The Wither King
Page 20
Planter wrapped her arms around Watcher, a joyous smile on her square face. She hugged him tight, refusing to let go.
“Planter … we need to talk about what happened with the Bow.”
“No,” she whispered in his ear. “Just wait. Let me enjoy holding you for a minute before everything changes.”
And so he waited … and waited …
“That’s the longest victory hug I’ve ever seen,” Blaster said, laughing.
Watcher’s cheeks grew hot as he and Planter finally let go of each other.
Blaster started saying something, but Watcher held up a glowing hand, stopping his friend. He turned back to Planter and gazed into her deep emerald eyes.
“Planter, you picked up the Bow of Destruction, knowing it would kill you,” Watcher said. “Why?”
A tear tumbled from Planter’s eye. “That wither and the zombies were going to destroy you. Its flaming skulls had wounded you, and I knew you’d never be able to stop the zombies before they reached you. I couldn’t live without you, so I figured I might as well do something to keep you safe, even if it cost me my life.”
“But it didn’t.”
She shook her head.
“You know what that must mean?”
Planter nodded, an expression of resignation on her beautiful face. “I must be a descendant of some wizard.”
“And you have magical powers as well,” Watcher added.
Planter nodded again. “You remember this?” She pulled out the Amulet of Planes they’d found in the Wizard’s Tower. “I was able to hear it singing to me when nobody else could. I also heard the Gauntlets of Life when they were buried in the Compass. That’s when I started to suspect something was wrong.”
“Nothing’s wrong,” Watcher said. “Just because you have magical powers, it doesn’t mean you’re flawed or …”
“Different? Is that what you’re saying? That you and I aren’t different from everyone else?”
“Well …” Watcher grew quiet, knowing the truth in her words. “We may be different, but at least we’re together, right?” He gazed into her eyes. “We are together, aren’t we?” He stepped closer to her. “Have you forgiven me for being a fool and taking you for granted? I can’t guarantee I won’t be an idiot again, but I will never take you for granted or seek fame again. All I want is to be with you and have everyone safe.”
She looked down at his glowing hands, then took them in hers. “I think I can live with that.”
A huge smile spread across Watcher’s face. It almost made his cheeks hurt. Planter giggled, then hugged him again.
“I think it’s time we left this place before we discover any new monsters from the Great War,” Mapper said.
“I like that idea,” Fencer said. “After all this excitement, I don’t think it was such a great choice to follow all of you to this terrifying place.”
“Ya think?” Blaster asked.
“Let’s get moving. I want to get home,” Watcher said as he glanced at Planter and took her hand in his, “and just live in peace.”
Planter nodded.
Fencer scowled at him.
They headed for the door, but when they reached the piles of items on the ground, Watcher stopped and stared at them, a sad expression on his face. NPCs had died here fighting Krael and the Broken Eight. Slowly, he raised his hand into the air, fingers spread wide, the other villagers doing the same. Clenching his fist, he squeezed his hand tight.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you,” he whispered, “but your sacrifices saved the Far Lands, and possibly all of Minecraft.”
Watcher squeezed his fist tighter, knuckles popping. A tear tumbled down his cheek, but he didn’t wipe it away; he let it fall to the ground. Planter put a hand on his shoulder, then reached up and pulled his hand down. Watcher opened his fist and saw that his fingernails had dug into his glowing palm, leaving deep indentations in his skin.
“It’s not your fault,” Planter said in a soft, soothing voice.
Watcher said nothing; he just stared at the items for a moment, then knelt and picked them all up. Glancing at his friends, he pointed to the chamber exit. “Let’s get out of here.”
They moved toward the tunnel with Fencer near the front. Suddenly, an angry moan filled the chamber. The last surviving zombie from the Broken Eight jumped out of the shadows and lunged at Fencer with its sword.
Before anyone could react, a knife tumbled through the air and struck the monster in the chest, the blade sticking into its golden armor. The monster stopped for a moment, smiled, then swung its blade at Fencer. Another knife streaked through the air, but this time, it struck the handle of the blade already sticking out of the zombie’s chest and drove the first knife through the armor and into the monster’s flesh.
The zombie staggered back, flashing red as it clawed at the blade, but it was beneath the creature’s armor. Watcher drew Needle, but suddenly Blaster tore it from his hands and threw it like a spear. The enchanted blade sailed through the air, leaving a line of sparkling particles behind as it hit the zombie in the side, taking the last of the creature’s HP. With a sorrowful moan, the last of the Broken Eight disappeared, its armor and weapon fading into nothingness.
“Fencer, are you alright?” Mapper asked.
The girl was still shocked by what had almost happened; she was speechless.
Blaster moved forward and picked up his knives, then handed Needle back to Watcher. He moved to Fencer and shook her gently by the shoulders.
“Fencer, are you okay?” Blaster asked. “That was close.”
The terrified expression on her face slowly faded away as she looked at her savior.
“Blaster, you’re the bravest, most important person in all of Minecraft.” She smiled a huge, joyous smile. “I’m gonna take care of you … forever.”
A look of sudden terror spread across Blaster’s face. He glanced at Planter and Watcher, eyes wide.
“You’re a lucky guy … Fencer is gonna take care of you forever.” Watcher smiled.
“Yeah,” Planter added. “For–ev–er.”
Blaster glanced at the other villagers, hoping to find help, but the rest of the NPCs just smiled, enjoying the boy’s misery.
“Come on, Blaster.” Fencer grabbed his arm with both hands. “Let’s walk together as we head home.”
She pulled him into the tunnel, a satisfied grin on her face. Blaster glanced over his shoulder at Watcher and mouthed HELP to him. Watcher just smiled.
“Come on, everyone,” Watcher said. “It’s time to head home.”
Then, with Planter’s hand in his, they walked away from the Cave of Slumber and toward home.
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EXCERPT FROM THE WITHERS AWAKEN
A BRAND NEW FAR LANDS ADVENTURE
The villagers followed Mirthrandos across the landscape, continuing westward. Watcher led the company in a defensive formation as they ran, and the boy worried about any more monstrous surprises coming from the leafy canopy overhead. Fortunately, none of the treetop inhabitants came down to challenge them, though Watcher was able to see shapes moving through the leaves. The monsters were still up there, watching and waiting.
The gigantic trees slowly grew smaller as they traveled through the biome, the forest gradually morphing into something Watcher would expect to see in the Far Lands—a birch forest with a smattering of oaks here and there, colorful splashes of flowers nestled within tal
l blades of grass. The company darted through the beautiful forest, racing the sun as it slowly descended toward the western horizon.
Watcher assumed they’d have to stop so that Mirthrandos could rest, but the old woman had no problem keeping up with the rest of them. Her immortality apparently kept her fit as well. They ran in silence, each villager listening for the approach of monsters, but the forest was peaceful and calm. The sound of cows, chickens, and pigs floated from between the pristine, white birch trees, but as before, the animals were nowhere in sight.
“You notice it again?” Blaster said to Watcher.
“What?”
“Animal sounds, but no animals.” Blaster pulled off his forest green cap to scratch his head. His black curls instantly sprang outward, yearning for freedom, but were quickly captured again by the leather cap.
“Yeah … this is strange.” Watcher pulled Needle from his inventory as he glanced to the left and right, looking for the animals, but finding none.
“Hey Mirthrandos,” Blaster said, moving closer to the old woman. “What was the deal with all the flames on the lake?”
“You liked my flames?” The ancient wizard smiled.
“Well … not at first, but it was a neat trick.”
“I put those there to keep anyone from bothering me in my underwater home.” She glanced at Watcher and glared. “Apparently it didn’t work very well.”
“You have to try much harder than that to keep Watcher from bugging you.” Blaster laughed.
“Apparently so,” she said, then laughed with Blaster.
“Mirthrandos, can I ask you a question?” Planter swerved around a birch tree, then moved to the old woman’s side.
“Of course, dear.”
“You were around during the Great War?”
The old woman nodded. “Bad times, yes it was, very bad times, indeed.”
“How is it you’re still alive?” Planter asked.
“I was given eternal life from one of our greatest wizards. Tharus was his name; I’m sure you’ve run across his name in books more than once.”