The Minecraft Story: The Beginning: Chapter 28
Marcus and Franz stared slack jawed as the mutant creeper ran across the field. They didn't understand why they were surprised. In the past week, they'd seen untold horrors, even a possible glimpse of Herobrine himself. At this point, anything could be possible, even beyond the creatures mentioned in the Bible of Notch. Nowhere in the book they'd been reading since childhood had mentioned pigmen, mutant zombies, or mutant creepers.
If these creatures exist, there could possibly be more out there. Marcus thought. They may even be on their way right now. It troubled Marcus that these creatures could be out in the daylight. The only advantage they had against the mobs was that they burned under the Sun. Now that these things can attack us during the day, what chances do we have against them, against Herobrine?
Marcus's thoughts were interrupted when Franz suddenly said, "We're leaving, now." Franz walked away in search of a horse.
"Back to the fort?" Marcus asked, "There's no way we can get there before them." By now, the mutant creeper and its pigment entourage were much further away, much closer to the fort than they were.
"No," Franz answered, still searching for horses, "We're getting out of here, you're getting out here. We are going to find some horses and we're going to ride out, to, um." Franz puzzled for a moment. "I don't know where we'll go, but we need to find somewhere safe where we can ride this out." Franz knew the cities weren't an option with the influx of refugees, but the countryside was even more dangerous, and they needed to find somewhere before nightfall.
"I'm not going, Franz," Marcus said looking back at his brother.
"What," Franz protested, "Don't be an idiot, you're all I have left."
"I know," Marcus stopped him, "If you want to go, that's fine, I understand. I don't want to end up like them either." Marcus gestured to the giant red circle staining the ground, littered with the mangled corpses of Franz Squad and Xavier Squad. They were certain by now that if anyone else had survived, they would have approached the brothers.
"Marcus, I want you to live," Franz protested again, "I've been dead for a long time, you're still here, you're still alive." Franz grabbed his brother's shoulders.
Marcus brushed his hands away, "I know, I understand. But now that I know that our parents are dead, I don't have anything to lose. I want to make a difference, as small as it might be. I want to fight, to protect the people. Not just the ones in our empire, but all of humanity." He turned away from Franz. "I don't want to die hiding in a cave somewhere, I want my death to matter."
Franz starred at his brother, "Marcus," he said in whisper, "please"
Marcus looked back at his brother, "No." There was a pause and then Marcus spoke again, "If you want to leave, you can. I don't want you to feel you have to stay here. You've fought for a long time now for me and our parents. Go live the rest of your life in peace, or as much as this world can offer now."
Marcus walked away and began to search for a horse. Most of the horses were smashed with their knights. He looked back to see if the mutant creeper or pigmen were still around. They were no longer in sight. He gave a whistle for a horse. For a moment, he was scared that the monsters had heard it and would come running back, but I still couldn't see them. He gave another whistle and four horses emerged, two of them being the horses Marcus and Franz were riding on. The flying knight didn't hit them.
As Marcus began to mount his horse, Franz walked up to him. "Hold on brother."
Marcus gave Franz an annoyed look and said, "Look, you're not going to change my,"
Franz stopped him, "I know, I know." Franz paused and sighed, "I'm coming with you."
"I already told you, you don't have to come," Marcus protested.
"I know," Franz answered, "But I already told you, I died a long time ago. The least I can do is keep you alive." Franz paused again. "And if that means charging at those beasts, then so be it. I'm here for you little brother."
Marcus teared up a bit and for the first time in months, smiled. The two brothers embraced, their armor clanking together upon impact. "Alright then," Marcus said, "Grab a horse and let's ride."