Hello there. I have finally started my editing process on my stories. Some of the chapters *cough such as this one cough* will be completely replaced while others will just be edited. Right now, my only plans for other complete replacements are "What We Could Be" and "A Small Chance for Freedom," but that list might grow. Now that that is out of the way, let me do an official welcome since this is the new first chapter.
HI THERE FANFICTIONEERS! (Is that even a word?) Welcome to my favorite story, "The Haunted One-Shots." Obviously from the title, this is all about RejectedShotgun's The Haunted/Haunting. I am always open to new ideas, and if you enjoy, please remember to review, favorite, follow, whatever you guys like. Be wary for my most recent things because I have started the destruction of feels. I think this redo from my cringe worthy original will give you a taste of what I am talking about.
As the title, suggests, this is a reboot of my first chapter to this story, "The Quest For the Egg." Yeah, I realize the title was not catchy, but it is going to be stuck like this for now on. Like I had said above, I am going through the process of updating old chapters, and this just so happened to be first. Now I really enjoy my new longest chapter.
Oh, before we get started, here are a couple things to know about my writing:
1) Never trust what I say about the feels. Things just keep getting sadder and sadder.
2) Never trust me when I say that I have the longest chapter. This story just keeps growing.
3) You are welcome to play music in the background. One thing I do while writing is listen to music pertaining to whatever I am writing about. (It took me FOREVER to track down most of the music RejectedShotgun uses). Well, the music might affect the mood at times. Just saying.
4) You don't need to read all of these to get what is going on. In other words, all of these are free-standing for now, but "Looking Up" will be getting a sequel. Yes, I will continue the Walgreens storyline.
5) Have an epic time like always. Remember your gask masks, eat cookies, meow like a cat, and have fun :D
I do not own The Haunted OR Minecraft.
Let's Go On An Adventure
The Quest For the Egg: Rebooted
Still going to be Grayson's POV
They say that it was a privilege to be allowed to even set foot inside the Emerald City. I must say that I agreed with them. Every time that I come home from battle, the great cities of the Empire still amaze me.
Applause sounded through the streets as my army marched through the city. We just came back from another successful war. The thing is that once we join the war, it does not last too long. We are just too good.
I had a feeling that my superiors would want me to discuss the fight right away, but first I have to see my family. They must have been really worried for me.
Kathryn did not like the fact that I always went off to war, but it was my duty for the Emperor. I had to earn my keep somehow, so I just used my battle smarts to my advantage.
As we passed by my neighborhood, I slipped away from the crowd. Hopefully no one will notice that I was missing. I guess it won't really matter, but I would rather not have everyone follow me when I am trying to find some time alone with my wife and son.
I knew that they would wait inside the house. Kathryn knew well that I was not exactly a crowd person and would rather be reunited privately than in public for all to see. Since everyone was out on the main roads, no one witnessed me striding towards the mansion-like structure near the end of the street.
I raised my hand to the knocker, ready to rap on the fancy wood door, but it opened wide. In a flash of movement and color, I felt someone's weight on me. I could only hug and kiss back.
"I missed you," my wife whispered into my ear.
"I missed you more. Every second feels like an eternity without you."
A baby's cry wailed happily through the house. "I think Artie knows you are back, Grayson," Kathryn laughed.
"Well, I see no reason to make him wait to see his dad, agreed?"
Together, we entered the house. The nursery door lay ajar, so I entered. The little boy was standing up straight in his crib, his green eyes staring widely at us.
I scooped up my son. "That's right, Artie. Daddy's home. Daddy's home."
He giggled and groped for my face. His little hands gripped a bit of my hair. "Dada."
"Hey there, little buddy. Boy, you have gotten so big that I cannot recognize you."
Kathryn smiled. "I am so glad that you are back. I worry about you out there."
"Don't worry about me. I am only doing this to keep you both safe."
"But what good will that do if you get killed on the battlefield?"
I put Artie back into his crib. "I won't die out there. Knowing that both of you are still alive is enough to keep me going."
A loud knock on the door told me that some soldiers noticed my disappearance. Groaning, I opened the door to see my comrade Luke. "What?"
"I'm sorry to cut this happy little reunion short, but the Emperor requests your presence."
"Ugh. Fine." I grabbed my jacket from where it lay on the table. "Sorry Kathryn. Hopefully I won't be too long."
"I understand. Love you."
"I love you too." I followed the penguin-hatted man outside to where he had a small airship parked. Every neighborhood that has more than one official living there has a landing pad somewhere, but most places don't even use them. Even here where I live, an airship's presence is rare.
Luke set the course for the east side of the Empire. The country was really big, so even with an airship, it will take about an hour just to get there from the west where I live.
I avoided looking at the ground because I did not want to know how high up into the air I was. Heights are just not my forte. Period. End of story.
After a long flight, we landed in the private landing pad of the Emperor. Some guards who did not come with me to battle escorted Luke and I to the meeting hall where we will discuss the war and perhaps other things.
Generally we don't have too many attendees in these meetings, so I was not surprised to see only seven attendees including the Emperor here, Luke, and myself.
"Is that everyone? Splendid." The Emperor stood up. All the hushed whispering stopped and everyone turned to focus on our ruler.
"Good day, soldiers. I see that you all have received my summoning to discuss the latest victory. I have brought together the leader of the spies, the third-in-command, two soldiers, my messenger, and of course, the commander of my armies. I must say that this was another successful fight, so there really isn't anything new to talk about."
"Then why are we here?" My second-in-command crossed his arms. If he wasn't so important to the cause, then he might have been punished for this disrespect to the Emperor.
"Be quiet, Coruk. Let me speak. Instead of talking about the problem we have resolved, let us talk about a problem that is surfacing that may, I fear, destroy us if not dealt with."
"Well, whoever it is, we can take them!" someone boasted.
He sighed, "If only it was that simple. It is not an enemy that we have had in the past. In fact, the problem is surfacing from inside the Empire itself."
There were several murmurs, but I kept quiet and allowed the Emperor to continue.
"Let me speak! As I was saying, there is tension coming from the people. Some feel that my move to conquer the elves was dishonorable and cowardly. They demand a change in how I run things. They want me gone."
"Why are you telling us this? Your army remains loyal to you, and those who don't fight cannot make a difference."
"You don't understand, Alex. On his own, he who does not fight won't make a difference, but grouped together they will realize what they can do. They will surely rise up and start a civil war. The reason why I am telling you this is because you are perhaps the only solution to stop this."
"So you want us to negotiate with them?"
"No. In order to discourage them from trying anything, we must use force. The use of fear is a powerful tool. To not use it is a waste. I am putting my trust in you that you will stop this. You all may go, except for Grayson."
The room cleared until it was finally the two of us. He was preparing to tell me bad news. I can just tell.
Once he knew that no one was listening, the Emperor informed gravely, "There is more. All of the unrest is in one specific area: the west side of the Empire. More specifically, a handful of cities including the Emerald City. The people are talking, and your family could possibly be among them."
"I don't think so. Artie can barely talk yet and won't even know what is going on. As for Kathryn, she has lived here her whole life. She must still remain loyal."
"Some of the most rebellious have lived here their whole lives. There has already been some talk about uprisings. The only reason that I know this is because some spies have reported back to me recently. Anyone is game to fight back."
"They wouldn't do that," I assured in their defense, "They are loyal to me and therefore the Empire."
"I hope you are right, Grayson. Just remember this: the system is fragile. If we don't have their support, we don't need them."
"What did the Emperor say?" Luke asked as he prepared for takeoff.
"Nothing, really," I lied, "He just wanted to congratulate me on our victory."
"Right." Luke clearly did not believe me. Still, he made no move to make me spill the beans.
The one good thing about riding in one of these things is that it gives me a decent amount of time to think about whatever is on my mind. Right now all I can think about is what the Emperor said to me. I have not lived here that long, so I had no idea about what he has done in the past. In the two years I have known him, he has seemed nice, but his disguised threat made me uneasy.
It had sounded harmless enough. I remember back in my childhood the things the teachers would say about friends. If they won't stick by you every step of the way, then you don't need them. Somehow, however, I knew that his thoughts were more sinister. The message was clear: either my family and I stay loyal to him, or he will have us all killed. I won't let that happen.
To distract myself, I glance over the side. Bad idea. Why did I look over the side again? At least we were almost home. I wouldn't be able to stand another minute in this thing.
"See you Grayson," Luke said as I climbed out of the aircraft.
"Yeah. You too."
The sun was setting over the horizon now. Shivering from the cold, I walked briskly towards my house with my hands in my front jean pockets. Most would not be bothered by nighttime, but I grew up somewhere where night was the most common time for the monsters. Supposedly the Empire has the mob situation under control, but all habits die hard.
Kathryn smiled as I walked in. I guess she had waited for me to get back before she even started on dinner.
"Sorry that I took too long. He wanted to be really talkative today."
"Is everything okay, Grayson? You look as though you have seen a ghost."
"Everything is fine. Don't worry about me. Nothing's wrong," I replied a little hastily.
She crossed her arms. "Oh really? Don't lie to me. I can tell when something is troubling you. What is it?"
I sighed in defeat. "You want the truth? All right. The Emperor basically told us that people are unhappy about things are run around here and are talking about getting rid of him. Then he told me that if someone is not on his side, then he will get rid of them. It wouldn't matter who it is."
"He said that to you? Even though you are one of his most loyal men?"
"Pretty much. He said that most of the unrest is from around here. He thinks that you could possibly be conspiring behind his back, but you're not, right?"
She remained quiet. Disturbed, I whispered, "Kathryn?"
"He is not that wonderful man everyone says he is, Grayson!" she burst out suddenly. "Don't believe for a second that he cares about any of us. He wasn't born into power. He declared power when I was a child. The only reason why we have followed him this long is because we were afraid. We can't stay afraid anymore! It is time to act!"
I was taken aback. I have just assured him that there was no rebellion in my household, yet here was my wife talking about the Emperor as if he was a criminal. This was the kind of behavior he warned me about.
"Kathryn, you can't be serious. The Emperor is a good man. Surely you don't mean what you are saying."
"I do Grayson. Those elves have done nothing to him. He took power out of greed. And then there is this. Grayson, he cannot be trusted. Do not think that things will be all nice and dandy just because you are his right-hand man. Things will not be okay. I have trusted you for a long time now. Now you must trust me."
I wanted to trust her, but I need for her to see reason before I jump to any conclusions. "I do trust you, but you don't know him like I do."
"You barely knew him for two years. I have lived under his rule since I was a little girl." It took all of her willpower to keep from raising her voice. " Trust me, I know who he really is."
"But then who is he really?" I crossed my arms. "I placed my trust in him to keep me self. To keep us safe."
"Well trusting him isn't a good idea. He attacked those poor elves. Don't you notice anything wrong with that? You were a part of it, yet you feel no guilt."
"You don't know what I feel about that," I mumbled. I may not say anything about that subject to anyone, but everyday I feel some guilt over what happened. "Can I just think about this in our room. Alone please."
"All right. Just promise me that you will consider what I said."
"I will." Once I was alone in our room, I slumped into a large armchair. Of course I won't choose a side yet. I don't have enough information yet to really consider any solution.
My goal was to protect my family, and whatever choice I make affects their future. Make the wrong choice, and my family will pay for my mistake. I promise that I will not let that happen.
Dinner was tense tonight. Even though it was my first night back, none of us were catching up like normal. I guess Kathryn is still disappointed in my trust in the Emperor, and I guess I am frustrated that she won't listen to me.
"Why aren't you guys talking to each other?" Artie asked innocently.
Kathryn smiled convincingly. "Daddy and I are having a contest to see who stays quiet the longest."
"Okay Mommy." He silently went back to his eating. "I want to play too."
"Whatever you say, Artie," she giggled half-heartedly. I have to admit that she is a great actress.
The table was quiet again. I shifted around uncomfortably. I know that it is polite to stay seated at the table until everyone else was finished, but I am going to take a walk.
As I walked down the road, my head randomly came up with a poem of some sort. I suppose that it has been forming for a while now, but only now it is finished.
Three men standing side by side.
Darkness surrounds but nowhere to hide.
The moon is always out,
And then we hear the perilous shout.
His cry of anger as he falls;
It is enough to show that duty calls.
There is no victory in this tale;
There is only sorrow as we watch them flail.
Now there are two left standing behind.
Their sadness is still left undefined.
As they walk away from the edge,
One man makes a silent pledge.
He promises that he will never lose someone again.
No more family, and more importantly, a friend.
All was lost that very same day,
Yet His reign of terror has gone away.
Still the two find it hard to celebrate,
So one of them chooses to separate.
Now one remains that knows the myth.
The end of His haunt is at the fifth.
Then a new story begins anew.
The old one seems like it was through.
On he goes far up north.
Becomes a soldier and henceforth
Is named the Commander of them all,
And waits patiently for their call.
When at home he shall go
Tell his family his tale of woe.
His wife and son he will protect,
But his job he can't just neglect.
Still he loves his wife and son.
Never shall he abandon anyone.
The poem ends there, but I feel like there will be more to the story. I just have this unsettling theory that something bad will happen to force my poem to continue.
By the time I went back, it was probably ten minutes to curfew. I guess that technically I won't get in trouble since I am literally the Emperor's right-hand-man, but I still don't want to risk it.
Kathryn had already put Artie to bed and was asleep herself. I stood awkwardly in the doorway. Things were clearly tense between us right now. Still, she is my wife, and I do care for her a lot. I reluctantly climbed into bed with her and took her hand.
One month later
A loud knock woke me up. It has been a month since I got back. Almost know one would come and knock on the door this early. Still, I have a good feeling who it was.
"What does he want this time, Luke?" I groggily asked with a yawn.
"Do you think I know? I am just his messenger."
I shrugged as I grabbed my jacket. "Well, hold on a second."
It was really early, maybe four or five o'clock in the morning. I know that everyone else is probably in bed, but I know that I should probably let Kathryn know where I am going.
I don't want to wake her, so I found a scrap of paper and scribbled down a note that would let her know where I was going. I smacked it down on the kitchen table. Hopefully I did not wake anyone.
For the thousandth time this month, I entered the aircraft. I know I have said it before, but I really hate these things. I guess it is mainly because it reminds me a little too much of my old world.
It wasn't exactly the reminder of home that fazed me. In fact, it was kind of welcome. The thing was that it reminded me too much of what I had lost both there and here that had something to do with falling.
Then we were in the east side of the Empire. Man, don't I wish that there was a different method to travel besides walking and this airship of death.
Surprise surprise, I was brought over to see the Emperor. Honestly I am getting tired of this being dragged away from home like this just for a tiny conversation. Over the past week, I have been bombarded with summons, and the interviews are only fifteen to twenty minutes.
The same people he has been calling out of their homes were sitting at the table we have pretty much been sitting at for the past few weeks. I was relieved that I was not the only irritated person in the room.
Then the Emperor strolled in as if it was normal to be meeting at six o'clock in the morning like this. His cheeriness was getting on the very last of my nerves. Who in their right mind is this awake this early in the day? Maybe he is a little crazy.
"Well, it looks like everyone got my notice. Splendid." We all groaned. This was going to be a long meeting.
Someone whose eyes were almost shut asked, "Why do you have to drag us out of our beds like this everyday? I think the last time I had a decent night's rest was in January." It was close to the end of August right now.
"Well, if I wait to notify you, I might forget what I wanted to tell you in the first place."
Oh how I wanted to slap him. I gritted my teeth. "We are coming here so much that we might as well live here."
"Wonderful idea!" The others glared at me. Me and my big mouth.
"Servant!" The Emperor yelled at a young man who was passing out coffee to everyone. "Prepare the guest rooms for," he counted us, "six people."
We all groaned. "But I have a family back home," I protested, "What am I supposed to do about them?"
"I will see to it that they are well taken care of. Now that that is out of the way, let us talk." The way he is able to jump from one subject to another bothers me too. Well, even if it is irksome, it does not necessarily prove that he is a bad guy.
All the past meetings have been the same. Reports, propositions, and warnings. The usual stuff. I didn't expect that today will be that different.
"Today's meeting will be slightly different. Today, we will be discussing the fate of one young man. Bring him in."
A pair of guards came in leading in a tattered man. He was barely eighteen, and his face was covered in brutal scratches. Still, I recognized him.
"Steve?" Well, his real name was Steven, but I have gotten to the point of calling him Steve. He delivers the newspapers in the mornings. He was a good guy.
"Steven Kenji Valson, a lad of eighteen years old, has been found attempting to rally a group of teenagers last evening at around five o'clock. We managed to surround him around midnight. He is a fast runner, but in the end, we have caught him at last. We will be discussing what we will do to the traitor."
"Why is this so important to discuss right now?" Coruk grumbled.
"Because what we do to him will serve as an example to others. We have to do it properly." The way the Emperor spoke down to him was unnerving. I was worried for what he had in mind.
The Emperor laughed. "Okay, I want each of you to write down a suitable punishment on a piece of paper. I don't care if you sign it or not."
A slave passed us each a piece of blank stationary. Another gave us pens to write with. So I was supposed to condemn this man who I have gotten to know to death? I left my paper blank.
Finally I folded it in half and placed it in the hands of the guard coming around for our suggestions. It was hard to read the Emperor's reactions to our suggestions.
He stood up slowly. "Out of the six men in this room that I have given the chance to punish this man, only three of you have submitted a suitable idea. The ideas are as follows: hang him for all to see, exile him into the Badlands, or execute his family. Choose now."
We all glanced at each other. Clearly no one wanted to cast the first vote. I raised my hand. "Exile him."
Steve stared at me in horror, but I gave him a small wink. None of these people have actually spent time in the Badlands unlike me. I have full confidence in his survival there. No one needs to die.
Luke glanced around. He was obviously hiding something. "Uh, how about just hanging him? It is quick and easy."
Coruk shot him a glare. "But it can't be quick and easy. Otherwise rebels will continue to rebel. We need them to see the consequences! I say kill his family."
Alex laughed. "As much as I would like to see that, why don't we hang him? Once their family is gone, it will give the rebel more reason to fight. We should just simply end the problem. No rebel, no problem."
A middle-aged man in the back shook his head. "No one has to die. He is just a kid. Let him go into the wild and try his hand at survival there. It is plain and simple."
The last man in here, Kevin, laughed brutally. "Where's the fun in that? Just kill the family and be done with it."
It was a three-way tie. We all looked at the Emperor because he will have the final say in what happens.
The Emperor shook his head. "Commander, why didn't you vote for the one you submitted? It was my favorite one."
"Excuse me?" There was no way that was possible. For one thing, I didn't sign the piece of paper. The other thing was that I didn't turn in a punishment.
"Don't play the fool, Grayson. Look, your name is in bold letters."
I took the piece of paper. Someone was too cowardly to sign it with their name, so they used my name instead. Even worse, they gave what I considered to be the worst punishment.
"I didn't write this. I swear that I didn't." I was talking more to Steve than anyone else. He deserves to know that I would never wish this on anyone.
"What does it matter? I want to use this idea. Forget the other two. Guards! Bring me Charles and Marissa Valson! Bring me Samantha Casper!"
The guards stationed at the door left. Steve's lip quivered because he knew what was happening. I only eyes for the Emperor. Why would he do this?
Moments later, they came in dragging Steve's elderly parents and his girlfriend. The Emperor smirked and lifted Steve's face.
"This is what happens when you defy me." He gestured at the nameless guards. "Kill them."
At his command, they raised their bows, and I shut my eyes. Moments later, I heard three heavy objects falling to the floor. My green eyes opened, and I averted them away from the dead bodies.
"How could you do this, Grayson? I thought that I could trust you." Steve was struggling to get to me.
"I didn't. I would have never done it."
The soldiers dragged away the screaming man. All I could hear was his curses directed at me even though I didn't do anything.
When he saw my face, the Emperor laughed. "Some things have to be done, Grayson. Don't you get it? That man is a danger to the system. He needs us. We don't need him. It doesn't matter who they are; all rebels deserve to be punished."
"But his family didn't do anything. What will this solve?"
"It will show that only I can have control. Their petty rebellion will soon be crushed if we target the loved ones. If I have taught you something, it is that you do whatever it takes to keep power."
He slapped me on my shoulder and walked off to talk to someone. I looked at the Emperor in disbelief. I kept defending him, but maybe Kathryn was right. Maybe the Emperor was a monster.
The slave girl silently passed me the keys to the guest room that will pretty much be my home for the next few months. It was a large room with a private bathroom, a king-sized bed, two large windows with silk curtains (red and blue of course), a large closet full of clothes my size, and a servant standing quietly who was waiting for my command.
"Please leave. I do not require your assistance at the time being." He bowed and exited.
I have been blind. He really does not care about us. All he cares about is power, and it took him killing Steve's family for me to see that.
What was I going to say to Kathryn? She was right; now I see that. I was going to have to pay her a visit.
I snuck out of the guest room. It will have to be quick. The halls were dimly lit do to the late hour, and I will bet my life that no one was awake. Even the guards normally stationed at the gates will be asleep.
Really all I need is the key to the hangar. As much as I don't like it, it is my best shot at getting away unnoticed. Plus, it will be much quicker than walking all the way home.
I chose a small balloon. It was one of the scout balloons, and it was camouflaged for nighttime. Luckily for me, some idiot left the rope ladders in easy reach. Normally I would report the fool to the Emperor, but in doing that this time, that would mean that I would have to admit to sneaking out.
As I was getting seated in front of the controls, I realized one problem. I don't know how to pilot these things. "It can't be too difficult, right?"
Compared to my home world, this should be a piece of cake. There were only a few controls to pilot the entire thing. Should be pretty simple, or at least I hope it will be.
"The first step to figuring out a new piece of technology should be to know how to turn it on." I looked at the dials and pressed one of the buttons. The engine vibrated to life.
"Next, the basic controls." Since it was a scout ship, it won't have all of the complicated weaponry stuff like a warship. Really, all I need to know is how to fly it, how to operate it, and how to land without crashing.
I pressed another button, and hot air blew into the balloon. My parents always said that I could learn how to work things just by blinking. Now I understand what they meant with that.
Let's think of this like a giant, airborne car. One of these buttons might be an accelerator and another a brake. I can use the helm to steer, but I think there is an autopilot feature somewhere.
Okay, if the power button is right here, the balloon button here, and the accelerator and brake over there, there would only be three buttons left: flying, landing, and autopilot. On large ships, there would also be stuff like cannons and cloaking devices, but this thing is still too small.
Praying that I will not press the button that will send me deep into the ground, I pressed the button on the left. Slowly, my balloon started rising in the air.
Then a new problem presented itself to me: I was afraid of heights. I started to tense up. No, I can't let this affect me. Who cares that I am several hundred feet up in the air? I can handle this.
By the time I could will myself to look at the ground, I couldn't see the ground. Okay, now time to find out where I am supposed to go. I have seen people punch in coordinates for places a bunch of times, so I just need to figure out how.
It might have something to do with autopilot. I only have two controls left. I pressed one of them. Bad decision, because the balloon started dropping.
Once I had the ship back under control, I pressed the last one. At least I know how to land. A little keyboard popped up. For a place that is less technologically advanced than for where I came from, they sure do know some pretty cool stuff.
Once I saw Luke type down the coordinates for my place, so I already know what I need to put in. Now I can just chill until I get there.
What if someone saw me leave? I would get in so much trouble. What would they do to my family?
I cautiously glanced over my shoulder. There was no sign that I was being followed. I should be in the clear.
About an hour later, the ship stopped moving. It was hovering over the spot where I assume the landing pad is. I gently pressed the landing button. Then I was speeding towards the ground.
Thinking quickly, I also pressed the brake, and I started slowing down. I was so relieved to be on solid ground again. If I didn't know any better, I would probably be kissing the ground in relief that I was alive.
I squinted, and after a few minutes, my eyes were adjusted to the darkness. I have memorized the path I need to take to get to my house a long time ago.
The stars in the sky were bright yet dark. I am constantly reminded of Him whenever I look up at them. Still unnerved by what was going on, I hurried towards the house.
I found my key in my pocket and unlocked the door. The mansion was dark except for a dim light coming from the kitchen. Kathryn.
"Grayson? What are you doing here?" She sounded both shocked yet pleased.
I embraced her. "I had to see you."
"Grayson, I know something is wrong. What is it?"
I almost choked out the answer. "You were right. He has taken Steve's family and killed them for no reason. Then he laughed in his face."
She looked me in the eyes. "That can't be all."
"You're right. That is not all. He is trying to keep me on his side by trying to convince me that it is the right thing to do."
"What convinced you that he was wrong?"
"He killed them in cold blood. He didn't even bat an eye. No one completely sane does that. He also expressed a desire to do it to anyone else."
"He has to be stopped." My wife stared. "You have to be the one who ends it."
"What, me? Kathryn, you're crazy."
She giggled a little. "I might just be. Grayson. You are the only one who can end it, but you can only do it when the time is right. Otherwise you will become as much as a monster as he is."
I shifted a little. "But why me?"
Kathryn smiled. "You are about one of the only people he trusts. If we win, it has to be because the one who won it for us was the least likely choice. Others think that I shouldn't trust you because you are so close to him, but I do. In the end, it will be between you and the Emperor. Mark my words."
"Right. I will have to get back soon. They don't know exactly that I'm gone. At least I hope they don't."
"I understand. I will tell Artie that you came by."
"Wonderful. Well, I guess I'll see you later."
"Will do. Stay safe."
I felt an odd feeling in the pit of my stomach. "You too."
I briskly headed for where I had docked the airship. Maybe if I travel quickly enough, I will have time for a couple hours of sleep.
I hit the accelerator. I don't care that I am going three times the normal speed. At least I will end up with a few minutes of shuteye.
I fell backward into the bed. The sheets were comforting, and I quickly fell into a deep slumber.
Then I heard banging on the door. Light peeked out from under the curtains. I hate mornings.
"Please tell me that we are not having another meeting."
The random servant shook his head. "No, it is only you this time, sir. The Emperor is requesting your presence in ten minutes, no less."
"Of course he is," I sighed grumpily, "Well thank you. Please tell him that I will be down as soon as I can."
He bowed and left. I pulled on my same favorite leather jacket over my clothes. I refuse to wear the other clothes unless if it is absolutely necessary.
"Hello Commander. I have been expecting you."
Of course he was. It was the Emperor who sent for me in the first place.
I resisted the urge to reply in a sarcastic manner. "What do you need, your highness?"
"How have you been?" His smile appeared to be genuine, but I knew better.
"Cut to the chase. What do you want?" It felt good to be disrespectful like that. I was done playing the good boy.
"If you really want me to be less friendly, then just say so. I was trying to be nice." He started drumming his fingers on the armrests of his throne. "Last night, some guards reported seeing a man running and stealing an air balloon. They mentioned that he looked a lot like you. You wouldn't know anything about this, would you?"
"No, I don't. I was asleep in my bed all night. The servants can cover for me." That was a straight out lie. In fact, I sent out all of the servants before I escaped, but he doesn't have to know that.
"Are you sure because you know that lying is dangerous? If it were to come out that it was you, then there will be consequences. Neither of us wants to have to resort to those. Now let me ask one more time. What were you doing last night?"
I rolled my eyes. "I was in bed. Can I go now?" I seem to be doing a lot of lying lately.
He eyed me for a moment. "Okay Commander. You may go."
I bowed. As I was about to leave the throne-room, I heard him call after me, "Grayson."
I looked back him while hiding my disgust. "Yes?"
"Just so you know, you left the balloon running."
He did not believe me. I don't trust him. It was probably clear to the other that we felt like this. "Right. I'm leaving now."
I hurried out of the room before he could talk anymore. He knew that I had left, but why wasn't he doing anything about it? I need to get away.
Lost in thought, I nearly ran right into Luke. He looked disturbed.
"There you are, Grayson. I need to talk to you."
I tried to push my way past him. "Now is not a good time, Luke."
He grabbed ahold of my arm. "No, you need to listen. It is important. If you want what is good for the country, you need to listen to me."
I stopped. "Fine, just make it quick."
"This needs to be done in private. Follow me."
I walked slowly after him. I was already regretting this.
"Okay, Luke, what is so important for me to know?" I tapped my foot impatiently.
"Well, uh," he looked away to a portrait of a sunflower, "I might have been eavesdropping on the Emperor recently and-"
"YOU'VE WHAT?" No one that I've seen has ever had the courage to do so. To be caught listening in on his private sessions is pretty much the equivalent to suicide.
"Pay attention. He was talking with someone about this artifact of some kind. I was only wondering if you knew what was going on, because from how they were talking, it sounded like it was pretty important."
I scoffed at him. "Why would I know? I don't trust him. He doesn't trust me. The feeling is mutual."
He shrugged. "Well, I just thought that he would have told you something. They were talking about how it would end the Redstone Republics once and for all."
Now this part was interesting. They most likely were talking about some sort of secret weapon that would wipe out the entire country. If it hadn't pertained to war, I would have understood his silence in a way. However, even though he was starting to doubt my loyalty, one would expect that he would mention it at one point.
"Well, I don't know anything. Apparently the Emperor didn't feel like I needed to know about this mystery object."
"That makes two of us."
I was going to abandon him in this room, but then I realized the conversation was over. "Of all people, why did you choose to ask me?"
Luke snickered a little. "Because you are the only one who won't completely ignore me. Everyone else would have left by now to do some other thing."
"Okay then. Well, like I said, I don't know anything."
"For now." His voice dropped to a whisper even no one else would be able to hear him. "I know another meeting is at some point tonight if you are interested in hearing more."
Then he started talking normally again. "I am not asking you to eavesdrop, but, wait, that is exactly what I am asking you to do."
"No."
"But why?" he whined.
"I have my family to think of. The Emperor has already threatened to have them killed if I step out of line. I have enough problems as it is."
"Then why do you run away from your problems? If we figure out what this is, then maybe all of our problems will be solved."
"And what if your "plan" doesn't work? What if all it does is cause even more problems? I can't take that risk, Luke. I'm sorry, but I have better things to care about than some dumb weapon."
"Then I'd take full responsibility for it, but think about the greater good. If we stop this thing, then everything will be better."
It was a huge risk that I'd have to take if I help him. One wrong move will leave everyone I care about dead. I am already in too much trouble, so if I do this, I need to be careful.
Why was I debating this? I can't do this. I will never willingly put the lives of my family at stake for personal gain.
"Luke, you know that I can't do this. There is just too much to lose." I started to walk away.
He shook his head. "I thought that you would say that. That is why I have brought a visitor to talk to you. Maybe then I can change your mind."
I groaned. At this point, I would be too caught up in this mess to try and leave now. I will sincerely regret this.
He led me to his bedroom. How did he get his mystery guest here without being seen? I guess he might have used the same route I did: window and possibly air balloon.
"Hold on a second, did you use an air balloon?"
"Yeah, I did. Why?" He seemed surprised at my sudden question.
"You left the balloon running. Nice job."
He chuckled. "Oops. In here." He opened the door to his bedroom.
What was my wife doing here? She is supposed to be taking care of Artie at the house.
"What are you doing here, Kathryn? Is Artie fine?"
"Yeah, I left him with a neighbor. I couldn't refuse Luke's request. Well, I see you have refused his."
I sighed. "It is crazy. We don't need to apart of this scheme."
"But the Emperor has to be stopped. Grayson, I don't want others to suffer any longer. This object will destroy the lives of innocents. Even worse, since you lead the armies, it will be you to blame. Now is the time to act."
"Guys, we don't even know what this thing is. Why are we discussing this? This makes no sense."
Kathryn contradicted, "We are not asking for you to make a decision quite yet. We want you to find the facts first then decide for yourself."
I opened my mouth, and then I closed it again. I knew she was right, just like always. "All right. When does this meeting start again?"
Luke safely sent Kathryn back home, so that got rid of my worries that she would be caught. Now the pair of us was sneaking to where we knew the Emperor was meeting.
It was on a lonely corridor in the most secluded part of the castle. The door at the end of the hall was locked shut, but we could hear fine.
The voice of Coruk was laughing joyfully. "So, when do you plan on unveiling this secret weapon, Emperor?"
The snide tone of my newest enemy replied sharply, "Soon. This artifact I found buried deep in the ruins of Fringol will be the key to ultimate power. Rally the troops, Coruk. We will soon have an army of mages."
"But what if some don't agree? It seems to me that Grayson is already distrustful as well as countless others. What will we do then?"
"I have already warned Grayson of the consequences. He will either comply or be punished. As for the others, they are expendable. Prepare yourself, Coruk, for the path of harnessing the power of the Dragon Egg will surely be both their destroyer and our savior."
I was shocked. A dragon egg? Was that what the Emperor was hiding this whole time? I already knew that dragons had long since died out, but I didn't think that there was still an egg in existence.
Since I was so busy pondering that, I almost forgot the other part. There are others who disagree with the Emperor's antics, and he is planning on killing them. Right now, however, he is keeping me alive.
It must be because of my position. I was too important to the Empire. If I hadn't have come here from the Badlands, the Empire would have lost all the wars a long time ago. The Emperor knew that it was costly to keep me alive, but it was dangerous to leave me dead. He was at a standstill.
No, his consequences wouldn't be to kill me quite yet. He might harm my family, but I was too important. I had to stay alive.
I seem to always be staying alive while the rest of my loved ones die. Countless comrades in war died in front of me, and I couldn't do anything to save them. Heck, it was survivor's guilt that served as the primary reason for naming Artie after Armen. If I don't act, the long line of this mental pain will continue for the rest of my life.
I am done surviving while others fall. It is the time to do something. I nodded grimly at Luke. He seemed to understand my silent answer.
The conversation was not done yet. Coruk commented, "So how did you come by the egg?"
"It is a funny story. Several hundred years ago, the last dragon was slain by some foolish mortal, and the head of the creature and its egg went on display in a museum in Ironport." My heart stopped at the mention of the town where Armen died.
"Then, maybe a few decades ago, some bandits stole the egg. The glass was smashed. No one could stop them since the city was destroyed by unknown entities." It took all of my willpower to not yell out that it was Herobrine and his nightmares.
"The egg was taken to a small town called Fringol. We had no idea what happened there, but several months ago, the town was brutally destroyed. We looked through the rubble, and we found the egg buried underground to where most could not lay eyes on it. Now it is safely stationed in the Elven Islands of the Sky. There it will be safe until we will use it to conquer."
To conquer. That was what the Emperor said. It was no longer about my family and the rest of the Empire. It was about the entirety of Minecraftia Dimension 2.
We walked away in disgust. Simply dissuading the Emperor wouldn't do any good. There was only one ending to every story.
I glanced at the penguin-hatted man walking next to me. "I hope you are thinking what I am thinking, Luke."
"Unless you are thinking about sandwiches, I think we are thinking the exact same thing."
It was official then. We were going to steal the last Dragon's Egg.
Luke unlocked the door to the aircraft station. We had no time to plan; we were just going to act now and get it over with.
"I know you don't like these things, but…"
"No, it is fine, Luke. I think I have gotten over that by now. Hopefully we will make it there before sunrise. The cover of darkness will be our friend tonight.
"Do you even know where the Islands are? When we attacked the elves, my group took down those in the trees. I don't think that I have either set foot in the Islands of the Sky."
"I know how to get there, Grayson. It'll be fine. Just hold on tight. It'll be a bumpy ride."
"Why, what's the matter?" I glanced behind us. "Oh, gosh no." We were being followed.
I slipped a dark hood over my blonde hair, and Luke did the same with his purple hair. Hopefully they haven't already determined who we were. That would not go very well.
I felt the aircraft speed up. A cannonball shot right past us. In retaliation, I aimed my bow at the men piloting the other ship. Thankfully they were just those without families. Otherwise I probably wouldn't have been able to pull the bowstring.
One of those that I shot toppled off of the aircraft. I tried to get the Empire to make the barriers taller, but no, they wanted to save money and keep them really low.
Another arrow lodged itself in the chest of the pilot. His corpse slumped over the controls. Then the rest of the crew burst into chaos.
It was actually kind of amusing to watch. Apparently no one else knew how to control the ship, and either they will have to learn really fast or they will crash.
An arrow whizzed through the air, and I wasn't fast enough to dodge it. It landed in my right shoulder. I cringed from the pain. The arrow tip was ridiculously sharp, and the worst part was that I am not able to remove it because it is the only thing keeping me from bleeding out.
Since my right hand was no longer useful for battle, I couldn't really do anything but dodge until they ran out of arrows. Even then they were still posing a problem. Of course, now the situation is becoming more and more dire.
"Luke, we might have a slight problem."
"And what might that be?" He asked gruffly.
"They hit the balloon."
"Dang it. We will have to jump." He grabbed some parachutes that were strapped down so we can jump to safety. "Don't think, just jump."
The next thing I knew, we were both hurtling down to earth. "Pull it!" Luke yelled. I did, and the parachute activated.
We landed in some water. I went to the surface gasping for breath. My shoulder was screaming in protest at the exertion into water, but I know that I can't let just any doctor look at it. If I do, they will know that I was one of the people who stole the egg.
I found a little wreckage from probably our ship, so we rested on there. Basically we were stranded in the middle of the ocean with no way to get to the Elven Islands of the Sky.
"Well, what are we going to do, Luke? The only way to the islands is by air, right?"
"Not quite. There is one other way: a few miles from the shore, there is a shortcut that we used. We can climb the Eternal Stairs until we reach the islands. Well, the stairs only go to the main island, Amras Felagund. Then again, that is the most likely position for the Dragon Egg to be stationed."
"Well, let's go then. The shore is just over there." We swam over. I found a relatively unharmed map that told us that we were not too far away from where we were trying to go. It was still a little dark out, so we should be fine for another hour or two. Hopefully by then we would be at the islands.
Neither of us wanted to take the risk of losing energy to running, so we were just speedily walking to our destination. We had lost our hoods in the crash, so I just hoped that we wouldn't be spotted in the act of stealing the egg.
The staircase was long and winding. Out of both a desire to pass the time and curiosity, I asked my friend, "So how did you and Kathryn get caught up in this rebellion business anyway? What happened?"
"It is a really long story."
"Well, we have time. Just tell me, Luke."
Since there was no sign of us making it to the top anytime soon, he answered, "Well, I have lived in the Empire for about six years now, or something like that. When I came here, they were not quite friendly. The first time I remember walking up to the gates, they drove me away with swords. Eventually they let me in, but I never forgot their reception of me. One day, I was trying to find the Emperor to give him some message I don't even remember right now. I walked in to find them torturing some poor prisoner of war."
"He didn't really do anything wrong. We had found him in the woods the week before. All I knew was that they were "peacefully negotiating with him for information." This was nothing like what they had told me. Apparently he had already answered their questions, but they still beat him."
"They just kept doing it. They were ignoring his pleas for mercy. The soldiers just kept laughing at his pain, and, when they got bored, they just killed him. Just like that. The whole time I was thinking, that could have been me. Since then I have made it my mission to bring down the corrupted government."
"As for your wife, her story is more personal. Maybe three years ago, she had this friend. I could not remember a time when she and Elizabeth were separated. Then one day, the Emperor demanded to Elizabeth's father for her hand in marriage. He refused because he felt that she was too young. In angry retaliation, the Emperor killed Elizabeth and the rest of her entire family. Last I heard, her father killed himself in depression. Anyway, Kathryn was horrified and searched for a means for revenge. That is when she met me."
I was satisfied with the answer I got but also horrified. Every story I hear makes the Emperor sound more like a monster. He will continue to do this if he isn't stopped.
Then I saw grass. It was a peculiar shade green. It reminded me of emeralds. It was so bright. My feet stepped into it, but when I removed my boot, it showed no mark of someone stepping in the grass. In front of us was this temple.
"Welcome to the Temple of Isindale," Luke mumbled. He ran forward.
"Luke, wait! There are booby traps." I pointed at a low-lying thread just waiting to be tripped.
"Great, just great." I nimbly jumped over the string. At least it was only my shoulder that was in pain, not my legs. That would really suck.
It was not the only tripwire. I saw at least two-dozen traps with various distances apart. The Empire was sparing no expense in protecting this egg.
After we dodged each string trap, we got to the next obstacle. It was a dark abyss with random stone platforms in various parts. In the back of the room, I could see a distant light.
"I hope you are good at parkour, Luke. From what it looks like, that is our only option across."
"Why, though? Why can't it just be a simple bridge across with handrails and not the prospect of death?" Luke complained.
"Because the Empire hates rebels like us," I replied with a shrug, "Let's move out."
Luke groaned, but he leapt across first. I quickly followed suit. He tried to jump to this one platform that seemed like an easy jump, but I corrected him. "There is no point in this jump. Look, it ends up leading to a dead end. The toughest jumps are part of the only route we can take. We have to be fast, so no backtracking allowed."
I had to keep pointing out the simple path to get to the other side because there were so many platforms. Sometimes the path required for us to go in a circle to keep going. Other times we just had to trust that there would be a way to the entrance. After a huge amount of parkour later, we got to the final obstacle: grabbing the egg and leaving without being spotted.
It was displayed on a podium of bedrock. There were no guards in sight. Without hesitation, I grabbed it. That was a huge mistake. A loud alarm sounded around the island. The removal of the egg must have triggered it somehow.
"Go, Luke. Run. Run." I pushed him forward, and we ran from the chamber. I held onto the artifact tightly. We can't afford to lose the egg after all of our work to get it. It was a pitch-black color with deep purple spots. It felt weird holding it. It was as if I was holding the very soul of darkness.
We were sprinting away from the temple. My shoulder was protesting wildly the whole time at the exertion. It wasn't like I could stop and do wrap it up. I just have to keep going.
I heard some commotion from behind me. I didn't look behind me, but I knew that the chase was on. I did my best to keep as little of my body visible as possible. I kept a hold on my powerful sword from Ironmyre. If they catch up, it will be more than a range battle.
"In here." Luke dragged me into a small opening that led into a small cave. I heard thundering footsteps outside.
"What is this place?" I wondered aloud. I lit a torch and examined my surroundings. It looked like it was empty. Then something glinted from the dim light.
I slowly walked over to the spot. A small boulder was nearly hidden from view, but I was sure I saw something. I pushed away the vines and discovered a sword handle embedded into the rock.
"Grayson, come on. They will be coming back this way soon, so we need to leave. We can't stay here forever, man."
"Just hold on a sec. Something's here." I pulled at the handle, and after some struggle, I freed the sword.
It was surprisingly light for a sword its size. I felt like the sword was made just for me, but that is impossible. I was not even born here, so why would blacksmiths forge this for someone nonexistent.
Then I remembered the armor that I was wearing and my other sword. These I know were made for me. My name was mentioned in that book. Somehow, I am important to this world. I just don't know how yet.
"Grayson," Luke hissed, "Let's go."
"Ugh, fine. Let's go then if it will make you happy." I hung the sword at my belt.
Luke looked at me weirdly, but I shook it off. I just had the odd feeling that I was supposed to grab the sword. Then, without looking back, I darted out of the hideout.
We ran in the opposite direction from where we thought the Empire soldiers went. Then I realized that we couldn't take the stairs. Someone chose to barricade them because they somehow figured out that was how we got in.
"Now what are we going to do, Luke? Our way is blocked."
Luke frowned. "Well, I have one idea, but you'll have to trust me on this one."
He started running for the edge of the island. I didn't even think about my decision as I ran off the ledge right behind him. We ended up splashing in the water far below.
I felt the icy water, but I laughed in relief. We were alive for now. Now I just have to go home.
I didn't dare think about going back to the palace. First I need to get my family to safety. Eventually they will figure out that I took the egg and will come after us.
We swam to the shore and started our trek home. The Islands were not too far from the Emerald City, so we should be good. I distinctly remembered that the city was named because the area has grass the color of emeralds.
It was nightfall again when the lights of the city were visible. "Come on Luke, we are almost there."
He longingly looked at the city. "Grayson, I can't. You will understand why someday." Luke gave me a bag. "Here are other magical artifacts that they will want. Protect these, and keep them away from the Empire." He shook my hand and walked away before I could argue.
I looked at him in confusion. Does he plan on turning himself in or something? I am not quite sure that I want to know.
I grabbed my shoulder. In the rush to escape, I completely forgot about it, but now the agony was back full force. I then slowly made my way home.
"Kathryn," I stage-whispered in a loud voice once I made it to the door, "Kathryn."
Somehow she managed to hear my plea for her to open the door. My wife enveloped me in a huge hug. "Grayson!"
"Ow. Ow. Easy." I winced at the pain.
Her elation was replaced by concern. "Oh my gosh you're hurt, aren't you? Well let me see it."
"My shoulder."
She eased me onto the couch. "Well, good thing you kept the arrow in. It helped keep the blood in. Now where did I put the bandages?"
She came back a few moments later holding some clean white cloth. "These will work." She jerked the arrow out, and I let out a small sound of pain.
"Just hold still while I clean it. What were you doing anyway?"
Here was the questioning session I was dreading. I knew I couldn't lie my way out of this one. "Luke and I might have discovered what the secret object was. It is a Dragon's Egg, and I believe that it is the last one. We took it."
Kathryn almost dropped the bandages. "Oh my gosh! What do you mean? Do you have it with you?"
"Yeah." I brought the egg into view. She stared at both the egg and me. Well, that makes sense, I guess. I did just reveal that I took the egg.
She took it from my hands and examined it. "I didn't even know that it existed."
"Neither did I."
"Grayson, if this falls into the wrong hands, catastrophic things can happen similar to what is happening in the Badlands."
"I know. That is why we took it. The Emperor plans on using it as a weapon against the Redstone Republics."
"That is terrible." She stopped messing with my shoulder. "Well, it'll heal, but I recommend that you don't put too much stress on it."
"Well, that'll be difficult."
She gasped. "Please tell me that I am wrong in thinking what you are about to say."
I nodded grimly. "Yeah, we will have to make preparations to leave the Empire. Not tonight, though. I am still weak, but we will have to leave soon."
"I thought that you'd say that. So I just need to have a bag ready just in case?"
"Yeah. Well, I think that I want to go to sleep. I haven't shut my eyes in forever."
"Of course. The bedroom is in the same position."
"Okay, love you. See you in the morning."
"Same." She pecked me on the cheek, and soon I fell asleep in the comfort of my own home.
I woke up coughing. No, it can't be. But it was smoke. My house was in flames. I leapt out of bed. My shoulder cried out in pain, but I didn't care. I needed to get my family out.
I passed my wife our child. "Go Kathryn. Take Artie and wait for me outside. Please."
"But Grayson, what about you?"
"I just need to grab a few things. I have been in a situation like this before where I had to act quickly to survive. Don't worry about me. I will be fine. Now please go."
I shoved her out the front door and went to locate where I hid the Egg. I shoved it in a backpack with some supplies to keep us alive while we are hiding out in the Badlands. I also grabbed all of my money.
Next I located my new sword. It was still where I had left it on the coffee table. I attached it to my belt.
I also grabbed the backpack of other artifacts from Luke. This bag was smaller, so I put it on before the food backpack.
I then headed for the room where I kept the gear from Ironmyre. As I was about to enter, a part of the ceiling collapsed. There was no getting that stuff now.
I fearfully left the flaming ruins of my house. Evidently the Empire figured out that it was me who took the egg, but what about Luke? Was he okay?
"Kathryn, let's go!" I took her by the arm and headed in the southern direction. Even though it was plagued by Armen's curse, it was the safest place for my family.
I didn't look back at the place I thought was a new start. I will always be running. This time, however, I wasn't alone. I had my family with me.
We took cover in the forest. It was a dark place with possibly many creatures, but it was better than out in the open.
Kathryn laid Artie down in a makeshift blanket made from my jacket. I didn't care about cold. I extracted my white winter clothes from my bag to stay warm.
I didn't want to risk a fire, but I had to keep us warm somehow. I reluctantly lit a small campfire.
Shivering, Kathryn gestured at the sword hanging from my belt. "May I see it? I just want to look at it."
"Um, yeah. Here." I passed her the thaumium broadsword that had been hanging untouched from my belt for a while now.
She examined the dull purple blade for several minutes. "Andruin."
"What?"
"That is what it says. Look just below the hilt." Sure enough, engraved in small letters was the word "Andruin."
"What do you think it means?"
"I'm not sure. It could mean anything really." She glanced at the full moon. "Well, let's get some rest. We have a long day of walking tomorrow."
"Agreed. Hopefully this time we won't have to worry about mercenaries." I yawned as I rested my head against the tree. "Do you want to take watch?"
"Yeah, I can. You look like you haven't slept since forever."
"Really? I slept for a couple hours."
She genuinely laughed. "Just go to bed before I make you.
One month later
I had wanted to travel quickly, but with a baby who could barely walk in tow, we couldn't move as fast as I wanted. Our path of progression heading south was instead slow and steady. We took a few short breaks to rest, but we were usually walking further and further into the Badlands.
We were currently lodging in tower outside of an old rest stop called Alduin's Keep. We were well into the Badlands, but I kept pushing forward away from the Empire.
We avoided the cities. By now wanted signs have been popping up all over the Badlands. If we absolutely needed something, Kathryn would be the one to get it because the Empire was only after me.
I still can't figure out how they figured out that I was the one who stole the egg so quickly. I am ninety-five percent sure that we were not followed. It could have been that neither Luke nor I were at the Imperial Palace, but that could have been anything.
My heart stopped at the thought that they had already found Luke and that he was currently chained up in their dungeons while I roamed free. That would explain why I haven't heard anything about him for the month that I was on the run.
Then I heard the thundering sounds of animals scampering away. This was always the first sign of an attack.
Wonderful. I didn't want to have to deal with Armen, so I grabbed my sword and looked out the window so that I can see where he was coming from. The animals were heading in my direction. I have heard of countless times where animals run from Him. The picture outside was almost alike from what I have heard. Something was missing though.
I shook my family awake. This wasn't good. It was clear that a whole different monster was attacking us.
"Get up! We need to move, like, now! They are coming!"
"Who is coming?" Kathryn asked drowsily.
"The Empire. Quickly!" I gave her the bag of food and other supplies. The only thing that I took out of the bag was the Dragon's Egg.
She understood what I was going to do. "Grayson, do not do this. Please don't leave us."
"Kathryn," I took both of her hands, "They will leave you and Artie alone if they have me. They will want to spend the rest of their resources on finding the egg, not you both. This is the way that it has to be."
"But-"
"No, I have to do this. Just take Artie and stay safe. I love you."
I took her into my arms as well as our son. He started crying as if he understood what was going on, too. I was going to miss my family.
She hesitantly glanced outside. "All right. Just remember what we are fighting for."
"Got it. See you later." I had always found it hard to say goodbye. Even when Drake left me, I couldn't say it. All we said was that we will see each other around, but we never did.
I then bent down to be level with my son. "Okay little buddy. Daddy will be going on a little trip. I don't know when I'll be back, but do you think that you can protect something of mine?"
I passed him the only thing left from my adventure in Ironmyre: the Pipes of Time. "There have been times when this was the only thing that could make me cheer up. Now it will do the same to you. Keep your mother safe, okay?"
He stared wide-eyed at me. I found myself looking into his pale blue eyes. They reminded me so much of Armen's, but they were really Kathryn's. I forced a smile and gave him one last hug.
"Daddy, please don't go!" he wailed.
"Shh, shh, don't cry. Please don't cry!" If they hear him…
Kathryn picked him up. "Don't worry, Artie. Daddy will be back soon. He just has to go on an adventure fast. He'll be back before you know it." I could see the lie in her eyes and was pleased that she was trying to understand why I had to do this.
I grimly kissed Kathryn and pointed in the direction they should go. "Go southeast. They will expect you to go south just like how we have been, so southeast should confuse them. If you can, find a small country home and stay there. Do not go to the villages. All the reports of attacks have occurred at the towns, not individual houses. Plus, someone may recognize you."
She tearfully smiled. "I will. Thank you." Kathryn then picked up Artie and went southeast like I told her to.
I didn't think that I'd ever see them again, so I called out, "Good luck."
My wife replied thoughtfully, "You too."
I watched them as they went to make sure they had no trouble. When I lost sight of them, I set to work to hiding the magical artifacts. I used an old shovel to dig a hole large enough for the artifact. Next, I buried it deep within the earth. Finally, I marked it with a large bit of broken glass from the windows.
As for the other magic gear that I had taken but they were not after, I stuck them in a bag and hid it deep in a cave. I can't risk hiding the egg with the weaponry because I simply won't be able to hide the other things by digging a hole. As for my sword, I stuck it as a landmark for if I ever come back here. Taking one last look at my treasure, I left the cave.
I found a large rock outside and wrapped it in my jacket that way if they see me running off, they would still think I have the egg. I do not want them to get ahold of the last dragon's egg while I am still alive. I will NOT let them win after all that we have done to stop them.
I heard people running behind me, and I knew that I was discovered. But that's okay. At least my family and the egg are safe.
"Stop," a commanding voice yelled from behind.
I shook my head. Then I felt the jacket start to slip off the egg/rock. I tried to reposition it, but it was too late. They already saw.
I turned around and raised my hands. I had left my sword at the tower, so fighting back wasn't an option.
"Come and get me."
They dragged me over to one of the balloons. It was complete with a brig especially designed to hold me. One of the older soldiers chained me to the wall so I didn't escape. They sure weren't taking a chance with me.
The portholes were barred just in case if I got free. Unfortunately they have some of the strongest prisons in all of Minecraftia. More likely than not, I will not be escaping them anytime soon. It is not possible.
The journey felt longer than it normally would feel like. I felt the dread of knowing that I would no longer be alive. I have survived so much, but the thing that finally brings me down is not Herobrine but the Empire.
Everyone dies at some point; my time just happens to be now. All what Armen's sacrifice did to me was buy me two more years of time and more things to lose. What was I going to do with that?
I feel like I am taking his sacrifice for granted. I feel thankful for the life I have led up until this point. I wouldn't give anything up for a normal life. The day he and Drake showed up in my infirmary was probably one of the best days of my life. It allowed me to meet my family.
Six guards came over and unchained me from the wall. Any respect they once had for me was gone. Instead they were treating me like the criminal they thought I was.
I coldly kept my gaze fixated forward. They may take my freedom, but they will never take my dignity. The brightly colored wall drapes now seem dull. The peaceful vases of flowers seemed wilted. Everything has turned from a palace of life into a graveyard of fear.
I was led into the throne room. The Emperor was lounging in his ornate chair. The cocky man was just sneering at me because he knows that he has won.
On a small stool next to him sat an elf. I met her spring-green eyes for a moment, but then she looked away. The Emperor was about to speak.
"Well well well. Out of all people, I never thought that I'd ever see you sitting here to be tried as a war criminal. I must say that I am surprised."
"Well, I seem to be full of surprises, Emperor."
"That you are, Commander, or should I say ex-commander? I think you threw away that position with that little stunt a month ago."
"Well, I hope you enjoy your gloating because I don't have the egg with me. You will never find it, Emperor. I have hidden it far away from here." In a hole outside of an abandoned city.
"Hm, that's too bad because you kind of have to tell me or else you will face the consequences. Let's make this simple. Where did you hide the egg?"
"Uh, why should I tell you?" I crossed my arms, well aware of the twenty-something arrows trained on my face. "I am not the fool you make me for."
"Grayson, you know that it is wise to answer my question. I don't play around in these situations."
"Well, you will have to just kill me then. I won't tell you where it is. You have nothing against me."
The look in his red eyes scared me. "Oh but I do, dear boy. Did you really think that we wouldn't find those you hold most dear?"
He gave a nod towards one of the guards. He saluted and opened the large set of double doors. A pair of guards escorted in a bedraggled woman holding a sleeping child. My family.
"Let them go!" I tried to lunge for him, but both the chains and the still-painfully-healing shoulder held me back.
"Or what? Are you going to hoodwink me into freeing them? I believe I have the control. I, Emperor Tricerotres, think that maybe I should stretch the consequences a little bit. Either you tell me where the egg is and I let them go, or you stay silent and watch them die."
"No, Grayson. Do not listen to him. It is not worth it. Remember what's at stake here," my wife reasoned. I can't kill my family, though, but I can't destroy the world, either.
"Would you kill them? They are your only link at getting to me. Killing me won't do anything, and killing them will make me want to stay quiet even longer. You wouldn't kill them, would you?"
"Watch me." He snapped his fingers. "I gave you the chance, and now you will realize what you have done."
It happened in slow motion. Three arrows were loaded. Three arrows shot. Two landed in Kathryn's chest, the third in Artie's head.
With her dying breaths, Kathryn whispered, "Grayson… Run." She collapsed, and Artie's dead body rolled from her grasp. Her final tears fell from her eyes.
"NO!" I fell to my knees. I just killed them. I just killed my family. I am the reason they are dead. They are dead because of me.
He laughed. "But I thought that this was the punishment you wanted for all rebels. No, wait, it was someone else's idea who just simply signed under your name. Come on in, Luke."
He didn't just say Luke's name, but here was the purple-haired betrayer with the penguin hat. He looked healthier than usual, but he was pale.
"You." I pointed at him in shock. It can't be. "You killed my family."
"Grayson, you don't understand. It had to be done. You were supposed to see why." He seemed calm and collected, but I knew that he was really not.
"You were the one who told them that I had the Egg, weren't you?"
"Well, yes, but I had to. Grayson, they would've killed me."
I looked away with tears of disgust, sadness, and hatred. I thought that he was my friend. Was I really alone in this world? Was that really my destiny?
Enraged, I looked at his mismatched eyes. "I trusted you! You were my friend. You killed them! You killed my family! I swear that I will kill you! Someday, I will kill you!" I wasn't sure who I was talking to at the end, but it felt good to say it.
"Well, I hope that you enjoyed your happy reunion as much as I had because now it is time for the next stage of the plan. We will find the egg whether or not you comply, Grayson. Guards, bring the thief to the gallows and let the execution commence."
"What?" Luke looked at him in horror. "This wasn't a part of the deal?"
"What deal, Luke? All I remember is that you asked to be spared on your behalf, not his. Enjoy freedom, for only one can remain."
Quickly Luke and some other guard took me by the armpits and started to lead me to where I will be hung. Maybe it was better if I joined the rest of my family. Then again, vengeance would never quite be mine to take.
We were at the plain doors of the execution room. I relaxed as I prepared for my imminent doom. Then the oddest thing happened.
Luke spun around and stabbed the other guard in the throat. He could barely breathe much less call for help. The soldier quickly died.
Luke looked at me. "Go! Leave this place."
I looked at him in hatred and awe. "This doesn't change anything!" I hissed.
"I knew you'd say that. I'm sorry," he said sadly. For a moment there, I thought that he truly meant it, but then the anger returned.
I smashed the window and climbed through. As I started to run off, I glanced over my shoulder. Luke stabbed himself in the stomach where it wouldn't be fatal. I secretly wished that it would be.
No one quite realized that I had escaped yet, but they will. For now, though, I am in the safe zone. Still, I just kept running south. Around 9:00 in the evening, I stopped by a village called Mortem to rest. The people were just heading off to bed, but no one gave me weird looks. Either word that I am the escaped Dragon Thief hasn't reached them yet, or they simply didn't care.
A room in the inn cost me five florins. That was like spare change considering the twenty marques I had in my pocket. I can't stay here in this sanctuary forever, so if I was going to restock on supplies, now was the time to do it. Several travellers had set up booths to sell things that I'll need, so I decided to visit them.
One of the travellers had an intriguing shop. It was a plain table with just a pile of maps and a large key. Unlike the rest of the salesmen, he wasn't selling food, water, or survival gear. Apparently he was only selling the maps and key.
"Where do those maps go?" I asked him.
His eyes perked up. Apparently he hasn't gotten much attention from potential customers. "They go to the Magical Library."
"The what library?"
"The Magical Library."
That sound like a bunch of baloney to me, but something made me stay back to talk to him. "Well, what is it?"
"I don't quite know. I may need some remembering tools." So he was a stingy bargainer? Not surprising.
I slammed down ten sovereigns onto the table. "Would this do?"
"My memory has come back. It is a library full of magical knowledge. The books said to be there are told to have every secret of magical lore. It can even hatch special eggs."
He knows who I am. I passed him another ten sovereigns. "Stay quiet. How much for the maps?"
"I will sell them to you for three marques each, but what good will the maps do if you don't know where they lead? I wouldn't be able to tell you even if I wanted to, so don't bother try and have me recall where it is."
"Three marques? Ugh, here." With my pockets significantly lighter, I turned to go to the next station.
"Sir, even if you do find it, how will you get in? You need the key." The clerk held the old key above his head.
"How much?" Please don't be too expensive.
"You'll buy my silence and the key for fifty sovereigns." I had expected it to be more, but I didn't argue.
As I headed south the next morning, an old tune popped back into my head from a couple months ago. I had thought that I had finished it, but I didn't.
Is the Empire friend or foe?
They killed innocents all in a row.
Then the rebels stand hand in hand.
His wife among them he doesn't understand.
The Emerald City falls to ruin,
And now the man wields Andruin.
He finds the last dragon egg and hides it away.
The friend who helped him decides to betray.
His family lies dead on the floor.
The man curses the Emperor forevermore.
As his home burns away and tears are spilt,
Nothing remains but his guilt.
Now he goes on to find
The Magical Library left behind.
On the hunt they are for him.
Without much hope, his story looks grim.
All was lost that very same day,
Ever since that cursed egg made him prey.
This poem telling my story will never end. Things will always happen. I will always be alone.
Then I saw Alduin's Keep. One glance at the wooden bulletin board was enough to tell me that they already caught on to my disappearance.
The rusty shovel was where I had left it. I passed it back and forth between my hands. Is the egg still where I had left it? With my luck, it was probably gone by now or something.
The glass and dirt was not disturbed, and the egg was still there. I took care to pick it up gently because from what I knew, dragon eggs have the uncanny ability to teleport when disturbed.
Nearby was the little cave where I hid the rest of my things. The sword was still stabbed into the ground, and I retrieved it with no struggle. The backpack was still lying on the ground of the cave, and nothing was missing out of it.
I started going southeast. By now, it was about noon. My family went in this direction before they were…taken. It was about time that I discover why.
About a mile or two from I had initially saw them off, I saw the first signs of a struggle. The leaves of some bushes were ruffled, and scattered footprints were scattered in the mud.
I saw something lying on the ground nearby. It was the abandoned bag of supplies I gave Kathryn. Most of the food was fine since they were non-perishable goods such as bread and canned oatmeal.
Something else was lying on the ground close-by. After having been trampled by horses, the Pipes of Time were lying on the ground in two pieces. Artie had dropped it out of when the armies came.
They did this to my family. There was no use blaming myself. The Empire was the one who killed them. Luke told them everything, and they acted on it. While I was the one who refused to answer, it was the Emperor who really called for the order to kill them.
I never break my promises, and I still have one promise left for Kathryn. This is a promise that I will never break. Now, I have even more of a reason to go with it. There was only one way this would go down. I was going to have to kill the Emperor.
As you might have already seen, I am a feels destroyer. I also never know when to stop. Do you know how long this took to type up? At least two months or so! Like seriously, it got to the point that I was just rushing to get this done. Well, now I am. Hopefully the rest of the story will be fixed up soon.
Everything that happened here happened for a reason. They built up towards some event, and it is pure perfection. Who cares if it started getting really dark and sad at the end? It was *hopefully* awesome. Did you notice the hint about this one character which will eventually show up in a one-shot? Well, he has already been seen, but, well, it's complicated.
So how much did you like this? I hope that you would rate this 27474566976439623 stars out of 5. Remember to review for more. This is like one of the only stories that I can be counted on to update on a regular basis, so please review. Check out my other stories such as my other Haunted story, "Death or Eternal Punishment."
Thanks for reading :D
~Lya200~