BanjoNote: That's what I said now.
I considered adding the Spin Doctors in this chapter somewhere, but I decided against it. None of you would probably get the reference.
And I'm vibing to Christmas music as of writing this. I'm hoping this chapter comes out next week, so I can write an awesome Christmas chapter.
BanjoMano does not own Minecraft. However, he owns Nintendo, and if you want a sneak peak at BotW 2 footage, play the Wand of Gamelon.
[Gimero]
"Nope!" Quan yelped, diving for the Shulker. Faster then the eye could see, Riley snatched it and retreated backwards, twirling it in her hand.
"What's in this?" She pondered, placing it on the ground behind her. Reaching down to open the Shulker, she stopped mid-motion and tilted her head.
Just as an arrow flew towards her, she snapped back her head, the projectile narrowly missing her neck. I blinked once, and yelped as Meta landed in front of me.
Not setting up a good appearance, I subconsciously thought, then shook the thought away.
Meta took out his sword - an enchanted golden sword - and held it in a defensive position.
"Don't worry, Gimero! I'll defend you!" He exclaimed, clearly ready to throw me to the viking in a second. I nodded nonetheless and retreated a couple of steps backwards, watching Riley and the viking carefully.
Riley broke the Shulker, grabbed the miniature version and stuffed it into her belt. She took a step towards the opposite direction of us and looked at her viking friend. "Clodir, let's go. I think we have what we want."
"These aren't the men in black, as far as I can see," Clodir noted, twirling her axes and eyeing Meta carefully.
"They work for him." She answered quickly, sharing a quick glance at me. "But we're going to draw too much attention if we-"
Quan ran straight past Clodir, surprising her and causing her to miss him. He dived at Riley, knocking both of them into a rolling ball that tumbled down the street. Meta started towards them, but Clodir swung one of her axes at him, who narrowly dodged it.
"Me and you." Clodir crossed her axes.
Meta shrugged and said "Might as well. Haven't had a good fight in forever."
The two of them grinned at each other and clashed weapons.
[Herobrine]
"Sir!" My right hand, an Illager named Io, kneeled as he rushed up to me. "The endermen have been sent out with orders. Depending on how secretive the Guided is, we'll have news of him within the hour."
"Good." My gaze did not move as I surveyed the City of Zhoria from atop the railing. "I presume that we have no news from Redonath?"
"None, sir. He is expected to have an update by the end of the week, if he's on schedule."
"Hmm. Dismissed." I waved my hand, and he moved into the castle. Veronica, who was at my side this entire time, looked over the city with an exasperated look on her face.
"Redonath is unreliable." She merely said. I nodded and straightened my back.
"Unreliable, but powerful." I explained. "His job is of the utmost importance. If he can't get to the Spine in time, then we've already failed."
Veronica sighed. "You're the boss here. If you'll excuse me, I think I'll pay the city a visit."
And she left me alone, staring into the city. I scanned the various districts, looking for any sign of-
Herobrine.
I winced in surprise at the cold voice, sharply piercing my mind. Instantly, I fell to my knees, bowing my head slightly and laying my golden scythe horizontally in front of me. Floating behind the railing was a shadowy smoke, like a cloud of dust that endlessly swirled on the spot. In the center of the swirling mass was a dim red light, emanating from a small orb no bigger then my head.
"Eldest." I bowed my head further and said nothing.
You intend to use these... fools to find the Guided? The deep, croaking voice spoke. It wasn't audible - it was psychic, in my head.
"I do not follow, Eldest." I stated honestly. "You imply there is another way."
I gave you those eyes for a reason, Herobrine. Have you not learned to use them after all these years?
I tried to hide my confusion. Eyes? "As far as I know, Entity, these eyes are but a sign of you. Is there something else to them?"
Is that not what I have just said? Stand, and let me grant you your true powers.
Slowly, I got to my feet. The swirling of the dust seemed to slow down, and I gazed into the red orb of the Eldest. The only physical essence free of its shackles. It started to glow brighter, and brighter, until rays of red light shone from cracks that started to spiderweb around the glass-like surface.
All of the sudden, the dust shot towards me, wrapping around my body and lifting me a couple of blocks off the ground.
Accept my gift, knowing more shall come if you continue to serve.
The dust converged into my body, sending needles of pain into my body. I landed softly onto the ground, looking at the cracked orb in front of me.
You know what to do now. The Guided cannot escape you.
I tapped carefully into my new power, and suddenly my vision shot towards the second district. What was impossible to see before was easier to see then a shining beacon - a fight between four characters, and the Guided standing behind all of it looking scared and confused.
The orb faded from existence, but I did not need any more guidance. Picking up my scythe and pulling out a stack of Ender Pearls, I leaped off the edge of the castle.
[Gimero]
I glanced around at the scene around me, gripping tightly to my frying pan. Meta and Clodir were a blur of movement, with Meta bouncing off walls and Clodir a whirlwind of axes.
Behind them was Riley and Quan, where Riley was trying to escape, but Quan had thrown a potion of slowness on her and kept tackling her to the ground. I couldn't reach them without going through Meta and Clodir, which was something I did not want to go near.
I was about to steel my nerves and go for it when I saw something fall right in front of me. I had a split second to think Oh, a pearl when my stomach was met with the butt end of a scythe.
I slid backwards, losing balance eventually and falling head over feet. I managed to stand, wincing and rubbing my bruised, skinny stomach. Looking up at my attacker, I decided to let it all out and vomit my last meal, which was just bread.
Herobrine stood in front of me, in a dramatic pose with his scythe raised above his head and his cloak billowing in the wind. Extra points for style, I guess.
"Guided," He regarded me coolly. "Your time is up."
Meta and Clodir met with their weapons, Meta pushing his sword with two hands and Clodir pushing down on his sword with her two axes. They both stopped and slowly looked at Herobrine, then at each other.
"You thinking what I'm thinking?" Meta wiggled his eyebrows, causing Clodir to kick him away and spin at Herobrine with her two axes.
Not even looking behind him, Herobrine twisted his scythe behind him and blocked both of Clodirs attacks. Spinning around, he stabbed his scythe into Clodirs side, sticking it into her. With a heave, he twirled around in a circle, his scythe trailing him with Closir still on it, and slammed her into the ground.
"Did you honestly think you had a chance?" He gave a single chuckle. "It's funny how idiotic you are!"
"That's not how the line goes!" Meta huffed, holding his sword at Herobrine. "At least... I don't think so. Right?" He looked at me, questioning, but I shrugged.
Quan let out a whoop and held up the Shulker, but then looked back at Herobrine and swore "Shit."
Riley looked at Clodir, who was groaning and reaching into her belt. Riley reached into her belt and tossed a potion at Clodir as silently as she could, but Herobrine spun from Meta and cut the potion mid-air.
"Nice try, girl." He stuck a hand out towards Clodir, who lifted into the air, carried by some sort of shadowy essence. Meta lunged at Herobrine with his golden sword while his back was turned, and...
Missed.
Meta swallowed audibly, and twirled around for another blow, but this time Herobrine sent the sword spinning out of his hands. Meta looked at his hands, and before he could do anything, Herobrine smashed a fist into his nose, snarling his head back and knocking him straight out.
And I smacked him in the back of the head. A solid strike with my frying pan, delivered to the top of his skull.
I quickly retreated, since the slow effect of the pan slowed his scythe down enough for me to get out of there. He gave me the evil eye, then stick his hand out at Meta, who was also raised into the air with some shadowy essence.
"You live today, Guided." He growled. "But if you want these three to live, then you have one week to turn yourself over."
"Th- three?" I stuttered. "Who's the thir-"
A second before I realized, Quan took out the Shulker box and threw it at me. I fumbled for it, and only managed to grab it due to Herobrine pointing his scythe at him. Instantly, Quan, Clodir and Meta crumbled into dust and stayed swirling where their bodies were. As Herobrine turned to me threateningly, my eyes widened to the extent of which no living thing should be able to achieve.
"Seven days, kid." He exchanged his scythe for a pearl. "Make up your mind, or else ghose three won't be the only ones to go."
And with a silent Zwip! he disappeared, leaving me confused and frightened equal bits.
Riley looked up at me, her sword in her hand. I let out a loud and shaky sigh, putting away my frying pan. She nodded and put away her sword. Resting her hands on her hips, she gave me a searching look.
"So." She started. "Guided. Mind explaining to me why Herobrine is after you? And why did he take Clodir?"
"I have absolutely no idea!" I raised my arms in surrender. She turned around in a huff and started towards the castle.
"W-wait!" I stuck out a hand, as if to summon the Force to stop her. "You're just going to run off?"
She looked over her shoulder, brushing her blonde hair out of the way. "...I'm not running off. I'm going after him."
"As if you have a chance?" I asked, causing her to turn around and glare at me. Her face showed no signs of hospitably, which gave my heart a falling sensation, in which I ignored. "He's the Third Crafter - sort of. He'd absolutely destroy you!"
"And what of your friends?" She continued to give me that hated dark look. I swallowed and thoight about what how I was going to respond.
"Firstly... I knew them for about a couple of hours. Friends is a strong word. But I'm not saying not to go after them. We could -"
"We?" She repeated. "I'm going after him. You especially are not coming with."
"Why not?" I started to inch for the Shulker. "I've got skills."
She laughed at that, which hurt especially from her. "If you are the Guided, you're not going anywhere near him. Besides, you've fot nothing to help against Herobrine."
When I opened my mouth to protest, she rolled her eyes. "Like what? A charismatic voice isn-"
Realizing what she was about to say, her face grew three shades closer to red. Where usually I would've done something irrational, instead I ran at the Shulker shell and picked it up. Holding it up to my face, I investigated the red surface.
"What's even in that box?" Riley huffed, not the reaction I was expecting. I shrugged and began to slide it into my backpack when Riley snatched my arm ro prevent me from doing so.
"Uh-" I started, looking between the shulker and her, painfully aware of how close she was to me.
"Open it." She told me, stepping back and letting go of my arm without an apology. Despite her lithe appearance, she really had a grip. I rubbed my bruised arm and decided that it'd be better to listen to her then to run away.
"Alright, alright. You got me." I took out the shulker and placed it in between us. Before I got to, Riley twisted the top, and I managed peering inside a second before her.
Instantly, I slammed the box shut and broke it, holding it in my hand and asking "Where is the nearest lava pit? I need one."
Riley frowned, putting her hands on her hips and leaning to one side. "Doesn't take much to frighten you, does it? C'mon, show me."
"Anyone would be afraid of this!" I reached into the box and pulled out it's contents, something I shouldn't have done in public.
Riley's eyes squinted and, lightning quick, grabbed my arm and dragged me into an alley. She peered outside, glancing for anyone on the road, then looked back at the block in my hand, she swore quietly.
Because in my hand was maybe the most powerful thing in Minecraftia.
"Where did Haedrik even get a Command Block?"
[Haedrik]
"I trust that everything is going to plan?" I asked, seated in a round table with one other person at the opposite end.
"With some difficulties, but in the end those don't matter." Veronica SiClair took a bite of her steak. "Herobrine doesn't suspect a thing. Have you dealt with our Crafter threat?"
I sighed heavily. "Currently, I am being hunted by a woman known as Riley. She is who I am concerned of, not the Crafter."
"I would remind you," Veronice set down her steak. "That I am your source of emeralds. I need you to get the location of that Crafter before Herobrine does."
"The tenth Crafter is more then capable of evading Herobrine." I leaned back into my chair. "Anything else?"
"Yes, actually. Could you keep... the Guided safe?" Veronica asked. I frowned and nodded.
"Sure. In case you want to know where he is, I sent him to the the Militia. He has an important parcel that needed to be delivered."
She nodded and curtsied, leaving me alone in the room. Giving an exhausted sigh, I reached under the table and grabbed an emerald.
Not just any normal emerald. It gave off a slight white glow, vibrating ever slightly in my hand. The name tagged on it was [EFFECT]
"I don't know why Riley had you," I whispered, "But if their offer is sincere, then you must be powerful."
[Gimero]
"What do we do?" I panicked, walking in circles frantically. "You have a Crafter-slaying item in your hand, and something that could possibly destroy the world as we know it! Plus, you're some sort of girl that seems to want to-"
"By Notch, do you ever shut up?" Riley interupted my ramblings. "We can't use this. If this was being sent to the Militia, then maybe they have someone that can - damnit, you shouldn't have trusted Haedrik!"
"What's up with you and Haedrik, anyways?" I asked, maybe not wanting to know the answer.
"He... stole something from me. Something very important."
"And you'd kill him for it?" I blanched, and she blinked in surprise.
"What? Why would I kill him for that?" She asked, confused. "I just need it back. Clo-" She stopped herself. "My friend is a bit violent. I do want it back very badly. It was the last thing my brother gave me before we parted ways... 18 years ago."
"Right-right." I gave her the Shulker. "You keep that block. I don't trust myself with it. Nor do I want to be anywhere near it."
"And you trust me?" She gave me a small smirk. "You're rather trusting, aren't you?"
The ice between us melted a bit, and I gave a thin smile back. "I have a Guided instinct. Now, what're we doing?"
"Laying low. You're not leaving my sight, and neither is this block. The Militia can't have it, Herobrine can't have it, and the FF is not going to have it either." She put the block in the shulker, then put the shulker into her belt. "How would you lay low?"
"I'm not leaving your sight?" I smiled slightly. "What happened to you being so urgent to leave me behind?"
"Let's say you convinced me." She gave me a sassy smile. "Answer the question, Guided."
I finally gave her a full smile. "Just some sweet, sweet capitalism. You up?"
And, despite our relationship, even that broke a small laugh out of us.
BanjoNote: Luckily, this doesn't come out untill Friday, so I can polish up this chapter. Everything seems too rushed.
Haedrik is working with Veronica? Why? And what is the mysterious emerald Riley owned? Will Gimero become more capitalist then America in the 1920's? All of these and more will be answered next chapter!
Which is going to be the last, ah, tame chapter for the rest of the arc. It's mostly set-up, actually.
Next Chapter: Streak of Bravery! Untill then, Read, Review, Favourite and Follow! And, as always, Banjo-on!