chapter 8

Here's a potential next chapter:

Chapter 8

Having destroyed the first Illager tower, Alex knew he needed to find a way to deal with the others sprouting up across the land. He returned to his base to formulate a new plan.

After analyzing the portal remnants and Illager's robes, Alex deduced that the portals required Ender pearls to activate. If he could gather enough Ender pearls, he could infiltrate each tower and sabotage the portals before destroying them.

Alex spent many days hunting Endermen and raiding underground structures to collect Ender pearls. All the while, more Illager towers arose, their corrupted influence spreading. Alex knew time was running out.

Finally, with satchel full of shimmering Ender pearls, Alex set out for the next nearest tower. He narrowly dodged acid attacks from the Illagers' corrupted Iron Golems to reach the doorway.

Tossing an Ender pearl through the entrance, Alex was teleported inside. Quickly locating the portal room, he disrupted the frame and sabotaged the dragon egg power source at its center. The portal went dark.

Escaping in the confusion, Alex repeated this process for two more towers, hindering the Illagers' plans. But the towers were popping up faster than Alex could destroy them. He needed to find the source and cut it off at its roots.

After questioning some captured Illagers, Alex uncovered rumors of a secret Nether fortress from which all the towers were generated. Gathering his best gear, Alex steeled himself to infiltrate the Nether and find this hidden fortress - before the Illagers could open portals to even darker dimensions.

To be continued...