Hero's Bane
Chapter 79: What We Make For Ourselves
Edited 7/12/2022
"Oh my, that is just awfully dreadful my friend." The old explorer shook his head slowly back in forth in dismay. "It's no wonder you wouldn't acknowledge or even look at me back there, you must still be weighed down in distraught and grief." Nigel sipped his tea and gazed at the troubled miner.
Steve didn't look at the elderly gentleman when he spoke but lightly nodded while keeping his eyes on the floor at his feet, he didn't feel comfortable to share all that he had just learned in his last encounter with the white-eyed man.
"Despite this- … yo-you're going back to that accursed fortress?!" Warren suddenly leaned across his bar countertop with his hands at the edge of the wooden slabs for support, his facial features were twisted into one of shock and sympathy for the miner. "But must you throw your life on the line for this? Surely there must be something else you could so instead?"
Steve looked up at the bartender and nodded. "I have already told you guys, I have to. Not just to keep this village safe from Herobrine in the future; but also to stop the beast from destroying souls and using them to attack us. There's no telling how many innocent people have been twisted into his tools, no telling how many may no longer exist in any shape or form." He replied more sullenly, still leaning against the wall while staring at the aged wood at his heels. He shifted his body weight a little for a better leaning position and sighed by the obviously dangerous and likely futile task he had to try to complete.
"Even if I am literarily walking to my death, I would have to at least try to do something. Herobrine is my friend and he has done everything he could to keep me alive and hidden from Ender in the Nether. I owe him one for that, even if he took 'them' away from me and wanted to pay for it by dying. I've done everything I could to earn his trust and even gained him as a friend in the process, that I could never change nor abandon. It took a stranger to realize that I was making a huge mistake running away and leaving things as it is, it would solve nothing and I would have gained more regrets over time. Everything that I worked for beyond these mountains would have been for nothing, a lot more people will die if I just quit now."
Warren's expression shifted to one of uncertainty and he leaned back from the counter and opened his furnace door to check on some meat he had been cooking; he closed the cooker and looked out the window right next to him. "All of this is so hard to take in you know Steven, if it weren't for the fact that it was you to stop Herobrine from leveling our village then I probably wouldn't believe you right now." The man then lightly laughed with a bit of hysteria in his tone. "And to think that this whole time that I have been fighting mobs and killing the kind I hate the most; possibly destroying 'human' souls?"
"You alright my friend?" Nigel looked over at the bartender but the man had been facing away with only his back presented, the old man furrowed his brows when the other started to laugh a little more. "It's no laughing matter, though I highly believe that you're still processing this information and having a difficult time trying to come to terms with it."
"Why wouldn't I?" Warren replied when his fake laughter died down, his voice grew quite and he swayed his head while messaging his right temple. "I just learned that Herobrine murdered part of this young man's family, then tried to offer up his life like a coward, now there's a ferocious beast beyond our world that can destroy us and wants us all dead? And that I may have been wiping out the essence of humanity almost all of my life out of hatred?" Warren fully turned back around with an expression of dread. "How else am I supposed to take it?! Accept it for what it is and don't act like it's not bothering me?!" He finished more loudly.
"Well, I suppose when you put it that way-" Nigel trailed to a silent stop when he thought over the bartender's words, he wanted to remain sensitive on the subject to keep the man at ease.
"It's not easy Warren, it's been hard for me too. More so actually." Steve spoke up again and removed himself off of the wall, he walked up to the countertop and took a seat in a chair close by; now sitting at a table that had two empty glasses of water, a plate with leftover juices from meat with breadcrumbs sprinkled over everything. "I did wound him, I didn't want to, or at least I don't think that I did?" He said with uncertainty, he did get mad enough at one point that he wanted revenge; it just wasn't right to him and he regretted attacking Herobrine with a blade in his emotional distress.
The bartender nodded and remained quiet until he checked on the meat in the furnace once more to find that it was now fully cooked. "Another steak is ready, still hungry?" He asked as he pulled the food item out of the fiery coals and placed it on a clean plate.
"No, I am feeling pretty full right now, so no thanks." The miner said with a faint smile and the wave of a hand. "But yeah, it'll be tough from here on out. I have to find Herobrine and convince him rebel against Ender and call upon Notch for guidance and help to hopefully put an end to all of these massacres done to good people, if 'I' don't then this cycle will go on. Herobrine will continue to kill and Ender would twist our very beings until we, as Notch's people; vanish.
"But." Warren started again but didn't know what quite to say.
"What we make for ourselves from this point on is what we have to look forward to; to hope for a better future and make it our own, a safe one for everyone. If I sit here and do nothing then I am nothing but a coward that has disappointed his father, I would make nothing but misery for myself for the rest of my life and everyone in this village may very well suffer the same fate that has already been bestowed to many. Would you want that?" He looked the bartender square in the eyes, seriousness was heavy in his expression.
"No, but is there any other way?" The older man asked with a remorseful tone; now completely aware of the miner's possibly dreadful fate.
Steve swayed his head back in forth in disagreement. "I'm afraid not. Herobrine will not listen to anybody else other than my predecessor, he's already dead and so that leaves only me. I was the one to face excruciating trials to earn his trust and appear to be like Lionel in most cases, he'll not make another exception with anybody else."
"So it's a sacrifice, very noble but also tragic." Nigel whispered softly, he still held a smile on his face when the other two men before him had frowns. "But I still believe in you my friend, even despite the fact that you may have to fight and kill both Herobrine and Ender if the circumstances demands it. It would be a daunting and enduring task, one that you may or may not survive. Regardless of the steep odds, I just know that you will provide us a miracle, even if you have to die for it. You've done so much already and have faced great odds before, you are truly favored by Notch. But it is always nice to have just a little luck of course, come Steve. I have something for you."
Steve found himself smiling through the horrible odds. "Thanks, if anyone's ever put so much faith in me than it's you. I will do everything that I can and I promise to give it my all." The miner moved away from the table and approached the elderly man, he wasn't surprised when he was handed his old stone sword.
"May you use it well, or better yet; not use it all." Nigel laughed softly and held it by the old wooden scabbard until the miner took it from his grasp.
Steve had nodded in approval and attached the scabbard's straps around his waist to rest the blade at his side. "It's not much, but it's defiantly better than using my hands. It's kept me alive this long."
Warren couldn't help but sigh worriedly, he desperately wanted to help keep his village people alive, particularly Luna. The bartender moved from behind the counter to the chest located close to the furnace, he pried open the wooden box and gazed down at a silver sword. He sighed again before reaching in to take it in his grasp. "Here Steve." He placed it onto the counter softly so that it barely made a sound and admired his own craftsmanship that he had been saving for a special occasion.
The miner spun around and his eyes alighted with curiosity and amazement. Before him laid a newly grafted blade of iron, craftsmanship that would make any blacksmith proud. "Wow, where did you get this?" Steve asked as he took the sword in hand and looked up at his older friend.
Warren smiled and grabbed his cloth to clean up the countertop, he didn't look at the miner because he didn't want the smile and praise; he was a bit bashful of his work considering that he was a bartender and partially a blacksmith on the side on rare occasions. It was kind of a dangerous profession to make such items with the white-eyed one around… or so it once was. "I crafted it a little while ago, about three months for a special occasion. It was for Mark's upcoming day of age, his birthday. It took a lot of time to trade for enough fine iron to make it."
"It's incredible." Steve beamed and ran his fingers along the thin ends. "It's really sharp too."
"I didn't know that you were quite the crafter Willis?" Nigel raised a brow and folded his arms with a friendly smirk.
"There's not supposed to be blacksmiths in this village, remember?" Warren said flashed a smile. "Who else can make weapons and tools in the time of need? Before Steve waltzed in here and shook things up; I was crafting tools and weapons far from the village. I just didn't make many because of Herobrine's dominion over us at the time. And I think I am going to wait a while before making another… at least… at lea-" The bartender's smile wavered. "At least until you return Steve." He finally finished with more confidence. "Or if peace ever comes to our village, I hope for the return more and look forward to it. Because if there's anyone who can get Herobrine on their side than I know it's you. I've already seen it with my own eyes. And this beast… it's caused me a great deal of hardship all of my life; more so than Herobrine surprisingly. I have tons of scars but most are made by Endermen, so make that monster pay."
"Thanks. I'll do what I can about the end beast." Steve nodded and held the iron sword firmly by his side. "I will bring it back… if I can. I am sure Mark would like to have a great blade like this one."
"Aye, he would. But keep it, I can make a better one so as long as we aren't hiding from 'Him'."
"I'll try to bring it back." Steve finished and headed towards the door, he's wasted enough time. "I've been here long enough, I need to go."
"Good luck my friend." Warren finished. "I'll be sure to inform everybody of our fate and what you have learned. I'll also be sure to share your bravery so that they may put their faith in you as well. It'll be hard with this town of cowards and doubters, especially after the village attack; but we'll see. As for me, I still have much more work to do in helping to fix this place up and tending to the wounded." He said turning back around and rummaging through the chest for an axe and a shovel, he then moved out from behind the counter and sauntered towards the door. "Got plenty of houses to fix and a road that needs more gravel, Herobrine has really messed this place up this time; we got lucky this time though, just one casualty and we have you to thank Steven. Good luck out there friend."
"And I'll help to the best of my abilities, I do have a great amount of knowledge when it comes to human anatomy. My knowledge should be good for the wounded, I'm not quite a doctor but I can give it a good go."
"You are more than welcome to help my old friend, and now that our simple mining hero here has rested; it's time to get back out there and get this place back into tip-top shape. We'll need all of the help that we can get." And with that, Warren left out the door with a rag over his left shoulder and his tools in his hands.
"Now that's a good man, Notch would be proud." Nigel quickly reached out and caught the miner by his shoulder before he could exit out the door. "Just one more thing mister Stonewall." The miner had immediately turned his head to the side to see the old man. "Just as I've said before in our horrid predicament back at that old cabin; never forget what you are fighting for Steven. Only this time; it looks like more is at stake, keep a leveled head and focus on what you must do. If Herobrine has went through his reversion by the time you reach him or if he's unreasonable; keep calm, there's always more ways than one to face a problem and get out of it. Keep an open mind and remember us and your family, let your goal not only be powered by the sake of mankind alone; but for those you care about too. When your mind is in the right place and focused on the things you care about then there's no doubt in my mind that you can overcome any obstacle. I wish you the best." Nigel finished with lightly patting the man's back.
"Thanks Nigel, I can always count on you to keep on the brighter side of things." The miner replied and stood by the door with a smile on his face.
"Indeed. I am an explorer who's faced some low odds myself many times in my adventures, I can barely remember the count that I almost died or was killed. Notch must have been looking out for me too." He gestured himself comically and then grabbed a hold of his coat that was lying on a table he was seated next to. "Just don't ever give up my boy and good things will surely come your way. It has for me all of these years." He finished with a light chuckle. "Now I must get on out of here and get to the infirmary, there's wounded to attend to and a few of your friends who need a little incite on what was discussed here. That way they can thank you when you, ahem, when you return of course."
"I will certainly try, apparently Notch needs me too oddly enough. Goodbye Nigel, take care." Steve pressed the door open and took a step out.
"Oh and please do get on good terms with Herobrine, I still haven't got to know him properly and I still have many questions that I need answered for the book I am writing. This is but a simple request."
Steve couldn't help but laugh, the old man was still eager to meet Herobrine despite the fact that the being may be back to his old murderous ways. Even if he wasn't, the miner had a feeling that Herobrine would likely want to avoid the old geezer that wanted to pry into his personal life and past. Steve took one last look behind him and shot the friendly old adventurer a smile. "I'll see you later." Was all he said before he walked out the door and out onto the gravel road.
He looked down the path to see a huge pig wondering about the mass of people lazily moving about the village, the swine appeared as though it was searching for him but the people moving around and carrying things caught his attention and pulled his interest in different directions. Steve quickly ran behind the bar to hide himself from the friendly creature, he definitely didn't need his small companion to go out and get itself killed; sadly Pork Chop would just slow him down so he didn't need to get the animal to notice him. He peeked from around the building to see that the pig had trudged off to only Notch knows where. With a sigh of relief; Steve moved back from the corner of the building and turned around only to gasp aloud and stumble back a few steps from a massive black creature he nearly bumped into.
"Oh Notch Stealth, you almost gave me a heart attack." Steve patted his chest gently a few times then looked up at the friendly mob with his heart still pounding rapidly. "What are you doing here? It's daytime and you're outside where people can see you." Steve looked up through the gaps between the trees above him and noticed that there was an overcast of light grey, it would likely rain soon.
"Vlurp? Heggghh." The Endermen titled it's head and stared at him. It then reached a hand out and placed it on his head.
"Ah, what are you doing?" Steve lightly grimaced and removed the sharp and rough textured hand and claws off of his head.
The Endermen only closed it's single eye and moved it's arm back to it's side; it relished in the feeling that the soul inside once had. Just to put his hand on his head like he used to when they were kids, Steve was obviously shorter at the time but the feeling was the same. He was so close to his brother and would have never remembered fully if it weren't for his encounter of the vile white-eyed demon. So close and yet so far; he always knew that the miner looked familiar but couldn't fully grasp the truth until he figured out what he truly was and who Steve was. It's like he was free of confusion but forever trapped and parted because of Herobrine. The Endermen took a step back. It was for the best to stay distant, especially after hearing through the glass windows of the bar of what the man had to do.
Steve fixed the sticking up tuffs of hair by slicking it back with his hand, he have a questionable look at the mob but the Endermen just stared at him silently without blinking. "You might want to teleport away, it's probably going to rain sometime this evening. Maybe? Now I've gotta go now, I have to make things right and there's no time to lose. So bye." Steve then walked past the mob and towards the gravel road, the mob was acting rather strange; at least it wasn't hostile.
"Vlurp." The miner jumped from the sudden appearance of the mob at his side, the mob just zipped from one place to another and it startled him to have something just up and appear in his face.
"Stealth?" He mildly complained and started to walk again to leave the mob behind. "I don't have time to fool around, I have to get back to the fortress. I can't waste ti-" Steve didn't even get a second to finish before the Endermen grabbed him by the shoulder and zipped away.
The miner felt pulsing hot painful sensations following throughout his body for long seconds at a time, dizziness settled and his body began to burn from the inside out before it all came to an abrupt end. The air was much more chillier than before and when he finally opened his eyes, it was nearly impossible to see anything but black which was fine since his head was spinning. After a minute to stable himself, Steve felt chills upon noticing his newest location; it was like the friendly mob had read his mind and sent him to the one place he had to be. He had both an exciting but worrisome feeling, he didn't have to travel days to get to where he needed to be and he was now back in Herobrine's domain; in the dark with a possible mindless killer once more lurking in the shadows. He gulped in fear but straightened his pose when he heard the Endermen burbled at him and shot him a strong amethyst gaze.
"Whoa is it dark in this place." The miner strained his sapphire orbs through the dark of the lightless stronghold, he could hear the shifting sounds of mobs nearby and this made him panic slightly. Herobrine was obviously a more dangerous threat than any of these mobs, they couldn't even compare to his strength and power.
"Vlurp vlurp." Stealth chimed softly and gazed down at the man, it tilted it's head after seeing Steve narrow his eyes and struggle to see in the empty dark; his eyes were obviously still in the process of adjusting after coming out from the light of day into complete darkness. The mob then moved it's stare in the direction that the miner was looking and spotted hostile creatures, the shorter form was at risk of attack should the monsters spot him or catch his scent. He needed help. The friendly mob moved it's attention around the interior in search for something useful and it's eye landed on a piece of wood hanging from the side of a distant wall; next to two huge wooden castle doors at the main end of the massive room. It fully turned around and vanished from it's spot in an instant.
"Stealth?" The Steve suddenly blinked from the small flash of mauve light that came from his side and looked around him for the friendly Endermen, he didn't expect that the mob would leave this soon. "Ah!" He jumped back with a frightful expression when the Endermen suddenly reappeared next to him, he placed a hand over his chest and took a breath of relief when he saw that single eye now staring down at him. "Please don't scare me like that, I can hardly- what the-?" He felt the mob wrap it's rough textured hand around his wrist and force something into his hand. It let him go and made the strange sounds Endermen often did, but unlike most; it was making the sounds in patterns as if it was talking.
Steve patted the lengthy object and smiled when his hand landed on the sharp textured edges of the one thing he's mined most of his life. Coal ore.
"A torch? Sweet." Steve quickly rummaged through his pockets and smiled when he pulled out his flint and steel. He quickly struck the pieces and created a spark over the dusty torch, flames grew on the wooden object and alighted his area with a warm glow. The torch was shorter than he expected so he was using an old one that probably would stay alit for an hour or so before burning all the way through the old and dry wood. He removed his eyes from the torch and gave a nod of appreciation to the mob. "Thanks."
Stealth appeared to nod back.
Feeling more comfortable with some light he spun in his place while looking up at the high stone brick ceiling that had a very dim glow reflecting off of it, it also had several black forms now scurrying away from his light. "I thought I saw glowing red spider eyes when we arrived here." He replied softly to himself to not provoke any of the mobs. "Now what else is in this place?" Steve's eyes darted all around him in the darkness of the great fortress, the thought of monsters was pushed away when he focused more on the architectural designs around him; it was amazing as it was when he first left the place.
The stone brick walls extended high above him as did the columns that held the marvelous castle together towered him and the Endermen to a great length as expected. It was hard to see with no sunlight shining in the desolate place but the shadowed forms of the stone were somewhat visible high above, or a least a little more than usual with the light of the small lit torch he held. "This place never ceases to amaze me." Steve suddenly said after he removed his gaze from the ceiling and stared right at the throne that the teleporting mob had apparently brought him too. The stone seat was surprisingly empty and no set of white eyes were visible from his line of view. This wasn't good.
"Herobrine?" He called softly while looking from one side to the next with the hope of finding the powerful being to make his apology before trying to convince the man to help him. The conversation wasn't one that he was looking forward to since their last encounter; he was still feeling the pain of his loss but he knew the traveler was right, Herobrine didn't chose his family to destroy on just on a whim. Though the being hated mankind and had a debt to pay; he just chose humans at random and took their lives out of the created hatred and his task, Steve's family was just unfortunate to be the target. He wouldn't have chose his family if he could go back. But still; a part of him didn't want to see Herobrine though he really needed to, but he just can't face the beast alone.
"Vlurppvlurrppp. Vlurp. Vlurr heggh uhhoohhho?" The Endermen suddenly swatted at the man's shoulder while staring at the miner with a fixed gaze. The man turned his head to the burbling Endermen and only raised a brow at the light swats.
"You've certainly been edgy Stealth, is he here? Can you find Herobrine?" He asked curiously while looking back up at the one-eyed mob with curiosity. The friendly mob was acting more lively than it was before they arrived at the fortress, this kind of concerned him. "What is it Stealth?"
The Endermen only continued to bobble it's head and burble more incoherently than before; even though he really couldn't speak; it's metallic sounding burbles were more garbled than before and kind of worrisome as it 'talked'. Steve took a step back and moved the torch a little further from the mob, only to see if that would make the creature stop it's sudden need to speak so frantically. It did nothing, so apparently it wasn't the light bothering it.
"Whoa! Stop that Stealth." Steve moved back further when the mob swatted at him again and this time hooked the ends of it's claws into the fabric of his worn, and ragged shirt. The miner pulled back and gave the mob a concerned look once he removed himself from it's grasp. "I don't know what you're trying to tell me but you're not really helping you know? Herobrine has to be around here somewhere. If he isn't-" Steve paused and sighed heavily, if he couldn't get a hold of the old hero then he was just going to have to take on the beast on his own. Hopefully with the help of Notch through the shrine if he could, he preferred to have Herobrine's support if anything. He needed to keep the ancient being from reverting at all costs but it may already be too late, he ran away from his problems and chose the fate that would grant Herobrine his never-ending tides of torment and death; all because he let his own losses push him away from his goals and the more important matters at hand. What he had done was not justified; it was selfish to be focused on himself rather than those who he cared about, now many could be suffering because of his decision. His frown deepened at the thought.
If that was the case then… then he'd be all on his own to not only fight off the beast of the End but also to stop Herobrine for humanity's sake once again. Even if it meant taking any measure to protect the remains of his broken family and all of his friends. He really didn't want to think on it so he let the idea slip and focused on the slightly frenzied mob.
"Stealth, I don't know what's wrong with you or what you're trying to tell me; but I do know that it would be best if I go alone from here. Herobrine might destroy you since his bad history between you and Luna, I don't want that to happen."
The mob suddenly became quiet and still, it stared him in the eyes and it made the miner a little nervous.
"I thank you for the help and all but I don't want anything bad to ever happen to you." He continued with a more calm and leveled tone. "Luna needs you more than I do buddy, if Herobrine really has reverted back to his old self then she'll need you to protect her. Actually, I don't even know where he's at right now but the village could be at risk as we speak. He could attack them at any time." Steve swallowed a lump in his throat after saying that. It was true; if the old Hero became the destroyer he once was then there was no doubt in his mind that the village could be under attack at any moment, even as he talked to the Endermen their could be an assault on the town.
It was a disconcerting thought but he spent too long suffering himself and witnessing the suffering and destruction of others to quit and turn back again. He couldn't ever quit again, not after what the traveler had told him and realizing his mistakes and failures to so many promises to good people. That traveler was right about everything; fate was in his hands and he couldn't back down no matter what now, so much was at stake. Even his own being, though that was just a minor thing compared to the rest of humanity.
The miner coiled his hands tightly and gnashed his teeth together, he so despised death and the many times he had been near it; he didn't want anyone to go what he had been through; especially those who he cared about. "You have to go Stealth, I don't need your help as much as they do in the village." Steve lifted his head with a small genuine smile present on his face oddly. "Don't worry about me, I don't expect to walk out of this journey alive anyways." He said with a broken grin as a tight twisting feeling burned in his chest, it was a feeling of victory and defeat at the same time. Not even Warren's and Nigel's faith in him could keep his confidence going, they didn't fully see what ender did to Herobrine… as an orb at that. He knew that the likelihood of talking Ender out of his endless plot of vengeance would be very slim; surviving in a battle against the beast would be even more so, that is why he so desperately needed Herobrine back on his side to help fight the unreasonable monster or he was going to have to face both alone and go down the only way he knew how. Fighting to the very end.
"It's all or nothing now." He started again. "But I won't give up no matter how bleak things get, even if definite failure is on my horizon. Never again. Giving up would mean nothing but shame and sticking around to witness the dreadful fate of humanity and live in endless guilt. Ender won't be satisfied until all of us are gone, I just know it. We'd all become his twisted tools, like you." He paused when as he gazed at the mob, he didn't know if the creature knew what it was or if it had ever been human "I-… I just can't let that happen."
The miner removed his eyes from Stealth and looked down at the iron sword in his right hand that was Mark's great gift given to him, it wasn't the best weapon but it was all he had on him other than his useless stone blade in his sheath and a dying torch in his left hand. The iron was a gift, a nicely sharpened sword that hadn't been used even once, he was hoping that he wouldn't have to stain the beautiful blade and just borrow the blade he named Hero's Bane from Herobrine… if he could find him that is. The enchanted thing would improve his chances; not by much but maybe a little with enhanced strength, speed, and endurance. But anything was better than nothing.
The End beast would be no easy feat; the monster may even be unstoppable to a man like him, invincible even. This is why he needed Herobrine's help if anything; otherwise he'd be walking to his death… if he could ever find a way to reach Ender in the first place. He was going to have to hope Notch would answer his call for that or he'd be in for some trouble and would have no choice but to find the white-eyed one and fight for answers. Either way; his fate was in for a bad outcome. He can't just die for nothing and accept it, giving up was completely out of the question now. No more should suffer the fate that his father and brother did.
The Endermen tilted it's head to the side, almost with a sad look in it's dimly glowing mauve eye.
"You do understand me, don't you?" He asked carefully and the mob nodded after long seconds of silence. "If I can just call upon Notch… maybe he'll hear and send a miracle? A miracle is what I need, what we all need. I've called for Herobrine and he has not responded as I would have hoped, I have but no choice to assume the worst up to this point." He said with his smile falling to a frown fast. "I still have Notch though and so I am going to the shrine just down the main hall here, I can't be sure if it's down there exactly; but I am feeling pretty strong right now and I think I can handle it from here. Thanks for getting me this far Stealth, you literally saved me days of travel, but you are needed elsewhere right now. Please take care of them." He forced a smile.
Stealth burbled quietly and nodded once more before placing it's hand on the man's shoulder for a sliver of a second for a consolation of some sort before stepping back and staring softly before disappearing into a cluster of purple dust and out of sight.
"Thank you." Steve finished with a light bow of his head, he was grateful that the mob had took upon his request and would defend the villagers or at least Luna should Herobrine attack them. The miner leaned back up and faced the end of the hall that he had never been down before; it was just across from the throne and opposite to the hall he entered in with Nigel over a week ago. It was dark as expected, but something about the end of the corridor made him feel drawn to it; he had to get to the other side because he had the strangest feeling that Notch was somehow beckoning him in the right direction. The light moans of zombies and the clacking of bones around him along with other various sounds sent chills up and down his spine, but they wouldn't deter him; not when he had bigger threats to worry about. The sounds still disturbed him though and had been since he arrived back at the fortress, the Endermen wasn't there anymore to distract him from the mobs and nor was he there as a form of security. The presence of the mobs only confirmed him that Herobrine was nowhere to be seen or even within proximity to flush the creatures out of the vastly open spaces of the huge fortress.
Strangely, Steve felt confident when he lifted his sword and began a quickly paced march across the throne room and towards the hallway. He didn't move too fast because he wanted to conserve energy so instead he took a good stride and moved across the first set of high pillars towards his destination. He wasn't entirely sure that the throne room was at the main end of this hall but he had to at least look; especially with that feeling that he was heading the right way.
"Herobrine!" Steve called aloud as he moved, just another effort to get the half-god out of hiding if he was around; again his call went on deaf ears. It was very likely that Herobrine wasn't even in the fortress; let alone in the valley; but he wasn't anywhere in the woods when he called for the man once realizing his mistake and Herobrine used to hear him wherever he was at it seemed. Herobrine had plenty of time to relapse since their argument a while ago, time Steve wasted trying to get back home before realizing his mistake and his promised goals. The ancient being could be miles away or even assaulting a village on the other side of the world for all he knew. "Damn it." The miner cursed to himself and sighed heavily as he moved, things never could be easy for him could it?
Out of the darkness a flash of silver and brown shot past his head in the fraction of a second and Steve grimaced by the feeling of wind rushing across the side of his face; he was heading straight into the dark at a skeleton archer and he had nothing but a sword to defend himself with. The miner tightened his grip on the blade and narrowed his eyes, he picked up his pace and ran down the hall at the white figure blocking his path ahead. Another arrow shot past his head again, he had leaned just enough at the right time to avoid taking the hit. An arrow came at him again and this time he yanked his iron blade up at the projectile coming directly at him and deflected it away with the swing of his sword. He swung it again as the distant archer loaded another sharp end and let it fly, it then pulled three out of the quiver on it's back and shot them all at once.
Taken by surprise, the miner had whipped his blade around and fortunately repelled two of them. The third however; logged itself in his left arm and made him drop the torch in his charge, pain immediately surged from the pierced flesh and a trickle of warm fluid trailed down his arm. He was injured already. Steve wanted to stop right there and remove the arrow that pained him with even the slightest movement of his bicep; he also wanted to retrieve his only light source but he knew there was no turning back now. He heard the mobs behind him and had the intention of getting away from them at all costs so there was no turning back and waste the energy to fight them all off, there was bigger fish to fry and one shrine calling his name. Time could not be wasted anymore.
The boney mob was in his line of sight and he was nearing the contemptible thing, he successfully dodged another arrow then abruptly gasped at the sharp piercing feeling digging into the back of his upper right shoulder blade, it stung more and made the grip on his sword loosen just a little. He didn't have to look back to see another skeleton, it was obvious that an archer must have been hidden in-between the stone support pillars; cloaked in the deep darkness like most mobs were.
Steve felt a fire inside from the frustration the deadly mobs were becoming; he couldn't afford to take shots and face the End beast wounded; let alone Herobrine if he was to encounter him in his bloodthirsty mentality again so soon. His narrowed eyes thinned to slivers of deep sapphire blue, heat escaped through the spaces of his clenched teeth and out through his nostrils as he neared the most troubling mob yet. This mob had to be cut down and moved out of his way. He held the blade to his side in his charge… then a stalk of green came trudging from around the walking bone bag and came at him with a deep frown. Just. His. Luck.
Steve immediately lost his eager and heated expression and skidded to a stop before standing in place and contemplating a way around the more deadlier mob now approaching, with it's enhanced power; it would blow him to bits. There wasn't too much time to think though, there were still a horde of mobs behind him and the archer was likely preparing more arrows. "I don't have time for this! I definitely refuse to die here! Get out of my way!" He shouted at the two mobs coming towards him; he was almost too afraid to look back and see just how many was following him. At least he knew what was ahead of him, but there was no telling how many mobs he had gained the attention of as he ran through most of the dark corridor. There were enough sounds coming from behind and even that of arrows being jostled around in a quiver as the skilled boney monster dug for one. He wasn't going to get shot again. "That's it!" He shouted and pulled his sword down to his side as he raced towards the green lumbering thing.
He could see the skeleton close behind it and moving with it to get a better aim while supposedly staying hidden to ambush the miner should he slay the creeper. There wasn't much for the man to do with mobs at his back and a walking bomb coming right at him; the only thing that crossed his mind as he neared the two mobs was to take out as many as he could and the high-powered creeper blessed by Herobrine would create just the right explosion to take out his assaulters. Steve hoped that his plan would work and do him the favor he so wanted.
With the bold determination to free himself of the mobs; Steve recklessly skidded to a stop once he reached the creeper and used one hand to grab onto it's side, it instantly began to hiss and expand when he touched the grainy flesh. There was only seconds and this move was reckless but he yanked the green mob to his side and quickly spun around before landing a quick and powerful kick to the back of the mob to send it stumbling towards the shadowed forms that had been trailing shortly behind. The time frame was but a small window and yet he gained just a few more seconds by damaging the creature. The miner then quickly swung his sword at the archer's spine below the ribcage and caused the thing to collapse in on itself, just as the creeper's hiss came to the peak of it's barely audible end. Steve ran towards the nearest pillar and dove away when the inflated creature bumped into a mob of the small horde.
A massive explosion of blinding white sent the miner flying several blocks until he smacked against the wall and landed on the floor with a thud, a paralyzing feeling overcame him when his body collided with cold stone and he rested in his place for many long seconds until strength returned his limbs. The miner's ears rung and the air he breathed in was stagnant and dry with a grainy taste to it. He slowly lifted himself up onto his hands and knees and coughed a few times to clear out the particles of stone from his lungs, dust filled the area around him and the area of the explosion and masked the place in a large cloud of grey.
A reflective object rested just arm's length away from him, a shaky hand moves forward and his palm lands on the wooden handle. He coiled his fingers on the weapon and pulled it close as he rose up onto his knees.
Steve stumbled as he stood up and began a slow amble towards a small arch at the end of the hall, it was just one set of towering pillars away; at least fifteen blocks. He moved slowly with a faint smile hinted on his lips, his joints were sore and his heart beat rapidly in his chest from the explosion he barely escaped; but he no longer heard the mobs behind him so the pain was worth the gain. His plan wasn't exactly foolproof and it was actually very reckless and he could have been killed if he had moved any slower. Herobrine would had scolded him badly if he had been there to witness it; like he did when he was facing the blaze in the Nether.
Steve's smile fell, Herobrine wasn't here, he was likely hunting some poor innocent village and reaping souls for Ender. He would have preferred the scolding and the white glare than imagine a young child being robbed of their life, that was unfortunately not the case.
The miner came to a stop and leaned against the frame of the large doorway and sighed heavily to catch his breath, he had been planning to save his strength but that plan was buried when he had to escape a horde of monsters. He grimaced when he inadvertently applied pressure to his wounded arm that he leaned on, he looked at the source of pain to see the arrow still lodged in the bicep. "Isn't this just… great?" He said with a tender-filled tone of voice as he moved the iron blade into his left hand and wrapped his fingers around the arrow that protruded right out of his arm. Pulling it out now would be dangerous and cause profuse bleeding so he tightened his hold on the stick and snapped it just a hair above the surface of his arm, the arrowhead and a little of the wooden projectile remained buried in his flesh.
"One down, … one to go." The miner grumbled to himself and reached his right arm back and took a hold of the arrow planted right in the middle of his right shoulder blade. He carefully positioned his fingers and applied force to snap the thin wooden rod right near the surface of his skin. It was a bit more difficult to break and caused him to grunt in distress until he successfully broke it, pain and the feeling of fire radiated from the spot to his misfortune. "Another hole?" Steve sighed as he pulled the feathered end of the broken arrow in front of him and examined it with little interest. "This shirt is wasted." He mused at the thought of another hole to the shirt and this one being in the main back; keeping his mind off of his current injuries for the obvious reason of worry and the sickening sight of blood. He flicked the object away and carefully moved back up onto his two feet, he felt winded from his run and the impact from hitting the wall but there was no stopping now. The shrine just had to be on this side of the fortress… somewhere.
Steve proceeded with caution into a small room, his eyes widened when a repugnant burning odor filled his nostrils. The nostalgic smell had his stomach turning and his lungs instinctively wanted to be relived of smoke that wasn't even present. The smell of fire and the sulfuric odor of Netherrack was the heaviest scent in the air, almost as if he was inside the Nether again. The room was considerably warmer than the rest of the dark stronghold he had immediately noticed, but at least it wasn't even close to the kind of debilitating heat that had him on his knees and drained him of energy to move. The miner looked around for the source of Nether reminiscence and it didn't take long before he saw wisps of deep violet bands coming from the room adjacent from his, even a faint glow of violet light had him steadily moving across the small chamber towards a more bigger one.
He stopped at the doorway and gaped silently at the sight before him, there was a large obsidian frame in the center of the room with toxic fumes of purple swirling in and around it's shape. "A Nether portal?" The miner suddenly asked himself aloud as he took one cautious step into the room. He dared not move any closer with the sense of fear gathering in his gut, all he could remember of what lied on the other end of that portal was nothing but dread and torment; a desolate place that tried many times to consume him and burn him to ash. A place that wasn't fit for humans or any Overworld living creature for that matter. But for some reason; this frame seemed familiar, as if he had been through it once before.
"Wait a minute." Steve looked at the floor then suddenly spun on his heels when he remembered one of Herobrine's tests. He turned completely back and saw a dark hall just across the small room he entered in, a dim light of cyan and green pulsed in the deep of the black; fading in and out and glowing supernaturally like he remembered when Herobrine brought him out of the Nether to escape the ravaging souls trapped in the murky sands. "Notch's shrine." He whispered to himself and stared intently at the glow; it seemed welcoming and almost enticing as he gazed. It was divine. It was 'beckoning' him.
Ignoring the portal to the Nether and the foul fumes burning his lungs; Steve began a slow walk back into the smaller chamber and towards a hallway connected to it, the pulsating glow never stopped. He blinked and immediately halted right before the stone brick arch that led him to his goal. He tightened his hand on the sword and took a deep breath, Herobrine would never allow him to go in there. He hated Notch so strongly. What really kept him from taking another step was his word to Herobrine that he wouldn't go in there; it wasn't quite a promise he made but he said he wouldn't go and call upon Notch to keep Herobrine's trust, circumstances now was demanding him too. However; he wasn't going in there for the purpose that Herobrine would believe, but rather for his and the old hero's sake. Humanity's sake.
Feeling more confident with his reasons; Steve proceeded in a unhurried pace into the dark and towards the luminescent glow, the more he walked the more glow that lighted the hallway's length; as if his mere presence was making the light intensify. He stopped midway to see a shadowed cluster block out most of the light and the entryway into the chamber. Steve pressed forward and moved closer to the dark mass only to stumble back and fall onto his back as the dark cluster suddenly frayed into tons of tiny bats screeching and flying erratically from the disturbance of their slumber. The miner stayed on the ground and held his arm up to block out the bright light now shining even brightly with the mobs now flying away and back into the dark places in the fortress.
He leaned up and narrowed his eyes as he moved onto his feet, he stumbled at first but quickly regained his balance and slowly approached the end of the frame that lead into a massive chamber. Little did he know that a remaining bat was hanging from the ceiling was staring down at him with small white eyes.
…
Herobrine's eyes shot wide open and he sat up in the remains of his Nether throne. -This cannot be!- The man howled aloud and rose up from the chair with an expression of both shock and rage. His meditative state had been disrupted by a pair of his Overworld eyes; a pair especially reserved for catching an intruder trying to get to the one place he vowed to keep any mortal from ever going. What troubled him most about the sudden intrusion was who it was that had entered the domain; it was the miner. A man he once trusted; his friend, once. The mortal said he wouldn't ever go there and now he does? How the human even got back to the fortress so quickly was astonishing… that was until he remembered the Endermen that protected the little girl, the holder of his brother's soul.
The furious ex-hero felt his insides boil with rage and he clenched his fists tightly, the human didn't even so much as stop and contemplate what he was doing or even once look back. This made the old hero believe that the miner did want revenge on him, the sword of his wrath wouldn't have effected him this long. The mortal was going to call upon Notch and summon him for a great punishment to bestow on the killer of his lost ones. Notch may still be in the Overworld now.
-NO! I allowed you to punish me yourself mortal, not HIM! After everything I've done to try and atone for taking them from you?! After giving you my trust?! Saving your life and freeing you of the Nether?! For offering the chance to end me yourself?! … You BETRAY ME NOW!?- Herobrine threw his head back and roared aloud in disbelief. The standing walls of the Nertherbrick fortress shook from his unsettling howl.
…
Steve's eyes quickly adjusted when he stepped into the bright chamber, his eyes immediately go wide from the great sight that surrounded him. He even dropped his iron sword by the sight of it all. "Whoa." He lightly gaped at the walls of the chamber, it was no normal square room that he had stepped in; but rather a more dome shape structure that shot high up like a small tower with a huge perfectly carved hole at the main top; possibly the only skylight in the entire fortress. Light filtered in from above from the overcast of clouds, it wasn't too bright but decently so since he had been in the dark for a good amount of time.
His eyes trailed the sides of the stone walls and he blinked in disbelief; it was like a dream. Ores of diamonds, emeralds were embedded in the stone in various places around the towering room, uncut and polished to a lustrous shine. The walls were not in brick form but looked rather like giant perfectly cut stone out of a mountainside; giant portions all towered together with clustered emerald and diamond ores hammered into them in random places. It was absolutely spectacular and a feast for anyone's eyes, it was like he walked into a cavern of riches. Light from above had reflected off of the massive amount of ores and painted most surfaces with a rich and faint cyan color, it was no wonder the light was seen from the distant portal; the ores reflected the light all over.
What was more amazing to the miner was looking more closely at the ores, they seemed to glow like a torch; glowing bright then dimming out only to glow again. It was unquestionably beautiful and a creative idea for any fitting king but definitely worthy of a shrine fit for Notch, he wondered if the god created this place himself or if the people made it. It would be a difficult task for constructors to create something so massive and amazing, even to move all of the uncut stone from a mountain would be an arduous task; especially cutting it out and transporting it such a great distance.
Blue eyes peeled away from the walls to the floor to see some of the precious ores at his feet as well; glowing in the same manner as the ones along the walls as light hit them. Steve kneeled down to scoop up his sword; he also reached his empty hand down to touch a small cluster of diamonds right at his heels, they were indeed embedded perfectly and shined despite having his hand covering over them. The un-mined gems were just within reach and it was hard to resist the temptation to mine them; mining was his favorite job and seeing these rare jewels was what made his job all worth it. It was the only way other than gathering iron and gold to pay the bills and keep his family thriving in the village. He didn't have any intention of taking them of course; they belonged to someone else, still they were nice to look at though.
Steve used his hand and pushed himself up, his eyes then landed on the focal point of the room; a large circular structure made of bright quartz. It was a pool of deep blue water; the well that he had heard about, Notch's shrine. It didn't look too much like a shrine but that is what Nigel and Herobrine called it, it was also the world's source of Notch's power in the old days when the sick and dying needed help. Now he was slowly approaching at the fabled fountain that he heard several times in his life; a place that Notch gave to help the people when he could not, he never dreamed that such a thing existed until he came into the valley. Steve glanced back behind him once before looking back at the pool and continuing his stride, six white quartz pillars stood out along the rim up several blocks long and ended with a decorative circular top that looked much like the base. It was the most amazing well he'd ever seen.
The sky reflected in the water he noticed when he got closer, giving it a surreal look. He wondered why Herobrine hated it, it was awesome; not just the well but the whole tower. Then again… Herobrine did hate Notch and just about anything that symbolized him, it was also the only way people would ever reach the god in a time of need. That time was now.
Steve finally made it to the quartz well and he peered into the large pool, the water looked so pristine and clear; almost good enough to drink. His eyes soon focused on his own reflection and it was perfect, well; he was not perfect considering the bruises and the evidence of his lack of sleep on his face. As he stared though, he felt more at ease; his most recent injuries didn't hurt as much strangely enough. He was almost tempted to touch the soothing looking water but retracted his hand from over the undisturbed surface. 'Umm… I better not.' He silently protested with the fact that it was Notch's water and could be sacred or something. He also didn't want to risk falling in because he couldn't tell just how deep the well was. The span of the water in the well was at least ten blocks in both length and width, the bottom however was deep black; there was no way to visibly gage the depth unless he were to dive in. There was no intention of doing that though.
"So this is your shrine huh?" The miner finally spoke aloud and looked around; unsure of how he should even begin to talk to Notch, or even if the guy would appear or talk back to him. "It's nice. Are you here?" He spoke nervously when he went long seconds without any kind of reply, he was expecting at least some kind of response but there was not a sound but that of what he made. "I need your help Notch, please hear me out." He finally turned back to the well and kneeled down to the quartz, his eyes landed on the water once again.
White piercing eyes stared at the mortal's back, he glared darkly at the man and held the strong need to confront him with a sword through the upper torso. The desire to do so was strong, it was traitors that got his best friend killed and him put through so much. Being betrayed by a friend he thought he trusted was the worst, he couldn't see Lionel in this mortal anymore. The feeling of having his brother back was all just a lie he believed in, all mortals were the same. Notch's damned creations.
Steve felt chills down his spine, he had that same feeling that plagued him when he was first being hunted by a certain being of power upon his arrival to the ancient lands. There was no doubt in his mind that Herobrine was close by; this made him panic a little since the guy probably didn't ever want to let him in the same room with the shrine. Steve daringly looked out of the corner of his eye to see two white eyes glowing brightly in the shadows of the hallway, Herobrine was obviously back and as mad as ever. There was no movement from the man waiting in dark, no response from him either, he at least hoped that Herobrine would talk to him through his mind; if only to clarify that he had yet to relapse.
There was nothing for a long minute, nothing but that chilling cold gaze.
Steve slowly pushed himself up off of his knees and carefully turned around to see that Herobrine had moved closer and was now visible under the doorframe twenty or so blocks away, he was still eerily silent but his expression was a whole conversation metaphorically speaking. The features on the white-eyed man's face were tight and narrow. His eyes were slanted dangerously thin and his scowl showed off the four sharp canines he had along each row of teeth, his posture hinted the most dangerous aspect however. He looked ready to attack but he remained on the other side of the dome, staying directly under the entrance like he was being forced to. The shining diamond blade of rage in his hand really demonstrated his deadly temper; his fingers were tightly coiled along the handle and looked as though it would crack if he were to squeeze it any tighter. The present blade meant trouble.
"Herobrine?"
Herobrine lost his scowl for a few fleeting seconds when the miner so innocently called his name, it sounded the way he used to say it when they were friends. He blinked and narrowed his eyes again.
"Herobrine, I've been looking for you. I just-" Steve paused and took a deep breath and looked away momentarily with nervousness. "I'm sorry for what happened back there in the woods. I overreacted over something that happened years ago and- I just want to apolog-"
"Silence traitor."
The voice he heard was cold and dark, echoing quietly in his head like a loud whisper, the tone was dangerously heavy and filled with malice even. The words had the miner in confusion, he last remembered the ex-hero being apologetic and soft toned; not this voice he had when he spoke of Brutus or the people who tormented him. The words had him shaking his head back and forth in puzzlement, he wasn't a traitor. "I don't understand Herobrine." Steve held his own blade tightly and mentally hoped that things would fan out, he needed Herobrine on his side but for some reason the being was not looking at him like a friend but like he would a foe.
"Lies." Herobrine hissed.
"I'm not lying! I-" The miner paused and took a quick glance behind him, he was right in front of the Shrine of Notch. "Wait, is this why?" Steve quickly gestured the quartz fountain and looked back with a surprised expression. "You think I'm trying to-"
"You betrayed me, my trust." He spoke again to the miner but with a growl after his last word.
"Betray you?" Steve carefully repeated with a raised brow. "I'd never betrayed you and I didn't."
"I let you take your justice upon me yourself and you were just too weak to do it." Herobrine scoffed and daringly placed a foot on the inside of the chamber and stepped into the light. He immediately grimaced from the strange power of the well sapping him of his strength. A wave of strange energy found it's way into his body and made him feel suddenly heavier, the curse that the shrine had on him was starting to take it's effect. He was prepared to test his will and power to it's limits this time; no going back until the mortal paid for his treachery. Herobrine took another step and held his position firmly, the weight was heavier and his own power was being suppressed. But no, he wasn't going to succumb to the power of Notch and kneel, never. He would not surrender so easily, he had to deal with the miner and stop him before he summoned the god back to their world.
It took a long minute to process what the being had said, he had no intention to end the old hero, he couldn't do it. "Of course I couldn't do it, why would I?"
"You know why miner." Herobrine growled and sneered deeply. "You couldn't kill me because you were weak; instead you decide to get someone who has the ability to do so, but they wouldn't kill me. Notch has no plan of putting me out of my misery, no not yet. He would pour his form of 'injustice' upon me by sealing me again into a place of torment with no hope to escape; perhaps in a more desolate and dreadful world with no form of communication? I'm sure he could create a world far worse than the Nether. But then again… maybe he would just try and destroy me? I have done enough damage to his precious creations to create such an endless vial of wrath to pour out, there's no telling what he would do if he found me mortal."
"Wait! What are you saying? I never summoned Notch. I mean sure, I was just trying to call to him a minute ago but not to harm you!" Steve immediately defended, still confused as to what Herobrine was even saying. His words only made the powerful man angrier. "Notch hasn't been in the world for centuries, and I never asked him to destroy you. In fact, I have yet to even ask him for his help. We need his help if we're going to stop End-"
"Enough mortal!"
Steve closed his eyes and lightly hissed, he clutched the sides of his head from the powerful voice booming in his brain.
"Notch was here not so long ago mortal, your innocent act cannot fool me!"
"What?" The man pried an eye open and stared with disbelief. "Notch himself?"
"He was here, I sensed his presence shortly after you fled from me. You still had rage for me, the sword's effects can be lasting. Notch hasn't been in this world for a very long time but I find no coincidence that he would just show up when YOU leave and feel hate for me and for what I've done. You even said it yourself that I deserved the same fate of those who were robbed of their souls and used up into non-existence. At first I had doubt in my mind that it was you to call upon him, but then I find you here… in the one place that his little creations can reach him. The one place I banned any mortal; including you. Now here you are; trying to call him to you, trying to bring about revenge. I was a fool to assume that any human could be like Lionel, someone so loyal and sacrificing as he's the only one who could be my equal …Be my brother. I was wrong to think you were the same. All humans are the same, treacherous and disloyal."
Herobrine fixed his falling stance and continued to fight the pressure that weighed on him both mentally and physically. He was slowly starting to feel drained and lethargic, a feeling he was all too familiar with when he tried to approach the shrine to destroy it; he could never get close enough before his power would be robbed from him and be put under an endless curse to be dealt with more easily and finished off without even a chance to fight back. He came close to getting ensnared in the god's trap once before, this time would be different though.
"There's no way that Notch could have been here, if he was then I didn't see him." Steve said with a lowered tone of voice, it was rather submissive. It was still hard to believe that the creator of their world had returned after so many years of his absence, this gave him a little spark of hope seeing as he needed to talk to him. 'I can't believe that he was actually here. But even so- I wouldn't ever ask him to do such a thing as punish you Herobrine, I've always been on your side remember? … Well for the most part in the Nether and even now.' His inner thoughts were clearly heard when he saw his powerful duplicate snort. He frowned deeply when he remembered what he had said to Herobrine though, it was awful words that he couldn't ever take back for they had been spoken against the man in his spike of rage and sorrow when learning of the fate of his father and brother.
"Your actions here prove you wrong, and for that… you must die… traitor."