[Aria's POV]

I can't focus.

My mind is flooded with whispers, voices speaking to me.

Calling to me.

I'm on my knees, holding the sides of my head with my hands.

I can't block them out.

'Save us.'

'Free us.'

'End this.'

'Stop him.'

'Save us.'

Stop him, free us, save us! 

END THIS! STOP HIM! FREE US!

I can't take it. I feel my mind breaking. The strain is too much. 

Tears threaten to fall, and I feel my body shaking. My eye burns and I realize it's all because of where I am.

The End.

Home of the endermen.

The roar of a dragon rings in my ears, but I can't move.

I know she's near.

I can feel her.

Her power.

Her strength.

I was weak compared to her. I was her subordinate. Or, at least, half her subordinate. She was under his control, and I hers. The ground shakes, and I feel her warm breath on my back behind me. Her roar scrambles my mind even more, and I release a pain and rage-filled scream. It was becoming too much. I couldn't hold it back anymore. I was growing tired, weak. I couldn't resist for much longer.

My friends.

Where are my friends?

They were with me. Right behind me, so why weren't they here now?

Him.

No, no, nonono!

He threw me in.

I left them alone.

With HIM!

I had to hold on. They could make it here. I know they can.

'No, they can't.'

Yes, they can! I know they can! They won't leave me here.

'Yes, they will. You are alone.'

Fear is sinking in. I can feel the other endermen gathering around me. The Enderdragon was nearing as well. I could tell her head was directly above me. Her burning gaze was boring into my back. 

'Give in. You cannot win. He always triumphs.'

NO! I won't! I can't! They need me! I have to hold on! I struggle, the internal battle fierce. I could hold out a bit longer, I had to. They would make it here, find me, and save me. Somehow, I had to believe that, or else-

"No one is coming to save you, Aria."

I feel my whole body freeze at the voice, but I don't move to look at him. I stay on my knees, wide eyes glued on the endstone beneath me. The portal had spat me out in the middle of the obsidian towers instead of on the platform near the edge as usual.

The little focus I had left returns to the voice, that dreaded voice as it speaks again.

"They believed themselves capable of fighting me without you to lead them. Foolish."

My heart drops. No, I can't believe him. He's playing mind games. They aren't dead! They can't be! We made it this far! We were going to go home! Together! They are still alive I know it!

Then... why do I feel an aching, empty hole in my chest?

He laughs, that deep-throated villain laugh. 

"You should be proud of them. Alexa believed she could wield the sword you carelessly dropped as well." 

He was right. My back felt empty. Lighter. My sword wasn't with me. I couldn't feel its comforting power.

Its comforting power...

An idea forms, but his voice makes me lose focus again.

"However, your sword seemed to... not like that. I don't think she will be joining us anytime soon now." I hear him move closer, maybe even crouch as well. "I don't think any of them will be joining us. Not even that enderman you seem so attached to now."

Silence suddenly fills my mind. 

I let my hands drop from my head.

No. He was lying. I knew he was. They weren't dead, they couldn't be. I was going to save them. I was going to save all of them. I didn't fail them again. They were fine. Reginald was fine. Anthony and Mobius were fine. Alexa was fine. Peter and everyone with him were fine.

But, if they weren't, then what else did I have to lose?

Slowly, I stand, my head still staring at the ground. I could see his feet before me, and I could feel his gaze on me. I knew there was a smug smirk on his face, but I refused to look up. I could feel my enderhalf reacting to my surroundings still, but I finally let it free. I stop trying to block it off. If everyone was gone, and if I was truly alone...

Then I refuse to let him win.

No matter the cost.

I raise both hands slightly, and I hear Herobrine huff. "Didn't figure you the type to surrender even in the face of inevitable defeat." I finally lift my gaze to him, the stone-cold hatred in my heart fully evident in my eyes. However, that wasn't the only thing they held.

They held rage.

They held determination.

And he steps back in surprise.

"Who said I was surrendering?"

Suddenly, I feel it. Just as the dragon behind me roars and starts to move as if to swallow me whole, comfort begins to flood my being before the smooth cool leather meets my hand. Swiftly, I wrap my hand around it and spin to the right. My arm swings the sword upward, and it releases a mighty wave that slams into the face of the dragon. She roars and falls backward with an island shaking thud. The endermen around me scream in protest and rage, but I stand tall and turn to block Herobrine's attack. His sword locks with my own, and we glare at each other.

"I should have killed you when I had the chance." He growls, and I push against him. Surprisingly, he slides back, and I see his gaze widen. "That was your second mistake." Without hesitation, I shove my arms forward and throw him back a few blocks. He lands on his feet and skids to a stop with one hand down near the ground. His sword was out and to his side. I stand tall and hold my sword at my side. I could feel my enderhalf completely fusing with my normal side, and it felt stronger. I take a step forward, glaring down at the Steve skin.

"Your first was underestimating us as players."

I lift my empty hand before me, then swipe to the side. My eye burns with power, and I feel my skin start to change again. The whispers return, but they were a bit more... friendly. 

'She did it.'

'We will help you any way we can.'

'You freed us. Allow us to help you.'

'Reginald succeeded. Let his death not be in vain.'

The last voice I recognize, and it seems to sense this. Suddenly, a green-eyed enderman appears next to me. He rests a hand on my shoulder, and I don't have to look to know that he was the owner of the voice. 'I thank you. Those that do not fight with you are not players. Hold nothing back.' I nod my head but reach out to stop him from moving forward towards Herobrine. My gaze was still locked on his, and the anger that was seeping from him made me hold back a smirk. I keep my face stern and barely lift my gaze to the enderman next to me. 'He's mine.' Is all I say, and it takes a moment before he gives me a nod and steps back. 

Suddenly, I realize I have just under half the endermen on my side now. They were surrounding me with a mix of blue, green, pink, and white particles. They all either looked like the other endermen or held certain items on them that made them stand out. I recognize one that seems to be wearing a tuxedo with a purple bowtie. It nods to me, and I return it before gazing back at Herobrine. The man looked furious. "How?! You shouldn't be able to do such a thing." He yells, and I simply twirl my sword and ready myself. My voice was my own again, and I taunt him. "You should never have underestimated me."

He growls and steps forward. "That is my final mistake." He keeps moving forward, and I see his horde of red-eyed enderman start to follow. I smirk and reply with, "Yes. Yes it will be." I start to move forward as well, then break into a full run. He copies this, then disappears. I teleport as well, and we meet in the air. Our swords collide and release a wave of energy that nearly cracks the entire island in two. It shatters two of the obsidian towers that were in the wake, rupturing the crystals on top. I hear the dragon roar in agony, but I ignore it as he breaks away and swings at my head. I roll backward and teleport behind him, but he does the same and I barely have time to move my sword to my back to block his slash.

Turning quickly, I manage to land a foot to his face before having to teleport away as he slashes out. When I lift my gaze, I gasp and raise my sword to block the darker wave of energy that was barreling at me with incredible speed. When it hits my sword, I feel it shove me back, but otherwise, I am unharmed. I raise my gaze to his position...

But he's gone.

Fear grips me, and I begin turning just as his sword comes down. It slashes through the fabric of my clothes against my left arm and sends me flying towards the ground. I shout in pain and swiftly teleport to save myself from the added pain of slamming against the ground. Instead, I skid backward on one knee, clutching my arm. Herobrine slowly lowers himself with a smirk on his face. My sword clatters to the ground behind Herobrine, and I growl. 'That... really hurt.' I turn to look at the wound and feel a low growl rise at the dark tendrils that were starting to form around it.

Wither effect.

Endermen surround me, but I realize it was my own troops. One kneels next to me and slips something into my inventory. I give him a slight nod, and he returns it. 

"I'm impressed. Most would be down for the count after one hit from my blade."

I lift my eyes to him and stand up. The smirk that is on my face seems to make his own falter. I shove the pain to the side and call my sword back to my hand. It shakes on the ground for a moment, then flies towards me. He feels it near and turns just as it whizzes past him, slicing him on the cheek. As I catch it, I smirk as I see the scar is in the same spot that Anthony had sliced him at so long ago. Holding his cheek, he glares at me, and I shrug. "Oops... Sorry." He releases his cheek and charges forward with a yell of rage. I accept the challenge and rush to meet him halfway. As he slices down, I move to the side and switch hands with my sword. Raising my fist, I slam it into his face and force him to stumble back. Taking this chance, I lower myself and sweep at his legs. He crashes to the ground but rolls away as I impale the endstone. He takes no time at all to stand and slice out at me once more.

However, I was behind him.

My blade slashes across his back, and he lets out a shout of agony. When he straightens, I am before him, ready to attack again. He blocks my blade with his own, but my knee lands a solid blow to his gut, and he drops to one knee. I lift my knee again and nail him in the face. He starts to fall back, and my sword is freed from his. Before I can attack again, I feel my arm throb and it resonates within my entire body. I step back in shock, giving Herobrine enough time to get to his feet again. I let out a low growl as he huffs for air. He wipes his lip free of blood, then smirks. "I will admit, I did not expect this much fight in you. You are... resilient." I narrow my gaze at him, and he slightly lowers himself into a fighting stance. I mimic it, but this time I attack first.

He launches into the air, and behind him is the Enderdragon flying directly at me with her mouth wide open. I lean back in an attempt to slow myself, but it was too late. She bites down on my legs and traps me in her mouth. I feel one of her surprisingly razor-sharp teeth pierce my leg, and I let out a cry. She lifts herself into the air, and I hear the endermen that are helping me shout in protest. I struggle in her grip, especially when I feel her preparing to breathe dragon's breath. If she did that while I'm trapped in her jaws with an opened wound...

I needed to get free, and fast.

Lifting my sword arm, I swiftly stab it into her snout. She makes a pained noise, but her jaws stay clamped down on my legs. I can feel her sucking in air, getting ready to let out her breath. I remove my blade and stab again. She doesn't give in, and I feel panic start to flood in. I continue to mutilate her snout, trying in vain to get her to release me. Nothing was working. I sheath my sword and bring out a pickaxe. I shove one end into her mouth and push down in an effort to force her jaws apart. Weakness was setting in from my blood loss, and I couldn't overpower her jaw strength. I was stuck. I couldn't move once again. I can feel the tingling sensation of pain as small particles of dragon breath graze my leg.

'I'm sorry guys... I tried.'

I close my eyes as I feel her take in a deep breath. This was it. I had not only failed everyone I cared for, but I had also failed myself. This was the end for me, after so many close calls. This is how I go out.

"Aria!"

I barely open my eyes, and I feel them widen a massive fireball is all I see heading straight at the head of the dragon. I turn my head away as it hits, and the beast lets out a roar of pain. Her jaws open wide, and I release myself from her tooth. When I turn to see how high up we are, I feel fear hit me.

The towers were specs on the small white landscape that was at least two miles below us! I spread myself out to try and slow my fall, but even if I was to teleport when I near the ground, the amount of damage I would take would possibly still end my life. I try to figure out a way to survive this when I hear a voice call out to me again.

"Aria!"

I turn my head and feel sudden joy overwhelm me at the sight of a netherite clad wither skeleton that was wearing a crown upon his skull riding on the back of a ghast. "Andrew?!" His hand was reaching out to me, and I swiftly take it. He hauls me onto the back of his ghast then gives a command. The mob quickly lifts himself, and it barely dodges one of the towers. I hiss in pain and shake my head. When I lift my gaze to the king again, I can't hide my glee. "Andrew! You're alive!? But I saw him-" He looks to me with relief in his eyes and helps me stand. "I believe you forgot that we respawn after death." My eyes widen when I remember the conversation I overheard between the two skeletons in the fortress. I shake my head and hold him tightly when his ghast drops. A purple fireball flies over our heads, and we both turn to see the enderdragon following us. I growl, and Andrew clacks quickly to the other two skeletons with us. They nod and take the reigns of the ghast.

"Wait, how did you get here?!" I shout, and Andrew points upward. I lift my gaze to see a massive nether portal start to close while many more ghasts and blazes emerge from it. I turn to him, and he only shrugs. "You'd be surprised what powers I possess as the Wither King." I can only shake my head as we lower to the ground. However, sudden fear grips me, and I quickly pull Andrew down to faceplant. A wave of power grazes our backs and takes out the other two skeletons before I can warn them to duck. The ghast lurches then screams. I turn to see Herobrine on the back of the Enderdragon, who was glaring at me with extreme hate. I narrow my gaze and release Andrew. Said Wither king rises as well and turns to face Herobrine. I can feel his anger flowing off him in waves. However, he only brings out a potion of instant health and throws it down. It shatters and I feel my body soak it up. My leg slowly mends and even my arm feels better. 

"We are right behind you." I give him a slight nod, but my eyes stay locked on Herobrine. The glowing-eyed skin growls then rushes forward. He plants his foot on the snout of the enderdragon, and she tosses her head up, launching him into the air. I snarl and rush forward as well. Launching myself off the ghast, I grab the hilt of my sword and bring it out. I teleport to meet him, and our sword clash again. Herobrine yells and pushes me back, then he goes on the attack. I am barely able to keep up with him, but I manage to block and parry each swing. He tries to appear behind me, but I take that chance to kick out and land a blow to his gut. He stumbles back in the air, and I begin to teleport behind him to attack.

A fist crashes against my face instead, and I shout in pain and surprise. Another hit slams against my back, then my gut, and once again on my face. I barely get my sword up in time as I see the gleam of his start to drop towards me, and the impact forces me to the ground. My back cracks against the end stone, and I flip a few times before I finally stop...

On something soft?

My eyes barely crack open at the warmth of whatever had caught me, and the ringing in my ears finally dies down. Once my vision clears, I blink a few times and feel my heart soar at the sight of a blue-eyed penguin with a purple bow gazing down at me in concern. The feminine voice fills my ears when I can hear again. "Aria! Can you stand?" She asks, and I feel my face break out into a smile...

Then a grimace as the pain sets in.

"Alexa?" I ask, almost uncertain that I was still alive. The penguin smiles and nods. "Of course! You really thought he got the best of us?" I shake my head and look around. Anthony was in front of us, decked out in enchanted diamond armor. His shield was before him and his sword in his right hand. Mobius was on our right... on Justin's shoulder! The iron golem seems to sense my gaze and turns slightly. He gives me a single nod, and I notice that a few NPC villagers were behind him as well. 

On the left stood Reginald and Peter. They somehow managed to get two ravagers in as well as multiple pillagers. And, of course, directly over us was Andrew on the back of his ghast. I could see him floating into view with his multitude of ghasts and blazes. I felt sudden appreciation fill me, and I slowly push myself up. Alexa helps me, then whips out a diamond apple. I do the same and quickly down it. Feeling my body repair itself again, I make my way to the front of the crowd. Standing next to Anthony, I gaze ahead of us with a growl.

Herobrine was on the ground again, surrounded by zombies, skeletons, and every mob he could control. Their eyes were red and glowing. I feel the enderman players suddenly appear around us as well, letting out screeches and yells of rage. Straightening my stance, I hold my gaze steady at him. He returns it with a smirk. "Do you still think you can win?" He taunts, but my smile makes his falter. I slightly gaze around at those with me. I had my family and new-found friends here...

I meet his gaze.

"I can't... But we can."

And with that, we all charge forward for the fight of our lives.