Long ago; where we stand now, there was a great kingdom. One with walls that stood firm, doors to other realms, and atop it all, a king. King Crepusc of Minecraftia.
"Mr. Theo! You know that's just a story, right?" One of the tiny villagers sitting around Theodore called out.
"I was there when the kingdom was functional. Why, I was a young lad myself when a lot of this happened. Besides, even if it wasn't real, I might as well entertain all of you while I have some free time." Theodore replied.
"Now, where was I…"
Minecraftia's king was more powerful than most, highly skilled in magic and a competent leader; as blinded by stubbornness as he could be.
His power, his spells, were great enough suspected him to be something divine, some fourth god. Remember that there were only three gods in the temples in those times, that… cursed thing that now claims the fourth window is not deserving of the title, despite its power.
Despite the disasters that some times fell upon the kingdom, it held strong for many years.
What ended it all, brought it all to ruin, was a single attack on a single trading ship.
You see, another power had been growing alongside Minecraftia, one that called themselves Incurso.
For long; Incurso had conquered the smaller groups that surrounded it, any who gave their skills to its empire were spared, and any others were disposed of.
But as Incurso grew, those smaller nations became fewer and according to some, their eyes started turning to Minecraftia.
But despite Incursos policy of expansion and Minecraftias growing fear, neither could find an excuse for war with a nation that could match their own.
And then it happened: A group of Incursoians robbed a Minecraftian ship of nearly everything it carried. Everyone thought the same thing: That the Incurso government had ordered the attack in order to start a war, and so paranoia and anger rose, and so Minecraftia then declared war before another similar incident could go unpunished.
Now, something you must understand: Both nations, especially Incurso, had always fought smaller nations. To them, war was easy and fast and always brought back treasures and glory.
They did not know of the years-long grinding conflict that this war between Incurso and Minecraftia would become.
As more and more fell to the forces of Incurso, Crepusc searched for something that could end the war once and for all.
And so he made plans to create a being so powerful, so terrifying, and so destructive that Incurso would be forced to surrender to its might.
He gathered lost souls, uncovered ancient skulls, and forged spells of horrific power.
His own lead researcher begged him, warned him that safety tests must be conducted and the soon-to-be entities loyalty confirmed. But the rising death toll halted him, gave him no time for such a seemingly unneeded thing as safety.
Then Crepusc launched a personal invasion into one of Incursos cities, and there he bound the pieces of the Wither together, giving a single order—engrained into its very being, its sole drive for existing—Ḑ̸̧͙̤͉̺̱̘̘̹̦̲̐̀̈́Ȩ̴̡̧̰͙̖͇̞̩̗̝̋̀̊̏͂̈͑̽̀͗͂͜͝S̸̛̪̰͇͂̈́͂̄͋̓̾͆͂̓́̈́͠͝T̸̩̣̣͍͇͕̣̘̪̭̦͓̎̀̓̍̿͌̈́̑͝͠͝ͅR̸͓͔̿̎O̴̡̢͎̯̘̰̰̐́̈́̔̾͌Ý̶̦̏̆̕͝
And with that land cursed with its presence, he fled back into his own kingdom. He heard reports of the destruction it heralded, and of the Incurso governments plea for a treaty.
Then it destroyed that government.
Then it followed a convoy of Minecraftian ships back home.
He realized, far too late, that it would only listen to his initial command. Absolutely nothing would make it deviate from that order.
In one of his final acts, he tried to destroy the construct, only to fail miserably. Even a god couldn't kill it, he was forced to realize.
Then he sent out his final message, stating that he would attempt to restrain it.
What has become of him, we do not know. However, even if the Withers continued influence in the form of the undead is undeniable, none have seen it in an age, suggesting that the king may have, at least partially, succeeded.
I hope whatever restrains he placed on it will last, if he placed any at all.
"Don't you think that's a little dark to be telling to children?" the mayor, Isaac, questioned.
"It's the story of why things are the way they are, why undead creep up into the village at night, why the clerics paint protective runes near images of the blasted thing." Theodore uttered back.
"I understand that, but you didn't need them to know some of those details." the mayor said back with a sigh.
"But it was cool!" a young lass called out, receiving mutters of agreement from the other children huddled around the elder.
"Well. I suppose they have spoken. You win this round, Theo." Isaac stated, a slight chuckle in his voice.
"So, what's been happening as of late?" Theo, trying to start a conversation as the two walked.
"As for right now, not much. Just the same old bickering about the price of tools and requests that we build a giant wall around the whole village." Isaac replied—slight personal irritation bubbling up at the idea of gathering enough materials to build such a absurdly large structure, despite the benefits—"Although I did hear some worrying gossip at dinner last night. Someone talking about seeing gray figures out in the forest last night. Hopefully that's just a rumor rather than a patrol sighting."
"It's probably nothing. Just someone making up something interesting to balance out how little happens here." Theo stated, sending a glance to one of the golems striding throughout the streets.
"Any progress on reclaiming your old hobby?" Asked Isaac, thinking of the chestplate he had seen in Theos home, branded with the old kingdoms insignia.
"Why yes. Although I've been trying to branch out. I've tried to make a few tools, but I'm still stuck in the ways of armor smithing. Could prove a useful hobby, and make the toolsmith, what's his name…. Charlie start charging reasonable prices for his own." He told.
"Yeah, some competition for him could be great for the economy. Hey, look, sun's setting soon. I suppose I'll go give my evening announcements and then everyone can have dinner." He stated, sauntering up the path to the town bell.
"Now, I've heard rumors being passed around of patrols. Regardless of how true they are, just remember: As so as you hear the bell, just bring yourself and any children inside and barricade your door. The golems should deal with any raiders. Speaking of which, masons, what are the golems current statuses?" Isaac asked, nearing the end of his speech.
"Two of them are in good condition, the last one needs a bit of polish and repairs." One of them informed, pointing to the golem standing sentinel at the edge of the crowd.
"Well then. Ahem, " The crowd went silent. "The Sun soon sets in its warmth, Gaia slumbers, and now it is the Moons turn to fight back the dark. Whichever of you three can hear, I continue to ask for your guidance and protection from the undead and their master for the village of Tres Silvae and any others which lie within this kingdoms ruin. Thank you." The mayor finished his prayer.
With that, the crowd below, resting on benches and tables surrounding the town bell, began to work away at their dinner—gossip, advice, and all other sorts of talk flying throughout the air.