"I hate you," Frostlyn muttered from where she lay on the floor not too far from me. I let out an exhausted chuckle as I actually hated myself a little bit at this point. We had spent the last five days building my home or castle as Frostlyn called it and it had been absolutely exhausting as the only time we took a break was to eat and sleep. Even then those moments didn't last long as we hurried to go back to work. But the results were worth it even though I couldn't admire it right now due to me laying on the floor that was exhausted.

The castle covered an area of over four thousand blocks with an outer wall in the shape of a hexagon. At each point of the hexagon, a circular shaped tower was planted that allowed someone to climb up onto or off of the walls. The next area of blocks consisted of nothing as their space had been untouched up to the center of the area which was where the house had been built. It was rectangular in shape only height wise as the length was small compared to the five floored building. The only blocks that adorned the building were either stone, doors, or windows as the whole place gave off a fortified feel.

The inside, however, had a completely different feel that one could even call homey. The first floor consisted of a living room, kitchen, and a dining room allowing for easy access to all three. The second floor was a storage space mostly for any item so the whole floor was just one big room. The third floor was adorned with multiple empty armor stands and item frames as this would be the future armory once the ores that had not been obtained yet had been crafted into their respective weapons and armor. The fourth floor was split into two main big rooms as this was supposed to be the bathroom of the house but due to Frostlyn helping build the house two separate areas were made for the sake of privacy. The final and top floor consisted of several bedrooms but only two were occupied and the others were just there for the sake of looks.

I was unbelievably happy that the house had been finished but just as equally exhausted as I had yet to get adequate sleep since the building of the house had started. It being night time had not helped at all as the soothing moonlight lulled me into sleep faster than normal. I could hear the gentle snores emitting from Frostlyn meaning she had already fallen under sleep's spell and I couldn't help but give a low chuckle. I was honestly surprised she had stook with me through this ordeal and I did trust her just a tiny now but not by much. I had learned long ago that people would put up a facade just to drive a wound deeper but when I looked at the young girl's face I did have a had time picturing her backstabbing me.

Slowly I got up and I heard multiple joints pop from being stiff for so long. I walked over to Frostlyn and picked up her small form and then descended down the ladder to the fifth floor. I walked down the wooden hallway and opened the door to the almost barren room. I took a second to inspect the room before I proceeded to place her on the bed and tucked her in. I took one last look of the almost barren room as I took my exit and walked towards my own room. I collapsed on my bed and didn't even bother to go under the blanket. I closed my eyes and let myself go as I waited for sleep to take me. I waited and waited but as the seconds flew by they soon turned into minutes which turned into an hour. After an hour had passed I sat groggily up as I realized sleep would not be my friend tonight.

I had always had this problem since I was a kid and it went either two ways. I would either go to sleep in minutes of laying down in bed or I would be awake the whole night and tonight I had to be unlucky. It didn't matter how exhausted I was because I could have not slept for days and still not be allowed to sleep. I cursed my luck as I went to the armory and opened the only chest which contained items, I grabbed two stone swords and two stone picks. I figured since I couldn't sleep I might as well try to find some ore.

I made my way outside the castle and towards the mine where I had gotten all of the cobblestone in the first place. It had started out as a small cave opening but now it looked like a bottomless abyss. I carefully made my way downwards and after minutes of climbing, I reached the bottom. I walked over to the farthest away wall where the only none stone blocks were. I had found an opening down here the other day but had closed it off due to how unsafe it could have been if a mob had come from it. But now I was ready so I started to remove the dirt blocks I had used to block the entrance revealing a long cave tunnel.

I walked down the twisting and winding tunnel that had been revealed and was unsatisfied as I found no ores at all. It seemed that their spawn rate had been drastically changed as I could not even find coal at this point. I was brought out of my thoughts as I heard an unusual sound that I quickly realized was someone talking. Knowing I wasn't alone I pinned myself to the wall and carefully moved forward as a corner approached. The voices were just around the corner and after I got as far as I could I could and could just barely make out what was being said.

"Look at yourself man, you are one ugly freak." A male voice said in amusement in disgust. "Seriously what kind of backwater place did a freak like you come from?" At this I heard and angry crackling noise that told me whoever was being spoken to was mad.

"Well, I guess a backwater person like me isn't important enough to get framed for murder." A new voice said. The voice sounded so dry as if the person had not had a drink in years. I poked my head around the corner to see one guy standing on the edge of a pit of lava but that wasn't what caught my attention. Standing before him was a skeleton but this one wasn't blocky like I was used to but was in the shape of an actual skeleton. I began to wonder what was going on before I remembered Frostlyn and I assumed this skeleton was like her.

"Oh, and what do you think you can do?" The guy near the lava said as he walked up and poked the skeleton on his rib cage. Even I could tell this wasn't a smart idea as the skeleton immediately pulled the bow off its back and backhanded the player with it sending him tumbling into the lava. I didn't look as I heard the player scream in agony as he was burned alive. I had just witnessed a murder and while I admit the player was an ass he didn't deserve such a painful death. I sighed knowing this was the first death of many I would witness in this death game.

"You know you're really bad at hiding." I jumped as I had not realized the skeleton had snuck up on me. He was standing casually in front of me as his bones clicked in amusement.

"I admit I'm not the most stealthy person," I replied as I warily watched him. His bow was once again on his back and I wasn't near the lava so I was safe but it didn't stop me from putting a hand on one of the hilts of my swords. "Is there anything I can help you with?" I asked wondering why he had come to me.

"I just wanted to see what the person who just saw me murder someone. I want to know what's going through your head as I find your kind rather interesting." The skeleton replied. "Different species always have a different view so I would be rather grateful if you told me your thoughts."

"Well, he was an ass and would've died eventually so I don't see the harm," I told him honestly. "But sending him into lava is a bit harsh." The skeleton let out a laugh causing all of his bones rattled.

"He had murdered my kind and my kind are rather vengeful. Besides, as you said he was an ass so I really don't care if he suffered." I gave a slight grimace in distaste but I didn't say anything. An awkward silence followed as neither of us spoke until a question popped in my head.

"Any chance you're a skeleton prince?" I asked him.

"It's rather obvious isn't it?" He replied motioning to his body. " Only those with royal blood have bodies that mimic one of yours. But unlike my fellow siblings, I was born without the flesh." I raised an eyebrow as I caught the word siblings.

"You have brothers and sisters?" I question surprised since I figured it would be one per mob.

"Aye, there are forty of us and a half for each gender." My eyes widened at the number.

"So many," I muttered to myself.

"You ask questions that are unusual are you perhaps not from here? It used to be we didn't see any of your kind but now they are everywhere so I'm just gonna guess you're not from here." I didn't expect for him to be so smart but I had to give it to him.

"No I am not from here and I ask those questions because while I know much of this world I am new to the system of royalty among mobs," I answered honestly.

"And why did your kind come here? For the last few nights I have witnessed multiple brethren fall to your kind and likewise watched them fall from mine." I let out a sound in disgust as I found it hard to believe that so many could die from a simple skeleton.

"We were forced to come and are not allowed to leave until all but one remains." I had not idea why I was being honest with him but there really wasn't a reason not to.

"That truly is an interesting circumstance. Perhaps you would be willing to journey with me to my kingdom?" I looked at him like he had gone mad. If there was truly a kingdom of skeletons like I was picturing then even if I had maxed out gear I would have a hard time surviving if I was attacked. At seeing my panicked look he let out another laugh and held a hand up in a calming manner.

"I assure you that no harm will befall on you unless you instigate it. And before you ask if you can trust me, trust is something among skeletons that is taken with the most seriousness."

"And how far away is this kingdom? I have someone at my house that I can't leave for long." I knew this wasn't really a problem because due to exhaustion I wouldn't be surprised if Frostlyn slept for a day or two.

"From here it would be a two-hour walk so time won't be an issue. So what do you say?" I gave one lost thought about this before I gave a slow nod. And just like that, I was on my way to the skeleton kingdom.

Sorry the update took so long as I have been a tad bit busy as of late. But I hoped you enjoyed the chapter!