Double Edge

Snow Covered Tracks

 Snow was covering the tracks too soon, they were still just as fresh, if not more so now that you had been running for so long. As nightfall approaches, you can't help but begin to feel a wave of hopelessness, and a feeling of utter sadness.

That blade was a gift, and the idea of that being the last thing Philza had trusted you with... you couldn't fuck this up too. You cursed under your breath, sitting down on a fallen tree. Taking in the quiet forest, and the starry sky. With the way the stars were pointed, and the way the dusk looked to be situated, one could argue you'd been going north, which was not the best, since it wasn't long before true winter snow would show up, and you knew you did not want to be caught up in that. However, Phil also taught you strength, and determination. So with a huff of breath from your pink chilled lips, you continued your journey.

The forest was arguably much, much more scary at night. The still, silent night gave off more than unpleasant vibes. You're no fool, a quiet forest is never a safe forest. With a little too much caution, you look for clues of your enemies get away, long since giving up on the footprints, as they had been snowed over hours ago. Snapped branches and disturbed evergreen plants were all the clues you had left to go on. And even that was starting to become obsolete. The thief was smart enough to cover their tracks now.

I've never truly hunted like this before, you thought. It wasn't like you'd never hunted, just not in this caliber. There was something on the line, something to lose. You could deal with hunger, and the cold, that wasn't ever something you worried about. But this was different.

Cautiously you walk along the snow covered branches, looking around and thinking about resting, when out of the corner of your eye, you see a flicker of flame.

Surly they wouldn't be this stupid? Maybe they thought they were safe, but regardless, a smile,    -a wicked one, grew on your face. Climbing down from your perch, you begin sneaking towards the flame, taking caution in ensuring that your feet don't give you away. It wasn't difficult, and soon you were just outside the flames radius, a roaring fire coming into view soon after.

How peculiar, you thought. A noise sounded close by, catching your attention.

"How about you keep your voice down, and tell me what you know about it?" a husky voice growled.

"I don' know shit, and if i did i wouldn't tell ya anythin,' a squeaky voice says. They sounded scared, and you wondered if maybe saving this man might be of interest.

"Oh bullshit Kendrick! You know how to make them, I've seen the blaze powder, tell me what i need!"

Blaze powder? Wasn't that outlawed years ago? You wondered, peering further from your hiding spot, trying to get a better vantage point. This Kendrick fellow, seemed to be a rather lanky brunette, with brown eyes, and clothes that had seen better days. Observing the scene allowed you two things, one; a chance to locate the sword, and two; a better chance to size up this newfound threat.

It was then, you noticed another shadow. Not too unlike yours, on the opposite side of the treeline. They seemed taller, much taller, but anything else was too hard to make out. Well... no? Their eyes. Were... are they red?

"Ah! The blade arrives at last! What took you so long?" the deep voice asked, seeming to welcome this shadow, who now stepped forward, revealing their features.

Long hair... pink...

Oh. you know who this was. It was the piglin from the tavern.

To say you were alarmed was an understatement. Either the piglin followed you, or you were just unfortunate enough to cross paths again.

Both were not optimal, and you prayed to the gods that he hadn't seen you.

"Hello." the piglin said.