Hero's Bane

Chapter 35: Stand Up

Edited 4/20/2022

Steve carefully hopped off of the stone terraces as he descended, keeping his eyes wide open for any movement or signs of any kind of living creature. The iron sword was held tightly in his hand, ready to swing at the first moment's notice of danger. He held the torch out in front of him as he proceeded and then walked through a thin and narrow gap that stretched deep through the darkness. It was getting slightly more warmer as he paced down the naturally carved hallway and it wasn't long before a dim light ahead of the tunnel captured his attention, it had an unnaturally red glow.

Seeing this sudden light pressed the miner to quicken his pace and he immediately stopped in his tracks as he moved around the bend of rock to see a redstone torch precariously perched on a wall, it's glow dimmed in and out as small drafts of air flowed through the tunnel. "Is this a warning sign?" Steve thought aloud. It could be the boundary that Herobrine wouldn't want the miner to advance, or worse; it could be a trap. He had a feeling that he should be turning back now, he wanted to turn back but he knew he couldn't. The man had his reasons despite the fear gnawing at the back of his mind, he didn't want to enrage Herobrine if it was a warning, but then again he wasn't at all prepared to fight a skilled super being.

The miner carefully approached the torch and cautiously examined his area for any sort of traps, he then pulled it off of the wall but nothing happened. He placed it back then moved forward, perhaps there wasn't any reason for it but to light Herobrine's way. But that would mean Herobrine was somewhere close? Steve shuddered from the thought, he wasn't prepared to face him yet. Shaking off the nervous feeling, he forced himself to continue onward, remembering he told himself that he never had to run from the white-eyed man ever again. He just didn't expect encountering the hero or his possible end so soon.

He walked more and more down narrow passageway and he could finally hear the moans and groans of what he had been looking for, it was just up ahead in a more open and darker cavern. Steve ran until he saw the green figure moving about in the dark, the groans turned into that of a low growl once he got close enough. The zombie raised it's lifeless arms and stumbled towards him at a quick pace, opening it's mouth and revealing dark colored teeth.

The miner braced himself with the iron blade at his side, praying to Notch that he wouldn't screw up like he did with the first zombie he came across in the land. He could of died back then if it weren't for luck and fast reflexes, one swipe from that corpse eater hurt pretty badly and that was only a graze and not the full swing. He carefully waited for the right moment, watching and waiting nervously as the mob grew closer so much closer than he wanted to ever be with a zombie. With the mob now just a foot away Steve brought his iron blade up and over, making a large gash across the undead's stomach with dark blood flying from the wound.

"Gross." He quietly added and grimaced from the foul odor plaguing his nostrils, adding to the nausea he was beginning to feel.

The living dead stumbled backwards then lurched forward with a sudden boost of speed in it's fall towards the miner, reaching the fetid hands out ready to grab onto flesh. Steve immediately backed away and tripped backwards from his rash and hurried move, dropping his torch from the fall but not the blade thankfully. He felt flat on his back and watched as the grounded zombie crawl forwards in desperation, it swiftly grabbed onto his foot with nails digging into the boot.

Steve violently kicked away at the zombie's head, mashing in it's nose and tearing at parts of it's face from the punishing stamps. Unphased from the relentless kicks it moved it's head up against the striking force; ready to bite into his leg. Once again it revealed it's decaying maw filled with putrid colored teeth and now filling the air with it's repugnant rotting breath. "Oh no you don't!" The miner pulled his torso up off the floor and brought the iron blade into the zombie's head, unfortunately his swing wasn't strong enough to impale deep enough and kill the fiend.

The monster groaned louder and attempted to bite again, this time it succeeded; but missed the human's leg and bit into the into the bottom of Steve's boot. Thankfully, it couldn't chew through the shoe so the miner took the opportunity to go at the mob again with his blade. He took the sword and started to jab away it into the mob's face, somehow holding back the relentless biting mouth now trying to go at him again. One jab landed in the zombie's eye and it finally slowed it movements, just enough for Steve to kick the fiend away and gather his bearings. He fully stood up and forced the blade down between the zombie's head and torso, making the moaning corpse grow silent and still.

He stared at the unmoving mob, surprised that he didn't get bit or infected. Just the thought of turning into one of those foul creatures made him feel disgusted, he couldn't die by this monster and that was for certain. Though his first battle was successful, he was going to have to try harder on the next so that he wouldn't repeat the same mistakes. He knew he was going to have to be more careful with his steps from now on, Herobrine could of easily just stabbed him in the stomach if he had made that mistake with the immortal towering above.

The miner grabbed his torch and then paced across the open cavern to the other side to see another long and dark cave system just ahead, it too had a similar reddish glow coming from it. The sounds of ratting bones from deep inside chilled him to the core but he moved on anyways while inhaling a deep breath, hoping that Herobrine wasn't waiting at the end of it. Steve stumbled into a another open cavern upon observation, but this one was partially lit by a small pool of lava down in the right corner of the enclosure, bubbling and crackling, making the open space a lot warmer.

The miner could see a thin white form moving near the shallow pit and he braced himself as he daringly moved closer for a better look. He spotted the walking bone corpse moving along the crater, seeming not to have notice him yet. Steve lowered the torch and looked around for a way to flank the mob without being spotted, after all, distance wasn't his strong point. Seeing another ledge around the lava cavity, he carefully walked on the narrow shelf in a slow pace; keeping his eyes glued to the back of the unsuspecting mob and somewhat to the chipping stone under his heels.

A sudden object whizzed by his arm and made a small abrasion across his shoulder. "Aahhhaaa!" Steve hissed and dropped his torch, he immediately clung tightly to the stinging cut and winced in pain. A 'thonk' sound behind him quickly alerted him to the prospect of more arrows coming his way, he didn't have time to worry about some small cut. Steve scooped up his torch and bolted away from the pit to see more projectiles fly past his sides and over his head, the skeleton he had been stalking was now with it's buddy behind him; shooting more arrows his way and more rapidly than normal skeletons would. He managed to put a bit of a distance between him and the two in pursuit, Steve took a quick second to catch his breath and lean on a knee. His strength hadn't fully recovered yet so he was feeling overwhelmed and tired quickly. Soon an expression of dread swiftly swept over his exhausted features, his widened gaze moves upward.

A soft screech made him look up and he lifted the torch high as he stood to see red eyes and a white figure looking down at him, it was a spider jockey of all things. "Oh come on!" Steve then leaped backwards as the sound of a bowstring drew back, an arrow flew at nearly the same time as he jumped; the sharp flint-tipped projectile had narrowly missed him. The skeleton using the arachnid as a mount was going to make the battle a bit more difficult, sticking to the ceiling and moving fast gave the dead archer a huge advantage. It could easily use the ceiling to flank him from above, or pick him off without problems. "This isn't even fair!" Steve shouted as he evaded more arrows with evasive leaps and rolls across the ground, he wanted to counterattack but couldn't with the two mob combo several blocks up and way out of reach.

'Come on, think!' The miner thought to himself with beads of sweat now lining his forehead, the mobs practically had him bounding and sprinting around the area like a silverfish in a barrel; they were basically toying with him and wearing him out really fast. If they kept this up then the other two skeletons would likely catch up and join in on the target practice, he had no shield so he's done for if he can't stop the jockey.

The miner slashed at an arrow before it could reach him, reflecting the projectile but also the flames of his torch in hand; the light quickly caught his eye. "That's it." He glanced up again with a narrowed gaze. "If I can't come up there to fight, then I'll just have to bring the fight down here." He said lowly and pulled his torch back before launching it forward as hard as he could towards the mob duo.

He leapt to his side as another arrow sped at him in the same instance and with a bit of luck; hit the spider. The arachnid screeched loudly from the flames striking it's eyes, the burning pain forced the mob to relinquish it's hold on the stone ceiling and fall to the ground with it's rider in tow. The skeleton dismounted the black creature as it remained in place and rubbed at the ashes in it's eyes with four of it's apendages.

Steve seized the moment as he ran straight for the skeleton ahead and slid down on the side of his feet as he neared the mob, using the slick stone surface to move himself forwards whilst conserving a little energy. He lashed out as soon as he got close enough to the bone creature and plunged the iron sword right into the white ribcage before whipping the sword to the side with haste; making the walking bone bag break and crumble from the force and fall to pieces at the miner's feet. The skeleton's head rolled away and Steve noticed the spider making a quick retreat into a small gap along the wall.

"Phew." The miner let out a winded huff and hunched over in relief. He used the back of his forearm to brush the accumulated sweat away, now leaning straight back up and taking deep breaths to steady his racing heart.

…

Another arrow from behind was aimed straight for the man's back, he was unaware that one of the other archers had finally found him. The skeleton quietly pulled the bowstring back a little more and held tightly as the target leaned down to take up the torch. It released the arrow as soon as a pink object moved towards the man and into the line of fire.

…

Steve heard a distinguishable grunt come from behind and he looked back to now to find himself being toppled over by a heavy pink creature, the swine forced him to fall onto his back unexpectedly. An arrow flew above his head and he looked up to see one of the skeletons at the other end of the cave tunnel preparing another arrow, it had almost got him. The animal on top of him snorted and the miner finally looked at the passive creature to find none other than Pork Chop staring at him with a confused expression. The pig moved off of the man and looked around in confusion before walking about in circles. "Pork Chop?" Steve asked as he watched the harmless swine move about like it was blind despite the light in the man's hand. "What are you doing here?" He asked in curiosity and amazement. The animal just saved his life.

Another projectile shot pass the miner's head and clacked against the stone ground, he looked back up to now see the double trouble skeleton duo moving ever closer with their bows ready.

He quickly ran from the monsters to protect his harmless pink companion, he had a plan though it wasn't foolproof. "Go Pork Chop, get somewhere safe!" Steve yelled in concern as he darted passed the roaming pig and a stray arrow flying by. He evaded more arrows and moved closer to the walls, hearing small clinking sounds as the flying arrows missed their target. 'Please work, please work, please work.' Steve begged as he neared a small mound of stone, if he could just reach it and get up high enough then maybe he could get the edge on mobs and have both within striking range.

Steve leapt up the mound and got higher off of the ground and closer to the ceiling, he then jumped off the high incline and held both his sword and torch at his sides, he winged them both outwards as he landed in the spot between the mobs and struck both of them as hard as he could in the ribcage. The heavy strikes dismounted both of the skeletons of their bows and the crashed onto the floor, one of the bows slid far from reach but the other was just a foot away. Steve had wacked one of the archers in the head with his sword and sent the skull flying across the cave; he watched in surprise as the skull landed so far away. "Wow, I didn't know I even had that kind of strength in me." He grinned, he was pretty strong, even without the enchanted diamond blade.

The other skeleton however; took it's bow back in hand and prepared another arrow after pulling itself back up off the ground, taking the advantage of it's crumpled comrade keeping the miner's attention. It pulled the string back with one last arrow ready snipe off the occupied man until a strong ramming force at the left side of it's pelvic bone had broken it apart, it's bones snapped at the joints and crumpled to the floor into a bone heap.

Steve heard the sound of the bones clacking to the floor behind him and turned his head around to find Pork Chop just silently staring at the wall next to the mass of bones, being oddly quiet and still when it was just scrambling around moments ago in panic.

"You saved me again buddy." Steve felt himself smile in appreciation and gladness, he knelt down onto a knee and placed the iron sword back in it's scabbard. He reached over a hand to pet the creature. "Thank you Pork Chop. I didn't know you could fight." He leaned closer to the swine from behind, seeing that the pig was completely fixed on the wall and acting a bit unusual. Before his hand landed on the pig's head Pork Chop slowly turns turned it's head around to face the miner, revealing big orbs of glowing white.

"Whaaahhh!" Steve stumbled back and fell on his behind from the startling gaze, his eyes were wide with terror. "Pork Chop?" He cautiously asked as he scurried back onto his feet, he took a few steps back after seeing that white gaze that always filled him with dread.

The pig turned fully around then trotted towards the miner as it normally would back at the small shack in the same lazy manner, seeming friendly and careless, grunting and curious.

"No, what happened to you Pork Chop? …" Steve stared, feeling his hand moving back to the iron sword at his side. "Stop!" He shouted as he now backed away some more. "Stop, please Pork Chop?!" He asked as the pig trotted closer. "What has Herobrine done to you?! Stop, just go!" Steve yelled as he turned away from the pig, he couldn't bring himself to kill his short companion no matter if it was a freakish copy of the original Pork Chop he used to know.

With a frightful look, Steve sprinted as fast as he could through the cave system, hopping over ground obstacles and even climbing up little natural stone barriers. He knew that the animal wouldn't be able to climb so he found a path leading up and scaled up the walls in a rush.

Inside he felt guilty for leaving the poor thing, the pig had followed him all the way down there and even saved his life as well. Twice! That animal kept him company in the lonesome shack and seemed to raise his spirits when he felt down, he now goes and abandons his newest friend.

He finally climbed up a steep incline and looked back down into the darkness, he didn't hear any grunts or snorts, and not even the sound of hooves clacking on the stone surface. He wanted to go back down and help the poor creature but there was no telling what the now white-eyed thing would do if he returned to it. Scared and saddened, Steve continued his way up through the cave. He was now feeling drafts of warmer air which meant he was getting closer to the surface; a place he could rest before deciding if he should go back and find the possessed pig.

…

…

Steve pushed his legs to move up to the cave exit as fast as he could, it wasn't very bright but there was some kind of light above and hopefully a safe place to rest his greatly exhausted body. He hopped up the last blocks of stone and walked out onto green grass swaying underneath the moonlight; his gaze landed on a nice little forest around him. "Finally, somewhere warm." He muttered. "No sounds of mobs either." He added, noticing the quietness of the night around him.

He closed his eyes now that he was on the surface and let his head hang low as he took deep breaths of warm fresh air, it was such a relief to be out of the caves and away from the dangerous mobs and the Heropig. He relished in the moment of peace and let his worries slip away, with the soft gentle breeze streaming across his face he walked forward. Blindly moving a few steps he stumbled straight ahead with his legs about to give way now that he could finally relax and catch his breath, only to now bump into something. He immediately bounced back from a sort of fleshy object and fell to the ground with an 'oof'. "Huh?"

He shook his head and looked at his feet to see those familiar dark colored boots right in front of him, he frowned deeply and gaped in worry as his gaze traveled up. Steve was starting to dread returning to the surface now, especially after his eyes hit the cyan shirt and then that unmistakable, identical face. "Herobrine?" He now gawked at the powerful being towering above him, holding the blue diamond blade tightly in his hand and the being wasn't happy that was for certain with his visible gnashed teeth.

An empty hand reached down and coiled around the miner's throat, it squeezed a little as the man only stared back in horror, then the being swung the man into the air and threw him against an oak tree several yards away.

Steve smacked hard into the wood, feeling his spine collide painfully into the bark, making air immediately exit his lungs in one loud cough. He quickly peeled from the wood and landed face first into the grass. "So this-… this is the final fight?" Steve slowly pushed himself off of the ground as the form with white-eyes approached him, he was still tired from his previous battles with mobs back in the cave but now it didn't matter. "So soon?" He asked with a look of dread.

…

Herobrine snorted, his scowled deepened. The human ignored his warning sign and is trying to escape with his pitiful life intact. What could be worse now? He had just started the fight and he wasn't even satisfied with the miner despite his last effective conversation with him as Lionel. The mortal didn't try to fight out of the hero's grasp or even draw a blade. So where was the fight to the last breath? Did he even intended to from the start?

…

Steve moved onto his knees until he until he grabbed onto the bark of the tree and hauled himself up on wobbling legs, he was really hoping that the final fight was later but it seems as though the half-god had become impatient. It was now or never, he had the choice to convince Herobrine but if that should fail then it would all end here. "Wait Herobrine!" Steve moved a hand up and popped his back into place as he stretched, he displayed a pained expression for a short second then displayed one of seriousness; it was also mixed with that of sympathy.

The Hero ignored the human's plea and continued to step closer and closer.

Seeing that Herobrine wasn't going to stop, Steve started to take slow steps backwards; he at least had to try and explain himself before the being would pulverize him or slash him to death. "Please Herobrine? At least listen to me." He swallowed, noticing that the hero's angered expression never changed. "The reason why I entered the fortress was to help you, not to hurt you!" He screamed out, feeling his steps backwards were getting edgy and he almost tripped, which would be fatal like it was almost with the zombie from earlier. Lionel must of known how the hero saw Steve's intrusion so maybe the powerful being has assumed the same; to call Notch to destroy him.

…

Herobrine stopped and his eyes narrowed deeply, his empty fist tightened and he progressed at a slower pace. Here was the human again, trying to persuade him that he was only wanting to stop the torment, and help him 'calm' down from punishing those who greatly deserved it. Calling forth the neglecting god was never going to happen, he wouldn't allow it.

…

"I never wanted to get Notch to destroy you, only to help repair that which has been damaged for so long, to calm and heal your suffering soul. I-" Steve felt himself bump up against a large mound of dirt and looked back to find himself trapped behind a high wall of dirt and exposed stone and the only means of escape now was through thick oak woods or behind Herobrine and back into the cave. He took rapid and quiet breaths as the hero closed in on him, he was going to die if he didn't move. Though running away would defeat his purpose for the training and for saving Nigel, he never wanted to have to use the flight instinct that told his body to go, he had to make a stand regardless of fear. He didn't have to run. He had to stand up to the hero and take whatever fate has in store. A hand moved over to the hilt of the diamond sword, but he hesitated to pull it out.

…

Herobrine couldn't believe his ears, the human wanted to 'help' him? To calm his soul? To heal the wounds that could never be fully heal? And heal by none other than Notch? It was pathetic and disgusting, the entire thought was outrageous and completely unbelievable. Did this miner not realize who his enemy was after telling and showing him? Was helping the one he was going to be killed by a noble deed to seem righteous? Or just an act to slip away with his little life? It was all far-fetched. The hero had taken everything away from the man but his weapon and his life. Why would the mortal want to help someone like that?

No one would, or shouldn't.

…

"You have been treated unfairly and hurt for so long. I only needed strange dreams and visions and history from Nigel to help me realize this. …" He paused, gulping down his fear and replacing the similar expression with a saddened one, eyes fixed on the ground before him. "That painting. … it was all I ever needed to see the truth, to see that what those people had done was wrong. I was in a dream at one point where I was in your place, so I know the pain. Well, just a little of it." He squinted his eyes shut and removed his hand from his scabbard to show his submission and commiseration, to show that he was serious. "That is why… why- I had to- to go and find the shrine. I had t-"

A sudden powerful blow to his lower stomach made his eyes shoot wide open and small trails of saliva fly from his mouth as well as the air in his lungs, a fist pulled back and the miner fell face forward to the ground onto his knees with a soundless cry. Steve wrapped his arms around his pained stomach and small tears formed at the corner of his eyes, he made a short move to stand back up and was met with a kick to the side of his head; he slammed down to the grass and wailed.

…

The powerful man stood with his fist coiled tightly held in front of him. If that mortal thought he knew how he felt than he was gravely mistaken. Dreams were one thing, reality was another. In reality; the pain was real, the life that was claimed was gone and gone for good, that pain was far greater than being stabbed and burned.

He had been tortured, wrongfully accused, had everything taken away from him, banished, and betrayed.

…

The human feebly crawled up onto his hands and knees, still refusing to draw the blade. "I didn't know… that Notch was truly the one to abandon- …you into the Nether forever. I- I didn't know that you burned and sat in pain and agony for so long. When you got trapped in the pit in the cave a while ago, I just had- had to help because it would have been wrong to leave you there!" He said more loudly with one eye opening and a grimace on his face. "Please, understand? I don't want to eliminate you, you don't deserve it. Killing me right now would be forgivable. I would forgive yo-aaaccckkkkk!" Steve felt a heavy kick land on his back and he slammed back down onto the ground.

…

Herobrine was becoming furious now. That miner was ever so persistent in his futile effort of trying to sway his mind, the human saying that he would forgive just made a swell of rage bubble up and come out in the form of a violence. Forgiveness? It was weak! Why were mortals always so weak with such miserable things? The demi-god asked himself as he now dug a foot onto the man's back before stamping repeatedly in a forceful session, each stomp fueled him to continue with his increasing rage.

…

Steve now held back his yelps and endured the painful stomps, using all his might not to show anymore submission for that only enraged the being more. He made a grab for the diamond blade; half expecting to be struck with even more powerful blows, he was surprised that the hero was weakening his blows.

…

"I- I was doing it for Lionel too!" The man cried out as he forced himself back onto his hands and knees; still withstanding the assault, his body was weakening but he had not quite given up on his line of reasoning.

Herobrine finally stopped his tramping and moved his foot away to see the miner's twisted expression of pain and misery. He watched quietly as the man began to move again but now with the enchanted sword at his side. The hero raised his blade and rested the sharp end on the human's neck, seething after hearing the miner say that name.

…

Steve froze in place after felt an icy tap at his neck and a small trail of warmth now crawled out from under the cold object and slide down the side of his neck. He daringly tilted his head enough to see Herobrine holding the other enchanted blade at his throat, the fuming white-eyed man's blinding light bore through the miner's soul.

Chilled; he kept a strong gaze on the white eyes, not looking away though he wanted to so badly. "Lionel had told me how much you had suffered and I know he wouldn't want this binding loneliness and hate that you have created for yourself; to consume you. He'd forgive you, he'd understand your actions!"

…

Teeth clinched harder and began to grind painfully. Herobrine felt his arm struggle to slide the blade across the neck to finally put the human down. It wasn't that name repeated again that made him hesitate, but the fact that the miner said that 'he' would forgive, that Lionel would actually do such a thing. The being raged war inside of his mind and he hated it, he should be killing Steve but now he was faltering with his own confusion and inner conflict. The hero found himself appalled for he had just labeled Lionel weak as well. He would never call Lionel weak, ever! That human was the strongest, most self-sacrificing-. But then again… he would never know if the man would forgive him anyways. So Lionel wasn't weak, and he probably wouldn't forgive the cold bloodied kills no matter what the demi-god went through. But Herobrine wanted nothing more than Lionel's forgiveness, deep down inside he wanted for his brother to- underst- no! He shook his head. It was weak, but at the same time it couldn't be, for he was having such wishful thinking and he himself wasn't weak. These thoughts made him feel pathetic despite his very real power.

Herobrine pulled the blade back and squeezed the sides of his head in frustration, growling at many thoughts conflicting each other while taking a few steps back to get fresher air to clear his mind though it didn't help. He closed his eyes and shook his head back and forth aggressively, hearing that voice that had disappeared so long ago in the past now return to his mind.

Steve felt a bolt of pain almost immediately in his head, he threw his own hands onto the sides of his face and grimaced in the splitting ache and the images taking over his thoughts. "Not this again." He hissed and crumpled to the ground once more.

… … …

"Herobrine?"

…

Lionel deeply frowned as he looked towards the wounded assassin. "A few of those zombies did that much damage in only a minute, if they went on for any longer then he would have been dead. At least now the guy will face the proper justice, letting him suffer to death would be … immoral. It would go against our Sovereign's belief. Notch's belief. ... My belief."

"But-" Herobrine began.

The guard shook his head back and forth. "I know you better than that Herobrine, you've never degraded yourself as low to murder. Letting him die would of been the same thing, but you're not like that and I'm glad you aren't." The man smile lightly.

…

"Herobrine don't!"

The sentinel ran as fast as he could and Herobrine turned his head to see the man running, however; he returned his gaze back to the man in his hand.

"Don't do it!"

"I must, he must be greatly punished for his crime! He had stabbed me with the intent to kill as he would for anyone else and he is trying to rebel against our lord, therefore he should know the pain and punishment for such actions." The hero sneered as he held the enchanted diamond blade up to the mortal's chest, ready to pierce it as the man had done to him. "He's trying to have our Sovereign dethroned and that could imply plotted assassination attempts as well as utter chaos amongst the people! We must crush the source of the uprising here and now Lionel."

"And killing him would make things any better? It's a punishment too far!" The man defended. "We only kill when we have to!" Lionel raised a fist and frowned deeply with a concerned look. "You've already caught and reprimanded him Herobrine, the Sovereign will deal with him now; he can't hurt anyone anymore."

Herobrine glared up at the frightened captive that he had hoisted into the air by the collar of his neck, tempted to stab the man and let him feel what he had done to the hero with the evidence of the bloody dagger still resting in his chest cavity, but of course the human would likely die unlike the immortal hero. A small gasp from his side made his anger vanish almost instantly as he looked to see his friend with a deeply saddened expression, deep blue eyes observing his actions closely.

"Don't do it. I'm begging you." The sentinel asked softly, brows furrowed. "This isn't you Brine."

Herobrine slowly lowered the man down, his expression softening.

Lionel heavily sighed, smiling sadly. "Thank you. You should never kill others if we don't have to, it is wrong. Just wrong."

…

"Herobrine?!" A door slammed wide open with a figure standing in the doorway, looking in. The man in silver armor ran over to the dark cell and wrapped his hands around the iron bars that the Hero was concealed behind, his expression was filled with worry and hurt. He squinted his eyes as he peered into the dark confinement to see the motionless hero and two glowing eyes looking back at him from the cold stone brick floor. "Please tell me, tell me that you didn't kill Conner? Please?" Lionel asked as he slipped down onto his knees and shook his head in disbelief, never removing his grasp from the bars. "Please?!" He cried out even louder in desperation for an answer.

The Hero only made a low huffing noise as he shook his head back and forth, unable to speak or move any other part of his body. His eyes revealed a deep sadness behind them that Lionel could definitely see.

"Enough of this, your visit is over." A buff guard walked in wearing ornate iron armor, he placed a hand on the man's shoulder and motioned for the exit. "You need special permission to see this monster, otherwise, no visitors!"

Lionel quickly shrugged it off as he stood up, narrowing his eyes at the guard. "What did you do to him?!" He shoved the other guard back against the wall and growled.

"I didn't do anything! The lord's high priests had summoned Notch's power to forever silence his tongue and to render him from ever moving again so that he shall never kill again. He will be on trial soon enough. Oh, and touch me again and you'll end up in your own cell!" The man shouted now pulling out his iron blade and pushing the sentinel off him. "Now must I repeat myself? I have orders to allow no visitors for Herobrine, now get moving!" He pointed the weapon at the sentinel's neck.

Lionel stepped back and sneered. "I'll report you to the Sovereign for showing a superior guard such disrespect!"

"Well go ahead, it wouldn't matter anyways since the guy is all torn up about loosing his last bloodline to the throne. Besides, who else did you think had him silenced and put him in here in the first place?" The other man said with a smartly tone. "This so called 'Hero' had not only killed the Sovereign's one and only royal son, but also six other innocent civilians; two of them being guards. He killed them in cold blood and there was plenty of witnesses who testified against him and more are still reporting. I didn't see the killings myself but I did see the damage he caused, no human has the power to that. That big fissure out in front of the stronghold was his doing, and the broken bodies recovered from below was all the proof I needed to see."

"No." Lionel whispered in disbelief, his anger fading to shock and fear. "Herobrine?" He turned back to see the man and walked closer to the cell once more. "I- I don't believe them. I know you couldn't of killed him or any of those people, I know that you would never kill anyone! It's not you, you'd never fall low as to murder!"

The hero only gazed with a deep sad frown.

"You so sure about that sentinel?" The prison guard asked. "Connor had an arrow planted in the middle of his chest and he had also been thrown off into the gap to add salt to the lord's wounded heart, or so I've been told. Not only did the kid suffer for a short while, but he also plummeted deep into the ground and-"

"SHUT UP!" The elite sentry screamed from the top of his lungs and shook his tightly clinched fists, he spun back around. "I don't believe it, I don't care who told you what! I don't care how many witnesses there were! This could all be one big misunderstanding, an accident!" He looked back at the remorseful being. "No matter what … I will find proof of your innocence and I will make you free again Herobrine! That I promise!" He shouted as the prison guard grabbed him by the arm and yanked him towards the door. "I will tell the Sovereign, you would never kill, you'd in no way ever take a life!"

The sound of a heavy door slamming echoed in the empty dungeon, now leaving the hero in a dark silence.

… …

Steve coughed up a little blood and spat to his side, now watching the ancient being grimace and cling tightly to the sides of his head. The miner stumbled as he stood but quickly regained his footing. It was time to stand up.