[Herobrine's POV]

Weariness was starting to wear down on all of us. Each of our bodies were fully healed, but the lack of rest is starting to show. Few of us felt safe enough to sleep, even with someone at the watch. Who knows when the firewalls could break? He could slip through the slightest misstep, the smallest crack. Everything we have worked so hard for, everything I have finally been able to enjoy...

I could lose it all again.

I can feel reassurance try to push its way into my mind, but it is hard to accept when it's faint. I barely turn my head to Aria, who was lying on a bed in the corner. I could see her eyes are barely open, but they were no doubt looking at me. I can only look away. Right now, I needed time to think. I have to figure a way out of this mess and keep everyone safe in the process. Notch has the ability to erase everyone from this world, and reality, and it seems like he has no issue with it.

'You didn't either at one point, remember?'

I growl, shoving the thought away. But my consciousness is gnawing at me. How many lives did I take to try and give myself freedom? Who was I to judge someone who was now doing the same to take it away?

Wait... why did he even care?

I push myself up from the wall I'm leaning on and start to pace. Why did he care if I was free? What was he keeping me from? Was he truly fearful of my promise of vengeance? Does he think I pose a threat to him? Could a simple conversation save us all from any more trouble?

I feel something tug at my mind, and I stop. Aria was now sitting up in her bed, but she was quiet. Across the room, Alexa and Joseph were asleep at last. They had been training in order to wear off the potion effects. One of the side effects we discovered was enragement. Once Alexa was fully healed, a sudden rage overcame Alexa, and she tried to fight anything near her. Joseph was able to lead her to the training area and calm her down, but now we know we can't use it yet. If Aria or I were to end up in a state like that...

I shake my head, focusing back on the present. I could tell Aria wanted to ask something, but I shake my head.

'You need to rest. I'll keep watch.'

'Your mind says otherwise. What are you thinking, Hero?'

For the first time in what feels like forever, I put a block up. If she found out what I was planning, she would do anything to stop me.

Me, the one who tried to kill her and successfully killed all her friends at one time.

Me, the one she also risked everything for.

Me, the reason her life is on the line once again.

I can see hurt in her eyes as the block goes up, and it is quickly followed by fearful anger. 'Hero, don't you dare try to fight him on your own. You know you can't win that way.'

'I know that.'

'Then why block me out?'

I can't answer her. My idea would still put her at risk. Anything that happens to me, she feels, and vice versa. But, if there is a chance...

'I promise I won't try to fight him.'

Her eyes bore into my own, but she shakes her head before lying back down. Technically I'm not lying to her, but I think she knows that already.

'I'm going to check on some of the code around our base.'

'Be careful.'

I sigh, stepping out of the room we all were in. It was the most secure and held everything for our potion experiments. However, the whole underground base was blocked as well. I scan around, searching for any gaps. It was quick work to fix each one, but my mind wasn't there. I was simply going through the motions while trying to figure out a way to speak with Notch without being present, and without drawing him to our location.

'Wait... that's it.'

I move to the exit of our base and take a deep breath. I need a location I know well, and I need to see it clearly. In my mind, the image appears easily. A plains biome with a forest on one side and the ocean on the other. The original spawn point of this world.

The place I used to lure people to so I could escape.

The place I first met Aria, Alexa, Anthony, and Mobius.

Teleport.

I feel the air rush against my skin and the moon's calm light illuminates the landscape. This place was safe, for now. The code here has been changed since we shifted the spawn point to the city that was thousands of blocks from here. Reaching into my inventory, I feel for a small remote. I hold it in my hand tightly, then huff.

"Alright, Notch. Come find me."

I summon my pickaxe in my free hand, then point it towards the sky and summon a storm. Lightning cracks down against it and all around me. Fire lights up the landscape, but it quickly dissipates when the rain begins to fall. I lower my hand, ending the light show.

I sit down, crossing my legs.

Now, I wait.

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

I feel the change in the air first. The rain was still falling, the night lasting a little longer, but the chill in the air sinks lower. I feel a shiver threaten to go down my spine, but I slowly open my eyes instead. Their glow illuminates the landscape more than the occasional lightning. I could see him standing there, fifteen blocks ahead of me.

My creator.

My mentor.

My old friend.

My killer.

I stand, holding my pickaxe carefully. A diamond sword was in his hand, but he was unmoving. His gaze was locked on mine, and I twirl my pickaxe. For a while, we stand in silence, the only noise echoing around coming from the lightning. With a sigh, I release the handle and make the pick fade away. I see Notch slightly drop his guard, but only barely. In reply, I lift my hands.

"Please, I'm not here to fight anymore."

Something in my tone must have shocked him because he visibly flinches. His gaze stays on me for a while longer. He must be scanning my code for anything hidden. I stay still, letting him do his search. He looks at my hands, and I know what he'll ask next.

"Open them."

I comply, revealing they are empty. He straightens a bit, then looks at me again. It's hard to read him, but he sheaths his sword on his side. I slacken my arms a bit. Wasn't it just yesterday he was showing me how to code creepers after a failed attempt at pigs? How did it come to this?

As if perceiving my thoughts, Notch's face drops a bit. "I'm surprised you'd come alone, Hero."

The name stings, and before I realize it, I snap.

"It's Herobrine."

Notch looks up, shock followed by understanding on his face. "I guess nicknames are only for friends." Hurt is in his gaze, but I try to stay stern. I couldn't let myself fall for any trickery he might try. If he caught me off guard, I wouldn't be the only one hurting. But, I couldn't stay cold forever. Part of me would love to return to the way things were...

But I know that will never happen.

"Why are you still after me?" I finally ask, cutting to the chase. Notch looks up, surprise evident.

"Are you not still trying to take my life?"

I hesitate, and he starts to speak in the brief moment of silence.

"I must protect myself from any-"

"No."

He halts, eyes wide.

"What?"

"No, I'm not." I finally look him in the eyes, locking our gazes. "I don't know if forgiveness has been achieved. In fact, I don't know if I could ever forgive you for what you did." I feel something welling up inside, and I fight back tears at the reminder of those I lost. I can see the coldness of indifference in Notch's gaze at the reminder, but I continue on. "Whether you believe them real or not, I don't care anymore. I found something that is real, and I can't risk it. If leaving you alone is what it costs, then it's worth it."

Notch is silent, but I refuse to let hope fill my chest yet. It was still too soon to tell. He was thinking over my words carefully, or setting a trap. Either way, one wrong move from my end could mean the end for everyone.

"You mean that girl, don't you? Aria, is it?"

I try to hide my shock. We knew he'd figure out their identities sooner or later, but this was quicker than even I expected. I stay quiet, but this must be enough to confirm his question. I start feeling that foolish thing called hope rise in my chest. Maybe he will leave us alone. If he believes me, what gain would he have from killing us?

He looks me over, then sighs.

"If only it were that simple, Herobrine."

"What?"

Notch shakes his head and extends his arms out from his side. "I don't think you fully understand. If I were to allow you to roam free, what would stop you from changing your mind?"

"I wouldn't. I'm not risking everything for revenge."

"Ah, you say that now. Maybe to keep someone safe? What if your codes separated?"

I feel my heart skip. Is that even possible? Could he do that for us? Let her live her life without the worry of having to return each month?

"Unfortunately, even that's not possible anymore." Notch pauses, gauging my reaction no doubt. He frowns, but the sides of his lips twitch up a bit. "Her exposure is severe and even her code now has mingled with yours so much that they are almost indistinguishable."

My chest feels heavy. So this whole thing was all in vain. Still, maybe I can convince him to let us go. I'm not lying when I say I just want to live peacefully, but how can I get him to believe that?

"Please, Notch. I mean you no harm, not now or ever. I can't risk her life after everything she and all her friends have given me."

The storm around us starts to fade, and Notch looks around. His mind is thinking, I can tell that much, but something still isn't sitting right. I feel the remote form in my hand once again, materializing from my inventory. A small press of a little blue button lights it up, then I push it back away. It will take a few minutes to warm up. 

"Even so, I can't let you go."

Anger rises, with mild fear. I need to stall for time. Only about two more minutes.

"What must I do to prove to you I won't try to hurt you?"

"Oh, this has nothing to do with that anymore. Your code has something I need, and I've waited too long to simply let you go now."

"But Aria-"

"Her blood will be on your hands. Not mine."

The rage I feel must be melding into the storm around me. The wind picks back up and lightning crashes down once more. All I can see is red. I can't control the anger that was flowing. I can barely see the sword he was drawing from his hip, or the red particles it was holding.

"You'll never get near her."

"I don't need to. I'm sure she'll feel all of this."

My pickaxe forms in my hands, rage blinding me from reason. One target was before, and that's all I could see.

'Sorry, Aria. I'm breaking my promise.'

Just as each of us charges forward, I feel the remote in my inventory buzz. Then a missile crashes between us. The blast knocks me backward, but I feel no pain. I use my sword to stop myself. 

"Hero!"

The voice breaks me from my rage, making a smirk cross my face. A mechanical suit flies overhead, dropping an enderman-looking player. The skin wore a jacket with blue accents and the eyes are a brilliant blue. A scar is over his face, but I know who it is easily. The suit crashes to the ground on my other side. Both were standing slightly ahead of me. 

"No wonder you and Aria get along so well. Always jumping into battle alone." The mech tilts to look at me a bit.

"It wasn't originally the plan, but-"

"Of course not, but it's what happened." The black-clad player does the same, giving me a side-eye. I can only laugh. 

"Why?"

All of us quickly focus on the threat before us.

"Why are you protecting him? After all he has done to you!"

Each step forward, refusing to answer him. Instead, I hear the mech man speak. "We should probably get going." I can only nod my head before materializing the remote once more. I quickly press the large red button, and I feel our atoms shift. I can see Notch catching on, and anger floods his features.

"No!"

He charges forward, but I quickly move before the other two and borrow power from Aria to form a shield before us. Sparks fly as the shield cracks. The strain is almost unbearable, and the fractures start to grow as Notch attacks once more. It was only seconds before the machine would work, but those seconds felt like years. One last attack from Notch shatters the thin shield, but I quickly press the pickaxe in my hand out towards his gut. The minute it connects, lightning emits from it and sends Notch flying backward. The minute he lands, I feel the remote shake. I quickly grab the shoulders of the two next to me.

"I'd close your eyes!"

The mech suit visibly tenses, and the other just closes his eyes. Only seconds later, a small ball of light appears before us. It grows, but we don't stick around to see what it will do.

Teleport.

The world swirls around us, and I can see Notch trying to move toward us again, but the previously small ball of light was currently growing and sucking in everything around it. The last thing I see before everything disappears is Notch struggling to teleport away. His confusion is confirmation that the machine was working.

Suddenly, the main base swirls into view, and I finally release the breath I hadn't realize I was holding. Pain cracks against my chest, and I drop to my knees. The strain from the shield finally settled once the adrenaline dropped, and I could hear Aria before she even appeared before me.

"Mobius! Reginald! What happened?"

Her voice held pain, and her hand on my shoulder brings only mild comfort. I barely look up and her hand is over her chest as well. I try to wave her off. "I'm fine, really. He didn't touch me, but he was able to shatter the shield in three hits." I feel her shock, but it dilutes quickly. We expected as much, but it still wasn't what we were hoping.

"I told you not to go after him alone!"

I lift my gaze fully, her tone holding no anger, but concern. Her eyes are soft, caring even. I only give her a smile before struggling to stand. She helps as best as she can, but even Aria ends up leaning against Reginald for balance. Mobius was helping me stay standing. I look towards the small house, and gesture to it.

"I didn't fight him, but I did learn something we all need to know."