Disclaimer: I don't own the game 'Minecraft' I only own this AU series.

Warnings: Severe Injuries, Experimenting, Torture
☆

"Experiment SW-01, previously W-097 will undergo Experiment ES-05. Emotional strength, fifth test."

Jason looked pissed through the glass panes. He stared blankly at his torturers. The artificial Wither part of him decided to refer to them as his prey. Jason narrowed his eyes, finding himself growling underneath the muzzle placed over his nose and mouth. It was placed after he bit one of the scientists. It was already beginning to dig onto his skin.

The wires connected to the sides of his head started to buzz. Jason shut his eyes, growing pissed at everything. His fingers clenched even if they were held down by metal cuffs. His black nails dug into the iron chair as he awaited the pain.

"Electrical trauma, in five. Five, four, three, two... One."

Electricity shook the wires as they shot multiple volts through his head. His eyes shot open and harsh memories flashed through his mind. Painful flashbacks of the torture he suffered, and the anger he felt previously when the scientists celebrated their success through their torture.

The electricity stopped, but his body still jerked through the aftershock. He snarled in frustration, his mouth starting to foam underneath the muzzle.

And the electricity shook him again.

-

"Jason! Wake up, pretty boy."

Jason shot up, clutching his head as it spun. He found Ty standing over him in full uniform.

Jason muttered, "You scared me, Ty."

The captain narrowed his eyes, "Did I, really? Must be some nightmare to get you twisting and falling off your bed."

Ty smirked down at him, and Jason wondered why his bed was so hard and so low. He clutched at the ground and found cold wood instead of his soft mattress. He looked around groggily, he was tangled up in his bedsheet on the floor next to his bed.

Jason groaned and got up, stumbling as he tried to untangle himself from the blankets. Ty chuckled and Jason snapped at him, "Get out!"

"Shouldn't speak to your captain like that, Probst," cooed Ty playfully.

Jason finally pulled the blanket free with a harsh pull and he glared at Ty with as much fury as he could. He probably glared like a frustrated kitten. He heard Ty lock the door for him, and with a sigh he began to change.

He met Ty outside once he was done, brushing back his hair, "Am I late for anything?"

Ty shook his head, "No, just wanted to walk with you to the dining hall. Good thing I did too, or else you'd be late."

Jason hung his head with a slight blush, "Ah, sorry. I just couldn't sleep last night, finally fell asleep around three."

Ty looked at him with concern, "You alright?"

Jason grinned at him, "I'm just tired."

"If you say so."

"Sirs! We got you a tray!"

The two superiors turned to see the soldiers they were assigned to for the day at a table, pointing to two trays full of breakfast. Jason smiled softly and took a seat eagerly, thanking his soldiers. Ty hesitantly followed, staring at the huge turkey leg on his tray.

He looked up when he heard footsteps and saw Sky heading towards them with his own tray. He had two turkey legs. He greeted them nonchalantly and sat down, immediately starting to devour everything he could. Ty stared at his commandant gnaw at the turkey leg and winced, looking down at his own.

He nudged his tray towards Jason, "You want my turkey?"

Jason swallowed his food like a proper gentleman before replying, "No thanks. I don't eat much in the morning."

"I'll have it," said Sky, with his mouth full of turkey like a savage.

Sky grabbed the turkey leg off of Ty's tray, and the captain sighed in relief before diving into the fruits and vegetables for the day. Jason watched him silently, about to ask him why he didn't want turkey since he had expressed his love for meat before.

"Sir!"

The three turned around, Sky's mouth still full of turkey. They found a soldier with a young teenage man's arm around her shoulder. The teenager's clothes were dirty and messy, and there were burn marks on his arms and cheek.

Jason immediately abandoned his food and started to walk over, "What happened?"

The soldier opened her mouth to speak but the teenager beat her to it, "M-My village! It's being attacked!"

Sky and Ty immediately stood up and the former swallowed his mouthful of turkey before ordering, "I want Foster's medical team, Ellis', Hughes' and Aceti's team to meet me outside in five! My team for today, follow. Purton, you and your team will be back-up."

"Yes, sir!"

-

Sky's horse, Boy, reared and neighed before dropping into a straight gallop, with everyone following behind him. Kei was under Brice Purton, and Killia was under Ty. They rode alongside each other, and Kei kept glancing at her with worry.

At the fifth glance, Killia finally met his eyes and scowled. Kei kept his eyes forward from then on. Their horses under them could practically feel their pounding heartbeats. Killia's hands were clenching the reins so tight they were shivering.

Kei opened his mouth, "Sis, if you're scared over-"

"Don't."

It was quiet except for the thundering of hooves hitting the sandy ground and the neighs of the horses. Killia slowly said, "It's my chance to have my revenge."

Kei looked at her sadly, before looking ahead.

"We're slowing down. Let's pick up the pace," he said softly.

The two of them clicked their tongues and nudged their horses' belly, urging them to go faster. In the distance, they could see the faint outline of the village's walls.

With strings of smoke rising from the village.

-

The horses could smell the stench of death and smoke and stopped outside the gates, refusing to go closer. Sky got everyone to dismount and Seto's medical team started to set up the medical tent.

Ty stood next to Sky, "Well?"

Sky observed the village in shambles, before he raised his voice, "Hughes, you go to the right and work your way in. Aceti, you go left. Captain."

Ty looked at him, "Yes, sir?"

Sky narrowed his eyes, "Split your men up. You follow me, my team will head straight in."

He raised his voice once again, "Is that clear?"

"Yes, sir!"

Mitch and Jerome bumped fists before running in to the gate, avoiding the civilians running to safety. Ty looked at Seto, who was unloading all the first aid kits they brought with them.

"You gonna be alright, here?"

Seto looked up but Brice answered for him, "We'll direct the civilians to safety and protect them should any creature come here, sir."

His team, including Kei nervously holding his military-issued rifle, nodded. He watched his sister disappear when Ty placed her under Jerome.

Ty looked back at Sky, "You ready to go?"

Sky narrowed his eyes and nodded, running towards the gate. Ty fell in behind him, with their teams close behind.

-

As soon as Jerome's team entered, they were momentarily shocked by the chaos. The soldiers who have been attending to creature attacks for years have never seem an attack so severe. Buildings were on fire, people were screaming and growls and hisses could be heard.

The team heard a particular loud scream, probably made by a woman. The scream was accompanied by a baby's wail, and Jerome immediately headed for the noise. He sent two soldiers to keep scouting for survivors and called Killia and another male soldier called Thomas Roberts to assist him.

They ran into the alley, and the flames of the building lapped at their skin as they ran past it. The screaming got louder as they avoided the fiery paths and made it to a blacksmith.

"There! On the roof!" Roberts shouted.

The three looked up to see a woman screaming for her life holding an infant to her chest. Trying to climb onto the roof was a spider, hissing angrily. Jerome retrieved his hatchet from his back and ran forward, jumping onto a few crates. Killia stayed and got out her bow, prepping an arrow and aiming at the moving spider as it slowly moved closer.

Roberts was behind Jerome with his sword raised, and Killia was about to release her arrow when Jerome's hatchet buried itself into the spider's abdomen. The spider immediately collapsed, hissing lowly before it died. The woman was still sobbing, staring at the spider as it slipped from the roof.

Jerome stepped back and let it fall in front of him. He put a boot next to his hatchet and pulled it out with a sickening squelch. Roberts was busy calming down and helping the woman from the roof. He took her child first, passing it to Killia before helping her jump down. He caught her by the waist and lowered her.

The woman took her child from Killia and thanked them with tears in her eyes. Roberts continued to soothe her and Jerome leaned over and ordered him to escort her to the medical tent. The woman's arms were covered in cuts and burns.

Roberts nodded and unsheathed his sword. He got out his pistol instead, one arm on the lady's mid-back as he led her towards the gate. Killia and Jerome made sure they left with no trouble before continuing to look for more survivors.

They heard cries for help towards the end of the village, and ran as fast they could. The fire had already died down in that part of the village, but it was crawling with spiders and endermen. The creatures were scratching at two separate houses, and screams could be heard from both.

Jerome quickly ordered, "You go in one, I'll take the other."

"Yes, sir."

He raised his bloody hatchet and ran towards one house, as Killia aimed her bow at a couple of spiders trying to crawl in the window. She shot three spiders before slinging her bow and brandishing her sword instead. She ran towards the house, hands raised and ready to slash at any creature in her way.

Right as she was about to bring her sword down on a spider running towards her, she was slammed to the side. She yelped, dropping her sword as she was pinned to the ground. Her back burned against the stone road and she looked up to see a black face with glowing turquoise eyes.

The sight was all-too familiar as she froze.

The enderman hissed, "I didn't expect to see so many half breeds here."

Her eyes widened when the enderman spoke in fluent English. She gasped, her fists tightening. The enderman smiled uglily before parting its drooling black jaws, ready to bite. She grunted as she struggled, her hands pushing against the enderman's thin black body.

Memories of her past flooded her mind as the enderman's face came closer and closer. She used all her strength, her upper body shivering. She finally turned her head and squeezed her eyes tight, waiting for familiar pain to come again.

"Your fight is with me, fucker!"

The weight above her disappeared and she heard a tumble followed by a scuffle. She opened and her eyes and looked towards the noise, and saw a cloaked man pin the enderman on the ground. The enderman's long claws scratched at his back, tearing through the black cloak.

The cloak had a hood, and the man had it on. They struggled for a while and the man raised a hand. A dagger appeared out of nowhere and the man brought it down hard on the enderman's chest. Turquoise blood spurted out as the enderman growled.

Killia supported herself on her elbows, watching with wide eyes. The enderman's body glowed and she watched it change right before her very eyes. The form changed to a bat, who hissed at the cloaked man before flapping off, turquoise blood dripping off its tiny body.

The cloaked man stood up from his position and groaned immediately, his hand reaching for the wounds on his back. They bled through his shirt and cloak, staining the dark cloak. Killia immediately got to her feet and grabbed her sword nearby.

She ran over, "Sir! Are you alright? Let me bring you to the-"

She grabbed his shoulder, and the man tore himself from her touch. He turned around, hood covering most of his face. From their close proximity, Killia noticed that the man had golden brown hair peeking from his hood. He also wore a dark blue bandana. She peered closer and reached out a hand, wanting to extend her help again.

He flinched back, "No, go get the family inside."

He pointed at the house. She looked back at the house Jerome had went into. The creatures were cleared from there, but he was still inside. She turned back to the house she was meant to go into.

The man raised his dagger in his hand, "I'll distract the creatures. Go."

Killia frowned, the man was clutching to his wound with his other hand, and red blood seeped between his fingers.

She opened her mouth to protest, "But you're hurt."

The man shook his head and began to back off, "I'll get more hurt if you bring me to the medical tent. Now, go!"

His voice was filled with authority, almost as if he was used to giving out orders. He ran away before she could protest, towards a group of spiders who were coming closer. She sighed and ran towards the house. Did he have a personal issue with the Southern Military's medics?

He also knew how to fight, and how to speak like a superior. Perhaps he was a soldier who was dishonorably discharged? Killia noted to ask about the strange cloaked man once they finished getting everyone out safely from the village.

She killed two spiders with a quick swipe of her sword in the house. She found a family, a father wrapped around his two sons. He had them on the dining table, and was armed with a kitchen knife. The moment he saw Killia he sighed in relief.

He helped his sons down but kept them close at his hip. He ran over to Killia, stepping over the spiders, "M-My wife, she was at the blacksmith with my baby son. A-Are they okay?"

Killia nodded, bringing them to her side as she hurried outside, "Yes, my friend was escorting her to the medical tent. She and your son is fine."

The man touched the area over his heart and smiled widely, tears in his eyes, "May the Ladies bless you."

Killia brushed the gratitude off and shook her head, "Just doing my duty as a soldier, sir."

As she led the family outside, she found Jerome waiting for her with two women, probably sisters behind him. The women were fine except for minor burns and scratches, but Jerome was in a worse state.

Killia's eyes widened, "Sir!"

Jerome shook his head and hissed, "Let's just get out of here. Wind is blowing the smoke this way."

The man was clutching his right hand to his chest. The sleeve of his uniform was tied over it, and a cloth was tied tightly at his forearm. A tourniquet. The sleeve over his hand was stained dark red, and was even dripping into his chest. His face was twisted in pain, and there were visible burn marks on his cheek.

A creeper. Killia heard a loud sound earlier. She looked at the house Jerome was in. Part of it was collapsed, unlike before. Definitely a creeper's doing.

The two soldiers hurried along, avoiding the fire. They crouched as they walked fast, bringing their shirts over their noses so as to not breathe in the smoke. They exited the village via a small gate that was luckily left open at the side and made their way to the medical tent.

Many villagers were at the medical tent. The ones who managed to escaped with minor injuries were sitting on the grass. There were several people laying under Seto's care, bodies wrapped up. Killia winced when she saw a few body bags away from the area, with a few people crying over them.

The family behind her suddenly burst forward. The woman from earlier was holding her child and she brightened up when she saw her husband and sons. The family reunited with a hug and several tears shedded. Killia allowed herself to be proud before ushering the sisters with Jerome to go and rest.

She took Jerome's other arm and hooked it over her shoulder, supporting him to the medical tent. Seto, who was monitoring a child who was resting with her head bandaged up, sat up straight and gasped at the sight of his friend. He ran over, taking Jerome from Killia and bringing him over to a cloth on the ground. A medic rushed over to help and Killia watched them reveal Jerome's hand.

Or rather... Lack thereof.

His hand was mangled, tendons hanging from his wrist and Killia could even see a peek of bone. She stepped back, hand over her mouth in shock.

"Jerome!"

Mitch had returned earlier, and when he saw his best friend in such a state, he screamed and ran over immediately. He shoved Seto aside and took a hold of his best friend's shoulders.

"Oh my god! W-What happened-"

If Seto was mad, he professionally didn't show it and laid a soothing hand on Mitch's shoulder, "Mitch, please. We'll do our best to help him if you let us."

Mitch was staring straight at his friend's stump of a hand, "W-What did this?"

Jerome groaned, and Mitch's eyes snapped up to him. Jerome opened one tightly shut eye and did his best to smile, "It's alright, buddy. I'll be fine. Seto knows his shit."

"I-I..."

"Let them help me, bro."

Mitch gulped, looking down at the hand, before taking a deep breath and standing up. He turned around and jabbed a finger at Seto's chest, "If he doesn't survive, I'll make sure you won't."

Seto nodded calmly, "As you wish."

Mitch narrowed his eyes before storming off. He shouldered past Killia, and when his arm touched hers, it burnt. She snapped her arm back and stared at Mitch retreating. She rubbed over the spot and looked at it, bringing up her sleeve.

Her skin was bright pink and aching.

"S-Sis?"

Killia's head snapped around, and she gasped when she saw her brother sitting on a mat, one of his pant leg pulled up to his thigh. Two bite marks were visible on his calf, and above it was a bandage spiraling up to his knee.

She kneeled down, clutching the side of his head, "Spider?"

Kei nodded, eyes dazed and tired. He leaned his head on his sister's shoulder, and slurred, "Seto gave me the antivenom..."

He shut his eyes, "He said it'd make me sleepy..."

Killia moved her position to behind his back, letting him lean against her abdomen. She rubbed his hair affectionately and cooed, "Then sleep. You did a great job."

-

Killia had her eyes constantly trained on her sleeping brother, terrified that his chest will cease to rise and fall. She only turned around when he heard her captain scream.

"Seto! We need you!"

Seto, who had been tending to Jerome, let another medic take over as he stood and rushed towards his captain in a billow of robes. Killia craned her neck to see what was happening. Seto was blocking her view so all she could see was that the captain had someone on his back. Probably a severely injured civilian.

"Follow me," Seto said, rushing to a free mat on the ground.

As Ty ran closer, Killia caught sight of the face on Ty's shoulder. It was a man, but his hair was obscuring his face. As Ty carefully set down, the man's face rolled back, clearly unconscious. However, they moved him too fast for Killia to catch his face. She finally knew he was a soldier with his uniform. She wondered who. She couldn't see his rank as well. The man was finally lying down, and Ty stepped back, panting. Seto took over, removing the jacket.

The sorcerer called over his shoulder, "I need assistance!"

Two medics rushed over, kneeling by the man and checking over his wounds. Killia could hear Seto say to his team, "He needs urgent medical attention. He'll do better back at the base."

One of the medics frowned and said, "We didn't being a carriage. He can't sit on a horse, it'll ruin his injuries. He's not even awake."

Ty, who had been watching the whole ordeal, stepped forward and said, "I saw a couple of carriages round the back of the village. There's no fire there."

Seto looked at him worriedly, "Can you do it?"

Ty smiled softly, but his eyes were tired, "Of course. What do you take me for?"

Seto chuckled, shaking his head. He looked at everyone under his medical attention, making eye contact with Killia once. He looked back at his captain, "Can you bring back a few? We definitely need them."

Ty nodded, and looked at Killia, "Drew. Come with me."

Killia's hand tightened on her brother's shoulders, "But I-"

Seto cut her off as he tended to the unknown man's wounds, "He'll be looked after. Go."

Killia felt that there was a lot of people telling her to go today. She frowned, but gently let go of her brother as a medic took her place supporting his back. She fell in step with Ty, who called Brice and Roberts over.

As they moved quickly, Ty briefed them, "I saw four carriages. The horses are a little spooked, but unharmed. We need to transport casualties to the base for further medical attention. That clear?"

"Yes, sir."

-

Getting the carriages were an easier task. They were a little far from the village, so they were not hurt. The creatures left them alone, and the soldiers encountered little creatures. They calmed down the horses with reassuring pats, before leading them out.

It was Killia's first time leading a carriage, but it was about the same as riding a horse. Brice was behind her, making sure she was alright. The trip back to the medical tents was a short one, and once they stopped the carriages, the medical team went to work, carrying the casualties in poor condition first to the carriages first.

Killia watched as they carried the unknown man in critical condition from before into her carriage. She peered closer, and her eyes widened when she saw her commandant's pale and bloody face.

He was in really bad shape, and she gulped as his face disappeared into the carriage. Two medics will ride the carriage to monitor his condition, and Killia would drive it. As the medics helped the casualties settle in, she saw her captain, Brice and Mitch talking to each other rapidly.

They were probably discussing the next course of action, and Killia looked back at the village. The fire has died down, but it left a lot of destruction in its wake. Very few buildings stood, and she knew it would take a lot of time and money to rebuild it. She looked back at the civilians.

The atmosphere was solemn, as families cried either tears of joy because they found each other or tears of sorrow because of their losses. The attack was massive, probably one of the biggest one since the attack on Killia's own childhood home.

Her eyes caught Kei being supported by Roberts into a carriage. He was awake. Weak, but awake and very much alive.

"Drew."

She looked at her captain looking up at her from beside the carriage, "Yes, sir?"

"I'll be riding with you back to the base. I'll show you the way. Can you borrow your horse to a civilian? We're transporting the women and children to our base's shelters first."

She looked at the amount of civilians. They had around thirty horses, but there was over a hundred civilians. She looked at Ty, "Of course, sir. If I may ask though, how are we going to transport the rest?"

Ty grunted as he pulled himself up onto the seat next to Killia. She offered the reins but he shook his head, "Once we reach the base, I'll send a squad with a couple of carriages and extra horses to transport as many as we can. Mitch and Brice will stay behind with their soldiers to keep watch. We'll be prioritizing the wounded, women and children first."

He looked behind him and offered a thumbs up. He seemed to receive some sort of signal before he turned to Killia and gestured for her to go. She rode easily, not wanting to jostle the commandant inside. She could hear the other carriages and horses joining behind her.

"We have a shelter in the base?"

Ty hummed, "Yeah, for emergencies just like these. It can house up to two hundred individuals. We normally use it for storage, but we'll start clearing out for the civilians."

Killia nodded slowly. The sun was beginning to set. She asked, "What happened to Commandant Dahlberg?"

Ty looked straight ahead as he answered, "Bunch of creepers. Fucker pushed me aside and took the blunt of the explosion. I'd like to think he did it on purpose, the asshole."

"Sir?"

"With him out of commission, the weight of the military is pushed to me until he recovers. He knows I loathe paperwork," the captain said with a smirk.

It was silent once again. Killia finally remembered the mental note she took down earlier, "Sir? Can I ask a personal question?"

"Buy me dinner first."

Killia paused, not knowing how to answer. Ty looked at her after a moment with wide eyes, "You thought I was serious? You're a kid, I don't do that shit. Just-Just shoot."

Killia cleared her throat awkwardly before asking, "Well, um... Has there ever been a soldier who has been dishonorably discharged?"

Ty took a moment before he replied, "Probably, yeah. Why?"

"I saw someone earlier."

Ty looked at her, eyes narrowed. Killia kept hers on the road responsibly. She elaborated, "He looked like he knew how to fight. He helped me fight off a... An enderman. He said something about how the medics won't help him, because he got really hurt when he tried to help me."

She remembered his hidden face, "I think he was a part of magic folk. He somewhat... Summoned his dagger to his hand. I've never seen such magic. He hid his face with a hood and a bandana. I didn't see anyone fitting his description at the medical tent."

Ty looked at her for a moment, and Killia could practically hear the cogwheels in his head spinning. He turned back to the road, "Doesn't necessarily have to had been a soldier. Maybe he learnt from classes. Maybe he's just some hermit. They don't like other people. Would explain why he thinks the medics would hurt him and why he hides his face."

"Ah, that makes sense."

Somewhat, but Killia left it alone. She'll poke it with a stick another day. Perhaps with Commandant Dahlberg, if he recovers.