WITHERSICKNESS [MCSM INFECTION AU]

Chapter 40: Glow Berries

“Axel, you know you didn’t have to do this, you know?” Lukas replied comfortingly while they walked through the maze.

“I don’t want anyone else to die due to me being selfish. I already lost plenty of people, I don’t need to lose someone I just started to talk to and who’s willing to help me even after all the times I was being a dick.” Axel argued.

There was a moment of awkward silence. “Thanks.” Lukas smiled. “Welcome.” Axel added. There was more awkward silence between the two. They didn’t have much to say. They were rivals for a long time. “May I ask something?” Axel asked. Lukas nodded. “What did Jesse say when you were with him in the lab...” Axel questioned.

“I... I just want to know since I couldn’t... since I wasn't there to help him.” Axel added. Lukas frowned, knowing exactly why.

“He didn’t blame you. He said he understood. That was one of the things he said in his final moments... that he didn’t blame you. That he understood why.” Lukas began. “He kept saying how it was his fault for being so risky and careless. I tried telling him it wasn’t, but he didn’t listen.” Lukas added, frowning.

“He asked me to be nice to you when he was dead... and that... you we’re just trying to help, and you meant good and all that... I was going to at least try and tolerate you for the rest of the trip if I even did run into you, not believing what Jesse said.” Lukas continued, being completely honest.

“But now I get what he meant. I’m glad we can put it behind... plus, it just feels nice not to fight in a time like this.” Lukas answered. Axel smiled. “Thanks. I can see what Jesse was trying to tell me before, too.” Axel added.

“Like what?” Lukas asked. “That you are a good person, and not a dickhead like Aiden.” Axel exclaimed. “Yeah, Aiden was a huge dickhead... I just don’t HAVE many friends other than 5 people, four of them being dead. Jessica didn’t help me out much during times at the lab or shelter, but I know she means good.” Lukas agreed. “Yeah.” Axel added, looking to the side.

“Jesse was a good person. He might have been a little bit too nosy and careless... but that’s what made him Jesse. He’d try and help any way he could, even though sometimes it was better if he didn’t... at least he had good intentions behind it and actually apologized and felt bad.” Lukas added gloomily, smiling a bit to comfort himself.

“Yeah, that certainly was Jesse.” Axel chuckled. They finally made it out of the maze, coming near the cottage again. “God, it feels way too short from us staying away from this area.” Axel added sarcastically. “True.” Lukas agreed.

They walked inside, going down the staircase and going to the iron door that was blocking their way of getting in the lab. Lukas pulled out his sword. “You’re going to break your sword.” Axel pointed out. “I know, I can craft another one.” Lukas added. Lukas raised his sword, breaking the iron door down. “Damn.” Axel replied.

Lukas put it away, walking towards the lab. Axel started remembering what happened. “You ok, Axel?” Lukas asked. “Yeah... totally.” Axel lied, smiling. Lukas could tell he was, but he didn’t want to bug him currently, especially in a place like this. They froze as they approached the upcoming door. Jesse’s body was gone.

“Axel, you DID kill him... right?” Lukas asked. “I aimed at the head, vines produced from his body, I swore he was dead! He was bleeding, a-and-” Axel stuttered, uncertain. “This isn’t good. We need to get the berries, then get the hell out of here.” Lukas insisted. They ran inside, going in.

“Where were these glow berries you mentioned?” Axel asked, peeking out of the hole of the door. “They’re in some sort of chest, Ivor told me where they were.” Lukas answered, quickly searching through the chests, knowing it was one of the six chests in here. “Well, I suggest you hurry.” Axel added worriedly.

Lukas searched rapidly. Axel kept repeating fuck under his breath. Once Lukas got to the 5th chest, he found them. He pulled them out and stuffed them into one of his pockets in his leather jacket safely, zipping the pocket up. “Let’s get out of here!” Lukas insisted.

“Agreed. But it’s not going to be exactly easy.” Axel added. “Why’s that?” Lukas asked, checking through the holes in the door. His eyes widened. There were two infected nearby. They both knew who one was. “We’re screwed.” Lukas replied. “If we sneak out, we should be fine.” Axel answered.

They slowly opened the door, trying to remain quiet, sneaking out. Lukas pressed the button to open the iron door. Lukas looked behind him, seeing one noticed. Axel shoved Lukas into the entrance, then ran in as it lunged towards them. The door quickly closed.

Axel backed away from the door, terrified. “Holy fuck.” Lukas muttered. “Agreed.” Axel added. They rushed out of there before they busted the door down.