The thick jungle loomed over them like a beast that wouldn't let go. Azad could barely make out the sun above; its rays, what few there were, struggled to pierce through the dense canopy of vines, massive leaves, and towering trees. The air felt heavy, and damp with the scent of moss and earth, and the constant rustling in the shadows was a reminder of the mobs lurking just beyond sight.
Ellie stood still, arms crossed as she surveyed their situation. "The biggest problem we're facing is sunlight can't reach here," she said, her voice flat, as if stating an undeniable truth. "So mobs can spawn in the day as well."
Azad, pacing behind her, let out a frustrated sigh. "I already know that by now, Ellie. We've been chased nonstop, day and night! But what do we do now? We can't keep running forever."
Ellie turned to face him, her brows furrowed in thought. "We need to find shelter. Someplace mobs can't get to us. But the problem is," she paused, gesturing to the barely visible sky above, "there's no sunlight, which means mobs can spawn whenever they like. And we have a limited supply of food."
Azad groaned, rubbing his temples. "Great. So we're low on food, constantly being hunted, and the jungle wants to swallow us whole. Perfect."
Ellie gave him a sharp look. "Complaining won't help us, Azad. We have to do something. For now, we need to focus on survival."
Azad looked around, his shoulders slumping as the jungle pressed in from all sides. "And where exactly are we supposed to build? Everything here is too thick, too overgrown."
Ellie's eyes scanned the area, spotting a small clearing between a cluster of trees. It wasn't ideal, but it was better than nothing. "Over there," she pointed. "We'll chop down some wood and build something—anything—that will keep the mobs out. We can figure out the food problem after."
Azad eyed the spot and sighed. "Fine. Let's get to work, then."
They set off toward the small clearing, the damp ground squishing under their boots. Azad unsheathed his pickaxe and began chopping at the nearest tree. Each hit sent splinters of wood flying, and he quickly gathered a few logs while Ellie did the same nearby. The constant background noise of groaning zombies and the occasional eerie hiss of a creeper reminded them that time wasn't on their side.
As they worked, Azad grumbled under his breath. "It's insane, you know? A guy just wants a little peace, and now I'm chopping trees to survive in a jungle where the sun doesn't shine. I bet nobody else has these problems."
Ellie rolled her eyes, chopping down another tree with steady efficiency. "Well, I didn't exactly ask for this either. But if we want to survive, we need shelter. Mobs don't care if you're tired or cranky."
After gathering enough wood, they began constructing a small structure—a crude box made from wooden planks. It was hardly a masterpiece, but it would keep the mobs out. Azad hammered the last plank into place, stepping back to admire—or rather, tolerate—their handiwork.
"Not exactly a five-star hotel," he said, wiping the sweat from his brow. "More like a glorified wooden coffin."
Ellie shot him a look. "It's better than nothing. At least we'll be safe in here."
They both stepped inside, crouching as the shelter was barely tall enough to stand in. The interior was cramped, dimly lit by the few torches they had. The walls were rough and uneven, the wood hastily nailed together, but at this moment, it felt like a fortress. Outside, the sounds of mobs seemed muffled, distant, as if the little wooden box had somehow warded them off.
Azad sat down with a heavy sigh. "Well, we've got our box. Now what? We still don't have enough food, and who knows how long we'll be stuck in this jungle."
Ellie leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "We'll figure it out. But first, we need a plan. This box is temporary. If we don't find a more permanent solution, we'll run out of supplies fast."
Azad glanced at the small pile of food they had—some raw fish, a couple of apples, and not much else. "We're already low on food. What happens if we run out? We can't exactly grow crops in this jungle, and I don't think fishing will work in this mess."
Ellie chewed her lip, her mind racing. "We'll have to explore. Maybe there's a river or a clearing where we can find animals or more resources. But for now, let's rest. We can't think straight if we're exhausted."
Azad nodded, though unease gnawed at him. Outside, the jungle was alive with the sounds of danger—the groans of zombies, the creaking of skeletons, and the ever-present threat of creepers lurking in the shadows. The jungle biome was a nightmare. The dense trees and vines gave mobs the perfect cover, and the lack of sunlight meant they were always under threat.
"Do you ever wonder how we ended up here?" Azad asked quietly, staring at the rough wooden planks above him. "I mean, this whole journey has been nothing but one disaster after another."
Ellie, sitting across from him, shrugged. "That's life, isn't it? We didn't ask for this, but we're here now. Complaining about it won't change anything."
Azad sighed, leaning back against the wall. "I know. But I wish things were easier. Just for once."
Ellie smiled faintly. "Easy doesn't exist in this world. But we've survived this long. We'll figure it out."
The two of them sat silently for a moment, the weight of the jungle pressing down on them. The shelter was small, cramped, and far from comfortable, but for now, it was home. Outside, the mobs roamed freely in the shadowy jungle, their low growls a constant reminder that danger was never far away.
Azad stared at the small food supply again. "The food problem still exists, though."
Ellie nodded, her face tense with worry. "We'll have to face that tomorrow. For now, let's be grateful we have a roof over our heads—even if it's a wooden box."