The Jungle Temple Oracle

by Mark Cheverton

  He’d survived.

  Looking up at the cliff top, he could see Digger and Monet looking down at him, smiles gradually replacing the shock on their faces. Giving them a satisfied smile, he waved then turned and faced the temple. Herobrine had his sword out and was chopping away at the Oracle, her cane flashing here and there to stop the attacks, but just barely. He could see that the old woman was no match for Herobrine, and that the vile shadow-crafter was just toying with his prey.

  But as he watched the battle, he could remember what it had been like fighting that monster in front of Crafter’s village. Fear started to surge through his body as he relived that terrible encounter in his mind.

  Can I face him again? he thought. Do I have what’s needed to stand up to him?

  The fear slowly morphed into panic as he watched the battle before him, uncertainty spreading through him like a virus. For the briefest of moments, Gameknight999 considered running away, but knew that if he ran, if he could have helped someone in need but chose cowardice instead . . . that decision would haunt him for the rest of his life.

  No, fleeing was not an option. So, with terror filling every fiber of his being, he gripped the hilt of his diamond sword and sprinted toward his enemy, Herobrine.

  CHAPTER 23

  HEROBRINE

  Herobrine hadn’t noticed him yet. He was still slashing at the Oracle, driving her backward with each attack. The old woman’s cane was deflecting most of the attacks but some of them were getting through. Flashing red when the diamond blade reached her flesh, Gameknight could see her grimace, her face a visage of pain and fear.

  Another attack landed, Herobrine’s blade cutting into her shoulder. The Oracle shouted out in pain as Gameknight waded through the river and sprinted toward the battling pair.

  “Your time is at an end, Oracle,” Herobrine shouted, his eyes burning bright. “All I needed was that fool, Gameknight999, to draw you out of your cowardly temple.” He leaned closer to the old woman and laughed. “It is now time for you to be deleted.”

  Gameknight could see the Oracle look up at her foe and a look of resignation came across her face; she knew she was about to perish. Sprinting, the User-that-is-not-a-user ran as fast as he could to get to her, but he wasn’t sure if he’d make it in time. As he ran, Herobrine slowly raised his sword and prepared for the killing blow. He then swung his blade down at the Oracle.

  But when it was within just a hair’s breadth of the old NPC, Gameknight smashed into Oracle and knocked her to the side, bringing his own blade up just in time to meet his enemy’s. Herobrine’s sword crashed down onto Gameknight’s blade with the force of an iron golem’s steel-fisted strike. His arm almost went numb as it absorbed the blow, but his strength held as he pushed away the violent attack. Looking up at his enemy, Gameknight saw a look of surprise on Herobrine’s face, his eyes dimming. Spinning, he faked an attack with his sword, then shot out a kick to Herobrine’s stomach that pushed him back a few steps.

  Glaring at the User-that-is-not-a-user, Herobrine screamed a frustrated, blood thirsty scream that resonated all across the land, making the very fabric of Minecraft cringe in fear.

  Gameknight999 smiled.

  “You interrupted me!” Herobrine wailed. “I’d been waiting to destroy that old hag for a century . . . AND YOU INTERRUPTED ME!

  Gameknight smiled again.

  “Too bad . . . so sad,” the User-that-is-not-a-user mocked.

  Herobrine stepped back and glared at Gameknight999, his hate-filled eyes flaring like two intense suns.

  “You’ve meddled in my plans for the last time,” he growled.

  Gameknight was about to say something sarcastic back to his adversary, but at that moment Herobrine charged. His evil diamond sword was like a flash of blue lightning as it streaked toward Gameknight’s head. Bringing his own sword up just in time, the User-that-is-not-a-user deflected the blow. Spinning to the side, Gameknight sliced at Herobrine, hoping to catch him by surprise . . . but he was not there.

  Pain suddenly exploded in his side and Herobrine’s sword found flesh.

  “Ha, ha, ha,” his enemy cackled. “When will you learn? User-that-is-not-a-user, I cannot be defeated. I can disappear, then appear right behind you in the blink of an eye. I can attack two places at once, and you cannot stop me.”

  He laughed a maniacal, evil laugh that made little square goose-bumps form on his arms and neck.

  “Use the weapon!” a voice yelled from the edge of the jungle.

  Glancing in that direction, he could see Hunter’s red hair standing out against the dark green foliage.

  No, it doesn’t feel right, he thought to himself. I have to use it at the right time . . . but how will I know? What if I use it wrong?

  “Today, you either take the Gateway of Light back to the physical world to save your miserable life . . . or you die!”

  Herobrine disappeared, then materialized with his sword bearing down on him. Just as Gameknight brought his sword up, Herobrine teleported to his other side, slashing into the User-that-is-not-a-user’s armor. Another chunk of the diamond coating fell to the ground, allowing his enemy’s blade to again find flesh.

  He flashed red.

  Gameknight tried to ignore the pain while he spun and slashed at Herobrine . . . but again he was somewhere else. Stepping back, the User-that-is-not-a-user growled as frustration and fear began to fill his mind.

  How can I defeat him? Gameknight thought. He then reached out, through the music of Minecraft and to his friend. Shawny . . . are you there?

  Yep, came the answer, Shawny’s text filling his mind.

  What about the dig . . . Gameknight thought to his friend, but was interrupted

  It’s still smoking, Shawny said. I think I found the components that fried, but I’m having trouble finding the right replacements!

  Gameknight sighed.

  I hate this! he thought to himself. I don’t want to be the User-that-is-not-a-user, I just want to be a kid. This responsibility is too much.

  Gameknight then slouched a bit as the feeling of defeat started to fill his soul. And then that strange mystical voice filled his mind again.

  You can accomplish only what you can imagine, the voice said. Put aside your uncertainty and accept who you are and what you can do. Fear is a mask that hides the possible from your eyes. Be the User-that-is-not-a-user!

  The words tried to chip away at his fear, but they were unsuccessful . . . he was terrified. Taking a step back, he glared at Herobrine, but knew that fear was painted across his face.

  “I can see that you are contemplating using the Gateway . . . take your time and think it through,” Herobrine said. “When you are about to take your last breath, I know you’ll run and try to escape death . . . it is inevitable.”

  He then gave Gameknight999 an eerie toothy smile.

  I hate this! he thought. I hate being afraid of him.

  But then Gameknight thought about those words. With all of his mental strength, he imagined what it would be like to not be afraid, then imagined that he could handle this responsibility. He thought about it hard and drove the images through the mask of his fear and into his mind . . . and it began to feel somehow . . . real.

  Standing up straight, the User-that-is-not-a-user stared across at Herobrine. A guttural, animal-like growl grew in Gameknight’s throat and flowed out across the landscape.

  I won’t be afraid! he thought. I can do this . . . I CHOOSE not to be afraid.

  Glancing about the landscape, he could see all eyes were locked on him, his sister and Digger watching from the sheer cliff.

  “NO MORE!” Gameknight yelled as he took a step forward, the thought of him conquering his own fear shining bright in his mind.

  Herobrine smiled, but it seemed a little forced, his eyes dimming just the faintest bit.

  “NO MORE!” the User-that-is-not-a-user said again as he brought his sword up in front of him.

  Herobrine glared at his foe, his smile start
ing to fade.

  “NO MORE! I won’t be afraid of you anymore!” Gameknight shouted. He was fully imagining overcoming his fear and facing this monster. It was possible, he knew that it was.

  And then Gameknight999, the User-that-is-not-a-user, charged.

  CHAPTER 24

  GAMEKNIGHT999 FIGHTS BACK

  Gameknight’s sword streaked toward Herobrine, slicing through the air so quickly that the razor sharp edge made a subtle whistling sound. The diamond swords smashed together with such ferocity that sparks shot out, small chips of diamond raining down on the two combatants. As Gameknight had expected, Herobrine disappeared, then reappeared behind him, but this time he was ready. Drawing his iron sword, he held it over his shoulder so that it protected his back. Another smash sounded as Herobrine’s diamond blade crashed into Gameknight’s iron.

  Spinning, Gameknight attacked with the two swords, slashing up high while at the same time stabbing down low. Herobrine moved with lightning speed, flashing to one side, then to the other, but always he was met by one of Gameknight’s blades. The battle raged, first Herobrine on the attack, then Gameknight. They danced across the landscape, trying to catch the other off guard, but it was an equal match . . . except for one thing.

  Gameknight was getting tired.

  Herobrine charged again and again, his diamond blade slashing at him from all sides. He was blocking the attacks, but just barely.

  SLASH . . . pain erupted in Gameknight’s arm.

  He blocked another attack and spun to slash at Herobrine, but the monster was too fast.

  STAB . . . his back exploded in agony.

  Rolling to the side, Gameknight brought his swords around, ready for the next attack, but he was starting to slow, fatigue making his arms and legs feel heavy.

  CRASH . . . another chunk of armor fell to the ground.

  Gameknight jumped backward, then charged at his evil adversary. He refused to retreat.

  SLICE . . . the sting of Herobrine’s blade lit up his side.

  I’m losing, he thought, and the image of his victory against Herobrine slowly faded from his mind as it was replaced by fear. He’s just too fast . . . I can’t do it.

  Herobrine attacked again, charging straight at him. His diamond sword streaked straight toward Gameknight’s helmeted head. The User-that-is-not-a-user blocked the attack, but was suddenly knocked off his feet by a savage kick to his stomach. As he fell backward, his eyes glanced up at Monet113. He could hear her yelling “noooo!” as he fell and hit the ground.

  And then Herobrine was standing over him, one foot on his right arm, the other on his left. The monster stared down at him with his glowing hate-filled eyes, a malicious self-satisfied grin on his square face.

  He was trapped.

  “Use it!” screamed Hunter.

  But he couldn’t, his hands were pinned to the ground, unable to reach into his inventory. Gameknight could feel Herobrine’s glowing eyes staring down at him, but he refused to look back. Instead, he looked up at the plateau. His sister stared down at him, a look of terror painted on her boxy face. Looking back at his enemy, Gameknight could see Herobrine turn his face up toward the plateau, then turn back to his fallen enemy.

  “Ahh . . . I see there is another one like you,” Herobrine said, his voice filled with venomous glee. “This changes everything. If you refuse to take the Gateway of Light, then I will dispose of you and use the young girl. I’m sure she will be more easily subdued than you.”

  Herobrine leaned down a little and glared into Gameknight’s eyes.

  “Choose . . . take the Gateway or die!”

  Gameknight looked up at his enemy, but shook his head.

  Even if I could use the digitizer to get home, I wouldn’t, he thought.

  Herobrine sighed.

  “As you wish,” Herobrine said. “Say goodbye, User-that-is-not-a-user.”

  And as Gameknight999 saw Herobrine raise his diamond sword and prepare for the final attack, he thought he heard something that sounded like thunder in the distance. It was a strange sort of thunder, like a grumbling storm approaching from somewhere far, far away. And as Herobrine’s blade started to fall, moving in slow motion, Gameknight999 closed his eyes and waited for the end.

  CHAPTER 25

  GROWLING THUNDER

  Suddenly, the rumbling sound turned into a howling hurricane. Gameknight glanced at the temple opening and saw what must have been a hundred wolves running right toward him, Herder at the tip of the furry spear.

  Herobrine stopped his attack when he heard the sound. Gameknight saw him look down at his helpless victim, then back at the charging animals.

  “Another time, User-that-is-not-a-user,” the vile shadow-crafter said, then disappeared just as the wave of snapping jaws flowed over Gameknight999.

  Soft padded paws ran over his body as the wolves pursued Herobrine, their growls filling their air. A pair of skinny hands reached down and grabbed Gameknight by the arm, then lifted him up. Gameknight found Herder looking at him with a worried look on his face.

  “Are you alright?” Herder asked.

  “Yes, thanks to you and your friends,” Gameknight replied.

  The massive wave of wolves continued to surge out of the temple, flowing around Gameknight and Herder as if they were a large stone in the middle of a river. The wolves shot out in all directions, looking for their prey, Herobrine. They moved across the landscape with incredible speed, their white furry bodies moving past NPCs without a thought as they shot into the jungle.

  In the distance, Gameknight saw Herobrine materialize at the top of a tall junglewood tree, his eyes burning bright. He pointed at the User-that-is-not-a-user with his diamond sword, then also pointed at Monet113.

  “We will meet again,” Herobrine yelled, his voice just barely audible over the growling wolves. The animals instantly turned and headed straight toward the tree, their eyes burning bright red. “But next time, things will be different. I’m done underestimating you, Gameknight999. When we meet again, I will destroy you, then force your little friend to take the Gateway of Light. My escape from this prison will happen with or without your help.”

  And then he disappeared, his glowing, hate-filled eyes that last thing to fade from sight.

  With their prey gone, the wolves returned back to the temple, flowing around the entrance for a moment, then obediently sitting on the ground near the Oracle. The NPCs also moved toward the temple entrance, their weapons still in their hands. Gameknight could see some villagers constructing a pool of water at the foot of the cliff, then saw Digger and Monet jump off the plateau and land in the cushioning pond.

  “Why didn’t you use the weapon?” Hunter asked as she approached, her enchanted bow shimmering in her hand.

  Gameknight shook his head.

  “It didn’t feel like the right time,” he answered.

  “You mean when he had you on your back and was about to kill you . . . that didn’t seem like the right time?” she asked.

  He shook his head again.

  “No, that wasn’t the time,” Gameknight answered.

  “You are quite the patient user,” Crafter said as he moved to his friend’s side. “I thought Herobrine was going to kill you.”

  “So did I.”

  “And yet you still did not use the weapon,” Crafter said.

  Gameknight turned and looked at the Oracle, who stood by the temple entrance.

  “She said that I would know when it was the right time,” Gameknight said. “Well, I wasn’t sure, so I figured that it wasn’t the right time.”

  The Oracle nodded her boxy head, her gray hair moving back and forth like a silvery wave.

  “The User-that-is-not-a-user is wise,” she said in a scratchy voice.

  “So what now?” Stitcher asked as she approached, her eyes looking at the dark jungle suspiciously.

  Suddenly a pair of arms wrapped around Gameknight’s body as Monet dove into him, laughing with glee while at the same time crying wi
th relief. Gameknight hugged her back for a long moment, then released her.

  She looked up at her brother, then punched him in the arm.

  “You scared me when you jumped off that cliff,” she chided. “What were you thinking?”

  “Well, I had to get down here to protect the Oracle,” Gameknight answered. “That was the only way I could get to her quickly.”

  “Where did you get the block of spider’s web?” Crafter asked.

  Gameknight reached into his inventory and pulled out the enchanted pickaxe.

  “I took this out of the chest in the temple,” that User-that-is-not-a-user explained. “It must have the Silk Touch enchantment on it.”

  He turned and looked at the Oracle. She smiled and nodded.

  “How did you know that I’d need that?” Gameknight asked.

  She just shrugged.

  “It is my job to know what is necessary,” she replied.

  “Well, you could have told him that he’d need to fight the spider queen and would need some spider’s web,” Hunter said, her voice edged with frustration.

  “Too much information would cause the User-that-is-not-a-user to make different decisions,” the Oracle said. “I cannot see what will happen, I can only see what might happen.”

  “You speak in riddles,” Hunter snapped. “Why don’t you just tell us what to do!”

  “As you wish, Hunter,” the Oracle answered. “You should decide what you are going to do, for there is a massive army of zombies on their way here as we speak.”

  The NPCs all glanced at each other nervously, then turned and faced the jungle, many drawing their weapons.

  “Be at peace for now,” the Oracle explained. “The sun will rise before they reach here. You may be safe, but many have learned that wearing a hat will protect them from the sun. The zombies will be equipped to battle during the day. It would be important to come to a decision as to what your next step will be as soon as possible.”

  Gameknight looked at Crafter, then looked at the NPCs around him. He could see items littered all across the landscape; armor, weapons and other items floating about just off the ground. Many had died this day protecting Minecraft. They couldn’t fight another battle right now.