Minecraft Diaries Redone: Season 1, the Rise of Phoenix drop

A New Beginning

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm golden hue over the reconstructed village of Phoenix Drop. Birds flitted about, chirping melodiously as they danced from tree to tree, while the gentle breeze rustled through the leaves, creating a soothing symphony of nature. It was a day that felt almost surreal for Huntsman, who was not used to such tranquility after the chaos of the Nether and his recent confrontations with Zane.

Inside the modest yet cozy home that Aphmau had made her own, Huntsman sat at a wooden table adorned with a simple but elegant tea set. The aroma of herbal tea wafted through the air, mingling with the faint scent of fresh pastries that Aphmau had baked earlier that morning. The atmosphere was comfortable, infused with the warmth of friendship and the flickering light of the candles they had lit.

Aphmau, her eyes sparkling with curiosity, poured herself a cup of tea before passing the kettle to Huntsman. “I’m really glad you’re here, Huntsman. It feels good to finally have a moment to relax.”

“Yeah, it’s nice,” he replied, his voice steady but soft, betraying the weight of his thoughts. “There’s something I need to tell you about... well, about how you came to be here.”

Aphmau raised an eyebrow, her interest piqued. “What do you mean?”

Taking a deep breath, Huntsman leaned forward, resting his forearms on the table, fingers entwined. “A couple of months ago, I received a vision from Irene, the main goddess of this world. She told me I had a task to complete.”

Aphmau’s expression shifted to one of concern. “A task? What was it?”

Huntsman looked into her eyes, gathering his thoughts. “I was given a staff, one that belonged to Irene herself. She instructed me to take it to a specific location in the nearby woods. I had to stab it into the ground, and then…” He paused, hesitating before continuing. “It disappeared in a flash of purple energy and... that’s when you formed from it.”

Aphmau blinked, processing his words. “You mean I came from a staff that belonged to a goddess?”

“Yes,” he said quietly. “And that’s not all. Zane, the high priest of O'Khasis, he’s not what he seems. He’s the reason Phoenix Drop was destroyed. I didn’t know it at the time, but he manipulated me into thinking he could bring my parents back. I thought I could trust him, but... I was wrong.”

Her expression shifted from surprise to understanding. “Huntsman, I’m sorry. I can’t imagine what you’ve been through.”

He looked away, guilt flooding his chest. “I regret ever working for him. I was desperate, willing to do anything for the chance to see them again. But now... I know that’s impossible.”

Aphmau reached across the table, placing her hand over his. “You’re not alone in this. We all make mistakes. What matters is what you do from now on.”

Huntsman felt a swell of gratitude for her kindness, a light pushing back the shadows in his heart. “Thanks, Aphmau. It’s just... I never want to put you in danger or manipulate you the way Zane did to me.”

“Then we’ll face it together,” she said, her voice firm. “I’m not going anywhere, Huntsman.”

After a brief silence, Huntsman decided it was time to shift the mood. “How about we try something more productive? I can try to teach you to harness the magic within you. We need to control it so it doesn’t activate in moments of desperation like it did in the Nether.”

Aphmau’s face lit up with excitement. “That sounds great! I want to learn.”

He stood, moving to the side of the room where he had stored a few spellbooks his old friend, Lucinda, had once given him. The books were dusty, a testament to the time they had spent unused, but he had always believed they might come in handy someday.

As he returned, he placed the books on the table, their covers worn but still radiating a faint magical aura. “These should help. I know a bit of nature magic, but these contain spells that could enhance what you already possess.”

Aphmau eagerly picked up a book, flipping through the pages with wonder. “Wow! This is incredible!”

“Let’s start with something simple,” Huntsman suggested, guiding her to an open space in the room. “How about we focus on channeling energy into a small, harmless spell first? Just to get you accustomed to the feeling.”

The two spent the next few hours experimenting. Huntsman demonstrated how to focus the magic within her, explaining the importance of visualization and intention. Aphmau, ever eager and willing, tried to replicate his movements, but her attempts resulted in a few amusing explosions.

“Oops!” she exclaimed as a small burst of energy exploded from her hands, sending her hair flying back. “Maybe I need more practice.”

Huntsman chuckled, his heart lightening at the sound of her laughter. “You just need to focus. Magic can be tricky when it’s unfamiliar. Let’s try again.”

As the afternoon wore on, they moved outside, finding a sunny spot on a grassy knoll where they could practice without the risk of blowing up the house. With each failed attempt came laughter and encouragement, the bond between them growing stronger as they shared the experience.

At one point, Aphmau managed to summon a small flower from the earth, but it quickly wilted under her excitement. “I did it! Wait... no! Come back!”

“Not bad for a first try,” Huntsman teased, trying to hide his grin. “You just need to nurture it a bit more, like how you would care for a plant. It’s about connection and intention.”

After several hours of practice, they decided to take a break, settling down on the grassy hilltop to enjoy a simple picnic of tea and pastries. The sun began to dip below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink.

“I didn’t realize how exhausting using magic could be,” Aphmau said, reclining back against the grass, her hair splayed out like a halo. “But it was so much fun!”

“Glad you enjoyed it,” Huntsman replied, stretching out beside her. “It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this at ease.”

“Me too,” she admitted, her gaze shifting to the clouds above. “It feels nice to have a peaceful day after everything that’s happened.”

They lay in comfortable silence, the soft breeze carrying the sound of nature around them. Suddenly, Aphmau turned her head to look at him. “Huntsman, thank you for believing in me. I feel like I can really grow into something powerful with your help.”

“You already are powerful, Aphmau. You just need to recognize it,” he said, locking eyes with her. There was an intensity in the moment, something that felt electric.

Aphmau leaned closer, her heart racing. It was as if the world around them had faded, leaving only the two of them. They shared a moment of vulnerability, their breaths mingling as they drew closer.

Just as their lips were about to meet, a voice broke through the quiet. “Well, well, well... what do we have here?”

Startled, Huntsman jumped back, glaring at the intruder, while Aphmau burst into a fit of giggles. It was Garroth, his expression a mix of amusement and mischief.

“The lord of Brightport wants to speak with you, Aphmau,” Garroth continued, trying to suppress his laughter at the scene he had stumbled upon.

“Garroth!” Huntsman exclaimed, annoyance lacing his tone. “Couldn’t you have waited a moment longer?”

Aphmau, still chuckling, nudged Huntsman playfully. “It’s fine! I’ll be right back. You know how important this is.”

“Yeah, just don’t take too long,” Huntsman replied, feeling a mix of frustration and fondness for the interruption.

As Aphmau stood and walked toward Garroth, Huntsman couldn’t help but watch her go, a sense of warmth blossoming in his chest. Though their moment had been interrupted, he knew this was just the beginning of something special.

In that fleeting moment, as he gazed at Aphmau’s retreating figure, he realized that no matter the challenges ahead, they would face them together. And maybe, just maybe, there was more than friendship blooming between them.

As the sun set, casting the world in soft shadows, Huntsman couldn’t shake the feeling that their journey was only just beginning, and he was ready to embrace whatever came next.