Steve tumbled out of the portal, hitting the ground hard. Within seconds, he heard a whoosh, and turned around to see a glowstone frame, with no sign that it was ever active. Climbing to his feet, he looked around, and saw a place that was familiar, and different, to him. Clouds and floating islands dotted the sky around him. Stone bridges spanned the gaps between the major islands, and smaller, wooden bridges connected the less important islands. On the island Steve found himself on stood an enormous marble castle, rising high into the bright blue sky. White and blue banners flapped in the wind, and Steve smiled. He hadn't been here for, what, a month?

A winged warrior greeted him, nodding as he walked past. He walked past Wedge, who was staring in awe at his surroundings, Zephyr flying high in the sky above them. Kevin's hand was a blur as he took notes describing the scenery surrounding him. Ginja was sitting on a bench, her head in her hands, occasionally glancing up at the glowstone frame. Steve frowned, and he looked around, searching for Isodion. He finally saw him, rubbing his head as he stumbled towards the castle.

"Get up," Steve said, as he jogged past Ginja, Kevin and Wedge. He ran all the way to Isodion, catching before he could reach the gate to the castle.

"Are you okay?" he asked, and Isodion nodded.

"The Void… was really… effecting me," he said, gasping for air. "I need… help. And… so do you."

Steve looked down at his left arm. Or, the lack of his left arm.

"Yeah, we probably need help," he muttered.

"And I'm here to bring it!" a voice boomed from the castle. Walking towards them, smiling and waving, was Notch.

"I didn't expect to see you so soon," Notch said, smiling as he led Steve and Isodion to the infirmary.

"Yeah, well, we didn't really have a choice," Steve said. Notch turned to look at him, and his smile faded.

"Sorry, I have to pretend everything is alright when I'm out in public. You shouldn't have risked opening the portal, although I'm glad you did," Notch said. "With my help, you might actually have a chance at stopping this thing."

"Right. What exactly are we supposed to do?" Steve asked, as they entered the infirmary.

"I'll tell you in front of everyone, just get yourselves fixed up."

"Okay," Steve said. "Thank you."

Steve screamed as his arm slowly returned to him. White symbols appeared in the air, turning into flesh and bone, and reattaching themselves to his body.

Isodion lay, under sedative, in a nearby bed, but he didn't stir as Steve shouted every profanity he could think of. One of the winged guards – Valkyries – stood at the door, trying her hardest not to look at Steve as he continued to swear.

After a few hours, long after Steve had stopped screaming, his arm was fully healed.

"Finally," he gritted his teeth. He tried to climb out of bed, but as he sat up his vision spun and he collapsed back into the bed.

"Fuck." He drew the word out, staring at the Valkyrie.

"Hey!" he shouted. "Could you come over here for a minute?"

The Valkyrie glanced around, then walked over. She removed her helmet, and stared at him.

"What?" she hissed.

"Could I have some water?" he asked, and the Valkyrie snarled.

"You have some right there." She pointed at a table, a glass bottle full of water sitting on it.

"Oh… right," Steve said. "I guess I just want someone to talk to."

"Yeah, well, I'm not allowed to leave my post. Something could go wrong at any moment. Especially with the Void fucking around in the Overworld."

"You don't seem as, formal, as any of the other Valkyries I've met," Steve said.

"That's because I'm not a regular Valkyrie. Half human. I just happened to get lucky and get a spot on Notch's guard," she said, almost angrily. "Look at me! I'm down here, in the infirmary!"

Steve stared at her, and she shrugged.

"Here, have this." She gave him a golden apple. Steve ate it, and climbed out of bed, feeling refreshed.

"You better find Notch. You need to discuss the solution to this problem. I'll keep an eye on your friend."

Steve nodded, and began to leave the room. He turned back.

"What's your name?" Steve asked.

"Gemini."

Notch glanced up to see Steve walk into the room.

"Steve! You're back on your feet early," Notch said. "Just in time as well. I was about to call you all together to discuss how to save my creation from the Void."

"When?"

"Right now. I'll meet you in the conference room."

Steve's group stood around the conference table, along with several of Notch's advisors. Notch stood at the head of the table.

"There isn't much we can do, to be honest. I will allow you all to stay here, ride out the storm, if you believe you can't accomplish what I'm planning, but if one of you leaves, you all leave." Notch looked around at all of them. Steve glanced at the others. They all had looks of determination on their faces. He heard noise behind him, and he turned to see Isodion, who nodded.

"Okay then," Notch said, rubbing his hands together. "Basically, what I need you to do is-."

He was cut off by a flash of purple light. The wall beside him began crumbling apart, an obsidian frame appearing, with a swirling portal in the middle of it. The light cleared, revealing an unexpected sight.

"Rookie!" Steve shouted, and Rookie smiled, waving. Beside her stood a less welcome sight.

"Herobrine?" Notch asked.

"I'm back!" Herobrine shouted in glee. "I know you said that I was banned from the Aether and everything, but I have a proposal for you."

Notch scowled. "What?"

Herobrine smirked. "I think I can help."

Herobrine is still one of my favourite characters to write.

Anyway, I have a poll up about what my next Minecraft story should be about. Go and vote if you have the time.

Thanks

~ Dark