Hero's Bane

Chapter 15: It'll Never Be Enough

Edited 4/10/2022

Nigel watched as Steve grimaced and clutched at his chest and head, it worried him to see the man suddenly ill after he had awoken with such vitality. "Steven, is everything alright? You look under the weather? Should we turn back? I mean we can push the trip off until you are feeling better or maybe even tomorrow?" The old man walked over to the miner and placed a hand on his back as he gave him a worried look.

Why was he feeling this pain? Why was everything becoming so hard to see? It made no sense, unless maybe he was becoming ill of something.. "No, I've just got a headache and I think a heartburn or something, you shouldn't worry too much about me. I'll be fine." He tried to reassure as he winced through gritted teeth and squinted eyes as he placed a hand over his chest.

Nigel rubbed his hands in slow circles over the miner's shoulder and shook his head. "You look awfully pale right now, of course I'm worried."

The sharp pains that he had dreamed of had then come to him, all of it. Steve loudly groaned and scraped at his ribcage as his breaths steepened. "Why is this happening?" He asked with a pined tone as he rubbed his aching head then moved downwards until he was on his knees. Was it Herobrine? His heart raced from fear of the thought of the powerful presence being nearby, somehow assaulting him without actually being up close and that was when the pain intensified.

"Steven?"

He moved his head up but couldn't see all that well, it was too blurry; everything was. Even the old man was becoming hard to see and he wasn't but only a foot away. Steve squinted to look for that cyan shirt and those piercing eyes but he couldn't find anything of the sort, but it just had to be 'him' causing all of this. He struggled to keep himself from falling forward when the stabbing pains grew sharper, Nigel had caught him and helped him stay in a upright position.

"Why is what happening?" Nigel quickly looked up and scanned through the pine woods, it was hard to see anything amiss but a few chickens pecking at the ground a few yards away.

"Is Herobrine… a-around?" The miner hissed out in agony, clutching his side.

"Not that I could tell, perhaps we should head back and rest up, this adventure can wait."

"No!" Steve yelled and forced himself up onto his feet though they felt numb, he begin to fight through the growing tenderness. "I'll b- be fine." He attempted to clear his mind since the more he had thought about the dream the more painful everything got. So he imagined a large stone structure that would be the fortress in his imagination, he continued to focus on what it could possibly look like. Almost immediately after changing his focus his vision cleared and the pain was slowly beginning to fade. "I- I feel fine … now?" He muttered and then took a deep breath as he lifted his head and gaze, he then blinked again and again and then sighed in respite.

"What was that all about?" The elderly man asked with a curious look.

"I'm not sure." Steve rubbed at his scalp once more. "I think I was reliving the pain I felt in the dream I had last night or something; I guess?"

"Ohhhhh." Nigel brought his hand to rest under his chin as he pondered. "I think I know what this is about. Don't think too much about the attacks you've had in your dreams, I have before and had suffered sort of the same pains from said dreams. Herobrine has mastered the art of replicating reality in the nightmare realm; so well that your imaginings seem very real and lifelike if you believe in it strong enough."

"I know that. I've had several dreams and thought that it was all real because I actually could feel and sense everything around me. The wet drops of water, the cold air, the sickly flesh of mobs and even the pain."

"But- in the same manner he has also trained your brain into unconsciously believing in the attacks so that just by thinking on the nightmares makes your mind re-experience the same traumas and pains which your body feels because the human mind is that much of a dangerous tool, and this is while conscious and fully aware of being awake at that. Same goes for being asleep and experiencing it too. Come to think of it; if Hero had wished it, he could make you kill yourself and you wouldn't even know that it was you who did it. If the mind is truly open and you are believing that you are really getting hurt then your own body can make itself hurt, hard to believe I know but it is very possible here." He nodded.

"That is one of the most powerful aspects of Herobrine's ability along with the deep fear he instills. Though- it is very unlikely in normal conditions far away from here and healthy people would definitely find it hard to feel unless they are targeted by the powerful being. However, we are on 'his' territory and he's that much of an influence so try not to focus on the injuries you get in the dreams, only what happened in them but nothing more. We are targets after all, all trespassers are and we are the most susceptible to his powers at this time."

"Is he really that strong of an influence?" Steve lightly gawked.

"Why certainly, I had experienced a heart attack after having one in my nightmare. Herobrine attacked me then gave me quite a scare that I could never forget. I thought long and hard on it since I had became so interested in this being and that's one thing I've learned, never let the mind think of the nightmare as real because you can die given the affective circumstances of Herobrine's nightmares."

"Wait a minute… Maybe that's why Luna said that I stopped breathing in my nightmare when Herobrine approached me?"

"What happened exactly?" Nigel tilted his head in curiosity.

"I just-, she said that I fell to my knees and stopped breathing completely because in that realistic nightmare Herobrine had stabbed me in the chest and I did stop breathing at one point. Then there's those other nightmares I had-. I felt so drained of energy from one of them because I actually thought it was all happening and I was using all of my energy to fight and escape. … Whoa." Steve paused in a startling realization with his eyes widening. "Herobrine could of killed me in a nightmare and then I'd of never woken up because my body killed itself?"

The adventurer nodded again. "As sad as that is-, it be true. Technically in nightmares he's not the one killing you, you're the one killing you. Or your mind and body is in other words."

"There's no way… but no." Steve rubbed his aching forehead, he was getting a headache from just trying to reject the truth though he believed in it anyways. "But that could explain everything. … I'm my own worst enemy." He whispered.

"In this place yes, at least with your fear of Herobrine of course. The more you fear him, the easier it will be to succumb to the nightmares and likely die in them. On my second year into the Herobrine studies; I have done research over that after reading so many tragic deaths of people dying in their sleep just outside of this land and I had nearly experienced dying in my own sleep in being here and even a couple times at my very own home. No matter how real it seems; you must fight it, you must fight the fear of death and drop your fear of Herobrine. That is probably the only way to survive the nightmares should Herobrine decide to end your life in the dream. Of course by now, I have trained myself into recognizing the nightmares because I have one fact locked in here that helps me." Nigel tapped the side of his head and grinned.

"And just what is that?" Steve asked with a raised brow.

"It's not easy and it's taken a few risky years, though even now I still have trouble distinguishing reality from some dreams. But I mostly escape it because when I see that man I find a lonely bitter soul who's just upset, instead of a powerful merciless monster. And in solely believing him as that, I have lost my fear of him for the most part which- has taught my mind to mostly ignore the wrathful being invading my sleep. At the same time I have started to notice subtle differences in the dreamscape and Herobrine's behaviors in my nightmares, he isn't as powerful in them as he used to be. It seems as though he doesn't find me as amusing as he once did, now that I don't accept him as the real threat he is. But, he still attacks me all the same. Weak in the mind but quite the opposite in real life."

"That's all? Seeing him as that?" The miner couldn't believe.

"It's not so easy Steve, but yes. Simple yet-, not so simple. It'll probably become easier if you could come to understand him, but I know that you would rather pass at the opportunity. So. Are you well enough to continue?"

He nodded and the two men begin to tread through the snow. "Definitely, I've come too far to stop now." He was always curious about Herobrine after learning about him and that they did share identical looks; but he was terrified, scared that he has something to do with the mysterious guy or is connected in one way or another. He was almost too afraid to learn about the being but he chose to push the thought away, he needed the truth. He wasn't trying to dabble into the history of the hero, just trying to find a way to stop him; there was something more he was aiming for. A part of him though wanted the entire truth and so he just had to find out, but he wasn't in any rush for possibly dreadful news. "

"We're only a couple miles from the fortress so yes, you've come a long way."

"I need to hurry then, I have people relying on me. Even now as we speak, their lives are at stake."

"Is that so? I know that anyone affected by him is constantly at stake, some have been for many years like an old friend of mine."

Steve nodded again. "I've only known them for a short time but they seem to be such good people, they don't deserve to suffer as they do."

"You know- there was a point in time a few years back that I felt as though I could possibly stop him as well. I wanted to do something to calm his ever enraged soul for the health of a friend I had, and because I felt bad for the old chap; but I could never find a way to convince him to leave them or me alone. I've asked, begged, and even wrote notes and left them tied to trees but they always went unread or never acknowledged. He's not going to listen to me but if there was someway to get through to him then maybe we could convince him, I'm just not sure that I could be the one to do it. I've never held his attention long enough. … But perhaps you can?" He adjusted his glasses and shot a glance at Steve.

The miner just knew that the older man was about to make him the appointed spokesman of humans. "What? Are you saying that I can go and talk him out of this? That's downright ridiculous Nigel, not going to happen. He'll never listen."

"You do look an awful lot alike, perhaps he can see himself in your position and change his ways based on that. It's not impossible unless tried."

"That's insane! It'll never work! He's trying to KILL me and he has come close in and out of dreams." Steve opposed as he now thread through the snow with more forceful and heavy steps in anger, fists clenched and arms narrowly at his sides; not noticing that he was leaving Nigel behind in his now rapid pace.

The old man frowned. "He has, but I believe that it may be the only way unless you have a better approach?!"

Steve came to a halt after hearing how far Nigel was behind him, he turned back around and folded his arms with an expression of annoyance as the old man caught back up. "Well, I want to get to the fortress and see if I could find any leads or connections that I could use to call upon Notch and ask for him to remove Herobrine. It's the only lead I have to stopping him, I think that any other method just won't be enough. Every other method...? It well never be enough."

Nigel pinched the bridge of his nose and huffed quietly. "Just as Herobrine's thirst for revenge, yes." He gestured. "But in doing that you may just make the Hero even more infuriated if the tactic doesn't fully work. I honestly have to say that it's a foolish gamble, you could worsen his condition and possibly doom every human being in this world. I also believe that the Hero has had enough suffering, don't you?"

Steve's heated expression fell and he bit his lip. He could feel a tug at his conscience, but he also knew that the people had come to care for could be killed at any given time or live in fear until the end of their days. He didn't think on the chance of Herobrine making a comeback, he did once before apparently. Steve shook his head. "I'm sorry Nigel, I know but-"

"Is what you have in mind calling Notch outweigh the potential risks should things go array or fail to work? You should remember your choices and think outside of the box more often, you might just make the wrong choice." The elder came to a stop after finally catching up to the miner. "I truly don't agree with your plan, but if it works and doesn't backfire then that'll be great for everyone… except Herobrine. He's a victim in this too, remember that as well."

He shouldn't be feeling so guilty but he did, Nigel was right, but human's were the ones suffering more in this case considering so many have died by now and others were living in their worst nightmares for decades. Still, making Herobrine stop was the important thing here so he didn't have to make any major decisions unless he could find a different way. Steve's tense posture fell and he unfolded his arms. "My first decision stands as it is… whether it'll work or not." He says as he turns his back to the sad looking man. "That is unless the opportunity to 'talk' arises. Which I really doubt it will, even if it did; he won't listen to me. But I will try. There may be no way to even connect to Notch or the demon- whatever, so if both options don't work then I might not make it out of this valley alive."

Nigel cracked a small smile and placed a hand on Steve's shoulder. "Keep you head held high my friend, as long as you put a hundred and ten percent into trying then you will find a way. I just know it."

The miner turned back around to be greeted with a warm smile and a supportive feeling. "Thanks." Steve managed to form his own small smile, it didn't last but it was a little moment of confidence that he could use more of. "I will try my best."

"I'm sure you will."

…

The two men began moving once more and soon ascending a small slope, as they neared the top they were graced by a huge grey structure protruding out of a large lush green plateau, surrounded by large foot hills that were covered in smaller structures like houses and other various buildings. Steve felt his jaw drop at the beautiful sight of the large towering fortress in the middle of it all, it still stood with pride despite have large cracks and missing walls. Some of the other buildings around it had looked collapsed but it was still a sight to admire.

"People once lived there?" He said, staring in awe at the castle and the villages below.

"Once, a lonnggg time ago." Nigel emphasized the word long. "This is Antecedent Element. The first civilization established in all of Minecraftia and the beginning of the never ending nightmare. This is the place where Notch gave humans knowledge and it's where the people came together and learned of unity and became a stronger unit. Marvelous isn't it?"

"Wow." Everything looked so surreal, even if some of the walls that surround the large stronghold were gone it still seemed like a place of power. "It looks more better then I ever imagined."

The old man grinned and placed his hands on his hips, happy for the miner's sudden interest and excitement. "Just wait until we get into the fortress, the high pillars inside of the throne room is absolutely stunning. In there you will find more than just a scarred fort but also it's history and maybe answers. I almost never have enough time to look through it all with the mobs running amuck, but this could be my chance to learn more about him."

"Herobrine?"

"Actually no, but I'll take any information of him where I can get it. Right now I have my intrigued mind on the royal guard who defended him, I don't know much about this fellow but there are surely to be something on him. I remember seeing a couple of books titled 'the traitor', and the 'shamed one', I hope to see if they're still there. Last time I was too busy trying to get history of the sovereign but had no luck, it was strange that there wasn't anything on him save it were hidden. I did see those books of Herobrine's friend and got to read a little of them, I would like to decipher and read all of it if possible. I would have taken the books myself the last few visits I've made here but Herobrine never let's me keep them to study and interpret, he tends to take them back before I get to delve into the history."

Steve shot a side glance to the old man. "Nigel, I'll do my best. And when you get your books then maybe you can help me out finding the truth and finding the connection to the creator, how's that sound?"

Nigel clasped his gloved hand together. "Sounds splendid. I'm curious to see if your plan works, then again I get the feeling that we'll be seeing Hero again soon. Let's hope he doesn't ruin the trip."

"I really wish you wouldn't say that, the last thing we need is a curse." Steve said as he turned his attention to the castle to gaze at the stone glory in the distance; but a small irritating noise filed his ears, it sounded familiar but at the same time annoying. He raised an eyebrow and moved his head to the side to see if he could hear better. … "Do you hear that?"

"Hear what?"

"That?" Steve brought a palm to his ear and heard what sounded like a clucking noise? "What, is that? Chickens?" He looked down the large hill and then turned back to see the cedar forest, he still couldn't see any chickens so where are they?

"Chickens? Uh-oh." Nigel adjusted his bag and glanced around with a tense look on his facial features. "This isn't good. No sir-ree. Hero's back to his cheeky methods of dealing with us."

"What are you talking about?" Steve started to fret after seeing the old man looking nervous and preparing for something.

"Steven, now would be a good time to get going, you may want to whip out a sword too." Nigel said while lightly pacing down the hillside to get a head start.

"Why?"

The clucking noises quickly grew louder and more unnatural and Steve turned his head back to the pine woods to see a large flock of chickens running right at him. It didn't seem much like something he should worry about but there was something freaky about those birds that made Steve's eyes widened. As the strange and demonic clucking grew louder and the birds drew closer; he had found that their eyes where white, pure white like Herobrine's and they were coming at him fast. Why were their eyes white? He thought to himself as he sprinted in the opposite direct of the birds. He quickly caught back up to Nigel and surprisingly the old man was running pretty fast and still going strong. "Their eyes are white!"

"White they are!" The old man said before suddenly crashing forward after making a misstep into a hole hidden by the thick snow.

"Nigel!" Steve screamed for the man as he watched him roll and tumble down the hillside, eventually coming to a stop in a small pile of snow. Steve carefully skidded down until he came to a stop next to the aged adventurer. "Nigel, are you alright?" He quickly grabbed the man's shoulder and lifted the guy's face out of the snow mound.

"Ohhhhooo. " He groaned and brought a hand up to wipe the frozen flakes off of his face. "Had a bit of a fall I should be alright, my leg does hurt thoug-" He grimaced as he rolled onto his side and sat up. "Please help me up?"

The miner carefully reached under the old man's arm and pulled him upright, he nearly tripped again but managed to make himself move forward out of the miner's grasp. "Wait, you shouldn't move on that leg!" Steve reached out for him.

"I'll be alright, otherwise I'm doomed. You should get moving too." He stated as he started to slowly walk down the hill while limping.

The chickens rushing down the hill and Steve watched as the older man struggle to move any faster, the guy was in pain and he knew that man couldn't get away quick enough at this rate. Steve took a deep breath inwards and pushed his cloak over his shoulders to give himself swinging from for the iron blade he had just drawn. He never fought against a bunch of murderous chickens before but he couldn't let them get by him and get to Nigel.

One of the birds flew upwards and aimed straight for Steve's head but he whirled his blade in front of himself and smacked the fowl back. Another ran right at his leg and dove it's beak into it, Steve yelped and hopped backwards from the sharp stinging sensation. More suddenly jumped up and pecked at his flesh and he swung the iron sword around wildly to hopefully hit one and he did manage to strike one in the chest and kill it. His wild swings were doing little to stop the multiple attacks so he changed his tactic to run and fight. He started to jog down the hill backwards but keeping his pace slower while avoiding the crazed hens to get an edge on them with the sword.

He killed another in the process and then another, but it didn't seem to lessen the flock, there was just too many. He made a quick glance back and saw that Nigel was nearing the bottom of the hill where the snow was thinner and mostly melted away. Steve made a quick effortless slash at the flock then turned around and made a quick sprint downwards with the birds in tow.

…

Herobrine stood at the top of the frozen hill to see the miner struggle to fight off the chickens, then man then turned and ran away quickly to escape. The human ran down and he seemed to be heading towards the old fortress, just as the old Hero had wanted. The sooner he'd get there the better, Herobrine's patience was beginning to wear thin.