She was there again. In the forest, in the dark, in the cold. Jesse could barely see a few feet in front of her, the metallic stench in the air burning her throat and chest. Her breathing came out in large white clouds, the cold night air wrapping around her like a blanket. She was alone.

"Hello?" Jesse's voice was a hollow echo through the many trees, disappearing into the wind.

Taking a timid step forward, Jesse looked around for any sign of life. Like the last time, claw marks scarred the tree trunks, the surroundings stained with blood. Broken branches and uprooted grass littered the forest floor around her. And then she felt the familiar crunch of bones beneath her feet.

"Jesse!"

Jesse woke with a start, her brown eyes shooting open. Immediately a heavy, tense sigh of relief left her lungs when she found herself staring up into the bright blue eyes of Petra. The redhead was grinning from ear to ear.

"The rain stopped!" She exclaimed, eagerly shaking Jesse by the shoulders. "We can go!"

It took a moment for Jesse to register what her friend was saying. When she did, she immediately sat upright on the bed before scrambling to her feet.

They had been trapped in that cabin for well over twenty-four hours. The previous day had been tense, everybody were snapping at each other and exchanging silent glares of frustration. However as the time passed, the tired travellers started using the time to catch up on their rest instead of bickering with each other. By the time the next rainy morning dawned, everybody around Jesse were clearly well rested and eager for the storm to subside.

Jesse herself didn't feel so refreshed. Every time she slept, they same nightmare came to haunt her once more, denying her any proper rest. She had lost count of the amount of times she had woken up in a cold sweat, her heart beating rapidly inside her chest. However, nightmares wasn't particularly new to Jesse. She's had them ever since the Wither, and still got sleepless nights from time to time because of it. Jesse guessed all the tension and stress from this new mystery was what was causing them to flare up again.

They had been spending most of that day so far, napping on and off between talking, sharpening weapons, and silently (loudly in Petra's case) willing the weather to clear. It was around midday at that moment, a thick blanket of dark grey clouds still obscuring the sky above them.

As she stepped outside, Jesse found herself huddling deeper into the jacket she brought. The air outside was crisp compared to the heat that plagued them before the storm. A firm breeze was blowing through the air, forcing the iciness into everybody's clothes.

Lukas and Aiden were already outside, Lukas filling their water bottles by the river while Aiden was grumpily standing off to one side, his hands buried in his pockets. Immediately Jesse couldn't help but notice the tired look in Aiden's eyes. Even with a full day of rest behind him, he clearly didn't have much energy left in him. She silently wondered how far the glowing veins had spread beneath his hoodie.

"It doesn't look like the rain's leaving for long." Jesse noted, tilting her head back so she could look up at the sky.

Even though it was only afternoon, the sky was dark with clouds. Dark grey clouds that all looked heavy with rain.

"It's not. This is merely a break in the weather." Aiden muttered, not bothering to face Jesse.

"You can say that as many times as you like, we're taking this opportunity to cover some ground." Petra said, rolling her eyes at Aiden. "We're not delaying any longer."

"Petra's right, we've lost a lot of time already." Lukas said softly as he rejoined the group. "Axel and Olivia were already expecting us back today."

"What if the rain hits while we're on the road?" Aiden insisted, glaring between them.

"Then we just have to deal with it." Jesse responded firmly. "The longer we loiter around, the worst this problem could get. We have to face the fact that we're against the clock, and that means taking risks. Everybody good with that?"

Petra and Lukas nodded without hesitation, while Aiden just grunted something that sounded like it was meant to be a reluctant agreement.

"Do we have everything?" Jesse asked.

"All ready to set off." Lukas said, holding up their supply bag before tossing it over his shoulder.

Jesse turned to Petra, who already had their compass out. The redhead gestured in the direction they had to travel. Nobody said a word as the group set off, leaving the fishing camp and the river behind.

Like the previous day, it didn't take Aiden long to deliberately slow to the back of the group so he wouldn't have to face any of the others. Lukas was walking a few feet in front of him with Jesse by his side, while Petra was in the lead.

***

The group had mostly been faced with plains ahead of them, a few clusters of trees and small forests dotting the surrounding landscape. Jesse had appreciated the clear view of their surroundings, knowing nothing could sneak up on them from the shadows. Unfortunately the further they travelled, the more wooded their surroundings became.

"You're making sure we don't veer off route, right Petra?" Lukas asked, tugging his jacket free where it had caught onto a shrub.

"Yup." Petra responded nonchalantly, holding the compass out to Lukas to prove her point.

Jesse ignored her friends' conversation, her head tilted back so she was looking up at the sky. Through the branches criss-crossed above them, she could see the thick clouds packing together threateningly. It was quickly growing dark, the sun sinking lower and lower behind the wall of clouds.

Usually Aiden would be grumbling long before it got dangerously dark, but Jesse quickly noticed his silence that evening. It didn't look like their former rival had even noticed the sun setting, his distant gaze locked on the path in front of them. For the last few hours he had been supporting his infected arm with the other, keeping it tightly secured to his chest. He hadn't been in any visible pain earlier, but Jesse could tell that was changing.

"We need to find some form of shelter." Petra said, biting her lip as she glanced around. "We're well out of my comfort zone by now though, I can't say I know this area that well."

"I was hoping it'd get a little more rocky as we neared the mountains, but it's only gotten more wooded." Jesse admitted worriedly. "There aren't going to be any caves around here."

"I should have known travelling with you lot would be a death sentence." Aiden muttered, although the tone of his voice didn't match his statement. He didn't sound angry or concerned, just... tired.

"Lukas, hand me that bag." Jesse said, holding one hand out to the blonde.

She took the supply bag from Lukas, kneeling down and opening it. Thank goodness she had thought to bring along a few storm lanterns in case they needed them.

"I filled these up before we left home." Jesse said as she took out the lanterns, first handing one to Petra, then handing one to Lukas. "I'm not saying we should risk travelling in the dark, but hopefully they'll keep us safe until we can find a place to take shelter."

Jesse had only packed three lanterns, but decided she would be the one to go without a light. With all the others around her, she'd be safe enough, and she could be the lookout. Jesse held the final lantern out to Aiden, and he reluctantly reached out his hand for it. However after taking it from her, he almost immediately put it down again, bringing his arm back to his chest to hold it.

"Aiden?" Lukas asked, his brow furrowed. "What is it?"

"You take the light." Aiden muttered to Jesse when she offered it to him again. "This thing's dying, I can't use it."

"Dying?" Petra asked, raising an eyebrow as she turned around. "What are you talking about?"

"I mean the infected area is starting to turn to metal." Aiden growled. "The limb's heavy as lead."

Jesse glanced over at the other two anxiously, feeling her heart rate start to pick up. What did that mean for Aiden? How long did he have left?

"I'm not on my deathbed yet." It was like Aiden could read their thoughts. "The veins have only just reached my shoulder. At the least I've got a day or two left, maybe more. Let's not hang around here and waste that time." His tone was bitter, but for once Jesse completely understood and respected that.

"Come on guys." She said softly, giving the supply bag back to Lukas before lighting her lantern.

With their lights suddenly bouncing off the trees and shrubs surrounding them, it became clear just how just dark it had gotten. After a while Petra passed the compass to Lukas so she could unsheathe her sword. While the light would keep their newest enemies at bay, regular mobs wouldn't be phased by it.

"Does this feel familiar to anyone else?" Lukas asked as the group halted, waiting for a lone zombie in the distance to cross their path.

"Nope, never been on a late evening hike with two friends and one idiot in a potential apocalypse." Petra responded sarcastically, reaching around a tree to quickly plunge her sword through a spider.

"No, no... this forest." Lukas said, looking around. "We've been here."

"Of course." Jesse felt the words nearly getting stuck in her throat when the realisation struck her. "The Witherstorm battle... we're close to the Order's temple."

"Not just that." Lukas responded, pulling a few branches out of the way and lifting his lantern for better late. "Soren's fortress can't be far from here."

"You might as well have been speaking a different language, I have no idea what you're talking about." Aiden said, looking between them with narrowed eyes.

"It's not storytime, just go with it for now." Petra brushed him off. "We should try and head there. It'd serve as the perfect place to wait out the dark."

"Assuming it's no longer crawling with Enderman." Lukas responded with a shudder.

"Let's hope there's part of it that isn't demolished first." Jesse said.

"Demolished? Enderman? What kind of fortress is this?" Aiden sounded incredibly confused.

"Come on, this way." Petra said, gesturing for the others to follow her around a large boulder. "If my memory serves, if we keep heading north, it should be a clear stretch to the fortress, right?"

"I believe so." Jesse said, biting her lip as she tried to recall that morning they fled through the forest, the Wither not far behind.

"Alright, on my cue, we go for it." Petra said, glancing back at the group. "Aiden, you stay at the back, keep yourself between Jesse and Lukas. We can't afford to have you slowing us down, so don't step out of the safe zone."

"Wow, thanks, I feel so cared for." Aiden mumbled sarcastically, although he did as he was told.

Lukas swiftly attached the compass to his belt so he had a hand free to hold his weapon, while Jesse unsheathed her own sword. With both the lantern and her weapon, she suddenly felt incredibly grateful to be ambidextrous.

Everybody in the group nodded to each other, signalling that they were ready. Petra was the first to leap forward, taking the lead through the trees. Jesse didn't hesitate to follow her, holding the lantern high to give them as much light as possible. Out of the corner of her eye she could see Aiden running beside her, his one arm still clutched to his chest.

Jesse lunged to the left, allowing her diamond blade to cut clean through an approaching creeper. She could feel the adrenaline pumping through her veins and filling her with confidence. That was short lived.

Petra suddenly dug in her boots, coming to skidding halt. The others slammed on the breaks as well, just in time not to crash straight into the redhead. Nobody needed to ask why they stopped.

"Aiden." Petra asked, her voice low and her blue eyes wide. "Is that-?"

"Yes." Aiden's voice was low and bitter. "That's one of them."

In the distance there were a few more stray zombies, who seemed unaware of their presence. Except for one, who had it's soulless black eyes focused right on them. It was different from the others, although it didn't look any bigger or stronger. Instead of the rotting green colour, its skin was a pale orange. The regular zombies all wore the shredded remains of blue clothing, while the rags on this one were a pale mauve colour.

"Anybody got any open scratches or cuts?" Jesse asked, glancing over at her friends. They all shook their heads.

"Try your best not to get scratched by this thing." Petra finished before Jesse could, leaping forward and heading straight for the zombie.

The regular mobs around it were just starting to notice the redhead's presence, but the odd one out already had the redhead in his sights. He turned to stagger towards Petra as she thundered towards him, his long filthy fingers grabbing at the air. It was very clear what Aiden meant when he said the mobs were driven by bloodlust.

Petra didn't give the zombie any chance to attack. She expertly flung her sword at his, slicing its head clean off its shoulders. It collapsed to the grass, a puddle of murky blood pooling around it. The redhead instantly stepped back from the deadly liquid.

"At least they die as easily as regular ones." Lukas noted, stabbing one of the normal zombies that were still hanging around.

"Let's discuss this when we're safely inside the fortress." Jesse decided, gesturing for them to move.

Nobody needed telling twice, the group quickly falling back into position as they made their way through the trees. The forest was beginning to thin out as the remains of the mountains came into sight, the closest of the cliffs completely destroyed by the Wither.

Jesse's brown eyes darted around anxiously. Nobody needed to point them out, all of them seeing the different mobs among the others. There were three more of the orangey zombies, as well as dull yellow creeper. There were also two skeletons, their bones coated in a copper sheen, and wielding swords instead of bows.

"We're definitely getting closer to wherever these things are coming from." Jesse said, adjusting her grip on her sword.

Swiftly putting his lantern down, Lukas slipped his bow from his shoulder, aiming an arrow at the yellow creeper. The mob didn't have time to even become aware of their presence when the arrowhead pierced clean through its neck, killing it instantly. This immediately, caught the attention of the other mutated mobs, who locked onto them.

"This field ends in a drop off that leads into the fortress." Jesse said, looking over at her friends. Their faces were barely illuminated by the dull glow cast from the lanterns. "It could easily be overrun with mobs, so be careful. We should head for the basement, it would be untouched by the wither and lit up. No doubt there'll be a few regular mobs down there, but the light should repel these new ones." Nobody objected.

The remaining mutated mobs were quickly approaching. Jesse and Petra both took the lead with Lukas right behind them. Aiden took up the rear, anxiously gripping his dying arm to his chest. The first skeleton lunged at Jesse aggressively, rapidly swinging its sword from side to side. She leapt back, feeling the air rush by as the blade missed her chest by a mere inch. Somersaulting beneath it's next swing and swiping its legs out from underneath it. The creature came down in a heap of bones.

While they were significantly more aggressive than the few normies dotted around, Jesse found herself quickly relaxing by a fraction. Deadly or not, there weren't a ton of them, and she had refined her fighting skills well since the Witherstorm. It didn't feel like she was in any danger.

Jesse was the first to reach the cliff edge, skidding to a halt. Her gaze dropped down to the old battlefield where their fight against the wither finally came to an end. She expected the sight to bring the horrific memories flooding back, but instead it caused her heart to skip a beat.

The last time Jesse was there, the broken up lake was filled with chunks of obsidian from the dead wither, debris scattered across the ruined sights, while the eyes of endermen were visible in the shadows. This time however, it didn't look at all like Jesse remembered it.

There were still a few hunks of obsidian lying around, but they were barely visible beneath the thick layer of orangey yellow fungi that were growing across them from the middle of the lake. It was like a volcano erupted in the centre of the water, the fungi spilling out to all sides.

But it wasn't the strange fungal growth Jesse was staring at, no, it was the hordes of mobs crowding the area. None of them looked normal, their colourations altered and their movements aggressive. The whole area was swarmed with the deadly, mutated mobs, and Jesse found herself realising that they had to be close to the source.

The others had gathered around, unleashing their own exclamations of horror, surprise, and confusion. Heads turned towards Jesse, waiting for her to make the next move.

"We can't enter the fortress." Jesse pulled herself back to reality, facing her friends. "We have to retreat until we can settle this in the daylight."

"Retreat where to?" Lukas asked, nervously holding out his lantern as one of the oddly coloured zombies circled their group, repelled by the light.

Jesse looked around, trying to quickly reassess their situation. Entering the fortress was a no-go, no doubt all the dark corners would be filled with the deadly creatures. No, they had to find a different place. The cliffs surrounding the fortress would definitely be filled with caves, maybe they should hunker down there for the night. They could barricade the entrance to keep out any mobs.

That was the safest option, but on the other hand, maybe they shouldn't waste the time looking for a cave, no. The forest was filled with dry branches and logs, they should build a large, large fire. It'd be quick to set up and its light would protect them while they waited out the dark. Should they...

Search for a cave

or

Build a large fire

___

A nice long chapter to make up for the wait, and an exciting one at that! We're getting closer to a part of the story I've been looking forward to from the start, so I'm incredibly excited to continue. The votes for this chapter will probably only be open for a few days before I close them to continue the story.

I'd obviously love to hear your theories at this point, whether it's about the roots of this whole threat, or what you're predicting will happen next in the story. We'll be approaching some really important choices in the coming chapters, that will really change the direction of the plot!

Anyway, I won't ramble - I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter, and I'll see you in the next one!!