A Novel by Darkscript

copyright 2013
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-All credits belonging to their respected owners: Creators of Minecraft Creators of mods, ideas, and concepts expressed, or directly depicted in this story Creators of all trademarks revolving around Minecraft Creators of this original Minecraft story

Please refrain from the use of this written material without the authors consent. All rights belonging to their respective owners. If you have questions, suggestions, or comments, please post them, and I will address them as soon as possible. Thanks, and hope you enjoy the story. Darkscript

Prologue:
A story written based on the game Minecraft, encompassing a large variety of popular names, characters, mods, and game properties. The reader, following the character prospective of a twenty one year old boy named Steven, will be taken on a journey through the average life of a boy in a not so average world suddenly plunged into darkness. When the monsters are regrouping and coordinating attacks on the five major capitals of the Minecraft world, the Tundra Ice Plains, the Mountain Region Kingdom, the Swampland Cities, the Eastern Forest Civilization and Stevens home, the Western Grassland plains, there is no choice but for a young man destined for something more then he has know to be thrown into a world of adventure and danger as he embarks on a paroles journey to save his home. He will be joined by his older brother Turk, and many friends, new and old, who will accompany him on this journey. The story includes popular concepts in Minecraft such as the Aether, land of the Aether warriors and the ancient godly figures of Minecraft, the Nether full of battle hardened pigmen who war the Ghast in a thousand year old conflict, and the End, where the darkest figure of all time has been imprisoned, but now seems to have found a way to break free and claim his vengeance on the world of man. Herobrine leading an army of monsters, will once again try to take back what he believes is rightfully his. And as a story of heroics, brave deeds, questionably depicted characteristics of love and mystery unfolds, you will not only see the story of Steven, but also of the world of Minecraft itself. With a little added help from the moding community and a little imaginative inspiration from a Minecraft fan. This is A Minecraft Story

Table of contents:
Section 1: The Home Front Chapter 1- It Could Happen (pg.5) Chapter 2- Nightfall on the Western Plains (pg.12) Chapter 3- Dinners Conversation (pg.20)

Section 2: The Journey Begins Chapter 4- In Preparation (pg.30) Chapter 5- Gathering the Troops (pg.44) Chapter 6- Trek to the Swampland Cities (pg.58) Chapter 7- Swamp Central (pg.65) Chapter 8- An Impossible Choice (pg.)

Section 3: The Book of Notch Chapter 9- The Nether (pg.) Chapter 10- An Endless War (pg.) Chapter 11- United We Stand (pg.)

Section 4: Chapter 11Chapter 11Chapter 12-

Section 5: Chapter 13Chapter 14Chapter 15-

Section 6: Chapter 16Chapter 17Chapter 18-

Section 7: Chapter 19Chapter 20Chapter 21-

Section 8: Chapter 22Chapter 23Chapter 24-

Section 9: Chapter 25-

Chapter 26Chapter 27-

Section 1
Chapter 1 It Could Happen
Someone very wise once told me something that I dont intend on forgetting for as long as I should live. They told me when I was young, just a boy, that one day I would be faced with a decision, a decision that would determine the fate of my world as I know it, and the fate of all those around me. They did not tell me what the choice was that I would have to make, nor did they tell me when the time would come that I would be faced with this choice. All they said to me was that one day there would be a choice, and I would have to make it Are you talking to yourself again Steven? asked my brother Turk. I hadnt noticed him sitting there behind me. How long have you been sitting there? I didnt hear you come in, I said feeling slightly embarrassed to have been sitting here talking to myself without realizing that there was someone other than myself in the room. Long enough to hear your spew about the same old heroics story you always seem to be infatuated with, he chuckled. When are you going to come to the realization that all that stuff you are talking about is never going to come true? It could happen! I argued. Turk was older than me by two years. He had just turned twenty three and with his age came an equal boastful ego. He thought that he knew everything that there was to know. Grant it I was two years younger than he was, but that did not mean that I was not allowed to have my own opinions. Yeah, write, the day that the world rests on your shoulders is the day that Herobrine breaks free of his prison in

the End, Turk laughed seemingly amused at his own derogative comments towards my creativity. And what happens if he did ever break free of his prison? Do you have the answer to that one brother? I said with a smirk. Well I can tell you one thing I know for sure. You certainly wont be the one to save the world if that does ever happen, which it wont. You cant even get your chores finished. Did you ever finish crafting that diamond axe like father told you to, like, a week ago? Um Im still working on that, I said looking over at the crafting table. You liar. You havent even started on it have you? You do realize that we need that axe for the winter months. It will not be long now before winter is here and we still have to build an entire village worth of log cabins for the new arrivals from NorthsBurg castle. Its not like there is anyone else around here right now that knows how to craft wooden materials. Most of the wood smiths are off in the Eastern woods right now trying to build fortifications against the zombie advancement. Need I remind you that that area is having a huge problem controlling the zombie outbreaks! You, me, father and maybe a few other men in this village are the only ones that are even able to craft legally until the wood smiths return assuming that they do return at all. I know, I know. Im aware of the zombie problems that the Eastern Woods Colonies are having. I do read the news books you know! Oh, you do? And I thought that you where illiterate little brother, he chuckled. Youre an idiot sometimes Turk.

Yeah, but Im older then you, and stronger too, so you do what I say until you prove that your worthy to be a knight to the king of our realm. If you say so. And I am trying to finish the axe alright, its not like its as easy as putting the three diamonds and two sticks in a crafting table and pulling out a diamond axe. I actually have to forge that thing you know. That takes awhile. Does it well, you had better get on it, because winter will be here in only a few short weeks, and you know what happens if we dont have those houses finished for all two thousand of those immigrants by the time winter arrives, dont you? Well they would have nowhere to live of course. I really dont understand why they dont just craft their own dang tools and build their own houses. Tell me your just joking Steven You know as well as I do that there arent many people who are allowed to craft any material at all. You should be grateful that you can even make tools. Most people arent even allowed to do that much! Be grateful for that! Thats a stupid rule you know. That they dont even allow the commoners to craft. Why is it that only high ranking military officials or people like us who are rich are allowed to craft?... Never mind, dont answer that, I know the answer. Its because our great king forbids the commoners to craft because he is afraid that someone might start making weapons, and that they might be tempted to use those weapons against him. Show some respect Steven! Thats the king youre talking about now! And as much as I agree that its stupid that commoners cant craft. I still honor my kings decisions. He has never led our city or villages astray before. Thats not a reason to believe that he never will. And just because youre a knight yourself doesnt mean you have to speak so fondly of him in private to your own brother Turk, I said rolling my eyes.

You know, one of these days little brother, maybe youll grow up and understand that the way things are is the way they have to be in order to maintain peace right now. You would call what we have now peace? I asked chuckling, This is vaguely peace that we have now. You said it yourself that the Eastern Forest tribes are in the mists of the greatest zombie crisis that theyve ever had to deal with. Im mean really they needed nearly all of our woodsmen and other crafters just to reinforce the citys over there because conditions have gotten so out of hand. The king of the mountain region has summoned nearly all of the crafters from not only the plains region, but also the snow plains, the forest, and the swamplands kingdoms. There are only so many crafters in our kingdoms you know, and here in the plains region we dont have many crafters to spare. Not to mention, you think youre so keen on the news Turk, did you hear from the priest the other day that the Ice Plains castles have fallen under a huge coordinated attack by the skeletons frontal legion? Theyve converged on that area recently and are hammering the ice castles all across the region. And you call that peace huh? Thats nothing new for our world. The monster hordes have been trying to destroy our civilizations for as long as time itself when Notch created the world. Weve dealt with the zombies and skeletons before, and we will do it again if we must. Hum, I chuckled. What exactly is so funny about that? You really believe in all that, Notch created the world stuff huh? Yes, I really do, but now youre getting me off topic again, like you always do when I ride you to do something you need to be doing but dont want to. Now get that darn axe made, and make it fast. Its going to be night here in a few hours, Turk said pushing me into the wall as he stood up and walked towards the door. Where are you going?

To do what I can and get the new comers that are already here to a temporary facility until the village can construct them adequate housing with wood that you are supposed to be gathering and shaping for them Yeah, I got it alright. Ill get to it right now. Besides, I mumbled, Its not like there arent any stone or wood axes in this village, Im sure someone else besides me is qualified to mine a few trees. What was that? Turk said turning back to look at me. Nothing I murmured. Just get to work Steven. Dad will be home by nightfall, make sure that you are back by then too. Oh, worried about my safety in the big bad Grassland plains? Youre my brother as much as I dislike admitting it Just be careful alright. Just because the monsters are coordinating their attacks on the other regions doesnt mean that none will be lurking in the shadows around here. They have spies everywhere you know. Ill remember that while I take on the tree monsters, I joked. Youre an annoyance sometimes Turk said leaving the room shaking his head closing the wooden door behind him. Anything to get you to leave, I thought to myself as I walked over to my crafting table to build the Axe. All the stuff I needed was lying on the table in front of me. Pulling up a seat and flipping a leaver to turn on the glow stone lamps lining the floor I started to get to work.

I turned around to look at the golden clock sitting on the table behind me. The time was 4:37 p.m. The night would be here soon. In the winter months it got dark at about 6:20. I didnt have a whole lot of time left to get this dang axe made. Oh well, I thought, Diamond axes may be hard to build, but at least they last for a good while. And I guess we are lucky that my dad found three diamonds in the mine last week. Its not every day you see diamond around here. Not after the king of plains region had his personal mining core strip mine the entire area and remove all the precious ores for his own personal use. Whatever that may be, I said gritting my teeth. Turk may think our king is so great, but thats only because he is one of his highest ranking knights. Me however, Im just a low level craftsmen, Im not even allowed to carry a

sword. But Ive seen how the king acts, and Ive heard of the things that he does. And I know the truth of his true motives. And as soon as I get the chance, Im going to prove it to everyone else. Then theyll believe me I thought starting to hammer away at the diamonds. Then theyll listen.

Chapter 2 Nightfall on the Western Plains

By the time that I had finished crafting the Diamond axe night had nearly fallen. The sun was just now setting on the horizon. I picked up my axe and walked over to one of the windows in my room. I could see some of the village huts in the distance, behind them the sun was just starting to set. I looked over at the clock again. Not much more time left, I thought. Now it was close to five thirty. If I made a good effort I might be able to cut down at least one tree by the time night fell. I took my axe and left the house heading into the meadow. There was a lot of tall grass around the house. I punched my way through it. Every once and a while I would find seeds in the grass. I collected them; they would prove useful to trade to the farmers in the village, maybe for some iron. There has not been much iron found here lately. Not since the king of this region took it all. This one will do. I said looking up the truck of an average sized tree. I lay the axe down and spit in my hands to lubricate them and then I grabbed the handle of the axe again and lifted it over my shoulder. I swung at the tree

multiple times for a good while until I had made a sizable gash in the trunk. I then started swinging at the opposite side of the tree. I continued to smash and cut away at the thick oak wood until my blows broke through the trunk and met with the other gash I had made on the other side. The tree made a hissing sound as what was left of the trunk snapped and the tree collapsed under its own weight falling to the side of me. I stepped out of the way, even though I was already far enough away not to be hit, I was just making sure. Being crushed by a tree was not one of the things I wanted to have happen. The tree came down and hit the ground with a hard thud. It bounced a little and then settled where it lay. I spent the next thirty minutes or so cutting the tree apart. By the time I had finished hacking up the tree I could tell that there was more wood here then I would be able to carry tonight. Looking back at my house I could see that the sun had already set in the distance. The last bit of pink and orange light was brimming on the distant hilltops, beginning to fade away. Time to go, I thought. I figured that I would just leave the wood here for tonight. There was no one around who would be stupid enough to stay out at night and possibly take it. Besides, most folks around here were pretty good people and they didnt tend to do the wrong thing often. Like the priest always said in church on Sundays, Few men are truly evil, most are simply confused. Well I agreed with him for the most part aside from perhaps one individual that we had a run in with a few years ago. Herobrine. That thing was evil to its core. I had seen it, or him, whatever you want to call it. But I had seen him once in the time when he ran free, wreaking havoc on all he touched. Those were the darkest years that the five kingdoms had ever seen. Fortunately, Herobrine is no longer a threat thanks to the Aether warriors who rose to fight against his hordes of evil. They say that Herobrine was defeated and is now locked away in a prison of some kind, another dimension called the End. Or so they say.

I was getting close to being back at my house now, I could see it, not but a few hundred yards more and I would be home. Then I heard something rustling around in the grass near me. I stopped running and turned to see what had made the sound. I expected to see a bore or snake or maybe a wild sheep but it was none of those. In the shadows lurked a figure resembling a man. It was now to dark to see the face of the thing I was looking at. I could not see any part of it clearly. Hello? I called to it. It turned slowly until it saw me, then it froze for a moment.

Hello? I said again. squiting my eyes trying to tell what I was looking at. It didnt reply, but it did start to walk towards me. As it came into view I could now tell what I was looking at. This was no man, this was what they called a creeper. I had never seen one before in person, only read about them. But it was an abomination, no arms, with a green scaly body and jagged sharp teeth covering its bulging mouth. The thing looked like some kind of huge green worm with four spiny legs and dark black eyes. I had no idea what this thing was able to do, I had never seen a monster like this one before in person, I tried recalling what the reading material I had observed said about this creature, but I couldnt remember. There were not even supposed to be monsters out here this far away from the mainland. The only thing that I could decipherer from this creature was from what my father had once told me about them. They are an explosive monster, I recalled him telling me, One that commits suicide on its enemies. I think he said that they kill by exploding and throwing corrosive acid onto their victims. This is not good I thought backing up slowly. I raised my axe ready to strike in case the thing tried to come any closer. It did. I slashed it across its chest with the axe and jumped backwards hoping that it would not explode. The Creeper roared making a terrifying hissing sound. Grey powered blood ran from its womb. Gunpowder.

The creeper gnarled its teeth and retreated into the shadows. I could either be a hero and follow after the thing and kill it to save someone else from the fate it intended for me, or I could be intelligent and run the remaining hundred meters to my house where I would be safe. Well, I couldnt stand the thought of allowing that monster to roam the villages looking for unsuspecting innocent people to ambush, and I was feeling just a little bit stronger than usual today. Idiocy it is! I shouted running into the darkness to peruse the Creeper. Now where did you go to, I thought scanning the darkness. There were several trees limiting my vision further. I stepped lightly moving around them through the shadows, pushing my way through the branches while listening intently for any sign of movement. There was utter silence. Nothing moved. Only the sounds of the birds and the snakes could be heard through the darkness. Suddenly I heard something break a twig behind me. I spun around driving my axe into the flesh of what was little more than a wild boar. My axe had hit it in the head and become imbedded in its skull. The boar squealed and fell to the ground dead bleeding profusely from its head with the axe still lodged inside. Ahh, I sigh. This is no Creeper, but then, were did the Creeper go? I wondered pulling my axe from the boars head. Just as I thought this my question was answered. From the shadow of one of the trees behind me came that hissing noise again. Chills ran up my spine knowing what stood right behind me. I could feel the Creepers breathe on my shoulder, but I did not turn around. Instead I tightened my grip on the handle of my axe and took a deep and sudden breath. With a swift and sudden motion I swung the axe around at the creeper.

I did not stop my swing when I hit it, I swung as hard as I could all the way through slicing my axe into a tree where it deeply imbedded itself into the trunk. I swiftly looked over my shoulder at the Creeper I had hit. Its neck was sliced. It staggered backwards clumsily and toppled over. It hit the ground with a thud and lay their bleeding gunpowder for a moment. Then it burst into smoke and disintegrated leaving behind a pile of gunpowder. Feeling rather proud of myself I let go of my axe and knelt down to scoop the gunpowder into my pants pockets when I heard another hissing noise from behind me. My heart felt as if it had just stopped. A chill ran through me and my heart began pounding as I looked slowly behind me. There stood another Creeper; it was larger than the first and bulking outward as if about to explode. Instinctually I covered my face with my arms and gasp not having any time to reach my axe. No! I heard my brother yell. He ran out from the shadows and tackled the creeper to the ground furiously slicing into its throat and chest with his iron knife. He must have hit the thing twenty times before he was convinced that it was dead. Its body faded into smoke and disappeared from underneath him. He looked sternly at me, a displeased look in his eyes. You could have gotten yourself killed just now! What were you thinking going after that thing!? he reprimanded. I did manage to kill one I chuckled still breathing hard in a semi panic state. You think that youre so smart tough guy? Maybe you should take note, Creepers always, and I mean always, travel in pairs of two! The first lures you into a trap were the second is always waiting! Thats how these things kill! Youre lucky I heard you yelling before you ran after the first one and was able to make it over here in time.

Yeah thanks I said taking his hand and he helped me stand up. What the heck are these things anyway? They were humans once. They were infected and mutated into explosive monsters. Their stupid as can be, but incredibly dangerous, especially in large packs. Youre lucky to have even killed one on your own. Youve fought these things before? Ive killed them before too. And Ive also watched them blow men in two. They are dangerous and I want you to promise me that you wont ever do something this stupid again! Alright, I promise, I said pulling my axe from the tree it was imbedded in. I trust you actually managed to cut down at least one tree before all this happened? Yeah, I did, its cut up a few hundred yards that way, I said pointing into the darkness. Thats good, well get it tomorrow. Come on and help me pick up all this gunpowder. Shame to let it go to waste, he said bending down and scooping the powder into his shirt. Whats with the boar? he asked noticing the dead pig beside me. I thought it was the Creeper. Ha, and your telling me that you actually managed to kill one of them after mistaking a pig for a Creeper. Wow, thats amazing bro. Well, at least we will have dinner for a while, he said standing up holding his shirt up with one hand and grabbing the boars hind legs with his other. Come on, dads home and waiting inside, moms been worried sick about you. But more importantly then either of those things dinners ready. Your priorities are interesting Turk, I chuckled finishing scooping the reminder of the gunpowder into my pockets and taking up my axe.

Nice moon tonight huh bro? Turk said as he dragged the boar behind him heading back to the house. Yeah, beautiful I said looking up into the stars. Hey Turk? Yeah? Dont tell dad about this, alright? Turk grunted. Fine I wont say anything to him. Thanks. Well, he wants to talk to you I think. He has something to tell us both, but I didnt get a chance to ask him about it before mother sent me out looking for you. Really? Yeah, he didnt say what it was. But I have a feeling its important.

Chapter 3 Dinners Conversation

You get that axe made yet boy? my father asked as we walked into the kitchen. My father was sitting at the table with a heaping plate of pork chops in front of him and a bucket of milk sitting beside that. My mother was at the ovens cooking the rest of the food and cutting up apples. Its right here, I said raising the axe. Bring it here boy, commanded my father. My father never was one to ask kindly. He had a stern authority and a hard face. But he was a good man, a kind man, at least on the inside. Years of war had toughened him and taught him to conceal his inner emotions. It was seldom that one would ever see my father laugh or smile. Mostly he just wore the same stern old face. He was getting older too, that cant be easy on a man like him. He refused to believe that he was older than twenty five, but his actual age put him at fifty three, despite how he refused to acknowledge it. Inside he was a young man, eager spirited and brave. But on the outside, his body was slowly failing him. The doctor of our village said that he had cancer. Sarcoma to be exact. The doctor said that he would most likely not live longer then another year. The cancer had spread to his lungs and kidneys. There was nothing more that they could do to treat him for it. Even the village sorcerer couldnt seem to conjure up a potion powerful enough to cure the cancer. It would take something stronger than Ghast tears to cure this cancer Im afraid.

I made it just like you asked me to, see, the handle has our family crest engraved into it, I said handing my father the axe. Ah, its heavy and firm. This is a very good axe son. You made this on your own? Yeah I did. Hum he said looking over the craftsmanship of the axe. Keep this kind of work up and you might be make knighthood like Turk here one day soon. Your craftsmanship has improved a great deal since you where only twelve building your fist wooden axes. Ha, can you remember those days dad? Laughed Turk sitting down at the dinner table and pulling up a plate of steak. Of course I can remember those days. Im not that old. Back then we didnt even have redstone. Those where tougher times when less tools where around and we knew much less about our developing world. Much has certainly changed since then. Dad, I said, We still dont have much redstone today. Thats true. The caverns are mostly mined out now a days. Its hard to find any ores around here. How was your mining trip Tom? my mother asked brining over the plates of sliced apples and bread. It was harder than usual. We hit a cavern full of cave spiders about half way down. There were hundreds of them in there. At first we tried to seal off the entrance with cobblestone, but they started to break through the cobblestone wall, so we fell back a ways into a deeper line of the cavern. This line was unexplored and we had no idea if it was safe or not, but it was better than having to deal with those spiders. One bite from a cave spider and youre done for. Did you manage to lose them in the cavern? she asked. Falling back into the deeper mine shaft allowed our crafters time to build tripwire traps laced to fire charges aimed at the entrance of the cavern. When the spiders found us

they tripped the wires and were burnt to ashes. The rest of the spiders just dispersed, they didnt give us any more trouble after that. We did manage to collect a good bit of string and a spider eye. I sold the spider eye to the village sorcerer, but I still have three pieces of string, he said handing the string to Turk. Here, Turk said putting it on the table in front of me. You take it. What am I supposed to do with this? Find someone who knows how to craft a bow, thats what you do with it. Im no archer, not like you could become Turk. Do either of you know how? I asked curiously. No I dont, and Im sure dad does, but he is not going to tell either of us even if he did. Dad believes in the first hand learning experience philosophy. Did you find anything valuable down there in the mine? mother asked. Just some lapis, replied dad, Enough to make three blocks with a piece left over, he said pulling out a smooth blue stone and setting it on the table in front of us. They let you keep it? asked Turk. Rigging the trip wires was my idea, so yeah, they let me keep it, for saving the entire mining crew. You were the one to come up with that idea? I asked enthusiastically. Your old man has been around a while. He knows a thing or two.

Will you teach me how to craft a trip wire? I asked. Maybe when youre older, youre still not a full fledged crafter. When youre older I will teach you everything I know, just as I will teach you too Turk. You should eat your bread Steven, said my mother. I will mom oh that reminds me, I found these seeds out there while I was cutting down trees, I said pulling out the seeds and handing them to my father. He took them and looked at them carefully. Something wrong dad? I asked. Theres gunpowder on these seeds where did you get gunpowder? he asked sternly. I looked over at Turk, who got up and walked over to the chest in the corner of the room where we had put the gunpowder earlier. We had done it right when we got home so no one noticed. He pulled out a paper sack which was full of the gunpowder and dropped it on the table in front of our father. Dad opened the sack reveling a sizable amount of gunpowder. Where did you get this? he asked somewhat discontent. There were two creepers lurking in the meadows where Steven was chopping wood. He was attacked by them. He killed one, and I killed the other. You where together in the field? I thought that you were supposed to be helping find temporary housing for the new coming commoners Turk? Yes, I had already done that and had joined Steven in cutting the wood. Its all cut in pile near here. Well take you to it tomorrow morning. My father stood up, a concerned look on his face. Steven, Turk, come with me, I will speak to you in private, he said leaving the table and walking into the next room. I dont think that he bought the story, said Turk.

Well, thanks for sticking up for me anyway. Its my job bro. Take a seat you two, dad said pointing to the wooden chairs across from him as we entered the next room. Whats the matter dad? asked Turk. You know if it helps we killed a boar and brought that home too you know, I said trying to appease him. This is not about the gunpowder, and good, we could use some more meat around here, never enough of that. And I am not mad at you for not telling me about the gunpowder. You did what was right in slaying those beasts, in fact, I am almost proud of you two for killing them. Especially you Steven. You will make a fine knight one day son. But that is not why I called you in here to speak to you. I did not want to concern your mother; she already has enough to deal with with a baby on the way. What is it that you wanted to tell us then? asked Turk. Listen closely to me, I want you two to be exceptionally careful when youre outside from now on. Dad it was only Two Creepers. They were probably just spies or something, I argued. Listen, its not the Creepers that I am concerned about. Then what? asked Turk. Something else happened down in the mine just before we returned to the surface. We saw something something that we have never seen before. A cave ogre? I suggested. No. The only way I understand how to depict its appearance is that it was at least nine feet tall with black skin and burning teeth. It had long arms and legs and was covered with some kind of scale mess armor. It was a creature like none we have seen before. When we saw it the beast looked immediately back at us and froze where it stood, shaking with its mouth hung open, perhaps as a warning. Then the creature disappeared, just

like that, gone into a mist of purple snow-like energy. We did not see the creature again after that. That doesnt sound like a description of anything that we have seen before, said Turk. The kings royal guard are amongst the finest trained warriors in this land, Ive spoken with most of them and they have never spoken of such a monster before. Are you sure what you saw was for real? Yes, I am for certain that what we saw was real. I remember looking at its hand. Its hand? There was something in it that it was holding. Something like a blue-green pearl that flashed bright purple just before the creature vanished. And then after it had gone a brave soul went over to where it had once stood and tried to find any clue of where it may have gone too. He discovered on the ground scorch marks resembling mossy stone. We mind the stone fragments and they are currently being shipped back to the king as we speak. So, if it was real, what do you think that it was? I asked. The men are calling it, an Enderman. The scientists of our village think that maybe the creature came from the End, and the pearl I described to you was its source of teleportation. They say that they might once have been men, evil men that have fallen and become corrupted by dark magic that now take the form of a giant black demon. Or so they are saying. But my greatest concern is now what you have told me of these Creepers. If they are this far out from the mainland, that means that something sent them here as scouts. You think that Enderman thing was controlling them? asked Turk. Them as well as the cave spiders. So its possible that the Enderman is an intelligent creature. One of the higher up monsters, I proposed.

That is what the scientists are saying. They have been looking through hundreds of written books searching for an answer to what these creatures are and from where they truly came. Do they know anything more about them? No, not yet. That is the primary matter I called you into private to discus. I do not want your mother knowing this. I have been ordered by the king himself that I am to form a search party that is to depart the day after tomorrow in the early sunrise headed Northeast towards the Swamp Land Cities. The Swamp Land Cities. What business have we there father? Turk asked. They are the nearest colony that posses a functional Nether portal. The Nether. We are going to the Nether! I exclaimed. Yes, there we are seeking a book of the most ancient origins. It is called the Bible of Notch; it was forged by the ancient called Jeb, a being of incredible power that once lived millions of years ago. It is said that Jeb was last seen entering the Nether. There he remained until his dying days. They say that he never truly died, rather became something else, something more, but before his ascension he composed a book of all things to be known of our world, which he left hidden somewhere in the Nether. That book will allow us to understand this new monster, and to understand what our full potential is. With that book, we may be able to end this war once and for all. If we learn of the source of the monsters entry into our world, we may be able to shut it down once and for all. And that book may explain how to do that! There really is something in the Nether that could tell us that? We gather a leave by two with believe so. That is why the king has ordered me to team of explores, gather supplies, and be ready to the next coming of the sun after tomorrows I want you me on this venture.

And what about the houses that we are supposed to be mining wood for? There are other crafters returning from the Eastern Forest brining vast amounts of jungle wood for construction. They will take our place. Who else do you intend to bring with us? Turk asked. Anyone who is willing and brave enough to come. And we leave by the sunrise after tomorrows? I confirmed. First thing morning light we leave. The journey is long to the Swamp Land Cities. It will take us the entire day to get there by flying horse. And we must get there by nightfall. The Swamp Lands are not as safe as our villages here in the plains are. Pegasus? We are taking Pegasus? asked Turk in surprise. I thought that all the Pegasus were bred out of existence long ago? No, there are several that are kept in the village in secrecy. Do recall this land possesses the largest horse breeding center in all the lands. Why do you think our largest import is pumpkins? That does make scene. Im surprised to hear that there are still living Pegasus in the world, I said reiterating what Turk had said. Yes few do remain, five of which we are taking tomorrow to the Swampland Cities. Who are the other two we are brining? I asked. Whoever you two can find. Then Ill start getting everything ready and asking around, said Turk. Good, but do keep it confidential, only tell who you must. And fist you should finish your dinner and get a good nights rest. I must take care of a few things before we depart. I will

be in the main village if anyone needs me come morning. As for now, I am tired from my mining venture and I am retiring to bed. I will tell your mother something so she will not wonder where we are going or worry. You two are free to do as you wish, but be prepared to leave by the time I have designated. Gather others as well, and try to be safe you two, dad said walking out of the room back into the kitchen. You know Turk, hes been gone for a week, almost died in the mines, and still not even so much as a hug when he returns home and sees us. Yeah, thats how old men are, get used to it, one day youll be one. That is, if youre lucky enough to live that long, he chuckled. What about you, do you think that youll live that long? Dads one of the oldest in the lands. Most men dont live past forty years of age. Most of them die in combat or from something stupid like falling off a cliff and missing the three blocks of water. As for me, I can guarantee you that I wont live past thirty, he said with a smile. And why is that? Because, I was born to die a fighter. There is no greater sacrifice, and no greater honor. Well see about that. Hopefully if this book dads talking about does what the scientists think it does then maybe we wont have to live long enough to die young. Well see about that, Turk said patting me on the shoulder and walking back into the kitchen. I followed him, grabbed my plate of food and climbed the ladder to the tallest part of the house where I stood eating, leaned up against the wooden fence balcony. I looked at the

village in the distance and thought about who I might ask to join our little expedition. Who was recklessly brave and have parents who wouldnt try and stop them? I thought to myself scratching my chin. Huh, of course I know the perfect person to talk too Shes gonna love this one.

Section 2
Chapter 4 In Preparation
Come that following morning I had awoken with only one intention on my mind. I knew that we would be leaving the next morning at sunrise, so there was little time before I would need to be home to prepare for the journey to the Swamp Land Cities. I needed to make my way into town as soon as possible if I was going to get my hands on a fresh horse. I would need one to make it to Uraas house before dark. Uraa was the friend I had in mind last night at dinner. She is by far one of the most capable people in the entire region for a mission like the one my father had been assigned. For one, her father is no longer alive. He fell in battle several years ago in the last great battle of the previous war. She doesnt talk much about him, not even to me, and Id consider myself most likely her closet friend. What she had told me, all that she had told me, was what I already knew about him. He was called Orin The Great. No one really knows for sure, but it was said that in his final moments he held back a force of many hundred enemies, giving time for his comrades to flee. No one actually saw the battle, but later when scouts returned to that location there was little more than a wasteland of ruined enemy bodies, her father nowhere to be found. They say hes dead, no one ever saw him after his heroic sacrifice. But where he went, where his body ended up, no one actually knows. Regardless, she doesnt like to talk about it. But aside from lack of a father to stop her, her mother is exceptionally uncaring for what she does. Her mother is hardly even home, so Uraa leaving for a while wouldnt even be noticed. The third reason to ask her was perhaps the most important regarding her qualifications for this mission. She was a

powerful mage, trained under an elder mage long gone. He was called Traith. He died of old age some time ago, but not before teaching her all he knew. Uraa was now nearly my age, about to turn nineteen. She was still on the younger side, but she was most definitely a capable mage. Thanks to Traiths training she is nearly his equal and that was certainly saying something. Traith was alive during the earlier stages of the previous war. Legend has it that he once held his own against the figure that later became known as Herobrine. It was a man versus an evil god, and still Traith was nearly capable of defeating Herobrine. Traith did not win the battle, but did manage to force Herobrine back, and still retain his own life. I can hardly imagine the power he must have wielded, to face a god like Herobrine one of the original dark lords. Naturally having learned all Traith had to teach. Uraa was more than capable of taking care of herself. If I could convince her to come with us, she would prove extremely helpful I informed my mother as to where I was headed, and set out for the village. I did manage to reach the horse stable before the last of the days horses had been loaned out. It was odd to see them all nearly gone so early in the day. The sun had just risen, and nearly all the horses had already been loaned out. Morning Brom, I said waving to the man in charge of running this stable. Morning kid! I take it that youre here because you want to visit that girly of yours huh? Coming to Brom asking for a horse was something that happened so frequently that he pretty much knew exactly what was going on whenever I came by. I really never went anywhere else on horseback other than to Uraas house. She lived so darn far away that horseback, other than flying horse, was the only way to get to her familys mansion within a reasonable amount of

time. She was still within the Grassland province, but on the outskirts, in the flatlands. I once tried walking there, it took me nine hours. On horseback it only took about half an hour or so. Thats why I was intently hoping Brom still had a few horses left. Though I was surprised to see how few he actually did have left. Where are your other horses Brom? I asked walking around the stable behind him as he led me to where the remaining tied up horses were. Theyre all rented out for the day kid. Lots of new folks settlin in around these parts, and people need an easy way to get around while theyre looking for a good area to set up their houses foundations. Say boy, arent you and Turk working on gathering the wood for just that project? I recalled that my father had said to say nothing about our mission to anyone it did not directly pertain to. So I made something up. We were, but men are returning from the Jungle front, and theyre supposed to be bringing back a good stash of jungle wood, so I guess they dont need my brother and I right now. Guess you two lucked out then huh boy? Hard job cutting all them trees down. Yes sir. So boy, you goin to visit that girl of yours right? Yes sir thats right, I said handing Brom the seeds I had gathered from the other day as payment for the horse loan. You aint got to pay me kid, he said retracting his hand. No I insist, I said reaching out taking his hand and dropping the seeds into his palm. You need these more than I do sir. Well all right then kid, if you say so say you and this girl of yours gonna get married or something soon boy? You go to

visit her just about every other day. And you two are about the right age. I shied away a bit at that thought. No sir, were just good friends, thats all. He squinted his eyes at me. Funny thing boy, thats what I always told people about my wife, before I realized that we were much more then friends. No sir its really not like that, shes A mage, I know boy. But that dont change nothin. Love is love boy, nothin more to it than that. I dont think that he was getting the point. I didnt love Uraa, other than as a friend that is. But whatever, I was not going to argue with him over this. We talked about this almost every time I came by here anyway. Alright boy, heres a nice one, her names Beccy, Brom said pulling a large white horse from the stable. Shell get you there in no time flat boy. I hopped onto the saddled horse and took the reins from Brom as he led Beccy out into the open. Take good care of my Beccy now boy. As always sir, I called back over my shoulder kicking Beccy lightly up under her front leg. She neighed and took off heading towards the bamboo woods where Uraa lived.

Ride safely boy! Brom called after me as I vanished over the next hilltop. The ride to Urras house didnt take long, less than thirty minutes. When we reached the thick bamboo forest I knew that we where nearly to her doorstep. I had ridden this path so many times that the bamboo didnt grow here. It was one of the only clear paths to her house from the side I came from. As I rode up to her front door I was again impressed by the size of her house. Our family was rich, but not this rich. Her house was even larger than ours.

I dismounted from Beccy and tied her off to a stone pillar lining the front walkway of her house. Beccy kicked up and wined loudly.

Shush girl! Its alright, I said stroking her face. Beccy continued to throw a horse fit and loudly whimper. Whats the matter girl!? Dont you ever bother letting me know before you show up on my doorstep? I heard a familiar voice say. Uraa Where are you hiding? I asked looking around for her. I couldnt tell where her voice had come from. Im right here stupid! she said, but I still couldnt see her. She sounded close though. I felt someones figure flick me in the nose. Ow, hey! I said waving my hand through the air in front of me. Going to have to be faster than that if you want to be able to catch me while Im cloaked Steven, she chuckled. Would you cut that out and drop the invisibility spell already youre scaring my horse. Uraa suddenly became visible. Ahw, you used to be much more fun Steven, when you were younger I mean. Now youre starting to sound like Turk. Yeah, and you used to not have magical powers. How are you even able to stay cloaked without a potion? Are you kidding me? Im a mage, only normal boring people need potions to do anything abnormal, she said twirling her arms around her body playfully.

There is a reason after all that its called normal. You should study the meaning. She chuckled. So, what do you want Steven? I actually came for your help, believe that or not. What! Im stunned. You mean youre not just here to eat all my food, exploit my glorious house and its many treasures, and drink all of my potions? Shocking! Tell me it isnt so Steven? she said jumping back and gasping. Stop kidding around Uraa, this is actually something serious! I know Gosh, you are no fun anymore. Times have changed. That doesnt mean you have to, she said with a smile. I need your help... I know. You know? Im a mage. I saw you coming before you even left this morning. Finding the Bible of Notch, thats a big task for just you and you brother and father, dont you think? How did you know that?! Mage duh, can see future events well sort of, you know how that works I explained that one to you before. Right you can only see some events, events that choices have already been made for. Not even I can see past an unmade choice. No one can. But yes, I knew you were coming, else I wouldnt be wasting time out here in my front yard while I have so many more important things to be doing.

Such as? I asked raising an eyebrow. Such as trying to create a potion that will act as a damaging effect when it makes contact with the rotted flesh of a zombie. You mean instant health potion? Think mages and potions brewers long before either of us came up with that one already. No you idiot! Something that actually not only irradiates their tissues, but also starts to restore them to normal humans again. Is that even possible? To turn one back into a human? Well one ancient text I read, a book from my former master, said that once long ago someone composed a way to turn an infected villager back to being human again. So I guess it is possible, just no one knows how to do it is the thing. You always with the bold new ideas right? As you said its not new, just no one knows how to do it is all. Ill figure it out eventually, I am a genius after all. Shes always so subtle about her gloating, I chuckled to myself. So then, you know why Im here right? Obviously So, will you help us? Well, my mother is not around, so she really cant stop me now can she. Not like she could even if she was around. And I guess I could set down my brilliant work for just a few days to help you out with something this important but. But? I would need some kind of compensation. After all Id be taking so much time off from my usual work. Youre joking right?

Well this mission is for the king! Right? So I think I deserve some new brewing stands or something if I do agree to help you out. Cant you just do it because its the right thing to do? Hmm tempting but no I need some money assurances here Steven. You know I cant Then maybe I just have more important things to be doing. Wait, fine! Ill talk to Turk, see if he can talk to the king about getting you, compensation. Oh, would you really do that for me Steven? Wow thanks. Not like I have a choice, I mumbled to myself. All right well, Ill go with you. You will? Sure. Nothing better to do. But you said you had That can wait come on in. I have to get some things before we can go. Figure if I come with you I wont be back here for a few days. You leave tomorrow morning right? Yeah, thats right. I know. Come in, I have something to show you. I followed Uraa into the house. I had been in this house so many times now. I knew every room like the back of my hand. Take your boots off! she scolded as I walked into the house. Yes mom, I said taking off my leather boots and dropping them by the door. You redecorated a bit since the last time I was here, I said noticing the new addition to her front lobby. Nothing that new really, just a few new paintings thats all.

Theyre nice, I said as I walked through the lobby behind

Uraa. To the mage chamber, she said turning the corner to her right as she reached the end of the front lobby. We passed by her fathers office on the way to the Mage Chamber. Still dont know why she calls it the mage chamber His office never changed. Always the same as it had been the day he last left it for battle. She must really miss him. Her mother was all she had left. And her mother really didnt care much for her. God knows why, but she never seemed to want to be at home with her only daughter. Uraa would never admit it, but I think her mothers distance keeping really did bother her. But she is far too tough to admit that something actually bothered her.

This way slowpoke! she said hitting a stone button to open the iron door leading into her chamber.

Id been in this room several times before. It was always so interesting to see all this magic stuff. Though I had no idea what any of it actually did. I see youve added some more potions to your collection huh? Yup, she said rummaging through some items on shelves and in drawers. Whats this one do? I said picking up one of the potions from a shelf. OH! Dont drink that! That one will kill you if you drink it! What, why would you make something like that!? I said putting the potion back on the shelf and stepping away from it. I case I need to kill someone, duh! Something is wrong with you Uraa, you do understand that right?

She chuckled, still rummaging through her stuff. Oh what is that thing? I said pointing to a floating scepter of sorts. Thats my new wand moron, she said walking over and grabbing it, shoving it into a very tiny pouch that hardly looked as if it would be capable of containing such a wand. How does that fit in there exactly? And how was that thing floating? Things dont float! What magic is this Uraa? Stop being a moron, you know my wand is magic, it can do that And as far as the sack in my hand, its a magic pouch, capable of nearly infinite inventory space. What, did you think I was going to carry all my junk in my hands? How would I hold that much stuff at once? I figured but, thats sort of cool is all. You non magic folk never stop amazing me with how little you know about the mage arts. We know nothing you tell me more then you should, and I still know nothing about how to actually do magic. Yeah, thats because our good old king coal doesnt let anyone teach magic anymore. Im one of the last true mages in the entire world Steven. Yeah, youve told me that before. Were a dying race and since the king prohibited anyone who already knows magic from teaching anyone who doesnt, itll just be a matter of time until there arent any of us left in the world.

That really is terrible why wont the king let magic folk teach others their magic skills?

Same reason he wont let non crafters craft, non builders build, non miners mine come on Steven, its obvious. He doesnt want anyone getting strong enough to oppose his rule. If he cuts of all our right hands, we wont be capable of wielding the sword against him anymore. Not unless we drop our shields to raise that sword, and then hell just put down anyone who stands against him just like before. Yeah well we all need both our hands right now. Were in a time of war. Weve always been in a time of war. When has that changed? As a child I grew up dreaming of a better world, a peaceful happy world. Instead my father died giving his life to defend others against the darkness, my mother rejected me, and my master died of his old age. The world isnt a sweet happy place Thats just another lie that grownups tell kids who are foolish enough to believe them.

You seem really upset Uraa You dont have to come back with me if you dont want to, you can Im coming with you! I already packed my things! Thats final! Lets go! she said storming out of the room. I couldnt but help feel sorry for her. All her life she had people make her promises that they couldnt keep. She had been so innocent once She says that Ive changed but so has she More than I ever wanted her to.

Chapter 5 Gathering the Troops

Uraa, wait! Where are you going now!? I asked running out of the room following behind her. She turned the corner into her fathers office. I followed. Uraa? Look, she said turning back to me, putting her hand on my chest to stop me where I was, and staring me in the eye with that serious look she gave me a lot these days. Im coming with you, thats final. Theres just one more thing that I need to get before we can leave. No rush you seemed sort of hurried. Your father was informed earlier today, just after you left the village, that your team is to be leaving immediately, rather than the coming dawn. Did you see this in your visions? Yes. Just a few moments ago. Well need to be back in town soon. Your father is looking for you as we speak. Just how far does your ability to see future events extend now? Not as far as you might imagine. A few hours, maybe a day at most. It really depends on the situation and people involved. Besides, I cant see past choices I dont understand, or choices someone hasnt affirmatively made yet. A day is a lot further than what you used to be capable of seeing. Its nothing compared to what my Master could see. He once told me what I was going to eat for breakfast So, big deal.

Seven years in the future, Uraa said as she rummaged through some old dusty books in her fathers office. Thats a long time in the future But how could he see that choice when you hadnt made it yet? I had made the choice, in the future. You see, his power extended outside of time. Since time technically doesnt move, he was simply seeing a timeless world. I had made the choice to eat an apple that morning seven years in the future. He could see it because I had in fact already made the choice, I just didnt know it yet. Really makes you wonder if the future is set in stone, doesnt it? That, as well as how he was powerful enough to see that far into the future. Thats incredible Uraa. And you have that power now too. Only a minuscule fraction of what Traith possessed. What is it that youre looking for? This? she said pulling a book from one of the shelves near her fathers desk. She held it up and blew it off. As she did a piston door slid open revealing a hidden passageway.

How long has that been there!? I exclaimed. Since my father had it built, before the last war began. He kept his armor and weapons in this room. No one but my mother and I know how to get into this passageway. Its just pulling out that book, right? Yes, but the dust has to be blow off of it in a certain way or it wont work. Its because of a spell that Traith put on this book a long time ago. What happens if the book isnt dusty? It always is, she said handing the old leather bound book to me. It was covered in dust, despite having just seen Uraa blow it all off a moment ago. Thats a neat trick, I said setting the book down on her fathers desk. Come on, we dont have much time. If we make this quick we can set out on your horse and make it back to your house just about the time your father comes home looking for you. Sounds good, after you. Uraa and I entered the passageway that had been hidden behind the bookshelves. It led to a ladder that brought us to another room atop her fathers office.

The room was made of mahogany wood. It was nearly completely empty, except for an armor stand at the far end of the room. A full set of iron armor hung from the mount. Beside it were three wooden boxes with glass frames at the top so you could see inside. There was what looked to be a battle axe of sorts in the first box, and what looked like a musket and ammunition in the other two. Is that, a musket? Yes Uraa said taking the armor off the rack and dropping it into her seemingly infinite inventory space pouch. It was my fathers. Wow, you guys are rich, if he owned a musket. Arent there like three in the entire world or something? Thats correct. The man who knows how to forge them is called Ruic. He is the only man alive who understands how to create a functioning projectile weapon that harnesses gunpowder to fire these smooth shaped stone balls that he calls, bullets. This is, amazing! I said opening the wooden case to get a better look at the musket.So this room was here the entire time? Dont touch it! Uraa said pushing me out of the way. Do you not understand what this is? There are three in the entire world! If I let you touch it then this ones as good as broken! she said carefully picking the musket up and placing it into her pouch. Gosh Just trying to help, I mumbled. Help me by getting that iron axe out of its crate. Alright, I said walking over and kneeling down to pick up the sizable iron battle axe.

The axe looked heavy from the start, but when I tried to lift it I realized how truly dense the metal of the blade really was. This is heavy! I exclaimed, trying to hoist it out of the crate. Yes Im aware, why do you think Im having you lift it? I cant lift this thing, I said grunting dropping the handle of the axe. It has to weigh a hundred pounds! It does, it was my fathers axe. He could lift this thing!? He could swing it through the air like it was a childs play thing, made of little more than feathers. Your father must have been a beast to be capable of maneuvering this behemoth axe like that. He was in every way he was a great man. He was just too great, which eventually led to his downfall. Had he not stayed behind to give the others time to flee he would have made it right along with them. But he chose to stay and fight chose to die rather than coming home to me. The tone of Uraas voice was sad. She hated thinking about her father. She felt as if he gave his life nobly, but made the choice to become a war hero, rather than flee and live the rest of his life in happiness with her and her mother. I think she hated him for that, for choosing honor over her. Who could really blame her after all? She loved him so much. You ok? I asked. Im fine, here slide the axe into my pouch, she said putting her pouch over the axe-head and sliding it into the magic pouch. I take it that pouch of yours illuminates normal principles of physics right?

Obvious genius, now come on we need to go now, she said hurrying over to the muskets ammunition and dropping them into her pouch. Lets go! she said rushing towards the latter. Right behind you, I said climbing down after her. As we left the hidden passageway and reentered her fathers office the piston door slid closed. I looked to her fathers desk where I had last set the book, it was gone. It was back on the shelf where it had originally been. Thats cool, I thought to myself. Come on Steven! Uraa called, already nearly out of the front door. Cant you teleport us there or something? That would be much faster than ridding Beccy back. Uraa stopped and looked back at me to give me a funny look. What? I asked as I rushed out the front door to meet up with her, grabbing and throwing on my leather boots as I ran past the iron door. It swung closed just as I passed by through it. I cant teleport us that distance! That would take an incredible amount of mana! Sorry, I just thought maybe it was a possibility. Get on the horse Steven, youre driving! she said leaping up several feet into the air, using her magic to aid her jump, and mounting the back half of the saddle. Hurry up, or well miss our time frame! I got it alright! I said swinging myself up onto Beccys back and taking the reins. I pulled on the knot I had made in the rope tethering Beccy to the pillar and the knot slipped free. Come on big girl! I said nudging Beccy under the leg. Beccy leaped forwards with such force that Uraa nearly fell off. Easy Steven! she said grabbing me around the waist to regain her balance.

Having her put her arms around me like that felt strange. I think I was blushing, because the moment she regained her balance she let go of me and looked the other direction. Shouldnt we have left a note for your mother or something? She wont miss me, believe me I know, she said, a distant and hurt look in her eyes The ride back to my house took about thirty minutes. Uraa was silent the entire way there. I wasnt sure if it was the having to grab hold of me, or the thinking of her mother, that upset her. Maybe it was both? Good, were still on time, Uraa said, finally speaking as we reached my backyard. You go ahead inside and say hello to mom for me. Im going to return this horse to Brom, the house stable manager. No, you need to be here with me. Let your mother take care of the horse return. You have much more significant issues to concern yourself with Steven. I need you here with me when they arrive. Why is that? Please just believe me, alright? she said softly, with a very gentle smile. All right fine. But well need to tell my mother something. Your father has already taken care of that. Would you stop looking to the future like that! It makes me feel obsolete, gosh. Oh, how adorable, you still are as attention craved as you were when we were younger. How cute. At least that hasnt changed. Right, come on dismount, were here, I said stopping Beccy as we reach my front door.

And right on time, here comes your father and Turk, she said pointing to three approaching figures in the distance. Who is the third guy? Vladimere Von Rindrick Dorthinstine the fourth is his name. Hes a knight like Turk, same age even. Again, with the future reading and, what kind of name is that anyway? He is of a powerful family with close relations to the king. You should be respectful. Right, so why is he here? Best guess is that just like you came to find me for assistance on your coming mission, Turk found this guy. I see hes a close friend of Turks. I sigh. Is this how its going be from now on with the future reading? You never used to do it this much. But its just so much fun you should really try it sometime oh, wait, right. Sometimes I wonder how you and I are still such good friends, I mumbled. What was that? Uraa asked perking up. Oh, nothing, just thinking how great you are. Well it is true, I am pretty great. Steven! My father called out in his loud booming voice from across the cobblestone rode in front of our front lawn. I was just out looking for you boy! Where have you been!? Our mission from the king has gotten an urgent update. The king wants us to leave for the Swamp Land Cities immediately! Something to do with the timing of the void lenses required to open the Nether portal. Told you Uraa gloated. I just groaned.

We need to depart at once! I have Brom, the village stable keeper, brining the five Pegasus we need here now, but we must leave as soon as he arrives for night will soon befall the land! And as you know the skies are the most hazards at night. If we do not reach Swamp Land Central before nightfall, we will be forced to establish camp on the way. That could prove, problematic, with all these hostile mob patrols lurking in the shadows recently. I understand dad, I was just with my friend, Uraa. My fathers eyes grew wide as he heard me speak her name. He dropped suddenly to his knees and then to the ground and assumed a bowing position with his face to the ground. Dad what are you doing!? Stop it dad, youre embarrassing me! Turk and his friend immediately joined my father, both kneeling beside him and bowing their heads. Whats gotten into you guys? And this is why I dont go out much Uraa mumbled in my ear. Great one, spoke my father. It is an honor to view your presence! What is he talking about? I whispered back to Uraa. Some people who knew or have heard of my father and my Master sort of get a bit carried away when they see me. They act like Ive actually done something deserving of this kind of treatment. In reality, its sort of embarrassing, because I havent done anything to deserve this honor. Its just because Im the daughter of my father, and the apprentice of my Master that people treat me like this. Dad, this is just my friend Uraa you guys dont have to act like that around her. Shes cool with you just acting, normal. My father looked up from the ground and grumbled feeling embarrassed.Huh Hum, yes well, right. In that case, it is an

honor to see you, Uraa. I am Stevens father, and this is my oldest son, Turk. Pleasure to meet you mage, Turk said standing from his kneeling position and kissing her hand. And this is Turks friend, a knight as well, Vladimere Von Rindrick Dorthinstine the fourth. But you may call me Vlad, he said standing and kissing Uraas hand. Its an honor to meet you, Uraa said, a little bit too happy to have Vlad kissing her hand I think. No my fair mage, the honor is mine alone. Oh God I grumbled. Vladimere will be joining us on our quest Steven. Oh, how, wonderful, I said trying to sound like I was actually excited. I didnt like this Vlad guy. He was way to smooth, and handsome, and well mannered to possibly be a good fighter. Just comparing him to Turk proved that. Turk was buff, but not in an attractive way. He was smart, but not in a charming way. And he was a ridged poorly mannered oaf. That made him the perfect model for a soldier. This Vlad guy looked more like a prince then a Knight. I didnt like him one bit. He will, isnt that wonderful, said Uraa, seemingly way to excited having just met this guy ten seconds ago. Uraa will be accompanying us as well father, I said interrupting this terribly awkward moment. You shall? my father asked, now excited as well. Indeed, Uraa replied.

This is most beneficial. But, you do understand that this mission will likely be dangerous. Not that you couldnt handle it, great one. Gosh, does everyone love her!? I thought to myself. My father was never this nice to Turk or me. I understand the dangers, and I am more than prepared to face them by your side. My father looked so excited after learning she would be coming with us, Turk seemed to be happy to, but not really that caring, and that snake Vlad seemed way too pleased that she was coming along. She was way too young for him anyway. Like Uraa said, he was Turks age, four years older than her. What a creep. Darling! mother called from the doorway of the house. Brom has arrived out back with the horses. Then it is time! said my father marching boldly around the side of the house. Its good to meet you as well, Steven right? Vlad said extending his hand to shake mine. I shook his hand, only because it would be a terrible dishonor to not have done so. Well, shall we follow your father then? Vlad said patting Turk on the back and heading after my father. Turk followed after him chuckling. I hate him I said as soon as the three of them where around the side of the house. Uraa laughed. Defensive much? Since when do you care if a cute guy hits on me? What, no, thats not! Save it Steven, Ill always be your friend. No cute knight is ever going to change that, she said following after them. I sigh. Yeah, I moaned following after them.

Beccy followed us all to the backyard as well. Around back five Pegasus stood ready for flight. My father had already mounted the one he claimed as his own, and my brother and Vlad where nearly on theirs as well. Vlad jumped down off his horse, even after having mounted it already, just to help Uraa onto her Pegasus. She acted so, flowery with him when only forty five minutes ago she had gotten onto Beccy with no problem at all. I hate him I mumbled to myself. Are we all prepared? my father asked. Take care of yourselves on your trip to the Mountain region to visit the king dear, mom called out from across the yard. Is that what you told her? Turk asked looking at father. It was enough. Brom bought it as well. Take care, Brom said waving as he mounted Beccy. How did Brom get all five of these Pegasus over here by himself? I asked He has a way with the beasts, said Turk. I never realized it was Brom who would be the one providing the Pegasus. Who else would it have been? I dont know, just I didnt figure it was going to be him is all. Where did he get five Pegasus? Dont know, ask dad. Then if everyone is prepared, we will depart, said father. Turk, you and Vlad arent bringing any armor? I asked.

No, were getting it from the Swamp Land Central. They should have it ready by the time we arrive, despite that well be arriving a bit earlier then they had previously expected. Take it they have your swords too? Yes thats right. That stuffs far too heavy to try and wear while riding a Pegasus Steven. That does make sense, I thought thinking of the armor and battleaxe in Uraas pouch. Suddenly I recalled the musket she had brought, and that she said it required gunpowder to operate. Hold on dad! I said running into the back door of the house. Need to get something! Make it quick boy! he called after me. The gunpowder that Turk and I had collected from the Creepers the other night would prove useful for loading the musket. I didnt see Uraa bring any maybe she knew I had some and would remember it? Why else would she not bring any? Son! I heard my father calling from outside. That man was about as impatient as a Skeleton was accurate. I opened the chest where we had last left the gunpowder and grabbed the paper sack that contained it stuffing it into my pocket. I felt in my pocket the lapis piece that my father had given me was still there. I just let it be, shoving the gunpowder pouch overtop of it. I turned to close the chest, my fathers voice still calling for me impatiently, and something caught my eye. At the bottom of the chest there was something glistening. Something that looked, familiar to me

No thats impossible I thought pulling out the glistening object.This is my fathers chest where did he get mage wand?

Chapter 6 Trek to the Swampland Cities

I wasnt sure why my father would have a mages wand in his personal chest. He obviously wasnt a mage, and he didnt know any mages, other than Uraa, who would never have lent him a wand. At least not for free no, she wouldnt sell him one either. So how did he get a hold of this one? Steven! My patience is not eternal boy! We need to move out! my father kept calling from outside. That man has no patience whatsoever, I mumbled to myself. I picked up the wand from the chest and put it in my other pocket. I wasnt sure if taking it was the greatest idea, but I knew my father wasnt going to tell me the truth about it even if I asked him, he would just get upset that I found it. But Uraa might know something about this wand. Apparently there arent that many mage wands in existence. Something about how hard it is to forge one that makes them so rare. Not to mention that there are so few people in the world that know how to use them. Uraa always says that the wand itself isnt magic, rather the user, but you still have to know how to use it to make it work. Steven! my father continued shouting. I closed the chest and ran downstairs and out into the backyard. Relax dad! I said running over to my Pegasus and mounting it. The wand poked me in the side through my pants but I didnt act like it was bothering me. Then do we have everything we need? my father asked again. Have a safe trip! my mother called to us. Im ready now, I replied taking the Pegasuss reins.

My fathers horse took off first, followed by my brothers and Vlads. I looked over at Uraa, she was watching Vlad. She tapped her Pegasus in the side with her foot and it flapped its massive wings lifting itself from the ground. I did the same following the rest of them into the sky. Take care of yourselves! my mother called after us. She and Brom waved farewell to us as we ascended into the sky. Mom would never let us leave if she knew where we were really going, Turk called to us from up ahead of the pack, following just behind my father. Thats why man invented lies son, my father called back, climbing his Pegasus higher towards the clouds. Brace yourselves! he called back to us as he passed into the clouds. Just before I passed into the clouds, bringing up the rear of the pack, I took one more look at our home. It was so tiny now. The Pegasus were extremely fast flyers and had gotten us to cloud level in no time flat. At this rate wed be able to make it to the Swamp Lands before dark no problem. The clouds were heavy and full of moisture, so as we passed through them a good bit of condensation formed on my face and clothing. I had never ridden a Pegasus before, but I had ridden other flying creatures. Flying was not my favorite thing in the world, but it was tolerable. And it was the fastest way to get around in our world, other than portals. But only the extremely rich had portals in their homes. Micro sized Nether portals that allowed transportation to only one other portal at another location. Each portal was tuned to a personal frequency, which differed from that of a Nether portal leading to the Nethers frequency. Else you can see the issue there. Thing is only like three people have these personal portals, and none went to the Nether. We need to climb higher! I heard my father call from the thick cloud of water vapor obscuring my vision.

We needed to get above the cloud layer in order to see where we were headed. My fathers compass would lead us to the Swamp City from there. I suppose that its a good thing that its not storming today, I thought to myself as we continued to climb. I felt the wand poking me in the thigh. Every time my Pegasus flapped its wings and I wondered if brining the wand was a good idea after all. It was a rushed decision, but what if I lost it? My father would kill me if I lost it Maybe brining it was a bad idea. But it was far too late now. Also, my pockets where getting full This piece the wand, and the pouch of gunpowder were all taking bit of space. Someone was going to ask what I had in sooner or later. Lets hope my father wasnt the one of up my to Lapis, a good pockets notice.

I can see the end of the cloud layer! I heard Turk call out. He sounded further in front of me then I had imagined him being. I could hardly see past my own horse, let alone see where the others were. I just knew to keep heading upwards until I could see clearly again. So thats what I continued doing. Come on buddy, faster! I said to my Pegasus, tapping it under the leg with my boot. The Pegasus seemed much more sensitive to the touch then a typical horse. When I tapped it up under its front leg it buckled, as if I had hit a nerve cluster and had caused it some kind of great discomfort. It bucked suddenly, throwing me backwards. I tried to catch the reins, but I wasnt able to secure them before I found myself falling from the back of the Pegasus, downwards towards the ground.

For a moment I panicked. It was only natural Plummeting downwards at high velocity I struggled to bring my hands to my mouth, but I managed to regain my composure and whistle to the Pegasus. It had already realized I had been thrown off long before I even whistled. It swooped down under me, moving just slightly faster than my rate of fall, and caught me gently on its back. I grabbed the reins and pulled tightly and the Pegasus swung upwards and continued to climb. Breathing heavily I let my grip on the reins loosen. Someone has trained you, havent they? I whispered in its ear, clinging to the soft fur of the horses neck. This horse had been trained to not allow its rider to fall, and if the rider did fall, to retrieve them. Fortunate for me I suppose Of course from Brom I wouldnt expect anything less. And thats why I hate flying, I thought to myself. Had it not been for my horses training I wouldnt have survived that fall. Thanks girl er, guy, whatever you are. I said patting it on back the neck. I wasnt sure how to refer to it, since I didnt know what gender it was. Im not certain Pegasus have a gender. I think they can only be created from two other rare horses. That would explain why there are so few of them in the world. That and once they were hunted, just like the Unicorns, almost to extinction.

Humanity can be so cruel sometimes we nearly destroyed this magnificent creature, and for what, a few priceless items? Now even seeing a single Pegasus was something few people would ever live to see I couldnt hear the others speaking anymore. I figured they were just not talking right now. But the thought started to get to me. What if I had lost them? Where do I go from here! We were already too far from home for me to navigate which direction was which. What if I got lost up here?! Those thoughts were suddenly quieted by the sight of something pleasant. I saw one of the other Pegasus vaguely through the clouds. It was nearby, that meant I wasnt lost after all. But I heard Turk say he saw the end of the cloud layer. That was almost a minute ago. Why had I not seen it yet? The figure that I had made out to be another Pegasus began to become clearer as I neared it, steering my Pegasus towards the creature. I got near enough to it to finally see what it was that I was following after. A terrible hissing noise range through the air as the creature I had been following saw me coming up behind it. This was no Pegasus, it was a wild Wyvrin! The Wyvrin had noticed me and let out a screeching noise. It turned towards me and started to swiftly fly in my direction. I ducked and the Wyvrin missed with its talons,

swooping overhead and vanishing into the mist. Come on! I shouted to my Pegasus, kicking it hard in the side. This time holding tightly onto the reins. The Pegasus galloped forward faster, still ascending. How have I not reached the top of this cloud layer yet!? I thought to myself. I could hear the Wyvrins wings flapping behind me. I turned around to see it coming up right on our tail. Move it! I shouted tightly holding onto the Pegasuss reins. The Pegasus must have understood the danger this Wyvrin posed because like a frightened animal it galloped forward at a reckless speed trying to evade it. We finally broke from the mist of the cloud and entered the bright sunlight. It was only then that I realized that I had flown slightly off course and flew right up the middle of a huge cumulus cloud formation. That was why it took so long to reach the top. I looked back waiting to see the Wyvrin erupt from the mist behind us but it never came through. Steven! I heard Turk call from bellow. There you are! Stop messing around and get a move on it, the others are already ahead of us now because I had to wait around for you since you took a wrong turn apparently!

Did you not hear what was chasing me!? I exclaimed flying down to meet him. What are you talking about? Come on, the others are going to get to far ahead if we sit here and talk! Turk said directing his Pegasus forward after the others. I followed behind him, looking over my shoulder every now and then to see if the Wyvrin was following me again. What do you keep looking back over your shoulder for? Turk asked. So you didnt hear it? Hear what? There was a Wyvrin that attacked me back there! You really didnt hear it screeching? No Turk said looking back at me with a funny face. You alright? This altitude must be getting to you bro. No, I definitely saw a Wyvrin back there! The thing attacked me! Steven, thats not possible. Wyvrin are only found in their respective dimension. You know how hard it is to get to their dimension? No chance in the world one got into ours on accident. He said shaking his head. Come on were nearly caught up to the others. No I know what I saw I mumbled to myself. Turk did have a point though. Wyvrin are not supposed to be in the Over-World. Where did that one come from? At this rate were going to be there in no time flat! Were making exceptional time bro. How close are we? Dads the one with the compass, but I think were getting close. Look at the clouds, theyve all changed. Those are Swamp clouds were looking down at right now. Were close for sure.

That was fast! Well were not actually to the city yet. Were heading to Swamp Land Central, thats in the middle of the swamp biome. Thats going to take another few hours to get there. Oh, great So the others are still far enough away that they wont hear us talking, tell me, whats this jealous nature I sense form you about Uraa and Vlad? I saw the way you were looking at him when he kissed her hand. I aint no fool little brother. You have a thing for Uraa, dont you? I do not! I rebutted immediately. I cant say I believe that. Why else would you look so jealous when he kissed her hand? I was not jealous, I was merely stunned at fathers irrational bowing behavior, and I was, embarrassed is all. Whatever you say little brother, he chuckled. I thought about it for a minute. Was he right? Was I being jealous? Did I really have a thing for Uraa? Shes been my best friend for so long am I really the only one who refuses to admit the obvious truth? I thought to myself envisioning her. Do I love her?