The beating heart that is not my own keeps me awake at night now.
My animals have left me, searching for food I'd long since forgotten to give. The village is deathly quiet, the only sounds come from the barricaded homes- soft groans of hunger and malice.
That heart that beats outside of my own chest calls me now. I should find it and silence it if I am to get any rest.
I gather up what belongings I find necessary and exit my home. Creatures circle me in the sky as I make my way to the cave.
I enter and descend the stairs I had made prior until I reach the end. An open and empty cave, the stone around black, as if tainted by the darkness surrounding it, looms before me.
I take my pickaxe and slowly make my way down. Further and further, the beating growing ever so closer.
My axe pierces the final layer revealing an enormous cavern.
The only light besides the torch in my hand are blue flames, highlighting an ancient structure.
Walls stretch out in different directions forming what seems to be a fortress.
I gather my tools and slowly, almost in a trance, I follow the path.
Every so often, as if reacting to my footsteps I hear chirping. Or is it singing? At this point I cannot tell.
I step onto... soil? A screech echoes in the chamber.
My own heartbeat accelerates, now almost matching the one outside my chest.
I take another step, another screech, but that's not all.
A low groan emits from the increasing darkness. The blue flames around me seem to weaken; darkness floods my view.
The beating is almost deafening now.
In the distance an enormous figure rises from the ground, loud thuds of boulders and debris echoing in my ears.
Just beyond this figure, as if framing it, is a large hole. No, this is a portal.
My memories come flooding back.
Ah, that's right. I cannot follow.
I was left behind for a reason.
The two hearts now beating as one remind me that I am no longer human. I am no longer me.
The large creature comes forward now, it's blue heart I see thumping in the darkness.
It stretches its long arms towards me, groaning, moaning, longing.
Yes, this is how it ends. The call lead me here. My time here is done.
The keeper of the Ancient City, the Warden, raises its arms into the air.
The beating finally ceases and the last sound I hear is the shattering of stone.
YOU ARE READING
The Ancients
Horror-Minecraft horror concept. May be fleshed out more in the future.- - After being tormented for days on end, the writer decides to put an end to their torment by facing the Deep Dark alone.
