Chapter 4 - Fake Hero

My newly modified diamond sword pulsated. It was calling me through its beating voice. Waiting for my very command. As if trying to resonate with the blade, I closed my eyes and focused on its newfound power. I could hear it asking me what I desire. What I desire...

I want power. Power to defy this world's existence!

As if hearing my request, the power within my blade began to surge through my body. I felt my ears ringing louder, my heart beating heavier. I felt massive pain throughout my body that I never experienced before. Too strong. But I refused to give up.

After what felt like forever, I instantly opened my eyes. Everything around me slowed down. The room darkened. I couldn't make out what was around me. The only thing that was clear to me was my targets in front of me. Focusing, I let out a single breath.

Now!

I sprang forward with all my strength and cleaved through all my enemies with my razor edge, leaving nothing behind. Flicking my blade, I turned back at the awed man. "Not bad for an upgrade huh?"

Ivor shivered. "Did you just kill a group of skeletons at a speed faster than a swiftness potion? And in one slash no less!"

I stared down at my sword's glowing cross guard. "Huh. But my body felt strange during that. I'm not sure what to think of this."

He couldn't hear what I mumbled. "Did you say something?"

I shook my head and put my blade away. "I just think this new enchantment is interesting... How long did I close my eyes for?"

"Um. Only for a few seconds." Ivor looked at her curiously. "Why ask?"

I looked away. "It's nothing. Let's get going."

It took us two days to retrace our step through the various biomes back to the Soren's fortress. The Wither was still alive and kicking as it continued to swallow every block it found. One of the Witherstorm's heads suddenly locked on to someone. I could see a person trying to collect all his floating ingredients and craft something in mid-air as he was getting sucked in by the monster's eye beam.

"Made it just in time." I stopped the horse from moving any further and jumped out, running towards the Witherstorm.

I could hear Ivor yell something at me, but a huge explosion blinded my ears. I proceeded to run. I can't let the Wither regenerate. Destroying the command block is all that matters right now.

Reaching the monsters huge corpse, I climbed up the giant fleshy remains. I spotted the command block, quickly raced over to it, and raised my blade.

*CLING*

One more time-

*CLAANG*

And finally-

*CRAAAAASSSHH...*

The last hit echoed throughout the earth as I watched the command block crumble down to pieces.

"Hey! What was tha- Oh... Oh it's Alpha again." It was Jesse's voice. "What happened? Did you just destroy the command block?"

I turned to see him and Reuben cautiously looking at me. "Yes. I do have to thank you for using that F-Bomb that I suggested before. But first..." I closed my eyes and instantly drove my blade into the pig's body, turning him into a raw pork chop.

Jesse slowly looked down in horror. His pet pig who always stayed by his side was now reduced to nothing but food. He angrily turned around with his iron sword. "Wh... What have you done!?"

Standing up slowly, I didn't face him. "You don't need him anymore. The pig will only become a nuisance in the future."

"I... don't understand. What do you mean that Reuben is a nuisance?! He was... He was just a pig! A pig!" Jesse stared at the pork chop for a while. "No. He was my good friend... I kill you right here and now!"

I smirked as I slowly approached him. "You'd kill me because of your pet pig. How laughable. What are you going to do next? Make an item frame for him? What a waste."

Jesse's entire body shook as he tightly gripped his sword. Eyes blazing pure of rage, he ran at full charge. "Talk all you want. Because those words will be your last!"

I closed my eyes one more time. My whole body began to break from the inside and reconstruct. This feeling felt uncomfortable. Unnatural. I opened my eyes and once again the whole world slowed down. Jesse's blade barely touched my eye. I moved away from the incoming attack and with all my strength I punched his gut with my iron fist.

*POW*

Time resumed to normal, and Jesse was sent flying. He let go of his weapon as he crashed into the fleshy wall. *COUGH!* The impact made him fall on his face. He slowly tried to get up again but gave up halfway.

"Weak." I picked him up with my mechanical arm and stared deep into his eyes. "I used my new powers on you, yet, in the end, you abandoned your will to fight just like that. Jesse, if you are going to face impossible odds in the near future, you better train. Train like never before."

"Why... Why me?" Jesse simply asked.

"I'm not a part of this world. I won't stay here. You will continue to live while I disappear."

"I..." He shook his head. "I don't understand. What is your true goal?"

"You don't need to know."

Lukas, who was done helping escort the survivors, ran in the direction of the loud noise.

Jesse didn't come back yet. I need to know what happened to him.

He climbed up the mushy corpse and found Jesse sitting on the ground with a piece of meat in his hands.

"Jesse!" Lukas rushed to check him out. "Are you doing okay?"

Jesse didn't turn to see who it was. "Oh. It's you Lukas."

"What..." He realized what Jesse was holding. "Oh... It's Reuben... How did this happen?"

He stood up and stored Reuben in his inventory. "It was Alpha." Jesse stared off in the distance.

Lukas looked in the same direction. "Again? Why does she keep doing this I wonder..."

"I am not sure why. But I'll never forgive her for taking Reuben away from me."

He looked down. "Sorry, that I wasn't there to help you."

Jesse shook his head. "Even if you came, she would've overpowered you. She is growing too strong for me to even comprehend."

Lukas noticed a chest nearby. "What is that?"

"Alpha left it behind. Saying something about upgrading my gear and a book with an important message." He looked at the green armour that he was wearing. "I don't understand her or her purpose. Everything she does is abnormal. I obviously want to pay back for what she did, but I still have many questions..."

He walked over to him and placed his hands on his friend's shoulder. "Look. I know Alpha did something horrible and who knows where she has gone off too but..." Lukas took a deep breath, "it's no use trying to figure out what her true goals are and where she could've ran away. We have to focus on what we can do now and that is helping the survivors out."

Jesse nodded. "You have a point. Thanks for looking out, Lukas." He opened the chest and took out everything that was contained in there. There were ten diamonds, a set of armour called the Ender Defender, a purple nether star, and the leather book.

He opened the book and read.

'If you are reading this, that means I successfully destroyed the command block and did something horrible to your pig.

First of all, forget all what I did and listen to my advice. Right now, I am giving you these tools so you can prepare for the future. So don't waste these materials because of some grudge against me. Use them wisely.

Second, everything written from here on will reveal the secrets that the Order of the Stone has kept. Don't keep it to yourself. Reveal the secret to the whole world...'

Jesse continued to read and discovered the whole truth of the Order. But only the last sentence in the book is what stuck with him the most.

'We will meet again,

- Alpha'

With my horse I looked down on top of the mountain and saw Jesse reading my note.

I initially planned on getting to the Admin the normal way. Which would have been the safer way to make sure that I get home... but following this story the normal way is aggravatingly tedious. Now that I killed that Witherstorm early, I hope this faster route will bring me closer to my goal. I wonder what will happen. Ivor will probably never be friends with Jesse, and they will also never look for the Old Builders temple... But...

I draw my eyes to my hand. For a moment I was unsure of something until I shook that idea off. No. Not again Aster. Not the time for this BULLSHIT again.

I clenched my fist as I tried to calm my nerves. As I always say, what is done is done... First, I just need to prepare a few things and wait for the right time.

The old cities were completely in ruins by the monster who took everything away from us. Yet we defeated it with the help of the old Order of the Stone. We revealed the truth about the Order to the world and built a new place for people to live in called Beacon Town.

The old Order of the Stone was completely disbanded, going their own separate ways. One of them also died in the battlefield against the monster. With them gone, someone had to step up.

So, people now look up to us as the New Order of the Stone, heroes who saved the world from the Witherstorm. In reality, only one person truly defeated that thing. But we decided to not mention about her.

Lukas glanced down at the floating amulet on the pedestal. More than a week has passed. Still feels weird thinking about it. All the running and hiding we had to do. Traveling to the Nether and End dimension. Facing the Witherstorm... And Alpha... It's been a while since we heard from her... Honestly, I don't know what's scarier. That Wither or that Silver Lunatic...

*Swish*

The redstone door opened behind him. Turning around, he could see Jesse and Petra coming in. "Morning guys," he greeted them.

Petra cheerfully waved back at him. "Hey Lukas. How's it going?"

Lukas adjusted new armoured gloves. "I'm doing alright. What about you guys?"

She stretched her arms up. "Better than never. I think my sickness is now completely healed away."

"I'm okay," Jesse said. "Have been training with Petra this early morning."

"You began training with her?" Lukas asked.

"Yeah. When I've was practicing my swordsmanship alone, I thought I could ask Petra out once she was completely healed from the wither sickness."

"Nice. Since I'm free today, do you have anything that I can help you with?"

Jesse thought for a moment. "Um... Mayb-"

*CRASH*

Everyone jumped to the sudden shattering noise. "What was that!" Petra exclaimed. They looked around but nobody was there. But something was off. Jesse noticed immediately.

"Reuben!" He ran over to the empty item frame. The pork chop that was in the frame was gone. "W... who would do this?!"

Petra found something on the ground. "Hey guys. I found a piece of paper with a note written on it. It says 'Come order your dead pig at your local jungle biome. You might want to be fast before the food becomes expired, fake hero.' ...I think Alpha wrote this."

Jesse furrowed as he looked at the broken glass window. "Tsk. Why now of all times?" He turned back to his friends. "Do you guys know where the nearest jungle is?"

"I know where it is. I found it off in that direction when I went exploring out of town," Lukas pointed.

Nodding, Jesse walked over the armour stand, equipped the Ender Defender set, and took out his shiny enchanted diamond sword. "Let's go get Reuben back!"

The search through the jungle took hours. The moon began to rise. "Jesse? What if this whole thing is just a trap." Petra asked with a hint of irritation.

"What else can we do? I can't just sit back and do nothing," Jesse grunted as he cut down the leaves in his way.

"But don't you find it weird? We haven't seen many monsters around here."

He scanned the messy forest. "You're right. I don't see any. That could mean we are getting closer."

"Closer to our doom that is." Petra muttered as she followed behind him. "I'm starting to think that we should've brought our friends along."

"They had to stay back to watch over the town."

She sighed. "Yeah yeah. I just wish there were more of us here." A dim light glowed from a distance. Both of them stopped walking. "Do you see that light?" Petra asked.

"That must be where she went!" They started to run towards the sign of hope. Reaching there, both skidded to a halt.

Petra examined the big structure. "A temple?"

"Let's go in. I bet anything that she's there."

Sprinting up the entrance they found an empty room with only a staircase leading up. They quickly made their way up the second floor and found someone unexpected.

"Ivor?!" They loudly shouted.

"Gah!" Ivor jumped in surprise. Turning around, he looked at us with irritation. "You guys again? Why are you here?"

Jesse pointed his blade. "You're behind this?"

"Behind what?" the old man sneered. "I don't know what you're talking about but I'm here for the Eversource!"

Suddenly, the stairway was closed off by obsidian. The air turned warmer. Followed by lava slowly covering the outside exit. Everyone tensed up.

"We're closed in?!" Petra prepared her enchanted golden blade at him. "Did you plan to trap us here?"

"Why would I need to trap myself with you? After you guys defeated the Witherstorm, I accepted you as the new Order and wanted nothing to do with you." Ivor looked at their glowing weapons. "If anything, I feel like we've been baited here."

A few bubbling noises came out of the hot magma. Then mysteriously a new portal frame was pushed out after the wall, and something lit the portal active.

Petra looked at the strange blue gate. "What just happened?"

Jesse wanted to go in the portal but hesitated. "I saw someone invisible holding dirt blocks go inside just now!"

Ivor backed away from the portal. "Whoever you are, I'll never fall for youuuuurrrrr tttrrrriiiiiiiiiccckkksssssss!"

A faint smell of potion of slowness filled the air. Everyone's movement became slow. As if being grabbed by someone's hand, they were all forcefully thrown into the portal.

Terrifying.

That is what I could describe the situation I'm in. Looking down into the dark abyss is something I'd never thought I'd see.

"Jesse! Hold on!" Petra yelled as she tried to pull him up. "A little help please! Ivor!"

Ivor rushed in and helped her drag Jesse up. As they successfully pulled him out of there, they all sat on the grass as they took a quick rest.

Jesse stood up and took a clear look around. They were stuck in the middle of a floating island. Looking down, there was nothing but clou-

"Hey look!" Petra said. "There is a floating city down there."

Everyone walked over to where she was pointing. They could see the bright golden city floating in the night sky.

"Wow. That looks beautiful," she said.

"While it is a beautiful sight to see..." Ivor interrupted, "I personally don't want to stay stuck on this island!"

Jesse searched through his inventory but remembered he didn't bring much other than fighting gear. He looked at them. "Do you guys have any blocks to bridge across?"

"No," Ivor simply grunts.

"I don't have any either... Let's just dig this island up and build our way to the other island," Petra suggested.

Agreeing with her plan, they dug up all the dirt until only enough blocks remained to stand on.

They bridged their way to the city. A citizen who saw them by chance panicked and backed away. "Y... You're building!"

"Yes? Is there something wrong with us building?" Ivor asked.

The nervous man started to calm down a little. "I... Um. You don't know? You were building, Unauthorized building is against the law!"

"Wait, there's a law saying people can't build?" Petra asked.

He nodded. "Yes! It's forbidden!"

Jesse shook his head. "Forbidden or not, we were stuck in that floating island over there and had to build our way down."

The citizen slowly backed up more. "Well... Um... Oh, this is making me terribly nervous. First those other outsiders, now you... I was only planning to go star gazing tonight!"

"Other outsiders?" Jesse walked up to him. "Tell me where they went."

"Um... I... I didn't see it, but I heard they went to the Palace to speak with the Founder. T... That's all I know! I... I need to go back home now." Not wanting to stay there any longer, he made a quick run for it.

"Hey! At least tell us where she went!" They ran after him until they entered the central part of the city. It was silent. No one was around. Not even that guy who talked to them earlier.

"No one is around. This is getting stranger by the minute," Petra muttered.

Ivor glanced at her. "It's not that strange considering it is already midnight. But this whole new world is what I find strange and interesting," he grinned excitedly.

"Right... But I meant that I find it strange why there are no guards around in a city like this."

"Guys." Jesse, who went out to look around the area, pointed to his right. "I found an Inn in that direction. Since we don't know much about this world and it's already late, let's rest up for tonight and ask the residents of this city tomorrow about our situation."

"Alright. I need some rest after all that walking," Petra agreed.

Everyone walked their way to the small building with an Inn sign attached to it. Entering the building, the person near the desk was snoring away. Jesse knocked on the glowstone lamp, waking up the man. He stood up with surprise. "Who are you?"

"Hey. Is there any room available for tonight? Just the three of us."

The man calmly analyzed them. "Quite unusual for someone in the Sky City to come to a place like this. Maybe you're another outsider as well?"

Jesse stepped forward. "Outsider? Are you referring to Alpha?"

"Alpha? I'm not sure what you're saying but I heard a group of outsiders visit our Sky City a bit earlier."

Jesse thought who it could be, but he couldn't figure it out. "Never mind. How much do I need to pay for tonight?"

"This Inn was made for the newcomers of this world. As our rules go, it's free of charge for the first night. The rest you will need to work for it." He stood near the door. "This way."

The group followed him through several doors until they stopped at their temporary room. "This is your room. As you enjoy your stay, remember to not create a mess around the Inn." With that he left the room.

Petra strolled over to one of the four beds and sat down. "That guy told us that it wasn't Alpha but a group of people. And I don't believe that Alpha would work with a group. Have any ideas who came before us?"

Jesse sat on his bed next to hers. "I remember seeing someone entering the portal with some dirt blocks in their hands. But the thing is that they were invisible, so I have no telling who it was."

"What about the person who threw us in the portal?" Petra wondered.

"I have no idea as well... Tsk. Too many unanswered questions. We are completely in the dark here." Jesse curiously glanced at Ivor. "Who told you that your Eversource was in that temple?"

"I don't know. I just received a note yesterday in one of my new labs. It told me that the Eversource was definitely located in the temple." Ivor rubbed his chin. "I didn't trust it at first, but it was too tempting. I wanted to find that treasure for myself."

Hesitating, Jesse sighed. "Ivor, I know we don't have a great history between us, but let's work together for now. We are dealing with an unfamiliar situation right now. I'd like to get all the help that we need right now."

"Wasn't I with you from the beginning?" He snorted. "Of course I will. What else can I do?"

"Well not exactly from the beginning but sure. Starting tomorrow morning, let's find out if we can visit this Founder."

The Sky City was bustling under the warm sun. The palace's massive golden walls shined brightly as Jesse and his companions walked along on the purple carpet as they walked out of the Inn.

"Attention!" One of the guards loudly announced. "Attention, everyone! Just a moment of your time, please! Emergency meeting in the Founder's Garden! Attendance is mandatory."

The group watched everyone gather together near the huge palace. "Curious. I wonder what this is all about," Ivor said. They joined up with the group of people to see what was happening.

An important looking figure appeared in the front entrance of the palace. A citizen looked to their friend as she spotted their leader. "Oh, It's the Founder!"

So, this is the Founder, Jesse thought. That's some elegant lady that I've ever seen. I wonder if we can get to her somehow... Wait. Why is HE here!? And why is he standing beside the Founder?!

Petra looked at Jesse in shock. "Is that Aiden?! What is he doing here?"

"My exact thoughts!" Jesse nodded.

Ivor didn't understand. "Huh? Who is Aiden?"

Before they could explain, the Founder interrupted. "People of Sky City! I'm sorry to pull you from your duties, but something urgent has come to my attention. A crime has been committed... Please remain calm. Last night, outsiders built a bridge into our fair city from a distant island! Now, whether these outsiders know it or not, this is a violation of Sky City's most sacred laws: no unauthorized building."

Aiden whispered something to the Founder. Giving a nod to him, she continued to speak.

"Jesse, wherever you are, step forward now. I have already been informed of your identity. I appreciate that you may be ignorant of our laws, but I will warn your Sky City is small and I promise that if you try to hide, I will find you."

The guards that were stationed near the Founder began to descend down the stairs to find the criminals.

Petra shook her head. "Aiden and his gang are behind all of this? Since when did he became a threat?!"

"I don't know what their deal is, but I don't have a good feeling about this. We need to get out of here fast!" Jesse grabbed her hand and sprinted the other direction. Ivor followed behind.

As they ran in the small alley, a guard stood in front of them, blocking the path. Jesse let go of his friend and took out his enchanted sword.

Noticing Jesse's blade, he took out his own. But before the guard could even react properly, Jesse lunged at him, blocking his flimsy panicked attack, and kicked the unarmed man in his leg, making him squirm on the floor. "Let's go!" Petra shouted. "We have to lose them!"

Not wasting time, they resumed running. Two more guards began to catch up. "There they are! Stop him!"

Jesse turned around a corner and punched an unsuspecting lazy guard that was snoozing on the other side of the wall, knocking him completely out.

Oops! Sorry about that...

The gang continued to run until three more guards blocked the path in front of them. Looking back, the two guards blocked the other exit. "They surrounded us!" Ivor worried.

"Damn it!" Jesse searched around for a possible escape route. There was nothing. "Tsk... Looks like we have to fight our way out."

*THUD*

A familiar face dropped down to the floor. "Lukas!?" Jesse was surprised to see him fall from the roofs. "What are you doing here?! I thought you were looking after Beacon Town!"

Lukas took out his bow. "I'll explain later!" He loaded in an arrow. "For now, focus on getting to safety. I'll help you from here on out."

Nodding, Jesse turned to his opponent. "Thanks."

"Glad to have you here," Petra said.

The guards slowly closed in with their steel blades. "Stop them before they do anything!" shouted one of the guards. They all began to charge at the small group.

"Petra! With me! Lukas, Ivor! Focus on the others!" Jesse yelled. Everyone rushed in their position and faced the incoming attack.

Blocking the first strike, Petra elbowed the man in the chin, knocking him out. Jesse made a strong wide slash to weaken both guards as soon as he evaded their strikes. Lukas shot a few arrows at the other two guards, weakening them. And for the final blow, Ivor threw a splash potion of weakness, making their attacks completely readable.

With the path now open, they pushed away the injured guards to make their escape.

The whole group breathed in exhaustion as they hid behind a small dark alley. "Phew..." Ivor wiped his sweat away. "I'm glad your blonde friend showed up."

Jesse walked over to Lukas. "So can you explain what you are doing here?"

Lukas stood up. "For the past few days, I noticed that my friends were acting strange and that they started to avoid me completely. I also noticed that Aiden in particular started to envy you. Saying that he should've been the hero and not you. He even started to push his friends around."

Jesse agreed. "Yeah. I noticed how pushy that guy was getting. So, what is he doing here?"

"Well as soon as you guys' left town, I found that Aiden, with his gang, began to follow behind you. And... Um... I also saw him..." Lukas didn't look at him. "I saw him hold a bottle of invisibility while eating the pork chop..."

The last few words echoed in Jesse's ear. He completely stopped breathing for a moment. "Aiden what?"

Lukas shook his head. "That Aiden has become delusional with his stupid obsession against you. I tried to talk to him before, but after he knowingly violated what remained of our friend, I'd say he went too far!"

Jesse closed his eyes as he tightly gripped his blade. "First Alpha... Now Aiden... I... I won't forgive them or anyone who thinks they can mess with my friends like that!"