Chapter XXV

[Revelations]

The two had only remained within the Nether long enough to regain their strengths after their most recent activities. The process for Steve was really helped along after Herobrine once again brought him one of his freshly brewed special potions, the human taking it without even giving the other a questioning look.

Before Steve knew it, the two of them were right back in the middle of the desert, exactly where they were before Herobrine teleported them into the demon's room.

Herobrine had quickly put together a small tent as the sun was still high in the sky above them. The tent really only consisted of a thick sheet of wool draped over and attached to four long sticks stuck securely into the hot sand. Lying another sheet of wool down to keep them separated from the sand, the material still allowed the heat of it to seep through and create a relaxing sensation to fall over them.

Steve chuckled as he ducked underneath the canopy and sighed contently under the shade, taking in the noticeable degree difference. He groaned with a stretch before settling down against the blue blanket, lying back after folding his arms behind his head to use as a make-shift pillow.

"Well, I guess now we simply wait until nightfall."

Steve blinked his eyes open to look up at the other, watching him as he seemed to be looking around their surroundings. "Everything alright?"

"Hmm? Oh, yeah. Just trying to see if there are any landmarks that could possibly show any signs leading to what we're looking for. But sadly, all I see if just desert." Herobrine huffed, "Oh, and that temple. Which that clearly has nothing to do with it. The Eye isn't even having us go in the direction." he added with a low snort.

Steve remained quiet for a moment before talking again, looking out over towards the large structure built from sandstone, the colours having it almost blend perfectly with the desert if not for the backwash of the blue ocean behind it as it edged along the Biome. "I wonder who even built it? And for what purpose?" the minor more mused to himself if anything.

Herobrine still heard him however and blinked while looking down at him. "Oh that's an easy one. The ancestors of Sanderlorum built it of course. It had something to do with praising an ancient sun goddess before I guess they realized it was Notch they should've been praying to or some shit like that."

Steve blinked in surprise,having never heard of that before, "Really? Then how come no one seems to know about it? I've asked literally everyone back home and no one was able to really tell me anything. Not even the Elder."

Herobrine hid a smirk at Steve subconsciously calling Sanderlorum his 'home' while shrugging his shoulder, "Eh, probably because they honestly don't know. It happened way before my time. And way before all the legends about The End. It was supposedly built before the dragon came to be."

"Hunh… wow so I guess… after the dragon came around, the temple sort of just got over shadowed?" Steve frowned.

"I guess so." Herobrine sighed, his tone clearly holding very little to absolutely no interest to the conversation anymore. He moved to join Steve under the shade.

Seeing this, Steve scooted over to ensure enough room was given for the other to sit with him comfortably and underneath the shade fully. Laying quietly for only a few more seconds, Steve settled back down before asking; "Do you think there's a connection?"

"Between the temple and dragon?" Herobrine blinked and looked down to the human lying on his back to his left. Steve merely only shrugged, violet eyes gently closed. Turning back out to gaze at the temple that seemed to be dancing in the distance due to the heat waves, Herobrine hummed to himself. "I doubt it. But… no one knows where the dragon came from."

"You mean, Notch doesn't even know?" Steve teased.

"No."

Steve sat up, eyes wide with shock as he stared at the demon while a violent chill ran down his spine. "But… Notch is the creator of this world, right? He's our god?"

"Yes."

"So then… he created the dragon. He had to have, right?" Steve pressed on. He knew Herobrine knew much more about the whole legend. And now he was hoping with how close they've become, there won't be any more closed doors to the human.

Herobrine didn't immediately respond; white eyes instead remained lidded and focused on something other than the temple in the distance. "He's the creator of this world, Steve. And everything within this world." he hinted seriously.

Picking up on the obvious message, Steve leaned back down; a strange numbing feeling hitting his stomach just then. "Wow… so then the dragon… really is from another world."

"… yes."

The confirmation did very little to settle Steve's sudden new onslaught of feelings from washing over him. He was chosen to go up against a beast not of this realm... how are you suppose to feel about that? Picking up on the change in the miner's aura, Herobrine glanced down at him for a moment before deciding to distract him with a change in topic. "Of course, people could also not remember because of me going crazy and all."

It worked. "You? What would that have to do with you?"

Herobrine sighed through his nose while lidded eyes dropped to stare at the golden sand, "Like I said, the temple was built way before my time. After I came to be the next Hero chosen, the people of Sanderlorum at the time became greatly attached to me. I was highly liked and praised. But when I… lost myself and turned against the Overworld, many who looked up to me became lost themselves within their rage and… I guess you can say they rioted and destroyed many things. Many of the books and scrolls about the temple and such were lost within the fires that I actually hadn't personally created. Then, as the people forgot who Brine was and began spread talk of Herobrine faster than the fires in the Nether can spread… the temple was simply forgotten."

Steve frowned as Herobrine fell silent upon finishing his story, still finding it strange yet exciting whenever the demon went into such detail about anything connecting to his dark and sorrowful past.

They simply sat in each other's presence in silence for a long few moments. The heat of the desert was both calming and relaxing to the demon, allowing himself to close his eyes and take advantage of the moment. It was surprisingly nice to simply slow down and stop for a moment. His nerves however were having a much harder time settling down. Despite this he was able to look over that and force himself to relax.

"Do you ever wonder what your life and everything around you would be like had you never changed?"

Herobrine blinked his white eyes open at hearing the softly spoken words from Steve. Upon the question actually settling into his dazed mind, empty eyes opened wide as the Nether ruler sat up. He looked down at the human, taking in his still form and relaxed expression. If he hadn't known any better, he would've thought the miner was sleeping and that he simply imagined hearing his voice.

But he did know better. And he knew Steve. "You know… I've never really… thought about that before." he answered truthfully.

Violet eyes cracked open to study the other's expression closely. He was surprised to actually see such a look on the older man's face. He's never really seen the demon so lost in thought before; "Never? Not even once?"

Herobrine shook his head before responding, "No. I was cast into the Nether long after I had changed, so I never really had the time to think about it. And my entire time spent in the Nether was wasted in blind rage and hatred. So… not much time there either really."

"Oh…" Steve frowned while looking away.

Once again, silence fell between them, this time the demon settling down on his back as well with a groan as the heat from the sand seeped in through the blanket and calmed his muscles. Thinking that maybe the miner was no longer awake, Herobrine allowed his mind to relax and let his thoughts wander aimlessly. Until the young human's voice spoke up yet again in a soft whisper; his words setting the path for the demon's mind to travel;

"Well… what about now? Since you're free? I'm sure you've had time to think about it now." Herobrine sat up and stared down at the miner in surprise. Steve glanced over at his companion upon feeling his gaze on him, startled slightly at finding him staring so intensely at him.

"You know…? You've made a good point. But I've… been so distracted by everything… that I…haven't really thought about it."

Steve couldn't hide the chuckle that came from him as he shook his head, "Understandable." He then blinked and looked over at the older male once more, "So. Here's another one; Have you at least thought about what you plan to do once everything is over? When we're done at The End I mean?"

Herobrine stiffened so suddenly it almost looked painful, causing a wave of alarm to wash over Steve until the demon managed to calm him. He remained still for a few long seconds, only responding upon hearing Steve say his name in a soft and questioning tone. Herobrine turned to face the human with an almost forced chuckle, "Well…? At first honestly… I just thought about disappearing."

Steve cocked a brow at the other, finding his words untruthful but didn't push the matter, "Really? You were going to just… poof, disappear?"

Herobrine chuckled harder this time with a roll of his shoulder, "Yeah I know. Sounds lame." He continued to laugh while settling down on the blanket once more.

Steve leaned over the other male, a sly smile crawling across his face, "Is that still your plan?"

"No." Herobrine whispered before chuckling almost sadly to himself, "No, before I was alone. I had no reason to just stick around. But now…? Well, things have dramatically changed. Now I've got you." He smiled genuinely at the younger male, white empty eyes lidded yet strongly reflecting many different emotions at that moment.

Steve swallowed the lump that formed in his throat as his face easily heated up a few degrees. He became lost for words at that moment, deeply appreciating Herobrine apparently pleased enough with the silence that fell between them once again to turn away and stare out into the desert. Stretching his arm high above his head while laying back with a yawn, Steve allowed his body to once again relax against the soft blanket heated by the sand it was laying on, moaning lightly in the back of his throat in satisfaction.

Herobrine blinked and tilted his head to better look at the miner, especially with all the new sudden noises he was making. He watched him settle down into a comfortable spot, wiggling about until the blanket and sand seemed to mold around his body. White empty eyes continued to trailing over the resting lean body laying just next to him, observing his features and taking everything in. He was so calm and at ease. Hardly the behavior you'd expect from a human out in the open with Mobs roaming around nearby.

The longer he continued to watch the human resting innocently beside him, the more torn he began to feel. He couldn't explain it. And even if he could, he didn't think he'd want to. All he knew was they were close. He was close! They'll find The End and then everything will be perfect!

'Or will it...?'

Turning away from the human and staring out at the large temple in the distance, he began to wonder how different everything was going to become for everyone once they slayed the dragon. And the main question that still plagues his mind as he looked back towards the other; 'Will you still stand by my side, Steve?'

As he continued to stare down at the human, Herobrine's body and mind began going off on their own. The heat all around them was reminding Herobrine all too much of the Nether, and with the many questions still buzzing around in his mind, the demon wasn't exactly in the right place at the right time.

Which is what caused his slip up—

Herobrine pulled a startled yelp from Steve as he suddenly crawled on top of him, muffling any other sounds the human could possibly make by covering his mouth with his own.

It was too dangerous to lay with each other completely out in the open like this, but a little discrete playing around wouldn't hurt. With his burning lust and growing urge clouding Herobrine's better judgment, he growled while roughly pushing Steve harder against the blue blanket, smashing their lips together as hands began clawing at clothing in desperation to feel skin on skin.

Or so he thought it wouldn't hurt…

Just as suddenly as Herobrine was upon Steve, he was gone. He had pushed himself up at arm's length with white eyes open wide as if horrified by something.

Steve blinked and took steady breaths to attempt to regain himself all while watching Herobrine above him, violet eyes silently asking the demon if it were something he did wrong.

Giving the miner a quick flash of a grin, he murmured in a shaky tone; "Shit. I fucked up right now. Listen, I'll be right back to finish this, Stevie. But sadly, something has… come up. So to speak. Stay here. Nothing will come near you as long as you stay on this blanket." And before giving the human a chance to question him, he disappeared only to reappear atop a tall mountain that had a peak high enough to overlook most of the massive island.

Arms crossing over his chest with a smug smirk spreading across his face, Herobrine chuckled while staring at the back of a young bald man dressed in simple clothing. "You called?" the demon chuckled in a mocking tone.

The man's hands balled into fists by his side as he spoke, his voice smooth despite the obvious growing anger laced within; "Mind telling me just what it is you are doing?"

Lips pulled back to reveal white teeth as Herobrine's grin grew wider; "I've thought I already let you guys know."

The man growled before turning to face the demon, dark colored eyes narrowed while his frown lay hidden behind his dark beard; "That is not what I am speaking about, Brine! You know what it is I am asking!"

"What? You telling me the great and all mighty powerful Notch isn't able to figure something out!?" Herobrine spat while approaching the god, waving his hands around in the air. Standing right before the other now, the Nether ruler's hands fell to his hips in a way that displayed his cockiness as he chuckled darkly with a single raised brow; "This is about Steve… isn't it?"

Notch narrowed his eyes even further upon the young human's name being mentioned, "How is it you were able to hide something like this from me, Brine?!"

"Aww, is the great and all mighty Notch admitting he's not perfect after all?" Herobrine mocked with a cruel smirk.

Notch remained calm however, quite used to Herobrine's attitude and personality by now. "I do not make it a hobby to look into the minds of the people here. But… this time is a small acceptation. I see nothing within Steve's memories to give evidence of any sort of deep… relationship between you two."

Notch thought it impossible for Herobrine's grin to grow any wider; "I was doing a damn good job at hiding it from you then." he gloated darkly.

"How far have you dragged Steve into your madness, Brine?"

"If you're referring to our relationship, I'll spare you the details since I went through all the trouble to hide them from you. But I've taken him all the way to hell with me! You weren't able to catch us in the act because I always made sure to take him while in the Nether. Just so you couldn't witness me fucking your new precious Great Hero! You see, I've had plenty of time to learn a trick or two with brewing potions. I've invented a special type of healing potion that, while it healed Steve's fatigue and... injuries brought on by our time spent together as I was his first... it was specifically designed to keep you from his thoughts and memories of me fucking him."

Notch, surprised to hear that Herobrine and Steve apparently had a rather deep relationship indeed, instantly became filled with concern for the human's well-being and immediately began thinking of ways to separate them. "Brine. What could you have been thinking? Don't you realize what you have started? You have got to put an end to this before it goes too far! As if it hasn't already!"

Herobrine sneered while crossing his arms over his chest, "What's it to you anyways? Why do you care that I've been sleeping with Steve?"

Notch narrowed his eyes in a warning glare, however kept to his calm demeanor and simply sighed through his nose; "I am concerned for the young human's safety, Brine. I still do not know what it is you are up to. But I do know it mustn't bode well for that man."

Tching at the accusation, Herobrine looked away. "I'm really getting fed up with that shit, you know. Can't you people fucking believe me?" he spat angrily before facing the god fully once more. "I fucked up. Big time! I understand that, but dammit can't I try to make up for it?"

"By helping Steve?" Notch began.

"Yes."

"And by luring him into the Nether where you have been bedding him is a progressive way to help?"

"That—!" Herobrine started before cutting himself off, feeling his face heating up slightly. "Look. I took him there for the first time when he had gotten injured by those assholes in the woods. You saw that! I know you did!" He began sternly, his arms uncrossing and hanging by his sides with hands balled into tight fists. "I had panicked and brought him there, knowing he would be safe while he healed."

"And then what? You felt the need to seduce him?" Notch pressed on however he wasn't being nasty or even judgmental. It was almost as if he was simply trying to collect the missing pieces to a puzzle of a picture about Herobrine that no one else had ever seen before… He is unable to see what happens within the Nether. He wanted to ensure it was of a consensual nature for the human.

And not something he was forced to endure.

"I didn't seduce him! I… simply made him an offer. He accepted. We had sex! THERE!" he snapped suddenly, his pitch in tone rising an octave with each word the more worked up he was suddenly getting himself until at last lashing out.

Why was this bothering him all of a sudden? Why should he care it was Notch he was telling this to?

"More than once, Brine?" Notch accused with raised a brow.

"What can I say? He's becoming addicted." Herobrine retorted with an evil grin.

Notch replied without skipping a beat, a skeptical look overcoming him; "Are you sure it is Steve that is? Or is it you?"

Herobrine remained silent; glaring hard at the god for his last remark as he felt cornered with nowhere else to go suddenly. Notch always found a way to turn the tables on him…

Notch in turn raised a brow at Herobrine's sudden silence; taking notice the Nether ruler appearing unable to make eye contact after a moment spent in simply glaring at him.

Notch was beginning to develop crazy ideas and scenarios in his head, but wasn't quite sure he could believe even his own thoughts. Could Herobrine actually becoming attached to Steve? He has witness countless times of the demon's apparent over-protectiveness towards the human whenever he was in any sort of danger.

Remaining silent himself for a few long seconds, Notch kept his gaze on the demon before him, "It is truly of Steve's own free will?"

Herobrine's face contorted in disgust as his head snapped up, glaring hard at the god, "I am not raping him if that's what you're implying." he spat.

Notch's expression softened. The look in the other's empty eyes. And his tone of voice. Those two things were enough to put a little more ease into Notch's heart.

But he wouldn't turn a blind eye completely. "Do what you will, Brine. But hear me out, I will be keeping a closer eye on you." And before giving the Nether ruler a chance to retort, the god was gone.

Herobrine sneered at the place where Notch was standing only seconds ago, still able to feel the other's holy presence despite his absence now. "We'll see about that."

Steve had managed to get himself settled back down again, still wondering what exactly had happened between him and Herobrine. The demon had been gone now for about fifteen to twenty minutes if Steve had to take a wild guess.

Just as suddenly as the Nether ruler had left him confused and slightly aroused, Steve yelped as he instantly found himself once again within the presence of and pinned down beneath the stronger male. "B-Brine!? What the hell was that about?"

Steve's argument fell on deaf ears as Herobrine simply grinned and once again claimed the younger male's soft lips with his own. The miner struggled beneath the demon, his efforts soon ceasing as a long drawled out moan passed between their lips upon feeling the man's tongue writhing against his own. Becoming too distracted by the other's tongue massaging his own, he didn't even register the demon's right hand sliding down his side before moving across his lower abdomen. Nor did he feel when his fingers began undoing the front of his jeans and slipping inside once he got them open.

He only gasped in surprise when he felt the demon's hot hand wrapping firmly around his awakening shaft.

Turning his head sharply to break the kiss, Steve hissed while trying to glare; "O-out here, Brine? You made it clear earlier you didn't want to do anything while here!" he argued, feeling annoyed that he was snapped at back at the old Nether portal when he tried to show affection like he didn't want anyone in this realm to see them and now here he was with his hand down his pants!

Leaning back to grin down at Steve but keeping his hand firmly in place, Herobrine chuckled, "Before I didn't want Notch to know about us. Not yet. But… I had slipped up and now he does. It's as simple as that and now that it's out of the bag, we have nothing to hide."

Steve continued to stare at Herobrine for a few more long seconds, trying to decide if he should let this slide as easily as the demon seemed to be willing to. However, he was quickly aided with his decision upon feeling the older male given his length an encouraging squeeze. "Ah-!"

"Besides, the Mobs will leave us alone. And it'll help pass the time!" the Nether ruler grinned deviously while setting a slow and cruel pace.

Steve hissed between tightly clenched teeth as Herobrine seemed to have won this argument, his body tensing up as the rolls of pleasure began spreading throughout his body. "B-Brine."

Lowering his head until his smirking lips were pressed against the miner's neck, Herobrine chuckled just before he quickened his pace, pumping the human into a writhing, moaning mess beneath him. "Don't resist… you know what that does to me…" he growled against the man's sweaty neck, his tone laced heavily with growing arousal.

"Shit…!" he gasped suddenly, violet eyes tightly shut. Steve hated how Herobrine was capable of getting him so worked up and even off with just his hands and words alone. His hips began jerking in a rhythm close to the one the demon had set, managing to keep up with the other's ministrations until the blinding pleasure burst and the human groaned deep in the back of his throat.

Body slowly easing from the tight tension brought on by his orgasm, Steve released a shuttering sigh while once again relaxing against the blue blanket.

"There… you see? Feel much better now, don't you?" Herobrine teased while leaning back after placing a chaste kiss against the pleasure point on the man's neck. Ripping off a small corner of the blanket, the demon went about cleaning the small mess the miner had made on his stomach and his hand.

Panting until he was able to catch his breath and calm down, Steve pushed himself up after making sure he replaced himself and corrected his clothing. After taking a moment more to settle down, Steve suddenly grinned down at the demon while quickly moving to straddle his hips just below his crotch.

Herobrine grunted before blinking his eyes open and staring up into the miner's unnatural eyes and seeing the mischievous spark swirling within. His own lips pulled back into a wide grin while placing his hands to the human's hips, "Oh? What's this now?"

Steve rolled his shoulder nonchalantly, "Just repaying you, is all." He then went to work freeing the demon's swollen length from the tight confines of his jeans. Herobrine sighed with relief upon Steve carefully reaching into the man's open fly and wrapped his fingers around his heated flesh.

He didn't hear it often, so Steve couldn't suppress the wide grin of satisfaction that spread across his face upon pulling a deeply throated groan from the demon pinned beneath him.

Herobrine couldn't help it as he allowed himself to indulge in the pleasure the human was giving to him.

Mimicking the demon's cruel pace at first before stroking him almost feverishly as the noises leaking from the older man encouraged the miner, keeping with the new fast pace the instant his names was moaned in a low and possessive growl from the Nether ruler; his body tensing almost painfully before going lax with a long and content sigh.

Steve stared down at the other's essence that evenly coated his hand, amazed at himself for being able to get the demon off with just some well executed strokes.

"Dammit, Steve. Even just your hand is fucking perfect..." the older male chuckled weakly though his body was quickly recovering from his orgasm already. The human merely grinned at him while cleaning his hand off.

After getting everything cleaned and put back together, Herobrine decided it was best to allow the miner to rest up whilst he kept watch. At first, Steve argued, but as exhaustion settled in that caused the younger male to yawn with a deep stretch, the hero was in a deep sleep before he knew it.

Glancing down at him, Herobrine once against began feeling conflicted with himself. After they're done in The End, things were undoubtedly going to be different. For the better of course within Herobrine's mind, but regardless of what was for the best or worst; he was determined to keep Steve by his side as well as all to himself at all cost. He's already made it very clear he doesn't share well with others.

Sighing quietly to himself while combing his fingers through the miner's Burnett hair, he settled down once again and forced himself to relax; waiting for nightfall to come.

To Be Continued...

A/N - Holy shit two chapter updates in one night! Holy flying buttholes, Batman! Lol, whoops! Herobrine went and fucked up and now Notch knows and him and Steve. But what's gonna happen when Steve finds out about the truth behind those special potions? And as much as it's breaking my heart... I will not lie. There is literally 3-4 chapters remaining to this story. All good things must come to an end I suppose, right?

But does their story end there...?

*Again a huge special thanks to slingading for the fantastic cover art for this story! Thank you so much and much love to you!*