Come get yalls Blue Steve Saga content fresh off the stoveeeee! /silly
TW for severe dehydration and hallucinations
Also picrew of him :]
It burns. It burns.
It BURNS.
Screaming in my head, a neverending chase...I can't keep up.
The air itself burns my lungs.
Something so vital, turned poison.
It plunges itself into my bones, the threads of life that remain in my fragile body. Even in unconsciousness, my hands shake, my eyes burn with hot, evaporating tears. My voice raspy and weak, screams out for mercy.
The heat reminds me of the lightning strikes which bore through my skin when I was alive. When I saved him. The hot sand blowing in my face, between my gills, all over my glasses...
My throat pleads for rest but there is none.
As I plunge into the lava by my own will, my eyes shoot open with another scream of pain. I cough and wheeze, my lungs still shriveled and weak even with what little rest I've gotten. Sweat seeps between my scales and toes, my hands sticky and clammy, covered in bits of dust and strangely-fleshy rock.
S-sorry...I probably s-scared you..
You sounded like you have a pretty terrible nightmare.
Y-yeah..
Light leans against me. Though we've barely met, his presence brings comfort. His fur doesn't help with the heat much at all, being warm and all. But something about it reminds me of Rainbow. His fur had started getting tight curls, not unlike Light's, not long ago. Somehow, his fur is soft, and even though it does not help with the heat, I lean against him too.
I exhale, trying to regain my senses. I still cannot be sure that I've escaped the nightmarish cycle. The heat licks at my face all the same. My heart still races, despite my demise...some point not too long ago. I can't say when, really.
...
I miss him dearly.
I hope he's doing better than what's happening with me.
My chest heaves up and down, breathing in that hot air that makes it harder to think. Light's tail twitches beside me. I hope he's not having as rough of a time as me, either. I'm sure it's not much different, though...that fur of his doesn't keep him cool probably.
I struggle to half-stretch my tense limbs and sit up again, wiping away remnants of tears and sweat. My glasses are so dirty, not helping my current state at all. I manage to get them off and somewhat wipe them off on my shirt.
They're still smudged. I sigh. No use in trying to clean them more when they'll just get dirty again. I flinch a little as I put them back on, my overheated body sending constant reminders to cool off. There was nothing I could do about that.
...
As usual.
I uh..think I'm better rested, now...
You wanna go adventure out?
Um, yeah- let's, let's get going...!
I shake as I try to stand up, clawing at the rough walls of the "cave" we'd dug out. The wooden tools on my belt clack together as I finally stand, my tail swishing around for stability.
God, I could use some real stability in my life (or...afterlife, I guess...) right now.
I shake my head as I cling to the walls, heading back out into the hell that was my current reality.
I blinked hard. Even after my restless rest, getting too close to the fires and lavafalls that dot the landscape made me dizzy. The smoke reminds me all too well of Nightmare and Dark. In fact, if I looked too close, I could practically see their red eyes glaring back at me.
...
I was probably hallucinating 75% of the time. Not great, when you're stuck on high ledges and barren terrain with a Demon that wants you dead (or, maybe, insane...too much like that one-eyed thing with...my voice...).
Light didn't look to be doing fantastic himself. His big ears were constantly swiveling around for any threats, and his pawed feet sometimes got chunks of netherrack stuck between them. He wasn't prepared for something like this, it would seem.
At least we had each other, right...?
We were able to pick some mushrooms that looked somewhat edible, though we had no way of making stew from them with no bowls. But still, at least something.
GAH-! Not again-!
I caught sight of Demon again. When I got several paces away, I saw no sight of it. Light tried his best to calm my overwhelmed nerves.
Just...let me know if you need a break, okay?
I'll...I'll be fine, promise.
...okay.
He didn't seem satisfied by that answer, but didn't press on. I coughed, trying to regain my composure.
I uh- I hope you're not getting any um, hallucinations, too..
I don't think I am?
That's, that's good, yeah.. let's hope it stays that way.
I wiped away sweat dripping into my eye.
...
We eventually trudged into a cave system that seemed far from any big lava lakes. Light had caught sight of a figure behind us, and we both figured it was safer to take a break than risk both of us getting caught out in the open.
I sighed, closing my eyes, resting my head against the alien, unsettling wall. Light glanced around outside before he came to my side.
Guess we'll be living off of mushrooms for awhile, haha...
Guess so.
Light didn't seem to be one for small talk. He was definitely quieter than Rainbow. Which wasn't a bad thing! I just...didn't know what to do with myself besides ramble, when I got nervous and tired. Rainbow and I are a lot alike, in that way.
Yknow, I have- had?- a friend who was utterly obsessed with mushrooms, haha-! Professor Red would not stop at anyyyything to get his fix of mushroom stew!
Ah, really?
Yeahhh! He was...definitely kind of a crazy guy, but he had his virtues yknow. He could probably whip up some insane plan to get us outta here..
There was a long awkward pause.
Anddd now I've made myself sad, yayyy....
I hope your friends are doing well out there themselves.
Aw, thanks...I hope so too.
I sighed, wishing I had anyone I knew who could help me out here. Don't get me wrong, Light was doing great, but neither of us were well-equipped for this. I stared at the ground wistfully, until my eyes started burning up again. I slid down a little, blinking back what little tears I had left.
I hope we find a portal out of here soon...I'm sorry you've been caught up in all of this too...
It's..alright. I'm just glad I'm not alone in this.
I looked up at him. He smiled sadly, brushing his hair out of his face.
I'm...glad I'm not alone either...I just....wish I could do something to get us outta here faster...
He nodded.
We'll figure it out somehow. We just...need some time.
Yeah..
You seem tired. You can rest again, if you want. I'll keep watch.
Are you sure? I've...kinda been passing out a lot, I can just power through this probably..
I'm sure. I'll be okay, just rest as best you can, alright?
Al-alright. Thank you...
I exhaled again, trying to relieve myself of all the extreme temperatures I've been in for way too long. Who knew spirits could experience heat exhaustion? Certainly not myself.
It took far too long, practically rotting in the unforgiving hell of this insane place. But I did close my eyes eventually. And when I opened them again, I did not see the same horned red beast I dreaded so much. I saw...something else.
...
A massive, almost celestial-sized spiral, its colors constantly shifting, turning again and again around my tiny form. It almost looked like I was floating in space.
Woah...
My voice didn't even echo here. What...was this? Where was I? Is....this all a dream...? The heat seemed to be missing entirely. The entire place wasn't empty dark sky, it was filled with color and planets and more. It was so different from the hellish, barren landscape I'd just been in.
A voice spoke, seemingly from nowhere and everywhere, inside my head and outside, that startled me from my utter awe.
Hello, little one.
HuH-?? Wh- where are you-?
They chuckled calmly.
Don't worry, this is nothing like the individual that copied your voice.
You- how do you know that?? Why-
Because I wanted to remind you that your actions matter, even now.
Who....are you...?
I would've thought you'd recognize me, young elder.
Eld..er..?
I looked up at the voice, puzzled.
...!
Then it hit me.
You're...the origin of the Steves...!
They chuckled again.
Indeed, I am.
Wh-why- r...right. How...why did you choose to meet me...?
You seemed lost in your little maze. You needed some time out of it.
I...yeah, I probably did...
I wanted to tell you a little story.
I could almost feel them smile at me.
What.. is it, o' great origin of all..?
No need for formalities, young Blue Steve. We don't need that, where we're going.
Huh...?
The spiral started to turn faster.
Somewhere kinder.
He started to tell me of my purpose. My reason for still being needed in these mad escapes for survival.
People still yearn to see your story end, and for you to come out on top.
You still have a village backing you up, despite not being able to see their support. Not yet.
I know these days are cutting you deep and rough. You are struggling here, I know.
But I want to remind you: despite the dark, there is still light. A tainted window can still let you see into the world's kindness.
The cycle that we follow, the spiral we fall so easily into, day by day, life by life - it will bring us horrors anew, but also life.
You have done well. You have survived well in life. You have grown a tree that blooms beautifully, long after your life's end.
We have a choice to make for ourselves every day. To believe we can continue on, in the endless faces of change.
You must breathe, despite its poison.
We do so much to prove to others and to ourselves we are worthy of life. We seem to believe the way out is to follow it.
You must understand that this is okay. This position, the reality which hides behind the cosmic fallacy. Acceptance of your state of being will unravel the dangers you carry yourself into.
You must remember what you have survived. And that this position which you suffer in is not static, but constantly changing.
You can find the path within you. You can choose the strength you need most. My message to you?
The spiral, the stars, everything...spinning, spinning, spinning..so much bigger than me...
Beware the cosmic fallacy of rhe mundane and the extraordinary. You are as much part of this world as anyone else, and you must care about the vessel which you live in.
Pull away the layers, and let your true spirit flow. Times are tough. Days are hard. This position in reality is not unchanging. It might not be planted by your hands, but it can grow by them.
You can flourish not despite the struggle, but because you have always understood struggle. Your choice to care for others is your gift and your power.
Look around and breathe, and remember that this is not all that you are. Or things may become...twisted.
The planets, the spiral, the stars and the voice themselves all melted away. I witnessed a flash of bright, pure blue staring back at me, before my eyes fluttered open again.
...
I blinked.
That....was real...?
Did...did the actual origin of the Steves just speak to me..?!
You seem to be doing better.
I jumped at the sound.
Y-yeah-! I...I think so...? I...what was that...
Huh?
I- I think I just had a vision from the origin of the Steves-?
Whoa, that sounds crazy!
I- I think they just...basically said they're proud of me-???
I looked down, utterly awestruck, when I noticed I had a glass bottle in my lap.
When did I get...this?
I picked it up. It...was cool to the touch. Light gasped a little when I pulled it out. It was...
A bottle of water?
I-I guess Origin gave-gave me this-?
I stumbled over my words in incredible shock. The dream wasn't a dream at all! Just holding this now, I couldn't help but feel empowered. I noticed a small note tied to it.
"A little something to keep your strength up," it-it has to be, right-? There's no way-
Light nods.
It's gotta be. We didn't bring any bottles ourselves. And...is that still cold?
Yeah!! Look!
I handed it off. His ears perk up in surprise.
Oh wow, it is!
We should probably ration it out...
If its from the literal creator, it...might not be completely ordinary, yknow.
True, but...let's not risk it, yeah?
That's fair. Could I take a sip?
Sure!
He almost immediately looked utterly relieved when he drank from it. He smiled as he handed it over.
It's literally ice cold!
Wait seriously?
When I took a sip, it took all my self-control to not guzzle it all.
Have you ever been so parched that you're constantly on the verge of tipping over? Where everything's fuzzy, even the conversation you just had? Where everything itches and burns and hurts so bad? Where it feels like your bones are going to rip through your painful, dried up flesh? Where thinking makes your ears ring and your vision blur?
This water was so cold it almost burned, but in a good way. It shocked my system awake, and the brain fog lifted instantly. It was somehow sweet, and almost reminded me of honey or watermelon. Even after such a small sip, it quenched my thirst and my pain and more. It was a miracle. I immediately relaxed, my muscles unwinding, my breathing steady.
They really weren't kidding, this stuff's literally lifesaving-!
Yeah!!
Well then! I guess travel shouldnt be that hard, now!
I returned its cork and carefully put it in my pocket, ensuring it'll never fall out or be stolen.
Soooo does that mean you're ready to head out already?
Yeah, if you are!
Sure am!
Then let's go!
...
It was surprisingly uneventful for awhile. Even when we got tired (or that time I fell into a hole-) we were able to keep moving forward. We saw no signs of the Demon anywhere. I guess Origin's blessing was upon us, and it scared it off.
But then, we found something amazing.
Hey, look over there!
Whoa...is that an actual forest...?
As we ran closer, it was. More alien than any overworld forest, but it was. There was grass and trees that were all teal, mushrooms and foliage everywhere. There were little lights growing on the trees even. When I took my axe to one and collected a log, I could make planks from it! The purple-veined bark shimmered in my hands as I looked up at Light with excitement.
Oh, this is gonna be a game changer!
It sure is!
And how right we were. We loaded up on the cool-looking wood, making sure yo leave plenty of trees left standing. The "leaves" felt more like nether wart, squishy and, well, mushroomy. We did take the cool organic lights though, they were like glowstone but they didn't break into dust! We took a short break before heading out again, still feeling the hype from the water.
It didn't take long for us to find more cool biomes. We started seeing caches of gold in the netherrack, and zombie pigmen that looked surprisingly NOT zombified. We stayed clear away from them, though. They carried strange looking bows and golden weapons.
We eventually came to a lava-filled, almost volcano-like biome. I stayed well away, but it had ashy-smelling stone I was curious about. When we collected some, I decided to try crafting with them. And I could make stone tools!
Oh, this is so good! We can actually make stone tools now-!
I'll collect more!
Good, good, we should be alright now that we can make these!
