NOVEL NEXT Chapter 2: Prisonment
Present Azad (while mining)
"I know you're thinking, 'How did I survive that?' Trust me, I'm not thrilled about surviving." Azad's voice echoed through the dimly lit cave, his hands mechanically digging into the pixelated earth below. The walls were crude, jagged, and made up of dull gray stone with pockets of coal embedded here and there. Flickering torches cast eerie, dancing shadows across the jagged surfaces, their weak light barely holding the darkness at bay.
Water dripped from cracks in the low-hanging ceiling, creating a quiet but persistent rhythm. The floor beneath him was uneven, dotted with patches of dirt and gravel that crunched under his feet with each step.
Stalactites hung menacingly from the ceiling, while faint groans of distant mobs echoed from deep within the cavern, a constant reminder that danger was never far away.
"Somehow, I got rescued by the villagers," he muttered, his voice devoid of emotion, as if the memory gave him no comfort. The silence in the cave swallowed his words, leaving only the faint sounds of dripping water and distant mobs in its wake.
__________________________________
Past Azad (After getting rescued)
His eyes fluttered open to an unfamiliar hall, its bright lights overwhelming his senses. The ceiling above was high and arched, with intricate patterns that seemed to shift and ripple like liquid glass. The walls were made of smooth, polished stone, shimmering faintly as if imbued with a subtle, otherworldly glow. Strange symbols, etched into the stone, pulsed with a soft blue light, casting a serene yet unsettling atmosphere across the room.
He lay on a simple bed draped in white linens, the material cool and oddly comforting against his skin. Around him stood several men, their robes flowing and ethereal, almost blending into the glowing surroundings. Their eyes were closed, and they hummed a low, rhythmic tune that echoed through the hall, creating a trance-like, meditative atmosphere.
One of them, with a serene expression, approached Azad, offering a cup filled with sparkling water that seemed to catch the light, swirling with tiny, iridescent particles. The liquid shimmered in the cup, reflecting the strange glow of the hall, and its clarity made it almost mesmerizing.
Reluctantly, Azad accepted it, and as he drank, understanding washed over him, the whispers now crystal clear.
"That's the hero? He looks weak."
"Can he do it?"
A man sat tall on a throne, exuding an air of quiet authority. His weathered face was marked with lines of age and experience, but his eyes, sharp and piercing, gleamed with a wisdom that could only be earned through years of rule. His graying hair, once a deep brown, was combed neatly back, adding to his dignified appearance. A thick, well-trimmed beard framed his stern jawline, giving him a formidable presence. Draped in a robe of rich, earthen hues, embroidered with intricate gold patterns symbolizing his village's heritage, he wore a crown of metal with emeralds embedded in it—simple yet unmistakably regal. His broad shoulders and strong posture spoke of a man who had led both council and battle. When he raised his hand, the movement was deliberate, graceful, and instantly silenced the murmurs, as if the very air obeyed his will.
"Silence!"
"Hello there, my name is Tharion Stonebrook, and I am the king of the villagers. I know you're confused, but everything will be clear soon."
Azad's mind raced. "What do you want? What is this place? Am I dreaming?"
"No, you're very much awake. This is the world of Minecraft. We summoned you to save us from the Ender Dragon."
"WAIT, WHAT?! You want me to save you from a dragon? How am I supposed to do that? I'm just a human! No, no, no—send me home!" Panic surged through him as he backed away, his heart pounding in his chest. He turned to run, desperate to escape the madness, but strong hands grabbed him, slamming him to the ground. Guards, armed with gleaming spears, held him down, their faces cold and unyielding.
His breath came in short, ragged bursts as he struggled beneath their weight. The cold stone floor pressed against his cheek, and he winced as the tip of a spear hovered dangerously close to his neck.
"Silence," a deep voice rumbled from the throne. King Tharion, who had not moved an inch, his eyes locked on the panicked man. Azad trembled, trying to slow his breathing, but his mind raced. How could they expect him to face a dragon? He was just a college graduate.
King Tharion rose from his throne, his presence towering over the room. "You may not belong here, but fate has chosen you." He glanced at the guards, giving a single nod of command. "Take him to the mana testing room."
Without hesitation, the guards yanked Azad to his feet. His struggles were futile against their iron grip as they dragged him down a dimly lit hallway, the stone walls cold and unwelcoming. His mind raced—what was this "mana testing room"? What were they going to do to him?
"Let go of me!" Azad shouted, but his voice echoed uselessly through the narrow corridor. The guards remained silent, their faces like stone. They stopped before a massive iron door, intricate runes glowing faintly on its surface. One of the guards pushed it open, revealing a vast chamber filled with strange, shimmering crystals and an altar in the center. The air was thick with an almost tangible energy making Azad's skin tingle.
One of the guards shoved him forward, and he stumbled, barely catching himself. He glanced over his shoulder, eyes wide with fear, but the guards merely stood at attention, waiting.
King Tharion's voice echoed from behind them. "You will be tested. If you have the potential, the dragon can be slain. If not… your fate will be sealed."