By KnotgrassKoala008. Disclaimer I do not own Minecraft or any of the characters in this. I also don't do this for financial gain.
Chapter 2: the starting point
Falling into a massive gap in the earth wasn't as scary as Gavin first thought it was.
Especially when passing out while falling.
It was like falling asleep except the adrenaline and fear of death. He doesn't even remember passing out. Feeling every single emotion jolt through him. The cold wind burning his eyes. Then he was out like a light.
Silence and darkness followed right behind. The blond floating in his own void. Drifting and staring into the distance. Gazing at nothing.
Peaceful. Calm. Unknowing. Empty. Empty. Empty.
Then a flicker of light burst from that darkness. A tiny tear in the void. A small white dot, that Gavin needed to squint to see. Then it started to grow. Increasing in mass until it was the size of the moon. Then as big as the sun itself. It grew and grew until the light burned into his retina's. Glowing brighter and brighter.
Then it covered his whole vision, and everything was white.
It takes a second to feel everything. Groggily becoming awake. Realising that aches of pain and soreness started to hit him. He gives a loud groan.
Forcing his tired eyes to open.
Everything was fuzzy.
At first Gavin blinks and groans. Seeing colours of yellow, red and orange with browns and blacks. Their outlines fuzzy and everything flickering. It looks like blobs of colour. Colour that's melting and shifting. Squeezing his eyes shut, he feels pain at the back of his head. It jolts through his spine. Another pained groan leaving his lip.
"Can you please be quiet," huffs a tired voice, "I'm doing my best."
'Thank gods I can hear,' that thought made him wince. Tilting his head to the side, he opens his eyes again. Blinking several times, as his vision slowly adjusts. Gavin felt like it was taking hours. Everything ached. Everything hurt. Even as feeling came back into his limbs; that only brought sharp pain.
"Can you be still?!" Snapped the voice and Gavin hisses right back. Though he did as he was told afterwards. Staying still and continuing to blink. His vision returning. Shapes becoming lines. Things becoming sharper and clearer. Colours not melting and shifting anymore.
After a while he could finally see everything.
He could see a light on a stone wall nearby. A torch flame that flickered and burned, like it was dancing. Shapeless movements that Gavin mindless watched like a show. The stone wall had shadows and colours of brown and white faintly mixed in. The air smelling like faint clay and minerals. Then he could finally turn his head without any pain. It wasn't as sharp. In fact, there was no pain at all in his head.
He managed to turn his head properly. Able to see the owner of the voice who snapped at him.
A person. A cross-legged person sat nearby. Back leaning against the stone wall (right under the torch light). Brown baggy pants with black boots, a blue shirt and a brown cape and hood. The hood covered the man's face as he could see. His hands wore thick leather gloves. Next to him was a pile of bloodied fabric. He was as still as a statue. Head facing down and face shadowed.
The man's head turned towards him. A blue bandana covering the man's lower face and a visor covering his eyes. Only tufts of brown hair peeking from the hood. The bandana having white pattern of lines that curled and stretched. The man tilted his head as he face the blond.
"I thought you died," The man stated, and Gavin blinked.
"Bloody wha?"
"I found you on the floor. Somehow still alive. Ribs busted, both arms broken, kneecap twisted and I'm pretty sure your skull was cracked. You were bleeding everywhere." The brunette listed calmly.
Gavin stared. He felt ready to say something, but no words come out. Throat painfully dry as he tried to speak. Trying to make sense of the words he heard. Trying his best, Gavin tries to push himself up. Although the pain from his head is gone, it's still there in his arms and legs. It takes pushing through his pain and onset tiredness. He finally manages to sit cross-legged and see the damage.
Most of his clothes were removed except a shirt and pants. He could see the massive blotchy purple bruises on his arms and legs. Stretching from his shoulders to his wrists. Even present under his scales. Dried blood speckles on his shirt and some in his hair (from what he could feel). As he moves his arms, the pain flares up. Beside the bruises was red patches of raw skin. Almost like his skin scraped against something raw. Feeling his face, the bruises were present on his nose and his lip had been cut. His face drains a little from it all.
'I fell...I fell and almost died.' His own thoughts made his stomach churn and he bit his own lip.
Turning back, the man still sat there crossed legged.
"Thanks for healing me mate...How did you do it?" The blond smiled softly. The man huffed noise in response.
"What else could I do? Leave you for dead?" Snorted the man and Gavin winced. His saviour didn't notice or ignored it as he continued.
"I know healing magic. Enough to get bones back together, fix up major organs and heals nerves. Doesn't work on bruises or minor injuries nor does it get rid of infections." Grumbling the last bit in annoyance.
Gavin breaths a sigh of relief. Thank god someone came across him. thank god someone who could heal him. He would have definitely died. His body would never be found.
The thought of dying when Geoff-
A gasp tore from his chest. He tried to move up suddenly, but the blond yelped as pain shot through his limbs. Giving an ugly wheeze and then lying back on the floor. Panic flaring in his chest.
"Oh nonononono- there gonna be so freaked out." Whining loudly. It bounced off the stone wall. Echoing away into the darkness.
"I'm gonna get yelled at! No! I'll be forced not hunt anymore! No! He'll make me do magic with Ryan! Nononononononononono…no" They tremble off until he stopped. Geoff will be so pissed when he gets found. He'll be even more pissed when finding out Gavin almost died. Leaving his home because of some mysterious magic wave. At this point the Blond just felt guilt tighten in his chest. Though he let out a long exhale and shook his head.
Turning his head, the man still sat there. Undeterred by Gavin's long rant.
"Ummm…Hi? Hello? Mr healer man?"
The man turned his head to face him.
"Where are we?" Gavin questioned. As much as he glanced around, he wasn't sure where he was. He knew that he had fallen but…this place looked oddly manmade. Nothing like how he imagined the bottom of the canyon to look like. Its wall were cut cleanly, its paths were fine and no rocks or moss were growing anywhere. Behind him he even spotted a path going down into the darkness.
"Mineshafts. They was built by miners a few hundred years back. It ran out of clay so it was abandoned. Thee shafts are spread under most of the land." That answer made Gavin nod his head.
"Why are you down here?"
"I'm a wanderer. I'm coming through here to get to another place."
"Do you wander a lot?"
At that point the man huffed and turned away. Gavin stared and pushed himself up. Settling into a more comfortable position. Staring at his saviour.
He gives a smile, "Gavin free- I mean I'm Gavin free. Thanks for healing me mate."
At first the man didn't respond but after a few seconds he said a name, "Call me Steve."
The blond brightened up at that and shook his head, "nice to met you Steve. Thank for healing me!"
Steve nodded and then raised up his arm. The blond watched in confusion until a small light appeared in his hand. A single white light that continued to glow and take shape. Then finally formed into a leather sack. Steve held it and then threw it. The blond squawked and backed away as it hit the ground. Staring at it for a few seconds and the snatching it up. Quickly drinking from it.
After several gulps he pulls away, "What was that?! I've never seen magic like that before!"
Steve chuckles for a few seconds sounding pleased, "Creation magic. Its rather hard to do but takes practise and time."
Squeaking in excitement, the blond scooted closer, "Creation magic! Never heard it before. Whats it like? What does it feel like? Is it warm? Cool? Ryan says his magic feels cold and icy. Like sticking your hand into an icy pool of water! Bloody hell it must be warm! I bet it-"
"Are you always this talkative after you've almost died?"
The words died down and the blond blankly gazed at Steve. Turning away and then scratching the back of his head. He gave a quiet hiss.
"Well-I mean I am bloody well gutted but…I mean you don't dwell on those things you know." Gavin twitched awkwardly as he replied. The brunette sighs in response.
"I'll conjure you up some new clothes. Your old ones were too damaged…don't look at me like that. I didn't throw them away." Steve muttered and grabbed a pile of folded up clothes. Throwing them towards Gavin who failed to catch them. Instead they hit his head (hearing a snort from Steve). Gavin fumbles to pull them off and inspect the damage done.
His scarf had blood soaked into it. His shirts were ripped badly and his so were his thick trousers. Even his boots had been twisted and pulled. Most of his clothes were blood-stained and covered in brown stains. Those blood stains were still somewhat wet. He refused to be sick in front of Steve.
Thankfully his belt with his dagger had managed to escape without damage. Even his gold coin is unscathed (he almost cries when finds it).
Steve conjures up a shirt, trousers, heavy leather boots, a green jacket, leather gloves and a short green cape and hood for Gavin. He thanks his new friend repeatedly and Steven throws a blanket at him to shut him up. The brunette just turns away and stares at the floor once again.
He tries to sleep but his injuries still ache. In the end he passes out from exhaustion.
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When he wakes up again, he's tired and hungry. Steve still sits cross-legged; leaning his back against the stone wall. The blond pokes him several times before realising the male is very much awake. He gets startled and Steve gives a sharp laugh. When he asks about food he gets told that, Steve's creation magic cannot conjure up food or animals. So he's going to be hungry for quite a while. It frustrates him a little.
"Where are you going?" Gavin questioned as Steve starts getting up. The male hadn't moved an inch up until this moment.
"I need to get out and get supplies. I know the correct mineshaft to get out but it'll take a few hours." Steve explains. Then started a brisk walk down a stone path behind Gavin. The path that slowly falls into darkness. Gavin quickly followed behind, watching as his friend takes a flaming torch off the wall. The warm flames soothing the chilly air.
"You need to get back to Geoff don't you?"
Gavin gave a quick nod, "Yes! I need to get out before they find out I'm missing."
"Where do you live?"
"Achievement city."
Steve halted and turned around. The visor and bandana still covering his face but Gavin senses his confusion.
"Where's that at?"
"Umm…Its south from where I fell from…like quite a bit south," timidly muttering as Steve seems to stare. Then twisting around and continuing his brisk walk.
"Well the shafts don't lead into the forest but the edge of it. There's one that is right outside this shaft. Near a castle-"
"CASTLE!"
Steve gives a yell and leaps away. Giving a defensive position as he faced the blond. Though Gavin was too giddy to notice; moving forward while Steve took a step back. Their footsteps echoed even louder against the wall. Repeating themselves until they were distant. He doesn't notice Steve's frantic panic in his voice.
"A castle! I've never seen a castle! What's it like? Have you been inside?" Questions continued to chirp from the blond who shook his hands in delight.
Steve watched and relaxed with careful precision. Staring at the emerald-eyed blond who just rattled off more and more questions. The sound bouncing off the echoes of the mineshafts. Those questions filling the silence around them. Steve finally relaxed and shuffled his feet.
"Breath before you pass out," Steve chuckled and Gavin promptly shut his mouth.
"I'll tell you while we walk. There's a good fairy tale about that castle."
They continued to make their way down the path. The torch lighting up the way. The only noise being Gavin's constant chatter.
His voice bouncing off the walls.
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If hours had passed, Gavin wasn't sure.
He followed Steve as they continued their way down the stone path. The torch continued to brighten their way as they travelled downwards. To make sure that they weren't bored, the blond tried to talk about anything that catches his attention. Chatting about his adventures, his friends, Achievement city and anything else. Steve would offer his own quips and questions but was mostly silent. Though when he asked Steve historical questions or tales; his saviour wasn't silent. Giving in depth answers that left Gavin spellbound. Impressed wasn't the right word.
He also tried to see if he could steal from Steve. Not out of malice or anything but he was curious. Curious to see if he could. Steve took it lightly and would flick his nose when he sneaked closer to him.
His saviour was also kind man. Even when Gavin stopped to throw up did Steve rub his back. Even when he started sobbing and wasting a load of time did Steve hold his hand. They still managed to make it to the correct mineshaft but his own problems had caused trouble for Steve.
"Everyone had problems idiot. You're not the first to cry over almost dying."
Gavin tried to ask but Steve rebutted the blond with a few more questions. So down the mineshaft they went, the torch still lighting their way. Old wooden pillars that held up the ceiling, old torches that were down burnt wood bits and the smell of old earth. The chill of the mineshaft didn't help. As they went lower and lower it became colder and colder. Even the torch didn't help (the blanket he had was wet by this point). The smell of the mineshaft was much worse. The old earth, burnt wood, minerals and what smelled like burnt powder filled the air. Gavin almost choked on it but took shallow breaths.
"This mineshaft is wet because of gases."
"Gases?"
"Ore and metals and clay once resided in this mine but now its present to gases and other things. There are dangerous gases that can cause your lungs to suffocate. It happens due to the mine being poorly ventilated and such. It depends on temperature and coal inside the mineshaft. Thankfully there's not much coal here but there was when I was in one of the deeper mines." Steve explained as he marched forward. Gavin nodded along as he listened.
"How did you bloody well get out?"
"Do I look like the type of man to die?"
Gavin raised an eyebrow, "I'm sorry if we all can't survive falling into a mine shaft."
Steve stopped. Legs instantly halting as he stared ahead. Gavin almost bumped into him and was about to splutter some words out. Then he also stared ahead. Finally spotting what Steve was facing.
A small light ahead. Giving a grin, the blond cheered (ignoring his pain) and raced ahead.
"Gavin! Your injuries!"
Running and running, the blond didn't stop. Grinning from ear to ear as he continued run. A burst of wind hit his face. Smelling flowers and fresh air faintly. Running and running. He ignored the pain and his lungs. The light was getting closer and closer. He wouldn't stop now. It was just so close. He could see everyone in his head. He needed to get. He had to get out. Nothing should stop him in getting out. He'll be free. Nothing to confine him anymore.
Then he was out.
He was outside.
The sky was bright blue, the grass was green, and the air was fresh. His shoes softly crunched at the sound of the grass underneath him. The sun was still rising from the East. Sunlight gave warmth to his skin. Everything was fresh. Something even warmth bubbled inside his chest. The blond gave a whoop and a cheer (yelping in pain as his bruises started to hurt). He ran in small circles and almost spun himself dizzy. Smiling harder than he had ever smiled before. He was free. He was free and alive. He would have cried. Alright tears formed in his eyes. He was alive and it was amazing just to feel alive. He almost tripped when he heard Steve start to emerge from the cave.
"Honestly don't just-"
Then Steve froze still. Gavin watched as Steve was just like a statue. Unmoving. Then he started twisting around, trying to find something. The blond watched but saw nothing in the sky nor on the ground. The brunette continued to glance and mumble something (his words weren't there).
"Something wrong?"
His words managed to snap his friend out of his search. Head turning towards Gavin. His visor reflected the blond like a mirror. Staring at him before sighing loudly and letting his shoulders relax.
"Its nothing…just point out to me where you live? What direction?" Questioned Steve.
The blond looked past Steve. He could see the mineshaft opening. It was placed right on a small grassy hill with buttercups and roses growing around it. A small sign saying keep out was written in red letters (even a mushroom doodled on it). Above the hill he could see trees. A small forest of trees that seemed to go on for a while. The blond pointed and his friend glanced back.
"Alright then," Chuckled Steve, "my magic will conjure you up some stuff before you go."
A compass, sundial, large back, small bag of coins, long rope, leather sack of water, several arrows and a bow. Gavin thanked Steve once again but Steve shrugged.
"I'm just being responsible," He muttered.
"You've been a banger mate."
"I'll assume that's a thanks."
"Will I see you again?"
"No…No Gavin you won't but thank you for being impressed with me."
Before he could even question the statement, his friend walked away. The emerald eyed male felt like he couldn't stop him (his statement sounded fierce). He waved and waved until Steve seemed to disappear from his view. His saviour was gone. Then he relaxed and stared at the woods. He was going to go back to everyone. He was going to go back after his ad-
"The castle!" His own screech caught him off guard. Almost tripping over his own feet as he impulsively yelled. Steve had described it as a tall, large castle made of blackrock stone. It was apparently like a fortress. Its tall wall, reaching towers and a flag on the front of it. Steve had told a tale of a mushroom princess, a dinosaur that was the sharpest shot in the land and a mysterious mage. A mage that had broken his bonds from something powerful. Though Steve snorted and called it a fairy tale (like all the other stories he talked about).
"I-I have to go back," Gavin mumbled to himself. Geoff was definitely worried about him. Wondering where he had gone to. Probably thinking that the blond was out hunting early. That they would all be looking for him. That guilt slithered in his chest. That guilt was there but...this was the first time he had left Achievement city. It would be his first and last adventure. Gavin thought of himself being back there, he gulped.
He had lasted out here. He was alive.
"Though one good look wouldn't hurt." The blond chirped and tried to spot the castle.
Though there was no castle in sight. He was situated in the grasslands but he couldn't see any sort of castle made of black rock. There was nothing to see for miles on end. The blond huffed marched forward. If a powerful mage was there then maybe he put an spell on it! It was probably invisible. Steve did say the castle existed (just not the people who lived there).
Though as he continued forward, there was nothing in his sight. In fact the grasslands were turning into a grain field. The green grass was now long yellow grain stalks that went to his waist. The grasslands was just behind him and so was the mineshaft and trees in the distance. The grain field itself seemed to go on for miles and miles. Its yellow stalks were beautiful with the bright sun overhead. The smell of grain in the air and flowers as well. It was just so beautiful (enough that Gavin was glad to have not returned home).
Then something caught his ear. At first it was soft and faint. Though as then blond moved closer, he heard it grow louder.
'Is…Is that sobbing?' He blinked and began to walk a little faster. His stomach turned with anxiety. Something was wrong. Something in the air made his skin prickle. It was almost making him want to cry. The pressure around him slowly grew heavier and heavier with each footstep he took. It was almost weighing heavier and heavier. The sobbing grew louder and louder. It burned into his mind.
Then he froze and skidded to a halt.
A massive crater sat in this grain field. It was wider that Geoff's house and was almost the perfect circle. The crater itself was shallow but filled with pale grey ash. Nothing seemed to have escaped it. Except…Except there was a person down there. A man sitting down in the middle of the crater.
Curled up and sobbing. Loud wails that were filled with pain.
The blond stared not just at the man but what else he had seen.
Outside of the crater, he had seen several dots in the distance. He had ignored them for the sound he had heard. Though now he realised what it was. Realised what they were.
Several bloodied Endermen and they were coming closer and closer.
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Please leave comments down below. I would really like to know what you think.
Also thanks to KnightLawn for the fav. I hope everyone enjoys this chapter