AN: The long awaited confrontation begins... now!
Disclaimer: I don't own Minecraft. If I did, I'd have the workers make a server recreating Minecraftia and invite all my readers to visit it.
Chapter 127
Angel of Death
[Cobb]
The sounds and bodies of the great hall faded into silence. They all seemed pointless when compared to the crimson-eyed face of death grinning back at me.
Carys.
The words above her head proved she was no imposter. Short, spiky black hair, crimson eyes, sleeveless green turtleneck, navy blue jeans, a silver cross necklace, purple boots, belt, and backpack. She was clad in diamond armor.
She was just as I remembered. Except that she should have been dead. Thrown into lava and never seen from again. I didn't understand.
No… I think I did.
There was only one explanation.
"Judging by your stupid expression, you must be surprised to see—"
"GHOOOOST! Begone! FIE!" I threw a handful of the first item at my belt—coal—into her face. Her expression was flat as they bounced harmlessly off of her.
There was a beat of silence—only because neither one of us knew how to react—as I watched the coal fall onto the floor.
Brain: Shiiiiiiiiit! Ghosts should be incorporeal! Which means…!
"No, pig-killer, I'm not a ghost and I'm not dead." Carys recovered quickly. "I'm much, much worse." She grabbed the collar of my hoodie and pulled me down to eye level, grinning madly. "I'm the real thing!"
I was thrown back across the dance floor where I was caught by a pair of hands. A green head of hair poked its way around my torso a second later.
"Cobb, your new dance partner doesn't know her own strength." Jade shot a glare, irritated at being interrupted. "You could have hurt him."
"That was the idea." Carys remarked before lifting an eyebrow. "And who have we here? Your date to the party, Cobb?" She rested a hand on her hip. "Bad luck, lady. You would have lived longer being a wallflower."
"That sounds like a threat." Jade reached for her cutlass before finally taking notice of the name over Carys' head. "Carys... Angel? Didn't you say you killed her?" The last part was directed towards me.
"I did. Or at least I thought I did." I pushed Jade behind me as Carys approached without a care. "How did you survive? The lava should have burned you to death."
"Thank you for reminding me. I intend to return the favor." She let the threat linger, her gaze taking notice of how I protected Jade. "As for your question," she reached into her bag, making me flinch, before drawing some unknown potion. "I would have burned, if not for my Potion of Fire Resistance. It would've been foolish to duel above lava without one."
Looks like Wynn called that one.
"Well, this has been a…" I paused to think of an appropriate adjective. "…gruesome reunion."
"You don't know the half of it." She added darkly.
"But, it's getting late!" I laughed nervously, backing away with Jade safely behind me. "We're tired. You're probably tired. So let's just go our separate ways, NOT try and kill me, and forget this ever—"
"Not a chance." She slowly advanced, shoving dancers aside, with her crimson eyes never leaving mine. "I came all this way for you, and yet you'd leave the second I arrive? Have you no heart?"
Oh, I have a heart. It's beating very, very loudly right now!
Heart: AHHHHHHH! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
"I-I don't mean to be rude," I stumbled over my words, sweating profusely and fearing not for my life, but for the person behind me. "We really have to go!"
"But the party's barely begun." She grinned darkly. "Stay a while."
This was bad. Her fingers were itching towards her belt and she was sweeping dancers aside like dust bunnies. She was out for blood, and she wouldn't be deterred. I needed to grab Floyd and Lenz and get the hell out of Cloud Castle, Zeppil, and possibly Minecraftia.
But first, a distraction.
A finger struck out. "Oh my God, is that Carys_Angel behind you!?"
At my exclamation, all the nearby dancers stopped to twist around in alarm, looking for the infamous criminal of Ringwood—all except for Carys, who leveled a flat glare my way.
…Strange, that usually works.
Plan B, then!
"Guards, help!" I suddenly shouted, catching both Jade and Carys by surprise. "There's a criminal crashing this party! It's Carys_Angel!"
The music died and startled gasps punctuated the silence that followed. The nearest guards turned our way before, with a note of alarm, drew swords to point at the crimson-eyed criminal.
That's right. Carys was a criminal. It's why everyone had been so panicked before. Her reputation preceded her, and her wanted posters were still all over Zeppil. The news of her supposed death hadn't reached this far, but it was actually to our advantage!
The guests and dancers cleared out at the behest of the Captains, who further ordered their guards to surround Carys and prevent her from escaping. She had made a mistake showing herself in Cloud Castle; Her eagerness to confront me overriding all reason.
And after my latest exclamation, Floyd and Lenz were sure to notice and escape. A flawless distraction if ever I had one.
"Your move, Carys." I taunted, allowing a smirk to form. She was cornered. Not even she could fight her way out.
It was unsettling, then, that Carys smirked back haughtily. She cocked her head to the side, one hand resting on her hip, as she regarded the white-capped Crafters and Captains all around.
"Oh me, oh my. I seem to be trapped. Whatever will I do?" She posed innocently. It was terrifying, like a shark trying to appear vulnerable, and it immediately set me on edge. Jade and I backed up further, trying to slip away amongst the guards.
The Captains stepped forward, Fo taking initiative. "Stand down, Carys. You're under arrest for crimes in Ringwood and gatecrashing this party!"
"But mostly for the other stuff." Bak added.
"Right! Mostly for the Ringwood crimes!"
Carys hummed in thought. "Captain Fo. If I recall, you took Jillian's spot after she left." The Captain lowered her sword for a moment. "And the rest of you." She swept an arm to the onlookers. "One would think you'd be a bit more welcoming to your savior. Or have I become yesterday's news?"
The guards shared confused looks, as did the guests. A low murmur traveled through the crowd as whispered words were exchanged. Bows and swords tensed when Carys sighed wearily before rummaging in her backpack for something.
"Cobb, what's she talking about?" Jade asked, trying to work her way around my outstretched arms.
"I have an idea…" I whispered worriedly. We needed to get away now. I strained my neck, trying to spot Floyd and Lenz. They were supposed to be in the corner with the slot machines.
"Don't try and draw anything!" Captain Bak ordered, stepping close to Carys as she brought her questing hand from her backpack. "Drop your weapon… and… you… you…"
He trailed off as Carys brought a black Skeleton skull mask to rest before her face.
"Does this jog your memory?" She asked, shifting the mask so that one crimson eye peeked out. "Surely you recognize the face of your beloved savior. The leader of the Paragons: The Angel of Death."
Her voice carried impressively through the great hall causing every head to turn in her direction. The guards' weapons hung loosely at their side at the latest reveal, some whispering breathlessly at the legend standing before them.
I moved past Jade, snagging her hand and dragging her through the guests struggling to catch a glimpse of Carys. It was like fighting through a tidal wave. For every Crafter I pushed through, three more would be moving against me, the tide of bodies carrying us back towards certain doom.
Even Jade was lost for words. Looking back, I saw her purple eyes reflecting pure shock as they remained fixed on the Angel of Death. Her feats were legendary and only Floyd and I knew her identity as Carys_Angel. To Lenz, Jade, and Soul it would be a great shock, and if Soul were here, he'd probably be bowing down to the woman.
But that didn't matter right now. What mattered was that my plan to get Carys arrested or at least impeded was backfiring horribly. Even worse, I couldn't break through the tide of bodies gravitating towards the dance floor, pushing us back to her.
Judging by her evil smile, she planned for it.
"H-Hold on!" Captain Fo cried out over the din, silencing many as she strode over to Carys. She made to say something, but deflated at the last second, as if lost on what to say or how to feel. Carys was allowed an amused chuckle before she started again. "You'll forgive me if I find it hard to believe that our beloved Angel of Death—the toted Gatekeeper to Oblivion—"
"Mmm, love the sound of that."
"—Is secretly one of Ringwood's worse criminals? How can that be?" She asked of her fellow guards, who slowly nodded, conceding her point. "Simply possessing a Wither Skeleton skull doesn't make her our Angel. While rare, anyone could obtain one." She turned back to Carys. "If you wish to bolster your claim, you must provide more evidence than that."
Yes! The Captain had a point. A skull was just a skull, a mask to hide one's face. Even if I knew it to be true, she'd have trouble convincing the crowd of her reputation. I felt my spirits lift elatedly…
Before Carys stomped them back down.
"Fair enough. Fortunately, I planned for that." She rummaged in her backpack again, this time withdrawing a Crafter Head. One that had the Captain falling to her knees in worship. "Though I show you this in confidence—I don't want my enemies learning of my identity—I assume this will do?"
She had both hands out. In her left, the Wither Skeleton skull. In her right, a mysterious Crafter Head. I didn't know who it was, but a lot of people apparently did, including Jade.
"That's… GardenWalker's…" Jade murmured, somewhere between horror and something else.
I was suddenly reminded of the closing ceremony for the Games. The story of the Southern Executive GardenWalker, and his legendary cruelty ruling Zeppil with his cultists.
Before Carys wiped him out.
She whirled on me, eyes wide and afraid. "Cobb, I don't know how you pissed off one of the most dangerous women in Minecraftia, but you can tell me later after we get the hell out of here!"
"Right!" I whispered back, the terror contagious.
All around us, Crafters bowed low, whispering words of prayer for their savior, swearing fealty, worshiping the fact that they were standing in the same room as her. Meanwhile, Jade and I stuck out like sore thumbs slogging through bodies as fast as we could. I tried to spot Floyd or Lenz, hoping they heard everything. They should have been able to see everything, what with everyone bowing down.
"Lift your heads!" Carys called out harshly, her voice booming across the hall. "You're all pathetic. Were you made to worship me? Like helpless little sheeple? Get up!" She spat at the ground, disgusted. "I didn't save Zeppil for your sake. My business had always been with the cult and I gave those bastards what they deserved. That's all there was to it."
Instead of being put out by her words, they only seemed to worship her more! They cried out words of thanks, words of praise. Some even laid out their valuables for her to pick through at her leisure.
"Enough! I don't want any of your gear. I'm already clad in diamond."
"Please! Accept our gifts! We wish to repay you for your generosity!"
"It wasn't generosity!" She snapped, kicking one guard—only to roll her eyes when the guard smiled and thanked her for gracing him with her foot. "Notch, that's creepy."
They just ate it up. These people had come to their own conclusions about their savior. To them, she could do no wrong. And that was a big concern for the ones trying to escape her. Luckily, we were almost out.
Jade and I worked our way to the pillars off to the side of the great hall. With everyone moving towards the center, the outskirts were less packed. It was a clear shot to the windows.
However, as we neared one of the pillars, someone stepped out from behind them. I recognized the face and name. Lucky_Luis. We had met at Ringwood prior to the Creeper attack. He had seemed friendly then, but now, clad in iron armor, his purple eyes and iron sword were pointed at me. The fact that he did so immediately without first offering a greeting made alarms go off in my head.
We stopped abruptly before Jade steered us away. If the windows were out, we'd try for the doors. At least, that had been the plan until we faced another sword-bearing Crafter decked in iron armor. This woman—Hopeful_Heather—was an unfamiliar face, but her hazel eyes and sword were firmly pointed at me.
Beside her, another new face stepped forward. BalticSkies was his name, and he looked like he could be Floyd's father with his dark blue hair and blue-grey beard. His face may have been aged, but he was clad in iron like the others and had an assortment of potions at his belt.
"Don't move, cultists." Baltic warned. "Carys will be with you shortly."
They didn't look like guards, but they were clearly working with Carys. Were they her guild? The Paragons?
"We're not cultists." I growled for what felt like the umpteenth time. I didn't know whether their assumption came from their psycho leader or those stupid wanted posters in circulation. Either way, these people were enemies. I reached for Backlash, wondering if Floyd and Lenz would make a move already.
"All of you stand aside." Carys snapped me out of my thoughts with her command. "I don't need you for anything except keeping your mouths shut about my true name." She pointed forward, a dark smile ever-present on her face. "My business is with those cultists over there."
At once, every Crafter in the hall moved out of the way of Carys' finger, opening up a clear path between her and me. I could feel the eyes of everyone turn our way. I could hear the words thrown back and forth over her accusation.
"…Cultists?"
"Did she say cultists?"
"Here…?"
"Wait, wasn't he the second place Spleefer?"
"King_Cobb."
"The Billionth."
"He was… a cultist?"
"He has to be. Our Angel wouldn't have said so otherwise."
"I'm not doubting her."
"He did cheat making that alliance in the second round…"
"But he's a Hacker-Slayer. Are the Hack Clan and Endward Cult at odds?"
"The green-haired one with him… she placed first in Parkour. And he placed second in his event. Only high-ranked cultists could have done as well as they did."
"If she says they're cultists, then they're cultists!"
The crowd kept feeding the rumors as Carys strode through the path made for her. Her boots clicked against the floor like the tolling of a bell.
*tk tk* *tk tk*
I hated that sound. Almost as much as Carys' chuckles as she ripped out a map from her backpack and held it up for all to see. It was my wanted poster. I paled at the sight of my stupid face staring back at me.
"King_Cobb is a wanted Executive of the Endward Cult." Carys announced, stirring up the crowd even more. "The posters have been circulated in several Kingdoms and were issued by Nitebane, though they have yet to reach this far south. I assume that's why he chose to hide here." She added casually, causing the glares to up in intensity. "My Paragons and I have been searching for him for months. We intend to deliver him to Nitebane… after extracting useful information from him, of course."
Her Paragons closed in on all sides, even as Carys strode up just a few feet shy of me. Her smile was as cocky as ever. My plan to turn the hall against her had been flipped on its head.
"Ball's in your court, Cobb." She whispered tauntingly.
Damn, she had me there.
"Capture them!" One of the guards roared to much assent.
"Forget the intel! Kill that bastard!" Many Crafters started brandishing weapons, waving them at us. Jade pressed her back to mine, her cutlass drawn and ready.
"Cobb, we need to make a break for it." She hissed, swiping with her sword as one Paragon—Heather—tried to grab us.
"I know, but…" I craned my neck, trying to catch sight of blue or gray hair. Still no sign of Floyd or Lenz.
If they made it out there was no problem. Maybe they couldn't see a chance to swoop in and help. Better they were safe, than—
"Missing something? Or rather someone?"
A chilling voice crawled up my spine, making me focus all my attention on the speaker: Carys. She smiled when she saw she had my attention.
"Oh, dear. What were their names again?" She brought a finger to her chin, closing her eyes in a show of remembering. "Flawwed_Floyd and Lenzington. Are they the ones you're searching for so desperately?"
Backlash nearly slipped out of my grip and my pupils dilated in terror. Every word she spoke froze my blood several degrees colder.
Floyd… she would have known his name from before. But Lenz… how did she know who Lenz was? He joined after and had no wanted poster with his full name. The fact she knew… the fact she was smirking at my panic-stricken face… the fact that they were nowhere to be found…!
"…What did you do with them?" I croaked.
"Cobb, we need to run!" Jade hissed. "We can parkour over them and escape down the—"
"You're free to try it." Carys gestured to the windows. "Flee if you think you can. Though I'm sure your friends will miss you dearly."
"WHAT DID YOU DO!?" I bellowed, my voice beyond fury. "WHERE ARE THEY, CARYS!?"
"Aha, I thought I'd have to say more to rile you up." She said with relish. "Glad to see I've touched a nerve."
"ANSWER ME!" I moved without thinking, working up a fist to ram into her smug, arrogant, bitch face. Instead, she caught it with contemptuous ease, pulling it down and leaning forward to whisper next to my ear.
"I'll make this simple since you're having trouble processing this." Her voice was low and dangerous. "I have the lives of you and your worthless friends in the palm of my hand. One word from me can end all of you in an instant. Now is not the time to let your rage do the talking. So follow my commands like a good little dog or else watch as I gut your girlfriend like a fish."
The anger drained from my body and pooled somewhere around my ankles to be replaced with ice-cold fear. My eyes were wide and unfocused, the Crafters and great hall all blurring into fuzzy colors and shapes. All except for her. The cause of my terror. She was in greater focus than anything because her words gave me more focus than anything. She had me dead to rights. I was trapped. She had Floyd and Lenz and if I tried anything, she'd kill them. If I tried to escape and failed, she'd kill them and Jade.
I was completely at her mercy.
Carys leaned back and released my arm, letting it fall to my side, defeated. Just like me. She looked pleased at that accomplishment.
"It's kind of stuffy in here." She spoke aloud, looking at the bodies filling the great hall. "Why don't we take this outside? I know just the spot. Your girlfriend can come too. I wouldn't want her to feel left out."
It wasn't a suggestion. Even though I was stuck staring at the floor, I understood there was no choice.
"Cobb!" Jade hissed, trying to get me to do something. When she saw how unresponsive I was, she glared at Carys before sheathing her own cutlass. The other Paragons closed in, restraining her hands behind her back.
"That won't be necessary." Carys dismissed as one of them tried to do the same with me. "He's not going anywhere."
I loathed how certain she sounded… even though she was right.
"We'll be using the Battlements for a while." Carys informed the Captains. "We'll also be using the West Tower to dock our airship, but only for a little while longer. We'll be gone before the night is through."
The Captains made no move to argue. How could they when the Angel of Death was making a request? They owed her dearly, and any idea that Captain Fo's gratitude to us would win out was cruelly dashed. She knew Leadstripe had attacked me. She knew we couldn't possibly be cultists—and she even looked a bit confused at the latest information. But the Angel of Death was Zeppil's savior.
She wouldn't step in to our defense.
Backlash hung uselessly at my side as I turned and obediently followed Carys out. Jade was roughly made to follow.
The guests of the great hall parted once more to allow Carys through. They kept blessing her for her sacrifice and thanking the Paragons for seeking out cultist scum like us.
I didn't pay much attention to the insults hurled my way. My mind was too busy imagining all the horrible things Carys could do to the others. This was her revenge for Mr. Piggles. Stringing me along without letting me know what she had planned. I couldn't take it!
What if she threw them in lava like Floyd did to her? What if she tortured them while I could only watch? What if she threw me a sword and made me decide which of them lived or died!? Each idea was worse than the last!
Carys suddenly snapped her fingers. "Baltic. Check them."
At her command, the blue-haired old man got up behind me and began rummaging through my backpack. Any protest I had died on my lips when Carys regarded me with a crimson eye, daring me to say something. I let it go, and she smirked before facing forward again.
Baltic continued to check my Inventory as we walked. He went through my backpack, then my belt. Then he went over to Jade and did the same. Jade had no problem making waspish remarks to the man and made things more difficult by squirming as she walked. It was put to a stop when Heather and Luis yanked her hands back down, earning a pained wince from her.
My fists clenched, shaking slightly, but then Carys' gaze passed over them. I forced them to go still and Carys made a pleased sound.
"Good boy." She taunted before turning back to Baltic. "Any ender pearls?"
"None. Though they both have stronger armor." He noted curiously. "Why they stick with leather is beyond me."
"A dress code, perhaps? This was a party, after all."
They wouldn't be searching us for ender pearls unless they thought there was a chance for us to use them. Wherever they were taking us, it must have been out in the open. Otherwise the ender pearls wouldn't be relevant.
"We also found this." I flinched when Baltic took out the Slik Touch shovel. That was the source of our funds! He handed it to Carys and she saw the way I reacted, smiling cruelly.
"Quite the find." She inspected it idly before slipping it inside her backpack. Her crimson eyes found mine. "Would you mind if I borrow it for a while, Cobb? I'd hate to take it without permission." I kept my mouth shut, glaring at the floor. "Good boy."
I should have stored it in the ender chest.
Going up winding staircases and corridors, past guarded doors where the guards swore their loyalty to the leader of the Paragons, we finally walked through a set of double doors and out onto a flat, dimly lit area. Ramparts stood at the edge, and thick stone towers shot up on all sides. We were high up and outside, the evening wind blowing through and chilling us to the bone. The only light came from the center where a glass skylight peeked down into a decorated throne room. The rest of the flat area was interspersed with shrubbery… and Mobs!
"Place could use a cleanup." Carys commented, leading us out onto the battlements.
A Zombie noticed her and slogged forward, and I half wished the thing would one-hit kill her, but no such luck. Instead she reached into her backpack and lashed out faster than I could see. The Zombie was sent staggering back before her weapon sunk into its torso, killing it. Only then did I see her weapon.
"That's new…" I said, eyeing her diamond scythe apprehensively. It looked razor sharp and was definitely a Tinker's weapon. I didn't want to think what it could do.
"So you noticed." Carys twirled the scythe, caressing it covetously. "What better weapon for an Angel of Death." More Mobs began to gravitate towards us but Carys pointed to Luis. "Keep these Mobs off us until Z7 gets back. I don't want any interruptions."
"Yes, ma'am."
Z7? So there were more Paragons than just the four here. Back at Ringwood, Luis had been with Darkened_Wing, so he was probably here too. But how many others were there? How outnumbered were Floyd and Lenz? I needed more information.
Realization hit me after thinking back to the times in Ringwood. Darkened_Wing and Lucky_Luis. They had approached me back then… when I was with Lenz and Erin. That's how Carys knew Lenz's name. Wing and Luis, they were her Paragons, probably sent to spy on me, learn my friends, my weaknesses…
But what did Carys even want from me here? She already had me cornered. She won. Why drag it out other than the agony of not knowing my friends' fate? Or was my agony all she needed?
As Luis dispatched the Mobs spawning from the dark corners of the battlements, Jade was dragged by Heather and Baltic over to the side. Nobody bothered to restrain me, and I was left standing before Carys in the center of the battlements.
"Now," she began, slamming the handle of her scythe into the floor, "we can have that chat."
"Where are my friends?"
"You've been busy, Cobb." Carys ignored me. "In the time since we last met, you've made quite the name for yourself." She narrowed her eyes. "The Billionth. That's what they're calling you."
Again, that nickname was causing me trouble. Thanks a lot, Noman! But it didn't seem like she was talking about anything cult related.
"You mean Halstatt?" I guessed.
"Yes…" She hissed, her face twitching as if remembering something unpleasant. "You were the first to kill a Hacker. When I heard, I couldn't believe it. Knowing there was someone out there as capable as me, I couldn't help but respect you. I wanted to meet the Billionth, fight him, recruit him…" Her fists shook with barely suppressed rage. "Then I found out that you were one and the same. That I had already fought you. That I already hated you." Her eyes flashed dangerously. "It's the ultimate insult to be upstaged by an untried dumbass like you!"
"Why do you care? I never upstaged any—" That was when it hit me. The only way she would take offense with me being the first to kill a Hacker. "Nitebane…" I whispered, the revelations coming to me easily. "That was you. You killed the Hackers in Nitebane. You took control there. And you… you…" My blood boiled. "You were the one who printed out those wanted posters!"
She smirked. "You mean you never figured that out sooner? No, why would you. You thought I was dead and gone." She ran her hands along her scythe's blade, reveling in my anger. Like it was feeding some sick part of her. "Finding you two had always been a side project, so I figured to issue the posters and leave it to the bounty hunters to bring you to me. Though according to Wing and Luis, you had quite the run-in with bounty hunters in Jolin."
So she knew about our encounter with the Berserkers as well. How far had Wing and Luis followed us?
"But then you know we're not cultists!" I countered, causing Carys to close her eyes and smile. "Floyd saved the princess' life! I saved Halstatt from Hackers! A cultist wouldn't—"
"I don't know what you mean, Cobb." Carys interrupted, her crimson eyes full of amusement. "You and Floyd were clearly cultists from the beginning. You only fought Hackers to keep Floyd as one of your own. And didn't you admit as much when we first met?"
"I never said anything like that!"
"Well, Cobb, I guess it's your word against mine." She smirked, and I saw her eyes dart to her other Paragons for just a moment.
I looked to them, and saw the one holding Jade glare at her hatefully. Luis too, in between killing Mobs, was glaring daggers at me.
And Carys just stood there, smirking knowingly.
"We're not cultists!" I suddenly shouted to her Paragons. "I don't know what lies she said, but she's only doing this for a personal vendetta!" Baltic raised an eyebrow at that, but the others remained unmoved. "There's no benefit for what you're doing here!"
"Right. Like we'll believe that." Luis scoffed, slashing into a Spider that got too close. "It was obvious from the start what you were. The cult's new replacement for Southern Executive. That's why you came here."
"No! You have to listen to me! We're innocent Crafters! We didn't—"
"How else could you have escaped that Endward Cult outpost?" Luis suddenly accused. "I thought it was because of skill, but you never killed anyone and somehow escaped without any help? No sane person would do that! It would be a suicide mission… unless you were buddies with them."
"That…" I remembered the outpost. It was after I heard that Floyd was dead. It was a grief-fueled mission where I wasn't thinking straight. Surviving had been a miracle. A miracle they refused to believe.
"And where were you during the Creeper Herd?" Luis asked next. "You and your Lieutenant returned from outside Ringwood, where the Creepers were the thickest. Only the cultists knew that Creepers wouldn't dare approach while you were holding cats! You were kept safe all along because you were one of them!"
"You're wrong! We fought 4Blite! We—"
"You can't trick us! Carys told us the whole story." He lashed out at a Skeleton while Carys smiled unseen. "You and all your tag-alongs are cultists."
"She's lying!" I tried again, but Luis wasn't listening any more. "She made that story up so you'd help her! She's only doing this because I killed her stupid pig by accident!"
Saying that had been a mistake. Before I knew it, a scythe carved across my chest, the force of it tearing a chunk of my Health. I crashed onto my side, curling upon the pain as my Hunger and Health meter tried to fix me.
Carys stood over me, livid and breathing heavily. "Don't mention Mr. Piggles again." She warned.
I glared defiantly back at her. "I'm not the one spouting garbage. You really need to lie to your friends to get their help?"
"They're not my friends." She scoffed, cooling off a bit. "They're my guild. My comrades. The tools I need to see my goals completed." She pivoted on her heel, twirling her scythe as she did so. "And right now, my current goal involves you. Get up." She ordered.
"Why?"
"Because you and I are going to fight." She said simply before chuckling at my expression. "You heard right. We're going to have our rematch, Cobb. Just you and me. Right here, right now."
"What…?" I stood up on my knees, staring at her questioningly. "What's the point? Why do you want to fight me?"
"Because you were the first to do what I planned to do with less time, less resources, and saw it done anyway." She answered, taking off her enchanted diamond chestplate. From the last time, I remembered it had the Thorns Enchantment which hurt when struck. It probably had Protection and other enchantments too, so why was she taking it off? "I want to see if it was just a fluke, or if you truly have improved since our last bout."
"And you want an excuse to beat the tar out of me, right?"
"Maybe just a smidge." She taunted, her diamond leggings and boots coming off next. She was completely unarmored. "This should be a fair handicap. You might want to change into better gear." She looked pointedly at my leather armor. "I'll wait."
I couldn't help but laugh humorlessly. "Oh, I'm afraid that's one demand you can't make." She quirked an eyebrow and I patted the cursed tunic challengingly. "It's enchanted with Curse of Binding and Unbreaking III. A punishment for our actions in Jolin." I offered as an explanation. "The only way it's coming off is if you beat it off of me."
"Challenge accepted."
She darted in fast, no longer weighed down by her armor. Jade cried out a warning and I brought up my diamond sword just in time to have her scythe crashing into it. But it didn't end there. Her scythe slid along the blade, diamond scraping against diamond, and the tip of her scythe found its way into my shoulder.
I gasped in pain, trying to push the blade back out only for Carys to double down. She was beside me, pulling her scythe with all her might. Fighting a scythe wielder, it seemed, was a whole new problem since the blade was on the inside. That meant most of her attacks would either be pulling into me or else having her blade surround me. Since she was beside me, she had no trouble freeing up a fist and burying it into my kidney.
My strength failed and Carys was allowed to continue her slash, clotheslining me across the shoulders and sending me skidding across the skylight.
Her reach and range were too great. I couldn't compete with a regular sword. I got to my knees and barely managed to roll aside before her scythe could carve me up again.
"What's wrong? Is this all you can do?" She taunted, flourishing her scythe. "Or maybe your heart's just not into it. How about this, if you kill me, my Paragons will release your girlfriend over there."
I coughed, glancing over to Jade, still restrained. Then I faced Carys once more.
"What about my other friends?" I asked.
"Hm. That is a good question." She had that mock contemplative look on her face that made my blood boil. "What did I do with them? Baltic, remind me, did I order Z7 to kill one or both of—"
Carys caught the diamond sword I hurled at her and then deflected my wild charge with a kick to the back that sent me down. She tsked, waving the diamond blade tauntingly. "Temper, temper." She stomped into my back. "Throwing your only weapon wasn't very smart, now was it—?"
The handle of Backlash tapped her thigh.
Carys was thrown off of me and into one of the stone towers. The watching Paragons gasped and Jade let out a cheering laugh. The Angel of Death landed on her feet and pushed off of the tower. She rubbed the back of her head, though her grin had turned a bit feral.
I picked up my diamond blade again, holding both it and Backlash as I glared furiously at Carys. A thrumming, blackening rage was lending me power, spurring me onward.
Blood: Kill… Kill her… Kill her now…
"You want a fight so bad? En garde, bitch!"
Inventory (Cobb): 1 Leather Cap [Dyed Brown, Curse of Binding I, Unbreaking III] {Weak}, 1 Leather Tunic [Dyed Brown, Curse of Binding I, Unbreaking III] {Weak}, 1 Leather Leggings [Dyed Brown, Curse of Binding I, Unbreaking III] {Weak}, 1 Leather Boots [Dyed Brown, Curse of Binding I, Unbreaking III] {Weak}, 1 Fishing Rod {Backlash} [Knockback II, Luck of the Sea III, Unbreaking III], 1 Diamond Sword, 1 Banner {Beginners}, 64 Cobblestone, 47 Cobblestone, 1 Bed, 5 Dirt, 19 Torches, 29 Coal, 12 Jungle Wood Logs, 64 Jungle Wood Planks, 1 Crafting Table, 1 Clock, 1 Bucket, 5 String, 1 Leather Tunic [Dyed Green, Mending I, Unbreaking I], 1 Diamond Leggings [Projectile Protection IV], 1 Iron Boots, 21 Emeralds, 16 Snowballs, 16 Snowballs, 8 Snowballs, 2 Gunpowder, 61 Cooked Mutton, 15 Rotten Flesh, 1 Book {How to Kill Stuff for Numb Nuts}, 1 Book {Advanced Mob-Slaying}, 1 Map {Minecraftia}, 1 Book {Citizenship Information}, 1 Paper {Ringwood Entry Pass}, 1 Paper {Zeppil Entry Pass}
[EXP: 29]
Inventory (Floyd): 1 Leather Cap [Dyed Brown, Curse of Binding I, Unbreaking III], 1 Leather Tunic [Dyed Brown, Curse of Binding I, Unbreaking III] {Weak}, 1 Leather Leggings [Dyed Brown, Curse of Binding I, Unbreaking III], 1 Leather Boots [Dyed Brown, Curse of Binding I, Unbreaking III], 1 Iron Pickaxe, 30 Iron Ingots, 1 Fishing Rod, 1 Flint and Steel {Weak}, 1 Furnace, 61 Cooked Mutton, 1 Crafting Table, 1 Minecart, 1 Bed, 1 Boat, 1 Emerald, 1 Iron Sword, 1 Diamond Helmet [Projectile Protection IV], 1 Diamond Chestplate [Projectile Protection IV], 1 Diamond Leggings [Projectile Protection IV], 1 Diamond Boots [Projectile Protection IV], 1 Iron Leggings, 17 Gunpowder, 1 Iron Helmet, 1 Iron Chestplate, 1 Iron Leggings, 1 Iron Boots, 1 Map {Minecraftia}, 1 Book {Citizenship Information}, 1 Paper {Ringwood Entry Pass}, 1 Paper {Zeppil Entry Pass}
[EXP: 31]
Inventory (Lenz): 1 Leather Cap [Dyed Brown, Curse of Binding I, Unbreaking III], 1 Leather Tunic [Dyed Brown, Curse of Binding I, Unbreaking III], 1 Leather Leggings [Dyed Brown, Curse of Binding I, Unbreaking III], 1 Leather Boots [Dyed Brown, Curse of Binding I, Unbreaking III], 1 Bow, 1 Shears, 2 Levers, 1 Stone Button, 5 Redstone Torches, 1 Bed, 9 Redstone Repeaters, 3 Redstone Comparators, 28 Redstone, 18 Blocks of Redstone, 2 Hoppers, 3 Pistons, 2 Sticky Pistons, 21 Cobblestone, 1 Minecart, 1 Compass, 25 Gunpowder, 36 Arrows, 16 Jungle Wood Planks, 1 Crafting Table, 62 Cooked Mutton, 16 Sugar Cane, 8 Paper, 5 Ink Sacs, 3 Leather, 5 Emeralds, 1 Book {Airship Piloting 101}, 1 Book {Notebook}, 1 Book {How to Kill Stuff for Numb Nuts}, 1 Book {Advanced Mob-Slaying}, 1 Map {Minecraftia}, 1 Book {Citizenship Information}, 1 Paper {Daymonte Entry Pass}, 1 Paper {Ringwood Entry Pass}, 1 Paper {Zeppil Entry Pass}
[EXP: 15]
Inventory (Soul): 1 Diamond Axe, 1 Iron Pickaxe, 64 Iron Ingots, 55 Iron Ingots, 12 Gold Ingots, 1 Milk, 1 Diamond Helmet [Protection IV, Unbreaking III], 1 Diamond Chestplate [Protection IV, Unbreaking III], 1 Diamond Leggings [Protection IV, Unbreaking III], 1 Diamond Boots [Protection IV, Feather Falling IV, Unbreaking III], 1 Crafting Table, 1 Bed, 1 Furnace, 1 Anvil, 35 Torches, 34 White Wool, 37 Dirt, 61 Cobblestone, 33 Coal, 32 Jungle Wood Planks, 2 Sticks, 1 Armor Stand, 28 Emeralds, 64 Cooked Mutton, 24 Cooked Mutton, 1 Map {Minecraftia}, 1 Book {Citizenship Information}, 1 Paper {Ringwood Entry Pass}, 1 Paper {Zeppil Entry Pass}
[EXP: 49]
Inventory (Jade): 1 Leather Cap [Dyed Brown, Curse of Binding I, Unbreaking III], 1 Leather Tunic [Dyed Brown, Curse of Binding I, Unbreaking III], 1 Leather Leggings [Dyed Brown, Curse of Binding I, Unbreaking III] {Weak}, 1 Leather Boots [Dyed Brown, Curse of Binding I, Unbreaking III], 1 Diamond Helmet [Protection IV], 1 Diamond Chestplate [Protection IV], 1 Diamond Leggings [Protection IV], 1 Diamond Boots [Protection IV], 1 Iron Sword, 1 Diamond Cutlass, 1 Bed, 1 Iron Pickaxe, 1 Crafting Table, 1 Furnace, 61 Cooked Mutton, 17 Coal, 36 Torches, 30 Jungle Wood Planks, 64 Cobblestone, 29 Cobblestone, 24 Obsidian, 1 Water Bucket, 1 Bucket, 1 Compass, 1 Clock, 23 Emeralds, 2 Ender Chests, 1 Map {Minecraftia}, 1 Book {Citizenship Information}, 1 Paper {Ringwood Entry Pass}, 1 Paper {Dover Plains Entry Pass}, 1 Paper {Lazuli Entry Pass}, 1 Paper {Zeppil Entry Pass}
[EXP: 30]
Inventory (Noman): 1 Diamond Sword [Sharpness I], 1 Diamond Chestplate {Severe Shield}, 1 Leather Boots {Bottes Zephyr} [Dyed White], 1 Black Shield {Slight Shield} [Blue Cross], 1 Bow [Infinity], 28 Birch Wood Planks, 35 Iron Ingots, 18 Sticks, 13 Torches, 1 Bucket, 1 Crafting Table, 58 Cooked Mutton, 2 Ender Chests, 1 Potion of Healing II, 1 Potion of Healing II, 1 Potion of Healing II, 1 Potion of Regeneration II {0:22}, 1 Potion of Regeneration II {0:22}, 1 Potion of Regeneration II {0:22}, 1 Potion of Water Breathing {8:00}, 1 Bed, 1 Book {Artifact List}, 1 Book {Citizenship Information}, 1 Paper {Zeppil Entry Pass}, 1 Map {Zeppil}, 1 Compass, 64 Arrows, 3 Sugar, 14 Bookshelves, 6 Enchanted Golden Apples, 1 Diamond Helmet, 1 Diamond Chestplate, 1 Diamond Leggings, 1 Diamond Boots, 10 Emerald Blocks, 2 Bones
[EXP: 20]
Beetroot the Horse
AN: It's happening! Cue epic fight music!
This Chapter man... and the next couple of Chapters. I've had them planned out in my head for a long, long time. Probably planned them as far back as when I first started typing this. It's so satisfying to finally pen them down. Strap yourselves in ladies and gentlemen, because this is where the Zeppil Arc truly takes off.
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