#was originally gonna make this muuuchhh longer

[acraftedmistake]

A Person Who Has Never Played MCSM Writes A Story About MCSM Chp. 21

“They hate me.” Aiden mumbled.

“Don’t say that.” Olivia said. Aiden just stared into his cup.

Ever since Jess and the others left, all he’s done is sit at the bar table with his head low.

Aiden’s face scrunched, “What am I supposed to say then? That everything’s fine? We’re just gonna forgive and forget, and be all buddy buddy again? I messed up. They’re mad. And I can’t do anything about it.”

“Feeling sorry for yourself isn’t going to make things get any better.” Olivia frowned. Aiden stayed quiet.

Olivia stared at him for a moment before taking a deep breath. Come on, you’ve been in this situation before–well–not exactly like this, but you know how he’s feeling. What would Jess say? How would you reassure yourself? How would you push yourself through this?

“Well, you love them, don’t you?” Olivia said. Aiden glanced up from his cup.

“They’re your friends. They’re not going to hate you, but you said it yourself, you messed up. You can’t change what’s happened so you… You need to be there for them now.”

Aiden finally took a sip of his coffee. It was cold.

“Yeah, I guess you’re right.” He mumbled. He rested his head on his hand, gently swirling his coffee, “I just don’t wanna lose ‘em too.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Jesse kicked at a rock as he followed Cecil through the field of grass. He kept his hands in his pockets as he listened to bits and pieces of blondie’s rants.

“Outrageous… I cannot believe…! I can do it myself…!”  

Since the moment they left the ravine, Cecil’s been going off. It’s been nothing but complaining, readjusting that stupid, brown bag over his shoulder, then more complaining.

Jesse could barely stand being in the same room as Cecil, but having to travel with him? Putting up with his constant glares, his grating voice, and his touchy behavior? Jesse would rather be locked in the Dark Room again than this. At least when he and Cecil were in the shrine together, the Visions would keep Cecil busy, or Jesse could distract himself with his sword and journal. What did he have out here? Twigs? Grass? Delightful.

Jesse did his best to block out Cecil’s whines and turned away, gazing over the forests and hills in the distance, the cracks and debris along the ground, and Obsidian Town–which they were pretty far from. It all looked so miserable.

There used to be buildings here. They were small and scattered around, but there was at least something to fill this dull space. Little stores, a couple of homes bunched together, little rest stops that sat by the edges of ravines that’d give you a nice but frightening view of what’s below… There used to be tons of bridges that stretched across the many ravines as well. Honestly, Jesse could never stand those bridges and rest stops, he was always afraid he’d fall over the edge. He’d much rather walk around the cracks, even if it took hours.

Jesse looked down. The ground below him was blackened. Scorched. There were a ton of these burnt patches scattered throughout the field and paths. Before, there used to be grass, flowers, and crops, but now there’s nothing. Absolutely nothing.

The Lava Monster had destroyed just about everything that stood in its path. Now all that remained were piles of junk. Scraps. Wastes of space.

Jesse had vague memories of rumors spreading. Rumors that mayors and other city leaders wanted to restore what the monster had destroyed. Rebuild those homes, plant new crops, everyone was so excited. And then nothing ever happened. It’s still empty. Still destroyed.

No one’s touched that hole the monster came out of either. Everyone was thinking that a new town would be built within the crack, it’s been done before, but no. The hole just sits there.

Jesse scoffed to himself. ‘Restore what was destroyed’, yeah, how’s that coming along?

Jesse passed by a couple of destroyed lampposts. Broken wood jutted out from where the old bases once were, while shards of glass stuck out from the dirt. It’d be a bit funny if Cecil stepped on one of those shards. It’d make this evening just a bit better.

Jesse kept eyeing the fallen lamps. Honestly, out of everything that got crushed and burnt down… He missed the lights the most.

There used to be hundreds of lanterns that would surround the forests and aligned the paths whenever he used to travel. It actually used to be his favorite part of traveling, seeing all the lights. It was like the fields had been decorated with stars.

Most of them are gone now. Just like everything else. It’s depressing without them.

Jesse faced forward and noticed that Cecil was waiting for him up ahead, arms folded with a small scowl on his face.

Did they reach the Shrine of Eyes already?

You’d think that—for one of the few shrines on the surface–it’d be easier to spot, but the Shrine of Eyes had been consumed by the surrounding forest over the years. If it weren’t for the moonlight hitting what was left of the shattered, red windows, it would’ve been easy to miss this place.

“Are you going to be taking all day?” Cecil said. Jesse rolled his eyes.

“This isn’t my idea of fun either, you know.” Jesse said as he stepped over the roots and rubble below him.

Time hasn’t been kind to this shrine.

The overhang it once had has collapsed, a good portion of it’s columns were taken over by vines, piles of broken stone laid beside the place, and giant cracks stretched across its walls. Many plants from the forest–roots, vines, and weeds–have wrapped themselves around the outside; some have managed to squeeze their way into the holes and cracks.

This was one of the few shrines Jesse recalled that had a second floor–well all the shrines he had been to in the past had a second room–but they were always built into the ground, like a basement, not placed on top of a shrine. Jesse remembered the Visions mentioning their shrine’s lower level before, but he’s never been allowed inside. The second floor here was a tinier room–shaped more like a dome–and there wasn’t much left of it now. Half of it has been reduced to debris, while the other half has been consumed by ivy. You could still see the bits of the purple and red windows from here.

The Shrine was exactly how Jesse remembered it. Hardly anything has changed since he last visited. In fact, the last time he was here was when… When he was looking for Lukas.

A loud bang caught Jesse’s attention. He whipped his head around to see Cecil had torn open the front door. It was barely hanging by its hinges.

“Let’s get this over with.” Cecil sneered, wiping off his hands and stepping through.

Jesse followed behind, a familiar discomfort filling him.

Just find the portal and get out. It won’t take that long. It’ll be fi–

Jesse ran right into Cecil. Cecil looked at him with repulsion before pushing Jesse away.

“Pay attention!” Cecil hissed. Jesse cringed and immediately tore the hand off of him.

“Not my fault you weren’t moving.” Jesse shot back. He hated that. He could still feel Cecil’s hand on him. His fingers. He hated that.

Cecil huffed and turned away to search the old nave of this shrine. Jesse scratched at his shirt, nails digging into his skin, hoping the sensation would go away soon.

Jesse wanted to keep his distance from Cecil. He really wanted to. He’s seen how Cecil treats other members. He’s seen how Cecil holds onto them. How he wraps his arms around them, holds their hands, pulls them just a bit closer. He’s seen the way Cecil looks at the members with that fond look in his eyes. That subtle yet sinister smile on his face whenever the members would lean into him–and Jesse swears there’s been times where Cecil would smell the hairs of the members. Just thinking about it made Jesse shudder.

Jesse doesn’t care if Cecil hates him. If it meant that Cecil would keep his hands off of him, he'll take it. The Visions grabbing onto him? He can handle it. It’s short. But Cecil? No. Never.

Jesse leaned against one of the many, thick, dark gray columns around the nave. The cold stone against this skin felt wonderful. Despite the years of quakes this place has been through, the columns inside still aligned the walls, still holding the ceiling up. Their shrine back at the ravine had similar columns, though instead of faded carvings and torn banners, their decorations were newer. Nicer.

Jesse scanned the nave as Cecil walked around. The broken, old chairs were still arranged in that large circle. Stone bricks were still covered in moss and roots. The battered, torn rug was still–that was weird. The rug was missing. There used to be a rug in the center of the nave. Jesse stared at the reddish brown stain in the center of the room.

“Gross! What is that?” Olivia’s voice rang through from years ago when she lifted up that old rug.

“Redstone dust? Doesn’t that, like… Change color over time?” Jesse responded.

“Oh no, that’s gotta be blood.” Cassie said.

Olivia rolled her eyes, “Oh, please. It… Probably isn’t.”

“Awh, c’mon. You don’t think the evil, spooky cult didn’t make a couple of sacrifices?” Cassie wriggled her fingers, smirking.

“Knock it off, you’re scaring Jesse!”

Jesse jumped, “Hey!”

Cecil stepped over the stain and into Jesse’s view. Jesse frowned and looked away.

He sighed, breathing in that strange, sweet scent. It was the smell that reminded him of the candied berries Gill would use for his baking. The smell that’d always turn bitter after another whiff and make your nose scrunch. The smell that was always prevalent whenever the Visions would light a new torch, or whenever Olivia worked on her contraptions.

“What’s with the face?” Olivia’s voice echoed through his ears.

“No, nothing. Just smells terrible.” Jesse remembered replying. He closed his eyes, and for a moment, he was sitting beside Olivia. She placed a redstone torch on her desk.

He remembered the little smile she wore as she raised her brows, “You’ll get used to it. Think you could hand me that dispenser?”  

Jesse blinked. The familiar warmth that filled him faded away.

Why does he feel so bad? That’s his friend. These were good memories.

Jesse slowly spun in place, trying to keep his mind occupied while Cecil took his precious time.

This was just the same old shrine. Same old nave. Old, worn down, ruined. The only interesting thing here was the shape of the nave. It was rounder, circular. Quite different from all the shrines Jesse had seen before, which were always more rectangular. Back when he and his friends explor–

No. No. No.

Jesse’s eyes flickered back to Cecil. Jesse tapped his foot. Hurry up. Hurry up.

Jesse’s eyes darted about. This place was bare. Empty. The decorations it once had have fallen apart. It didn’t have any flowers hanging from support beams that stretched across the ceiling–this place didn’t even have beams across the ceiling like the ravine’s shrine. No hanging decor or small banners, just the big, ruined ones. It didn’t have that empty fountain behind the stage, there was only the faded carving of the Hero’s face–which Cecil was blocking the view of. Cool. Fantastic. It’s not that Jesse wanted to see it or anything, he just hated seeing Cecil.

This was one of the few depictions of the Hero where you actually saw his face, and even then, it was still so vague. It didn’t help that the moss and dirt that filled the carved lines made the face even harder to read.

A memory from a few years ago rose into Jesse’s mind. A memory where he, Lukas, and the others traveled through the bottom of a deep ravine. Every inch of its walls were covered with Awakening symbols.

Lukas was writing in his journal as he walked, thinking out loud about the different interpretation while Jesse threw in his comments. The thought of Lukas’ voice, the curious yet ever so slightly cautioned tone made Jesse’s heart beat faster. More memories flashed in his mind. Lukas’ smile. His laugh. His compassion. The caring look in his eyes when he knew Jesse was upset. The way Lukas and Aiden would always–

Stop it. Stop thinking about them.

You’re going to be getting Lukas back soon, so stop feeling like this. Stop feeling so miserable.

Cecil hurry up. Hurry up. I don’t want to be here anymore.

Jesse watched as Cecil finally took off his bag and dug out an unlit torch.

He pressed his lips together as Cecil struck the torch against the wall. Sparks flew, but no flame.

Cecil did it again. Nothing.

Jesse wanted to take it.

He wanted to take that torch.

He wanted to tear it out of Cecil’s hands and make that damn fire. He wanted to burn Cecil. He wanted to melt his disgusting face off. He wanted to burn himself. He wanted to burn this nave down. No. No, not really. No. He didn’t want to. Really. He didn’t. He shouldn’t be thinking this. The Visions wouldn’t forgive him. Those thoughts were wrong, but–

Cecil struck the torch thrice. Finally, fire.

Jesse exhaled. A part of him felt oddly relieved.

Cecil held the torch high as he started walking towards a dark doorway on the left--

“That door doesn’t lead anywhere.” Jesse blurted out. Cecil stopped and scowled.

“And how would you know? The Visions sent us to look for the portal, so we should look anywhere possible, even if--”

“Yeah, well I’ve been here before, and that door leads to nowhere.” Jesse made his way to the door on the right of the stage, “So if you wanna get this thing done and over with, we’re gonna go through this door.”

Before Jesse could grab hold of the doorknob, Cecil shoved him aside.

“I’ll take the lead, thank you.”

Jesse bit his tongue. The less they fight, the sooner they’re out of here.

“I would like to get my job done in an organized, timely manner, and having you wanting to rush through everything is just a recipe for disaster.” Cecil said as the two went into the hallway.  

Jesse couldn’t help but mutter to himself, “Jeez, I thought you’d be happier.”

“Hm? Would you like to speak up, Jesse?” Cecil said in that oh-so-horrible condescending voice of his.

“We’re getting that old Sense back, aren’t we? That guy you and the Visions talk about? I thought you LOVED him.” Jesse shoved his hands back into his pockets, “I just thought you’d be happier getting him back.”

Cecil gripped the torch harder and forced on a smile, “Yes, well you see–and I mean this from the bottom of my heart–I would be feeling much better if you were to dropped dead right now.” Cecil leaned in, “Or, even if you were a little more cooperative, just a little more tolerable, I’d be a little more happy than I am right now.”

Jesse had to step back. Cecil was getting a little too close.

Cecil stuck his nose up and marched ahead, “But no, I have to be stuck babysitting a stupid, repulsive little–” Cecil kept ranting to himself. He grumbled about not knowing what Brenner was thinking. How he was fully capable of doing this task by himself. How much of a “determined” and “diligent” Sense he was without someone weighing him down.

Jesse just rolled his eyes. Sure. HE was the bad guy. He was the ‘uncooperative’ one for following orders, something that Cecil just looooves to do. Jesse’s the bad guy for wanting to find the portal. For wanting his friends back. For wanting to bring EVERYONE back, even that charred up old Sense that Cecil admires so much.

Whatever. It was impossible to please Cecil.

Jesse stopped to look at each room they passed to see if any of them had the portal inside. Even if the rooms were obviously ruined, filled with rubble, or blocked off entirely, Jesse wanted to look at something–ANYTHING besides Cecil.

Jesse hated that his eyes were constantly drawn back to Cecil. His red cloak and yellow shirt were the only vibrant things in this entire shrine, and watching them move. Watching Cecil’s body–Jesse’s mind would flash to–

Jesse shook his head.

He doesn’t want to think about that.

There’s got to be something else that–

An old stairway caught Jesse’s attention.

It was busted. Falling apart. It looked like it was moments away from collapsing, but at the top, Jesse swore he saw a glimmer of light.

“Hey, why don’t we check up there?” Jesse tilted his head towards the stairs.

Cecil didn’t even glance in his direction, “We will not be wasting our time with your ridiculous ideas. Let’s go.”

Jesse furrowed his brow, “But the portal could be up there.”

Cecil stopped and let out a frustrated sigh, “I understand you’ve been to this shrine before…” Cecil started in that patronizing tone, “So I hope you also understand that nobody would be stupid enough to build something as valuable as a portal on a shrine’s upper floor. The ceiling could collapse, the floors could cave in, there’d be hundreds of ways for the portal to get destroyed. If you’re going to make suggestions, I’d advise you to actually think before you speak. Now let’s go.”

Jesse didn’t budge. His hands curled to fists.

“You’re not even giving it a chance.” Jesse spoke through his teeth.

Cecil walked ahead, ignoring Jesse. Ignoring every single room he passed.

Forget him.

Jesse didn’t need blondie breathing down his neck anyways.

Jesse carefully placed his foot on the first step, making sure the old wood wouldn’t snap under his weight, before taking his next step–

“Jesse!” He heard Cecil snap, “Jesse, come back this instant!”

It was Jesse’s turn to ignore him. He kept a tight grip on the railing, avoiding the holes and debris in his path as he kept his eyes on that small glimmer–when suddenly a hand grabbed onto his ankle and yanked him down. Jesse hit his chin against a rock and was dragged across the floor.

Jesse cussed to himself. He rubbed his chin to make sure there was no blood then kicked at Cecil’s hand, making him let go.

“What happened to looking anywhere possible?” Jesse growled.

“If you would listen–!” Cecil started, but Jesse cut him off.

“And if you wanted to find this portal, you’d actually bother looking!” Jesse said, “At least I’m actually trying. What have YOU been doing? Taking your sweet time? Complaining? Not even bothering to look at those other rooms? It’s almost like you don’t wanna find that portal.”

“Maybe it’s because I have more knowledge about older shrines–”

“Or maybe it’s because you’re afraid the Visions are gonna kick you out the moment their old Sense comes back!” Jesse spat out. He wasn’t even thinking. He just wanted Cecil to shut up. And that look of hurt that flashed across Cecil’s face? It flickered a sick spark of joy in him.

Jesse pushed himself off the ground, “The Visions loved that guy, didn’t they? Anytime they talk about Antonin, they’re always so happy. I don’t think I’ve heard them say one good thing about you--”

Cecil grabbed onto Jesse and slammed him against the wall.

“You keep his name out of his mouth. You keep his name out of your filthy mouth!” Cecil hit Jesse against the wall again, “You don’t know a thing about him–you don’t know ANYTHING.” Cecil gripped onto Jesse’s face. His nails were piercing into Jesse as he brought his torch closer to his skin, “You don’t know about how kind he was, how much love he gave, you don’t–you–!”

“I know enough about you, freak!” Jesse kneed Cecil in the gut, making him drop the torch and stumble back.

Cecil clutched at his stomach.

Jesse watched as Cecil hunch over and gasped.

“Oh, yes, you’re just--you’re so, so smart, aren’t you?” Cecil’s unsteady breaths filled the hall, “Clearly… Clearly I was wrong. You know everything, don’t you?”

Slowly, Cecil straightened himself, his glare on Jesse unwavering.

“So then… Do you know what those dead friends of yours will think when they see you again?”

Jesse froze.

Cecil grabbed his torch, “Do you think they’ll be happy? Do you think they’ll want to be around you after everything you’ve done?” He got closer to Jesse.

Jesse opened his mouth, but Cecil kept going.

“Let’s not forget they were against The Awakening too. If they’re anything like your other disgusting friends, they’ll hate you just as much.”

It was quiet.

Cecil would’ve laughed. He would’ve gloated at the fact he managed to make Jesse look pathetic–feel pathetic–for once. But his night has long since been ruined.

Cecil dragged himself away, the torch’s light and warmth growing distant with him, “Go look upstairs. Get yourself killed for all I care.”

Jesse’s breaths were as shaky as his hands.

Lukas and Olivia would never hate him.

Never. Never. They’re good people. They’re great people. They’re wonderful.

They wouldn’t hate him. That–it wouldn’t make sense. They can't. They couldn’t. They love him. Cecil. Cecil, he’s crazy. He doesn’t–he’s not making sense. That doesn’t make sense. He doesn’t–he’s–

“What the hell do YOU know about having friends?! The only one you had left!” Jesse shouted.

“And yours abandoned you.” Cecil didn’t look back. He turned a corner, and Jesse was alone.

Jesse stared down the hall.

He trembled with anger.

He doesn’t need Cecil. He doesn’t need Aiden or his other ‘friends’.

He just needs Olivia and Lukas.

Then they can live with the Visions. Then life will be perfect.

Everything will be just perfect.