End

Chapter 7

  They spent the next day talking, bonding, telling stories from their past. Steph's wasn't that interesting, just playing worlds. But End's life was amazing to her. He told stories about when he was young, and other stories humans told him(including the "I lift things up and up them down!" reference!). They discussed opinions about the way Minecraft works late into the night, then finally went to bed.

When they awoke the next morning,(End first), it was nearly noon, but time no longer mattered when mining. Steph felt less sore and stronger that day, and they spent the next few hours gathering apples to live on.

Once Steph had 2 stacks, they were ready to start mining. End concentrated, for a moment, then looked up and nodded.

"It's a little far, but I can make it, but I might pass out for a few seconds though." End told Steph.

Steph nodded and grabbed his hand, bracing herself and closing her eyes. She grunted as the familiar motion of tumbling overcame her senses once again. She stumbled and opened her eyes , seeing End already hitting his head on the stone wall while falling.

"Are you okay?!" Steph yelled, concerned for her companion.

End's eyes rolled in the back of his head, eyelids nearly covering all of his eyes as he struggled for breath, slumped against the wall. Steph quickly looked around for any mobs, but all she saw was dark corridors. Finally, End gasped and his eyes returned to normal, but looking around frantically. His chest heaved, too tired to talk.

He looked up at Steph, who's palms has grown sweaty, then closed his eyes as he tried to relax. A single torch above them provided light, so Steph mined some coal as she waited for End to recover. She made some torches, then put them off, trailing into corridors a bit.

After about 10 minutes End stood up and strolled over to Steph.

"Ready to start?" he asked.

Steph nodded, getting out her worn, stone pick.

"That's all you have? No Iron? " End asked, staring at the stone pick.

"What? Steph asked, holding it up and inspecting it.

"You didn't mine at all when I was gone?"

"Was I supposed to?"

"Well, no, but.... Most humans I've met would want to start mining straightaway."

"I finished the farm...."

"Well, okay then."

"Alright." said Steph, starting to mine away.

End coughed.

"What?"

"You know, I can use a pick."

"Oh right! Sorry!" Steph said, mining the wood supporting the shaft, and making a crafting table.

"Here," Steph called behind her , handing End a stone pick.

"It's about time," End said laughing.

They mined for who knows how long, until Steph started feeling exhausted. They haven't come across any hostile mobs, witch was good. They had cleared out 1/4  of the mineshaft, and End and Steph were resting against the wall.

Steph's eyes were closed, nearly asleep, while End was only resting his eyes. Steph murmured,

"Why did you save me?"

End opened his eyes and said, "I didn't want you killed."

Steph rested her head against End's shoulder and murmured,

"Why did you stay with me?"

"Because," said End, "you really were different."