Book The End Between Us, Chapter 1: Of Raids and Books

The long awaited chapter one of the raid story is out! I've toiled over this, with some helpful criticism from @Dankmastr_Memesn about my previous ctf story to guide my way, and spent a lot of time creating dynamic, unique characters that I believe (in their own way) represent the different personalities of raid! Let me take you on a journey and show you what Brawl's Raid truly is about; raiding, tracking, pvp'ing, and having fun with friends! Please enjoy Chapter 1: Of Raids and Books!

Chapter 1
[P.O.V. Graff]​

The tunnel was cramped and dark. It was so dark, in fact, that I wish I had brought a couple torches, but I was​

afraid that it was going to give away our position; and we would not have wanted that. Behind me there was a small bump, followed by a grunt.

"Hey. Watch where you're going." Came the gruff voice of Obelisk. There was some shuffling and then another​

bump, followed by the sound of something being punched.

"It's not my fault this corridor is narrow!" Another voice, Speedcell's, whimpered back.I turned around and shushed​

them both. The last thing we needed right now was someone hearing us. In front of me, SillyPickles stopped mining and we all halted. The corridor was cold and my diamond armor didn't help with the chill. I really hoped this raid we were doing had a furnace...

"You're sure this is the place?" SillyPickles asked. I nodded, then realized he couldn't see it.
"Should be. Let's go. I'm getting an uneasy feeling standing around." The sound of mining started back up again and​

soon I saw light being emitted from cracks in the last barrier between us and potential riches. The wall crumbled and fell with a crash, leaving us all temporarily blinded from the light and dust. When I opened my eyes again I gasped in amazement. The base stretched for 100s of feet, packed with chests, diamond and emerald blocks, and complete with a fully stocked enchantment room and brewing station. My heart leapt and I ran straight for the chests, checking each one and sorting the sellables from the trash.

"Oh! A diamond enchanted sword! Hm... with fire aspect I I could probably get 20 gold from it.... And a full​

diamond armor set too? It'll take some repairing, but we have more than enough for ourselves and it's just p2. It isn't like we need it." It was just like a kid being in a candy store! Of course, being the leader in economy, I'd much prefer this. As I continued my inventory check, I heard Obelisk from across the room.

"Geez, Graff. Don't be such a nerd." There was some lighthearted laughter at that and I shook my head good​

naturedly. We were all happy to have found this new raid. I continued sorting through ores, potions, food, weapons, and more, but it was in the last chest I look in. As I neared the end of my raid, I noticed what appeared to be an old leather book. I thumbed through the pages absentmindedly, expecting to see runes for an enchantment spell, but what I had actually found made my mouth drop open. Written in this book was instructions to get to a place called 'The End'. The book showed depictions of a dragon that lived there, giving whoever had slain him the experience needed to do anything. As my eyes read through this new information, I found myself imagining what could be harvested from this quest. I was no fighter, but I could run a business, and this "dragon's breath" could easily be bottled and sold for a small fortune.

"Whatcha got there?" Came the voice from right behind me, startling me and causing me to drop the old book.​

It landed with a soft thud and I glared over at Speedcell. He smiled apologetically back. "Sorry Graff. Forgot I probably shouldn't do that." I sighed and leaned over to pick up the precious manual. As I came back up, I came face to face with Speedcell, who had been reading the book, almost causing me to drop the book again.

"Gosh Speedcell! Can you not crowd me like that? You know I don't like being crowded." He stepped back hastily.
"Sorry! Again..." I had to laugh at that. He was always forgetting things and apologizing. I opened the book and​

motioned for him to kneel beside me. Of all of my teammates, Speedcell was the one most like me. He and I took pleasure in the finer things in life; the objects found in raids. I'd spent a lot of time explaining economical properties and do's and don'ts of selling to him, so we spent a lot of time together while everyone else was off pvp'ing. I waited as he read what I had found and watched his expression closely. There was a scowl at first as he realized this wasn't an enchantment book, but his scowl slowly turned into a huge grin, and when he was done reading he looked up at me with a sly gleam in his eye.

"We have to show SillyPickles!" He exclaimed excitedly.
"Show him what?" He said from directly behind us. I spun around and stood up to see most of the team, with the​

exception of Obelisk and Pingwoo, gathering around. I shuffled my feet slightly and lowered my gaze.

"Well... I found a book. I believe it might interest you." I said nervously. I really didn't appreciate so many people​

around me. SillyPickles took the book and began looking through it, with the others reading over his shoulder. Speedcell and I exchanged a quick glance. If SillyPickles didn't like this idea, there would be no quest. We waited with baited breath for his response. The light flickering from the torches was the only movement in this giant base and I couldn't help but wonder just who's base this was. Who would have made a book this important and just left it here? Suddenly there was a sound like mining from close by and everyone stiffened. I looked over at SillyPickles. He was already headed towards the sound.

"Monkey, you're with me." He said commandingly. Monkey nodded and pulled out his sword. Then SillyPickles​

turned to us. "The rest of you, back to base. Don't be followed. We'll hold them off." Without another word, he tossed the book at me and turned on his heel to take off towards the direction of the mining. Monkey quickly followed behind. I glanced around at the others. Most already had their teleporting crystals out. Pingwoo grabbed his and began with the directions.

"Graff and Speedcell, head straight to base after you've grabbed as much of this as possible. Obelisk and I will TP​

around for a little bit to keep anyone off our tracks. We'll meet up at HQ soon." He then cupped his hands around the crystal and whispered an incantation. A fine purple mist began to swirl around him, signifying the beginning of the spell. Then the mist engulfed him completely before dissipating and taking him with it. Obelisk gave a short nod and did the same. I began packing various items into my pack, but before I had gotten my bag half full I was stopped by a shaky hand on my shoulder. I turned to Speedcell, who seemed to be having an anxiety attack. The site of it made my heartbeat quicken and I had to control my breathing to calm myself down.

"Speedcell we need to go. Get your stuff together." I said nervously, nudging him towards the chests. He rocked​

slightly, but didn't move. I tapped him lightly and he flinched, catching me off guard and causing me to lose my balance. I fell and the bag I was carrying crashed to the floor, reverberating off the stone walls. I was getting that uneasy feeling again and Speedcell wasn't helping. I reached over and placed my hands on his shoulders, shaking him. He tried to speak, but seemed to be having difficulty at breathing.

"Snap out of it, bud. You're freaking me out." I whispered, more to myself than him. Speedcell didn't normally​

raid in dangerous areas like this, so it was understandable that he would be thrown into an anxiety attack by this. I just didn't understand what had triggered it. However, my words seemed to reach him and he slowly started to calm himself down. He moved to his bag and began packing it hastily.

"We need to get out of here. Fast." He stammered. I tilted my head. He sighed to calm himself further​

and turned to me, grabbing my pack and putting it with his. "That purple mist means someone who isn't a teammate is close. Really close." I felt a chill run down my back like someone had doused me with ice water. This wasn't good. My ears strained to hear any form of movement, but all seemed quiet. Still, though, I had that uneasy feeling; a feeling like I was being watched.

"What do we do, Graff?" Speedcell whispered. I racked my brain for any possible solutions. Why did I let SillyPickles​

talk me into doing a raid with them? I listened for longer, but the only sounds to be heard were the soft pops of the torch fires, our breathing, and the quiet undertones of the earth shifting around us. I gave a shaky, relieved sigh.

"I think whoever it was is gone now." I said, trying to reassure both him and me. Speedcell didn't seem convinced,​

though, and I couldn't have him going into another anxiety attack. I needed to get him out of here. I gave a small smile. "Tell ya what. You take the bags and head back. I'm going to fill my pockets with some of these diamonds." Speedcell shook his head furiously.

"No! It's too dangerous!" He exclaimed, but I stopped him.
"They're gone, Speedcell. I'll be fast, don't worry. Just get moving. I'll see you soon." He seemed to hesitate for​

a moment, then nodded slowly.

"Stay safe, friend." He murmured. I nodded back and smiled. Speedcell pulled out his crystal, closed his eyes, and​

TP'ed out; but not without me seeing the purple mist. My heart dropped and I slowly reached for my crystal, trying not to alert anyone to my intentions. I pulled it out and began my spell. The diamonds would have to stay here. A sound behind me startled me out of my incantation and I whipped around to face the direction it had come from. The wall in front of me came crashing down and two people stepped through the rubble with swords drawn. I growled.

"Oracle and Eil. What a pleasant surprise." Oracle stepped forward and pressed the tip of his sword against my​

throat before answering,

"Hello Graff."

Thanks for reading guys! Let me know what you think, and I hope the wait was worth it. If you hadn't noticed, each story will be one person's viewpoint, so expect your own little spotlight. However, I'm not ignoring the others, so there's a little bit of everyone scattered throughout the story. I hope you enjoyed it and I've already begun the writing of chapter 2. See you soon!​

 

Oh I had forgotten! I'm so sorry! @0racle @Eil @Lozzylouise @AnonymousGalaxy @Speedcell @SillyPickles @PingWoo @Colonel_Graff @LegitMonkeyftw @DemonicObelisk @343weapon