WITHERSICKNESS [MCSM INFECTION AU]

Chapter 64: Dragon's Breath

Surprisingly, it didn’t take long to get the number of emeralds they needed. Just stealing a few things to trade to get them. “Here, take your damn emeralds.” Axel replied, pissed off. “Alright, alright. Someone didn’t sleep well.” The trader answered, rolling his eyes, taking them.

Axel glared at the trader, opening his hand, gesturing for the Dragon’s Breath. “Oh, of course. I am a man of my word.” He replied, handing the Dragon’s Breath to Axel. “Thanks.” Axel added blandly, walking away. “Got it?” Jesse asked. “Yup.” Axel grinned, showing it. He stuffed it back into his pocket.

“Now, let’s get the hell outta here. I would rather not stay here any longer than we need.” Jesse insisted, rushing to the exit. “I honestly would rather stay if it means not seeing Olivia.” Axel mumbled. “Axel, she’s our friend.” Jesse reminded him. “Oh no she’s not! Or at least mine. She’s not ‘Olivia’ anymore.” Axel pointed out.

“Well, we can help her.” Jesse added. “Yeah, no. I’ve already got tasered and beaten up by her, I don’t need more injuries.” Axel replied. Jesse frowned, sighing, continuing walking. Axel could tell he was disappointed. “Look, I want to help her, but she’s changed. We’ve all changed.” Axel pointed out.

“I know, I just wanna at least try and help her. I’ll be cautious.” Jesse answered. “It’s not me worrying you won’t be, I just worry... that...” Axel cut himself off, looking to the ground. He worried that Jesse would realize how cruel Olivia is now.

“You good, Ax?” Jesse asked. Axel stopped wandering into his thoughts. “Y-yeah. I’m fine. Let’s just get going.” Axel insisted, going ahead of Jesse. Jesse shrugged it off, following him.

***

After days of walking, they finally reached Olivia’s base. “Imagine what chaos happened when we left.” Jesse joked. Axel went into his thoughts again. “At this point, it isn’t even a joke.” Axel chuckled. There was a long, awkward silence. “Well, we should probably head inside.” Axel added after a while, walking into the base after Jesse.

When walking into the main area, Jessica looked to be training or something. “Weren’t you supposed to be resting because of your arm?” Jesse asked. “Oh hush, my arm is perfectly fine, plus, I’m not even using it to do this.” Jessica replied. “The fuck’s on your hand?” Axel questioned.

“It’s a new weapon. Olivia’s okay-ish now. She’s as manageable as she was at first in this base. She made these to ‘help’. I feel like Ivy mostly insisted on it though.”

“Well, I can go talk to her.” Jesse answered, wanting to see Olivia, not being able to in a while. Jessica gave Axel a weary look. “What? Did she do something?” Jesse asked, scared. “It’s nothing.” Jessica assured. “Alright.” Jesse replied in an uncertain tone, going to find Olivia. “Why didn’t you tell him?” Jessica whispered.

“I told him she’s changed, that’s it. I didn’t want him to associate Olivia with that pain. Even if I’m not friends with her now, I know Jesse is.” Axel answered. “Well, even if you don’t tell him, he’s going to find out she has violent tendencies at times.” Jessica glared. “I don’t want to make things worse. I’m just going to find him or something.” Axel insisted, walking off, a bit pissed.

***

“Where is Axel? He should have been back by now.” Ivy pointed out. “I’m more concerned about where the damn infected is. All I heard was screeching and the glass chamber being open without Jesse in it because I was locked in a damn closet!” Olivia demanded. “You tried to kill Axel!” Ivy complained. “Well if he wasn’t being a dick, then-”

“Olivia?”

Olivia snapped her head back to the source of the voice, seeing Jesse. Her eyes widened. She immediately grabbed her taser. “STAY BACK!” She yelled. “OLIVIA!” Ivy screamed. “He’s fine! He’s conscious, he can’t infect anyone! He’s basically immune-ish.” Ivy explained. “THE FUCK DO YOU MEAN IMMUNE-ISH???” Olivia questioned angrily.