Minecraft Hardcore

Chapter 18: To Hell and Back

"So I have to go back in there?" Aiden complained, extending a hand towards the huge fortress.

"Probably should have mentioned that earlier," Michael said. "That's where we need to search for an enemy called a Blaze. They drop the item that we need - Blaze Rods. With those, we're one step closer to getting out of this hellhole."

"But it's so long," Aiden moaned to himself, shaking his head. "The hallways, I mean. Not anything else. Get your minds out of the gutter." A few collective smirks across the group and a short stroll later found Ami, Aiden, Michael, Charlotte, Izzy, and Luke inside a darkened, cramped corridor that never seemed to end.

"I dunno about you guys, but this is seriously creepy," Luke said, trailing a finger across the ivory bricks along the walls.

"It's a good thing we have so many torches," Ami added, dropping one behind them. She had ultimately been volen-told that she was the designated trail-maker, so Ami had to keep reminding herself to place torches behind them every few feet.

"If you start to run low I have a bunch," Michael called from ahead, leading the group. He kept a wary eye out, looking for anything that could mean danger. Everyone had their swords drawn, ready to expect an attack from every angle.

"So...just what are we looking for exactly?" Luke asked.

"Well," Michael started, adjusting his glasses. "They're a bit hard to describe. Think of a creature that's made out of fire, and can shoot balls of lava at you. They're a bit...smoky, I guess. You'll know what I'm talking about when we see one, or twelve."

"...Twelve?" Luke repeated weakly.

"Probably a bit of an exaggeration," Michael reassured. "But keep in mind they are hostile. When they see you, they won't hesitate to attack. The only bit of advice I can offer is to be on guard." A few uneasy looks made tensions rise.

After what felt like the twentieth turn, Michael suddenly outstretched an arm, stopping everyone in their tracks.

"What?" Aiden objected. Michael had gone pale. He gave one swift look to the group and started to back away.

"Spawner," he said, pulling out his bow. Aiden took several steps back, staring at the small box before them. It was a tiny, black cage with fiery contents burning inside. It seemed harmless, more than anything, as there was nothing incredibly hostile about it.

"Are you sure?" Luke piped up. "It's not doing anything."

"Just wait! I'm certain that's a Blaze spawner. Everyone stay back and get your bows at the ready. Those who don't have one prep your swords and please remember to stay as far away from them as possible. You might just catch fire." Luke turned to yell something at Michael, but was unexpectedly cut off as the fire within the spawner whirled around crazily, from whence a flying creature of fire was born.

It had two small, beady black eyes and a yellow body surrounded in smoke. It made husky breathing noises as the smoke encircling its body suddenly raged into fire. It looked at the group, and without warning shot three rapid fireballs at them. Narrowly dodging a third-degree burn to the face, Michael drew back his bow.

"Fire! That's a Blaze alright!" He shot the first arrow, colliding it with that of the Blaze. The arrow made a clink sound as it hit, that in which one would hear of metal against metal. Several more arrows drew back and flew into the air, some making contact while others hit the wall or floor. Aiden pulled out his ax, charging towards the Blaze as more spawned out of the spiraling inferno.

He swung the weapon with ease, attacking all fire within sight. A Blaze came towards him, coated in fire, and tackled him hard. Aiden went flying into the wall, his arm caught on fire. In an instant, the rest of his body was caught in the same hot death. He screamed in pain, backing away from the creatures as he burned alive. Arrows flew, marking their place in all the Blazes, allowing Aiden with enough time to get away.