Journal Entry #1
Date: 12/16/2023
I saw the creature. They didnt believe me. And they died for their ignorance. Maybe if I had listened to the being they'd be alive. Is this survivor's guilt?
No. It would have killed me and then went after the rest. It was either all of them dying and me surviving, or everyone dying.
I was tild to catalog my encounter. And catalog I will. Let this be a warning to all who dare to enter the forests of the North.
It all started when me and my mining company, consisting of me, my brother, and two other guys and a single woman, aquired a new mining commission.
"Hey, Eric! Your dirty son of a bitch brother managed to get us a commission for Christmas!" Lydia, the only girl in our company said. Which is a surprise considering women never want to get their hands dirty. Especially if they're from those big cities. "We'd best tear into our crates and rustle him up a good meal. We owe it to 'em."
Lydia walked into my room, which is just a glorified broom closet conpared to everyone else's, already wearing her mining gear. A pair of baggy cargo pants, already filled with assorted mining equipment. Her short-sleeved shirt that was already stained beyond cleaning by dirt and soot. And her ruby-red hair was pulled back into a ponytail, and her face was still covered in soot from our last commission nearly a week ago.
I tapped the handle of my iron pickaxe thinking about what I should cook. "We have any fishing line? I could try and get some fresh fish. Heck, maybe pull up a ancient pickaxe that'll double our mining speed, while I'm at it." I smirked, standing up.
Lydia crossed her arms, "For a miner, you're stupidly good at fishing and building. You're gonna spill the coal on it sooner or later." And with that remark, she walked back outside and toward our personal mine, which was nearly bone-dry from how long we've been waiting for a commission.
Once the fiery redhead was out of earshot, I took a deep breath and sighed. 'That was close. It's best she doesn't know why I'm good at what I do.' I thought to myself.
I picked up my fishing rod that hung over my doorframe and walked outside. But I walked toward the small lake that was a stone's throw from our place.
As I cast my line, I remembered why I left the North Forests, dreading the cause.
I stood frozen in terror, as my father was paralyzed from the same sight I had seen.
We were inside a small mine, but it ran deep. Deeper than most mines dare to tread. My father believed he'd strike diamonds one day and we'd never have to mine again. But instead of diamonds, we found everything else. Iron, lapis, gold, and even redstone. Hell, we found Ancient Cities, Temples, and Strongholds never disturbed in the millions of years they lay dormant beneath the miles of dirt, stone, and deepslate.
But one fateful day, we entered a tomb we never should have unsealed. The doors were large, as if they were meant to keep people out. Or more accurately, something inside.
I felt a tug at my line, snapping me out of my memories.
My brother, the last relative of mine left alive, was looking down at me. His eyes still sparkled, as innocent as a child. I'm glad someone in my family isn't cursed with the trauma of that... thing. "Hey, Eric. I didn't know fish bit onto empty line. They that hungry now?" He chuckled, lifting the lure out of the water, revealing the missing bait.
"Aw shit. I must've forgotten the bait back at the house. Well no sense in fishing when the fish won't bite." I reeled in my line, silently cursing myself for not remembering to bring the bait.
John, my brother, laughed heartily, "Oh ho ho ho! I bought some mutton on the way back. So in a way, it worked out in the end. Anyway, let's head back, it's getting dark. Don't wanna be out too long, or the mobs will get overwhelming."
I didn't let him hear me, but I mutteres under my breath, "These monsters aren't even dangerous in comparison."