Hero's Bane

Chapter 38: Give It All

Edited 4/23/2022

"Oh my head. Where am I?" The old man rubbed his forehead and looked around in a daze, a low groan escaped his lips. He stopped his searching gaze as his dark brown eyes landed on the miner, he gave a squint in doubt before a look of surprise. "Steven? Is that- is that really you?" He asked curiously then pulled off his cracked glasses and rubbed his eyes and then replaced and readjusted his lenses to a more comfortable fit along his nose.

Steve really couldn't help but crack a small smile with softly furrowed brows. Here was the old man that he thought Herobrine had slain and dragged away, losing the old man a while back put a huge damper on his confidence but he didn't have to worry about that no more. "Yeah, it's me." He said quietly as he reached out and patted the elder on the back for reassurance.

Nigel's eyes lightly widened for a few seconds and he even seem to jump in place after noticing the miner's injured and roughed up condition, the stained fabric on the ends of his sleeve was generally concerning. "My word, you look absolutely awful! You're covered in scratches and bruises, your right jaw looks slightly swollen, and your arm? How did that get there?" He said with much worry as he carefully moved a hand over to the wound but not actually touching it. "What happened?"

Steve almost seemed to have completely forgot about his injuries now that he was so happy to see Nigel alive, he felt tenderness on his cheek as he grinned a little more. Herobrine had punched him pretty good in the cheek, though the enchanted blade limited some of the pain from his shoulder and other sore paces, he could still imagine them being bruised badly. He must of looked like he went through the Nether and back from the older man's point of view. "I'll be fine, I'll have to explain everything once we get into the house though, it's cold out here and mobs could be prowling around close by for all we know." He felt himself shiver a little now that his muscles had time to cool and the adrenaline of fighting Herobrine was fading away. "Now what do you say we get someplace warm?"

"Ah, yes. That little house there does look so cozy." Nigel admitted with a tone of fondness. "Old and worn, but warm too I hope with that fireplace and smoke coming out of the chimney."

"It is a lot warmer in there than it is out here, I promise you that. You probably wouldn't believe what I've been through since your disappearance and I've got a feeling you're going to be all over it, it's quite a long story so let's go and get caught up." Steve fully stood up and lent the elder a hand to stand with.

"Ow, still a little sore there." Nigel quickly placed his hand on his lower abdomen as he fully stood, he slowly hobbled towards the door with the miner now walking slowly by his side and helping in holding him up with one of the old man's arm looped over his shoulder.

"Your wound?!" Steve tried to search for the injury during their walk but it was well hidden by the man's arm, coat, and red stained clothing.

"It'll be fine, it is healing slowly but I'll be alright. Yours looks rather fresh, it needs to be tended to immediately!"

Steve shook his head. "With this sword I barely even feel it… for now." He raised the weapon up lightly and the elder nodded. "You are in a lot of pain I can tell, so we'll tend to you first." He suggested and opened the door before motioning them inside.

"I'd hate to disagree but you don't even realize how much blood you have lost and now loosing, look?" He pointed as the entered the small house, the lighted torches now revealed just how much blood had soaked through the sleeve and down the side of his shirt and ran down his arm.

The dried blood pealed back from his recent and abrupt movements to Nigel which caused the wound to begin to bleed again. Steve blinked with raised brows as he glanced at his arm. "Whoa, I guess I should be taking things a little easier. I didn't even realize how bad it was, it's a bit tender but with the blade's crazy enchantments and powers; I didn't really think anything of it until now."

Nigel quietly huffed and tilted his head towards the miner, giving a serious look. "I have a remedy to that will at least help it heal, but unfortunately it'll heal like mine; slowly." The adventurer walked through the room in a hunch until he took a seat on the bed, lightly groaning from the movements. "Well, it might heal quicker for you since you are so much younger than I."

"Hold that thought." Steve immediately ran over and grabbed his bucket and whatever water he had left in it and moved over to the man, he then proceeded to look around for anything to wash the wounds or wrap them up with.

"It's okay Steve, I have some woolen gauzes and a wash cloth in my bag."

The younger man carefully pulled the straps off of the elder's shoulders and placed the bag on the end of the bed. He opened up the main pocket and moved stuff around but couldn't find any so he quickly moved on to another. He pushed a few things aside and grabbed onto soft fabric, as he retracted his hand it grazed against something pretty sharp, he almost gasped as he looked at the red cube lying in there but he then portended not to notice anything strange. So Herobrine did give him a chunk of Netherrack? It was disturbing to see another piece of the Netherworld, he only hoped that he wouldn't find anymore. Ever. "Well I have the rag."

The old man turned his head to see the miner now going through the side pockets. "I was about to say friend, it's in that pocket on the right side there. I don't have many but I have enough to get your injuries nicely patched up and maybe enough for later should you receive more damages." He winced then smiled. "You don't have to worry or wash up my wound though, I had plenty of time to do that."

Steve stopped scanning through the pockets and immediately glanced back up to the man to see him remove his arm. "When did you-?" He was surprised, the wound was already wrapped up from what he could see from the hole in the ripped fabric, the gauze was quite white and clean though the old man's long sleeve shirt was dirty and stained with blood.

"It's quite an unusual story really, I'll clean and change the wraps later; come and sit down boy." He nodded to the seat next to him on the side of the mattress and scooted a little to make space as the miner sat down. "After having the old hero turn to me and jab me with the weapon, I suddenly grew weak and lethargic, I wasn't sure why. Usually a painful experience as being stabbed with a sword would make you wide awake, but it was quite the opposite for me. I thought it was the swell of death coming over my body, but that couldn't of been it since I sit before you here.

I remember that I had began to fall asleep as he yanked the blade out, like I was lulled into unconsciousness before death. After that I had then awoke to find myself in a small partially barred room with no windows or lights, just iron and stone brick walls and one locked iron door from what I could make out in the dark anyway. I suspect that maybe it was a dungeon or prison of some sort, all I know was that it was dark, dank, and fairly bone chilling. I suspect it was pretty deep underground. So in my injured state I did what I possibly could at the time with necessary precautions so that I could survive; with sluggish movements of course. I tended to my injury. Pain is one of those things I have little tolerance for, so I had to fix that problem as good as could as quick as I could." He lightly grimaced as he sat up from his partial crouch and faced the miner. "I used a splash potion of healing and poured it onto the wound. And you talk about pain? It stung like a silverfish bite. It burned dreadfully for Notch knows how long-." He emphasized the last sentence with a more distressing expression. "Oh and I did almost get bit by a silverfish now that I think about it, so it has to be a very deep dungeon I was locked in. Was trapped with some of those pesky critters, just awful things I assure you."

Steve was at a loss for words, Herobrine showed mercy for him? But for what reason? "Why?" He lightly gaped. "Why would Herobrine spare you?"

"I don't know?" Was all the man said as he shrugged and carefully covered his hand over his wound.

The miner got back up and grabbed Nigel's bag, he pulled out a couple of the gauze rolls and sat them onto the bed as he took the thick rag and dunked it into the bucket and wringed the water out. He then carefully took a seat on one of the wooden chairs closest to the bed and gasped as he attempted to pull his sleeve up. He clenched his teeth and tilted his head to the side and sneered as he pulled his sleeve back as far as he could and placed the wet woolen cloth on the wound. He gently scraped at the dried blood, even with the sword his arm was tender under this kind of pressure.

Trying to keep his gaze off of the miner's pained face; Nigel pulled out a bottle of red liquid from a side pocket on his bag and laid it next to him, he then took the rest of the rolled gauze from the edge of the bed and slowly unwound it in his hands with perfect folds. "Once I had the wound treated and wrapped I took my block of Netherrack you gave me and lit it up with my last flint and steel, it was one of my overused pieces so it took some time to catch fire, but thankfully I managed. With the light I got a glimpse of my prison and I decided then that I would stay in there after hearing some rather disturbing moans and hissings, I wouldn't be strong enough to escape even if I wanted.

I stayed by the fire and it warmed up the cell for a while, though darkness was all around me I felt rather safe and warm. Nearly the entire time I had been wondering what had happened to you and if you were even still alive, I honestly had my doubts Steven. It was a dark time then, I almost started to give up hope and believed that you were killed. I didn't get to dwell on the despair for too long though, I had a visitor within a couple hours. Once old Briny showed up, his eyes glowed brightly for a short minute and then I found myself going in and out of unconscious, now I only remember waking up to find you in such a unpleasant condition just a few minutes ago."

"You were out that long?" Steve's face wrinkled tightly as he applied more pressure and wiped away the crusted chunks, he let out a sigh of relief as he finished the agonizing procedure. He then pulled off his shirt and dumped the cloth rag into the bucket and squeezed the tainted water out and washed away the drying blood trail on his side and arm.

"Hmmmm… I suppose. How long has it been?"

"A- a couple days." He frowned.

"Really?" Nigel furrowed a brow and blinked as he placed a hand on his chin in thought. "That would make sense I suppose. I do speculate that he probably kept me alive for you. I am unsure if that was the true reason, but it is the best presumption I have. Regardless, here I am."

"But I thought he was going to kill me at that time." Steve said quietly as he looked back at the adventurer to see the man now holding out the capped bottle and folded cloth, the miner grabbed them and stared long and hard at the half empty red concoction. "What is this?"

"It's a splash potion, I didn't have to use all of it on myself so I saved the rest for further injuries. This one you don't have to drink, in fact it would be less potent if you did."

"Will it sting?"

The old man couldn't stifle his chuckle. "Oh yes, a lot actually. Ever been bit by a silverfish?"

Steve gulped as he pulled the cap. "No. ... I've heard things about it."

"Then lets hope that enchanted sword limit's the sting, at least you won't have to worry about itching. Now, how did you get that wound anyways?"

The miner hissed loudly and kept his teeth gnashed together, he titled the bottle and had the red contents flooding the injury, a burning sensation took over his arm and he lowly growled and contorted his facial features from the stinging. "Herobrine!" He hissed again.

"Well, that would make perfect sense." He replied with a deadpan expression.

"Yeah." Steve quickly recapped the bottle and tossed it back to the elder as he grabbed the gauze and began to wrap it over his shoulder and chest to get full coverage of the injury.

"As for me being kept alive, it was probably for you? It's the only plausible reason I could come up with, he must of used me as leverage to get you to cooperate correct?"

"No." The miner countered with a befuddled look. "It still doesn't make sense though. I didn't even know you were still alive at the time, I thought you died back there and fought until I couldn't. After that happened Herobrine had trapped me in a small room in one of the upper towers, I didn't know why he didn't kill me off immediately; I still can't figure out why." He finished more quietly.

"That's an interesting inquiry."

Steve grunted a little as he worked his arms back through the sleeves of his tattered, dirty, and stained cyan shirt. I just kept having nightmares of myself trying to find you only to realize that I was having a dream. Luckily, I had Lionel come to me in one and told me that you were still kicking and that's the only reason that had me going at that point. I was actually at my lowest end when I couldn't fight or escape, I didn't have the drive to continue to survive anymore, but then the sentinel brought it back by telling me that you were alive and that I had to fight Herobrine to the best of my abilities. He said you'd be free if I did, then when I woke up I found myself here out in this taiga."

Nigel's eyes darted across the room in wonderment. "That's quite the story Steven, a lot more interesting than mine. And this building is very old by the looks of it, it's rather fascinating."

"I haven't told you the whole story yet Nigel, like when Herobrine chased me down, or when a creeper had nearly blown me to bits as I ran throughout the castle."

"My word." The old man leaned forward with an expression of captivation and anticipation. "What in Notch's name did you go through?"

"I'm still not finished." The miner raised a hand. "Herobrine then dragged me away to a small prison and that is when the nightmares started and then a few dreams later I ended up here in this cabin which I believe belonged to Lionel."

"That wood, it is very very old." Nigel carefully made himself lurch forwards and hop off of the bed, now standing he slowly limped around and searched the shack. "Wow, this is extraordinary." He said quietly and continued to look until his eyes came across the portrait. "A portrait? Is this he? Lionel?" He asked as he turned to face the miner for conformation, the younger man nodded. The elderly man turned his head back around and gaped as he stared at the painting. "Amazing, this could be- and dear I say it, the place where Lionel might have been trying to drag Herobrine to before his un-timed demise."

"I kind of had a feeling that maybe it was." Steve deeply frowned after seeing that image of Lionel arguing with Brutus. The snowy hills weren't too far from that location, Lionel was so close.

"Why yes, he was trying to take the hero and hide him away in secret from the fortress as the old history stated in that book I found on the sentinel. It turned out to be an old home of his, one he had way before he obtained his guard status and moved into the royal settlements."

"If you need anymore proof then there is a piece of ornamented armor in the chest over there." Steve pointed to the wooden box. "it's a bit rusted but it appears to be the same one that I've seen in my visions with the guy."

The old man then walked over to the chest and lifted the top to find the armor just sitting there. "Stupendous! It's a wonder work of art, hand crafted by a master blacksmith! It's still magnificent despite being tarnished." He traced his fingers along the piece then closed the chest lid and faced the miner. "Do you plan on wearing it?"

Steve scratched the back of his head, he didn't really think about it but then again it was rusted and quite heavy. "I didn't think to but it'll just hinder my movements, especially with my new wound and it's kind of heavy so I'm probably not going to. Maybe it would come in handy when I fight Herobrine again, but then it may just be more trouble then it's worth."He shrugged.

"Again?" The old man squinted his eyes as he looked directly at Steve in the face. "How many times have you fought the old Hero?"

The miner nervously scratched at the back of his head. "Only once did I actually try and fight since the encounter in the throne room, the other encounters were of me trying to convince him that I was only trying to help him. But just a few hours ago I was going to fight to the death to have you freed, that was when something strange happened."

"Strange? Do please continue?" Nigel sat back on the edge of the bed as Steve moved around in the old chair for a more comfortable position.

"It first started when Lionel told me that you were still alive; he said that if I fought a good one against Herobrine then the hero might just release you, to clarify this I called Herobrine out and of course he showed up. I swear he's stalking me everywhere."

"Wow, I bet that was an exciting encounter?" Nigel leaned forward with a curious look.

"Yeah." Steve lowered his arms into his lap and fidgeted with his fingers. "I got the answer I needed and thankfully lived. I then decided to train in a cave just below this hill and … well to make things short. I stumbled into Herobrine, tried to talk him out of fighting, but then these memories of his past somehow forced their way from his mind and into my head, and something then sparked deep within him." The man narrowed his eyes slightly. "He somehow lost control of himself and nearly killed me, that was his intention from the beginning; but how it happened even surprised 'him'."

Nigel only blinked in what looked like disbelief on his features.

"He had been treated wrongfully by one he thought was his friend and ally, he had been judged by everyone and took the blame for shooting Conner with an arrow; Herobrine didn't have a bow. He then appeared to lose control in his past as well and that I believe was the main cause of his madness. They wouldn't let him help Conner, and he must have finished the boy off in his rage. Loosing Lionel and being dumped into the Netherworld was probably the final straw that made his hate for us so strong."

The old man frowned. "That's just awful. I believe the fight didn't go down so well then?"

"It didn't for me at least. He wasn't in control of himself for a good portion of it, so that was when I was stabbed. He then calmed down afterwards, but then I continued the fight for your sake."

"You didn't have to."

"No Nigel, I had to. Even now as we speak I have to die to ensure that you live, that was the conformity that me and Herobrine had come up with. It wasn't my idea as much as it was his, but that is what has to happen. I fought him not so long ago but he let you free now, I don't know why he didn't kill me then. Maybe allowing me to live long enough to see you was assurance or something on my end of the agreement? I'm not entirely sure, but that could be it."

"Hold on there. What do you mean that you have to die so that I myself live?" Nigel coughed. "Does that mean you will?" He said with a more concerned look.

Steve looked away and placed his gaze upon the burning flames on Netherrack block in the fireplace, he really didn't want to share the deal that was made because he knew the old man would be against it. He took a deep breath and sighed with a heavy heart. "Yes. I myself have to die so that you can live and get out of this treacherous place, that was the deal I made with Herobrine. That deal was made after I found out that you were alive, I was going to die regardless and so why not fight to have you freed?"

"I can't, I can't accept this!" Nigel shouted as he now stood back up with a frustrated expression. "I told you that if I was to die here then it would be okay, you didn't have to put yourself through such troubles!"

Steve turned his gaze away from the older man. "I said I was going to die regardless, so why not have something worth fighting for?!" He looked back at the elder and shouted but quickly calmed after he remembered just who he was shouting at. "I've been through a lot since we last saw each other, too much. I have already sealed the deal with Herobrine so when I see him again; likely soon, then I will fight as good as I can until I fall. If I go back on our deal then he'll probably kill you, so I can't run away. It would be better if at least one of us comes out of this alive."

Nigel's fuming anger died almost immediately and he was filled with remorse promptly after. "I'm sorry Steve, I didn't mean to yell." He sat back down on the bed and sighed while rubbing his hands over his face in frustration, he never imagined something like this would happen. "I just find it mostly my fault that you are in this mess."

"Don't blame yourself. I had planned to come here and stop Herobrine for everyone's sake, which later included Herobrine's. I did as much as I could and you helped me get so far, probably further than I ever could get alone. Unfortunately, I can't go any further and so I am going to have to ask you to leave when the sun comes comes up."

"Leave?" He pulled his hands down from his face and stared with hurt and confusion. "What ever do you mean?"

"I am going to die soon." Steve said blankly. "It would be best if you get going in the morning when the monsters are gone."

"I can't leave you to face this dreadful fate alone Stonewall. I'd rather take your place and let you leave."

"Thanks." He smiled for a second but it fell back into a frown. "But I wouldn't be able to let that happen even if it was possible, it would be selfish and wrong."

"So, I wouldn't mind at all!"

"I would!" Steve said loudly.

Nigel exhaled loudly and glanced at the blade in Steve's hand that hanged loosely over the armrest, it still lightly glowed with it's mystic aura. He found the sword to be quite alluring, he didn't know why he suddenly found himself feeling more upbeat while looking at it, it was like he could almost see a glimmer of hope in the blade's shine. "Then when you do encounter Herobrine for the final time; then fight!"

"I plan to." Steve raised a brow from the other man's abrupt change in tone, he didn't expect a saddened tone of voice to shift to a braver one and so soon.

"No, don't just go out there and put on a show! You don't plan to just fight and die do you? And what of those promises you told me about? Didn't you say to me that you were going to do anything in your power to save Herobrine and stop the torment?"

"I-?"Steve was taken aback from the adventure's words.

"You did, don't deny it. Instead of going out there to die you should go out there to win!"

"Win?! Are you insane?!" He sat up in the chair and lightly cringed when he pulled his tender arm.

"Not quite, I'm a little irrational at times but I have a reason to be at this moment! You wanted all of this suffering to end right? Well don't go out there to just die, go out there and defeat Herobrine so that you can fulfill those promises! Force him to yield!"

"I can't, I am not strong enough."

"That is your problem here Steve, I have so much confidence in you but you don't have any for yourself! You need to get over this dreary state of mind and open it up to the possibilities. Look there!" He pointed to the diamond sword and the miner brought it u to rest on his lap. "That is an enchanted blade forged by none other than Herobrine himself I believe, it may have it's powerful abilities and it's hindrances but it is powerful no less, more better than any blade I have ever seen before! And about the willpower of yours? You need to get it in gear because I bet it took a lot of it and a lot of self-determination to get this far Steven, stop looking at the downside of things. If you are going to die then make yourself useful one last time and put forth the effort that I know is inside of you!" He encouraged.

The miner stared at the sword. Nigel was right. All of those promises he made still weighed on his shoulders, even the state of Herobrine's mind weighed on him. But to stop one that was practically immortal and was nearly limitless in power? He couldn't, there was no way he could even land one hit on the being.

"Before you say anything else Steve, I want you to stop and think of Lionel. If you are his true descendant then that gives you more reason to win, more reason to fight for his greatest friend. It said in this book-." The elderly man reached into his bag next to him and pulled out the dark green manuscript with a golden insignia on the book's spine. "That Lionel Stonewall had more determination and tenacity then any other man of his time. He may have not been the strongest but his resolve was never outmatched, even during his final breaths he fought for what he believed in. He fought for a promise, though he couldn't keep it he still tried until death swallowed him whole. So think about that. Think about all of those villagers, all of your friends and family and even I myself included. Notch! Even Herobrine needs you more than he knows! We need you Steve!" He shouted, his words echoing throughout the small building.

"But- it's imposs-"

"Nothing of this sort is impossible, it may take power of that beyond our own knowledge or control to do such things; but out there we can always find another way if we look hard enough. Just think, what would you see if you fail? What would be of our future, will we even be there in it? You must drop all doubt in your mind if you are to achieve this unfeasible feat. You must Give it all! Give your heart and soul into the swings of your blade, give everything you got. You must never forget what you are fighting for!"

Steve squeezed the handle of the sword more tightly and felt a strange surge of strength shoot up his arm, the blade began to glow more brightly with each of the old man's words as well as pulsate in his palm.

"If you don't want the suffering to continue then it is time to end it yourself. Don't do this for me or for yourself, but for Herobrine and all of those people out there."

Steve took a deep breath and closed his eyes. He could see the family photo that had once disappeared out of his mind return. He could only see his mother and his sister, he along with his brother and father were nothing but charred black forms. But strangely his form began to move, the ashen dust chipped away and he reappeared in full color. The family photo faded out and he could envision Warren and Luna smiling while walking through the village's wheat fields, all of the other people in the village walked about with smiles on their faces. The last image he could see was that of Herobrine sitting alone at the top of a green hill while staring at his left palm, he remained quiet with a frown until a hand landed on his shoulder and he looked up to see the silver sentinel smiling at him. He smiled back and that was when Steve's eyes shot open. "Oh Notch, you're right!" He quickly stood out of the chair and continued to stare into the blade's reflective cyan surface, the light red aura flowing distributed around his form and snaked through the air of the small house.

He knew what he wanted, and there was only one way to get it.

He had to win.

Nigel smiled widely, the sword's aura had grown immensely since Steve's striking realization. He took that aura as a sign from the blade that the miner was ready to fight till his last breath. Perhaps the amount of aura was the power of the sword and the more confidence the wielder had the more stronger it would become. If any man could defeat Herobrine then Steve could. He had complete faith in the man. "Well now that your confidence has returned it's best to rest up, I'll head out first thing in the morning." He stood up from the bed and walked over to the other chair nearest to the fireplace. He took a seat and leaned his head back to get more comfortable.

The miner lowered the sword and placed it into the sheath, the strength left his muscles and bones but he didn't feel all that tired or influenced by the adverse affect of the weapon. He was still a little sore, yet he felt ready to fight. Rest however was something he knew he needed. "Thank you Nigel." He said quietly as he moved over to his bed and laid down. "I must win."

…

Herobrine sat on top of a cedar tree and glanced down at the small lit house before looking down at the blade in is hand, it pulsed with an unfamiliar energy and lightly shook in his palm. It was strange; this kind of force, it throbbed in his grip for a few minutes or so- then the power faded as he continued to stare. He didn't know the cause was but he had a feeling that the miner might have had something to do with it, why it affected his blade now was probably because of the connection with the other considering that the two swords were one a very long time ago. Perhaps the miner was ready?

He stood up and jumped off of the tree before walking quietly through the snow into the pine woods.