It was said the Aether, like the Nether, was locked up behind gates. Only the dead could freely pass through this lock. As for the Key, no one, other than a select few, knew what became of it.

The Keepers, as they called themselves, was tasked by Notch to keep the location of the Key safe. But as time went on, one by one they each vanished until only one remained having passed down this secret one other boy before death came to him too.

Many has sought after this gleaming gold and blue Key, even gone mad for the taste of the Aether's land while alive. Holding onto the desire to live as the ones before the war did. The hearts of those now and back than are very different. Thus is why the key can never be found by those who wish to use it. 

And the last of the Keepers doesn't even know himself that he holds the secret to the Aether's Gates.

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"He's been tough to crack, often wailing about how someone is coming to kill him." Mitch huffed as he looked at the other generals.

Ty sighed, it's been a week since Adam has been pulled into the Nether, and creating a portal wasn't an option as they could be taken anywhere in the Nether. In that time, Ty took up Adam's responsibilities as best he could, keep from the other kingdoms of his friends vanishment. Last thing they needed was for yelling and blaming.

"I'll come with you next time Mitch, perhaps we can yet find out what happened to Adam." he said softly, turning his red eyes to Husky. "Any news on the ones healing?" he asked.

Husky smiled, "They are recovering quiet well, and by this time tomorrow they will be ready to get back on the field. Good thing too, they have been getting restless." he muttered the last part almost to himself.

Ty managed to smile, he knew how the recruits could be. Some of them were downright insane at times, but at least they were loyal to a fault. The room was silent after that, each one of them just as shaken up as the next. With Adam gone, things were getting a bit difficult, and it was all about keeping loud mouth recruits from opening their mouths without thinking.

"Ian?" he turned to his friend, "Do you have the damage reports from the harbor?" he asked.

Ian nodded to him, "Rebuilding is going well, luckily we have found no innocents killed in the process of the attack, mostly just attacks on shipments. We have lost nothing too important and everything at the port is getting back on track." he smiled at Ty who nodded to that.

"That's good, is there anything else to report?" he asked them.

Seto spoke up after that, "While I hate to give bad news, since Husky has needed more portions, I will be needing more ingredients to make up for the lost ones."

Ty nodded to him, "I'll send out a request by today Seto." he told his friend looking at the others, "Anything else?" he asked softly.

With nothing but silence, Ty concluded the meeting as they each went off to do their own thing. Ty walked over to Mitch with a sigh and smile as the two walked down the hall to get to the dungeons. They were hardly used, but were still there just in case. Ty wasn't sure if he should be creeped out at how Mitch and Jerome used the forge near the dungeons so much that they were always down here. If he wasn't their friend, he'd think they were tortures in their spar time. 

There was a loud shriek as the two quickly ran down the hall hearing a loud bang that followed that. Turning the corner Ty saw two people in the cell of the prisoner. One was waiting outside as the other walked into the cell where the pitiful sobs of the squid was heard.

"Hey!" Mitch yelled catching the first person's attention. A smirk played on the man's lips as his pure white eyes flashed brighter. From Ty's point of view he saw something similar of a wear to the Nether God, Herobrine's, wear. If just a bit different. He didn't have time to think on it as he moved out of the way from an attack.

Fire hit the wall behind him as Ty gritted his teeth glaring at the other as he vanished into the cell. They ran down there just in time too see the ink blood splatter on the wall and the body to fall limp with eyes of widen fear. Mitch glared coldly at the person, gripping his sword as Jerome gripped his axe. 

"What do they matter to you?" a familiar voice rang in Ty's ears as the person looked at him. In the dimness of the cell, the face under the hood seemed to show a vague sense of someone they knew. Ty's breath hitched in his throat.

"A-Adam?" he asked softly, a smirk graced the features of the attacker, his white eyes seemed to light up with amusement as a chuckle was heard as a response.

"No matter," Adam spoke, "my master will be pleased to know you are left blind." he said snapping his fingers as he vanished an appeared down the hallway. "But first, a little fun? How much do the leader care of the citizens?" he asked with a cold laugh he was gone.

Ty felt his boy go numb, he hoped Adam wasn't thinking what he thought. Much less being that it was Adam of all people! Was he really suggesting that he would kill his own people!? He turned to Mitch, "Get the guards! Head to the town!" he ordered in a shaky tone as Mitch nodded and ran down the hall with Jerome.

Leaving Ty with the body of their only source of info. He stared at the floor, still numb all over. What was wrong with Adam?

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Next chapter is a notice, please read it.