Hacked - A Minecraft Story

Chapter 9

*(LONG CHAPTER! YEAH!)*

I held the newly crafted bow gently. It shimmered with power, the enchanted runes carved artfully into the wood. 

"Infinity, Power, Flame Aspect," the artificer pointed to each rune in turn. "It will serve you well."

I bowed, and he did so as well. "I cannot thank you enough for such a magnificent weapon," I said softly, eyes locked on the glowing runes.

"Use it well," he turned and began packing up his things. I left silently, heading towards the place Xephos said the group would convene.

Many people moved past me on their way to the lower parts of the ravine. Their faces were unemotional, determined even. Some might even be upset that they hadn't been chosen to help defend their home. It dawned on me then that this really was home to people. They really cared about this city, a place of peace in a world of turmoil. It made me all the more determined to win this battle.

After a bit of searching, I found the path I had been on when I had first woken up here. The ladder still leaned against the wall, tall and imposing. I could see the water hanging suspended above the top of the ladder now that it was day. 

I sighed quietly and started climbing. About halfway up, I glanced back down. I shivered and turned back towards the ladder. At least my character wasn't afraid of heights.

Once I reached the top, I took a deep breath before pushing myself through the water. I surfaced in a well on the edge of a desert. To the West, I could just barely see the moon as it drifted below the horizon. Just North of the well was a mountain covered in sand. I pulled myself out of the well and dashed across the empty landscape towards it. To the East was the forest that held the village and most of the ravine. 

I stepped into a wide cave in the side of the mountain, and made my way towards the faint torch light around the corner. There, everyone stood gathered around a map of the area. I recognised some of them,  and it sparked a flame that had long ago burnt out. I found myself smiling slightly as the fan girl inside me pushed to the surface, excited to be fighting alongside my idols. The smile quickly faded as I noticed the grim looks on their faces.

Xephos stood on one side of the table, peering over the map. 

"Our archers will be in the trees. They'll give us cover as we enter through here," he pointed to a gap in the forest that became a path to the village. It was wide enough for an army, all right. "The rest of you will follow me, as we lead the frontal assault."

He didn't look at any of us. "It's not the most elaborate plan, but it will do," he said, staring at the map. Everyone was looking to him, some with awe, others respect. All with hope, and our full support behind whatever he thought was best.

He drew his diamond sword, and looked at every one of us in turn. "Be careful," he whispered, almost as an after thought. He turned and exited the cave. We all looked at each other for a moment before leaving the cave as well, one after the other. We fell in behind Xephos, the archers on the outside, ready to move into the trees. 

No one spoke as we entered the forest. The trees reached towards the sky, towering over us. The leaves moved gently in a light breeze that carried the scent of rain. The world seemed to hold its breath in anticipation of this battle. I broke away from the group with the other archers and scaled a tree. I moved from branch to branch until I got to a good spot. I could see the entire gap from here, and still be hidden from the enemy.

We heard the army before we saw them. Moaning, rattling, hissing, and the thunder of hundreds of marching feet. A mass of creatures of the night marched into the clearing, their numbers much more than I had anticipated. There was an even more disturbing problem with this, though: