The Desolation of Cube Land

Prologue

Stars glittered prominently above in the ebony black sky, providing a small amount of illumination for the shadowed figure plodding the cobblestone path below. Moans and sharp spider hisses sounded from throughout the surrounding forest, but it didn't faze him, not even the least bit. Which was strange, since he was supposed to be the lowest of the mobs, a measly villager, unable to fight, unable to defend, and unable to build, or craft, or mine, yet he showed no signs of fear etched into that old, worn out, square face of his. The sounds from the woods became increasingly closer, and not even that changed his mind about his feelings towards the danger. Maybe... Just maybe he wanted it. Whether it was to prove he could do more than farm, smith, sell, and repeat, or just to finally end the pathetic life he was living, he didn't know. Perhaps it was a bit of both. Brian continued down the crumbled walkway, taking quick notice of the rushed footfalls behind him. Looking up, he came face to face with two beady eyed, rotting zombies, the flesh practically peeling from their undead corpses. The villager immediately stopped in his tracks, thinking over his ingenious plan he impetuously jumped into. Was this really what he wanted? It was true he had lost everything; his wife, his youngest son, his house, his way of life-all by the blaze fabricated by an idiotic griefer, and he had nothing left to live for, but was there anything still left to gain? No, he was stalling now. He said he wouldn't. He promised himself he would rejoin his family, no matter the price or process, and he planned to follow through with that promise. Brian sighed, shakily closing his eyes, allowing the approaching zombies, and spider behind him, to slowly meld into the darkness. He waited for the attack, for the first bite, or lash, or punch, preparing to finally be reunited with his loved ones. He waited... And yet... Nothing. As soon as the realization of the soundless mobs reached him, a bright blue glow seeped under his eyelids, and he felt the strange warm light envelope him. Did he finally reach it? The Aether? No... It couldn't be... As the welcoming light faded, the villager slowly, nervously, cracked open an eye, to see, not a pair of threatening zombies before him, but a man; a player. He was panting heavily, the diamond sword in his left hand quivering with each shaky breath he took. Blood rushed down the side of his face, and imbrued his shirt, dripping quietly to the concrete beneath him. Cradled within his right elbow, was a small bundle, which the player seemed to hold tightly to his chest, as if protecting it. Brian locked eyes with the player, gazing deep into the pained purple orbs that stared almost pleadingly back. A look of confusion flickered across the villagers face, as the player took an unsteady step forward, slowly nearing the muddled NPC. Once he crossed the now blood-red cobble pathway, he glanced at the small bundle cuddled into the crook of his arm, and he held it out for the villager to take. Brian hesitantly grabbed it, nuzzling it into his elbow as the player did. The injured man staggered, slowly losing his balance, but regained it just as Brian held out a gentle hand to help. The two met eyes again, and a solemn promise, though unsaid, was passed at that moment.
" Please," He grunted, grabbing his side with his now free hand.
" Whatever you do, just keep her safe..." Another wave of pain crossed his face, and he collapsed, leaving the perplexed villager staring, wide eyed, at the wrapped object in his hand. He gasped as two wide lavender eyes stared back. He wasn't sure where the player had come from, or how he had gotten here, but he knew his prayers had been answered. He had a promise to fulfill, and he had finally found his reason to live.