The Minecraft Story: The Kingdom: Chapter 23
The stranger crept through the dark halls. The new moon drowned out any natural moonlight. The only thing that illuminated the night was the occasional torch.
The stranger had been careful to plan this. Every single turn, torch, and guard was taken into account. They ducked and dodged out of sight. Nobody saw them.
When they got to the room, they carefully planted the block of TNT.
…
"The scouts have been officially sent out," said General Blackthorn.
"Now we just pray they find our lost allies," an officer responded.
"It's the best we can do for them," said King Ironheart as he slowly stood up.
The war room had been called again to briefly discuss the evacuation plan and the scouting parties. It was full of high command officers and noble houses. King Ironheart, with the help of his daughter, and General Blackthorn, with the help of his daughter as well, hobbled out of the war room to talk.
"I must ask, General. Do we have any shot of winning against the pillagers? Is there any hope?" King Ironheart asked.
Blackthorn thought about it for a moment before answering, "I wish I could say yes, but the truth is, with their numbers, we don't stand a chance."
"Then the scouting parties really are our only chance."
"That's the hard truth."
"In that case, we'll begin evacuation drills today. I've left the preparation to Lieutenant General Hornsby."
"Hornsby? Not me, your highness?"
"You're still severely injured, you've already pushed yourself too much by coming here," King Ironheart placed his hand on Blackthorn's shoulder, "Please, rest for now. You'll need your strength to evacuate with the others." The king hobbled away back to his palace.
"Damnit, I hate that he's right," Blackthorn grunted, "Of all the times to be injured, damnit! Going into that portal was a mistake."
"You're right, it was," Alex agreed, "We shouldn't take stupid risks, especially not you."
Blackthorn laughed, "You're one to talk. I know you took that Steve fella outside the walls. What were you doing?"
"I brought him home. I wanted to give him a chance to leave…but he's decided to stay. I'm starting to see something in him. I'm going to train with him everyday until these bastards arrive. I think he'll be useful in our fight."
BOOOOOOOOOOOM!
The war room burst into flames in a fiery inferno. The doors blew off their hinges and nearly hit the two Blackthorns. Alex grabbed her father and pushed him into a safer position. She could hear their screams before they came out.
The officers and nobles in the war room came running out. The ones who'd survived the initial blast had massive burns all over their bodies. Most were still on fire as they ran out. Some were missing limbs entirely.
They fell to the ground as they burned. Alex tried to put the fires out, but she knew it was too late for most of them. It wouldn't be long until they succumbed to their injuries.
…
Blackthorn was back in the hospital, along with the few officers and nobles who were still barely alive.
Alex led the investigation team to find out what happened in the war room. It didn't take them long to find the remnants of a block of TNT. Alex guessed two possible scenarios as to what happened. Either a pillager soldier snuck into the walls and planted it, or more likely, their mole had struck again.
Alex kicked away a piece of charred table in frustration. This attack left most of their high-ranking officers and nobles dead, including Lieutenant General Hornsby. No remaining officers came close to his ranking. She knew that he would have to lead the evacuation drills.
A few hours later, as dusk began to fall, many more officers and nobles passed from their injuries. The command structure of the Stone Kingdom had taken a massive blow in a matter of just a few seconds.
Alex sat on Blackthorn's hospital bed; grateful her father had not been in the war room. "How could anyone do this? How could someone betray their own people?"
"I'm sure it's some cowardly prick too afraid to stand up against the pillagers," Blackthorn answered.
"Now the evacuation efforts are going to be delayed. We don't have time for this shit."
"You're right, we don't, which is why we'll begin first thing in the morning. We can't sit around with our thumbs up our ass any longer."
"Damn straight, I'll help you anyway I can."
"No, you won't. I want you to train those two, Steve and Sphen. If you truly think they can be vital assets to our fight, then train them."
"But what about you?"
"Don't worry about me, that's an order hon."
Alex sighed and rested her hands on her chin.
"Oh, I should tell you this now," said Blackthorn, "With the command structure decimated, you're now the second highest ranked officer in our military. Meaning that when I'm dead, you'll be assuming command as General."