Herobrine stood on the edge of a cliff, the handle of his sword hanging loosely in his hand as he watched the procession far below. The traveling party consisted of a carriage, inside which the Lady of Belmourne rode, while four horsemen and a dozen valkyries made up her escort. Lord Herobrine typically did not concern himself with humans, they meant nothing to him, but Lady Eydis was special - she was returning from a trip to the Aether. Had Herobrine caught up with her sooner, he may not have to do this, but the location of the portal still eluded him.

Slowly, the man stalked along the edge of the cliff, one leg dragging as it throbbed painfully with each step. He didn't know if it was a quality of aetherian arrows, or if the wound had simply been particularly bad, but his leg had never properly healed. It didn't matter. This physical pain paled in comparison to the agony in his soul.

The caravan entered a narrow passage between two mountains, and Herobrine teleported, appearing behind the last rider and killing him with a swift thrust through his heart.

The man's dying cry was enough to alert the rest of the guards, and Herobrine teleported again, tackling a valkyrie and killing her before she had a chance to get off the ground. An arrow struck the ground next to him, and he flipped over, scrambling upright and striking the next arrow out of the air. His silver longsword felt more like a short sword in his hand, designed for a smaller person, but he had learned a long time ago how to use it effectively.

Movement caught his eye and he turned as a valkyrie rose into the air, but his plan had worked - between the two sheer cliff faces, there wasn't much room to move. The enhanced mobility that the valkyries' wings afforded them was all but useless here. One of the riders bore down on him, and Herobrine slashed at the horse's legs, forcing the animal to dance aside to avoid it and letting Herobrine make quick work of the unbalanced rider.

The airborne valkyrie swooped down at him with eyes locked on his throat. Herobrine hesitated for a moment, feigning surprise, but moved with deadly precision the moment the warrior was in range to attack. The valkyrie's perfect feathers were stained red when he hit the ground. Another arrow flew past his ear and he set his sights on the archer, teleporting several feet into the air to add momentum to his attack.

Before he knew it the battle was over. Herobrine lowered his sword to his side, blank gaze shifting from one body to the next to ensure that they were all dead. Once this was done, he moved towards the carriage, bringing the pommel of his sword down on the lock to break it before pulling open the wooden door.

There were two women inside. One was dressed in simple linens and the other clothed in finery, so it was to the latter that Herobrine directed his attention.

"My lady." He spoke, his voice rough from disuse. "I do apologize for this disturbance." Lady Eydis only knitted her brow slightly. A skilled politician, of course she would not show the fear that her maid did as the younger woman cringed back at the sight of him.

"Are you a thief? I carry no valuables with me."

"Oh, I'm sure you do not." Herobrine stepped up onto the first step, leaning on his good leg to give the other a rest. "It isn't riches that I seek, but information. I have heard you recently held an audience with Notch."

The Lady's jaw tightened. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Don't lie to me!" Herobrine snapped, causing the poor maid to huddle against the far wall. "Speak the truth and I will spare you both. Lie to me, and your bodies will join those of your escort." The Lady's gaze flicked over to her maid's side, then back to him.

"You heard correctly."

"As I thought." Herobrine leaned against the entryway, ensuring that both women could see his bloody sword. "Where is the Aether portal."

"I am not at liberty to share such information."

"I would advise you to reconsider." Herobrine teleported inside the carriage, pressing the point of his sword against the Lady's throat. Eydis met his eyes evenly, only the slightest flinch betraying her fear.

"I ask only that you make it swift."

"You-" Herobrine began, but was cut off by a wail that came from behind him. Not moving his sword, he turned, and found the maid frantically trying to soothe the infant that squalled in her arms.

Herobrine could feel his anger dissipate as he gazed at the child, who gradually calmed as the maid rocked him back to sleep. He was small, likely only a few months old, but already had a head of dark curls that framed his soft cheeks. Herobrine's sword lowered back to his side, regarding the child with narrowed eyes.

And then pain exploded in his side, and he let out a roar, a hand flying to the site of the wound as the Lady Eydis jerked out the dagger she had used to stab him.

"You will not harm my son!" Her voice trembled with fury. Herobrine sneered at her, pressing his hand over the wound. It had been a long time since someone had caught him with his guard down like that.

"I would not," He gritted out. "Hurt him." His hand tightened on the handle of his sword, then he teleported, appearing at the top of the cliffs again to tend to his wound.

"Quiet." Stephen murmured, lifting up a hand as he came to a stop. Alexis halted behind him, and neither of them moved for a few moments. "It's nothing." Stephen said at last. "Probably an animal."

"I didn't hear anything." Alexis said as they started moving again.

"It was faint. Could've been the wind."

"Can Cafos really move that quietly?"

"Yeah," Stephen said. "All of us can."

"Oh."

It was late at night. The two of them had started walking about an hour after the sun went down, about four hours ago now. The moon high above them illuminated the field that they traveled through, filled with grass so tall it came up nearly to Alexis's waist. They had been forced to abandon the river as it had gone up into the mountains, which Stephen had decided would be a poor battleground should Cafos find them again. So they continued north.

"I see a forest ahead." Stephen reported. Alexis squinted into the darkness, the rusty bucket hanging at her side.

"I don't see anything."

"It's still a good distance away," Stephen explained. "But the trees look large and dense. Probably a safe place to spend the night… or day."

"Right." Alexis squared her shoulders. "Do you think we'll reach it by morning?"

"Depends on if we can keep this pace. I think we might."

"Alright." Alexis sighed, and Stephen cast a sympathetic look in her direction. She was tough, but her stamina was considerably less than his. He wasn't sure if she was going to make it until morning.

"Do you wanna take a break?" He offered. She shook her head.

"Don't have time."

"I can carry you."

"No." Alexis shot him a look. "You'd get tired."

"I'm an elite-warrior-in-training, remember?" He raised a brow. "Walking for long distances carrying heavy things was a part of my training." Alexis stared at him for a few, long moments.

"You calling me heavy?"

Stephen blinked. "Well, you're a person."

"Just for that remark, you can carry me." Alexis crossed her arms. Stephen stared at her, bewildered at what he could have said that offended her such, before shrugging and getting down on one knee.

"Climb on my back."

All things considered, she really wasn't very heavy, especially compared to the backpacks full of heavy equipment that he had trained with in his youth. Alexis rested one arm lightly around his neck to hold on, though she really didn't need to, and eventually settled for pillowing her head on his shoulder. Stephen continued at a steady pace through the tall grass, allowing himself to get lost in thought. A slight breeze occasionally swept through the field, and the shimmer of moonlight off of the blades of grass was almost hypnotizing.

"Stevie?" Alexis's voice in his ear startled him out of his daze, and he lifted his head.

"Mm?"

"What's that?" Her hand lifted to point, and he followed it up to the sky, searching.

"What's wha-" and then he'd spotted it, a huge, winged silhouette against the stars.

"Get down," He hissed, dropping to his knees in the grass. "Stay low. And don't make a sound." Alexis obeyed, shimmying off his back and hunching low in the grass. Stephen remained on his knees, tracking the silhouette as it glided far above them. "Maybe he didn't see us." He murmured.

Shortly after, Cafos finished his turn, and plunged into a dive as he angled towards their hiding place.

Stephen gritted his teeth, reaching out to seize Alexis by the wrist as Cafos neared them and teleporting with her about 20 feet away. "Stay," he hissed, then straightened up and took off running through the tall grass.

They could never outrun him, that much was obvious. Stephen's teleportation was too limited for them to make any sort of distance on an opponent that could fly. If they could get to the forest their chances would improve significantly, the thick canopy of branches shielding them from being dive-bombed, but it was a good distance away yet. If only they'd started sooner-

"Stephen!" He heard Cafos' taunting shout an instant before a body slammed into him, strong hands gripping his arms as he was carried up and off the ground.

Stephen yelped, kicking his feet helplessly as the grass grew smaller and smaller beneath him. He threw an elbow back and hit soft flesh, but Cafos only grunted and adjusted his grip.

"You made a fool out of me once," He hissed into his ear. "But never again. Once I'm finished with you, your little friend is next."

"Let go!" Stephen snapped, continuing to struggle. Cafos scoffed lightly, then dropped him.

Stephen's stomach flip-flopped as he fell, twisting to face the ground as the grassland rose up rapidly before him. He could teleport, of course, but once he'd gathered momentum it wouldn't-

He teleported and slammed into the ground.

Stephen groaned airily, getting an arm underneath him and pushing himself up enough to lift his head. Teleporting didn't negate any momentum he had gained, which could be useful in a battle, but was decidedly not useful when falling from a great height. He hadn't yet reached terminal velocity, though, so that had hurt less than if he'd just allowed himself to fall. He still wouldn't be able to take much more of this.

Cafos swooped overhead, and Stephen lunged upright, starting to head for the roofed forest again. He was well aware that he was leaving Alexis behind, but as long as it kept Cafos off of her-

"STEPHEN!" Alexis's scream dashed his hopes to pieces. He whirled around, seeking out his friend, only for his heart to drop into the pit of his stomach at the sight of Cafos rising again with the redhead in his arms. Oh Notch no, he'd have to break her fall. Looping around, Cafos dropped her, and Alexis shrieked as she plummeted. Bursting into a run, Stephen charged for where she was going to land, teleporting desperately in order to reach her in time for him to tackle her out of the air.

The two of them tumbled into the grass, and Alexis groaned, letting her forearm flop over her face. "Pretty face is wasted on him." She grumbled. Stephen blinked at her, panting.

"…what?"

"Stephen!" She exclaimed instead of answering, and he shoved himself up as a dark shape swept past overhead. Stephen scrambled to his feet, this time holding his position as Cafos wheeled around to face him. Running wasn't working, he would have to stand his ground.

Stephen had expected Cafos to try to drag him into the sky again, but this time the valkyrie slowed as he came in close, wings flaring back behind him as he drew up before him. Stephen was forced to lunge to the side to avoid being rammed, and Cafos twisted in the air to kick him in the jaw. Stephen's head snapped to the side, and he stumbled, giving Cafos an opening to tackle him onto his back amid Alexis's screams.

Cafos pinned him with a knee on his chest, hands going for his throat, and Stephen teleported in a panic to give himself room to breathe. He rocketed upright, adrenaline flaring as Cafos turned around in search of him.

"There's still time to surrender." The valkyrie hissed, silver eyes locking on his prey. "Come back to the Sons. Back to Lucius. We can be one big happy family again." Cafos' voice dripped with sarcasm, and Stephen scowled at him.

"Tell me something, Cafos." He gritted out between heaving breaths. "Were you born cruel? Or does something about my existence personally offend you?"

Cafos scoffed as he moved towards him. "Have you ever considered that you're just easy to hate?" He lunged at him again, and Stephen teleported, staggering as he landed. His body ached from injuries both old and new, and every teleport snapped a bit more of the strength from his bones. Cafos on the other hand showed no signs of even slowing down. Maybe he could at least stall him until Alexis got away.

Cafos advanced on him again, and Stephen clenched his fists as he teleported, but landed only halfway to his destination with the world spinning madly before him. Cafos laughed, a mocking sound, as Stephen staggered back a step and collapsed onto his knees.

"You're doing my job for me." Cafos' voice sounded muffled, as if spoken through a layer of fabric. Stephen grasped at the dirt, and he yelped when a hand seized him by the collar and yanked him up, slamming him down again onto his back.

"You want to know why I hate you?" Cafos hissed, dragging him up an inch off the ground with a hand fisted in his shirt. "You want to know so badly?! Your father killed my father!" Stephen blinked, his dazed mind struggling to put together the pieces. Cafos… his father?

"He took my father," Cafos went on, "and then you were allowed to grow up as one of us, as Lucius's favorite!" He gave his prisoner a rough shake, heedless of Stephen grasping at his fist. "The last time I saw my father was before he left to collect you! He died because of YOU!" He released Stephen's shirt, drawing his sword from where it was buckled around his waist. "And it's high time I returned the favor." Stephen's gaze tracked the blade as it lifted, shining in the moonlight.

BANG!

Cafos dropped, motionless, and Stephen blinked up in astonishment to find Alexis standing over them with her rusty bucket clutched in both hands.

"We should go." She said hoarsely. Stephen's hands shook as he dragged himself upright, reaching out to grab hers.

"Yeah."

Leaving Cafos in the grass, the two of them hurried off towards the roofed forest again.

HEROBRINE SIGHTING. leave comment

~p0tat0-g0ddess