Molepire: The Serpent's Silver Tongue

Family first - [2]

[2]

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As I awoke, my head ached from dehydration. That's what I get for relying on alcohol to hydrate me; I'd nearly drunk half a bottle already, the warm liquid was sickeningly sweet. I began to destroy the dirt wall, noting the arrows that collapsed into the ground as I did so. I noticed the rising sun trickling through the pine forests, casting shadows onto the misty grass - fog warped around my ankles as I swept a hand through the low-lying clouds. The leaves shone with hidden beauty as a cold breeze brushed my ripped shirt, the dried blood sticking awkwardly to my freckled skin. I sighed, gazing towards the distant mountains - I thought it was closer! I groaned, turning back to grab my sleeping bag. I rolled it up, shoving it under my arm. As I turned to face the Eastern Mountains, the rising sun sparkled the meadow dew, twinkling the blades of green with such delicacy that even Silvanus - the deity that protected the woods and uncultivated land - would tremble. My breath caught in my throat, words unable to describe the scene that lay at my feet.

As I looked towards the skyline of trees, a small, dark outline of something darted from branch to branch. I began to panic, was someone else here? Are they here to kill me!? I drew my sword, muttering about plunging the blade into the chest of the enigma. If I'm honest, it could've been a bird but you can never be too sure... right? I brushed it off, though wonder peaked inside of me.

I urged my body to walk forward, disrupting this show of natural wonder with my mud-caked boots. The further I walked, the less and less my woolen waistcoat protected me from the Eastern Mountains breath, the chilling winds tossing miniscule clumps of snow into my hair. I shivered, giving into the surrounding temperature. Gods, I hoped I was close, I'm pretty sure my feet were turning numb and my knee ached for a warm release of tension and agony. The thought of a hot fire and an even hotter cup of coffee pushed me every last step, the hopes to meet someone sent butterflies tumbling into my stomach.

Goats scattered the mountain range, the mindless chewing of spit-slicked grass ringing in my ears - the breeze began to rattle my frame, sending uncontrollable twitches throughout. I must've been walking for hours before I stumbled upon a cobblestone staircase, vines writhed in the cracks, basking in the sunshine peeping through the snow clouds.

I laughed out loud, brushing the hair out of my face as I stepped onto the first step, excitement shaking within me. I was here! The faraway haven known as Molepire lay before my stormy grey eyes; I wondered what hidden secrets lurked within each and every wall. I stopped at the top of the staircase, turning towards a... deepslate Castle? I squinted at the sign, the words mushing together and forming an incoherent goop of nonsense, I shook my head. As I walked up the smaller staircase, the sound of voices alerted me to dart into a small wooden hut; chests lined the oak and spruce walls as the whirring of an automatic farm drilled into the ground. I peered into them curiously, snatching out a few various items: cooked fish, iron, gold, an ender pearl. 'Eh, they wouldn't miss this stuff!' I thought as the voices grew quieter. As I released the anxious breath I didn't even know I was holding, I realised I hadn't told anyone I'd be coming here, not even Casper was expecting me. A small knife filled with putrid guilt embedded its white-hot fangs into my stomach, causing me to sway with unease; he would be excited to see me! We haven't seen each other in years, surely he would've missed me?

~~

Night fell faster than I realised, the gormless punching of wood really does pass the time doesn't it? I began to craft a bed, placing it down quicker than a bee was drawn to flowers. But, my eyes wouldn't shut, a haunting thought slipped into my head space as I forced my eyes open again.

[Respawn point set.]
[You cannot sleep now, there are monsters nearby.]

I shouted angrily, storming off to find this stupid monster who wouldn't let me sleep! The last thing I wanted was to be stuck in a forest again for days on end. As I wandered away from my bed, my body didn't even react when the quiet ticking of a creeper stalked up behind me. I swore loudly as I was teleported back to my bed. I sat up abruptly, gasping as I felt my body all over.