Chapter 3

A Weary Road

Present Day...

Somewhere below Sky City.

Aiden heard the group coming before he actually saw them. Sadly the ruckus didn't surprise him. It rarely ever did anymore.

It was more common than not when the group briefly returned to the world which Aiden now resided-they returned hurting and a little cranky.

"That is the last time you pick the door Ivor,"

"Don't lecture me Blondie!"

"Jesse was almost killed!"

"He's been almost killed in every blasted world we've been too!"

Aiden set down his pen and quickly rose from his desk. As was the expected and inevitable routine; he pulled the first aid kit from the kitchen cabinet, setting it down on the table just as the door knob turned.

And all of the locals kept wondering why Aiden never locked his door...

As they entered Aiden did what he did best. He surveyed the damage - physical and psychological. He never said a word, not until the group could unwind and feel safe. It was a habit he had picked up as of late, trying to see who needed what before they realized themselves what they needed.

Jesse was the first to enter, "Lukas, Ivor, can it." Jesse's expression was grim, weary. It was the same everytime, because Jesse never felt the need to press concern on himself. That's just how Jesse was.

Petra and Ivor came next, Ivor heavily leaning on Petra with one arm and the other, supported on a makeshift cane. Ivor's left foot was lifted up, wrapped up in what were probably the team's last bandages all the way to the knee.

Petra's face was scrapped and bruised, her lip split. She had a cocktail expression of relief and irritation, lined with a pinch of worry. The worry was always on her somewhere is seemed these days; on the corner of her eyes, or in a crease in her smile. Petra was strong, but was fearful of losing the group she had grown close with these past weeks.

Lukas was last; always was, it was his thing. He was tired and with a look that said he was done with all the shit the world had to offer. One arm was wrapped in a strip of stained cloth, a long slash peeking out beneath the cotton gaps. He carried Jesse's armor with his one good arm.

Confused and realizing he missed something, Aiden looked back to Jesse. The tan male wore what looked like temple robes, gold bands with snapped chains on his wrists and ankles.

"Welcome back..." Aiden said slowly, "Any luck-"

Jesse let out a disgusted noise, "No." he placed a pumpkin on the table, "Gotcha a souvenir though."

That was Jesse's latest thing. Wherever he went, if there was something slightly out of place, be it odd, unusual, or just plain cool; Jesse brought Aiden something.

Not that Aiden minded they made great conversation pieces.

Aiden looked at the white pumpkin with interest, "And story behind it?"

"Tell you in a bit," the other stuck out his wrists, "Got any lock picks?"

"Guest bedroom."

Jesse retreated upstairs, and Aiden sat down at the table with the others. Each was rummaging into the massive medical kit. Between the four of them and Aiden's occasional monster hunt for supplies; they went through a lot of stuff. Aiden found it best just to mass bulk on everything and put everyone's name on one of each.

Lukas was already cleaning the wound on his arm, hissing as the antiseptic made the skin bubble. "He might be a tad cranky."

"What happened?"

"Jesse got captured and was going to be a sacrificed to a cult that worshiped a big ass Enderman." Petra explained, placing a bandage on her lip, and another onto her eyebrow. "It was actually kinda cool looking. The thing had to at least be fifteen feet tall.

"Damn."

"I'm sure we'll laugh about it later," Lukas sighed. "We always do."

"I found it very humorous when it teleported of the cliff," Ivor hummed.

"Do you guys need to crash here tonight?"

"Could we?" the Lukas asked, "We won't take up much room..."

"Notch forbid Lukas, "Aiden shook his head, "Because I didn't build this house bigger than necessary for you guys to stay here."

"I just feel bad using all of your stuff."

"Lukas, it's cool."

Lukas smiled and went back to tending his arm, "How's the book coming?"

"Good question, I'm stuck actually. Who ran in first when Soren dressed as the Enderman attacked Jesse? I can never remember."

"It was Olivia."

"Quit selling yourself short." Jesse cut in, trotting his way down the stairs, "Lukas ran in first Aiden. Olivia ran to get help after I got hit. Lukas was the first to arrive. " He plopped down in a chair, once again sticking out his wrists, this time a pick sticking out of one of the manacles, "If you'd kindly, lock picking isn't my forte."

Aiden reached over and started picking at the lock. "So...sacrifice huh?"

Jesse grinned, "Yep, they needed a good looking male, guess I was the only - Ow!"

Lukas had lightly kicked Jesse, tongue sticking out. Ivor was as well, till Petra poked a particular part of his leg, forcing his whole body to cringe. The brief happiness spread about the room crashed in an instant.

"Ow!"

"Well your leg is broken," Petra's voice cut through his curses.

"Well I know that, when will it be better," Ivor frowned.

"It's a bad break..."

"We could get a healing potion..." Jesse suggested.

"You won't be able to," Aiden said, popping open one of Jesse's cuffs, quickly moving on to the next, "Isa and Milo are doing their best, but they still don't have a brewing stand set up yet. The town's defenses are still being built and they have main priority."

"What about Sky City," Lukas pointed, "There was that room where they stored all the loot? From the spawns remember? We could build our own..."

Aiden shook his head, "Gil and I went up last week for some supplies. The city is nearly burnt to the ground. The monsters still completely overrun the place. You can't get to the resource room with all the damage. I could try to break through but the monsters will make it hard."

A chorus of groans echoed across the room.

"Sorry Ivor," Jesse sighed, "It might take awhile."

"There is no point in going back up there," Ivor frowned, "Someone could get killed or knocked off."

"I've got painkillers upstairs," Aiden suggested.

The older male looked relieved, "That sounds lovely."

Lukas stood, "Well I'm ready to call it a night, I'll take you up there and we'll take a guest room."

The others watched the pair leave. Sitting quietly as Aiden picked away.

"I think I'm going to bed to," Petra said suddenly.

"Take my room," Aiden suggested, "I'll share the other guest room with Jesse."

"You sure?"

"Yeah, you look like you could use some you time."

The female smiled wearily, "Thanks man, I do." and with that she departed.

"That was nice of you," Jesse pointed."

"I try; don't really want to be the jerk I've built my whole life upon." Aiden popped the cuff off, "Foot."

"Well, you're doing well in my book," Jesse set his foot on the chair, eyes shifting to the window. Moonlight illuminating the steadily growing town in the distance. "Have the people of Sky City named their new home yet?"

Aiden coughed, "Yeah kinda tacky though."

"What is it?"

"Ground Town."

Jesse laughed, before once again going serious, "You live so far from the locals, why don't-"

"I'm good," Aiden scoffed. He popped the lock, and then waited as Jesse lifted the other leg, "They all haven't forgiven me yet. It's better for them and me to keep space. Besides, if I lived closer to town, you would have a farther walk from the portal."

"Yeah but still..."

The last cuff popped off and fell the floor in a soft thump, "Enough about me, how are you?"

Jesse slowly lowered his foot, silent.

"Jesse?"

The other male was silent for a long time, then, "Do you know how long we've been looking for home?"

"What?"

"Three months," Jesse mumbled, "We haven't stopped moving, for three months."

"You'll find it," he reached down to pick up the fallen cuffs.

"I'm scared Aiden,"

Aiden looked up sharply. Jesse sat there, looking down at his hands. They were calloused, and worn. Looking at him as a whole person, Jesse looked tired, broken even, he was cracking. "What do you mean?"

"The others look to me a lot. I keep telling them we'll get home. But..." Jesse bit his lip, "I don't know anymore. Axel and Olivia...I didn't even tell them I was going to the temple. Now I probably won't see them again."

"Stop, you will."

"How can you be sure?"

Aiden shrugged, "Maybe it's one of those things. You know, like where in the stories Notch sends a worthy team to help a city in need. Except in your case its worlds? I guess?"

"If you believe that sort of thing."

"I didn't say it was a good reason."

Jesse sighed.

Aiden sighed as well, running his fingers through his head. "Look, maybe you just have to figure out what you're here for before you can go home."

"I'm here to get home, that's what I'm here for."

"Well maybe there is something else Jesse. You didn't give up on me, so don't give up on this."

"You were easier," Jesse huffed, but a slight smile tugged on his lips. "Thanks Aiden. I mean we both sounded really tacky, but thanks."

"My pleasure."

There was a moment of silence, the air briefly content. Jesse filled with temporary hope, and Aiden knowing that he did his job to help.

"White pumpkin, what's that things story?"

Jesse eyes lit up, "Oh you're gonna love it."

Aiden grinned. "Shoot, I'm going have to write a sequel for all your other worldly adventures."

"So it starts with this foggy cemetery, late in the evening. Lighting up the night sky are two moons..."

Next Time On Minecraft Story Mode : Immortal's Child...

Chapter 4 : A New Plan

"Do you really have to hum that?"

He can hear the grin in Lukas's response, "Sorry it's catchy."

"Too soon Lukas, too soon."

"Too soon for breakfast then?"