[CHAPTER III]

[The Rescue]

"W-where are you going?" Hugo managed to squeak out while watching Melz opening a door that led into the back of the Inn.

Inside was large and looked like a storage room of sorts. Boxes lined the walls from floor to ceiling for the first half of the room while the second half was built into a stable, a large carriage used to move Melz's trading post from village to village when he was younger was sitting in a corner gathering dust and sand. Near the end of the room were four horses, snorting with quick shakes of their heads in greeting upon seeing their owner.

Getting two saddles off from a fence, Melz spoke while prepping two of the horses. "I'm going out to find Steve and bring him back here. He was in NO condition to be leaving town… especially at night with this many Mobs out."

"What? Are you crazy? It's dangerous outside! Besides… the fool's probably already dea-!" The sharp sound of flesh slapping flesh startled the horses while the stinging to Hugo's reddening cheek shut him up instantly.

Pointing his finger directly in Hugo's face to insure he had the teen's full attention, Melz spoke in a low tone. One Hugo knew he was better off remaining silent. "You are going with me. You have been nothing but an ungrateful and rude child to that man. He saved your sister! You saw the wounds he received at the cost to rescue her! Had he not been here, those injuries would have been inflicted onto her in his place! She would be dead right now if Steve hadn't been here to save her!" He shouted, tone growing angrier and angrier with each sentence.

Whether it came from fear of the man's rage, or Melz managing to actually open Hugo's eyes and wake the teen up to reality was unclear. But Hugo took the spare saddle from the other without a word, turning towards the horse he was to ride and preparing the steed himself.

Nothing else was said save the two girls pleading them to be safe as they spurred the horses, running out into the night with cries from both steeds.

Exhaustion was weighing heavily upon Steve now as he approached what he feared was a cliff.

His heart sank painfully upon reaching the edge, the light from his torch revealing his fears to be horribly correct… and looked to be about a steep three hundred-plus drop. He could see there was water below, but was unsure of how deep it was, and was certain his weak and injured body would not survive the fall.

He then looked down both directions quickly, cursing as he found the cavern too wide to go around and the ground too far split apart to attempt to jump it.

His plan was to simply lure the Mobs away from the village far enough for the town to be safe, lose them and then build a temporary shelter to spend the remainder of the night treating his wounds and healing.

However, because of the extent of his injuries and the broken strap to his bag slowing him down, he was barely able to stay out of their reach, picking up more and more straggler Mobs the further out he ventured.

And now he was cornered.

Allowing the bag to drop with a thud, he slowly turned his back to the cliff, facing his attackers head on as they all gathered around him slowly. He tried to lift his iron sword in the offense, the blade chipped and cracking from the extensive usage, just barely on the verge of breaking.

The weapon weighed even more to him now in his tired state, his arm soon dropping and the tip of the blade digging into the sand. A weak chuckle came from him as he stared at them all through half lidded eyes. He grinned at the monsters, shoulders slumping slightly despite his attempt to enter into a defensive stance instead, "You know what? I'm feeling awfully generous tonight… I'll allow you to go first…"

None of the creatures made a move at first, as if unsure whether or not to approach him. Before long, one of the skeletons decided to be cheap and attempt to pick him off from a distance, pulling an arrow out and taking aim.

Steve saw the move, but was too weak to actually register it. Not until it was too late and he was crying out in pain, stumbling backwards a few steps closer to the cliff while dropping both his sword and torch. Freed from the weight of the weapon, his right hand carefully cupped the new injury around the arrow that had struck the front of his left shoulder, just below his collarbone.

His balance was becoming increasingly unstable, causing him to have a difficult time standing still, his feet constantly shuffling in an attempt to remain upright; his right foot eventually accidentally kicking the still lit torch over the edge of the cliff to fall hundreds of feet below, the entire area becoming swallowed by darkness.

His last line of protection gone.

Upon seeing his sluggish reaction time, and the cursed light source now gone, the group of Mobs began slowly advancing towards Steve, no longer weary for their safety.

Still focusing on the arrow sticking out of him, he didn't even acknowledge the immediate danger he was in as the monsters closed in on him. His attention wasn't taken from his newest wound until the sudden shrill cries of horses reached his ears, as well as people shouting out.

Brain far beyond processing his surroundings, Steve took a few steps back, the stress his body was undergoing and the lack of decent lighting as the crescent moon's light did little to aid his blurring vision began making him hallucinate and believe these creatures were just more Mobs wanting their first dibs on him. He nearly lost his balance when his foot slipped off the edge, looking over his shoulder for a brief moment.

He narrowed his eyes.

He wouldn't end this way...

He would fight!

Eyes skimmed the surface of the ground for his sword, blurry vision soon locating it upon spotting a glimmer via the blade reflecting the moon. The weapon was way too heavy to lift and too damaged to be of any use now, causing him to curse loudly while turning towards his bag instead.

Reaching inside, he took out another torch, lighting it with some difficulties and holding it up high. The Mobs around him all hissed and withdrew, though the two newest ones remained bathed in the light.

It was then that Steve saw it was Melz and Hugo. Anger filled him instantly as he glared. "What are you two doing outside?!" he shouted, his tone sounding anything but threatening as his voice cracked. "I told you... to stay indoors until the morning!"

Melz jumped from his horse and took Steve by the arm without saying a word, minding his injuries to the best of his abilities while urging him hurriedly to move, steering the younger man towards Hugo's horse, the teen holding a very unsure look on his face but remained silent.

Taking the torch from Steve, Melz helped him mount Hugo's horse, ignoring the miner's questions and protests. The teen made a face while ensuring the other didn't fall off the other side, wanting nothing more than for them to hurry up so they could return back to the village and get this night over with.

After making sure they were secure, Melz went back and retrieved Steve's bag, hoisting it over his shoulder and quickly climbing back on top his horse. "Let's go, Hugo!" he shouted, spurring his horse to encourage a fast gallop, Hugo and Steve close behind.

Fading in and out of consciousness quickly, Steve was only half aware of what was happening around them, managing to catch a few words from Hugo about the Mobs following. Without much thought, Steve reached for his pocket, faintly remembering stuffing a spare torch there for quick access. Holding it up to the teen, he spoke weakly; "L-light it. Light… keeps them… at bay…"

"You saved my sister. But that does not earn you the right to my trust." Hugo spat down to him in a low growl so Melz could not hear.

Steve frowned, feeling a painful stab in his chest at this young teen loathing him so much. He has done nothing to him, so he couldn't understand why he hated him.

His arm grew tired and heavy, trembling from the effort to keep it held up. So he allowed it to fall against his chest limply, the numbness that was beginning to settle in and taking over his body had him feeling no pain, the torch barely held in his weakened grasp. "I'm sorry…" he breathed before closing his eyes, no longer possessing the strength to keep them open.

Hugo looked down at the man in his arms when he thought he heard him say something, a small panic beginning to rise upon feeling him suddenly become dead weight and unresponsive in his hold.

He had not seen a dead person… Not since his parents-

Eyes growing wide in building anxiety, Hugo stuttered as his throat tightened up greatly, "Uhhh… M-Melz…?"

"Focus Hugo! We're almost home!" Melz cried out behind him, soon gasping upon seeing two spiders running up to Hugo's horse from the side. "Hugo! To your left!" he warned, though was unsure what the teen could do to defend them.

Whipping his head to the side, Hugo cried out just as one of the spiders jumped right at them. Panic and adrenaline fueling his motions, Hugo took the unlit torch from Steve's chilled hand, lighting it and holding it at the spider just before it landed on them.

It shrieked, flailing mid-jump and hitting instead the muscular back side of the horse, causing it to cry out and speed up while trampling the Mob to death.

Watching the rolling body of the spider come to a halt before turning to look at the fire, Hugo then blinked down at Steve in disbelief. 'He… he was right... a-about the light and the Mobs…'

The Mobs fell back from their pursuit, no longer seeming as interested as they were before just as they were about to reach the village. Having the light from the torch now, Hugo felt a sickness flood him upon seeing Steve's condition, his skin paling and growing colder with each passing second. His head rolled lifelessly in the crook of his right elbow with the motions of the horse's galloping, lips parted and losing color at an alarming rate.

Steve's appearance triggered painful flashbacks of the deaths of both his parents, causing him to whimper while shutting his eyes tightly in an attempt to block the visions out.

They guessed that their sudden departure into the Mob filled night had alerted the entire village, because nearly every villager was standing outside with weapons drawn and torches lit to light the way.

Slowing their steeds to a halt, Melz jumped off first, running over to help three other men gently take Steve from Hugo.

"Melz… What happened?" one of them gasped, his voice hushed while carefully lying Steve down on the ground.

"Hugo came to us. He said Kelsa hadn't returned home. Steve must've overheard our conversation and armed himself with an iron sword and went into the night." He began explaining while gently placing Steve's arms at his sides. Leaning over his chest, he paused to see if there was any sign of movement before continuing. "He found Kelsa and protected her. These injuries are the prices he paid in exchange for her safety. He brought her back to the Inn, and fought off more of the monsters that were outside…" he paused in his explanation to carefully press his ear against Steve's still chest, minding the arrow that was still present in his shoulder.

"Then why did you come from outside the village?" another asked, her tone antsy as she observed from over Melz's shoulder.

Melz hesitated for a second before answering in a low whisper. "He was luring the Mobs away from our village. Glorenda told me that when he returned to the inn after the little stunt Hugo pulled off today that he was going to be leaving first thing in the morning since he felt his presence was making everyone here upset and uneasy. The lot of you made him feel unwanted…" he then nearly growled in anger at the villagers crowding around them. "What I think happened is he probably figured he would be leaving anyways… he wanted to try and aid us while doing so. This man is a kind person… nothing like the one who attacked us all those years ago." He was silent after that for a few long moments.

Everyone waited anxiously for Melz to say something as they all looked around at one another, each passing the same look of growing guilt in their green eyes at Melz's harsh but truthful words towards them. The Vendor soon gasped while sitting back upright, "His heart still beats! But very weakly."

"We must take him to the village Elder then. Only he can heal these kinds of wounds, Melz!" One of the three men that had helped Melz whispered quickly, already preparing to carry Steve to the house.

With a nod of agreement from Melz, the others carefully lifted him, minding all his injuries and carried him towards the house where their village Elder resided.

All the while Hugo had remained atop his horse, the entire conversation deaf to him as he sat, eyes wide and staring at his hands and the front of his clothes.

Steve's blood covered him.

His body began to tremble, breathing picking up as hyperventilation began over taking him. Kelsa's soft and quiet voice caused an instant wave of calmness to wash over and sooth him when she whispered his name in question, green eyes looking down to see his scared sister looking up at him, sadness filling her eyes.

Managing to regain himself, he carefully climbed down from the saddle, taking his sister into a tight embrace and tenderly shushing her, mind too numb to register the fact he was dirtying her.

Glorenda approached the two, a sad smile on her face while placing her hands on their shoulders, "Come children… it's late. Let's get you both washed up and changed."

They both nodded and followed her back towards the Inn, Hugo looking over his shoulder with the faintest hint of concern flashing in his eyes as his gaze fell upon the villagers carefully carrying Steve's unconscious body towards where their Elder resided.

One of the many villagers that had accompanied the four carrying Steve to the Elder went ahead of the group, and began frantically pounding his fist against the age-worn wooden door. "Village Elder. Village Elder? Please come quick." He called through the door urgently.

It did not take long for the door to creak open, a man who looked like the others, though much older than any of the other villagers was soon standing in the doorway, his hair as white as the snow with a matching braided bead that reached past his chest. "Candreal? What has happened?" he asked, his voice horse and scratchy. His age could be heard in it.

The man named Candreal took deep breaths to calm himself, "The other day, a visitor had stopped by. Tonight he became gravely injured by the Mobs while seeking out and protecting Kelsa when she was caught by the monsters." he informed, the village Elder's greying eyes widening slightly at this knowledge.

Slowly nodding his head, he looked past Candreal and towards the others as they slowly approached the front of the house, "I see. Bring this stranger to me." He said calmly.

Melz and the three other men brought Steve before the village Elder, the man's eyes growing even wider as a gasp slipped from him upon seeing his condition as the light that leaked out of his house flooded over the young miner's body. He then stood to the side, beckoning them in with his arm. "Come. Come. Bring him inside and lay him on the bed in the next room. The rest of you… please return to your homes until the sun rises. The Mobs are still free to roam and I sadly do not have enough space to house everyone. You will all learn of his outcome by morning."

Quiet murmurs arose from the crowd but everyone did as told, leaving to return to their own homes to retire for the night.

Reentering his own home, he approached the four men just as they got Steve down on the bed comfortably. "I will tend to his wounds. Please. You four return to your families."

"Do you not need help, village Elder?" one asked softly.

The Elder chuckled while waving him off, "Nonsense. I've tended to every single villager in this town. With wounds far worse than these. I will be fine. And I feel our new friend here will be as well." He looked down at Steve, sadness filing him upon seeing what those monsters did to the man. His eyes then narrowed slightly as a small realization dawned on him, "This man has no evil in him whatsoever… the Mobs despise this rare and pure trait and so took their hatred out on him so aggressively." He spoke in a low tone, turning to walk towards the large kitchen where he began gathering everything he would need to treat him.

Melz walked up behind him while the other three left after giving their thanks. "Village Elder…?" he asked after a moment's hesitation.

A soft chuckle shook the elderly man's thin shoulders before he turned to face the other, "He will be fine, Melz. Though on the brink of death, I can call him back. I feel Notch is not yet ready to have this man join him in the Aether just yet." He smiled under his beard before turning back to face his work once more. "I feel this man was brought to us for a reason. Call it fate or whatever you wish… he has a purpose within our village."

Melz felt a little more reassurance upon seeing the barely visible smile on the Elder's aging face. Watching him carry a wooden bowl over towards the bed, Melz cleared his throat, "A… purpose?"

"It's nothing, Melz. Just an old man rambling to himself." he chuckled. He remained silent for a moment after that while settling down on a small wooden stool right next to the bed Steve was resting on. When he at last spoke again, his tone was gentle and soft, "Tell me, Melz. What is our new friend's name?"

Walking up to be next to the Elder, he watched for a moment before answering, observing the older man carefully slipping his right arm underneath Steve's head and lifting him up, his left hand tenderly bringing the rim of the wooden bowl to the other's slightly parted lips.

Sighing while relaxing upon seeing Steve actually respond to the contents of the bowl by consuming them, he cleared his throat again. "His name is Steve."

A chuckle and wider smile came to the Elder as he carefully laid Steve's head back down on the pillow after finishing the potion, leaning back and setting the now empty bowl down on the table to his right. "Well, then… We have a lot to thank Steve for. He will recover over time. But I cannot guarantee he will awaken tomorrow. It may take a full day or two until he has regained the energy to awaken. His body needs a lot of time to recover…" He whispered while pushing himself slowly to his feet, his aging body aching from the motion.

"I am just relieved he will be alright." Melz sighed.

Another chuckle came from the Elder as he patted his shoulder. "Go back to Glorenda. I am sure she is very worried and curious as to what has happened tonight. Tell her everything will be fine. Steve is safe and recovering now…" As he spoke the last sentence, he turned to face the wounded man, his smile telling Melz to look to him as well.

Sure enough, the color had already begun returning to Steve's body, no longer being a ghostly pale. His flesh was tanned once against and was radiating normal body heat as well. The very evident and steady rise and fall of Steve's chest is what really caused Melz to be hit with a heavy wave of calmness and relief.

"Get some rest, Melz. It has been a long night for everyone."

"Thank you. For everything, village Elder." Melz said with a bow of his head before turning to leave, giving Steve one more look before leaving for the Inn.

After Melz left, the Elder returned to the kitchen for more supplies before being by Steve's side once more. Taking a seat on the stool yet again, the Elder smiled sadly while placing a wrinkled hand to Steve's forehead. "I apologize, Steve, for any pain I may bring upon you. I must clean your injuries and dress your wounds." he whispered softly before taking his hand back.

He knew he had a long night ahead of him as he began cutting away the ruined clothing to expose the mess beneath, humming an old tune to himself to help drown out the sounds of the Mobs returning to the village as he got to work on treating Steve.

To Be Continued…

A/N: So sorry for the horrible lack for updates! Just moved into our new apartment and took FOREVER to get the time to get our own internet connection installed! The withdrawals from the precious internet were not kind... ;u;

*Again a huge special thanks to slingading for the fantastic cover art for this story! Thank you so much and much love to you!*