A/N: Hey, Ender here. I would like to thank Hell Prince Abaddon for reviewing this week. On with the chapter!
Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Minecraft
Shadow's POV
"What are you doing Herobrine?" I sighed, feeling his sudden surprise and alarm fill the link between us. What kind of thing could he have found that was able to shake him like that. Uneasily I reached out to him, glancing over my shoulder towards the room where I had left Steve to recover. I knew I should be more concerned with what was happening to Notch, and now it seemed, Herobrine, but the way Steve had tried to run off earlier, how he had acted as if he thought he was not wanted, well it worried me. I didn't want to leave him alone right now. After Shatter or one of the others showed up, I would be able to go and assist them. Anyway, they were old enough to take care of themselves now... right?
*Keep telling yourself that,* said Illusion *Maybe you'll believe it then.*
"I know, I know." I murmured, pacing the length of the room uneasily and glancing towards Steve's room again.
*Just check on him. If he's asleep, he should be fine for a while without you. After all, he does have that protection rune on him.*
"That's what I'm afraid of actually." I confessed "What if the one who gave it to him is not on our side. They could have reasons for wanting to keep him unharmed even if they are against us."
*I don't know what to tell you.* sighed Illusion *This is ultimately up to you after all.*
"I know." I sighed, head drooping "That's what bothers me."
*Well, either way you should probably check on him.* pointed out Illusion *If only to make sure he doesn't have any lasting effects from the cold.* Reluctantly I nodded, abandoning my pacing to walk into the room where Steve lay. My eyes widened and hands flew to cover my mouth as I beheld the room, stifling a cry of dismay. The blankets had been thrown off of my bed, creating a plush trail to a door partially concealed by a banner, though it was jammed partially opened by a blanket.
*Y'know, I completely forgot that was there.* said Illusion *Hmm, well at least we know for next time.*
"Well that sorts out what I'm going to do then." I sighed, running a hand through my hair.
Mirexal's POV
"Ugh, are we sure there is no more water?" groaned Rayko, trudging slightly behind everyone else. We had had to give up on flying after several large sand storms had nearly thrown us into the ground, no doubt an attempt by Israphel to slow us down. And it had most certainly worked, reducing our travel to a crawl that I doubted the others could keep up for much longer. They were used to much cooler climates, since the Void, End and even the Overworld were cool compared to the blistering heat of the Chaos desert. I was somewhat used to this kind of heat, one of the realms I had taken refuge in during my exile being comprised exclusively of enormous deserts, constantly shifting.
"No Rayko, there is no more water." spat Ender, looking over her shoulder to glare at the red-winged lord "You know that already, since this is like the fifth time you've asked." Sighing, I looked away from them, knowing that their irritated squabble would continue for some time. Spreading my wings and curling them forwards over my shoulders, I walked over to where the Crafters were, allowing the patch of shade they formed to cover them. The younger lord had collapsed earlier, exhausted from the heat and constant traveling, so the older one had taken it upon himself to carry him, rejecting offered help.
Looking around in surprise at the sudden dimming of the world, Verigan saw me standing behind them. A small smile crossed his lips, however the expression did not reach his eyes.
"What's wrong." I asked softly, my step slowing slightly.
"It's nothing really." he sighed, shifting Karpath slightly to maintain balance in the increasingly rocky terrain. We were approaching an area filled with many cliffs and ravines, the perfect area for Israphel to loose anyone who might be following him or to set up an ambush.
"tell me anyway." I said, blinking dust raised by a light breeze from my eyes. If the wind grew any stronger, we would have to stop and find shelter, otherwise the inevitable sand storm would rip us to shreds against the rocks.
"It's just that if we are this tired and injured now, how are we ever going to take out Israphel if we can even find him. I don't know about you, but right now I could barely lift a blade to defend myself, let alone attack a powerful mage."
"I see your point." I sighed "Not stopping to rest may save us time and let us catch up with Israphel, but it will hurt us in the end. I'll talk to Ender, see what I can get her to agree to." The younger lord may have been reckless at times, but surely her commitment to this would allow her to see that without rest, we were doomed to fail. And if not, well I could always try to convince Mist instead.
"Thank you." said Verigan, looking away. Knowing that he wished to be left alone I turned away, folding my wings in an attempt to keep the gusts of wind from throwing me off balance.
"Ender, I need to talk to you." I said, drawing close enough to the other lord that we could speak without shouting.
"About what?" she sighed, holding a hand up to her forehead to shield her eyes from the sun's blinding rays as she surveyed the landscape, searching for any sign of our quarry.
"Ender, you know we can't just keep going like this." I sighed, arms flying out to either side as I tripped on some hidden obstacle and struggled to remain upright. "We have to rest, or pretty soon everyone is going to end up like Karpath."
"Don't you think I've thought of that?" she snapped, tail lashing from side to side in irritation. "Look." she said, putting her head in her hands in an attempt to calm herself. "I know you all are tired and thirst. I am too. But I also know that if we stop, it will be permanently. Rest may be one thing, but I can't just magic up water from nothing, at least not in this state. I was hoping that we would find something by now, since even as a lord of sand Israphel still had to drink something. And if we don't keep going, well then we might as well just end everything, since the lack of water will get to us before anything else."
"I guess you're right." I murmured, surveying the desert ahead of us. Something was bothering me, a stray memory that I could not quite put my finger on that told me there was something more that could be done here.
I smacked my forehead as it suddenly came to me, the sight of yet another fleshy green plant finally reminding me of the lesson I had learned in survival in another realm.
"You get the others to shelter, I'll be back as soon as I can." I called over my shoulder, already dashing down the sand dune.
"Where are you going?" Ender called after me, picking up on my change in tone.
"Hopefully to get something to drink." I yelled, wing flicking open to slow my barely controlled decent of the sand hill. "I'll be back quick as I can."
I turned my attention back to the desert plains we had trucked through, intent on prying and life sustaining liquid that it might contain away from it. And hopefully, I could do it before the sand storm got to me.
Israphel's POV
Running. That was all my world had become. The wind of the desert pushed me forwards, seeking to aid me in my flight from my pursuers.
"Can't let them catch me." I panted, wiping sweat from my forehead. Thick bands of sand already wrapped around my injuries, the chaos within it struggling to keep healing going while I was forced to move so rapidly.
My chosen. Called Void, his power looping around me, merging with that of the sand to speed my recovery.
"What is it my lord?" I asked, slowing slightly.
Let the realm scum catch you. he sneered They are nothing. We can stand before them. They are nothing compared to our might.
"If that is what you wish." I said, bowing my head. "Then that is what I shall do. Your word is my command my lord."
That is as it should be. said Void, an extra burst of power flowing through me. Nodding once more in acknowledgment, I situated myself on the top of a low rise, waiting for my enemies to appear.
A/N: I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. Sorry if it was a bit short, but I have two battles planned for the next one and I wanted to make sure this was out before tomorrow. Anyway, now for questions for the characters (and me)!
From Hell Prince Abaddon to me: If Destiny is a Lord of order, does that mean that Lords of Chaos stand a chance at beating her?
Me: In a sense, yes. But Destiny is much stronger than the usual sort of Chaos lord. More should be explained in the next chapter. :)
If you have any questions for the characters, they can be PM'ed to me or left in a review. I hope you have a great day and I shall see you all next chapter. Bye! :D
