[Jesse's POV]
Lukas: "Jesse, I know something's wrong! Back when we were trapped in that library, I noticed how distant Petra became, how she almost slipped when we went down that hole, that awful smell, how she acted way clumsier than usual, and her more frequent coughing. You can't say this is how she normally is, right!?"
(That was the question I wanted to avoid.)
(Ugh... why do I have to be in this situation? I tried to look at my surroundings to avoid embarrassing eye contact.)
Lukas: "Jesse?"
Jesse: "Don't rush me, I'm thinking okay!"
(I take a deep breath. I've decided.)
Jesse: "Look, Lukas... Petra's sick."
(To be honest, I'm not a good liar, and I think if this keeps going, it'll only hurt everyone involved even more.)
(So that's why I'm going to tell the truth instead of trying to hide something that'll eventually come out either way.)
(That was my reasoning.)
(Lukas looks shocked at me.)
(Yes, I know it will be hard to take it in, but I think it's the best course of action in the long run.)
Lukas: "How long have you known...?"
Jesse: "A while, but she asked me not to say anything. The Wither infected her with... some sort of wither sickness, but it just won't go away!"
Lukas: "So... everything I was worried about - is true!"
(Lukas starts to pace around nervously.)
Lukas: "This is my fault, Jesse!"
Jesse: "W-Wait... Lukas..."
Lukas: "Petra's Wither Sickness..."
(Lukas sits down on the ground, leaning on a nearby tree.)
Lukas: "It's because of me..."
Jesse: "Lukas! I didn't mean to make you feel bad. There's no way this is because of you!"
Lukas: "If I hadn't choked, you would've been able to pull Petra out of that tractor beam sooner..."
Jesse: "For all we know, Petra didn't get sick until way after that! At most, Ivor is the person who caused this entire mess and endangered the world because of HIS Wither Storm."
(Lukas took a while to respond.)
(He looked more miserable than I've ever seen him be.)
(This entire Wither Storm situation really is starting to cause everyone to slowly lose their hope.)
(I felt really bad seeing him like this.)
(Did I do the right thing? Urgh! Just think! Jesse!)
Jesse: "Lukas... I-"
Lukas: "No... I understand what you're trying to say."
Jesse: "No, I really mean it. Lukas."
(I kneel down in front of him, putting my hand on his shoulder as I pull closer.)
Jesse: "You tried your best, and that's fine. I don't blame you for anything. We're all a little on edge ever since this started, but just pull through, okay?"
(Lukas looks at me with a bewildered face.)
(I don't know if it made Lukas feel better, I just wanted to say something comforting.)
(Lukas breaks eye contact to look over at Petra again.)
Lukas: "But if one of our best fighters is sick -- Do we even have a chance anymore? I just can't help feeling kinda... hopeless."
Jesse: "Lukas, if we stick together, we can do anything. Even something that feels impossible!"
Lukas: "It just feels EXTRA impossible now."
(I grab his hand and lift him up to his feet.)
Jesse: "Then we stick together extra hard! Don't give up your spirit! Fight on! Okay?"
(Lukas looks down to think it through again.)
(It feels weird to be the one to comfort Lukas, but whatever feels right.)
(He finally shakes his hand and returns his gaze with a more determined look.)
Lukas: "Okay... I'll try."
Jesse: "That's the spirit!"
(His grip on my hand feels warm.)
(I could really feel genuine hope in his eyes.)
(I'm glad we were able to overcome that feeling of despair.)
Lukas: "I just kinda wish Petra would tell everybody. It would just make things -- easier."
Jesse: "I guess now I can kind of understand why Petra didn't want anybody to find out. She is indeed one of our best fighters. I guess she was scared if we found out, we might lose our hope of continuing on."
Lukas: "Well, now I know that won't happen, I'll try to talk to her about that. We could try to find a possible cure, or at least try to treat her, so she can feel better."
Jesse: "Mmm-hmm. Let's head back to the others and find Soren. Even in his state, let's at least try to get his help. Even in the worst case, he doesn't have the F-Bomb, we can at least get all the help we can get."
(Lukas nods.)
(Suddenly, the last third of the cloud on the wall lights up.)
Olivia: "Are you guys done? Reuben had already found the last lever."
(Olivia and Reuben suddenly pop out from behind a nearby tree, where a lever was located.)
Jesse: "Ah! Don't sneak up on us like that!"
Olivia: "You know, you were literally blocks away. You could've just flicked it and we would've been out of here a little sooner."
Jesse: "Sorry, I was busy with other things."
Olivia: "I know, I was watching."
Lukas: "Oookay, that's just creepy."
(A part of the wall under the cloud suddenly opens up like a doorway.)
Axel: "Guys! The button finally worked! I think I found Soren's way out!"
(Axel runs over with Petra.)
Axel: "You were right, Olivia. Turns out you did have to get the levers first."
Lukas: "Way to go, everyone. That's awesome!"
Petra: "Good, let's *cough* get moving."
Jesse: "Wait- Petra-"
(Aaaaand, she already went ahead...)
Jesse: "*sigh* Let's catch up."
(Standing in front of the exit, the doorway leads to some sort of lobby of a mansion.)
(There were doors on either side of the room, along with a fountain in the middle.)
(It was beautifully decorated with glowstone lamps.)
(The lighting was a little darker than a normal house in the overworld.)
(but that's probably because normal mobs in the overworld don't live here, so there wasn't a need for more light.)
Jesse: "Welp, let's split up again."
Olivia: "Wouldn't it be safer to go together?"
Jesse: "This is a base. It wouldn't be one if it wasn't safe. And I doubt Soren, the best architect, would be so careless. There's no real threat here."
Olivia: "Fine, but I need to talk to you about something privately."
(Olivia says that in the most suspicious tone ever.)
(I swear if it's about your teasing methods again.)
Jesse: "Umm... okay? I guess it's me, Reuben, and Olivia, while you three, Lukas, Petra, and Axel, search the other side of the house."
Axel: "Yeah!"
(Axel tries to put his arms around Petra's shoulders.)
Petra: "Nope. Don't want it. Don't need it."
(Axel backs down, dejected.)
(The party splits, as we head in different directions.)
(As the other group disappears into another room, Olivia begins her hot topic.)
Olivia: "So... you've become really good friends with Lukas lately, haven't you?"
(Oh god, she's talking in her teasing tone again.)
Jesse: "Uh, I guess..? What's your idea?"
Olivia: "Jesse. I know you more than anyone else. You're not really a people person, so seeing you befriend someone so quickly is really out of character for you."
Jesse: "Pfff, he's just a good and sociable guy to be around. That's all."
Olivia: "I saw you blush back there. You never acted like that around anyone else before. I'm not just making this up from nothing, you know?"
Jesse: "W-What?"
(I stop in front of one of the doors.)
(Have I really been subconsciously acting like that and I didn't notice? Crap. This is turning embarrassing.)
(Why am I always the one in this position?)
Jesse: "That's a coincidence! That was probably because of something else! Can we just move to a different topic already?!"
Olivia: "That's a lie."
Jesse: "H-Huh??? What gives you that idea???"
Olivia: "You're turning red, can't keep eye contact, trying to hide your face, growing nervous, suddenly being so defensive about it, frantically trying to change topics. Do I really have to say more? I know when you lie."
(Goddamn it. Why did she have to corner me like that?!?)
Olivia: "Now you have to answer me. You're the one who said to better tell the truth, weren't you?"
(Ahh, curse you for using my thinking against me!)
Jesse: "Urgh... I don't know... I don't know, okay? I can't describe it. This is not in my vocabulary."
Olivia: "Could it be... you secretly..."
(Olivia pulls closer to my ear to whisper it in.)
Olivia: "You secretly like him?"
(Huh???)
(Olivia pulls back.)
Olivia: "You know what I mean, right? Like, like like, him. Oh gosh, I just said 'like' three times in a row."
(Did I actually unknowingly fall for him and I didn't realize it? That feeling, that new one, I've never really experienced before.)
(Was it because of that? My mind is in such a chaotic state right now... perhaps I do have feelings for him...)
(But... is it really okay to feel that way right now? And more importantly, to let Olivia know this?)
Jesse: "I-I-I'm not going to confirm or deny any of this!"
Olivia: "The fact that you said that just confirms that there IS something between you two. But I do have to wonder... why didn't you even realize it? Are you that oblivious when it comes to stuff like that?"
Jesse: "I-I don't know. These feelings feel so unfamiliar to me."
Olivia: "Well, I can help you if you really want to."
Jesse: "Are you serious? The Olivia, that's constantly teasing her friends and searching for more moments like these to embarrass them, wants to help me with my feelings for Lukas???"
Olivia: "Jeez... I'm not a monster, you know? And besides, I think it'll look cute!"
Jesse: "I-... I don't know how to feel about this..."
Olivia: "Is something wrong? Is there something preventing you from going further?"
Jesse: "Ehh... how do I say this?"
(It feels like the wrong time to do this. Maybe I'm overthinking it once again...)
Jesse: "We still have a mission. If it fails, our world might cease to exist. I don't know if this is the appropriate time to go for something like that."
Olivia: "Whatever fits your speed, I guess."
Jesse: "Thanks, Olivia. That means a lot to me."
(I thought it would be that time of the hour again, but it was refreshing to see her genuinely helping me with my problems.)
(And that just reminded me of another problem.)
Jesse: "Umm... a little sudden topic change, but I really have to tell you something else too, regarding Petra."
Olivia: "What is it? Did she catch something?"
Jesse: "She didn't want to tell anybody, but I just couldn't keep it secret like that. She has Wither Sickness."
Olivia: "Yeah... I've noticed. That's just how Petra deals with things."
Jesse: "I hope she can realize that. I wonder how the other group is doing."
(Reuben suddenly tries to get our attention.)
Jesse: "What? Did you find something,
buddy?"
(Reuben points to the door near us.)
(We head over to take a closer look.)
Olivia: "Do you hear that?"
(I hold my ear to the door.)
(It sounded like music? And someone... singing?)
Jesse: "That must be Soren!"
(We barge through the door, only to be disappointed.)
(On the wall of the room was a jukebox... playing that music.)
(Looking around the room, there were only more chests, and shelves, a big window at the end of the room, and...is that an Enderman costume..?)
Jesse: "What the... It's just a recording!"
(The song abruptly ends as the jukebox switches to something else.)
Jukebox: "And I call that one 'Symphony in E."
(The voice proceeds to laugh.)
(I didn't recognize it, so it was probably a pre-recorded voice of Soren.)
Jukebox: "A new composition to celebrate my newest discovery! I've observed one placing a block on top of another block. Hehe. I hope I'm not imagining things! I-1 better eat something. I'm positively lightheaded with excitement."
Olivia: "After all that, he's not even here?! We came all this way, and for what? We're no closer to Soren than before."
Jesse: "That doesn't sound right. This jukebox didn't turn off by itself. And even if it did, someone had to construct such a mechanism for it to work. And this... it's not Magnus, Ellegaards, Gabriels, or even Ivors! This voice had to be recorded by him! I can't think of anyone else who would be here!"
Olivia: "Huh, you do have a point. I guess he really likes the sound of his voice, then."
Jesse: "Maybe there's something useful on this record if I can figure out what he's talking about."
(We decide to listen in on the recording for a few minutes.)
Jukebox: "And that has led me to theorize that they may have the intelligence to build collaboratively."
(We hear distant munching in the recording.)
Jukebox: "I've worked up a simple set of building instructions to inspire them!"
(Reuben snorts.)
Jukebox: "I will disguise myself and hide among them in order to observe them more closely."
Olivia: "Oh gosh... please tell me he isn't talking about the Enderman outside, is he?"
(I glance over to the large window.)
(There weren't any other living creatures in the end other than Enderman, so that had to be the only possible option.)
(I quickly reverted my gaze before I stared too long.)
(The image was still fresh in my mind, though.)
(Through the window, there was apparently another island, with a ton of Enderman hanging out together.)
Jesse: "I guess everybody needs hobbies, even if they are really, really, really dangerous. You think he's actually training wild Enderman to build stuff?!"
Olivia: "I think he THINKS he's training Enderman to build stuff."
Jesse: "Urgh... don't tell me... he's out... there...?"
Olivia: "As much as I hate to say it, the possibility is quite big."
(Oh perfect... just when we're so close...
We walk over to the Enderman costume I spotted earlier.)
(I was right under the window.)
(There were two armour stands; one had nothing on it, the other had the Enderman costume.)
Jesse: "Welp... that just proved my theory... He's probably wearing the other one and is probably outside, doing that experiment he was talking about right now."
Olivia: "Well, it makes sense. In order to walk amongst the Enderman, you have to become an Enderman."
(I approach the costume to take a closer look.)
Jesse: "Eugh... Why does it have to smell bad..."
Olivia: "To blend in maybe? I've never smelled an Enderman before, so that must be how they smell."
Jesse: "They really need to bathe... oh wait, Enderman hate water."
Olivia: "Actually, that explains why they stink."
Jesse: "Do you want to try it out?"
Olivia: "You know more than anyone that I despise Enderman. I'll just wait here, where it's safe, and get help in case something happens."
Jesse: "Fine."
(I strap into the costume.)
(Was it necessary for Soren to make it so tight?!? I get it.)
(Enderman have skinny limbs, but is it really worth it?)
(After the suit is on, I take the last thing, the mask, and put it on, completing the costume.)
Jesse: "Kind of stinky, but it fits... barely..."
(I didn't really feel like getting lower than that, so I just randomly decided to pose.)
Olivia: "Well, you definitely have the look of an Enderman. I know it's you in there, but I still don't want to look at you."
Jesse: "That just means the costume did its job."
(Reuben squeals and runs away.)
Jesse: "Oh come on! It's still me! *sigh*""
(I look out the window.)
Jesse: "I guess the only way to find out if he's there is to go out."
Olivia: "Stay safe, okay? And if anything's wrong, just yell. I'll try to get help or something."
Jesse: "Yeah, and make sure Reuben doesn't run away too."
Olivia: "Will do."
(I open the door to the outside and head out, waving back at Olivia)
( I close the door as I start my search for Soren.)
(Meanwhile Lukas with the other group.)
[Lukas's POV]
Axel: "Okay, guys! Who has a plan? Cuz I have no idea how to go about this."
Petra: "Well... what do you normally do when you search for something? Let's
just *cough* go from room to room or *cough* something like that."
Axel: "Petra, are you alright? You've been coughing a lot recently, and you Don't look so good."
Petra: "Worry about me after we've found our objective. This isn't important. Let's just talk while we're searching."
(It was just like Jesse said; she's still
attempting to sweep her problem under the rug.)
(If she kept going like this, she's going to trip over herself, so I had to step in and clear the situation.)
Lukas: "No Petra. You can't think like that. If it really is serious, we've got to know and do something about it."
Petra: "It's NOTHING, I'm just a little tired. Do you have a problem with that?"
(I look at Petra with doubt.)
Lukas: "Petra. Everyone can see it. You've been like this since we entered Soren's Fortress. It won't hurt if you just take a break and let us take care of things, you know?"
Axel: "Yeah, I don't want you to hurt yourself to death just because you want to keep going. There's no real need to rush right now."
Petra: "Isn't the world being EATEN while we're speaking? We DON'T *cough cough* have time for this! And who told you about something like that?"
Lukas: "It doesn't matter, the point is-"
(Petra tries to walk away, but suddenly collapses before she even goes far.)
Axel: "Petra!"
(Axel, who was already going after her, manages to catch her before she falls to the ground.)
(She tries to stand up again, but the pain from her infection prevents her from doing so.)
Lukas: "Petra... please... just stop. You need to rest. Your body is going to die."
(I didn't know Petra was so stubborn about this.)
Petra: "I'm just "cough* trying to do the right thing. Why do you care? You almost gave up back at the wool room!"
Lukas: "Petra! Why are you acting like that?!"
(Before things escalate, Axel brings her to the nearest chair to sit down.)
Axel: "I'm worried about you, okay? It's okay to get help from your friends. If you're sick, then the right thing to do is to stop and find a way to make you feel better! You can't save the world in the state you're in!"
(Petra attempts to object, but is too hurt to do so.)
(Axel fishes in his inventory but can't find anything that'll help.)
Lukas: "This is bad. All our stuff is used, or back home."
Petra: "See..? I told you we should *cough* get going...!"
(Petra tries to stand up again, but Axel stops her.)
Axel: "No! You're going to rest here until we can find help!"
(Petra sinks in, lying partly on the chair and partly on Axel's lap.)
Petra: "Did... I... really get so... weak..?"
(Petra mutters.)
Lukas: "I-I'll try to find Soren for help. You guys stay here and try to hold on, o-okay?!"
(I depart from the two. Crap! I didn't think it'd turn bad so quickly!)
(I hope Jesse and Olivia had better luck!)
[To be continued...]