Chapter 19: Soren The Architect

[Jesse's POV]

(As I step out onto the cold Endstone floor, a slight cold breeze caused me to shiver slightly.)

(I just realized how cold the outside is once I exited the building.)

(Urgh... just focus on what you need to focus on right now, Jesse.)

(I don't know if I can look at Enderman safely with this suit on though.)

(I've heard pumpkin heads are good enough as protection, but I've never tested it out with this man-made suit.)

(Olivia once told me she saw a stranger get attacked by one... and the details she provided didn't sound like it ended well.)

(I personally never got attacked by one, but I did not want to risk it.)

(so I just kept my head as low as possible and sneaked my way through the crowd for now.)

(Damn it... I have to admit, these costumes are quite realistic, but this just means my job to find him is harder than it needs to be...!)

(I don't think Enderman react to sound, so that will be my first attempt.)

Jesse: "SOREN! ARE YOU THERE?"

(There's no response... other than Enderman grunts.)

(Great. Either he's deaf, is too shy, too focused on his experiments, or is so isolated from other people that he forgot how to communicate properly.)

Jesse: "I'M JESSE, AND I CAME HERE TO ASK FOR YOUR HELP! REMEMBER YOUR ORDER OF THE STONE? THEY NEED YOU RIGHT NOW!!!"

(My second response met the same results.)

Jesse: "SOREN?"

(The same thing with the third.)

(I don't like to talk loudly, so I ended my attempt there.)

(That's just great. If he won't come out, I'll just have to try something else.)

(I walked around for a while.)

(I quickly glanced back at the window of the base, where I could see Olivia and Reuben, but they only made quick glances out the window.)

(I guess that's a good strategy, but that might make my safety worse.)

(I'm blended into the crowd, so it's actually harder for Olivia to spot me and realize if I'm in danger.)

(This situation really is worse than I expected.)

(Nevertheless, I had to keep looking for something to help me.)

(I notice something lying on the floor as I continue walking around with my eyes

glued to the ground.)

(I went to pick it up.)

(It was a piece of paper, and on it was some sort of crafting recipe?)

(I looked around the place where I picked it up to find a structure hidden in the crowd.)

(Upon closer inspection, it looked like a crafting table grid carved onto the floor, and it matched the grid on the recipe.)

(That's right! Soren's recordings were something about Enderman intelligence.)

(That must mean he's trying to encourage these Enderman to pick up this paper and recreate the recipe on this grid.)

(The recipe was simple: You need to have 6 blocks and place them in this formation so that the first 5 blocks make an L, with the last block being on the opposite side of the L.)

(Easier explained: the middle, middle top, and middle right slots would be the only ones left empty at the end.)

(I searched around, to see a number of clay blocks scattered around the place.)

(If he won't listen to my calls, then he'll at least notice when the grid he placed is suddenly filled with the blocks from the recipe.)

(It's worth a shot! The first block was right next to the grid, so I grabbed it easily.)

(The next two were on the ground, and the next two on the side of an obsidian pillar.)

(I had 5 clay blocks, but only one remained.)

(I was searching all over the place for the last one, and it was killing my stamina.)

(That is, until I realized the last block was in the hands of one of the Enderman.)

Jesse: "You have got to be kidding me."

(After I deliberately avoided any contact, I'm forced to get up close and personal with one anyway.)

(Ah... my life...)

(I was already losing time, so I just went in. As I approached, it made eye contact with me.)

(However, it didn't turn aggressive or anything, and after a while, it just continued to look somewhere else.)

(Good to know this suit at least has some kind of protection.)

(With that information in mind, I grabbed the block very slowly.)

(It noticed my presence and looked at me again, but I didn't sense any hostility yet.)

(I've never seen someone steal a block from an Enderman, so I didn't know how it would react.)

(For now, it didn't seem to be too protective around it, but that might just be my point of view... I can't read Enderman expressions.)

(After some struggle, I finally managed to make the Enderman let go, and the block falls into my hands.)

(However, as soon as that happened, it suddenly started grunting and looking around.)

(It almost looked like it had a seizure.)

(Did... I break him? her? it? Not sure what was going on, but I immediately backed away from there.)

(I quickly complete the grid recipe with all of the blocks in my hands.)

Jesse: "False evidence of Enderman intelligence: accomplished!"

(While I admire the pathetic build, I sense some Enderman approaching from behind me.)

(When I looked around, quite a large crowd had gathered around me.)

Jesse: "Uh... nothing to see here, guys. Just walk away."

(Were they angry? curious? confused? I couldn't tell! They didn't outright attack me, but they looked hostile!)

(I planned to escape from this place, but the wall of Enderman was blocking my path!)

(And in this situation of all of them, is my sword gone! Crap! What am I going to do?!)

???: "I AM sorry about this, but... it has to look real."

(Suddenly, a voice came from the crowd.)

Jesse: "W-What?"

(Before I was able to react, a black arm suddenly strikes my head, and the world fades to black.)

[Olivia's POV]

Olivia: "W-What the heck is happening?!"

(Reuben shrugs.)

(Suddenly, the Enderman started piling up in one specific spot.)

(Did Jesse cause this?!? I can't tell if he's in danger or not! Maybe I should get the others just in case.)

(I chose to look back one more time to be sure.)

(During that last glance, something caught my eye unexpectedly.)

(An Enderman was carrying another one away from the crowd? It looked bizarre for creatures like these.)

(More importantly, they were heading in this direction! Normal Endermen would never act like that, so it's possible to assume that was Jesse.)

(I decided to wait for them to make their next move, but I grabbed a sword from one of the nearby chests, just in case.)

(Not long after, the Enderman, carrying the other, entered the building.)

(Now that I could see them clearly, I was able to make up the fake eyes from the

costume.)

(I almost let out a sigh of relief, until I realized the face didn't resemble Jesse at all!)

Olivia: "Who are you?! And what happened to Jesse?! And why are you carrying a random mob into this building?!"

(I shouted, while pointing my sword at it.)

???: "W-Wait wait wait! Please don't do anything!"

(The person in the Enderman costume suddenly panics, almost dropping the other one onto the floor.)

(Wait... I've heard that voice before... Hold on... that's the voice from the recording!)

Olivia: "Wait... you're Soren?"

(The person takes off the mask to reveal their face.)

(He had a ginger beard, just like how people used to describe Soren.)

Soren: "F-First of all, s-stop pointing that sword at me!"

Olivia: "Oh, oops... sorry."

(I stash the sword in my inventory.)

Soren: "Now, please explain what is going on?! Who are you? Why are you here roaming freely in MY base?!"

Olivia: "I wanted to ask you something first! What happened to Jesse?? He was outside in a costume too, so you must've seen him!"

Soren: "You mean this person?"

(Soren gently places the person he carried on the floor.)

Olivia: "What happened...?"

(Jesse was unconscious but didn't look to have any serious injuries.)

(other than what seemed to be a small bump on the head.)

Soren: "I don't think it'll bruise... his face, I mean. Those suits were built with durability in mind."

(Soren explains while taking off his own costume completely.)

(Meanwhile, Reuben walked over to check on Jesse.)

(He was starting to twitch every now and then as well, so he might wake up soon.)

(Thank God he's still alive.)

Soren: "Now I answered your question, I want to know yours as well, you know!"

(Soren turned his attention to me once again.)

(He didn't look like he was happy with the current situation.)

(Well, technically speaking, we did trespass on his base without permission, so it is understandable.)

Olivia: "I-I'm sorry, but I swear we have a good explanation!"

(Soren straightens his gaze to await my answer.)

Olivia: "I'm Olivia. The guy you carried in is Jesse, and that pig is his pet, Reuben. Our group is a total of 6(1 counted Reuben too)."

Soren: "There's more of you!?"

Olivia: "Yes, but we're here for a good reason! We didn't mean to break in or

anything like that!"

Soren: "And what would that 'good reason' be?"

Olivia: "S-Sorry, I get nervous when I talk to famous people. I'll cut to the chase!"

(Soren raises an eyebrow.)

Olivia: "We're here to find YOU Soren. The world is in danger and we need your help!"

Soren: "Oh, what else is new?"

(Soren didn't seem to be surprised one bit.)

(He rather looked bored.)

Soren: "Whatever your issue is... whatever your problem... it has occurred before, and has been solved before. What do you need me for, anyway?"

Olivia: "Um... we need your assistance in defeating a Wither Storm creature that's eating the world as it's dinner!"

Soren: "My question was: how am I supposed to help you?"

Olivia: "You have the rumoured 'Formidi-Bomb', right? It's your Super TNT that can help us defeat it!"

Soren: "Ah, I see! You misspoke. You don't need me. You just need my stuff!"

Olivia: "Eh? Why are you acting like that?"

Soren: "Well... I've found that when you give people what they want, they turn on you!"

Olivia: "I-I swear, I won't do that!"

Soren: "That's what EVERYONE says first! People, humans, they're ALL like that! When you don't meet their expectations, they abandon you like a useless toy that's not worth keeping anymore! That's why I prefer Enderman. They always do what you expect, almost to a fault."

Olivia: "Is that why you grew distant from everyone?"

Soren: "Hmph, you're just a stranger to me. And what you're asking for is too dangerous."

(Before I could respond again, Soren suddenly gets knocked to the ground.)

(Jesse was standing behind him with his mask off, with an angry face.)

Olivia: "Jesse-!"

Jesse: "WHY DID YOU HIT ME?!"

(Jesse confronts Soren, who's still on the floor trying to stand up.)

Soren: "Y-You upset the Enderman! I got you to safety!"

Jesse: "By PUNCHING ME?!"

Soren: "It was the best way to get through the Enderman!"

Jesse: "Lukas was right... you really ARE bananas."

Olivia: "Wait, Jesse!"

(I step in.)

Olivia: "He's on our side! He didn't mean to do that, right Soren?"

Soren: "See??? That was exactly what I was talking about earlier!"

Olivia: "We don't have time for this! Jesse, forgive Soren for the moment

okay?"

(Jesse seemed reluctant, but I gave him the death stare to make sure Jesse didn't make things worse.)

Jesse: "Fine. I'll back down."

(Jesse sits down to finally calm down. While I'm at it, I grab the amulet from Jesse's pocket.)

Olivia: "Soren, I know this might be too much to ask from you, but you have to understand us!"

(Soren finally stands up, but is unsure how to respond.)

Olivia: "We have the amulet to prove it."

Soren: "What?"

(The amulet suddenly catches his attention.)

Olivia: "This is how we found you, Soren. Gabriel gave this amulet to us!"

Soren: "Gabriel?"

Olivia: "Gabriel told us to reassemble the Order of the Stone."

Soren: "The Order of the Stone?! They... asked for me???"

(Soren shows a new bewildered expression.)

Olivia: "Yes, your old gang, your old friends."

Soren: "I've always known they needed me, but I was never sure if they wanted me."

Olivia: "Gabriel, Ellegaard, Magnus, they are your friends, aren't they?"

Soren: "Hmmmm... I don't know... Do they ever talk about me?"

Olivia: "Yeah, of course."

Soren: "What kind of things do they say?"

Olivia: "That you were missed."

Soren: "R-Really...?"

Olivia: "Well... it was more miss-ing... you have to read between the lines."

Soren: "Oh... right... but what about you? Are you my friend?"

Olivia: "Uh, sure!"

(I glance over at Jesse.)

Jesse: "*sigh* Fine, I guess."

(Reuben joins in.)

Soren: "That's the best thing I've heard in years!"

(Soren finally shows a joyful expression since I've arrived here.)

Soren: "Well, admittedly, that's not a very high bar."

(Right...)

Soren: "But don't worry! I'm going to help you... because that's what friends do!"

Olivia: "Yeah! Cause that's what friends are for!"

Soren: "BUT! Before we leave, I'm gonna have to give my old friends a gift first."

Jesse: "Um, what?"

Soren: "The gift of song!"

Olivia: "Umm... that's not really necessary-"

(Suddenly, the jukebox starts playing.)

(Soren, out of nowhere, starts dancing to the music.)

Soren: "Gary may seem scary but he's a swell guy."

Olivia: "Umm... Sore-"

Soren: "Sally, dilly dallies, but give her credit, she tries!"

Jesse: "W-What's happening?!"

Soren: "They might look the same to the untrained eyyyeeee...!"

Olivia: "SOREN STOP-"

Soren: "BUT! That's a lie and so I say-!"

Lukas: "Oh my God, what is that horrible singing?"

(The jukebox suddenly breaks, and Lukas barges through the door.)

(The room goes silent for a few seconds.)

Lukas: "Wait, is that...? Are you...?"

Axel: "Whoa, y-you're Soren?"

(Axel, along with Petra, who was leaning on Axel, were behind Lukas as well.)

(Meanwhile, Lukas runs towards Jesse to pull him away from Soren.)

(Jesse panics because of the sudden action.)

(You can almost see the redness in his face.)

(I can't help but notice Lukas being rather protective of Jesse lately. It's really admirable.)

(They really have come a long way.)

(Before the building competition, they barely talked. But now, it's like an unexpected 'friendship' opened up.)

(Or maybe that's just Lukas's charming personality.)

(In the end, to see Jesse actually getting to know other people than our group still is a good thing, especially since he's not really very social.)

(Well, they can do their thing. Meanwhile, Petra comes forward towards Soren.)

Petra: "Nice to meet you, Soren..."

(Petra coughs while in a slumbed position.)

Soren: "You look... terrible."

(Before Petra is able to respond, Axel takes charge.)

Axel: "She's sick! And her infection has been getting worse! You have to treat her!"

Soren: "Whoa, slow down!"

Axel: "No, we need a cure or something, as soon as possible!"

(Axel's sudden plea causes Soren to panic a little.)

Soren: "I-I don't know! I have some regeneration potions left that Ivor used to give me but-"

Axel: "Where are they???"

(Soren fishes one out of his pocket.)

(Axel grabs it immediately and hands it to Petra.)

Jesse: "Oh my god... I didn't know it had become that bad."

Olivia: "But, don't regen potions only temporarily heal you for a limited time...?"

Axel: "We get what we can right now. Even if it doesn't heal her, at least it can

make her state just a little better for the time being."

(Petra finished drinking the potion.)

Axel: "How are you feeling now?"

(Petra was about to reply to Axel's question, but suddenly turns away from the group in fright.)

Axel: "P-Petra! W-What's wrong?!"

Lukas: "Um... guys? We have company, and not the good kind."

Jesse: "Don't tell me the Enderman came in."

Lukas: "That's exactly what happened."

(With a quick glance, I can confirm that a few of the angry Enderman from outside came in.)

Soren: "That's a bit odd... They've never been inside before."

Jesse: "Just look away!"

(We can hear their grunts behind our backs.)

Soren: "You've upset them! You've altered their behavior!"

Lukas: "Quit playing the blame game and get out of here already!"

(We exit the room into the lobby.)

(Unfortunately, the crowd of Enderman doesn't stop, as some managed to occupy the lobby as well.)

Olivia: "And the hits just keep on comin'"

Soren: "Huh?! I wasn't expecting so many houseguests -- there's no way I have enough seashell soaps for all of them!"

Lukas: "How are we supposed to get out of here?! We need to come up with a plan. and not our usual we'll-come-up-with-a-plan-when-we-have-to-OH- WAIT-NOW-WE-HAVE-TO! kind of plan."

Olivia: "Shhh...! Just keep quiet!"

Jesse: "Soren, you've been studying Enderman for ages -- any bright ideas?"

Soren: "Well, one constant about Endermen is that they hate water. If we can force the fountain in the entrance of the lobby to overflow somehow, Jesse, you still have the Enderman suit. Put that on, and you'll be able to safely reach the fountain!"

[Jesse's POV]

(I look around to see if anyone had any other ideas, but it looked like I had to be the one to do the job... again.)

Jesse: " *sigh* Just when I thought I'd never have to smell this thing again..."

(Hoping into this damn suit again, I go in to get this thing done as fast as possible.)

Lukas: "Good luck, Jesse."

Axel: "Yeah, good luck dude."

Soren: "We'll um... all watch from here, then! Where it's safe."

(I roll my eyes. What a strong order member you are.)

(I continue walking with my head down until I accidentally bump into something.)

Jesse: "Ah!"

(I braced for the worst, only for the Enderman to walk away like nothing happened.)

Soren: "Try not to die!"

(Shut it, you're ruining my concentration!)

(After that awkward situation, I reach the fountain.)

(I didn't have any tools, so I was forced to dig the stone, preventing the water from coming out with my bare hands.)

(The suit granted me some protection for my hands, but it still took a while.)

Jesse: "There!"

(The water starts to flood a good chunk of the lobby, creating a safe place while chasing the Enderman away.)

(The others quickly follow.)

Axel: "Woah! This is slippery!"

(Reuben headbutts Axel from behind, urging him to keep going, only for him to fall onto the wet floor.)

Olivia: "Just keep moving people!"

(We all run towards the doorway to the wool room, until everyone suddenly stops in their tracks.)

Jesse: "What's the hold up?"

(I push the others away to see what's going on for myself, and now I understand what's going on...)

Lukas: "T-They're everywhere. How are we supposed to get through this?"

(The wool room is filled with Enderman!)

[To be continued...]