Attack of the Shadow-Crafters

by Mark Cheverton

  He sighed as he kicked the golden helmet further into the shrub and placed the iron helmet on his head. With his disguise again complete, he moved through the forest quickly, heading back toward the Midnight Bridge. Glancing to the west, Gameknight noticed the horizon beginning to blush with a crimson hue as the sun began to settle itself behind the horizon. Shifting to a sprint again, he dashed through the forest, shooting past birch trees and leaping over leafy shrubs. He wanted to get back to the bridge before it was dark; he’d rather not be accidently shot by his own archers.

  By the time the sun had completely settled below the horizon, and the sparkling blanket of stars had spread itself across the sky, Gameknight could see the dark bridge in the distance. Torches had been placed all along the edges, casting enough light to see anyone attempting to cross. It lit up the bridge span, making it glow with a subtle purple hue. Gameknight knew that was from the sparkling lavender particles that were embedded in the obsidian.

  He ran quickly to the end and stopped to view the defenders’ progress. On the far side, he saw the stocky form of Carver and at least fifty of their finest warriors. They’d been assigned the unfortunate task of holding this bridge from all monster attacks and refusing to allow any of Herobrine’s forces from crossing it. Likely, this would soon be the location of a terrifying, pitched battle, but for now, all was quiet. Slowing to a walk, Gameknight crossed the obsidian structure.

  “Someone’s coming,” a lookout called.

  Instantly, the villagers took their places, climbing atop archer towers and along fortified walls that lined their side of the Great Chasm.

  “It’s Smithy of the Two-Swords,” the lookout shouted.

  As Gameknight approached, he saw the defenders visibly relax as they lowered their bows and put away their blades. When he reached the far side, someone broke a series of cobblestone blocks, allowing him to pass through the defensive wall and reach the other side of the Chasm.

  Carver and Weaver approached, both of them looking relieved and a little surprised at his return.

  “You survived?” Weaver said with a smile on his square face.

  “Did you talk with your creeper friend?” Carver asked.

  The User-that-is-not-a-user nodded his head. “Yep, I spoke with the king of the creepers at length,” Gameknight replied.

  “Are they going to join the battle?” Carver asked, a hint of fear in his voice.

  “I’m not sure,” he replied. “I tried to make a convincing case why the creepers should just stay out of this battle, but I’m not sure if Oxus believed me. One thing I know for sure: if they’re going to join the fight, I think we’ll know about it right away.”

  “Why is that?” one of the warriors asked.

  “Because their plan is to come across this bridge with a couple hundred creepers so they can sneak up behind our forces,” Gameknight replied, “and destroy everyone.”

  “Did you say a couple hundred creepers?” someone asked.

  “Yep,” he replied.

  “Why don’t we just make the creepers detonate on the bridge, destroying it?” someone suggested.

  “Because their explosions won’t even make a scratch in the obsidian,” he replied. “But they will certainly harm our defenses … and us.”

  An uncomfortable silence filled the air. Gameknight was sure the villagers were weighing their options and deciding if they should stay and fight or run. To help them decide, the User-that-is-not-a-user climbed to the top of the fortified wall, drew his two swords, and held them over his head for all to see.

  “Rest assured, I am going nowhere,” he said in a confident voice. “None of Herobrine’s mob is getting past any of us. We have the defenses and the better position and the better plan. No stinking zombies are going to take our bridge from us!”

  The warriors cheered, and worried scowls were quickly replaced by confident looks of courage. Weaver climbed to the top of the wall and stood at Gameknight’s side.

  “You think you really convinced the creeper king to leave?” Weaver asked, the torchlight reflecting off his new iron armor, making him glow.

  “I can’t be sure,” Gameknight replied. “Oxus, the creeper king, is hard to read. I sensed some anger in him, but wasn’t sure if it was directed at Herobrine, or me.”

  “You do have a way of making monsters hate you,” Carver said.

  The NPCs all chuckled.

  “Weaver, you have all the leftover TNT?” Gameknight asked.

  “Yep,” the boy replied. “Just like you said.”

  “I don’t get it,” Carver said. “Why don’t we just break this bridge so the creepers can’t get across?”

  “Because Weaver and I have a little job on the other side of the Chasm,” Gameknight replied. “And I’d rather not get stuck over there with Herobrine’s army.”

  “What do you think the creepers will do?” Carver asked.

  “I don’t know. We just have to roll the dice and see what we get,” Gameknight replied.

  “‘Roll the dice’?” Carver asked.

  “‘See what we get’?” Weaver added. “Sometimes, you’re so strange.”

  Gameknight laughed, then moved to help some of the warriors to reinforce the defenses.

  CHAPTER 29

  OXUS MAKES HIS CHOICE

  Suddenly, an NPC came running out of the birch forest and across the obsidian bridge.

  “They’re coming! They’re coming!” the villager exclaimed.

  By the color of his smock, which was charcoal gray with a yellow stripe, Gameknight could tell he was a cobbler. Though he was a few years older, the NPC reminded him of the cobbler Gameknight had met the last time he’d been with Crafter and his friends.

  Thinking about all of them brought back a chilling fear: If he messed this up, some of his best friends might never be born. Casting a glance at Weaver, Gameknight shuddered.

  I have to keep him safe, Gameknight thought. Not just him—everyone.

  The cobbler reached their defenses, sprinted through an opening in the wall, then headed straight toward Gameknight999.

  “Slow down, Cobbler,” Gameknight said. “Take a breath.”

  The NPC smiled up at him, paused to take two or three deep breaths, then spoke.

  “They’re coming, Smithy. The monsters are coming,” Cobbler said.

  “Creepers … is it creepers?” Carver asked.

  “I’m not sure,” Cobbler replied. “I heard the zombies from the tree I was hiding in, then I saw a lot of creatures moving between the branches. There was a lot of green, but I didn’t stick around to see what kind of monsters were coming. I just wanted to get out of there.”

  “You did well, Cobbler,” Gameknight said. “Go sit down and rest. I suspect we’ll need your sword for the monster storm that is heading our way.”

  He nodded, then moved to a sand dune and sat.

  “Are the defenses ready?” Gameknight asked as he glanced around at the end of the bridge.

  “The wall and archer towers are complete,” Carver said. “But I fear the archers will have difficulty firing on the monsters. There are a lot of supports made of obsidian along the sides of the bridge. Getting a clear shot will be difficult.”

  “I think I have a solution,” Gameknight replied.

  Jumping off the wall, he pulled out the diamond pickaxe from his inventory and moved to the middle of the bridge. With all his strength, he began to chisel away at the supports, opening the sides of the bridge so the archers would have clear access. He moved closer to their defensive wall and removed more of the supports, creating large openings in the side of the bridge. When he was satisfied, he returned to their side of the Chasm, then moved to Carver’s side.

  “There’s one more thing you need to do,” the User-that-is-not-a-user said to the stocky NPC.

  He held out the pickaxe, extending it to Carver.

  “No matter what happens, the monsters can’t cross this bridge. If you need to break it to ensure that, then do it. This
diamond pick will make it easy.”

  “Maybe you should give it to one of the diggers, or maybe a real warrior,” the stocky NPC said. “I’m just a carver with nothing to carve. I’m the wrong person to trust with this responsibility.”

  “No, you are the right person to trust. I can feel it,” Gameknight said. “I have no doubt you will find what you should be carving with your axe, eventually, but for now, I need your sword and maybe this pickaxe.”

  He took a step closer to him and spoke in a low voice.

  “I learned recently that if you want people to have faith in you, then first you must have faith in yourself. If I can believe in myself and lead the army against this overwhelming foe, then you can hold this end of the bridge.” He looked up into his deep, green eyes. “I believe in you … can you do the same?”

  Before Carver could answer, one of the NPCs yelled, “They’re here!”

  Gameknight turned slowly, dreading what he’d see. If it were Oxus and all his creepers, then likely, their army would be defeated, if not now, then in the desert facing Herobrine and his massive army.

  Gameknight realized he’d closed his eyes. The sorrowful moans of the zombies drifted across the Great Chasm and filled his ears with their intolerable sadness. Hesitantly, he opened them. On the other side of the bridge, emerging from the darkness of the forest, he saw a host of zombies, skeletons, and spiders, but no creepers. Oxus had done it … he’d taken his creepers and left the field of battle.

  “No creepers!” Carver shouted as he clapped the User-that-is-not-a-user on the back.

  The NPCs cheered.

  “Get to your positions,” Gameknight said. “We have to hold this bridge at all costs!”

  “SMITHY!” the NPCs shouted and took their positions amid their fortifications.

  Gameknight jumped off the wall and landed catlike on the dark bridge. He stepped out in front of their defenses and glared at the monster horde. There were likely a hundred of them, outnumbering the defenders two-to-one. It didn’t matter how many monsters were over there; they could not pass. Gameknight had business to attend to out there on the battlefield, for he had his own little surprise for Herobrine and his monsters, and he needed this bridge to get there.

  When they saw his two swords, the monsters roared, both in anger and excitement. Spiders clicked their mandibles together as the zombies growled hungrily. Endermen cackled with evil delight and skeleton bones clattered together. The noise was nearly deafening.

  Gripping the hilts firmly, he banged his swords together. They made a metallic clanking sound, ironically enough, like an iron hammer hitting against an anvil. He glared at the monsters that congregated at the far end of the bridge.

  “You want some?” Gameknight shouted, “Then come and get it.”

  The warriors behind him cheered and banged their swords on the sides of the bridge, creating a rhythmical pounding sound that vibrated along the length of the bridge. And then the moon rose above the horizon and cast a silvery light on the scene. It made both sides eerily quiet as they gazed at each other.

  “COME ON, MONSTERS,” he screamed, his thundering voice startling both sides. “LET’S DANCE!”

  “Smithy be crazy!” someone shouted from behind.

  “No,” Weaver said. “Smithy isn’t crazy … Smithy be mad!”

  And as if on cue, the monsters charged, but Gameknight999 stood his ground and waited.

  CHAPTER 30

  BATTLE AT MIDNIGHT BRIDGE

  The monsters charged across the bridge, snarling and growling. But Gameknight stood his ground, motionless … waiting. It clearly unnerved some of the monsters at the front, for their hateful eyes began to fill with uncertainty as they wondered why an NPC wouldn’t turn in fear at the sight of them approaching.

  Suddenly, Carver leapt off the fortified wall and landed with a great thud that made the bridge shake ever-so-slightly. He moved next to Gameknight999 and stood, motionless and ready.

  “Not sure if this is such a good idea for you,” Gameknight said.

  “If it’s OK for you, then it’s OK for me,” Carver snapped as he drew his iron sword and waited for the mob. “I believe I can make a difference right here, next to you.”

  “OK then.”

  The growling horde charged across the bridge. When they reached the middle, Gameknight held his two swords over his head.

  “NOW!” the User-that-is-not-a-user yelled.

  Suddenly, groups of hidden archers climbed to the top of sand dunes on the left and right sides of the bridge. They fired into the openings that Gameknight had carved in the side of the bridge with the diamond pickaxe. Arrows streaked through the darkness, each making a whizzing sound, then a thunk when they found a monster body.

  Zombies and skeletons screamed out in pain as they flashed red with damage. Arrows flew back at the archers, but the sand dunes and archers were cloaked in darkness, far from any of the torches lighting the bridge. The skeletons could not tell where to shoot, so they just fired haphazardly into the desert night, hoping to hit something.

  The horde was getting closer.

  “Get ready!” Gameknight shouted as he gripped his swords firmly.

  The monsters moved past the midpoint and charged at Gameknight and Carver, their howls of rage echoing off the walls of the Great Chasm. They moved forward even faster, reaching the next set of gaps in the side of the bridge.

  “Fire!”

  The archers took aim on the next openings, firing as fast as they could at the monstrous flood. Spiders screeched in pain and zombies howled out in rage. But the monsters still did not slow; they continued to advance across Midnight Bridge.

  And then finally, they reached Gameknight999 and Carver. Instantly, the User-that-is-not-a-user went into battle mode. He stopped thinking and only reacted. Moving to the left, he slashed at a zombie that was charging toward Carver. The monster flashed red, then turned toward Gameknight, but he was already gone. He shifted to the right and slashed at a pair of spiders, driving his blades down with every ounce of strength he had in him.

  Monsters fell all around them, Gameknight destroying three for every one Carver took down.

  “Ahh!” the NPC yelled.

  A spider had sliced into Carver’s leather leggings, and had sunk its claw into his leg. The villager flashed red as he took damage, then brought his sword down clumsily upon the spider. Gameknight rushed to his side, but was blocked by a pair of zombies. He slashed at the decaying creatures as he watched the spider reach up and jab at Carver’s hand with its dark, curved claw. The razor-sharp tip caused the NPC to drop his sword. The villager stepped back as the spider advanced.

  “Carver … run!” Gameknight shouted.

  But the NPC just shook his head, refusing to retreat. Reaching into his inventory, he pulled out his axe. The razor-sharp tool gleamed in the torchlight, the polished surface reflecting the surroundings like the finest mirror.

  Carver gripped the handle with both hands and started to carve. He chopped at the spider, hitting it twice before the monster even knew what was happening. His hands were lightning-quick, moving the axe as if it were weightless. With one great strike, Carver destroyed the spider, then went to work on one of the zombies in front of Gameknight. The decaying monster fell under Carver’s assault, allowing the two comrades to stand side-by-side.

  Archers continued to fire through the openings on the bridge. Warriors on the towers built on the end of the bridge poured their arrows down upon the monsters, giving quarter to none.

  “Come on, Carver, let’s get back behind the wall,” Gameknight said as more monsters approached.

  “No,” the NPC snapped. “My place is here!”

  Screaming as loud as he could, Carver charged at the monsters, his axe flashing through the air like a bolt of iron lightning. Gameknight smiled, then dashed forward, watching his side. The warriors behind them cheered Carver’s name, then jumped down and advanced. Now, the monsters were facing rows of swords, and all looked u
ncertain.

  “Attack!” shouted a zombie general clad in gold.

  The zombie hit some of his own troops with his golden sword, encouraging them forward. The monsters advanced. Clearly they were afraid of their general, but they were also fearful of Carver.

  The big NPC didn’t give them any time to consider their options. With another battle cry, Carver charged forward. His axe slashed to the right, then chopped to the left. He made multiple monsters flash red with damage as he made great sweeping strokes with his weapon. The monsters tried to fall back, but there was no place to go.

  Suddenly, arrows began to fall down upon the monsters from above. Glancing up, Gameknight could see Weaver leading a group of archers along the tall, arcing supports that lined each side of the bridge. They moved until they were directly over the monsters, then fired straight down upon them. The creatures were packed together so tightly that the archers just couldn’t miss. Pointed missiles rained down on the monsters while Carver’s axe and Gameknight’s dual swords tore through them like a razor-sharp tornado.

  The monsters, realizing they could not win this battle, began to retreat.

  “Don’t let them get away!” Gameknight cried out.

  Weaver and the other kids waved down to him, then sprinted along the tall bridge supports until they were near the end of the bridge. Pulling out buckets of water, they poured them down onto the bridge from above, creating a wall of water that slowed the monsters’ progress. The archers then moved to the end of the bridge and jumped to the ground. Firing their bows through the water as fast as possible, the archers struck at the monsters as they slowly waded through the blue liquid. With arrows hitting them from one side, and swords from the other, the monsters took terrible damage.

  The fighting was fierce on both sides. When the monsters realized they could not escape, they fought with renewed strength. Spiders tried to climb the supports of the bridge, but were quickly brought down by NPC archers. Skeletons took aim at Gameknight and Carver, but suddenly, more archers moved to the front and silenced the bony creatures.