Episode 1, Chapter 4: Retrieved

Hmph. Stella's heels clicked along the quartz floor of the hallways, hand gripping the hilt of a golden sword as she closed her eyes, twirling it around and posing dramatically.

"Hah! Take that, infernal foes! I, Petra, will be the shining light of this fair city!" She yelled, voice echoing through the halls before tapering off back into the sobering silence of the grand building she called a home. She spun on her toes, stomping with a dramatic pose and thrusting her sword into open air.

To say Stella was… enamored with Petra's adventurous ways would be understating it. There was a reason she wouldn't give the sword up, why she was over the moon when Petra offered to live in Champion City… and, perhaps, why Stella had given her such freedom over her apartment.

"I have slayed the Witherstorm! I have fought Wither Skeletons, outnumbered fifty to one!" she said to herself, continuing to walk through the hallway; unaware of the faint barking. She was too lost in her own world, a world where she was, and simultaneously was next to, Petra. "I saved my girlfriend's llama from the most perilous situation!" She sighed longingly after that one.

"Well… that one can wait a bit." She mumbled to herself, shrugging. She might've had a knack for exaggerating the truth, but only when it didn't make her feel sad. That one did; so she wasn't going to.

She spun around again, walking backwards and waving the sword in the air. "Hah! I'll get you, dastardly foes - for it is I, Petra, armed with her sword - Miss BUUUUTTEERRRRRR!" She said in an announcer-like voice, spinning around and slashing through the air. "And by her side, the great Wither-Slayer, Defender of The Portals… her - best friend - Jess!" she laughed to herself, before locking eyes with Jess and Petra.

Jess was snickering. Petra was staring. She dropped the sword, face growing hot as she took a step back. "O-Oh… Hello there!"

"'Sup." Petra said casually. Jess merely waved; Stella looked out the window, arm gripping at her sleeve.

"You're… you aren't supposed to be in here. I told you we were done in the courtyard, didn't I?" She glared, more as Jess than at Petra. "And as for you, Mx. Alabaster, I'd rather you didn't intrude on my personal space after your little levitation prank earlier."

"I swear upon my own grave I shan't be lifting you again. If anything, I feel Jess would be flattered by such things; they have a tendency to cry at the first hint of appreciation." They replied flatly, shrugging.

"Look." Stella sighed, kicking the sword over to the two of them, Petra picking it up with a big grin on her face. "Just… Don't breathe a word of that to anybody and I'll let you go. You can keep the apartment if you need a place to stay. Just… get outta here." Her hand met her face. "So embarrassing…"

"We thank you, Stella. Perhaps next time you should be a touch more upfront about your feelings, however?" Jess said, flashing her a knowing smirk as the two of them left the treasure room.

She put a hand on her face, sighing as her forehead rested on the stained glass. By the Dragon, she was so stupid...

Jess and Petra walked along the road, Petra holding her sword high as she grinned wildly. "RAH! SO good to have you back!"

"That sword might as well be your daughter!" Jess teased, playfully slugging Petra as the ground began to rumble around them. Their face froze in shock, head snapping over to the patch of cobblestone Petra had laid that afternoon.

"What's that shaking?"

"I… I can only control one entity at a time…" Jess stammered, sprinting towards the rumbling ground as it burst to life, sending them careening back as dozens of creepers, eyes glowing bright cyan as their vine-like fur swirled with white energy, carving angular veins in their already-terrifying forms.

"What the-!?" Petra raised her sword, turning towards Jess - who wasn't responding. "Jess! Whatever's controlling Jess! Speak to me, man!" Her shouts turned into panicked sobs as Jess refused to move. They weren't dead, yet - they hadn't poofed. Petra needed to act fast before they really were in danger.

She screamed, spinning violently as she swung her sword, sending a squad of creepers back into the pit; only for more to fly out. She looked down the pit, seeing what must have been hundreds of creepers filling the cave like spiders in a mineshaft. She backflipped away from the edge, her feet springing off a group of them as they flew out of the mouth. "GET THE FUCK! AWAY FROM MY TOWN!" She shrieked, shoving the last group of creepers back down, sighing in relief as she looked down and saw them all jump into the Inifinipit below them.

She quietly patched up the hole, this time with a handful of obsidian, and made her way over to Jess - praying they were okay.

They twitched slightly, eyes opening slowly as they looked up at Petra. Their eyes were still pale grey, looking almost entirely white in the dim lighting.

"I… apologise. Was everything managed okay?" They asked, holding their head. "The cobblestone… it must have knocked them unconscious."

"Knocked them unconscious?" Petra tilted her head. "Have they been aware this entire time?"

"...Somewhat. They do not know where they are, yet their consciousness is required for my usage of their body. If they are injured, I cannot borrow them."

"Why do you need to 'borrow' Jess, anyway? I know we've been on pretty okay terms all day, but... I think anyone would ask why some weird otherworldly whatever is taking control of their best friend."

"To…" They paused, looking at their hands. "To ensure... safe passage of my champion."

"Me. You need to keep Jess under your control to keep me safe." Petra gave them a look. "But why?"

"Consider it… instinct, I suppose. I cannot truly understand why I am so compelled to keep you protected; you are just a mortal. I cannot fling myself upon a blade for you when borrowing Jess-"

"Didn't stop you from flinging that other sword of mine into the Infinipit using their bare hand." Petra grabbed Jess' other arm, showing the barely-healed gash across their palm.

"- and yet, I feel a… strange kinship between us. One that must be protected at all costs. Especially if you are to become my champion." Jess finished.

"I guess that makes sense…" Her head looked over toward the obsidian, then over towards the city wall.

"You know someone who can help us. We have the power of Jess' entourage, sure, but you know more. Much more."

"...I might. You know anybody named Jack?"

A cold look grew on Jess' face. "Jack…" They snarled. "Oh, I know him well. Too well. He destroyed some of my hardest work."

"And he can help us close the Infinipit and keep Beacontown - and myself - safe." Petra pointed out. "I suppose we wouldn't need to close the Infinipit had Jess not gotten so grabby, but now that it's a danger, I'm in danger. And we can't have that, can we Mx. Gauntlet?"

"I suppose we cannot. Tell me, Petra. How much do you truly know about Jack?"

"I… not a lot, honestly. I know he used to be a great adventurer. Saved a Vindicator a long time ago." She shrugged. "I just have a hunch he can help us."

"Perhaps he will. I have no doubt he can help close the Infinipit… if he can so easily escape my Trials."

Jess stood up, Petra taking their hand.

"We should at least get Jess cleaned up though. Imagine visiting an idol only to reek of rotting flesh and your own blood."

Petra snickered. "I ain't doin it; if you want Jess to get clean you gotta do it yourself."

"That is valid. We shall meet outside the fountain in the morning." Jess smiled, their face extending just a bit too much and making it look more like a malicious grin. "Thank you for the wonderful day in the shoes of a mortal."

"I, uh… you're welcome, I guess?" Petra's face flushed as she looked away. Jess… really should say "thank you" to her a little more, huh.