Dystopia (BoD Book Three); A Camp Minecraft AU

Chapter Thirteen; Cherri

Their footfalls were soft and quiet as the four navigated the maze of a castle.

SSundee flung his arm out and the four pressed against the wall, shrinking away from the room the hallway merged into. A feral growl split through the air as a black, wolf-like figure strolled through the room, gleaming green eyes flicking around almost wildly.

It rose to its back legs and flicked its tail while inhaling the scents in the air.

Maw slightly ajar, the glowing green eyes fixated on the hallway the four were slowly backing out from.

With a snarl, it charged, letting out an eerie shriek as it dove into the darkness of the hallway, blending into the shadows.

The four turned and sprinted.

Cherri felt her heart pounding as she detoured and dove into a different hallway. The creature streaked past, focused on her friends.

Cherri ran down the hallway, listening carefully as the sounds from the chase died. She slowed to a walk.

Two days since they had arrived.

Two nights they had tried to learn about this monster that haunted the halls.

The castle seemed to be a maze of halls and rooms with no rhyme or reason. It was rather large too, spreading over the entire mountain range. The four had tried to stay at the large center castle over the tallest peak, but at night they were driven into the mazes around the castle. It was pure luck they had managed to find their way back each night.

The hallway expanded, showing the large ballroom. Cherri walked through it, looking around at the gleaming chandelier and polished floors. Banners, faded and torn, hung from the walls, stretching from the floor to the ceiling.

Now with an idea of where she was and a goal in mind, she crossed the room to a balcony. On the balcony was a set of stairs that spiraled upwards to another balcony, which is where the four had decided to stay.

The air was cool and crisp, carrying far away howls from the forest far below. She climbed the stairs, taking the time to calm herself.

Cherri glanced over the valley as she reached the top balcony, eyes drifting over the plains in the center, where a cluster of small buildings were kept, dark and quiet.

She turned away and stepped inside, looking over the rooms that she now considered her home. Four rooms branched off from a large living space, with a nicely kept kitchen tucked in the corner.

Cherri lifted her crimson robe that she left on the back of the couch and wrapped it around her, trailing her fingers over the soft fur lining.

She turned back to the balcony and set her hands on the railing, shivering from the cool metal.

The moon was dark, just as it had been since they arrived. The only light was a small forest fire that was burning at the foot of the mountain, coming closer to the base.

A wind blew from behind Cherri and she whirled, spotting a figure.

The figure- creature- held up gleaming black claws and sweetly said, "It's okay. I'm not the one who's going to turn you."

Cherri narrowed her eyes, leaning against the railing, "Who are you?"

The creature, who Cherri now recognized as a dragon, bowed, "Death."

Cherri raised an unconvinced eyebrow.

Death tipped her head at Cherri and stood, "I'm terribly sorry we haven't had a proper introduction, but you have helped me quite a bit."

Cherri narrowed her eyes, "Have I, now?"

"You have," Death held out her claws, "And I need a bit more help."

Death straightened and cleared her throat, waving her claws to show a shimmering white display, "I need to make sure Henwy and Sigils stay dead. They're rather stubborn- or, technically their sponsor is stubborn. You see, I'm playing a rather difficult game of chess with...an old friend. And Sigils is their queen, while Henwy is their king, if you know what I mean. I thought I had them both taken, but turns out they had a few plans. So, in return of you killing Sigils and Henwy, I grant invulnerability and release from Redemption."

Cherri tipped her head, "That seems fair enough. Where are they?"

"Well, Henwy isn't here quite yet, but he will be soon," Death said, waving her claws, "Sigils, on the other talon, is here, and I'd say you're quite familiar with his new form."

Cherri was quiet for a moment as she fit the pieces together, "Is Sigils the monster?"

"One of them."

"...One?"

Death flinched, then chuckled, "No need to worry about the others. They're kept in the basement, and besides. You'd invulnerable. What do you say?"

Cherri turned to look out at the valley, "Can you give me some time to consider?"

Death smiled, "Absolutely. I'll be back the same time tomorrow."

And then the dragon was gone, as soon as she had arrived.

Cherri stood in silence for a while, until it was broken by a far off shriek. One within the castle.

Cherri stiffened as she heard running, and soon, Crainer and SSundee were in the room, panting.

Cherri took a step towards them, "Where's Garry?"

Neither responded as they stumbled over to the couch and sat down, trying to regain their breathing. Cherri quickly went to the kitchen and poured them both glasses of water, then rushed back to them and offered the cups.

They graciously took them and drank. SSundee managed to choke out, "Dead."

Cherri tipped her head, "What?"

"Dead." SSundee repeated with a winded wheeze.

"Garry's dead," Crainer informed, "Just down the hallway."

Cherri went silent, blinking.

"I grant invulnerability."

Cherri slowly sank to the couch, staring down at the floor. Taking in a deep breath, she stood and went to the balcony.