"Alex! To the left!"
The thundering noise of the beast behind us dominated my shout, and yet, Alex still heard my voice and took the left turn and ran over the deep revine that separated this cave section.
However, I was not as lucky as the moment I was halfway over the bridge we made with stone, the creature behind us roared and swung its arm, destroying the bridge and making me plummet to the lava river below.
Thankfully, before I could plummet to my death, Alex grabbed my hand.
"Steve! Hold on!"
"What the hell do you think I am doing?"
"Hey! No need to be so rude!"
"Rude!? This is a fucking mess-BEHIND YOU!"
Alex did not even have the time to react before a Creeper stealthily approached her and blew up, throwing both of us off the cliff and straight into the lava while the energies and soul of the Creeper were absorbed by the ground below it, allowing for more Sculk to grow and corrupt the land around it.
All the while, the beast that was named 'The Warden' by the Builders, roared blindly as it lost the sound of its prey. Us.
Before we could die a painful death and respawn back home, I took out a water bucket and emptied it below us, instantly turning the lava into obsidian. Meanwhile, Alex took out a Potion of Slow Falling, making me widen my eyes in outrage.
"What in the actual hell! Alex! You only brought one potion with you?"
The girl glared at me at those words.
"If it weren't for some dumbass who stumbled from the Portal Frame in the City and nearly fell to his death, I would have two of them!"
I took a deep breath at those words and nodded as the ground swiftly approached.
"Alright, take the potion-mph!?"
Before I could tell her to drink it and save herself, she shoved the bottle into my mouth.
The next second, I felt gravity's hold loosen on me as I slowed down instantly, and yet, Alex did not.
I watched helplessly as blood splattered on the obsidian below and felt her soul dissipate into energy, shooting into the distance while her dead body disappeared into thin air.
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Alex watched the information on the Scroll with wide eyes as she read all the details that her husband brought back with him.
"...You know, I thought our days of being surprised with some random bullshit were long over."
Steve smiled at her words as he lay on their bed by her side.
"Tell me about it. Thankfully, this world is not as dangerous as the Overworld. Even with the Grimm."
Alex snorted at those words and threw the scroll aside, snuggling into her husband's chest for comfort.
"If the stupid wolves in the morning are anything to go by, they are not even worth fighting seriously."
"Hm. Regardless, this is a new world where we do not know what is waiting for us out there. So we should remain cautious and prepare accordingly."
At those words, Alex raised an eyebrow with amusement.
"This coming from the guy who challenged the Warden alone with Diamond-tier equipment, simply because that thing caused me to die?"
Steve could not help but blush at those words before he glared lightly at her.
"You are one to talk. Remember that Illager outpost that somehow got the jump on me? By the time I came back to life at our home, you reduced that outpost to a smoldering crater filled with Lava."
Alex simply smiled smugly.
"Of course I did. Nobody touches my husband and gets away with it."
Steve simply chuckled at those words before kissing her passionately.
"The same goes for me. So, about the plan?"
Alex sighed and simply put her head on his chest.
"It is a sound plan. But I don't like how you are taking such a risk by yourself."
"There is no risk, Alex. By going alone, I am reducing the chances of those Syndicates trying to pull something, not to mention that if the situation goes south somehow and we end up getting busted by this world's equivalent of the FBI or something like that, only I will be implicated in the issue."
Alex remained silent at his words before speaking.
"Like you said, we are in a different world where we have no information on what is really out there. For all we know, there might be something here that can permanently kill us. What if something happens to you-"
Steve put his finger to her lips.
"Don't think like that. You know better than anyone how cautious and paranoid I am, so there is no way I am going to get caught off guard. And even if you are right, even if there is something out there that can kill me permanently, do you think I will allow something like Death to stop me when I have a beautiful wife like you waiting for me at home?"
"Quit the smooth talk!"
Despite her words, Alex still blushed and smiled warmly before sighing in resignation.
"Fine. Do as you will. However, promise me that you will keep your Netherite Armor on at all times, and keep the Totems of Undying handy, just in case."
"As you wish, my queen."
"I am the queen, eh? Then this queen demands your full attention this night!"
Steve simply chuckled as his wife straddled him while their clothes disappeared into their storage.
That night, the happy couple spent the night lost in their passion, knowing that Steve would be gone for at least a month to get the power of Aura and some more information about their current situation for both of them.
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Kuroyuri landing pad.
At the only airbase in the town of Kuroyuri, located on the Logistics Island, Alex gazed reluctantly at her husband, who was preparing to board the Bullhead headed towards Mistral.
"Call me the moment you get off, ok?"
"Got it. I'll call you when I reach Mistral."
"If there are any Grimm attacks-"
"Relax, Alex. You know better than anyone that there are only a few things that can best me in combat."
"That's why I am worried."
Alex frowned at his smile.
Despite having the same kind of powerset, she and her husband had long ago realized that people would always have their differences. Thankfully for the couple, their differences only served to bring them closer and complement each other.
For example, Steve was someone who was extremely paranoid and cautious by nature, which reflected in his way of doing things, as he always had plans within plans. Alex, on the other hand, was free-spirited, optimistic, and loved an adventure, the danger of the unknown.
In terms of combat, Steve was someone who excelled in close combat. A master of all things bladed. As long as he had a blade, axe, pickaxe, or even a shovel in hand, there was nothing he feared in the world.
On the contrary, Alex was a master marksman. With unparalleled aim and predicting ability that bordered on precognition. In her hands, any ranged weapon, even a simple throwing lance, would become a deadly weapon on the battlefield.
Steve was someone who did not like letting emotions control him, while Alex lived with her heart on her sleeve.
Steve always saw the worst possible outcome in any scenario, while Alex only saw the best.
These two people were the exact opposite in so many ways that it was not even funny. And yet, they made it work. Turning these differences into advantages, so much so that when they are together as one, there is no force in the Overworld, the Nether, and the End that could go against them and hope to win.
At least not win forever because there were many times that they failed and died together, but that was another topic altogether.
Alex looked at Steve with worry as he still sported a relaxed smile.
"You don't have me to watch your back out there. What if your bullhead is attacked by those flying Grimm we've been reading about? Without me to take care of ranged threats, how will you survive?"
Steve simply laughed at those words before flicking her nose, making her puff her cheeks.
"You may be the master of all things long range, but don't forget that I am no slouch when it comes to bows and arrows, just like you are not too bad with bladed weapons yourself."
His eyes softened as he kissed his wife gently to reassure her.
"Don't worry. I promised you, remember? I will always find my way to you, no matter what happens."
"...Fine. Be safe."
With that, Alex watched Steve wave at her and board the bullhead, which quickly took off into the distance, making the woman sigh.
However, her thoughts were interrupted when she heard a giggle from her side, making the Builder look towards the source and spot a woman with pink hair and eyes, gazing at her with kind eyes and a baby in her arms.
"Sorry. I did not mean to laugh at you. I just thought you two looked adorable."
Alex shook her head and spoke softly.
"It's fine. I am not offended or anything. It's just-"
"You worry about him."
Alex simply nodded her head, making the woman hum knowingly.
"Your boyfriend?"
"Husband."
"Oh? At such a young age?"
Alex smiled at her words.
"We might not look like it, but we have been adults for quite a while now."
"Huh. I guess you both were blessed with good genetics. Oh! Where are my maneners, I am An. An Ren with An being my given name and Ren being my family name. And this is my son, Lie Ren."
Alex took her extended hand with a smile.
"I am Alex. No last name. And hello there, Lie."
Alex's smile became even happier as she watched the baby boy babble happily.
"Do you want to join us for lunch? My husband just left on the same Bullhead as yours and won't be back for some time."
"I wouldn't want to impose!"
"I insist."
Alex nodded at An's words and followed the woman to her home, talking about mundane things along the way, which also doubled as a way for Alex to learn more about this town and the world as a whole.
As the two women talked for many hours later on, Alex could not help but smile.
Because she found that she shared a lot of similar opinions with An, giving her a feeling that she had long since given up on.
The feeling of friendship.
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Author notes: Read 10 chapters ahead on Patreon: patreon.com/Tiranus2