Drake's point of view-

Everything was a bright blue, like the sky. I looked down, seeing my reflection on a bright blue surface that acted as a floor. My white eye was glowing slightly. I didn't know what to think. Was it just something happening because of this stupid dream, or...have I lost it again? I felt panic rise in me, with the unknowing of what was going on in reality. I don't even remember how I ended up here.

"Hey...it's been awhile, huh?"

My eyes widened, and I felt at a loss of breath. That voice. I've yearned to hear it for it so long, but I had never thought I would live to see the day. I thought I would have to die first. My heart raced, and my body shaked. Slowly I turned around, finally being able to breathe again when I saw the familiar being.

"A-Ar-Armen?"

He was transparent, like a spirit, and his cyan eyes had a glowing mist rising from them. His clothes that were once torn and burnt were mended and his flesh that was once burnt to a crisp and raw was now fresh pale skin. A bright smile was on his face, and his gloved hands were in his pockets. The sight of him alone caused my eyes to tear up.

"Drake, I don't know how this is happening, or how I made it here, but I can feel that something isn't right."

I slowly shook my head. This isn't real. It's just his tricks. "No. You're not Armen. You're just an illusion!"

"I know this is hard to believe. I can hardly believe it myself, but listen! Herobrine is going up the scales on the torment he's been putting you through. You have to get out of the Red keep!"

"The Red keep? We were captured?!"

I wanted to believe this was him. I wanted to believe that this was my best friend, but I don't know what to believe anymore.

"Yes, Drake. And you're going to lose control if you stay there! They're going to kill Grayson and Mia, and you're going to lose your senses!"

"But, you don't even know Mia. How do you know about her?" I can't believe a word he's saying, but everything that came out of his mouth pulled on my heart strings.

"I'm dead! I can see everything by watching over you. I know everything you're going through, and I don't want you to end up like me!" His eyes were tearing up, and he was biting his lips.

The tears in my eyes began to trail down my cheeks, but they were cold. I was starting to believe. For a few seconds, it was silent, but he finally spoke again.

"Time is running out..." He held up his arms, as if he was waiting for an embrace.

"I don't know when, or if I'll ever see you again..so..can I have just...one last brotherly hug? I know you don't usually do stuff like that, but..."

I didn't let him finish, because before he could, my arms were around him. I had to bend my knees to let him put his chin on my shoulder. His body was so cold, but I didn't care at all. I was at a loss of words, at a loss of thought. I felt all of my worries disappear, but not for long.
He started chuckling in my ear, the volume rising to a maniacal laugh. I looked down, seeing his body lose it's glow, and becoming dark. His clothes started to tear and look like they were becoming covered in ash.

Fool...

I felt sharp pain in my shoulder, causing me to scream. My body started shaking more violently, making his teeth dig deeper into my flesh. I smelt the familiar bitter aroma of blood. His teeth released me, but his arms around me kept me from moving away. I could see the stain of my blood on my upper right torso and sleeve growing as I bled. I knew I shouldn't have trusted him. Curse my d**ed ignorance.
I fell onto my knees, and held my left hand over the injury as he let go of me. My eyes that were shut tight opened, letting even more tears fall down. I gritted my teeth, trying to hold back anymore yells of pain. I looked up at him, his wide smile letting a bright light escape from the sides on his mouth. He was no longer transparent, and his cyan eyes were glowing completely white. His chin had my blood rolling down it, and dripping down onto the shining blue surface below.

You're so gullible! He laughed. I like that. I like that a lot.

He kneeled down, and lifted up his left hand. It shot to the top of my head, grabbing my hair and pulling it. I hissed and growled at him. I cursed him out under my breath.

You know, I quite like you, but unfortunately for you, I'm not going to let a mere mortal put me to an end. Besides, I enjoy your screams.

He pulled my hair more, making me let out a choked groan of pain. He lifted up his other hand, glowing in a white orb of energy. He pulled it back, and looked at me with an even wider maniacal smile. I could almost see white dilated pupils, almost silver, within his pure white eyes. His fist came at me in a blur. It penetrated my stomach, going through my spine, then out of my back.
Every nerve in my body no longer worked. I felt unbearable pain, but I couldn't scream. I coughed blood into his face. Why does he always seem like he enjoys that? Well, the answer's obvious. He's a heartless demon that loves the suffering of others. He let go of my hair, and pulled out his arm from my abdomen, letting my body fall over. It felt like... I was dying.
There was a loud ringing in my ears. The world was slowly growing blacker and getting blurry from tears of pain filling eyes. The feeling of slipping away; it's almost indescribable. I hate the feeling of having that b*****d demon's face being the last thing I see.
I won't die yet. I know that, but what if when my time finally does come? I want the last thing I see to be my friends smiling faces, not him. I saw his glowing eyes over me as the darkness engulfed everything, and the pain began to slowly go away. The blackness engulfed everything, except for the two glowing white orbs staring at me in pleasure.
...

My eyes snapped open. My body felt heat coursing around it, and not from my illness. I regained all of my senses, then I looked up at my surroundings. I gasped in fear. The room of red brick was lit up by the flames of torches mounted on the wall. Seven figures stood on a small stage, one of them standing in front of a podium. Six of the people had on black cloaks, while the one in the middle wore a black and white one. I assumed the one in the white and black cloak was the leader.
The dark red wall behind them had large scrolls depicting Herobrine and his conquests before we had left the portal into this future. They looked very similar to the ones that we had found in the catacombs. I tried to move, but my hands were tied to a pole with rope that dug into my wrist, and I was on my knees on a red stone ground.

"Drake?" I heard a male voice to my left.

I turned my head, to face Grayson. He was tied to the same pole. I looked to my right, and saw Mia and her wrist tied to it as well. She looked on the verge of tears, and I knew why. It made me more sick to my stomach than I already was. I could feel my heart racing in fear and anger.
The cult leader walked around the podium, and made his way down towards me. I was starting to shake again from my nerves and illness, but mainly my nerves. He had a sadistic smile on his face, and dilated pupils within his red eyes. His hand reached down onto my head, and yanked on my hair to make me look straight up at him.

"You're some demon human..." He said, pulling my hair to make me look left and right as he looked at my eyes.

"In more ways than one, I see. Half monster, half demon." His voice said smoothly. It hurt, emotionally, but the emotional pain was drowned out the physical pain.

I am no monster. I am no demon. He made me face the right, and stared at my white eye. With another yank of my hair, he slammed my head onto the pole. I felt it become almost numb the longer he held me there. I knew if it weren't for the blackness of my enderman side, then that side of my head would be deeply bruised. He moved so I was facing him.

"Let go of him you son of a bic-" He didn't finish. I could see out of the corner of my eye, another cultist came down, and slammed his knee into his jaw. I saw blood coming out of his mouth as his head hung down.

"Grayson!" I screamed.

Once again my head was slammed into the pole. I could feel the warmth of blood going down my face. My breathing became heavy. I glared at him, trying hard not to shout and curse at him. He chuckled in a dark tone.

"That white eye of yours fascinates me. Master has been gone for awhile, and here, we find you. So tell me..." He pulled my hair again to make me look at him, as his face moved closer to mine.

"How did you get it?" He hissed through his teeth.

"You. Wouldn't. Understand." I said through my choked up voice, trying not to yell.

He smirked at me, and let me go. He laughed softly yet maniacally. "Fine."

The cult leader looked to the other members. "We'll keep this one alive, for now."

What is that supposed to mean? He's going to kill at least one of us? No. I'd rather die than let them kill and torment my two best friends. He moved clockwise, going towards Mia. She was trembling, with tears forming in her eyes. He bent down, looking at her in a way that made me feel sick to my stomach. It was seductive, and repulsive. His fingers grabbed her chin, forcing her to look at him, as tears streamed down her face. His fingernails digging into her cheeks, making her flinch and squirm.
I wanted to jump him and do whatever in my power to hurt him. I wanted to so desperately kill him.
I kept pulling at the ropes binding me, but couldn't get free. No one hurts my friends and gets away with it. He laughed, and carelessly tossed her head back, making the back of her head hit the pole. Growls escaped my throat. He went around to Grayson, whom still had his head down, and his mouth still bleeding. The cult leader's filthy hands grabbed the blonde hair on Grayson's scalp, and pulled his head up. Grayson shut his eyes tight and gritted his teeth in pain.

"This one would be suitable for master. Not as "useful", I suppose."

I knew what he meant. I wasn't about to let him kill my friend for some demonic ritual. I pulled at the ropes more, trying hard to break them off of the pole. The ropes dug deep into my wrist, slowly beginning to cut into them. I felt fury rising inside of me. I wanted to use my magic, but I had no idea if it would go out of control again. If it did, then it could kill everyone here, including Grayson and Mia. A few words came to my head. I knew that it was dangerous to talkback to these guys, but I didn't care.

"You have the audacity to call me a monster, but you're the real monster here. You and your wicked buddies!" I shouted.

I flinched, expecting to be beaten, but the strike never came. I was hesitant to open my eyes again, fearing that he was waiting for me to look so I could watch as he delivered a blow to my head. I finally found the courage to open them, but the cultist hadn't moved from his spot. In fact, I could have sworn I saw a slight grin on his face.

He chuckled. "Take the elf and prepare her for slave work. Prepare the blonde man for sacrifice, and.." He glared down at me. His grin growing wider.

"Take this fellow to the dungeon. I'm curious to get answers out of him, and one way or another, I will get the answers I'm looking for."

The other cultist came down and roughly grabbed us, one of each pair of two pulling our arms up in a position that could have broken them, while the other untied, then re-tied our wrists. The one holding my arms hit me in the face with his elbow. I could hear Mia's screams of panic, and Grayson's whales as he was beaten.
They dragged us to the other side of the room, where some large old doors were. The ones holding Grayson kicked the doors open, and pushed Grayson up a flight of steps. A few torches were the only things lighting the way up the steps. Out of nowhere, one of the cultist punched me in the gut, knocking the wind out of me. As I struggled to breathe, I looked up, seeing my two friends trying to fight.
Mia pulled at her restraints and tried to even kick and bite them, but she was only met with utter failure. Grayson tried to kick and hit them, despite his hands being restrained. The two cultist reacted by hitting him in the chest and face with their weapons. I finally gained my breath, as the blood on my head from the earlier wound began to get into my right eye. I shut it tight. Cellar Doors opened at the top, revealing the night sky filled with shining stars. All three of us were pushed to the surface.
The buildings still had awful repair for the Paganum that used to live here in peace. Torches lit up parts of the darkness. Men, women, and children, both Paganum and human, walked around in chains holding pick axes. They made their way to work in the mineshaft. My enderman ear perked up at the sound of my comrades yells of fear and pain.
Mia was being held back as she tried to run to Grayson, as he was thrown onto the ground. Two cultist held him down, while it took two more to shackle his legs. He was shouting curse words and threats. Eventually, they got tired of his potty mouth, and gagged him.

"Grayson! Mia!" I shouted as they pulled Grayson to his feet, and forced all three of us down different paths.

They pulled me down the left path, Grayson to the right, and Mia straight ahead. I tried to run to them, but one of the cultist hit me in the back, just below my neckline, with the hilt of their weapon. They dragged me away, until I could no see longer my beloved companions. I turned forward, and stopped struggling. We won't get out of here like that. We need a straight forward plan. I needed to think. I don't have a weapon, but I have magic. I have teleportation.
That's it! I can't let these guys chase me, though. As long as I won't hurt anyone I care about, then using my unstable magic is fine. I let myself trail behind the cultist once their grip on me released, feeling confident that I wouldn't run. I focused my magical energy into my hands, and took in a deep breath, then released it. I could feel the burning flames begin to lick at my fingertips, and rise up to my wrist, burning the tether. They hadn't noticed the spell.
The flames in my hands morphed into one of my personal favorite spells; flaming plasma. My hands moved upwards, and I bought it down onto the cultists backs. As they got shocked and burned at the same time, they fell down screaming. The other cultist around the area who watched the slaves, heard the screams and looked in my direction. About five of them came running at me with various weapons drawn. I didn't flinch, or move a muscle. My focus was primarily on a rooftop ahead, and the Enderman blood within me.
As multiple blades, and axes, and maces swung at me, I unleash the power. I opened my eyes again, seeing myself on top of the rooftop. I turned around, seeing the cultist readying bows and arrows. I readied another spell as the projectiles came flying at me. The second I saw the magic energy in my hands, for one of the first few times, I could tell it wasn't right. What was supposed to be a ball of energy, morphed into different shapes. The white in it's center wasn't supposed to be there. Finally, some unstable magic I can use to my benefit.

"Go to h**l!" I shouted as I released the blast.

The blue, purple, and white energy burned the arrows that nearly hit me. The blast fell down to the soil, and exploded on the ground. I help up my cape over my face to block the rubble coming towards me, and the arrows that narrowly missed me. I put it down, and looked at the damage that was done. A large crater was made in the ground, with fire here and there within and around it. The bodies lied there, motionless.

I nodded, wiping the blood out of my eye. "Good. Now I need to find Mia and Grayson before it's too late."

I ran and jumped across the rooftops, making my way to the west side of the keep where Mia was taken. I looked down every alley, and opened area, searching for her.

"Come on! Where is she?"

I continued to run and jump across rooftops of different buildings. On a couple diagonal one, I lost my footing and nearly fell, but I regained balance. I couldn't help but look down over the keep. There was so much wickedness and despair. To think that this place was once filled with kind beings and was so welcoming, now, this place was vile and corrupt. Seeing the slaves filled me with sympathy for the poor souls.
Finally, I heard screaming of distress, not to far from my location.
I immediately ran to where the noise had come from. The darkness covering my form from being seen by the cultist below, but the sound of my footsteps did catch their attention. They quickly lost interest in finding the source of the noise, turning back to the slaves that they watched over. I hated the sound of someone being whipped in the distance, but those screams were not the ones that I was following. I heard the cries once more, about two buildings down.
As fast as I could, despite becoming exhausted, I jumped across the long building, and jumped one last time. I stopped when I heard the screams in the alley below me. Sure enough, it was definitely Mia.

"Come on, pretty lady. It's either this or work in the mine, and that's no place for something like you." I heard a deep male voice say.

I looked over the edge, seeing two men in black cloaks around Mia. One held a torch for light.

"Get away from me! I'd rather get killed in the mineshaft!" Mia yelled.

I could see the tears on her face from the light of the torch. He put his hand on her shoulder, trying to pull down her sleeve.

"Get away from me!"

I was more furious than I had ever been. These sick monsters must be eradicated. They must. I jumped off of the building, my hands becoming lit in magic fire. When I hit the ground, both of my ankles slightly twisted, but I was still able to walk. The sound of my feet making impact with cobble path in the alley made the cultist turn around to face me.

"Don't ever touch my friend, you mother f****r." I demanded, my fury bringing me to cuss at them, something I usually tried not to do.

They laughed, one pulling out a spiked mace, and the other made his hands engulfed in green flames. It's been awhile since I've fought another Mage. I chuckled, as I looked down at the flames on my hand, clutching my fist. It's not unstable. I guess that is alright.
They both charged at me, ready to fight. I dodged the attack from the mace wielder, as the other shot fire at my feet. I jumped up, missing the blast. I wished that I had my diamond sword, but all I had was my magic, and soon my mana would run out.
That didn't matter, though. The only thing that was on my mind was killing these guys and saving my friends. I shot a blast of flames at the Mage, but he reflected the attack with a green energy shield. The ball of fire in my other hand shot at the mace wielder. It hit his mace, melting some of the spikes on it. Lightning replaced the fire on my hands.

"Mia, close your eyes!" I yelled a warning to her.

She turned her head, shutting her eyes tight. The electricity in my hand grew brighter and brighter, until it was nothing but pure light. I shut my own eyes, as I held up my hands unleashed the spell to it's full potential.
Even though my closed eyelids, I could see the blinding light, as I heard the cultists screams. My eyes opened, seeing the men on the ground, covering their eyes from the burning pain. They were now blind, giving me an easy advantage. One more time, my hands formed fire around them.

"Die!" I yelled.

I lifted up my hands, brought them down on them, above where the back of their hearts were. They let a few more screams, before they finally fully collapsed, never to get up again. I ran up to Mia and grabbed her shoulders. She lifted her head, and looked at me with wide eyes. I felt her body trembling in my grip.

"Are you alright, Mia? They didn't hurt you, did they?" I asked, releasing her, and stepping back.

She shook her head, as she wiped her eyes and cheeks to get rid of the left over tears.

"T-thank you. I couldn't do anything. I-I..." I cut her off.

"It's alright, Mia. As long as they didn't do anything to you, then everything is alright. Okay?"

She sniffed, and allowed herself to smile as she nodded. Her arms suddenly wrapped around my chest.

"Thank you so much. I can't think of a way to repay you. I'm so glad to have met you two." I was a little shocked by the sudden movement, but I gladly welcomed it.

"Don't worry." I said, returning the hug. After a moment, we released each other.

"Alright, now we have to find Grayson. We don't want to be too late."

She nodded. "Yeah. Come on."

She grabbed my sleeve, and tried to pull me to the main path outside of the alley. I didn't move, and pulled myself free from her grip.

I shook my head. "No. It's too dangerous to stay on the path. I have an idea. Trust me." I put a smile on my face to comfort her.

"Um, alright. What's your plan?"

I looked up. "It's safer if we travel on the roofs of the buildings. It's less of a chance that we'll get noticed."

She moved some of her hair out of her face. "How are we going to get up there?"

"Just trust me."

I pulled Mia next to me. I didn't really know how to bring her up with me, and I'd have to use another spell. I'm running out of mana, and if I use too much, then it will start eating away at my life force. I shook my head. I'm not going to let my problems stop me from saving my friends. Without even thinking, I pulled Mia in front of me, bent down to pick her up in a bridal style.

"What are you doing?" She asked.

I let my mana course down to my feet. They became surrounded in a small wind whirl. I focused the air underneath my feet, and jumped. Mia screamed as flew straight up in the air. When we hit the flat area of the rooftop, I collapsed, dropping Mia onto the tile. I was at a loss of breathe, and the world seemed to be spinning.

"Drake are you okay?" Mia kneeled down next to me.

I took in and let out a few more breaths. "I don't have enough mana left, and I'm exhausted. If I don't have enough mana, then I start to feel weak."

I felt pressure in my stomach. I suddenly couldn't breathe again. Before Mia could say anything in response, I started coughing and throwing up.

"Drake!" She called out, as she put her arms on my shoulders.

I opened my eyes, still able to see the darker red in the moonlight.

"Drake, you're not well. You're still very sick. You can't keep doing this!" Mia said.
I looked up at her, pushing her hands off of me. I stood up on my wobbly legs and waited for the world to settle.

"That doesn't matter. Grayson needs us. They're going to kill him if we don't do something to stop it!" She looked down, knowing that I was right.

"Now, come on. We don't know exactly where he is, but I'm positive that the ritual is going to be held outside."

I began to run across the rooftops once more, with Mia following behind me. I looked back at her, seeing her have to hold up her dress in order to jump properly. I had completely forgot about that. I suddenly heard a loud creaking and snapping noise.
Before I knew it, I was falling through the ceiling of the small building. I landed on the cold stone ground, and a pile of broken wood planks. My ears rung, and the back of my head and my back ached. I opened my eyes, seeing a blurred image of Mia peering over the hole I had fallen through, but even though her mouth was moving, I heard nothing.
The ringing stopped and the world was no longer blurry, but I was still in pain. I lifted myself up, with a grunt and a groan as I rubbed the back of my head. I felt a warm and sticky substance in my hair. Great, another head wound. Mia jumped down, and came to my aid.

"Are you alright? You sure you're spine is not broken from landing on all of that wood?"

I chuckled. "I'm fine." I pushed myself off of the the pile of wood, my gloves keeping my hands from getting splinters.

"The Paganum must have repaired that before the attack."

She nodded. "Yeah. They were never really good at repairing things."

I popped my back, then looked around. The room was filled with many different kinds of supplies, most of which didn't look like they belonged in such a dark city like this. The room was lit by torches on the wall. That was a stupid design choice, in my opinion.

"Drake. This is our stuff!" Mia said in amazement, as she bent down next to some materials on the floor.

I examined them, and she was right. My backpack and holster was the, with my sword lying not to far from it. My diamond sword had a few chips in the blade, as if it wasn't handled with care. Grayson's satchel laid there, with his dark sword hostler and his reforged fiery sword still inside. Mia grabbed her things, and equipped them onto herself.

"This must be where they keep the belongings of the slaves they capture." I came to the conclusion.

I took Grayson's sword and holster, and put them securely into his satchel. I put it on, then put my own sword into it's holster. I attached it to my belt, then grabbed my backpack and put it on.

"We have our weapons back! We can fight!" I said, happy that I didn't need to use my magic anymore.

Suddenly, there as a click at the wooden door behind us. Mia and I got up to our feet, drawing our swords. The door opened, revealing two men in black cloaks. They saw us, and reached for their weapons, but I charged out, and stabbed the first one in the chest. Quickly I spun around and blocked the attack of the other cultist. As I held him back, the tip of a pink sword pierced through the area of his heart. Mia pulled her sword out, and let the body fall.

"Alright. Now let's find Grayson."

We ran around the corner, and stopped when we saw three more cultist, tending to a line of shackled slaves. They saw us, and took out their weapons to attack. We all charged at each other, screaming our battle cries. I held up my sword against the the other, sparks ignited as we both swung our swords in the opposite directions. The tip of his blade cut into my cheek. I lunged my sword at him, as he hit my blade back with his own.
Quickly, I got behind him, putting my blade on his throat, and cutting deep into it. I looked back to Mia as I discarded the body. She had already killed the other one, and was now dealing with the last cultist. She thrust her blade into his head, and pulled it out.

"Thank you, so much!" A woman's voice said.

Our attention was turned to a woman, shackled at her hands and feet. The chain connected to the other cuffs on the other slaves. She seemed middle aged, with brown tied in a ponytail that hung over her shoulder. Lots of strands were not in the band holding the hair style together. I looked down at the body on the ground, and saw a keychain on his belt, with many keys on it. Putting my sword away, I bent down and took it off, then went to the woman slave. I searched for the key to unlock her, trying each one in the cuffs.

"Excuse me, but do you know where the sacrificial rituals are held?" I asked, as I found the right key to unlock her wrist and ankles.

As I moved on to the other slaves, she answered. "They are held in the center of the keep. Why would you want to go there?"

"A friend of ours was chosen to be sacrificed there. We have to rescue him."

"Well you better hurry." She said, as I unlocked and freed the last slave. "The rituals are held at midnight, and judging by the location of the moon, it's almost time."

I looked up at the moon. We're running out of time. I turned to Mia.

"Mia, we have to get those people out of here. Take them to the place where we found our things, and give the weapons to fight incase you're spotted."

"No I can't leave you! Besides, what if something happens to us? What if something happens to you or Grayson?"

"Don't worry about us. We' be fine. I have faith that we will all make it through this. Just go, and stay cautious. Danger could be around every corner."

She was reluctant to leave me, slowly backing up, but not removing her gaze from my eyes. She finally broke eye contact, and looked at the slaves. She slowly nodded.

"Okay. Come on guys. Let's go!" She turned around and ran out of the alleyway, turning back to make sure the others followed her.

After they all disappeared from my sight, I ran out as well. I can't go back on the rooftops, now that it's becoming dangerous for myself to use magic. I had to run the direction that they had gone, but I couldn't see them anywhere. I felt guilty for leaving them like that, but the slaves need to get out of here, with defense, and I can't let the cultists kill Grayson while I'm with them. I know that they will be okay. I have faith in Mia. I know she'll look after them, and protect them.
I saw another cultist up ahead, with his back towards me. Once again, I took out my sword, and plunged it into his back. I quickly took it out, and continued onwards. Turning one corner, then another, the light became a lot more bright. I squinted at the light, until my eyes adjusted. The light was coming from long torches on the ground. On the flat cobblestone ground, was a large pentagram drawn in what looked like blood. Men in black and white cloaks were around it, but I could see Grayson past them.
He was on his knees, looking down with his eyes closed, obviously breathing heavily. I could see that his right cheek was bruised, and the ropes tying his arms behind his wrist were cutting him, and making them bleed. I felt anger consume me once again.
The cult leader that we had encountered earlier, walked up to Grayson, with a long iron sword, drenched in dried blood from previous sacrifices. He lifted up his hands, looking at all of the other cultists.

"Now, my fellow followers!" His voice boomed out. "Before the sacrificing of the innocent, we must give praise to lord Herobrine. Join hands!"

With that, all of them went around the pentagram, joining their hands together. They began to chant in an ancient language. Suddenly, the sound of my heart was pounding in my ears. My head began throbbing, more painfully than it ever had before. I could no longer heard anything but the ringing in my ears and the voices in my head, as my eyes teared up from the tremendous pain. My vision was growing blurry, and white. I let out a scream, before I blacked out.

Grayson's point of view-

I sat there, giving up on trying to fight back. I just hoped that Drake and Mia were safe, but I had doubts. Those doubts caused my eyes to tear up. I was filled with so much emotion. Guilt for bringing them so close to this place, regret for not being able to hatch the dragon egg, fear of what might have happened to my friends, and anger that this was my end. I glared at the cult leader that had sentenced me to my death, as he stood over my vulnerable form. If my hands weren't tied behind me, I would strangle him to death.

He whispered to me "let's see if your strange companion shows up."

I lowered my brow. Did he intend for Drake to escape? Or was he just trying to lower my hopes?
I adjusted my arms, feeling the ropes dig at my bloodied, raw flesh. I cringed at the pain, but I could feel some areas beginning to go numb. He pulled out his sword, stained in dry blood. I thought that the empire, or monsters would bring me to my end. I didn't expect it to be at the hands of cultist, although, I assume it's less undignifying. I let my head hang down and closed my eyes, ready to accept my fate.

"Now, my fellow followers! Before the sacrificing of the innocent, we must give praise to lord Herobrine. Join hands!"

They began chanting worship. I let memories coarse through my mind. I remember my days working at the Arctic, meeting Drake and Armen, fighting Herobrine and losing Armen. Meeting Mia. Meeting Clara...

"Looks like he's made it." I heard the leader say.

My eyes snapped open, looking up at him. I tried to follow his gaze, but before I could tell what was happening, my body hit the ground and skidded across the stone ground. There was pressure on my chest, and a tight grip from hands around my throat. What ever had hit me, was strangling me.
When I opened my eyes, it's grip loosened. I closed my eyes again as I coughed and caught my breath. The pair of hands released my throat, as a drop of water hit my cheek. My eyes opened once again, giving me a sight that I hadn't expected.
Drake was over me, his face looking shocked and scared. His hands and body trembled, and his eyes were filled with tears. His white eye seemed to look as if it was glowing, and faded back to normal.

"G-Gr-Grayson?" His voice shook.

"So it is true!" A voice called out.

Drake stood and got off of me, turning to face the cultist. I sat up and looked at the cult leader, smiling at us in delight.

"Master has been merged with you. I wonder why he hasn't taken full control yet? That would explain his absence."

I looked over a Drake. "Drake?" I said, but he didn't look at me.

It all started to make sense. Drake's abnormal behavior, the things he was saying this morning about Herobrine. Him choking me, and his eye glowing. It all made sense to me now. Herobrine's not dead. How could he hide this from us? He knew this whole time, and didn't tell us, his closest, his only friends. He took off his backpack, and a satchel he had on.

"Kill the blonde, and capture the vessel!" The leader demanded.

The cultist pulled weapons out from under their cloaks. Some taking weapons and lighting one hand on fire with magic. Drake dropped the satchel next to me, as he put his backpack back on. I looked at it, recognising the hilt of the blade that stuck out. It was mine. How did he get it?
He drew his diamond sword, and brought it down behind me. I found that I was able to move my arms, as he cut the rope. I pushed myself up, and looked around, finding that we were backed into a corner. The cultist were all around us, forcing our backs to a wall.
I pulled out my sword, ready for a battery, but a purple and blue circular wall suddenly surrounded me. I looked over to Drake. His arms was held out towards me, with his hand glowing. He trapped me in a forcefield.

"Drake, what the h**l are you doing?" I was getting angry, but I felt the anger slowly fade when I settled to the look of him.

His body was shaking, and tears were going down his face. I could see him gritting his teeth. His arm went down to his chest, and gripped his shirt tightly. He looked like he was in deep pain. He coughed, a few times, before he spoke.

"G-Gray-s-son... I-I'm...s-sorry-y..."

He put his sword away. I had no idea what he was doing, but knew something was terribly wrong with him.

"M-Mia..is...f-fine..." He suddenly charged at the group of cultist.

"Drake!" I screamed, placing my hands on the forcefield.

I could see his body glowing. Suddenly, in a bright burst of light and energy, a huge wave of purple and blue magic fired out from around him. Even from within the forcefield, I could feel the force of impact as it hit. I closed my eyes from the light, but quickly opened them again. The torches around us all snapped in two, and fell onto the ground. The bodies of the cultist went flying. I could see their robes begin to ignite in flames, and small bits of red mixing in with the cool colors.
The magic died down, revealing Drake standing in the center of destruction. He wobbled on his feet, and looked back at me. His body shook violently. He closed his eyes, and smiled. My eyes widened.

"Drake?" I whispered.

Suddenly, his body collapsed, as the forcefield around me disappeared. I immediately ran to his side, falling to my knees next to him. I grabbed him, and moved his limp form onto my legs. I shook him, trying to wake him up.

"Drake? Drake! Wake up!"

He remained motionless in my arms. I put my ear down to chest, and listened. The faint sound of a heartbeat echoed in my eardrums. A sigh of relief escaped my lips. I looked around at the chaos he had brought. All of bodies were surrounded in pools of blood. All them had patches of fire on them, and were all nearly cut in half. I looked back down at Drake, noticing his heavy breathing.

"You said that Mia was okay, right?" I said, knowing he wouldn't answer. "Does that mean that she escaped?"

I guessed that I should go to the gate, and get on the wall to see if she was there. If she wasn't, then I had no idea what I'd do. I looked at the blood on his head, and felt even more of it on the palm of my hand that rested on the back of his head. I sighed again. I grabbed him, and put his body over my shoulder. I went back and grabbed my things, putting them over my shoulder, and adjusted Drake's body so the strap wasn't on him.
I turned around, knowing that more cultist would show up from the sound of the magic blast. I ran into the other half of the city, hoping the darkness would cover me. Every corner, I attempted to hide behind the crates that were left on the streets, trying not to engage in any battle, for I know that if I did, then Drake could get hurt.
After awhile, I finally made to the gate of the keep. I remembered when this place was destroyed when Armen was possessed. The gate was completely destroyed then, now it seemed to have been repaired with stone and cement. It blocked my way of escaping, and I knew that more cultist could show up at any time.
I moved Drake, making it so I was cradling his body in my arms. With the gate closed, I had no way out. Suddenly, there was a sound of cranking and chain, as the gate opened up.

"Grayson!" I heard a familiar female voice call out.

I looked up at the nearby building to my right. There, Mia stood on the wall next to the building.

"We got the gate open, we can leave now!" She said cheerfully, as she jumped down over the other side.

I moved to the other side of the wall, as the gate began to close again. I looked over to Mia, and gasped when I saw other people jumping off of the wall behind her.

"Mia, look out behind you!" I yelled, putting my hand on the handle of my sword.

"Grayson, no! It's fine. These are slaves that Drake and I saved. They helped me open the gate for you." I let go of the sword handle.

"What happened to Drake?" Mia asked, running up to us.

I shook my head. "I don't know. He used a powerful magic spell to save me, and then passed out, but...we have a lot to talk about." I had to tell her about what happened. I had to tell her the truth about Him. I looked at the five people behind her.

"What about them?"

One of the women shook her head. "It is fine if you go on without us. We will go on alone."

Mia turned to them. "Are you sure?"

"Yes. We will be fine. If we ever find each other again, we will help you with any problem. You gave us back our freedom, so we, or at least I, will be willing to give my life for you."

The other behind her all said they were willing to give their lives for us. It warmed my heart knowing that there were other kind people out in the world like that. Someone who is willing to sacrifice themselves for the sake of others are truly amazing.

"I will pray for your friend to heal." She said as she began to turn around, and walk away. "Thank you for our redemption. You are saints."

As the others followed her, they turned to us and waved, with wide bright smiles on their faces. Once they were all far enough, I turned back to Mia.

"Mia, we have set up a camp. Drake has some bad head wounds, and I can feel him starting to burn up. He's starting to get a fever."

She nodded. "Alright. Let's quickly get away from this wretched place. Let's go the forest where it's more secure."

I nodded, agreeing with her decision. We set out, leaving the desert area, and traveling to the forest area.
...
I finished wrapping Drake's head in bandages. I lifted the front of his sleeping bag, and zipped it up, making sure her was warm and secure.

"...and he was saying something about his mana running out, and he started throwing up blood. I just hope that he's okay." Mia finished the story.

I sighed, looking down at my unconscious friend. He was paler than he had been recently in the light of the campfire flames.

"I heard that if magic uses use too much magic, then their magic could start draining their life force." I hope that didn't happen to him. I shook my head.

"So..." Mia said. "Hero...,uh, I mean, He is still alive? What does that mean for us? For Drake?"

I shrugged. "I don't know, but...if he doesn't remember, then don't remind him."

Mia objected. "What? Grayson, we can't keep this from him. It's not right!"

"He kept it from us."

"I'm sure he did it to protect us! I don't know how, but I'm sure of it!"

"And I'm deciding this to protect him!" I shouted back. I looked back down at Drake. He stirred slightly, but didn't open his eyes.

I sighed. "I know it...doesn't seem right, but..." I swallowed a lump in my throat.

"You've seen how's he's been lately. I don't want to throw any more pressure on him then he already has. We will find a way to get rid of Him from Drake's body. We'll search for a way."

After a moment of silence, I stood up, and walked to my own sleeping bag. I sat down on it, moving it over my legs.

"He's my best friend, and I'm not going to let him suffer like that. I saw tears in his eyes, Mia. He was terrified at the fact that he could have killed me. I don't want him to feel that pain anymore."

There was another silence between us. I looked over to her, as she let out a yawn.

"Now go to sleep. He'll be fine. He just needs rest, and you do too." I laid down, but didn't plan on going to sleep.

"Okay. Good night, Grayson." She laid down.

I waited for the sound of her light snoring. Once I knew that she was asleep, I sat up, with my sword in my grasp. I watched over Drake and Mia like a hawk. I'm not going to let us get captured again. Today was too close, and I refuse to let such a close call like that happened again. I forced myself to stay awake, and keep watch. I'm going to protect them until I die. They're all I have left, and I can't afford to lose them. I refuse to lose anyone else. I've already lost too much.