Chapter 9

What Plan Is This?

"What brings you three through the Portal of Worlds?"

Jesse accidentally put the spoon of hot soup in his mouth without blowing because he was so shocked. It was a very bad move, the thick liquid scalded his tongue and burned the roof of his mouth. It took all his willpower not to scream. In silver lining however the food bought him a few seconds to think of an intelligent answer.

Petra and Lukas were equally speechless, both of them nervously glancing at Jesse to come up with something.

Why did he always have to answer the hard questions?

Jesse swallowed his throat thick with discomfort. He then set his spoon casually back into his stew, ready with a comeback...

"Pardon?"

Petra's eyes suddenly glinted with a look that said, Really? That's the best response you can come up with?

Lukas looked very close to slapping himself.

Steve's eyes glinted as well, sparkling with humor and delight, as if he knew the trio was struggling for some valid excuse. "The door," he answered, "Up in the abandoned ruins."

"Ruins?" Jesse echoed, "No...only saw woods."

"That's right," Lukas added slowly, "We were by the river almost the whole time."

Steve looked surprised, "Really? It's hard to miss. Big houses, big temple. There is a large glowing door that leads to this massive hallway, inside there are more doors which lead to different places. The door flashes everytime someone comes through it. Saw it flash last night, met you today-"

Alex slapped Steve's arm gently, "Steve..." she warned.

"Can't say we've been there..." His heart was pounding. Already Jesse was reminded of the last village, the ones that had tried to kill them, called them insane. He let his eyes barely shift towards the door.

Could Lukas and Petra get out of here with him handicapped? Maybe if he made a distraction-

"Jesse," Steve pulled Jesse's focus away from the door, "Jesse it's alright," Steve dropped his tease, a gentle tone in his voice, "I don't blame you for being cautious. But everyone in the village knows about the Portal. Besides..." he smiled at Petra, "There is no village on the other side of the Adamans. I've mapped this entire world and there aren't any more towns that way. Besides, anyone from here would have known about the spider's nest."

Petra turned scarlet.

"How do you know about the door?" Jesse said warily.

"Because I've gone through it a few times."

Lukas's eyes went wide, "Really?"

Steve nodded, "Yep. I mean I just explained it to you in great detail and everything-"

"Some of the villager's" Alex cut in with a look at Steve, "Their ancestors came through that door. Lost souls trying to find their way home, but instead settled here. So the Portal is no mystery to us. We don't blame you for trying to hide that fact though-"

"We know a lot of different worlds can be hostile to other worlders.' Steve added, "Some call it witchcraft. The Old Builder's didn't exactly leave notes lying around saying what the portals-"

"Wait you know about the Old Builder's?" Petra cut in.

"Yes..." Alex responded with a slow drag.

`"How?!"

Steve glanced at his wife then back at the group, "Because this world was the first one to have a portal door."

Jesse raised an eyebrow, "The first?" That seemed far -fetched. "How do you know?"

"The Immortal's journals."

"Immortals?"

"Yep. The Immortal, um, the one called the First; He had the ability to travel through different worlds. He met other individuals who were interested in multi-world travel and brought them here. Together they built the Portal-"

"Wait, the First?" Lukas frowned. Jesse could sense the doubt seeping off the blond.

Steve looked at him, "Never heard of him?"

"We have, but isn't he a legend?" Lukas answered. "The 'First" is just an old myth, a bedtime story."

Steve coughed, "Oh boy...Alex?"

The female adjusted in her seat, "I'm guessing you three have noticed by this point that this world is drastically different from any other world you've been to."

"Yeah I guess," Jesse said, "The spawns are stronger, the world itself is different. We saw bones at the ruins...to name a few things."

"That's because this world is always changing," Alex said, "This is going to sound hard to believe. But everything you've seen everywhere else. All of it has started here."

"What do you mean?"

Steve rubbed the back of his neck, "Do you believe in Notch?"

Petra looked at Jesse, confused by the sudden change of topic, "Sure... I suppose."

"Well all those stories you've probably heard. The one's about the first world, the original creation. This is it. Everything Notch makes past, present and future, starts here. He tests it here, before creating a world especially for that creation. The First World, The Immortals, all of that is real. You kids found it."

Jesse leaned back, suddenly feeling a little dizzy, "Kay..."

"Hard to swallow, I know." Steve answered sympathetically. "But it really is the truth kids.

"How do you know for sure though?"

"Well, there is the library for one." Alex said. "The books - most if not all of them - are journals. From people who lived and died here, going back centuries till...the beginning I suppose."

He thought hard on this, "You said the Old Builder's started here?"

"Yes."

"How well are these journals documented?"

Steve thought for a moment, "I say rather thoroughly. Some of them even belonged to Old Builders, the dead ones anyway..."

Jesse snapped his fingers, "Perfect!"

Lukas and Petra turned to look at him, confused. Lukas leaned in a little, "Jesse? What are you thinking?"

"If the Old Builder's started here, and everything is documented - we can probably figure out where home is!"

Lukas looked leery, "That could take a lot of time, what about the doors?"

"I thought we were kinda getting sick of running through those..." Jesse countered, "First World or not this place has information on the Old Builder's! This is literally the newest information we've had on them in ages,"

"What if they don't have our door written down? Then we would have wasted all this time."

Jesse hesitated.

"Well," Steve offered, "Alex and I can help. We've traveled the doors, so we know where a few of them lead to already. That will eliminate some..."

"We could split up-" Petra started, holding up her hand as Lukas gave her a look, "Here me out Lukas. Alex or Steve can go with some of us through the doors, and some of us can stay behind and read the books. We have twice the chance that way."

Lukas leaned back, "Good point..."

"We're not forcing you to do anything," Steve said, "You can heal up and go on your merry way."

"We're all going to agree on something," Jesse said, "The goal in the end is to get home. We don't want to drag you guys into anything though..."

"We don't mind helping." Steve replied, "You three aren't the first people this world has helped guide home."

"We'll leave alone for a moment. This is your mission, you decide how it must go." Alex said, grabbing her and Steve's dishes, "Take your time."

The pair quietly exited, door closing behind them.

"Let's give it a shot," Lukas said after a moment,

"And here I thought you were going to debate," Petra said.

"It doesn't scream bad idea. Steve and Alex are clearly...capable? They know this world, and they know the Hallway..." Lukas pointed. "You're right, two teams going at it gives us twice the chance."

"Alex and Steve seem willing to help," Petra said. "Do you think we can trust them?"

"I think we can," Jesse said. "It doesn't matter if this is a the 'First World' or not. These guys want to help us and have info on the Old Builder's. Pretty sweet deal if you ask me."

"If anything seems off, we can leave and head straight for Ground Town." Lukas said. "We know where the Portal is."

"Cool! It's time for plan...um...uh..."Jesse laughed, "What plan is this?"

"Plan G or something or another," Lukas smiled, then he stood, "Tomorrow, I go back to Ground Town and fill Aiden and Ivor in on the new game plan. With luck we'll find our door before winter sets in."

Petra gave a thumbs up and looked towards the door, "Steve! Alex! I think we got it figured out!"

"Those boots my child, have seen better days."

Lukas cringed, feeling the mud ooze against his socks, "Haven't really had time to make myself knew ones?"

Steve tugged Titan's reigns, steering the massive horse around a equally massive puddle, "Ever thought about trying metal toed ones?"

The rainstorm had eased up greatly by the next day. Its damage now done, the only remains of the storm's fury were light drizzling periodically now and then. Lukas had set off for the Door early that morning, with Steve in tow at Petra's and Jesse's insistence. Neither pair were ready to move at high speeds yet. Lukas didn't mind, the night before had been such a turnaround he didn't really know where the ruins were anyway. The only way back that he knew was up river- through the spiders nest.

Steve had saddled up Titan; Gaia was need by Alex for the day. But shortly out of town, the two men and the horse were met with a washed out road and six inches of mud. With no point in spraining the horses foot, it was decided they would walk until they hit the ancient road that lead to the abandoned ruins...or solid ground, whichever came first.

Lukas looked down at his mud stained boots, "No, haven't really. Are they better?"

"Good for walking," Steve answered, "And kicking someone."

Lukas laughed.

"I'll have the tailor make you some when we get back."

"You don't have to do that."

"It'll be better for you," Steve said, "Besides, if you're going to be exploring more worlds and hidden Ancient Builder caches, we need to keep you on your feet."

"Well, thank you I'll pay you back,"

"Don't worry." Steve said, his own foot sinking down in the mud. He made a face, "I need a new pair anyway. How is your shoulder holding up? I'm sorry we're walking, we'll be on more stable ground soon."

"It's fine thank you for asking," Lukas said, "I feel much better. Not like you could predict the weather though..."

Steve looked at the sky, "Sometimes I think Notch is keeping me on my toes." he mumbled.

The sky rumbled with thunder.

Lukas looked up, "You really believe in Notch don't you? Can I ask why?"

"Same reason you don't I suppose."

Lukas blushed, "I wouldn't say I don't believe. It's just..." he sighed, "Some of the scriptures back home make Him sound so ..."

"Harsh." he and Steve said at the same time. Lukas looked at Steve in surprise. "How did you-?"

"I get it." The older make said softly, "Why would someone who seems so caring make worlds full of suffering and monsters. You're not the only one who thinks that Lukas. People wonder that all the time, why does he make Creepers, or the mighty Ender Dragon? Or the Immortals, why make mighty guardians only for them to turn on each other. How can someone who promotes wonder and awe make things so vile?"

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset-"

"People asks those questions all the time," then Steve gave Lukas a reassuring smile, "Do you know how the people here get through it?"

Lukas remained silent, waiting for Steve's answer.

"Because you can't see the awe, wonder and the beauty without seeing the dark, vile, and ugly," Steve explained. "How can you appreciate the life you've been given if there is nothing out there with the risk of taking it away? We have a saying here, a blessing of sorts: May you find as much awe and wonder as the First and the people who came before you."

Lukas thought on it, "I never really saw it that way."

"This world, these people," Steve continued, "They've witnessed things no one else gets to see. It's almost like getting a sneak preview in a book. They get to watch Notch great something new, be it dangerous or beautiful. They get to learn what it is, what it can do, before anyone else. I mean you got to admit, that is pretty cool."

"It is," Lukas admitted.

"Notch hasn't made anything in a long time, but maybe if your lucky-"

"Stweeve!"

Steve stopped and both he and Lukas turned to see a little boy running up a muddy path, "Stweeeve!" he cried.

Steve caught the teary eyed child in his arms as the youngster ran into him, "Julius what's wrong?"

"My cat, is stwuck in the twee!" He sobbed.

"Ah," Steve relaxed, "Don't worry we'll get him down." He placed the boy on the horse, "Hang on Julius."

The boy sniffed and grabbed onto the saddle horn, Titan waiting patiently for him to adjust.

"Do you need some help?" Lukas asked.

"It will only take a moment, this has happened before." Steve responded. "Just keep walking down the road, I'll catch up."

"Jesse and Petra won't like that," Lukas grinned cheekily.

Steve held a finger to his lips, winking. Then turning on his heel, the older male was off, sprinting faster than a marathon runner. Titan followed after, the boy babbling about his cat and the tree, till they disappeared around the bend.

Lukas continued up the path, concluding that even if Steve had wanted his help, he wouldn't have been able to keep up anyway.

"Such a nice young man,"

Lukas screamed and whipped around, seeing Elder Brine calmly seated on an old stone bench.

"How are you my boy," Brine asked with a smile, one tooth missing Lukas noticed, "Did you find your friend?"

Still trying to get his breath back Lukas nodded.

"Oh good! Did the shortcut help?"

Lukas frowned, "There was a spider's nest in there. Why didn't you tell us about it?"

Brine tilted his head, "Everyone knows about the spider's nest child. How could you not?"

He hesitated, "Um, well..." His frown deepened, "You could have told us the spiders were bigger than a house."

Now Brine seemed surprised, "That is large! Oh dear," he shook his head in distress, "I am truly sorry Lukas, but I haven't been in that nest in ages, it's been some time."

"But surely you knew," Lukas said with a cross of his arms.

Brine stood, hands gripping his walking stick,"I am quite old boy, and I haven't been there since I was your age. I assure you they were little spiders last I checked."

Lukas paused, "How old are you exactly?"

"One hundred and six," the man answered.

His eyes went wide, "What?"

"It's hardly anything compared to my father," Brine said absentmindedly.

"Umm,"

"Besides," Brine smiled, "You found your friend! But you seem to be down two now."

"Well they're resting and-" Lukas started walking down the path, trying to think of a reason to be traveling alone, "Jesse was hurt as you know, and Petra's foot was twisted. I'm going back to get our stuff."

The old man followed after, keeping well paced for a hundred plus year old, "I see, is that inside the Portal Door or outside of it?"

"Outside-" Lukas stiffened.

"Relax, everyone knows." Brine hummed, "The spider's nest is a dead giveaway."

"So I've been told," Lukas sighed.

"You're trying to get home?" the elder asked softly.

"Yep,"

"Allow me to offer my assistance."

"You don't need to do that-"

"Oh I'm much to old to be Portal hopping, but I'm full of information that might help." Brine said, "For example there is another Portal here."

"We've already got one though," Lukas politely responded, "We don't exactly need another door."

"Yes, but this one is special."

"Okay, I'll bite, how special?"

Brine smiled, "It's the Immortal's Portal."

Lukas looked at the sky with a sigh, "Immortal's huh?"

"Yes, legend says it has the ability to take you to any world that you desire. They called it the Immortal's Gate."

Now Lukas was interested. "Wait seriously?" He looked down the road, "I wonder why Steve didn't mention it."

"Because it has been lost for some time. Steve and the other villagers will not touch it even if it was found..." Brine answered, "The people here do not take the Immortal's tools lightly. They have no desire to unearth it ; the First and his creations are sacred to them,"

"I'm not going to break into some temple and offend someone," Lukas said warily, "That's seems rude. Everyone here has been really nice so far..."

"Understandable." Brine said. "But if one were to find it, and well, leave, they would never know."

"I don't know-"

"I have some old logs buried in my house somewhere," Brine said, "I shall look and see what I can find on the Immortal's Gate. If we find it, and if you and your friends are weary for home...Perhaps the people will understand."

"Thank you," Lukas said quietly, pushing away the guilt inside. Brine did kinda have a point, and Steve and Alex did say they would help get them home.

What if the Immortal's Gate was it?

"Wait Brine how will we know when you-" Lukas looked around.

The old man had wandered off. Vanished.

"Creepy."

"What is?"

Lukas turned around, to see Steve walking up the path with Titan in tow. There were three long cat scratches on his nose.

Lukas raised an eyebrow. "What happened to your nose, that's what."

"Okay, so I'm not good with cats," Steve smiled.

"Shame, I am," Lukas said with a grin.

Steve laughed, "I'll bring you next time then." He pulled Titan forward, "In other news, I'd say the road is more firm now. How bout you and I ride this lazy oaf?"

Titan neighed, jabbing its nose into Steve's hair.

"Okay okay, mighty steed."

The horse snorted.

Better.

Lukas chuckled; looking down at his mud saturated shoes he knew that he would have brown socks instead of white by the time he got to Aiden's. "Sounds like a plan, no point in tracking any more dirt into my friend's house than I have to."

Julius is credited to Anon on Tumblr, thank you for the suggestion!

Next time on MCSM: Immortal's Child:

"Just think," Ivor said eagerly, "Notch's first creation. The source of the all the other worlds!"

"Notch?" Aiden rolled his eyes, "Now you sound like those religious fanatics back home."

"They were not fanatics," Ivor argued, "You're just a skeptic."