Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"In retrospect, it was a hell of a way to die.

The world ended right in front of me.

It fell apart and shook beneath our feet.

Buildings began disintegrating, crumbing, taking people down with it.

They too vanished as the white light spread across the realm.

But it was more than just the world that died, everything was taken. The entire universe was snuffed out.

And it was all my fault."

-Author Unknown, Discovered in a nameless journal amidst some ruins.

 At the Beginning.....

 Lukas read the letter over and over till his eyes began to swim.  But the words made no more sense than they did when he read it the first time.

“I- I don’t understand,” Olivia said with shaky breath, “I thought we were past this. I thought that he- that we….Why did he-“her voiced cracked and she shakily set down her own copy of the letter.

“Guys,” Axel asked, his voice filled to the brim with turmoil laced emotion. “What are we going to tell Petra when she comes back?”

“This can’t be his writing; this isn’t something he would do!” Olivia stated, “Jesse wouldn’t- he couldn’t-“

Lukas’s eyes shifted back to the beginning, then down to the end. He stared at the words, stared at Jesse’s unmistakable hand writing. Each word, each letter, carved a painful sensation into his heart and soul, leaving behind a broken and hurting bitterness.

Axel picked up Jesse’s Order of the Stone amulet from the table, “How are we even going to find him?” he whispered.

Olivia looked to Lukas, “What do we do?”

Lukas didn’t answer, he was too busy looking at the last two sentences, the ones that hurt the most….

I’m leaving, I can’t do this, I thought I could but I can’t. I’m sorry, I’m so, so sorry. Please don’t come looking for me, I can’t come back, I won’t.

The paper crinkled as Lukas’s hands clenched.

“Lukas?”

I won't......

“Nothing,” Lukas gritted out through clenched teeth. “We, do, nothing.”

No matter what any of them did, Jesse had made his choice, a choice he could never undo. The damage had been done, there was no going back.

Jesse was gone.

Chapter Text

A Few Years Later……

A cool breeze drifted through the Aether. It brushed gently across Notch’s skin, soft, soothing. It would shift his beard, which in turn tickled his exposed forearms.

He sat cross-legged underneath a mighty oak tree; he had Reuben in his lap. His hand idly rubbed between the soft velvety ears as he hummed a soft tune.

The trees whispered along, their leaves brushing together as the winds danced through their branches. Reuben oinked happily, nuzzling into Notch’s robes, enjoying the cooling comfort of nature and the ear rubs.

The mighty deity savored this moment, enjoying the rare drop of the good stuff as it were. He loved the coolness on his skin, the warm sun on his face that made it through the tree branches. He could hear the thousands – millions- of voices of his children, his creations, his pride and joys. He could hear their celebrations as they lived in the bliss of the afterlife. Their happiness added to his own and it put him at ease.

But time stood still for no one, not even him. Even if he willed it Notch knew the perfect moments never lasted forever. But in a way that made them more treasured and precious….

The breeze turned, the temperature dropped and silence fell over the oak forest.

Reuben opened his eyes, letting out a soft nervous noise.

Reluctantly following his companion’s cue, Notch let his own eyes flick open. His eyelashes caked in the dirt from the sudden change in the wind. He blinked it away, letting his gaze slowly shift about the woods.

Reuben shifted his anxiousness increasing.

“Shhh it’s alright,” He soothed, “Everything will be alright.”

The pig looked up at him, his expression fairly skeptical.

Notch smiled, “Reuben~ it will be fine.”

The animal was curious about the statement. For things to be fine, something wrong must be coming, something bad.

Notch gave Reuben one more affectionate rub between the ears, making sure to rub deep and thorough just like Jesse would do. He stood, setting Reuben down, “Why don’t you run along?” he suggested. “Keep an eye on things? Fred might need helping making sure Magnus doesn’t blow something up again.”

Reuben oinked in agreement. The pig gave Notch an affectionate rub on the leg. Perhaps he sensed what the deity already knew. He looked thoughtfully up at Notch before trotting off down the forest trail.

Notch watched him go, waving till the pig vanished beyond his physical sight.

Notch sighed and the forest deteriorated away, the leaves fluttering away in a harsh wind and Notch willed himself beyond the confines of the Aether.

The universe now danced around him in its majestic vastness, full of life and starlight. All around him almost every world ever created thrived with growth, life, and his creations. He stood at the center of it all, watching the cosmos move about him.

His pride, his love, full and alive all around…..

Passing by him small lights sailed on, dashing past the golden gates that marked the Aether. For the Aether was separated from the universe, one could not be in this realm and be in the Aether. But just as the two halves were separated by space and time and dimension, they relied on one another. For as the universe held the life, and let those plow their own path till their journeys end. The Aether cared and catered to those who left the living behind, holding promise of a new adventure, a new path to plow.

The little lights continued to go by, more children coming to his treasured home and his warm embrace.

It made Notch’s heart ache as he turned to face the open golden gates. He wished fate was not so cruel as to take lives so frequent, but that is the way the universe was designed, it was how he created it.

Never since his first creation gave breath had Notch ever closed the gates of the Aether. To close the gates would seal off the souls, dooming them to wander the gaps of space and dimension. They would be forever lost, looking for the warmth and life the Aether promised, what their souls in life ached for when the journey was done.

He looked sadly at the golden gates, watching as they gleamed and reflected the cosmos around him.  The little souls seemed to be moving swiftly to get in. Did they sense his heartache, his longing to take care of them to the best of his limited ability?

Some part of them must know….

Notch waited a second longer, begging fate to be kind, to give him a window. He willed his treasured creations to move just a little faster.

Then, with a wave of his hand, Notch focused his power and will upon the magic majestic doors.

For the first time, since time itself began, the doors of the Aether swung inward, and closed with an ominous boom.

One last soul slipped in just as the bars came together, one last life protected from the events to come. Other souls soon followed quickly however. The hovered by the gates, lost, dwindling. They knew where they wanted to go; they knew where they wanted to be. But like a blind man they could no longer see their way. The guiding light of Notch’s Aether was sealed off.

The souls scattered about, looking, searching, lost for the world they desperately needed.

I ’m sorry little ones, Notch stared sadly as they vanished into the dark vastness beyond. You’ll be home soon.

Beyond the closed gates the Aether was silent; the universe was not the only one cut off. The Aether could feel its other half was not there, just out of reach. Those inside could probably sense the shift that had happened, the shift that shouldn’t have happened.

But it had to be done.

The entirety of the cosmos suddenly became colder. Even Notch in his continuous loving warmth could feel the prickling numbness on his skin. He could feel the bitterness seeping in.

The gates of the Aether faded into nothing, taking with it its sacred domain and leaving nothing but the open vastness of space behind.

Notch turned around already able to see the dark void stealing the light of the stars as it grew closer. As she came closer.

Notch took a deep breath, “Vira.”

The darkness scattered revealing the woman before him.

Notch knew Vira well, for she was one of his creations. An Admin.

Black void made up her body, the stars dancing across her swirling jet black hair. Notch did not have to be at the power status that he was to feel the anger and death radiating off her.

Vira glared at him, the dark purple orbs seething with rage and hate, “Notch.” She hissed out.

"Calm yourself,” Notch said firmly, “I already know why you are here.”

The blackness on Vira’s skin receded, her all powerful admin state snuffing out. But still now with ice pale skin Vira seemed cold and heartless. “Then I need not ask again,” She stated icily.

“I have told you before Vira,” Notch frowned, “I cannot undo what you have done.”

 Her lips curled into a sneer, “No!” She raged, “You refuse to do it! You have the spark of life itself and you waste in on- on-“ She spat downward. “You hypocrite.”

Notch sighed, “I have told you before Vira, and I will tell you again. You cannot undo the damage you have done.” He reached out to her, “They are suffering let them-“

“No!” Vira’s hand immediately shot up to a large black orb on her belt, she took a step back from Notch, almost fearful. “No I will not let you take them from me! I will fix this!”

“You are causing more damage the longer you cling,” Notch begged, “It has been thousands of years Vira, stop this, all can be well!”

Vira’s darkened and she once more regained her confidence, “All will indeed be well,” she closer again, a dark energy seeping off her like blood from a wound.

Notch looked worriedly over her, “What have you done to yourself Vira.”

 “What I had to,” she hissed, “Last chance Notch, give me what I ask, or I will use my power to strike you down from your mighty throne.”

“Vira, there is still a way out of this. If you stand down things can and will be okay. Please, the path you choose leads to destruction and death-“

“Give it to me Notch!” Vira screamed in rage. Her hand shot out, smashing a small orb floating past her, a planet. Her fingers grasped around the flourishing planet, and like a small egg in her hands she smashed it to pieces with a simple squeeze. “Give me the Spark of Creation !” she demanded.

Notch flinched as a wave of screams and cries flooded his senses. His nerves tingle in pain and he watched in overwhelming grief as billions of lights dispersed from the shattered planet.  All life snuffed out from the world in an instant. He gently caught some of the lights that poured his way, wishing desperately he could help them, “Vira what have you done?” he whispered sorrowfully, “Look at what you have done.”

Some of the souls were sucked into the form that was Vira, almost as if she was a black hole for power. She smiled sinisterly at him, “You could fix it you know, you are the creator of the universe.”

He reluctantly let go of the souls, watching them wander off lost without the Aether to guide them, “That’s not how it works Vira…..”

“Then I will make it so,” the woman extended her hand, “Either fix what I ask, or give me the power to do so, lest I take it from you by force.”

Notch took a deep breath.

“Well?”

  “I can’t give it to you Vira.”

 She scowled, “Very well.” Her admin form returned, covering her body like ink running down paper.

Notch side stepped as Vira lunged at him. She turned around growling in rage and summoning a sword. Notch blocked her with his hands, “Vira, please,” he begged, “You don’t have to do this.”

“You’re a frightened and weak old man! Your time is done!!!”

Notch dodged again, stepping side to side as shot after shot of dark corrupt power was fired his way.

“I have spent centuries learning!” Vira raged, “Centuries going through sacred texts, and gaining power-”

“You have gained nothing!” Notch said sternly, like a father scolding his child. He grabbed Vira’s hand as she reached for his throat, twisted her around and shoved her back. “You have only taken power from others, and from their own gains. You are using a cup that can never be filled, stop this!”

Vira snarled, swinging her sword and snarling louder as Notch caught the blade between two of his fingers. “You are a false god who uses his power to do nothing!”

“I create worlds Vira-”

“You let them die!” Vira screamed. “You let entire nations die, let souls corrupt and fester. You let war and famine rage, you let your own sons kill each other. But you, do, nothing!”

“I am not to interfere with the lives of mortal’s! It is their life to live, their path to plow!” Notch stressed, “Or they will never learn to-”

“You saved a mortal!” Vira raged.

Notch gasped as she knocked him back, and he plummeted, falling through space until he was able to right himself.

“You are a hypocrite king!” Vira screamed, “A liar!” she hurled a planet at him as she surged towards him.

Notch hastily caught the planet in his arms, cradling it close, Be calm little ones- He grunted in pain as in protecting the mortals the attacking Admin’s blade made a mark in his shoulder. Vira shoved hard and fast sending them both staggering.

Notch immediately felt drained, like his energy- his very life- was seeping out of him. He pulled free of the weapon, droplets of shining ruby blood oozing out and staining his robes.

“Give it to me!” Vira demanded, lunging.

Notch brought up a golden shield, stopping her weapon short. His hand trembled as he struggled to hold the barrier. Taking a deep breath Notch shoved his hand out, a beam of light escaping his fingers and hitting Vira square in the chest.

The female flew back, not caring what worlds and planets she destroyed as she tried to regain her footing.

Notch flinched as screams filled the void, lights scattering everywhere and some of them vanishing-snuffed out as they were sucked into Vira’s form.

“What have you done to yourself Vira?” he asked, breathing hard and struggling to catch his breath.

“What I had to.” She replied, gripping her sword tight. “I studied what your Immortal’s did all those ages ago, I harnessed the magic, I learned. I will “ take” all that I need, if it means taking what should not belong to you.”

The deity took a deep breath, sighing sadly he looked at her full of grief, “So be it….” he whispered.

He leapt up as Vira lunged, doing his best to dodge and avoid all of his creations. But the admin behind him did not care, she slam, slice, smash any planet that got in her way as chased after him.

“You can’t run forever!”

“I have no intention to!”

Vira cursed as Notch snapped around hands flaring in golden light. She skirted back, taking cover behind a thriving world.

Notch froze up, his weapons of light scattering away as to not to destroy the mortals.

The female’s lips curled up in a sneer, a vicious, a smile of victory. “You are weak.” She hissed, then she struck.

Faster than Notch could react, Vira shot at him like a arrow, smashing through her cover. The screams filled Notch’s senses, the last sound he heard as Vira’s sword stabbed through his stomach.

The entire universe froze- no- shuddered as Notch went to his knees.

“It’s... Mine.”

Space and time shuddered, flexed, twisted. The balance of power had shifted and the whole of creation felt it, down to the smallest creature.

It was the beginning of-

Notch let out a pained exhale, slumping down further into Vira’s blade as he felt his very soul being drained dry, “Y-you have….have chosen y-your  path Vira….”

Vira’s triumphant sneer dropped, her eyes clouding in confusion. “What did you do?” she hissed.

“What….” Notch sighed, closing his eyes, “What...I had to….”

The female’s face twisted in horror, “Where is it?!” She screamed at him, “Where is the power of creation?!!?!”

Notch didn’t answer.

“ Where is it?!!” She screamed.

He opened his eyes, “I have not had it for a l-long time Vira….”

Here eyes widened, “You knew I would come for it.” she growled. “You sent it away. You cannot simply destroy such power-Who did you give it to, who has it!?!!”

Notch gave a weak smile, idily looking at his hands as his body began to flake away like dust in the wind,  “To ...control the p-power of creation….o-one must understand…..u-understand-”

“Who has it?!”

Notch’s eyes slipped closed, “You could...could have stopped this…..Vira…..” With a soft breath, Notch’s form disappeared, all his remaining power sucked into Vira’s own. His body, his empty husk, dispersed to dust, gone in a instant.

Notch, creator of the universe, god of life and creation…..Was dead.

Vira stood there for a moment, watching the last of the creator slip away. Her body throbbed with raw energy. Even after Notch had hidden most of his will and power, what Vira had taken was a strong, stronger than any known mortal and admin, and it was hers to command now.

All around her the universe shook and trembled, a low vibration, like a death rattle.

Vira stood there, radiating rage. She eyed her sword, glared at the fading red rivers on the blade. “You may a have postponed my plans for now Notch….” She let the sword vanish, straightening and looking at the universe around her.

Power that large can simply not vanish….

He must have given it to someone. But like stated before, the Spark of Creation was too great to vanish and it simply couldn’t be given to anyone. There was only a small handful of individuals in the known universe who could contain and wield such power.

Luckily, Vira knew where to start.

“I will find the soul who carries your power now Notch, and like you,” she sneered, her fists clenching tight. “I will destroy them.”

Steve collapsed to his knees in a cry of agony as he was hit with an overwhelming wave of pain. He bent in on himself, gasping and struggling to breath.

“ Steve!”

His ears were ringing, he could barely hear his wife calling out to him. She shook his shoulders, trying to get to him.

“Steve what’s wrong?!”

His vision was spotting, fluxing, the world around him turning inverted as spots of light danced about his surroundings.

“Steve! Steve?! Answer me!”

He groaned as another wave of pain hit him, his entire body wracked in the agony of what felt like thousands of knives piercing his body. “A-alex-” he screamed, as a flux of energy cut through him.

“ Steve!”

He opened his eyes, not realizing he had closed them. All around him the world was a swirl of blacks and even darker shadows. Lights dashed across his vision, frantic and almost panicking in their movements.

There was screaming in his ears, like thousands of voices crying out at once, crying in fear, in pain-

“ Steven!”

He jerked, when suddenly- like a light- the pain was suddenly snuffed out. Steve’s vision cleared and the world around him was once again stone, torches and magical portal doors. His ears were still ringing however, and the faint sound of screams still echoed in his ears.

“Steve, look at me!”

He glanced shakily up as his chin was gently lifted.

His wife Alex looked at him with tear filled eyes, “Darling can you hear me?” she begged of him to answer.

“Y-yes- I-”

“What happened to you? You collapsed,” She said, helping him to his knees and hugging him tight, “You slipped into your deity state. I was so worried I-”

He held her back, “Did you feel it?” He asked.

“I felt a pulse in magic,” Alex admitted, worriedly checking him over.

“No- no it was more Alex I- Something is terribly wrong we have to-” Steve went to stand and he nearly collapsed.

Alex managed to catch him, “Don’t push yourself!” she stressed. The female took his weight over her shoulder, “We’re almost to our door Steve, just hang in there, we’ll get you home.”

“Something is wrong Alex,” Steve stressed, as she guided him down the Hallway of Worlds, “There is an imbalance in the air I can feel it.”

“I felt something too Steve, I just don’t understand how it’s hurt you-” They rounded the corner and Alex gasped.

Steve weakly looked up, and he felt his blood run cold.

The portal door to the First World, Notch’s original creation…..

It was black.

The stone was cracked, the magic was snuffed out, a dark lifeless void. So dense and dark that the torches around the door could cast no light inside.

Black lines oozed out from the portal stretching slowly across the floor, spreading like a virus, a corruption slowly festering into the hallway.

Alex trembled against him, “No- There is no way- someone must have damaged the door- they-”

Steve continued to stare wide eyed at the door. He pulled away from Alex. Weakly staggering to the door.

His home, the place of his birth- The screams….

He touched the stone pillars around the portal. His fingers were immediately met with a icy cold. It sent shivers down his body, freezing him to his core. In that instant Steve knew, he knew.

Alex stepped next to him, hands clasped tight against her chest. “Is it- Is it-”

“They’re gone….” Steve answered, voice barely at a whisper.

Alex covered her mouth, “Oh Notch no.” she fought back tears. “Th-that’s impossible. His creation- he- Steve he wouldn’t-”

“Notch is gone.” Steve said, his fingers brushed over the blackness seeping from the door. He could feel the magic in it, sensing the death seeping off it. “He’s ...I - I don't know how but- Alex our home, is gone. With Notch g-gone, the universe is …. dying .”

Alex looked at him, “Steve….what do we do?” She asked.

He pulled away from the door, grabbing his wife’s hand to cover his own shaking. “We get our family together. We’re…” he stepped away from the dead door, “ We have to find out why this is happening and fast. We’re going to need to get all the help we can to stop this.”

She caught his tone and her hand tightened around his own. “Do you think….”

“We are on a timer Alex. I don’t know why this is happening, but the flow of time and magic is off. This was not meant to happen. ” Steve looked grimly at the dead door and the infection seeping off it. “Every world in this hallway is spiraling to oblivion. Every soul is at risk now.”

She took a deep breath, “Where do we start.”

Steve turned around, facing the rest of the hallway. His eyes rested on the door right of the former First World. He stared grimly at the red glowing door, hot as lava and littered in lacerations and ancient blood stains.

“We start there.”

Chapter Text

“Stella needs to meet with you later today.” Lukas said, “She wants to talk to you about the build competition for the games. Apparently Axel want’s to allow Tnt to be used. She and Olivia and worried that might throw things into a war zone and-”

“Lukas wait.” Jesse cut in, he looked around the town, “Where is Radar?”

“I’m covering for him while he’s out taking care of some things,” Lukas replied simply. “Do you want me to keep going?”

Jesse paused, “Yeah keep going.”

The two males continued walking, making their way down the city paths. 

“Axel thinks we should move the eating contest earlier in the day, I personally think that is a horrible idea.”

“Where is everyone?” Jesse asked.

“Beg your pardon?”

Jesse looked around the quiet town, “Lukas, there is no one around.”

“It is getting late in the evening Jesse,” Lukas admitted. “Everyone might be settling down for the night. Even Beacon Town residents can’t party all the time. Now I need to go over the plans of the float with you….” Lukas’s voice faded off.

As Lukas’s voice faded away, Jesse cringed slightly as he felt a sharp pain in his skull. He reached up, gingerly rubbing the side of his skull and closed his eyes in an attempt to block and ease out the pain. “H-heck.”

“Jesse what’s wrong?”

“Nothing I’m fine.”

“If you aren’t feeling well you can tell me-”

“Lukas I am fine.” Jesse insisted, “Now what did you need to tell me-” He opened his eyes. 

The world had gone dark, the fading sun streaking white harsh beams across the star littered horizon. The stars themselves shuddered and blinked, warping as if space itself was trying to devour them. 

“Jesse?”

Slowly Jesse pulled his gaze from the horizon settling on Lukas, his heart beating faster as he set his sights on the other male.

Lukas’s body was engulfed in a deep nearly black blue, his eyes glowing a solid off white. Under his skin shiny orbs danced about, radiating from his core. 

“I-I-”

Lukas titled his head in concern, “Jesse are you alright? You’ve gone white.” His voice was echoing, loud, like multiple voices speaking at once. He reached out, “Jesse what’s wrong-”

Jesse took a sharp step back, breathing hard.

“Jesse?” Lukas stressed, his form flashing, “Jesse calm down it’s just me!”

“N-no this-” Jesse swiftly backed away, “No-”

“You can’t run Jesse.” another voice said.

Jesse snapped around, and found himself facing a giant mirror. Inside the mirror his reflection gazed back. But it couldn’t be his reflection , this couldn’t be him.

The being in the mirror smiled, eyes without their iris and glowing white as the scorching sun. The stranger’s skin was composed of the celestial heavens, shimmer and shifting, dark and littered with stars. 

He titled his head, “You cannot run from me Jesse,” he said, in a voice that matched Jesse’s own. “I am your blood, I am your legacy.”

“N-no-” Jesse began to panic, “I’m not this! I’m not you! I-”

The deity like individual pushed forward, his upper body escaping the mirror, “I am your soul! I am your very core. Your fear will forever feed me! You cannot run!” he mocked in delight.

“Get away from me you monster!”

“Oh Jesse….” the creature said. Part of his celestial skin peeled back, revealing a face that matched Jesse’s own, “ We, are the monster.”

Jesse screamed as the creature lunged out of the mirror, the object and the world around Jesse shattering to pieces as the other grabbed hold of him.

He choked as his doppelganger grabbed his throat, sending him falling backward and they both tumbled into nothing.

“Your fear will always feed me Jesse, your body is mine! You can never defeat me!”

“I’m- I’m not afraid of-” Jesse choked, “I-”

“Then you are a liar.” his twin sneered, “You are weak, pathetic, and alone.” he summoned a sword, black as night.

Jesse choked for air, the vacuum he was tumbling in and the strangulation giving him no quarter to breathe. “I- I-”

“This part of you,” The other whispered, “Will die.” then he stabbed.

Jesse sat up in bed with a scream. He grabbed at his chest, his body heaving and gasping for air.

A dream. It was only a dream.

He unsteadily climbed out of his bed and staggered to a bucket in the corner of the room. His trembling hands scooping up as much water as he could manage and splashing it on his sweat soaked skin. 

This was the third dream this week. They were getting worse. 

Jesse warily glanced up at his wall, where a large full body mirror hung. His reflection stared back, eyes normal, and body littered in scars. He gingerly ran his hand over his stomach, where his largest scar lay.

His nightmare had stabbed him there…..

Jesse quietly sat back down on his beg, rubbing his stomach gingerly. This was the seventh nightmare this month and he wasn’t even that far into said month. 

They were getting worse.....

Jesse sighed and tucked his knees in, resting his back against the wall he buried his face into his knees. He had no intention of going to sleep. Sleep was something he didn’t look forward to anymore. 

So he stayed curled up in his ball, listening to the sounds of the world outside him.

It's just a dream. It's just a dream….

"Pssst, Petra…."

Petra groaned, burying her face into her pillow. "No." She grumbled.

"You told me to wake you," the aggravating voice persisted.

"I changed my mind." She replied.

He laughed, "You told me to keep at it no matter what you said."

Petra wrenched a pillow from beside her and blindly hurled it to the source of her waker. But as the pillow solidly hit the wall seconds later she assumed she missed.

"Nice throw."

"Shut up."

"Come on sleepy head."

"Go away."

"You insisted."

Petra groaned louder, the sound rolling into a growl. "Do not wake the beast or face her wraith." She warned.

He actually had the audacity to laugh, "Luckily for use both I have a bigger beast to counteract that."

Petra's eyes shot open.

The window clicked.

She sat up, " Aiden Mercer, don't you d-"

Aiden laughed as the massive bedroom window swung wide. "Get her boy!"

"Aiden you fu-" Petra yelped as not moments after the windows opened, Aiden's large -but far from malicious- giant pet snake Bites shot his head through the window.

Bites was a giant snake to put it simple.  Like, really, really, really big. Petra and Aiden had first been introduced to the creature after almost being fed to him.

Long story.

After Aiden has spared Bites from a slow death however, the animal had followed the pair all the way back to Aiden's house in Ground Town.

And there he had stayed.

Bites had gotten even bigger in recent years - perhaps a result from his new free range lifestyle - but Bites's head alone was easily 9 feet in length, and insanely heavy

Petra grunted as Bites dropped his head gently down on the bed, effectively pinning her and border line crushing her.

"Aiden!!!!" She raged.

The brunet laughed from his spot by the window, clutching his sides as she squirmed under the weight of Bites.

Bites showed no indication he was aware of Petra's rage. Even now he wiggled like some reptilian puppy and was sticking out the faintest tips of his large tongue to smell her.

Shielding her face from the impending saliva bath Petra relented. "Okay I am up I am up! Call him off, call him off!" She yelled.

Aiden smiled, waited a few seconds more then he let out a low, yet sharp, whistle, "Bites, good job!"

The snake retreated, content to rest his nose at the edge of the window frame.

Scowling in disgust, Petra flicked a glob of saliva off her shirt aiming it at Aiden. "I hate you so much." She snarled.

It missed as Aiden shrugged, leaning against the wall. "You told me to persist. You told me for 3 months straight you didn't want to miss tonight."

Petra gave Aiden a slight look, "The snake though?"

"My house, my rules." The brunet teased.

She rolled her eyes. Annoying as the wake up call had been, Petra was still grateful. Aiden wasn't the most intolerable person, no where near as bad as he used to be. There were worse ways to wake up.

"Then again," Aiden mused, "As often as you stay here…"

Petra slid out of bed, "I told you I could make my own place if it bothered you-"

"I'm just teasing Petra," Aiden flashed her one of his genuine bright smiles. "I," He glanced off, "Never have been bothered by it."

This was true. Somewhere along Petra's wanderings, post the events of the whole Romeo fiasco, Petra had once again found herself in the world of her original adventures.

Right into Ground Town and right into Aiden's home.

In the past two years Petra had befriended Aiden and the Ocelots once again. More often than not she joined the trio on scouting this new world. They would even be joined by Milo, Reginald and Isa sometimes.

But for the most part Aiden was her travel partner. The pair had been all over the world (excluding a certain tribe laced jungle) mapping it out and exploring every nook and cranny they could find.

Petra had offered to build a home after staying at Aiden's place roughly 3 months - because clearly what was planned as a temporary thing was starting to become more concrete. Aiden however, felt comfortable enough to allow her to keep the guest bedroom as her own.

So Petra stayed.

She was surprised how much she enjoyed it. From adventuring, to helping the Ground Town residents to even fighting Aiden for the last cup of coffee in the morning. She found herself content for a change.

She missed home of course and Jesse and the gang.

But there was a peacefulness here.

And peace was something Petra had needed for a long time.

Giant snake ambushes aside.

Aiden turned around to face the wall as she slipped over to her dresser to change her shirt. "You still have time, I woke you up a few minutes early , didn't think you'd give up so fast."

"Bites is an excellent motivation." She replied, "Are Gill and Maya coming?"

"They're at Gill's house." Aiden replied. "They planned on coming over but you know how mushy they are now. We'd be third wheeling the whole night."

Petra finished changing her pjs and slipped over to Aiden. "You just don't want to deal with Gill's singing." She teased, poking Aiden in the hips.

Aiden squirmed in surprise, pulling out of her grasp. "That too!" He laughed. "Ready to go?"

Petra nodded; grabbing a blanket while Aiden zipped up his coat over his own pjs.

Aiden let out another soft whistle, and Bites, who had been patiently keeping his head just past the window, dipped down a little lower.

Aiden climbed out the window first, carefully setting down on Bites's head. He sat down reaching up a hand so Petra could climb down after.

The night air was cool - not so much chilly - but there was a small bite of frost in the breeze. Bites's scales were warm on Petra's bare feet as she settled onto the large animal. It helped against the chill.

"Let's go to the roof bud," Aiden whispered shortly after Petra sat down.

Bites carefully slithered up the side of Aiden's house. He kept his head steady as his massive body curved around the woodwork with ease. The muscles causing his scales to ripple in the moonlight.

Petra and Aiden slid off Bites's head as the snake stopped on the roof. He curled up into a ball, settling his head down to the right of Aiden as they sat down onto the tile.

"Thanks buddy." Aiden said, affectionately rubbing his 'pet's' nose.

Petra leaned back against the warm animal, throwing her blanket of hers and Aiden's lap.

"Getting colder." She mused.

Aiden nodded, resting against the snake as well. "Bites will probably retreat to the jungle here soon." He replied. "Getting too cold now with fall rolling in."

Petra hummed. Casting her eyes to the sky; She was relieved to see it was a clear night out. Otherwise her midnight wake up call would have been for naught.

"There!" Aiden said suddenly, pointing to the sky.

Petra's gaze darted quickly to Aiden's point, just spotting the meteor as it dashed across the night sky.

Soon another came, then even more, dozens of little stars flying through the night.

Petra grinned. "Definitely worth the wake up call."

"Agreed." Aiden glanced at Petra. "Figure out your wish yet?"

She smiled but didn't pull her sights off of the meteor shower. "I thought you told Gill star wishes are silly."

"Well," Aiden paused. "Who knows when we'll see something like this again." He admitted. "If anything could grant a wish…"

Petra gently elbowed him. "Guess we better make it a good one."

"Yeah, guess we'd better….."

They sat there in silence for awhile, just the two adults and the snake admiring as the heavens gleamed. They would hear the occasional cheer from Ground Town in the distance, the residents enjoying the show as well no doubt.

"Woah did you see how big that one was?!" Petra pointed.

Aiden didn't respond.

She turned her head to see Aiden looking a different way. "Aiden? Aiden!"

He jerked in surprise, quickly turning to look at her. "I'm sorry what?"

She tilted her head towards the meteor shower, "Show's that way man."

He flushed, "I know I'm sorry I just," he looked back to the other way again. "I thought I saw…."

Petra leaned against his shoulder squinting at where Aiden was looking. "Aiden it's nothing but darkness that way."

"Exactly."

"Huh?"

Aiden pointed, "Petra. That is North." He explained.

"Yeah? And?"

"If that is North…." Aiden glanced at her; "Why can't I see the North Star?"

Confused and befuddled, Petra immediately looked again, surprised to see that she too could not see the bright star in their northern skies. 

"Clouds?"

"No it's clear. See? You can still see the mountains. The North Star is gone. And it's not the only one missing." Aiden added. "Petra where did the stars …." He trailed off.

This world had always been vibrant in its view of the heavens. Thousands upon thousands of glimmering stars. But now it was painfully clear that there were less than before and….

Petra stared at the black abyss in the sky, and suddenly found herself very cold. 

"I…..I don't know."

Lukas pinched the bridge of his nose, shoving the stack of documents to the side. "And done."

"I really appreciate your help on this." Radar said, scooping the papers up and tucking them neatly under his arm. "I was really backed up."

"Well one person can't run Beacon Town." Lukas replied, though weary he gave Radar an encouraging smile. "You're doing great, I was happy to offer a hand."

The younger male beamed, "Now we just need to-"

The door to the office burst open and Nell walked in. The blonde seemed distressed. 

"What's up Nell."

"You need to come with me." Nell said. "I'm - Man - It's - You just gotta see."

Radar leaned against the desk, "Will it be able to wait till tomorrow?" He asked. "We can cover it on the meetings-"

"I got it Radar don't worry." Lukas stood. "I'll meet you at the library in a half hour."

Nell flashed Lukas a cheeky grin. "For an isolated writer you sure are busy round town my friend."

Lukas glanced off, "Yeah well, things happened Nell." He returned his gaze, "So what's up?"

"Oh yeah! It's the weirdest thing." Nell explained. "I've never seen anything like it, and back in my gaming days I saw some really wack stuff. Like there was this one time Hadrian and Mevia hosted an event, and there were these laser eyed -"

"Nell." Lukas cut in patiently.

"Oh right! Off track, sorry!" Nell trotted down the stairs of the town hall and cut off to the left, taking them off the walking paths. "So I was on my way to my hidden wheat stash, old habits die hard ya know?" Nell explained. "Crops have been a little slim these past few weeks but I didn't think much of it."

"You sure someone isn't just taking your wheat?" Lukas asked.

"Well that is what I thought. But then well…" Nell hopped over a bush.

Lukas followed, gracefully landing on the other side.

Nell sat down on the grass, gesturing to their wheat crops. "Just look at it my man…."

Lukas gave Nell a glance, then he stepped around the former game contestant, crouching down. 

What he saw; baffled him.

"What in the world…." Lukas mumbled.

"I know man. It's totally wack."

The bottom of the wheat stalks were rotted black, and as Lukas reached in and cautiously took hold of the plant the black parts of the stalk crumbled like ash in his hands.

"What is this…" Lukas whispered. He shifted the ashy grime in his hands, the remainder of the wheat stalk was clearly dead.

Now Lukas was familiar with crops. Both from his world, and others. He saw what dried out or rotted crops looked like in places like the First World. He also saw places where wheat never died and stayed eternally golden.

But this wheat didn't look rotted or moldy or dead.  The black flakes that coated the crops gave off the evidence that the wheat was merely disintegrated into nothing. 

Like it was never there.

Even now the black dust in his hands vanished with each rub of his fingers. Soon there would be no evidence.

"My whole crop is covered in it." Nell explained. "And that's not all."

Lukas glanced up at the other. "What do you mean?"

Nell shoved their hand into the dirt, and overturned a large clump of it, grass and all.

The soil was laced with the black markings. Almost like poison running through veins.

"I've dug holes all over town man." Nell said. "And Lukas, this whatever it is….it's everywhere."

Chapter Text

“If you are calling us here for the reason I hope you are calling us,” Stella said as she entered the room, “No, I did not have anything to do with that fiasco outside of the city, I suggest you look at Axel.”

Axel sat up in his chair, “Hey! It was one block of TNT and it was an accident!”

Lukas felt his mouth lift just a hair into a smile, despite the tension he was under.  It was nice to see the others again and that things were still the same.

Mostly.

“That being said - Hello darling,” Stella paused to hug Radar then took her seat at the council table, “I have a feeling you are calling us here for something else, and I think I already know what.”

“We all have been pretty busy getting ready for the festival in a few weeks.” Lukas admitted, “I know our letters to each other have been slim, since you all have been busy working in our respective districts. But I have been informed of some concerning things lately and I wanted to ask the rest of you in person if you had noticed anything.”

Silence fell over the room for a moment. It spoke volumes to Lukas however, and not in a good way.

Olivia nervously scratched her nail into the hardwood of the table, “What exactly have you noticed?” she asked.

Lukas wordlessly placed a glass bottle on the table. The bottle hit the wood with a loud clunk! echoing through the large hall. The bottle itself was filled with the black powder Nell had shown Lukas.

Shortly after the discovery, Lukas and Radar had gone all over town, digging small holes and poking about. Sure enough Nell was right, the entire town’s soil was infested with the mysterious substance. Everything from the dirt to the crops, and it didn’t stop there. Lukas noticed with much dismay this morning that the birch tree outside his cabin was beginning to show similar symptoms as the wheat. The black lines had woven through the gray and white bark, the tree slowly beginning to die.

He had gathered a large clump of infected dirt that morning to show the others. But now the only thing left in the jar was the black residue. It had devoured the soil, leaving nothing behind. Even now the powder itself was slowly vanishing, diminishing with each passing second.

“Gunpowder?” Axel asked.

“Not quite,” Lukas said, “I don’t know what it is, it’s nothing like I have ever seen before. It’s in the crops and killing them.”

“Killing the crops.” Axel said, “Our crops don’t just-”

“Die here, I know.” Lukas said, “But it’s like a disease, it’s killing everything. It’s even in the -”

“Dirt?” Stella cut in.

“You’ve seen it?”

The blonde female nodded, “I have….” she swallowed stiffly, “Been alerted of similar things happening in New Champion City. The gardens are dying, and so are our trees. I did some digging around, literally, and it’s all over the city. There isn’t a patch of dirt I have found yet where it is not infested.

“We don’t have any crops near us,” Olivia admitted, “I haven’t noticed anything in the ground, but,” she hesitated.

“What?” Lukas pressed.

“Our wooden buildings.” Olivia explained, “They, well, they’re rotting . We had a lab collapse last week without any sudden warning. It just went down. Luckily no one was inside of it, but when we took a closer look at the rubble, I noticed the wooden supports were rotted on the inside.”

Lukas bit his lip, “Then it sounds like whatever this is - it’s infecting organic matter.”

“Well apparently not all of it,” Axel frowned, “I haven’t seen anything like this in Boom Town. But then again we’re all stone and obsidian up there.”

“You don’t think someone could be poisoning the land could you?” Olivia asked, “Like what happened to the Coughing Plague over in Ground Town awhile back. Maybe someone modified a wither based toxin or-”

“I don’t think so,” Radar shook his head, “We have been - admittedly- handling a lot of this mysterious substance, with our bare hands. If it was wither based, we would be able to notice symptoms in ourselves.”

Silence once again fell into the hall, a nervous tension now filling the air. Lukas’s mind was twisting and turning.

How could something like this be happening? More importantly why? They had already taken care of the Romeo situation, and he was busy rebuilding the underneath with Xara. He didn’t think neither former Admin would be behind this. Romeo genuinely wanted to get better, and this rot and decay wouldn’t be something he believed Xara would do.

So what could be causing this?

Lukas knew this would quickly escalate out of hand if the problem wasn’t figured out soon. Crops dying meant no wheat for bread, or many other recipes the residents of Beacon Town regularly dieted on. Lack of crops would mean the animals would suffer too, and with no animals, there would be no meat.

Then there was the situation with the buildings. If what Olivia said was true, and Lukas had no doubt it was. Many of the structures in all the districts would be in danger of collapse. If it happened suddenly like the lab - their luck would eventually run out. People would end up getting hurt or worse.

“Do we need to call for assistance?” Olivia said, pulling Lukas from his thoughts.

Lukas glanced at Axel and Olivia.

“Do we need to ask for help man?” Axel repeated and Lukas could tell by the way the two of them looked at him, there was a very specific help they had in mind.

Lukas glanced at the table, biting his lip nervously.

Steve and Alex were a great help, and they had visited the city of Beacon Town many times to see their son and help out with little errands and such. Stella, Radar and their new friends of course did not know the couple’s connection to Jesse, nor did they know of their powerful lineage. It had been strictly need to know basis for the safety of the town and their friends.  But Lukas, Olivia and Axel had not spoken to Steve and Alex in over a year. Not since Jesse le-

Lukas closed his eyes. “I don’t think we need to go that drastic yet.” Lukas opened his eyes again, “We need to get a hold of Ivor. He’s good with alchemic breakdown, he might be able to sort out what this stuff is.” he looked at Olivia, “It wouldn’t hurt to have Ellegaard help on the matter either. Heck even Nurm would be helpful, you know how full of weird mystic knowledge he is.”

“Nurm and Jack are currently in Champion City.” Stella said. “I will head back there and get a hold of them as soon as I can.”

“I don’t know where Ivor is exactly.” Radar pushed up his glasses, “Seeing as he is a ninja, but I am sure if I ask around he’ll hear about it eventually and show up. He’s good at that.”

“And I’ll head back to Redstonia and get Ellegaard.” Olivia said, “Axel?”

“Well even though I haven’t noticed anything weird,” Axel shrugged, “I’ll probably go through town with the griefers and see what we can find.  Maybe there is something going on that we haven’t noticed.”

Lukas wearily ran his fingers through his hair, “Sounds like a plan.”

“Don’t worry Lukas.” Olivia encouraged, “I am sure whatever is going on will be an easy fix.” she assured, “It’ll be okay.”

“I certainly hope so.”

Axel did stop Lukas as everyone began to depart however. He waited till the others left the room before he spoke.

"Lukas," the large male said tensely, his hand firmly resting on Lukas's shoulder. "You sure you don't want to call in help? We can try the beacon-"

"Axel I am sure everything is fine." Lukas insisted. "Just because it's something we haven't seen before doesn't mean it's the end of the world. If Ivor and Elle or even Nurm can't figure it out then we'll contact Xara and Romeo in the underneath. They were the admins of this world after all, maybe they've seen this happen before a long time ago."

Axel lifted his eyebrow.

"Axel we'll be fine. " Lukas insisted.

"Okay pretty boy." Axel let him go. "Whatever you say." He paused at the door. "Olivia feels we should look for him though."

"He wanted space." Lukas looked away.

"Lukas man-"

"Look, if the world starts blowing up we'll get a hold of him okay?" Lukas frowned.

Axel paused, "Alright." Then he left.

Lukas sighed heavily. Left alone in the Order Hall the sound echoed off the walls. He looked wearily at the world map, eyes watching as the five dots of light began to spread away ever so slowly.

His eyes shifted to the beacon mounted in the room.

Five lights.

Seven gems.

Two that remained dark…..

Lukas sat down on the nearest chair and closed his eyes.

"It would take the end of the world to see you again wouldn't it?"

Aiden woke up cold. 

It began as a shivering breeze across his toes. A cold that slowly crept  up his body till he was shaking even underneath the heavy warmth of the blankets.

Groaning in discomfort Aiden rolled over onto his side and crunched into a ball, tugging his blankets over his body till he was nearly buried under the fabric.

The cold was persistent however and no matter how hard Aiden tried he couldn't fight off the chill. The air was almost wet, it was so cold. His exposed nose and forehead tingles against the bite of the frigide air.

Bregudenly Aiden slipped an arm outside of the blankets, blindly searching for a certain massive snake that made a habit of occupying his room whenever it fancied. "Bites cm'here…" he yawned.

If anything worked as a heater and blanket warmer it was Bites.

However a wide sweep of his arm revealed no warm scales or a soft nose. So Aiden was forced to open his eyes to further his searching range. "Biiiiiites~" he groaned.

He was surprised upon sitting up to find the snake nowhere to be found in his bedroom.

Aiden glanced towards the window, wide open and the source of his lack of heat.

Cursing Aiden slipped out of bed, hastily making his way to the window. "Damn redstone switch- freakin broken - left the bloody window-" 

Aiden paused as he grabbed the panes, staring -cold momentarily forgotten - at the world beyond his window.

There was thick white fog everywhere, so dense and heavy Aiden could barely see the shadows of Ground Town. It wasn't unusual. It wouldn't be the first time Aiden's seen fog around this time of year.

But there was….something off.

It was quiet .

Aiden couldn't hear any of the spawns for starters. The mobs here loved this kind of weather. They'd creep out of their forests and caves and infest the land, hiding in fog banks waiting for an easy kill (Aiden would know, he had a nasty run in with a skeleton archer last year. Those blasted bags of bones were practically invisible on days like this.)

But Aiden couldn't hear a single monster. Not a moan, or screech or a groan.

Granted Bites kept Aiden spawn free for a very large radius. He was very protective to say the least and it wasn't often a spawn made it even remotely close.

But there were no other sounds either. No birds, frogs on the lake. Nothing.

It was eerily quiet, so much so Aiden could just barely make out the lake waters gently splashing on the beach. Even hear the faint waterfall from Sky Cities ruins.

Aiden glanced around once more into the fog, trying to see if he could spot Bites. But no luck.

Must be too cold for him. Aiden mused.

The wind shifted a hair and Aiden shivered as the wet cold air danced across his skin. He closed the windows and stepped away.

Maybe it was the strange fog and the silence. Or maybe it was the cold. But Aiden decided not to go back to bed. Instead he headed down stairs to make himself a coffee.

Petra was still asleep as Aiden made his way down stairs but he knew the smell of coffee would drive her out of her bed shortly enough so he made sure to make a larger batch.

Slipping his coat over his pjs Aiden stepped out his front door just to take a look around.

The coffee kept him warm enough as he entered the foggy morning air. All around the grass was coated in a frosty dew, even his windows were damp.

"Heavy fog." Aiden mumbled, taking a sip of his coffee. 

He stepped off his threshold and walked down the path a few feet. The gravel crunched under his slippers as he walked, careful to listen for any spawns.

Reginald's going to be stressing out about this. Aiden mused, he wondered if he should perhaps go check in on-

Aiden yelped as suddenly out of nowhere Bites lunged out of the fog. He nearly dropped his mug, spilling precious coffee onto his sleeve.

"Dammit Bites!" Aiden barked, "Warn a guy why don't ya-" he paused from his scolding.

Bites was clearly aggravated, the massive snake stayed defensively in front of Aiden, his body wrapped behind as a protective barrier.

He was arched high, head turning left and right slowly.

"Bites?" Aiden said, "Bites buddy, hey what's going on?"

Bites hissed, his fangs were out as he searched blindly into the fog. His tail end smacked aggressively against the ground, his sign to tell intruders to back off.

Aiden had time to learn his lesson over the years and he knew when Bites acted like this something wasn't right. But no matter how hard he searched the murky white banks, Aiden could see nothing.

"Bites...Bites? Bites, come on buddy!" Aiden patted the snake, "Calm down. I'm not in danger!" He tried to soothe.

Bites lowered his head so Aiden could pet his snout. But he did so reluctantly, his fangs remained out, mouth open just enough to attack if needed.

Aiden rubbed the animal's nose. "Bites buddy it's just fog." He stressed.

Bites hissed, and his tail hit the dirt.

"Come on buddy, what's wrong?"

"Is everything okay?"

Aiden turned his head to see Petra approaching. She grunted slightly as Bites immediately adjusted his body, bumping her into his protective circle.

"I don't know." Aiden admitted, he continued to pet the aggravated snake. "Something has Bites all riled up."

Petra joined Aiden in petting Bites but her efforts did little to ease the animal. He remained fixated hissing at the fog. "Do you think it's the weather?" She asked.

"He's seen fog before though."

"Are there spawns around maybe?"

"Not that I can hear."

Petra made a pained expression, taking a drink from her own coffee mug. "It is painfully quiet out here." She agreed. "Maybe we should go inside-"

Bites suddenly reared up, hissing angrily and slamming his tail onto the dirt.

Aiden immediately noted the crunching of gravel and quickly shouted. "If you are a person you better say so now before you get jacked full of snake venom."

Gill's voice cut through the fog. "Don't do that please!" He yelled. "It's just Maya and I!"

Aiden patted Bites. "Bites calm down, it's Gill and Maya!!"

But the snake remained poised to lunge.

"You guys better talk louder!" Petra yelled.

"Bites!!!" Gill called. "Bites buddy!"

"Hey man! It's Maya! Your favorite, remember?!" 

"Don't kill us or we won't be able to sneak you chickens when Aiden goes on road trips!" Gill added.

Aiden rolled his eyes. 

Thankfully though it was enough to calm the snake down and he lowered himself to the ground as Maya and Gill emerged from the fog.

"You're up early." Maya noted.

"Cold woke me up." Aiden answered as he stroked the snake. "Ballsy move coming out here in the fog."

"We had no choice man." Gill said.

"If you lived closer, this wouldn't be a risk." Maya teased.

"Then you can build my new house to hold this big guy." Aiden shot back as he stroked Bites.

Maya smirked.

"What brings you out here?" Petra asked.

"Bad news sadly." Gill answered, his smile dropping.

"What's wrong?"

"Let's get inside first." Aiden instructed. "Bites is stressed out enough as it is."

They obliged, Bites almost eagerly herding them into Aiden's house. 

Aiden paused to open the door wider once they entered the home. "Come on Bites." 

Bites looked back once, gaze holding on the fog for a moment, before reluctantly slithering inside.

Aiden looked outside as well. Trying to tell himself the shadows in the fog were just tricks of the brain. 

Regardless he still locked his door.

"You guys are going to want to change." Maya said, sitting down at the kitchen table. 

"Oh?"

Gill nodded. "Yeah, Isa needs our help."

"What's going on?"

"Well, according to Reg," the large male explained. "A patrol party is missing."

Aiden took a hard sip of his coffee. "Spawns?"

"We don't know, the towers heard nothing." Maya explained. "Gill and I offered to go look but Isa doesn't feel comfortable with just the two of us going out."

"How many were on the patrol?" Petra asked.

"Eight." Gill said.

Aiden flinched. "Shit, just let me get dressed."

"I'll come too." Petra said, she drained her coffee and went up the stairs.

Aiden did likewise. Unease twisting in his stomach as he changed out of his pjs and into his clothes. He paused at his closet, eyeing his combat gear.

Aiden took it, and both of his swords.

He was finishing up his arm strap as he came down the stairs. Gill and the girls were waiting by the door. Aiden noticed they had gear as well. Apparently his nervousness was not exclusive.

"Let's go."

Aiden slid on his coat as he walked out the door, only to be yanked gently by his arm. Effectively stopping him.

He looked over his shoulder. "Bites…"

The snake was holding Aiden's arm in his mouth. Gently cupping him, fangs tucked safely away.

Now Aiden under normal circumstances would be a little miffed to have his favorite leather jacket coated in snake saliva.

But Bites unusual behavior made him hesitate. He felt a growing unease as the snake tugged him weakly back, almost begging him to stay.

"Bites let go." Aiden said, he twisted his body to pet the animal. "I need to go."

Bites tugged again, trying to pull Aiden back into the house.

"Bites people are in trouble. Or at least they could be." Aiden resisted the pull, "We need to go help." He tugged again.

Bites let go, very reluctantly. He slithered out of the house, resting tensely on the grass.

Aiden closed the door. Petting the snake, as he passed. "It'll be okay Bites."

As he rejoined the others, Maya glanced worriedly back. "Is Bites alright?"

"I think the fog just has him tense." Aiden replied, though he wasn't sure about that in the slightest.

"Is he coming with us?" Gill asked.

Petra shook her head. "Doesn't look like it."

"Damn, would have been nice to have him with us out there."

"I'm sure everything is fine Gill." Maya assured. "The patrol probably just got turned around.

Aiden said nothing, but he did look back. Nervously eyeing Bites who remained coiled by the house.

Let's hope they're only lost.

It was hard however, to ignore Bites's nervous thumping of his tail as the house vanished behind them.

Chapter Text

It was uncomfortable with only the sound of gravel crunching under their feet. But Petra found it even worse once they were outside the wall. There was only silence, the grass snuffing out any sound they made while walking.  

Reggie had met the group at the wall, and after explaining the situation, the team split into pairs, searching with several other individuals in hopes of finding signs of the patrol. 

A little into their search Aiden had spotted some muddy tracks and seeing as they had no other sign, Petra and Aiden were following that for the time being, and all the while the silence had been utterly consuming.  

The fog still hadn’t lifted, and it was frustrating not to be able to see far in any direction.  Petra didn’t like it one bit, usually she was impartial to fog, it was a feature of life -  nothing ominous about it.  

And yet….. 

“Aiden I don’t like this.” Petra said aloud. 

“Yeah, me either.” He covered it well, but Petra knew he had been put in a state of unease due to Bites’ behavior at the house earlier.  Petra wondered if he was still there, or if he was out there in the fog somewhere, close by and guarding. 

“I’m not gonna lie, I have completely lost all sense of direction.” Aiden took a moment to glance about. “We have been following these tracks for so long I have no idea which way we are facing.” 

“Oh I have a compass, “ Petra reached into her pocket, lowering her lantern momentarily to get a better look at her person.  

“Oh good because I forgot mine.” 

“The amount of things you forget, I swear, it is a miracle you are still alive.” Petra scolded.

“Says the woman who got expelled deep into the pits of a hollow earth and survived a Admin somehow.” Aiden playfully scoffed back. He lowered himself to the ground, inspecting the muddy tracks while Petra had her lantern lowered.  

She found herself smiling despite the tension, “Ah, there it is!” she wrapped her fingers around the metal object and slipped it out of her pocket, “At least now we can figure out where-“ 

Petra froze.  

Aiden immediately noticed and rose back to his feet. “What is it,” he reached for his sword hilt, “What is wrong?” 

Petra didn’t say anything, but she wordlessly tilted her compass so Aiden could see it. 

The needle – which traditionally should point north, was continuously spinning within the compass, never stopping – not even spinning fast really. But it spun none the less, over and over, a slow circulation without end.  

“What the hell?” Aiden frowned, he took the compass from her hand, shaking it and listening for any rattling. “Did you break it?” 

“How the hell does one break a compass.” Petra argued. 

“I don’t know- did you bang it on something?” Aiden shook it again. 

“It has been in my pocket since we left the house.” 

“Was it spinning at the house?” 

“I don’t know,” Petra crossed her arms, “I didn’t look at it when we left the house I just put it in my pocket like I always do- would you stop shaking it!” 

Aiden obliged, handing it back to her, “Sorry I was just- it – it’s weird.” 

“Yeah….I know.” She shoved it back into her pocket, “So now what do you want to do?” 

Aiden rubbed his eyes, and he didn’t give her a answer for a good minute or two. It was clear he was weighing his options and didn’t want to make things worse than they already were. “Well, I don’t want to end up being the next missing persons fly – not that a few people around here would care-” 

“Aiden….” Petra gently warned, it wasn’t a secret that  a local or two despised Aiden for his past actions but she wasn’t going to let him kick himself either.  

“Yeah yeah,” he dropped his hand, “Let’s just follow the tracks a little longer and see if anything comes up, then we can turn and follow them back.” 

“Alright, sounds good.” Petra agreed.  

It was a reasonable plan, but the unease grew every second, both of them were growing increasingly uncomfortable. First the fog and silence, then the missing party, now the compass….. 

Then, quite suddenly, Aiden, who had been following the tracks quite closely, vanished with a yelp. 

“Aiden!” Petra cried. 

Aiden wasn’t screaming, but he was cussing up a storm – in several languages too – a habit he had picked up from Isa. There was the cracking of branches and the crumbling of earth, and when the sound eventually stopped, Aiden’s cursing did not. 

Petra went onto her hands and knees, able to clearly see that Aiden had fallen down a steep slope, “Are you ok?!” she called. 

“Peachy!” Aiden said irritated from somewhere far below. 

“Can you get up?” Petra asked. 

When Aiden didn’t answer immediately she became worried, “Aiden?” 

“You’re going to want to come down,” Aiden finally replied, “The tracks are down here, judging by the drag marks I think someone got hurt….. You can probably slide down….I think my body cleared away the sharp stuff…..” he muttered. 

 Petra swung her legs over the side, she had half a second of hesitance, a little Lukas voice telling her sliding down a blind slope was a stupid idea.  

But people down there could be hurt, and even Lukas in all his parental scoldings – wouldn’t turn away the chance to help someone.  

Still, this was probably going to hurt. 

“Alright I am on my way down, get ready to catch me!” 

“No promises you got the lantern, and I can’t see shit!” Aiden replied. 

Well that is promising. Petra mused. Then, mustering her courage and taking a deep breath, Petra pushed herself off the ledge. Immediately she began to slide and she soon plummeted into the grey and white and the unknown.

Jesse had just successfully scored himself a nap when a deafening roar tore him from the dreamless sleep. It shook the earth and rattled his bed. Startled awake he tumbled out of bed, tangled in blankets.  

“Ow!” Jesse cursed as he hit the ground, jarring his shoulder.  

What the hell was that?   

He sat up, listening closely to whatever made the sound. His home could be rather noisy depending on the time of day, but it never never shook the bed light that. It felt like the earth had split in two.  

He stayed where he was on the floor, listening through the dead silence.  

Nothing.  

Did I dream it? Jesse wondered. He was so sure he hadn’t been dream – Notch knows he would kill to go a single day without a dream. Some days it was hard to tell if he had been dreaming or not.  

But he must have been….Because there were no other sounds, and if something did roar like that then- 

There was a new deafening roar – not an ear shattering one by any means, but a roar that was very familiar to Jesse. 

Void.  

Jesse hastily put on his armor – and headed to the back door of his little home. He followed the tunnel swiftly, popping his head up in the observation nook he had made for himself.  

Void was an enderdragon, and right in this particular moment was a very angry one at that.  

A little less than a year ago Jesse found himself staying in the world of the enderdragons. He had been shown this place shortly after meeting his father and in his solo wanderings had decided this was a good place to stay and clear his head for a while.  

One might think that sleeping in the realm of dragons would be noisy but honestly it wasn’t all that bad, they were pretty quite when they were not defending their eggs or clan and Void – for the most part, tolerated Jesse quite nicely. 

The original end was the source for all end dimensions in every world that could host them. The dragons primarily lived here, but often lived in ‘pocket dimensions’ of the end that were attached to other compatible worlds.  

Long ago Jesse’s father had learned the end dragons had the ability to traverse the multiverse and various dimensions, and that is essentially what began Steve’s exploration of other worlds and eventually led to the creation to the Hallway of Worlds, a in-between dimension that had access to almost every world in creation.  

Void was an old dragon – having once fought Steve in combat about a eon ago. And while the dragon most certainly wasn’t as immortal as Jesse’s father, time worked differently in the prime End world and the dragons aged slowly. In his old age Void was of surprisingly even temperament, content over his herd and hardly ever getting into brawls except to occasionally (and usually very efficiently) beat a youngblood male dragon into submission.  

Now, Void was in a frenzy, tearing up earth and hurling purple fire into the black sky. He roared aggressively, snapping and biting at the other dragons sending them scurrying into the air.  

What the –  

Void blasted fired, and Jesse had to duck as the hot purple inferno smashed into the ground just shy of his observation nook.  The fire splattered on impact, scalding the earth and even some of it made it through the glass burning against the far wall. 

The earth shook again, and Void roared angrily in response, even biting at his mate who darted way.  

The sky was swarming quickly with dragons, vanishing in sharp flashes of light. 

They’re leaving the world?! Jesse was stunned, Why?!  

One by one the dragons began to vanish, disappearing in their trademark blinding white. Void chased after the ones who didn’t immediately take off – roaring every time the island rumbled. He didn’t stop pursuing till the target of his aggression took to the skies and vanished to another realm.  

“Why is he doing this?” Jesse asked himself out loud. He gripped his amulet, wondering if he should call his parents to come see this. Perhaps they knew- 

Then something new happened, something that made Jesse forget everything he was even considering doing.  

Void stopped attacking his clan, all of his herd was in the skies or gone all together now. The hulking animal turned – each step tearing up earth as his claws sank in.  

Jesse felt his blood run cold.  

Void, was looking right at him. 

Those purple eyes narrowed. 

Oh crap- Jesse gulped.  

He only had one thought now.  

Run.  

With a deafening roar, Void charged. 

It took finesse, and a paranoid focus on watching for a incoming lantern but Aiden managed to catch Petra as she slipped off the edge of the incline. 

It cost him his back, (he would never dare comment on anyone’s weight, but anyone’s armor was a different matter) 

“Sweet Notch’s beard!” Petra cussed, “You didn’t tell me there was a drop at the end!” 

“Sorry!” Aiden grunted, rubbing his back after he set her down.  

She gave him a worried glance, “I didn’t jab you with my armor did I?” 

Plenty, “No I’m good,” Aiden gave her a wry smirk, “Almost crushed me with it though-“ 

Petra elbowed him, “Asshole, not all of us prefer a measly leather arm bracer.” 

Aiden shrugged, “Guess some of us are just too good at not getting hit.” 

“HA!” Petra snorted, “Aiden you are a certified punching bag, you have bled out more times than I can count.” This was true, but she wasn’t being mean about it.  

Aiden just waved her off, as much as bantering with Petra was always a great stress relief, the rest would have to wait. “Look, the tracks down there, a few foot prints and the drag marks right there? I think they went that way.” 

“Why would they go that way instead of waiting here?” Petra wondered, lowering her lantern to get a closer look.  

“Maybe they were trying to get  back up, fell down here like I did….” Aiden commented, “But whoever was injured couldn’t get back up, so maybe they were looking for another way out of here.” 

Petra looked around, the fog wasn’t quite as thick down here, and both of them could clearly see there was trees and towering all around them, “I think we’re in the woods.” 

“Then we are the very least north of town.” Aiden said, he and the gang had mapped the surrounding regions pretty thoroughly, and Aiden knew that the only set of woods within walking distance was north of Ground Town.  

He got up, following the drag marks with Petra following in tow. Petra was right, it was concerning they didn’t stay where they were – assuming this was the missing patrol group. Most of the guards were quite competent, Reggie always tried to make sure of that. But then again people reacted differently to stressful situations.  

Still, to wander this deeply  into the woods…. 

THWACK!  

“ OW!” Aiden jerked as he was promptly smacked in the side of the face.  

“Aiden-“ Petra began.  

“I’m fine.”  He rubbed his cheek, “Just a low hanging branch….”  Through he was starting to wonder how many more times he was going to get bruised today.  

Petra looked up, and her expression turned grim. “Webs.” she said. 

Aiden looked up as well, spying the webs that had gone loose upon the release of the assaulting branch. He pulled out his swords, and Petra did as well, “Guess we’re in spider territory.” 

“Didn’t know there was spiders here.” Petra commented. 

There isn’t. Aiden thought, but for the moment he held his silence. He didn’t want to go assuming the worst of things. Webs in the forest were not uncommon. There was no need to panic just yet- 

“Aiden over there!” Petra suddenly gasped.  

Up ahead, there was a body, lying limp on the ground.  They rushed over, and Aiden knelt on the ground, he recognized immediately the man was a local and one of the missing patrols. He checked the pulse. 

“Anything?” 

“It’s weak.” Aiden confirmed, “But I got it,”  

The man was slow, occasionally twitching, and when Aiden checked his eyes, they were dulled over. It was then he noticed an odd mark on the side of the man’s neck. 

“What the hell….” Aiden whispered. 

There was a sharp crack, it cut through the eerie silence like a knife, and Petra and Aiden both jumped to their feet.  Looking urgently around for the source of the noise.  

The trees were eerie shadows in the fog, and even the growing breeze did little to give them visual aid. Aiden could see no movement and no sign that there was anything near them.  Yet the cracking continued, and it was getting louder. 

Leaves and branches rained down on Aiden’s head, and he looked up. 

There was a burst of breeze, and the fog above him began to swirl. Aiden had half a second to see a massive canopy of cobwebs strung across the trees, going from evergreen to evergreen like a huge blanket.  

Then it was gone. 

“Petra – I think we’re in a –“ 

“AIDEN LOOK OUT!” Petra yelled.  

Aiden was wrenched off his feet, his legs tangled in a sticky white substance, and he found himself rapidly leaving the ground. 

“Aiden!!!!” 

Before he knew it, Aiden was already ten feet off the ground, he didn’t even have time to think about how bad that fall would be. Because above him, oh above him was even worse. 

A spider, far too big to be average, with long hairy legs and horrid purple eyes, ever slowly dragging Aiden to up to dripping set of fangs.  

“Shit!” Aiden cried. He had dropped his swords in the sudden rush skyward, and he desperately tried to reach up and claw off the sticky webs binding his legs. He would figure out how to deal with the drop, but he was not going to get jacked up with poison 

A flash of blue spun past his face and up into the air, Petra’s dagger- a fierce weapon made of diamond and dragon bone- stabbed into the face of the spider. 

The creature screeched and fell, Aiden falling with it, his blow softened as Petra made a desperate bid to catch him.  

He quickly rolled off her, he could see other spiders rapidly climbing down the trees, he didn’t have time to thank Petra for the quick thinking. He lunged for his knives just as a spider – equally if not bigger than the first lunged at him.  

Aiden swung his blade with all the strength he had, and even the tough hide of the creature was incredibly difficult to cut through.  

Petra – her back to him, yanked her knife clean from the dead spider. Her lantern discarded on the ground, her knife joined her golden sword Ms. Butter, ready to defend herself from the next attack. She was careful to keep the unconscious man protected between her and Aiden as they fended off spider after spider. 

It was about the time Aiden’s sword was thoroughly covered in spider guts and he was beginning to panic about how to get out of this situation when a thunderous roar echoed through the woods, and the ground shook. 

“What the hell was that!?” Aiden cried.  

Petra turned her head, and she went white as a sheet, “Oh for the Nether's sake! Not again!” 

Aiden saw a tree move from the corner of his eye, and then he realized, it wasn’t a tree….it was a leg.   

A massive spider, bigger than a house, took a out from the fog, venom dripped from its fangs leaving puddles in the dirt.  

 Aiden froze, horrified by the size of the animal. He had heard Lukas’ stories of the first world, and even witnessed a thing or two himself. But something like this should never be in this world – at least as far as he was aware. 

Freezing turned into a dangerous mistake, as this time Aiden was once again yanked clean off the ground, this time by a sticky blast of web that clung to his back and pinned his arms to his body, “NO!” 

“Aiden!” Petra reached up but she was too late, and Aiden watched helplessly as she was left behind, the giant spider and the smaller ones moving in for the kill. 

“No! Petra!!!!” 

But the kill never came.  

There was a crack, loud and sharp and before Aiden could realize what was happening, a thick spruce crashed down, the branches clipped Aiden’s legs as it fell passed. It missed Petra by a few feet, but it crushed the massive spider instantaneously sending guts splattering amongst the cracked and broken branches. 

The remaining spiders scattered, some shrieking, some shrinking almost in fear before vanishing into the fog.  

Then quickly as he had gone up, Aiden once again was falling, this time from a far greater height than before.  

He covered his face with his arms, knowing he had no way to stop the impact. 

He never hit the ground, there was a sharp tug on his jacket like a hand gripping tight, and Aiden was slowly lowered to the ground, unharmed. 

When Aiden fully opened his eyes and lowered his arms, Petra stood before him, but she didn’t look relieved, she looked horrified.   Her eyes were wide and her face was pale. “ Y-you-”  

Aiden didn’t even get to respond, someone else did.  

“Well well well~” a familiar voice purred. 

Aiden felt his blood freeze, and a sharp pain rise in his throat, he almost didn’t turn around, but turn fearfully around he did. P please don’t be who I think that is....  

He was met with sharp smiling teeth and frighteningly white eyes. Eyes he never forgot, eyes he still had nightmares about. 

“Oh Notch....”Aiden whispered out. 

Herobrine’s smile grew every wider, “I remember you~”