Author's Notes
I cannot stress enough how happy I am that people like my story... I just can't. :'D
Also, GiggiEba, while blight is a condition that plants get as a result of fungi pretty much murdering them, it is also anything that causes deterioration or harm.*
Also also, ThinMint, you are very perceptive. :D How did you know?
Anywho, let's get on with the story!
(Yes, I did look up blight. :P)
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Adrian's POV
Just as Thomas took the first step towards the purple sheen of the nether portal, someone jumped through and fell on him, knocking them both to the ground. The next second, one half-melted shape took a step forwards with a double-headed sword. I drew my own, just like Simon, and I saw everyone else pull out their weapons.
I swung at the creature, but it parried my attack with one of it's metal gauntlets. Simon dashed forwards and slashed the monster's exposed body before jumping out of range. It let out a hideous gurgly roar and charged.
Lila threw her knives, but the warrior did not flinch. I just about had enough time to protect myself with the obsidian sword. Simon ran up and stuffed a lit stick of dynamite into the creature's armor. "Clear!"
I jumped back and parried another attack before punching the monster back. The dynamite exploded, sending green blood and shrapnel everywhere.anothe creature walked through the portal, but it's armor looked pristine except for burns on the boots.
Valory ran up and shoved her spear behind it, under a plate in the armor. The monster roared and swung back with it's hand, knocking her away. I brought my sword down onto the warrior's shoulder, removing the arm that was wielding the sword in one blow.
It grumbled and turned around, catching me off-guard with a sucker punch. I tumbled to the floor and watched as Lila jumped up on the warrior's back and chocked him. Letting out a furious shriek, she drove a knife into the warrior's throat, and it gurgled in pain, drooping to it's knees.
Lila backs off and we watched as it fell the rest of the way down, turning to ash. We were all breathing heavily. After a moment, Thomas spoke up.
"Uh, guys? A little help?"
We turned to see him still on the floor, an unconscious girl lying on top of him. She was wearing nothing but red undergarments and a necklace. 5'8, maybe, with flaming Orange-blonde hair and olive skin. There were cuts and grazes all over her body.
Valory and I helped pick her up and off Thomas. He stood up and walked over to Sarah, who was with Eba, who was hiding behind the main door's frame staring at us. There was something odd in her eyes, and she looked unfocused. Sarah had a poker face on, but Thomas enveloped her in a hug and it fell apart.
"Are you okay?"
"Of course I am. I was never in any danger."
"I know, but still. I wanted to make sure."
I carried the unconscious girl in my arms and walked past them towards the med-bay. It seemed to be getting used a lot, recently. I put her down on one of the clean beds. Iza was already there, gathering bandages and checking her over. She was mumbling to herself.
Simon walked in through the door. "How's our unfortunate guest?" Iza looked up for a moment before continuing to wrap up the girl's injuries.
"Alright, I think. She has a few cuts here and there, but nothing is broken or seriously damaged. This would be easier to treat with healing potions." She muttered the last sentence to herself. Simon nodded.
"Thomas asked me to take the portal apart, so I did. He and the rest of the guys will be here in a second." He walked closer and put his hand on Iza's shoulder. "How are you holding up?" She waved him away playfully as she finished her work.
"I'm fine. Just a little tired. And I'm still wondering how Sarah managed to get up. Her wounds were very severe, but she just... awoke." Simon nodded. I left the room as everyone started filing in, looking for fresh air.
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Eba's POV
Blight had somehow managed to heal Sarah enough to the point that she could walk around. The only catch was... it left me comepletely exhausted.
You should rest.
N-n... not right now... it's almost nighttime anyway...
Suit yourself.
He 'floated' to the back of my mind, absently looking through my memories. I was outside harvesting wheat with Valory. The apple trees Thomas had planted were now almost as tall as the second floor to the house. The 'penthouse' Simon wanted to build remained unclaimed since it was the last room he added. We might end up giving it to the new girl.
I gathered the last few clumps of wheat before dumping it off and walking inside. Everyone was chatting exitedly at the dinner table, except for Iza who was probably in the med-bay. Simon was in the kitchen.
How can you deal with so many people?
They're my friends. My family.
Hm.
Blight said nothing else, turning back to my memories. I didn't like the feeling of being probed, but I owed it to him since he saved Sarah's life. I sat down just as Simon began placing dishes on the table. It was some more bread, dandelion salad, and
pork/mutton. Mutton for me, pork for everyone else.
I began devouring my meal, loving the taste of the tender meat.
Mm, how does he cook this?
On the oven, I presume.
No, I meant, in which way?
Ask him.
B-but I'm eating... and it would be too awkward...
That seems to be your main problem.
What?
You are very insecure. I could help with that too. I'm naturally full of myself.
Oh... um... maybe later.
I ate my fill and timidly asked for more. Simon stood up and took my plate, carrying it back to the kitchen. He came back a few minutes later with a fresh batch of everything. Iza walked into the room and sat down beside Simon. The slime girl leaned against him and sighed, resting her head on his shoulder I felt Blight chuckle to himself and saw an idea flash through my mind.
Oh, no. No no no no no, no! Don't do it, Blight!
Why not? You want to feel less insecure, right? This is a step in the right direction.
B-b-but... aw... why This, though? Can't I do something else?
You could, and it'd be a lot less fruitful. Not to mention less funny.
Aw... fine. Do... do I have to do it?
No. I can take over your mouth and voice if you like.
P-please do...
I felt as my lips and throat turned cold, and Blight cleared my throat. He took a bite of my mutton and moaned. "This tastes so good Simon! If Iza wasn't around, I'd make you mine right now." I felt my cheeks turn blood-red, and I cringed on the inside. Everyone stared at me, forks midway from their plates to their mouths.
Simon cleared his throat and Iza put hugged his arm, her eyes narrowing just a little. I felt Blight give me back control of my voice and I gave a breathless little giggle.
"I-I mean... I'm joking. O-obviously." I began eating again, but the food tasted like ashes now. My cheeks felt so hot, and I wondered if everyone could hear my heart beating a thousand times a second. I wanted to be everywhere but here.
After a while, everyone went back to eating. Once I was done, I shakily excused myself and warped to my room. I jumped on my bed, lying sprawled on the soft mattress. I sighed in relief and contempt. Blight spoke up, laughter underlying his voice.
See? That wasn't so bad.
Yes it was! That was so embarrassing!
Yeah, right. Don't worry, the feeling will subside. Besides, everyone will forget in the morning.
I'm not so sure... did you see the way Iza was looking at me?
Ha-ha, yeah! That was priceless!
S-stop laughing! This isn't funny!
Oh, hah, yo-you're right, its- it's really not that funny.
The demon chuckled under his breath. I got myself in a more comfortable spot and covered myself with the blankets. I sighed.
You are so mean.
Damn straight. Now, *grunt, time to hit the sack. 'Night.
I-y-wh... huh? You're... going to sleep? In my head???
I didn't get a response, unless peaceful snoring counted. I sighed again and rolled onto my side. Today was full of exhausting surprises.
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Theridas' POV
I was standing beside the king's throne absently fidgeting with my hands as Darkness summoned more and more monsters. He was spawning loads of them, sending them off to do this or that. There was a strange twinge of jealousy every time he sent one of his creations to do something. Like i wasn't necessary anymore.
After a while, he stopped and flopped onto the netherbrick throne. Darkness stretched a little and yawned. "Theridas."
I jumped as he mentioned my name. "Y-yes, my liegé?" He scratched his chin, as if pretending to have a beard.
"How is my sword coming along?"
"Uh, I d-don't know, sir. Do... do you want me to check?" I spoke the last few words hopefully, standing straighter.
He shook his head. "No, I can just send one of my monsters." I nodded and sighed, slouching against the wall.
"Yeah, send another damn monster. Might as well replace me with one..." I muttered these words under my breath. I saw his head turn to me out of the corner of my eye, and my heart began hammering in my chest.
"What was that, Theridas?"
"N-nothing, my lord..."
"Are you sure? I thought I heard something about replacing you with another damn monster. Or am I wrong?" I swallowed the large lump that formed in my throat.
"W-Well, I-I mean, it's j-just... I-I d-didnt m-mean t-to offend, m-my lord..." Darkness smiled and laughed heartily. After a while, he stopped enough to speak again.
"No offense taken, Theridas. Go check on my sword, and hurry." I stood up straight.
"Y-yes! Right away, my lord!"
I dashed away, glad to finally be of service. I wandered the hallways giddily until I reached the blacksmith's quarters. I knocked on the door and stepped inside. The forge was lit, and there was an unbearable heat all over the dark room. The smith was on the anvil hammering away.
"Monsul! The king wants to know how his weapon is coming along." The large man turned around to face me.
"Uh, teridus! Ah'm almos' dun wit de weapon. Ye wudn't buhlieve how harhd it wus fo' meh to dunt de damn thin'. An' it's even harhder to put de focking Magma-peahl in theh!"
His ranting usually scared me, but I was feeling much too good. Instead, it made me giggle. The smith raised an eyebrow and smiled lightly.
"Yeh fand meh humorous, do yeh? Must be in a good mood, eh?" I puffed out my chest in pride.
"Indeed. I was feeling rather down recently since the king had opted to send monsters to do my job. However, it seems that time has passed. It is nice to feel important."
The blacksmith nodded and continued working. After a while, the heat became to much, and i cleared my throat. "So... I guess I better get going. Off to report this to the king." The smith 'hmph'd but didn't turn around. I nodded to myself and left the room.
on my way back, I heard a small hiss from one of the windows. I turned around, surprised. There was a small girl poking her head out, her white hair flowing down from the top of her head. I looked around to make sure no one was looking before getting closer. I whispered at her.
"Ella! What are you doing here?" The girl took as step back.
"W-well, I was-"
"Go back home! It's dangerous for you to be out there!" Her crimson eyes widened and tears began to form in them. After a few seconds, she started sobbing quietly. I sighed in frustration and inched closer, looking around again.
"What's wrong, kid? You need to go, now."
"B-but, he-"
"Head back to the glowstone fortress with your parents. They're probably worried sick about you." She started bawling now, and I began to worry that she would get caught. I don't know what Darkness would do to her if they did.
"Calm down, shh! Be quiet! Do you want the monsters to get you?"
"Th-they're d-dead!" Her voice cracked and was barely understandable through her sobs.
"Who's dead? What happened, kiddo?"
"H-he killed my parents!" She crumpled on the netherrack floor outside the fortress and curled up into a ball. I looked around one last time and jumped out with her.
"Shh, it's okay, it's okay. What happened?" She wiped some of the tears off her face with the back of her hand. After she calmed down a little, she spoke again between sniffles.
"Th-the glowstone fortress... it's gone. H-He brought it down. A-And my parents... t-they went down with it." She looked like she was having a mental breakdown. I rubbed her shoulder with my arm and hugged her.
"Don't worry, everything's fine. Who destroyed the glowstone fortress?" The shock of it hit me only after I spoke the last few words. Someone brought down the oldest structure in the nether-realm, the home of the Ghast Queen and her servants.
Ella sniffled and wiped her face again. She pointed one shaky finger to the throne room, which was in front of us, parallel to the hall we were outside of.
"He did."
I understood immediately. Darkness had destroyed the glowstone fortress. And orphaned a child along the way. A massive wave of repulsion ran through me, and the thought of my earlier giddyness made my stomach churn with self-hate. I hugged Ella tighter. The young girl began to cry again.
"Shh, Shh, it's alright, kid. Everything's gonna be fine. Don't you worry. I'm here for you, okay?" I tilted her head up and she sniffled. After a while, she wiped more tears of her face and nodded.
"Okay. Where will I go? What will I do without my parents?"
I sighed. Maybe she could live with me. I could hide her in my quarters, maybe find a way to get her into the overworld. I let go of her and stood up, taking her small hand in mine. "
"You'll be Fine. Come on, quietly. I'll take you to my room and you can hide there. I'll get you some food later, okay?" She responded with a small 'mkay' and I led her down the halls.
After a while, we stopped at my quarters. I opened the door and let Ella in.she walked over to the bed and crawled on. She stared at me with glassy eyes. The sight of her made my heart break in two. "I'll be back soon, alright? Don't go anywhere." She nodded and I closed the door.
Sighing, I left and walked back to the throne room. There was a report that needed to be made, and given to a certain putrid someone.
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Author's Notes
I said I was going to use the name Ella in another story, but it fit so perfectly here... I just couldn't help it. :I
Also, looks like Eba's having some issues with blight... :P
Also also, ThinMint, looks like you were right. :)
Anywho, Thank you all so much for your time and support, have a great day!
~ LeMafiaKreb
(P.S, I posted this in the middle of the night. Was just too exited to wait until morning to publish it. :D)