AUTHOR POV

I woke up to find Nessa still sleeping on my chest, so I carefully pushed her off me and silently walked out of my room. I then saw Cupa walk out of her room, having just woken up herself.

"Morning, Cupa"

Cupa: Mornin'~

She looked a little dizzy, but I figured she was still tired. My suspicions were confirmed, however, when she walked right into the bathroom door and fiddled with the doorknob until it opened, allowing her to walk in and shut the door behind her.

I went downstairs and saw Ander making breakfast, which smelled amazing as always, while Ari was reading in the living room. I walked into the kitchen and made myself a cup of coffee.

"Morning, people."

Ander: Good morning, Brandon. Did you sleep well last night?

"Yeah, I was out like a light"

Ander: Well, that's nice

Ari: Nessa's asleep in your room again?

"Yep"

Ari: Want me to drag her out again?

"Nope, let her sleep in a little bit. I'll bring her some breakfast in a bit."

Ari went back to reading her book while Ander and I started eating when Zara, sleeping on the couch the whole time, started waking up.

Zara: Ugh, you're all so loud

"Yeah, it's called being awake." Why don't you try it out occasionally?"

Zara: I'll wake up when I'm dead

"You are dead, moron."

Zara: Correction, I'm "undead." I'm dead, yet I'm still alive

"Outsmarted by a zombie...what the fuck is my life right now?"

Ander: Zara, I made you a baked potato and carrots for breakfast. Come eat

Zara: Fine

Zara begrudgingly picks herself off the couch, walks to the table, and starts eating.

Zara: Ah, Ander, you're terrific ~

"Okay, "vegan zombie" is something I never thought I'd be able to comprehend, and yet here I am, comprehending it."

Zara: Be happy. I physically can't eat your brains. Otherwise, we wouldn't be friends, and I wouldn't eat Ander's cooking.

Ander: I'm honored I can provide for you

Ander blushed at Zara's compliments as we all continued eating. I finished a little earlier and grabbed a tray with another cup of coffee and a plate of bacon and eggs. As I walked upstairs back to my room, I saw Cupa come out of the bathroom, finally ready to take on what today has in store.

Cupa: Haha! I'm fired up!

"Funny, because that face plant you took 10 minutes ago says otherwise. Are you sure you're getting a good night's rest?"

Cupa: I'm fine, Brandon, honest! I'm just not a morning person, that's all

"If you say so, oh right, I forgot to tell everyone I wanted to have a meeting soon..."

Cupa: I'm going down anyway, so I could tell them for you

"You're a doll, honestly."

Cupa: I have my moments, so who's the food for? Did you want to bring me breakfast in bed?

"It's for Nessa. She slept in my room last night, but I could bring you your breakfast if you want me to."

Cupa: Oh, okay. It's no big deal; I was just curious. Go ahead and bring it to her. I'll rally the rest of the girls for you.

"You're the best"

Cupa: You know it, babes!

Cupa begins to descend downstairs, only to take on a more army general-like personality.

Cupa: LISTEN UP LADIES-

Zara: TOO LOUD!

Cupa: DON'T CARE!

I couldn't help but laugh at Cupa as I walked into the bedroom, causing Nessa to wake up slowly. I smiled warmly as I approached my bed, where she pulled herself up, still wrapped in the coziness of my blankets.

"Good morning, sleepyhead."

I set the tray on her lap and sat down next to her.

"I thought you might enjoy breakfast in bed today."

Nessa only looked at me, slightly confused, probably because she was still half-asleep.

Nessa: Why are you in my room?...

"You're in my room, and I wanted to do something nice for you."

Nessa: Oh...did we-

"I'm gonna stop you right there because you know we would never."

Nessa: Right...

Nessa takes a sip of coffee and smiles while blushing

Nessa: Thank you...

"Well, I'm just doing my part to ensure your day begins on a high note."

Nessa: This coffee is so rich...

"Made it myself with some leftover cocoa beans."

Nessa: I could get used to waking up like this

"Well then, your wish is my command."

The room filled with light banter as Nessa finished her breakfast, the casual flirtation blending seamlessly with the aroma of coffee and the comfort of the moment.

"Hey, I gotta tell everyone something, so we better head downstairs soon."

Nessa: Is something wrong?

"Not really, but it's better for me to tell everyone at once."

Nessa: Okay, let's head down then

Nessa climbed out of my bed and proceeded downstairs, with me following her. In the living room, the girls were all sitting on the couch, seemingly waiting for me to come down and say what I had to say.

"Okay, I've had time to contemplate the scroll Zara found yesterday. As it looks, we can only assume that Eon is trying to revive the Ender Dragon and destroy the Overworld. So I'm heading out to spread the word."

Ari: Need me to come with you?

"That would be perfect because I need you and Zara with me there. I know someone who might be able to decipher the texts in these scrolls."

Zara: You mean Vera?

"No, Vera's only good at building weapons and buying stuff from her shop. It's a long story, but I'll tell you when we arrive. We're leaving soon, so get what you must bring."

Ander: What about us?

Cupa: Yeah, we don't have anything to do!

"You do. I need you girls to look into the Ender Dragon and find out how it was defeated before."

Nessa: We're on it

"Alright, we shouldn't be gone for more than a few hours, but we might have to stay at the village for the night. I don't know for sure yet."

Ari: Alright, let's get ready to go then

After packing our belongings, Ari, Zara, and I set off on our journey. After about an hour, we finally reached the swamp biome.

Ari: Your friend lives in a swamp biome?

"Yeah, it's gloomy, secluded, and depressing. She loves it."

Zara: She? Your friend is a girl?!

"Zara, you're gonna hate me for this..."

Zara: Why?

"You just are..."

After walking more, we finally reached a moderately sized hut in the middle of the swamp. I stepped onto the dock leading to the hut, motioning Ari and Zara to follow me.

"Ladies, that is where my friend lives."

Zara: Your friend is a witch?

"Not just any witch..."

???: Well, I fancy seeing you back here, Brandon

We all turned to see a familiar witch standing in the swampy water as if it didn't bother her. Zara is immediately shocked as the witch lifts her hat to reveal herself to be...

Gwen: So, what brings you to my swamp this time?

"Nice to see you too, Gwen."

Zara manages to control herself and starts bombarding me with questions

Zara: WHY ARE YOU HERE?! WHY IS SHE HERE?! WHAT'S GOING ON?! BRANDON YOU NEED TO EXPLAIN RIGHT FUCKING NOW!

Gwen: My, what colorful language. You've grown since we last saw each other, Zara.

Zara: STAY OUT OF THIS TOP HALF!

Gwen looks down at her small breasts in confusion

Gwen: Top half?...

Ari: Brandon, who is this girl?

"This is Gwen. She's Eon's right-hand woman and the friend I mentioned earlier."

Ari: What?! So she's helping that guy?!

Gwen: On the contrary, I'm helping you guys.

"Gwen may be a witch, but she's one of the good ones. I trust her."

Zara: Trust her?! The last time you saw her was through a jail cell!

"That's not the last time I saw her. I met up with her a few weeks ago..."

F L A S H B A C K  T I M E

A few weeks ago, I was on my way home from a mining journey that lasted almost all day. I was navigating the labyrinthine swamp biome, desperately trying to find my way back. I was freezing cold, low on health, my hunger practically nonexistent, and about to pass out in the middle of the woods. Through the dense mist, I stumbled upon a dim light. As I got closer, a moderately sized hut came into my view. 

"Finally, salvation..."

I didn't even think it would belong to a witch; I would've been fine if they had let me inside and fed me. I knocked on the door twice before I passed out, but not before I saw a womanly figure open the door and drag me inside.

The next thing I knew, I woke up to a hot bowl of rabbit stew, some bread, and a water bottle on the table beside me. I immediately scarfed down the food, not even paying attention to the young witch sitting on the other side of the room.

Gwen: You must've been really hungry, huh?

I looked toward her voice, and I felt my heart sink into my stomach as I dropped the bowl of stew onto the floor. I immediately reached for my sword and got into my fighting stance.

"What did you do to me?"

Gwen: Relax, I didn't do anything to you

"And why should I trust you?"

Gwen: Fair point, you have no reason to. But if I were going to kill you, I wouldn't do it in my own house; it's too messy.

"Okay...so what happened to me?"

Gwen: You were exhausted, hungry, cold, and on the verge of death. When you passed out in front of my door, I dragged you inside, put you in my guest room, gave you a healing potion, and cooked that food for when you woke up.

I lowered my sword, put it back into my inventory, and started drinking from the water bottle.

"So, why did you help me? I thought you and Squidward wanted me dead."

Gwen: I barely know you. Why would I want you dead?

"Because you're working for Eon?"

Gwen: Not anymore I'm not...

"What?"

F L A S H B A C K  E N D

"Gwen told me she was experiencing visions of the end of the world, and at the center of it all was Eon and the Ender Dragon."

Gwen: So I decided to escape, and I've been hiding in this hut ever since. I even put up an incognito barrier so Eon couldn't track me down.

Gwen poured a cup of tea for Ari as she explained her past

Ari: Wow, so what made you work with him in the first place?

Gwen: He promised me a world where illagers like myself wouldn't be oppressed and looked down upon by society, and I stupidly believed him...

"It's not your fault, Gwen. He's deranged, and we know he won't stop until he kills us all."

Zara: While I agree that Eon is a freaking lunatic, I still don't trust you, Gwen

Gwen: I don't expect you to, after all I was there when Eon made you, and how he treated you, and I did nothing... I can never take that back... I'm sorry...

"Zara, I know you went through a lot with Eon, but I promise you, Gwen's on our side. Give her a chance, for me?"

Zara puffs her cheeks and sinks onto the couch.

Gwen: I didn't tell you this when you were here last time, Brandon, but I saw you too

"I think I might know why."

I pulled the scrolls out of my bag and showed them to Gwen

"I think I'm part of some prophecy. I get the gist of it, but I can't help but feel like I'm missing something. But since I can't decipher the language, I was wondering if you would be able to"

Gwen: Well, you came to the right witch. I can decipher the language for you

Gwen casts a spell on the scrolls, then pointed at me. When she gave them back to me, all of the scrolls were now in perfect English

"Woah, I can read them now..."

Ari: What are you talking about? The scrolls are still in gibberish."

Gwen: That's because I gave Brandon the ability to understand the language written on the scrolls

Ari: You can do that?!

Gwen: I'm a witch. I can do anything

Zara: So what do they say?

"Hold on, it's a poem?..."

In shadows deep, the sorcerer shall rise, awakening a dragon with ominous eyes.

From ancient slumber, it shall soar, leaving chaos and ruin forevermore.

A path of destruction with flames untamed

The world in peril and all hope maimed.

"This must be referring to Eon reviving the Ender Dragon...and there's more here."

From afar, a hero shall emerge, a youth with courage, a destiny to surge.

Against a sorcerer's might and dragon's breath, 

He'll stride through the darkness, challenging death.

"From realms afar, a hero shall emerge? Is it talking about me?"

Gwen: Well, you're not from this world, correct?

"Yeah...I'm not...."

Ari: How come you never told us?

Zara: It doesn't matter, Ari, we all have secrets we'd like to keep hidden

Ari: What does the rest of it say?

"I'm reading it right now, relax."

In fierce battles, with a sword in hand,

He'll face the sorcerer, his fate withstand.

Yet, victory comes at a hefty cost, for his own life is lost in the end...

Ari: N-No. No, there has to be another way.

"Ari, we already knew it was a possibility..."

Ari: Yeah, a possibility! But now we know it's definite!

Zara: How are you so calm?! You're going to die!

"Yeah, I know"

Gwen: It seems...he already knew of his fate, and he's already accepted it...

I sat down on the floor and buried my face into my knees

"Yeah...all my life, I haven't amounted to anything, so if I'm destined to die saving thousands of people, then I'd rather die a hero than a nobody."

Ari and Zara sat down next to me and hugged me for what seemed like forever.

Ari: You've done so much for us

Zara: We'll find a way to prevent your death, we promise...

"Thanks, guys..."

Gwen: You have so many wonderful people around you; I'm sure you'll find a way

"Thanks, Gwen, I think we better head home now."

Gwen: Nonsense, it's dark out. You can all stay the night in the guest room and leave in the morning.

Gwen led us to the spacious guest bedroom, which had only a single bed.

"Uh, Gwen? There's only one bed in here."

Gwen: Oops, my bad!

Gwen snaps her fingers, and two more beds appear next to the first bed

Gwen: Right. I'll be in the room across the hall if you need anything. Help yourselves with anything in the kitchen. Goodnight!

"Night, Gwen"

Ari: Night

I placed my belongings on one of the beds while Ari left to use the bathroom, and Zara immediately went to sleep, which honestly doesn't sound like a bad idea right now. I  put my belongings in the corner of the room and decided to try and get some rest.

Later that night, I woke up to find a blue orb of light shining on my face. I looked around to see no one there, just Ari and Zara sleeping in their beds and this light blue orb. It started floating out of the room, and I instinctively followed it. I followed it down the stairs, through the kitchen, and out the back door, where standing right before me was Gwen in the middle of the pond, under a beautiful array of fireflies and the sounds of nature.

Gwen: Do you see how beautiful it is?

"How beautiful what is?"

Gwen: Everything...the trees, the water, the lily pads, the fireflies, the night sky, the stars, the full moon, our world is so beautiful...

"It is beautiful, that's why I can't let Eon destroy it."

The blue orb floated in front of Gwen's face, and she carefully held it in her hands. I couldn't help but move closer to where she was standing.

Gwen: I pray for your safety, little one...

"Hey, Gwen? What is that thing?"

Gwen: This is my gift to you.

Gwen turned around to show me the orb in her hands, only for the orb to turn into some fairy.

Gwen: This cute little allay escaped with me that faithful night I left Eon's fortress. It seems he liked you when you first appeared here; he's been coming back every night to see you. He senses your bravery, your honor, and your heart.

Gwen placed her hand on my chest, causing me to blush a bit

Gwen: Allays only attach themselves to those with righteousness running through their veins. They act as pets of sorts, and will bring you any item you wish, or protect you with charms. I'm entrusting him to you.

The allay then phased into my chest, causing me to feel weird. Gwen placed her hands on my cheeks and pressed her lips against mine. Time slowed down as the kiss lasted, and the moment she pulled away, time resumed, and I just stood there contemplating what the hell just happened.

"W-What was that for?"

Gwen: For fighting to save this beautiful world.

I looked up at the night sky as fireflies danced around the trees

"This world is worth fighting for, so I'm happy to..."