*smirks at all of the cries of outrage as Drake "died"* Haha, I am back. Don't worry, Drake isn't dead...yet. I am sorry the chapter is short, but I did not want to waste too much time focusing on each individual tear. I am not that mean, right? *is met with silence* Okay, maybe I am just a little cruel, but this story was not designed to break your feels. Right now, we will look at their sadness but not experience it too much. Oh well, please enjoy the second chapter. Remember to check out my other story "The Haunted One-Shots" because it is also related to The Haunted. Thanks for being awesome readers.

Let's Go On An Adventure

The Lost Man

Grayson's POV

My eyes flickered open. How long was I out? Maybe a few minutes? Both Drake and Armen were missing. Actually I take that back. Drake was holding the Fiery Sword against the heavy blue blade of Herobrine maybe 20 feet from where I lay.

That was not all. Armen was limping towards the fight with his dagger/key ready. I pushed myself to my feet and grabbed my sword from where it fell. I was going to help too. They don't need to have all the fun.

Drake, being stubborn, pushed Armen away. Armen started talking, and then Herobrine opened his mouth as well. Suddenly, Herobrine was falling into the smoking lava.

Just as I thought that our troubles were all over, Drake was falling in too.

"NO, DRAKE!" Armen leaned over the edge horrified as his best friend toppled into the magma.

For one horrible moment, I thought that he was going to jump too. His leg twitched as if debating on climbing over the little wall.

I reached out my hand in case if he tried to jump in after him. "Armen, I'm sorry."

He backed away in a daze while still staring at the spot where their bodies disappeared. "I could have stopped this."

"Don't blame yourself, man. There was nothing you could do."

He looked up at me with a pained expression. "But Grayson, you don't understand. I could have ended this, but I didn't. Now Drake is gone."

There was no convincing him otherwise. It was clear that this was what he thought even though I disagreed. I tugged his shoulder. "Come on, a way out should be over there somewhere."

He nodded but did not meet my eyes. "I just can't believe that he is gone. I feel like I knew him my whole life even though it was a short time. He has been my best friend since forever. I just don't know what I can do without him."

Logically the water should lead up since we came down into this chamber by water. Armen took off his Chosen One armor to make it easier to swim up, or maybe he did it because it reminded him too much of what happened down below.

The sun was high in the sky, so it was probably noon. A bird chirped happily. The scene would have been peaceful if the dread of losing Drake wasn't hanging around our minds.

"What do we do now?" Armen asked aloud.

"I don't really know. Maybe set up camp?"

"I guess."

I started a fire just outside the woods for warmth. Armen sat down on a large rock outside of the campfire.

"Hey Grayson? Can I ask a favor?"

I attempted a smile. "Yeah, sure. Go ahead."

"Can I please have a few moments alone just to think about what happened?"

"Of course, Armen. I will be in the woods if you need me."

Armen didn't look up, so I took this as my cue to leave.

Armen's POV

Grayson walked off towards the forest to do his own thing so that I can mourn on my own. Most would like a shoulder to cry on, but where was that shoulder when Mom died? Where was that shoulder when Dad died? Where was that shoulder when Collin-?

Collin was not gone like I thought he was until recently. He was NOT Herobrine no matter what the books say about him. If it wasn't for my brother, I would have been dead.

I felt the tears starting to come down my face. "It's all right, little bro. Just let it out. You don't need to feel ashamed. There wasn't anything you could have done without killing yourself."

"But that's the thing, Collin. I could have saved them. I don't need to be a part of this world. I would rather see my friends alive and be dead to seeing one of them dead while still being alive."

"If you sacrificed yourself, then your friend would have felt this same great pain."

"Great pa- You mean just like the book?"

Collin seemed to grow quiet for a moment. "Yes."

"But that means that Drake would have to suffer. The prophecy said that, right?"

"Yes it did."

I felt Collin's presence leave mine. Left to suffer. Hmm, that makes me think of something else, but I can't put my finger on it.

I don't think Drake suffered much because lava is usually quick to kill, and he was already injured from the previous fight. We all were.

Was it really over? Did the nightmare that plagued us actually end? What was going on?

Grayson tossed more wood into the fire, and the flames gave a satisfied sizzle. Neither of us spoke to the other. Everyone has separate ways to deal with loss. I have dealt with it before, and I suspect Grayson has as well.

I first lost my parents. Then I thought I lost Collin. Now Drake. All I have left was Grayson. I don't want to lose him too.

Grayson spoke grimly, "What should we do now? Do we stick together or do we go our separate ways?"

"As much as I want to stay close, maybe it is best that I stay away from other people, at least for a while. Maybe someday I will find you again, Grayson." I don't know why I said it, but I have a feeling that it has something to do with me not wanting to lose anyone else.

"Are you sure? I can try to help you get through this."

"I am okay. I just need time to mourn." I stood up. "I will try to find you again; I just need to find answers."

My only remaining friend nodded. "Well, stay safe."

"Got it. You too."

I turned away and left the clearing. I just need my questions answered. Something didn't seem right about what just happened. I don't think that this is over. It will never be over.

No one's POV

The lava sizzled as it coughed up the figure. His clothes were burned away at parts, yet his shirt remained blue. He looked a lot like the original body that He used to control except for the enderman parts. His eyes remained closed.

The animals in the area scattered as if sensing the evil presence. The new danger stepped out of the magma and ran a hand along the blackened bricks as if appreciating His life.

For a moment, He thought that He was done for. Then Herobrine had the idea to pull the half-enderman in with Him. Once they were out of sight of the two remaining men, Herobrine merged with Drake.

He was getting tired of his old body anyway. It did nothing to strike fear into the hearts of those He killed except for the fact that it had two brightly shining eyes. Now He looked like an enderman on one half of Him, but if Herobrine turns His head, then all they will see is a human side as well.

The new terror of the Badlands opened His eyes. One eye was a faint purple just like the original enderman eye. The other was pure white, just like Herobrine's.

See, I told you Drake wasn't dead. He has just turned out like Armen. *ignores what Armen said in Episode 10 entirely* He'll be fine, right? RIGHT? Well, exactly how good/bad was the chapter? Was there anything that I should have changed/kept the same? Do you like how Collin can speak to Armen? I dunno, I just had a feeling that Collin was just taken over by Herobrine and was not actually Herobrine. Now we know. I really hope that you liked this. Also, do you want Armen to learn how to use magic? The story will move on no matter his choice, but I just want to know what you think. Check out my poll for "The Haunted One-Shots" if you want. Thanks for reading this. By the way, did you notice that I finally added a cover? Maybe I need to stop with the questions. Bye!

~Lya200~