Author's Notes

Uhm... ThinMint? I am still trying to figure out your review... Thomas is the only one with the gold in his eyes. Also, which swords are you talking about? There's just one...

Anywho, on with the story!

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Iza's POV

Eba's boldness summoned a flare of jealousy within me last night, and the next morning I spent all day avoiding her and sticking to Simon. There is no doubt that the endergirl is beautiful, and I'm sure that if she pushed herself to it, she would leave me in the dust. The thought of loosing Simon made me cringe inwardly.

The creeper sensed my discomfort, but said nothing. He was being his usual distracted and emotionless self except for the few times he allowed said emotions to roam, when we were alone. When it happens, he squeezes my hand, leans in to kiss my cheek and nuzzles my neck. It tickles me, and I end up giggling every time.

We were wandering side-by-side in the forest after a long day of mining at the lake. My legs and arms were sore. "Simon, can we go back? My legs ache." He turned and smiled at me, his beautiful dark-green eyes staring lovingly through the amber glass of his goggles.

"Of course. Should I take you to your room, Z?" His nickname for me. It still seems funny that he shortened my name even further. I nodded and hugged his arm tightly, a tired smile blooming on my face.

We walked back home and greeted everyone. Thomas and Sarah were lounging outside on the grass, Jack was trying to talk to Lila, Valory was helping Adrian move logs, and Eba was drawing while resting against a tree.

We walked in, and I decided to check up on the girl that had come through the nether portal. She was still on the bed, but she wasn't asleep anymore. Amber-colored eyes were staring at us with fear and curiosity. I took a step back. The girl sat up on the mattress, leaning against the wall.

We stood like that for a few moments before I found the courage to speak. "Uh... hi. Who... how are you feeling?" The girl looked herself over, then stared at us intently.

Simon whispered in my ear. "I'm gonna go get Thomas." I nodded without looking away from our guest and Simon left the room. I walked closer, and the girl cringed away, backing up further into the wall.

"Shh, it's okay, don't worry. You're safe now. Those monster things won't hurt you anymore." She narrowed her eyes but didn't move. We sat at a standstill for a little while before Simon came back with Thomas, Sarah in tow. The girl looked at us frantically, swapping from me or Thomas or Sarah or Simon.

She raised her hand as if to protect her face, and a small flame began to grow on it. Thomas quickly stepped up, raising both his hands. "Woah, wait, don't! It's fine, okay? Everything's fine, just... please don't burn the house down."

Recognition flashed in the girl's amber eyes, and she leaned closer. "Th-Thomas?" The guy nodded and smiled.

"Yep. Hi, Kaitlin." The girl blinked and scooted all the way to the edge of the bed.

"Is... is that really you? Am I... am I safe?" Thomas took a step closer. Sarah was holding his hand and she walked with him, poker face hiding any emotion.

"Yes, you're safe now. We closed the portal, so nothing else will be able to get in." He extended a hand out to Kaitlin, and she hesitated. She swung her legs out from underneath her and slowly began to stand up, swaying a little.

Once she had gotten herself straight, she took Thomas's hand. He shook it and smiled.

"Welcome to the overworld."

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Eba's POV

We all got to meet Kaitlin, but it was very awkward. She looked like she didn't really want to be outside, much less with anyone. When it was my turn, I inched closed and pulled my hood off. I smiled timidly and shook her warm hand. Blight reacted very differently to Kaitlin.

Ooh, la la, what a hottie...

Blight! Get your mind out of the gutter! This is no time for your... your... ugh, demon stuff!

This isn't just demon stuff. I mean, look at her! Those eyes, the clothing (*ahem, or the lack thereof) the hair, her body... mmm.

Ew, stop! Please!

Hmph. Fine.

There were all sorts of twisted fantasies running through my head, and it took everything within me to not scream out loud. My face was blood red, and when the Blaze girl noticed, she blushed too. I gave a nervous giggle and shrugged before warping away to the lake. I sat on my little island rock in the middle of it.

Blight!

... yes?

Don't you ever do that again! It was so embarrassing!

Not making any promises.

Ugh, you are so annoying!

Why thank you.

Before I could continue ranting at him, he drifted off the the back of my mind combing through my memories. I sighed and pulled out my sketchbook from my hoodie pockets. I opened it up to a clean page and began tracing lines with my pencil.

After a while, the little streaks I made started taking shape. Blight caught interest of my drawing.

Hey, I recognize this. It's from one of your memories.

Uh-huh. Thomas and Sarah had left in the middle of the night, and we found them lying together on the grass like this. They looked so peaceful.

Hm... you are a very good artist.

Thank you.

I continued to draw, and after an hour, I blew off any dust from the page and extended my arms out to see it better.

Perfect.

Indeed. Almost like the memory.

Almost?

It lacks color.

Oh. I can't really color it in, though.

I know that, just stating the facts.

I nodded to myself and flipped the page to a fresh one. I began doodling again, this time imagining a monster. When I draw, it feels like I don't need to be scared of anything anymore, so it doesn't bother me.

I drew a large black salamander with four beady eyes and a long tail. It was breathing fire and had sharp needle-like teeth.

That is... impressive, to say the least.

Thanks.

What is it?

I don't know. Just... a mutant salamander I guess.

Hm.

Once I was done, I felt much better. I closed the book and put it away, staring at the sun as it began to set.

We should probably head back.

Wait. I have an idea.

Really? What?

We could train here. Like most demons and spirits, I have an... element, I suppose. For example, a demon can have fire, poison, Frost, and rot among others. We can have multiple elements, but the more we possess, the less powerful each of them is.

And... which one do you have?

I have rot. Whatever I touch will wither away.

Oh.

So, I was thinking, I could teach you to fight.

I couldn't answer because i was too distracted with something. I felt memories pour from him, overwhelming me. I saw through Blight's lights grey eyes, watched as he swung scythes and axes, threw spears and cleaved swords into the trunks of trees. Looked on as everything he touched died off, leaving an entire forest grey, dead and empty. But it felt so good.

You... wiped out... an entire forest?

Yes, and with much glee. I absorb the life of those who wither, and it makes me stronger. These memories are from the last time I killed, more than two decades ago.

T-two decades?!?

Uh-huh. Keep looking.

More memories rushed at me. Blight was standing in the middle of the devastated forest, picking his teeth with a shattered bone. All of a sudden, a shape appeared out of nowhere and knocked him back twenty feet with a single punch. Blight managed to land on his feet, sliding to a stop.

He looked up, and saw another demon smiling devilishly down at him. It had eyes that were darker than a night without the moon, and he bent down to pick up Blight by the neck. He held him in the air, grinning.

"Hello there, punk. Who are you?"

"B-b... Blight... who the... The fuck are y-you..?"

The demon's grin vanished, and he leaned in towards blight's face, less than an inch apart.

"This is my world, do you hear me, bitch? And I don't need insignificant bugs like you tearing it up before I'm done with it. Remember my name for all eternity, cunt. I. Am. Darkness."

With that he threw Blight into the ground and a black sword materialized in his hand, blurry at first, as if it where made of pure heat. Darkness plunged the blade into Blight's chest, all the way through. I could feel everything as if I had been the one to get stabbed.

Blight screamed in pain, and Darkness smiled. I felt as if every atom of my body was being ripped apart and burnt. Darkness raised his blade, and Blight came with it. He looked down and saw the body of a pale, unconscious young man on the floor. There were no wounds on him.

Blight looked at Darkness in shock, quaking from the pain. "H-How... did you... r-rip me... from my vessel..?" The demon smiled and put two fingers to his lips, as if shushing him.

"Watch what happens when you cross me, Blight."

He picked up the man by the neck and held him high so Blight could see from the end of Darkness's blade. Darkness squeezed, chocking the man. Then, flames erupted from his hand, quickly consuming the body. Blight felt anguish and immense pain.

"N-no! Don't... what are you doing?!?... s-stop!"

Darkness chuckled but said nothing. Blight watched as his vessel was incinerated, turning to ash and piling up on the floor. He roared, and tried to summon a weapon. Darkness smiled as the last of Blight's vessel disappeared. Then he turned to face the squirming demon.

"You are nothing without your vessel, are you? Just a shadow, unable to defend yourself."

Blight flared up in anger. But Darkness was right. He couldn't move while stuck on that infernal sword. Darkness walked on, bringing him down and into a cave. Blight continued to move, trying desperately to free himself. But the damage was too great. He soon tired out and focused on fighting back the pain.

They walked until they entered a ravine, one with a sturdy-looking mineshaft bridge. Darkness planted the sword in the middle of the bridge. Black Flames erupted from his hands, creating walls on either exit. The sword blight was on desintegrated, setting him free.

Darkness turned around and walked away, through the black fire. "You'll never leave this place without a vessel, and there is nothing here for you to kill." Blight tried to follow him, but the flames scorched his being. After a decade, he stopped trying to leave, just waiting.

And along came an endergirl with her friends.

I shuddered.

That's so... so horrible, Blight. I'm sorry.

Don't be. I may have lost my original vessel, but now I have you.

Will... will you ever go on another rampage?

Not unless you let me.

Oh. Okay.

I was badly shaken up, and he knew it.

Don't worry Eba. I promise you, with all my unholy being, that I will defend you as best as I can. I will not let that son of a bitch harm you. I'll fight him to the death before that happens.

I nodded, still feeling scared. I extended a hand, looking at it. I remember the feeling of absorbing life from the forest, how pleasureable it had been. How amazing it felt to summon weapons with my bare hands, to feel Blight's rot-sand trail along them and take shape.

Blight... take control of me.

What?

Take over my body. I want you to go on a rampage. Slaughter another forest. Just... not here. Far away from here. I... want to feel that way. Like... from the memory.

...Are you sure? It... you might not be the same afterwards.

I...

my hand began to tremble, and doubt began to seep in.

I know the pleasure it brings, how it can blind you. If you fall to it's temptation, you might not want to stop.

I sighed.

Oh... look at me. Taking advice from a demon. I'm sorry, Blight.

It's fine. But... there is one thing I can do.

W-what is it?

I can allow you to summon weapons or things with my rot-sand.

My heart leaped.

R-really?

...yes. But... I implore you. Do not use them unless absolutely necessary. Everything they touch will slowly die. Except for you.

I thought about it for a second.

S-So... I can... absorb life with them? I can... feel that way?

Uh... yes. But... don't abuse of it. Don't go on a rampage. Darkness might find out, and if he does, all of your friends will be in danger.

I nodded to myself.

I promise.

Then extend your hand. What weapon do you want?

A... a sword. A rapier.

Very well.

I extended my hand. The sun had already set, and it looked pale in the moonlight. I waited for a while. Then dust began to extend from the center of my chest, trailing down my shoulder and arm, caressing my skin as it went. It pooled on my hand, forming a dark cloud.

Then, it began to move, molding to the shape of my hand, making it as comfortable as possible. It whirled here and there, forming the hilt, then the handguard, and lastly the long slender blade. The sands pieced it together molecule by molecule, creating a beautifully adorned light-grey sword.

I gasped breathlessly. It was lighter than any tool or weapon Simon had forged, and it felt so right in my hand. Warm, thrumming with life. I swung and it whistled, cutting through the air effortlessly. I played with the blade for a few minutes, a bright smile on my face.

Do you like it?

I love it, Blight.

I'm glad. It will vanish shortly after you let go, but I can bring it back whenever you like.

Thank you.

I planted it on the stone and watched closely. Sure enough, after a few seconds, it began to crumble and turn to dust once again. I looked up at the moon.

We should head back.

You're right. Your friends might be worried.

I nodded to myself and stood up. I took a deep breath, inhaling the fresh, crisp air. Then I warped back to my room.

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Author's Notes.

So, eh... what do you guys think? I decided against adding Theridas's POV this time cuz the chapter would end up being too long.

Also, oh noes! Eba is turning to the dark(ish) side!

Also also, yay! Kaitlin's awake!

Anywho, thank you all so much for your time and support, have a great day!

~ LeMafiaKreb