Welcome back everybody to the Minecraft Short Stories podcast.
In this episode today we have a listener story by Daniel, and
I'm finally over all my sicknesses so I can actually
read the story and can actually get back to making episodes and
releasing episodes. So now that's over, back to
making stuff. Anyways, this story's title is
block by block, the Quest for the Blade of the Ancients, not
to be confused with episode at like 30 something, which is the
quest for the Ancient Blade, which is story I wrote.
Thank you Daniel for submitting this.
And the story was submitted through my website,
minecraftshortstories.com, through the Submit a story page.
So if you have a story you'd like to submit, it has to be
about Minecraft. Of course, you can go to there,
built the page and it may get right on the show.
There is a link for that and so the description.
And then also there's some other links down there.
Check out the Patreon and the YouTube and that stuff.
Anyways, another thank you to Daniel for submitting this
awesome story and let's get right into it block by block.
The quest for the Blade of the Ancients by Daniel, chapter 1.
The prophecy unfolds. The village was quiet, save for
the occasional crackle of a torch and the distant buying of
a sheep. Steve leaned against the wall of
the library, steadying the map Alex had found.
It's corners were frayed and it's ink had faded with age, but
one thing was clear. The X marked something
important. You really think it exists?
Alex asked, breaking the silence.
She stood behind him, her iron sword glinting faintly in the
torch light. A fiery determination was
evident, as always. It has to.
Eve replied, rolling up the map. The Blade of the Ancients is the
only weapon strong enough to kill the Warding King.
If the stories are true, it's buried deep beneath the
mountains of the Frostbite Peaks.
Alex crossed her arms, glancing toward the horizon.
That's weeks of travel, and even if we get there, we'll have to
deal with whatever's guarding it.
Eve grinned. Since when have we ever let a
little danger stop us? He smirked back.
Fairpoint. The Warden King, a legend
shrouded in fear, had risen from the deep dark.
His minions had begun terrorizing villages, dragging
unsuspecting people into the depths.
The villagers whispered of a growing army beneath the
overworld, and no one had the courage to venture near the
ancient cities anymore, except Stephen.
Alex. They packed their supplies,
food, weapons, and tools and set out as the first rays of dawn
painted the sky. The journey would be long and
treacherous, but their resolve was firm.
The fate of the overworld depended on them after 2 into
the wild. The first few days of travel
were uneventful. They crossed sprawling plains
dotted with wildflowers, dense forests where the sunlight
barely reached the ground, and winding rivers teeming with
fish. At night they set up camp,
taking turns to keep watch as zombies and skeletons prowled
the darkness. On the 5th day, they encountered
their first real challenge. The jungle loomed ahead, its
towering trees and tangled vines forming a near impenetrable
wall. Somewhere within layer.
Ruined Temple, marked as their first destination on the map.
The legend claimed that the temple held a key, a Shard of
ancient crystal needed to unlock the blades resting place.
This place gives me the creeps. Alex muttered, her hand resting
on the hilt of her sword as they stepped into the dense
undergrowth. They close.
Steve said, his eyes scanning the shadows.
The air was thick and humid, buzzing with the sounds of
insects. Parrot squawked from the
treetops, and occasionally the distant roar of a Jaguar broke
through the eerie stillness. As they ventured deeper, the
jungle seemed to close in around them, the light growing dimmer.
Finally they spotted the temple, a Moss covered structure of
stone and cracked bricks, half swallowed by the jungle.
Vine stripped its walls like curtain and the entrance yawned
open like the mouth of some great beast.
You sure about this? Alex asked, peering into the
darkness. Not at all.
Heath replied with a grin. Let's go inside.
The air was cool and damp. The faint sound of dripping
water echoed through the corridors.
They moved cautiously, their torches casting flickering
shadows on the walls. It wasn't too long before they
triggered the first trap. A click sounded beneath Alex's
foot and the walls sprang to life, hitting arrows from hidden
dispensers. You duck just in time, narrowly
avoiding the deadly projectiles. Watch your step.
She shouted, leaping onto a nearby block.
Steve pulled out his shield, using it to deflect the arrows.
As they moved forward, the traps grew more devious.
Pressure plates are released. Poison darts requires unleashed
cascades of gravel and even a pit of lava concealed beneath a
flimsy stone slab. At last, they reached the
central chamber. Pedestal stood in the middle,
bathed in the faint glow of sunlight filtering through a
crack in the ceiling. On it rested a crystal Shard,
trimmering with a strange, otherworldly light.
That's it? Steve whispered as Alex reached
for the Shard. The ground trembled, the
pedestal sank into the floor and the walls began to shake.
From the shadows emerged a massive figure, the golem made
of mossy stone, it's eyes glowing with an unnatural green
light. Of course, it couldn't be easy.
Alex muttered, drawing her sword.
The golem roared, swinging a massive arm towards them.
Thief rolled out of the way, drawing his bow and firing
arrows had it's glowing eyes. The arrows bounced harmlessly
off it's thick stone skin, but for the joints.
He shouted, dodging another blow.
Alex sprinted around the Gollum, slashing on its legs.
Her sword chipped away at the stone, and the Gollum let out a
bellow of rage, its movement slowing.
You'd be distracted. Thief called, pulling a bucket
of water from his inventory. He poured it on the ground,
creating a makeshift waterfall that flowed into the Gollum's
exposed cracks. Creature froze for a moment, its
body stiffening as the water seeped in.
Alex seized the opportunity, delivering a final blow to its
head. The golem collapsed into a heap
of rubble, and the chamber grew still.
Nice work. Steve said, catching his breath.
Alex grinned. You too.
Now let's grab that Shard and get out of here.
The crystal Shard safely in hand, they exited the temple and
continued their journey. The Frostbite Peaks awaited, and
with it, the Blade of the Ancients, but the dangers they
faced so far were nothing compared to what lay ahead.
Chapter 3 Crossbitten Foes Crossbite Peaks loomed in the
distance, their icy Spires cutting into the sky like jagged
teeth. Even Alex stood at the edge of
the frozen tundra, their breath forming clouds in the frigid
air. The wind toweled, airing with
it, a promise of danger. Is it always the cold places?
Alex grumbled, pulling her cloak tighter around her shoulders.
Better than the nether. Steve replied with a chuckle.
The maps ink had almost completely faded from exposure
to the harsh elements, but Steve had memorized the next clue.
The blade rested within an ancient vault deep inside the
heart of the Peaks. To open the vault they needed to
collect 3 shards like the one they'd retrieved from the Jungle
temple. The journey across the tundra
was slow and perilous. The ice beneath their boots
cracked ominously, and the occasional polar bear Lombard by
eyeing them warily. As night fell, the temperature
plummeted further and hostile mobs begin to emerge from snow
covered terrain. Hilton's on the Ridge.
Alec shouted, drawing her bow. Steve spun around, pulling out a
shield just as an arrow whiz past his head.
A group of skeletons clad an icy armor advanced towards them,
their glowing blue eyes gleaming in the darkness.
These aren't ordinary skeletons. Steve yelled, blocking another
arrow. They're strays.
Alex replied, losing an arrow and striking one in the chest.
The skeleton stumbled, but didn't fall.
Steve pulled out his axe, urging at the nearest stray, shattering
its rib cage with a powerful swing.
The others turned their attentions towards him, giving
Alex time to pick them off from a distance.
As the last skeleton fell, the snow around them began to
tremble. Steve.
Alex said, Her voice tanged with worry.
The ground cracked and gave way beneath them, sending them
tumbling into an icy cavern. They landed hard on a pile of
snow, groaning as they picked themselves up.
That was unexpected. Steve muttered, shaking frost
from his hair. Alex lit a torch, illuminating
the cavern. The lactites of ice hung from
the ceiling, and frozen waterfalls lined the walls.
In the center of the chamber stood a pedestal, much like the
one in the Jungle Temple. Another Shard.
Alex said, stepping forward cautiously.
Wait, you've said, holding out a hand.
This is too easy. As if on cue, the cavern shook
again. The ice beneath the pedestal
shattered, and a massive creature emerged, a Frost
Elemental, its body made entirely of jagged ice.
Its roar echoed through the chamber, and its eyes locked
onto the intruders. Why do I always call these
things? Thief groaned, drawing his
sword. Chapter 4 The Frost Elemental
The Frost Elemental swung its colossal arm, sending a wave of
icy shards flying towards them. He raised his shield, deflecting
the shards while Alex dodged to the side, a sword glinting in
the torchlight. We need to melt it down.
Alex shouted, hurling a potion of fire resistance at the
creature. The potion splashed against the
Frost elemental, causing steam to rise where it hit.
It roared in pain, it's icy form cracking slightly.
Keep it up. Steve yelled, pulling out of
Flint and steel. He lit a bundle of logs from his
inventory, creating a makeshift fire.
The warmth spread quickly, weakening the elemental further.
But the creature wasn't finished.
It slammed its fists into the ground, creating icy spikes that
erupted from the floor. One caught Alex off guard,
knocking her back. Alex.
Eve shouted, rushing to her side.
I'm fine. She granted, pushing herself up.
Just keep it distracted. He charged at the elemental,
slashing at its legs. The creature stumbled, its
massive frame struggling to stay upright.
Alex, recovering quickly, drew her bow and fired an arrow
tipped with flame. The arrow struck the frost
elemental in the chest and let out a final earth shaking roar
before collapsing into a pile of melting ice.
The chamber grew silent, save for the sound of dripping water.
That was intense. He said, panting.
Alex nodded, brushing Frost from her armor.
Let's grab the Shard and get out of here before something else
shows up. Eve approached the pedestal
where the second Shard now glowed faintly, carefully placed
it into his inventory alongside the first two.
Down, one to go. He said as they climbed out of
the cavern and resumed their journey.
The Frostbite Peak stretched ever higher ahead of them.
The Final Shard awaited them within the ruins of a long lost
fortress. At the summit.
The Warden King's minions were close behind, and time was
running out. Chapter 5 The Final Shard The
climb to the summit of the Frostbite Peaks was grueling.
The air grew thinner with every step, and the biting wind
threatened to throw Stephen Elks off the narrow, icy ledges.
But they pressed on, driven by the knowledge that the final
Shard and their only hope against the Warden King awaited
them. The ruins of the fortress came
into view, as in near the top, a dragged silhouette against the
pale sky. It was ancient stone walls,
cracked and weathered by time. A strange, unnatural hum filled
the air, sending a chill down their spines.
That's not just the winds. Alex muttered, gripping her
sword tightly. Very sharp.
He said. We don't know what's waiting for
us up there. They entered the fortress
through a crumbling archway, the torches casting long shadows on
the cold stone. The interior was eerily silent,
they for the faint hum that seemed to emanate from the walls
themselves. As they moved deeper into the
ruins, they found the source of the noise, a glowing altar in
the center of the main chamber. Floating above it was the final
Shard, spinning slowly in mid air.
There it is. Alex whispered.
And there's the catch. He said, pointing to the floor.
The stone slabs surrounding the altar were etched with glowing
runes. As Alex stepped closer, the
runes flared to life and a low rumble filled the chamber.
The walls split open, reeling rows of pillagers clad in dark
robes, the crossbows aimed and ready at their center stone.
Evoker, his piercing green eyes locking on the Steves and Alex's
intruders. The evoker hissed, raising his
hands. You will not take what is ours.
Chapter 6 The Battle of the Shard The Pillagers attacked in
unison. The arrow is raining down on
Stephen, Alex. Steve raised his shield,
reflecting the projectile says. Alex loosed her own arrows with
deadly precision. Take out the Evoker.
Steve shouted. Alex nodded, weaving through the
chaos as the Evoker summoned a swarm of XS.
The tiny, ghostly creatures darted towards her, their
glowing swords slashing through the air.
He swung her sword, scattering them with quick, precise
strikes. Meanwhile, Eve charged at the
pillagers, his axe cleaving through their ranks, spotted a
Ravager bursting through a sidewall, its massive frame
barreling towards him. Oh, come on.
Eve yelled, diving out of the way as the beast crashed into a
pillar. He scrambled to his feet and
pulled out a block of TNT. Alex, cover me.
He fired at the Ravager, drawing its attention as Steve lit the
TNT and shoved it towards the beast.
The explosion rocked the chamber, leaving chunks of stone
flying and taking the Ravager down with it.
Nice one. Alex called, licing through the
last of the vexes. The Evoker, now cornered,
snarled and raised his hands again.
You cannot stop the Warden King. Who will rise in this world,
will fall. Alex didn't give him a chance to
finish. Her arrow struck true, silencing
him. The remaining pillagers fled,
and the chamber fell silent once more.
Steve approached the altar, the final Shard now within reach.
He hesitated for a moment and grabbed it.
The shards pulsed in his inventory, their energy
resonating with a strange, harmonious hum.
We have all three. Alex said, her voice tinged with
relief. Now what?
Steve pulled out the map, which I changed to the moment he took
the Shard. New markings that appeared,
pointing to a location deep beneath the ground, the Warding
King's lair. Now you've said we finish this
Chapter 7 Descent Into Darkness. The entrance to the deep dark
was hidden within a jagged Canyon at the edge of the
mountains. Stephen Alex descended
carefully. The torch is barely illuminating
the pitch black surroundings. The air grew heavy, and the
oppressive silence was broken only by their footsteps.
As they venture deeper, they spotted the first signs of the
ancient city. Massive weathered columns and
glowing skulk veins that pulsed faintly in the dark.
Place is worse than I had imagined.
Alex said. They're always barely a whisper.
Be quiet. Eve warned.
We make too much noise. A distant roar cut him off,
bending a shiver down their spines.
Right. Alex said, gripping her sword
tightly. No noise.
They moved cautiously, avoiding skulk, sensors and shriekers as
they navigated the labyrinth and ruins at the heart of the city.
They found it, the Warding King's throne room.
The massive creature sat atop a throne carved from skulk and
stone, his glowing chest pulsing like a heartbeat.
His eyes were the void where they should have been, turned
towards them as they entered. You dare challenge me?
The Warding King rumbled, his voice a deep federal growl.
Eve drew the shards from his inventory and the fuse together
in a burst of light, forming the Blade of the Ancients.
The sword glowed with a golden radiance, it's edges humming
with power. Yeah.
Eve said, stepping forward. We dare.
Yepter 8, the final battle. The Boarding King roared, baking
the cavern as he rose to his full height.
The ground trembled with each step he took, and the room was
soon filled with skulk, minions crawling from the walls.
Even Alex fought side by side, their movements perfectly
synchronized. Alex kept the minions at Bay
with her bow while she focused on the Warding King, the Blade
of Ancients cutting through the darkness like a beacon.
The Warden King unleashed waves of Sonic attacks, forcing them
to dodge and weave. The strength was overwhelming,
but the blade seemed to weaken him with every strike, it's
golden light piercing through his corrupted form.
We can do this. Alex shouted, firing a flaming
arrow into the Warding King's chest.
Steve saw his chance as the Warding King stumbled.
He leapt onto the throne and drove the blade of the Ancients
into the creature's heart. The Warding King let out a
deafening roar, and the entire city began to collapse.
I'm to go. Eve yelled, grabbing Alex's hand
as they sprinted towards the exit.
Epilogue. A new dawn.
The sun was rising as Stephen Alex emerged from the Canyon,
the first rays of lights washing over the lands.
We did it. Alex said, her voice filled with
awe. Eve held up the blade of the
ancient, it's glow fading as the last of its power was spent.
The Warden King is gone. Overworld is safe for now.
They looked at each other and smiled.
The adventure was over, but in a world like theirs, another was
always just a block away. The end.
Thank you guys so much for listening to this story.
I hope you enjoyed it. Thank you so much Daniel for
submitting this, it was an awesome read.
Also, if you're in Patreon, the Part 3 for the Hidden Story
series will be releasing soon. I am so close to finishing it,
but like I said, sickness has gone the way of a lot of writing
and recording for this podcast, so I'll have to catch up a
little bit. So look out for that very soon
and look out for more Patreon posts now that I'm not sick.
Anyways, I hope you guys enjoyed this and I'll see you guys
inside the next episode.