Minecraft (Masters of Minecraft Box Set Book 1)

by Terry Mayer

  Too busy celebrating the demise of his old companions, he does not realize that the announcement was for Jack, not Munster and PowerGlide. He just assumes that they have died going over the waterfall.

  Stumbling up the riverbank to the waterfalls' edge, he stares out over the jungle canopy over 150 blocks below. Better get moving, those zombies will only stay in the jungle until dusk, then I'm in trouble all over again. Running along the cliff edge, with renewed vigor in his stride, Warlord does not see the trees shaking as the zombies try to keep pace with him.

  *****

  10 - So, What Now?

  "Jay, come on Jay. Move away from the edge. He's gone, there's nothing you can do."

  "No, if I can just get down to him I can save him, I know I can."

  "It's too late Jay, the canon has already sounded. I'm afraid he's gone."

  "He can't be. He's my brother, he can't be dead."

  "Not dead Jay, just gone from the game. He's probably back home now, waiting for you to get back."

  "But you don't know that, do you? You said yourself that you don't know if we die here, whether it's real or just in the game."

  "I know Jay, but think about it. Hundreds of people have been through here, even since I've been here."

  "So?"

  "So, have you heard of hundreds of minecraft fans going missing over the last few months?"

  "No."

  "Exactly, so if they are not going missing then they must get home somehow, ok?"

  "Ok, if you really believe that then throw yourself off the cliff and GO HOME!"

  "That's not fair Jay." Turning, she runs away from him with tears running down her cheeks.

  Realizing what he has done, he pulls himself from the hole and runs after Hailey.

  "Wait, Hailey wait. I'm sorry. I didn't mean it."

  "I know Jay, but it's hard for me too. You guys are the first people I've really spoken to in years, and now we've lost your brother and it's all my fault."

  "What? It's not your fault Hailey, Jack just messed up."

  "Yeah, but you still blame me. If you hadn't come this way because of me, then Jack would still be alive."

  "No Hailey, I don't blame you, really, I'm just upset."

  "Promise?"

  "Yes I promise, now come on, let's get down there. I want to make sure that he is really gone. I'll never forgive myself if I don't check and later discover that there was something that could have been done."

  "Ok Jay, let's go."

  Continuing to follow the trail, they soon find a rough stairs cut into the side of the cliff face.

  "Oh Jack, why couldn't you wait just another five minutes. You would still be alive."

  Hugging him tight, Hailey whispers into his ear.

  "Jay, I know you are suffering and it's not fair to ask this of you, but here goes anyway. I want you to suck it up Jay. You need to get tough, Jack is dead and there is nothing you can do to help him, but you can help yourself. If you wander around here, the way you are, something is going to get you, this is minecraft and it's really dangerous. You owe it to Jack to look after yourself. So, what do you say?"

  Looking at her with a face like thunder, Hailey thinks she may have pushed Jay too far when he replies through gritted teeth.

  "Your right, Jack would hate me if I just gave up after he died. I'm going to win this game for him, and when I do I'm going to find out who set it up and kill them."

  "That's the spirit Jay, now let's get out of here. We need to find a place to rest before nightfall."

  Moving cautiously down the staircase they descend into the jungle below.

  *****

  Jogging along the path, Warlord realizes that he is still being followed by the zombies and increases his pace to try to put some distance between them. After sprinting for over thirty minutes he hears voices up ahead and slows his pace, approaching cautiously. Ahead of him he sees Jay and Hailey, just disappearing down a staircase cut into the rock face. Creeping along, he trails them down the stairs and into the jungle.

  *****

  Paddling slowly along the river, PowerGlide spots two black shapes on the riverbank downstream. Signaling to Munster to approach quietly, they both paddle towards the shapes. As they get closer, they recognize them as boats and scan the tree line for a trap. Not seeing any signs of trouble, they paddle over to the boats, draw their swords, and get out onto the beach.

  "So boss, what's the plan?" whispers Munster.

  "Scout the beach, quietly. Looks like they headed into the jungle but let's make certain before we walk into a trap."

  "Not likely boss, they don't even know that we are on their trail."

  "True, but they were being chased by those creepers so they could be expecting trouble. Let's not take the chance, you search the beach above the boats, I'll do below."

  After a quick look around, they meet back at the boats.

  "Anything boss?"

  "No traps. Mind you, there are dozens of large cat prints all over the place that follow them in the forest."

  "Yeah, same over here, but it looks like the cats either swam ashore or came with them in the boats."

  "Don't be thick Munster. Have you ever heard of a large cat travelling in a boat in minecraft?"

  "Uh, no boss, so that means the cats swam ashore and tracked them. Maybe they will do the job for us?"

  "If we're lucky, but let's not rely on it. Come on, let's find ourselves some fresh prey," he replies with a wicked smile playing across his face.

  *****

  "It's about 150 blocks this way," answers Jay, moving through the forest foliage. Using his sword as a machete, he makes good time and soon arrives at the fallen tree. "Jack, Jack! you here buddy?" he calls out in a stage whisper.

  "Shh Jay, let's just take a look around before we make any noise. We haven't scouted the area yet and don't know what's here."

  Biting his tongue, trying hard not to call out for his brother, he knows that Hailey is right. Pushing through the heavy foliage, they search the area for any signs of Jack.

  "Oh Jay, over here," calls Hailey as quietly as she can.

  Running to her side, Jay stops dead in his tracks. Hailey is looking at a group of floating objects, indicating the place that Jack had died.

  "I'm so sorry Jay."

  Swallowing, he moves forward and collects all of Jacks belongings.

  "Right, at least I now know, let's move out, it won't be too long before dark."

  Grabbing his arm and stopping him, Hailey looks into his eyes and asks. "Are you ok Jay?"

  "It's over Haley. Jack is dead. Like you said, it's time to toughen up."

  Walking out from under the giant tree, he continues to cut a path. Looking over his shoulder, he mouths. "The temple is this way, maybe 400 blocks, if we get a move on we can make it before dark."

  *****

  "So, are you going to show us or what?"

  "Patience Nate, just a little further."

  "Yeah? You said that over 200 blocks back, how far is just a little further anyway?"

  "It's about 10 blocks Nate."

  "What? But there's nothing here but more jungle."

  "Au contraire Nathan my boy. I think Natasha has stumbled onto something quite special here. How in the world did you find it?"

  Smiling, she turns to Jethro and pulls up her hair on her forehead showing a nice bruise. "The old fashioned way, I walked straight into it."

  "Very clever Natasha, that's using your head," laughs Jethro.

  "Oh Jethro, I thought you at least would refrain from bad jokes," she replies slapping her forehead and immediately regretting it.

  "Excuse me guys, but what are you talking about?"

  "You still can't see it?"

  "See what Jethro?"

  "Ok Natasha, I guess you had better do the honors."

  Smiling, Natasha reaches out and grabs Nathan's hand and whispers in his ear. "Follow me Nate, step where I step and prepare to be amazed."

  Walking caref
ully into the empty jungle, Nathan suddenly has a feeling of a solid object around him, but still he can see nothing but foliage.

  "You see it Nate?"

  "See what?"

  "I think that Nathan needs the same wake up call that you received Natasha."

  "Hmm, you could be right, this way Nate, and by the way, I'm sorry."

  "Why are you sorry? Ouch." Walking into the side of a huge building, Nathan is a little confused, "where did that wall come from?"

  "It was always there Nate, you just had to know what to look for," laughs Jethro.

  "And what exactly should I have looked for?"

  "Well, you could have looked for a jungle temple that stands over 50 blocks high. That shouldn't have been too hard to see."

  "What do you mean, a giant temple that ...." Nathan stops in mid sentence as his field of vision suddenly expands and he is standing in front of a huge, cobblestone temple. "Where the heck did that come from?"

  "Is that all you can say Nate, look about. Isn't it wonderful?"

  Stepping back from the wall, Nathan surveys the area and realizes that he is looking at a huge temple rising through the trees into the sky.

  "Wow guys, how come I couldn't see it?"

  "Because you weren't looking for it Nate, it's enchanted. Unless you are looking for it, you will never see it."

  "So how did you find it?"

  "Like I said Nate, the old fashioned way. When I walked into it I nearly knocked myself out, but there was nothing there. Looking again, I saw a small cobblestone wall. Realizing that the only cobblestone walls in the middle of the jungle are temple walls it suddenly materialized in front of me, just like it did for you."

  "Ok, sort of makes sense, but how come Jethro was able to see it?"

  "Quite simple Nathan, because I was looking for it."

  "But why were you looking for something you did not even know was here? Argh, my head hurts."

  "But Nathan, my boy, we did know it was here. In fact we all arranged to meet here, if you remember?"

  "So this is the jungle temple we saw from on top of the cliff?"

  "No"

  "Argh, come on Jethro, this is killing me. Just tell me what's happening."

  "Ok Nathan," laughs Jethro. "I'll put you out of your misery, this is a different temple to the one we have to meet Jay and Hailey at tomorrow, but it is a temple. So, as I am walking through the jungle I am conscious that we are searching for a temple, so when we came upon this enchanted temple I was able to see it. Understand now?"

  "Not really, but I'll take your word for it. So Natasha, what's inside?"

  "No idea."

  "Why not?"

  "Well Nate, as Jethro will tell you, temples usually contain hostile mobs, so I was waiting for reinforcements before going inside."

  "If there are monsters in there, then why go inside?"

  "Two reasons Nate, firstly, after we clear it out, we will have a secure place to rest tonight and secondly, temples nearly always contain treasure."

  "Treasure, like what?"

  "Like gold and diamonds and often, enchanted weapons."

  "Cool, so do we split it three ways, is that the deal?

  Laughing, Natasha and Jethro look at each other and shrug.

  "Sure Nate, we split it three ways. You ready to explore the temple Indie?"

  "Lead on Natasha, I'm feeling lucky."

  Walking to the temple steps, they draw their swords and each light a torch. When fully prepared they walk in through the huge entrance into the darkness beyond, followed closely by Fawkes and Flumey.

  *****

  Watching them searching the area around the tree, Warlord stays well back so is unable to hear Jay and Hailey's conversation, but quickly realizes what they are doing when he sees Jay bend and scoop up Jack's possessions. I wonder if they are sentimental or precious. Watching them leave and head deeper into the jungle, he creeps forward, and surveys the area. Looking up the cliff face, reviewing the damage the tree had caused on its downward descent he ponders whether Jack had fallen from above or if the tree had fallen on him. Probably fell, judging that the others were still up top when I stumbled on them. Rookie mistake, maybe that is why he was Jack the Dweeb, he chuckles. Giving the area one last sweep he heads off into the jungle, quietly following the trail left by Jay and Hailey.

  *****

  "Which way Munster?"

  "No idea boss, the trail just ends here."

  "It can't just stop, not unless they knew we were following them."

  "Don't know boss, but like you said earlier, they were expecting trouble of some sort so maybe this is their way of avoiding it."

  "True. Ok, let's spread out and look for any signs of where they have gone, but keep your eyes peeled, this could be a trap."

  Walking in opposite directions, they both move past the entrance to the temple that the others had just waked into less than an hour previously, and continue through the jungle looking for signs of their prey. Moving slowly and silently they part the foliage and push their way through, leaving no sign that they had passed.

  I suppose they could have done the same, thinks PowerGlide. If so they will not be too far ahead of us, only trouble is we do not know what direction they travelled. Looking up into the canopy, way above his head, he notices that the shadows are getting longer and dusk is rapidly approaching. Heading back in the direction that he had just travelled he retraces his steps, but after a few minutes realizes that he is totally lost. Cursing, he starts to cut a path back in the general direction he had just travelled, placing a torch here and there as the shadows lengthen, not wanting to get caught by any mobs spawning behind him.

  Moving stealthily, Warlord makes good time, cutting only the branches necessary to allow him to move through the foliage. After travelling for some minutes, he realizes that there is absolutely no sign of his prey, so he turns and retraces his steps back to the trail, using the cut plants as a guide. Standing at the end of the trail there is no sign of PowerGlide, and no discernable clues as to where he has gone. Debating what to do next, he turns and walks one-step into the forest and bangs into a cobblestone wall.

  What the heck? Running his hands along the 3 x 2 wall, he cannot think why anyone would build such a structure here in the forest. Removing his pickaxe, he starts to break the first block only to find another one behind it. Walking along the front of the wall, he looks behind it but can only see jungle, but looking back at the wall it is 2 blocks deep. Strange, he thinks, and starts breaking a 2 block high hole in the wall. Deeper and deeper he digs until he has to stop and light a torch, then continues to break blocks. Stopping to take a break, he learns against the wall and looks back up the corridor. Must be 60 blocks deep and still nothing he thinks, when a shadow catches his eye, moving past the entrance. Putting his pickaxe away and drawing his sword he moves cautiously back up the corridor.

  As he reaches the end, he can see a shadow moving around to his right, just out side of his line of vision. Taking a deep breath, he jumps from the cobblestone entrance and brings his sword around, ready to attack whatever is waiting for him. To his surprise, PowerGlide, who is also brandishing his sword, meets him.

  "What the heck boss, you just scared the stuffing out of me."

  "What are you playing at Munster? I thought I told you to be quiet, and here you are making enough noise to let every mob in this jungle know where we are!" But I am glad you did or I would have been lost for good, he thinks.

  "Sorry boss, but I found this really weird wall," he replies pointing at the 3 x 2 cobblestone wall behind him.

  "So, it's a cobblestone wall, no big deal."

  "Yeah boss, but take a look behind it."

  He peers over Munster's shoulder at a 3x2 cobblestone wall sat in the middle of the jungle. "So, it's a small wall, what's your point?"

  "Now look at the hole I just dug."

  "Munster, I don't have time to look through your hole in the wall, now what's going on?"

  "Just hu
mor me boss."

  Shrugging, PowerGlide pushes Munster out of the way and looks into the hole he had dug and gasps. It is at least 60 blocks deep with torches burning along the walls. Stepping away from the opening, he once again looks at the wall but its still just 3x2 with forest behind it.

  "What the heck?"

  "I know, right?"

  "How did you find this?"

  "Walked into it boss, one minute it was jungle then I crashed my head against something and when I looked up there was this wall."

  "I wonder?" smiles PowerGlide walking over to the wall and running his had along the blocks, but instead of stopping at the end he continues to run his hand and more blocks magically appear. Stepping back, he looks around with a big smile on his face.

  "Well done, you know what you have found Munster?"

  "A magic wall?"

  "Use your head, and I don't mean to bash into it either."

  "I don't know boss, it's just a wall."

  "No, it's so much more. Instead of thinking of it as a wall think of it as a temple."

  "Ah boss, you're making fun of me now, there's no way that this tiny little wall is a temple." Turning to point at the wall his mouth drops open and he is lost for words as a huge temple now stands in a clearing before him. "How did that get there?"

  "Ok Munster, you play this game, now it really is time to use your head. A temple magically appears in a jungle after you look for it, that would mean it's....?

  Slapping his forehead, he replies, "of course boss, it's an enchanted temple. No wonder the trail ended, the others must have found it already."

  "Exactly, now it's starting to get dark so let's get in there and seal ourselves in, then we can start the hunt for real."

  "Nice, let's go."

  Walking to the temple entrance, they quickly survey the area, and find footprints leading to a stonewall, and then disappearing.

  "Looks like they are still being tracked by those big cats boss, but I don't know how they didn't notice them before they sealed themselves in."