Seven witches are destroying this world by raising an army of undead warriors. My job is to hunt and kill them. Perhaps killing these witches will restore balance to the world.
Six witches have been slayed: one more remains.
This is my journey. My only goal is to tell a good story.
Day 123
I had all the equipment I needed, plus information on the whereabouts of the last witch. This was my best lead in months, and I was prepared to end their tyranny. I headed west, straddling the mesas and the desert.
But it seems the witch was laying traps for me. First, I fell into a hole and got trapped on an overhang while riding Lightning. I was almost squished to death.
Then I had to cross a shallow sea. It was midday, not a single monster in sight, and yet I heard the growls and the snarls of somebody watching me.
Then, out of nowhere, a phantom started attacking me! Lightning was hurt considerably, and I almost lost her.
[Author’s note: Seriously, I’m not making this part up! Some invisible zombie started attacking me in broad daylight and I couldn’t do anything about it!]
I continued across the desert, and eventually found a temple that I had destroyed so many months ago. I must have gotten mixed up somewhere along the way.
Finally, night fell. Witches and monsters come out at night (usually). All of today’s travels was needed only to put me in the right spot. Hopefully this is the right time.
The monsters crawled out of the ground, and finally, FINALLY, I found the seventh witch!
I demounted from Lightning, then went on the offensive. Witches had to be killed fast, otherwise they poisoned you. I would not give this witch a chance to throw potions on me.
I gave her no last words. This ends now.
After the witch fell, her minions continued their assault. I had to fight off mob after mob, all of them reeling in insanity after their leader perished.
A creeper sneaked up behind me, but fortunately I was able to dodge his explosion.
All this fighting and commotion spooked Lightning, and she ran far from me. She was drawn to the light of a lava pool, and stood perilously on the edge.
Lightning, get away from there! That sand is unstable!
She slipped anyway, and fell into the lava. My horse for the past 100+ days! She followed me on this entire journey. I built land bridges specifically for her so she could get across the ocean.
And it all ends with a stupid mistake.
I needed a moment to compose myself, but now was not the time, for on the horizon, two more witches appeared!
This can’t be happening! The legends said there were seven witches harassing this world, not nine!
And then I figured it out. The final witch was the master of her coven. She had not one form, but three. To kill her, all three forms needed to be vanquished.
I’d never challenged two witches at once before. With Lightning gone and my strength draining away, I accepted the challenge. What did I have to lose? If I didn’t save the world, who would?
I let the arrows fly from my enchanted bow, and finally, the threat was resolved.
Day 124
The sun was rising, and I could see green on the horizon. Time to leave this forsaken desert behind and find a new life.
Life seemed to return to this world immediately. The air smelled fresher, the grass looked greener, and the animals more lively.
There would be no hero’s welcome for me. No ceremonies, no celebrations, no fanfare.
That was just the way I wanted it. This world might not know who saved it, or what, but I would know. And that’s enough.
I found a forest, a deep forest, and ventured inside.
The end.
[Author’s note: For those of you who’ve followed this story, thanks for sticking with it! It took me a lot longer to complete this arc than it should’ve, so your patience is appreciated! Game on, ~Dennis]