[CHAPTER IV]

[Haunted Past]

It was needless to say the entire village of Sanderlorum did not sleep during the night. The people were too anxious to know the condition of the man they had all mistreated so horribly and yet still went out of his way and put his life gravely in danger to save the life of one little girl…

Melz's words had hit everyone hard upon their return. And seeing the physical condition of the visitor as they lowered him from the horse and carried him towards their Village Elder's home only doubled their guilt and worry, consciences and nerves piling more and more guilt and grief as many pairs of vibrant green eyes peered from the glass windows of the many homes and spotted the visible trail of red liquid staining the yellow sand and grey gravel that was left behind as Steve continued to bleed out from his wounds.

Not everyone had really intended to make Steve feel the way he ended up feeling, the memories and scars from the past causing the people to act the way they did towards the man almost automatically.

So that explained why the moment the zombies and skeletons that were among the night walkers burst into flames to signal the safe rise of the sun, doors flew open and villagers flocked towards the Elder's residence with great haste.

He, himself, had a long and sleepless night. Steve's injuries were far more extensive than he had originally thought at first glance, and had begun to think he would lose him a couple of times throughout the night as his condition would suddenly take a turn for the worst.

But Steve proved his strength and will to survive and pulled through, now merely appearing to be sleeping rather than barely breathing and clinging desperately to life.

The Village Elder insisted everyone continue with their day as normal, explaining to them that Steve would not be awakening any time soon and reassured that they would all know the moment he did awoke.

However when he saw Melz, he waved him over, asking for him to stop by later that evening. And by the time the sun began setting; Melz had already packed his wares up and was standing before the Village Elder.

"I apologize for asking you to visit this late into the evening. But I am glad you came by, Melz." the Elder began, standing to the side and allowing him inside.

Before anything else was said, a voice stopped them, both men turning towards the pathway to see both Hugo and Kelsa waiting.

"We want to see him… please." Kelsa plead softly, taking her brother's hand into her own.

And before anything could be said to the children, Glorenda's voice came to them, "There you two are! You had me worried when you two took off suddenly after Melz." she gasped, trying to catch her breath. She had clearly been running after them.

Looking out to see Mobs already showing up in the distance and heading towards their village, the Elder sighed; "It is too late to send you off. Come inside. Hurry." he beckoned them all in. Once everyone was safely indoors, he locked and sealed it before motioning them all to follow him into the room where Steve had been taken into.

The young miner was in the same bed, but looked much better than last night. All traces of blood and sand had been tenderly cleaned away. All cuts and scratches had been cleaned and treated. The two arrowhead wounds had to be deeply disinfected and sutured.

Everyone signed with relief upon seeing his condition save for Hugo, managing to keep a pensive expression as he remained silent and stood behind the adults.

"I called you here, Melz… because I was curious about this man's past. And… I think you should see what I have found." the Elder began while taking his seat on the stool.

The others all gathered around Steve's prone body, watching as the Elder placed his palm on Steve's forehead, mumbling something under his breath while slowly making a first as if grabbing something. Pulling his fist away from Steve, a grey haze followed, earning surprised gasps from the other four.

Taking the haze into both hands, the Elder whispered something into it before releasing it into the air right above Steve with a gentle blow of air, the cloud expanding until suddenly a blue mist began rolling around inside.

"Though not everything has been made clear to me yet, it is very clear to me that this man has a very dark and painful past. He wanders from biome to biome… simply because he has no home anywhere here on this massive land." the Elder began, waving his hands before the mist until an image of the ocean appeared. A large ship could be seen sailing the calm waters as the men and women on board laughed and cheered, enjoying each other's company and the warmth of the brightly shining sun high above them. But then suddenly, the image flashed, and now the ship could be barely seen through the merciless storm that haunted that night.

Everyone, including Hugo leaned in closer to see the people aboard the vessel trying in vain to keep the ship under control as the wash continued to crash against her haul with no mercy, the lightning flashing across the sky showing brief glimpses of the ship taking on water.

"The storm prevented them from seeing…" the Elder continued, swiping his left hand before the mist as if to change the scene. Sure enough, a new image appeared. He brought the view closer, revealing the crew under attack from not only the storm, but a hoard of Mobs.

Hugo spoke first after gasping. "What? Hold on… Those are skeletons that are attacking them!" he pointed out.

"But they're black. And fighting with swords." Melz also pointed out.

The Elder nodded, "Yes. They are skeletons… but of a different realm. These ones are much stronger and more ruthless than the ones here in the Overworld that roam during the night." he explained.

"What are they?" Glorenda asked quietly.

The Elder sighed while waving his hand again, changing the scene. "Wither skeleton. From the Nether…"

Hugo shook his head while snorting, "Impossible. They're only a myth!"

"A myth proven fact, I am afraid child." He gave a sideways glance to the teen.

Kelsa whimpered while huddling closer to Glorenda, "Does that mean all myths are real…?"

A reassuring smile was given to the girl from the Elder, "No, my child. Not necessarily."

Melz narrowed his eyes, lifting his gaze to look up at their Elder. "This… this can't be possible."

"You are agreeing with Hugo, Melz?" the Elder asked with a raise of his brow.

However Melz shook his head. "No, I'm not. I do not doubt their existence. What I do doubt is their appearance. The legends all say they were banished into the Nether after the fall of the Wither itself almost a thousand years ago. So how are they able to leave? Especially when the Nether was completely sealed off after Notch banished He—" Melz choked suddenly as his eyes grew wide, everyone staring at him in shock at what he was about to say.

Swallowed the hard lump that had formed in his throat, he shook his head. "The point is the Nether is sealed. So how were they able to attack them?"

"I do not want to think of it… but perhaps they have found a small leak somewhere? I am unsure of how they managed to appear after so many years later." the Elder answered.

The scene then changed and revealed a man fighting off one of the Wither skeletons rather impressively. Everyone soon gasped as they recognized the man to be Steve. Melz was the first to speak after the realization, his voice hushed and full of disbelief, "Steve is from another land…"

The Elder nodded, yet again waving his hand to change the scene. "The storm did not allow them to see the beaches of this land. They drew too close… allowing the Mobs the range needed to board their vessel." The newest scene showed Steve running towards the back of the ship, fighting off the many Wither skeletons that stood in his path and avoiding the fires that had broken out all around him. However strong he was, the one he was currently in a sword fight with managed to not only block his attack, but also deliver a powerful enough counterattack that sent Steve over the railing to plummet into the cold black waters below.

"No, Steve!" Kelsa cried out.

Melz cursed, hands balling into fists at witnessing the cruel treatment while Glorenda gasped and hugged Kelsa closely. Hugo glared at the image… but focusing his rising anger at the monsters. Not at Steve…

Breaking the surface, they all watched as he began swimming after the burning ship, the same determination they saw on his face while leaving the Inn in search of Kelsa.

Another wave changed the scene before them: Steve had managed to get back on board just as a girl screamed. Whipping around to look behind him, they saw what Steve saw; a girl, older than Hugo with blue eyes and shoulder length blonde hair wearing a white tunic over tan colored capris and black sandals backing away from one of the Wither skeletons, the creature slowly raising its sword in the air.

Rage filled Steve as he yelled out, running up the stairs to reach the top.

As this particular scene progressed, Steve's physical being began responding as if having a nightmare; brows furrowing together while moaning slightly, head rolling from side to side as sweat began to break out across his forehead and temples.

They all watched as Steve reached the top, lifting his sword up and charging at the Wither skeleton that held its own sword high. Just as they thought Steve was going to make it and block the monster's attack, he screamed out; "Don't you dare touch my sister, you monster!"

Eyes widened at his words, shock filling the silence upon finding out Steve had a sibling. However, Glorenda pulled Kelsa away from the image and hid her face in her chest just as the Wither skeleton thrust its sword forwards, impaling the girl Steve was trying to save straight through her heart.

"Noooo!" Steve cried out both in the memory and in the room, causing everyone save the Elder to jump, swinging his sword and beheading the skeleton in one clean sweep. Just as he fell by the dying girl's side, he was grabbed painfully by his throat and lifted away from her, his vision fading in and out as he held his hand out to her as he was dragged away from her body.

She was lying on her back, her face towards him and eyes half lidded and void of life. Her lips were parted and blood leaked steadily from the corner of her mouth, her blond hair and white tunic darkening in color as they absorbed her blood as it pooled around her body.

"G-Gene-vieve." he choked out. Suddenly, he was thrown from the ship, hitting the water painfully and too far away to swim back.

Breaking the surface once more, Steve began futilely swimming towards the ship. Though none could be seen as they blend in with the ocean, they could tell Steve was crying as he swam, pushing his tired and exhausted body to its limit, pleading for everyone to be alright. Promising he would make it back to help them all. Swearing that they would all be safe.

And just when Steve actually began to think he was going to catch up with the ship, a large explosion finished it off, the screams of everyone on board no longer filling the night sky.

The only screams that could be heard were Steve's…

Responding to the memory played out as a nightmare, Steve cried out while thrashing, startling everyone once again but the Elder, who calmly leaned forward and used both his hands to blow away the image of the sinking ship. The last image to be revealed before the haze dissipated completely was of Steve face down in the sand on a beach, his clothes and hair dry from being underneath the sun high above him. A village they all knew could be seen off in the near distance.

Placing his hand back against Steve's forehead, the man instantly stilled and calmed upon a hushed murmur being whispered to him.

Leaning back and removing his hand, the Elder sighed while lifting his gaze to those around him. "Steve is not to know of what has transpired here this evening. Understand?" He looked down to the children, his sentence mainly directed towards them.

However, all four nodded.

Kelsa slowly pulled herself away from Glorenda's chest while the woman gently combed her hair, tears in her eyes as she sniffled. She was unable to see whatever was shown… but she was still able to hear it all.

Pushing himself slowly to his feet, he asked if anyone wished for a drink. Melz and Glorenda asked for water, while Kelsa asked for juice.

Hugo wished for nothing, but the Elder requested his help with preparing and bringing the beverages out. With no argument, Hugo followed him into the kitchen.

At first, nothing was said between the two, until the Elder finished pouring Kelsa's juice. "At first, I did not think it wise to allow you kids to view Steve's past." he began, instantly grabbing Hugo's attention. The teen looked up at him, green eyes narrowed in question.

The Elder paused before continuing, turning to show a smile on his face hidden beneath his beard, "But now I am glad you got to witness it."

"Why is that, Elder?" he asked a little defensively.

"Because it allowed you to see Steve is not what you fear him to be. I understand you are still hurt by what happened… and it is understandable why you wish to not allow anyone in. But Hugo, you mustn't let the act of one evil man make you force others away. You, and many others here have locked yourselves up and are not only keeping the bad out… but you are also forcing the good away as well." he spoke softly, taking the two water cups in hand and waiting for Hugo to take up Kelsa's beverage.

After picking up the cup, Hugo stared into its green contents, his reflection glaring back.

The Elder walked past him, but paused just beyond the doorway, not turning to look back at the teen. "I am sure over time you will become kind to him. He has suffered far more… but you and Steve rather have much in common, and you could learn a thing or two from—"

Hugo growled, snapping his head up to glare hard at the back of the older man's head while interrupting him. "Oh really? Like what, exactly?!"

"The pain."

He spoke it as if it should have been the most obvious thing in the world to the teen, furthering his anger even more. "The pain!? What would he be able to understand!? And just how has he suffered more!? And what could I possibly learn from him!?" he seethed, jaw clenched. He didn't care if the others could hear him by now in the next room.

He didn't even care if he caused Steve to wake.

Nothing was said for a few intense seconds until finally, the Elder took in a deep breath through his nose, answering Hugo without bothering to face him. "The pain of loss, Hugo. And Steve has endured more because—while yes, you lost both your parents tragically, you still have Kelsa, your friends and this entire village. Whereas Steve? He has nothing. He lost everyone that night. His friends and family were all killed right before him… And he blames no one but himself, carrying the weight of his guilt that he was unable to save anyone. He was left behind and washed up on a land far different from his own. He is alone, Hugo. With no place to go." he paused and turned his head slightly over his right shoulder, just enough to give a sideways glance to the teen. "And yet he walks forward with his head held high. Kindness still flows forth from him and unto every person he meets despite the heavy pain that still weighs his heart down. He still puts everyone else's needs first before his own, hiding his tragic past behind his kind smile. There is a lesson this whole village could learn. Hugo. Your tragedy happened years ago. Steve's was but only just a few months ago. In fact, the night of that horrid storm that covered the entire Overworld to be precise. The people here need to see that despite the pain… it is possible to continue living your life and not become a helpless, self-pitying and untrusting fool." he finished and then immediately left, leaving Hugo alone in the kitchen to allow the teen to think about what he had just been told.

The teen just stared at the spot where the old man was standing just moments ago, before lowering his glare back into the cup. The liquid wasn't what he was focusing the look at. But rather… the reflection.

"Stupid…" he whispered to himself.

Just as the Elder was about to go and bring Kelsa a new cup since it appeared Hugo wasn't going to be joining them again anytime soon, the teen slowly entered the room. No one said anything to him for a moment as they eyed him.

He kept his head hung low, eyes no longer baring a glare as he stared at the wooden floor boards, Kelsa's drink beginning to shaking in his trembling hands.

Just as Glorenda was about to ask if the teen was alright, he lifted his head, earning surprised gasps from all but the Elder.

Hugo's cheeks were tear-stained while his eyes were red and irritated. He parted his lips to say something, but words evaded him at first. Swallowing thickly, he tried again, his voice cracking as he whispered out, eyes trailing from each conscious person in the room, "I'm sorry…"

The Elder smiled with a small nod while clearing his throat quietly. "It is not us you should be apologizing to, Hugo…"

The teen looked to the old man, eyes wide and showing slight confusion. However, the Elder was quick to pick up on it, so while keeping his same warm smile, he gently nodded his head in the direction opposite him.

Hugo blinked, head slowly turning towards where the Elder had motioned, his burning eyes opening wider upon resting on what he had directed him to.

Steve.

About to take a step towards the resting man, the Elder's quiet voice had him halting, "Words spoken to him now will only fall on deaf ears…"

Hugo frowned while lowering his gaze to Steve's chest, watching the steady rise and fall of his breathing through the blanket. He said nothing, only giving a weak nod of his head as a response, turning instead to face his sister, whispering an apology for taking so long to give it to her.

She thanked him while taking the clay cup, sipping on its cool contents while watching him take a seat next to her, his tired looking eyes falling on Steve's chest, staring at it as it continued its steady rise and fall indicating he was resting.

To Be Continued...

A/N: I have the next chapter done-but I must be at work in like 5 hours and would like some sleep. XD I know, so selfish of me. So night all, and hopefully you enjoyed this short chappy until I post the next. ;)

*Again a huge special thanks to slingading for the fantastic cover art for this story! Thank you so much and much love to you!*