Hero's Bane
Chapter 77: For The Greater Good
Edited 7/11/2022
"Are you still friends with him? I know that would seem like a tough ordeal to go through and still hold onto a bond like that; especially after he what he did to you, taking your- was it- father and brother?" He asked placing his free hand on his chin in thought for a brief moment before nodding to himself. "Then the ugly truth he gave so maliciously; not listening to your pleas, only wanting you to watch what he did."
Steve rubbed the back of his hand over his tired eyes and huffed. "Right, there was proof too. My old lucky blade that once belonged to my father; it was cracked when my dad struggled in his dying breath to survive and fend off Herobrine, seeing it nearly break in his futile strike made sense of it's condition."
There was a long pause of silence.
"Herobrine just had to force that memory and make me watch it and I couldn't stop it no matter how hard I tried. No amount of begging would have stopped him, it's like he didn't care if I wanted it to end; some friend he is. So that is the question isn't it?" Steve said more lightly as he brushed the man's hand off of his shoulder. "I honestly don't know if I should even consider it. I plead for him to stop but he didn't listen, what kind of friend would do that to another? I think we know the answer now, we don't have to say it."
"That's very... unfortunate." The traveler said with a heavy sigh and soft sway of his head. "Well knowing the legend of Herobrine that I've heard of; he's not the most 'sane' guy out there, even with powers that would put the most strong and enduring people like you to shame. Since you seem to believe that he is a 'victim' of the fortress and not a perpetrator, then I can't really blame him for being the way he is. Tortured and punished unjustly? If he had to make a deal with something so monstrous and vile to get revenge and compensation for his suffering then it sounds pretty believable, I guess. …
I bet anyone would want to deliver their own justice or revenge for going through punishment from someone as great as… 'Notch'. Yeah, someone so 'great and flawless'. 'All knowing'." His voice dripped with sarcasm as he avoided the miner's gaze. "Someone who abandoned his world and left the inhabitants to stir wrong without his help and guidance." He said more sadly with his shoulders slumped. "Someone who left them unprotected to face his faults because he felt as though he was done with his world and wanted to move onto bigger and better things. What kind of a god is that? He pretty much abandoned them." The man with the black beard finished ever softly with his head hanging low, his face displayed a deep expression of remorse.
"Yeah, it's his fault for this. I suppose." The miner said with hesitance; looking away he massaged his temples in self-frustration, that was hard to admit aloud because he never wanted to believe Herobrine when he said the same thing about being deserted by Notch. "The people made him this way; but what the god did was make everything worse by helping those people deliver injustice, helping them to carry out a sentence that really should have never happened. Where was Notch when the accident happened? Did he not know or see what Herobrine was trying to do that night? What the hero did to those people around him wasn't truly his fault. It's not like he could control himself, there was something wrong with him and he couldn't contain himself in a fit of rage.
So he killed some people out of his hysterical temper? Notch could have done something about the whole mess if he had known right? He could have intervened and saved many lives at that horrific time, he could have prevented so much death. Did he know is the question? And if he did then why would he punish Herobrine and not the true traitor and murderer? … But where was he? Why didn't he stop the killings sooner and saved many lives and souls from destruction and torment? … Does he even have his eyes on our world anymore?" That was the most painful question, to even conceive the notion that Notch had truly abandoned them forever was just dispiriting. Steve shook his head from the pressure building up in his chest. "This is what makes my belief in him so- so… weak lately. I grew up with the belief that Notch was a fair creator that watched over us all of the time, but what happened in that land makes me think otherwise.
Even now I feel forsaken, lost to higher power. Do we even exist anymore to him?" Steve narrowed his eyes and growled. "It's his fault for this! Where was he when he was needed most by his people?!"
The bald man shook his head back and forth slowly, he had a lot to say but he knew that he couldn't say much because of what he had done and because it was simply not the right time to. "You're kind of right, if there's anyone to place the blame for all the wrong done- then it's him. Him for abandoning the innocent and letting the unjust get their way, for making such a stupid mistake, and for letting such a being of vengeance torment and kill his people for so long. He's no prefect god of creation, just a smaller powerful being in a big universe. Just a great designer of his own little world with many imperfections and a scatterbrained mind. He's made too many bad decisions and been selfish to his own creations." He deeply frowned.
"We're all tiny silverfish in this game of life; even 'The Great Notch himself' has his limits." He finished with an excited tone though the voice lacked any elation, it sounded more like a tone of derision with a hint of dread. "He maybe a god in the people's eyes of this world, but he's really just a small speck in the bigger picture of things. He's too faulty and limited to be a real god, he's practically human like you but immortal and with more control over specific things. Nothing more. He's too screwed up to be anything prefect and dignified."
Steve blinked in surprised. He may have been mad at his creator but to hear that the divine being was practically close to nothing that was good was a horrible concept. Even if they were abandoned; at least the creator cared enough for a while and used great power to help humanity during the beginning of the creation of the world. He did once help the people of Antecedent Element and even gave them power and knowledge on how to survive and prosper in the world.
"Why would you say that?" He noticed that the man before him was suddenly taken aback by his words. It was so hard to believe that Notch was in essence: 'limited', but what did he know? He was a simple miner in a complicated world. But even so; Notch was more than a figure of power and design, he was a sign of hope, someone to look up to. He was kind, forgiving, helpful, and if anything else; an invisible friend that could make the worst situations much more brighter with just the thought of him watching over.
"So what if he's not almighty or all-knowing? What if he's not even a prefect god? He's still a somebody who helps us and has the power to, somebody who cares … or did care at one time." The miner finished with hesitance as he rubbed the back of his neck. "So what if he's not in control of everything? He's still a symbol of our hope in this world, he's almost like a hero… or more like a devoted father if he'd just show it. I don't know what's running through his head right now or if he's even listening to us; but he's answered my call plenty of times growing up and even when I asked for that miracle before I fought Herobrine for the final time, in some manner or form I was helped by him. He brought me that miracle, I just know it." Steve paused for a brief moment, if he was helped by Notch then the god 'was' there for him… but he wasn't… was he? Or it could have been just plain dumb luck on his end. The miner brushed the contradicting thought away for now.
"He helped me for real, a long time ago that I recall. So I believe. Like when I was eleven years old, I had a terrible incident. I fell into a deep cavern when I was walking my way home to clear my head of an argument I had with some other kids in a neighboring village, I always took a trip through the oak woods when I was distressed; the silent atmosphere of the woods always leveled my heated head. I was just taking my normal route until the ground just suddenly gave beneath my feet, I didn't have any time to react or jump away. I landed roughly and fractured my ankle badly on stone several blocks below the surface. I thought that I was going to die because I couldn't climb up the stone walls; I really thought I was when I had to travel through multiple dark cave systems to find a way out, I didn't have a single torch and yet I held onto the hope that he was protecting me.
I painfully crawled for hours out of that cave and eventually found the light at the end of the tunnel, I only encountered one spider on the way out and it strangely left me alone when I was an easy target dragging myself across the damp stone just inches away from it. I believed that Notch was looking out for me. I would have been dead for sure if he wasn't, no luck could prove that spider's benevolence when they are always aggressive and more so in the dark of the caves or at night." The miner bit his lip and mentally took back some of the things he said from before about the deserting god. "And that is why I still hold some hope in him, even if it's small. Whether he really helped me in my battles with Herobrine or if I just got lucky; he's always given me the strength I need, even if it's my own strength through faith in him that was aiding me. I just wished he was here now."
'That's right, I remember now. You were young then but I made the mobs around you peaceful just so that you'd escape unharmed. So that you'd live long enough to this day, a time when I knew I needed you more than you know. I've kept a close eye on you after you lost Anthony and your father, I take my attention off of you for a few peaceful years and tragedy strikes, and not just any tragedy; but a big threatening Herobrine one.
I was fortunate he didn't take you again. Been watchful of you for the most part after that day, like when you were poisoned in a mine when you ran into a nest of cave spiders while searching for diamonds. Only when you got poisoned did I help out without a physical appearance. It's quite difficult to stir other people towards you, I can't control their freewill but I can always throw a hint. Revealing myself could have dramatically change things and it wouldn't be for the better; not regarding Herobrine.
He'd sensed my powerful presence easily in that dark state of his and that could have triggered him to come after me, thus possibly getting you killed for revenge again... like he did the first time… if he remembered or started to. Then he'd start another fight with me and he is formidable and very adaptable in combat as proved before his removal from my turf. He's tried once when I first came back to this world after my long absence, our encounter was brief with my hasty retreat but the hatred in those eyes showed that he was bent on fighting to the death.
I took a few good blows to the gut that I can still feel when I think back to that day. He was so silent, so enraged and feral with those blinding eyes; he was nothing like the brother I used to know. I couldn't even convince him to listen, no words would reach him. Thankfully he's more right in mind as of the moment so he's got more on his mind than wanting revenge or starting a fight, he wouldn't attack me now anyways because he has enough sense at the moment to know that he'll lose. I've never lost to him. He probably doesn't even know that I am here right now,… for now. It would only be a matter of time before he-'
"Hey?" Steve waved a hand in front of the staring man's face and the guy jumped back a little and blinked. "You still there?" He waved again.
"Sorry, … I'm sorry. I was just thinking, pretty deeply." The man said with a bit of nervousness. "I do that often, even my friends and associates complain sometimes." He laughed quietly. "But what you said… I- I think that you're right. So what if Notch isn't perfect or makes the best decisions; then it's okay, he still cares about his world and the people that live in it. I believe that he's still invested in the life here and is listening right now, being patient, getting answers and waiting for the right moment." The man smiled. "He can make mistakes too; not just ordinary people, but we can't dwell on those. Just like you can't on your failures Steve." The traveler, Notch gave a more confident look.
"I think he has something planned and just waiting for the right time to fix everything at once. Maybe he even needs help? … I can't say just yet; knowing what I know as a humble traveler, but maybe he needs it? Maybe he needs someone that believes in him and would do anything in their power to help? Maybe he has his reasons for all of this; for being so silent, absent, for being so reclusive in this world?"
"Notch needing help?" Steve asked with puzzlement. "That sounds- unlikely."
"Maybe so, if he's not prefect then maybe he needs assistance from people like you. Someone who has faith in him, someone who wants to do what's right, to help fix his wrongs? This might just be a calling as strange as it sounds."
The miner tapped his chin absentmindedly. "It still sounds strange that someone so powerful would need help of a lowly human, there's not much that I can do as a mortal but at least the idea still gives me the reason to continue believing in him."
"Power is not everything miner. You can easily smite your foes, but it doesn't fix anything, sometimes it makes things worse." 'Like punishing Ender and wiping Herobrine's memories and placing him back in this world, see what good came out of doing either?… If you only knew Steve.' "Listen. If- Notch is not prefect; then its safe to assume that he's made some mistakes and wants to fix them. I personally believe that you were meant to do this." 'I've waited long enough and my plan to send you into that valley and to stop Herobrine's wrath might have come to an abrupt halt, but I have not failed. Not yet.'
"Even if that was the case, it can't happen." The miner said with a low tone of voice, this made the bearded man's smile fall flat.
"Why not?" The bald man asked.
The miner's frown deepened and he narrowed his eyes. "I'm not friends with him anymore. I don't even want to see Herobrine again and I'm sure it's the same way with him not wanting to see me. What makes you think that'd I'd help Notch anyways?" He asks turning away. "It's not like I was meant to save the world of a tormentor's wrath, I am but a simple man who's suffered enough. Notch, has he not seen my torment nor my tethered soul? I just want to go back home and protect my sister and my mother, they're all I have left and I am sure they're needing me as we speak.
I've been away from them long enough and it's going to take weeks to get back to the house, I can't afford to stay away from them any longer. Thanks for the good intentions on helping me but I must go, goodbye." And with these words; the miner turned back on the path and began his slow stride, the words of the traveler plagued him with each thought. He'd love to help the mighty creator but he knew he couldn't, the god would have to find someone else; that was if he was needing it or even had his eyes on the world or not.
"I see." The taller man said quietly to himself as the miner walked further and further away. "It's selfish of me to do this to you, to push this request on you. To lie just to get you to do 'my' work for me." He said under his breath so that the miner couldn't hear. "I really don't want to fix things my way… I won't be able to reason with him, he'll never listen to me with a right mind ever again. Herobrine would just become that mindless monster in order to take me out, then I'd have to do more than wipe his memory; I'd be forced to destroy him.
His loss of control is my fault and though I can't dwell on it, the fault will always be mine and I will remember it till the end of time. I shouldn't have asked you Steve, you deserve to live your life in peace and to the fullest extent that you can take it since you didn't get to the first time around. But destroying my adopted brother is something I truly wish to avoid, his rampancy is my doing and I 'should' be the one to correct my mistake. But you- you hold hope for me as I do to you. We still rely on each other strangely, after all of the given circumstances. Me for letting Herobrine have his way with my creations long enough, and you for giving up on me.
I still remember the pained look on your lifeless features when I found you in your ruined home, just remembering it is reason enough to let you continue your simple life. Alas, I can't. I just can't yet. As much as you deserve a to live peacefully; I cannot let it be, no matter how selfish it is.
Besides, you made a choice back then." Notch blinked and could almost see the first Minecraftian before him, his head tilted downwards so that his eyes hid in the shadows of the setting sun of the Aether; behind him was a portal. "I gave you one of two options and you chose to come back for one specific reason Steve. You don't remember obviously, but you knew that when you made your choice. All because of Herobrine.
That is your purpose in this life now, the return to the Overworld was for 'you' to stop him; no matter how it was done. It's what you wanted, I shared that feeling. You in your current state of mind may have never wanted this; but sacrifices have to be made for the greater good, no matter how cruel they may be. We agreed back then. It's really up to me if I should be selfish and get you to do it, or just get rid of the problem on my own. … But I've made up my mind and have kept your choice with me over all these centuries; it's also of my own wish, I want what you want; peace to the people and to Herobrine." The bald man tilted his head towards the miner's direction, the miner hadn't got too far with his slow amble. "Wait. Steve, Wait." Notch said more loudly.
The miner stopped and turned on his heels with a sigh of annoyance. "What? I need to get to the next village by sunset and I don't have time to waste, I'm too tired and I just want to rest."
"I am sorry friend, but I can't just let you walk off like that."
"Like what?" The miner asked with a slouch in his new standing position, his shoulders slumped downward in his exhaustion. The man then began to stroll back towards the other carelessly.
"Like what you are doing now." The bald man gestured as he approached the ambling miner, Steve stopped when he was within a few blocks of the guy. "Walking away from your promises man, looking so empty and filled with regret and failure? I sort of put you into the mess so I want to try and get you out of it if I can, for what's best for you and what's best for everyone." He moved closer and firmly gripped the man's shoulder, determination beamed in his eyes. "I want what's best for you, to undo these letdowns and restore that incredible confidence you had when I first met you a few weeks back. You can't count those broken promises as failures if you don't give up yet, you can still keep those promises."
"I couldn't keep them." He said sullenly.
The taller one nodded. "Well yeah, so far. So you didn't keep those promises or maybe you hit rock bottom in your self-esteem right now, that hardly changes anything that you 'can' do right at this moment. I know that Herobrine has put you through a lot, but promises are promises you know? You can't just leave them behind so easily, that is what real failure is; giving in and walking away from your troubles. Life is full of tribulations, you just have to cast aside all of your doubts and negative thoughts aside if you want to do what's right. That's what Lionel would do huh? He's never given up no matter how bleak his situations became, he's truly strong and you could be too. Give everything you got and fight a good fight… to the very end."
The miner blinked with surprised but exhaled outwardly with his eyes narrowing lightly. "Easy for you to say. I am not him and nor am I my dad. I know my failures, all of my broken promises. I have all the reason to feel this dread after what I've been through, I just don't seem have the will anymore. That phrase just isn't- it's not mine." Steve replied with a dull tone and tried to pull away but the hand kept him from moving away, the traveler sure had a strong grip he noticed.
"Hold on, just let me speak." Notch gestured in his abrupt interruption. "I bet you have friends that are counting on you, do you really want to walk away from them now? What if they are in the line of danger? Do you really want them to end up like the many innocent that Herobrine attacked?"
Steve looked down at the grass beneath his heels for a moment and looked back up as he finished his thought, the traveler looked pretty stern and the subject was serious one. "No. But what choice do I have? I am nothing but a mere man that mines rocks for a living."
"You have the choice to return and make things right. I now know enough of your story to help you out. I don't want to see you like this… and I sure as Nether don't want to hear the news of many people and a village being wiped clean from the face of this world. Just knowing that their souls are fueling a dastardly beast is hard enough to take, if it holds true." He finished with a hint of doubt to sound more convincing to the miner.
"It's true." Steve replied blankly as he tried to turn back around. "I don't want to lose what little friends I have there but-"
The taller man stepped forward and grabbed the miner by the shoulder and spun him around with a good and forceful grip, Steve blinked in surprise from the sudden action. "Listen; walking away from your problems won't fix them, they might only get worse if you do."
"And what do you expect me to do? Go back? And after what he did to me and my family?" Steve held out his arms and gaped in disbelief. "We took the loss of their lives pretty hard back then when they died. Mom had to work hard all day long to support us; from sunrise to sunset most days in the fields. Even my younger sister was put to labor, they struggle to make ends meet back at home now and I have wasted enough time with this whole 'mess'!" He pointed to the ground in anger. "And me? I had to get the most dangerous and laboring job there was because we needed to pay for the safety at the village, I had to put my life on the line; what seems like countless times, just to help make ends meet and put food on the table.
I always loved mining despite the dangers of it, even as a young kid; but I always took the risks to reap what benefits I get from finding the most prized ores. Mining pays well no matter what dangers it involves, the job became like second nature and I was seriously hoping to enjoy my time in a scarcely explored land to help my remaining family, yet all I get is nearly two long weeks of nothing but torment! I'm done!" He said now trudging away until a hand caught him by the arm and held firm.
"But you can't leave now." The bald man said somberly as the miner tried to pull himself out of his grasp. "You can't leave him all alone to face this 'monster' in which you speak of." The miner jerked out of his hold and started walking, putting more distance between them. Notch sighed heavily and straightened his posture. "So Herobrine killed them?" He shrugged. "Did he really mean to hurt you back then? Do you think that he'd repeat his actions today if the both of you could just go back to that time? Did he feel the guilt? He has a heart right, being a hero of old?" The miner stopped and stood in place.
Steve's eyes snapped open and he slowly turned on his heels, a striking realization just hit him. "Wait, come again?" He asked with his brows furrowed.
"You said that Herobrine was once a hero right? A hero driven mad from what humanity did to him? You said that he made a pact with Ender and was set free of his prison, it was then when he started years and years of killing. It's not like he knew or even cared who he killed at the time, his mind was set on two things; revenge and his deal. Your father and your brother were killed by him but he did not have the intent to make 'you' personally suffer, he was doing it-"
"Because he wanted revenge against Notch… and because he had no choice but to." Steve finished quietly with his mouth hung agape. He looked down at his palms with a blank stare and then it happened; he could see Herobrine's look of guilt that he had back in the woods after forcing the dreadful memory. 'He needed souls, he hated all mortals. It was never anything personal against me… and yet he still showed me? Why?'
…
"Forget it, words won't no longer be enough to get you away from me. Only actions can do anything for me now."
"I didn't come here to talk, but to get rid of you."
"We've talked long enough, now it's time that I show you the real reason why I wanted you here. The reason that you will hate me and have every desire to kill me!"
"I don't need any excuses nor reasons for what I am about to do, it's all the better to benefit me and even your own wellbeing."
He could have stopped the memory but he continued to- …
"You don't need to know."
"Go ahead Steve, if you wish to get your retribution then pick up the sword and strike me down now."
"I am the one who showed you the truth of what happened to your brother and father that night, it was me who killed them and severed their souls without mercy. You have every right to hand out revenge which is why I gave you the blade, the punishment seemed 'fitting' enough. I do not wish to talk about anything else and I have my reasons but they do not concern you. Either finish it here and now or go and never return, those are your only options mortal."
…
"Now I think I know why. Mercy of Notch. Why have I been so stupid?!" Steve slapped his right palm on his forehead and growled. "I was too blind- too focused on my loss and the whole memory that I didn't realize that Herobrine murdered them because he had to, it wasn't personal at the time, it was just what he was doing to replay that damned beast and because he hated Notch. I wasn't a specific target and neither was my family. He showed me all of that memory to make me want to leave or kill him just so that he could either die to escape Ender's endless debt or send me off so that I wouldn't be killed by him.
That damn idiot!
Why does he have to be a coward? I mean sure his hands were turning to black dust back in the Nether by the strange power and the walls of his Nether fortress were coming down by powerful roars alone, but he has more power than any other being in this world! He's the only one who even stands a remote chance to fight, but he's afraid and too stubborn with his stupid honorable code. Damn it Herobrine, why couldn't you've just given me a chance to speak?! We could have avoided the whole fight, could have avoided that … memory. Ignorance would have been bliss."
"It sounds like his reasons are generous strangely enough, he doesn't want to kill you or get you killed." 'I can't believe that he values your friendship with him so much, it's so unlike him. 'Lionel is acceptable because he's not the original… but Steve? He's different but he's done more than I ever expected him to, he's gone and befriend his greatest enemy. Although, Herobrine seems not to remember the other version of him- and thankfully he hasn't yet to. Lionel I can understand, Lionel was meant to be compatible without rousing the oldest of memories, but Steve? He's- he IS the original, the first Minecraftian reborn; the one Herobrine hated so much because-.'
"You're right." The miner started lowly. "I have to go back, I have to find him and clear up this debt. Friend or not, I can't let him revert. I definitely can let him hurt my friends. … I only wished that I had realized everything sooner, it might be to late now for all I know."
"You can only hope that he's struggling with his decision."
"As far as I know he should be. To just simply forget Lionel, a brother. It may be hard but I believe that he will need some time. I have to stop him now, at all costs." Hands at both of his sides squeezed tightly into fists.
"But what if he tries to kill you?"
"Then I'll fight." The miner replied abruptly with a frown and slanted brows. "I'll fight until I die. That's what my brother and my father did, it's what I'll do too."
"I can't say I was expecting such an answer so easily."
"Well I understand now. Herobrine is possibly desperate to be free of Ender and I just know that he doesn't want to surrender; but he's too afraid to fight the End beast. So I have decided… I am going back to the fortress." He replied calmly with a serious expression, his eyes held that glint of determination once more.
Notch was a bit surprised with his raised brows. "And just what do you plan to do then? Confront him? Fight? … Kill him?"
"I don't know what quite to do yet, but I know that I'll find him there; maybe even a miracle too. That shrine within the fortress still holds some of Notch's power if the legend is true, Herobrine's paranoia of my first search for it seems to make it out to have real power. This shrine may be the one thing I need to stop Herobrine and Ender, I am unsure if I am to simply ask Notch through it or just have the will to make something happen. All I know is that it's the one link I have to him and possibly my own pillar of strength. I won't kill Herobrine, I'd rather die before I ever do that. Besides, it's not like it's possible for a third time to have the opportunity to kill him again. I do have to convince him to end his debt to Ender somehow, it won't be easy and I am already expecting the worse. That shrine is my last hope and I don't have much time to waste, the travel will be a long one."
"I see." The bald man looked down at his feet; lost in thought. 'So you are going to rely on me then, not just through the belief in one who seems gone but because you still truly believe that I am here in this world? Or my power is. Very well, I will help … somehow. I definitely owe it to you and every mortal for leaving you all to take this horrible fate for so long. I will give support for whatever it is that you need for help, though I am afraid it won't be much. Capturing Herobrine would be the best option, there's a few things I can do if you manage to subdue him long enough. Hmmm...'
"What are you going to do about your family?"
The miner gaped quietly and then his mouth fell to a light frown, he knew what he had to do and he didn't want miss the opportunity to see them again but the greater good of his possible sacrifice weighed their lives as well as so many more innocent's. "I suppose nothing, they are capable on their own. Mom is a hard worker and Stephanie is learning how to use a sword, I am sure they will manage well on their own as much as it pains me to admit. I never wanted to leave them but as you've said, it's what is for the best. My mother and sister would be safer in a world that isn't haunted by Herobrine."
"Ah, good point. Now what about the End beast? What are you going to do if he goes after Herobrine?"
"Uhhh." Steve nervously scratched the back of his head and looked away, he didn't really think that far through. "I honestly don't know."
"If Herobrine enriched the land with power then Endermen will prove to be powerful as well as other mobs. Plus they harbor souls. If the pearl smashes…"
"Then… no- that can't be good." Steve grimaced. "I had an encounter with an Endermen when I came near this valley and it was very strong and quick. I don't know how we're going to fight them off, I suppose we just run for water but that will only help for so long. … I honestly have no idea or how much time we'll have when Ender figures out that Herobrine will no longer obey him… that is if I can convince him. Wow… I- I am in for a suicidal mission unless we can find a way to stop or fight Ender." Steve rubbed his aching temples, he really didn't want to believe how much trouble he was about to sign himself up for. "I really hope Herobrine will immediately agree with me and be strong enough to protect us both because there is no way that I am going to have energy to make it all the way out there and fight those mobs."
The miner exhaled loudly and slumped his upper torso downward with his heavy arms, a groan of discontent escaped his lips. He was still sore from the village incident and sore from his beatings by Herobrine from pervious encounters, not to mention his run through the woods took a good amount of energy as well as the blade's power draining effect. He hadn't had a decent meal in days now, his physical condition showed just how much being starved and restless had taken a toll. His clothes could have faired better, his pants faired better but were worn around the knees and feet. His cyan shirt still had the slit from the stab wound to the chest he got a while ago, a sleeve was also torn and the fabric was stained in various places; any fabric below the stab wound was tinted a nasty reddish-brown color.
His muscles have decreased in size noticeably, being without food and strength had burned through any fat reserves; he barely had any to begin with. Now his body was eating away at his muscles for compensation, they were essentially a source of energy and it was taking a huge toll on his ability to move and carry things now. Even a small sprint across the grassy path seemed like a difficult feat, or so it felt like it.
All Steve knew was he was in for death wish. It's like he was meant to fail if he was to go back into that accursed land and take the long journey to a mob infested place with a possible entity that could be murderous once more by the time he got there. The odds were definitely stacked against him but he had to try, Lionel and his father's old quote was apart of the Stonewall name and it was his as well as much as he wished to it not to be. A strange feeling was gnawing at the back of his head and it was starting to feel more like a headache coming on, but this feeling was prodding him to move on his aching feet to do what is right. 'Till the very end.' He recited quietly to himself in his head. By Notch he needed a miracle now and he hadn't even started back towards the ancient fortress.
The miner leaned back up and placed his hands behind his back as he stretched back into a more upright position, he needed to get going and soon. First he figured he'd have to return to the village briefly and get a weapon, any weapon to defend himself since he refused Herobrine's. He'd definitely need a sword or axe to protect himself before heading into the valley, he'd need torches too and possibly a little bite to eat before he leaves for the ravine. A pick and some rope would be essential too, how else was he going to get out of the deep hole at the end of the tunnel?
Herobrine wasn't going to be so nice as to do it again. He needed to hurry and get prepared, Herobrine could easily become that glaring white-eyed demon that he was when he first revealed himself to the miner. Steve could only pray that the being was having loads of trouble or else he'd be walking to his demise. Sadly he could already hear death calling his name. "I can't waste anymore time here friend." Steve began a decently paced amble back towards the gravel road several yards ahead of him. "I need to get going if I am going to make it back to the village and then to the ravine before nightfall. It'll be dark in the caves so the idea of nighttime wouldn't be so bad since it'll be dark down there."
"Wait, just one more thing then." The bald one quickly grabbed the miner by the shoulder and whirled him around carefully. The bald man now had a shining golden apple in his hand, he lifted up towards the miner as an offering. "I am sorry for putting you through so much and for basically ruining your life in a span of a few weeks. I hope you will forgive me for that." He said more somberly but recovered quickly with a friendly smile. "Also, I can't help but notice your growling stomach, this isn't much-" He placed the fruit into Steve's open palm and closed the man's fingers around it. "But food is food after all and you will need all the energy that you can get."
Steve looked down at the apple in his hand as the traveler's hand slipped away. The apple was radiantly bright, almost seeming like it was shining with a luminous glow. It was almost enchanting, reflecting his form on it's clean and gleaming surface like a mirror. It smelled delicious, the faint aroma was nearly prompting him to just bite on into it right then and there. This fruit was definitely strange and nothing like regular golden apples nor the regular red ones, but food was food. Steve clamped his fingers tightly around it and looked back up to face the traveler. "Thank you." He said with outmost gratitude.
"Not just for the apple but for the encouragement. I am sure I would have beaten myself up if I returned home and realized Herobrine's intention, I wouldn't be able to live with the guilt for abandoning him out there to face Ender alone or become a mindless monster again. I came out here with so much hate and anger and now all I feel is guilt, but that's a good thing. I could have made a huge mistake if you hadn't stopped me and put my mind on the right track." He looked back down at the fruit and brought the shining object up to his mouth, he then moved it closer and bit down into the glowing apple. His eyes immediately shot open from the piece he chewed upon, a tingling sensation formed in his mouth. The apple was very delicious; possibly the best he's ever had, and there also seemed to be something else about it that he just couldn't figure what it was. "This is delicious."
"You're welcome, not just for the fruit but for the push. That motivation you have will carry you far." The man said with an earnest smile, he looked a lot more happier than before. "I would like if we could talk more, there's- well there's something I would like to talk about regarding who you are but time isn't of the essence anymore. You should get going soon, there's no telling when Herobrine relapse right?"
Steve nodded and let his hand and the apple fall to his side as he smiled back at the traveler. "Right, I can't say if I'll come out of this alive or if I will even make it far, but I must try. There's promises weighing on me as well as the lives of innocent people."
"Then I wish you the best of luck miner, the fate of many rest on your shoulders and so does Herobrine's. Wouldn't want to let an old friend down would you?"
"Never." Steve smiled with confidence, he strangely felt more rejuvenated as he stood there second after second.
"Who knows? Maybe we'll bump into each other again eh? Maybe then we can talk more?"
Steve didn't want to get too overly confident about surviving it all so he replied lightly with a simple word. "Maybe."
The traveler took a few steps back and folded his arms over each other. "I have so much to thank you for but thank you mostly for not giving up, you don't know how much that means to me." 'You really don't. This is why you are the greatest creation Steve; Jeb was so wrong, the dragon may be more powerful but he's got nothing when it comes to loyalty and determination.'
"Lionel would be proud. …Your father would be proud too. Fight a good fight Steve." He simply waved and turned away and began to walk.
"Thank you too friend." Steve turned his back for a moment and he suddenly realized something , something strange. His eyes went wide. "Wait! How do you know my-" Steve hastily spun on his heels to find the traveler but the man was mysteriously gone, he wasn't even on the grassy path anymore. "-Name." The miner scanned his surroundings with haste but the strange traveler was no were in sight; it was as if he just vanished in thin air. "How did he know my name? I didn't tell him." Steve's mouth lightly hung agape and a brow was furrowed from such an oddity. Sure he was a little known in a few places as a miner but he wasn't famous or anything like that, plus he only first met the guy a few weeks ago but never gave his name. Then he said: "Fight a good fight". Steve softly repeated as his wondering eyes left the woods and landing back on the apple sitting in the palm of his hand. That man was definitely an odd one but questions were to be reserved for later.
The miner finished his apple, he even ate the core; seeds and all as he made his way back towards the village. He only spat out the small stub of a stem and wiped away invisible traces of juice from the corners of his mouth with the back of his palm. He was walking with more haste as he moved down the gravel road, feeling as though energy just burst out of nowhere and filled his limbs with vitality. "I'll make it back to the village in no time at all as long as this feeling lasts." The miner said to himself as he started lightly sprinting down the road, he hadn't felt this much energy in him since he taken back to the village once he was freed of the Nether realm. Granted he was still sore but the pain wasn't as intense.
A lot weighed on his mind in his rush for StoneEdge, he had to take account of everything he needed and what he was bound to run into once he got out the village. The people would most likely leave him alone considering the fact that Jimmy was tortured and killed for trying to put an arrow through him, so it was probably safe to assume that no one wanted to mess with him or even be near him. Another thing was that bothered him was facing Herobrine again and the journey it was going to take to see him again.
He was definitely going to run into a mob or two; maybe hordes through the caves and the fortress. He was risking everything he had left, even the safety of his remaining family members. If he failed then their lives would surely be in danger should Herobrine venture out far enough to claim his prey again. Then there was the notion of Ender's creations, if he was able to convince Herobrine then there was still immediate danger to face when Ender would realize that Herobrine's debt had been forcefully ended. There would be no way to face the power and quick transport ability of an Endermen but he had to try, to fight the good fight as the traveler and his predecessors said.
The only thing that truly weighed on him was the thought of his loving old mother and his younger sister Stephanie back at home. His mom had sacrificed so much to raise him and even now was busting her joints to keep their house, she loved that old home and cherished it so much. Her husband made it for the both of them and they had lived in it the day after their marriage; so he was told. The woman was a sweet one and raised him with good ethics, she was kind but also caring and cautious. Unfortunately she changed to a more worried and paranoid person after her man's and son's death, she hasn't been the same since the onslaught of the village and her beloved ones.
Stephanie was much more mature now, she was twenty-one years old and had been practicing with a sword so she was becoming quite the fighter. Still, she was putting her self at risk in working for a job as part of the village watch team like dad had been, though it was voluntary since they refused her to join the squadron. She'd have to face mobs more often and during the night if she eventually gets hired; for now she stays at the stables and tends to the animals until her skills improve. Both mother and sister were all the miner had left and they only had him left as well, it would be sad to go and tell them goodbye, he could only imagine the heartbreak because he was certain that his fate in the valley wasn't secure. He wasn't even sure if he could make it. He had one chance to see them again and he flees the opportunity, but it for the greater good. Or so he kept telling himself.
"Forgive me mom, Stephanie. If I don't return- then please try and find a new place to live, our home holds so much sentimental value after being built by dad but it's not worth the hardships financially. If not then- then just take care of yourselves. Stephanie, take care of mother for me." Steve finished with a heavy tone of voice, he lifted his head when he neared the thick forest that surrounded the village. "It won't be long now, I am coming back Herobrine."
…
Notch stood high on top of an oak as the miner passed under and continued his stride along the gravel path. He watched and waited until the man was far from earshot. "Keep going, you're almost there." He said with a faint smile. "Don't worry too much about your journey though, there's more pathways than one to your destination and it's actually faster than you think. I am sure you'll figure it out soon." He said with his smile faltering and falling flat.
…
"Where was Notch when the accident happened? Did he not know or see what Herobrine was trying to do that night? What the hero did to those people around him wasn't truly his fault. It's not like he could control himself, there was something wrong with him and he couldn't contain himself in a fit of rage. So he killed some people out of his hysterical temper? Notch could have done something about the whole mess if he had known right? He could have intervened and saved many lives at that horrific time, he could have prevented so much death. Did he know is the question? And if he did then why would he punish Herobrine and not the true traitor and murderer? … But where was he? Why didn't he stop the killings sooner and saved many lives and souls from destruction and torment? … Does he even have his eyes on our world anymore?"
…
Notch let out a sigh from the strong words that the miner nailed in his mind.
'I knew what Herobrine was doing at the time but I couldn't stop him without destroying him; I have been conflicted with ending him for his merciless and seemingly endless killings for so long now. I should have brought forth his demise to spare so many innocents of death and torment, spare them of their dreaded fate Ender also gave them. But his reasons to hate and equally punish me are just and I deserved to suffer for bringing so much injustice for so long onto you brother. It was never your fault for the lack of control and mental instability, for the killing of Conner, for the hate you had for me and all of my friends and associates, and for the deep hatred you also hold to the first Minecraftian because of me. It was never your fault, it was mine. You were just the unfortunate victim in the mess of everything in the Aether and now the haunting mess down here. You claimed yourself a false creation who holds no true purpose; feeling as though you shouldn't have even existed.
I always thought that differently brother, I did not once think you couldn't find a place in our world because I know you could if you would have only let it go.' Notch closed his eyes for a brief moment and took a stiff breath of air.
"I have suffered enough now I believe and so have you; I will no longer allow you to continue your hunts, nor tear the bodies and spirits of my people asunder. The Dragon of the end will also end his reign."
'I have waited eagerly for this point in time Herobrine, I waited in agony as you cruelly took the people of this world. I've waited the day that the miner would be ready to face you; whether he would destroy you in battle or spare you and stop your torment was ultimately up to him, I granted this right when you killed him the first time so long ago. Thankfully, he still mostly holds to his morality he had long ago. I was elated that he chose to help you instead of taking the advantage to kill you when he had the few open chances. But if he denies to stop you or fails to now then I'll have no choice but to… destroy.
I am sorry Steve, sorry to everyone for leaving for so long. I should have never left, not even when I had the utmost confidence in my people. Herobrine was getting along well with the people and helped them live and thrive, I became to comfortable with the idea that all would be well and without me. I was wrong, Herobrine was still too unstable and we failed to replicate Minecraftians like the first one we made. After being back for several decades; I can at last fix things, Herobrine and I are now even, we've suffered enough loss and torment though it be different, the pain is nearly the same.
Ender has grown strong and he continues to defy me and twist the essences of my people Steve, I know you understand this. He must be stopped and I- I don't have that ability to do so. Only Herobrine does, he can enter the End realm and do what I can never bring myself to do. Besides, I don't think Herobrine will be able to fight without you being there. He'd lack the resolve, reason to go the extra mile and push to his outmost limit if he didn't have someone there to protect.
Sadly, a great loss will certainly give him the strength he'll need to put an end to my once fond prototype creation. Revenge has always been Herobrine's strong suit, it's the way he was created unfortunately.
I'm terribly sorry to do this to you Steve, I never wanted this but it's for the greater good. You've already died once… I shouldn't allow it to happen again, but it wouldn't be right it were someone else in your place. Herobrine would never learn, even to regain all of his oldest memories; he'd be the same forevermore. Withdrawn and holding onto hate, he'd kill continuously. He doesn't know what it means to forgive, but to befriend you his old hated enemy and then lose you in battle?
This is perhaps the only way he'd come to understand when he regains all of his memories of his distant past. It's bound to happen in the near future, it's already happened twice and I can no longer wipe his memories clean or find something to keep his focus off of his past. I have done enough damage to him as it is. I vowed to never do it again and so I shall never clear his memories again. He will learn regret with his loss as well. He will come to accept that you are no longer his enemy, that you never really were. He would change significantly, hate humans no more.
This would put an end to the one argument that split us apart, he would be jealous of my greatest creation no more.
This journey is all for naught when it comes to your own wellbeing Steve and I apologize. I cannot see it coming out any differently, Ender is more stronger than you know and he has plenty of souls to fuel his power. If you must fall in battle to get Herobrine to overpower the dragon then it must happen. …'
"You must die in the End."