AN: Long. Chapter.
Hope you all had a pleasant Thanksgiving and will have a Merry Christmas. I'm saying it now, because I doubt I'll publish the next Chapter by Chrismas or that anyone would want to read fanfiction when they got gifts to unwrap and eggnog to drink and snow to shovel.
Not sure what everyone celebrates, so have a Merry Chrismahanakwanzika and a Happy New Year.
Disclaimer: I don't own Minecraft. If I did, I'd add bees.
...Oh, wait, there's a bee update now?
Chapter 144
Rub Elbows
[Birch Forest]
Carys licked her lips after drinking a potion of Night Vision. When she opened her eyes again, every blurry silhouette shrouded in the cover of night became finely detailed and bright. She could see everything from the indentations in the bark of a birch tree to the trio of cultists camped out at the base of a hill. The fact that the cultists were parked there proved that it was more than just a hill.
It was the entrance to a major weapon's outpost.
Cultists weren't like Griefers. They were competent and knew how to craft items. They also were committed, since signing up for the Endward Cult made you an enemy to every Crafter in Minecraftia. To choose a life knowing you'd have to kill hundreds and knowing you'd most likely live like a criminal, they weren't like the weak-willed Griefers. They knew exactly what they were getting into.
I bet they don't know today is their last day on Minecraftia.
Anyway, the cultists had the will to fight, but they needed the means. That was where the weapon's outpost came in. They mined iron ingots for swords, they ground out EXP and stored it into bottles for enchanting, they brewed potions, they made bows and arrows, they stockpiled TNT. Anything they could use as a weapon was manufactured there and sent out through the Endward Cult's enigmatic distribution network, something Carys and the Paragons had been trying to track for years.
It was imperative that outpost be taken out, not just to cripple their source of weapons but because an Executive might be inside, supervising operations.
It was too good for Carys to pass up, with or without proper armor.
The iron armor her pride forced her to shoulder was much weaker than the diamond brand she took painstaking care of. But she knew that accepting Anibal's armor would make her weak. It wouldn't have been her armor. She wouldn't have earned it.
And it would have been like admitting defeat to Cobb.
She growled at the thought before focusing her attention on the cultists before her. Only three? Maybe whoever set them there thought posting more would make it suspicious. They wouldn't expect an organized force to attack in the dead of night.
Carys raised her hand and gave it a slight twirl, knowing her fellow Paragons would be watching, with Night Vision, and be able to understand the signal.
The next second, the cultists were riddled with arrows before dying in three bursts of gear.
Z7 and her fellow assassins were the first to reach the approach the encampment with hushed footfalls. A small, woolen tent had been erected at the base of the hill. Shroud peeked inside with a dagger at the ready before darting inside and sinking it into a sleeping cultist. The cultist awoke and would have screamed if not for Shroud covering his mouth. Shroud stuck his dagger into the cultist in rapid succession, the muffled cries growing weaker until a fourth pile of gear joined the others. Only then did he give the go ahead to advance.
Immediately, the cultist encampment was teeming with activity. Paragons rushed in from their hiding spots, cleaning up the evidence of the cultists while also gleaning what they could from their gear. A perimeter was drawn, Baltic and Anibal ensuring everyone was well-equipped and Kal running through the infiltration plan with his fighters. Despite the animated activity, noise was at a minimum. They didn't want to announce their arrival to every cultist inside. Otherwise the Executive might escape.
Carys strode forward to the tent, Z7 beside her, and peeked in to see what Shroud had seen. It was bigger on the inside as the cultists seemed to have dug out the floor. And there, behind a Crafting Table, was a ladder leading down into the earth.
What better place for an underground outpost than an underground outpost? Would have been more subtle if they just had a sign labeled 'underground outpost'.
"You know your teams." Kal whispered to his fighters. "Stay together, stay quiet, and silence anyone you come across." He ran a hand through his unkempt dark blue hair before his eyes turned black and Hacker smoke enveloped him. "It's go time."
The large group of Paragons entered the tent and descended the ladder, Carys right in the thick of them. Her heart was pumping and her fingers drummed rhythmically against her beloved scythe. Tonight would be a night to remember.
She was sure of it.
[Noman]
To get into Akasha, we first had to walk through the large tunnels carved into the base of the anvil-shaped Mesa until we reached a large staircase. Everything was built on a grand scale, as I'm sure there were thousands of Crafters entering and leaving the Kingdom daily in the days the Kingdom was first built.
Now, the only traffic was tumbleweeds.
It was depressing as we climbed the staircase and wound up right on one of Akasha's near-empty streets. Sandstone buildings stood on either side, and the rising sun was just starting to warm things up.
The four of us used our maps to find out where Cobb and Floyd were hiding. Along the way, we found ourselves at an intersection, staring at a wanted poster for our fine, fisherman friend.
"I don't know how," Soul said, tilting his head, "but the artist really captured his stupid face."
"Soul!"
"What? Everybody's thinking it."
Lenzington and Jade looked away pointedly, causing me to huff. Were these people really his friends?
"H-Hey, how come there's no poster for Floyd?" Jade changed the subject quickly.
"If I had to guess," Lenzington adjusted his glasses and lowered his voice, "Akasha's history and close proximity with the Hack Clan lead me to believe that they recognize Floyd as a Hacker by his eye markings." He scratched at his tinted lenses meaningfully. "They have already demonstrated a willingness to blame the Endward Cult and their Founder for the disasters performed at the hands of Hackers."
"But Floyd was accused of being an Endward Cult Lieutenant. If they've got Cobb's poster, shouldn't they have his too?"
"One hatred supersedes another, it seems. From their point of view, it is safer to accuse a normal man of being a cultist than an abnormal man." Lenzington reasoned. "The difference is that the Hack Clan can mobilize right away… and wipe out a Kingdom if they wanted to. It was why Floyd was kept hidden when captured by the Berserkers in Jolin."
"So Floyd can actually walk around free?" Soul asked.
"Somehow, I think that's a bad idea." I added my two cents. "The people here might not have the courage to blame the Hackers for Akasha's current state, but seeing Floyd will undoubtedly instill fear into their hearts. His presence will trouble them, and we don't need that."
"Yeah, you got a point." Soul grumbled, scratching his head. "Damn, Floyd's not gonna like this."
"Language." Lenzington suddenly nudged my shoulder, pointing at a different poster. "What is… oh, if it isn't our Book Burglar."
A few posters to the left of Cobb's was one of Arquero, the Book Burglar. Below that, his bounty was at three-hundred and fifty emeralds, making him one of the Kingdom's top priorities.
"Hey, keep your eyes on the prize, guys." Soul slapped a hand over the poster, blocking it from sight. "We're here to investigate the cult. Quickest way to do that is working with the ACC guys."
I quietly disagreed, sure that Lenzington was thinking the same. Our priority was getting back our stolen books. After that, it would be looking for Akasha's artifact, the Vivlio Zythopoiias. The Brewing Book.
From what I remembered about it from the Artifact List, it held every potion effect in existence within its pages, and could either empower its holder or weaken its holder's foes. If I had such a thing, I could paralyze my enemies with ease, rendering them harmless and, most importantly, alive.
"Speaking of the ACC," Jade said, looking around, "there sure are a bunch of them."
She was right. In the time we spent searching for available wanted posters, we encountered a lower population density than any other Kingdom I've been in. Even lower than Dover Plains. There was an occasional person or pair of Crafters, but the roads were far too wide, hinting at Akasha's former population prior to the Hacker attacks centuries ago. And, by far the largest group of Crafters we encountered was the Anti-Cult Committee. Crafters clad completely in orange leather walked the streets with shrewd gazes and suspicious glares. Regular Crafters made a point to avoid them, and we followed suit. In one instance, someone scrawled 'HEROBRINE LIVEZ' in dirt along the side of a sandstone Inn. A quartet of ACC people showed up and proceeded to clean off the graffiti while also detaining the owner of the Inn. I still remember his protests as they dragged him out.
"Oh, come on! Why would I deface my own building!? Y-You should look at Godder for this! Yeah, that guy's been out to ruin my business for weeks! Come on, please!"
Watching how callously his pleas were ignored, both by the ACC and the bystanders, gave me a bad feeling.
"We need to put our best foot forward tonight." Soul continued, leaning back with his hands resting on the back of his head. "If we manage to impress the ACC, they'll let us in on their investigations, and then we can figure out what the cult is planning and put a stop to it."
Jade shot him a flat look. "You're really convinced the cult is up to no good here?"
"Well, Brett said—"
"Didn't Brett also say there was cultist activity in Zeppil? That was a lie."
"It was a mistake in information." Soul tried, but even he didn't sound too confident. "A-Anyway, the guards themselves confirmed the amount of cultist arrests."
"Like that one we witnessed back there?"
"Look, if you're not gonna help us, you can go look for Arquero and flirt with your boyfriend!"
Jade's cheeks heated up. "Wh-Why I-Augh!" She stormed past Soul, easily outpacing us all… only to freeze at the sight of a stall with a bunch of Mob Heads on display.
"What's up?" I asked, joining her and reading the stall's sign.
[Need a spooky costume? Halloween's only a month away, but it's never too soon to get yourself a mask. Here! At Matt's Mask Stall.]
[*All masks supplied by Blitz Peak.*]
"Noman," Jade turned to me with fluttering eyelashes, "can I borrow some emeralds?"
[Cobb]
"…Three cards."
"Alright." I handed them out before looking at my own hand and frowning. "Hmm, four cards." I slapped them down before drawing four new ones. Ooh, quite a hand.
"I wager ten gravel." Floyd pushed ten blocks of gravel into the pot.
I smirked. "I see your ten gravel," I pushed the blocks in, "and raise you ten gravel." I pushed the remainder in, feeling cocky.
Floyd looked at me carefully before matching my wager. "Alright, show 'em."
"Call." I spread out my imaginary cards. "Royal Flush."
Floyd grinned, fanning out his imaginary cards. "Five-of-a-kind. I win."
"Wha-but—!" I spluttered, looking between Floyd's smug face and his make-believe hand. "W-We were only playing with fifty-two cards!"
"Oh and you got Royal Flush's six times in a row?" Floyd groused, raking in the big pile of gravel we were betting with. "Nobody likes losing at imaginary cards, but show some class."
I threw away my invisible hand, pouting at the monotonous of it all. What was taking the guys so long? We already spent twenty minutes beating off some of Floyd's cursed armor and letting him heal. We couldn't go out to do anything or else we'd be seen. Instead, we were stuck in an abandoned home playing imaginary cards. And Floyd was cheating!
Brain: Well, yeah, he's a Hacker. Once a cheater, always a cheater.
Blood: You should wager blood instead… Livens up the game…
Liver: This guy legitimately creeps me out. Can we please get rid of him?
Bladder: I like him!
Blood: Aw, shucks… Making me blush… You'll be the last to die…
Bladder: Yeaheah—wait, what?
As Floyd cut the nonexistent deck, there was a knocking at the door.
Oh, thank God. I thought, shooting to me feet to get the door. No way would a guard knock on an abandoned house if they knew we were in it. They'd just barge in without discourse.
It was our friends.
"Guys, hey." I spoke up, half opening the door already. "Get inside, quick. There are eyes every—"
It wasn't our friends.
I opened the door to reveal a pair of Crafters—one male, one female—who, upon seeing me, looked at me like I was some barking animal. Their eyes judged me as beneath them, and it was while looking at those eyes that I saw the dark lines stretching over them.
"He—"
I slammed the door in their faces before letting her finish… also before thinking about the repercussions of slamming the door in two Hackers' faces. Oops.
I quickly opened it again to apologize.
"—llo."
I slammed it again on reflex. What can I say? The big guy beside her was scowling at me! It was scary!
Okay, okay, this time for—!
My thoughts were violently derailed when I felt something powerful constrict around my neck and bodily lift me off the floor. I choked, clawing at whatever was strangling me to no avail. A caught a whiff of dark smoke and saw it creeping from the edges of my neck.
"Cobb?" Floyd called from the other room. "Was it the guys? Cobb?"
My legs kicked in the air, my lungs burning for oxygen. I had both my hands fumbling at my neck, trying to figure out what was choking me. What type of Hack was this!?
"Now, now, Winslow." A voice chided as the door creaked open, the two Hackers entering and looking at my desperate thrashing with mild interest. The big guy was enveloped in smoke, his hand raised towards me. Choking me. "This one is Flawwed_Floyd's pet. Disciplining him should be his responsibility."
"I'll teach him some manners myself." The hold on my neck tightened and my struggles weakened.
"COBB!" Floyd burst into the room and saw the current situation. "Let him go!"
Immediately, the crushing weight around my neck loosened and I fell onto the floor in a heap, coughing violently. Floyd rushed over and knelt by my side, checking to see if I was alright. After that, he drew his blade and glared at the pair of Hackers as the female…
…threw herself at Floyd, hugging him.
"Brother!" She squealed. "It's so nice to finally meet you!"
Floyd, with his sword-arm unintentionally pinned to his side by the girl's hug, could only stand there awkwardly while she patted his back. The guy, Winslow, treaded on my fingers before slapping a hand on Floyd's shoulder, welcoming him like a brother.
"We finally found you." He smiled.
I coughed loudly, trying to work some much needed oxygen into my lungs.
"You're ruining our reunion, worm!" Came a harsh voice before I felt the ethereal hand clamp against my neck once more. It didn't last this time, as Floyd smacked the hand aside.
"Stop! Leave Cobb alone!"
"Of course, of course." The female assured. "We'll let you deal with his punishment. I told you, Winslow." She added in a whisper.
"You bother addressing him by name?" He questioned. "Why bother?"
"I bother because he's my friend, asshole!" Floyd shot back, the insult causing Winslow and the female to stagger as if struck. "I don't care who you are, if you attack him one more time then you can get the hell out!"
"W-Well, uh…" The woman worked her mouth, at a loss on what to say. It seems this went beyond her expectations. "M-Maybe you misunderstand our intention, Floyd—we've come all this way to help you."
"Help me?" Floyd shot back. "Is that what you call busting in here and choking my friend?"
"Friend? What's… No, no, that doesn't matter. Look, clearly something was lost in translation, let's start over. Hi, I'm Sandradra. Sandra is just fine." She held out her hand but was forced to pull it back after Floyd scowled at her. "A-And this is my fellow Hacker, Winslow_Downes."
"Call me Winslow." He nodded, not even bothering to extend his hand. "And Sandra is right. We came all this way for your sake. No need to snap at her."
"No need to rough up my friend, either."
"He didn't show proper respect." Winslow growled before glaring my way. "Even now he disrespects our presence. What have you been teaching him?"
"Sorry for shutting the door in your face, I was a little overwhelmed by two of you glaring me down." I countered, massaging my throat.
"Be silent you little—!"
"Don't talk to him that way!"
"I… I…" Winslow stammered, his face heating up. "Why are you defending a lesser Crafter!? Why are you against us?"
"Winslow, enough. Be lenient." Sandra quieted him. "He's been without the companionship of a fellow Hacker for who knows how long. Perhaps he's not aware of how far above the common rabble we are."
"Aah, I get you."
"And as for you," Sandra turned to me, but her expression softened slightly under Floyd's disapproving glare. "You should know that Hackers should be bowed to, as we are a benevolent existence and permit you to live."
"I, sorry, I wasn't aware 'benevolent' was Latin for 'choke a bro out'."
Smoke gathered at Winslow's eyes. "You insolent—!"
"Okay, STOP IT! Both of you!" Floyd got between us, his hands extended. His mind must have been hard at work figuring a way out of this. We were outnumbered in Hacker powers and a fight would most likely end in my death. Better to take the Noman route and settle things peacefully. "I don't want any fighting in here until we've sorted out why you've come," he gestured to the Hackers, "or why Cobb is a friend of mine and should definitely not be killed!" He added, throwing a hand my way. "So, for the love of God, just… can we talk over cooked mutton like civilized beings? Please?"
The two Hackers took a step back, staring at us appraisingly. I matched their glares, appearing more calm than I felt. There weren't any Charged Creepers on hand to deal with them and I had no idea what their powers were… aside from Winslow's Darth Vader Force Choke thing.
Brain: Who's Darth Vader…?
Something needed to be said. Something to force them into compliance. Given how superior they thought they were, pride seemed to be a good thing to prey on.
"Well, I'm perfectly comfortable with talking things out." I emphasized, resting a hand on Floyd's shoulder, "because I care about Floyd, my BFF. Enough that I'm willing to negotiate with Hackers that could kill me in a blink."
"Faster than that." Winslow threatened, only for Sandra to slap him. "Sandra!" He protested.
"Quiet." She whispered before putting on a disarming smile. "We also are willing to negotiate with a lower-than-dirt Crafter. Because we would do anything for a brother. Even one as disillusioned and confused as Floyd. Because family is everything. Leagues ahead of BFF's." She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes as she looked at me. "Truly, our benevolence knows no bounds."
My eye twitched. "Yes. Your benevolence is so stunning it's blinding. Now, if we can start talking…?"
"Before that," Sandra pointed a finger at me. "I expect proper deference. On your knees, forehead touching the floor."
"Floor's dirty…"
"Dirt can't get dirtier, can it?"
"Save the snipes. Look, Cobb, just…" Floyd looked uncomfortable asking this of me, and it was that hesitance alone that had me comply. I lowered myself to one knee, then the other, and bent my spine forward until my forehead was touching the floor. Completely defenseless before the two Hackers.
"Hmm, adequate." Sandra nodded. "Taking into account your status as Floyd's… friend… you won't have to remain prostrated during our talks, but you will refer to us as sir or ma'am, respectively and respectfully. Am I clear?"
"Transparently, ma'am."
"Good. One more thing. Stand up." I followed her order, eager to be off my knees. "Now spread your legs out and bend your knees. Like you're sitting on a chair."
"Um… alright… ma'am." I added before spreading my legs and bending my knees. Beside her, Winslow chuckled. Were they making a fool out of me or something?
After I got into position, Sandra bent down and dark smoke began to pour out of her eyes, her sclerae turning black and contrasting sharply with her golden irises… and her eyes staring unabashedly at my crotch.
"Um… what are you doing, ma'am?"
The smoke swirled around her, pooling at her eyes and making it appear like she was wearing smoky glasses. Her lips quirked up after a few seconds of staring and the smoke quickly extinguished itself.
"Mediocre." Sandra judged with a note of finality before getting back to her feet. I noticed Winslow guffaw at her comment, but I didn't understand what she just did. Instead, I straightened and closed my legs and stepped back to safety beside Floyd.
"Well now, how about that mutton?" Sandra asked, clapping her hands twice. "Chop chop, Mr. Mediocre."
I guess I'm a butler now. I thought with a grimace as I handed out portions of cooked mutton to the three Hackers seated at the kitchen table. I was about to take up the fourth seat only for Winslow to stop me.
"Dogs don't eat at the table."
Blood: Kill them all…
I clicked my teeth shut and simply stepped away from the table, leaning on a countertop with folded arms.
Wouldn't be talking so tough if there were a pair of Charged Creepers around. Or an Iron Golem named Leslie.
"I believe we're owed an explanation, brother." Winslow started off, pointing at Floyd with a leg of mutton. "Why are you traveling with a group of lowly Crafters? With this one here you go so far as to treat him as an equal. Why?"
"We're equals because we're friends." Floyd explained, much to the two Hackers' confusion. At this, Floyd sighed. "I know it seems out of the ordinary from your perspective, but I was never picked up by Hackers. I was never surrounded by my own kind at the Hack Clan. You should at least be able to understand our circumstances are different."
"Different as night and day." Sandra grimaced, wrinkling her nose at me. "But you're right. I can understand why you'd surround yourself with those weaker than you. Especially given your double-edged Hack. After using it, you're defenseless. We shall have to remedy that."
"Hold on," I interjected, "you know Floyd was traveling with others besides me…? And you know about his Hack's weakness? How, ma'am?"
Sandra snorted, flicking her hair. "My, what a stupid question. I don't even feel like dignifying that with a response, Mr. Mediocre."
I stared back flatly before cocking my head towards Floyd, the message clear.
Floyd cleared his throat. "How did you know I was traveling with others? And how did you know about my Hack?"
"An astute observation, brother."
I rolled my eyes. Hard to be offended when they were showing such blatant favoritism.
Sandra parted her dark hair, showing off her golden eyes, before she activated her Hack. The whites of her eyes turned black and smoke started to pour from them, coalescing into the shape of smoky glasses once more. Her irises cut through the smoke, staring at us with a chilling intensity.
"When it comes to 'observations', however, I'm second to none." She bragged. "Three of my Hacks are specifically tooled for my eyesight. TrueSight," she tapped her cheek once and the smoke shifted slightly, her pupils growing larger, "lets me see Invisible entities.
"Then, there's FarSight," she tapped her cheek twice, her pupils shrinking and sharpening to a degree. "This one lets me see things from far away. I've tempered it so that I can see anything within a hundred miles of me. It's like having binoculars for eyes."
"A hundred miles?" Floyd gasped. "Damn, that beats Lenz's vision any day."
"Thank you." She preened.
I was still hung up on the fact that this girl had more than one Hack. More than three by the sound of it. And yet they were specialized in such a strange area: her eyes.
"But I saved the best for last." She tapped her cheek three times and the smoke erupted from her eyes, nearly smothering her golden irises. It was the same as when she was staring at my lap. "Wallhack lets me see entities through walls, blocks, and other objects. With these three Hacks combined," the smoke extinguished itself as she deactivated her abilities, "no one can escape my sight."
"So that's how you knew." Floyd realized. "You saw me… all the way from the Obelisk."
"Correct." Sandra nodded with a smile. "You first caught my attention outside of Chataan, when you used your Speed Hack to rescue your... friends." The word sounded wrong coming from her mouth.
"And then again on the airship." Floyd filled in. "I thought I felt like someone was watching me… that was you…"
"Sorry for watching you so closely." Sandra apologized. "You're the brother everyone's been talking about. The one with the wanted poster that nobody knew about. After Thed returned with news that Kalmarin was missing from his post, we feared how many of our brothers and sisters were lost. You were the catalyst, though. Without your poster, we never would have known there was a problem."
"Wait a second!" I suddenly shouted, earning a glare from the two Hackers. I didn't care that I wasn't using honorifics as something more troubling came to mind. "Your Hack lets you see through things!?"
"Yes. As I said before. Weren't you listening?"
"You can see through blocks and objects, but not entities."
"No," Sandra's face betrayed nothing, "I can't see through entities."
"…Can you see through clothes?"
Her lips curled and her eyes flicked down to my crotch once more, my hands shielding it on reflex now that I knew what she had been requesting to 'look at' earlier.
"Why yes, Mr. Mediocre," she chirped—and boy, did that name suddenly sound more condescending—while my cheeks heated up. "I can see through clothes."
Winslow's guffaws and even Floyd's barely stifled chuckles only added to my embarrassment as I closed my legs around my hands, adding another layer of protection from her all-seeing eye.
"Don't know why you're trying to hide it." She shrugged. "I've seen smaller. The fact you're hiding it at all is proof you're insecure."
"NO! It's proof I don't want women ogling at my junk, you perv!" I turned to the side when Sandra leapt to her feet, outraged.
"I happen to have a boyfriend, so why would I lower my standards ogling a mere Crafter?"
"I'm spoken for too! If you have a boyfriend in the first place, why are you looking at my penis!?"
"Well… w-we're having a rough patch at the moment…" Sandra admitted. "Something about me not giving him enough privacy. Nothing two Hackers can't work through—"
"Oh my Notch, your boyfriend is also your brother. That's what you call your fellow Hackers, right? That's… God, that's messed up…"
"Shut up!"
Heart: Dear God, they're brother and sister…
Blood: Not by blood…
Brain: Cobb, tell this chick that 'incest is wincest'. She'll probably kill you, but it'll be really, really funny.
Bladder: She was looking at me… without me even knowing… I feel violated…
Liver: There, there, Bladder. The incestuous pervert can't hurt you.
"OKAY, I've heard enough to need a gallon of brain bleach!" Floyd shouted. "This topic doesn't need to be pursued any further! Let's just go back to our prior talk. Agreed?"
"Agreed." Sandra went beet red, too mortified to continue right away. Instead, she gestured for Winslow to take over.
"After Sandra spotted you so close, she came to me, asking for a lift so we could escort you the rest of the way to the Obelisk and your family. Hence, why we came here."
"Escort me?" Floyd asked.
"Yes. Isn't that why you're here?" Winslow asked. "You were trying to reach the Hack Clan, weren't you?"
"Ah." Floyd shook his head. "There's been a misunderstanding. I didn't come here for you. Hell, I didn't even know the Obelisk was so close to Akasha. I'm visiting with my friends because there's something we need to do here."
"But… but then we're a welcome surprise, right?" Winslow tried again. "You can finally come home. You can be with your brothers and sisters and be loved and adored like the legend you are."
"Again, my circumstances aren't yours." Floyd said. "I don't want to go to the Hack Clan. I don't need to be adored by my brothers and sisters. I'm already right where I belong." He smiled my way. "I'm with my friends."
Again, the word threw the pair of Hackers off. The idea of a Hacker and a normal Crafter having a relationship other than God and worm was beyond their capacity. Before, Floyd had to fight Thed with his own powers and explain the situation again, just to convince him to let us go. It looked like Sandra and Winslow would require further explanation before any understanding could be reached.
With growing worry, I noticed the Hackers' gaze sliding to me before narrowing. It reminded me of Thed's initial impression that we brainwashed Floyd into being our personal Hacker and stole him away from his family. Really, why did everyone jump to brainwashing?
Thankfully, Floyd was there to cut off that line of thinking. "Before you suggest anything, I'm fully in control of my choices, I'm not brainwashed, and" Winslow and Sandra pointedly looked away, guilty over thinking that, "I'm disappointed in the actions of the Hack Clan."
"Disappointed?" Winslow suddenly stood up. "For what? For us rushing to your rescue when we thought we saw a brother in need?"
"What have we done to disappoint you?" Sandra asked, gently.
Floyd threw out a hand. "How about choking my friend for one. Having Akasha serve under your thumb for two, building you your Obelisk and having them bring you food every month. And what about how the rest of Minecraftia thinks of us?"
"I don't see the problem. They think us Gods and recognize our greatness."
"The people of Minecraftia are terrified of Hackers! When they think of us, they only remember that we started an era of fear in this world!" Floyd countered, getting passionate. "They don't see our greatness, they hate us! And we deserve it."
"The Crafters have no idea how much we've forgiven them for." Sandra replied, slamming her palms upon the table. "Not many remember that it was the Hackers who were persecuted first in the early days of Minecraftia. We, who were thought of as monsters with abnormal abilities, Gods among men. That Herobrine bastard used us as pawns to do his dirty work, manipulated us into attacking the Kingdoms for trinkets. Crafters are nothing but deceitful worms that seek to use us."
"It's a mercy we don't kill them all." Winslow growled, glaring at me. "We let them live. We let them serve us. You say they hate us? They should be thanking us! Instead, what do they do? They start killing us off!"
Sandra's rage doubled in response to her companion. "Three of our brethren are dead, one presumed dead, and many others unaccounted for! All the work of Crafters!" She kicked at the table. "Why, if I had only been close enough to see them… if I ever find the bastard Billionth who killed Alec—pipe down while I'm ranting!"
I couldn't help it. At the mention of Alec and 'bastard Billionth' I suddenly started coughing uncontrollable. Even Floyd looked uncomfortable, knowing Alec's killer was in this very kitchen.
"And what about Nitebane!" Winslow added. "Ocan and Urson. Both slain. And there's still no word from Poulsen about what happened."
That, I felt less worried about. I couldn't account for any Poulsen, but Carys all but bragged about killing the two Hackers in Nitebane and taking over. We knew that, but the Hack Clan didn't.
Hmmm, maybe I can use that…
I checked my map while the Hackers argued. The white blips of my friends were getting closer. I was debating whether to have them join in on this conversation or save a lot of tense explaining by meeting them at the door and turning them around. The latter was safer and I didn't want Sandra anywhere near Jade… and not because she saw my junk or anything. No. Even with Floyd's presence, I still considered the two Hackers dangerous and unpredictable.
"Should we just forgive and forget those we've lost?" Sandra asked sarcastically. "Should we just forgive Herobrine for using us?"
"Of course not!" Floyd shouted back, getting to his feet. "You can't despise Herobrine more than me! I know he started all this. He tricked you into attacking the Kingdoms. It was your power, but he was the catalyst that made you fight. He killed Notch! He founded the Endward Cult! He summoned the creature that laid waste to Nitebane! But who was it that took over—!"
"-oyd! Floyd!"
The blue-nette trailed off, realizing dark smoke was pouring out of him again. His Hacker powers were going haywire just like before in the tunnel. His legs started to shake and he collapsed, catching himself on the lip of the table before sliding off onto the floor, gasping for breath.
"Floyd!" I ran over to help him, only for a smoky hand to appear out of nowhere and shove me in the center of my chest. Hard.
The bump pushed all the air out of my lungs as I fell onto my back and slid to a stop against the fridge. I sucked in air greedily, ignoring the pain in my chest as I got to my knees.
"Don't." Winslow warned, a smoky hand grabbing my arm and pinning me to the fridge by it. It was his Hack. That disembodied smoky hand of his that could choke me with greater strength than a real hand, either out in the open or through walls. "How is he, Sandra?"
"He's Evolving. It's recent. I saw him struggle with it yesterday while he was flying that airship." Sandra wore a troubled expression as she rolled Floyd onto his back and tilted his head back, clearing his airway. Smoke was still pouring out of his eyes and coming off his body in great gouts. "Floyd, can you hear me? You need to calm yourself. Center your mind."
"I… I can't!" He scrunched his eyes shut, gasping between breaths, smoke swirling turbulently around his body. "It's. Too. Muuuuch!"
On his last drawn out word, the smoke shot out of his body in all directions. It wasn't vapor anymore; it was solid and jagged, like black shrapnel. Sandra crossed her arms fast, smoke shielding her as four of the sharp bolts of solid smoke punctured her in the shoulder, chest, and leg, blasting her away from the convulsing Floyd.
Many more bolts stuck into the ceiling, the kitchen table, the floor, through the glass window, and towards Winslow and me. Winslow purposefully jumped out of the way so that they could hit me before protecting himself with some defensive Hack, tanking the damage with a wince.
With shrapnel incoming, I reached up with the one arm not pinned to the fridge and clicked a button. The iron door serving as the fridge's door clicked open and knocked me aside while also shielding me. The fridge's dispenser spat out a unit of meat before several smoke bolts stuck to it. One impacting dangerously close to my eye before it, and all the others, vanished in a puff of smoke.
Winslow let out a disappointed huff at the bolts having missed me.
After launching the shrapnel, Floyd's powers finally started to relent. The dark smoke subsided, but his breathing was just as labored, aided only by Sandra clearing his airway and massaging his chest.
"What's going on!?" I shouted, worried. "This has happened before. What's it mean?"
"Be quiet, worm."
"Please, ma'am!" I begged, using the proper honorific and speaking directly to the more reasonable of the two. "Floyd's my friend! If there's something wrong with him, I need to know how I can help!"
Sandra considered me a moment before turning her attention back on Floyd. "You can't help, Mr. Mediocre. He's Evolving. Judging by his reaction, this is a first for him."
"Evolving…? Ma'am, what's that mean?"
"He's a Level 1 Hacker, but he's becoming a Level 2. Likely due to a drastic change in his emotional or mental state." Sandra explained. "If a Hacker feels particularly strong about something, be it an idea or an action, they can manifest a new Hack that suits those feelings." Floyd's expression relaxed, his breathing starting to even out as Sandra made soft, cooing sounds to calm him.
"He must have felt so strongly about what he was arguing about, it dredged up feelings of frustration or anger. Something violent that would be associated with that explosive power. For a Hacker, power is learned through the mind, commanded by will, and refined by practice."
So Floyd was gaining a new power? Then why was it exhausting him like this? It looked like a bad thing!
And it was brought on by a drastic change in his emotional state? Sure, the argument had gotten heated, but Floyd's always thought Hackers were feared and out of control. There was nothing new that could have—
But then it hit me. This all started after we learned the truth about the Endward Cult's Founder. The same time we learned that Herobrine was the catalyst behind the Hackers attacking the Kingdoms and killing the kings.
The same time we learned the kind of person who wrote those books—
No, I had to banish that from my mind. It didn't matter anymore. That was my mindset and it had better be Floyd's too if he wanted to stop these outbursts of power.
"Ma'am, it's Herobrine." I blurted out, making Sandra snap her head towards me. "He's angry at what Herobrine did. He argued about it—that's what's triggering his new power."
Floyd's eyes slowly fluttered open, his breathing finally back to normal. He was sweating like crazy, but he had sense enough to nod to what I was saying. He had let his frustration over Herobrine affect him, and his power.
"His first Hack is temperamental without further practice and his second Hack is still in the preliminary phase of manifesting. It's a miracle he's achieved this much, considering he's self-taught." Sandra admitted. "His continued needs, however, are more than what you can provide."
My chest tightened. "Wh-what do you mean, ma'am?"
"She means that Floyd has to come with us." Winslow spoke brusquely. "He needs to be with his fellow brethren. He needs to be where he truly belongs, so we can teach him how to master his budding powers and protect himself."
"N-No." Floyd blurted out, stumbling in an attempt to get to his feet. Sandra tried to help, but Floyd brushed her aside. "I'm… I'm not leaving… with you…"
"Brother, you really should." Sandra said, worry evident on her face. "Look at yourself. You're so exhausted you can't even stand."
"I'm… fine…"
"No, brother. Your budding power is immense, true, but as it is, raw and unrefined, it will only hurt those around you." Winslow pointed out the punctured ceiling, walls, and broken windows. "Hackers like us can protect ourselves from powers as they're manifesting. We've trained countless Hackers. We're qualified. Your 'friends', as you call them, are not."
"That's…" Floyd trailed off, staring at the broken window and all the damage he had caused. Then he saw me, still pinned by my arm to the fridge. Winslow made it a point to release me then.
I could see that his argument was getting to Floyd. The last thing he wanted his Hacks to do was to hurt people.
I rubbed my hand and made to stand up when…
*Knock Knock Knock*
Everyone, even the exhausted Floyd, glanced to the sounds coming from the door. I quickly took out my map and verified there weren't more Hackers showing up at our doorstep before Soul abandoned all subtlety and kicked open the door.
"Sup, losers. Care to tell me why everything within three blocks of this house… is… abandoned…"
Soul trailed off and I saw three heads and three sets of names peek from around his shoulders before Lenz gasped in horror. Then, Soul and Lenz made everything infinitely better by drawing their weapons on Sandra and Winslow, their expressions panicked.
Then Noman and Jade joined in and everyone started shouting and pointing weapons at one another.
"WHAT THE HELL ARE TWO HACKERS DOING HERE!?"
"Cobbert, orders!"
"On your knees, worms!"
"The floor's dirty you asshat!"
"Cobb, what the hell is going on!?"
"Should I… do something… here?" Noman shifted awkwardly between bearing his shield and stowing it away.
Sandra and I sighed, for once on the same wavelength.
"Guys, put your weapons away. There's a story here."
Ten minutes of explaining later…
"And that's where we left off." I finished explaining to my attentive audience. Thoroughly going over the situation allowed Floyd time to recover from his Hacking episode, but there was a thick tension in the air.
The kitchen was split with me in the middle acting as mediator. I guess because I was the leader and Soul would sooner curse them out than call them sir or ma'am. The arriving Beginners were on one side and the Hackers were on the other.
Winslow and Soul were glaring daggers at one another, Jade's eyes looked to be trying to keep track of both Hackers at once, Lenz was a trembling mess, and Noman...
Noman's mind was elsewhere. He looked to be paying more attention to the window and the streets outside. When I realized why, I could hardly believe it. Here he was, standing in a kitchen with two threatening Hackers, and his mind was on those stolen books. What was wrong with him!?
"Now that you're all caught up," Sandra spoke, causing my guild to flinch, "you should be able to understand why Floyd accompanying us back to the Obelisk is for the best."
"The hell it is! Floyd's not going anywhere."
"Hear, hear!"
"Another outburst like that and I'll—"
"Winslow, careful." Sandra threw up a hand. "We already promised to be benevolent where Floyd's… friends… are concerned. Provided that's still what he wants."
"It is." Floyd agreed.
"See?" Sandra continued. "Though, if he wishes no harm to come to his friends, he should learn to control his volatile powers."
"That's dirty." Jade hissed lowly. "You're trying to manipulate him into going with you."
"I don't know what you mean." Sandra turned her nose up. "We're merely stating facts. You clearly have no idea how to help Floyd. Isn't it better for him to be with fellow Hackers who can train him? We're better experienced."
"He's learning on his own just fine!" Soul growled. "You can take your offer and shove it up your—"
"Soul, stop." I ordered, knowing that antagonizing these guys was a bad move. I turned to Floyd, then. He was fully recovered, but until he let this business with Herobrine drop, that shrapnel power of his would keep acting up. It'd hurt people, and that'd hurt him—not to mention what exerting all that Hacker smoke would do to his body. Could his powers exhaust to the point where they killed him?
As much as I hated to admit it, the Hackers were better equipped for this.
"What do you want to do, Floyd?"
Putting him on the spot. Some leader I was. But nobody knew better what was best for Floyd than, well, Floyd.
The blue-nette frowned, looking between his guild and his Hacker family. Then, with a long sigh, he turned to Sandra.
"Train me."
A small smile flickered on her face.
"But I'm not going with you to the Obelisk."
That smile soon broke apart, eclipsed by the beaming smiles of the guild.
"Brother," she began gently, "the Obelisk is full of Hackers who've gone through precisely what you're going through now. With Winslow's Flight, we can get you there in a day. You'll have all the best trainers, food, luxuries—"
"I'm not leaving my friends."
"But you're one of us! You're a Hacker—!"
"I'm a Beginner first."
"…Beginner?"
"My guild name." He faced them and took a step back, towards us. "We're the Beginners. You can't break us up."
"We are not taking worms to the Obelisk. What would the Clan say?" Winslow said.
"Then you have a problem."
"No, Floyd, it's you that will have the problem if your powers aren't properly brought under control." Sandra pointed dramatically at the blue-nette. "Listen closely. You can either come with us and be trained and raised as a fellow brother, or stay here with your 'friends' and watch as your powers spiral out of control. We won't make an exception for you. So," she held her arms out, a confident smile in place, "what'll it be, brother? Us or them?"
"Them."
"Damnit. Alright, alright, wait." Sandra lunged forward just as Floyd was about to walk away back to us. She sighed angrily, scratching at her dark hair. "You're taking advantage of my generosity. There's no way I'm going to leave a brother in need."
"So you'll do it?" Floyd asked, his eyebrows lifting in hope.
"Yes, we'll help you. Because we care AND," she turned to me with a smug expression, "because we're the only ones who can. We know more than the rest of you wor— erm, 'friends'."
"Ain't your friend, bitch." Soul whispered under his breath.
"You don't know more than us." I dismissed, stepping forward. "You know more about Hacker matters. That's it."
"You think so, huh? We Hackers are superior beings, perfect in every way and knowledgeable in any—"
"What is the recipe for a piston?" Lenz piped up, causing Sandra to stop mid-brag and just stand there with her mouth hanging.
"Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh…"
"Well?" Jade folded her arms, looking smug. "We're waiting, oh superior Hacker."
Sandra's cheeks reddened. "It's… the recipe for a piston… is… uh…"
Suddenly, smoke pooled around her eyes, her Hack activating. The others backed up in worry, but there was no need since most of her Hacks were tooled for sight. Instead, the Hacker whipped her head in a different direction, her eyes frantically looking for something.
Could it be…?
"Ma'am?" I asked flatly. "Are you using your X-ray binocular vision to search for pistons being made?"
"No! My Hacks just… help me think is all." She turned her head this way and that, like a satellite dish trying to receive signals. Finally, she let out a victorious shout. "Yes, now I remember. The recipe is…" She narrowed her eyes to discern better. "…Three wooden planks on top, an iron ingot in the center, redstone beneath it, and cobblestone on the sides. Hackers know everything. There."
"Can't argue with that." I said dryly.
"And I have nothing to argue with if you're gonna teach me how to control this new power." Floyd added. "We'll have to stay hidden, though. Keep a low profile."
"Why? We're Hackers? This is our land."
"Ooh, boy." The blue-nette smacked his head. "Don't you think walking around like you own the place is going to make the people here uncomfortable?"
"And I should care why?" Winslow replied. "If the worms have any sense, they'll steer clear of us. And they are. No people within a ten block radius." He narrowed his eyes. "Except for these maggots."
"I think I prefer worm to maggot…" Noman murmured.
"I prefer neither! Floyd, are you seriously going to stay with these whack-jobs?" Soul demanded. "Look at them! I bet they killed someone coming in."
"He's not wrong…" Sandra admitted.
"It'll be fine, Soul." Floyd promised with a nod. "They already swore not to force me to leave, and they'd be dirty backstabbers to go back on their promises, right?"
"R-Right." Sandra shakily agreed.
"See? If they're willing to compromise, then so can I."
"So, do you, like, need a big open space to practice your Hack?" I asked. "Or can you do it in here, ma'am."
"We will have to go outside." Sandra said. "Floyd, I understand you're a wanted criminal. Not to worry. With us accompanying you, no guard would dare raise a hand to arrest you."
"And if they try, they die." The rhyme only made it more menacing.
"Can you not kill people for one day?" Floyd shouted, exasperated. I was starting to pity him. He'd have his hands full keeping Sandra and Winslow in check. "I can't leave. People will see me. They know I'm with Cobb and they'll guess he's here too."
"And I care, why?"
"Relax, Floyd. I thought ahead." Jade rummaged in her belt before pulling out a pair of masks with a beaming smile. One was of a Skeleton and the other was a Creeper. "Thank Noman for buying them. If you're wearing these, your names and faces will be hidden." She tossed the Creeper mask to Floyd and the Skeleton mask to me. "If anyone asks, just tell them you're getting into the early Halloween spirit."
"It's late September, though."
"Just don't attract too much attention, bonehead." She teased, referencing the Skeleton mask. I quickly wore mine, looking at the group through the thin eye holes. Floyd did the same and I watched as the name above his head vanished.
"Isn't it stifling having to hide yourself?" Sandra asked, leaning on one of Floyd's shoulders. "Don't you just wish you could throw away the mask and be who you were born to be?"
"Quit it." Floyd moved away, his expression unreadable under that mask. Soul stepped up to talk with him about something, and I saw my chance to approach Sandra.
"Ma'am," I began politely. She flicked her eyes my way and I swallowed nervously. "You said two Hackers were slain in Nitebane, right?"
"Don't talk so idly about my fallen brothers, Mr. Mediocre." Sandra growled. "Brother Floyd's protection has its limits."
"I don't mean to offend, ma'am." I whispered, glancing to see that Floyd was engrossed in his talk with Soul. "I just thought you wanted to know something about who killed them."
Her fist grasped my hoodie and yanked me down. Her eyes flashed dangerously. "If this is a joke—"
"Ma'am, I know who killed them." I asserted, smiling inwardly at the payback I was throwing a certain Angel's way. "Carys_Angel. That's C-A-R-Y-S Angel. Short, spiky black hair, blood red eyes, wields a diamond scythe, calls herself the Angel of Death, not a fan of porkchops, kind of a psycho bitch."
[Endward Cult Weapons Outpost]
"Carys? Is something wrong? You suddenly stopped."
"No, no I…" Carys paused, gripping her scythe tightly, like it was a neck in need of wringing. "I just had a violent urge to maim. I must satisfy it immediately."
"Well, there are some cultists up ahead."
She flourished her weapon. "Perfect."
[Cobb]
"You're lying to me. This is a trick." Sandra jumped to conclusions. "You're trying to get me to do your dirty work—"
"No, no." Well, yes, but this was different! Carys was a threat. One I was all too happy to allow the Hackers to take care of. Besides, she put a bounty on my head first. "Floyd can verify that Carys is the killer. Just bring it up and he'll say the name."
"You could have just ordered him to say it was this Carys_Angel."
"Ma'am, I haven't been able to talk with him privately since you arrived. I would have had no chance to tip him off." She frowned, conceding my point. "I will admit, Carys is my enemy too. But I figured you'd care more about avenging your fallen brethren. She nearly killed Floyd." I threw out, just to drive home how dangerous she was. "I'm not strong enough to beat her."
"Didn't I already say my observations are the best in the Hack Clan?" Sandra replied, glaring me down. "I can see what you're trying to do. I know you're playing me right now. Just like Herobrine."
Hearing those words was like getting sucker punched. Her Hack couldn't see through me, but if it could, she'd see just how rattled I was by her comparison. She didn't pay close attention, however, and I was glad my mask was concealing my shocked expression.
"Fortunately for you, this Carys_Angel's continued existence as a Hacker Slayer spells danger for the rest of my brothers and sisters. She must die if we are ever to feel safe again. Same goes to that bastard Billionth from Halstatt—Would you stop coughing over me!?—So I'll be looking into your information." Her eyes pulsed with Hacker power. "Looking into it very closely. If Floyd backs up your story, Carys_Angel is as good as dead."
Brain: Yes! Great plan!
"And if Brother Floyd can't corroborate your claim, and it turns out you did try to use me to kill one of your enemies and not mine," her eyes slid off mine and towards Jade. I froze, more terrified than ever of the Hacker before me. "You mentioned you were spoken for, Mr. Mediocre? She's very pretty. I see a lot, but I'd hate to see her lovely head separated from her shoulders."
And with that parting threat, Sandra brushed past me to join Winslow and Floyd.
Brain: Oooooooh…
[Jade]
We were ready to leave by noon. There had been some back and forth arguing, but we finally agreed on a plan to leave the abandoned house safely. I wanted to get out of there as soon as I saw two hostile Hackers sitting at the kitchen table, but the internal screaming eventually got out of my system and I was ready to mock them. Hey, if I was gonna get killed by Hackers anyway, might as well go out zinging.
It didn't come to that, though. Thankfully, Floyd's Hacker status was enough to protect us and Cobb of all people was acting as mediator. I couldn't help but think that would have unraveled quickly had the Hackers known he was responsible for the events at Halstatt.
Best to keep my mouth shut on that.
We decided to leave separately so as to not be seen with a pair of Hackers, despite the blocks being evacuated. Nobody wanted to get close to where two Hackers were staying. Floyd and his 'family members' waited in the abandoned house while the rest of us quietly took to the streets. The Skeleton-masked Cobb stood at the heart, surrounded on all sides by his friends, making it easier to conceal him.
"Ten emeralds per mask?" Cobb asked, incredulous. "Outrageous! Are they really that hard to make?"
"They aren't made with a recipe." I explained. "They're obtained at Blitz Peak. Ever heard of it?"
"It sounds vaguely familiar…" Noman hummed.
"Oh, I know that peak." Lenz nodded, smiling. "That is Daymonte territory. A little bit north of Halstatt, Cobb—"
"Don't bring up Halstatt." He hissed under his breath. "Not with Sandra watching. And with her Hack she's always watching…"
"Shouldn't you be the least afraid out of all of us?" Soul questioned. "Considering you killed one."
"Did you see any Charged Creepers lying about?" He huffed. "Anyway, what's so special about Blitz Peak?"
"Well, for whatever reason, when a storm hits, lightning always strikes the top of Blitz Peak, earning its namesake. So Crafters take advantage by herding Creepers up there and turning them into Charged Creepers."
"That… sounds like a nightmare." I could only imagine the expression he was making under that Skeleton mask. "Why farm electrified Creepers?"
"Because when a Mob is killed in a Charged Creeper explosion, they drop a Head." Jade pointed at her own for emphasis. "It only works on a few Mobs, though. It took a while to discover it, but once they did, Halloween got a whole lot more entertaining. Before, everyone just wore pumpkins. Not very scary."
"So is that how Carys got a black Skeleton Skull?" Cobb asked.
"Again, it's called a Wither Skeleton Skull." I clarified. "And I'm not too sure. Wither Skeletons only spawn in the Nether and Creepers spawn in Minecraftia. You'd probably have to bring either one to the other to test if a Charged Creeper explosion drops a Wither Skull. It's a lot of work. I hear you can get Wither Skulls by slaying the Mobs themselves, but it's an ultra rare drop."
Not many people could get their hands on a Wither Skull. They were too rare, and the Mobs were no slouches with their debilitating Wither effect. Only the toughest could lay claim to one. Carys wearing hers was just another way to show off.
A smile stretched easily across my face. "Now, it's just a trophy of escaping her once more."
The only thing hiding Cobb's pleased smile was that mask of his. He was still afraid of Carys—anyone who said they weren't was a liar—but reminding him of where he succeeded and she failed seemed to help.
"Carys might not be a problem for long." He said.
"What do you mean?"
"Let's just say she's not the only one who can paint targets on people's backs." He replied cryptically.
"…You're not thinking of tipping of the Endward Cult, are you?" Noman asked seriously. "She's their enemy too—"
"Zip it." Soul advised, shoving a hand over Noman's face when ACC guards suddenly turned in our direction. Soul waved at them enthusiastically. "Hey, fellas! Death to the Cult, am I right?" They smiled at the axe-wielder's words and laughed before going about their business. Soul lowered his hands before glaring at Noman. "Best to watch our words. No mention of the ult-Cay or their ounder-Fay."
Noman nodded, but refused to drop the topic. "What did you mean about Carys, Cobb?"
"Nothing." He shrugged, a little too defensively. "Just that Floyd miiiiight mention that Carys killed the Hackers in Nitebane to Sandra and Winslow."
"Oooh, devious. I approve." I smirked, playfully shoving his shoulder.
Noman and Soul thought differently. "Wait, so that's why you left Floyd with those maniacs?" Soul accused, getting angry. "That's your plan? Use him to set them off against her? That's why you let them take him?"
"Nobody's taking anyone. Floyd talked them down." He countered quickly. Anxiously. "He needs to control his powers better. You didn't see what happened back there. That's the main focus. But if, while training, he lets slip about Carys, what's the harm?"
"I thought we were going to confront Carys together." Noman asked. "Maybe try to talk with her—"
"May as well reason with a Creeper. She's as explosive as one, and twice and deadly. Let the Hackers handle her."
"Sounds to me like you're dumping your problems on someone else." Soul said. "What happened to facing them head-on like a man?"
"I tried that. I lost." Cobb countered.
"Then try again."
"Soul—"
"You know what," Soul suddenly stopped, raising his hands in the air and backing off from the rest of us. "You guys go do your thing. I have a meeting tonight to get ready for." He held up the address the ACC guard gave him.
"Meeting? What are you talking about?" Cobb had no idea.
"Soul, what about the books?" Lenz tried to stop him, only for Soul to laugh.
"You four bookworms want to go looking for that Book Burglar, be my guest. I had plans to make a good impression with the ACC to get to the bottom of why we really came here," he stressed, "but now my blue wingman is off training with a pair of chainsmokers and I'm all by myself."
"Floyd couldn't have gone with you anyway. You know that." Cobb tried to reason. "And… about this book thing…" Noman and Lenz looked at him pointedly. "It… there's no guarantee it'll bear anything. Maybe we'll wrap it up quickly and move onto—"
"I'm not giving up on this, Cobbert." Lenz affirmed, making Cobb deflate. "We will find Arquero, one way or another."
"At least he's not backing down." Soul muttered before walking off.
"Soul! We need to stick together!" Noman called out.
"Then come with me!" He called back without looking.
Cobb looked conflicted between Soul and Noman. "Bastard… why does he always have to go off on his own?"
"Indeed. Soul is a lone wolf at times." Lenz said. "To be fair, having more irons in the fire could prove beneficial."
"He needs someone to watch his back." I spoke up, sighing when I realized what needed to be done. What Cobb was too kind to suggest. I didn't like the idea, but my feet were already moving. Parkour rule number one: Always commit. "I'll tag along."
"Not you too, Jade." Cobb snagged my arm, but I turned to face him.
"Soul's convinced of the Cult's presence here, but I feel he believes things a little too blindly. I don't want him making the same mistake with this ACC group."
We had gone to Zeppil under the belief that the Endward Cult was active only to find nothing. Akasha's arrest record of cultists seemed impressive, but the continued activity was a little too suspicious. There was definitely something larger at work. Something that had to do with the ACC. Accompanying Soul to their meeting was the first step to uncovering the truth.
Cobb could handle the books.
"We'll check out the ACC and you guys find Arquero. Deal?"
"Cobb was silent for a moment too long, still refusing to let go. I rolled my eyes.
"You need another training session to convince you I can handle myself?" I threatened, tapping my cutlass.
He released me with a sigh.
"Is that what you call getting knocked out by that Ghast Hybrid?"
"That was a one-off." I defended hotly. "Aside from ungodly abominations, I can handle myself."
"Just make sure you get back in one piece."
"All the better to kiss you with." I snuck in a quick peck on his cheek before turning to chase after the axe-wielding brute.
I could only imagine Cobb's flushed face under that mask.
[Soul]
It was sunset.
I wouldn't say it, but I was grateful for Jade tagging along. Better to have someone watching my back, even if she had doubts about Brett, the Silver Intent's intel, and this new group. I had some doubts too, though I hoped I was wrong about Brett.
I also wished she'd stop hugging me!
"We're not greeting the ACC like this."
"Then start a fire! Ugh, I hate how the temperature drops like this." Her teeth chattered. "Desert life is hell on earth! What I wouldn't give for the warmth of the Nether right now…"
"Just endure the temperature for a little bit. I'm sure the inside of this place is heated."
"Right. Because sandstone is the best insulator of heat." She said sarcastically.
21 Mool Road. This was the address Bhajan scribbled down. This was the time he said to show up.
Jade separated from me long enough to raise a fist to the door of the ordinary-looking sandstone building. Barely a second after I knocked, the door creaked open and a rugged face greeted me.
"What do you want?"
"We're here for the ACC meet." I spoke without hesitance. Had to show these guys I was tough enough. "Bhajan told us to come by. Said we could see the famous Captain in action."
"Tanner above, what is Bhajan thinking…?" He shut the door abruptly and I heard him stomp off. There was a moment of silence where Jade and I shared a look before the sound of footsteps returned and the door opened, revealing a new face, albeit more friendly.
"Lost_Soul! Glad you could make it. And I see you brought your friend. Hope she knows how to use that cutlass." Bhajan glanced left and right. "Your other friends not up for it?"
"They had to settle in." I explained away. I wished they were here. Instead they were off hunting the teachings of a psychopath. Herobrine and his books could burn for all I cared.
The ACC understood that. Being around some like-minded people would make me feel better.
"I don't know, Bhajan. The girl doesn't look like much." The Crafter who answered the door first, Uchhaal, noted with disdain upon looking at Jade. She frowned, whipping out her cutlass in half a second and teasing the man's neck with its edge.
"You were saying?" She smiled sweetly.
"I-I was saying I need my eyes checked and you're welcome inside." He backed off with his hands raised, Bhajan offering a hearty laugh.
"Splendid! Captain Obsidian loves a spirit like that. But, where are my manners? Come in, come in. We've got friends, fire, and food."
"You had me at fire." Jade sheathed her cutlass before stepping across the threshold with me behind her. Uchhaal shut the door behind us.
We traveled down a corridor before taking a left and ending up in a large, open dance studio packed with Crafters wearing orange leather. Jade let out a pleased sigh as the warmth of a roaring fire in the center settled over us, the building must have been repurposed for tonight's meeting. Chests with food were off to the side, a few armor stands were set up with ACC guards whacking them with swords and fists, some tables and chairs had been set up.
As soon as we got in, a person called out to Bhajan, walking over with an interested expression.
Her name was Nephrait428. Like Jade, she had green hair, though it was more seafoam green and in a long, thick braid down her back. She had olive skin and wore a steel-grey top and a tan sash that covered her legs all the way to the ankles. She wore simple sandals and her belt and backpack were the same seafoam green as her hair. Her eyes, almond and judging, like she was picking us apart.
"Who have we here? New recruits?" She asked, standing before us.
"Just some extra hands for tonight's raid." Bhajan spoke before introducing us. "Soul, Jade. This is Nephrait. She helps the Captain oversee and organize the ACC and she serves as a direct line with Councilman McGahn, the ACC's major backer."
"Don't feel overwhelmed." She assured. "McGahn does most of the planning. Obsidian does most of the doing. Just think of me as a glorified delivery girl. Love your hair, by the way."
"Us green-heads have to stick together." Jade smiled, fluffing her lush green locks before resting a hand on her hip. "Anyway, we're from out of town. Heard a lot of cultist arrests lately and we're wondering what the heck's going on."
"Ah, I see." Nephrait nodded, suddenly serious. "The Endward Cult's presence has been an ongoing issue here in Akasha. We're trying to rid the Kingdom of them, but it's hard. Seems like for every cultist we throw in the Pit, two more take their place."
"You mean they keep bolstering their numbers through recruitment?" Soul asked. "How's that? I thought the locals despised them."
"They do." She assured. "You'd be hard-pressed to find any locals supporting the Cult. Openly, that is. Believe it or not, some people still worship the devil we dare not name."
They meant Herobrine. His name really was taboo around here.
"These people are like sleeper agents, quietly going about their lives, leaving their peers unaware that cultists are lying right under their noses." Nephrait spat with disgust. "It's the ACC's job to root out any threats to Akasha's freedom and, one day, free the whole Kingdom of the Cult's influence."
"That's amazing." I said. And I meant it. "After the scale of the attack on Ringwood, I was worried how easily the cult could mobilize a threat. Stamping those bastards out of existence couldn't make me happier."
"See, Nephrait?" Bhajan grinned, nudging the woman's shoulder. "This guy is hardcore. I can't wait to introduce you to Captain Obsidian. Oh! Here he comes now!"
Immediately, the din that had settled upon the studio quieted to a whisper. Only the sound of footsteps could be heard as a lone man, covered in diamond armor and an orange-leather cap strode out before us. An oversized cleaver rested at his belt, so long it dragged along the floor behind him like a second dick. The ACC members all parted to let him pass.
Looking upon the man known as Glowing_Obsidian, only one thought could summarize how he appeared to me.
"Cool…"
Inventory (Cobb): 1 Mob Head {Skeleton}, 1 Iron Helmet, 1 Leather Tunic [Dyed Green, Mending I, Unbreaking I], 1 Diamond Leggings [Projectile Protection IV], 1 Iron Boots, 1 Fishing Rod {Backlash} [Knockback II, Luck of the Sea III, Unbreaking III], 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, 56 Jungle Wood Planks, 2 Sticks, 7 Torches, 1 Crafting Table, 1 Clock, 1 Lava Bucket, 1 String, 6 Emeralds, 1 Ender Pearl, 4 Snowballs, 9 Gunpowder, 19 Cooked Mutton, 27 Rotten Flesh, 2 Maps {Minecraftia}, 1 Book {Citizenship Information}, 1 Paper {Ringwood Entry Pass}, 1 Paper {Zeppil Entry Pass}
[EXP: 33]
Inventory (Floyd): 1 Mob Head {Creeper}, 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, 21 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, 4 Ender Pearls, 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 Pants [Dyed Brown, Curse of Binding I, Unbreaking III] {Weak}, 1 Leather Boots [Dyed Brown, Curse of Binding I, Unbreaking III], 1 Bow, 1 Shears, 2 Levers, 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, 1 Minecart, 1 Compass, 25 Gunpowder, 32 Arrows, 16 Jungle Wood Planks, 1 Crafting Table, 43 Cooked Mutton, 1 Ender Pearl, 16 Sugar Cane, 8 Paper, 5 Ink Sacs, 3 Leather, 1 Book {Airship Piloting 101}, 1 Book {Notebook}, 1 Map {Minecraftia}, 1 Book {Citizenship Information}, 1 Paper {Daymonte Entry Pass}, 1 Paper {Ringwood Entry Pass}, 1 Paper {Zeppil Entry Pass}, 1 Paper {Akasha 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, 3 Ender Pearls, 51 Cooked Mutton, 1 Map {Minecraftia}, 1 Book {Citizenship Information}, 1 Paper {Ringwood Entry Pass}, 1 Paper {Zeppil Entry Pass}, 1 Paper {Akasha Entry Pass}, 1 Paper {21 Mool Road}
[EXP: 26]
Inventory (Jade): 1 Diamond Helmet [Protection IV], 1 Leather Tunic [Dyed Brown, Curse of Binding I, Unbreaking III] {Weak}, 1 Diamond Leggings [Protection IV], 1 Leather Boots [Dyed Brown, Curse of Binding I, Unbreaking III] {Weak}, 1 Diamond Chestplate [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, 26 Cooked Mutton, 14 Torches, 30 Jungle Wood Planks, 64 Cobblestone, 64 Cobblestone, 24 Obsidian, 2 Buckets, 1 Compass, 1 Clock, 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}, 1 Paper {Akasha 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, 16 Cooked Mutton, 6 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 {Citizenship Information}, 1 Paper {Zeppil Entry Pass}, 1 Map {Zeppil}, 1 Paper {Akasha Entry Pass}, 1 Compass, 1 Arrow, 3 Sugar, 14 Bookshelves, 6 Enchanted Golden Apples, 1 Diamond Helmet, 1 Diamond Leggings, 1 Diamond Boots, 6 Emeralds, 1 Map {Minecraftia}, 18 Bones, 64 Gravel, 64 Gravel, 64 Gravel, 49 Gravel, 9 Flint
[EXP: 25]
AN: Soul's meeting a new role model and Floyd is doing some familial bonding. It's as Filler an Arc as you can imagine...
The next few Chapters I'm gonna be toying around with time. Not everything will be happening chronologically, but the setting will be explained as it happens.
Shoutout to AwakenedKarbon and his OC Glowing_Obsidian. This OC was sent to me way back when, but I never got a good chance to implement him until now. There are just a ton of new faces in Akasha and I've only introduced the first couple. Sandra, Winslow, Nephrait, Obsidian. It's a brand new place with brand new rules and the Beginners are just gonna have to deal.
Leave a Fav, Follow, Review, what have you. Also, check out the Forum and strike up conversations with other viewers or ask questions or check up on my glacial update progression!
And Merry Chrismahanakwanzika to all, and to all a good night!