Jesse sat down heavily against the wall of the cave, leaning her head back against the stone. She knew she was being over-dramatic, but if somebody asked her how she was doing just then, she probably would've told them that she felt on the brink of death.

Jesse and Lukas had just explored down one of the cave tunnels that lead out of the deep underground section they were stranded in. After what felt like decades, they only reached a dead-end. Or more like, the edge of an endless lava ocean.

Lukas insisted they take a proper break before attempting to get out another way. Jesse was grateful. Despite it feeling like weeks have passed, Lukas said it's only been five hours.

How much longer did they have left?

"Jesse?"

Jesse turned her head to look over at Lukas. He looked just as exhausted and drained, his face red from the heat. Just like her, he's also taken off his armour in attempt to cool down. As long as they stayed inside their little fortified cave, they were safe after all.

"How are you doing?" He asked her.

Great, just the question she didn't want to be answered. Jesse forced herself to avoid her 'dying' comment.

"For somebody who's been stuck in the Nether for a few hours, I guess I'm pretty good." She replied. She tried to make it sound like a joke, but her heart wasn't in it.

Lukas nodded, giving her a half-hearted smile. They were quiet again. Jesse looked down at her overalls she's been wearing underneath her armour, now covered in ash and red dust from the Netherrack. Absent-mindedly, she brushed off her T-shirt.

"We should probably get moving again." Lukas finally said, standing up and starting to equip his armour again.

"This feels like a wild goose chase." Jesse mumbled as she stood up too, picking up her chest plate.

"We don't have much of a choice." Lukas said softly. "We'll die if we stay here."

Jesse only nodded, knowing Lukas was right. After fully suiting up in their armour again, they left the safety of the cave. Jesse was glad they built the little extended ledge. It might have been a bit of work, and used up quite the portion of their energy, but at least entering and exiting the cave was safe.

"Do you think the others are looking for us?" Jesse finally asked, after a while of walking in total silence.

"I think they are." Lukas replied, not looking at Jesse. "Problem is, they won't know where to look."

Jesse nodded again. The others probably didn't even know what happened to them. A wave of dread covered Jesse. What if the other's never find out what happened to them?

Jesse shook her head, trying to focus her mind on her surroundings instead.

At that moment, they were in a sort of tunnel. It didn't really feel that way, since it was absolutely massive. But, on both sides as well as above and below them, all she could see was Netherrack.

"Be careful." Lukas advised, pointing to various pools of lava, dotted about in their path.

Jesse only nodded, carefully making her way around the deadly death traps. As they passed more pools of lava, Jesse could've sworn she felt it getting even hotter.

It has come to a point, where breathing was a challenge. The air was heavy with smoke, and hot like an oven. Each breath burned Jesse's throat, her chest heaving slightly with the effort. Was it even still oxygen? It felt a hell of a lot like inhaling needles

She was just about to mention it to Lukas, when he stopped dead in his tracks. Jesse nearly walked straight into him.

"Lukas?" She asked in confusion, coming to a stop beside him.

"Are you seeing what I'm seeing, or is the heat playing tricks on my mind?" Lukas asked, pointing forwards.

Jesse followed his gaze, her mouth dropping open at the sight. The tunnel lead out to a patchy lava lake, filled with little Netherrack island. The thing that caught their attention, was the slither of maroon Nether bricks.

"Is that a Nether Fortress?" Jesse asked, exchanging excited glances with Lukas.

"It has to be, I can't think of any other reason there would be Nether bricks out here!" Lukas said, quickly taking the lead.

Jesse didn't need an invitation to follow. She didn't know what she was hoping for in there actually, the change of finding another person was almost impossible. But this was the first sign of... anything.

They soon reached the bottom of the fortress. It loomed above them, casting a dark shadow across their faces. It was magnificent.

For a second, Jesse almost forgot her heaving chest or dry throat, she was so mesmerized. Lukas reached out to a ledge of Netherrack, ready to start climbing up. He stopped short, hesitating.

"Jesse, I.. um." Lukas turned around to face her. "Maybe you should stay down here, while I see if I can find any clues as to where in the Nether we are?"

Jesse's face fell. "Why?" She asked, crossing her arms across her chest.

Lukas scratched the back of his neck awkwardly, looking like he was searching for the right words.

"Well, you know.. fortresses... Wither Skeletons, Blazes..."

"I can handle myself against them." Jesse said. "I've just about got the same Nether experience as you, if not more. If you can handle them, so can I."

Lukas reached out, taking her hand to stop her from starting to climb. Jesse gave him a confused look.

Lukas bit his lip. "Jesse, remember what happened earlier?"

"It won't happen again." She replied matter-of-factly.

"Jesse, you don't know that." Lukas said softly. "You can't.. you can't control panic."

He pulled a hand through his hair. "I just don't want you to get hurt, Jesse. You kind of lost it with.. a pig-man. That's like, the only Nether mob I'm not afraid of. And you.."

"Were terrified, I know." Jesse muttered, looking away in embarrassment.

"It's just pig-men Lukas. I promise you, it won't happen with the other mobs it's just.. bad memories."

"Bad memories?" Lukas asked in confusion.

Jesse nodded, before softly adding, "Let's leave it at that."

She didn't let Lukas get another word in, pushing past him and starting to climb. Lukas didn't try and stop her again, only silently following.

By the time Jesse heaved herself onto a ledge that was level with the fortress, she was completely out of breath and felt light-headed.

"Mind if we rest for a second?" She asked Lukas as he hauled himself onto the same ledge. He nodded in reply

Jesse leaned back against the Netherrack, observing the fortress that was just a metre in front of them. She slowly felt her breathing start to steady.

"I'm sorry." Lukas said softly, glancing over at her. "I don't want you to think that I... that I don't think you can handle yourself in the Nether. I'm just trying to protect you."

"No, Lukas, I'm sorry." Jesse said, breathing out heavily. "I know I really haven't been myself at all. I know you're just trying to help me."

The exchanged smiles, both of them relaxing a tiny bit. Lukas stood up and held his hand out to Jesse, who took it gratefully.

And then they crossed onto the Nether bricks together, both of them keeping their swords at the ready.

"What are we looking for exactly?" Jesse asked, looking around at the empty maroon hallways.

"Any signs of life I guess." Lukas said. "Maybe even something to drink? A lot of people brew their potions directly in Nether fortresses, so there might be a tiny chance that we could find some bottles of water, or even potions."

Jesse felt doubtful, but didn't argue. The fortress was especially small and empty. It appeared to only have one floor, with no chest whatsoever. Good thing Petra wasn't there, or she might never have shut up about how empty the place was.

Jesse rounded a corner and all of a sudden found herself looking into two lifeless black eyes. Instinctively she shrieked, leaping back.

"Jesse!?" Lukas called, running to her side.

"Sorry it startled me." Jesse muttered, even though she still continued reversing away from the Wither Skeleton.

It nodded its head slightly, observing the two people. Then it raised its iron sword, advancing towards them.

"Do not let it touch you!" Jesse gasped, expertly dodging an attack from the beast.

Lukas launched himself at the Wither Skeleton, his sword scraping against it's coal-like bones. The Wither Skeleton let out an angered growl, flinging it's sword at Lukas angrily.

Jesse raised her own sword above her head, bringing it down on the back of the Wither Skeleton's head with a thud, while its attention was focused on Lukas.

For a second it was frozen to the spot, before sinking to the ground in a heap of charcoal bones.

Jesse and Lukas both exhaled in relief, resting their hands on their knees. They looked up at each other, both of them giving quick nods to show that they're OK.

"I never knew those things were so quick on their feet." Lukas muttered, once they caught they're breath.

Jesse nodded. "Yea-" She started, before breaking off.

"What's wrong?" Lukas asked, seeing the horrified look on Jesse's face.

It took a second for Jesse to snap out of her panicked trance, immediately raising her sword. "Behind you!"

Lukas turned around on the spot, his eyes widening at the sight. More wither skeletons, their eyes all black and lifeless, their iron swords raised.

"What's the move here, Jesse?" Lukas asked anxiously, as the two of them backed up into the wall, the wither skeletons slowly advancing.

Jesse quickly looked around them. The Wither Skeletons had blocked off the path they came from now. The only escape route was along the hallway of the fortress that lead out to the large stretch of Nether bricks across the lava lake.

"Run." Jesse said matter-of-factly, immediately making her way down the hallway. Lukas didn't need telling twice, following right on her heels.

"Once we get out in the clearing, when we have a little more space to ourselves, we fight!" Jesse instructed. She knew very well they'd reach a dead end if they kept running.

Lukas gave her a hasty nod to show that he understood. Once the two of the them were out on the long stretch of Nether bricks, they turned around with their swords raised.

But they were alone.

"What? Where did they go?" Lukas asked in confusion, lowering his sword again.

Jesse squinted her eyes, seeing the Wither Skeletons still in the fortress, pacing restlessly along the entrance. Almost like they were too afraid to step out into the open.

"Are they.. scared?" Jesse asked in confusion, exchanging puzzled glances with Lukas.

Her answer was quickly answered when a shadow fell across her, and she heard the familiar squeal of a ghast.

___

This chapter sounds so rushed, even though I had all the time in the world back when I wrote it... not even present day me knows how to make it less rushed x'D

But hey, we're back on Jesse and Lukas's side of the story, and they've got quite the bit of action going on here! I still value and protect my position as Cliff Hanger Queen.

I don't have much else to say xD I hope you all enjoyed it, and are excited for the next one to come out! See you all in five days :)