A Worrisome Encounter

Frozenhammerz was drenched in sweat. His eyes were red and darting back and forth. He was wearing a strange collection of machinery, including a large golden monocle with small green lights along the edge. He lurched through the forest and did not seem to notice Steelpanmaster waving at him only a few meters away.

— Hello there, said Steelpanmaster. Frozen, is it you? Are you okay?

Frozenhammerz turned and his sickly eyes became even wider.

— What are you doing here? You’re not supposed to be here! Not yet!

He looked even worse close up. Slack-jawed, hollow-eyed. Like he had not slept for days, but also something else, something Steelpanmaster had not seen before.

— I’m sorry, I was just strolling through the forest here, looking for some berries. But really, Frozen, you look unwell. What’s the matter?

— Have you come for the stone?! You can’t have it!

— Stone? What stone? I don’t know anything about that. You are acting very strangely, Frozen… are you well?

— Yes, yes, never better. Now that I have The Power anything is possible. Just wait and see…

— What do you mean, the power?

— Yes, the greenstone! If you only knew…

— Oh, you mean redstone? Yes, it’s very powerful, great stuff. But why are you sweating?

— Don’t try to fool me, Steel! You can’t have the greenstone!

Steelpanmaster took another look at his fellow wanderer and as he examined him more closely, he noticed something. A green glow was coming from one of Frozenhammerz’ pockets. And there were those weird blinking lights on his monocle-machine…

— Are you sure that this… greenstone is healthy? You sure look tired. Maybe you should get some rest?

— No! Must get back… back in the pool… ah, in the green… the glow… the power…

It was as if Frozen had already forgotten him. He was talking to himself now while stumbling toward the nearby river. Steelpanmaster followed him cautiously at a distance and saw him cross the stream. He caught a glimpse of something strange on the other shore… something frightening. A thin green fog wavering above the land on the other side. Tools and building materials were spread on the ground around a huge hole. He could hear voices but could not discern the words. They sounded excited, feverish… perhaps mad?

Steelpanmaster made a note on his wanderer’s map: Danger. He would take a roundabout way next time he was in this area. Maybe ask other explorers if they knew what was going on. He sure hoped Frozen would feel better soon. But he was also curious. Perhaps one day he would gather his courage and cross that river. He did not like the sound of this mysterious “power”, but who knew? Maybe Frozen and his friends could tame it and do great things…