The Witch’s Revelation

Ethan wiped the sweat from his brow as he made his way through the dense forest. The past few days had been exhausting, but he could feel himself growing stronger with each battle. Every skeleton and zombie he faced seemed to fall more easily than before, and he couldn't help but wonder if the experience points he gained from defeating mobs were making him physically stronger, much like in the game. He clenched his enchanted diamond sword, the blade feeling like an extension of his own arm.

"This is getting easier," Ethan muttered to himself as he felled another skeleton. He blocked its arrow with his shield before delivering a swift strike to its chest, causing the bones to scatter into the underbrush.

It had been days since he left the village, following the map the elder had given him to the witch's hut. The journey was filled with constant danger, mobs lurking around every corner, but each battle only made him more confident. He had to be ready for whatever awaited him at the swamp, especially if it involved more dark magic.

As he walk through the forest, Ethan thought about what he would do after his mission with the witch. "Maybe it's time to focus on getting a full diamond set after this. With all these mobs getting stronger, I need better protection."

The thought of mining for diamonds filled him with a sense of purpose. But first, he had to find the witch. He hoped she held the key to understanding how the mad villager had gained such terrifying power. If anyone knew about dark magic in this world, it had to be her.

After days of travel, the forest gradually gave way to the murky, damp landscape of the swamp. The ground beneath Ethan's feet squelched with every step, and the smell of stagnant water filled the air. Dark, twisted trees loomed overhead, their branches gnarled and reaching like skeletal hands toward the sky.

Ethan moved cautiously, his eyes scanning the misty swamp for any signs of danger. He knew witches were powerful and unpredictable, and this one was no different. The closer he got to her hut, the more his nerves began to fray.

"There it is," he whispered to himself as the crooked outline of the witch's hut appeared in the distance. It sat on stilts above the murky water, its windows dark and unwelcoming.

He approached carefully, his sword at the ready. The hut was surrounded by a thick fog, making it difficult to see clearly. As he took another step closer, a sudden movement from the window caught his attention.

Without warning, a glass bottle came hurtling toward him. Ethan's reflexes kicked in, and he barely managed to sidestep the potion as it shattered against a nearby tree. The thick green mist that followed was unmistakable, poison.

"What the!" Ethan gasped, covering his mouth as the cloud of poison dispersed.

Before he could react, the door to the hut creaked open, and the witch appeared at the top of the rickety staircase. She was an old woman, with wild gray hair and piercing eyes that glowed faintly in the dim light. In her hand, she held another potion, ready to throw.

"State your business!" the witch demanded in a harsh, croaking voice.

"I'm not here to fight!" Ethan shouted, holding up his hands in surrender. "I just want to talk!"

The witch hesitated for a moment, her eyes narrowing as she studied him. "Talk? What could a human like you possibly have to say to me?"

Ethan took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart. "I need your help. There's a necromancer, someone who's controlling mobs, turning villagers into zombies. He nearly destroyed a village, and I need to know how he got his powers."

At the mention of the necromancer, the witch's expression changed. She lowered the potion slightly, her eyes widening in surprise. "Necromancer, you say?"

Ethan nodded. "Yes. Do you know anything about it? About who could have given him the power to control the undead?"

The witch seemed to consider his words for a moment, then stepped down from the staircase, motioning for him to follow her inside. "Come. We'll talk."

The interior of the hut was cramped and cluttered, filled with strange ingredients, bubbling cauldrons, and shelves lined with books and potions. A small black cat sat in the corner, watching Ethan with glowing yellow eyes. The air was thick with the scent of herbs and something else, something darker.

The witch gestured for Ethan to sit at a small wooden table. She remained standing, her eyes never leaving him. "You speak of dangerous things, boy. Necromancy is not a magic that should be trifled with."

"I didn't ask for this," Ethan replied, sitting down. "But I've seen it with my own eyes. Someone gave that villager the power to control mobs and turn villagers into zombies. I need to stop them before it's too late."

The witch stared at him for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Then, slowly, she began to speak. "Dark magic has always existed in this world, though most know little of it. Necromancers, witches, sorcerers… we have always lived in the shadows, hidden from the eyes of ordinary villagers."

Ethan leaned forward. "So you know about this? About who could have given him that power?"

The witch's face darkened, and she looked away. "I know more than I care to admit. But some knowledge is best left buried. You would be wise to turn back now, before you dig too deep."

"I can't turn back," Ethan said firmly. "I need to stop whoever's behind this. I need to protect the villages."

The witch met his gaze, her eyes hard. "And what makes you think you're strong enough to face such a foe? The power you speak of is not something you can simply fight with a sword and shield."

Ethan's grip tightened on the hilt of his sword. "I have to try."

For a long time, the witch said nothing. She turned away from him, pacing the room as if deep in thought. Finally, she stopped, her back to Ethan. "There is one who could grant such power," she said quietly. "But I will not speak his name."

"Who is he?" Ethan pressed. "Is he the one behind this?"

The witch shook her head. "You ask too many questions, boy. Some answers will only bring you pain."

Ethan stood, his frustration boiling over. "You're hiding something. If you know who's behind this, you have to tell me!"

The witch turned to face him, her eyes blazing with anger. "I owe you nothing! You think you can come into my home and demand answers? You are a fool, boy!"

Before Ethan could respond, the witch raised her hand, and a blast of dark energy surged toward him. Ethan instinctively raised his shield, deflecting the attack, but the force of it sent him stumbling backward.

"Go!" the witch shouted, her voice trembling with fury. "Leave this place and never return! Your journey here is over."

Ethan stumbled out of the hut, his heart pounding. He hadn't gotten the answers he came for, but he knew one thing for sure, the witch was hiding something. As he walked away from the hut, he glanced back over his shoulder, half-expecting her to attack again.

But the witch was nowhere to be seen.

The journey felt like a waste. He had risked so much to come here, only to leave with more questions than answers. Frustrated, Ethan began making his way back through the swamp, his mind racing.

As Ethan disappeared into the mist, the witch watched him from the window of her hut. Her hands were trembling, and a cold sweat covered her brow. She sank to the floor, muttering under her breath.

"Foolish boy," she whispered, clutching her chest as a wave of pain shot through her. "You have no idea what you're up against…"

For a moment, she sat there, breathing heavily. Then, slowly, she stood, crossing the room to where her black cat sat on a chair. She picked up the cat, stroking its fur absentmindedly as she walked to the throne-like chair in the center of the room.

Her gaze drifted to the far wall, where two crystals, one red and one blue gleamed in the dim light. She smiled bitterly. " I wonder if he'll be able to handle this as you did."

With a sigh, the witch sat down, holding her cat close.