[Aria's POV]

They are here. I can't believe they are here! Alexa, Joseph, Mobius, and even Peter, Andrew, Justin, and Reginald! Each of them is here, right here, right in front of me. They are spread out amongst the grounds of the home Herobrine and I have created here while in hiding from Notch. I had given up months ago on ever seeing them again. When the first month went by, I assumed something was delayed, but they were still coming to get us.

But then the second month came and went.

Then the third.

Then the twentieth.

I still found myself worrying each time I opened my eyes after a single blink that they would all be gone. I didn't want them to leave my sight, or else maybe they would all vanish. Part of me still fears this is all a dream.

'It's not a dream, Aria.'

A hand lays on my own and the voice joins me by the railing of the house. I slowly take a deep breath, steadying my heart rate. I hadn't realized it was starting to pick up its pace when my mind started spiraling. I turn to see his bright eyes illuminating the darkness in my mind. I turn back, spotting my friends still here. Mobius and Andrew are in the Nether section of our home. I could see they were messing with the potions and Andrew might be trying to tap into the Nether here. Alexa, Joseph, and Reginald refuse to leave the house. They are right behind us, reviewing the weapons they were able to bring over and the ammo they have. I could feel Alexa's gaze on me every once in a while, and Reginald kept glancing up as well. I know what I said shook them the most out, especially since I don't exactly share a strong telepathic bond with Reginald anymore. 

Perhaps it's the world we are in, or the fact I completely gave up hope on ever having that connection again.

Peter and Justin are at the farm with the animals. I can't figure out why, but I couldn't care less. They are here, and that's what matters to me. But...

'How can you be sure?'

I feel my heart start to sink again, but his squeeze on my hand keeps my mind from going down the rabbit hole again.

'They are here.'

I see his smirk in my peripherals.

'And they brought me this.'

He pulls his pickaxe out of his inventory and gives it a twirl. I can't help but slightly laugh as he sighs. Despite having Entity's old weapon, I could always tell Herobrine felt off. With his pickaxe in a completely different world, he couldn't recall it. It isn't the source of his power, but it was a way for him to channel it. We learned that the hard way once.

I focus once again on my friends. As much as I wanted to celebrate with them and enjoy their company, we need to plan our escape now more than ever. We have been under Notch's radar for so long, but now he knows we are definitely still here, and he most likely noticed Herobrine's sword. Hopefully, he hasn't seen Herobrine has his pickaxe back. That would give us a slight advantage.

But only slightly.

I huff and drop my head on his shoulder. I didn't want to think about it now, but we have no choice. We have to keep the element of surprise.

'How are we going to get out of here, Hero?'

I feel him lay his head on mine. His sigh ruffles my bangs.

'I don't know, but we will. We always do.'

I can't help but smile. He's right. I need to stay positive. We will all get out of here somehow, someway, someday. If my friends being here is a testament to our determination, then I know we won't be here forever. Part of me wonders when Herobrine became the optimist, and I became the pessimist. 

I hear a cough from behind, and I feel my face flush. Herobrine slightly stiffens, and I realize how odd this must seem. I slowly lift my head and turn. Alexa and Joseph are behind us, and Reginald is leaning against the table. I can't exactly read their expressions. Alexa shakes her head. "I think we have a plan, or at least an idea." I nod as Herobrine turns to face them as well. Joseph nods and motions for us to move to the table. "We just need you two to fill in some blanks," Reginald looks to Herobrine, and that's where I feel his emotions slightly spike.

Jealousy, anger, hurt.

"A lot of blanks." Reginald's voice is low, and he's barely covering up his feelings. I watch the two of them carefully, but I know I won't have to do anything. Herobrine only gives him a solemn nod, casting his gaze down to the table instead of meeting Reginald's cold eyes.

Confusion, regret.

I shake my head and place my hands on the table. Weapons are laid out before us. Swords, guns, and bows of all shapes and sizes. Each holds a dark blue glow similar to an enchantment, but if you look close enough, you can see the ones and zeros flickering inside the shine. It was probably what kept them from disappearing or corrupting on their way over.

"So the weapons made it through, but we don't know if they will work the way we hope?" I ask, and Joseph nods. "So far, we haven't had a chance to test them out, but the fact that they made it over means there's a chance." Right now, I'll take any chance we can get. I look over the writings and books laid out before us. There are sketches of trapping Notch, luring him away, opening the portal back home. However, that last one held question marks. It's understandable, there is no way to open the portal on this side without Notch's help.

'Unless...'

I see Herobrine gaze at me. He tilts his head, but I quickly move back to the railing and call the others in. "Guys! Get in here!" I see each head snap towards me, and then they all without hesitation start rushing towards the house. Just as they all barge in, I'm back at my spot next to the table. Everyone gathers around as I pull the portal book towards me.

'You and I both know that's not possible.'

'Unless it's still open.'

I see Herobrine's eyes widen, and Reginald quips in. "I felt your hope spike. You think that will work?" Quickly, I shake my head. "No. Herobrine and I have been trying for-" I stop myself. I could already feel the room drowning in sorrow. I didn't need to add the reminder of how long it has been for us. "For a while. It's impossible now in this world to travel to others or even the code without Notch's power." 

"It looks like he tied up every loose end he could think of before figuring out how to drag me back here." Herobrine looks away. His shame and guilt are evident, and I reach over to grab his arm. I squeeze it, then look back at the book. It's hard to ignore the looks I'm sure we are getting, especially from a certain blue-eyed enderman avatar, but it's not something I can help right now. My eyes still flick up anyway. Hurt is plain as day in his gaze, and I try to be reassuring.

'I promise I'll explain.'

I see his eyes widen, so I know he at least understood, but I have to stay focused. I point at the portal. Even though I tried to dodge bringing this up again, I need to in order to make my point. I look to Mobius. "You said it was only thirty days for you guys before you were able to make it through, right?" Mobius visibly stiffens, then nods his head. I quickly speak, trying to push aside the sorrow that is slowly filling the room.

"How long will it stay open?"

That catches everyone's attention. Mobius snaps his head up. I can see he was already understanding where I was going. He pulls up a few screens, and I can see the discord page to the side. I can't make out the words, but Mobius nods his head rapidly. "She said it would be open for about five minutes, meaning," I see him quickly bring out a calculator. He smiles as he closes everything down.

"We have about six days before it closes again."

I can't help the smirk on my face. That was more than enough time to make this work. We would make it out of here, all of us. My eyes flick around between everyone's faces and the supplies before us. The plan is forming in my mind, and hope is right behind it.

"Alright, then let's fill in the blanks."