Hero's Bane

Chapter 39: Then Finally

Suggestion: Listen to (Round and Round by Imagine Dragons) when reading the fight scene.

Edited 4/23/2022

Steve's head snapped left then right, his sealed eyes squinted tighter as two bright lights beamed into his face. The irritating white glow intensified for a few minutes but slowly dimmed out and left his eyelids to rest. The crackling sounds from the blazing Netherrack popped loudly in his ears and he could feel a slight chill now crawling down his arms. He was cold?

The miner quickly shot up from the mattress to find his cover now several feet away on the floor, right next to the doorway leading out. He hopped out of bed and noticed that the front door was wide open, but the old man was still in asleep in his chair near the fireplace so who opened the door? Frightened, he quietly edged near the doorway with the diamond sword now in hand, he tiptoed to the frame and poked his head out to find footprints in the snow leading out into the cold morning. He took a deep breath then made a sprint outside before looking back to make sure that he wasn't going to be ambushed from behind or from the top of the roof. There was nothing that he could see, not even a mob. He looked at the rising sun and then back down at his feet and followed the prints.

He walked out into the clearing then back towards the house, then to the side of the building. He moved down the hill with his eyes completely fixed on the trail and the terrain under his feet, he wasn't sure who's they were but he had a bad feeling of who he was following. Why he was following the trail was beyond him, but for some reason he felt so allured to the mystery of the tracks that he just couldn't stop. It was like his body was being controlled but he wasn't opposed to the feeling. The snow prints faded as they now led into a cave, upon removing his gaze from the remains of snow leading into darkness he recognized the ground pattern and the location.

This was the cave that led to Herobrine.

Still feeling his legs moving on their own; Steve ran down into the depths and hopped down a small bank of stone to see a dim light just beyond a corner near the end of a narrow passageway. The hair on his neck stood on end as he walked through the natural hallway to find that one redstone torch still clinging to the wall, but as he walked past it he could see more reddish glowing ahead. As he moved onwards he found himself gawking at the sheer amount of the red torches now lining the walls of the cave, a torch was placed every several or so blocks apart. It was a startling sign and it could only mean one thing; that he was walking towards his opponent and that he may be going to the last place he fought Herobrine.

The entire travel was quiet, no presence of mobs or sounds for that matter; just an eerie quietness hung about throughout the cave. After finally hopping up the cave exit he found himself staring at a darkened figure standing in a circle of the remains of the scorched grass and brunt forest, the same patch of trees that had been destroyed by Herobrine's uncontrollable state just last night. The humanlike shadow did not move but quietly remained with his head angled to the side a bit, though still it was utterly terrifying.

Steve tried to move backwards but his legs wouldn't let him, he could only control his wielding arm and his neck. The awkward silence was eating away at the miner's patience, he couldn't do anything but stand there and watch this shadow observe him. "What's going on?! Are you there Herobrine?" He loudly spoke, hoping to Notch that the final battle wasn't now and Herobrine wasn't in rage mode. Steve was suddenly feeling upset, he didn't get to prepare or even get to say goodbye to Nigel, should he fail in his endeavor to stop the powerful being then he'll never have the chance to see his friend make ou of the valley alive.

The darkened figure suddenly pointed up and that was when Steve looked up to see the sky getting brighter, the sun was burning overhead and it quickly moved across the sky along with some clouds moving even faster to the miner's amazement. It was if time was elapsing, the sun had rose but now it was starting to set. A thin sliver of white then moved at the opposite end of his vision and the time frame stopped as the moon now settled in the center of the star filled atmosphere.

"What?" Steve was confused as to what this display was for.

The dark figure's eyes started to glow and that made the miner's heart nearly jump out of his chest, he wasn't prepared to fight just yet.

"Wait, please! Not yet!" He plead as the humanoid now walked out through the burned clearing and then stood several feet away, staring quietly while holding an enchanted diamond blade at his side.

Herobrine pointed at the sky once more but this time with his sword and then as the miner looked up and then back down to find Herobrine now gone.

"Hero-" The super being suddenly reappeared in his face and fierce white eyes blinded him.

"Ahhhh!" Steve sat up with a quick jolt and deeply inhaled and exhaled as he now searched his surroundings frantically, he noticed that he was back in his bed and his bed sheet was still on him. The front door was closed and Nigel was packing?

"Another nightmare hmmm? I wonder what it was about this time? Care to share as a final story?"

"Nigel?"

The old man clipped up his bag and buttoned up his damaged auburn long coat before lifting his pack up and placing it over his shoulders, he then moved over to the chair near the bed and took a seat in it. He leaned forward and placed his hands on his knees. "Well, looks like I'm all ready to go. Just need to have a say before my departure, a little farewell is definitely in order."

"What time is it?" Steve asked as he looked out the window.

"Hmmm." He pulled out his small pocket watch and adjusted his glasses as he read the time. "About a quarter after ten, not too late but not quite early. I admit that I overslept a tad bit but I did eat some breakfast and packed up quickly. As for you? Just keep resting, get as much of it as you can. You'll need it."

Steve groaned as he rubbed his watery eyes, the sunlight poured through the window and lightly blinded him. "How can I get rest if all I do is have nightmares?" He pushed his feet to the side of the bed and stretched his arms, his injured arm twinge a little but it wasn't too bad or not as bad as he expected. Nigel's potions worked wonders.

"Do tell this nightmare, I noticed you flopping about a little when I woke up. I would have awoken you myself but even in nightmares you are still resting, so I believe."

He lightly ran his hand over his injured shoulder. "Rest or not, I am kind of glad you didn't wake me."

"Why is that?"

"I met Herobrine back at the last place I fought him, he made the sun fly across the sky and when the moon was hanging over he stopped the time elapse and raised his sword like he was ready to fight."

"So it was a sign, a set time for the real final battle I surmise?" He furrowed a brow.

Steve nodded. "Yeah, at least that it was I also think. Tonight is the fight and I have to be ready by then. Some kind of nightmare huh? It wasn't too scary, just unnerving and somewhat worrisome. I didn't realize it was a dream at first so-."

The old man chuckled lowly. "You want to talk about nightmares? … The one I had when I was out after Herobrine imprisoned me was just completely awful. The worst dream I have ever had really and he's given me some real dreadful ones before." Nigel said straight forward with a small frown after he saw curious eyes watching him. "I knew immediately that it was a dream because I found myself in a huge library; sort of like the size of the throne room back at the fortress but this one had many corridors lined to the ceiling with bookshelves branching in every direction. It must have been the archives of the entire world, it was just that big.

It was easy to recognize the dream because I have never seen such a vast collection and it appeared way too good to be true, plus I have grown accustom to his nightmarish dream realm and the vibe it gives. Anyway, in this infinite library I decided to see what information I could find in this dream for I am always curious and on the hunt for ancient history. The first thing I did was go to the nearest shelf and pull the first book I could see, I held it tightly as I gazed upon the ancient inscribed title, I was extremely excited to see what written history it held or if it was a book of Notch's wisdom handed down to man. So with a shaking hand and reeling eyes; I pealed back the book cover and turned the first blank page to find … Nothing!" He sighed and swayed his head back and forth with a small grin. "Well, I thought that maybe the author wanted to create a little anticipation, so I pulled back another page; nothing. Then another! Again nothing! I get halfway through the book and do you know what I find? Nothing! Absolutely nothing. What a disgraceful book! I flipped through every single page and there was not one word in the entire thing! It was ridiculous! I was greatly disappointed in that book and the expectation I had for it, just a waste of my time."

Steve couldn't help but chuckle at Nigel's outrage.

"That was just the start. I placed that preposterous book back on the shelf and grabbed a different one. This book was so much thicker and had golden intricate designs on the cover, it looked so much more fascinating than the last so I open it and turned the first few pages to again find no writings or illustrations anywhere! Can you believe that? Not one single word or symbol!"

"I bet that was a dream alright?" The miner tried not to laugh.

"Pahhh!" The old man huffed and grinned despite his anger. "More like a nightmare, probably the worst I've ever had! I'd rather be running for my life from Herobrine! I had put that book down and then paced over to a different bookcase and found nothing, then I decided to get on one of the ladders and check the ones on higher shelves; but yet again every book I opened turned out to be nothing but a collection of blank pages. I spent what felt like forever trying to find any kind of literature, I even got so frustrated that I had pulled the books off of the shelves and threw them onto the floor. I later tried to find my way out but I just found more bookcases at every corner. So here I was in a huge library where there was more books then one could possibly fathom; and every single one of them were completely blank, to add to the irritation I had nowhere to go and no way of escape. Now that was a true nightmare, well for me anyways. I felt like I was trapped in there for centuries digging through books. I think if I stayed in there any longer than I would take a blank book and write in my own story, that would be better than nothing."

"Anything would be better than nothing."

"Right you are, having Herobrine as company would be much more exciting though it would be more hazardous with him around, of course should he get annoyed; he'd probably set the whole place on fire." Nigel noticed the miner's fading smile once he mentioned the being. "… Oh, excuse my ramblings. It seems that I am wasting the remainder of my time with my grievances, I'll need all the time I can get if I am to make it out of here with my impeding wound. Here, I almost forgot." Nigel leaned down and grabbed an object from the side of the chair, he held out the stone weapon. "Take your fortunate stone sword and may it bring you luck in your fight against Herobrine, it gave me luck with surviving so far. I suppose."

The miner reluctantly grabbed the dull blade and pulled into his lap, now setting the diamond one aside. "I don't need it."

"Why sure you do, it's your fathers right? Besides, I can't take all of your luck, you need the rest to win the fight remember?"

"But mobs?" He asked looking back up at the old man.

Nigel beamed and pulled a grayish blue concoction from his coat pocket. "I still have a few nifty potions to make use of, don't worry about me; I'll be fine." He says and tucks the potion back into his pocket.

Steve's gaze moves back to his weapon in hand, he starred at the sword and the crack near the hilt; then he traced his fingers over the small fracture. "It truly is lucky. Though- I don't think it would be wise to actually 'use' it."

"Oh no, just keep it on you. Like a luck accessory."

He glanced at it once more and then took the blade and placed it into the sheath where his iron sword used to be. "Hey Nigel?"

"Yes?"

"I am going to give it my all, but there's still no guarantee of my victory. So I have a request for you should I not ever leave this valley alive by Herobrine, mobs, or otherwise. Will you honor it?" Steve asked blankly.

The adventure leaned in a little more with a more serious expression. "If there is anything within my power to do then I will manage dear friend. Now whatever it is that you need?"

Steve faced his hands in his lap and he stared at the cuts along his right palm. "Once you get out of this land then I would like for you to go to a small village outside of Woodhaven called Oakridge; there I want you to find my mother and my sister, they live in a small house on large hill that is sort of separated from the rest of the settlement. I want you to tell them what I did and was trying to do. They at least deserve to know what happened to me, I'm sure they tell my friend Alex as well. Also tell them that I am sorry, I went out to help innocent people and even the legendary Herobrine himself; but I failed."

"I can't say that. Not until you triumph." The old man gestured.

Steve looked up to see the adventurer standing closer to him now. "I will try."

Nigel pumped a fist forward in excitement. "Remember, you can't have doubt! You must put forth everything. How about I stay at the village near the valley entrance? I will wait for you there."

"But what if something happens, what if I do die?!" The miner countered in concern.

"Stay confident Steve, I will give you say a- let's say a week's time. I will wait for your return, should you not make it back within the allotted time; then I will set off for Woodhaven immediately. Sound any better of a deal?"

The miner blinked then nodded with a smile.

"I'll be sure to share all of your brave efforts and ordeals if you fall, I will even have to say that you smiled even when you were in peril. A truly brave miner with nothing but a virtuous heart and the will of a warrior. Your friends and family would be proud I am sure."

"Thank you. Truly." He warmly smiled and stood up from his seat. "Sometimes you remind me of my grandpa, he always had so much faith in me. More than anyone else."

Nigel smiled back and tipped his head. "That means a lot to me actually, never had any children of my own; being an avid traveling adventurer and all. But like a grandfather; I am proud of you." He gently placed a hand on the man's shoulder and Steve acknowledged it by placing a hand over the older one. "And I thank you as well for everything you've done and for making such sacrifices, your actions are truly noble." He pulled his hand away. "Now keep those promises alright? Come back for Notch's sake, tell me that I could meet Herobrine in person without having to worry about watching my back for a clone standing behind me with a sword prodding my skin."

The image that Nigel put into his head made the miner laugh a little, but that laughter died down as the old man moved away and over to the door.

"Well, this is farewell. Okay, maybe not a goodbye, but I'll just say; see you later? How about that?" He waved as he walked out but carefully turned on his heels before the door closed. "I also forgot to tell you that I left you a few supplies in the chest since I've rummaged though your potions sack to see it nearly empty."

"Thanks."

"Oh, one more thing." He poked his head in the doorframe and gave one last smile. "Perhaps you should make a little prayer to Notch for good measure? Who knows? Maybe he will hear you and help you out? Good luck friend." With that being said; he closed the door and silence flooded the room except for the occasional popping sounds coming from the fire.

Steve got up from the bed and walked over to one of the front windows and watched the man marched straight through the cedar clearing until he disappeared within the dark green foliage. Now Steve was alone and not much longer he would have to fight like he had never fought before.

…

Steve spent most of his day lying on his bed, lost in thought. He didn't know how things were supposed to go from this point forward but he knew he needed to defeat the odds so that he could meet Nigel back at that gloomy village, maybe he would also get to see Warren, Mark, and Luna too? Maybe he could even befriend Herobrine after all of this was over?" That thought made him frown, he really doubted that would ever happen. Besides, he knew Herobrine would never want to be friends with a human ever again; not after the betrayal and banishment. The powerful man may of not seemed like it, but he was 'broken' or so his trust was and Steve really couldn't blame him. He almost wished he could be Lionel, at least then he may actually have the power to convince Herobrine to stop the rage, torment, and bloodshed.

He had gotten out of the bed and ate some of his loafs of bread and drank a few potions for good measure, it wasn't the best meal he ever had but he needed all of the energy he could get so he reluctantly swallowed down a couple of the bitter fluids that Nigel had left him. He then stored all of his belongings in the chest except for his gauzes and the last of the splash potion, he wouldn't need anything else but those and his weapons. The miner then spent the remainder of his day swinging the diamond sword around just outside of the little house, trying to get a feel with his skills and test the limit of his wounded shoulder. His right shoulder and wielding arm faltered badly in his swings and it was clearly obvious; even when trying his hardest, the tenderness was barely there but like a numbing pain he still had problems winging it around low. Moving the blade far over his head also increased the pain, so now knowing his limitations he was going to have to make more precise moves and decisive tactics and hope that they would be enough.

…

The sun was setting and the miner watched from the hill as the bright orb in the sky slowly descended down into the pine trees, leaving it's fading reddish-orange glow in the sky that faded into a more grayish and blue hue. The time was nearing and he was going to have to set off through the cave soon if he was to make it out to the other side by midnight.

Steve walked back into the old house and pulled one of the wooden chairs up to the fireplace, he sat down and let his cold limbs warm up by the fire as he stared into it. He reached over and grabbed a half-filled potion of stamina sitting on the old furnace, then leaned back in the chair and propped his feet up onto the cobblestone slabs in front of the hearth to let his feet warm up. Drinking the rest of the sour fluid; he wiped away at a drop oozing down the side of his cheek, and let the empty bottle fall out of his hand and roll across the floor. He turned to his left and looked up at the portrait of Lionel, the man seemed so happy, so fearless, so strong. He almost envied the guy.

"I'm going to do whatever it takes Lionel, I may not be exactly like you but I promise to save Herobrine or die trying."

With that said he then faced the fire and pushed the chair back as crawled onto the floor, he closed his eyes tightly and bowed his head. He hadn't ever gotten onto his hands and knees in a prayer to Notch before but this time was different, he needed to ask; no beg that the god would send him the miracle he needed.

"Notch." He began. "I need your strength! I need your blessings!" His eyes squinted even tighter and his nails dug into the wood of the floorboards. "I know that you punished Herobrine by having him trapped in the Nether eternally, I am not sure if that was justifiable but please give me the power to stop him. But not just to stop him, but to save him. He's suffered enough and innocent people continue to live in pain, fear, and misery because of his wrath and hatred that mankind has created. Don't let this cycle continue, help me! Help Herobrine! Please calm his scarred soul! Forgive him! He had been wrongfully punished for an accident and this has created his deep seeded hate and rage." He opened his eyes and gazed at the wood, seriously hoping that his prayer was heard. "Give me the strength to fight. To win." He whispered.

The miner then finally lifted his head and stood up, he walked over to his bed and pulled the enchanted sword off of the mattress. It was time to go. He checked his pockets and made sure he was packing lightly, his stone sword was secured in it's sheath and hung from his belt. He placed a hand on the hilt and closed his eyes. He needed the luck. He took once last glance around the interior and then proceeded through the front door, quietly pulling the door shut behind him. The sun was almost completely gone and the night was still young, a little over an hour trek through the cave should get him to the spot on time. He faced the shack once more and let the image of the place burn into his mind, it would likely be the last tine he would ever see it again but he had to remember it just in case he did win. It would be something nice and warm to look forward to after a huge wearisome battle, he could see himself crawling back under the blankets already.

The view of his surrounding were much nicer than he ever realized, it took him this long to actually stop and look around the landscape without worry. "Lionel had such a cool place." He said to himself but the sound of a low moan coming from the trees at the other end of the house ruined that peaceful moment and prompted the man to run away from the shelter and down the hill and into the cave.

…

Steve felt chills crawl down his spine as he walked through the cool cavern. Just as it was in his dreams, redstone torches lined the walls throughout the entire passageway; lighting the way through darkness with the dim but crimson glow. He had also noticed that there were no monsters present in the cave system, Herobrine must of warranted that so that his prey wouldn't be taken by anything other than him.

…

Steve slowed his pace as he made it closer to the mouth of the lit cave, his fingers coiled even tighter around the diamond blade's hilt. Just ahead he would make it to the oak clearing and it was there that would then finally make his last stand against Herobrine. Once he reached the top he would then come face to face with mortality and there would be no escape, save that of a miracle that he had to somehow create. He felt his heart jump up into his throat and pounded more rapidly, his palms were becoming heavy and a little moist, there was no doubt that he was nervous.

Steve stepped onto soft grass then passed quietly by a few trees with patches of leaves missing and charred spots. The woods around him seemed calm and no mobs moved about nor Herobrine from what he could see. A few scorched trees, an empty clearing, and the sliver of light from the waxing moon only awaited him, but the feeling of being watched was immediately present upon arrival. In this clearing of the burned woods is where he will fight one last time and he was all but looking forward to it, he knew he was probably going to die but Nigel's reassuring words of striving to 'win' and those small peaceful visions he had the night before was all he had left moving him forwards along with the diamond blade's enchanting powers. If he could just somehow beat the guy then maybe, just maybe he could live and possibly save the fallen hero's life of rage and isolation as well as his friends. How he would do it was beneath him, how he was going to stop someone so powerful and survive was just on the brink of impossible; but he had the confidence to at least try. And even if he did manage to win, what would become of Herobrine? Would the being fight to the death? Would he surrender? That thought also weighed heavily on his mind. To make the immortal yield seemed impossible but he had to make a way, he was determined enough to give it his best shot.

There was no sign of the ex-hero but Steve could definitely feel the being's presence, a chilling heaviness hovered in the air and made the miner lightly shiver. He looked up around the treetops and moved his gaze over the cave and up a few hills nearby. He then looked through the trees and spun on his heels as he continued to search for Herobrine, he really didn't want the fight to start off with a surprise attack. "Herob-"

Immediately the miner stopped and held his breath as the being was now spotted at the other end of the opening, standing quietly with his diamond sword now drawn at his side.

Steve felt himself become stiff in place, it was if he could almost feel a sharp object resting in the dead center of his neck and lightly pushing inwards though the hero was yards away staring down at the grass before him with a frown. The fear of death returned and he quivered for a moment until he pushed the traumatizing thought of great pain and dying away, he replaced it with determination to potentially win the fight. "I- I thank you for releasing Nigel … alive." Steve said with a cracking voice, still trying to pull bravery out of the pit of his dread-filled stomach.

Herobrine's expression never changed, he just remained idle with his glowing eyes fixed on the ground.

"I don't know why you spared me last night, but I am well rested now and prepared to fight to the death since you kept your end of the deal. But before we begin the fight I have something to say."

The white-eyed man suddenly snapped his head at the miner, now fixing his gaze on Steve in slight curiosity and annoyance.

"I can't even believe I am going to say this and to you of all people." Steve shook his head back and forth as he spoke more quietly to himself. "No. ... I- I am going to win this- this fight!" He said with more confidence and with a stronger pose. The man before him scowled and narrowed his eyes deeply making the miner loosen up in his stance a little from the daunting look, he bravely moved his sword out in front of him and held it with a firm grip though it shook visibly. "I didn't have a shrine, but I have asked Notch in a prayer to give me the strength to stop you and save you Herobrine!"

…

The immortal coiled his fingers and sneered viciously, any prayer to that bastard was counted as an assault against him, especially if the word 'stop' was involved. Asking for power to win in the fight only infuriated him even more, especially since the god favored his precious little weak beings over any other of his creations, though he doubted the deaf god heard this man. Many before him died asking for Notch to save them as death approached them, but this 'Notch' never once showed up or saved them; only at that shrine was any words actually heard and those measly prayers did get answered from time to time.

"I will not run anymore and I will not yield." Steve said as he now walked cautiously along the tree line with his eyes glued to white ones. "It's all or nothing for me now. But I have decided that I will not willingly accept my fate, though I have already forfeited my life to you when I asked for Nigel's release." His voice lightened as he finished his sentence.

Herobrine then slowly began to walk along the outside of the trees on the opposite end with his eyes on blue ones, the two were circling. The mortal was right though, his life was in his hands and it was his will of what he would do with it.

"So I have come up with an ultimatum. I will not allow myself to lie down and die so easily, you should know that by now because that is not how you would want it to go down either. I don't want to die though, I have found a better purpose of being here tonight; not to let you finish what you started but instead defeat you! I will fight you to the best of my abilities and I will find some way to bring you down and you will be the one to yield!"

The powerful man's mood shifted instantly, he darkly chuckled in his slow pace. It was amusing; if the human Steve thought he could overpower the god-like man then he was obviously not thinking properly. The mortal was insane if he thought that the being would ever lose, let alone yield or kneel down to a human. That would never happen.

Steve sweated a bit with the carnivorous smile Herobrine now had on his face. "You can go ahead and laugh, I had a feeling you would. You are probably thinking that I'm setting myself up to unquestionably fail with great suffering and eventual death since you and I aren't on the same levels when it comes to strength, but that will not happen. If it starts to look that way then- then I will change it. I have never bested you, nor even come close, I was always running away and trying to settle matters with words but that doesn't seem to get me anywhere or convince you. So no more of that. I don't know how I will bring you down but if I do somehow mange to then I will save you from yourself!"

The immortal's eyes narrowed and he sneered, this tough talk was just pointless. This being 'saved' notion was pathetic and impractical.

"I have nothing left to lose but my life and your freedom, your freedom from this hate and rage!"

Herobrine only scoffed.

"I must win because I am going to promise you right now that I will find a way to free you of this curse you have made for yourself, though most of it was created by my kind." He watched as the hero picked up his pace and so he began to run around but with his eyes still on the look-alike form. "I know you had everything taken away from you and not all of it can be replaced, but I will ask Notch to restore some of it." He could hear the being growl darkly, but he didn't let that intimidation stop him in place. "I will win!" He screamed and suddenly lifted the blade while now charging across the field to get to Herobrine.

Herobrine suddenly flashed away from his spot and reappeared before the miner with his sword coming down at his head, teeth were visibly clenched and his expression was dark from Steve's words.

…

Steve quickly stopped in his tracks and flung his blade upright and held tightly as the opposing weapon came down against it, a loud clang reverberated through the trees and made Steve's arms wobble from trying to hold back the power. The sound shortly changed to a shrill metallic scraping noise as the hero dragged his sword heavily across the other with his show of anger. He pulled the blade back, that was when Steve made a decisive move to counter attack; he didn't know if he could manage with the small amount to time to move but there was only one way to find out.

He whipped the sword around and swung it upwards but Herobrine was quick to jump back a few feet, he geared up to counter the miner's counterattack with a swing from high above; that was when the miner quickly dove away as the enchanted weapon when straight down and into dirt with a heavy thud. Steve's shoulder hurt too much to deflect that kind of an attack, he really hoped that the Hero wouldn't use that method repeatedly. The miner quickly scurried back onto his heels and deflected another strike from Herobrine, he wasn't prepared however, for the hero to make a swift and unexpected kick into his chest at the same time. The powerful shove made the miner fly back a few yards and roll right into the trunk of a tree, he made an effort to stand and that was when a hand wrapped around his throat and pulled him up onto his feet before letting go to have the sword's hilt coming flying at his head.

The miner backed right against the jagged tree bark and rose his arm up to take the blunt force instead of his head and risk being knocked out, he managed to endure the paining pointy hilt nailing into his flesh and whip his sword around to get the ancient hero to back away and give him the space.

…

Herobrine leapt backwards then sprinted right back up to the miner's place and this time he held his weapon back behind him as he brought a knee right up into the mortal's stomach, the human instantly smacked into the oak and lurched forward as he doubled over in pain from the rounded force. Steve wrapped his arms around his lower stomach as the powerful being moved away, he wished that he had worn the armor after all to lessen the blows. The man coughed a few times and a stray tear rolled down from one of his eyes, he took a few seconds to now gulp some air and make a better standing position. He forced his spine into a straight position, using his free arm to help it bend into place.

This was mere child's play, the being thought as he walked to the center of the small grass field. He gave the miner respect for actually showing up and for the guts to actually fight. However, the mortal wasn't strong enough nor fast enough to match him, it was quite pathetic. His little 'naïve' words and promise was too. He was even going easy on the guy. He contemplated on ending it already but the human was capable of surprises quite often so he decided he'll let the man have a few more attempts, though they are all bound to fail. He would give enough attempts to at least somewhat fulfill the debt, winning it too soon would be so unfitting.

…

Herobrine now stood in the middle of the clearing and let his weapon hang loosely at his side like he didn't even need the effort to win this match, this actually upset Steve since he was trying hard enough to just to keep up with the movements and that was with the aided power and speed of the blade. He had a deep feeling inside that Herobrine wasn't really trying at all, in fact that if he did then this fight would be over in a matter of seconds.

He didn't know what compelled him to suddenly charge at the disinterested being but he took a hold of the diamond blade with both hands and propelled the sword forward as he neared the old hero. Herobrine flexed his wielding arm and rolled his stiff neck as the human got closer, he then swiftly sprang up with a good jump and landed on one knee and one foot just behind his opponent. He then rose up as Steve skidded to a stop to turn but Herobrine was too quick and he brought his elbow into the man's back, sending the miner stumbling forwards with an 'oof'.

…

Steve regained his footing and spun on his toes to find a sword tip moving across his face, he turned his head and leaned back just enough to avoid the fast deadly sharp end passing over. He felt something trail down his face and he wiped away the irritating liquid with the back of his hand only to find crimson smeared across it, the weapon had grazed his cheek and he was lucky enough not to get his face split open.

Herobrine swiftly kicked Steve's left ankle and made the miner trip forward, he then brought the blade down to stab the now grounded man but Steve quickly rolled away using the blade's ability to give him enough speed to avoid the deadly jab coming right at him.

He rolled just a little further then crawled up onto his knees and then feet as the hero slowly walked towards him. How much longer he could pull off this kind stunt was beyond him. He was now deeply inhaling air and sweat was beginning to coat his forehead and this was only the start of the real final fight. He needed to land a hit of his own and do something or he was bound to lose soon. Just making blatant attacks were getting him nowhere, he needed to catch the being off guard and maybe then he could do some damage with a surprise attack. Before he could plan out any kind of tricky tactic however; the hero was already up on him with multiple swings hammerings against Steve's blade, it was becoming too wearisome to continue guarding powerful strikes like that. He had to do something and quick.

"He-ro-bri-ne." Steve grunted through the loud ear piercing clinks, he clinched his teeth and stepped backwards with each heavy strike of diamond on diamond; trying to lessen the blows by getting further from the old hero but that being moved along with him and Steve stopped. It couldn't get himself cornered by the trees again.

…

Herobrine finally stopped his strikes then pulled the sword back and thrust it forwards at the miner, only to have his blade tip ram into to the opposite sword's blade length. The being made a wicked grin as he noticed that the miner had managed to block it, barely. If that human was even a fraction of a second off of his new guarding position then the fight would of ended right there. The man had surprised him, he didn't expect that the miner could make such a decisive move within the short amount of time he had. It was interesting to see him use the power of the blade, but finding out how long it lasts now would be more exciting; the human was already breathing heavily and huffing loudly. Herobrine suddenly shoved the diamond sword into the other and that caused the miner to stumble backwards. He found the sounds of the human struggling to be a little too enjoyable, similar sounds were usually made by his victims before he got them.

…

Steve stumbled back and stopped near a tree, he was getting cornered again and this would open another opportunity for the hero to use it to his advantage. Steve however; needed space, he needed the room to move around since his movements were limited. He quickly darted away as Herobrine moved his sword back before bringing it down into wood, but he was slow as if he had intended to be move a slower pace to lengthen the battle. Steve made his way out into the clearing and contemplated on the idea of running up and attacking the being from behind, but the form quickly flashed away from that spot.

…

Herobrine missed purposely to see what the miner would do next, he expected the human to take the opportunity to and strike from behind but the attack never came. The mortal was being smart, he had planned to take his blade and jab it behind him once the footsteps neared; but it didn't happen. He jerked the sword out of the tree trunk and turned to see Steve out in the open, waiting with his both of his hands holding the blade firmly in place. Herobrine flashed away and reappeared behind the human with a smirk on his face, he was so tempted to just impale the mortal through the back; to do so was almost instinctual. It was too easy though, merely too soon to end the fight.

A few thoughts of how to take out the human was forming in his mind, such methods he once used on the unsuspecting men he had killed before. So many different ways to get the mortal. Herobrine could feel the rush of adrenaline flowing through his veins, it was if he was hunting humans again. His grin widened, he could smell the blood already.

…

The miner made a quick glance around and shock filled his face for a brief moment as he fully turned around to see Herobrine's head lightly crooked with a twisted smile and eyes glowing brightly, a face he hadn't seen since before he saved the being from the lava pit. "Herobrine?" He nervously asked, showing somewhat of a worried expression.

…

Herobrine's grin faded and so did his sudden eagerness to ambush and hack away at the body, a part of him simply switched off. That worried face reminded him of his long lost friend Lionel, that man had worry written on his face during many battles; like he was scared but not of the monsters... but for the hero.

…

Once seeing the ancient being making a more 'normal' look at him, Steve decided that now he could attack; that last grin though just made him tense like Herobrine didn't care to fight but only to kill. "Ahhhhhhhhhhh!" Steve pulled the blade to his side and screamed at the tops of his lungs, now charging straight ahead at the man in front of him.

…

Herobrine watched for a second and prepared to thrust his sword right into the miner once he got close enough, that could finish the fight and it would be 'fair' and more honorable; for it would be the human's own doing getting himself impaled on the blade once it is raised up at the last second. However as the man neared him time had appeared to slow down, the man charged in slow motion. Herobrine could see Steve's form shift out and blur then re-blend into a man with Silver armor and that same determined face.

… …

"Ahhhhh-ccckkkk!" Lionel and his blade went back first onto the grass and he took deep rapid breaths as a shadow obscured the sun's fading rays.

"Why don't you just give up already? You cannot best me Lionel, it's time to call it quits and head home for it will be dark soon and you'll need whatever energy you have left to fight off any mobs during night patrol." Herobrine moved a hand downward and awaited for his friend to take it.

Lionel sneered then grinned, now swinging the blade at Herobrine's heels, the being quickly leapt back to avoid the hit.

"Ah, that was a nasty little trick you almost pulled off there brother. You could have got me if I were caught off guard." Herobrine frowned. "It wasn't very fair."

The silver-armored knight lightly smiled and took an offense stance before the powerful man. "I didn't say this fight was over, we still have plenty of time and I'm only getting started. Besides, you haven't been fair either. I might not be able to use inhuman speed at will but I can come up with a few tricks of my own."

"You have to be the most resilient and tenacious human alive." Herobrine grinned back.

"You know it." The man held up his iron blade then finally moved forward once more.