Hacked - A Minecraft Story

Chapter 10

We all stood silently for a while, letting the events that had occurred in the past few hours sink in. Nobody spoke, the silence pressing down on us. Unanswered questions and fears hung in the air, waiting to be acknowledged. Finally, someone spoke up.

"What do we do now?" A man with bright yellow skin asked. He had very large eyes, and a permanent smile plastered to his face. He wore a suit with a bright red tie he constantly readjusted. I couldn't imagine how hard it was to go around with a big smile, no matter how you felt.

"We go home," Lalna stated, turning to the weary group. His lab coat was torn and blood stained, his face covered with soot, and a dead mining laser held tightly. 

"I'm not," I whispered, staring into the distance where our heroes had disappeared. I was hardly aware I had spoken.

"What?" Lalna turned to look at me. Most of the others did as well.

"How can you all just go home after this?" I looked at them, the adrenaline from the battle leaving me tired. "Shouldn't we be going after Xephos?" There wasn't any force behind my words; I was too tired for this and yet I couldn't help it. I wasn't about to just leave someone behind. "We can't just let Israphel get away with this!" 

"You're insane," Lalna said, shaking his head. "Where would you go? They could be anywhere!"

"We have to try something," Desperation crept into my voice.

"It's suicide!" He shouted. "Don't you get it? Israphel runs this world! We have no power!"

"Have some HOPE!" I cried, irony filling me. I had never been one for hope in the real world. I always gave up, and when something good happened I always doubted it would work out.

"You take all the risks you want," he muttered, waving a dismissive hand at me. "But you're not taking us down with you."

"I'll go with you," A light voice piped up from the crowd. She stepped forward, her long brown hair cradling her face. Bright blue eyes shone with hope, a mask covered the lower half of her face, and she wore dark leather armor. She was no more than fourteen.

"You don't have to do this," I whispered as she stood next to me.

"I want to," she countered.

"Fine," Lalna said. His eyes softened for a moment. "Just... don't get yourselves killed."

I nodded, turning to my new companion. Her eyes lingered on the group a moment as they moved back towards their home. When they finally disappeared behind the treeline, she turned to me. She looked me over before sticking out her hand.

"Jade," she said shortly.

"Ranger," I said, hesitantly taking her hand. "Why join me?" I asked quickly.

Jade shrugged, looking at her feet. "It didn't seem right letting you go out there all alone," she thought for a moment. "I don't like the idea of leaving Xephos at Israphel's mercy, either."

"It'll be dangerous,"

"All the more reason for me to come with you."

"It might all be for nothing."

"What was that about having hope?"

I narrowed my eyes, frowning at her. She smiled brightly, realizing her victory over me.

"Fine," I muttered, a bit happy she had stayed. "I have no idea where to go, though."

Jade glanced towards the dark clouds approaching. "Well," she murmured. "How about that way?" She looked back to me. "That's where Rythian went." 

I pondered this for a moment as I felt the first few drops of rain. "Might as well," I said, shrugging.

We walked off of the rough path into the forest, the rain blocked by the thick layer of leaves. 

"And so it begins!" She called out, throwing her arms up in the air.

I laughed a little. "What begins, exactly?" I asked, thunder rumbling overhead.

Her face became serious. "I'm not really sure."