It seemed like any normal morning, but something felt off. A feeling of being watched from afar was prominent. I made think it was Herobrine, whom of which was rumored to have been taking over towns all over the country. Most recent news was that Appleton Grove was just recently burned to the ground.
In the my village I was one of two people that believed that it was true. Nobody has ever believed me even when the rumors had started nearly a decade ago. The other person who believed in the rumors was a friend of mine; Abril Smith daughter of the mayor.
"Good morning Karto!" A familiar voice called out. I looked up to see her standing in the doorway of my shop.
I smiled, "Well what brings you in my humble little shop?"
She walked up to the tool racks on the walls lightly touching them, "Don't you remember what you promised me last night?"
I cleared my throat, "O-oh that, yes later today before I leave for Timber Valley."
"Again? That's the eighth time within the last two and a half weeks."
"Well the demand for my good quality tools is high and your father raised my taxes again. So I have to go speak to him about that," I groaned.
"I wish I could do something," Abril sighed taking a seat on my countertop.
"Yeah, I've got to got over to your house to talk with your father today to talk debts," I said, dreading having to go yet again. I was unfortunately correct about not receiving any new orders. Abril walked with me back to her house and once we reached the doors she pulled me aside.
"I'll be waiting at the place, okay?"
"Yeah," I replied, and turned and walked past to two guards at the house entrance. I knocked on the doors to the Mayor's office.
"Yes," a deep voice boomed. I opened the door and walked in.
"What do you want Trak?"
"Sir what is the meaning of raising my taxes again within the last two weeks?!" I spoke coldly.
"You see, Karto business is business and as mayor I get to choose our tax rates."
"Horse-shit!" I shouted, "How do you expect me to make any profit to purchase materials to complete my daily orders?"
"I don't care," he said as he stood up and walked around his desk slowly and continued, "You have never worked with me. If you don't like your taxes then I will tell u what."
He paused and dropped a small sack on his desk, "I will buy you out and you can leave town."mhmm
I gave him a side glance and snatched the sack and looked in,"Ten diamonds and 30 emeralds? Do I look like a fool?"
"Look I did this as fair as I could alright."
"Fair my foot!"
"Look either take the deal or put up with my taxes."
I know all about my shop, but if he was willing to pay for my shop the I would have to give in.
"How about 30 diamonds and 12 emeralds for my shop and my leave."
He sighed and said,"Deal."
After I received the payment I asked for I shook his hand respectfully and walked out of his office to find Abril about to knock on the door. I gave a sad smile and walked past her.
She called to her father and closed the door.
I walked out of the building and carried my new wealth back to my home. I began to gather up necessities and merchandise that I could sell same with the contraband.
I went to my basement and began to wrap and sheath the weapons I had made years ago. Then three knocks sounded I knocked back.
Abril came down the ladders saying, "Why did u take my Father's deal."
"I want to see the world and not be used as a work horse to this town. So this was a way out for me." I said in an agitated tone.
Abril lowered her head, she was the only one left who cared about me. At times I have wondered if she is in love with me, but I care for her too. So upon seeing her sadness. I walked up to her and caressed her soft face. She hugged me tight and said in a shaky voice, "I don't want you to go! I care about you too much."
I hugged her back and kissed the top of her head. We looked at each other and I could tell we had the hunger for each other's lips. I leaned in and kissed her on the lips. She felt tense only to melt into the kiss. What was seconds felt like minutes. I pulled away and strood to the forge. Abril broke the silence as I took up a sword hilt and stick it in the hot forge.
"I want to go with you."
"What," I said looking back at her, "no you need to stay here."
"Karto, I'm just as trapped as you are."
"I know that it's just-"
"Then that settles it I'm coming with."
I smacked my sooty glove to my forehead and said, "You are sometimes just a pain in the ass."
She pouted saying, " You're mean."
I smirked and said, "And that is why we are friends."
I grabbed a elaborate sword hilt and began to beat the hot metal for the blade. I had been working on it for months and I would be finishing it today. I had been working on the design so much I had to use a test sword just to get the mechanisms to work. The hilt itself took three years to work. Abril went up the ladder and disappeared for a while. All I did was heat the blade and beat the hell out of it.
Well into the night I hammered and heated and cooled the metal and by early in the morning I achieved my goal of a multi-purpose sword. I needed rest. I went up to my room on the second floor to find Abril asleep in my chair with a book in her hand; The Incomplete Ledger of Myths and Legends.
I lifted her up, placed the book in the chair and she clung onto me.
I gently laid her down on my bed, but she didn't let go me. Instead, she pulled me causing me to fall on top of her and she said groggily, "Sleep with me."
I took off my dirty clothes and laid down next to her, and she clung onto me. After some time, I closed my eyes and fell asleep. I began to dream and it was filled with smoke, love, hate, fire, and ash. There was two white lights shining through the mist.
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The following morning I had woken up early to pack the rest of my belongings. Abril slept in the late morning as I put books and handmade tools in a backpack. The little village felt eerily quiet. I climbed down stairs and noticed a gray haze in the air. It was smoke....
"Abril get up now! Quick!" I hissed as I climbed up the ladder.
"What is it?" She said groggily, rubbing her eyes.
"Something's wrong."
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Hours prior....
Silence came over the town as a figure dressed in a turquoise shirt and blueish pants came into the dim light. His eyes shown white. He welded a blue hued pickaxe. His hands began to spark with power and dark clouds formed in the sky. Lightning thundered and the man floated into the air and threw fireballs at the houses and struck some of the townsfolk who were asleep out of existence. Guards came out and they observed the man who turned around appeared to look like someone they knew very well. They charge red at him and all hell broke loose.
Ending with devilish laughter fading into silence.