Disclaimer: I do not own Minecraft, no matter how much I wish I did.

Chapter 7: Nobody Wants to Die too Fast

Aaron's shop was surprisingly cozy.

It was somewhat spacious, with a lava forge outside warming the surrounding area. The floor inside was made of oak wood, and a table was set in the corner. Windows let the late afternoon sun stream into the home, adding a comforting factor to the whole situation.

"Well, home sweet home." Aaron said, smiling at us with arms wide open.

"It's very nice." Emmy complimented. "It's warmer than I thought it would be."

"Oh, I would've never guessed. I mean, we're right next to lava."

"So," Tanner began before an argument ensued, "Who exactly is Jellal?"

I turned my full attention to the sarcastic blacksmith. His brow furrowed, as if he was mulling over the words to tell us. I raised an eyebrow, challenging his hesitation.

"Many of us consider Jellal to be the leader of our village. He's the priest too, but he's more like a father to us. He knows something about… the real world."

"Why say it with hesitation?" I questioned.

"It's a dangerous thing to talk about, and I really don't feel like dying today."

"Dangerous? How?" Tanner crossed his arms.

Aaron opened his mouth, but quickly shut it. He put his hand on his chin in a thoughtful pose. "Well, you see-"

"Aaron? I was told you needed my assistance."

A powerful yet gentle voice resonated from the doorway. I turned, my eyes landing on a man with a strong aura. His eyes, a deep forest green, were deep set and very intelligent. His scruffy grey hair was dark, and it fell in his face ever so slightly. He wore royal purple robes decorated with intricate designs, giving off an air of regal importance. However, something about his laugh lines and good-natured smile gave him a warm appearance.

Aaron smiled and waved, seeming more at ease. "Hey Jellal! I was wondering when you'd return. There are some people here who want to talk."

Jellal's smile grew as he regarded us. "Hello travelers. My name is Jellal Fiore, but Jellal will suffice. I am the priest, though these fine rascals often call me their leader. I speak on behalf of the entire village when I welcome you. May I ask your names?"

He was incredibly polite and sincere. I felt the smallest trickle of trust make its way into my mind.

I extended my hand with a shy smile. I needed to make a good impression.

"My name is Samantha Holmes, but please call me Samus. These are my friends, Emmy Kyler and Tanner Smith. It's nice to meet you."

"Likewise." Jellal took my hand and shook it gingerly. "Am I correct in my reasoning that you are indeed real-worlders?"

I nodded. "It seems like it. Do you have any idea how we got here?"

"Perhaps." His brow furrowed. "Though, if my memory serves me correctly, you accepted Jeb's request."

It was Emmy's turn to nod. "Wholeheartedly. We don't plan on leaving yet, but it would be nice to know how we ended up in Minecraft."

"Minecraft?" Aaron scoffed. "You must mean Minecraftia. Forgot the –ia there, didn't ya?"

"No, Minecraft." Tanner pressed. "It's what we call this game."

"I guess from a philosophical standpoint life could be considered a game." Aaron once again struck a thoughtful pose.

I shook my head. "That's not what we mean. In our world, this world is a video game. It's something we play for fun on a computer."

Aaron seemed completely nonplussed, but Jellal was taking it all in stride.

"I am familiar with how your world perceives our land." Jellal grinned. "As to how you ended up here, I believe you already know the answer to that question."

Deep forest green penetrated my eyes. My mind whirled, bringing forth my theories. He wanted me to voice my reluctant thoughts, but they seemed to be caught in my throat. The priest nodded his head, encouraging me.

"Jeb sent us here." I began in a quiet voice. "He called us to fight against an evil that was threatening Minecraft. He chose us based on our aptitude in the game as well as in real life. He chose us to fight Herobrine."

I heard my friends take a sharp intake of breath as Jeb grimaced sadly. Aaron brooded stoically in the corner, his expression impossible to read.

"Alas, that is not all." My eyes snapped vehemently to Jellal.

"Wh-what do you mean? All that, all that we have to do is defeat Herobrine." Emmy breathed hysterically. "There isn't more, is there!?"

Jellal just gave us a sad look. He turned his head toward the window, where dark orange light illuminated the town. Villagers outside were bustling and hurrying, wary of the oncoming darkness.

Aaron sighed. "Well, you guys should probably get some rest. Let's see if you don't wake from zombies eating your brains out."

"Wait!" Tanner started. "We need to know-"

"It can wait until morning." Jellal interrupted. "Aaron, I trust that you will see to our guest's accommodations?"

"Aye sir!" Aaron gave a two fingered salute, then smirked at us.

"C'mon guys. I'll let you sleep near the lava."

I was restless the entire night.

Zombies moaned and beat the doors with frightening ferocity. Skeleton bones rattled with surprising clarity, and spiders hissed with venom outside. Sighing, I sat up, running a hand through my wild brown hair.

We were situated on the floor, wool blankets beneath us that acted as temporary beds. It turned out that Aaron didn't sleep, so there were no beds available in his house. So, he found us some wool blankets and laid them in the main room of his workshop. He was currently reading a book on different types of smelting ores in the next room, so I made sure my movements were silent.

Emmy was sleeping beside me, her dark blonde hair loose and fanning around her. Her glasses were close by, folded with perfect caution. Tanner was on the far end, glasses discarded as well. They both looked so peaceful, and I couldn't help the wave of envy that surged through me.

A harsh scrape attracted my attention. A zombie was right outside the door, clawing viciously at the now thin wood. Adrenaline coursed through me as I stood, iron sword falling effortlessly into my hand.

Aaron crept into the room, a cracked iron axe in his gloved hands.

"Real Worlder." He said. "Wake your friends. Trouble's 'bout to begin."

"Right."

I gently woke Emmy and Tanner, the door sounding closer to breaking every second. Emmy equipped her sword while Tanner did the same. However, he was frantically searching for a bow and arrows.

I couldn't take my eyes off of the door as I asked the blacksmith a question. "Does this happen every night?"

I could hear the frown in his voice. "Oh, ya know, just when there's a full moon."

"We need a strategy." Emmy said, changing the subject. "Is the whole town on alert?"

"Should be." Aaron responded. "There are certain designated fighters throughout town. Guess we're part of that regiment."

Frowning grimly, I looked around. If the zombies were to invade, I wasn't sure how long we could hold out.

"Do you have bows and arrows!?" Tanner ran up to Aaron, slightly crazily.

"Calm down dude. I have a bow in the back room, but no arrows. Those are in Jellal's chapel. Ya know how to wield a sword, right?" He asked.

Scratching his head, Tanner nodded. "Yeah. Still, can I borrow your bow?"

"Whatever." Aaron rolled his eyes, but was cracking a small smile.

My full attention turned back to the door, which now harbored a crack. Fear dropped in my stomach, and my sword shook slightly. I was becoming aware of the danger of our current situation, and that made my blood run cold. I could tell I was starting to lose my grip. Before that could happen though, Emmy grabbed my shoulder and gave it a squeeze.

"It will be okay Samus." She flashed me a confident smile. "We can handle this!"

I had the sudden urge to hug her, but I gave a warm smile in return. "You're right. Let's do this"

Just as the words left my mouth, the door shattered. Bits of wood flew everywhere, and we heard the squelching sounds of zombie feet hitting the wood floor. I went into full attack mode, and surged forward. My sword collided with the undead, tearing through their lines. I eventually killed enough of them to form an opening to escape.

"C'mon!" I shouted. "We have to help the rest of the town!"

Emmy zoomed out, eyes glinting fiercely as she started an assault of her own. Aaron was next as he let out a war cry and started swinging his axe at the nearest hostile mob. Tanner followed, looking more determined than I had seen him in a long time.

"Are you ready to fight?" He asked me, never taking his eyes off of the chapel in the distance.

"Yeah. We have to fight, right? We can't give up." I grinned. "I'll see you after the night is through, okay? You have to promise me."

"I promise."

With that, he raced ahead, jumping on top of a roof and streaking toward the church. I knew his strategy, and I desperately hoped that he wouldn't run into too much trouble. The sound of a bow string shook me from my musings, and I jumped out of the way just as an arrow flew past me.

I turned my head and saw a skeleton as it drew back another arrow. Rushing forward, I sliced my sword through the bones with a quick crunch. The creature fell apart, its white bones crumbling to dust. I didn't have time to think about it however, because the mobs swarmed the area, seeming to be never-ending. Bringing my sword up and throwing consciousness into the wind, I hurled myself forward toward the monsters.

All that was on my mind was survival. It was a primal, almost feral instinct. I refused to think of the zombies and skeletons as actual living beings. That would only make the situation harder. It was easier to slice and kill thinking that these were just pawns, things that acted primarily as obstacles in the struggle to survive. That was how we normally saw the enemies we fought in video games, wasn't it? That thought kept me from any form of hesitance.

In the distance, I heard the sounds of battle and the screams of fighting from my friends. Emmy yelled as she swung her sword around in a circular motion, taking out all of the enemies that dared to go near her. Aaron was grunting as his axe tore through zombie flesh, making horrible ripping noises that made me sick to my stomach if I focused on them. The only person I could not sense was Tanner. That made me worried and curious, which was not a pleasant mixture.

I winced as a zombie swiped at my arm, drawing blood. Now was not the time to focus on other people. Small scrapes and wounds decorated my body, and my breathing was becoming labored. I wouldn't be able to hold out for the entire night against the horde of mobs ensnaring the village. Come to think of it, there seemed to be too many mobs to qualify as a normal siege. There were countless zombies moaning and pounding on the doors of the townspeople, much more than I had ever seen before in the game.

'If you're not going to pay attention to the fight, then all my hard work will be wasted.'

My heart stopped as an eerie, taunting voice sounded in my head. In my moment of confusion, an undead threw itself at me, causing me to fly into a nearby building with a crash.

My entire body ached, and it was almost impossible to breathe.

"Damn." I spat, almost certain that a few of my ribs were cracked. On instinct I knew that my health was low. Fear-fueled adrenaline coursed through my veins as I was surrounded, making no room for escape. My sword was clutched feebly in my bleeding hand, yet I couldn't stand to fight.

"So this is how it ends." I rasped, my words reaching no one. "In the middle of a village in freaking Minecraft, with no one around."

I turned my head, desperately trying to catch a glimpse of any of my friends. The only thing that I heard was the sound of Emmy as she called out, yelling for reinforcements. I smiled, glad she was still fighting.

I sighed, turning back to my enemies and vainly attempting to stand. "I suppose there are worst ways to go out. Fighting is a good one, right?"

I only received a moan in response. I kept talking though, trying to ward off the increasing panic and anxiety.

"If my family is still fighting, I should continue too, huh? What leader would I be if I didn't?"

I slashed my sword, leaning on the building (I noticed it was a library) for support. It connected with a few mobs, causing the horde to retreat ever so slightly.

"I am too frightened to give up. That's something I will never admit, my fear. You zombies should count yourselves lucky that I told you about it."

I cried out as an arrow struck my shoulder. I lost my balance and collapsed once again. My sight was blurring into shades of greens, blues, and black. The black scarred me the most.

"Help…" I whispered, becoming desperate. Unbeknownst to me, tears streamed down my face, dripping into the blood-stained ground. I thought I heard Emmy and Tanner screaming about how there was a swarm on the east side of the village. Was I at the east end? My brain couldn't form any rational thoughts at that moment.

'Be prepared to die, warrior. Are you ready?'

That voice echoed through my ears again. I wanted to answer no, but that didn't seem to be an option. Taking a deep breath, I dropped my sword and tightly clenched my eyes shut.

"I better make my last words worthwhile."

My hands balled up into tight fists as I opened my eyes to the starlit sky above.

"Emmy, Tanner, don't lose hope. Fight to get back home, okay? Please, don't die."

My lips pulled into a bittersweet smile.

"Nobody wants to die too fast."

A/N: Hello everyone! I am so so so SO sorry for the long wait on this chapter. I was incredibly stressed with school and very busy. Now that summer's here though, I'll be able to write more! I promise that the wait for chapter 8 will definitely not be as long as the wait for this chapter. I hope you all have incredible summers, and thank you for the reviews, favorites, and follows! I'll see you guys later!