Jeb ended staying after all.

Hero worked with a team to try and track down Jeb's family, and to no avail. Markus grew close the teenager, and slowly, Hero did as well. Jeb was more mature than his age, and the Persson brothers actually enjoyed Jeb's company and humor. The castle always seemed so stoic and eerie, but Jeb seemed to light up the cold stone walls with laughter and stupid punchlines.

Hero eagerly agreed and welcomed Jeb into the castle, setting up accounts and sent him to a proper school. Jeb was ecstatic, and the Persson brothers as well once Jeb 'accidentally' referred to them as brothers. Hero liked the boy a lot, as Jeb took everything in stride. He changed from homeless to royalty immediately, but the teenager did not abuse the benefits he had gained.

Hero turned 22, Markus was 19 and Jeb was 14. Jeb rose to the top of the class, and when asked how, the boy had listened and peeked in from outside classroom windows when he was on the streets. Hero thought of him as a mini Markus, while Markus was dropping hints on making Jeb his heir.

After a serious discussion (with a lot of anger), Markus agreed to see how Jeb would do when he was 18, before asking Jeb about it. In the meanwhile, Markus was strictly not allowed to have any fiascos with women unless it's more than a one-night thing. Markus was embarrassed when the maids asked why his sheets reeked of... Night activities.

Hero started sleeping and eating less than normal. He started growing stronger, despite not adding anything to his exercise regime, in fact, he had not been loyal to his schedule at all. He heard one of his soldiers talk shit about another all the way at the end of the dining hall. When the soldier was confronted, both of them were surprised.

Hero was shit at guns and long-range weapons originally, but once he was trying to aim an apple from the walls to the forest for fun. The apple exploded into bits as the bullet sunk through, gun shivering in his hands. He was proud, no doubt, but extremely puzzled why he managed to aim better than some of the best in his army. His short-range skills were already absolutely excellent, but he started to beat bigger, heavier and stronger opponents. There was an attack on the castle by a rebellious group, and Hero was not on shift, but he somehow heard the assassins get in by stepping on a creaky plank on the second floor while he was in the fourth. He teleported nearby, this time more better and managing to land on his feet, he faced 7 assassins and defeated them all.

Once he dragged the bodies one by one to the dungeons, he replied to a terrified Markus and Jeb that it was the anger and heat of the fight that got him to win. The two did not believe him, staring at an uninjured and clean Hero standing amongst seven unconscious men with torn clothes and bloodstained faces. Jeb narrowed his eyes, how did Hero get from the West wing to the East so fast? He swore he saw something flash from where Hero stood. Two white lights, flashing and blinking. The lights disappeared once Hero raised his head, panting and reassuring them that all trouble has been eliminated.

○

Farther this time.

Hero kept repeating that to himself as he stood from one side of the castle garden, staring at the opposite walls. He was practicing on getting his teleportation skills on point. The farthest he could go was to a lake in the garden, but he aimed to stand on the edge of the lake, underneath an apple tree.

Narrowing his eyes, Hero felt the uncomfortable pull of his chest and the rising of his feet as he teleported. He did not open his eyes and fell directly onto his side, which earned him a groan. He perked up when he smelled the itchy smell of smoke. He also felt rather warm. He raised his head and got onto his stomach, pressing himself on whatever he landed on. He looked around, and he let out a loud 'Fuck' when he found himself on a roof. In a village.

Far, far away from the castle.

And in front of him, there was a massive fire with people gathering around, shouting, wait no, cheering. Hero hissed and got to his knees, but still stayed low. He crept to the edge of the roof, and peered at whatever the fuck was happening. He gulped as he noticed two shaking and trembling figures in the fire. People. A couple? Whoever it was, he knew those screams. It wasn't making this situation good at all.

Wait.

The Fosters.

Hero's eyes widened and he found out he was trembling. He avoided looking at the crowd and skimmed the crowd instead. Towards the back of the crowd, he sees a relatively tiny figure stand alone with a massive cloak that drapes the floor. A child. The hood falls from the child's head. A boy. The boy did not join in the cheering. In fact, he looked terrified. The boy did not take his eyes off the fire. With his improved vision, Hero saw the boy's eyes fill with tears, and his lips starting to tremble.

The boy had mocha brown hair that looks soft to the touch. The boy's eyes were wide and full of spark, Hero could see potential in those chocolate eyes. Suddenly, Hero felt himself grow dizzy. He lurched forward, and the familiar dreamlike state back in the hallway with Markus a year ago came back.

This time, Hero was facing a tall and friendly looking man. It was much clearer than before. Hero saw another even taller man next to the other. The shorter had purple robes draped over his shoulders delicately, and a regal black cloak secured by a octagon shaped jewel latch. The jewel was a bright purple amethyst. He looked up to notice that the man has a baby face that complimented his slender frame. Brown hair dangled in parted fringes over those intelligent eyes. His hair was held up by a silver band of some sort.

The taller one was more built than his friend. He had a plain black shirt with some sort of... Was that butter? Gold? Some sort of yellow bar on his shirt. He had a brown military jacket draped on his shoulders loosely, and the man had his arms folded. His pants were the same military brown. Hero looked up to see a friendly and bright smile on the man's face. His eyes were a vibrant blue, which contrasted with his bright dandelion yellow hair. It spiked up in several directions, with loose strands dangling over his forehead.

"Briney, since you've lived running away from capture for like, what? 25 years? Seto here has been meaning to ask whether he could indulge in some of your adventures."

Briney? What kind of name was that? It was ridiculous. 25 years? Hero was just 22. Hero was... Confused.

He heard the robed one speak. "Well, you've done so much for us and um... I just wanted to learn what you've learnt. You placed the ban on capture of mobs and creatures, so the lab is only used as an extra brewing place. I still want to learn more about the life that roams Minecraftia, and I know that you've seen most, even all of it."

"Seto likes to ramble to his crushes, sorry."

"I don't have a crush on him!" Ouch. "He's just really cool and I see him as a mentor."

"Yeah, right. The only person you'll ever love is me, right buddy?"

"Kill yourself, Brice."

Hero heard a slightly familiar voice. "Now that you two are done flirting... Seto, why don't you join me on a horse ride. You're free right?"

That voice. Hero knows it. It's his own voice. But, it sounds just a little bit deeper and had a sarcastic tone. He felt his body move on his own, and felt his hands rest on his hips. He realizes he looking up at them. Fuck, he's short.

The robed one, Seto, nods eagerly. "Yeah, give me a bit to get ready?"

Hero felt himself nod and smile. The blond spoke, "Hold up, can I come? I'm no intelligent person but I wanna follow Seto. Have I told you about the time the time some soldier flirted with him and he responded with 'I don't speak English.'?"

Dream Hero laughed and shook his head. The purple guy flushed and started pounding at his companion with his fists.

What the fuck?

Hero gasped out of his daze and found two chocolate brown eyes stare at him. He kept still, recognizing those eyes and his mind registering it as someone called... Seto.

The boy took a step forward, and Hero scrambled back to his feet and teleported out of haste. Hero was panicking as he landed on his feet. He found himself in the castle hallways and he ran over to his room. He removed his cloak and strolled over to the balcony. Leaning over it, he rested his head in his hands and let out a deep breath.

The last time he checked, he was just some boy from Sweden. Then, he was a general and led a rebellion. Now, he is experiencing things normal people shouldn't. He's getting visions from the future, he can use magic, he can teleport and these are things he shouldn't be able to do! He was a 22-year-old young Swedish man!

What was happening to him?

Childrens' stories had people with similar capabilities, and they all treasured their power. Hero couldn't possibly. Everything would just go the way he expected it to be, he would retire, preferably with a partner and have two kids and eventually die. Hero suddenly felt warm in the night. All the thoughts rushing through his head non-stop... It hurt. He clenched his fists and tugged at his hair.

He felt wind brushing against his face.

He raised his head to accept the comforting chill. Once his fingers left his hair, the wind stopped. He sighed and duck his head again. The wind came back. Hero's eyes widened. He stared back up at the sky and the view of the palace. He held up his hand and stared at a tree. The tree was still, its leaves in place and hanging low. Twirling his fingers, he hoped for the worst... Or best.

He got both.

In the direction of his fingers, the tree swirled, bent and shook heavily in the force of wind. He stopped his hand movement and the tree shivered before standing still. Hero made beckoning movements, and he felt the tame wind blow against his hair. Out of curiosity, Hero moved his hands until the wind carried a blank piece of paper from his desk. He carried it through the wind, and watched it dip and dive, swerve and stay upright.

He dropped his hands to the side and the paper fell into the ground below. Turning, Hero held up his hand and wished for his sheathed sword. Immediately, he saw the sword slide from underneath his pillows before shooting to his grip. This felt different. He did not feel the tingling of magic, nor did he feel the warmth when he played with wind earlier. Pure telekinesis.

Hero stared at the sword in his hands before he slid to the ground. He sat against the railing with the sword in his trembling hands. He wasn't normal. He's not okay. This isn't okay. He shouldn't be able to control wind, that was far outside even a warlock's powers. He desperately wanted to sleep. He felt his eyelids drooping, but once he shut them, nightmares of gunshots, bombs and death shook him awake.

Hero did not realize that he had not eaten or drank for two weeks. He would not realize that the bed would start looking uninviting. He would not realize how the pillows would start collecting dust. He would not realize how he would start staying up thinking rather than sleeping.

He definitely would not realize that someone was watching him with narrowed eyes and a sinister smile. He definitely would not be ready for whatever would be happening the next day.

○

"Morning Hero, Jeb."

Hero clutched his sword and nodded in acknowledgement to his brother. Jeb, his mouth full of biscuits, murmured a reply. Markus took a seat at their dining table. The three had a private dining room, and often ate together in the morning. Markus immediately dug in the pork and eggs, satisfied to finally eat breakfast. It was his only motivation to get up in the morning. Other than Hero tugging at his feet though.

Markus looked up to see Hero push away his own plate and frowned. Jeb quickly took it in though, and ate it for him. "Did you eat already?"

Hero did not look at him but nodded, his head resting on his hand. Markus could tell it was a lie. Hero was distant if he wasn't feeling well, and would avoid contact if he was lying. Jeb got up and announced, "Got a test today. Gonna be about the basics. See you later?"

Markus waved and bade him goodbye while Hero muttered, "Good luck, even if you don't need it."

Markus heaved a small sigh of relief, at least Hero was well enough to speak. Markus finished his coffee before asking, "You don't have anything today, right?"

Hero shook his head. Markus smiled, "Alright, can you accompany me to the forest? Never walked in one in quite a while. Needed some time with you, too."

Hero raised his head. Markus beamed, "As brothers. I miss you, you know?"

Hero ducked his head before giving a tiny grin and nodded. "Get ready. I'll see you at the gardens."