Chapter 67: Heroes

Overworld Calendar: Month 6, Day 28

"With the Dragon's death, the Ender Incursion ground to a halt. The Endermen around us came to their senses and disappeared, just as their presence in the Overworld all but ceased. My decade-long quest was over, and I felt emptier than ever before. There was one final surprise for us: the Ender Dragon had been guarding an egg. It was the lone survivor of an attack from another world, just like me. Steve and I I took it with us, and I wondered if by some chance I could end the cycle of violence by raising the hatchling myself."

Peace was returning to the End. With the Dragon's death (permanent, this time) and the reveal of their leader's intentions, the Acolytes of the Violet gaze effectively collapsed. Their remaining forces fled into the wilds or surrendered, and a discussion was underway as to how they should atone for their actions. The Fliers of the Open Skies, their largest allied tribe, had offered the fleet of airships to help track down the escaped soldiers.

Frustratingly, the true mastermind was nowhere to be seen. Phoros'malmislar had slipped away in the aftermath, escaping through the reopened portal in the middle of the Hallowed Grounds. Finding him would be difficult, as he'd retreated to the Overworld, and the Ender tribes agreed it wouldn't be wise to send a search party to track him down. Large numbers of Endermen appearing there would only cause unrest, and friction between the worlds was the very last thing anyone wanted or needed. For the time being, their focus was on reparations. He was powerless, and he could be brought to justice eventually.

A time of change had come for the remaining Endermen. While the many tribes would return to their own homes, it was agreed they needed to maintain better contact with one another to prevent further schisms. To that end, Nuroslar was being converted into a meeting ground for representatives of the groups to convene. Trade and support would be discussed, as well as means of improving the barren conditions of their homeworld. Even the former Acolytes, dissolved into various smaller tribes, would be represented. Phoros' wish for a unified race had come true, because the largest alliance the End had seen in centuries was emerging in the aftermath of his attempted conquest.

Matthew and Alice had stayed with their new friends for a few days after the battle with the Ender Dragon, reveling in their victory and helping make reparations to the Hallowed Grounds where they could. Salsh introduced them to his tribe at last, translating for his people. The praise and gratitude was a bit overwhelming for Matthew, to say nothing of the gifts they were showered with. Brand new wings from the Fliers of the Open Skies, Netherite scraps from the Dwellers of the Ashen Fields, exotic plants and seeds from the Watchers of the Whispering Groves, heaps of gemstones from the former Acolytes, and many more rewards from other tribes stuffed their inventories full to bursting. If it weren't for the shulker boxes they also received, they wouldn't have had any hope of carrying it all.

Yet the most substantial gift came from none other than the Keepers of the Hallowed Grounds, once reparations on their settlement were complete. In the middle of the yellow buildings, beyond the ring of obsidian towers, Matthew and Alice were made official members of the tribe and presented with pearls of their own. They wouldn't remain in the End long enough to grow them in shulkers as was customary, but they both appreciated the gesture.

"You know, Alice… leaving home to follow you was the best choice I've ever made," Matthew told her once the ceremony was over, and they were enjoying a quiet moment to themselves. "Even if it has almost gotten me killed in too many ways to count."

She rested her head on his shoulder with a giggle. "You'll have plenty of stories for your town the next time we visit.

"Do you think anyone will believe them?" he asked, putting an arm around her. "I'm not so sure I would."

"We've got plenty of proof. Not to mention, I think I can even speak a little Endish now. I've been listening in on a few conversations."

Alice made a harsh, raspy noise with her throat and lips. Matthew couldn't resist bursting into laughter, even when she pouted at him.

"I'd advise you not to do that again."

They looked up. Salsh had found them in a small alley between two buildings, and took a seat against the opposite wall. He had a fresher wrap around his missing arm, and it had received the best medical care the End had to offer. It couldn't grow back, but he at least wouldn't have to worry about infections.

"Oh, did I not say it right?" asked Alice.

"No, it was actually perfect. It was, however, language that would make some of our elders shriek. I'm very curious as to where you picked it up."

She cringed. "Uh… I heard Azhero saying it."

"They'll receive a stern talking to," Salsh replied, though he was smiling.

The triplets had become a regular sight around the Hallowed Grounds. With the dissolution of the Acolytes, they'd formed a "tribe of three," as Thital had put it. Practically speaking, they were being looked after by the Groundskeepers, though they did have enough independence to retrieve Lurex'skonaslar's body for proper funeral rites. She and the rest of the fallen Endermen had been encased in stone tombs around Nuroslar, available for all to visit.

Salsh continued. "Many of our new allies will be departing tomorrow. The Groundskeepers will see them off."

"I think we'll be hitting the road soon ourselves," Matthew said. "We still have so many places to see."

"Ah. Your next adventure awaits, of course… we can configure our fountain portal to bring you back to the mansion. It has access to any frame in the Overworld."

"Thanks for that." Alice scratched her chin. "So… what's next for you now that the Acolytes have been stopped?"

"There's still much to do here. Repairs, resettlements for those whose homes were destroyed… it won't be a short process."

Matthew thought he saw Alice's smile waver, but she replied like nothing had happened. "Right, lots to do… well, as long as you guys don't overwork yourselves too much. I think you've earned at least a bit of a break after all this."

Salsh looked like he wanted to say something else, but he merely nodded and stood to leave, rejoining others from his tribe.

"Guess we'd better finish packing up," she said. This time, he could hear the sadness in her voice.

"But while my quest was complete, Steve's had only just begun. He craved more battles, more chances to test his strength. I had nothing and nobody left, so I followed him. We roamed the world together for centuries, seeking new challenges and taking on new identities as time passed. I myself have gone by many names- when we first visited this region nearly 200 years ago, I became known as Cassandra of the Granite Will. I helped clear mobs out of what would become Granitetown, and even met the noble family House Igniz."

It felt odd to be back home. The Hallowed Grounds were as familiar to him as the ridges in his exoskeleton, yet he wasn't swamped by relief like he'd expected to be. He was happy to see his community had survived the conflict, of course, but there was a restlessness in his heart. Even as he settled in the confines of his house- a small, sparsely-decorated building made of carved void bricks- he didn't feel any less anxious.

"Pardon me, Salsh'namisherad. If you have a moment, I would like to speak with you."

Velros'hemisherad, a middle-aged Void Walker with speckles of gray spots along his face and chest, stood at the doorway. Salsh bowed to his chief, trying to find the words to greet him. "Of course, Protective One."

He followed Velros outside, and the two walked along the paths through their small city. Groundskeepers watched them from all sides. The adults whispered to each other in quiet respect, while the children excitedly conferred and pointed their way. Salsh met the eyes of one awestruck young boy and realized the interest they'd attracted wasn't focused on the chief.

"You've become a bit of a hero," Velros said.

"Me? I… I'm not sure if I need such praise."

"If any of us deserve it, you do," the chief replied. "You set off on your own, you confronted the dangers of the Land of Bright Sky and Blue Pain, you rallied other tribes, and you even defeated She of the Abyssal Tyranny! You might well be the most accomplished Walker of the Infinite Void in history."

Salsh wanted to rebut everything he'd just been told. He'd fled to the Overworld in paranoia, he'd tried to find or make a weapon which could kill off scores of Endermen, and he hadn't thought to seek help from other groups until he'd met Alice and Matthew. They'd received nothing but praise and gratitude after the Ender Dragon's second death, deservedly so in his view, but he didn't think he was at all the hero his tribe saw him as.

"Something troubles you," Velros remarked when he didn't answer. "Would I be correct to suggest you don't share this enthusiasm?"

Salsh swayed what was left of his right arm. Every now and then, he swore he could still feel the cool air against his hand, or the pain of when Geres'anmislar had ripped it off. A part of him had been lost, one he could never recover and the memory of which would taunt him forever. But if he hadn't suffered that injury, would he have met his new friends? It was thanks to them the Tyrant Queen was gone for good, had the loss of his arm been worth it? He didn't know how to reconcile all which had happened.

"You would be," he finally replied. "I'm… not sure how to process this newfound peace. There is still much for us to do, but even so I feel stumped on what I should do now."

"Salsh'namisherad. You owe us nothing. Certainly, you owe me nothing." Velros sounded sad, and he was looking at the ground as they kept walking. "When word first reached us about the Acolytes of the Violet Gaze, I didn't take the situation seriously. I could have acted sooner, or sought counsel from the other tribes who were in danger… but I did nothing. Surely, I thought, none of us would be so foolish as to seek another invasion willingly. Phoros'malmislar exploited something which I had thought impossible: a lingering sense of anger, among many of us, toward the other world. Countless lives were lost when She of the Abyssal Tyranny first ruled us, and thanks to my lack of initiative, another disaster nearly befell our race."

"Where does this leave us?" Salsh asked.

Velros stopped and turned to look him directly in the eyes. "I know what I must do to atone for my poor leadership. I have spoken with Canros'rutnasreis of the Ashen Dwellers, and she has agreed to accept my help in reversing the damage done to her territory. As for you… after all you have done for us, I believe you should ask yourself a different question: what is it you would like to do next?"

"The last time I saw Steve was over 70 years ago, before he stole the egg from me one night and vanished. I have searched for him ever since, fearing what he might have in mind for it given his unending need for violence. I don't know if he is planning something, or if he just wants to become stronger for its own sake. Whatever morals or compassion he once held have been burned away by our conquest of the End, leaving only ashes and ruins. I am, in large part, to blame for what he has become. Revenge… all I could think of was revenge."

The next morning, the main exit portal was configured to connect to the woodland mansion frame Salsh had built. Alice had enjoyed her last few days in the End, but even she was looking forward to seeing the sun again, and continuing her exploration of the Overworld. The Dwellers of the Ashen Fields would be departing with her and Matthew, as the Nether portal leading back to Dalloreis was still in the dungeon. As they were saying their goodbyes to the Keepers of the Hallowed Grounds, Thital, Volas, and Azhero approached.

"You… helped us," Thital said to Alice, seeming a little embarrassed. "Thank you. Saved Infinite Void."

"Fought you before. We sorry," Azhero grunted.

Volas had a few mites crawling along her arms. She picked one up and idly stroked its head. "Friends say… thanks."

Alice gave the three a wide grin. "See you all around. We'll be back to visit, I promise."

The Dwellers were entering the portal and disappearing. As their numbers thinned, the Groundskeeper chief gave her and Matthew a wave, watching with a few younger Endermen. Salsh was with him too, and he shuffled over to the pair.

"I'll come to the mansion with you. I should be able to teleport you back to where we first met, so you can continue with your travels."

"I'm glad you remember where that was," Matthew chuckled. "I definitely don't. Feels like it's been forever… how long have we been at this? Three, four weeks?"

Alice scratched her head. "Something like that… hey, Salsh. Thanks for everything."

"I should be the one thanking you. You've saved our realm… I never could have done this alone. I'm still not sure all the rewards we've given you are enough."

She looked at Matthew. He had a little smile- they were thinking the same thing. Alice turned back to Salsh and cleared her throat. "Well… I think there is one more thing you could do for us."

His eyes widened. "Of course! Just name it."

Alice extended a hand toward him. "There's room for one more in our adventure. Why don't you come to see more of the Overworld with us?"

Salsh went very still. He didn't say a word, just looking at her hand with his mouth slightly open. However, he started to laugh after a few seconds. "I… hm, I was trying to work up the courage to ask if I could join you in your travels, but I didn't want to impose."

"You've been great to spend time with these last few weeks, why stop now?" Matthew asked. He glanced at the triplets, who'd been watching alongside Velros'hemisherad. "Alice and I are both Groundskeepers now, but in a way… I think we've made for a pretty good 'tribe of three' ourselves."

Alice had gotten better at discerning Endermen's expressions, but the look on Salsh's face was a rare one. He was happy- no, he was overjoyed, more than he'd been in all their time together. At last, he wouldn't have to worry about the Acolytes, or protecting his race. He had the chance to live freely. The night prior, Alice had confided in Matthew how upset she was for their time together to be over, and they'd agreed to invite him along.

"To see your world… to revel under the Bright Sky." Salsh hummed. "Yes… I would like that." Then, firm and confident, he shook her hand.

He looked back at his tribe. The rest of the Groundskeepers must have figured this would happen, because they'd gathered around the central portal to give them a bow, seeing off three of their own with honor. They stepped into the darkness of the fountain, departing from the End at last.

The warmth of the Overworld hit Alice all at once, after she'd gotten so used to the void's chill. She would need to readjust to many things: the temperature, the many colors, and especially the sunlight once they were back outside. She couldn't wait to feel rain again, even if they would have to make sure Salsh had a shelter for it.

Dunera and the Cindered One were waiting for them back in the mansion, the rest of the Dwellers having apparently moved on through the Nether portal. Alice couldn't help but scoop Dunera into a hug, which she returned in a fluster.

"We Dwellers will be making this place our second home," she translated for the Cindered One. "It will allow for quick travel between the three Lands, so we can stay in contact with the others."

The mansion had been the birthplace of a Legendary Hero for the Overworld, and one of the Wicked Two for the End. Alice was glad to hear it would be refurbished into something more positive; a new chapter of the Endermen's history could begin there. She wasn't sure what to make of Steve and Alex's legend anymore, not after what she'd learned, and especially now that she and Matthew were- in some way- Legendary Heroes themselves.

"History is complicated… heh, but that's why I love it."

Before they bade farewell, Alice handed Dunera the golden mace she'd gotten from the bastion. Likewise, Matthew held out the few remaining spectral arrows. However, she refused to take either and pushed the items back toward them. "Our Piglin friends gave these to you as gifts. They will be pleased to know you've put them to good use."

"All right, then," said Matthew. "Tell Jurum we said thanks, their weapons helped us in a big way."

"Take care, young one," Salsh told her.

With that, they parted ways. Alice and company took one final look around the mansion they'd made into their base, then exited out the front door into the forest. Salsh teleported them out to the surrounding plains. The three basked in the light of the rising sun, and the cool breeze drifting by, reflecting on their travels and accomplishments.

"Shall I warp us back now?" he asked.

Matthew stretched his arms out. "Why don't we walk some of the way there first? Take in the scenery, you know?"

"Sounds good to me," Alice replied. She looked between them: her steadfast companion and the love of her life, and their unlikely new friend who could finally experience the Overworld without fear.

Salsh nodded, taking a deep breath of the early morning air. "Very well… it will be an honor to accompany you. Where will we go first?"

"We'll see where our journey takes us." Alice looked to the sky as they began to walk, feeling as though everything was right with the world. History, excitement, and discovery awaited, and she couldn't imagine anyone better to share it all with in that moment. "Here's to the road ahead, gentlemen."

Far to the north…

Date: 1 Olson on the former Lux Kingdom's calendar (Overworld Calendar: Month 7, Day 1)

"I write all of this because I cannot bear to lie to you, Countess. In your and your friends' eyes I see the heroic spirit I WISH I'd had at your age. I see people trying to do the right thing and forging strong, lasting bonds with one another. Should the worst come to pass in the battle, I hope you will read this and understand: the last thing I want is for you to turn out like me.

If you really are determined to fight against this new invasion, then learn from my mistakes. Don't let yourselves be consumed by anger, and don't destroy your humanity for the sake of getting stronger. You are all so young, and you've found yourselves in a crisis which could strip the life and joy away from even the most steadfast, but there will come a time when the war is over. When peace returns to the Overworld, I hope you and others like you will still belong in it.

You can be so much better than Alex and Gwendolyn. The world needs heroes… so become ones who are truly worth celebrating."

Blake and his two companions had been hiding for a little under a month since Incursia. They'd fled deep underground, mining for resources and desperately trying to keep one step ahead of Usurpation search parties. Blake barely thought for himself anymore: Ulrich's plan was to bring the dark Bonemeal Core to the safety of Frostcap, and he'd agreed out of sheer desperation. He didn't know where his friends were, he didn't know what he was supposed to do next, and he didn't know what to make of Ray, to whom he'd spoken very rarely since the battle despite traveling together. He followed along with Ulrich's idea like an empty husk, devoid of purpose or hope.

That night, as he took his turn keeping watch, he'd finally mustered the willpower to read Gwendolyn's book. It had sat in his inventory all throughout the caves, as the three of them dug their way beneath the Great Badlands, and only then did he dare to open it, within a sealed stone crevice lit by a single torch. Inside its pages he'd found a letter for Celia and the rest of them, detailing the horrific tale of the people they'd grown up revering. Just like everything else lately, Blake didn't know how to reconcile the revelation. He closed the book and stored it in his inventory, though he was tempted to throw it into the nearest pit of lava. Celia's worldview had been harmed enough by the struggles they'd faced together, and their encounters with Steve. Could she stand to hear the awful truth of not just him, but Alex?

"If she's even still alive…"

"Hey. It's my turn… you can get some rest now."

He hadn't noticed Ray waking up. Blake didn't look at him, but he could tell there was an uncomfortable, worried expression on his face. He silently nodded, laying down in his own bed and tucking under the blanket to try and sleep.

"Heroes worth celebrating…"

Disillusionment with his former idols. The loss of his new friends. The sight of Benedict's headless corpse still appearing in his dreams. An "adventure" which had put him in grave danger time and time again. An impossibly large enemy force, too vast for him to even put a dent in. A world and story which he'd stumbled into by chance, and which he was likely to be a mere footnote in once he met his inevitable death at the hands of his Usurpation hunters. If that was the lot of a hero, he wasn't so sure he wanted to be one.

"Maybe leaving home wasn't a good idea after all…"

END OF BOOK X