Ciara slowly opened her eyes, aware that she was once again on her back on a bed. This time, she knew she was at Inthelittlecorp, the calming scent of the forest was everywhere here. Yet she couldn't be calm. Excitement was bubbling up inside her, giving energy to her limbs. A genuine grin was stuck on her face, and she wasn't sure if it would ever leave, despite how bizarre it was to see her smile after she'd killed so many Tekkitopians. She got up, realising she hadn't felt this giddy in a long time. It felt as if she was given a new life, a new identity, a new body. Leaving the weapons on her bed, she skipped outside, correctly guessing that they were out here. She cornered Toby without Martyn noticing, and shushed him with a finger to the lips before showing him the piece of paper with pleading eyes. For a moment he looked horrified, not thinking for a moment that it was fake as her eyes had originally glowed a little, then sympathetic as he realised how nasty he'd been, thinking her terrified reactions were fake. Despite him being cold towards her upon false accusations, she looked unbeatably happy, far more cheerful than she had ever been in her short time spent here.

"I'm sorry, Ci. I was wrong..." He apologised but she just shook her head, eyes shimmering ecstatically.

"Don't worry about it, I'm not. Also, one, don't call me Ci, and two, I'm your sister." She stated nonchalantly, before turning and going to the blond, who smiled and hugged her.

Toby stood, stuck in place with his mouth slightly open. He didn't want to believe what she had said, but everything was indicating that it was true. They had similar looks, they were both from Tomanitem, and they both had siblings- which, if it was correct, were each other. He uncertainly headed over to her while she watched, putting on a fake confused expression that didn't reach her eyes.

"Hey, Toby, how come you're acting like a zombie all of a sudden?" Martyn teased, but he just stared blankly at someone who claimed to be his sister.

"You're my sister..." He whispered, eyes wide, the fact still not sunk in.

"Jeez, now I'm doubting it. Look at you, you're so slow!" She joked while the blond joined in on his friend's shock.

"B-but how is that possible... how?!" He spluttered, making her laugh.

"Okay, let me explain. My name is Ciara Cottrell, sadly a citizen of Tomanitem, who's family were killed there. I have a brother who's generally known as Toby Cottrell, who is a complete derp and manages to fall in rivers. Oh, he's also my only living blood-relative, and I'm his. Think about it." She listed sarcastically, her attitude changing dramatically.

He knew by 'think about it' she meant the RHM's backstory, and it was true, it added up and made sense, yet he wasn't fully convinced. "What was my nickname for you?"

She groaned, burying her face in her hands. "CC, my nickname was CC. Now apparently it's Ci, which isn't any better."

He pulled her into a hug, stroking her hair that was several shades lighter than his. "You take after mum with your looks, but you've got dad's personality."

"I can't believe I found you after all this time. Why did you not check to see if anyone had survived?" She complained half-heartedly, mostly just thankful that she'd found him now.

He shrugged, remembering that 'borderline-order' tone from his childhood. "I just didn't expect anyone to live. My luck was clearly bad, well, until Martyn showed up."

"He's your good luck charm." She said with a giggle, both of them looking in perfect sync to the blond who was just awkwardly standing there.

"Oh great, now I have two complete derps to look after." He exclaimed as if it was the end of the world, earning a blob of mud thrown at his face.

"I'm not a derp! You've seen me, I don't fall in rivers because of something shiny! I can take care of myself, as that's what I've been doing for the last... five years or so." She moaned, escaping from the hug.

He tried to rub the dirt off his face and only succeeding in spreading it further. "Are you going against what a King says?"

She smirked. "Yes, yes I am. Besides, I'm more sophisticated than you."

"You've got me there." He responded with a sigh, shaking his head with shame.

"Toby, in case anything happens... just know that I love you." She admitted quietly, and he knew she was talking about Herobrine.

Ridge flinched at those three words, but didn't show the sadness as he landed in the clearing with them. "Guys, just to let you know, Lalna is... dead. Nano is nowhere to be found."

"Yes she is... she's in the forest, dead too." Ciara muttered softly, handing the demigod the paper she had found and averting her eyes.

He looked at the note, expression darkening. "Oh. Thank you for the information. I'll go and tell the others."

"Make sure to stop the guys from spreading rumors about this morning..." She forced out, trying to sound lighthearted, and succeeding in making a real smile when she thought about being in bed with Ridge.

He chuckled, noticing that she was blushing again. "I will, don't worry."

She narrowed her eyes at him, noticing something different, and in response he smiled wider in an attempt to cover how upset he was. "Okaaay... so I guess you'll be leaving now, to inform the others?"

"Y-yeah, see you... sometime." He replied, half-dropping the act under her intense stare, before lifting off the ground and zooming off through the sky.

Toby instantly went to his sisters side, murmuring comforting things to her, but she gently pushed him away, despite wanting to be comforted. Most of her wanted to go back to the solitary life she had before, the life that was forced upon her where she had to kill to survive, the one where she shut herself off and closed her emotions so she didn't get hurt. She regretted taking the risk of getting close to these people, because now they were being picked off... by her. But then again, if she had never accepted Herobrine's offer in the first place...

...the dirty streets of Minecraftia's capital city, Hexxopolis, were quietened and cleaned as pure white snow drifted carelessly from the sky, layering up on the ground. Ciara hugged herself tightly, her lips blue and extremities numb. Her breaths fogged out in front of her, and she could barely feel any of her, seeing as she wasn't exactly dressed for this extreme weather. She heard footsteps crunch closer and kept her head down, hoping they'd walk past, but they stopped right in front of her. Naturally she thought the worst, especially since she was hiding down a dark back alley in an attempt to keep out of sight.

"Hey, are you okay?" The voice, now identified as a man, asked, seeming genuinely concerned.

She ignored him, but she let her arm subtly drop down to the bloody knife she was currently using to assassinate people who had wronged her. Unfortunately, she had avenged all her family members, and had nothing else to do but die in the cold and join them. The man didn't leave, instead, there was a rummaging sound, and something soft was placed over her frozen legs. She examined the blanket, a simple dark purple thing with a diamond pickaxe emblazoned on it, before looking up at the man for the first time. Obviously, the first thing she would notice was his glowing white eyes that almost matched the snow, except without the gentle innocence. He had short brown hair, a cyan t-shirt and jeans with plain black shoes. To her disbelief, and almost jealousy, he didn't seem cold at all, despite the fact that it was below zero.

"I hear you're the famous Red Hand Murderer? You look like you're in a predicament, out in the cold like this." He said softly, still not moving a muscle and staring at her.

She would've attacked him, yet her limbs felt heavy and clumsy, so she knew she couldn't do anything effectively. "H-how do y-you k-know that?"

"I have my ways. But say, I have business that needs to be attended to, would you be up for the job if I pay you a fair sum?" He asked, holding out a small leather pouch that jingled with coins.

"What d-do y-you need m-me to do?" She whispered, still afraid for her safety, her teeth chattering.

"I need you to assassinate someone. So far you've done well, and if you successfully complete this one, you'll get a iron sword. After a certain amount more, I'll give you the best I can give, and enchanted diamond sword." He offered temptingly, and she forced herself to her feet, the blanket falling off her and landing in a heap.

"Who i-is i-it?" She queried eagerly, her knife hand, although numb, was clasped readily around her weapon.

"Oh, I can't let you go like that. I'll pay for a night in that inn over there, and you can have this. Use it to buy some better clothes. I'll tell you in the morning, meet me here." He handed her the bag of money, before striding over to the welcoming inn with her stumbling behind.

Little did she know, her future would spiral down, out of control...

...she gave a sigh, hating her past self for so recklessly getting her into this situation. But part of her was overjoyed, as if her past self hadn't accepted that deal, then she almost certainly would've died there and never would've met her brother.

"Hey, what did you mean about 'this morning'?" Toby questioned suddenly, looking intrigued.

"Oh that... was nothing. Nothing at all." She responded quickly, sounding very unconvincing, more so when she blushed brightly again.

"What happened between you and Ridge?" He persisted, raising an eyebrow at her suspicious reaction.

"I told you, absolutely nothing happened." She insisted firmly, crossing her arms across her chest.

Of course, Minty, Sjin, Zoey and Fiona chose that moment to arrive in the clearing. Zoey was making many chicken puns to the new Tekkitopian, who couldn't help but laugh at each one, even as they got worse and worse.

"So, Ciara, Sjin told me you slept with Ridge?" Minty spoke up, bringing all attention to the former-assassin, who looked as if she wanted the ground to swallow her there and then.

"So absolutely nothing happened, eh?" Toby teased as he prodded her arm.

"Yeah, nothing happened..." She squeaked out, suddenly realising how interesting the odd few leaves were under her boots.

"Ridge clearly thinks a lot of you. He cried over you when you were stabbed, and he rarely cries. He hasn't even cried over... them... after the RHM killed them, so that proves you're special to him." Zoey pointed out sweetly, standing close enough to Fiona that their arms brushed.

"But... no... he... I..." She stuttered, unable to form a complete sentence in retaliation.

"And you happily stayed in bed with him, snuggled right close to him no less. So that only means one thing..." Sjin continued with a girly giggle.

"It means what exactly, Sjin?" She suddenly locked eyes with him as an ominous wind picked up and rushed through the forest.

Toby frowned, looking to the sky. It was clear, the sun beating warmly down on them, without a cloud in sight. There was no storm incoming that would indicate when the RHM would make a kill, yet a breeze had randomly begun. He had noticed a lot of strange weather lately, in fact, there had only been unusual weather since Ciara had arrived. Could it be possible that she was somehow controlling the weather? He tossed that thought aside, realising how ridiculous it sounded, even in his mind.

"...you like Ridge too...?" The farmer reluctantly finished, a little afraid of the girl now.

"That accusation has no solid ground." She retorted, lifting her head high, yet she still felt terrified that they'd find out.

"Yes there is, sorry CC. You blush whenever someone mentions Ridge." Toby said, making her turn to him with an expression of betrayal.

"I told you not to call me CC." The wind turned into a howling gale, icy cold, yet there were still no clouds. "Blushing is still no grounds for that accusation. It's pretty hot, if you hadn't noticed." With that, she turned on her heel and stormed off into the forest, the wind dying down almost instantly.

"She changes mood quickly. Was she always like this?" Martyn inquired, staring after her.

Toby thought back, sticking out his tongue for extra effect. "No, I don't believe so. But she didn't change mood anyway, she was acting. She was still incredibly embarrassed, which is why she returned logical answers in hope of throwing us of the scent. She clearly likes Ridge."

"Wait, how would Toby know what she was like 'before'? She only just came to Tekkitopia!" Sjin exclaimed in confusion, making the brunette grin happily.

"It just so happens she's my sister. I thought my whole family dead, but apparently not, which is brilliant." He responded, appearing a little dreamy.

"I can see that. You two do look similar, both brunette with brown eyes, but she's lighter. That's cute!" Zoey squealed delightedly, bright-eyed despite Rythian's death.

"Isn't it just?" Martyn added, looking soppy over the youth all of a sudden.

"Oh my Notch you actually like me!" He stared in feigned disbelief at his friend, who chuckled back.

"Naw, I just like Ciara. Unfortunately, you come with the package, so I have to put up with you." He teased, making Toby playfully glare at him.

"You're so mean to Toby!" The redhead came over to him, giving him a friendly hug.

"See, Zoey cares, and she barely knows me. Yet you, Martyn, are an idiot-hole." He joked as he patted Zoey's back while she laughed.

Martyn pouted childishly, looking sad."But do you love me?"

"...yes, yes I love you. For some reason..."

"Should you check on Ciara?"

The brunette paused to listen for a moment, before shaking his head. "She's fine, just romping about somewhere over there, probably to try and get rid of her embarrassment."

Ciara kicked a pile of dead leaves into the air, where they simply fluttered back to the ground. She had disturbed the whole area here, even kicking the occasional tree to vent her annoyance. How could she have been so easy to read? She was trying her best to keep her crush a secret, yet it became apparent one way or another. It was pretty hard to hide it. A twig snapped and she jolted her head up to the sound, hands instinctively going to her waist, but she cursed herself for leaving her weapons back at the house. Instead, she tensed up and readied herself to fight with her hands, which she wasn't as good at, but she had not choice. A pair of white eyes became apparent before his body was visible out of the shadows, and her mouth went dry.

"You've been unfaithful to me, sweet Ciara." To her shock, she dropped onto one knee, bowing to him like she used to, except this time it was against her will. "Good girl. Now are you going to finish your duty and kill that annoying demigod?"

Her head stiffly nodded without her meaning to, and it was obvious he was controlling her. She tried to break away, but he was far stronger, and kept her frozen in place.

"That's good of you. I expect it to be done at double the speed after this unacceptable delay, so will you leave now?"

Once again, she was forced to agree to his statement, but this time with a furious grimace. Despite her predicament, she hoped no-one would come across them she get the wrong idea, more so because Herobrine would almost certainly get her to kill them.

"Why do I sense that you do not wish to do another favour for me? I saved your life remember, I gave you a new one."

How could this be called a life?! She thought angrily, I should've died in that alley, it's what I deserved!

"Come now, don't be so bitter. I regret sending you to this Notchforsaken place, the nasty people have rubbed off on you. Don't worry, we can soon have that fixed, but only once you've finished that favor for your darling Herobrine."

A sick feeling was growing inside her, knowing that if she didn't say she was going to do it, then he would probably kill her here and finish Ridge himself. She couldn't let Ridge get hurt, but she didn't care about herself, so long as everyone would be safe. She would warn him, perhaps he could do something, he is powerful, after all.

"Off you go then. I'll come and find you when you've done." Finally, she could stand, but her relief didn't last for long. His fingers wrapped tightly around her neck and he slammed her against a tree, his eyes blazing brighter. "If you don't get it done, I'm afraid you know what happens to you. It'll be a shame to get rid of you, after all these wonderful years that we've both enjoyed together." He dropped her, so she slumped in a heap at the foot of the tree, head dipped as she choked for air. "Well, have fun."

Just like that, he vanished into thin air, leaving her alone. Her world was spinning, and her throat felt sore and bruised, but she was still alive. She shakily got to her feet, stumbling a few times and almost falling, but she managed to make her way back to Inthelittlecorp with a fake smile. Toby saw through her act as soon as she arrived back, frowning when he saw the bruises appearing on her neck, and the fact that she seemed unfocused.

"CC, what's happened?" He whispered hurriedly, keeping his voice down for fear of Martyn hearing. "You didn't try to... kill someone, did you?!"

"N-no." She rasped, flinching when he gently touched the marks on her throat. "But someone's going to try and kill me if I don't."

"Don't tell me, your master?" He muttered, and she nodded, her shoulders slumped. "Who is he, I'll kill him!" He growled protectively, pulling her into a hug as he stroked her hair comfortingly.

She gave a scornful laugh. "Kill him? That's near enough impossible. Don't worry about me, I can take care of myself, I'll sort it out. I need to see Ridge in private, could you su-"

"You needed me?" Ridge asked curiously, floating upside-down next to them with a grin.

"Ridge, how'd you do that?! That's a little creepy... but oh well. Yeah, I needed you, we need to go somewhere secret, somewhere that no-one will see or hear us." She explained, letting out a deep breath.

"Got it." He responded instantly, turning upright before looping an arm around her waist, zooming into the air.

"Uh... bye bro!" She called in shock before they were out of earshot, surprised when Ridge dropped her off on a cloud and she didn't fall through.

"Bro? Oh yeah, Toby's your brother. Please continue." He settled on the cloud in front of her, sitting cross-legged.

"How'd you- never mind. Uh... you know I work for someone?" She began meekly, awkwardly playing with her fingers.

"Yeah, and let me guess, it's Herobrine?" He replied, putting one of his hands on hers to calm her.

"You got me. He seemed so nice when I first met him... but that doesn't matter now. He visited me just then, he was controlling me, and he told me that I had to kill you or... he'd deal with me. So, I uh, just wanted to warn you that when I'm gone he'll almost certainly come after you. He's powerful, Ridge, he might be as strong as you. I'm worried for you..." She explained softly, trailing off before staring with concern into his golden eyes.

"You aren't going to kill me? That's a first. You shouldn't be worried for me, you should be worried for yourself, you're mostly mortal." He said gently, moving so he sat next to her, and to his surprise she rested her head on his shoulder.

"Mostly mortal? What does that mean?" She asked with confusion, interlocking their fingers absentmindedly.

"Well... I'm assuming you've been with Herobrine for a long time, and you probably didn't know this, but the reason he can control you is because he's binded his spirit with yours. And he's... he's... a God. The God of the Nether and monsters. So that almost makes you a demigoddess, which is why you're mostly mortal. He's probably planning to turn you into a mindless drone who kills people without mercy." He gave a sad sigh, putting an arm around her shoulders as she shivered.

"So I'm almost a demigoddess of the Nether and monsters?" She fell silent, thinking for a moment. "What are you a demigod of?"

He looked interested, turning his gaze skyward. "I guess I'm the demigod of Tekkitopia, but I've never really thought about it. I suppose I was created to look after the Tekkitopians... which, currently, I'm failing at."

"...and that's my fault, I'm so sorry..." She mumbled, rubbing her neck without thinking.

Ridge noticed, and saw the bruises. "Did he do that?!"

"Yes, when he threatened me to kill you." Ciara muttered, letting her head droop down so the marks weren't visible anymore.

"I can't believe him..." He growled, tightening his hold on her and silently vowing to keep a closer eye on her in future.

"You don't need to worry about me, Ridge. I won't let him kill me while there's still Tekkitopians alive to protect from him." She stated determinedly, making Ridge's grin return.

"That's my girl." He said without realising, making her eyes widen and her heart skip a beat.

He just called me his girl! She thought delightedly, shuffling even closer to him.

They sat there, together, for a while without thinking about anything but each other. The sun began to go down, tinting the sky with a gorgeous mix of reds, oranges, pinks and golds.

"Ridge? May I ask you a question?" She took a chance and broke the comfortable silence, making him glance down at her with a soft smile.

"You just did, but I'll allow you another." He responded with a chuckle, and she gave an unimpressed sigh in response.

"Oh isn't that just so original...." She grumbled under her breath, before continuing. "Can demigods and demigoddesses love a mortal?"

"Yes." He replied instantly, before giving a nervous cough. "I mean, there aren't many other demigods or goddesses around anymore, so most choose an earthbound partner. But they don't love them, most of the time, they just want to use them. There are a small few who fall in love with mortals, but because demi-beings are partially immortal, they live a lot longer than their partner and then die alone, as their heart belongs to no other."

"That's sad... but they're almost like loyal wolves, which is cute." She mused, staring at the thin sliver of sun on the horizon for so long that she had its shape reflected in her eyes.

"Are you calling me a dog?" He asked indignantly, sounding offended.

"Well you're loyal, you're a demigod, your name has 'dog' in it, and you're cute, so yes, you're a-" She put a hand over her mouth as she realised what she had said, avoiding his amused gaze.

"I'm cute, eh? Glad you think so, Ciara." He teased gleefully, keeping her firmly in place when she tried to turn around in embarrassment.

"I didn't... I never... um..." She stumbled over her words, half of her not wanting to take back what she said, because truly she meant it.

He just laughed warmly at her failure, making her look down at her lap with a blush. "You know, it's cute when you blush."

That just made her go redder as she squared her shoulders and pressed the heels of her hands on her skirt in an attempt to gain courage. She didn't know what it was about this man that confused her emotions so much, perhaps it was his fairytale good looks, or maybe his charming personality, but either way, when she was with him she couldn't keep anything to herself. Any girl would be lucky to have him, yet she doubted she could be any girl. The stars had begun to come out and Ridge was already admiring them, so Ciara followed his gaze and allowed a smile to grace her features. It seemed that only he could make her troubles disappear.