Virus (A Minecraft Story)

Chapter 33

Loca's POV

I sat back, shaking my head. "O.k, admittedly we're crazy and take risks no one else would, but this is insane. We don't have that kind of experience! We don't know how to do that kind of thing!"

Roran looked patient. "But I do. I can do what is needed." Lyta shook her head. "No way. You're not going into that kind of danger. There's no way you can complete the cast by yourself. You'd die."

Ana nodded. "Have to agree with Lyta there. Unless you had others with you, others who knew the cast, the power would overwhelm you and the cast wouldn't work. And then you'd die."

"Way to make it cheerful." Dax commented dryly. Everyone but Hercules just gave a shrug. Then Tash leant forwards. "What about these supposed extra powers we're supposed to be getting? Would those help? And when exactly would we be getting them?"

Roran vetoed it immediately. "We have no idea what sort of powers that the Elem - you four - will have. And the timing is just as uncertain. The strength would be welcome, but I need experience. I need people like me."

Amber raised an eyebrow. "What, old people?" Roran glared at her, irritated. "No. I mean Mages." I blinked. "There are more of you? No, scratch that - Mages actually exist? It's not just a fancy title?"

Roran let out an exasperated breath. "What do people learn these days? Of course there are Mages. They're just as secretive as the Lords."

Everyone but Lyta looked at him blankly. Roran put his face in his hands. "Unbelievable. I'm sorry to tell you all this, but if you don't know about the Mob Wars, you're all idiots."

Tash's eyes lit up in recognition. "Oh, right! That war. Roran, were you a part of that?" He smiled grimly. "Not entirely. Ever heard about Mage Unknown?" She nodded vigorously. "Of course!"

"Book nerd." I murmured under my breath. Ana shot me a glare and whispered back, "I might not know about these Mages, but I definitely know about the Mob Wars." I grumbled, but didn't retaliate.

Roran smiled at her. "He was my grandfather." Lyta looked uncertain. "The war was over three hundred years ago..." Roran shrugged. "Iron doesn't wear out easily. He would most likely still be alive, if he hadn't gone on a wild goose chase."

Hercules raised a tentative hand. "Can someone please explain to me what these Lords and Mages are? I've kind of spent most of my life in caves or the Nether."

Roran dipped his head in acknowledgement. "Of course, Hercules." He stretched, cracking his knuckles and moving stiff muscles, before beginning the story.

"Naturally, the entire thing was started by a certain obnoxious Darkidi, who was in his own personal prison. As I've already told you, there are Mages and Lords. Each one has their own mob, and its powers as well. Like me, for example. I am the Iron Mage, therefore my power lies with the Iron Golem."

"What do you do, throw roses?" Amber joked. In reply, Roran picked up one of the spare iron swords scattered around the room, in case there was another attack, and twisted it into a circle like it was made of cobweb.

Amber swallowed. "Right. Continue, please." He flashed a brief smile. "And there are also Lords. One of them I knew would be the Skeleton Lord. He was amazing with a bow, and often used a bone dagger to fight his enemies. Me and him were the closest of friends."

I frowned. "Were?" He looked sad. "Like the hostile and peaceful mobs, the Mages and Lords are complete opposites, and bitter enemies at that. But, before the Mob Wars, we worked in harmony. We were a united force, protecting the Realmers and villagers from the mobs trying to hurt them. The Lords used their powers against their creature, if necessary.

"We also weren't separated into Mages and Lords. We were known as Sorcerers instead. We could even shift into our animals, which the pranksters of our lot used to their advantage."

The light in his eyes, sparked by the memory of old friends, died suddenly. "But then a raid party came down. We don't know if they were Realmer, User or mob, and we'll probably never know. But they broke into the village, the one with the Lord's families. We lived a village over, but they didn't go after us."

Roran swallowed, and looked away. "By the time we found out, and the Lords got back, there was nothing left. No one survived.

"That's when they snapped. They blamed us, accused us of killing their families. I remember the Skeleton Lord telling me that he hated me, could never be in my presence, and said he looked forward to killing me. We tried to convince them that it wasn't us, but our friends were gone. The Sorcerers were dead, and the Mages and Lords rose from the ashes.

"I told you that we could shift into our animals, for fun and for fighting. The Lords took that a step further, wanting more power, and reverted to a permanent state between Realmer and mob. Right now they're running Virus's Army, building up strength even as we speak."

Tash looked at him. "What about these Mages? They're still around, aren't they?" Roran nodded. "They are, but after the Lords left us, we decided to split up. The grief was too great, and we knew we would end up accusing each other."

He stroked his beard thoughtfully. "But we each gave each other the whereabouts of where we were, roughly. If the others kept their page, they know I'm in one of the larger, more popular villages to the west. I have it here somewhere, and I think I could use it to find them."

Ana cleared her throat politely. "This is great, but do you know if they'll agree to this? Even if they do, where are we going to go afterwards? They'll have an aura of power around them, no doubt, and we'll be attracting attention from unwanted parties."

Tash stared at her. "How'd you know that?" She froze for an instant, green eyes flickering around the room, until she gave a nonchalant shrug. "Must've picked it up somewhere. But the point is, do they have enough strength?"

Roran actually laughed. "That's like asking me if my beard is grey. They're just as strong as me. There is no need to worry, Darkflower. And, if we have an aura that attracts evil, then we will have twice the strength to fight them off."

Ana nodded, relaxing. "Just double checking. This thing we're planning on doing... if we screw up, who knows what the consequences would be. This hasn't been attempted before."

A tired smile from Roran. "Actually, it has. Once every thousand years, but they didn't have to summon it first. I guess we're the unusual exception."

Tash stood, looking around at the castle. "It seems like we never get enough down-time. Here, then away, then here again." Roran nodded. "I can understand that. I used to be a wanderer before I found the village."

He rose. "Get some sleep. I'll make breakfast, then we'll get going. I need some time to find my page." Tash looked relieved. "Thank you, Roran. I owe you one." He smiled graciously. "You owe me nothing, Festia."

Then he snapped his fingers at us. "Get some dinner first. And please bring some up for your bed-ridden companions." As they got up, stacking the chairs and heading back down single file, and I sank back onto the pillows, I heard Roran murmur, "Time to find some long-lost friends."

Sorry I'm slow at updating! I don't thank you guys enough for the reads and votes I get. They seriously mean a lot to me.
Thanks a lot, guys
Tash