Helena and Hugo refused to leave Hero's side. They even followed him into the old cabin, albeit a little reluctantly. They watched their friend drag a finger along the walls, collecting dust. They carefully prodded at dusty and old objects, and Hugo relaxed into the dirty couch. They finally followed him upstairs, and into Hero's old room.

Hero's breath hitched when everything was still in place. Some of the items had been thrown everywhere in an effort to find him when he ran away, but nothing was stolen. His blue bed still rested against the wall, but when he peered closer, he could see a nest built on his pillow. There were four huddling birds, probably robins, and when Hero crept near, they raised their naked heads with their beaks wide. Chirps filled the air and both Helena and Hugo peered over Hero's shoulder. Hero just cooed at them affectionately, whistling back his own tune. That seemed to silence them.

Hero went back to exploring his old room, and opened the drawers and closets to find his old tiny clothes. Moss had gathered in corners and creepers grew along cracks. At the bottom of his closet, he could see a family of mushrooms gathered in the corner. He pulled his older clothes off the hangers, thumbing the dusty cloth with his fingers. He gave it to Helena, who stared at her leader questionably.

"The pups may need it."

A mental image of the pups snuggling up in their new soft nest made the three smile. Helena took a few of the softer clothes and draped it over her back. Hero was shuffling through his old desk, and pulled out some spare paper tucked away. They were notes of random things, and sometimes the occasional doodle. He spotted a bundle that he had written when he had experienced teen angst™ for the first time so he quickly burnt them in his fingers, embarrassed.

The three walked through Markus' bedroom as well. Hero told stories about him and his little brother, and he let it slip on how much he missed him. Helena gave him a tight hug again, with Hugo squishing the both of them. The took soft clothes and blankets, and then went into Dianne's room. Helena marveled at the dusty yet in good condition dresses. She put them up against her body and twirled, loving the flow and design of most of them. They could fit her small stature, and Hero told her she could keep them. She squeaked like a pup and nearly took half of the closet.

Ivan's room was next and Hero sighed at the alcohol stash in the corner. It was not like his father's, Hero winced, but Ivan loved drinking as well. Most of them were empty, and some were broken. He spotted various smaller spiderwebs, and Helena was speaking to one in the corner. Hero found a stash of weapons and kept it for himself. Most of Ivan's clothes were donated to the pups of the clan, but Hero kept a few for himself. Hugo had wanted some of the furniture to add into his little underground den.

○

They visited Noah's grave again. Helena and Hugo were sharing a rabbit they hunted. Hero was just sitting close to the rose and lilacs, his fingers tracing patterns onto the soil. He had politely refused the offer of rabbit, and was thinking hard. He had Ivan's old cloak, now clean with the help of charms, around his back, and he had an idea.

He raised his head, "You two should head back, it's almost sunrise again."

The two looked over the cliff and saw the night sky beginning to turn purple with the sun arriving. They stared at the crashing waves of the ocean before looking back at Hero. Hugo spoke with concern laced in his voice, "You're coming... Right?"

Hero tugged the cloak closer around him. He shook his head and said, "I have some unfinished business. I'm going to the village nearby."

The hybrids both hissed in refusal. Hugo, even though he was more in tune with his human side than creeper, hissed, "Aren't they after you? You'll get caught and killed!"

Helena stepped in, "We don't need our only alpha gone."

Hero stiffened at that. Hugo did as well, throwing a worried glance over to Helena. The white-eyed man sighed, "I'll be careful. It was my childhood village, after all."

Hugo raised a brow, "When was the last time you visited? Must have been years ago, and lots of things could have happened by then. It might not be the same, Hero."

Hero laughed. The hybrids winced, hearing laughter from a man who sat on top of their friend's grave. Hero just shrugged and said eerily, "Nothing's ever the same."

It was silent. Hugo and Helena shared worriedly at their friend. The female spider let out a shaky exhale and said softly, "I'll look after the clan. Be careful, and when will you be back?"

Hero looked away, "Depends."

"On?"

Hero looked back at them with a smile, "Whether they catch me."

○

Despite Hero's odd behavior and recklessness, the two trusted their friend enough to return safely. They parted ways when they reached the border of their territory, and Hero teleported a walking distance away from the entrance. He spotted a few people in the Royal Military uniform, and smiled proudly. They were doing their job with seriousness and discipline. He focused on the task of getting in, not wanting to dwell on the army he left behind.

He quickly got to work, placing charms on his appearance. With all the practice, his charms could last up to a month, which was impressive for a wizard. He went back to the disguise he used back in the Center with Noah. (He winced.) The brown hair and freckles were back. He tightened the gray cloak around his back and placed the hood on. He used an illusion charm to make it as though he was carrying a traveling bag, and stalked forward to the entrance.

Almost immediately the soldier's attention snapped to Hero and they raised their guns warily. The leader, Hero noted the rank, walked forward and aimed his gun at Hero. The white-eyed man did not flinch due to experience, but just kept his head bowed.

"What is your purpose here?"

He spoke, and he cursed internally when he realized he had not charmed his voice. "I, uh, am a traveler."

The soldiers were visibly confused at the familiar voice. Hero cleared his throat awkwardly. The leader just shrugged and asked, "I need some identification."

Hero had a charmed ID in his pocket, and he slid it to the soldier quietly. It was the standard Minecraftian adult green, and had a picture of Hero's charmed face.

NAME: MICHAEL DANE

GENDER: M

BIRTHDAY: 12 MAY XXXX

OCCUPATION: BUSINESSMAN

And various other boring information Hero came up with. The soldier asked him to remove his hood, and he reluctantly did so, paranoid that the charm would fall. The soldier visibly gulped at his face, but continued with the standard traveler procedure. "What will you be doing here?"

Hero narrowed his blue eyes and let out a small smirk when the soldiers stared him up and down. He was rather proud of his charms. He spoke with a weird feeling of velvet, but it made the soldiers squirm in their positions. "I'm looking to trade a few items and maybe grab a bite."

The leader cleared his throat, and Hero could see nervous and flustered sweat trickling down his temples. 'Michael' just grinned sweetly. The leader spoke, "Where are you headed after this?"

Hero went for his last blow, and winked. The leader broke into a series of coughs at the slightly sexual tension. Hero whispered, but it was loud enough for the curious soldiers to hear, "Around. Here and there, you know."

After a moment, he asked, "May I come in now?"

The soldier startled and nodded in his daze, gesturing for Hero to pass the gates. As he walked, he could feel the stares watch him leave, and he sighed. He used to be a soldier, so he knew how action-deprived they were. They became desperate in between their duties, and sometimes they even get each other off if they were that desperate. Hero had the unfortunate luck to witness a group of his own soldiers relieving themselves to a picture of a young lady dressed scandalously.

They all got in trouble, but Hero understood. He just told them not to do it in the fucking training hall in the middle of the night.

Sometimes, when there were castle visitors, guards would always escort them. Soldiers defended and guarded doors at parties. Hero was always invited, as the brother of Markus and general of the Royal Military. He recruited a few volunteers to stay guard and protect the guests. He was politely sipping wine while listening to a rich lady talk about her hair, when he noticed how the soldiers standing guard were fidgeting.

They eyes strayed to the lovely ladies in formal gowns who danced in the ballroom, and sometimes to men. They looked flustered and when Hero was leading a lady in dancing, he noticed that some of the more desperate soldiers were looking at him, their general. He admitted that he did look good in his tight fitting uniform, but he had no idea how your superior in uniform would look attractive in any way.

Hero dismissed them for a short break, and he saw them dash into the toilets.

All soldiers were deprived of pleasures because of the training and shifts, and when resting they never could find a place to be alone. They always had their buddies with them, and they shared bunks. The more open soldiers did it loud and proud, but there's a guaranteed one disgusted soldier somewhere. Hero used this to his advantage, and teased soldiers into getting his way sometimes.

He escaped the soldier's field of vision and found himself in a familiar street. Helena was wrong, not much had changed. Hero could see new establishments and homes to accommodate the growing population, but that was it. Hero made his way down the street, passing guards on patrol. The sun was beginning to rise, and slowly people started to get out of their houses for their morning routines. The bars were still wild with drunk people, and Hero avoided those. He passed by his old school, which looked brand new and bigger with the painting job and renovating.

He passed by Markus' old daycare, which was much more nicer. He ventured around until he found the blacksmith. Hero sighed as it still had not changed. It just looked much more brighter and happier. It was currently open, so he knocked with trembling hands.

A familiar rough voice called out, "Come in!"

Hero stepped in and the heat of lava made him remove his cloak. He hung it on the door and placed his bag on the floor. Carefully, he weaved through the instruments and found who he was looking for.

Mr. Yale looked so much older now. His hair had turned gray and wrinkles decorated his face. His skills never faltered, and Hero watched him hammer a sword flat with ease. Mr. Yale raised his head, and Hero locked eyes with someone who was... Tired.

"What can I do for you, son?"

Hero gulped at the name but just took out the weapons he had retrieved from the cabin. He set them in front of Mr. Yale, who shared at them with wide eyes. His calloused fingers slid down the broken blade as he whispered, "You got a license for these?"

Hero hummed and took out another charmed card. It was a weapon license, anyone who had them were approved of holding weapons. It was fake, of course.

Mr. Yale read it for a bit before humming. He picked up the broken pickaxe first and studied the chipped blade carefully. He asked Hero, "These look like my old models, son. Where did you get them?"

Hero forced down his discomfort and replied, "A friend."

Mr. Yale looked at him for a moment before smiling, "Alright. I can upgrade these to the newer models. Faster swing, stronger hit and easy to wield."

Hero nodded, and the two discussed prices before Mr. Yale got to work. Hero sat in a chair and watched the man expertly remake his tools. They gleamed shinier and looked much better. In the middle of it, Hero asked, "So, have you heard the news?"

Mr. Yale visibly frowned and furrowed his eyebrows. His voice grew more rougher, "If you're talking about the royal military general going crazy, then yes."

Hero gulped but kept going, "What do you think?"

Mr. Yale did not raise his head from his work. "About him? Who are you, a reporter or something?"

He finally raised his head to stare at Hero accusingly. Hero stiffened but the tension broke when Mr. Yale laughed heartily. His deep belly laughs accompanied the clangs of whenever his hammer hit the sword he was fixing. "I'm kidding, son. Answering your question..."

Hero awaited curiously. Mr. Yale spoke, "I knew him. When he was young, such a good boy. He was best friends with my children, and I almost saw him as my own."

Hero winced at the 'almost'.

Mr. Yale continued, "He helped out, was my assistant for a while. I made him a sword as birthday gift. Then, the rebellion happened."

His eyes grew dark. "A rebellion soldier promised me to keep my kids safe. Along with him and his brother. Yeah, I knew the king too. I knew he would grow to be something great. I used to think he would too. Y'know, live up to his little nickname. Hero, it was."

"Anyways, shortly after I let them go and find a safe place away from the Russians, I got called by the guards. My son was seen outside the walls, and was mistaken for an animal. He was shot. My son was shot, and the soldier promised."

Hero's heart lurched. "I'm sorry."

"Whatever. It's in the past, son. I saw his body, bullet hole right through the lung. Weird thing is, the assumed shooter was found unconscious. A blow to the head. No one was seen entering the guard tower other than him. I think he deserved it."

"We gave little Peter a nice burial and waited the war out. Few years later we got told that the rebellion was fully formed, and was ready to carry out their plan. My wife and I were eager, finally, some vengeance for our son. Then, we got a letter. It was a letter from the leader of the rebellion. Apparently, the rebellion soldier took the kids to the rebellion itself, and they had joined. Except my daughter. She did not make the journey because she was... Caught."

Hero could remember it all.

"Caught and killed along with the damned soldier. We supported the rebellion with everything we had. We supported the last two kids alive who were as much as our own like our two deceased children. We waited for the news and I heard about the new king, and his brother."

"To my wife and I's surprise, it were the boys. We knew they would grow to be amazing, and we supported them. Our young Markus grew into Lord Markus, or Notch, was it? Strange nickname for a young man. Then, our brave Hero grew to General Persson. We were absolutely proud."

"Until the massacre."

Hero's hand tightened at the end of his shirt. He bit his lip as he watched Mr. Yale angrily hack at the sword blade.

"I was worried at first. What could have possibly happened to my boy to make him do that? Then, I was angry."

Hero mumbled under his breath, "Why?"

Mr. Yale huffed, "At myself. Maybe he learnt something from those rebellion kids. Maybe I said something. Whatever it is, someone taught him something to make him do such a thing."

Hero's breath hitched and he felt uncomfortable until Mr. Yale spoke again, "Ah, but my wife... She loved him unconditionally."

Hero straightened up.

"She kept crying and telling me that someone hurt our boy. Someone hurt him bad and now he's too upset to even know what he's doing. She's the reason why I'm still kicking, honestly. Also the reason why I don't involve myself in the massacre fiasco, if they find the boy, I'd be upset if they killed him right away without asking him. My wife would be devastated."

He started whispering, "She hopes with all that she can, that she could see the boys one last time before she..."

He went quiet. Hero suddenly understood why he looked more miserable and tired. He approached Mr. Yale, and gently placed a tentative hand on his shoulder. He asked softly, "What's wrong?"

Mr. Yale sighed, "Son, sorry if I'm spilling on you too hard, it's just really hard right now, you know?"

Hero nodded. Yes, he knew.

"My wife, she got sick. Terribly ill. They suspect that she got bitten by a spider or something. She's bedridden and I'm doing my best to pay the doctors so they can find something for her."

Hero stiffened. Millions of herbs that he have learnt from the clan rushed through his mind. He turned to Mr. Yale.

"Can I take a look at her? I may have the right thing."

○

She looked horrible.

Her cheeks had sunken in, and her face looked more green than her pretty pale. Her blonde hair looked like a dirty brown against her sweat stained pillow as she panted heavily. When she blinked, Hero could see her bloodshot eyes and he winced. Mr. Yale watched from the doorframe, his hand in his growing stubble. Hero slowly raised her wrist, and turned it over. The veins in her wrist had popped out, and it looked more green than blue.

He sighed.

They were right, she was bitten by a spider. A regular one.

"Well?"

Hero turned to Mr. Yale and he smiled softly. "She's going to be fine, sir. In my travels, I've gotten bitten multiple times and I found multiple remedies."

Hero pretended to shuffle around his 'travel bag'. He quickly summoned a herb in a bundle of leaves. He pulled it out and everyone winced at the nasty smell. Even Mrs. Yale groaned from her bed. Mr. Yale poked at it, and stared at Hero strangely, "Are you sure, son? What is it made of?"

Hero lied, "Some random concoction I mixed up. I think a few toxic fruits mixed with healthy ones. I found something that dispelled the bad side effects and it heals spider bites nicely."

Hero placed it on the bedside table. He gently patted Mrs. Yale on the hand. He looked at her husband, "Look, I might have to get you to leave. I'll feed her this and she's going to vomit. A lot. She'll vomit the spider venom. To get it out of her system."

Mr. Yale narrowed his eyes. He went to shut the door behind him, but said something before he left.

"If you hurt her, I'll kill you. She's all I have left."

Hero nodded.

"Of course."

○

Hero stayed by Mrs. Yale as she retched into a bucket. Bits of the herbs was in the vomit, along with green liquid. It was spider venom, and she really did get a bad bite. Took her a while to get it all out of her system.

After she has finished, Hero kicked the stinking bucket aside. He was too familiar with this. The pups of the clan love eating things their fathers tell them not to eat. Hero had rubbed the poor pups as they retched into a dirt hole. Hero turned back to Mrs. Yale and cleaned her mouth. He muttered a charm to clean up her bed and face, and she even smelled like perfume. She looked a little more lively, but she sat hunched over, rubbing her stomach softly.

She finally let out a small groan and looked at Hero straight in the eye.

"You remind me of someone I knew. My poor boy."

Hero just smiled. "I see."

○

"Thank you, son. I owe my entire life to you!"

Hero chuckled awkwardly as he packed the new weapons away. Hero had stayed over for a few days, monitoring Mrs. Yale condition. He met up with Helena and told her about his short mission, and she took over the clan when he was gone. The territory had expanded once again, right into the cabin area, so they could pay their respects to Noah. The pups loved the new additions to their webs. Nursing mothers loved the soft clothes, and promised to use them in the winter. They draped Hero's old scarf on top of Noah's grave, and Helena had spotted a raven nesting on the scarf nest.

Hero turned to the Yales. Mrs. Yale was good as new. News of his little concoction reached the doctors of the village, and Hero had written them the actual recipe for the herb. He refused any credit, afraid that he would get caught if they realized there was no Michael Dane. Mr. Yale had given the weapons for free, as a thank you for the herb. They offered him a nice meal before he left, but knocking was heard at the door.

Mr. Yale opened it to reveal five Royal Military soldiers. Hero found himself straightening and going into his general stance, but quickly relaxed. He wiped off the stern look on his face and smiled weakly. His neck felt bare without his dog tags. He just stood aside, and made sure he did not make eye contact with any of them. He jerked when he heard them.

"We're on the search for the serial killer, the previous general Persson."