[A/N:] Yeah, I'm a week late, sorry guys. Got a lot going on. Finals and what not, but here ya go! Enjoy le chaptar

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[Reginald's POV]

I could not understand what was going on now, as I was not usually one for this type of thing...

But my fear for Aria's safety was growing more than I ever thought possible.

We were back within the Nether, gathered in the throne room of the castle. Andrew was speaking to other skeletons who were gathering supplies for those who were wounded. Aria was leaning against a wall, watching everyone carefully. Her gaze was gently sweeping over the small crowd. The one they called 'Anastasia' stood near Anthony, and he was speaking to her rather quickly. She was nodding her head, then stopping him to ask questions occasionally. Mobius was fidgeting with his cybernetics, but he didn't seem so uncomfortable like he did the last time he was here. He must have figured something out, but I would ask him about that later. Lastly, the black horse-player is lying against a nearby wall, her midsection wrapped completely.

Carefully, I make my way to Aria. She had just closed her eyes and leaned her head back against the wall with a sigh. She was looking a bit better, her arms the only sign of injury now. They were wrapped in cloth and still holding a slight tinge of pink from the potion that the cloth was soaked in. I could tell said potion was still at work, but that wasn't what was exhausting Aria. Half her face was still blackened, and it was starting to wear on her mentally. This is even more noticeable when I near her and lay a hand on her shoulder, making her visibly jump a bit.

"You are tired." It's a statement, not a question, and I can tell she is, indeed, too tired to argue. She only nods her head and closes her eyes once more. "It's been a while since I've had to hold this part of me. Last time it was taking over and doing this on its own. Now, I'm having to coax it out, and it's taxing." I slightly nod, then gesture for her to sit down. She slowly does so, and I join her. I let out a sigh, and she echoes it. I could feel my face starting to heat up at how close we were, but I couldn't read Aria's face that well. She just simply looked tired. An idea comes to mind, and I suck in a breath before moving closer to her. She notices this, and I see her cheek slightly flush, so I stop. "I, uh... I have an idea that may help you." I reach my arm over her head, resting it across her shoulders when she leans forward a bit. Once she leans back again, I close my eyes and try to focus. I had no idea if it would work or not, but it was worth a shot.

I will my own power to flow out through the bond, just like how our emotions could be felt through her ender-half. I feel it rush through my arm, then seemingly spill out. Aria relaxes immediately beneath my arm and leans heavily against my side. I try to sit still, only adjusting my arm to make it a bit more comfortable for her. I could tell her eyes were closed, and she mutters out, "Thanks, Reginald. I.... I needed that." Soon, her breathing is even and slow, and I could tell she was out like a light.

I only give a soft smile before looking around the room once more. My eyes lock with a certain crowned skeleton, and he gives me a slight nod. I return it and close my eyes. We were safe for now, so this was most likely the last time to get some rest.

We were going to need it.

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[Aria's POV]

I was in a dream, that much was obvious to me since I was my normal self. No blockiness was found in this pitch-black void I was walking in. I was wearing jeans and a black hoodie that resembled my avatar's. I could feel my sword on my back, and yet I wasn't a two-meter-tall Minecraft character. I was my five-foot-eight human self, walking around on a sea of glass, surrounded by the darkness of this empty dreamscape.

But I knew I wasn't alone.

I could feel it. Something or someone was nearby. Not exactly with me, but not away from me either. I couldn't pinpoint it, but it was very real and familiar. It didn't seem sinister, but confused and... concerned? The feeling was strong, powerful even, and slight rage could be felt from this... thing. I had a hunch as to what this was, but nothing seemed to draw it out. Maybe it was too weak? I couldn't tell. However, it seems like I am not leaving this place anytime soon, so...

I stop.

And I sit.

Crossing my legs, I sit straight and close my eyes. I try to focus, calling the sensation forward, almost having to coax it out like my ender-half. Surprisingly, it seems to obey much easier and I feel something manifesting before me. I keep my eyes shut for a moment longer, wanting to be sure it was there completely and not lose it. When I feel as though everything was in order, I slowly open my eyes...

And feel my eyes widen, not at who it was, but at just how faint his silhouette was.

Sitting in a similar position before me, barely more than a slight shadow, was Herobrine himself in his usually blocky body. I had figured it was his power inside of me, but this just cemented it now. I struggle to take in a deep breath, but then it is knocked out of me again when the shimmer of a man speaks.

"I would say it is pleasant to see you again, but then again I never expected to see you again."

I shake my head slightly as if believing I imagined it all. However, I can see his face slightly smirk, and I know instantly it was real.

"Indeed, I am. I am also just as... surprised as you are."

That makes me tilt my head in confusion. "You... didn't know this would happen?" I see a slightly perceptible shake of his head. His eyes were dim when he locks his gaze on mine. "I had believed myself destroyed after our last... encounter." I slightly growl at the memory, and he holds up a hand. "I am not here to excuse my actions. I had - have - a goal, and I was reaching it in any form possible. I do not regret what I did, and you may take that however you wish."

I feel the anger in me rise, and my ender-half slightly returns with it, but I push it down for now. This was not the time nor the place. He was here for a reason, and I was going to use this time to confirm or deny my suspicions. So, I begin to speak. "What is Entity doing here?" His eyes narrow, and I can tell he knows exactly who I am speaking of. He looks away for a moment, then back to me. I could tell he was trying to find a way to explain this quickly, and he finally speaks.

"Do you remember our conversation in the mine when you first entered this game?"

I look at him in slight agitation, but he gestures with his hand that he was going somewhere with this, so I bite. "Yes. You had mentioned that nothing ever works perfectly the first time." Not only did I remember that conversation clearly, but I remember the look in his eyes. He may say he doesn't regret his actions, but that distant look of hurt back then would say otherwise. I keep that to myself for now and watch him carefully. He nods to my words and continues. "During one of my first... experiments... I encountered a new code that I had believed to be a bug I could exploit. I had activated it, unknowingly triggering a trap that... was set for me." Despite his attempt to hide it, I instantly noticed the hesitation. He was withholding information, and it seems personal. I will leave it for now, but I will not forget it.

He continues. "This bug was created with one purpose and one purpose only: dispose of me and rid Minecraft of my existence." He pauses for a moment, and I take that chance to bite. "Who created it?" When he stiffens, I know I struck a nerve, and a sudden headache wrecks my skull. "That is none of your concern. All you need to know is that he has been chasing me down and following my code from world to world, sneaking in where he can through malicious viruses and mods with no firewalls." Once the pain subsides, I glare at the man, who returns it levely. With a huff, I cross my arms and continue to hold my gaze. "So, you're basically saying that when Anastasia joined us, somewhere in her mod folder Entity 303 slipped in, and now he's here to kill you and, consequently, me?" After rubbing his chin, Herobrine only nods, and I rub my face with a groan.

"I would say that you could return home and just forget about this world... but you won't do that."

My head snaps up to him so fast, I swear I hear it crack. He looks at me quizzically, as if this should have already been known. "What do you mean? Are you saying I can't leave?" I don't move my gaze, even when he crosses his arms and looks me up and down. "I would have figured you would piece this together by now." When I don't reply, he gestures to me with one hand. "Aria, we are in your mind right now, are we not?" He says it like it's obvious, so I nod...

And then I realize what he was saying.

His slow nod only confirms it.

"I am within you. If you leave, then so do I, and you would fail at what you and your friends essentially died for the first time around."