yoOoo

So I spent time (like...hours...) in Urgent Care yesterday....almost sent to the hospital...fun times.

bUt now, I can finish this half-done chapter and churn it out! I might be focusing on To Run a lot now, but don't think I've abandoned my other stories!

(The pic is what I imagine Damon looks like LOL I found it on the internet it's nOt mine)

Enjoy! (And LOOP THE ABOVE MUSIC PLZ)

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RECAP

DAMON RIVERS' POV

          Then arms wrapped about me, and voices rang in my ears, voices of my followers.

          "Damon! You're alright."

          "Damon, you wouldn't believe what's happened—"

          "Sir, your scar...it's..."

          Lifting my eyes to them, my vision a little misty, I gave the cheerful faces of Soren, Roarn, Candra, and Jasher a wide grin, finally finding my voice, "I...I can see."

          I could see...

END RECAP

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Long Ago...

DAMON RIVERS' POV

         After a round of pats on the back and admiring glances shot to the healed part of my face, Notch once again spoke, "Well, if you are done with your greetings, I'd like to speak with all of you about something...concerning Herobrine."

          Immediately, the conversation lulled, stopped, as our eyes flicked to the Creator. As one, we turned to face him, giving our full attention to the powerful immortal. He was still smiling a little, though there was a sadness in his eyes, which were dark, the irises lined with gold, "Thank you...here, come with me, will you all?"

          The powerful Creator turned, clasping his hands behind his back as he made his way over to a fallen pillar, with us in tow. He unhooked his hands briefly to touch a fallen stone, his shoulders seeming to droop a little. The creator...something weighed heavily on his mind. Something that had to do with Herobrine...I was sure.

         "You may sit if you so choose...what I must tell you is a very long tale indeed, one that dates back to the beginning of this world's creation."

         Silently, we all assembled near the fallen pillar before him, concern making us more silent than usual, as was a habit. Jasher stuck near me, undoubtedly trying to express his concern without being overly smothering. Leaning against the rough pillar, appreciating my pain-free body, I ruffled Jasher's hair, trying to help him relax. Our creator was here...we would be safe, if only for a little while.

          Sighing softly, Notch leaned against the giant fallen stone, meeting each of our eyes in turn before he began. I felt Jasher stiffen a little when his gaze locked onto Notch's, and I understood why when the Creator looked to me. My eyes...it felt as though they were naught but windows, where Notch could peer directly into my soul. The desires of my heart, the goals I had strived to achieve, all laid bare. It was...unnerving, and yet, my trust was only made stronger.

          When he withdrew his gaze, he smiled a little, nodded, "Alright...I will make this as short as I possibly can...but I wish you all to know why Herobrine has done...everything he has." I shifted a little, seeing Jasher do the same, uncomfortable with his name being uttered so casually, so openly.

         Notch continued after another soft sigh, his voice low, yet powerful enough to drown out any other distracting noise, "Before I ever began to make this world...I was studying possibilities, wondering how to make a balanced world where sentient creatures could live and thrive." Notch's voice was warm, and his eyes took on a faraway look, "I will tell you another time of the place where I live, for now, I will only say this. My world was one full of immortals, though they are few and far between. Many immortals govern their own worlds, but few have made them. My own father made an incredible achievement to bring our world Valkyries when the lands were still young...a wonderful addition to our world. However, I and several others wished to combine our power and make something even greater...like our own world...something beautiful and lasting. There were other reasons, but they are not important as of now.

          "I was elected to oversee this project, as I had the majority of power, being a son of one of the greatest immortals who ever lived. I watched over the plans with great care, making sure we missed nothing. Eventually, I and many other concluded that we must...test our skills to make a sentient life form that was not of our blood, but purely of our power. This creature needed to be as powerful as us and needed to have intelligent thought. We had to push our limits, know what the greatest thing we could create was before we attempted smaller projects to bring balance to our coming world. Thus, Herobrine was created."

          A hush of utter awe had fallen over us, and even the some of the Valkyries were gathering about us to listen to the tale, "I created Herobrine on a chosen day, within a great Valkyrie temple, as many of them supported our cause. The others poured their powers into me, and I in turn, shaped and created the first human prototype, in a sense...however, I had poured too much power into his making...and he shocked us all with his later abilities..."

          As he spoke, an image seemed to drift into my mind. Notch standing in a large, grand temple, hands outstretched, golden lights forming in his palms as others poured energy into his body, each stretching out a hand to him... Then, a sudden flash of silver-white before them startled even those powerful immortals...and when the flare died off, there lay a body...clothed in simple garments, his hair wild and a dark brown...

          ...and when he lifted his head, his eyes blazed white...

          "...As we continued on with the project, simultaneously integrating Herobrine, a name he himself had chosen, into our group, we found he gave us many helpful suggestions, quiet as he was. When I could, I tried to spend time with him, get to know this...this person I had created. He was always smiling pleasantly, though he was shy and often retreated to be alone. Once, he confessed to me that he felt he didn't belong here, that he feared to be cast out, discarded, once his use was up..." Guilt entered Notch's deep voice, "Of course, I was shocked at this, and hurried to encourage him that it would not be so. Herobrine subsequently seemed to believe me, and he became a little more confident, though I could tell he still fought his doubt." A heavy sigh, "I did not know, as I know now, that not having the experiences of being a child, Hero did not know his body well. He was...afraid to use his powers, and rarely showed them. Having not grown up as he should have, he feared he was too strong...and thus suppressed certain outbursts of fear and emotion if he felt it would cause his powers to expose themselves."

          A few of the Valkyries shifted, a couple looking away, as though they knew what was to come next. I myself was almost lost in the tale. Notch was giving us a peek into Herobrine's past...making him seem...less demonic. Though when pain from my bitter loss filled my mind, I found myself shutting out those sentiments, instead listening as one who wished to find a tactical advantage over an enemy. However, as Notch pressed on, I felt my anger begin to fade.

          "...again, we had run into the problem of needing another test subject, one less powerful than Hero. This, of course, caused Hero's doubts to come rushing back, though I did not think of it at the time. When it was decided, I made the first human, completely of my own power and will. Again, I did not think to make him as a child, though his mind was far more...complete than even Herobrine's. In looks, he was almost an exact replica of Herobrine, and they bonded quickly over it. I gave him a name, Steven First, and he seemed to like it. I gave Steve over to one of our developers, one he chose, so he could be trained in self-defense methods, as he would be destined for testing, to pave the way for more humans to come, to explore the unknown and be an example to others. He seemed excited, and constantly spoke to Herobrine about it, as the two had become close.

          "During this time, we were preparing our chosen world for the coming of more humans. This world was to be more vast than ours, one easier to traverse, as humans would not have the power of flight. I had created several humans by this time, with a few more modifications than Steven, and I had designed...a city for them to live in."

          Notch raised a hand, gesturing all around him. I blinked, realizing I was indeed standing in the ruined city of legend...the First City... Börja. Long ago, my father had told me of the fabled First City, a place the Creator had made himself, to encourage unity and prosperity among humans... It was said to be beautiful and grand, and it was the place Notch had first come to as he began the creation of the world...

          "Here, humans would remain safe as they learned more about their world. They even created a sort of order, electing a king of sorts who reported directly to me on their progress. Their time passed much faster than ours, thus allowing them to quickly grow in number and become strong. However, as I created them naturally cautious, they wouldn't dare conquer the challenges the world gave them. Thus, either Steve or Hero, the matter had not been decided, was meant to be the one to encourage them to spread out, to test the limits, and defeat the odds and challenges this world had.

          "It was decided, with much debate, that Steven would be the one to test out this new world, not Herobrine, though he had hoped to be of use. Steven was by far the most human of my two first creations and would thus be more qualified to teach other humans what he had learned during his explorations."

          Rubbing his temples, Notch leaned up from the fallen stone, suddenly seeming weary, "When Herobrine was notified, as I did not take the time to tell him personally, I was told he shuddered, froze, and seemed to erupt. He ran away, suppressing his power as best he could, though when one of my fellow-creators tried to restrain him, he was blown hundreds of blocks away with a single punch."

         A tiny bit of movement in the corner of my vision startled me out of the story, and I turned to see Jasher's jaw had fallen open. I managed a slight smile, turning back to Notch as I brushed it closed with a hand. His teeth clicked a little, but he otherwise was so caught up in the story, he hardly noticed my actions. Notch's voice troubled me, it held deep guilt and regret...and his posture seemed to slump a little with the weight of it upon his shoulders...

          "Later, as I hurried to find him and try to reassure him a little...I found his path of destruction...and it led to a little house Steven had made during his first few weeks in my world. The sight sickened me. His house was burning, destroyed. When I entered...there was blood everywhere, and Steven's body was in a corner, run through several times with his own pickax, a tool he'd been very proud to have made."

         Voice thick with suppressed grief, Notch continued after a heavy sigh, "Herobrine was...nowhere to be found...and the instant I knelt over the first human, I felt something snap within me. Later, I found that Herobrine...had fled to the overworld...and severed my connection with it, something I didn't even know he could do. Helpless to stop him, all these years, I have watched as he put up a barrier of his own power to keep me out...watched him as he scattered the humans, only at about eight hundred strong, into a world they were not yet prepared to face, as I had thought..." Grimacing, Notch shook his head, "I found I was unable to make another solid enough connection to try and go back to this world...though I have tried, failing more often than not, to send him and others messages and visions...as I succeeded with you, Damon." Notch gave me a slight smile, though it fell quickly, "He fought me in those dreams, however...as though he doesn't recognize me any longer. I often wonder if what he had done affected his memories..."

          I nodded, frowning a little. Indeed, Notch had sent me little visions and dreams as I neared this fortress...doubtlessly because I had been approaching his severed connection. The room was quiet, but for a few shifts and murmurs as my followers digested the astonishing new revelations given to them, each in their own way. After mulling over the story in my own mind, noticing Notch patiently waiting for us to accept what he had told us, I broke the silence, "What...is your goal in telling us? Truly, you have changed my outlook on him...if only a little bit. What do you hope to gain?"

          Smiling a little, Notch nodded, "Ever the tactical thinker... Indeed, you are right. I was hoping to...request something of you."

          All eyes turned to him expectantly, waiting, though I had a suspicion that I knew what he was about to ask of us...and I did not know if I could do it...

         "Though, before I do..." Notch turned, gesturing to a Valkyrie behind him, who nodded, "Allow me to...show you something."

         Lifting a hand, Notch looked up, towards the brilliant blue sky. His hand began to glow a rich gold that pulsated like a heartbeat, increasing in brightness steadily until I was forced to close my eyes, feeling power throb all around me, filling my head with a strange, buzzing sensation. A rush of wind, and it was gone, but when I opened my eyes...there were people...

          Then my eyes locked with familiar blue ones... Those...those eyes...

         ...I hadn't seen them since the day my village had been burned...

          Paralyzed by my own shock, my ears deaf to the world around me, I simply stared numbly at those eyes until they were right in front of me, and my mother's voice was whispering in my ear as her arms circled about me, hugging me to her chest, "Damon..."

          It was like a dam broke within me. I staggered, falling to my knees as my arms flew around my mother, shakily encircling her in as tight of an embrace as I dared. Dimly, the cries of others sounded in my ears as they saw a lost loved one, but I couldn't bring myself to care for them at that moment. My mother had tears on her face, I felt them when she kissed my cheek, murmuring about how grown up I had become.

          How...how was this even possible?? Notch...he brought back...the dead...

          I shuddered, and then my tears were falling freely as I closed my eyes. She was here...my mother...but...would that not mean...

          "Damon..." A husky voice, deep and so familiar it sent chills up my spine, spoke from my side. My head jerked up, a shaky gasp escaping my throat. There, before me, stood my father, well and whole...strong as the day I had lost him, though gray now flecked his deep brown beard. Grey eyes shined with unshed tears as he reached out a calloused hand to me, and I grasped it, desperately pulling him into my arms as I choked out, "Father..."

         I remained in their arms for who knew how long, my heart swelling with both joy and pain at the same time, resurfacing grief and happiness pouring out of me at their return...as I reminded myself that this was indeed real...that my parents were both alive and in my arms... Once I found my voice, I could only choke out how much I had missed them, how much I had longed for their return. They, in turn, expressed their own joy to be able to see me again, and their voices were a balm to my soul, soothing my shaking as I knelt there and listened to them...satisfied to do so for an eternity if I could.

          I hardly even noticed the time, until my father cleared his throat and spoke softly, "Son...I believe Notch requires your attention..."

          Jerking my head up, unashamed of the tears of joy on my face, I saw that Notch was indeed standing before our happy group, smiling softly. Hurriedly wiping the tears from my face, I took a shaking breath, struggling to my feet, "N-Notch...my...a-apologies..."

           Notch waved off my apology, "Worry not...I understand your reaction completely. I only wished to address my earlier request before you and your group retire for the night...you must be tired from your battle."

          Trying to steady my breathing, smiling through my tears of joy, I nodded, finally allowing myself to look around the ruined room again. Jasher had both his arms wrapped around a man and a woman dressed in rich, white silks. With a slight start, I noticed all the people Notch had returned to us wore beautiful, rich clothes of silk, ranging in color from soft greens and blues to whites and violets and golds. The grin on my face widened as my arms tightened around my parents. They had been treated well...

          Roarn was beside an older couple, wiping his eyes as he beamed at Notch. Candra was hugging another young woman with blond hair, pulling back as Notch caught her attention. Her sister, she had told me of her before....and Jasher had met his parents at last. Soren's arms were draped over the shoulders of his own parents, a rare smile etched into his face. Notch had fixed our broken families...had returned to us what the demon had stolen...

          "I know this is sudden...but I have a request for Damon's group of Survivors."

          Having my father's hand resting on my shoulder again, after so long, made me nearly unable to register exactly what the Creator was saying, though I struggled to focus on it. So much time had gone by...I wanted to swear to never leave them again...though I knew whatever Notch requested of us, I would be unable to refuse. I simply owed him too much...

         "Be advised...this is only a request, one you can refuse of your own will, should you desire it. You Survivors have done much already...I am in your debt for enabling me to recover my connection with my creation." Notch's smile widened a little, then fell a bit again, "This will be no easy task..."

          Straightening, Notch's hands again met behind his back as he stood tall, a grim determination in his eyes, "I need you...to hunt down Herobrine for me...and bring him back to me...alive."

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To be continued...

(I will work on the other books, but atm, I am eager for thissss)

If you're enjoying it, tell meeeEee! And leave a vote if you're eager for the next chapter....as it has Herobrine in iiiiit (I thinks)