The Archer (A Fluffy AU)

Chapter 2: A Journey to the Dark

TW//Gore

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A dull thud woke me from my slumber. I stayed stock still in my bed, looking around quietly.

My room was dark and silent, nothing moved and all I could hear was my beating heart in my ears. Another dull thud came from downstairs and I slowly move the covers off my legs.

I was in my normal day attire, which immediately set me off. I could have sworn I changed out of it.

Cautiously I grabbed my dagger from its sheath, knowing my bow would be useless in close quarters combat, and then sneak to my door which was left open.

The thud came again and I hold my breath, silently sneaking down the stairs which only creaked a little under my weight.

The sound was coming from outside, but I stayed still at the bottom of the stairs. A purple glow was showing through the window next to the door and a tall figure banged its fist against the door again.

My breath caught in my throat and I just stood there, watching as it peaked through the window at me. It's purple eyes had a look of pure fury in it as it opened its jaws wide in an ear piercing screech.

An Enderman.

I scrambled back up the stairs quickly as the beast teleported inside, its screams filling my ears. The thump of its steps on the stairs behind me drove me into my room, diving down underneath my bed as to hide.

However, it was in vain. A clawed hand grabbed my leg and dragged me out from under the bed.

I screamed and kicked as to knock the creature off, but its claws dug into my leg and rendered it useless. I whimpered as it tore me apart, claws finding exposed flesh and jaws crushing my limbs.

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I finally let out a piercing scream as I woke up and bolt out of my bed, promptly scrambling out of the entrapment of my blankets with my heart beating fast, filling my ears.

I stare at my bed and slide down the wall I had backed up to, tears filling my eyes as I held my hand to my mouth.

Another nightmare. It was just another nightmare.

I squeeze my eyes shut as I hear footsteps on my stairs. I must have been really shaking, because next thing I knew, Hero was holding me in his lap, whispering to me reassuringly and rocking back and forth.

It felt so real. It felt so bloody real. My heartbeat fills my ears and I keep my eyes screwed shut. Fear ran rampant through every inch of my body, filling me with the need to run, to fight, just do anything to just get out of there.

Slowly but surely, the feeling ebbed away and left me a sobbing mess on the floor with Hero, who had been rubbing my back gently in order to calm me down.

"Shhh. It's ok Fluff. I'm here. Nothing is here to harm you. It's alright. You're safe," Hero mumbles softly to me and starts to hum a soft tune to me. I forced myself to listen as my breathing hitched, tears slowly dripping down my face.

The rays of the sunrise crawled across my ceiling slowly, soon illuminating my entire room. Hero's humming filled the usual silence of my house, leaving me with a soft sense of security as I let him hold me.

After a few more minutes, he stops humming and looks down at me. His grey eyes meet with my brown ones and for a minute, we just stay there looking at each other.

I was going to be leaving this man behind, a friend who I had helped and who had helped me back. I quietly mourned in my heart as I knew what I had to do.

Hero cups the side of my face with his hand and I gently lean into his touch. A friend, a man who had helped me not be as of a hothead.

"Look, I know you have to do this. It's the fates doing. But promise me- promise you will always be on guard. The king isn't one to be trifled with-" I place my hand on Hero's chest, feeling his heartbeat for a moment before speaking.

"I know, Hérofidus. I'm going to be alright, I'll have my bow and knives and I can disappear if I need to." The woods had taught me all I needed to know, I had no doubt I would be able to escape from guards and assassins if I needed to.

A nagging feeling was in the back of my mind however. As if I was heading down a very horrible path.

Only a few hours later, I had all my stuff ready and packed. Hero had left to take care of something in his house, but I had no doubt he was planning something.

I sinch the final bag filled with enough food to last me for the journey, and sigh. My hands against the table as I leaned against it tiredly, my mind flitted to everybody in the village.

I had been meaning to teach the young kids some of my skills, so they could defend the village, but this had come up too fast. Too soon.

A few short raps on my door brings me from my thoughts and I walk over to check. As if my heart had predicted it, there stood the king with his legion of men.

"Ah, my dear Archer, I wanted to check up on how you were doing-" Annoyed, angry, and overall cranky cause I haven't had any fish or tea today, I slam the door in his face. His royal butt could wait three minutes.

I dig out a bit of fish jerky from a cupboard and start some tea before I stick the jerky in my mouth and open the door again.

His royal butt face had a look of pure rage on his face, but calms it once the door is open again.

"I hadn't eaten yet or had my tea, so I'm in a bad mood. What do you want, for I was in the middle of preparing for my trip." I say softly and calmly with a hint of annoyance as I lean my shoulder against my doorframe, my hood up over my head.

He was collected now, and the same fake smile was on his face again. Oh how I want to slam my door in his face again.

"Well, I am here to say that you are more than welcome to join me with leaving. One could almost say obligated to," he said as his eyes trailed down my body, sizing me up.

Freak! What does he think I am?! I hold my Stony face and only tap my foot once hard to show my annoyance at his presence.

I hear the tea kettle and take that as a chance to leave. "Look, I leave when I want to. I work alone, and are best alone. My tea water is ready, so you are free to leave and let me be ready on my own." I step back and shut the door before I lock it.

I only hear him mutter an insult before I hear the clinking armor step off my porch and further away until they were gone. I slide down the door until I'm sitting down, a dark feeling of anger and distress sitting with it's claws in my chest.

I place my face in my hands and sigh, only letting out a breathy hiss. He was wanting me to leave now. I had to grab everything now before he decided to hurt anybody in town.

The cool wood under me was soothing, leaving me slowly unwinding until I let out a huge sigh of breath and finally opened my eyes again. I needed to do this, for the others.

Quickly, I get up and grab my stuff on the table. It was now or never. I had to be the Archer for one more time.