My name is Charle. This is my story, my history. My life.
It all began when I was flying over the Atlantic on a small airplane. Night was falling fast, and I decided to take a route that I had never flown before, over the fabled Bermuda Triangle. Flying towards the southern tip of Florida, I suddenly noticed an object that even today I have trouble describing.
There, outside my plan, was a dark cloud. I do not know what it was or what it did, but suddenly, my cockpit went dark, and all I remember is a cold darkness as it wrapped itself around me.
When I awoke, I found myself on a strange island. The scenery was too temperate for Florida or the Keys, and I knew for a fact no islands where in the ocean in my flight path. I walked around and soon discovered the island teeming with life; chickens, pigs, and cows romped around me, curious. It seems that they had never seen a human before, and where very curious about me.
I soon discovered a large cave deep in the side of a mountain. Working my way deep inside, I found myself face to face with something that chilled me to the bone; a walking skeleton. It stared at me for a moment, then raised a bow towards me. I ran from the cave as an arrow show out, hitting me in the left shoulder. pulling out the arrow, I ran back to the beach.
I soon decided that if I was truly stuck here, I would need a home. Because I had seen the skeleton, I knew that something was amiss on this island, and so I needed protection. Walking up to a tree, I tore down some branches for wood and began shaping myself a crude tool best I could, making three tools; a shovel, an axe, and a pick. They where crude and barely more effective than my hands, but they still allowed me to gather materials.
I soon cut down a few trees with my axe and gathered some stone from the outer limits of the cave, watching carefully to make sure the skeleton did not return to finish the job. Working until midday, I soon managed to fashion stone tools, reminding myself for the cave-folk of the ancient times. Still, they where better than my wooden ones, which I soon discarded.
I managed to build a small stone shack on the beach as the sun started going down over the sea. Walking into my shack, I placed my tools there for safekeeping, taking only the pick and heading to the cave.
When I got there, I started to work, gathering stone to be used to improve my home and make more tools. However, I soon noticed a new form of wildlife, its figure strange and alien to me. It had four legs, but no arms, and was completely green. The creature saw me, and walked over to me, curious about me as the other creatures had been. I stopped my work for a minute, and looked at it, backing away a few steps for safety. The creature noticed me moving back and ran forward, and started hissing. Startled by the sound, I stumbled backwards, and fell. The creature exploded violently, sending a chunk of stone into my face. As I felt death come to me, i could have sworn i heard a voice... "Sorry..."
Chapter 2: Death?
I awoke suddenly, as if I had been sleeping and been woken by a loud noice. I looked around me. All my stuff was lost, but I was standing on the exact same spot I had first stepped when I landed on the island. I could still remember the pain and destruction of the poor creature; I still had no way of knowing what happened, whether it had stepped on some crude landmine or had blown up itself or any other such things. But the odd thing was... I was alive.
I could feel, touch, and see. I could not explain it, but ever after being hit by such an explosion, I was alive! I could hardly contain myself. However, my happiness soon went away when I noticed what was going on around me.
The sun was now a thin ribbon over the sea, and I saw what could only be described as the living dead break out of the ground around me, pulling themselves up to the surface. I screamed in sheer terror, and ran towards my shack, which I could see in the distance. Running inside, I piled stone by the entrance and grabbed my shovel that I had placed there before. Here, I cowered in a corner, whimpering like a child. I did not know what this place was, but Skeletons, and Zombies... Such a place can not be on Earth! Where was I? Will I ever get home?
Suddenly, I heard noise outside as the zombies yelled. Thinking it was all over, I covered my face... then heard a new sound... voices!
Running to the barricade, I peered through one of the holes I had not filled in, and saw four other people out on the beach, attacking the zombies with swords and bows. I could not believe it, Humans! However, as I did not know if they where hostile or not, I waited, and watched them dispose of the zombies. Eventually, when the undead where put back in the ground, they noticed my hut. Walking over to it, they knocked aside the stone, and I hastily brandished my shovel at them. "G-g-get back!" One of the men laughed, and said, "We won;t hurt you. We were just on a gathering run. New to this place?"
I let out a sigh of relief and lowered my weapon. After a moment, I answered. "Yes, but where is this place? Zombies and Skeletons are from an old Hollywood movie, not in real life!"
The man laughed again, this time joined by his companions. "Heh. We aren't on Earth anymore, friend. Hell, we do not even know which continent we are on in this world. All we know is that here, Undead exist, as well as Creepers." "Creepers?" "yes. Horrid little things that run up to you, hiss, and blow up. Caused us to respawn many times."
At the word "respawn" My eyes widened. "Wait, respawn as in a game? But... how?" The man shook his head. "I don;t know but I don't want to know. Anyways, mind of we set up camp by your base? Seems that you are near the spawn point, it will give us some breathing room. We have been lost for days."
I nodded, and said, "Sure, but I will have a few more questions." The man nodded to his companions, who walked in and started tearing down my walls and making my home bigger. Sitting down on the ground, he said, "My boys will expand this place proper. We have a while till Dawn, so ask away."
Chapter 3: Daybreak and a New Friend
Dawn rose over the mountains, giving the glorious light to me and my friends. As the sun rose, I saw a zombie making his way towards me, and turned to run. My friends had gone exploring more, and promised they would be back by nightfall, so I was alone once again. Suddenly, I heard the zombie cry out, and turned around. I saw it was on fire, and was momentarily brought to pity as the poor thing started to burn in the bright sunlight. It ran towards me for a moment, and then darted into my house, which I had left open. "Wait! What the..." The zombie ran over to a bucket of water that we where using to clean ourselves, and promptly grabbed it and used it to douse the fire.
Then it turned to me. I back up, panicking, and hit a wall. Thinking I was about to respawn once again, I closed my eyes to await the pain... which never came. Instead, I felt a tight squeeze around my chest. Opening my eyes, I saw the the zombie, was in fact... hugging me! I was startled; I did not think the undead had feelings other than anger and hunger! The zombie stopped hugging me for a minute, and I notice that, unlike most undead, this zombie seemed less... rotting, I will say. Its skin seemed less than a few days old, and the odd thing was... It looked like me.
Looking it in the eye, I noticed something that made me gasp in surprise. The zombie was me! There, in its forehead was a large hole, and I could see a stone stuck inside that had caused the hole! I do not know how, but with a few moments of thought, I managed to think up a solution: When we respawn, our bodies are recreated, leaving our corpses behind. Then, whatever magic is in this land takes the corpses and reanimates them! What an interesting discovery!
Well, I decided that my zombie-me deserved a name. Until I could think of something, I would simply name him Zharle, simply my name with a Z instead of a C. Next up, I had to tell my friends this discovery- was it all zombies that where peaceful, or was it simply zombies made from our corpses? I did not know, and I did not especially relish the thought of testing my theory.
After a few more moments of thinking, I suddenly noticed a noise gradually getting louder, a sort of banging. Looking around, I saw that Zharle was digging into the ground, making my home larger! After a few seconds pondering this, I grabbed my pick and shovel, and went down to help him.
We worked for most of the day, turning my shack into a very large underground home with several rooms and even a skylight. Looking at Zharle, I thanked him for his help. He looked at me for a minute, and spoke. "Weeeelcome..." It was hardly more than a groan, but it startled me. Now he zombies could talk! What news I had for my companions!
Finishing up the last bit of the house, Zharle and I started work on a larger basement, and I noticed the sun was starting to set once again. With it, I could also hear the sounds of my companions returning, walking on the sand. After a few moments, they came in, and looked at the house me and Zharle had expanded. They smiled, a smile that dissipated when they saw Zharle.
I started explaining, but the leader of the men punched me, saying, Why did you lead a zombie in here, fool! You say it is harmless, but I do not believe it!" Taking his sword and before I could do anything, he cut Zharle in half from head to foot. I screamed as Zharle fell to the ground, and disappeared.
Turning to the leader, I tackled him, full of rage. Keeping him down with my knees, I kept punching and punching and punching him in the face. It took all three of his companions to get me off, but I could still see he was grievously injured. "Damn you! He was not harming anyone!" I shouted, being held by two of the others.
Getting up, the leader wiped some blood from his mouth. "You don;t think i know that these... THINGS are intelligent? You do not think I do not know they can understand us? That is what makes them abomination! They can mimic life, and they do not deserve to live!" Turning to his companions and my new enemies, I he glared at me. "Throw him in the mountains we discovered today. Let his "Friends" deal with him for us. And James..." he motioned for one of the men. "Change his spawnpoint. Make sure he never spawns here again."
James nodded, and took out a small device. Tapping on the screen for a minute, I felt something strange, like someone had punched me in the gut. Gasping for breath, I looked at the leader and James. "Heh, Spawnpoint changing is a rather hectic process. it takes a part of your life and places it in a new place. Thanks for building this house, though. It will make an excellent base." With that, he took his sword, and stabbed me in the chest. I felt death pull me once again...
Chapter 4: Ancient Ruins?
I suddenly awoke.
Looking around, I saw I truly was in a different location than the beach. I could see a forest, several mountains, and another cave in the distance, and saw that the sun was just now setting. How long do respawns take? How long was I out? I did not know. Walking over to the entrance of the cave carefully, I looked inside, and gasped.
There in front of me was a massive ruined city. Huge buildings towered above a large cave ceiling, and I could see a large fort in the center of this massive ruin. However, judging by the fact that the buildings where not crumbling or dilapidated, I knew that whatever this place was, it was abandoned a short time ago.
Suddenly, I heard a noise, and whirled around. There, in the cave;s entrance, was a creeper, as the leader had called them. I remember the form; it as the same type of creature that had killed me on my first night here! I stepped backwards, cautious. However, the creeper seemed to be curious about me, and did not move from that spot. Suddenly, I heard a voice. "Huuumaaan... Frieeeeend..." I knew that voice anywhere, twirling around, I saw none other than Zharle standing in the darkness! His body seemed alright, but I could see a massive scar down the middle, where the leader's sword struck him. Running over to Zharle, I embraced him; it seems I was no longer alone in the new spawn-point!
After a few seconds, I turned around, and was started by the creeper. There it was, standing in front of me, staring at me. We locked eyes for a moment, staring at each other. For a second, I was frightened, and thought of running, but calmed myself. Just as I did, I felt a hand grab me and throw me backwards, slamming me against the wall. It hurt, but rubbing my head, I saw that it was Zharle who had thrown me, and was now running towards me as fast as he could. "Why..?" was all I could say as suddenly, the creeper exploded violently.
Turning from the blast, Zharle spoke once again. "Creeepeeerss... Noooo Controool... Tiiicking..." I managed to grasp what he meant. For some reason, Creepers spontaneously explode around humans. Was this a feature shared with all creepers? If so, how could I get around it? It was something I had to think about later.
Me and Zharle left the ruins, and he started to explain what was happening. He soon told me that the ruins I had stumbled on was the remains of a gigantic creeper city, Creeptopolis, and he had been spending the last week or so helping with the construction of it. However, the leader and the rest of his cronies had discovered the peaceful city, and tried to take the thing that the creepers held dear, something called a "Spawner" which allowed them to be respawned at the city rather than randomly, as it seems creatures respawn every night at a random location.
Zharle also explained the decision of the leading creepers to move the city, and Zharle had decided to remain here, in the off chance he could find me. I nodded, and thanked my friend. He had given up a new life for me; just on the off chance I would find this place.
We finally stopped as the moon reached it;s highest point. I noticed with some confusion that no creatures where spawning near me at the moment, something I had come to grow accustom to with nightfall. "Creeeaturesss... go... Creeeptoplisss..." Zharle said, noticing my confusion. I realized he was right; any creatures that spawned would no doubt wish to live with the creepers in creeptopolis, and would have gone with them.
I walked over to a tree and started gathering wood, with the help of Zharle, and soon made myself new tools. Working together, we managed to dig deep into the ground, looking for supplies. I knew that we would need to make a new home, as when the creepers of Creeptopolis got farther away, more creatures would spawn, and these ones would no doubt consider me a threat and try to make me respawn. Also, I knew that come day, Zharle would need shelter from the harsh rays of the sun, and I vowed, as long as I was around, my friend would not come to harm.
Soon, we managed to make a small home, and digging down, we came upon a new mineral: Iron. I knew that Iron would be useful for making new tools, so I gathered it up with my stone tools and brought it back to my house. Taking some cal Zharle had found while digging, I managed to make a small oven, which I used to melt the iron and turn to steel. Taking my new steel, I made myself new iron tools, and went back to work.
I o not know how long we spent underground, or how much time we spent digging, but I do know that I had used up seven iron pickaxes and three iron shovels before I hit a strange black rock. Looking at the rock, Zharle moaned a single word, "Beeedroooock..." And started digging away from it. Whatever the stone was, even trying to break it damaged my pick, So I started to mine away from it.
Soon, i came upon a beautiful sight: Gold! It;s beauty was dazzling, and taking my pick, I dug it up, and gave it to Zharle, telling him to bring it back to the surface. While Zharle did that, I continued on, and soon found a glittering, shining gemstone. Digging it out with my pick, I soon saw its beauty: it was a diamond! Looking around, I saw no less than three diamonds, all of massive size. Taking them back up myself, I showed them to Zharle, who took one of them and examined it. "Diaaaaamond..." He said. "I know. What should we do with it? We cannot trade it with anyone, as I am not going anywhere NEAR those other humans.
Suddenly, I noticed a shadow coming from the door. Too late, I saw the door was open. Running to shut it, I got closer, and closer, but suddenly, I saw a creeper standing in the door. Zharle raced to grab me as I hard the creeper go SSSSSSSSSS, but he was too far... I awaited my end.
Which never came.
Looking at the creeper, which seemed to be confused, I noticed that the diamond in my hand was glowing with a soft light. "So diamonds make sure creepers do not end their ticking, huh?" I said to myself. The creeper looked confused, and then spoke. "My ticking stopped. But I did not reset. Human, how did you do such a thing?"
I showed the creeper the diamond, and he looked at it closely. "Such a thing should be voluble to my kind. WOuld you care to part with it? I would like to return this to Creeptopolis." The world "Creeptopolis" made me do a double-take.
"You live there? In Creeptopolis?" I asked. The Creeper nodded, and asked again, "Can I please have that diamond?"
"On one condition." I said. The creeper eyed me for a moment, and asked, "And what is that?"
"Take me to Creeptopolis."
Chapter 5: Creeptopolis
The creeper took me and Zharle to a large island in the sky. It was a beautiful sight, with waterfalls going down the sides and trees sprouting within it. I could also see a small village and stairway that led to the island itself, with many, many creepers climbing up and down it.
I soon noticed a lone creeper, admiring a flower near a small pool of water. he was a bit darker green than the others, and I noticed that the creeper I had met was leading me to him. I also was inwardly started as I realized that it was the same creeper that I had first met! After a few seconds, the dark-green creeper noticed the two of us, and my creeper friend spoke. "He is the elder. Go to him."
I cautiously walks closer, and soon me and the "Elder" where face to face, looking at each other. After a few minutes, the elder creeper spoke.
"Why have you come to Providence, our sanctuary in the sky?" He said. His voice was deeper, and more mature, than I had ever heard from anyone before. I knew he was a creeper that had seen more than his fair share of life, and gotten stronger because of it.
"I... I have come to ask to live within Providence, and wish to do my best to aid your people, Elder." I said. "And how can you do this? If you remember, I exploded upon my attempt to talk to you before. How are you able to speak with me now?"
"With this." I said, taking the diamond from my belt. He looked at the glowing gemstone for a second, and seemed to be captivated by it's internal lights. "This... this is a true treasure. It will allow you to help us make Providence great." The Elder said, turning away from the light, a bit dazzled. "Come, I shall introduce you to my people." he said, turning towards the stairway. As we walked, the creeper, the Elder, Zharle, and I, I asked the Elder, "What is your name, sir? So I know what to call you in the future?"
"Jonno." Came the reply as we continued on.
As we walked up the stairs, our topic turned to the other humans. "So, do you know the four that attacked our peaceful city? I assume you heard the story already?" Jonno asked.
"Yes, I have." I replied as we reached the top of the stairs. "Our paths where once joined, but after they showed they could not be trusted, I was banished from among them, and they changed my spawnpoint- you know it as a reset location. They are... very misguided and masochistic people."
Jonno nodded, and soon I saw that we where in front of a large building. I saw that there was nothing but cloth covering the dooway, and stopped. "One moment, Jonno." Taking my crafting bench and some wood I had on me, I started working. Jonno seemed surprised, and watched me closely, and soon I had made two wooden doors, well-made and secure, and placed them in the doorway. "Here, hit them with your foot." I said.
Jonno walked up to it for a minute, and kicked it with one of his legs. it swung open perfectly, coming to rest in an open state. "Impressive." Jonno said, and we continued on.
I soon found myself in a massive courtroom. With the creeper and Zharle next to me, Jonno went up to take his place, a large chair in the center of the table. I also saw that there where others: three creepers, a zombie, and a skeleton all sitting there. Next to me, Zharle spoke. "Zoooombie... Ruuuugby... Wooorked... buiiild... Ceeeeeptopolis" He said.
I understood what he said quickly. it seems when he worked on Creeptopolis, he worked under the supervision of Rugby, who was now one of the elders of Creeptopolis.
After a few seconds, Jonno spoke. "Elders, I have brought this human before us because of a new material he brings before us. Charle, please show it."
I took out the diamond, and held it high for everyone to see. Several of the creepers seemed captivated by it, and others where simply amazed. Taking the chance, I spoke. "This diamond will keep me safe from causing any of you to end your ticking from being close to me. I wish to use this ability to help make Providence a city, one to match Creeptopolis, which I know that other humans drove you out of."
There was a lot of murmuring between the elders, when suddenly, the skeleton jumped up in his seat. "I...do not.... trust... He might... want to... harm us..." He said.
This caused an explosion of murmuring in the courtroom. I saw that many other creepers had walked in, and where sitting in chairs made for them. I noticed that many of them where uncomfortable, however, and started thinking.
Taking out my crafting bench again, I took a bit of wool I had saved from a sheep I had caught, and some wood. putting it together and making holes for their legs, I managed to design a chair for creepers to sit in without pain. Making twenty of them, I quickly walked around the courtroom and started calmly asking creepers to get up, and giving them the chairs. Many of them where surprised at how the chairs fit them, and several of them, I could see, where very comfortable.
As I did this, the elders stopped and watched. Jonno spoke up. "Even now he is helping us. Farash, do you truly think he means harm?"
Farash, the skeleton, looked at me for a moment. "He... should... be watched..." He said. "But... give... him a... chance..."
Jonno turned to the other elders, and asked, "And what say you, Applecore, Duffman, and Moocman?"
Applecore, a creeper with a bit of red on his head, stood up. "I believe this human could help the city. I agree with Jonno."
Duffman, a creeper with a lighter tint of green, stood next. "I believe he should be allowed in as well."
Finally, Moocman stood. He was a creeper with a bluish tint, making him stand out from the others. "I agree on some grounds with Farash, he should be watched, but we should allow him to come."
Then, Jonno turned to Rugby. "And you, Rugby?" Rugby shrugged, "Leeeet... hiiiim... jooooin..." he moaned.
With that, Jonno turned to me. "Welcome to Providence. Do NOT betray the trust we have given you." I nodded, and spoke, turning to the crowd of creatures that have now come into the courtroom.
"I know that you all do not trust me, and I know humans have done things to you in the past. But I promise you, I will make this city better, and make it so that you will never have to fear humans again!"
With that, the creatures that where watching cheered.
I felt... happy. For the first time since i had come to this world, I was happy, and felt at home.
Chapter 6: Providence Reborn
The next few days, I worked on making the creature;s homes better, providing tools such as boats and streets, and created chairs, doors, and even glass windows for their homes. I also started work on a large project; massive towers made of iron that glittered in the sun. These would be large communal structures, and would house hundreds, if not thousands of creatures.
Due to the fact most of my work was at night thanks to the zombie construction crew, I worked hard and sometimes worked all day straight with no stopping for rest, making the massive towers in the center of the city. After they where done, on the third day that I had been invited into the city, I stepped back to look at my work.
Fifteen stories each, I had built three towers, all out of Iron. The roofs where made of wood, to keep heat and sunlight out, and there where windows on the thirteenth story and higher, allowing from creepers that wished to see the sun to do so. Several of the elders complimented me on my work, but I sadly noticed many of the normal creepers still did not trust me. I hoped I would one day remedy that.
On the eve of the second day, I started my next project: defenses. I did not know how long Leader and his cronies would take to find us, but I did not think so foolishly that they would leave us alone if they did. Taking some stone and being careful near the edge of the island, I started work on a massive wall; six feet thick and ten feet tall. If they ever did come, we would at least have time until they broke through. The wall, with the help of the zombies, as relatively easy to create, but as with working near cliffs, we nearly had an accident on our hands. a creeper that had been helping us move stone was walking near the edge when he slipped and started to fall. Running over, I leapt off the edge,grabbing his body and throwing him back up on the island itself.
However, my momentum as too fast, and soon saw the ground fly up to meet me. With a sickening SNAP, I felt my ankle break as I landed on it with an odd angle. The pain was great, but I knew I had to much to do, so I fashioned a splint for myself out of wood, and completely encased my leg in it, allowing me to move the borken ankle with little to no pain. With this contraption built, I went back to the island and finished the wall, with new respect from the creepers that had seen what had happened.
With the finale of the wall as the sun started to rise, I told the zombies to head back home while I worked on a gate. I knew that if I made a simple wooden door, it would be easy to break through, so I started looking in my pack for what I had. taking out some iron bars that I still had, I heated them up in the furnace and melted them down, making two iron doors. Then, taking an odd red powder that I had found while looking for diamonds, I sprinkled it on the ground, connecting them to a pressure plate made of stone and a stick that had been dipped in the dust.
The stick, when connected to the dust, started to glow, and I saw, much to my satisfaction that, with the pressure plate in the way, the energy the torch created did not go straight to the double gates. With a quick test, I made sure that when I stood on the button, it opened the gates, and made sure it worked with a fellow creeper as well.
Removing the dust and the working again, I made two pressure plates, on each side of the gates on the wall, that both had to be pressed to open the gate. This way, Providence would be safe from hostiles; and with the aid of some creepers whom I explained the system to, we soon had a regular patrol on the gates.
Sitting back, I saw that many of the creepers where now looking at me with a new gaze, one of respect.
Chapter 7: Life in Providence
The night was cool and calm, and I stood at the top of the walls of Providence, looking out over the world. Sitting by me was Zharle; he could not speak as eloquently as I needed him to at times, but he was a constant companion in this city.
I couldn't help but feel out of place at times, the only human in this city of creatures. Where humans truly as rare as I have seen? Was I the only human, besides Leader and his goons? I shuddered at the thought. However, I was comforted by the fact that it seemed time had stopped for me; my fingernails where not longer, even after weeks, I was not dirty, and my hair was as short as ever. It seems that dying of old age is impossible here, or else at the very least I age much slower.
I traveled around Providence, looking at everything I had done for the small town, but I felt it was not enough. I felt no matter how hard I tried, I would never come close to doing what Jonno had done: he had united the creepers and given them a home, a place to call their own. Beside me, Zharle quietly walked along, contemplating his own thoughts.
As the sun started to rise, I found myself alone as Zharle walked back to our shared home. Walking down the wall, I looked down the cliff and then sat, my feet hanging over the edge and the blastedly annoying wooden splint hitting the wall. After a few minutes of thinking, I heard a voice. "You know, you don;t have to be out here alone. You seem to come out here every morning."
Turning around, i saw Edward, the creeper that had brought me to Providence. Since my arrival, he had done his best to make me feel at home, and even introduced me to his Reset-brother, Paulo, whom he met when he reset for the first time.
"I know, my friend, but I have been thinking about this world. About life and existence itself." I said, placing my head on my good knee.
"Ah, such a thing only causes a mind to go insane. Best not be thinking of such things." Edward said, nudging me. I sighed. "Do I really belong here, if the only thing that keeps me safe in Providence is this amulet?" Taking out the amulet I wore, I showed it to Edward. Instead of piercing the diamond, for which I had no tools and no idea if it would ruin the diamond, I had instead encased it in gold on four sides, then encased that with iron, making a three-layer amulet coin which I wore around my neck, tied by some sturdy string supplied by Farash's spider, Leaper.
"Ah, but it does not matter why you are here and what keeps you here. What matters is what you do while you are here." Edward said. "Now, my friend. What do we plan to do today?"
"I... am not sure." I said, standing up. As the sun continued to rise, I turned to him. "What does this city need? What else do they need me for?"
Edward nudged me again. "Alright then, how about we take a tour of the town? Just me and you? That way, the others will get to know you better as well. Some of them are still a bit nervous."
I nodded. "Sure. Why not?"
So we started walking down the main road, passing by creepers on their way to the walls for guard duty, others heading to the courtroom, and even more just walking around and running errands for their companions.
As we entered the courtroom, I saw it filled with creepers, standing next to a large table, with zombies next to them. As the creepers talked, the zombies carved their words into stone. "Do you not use paper?" I asked, surprised.
"What is 'paper'?" Edward asked. I just stood there for a moment, surprised, then caught myself. "Do you know where I can find reeds? They grow about 9 feet tall, mostly near water."
Edward nodded, and led me to a large house. Inside was a massive farm, with wheat and reeds growing next to irrigated pools. "Amazing." I said. "I had a feeling we would need reeds sometime. So did Jonno; he had us bring them here and farm them. Farash gave us a toolbox to put the extra in, over there." Pointing with his head, Edward pointed out a small chest, which I went over and opened. Taking around five bundles of reeds, I then carried them back to the courtroom.
Taking out my crafting bench, I mashed the reeds into a paste, then used fire to dry them into sheets of paper. Handing the paper to the zombies, I said, "Use this instead of stone." The zombie needed some tutoring, and I had to show them it did not need to be chiseled, but each of them learned fast. Soon, the zombies where scribing with quills I made from chicken feathers, and writing in small books. "Now the archives will take less space." I said. Edward seemed pleased.
Taking me past the courtroom, I saw a large house that reminded me of pictures I had once seen of Roman architecture.
"What is this house?" I asked. "Oh, that? That is where we get rid of our powder." Edward said. "Powder?" I asked, surprised. "yes, each week it accumulated over our bodies. If we do not scrape it off, it could become hazardous to our health." "Really? Like dirt?" I asked. "Yes and no... we have had some problems with the powder, when exposed to a flame, exploding violently much like when we end our ticking." Edward shook his head. "If only there was a use for it. Care to have a look?"
I shrugged, and said, "Why not?" And Edward led me inside and into a large room. In the center of this room was a large bin full of black dust, and when I reached in and touched it, I knew my hunch was right. "Black powder! This is amazing!" I said, starting both Edward and a few creepers nearby.
"What is it?" Edward asked, surprised. "In my world, we called this Black Powder. it was needed for most explosives, and was highly volatile." I said. "Pack this in a box or a barrel, and we have an explosive. One that can be used WITHOUT any of your brethren having to en their ticking."
"What a surprising idea! We once tried to do something like that, but it ended up causing more harm than good, with three creepers and a zombie having to reset." Edward said, shaking his head. "Well, I know a little bit about explosives. Give me enough of this stuff and time, and I will be able to make it into usable explosives."
Edward nodded, and said, "Alright, I will tell Jonno or any of the Elders when I see them next. Anyways, on withe the tour."
The rest of the tour was uneventful, with Edward showing me each of the houses, including their purposes, mostly each of them where residential areas, with several creeper families. Edward explained that "family" was merely a group of creepers that wished to share living space, and as all creepers where created by "resetting," there was no need to worry about young creepers or any of the like.
As the day started to turn to night, I yawned as the tour started to end. Noticing my exhaustion, edward walked me to my house. As I stepped inside, I stopped for a second.
Edward was right. It was not the reason I stayed, nor is it the reason why I am here. The true reason I should be thinking of is what will I do while I was here. With this knowledge, I went inside and went to sleep as Zharle left the house to go out as he did every night.
At this point, me and Jonno's paths diverge on our specific "endings."
Chapter 8: Questionable Methods
The next night, I was busy making myself useful around Providence, making small but useful items for the creatures that resided here. My depression was gone, and It made me smile when I saw a creeper jump for joy when I gave it something it liked.
Farash went off at dusk for some reason, not even Jonno knew. I knew that he was probably going for a walk, or something similar.
Suddenly, a creeper shouted from the walls. "Someone's coming! I think it's a human!"
I dropped what I was doing and ran for the walls, joining the creepers there and gazing over the edge.
Looking down towards the ground, I saw Leader, followed by two men I didn't recognize. They where armed in iron armor, and Swords where sheathed at their waist. As soon as they saw me, they took out a white flag and waved it, calling out, "Charle! We wish to parlay with you!"
"I am not the leader here." I replied, and turned around. I saw the Elders running towards the wall, and after a few seconds, the arrived, and Jonno was looking over the edge. "What do you want, Leader? Charle has told me much about you... so be brief."
"Just a quick meeting with you, honored creeper." Came Leader's reply. I didn't trust him; I knew something was up. "Jonno, I would be careful." I said. "Very well. I will take precautions." Turning back to Leader, Jonno said, "I will send Applecore, a fellow Elder, down to meet with you. He will be accompanied by two zombies."
Leader shouted a reply a few moments later. "Fair enough."
Applecore walked down the stairs, followed by two zombies. We all watched as Applecore began talking with Leader. After a few moments, I realized something was wrong.
Suddenly, movement caught my eye coming from the hills. Three more humans popped out of the ground from holes they had been hiding in. I watched in horror as the bowmen shot down Applecore and the zombies, and their bodies disappeared.
Then, turning to us, Leader smirked, a smile full of hatred and scorn, one that I could see even in the darkness. "You fools have two days to surrender. If you do not surrender by then, We will attack and enslave your pathetic people. And you, Charle? I have something special in mind for you."
With that, Leader and his men turned, and walked off. I cursed myself for how unprepared I had been for such an event, I should have made armor, or weapons, but I had thought my time in this peaceful village would never end.
Now, we faced a choice. One that would decide our fates; slavery and life, or war and death.
Looking at each of the Elders in turn, I saw each of them had the same glint of determination in their eyes, and knew their answers.
It was war.
Chapter 9: Blood and Steel
The night was spent forging weapons of war. The Gunpowder stores of the creepers meant I had much to do. Gathering sand secretly from the mainland, I soon managed to create several crates of dynamite for use in the coming battle.
Taking some of my Iron, I also started forging myself armor. Making a helm, chestplate, boots, and greaves, I soon had a set of rought plate armor fashioned. Then, I took more Iron and fashioned myself a sword as well, shealthing it in some leather suppllied by my assistance creepers.
Then, turning to my assistant, I had him stand next to the forge. Working with my final stores of Iron, i soon managed to make armor for the creepers themselves. Then, I had Zharle and several other zombies allow me to create armor for them as well.
As I finished the armor and weapons for the creepers and sombies, Farash walked into the forge.
"Charle... I need you... to do... something..." he said. I nodded, and listened. Surprised at his idea, I tried to convince him otherwise, but to no avail. He continued to pressure be until i finally, with much regret, did as he asked.
Taking the remaining iron, I heated it into a metal pot. Then, Farashgrasped my shoulder for a moment, then jumped in.
FOr a moment I thought the melted iron was harming him, but after a few seconds I saw he was enjoying it as if he was taking a bath as a human. Soon, he stepped out of the pot, the molten iron on every part of his body. Taking a hammer and gloves, I then started removing the molten iron from his joints, allowing him to move freely.
After I was finished, he leaped into my cooling barrel, where I fast-cooled the armor and weapons. The water bubble furiously, and then stopped. Stepping out of the barrel, I looked at him.
Farash was now laced with iron, his joints cleaned so they could move. farash looked and me, and smiled, something that seemed to chill me. "Iron... makes bones... stronger..." Farash said. I smirked at the pun and, dare I say it, Irony.
But I soon realized now was not the time for jokes. One of the creepers that where stationed on the walls shouted out, "Charle! Elders! Here come the humans!" Grabbing the dynamite, armor, and weapons, I ran to the walls and distributed them with the help of my assistance. To the elders, I gave the most intricate of the armor I made, fashioned in medieval style and adourned with pictures of creepers standing before a massive city.
Looking out to the mainland, I shuddered. At least fifty humans where there, each armed to the teeth. I took one of my dynamite, and lit it.
"Charle, what is..." Jonno started to say, and I motioned him to be quiet. Throwing it, it hured through the sky and landed at the feet of the humans. It took them a moment to realize what it was, and by the time they did and started to run, it was too late. the explosion had enough force to pick them up and hurl them into the mountains. No human would be able to survive such a blast. Giving more dynamite to the zombies, Zharle, and Farash, I motioned for them to throw it.
Farash however, took out his bow, tied it to an arrow, and lit it, firing the arrow into the crowd. the human that was hit by the arrow shrieked for a split second, and then exploded, taking out several of his companions.
Finally, there was only a handful left. They paused for a moment, halted by something, and I say a familiar face appear from the crowd.
"Charle! I have a proposition for you!" Leader said, pointing at me. "A duel, between the two of us! The winner leaves this place, the loser dies and vows to never plague the other again, no matter what they do."
"I accept, but what assurance do I have that it will be a duel and not a trap?"
Leader grinned, and I shuddered. Turning to his companions, they talked for a moment, and what happened next shall haunt me for the rest of my life.
In a second, Leader cut the throats of his remaining soldiers, their corpses falling to the ground. This action caused a murmur of fear among Providence and its defenders; such a man was no more than a beast.
Walking down the stairs, I put my hand on my sword. this was it. The duel between me and the ruthless Leader. The winner this time would control the fate of Providence.
I will not lose.
Chapter 10: Duel with Destiny
The sun was slowly rising as I reached the bottom of the stairs, bathing both me and Leader in a crimson red light, symbolizing the blood shed this night.
Stepping past the twisted corpses of his fallen companions, I readied my weapon.
Suddenly, he attacked, charging straight towards me in a headlong rush. I quickly sidestepped, but his blade's tip caught me in the side, hitting the straps on my iron armor and cutting the chestplate off. Tearing the loose chestplate off with a deft motion, I rolled to the side as he charged me again, this time lashing out as I rolled, catching him in the leg and drawing blood.
he howled with animalistic rage, and I could see his eyes where blood red, full of fury and hatred. That was whe I knew. This truly was a fight to the death.
Summoning every ounce of willpower I could, I leapt up into the air, doing a backflip to avoid his slashes with his blade. When I landed, I leapt to the side as he charged again, and this time managed to slash out quickly, opening a deep gash in his back.
Whirling around unexpectedly, he caught me in the side, causing a deep gash to form. I pressed my hand to my side, to slow the bleeding, then blocked his second slash with my blade.
The blades screeched together in an ear-splitting sound, sending sparks off the edge. Suddenly, I heard a crack, and my sword broke, giving me a split second to dodge as his blade came towards me.
Leaping to the side and ignoring the pain as dirt got into the wound, I grabbed the blade from one of the fallen corpses. I then whirled around, and saw Leader walking towards me, a bloodthirsty grin on his face. "Like my sword, Charle?" He said, twirling it around his hand. "My colony managed to find some raw obsidian beneath the earth. We made this from the shards we managed to collect. You cannot beat me while I have this weapon."
I took a breath, and charged him while his guard was down. He saw my act, however, and brought his blade up fast enough to parry my blow and knock me back with a swift kick.
Thinking back to my time on Earth, I remember something my fencing mentor taught me as a child... "Sometimes, the true strength lies in taking the blow. Then, when your opponent does not realize it, strike back."
Dropping my sword, I then faced Leader, grinning. "Come at me. Or are you a coward?"
That sent him back into his fury, charging at me like a beast. This time, however, I was ready. Grabbing the blade with my hands, I felt the sharp obsidian cut deep into my fingers. Suddenly, I froze, and sank to the ground.
Turning to Providence and the spectators there, Leader shouted a victory cry. "You are all nothing but animals! Your great defender has fallen, and now, so shall your city! Prepare to d-"
Suddenly, a black blade sproted from leader's chest, and blood stated to flow. Whipping himself around and staggering back, he saw me standing there, a triumphant gaze upon him.
"You... how..." He said, falling to the ground as blood seeped from his mouth, undoubtedly from a pierced lung.
Leaning down next to him, I whispered in his ear.
"You know the one thing that this world has taught me? To fear the night. Its darkness brings enemies each time the sun sets. But you, you are different. Within you, I saw something far worse. And that is why you will die. Without ever seeing what it is liked to be respected, truly respected. Now, I will leave you here, to die. Slowly. For that is the fate you deserve for your crimes."
Standing up and pressing my hand to my injuries to slow the bloodflow, I staggered back over to the stairway. Suddenly, I heard a shout. "Charle!"
Whirling around, i saw that using the last ounce of strength he had, Leader was pulling the obsidian sword from his chest, and cokced back his arm to throw it...
Suddenly, the air stood still. All I heard was a TWANG! When suddenly a lone arrow shto from the walls of Providence hitting Leader right between the eyes. He stood there for a moment, stunned, then collapsed to the ground, the last of his life-blood pouring from the two fatal wounds.
Walking slowly up the stairs, I soon came to the gates, and was helped inside by two zombies and Zharle, whom I noticed where starting to be burned in the sun badly; As I saw this my eyes watered for a quick moment before darkness took me.
I was home, at last.
Book 2: New Lands, New Foes
Chapter 11: A New Journey
The cool evening air blew into my face, causing my nose and ears to go numb. Snow flecked across my vision, forcing myself to place my hand before my face to avoid them getting into my eyes.
I made my way into a large cave in a cliff, and marveled at the zixe of it; its stone walls seemingly carved intricately into the side of the mountain. Still, placing my hand on the wall, I knew that no humanoid hands, zombie or human, had carved this cave.
I then opened my pack and took out a loaf of bread and some milk, ice-cold from the chill of the snow. Taking a a bite of the bread and a sip of the milk, I then closed the flask of milk and put the bread back into my pack.
Taking some sticks from my bag, I also took out a flint and steel and quickly made a fire for myself to strive off the chill of the night air. As I sat back and watched the flames, I thought about what brought me here.
It had been barely a week after the war, and providence was thriving as usual. I was happy to see so many new faces, for after our victory word had traveled, bringing many others to this small city. In fact, there where so many that the gigantic iron communal buildings where almost full!
I knew that soon, Providence would need to expand. Maybe making colonies and creating new cities. Eventually, I thought Providence could become the center of a massive, thriving Empire, one where human and creature could live in peace and harmony.
Intent on seeing that happen, I gathered a supply of items and went forward to the Elders. After a heated discussion, I told them of my plans to leave Providence, and spread the word of the city to those who might listen. At first the Elders where nervous. After all, since the war I was an extremely important figurehead for Providence itself. Whenever I walked past, Creepers and Zombies alike would stop and look at me in respect and awe.
That was one of the reasons I wished to leave, I soon discovered. The fact that anyone would view me as a person above them is something I did not like. And even when I tried to explain this, the people of Providence still looked at me as if I was some sort of lesser deity.
So, after the discussion ended, It was decided that I would leave behind Zharle and my apprentice, Edward, who had since then learned as much as I could teach about the art of creation of tools and structures. So, bidding farewell, and after a very large festival marking my departure, I left.
Traveling for months, I soon found myself in the frozen north, where not a soul could be seen in any direction. And now, I was in this cave, with a small stick-fueled fire and a single loaf of bread and flask of milk remaining in my pack.
I did not know how much longer I could continue in this frigid wasteland. Would this place be my death? I did not know, but I sure as hell wasn't going to make it easy for nature to claim me in this frozen hell-hole.
Suddenly, I paused for a moment. "What was that?" I asked myself. I knew I heard something...
*whump*
"Alright, that time I KNOW I heard something." I said to myself, drawing my sword. The blade shimmered in the firelight, and I listened for the sound again.
*WHUMP*
This time, the sound shook the cave itself, and I heard a roar of surprise and anger. Suddenly, a massive reptillian head poked into the cave, and stared at me, fire flickering out of its nose.
"Oh, ****!" I said, leaping to the side and sending my fire flying into the cave wall. As soon as I had moved, a gout of fire blasted the very point I was sitting before, frying the small sticks into ash in an instant.
Leaping to the side of the cave, I quickly drew my pick from my bag and chipped away at the wall, making a small hidey-hole for myself and leaping into it. Dishonorable, but anything is better than being fried like a piece of chicken.
The dragon came into the cave and sniffed where I was before. Then, looking around and not seeing me, thanks to the little light in the cave, he fell asleep.
After making sure th beast was truly asleep, I started expandning my hole, covering the entrance with stone to prevent the dragon from finding my position. Soon, just as I expected, I hit the outside, snow flying into the man-made cave.
Sitting down, I took out my last three sticks and sighed. Lighting them, I then sat down and allowed sleep to overcome my fear of the dragon.
Chapter 12: Hellfire
I spent the remainder of the night in the small hole in the wall, clinging to the warmth of the fire as the sun slowly rose, shining through the tiny hole I made to the outside.
When the sun rose, I packed the remaining supplies that where not burnt from the dragon's fire into my bag, and continued on. The wind howled again as I stepped out into the storm, and I continued on my way, following the rising sun.
After a few miles of walking, I finally came to an edge of the snow and ice, the land giving way to a beautiful coniferous forest, its leaves shining in the sun. I entered the forest and started tearing apart the trees for wood, having no tool for cutting them down, and then using them to make a workbench.
I started work on a few stone tools, taking stone I had carved from the edge of the dragon's cave, and I put them in my pack, also making a few more in case I needed them. I also harvested a few more logs, which I placed into my pack for wood necessities in the future.
The forest blotted out the sun, and I could see shapes moving through the forest itself. walking forward cautiously, I saw that it was a zombie, shuffling through the trees.
I greeted the zombie and waved, and it turned towards me and started walking. However, there was something wrong with it, I could feel it.
The zombie clambered over to me, and then grabbed me. Instead of the customary hug that I had been given from zombies in Providence, the zombie instead tore off a chunk of my arm with sharp claw on his fingers. leaping backwards, I held the wound, and drew my sword.
"This is your only warning, zombie. Do not attack me again. We do not need to fight."
However, it was futile. the zombie slashed out at me again, and this time, I parried with my blade, the claws leaving scratches on the blade of the weapon. leaping to the side, I then sprinted up to the beast and flipped over him, delivering a few well-aimed slices to the beast's head.
The zombie crumpled to the ground, and disappeared, no doubt to spawn somewhere else. I rubbed the coagulated blood on my sword off on some grass, and thought of what just happened.
Something must be wrong here, something keeping the creatures of this forest from communicating, and driving them into a rage. I felt for my diamond pendant, and it was still there, but I was not sure if it would work against the malicious intent I felt seeping from the woods itself. I kept my blade drawn and ready as I went deeper into the forest.
In the dead center of the forest, where the trees where oldest and the shadows lingered, I saw something shine in the distance. Walking close, I found it was a massive gate, lined with obsidian and stone. There was another, stranger stone near it, mixing with the natural dirt of the forest.
The stone was eerie, with the faces of creatures and human alike upon it, twisted and warped into an array of screams that chilled my heart and soul.
"What is this monstrosity?" I asked, and stepped towards it.
Suddenly, the gate seemed to react to my presence, and a red spiral formed in the center, growing larger and large until it spanned the gate itself. Taking my blade close, I stepped towards it and put my hand up to it...
And was sucked inside, the winds whipping through my hair as I was thrown through an alternate dimension, faster and faster until i could no longer see from the speed...
And then it stopped.
I looked around, and what I saw shocked my eyes and would never leave my mind for centuries to come. I was in hell.
Lava pooled around my feet, and more of the eerie stone was around me. In fact, then entire walkable area of hell seemed to be made of the stone. The thousands of faces all twisted to creams chilled me to my bones, and I turned to leave...
And say that there was no return portal.
Chapter 13: Hell's Maw
The entirety of hell burned before my eyes. In the distance, I could see slight shadows from creatures I could only imagine lurked within the depths. However, with no way back, I had little choice: I had to explore.
I kept my sword at the ready and approached a small pit. Looking down into It, I saw it was filled with a small amount of lava, maybe a pool 2 meters wide. Suddenly, I heard a bleat, and my footing was lost, sending me tumbling into the pit itself.
Grabbing a ledge as I fell towards the lava, my decent halted. gripping it tighter and pulling myself up, I made my way back to the ledge and looked around for the reason I fell in.
Then, I saw it. A simple sheep in hell. I did not know why it was there, but I had a feeling it was sucked through the portal in the same way I did, and ended up here, where it bumped into me and caused me to lose my balance.
Taking my sword, I sheared the sheep for woo. I did not know what I would need it for, but I would need it for something undoubtedly. Then, making my way farther into the reaches of hell, I stopped.
There in front of me was the most ghastly, horrifying thing I had ever seen. Resembling a zombie, but having half the head of a pig; its eyes where blood red and it had an arched back, its gaze looking directly at me.
I tightened the grip on my blade, and started back.
Suddenly, it sprinted for me, its huge fangs dripping with blood as it moved. I leapt to the side as it scratched the air where I was standing moments before. Then, I swung my blade at its exposed back, and waited for the connection.
Suddenly, I heard a CRUNCH. and saw my blade break apart on the creature's skin. The creature seemed to laugh, a hideous grunting noise, and slashed out at me, causing deep gashes to appear on my stomach.
This was another fight I could not win, I realized, and turned tail and ran. Running as fast as I could, I heard the creature's footsteps behind me, and heard it closing in... seeing a cave in the wall of hell, I leapt inside, taking some wood and sealing the entrance behind me in one quick motion.
The creature, trapped outside, grunted for a moment, and then I heard its footsteps slowly diminish as it walked away. I breathed a sigh of relief; at least I would survive another day.
Suddenly, I noticed a blue light coming from deeper in the tunnel. Curious, I traveled farther and soon found another gate; this one made of stone and grass. Amazed by my luck, I walked up to it, then felt the familiar portaling sensation as it pulled be through the dimension and placed me back on earth.
Looking around, I saw something that amazed me; I was at the very edge of the forst itself! I did not know how, but it seems that a small trip through the bowels of hell allowed to to teleport the several miles from the center of the forest to the edge.
Noticing my lack of a weapon, I took one of my logs and turned it into wood and sticks, which I used to create a wooden sword. Not very conventional, but I knew it would at least offer a better weapon than my bare hands.
Taking my blade and looking around, I suddenly became aware of a pair of eyes watching me... I could feel them behind me.
Whirling around, I saw nothing but the remnants of my trip to hell; some Hellstone embedded in the ground and the remnants of the portal gate. Feeling the breeze through my hair and over my face, I turned from the forest, and headed towards the moon that was slowly rising in the distance.
Chapter 14: Moonlight Howls
Night fell, leaving me alone once again with nothing but my stash of supplies. Setting up a campfire, I decided to try something I had never attempted before: burning logs.
Taking out my flint and steel and burying the log in dirt, I lighted the top of the log on fire and sit back to enjoy the warmth of the flames.
The cold night breeze was kept away from the heat of the flames, and soon, I realized something quite interesting, the logs, unlike the planks and sticks I used before, was staying alight. The flames flickered joyously, and I looked closely; the log was not even burned!
I knew that this must be another phenomenon of this land; infinite flames, such a thing would come in handy for many reasons. Suddenly, I stopped.
In the distance came a howl, an eerie sound that I had not heard since my time on earth, which was long ago. Wolves? here? I did not know, but I drew my blade, and waited cautiously, keeping an eye on my surroundings.
Suddenly, I heard a growl, and whipped around in time to get the full force of a wolf's attack on my chest. It knocked me back, and into a tree where I blacked out.
I awoke to find the wolf rummaging through my pack, and it soon came across a bit of pork, which I did not even know I had left in my supplies. it then began eating, gnawing on the pork like it was a veritable feast. After a few moments, it finished its meal and lied down near the fire.
Cautiously making my way over to it, I moved towards my pack and my fallen weapon, when suddenly the wolf moved, its deep black eyes, sparkling like ebony, shining through the darkness. It saw me for a second, then returned its gaze to the fire.
Leaping towards my bag and blade, I grabbed the hit and leapt back up, preparing for another attack. However, I was startled to find the wolf just looked at me for a moment, confused, and then turned back to the flames.
Cautiously walking towards it, I then daringly put my hand out towards the wolf. It sniffed it for a moment, and then surprised me by licking it! After it finished licking my hand, it stood up, and walked towards me.
Not knowing what to do, I stood there with my blade drawn, and was ready for another attack. But instead of an attack, the wolf simply sat by my feet and acted as docile as a pet dog. Gently reaching to it, the wolf looked at my hand for a moment, and then placed its snout to my hand so I could pet it.
Petting the wolf, I then realized I had made a friend in this bleak forest, something that was indeed a welcome reprieve from the loneliness of my wanderings.
Suddenly, the wolf put his ears back and snarled. Not knowing what I did, I hastily pulled my hand away and drew my sword, which I had sheathed. The wolf leapt at me suddenly, and I only had time to duck...
And the wolf leapt over me, to attack a zombie that had silently approached me, claws ready.
The wolf made quick work of the zombie, and tore the creature apart with its teeth. after it had finished, it clamly walked over to me, and sat by my feet waiting to be praised.
Patting the wolf on its head, I walked back over to the fire, which was still burning, and sat down, where Wolf, as I would come to call him, lied down next to me for the rest of the night.
Chapter 15: The Pillars of the Sky
The sun rose swiftly on the horizon, and I picked up my camp, smothering the eternal fire with some dirt from the ground nearby. The wolf had been next to me all night, even when I slept, and I decided that he was staying.
Thinking of a name for him was difficult at first. I wanted something to fit his wolflike nature, but another side of me wanted him to have a name more fitting a pet. In the end, I decided on Fluffles Skyfire, calling him Sky for short.
The wolf seemed to like the name, nuzzling his nose against my leg, and soon we set off. Walking towards the rising sun, we soon left the outskirts of the forest and found ourselves in a large mountainous area, the mountaintops hidden by the clouds themselves.
Walking up to the foot of the mountain, I sighed, and started climbing. Below me, Sky was watching my ascent, and sitting patiently.
By the time the sun signified midday, I had reached the top. The air was frigid and icy, and clouds blew snow in my face. Looking around, I attempted to get my bearings, then froze.
About two day's walk from the foot of the mountain, I saw something I will never forget in all my life. There, before me, where two massive pillars, reaching to the sky. On the edge, I could see water streaming down from the top of the pillars, and what appeared to be a cloud of smoke at the bottom.
Looking closer, I saw something completely unexpected. The smoke was coming from a cluster of houses situated at the bottom of the pillars! Surprised and overjoyed, I started my decent from the mountain, making careful note in which direction to go.
Upon reaching the bottom once again, I noticed darkness has started to creep over the horizons once more. Taking out my pick and digging into the side of the mountain, I made a temporary shelter for myself and Sky, where he stood watch by the entrance for the night.
As I dug deeper into the mountain, I felt something against my chest. Looking down, I saw my diamond amulet, however, something was wrong.
Instead of the light white glow of the diamond as it had been in Providence, it was now a deep, black color, radiating a steady stream of blood-red light. This change unnerved me, and I quickly took off the amulet and put it in my pack, where its glow could still be seen faintly through the pack's leather.
A bit unnerved by the discovery, I decided to cease my digging for the night and sat down, taking out the log I had set aside for fire and igniting it. as the flames danced before my eyes, I soon fell asleep, with Sky beside me.
Chapter 16: A Chilling Discovery
As the morning light shone into the cave, I slowly awoke, and noticed with some satisfaction that the fire was still burning. Putting it out and taking the log, I put them back in my bag, and went outside.
Making note of the directions I had gathered while at the top of the mountain, I started to proceed due north, following the clouds as they flew to some unknown place. Soon, I started to near the pillars, and the town. However, I soon realized something was wrong.
The thick stench of death and decay filled my nostrils, and Sky started to growl. drawing my sword and holding it ready, we slowly continued our trek towards the town.
As we got closer, I saw signs of battle. Discarded armor, broken blades, and what appeared to be explosion remains littered the ground. Suddenly, I heard Sky bark suddenly, and taking it as a signal, leapt aside.
Where I was standing suddenly exploded in a flash of flames, knocking me back and focing me to one knee. Looking up and around, I looked for the source of the blast... and froze.
There before me was a floating... thing. The beast had eyes with stains below them, making t resemble a crying person. However, without a word, it opened its mouth and blasted another fireball at me.
This time, i was ready, and leapt aside, the fireball shooting harmlessly into the battlefield behind me. I knew that this thing must have taken out this entire village. But could one thing be this powerful?
I soon saw my answer when it approached. What i had originally thought to be a small creature was actually enormous, its eyes as big as my head alone. the creature was stark white, the color of a skeleton's bones, and as stated before, its eyes where lined with a stain that resembled tears.
Taking my sword, I charged for it, leaping aside as it fired more fireballs towards me. Running closer and closer, I slashed out...
Only to have my blade pass through the beast as if it was a ghost.
That was my cue to retreat. Turning tail, I bolted towards Sky, where he growled furiously at the creature. grabbing him by the scruff of his neck, I hurried into the cluster of trees that we had passed through on the way to the village, once there, I turned back.
The creature was too large to fit through the trunks, but then, it stopped. Opening its mouth, it blasted the tree trunks with another fireball, which started a blaze that spread to the leaves of the trees.
Gripping my blade tighter, I put down Sky and made my decision. With a whistle, I motioned for Sky to go around the creature, while it focused on me. Sure enough, the creature never took its eyes off me, and Sky circled around the back of it, and I prepared to move.
As the fires spread to where I was standing, I ran through the trees as fast as I could,the flickering flames burning my skin, and I leapt first onto a root, then a low branch, then into the trees and finally, onto a high branch, while they burned around me.
Raising my sword to the sky, I came down on the beasts' head, and it roared in anger. Taking my sword, I plunged it into the beast's scalp, white blood flowing from the wound. The beast floated lower and lower, until finally, it hit the ground. leaping off, I saw it disappear, as all other beasts do in this world.
Whatever that... THING was, I hoped to never face another again.
Chapter 17: Hell's Infection
The town was darkened and bleak, and I walked from house to house, looking for any signs of life. Unfortunately, there where none. All I could see where a few pieces of armor and weapons, eveidence of the people who had once lived here.
When I can around the corner to the portal itself, I shuddered.
Around it, the ground was... Infected. The same stone and mud I saw in hell was branching out from the gate itself, attempting to claim the land as an extension of hell. On the corners of the infected areas, I could see partial skeletons, sunk into the ground. Human skeletons.
I shuddered once more, and walked over to the obsidian gate, pick in hand. After a few minutes of mining the stiff material, I managed to destroy the portal, and with a strange VWIP sound, the portal itself dissipated.
Putting the obsidian in my pack, I went over to one of the houses and began salvaging. Walking around the village, I gathered enough armor for a full set, which I donned, and several swords, for emergencies. I also found food and supplies in the village's houses, which I took and placed in my pack.
After I finished salvaging what I could, I took out some gunpowder, and sprinkled it around the entire village. Covering everything, from the area the portal had once stood to the edges of town, I stepped back, called Sky to me, and touched a torch to the line I had made.
With a bright flash, the town exploded in a dangerous, glowing inferno. The heat of the flames ingnited a few remaining trees in the area, and I felt my face begin to tan. After a few moments, the glow subsided. All that was left of the town was a gigantic crater, leaving no trace of the horrors that took place here.
Preparing to leave, I turned and placed a few saplings in the crater, to help nature recover after this blight. With a final farewell to the town and the pillars that they where based around, I turned and continued my trek.
Chapter 18: Civilization
I continued on, Sky walking faithfully by my side as we walked through the forest. The village, or what left of it, was now several day's journey behind us, but I could still feel the chill of it's energy. I had a feeling that scene would never leave my mind.
As I continued, I soon heard a strange sound... the sound of an aze against the trees. Leaping behind a tree, I cautiously peered out.
A small distance away from me was a human, wielding an iron axe, chopping away at the wood around him. I could see he had already deforested the trees around him, and was obviously gathering wood for a reason.
Keeping my hand on my sword, I walked towards the man, and hailed him.
"Hail, sir!" I said, motioning for Sky to stay by my side. The main whipped around, and noticed me. Scratching his head, he then spoke. "Hail, stranger! What brings you to these parts?"
Not knowing if they where friendly or not, I did not want them to learn of Providence. So I thought fast.
"Just traveling, exploring the land, good sir."
The woodcutter smiled, and replied, "Ah, I see. I used to do that myself, until Azrolia was founded. Now I have a home there, instead of always being on the move. Maybe you should consider coming with me to the city?"
Surprised, I nodded, and the woodcutter picked up his bag that was lying near him, and slung it over his shoulder. "Ahh, good. Follow me, then. And please keep your dog in check. I don't want him taking a bite out of me."
Noticing Sky, I scratched him behind the ears to calm him down. Then, we started walking. In which direction, I do not know, for the canopy was too thick, but I simply followed.
On the way, we started talking.
"So, how did you end up here? Most of the village itself was the result of a cruise ship sailing into the Bermuda triangle, I heard. They all got lost, and luckily spawned near each other when they first came here."
"I was piloting a plane." I explain, interested. "What about you?"
The man shrugged. "I was out swimming when I was caught in a riptide. I was sucked underwater, and suddenly found myself here. It was strange, being in a new place, but I adapted."
I nodded, and we continued on. Soon, we came to a large road, paved with stone. Carved on the edges was depictions of humans, creepers, and other tools and events.
"Here is the Imperial Highway now. Just this way." My guide said, and took a sharp turn.
I followed, and then asked, "I do not think I ever got your name. My name is Charle, and my pet is Sky."
"Ah, my name is Sheip. Sheip Woodcarver."
"Pleasure to meet you." I said, and we soon where at the village.
Village? I soon found out how wrong my assumptions where. This is nothing but a city. There must have been hundreds of houses, and each one with several people living inside. The roads where paved with white marble, with gold trimming engraved into the stone itself. In the center of the city, I could see a massive building, adourned with rings of obsidian and gold.
"That's the keep." Sheip said, noticing my gaze. "That's where the Imperial Council lives. It is also where we are going."
"What? Why?"
"The Council will want to meet you." Was all he would say.
Chapter 19: Council of the Empire of Light
Sheip led me into a large room that was filled with seats. In the far end of the room was a large stand, where I guessed the speaker would stand during discussions.
I noticed an armed guard nearby, and Shiep walked over to him.
"Are any of the Imperial Council here?" He asked.
"Yes sire. Lord Dragon is upstairs."
Sheip nodded, and led me upstairs, where a large archives awaited. I was aazed at the selection of books. Grabbing one of them, I opened it up to see a large title written in gold:
"Miner's Craft: The Notch in Time"
The book explained a scientist's opinions about the rift that bright us all here, and how it was all the work of a scientist in Sweden, who designed a portal system that got out of control. The portal took him to a new universe, one with nothing in it, and essentially made him god.
He melded the world as he saw fit, adding the creatures and the ground around them. He also decided he needed people on his world, so he cast his machine back to earth, where it opened up a temporal rift over the ocean.
The fist humans here adapted quickly, forming cities and empires, and to this day this world is filled with many empires across the infinite terrain.
"Come on, Charle." Sheip pulled my arm, and he led me to a man in golden armor who was reading a book. "Lord Dragon, Imperial Councilor." Sheip said, and bowed. Out of courtesy, I did the same.
"So, a newcomer?" Dragon said, and I nodded. "Welcome, welcome. I expect you know the rules?" I shook my head, and he began speaking.
"You shall not harm another human within the city limits. You will also refraim from causing harm to the city itself. Your job will be dictated by the guild you join, and if you attempt to do things out fo your station you will be imprisoned. You shall..."
He droned on and on, and I finally said, "Very well sir, but I am just visiting. I was passing through, you see."
Dragon nodded. "Very well. Enjoy your stay here." With that, he turned back to his book.
Sheip led me outside and to a large building near the gates of the city. "This is the tavern. You can spend the night here. Here, use this to pay for your room." As he spoke, he handed me three coins inscribed with a dragon breathing fire. "Thank you Sheip. I will rest for one night, and I will be gone in the morning. Thanks for the tour."
Sheip smiled, and walked off.
Sky growled next to me, and I realized it was starting to get dark. Walking into the tavern, I quickly conversed with the innkeeper, and soon had a room for the night.
Relaxing in what was probably the first true bed I had slept on since Providence. With Sky guarding the door, I fell asleep.
Chapter 20: Hellfire's Wrath
As I left the city, I felt something I had not felt in a long time; acceptance. These people had made a city for themselves, and where perfectly happy to allow me to join their peoples if I wished.
In hindsight, I should have accepted. Anything was better than what I was getting myself into.
The days grew long and filled with cloudy skies as I traveled, and soon, rain began to patter on the ground. It was the first time I had seen rain since coming to this world. it seemed alien to me. Suddenly, I heard a roar.
Turning around, I saw a pack of lions in the grass. The females were growling, warning me not to come closer. Sky growled back, but I motioned for him to be quiet, and we quickly moved away. The females watched me closely as I walked off, then returned to the hunt when they saw a small rabbit in the grass.
I continued on, and came to a beautiful coniferous forest. Staring at the pine needles and watching them swish back and forth, I decided to make camp for the night underneath their protective canopy. Using stick and eating some food I had traded for in the city, I then slept for the night.
The next morning, I heard an unearthly howl. Leaping from my sleeping place, Sky also leapt up, looking around for the sound's source.
Suddenly, I saw it. A massive group of those... ghasts where approaching the forest from the north. I remembered how much trouble I had with ONE, but there where, ten, nay, twenty of them coming towards me!
I hoped that the tree's canopy would prevent them from seeing me, and I huddled close to the tree's trunk. Suddenly, I heard an odd sound... More like a spitting noise then anything.
Realizing what it meant, I leapt aside just in time. The tree that I had been hiding behind exploded, and the surrounding ground bust into flame. I drew my blade, and prepared to face my fate.
Suddenly, from deep within the forest, I heard a screeching noise, like fingernails on a chalkboard. I looked around, and suddenly, stands of silk shot up from the forest itself, and attached itself to the ghast. The ghast howled as it was brought down, blasting more fireballs and catching more and more of the forest on fire. But soon, it was brought to the ground.
I leapt on top of it, seizing my chance, and bringing my sword down on top of it, slicing it down the middle. The ghast howled its final howl, and its pieces fell to the ground.
I looked around for my hidden benefactor, but could not see anything. I walked around the flames and explored for a second, and then I saw something new to me.
There, in front of me, was a small spider. It was tan color, but I knew it was similar to the mount that Rugby had once ridden. However, this one was tiny, only about the size of my hand.
Suddenly, as I got close, a monstrous purple one shot from the bushes and screeched at me. I fell back, adn Sky growled a warning to the spider.
The spider looked at me for a moment, and I realized, this was the little ones' mother! Incredible, a new way of life coming into the world... birth! But, was it truly birth? I did not know.
I walked around for a little while, and soon saw more of the little spiders. Forming a circle, I soon found the point where they originated; a small nest, made of silk and twigs, where the spiderlings spawned.
I sighed. I guess it was not birth after all. But nevertheless I-
Suddenly, the ground opened up beneath my feet, and I began to fall. Sky attempted to grab me, but was pulled in as well. My decent lasted only a short time, before I heard the whispers that could only remind me of one thing...
The hellportal.
Looking down, I saw the truth; I had fallen into a trap. I fell directly into the middle of the portal, disappearing into its depths.
Chapter 21: Hell's Minions
The hot stench of hell entered my nostrils and I awoke. Above me, a good 50 feet, was a hellportal. I looked around. Nothing had found me yet, but I knew that it was only a matter of time.
I realized i would probably be here a while, so I took out my pick. Bringing it down on the screaming stone, it wailed as I cut into it. I winced, but knew there was no other way. Sky stayed next to mee, keeping an eye on the Pigmen herds I saw a good distance away.
making a large home for myself and sealing the entrance with a piece of the stone, I then began to furnish myself. Knowing that I needed wood, I walked over to a patch of the hellstone and dug it up. reaching into my bag, I gathered all of the dirt that had collected there, and pured it into the hole. Then, I planted a few pine seeds that I had gathered from the pine forest in the real world. The seeds seemed moderately happy, and I knew that it was the best I could get.
The days, or nights I did not know which, in hell passed by. The seedling sprouted, growing into a large tree that I tended to and nurtured. I realized, with some interest, that the Pigmen stayed a good distance away, never venturing close to my home.
I expanded my home, creating a lookout tower and a farm, from which I started a small area with the remaining dirt I had, and seeds.
As the time within hell continued, I knew that I had to find a way out of here. I left my house, and started walking, when I saw something that chilled me to the bone...
Ghasts. Hundred of them.
And they where advancing towards me.
The Pigmen squealed as the ghasts spat gout ofater gour of flame at them, and eventually the entire herd was eliminated, all within a few minutes. I hurried inside, and began digging out a shalter for myself. Beringing Sky in as well, who was barking at the Ghasts, I covered the hole and placed a torch, hoping that they would pass by.
Chapter 22: Judgement
The Ghasts indeed eventually past, but not before taking out much of my home. I knew things were settled, and I had to leave. I was not sure how, but I knew I had to leave soon, or face destruction in this netherworld.
I began traveling, working my way to parts of the netherworld that I had never explored before. Following me at all times was Sky, his form comforting against the dark shapes on the horizon. When I saw a ghast get too close, I dug a temporary shelter for myself and Sky, hiding until the danger passed.
The answer to my prayers was here somewhere, and I was determined to find it. I stepped across the hot stone, my boots long since worn away, and the bottoms of my feet hard as the stone itself by now. Not that I cared; all that mattered was finding a way out of this hell.
Finally, I saw it. A Portal. Who made it, I do not know, but I knew one thing for sure... I was out of here. Me and Sky ran through the portal and leapt into it, and we teleported out of hell.
Suddenly, I saw grass. Sweet, sweet grass. I almost cried; I had missed simple earth in my time in the Nether. The world was wonderful place, something I had grown to miss during the ages in that hellish place. I looked around, trying to place the location, but froze.
There, in front of me was a stairway. Not just any stairway, but the stairway to Providence.
I ran up the stairs to get to the town, amazed that I had finally returned. I ran through the gates, expecting to find my friends, but stopped.
It was empty.
Providence... was gone.
I fell to my knees as I looked around. Judging by the wear of the city, it has been some time since it had been sued. Whyd di they leave? Did they not believe that I would return? Did they not care?
I sank to the ground, beginning to cry. Everything I had done, all the travels I had performed, all of the ordeals, was for this city. And they just left it, traveling to a new home. I remained like that for a long time, in the center of the city with tears running down my face and Sky my only companion.
Something, I realized, would probably never change.
I was alone. Alone in a world that had no end, that was filled with enemies and challenges. I did not know what I would do next, but I did know that this would become my new base of operations. A new start for me. Starting that day, my priorities changed. I no longer worked to make Providence into an empire... Nay, I worked to make my own empire, inhabited by me and Sky, where i would never have to be reminded I was alone again.
I am a Dragon, writing the tale of the world that has been, will be, and is. Due to the forum having a URL restriction, if you wish to see my full list of work, please refer to my signature in the now-dead TGO forums Here: http://thegoldenorder.forumotion.com/t261-server-downtime
Chapter 23: Never Alone.
The new day dawned around me as I got to work. I salvaged the old ruins of Providence, working to build up defenses from any hostiles. I always kept my diamond pendant around my neck, in the off chance that Jonno would returned, but a part of me realized that they would probably never return.
To begin with, I turned the old city into a massive keep, using chisels and white marble to make a beautiful white citadel from the old stories of fantasy I had read during my time on earth. The keep as finished after three days, with furnishing to follow. I placed chairs and bedrooms inside, and a large council chambers, on the off chance I would find someone who wanted to live here with me.
But then... I stopped. I could feel the icy, piercing gaze of someone behind me. I whipped around as fast as I could, but all I saw was a black blurr, and then it was gone. Sky had not barked at all during this time, so I shrugged and went back to work.
The days passed as I worked on walls around the outer perimeter of the stairway, to serve as a massive main area for the town and a defensive location both. As I continued working, I saw the form of people on the horizon. SKy started barking, alerting them to our presence. The human forms made their way to my gates, where I climbed up and looked down. Standing there were three pitiful looking people... a man and two women. Their clothes were in tatters, and theirfaces and skin slashed and injured.
I immediately hurried them inside and brought them up to the keep, where I tended to their wounds with water and bandages. They revealed their names to be Jesonomi for the man, and Ariel and Jerra for the two women.
Leaving them to heal and recuperate, I felt the presence again. I drew my sword with a swift motion, and whipped around... but only sliced through air. Shadows mocked me from their places in the city as the sun went down... something else has been unleashed on the world. Something... inhuman.
The air I felt was in no way human... almost animalistic in its properties. It did not want to make peace, or ally itself... It was much more demonic than that. Taking a torch from the wall, I started a methodical search, square by square of the in-progress city, but found nothing. Sky looked at me as if I was a fool, and I shrugged once more.
Perhaps I am paranoid... there was nothing there when I turned, Sky did not bark, and now I have even confirmed there is nothing else in the city besides the three people. I went back to them to check on their wounds, and saw that they were awake.
They turned to look at me, and Jesonomi spoke. "Thank you for helping us. We have been traveling for weeks... we did not know there was a city nearby."
"It has been quite a short time since I stopped my travels as well. I have just managed to set this small colony up within a few days. It is not much, but you are welcome to stay, if you wish." I replied, and Sky walked into the room.
"How cute." Ariel said, offering her hand. Sky sniffed it, and looked at me. I nodded, and he licked her hand and sat down next to her. As this happened, Jesonomi looked outside.
"There is something on the horizon that I cannot identify anymore. Something sinister is sweeping through this world. I do not know what, but I do know that we should stick together when we can. I would appreciated if you allowed us to stay within your city, and help you with expansion."
I nodded, and Jesonomi nodded. "Then it is done. I do work hard, do not worry. The same can be said for my friends."
With that, the four of us walked outside and started to work as the moon rose. Hanging behind the gourp, I turned to Sky and smiled. Suddenly... I felt it again. The presence, right behind me. This time, I decided to ignore it, and started to walk on.
That was a mistake.
The presence slashed out at my exposed back, and tore through my clothing. Sky started barking, and I whipped around to see a malicious grin that disappeared into the shadows. Jesonomi ran over, and helped me up.
"It seems it has followed us."
Chapter 24: Shadows
The Shadow, as they called it, was a manifestation of the corrpution of the land, the hatred that we fellow humans had for eachother, and now its purpose was to, essentially, end us all.
Jesonomi recounted his journey here, from mountains to the north. He told of a fourth person in the group, who seemed plagued by the Shadow more than others. He knew when it was coming, and where. He was invaluable for the party, until one day, he just disappeared.
They searched for him for one full day, but to no avail. He was gone, swallowed up by the lands of this world. Wether he went off on his own, or was killed by something, they do not know. All they know is that with him gone, the Shadow attacked them tenfold. Becoming more and more daring, they soon discovered that it was no longer just haunting them... it was now physically attacking them. Unsyre what to do, they ran, and didn't stop until they came to the ruins of Providence, where they met me.
As my wounds healed, they worked to make the city shadow proof, lighting old streetlamps and making the town bright enough to keep away the shadow's fierce gaze. not knowing what else we could do, as soon as I healed I helped them light every corner of the city itself, eventually using a good quantity of coal.
As I finished, I saw that the walls were damaged, and the TNT traps I had made so long ao were triggered. What had gone on here? Whatever it was, it drove the Creepers away, and leftthe city a barren husk of what it once was.
Realizing that our current supplies would not be enough for repairs, I went down the stairway and created a small outpost at the bottom of the island, and began to create a mine. Using iron I found, I created booster tracks and detector plates on the tracks themselves, and finally placed a minecart. Just as I had predicted, the bosters continuously powered the minecart, allowing fast access to the mineshaft deep below the earth.
The mines expanded quickly as Jesonomi showed his skill with mining. Taking a pick of iron and striking the earth beside me, we hauled cart after cart of stone and supplies out of the mines. I worked long andhard with him, making sure to lighten the darkness to combat the shadow, and we continued working on the city. The city itself grew, and soon we found that out city stood out in the lands around us... we soon found people willing to join us.
At first, only a few came, but soon, I saw many faces, some from the north, others form the south. Working together, the city grew, and I was placed as head of the city, taking the seat my friend Jonno had sat long ago. The seats that ha once been sat upon by Creepers and other creatures were refitted to hold humans, and the Council was born. However, as I saw the peoples of the city prepare to dispose of the seats I had made for the creepers long ago, I stopped them, instead taking them to my private quarters, and using a water powered piston, made a secret sliding door in my libary of books. Hiding the chairs in a secret room, I then created a small area for living as well, but for what reason I did not know.
As the city grew, we all noticed a few disturbing changes in the surrounding creatures. The first few were friendly, and after giving diamond pendants to my people to prevent explosions and misunderstandings between us and the creepers, we accepted them into the city. I must say I was surprised to see human and ceature working together, but we soon had a handful ofzombies, skeletons, and creepers within the city. However, as I said before, the creatures that remained wild around the city started turning increasingly hostile.
I soon had reports of injuries and creeper explosions around the city, even when the people were wearing the diamond pendants. With some relucatnce, I soon found that I had to give an order... and order of defense. Creatures would be given a ten second grace period to speak for themselves, and after that grace period, my people would defend themselves.
For creepers, I had to reduce the time to five seconds, because of the explosion. While I did regret that it might harm some innocents, i realized that we had to defend ourselves... a case made even more important when I discovered that several of the women in the city were with child.
The city was growing, but the creatures were growing more dangerous each day. The Shadow, which had not plagued us in many weeks, was nowhere to be seen. The question in my mind remained... what if the Shadow was causing this?
Chapter 25: Eternal Providence: Eternia
As the city grew; I discovered an interesting fact; in this world, there were no children.
As the women with child came to full labor, I sent medical teams to aid them and we all quickly discovered that, similar to our deaths and "respawning", the children actually "spawned" fully grown, and fully knowledgeable.
This led to many questions, first about their mind. After some teaching and a few military drills, I found that they were easily adaptable to help around the city, and realized that our numbers would fully increase with this miracle of this world.
However, another question lingered in my mind. I had seen the second episode of Star Wars when I was a teenager; I realized how similar that these "children" were to the movie's clones. Was it moral or ethical to use them in war? Or should they be held back and treated as normal children? None of the others seemed to understand my questions, so I left the Council out of this. This would be something that I would need to solve alone, as founder of this new city.
As Providence once again turned into a thriving, bustling city, I soon realized that I could no longer use the name, Providence. Providence was the name of the city that had once house creatures, not humans; so I explored the reaches of my mind to find a new name for this city, one that would suit our needs.
After talking with the Council and combing our recorded tomes for a name, I soon came upon one: Eternia.
Named for Eternity, the new town name would become a testament against time, to stand for Eternity against the sands of time itself. I hoped that this town would become eternity; somewhere that would be remembered for the rest of time; but that was getting ahead of myself.
When a raider party attacked some of the gatherers outside, I soon realized how little we truly had in means to defend ourselves from outside threats. Three men were injured, and another was killed in the raid, which also stole a good bit of our supplies. Filthy raiders; I would make them pay eventually.
Drafting volunteers into an army, I soon began drills to teach them what I knew about swordfighting. The drills went well, and those few volunteers learned quickly by way of the blade. I soon had a decent force of about 10 guards, skilled with the ways of the blade. One of the boys, none other than Jesonomi, soon rose within the ranks to show that he was no mere grunt. Taking him under my wing, I made him lieutenant, to command in my absence.
The days turned to weeks and the weeks to months as the city grew, eventually to the point that we had to set up homes and an exterior wall around the base of the city. The wall was made of white marble, with creepers and humans carved into the side to show our once union with the creepers. However, when a rogue creeper took out the wall during a routine night guard, I sent guards with bows to the walls to keep foes from getting close, and the next morning began work on a water moat around the wall, to protect from the blasts if any should make it past the walls.
The city is growing, this I know. But who knows what the future may hold?
Chapter 26: Raiders and War
The city continued to grow, as I led it to its grand size. New buildings were erected, and another wall was erected outside the original, causing the area on the island itself to become the governmental buildings, and the areas underneath quickly became the residential areas.
I was glad to see that slums had not yet become an issue, as I had personally made sure that anyone who needed a home, had it. The Eternal Guard, the police force and army of the city, was soon put on patrol duty on the walls to protect against any outside threat. Within a month of the city's formation, I soon saw our first raid.
The raiders came at night, attempting to climb over our walls with force. Our arrows and TNT stocks, thanks to the gunpowder left behind by Providence's previous occupants, easily decimated them. Their number was only three, but I knew that it was either an isolated case, or a scouting party. Either way, that meant more of them would come, either affiliated with them or not. I began preparing our forces with whatever weapons and armor we had, taking note that our iron stocks were thin.
Three days after the raid, I soon saw forms on the horizon. Fifty humans, all wearing the colors of the raiders before. I called our forces to arms, and the siege began. Luckily, the raiders seemed to not have any TNT, but the Eternal Guard was still outnumbered five to one. We managed to thin their ranks, but it seems they learned out capabilities when they scouted; for they kept away from the blast radius of the TNT when we dropped them.
Another day passed under siege. Our farms within the city would keep us fed, we all understood, but wood and other supplies, even our mines, where positioned outside the city. We were essentially cut off from any and all replacement tools and armor.
The raiders kept up the siege, and finally sent out their "pet." Their pet was a creeper, bound and harnessed to keep him from attempting to explode. With loud shouts and taunts, they released the creeper, directly at our walls.
We tried to stave off the creeper, but it seemed that torture had made its hide abnormally thick; our arrows were easily deflected and TNT seemed to have no effect. I Ordered the men away from the wall as it came close, and with an ear shattering explosion, the wall was torn from its foundation.
I immediately sounded a retreat back up the stairs into the city itself, where I had previously told the civilians to hide. Two were cut down by the blades of the raiders as they poured over the walls, and Jesonomi and I both held the line as the rest retreated. We cut down several of them, but eventually we too had to fall back.
Finally, I understood. We were not prepared to fight a war. This city was built for peace, not for war, and that is what would signal our doom.
As the sun sank beneath the horizon, I suddenly saw a light coming from the north. A large army, much larger than the one that the raiders had, was closing in. Were they friend or foe? I did not know. If they were friends, they were our salvation. If they were foes, they were our destruction.
Chapter 27: Allies and the World War
The sounds of battle soon reached our ears and the new army attacked the siegers with a fury we had never seen before. Their army was honed by years of combat, while the raiders were only a bandit force organized into a small army.
The new army quickly swept them aside in a matter of moments, their soldiers, clad in iron mail, marching towards the remaining troops and finishing them off while a few survivors ran into the trees.
As they finished off the previous siege, I soon began to worry. With our limited remainign defense, and our undertrained soldiers, how could we hope to defeat seasoned veterans clad completely in iron mail?
But it seemed that we would not have to. A single man, carrying a white flag, began to walk up the tattered, bloodstained remains of the stairway. We opened what was left of our gates, and cleared aside much of the rubble, and he soon spoke.
"I have a message for the leader of this city."
I stepped forward, and nodded. "Speak."
"This city, and all its inhabitants, are now under the jurisdiction of Scar-Eye Hardin. You are to send a monthly sum of one thousand gold coins to the capital, Arnessia, or else face destruction."
"Now wait one second..."
"Need I remind you that this city was just under the attack of a raider force, and would be no match for our seasoned army?"
The words stung, even though I had already known them. The fact that my city would no longer be under my control was another blow, but I realized that this might just be a way to allow my people to live in peace."
"Very well. We will accept your demands, on one condition."
"And what is that?"
"I want a regiment of soldiers placed under my command to defend the city in case of another attack."
My response made everyone start talking. While we had suffered losses, I do not believe that they were prepared to see their leader hand the city over to an attacking army. With a sigh, I smiled quickly to them.
"Very well, you shall have one regiment. They shall be sent up in an hour." The messenger said, turning to leave.
"And one last thing. Beware of Emperor Taralin and the Empire of the Tiger."
With that, he left the city. In exactly one hour, a full regiment of one hundred soldiers came up the stairs, and introduced themselves. Led by a Commander "Neil", they were much more militaristic than any people I had seen before.
Their ranks were quickly positioned on the walls, with a handful of men assigned to help with reconstruction. Looking over the wall, I also noted that the army was leaving, going to the east. As they walked off, I turned to Neil.
"And I suppose there is some sort of national colors that I have to work with?"
Niel shook his head. "Each city that is under the protection of Scar-Eye is given jurisdiction over itself. Each city is, essentially, a city-state in the Empire.
I shrugged. "Very well."
Silently, I was surprised. It seemed that this "Scar-Eye" had some principles after all.
Chapter 28: The Empire of the Tiger
As the days began to pass, the reconstruction of the city began. The walls were rebuilt and reinforced, and I even went down into the mines for a personal project, searching the deep earth for one specific thing.
A week passed quickly, and after days of searching, I found it. A massive lake of lava, deep beneath the earth. Taking out a bucket filled to the brim with water, I emptied it.
With a furious hissing that made it sound like demon-spawn, the lava quickly solidified into Obsidian; stone-glass.
Taking out my pick, I started to work, chipping the obsidian out piece by piece, with the water around me as a precaution from the lava below. I spent the rest of the day harvesting Obsidian, and soon had many piece of it. Bringing it up to the surface, I went over to the walls, and placed it within the wall.
As the wall neared completion, I nodded to myself. The obsidian would help with the strength of the wall, and prevent post intrusion.
The construction continued, repairing the houses and buildings that had been pillaged and ruined at the bottom of the city. The city itself, with the roads and other such infrastructure, was intact, and saved us some work.
After three weeks, the repairs were complete, and the city was restored to its former glory.
However, I knew that we knew very little about the world as it was. Placing Commander Neil in charge, I packed some rudimentary supplies and went on a scouting mission, promising to return in a month. The others knew the purpose of this mission, and wished me well.
As the days dragged on, I remembered my first time leaving the city, and the ruins I had returned to. Questions swam in my mind; would it be there when I returned? Would they return my position when I did eventually return?
Questions such as those I had no answer for. However, I vowed that I would not worry about such things; I could not have my hands in politics if I was outside of the city.
At the end of the third night, I camped beneath a large pine tree, the needles swaying gently in the breeze. I noticed that I was entering the cold area that I had met the Dragon, and silently wondered if I would see it again.
Sky, who had come with me, of course, slept calmly next to me as I finished a quick meal of bread and pork. Taking a swig of water from a large canteen, I then went to sleep.
I awoke to the sounds of axes around me. Quickly drawing my blade and rising, I looked around.
In the distance, there was a group of people cutting down pine trees at the edge of the forest. Luckily, they had not seen me yet, giving me an advantage. I slowly and cautiously approached, motioning for Sky to remain there.
I approached silently, and hid behind a large tree, looking out to the group. Each of them wore a small amount of armor, possibly iron. They also wore a tabard, with a tiger's cla emblazoned in red silk on the center.
"Empire of the Tiger." I muttered, remembering the word of caution from the messenger.
Chapter 29: The Tiger's Fury
The Empire of the Tiger. This close to my city? I felt that this was not a coincidence. Following the woodcutters as they went back to their point of Origin, I was amazed to find a massive camp lined with a large palisade wall.
The camp itself was near the forest, allowing me to see it without being spotted, but they had cleaed much of the trees near the camp walls. If I tried to get close, I knew I would be spotted by the guards.
Returning into the forest, I began heading back. The city must be warned, the Empire of the Tiger was coming.
The trip back was sped by fear and worry, getting me back to the city within a day's time. Once I got back within the city bounds, I quickly met up with Neil and his soldiers.
"So, the Empire of the Tiger is here, eh? I think they are attempting to create a colony, by the sounds of it. Their gears of industry wipe lands clean of all resources." Neil said, his grip tightening on his blade.
"What can we do about it? We have nowhere near the numbers needed to destroy the town." I asked. Some of my worry must have creeped to my face, because Niel put his hand on my shoulder.
"We may not have enough to attack, but we have enough to send a command squad out to wreak some havoc." Niel smiled.
A plan dawned in my mind, and I nodded. Ideas and strategems were coming to me. "Tell your men to meet me in my quarters. Do not let anyone know I have returned. If I die in the raid, it would be better to let them think I got lost in the wilderness.
Niel nodded, the turned. "They will be there by nightfall. I hope you have a plan."
A wicked smile came to my face. Yes, I had a plan. A good one.
Chapter 30: Wicked Flames
Fire.
Flickering flames illuminated the forest around the camp, burning tree, beast, and human brave or stupid enough to stand in its way.
Trees could be replanted, I knew, but this "Wildfire" I had created would enure none of the Empire of the Tiger survived.
Using my flint and tinder, I had created several points for the blaze to break out. Stationing one man at each point, when the sun set, fifteen fires flickered to ife.
In a matter of moments, the forest was ablaze, and the town with it.
With a smirk on my face, I knew that this would cripple the Tiger, even for a little while. This... was slaughter. Unmerciful and terrible. Yet... I had a taste for it, it seemed.
Grinning like a madman, I continued to spread the blaze, even going so far as to light a few parts of their wall on fire as their guards were desprately trying to put out the blaze.
With that same horrible grin on my face, we returned to the city. Smoke was continuing to rise from the forest, which was now mostly burned to the ground. No movement could be seen in the forest or the town.
I had done it.
Coming to me, I could see Neilsaur's worried face as he saw the grin. "Sir, are you alright?"
The sound of his voice snapped me back to reality, reminding myself what I had just done. Such a forest would take years to restore. Had it been truly worth it?
Shaking my head, I turned from Neil. "I need some time alone."
Neilsaur nodded, and I started walking. Suddenly, a small child stepped in front of me.
"Was dat light, Mistah Charley?" The child asked, pointing at the flickering flames in the distance.
"Nothing, child nothing." I said, and smiled. I remember hat we were fighting for, at last.
Chapter 31: Changes
The morning light came too early for my tired eyes. Its light shone like a needle into my eye, forcing me to close them and attempt to get used to it.
However, something was different now. I felt... strange.
After several moments, I realized what. I was hungry.. I hadn't been hungrey since I was on Earth. This feeling was amazing and curious at the same time.
Getting up, I started to search the cupboards for any food I might have. Unfortunately, it seemed that everything had already been eaten to restore health during the battle a week ago.
I left my house and went outside, making my way around the town, and I noticed other people doing the same. One stopped me for a moment, an old man with long, greying hair.
"Excuse me, sir. Do you feel hunger as well?"
I nodded, and he shook his head. "This town was not equipped to handle such a change. The wheat farm that was used to heal the wounded is already exhausted."
I sighed. This was a more important problem than I had originally thought. Waving over a few soldiers in the crowd, I gave them some quick orders.
"Grab your weapons and come with me. We are going hunting."
The soldiers saluted, and went into the barracks, returning with iron blades. They handed one to me, and I clipped it to my belt.
With a second thought, I turned around and shouted to the city.
"Are there any others that wish to go hunting with us?"
There was an excited mumbling, and several men stepped forward. The soldiers noticed my gaze, and went back into the barracks, returning with several more blades.
Soon, we had a sizable hunting party of about fifteen strong.
As the city gates opened before us, the sunlight illuminated the land around us, and I noticed more odd things; namely, the lack of animals.
Before, there had been hundreds of the beasts roaming the lands, wherever there was grass, they would be. But now, there were few.
Shrugging, we got to work. The party split into five groups of three, and each group went in a different direction.
After a few hours, we returned, holding our bounty. Several dead pigs, a few cows, and even some chickens had been caught. Unlike the chickens and cows, before,however, which were gangly and skinny, these cows and chickens were plump.
With a grin, we all marched back into the city, and everyone crowded around us as we carried our find. As they did, I heard Neil, who shouted a greeting.
"Charle! Good news! We worked for a while and expanded the wheat farms! Should be enough for now!"
I grinned. This should be enough for now. Giving the animals I held to a few people, I began working on a storehouse for our food. As I placed the bricks down, the sun started to set; reminding me again of my first day.
Chapter 32: The Endermen
The night came quickly after the sun set. Unlike all the other nights, however, I felt... uneasy.
Something was going to happen tonight.
I quickly ordered for double posts to be placed on the walls. Knowing my intuition had not failed the city before, the soldiers quickly manned their posts, and prepared for battle.
Still, I was uneasy. Whatever was coming, I knew was similar to the Shadow from before... it inspired sheer terror.
Suddenly, the night's still air broke with a shrill scream. I whipped around to see a black figure hovering over a guard. Blood dripped from his lifeless form as his body popped out of existence, respawning him inside the city hall.
As I stared at the black figure, it turned, its long, gangly limbs falling to its side. Its small square has suddenly stretched unnaturally, revealing a massive mouth opened in a silent scream.
The creature's entire body began shaking, and suddenly, with a puff of purple smoke, it disappeared.
Drawing my sword, I tensed. Teleportation was a new trick for this world's inhabitants.
Suddenly, I heard a soft sound behind me, of footsteps, too light to be human. Whipping around, I brought my blade down, cleaving the creature's arm in two as it reached out for me. The creature's face seemed to twist even more, but it remained silent, even with black blood seeping from its arm.
It disappeared again, but this time, I was ready., Whipping around again, I stabbed the creature right in the head, between the two glowing purple eyes.
The creature collapsed, disappearing suddenly and leaving behind a single blue orb. The shape stunned me for a moment; a shpere is not something I had seen for quite some time.
Picking it up, I looked at it closer, and shook my head.
The "sphere" as not a true sphere at all. Tiny cubes, formed into a near circle, made it seem so.
As I looked into the sphere, something dawned on me.
"Don't look at them!" I yelled to the guards. They looked back at me, confused.
"Do not look at them straight on! Out of the corner of your eyes is fine, but the creature didn't attack me until I looked at it directly!"
A hurried muttering passed the realization down the wall. It wasn't much, and I didn't know if the fact was true, but we would see...
I am a Dragon, writing the tale of the world that has been, will be, and is. Due to the forum having a URL restriction, if you wish to see my full list of work, please refer to my signature in the now-dead TGO forums Here: http://thegoldenorder.forumotion.com/t261-server-downtime
I am a Dragon, writing the tale of the world that has been, will be, and is. Due to the forum having a URL restriction, if you wish to see my full list of work, please refer to my signature in the now-dead TGO forums Here: http://thegoldenorder.forumotion.com/t261-server-downtime
New chapter is out. Refresh if you where reading. =P
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
I am a Dragon, writing the tale of the world that has been, will be, and is. Due to the forum having a URL restriction, if you wish to see my full list of work, please refer to my signature in the now-dead TGO forums Here: http://thegoldenorder.forumotion.com/t261-server-downtime
Well, I liked your story, but a few things where left out, and added in that, of course, where not in the game. Expanding on that, I decided the best way to go around with a story would be purely fantastical, but be based of minecraft, of course. Pretty much, think of it as minecraft if it was in the real world.
Also, next chapter, be prepared for some interesting twists. =P
EDIT: Went back and used Firefox Spellcheck to get the typing errors out. I will do my best to keep any and all spelling errors out, but I write using the method of "Visual pictures" which means My hands type what I see in my mind's eye. To capture especially hectic moments, I normally end up making LOADS of spelling errors.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
I am a Dragon, writing the tale of the world that has been, will be, and is. Due to the forum having a URL restriction, if you wish to see my full list of work, please refer to my signature in the now-dead TGO forums Here: http://thegoldenorder.forumotion.com/t261-server-downtime
Bah, I am bored. Expect another chapter within a new minutes. >.>
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
I am a Dragon, writing the tale of the world that has been, will be, and is. Due to the forum having a URL restriction, if you wish to see my full list of work, please refer to my signature in the now-dead TGO forums Here: http://thegoldenorder.forumotion.com/t261-server-downtime
New chapter is out. I am hoping I gathered up DoaC and understood the newest chapter correctly... this shoud explain a few things about the fate of the creeper that had stayed behind, the reason diamonds where valued by the creepers, and also why they did not explode when they first met Ryan.
And yes, hopefully, it will. I was making this story to explain a few things I had questions about in the DoaC storyline. The true decisions are up to him, however, I do not want to impose myself onto his story.
EDIT: 100 posts GET!
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
I am a Dragon, writing the tale of the world that has been, will be, and is. Due to the forum having a URL restriction, if you wish to see my full list of work, please refer to my signature in the now-dead TGO forums Here: http://thegoldenorder.forumotion.com/t261-server-downtime
I like this! The English in it is great, although I would like to mention one thing. Try dwelling more on your environment, the story seems to be progressing very quickly! Aside from that, in terms of vocabulary and everything its great :smile.gif:
I use a large vocabulary because I am an author in my free time, currently attempting to publish a book. And the reason I am not dwelling on the environment more is that I am trying to quickly make a backstory on "Ryan" whom Jonno has said he will be changing the name of, and to offer more information for Jonno to go off of before tonight's update to DoaC.
Once Jonno releases the next update, I am planning on bringing my story parallel to his, with similar story-lines and similar characters, but with different objectives. I also plan to be keeping with this story until it hits 25-50 chapters, depending on how much people like it. I am hoping that DoaC can also make the same commitments, but Jonno has said he has been having some real life troubles, so I will do my best going on with the story if he chooses to end it, albeit with my own character.
Oh, and one last thing. If Jonno ever says he does not like or want what I have put up in this story, I will gladly edit it, maybe even completely diverging from his storyline if he so wishes.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
I am a Dragon, writing the tale of the world that has been, will be, and is. Due to the forum having a URL restriction, if you wish to see my full list of work, please refer to my signature in the now-dead TGO forums Here: http://thegoldenorder.forumotion.com/t261-server-downtime
Zharle was explaining it in his own words, and he called it a spawner. Creepers would call it differently. =P
Also, just for a quick note:
Human = Charle
Zombie = Zharle
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
I am a Dragon, writing the tale of the world that has been, will be, and is. Due to the forum having a URL restriction, if you wish to see my full list of work, please refer to my signature in the now-dead TGO forums Here: http://thegoldenorder.forumotion.com/t261-server-downtime
wow... where are all these diary entry things coming from, is it some kind of fad going around?
I'm not complaining, it just hard to keep up with a single great story when there so many other good ones popping up at the same time. right now I'm trying to read at the lest 4 of these story's simultaneously... and its hard.
keep up the good work. i wish to see more of your work soon!
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Cynical realism is the intelligent man's best excuse for doing nothing in an intolerable situation.
2 new chapters up. Thanks for the feedback, guys. =)
These newest chapters are an "In tandem" work with me and Jonno's story. I feature a little bit more details, but for realism, since Charle would not know if Jonno found his friend or not, I left that out.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
I am a Dragon, writing the tale of the world that has been, will be, and is. Due to the forum having a URL restriction, if you wish to see my full list of work, please refer to my signature in the now-dead TGO forums Here: http://thegoldenorder.forumotion.com/t261-server-downtime
Okay, now THIS story I really need to follow as well, good to see two great authors making such a great story together, these passages sort of fill in the diary entries that were left out after jonno moved to providence right? Pretty damn interesting, keep doing this you guys, you two have a similar writing style I really like it!
whoever updates first gets to have the say on where (in general, not regarding our individual characters) the story goes, and the other person has to keep up and make something original of it.
Sound fair?
This is going to nip you in the butt later, as I have the time to do multiple updates a day, but sounds fair to me. =P
(Don't worry, I'm not the kind of person to go ahead and force you to write the story a specific way, I will probably have a few times when I leave it for you to go ahead... Part of the fun of a collab is seeing what your companion will do.)
And thanks, everyone, for all of the replies and comments! Reading comments about something I write is something I love doing, negative or positive, and is the highlight of my day. =)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
I am a Dragon, writing the tale of the world that has been, will be, and is. Due to the forum having a URL restriction, if you wish to see my full list of work, please refer to my signature in the now-dead TGO forums Here: http://thegoldenorder.forumotion.com/t261-server-downtime
I am hoping for friends with em in a future update. =P
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
I am a Dragon, writing the tale of the world that has been, will be, and is. Due to the forum having a URL restriction, if you wish to see my full list of work, please refer to my signature in the now-dead TGO forums Here: http://thegoldenorder.forumotion.com/t261-server-downtime
Of course not! Thanks for the tips, I will do my very best to proofread as I write the next chapters. And the sentence is supposed to be read, "Now the zombies could talk!"
Also, Paulo, I was wondering when someone would ask. I needed a name for the Creeper that showed Charle to Providence... He is going to be a recurring character with my story, as he was the first creeper that Charle met that was not hostile.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
I am a Dragon, writing the tale of the world that has been, will be, and is. Due to the forum having a URL restriction, if you wish to see my full list of work, please refer to my signature in the now-dead TGO forums Here: http://thegoldenorder.forumotion.com/t261-server-downtime
Chapter 1: A New World; A New Life
My name is Charle. This is my story, my history. My life.
It all began when I was flying over the Atlantic on a small airplane. Night was falling fast, and I decided to take a route that I had never flown before, over the fabled Bermuda Triangle. Flying towards the southern tip of Florida, I suddenly noticed an object that even today I have trouble describing.
There, outside my plan, was a dark cloud. I do not know what it was or what it did, but suddenly, my cockpit went dark, and all I remember is a cold darkness as it wrapped itself around me.
When I awoke, I found myself on a strange island. The scenery was too temperate for Florida or the Keys, and I knew for a fact no islands where in the ocean in my flight path. I walked around and soon discovered the island teeming with life; chickens, pigs, and cows romped around me, curious. It seems that they had never seen a human before, and where very curious about me.
I soon discovered a large cave deep in the side of a mountain. Working my way deep inside, I found myself face to face with something that chilled me to the bone; a walking skeleton. It stared at me for a moment, then raised a bow towards me. I ran from the cave as an arrow show out, hitting me in the left shoulder. pulling out the arrow, I ran back to the beach.
I soon decided that if I was truly stuck here, I would need a home. Because I had seen the skeleton, I knew that something was amiss on this island, and so I needed protection. Walking up to a tree, I tore down some branches for wood and began shaping myself a crude tool best I could, making three tools; a shovel, an axe, and a pick. They where crude and barely more effective than my hands, but they still allowed me to gather materials.
I soon cut down a few trees with my axe and gathered some stone from the outer limits of the cave, watching carefully to make sure the skeleton did not return to finish the job. Working until midday, I soon managed to fashion stone tools, reminding myself for the cave-folk of the ancient times. Still, they where better than my wooden ones, which I soon discarded.
I managed to build a small stone shack on the beach as the sun started going down over the sea. Walking into my shack, I placed my tools there for safekeeping, taking only the pick and heading to the cave.
When I got there, I started to work, gathering stone to be used to improve my home and make more tools. However, I soon noticed a new form of wildlife, its figure strange and alien to me. It had four legs, but no arms, and was completely green. The creature saw me, and walked over to me, curious about me as the other creatures had been. I stopped my work for a minute, and looked at it, backing away a few steps for safety. The creature noticed me moving back and ran forward, and started hissing. Startled by the sound, I stumbled backwards, and fell. The creature exploded violently, sending a chunk of stone into my face. As I felt death come to me, i could have sworn i heard a voice... "Sorry..."
Chapter 2: Death?
I awoke suddenly, as if I had been sleeping and been woken by a loud noice. I looked around me. All my stuff was lost, but I was standing on the exact same spot I had first stepped when I landed on the island. I could still remember the pain and destruction of the poor creature; I still had no way of knowing what happened, whether it had stepped on some crude landmine or had blown up itself or any other such things. But the odd thing was... I was alive.
I could feel, touch, and see. I could not explain it, but ever after being hit by such an explosion, I was alive! I could hardly contain myself. However, my happiness soon went away when I noticed what was going on around me.
The sun was now a thin ribbon over the sea, and I saw what could only be described as the living dead break out of the ground around me, pulling themselves up to the surface. I screamed in sheer terror, and ran towards my shack, which I could see in the distance. Running inside, I piled stone by the entrance and grabbed my shovel that I had placed there before. Here, I cowered in a corner, whimpering like a child. I did not know what this place was, but Skeletons, and Zombies... Such a place can not be on Earth! Where was I? Will I ever get home?
Suddenly, I heard noise outside as the zombies yelled. Thinking it was all over, I covered my face... then heard a new sound... voices!
Running to the barricade, I peered through one of the holes I had not filled in, and saw four other people out on the beach, attacking the zombies with swords and bows. I could not believe it, Humans! However, as I did not know if they where hostile or not, I waited, and watched them dispose of the zombies. Eventually, when the undead where put back in the ground, they noticed my hut. Walking over to it, they knocked aside the stone, and I hastily brandished my shovel at them. "G-g-get back!" One of the men laughed, and said, "We won;t hurt you. We were just on a gathering run. New to this place?"
I let out a sigh of relief and lowered my weapon. After a moment, I answered. "Yes, but where is this place? Zombies and Skeletons are from an old Hollywood movie, not in real life!"
The man laughed again, this time joined by his companions. "Heh. We aren't on Earth anymore, friend. Hell, we do not even know which continent we are on in this world. All we know is that here, Undead exist, as well as Creepers." "Creepers?" "yes. Horrid little things that run up to you, hiss, and blow up. Caused us to respawn many times."
At the word "respawn" My eyes widened. "Wait, respawn as in a game? But... how?" The man shook his head. "I don;t know but I don't want to know. Anyways, mind of we set up camp by your base? Seems that you are near the spawn point, it will give us some breathing room. We have been lost for days."
I nodded, and said, "Sure, but I will have a few more questions." The man nodded to his companions, who walked in and started tearing down my walls and making my home bigger. Sitting down on the ground, he said, "My boys will expand this place proper. We have a while till Dawn, so ask away."
Chapter 3: Daybreak and a New Friend
Dawn rose over the mountains, giving the glorious light to me and my friends. As the sun rose, I saw a zombie making his way towards me, and turned to run. My friends had gone exploring more, and promised they would be back by nightfall, so I was alone once again. Suddenly, I heard the zombie cry out, and turned around. I saw it was on fire, and was momentarily brought to pity as the poor thing started to burn in the bright sunlight. It ran towards me for a moment, and then darted into my house, which I had left open. "Wait! What the..." The zombie ran over to a bucket of water that we where using to clean ourselves, and promptly grabbed it and used it to douse the fire.
Then it turned to me. I back up, panicking, and hit a wall. Thinking I was about to respawn once again, I closed my eyes to await the pain... which never came. Instead, I felt a tight squeeze around my chest. Opening my eyes, I saw the the zombie, was in fact... hugging me! I was startled; I did not think the undead had feelings other than anger and hunger! The zombie stopped hugging me for a minute, and I notice that, unlike most undead, this zombie seemed less... rotting, I will say. Its skin seemed less than a few days old, and the odd thing was... It looked like me.
Looking it in the eye, I noticed something that made me gasp in surprise. The zombie was me! There, in its forehead was a large hole, and I could see a stone stuck inside that had caused the hole! I do not know how, but with a few moments of thought, I managed to think up a solution: When we respawn, our bodies are recreated, leaving our corpses behind. Then, whatever magic is in this land takes the corpses and reanimates them! What an interesting discovery!
Well, I decided that my zombie-me deserved a name. Until I could think of something, I would simply name him Zharle, simply my name with a Z instead of a C. Next up, I had to tell my friends this discovery- was it all zombies that where peaceful, or was it simply zombies made from our corpses? I did not know, and I did not especially relish the thought of testing my theory.
After a few more moments of thinking, I suddenly noticed a noise gradually getting louder, a sort of banging. Looking around, I saw that Zharle was digging into the ground, making my home larger! After a few seconds pondering this, I grabbed my pick and shovel, and went down to help him.
We worked for most of the day, turning my shack into a very large underground home with several rooms and even a skylight. Looking at Zharle, I thanked him for his help. He looked at me for a minute, and spoke. "Weeeelcome..." It was hardly more than a groan, but it startled me. Now he zombies could talk! What news I had for my companions!
Finishing up the last bit of the house, Zharle and I started work on a larger basement, and I noticed the sun was starting to set once again. With it, I could also hear the sounds of my companions returning, walking on the sand. After a few moments, they came in, and looked at the house me and Zharle had expanded. They smiled, a smile that dissipated when they saw Zharle.
I started explaining, but the leader of the men punched me, saying, Why did you lead a zombie in here, fool! You say it is harmless, but I do not believe it!" Taking his sword and before I could do anything, he cut Zharle in half from head to foot. I screamed as Zharle fell to the ground, and disappeared.
Turning to the leader, I tackled him, full of rage. Keeping him down with my knees, I kept punching and punching and punching him in the face. It took all three of his companions to get me off, but I could still see he was grievously injured. "Damn you! He was not harming anyone!" I shouted, being held by two of the others.
Getting up, the leader wiped some blood from his mouth. "You don;t think i know that these... THINGS are intelligent? You do not think I do not know they can understand us? That is what makes them abomination! They can mimic life, and they do not deserve to live!" Turning to his companions and my new enemies, I he glared at me. "Throw him in the mountains we discovered today. Let his "Friends" deal with him for us. And James..." he motioned for one of the men. "Change his spawnpoint. Make sure he never spawns here again."
James nodded, and took out a small device. Tapping on the screen for a minute, I felt something strange, like someone had punched me in the gut. Gasping for breath, I looked at the leader and James. "Heh, Spawnpoint changing is a rather hectic process. it takes a part of your life and places it in a new place. Thanks for building this house, though. It will make an excellent base." With that, he took his sword, and stabbed me in the chest. I felt death pull me once again...
Chapter 4: Ancient Ruins?
I suddenly awoke.
Looking around, I saw I truly was in a different location than the beach. I could see a forest, several mountains, and another cave in the distance, and saw that the sun was just now setting. How long do respawns take? How long was I out? I did not know. Walking over to the entrance of the cave carefully, I looked inside, and gasped.
There in front of me was a massive ruined city. Huge buildings towered above a large cave ceiling, and I could see a large fort in the center of this massive ruin. However, judging by the fact that the buildings where not crumbling or dilapidated, I knew that whatever this place was, it was abandoned a short time ago.
Suddenly, I heard a noise, and whirled around. There, in the cave;s entrance, was a creeper, as the leader had called them. I remember the form; it as the same type of creature that had killed me on my first night here! I stepped backwards, cautious. However, the creeper seemed to be curious about me, and did not move from that spot. Suddenly, I heard a voice. "Huuumaaan... Frieeeeend..." I knew that voice anywhere, twirling around, I saw none other than Zharle standing in the darkness! His body seemed alright, but I could see a massive scar down the middle, where the leader's sword struck him. Running over to Zharle, I embraced him; it seems I was no longer alone in the new spawn-point!
After a few seconds, I turned around, and was started by the creeper. There it was, standing in front of me, staring at me. We locked eyes for a moment, staring at each other. For a second, I was frightened, and thought of running, but calmed myself. Just as I did, I felt a hand grab me and throw me backwards, slamming me against the wall. It hurt, but rubbing my head, I saw that it was Zharle who had thrown me, and was now running towards me as fast as he could. "Why..?" was all I could say as suddenly, the creeper exploded violently.
Turning from the blast, Zharle spoke once again. "Creeepeeerss... Noooo Controool... Tiiicking..." I managed to grasp what he meant. For some reason, Creepers spontaneously explode around humans. Was this a feature shared with all creepers? If so, how could I get around it? It was something I had to think about later.
Me and Zharle left the ruins, and he started to explain what was happening. He soon told me that the ruins I had stumbled on was the remains of a gigantic creeper city, Creeptopolis, and he had been spending the last week or so helping with the construction of it. However, the leader and the rest of his cronies had discovered the peaceful city, and tried to take the thing that the creepers held dear, something called a "Spawner" which allowed them to be respawned at the city rather than randomly, as it seems creatures respawn every night at a random location.
Zharle also explained the decision of the leading creepers to move the city, and Zharle had decided to remain here, in the off chance he could find me. I nodded, and thanked my friend. He had given up a new life for me; just on the off chance I would find this place.
We finally stopped as the moon reached it;s highest point. I noticed with some confusion that no creatures where spawning near me at the moment, something I had come to grow accustom to with nightfall. "Creeeaturesss... go... Creeeptoplisss..." Zharle said, noticing my confusion. I realized he was right; any creatures that spawned would no doubt wish to live with the creepers in creeptopolis, and would have gone with them.
I walked over to a tree and started gathering wood, with the help of Zharle, and soon made myself new tools. Working together, we managed to dig deep into the ground, looking for supplies. I knew that we would need to make a new home, as when the creepers of Creeptopolis got farther away, more creatures would spawn, and these ones would no doubt consider me a threat and try to make me respawn. Also, I knew that come day, Zharle would need shelter from the harsh rays of the sun, and I vowed, as long as I was around, my friend would not come to harm.
Soon, we managed to make a small home, and digging down, we came upon a new mineral: Iron. I knew that Iron would be useful for making new tools, so I gathered it up with my stone tools and brought it back to my house. Taking some cal Zharle had found while digging, I managed to make a small oven, which I used to melt the iron and turn to steel. Taking my new steel, I made myself new iron tools, and went back to work.
I o not know how long we spent underground, or how much time we spent digging, but I do know that I had used up seven iron pickaxes and three iron shovels before I hit a strange black rock. Looking at the rock, Zharle moaned a single word, "Beeedroooock..." And started digging away from it. Whatever the stone was, even trying to break it damaged my pick, So I started to mine away from it.
Soon, i came upon a beautiful sight: Gold! It;s beauty was dazzling, and taking my pick, I dug it up, and gave it to Zharle, telling him to bring it back to the surface. While Zharle did that, I continued on, and soon found a glittering, shining gemstone. Digging it out with my pick, I soon saw its beauty: it was a diamond! Looking around, I saw no less than three diamonds, all of massive size. Taking them back up myself, I showed them to Zharle, who took one of them and examined it. "Diaaaaamond..." He said. "I know. What should we do with it? We cannot trade it with anyone, as I am not going anywhere NEAR those other humans.
Suddenly, I noticed a shadow coming from the door. Too late, I saw the door was open. Running to shut it, I got closer, and closer, but suddenly, I saw a creeper standing in the door. Zharle raced to grab me as I hard the creeper go SSSSSSSSSS, but he was too far... I awaited my end.
Which never came.
Looking at the creeper, which seemed to be confused, I noticed that the diamond in my hand was glowing with a soft light. "So diamonds make sure creepers do not end their ticking, huh?" I said to myself. The creeper looked confused, and then spoke. "My ticking stopped. But I did not reset. Human, how did you do such a thing?"
I showed the creeper the diamond, and he looked at it closely. "Such a thing should be voluble to my kind. WOuld you care to part with it? I would like to return this to Creeptopolis." The world "Creeptopolis" made me do a double-take.
"You live there? In Creeptopolis?" I asked. The Creeper nodded, and asked again, "Can I please have that diamond?"
"On one condition." I said. The creeper eyed me for a moment, and asked, "And what is that?"
"Take me to Creeptopolis."
Chapter 5: Creeptopolis
The creeper took me and Zharle to a large island in the sky. It was a beautiful sight, with waterfalls going down the sides and trees sprouting within it. I could also see a small village and stairway that led to the island itself, with many, many creepers climbing up and down it.
I soon noticed a lone creeper, admiring a flower near a small pool of water. he was a bit darker green than the others, and I noticed that the creeper I had met was leading me to him. I also was inwardly started as I realized that it was the same creeper that I had first met! After a few seconds, the dark-green creeper noticed the two of us, and my creeper friend spoke. "He is the elder. Go to him."
I cautiously walks closer, and soon me and the "Elder" where face to face, looking at each other. After a few minutes, the elder creeper spoke.
"Why have you come to Providence, our sanctuary in the sky?" He said. His voice was deeper, and more mature, than I had ever heard from anyone before. I knew he was a creeper that had seen more than his fair share of life, and gotten stronger because of it.
"I... I have come to ask to live within Providence, and wish to do my best to aid your people, Elder." I said. "And how can you do this? If you remember, I exploded upon my attempt to talk to you before. How are you able to speak with me now?"
"With this." I said, taking the diamond from my belt. He looked at the glowing gemstone for a second, and seemed to be captivated by it's internal lights. "This... this is a true treasure. It will allow you to help us make Providence great." The Elder said, turning away from the light, a bit dazzled. "Come, I shall introduce you to my people." he said, turning towards the stairway. As we walked, the creeper, the Elder, Zharle, and I, I asked the Elder, "What is your name, sir? So I know what to call you in the future?"
"Jonno." Came the reply as we continued on.
As we walked up the stairs, our topic turned to the other humans. "So, do you know the four that attacked our peaceful city? I assume you heard the story already?" Jonno asked.
"Yes, I have." I replied as we reached the top of the stairs. "Our paths where once joined, but after they showed they could not be trusted, I was banished from among them, and they changed my spawnpoint- you know it as a reset location. They are... very misguided and masochistic people."
Jonno nodded, and soon I saw that we where in front of a large building. I saw that there was nothing but cloth covering the dooway, and stopped. "One moment, Jonno." Taking my crafting bench and some wood I had on me, I started working. Jonno seemed surprised, and watched me closely, and soon I had made two wooden doors, well-made and secure, and placed them in the doorway. "Here, hit them with your foot." I said.
Jonno walked up to it for a minute, and kicked it with one of his legs. it swung open perfectly, coming to rest in an open state. "Impressive." Jonno said, and we continued on.
I soon found myself in a massive courtroom. With the creeper and Zharle next to me, Jonno went up to take his place, a large chair in the center of the table. I also saw that there where others: three creepers, a zombie, and a skeleton all sitting there. Next to me, Zharle spoke. "Zoooombie... Ruuuugby... Wooorked... buiiild... Ceeeeeptopolis" He said.
I understood what he said quickly. it seems when he worked on Creeptopolis, he worked under the supervision of Rugby, who was now one of the elders of Creeptopolis.
After a few seconds, Jonno spoke. "Elders, I have brought this human before us because of a new material he brings before us. Charle, please show it."
I took out the diamond, and held it high for everyone to see. Several of the creepers seemed captivated by it, and others where simply amazed. Taking the chance, I spoke. "This diamond will keep me safe from causing any of you to end your ticking from being close to me. I wish to use this ability to help make Providence a city, one to match Creeptopolis, which I know that other humans drove you out of."
There was a lot of murmuring between the elders, when suddenly, the skeleton jumped up in his seat. "I...do not.... trust... He might... want to... harm us..." He said.
This caused an explosion of murmuring in the courtroom. I saw that many other creepers had walked in, and where sitting in chairs made for them. I noticed that many of them where uncomfortable, however, and started thinking.
Taking out my crafting bench again, I took a bit of wool I had saved from a sheep I had caught, and some wood. putting it together and making holes for their legs, I managed to design a chair for creepers to sit in without pain. Making twenty of them, I quickly walked around the courtroom and started calmly asking creepers to get up, and giving them the chairs. Many of them where surprised at how the chairs fit them, and several of them, I could see, where very comfortable.
As I did this, the elders stopped and watched. Jonno spoke up. "Even now he is helping us. Farash, do you truly think he means harm?"
Farash, the skeleton, looked at me for a moment. "He... should... be watched..." He said. "But... give... him a... chance..."
Jonno turned to the other elders, and asked, "And what say you, Applecore, Duffman, and Moocman?"
Applecore, a creeper with a bit of red on his head, stood up. "I believe this human could help the city. I agree with Jonno."
Duffman, a creeper with a lighter tint of green, stood next. "I believe he should be allowed in as well."
Finally, Moocman stood. He was a creeper with a bluish tint, making him stand out from the others. "I agree on some grounds with Farash, he should be watched, but we should allow him to come."
Then, Jonno turned to Rugby. "And you, Rugby?" Rugby shrugged, "Leeeet... hiiiim... jooooin..." he moaned.
With that, Jonno turned to me. "Welcome to Providence. Do NOT betray the trust we have given you." I nodded, and spoke, turning to the crowd of creatures that have now come into the courtroom.
"I know that you all do not trust me, and I know humans have done things to you in the past. But I promise you, I will make this city better, and make it so that you will never have to fear humans again!"
With that, the creatures that where watching cheered.
I felt... happy. For the first time since i had come to this world, I was happy, and felt at home.
Chapter 6: Providence Reborn
The next few days, I worked on making the creature;s homes better, providing tools such as boats and streets, and created chairs, doors, and even glass windows for their homes. I also started work on a large project; massive towers made of iron that glittered in the sun. These would be large communal structures, and would house hundreds, if not thousands of creatures.
Due to the fact most of my work was at night thanks to the zombie construction crew, I worked hard and sometimes worked all day straight with no stopping for rest, making the massive towers in the center of the city. After they where done, on the third day that I had been invited into the city, I stepped back to look at my work.
Fifteen stories each, I had built three towers, all out of Iron. The roofs where made of wood, to keep heat and sunlight out, and there where windows on the thirteenth story and higher, allowing from creepers that wished to see the sun to do so. Several of the elders complimented me on my work, but I sadly noticed many of the normal creepers still did not trust me. I hoped I would one day remedy that.
On the eve of the second day, I started my next project: defenses. I did not know how long Leader and his cronies would take to find us, but I did not think so foolishly that they would leave us alone if they did. Taking some stone and being careful near the edge of the island, I started work on a massive wall; six feet thick and ten feet tall. If they ever did come, we would at least have time until they broke through. The wall, with the help of the zombies, as relatively easy to create, but as with working near cliffs, we nearly had an accident on our hands. a creeper that had been helping us move stone was walking near the edge when he slipped and started to fall. Running over, I leapt off the edge,grabbing his body and throwing him back up on the island itself.
However, my momentum as too fast, and soon saw the ground fly up to meet me. With a sickening SNAP, I felt my ankle break as I landed on it with an odd angle. The pain was great, but I knew I had to much to do, so I fashioned a splint for myself out of wood, and completely encased my leg in it, allowing me to move the borken ankle with little to no pain. With this contraption built, I went back to the island and finished the wall, with new respect from the creepers that had seen what had happened.
With the finale of the wall as the sun started to rise, I told the zombies to head back home while I worked on a gate. I knew that if I made a simple wooden door, it would be easy to break through, so I started looking in my pack for what I had. taking out some iron bars that I still had, I heated them up in the furnace and melted them down, making two iron doors. Then, taking an odd red powder that I had found while looking for diamonds, I sprinkled it on the ground, connecting them to a pressure plate made of stone and a stick that had been dipped in the dust.
The stick, when connected to the dust, started to glow, and I saw, much to my satisfaction that, with the pressure plate in the way, the energy the torch created did not go straight to the double gates. With a quick test, I made sure that when I stood on the button, it opened the gates, and made sure it worked with a fellow creeper as well.
Removing the dust and the working again, I made two pressure plates, on each side of the gates on the wall, that both had to be pressed to open the gate. This way, Providence would be safe from hostiles; and with the aid of some creepers whom I explained the system to, we soon had a regular patrol on the gates.
Sitting back, I saw that many of the creepers where now looking at me with a new gaze, one of respect.
Chapter 7: Life in Providence
The night was cool and calm, and I stood at the top of the walls of Providence, looking out over the world. Sitting by me was Zharle; he could not speak as eloquently as I needed him to at times, but he was a constant companion in this city.
I couldn't help but feel out of place at times, the only human in this city of creatures. Where humans truly as rare as I have seen? Was I the only human, besides Leader and his goons? I shuddered at the thought. However, I was comforted by the fact that it seemed time had stopped for me; my fingernails where not longer, even after weeks, I was not dirty, and my hair was as short as ever. It seems that dying of old age is impossible here, or else at the very least I age much slower.
I traveled around Providence, looking at everything I had done for the small town, but I felt it was not enough. I felt no matter how hard I tried, I would never come close to doing what Jonno had done: he had united the creepers and given them a home, a place to call their own. Beside me, Zharle quietly walked along, contemplating his own thoughts.
As the sun started to rise, I found myself alone as Zharle walked back to our shared home. Walking down the wall, I looked down the cliff and then sat, my feet hanging over the edge and the blastedly annoying wooden splint hitting the wall. After a few minutes of thinking, I heard a voice. "You know, you don;t have to be out here alone. You seem to come out here every morning."
Turning around, i saw Edward, the creeper that had brought me to Providence. Since my arrival, he had done his best to make me feel at home, and even introduced me to his Reset-brother, Paulo, whom he met when he reset for the first time.
"I know, my friend, but I have been thinking about this world. About life and existence itself." I said, placing my head on my good knee.
"Ah, such a thing only causes a mind to go insane. Best not be thinking of such things." Edward said, nudging me. I sighed. "Do I really belong here, if the only thing that keeps me safe in Providence is this amulet?" Taking out the amulet I wore, I showed it to Edward. Instead of piercing the diamond, for which I had no tools and no idea if it would ruin the diamond, I had instead encased it in gold on four sides, then encased that with iron, making a three-layer amulet coin which I wore around my neck, tied by some sturdy string supplied by Farash's spider, Leaper.
"Ah, but it does not matter why you are here and what keeps you here. What matters is what you do while you are here." Edward said. "Now, my friend. What do we plan to do today?"
"I... am not sure." I said, standing up. As the sun continued to rise, I turned to him. "What does this city need? What else do they need me for?"
Edward nudged me again. "Alright then, how about we take a tour of the town? Just me and you? That way, the others will get to know you better as well. Some of them are still a bit nervous."
I nodded. "Sure. Why not?"
So we started walking down the main road, passing by creepers on their way to the walls for guard duty, others heading to the courtroom, and even more just walking around and running errands for their companions.
As we entered the courtroom, I saw it filled with creepers, standing next to a large table, with zombies next to them. As the creepers talked, the zombies carved their words into stone. "Do you not use paper?" I asked, surprised.
"What is 'paper'?" Edward asked. I just stood there for a moment, surprised, then caught myself. "Do you know where I can find reeds? They grow about 9 feet tall, mostly near water."
Edward nodded, and led me to a large house. Inside was a massive farm, with wheat and reeds growing next to irrigated pools. "Amazing." I said. "I had a feeling we would need reeds sometime. So did Jonno; he had us bring them here and farm them. Farash gave us a toolbox to put the extra in, over there." Pointing with his head, Edward pointed out a small chest, which I went over and opened. Taking around five bundles of reeds, I then carried them back to the courtroom.
Taking out my crafting bench, I mashed the reeds into a paste, then used fire to dry them into sheets of paper. Handing the paper to the zombies, I said, "Use this instead of stone." The zombie needed some tutoring, and I had to show them it did not need to be chiseled, but each of them learned fast. Soon, the zombies where scribing with quills I made from chicken feathers, and writing in small books. "Now the archives will take less space." I said. Edward seemed pleased.
Taking me past the courtroom, I saw a large house that reminded me of pictures I had once seen of Roman architecture.
"What is this house?" I asked. "Oh, that? That is where we get rid of our powder." Edward said. "Powder?" I asked, surprised. "yes, each week it accumulated over our bodies. If we do not scrape it off, it could become hazardous to our health." "Really? Like dirt?" I asked. "Yes and no... we have had some problems with the powder, when exposed to a flame, exploding violently much like when we end our ticking." Edward shook his head. "If only there was a use for it. Care to have a look?"
I shrugged, and said, "Why not?" And Edward led me inside and into a large room. In the center of this room was a large bin full of black dust, and when I reached in and touched it, I knew my hunch was right. "Black powder! This is amazing!" I said, starting both Edward and a few creepers nearby.
"What is it?" Edward asked, surprised. "In my world, we called this Black Powder. it was needed for most explosives, and was highly volatile." I said. "Pack this in a box or a barrel, and we have an explosive. One that can be used WITHOUT any of your brethren having to en their ticking."
"What a surprising idea! We once tried to do something like that, but it ended up causing more harm than good, with three creepers and a zombie having to reset." Edward said, shaking his head. "Well, I know a little bit about explosives. Give me enough of this stuff and time, and I will be able to make it into usable explosives."
Edward nodded, and said, "Alright, I will tell Jonno or any of the Elders when I see them next. Anyways, on withe the tour."
The rest of the tour was uneventful, with Edward showing me each of the houses, including their purposes, mostly each of them where residential areas, with several creeper families. Edward explained that "family" was merely a group of creepers that wished to share living space, and as all creepers where created by "resetting," there was no need to worry about young creepers or any of the like.
As the day started to turn to night, I yawned as the tour started to end. Noticing my exhaustion, edward walked me to my house. As I stepped inside, I stopped for a second.
Edward was right. It was not the reason I stayed, nor is it the reason why I am here. The true reason I should be thinking of is what will I do while I was here. With this knowledge, I went inside and went to sleep as Zharle left the house to go out as he did every night.
At this point, me and Jonno's paths diverge on our specific "endings."
Chapter 8: Questionable Methods
The next night, I was busy making myself useful around Providence, making small but useful items for the creatures that resided here. My depression was gone, and It made me smile when I saw a creeper jump for joy when I gave it something it liked.
Farash went off at dusk for some reason, not even Jonno knew. I knew that he was probably going for a walk, or something similar.
Suddenly, a creeper shouted from the walls. "Someone's coming! I think it's a human!"
I dropped what I was doing and ran for the walls, joining the creepers there and gazing over the edge.
Looking down towards the ground, I saw Leader, followed by two men I didn't recognize. They where armed in iron armor, and Swords where sheathed at their waist. As soon as they saw me, they took out a white flag and waved it, calling out, "Charle! We wish to parlay with you!"
"I am not the leader here." I replied, and turned around. I saw the Elders running towards the wall, and after a few seconds, the arrived, and Jonno was looking over the edge. "What do you want, Leader? Charle has told me much about you... so be brief."
"Just a quick meeting with you, honored creeper." Came Leader's reply. I didn't trust him; I knew something was up. "Jonno, I would be careful." I said. "Very well. I will take precautions." Turning back to Leader, Jonno said, "I will send Applecore, a fellow Elder, down to meet with you. He will be accompanied by two zombies."
Leader shouted a reply a few moments later. "Fair enough."
Applecore walked down the stairs, followed by two zombies. We all watched as Applecore began talking with Leader. After a few moments, I realized something was wrong.
Suddenly, movement caught my eye coming from the hills. Three more humans popped out of the ground from holes they had been hiding in. I watched in horror as the bowmen shot down Applecore and the zombies, and their bodies disappeared.
Then, turning to us, Leader smirked, a smile full of hatred and scorn, one that I could see even in the darkness. "You fools have two days to surrender. If you do not surrender by then, We will attack and enslave your pathetic people. And you, Charle? I have something special in mind for you."
With that, Leader and his men turned, and walked off. I cursed myself for how unprepared I had been for such an event, I should have made armor, or weapons, but I had thought my time in this peaceful village would never end.
Now, we faced a choice. One that would decide our fates; slavery and life, or war and death.
Looking at each of the Elders in turn, I saw each of them had the same glint of determination in their eyes, and knew their answers.
It was war.
Chapter 9: Blood and Steel
The night was spent forging weapons of war. The Gunpowder stores of the creepers meant I had much to do. Gathering sand secretly from the mainland, I soon managed to create several crates of dynamite for use in the coming battle.
Taking some of my Iron, I also started forging myself armor. Making a helm, chestplate, boots, and greaves, I soon had a set of rought plate armor fashioned. Then, I took more Iron and fashioned myself a sword as well, shealthing it in some leather suppllied by my assistance creepers.
Then, turning to my assistant, I had him stand next to the forge. Working with my final stores of Iron, i soon managed to make armor for the creepers themselves. Then, I had Zharle and several other zombies allow me to create armor for them as well.
As I finished the armor and weapons for the creepers and sombies, Farash walked into the forge.
"Charle... I need you... to do... something..." he said. I nodded, and listened. Surprised at his idea, I tried to convince him otherwise, but to no avail. He continued to pressure be until i finally, with much regret, did as he asked.
Taking the remaining iron, I heated it into a metal pot. Then, Farashgrasped my shoulder for a moment, then jumped in.
FOr a moment I thought the melted iron was harming him, but after a few seconds I saw he was enjoying it as if he was taking a bath as a human. Soon, he stepped out of the pot, the molten iron on every part of his body. Taking a hammer and gloves, I then started removing the molten iron from his joints, allowing him to move freely.
After I was finished, he leaped into my cooling barrel, where I fast-cooled the armor and weapons. The water bubble furiously, and then stopped. Stepping out of the barrel, I looked at him.
Farash was now laced with iron, his joints cleaned so they could move. farash looked and me, and smiled, something that seemed to chill me. "Iron... makes bones... stronger..." Farash said. I smirked at the pun and, dare I say it, Irony.
But I soon realized now was not the time for jokes. One of the creepers that where stationed on the walls shouted out, "Charle! Elders! Here come the humans!" Grabbing the dynamite, armor, and weapons, I ran to the walls and distributed them with the help of my assistance. To the elders, I gave the most intricate of the armor I made, fashioned in medieval style and adourned with pictures of creepers standing before a massive city.
Looking out to the mainland, I shuddered. At least fifty humans where there, each armed to the teeth. I took one of my dynamite, and lit it.
"Charle, what is..." Jonno started to say, and I motioned him to be quiet. Throwing it, it hured through the sky and landed at the feet of the humans. It took them a moment to realize what it was, and by the time they did and started to run, it was too late. the explosion had enough force to pick them up and hurl them into the mountains. No human would be able to survive such a blast. Giving more dynamite to the zombies, Zharle, and Farash, I motioned for them to throw it.
Farash however, took out his bow, tied it to an arrow, and lit it, firing the arrow into the crowd. the human that was hit by the arrow shrieked for a split second, and then exploded, taking out several of his companions.
Finally, there was only a handful left. They paused for a moment, halted by something, and I say a familiar face appear from the crowd.
"Charle! I have a proposition for you!" Leader said, pointing at me. "A duel, between the two of us! The winner leaves this place, the loser dies and vows to never plague the other again, no matter what they do."
"I accept, but what assurance do I have that it will be a duel and not a trap?"
Leader grinned, and I shuddered. Turning to his companions, they talked for a moment, and what happened next shall haunt me for the rest of my life.
In a second, Leader cut the throats of his remaining soldiers, their corpses falling to the ground. This action caused a murmur of fear among Providence and its defenders; such a man was no more than a beast.
Walking down the stairs, I put my hand on my sword. this was it. The duel between me and the ruthless Leader. The winner this time would control the fate of Providence.
I will not lose.
Chapter 10: Duel with Destiny
The sun was slowly rising as I reached the bottom of the stairs, bathing both me and Leader in a crimson red light, symbolizing the blood shed this night.
Stepping past the twisted corpses of his fallen companions, I readied my weapon.
Suddenly, he attacked, charging straight towards me in a headlong rush. I quickly sidestepped, but his blade's tip caught me in the side, hitting the straps on my iron armor and cutting the chestplate off. Tearing the loose chestplate off with a deft motion, I rolled to the side as he charged me again, this time lashing out as I rolled, catching him in the leg and drawing blood.
he howled with animalistic rage, and I could see his eyes where blood red, full of fury and hatred. That was whe I knew. This truly was a fight to the death.
Summoning every ounce of willpower I could, I leapt up into the air, doing a backflip to avoid his slashes with his blade. When I landed, I leapt to the side as he charged again, and this time managed to slash out quickly, opening a deep gash in his back.
Whirling around unexpectedly, he caught me in the side, causing a deep gash to form. I pressed my hand to my side, to slow the bleeding, then blocked his second slash with my blade.
The blades screeched together in an ear-splitting sound, sending sparks off the edge. Suddenly, I heard a crack, and my sword broke, giving me a split second to dodge as his blade came towards me.
Leaping to the side and ignoring the pain as dirt got into the wound, I grabbed the blade from one of the fallen corpses. I then whirled around, and saw Leader walking towards me, a bloodthirsty grin on his face. "Like my sword, Charle?" He said, twirling it around his hand. "My colony managed to find some raw obsidian beneath the earth. We made this from the shards we managed to collect. You cannot beat me while I have this weapon."
I took a breath, and charged him while his guard was down. He saw my act, however, and brought his blade up fast enough to parry my blow and knock me back with a swift kick.
Thinking back to my time on Earth, I remember something my fencing mentor taught me as a child... "Sometimes, the true strength lies in taking the blow. Then, when your opponent does not realize it, strike back."
Dropping my sword, I then faced Leader, grinning. "Come at me. Or are you a coward?"
That sent him back into his fury, charging at me like a beast. This time, however, I was ready. Grabbing the blade with my hands, I felt the sharp obsidian cut deep into my fingers. Suddenly, I froze, and sank to the ground.
Turning to Providence and the spectators there, Leader shouted a victory cry. "You are all nothing but animals! Your great defender has fallen, and now, so shall your city! Prepare to d-"
Suddenly, a black blade sproted from leader's chest, and blood stated to flow. Whipping himself around and staggering back, he saw me standing there, a triumphant gaze upon him.
"You... how..." He said, falling to the ground as blood seeped from his mouth, undoubtedly from a pierced lung.
Leaning down next to him, I whispered in his ear.
"You know the one thing that this world has taught me? To fear the night. Its darkness brings enemies each time the sun sets. But you, you are different. Within you, I saw something far worse. And that is why you will die. Without ever seeing what it is liked to be respected, truly respected. Now, I will leave you here, to die. Slowly. For that is the fate you deserve for your crimes."
Standing up and pressing my hand to my injuries to slow the bloodflow, I staggered back over to the stairway. Suddenly, I heard a shout. "Charle!"
Whirling around, i saw that using the last ounce of strength he had, Leader was pulling the obsidian sword from his chest, and cokced back his arm to throw it...
Suddenly, the air stood still. All I heard was a TWANG! When suddenly a lone arrow shto from the walls of Providence hitting Leader right between the eyes. He stood there for a moment, stunned, then collapsed to the ground, the last of his life-blood pouring from the two fatal wounds.
Walking slowly up the stairs, I soon came to the gates, and was helped inside by two zombies and Zharle, whom I noticed where starting to be burned in the sun badly; As I saw this my eyes watered for a quick moment before darkness took me.
I was home, at last.
Book 2: New Lands, New Foes
Chapter 11: A New Journey
The cool evening air blew into my face, causing my nose and ears to go numb. Snow flecked across my vision, forcing myself to place my hand before my face to avoid them getting into my eyes.
I made my way into a large cave in a cliff, and marveled at the zixe of it; its stone walls seemingly carved intricately into the side of the mountain. Still, placing my hand on the wall, I knew that no humanoid hands, zombie or human, had carved this cave.
I then opened my pack and took out a loaf of bread and some milk, ice-cold from the chill of the snow. Taking a a bite of the bread and a sip of the milk, I then closed the flask of milk and put the bread back into my pack.
Taking some sticks from my bag, I also took out a flint and steel and quickly made a fire for myself to strive off the chill of the night air. As I sat back and watched the flames, I thought about what brought me here.
It had been barely a week after the war, and providence was thriving as usual. I was happy to see so many new faces, for after our victory word had traveled, bringing many others to this small city. In fact, there where so many that the gigantic iron communal buildings where almost full!
I knew that soon, Providence would need to expand. Maybe making colonies and creating new cities. Eventually, I thought Providence could become the center of a massive, thriving Empire, one where human and creature could live in peace and harmony.
Intent on seeing that happen, I gathered a supply of items and went forward to the Elders. After a heated discussion, I told them of my plans to leave Providence, and spread the word of the city to those who might listen. At first the Elders where nervous. After all, since the war I was an extremely important figurehead for Providence itself. Whenever I walked past, Creepers and Zombies alike would stop and look at me in respect and awe.
That was one of the reasons I wished to leave, I soon discovered. The fact that anyone would view me as a person above them is something I did not like. And even when I tried to explain this, the people of Providence still looked at me as if I was some sort of lesser deity.
So, after the discussion ended, It was decided that I would leave behind Zharle and my apprentice, Edward, who had since then learned as much as I could teach about the art of creation of tools and structures. So, bidding farewell, and after a very large festival marking my departure, I left.
Traveling for months, I soon found myself in the frozen north, where not a soul could be seen in any direction. And now, I was in this cave, with a small stick-fueled fire and a single loaf of bread and flask of milk remaining in my pack.
I did not know how much longer I could continue in this frigid wasteland. Would this place be my death? I did not know, but I sure as hell wasn't going to make it easy for nature to claim me in this frozen hell-hole.
Suddenly, I paused for a moment. "What was that?" I asked myself. I knew I heard something...
*whump*
"Alright, that time I KNOW I heard something." I said to myself, drawing my sword. The blade shimmered in the firelight, and I listened for the sound again.
*WHUMP*
This time, the sound shook the cave itself, and I heard a roar of surprise and anger. Suddenly, a massive reptillian head poked into the cave, and stared at me, fire flickering out of its nose.
"Oh, ****!" I said, leaping to the side and sending my fire flying into the cave wall. As soon as I had moved, a gout of fire blasted the very point I was sitting before, frying the small sticks into ash in an instant.
Leaping to the side of the cave, I quickly drew my pick from my bag and chipped away at the wall, making a small hidey-hole for myself and leaping into it. Dishonorable, but anything is better than being fried like a piece of chicken.
The dragon came into the cave and sniffed where I was before. Then, looking around and not seeing me, thanks to the little light in the cave, he fell asleep.
After making sure th beast was truly asleep, I started expandning my hole, covering the entrance with stone to prevent the dragon from finding my position. Soon, just as I expected, I hit the outside, snow flying into the man-made cave.
Sitting down, I took out my last three sticks and sighed. Lighting them, I then sat down and allowed sleep to overcome my fear of the dragon.
Chapter 12: Hellfire
I spent the remainder of the night in the small hole in the wall, clinging to the warmth of the fire as the sun slowly rose, shining through the tiny hole I made to the outside.
When the sun rose, I packed the remaining supplies that where not burnt from the dragon's fire into my bag, and continued on. The wind howled again as I stepped out into the storm, and I continued on my way, following the rising sun.
After a few miles of walking, I finally came to an edge of the snow and ice, the land giving way to a beautiful coniferous forest, its leaves shining in the sun. I entered the forest and started tearing apart the trees for wood, having no tool for cutting them down, and then using them to make a workbench.
I started work on a few stone tools, taking stone I had carved from the edge of the dragon's cave, and I put them in my pack, also making a few more in case I needed them. I also harvested a few more logs, which I placed into my pack for wood necessities in the future.
The forest blotted out the sun, and I could see shapes moving through the forest itself. walking forward cautiously, I saw that it was a zombie, shuffling through the trees.
I greeted the zombie and waved, and it turned towards me and started walking. However, there was something wrong with it, I could feel it.
The zombie clambered over to me, and then grabbed me. Instead of the customary hug that I had been given from zombies in Providence, the zombie instead tore off a chunk of my arm with sharp claw on his fingers. leaping backwards, I held the wound, and drew my sword.
"This is your only warning, zombie. Do not attack me again. We do not need to fight."
However, it was futile. the zombie slashed out at me again, and this time, I parried with my blade, the claws leaving scratches on the blade of the weapon. leaping to the side, I then sprinted up to the beast and flipped over him, delivering a few well-aimed slices to the beast's head.
The zombie crumpled to the ground, and disappeared, no doubt to spawn somewhere else. I rubbed the coagulated blood on my sword off on some grass, and thought of what just happened.
Something must be wrong here, something keeping the creatures of this forest from communicating, and driving them into a rage. I felt for my diamond pendant, and it was still there, but I was not sure if it would work against the malicious intent I felt seeping from the woods itself. I kept my blade drawn and ready as I went deeper into the forest.
In the dead center of the forest, where the trees where oldest and the shadows lingered, I saw something shine in the distance. Walking close, I found it was a massive gate, lined with obsidian and stone. There was another, stranger stone near it, mixing with the natural dirt of the forest.
The stone was eerie, with the faces of creatures and human alike upon it, twisted and warped into an array of screams that chilled my heart and soul.
"What is this monstrosity?" I asked, and stepped towards it.
Suddenly, the gate seemed to react to my presence, and a red spiral formed in the center, growing larger and large until it spanned the gate itself. Taking my blade close, I stepped towards it and put my hand up to it...
And was sucked inside, the winds whipping through my hair as I was thrown through an alternate dimension, faster and faster until i could no longer see from the speed...
And then it stopped.
I looked around, and what I saw shocked my eyes and would never leave my mind for centuries to come. I was in hell.
Lava pooled around my feet, and more of the eerie stone was around me. In fact, then entire walkable area of hell seemed to be made of the stone. The thousands of faces all twisted to creams chilled me to my bones, and I turned to leave...
And say that there was no return portal.
Chapter 13: Hell's Maw
The entirety of hell burned before my eyes. In the distance, I could see slight shadows from creatures I could only imagine lurked within the depths. However, with no way back, I had little choice: I had to explore.
I kept my sword at the ready and approached a small pit. Looking down into It, I saw it was filled with a small amount of lava, maybe a pool 2 meters wide. Suddenly, I heard a bleat, and my footing was lost, sending me tumbling into the pit itself.
Grabbing a ledge as I fell towards the lava, my decent halted. gripping it tighter and pulling myself up, I made my way back to the ledge and looked around for the reason I fell in.
Then, I saw it. A simple sheep in hell. I did not know why it was there, but I had a feeling it was sucked through the portal in the same way I did, and ended up here, where it bumped into me and caused me to lose my balance.
Taking my sword, I sheared the sheep for woo. I did not know what I would need it for, but I would need it for something undoubtedly. Then, making my way farther into the reaches of hell, I stopped.
There in front of me was the most ghastly, horrifying thing I had ever seen. Resembling a zombie, but having half the head of a pig; its eyes where blood red and it had an arched back, its gaze looking directly at me.
I tightened the grip on my blade, and started back.
Suddenly, it sprinted for me, its huge fangs dripping with blood as it moved. I leapt to the side as it scratched the air where I was standing moments before. Then, I swung my blade at its exposed back, and waited for the connection.
Suddenly, I heard a CRUNCH. and saw my blade break apart on the creature's skin. The creature seemed to laugh, a hideous grunting noise, and slashed out at me, causing deep gashes to appear on my stomach.
This was another fight I could not win, I realized, and turned tail and ran. Running as fast as I could, I heard the creature's footsteps behind me, and heard it closing in... seeing a cave in the wall of hell, I leapt inside, taking some wood and sealing the entrance behind me in one quick motion.
The creature, trapped outside, grunted for a moment, and then I heard its footsteps slowly diminish as it walked away. I breathed a sigh of relief; at least I would survive another day.
Suddenly, I noticed a blue light coming from deeper in the tunnel. Curious, I traveled farther and soon found another gate; this one made of stone and grass. Amazed by my luck, I walked up to it, then felt the familiar portaling sensation as it pulled be through the dimension and placed me back on earth.
Looking around, I saw something that amazed me; I was at the very edge of the forst itself! I did not know how, but it seems that a small trip through the bowels of hell allowed to to teleport the several miles from the center of the forest to the edge.
Noticing my lack of a weapon, I took one of my logs and turned it into wood and sticks, which I used to create a wooden sword. Not very conventional, but I knew it would at least offer a better weapon than my bare hands.
Taking my blade and looking around, I suddenly became aware of a pair of eyes watching me... I could feel them behind me.
Whirling around, I saw nothing but the remnants of my trip to hell; some Hellstone embedded in the ground and the remnants of the portal gate. Feeling the breeze through my hair and over my face, I turned from the forest, and headed towards the moon that was slowly rising in the distance.
Chapter 14: Moonlight Howls
Night fell, leaving me alone once again with nothing but my stash of supplies. Setting up a campfire, I decided to try something I had never attempted before: burning logs.
Taking out my flint and steel and burying the log in dirt, I lighted the top of the log on fire and sit back to enjoy the warmth of the flames.
The cold night breeze was kept away from the heat of the flames, and soon, I realized something quite interesting, the logs, unlike the planks and sticks I used before, was staying alight. The flames flickered joyously, and I looked closely; the log was not even burned!
I knew that this must be another phenomenon of this land; infinite flames, such a thing would come in handy for many reasons. Suddenly, I stopped.
In the distance came a howl, an eerie sound that I had not heard since my time on earth, which was long ago. Wolves? here? I did not know, but I drew my blade, and waited cautiously, keeping an eye on my surroundings.
Suddenly, I heard a growl, and whipped around in time to get the full force of a wolf's attack on my chest. It knocked me back, and into a tree where I blacked out.
I awoke to find the wolf rummaging through my pack, and it soon came across a bit of pork, which I did not even know I had left in my supplies. it then began eating, gnawing on the pork like it was a veritable feast. After a few moments, it finished its meal and lied down near the fire.
Cautiously making my way over to it, I moved towards my pack and my fallen weapon, when suddenly the wolf moved, its deep black eyes, sparkling like ebony, shining through the darkness. It saw me for a second, then returned its gaze to the fire.
Leaping towards my bag and blade, I grabbed the hit and leapt back up, preparing for another attack. However, I was startled to find the wolf just looked at me for a moment, confused, and then turned back to the flames.
Cautiously walking towards it, I then daringly put my hand out towards the wolf. It sniffed it for a moment, and then surprised me by licking it! After it finished licking my hand, it stood up, and walked towards me.
Not knowing what to do, I stood there with my blade drawn, and was ready for another attack. But instead of an attack, the wolf simply sat by my feet and acted as docile as a pet dog. Gently reaching to it, the wolf looked at my hand for a moment, and then placed its snout to my hand so I could pet it.
Petting the wolf, I then realized I had made a friend in this bleak forest, something that was indeed a welcome reprieve from the loneliness of my wanderings.
Suddenly, the wolf put his ears back and snarled. Not knowing what I did, I hastily pulled my hand away and drew my sword, which I had sheathed. The wolf leapt at me suddenly, and I only had time to duck...
And the wolf leapt over me, to attack a zombie that had silently approached me, claws ready.
The wolf made quick work of the zombie, and tore the creature apart with its teeth. after it had finished, it clamly walked over to me, and sat by my feet waiting to be praised.
Patting the wolf on its head, I walked back over to the fire, which was still burning, and sat down, where Wolf, as I would come to call him, lied down next to me for the rest of the night.
Chapter 15: The Pillars of the Sky
The sun rose swiftly on the horizon, and I picked up my camp, smothering the eternal fire with some dirt from the ground nearby. The wolf had been next to me all night, even when I slept, and I decided that he was staying.
Thinking of a name for him was difficult at first. I wanted something to fit his wolflike nature, but another side of me wanted him to have a name more fitting a pet. In the end, I decided on Fluffles Skyfire, calling him Sky for short.
The wolf seemed to like the name, nuzzling his nose against my leg, and soon we set off. Walking towards the rising sun, we soon left the outskirts of the forest and found ourselves in a large mountainous area, the mountaintops hidden by the clouds themselves.
Walking up to the foot of the mountain, I sighed, and started climbing. Below me, Sky was watching my ascent, and sitting patiently.
By the time the sun signified midday, I had reached the top. The air was frigid and icy, and clouds blew snow in my face. Looking around, I attempted to get my bearings, then froze.
About two day's walk from the foot of the mountain, I saw something I will never forget in all my life. There, before me, where two massive pillars, reaching to the sky. On the edge, I could see water streaming down from the top of the pillars, and what appeared to be a cloud of smoke at the bottom.
Looking closer, I saw something completely unexpected. The smoke was coming from a cluster of houses situated at the bottom of the pillars! Surprised and overjoyed, I started my decent from the mountain, making careful note in which direction to go.
Upon reaching the bottom once again, I noticed darkness has started to creep over the horizons once more. Taking out my pick and digging into the side of the mountain, I made a temporary shelter for myself and Sky, where he stood watch by the entrance for the night.
As I dug deeper into the mountain, I felt something against my chest. Looking down, I saw my diamond amulet, however, something was wrong.
Instead of the light white glow of the diamond as it had been in Providence, it was now a deep, black color, radiating a steady stream of blood-red light. This change unnerved me, and I quickly took off the amulet and put it in my pack, where its glow could still be seen faintly through the pack's leather.
A bit unnerved by the discovery, I decided to cease my digging for the night and sat down, taking out the log I had set aside for fire and igniting it. as the flames danced before my eyes, I soon fell asleep, with Sky beside me.
Chapter 16: A Chilling Discovery
As the morning light shone into the cave, I slowly awoke, and noticed with some satisfaction that the fire was still burning. Putting it out and taking the log, I put them back in my bag, and went outside.
Making note of the directions I had gathered while at the top of the mountain, I started to proceed due north, following the clouds as they flew to some unknown place. Soon, I started to near the pillars, and the town. However, I soon realized something was wrong.
The thick stench of death and decay filled my nostrils, and Sky started to growl. drawing my sword and holding it ready, we slowly continued our trek towards the town.
As we got closer, I saw signs of battle. Discarded armor, broken blades, and what appeared to be explosion remains littered the ground. Suddenly, I heard Sky bark suddenly, and taking it as a signal, leapt aside.
Where I was standing suddenly exploded in a flash of flames, knocking me back and focing me to one knee. Looking up and around, I looked for the source of the blast... and froze.
There before me was a floating... thing. The beast had eyes with stains below them, making t resemble a crying person. However, without a word, it opened its mouth and blasted another fireball at me.
This time, i was ready, and leapt aside, the fireball shooting harmlessly into the battlefield behind me. I knew that this thing must have taken out this entire village. But could one thing be this powerful?
I soon saw my answer when it approached. What i had originally thought to be a small creature was actually enormous, its eyes as big as my head alone. the creature was stark white, the color of a skeleton's bones, and as stated before, its eyes where lined with a stain that resembled tears.
Taking my sword, I charged for it, leaping aside as it fired more fireballs towards me. Running closer and closer, I slashed out...
Only to have my blade pass through the beast as if it was a ghost.
That was my cue to retreat. Turning tail, I bolted towards Sky, where he growled furiously at the creature. grabbing him by the scruff of his neck, I hurried into the cluster of trees that we had passed through on the way to the village, once there, I turned back.
The creature was too large to fit through the trunks, but then, it stopped. Opening its mouth, it blasted the tree trunks with another fireball, which started a blaze that spread to the leaves of the trees.
Gripping my blade tighter, I put down Sky and made my decision. With a whistle, I motioned for Sky to go around the creature, while it focused on me. Sure enough, the creature never took its eyes off me, and Sky circled around the back of it, and I prepared to move.
As the fires spread to where I was standing, I ran through the trees as fast as I could,the flickering flames burning my skin, and I leapt first onto a root, then a low branch, then into the trees and finally, onto a high branch, while they burned around me.
Raising my sword to the sky, I came down on the beasts' head, and it roared in anger. Taking my sword, I plunged it into the beast's scalp, white blood flowing from the wound. The beast floated lower and lower, until finally, it hit the ground. leaping off, I saw it disappear, as all other beasts do in this world.
Whatever that... THING was, I hoped to never face another again.
Chapter 17: Hell's Infection
The town was darkened and bleak, and I walked from house to house, looking for any signs of life. Unfortunately, there where none. All I could see where a few pieces of armor and weapons, eveidence of the people who had once lived here.
When I can around the corner to the portal itself, I shuddered.
Around it, the ground was... Infected. The same stone and mud I saw in hell was branching out from the gate itself, attempting to claim the land as an extension of hell. On the corners of the infected areas, I could see partial skeletons, sunk into the ground. Human skeletons.
I shuddered once more, and walked over to the obsidian gate, pick in hand. After a few minutes of mining the stiff material, I managed to destroy the portal, and with a strange VWIP sound, the portal itself dissipated.
Putting the obsidian in my pack, I went over to one of the houses and began salvaging. Walking around the village, I gathered enough armor for a full set, which I donned, and several swords, for emergencies. I also found food and supplies in the village's houses, which I took and placed in my pack.
After I finished salvaging what I could, I took out some gunpowder, and sprinkled it around the entire village. Covering everything, from the area the portal had once stood to the edges of town, I stepped back, called Sky to me, and touched a torch to the line I had made.
With a bright flash, the town exploded in a dangerous, glowing inferno. The heat of the flames ingnited a few remaining trees in the area, and I felt my face begin to tan. After a few moments, the glow subsided. All that was left of the town was a gigantic crater, leaving no trace of the horrors that took place here.
Preparing to leave, I turned and placed a few saplings in the crater, to help nature recover after this blight. With a final farewell to the town and the pillars that they where based around, I turned and continued my trek.
Chapter 18: Civilization
I continued on, Sky walking faithfully by my side as we walked through the forest. The village, or what left of it, was now several day's journey behind us, but I could still feel the chill of it's energy. I had a feeling that scene would never leave my mind.
As I continued, I soon heard a strange sound... the sound of an aze against the trees. Leaping behind a tree, I cautiously peered out.
A small distance away from me was a human, wielding an iron axe, chopping away at the wood around him. I could see he had already deforested the trees around him, and was obviously gathering wood for a reason.
Keeping my hand on my sword, I walked towards the man, and hailed him.
"Hail, sir!" I said, motioning for Sky to stay by my side. The main whipped around, and noticed me. Scratching his head, he then spoke. "Hail, stranger! What brings you to these parts?"
Not knowing if they where friendly or not, I did not want them to learn of Providence. So I thought fast.
"Just traveling, exploring the land, good sir."
The woodcutter smiled, and replied, "Ah, I see. I used to do that myself, until Azrolia was founded. Now I have a home there, instead of always being on the move. Maybe you should consider coming with me to the city?"
Surprised, I nodded, and the woodcutter picked up his bag that was lying near him, and slung it over his shoulder. "Ahh, good. Follow me, then. And please keep your dog in check. I don't want him taking a bite out of me."
Noticing Sky, I scratched him behind the ears to calm him down. Then, we started walking. In which direction, I do not know, for the canopy was too thick, but I simply followed.
On the way, we started talking.
"So, how did you end up here? Most of the village itself was the result of a cruise ship sailing into the Bermuda triangle, I heard. They all got lost, and luckily spawned near each other when they first came here."
"I was piloting a plane." I explain, interested. "What about you?"
The man shrugged. "I was out swimming when I was caught in a riptide. I was sucked underwater, and suddenly found myself here. It was strange, being in a new place, but I adapted."
I nodded, and we continued on. Soon, we came to a large road, paved with stone. Carved on the edges was depictions of humans, creepers, and other tools and events.
"Here is the Imperial Highway now. Just this way." My guide said, and took a sharp turn.
I followed, and then asked, "I do not think I ever got your name. My name is Charle, and my pet is Sky."
"Ah, my name is Sheip. Sheip Woodcarver."
"Pleasure to meet you." I said, and we soon where at the village.
Village? I soon found out how wrong my assumptions where. This is nothing but a city. There must have been hundreds of houses, and each one with several people living inside. The roads where paved with white marble, with gold trimming engraved into the stone itself. In the center of the city, I could see a massive building, adourned with rings of obsidian and gold.
"That's the keep." Sheip said, noticing my gaze. "That's where the Imperial Council lives. It is also where we are going."
"What? Why?"
"The Council will want to meet you." Was all he would say.
Chapter 19: Council of the Empire of Light
Sheip led me into a large room that was filled with seats. In the far end of the room was a large stand, where I guessed the speaker would stand during discussions.
I noticed an armed guard nearby, and Shiep walked over to him.
"Are any of the Imperial Council here?" He asked.
"Yes sire. Lord Dragon is upstairs."
Sheip nodded, and led me upstairs, where a large archives awaited. I was aazed at the selection of books. Grabbing one of them, I opened it up to see a large title written in gold:
"Miner's Craft: The Notch in Time"
The book explained a scientist's opinions about the rift that bright us all here, and how it was all the work of a scientist in Sweden, who designed a portal system that got out of control. The portal took him to a new universe, one with nothing in it, and essentially made him god.
He melded the world as he saw fit, adding the creatures and the ground around them. He also decided he needed people on his world, so he cast his machine back to earth, where it opened up a temporal rift over the ocean.
The fist humans here adapted quickly, forming cities and empires, and to this day this world is filled with many empires across the infinite terrain.
"Come on, Charle." Sheip pulled my arm, and he led me to a man in golden armor who was reading a book. "Lord Dragon, Imperial Councilor." Sheip said, and bowed. Out of courtesy, I did the same.
"So, a newcomer?" Dragon said, and I nodded. "Welcome, welcome. I expect you know the rules?" I shook my head, and he began speaking.
"You shall not harm another human within the city limits. You will also refraim from causing harm to the city itself. Your job will be dictated by the guild you join, and if you attempt to do things out fo your station you will be imprisoned. You shall..."
He droned on and on, and I finally said, "Very well sir, but I am just visiting. I was passing through, you see."
Dragon nodded. "Very well. Enjoy your stay here." With that, he turned back to his book.
Sheip led me outside and to a large building near the gates of the city. "This is the tavern. You can spend the night here. Here, use this to pay for your room." As he spoke, he handed me three coins inscribed with a dragon breathing fire. "Thank you Sheip. I will rest for one night, and I will be gone in the morning. Thanks for the tour."
Sheip smiled, and walked off.
Sky growled next to me, and I realized it was starting to get dark. Walking into the tavern, I quickly conversed with the innkeeper, and soon had a room for the night.
Relaxing in what was probably the first true bed I had slept on since Providence. With Sky guarding the door, I fell asleep.
Chapter 20: Hellfire's Wrath
As I left the city, I felt something I had not felt in a long time; acceptance. These people had made a city for themselves, and where perfectly happy to allow me to join their peoples if I wished.
In hindsight, I should have accepted. Anything was better than what I was getting myself into.
The days grew long and filled with cloudy skies as I traveled, and soon, rain began to patter on the ground. It was the first time I had seen rain since coming to this world. it seemed alien to me. Suddenly, I heard a roar.
Turning around, I saw a pack of lions in the grass. The females were growling, warning me not to come closer. Sky growled back, but I motioned for him to be quiet, and we quickly moved away. The females watched me closely as I walked off, then returned to the hunt when they saw a small rabbit in the grass.
I continued on, and came to a beautiful coniferous forest. Staring at the pine needles and watching them swish back and forth, I decided to make camp for the night underneath their protective canopy. Using stick and eating some food I had traded for in the city, I then slept for the night.
The next morning, I heard an unearthly howl. Leaping from my sleeping place, Sky also leapt up, looking around for the sound's source.
Suddenly, I saw it. A massive group of those... ghasts where approaching the forest from the north. I remembered how much trouble I had with ONE, but there where, ten, nay, twenty of them coming towards me!
I hoped that the tree's canopy would prevent them from seeing me, and I huddled close to the tree's trunk. Suddenly, I heard an odd sound... More like a spitting noise then anything.
Realizing what it meant, I leapt aside just in time. The tree that I had been hiding behind exploded, and the surrounding ground bust into flame. I drew my blade, and prepared to face my fate.
Suddenly, from deep within the forest, I heard a screeching noise, like fingernails on a chalkboard. I looked around, and suddenly, stands of silk shot up from the forest itself, and attached itself to the ghast. The ghast howled as it was brought down, blasting more fireballs and catching more and more of the forest on fire. But soon, it was brought to the ground.
I leapt on top of it, seizing my chance, and bringing my sword down on top of it, slicing it down the middle. The ghast howled its final howl, and its pieces fell to the ground.
I looked around for my hidden benefactor, but could not see anything. I walked around the flames and explored for a second, and then I saw something new to me.
There, in front of me, was a small spider. It was tan color, but I knew it was similar to the mount that Rugby had once ridden. However, this one was tiny, only about the size of my hand.
Suddenly, as I got close, a monstrous purple one shot from the bushes and screeched at me. I fell back, adn Sky growled a warning to the spider.
The spider looked at me for a moment, and I realized, this was the little ones' mother! Incredible, a new way of life coming into the world... birth! But, was it truly birth? I did not know.
I walked around for a little while, and soon saw more of the little spiders. Forming a circle, I soon found the point where they originated; a small nest, made of silk and twigs, where the spiderlings spawned.
I sighed. I guess it was not birth after all. But nevertheless I-
Suddenly, the ground opened up beneath my feet, and I began to fall. Sky attempted to grab me, but was pulled in as well. My decent lasted only a short time, before I heard the whispers that could only remind me of one thing...
The hellportal.
Looking down, I saw the truth; I had fallen into a trap. I fell directly into the middle of the portal, disappearing into its depths.
Chapter 21: Hell's Minions
The hot stench of hell entered my nostrils and I awoke. Above me, a good 50 feet, was a hellportal. I looked around. Nothing had found me yet, but I knew that it was only a matter of time.
I realized i would probably be here a while, so I took out my pick. Bringing it down on the screaming stone, it wailed as I cut into it. I winced, but knew there was no other way. Sky stayed next to mee, keeping an eye on the Pigmen herds I saw a good distance away.
making a large home for myself and sealing the entrance with a piece of the stone, I then began to furnish myself. Knowing that I needed wood, I walked over to a patch of the hellstone and dug it up. reaching into my bag, I gathered all of the dirt that had collected there, and pured it into the hole. Then, I planted a few pine seeds that I had gathered from the pine forest in the real world. The seeds seemed moderately happy, and I knew that it was the best I could get.
The days, or nights I did not know which, in hell passed by. The seedling sprouted, growing into a large tree that I tended to and nurtured. I realized, with some interest, that the Pigmen stayed a good distance away, never venturing close to my home.
I expanded my home, creating a lookout tower and a farm, from which I started a small area with the remaining dirt I had, and seeds.
As the time within hell continued, I knew that I had to find a way out of here. I left my house, and started walking, when I saw something that chilled me to the bone...
Ghasts. Hundred of them.
And they where advancing towards me.
The Pigmen squealed as the ghasts spat gout ofater gour of flame at them, and eventually the entire herd was eliminated, all within a few minutes. I hurried inside, and began digging out a shalter for myself. Beringing Sky in as well, who was barking at the Ghasts, I covered the hole and placed a torch, hoping that they would pass by.
Chapter 22: Judgement
The Ghasts indeed eventually past, but not before taking out much of my home. I knew things were settled, and I had to leave. I was not sure how, but I knew I had to leave soon, or face destruction in this netherworld.
I began traveling, working my way to parts of the netherworld that I had never explored before. Following me at all times was Sky, his form comforting against the dark shapes on the horizon. When I saw a ghast get too close, I dug a temporary shelter for myself and Sky, hiding until the danger passed.
The answer to my prayers was here somewhere, and I was determined to find it. I stepped across the hot stone, my boots long since worn away, and the bottoms of my feet hard as the stone itself by now. Not that I cared; all that mattered was finding a way out of this hell.
Finally, I saw it. A Portal. Who made it, I do not know, but I knew one thing for sure... I was out of here. Me and Sky ran through the portal and leapt into it, and we teleported out of hell.
Suddenly, I saw grass. Sweet, sweet grass. I almost cried; I had missed simple earth in my time in the Nether. The world was wonderful place, something I had grown to miss during the ages in that hellish place. I looked around, trying to place the location, but froze.
There, in front of me was a stairway. Not just any stairway, but the stairway to Providence.
I ran up the stairs to get to the town, amazed that I had finally returned. I ran through the gates, expecting to find my friends, but stopped.
It was empty.
Providence... was gone.
I fell to my knees as I looked around. Judging by the wear of the city, it has been some time since it had been sued. Whyd di they leave? Did they not believe that I would return? Did they not care?
I sank to the ground, beginning to cry. Everything I had done, all the travels I had performed, all of the ordeals, was for this city. And they just left it, traveling to a new home. I remained like that for a long time, in the center of the city with tears running down my face and Sky my only companion.
Something, I realized, would probably never change.
I was alone. Alone in a world that had no end, that was filled with enemies and challenges. I did not know what I would do next, but I did know that this would become my new base of operations. A new start for me. Starting that day, my priorities changed. I no longer worked to make Providence into an empire... Nay, I worked to make my own empire, inhabited by me and Sky, where i would never have to be reminded I was alone again.
I am a Dragon, writing the tale of the world that has been, will be, and is. Due to the forum having a URL restriction, if you wish to see my full list of work, please refer to my signature in the now-dead TGO forums Here: http://thegoldenorder.forumotion.com/t261-server-downtime
Chapter 23: Never Alone.
The new day dawned around me as I got to work. I salvaged the old ruins of Providence, working to build up defenses from any hostiles. I always kept my diamond pendant around my neck, in the off chance that Jonno would returned, but a part of me realized that they would probably never return.
To begin with, I turned the old city into a massive keep, using chisels and white marble to make a beautiful white citadel from the old stories of fantasy I had read during my time on earth. The keep as finished after three days, with furnishing to follow. I placed chairs and bedrooms inside, and a large council chambers, on the off chance I would find someone who wanted to live here with me.
But then... I stopped. I could feel the icy, piercing gaze of someone behind me. I whipped around as fast as I could, but all I saw was a black blurr, and then it was gone. Sky had not barked at all during this time, so I shrugged and went back to work.
The days passed as I worked on walls around the outer perimeter of the stairway, to serve as a massive main area for the town and a defensive location both. As I continued working, I saw the form of people on the horizon. SKy started barking, alerting them to our presence. The human forms made their way to my gates, where I climbed up and looked down. Standing there were three pitiful looking people... a man and two women. Their clothes were in tatters, and theirfaces and skin slashed and injured.
I immediately hurried them inside and brought them up to the keep, where I tended to their wounds with water and bandages. They revealed their names to be Jesonomi for the man, and Ariel and Jerra for the two women.
Leaving them to heal and recuperate, I felt the presence again. I drew my sword with a swift motion, and whipped around... but only sliced through air. Shadows mocked me from their places in the city as the sun went down... something else has been unleashed on the world. Something... inhuman.
The air I felt was in no way human... almost animalistic in its properties. It did not want to make peace, or ally itself... It was much more demonic than that. Taking a torch from the wall, I started a methodical search, square by square of the in-progress city, but found nothing. Sky looked at me as if I was a fool, and I shrugged once more.
Perhaps I am paranoid... there was nothing there when I turned, Sky did not bark, and now I have even confirmed there is nothing else in the city besides the three people. I went back to them to check on their wounds, and saw that they were awake.
They turned to look at me, and Jesonomi spoke. "Thank you for helping us. We have been traveling for weeks... we did not know there was a city nearby."
"It has been quite a short time since I stopped my travels as well. I have just managed to set this small colony up within a few days. It is not much, but you are welcome to stay, if you wish." I replied, and Sky walked into the room.
"How cute." Ariel said, offering her hand. Sky sniffed it, and looked at me. I nodded, and he licked her hand and sat down next to her. As this happened, Jesonomi looked outside.
"There is something on the horizon that I cannot identify anymore. Something sinister is sweeping through this world. I do not know what, but I do know that we should stick together when we can. I would appreciated if you allowed us to stay within your city, and help you with expansion."
I nodded, and Jesonomi nodded. "Then it is done. I do work hard, do not worry. The same can be said for my friends."
With that, the four of us walked outside and started to work as the moon rose. Hanging behind the gourp, I turned to Sky and smiled. Suddenly... I felt it again. The presence, right behind me. This time, I decided to ignore it, and started to walk on.
That was a mistake.
The presence slashed out at my exposed back, and tore through my clothing. Sky started barking, and I whipped around to see a malicious grin that disappeared into the shadows. Jesonomi ran over, and helped me up.
"It seems it has followed us."
Chapter 24: Shadows
The Shadow, as they called it, was a manifestation of the corrpution of the land, the hatred that we fellow humans had for eachother, and now its purpose was to, essentially, end us all.
Jesonomi recounted his journey here, from mountains to the north. He told of a fourth person in the group, who seemed plagued by the Shadow more than others. He knew when it was coming, and where. He was invaluable for the party, until one day, he just disappeared.
They searched for him for one full day, but to no avail. He was gone, swallowed up by the lands of this world. Wether he went off on his own, or was killed by something, they do not know. All they know is that with him gone, the Shadow attacked them tenfold. Becoming more and more daring, they soon discovered that it was no longer just haunting them... it was now physically attacking them. Unsyre what to do, they ran, and didn't stop until they came to the ruins of Providence, where they met me.
As my wounds healed, they worked to make the city shadow proof, lighting old streetlamps and making the town bright enough to keep away the shadow's fierce gaze. not knowing what else we could do, as soon as I healed I helped them light every corner of the city itself, eventually using a good quantity of coal.
As I finished, I saw that the walls were damaged, and the TNT traps I had made so long ao were triggered. What had gone on here? Whatever it was, it drove the Creepers away, and leftthe city a barren husk of what it once was.
Realizing that our current supplies would not be enough for repairs, I went down the stairway and created a small outpost at the bottom of the island, and began to create a mine. Using iron I found, I created booster tracks and detector plates on the tracks themselves, and finally placed a minecart. Just as I had predicted, the bosters continuously powered the minecart, allowing fast access to the mineshaft deep below the earth.
The mines expanded quickly as Jesonomi showed his skill with mining. Taking a pick of iron and striking the earth beside me, we hauled cart after cart of stone and supplies out of the mines. I worked long andhard with him, making sure to lighten the darkness to combat the shadow, and we continued working on the city. The city itself grew, and soon we found that out city stood out in the lands around us... we soon found people willing to join us.
At first, only a few came, but soon, I saw many faces, some from the north, others form the south. Working together, the city grew, and I was placed as head of the city, taking the seat my friend Jonno had sat long ago. The seats that ha once been sat upon by Creepers and other creatures were refitted to hold humans, and the Council was born. However, as I saw the peoples of the city prepare to dispose of the seats I had made for the creepers long ago, I stopped them, instead taking them to my private quarters, and using a water powered piston, made a secret sliding door in my libary of books. Hiding the chairs in a secret room, I then created a small area for living as well, but for what reason I did not know.
As the city grew, we all noticed a few disturbing changes in the surrounding creatures. The first few were friendly, and after giving diamond pendants to my people to prevent explosions and misunderstandings between us and the creepers, we accepted them into the city. I must say I was surprised to see human and ceature working together, but we soon had a handful ofzombies, skeletons, and creepers within the city. However, as I said before, the creatures that remained wild around the city started turning increasingly hostile.
I soon had reports of injuries and creeper explosions around the city, even when the people were wearing the diamond pendants. With some relucatnce, I soon found that I had to give an order... and order of defense. Creatures would be given a ten second grace period to speak for themselves, and after that grace period, my people would defend themselves.
For creepers, I had to reduce the time to five seconds, because of the explosion. While I did regret that it might harm some innocents, i realized that we had to defend ourselves... a case made even more important when I discovered that several of the women in the city were with child.
The city was growing, but the creatures were growing more dangerous each day. The Shadow, which had not plagued us in many weeks, was nowhere to be seen. The question in my mind remained... what if the Shadow was causing this?
Chapter 25: Eternal Providence: Eternia
As the city grew; I discovered an interesting fact; in this world, there were no children.
As the women with child came to full labor, I sent medical teams to aid them and we all quickly discovered that, similar to our deaths and "respawning", the children actually "spawned" fully grown, and fully knowledgeable.
This led to many questions, first about their mind. After some teaching and a few military drills, I found that they were easily adaptable to help around the city, and realized that our numbers would fully increase with this miracle of this world.
However, another question lingered in my mind. I had seen the second episode of Star Wars when I was a teenager; I realized how similar that these "children" were to the movie's clones. Was it moral or ethical to use them in war? Or should they be held back and treated as normal children? None of the others seemed to understand my questions, so I left the Council out of this. This would be something that I would need to solve alone, as founder of this new city.
As Providence once again turned into a thriving, bustling city, I soon realized that I could no longer use the name, Providence. Providence was the name of the city that had once house creatures, not humans; so I explored the reaches of my mind to find a new name for this city, one that would suit our needs.
After talking with the Council and combing our recorded tomes for a name, I soon came upon one: Eternia.
Named for Eternity, the new town name would become a testament against time, to stand for Eternity against the sands of time itself. I hoped that this town would become eternity; somewhere that would be remembered for the rest of time; but that was getting ahead of myself.
When a raider party attacked some of the gatherers outside, I soon realized how little we truly had in means to defend ourselves from outside threats. Three men were injured, and another was killed in the raid, which also stole a good bit of our supplies. Filthy raiders; I would make them pay eventually.
Drafting volunteers into an army, I soon began drills to teach them what I knew about swordfighting. The drills went well, and those few volunteers learned quickly by way of the blade. I soon had a decent force of about 10 guards, skilled with the ways of the blade. One of the boys, none other than Jesonomi, soon rose within the ranks to show that he was no mere grunt. Taking him under my wing, I made him lieutenant, to command in my absence.
The days turned to weeks and the weeks to months as the city grew, eventually to the point that we had to set up homes and an exterior wall around the base of the city. The wall was made of white marble, with creepers and humans carved into the side to show our once union with the creepers. However, when a rogue creeper took out the wall during a routine night guard, I sent guards with bows to the walls to keep foes from getting close, and the next morning began work on a water moat around the wall, to protect from the blasts if any should make it past the walls.
The city is growing, this I know. But who knows what the future may hold?
Chapter 26: Raiders and War
The city continued to grow, as I led it to its grand size. New buildings were erected, and another wall was erected outside the original, causing the area on the island itself to become the governmental buildings, and the areas underneath quickly became the residential areas.
I was glad to see that slums had not yet become an issue, as I had personally made sure that anyone who needed a home, had it. The Eternal Guard, the police force and army of the city, was soon put on patrol duty on the walls to protect against any outside threat. Within a month of the city's formation, I soon saw our first raid.
The raiders came at night, attempting to climb over our walls with force. Our arrows and TNT stocks, thanks to the gunpowder left behind by Providence's previous occupants, easily decimated them. Their number was only three, but I knew that it was either an isolated case, or a scouting party. Either way, that meant more of them would come, either affiliated with them or not. I began preparing our forces with whatever weapons and armor we had, taking note that our iron stocks were thin.
Three days after the raid, I soon saw forms on the horizon. Fifty humans, all wearing the colors of the raiders before. I called our forces to arms, and the siege began. Luckily, the raiders seemed to not have any TNT, but the Eternal Guard was still outnumbered five to one. We managed to thin their ranks, but it seems they learned out capabilities when they scouted; for they kept away from the blast radius of the TNT when we dropped them.
Another day passed under siege. Our farms within the city would keep us fed, we all understood, but wood and other supplies, even our mines, where positioned outside the city. We were essentially cut off from any and all replacement tools and armor.
The raiders kept up the siege, and finally sent out their "pet." Their pet was a creeper, bound and harnessed to keep him from attempting to explode. With loud shouts and taunts, they released the creeper, directly at our walls.
We tried to stave off the creeper, but it seemed that torture had made its hide abnormally thick; our arrows were easily deflected and TNT seemed to have no effect. I Ordered the men away from the wall as it came close, and with an ear shattering explosion, the wall was torn from its foundation.
I immediately sounded a retreat back up the stairs into the city itself, where I had previously told the civilians to hide. Two were cut down by the blades of the raiders as they poured over the walls, and Jesonomi and I both held the line as the rest retreated. We cut down several of them, but eventually we too had to fall back.
Finally, I understood. We were not prepared to fight a war. This city was built for peace, not for war, and that is what would signal our doom.
As the sun sank beneath the horizon, I suddenly saw a light coming from the north. A large army, much larger than the one that the raiders had, was closing in. Were they friend or foe? I did not know. If they were friends, they were our salvation. If they were foes, they were our destruction.
Chapter 27: Allies and the World War
The sounds of battle soon reached our ears and the new army attacked the siegers with a fury we had never seen before. Their army was honed by years of combat, while the raiders were only a bandit force organized into a small army.
The new army quickly swept them aside in a matter of moments, their soldiers, clad in iron mail, marching towards the remaining troops and finishing them off while a few survivors ran into the trees.
As they finished off the previous siege, I soon began to worry. With our limited remainign defense, and our undertrained soldiers, how could we hope to defeat seasoned veterans clad completely in iron mail?
But it seemed that we would not have to. A single man, carrying a white flag, began to walk up the tattered, bloodstained remains of the stairway. We opened what was left of our gates, and cleared aside much of the rubble, and he soon spoke.
"I have a message for the leader of this city."
I stepped forward, and nodded. "Speak."
"This city, and all its inhabitants, are now under the jurisdiction of Scar-Eye Hardin. You are to send a monthly sum of one thousand gold coins to the capital, Arnessia, or else face destruction."
"Now wait one second..."
"Need I remind you that this city was just under the attack of a raider force, and would be no match for our seasoned army?"
The words stung, even though I had already known them. The fact that my city would no longer be under my control was another blow, but I realized that this might just be a way to allow my people to live in peace."
"Very well. We will accept your demands, on one condition."
"And what is that?"
"I want a regiment of soldiers placed under my command to defend the city in case of another attack."
My response made everyone start talking. While we had suffered losses, I do not believe that they were prepared to see their leader hand the city over to an attacking army. With a sigh, I smiled quickly to them.
"Very well, you shall have one regiment. They shall be sent up in an hour." The messenger said, turning to leave.
"And one last thing. Beware of Emperor Taralin and the Empire of the Tiger."
With that, he left the city. In exactly one hour, a full regiment of one hundred soldiers came up the stairs, and introduced themselves. Led by a Commander "Neil", they were much more militaristic than any people I had seen before.
Their ranks were quickly positioned on the walls, with a handful of men assigned to help with reconstruction. Looking over the wall, I also noted that the army was leaving, going to the east. As they walked off, I turned to Neil.
"And I suppose there is some sort of national colors that I have to work with?"
Niel shook his head. "Each city that is under the protection of Scar-Eye is given jurisdiction over itself. Each city is, essentially, a city-state in the Empire.
I shrugged. "Very well."
Silently, I was surprised. It seemed that this "Scar-Eye" had some principles after all.
Chapter 28: The Empire of the Tiger
As the days began to pass, the reconstruction of the city began. The walls were rebuilt and reinforced, and I even went down into the mines for a personal project, searching the deep earth for one specific thing.
A week passed quickly, and after days of searching, I found it. A massive lake of lava, deep beneath the earth. Taking out a bucket filled to the brim with water, I emptied it.
With a furious hissing that made it sound like demon-spawn, the lava quickly solidified into Obsidian; stone-glass.
Taking out my pick, I started to work, chipping the obsidian out piece by piece, with the water around me as a precaution from the lava below. I spent the rest of the day harvesting Obsidian, and soon had many piece of it. Bringing it up to the surface, I went over to the walls, and placed it within the wall.
As the wall neared completion, I nodded to myself. The obsidian would help with the strength of the wall, and prevent post intrusion.
The construction continued, repairing the houses and buildings that had been pillaged and ruined at the bottom of the city. The city itself, with the roads and other such infrastructure, was intact, and saved us some work.
After three weeks, the repairs were complete, and the city was restored to its former glory.
However, I knew that we knew very little about the world as it was. Placing Commander Neil in charge, I packed some rudimentary supplies and went on a scouting mission, promising to return in a month. The others knew the purpose of this mission, and wished me well.
As the days dragged on, I remembered my first time leaving the city, and the ruins I had returned to. Questions swam in my mind; would it be there when I returned? Would they return my position when I did eventually return?
Questions such as those I had no answer for. However, I vowed that I would not worry about such things; I could not have my hands in politics if I was outside of the city.
At the end of the third night, I camped beneath a large pine tree, the needles swaying gently in the breeze. I noticed that I was entering the cold area that I had met the Dragon, and silently wondered if I would see it again.
Sky, who had come with me, of course, slept calmly next to me as I finished a quick meal of bread and pork. Taking a swig of water from a large canteen, I then went to sleep.
I awoke to the sounds of axes around me. Quickly drawing my blade and rising, I looked around.
In the distance, there was a group of people cutting down pine trees at the edge of the forest. Luckily, they had not seen me yet, giving me an advantage. I slowly and cautiously approached, motioning for Sky to remain there.
I approached silently, and hid behind a large tree, looking out to the group. Each of them wore a small amount of armor, possibly iron. They also wore a tabard, with a tiger's cla emblazoned in red silk on the center.
"Empire of the Tiger." I muttered, remembering the word of caution from the messenger.
Chapter 29: The Tiger's Fury
The Empire of the Tiger. This close to my city? I felt that this was not a coincidence. Following the woodcutters as they went back to their point of Origin, I was amazed to find a massive camp lined with a large palisade wall.
The camp itself was near the forest, allowing me to see it without being spotted, but they had cleaed much of the trees near the camp walls. If I tried to get close, I knew I would be spotted by the guards.
Returning into the forest, I began heading back. The city must be warned, the Empire of the Tiger was coming.
The trip back was sped by fear and worry, getting me back to the city within a day's time. Once I got back within the city bounds, I quickly met up with Neil and his soldiers.
"So, the Empire of the Tiger is here, eh? I think they are attempting to create a colony, by the sounds of it. Their gears of industry wipe lands clean of all resources." Neil said, his grip tightening on his blade.
"What can we do about it? We have nowhere near the numbers needed to destroy the town." I asked. Some of my worry must have creeped to my face, because Niel put his hand on my shoulder.
"We may not have enough to attack, but we have enough to send a command squad out to wreak some havoc." Niel smiled.
A plan dawned in my mind, and I nodded. Ideas and strategems were coming to me. "Tell your men to meet me in my quarters. Do not let anyone know I have returned. If I die in the raid, it would be better to let them think I got lost in the wilderness.
Niel nodded, the turned. "They will be there by nightfall. I hope you have a plan."
A wicked smile came to my face. Yes, I had a plan. A good one.
Chapter 30: Wicked Flames
Fire.
Flickering flames illuminated the forest around the camp, burning tree, beast, and human brave or stupid enough to stand in its way.
Trees could be replanted, I knew, but this "Wildfire" I had created would enure none of the Empire of the Tiger survived.
Using my flint and tinder, I had created several points for the blaze to break out. Stationing one man at each point, when the sun set, fifteen fires flickered to ife.
In a matter of moments, the forest was ablaze, and the town with it.
With a smirk on my face, I knew that this would cripple the Tiger, even for a little while. This... was slaughter. Unmerciful and terrible. Yet... I had a taste for it, it seemed.
Grinning like a madman, I continued to spread the blaze, even going so far as to light a few parts of their wall on fire as their guards were desprately trying to put out the blaze.
With that same horrible grin on my face, we returned to the city. Smoke was continuing to rise from the forest, which was now mostly burned to the ground. No movement could be seen in the forest or the town.
I had done it.
Coming to me, I could see Neilsaur's worried face as he saw the grin. "Sir, are you alright?"
The sound of his voice snapped me back to reality, reminding myself what I had just done. Such a forest would take years to restore. Had it been truly worth it?
Shaking my head, I turned from Neil. "I need some time alone."
Neilsaur nodded, and I started walking. Suddenly, a small child stepped in front of me.
"Was dat light, Mistah Charley?" The child asked, pointing at the flickering flames in the distance.
"Nothing, child nothing." I said, and smiled. I remember hat we were fighting for, at last.
Chapter 31: Changes
The morning light came too early for my tired eyes. Its light shone like a needle into my eye, forcing me to close them and attempt to get used to it.
However, something was different now. I felt... strange.
After several moments, I realized what. I was hungry.. I hadn't been hungrey since I was on Earth. This feeling was amazing and curious at the same time.
Getting up, I started to search the cupboards for any food I might have. Unfortunately, it seemed that everything had already been eaten to restore health during the battle a week ago.
I left my house and went outside, making my way around the town, and I noticed other people doing the same. One stopped me for a moment, an old man with long, greying hair.
"Excuse me, sir. Do you feel hunger as well?"
I nodded, and he shook his head. "This town was not equipped to handle such a change. The wheat farm that was used to heal the wounded is already exhausted."
I sighed. This was a more important problem than I had originally thought. Waving over a few soldiers in the crowd, I gave them some quick orders.
"Grab your weapons and come with me. We are going hunting."
The soldiers saluted, and went into the barracks, returning with iron blades. They handed one to me, and I clipped it to my belt.
With a second thought, I turned around and shouted to the city.
"Are there any others that wish to go hunting with us?"
There was an excited mumbling, and several men stepped forward. The soldiers noticed my gaze, and went back into the barracks, returning with several more blades.
Soon, we had a sizable hunting party of about fifteen strong.
As the city gates opened before us, the sunlight illuminated the land around us, and I noticed more odd things; namely, the lack of animals.
Before, there had been hundreds of the beasts roaming the lands, wherever there was grass, they would be. But now, there were few.
Shrugging, we got to work. The party split into five groups of three, and each group went in a different direction.
After a few hours, we returned, holding our bounty. Several dead pigs, a few cows, and even some chickens had been caught. Unlike the chickens and cows, before,however, which were gangly and skinny, these cows and chickens were plump.
With a grin, we all marched back into the city, and everyone crowded around us as we carried our find. As they did, I heard Neil, who shouted a greeting.
"Charle! Good news! We worked for a while and expanded the wheat farms! Should be enough for now!"
I grinned. This should be enough for now. Giving the animals I held to a few people, I began working on a storehouse for our food. As I placed the bricks down, the sun started to set; reminding me again of my first day.
Chapter 32: The Endermen
The night came quickly after the sun set. Unlike all the other nights, however, I felt... uneasy.
Something was going to happen tonight.
I quickly ordered for double posts to be placed on the walls. Knowing my intuition had not failed the city before, the soldiers quickly manned their posts, and prepared for battle.
Still, I was uneasy. Whatever was coming, I knew was similar to the Shadow from before... it inspired sheer terror.
Suddenly, the night's still air broke with a shrill scream. I whipped around to see a black figure hovering over a guard. Blood dripped from his lifeless form as his body popped out of existence, respawning him inside the city hall.
As I stared at the black figure, it turned, its long, gangly limbs falling to its side. Its small square has suddenly stretched unnaturally, revealing a massive mouth opened in a silent scream.
The creature's entire body began shaking, and suddenly, with a puff of purple smoke, it disappeared.
Drawing my sword, I tensed. Teleportation was a new trick for this world's inhabitants.
Suddenly, I heard a soft sound behind me, of footsteps, too light to be human. Whipping around, I brought my blade down, cleaving the creature's arm in two as it reached out for me. The creature's face seemed to twist even more, but it remained silent, even with black blood seeping from its arm.
It disappeared again, but this time, I was ready., Whipping around again, I stabbed the creature right in the head, between the two glowing purple eyes.
The creature collapsed, disappearing suddenly and leaving behind a single blue orb. The shape stunned me for a moment; a shpere is not something I had seen for quite some time.
Picking it up, I looked at it closer, and shook my head.
The "sphere" as not a true sphere at all. Tiny cubes, formed into a near circle, made it seem so.
As I looked into the sphere, something dawned on me.
"Don't look at them!" I yelled to the guards. They looked back at me, confused.
"Do not look at them straight on! Out of the corner of your eyes is fine, but the creature didn't attack me until I looked at it directly!"
A hurried muttering passed the realization down the wall. It wasn't much, and I didn't know if the fact was true, but we would see...
Chapter 33: Discoveries
<Coming Soon>
I am a Dragon, writing the tale of the world that has been, will be, and is. Due to the forum having a URL restriction, if you wish to see my full list of work, please refer to my signature in the now-dead TGO forums Here: http://thegoldenorder.forumotion.com/t261-server-downtime
I am a Dragon, writing the tale of the world that has been, will be, and is. Due to the forum having a URL restriction, if you wish to see my full list of work, please refer to my signature in the now-dead TGO forums Here: http://thegoldenorder.forumotion.com/t261-server-downtime
I am a Dragon, writing the tale of the world that has been, will be, and is. Due to the forum having a URL restriction, if you wish to see my full list of work, please refer to my signature in the now-dead TGO forums Here: http://thegoldenorder.forumotion.com/t261-server-downtime
Also, next chapter, be prepared for some interesting twists. =P
EDIT: Went back and used Firefox Spellcheck to get the typing errors out. I will do my best to keep any and all spelling errors out, but I write using the method of "Visual pictures" which means My hands type what I see in my mind's eye. To capture especially hectic moments, I normally end up making LOADS of spelling errors.
I am a Dragon, writing the tale of the world that has been, will be, and is. Due to the forum having a URL restriction, if you wish to see my full list of work, please refer to my signature in the now-dead TGO forums Here: http://thegoldenorder.forumotion.com/t261-server-downtime
I am a Dragon, writing the tale of the world that has been, will be, and is. Due to the forum having a URL restriction, if you wish to see my full list of work, please refer to my signature in the now-dead TGO forums Here: http://thegoldenorder.forumotion.com/t261-server-downtime
And yes, hopefully, it will. I was making this story to explain a few things I had questions about in the DoaC storyline. The true decisions are up to him, however, I do not want to impose myself onto his story.
EDIT: 100 posts GET!
I am a Dragon, writing the tale of the world that has been, will be, and is. Due to the forum having a URL restriction, if you wish to see my full list of work, please refer to my signature in the now-dead TGO forums Here: http://thegoldenorder.forumotion.com/t261-server-downtime
I use a large vocabulary because I am an author in my free time, currently attempting to publish a book. And the reason I am not dwelling on the environment more is that I am trying to quickly make a backstory on "Ryan" whom Jonno has said he will be changing the name of, and to offer more information for Jonno to go off of before tonight's update to DoaC.
Once Jonno releases the next update, I am planning on bringing my story parallel to his, with similar story-lines and similar characters, but with different objectives. I also plan to be keeping with this story until it hits 25-50 chapters, depending on how much people like it. I am hoping that DoaC can also make the same commitments, but Jonno has said he has been having some real life troubles, so I will do my best going on with the story if he chooses to end it, albeit with my own character.
Oh, and one last thing. If Jonno ever says he does not like or want what I have put up in this story, I will gladly edit it, maybe even completely diverging from his storyline if he so wishes.
I am a Dragon, writing the tale of the world that has been, will be, and is. Due to the forum having a URL restriction, if you wish to see my full list of work, please refer to my signature in the now-dead TGO forums Here: http://thegoldenorder.forumotion.com/t261-server-downtime
Also, just for a quick note:
Human = Charle
Zombie = Zharle
I am a Dragon, writing the tale of the world that has been, will be, and is. Due to the forum having a URL restriction, if you wish to see my full list of work, please refer to my signature in the now-dead TGO forums Here: http://thegoldenorder.forumotion.com/t261-server-downtime
I'm not complaining, it just hard to keep up with a single great story when there so many other good ones popping up at the same time. right now I'm trying to read at the lest 4 of these story's simultaneously... and its hard.
keep up the good work. i wish to see more of your work soon!
These newest chapters are an "In tandem" work with me and Jonno's story. I feature a little bit more details, but for realism, since Charle would not know if Jonno found his friend or not, I left that out.
I am a Dragon, writing the tale of the world that has been, will be, and is. Due to the forum having a URL restriction, if you wish to see my full list of work, please refer to my signature in the now-dead TGO forums Here: http://thegoldenorder.forumotion.com/t261-server-downtime
This is going to nip you in the butt later, as I have the time to do multiple updates a day, but sounds fair to me. =P
(Don't worry, I'm not the kind of person to go ahead and force you to write the story a specific way, I will probably have a few times when I leave it for you to go ahead... Part of the fun of a collab is seeing what your companion will do.)
And thanks, everyone, for all of the replies and comments! Reading comments about something I write is something I love doing, negative or positive, and is the highlight of my day. =)
I am a Dragon, writing the tale of the world that has been, will be, and is. Due to the forum having a URL restriction, if you wish to see my full list of work, please refer to my signature in the now-dead TGO forums Here: http://thegoldenorder.forumotion.com/t261-server-downtime
A beautiful bond between noise and man has been made today :3
I am a Dragon, writing the tale of the world that has been, will be, and is. Due to the forum having a URL restriction, if you wish to see my full list of work, please refer to my signature in the now-dead TGO forums Here: http://thegoldenorder.forumotion.com/t261-server-downtime
Also, Paulo, I was wondering when someone would ask. I needed a name for the Creeper that showed Charle to Providence... He is going to be a recurring character with my story, as he was the first creeper that Charle met that was not hostile.
I am a Dragon, writing the tale of the world that has been, will be, and is. Due to the forum having a URL restriction, if you wish to see my full list of work, please refer to my signature in the now-dead TGO forums Here: http://thegoldenorder.forumotion.com/t261-server-downtime