The Edge of MINECRAFT (Being the Second Volume of the Minecraft Trilogy)

Tortured Souls

Steve looked at the horrific creature that now stood in front of him. It was something humanoid, and could have even once been a man, but not any more. For one, the entire person was on fire. Their entire body was surrounded by unearthly halo of flame. Steve could also see that this being had four arms. It was decorated with golden armor and had an air of importance.

"Are you the stranger, I presume?" the creature asked. Its voice had a slight accent and seemed almost soothing. However, there was plenty of curiosity and superiority also contained in tone. Steve slightly nodded. "I am Administrator Vance," the creature continued. "I believe you are to come with me."

Just then, Po rushed in. "What are you doing?" he demanded. "You blazes are always meddling! Why can't you leave in peace?" A blaze, Steve realized. That's what this Vance person was. Whatever a blaze was.

"Now, now, Po," Vance said, "you must see reason. You were getting warmer when you let me in, but you've still got a ways to go."

"Let you in?" Po snorted incredulously. "You barged in. And by the way, I'd very much like to know how a patrol came by at such a convenient time, and with a very interested administrator with them! I believe we have some cowards in our village!"

"No," Vance argued, now visibly annoyed. "You have some very smart people in your village. I'd hate for someone to have to be sent to the camps for this; after all, harboring criminals is a crime that is worthy of that punishment."

"I'm not a criminal!" Steve shouted, joining in. "I don't know what your deal is with these people, but Po was only trying to help." Steve didn't know if he was on the right side of this conflict, but he was pretty sure he didn't want to go with the blaze. Vance looked back at Steve.

"Maybe," he suggested, "if you don't want it make trouble for these people, you should go with me. As I mentioned earlier, I'm sure Po would hate for us to have to come back in a more convincing way."

Steve glanced at Po and realized the latter's resolve was disappearing. In the short time they had been together, Steve knew Po held the well-being of his village above anything else. Perhaps it was because he was still haunted by the genocide Herobrine had afflicted them with.

"For centuries, the blazes have ruled over us with an iron fist," Po explained to Steve. "Anything they regard as a crime is punishable by being sent away to a labor camp. Villages have attacked other villages just to sell slaves to them and spare their own hides. And most recently, entire villages have been taken away by the blazes themselves." Po said this last part with a disdainful look at the administrator.

"I understand," Steve said. "I will not abandon a village to die to save myself. I will go."

"Hey, who said you're going to trouble?" Vance asked. "In fact, you've got some big things ahead. I'm taking you to the regent."

"Please understand," Po pleaded

Steve looked at him grimly. "Like I said, I would never ask this of you," he affirmed. With that, he turned and followed the blaze out the door. As they walked through the village, Steve could again feel everyone's eyes. Five blazes were flanked at the gate. The first guard that Steve had met was now bound and scarred. The other guard had a heavy sack in his hand.

"Take this one away for defiance," Vance said regarding the first one. He turned to the other. "You have done the kingdom a great service. For this, you will not be forgotten." The guard would not meet Steve's eyes, instead staring at the red ground. "Come along," Vance ordered.

Steve followed the group to a long black ship. Rows of oars protruded from each side. As Steve stepped on, he saw lines of zombie pigmen ready to row. Steve realized what the ship was: a slave ship. They shoved off and rowed across the great lava lake. After a while, Steve saw a large silhouette on the horizon. As they got closer, he realized it was a gigantic black fortress. The walls were made out of baked black bricks. The boat docked, and Vance and his entourage stepped off. The boat left port, and Steve watched it for a while.