Blade of Fire

Part 8

Techno had to just keep on travelling. He couldn't stop anywhere or someone might see him and report him, as he had become infamous throughout the Nether.

As Piglins would hand him into the Brute Legion, Techno could only find company in creatures like Magma Cubes and Hoglins, something that Techno had loved to play with and ride on when he was a child. They didn't mind him passing as long as Techno wasn't planning on eating them for his meal.

Techno rode for days, purposely avoiding many other sectors of the Nether as they were too dangerous for him.   

The Soul Sand Region was dodged, as it was sacred ground and he didn't want another encounter with a Ghast. The soil encased souls of the dead, where all the defeated were laid to rest. Riding past, Techno saw massive white structures of fossils of long lost gods.

The truth was, Techno missed his home. The loud grunting of Piglins, the haggling voices of traders in the square, the squeales of children as they played with their friends.

Techno had passed through the Crimson Forest, a place dimly lit by shroomlights, with deep red vines hanging down from bushy, blood coloured leaves from the crimson tree-like fungi. The rock was covered in a matted substance nylium. Twinkling lights would trick the eye, and would make a Piglin follow into the deep heart of the Nether.

He had traversed the Basalt Delters, where one wrong step would send him plummeting down into the lava. The rock was ragged, like angry teeth, and the echoing heavy sighs could be heard in the ash-dappled air.

Wandering through the Nether Wasteland, Techno had encountered a hoard of Zombie-Piglins, half species of Piglins that had lost their minds and wandered aimlessely through the gloom, slowly rotting away until their bones started to show. Techno quietly passed them by.  If he accidentally attacked one, a whole mob would come after him.

His clothes had started to wear thin, his cape was ripped and dirt and dust was ingrained in his features.

Eventually, his Strider stopped. No one could be seen. Blue trees twinkled, their glow ommiting hazy lights. Rich swathes of grasses and plants covered the ground, the trees leaves rustled with a laugh-like whisper.

Techno un-slung his bag and slumped against a tree, rubbing his worn and tired face. Pulling out some food he saw purple particles drift through the air.

Something caught his eye.

Then it was gone.

Shifting through the blue haze Techno saw large dark figures disappearing and reappearing, leaving a thick purple mist wherever they went.

Straightening his back, Techno put his hand on the hilt of his sword.

At the sign of movement he quickly spun around, and saw a young boy with a shocked face a few inches away from the tip of his blade.

"Please don't hurt me" the boy said.

Techno lowered his sword.

"I'm lost." he whispered,

"My name is Ranboo."