Disclaimer: I do NOT own the game 'Minecraft'. I only own this AU series.
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Herobrine tightened his cloak around his neck as the carriage rode through the kingdom. King Jeb was seated across from him, grinning like the smug bastard he is. The carriage halted and the two climbed out. The guards stationed at the gate bowed to King Jeb but pointed their spears warily at Herobrine. The white-eyed man just rolled his eyes. King Jeb quietly told them to step back and led Herobrine through the castle. The guards were watching his every move, ready to strike whenever Herobrine would attack.

However, Herobrine was not in the mood. He never was. It was mostly based on how he was feeling.

Oh.

Compared to before he died, he felt a lot more... Strong. It felt like something big was lifted from his chest. He grinned to himself at the feeling. If he was gone, he had nothing to worry about. He could finally be himself.

He looked around, they were heading for the King's quarters. Herobrine could tell where they were, after all, he was the one who decided which room was which with a teenage Markus. 'Hero' would take care of the exterior and Markus would do the interior. The castle took years to rebuild and strengthen but it still was one of Hero's proudest projects.

Markus had decorated each and every room that Hero had planned out for him. Needless to say, it had been fun. Herobrine passed by a portrait. It had two men standing with the royal flag slung over their shoulders. The short man had pale blue eyes and had a sword at hand. His facial expression was serious and quite... Intimidating. The tall man had amber eyes and a warm smile. He stood straight with arms folded behind his back. Herobrine stopped to study the portrait. There was an engraving at the bottom of the frame in gold letters.

Give Our Hearts To These Who Believed

Herobrine saw a small description further down.

Lord Markus Alexej Persson and his older brother had been the first to rule Minecraftia after independence. Markus's older brother, General Persson, had led the rebellion to war against the Russians to claim freedom. After many ambushes and sacrifices, General Persson had won the war, waving the Minecraftian flag high in victory above the battlefield.

Herobrine muttered, "I thought everything about me was torn down."

King Jeb smiled fondly and said, "Markus was furious when some maids started to take portraits down. He fired them, and said that he wanted to keep the brother he knew in his memory."

Herobrine lowered his head. Jeb just stood at his side, offering his presence as comfort. He didn't expect what Herobrine would confess next though.

"Whoever killed him was slain."

Before Jeb could respond, Herobrine continued, "I refuse to let Markus' death be in vain. I made sure the fucker who did this was dead."

Herobrine didn't kill him. Sky did his job just fine. He was proud of that.

King Jeb placed an arm around Herobrine's shoulders and pulled him to his side. He ducked down and whispered, "You've always been the older brother. Taking charge and everything. I know you wouldn't let anyone harm us. Even if we were, you'd defend our honor in a heartbeat."

He felt Herobrine's own arm slip around his own shoulders.

"I missed you too, little guy."

-

King Jeb pulled the trunk out and dragged it to Herobrine. He swung it open and stepped aside to let Herobrine roam the contents. Herobrine spotted the picture frame first. He gave a sad smile, dusting it off to see his family's faces. He looked at his father. He had never seen him since he was just 10 or something. He swiped a finger over his father's smiling face. Even after what he had done to him, Herobrine hoped his father was coping in the Nether.

He then looked at his mother, who seemed alright. Herobrine looked down at himself, so small, but so happy and energetic. This photo should have been taken a few months before the accident that tore his mother away. He sighed and took out the next item.

The cape was folded neatly. The one he made himself was torn from the battle the previous day. This cape was designed and made by Markus. It was also torn. King Jeb said,"I can order someone to fix it for you."

Herobrine shook his head and tapped the cape with his finger. The cape shifted before going limp in Herobrine's hands. He lifted it, the hood was all patched up. It was clean too. King Jeb managed to remain quiet, he had never gotten used to magic. It always fascinated him. Herobrine hung it loosely on his shoulder and pulled out a notebook. The leather cover was awfully old.

Herobrine sighed. Now, this could not be fixed with charms. He flipped through the hard and loose pages. There were descriptions, warnings and drawings on the worn out paper. It held the information of potions, mobs, weapons and crafting recipes. There were also facts on sudden weather change and mobs disappearing. There were other messages in there... But Herobrine did not want to dwell on them.

He should visit Noah's grave again. It's been too long.

He put it aside and pulled out the last notebook. It was a little shorter than the previous notebook. This book had more warnings and drawings rather than descriptions. It was where Herobrine would write his powers down and memorize when he had first discovered his abilities. He had memorized everything already. His powers had become a part of him. He put it down and looked up at King Jeb, who had folded clothes piled up in his arms.

He gave it to Herobrine. He smiled, "Wear these and I'll show you the progress of the... Sloths."

Herobrine smirked and sent him off. The Swede unfolded the blue uniform and thumbed over his name tag on the jacket. His heart warmed over the memories and he slowly started to redress. He discovered after a moment that the uniform did not fit him anymore. He grew a lot in muscle mass and the sleeves were tight around his biceps. The pants especially squeezed around his thighs and calves.

Wincing, he quickly charmed the clothes to fit him with just the right amount of space for him to move around in. He charmed them some more to enhance his presence.

A soldier's uniform becomes the soldier, so to speak.

○

Herobrine emerged from his room, looking much more fresher and cleaner. He wore the Royal Military uniform smartly. He had the standardized heeled combat boots. His hair was slicked back and his seasoned beret resting on top. His gloves still remained, replacing the standard black leather gloves for weapon handling. Sure, he broke his own rules, but he could always alter it. Benefits of being the general after all. King Jeb met him outside his room and led him to the military base next to the castle. King Jeb said that the soldiers were having their lunch now, eating at the dining hall.

Herobrine frowned. It was way too early for that. Before he hid, the soldiers had no such thing as lunch. They only had breakfast, a shit ton of water breaks/snack breaks and dinner. Only soldiers who had permission had lunch breaks. As far as he knew, there was no general after him as well. No one has stepped up for it, and those who were forced into it, did not do the job well. He kept quiet as King Jeb entered the dining hall. The soldiers noticed them but continued eating like pigs. King Jeb turned to Herobrine, awaiting his move. Herobrine was rather disgusted.

They had absolutely no respect for their king, their superior. It was downright irritating and wrong. He killed for Minecraftia's independence and this was what he received in return?

Herobrine shook his head. In his fury, he slammed his foot down on the planks, a few soldiers yelping in fright. King Jeb snickered in amusement. The soldiers all stood and bowed to King Jeb, not paying attention to Herobrine, who was muttering Swedish curses under his breath.

He turned to Jeb, "May I?"

King Jeb stepped away and nodded, "Hold on first though..."

King Jeb stepped forward and announced, "I have appointed a new general, again, for the Royal Military and Minecraftia's Armed Forces. Despite his... Past, he is worthy of this position, especially above you all. Any bit of disrespect and I trust he's capable enough to take care of you."

Herobrine was far too busy deciding on how to push these soldiers to their limits to even listen. God, they need to get back onto their feet quick. With the weight of being an Aether representative on his shoulders, he realized he had a lot of goddesses to impress.

"Any news of a new general must not reach anyone outside of the castle or base. I will leave everything to him now."

He turned and left, giving Herobrine a pat on the back. Herobrine did not need it though. He stepped out on the platform and looked down, scanning the crowd of uninterested soldiers.

He spoke, his voice commanding the entire hall, "I'm sure you've seen my face around. Perhaps on a portrait in the castle, maybe the newspapers... Maybe even heard of me from the bedtime stories from your mothers."

"Jesus, I always thought he'd be a little more taller..."

"Dude, shut up, what if he can, like, hear you or something."

"Don't be ridiculous, Dean."

The Swede snapped, "I can very much hear every single whisper. Not only that, I can hear everything on the other side of the goddamn palace. I suggest the two of you shut up before I make you."

The soldiers who were whispering gulped and sat upright, nodding furiously.

Herobrine continued, "A military is nothing without a general and his lieutenant general. I will scout and pick a lieutenant myself. I will prepare a few activities and trainings just in case any of you still are sloths. From what I see, many of you indeed are."

He smirked, "Eat up but not too much. You're not even supposed to be here eating. If you vomit later, you'll lick it all up from the damned floor. Now, I'll make an announcement once I take a look at all your names and put up a list on which shift you'll be in. No one in this damned place stepped up, so I'll be doing your asses a favor."

He narrowed his eyes and finally said, "If you have anything to say then come to my office after knocking. Have a good day ahead."

He stormed off, leaving an entire army scared shitless. Soldiers who joined the military after their older family members stared. Some of their fathers, mothers, uncles, aunts, maybe even grandparents had been soldiers under General Persson's reign. They survived, and they all said he was great up until the deaths and execution had started.

Some of them said that although he was tough and hard on everyone, he was fair. He gave punishments with good reason and never stepped past soldiers' boundaries, he only edged them so they could improve. Some who still respected him even when he did horrible things said that Herobrine was a great man, maybe he was just pushed and forced to do horrible things.

The soldiers now had no idea what to expect from him.