Whoops, sorry about the long wait, I'll explain more about that in the ending A/N.
Episode 4: A Block and a Hard Place
Previously on Every Action Matters…
Everything in the universe…
...starts out as just a block.
What comes of those blocks…
...is up to those who wield them.
And in every block there lies the potential to create…
...or destroy.
Our friends have traveled far and wide…
...in search of the Order of the Stone.
And a way to stop the wither storm for good.
But even well-laid plans can go awry…
...the strong can grow weak…
...and friends will sacrifice all they can for the benefit of all.
And though some glimmer of hope may remain…
...the threat to this world, to its very existence…
...is far from over.
"She's been knocked out. Should otherwise be okay, though."
For the second time since I arrived, I managed to survive something I really shouldn't have.
I woke up in the cave, weakened to the point where it took me a long while to be able to sit up on my own.
Emphasis on the 'on my own.'
Because I was leaning (read: sleeping) against Lukas.
When I woke up, I wondered for a brief moment why I wasn't lying down on the cold, hard stone, before I finally looked and the sleeping blonde was right there.
Jesse must've convinced him to stay. I thought, knowing that it was far past the time he'd go after the other Ocelots.
Nope. He stayed behind on his own, even after Gabriel recognized the jacket, he saw your current situation as more important.
My face started to heat up, but I didn't bother to try and shut them up. Honestly, I was secretly glad that Lukas had chosen to stay behind, as much as I wish we could've gone to save the others.
Just a few minutes later, he woke up too. But I didn't move, so he had no idea that I was awake.
You did kiss him earlier, you really shouldn't be surprised.
Shut up.
I didn't really put up much of an argument, not wanting to admit they were right. I also really didn't want to move, but I knew I was going to be forced anyway.
Slowly but surely, Lukas gradually became aware that I was finally conscious. After making sure I was okay (Which I assured him multiple times I was, but he understandably didn't really believe me), I heard a conversation outside.
"Oh, the bitter irony, 'Soren the Architect'." I, of course, recognized the voice immediately. It was Ivor, finally deciding to switch sides and help us defeat the wither storms.
"I do not need lectures from you!" Soren yelled in response.
"That's debatable." I wasn't sure if anyone other than Jesse or I could hear the argument, so I stopped myself from laughing just in case. Eventually, they quieted down, as Jesse went out to see what was going on, but I still knew what they were talking about.
You realize Lukas isn't going to let you leave easily, right?
Of course I knew that. But there's something about me he wouldn't be accounting for.
And it's that I'm stubborn as heck.
The wither storms roared in the distance, sounding much closer than before. Lukas helped me up just as everyone else was leaving the cave, while Ivor, Jesse, and Soren were climbing back down the ladder.
"I can't believe it found us so quickly…" Petra muttered. No one who was in the cave really seemed to notice Ivor was even there.
"We're not safe anywhere, are we?"
Jesse finally spoke up. Even though I knew he was there, I wasn't exactly sure where until I looked behind us.
"Guys, there's a reason it's been following us! Ivor says it's because of the amulet that Gabriel-"
"Ivor!" Magnus yelled, looking, understandably, very upset.
"So it really is you." Ellegaard also looked frustrated, though didn't approach Ivor like Magnus did.
"Good to see you guys as well."
Just then, Gabriel interrupted, in the most hilarious way possible.
"Hello, my name is Gabriel." He said, holding out a hand to Ivor as though it was just a casual conversation. It took every bit of energy I still had to not burst into laughter, and even then, to anyone who was paying attention, it was clear to see I was hiding a smirk.
Ivor was grinning too, though not really finding this as amusing as I was, if it wasn't also evident by his flat, "Somebody pinch me." I was half-tempted to actually do it.
"Anyway… Ivor figured out that the wither storms are drawn to the amulet. So we're going to lure them back to Soren's fortress and destroy the command block with an enchanted super weapon!"
"And you figured all of that out just now?" I asked, even though I knew the answer.
"The point is, we need to get moving. We aren't safe. Not as long as we have that amulet."
I almost didn't realize that I was given a choice here, albeit a very hidden one. I could let Axel go with everyone else while I took the amulet to Soren's fortress and waited for them to show up, but miss out on armor for a while. Or I could let the story play out naturally and leave for the Far Lands.
I already saw Axel going for the amulet, but…
"I can take it."
Everyone else looked at me, and I could see Lukas was about to object, or everyone was, but I continued.
"If the alternative is staying here, then no, I'm going to Soren's."
"Midnight, you were out for a long time, are you sure?" Jesse asked, clearly trying to talk me out of it.
"I mean, it's not like I'm asking to go alone…" I trailed off, glancing at Lukas with a silent question in my understood, and nodded.
"I'll go with her."
And so, with arrangements settled, and everyone on their way, Lukas and I set out for Soren's fortress, yet again.
Okay, chapter's done.
Midnight: About time, you've been gone a while.
For good reason, life has just been kinda cruel to me as of late, especially last month (When this update was supposed to come out), and I just didn't feel motivated for a while because of everything. I'll try to get a longer update out next time, and keep you all waiting less (Again, sorry), but I can't really promise anything. Especially not next month, a lot of school stuff will be happening then, but I'll see if I can sneak an update in between all of that.
Anyways, we've got a major plot change here, wonder how that's going to play out...
Midnight: This was just an excuse to get Lukas and I alone again, wasn't it?
Uh, maybe... That, and something else, but mostly that.
Midnight: Alright, let's just get this thing posted.
Got it, with that out of the way, see you all next time!
-LegendEmpress