I'm so sorry this took so long. Classes have started back up so the chances of reliable updates… slim to none. D; I'm sorry guys! I'll try my best to keep up, but my grades must come first!

By the way, from here on out, characters from other Minecraft stories may be here in this one – but the two stories will not be connected unless I say they are up here. C: Just thought I'd let you know~

Sorry you had to wait so long for this and it's not the best chapter in the world. D; I'm tryin'!

Onward.

Ari had known something was wrong the moment Alistair had disappeared from her view. It gnawed at her belly and her brain, and as she shifted in her seat Mnem glanced at her, frowning. "…Are you alright?"

"Y-yes, I'm fine, I just… something's wrong. I have a bad feeling all of a sudden," she spoke softly, holding her belly. Mnem's mother watched her as she wriggled and she, too, frowned and stared out the window, watching for something.

Mnem sighed. "Alright. What are you two seeing that I'm not?"

"I need to speak with Vreagon," Ari interrupted abruptly, standing sharply and taking her leave, setting the notebook on the table beside their bed. Mnem and his mother watched her depart and they both released the breath they hadn't realized they'd been holding.

"Vreagon." Ari's voice cut through the silence. The blond man nearly leapt straight out of his skin, blue eyes wide until the shock wore off – he laughed uneasily, clutching at his chest as he turned to face the girl.

"You scared the life out of me… What is it?" he asked, noting the rough expression she wore – she had the face of worry, her eyes narrowed.

"Have you seen Alistair?"

The man looked up, frowning. "Aah… no, no, can't say I have. Last I heard he was going to see you guys in the caves-"

"…Caves?"

"Yeah. When did you get back, anyway? I didn't see you arrive."

"…We never went to the caves, Vreagon. We've been at home all day."

Vreagon's expression hardened, instinctively grabbing his sword. "And I'm assuming he hasn't returned?"

"No, he hasn't…"

Her lips pursed and her eyes watered in worry – but she wouldn't fret just yet. She had a job to do. As Vreagon handed her a spare bow and a few arrows, Ari nodded, rushing back home. As soon as she burst through the door, she snatched her father's blade, hooking its sheath around her thigh.

"Ari… where-"

"Alistair lied to Vreagon – he's gone into the caves alone. I'm going to go get him, and when he comes home, he is in for it."

Mnem moved to stand – instantly he received two pairs of hands on his chest.

"No. You stay there. I'll take care of it, Mnem."

"Ari-"

"No. I trust your mother will take care of you – I'll be home soon."

And without so much as a goodbye, Ari sped off into the quickly approaching night, her figure disappearing with Vreagon's in the distance. Mor followed close behind his brother, their feet pounding the ground with each step they took, climbing over the hill and into the valley.

"Mor, you go with Vreagon to the main caves – I'll search through the rest of them."

"Right."

The three parted ways, Ari making her way back behind the waterfall. Green grass trampled beneath her feet, mud from the recent rains stuck to the bottom of her leather boots.

She gripped the vines on the mountain with a firm hand, taking a breath and making her way up. "Alistair?" she called, hearing Mor and Vreagon do the same. Their voices echoed through the valley, bouncing off of cave walls. Birds took flight, fleeing the scene.

"Alistair? I'll have you know I am not happy, but I'll consider giving you a lesser punishment if you come out right this instant."

No response.

She could hear whispers, hear faint chants and groans. She had to stop momentarily, her eyes narrowed as she attempted to make sense of what the strange voices were saying.

Nothing. It was as if it were a whole new language.

She rounded the corner of the cave, lighting a torch as she traipsed through the stones. "Alistair?" her voice called out, weak and nervous.

Thud

Her entire body whirled around, her eyes narrowed into slits – a shadow sped past her, disappearing through a passage she had thought was completely blocked off.

"You!" she shouted, rushing after them. "Alistair, you little- stop running!"

"I am not Alistair."

The voice was soft, holding a spell over her as she reeled.

"I…-"

In only a moment the hand was over her mouth, a pair of strange heterochromatic eyes staring at her.

"Shh. You will listen to me. Understand?"

"Mmph-"

"I said understand?"

Her silence was apparently enough for him. "Your son has already left this realm. Going to get him alone will be a perilous task, and only one, if either of you, will survive. I tell you this now because I know a curious woman like yourself will get into trouble. Are you following so far?"

His voice was becoming rougher – Ari's eyes darted left to right as she searched for her friends. Nobody in sight, she was forced to nod slowly.

"I'm going to release you. Do not scream. I want to help you, alright? I really do. The kid's too young to die."

His hand fell away and Ari breathed softly, flustered and confused.

"Who the hell are you?" she hissed, and the man shook his head.

"No time for that. Find your husband and your friends and return here – and I swear to you, if even one of you raises your weapon, I will not hesitate to drop them."

And he was gone, moving with a familiar speed and purpose, reminding her much of Mnem when she had first come into contact with him.

Suspicious of the man but worried for her son, she whimpered, looking about her. With an anxious sigh she departed, exiting the cave and sprinting to the main lines, screaming at Vreagon and Mor to follow.

"And you said… he wants us to come here?"

"I don't know why, but his eyes… they just… They weren't lying. He wasn't lying. He knows something we don't and I want Alistair back."

Three figures appeared in the distance, each wearing a stark white robe, hoods over their faces.

"Are you certain?"

"I am. They are the Chosen. We must act quickly, or-"

"Hush." One head faced forward, his dark eyes staring through the darkness. "You. The Mother of the departed. Step forward."

Vreagon leaned to Ari, who lifted a brow in confusion.

"M-me?"

An exasperated sigh. "Yes… you."

The moved forward cautiously, her eyes narrowed as she attempted to put a lid on her fear. The man held out his hand for her, delicate fingers stretched perfectly.

Mnem, using his mother as a crutch, frowned deeply, narrowing his eyes as the other two men walked past the girl and toward their group, one pulling Mnem away from his mother.

"What are you-"

"We are here to help."

"But-"

"We are here to help."

"You-"

"We are-"

"I know!"

He was forced to the ground and Ari held back, the woman thrashing against a man's grip.

"Relax." The second man murmured, blue eyes glancing up at the raven haired male before him. His hands gripped the broken leg and Mnem screamed his chest heaving as an excruciating pain made its way through his entire being, filling his senses to the brim.

After several terrifying minutes, despite the men in robes being outnumbered, the group had been held back effectively – Mnem lay on the ground, panting and hissing painfully. "What…" he attempted, taking a small break as he groaned. "What did you do to me?"

"Walk."

Mnem was forced to his feet and shoved – and Ari gasped as he did not falter, his leg holding up strongly beneath him.

"How did you do that?" she whispered, turning to the man holding her – he said nothing, eyes staring right through her.

"Come," the blue-eyed man whispered, taking the lead. Ari nervously followed and despite the others' initial protests, they too moved after them, hands at their sides.

"You… have much to learn."