Another journey

Ethan arrived back at his base, feeling a sense of unease. The strange, green shard he'd obtained from the mutant zombie still weighed heavily on his mind. He sat on his bed, turning it over in his hand. It pulsed faintly with a strange energy, but no matter how hard he stared at it or tried to recall anything from his knowledge of Minecraft, he couldn't figure out what it was.

"First nercromencer, now mutant zombie?, This isn't something from the game,"he muttered to himself, frustrated.

After a while, he set the shard down on a crafting table. He had other things to worry about, like repairing his tools and armor. His gear had taken quite the beating during his recent battles, and the cracks in his netherite weapons were starting to show.

Ethan worked methodically, fixing his tools and sharpening his sword, the sound of clinking metal and grinding stone filling the room. Once everything was in order, he decided it was time to pay another visit to the village elder. Maybe he could help him make sense of the shard.

The next morning, Ethan packed his bag and made the familiar trek to the village. The sun was already high in the sky by the time he arrived. Villagers were bustling about, tending to their farms, trading goods, and going about their daily routines. Ethan made his way to the elder's home.

The elder greeted him with a warm smile. "Ethan, good to see you again. How have you been?"

"I've been... busy," Ethan replied. "There's something strange going on, elder. I've come across another things I can't explain."

But before he could ask about the shard, the elder's expression grew serious, and he handed Ethan a letter, along with a rolled-up map.

"I know you've done much for this village already, but I have one more favor to ask of you," the elder said. "I need this letter delivered to a friend of mine in a distant village. He's helped us many times in the past, and I think he might know more about what's been happening."

Ethan hesitated, not sure what to say. He had no idea what the letter contained, and the elder's request seemed to come out of nowhere. But he didn't have any other leads, and something about the elder's demeanor told him this was important. So, after a moment, Ethan nodded.

"Alright, I'll deliver the letter," Ethan said. "Where does he live?"

The elder handed him the map, pointing to a marked location far to the south. "He lives in a village near the desert biome, across the plains and through the forest. It's a long journey, but I know you can make it."

Ethan set off on his journey the next day, unsure of what he was walking into. The plains stretched out before him, wide and empty, with only the occasional herd of sheep or wandering cow to keep him company. As he made his way across the open landscape, the sun beat down relentlessly, but his focus remained on the path ahead.

A couple of days passed as he trekked through the forest and hills, setting up camp when night fell and battling the occasional skeleton or spider that dared to challenge him. The monsters seemed easier to deal with than before. Perhaps it was his new netherite gear, or maybe he was growing stronger.

Finally, after what felt like a long, exhausting trek, Ethan emerged from the forest and saw the vast desert stretching out before him. The heat was oppressive, the sand shifting under his feet as he began his walk toward the village. Following the elder's map, he navigated the dunes, his destination finally coming into view.

Ethan arrived at the desert village just as the sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows over the sandstone buildings. The village was small but well-fortified, with towering cacti lining the perimeter and a few iron golems patrolling the streets. It looked like a quiet, peaceful place.

Ethan made his way through the village and knocked on the door of the elder's friend, a large, buff villager who answered the door with a stern expression. His arms were thick and muscular, and he towered over Ethan with an imposing presence.

"You must be Ethan," the villager said in a deep voice. "The elder told me you'd be coming."

Ethan handed him the letter, and the buff villager took it, tearing it open and reading the contents silently. After a moment, he looked back at Ethan, his expression unreadable.

"The elder speaks highly of you. I could use your help," he said. "I can't leave this village unguarded, not with the dangers out there. But there have been strange sightings near the desert temple not far from here, monsters we've never seen before."

Ethan's interest was piqued. What kind of monsters?" he asked.

The buff villager frowned. "We don't know exactly. They only come out at night, and they're unlike anything our village have faced. I'd go myself, but if something happens to me, the village will be left defenseless."

Ethan considered his options. He didn't know what these monsters were, but he had a bad feeling about it. Still, this was the only lead he had, and something told him the desert temple might hold some answers.

"Alright,"Ethan said "I'll check it out."

The villager nodded. "Thank you. Be careful, Ethan. Whatever's out there... it's dangerous."