*dodges tomatoes that are being thrown at me* Yes, yes, yes... I know you're probably mad at me for not updating for so long... but this is a hard chapter to write. Yes... hard chapter to write. *looks up on Poll in her FFN account*

Original Song wins. Okay... you people are really wanting a piece of my creative juices. But I guess this will win either way, if counting the people I asked about this IRL. The song is self-made; I made the lyrics and I already came up with a tune with it at school (First week jitters). The only thing lacking is to play it in an instrument and maybe post it online. I'm stuck on the third part, and I would really need help for it. The original song isn't the full version, though; I have to cut it so it won't be... repetitive... ish.

So, if it's an original song you want, it's what you get. Let's begin, Chapter 7 aka the first part of Episode 2 in this.

Chapter 7: Know You Better

Seeing Jesse, Axel and Reuben set off to find Magnus, Raven felt hopeful that everything would be all right as they began fortifying the temple, starting at the entrance after gathering enough blocks. But Lukas' concern about Petra and Gabriel doubted her. What if they did not—no, they cannot. They're strong for sure. As for her, well, she hopes she could survive. She must not die.

"Raven? You okay there?"Olivia cut off her thoughts looking at her worriedly. "Why are you staring at Lukas, though?"

Wait, she was staring at Lukas in her thoughts. But why? Is she having those 'f words' at him?

"Maybe because he's..."Raven trailed off as she continued fortifying the walls. He's really cute with his blonde hair and he has those clear blue eyes that almost resembles her brother. In addition, his concern and supposed leadership is admirable before Axel got snappy at him last night.

"You like him, don't you?"Raven turned only to meet Olivia's smug grin. Please don't tell her that she blurted what she thought.

"What? No! What makes you think that?"Raven replied; she's not sure anymore. She can't fall in love, since her heart will break eventually. She began to turn from Olivia and walk away, only for her face to slam at one of the stone pillars.

"Well, you were building pillars absentmindedly and your eyes are drifting to him."Olivia stated. "Though, I admit you're right. He's cute with the excellent blonde hair."

Damn it, she said it. Next time, she'll try not to jinx her luck. What is wrong with her feelings? "I said it, didn't I?"Raven deadpanned.

"Yup."Olivia chuckled. "Well, I'm going off to find Ellegaard."

"Yeah... wait, what?"Raven piped. "I thought Magnus would work."

"Well, better safe than sorry if this Magnus won't work out with us."Olivia said as she began to head off. "Besides, you'll work out a lot closer with Mr. Blondie if it's just the two of us."

"We're just friends, Olivia. What do you expect; I'd call him something cool like hot stuff?"Raven blurted, before she face-palmed at what she just said, Olivia chuckling at her mistake. "I could be so much of a dummy..."

"Anyway, I'm off. Take care of yourself and..."Olivia giggled. "... 'Hot stuff'."

"Yeah, you too."Raven said, hoping that she wasn't blushing like the reddest tomato she's seen. Now she's alone with Lukas who was continuing to build until he groaned. "This place is just big, isn't it?"He turned to meet Raven's glance, noticing that Olivia was missing.

"Where's Olivia?"He asked.

"Went to find Ellegaard. I think she'll be fine."Raven said when she coughed again. "Anyway, I'll get more blocks."Before she could go, Lukas grabbed her hand.

"Are you sure? You look sick and are those eye bags on your face..."Lukas trailed off. Few hours passed and she's having eye bags next. Unbelievable. Raven wants to leave but somehow she felt a bit... comfortable with Lukas around her. Does that mean she is- no.

Ignore them, but she can't. Oh, come on, out of all the things that could happen; it has to be this way!

"I'll be fine. I promise."Raven assured, not sure, if it was directly at Lukas or at herself. Maybe both.

"Don't make promises you can't keep."She heard the male voice again hissed at her brain, her head feeling nauseating.

"When I said get out yesterday, I meant it. So get out."Raven growled in her mind at the voice.

"Right... nah. I'll just stick around for awhile. Your mind is having lots of blushing moments."The voice chuckled.

"Don't you dare, Nags."Raven muttered until she shook her head, her mind much clearer now. Good. She hopes that it stays that way. When did the word 'Nags' come from, she didn't care but the voice is a nagger.

"Like I said, I'll be fine."Raven chimed before she left the temple and began to gather cobblestone in a nearby cave with her pickaxe.

"Why do I always feel that way?"She wondered as she mined. Something is definitely wrong with her, but she can't figure out what, how or why.

"Because you're in lo-"

"No! Get out of my head already, Nags!"Raven snapped, her voice echoing at the empty cave. "What are you doing in here again?"

"Force you to confess that you like Lukas. Oh, and I like your choice of words for my name, though that's not mine."

"Shut up. That'll never happen."Raven rolled her eyes.

"Eh, as always, the stubborn Raven head, people."Raven could hear clapping, probably as a sign of mockery. "You'll crack up one way or another."

Raven sighed, hoping that he's gone for good. As she finally gathered a good stack of cobblestone, she trekked forward, thoughts all cuddled up on her.

"If only I know what's wrong with me... but if I know what I want aside from coming home.... I want to know more about him..."She trailed off before her heart felt like singing. Obeying her heart, she sang.

"When you're feeling lost

When you're feeling scared

Know that someone will

Always guide you way."

She thought about what happened yesterday, saving Petra's life that costs her healthy self. Later on, Lukas told her that Ivor saved her life from being Wither Dinner when they were in the Nether. And with her self-discovery last night that Ivor cared for her fuels the need to know him better.

Little did she know, inside the temple, a certain someone feels the same way as she does.

Lukas gazed at the outside, hoping that Raven would be fine. Now that he thought about it, he began to get curious about her. He never gets the chance to know her better since yesterday. Sure, she could get scary when she snapped last night, but she was optimistic, kind and brave. He began to sing. Singing always calms him.

"When you're feeling hopeless

When you're feeling doubtful

Know that someone will

Always cheer you on."

She remained hopeful despite Axel's moping; she has a limit that would mean trouble when broken. But in the end, Lukas spotted Raven and Axel talking a few hours ago. She was cool enough to bury the hatchet.

Raven has entered the temple, avoiding the pressure plate trap and began to enter the enchantment room, with bookshelves adorning the place. Raven traced her hand on one of them, a history book, and her fingers were sliding to the other books as she passed.

"The stories may not mentioned him

That doesn't mean he's bad all in all."

Ivor may have summoned a giant Wither ready to turn the world into its dinner, but it has to have a purpose aside from humiliating Gabriel. Raven is determined to know that hidden purpose. It could be the key to understand him, and possibly the way for home.

Lukas walked to the map, replaying all the moments he had with Raven in their crazy journey. Greeting her when she saves Jesse's work, then she saves him in the basement, then he carries her through the Nether, and she defends him from Axel.

"I may just met her yesterday

That doesn't mean she's clean through and through."

Everyone has secrets; Lukas knows that fact. If someone said that they are transparent that you could see their secrets, they're lying or it was a joke. It could be small or it could be big. Raven's no exception from that rule.

Raven then approached the stairs; the feeling of seeking the knowledge was getting stronger by the second. She then stepped on one of the stairs, before bursting out into song.

"Ivor, tell me your story please

I just want to know you better (know you better)."

Her final words echoed at the stairs above. Raven smiled at this. She didn't mind singing. It always clears the negativity away from her. She felt alone, with her own voice cheering her up.

Lukas turned away from the map and started to pour out what he wants.

"Raven, you can trust me

All of this is to know you better (know you better)."

If you want to know, you have to get the trust. His knowledge about Raven's origins wouldn't end up being bad. It's for curiosity's sake. Maybe he could help her also if he knew the problem.

Raven passed by the stairs, singing, unaware that Lukas was listening.

"No matter how hard you try..."

Lukas saw her and smiled. Her voice was like an angel, pure and heartwarming. He sang again.

"The truth will crack into your eyes."

Raven was shocked at his beautiful voice. "Lukas! Um... uh... I brought some cobblestone. Would this do?"She stammered.

"I think it would do. Thanks."Lukas smiled as he took half of it. "After you..."He jokingly gave way.

"No, I think it's after you, Prince."Raven giggled before covering her mouth at what she said. Prince? Geez, what is the matter with her? Lukas was unfazed and just chuckled at her action.

As they began to build on the heading that looks forward to the sky and the Nether portal underground on different sides of the temple. Raven turns to look at Lukas. She hopes he would be fine after this Wither madness. Now, her thoughts are on Ivor. She then sang quiet enough so Lukas won't hear it.

"He may be a coward

He may be cold

But from saving my life

Lays a heart of stone and gold."

He did run away from his monstrosity; he was cold based on his background. But people change and for him, it was the moment he saved her. Sure, Lukas noted that Ivor did it because of pity, not that he wanted to. One-half of his heart may be stone, but Raven could see that buried in the other half of the stone heart, is a half of a heart of gold.

Lukas glanced at Raven as he kept building. She can be terrifying if you nagged her long enough, and she felt a bit weak. It must have been Ivor's harming potion that seemed to last like forever. If only he has some extra bread to feed her, at least so she will be fine.

"She may look weak

She may act moody

But from what we've been through

Her kindness shine bright like stars."

She has a sense of justice, defending people even though she doesn't know them yet. She looked weak, but that's justified. They just escaped a Witherstorm out to get them! Still, her kindness shone like a light through the dark tunnel of doubt.

Raven coughed once. Twice. Thrice. A cold feeling settled on her, like hypothermia. She shivered, fearing it would last longer than expected. It wasn't even cold to be honest, but to her it is.

"No matter how far you go..."

She hummed gently, patting her infected arm before she felt herself shiver. She sighed when she felt something warm wrap on her back.

"The truth will follow and then know..."

She turned her head and saw Lukas smiling in concern as he hugged her gently, wrapping his jacket on her back. She has to admit; without the leather jacket, Lukas is so handsome. It felt like a fairytale, him and her, with no one bothering.

It was perfect.

"Know you better..."Raven whispered gently when she coughed as Lukas let go of her to give her space.

Of course. Of course, it is too good to be true.

"Are you going to be okay?"Lukas asked before they sat on the stair-made chairs. "We did finish fortifying everything in here."

"Hopefully..."Raven trailed off, the cold fading a little. Silence reigned for a few moments.

Lukas then spoke up. "I was wondering... where do you live before you got here?"

Raven tensed subtly. She should have known this was coming. She took a deep breath before she spoke, twisting the truth. She doesn't want to lie; Lukas is her friend, but she doesn't want to tell the truth either.

"Well, I lived from a far city. That city is amazing as locals sometimes called it 'The City of Lights' since every night, if you look at the tallest tower of the city, you could see everything on lights as if they're stars on the ground. Heck, even the tower itself is lighted up!"Raven explained.

"Wow. How do people build it though? The architecture must have been that impressive."Lukas remarked in amazement, before he looked at her in concern. "So why did you came here? Your city seemed too great to leave it."

"Well..."Raven couldn't exactly explain this part properly. "Before I got here, I was with my younger brother. We were bonding with each other until..."She took a deep breath when a mental picture of Cedric came up in her mind. Don't cry. He'll be fine.

"I felt pain within myself. We were panicking. We didn't know what was going on. I passed out and the next moment I woke up, I was in the woods. I was confused; I thought I was left there to die... until I heard Jesse and his friends' voices. I followed them, until they led me into the building competition and..."Raven confessed. "You know what happens next."

"You came in to watch it, then Aiden releases lava and... yeah I get it."Lukas continued before he looked at her in concern. "I'm sorry. Hopefully when this Witherstorm thing is over, we could help find your way back home."

"No, no, no. You've done all too much."Raven said before she coughed again, with Lukas patting her shoulder to let it all out. "Let's just focus on this Witherstorm at first. I'm scared... what if we didn't make it?"

"We can. We won't let our spirits go down. Jesse and Petra would say that if they're here."Lukas said as they looked at the landscape. It was dusk. It will be nightfall soon.

"I guess you're right."Raven sighed wearily when they heard screams. They quickly head down at the temple and saw a stray skeleton and a zombie attacking two people. The pair couldn't make out who they were, but Raven figured out they need help.

"So... zombie or skeleton?"Lukas asked as he got out his bow.

"I'll take the skeleton."Raven said before she unsheathed her stone sword. She charged and slashed at the skeleton, causing it to attack her next. Typical. Raven kept hitting the skeleton before it fell down, bones replacing it. Raven grinned in victory, before she coughed. Her Wither Sickness is getting worse.

No. No, no, no, no. She is not planning her death wish or her deathbed. Don't give up. You shouldn't quit.

"Gabriel? Petra? I knew you two would be all right!"Raven turned and gasped as she witnessed Lukas hugged Gabriel the Warrior. She soon felt a warm hug on her and it came from Petra. Raven smiled in thanks.

"We ran for our lives here, finding the Temple and it's good to still see it standing."Gabriel commented. "It stands as a stronghold, a hope."

"Yeah, we have to fortify it in case the others came back by night."Raven shrugged. "Come on, we'll stay inside. I don't want any creeper busting in here."

Raven didn't mind waiting near the door; she kind of needs the darkness the cover the purple dot that continues to weaken her. Lukas took care of guard duty, seeing she wasn't faring well. Raven let him go; she felt exhausted. She patted her infected left arm, tending to its pain while biting her lip not to scream. Petra and Gabriel were also with her; she didn't know why, but she didn't mind, as long as they don't find out her secret.

"Hey Raven, are you okay?"Petra piped as she looked at her concernedly. "I would like to thank you again from what you did back there."

"Yeah, sure... I'm fine really."Raven lied as she began to walk away, only for Petra to yank her left arm. It made her dark purple bane of existence hurt even more. "Argh!"She yelped before she tended to her left arm quickly.

"Raven, am I correct? Do you know what a Wither is? More specifically, Wither Sickness?"Gabriel asked. Someone is stepping way too close for comfort, more so her secret.

"I know what that is. Why do you-COUGH!"Raven replied when her knees bent down against her will, weakening with her left arm exposing her Wither Sickness.

She should have known better than to jinx it. Hopefully they're trustworthy and they won't tell anybody. It's painful, feeling as if you're dying slowly and you can't stop it since you don't have milk and it came from a mutant Wither.

"Oh Notch, that is bad. No, might be worse."She could hear Petra's remarks as Gabriel and Petra looked at her slowly.

"Don't tell anyone. Please."Raven begged, her voice cracking slightly.

"It's okay. You see, we were hoping if all of us could keep this 'Wither' secret."Gabriel confessed.

It soon dawned on Raven and before she could say the realization, Gabriel and Petra showed her their left hands and Raven could see the same purple pixel that scarred her life.

They have Wither Sickness.

Raven began to compare on how purplish they are as she glanced at her infected arm. Gabriel seemed to be the least purplish, probably because he's a Warrior who can already survived events that are life-threatening. Petra is next; her purple mark is slightly dark purplish than Gabriel's and she also has the eye marks Raven has. But looking on her bane of existence quivered her hopes, making it pessimistic even.

She has the most purplish mark.

She has the worst case of Wither Sickness.

"Crud."Raven blurted, feeling the sickness trying to overcome her. She bit her lip, trying not to scream and not shed tears of pessimism. She has to be strong. No, she must stay strong.

"I'll take the secret to the grave."Raven coughed.

"We thought the same thing. We can't afford anymore panic."Gabriel said as he helped Raven up. Raven smiled in gratitude. They are trustworthy.

"I have to go. This is... a lot to take in."She said before she headed to the enchanting room, dodging the arrow traps along the way.

"Come on... come on... there's got to be more information about 'K'."Raven muttered as she keeps flipping the pages on the book where she found about the Order's history, but she finds nothing useful.

"Did Ivor really cared about me... or was it just empty pity?"Raven thought, starting to feel doubt on hoping on Ivor's sympathy. What if it's just fake? She keeps turning the pages before she hacked into a cough again. Her vision was slowly getting blurry as she kept coughing and shivering...

Until she met black.

Cliffhanger! Yes, come on... go ahead... at least I updated. I was going to make Raven see Magnus & Ellegaard argue about the F-Bomb, but... I decided against it. Not because I'm lazy to write it, take note of that. I have my reasons.

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