Chapter 13 - Fighting For Our Freedom

It's been about four days since Jesse and his friends went inside the portal. While we guarded this room, nothing really happened. Estella's and Lizzie's bonds seem to have grown closer than before since they now talk nonstop. Veronica didn't have much to say which was weird because she used to talk a lot... Maybe it's because she can't talk at all.

What am I doing? Nothing. I had nothing to do. There is no point in training since I already feel like I mastered my powers. I tried hanging out with girls, but it really isn't really my thing and even if we did, I wouldn't have anything to talk about.

I tried petting Estella's cat one time because it reminded me of my own cat back in the real world. But when I realized that it didn't feel the same as petting a real one, I never did it again.

Oh, and Soren's books? After reading a few of them I immediately regretted it. It was all about enderman this and enderman that. Here is one example from one of his books.

'Grabbie the Endermen was a mighty Ender warrior. He fought through many obstacles and overcame the toughest challenges. But one day, what he found before him was his greatest foe yet. A big wall of water. He touched the water and cried in pain. He cried so much that his tears also burned his face. He never touched water again. The End.'

Seriously?! What has Soren been doing by himself this whole time? Well, I didn't expect much from his books. But like still! It is the worst thing I had ever read.

In the end, I am mostly just sitting near the entrance of the room while wandering in my thoughts all alone. To put it simply, I'm bored.

"- — - · – – — — – —"

I jumped in excitement as I saw multiple Fogbeasts dropping down inside Soren's mob grinder. "Finally. I've been sitting in one place for too long."

Veronica placed her sign down. 'Be careful.'

"Don't have to tell me that." I ran forward with my blade while the Fogbeasts rushed towards us. "I don't know how you got in but I'm glad you're here. Now die!" I closed my eyes and time slowed down. Normally I would cut down my enemies alone. But with Veronica's ability to bypass my time manipulation, we can finish off multiple enemies much faster. Thus, reducing the risk of my body fracturing while using this power.

This is too easy. I glanced at Veronica who put down her wooden sign. 'I'll fix and secure the broken hole that the monsters are using above us.'

I nodded. "Okay."

She quickly parkours her way up the mob grinder's sorting system. Time resumed normal and-

*Clang!*

Parrying the new monsters attack awkwardly, I was sent flying in a spiral. Fortunately, Estella caught me in time. "Thanks." I immediately turned my attention to the Fogbeast who was holding a diamond pickaxe and a shield. "You are a quick one." I rushed ahead.

"Alpha! Pl-"

"- · – · – — — - · - -"

"Yes, I know what to do." I closed my eyes again. This time, with the help of my ender chest, I threw about forty iron blades which surrounded the monster. "You can't escape this!" As time resumed, all my blades zipped towards the doomed monster, destroying it completely.

Another black monster jumped from above. "There's more?!" Looking up, I could see the gaping hole that Veronica was trying to fix in the dark. Veronica looked like she was trying to knock the monsters away with her golden enchanted blade while covering the hole with obsidian at the same time. "So, you managed to slip by. Too bad I'm here."

"Alpha! Ca-"

*Clang!*

I blocked the Fogbeasts attack. "Hold on, guys. I can handle this myself." I studied the monster's weapon. "An axe user? Hah, what an idiot. Sure, axes are ultimately more powerful than swords, yet they're too slow!" I dodged the monster's attacks easily and countered with swift slashes. The monster vanished into smoke. "Next time, choose a better weapon. Who's next?"

"ALPHA! Please help uaAAAAH!" Estella screamed in pain as she fell down to her knees.

I turned around to notice a single monster overpowering the two girls. "Lizzie! Estella!" I closed my eyes and sprinted as fast as I could.

Shit! Why am I always like this! I should've paid more attention, you damn idiot!

I swung my blade multiple times in rage. But since I used the sword's powers for a long period, time resumed back to normal. I look up to see the Fogbeast still standing. "What?!"

The monster looked at me with white eyes that were pulsating insanely fast. I scraped, released my blue flames, and held my burning eye, "Just die already!" Using all of my strength in this blazing slash, I split the monster's fog in two.

*Thund*

I breathed heavily as I laid down exhausted.

No... Not yet... Don't give up yet...

Slowly opening my eyes, I look up at the stone brick ceiling. "What happened... Wait-" I stood up "Are you guys okay?! Where are the Fogbeasts?!"

"Alpha, we've already taken care of them," Lizzie said.

"...The fight is already over? What about Veronica?"

"She sealed the monsters away. We should be safe." Lizzie gave me a golden apple. "Eat this for now."

"Thank you..." While I took a bite, I looked beside me. Estella was laying down on the red carpet awake and in pain. "Estella!"

"I tried giving her golden apples, but it didn't work," Lizzie explained.

"I'll use my flames." I summoned my Purging flames, drew out my blade, and slashed the suffering girl.

Did it work? ...It did. Estella seems to have calmed down now... But why do I feel weird all of a sudden? Did I... I cancelled using my green flames since it felt different than last time.

Estella slowly sat up. "Thank you for healing me. That strange Fogbeast somehow managed to manipulate my movements in some way. I should've been more careful."

I shook my head. "No. I should've paid more attention to my surroundings. Thanks to my actions, I almost got you killed."

"It's okay, Alpha. You had your hands full in the fight. Don't blame yourself," Estella said.

Gritting my teeth, I didn't have the strength to face her. "I was only fooling around. I was only thinking of myself."

"I..."

The room stayed silent.

"..."

"...Hey," I began.

Estella looked at me. "What is it?"

"Do you think I'm really doing the right thing?"

"What do you mean?"

I clenched my fist. "Waking up in this world is something that I never wished for. I will find a way out. Even if it means betraying everyone. I used to say something like that in the past, but now I sometimes question myself. Is this really what I should be doing? Avoiding everyone like this? Is this really my true purpose? ...I feel lost."

Lizzie looked at me for a moment, "True purpose... Well, I'll tell you I'm not very good at answering such questions. But if I had to answer, I think it's best if you give up."

"Why?"

Shaking her head, Lizzie quickly responded. "Sorry. I didn't mean it like that. Ahem. What I meant to say is that you should stop worrying about such things. Finding a purpose in life takes time and depending on the situation, it can change too. If you are unsure about what your purpose is, try not to waste all your energy and time on trying to figure that out immediately and set a temporary goal. Don't allow your worries consume you. Time is precious. You will one day find the answer you have been looking for."

"Hmm."

Estella nodded. "And if you're feeling lost, you should follow what your heart says."

"...Follow which heart? The one that only focuses on what is necessary or the one that wants to sacrifice for others in need?"

"Both," Estella answered. "If you blindly follow the first heart, you'll become too absorbed in yourself and isolate everyone around. If you blindly follow the second heart, you will only exhaust yourself and carelessly ignore your own needs. But if you just follow those two hearts with balance and control, you won't go astray... At least that's what I've learned so far."

"..."

Lizzie placed her hand against her side. "One last thing. Remember when I said that I won't allow my feelings to control me or else I'll lose sight of my goals?"

"Yeah. That happened a few weeks ago when Estella woke up."

Lizzie nodded. "What I said back then was half wrong and half right. I think I it's important to know that the feelings we have inside us aren't always correct and can be dangerous. For example, you can make a decision based on your feelings without knowing that the decision you made will end up hurting someone or even yourself. Instead of just letting your feelings take control of you, which will only hinder you, try to control it and look beyond those feelings."

"...Didn't you technically hurt your friends by choosing to abandon them?"

"That is where I went wrong. I just left them thinking I would find a way out to the real world faster. But in reality, I was following my own feelings blindly while my friends were still waiting for me. The moment I reunited with my friends is the moment I knew I almost made the wrong decision. If I followed it through, I would have lost my dear ones forever and become empty and cold in the inside."

"I see..."

Lizzie crossed her arms. "I'm just saying this, so you won't choose the wrong path like I did."

"Sorry. I..." Sighing, I placed my hand against my forehead.

Estella looked at me worried. "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing. I get what you are trying to say. I just feel stupid. That answer is so simple that I feel like I should've known that a long time ago."

Lizzie smiled. "We all have those moments."

Veronica who was listening to the whole thing smirked. 'Of course, my dense brother still acts like an idiot sometimes.'

"Hmph, Haha. Very funny," I said sarcastically. I looked down for a moment. "...Guys, I'm really sorry that you had to bother me with those lectures. Sorry that I burdened you."

Estella pinched my skin. "I would like to see enough with that attitude. This whole atmosphere is already gloomy enough.

"Owowowow- Okay okay, I get it! I'm not some small child."

"What is a child?" Estella asked.

"It's- Ow- Listen, please stop doing that. Tch- I will change my attitude."

Estella nodded ""Good." She released her grip from me. "I'm still curious. What is a child?"

"Children, huh. It is like us... but smaller and annoyingly energetic."

"Huh. That sounds familiar..." Suddenly she held her head in pain. "I- I-"

I shook my head. "Don't worry about it... You will remember it one day..." I shook my fists. "Yeah. I think I'll focus on that first."

"Focus on what?" Lizzie asked.

"I already had this goal in mind. That is to escape this world. However, this time, instead of doing it myself, I want to work together if possible."

"Weren't we working together before?"

"Not really. I was using you guys for my own benefit. I didn't really think of you as friends. But now I want to change that."

Lizzie nodded with a grin. "Well, I think we are already friends."

Estella held my hand. "Yeah!"

I smiled back. "That's good to hear. Thank you for supporting me, guys."

Veronica placed down her new sign. 'Wow. After so long, you managed to find some friends.'

"Veronica, save your words. They're not helping me at all."

She shrugged. 'Whatever you say, brother.'

The next day, around morning, we kept hearing some strange rumbling beyond this room. And it happened again just a few seconds ago. I stood up. "I'm going to check where all that rumbling is coming from."

Lizzie nodded. "We'll stay here and watch the portal. Take Veronica with you."

"Of course. Let's go," I said.

Veronica stood up and followed.

With our weapons out, we ran through towards the direction of the commotion. The sound of metal clashing against each other was coming closer and closer as we reached the end of the minecart tunnel.

"It sounds like someone is fighting out there! Sister, let me give you my flames."

Veronica shook her head. 'Although I don't have any special flames powers, I can still handle myself.'

Upon reaching outside, we saw a few Blazers fighting in the snowy weather. Aiden and his gang were ganging up against a woman in neon blue and black clothes who was dual wielding two diamond swords.

Veronica placed her last sign. 'As for the weather, it doesn't affect me at all. I guess you can call me a Blazer in some way.' Veronica stepped out into the hazardous snow without hesitation.

I caught up with her. "I guess I'm not surprised."

She pointed at the fight.

I nodded. "Right, let's help her first." We rushed into battle and blasted Aiden and his minions away. We jumped back to the lone fighter's side.

Aiden looked up with his tired and agitated eyes. "This is so frustrating. Why are you here?!"

"Who are you?" I asked the person who was dual wielding beside me.

She didn't look at me nor did she say anything. Her eyes were focused on Aiden. It was only filled with burning hatred. Yet at the same time, I can see her body was exhausted.

I turned my attention back to Aiden. "I guess we can figure that out later."

Aiden stepped forward with is blade out. "I was fighting with this idiot for who knows how long, and I was so close to killing her. But then YOU come out of nowhere and messed EVERYTHING UP!" The madman shook furiously. "Why can't anything go MY WAY!"

As the new Blazer began rushing into Aiden, I released my blue flames. The Blazer jumped into the air with her two diamond swords glowing and started spinning her whole body like a vertical saw blade with flames forming around the edge.

My flames reached one of his minions and Veronica closed in Aiden's second minion, causing the two to pay attention to our attacks. With them distracted, the Blazer took advantage of this and aimed for Aiden's head.

Aiden attempted to block one of her blades, yet she easily knocked his sword down with the first strike. The next few strikes slashed his face painfully.

"GAAAAAAcOUGH!"

Slamming against some stone blocks on the hill, Aiden fell with his face on the rough floor and his flames faded.

As the snowy weather dwindled, everyone could see what was happening more clearly. "Aiden!" His underlings tried to assist him.

"Don't look away!" I shouted as I slashed at them, forcing them to focus on the fight.

The Blazer who cornered Aiden, placed her sword against his neck.

"W-w-wait! I surrender! I give up!" Aiden pleaded.

The Blazer looked down at him in silence.

Aiden resisted by grabbing her blade. "NO. I CAN'T DIE BY ANOTHER WEAKLING AGAIN!"

With no hesitation she plunged the second sword through his neck, fatally killing him. Soon after, she fell down as well due to exhaustion.

We, including Aiden's two friends, noticed that he was finally gone... But not in the way that we expected. His body still remained as black fog began to cover him.

"WHat iS HApPenIIiIIIINn- - — · – — · – · — – - —!"

He began to stand up awkwardly and the fog became so dense that it was hard to see the main body. The sky turned dark gray as his eyes glowed brighter than any normal Fogbeast. We looked at him with horror.

Maya, who is one of Aiden's friends backed away. "What is... happening to him?"

I closed my eyes and began sprinting forward, "That Blazer is in danger!"

Although in fear, Veronica followed her brother with haste.

As I got closer, I could definitely feel his presence. The energy from the fog. That thing possessing Aiden is clearly the Architect! Wait... That monster can still move while time is slow?! Then it is pointless trying to use these powers against him.

As soon as I arrived near the sleeping Blazer, I returned time back to normal and leaped up with my razor edge aimed at those white eyes.

"NOOOO!"

*Thund*

I didn't have time to process what just happened as I was pushed to the side so suddenly. Picking myself up, I saw another girl in purple, who stood in my place, has been stabbed through the chest by a fog-like long blade. "When did she- No, that voice... Erika?"

This was the first time I've felt so devastated in my life. I saw her, no, everyone around me, including Jesse and his group, being impaled by the black fog. It happened too fast. "No... Why... Why is this happening? Was all that talk about my goals for nothing?"

Veronica, who was safe behind me, placed down a sign. 'Don't give up yet. I can sense that you have regained some connection to the Data. Command your sword. Reach out for its help.'

I looked at my pulsating blade. "Data? Command my blade?"

My sister nodded.

"I'll give it a try." Closing my eyes, I heard a voice asking me what I desire as usual. But this time, I answered differently.

I need more power. Power to protect everyone! Please, help me fight!

Something suddenly came inside me, like I just gained back a missing part of my memory. Though it felt strange, I understood what to do. Accumulating green flames from my hands, I released it to everyone injured and they were healed in an instant.

The Architect flew up into the air with his hands raised up. "- I - — W · i - l - — l - · R - e — m · o - v e — – - Y o · u — – — F - r o m — – · E — x i s – — · – e - - t - e n - c e -!"

A deep hatred began to burn within me. "This memory that I've unlocked... I get it now. You caused so much pain and suffering for my family..." I raised my flaming blade that shined brighter than before. "I will... I will find our freedom through this burning hell you've created!" Flying in the air while grabbing my left eye, I cut away the monster's body using maximum power of my blue flames.

The monster flew up in pain and looked down at me with a grinning smile. "I - S e - e - — I - t — – H a · - — s - — — B e – e · n — — – - — T o · · L — · o — n · - – g - A — s – – t - · er. - — W - · e — — F i n - · a l - · — l y - M — e - · - e t — · A - g a - — - · i n - - - - —"

I flew back a bit. "You bastard. We just wanted a simple normal life! And you STOLE IT FROM US!"

"· — - H - m p — h · — - D · i s - · — a p p — · - e a · — r — · —"

I held my blade across my face. "I fought you once. I can do it again!" This time, my blue flames shined even more brighter, almost blinding me, yet I didn't falter. With all my strength, I gave a mighty swing, turning the Architect's vessel into dust.

Although his presence was disappearing, the Architect spoke his final words. "- Y - — o u - · W i — l l - - N — e · v — e – r – — — S t o - · — p - · · M - e ·"

I clenched my sword. "And I won't stop until I find our freedom. I'll make you regret everything you've done!"

Looking up at Alpha who had her silver hair change into bright sky blue, Jesse gritted his teeth. Why? After all that training I did, why am I still so weak? He picked himself up just as Alpha's green flames healed his injuries.

"So, this is Alpha's true power," Petra said.

"We've been with an Operator this whole time," Lukas said.

Jesse shook his head. "Once this is over, we need a proper explanation."

"Guys! We managed to bring her." Olivia and Axel brought an unconscious person.

Jesse nodded. "Good job. Tell everyone to turn back. This place isn't a safe place to be around."

"What about those two?" Petra asked.

Looking at the direction she was pointing, Jesse saw Gill and Maya. "Let them join us."

"They sided with Aiden. Are they not our enemies?"

Jesse shook his head. "It doesn't matter if they were our enemies. It will leave a bad taste in my mouth if we leave them out here." As he walked up to them, Jesse reached out his hand.

The two raised their weapons in defense. "I won't fall that easily," Gill snarled.

"No. I'm not here to fight you. I'm just offering you to come join our group."

Maya glared at Jesse. "We will never. You're enemies with our leader."

Jesse scoffed. "I've seen Aiden die and turn into that thing just as I arrived here." He pointed at the floating black monster who was talking to Alpha. "Your leader is gone."

They looked down in frustration. "But-"

"But what? Let me make this clear. Aiden has gone berserk. He is dead. Do you not see it yourself?"

Everyone already gathered to go inside. Jesse dragged them forcefully. "Let's hurry already!"

Killing the Architect's vessel, I looked down at the dirt field. No one was around. "Did everyone go back inside?"

Flying down, I remember something. "Right! She's here too!" I warped myself inside Soren's end portal room, surprising everyone inside.

Jesse looked at me in shock. "Alpha?!"

I ignored him and flew towards my second sister. I couldn't see her face since she was facing the corner of the room but she seemed shaken up. "Erika! Are you alright!?"

"Erika?" Jesse titled his head. "Isn't her name Abyss?"

Erika shook her head in panic as she mumbled. "Not again. Not again. Not again. Not again. Not ag-"

I touched her shoulder, "Is everything okay?"

She turned around, grabbed my shoulder tightly, and stared crazily deeply into my eyes. "Why?!"

Startled, I moved my head back. "H-huh? W-why what?"

"Why did you have to come back?!" Erika slammed her fist against my chest. "Why are you here again? You... You could have just..." Her head fell down. "Ha... Hahahahaha..."

"Erika, I don't understand what you're saying."

She looked up. "Of course you don't. Heh... this is stupid. I don't want this! I don't want you here!" Erika held me tightly again. "So, tell me, why did you have to come back?!"

"I..."

Looking around, Erika glared at Veronica. "Was it you, Veronica?! Did you somehow revive him?!"

Veronica looked down at the floor uneasily. 'Yes.'

Erika pushed me away and began laughing maniacally. "HAHAHAHA! Didn't I tell you that it was pointless before?! It is impossible to win this stupid fight! I've already given up many years ago! I've accepted our reality! So why-" She fell to the floor in tears. "Why does our brother have to suffer again?"

As I watched Erika break down, my heart sank. "Erika, please-"

"Don't say a word!" She screeched.

I opened my mouth, but nothing came to me. I was lost in thought.

Veronica placed down her sign. 'Aster. Give Erika some time alone. I fear she will do something bad if we continue to keep this up.'

I shook my head. "Not in the state she's in. Let me talk to her alone." I looked at everybody else. "Give us a moment please."

They nodded and left the room. As soon as they left, I crossed my arms. "Erika. What happened to you?"

Staring down, Erika held herself. "I..." She looked away from me.

I sighed and sat down on her level. "Listen, I don't know what happened while I was gone, and you know I'm not best at comforting others. However, I can say this. I will continue to fight. I'll do whatever it takes to stop him."

"No. There is no point. We've tried that before. We've tried that so many times. But it always ends in failure. Failure failure failure failure f-"

I gave her a hug. "Stop it. Do you think... Do you think I like seeing you like this? What happened to Erika who always acted strong?"

She shook her head. "What are you talking about? I- I was never strong. I was never strong at all! All I can do is run away from my problems... When will it end?"

After thinking for a moment, I released her and stood up. "Erika, I don't know when it will end. All I know is that the Architect wants us to give up. He wants to erase our chances of winning. And when that happens, it will be over for all of us."

Erika gripped her hands. "But even if we tried, we would lose like before. You will die again!"

"Do you want to suffer even more then? If we let him have his way, he will completely take control of us. I cannot allow him to do as he pleases. I will fight until I stop that bastard and free us from this world."

"I- I don't know..."

I looked down at her and reached out my hand. "I know you are in disarray, but I don't want to see you like this. You need to take some rest first."

"...But I don't need rest. Our bodies are half machine remember?"

I shook my head. "You mentally exhausted. I can tell."

She grabbed my hand and picked herself up from the floor. "I guess."

I walked her to a small bedroom that I have created in my free time. While she laid down in bed, I walked back to the door. "I'll go and check on the others. Don't stress yourself too much. It's not good for your health."

"Wait." She looked away nervously. "Can you stay here for a bit?"

I let out a sigh and sat in a chair next to her bed.

As soon as she fell asleep, I quietly walked my way out of the room and closed the door. Everyone was staring at me.

"We need an explanation now," Jesse ordered.

I nodded. "Since my old memory returned back to me, I will tell you everything. I'll start from the beginning."

"Please do."

"In the first world, we were normal like you guys. Everyone had clear memories of the real world, but we had no idea how we got here. However, we managed to survive and adapt with the new environment. Yet many wanted to return back to reality."

"First world?" Ivor asked.

"The world that is below several layers of bedrock," I answered. I pointed at Jesse. "I know you and your friends lived there once. But it seems you don't have memories of that place."

Jesse looked at him. "Really?"

"Yes. I also know that the Admin named Romeo created two new worlds over the old one. The world that we are on right now is his second creation. But I don't know where the Admins come from since we haven't seen them while we were down there."

"Huh. That is crazy to think about."

I continued. "Anyways, while no other worlds were created yet, the Architect suddenly appeared one day. Apparently, he had difficulty managing the world all by himself. So, he chose three people to become Operators. Each Operator was to manage three separate dimensions from chaos and corruption. But as my sisters and I became Operators, we learned that the Architect was responsible for bringing us to this false reality and realized what he was planning. Furious, we launched an assault against him, but he greatly overpowered us. He deemed us failures and accessed the Data to limit everyone's memory of the real world. Somehow, he couldn't remove our memories. So instead, he killed me in battle. After that I don't know what happened. All I know is that many years later, I woke up near your tree house, Jesse."

"So, this Architect brought us here you say," Jesse said as he tried to process what I have just said. "Do you know anything more about him?"

I frowned. "I don't. We never learned who he really was. He just appeared out of nowhere and changed us into Operators. We managed to put a stop to his plan temporarily. But now it seems he is slowly recovering and is already planning his takeover. We don't have much time."

"What was his plan?" Ivor asked.

"A permanent restart of this world. A world where we will have no memories of the real world. Basically, he wants complete control."

Jesse shook his head. "No memories of the real world... I have almost no recollection of this real world you speak of, yet somehow I feel like it will be bad if that happens."

"Yeah. It is bad." I turned my attention to Veronica. "I haven't seen you use your Operator powers. Do you still have access to them?"

Veronica shook her head. 'After you fell, I lost my voice and was stripped of my Operator powers. As punishment I had to manage the Nether with only a sliver of my remaining power. But before I was banished to the underworld, I managed to access Data to revive you. I had to make quick adjustments so the Architect wouldn't be able to find you so easily.'

I glanced at her curiously. "Adjustments?"

'Yes. I blocked your memories of this world temporarily, delayed your revival, and I went through your Data memory to choose from one of your previous skins that you wore in Minecraft, changing your body into a female one.'

"You're the one who changed me into a woman?!"

Veronica nodded. 'Yes.'

Everyone except Estella stared at me with widened eyes. "You are a man?!"

"But how is that possible?" Axel said.

Stacy shook her head. "So, this whole time..."

"No wait," Jesse placed his hand against his chin. "This actually makes sense. At first, I thought it was strange that you, who looked like a girl, acted so tough- Cough!"

Petra hit Jesse's stomach with her elbow.

Jesse glared at her. "Ow. What was that for?"

Petra glared back. "I'm also tough you know. Or do you think I'm strange too?"

"What? Of course not, Petra. I'm just saying that Alpha felt a bit off this whole time. I just never questioned it because I have gotten used to seeing Alpha's face all the time."

She turned away from him. "Oh really..."

"I'm sorry, okay? I should've been more careful with my words."

Ivor rolled his eyes and looked at me. "Ahem. Anyways, what is our plan now? If we need to defeat the Architect, how do we do it? Can you teleport us like how Abyss- Er, I mean like how Erika did?"

I shook my head. "No. I cannot teleport that easily. I can only teleport to places I've already been and seen. This body I'm in is new, so I haven't visited some places in this form yet. But I'll ask Erika when she wakes up. She still might have her Operator powers that she can use to teleport us."

"But what if she doesn't?" Ivor asked.

I pointed at Soren. "Then I'll ask your old friend something. In fact let's do it now."

Soren looked at me nervously. "What is your question?"

"I heard that you traveled far and wide. So, how does one reach a world that is below bedrock on foot?"

"Um... By going through the Farlands," he said.

"The Farlands?" I thought for a while, and it hit me... just how dumb I was. "You're right. How did I not think of that before? The land that breaks and corrupts the normal rules of this Minecraft world!" I nodded. "That settles it. If Erika can't use her powers, we will go to the Farlands and descend below this world."