WITHERSICKNESS [MCSM INFECTION AU]

Chapter 22: Encounter

“So, what happened to Magnus? How did he... you know -...” “Die?” Axel asked, interrupting Jesse's question. “Yeah...” Jesse answered quietly.

“Gabriel was infected. We ran into him, and Magnus sacrificed himself. He called themselves worthless frauds and that they didn’t ACTUALLY defeat the Ender Dragon. That they actually just trapped it in the Command Block.” Axel sighed.

“And Ivor was so obsessed over the fact that they didn’t deserve all this and decided to make the Witherstorm to prove some stupid point.” Axel added. “Oh...” Jesse replied under his breath, shocked. “Yeah. I mean, Magnus was still a hero in my eyes. He sacrificed himself for me. For a nobody that he barely knew.” Axel argued.

“I know. I just wished Ivor didn’t do this. Now everything’s screwy, and people are dying, and Ivor isn’t taking responsibility for his actions.” Jesse added. “Same here.” Axel agreed. “Did you guys at least see Maya?” Jesse questioned, trying to redirect the conversation away from a sensitive topic to Axel.

“No, we were close. I just hope we don’t run into an infected on the way. Especially Gabriel or Petra. The fact Petra was infected scares the living shit outta me. I don’t know for sure, but she could probably fuck me up pretty good. And the fact Gabriel is infected scares me even more.” Axel answered.

“Same. those two could definitely beat my ass, don’t know about if they could to you. You’re like the strongest in the group.” Jesse added. “Yeah, but still. It terrifies me. Even if the Order faked it, Magnus could still easily beat someone up, same with Gabriel.” Axel answered. “Mhm.” Jesse agreed.

“So, how close are we to the spot you last knew Maya was?” Jesse asked. “Not far.” Axel replied. “Well, we’ll find Maya, get all this sorted out, and we can save Magnus.” Jesse smiled, trying to comfort Axel, but barely believing what he’s saying himself. “Thanks.” Axel answered. “For what?” Jesse added. “For willing to comfort and come with me.” Axel chuckled.

“Welcome! You are my closest friend after all.” Jesse grinned widely. They both barely believed that everything could be solved. But they knew Ivor would be able to know what to do. They just barely trusted him.

***

After a long while of walking, they finally made it to where Axel and Magnus last saw Maya. “She’s not here!? It’s going to take ages to find her now!” Axel yelled in frustration. “Calm down, didn’t you say that she was in the portal?” Jesse asked. “Yes, but she followed us out! We didn’t see if she stayed there or not.” Axel argued.

“We’ll just go in the portal and find her.” Jesse answered confidently, pulling out a lead. He wasn’t sure if it was going to be easy, but he would try and sort this out and make a plan. It’s better than going in blind, right? Jesse and Axel walked into the portal, teleporting into the Nether.

“Do you have a plan, Jess?” Axel asked, seeing Jesse surprisingly chalant about this. “Yes, but I don’t know how hard it will be. I’m just trying to get a plan down so it could at least help us. I’m just hoping it works. I don’t want anyone else dying.” Jesse added, turning around to face Axel, seeing something behind him.

Jesse looked up at the figure, seeing it form into something, growing spider legs, its face fully gone, a gaping hole through his chest to where you can see his organs and skeleton. “A-Axel...” Jesse stuttered, his eyes widening as he saw the thing’s rib cage growing longer as it formed something that looked like non-working wings.

“Hm?” Axel asked, turning around. His eyes widened as he backed up, terrified. Normally, he has some sort of self control, but was still scared. He seemed to have none. Jesse looked at one of the things one of the ribcage wings had on it. It was Magnus’s decapitated head. It immediately clicked why Axel was so scared.

Axel immediately grabbed Jesse’s wrist and took off out of the portal before anything could happen. Jesse saw Maya in the distance. “Axel! Take this, and go find Maya! I’ll catch up!” Jesse answered, handing him the lead, grabbing his sword, waiting for that THING to come back out. “ARE YOU CRAZY!? YOU’LL BE KILLED!!!” Axel argued.

Jesse looked at Axel, pissed but understanding his concerns. “JUST GO! I KNOW HOW TO KILL IT! JUST FIND MAYA!” Jesse yelled. Axel sighed, nodding. “Don’t screw this up.” Axel replied, sounding rude, but meaning it in a nice way. “I’ll try.” Jesse smiled. Axel then ran off, leaving Jesse to kill the creature.

As soon as it came out, Jesse had a better look at it. He could tell who it was after looking at it for a bit. It was Gabriel. Jesse shook the thought out of his head. As soon as it lunged, he yelled and stabbed it in its exposed heart, making it drop to the ground. Jesse chopped off his head, making sure it was at least stunned, or maybe even dead.

Jesse saw Axel running over, clearly hearing his scream. “I-I did it.” Jesse said, panting, shocked by his own actions. Axel immediately ran over and hugged him tightly. “I-I thought you got hurt!! Or worse, d-died!” Axel stuttered, crying. He was clearly worried about Jesse. Jesse hugged him back.

“I’m fine, it’s just that you're squeezing me really tightly.” Jesse chuckled. Jesse’s attention then turned towards the ground. Vines started to go near them slowly. Axel noticed them too, backing up after letting Jesse go. “The fuck?” Axel said in confusion.

“Do you think those spread the infection?” Axel asked, looking at Jesse. “I don’t know. I’m assuming. Either way, we shouldn’t touch them and avoid them.” Jesse added. “Agreed.” Axel nodded. “C’mon! I saw Maya near the swamp!” Jesse said, avoiding the vines and running off with Axel.