurling the note.

I didn't even need to read the first two words before something clicked in my mind. "This… this is Cameron's handwriting…!"

"What?!" Andr yelled. "Read it!"

"Okay, okay…" I started to read.

"'Dear Susie and Andr,'

'I hope you both are doing okay. If you haven't figured out by now, it's me. Cameron. I'm fine.'

'Snowy's fine too, she's asleep as I'm writing this. So she's probably up by the time you get it.'

'I've been taken by some sort of skeleton-spider faction, called the 'S&S Corps.' Really original naming, if you ask me.'

'The reason they took me is because they need a human to do a certain job for them. Honestly, a simple knock on the door would've been fine, but nope, gotta resort to kidnapping.'

'I don't want to say too much in case someone reads this before they get it to you, but they want me to get a crown of some kind from an old skeleton king. As soon as that's over with, they say they'll let Snowy and me go without incident.'

'I want to believe them, I really do, but I don't know if they mean it. You know me, I have a hard time trusting others who don't start of very well with me, with Andr being the exception.'

'They've been feeding us every day and giving us a place to sleep, so they definitely don't want us dead, but they've been monitoring us quite a lot, so we aren't free either.'

'I had to write to you guys over there. I needed to show you that I'm not dead. Andr, Susie, please… we will be back soon. I promise… no, forget that. I swear on my life, one way or another, I will find my way home to you.'

'I miss you both so much. Snowy does too.'

'We really want to go home. And we will, or may Notch strike me down.'

'I miss you both so much. Stay strong for us.'

'I love you both.'

'Signed, Cameron.'" I wrapped up, my hands shaking a little bit.

Andr and I were quiet for the longest time. I kept rereading the letter, scanning it over and over, repeating the same thing in my mind.

'Cameron is still alive.'

"Susie…" Andr barely whispered.

"Cameron… he's…" I said in the same whisper. "He's okay…"

"I told you." Andr said, her voice just barely breaking at the end. "I said that he was okay."

"He's… he's okay…!" I started tearing up. "He's… he's really okay!"

The difference in my attitude now was like night and day. I… I felt hope again. Cameron… he was alive! He really was okay!

"We… we have to find him…!" I got out, almost letting tears fall. "We… we have to get to him…! We-"

"Woahwoahwoah! Susie, calm down!" Andr interrupted, holding me by the shoulders. "What are you saying? We can't help if we don't know where to even begin looking for him. Not to mention, what would we even do if we found him?"

I thought about that, my mood slightly going down. "O-oh… right…"

"We just have to wait a little longer." Andr said, now looking more determined than ever. "Hopefully whatever that job is that Cameron has to do, it will be over soon and he can come back home."

"Yeah…" I agreed, standing up. "I'll be right back…"

I slowly made my way over to the bathroom. I leaned on the sink counter in front of the small mirror, looking into my eyes.

"Cameron… I hope you come home soon." I said gently. "I want you to come home so badly… please come back to me."

I slowly imagined Cameron looking at me through the mirror. I kept gently repeating, "Cameron… please come home…"

Meanwhile, back at the S&S Corps HQ…

Cameron POV…

"*sigh*..."

I slowly felt myself relaxing. I'm not exactly sure why. Maybe because I was reading a book that I hadn't read before for once. Maybe it was because there was a calm, crackling fire in front of me. Maybe it was Snowy, curled up next to me, reading alongside me.

We were in a living room of sorts, with a fireplace and a bookshelf and all that. The lack of chairs was slightly annoying, but in the end it didn't matter.

I finished reading the first half of the book right when I heard a door opening behind me. "Come on you two." came Silk's voice. "We have info."

I shut the book and stood up, Snowy right there with me. "Come on Snowy. Let's see what they got this time." I told her, stretching.

Snowy nodded, and followed me as we walked out the door. I couldn't help but noticed how… lax Silk and Diana were becoming. Either they really did trust us, or maybe they just didn't want to think of themselves as a nanny or something. I swear, they would be fine just letting us roam the halls without their presence any second.

Anyway, we finally arrived back at the main briefing room, as I'd grown used to calling it. Diana was already here, looking both concerned and determined, which was a very odd mix indeed.

"Ah. Cameron, Snowy. Sit, sit." Diana said offhandedly. I knew instantly something was bothering her.

Once we sat down, Silk started talking. "So, to keep this simple, our recon team that we sent out went out to the same spot where we think the crown is. And they swear one hundred percent that the crown is there."

"Unfortunately…" Diana slowly piped up, rolling a crushed ball of paper in her hand. "They were caught, and barely escaped. But they lost the original drawing in the process, so they had to make this one on the fly.

Diana slowly uncrumpled the paper, letting me and Snowy see it. Again, the drawing was rather poor, and it was hard to make anything detailed out.

Snowy slowly looked up. "I… I still don't think this is enough to just go all out on a raid mission to find it."

"I WISH we could do a raid." Silk replied earnestly. "That'd be WAY more fun. But, unfortunately, we'd most likely get caught, and even if we didn't security would most likely be increased."

"Hmmm… there's gotta be a better-" I started to say, before an idea struck me like a horse kicking me in the face. "I got it!"

I grabbed my bag and poured out my stuff, sorting through it all. "Book, book, bucket, wood, iron, sticks, don't touch that, book…" I said, glancing over at Diana about to grab some loose papers.

Finally, under a small amount of sticks, I found my repaired camera. "If you can afford another day for recon, this will do the trick." I told the two, shoving my stuff back into my bag.

Diana and Silk looked confused. "Ummm… how is a box going to help us?" Silk asked honestly.

"You two haven't heard of a camera before?" I asked, picking up the small device. "You twist this part, you hold it up to your eye and look here… and then push this button and-"

SNAP!

"OW!" Silk yelled, covering her eyes as the flash hit. "What the hell was that?!"

"Ow…" Diana moaned, blinking spots out of her eyes. "A little warning would've been nice.

"Sorry." I replied. Slowly, a picture came out the bottom of it. I waved it a few times, and the image came through clearly. "See? Perfect quality." I said, holding it out to them.

They looked amazed at the picture of them that I just took. "That's… that's amazing!" Diana exclaimed.

"You humans really do come up with the neatest stuff." Silk mused, looking into the photo. "How's that even work?"

"Something with lighting and mirrors and stuff like that, I think?" I responded. "I think it's still got enough film for a few more shots. Get your recon crew to use this, and you'll get a clear image. Just make sure they hold it still when the picture is taken, or else it'll be blurry."

Silk looked honestly impressed with me. "I'll be damned. You actually did something impressive today. It's a first."

"Master ALWAYS comes up with the best plans." Snowy told her happily, her tail wagging back and forth.

"Well, you might want to come with me, then." Silk told me. "You're gonna have to teach the recon team how to work that thing."

"Me?" I asked.

"Yeah you. You're the only one here who has even a slight knowledge of operating that thing." Silk explained.

"Eh, fair point." I agreed. "Hopefully they can hold the thing."

Snowy could already guess what that meant. "I guess I can't go along?"

"Not this time." Silk lightly agreed. "Sorry."

Snowy sighed. "It's fine. I'm used to it at this point…"

I glanced up at Diana. While still looking slightly afraid of Snowy, she nevertheless steeled herself and told me, "I'll make sure she'll be fine. Don't worry."

I looked at Snowy. Despite being sad about being separate from me again, she also steeled herself and stood up to face me. "I'll be fine, Master. You go ahead."

I sighed dejectedly. Here we were, about to be separated again. Even if it was only for a short time, I could still feel sadness about being away from Snowy starting to build.

To ease my nerves, and maybe her's too, I gently pulled her into a short hug, rubbing her head as well. She lightly moaned in approval.

Once I pulled away, I turned to Silk and said, "Okay, let's go."

Snowy POV…

And thus, Master left me. Again.

Okay, I knew it was for a good reason this time, but still, I hate being away from Master. It's just… a feeling in my chest. If Master isn't there, then that feeling becomes almost impossible to ignore.

Anyway, I slowly laid my head on the table, remembering the feeling of Master petting my head. I sometimes wonder, why that spot? Why is that spot so… appealing to be pet? I mean, besides that fact that I'm half wolf.

As I'm think, I hear Diana stand up and walk around the table, sitting back down on the chair next to me. I hear her sigh as well.

I look up to see Diana lost in thought. Her eyes were closed, her chin resting on her hand.

"Something on your mind?" I asked, hoping to start some conversation. Helps sate the boredom.

"Oh… just… thinking." Diana murmured, resting her head on the table. "I really hope this all works out in the end. For your sakes, and ours."

"Master doesn't seem all that convinced that the crown even exists…" I muttered.

"He'll see. Once we get the training done on that camera of his, we can send the recon team out one last time and then get definitive proof of the crown."

Slowly, I sat up. "Hey… can you give me some background on that crown in the first place? I'd hate to run up there just to have it be worthless."

"Believe me, it's not worthless." Diana told me, sitting up herself. "If it was, then the king who used it last would never had been in such a reign over skeleton and spider kind."

"Yeah…" I murmured, looking down at my feet.

"What?" Diana asked.

"It's… it's just…" I started, trying to tie the knot down on my thoughts. "I'm… not sure if that would be the best thing. I've read some of Master's history books, and… there's something I've learned in them. Something that stays true no matter the time, place, or situation."

"What's that?" Diana asked, curious.

"It's that history tends to repeat itself." I said. "No matter what happens, no matter how strong you may be, history will generally repeat itself. If… if someone puts on that crown… who's to say it won't be stolen, or that new king will be killed again?"

Diana was quiet for a count of five.

"S-sorry. Did I get into a touchy subject again?" I apologized.

"No, it's not that." Diana replied slowly. "It's just… I've heard similar things all the time. We know the dangers. I don't want to be… reminded of things that can happen again."

I was quiet for a few seconds. I wasn't sure what to say.

"History may repeat itself…" Diana mumbled, glancing over to me. "But that doesn't mean we can't try to change it."

We were quiet for a few moments. I wasn't sure what to say.

"I'm… I'm sorry." I repeated.

"Don't be. Thank you for being concerned." Diana told me, sitting up and facing me.

We simply watched each other for a few moments, until I remembered what happened last night. Blush started to cover my cheeks, and I looked away from Diana, too embarrassed to face her.

Diana started to ask something, then stopped. I guess she realized what I was thinking about. She seemed embarrassed to look too.

We didn't say anything for awhile. Finally, I found just enough courage to ask, "Um… can… can we… pretend… you never saw what happened yesterday?"

"I…" Diana started. Her cheeks were tindged with red. "So… that's why… he cares so much about you, huh?"

"Y… yes." I responded, feeling like I was in a massive spotlight. "We… we like each other… very much."

"I… see." Diana said. But… I sensed more than just an embarrassed tone.

Was… was there disappointment in there as well?

Slowly, I started to think about that. Why… why would she sound disappointed?

But before I could get any solid conclusions out of the way, I heard Diana moving again. She stood up, and leaned against the wall. She seemed deep in thought about something.

"I… I've been… thinking…" Diana slowly said, sounding both nervous and intrigued. "Re… remember how I said before that I… I was scared of the sun? I'm afraid that I'll burn like other skeletons?"

"Y-yes…?" I responded, nervous that she would start getting upset about that again.

"W-well… I… I want… I want you and… you and Cameron to… to help me." Diana slowly said.

I blinked. "Huh?"

"I… I'm going to wait until just before sunrise. Then, I'll wake you and him up, and… go outside. We'll… we'll see if I… I can stand it." Diana got out. "Will… will you do it?"

I was quiet. "What… what if you do start to get hurt?"

"There's… there's trees nearby where I want to look, so… if it comes to that, I can… duck under." Diana responded, growing more nervous by the second.

I hesitated. Diana must have been thinking worst case scenarios in her head while I thought, because she suddenly bowed her head. "Y-you know what, never mind. I'd rather not risk it. I… I'll be fine-"

I stood up and stood in front of her, shaking my head rapidly. "Nonono! You should at least try!"

Diana seemed taken back by my sudden outburst. "B-but… if I b-burn up…"

"We'll bring a water bucket or something!" I offered. "Surely this place has iron sitting around somewhere, right? The instant we see fire, we'd put you out."

I pleaded her with my eyes. It wasn't healthy for her to be afraid of the sun. The sunrise and sunset were the most beautiful parts of the day. She deserved to see them without fear.

Diana started to shake a little bit. "I… I don't… I can't…"

"No, you can!" I denied, tackling into her. I nearly knocked her down, but I didn't care. "You… you have to face your fears. I mean… do you really want to spend the rest of your life never knowing what the day is like?"

Diana was still beyond nervous, both of my sudden attack and facing her fears. "B-bu-but…!"

"I… I want you to see the sunrise. I want you to experience it. I want you to feel the warmth of the sunlight on your skin…"

The moment the word 'warmth' escaped my lips, I noticed Diana visibly shiver. The idea seemed more appealing now, I could see it in her eyes.

"Th… the sunrise is warm…?" Diana asked. I could swear there were tiny stars in her eyes.

"Yeah." I responded, looking deep into her eyes. "It just leaves you with a… a gentle, warm feeling in your body. There's, well… not really anything that compare to it."

Diana shook, and resisted a little bit, but her defense ultimately cracked. "O… okay. I… I'll do it. Next sunrise."

"That's the spirit!" I agreed happily. "We'll tell Master as soon as he gets back!"

"Someone ring for me?" came Master's voice.

I quickly pulled away from hugging Diana and whipped around. Right there was Master, shouldering his bag. Silk wasn't near him though.

"Well, that was quick." I commented.

"Where's-" Diana started to ask.

"She lead me here, and said that she had to go check on someone or something. No idea." Master answered, looking back to me. "You rang?"

"Ummm…" Diana started. She quickly let go off me and slowly explained what she had planned, with some support from me.

"Wait, so you want to go outside tomorrow and see if you can stand it?" Master asked, curiously tilting his head.

"Y… yes…" Diana murmured. She seemed excited, nervous, and embarrassed all at the same time.

Master was quiet for a few moments, before shuffling through his bag. "Well… I do have a bucket for water, so… that might help."

Diana had stars in her eyes. "Wait… you really will help? You're not joking?"

"Why wouldn't I?" came Master's reply.

Diana had stars in her eyes. She looked back at me. "I-I… I don't… don't know what to say…"

I glanced over at Master, smiling. "Diana's so happy, isn't she?" I asked.

"I think she more surprised that we'd actually do this with her." Master said, walking over to me and Diana.

Diana was still standing in place, so happy she was frozen in place. "Th… thank you… thank you both. So much."

"It's no trouble." I responded politely.

"I… I'm still really nervous though…" Diana admitted.

"It's not that big of a deal, Diana." Master reassured, patting Diana's shoulder. "It's just standing outside, after all."

"W-well, yeah, but…" Diana stammered, glancing around at nothing in particular. "It's something I've feared my whole life. I… I'm really scared… and anxious… and a little itchy…?"

Master and I both snickered at that last one. "Come on, don't be itchy." I gently teased. "It's just standing outside. Either way, you'll feel better knowing you at least tried, right?"

"I… I guess…" Diana hesitantly agreed.

Master wandered over to one of the chairs near the table and took a seat, sighing a little bit. "Welp, guess all we can do now is wait, huh?"

"Yeah… seems like it." Diana agreed, sitting next to him. I sat down on the other side of Master.

And so… we waited.

Aaaaand there we go.

Okay, so, I know this was long overdue, and it was shorter than normal. I get that.

But I still think that I managed to get what I wanted to say in this chapter, and not to mention this chapter has been with me for so long, I'm burned out from it. Hopefully a new chapter will recharge me.

Again, sorry about the long delay on chapters. I orginally planned to have this chapter out on Christmas, or at the very latest New Years Eve/Day.

Either way, Merry Belated Christmas (Or whatever you may or may not celebrate.) and Happy Belated New Year! 2017! Yeah!

As always, if you guys ever want to play Minecraft with me, PM me with your in-game username, what server, and when. And please, don't ever forget about my Minecraft Survival server! I could do well with some more company… please, I wantz more friendz. (XD I'm just messing around with that last bit, but please, do ask if you can join if you want.)

Until next time, my fellow readers/authors/reviews, stay awesome. =D