(explodes through the wall like the kool-aid man) I AM HERE

"Stop." Hero growled, and Olivia stopped in her tracks. She wasn't sure what the issue was until footsteps approached, passing by at a leisurely pace. A nudge from Hero signalled the all-clear, and they continued forward once more.

They had arrived in the capital city of the Phoenix Kingdom earlier that night, and were currently hunting for a place to get some rest. Due to the lack of light, Hero was able to get away with not being blindfolded, wrapping himself in a hooded cloak instead. Unfortunately, this meant they had to go about their way slightly more delicately.

"I can see an inn ahead." Hero murmured, and Olivia hummed in acknowledgement. Her legs ached from the strain of walking, but, at least after this trip her legs were gonna be ripped.

They approached the building, and Hero guided her to a lamppost, where he told her to wait while he purchased a room for the night. Apparently there looked to be some unscrupulous individuals just inside. Olivia agreed to wait, bracing her hand on the post to keep her bearings, and he left her alone on the street.

Tilting her chin up, Olivia focused on the sounds and scents of the city around her. It was quiet, not too unexpected due to the hour, but still out of the ordinary for such a large city. Voices travelled up and down the street towards her, and she could smell food from just inside the inn that Hero had entered.

The next thing she knew, a large hand had clamped over her mouth, and she was being dragged backwards from the street.

Instinctively, she tried to scream, but it came out muffled and choked with her mouth held shut. Her next move was to thrash, try to break her captor's hold, but a thick arm wrapped around her middle, pinning her arms to her sides. She was released, but only to be shoved face-first against a brick wall, hands snatching at the straps on her knapsack as it was torn off her body.

She heard voices, mutters from behind her as her captor(s) rummaged through her supplies. A hand pressed against her back, pinning her to the wall, and she rested her cheek against the bricks. A grimace twisted her face as the rough surface ground against her jaw.

"Who are you travelling with?" A man's voice snapped, accompanied by another shove into the wall.

"W-what?" Her voice shook as she tried to respond, much to her chagrin. "N-nobod-"

"Who are you travelling with?!" A second hand pressed against the back of her neck, forcing her chin up. "Don't think you can lie to me! A girl your age wouldn't dare travel cross-country on her own! Especially not blindfolded!" Fingers fumbled at the back of her head, untying the knot on her blindfold, and though she squirmed she could do nothing to keep him from slipping it off her face. Grabbing her by the shoulders, he spun her around, pushing her back against the wall and grabbing her by the chin.

Olivia grabbed at his wrist, trying to push him off her face, but he was far too strong, his hand squeezing her jaw as he forced her face up. For a couple moments, there was silence.

"Devil eyes." Came a voice at last. A hushed, second voice from behind the first.

"I can see that." The next sound she heard was a knife sliding from a sheath.

"No! Hey!" Olivia yelped, kicking out with one leg as she tried to wrench her chin away. She landed a kick on flesh, and managed to pull free, ducking out from under his grasp and running blindly from her assailants.

A hand grabbed her forearm, spinning her around and slamming her into the wall once more. Letting out a panicked cry, she threw her hands up in front of her face.

"Hey!" A new voice came directly from her left, and a force barrelled into the man holding her, causing him to crash to the ground.

Olivia sank to the ground, burying her head in her knees and guarding it with her arms. She listened as the new arrival chased away the bandits, who fled without much persuasion. As their footsteps faded off into the narrow alley, her rescuer approached her, quiet, careful steps making their way towards her.

"I believe this is yours, miss?" He set her knapsack beside her, leaning it against her knee, and she gave a small nod. "They're gone, don't worry. Are you okay?"

"Yeah." She replied, words muffled by her arms. "Th-think they tried to kill me."

"It looked that way. Here, let's get you upright." A hand brushed her arm, and she shakily accepted it, lifting her head and letting him help her up. "Oh- your eyes!" Immediately, her stomach sank as she remembered exactly why she had been attacked in the first place, and jerked her hand away. "I'm sorry, don't worry. This area is incredibly superstitious." He hurried to assure her. "I assume you've just arrived? I don't think I've seen you around before."

"Y-yeah." Now that the danger was gone, the flow of adrenaline beginning to ebb away, tears began to well up in Olivia's eyes. She squeezed her eyes shut, pressing her forearm over her face, and her savior let out a soft exclamation.

"Where are you staying?"

"M-my friend was r-renting a room in the inn." She stammered out. "J-just out there." She gestured in what was hopefully the direction she had come from."

"Okay. Come on." Taking her wrist and placing her hand on his arm, he began to guide her back down the alley. His hands were big, and calloused, but very gentle on her bruised arms. "I'm Steven, by the way."

"I'm Olivia."

"Pleased to meet you, even under the circumstances." Olivia managed a tiny smile.

"Olivia!" A shout captured her attention, and footsteps pounded on the cobblestone as Hero ran towards her. "What happened? I looked back out and you had disappeared, what-" He cut off, perhaps seeing Steven beside her. Her rescuer took the hint, releasing her, and she hurried back in Hero's direction. His hand grasped her arm, and he took her by the shoulder, pausing as she felt his eyes sweep over her body.

"Bandits." She managed to choke out, swiping away the remaining tears on her face. "Tried to kill me 'cause of the eyes."

"I'm sorry." His voice was genuinely apologetic. "I shouldn't have left you alone out there. This man…?" He trailed off, sounding a bit confused. Steven didn't answer for a moment, and Olivia wondered if she was supposed to explain. Finally, her savior spoke.

"Herobrine?"

"Steven." Hero's voice had dropped, his tone icy, and Olivia took a step back as she frowned.

"What are you- what are you doing here?" Steven demanded. "Not- not that I'm not happy to see you-"

"Save it." Hero growled. Olivia raised an eyebrow.

"You two know each other?

"Unfortunately." Her escort hissed, and Steven took a step closer.

"Who is she?"

"A friend." Hero's hand seized her by the forearm, pulling her closer even as she scowled at him. "If you tell anyone that we're in town-"

"I won't, I promise." Steven agreed hastily. "But-?"

"What's your deal? He saved my life." Olivia broke in. "Why are you so mad?"

"Steven," Hero spat. "Is my younger brother."