Chromatober 2023

Day 14 - Shelter

Series: Original Rainbow Quest (Part 6 of Hunted)

--- Yellow Steve with the Leather Chestplate P.O.V. ---

The droning sound of rain against wood was everywhere, reminding me why I shouldn't go outside.  It was no use, however.  I was already armored up.

"Are you sure you shouldn't skip tonight?"  One of my friends asked me, looking concerned.  "You know, no one would blame you for waiting.  This weather's horrible."

"All the more reason to stand guard."  I said firmly, picking up my sword from where I'd left it.  I sheathed the golden blade securely into its spot, feeling more confident already.  "If the darkness comes in this storm, what are the chances we'll see it?  Zilch, if nobody's keeping guard."  The concerned look didn't leave the faces of the Yellow Steves, but they nodded anyway.  They knew better than to try and stop me.

They respected me.  It was nice.

The rain battered loudly against my armor as I went outside, and the wind slammed the door closed the instant I let go.  Ugh.  I was glad I had long metal boots as I tramped through the thick mud.  Metal was easier to clean.

I was lucky to have metal armor at all.  I had been borrowing a few sets from the armory when the darkness came, and managed to bring them with me as I led a group of Yellow Steves.  We had run far, far away from that place.  At least we had some equipment on us.

It wasn't too bad, of course.  We were resourceful, and it wasn't difficult to start a new life here.  The shelter was no kingdom, but we had a few small houses set up for everyone to share.  My companions wouldn't have to worry about the storm.  All we had to fear was the darkness itself.

I stared out at the darkened landscape, trying to ignore the rain pelting my helmet.  A chill had started to settle into my bones, making me shiver a little.  I couldn't light a lantern, though.  We weren't strong enough for me to risk giving us away to the darkness.  I would just have to watch and wait.

I blinked as something moved in my peripheral vision.  I quickly glanced toward the woods.  Was something there?  I squinted, trying to make out any dark shapes between the trees.  Instead, I made out something pale moving quietly through the forest.  My heart leapt into my throat.  Was it him?

I hadn't seen Light Steve in... in so long.  It must have been at least a month.  The last time I had risked teleporting to the Orange Village, the place was swarming with darkness.  The Rainbow Hub hadn't been much better: completely abandoned.  I had no way to know where my friend had gone.  How could he have found us, here in the middle of nowhere?

Then, I spotted a second one.  My heart plummeted.  So it couldn't be Light.  But then, who was it?  As they drew closer, I could see their armor in more detail.  The two sets were identical, both painted a startling white.  The helmets hid any features of the steves- were they steves? -beneath.

They couldn't see me yet, since the camp was swamped by shadows.  Only the reflection of moonlight off of their pale armor gave them away.

I crept closer, trying to assess the threat.  Was this some sort of darkness trick?  But then, why were they wearing white?  To fool steves into trusting them?  Over the heavy clamor of rain, I faintly made out their voices.

"Are you sure we shouldn't go back?"

"Of course I am."

"But the storm's terrible!  Surely the Captain wouldn't expect-"

"The Captain will be proud of us for doing this.  It's responsible."

"But he gave us the day off due to this weather."