*Quick Note*

Hello. Just wanted to say that I'm planning to write about 20 or 30 more chapters. Maybe even a bit more if my brain sparks with more ideas.

After I'm done with the final chapter of this story, I'll just focus on revamping, fleshing out, and finalizing this whole story (every single chapter). I really do think my oldest and recent chapters need improvement.

That's about everything I wanted to say. Enjoy Reading!

»»WARNING««

This Chapter Includes Disturbing Content.

Chapter 7 - Shadows And Illusions

I played around with my left mechanical arm as we sat against a small, confined room. No one could sleep with the vibrating echoes that the shadow creatures were making above ground. With nothing much to do, everyone looked at my body curiously.

Dan was the first to speak. "So is part of your body made out of advanced redstone machines?"

I looked at my right normal-looking arm. "I did say I was some kind of android right?"

He nodded.

"Well first, let me make this clear. I am human, or at least used to be. After coming to this world, I gained a new body. Something I'm not completely used to."

"Because you're a redstone machine?" Stacy asked.

"Something like that. Anyways, it might not look like it but my whole body is hundred percent a living machine... I can smell, eat, feel, and think like a normal human. But it seems I have the strength and stamina of a super machine. A mix between human and machine, it's weird if you think about it."

Sparklez studied my body. "Interesting. Do you miss being human?"

Human? More like I miss being a man... Even so...

I grabbed the empty air. "I don't care whether I'm human or not. Being alive is all that matters for me."

"All that matters huh?" Stacy looked at me. "Sorry if I seem like I'm pushing it, but everyone here has their own reasons why they want to go back. I just wonder what motivates you."

Staying silent for a while, I was lost deep in thought. What motivates me?

I looked away. "I... don't know. At first, I thought I knew what I wanted, but as more time went on, I started to care less about those things. At this point, my only reason for escaping this world is just to escape... Well, if there's one thing I would have to say... I never liked this game in the first place. One of my least favorites. I only know about it from watching one of your videos. It should explain why I don't know everything about this world. I'm only going by what I remember and use my knowledge to my advantage... Still..."

"..."

I sighed and stood up. "Unless you want your brain fried, don't think about it too much. I'm going out to get fresh air."

Sparklez stopped me. "Wait! The fogbeasts are still out there! Just stay here and wait for the sunrise. It's better to stay safe."

"Don't worry about me. If something happens, I can handle them. You should worry about yourselves and rest up after I silence those echoes."

Digging out of the underground shelter and covering the entrance, I took a step out. "Tsk. I always say some unnecessary things whenever I speak. What a curse. It's better to just keep my mouth shut."

"— - - · – - - - · —"

I took out my blade at the monster. "Found me already? Heh. Even if your body is stronger from the fog, you fall like the rest."

The black smoke within the enderman echoed into my ears. I closed my eyes, hoping to end it in one strike. Yet something else happened.

"AAGH!"

The enderman took the first initiative. He teleports instantly and pierces with his long blocky hands through my stomach. Picking me up, he flailed me around. I suddenly began receiving blue futuristic UI vision through one of my eyes.

The fogbeast slammed me into the wall. Almost losing consciousness, I fell down the floor... "WhAt? HO- w diD a MerE-"

I couldn't focus clearly with all the random numbers in the way, but I knew it began to approach me menacingly.

"- · - · · · — – - - —"

I struggle to pick myself up with my sword. "nO... i CanN -oT!"

I quickly closed my eyes, hoping to change things around. Instead, I heard a familiar question. -What Do You Desire?-

I... want to survive!

Suddenly my hands automatically moved and made my sword scrape against my left metal arm, which made the sword somehow vibrate with a loud chime and create a powerful echo. This stunned the enemy and made one of my eyes burn like crazy. Ignoring the pain, I slashed through the paralyzed endermen and at the same time sliced through the air. It created a small thin rift and the black fog was sucked into the blue starry abyss. The enderman returned back to normal and died from my first cut.

Effective against those fogbeasts, yet I feel so much pain after using that...

I looked down at my wounded body. There were two massive scars that I received from the enderman. I took out an enchanted golden apple and healed my wounds by consuming it. But it didn't stop the irritation in my eye. "What... urgh... the heck i...s happening to me?"

Sparklez popped out of the ground. "Hey! Are you okay?"

I turned to see his eyes peaking. "It... was nothing. I took care... of the threat."

"That's good." He pointed. "But what about those blue flames coming out of your left eye?"

Quickly looking at the reflection of my sword, I could definitely see flames coming out my left eye. I reached out to feel the burning radiating energy. I tried to get rid of it, but as soon as my hand touched the flames, my sword pulsated like never before and glowed bright blue. The area around me became so hot that Sparkle, quickly retreated back underground, concealing the hole.

My blinding blade was bursting out with huge amount of heat. I swung it in the air once, which cooled down the burning energy from both the eye and blade. At the same time, the slash released a shockwave, cutting the trees in half from far away. I was in shock. "What kind of overpowered ability is this? Is this even Minecraft anymore?!"

The eye irritation wasn't completely gone. I continued to slash multiple times as I held my burning eye. "Come on!" I slashed. "Just..." And slashed. "Disappear ALREADY!" And finally, the sword released one big shockwave.

I huffed in exhaustion as my eye was still burning. "Maybe... I just have to disable it somehow." I closed my eyes for a while and removed the intense effect. "Finally..."

Sparklez popped out the hole. "Alpha! What was that? It was getting so hot tha-" his jaw dropped to the floor as he found the entire forest burnt and destroyed to the ground. He stared back at me. "Care to explain?!"

Everyone else came up to see the deforestation. No one spoke a word.

I fiddled with my long ponytail. "Well... I simply took care of the annoying sound."

"Simply?! Alpha, what I'm seeing is more than simple!" Dan exclaimed. "Have you been holding back your sword's true power?"

"I just gained this new power." I studied my blade. The pulsation was back to normal. Gripping it, I smirked. "This is just one step closer to escaping this world."

"- — - — · · – -!"

Dan lowered his bow as he killed the third fogbeast. "I'm starting to get the hang of this."

Lizzie and Alpha watched from a distance as they others were fighting off the monsters. "Hey Alpha, remember that time when you said my real name?" she said as she brewed her new potions.

Having her eyes closed, Alpha nodded. "Yes. Why ask?"

Lizzie sprinkled in a few redstone dust in the deep-blue boiling liquid. "I'm just wondering if you know me by any chance. Like who I was and such."

"I never met you. Only seen you by watching one of your... shows."

"Then why did you have to whisper my name so creepily in my ear?"

Alpha smirked. "Just to see if you were stuck in the same situation as me. Nothing something you have to worry about."

The others came back from their small fight. "Lizzie! How's the potions coming along?" Stacy asked.

She happily turned around. "It's alright. Just finished brewing water breathing."

"Nice. We are pretty much set on the ocean monument exploration."

"Oh man. I can't wait to see what the ocean looks like." Dan said excitedly.

"Yeah. We've never swam under the ocean before. I heard it looks beautiful underwater," Stampy said.

Alpha opened her map to make sure they were on the right track. "Only a few hundred blocks away before we reach the ocean monument. I tried to remember what happened in season two, so I hope it's the right map."

"I sure hope so. I don't want to walk another thousand days while dealing with the fogbeasts again," Lizzie said as she gathered up all her brewing materials.

As everyone got ready, they jumped on the boat and set out to their destination.

Arriving at the mark on the map, they found a big greenish sea temple. It wasn't a normal looking one as it had a huge face structure in the front. Alpha observed the monument as she stood on the boat. "Looks like my memory isn't that bad after all. Or maybe it's just my lucky day again..."

"Should we go inside the ocean monument?" Sparklez asked.

She nodded. "Yeah. Let's go inside. Lizzie?"

"I got it." Liz took out her splash potions and smashed it against the boat, giving us water breathing.

We all dived in and swam towards the entrance. There swam a ton of guardians looking for prey. Alpha and the others swam to the door as fast as they could. Reaching there, Alpha turns back to the spiky prismarine. "I'll take care of the one-eyed fish while you guys mine the door down."

While she was fending against the monsters, everyone mined the blocks as fast as they could, creating a small enough hole to get into. They went inside including Alpha and sealed the entrance shut. "Good job. So far everything is going smoothly."

"What next?" Stampy asked.

"We need to get the structure blocks so we can complete the Admin's challenge." They swam further inside. There were four colossal statues, about thirty blocks tall, staring down at us and began approaching us.

Stampy backed away in horror. "What?! I didn't think that there would be giants in here."

Alpha took out her blade. "Didn't think that he would make his move already." She closed her eyes and zipped through the water, damaging all four cores located in the back of their rocky heads. The statues all fell to their knees and disappeared into smoke. Alpha swam back to her team.

"Alpha, don't you think you're too powerful? At this point, you're making us look like a bunch of noobs." Sparklez said.

"You know, your friend speaks the truth." The red glowing figure floated down to them. "That sword of yours is making you do things that are impossible for any of the normal guys in this world."

We looked up to see a red hair man hovering above ground. He lifted his hands as the water in this massive room disappeared. Alpha stepped forward. "We finally meet Romeo."

He folded his arms. "Indeed. I'm curious why you seem so eager to find me."

Well, I hope I don't have to earn his trust by doing a thousand challenges, Alpha thought. He looked up at him. "Since I'm the strongest amongst these people, I want to be your champion."

Romeo thought about it. "I see. I have been waiting for quite a while for someone like you to step up. It sounds like you would be a good friend for sure..." He grinned. "Alright! I'll give you the privilege of being my champion. I hope you live up to my expectations."

Clapping his hands, Alpha felt new power flowing in her.

"Wait... Why didn't your clothes change and why is there no gauntlet? Usually when I make someone my champion, I make sure they look flashy."

Alpha closed her eyes and tried to focus. Leave! Exit! Open! Escape! Log Out! Nothing happened. She looked back at him. "Romeo? Is there a way you can leave this world back to the real one using your admin powers?"

He eyed her sharply. "What did you just say?"

"Do I have to repeat myself?"

Romeo shook his head. "Look, I found out the hard way that there is no going back. So don't ask me that ever again."

Alpha stood there in silence.

"ah... hahaha..."

Everyone including the Admin curiously looked at her.

"So, all of this was for nothing?" Alpha glared at Romeo. "...Well if I'm stuck here forever, I might as well remove the danger from this world." She scraped her edge against her metal arms and unleashed a burning power within her, stunning everyone around her.

Romeo was baffled. "What?! Why can't I move?! This is impossible!"

Alpha closed her eyes. Time slowed down. Raising her metal hand, grabbed on to her flames and slashed as many waves as she could at him. As time resumed, all the sharp waves that she produced were released, cutting him a hundred times.

The Admin fell to the floor, weakened. "W... Wait! What are you doing? We can talk about this right?"

Alpha slowly approached him. "Say goodnight." Dealing the final strike, she cut through the air and his body. Then the blue starry void inside the newly created rift sucked all the Admin's powers away and turned him back to normal. Not having much strength, Romeo vanished into smoke.

Starting down at the dead man's items with her blue burning eye, a shadow suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

"- — M – – i — · s · t – a · — k - - · e · · · – —"

"Huh?!" Alpha pointed her sword at the black shadowy mess. "You don't seem like any normal fogbeast? Who are you?"

The shadow's glowing white eyes grew brighter.

"— - T — h- · · e - A - r - · c — h — i - t - · — e - - c - — – t - — · –"

"The Architect huh? Maybe you know a way out? Maybe you're the one who brought me to this world?"

The shadow stared at her.

Alpha grew desperate. "Answer me, NOW!"

"· – — - · M · – · — i — — s – t - - - a · – — k – – — e —"

The more she observed him, the more uneasy she became. "I don't like this... I'll destroy your ugly body in one slash." Still having her ability activated, Alpha leaps up to his level and strikes him in half.

The Architect, shocked by how much damage he just received, retreats back. A portal opened behind him.

"— — R – · e – — s – - t - a — r — — · t · — R - - - e — s — · - e— – — t — · – -"

The shadow left with the portal closed behind him. Feeling the world changing from her new powers, Alpha yelled back at her team. "We need to get out of here!"

The moon shone brightly as the group paddled their boats back to the mainland. Stopping the boats, they looked back at the ocean.

"So what now?" Stampy asked. "The Admin said it was impossible to return home. There's not much we can do."

"That Architect might know something," Alpha replied.

"Even if he might, we don't know where he escaped too," he said.

Sparklez sighed. "Maybe this isn't worth it. We will just be circling around while trying to find the exit."

Stacy sided with him. "Yeah. I think Sparklez is right. It's not like we are suffering here. Living here doesn't sound that bad."

Lizzie walked to Alpha's side. "Don't lose hope yet. Just look how far we've gotten. With Alpha's help, I think we can do it."

Dan followed her. "Same here. I think it's possible. Plus, I have something to go back to. I can't just sit here and not do anything."

Sparklez, Stampy, and Stacy stood on one side meanwhile Alpha, Lizzie, and Dan stood on the other.

Alpha noticed the situation they were in. "Well, this is-"

"— — – — – – — · – - - - — — · — — – - - — — — · · · · - - — –"

Everybody froze. That was the first time they heard such a loud noise from the fogbeasts. They ran up the hill, peaked over the other side, and immediately ducked back down.

"I don't believe it," Stacy whispered. "Why is there so many..."

"Hundreds... No. Thousands..." Dan shivered.

"And more are coming out of that similar looking portal that the Architect used." Sparklez said.

"What should we do?" Stampy panicked. "We're stuck here, aren't we?"

Alpha placed her finger on her lips. "Clam down. We just need to sneak our way around."

"And go where?!" Stacy quietly said.

"We will go get help from Jesse."

"The one who tried to kill you?"

"Yeah. At this point, I have no clue what is happening anymore. We need all the help we can get against this new enemy who looks more powerful than anything I've seen."

Journal 1

Hello! This is my first book I've ever crafted and now I'm finally writing on it. I thought that I should use it as some kind of journal about what is happening in my daily life. Maybe the future me can read it.

Well today I found a stray cat in the back alley. She wasn't anything special-looking, but as soon I grabbed her, she cuddled my cheeks with her white fur. I called her Eonu, my first friend.

Journal 2

It's raining today. I'm sitting under this small roof with Eonu. She likes playing around in the rain. I thought cats hated water according to what that shopkeeper told me today before it began dripping. I guess he was wrong. Anyways, I find it mesmerizing with how she dances around and in the small puddles.

Journal 3

My hair smelled funny today. It smelled like something from a sea food shop. At first I thought that during my sleep, raining fish fell from the sky.

But it turns out Eonu brought me a fish and placed it on my head. I didn't know she was good at fishing. As a reward, I gave her so many snuggles, even if we both smelled like fish.

Journal 4

Eonu was my hero today! I wanted to go out in the woods to gather some flowers and dye Eonu's collar. I already collect blue flowers and was on my way to collect red flowers. Suddenly a creeper showed up. I was very scared... but Eonu jumped down from the tree and scared the green monster off.

I'm going to give her super warm hugs when she comes back.

Journal 5

A group of people came by today. They told me that they were my friends. I of course didn't believe them at first but considering that I was a victim of the Witherstorm and are one of the few who had no memories of what happened before the Heroes defeated the monster, I decided to think about what to do a bit more.

After thinking about it for a bit, I think I should give it a try and hang out with them. Travis and the others should be waiting for me at the same place we met tomorrow morning.

Journal 6

So today was awesome. I had fun hanging out with my old friends. Though they were a little pushy at times, I didn't think it was that bad. We went shopping, to a few restaurants, and even played a few sport games with them. I lost every one of them. Probably because I'm not a strong like the rest of them. But still, it was fun.

Journal 7

It's been a long while since I wrote in this book. Looking back on the older stuff feels a bit nostalgic. And Eonu, I haven't seen that cat in a while. She disappeared after I met my friends. I do miss her... I wonder what she's doing right now.

Well enough about that. I planned on building a huge city filled with skyscrapers and such. Well, I'm not the one who is building because I'm basically weak in anything that requires physical work. My friends and some of the other people who volunteered to help will be doing construction. I agreed to handle the blueprints, financial stuff, and anything that requires heavy brain power. And were starting tomorrow, so I'm really excited.

Journal 8

So, Jesse, the leader of Beacontown, was supposed to come today to talk about future plans but I guess he was busy with something else. Other than that, we already built all the small towers and are now building the skyscrapers. We just started, so it doesn't look that impressive, but I imagine that it will look great.

... Lately though, my friends are acting weird. They are completely ignoring me. I don't understand...

Journal 9

It was horrible. I don't get it... Why would they do this to me?

Journal 10

I Couldn't Breathe Today. I Felt Like Was I Was Drowning In... Why Am I Even Writing This?

Journal 11

Jesse finally came today. We signed the books, and we are now officially- Well even if we are, I don't feel as excited as I thought I would.

[The rest of the journal pages were already torn away.]

Journal 25

I just want to leave.

If I could, I would change everything about me and start over.

Journal 26

Raining today... I miss Eonu... I miss her dance... I miss the old d-

Journal 27

MY LUNGS HURTS

PLEASE SOMEONE

Journal 28

IF ONLY I COULD RIP MY LUNGS OUT

PLEASE SOMEONE

RIP IT OUT FOR ME

[The rest of the journal pages were already torn away.]

Journal 42

give

up

Journal 43

tried

Closing her journal, the leader of Champion City slowly walked out to her balcony that was located on the highest floor of the skyscraper. She looked at the morning clouds with her lifeless eyes and opened her lips with a heavy sigh. The door to her room suddenly opened and four men stepped in. "Stella, I think it's about time."

She looked at them weakly as she handed the newly earned diamonds and emeralds out.

The big guy smiled. "You're pretty useful for a little girl. Now that Jesse is lending you the funds for construction, you or should I say we can earn more money. I hope you continue to keep this leader-act up," he showed her the poison and regeneration potions, "or else... you know what will happen again, right?"

Stella slowly looks at the floor, trying not to look at what he is holding.

The man harshly grabbed her shoulder. "Hey. Did you just look down on me?"

She trembled as she felt the pressure of his arm. "N... No T... Travis."

He let her go in satisfaction. "We'll see you next tomorrow."

Stella choked as she looked at him. "...Tomorrow? B... but I thought we only agreed three times every week."

"Lately we have more people joining us to help build this city. If you don't have enough money to support them, we can't complete what we started... Am I right?"

She nodded fearfully.

Grinning back, Travis and his men walked out of her room. "If you don't have enough tomorrow, I'll make sure you drink up!" They slammed the door shut while laughing at her. She could hear them saying stuff like how she is a wuss and such.

Stella slowly walked towards her bed and fell in with her face in the white pillow. Again... Weak again...

She squinted her eyes in tears as she tightly held her pillow. Why... Does life matter anymore? I'm... I'm nothing more than a worthless weakling... A worthless weakling... But I'm not. I have people to look out for... I'm the leader... A leader... A leader? Ha ha... What are you doing... what am I doing...

She didn't know how long she stayed there, but eventually she looked up at the ceiling, putting her hand on her stomach. Paradise huh? It's just a bunch of false hopes and dreams in the end...

"- — A – - w · a — -— k · · e · · – n - —"

"Wha...?" Stella sat up with a tear-stained face. "What was that?" She looked around but couldn't find anyone. Deciding to look at the balcony, she opened the door. A dark figure floating in the sky was covered with black mist. He was staring down at her with white glowing eyes. Couldn't make out what it was but she felt it calling for her.

"— – · –"

In that moment, Stella was suddenly blinded, yet she could see his white eyes. She takes in the cold burning eyes, which was changing into something more breathtaking for her. It shined brilliantly. It is so beautiful. She walked towards it as if she found the escape she was looking for. In her heart, something tells her that it is dangerous. Yet... it didn't matter. She would do anything to reach for it.

Even if she couldn't feel the floor anymore.

Even if she couldn't feel herself anymore.

Even if she could feel the darkness consuming her, she would reach out and... now she can finally sleep in peace.

...

...

...

...

...

...

Waking up from her nightmare, she found herself in a big ruin that looks like it used to be a town or a city. It was raining but she didn't mind. She then spotted a white cat with a purple collar dancing in the small puddles.

"Eonu... would have liked this. Hmm... Who's Eonu?"