Jesse and Lukas both flung around on the spot, their swords raised. Sure enough, a ghast was hovering above them, making high-pitched groaning noises. It wasn't a very large one, but equally dangerous

Jesse was quick to grab her bow, relief running through her. At least this is one fight that would end better than the dream.

Lukas also had his bow out within a matter of seconds, an arrow at the ready. The ghast opened it blood-red eyes, letting out an ear-piercing screech. Jesse resisted the urge to cover her ears, keeping her bow raised.

Just as the ghast opened it's mouth, a boiling fireball descending through the air – Jesse and Lukas released.

The ghast was quick to move upwards, the two arrows disappearing into the lava beneath it. Jesse and Lukas both somersaulted to the sides, avoiding the crash of the fireball.

Jesse immediately pulled the string of her bow back, another arrow at the ready. Out of the corner of her eye she could see Lukas do the same thing. The ghast screeched, it's mouth opening. Jesse raised her bow and fired.

The ghast let out an unsettling howl of pain, as Jesse's arrow planted itself in it's white skin. Now more aware, it immediately avoided Lukas' arrow, before firing another charge of flames.

Jesse leaped forward to avoid the fire-charge, feeling it's heat against her back. She coughed loudly as smoke filled her lungs, before lifting her bow again.

The ghast was focused on Lukas, not paying much attention to Jesse. It gave her the perfect opportunity. Jesse raised her bow, aiming it right at the ghast's face, biting her lip in concentration. Then she let go.

The arrow whizzed through the air, directly at the ghast's head. In another agonizing cry, its red eyes immediately dimmed. Then its form went limp, falling down into the lava below.

Jesse and Lukas instinctively ducked as droplets of lava shot into the air, raining down around them.

"We did it!" Jesse called out in excitement, momentarily forgetting the situation they were in.

Lukas held up his hand in victory, and Jesse was about to give him a high-five, when another large shadow fell over them. Immediately they looked upwards, inhaling sharply. It was another ghast and this time - it was enormous.

"Um, Jesse..." Lukas said slowly. "I think we might have killed its baby..."

"I think you're right..." Jesse replied, reaching back for her quiver.

Her hands only grabbed at air. Jesse gasped, filled with a horrifying realization. "Lukas! I'm out of arrows!"

"What?" Lukas gasped in horror, already raising his bow.

"All our spare arrows were in the supply bag!" Jesse gasped, flinging her bow over her shoulder and pulling her sword out instead.

The ghast screeched, launching a large fireball at them. Lukas shot his arrow at the ghast, only to have it avoid the blow immediately.

Dang this thing is smart. Jesse thought to herself.

The ghast squealed again, it's blood red gaze moving over them. Jesse shuddered, taking an anxious step back. She could see Lukas nocking another arrow into his bow.

Letting out another squeal, the ghast launched a third fireball at them. Jesse took her chance, leaping right in front of the approaching fire-charge. She held her sword in front of her like a shield.

The blow of the fire-charge against the blade made Jesse stumble backwards, nearly falling over. She felt the heat of her sword through her armour's gloves.

The ghast flew downwards, avoiding it's returned fireball. Jesse cursed softly under her breath, not feeling at all like doing that again.

"Are you OK?" Lukas asked Jesse anxiously, whilst fitting another arrow in the bow.

"Fine." Jesse replied, straightening her stiff posture, ready to fight again.

The ghast circled them, like it was planning on where to land it's next hit. Lukas raised his bow, aiming it at the ghast and shooting. The ghast flew upwards, but not quick enough. The arrow was impaled into it's side, the ghast screeching loudly and in the heat of the moment just launching another fireball off into a random direction. It simply crashed into a solid wall of Netherrack.

"Nice hit." Jesse complimented dryly.

"Thanks." Lukas replied, reaching back for another arrow.

"Jesse."

"What?" Jesse asked, looking over at Lukas.

He returned the glance, his eyes wide. "I've just used my last arrow."

"Damnit." Jesse breathed, looking back up at the ghast.

She felt her chest tighten in nerves as she realised – their only hope in this fight now, was knocking back fireballs.

Where the hell was Petra when you needed her?

"Any plans?" Lukas asked in a hushed tone, as they warily edged backwards, gazes on the ghast.

"Knocking back fireballs." Jesse replied. "It's our last option, but I'm not very good at it."

"I've never even done it." Lukas replied bluntly.

Jesse gulped, feeling the familiar weight of pressure on her shoulders. Was this up to her now?

Taking another deep breath, Jesse raised her sword in a threatening stance, her eyes meeting those of the ghast. It seemed to sense her challenge, it's blood-red eyes widening, it's screech echoing through Nether.

Jesse wanted to cover her ears, the shrill sound cutting through her mind. But instead she kept her position, just taking a deep steady breath. She had to focus.

It was just her and the ghast.

Gazes bearing down on each other.

This was her fight. She had to focus.

Squealing loudly, the ghast opened it's mouth, sending a fireball right at Jesse. Her muscles tense, her mind panicking. Instinctively Jesse ducked to the side, maneuvering out of the way of the fire-charge just in time.

Jesse flinched, hearing it crash into the Nether bricks. She took a deep, shuddering breath.

Come on, Jesse, focus... She mentally scolded herself.

Another shriek from the ghast brought Jesse back to reality. She raised her sword, waiting as another deadly ball of flames approached. At the last minute, Jesse flung her sword forward, it crashing into the fireball.

The blow was hard enough to knock her back completely. Jesse staggered backwards, trying to balance herself.

When all of a sudden, there was nothing but air beneath her feet.

Jesse screamed in fear, her one hand grasping onto the brick ledge, her other still clutching her diamond sword. Her legs were beating the air, nothing but lava beneath her.

She could see a large hole in the Netherrack, where the fireball had been knocked back to. The ghast was still unharmed, warily hovering in the air.

"Jesse!" Lukas gasped, his shape appearing above her.

"Grab my hand!" He said anxiously, extending his arm towards her.

Jesse's grip was slipping slightly, she wanted to take Lukas's outstretched hand so badly. But she could see the ghostly white shape of the ghast, rising behind Lukas again, it's red eyes burning into hers.

"Lukas! Move out of the way!" Jesse gasped.

Lukas looked back, seeing the ghast behind him. He moved to the side just in time as another fire-charge came hurtling their way, just about missing Jesse as it flew over her. It disappeared into the lava beneath, sending droplets up into the air.

One of them landed on a part of Jesse's armour, burning a hole right into the steel and exposing the skin on her leg. Jesse could see the ghast preparing another blow.

Not this time.

Using all her strength, Jesse flung her sword through the air. The diamond blade moved right at the ghast, getting impaled into it's white skin.

And to Jesse's horror, it wasn't enough to kill it.

Screeching and shrieking, the ghast backed away with Jesse's sword still in it's side. It fled, completely disappearing from view.

Jesse felt a hand clamp around her wrist. In relief, she allowed Lukas to pull her up onto the Nether brick ledge, promptly collapsing into his arms.

Lukas returned the hug, neither of them saying anything. Jesse was the first to speak, after almost a full minute has passed.

"I'm unarmed now."

___

Battle scenes... how?!? 

I envy writers who can write battle scenes well, and comfortably. Seriously, how? Teach me your ways.

Anyhow, finally got this up! I'm actually back on my own computer right now, but it only has like Open Office on it and that's it XD Slowly but surely getting everything back!
(For those who are confused, my computer had complete wipe and system reset a few days ago)

I can see where I took a break because of writer's block when writing this book. All the chapters up until now, I've been tweaking and changing details all over the place. This one, I left almost completely the same! I can see my improvement over a short writer's block break XD

Our characters are in a bit of a tight spot right now, especially with Jesse being unarmed. I can also tell you that this isn't the last you'll see of the ghast that still has Jesse's sword impaled in it...

Any theories and/or thoughts on where this will go?

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, and I'll see you in five days with another one!