Hero's Bane

Chapter 20: Will You Understand

Edited 4/11/2022

"In Herobrine's place?" Nigel furrowed his brow. "What are you inquiring? You mean as if-"

Steve paced around the room with his arms held out. "I was chained to a pedestal and having people throw rocks at me while shouting in anger? Then yes. That's exactly what happened." He came to a stop, his arms falling to his sides. "Although, all of the people in the crowd were blurry all except for this... one guy oddly enough. I really couldn't understand what anyone was saying, but couldn't understand him either. Anyways, I was chained up and not only did I have rocks pelted into my head, I had people run up and stab me too." Steve deeply frown and clutched at his stomach at the very thought.

Nigel's expression contorted at the thought and gaped. "Dear Notch, it was no wonder you had practically collapsed on our travel up here, I can't imagine how dreadful it must have been."

"Enough to incapacitate me." Steve lightly rubbed his side and he inhaled deeply. "I'm starting to feel the pain again just by thinking about it."

"Well don't think about it, wouldn't want a repeat like yesterday would you?" The old man walked up and placed a hand on the miner's shoulder. "Remember, don't let your mind become your greatest enemy under Herobrine's influence. Should be simple as long as you don't focus on the ghastly brutality you've faced in the dream? Why don't you tell me anything else you remember from it?"

"Oh right! When this guy-, I believe his name to be Lionel- showed up; he told me …err…" Steve bit his lip. "Or rather 'Herobrine' that he wasn't a monster and that the people were taking the punishment too far, also that he would try to set him free."

"That name you mentioned? You mean the one that we saw at the grave yesterday? Lionel was it?"

The man nodded. "Yeah! Strangely, we look very much alike. I didn't want to think that the marked grave belonged to the same guy from the vision, but I've seen too much proof now. Okay, it's not actually proof considering all of it was in dreams but still, it means something. I just know it."

Nigel pulled his hand away from Steve and stood back in perplexity. "Wait, you are saying that two people look identical to Herobrine? You're not the only one?" He raised a brow and pulled off his glasses to wipe dust off of the lenses.

"I'm not kidding! He looks like a more ruffled version of me who's seen many battles and neglected his hair a bit and wore silver plated armor that had the same insignia carved into it as on this robe." The miner gestured to the golden symbol on fabric he was wearing. "I couldn't believe it myself at first, only after I seen him a second then third time did I realize that I may just have some ancestral connection to the man. If he's truly the same from the grave that is? Like you said about me being a distant relative, it isn't 'impossible'. Unlikely, but not impossible." Steve causally folded his arms.

"That's something I must question in my further studies!" Nigel quickly moved from the miner and lightly limped over to his bag, he fished out his feather pen and notebook from a side pocket. "Please continue sharing these dreams? This information is absolutely fascinating!" He said excitedly while writing on his way to the bed. He nearly stumbled forward until Steve caught him.

"Don't get too excited Nigel, so far all of this is coming from dreams. So it may or may not mean anything special. It could literally be all from my head." He tapped the side of his cranium.

"Dream or not, Information and knowledge of what Herobrine is showing you may be a key to solving more mysteries of his past. With these little 'meaningless' dreams you have, we can learn more than you think if you really think about it?"

"After that though-." The miner stared blankly at the burning Netherrack. "Herobrine was standing out in the crowd, just watching me hang there. I don't understand that part. He could have chucked a rock or come up and give me a jab if he really wanted, but no, he just stood there watching me. Well, at least for a short moment."

"Hmm?" Nigel finished writing down something and looked back up to Steve with a curious glint in his eyes. "Interesting? Seems as though he might of wanted to show you how he was treated, and that in his place you would then know the pain he felt."

"Why make me feel the pain he felt? Usually, his victims would have been dead by now and they probably died painfully in some horrific manner. … though, whether it was used to make me feel anything or not, I sure did feel it. At least my next vision wasn't as violent."

"Another vision, the one with Lionel correct?"

Steve nodded. "It was when we were at the gravesite. When you were so busy taking notes I touched the headstone and became instantly sick from it. Then that was when I blacked out and sat up to see that same man again, but this time he was trying to drag Herobrine away from something or someone. It had to been bad though because Herobrine's skin was burnt badly and the smell was horrible, I still remember that sickening scorched stench too. But there was Lionel, just dragging Herobrine along until he needed a breather; then stopped near the rock you rested on earlier and he began talking to Herobrine like a friend would." The miner's frown deepened and he ambled over to sit on the side of the bed next to Nigel. "He said Hero was innocent and he was going to find away to prove it. But then I guess the other royal guards showed up to stop him."

"Other… guards? What happened?"

"I don't know. You woke me up before I could find out what was about to happen. I remember hearing them argue about Herobrine and justice but everything beyond that was a blur." Steve sighed and hunched over and rested his elbows on his knees. "One in gold colored armor said that Lionel was going to die on the spot of his now grave, it gave me chills."

"Which meant that gravestone was indeed his." The elder said softly with a hushed tone.

"Yeah. Most likely." Steve muttered. "I'm kind of glad I didn't see all of it, how it all turned out. I mean you could probably imagine what happened either during or after the argument. So thanks for waking me."

The older man racked a hand through his short silver hair and leaned upright while fidgeting with his feather pen. "That must have been very difficult for the old Hero to take, the only friend who stuck with him through it all. He probably had no choice but to watch as his only friend be assaulted and die before his eyes, while being absolutely powerless to do anything to stop the imminent execution. How dreadful."

Steve sighed heavily, almost imagining himself in the same position and seeing Lionel fall to Brutus. "It's no wonder he's so mad and insane, not only was he tortured but he also had to watch Lionel be murdered. So why show me that? It doesn't make sense. Why would he waste time in showing me all of this when he's trying to kill me now?" The miner asked as he lifted his head.

"I assume it all comes down to an imperative understanding since he probably sees you as a warped form of his friend Lionel, the two of you sharing similar appearances apparently. You've always called him a monster or demon, but in reality… he's showing you that us as mankind are the real monsters here and that we get what we deserve from his tides of retribution." The miner turned and looked at him with a an expression of inquiry. "It's quite a presumption, could be a long shot from the truth. But I myself think that is what he was trying to express towards you to make you understand, he 'hates' humans. Since you look like Lionel then maybe he wants you to see things as that man once did, it's hard to prove that he wants this; but it seems like the logical thing from my point of view. I've always known that the Hero wasn't as bad as he is now, that could be the actual reason as to why he hasn't killed me yet. I was one of the only people to ever know and believe in the truth."

"It's just a couple of weird dreams and nightmares. I want to believe them, but I know they were from Herobrine so I can't be sure if he's deluding me or not."

Nigel placed his notebook and feather aside and his hands firmly on his knees. "This is the way I see it Steven. Whether these dreams be factual or fictitious depends on Herobrine, but I'm going to believe in them for now. Old Briny isn't one for deception if he's revealing what happened to him in dreams, why would he deceive you if he wants to kill you? I'm sure the hero's pride will be too great to allow one such as yourself to see him in such a frail condition, that is unless it was important to him. So that is why I'm noting this."

Steve rolled his eyes. "I'm almost doubting that though. Everything about the guy is deceiving. All of the wretched nightmares, the strange dreams, his attacks and chases that end before he totally gets me or kills me?"

"If you really do look like Lionel then maybe he's not trying to actually kill you, but show you everything from his perspective. At least in a different and more hostile way, but from his position no less. Likely to try and find answers in you and your reactions so that he may someday find answers in himself. Perhaps your very presence is making him question things and maybe that's why he hasn't completely finished you off yet?"

"He tried to kill me just last night Nigel." The miner said with a deadpan expression as he leaned back on the mattress with his arms behind his back to hold himself up, eyes focusing on the wooden ceiling. "Herobrine would of if he didn't slip up in his jump over a deep pit. I could of never came back and you would of woke up this morning to find me missing and not ever know what happened to me." Steve said with a grim look. "If it wasn't for his sword giving me strength then I would have been killed by mobs on my way back here."

"Oh Notch. That's… that's just awful! I believe that would explain why you seem so fatigued this morning. But what's this about his faltering? I assume that is how you got his sword?"

"Let me start from the beginning then." The miner leaned back up. "Last night I was having trouble falling asleep as I always do in this land, when I closed my eyes that's when I saw violent glowing white ones boring through my soul with an immeasurable hatred that I've never seen before from him. I've never seen him this angry yet. Being startled from those furious eyes; I opened my own and I saw something move by the window, I should of just stayed put but I thought I was only seeing things. But when I got up to it I didn't see anything, then out of nowhere a hand suddenly burst forth from the windowpane and hailed me through the frame; it turned out to be Herobrine that dragged me outside."

"I didn't hear anything like breaking glass or screams. At least I don't think I did? The small cuts all over your arms seem proof enough."

"He must have had you in a deep dream because when that glass broke you didn't even flinch or move from what I could tell."

"Herobrine must of lulled me into a deep one. I don't remember anything but an empty slate of black, it was oddly comfortable but I just stayed there until morning came. I wasn't aware of anything that was happening to you."

"He targeted me, and me alone. I don't even know why he suddenly got so violent after all of these close-call encounters, more violent than usual. I don't know what I did to set him off. Anyways, he choked me a little before tossing me around like a a dog playing with it's chew toy. He was trying to make me fight him with my iron blade but I chose to run instead because he had a diamond blade and-" Steve sighed and rubbed his head. "I had been chased out of the village and then he somehow split into three Herobrines."

"Come again?" The old man blinked.

"Yes, I had three Herobrines after me okay. I only escaped them because I walked right over a hole in the ground. I fell into a small cave system and then one of Herobrine's clones… I assume to be the real one- chased after me from that point on. I ran for at least a mile or so while underground and in the dark. A few times he could of got me since I stumbled and tripped, but I managed to keep away I guess."

"That all happened last night?" The old man asked out of bewilderment.

"Hold on, you didn't let me get to the crazy part yet." Steve said with a raised hand. "So I ran and ran and he was slowly closing in on me, I was afraid that it was all almost over for me but then a glow from further down the path caught my attention. It turned out to be a lava pit and I had the choice to let Herobrine kill me or jump it, and I chose to jump it because at that point I didn't have anything to lose. That Nether pit was huge and I almost didn't make it but I got lucky, I crashed onto the other side to see Herobrine flying at me with those eyes full of cruelty. But that is when it happened! He didn't make the jump and he smacked against the gap's wall and fell into the lava crater.

"He what?!" Nigel tilted his head and leaned forward. Sadness filled his eyes. "Oh no, that's just- awful!" He leaned back quietly. "Is he?"

"When Herobrine fell into the lava I thought it was all over, especially after hearing him scream and cry out in pain but those screams just continued second after agonizing second. I decided to peer over the edge to see what was becoming of him and there he was; fighting the thick molten lava to stay above the surface. His legs burned slowly." Steve paused, starting to feel sick after remembering those burns spread but heal over only to burn again. "He healed a little at a time though. The burns just faded but came back from the lava."

"He healed?"

"Y-yeah." Steve choked, almost feeling the intense heat.

"So it's true! He does heal and that's proof! He truly is a god-like man." Nigel quickly jotted down a few words before staring intently at the younger man. "So he just stayed in the pool and burned? Is he still there?"

"He's not there anymore Because I-"

"Because you what?" Nigel urged Steve to continue by saying the same sentence.

"Because I-" He sighed and looked away while crossing his arms and holding them close to his chest. "I broke a stone block from the ceiling and placed it above the lava so that he could just get out of the damn liquid fire and stop screaming."

The old adventurer stared at the man, gaping in silence. Steve gave the old geezer a quick glance then looked away from the awkward feeling he was having.

"I've never had to make such a tough decision in my life, and I almost fell in myself while doing that. I had a powerful sword that could of easily broke through several more blocks of stone that I could of used to seal Herobrine in the stupid pit and complete the quest that I came here to do. But I didn't." Steve's agitation died down the more he thought of Herobrine burning back in that cave. "The one chance to fulfill a promise I made to entire village and even to my friends, and I go blow it because I felt bad for him." He finished more softly.

Nigel placed a hand over the man's shoulder and warmly smiled. "I honestly don't know what to say right now friend, but I do think you made the right decision."

Steve shrugged him off and stared blankly at the floor. "That is probably the only opportunity I had to stop him and I went and saved him instead of fulfilling a great promise."

"You want to know why it's a good choice you've made? It's because you did what you wanted to do, at least at heart. You went against difficult choices and chose to save him since you know that he had suffered so much for so long. He didn't deserve to be left there to suffer more." The adventurer blinked.

"My conscience got the better of me. Then the fear, and so I ran before I could see if he could climb out. I just couldn't leave him there burning though, just thinking about it gnawed at my conscience."

"So what if it did? It shows that you are a good natured man and that you aren't a ruthless, heartless, thoughtless, and cruel kind of a person."

Steve exhaled lightly and looked back over at Nigel. "I think you just listed Herobrine as my complete opposite. That last part that completely describes him towards us."

The old man chuckled. "You know what? I think your little act of selflessness by risking your life might of changed him a bit. Maybe that's why he didn't come back for you last night and why you're still here in this house."

"Why do I have trouble believing that?"

"You're here right?"

He nodded. "I guess you are right about that, but he will still come and get us."

"What makes you say that?"

"I think it may have been a ghost or vision but Lionel came to me in a dream after everything happened, he asked me a few questions before telling me that I should leave this land. He said that if I did and left Herobrine's sword behind then I could walk out of this land with my life, otherwise I would die at the hero's hands before even getting to the shrine. But somehow, I sort of believe it- though it's just a weird dream."

"What an interesting night?" Nigel stroked his beard. "I wish I was there to see it all. Especially the part of you saving your double. It must have been hard to witness Herobrine burn, but I'm glad you helped him out of there. I'm sure the Hero had more waves of torment other than just burning in the past. I would of done something to help him too if I were in your place."

"Yeah, I didn't want to but wanted to at the same time. I'm still hoping that I don't suffer any consequences from my choice. Lionel giving me this warning about what Herobrine would do if I continued has me on edge. That is why I'm having second thoughts about going to the fortress, I've had strange dreams before but this one really speaks to me. It's like he's real and alive, but not quite there. All I know is that I must heed his warning."

"And it says: Go to the fortress and face Herobrine's wrath or leave now and make it out with your life."

"Exactly." Steve says as he stretches his arms back behind his head.

"If by chance, then Lionel may just be a predecessor of yours. A distant one no doubt, but if he looks exactly as you described then perhaps his spirit is reaching out to you."

"Through a dream? I would have had a better time believing if I saw his ghost standing right in front of me. But either way, I believe in what he says. The only thing I can't believe is him saying Herobrine will allow you to live if you leave his sword and flee the valley." The miner brought his arms down onto his lap roughly. "Yeah right, I saw that dark, menacing, look of hate in his eyes, I know that if he didn't slip up in his chase after me then I would have been killed then and there."

Nigel pulled himself up off the mattress and slowly waked back over to his bag, he pulled his coat over his shoulders. "So I take it that we are leaving then?"

"Um… don't you want to go to the fortress though?" The miner inquired with a gesturing hand held outwards.

"Yes, I'd like that more than anything Steve, but I believe in your premonitions. I seem to believe just about anything that comes from your mouth… and to think I was once such a skeptic?" He lightly chuckled and opened a glass bottle of water and poured it over the burning stone, putting out the endless blaze. "I've overstayed my welcome anyways, I was suppose to have been out a week ago but I stayed out to translate an old scroll of the fortress's structure, I was due to leave the day I found you on my doorstep. So sorry if I made a little lie by telling you that I was going to the stronghold. You just seemed so intriguing by looking like Herobrine that I allowed myself to give into my own selfish needs of wanting to use you and go digging up information and history. It was never for any bad intentions, I just couldn't help my curiosity I'm afraid."

Steve waved it off. "It's alright. I'm glad you stayed long enough to find me. Plus, I got to learn some interesting things too. Though being here and having all of these scary and crazy things happening is as bad as the Nether, but I'm stronger now."

"I do believe that this is yours?" Nigel picked up a stone blade at his bedside and held it out.

"I want you to keep it, just for now. It's lucky, I'll keep you safe if you can wield it."

"It's been a while since I've used a sword but I shall try if the opportunity arises. I do intend on returning it though."

"Yeah, it's sort of a family heirloom so take real good care of it. Only use it if you get cornered or have no choice." Steve smiled and gently rubbed is bruised neck.

"Certainly. Also, I'm taking the Netherrack for further studies."

"You can KEEP it, I don't want that cursed stone!" Steve said as he finally stood up and ambled over to his chest pack and bag.

"Ho ho, Steve. Such a generous man."

"Is your foot better?"

"It's good enough, had a sip of a potion of healing this morning. You shouldn't have to worry about carrying me anymore. But thanks for asking."

Steve laughed a little before gathering his own belongings and walking towards the door. The two men walked out of the small house and Steve stared at the towering fortress in the middle of the sea of buildings, he immediately thought of Herobrine after seeing a large gaping crack through the structure. The fort was still awe-inspiring but it held so much mystery, so much truth that he'd never find.

"Steven, aren't you coming friend? The way out of this place is back from which we came, which is in the exact opposite direction of the fortress." He pointed, but Steve wouldn't remove his gaze from the stone fort.

"Come on, we're going." Steve blankly said and stepped forwards toward the beckoning stone brick tower.

Nigel stopped in his place and turned back around. "Huh? But I though you'd insist that we leave this place? Mind's intuition, remember?"

"I'm going to summon Notch."

"What?!" The old man fully turned to face Steve and held his arms out, his expression of disbelief. "I thought you agreed that Herobrine didn't deserve to be punished again? I thought we were leaving? What's gotten into you boy?" He said in a mix of confusion and mild anger.

"I just remembered something. It was a promise I made." He said quietly, taking a few steps forward towards the streets that encircled a large wall and the fort itself.

"You don't have to keep that promise. Not if it reacquires your life?" Nigel countered.

"I did make a promise to a friend and he said that as long as I returned to his village alive, but I also made another to stop Herobrine and another to myself to find out why we look the same. But now I must find the truth. More than the truth actually. I must summon Notch or look in that place in order to get these answers."

The old man walked right up behind Steve, but the miner didn't look back. "You don't actually think you can get answers that way do you?"

"I don't know. Probably not. But- ." He paused, biting his lip out of nervousness and fear. He no longer listened to Lionel's warning, he had something that needed- no-, had to be done. He then turned around to face Nigel with a serious expression. "I'm not going to ask Notch to punish Herobrine, or remove him, or destroy him or anything like that. Herobrine doesn't deserve it no matter how many he's killed or tortured, he's conditioned into this violence because of what people did to him. Supposedly. I just had to put myself in his shoes for a second and think of how bad it must have been to suffer. Besides, he's suffered for a long time and I would like to keep those promises I made. If I find a way to end it, then all of my promises are fulfilled, or at least most of them. Even Herobrine might come out of it happy, I hope."

"So-?"

"So I'm going to try and correct this Nigel. I'm going to ask Notch him to heal Herobrine's twisted soul or die trying."