It's been a few years, and at first, I thought I would never get used to having to return to Minecraft just to survive in the human world. After forgetting one time though, you quickly set a reminder and end up getting used to it. I never want to feel my limbs fading from existence ever again. In a few days, we'll have to return to Minecraft. I've already gotten my schedule arranged with work and I have friends set up to come check on the dogs and cats. Alexa and Joseph should be arriving any minute now, ready to go over everything again. They would be joining us in the world, helping us finish some last-minute touches to a new section of the server we were planning to open up soon.

I lower my pencil and stretch, gazing out of the window to the yard below. There, a man in a dark blue hoodie was playing with our two dogs. He throws a tennis ball, and the german shepherd rushes toward it. Close behind him was a small corgi barely keeping up. The bigger of the two gets to it first and is quick to return it. They then wait patiently for the man to throw it again. He's quick to do so, and I can't help but laugh. He's always so eager to play with them during our days off. It's been the same way for three years, and it never gets old for him. The cats, as usual, were laying in a patch of sun on the stone walkway, basking in the warmth.

I hear the front door open downstairs, so I open the window and holler out, "Hero! They're here!" The man turns to look up, blue eyes glistening with joy. "I'll be right in!" I only shake my head and close the window. Standing, I give a good stretch before heading down to the kitchen. Already I see the two lovebirds lounging. Alexa was digging in the fridge while her now fiance was relaxing on a barstool by the center island. He was flicking through his phone, probably searching for a good venue. 

The minute the backdoor opens, the two dogs burst through and nearly knock off the poor husband-to-be from his stool. His bride-to-be turns just in time to see this happen. She laughs before setting a bag of granola on the counter. "Looks like they still love you, Joseph!" Said man straightens up on the stool while I call the dogs off him. "I'll never understand why, but I guess it's cute."

I can only laugh and shake my head. He's not wrong. The dogs have always taken a liking to him, which was odd because normally they are a bit protective around me when it comes to men. There was only one other person they were calm around as well.

"Hey, glad you two could make it."

Said man walks finally walks in from the backyard, a book in his hands. He looks over at me with a soft smile, then turns to the lovebirds. He offers a smile as well before moving towards the center island and laying the book down. "Straight to business, or we going to have some small talk first?" Joseph shakes his head and Alexa slightly laughs. "Well, we actually had an idea we wanted to share with you guys." 

I also move towards the island, leaning against the opposite side of Herobrine. "Shoot."

Alexa smiles, and starts to spill. "So I know you already have everything planned for your monthly 'trip', and I know you took the next two days off to prepare." She looks towards Josephk, and the man lifts his head a bit. A gesture of confidence. "We figured we could all head in early to start building. Both Alexa and I have the next three days off to watch after everything here and have some time in the server as well."

I look to Herobrine, who was already all smiles. "I don't mind it if you're good with it Aria." I simply shrug, letting a slight smirk rise to my features.

"Sounds fun. When do we head in?"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Everyone ready?"

I look around at our group of friends as we stand in the game room. Minecraft was already booted up on the desktop and Herobrine was standing next to the desk. Alexa was on my right and Joseph on my left. It was easier to teleport all of us into the game when we were beside each other. I give a nod, and Herobrine returns it. He closes his eyes for a moment, and when he opens them again, they are no longer blue, but the usual bright white. I can feel my left one burning as well, and I grab the shoulder closest to me from each friend.

I close my eyes and slowly take a deep breath.

Then I let it out.

The world around us grows silent. Cold meets our skin for a moment. I can feel my body shifting and growing, and then it stops. There's no pain involved anymore, but it is still an odd feeling. The cold leaves, and I release a sigh. I open my eyes-

And suck in a breath.

I wasn't where I should be. There are no buildings around us, no trees, or even sunlight. It was like a light grey box, similar to my mindscape. Alexa and Joseph were nowhere to be seen, but I wasn't alone. I feel someone's back against mine, but I couldn't turn to look. My eyes were glued to the one standing before me.

The avatar was tan with a brown shirt and grey jeans. Black shoes adorned his feet, and a goatee is on his face. Sudden fear hits my chest, but I feel something against my back again. I barely turn my head, and I can already see who it is, but his eyes are shut. I see no light from them, and he was slightly off the ground. Herobrine is out cold, but his fear was mixing with my own.

"You should have never set him free, TheAviatorShadow."

I fully turn to Herobrine, twisting his floating body to face me. I try to shake him awake, but nothing is working. What is going on here? 

"I can't let him be free, no matter what his code may be now."

I quickly turn as those words settle in my mind. The avatar was already before me, a glowing diamond sword in his grasp. I have no time to defend myself, so I only close my eyes-

But nothing happens. 

I open my eyes to find myself standing in the middle of the server city I had originally anticipated arriving in. I quickly release Alexa and Joseph, who were beside me again. Apparently, Alexa could already tell something was off, but I only lock eyes with Herobrine, who was standing in front of us all. The look of terror on his face was enough to confirm my suspicions.

Alexa looks between us, then finally speaks up. "What's wrong? What happened?"

I try to steady myself, but I can feel my voice shake.

"Notch... He knows."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[A/N]:

Hello everyone! I have finally begun working on the third installment of "Hardcore", my Minecraft Survival story. For those of you who have been here since the beginning (or close to it), I want to say thank you. I have had a few slumps in life, but a recent idea has sparked a new feeling of creativity, and I hope to have the story fleshed out and finished in a month or two. It will definitely be done by summer...

Because I might have these published by Fall.

Might be a great Christmas Present!

Anyways, I'll let y'all know. Feel free to share this with friends or anyone. Two very specific followers of mine will get first copies of the books (signed of course, if that is what you want. you know who you are). I hope y'all enjoy this story as much as I am writing it.

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Thanks for reading~