Hacked - A Minecraft Story

Chapter 7

As my mind returned to me, I slowly opened my eyes. My vision was cloudy, but I managed to make out the faint outline of light that came from torches situated on the walls. My head ached as well as my legs from the fall. I pushed myself up, my head spinning. For a moment I sat there, warding off the nausea, before taking in my surroundings.

The room was very bright with torches scattered all over the small room. The amount was unnecessary, one or two would have lit it enough to keep the mobs away. My bow, quiver, and swords were nowhere to be found. The bed I sat on was identical to the ones Lucas and I had had in the tree house. I sighed at the thought and stood wearily. I held my head as the dizziness intensified for a moment. Then I walked slowly forward towards the thin hallway ahead.

I decided to try and make an escape. There was no reason for me to be here - wherever here was - and I didn't intend on staying. It was a stupid idea, looking for Lucas. He probably just abandoned me. This place could be hostile, and I had risked my life for some random, stupid, red haired mage that I had met but a day ago. I must've lost my mind.

The small hallway led to a large wooden door that was left unlocked. I pushed it open, and peered into another hallway. This one was lined with doors exactly like mine. I left the room quietly and stepped into the larger hall. Being as quiet as possible, I made my way down the brightly lit hallway to another door.

This door was iron, meaning I couldn't simply shove it open. There was a stone pressure plate on the floor before it, which made me question this place. It didn't seem like a prison at all, with the unlocked doors and brightly lit areas. I stepped onto the pressure plate and it sunk down a little. There was a click and the door slid silently open. I dashed through as the door gracefully slid shut behind me.

I turned and looked out at the cave system.

Except, it wasn't a cave system, it was a ravine and a city. I stood slack-jawed before the majesty of it all, wondering how it was possible. Caves like the one I had come from extended off of the ravine into corridors leading to rooms. Also in the walls were doors leading to small shops. The ravine seemed to be endless, its edges smoothed out and widened to become walkways. Glowstone covered the ceiling of the underground city, and small water falls beneath the walkways filled the bottom with water. Redstone lamps were placed in the walkway to light up areas that the glowstones' light could not reach.

Looking down to the bottom of the ravine, I saw the countless quarries harvesting the ores that lay below. There were no people about, only the silent whir of the machines and the drip of water could be heard. I assumed it was night because if the lack of activity, but the place could be abandoned. I banished the thought, seeing as how well kept the city was.

I wandered around, forgetting my plans of escape in my wonder. It must have taken ages to build the place. The worn stone path I walked along gradually inclined. The path stopped abruptly around a corner, leading to an extremely tall ladder that went up to the surface. There was no light coming in, solidifying my belief that it was night time.

Great. I thought to myself. Can't go out at night without any weapons. Heck, I shouldn't go out at night even WITH weapons.

I sighed in frustration, thinking about what I could do from here. I could probably just wait in this little corner until it was light out. But then where would I go?

"Missing these?"

I whirled around to find someone I hadn't expected to see again.

"Xephos?" My heart beat a little faster as the name left my lips. I looked to his hands, which held my iron swords. I silently took them from him, grateful to have my weapons back.

"Your bow was broken in the... incident," he smiled a little. "A new one is being made for you as we speak."

"Thanks," I said softly, suddenly shy in his presence. He stood tall, in his usual atire and his diamond sword strapped to his back.

"I never did get your name," he said as I strapped my swords to my belt. I looked up at him and crossed my arms.

"That's how I like to keep it," I hesitated. "But most people call me Ranger."

"Ranger it is, then," He looked behind me. "I doubt you want to be going out there at this time. How about you stay here for a while?"

I looked down at my feet, unsure of what to do.

"Come on, there's no danger down here," he reassured me. "Plus, there's food."

I smiled a little and sighed. "Alright," I nodded. I relaxed a little as I followed him down the winding paths and through brightly lit tunnels. We moved deeper and deeper.

What have I gotten myself into?