The Wither Invasion

by Mark Cheverton

  “Perhaps, wife, but they might be a little busy with some friends I’m sending them.”

  “Friends?” Kora asked.

  Krael laughed. “Like I mentioned before, with the Crowns of Skulls I’m able to whisper in the ears of monsters across all the planes of existence. Soon, the monsters in the Far Lands will be enraged enough to attack every NPC they see. Watcher and his friends won’t have time to recruit while they’re being attacked.”

  “That sounds brilliant.”

  “And when we get there and face that idiot, Watcher, I’ll have a special surprise ready just for him.”

  “What is it, husband? Tell me.”

  “It’s something the wizards started to make, but after our betrayal, they chose to keep it hidden.” Krael smiled. “That arrogant fool Tharus couldn’t help himself; he had to write it down in his books. His thirst for fame will be the source of Watcher’s destruction.”

  Kora giggled as huge smiles spread across her faces.

  “When we unleash these new creatures, the NPCs will likely just drop their weapons and flee, but that still won’t stop us from destroying every villager in Minecraft.” Krael smiled at his wife. “Soon, we’ll be exacting revenge on the last three wizards, and then Minecraft will be ours.”

  Kora laughed. “Then come, husband, let’s motivate our troops to work harder. I’m getting impatient and want to be in the Far Lands now.”

  Krael nodded, then fired a string of flaming projectiles near a group of spiders, leaving the skeleton heads on their fuzzy black bodies staring up at him in fright. “Search the buildings, you fools! Find me the portal before I get even more impatient and vent my anger upon the slowest monsters I see!”

  Instantly, the creatures on the ground scurried about as fast as their distorted legs would carry them, darting into the many abandoned buildings lining the streets.

  “Search the small ones first; leave no door unopened,” Krael boomed, his amplified voice crashing like thunder. “Soon, we’ll be in the Far Lands; that’s when the real fun begins.”

  His three skulls laughed as he fired indiscriminately at the ground, encouraging his army to work harder or die.

  Watcher’s nerves were stretched thin as he rode through the dark forest, the silvery light from the moon overhead giving the surroundings a magical appearance; but it did little to quench the young wizard’s fears. Being out at night was always dangerous, even when surrounded by huge golems and a pack of metallic wolves, because nighttime was monster time in Minecraft. The villagers’ nervous eyes searched the darkness, hoping to find nothing, but many had swords and bows drawn, just in case.

  Guiding his horse around a large bush, Watcher avoided some fallen branches on the ground, hoping his horse would not step on them and make any unnecessary sound.

  Crunch.

  He glanced over his shoulder, only to find Er-Lan riding behind him, his horse trampling the branches into dust.

  “Er-Lan is sorry,” he whispered, the chain mail helmet on his head jingling ever so slightly.

  Cutter moved his horse up to the zombie’s side softly. “Be quiet. We don’t want to attract any attention to us, especially at night.”

  “Er-Lan said sorry.” The zombie lowered his gaze to the ground.

  The big warrior just glared at the monster, then yanked on the reins and pulled his mount off to the right flank.

  “Don’t worry about Cutter, Er-Lan.” Watcher leaned over and put a hand under his friend’s chin, then slowly raised it up. “He can be a little scary, but you have nothing to fear. You’re part of this community and a member of my family. Don’t forget that.”

  The zombie nodded and gave his friend a toothy grin.

  “Something’s approaching,” Winger warned in a low voice. She pulled out an enchanted bow and notched an arrow, then stopped her horse and pulled back on the string.

  Watcher drew Needle from his inventory, ready to charge at whatever was nearing their company.

  Something pushed through some bushes, the tiny branches cracking under the heavy footsteps. A strained silence spread across the forest, as if the entire biome were waiting for something to happen.

  Watcher glanced at Mirthrandos, whose long gray hair was like a river of silver under the light of the moon. “Why didn’t the wolves give us a warning?”

  The ancient wizard just glanced at Watcher and smiled. “You need to trust them more. If there were something out there, the wolves would let you know.”

  Another branch snapped under a heavy footfall; it was closer than the last.

  “Does anybody see anything?” Cutter’s voice was barely a whisper.

  No one answered. The NPCs glanced at each other nervously and moved closer together, all of them ready to fight.

  Watcher urged his mount to the front of the formation, the purple light from his enchanted sword adding to the iridescent glow of his body and casting a shimmering glow around him, but the forest outside the circle of illumination remained bathed in darkness.

  Just then, something emerged from the shadows: a broad white smile, seemingly floating in midair.

  “Everyone seems so nervous … what’s going on?” the smile said, then a hand reached up and removed a dark helmet, revealing Blaster’s face.

  “Stand down, everyone, it’s only Blaster.” Watcher lowered his bow and wiped his brow.

  “Only Blaster?” the young boy said as he moved to Watcher’s side. “That seems a bit insulting.”

  “We thought some monster was approaching,” Watcher explained, shaking his head.

  “Great … now I’m a monster?” Blaster laughed, but suddenly grew very serious as he stared at someone approaching from behind Watcher.

  “Blaster, you’re back and safe, I was so worried.”

  Watcher instantly recognized Fencer’s voice. He glanced at Blaster and smiled. His friend returned the smile with a scowl.

  Fencer urged her horse forward, pushing past Watcher until she was at Blaster’s side. “I was so scared while you were scouting ahead.” She lowered her voice. “I tried to follow you, but with your black leather armor and that black horse you’re on, you disappeared into the darkness, and I had to stay with everyone else instead.”

  “Ahh … too bad.” Blaster grinned.

  “But now you’re back. I can keep an eye on you and make sure you’re safe.” Fencer gave the young boy a huge, adoring smile.

  Blaster cringed while Watcher smiled.

  “What’s up ahead?” Cutter’s sudden booming voice startled them all.

  Blaster glanced at the big NPC. “There’s a village up ahead. We’ll be there before sunrise.”

  “Excellent, let’s get moving.” Cutter glanced down at Fixit riding atop the iron wolfpack leader and nodded.

  The little mechite squeaked and whistled a complicated pattern of notes and sounds, then nodded back at Cutter.

  “OK, the wolves and golems are ready,” Cutter said. “Everyone, forward.”

  The party moved as quietly as possible through the oak forest, trying to avoid trampling bushes or fallen branches. Watcher glanced over his shoulder and spotted Planter. Slowing his horse, he let her catch up to him, then rode at her side.

  “I didn’t see you when Blaster was sneaking up on us,” Watcher said. “I could have used your shield up at the front of the formation.”

  “You know I hate using this thing.” She reached into her inventory and pulled out the shield. The three black skulls across the front seemed more threatening than usual somehow, the red background across the shield the color of blood. “Whenever I connect to it with my magic, I feel like it’s trying to draw my mind out of my body.”

  “That sounds terrible.” Watcher had learned it was better to be understanding with Planter rather than bossy or judgmental. “And you can’t block out the feeling so that you can use the shield? It’s a really important part of our defenses.”

  “So it’s more important that I am?” Planter’s eyes flared with
anger.

  “You know that’s not what I mean.” Watcher steered his horse around a tall birch tree, Planter going around the other side. “But you must admit, that shield has saved our lives more than once.”

  “Of course I know that,” she snapped. “But each time, it pulled my mind deeper into its dark recesses. I’m afraid I’ll get lost in there and be trapped within the shield, like those wizards in all your weapons.”

  “I’d never let that happen.”

  “And how are you gonna stop it?” She glared at him, then ducked under a low-hanging branch. “I know this shield is important. I know its magic is powerful. But I also know that every time I use this thing’s magic, it pulls me in a little deeper.”

  “I know.” He reached out and gently put a hand on her arm, but she pulled it away with a scowl, then shoved the shield back into her inventory. Watcher sighed. “We’ll figure this out together. You need to trust me and—”

  “Here’s the village,” Blaster shouted from up ahead.

  The forest thinned out, revealing a cluster of wooden homes, each with light spilling from the windows. A light brown path wove through the community, leading them past large animal pens and broad fields of wheat and carrots. Tall posts held torches, the burning sticks casting a flickering glow on the community.

  Watcher glanced down, searching for Fixit. He found the mechite riding with Er-Lan; the mechanical child had somehow jumped up into the saddle with the zombie and was sitting in front of him.

  “Fixit?” Watcher said softly.

  The mechite glanced at him.

  Watcher lifted a finger in the air, then moved it in a circle, as if encompassing the village. The little creature nodded, then gave off a long whistle, followed by three short ones and a squeak. A wolf somewhere in the darkness barked, causing Fixit to smile and nod his shiny head.

  “What was that?” Winger asked, and Watcher jumped. Somehow, she’d snuck up next to her brother without him noticing.

  “I asked Fixit to have the wolves and golems surround the village. They’ll keep an eye out for monsters or any unwanted guests.”

  She nodded, then turned away and headed for the village well at the center of the community. Watcher followed her, then dismounted and had someone lead his horse away.

  “I see a lot of lights, but is anyone home?” Blaster asked him. “I’m sure they know we’re here. Maybe we should—”

  “Here comes somebody.” Watcher glanced around, making sure his soldiers were watching the treeline and not him.

  “Hello, strangers.” An old NPC with short gray hair stepped out of the shadows. He wore a black smock, a wide gray stripe running down the center. “You are certainly welcome, but this is a strange hour for visitors.

  “Yes, I know.” Watcher stepped forward. “I would rather have come at a more convenient hour, but time is short, and we have little to waste.”

  “What’s going on?” the village’s crafter asked, beginning to sound alarmed.

  More NPCs emerged from their homes, some with weapons and armor ready. They’re cautious, Watcher thought. Good.

  Ease them gently into the truth. Baltheron’s deep voice resonated in his head.

  Watcher had the urge to pull the Flail from his inventory to look at it, but he knew that it wasn’t necessary to communicate with the ancient wizard trapped in the weapon.

  What do you mean? Watcher replied.

  Ease them gently into the truth, or you’ll scare them. A scared villager will not believe the truth of your words. And hide your magic—that’ll be sure to cause some panic.

  Watcher nodded and pushed his magical power deep within his soul, causing his arms to dim. That’s good advice, Baltheron, thank—

  Before Watcher could finish the thought, Cutter stepped forward and spoke in a loud voice.

  “There’s an army of withers coming to the Far Lands.” Cutter’s steel-gray eyes stared down at the old crafter. “The Great War is underway again, and it will be here soon. You and all your villagers must come with us and—”

  “Withers? The Great War? That’s ridiculous,” the crafter said. “The Great War is ancient history, and withers aren’t even real anymore. No one has seen one of those monsters in the Far Lands for centuries.”

  “Well, I have some bad news for you: Krael, the wither king is—”

  Watcher interrupted. “What my impatient friend is trying to tell you is that a wither king has been in the Far Lands. And now it’ll be here soon, with a huge army of withers and other monsters. I know this sounds unbelievable, but we’re telling you the truth; the Great War is on its way to the Far Lands, and it will crush this village, without remorse. Your only hope is to join us and fight.”

  “We aren’t joining some army to fight an unseen enemy.” Another NPC emerged from the shadows. This one wore a full set of iron armor and held a gleaming iron sword in his hand. He stared at Cutter as if sizing him up. More villagers emerged from their homes, some with children in tow. “We’re a peaceful village, and we will only fight to protect our families.”

  A group of villagers emerged from behind Watcher and his companions, each of them heavily armed.

  “The question is,” the NPC crafter continued, narrowing his eyes, “are you friend or foe?”

  “This is ridiculous!” Mira shouted suddenly. The ancient wizard stepped forward, her crooked staff clicking on the hard ground with every step. She moved in front of the angry NPC, then let her magic flow into her body, casting a wide circle of lavender light. At the same time, she brought the end of the staff down onto the ground. Everything shook as the magical weapon fired a cluster of tiny rockets into the air, where they exploded high overhead, filling the sky with a thunderous blast.

  The NPCs glanced up into the air in shock, then brought their terrified gazes back to Mirthrandos. At the same time, the metallic wolves and iron golems pushed through the foliage and lumbered into the village.

  “Those—those are …” Crafter was completely shocked.

  “Golems … yes, I know.” Mira glanced at Watcher and smiled.

  “And the wolves, they’re metal,” another villager said in wonder.

  “Very true,” Mira replied. “They fought in the Great War beside me and the other wizards. Now, is this enough proof, or do I need to have the golems smash some of your houses to convince you we’re serious?”

  Crafter shook his head, still stunned. “What is it you need?”

  Watcher released his grip on his own magic, allowing his body to glow again. Crafter stared at him now, eyes wide with surprise.

  “You too?”

  Watcher nodded, then glanced at Planter. She stepped out from behind a group of warriors, her arms and body giving off an intense lavender glow.

  “There’s three of you?” The crafter looked confused.

  “We’re gathering an army to find the wither king and his forces,” Watcher said. “Our plan is to slow him down a bit while others make preparations for battle. Anyone who stays here in the village will likely be destroyed when Krael and his horde of monsters pass through. So, I have to ask you, do you choose to come with us and live, or do you want to stay here and choose death?”

  He stepped closer to the crafter and extended a hand to him. The gray-haired NPC glanced over his shoulder at his friends and neighbors, many of them nodding. He brought his gaze back to Watcher and the soldiers in his company, then finally sighed and nodded. Glancing down at the glowing hand, the crafter extended his own and shook it.

  Watcher smiled and was about to say something when Crafter’s face took on a look of surprise and shock as a squeaking sound filled the air, followed by a loud howl. Turning, Watcher found Fixit yelling at the top of his lungs, hanging on to the silver fur of the wolf as it sprinted straight for him.

  “Fixit, what’s the problem?” Watcher glanced at Er-Lan. “What’s Fixit saying?”

  The zombie stepped out from behind Blaster and approached his friend.

  “Look out, th
ere’s a zombie,” Crafter yelled when he saw Er-Lan. “We need to—”

  “Relax, Er-Lan is a friend and part of our community. You have nothing to fear.” Watcher turned toward the zombie. “What did Fixit say?”

  “Fixit says monsters are approaching from the south. There is little time; they will be here in a few minutes.” Er-Lan glanced at Crafter nervously, then stepped back behind Blaster.

  Watcher turned to Cutter. “We need to get ready. Get people building some defenses. We need archer towers.” He glanced at Blaster. “You have time to build a few surprises.”

  Blaster just smiled and took off running toward the south side of the village with Fencer on his heels.

  Watcher took a step toward Crafter. “We need your people. Keep those that cannot fight in hiding. We may not know what we’re facing, but we’ll stand against it together.”

  Crafter glanced at his iron-clad villager companion and nodded. The NPC banged his sword against his iron chest plate, causing a dozen more soldiers to come charging out of a nearby house and gather around him. Then Crafter pointed to the south and took off running toward the edge of the village, the rest of the warriors following.

  Watcher streaked through the village. Ahead of him, Planter ran with Er-Lan and Fixit at her side. When they reached the edge of the forest, they found a wall already under construction between two large homes. Steps went up the walls, allowing archers to mount the sloped roofs, while warriors stood atop the fortifications with arrows already notched to bowstrings.

  A villager moved to Watcher’s side. “Why would the monsters attack now?”

  The young wizard shrugged. “I suspect the wither king is somehow responsible, though I don’t know how that’s possible, since he’s still in another plane of existence.”

  “Well, whatever he did, that wither obviously knows what he’s doing.” The villager pulled out an iron sword, then put on chain mail armor. “We haven’t had an attack by monsters for maybe twenty years, and now, all of a sudden, this happens? I don’t believe in coincidence.”

  “Me neither.” Watcher nodded in agreement. “We’ll deal with this attack, then figure out what to do next.”