Read The Battle at No- Man’s Land Biome, Book 1: Rise of the Champions Page 5

Day 5

  Dawn caught us sitting by the tree, bringing up silly memories.

  “Steve. It’s time.” Gareth looked up at the horizon. The light of the rising sun bathed the clouds, turning them all shades of pink and orange.

  I gulped heavily and nodded. We stood and returned home. Our parents came and we all hugged. My backpack was filled with food and a few objects that Gareth had added with a wink. As we said our final goodbyes, there was a knock on the door.

  “I’m here for a Steve Applewood,” the tall, muscled man with short blond hair said. “We are awaiting him so we can set off to the Royal City.”

  I answered nervously, “Yes, sir. I’m ready.” As I walked out, fighting off the nervous tears welling in my eyes, Gareth grabbed me by the shoulder.

  “Make us proud. Remember, you’re the guy who finally brought ‘Legendary Gareth Applewood’s winning streak to an end. Go out there and win!” He made a fist and growled those last words. Beaming a smile at him, I lifted my head and stepped outside.

  The minecart was awaiting us both on the outskirts of the city. The Mayor and a few others stood nearby watching. He came by and checked if I was okay.

  “Good luck. Blueberry Town will be watching you closely. Don’t let us down, Steve.”

  And with that, my new companion and I sped off on the cart.

  “My name is Ben, nice to meet you! The last Champion for Humanity was chosen last night. I really hope we succeed. Please, if you need any help in any skill you might need, don’t be afraid to ask for help at the Royal City.”

  I nodded and looked away, preferring to listen and watch the natural sights around me. It calmed me for a while, until we hit a slope and went underground. Great.Still, there were things to see as we hurtled down the tunnel, such as the stone blocks to each side and torches and…well, nothing else.

  “You better get some rest; we won’t be there for a while,” Ben added.“Couple of hours in fact.”

  I decided to listen to him and closed my eyes. Sleep followed, and then dreams.

  Flashes of other Choosings flashed in my eyes. I saw Zombies, Endermen, and Skeletons, among others, forming up against me. I stood alone on a large dusty battlefield. Crowds watched as the creatures approached. There were four for each race while I was alone, with only a sword and shield to protect me. The monsters grinned at me as they came closer with their sharp axes, preparing to tear me to pieces. I could hear Gareth’s voice shouting, but the words were hard to understand. The mobs approached and I could almost feel their breaths on me as I trembled in fear. Gareth shouted again, and I felt him shaking me.

  “Wake up, Steve! Wake up! WAKE—”

  I sat up and realized that it was actually Ben who was screaming at me. His golden sword was in his grip as we sped along the tracks, and he looked agitated.

  “What’s going on?” I asked, and then I realized.

  There was a horde of them chasing us. Spider Jockeys! They chased us at great speed and some of them ran along the walls toward us. It was terrifying and at first I froze as I saw the mass of enemies firing arrows and pursuing our minecart.

  Ben’s voice woke me from my stupor. “Open that chest,” he shouted, pointing at a container to one side of the minecart, “Take out the shield and sword and help me, now!”

  As I pulled the items out of the chest, I knew it was now or never. An arrow flew right at me at that very moment and I lifted the shield just in time to stop it. Heavy, but strong. Gareth was right. Ben’s own shield had been peppered with arrows and he looked wounded. He jumped back as a Skeleton leaped from its spider and landed inside the minecart. Oh no. Ben’s blade came down on the Skeleton’s skull and ended it, but there were still more to fight. They were getting closer. Another Jockey managed to cling onto the edge of our minecart. This Skeleton was larger and scarier than the rest.

  “Wither Skeleton!” I shouted, but Ben just pushed me away. The Wither Skeleton leaped off his spider and into the cramped minecart with his sword held in a fighting stance. Then he struck Ben with force, and I watched as my companion’s shield almost broke in half. A second blow did break it in half, and Ben barely managed to attack the dark-colored skeleton in time to stop a third attack. The enemy kicked Ben’s leg out from under him and lifted its sword, ready to execute my new friend.

  I couldn’t allow that to happen.

  The Wither Skeleton’s attack didn’t reach Ben. Instead, it crashed against my upraised shield. I grinned fiercely as the skeleton tried to pull the sword out in vain.

  “Bye,” I said as I charged forward with all my strength and slammed the Wither Skeleton against the edge of the minecart, sending it flying off onto the tracks and smashing to pieces as we sped off toward the Royal City.

  “They’re hesitating!” Ben cried. He was right. The Spider Jockeys began to stop and watch us angrily from a distance. We had done enough.“Good job, boy.”

  Seriously? “Boy? My name is Steve, and I am the Champion of Blueberry Town.”

  “Funny. My name is Ben, and I am also a Champion of Humanity. I have a lot to tell you.”