Kaza laughed as he floated higher, out of reach of any swords. “Your arrows will not be enough to finish me off, fool.”
The center head glared down at Watcher while the left and right heads both closed their eyes and went limp. The monster’s HP was now dangerously low but it would take a sword strike to finish the creature off. All it had to do was stay up there, near the roof, hiding behind support beams that Watcher could never reach, and wait for its health to regenerate. The center head gave the boy a smile, then rose higher, far out of reach.
“I can’t reach it up there,” he said to no one. “I can’t even shoot at it that high.”
Then, something Mapper said emerge in the back of his mind. “Sometimes, a clever idea can be stronger than the sharpest sword.”
He looked at his bow, then reached into his inventory and pulled out Needle, the blade sparkling in the flickering light of the torches that dotted the walls. As he did, he remembered something Cutter had said a few days earlier.
“Of course,” Watcher said with a smile. “I’ll use both, but I have to get Kaza to come closer to me … how?”
Suddenly, a green blur shot up the wall and out into the air. It landed the back of Kaza, causing the monster to screech in surprise. Er-Lan had somehow climbed the structure using his claws to grip the stone wall, and now clung to the back of the wither king. His green arms wrapped around the monster’s head, holding on for dear life. The extra weight forced the monster downward.
Watcher knelt on the beam and slowed his breathing. He’d get only one shot. If he missed, then likely they all were going to die. Dropping the arrows from his hand, he held Needle before his eyes, the narrow blade sparkling with energy. Carefully, he placed the jeweled hilt against the string and drew it back.
Kaza yelled and screamed, trying to shoot at the zombie assailant, but Er-Lan held onto the monster, his claws digging into the dark bones.
Watcher held his breath, then tried to slow his heart beat. Fear and uncertainty pulsed through his nerves, but he pushed the feelings aside. He had to get this shot right, for Cleric and Winger, for Blaster and Cutter, for Mapper and Er-Lan … and for Planter. Everything depended on it.
The monster floated closer and closer, turning his center head toward Watcher, his eyes growing wide with alarm.
He released the bowstring.
Needle streaked through the air like a steel missile. The enchanted blade struck the wither king in the chest, the Punch enchantment pushing the monster backward to the wall, causing the zombie to fall off and land on a rafter with a thud. Kaza grunted in pain, then looked down at the thin sword protruding from his chest.
“It’s not possible … you aren’t … a swordsman,” Kaza said, struggling to speak. He flashed red again and again.
“You’re right, I’m not a swordsman. I’m just a kid with some clever ideas. I’m also the protector of my village.” Watcher stood and pointed at the monster with his enchanted bow. The wither flashed again. “We don’t want you around anymore.” He took a calming breath. “I think it’s time you were going!”
With the last of his HP, Kaza fired one last flaming skull at Watcher. The dark blue skull, wreathed in black flames, streaked toward the boy, hitting the beam under his feet. When it exploded, it sent Watcher flying helplessly into the air. Midair, the boy saw the wither king disappear, leaving behind the golden Crown of Skulls, as well as Needle. He watched the crown tumble through the air, then disappear in a cloud of purple mist, as if teleported to another location. Then Watcher was left to fall to his death.
Watcher closed his eyes as he fell from the disastrous height. He knew his likely fate, but he didn’t really mind. Planter was safe, as were the others, except for Cutter. He’d already met the same fate that Watcher was about to. I wonder if this is gonna hurt?
He thought he heard Planter’s voice shout out. Her words were barely audible, the rush of the wind past his ears like a hurricane.
“I’ll miss you, Planter,” he said in a loud voice.
He wanted to say more, but knew he didn’t have time. Any instant, he would be …
Suddenly, Watcher was drenched in water, the cold liquid soaking his clothes. Unconsciously, the boy held his breath. Glancing around, he realized he wasn’t under water, just sitting in a shallow pool.
“I’m alive?” Watcher was confused. He must have fallen from a height of thirty blocks, maybe forty. “I’m alive!”
“That’s right,” a deep voice said. “You’re alive!”
A pair of strong hands lifted him to his feet, then spun him around. Watcher found himself staring into a pair of steel-gray eyes, a huge smile beaming back.
“Cutter … you’re alive too?”
“It seems we’re both alive.” The big warrior pointed to Mapper. “Apparently, our wise friend was smart enough to spread water across the floor of the chamber. It cushioned our fall.”
Mapper did a graceful bow, then slipped and fell in the water.
Watcher and Cutter laughed, then moved to help the old man to his feet.
“Planter and Blaster are still up there.” Watcher moved to the bookcase, getting ready to climb.
“Wait.” Cutter put a hand on Watcher’s shoulder. “Here they come.”
Glancing up, Watcher saw Planter and Blaster moving across a beam, walking carefully so as to avoid falling. They reached the wall and climbed across the bookcases, slowly moving to the floor.
The old man pulled out a torch, then placed it on the wall. A flickering circle of light illuminated the floor, causing the beams overhead to cast long shadows on the chamber’s walls. Watcher pulled out a torch and waded through the water until he reached the wall, then planted it atop a bookshelf. It illuminated the shelves Planter and Blaster were using to get to the floor.
Watcher ran to Planter and wrapped his arms around her. “You’re okay?”
She nodded. “I was so afraid when I saw you fall. I thought you wouldn’t survive, but here you are. What happened?”
The young boy pointed to Mapper, then gestured to the water. The old man smiled.
“The water kept us from taking any damage when we hit.” Watcher released the hug. “Cutter and I are both all right.”
“And I’m okay, too, in case you’re interested.” Blaster gave him a smile. “But I am a little upset you didn’t give me a big hug.” He laughed as Watcher blushed.
“You dropped this.” Cutter extended Needle to Planter. She took it into her hand but immediately let it go.
“It bit me!” She stared down at the weapon, afraid to reach out and pick it up.
Watcher bent over and retrieved the weapon, holding it gently in his hand. “Here.”
Rubbing the palm of her hand, she shook her head. “I don’t think it wants me anymore. Needle is yours now.”
Watcher thought for a second, then remembered the sensation the sword had given him in the middle of battle. Maybe Planter was right, he thought, then put the blade into his inventory. There would be more time to think about all that later.
“Where’s Er-Lan?” Mapper asked.
“Oh no … Er-Lan.” Watcher glanced at his friends. “He saved us all. That little zombie jumped on Kaza and forced him down so I could shoot him with Needle. I have to go check on him.”
Not waiting for a reply, Watcher took off up the bookcases. He leapt up the walls, across the beams, and headed even higher into the chamber. Placing torches as he went, the archer filled the chamber with light as he ascended through the parkour course. Finally, he reached the level where the zombie sat on a rafter, leaning against the wall.
“Er-Lan, here, eat this apple.” Watcher handed the zombie the fruit.
The little monster took the fruit and looked down at it, then glanced up at Watcher. “What happens to Er-Lan now?”
“What do you mean?”
“Villagers no longer need Er-Lan. Will Er-Lan be exiled and sent away?”
“Of course not. You’re our comrade, you’re our
friend. You are part of our family now, whether you like it or not.” He helped the little zombie to his feet. “Villagers don’t cast others aside just because it is convenient. We stick by our friends when it’s easy and also when it’s hard.” Watcher smiled. “You’re stuck with us.”
Er-Lan’s eyes grew wide with disbelief. A toothy smile slowly spread across his face. From any other zombie, it would likely have been a terrifying expression to behold close up, but from Er-Lan, it was a simple expression of joy.
The zombie stuffed the apple into his mouth and chewed, the smile now permanently etched onto his square face.
“Come on, let’s go down.” Watcher led the zombie back down to the ground. He knew he could have jumped, but he didn’t relish the thought of experiencing that fall intentionally.
When they reached the ground, they found a huge group of villagers in the chamber. Hundreds of NPCs were pouring into the building with even more choking the hallways. Instantly, Watcher spotted one with a white smock, a gray stripe running down the center … it was Cleric, his father.
Watcher ran to him, but was intercepted by his sister, Winger.
“Watcher … you’re here?”
“Yep, we defeated the wither king and freed all of you.” The boy smiled as his father approached.
“You did that?” Cleric asked.
“We stopped that evil wither king.” Watcher stood proud.
Just then a big hand settled on his shoulder. Glancing back, he saw Cutter.
“This boy of yours saved us all,” Cutter said to Cleric. “He did a trick with a bow and a sword that I wouldn’t have thought possible.”
“Well … it was really your idea.” Watcher looked up at the warrior. “I said that I fight from afar, and you asked if I was going to throw a sword at the enemy … remember?”
Cutter looked sheepishly at the ground and nodded.
“Your words popped into my head at the right moment and I suddenly knew what to do. I fired Needle like an arrow at Kaza. I knew he wouldn’t be able to survive that.”
The big warrior raised his head, an expression of admiration on his square face. “I was wrong about you, Watcher. You are clever and patient and careful and wise … all of the things that I lack. But there is one thing in which we are the same.”
“What’s that?” Watcher shifted nervously from one foot to the other, unsure of what he would say next.
Cutter held out a hand and clasped it around Watcher’s, his strong fingers squeezing gently. “You are a warrior for the Far Lands, that is certain, and never let anyone convince you otherwise.”
Watcher beamed.
Cutter stood tall, his voice booming for all to hear. “There isn’t anyone I’d rather have at my side in battle than the great destroyer of withers … Watcher!”
The villagers cheered.
Planter moved to Watcher’s side and gave him a hug … he felt electrified.
“You really did all this?” Cleric asked, a look of pride on his aged face.
Watcher nodded. “Well … we did it.” Watcher pointed to his friends, then moved into a dark corner and put his arm around Er-Lan. “Come on, I want you to meet someone.”
Watcher guided the zombie into the light. Many of the villagers screamed in fright when they saw the monster, some shouting threats of violence. Suddenly, Cutter was at the zombie’s side, his diamond sword in his hand. And then Blaster stepped up, joined by Planter and Mapper as well. The companions walked out with their green friend beside them and stopped before the crowd.
“Cleric, Winger, this is Er-Lan. He’s our companion, and is not the enemy.” Watcher gazed at his father and sister, waiting for them to challenge him.
“He saved our lives more than once,” Planter added.
“And he helped us to destroy both the zombie warlord and the wither king.” Cutter glared at the villagers. “He’s my friend and is under my protection. If anyone has a problem with this zombie, then you better speak up right now. I won’t tolerate him being mistreated.”
“But those zombies did terrible things to us,” one of the villagers shouted.
“That may be true.” Mapper stepped forward, his aged voice filled with wisdom. “The zombies, under the orders of the zombie warlord, did do terrible things. But Er-Lan harmed no one. You cannot judge all zombies by the actions of one. All must be judged on the quality of their character, and I’ll put Er-Lan up against any of you. He is kind and thoughtful and loyal, which I know is not true for every villager in this room.”
“But …” one NPC started to object, but Watcher stepped forward and raised a hand.
“The time for fighting is over. It is the time for peace, and that peace starts with Er-Lan. If we cannot accept him as he is, then there will never be peace between villagers and zombies, and I cannot accept that.”
The NPCs grumbled comments under their breath, many of them glaring at the little zombie. But when Cleric stepped forward, all grew silent. He moved directly in front of the monster and gazed into his eyes.
“If my son says you are a friend to him, then you are a friend to me.”
“And me, too,” Winger added.
Cleric moved next to the monster and put his arm around the creature’s armored shoulders.
“From this day forward, Er-Lan is now a part of my family. This will be an example of peace between villagers and zombies that will hopefully stop more violence in the future.”
The little zombie looked up at Cleric, then glanced at Watcher, then did something for the first time in his life … Er-Lan wept tears of joy. Planter wrapped her arms around him and squeezed as she too wept.
Many of the villagers cheered again while some grumbled complaints under their breath, but none openly objected. The matter was closed.
“I think maybe we should vacate the premises,” Mapper said as he placed blocks of dirt on the ground to absorb all the water. “The wither king might be gone, but there are still Royal Guards down in the Treasury. I think it’s best if we got out of here while we can.”
“I agree.” Cleric released his grip on Er-Lan and faced his son. “Watcher, we need a warrior to lead us out of here. You think you can do that?”
Watcher smiled. “I think I can do that. Everyone follow me. It’s time to go home.”
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Zombies Attack! Page 22