AN: Guess what? I got Minecraft back! Yeah, now I can play it again. 1.14 and everything. Also, I'll be touring some Multiplayer servers. If you want to play some minigames with me, I'll be on The Hive or Hypixel. Probably The Hive more than anything. I love Trouble in Traitor Town.
Congrats to Vmwvi or Atbash Ender for getting last Chapter's riddle correct. The answer: Say to Carys 'You will slay me with your scythe.' And if that doesn't work, throw bacon at her and run in the opposite direction. Enjoy your cookie and your acknowledgement.
(::)
I can't think of anymore riddles, so I'll have to come up with something else for Victory Cookies. Leave suggestions on the Forum.
Disclaimer: I don't own Minecraft. If I did, I'd add Noonwraiths.
Chapter 138
Ghast
[Noman]
So far, finding Jade was the one good thing that came out of venturing into that godforsaken mine. Though that didn't mean much, considering she was one who volunteered to go down to find the original missing person, Mirabelle. Thinking about it numbers-wise, we lost three people trying to save one, and then lost that one anyway, and that was without confirming Soul or Lenz's safety… or our own.
We still had to make it out. Stuck at the bottom of that cavern with something hunting us, we wouldn't last.
For the moment, however, Cobb was all about Jade. He knelt by her side in that small alcove, gingerly checking her for signs of injury. He lifted her arms, observing the tattoos representing her Hunger and Health Meters. Her Health was full, her Hunger was half-full and yet, she was listless. Her eyelids flickered and her head barely stirred, fading in and out of consciousness.
"I don't get it." Cobb shook his head worryingly. "Her Health is full, so why isn't she healthy? She's so… drowsy."
"Well, I'm no doctor," I leaned in, narrowing my eyes, "but judging by how she was cradling her head, I'm guessing she bumped it pretty badly. Assuming she fell, she probably cracked it on a cliff. A head injury?" I shrugged. "Your guess is as good as mine."
"Nnn…" Jade stirred, her eyelids sliding open, though her pupils looked hazy and unfocused. "C… obb…"
"I'm here, Jade." The fisherman clutched Jade's hand in his. "Save your strength. We're gonna get you out of here."
"...irit…"
"What was that?"
"…the spirit…" she tightened her grip, her voice desperate. "Ghast…"
"Gas…?"
Her head shook almost imperceptibly. "Ghast… Ghast…"
"You have gas?"
She made a low keening noise.
"Don't worry, Jade. Once we're back on the surface we can take care of your… uh… gastronomic distress."
"Ghast… you… idiot…"
"She must have an upset tummy." I supplied helpfully. "Try massaging her belly. That usually works."
"Good thinking, Noman!"
Another noise of frustration.
Cobb proceeded to massage Jade's belly. It seemed the only sensible solution to her gas problem. However, Jade squirmed under his ministrations and blindly fumbled for his face.
"The spirit… is… a Ghast…" She managed to say before unconsciousness claimed her yet again.
"The spirit is aghast?" I questioned. "Shouldn't we be more aghast? It's been attacking us in these mines."
"Whatever it is, Jade's in no state to be down here a second longer." Cobb rubbed his chin in thought. "We need to get her back to the airship."
"That won't be easy." I said, while Cobb picked up Jade bridal style and carried her out of her alcove like she was made of glass. "Beican said we'd have to nerd-pole our way up. To do that while carrying someone is—"
"Just keep the Mobs off us." Cobb interrupted. "I've got something."
I couldn't imagine what he was thinking, but there were Mobs in his path and he was too preoccupied carrying Jade to deal with them. So, I took out my sword and shield and make short work of those undead creatures.
Aikido may have forbade killing, but Mobs surely didn't count. The few Zombies that stood in our way were reduced to rotten flesh and EXP.
To my surprise, we wound up in the alcove we first hid inside. I raised an eyebrow when Cobb laid Jade against the inner wall before delving into the ender chest I left…
And pulled out the Bottes Zephyr.
"Wait, what…!" I pointed at the boots, my mouth struggling to form words. "But you said… I thought you gave it to Lenz!"
"I lied." He admitted guiltily. "I only said it because it was the only thing to get you to stop Beican from killing him. Nobody besides us knows about these artifacts." He turned the boots over in his hands, wearing a troubled expression. "If I gave these to any of the guild members, Floyd and Soul would have heard about it… and would have wanted to join you in the search. Anything to get weapons to use against the cult."
It was always those two. Floyd and Soul. They were the ones with the history against the Endward Cult. They would have jumped at the chance for the Severe Shield, the Yanhua Gong, or the Voda Shlem. And since the Beginners were a package deal, if they chased after the artifacts, Cobb would have followed.
"So you had it all this time." I accused, tensing my muscles and looking at the boots with the focus of a man ready to make a grab for them… only to deflate when he handed them over.
"I'm sorry." He apologized. "I should never have stolen them, but I needed your protection. Jade didn't do anything, though. She's hurt. Can you please carry her out of here with these?"
I was struck dumb by his candor. Where was the Cobb who stole and lied to take advantage of me? And yet, here he was, apologizing and returning one of the most sought-after items in all of Minecraftia, all to get his injured girlfriend to safety.
It came down to his friends' needs, as it always did. He'd swallow his pride and prostrate himself to keep them safe. He'd do anything for them.
"I—"
"UehuehEEEIH!"
"Whoa!" Cobb leaned back to dodge a scorching projectile following a horrendous wailing separate from the constant background noise of the Wailing Vale. The sudden movement tipped him over, and he had to readjust his hold on Jade to cushion her. "The heck was that…?"
"Cobb!" From the darkness, Soul and Lenz emerged, running at breakneck speed. The engineer was drenched in sweat, yet continued to run, and the axe-wielder had a panicked look. "Haul ass!"
"Langua—" I choked on my words when something else emerged from the darkness. "Dear Notch, what is that thing!?"
Ghostly pale skin. Quivering tentacles. A creature larger than any Mob I've seen, screeching bloody murder and shooting balls of fire out its mouth. It pursued the two Crafters without tiring; it flew through the air, never needing to touch the ground.
"Ghosts are real!" Lenz shrieked. "My entire scientific reasoning has been turned on its head! Comparators, what else have I been wrong about!?"
The Spirit let out another horrible scream before launching a fireball straight at the pair. Soul cursed in a way I couldn't repeat before dragging Lenz into a spin and throwing him to the side. The fireball exploded, kicking up dust and fire and sending the axe-wielder crashing into the ground. He struggled to his knees, just as the Spirit loomed over.
Jade's body was shoved into my arms.
"No more killing!" Cobb shouted before several snowballs pelted the Spirit. One struck its forehead, causing its aim to go skyward and blow up the ceiling, causing an avalanche of gravel.
"UEREGH!" It screamed as it was half-buried in the falling blocks.
"Ghast…" Jade whispered, stirring in my arms at the horrible shrieking. "It's… a Ghast…"
"A Ghast…?" I asked, finally understanding her meaning. "It's a Ghast? Is that a Mob? It looks so… humanoid."
"Get her out of here! Now!" Cobb ordered as Lenz and Soul grouped together with us. He threw me the Bottes Zephyr without taking his eyes off the encumbered Ghast, and I hastily put them on. "Go! We'll handle this thing."
"The Ghast."
"Ghast…? Then…" Lenz paused before a smile crossed his face. "So it is a Mob! I knew it! See, Soul? A logical explanation! I never imagined they would look so horrific, though."
"We can critique its appearance later. I'mma kill it."
"W-wait…" I stuttered.
"What? What is it?" Cobb replied.
"I—"
I froze. The three of them were about to face a dangerous Mob, one that was responsible for the deaths of Beatrix, Cormac, Mirabelle, and however many other Crafters lost in these mines. They needed every advantage they could get. Their lives were at risk. Cobb ordered me to get Jade to the surface—that was his priority—but if I could give them something to make the fight easier.
The ender chest was right over there. I could just go and pull out the Severe Shield and…
"Noman! What is it!?" Cobb urged.
I shut my eyes, unable to look at him. "G-Good luck."
"Yeah, thanks. Now get moving!"
I couldn't do it. I couldn't trust him with the Severe Shield. I just got back the artifact he stole in the first place. He only gave it back and apologized so I could get Jade to safety. It was always about them for the fisherman. Who was to say he wouldn't keep the Severe Shield and hide it in an ender chest until he could use it on Carys? I'd be stuck with him until he was done with it. I couldn't risk it. I couldn't.
Instead, I followed his orders to get Jade to safety. With the Bottes Zephyr aiding me, I ran on the air itself, ascending the narrow cavern with frightening ease.
"Follow the wind!" Lenz called after me. "The wind is coming from the surface and hitting this chasm! Follow the wind and you will find a way out!"
I made sure to commit that to memory. It would be easier than digging through stone while carrying the injured parkour master. The Ghast let out a shriek below, firing a flaming projectile that went a few feet to my right.
I tried not to think how I was leaving the three of them to fight that monster without the invincible artifact. All I could do was focus on the bundle of Cobb's World held securely in my arms, and how much he would surely despise me for keeping the Severe Shield to myself.
[Cobb]
I watched Noman and Jade air-run out of sight. It wasn't quite like flying. There was no floating, just running up air. Point is, they were out and the Ghast-thing couldn't hurt them anymore.
Speaking of, the spectral Mob used its many tentacles to pull itself out of the pile of gravel, wailing like some kind of demonic cat.
"Have you guys tried shooting this thing?" I asked, bringing up Backlash and my sword.
"Well, the assumption was that ghosts could phase through projectiles." Lenz began before notching an arrow. "But since I now know it is a Mob bound by the laws of science and nature, I think I shall try."
The arrow fired, straight at the thing's head, only for it to dart to the side, quicker than I've seen it move so far.
"…That's different." Soul remarked before going in with his axe. The Ghast simply floated high out of reach, Soul's axe coming pathetically short. The Mob was like a ball—a bone-ugly ball—held teasingly above a toddler's head. Lenz tried to shoot, but it once again swayed out of the way. "Ugh, we need to ground this thing."
Soul tossed the axe into his good hand before rearing back and hurling it tomahawk style. The Ghast let out a pained scream as it clipped one of its many tentacles and Soul pumped his fist triumphantly…
Before realizing he tossed away his only weapon.
"Whoops." He uttered before a barrage of fireballs struck him in the chest. He was bodily blasted back, his diamond chestplate exploding from the force. He curled up on himself, struggling to breathe and running his hands over his chest. Those fireballs packed a punch; they ate right through Protection enchanted diamond gear and—judging by Soul's reaction—a good chunk of Health. Lenz's cursed leather would be like paper to them.
At least fireballs seemed to be its only method of attack. It kept its distance, and was fast when dodging attacks. Almost as if there was a brain to it…
As if to prove my point, it turned its attention to Lenz, letting out another demonic screech.
"Cast!" I whipped out Backlash, the bobber sinking into the writhing mass of tentacles that was its torso and catching. I yanked back as hard as I could, but the Mob pulled me along. It was big, but I didn't think it'd be so strong. What happened to spirits being ethereal!?
The added weight of one fisherman, however, was enough to throw off its aim, allowing Lenz to scamper out of the way of a fireball that would have ended him.
Brain: This is the ugliest fish I've ever seen!
Soul recovered and grabbed my shoulders from behind, trying to help anchor the floating Mob. "Lenz! Shoot it!"
Another notched arrow flew from his fingers, but even tethered, the Ghast pulled to the side.
"Leeeeet… Gooooooo…"
Our eyes widened at the sound and our heads jerked up to the Ghast.
"Did that thing just…?"
It looked down on us with red eyes, and I could see the intelligence behind it. That thing could think. It wasn't an average Mob.
I was jarringly reminded of a similar case. The Creeper lady from the lab in Daymonte.
"Leeeeet… me… GoooooooooUehuehEEEIH!"
It spat out a fireball and Soul had to release me. My hands still gripped Backlash firmly, and I was drawn into the air by the vocal horror, missing the projectile by inches. The Ghast—the Mob hybrid, I came to realize—flew higher and higher, and I was stuck dangling from Backlash.
Noticing me, it made sharp movements through the air, trying to shake me loose. It dove towards the ground and I was forcibly swung above it. Wind whistled through my hair and I struggled to keep my eyes open through it all, watching as the ground came up fast.
The hybrid suddenly swerved out of its nosedive, its tentacles grazing the floor. I wasn't so lucky, crashing belly first and releasing the handle of Backlash before skidding across the ground. The fishing rod was torn up and away, dangling from the hybrid's body as it focused on me. Its red eyes hardened.
"Youuuuuuuuu…" It wailed in a tone that rattled my bones. "Youuuuu… took awaaaaay… my deeeear Nan…"
I propped myself up and fell back on my butt, backing away as the thing advanced. "What… who's Nan? I don't know—"
"Myyyyy Nan…" The hybrid wailed, its tentacles shaking before it spat another fireball towards me.
"No!" I drew my sword in desperation and tried to block the fireball. Instead, it was all I could do to clumsily swing at it.
Inexplicably, when my sword made contact, the fireball rebounded.
The hybrid's eyes widened before it darted to the side, the fireball missing it and crashing into the chasm wall. It must have hit a source of lava, because the molten liquid began to pour free, cascading into the chasm.
I stood ramrod straight, my eyes looking to my sword and the creature floating above.
"Hey! How'd you do that?" Soul asked, referencing the fireball I bounced back.
"I… I don't know." My sword wasn't enchanted. It was diamond, but would that give it the ability to bat back fiery projectiles? There was a weight to the fireball, but not much, considering the amount of damage it could cause. Maybe anything could bounce them back.
I was shaken back to reality when the hybrid went for Lenz again. I shouted without thinking.
"Lenz! Intercept the fireball with an arrow!"
Not a second too soon, for when the hybrid fired, Lenz replied in kind. His archery was good enough that he could intercept another archer's arrows and cancel them out. Compared with the size of the fireballs, it was all too easy to shoot.
Just like before, the fireball was bounced back in the Ghast hybrid's direction. It almost caught it, if not for the monster's damnable speed. It darted out of harm's way again, hovering higher than we could strike.
Backlash still dangled from it.
"Nan… my beloved Nan…" The monster wailed, fat tears falling from its ashen face and splashing against the ground. I kept my feet away from them, unsure of what else this creature was capable of.
"Who is Nan?" Soul asked, having recovered his axe. Lenz hurried over, his bowstring drawn taut, waiting for the moment the hybrid launched a fireball.
"No clue. Lenz," I tapped the engineer's shoulder. "Remember that Creeper lady in Daymonte?"
"The two are connected. I was thinking the same thing." He confirmed, his eyes never leaving the floating monstrosity. "Mob hybrids. This is unheard of. And if this thing is what started the Wailing Vale legend in the first place, it must be hundreds of years old."
Plenty of time to gain combat experience. Anytime a miner or adventurer wandered down here, they'd be beset by the hybrid. No wonder it killed Cormac, Beatrix, and Mirabelle so easily, and even gave Jade a difficult time.
Lava continued to pour into the chasm and pool off to the side. I noticed that the Ghast regarded that molten stream with caution. So it wasn't fireproof, then.
"It is avoiding every attack we attempt." Lenz observed. "I would assume it has low Health, but I have never encountered a Ghast in person to tell."
There was nothing in the Mob books about it, either. I thought Herobrine was thorough, but it looks like he missed a few entries.
"If we pin it down, we can finish it off." I said, the makings of a plan bouncing around inside my brain. "It can only attack with fireballs, which we can bounce back. It's more wary of us now because of it." My eyes focused on Backlash still swaying underneath the creature as it hovered high. "Soul, you got any ender pearls left?"
"Yeah, seven from when the Paragons attacked. Why? Whatcha thinking?"
My eyes shifted to the chasm ledges near the ceiling.
"I'm thinking we need more fishing rods."
[Noman]
It was just as Lenz said. Following the direction the wind was coming from, I was able to not only escape the chasm, but find a gaping hole that led to the surface. Rainwater dripped down in torrents, both soaking us and reminding me of the storm still raging outside. Thunder crashed, lightning flashed, but the moans of the Wailing Vale died out.
I paused to look back at the hole, noticing how it looked to have been caused by a Creeper explosion.
Someone had triggered a Creeper so long ago, opening the chasm to the powerful winds of the region. The wails that had dogged us in those mines were caused by those same winds striking against the chasm, simulating a mourning wail.
But that Ghast…
That was real, and no amount of wind striking rock could explain that. Where had it come from? What was it doing there?
…Could Cobb and the others handle it without the Severe Shield?
No… I was wasting time thinking about it. I had to get Jade to the airship, where she'd be safe to recover. After that, I could go back down and help them fight that thing… and guide them out… And-and heal them if they need it. I'd do anything except hand over the Severe Shield. But only after I got Jade to safety. Cobb was counting on me.
So, I repositioned my hold on the unconscious parkour master before using the Bottes Zephyr to take to the skies once more, searching for the hill we stashed the Asmodeus.
I learned a very important lesson that day. The Bottes Zephyr didn't work too well in lightning storms.
As if the wind throwing off my direction wasn't bad enough, I found myself slipping on the rain-slicked blocks of air the boots kept setting below me. My soaked clothes weighed me down, the thunder shook my bones with how close it was, and lightning always threatened to zap the two of us. I quickly decided to descend with a backflip, erring on the side of caution.
Touching the ground, I began the laborious process of combing the hills. The place we exited came up on the outskirts of Shansi, so finding the airship was difficult. Lenz didn't have to hide it so well. Nobody, not even Carys_Angel, could track us, let alone pursue us in this weather.
During a powerful flash of lightning, I could have sworn I saw a ship floating over Shansi, but I must have been seeing things, since we crashed—sorry, 'docked' in a hill.
Ah, there it is! I mentally cheered, recognizing the twin hills from earlier. The bridge was up there. I'd have to dig out the corridor and the engine room, not to mention wait for Jade to wake up since she, Soul, and Lenz were the only ones who collected the blocks of coal in the mine. It was safe in their respective ender chest inventories, but I'd need to get her conscious to withdraw any items from it.
I started at the base of the hill and made my way up slowly, only to halt upon seeing a group of Zombies nearby. They were too amassed to be normal and they were clawing at a seemingly mundane section of the wall.
Jade stirred slightly in my arms, and I remembered how she was trapped behind a wall when we found her. Exhausted and injured. It was all she could do to block herself in… and keep the Mobs out.
"Hello!?" I called out over the rain, getting as close as I dared to the crowd of Zombies. I could have taken them, but not with Jade in my arms. "Is anyone in there!? Floyd, are you trapped!? Delaney!? Sue, Clyde, are either of you there!?"
No answer. Or if there was, it was drowned out by the storm. Rain slid down my face and into my mouth, and I had to sputter to clear it since my arms were occupied. I tilted Jade's head to the side so she wouldn't drown.
"Hello!?" I called again, but it was to no avail. The Zombies weren't even paying me mind.
It was a guess, but I had a feeling someone was trapped in that hill. And if it weren't for my responsibility to keep Jade safe, I'd go over there and clear out the Mobs.
…
…Actually, who says I can't do both?
I set Jade down carefully, muttered a prayer of apology, and then slid a hand into her belt. She let out a distressed moan.
"I'm not making a move on you, Jade. I'm just looking for something."
"Nnn…"
"Frankly, I'm insulted you think I'm that kind of person. There!"
I groped for her chests, and—ENDER CHESTS! Ahem—she had two of them, the ender chests, so I took one and set it down before popping it open.
I slid a diamond chestplate out.
"Okay… okay, I can do this." I last wore it in Zeppil, but never—never—while in contact with another Crafter. But desperate times called for desperate measures… and Cobb was nowhere in sight. He'd never know I had it.
Once I swapped my normal diamond chestplate out for the artifact, my Health was boosted, several potion effects appeared on my arm, and I was overcome with that familiar rush of power. And terror. One wrong move and… I picked Jade back up, very carefully, and held her above my head, as high as my arms could reach. No chance for anything to get at her, nor for me to accidentally kill her.
Then, I walked towards the Zombies.
"Hey, come get me." I said dispassionately. "Come get me. Come get me."
I had to kick one of the Zombies to get its attention, only to kill it when the Severe Shield powerful damage output activated.
"Hm." I shrugged, walking right into the densely packed crowd of Mobs. They all gave up their attack on the hill in favor of clawing at my chestplate.
It was like throwing wood into a woodchipper. The Severe Shield decimated them whenever they struck me. I was buffeted around a bit, but through it all I carried Jade overhead. The Mobs at the front were quickly replaced with the ones at the back, and soon enough I was all that was left standing in the storm, with the parkour master still in my hands.
As soon as the threat was dealt with, I lowered Jade to the ground with the care of a bomb-diffuser and ripped off the artifact before shoving it back in the ender chest. Only when my normal chestplate was back in place did I rap a fist against the hill.
"Hey! The Mobs are gone!" I shouted, pressing an ear to the dirt. I heard a startled gasp from behind it and stepped back. A flash of lightning passed before the dirt was broken and a face peeked out.
"Oh, thank goodness I was right." Delaney sighed in relief before expanding the hole and stepping out, the two Testificates in tow. "I thought you were that scythe-wielding woman. Never did I think a gardening tool could be so terrifying. Where are the others?"
I was ready to dodge the question, only to replay the part about the scythe-wielding woman. "What did the woman look like?"
"Well, dark hair, crimson eyes, and… um…" Delaney turned to the Testificates. "How would you two describe her?"
"Scary beyond all reason."
"Yeah, that's it."
I nearly toppled, pressing my back against the hill to support both myself and Jade. Carys… she followed us. Somehow, someway, she followed us. Storms didn't stop her. A lack of transportation didn't stop her. She was an unstoppable hate train with an insatiable lust for fisherman blood. And she was here.
"Also, did you know Floyd was a Hacker!? I don't know what was scarier: Carys' threats or the reveal that a bloodthirsty Hacker was right under our noses!"
"What… Floyd, he…?" My mind immediately thought of Cobb's distress for Jade in those tunnels. "What happened to Floyd?"
"Didn't you hear me? I told you he's a Hacker. A Hacker!" Delaney protested. "We barely managed to escape him and Carys' goons before those Mobs attacked. If not for you, Noman, we would—"
"Please," I interrupted, trying to ignore the rude way she talked about Floyd. She doesn't know, I kept telling myself. "Where did Floyd go? He might be in trouble."
Delaney looked at me as if I grew a second head. "Trouble? He's a Hacker. If anything, Carys is in trouble. And what makes you think I saw where he went? I was preoccupied getting these two to safety." She hugged Sue and Clyde close.
"Delaney, I don't understand why the smoke matters." Sue protested.
"Me neither." Clyde chimed in. "Floyd cloaked us with Invisibility. He helped us get away!"
"You don't know what those monsters are capable of."
"That's no way to speak of someone who saved us from becoming Zombies!"
"And speaking of safety, where is everybody else?" Delaney cocked an eyebrow at us. "Eight people went into those mines to find Mirabelle, and only you two came out? What happened down there…?"
She finally took notice of Jade's injured state, as well as how I averted my eyes at her questions. How could I tell her that Mirabelle, Beatrix, Cormac, and Beican were all dead? How could I tell her that all her friends were gone, but, conveniently, the ones from our group were still alive. I kept replaying Beican's accusations and anger, wondering if she'd react the same.
'MY WIFE IS DEAD BECAUSE OF YOU!'
The words resonated, jogging a different memory.
'Yeah, I'm selfish! I'm selfish and stupid. But I know what I want! I'm keeping those four alive no matter what under-handed tricks I have to resort to, be it theft, blackmail, or murder! Because Carys isn't going to be pulling her punches neither!'
"Noman!" Delaney shouted, urgency plain. "What happened in those mines? Where is everyone?"
I looked at Jade, held securely in my arms.
'I don't want to find my girlfriend's Head.'
"Noman!" Delaney pounded on my chestplate. Thankfully, it was the non-fatal one. "Say something! Talk to me!"
"…I'm sorry."
I shoved the parkour master into her hands. She sputtered, but I spoke low and fast.
"Our airship is nestled in these hills. There should be a gap in the windows you can slip through. Take Jade and the Testificates up there and start digging out the engine room. Wait for Jade to wake up and she can tell you the rest, but you keep her safe, you hear me?"
"What… but what about—?"
"We're not safe right now." I said in way of explanation. "The Spirit—it was a Ghast—attacked us in the mines and Carys will be out for blood. If Floyd's still in Shansi, I got to go back. But I can't do that and watch over Jade. Please, Delaney."
"I…" She looked more confused than ever as to why I was looking after a Hacker, but it was Sue and Clyde who calmed her down.
"Delaney, there's clearly a lot going on right now. Noman's scrambling, but he's asking us for help. He helped us just now. Let's return the favor."
"But… but Mirabelle and Beatrix… and Cobb and Lenz—"
"I'll tell you everything when I can," I promised vaguely, not looking forward to breaking the bad news. "But not now. Not when my friends are in danger."
What? Since when were they my friends? It was almost as if I emulated Cobb in that instant.
"Just… just stay hidden in the airship and dig it out. It's up there, somewhere." I gestured to the hills, giving a rough estimate of the bridge's location. I couldn't waste anymore time here.
Hesitantly, Delaney adjusted her hold on Jade before trudging up the rain-softened hill with the Testificates in tow. I was turning before they had truly started the hike.
I'm sorry I couldn't keep watch over her, Cobb. I thought to myself. But there's a bigger threat I'm sure you'd want me to prioritize.
Carys was a runaway train out for blood.
It was time to derail it.
Inventory (Cobb): 1 Iron Helmet, 1 Leather Tunic [Dyed Green, Mending I, Unbreaking I], 1 Diamond Leggings [Projectile Protection IV], 1 Iron Boots, 1 Diamond Sword, 1 Banner {Beginners}, 64 Cobblestone, 61 Cobblestone, 64 Gravel, 64 Gravel, 64 Gravel, 4 Gravel, 1 Bed, 36 Dirt, 7 Coal, 24 Flint, 12 Jungle Wood Logs, 60 Jungle Wood Planks, 7 Torches, 1 Crafting Table, 1 Clock, 1 Lava Bucket, 5 String, 21 Emeralds, 4 Snowballs, 9 Gunpowder, 33 Cooked Mutton, 27 Rotten Flesh, 1 Book {How to Kill Stuff for Numb Nuts}, 1 Book {Advanced Mob-Slaying}, 2 Maps {Minecraftia}, 1 Book {Citizenship Information}, 1 Paper {Ringwood Entry Pass}, 1 Paper {Zeppil Entry Pass}
[EXP: 33]
Inventory (Floyd): 1 Leather Cap [Dyed Brown, Curse of Binding I, Unbreaking III], 1 Diamond Chestplate [Projectile Protection IV], 1 Leather Pants [Dyed Brown, Curse of Binding I, Unbreaking III] {Weak}, 1 Leather Boots [Dyed Brown, Curse of Binding I, Unbreaking III], 1 Iron Pickaxe, 3 Iron Ingots, 47 Dirt, 1 Fishing Rod, 1 Furnace, 27 Cooked Mutton, 1 Crafting Table, 1 Minecart, 1 Bed, 1 Boat, 1 Emerald, 1 Iron Sword {Weak}, 1 Diamond Helmet [Projectile Protection IV], 1 Diamond Leggings [Projectile Protection IV], 1 Diamond Boots [Projectile Protection IV], 1 Iron Leggings, 16 Gunpowder, 7 Ender Pearls, 1 Splash Potion of Invisibility {6:00}, 1 Splash Potion of Invisibility {6:00}, 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: 32]
Inventory (Lenz): 1 Leather Cap [Dyed Brown, Curse of Binding I, Unbreaking III], 1 Leather Pants [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, 48 Cobblestone, 64 Gravel, 1 Minecart, 1 Compass, 25 Gunpowder, 40 Arrows, 16 Jungle Wood Planks, 1 Crafting Table, 47 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 [Sharpness V], 1 Iron Pickaxe, 64 Iron Ingots, 52 Iron Ingots, 20 Flint, 12 Gold Ingots, 1 Milk, 1 Diamond Helmet [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, 24 Torches, 34 White Wool, 58 Dirt, 64 Cobblestone, 62 Cobblestone, 64 Gravel, 64 Gravel, 64 Gravel, 18 Gravel, 32 Jungle Wood Planks, 1 Armor Stand, 7 Ender Pearls, 28 Emeralds, 59 Cooked Mutton, 1 Map {Minecraftia}, 1 Book {Citizenship Information}, 1 Paper {Ringwood Entry Pass}, 1 Paper {Zeppil Entry Pass}
[EXP: 26]
Inventory (Jade): 1 Diamond Helmet [Protection IV], 1 Leather Tunic [Dyed Brown, Curse of Binding I, Unbreaking III] {Weak}, 1 Leather Pants [Dyed Brown, Curse of Binding I, Unbreaking III] {Weak}, 1 Leather Boots [Dyed Brown, Curse of Binding I, Unbreaking III], 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, 16 String, 38 Cooked Mutton, 14 Torches, 30 Jungle Wood Planks, 64 Cobblestone, 64 Cobblestone, 24 Obsidian, 2 Buckets, 1 Compass, 1 Clock, 23 Emeralds, 1 Ender Chest, 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: 36]
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] {Weak}, 1 Flint and Steel, 1 Bow [Infinity], 28 Birch Wood Planks, 34 Iron Ingots, 18 Sticks, 1 Bucket, 1 Crafting Table, 28 Cooked Mutton, 9 Ender Pearls, 1 Potion of Healing II, 1 Potion of Healing II, 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, 1 Arrow, 3 Sugar, 14 Bookshelves, 6 Enchanted Golden Apples, 1 Diamond Helmet, 1 Diamond Chestplate, 1 Diamond Leggings, 1 Diamond Boots, 10 Emerald Blocks, 1 Map {Minecraftia}, 18 Bones, 64 Gravel, 64 Gravel, 64 Gravel, 49 Gravel, 9 Flint
[EXP: 25]
AN: One Billionth may not be able to take down the Ghast and Carys... but how about two?
I didn't mention this last Chapter, but the Ghast Hybrid's design is based off the Noonwraith from the Witcher 3. It's a spectral thing, with tattered clothes and the wind carrying its hair in a weird direction. I took out the tongue whip, but added tentacles. Everything's better with tentacles!
...The context does not escape me.
I think I also threw in the monster from Outlast 2. Let me just Google it... Loutermilch. I threw in a bit of Loutermilch to the Hybrid's design, again, scrapping the tongue whip. God, what is it with the tongue whip on these things?
Anyway, next Chapter should wrap up the Wailing Vale Arc. Means it'll have more content.
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