The Wither Invasion Read online

  The boy just grunted and refused to look at her, though Fencer’s smile was already beaming.

  “Yeah, as I was saying, Farmer saw the village. It’s right at the boundary between this biome and the extreme hills. We can just make it there by sunset if we hurry.”

  Watcher nodded, then glanced at the rest of their company. They were all cold and exhausted. Many of the NPCs slumped in the saddle, tired from the journey. Some rode double; the last village hadn’t had enough horses to accommodate everyone.

  “OK, let’s get everyone moving faster,” Watcher said, then glanced at Cutter.

  The big NPC nodded, then moved to the left flank to talk to some of the warriors. After a short discussion, the soldiers charged ahead, probably to reach the village first and make sure it was safe.

  Standing in his stirrups, Watcher looked around at the rest of the NPCs. “The extreme hills village is just up ahead. From here, we gallop as fast as possible. I want to get there before dark; I’m sure all of you can understand.”

  They nodded.

  Watcher glanced down at Fixit. “Let’s get the wolves and golems moving as fast as possible.”

  The little mechite smiled and let out a series of shrill whistles. The ground suddenly shook as the golems switched from walking to running.

  “Come on, everyone,” Watcher shouted. “We ride for the extreme hills village.”

  Kicking his horse into a gallop, Watcher sped across the frosty ground, his mount’s breath billowing out in soft white clouds. He drew Needle as he rode, hoping he wouldn’t need the weapon when they reached their destination, but he’d learned many times, Minecraft had a way of throwing obstacles at you whether you’re ready or not.

  An eerie silence sat atop the village like a sheet stretched too tight, about to rip. Many of its inhabitants glared up at Watcher and his friends as they rode into the extreme hills community; it was clear they weren’t welcome here.

  Planter moved her horse up next to Watcher. “This isn’t the warmest reception we’ve ever received.” She turned in the saddle and glanced around at the others’ faces. “What did we do?”

  Watcher shrugged. “I’m not sure.”

  Ahead, a group of NPCs gathered near the community’s well. One of them wore a black smock with a wide gray stripe running down the center; he was the village’s crafter. The NPC’s dark eyes glared suspiciously at Watcher and Planter and Mira, their glowing, magical bodies making them stand out.

  Watcher guided his horse toward the well, then dismounted and handed his reins to a young boy, who led his horse away.

  “Hello.” Watcher held out a hand to the village’s crafter. The crafter looked the young wizard over with a skeptical eye, but then the old NPC’s eyes grew wide with shock as Fixit approached on the back of an iron wolf. Watcher glanced down at the mechite. “Set up a perimeter around the village. We don’t want any surprises.”

  Fixit nodded, then whistled and tweeted, his commands piercing the cold air. The wolves with their shiny metal riders shot out into the darkening landscape, some of them climbing the steep hills bordering the community. The ground rumbled as golems marched out and took up positions at the mouths of the numerous valleys leading into the village. The passes were lined with steep hills of stone and gravel, each now sparkled with the silver bodies of wolves and mechites.

  “You giving the orders in our village?” The crafter glared at Watcher as if offended.

  “Well, it’s just that … you see, we’re here because—”

  “And how dare you bring all these warriors and weapons into our village?” The old NPC took a step toward Watcher. “Soldiers and swords always attract violence. Whatever you’re involved with, it isn’t welcome here.”

  Cutter pushed through the villagers and stared at the old crafter. “There’s an army of withers and monsters coming this way. If you don’t want to be squashed flat, then you’re gonna leave this village and come with us.”

  “What?” one of the NPCs exclaimed. “We aren’t leaving our homes.” He was a large villager, like Cutter, with bulging muscles straining the sleeves of his smock. “Withers are just a myth these days; they haven’t been around since the Great War. And I don’t see any monsters attacking us.” He turned and glanced at his neighbors. “Do any of you see an attacking mob?”

  The other villagers all shook their heads, then brought their accusing stares back to Watcher.

  “We don’t see any monsters or withers here.” The crafter shook his head. “I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing, but we don’t like it.” He pointed at Watcher’s arms. “And what’s up with the purple glow? Are you sick?”

  Watcher was about to reply, but Fencer stepped forward, her enchanted curved sword in her hand. “He’s a wizard, just like Planter, and—” Fencer glanced around until she spotted Mirthrandos and pointed, saying, “—she’s one too.”

  “Wizards … here, in our village?” The crafter laughed. “There haven’t been any wizards since the Great War, and now you’re telling me they’re standing right here, before us…. Ha!”

  “Where do you think all these iron wolves and the mechites and the golems came from?” Fencer pointed at Mira. “Mirthrandos is the strongest wizard in all of Minecraft, and if she says monsters are coming, then you better believe it.”

  “Be quiet. You’re a foolish child who doesn’t know anything,” the big villager said.

  Blaster instantly stepped in front of Fencer and glared at the big NPC, his two swords drawn.

  Planter moved in front of the young boy. “Listen, we aren’t trying to trick you. It’s true, we’re wizards, though I wish it weren’t … but it is. And soon, Krael, the king of the withers, is gonna descend down upon this village and destroy everything and everyone. He’s decided to exterminate all NPCs, and your village is likely in his path.”

  Watcher moved to Planter’s side. “Soon, he’ll be here, and—”

  The young wizard suddenly grunted and grabbed the back of his head.

  “What’s wrong?” Winger rushed forward and caught her brother as he fell to one knee.

  Just then, Planter and Mira cried out in pain as well and fell to their knees, expressions of agony on their faces. Watcher forced his way to his feet and moved to Planter’s side. With his arms under her shoulders, he slowly lifted her to her feet.

  “What’s happening?” Mapper asked. “What’s going on?”

  Glancing at the old man, Watcher shivered as a feeling of icy dread slithered across his soul. “He’s here.” The young wizard’s voice sounded thin. He spoke louder. “Krael’s here. That means his army is here too.”

  Instantly, Cutter drew his huge diamond sword and held it over his head. The other members of their company drew their weapons as well, many putting on armor and pulling out shields as the NPCs took up defensive positions along the sides of buildings, each scanning the area, looking for their attackers.

  “I don’t see any monsters.” The village’s crafter pushed through the crowd and stood directly in front of Watcher. “Is this some game? I don’t know what you’re trying to do, but we—”

  The majestic howl of a wolf cut through the air.

  “The monsters are coming,” Er-Lan said as he moved up next to Watcher.

  “A zombie!” one of the villagers shouted.

  “This is Er-Lan.” Watcher put a hand on the zombie’s shoulder. “He’s our friend and is no threat.”

  “For now, maybe,” Cutter muttered under his breath nearby.

  Another courageous howl echoed off the steep, rocky hills surrounding the village.

  Watcher cast Cutter a warning glance, then turned to Er-Lan. “What are they saying?”

  “The wolf says the monster army is—”

  A group of howls filled the air, their metallic voices filled with strength, but now edged with the sound of fear.

  “Ha ha ha … look what we have here!” a scratchy voice suddenly shouted from high overhead.

  “Kr
ael!” Watcher glanced into the air, searching for his enemy. The blue sky blushing a deep red as the sun nestled itself behind the western horizon.

  “I see my old friend, Watcher.” The wither king’s scratchy voice reflected off the steep mountains, making the monster’s location difficult to find. “You seem to be glowing more, wizard. Perhaps your powers increased … Good! Now you might finally be a worthy opponent.”

  Watcher pulled out the Fossil Bow of Destruction, holding it lightly; he wasn’t ready for the enchanted weapon taken from the skeleton warlord to dig its magical claws into his HP … not yet.

  “We’re ready for you, Krael,” Watcher shouted. “Why don’t you come out and show yourself?” He glanced at Crafter and whispered, “Get your people ready to run. Maybe we can lose the monsters in all those narrow canyons.” He pointed to the extreme hills surrounding the village, their steep, rocky faces already bathed in darkness.

  “Run … from what?” The old villager shook his head. “We aren’t going anywhere.”

  Suddenly, an explosion rocked the village as a wooden structure at the south end of the community erupted in flames. A black skull streaked through the air and hit the building again, its detonation shattering the roof.

  “Monsters,” Krael screamed from somewhere overhead, “ATTACK!”

  Wolves growled and snarled as the monster horde charged into the village from the south. The iron and obsidian golems thundered through the streets, heading for the attacking mob as wolves from other parts of the village converged on their foe.

  “Quickly, get all your people to the north side of the village.” Watcher didn’t wait for the crafter to reply. Instead, he gripped the Fossil Bow of Destruction in his left hand and pulled back the string; a magical arrow instantly appeared and, just as quickly, pain erupted throughout his body, the enchantments in the weapon demanding their price.

  A wither floated into view, its body difficult to see as the sun finished sinking behind the horizon. Watcher aimed, then released. The sparkling shaft sliced through the air and hit the monster, taking all of the creature’s HP. The wither disappeared, expressions of surprise on its three shadowy faces.

  Cutter and Blaster streaked by with Fencer just a step behind, the enchantments on their weapons covering the ground with a shimmering purple hue. Watcher sprinted after them, his arms glowing brighter as his magic built. Pounding footsteps filled the air behind him as the rest of his warriors followed, their armor clanking as loud as the lumbering golems three huge steps behind.

  Nearby, wolves snarled and howled, their iron teeth making crunching sounds as they came down upon monster limbs. Whistles and screeches from countless mechites added to the cacophony; the tiny metallic creatures were already fighting somewhere up ahead.

  Watcher darted around the corner of a wooden building and skidded to a stop, stunned at what he saw. Planter rounded the corner just behind him and nearly collided with the young wizard, and she, too, was terrified at what she beheld: a massive horde of monsters was charging out of one of the narrow valleys, only the sheer walls keeping the creatures from overwhelming the defenders immediately. A powerful stench floated across the defenders, preceding the sharp claws and pointed teeth; the putrid odor of decaying flesh and unwashed bodies was almost too much to bear.

  The mob was composed of every mismatched possibility of monster parts: spiders with zombie heads and skeleton arms, endermen with baby-slime heads, skeletons with blaze heads … they were all horrific. But even more terrifying than their appearance was how many there were; easily a hundred monsters were descending upon the community, each intent upon destruction.

  A group of warriors flowed past Watcher and Planter. They formed a line and moved into the valley, pushing back on the monsters’ advance, their blades and bows helping to defend the wolves and mechites already joined in battle. Blaster and Fencer fought side-by-side, their enchanted curved blades streaking through the air, almost too fast to see.

  “How do we stop this many monsters?” Planter turned to Watcher, her green eyes filled with fear and desperation.

  Watcher groaned in pain as he fired the Bow of Destruction again, the magical arrow streaking into the fray, piercing multiple bodies. His HP was getting dangerously low. Firing one more shot, he put away the Bow and pulled out the Flail of Regrets, the glow from the enchanted weapon turning the night around them into an iridescent day. “We have to use our magic to keep our friends safe.”

  Tiny whispers of pain and fear flittered through Watcher’s mind. The blocking stone was limiting the volume of the NPCs’ shouts in the back of his head, but their real voices were near and loud enough for the young wizard to hear every one. NPCs were dying, right here, and Watcher wasn’t sure if he could protect them.

  He pulled out a healing potion and drank it quickly, then glanced at his friend.

  Planter groaned as she reached into her inventory, grabbing the magical shield with her left hand. “I hate this thing. Every time I use it, I feel like I almost lose a little piece of myself.”

  “I know, but we have no choice.” Watcher put a reassuring hand on her shoulder, but she pushed it aside with a scowl. “We have to slow Krael’s army to give those back at the Wizard’s Tower time to prepare for battle; that’s where we’re making our final stand.”

  “It seems like we might be making our final stand right here.” Planter’s voice cracked with fear.

  “I know.” Watcher nodded, a determined expression covering his square face. “Come on; it’s time to fight!”

  Without waiting for a response, Watcher charged toward the angry mob, every nerve electrified with fear. He could hear Planter’s footsteps behind him; it was reassuring, but did little to help his terror.

  How are we going to stop this many monsters? Watcher thought as he ran. I’m sure the withers are out there somewhere too, just waiting to rain death and destruction upon us.

  The shouts of pain from both villagers and monsters filled the air, adding to the overwhelming weight of responsibility on Watcher, but he knew there was no other choice. Screaming at the top of his lungs, the young wizard dove into the fighting, the magical glow from his body making the terrifying scene seem like a dream.

  No—more like a nightmare.

  The sounds of battle filled the air: steel clashing against claws, fanged mouths snapping shut upon flesh, shouts of pain and fear … they all added to the terrible cacophony of destruction.

  Watcher crashed into the horde of monstrous bodies, his enchanted flail streaking through the air like a blazing purple meteor. The intense glow coming from the spiked cube forced many of the monsters to look away, which was a huge mistake. Without mercy, the young wizard smashed the blinded and vulnerable distorted creatures with his enchanted weapon, causing multiple monsters to flash red as they took damage.

  “Get the wizard!” A skeleton with an enderman head snarled. “Krael promised a reward to the monster who—”

  Watcher didn’t give the monster a chance to complete the sentence. Swinging the flail in a wide circle, he pushed the monsters back, giving some of the NPCs on the battle lines a chance to take a breath, then turned and moved to Cutter’s side. As he did, the big warrior destroyed a zombie just as it reached for Watcher’s back, its razor-sharp claws scraping the back of his armor before it disappeared.

  “Pay attention!” Cutter reprimanded him.

  Watcher nodded, then smashed a group of slimes, the huge gelatinous cubes splitting into smaller ones; they didn’t last long.

  Then, a terrible odor wafted across the NPCs as a new contingent of zombies and skeletons charged at the villagers’ battle lines. Watcher braced himself for the attack, but before he could act, a pair of flaming arrows streaked past his head and hit the lead monster in the horde. The burning shafts ate away at the creature’s HP, causing the beast to scream in pain. Picking up its bow, the skeleton aimed at Watcher, but was silenced by another pair of flaming arrows. Watcher knew they came from Planter and his
sister, Winger. He glanced over his shoulder and smiled back at the two of them, then faced the monster horde and swung his weapon again.

  A group of monsters tried to close in on Blaster and Fencer, but none dared to get very close; the duo fought like a lethal, well-oiled machine, each protecting the other’s back while they wreaked havoc on the wall of claws and fangs surrounding them. Watcher tried to reach them and help at first, but there were too many monsters in the way. He glanced at Blaster and saw a huge smile on the boy’s face as he destroyed monster after monster, Fencer starting the damage with her curved sword, leaving the killing stroke to her companion. It seemed as if both Blaster and Fencer were enjoying it.

  “More monsters coming through the valley!” Winger shouted from a nearby rooftop.

  Watcher backed up, allowing other NPCs to take his place. Then, jumping into the air, he placed blocks of dirt under his feet until he could see far into the extreme hills biome.

  What he saw shocked him. Monsters, shoulder to shoulder, choked the narrow pass as far as he could see. There were at least a hundred of them, and likely more coming; they’d never be able to hold this ground for long. Besides, defeating this mob wasn’t their plan, anyway; they just needed to slow them down long enough to give those at the Wizard’s Tower time to prepare their last stand.

  Turning around, Watcher surveyed the opposite end of the village. Some of the inhabitants, mostly women and children, were heading in that direction, terrified expressions on their square faces.

  “Watcher, they need your help down there.”

  The young wizard turned toward the voice. He found Winger pointing at a huge cluster of spiders scaling the steep walls of the stone valley, hoping to get around the NPCs’ formation and attack them from behind.

  Shoving the Flail into his inventory, Watcher pulled out the Fossil Bow of Destruction again. Instantly, the warlock-made weapon stabbed at his HP as he drew back the string. Concentrating his mind on the lead spider, he fired, then drew and chose another target. Pain exploded throughout his body again, but he didn’t care. He had to stop the spiders from getting behind his friends.