MC POV
I walked toward the village, Bruce matching my pace beside me, while the others followed behind. We had already mapped out the layout of the village and knew it was guarded by only two iron golems—simple but effective protection, considering the setting.
As we crossed the boundary into the village, something caught my attention. The villagers didn't have the same pixelated look that one would expect in Minecraft. They looked... human. I could easily distinguish between who was male and who was female, unlike the vague and blocky figures from the game. Still, I didn't voice this observation aloud. It seemed better to keep things quiet for now, let everyone adjust without pointing out every oddity.
A farmer noticed us approaching. He was tending to a patch of wheat when he paused, wiped the sweat from his brow, and began walking toward us. As he got closer, I could see the curiosity in his eyes, though he maintained a polite demeanor.
"Good day," he greeted us. "Are you travelers? Or are you here looking for someone?"
His tone was calm, welcoming even. I decided to keep things simple, not wanting to raise suspicions. "Yes, we're travelers," I responded with a friendly smile. "We're looking for some information, and we heard this village might be able to help."
The farmer nodded, not appearing surprised. "Well, in that case, follow me. The village chief is the one you'll want to talk to. He's also our librarian."
The farmer led us through the village, past various structures that were more intricate than I'd expected. It felt odd—this blend of a familiar, blocky game world and something more lifelike. As we walked, Bruce leaned over and whispered, "This place is way too detailed. It's like the game world you described evolved or something."
I nodded, keeping my eyes on our surroundings. "Yeah, it's unsettling, but we'll figure it out."
After a short walk, the farmer stopped in front of a small house with a sign above the door indicating it was a library. "This is the chief's place. He'll be able to answer your questions," he said, giving us a polite nod before heading back to his field.
We stepped inside the library. It was a cozy space with walls lined with books. The air smelled of parchment and wood, and sitting behind a desk was an elderly man—likely the village chief. His kind eyes lifted from the book he was reading, and he smiled warmly at us.
"Welcome, travelers. Please, come in," the chief said, gesturing to the seats in front of him. "I am the village librarian and chief. What brings you here?"
As we settled into the chairs, the chief offered us some fresh-baked potatoes. I picked up one, nodding in thanks before Bruce spoke. His voice was calm, but calculated, as he explained our fabricated story.
"We're travelers. We were caught in a storm and were blown off course. Our village is isolated, so we don't know much about the outside world. We're trying to find our way back home, but... we're a bit lost."
The chief listened intently, his hands folded in front of him. He didn't seem skeptical of Bruce's explanation, which was good. After all, the truth would be a bit too much for them to handle. Once Bruce finished, the chief nodded slowly, stroking his beard in thought.
"I see. It's not uncommon for travelers to pass through here, seeking answers." He stood up from his chair and walked over to a bookshelf, retrieving an old, worn book. "Before I help you, let me tell you a story that might help you understand the world a little better."
The chief leaned back into his chair, his eyes distant as he began his tale. We had gathered around him in the small library, the fresh-baked potatoes almost eaten. The evening light cast a warm glow through the windows, giving an almost mystical quality to the room.
"A long time ago," the chief began, his voice carrying a somber tone, "before the great calamity, there lived a civilization known as the Ancients. They were very advanced people, capable of magic and craftsmanship so intricate that today's craftsmen would give anything to witness their work."
As he spoke, I couldn't help but draw comparisons to elements from Minecraft. The "magic" might be akin to enchantments from the game, while their advanced craftsmanship could involve redstone mechanisms. I tried to dismiss these thoughts and focus on the chief's narrative.
"The Ancients worshipped a deity whom they believed granted them their knowledge," the chief continued. "However, during a particular ritual, the doors of their grand temple began to glow a menacing purple. Out of this glow emerged creatures from the depths of hell."
The chief's words painted a vivid picture. The purple glow and demonic creatures sounded alarmingly similar to the Nether portals and the ghastly entities that came through them. I leaned in, my curiosity piqued.
"The Ancients," the chief said, "believed they had angered their deity and sought to find redemption. They embarked on a perilous journey to the End, believing it would provide answers. But upon reaching the End, they were not met with divine beings. Instead, they encountered a colossal black dragon, so powerful that its presence was beyond their wildest imaginations."
As the chief spoke of the black dragon, my mind started to draw similarities to the Ender Dragon in the game. The idea of the Ancients being wiped out by such a creature aligned with the lore I knew. The world, it seemed, had its own mythos that mirrored the game's universe.
"The Ancients," the chief continued, "were ultimately destroyed by this dragon. Since then, our world has been plagued with undead creatures. Some believe these creatures are the Ancients, cursed by their deity to wander the world for eternity."
It would make sense the broken Nether portals scattered around the world and the tale the chief told. It seemed plausible that these portals were not originally portals rather they were once used to enter the temple of the Ancients. Someone or something might have caused a fire which opened the portal to the Nether, leading to further chaos.
And the presence of enchantment books, shipwrecks, and treasures scattered across the world could be the remnants of the Ancients. When the End portal was first opened, the Endermen, perhaps drawn by the same energies, crossed over into this world.
The pieces were falling into place. The lore suggested that the Endermen arrived from the End, and their presence, along with other artifacts, might be things which was left behind by the Ancients. The shipwrecks and treasures, mineshafts were likely remnants of their civilization, scattered across the world in their wake.
Bruce, who had been listening intently, spoke up. "So, what you're saying is that the world we're in was once very different. The calamity transformed it into what we see today, and the remnants of that civilization are scattered throughout?"
The chief nodded. "Exactly. The world as you see it now is a shadow of what it once was. The Ancients left behind many secrets, and their story is but a fragment of the larger truth."
Peter raised a hand. "Is there any way to uncover more about these secrets? Any specific locations we should explore?"
The chief thought for a moment. "There are ancient ruins scattered across the land. Some are submerged in the oceans, others hidden deep within forests or mountains. These ruins may hold clues about the Ancients and their downfall. It's said that exploring these places might reveal more about their civilization."
Hinata, who had been quiet until now, spoke up. "What about the End? Can we reach it from here?"
The chief's expression grew solemn. "The End is not easily accessible. The portal to the End requires specific materials to activate, and even then, it's a dangerous journey. You might need to find the Temple of the End and Eyes of an Ender to reach it."
Tatsumaki, interjected, "So, we need to find these materials and locate the End temple. How do we start?"
The chief nodded. "You should begin by exploring the ruins and gathering any artifacts you can find. They might give you clues about the materials needed for the End Portal. Be cautious—many of these places are perilous, and the remnants of the Ancients' curses may still linger."
I glanced around at the group. "It looks like we have our work cut out for us. First, we should gather more information from the village and then head out to explore these ruins."
Bruce nodded in agreement. "Let's split up. Some of us can search the village for additional clues, while others can prepare for our journey."
Peter and Hinata volunteered to explore the village for any hidden information, while Bruce, Tatsumaki, and I prepared for the exploration of the ruins. Rose and Megumi took charge of organizing supplies and ensuring we were well-equipped for the journey ahead.
As we prepared, I couldn't help but reflect on the gravity of our situation. We were not just in a game world; we were in a reality with its own complex history and dangers. Our mission was now clear: uncover the secrets of the Ancients, find the materials needed to access the End, and navigate the challenges that lay ahead.
We had a plan, but the journey would be far from straightforward. With the night approaching and the village's warmth fading behind us, we set out to begin our quest. The road ahead was uncertain, but with our combined skills and determination, we were ready to face whatever this world had in store for us.