Hero's Bane

by BlackDragon41

Steve discovers the land of his dreams, now he's plagued by a mirroring figure with the cursed name Herobrine, a white-eyed man with unimaginable power and a deep hatred for humanity. After coming face to face with this force of evil, he will uncover the dark history of Herobrine and strive to earn the madman's trust. All while also trying to survive and escape his wrath. CH92 up!

83. The Forlorn Hero

Hero's Bane

Chapter 83: The Forlorn Hero

A/N: Still in a bit of a blackout but I am improving(will likely be out of it soon), had a bit of soul-searching to do in order to accept my mistakes and move on. As one writer had wrote me: You can't please everybody, I know that and I want to kick myself for trying too much and too hard and for going too deep into stress made by myself. Thanks for the reminder by the way.(I must have been a real pest and made things worse, I tend to say and write things without giving too much thought nor consideration to them before they fly from me sometimes, my older sister and my mother knows this personal flaw of mine the best. Sorry about that- you know who I am talking to if you still read this story).

Things have gotten better for me with my family though and I do thank those who messaged me in my time of need, I truly appreciate your concern and kind words. Especially you InfinityG. But for those who keep asking me who I upset; it's none of your concern. I still like the writer and they seem to be doing fine as far as I can tell visually on website, so there's no need to go bothering them. I'll leave them be and hope for the best. :)

Now you can read again(thank my supporters who encouraged me to post this weekend) This is the beginning of Herobrine's Memory Arc. Enjoy.

…

"How much ti-time do-… " Steve suddenly cringed and slowed his pace despite having his left arm slung over the shoulder of his powerful duplicate, he was being helped to move down the huge corridor but every step that fell out of sync with Herobrine's caused him physical distress by either stumbling forward in his fatigue or slowing too abruptly for the other to adjust.

"Don't worry about it, at least wait until we get you to a more safer place to rest. You may still be healing but it'll be at least a day or two; maybe even three before you'll even have the proper mobility to stand and swing a sword, but for now you are in no condition. Tch, I doubt you'll be strong enough to fight any time soon anyways; I'd say it would take a week at most and you still may not be physically ready even then. Humans heal far too slow, but thankfully I have learned little patience from an old friend." Herobrine replied with a bit of annoyance; he admired the miner's eagerness to start moving and train as soon as possible but he was stubborn. Stubborn and paranoid… just like Lionel; only the sentinel was trying to become stronger to work his way up the ranks to be by the Sovereign's side and impress his childhood love Nori before they got together. The man had also been too obsessed with things of little concern; trying to do everything he possibly could to make sure that any problems in the communities inside and outside of the fortress were attended to even though it was not his assigned task. The poor anxious man should have been more carefree to avoid the stressors of his life, but he wanted the best of the best for all people; making sure that fights in the streets were settled, that food from the fields were evenly distributed amongst the populace, teaching the young how to behave and show them what he called his 'cool' swordsmen techniques if they did, and most of all; defend the civilians from any threat.

Herobrine felt himself smile a little, even though Lionel did not live beyond his thirties; he still did a Nether-load of work to promote peace and joy to everyone around him. Even at the cost of his own rest and happiness from time to time, or most of the time more like it. If there was something Herobrine remembered about the human other than his similar appearance then it would be his sacrificial duty to the people; the sentinel never did get enough downtime but the stress amazingly never effected his personality nor his kind, strangely impulsive, comical, and selfless nature.

His smile fell into a deep frown.

It was a pitiful shame that the people he spent so much time and energy on had turned on him; many of the mortals had mixed feelings about him defending the 'demon', it wouldn't take much more time in the public stonings and other torment spectacles before they all turned away and forgotten his noble deeds. Selfish, idiotic, and blind they were; so easy to forget one who supported them in their time of need and worked hard to keep them happy. He was no murderer so why should he have been the one to pay the ultimate price and such disloyalty? Even the gold sentinel should have at least acknowledged that the man was a worthy asset to the people despite 'betraying' them, Lionel did not deserve to lose his title and his life over one small reason when he had so many good works already written to his name. He did more than any of the other sentinels combined, he was a real hero to the public and they rejected him so swiftly. Those mortals were easily tainted by false judgment; it was a good thing that most of them perished under his avenging hand.

"Gah! Herobrine wait!"

The immortal was quickly removed by his thoughts when he heard a shout and felt part of his body being jerked backwards a bit. He immediately stopped pulling and let the miner drag him down some as the man kneeled down onto one knee to catch his breath and hiss from the stretching of wounds; he was definitely too fatigued and hurt for any kind of rigorous exercise, even too much to even walk; their battle had been quite an exhausting and detrimental one. At least Herobrine's strength was returning to him and he was healing steadily, Steve would definitely require more time for his frail stature. Herobrine sighed heavily and gazed down at the man with lightened eyes. "Apologies, I was supposed to keep my pace aligned with yours… then I had something fairly distracting come to mind." The being finished with an annoyed tone, looking away to show that it was not the miner to cause his irritable distraction.

"It's alright. Just give me a sec." Steve said rather huskily, nearly out of breath. With a light grunt he moved off of the floor, he let Herobrine pull him back up to fully stand. "I'm fine, we can walk now." He urged the being with a simple nod to gesture to move onward.

"No you're not, do not think that you can deny the truth when it obviously shows in both your posture and your voice. But we can move onward if you can tolerate it."

The miner made another nod and held his arm close to him, keeping the large wound from reopening while he was healing. Though the arm he had over Herobrine's shoulder was injured and still throbbing; he endured it and kept his expression as neutral as possible, there was no arguing when it came to Herobrine. The guy was almost always dead serious about everything, even over something menial as making a little white lie to lower the anxiety. Steve saw how that failed. 'As solemn as always.' He thought dryly.

"I have always taken matters seriously mortal, do not expect that I would have no anxiety from your little fake display of wellness." He saw the miner take a glance at him from the corner of eye; raising a brow, but had said nothing. "I've caused the mess to begin with so there is nothing to take and rest so easy as you often do."

"So everything riles your feathers then?"

"No." He replied simply. "Not everything, don't use the darker part of my past to make false claims of my normal behavior. I was a hero once, remember? Back then I used to be more… contented and- …"

"Happy?" Steve finished carefully.

Herobrine didn't even turn to face the miner from that specific question, he just nodded silently and looked down at his feet to make sure that he was sticking to the miner's pace.

"You were happy once, not merely content but genuinely elated for one reason or another?"

"That was but a long time ago, I barely ever find any true enjoyment; only as a mindless monster did I have anything close to happiness. Just the twisted kind, human destruction is now more of a bother. That old pleasure no longer satisfies. I long for the more- older kind of joy that I once had, the hope for that however; is bleak."

Steve turned towards Herobrine with a astonished expression and immediately stopped, he pulled back with a yelp and a hiss to get the other's attention. "Don't- don't say that." The man flinched as Herobrine pulled him back up onto his feet, the White-Eyed being eyed him closely, the miner refused to lose that fierce determination in his blue orbs. "When you are f-free," He nodded. "You don't have to be bound to anything, anybody; you will find true contentment when your burden is lifted. I will make sure of this, that I promise."

"Don't be a fool. To honor such a thing is pointless, Lionel promised the exact same thing and he got death as a result. He wanted me to be free when I was innocent and under Notch's binding spells. He tried so hard to prove my innocence but could not keep it and died with that regret, I have no intention of seeing you die the same way. So don't promise me anything and don't be such a fool."

"I'll be what I ha-" Steve felt a sharp twinge bolt through his shoulder and arm. "What I have to be." He started with a more composed tone and his eyes narrowed as they started to walk onward again. "A promise is a promise, you'll see. I must find a way to keep the beast's clutches off of this world and it's inhabitants including you… no matter what the cost. I don't care what you say, I have my own goals and I will see to them even if it has to be the end of me."

"I won't-"

"Don't!" The miner cut-off. "You cannot change my mind, when I'm ready I'll leave and somehow; I'll end this debt and fulfill all of my promises, just you wait and see. I carry many on these shoulders."

Herobrine growled deeply but accepted it, the miner was definitely stubborn and he no longer governed the man's life once freeing him of the Nether; he surely took after the silver sentinel. "Fine, but you better not die on me. I will not accept it."

Steve felt himself smiling. "Now that is what I what I wanted to hear from you, I already have enough setbacks keeping me from moving onward at the moment. But if you could answer one question for me… that would be nice."

Herobrine sneered, he already knew what the human was going to ask him and he didn't want to answer.

"How much time? That is- is all I ask of you." He cringed by missing another step.

"Plenty enough, that is all you need to know. Now stay focused on moving, you can speak more after you have gained some rest. Just moving yourself around with my help even; is taking up your energy, I sense it. Your pulse grows faster and you are having trouble trying to keep up with the pace, I know you have concerns but save them for later. … Now through here." He immediately stirred the miner in a new direction in the throne room and back towards the main back and past the high chair. They walked through a set of open double doors and up a couple sets of stairs until they entered a smaller hall with doors to other rooms along the sides; at the main end was a large wooden door.

"Is that whe-re we're going?" Steve panted, noticing that Herobrine's words were starting to ring true; he was growing very tired and very fast. His body felt so much heavier after going up the steps.

"Save your words. Yes, that is the Sovereign's old room; it's the safest. It won't be much further, just keep walking."

Steve blinked when his vision started to sway in a fluid motion, not only was he getting heavy and so sleepy but everything just seemed to spin and rock slowly with each step; like a feeling of dizziness and motion sickness combined. His head started hurting strangely, the being wasn't even talking to him at the moment so he didn't understand why he was having such a growing ache.

Rest now Steve, I look forward to speaking with you soon. Unfortunately, our meeting must be out of reach.

"Who- is this?" He asked aloud in his mounting daze, looking around with his eyelids threatening to close the more he looked. He heard a voice and it wasn't Herobrine's; he knew this voice but he was suddenly too tried and weak to make guesses.

Herobrine stopped when the miner's feet slipped from underneath him and nearly tumbled out of his grasp, he barely kept the guy from hitting the floor. "It's me mortal, why do you ask such nonsense? Come on, we are nearly there." He spoke to the mortal's mind but received nothing but a small look by the miner before he let his eyes close. -Damn it.- Herobrine cursed to himself and sighed once he looked down at the unconscious human.. -Very well then Steve, just rest. You'll be safe and heal properly, I'll make sure of it.- He finished to himself with a deep frown and scooped the man up and hoisted him over his shoulder. -There'll be no mob to give you unrest once you awaken, I'll see to that personally… brother.-

…

"Awaken Steve, it is time to wake up. There is something that you must know, your time to fight will drawl near; I have much to explain before that day comes."

Steve's head rocked from side to side lightly, he felt so warm and so comfortable and free of pain; he did not want to even move . Actually he felt as though he was drifting through midair with small breezes blowing against his features and tickling the skin lightly, he was too at peace to want to respond to this voice calling him.

"I did not bring you here to float about, this rest is highly desirable to all of my creatures but it will not help the matter at hand; you do have promises to keep to. Don't you remember? I am here to help, don't forsake this opportunity; there is much to learn before you come across the End beast."

Now those words were more unsettling and had the miner prying his eyes open to find out just who was speaking and what they were talking about. "The End beast?" Steve said softly as he opened his eyes to nothing but white; it was startling at first, even widening his orbs he saw nothing but a blank endless space all around him. He immediately felt himself float up into an upright position before looking around frantically in confusion, he did not know where he was or how he was literally in the middle of nowhere with nothing around him. "Where-?" The miner moved his arm back to spin freely in the open area; his blue eyes swiftly glance over to his shoulder to where his huge painful wound was supposed to be; … only it wasn't there. No blood, no tear. He then looked at his arm and then down at his stomach to see that his shirt was in perfect condition.

He carefully patted a hand over his wounded side but felt no pain, he lifted the end of the cyan fabric to see himself unharmed strangely. "No injury? What's going o-"

"You are merely in a dream, or something of the sort anyway."

The miner instantly froze up and looked above him from where the familiar voice came from, he saw absolutely nothing but a white sky overhead. He knew that voice, it could only be…

"I am Notch my friend, do not be alarmed."

"Notch?" The miner asked with a stunned reaction, trying to grasp the fact that he was talking to the creator once more; and in a dream at that. But it was a dream, so he was obviously making this all up in his head.

"You're not making this up Steven," The voice came a bit louder but remained calm. "I have returned to speak with you after your battle. It may seem like a dream but I am in control, everything you hear is coming from me and what I will show you is also be from me. I had to bring you here to speak because Herobrine will know of this talk should it be a dream of your own."

"So you knocked me out?"

"Yes, you were in great pain and distress; tired and losing strength fast. Pushing you to unconsciousness was the only way to ease up your current suffering and deliver your mind to where I needed it to be. Herobrine is currently tending to your wounds so there's not much need for worry. For right now however; I need you here for I have something important to show you that will make your fight well worth going for it despite how grim the outcome may be."

"Important? What exactly do you want to show me? And where are you? I hear you but I can't see you. Uh… Can I see you Notch?"

"Hmmm… I suppose I can reveal myself soon, but first; I will tell you what exactly I am going to show you and why. I brought you here for a great purpose; one that may seem pointless now but will ultimately be a great tool in the near future. You are here to see Herobrine's past; his time before the fortress when I knew him and how he has become the being you know of him now."

"Herobrine's past? Before the fortress?! He knows you?" Steve nearly yelled out in surprise and wonder; not knowing that the old hero even had a past beyond the fortress that wasn't roaming open lands and terrifying people, he did not expect that his friend knew the creator personally seeing as he always spoke against the god and never shared any knowledge that he knew Notch. "Is that even possible?" Steve drifted a few inches while still looking for the source of the voice; the being known as Notch.

"There is much that you don't know about and much more that Herobrine doesn't know of himself, he dose not carry all of his memories; they had been removed but he's slowly finding them over time with your help surprisingly."

"Memories? Removed?"

"He will eventually remember everything and it would be best that you know before he does. Trust me, it is for the best."

" Man, I didn't know Herobrine even knew you once, does he remember that?"

"No. He does not. But the reason behind that will be revealed soon enough, first you must know what he is and where he came from. I'll start where it all first began; when I first found him in this world. The origin and past of Herobrine. ... Once you know all that is needed to know will everything about him and his nature be clear, as his closest friend; this is certainly crucial. "

"Whoa." Steve gaped and his eyes widened as the blank space around him was filled with colors moving into shape, silhouettes and shades of blue and white formed above whilst greens, browns, and grays formed below. The miner slightly panicked when he found that he was standing on air high above a materializing forest, he watched as the world formed beneath his feet. Then with a silent yelp of surprise he found himself slowly descending; as if some force or someone was holding him up by the spaces between his neck and shoulders and now gently lowering him down.

"I found him a long time ago." Notch's voice started. "Someone so full of power and uncertainty treading through an old oak forest; alone and as silent as the shadows he was, he moved at an unhurried pace until he felt my presence. He did not run, but moved away as if he knew what I was and wanted to avoid; as if he feared me. You would think of him nothing more than a mortal at first glance, he's physically built just like my greatest creations; only he was not my own."

Steve finally sunk pass the trees that were once below and was lowered down until he was on his feet on the grass, touching the ground he felt his own balance unlike that he had in the sky. He immediately removed his eyes from his feet and glanced around in panic, his heart started racing and he became instantly paranoid as if he was being watched. He could not understand why he felt so… afraid, he even had Notch watching over him; so why was he so unsettled was strange. He was just about to speak until the stronger voice one came from all around him.

"Do not be too alarmed, I know you grew out of the fear of him in reality but dreams, visions, and memories I create or re-create are different and quite life-like. Besides, I want you to see just how much he was once feared and how strong he can make it; especially since the rise of mankind to better understand him in his past. This fear you are feeling now is pure and at it's greatest; the height of fear Herobrine was instilled with is at it's greatest. This will better your mind of just how much he was feared, how so desolate he had become on his own."

Steve nodded and continued to look around. "Okay, I think I understand." He muttered quietly, still on edge in his body's natural response to the flight mode in the depths of fear.

"It is alright, he's near but he cannot harm you nor see you; actually he's just a memory and not the man you know outside in the waking world. This is my memory of him and how I came across him, he has not been in this world for very long so he's going to seem confused and completely timid. He was not born but created."

"Created?" The miner responded with a low and dejected tone. "So it is true. Herobrine said he remembered nothing of being young, only that he woke up and had knowledge of the world."

"Yes, and sadly he is not a creation of mine; therefore there is little that I can do to help him. Trust me, I've tried many times; but more explanations of that will come later. It pains me to know that I do not know him well enough, but what I do know is what he can do and what his purpose is."

The miner looked up toward the treetops with curiosity hinted on his anxious features. "His purpose? What is his purpose? Who made him? Why is he infused with terror?"

"All in good time Steve, but for now just watch and come to know him; the old him."

"You mean… before the fortress?" He asked with hesitance.

"Indeed."

"And your reason for showing me any of this is-?"

"For your own good for starters, the better you know him now the better the things will be- … later."

"Huh?" Steve raised a brow from the creator's own hesitance.

"Trust me, more knowledge of yourself will come within time but do not trouble yourself right now miner. Everything I show you and reveal will bring peace of mind someday, you will find peace and contentment forever; no more pains nor sorrows. You are more special than you realize, but that of course will not be clear yet; I long for the day that I myself can make it clear for you and let you have the life you so deserve after so many troubling years and the suffering you have underwent in both the past and the present. But for now these answers are to remain hidden, I only want was is best for you. The other reason why you must know Herobrine's past now is the growth of resolve, the one thing that'll keep you focused on your goal no matter what; you will face the End Beast within time. Sooner than you know and he is terrible in the eyes of men."

"Wait, you mean I have to face it… alone? But what about Herobrine or you?! I can appreciate what you're wanting to give me for some reason or another, and getting a life without worry is just amazing to know; but why me? Why must I be alone in this? Isn't there anything you can do to help me? Am I doomed to fail or something?"

" … … Herobrine will help you, but I cannot."

"He won't help me Notch, he's already declared that he won't except through a little training but nothing more. He's got his own code and will not stray away from it, I can respect that honestly. But how come you can't?" The man stepped out from under a large oak and held his arms out while looking to the sky. "You have more power than anything or anybody of this world, why use me?"

"That is a good question." The voice lightened and remained silent for a long second before speaking again. "Herobrine may be tied to a debt that he cannot forfeit, but he yet to realize something greater than his liability. It will take some time to consider this but I believe that he will, I can't be one-hundred percent sure because I cannot read him as I can my own creations. However; my own heart tells me that he will, I know Herobrine's mentality, and more importantly; I know him as a brother. He will not leave you to die alone."

"A brother? Herobrine's your brother?! How can that be!?"

"Yes, a brother. He is not truly through blood, he is- adopted but no less a brother at heart. I would give up my world for him if I could make things right again between us again, but that will never happen unfortunately. He will no more find peace concerning the both of us, he is… too far gone and buried so deep. So filled with contempt that he'd cut through you to get to me, there would be little to no hesitance. It is sadly part of his unruly nature inside, the destructive part of him that will go any length to achieve it's goal of annihilation to satisfy his being. I've went through great lengths of my own to solve this problem and have failed, I only made matters worse actually. Not even with all my power have I been able to bring him back home and return the brother I once knew, now he lives on the Overworld and reigns terror to all whom lay their eyes upon him. He will never want anything more than my death by his hands. This is the sad truth."

There was so much to take in but Steve knew the first thing he had to say, he only hoped that he wouldn't be silenced himself for speaking out in such an ill manner; he was chancing it but had to speak on the being's behalf and defend him all the way for the atrocities done to him. "He doesn't think of you as his brother, hates you, … the things you've done to him! Of course he wants to kill you so badly, maybe even… cutting through me to do so." He finished with reluctance. Steve felt himself rile up but contained most of his anger and strangely sorrow from such words, he was so confused as to why someone so mighty and kind had treated Herobrine like a monster; and for the creator to think of the old hero as a brother who was loved? It was baffling to hear that Notch would give up his world and wanted to take him back but still put a curse upon the man and force him to be forever silent. A part of Steve wanted to make reason that it would be in benefit of humanity… but even then… it's still going too far by paralyzing Herobrine and throwing him into the depths of the Nether to burn endlessly. "He got what he never deserved!" The miner barked out loud. "What you did to him was wrong!"

"I understand your anger Steve, but you'll see the answers and reasons soon enough, you'll understand in due time."

The miner swayed his head in disbelief and coiled his fists. "Why not now? …Why leave him to suffer a life he didn't merit?"

"It is my fault, there is no mistake in that. I have regret, and a lot of it; but the reason is something you must wait for as well. It'll be best understood later then trying now to explain so much that I have yet to begin with. I love my brother as I love my worlds and creations alike, just know that. Mistakes have been made… understand this as well and all will become clear sooner than you know." The voice spoke more softly, the miner even seemed to huff quietly to his response and nod accordingly. "Thank you. With that now aside… He will help you. He may be distant and quite but he has viewpoints and ideals of his own and they are strong, only under few circumstances will they shift; I know this personally. I believe that he will not abandon you; but do not let these words I say be fully true as of yet, I don't know just how much he has changed over the centuries that we have been parted. I could be wrong but I pray not."

The miner exhaled loudly but surrendered his anger, Notch did sound sincere and as if he was in regret; still there would be no reasons for such heinous actions to the White-Eyed being yet so there was no reason to hold on to the rage. Steve actually felt himself fall into despondence. Herobrine may or may not help him, not even the creator of Minecraftia knew for sure so there wasn't much reassurance of such news. Now the bitter fact that the creator wasn't going to help him settled in. "And you-" He asked with a downcast tone.

"The End beast is a creation of my own, a magnificent dragon; a creature that I value like I do you. He has not always been a monster against me, I still hold memories of when he was a peaceful creature flying throughout the Aetherian nighttime skies with pride; protecting the void whilst my guards slept. I do not want to destroy the things I really value; no matter how destructive and odious they have become, the dragon was once a beloved thing and I wish not to harm it though it has turned on me and also seeks my destruction. Like a father to a son; I want to bring no harm nor death to that I cherish, especially since I have wronged the creature before. But I also know that if he is not dealt with then more of my creations will suffer; it is a truly conflicting problem to have to deal with like Herobrine.

It's a burden to consider the idea of doing it myself, but to push this task onto another is even a bigger load, but Herobrine can do it and he has the reasons to fight. He is not so easily laden unless he is the cause for encumbering, being distant even has it's advantage and so does his quiescent nature; having the need to dominate the strong to be considered stronger. He has the advantages that I do not. If the version of him that I once knew was given such a task then he'd accept with gladness as he always did, like he would for any monster he took on to test his strength and calm the aggression and devastating need inside. This beast however; will certainly be one in under any circumstance; to not miscalculate. The dragon has more overwhelming powers and has been getting stronger since exile, he will truly be a feat to anyone; maybe even me. "

The miner jumped back with shock, his eyes wide and arms out. "What?! If he's strong enough to fight you at nearly an equal match then what makes you think that either me or Herobrine can fight him?!" Steve defended while shuddering, he wasn't even sure if it was Herobrine's fearsome presence that was making him shake anymore. "Why must you leave us to this alone?!"

"Where is that confidence you once had friend? What happened to it? I heard the words you spoke to Herobrine in the tower with the well, you seemed ever so fearless and filled with courage. … Hmmm… I suppose I might have buried it, but here's where I'll dig it back out. I chose the both of you for a reason; particularly Herobrine in this case. He's quite a special design, one that comes close to virtually my own; he will not fall so easily. Know that. He was created with a few abilities that exceed my own, he has something within his design that recovers from damages like no other; not even I can heal as fast as he can in his prime condition and nor can I use his unique ability to withhold physical stress and damage to the body like he can. I have battled him before, though I take few hits he can take plenty and unlock that destructive side of him that ignores damage and pain to reach the peak of power and might to fight until death. I have seen this only once before, I know he has potential that I do not; it's his flaw and his true strength. Once in a ongoing battle he'll likely reach that dormant power with a bit of assistance, when he does… he will win. Or… so I hope. The dragon has been gathering strength for many years with Herobrine's help of course, even I am uncertain of the victorious one, but I believe in my brother; if he can almost best me then I know he can fight the beast on a near equal level."

"But what about me? I am but a human, I don't have the strength that they have! And why have you let the beast gather strength all these years when you could have stopped him?! And what if we fail?! Do you not have a backup plan or anything?!"

"Remember to keep your patience Steven."

Steve growled and leaned back against the tree with a deep frown, he was tired of having to wait for answers but he knew demanding for them wouldn't get them for him.

"You were chosen for a reason too, you have courage; much more than Herobrine himself has. You have no powers of your own but hold onto hope so strongly, you are the role model Herobrine needs; your human strength is frail in comparison but your unmatched bravery is the magnet and powerful influence. I believe that it'll be enough to drive him to the End and fight alongside you, you may do little to the beast with a blade but your very presence is the key to winning this once and for all. Give it your all and he shall too."

Steve pulled away from the bark and walked forward a bit after hearing those words. "Okay, so I'll give the fight everything I got. I'll even make it a personal quest to do at least some kind of damage during this fight if I cannot bring the beast to reconciliation through words. But what if I- no we- what if we both fail? What then?"

"Only should Herobrine and you fall will I have to take such drastic actions to kill the beast myself while it is weakened, even after doing that I would have a little self-suffering so long as I exist. The beast you call Ender, has a story of his own and that is but a tale for another time. For now our focus must go to Herobrine so that you'll know him better; perhaps as much as I do. To understand him is great knowledge that no mortal fully knows of yet, you'll be the first to see everything. Herobrine will remember his past, all of it one day and knowing everything you see will benefit the both of you; someday it'll put him at peace at last. There'll be no reason to get back at me nor kill mankind anymore."

"What will become of him then?"

"There is nothing I can do that is against his will, he'll find where he belongs; I can only help if he wants me to but I doubt we'll ever see each other on friendly terms again. To find that out however; is something that must be waited for. For all of this to come to pass though- you must face the beast and he must be brought down."

"Alright then," Steve said with an uncertain tone. "I suppose I can understand this and wait for that; but what now? What will you show me? … Actually- I do believe that you said you'd reveal yourself to me, you're still going to aren't you?"

"Oh, of course." The voice spoke with a hint of nervous laughter after speaking so serious for so long. "Sorry for taking so much time; there's just so much to say and my mind is a little scrambled right now from the tension. Hold on one second, I'll come but- it may be a surprise to see me again."

"Again?" The mortal inquired with heavy confusion. "You mean- I've seen you before?"

"Mmmm-hmmmm." A more clear tone came from behind him. Steve quickly spun on his heels and nearly stumbled back in shock to see a man in an old-fashioned brown belt-less tunic with a black beard and bald head leaning against the oak tree, he looked exactly like-

"That merchant?" He stumbled back while still gaping and blinking, this is certainly not what he expected his creator to look like.

"That's me, I'm that ragtag and nameless merchant that travels the roads and has loads of stories to tell. I wasn't actually expecting to reveal myself; or rather my name and nature to you so soon, looks like I have but no choice. Herobrine has pushed me into doing it sooner." Notch finished with a large smile, he leaned up from the tree and let his crossed arms fall to his sides; it was certainly entertaining to see the human stare about in a strange way. "Make no mistake my friend, I am the one and only, Notch; creator of Minecraftia and also- you. We spoke just yesterday, remember?"

"But- you- you can't be, that guy was- was-"

"Was me. I come humble so others do not feel belittled by my presence. Heh, actually it makes speaking to them much easier because I look like a simple merchant; of course they never knew who I was. You're the first. … Uh… You don't have to stare ya know, it's definitely me and this is a dream that 'I' have created to speak to you and show you something important. This is me, Notch." Notch gave the miner a nervous look and rubbed the back of his head. "I guess you're still taking this in huh?"

Steve stopped moving back when the man shot him a more friendlier look, he looked exactly like that merchant, exactly like the man he spoke to before returning to the ancient land. But that didn't make much sense, sure they both sounded nearly the same but why would Notch be speaking about himself so lowly back there?

"… 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'. Someone who abandoned his world and left the inhabitants to stir wrong without his help and guidance. 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."

"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."

"But what you said… I- I think that you're right. So what if he's not 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. 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. 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?"

"I have a great memory Steve, makes remembering so easy; even for you in this place." The man now known as Notch lost his smile and sighed; he could see into the miner's mind just as well as Herobrine could. "Yes, I had every reason to talk about myself in such a manner. I'm not perfect, and I have made many mistakes. So much for the 'mighty' creator, I'm no better the rest of my team nor mortals either. I have left people alone to survive and thrive without my guidance and they have become a corrupted people; selfish, loathsome, prideful, greedy, and cold. Perhaps not too many are so extreme, but most; if not all of them carry a little bit of the corruption in their hearts from my time away. That is why I should have never left, things could have turned out better… different.."

"You mean- you left us? Or this world?" Steve asked with a more dismayed tone of voice.

Notch nodded rubbed his temple with a free hand while resting the other on his hip. "Yes, I did. I wanted to move on after seeing my people prosper and Herobrine content in the fortress with many who adored him; I left my team to take care of everything in my absence but they have failed to maintain any kind of order. I don't blame them though, Herobrine's presence on the Overworld has caused them to become strict and rigid with managing things and creating additions to better the people; his senses are sharp and he's quick to react. I made it clear before I left to make sure that he cannot find evidence of them or even me or it would spark something dangerous inside him; that innate origin that was meant to kill and destroy. It's sadly the part of him that has torn us away from each other, it cannot be so easily contained as it once was. It's a part of him that I fear will always keep us parted, my associates wanted to risk nothing in my absence because they know how formidable Herobrine truly is."

…

"No more questions for now." Steve heard Herobrine's words echoing back to him from the past when he was trapped within the Nether. "It isn't worth the risk up to this point, I still feel an anger surging through me and I could-"

"Lose control again?" The miner's own words sounded.

"Yes. As much as I would hate to admit… I- there is something wrong with me. There always has been, even before I met Lionel. This has happened many times in my past and a few recently once you showed up. Lionel made the white fog stay away but before I met him I had- problems with self control. Notch or whatever damned god out there that made me… had.. I had been made a monster."

…

"You keep mentioning that he has a destructive side, is this really true?"

The bald one nodded and sighed heavily. "Yes, it's how he was made. You will learn more about that later, I know you are more inquisitive about that; but now is not the time. … I now need your help more than ever. I've waited a long time for this day to come, I left this world once before to return and find this mess that steals my creations from me; a mess that I have left unattended to for far too long. There is a reason why I let Herobrine do what he's been doing for a very long time now, the answer will come shortly. But we'll get more in-depth with Herobrine's purpose later, for now it's time for you to learn of his old self and understand everything from the time we met." Notch let his posture relax and he lightly smiled, he turned around and began walking; only taking a quick glance back before making a small smile. "Come now miner, he's close; follow me."

"Uh-okay." The miner nodded and felt himself be covered in chills and uncertainty, he had mostly been distracted from the fear but now it was gnawing at him again. He followed close behind to the creator while keeping his guard about despite having no weapon; again he was dealing with the natural reaction to fear but Notch didn't seem to have any at all, in fact the guy even seemed kind of happy whilst holding a small smile on his face in spite of their recent discussion. They passed under a few thick lowland trees and moved uphill with a steady pace, Steve felt nearly paralyzed as they reached the apex of the tree-covered mound; he new that 'HE' was there and very close. This same feeling once haunted him when he first encountered the being in the ravine, he wanted so much to tolerate the fear but the aura about the area was strong and he felt his knees shake. "Why am I so afraid? How come I can't- tolerate it." He spoke with his teeth clenched and his fists coiled as if he was trying to suppress the fear. "I don't fear him anymore."

Notch turned his head a bit and kept his smile while he spoke. "You really are strong if you're trying to fight a fear that no longer exists but nonetheless powerful, you've had this feeling before and it's taken quite the experience to be free of it. Many encounters I believe? Here, it may be difficult. As I've said, this was when his terrible and unfortunate influence was so authoritative; just the biggest part of his creation that was meant to terrify. Try not to run, you may endure it; you have surprised me many of times before. Also, know that this Herobrine may seem a little different; his mental being has not yet been shaped by nice acquaintances nor friends."

Steve only swallowed the lump in his throat and pressed on as the two walked just a little more, he was determined to get over this fear of Herobrine as he did once before. It was confusing as to why someone was made with so much fear; it was actually undeserving of someone like Herobrine, to live alone forever because none would approach him. It was truly unfair to the man, it was a good thing that the hero was not Notch's creation or he'd have a mouthful to say to the guy for the wrongness of making him so terrifying.

"Ah, here we are. Now listen Steve, from here I will speak to you but only unconventionally from this point on. Don't want any disruptions in a memory now, so listen close and know that you are completely safe. You will not even have to hide behind me anymore, so come out if you would."

The miner moved at an unhurried pace and walked out from behind the man to see that Herobrine was in not line of sight, the presence was definitely there but he could not see the immortal amongst the trees. "Where is he?"

"I know you're here, I sense your power. Do not be alarmed, I do not fear you and nor do I bring harm friend. I am but curious of you." Notch suddenly stepped foreword a few steps and stopped as a man hidden in the shadow of a thick oak suddenly come out from behind the tree trunk. His eyes glowed brightly from the shade and made his being very clear.

"You do not fear me?" The partially hidden man spoke, he stood in his place and dared not move; his white gaze however remained on the creator.

Steve felt his heart racing faster, he was scared but also curious. Those white eyes were no mistake; they definitely belonged to Herobrine as did the sound of his smooth and silken dual-tone voice; only that the words were not being said into his mind but filled his ears instead. It was those words though and the very sight of his silhouette that had him feel so insignificant and vulnerable; as if he was truly seeing a the form of disaster, pain, terror, and death all in a single human form.

"Nope." Notch said more confidently with a growing smile. "Come out of the shade, I will not run friend."

"Friend?" He asked softly. "I know nothing of you and you know naught of me, why call me such a thing?"

"If you come out of hiding then we could get to know each other better, we can become friends- if you'd like?"

The white eyes surprisingly narrowed. "I have been dreaded and forlorn for as long as I can remember and there has not been one to see me and not flee in terror or cower at my feet yet; I have doubt that you'd be any different from any who has laid eyes upon me or sensed my very manifestation and not be struck in fear." The shadowed man replied with disbelief. "I'll come out but have no hopes for finding a 'friend'."

"It'll be alright, I won't run or cower; I promise."

"Promise? You sound so sure of yourself, but then again… I sense great power coming from you. Perhaps-… perhaps you will not? I suppose we'll see." He finished with uncertainty and walked out from under the tree and stepped into the sunlight, he looked nearly the same as the miner but with a healthy and more powerful build; only the difference between them were the eyes and the facial hair.

Steve was still feeling the effects of apprehension but a sad smile crept onto his face no less, Herobrine's first true acquaintance was Notch and he did not fear him.

Notch appeared to furrow his brow for a second but smiled again as he stared at the guy. "I don't see nothing terrifying about you, you look normal to me friend." He chuckled softly and watched as the White-Eyed one gape at him slightly. "There is something about you that I can't quite explain though."

Herobrine took just a step back and gently flinched inward in insecurity, he looked away for a second while his posture changed to one that looked to be in discomfort as if he was timid and self-conscious. "How can this be? Who are you- what are you?" He asked carefully while lowering his head a bit in submission.

"I am the creator of this world that you are in, I made everything around you; the trees, the ground, creatures..."

"Even me?" Steve's identical looked up from the ground with a bit of surprise.

"No." Notch replied calmly. "I didn't, but I sensed your power and had come and see what was scaring my people; now it all makes sense. It's no wonder why they were so filled with dread when they used to not have such a thing."

Herobrine looked the creator in the eyes and bowed his head slightly. "I am sorry, that would be my fault. I did not expect that my very being would cause such distress amongst your creations."

"It's all good, they'll be fine. You don't have to bow." The creator moved closer carefully reached out and placed a hand on the man's shoulder; Herobrine tried to pull back a bit but Notch didn't let go, it was clearly obvious that the newcomer was not used to any company nor the touch of another. "My name is Notch by the way, and yours?"

Steve watched in gladness as Herobrine lightened up from the tension of being close to someone and looked up with hesitance and timidity. The White-Eyed man relaxed a bit after the hand moved off of him and he stared at the spot that it once rested for a long second before turning to face the creator.

"My name-… my name is Herobrine."

…

A/N: I was actually planning to push this arc more towards the end but then I decided that it wouldn't be as fitting. So if you thought that there was going to be a training montage last chapter than I am sorry to disappoint; but don't worry, there will be breaks within this arc for Steve to heal and other things. The training will come later. Sorry if this sounds a little rushed, I may go back and add a little more to even out the pace.