Now almost at the farmhouse, Herobrine could see that the destruction was even worse than he’d first thought. One end wall hung at a dangerous angle and going inside, Herobrine could see blue sky through a burnt-out gap in the roof. Griefers! Herobrine thought. Herobrine hated griefers with a passion and often wondered why anyone would want to be one. What skill did you need taking things from others? The big guy taking from the little guy. It wasn't griefing it was just plain bullying. He’d been on the receiving side of them in the past and lost badly to them. To Herobrine they were worse scum than hostile mobs.
Although it was empty of people now Herobrine still felt like he shouldn’t be there. Looking around him Herobrine could now see he’d been wrong with his first assumption. This wasn't a griefer attack it had been hostile mobs that had taken this place apart. Herobrine could see evidence of this. Unlike a griefer attack all the food stocks and weapons had been left untouched. But why, why attack this place with such vengeance, he wondered. Unless this had been a training exercise and someone was testing their tactics on helpless players. That was it.
He had been right. This was a sign that someone had an army and wasn't afraid to use it. This was no random group of hostile mobs wandering about. This group were organized and build for destruction. Standing in the ruin Herobrine suddenly got a sense that he was being watched. Wolfie had been right about this place there was danger still here. “Come on Wolfie let's grab as much food and weapons as we can take. We’re going home right now,” Herobrine said opening his inventory and loading it as quickly as he could.
Worried about SparkleGirl left all on her own Herobrine suddenly wanted to get back home as quickly as he could. Running from the farm house, Herobrine and Wolfie never slowed until they'd put a good distance between themselves and the ruin. Now far enough away Herobrine slowed down to a walking pace and tried to gather his thoughts. Who could behind all of this, he wondered, was his home next. He guessed he might never know the answers to those questions, but for now he had enough food to last him a while. Once he got back home everything would be better. He was sure of it.
Holding his hand over his eyes to protect them from the glare of the setting sun, Herobrine looked at his home in the distance. As he looked, he wondered what SparkleGirl might be getting up to. Was she practicing her crafting skills, checking weapon levels or just putting up her feet? This made him smile. But that smile was soon wiped from his face when he noticed two players coming out of his main gate. He must be mistaken, he thought. Surely SparkleGirl wouldn't open the door to just anyone, would she. Herobrine squinted his eyes trying to overcome the brightness the brightness of the sun. His mind was playing tricks on him, that's what it was. Deciding not to take any chances Herobrine set off running as fast as he could in the direction of his home.
Chapter 9
By the time Herobrine reached his home he was out of breath. He had pushed himself hard in the run and could feel his energy level getting low. Looking around he could see no sign of any activity around his house. In fact, it looked just as when he'd left it. Putting his foot on the hidden pressure plate near the front gate, Herobrine called to Wolfie. “Come on boy, let's go and find SparkleGirl. I wonder what she's been up to while we’ve been away.”
Standing inside his homes courtyard Herobrine wondered what he'd say to SparkleGirl. Should he come straight out and ask who the strangers coming out of his home were, or just play it cool and see if she told him. “SparkleGirl, where are you? We’re back. Did you miss us,” Herobrine called out? Nothing. This didn't make Herobrine feel any better about the situation. Where could she be, he wondered to himself. “Go find SparkleGirl boy. She must be hiding. Go find her,” Herobrine said and watched as Wolfie picked up her scent and then raced off to find her.
As Wolfie left, Herobrine had a sense of dread come over him. Was there someone else here he didn't know about. Suddenly Herobrine was worried that he'd just sent Wolfie into a trap. He had grown to love the dog considerably and if anything happened to him, life in Minecraft wouldn't be the same anymore. Then to his relief he heard Wolfie barking loudly. The kitchen, that’s where they were. Running off in that direction Herobrine wondered why SparkleGirl hadn't answered him. It’s not like she couldn’t hear him if she was close by, he wondered, so what was the reason.
On entering the kitchen Herobrine found SparkleGirl lying on the kitchen floor unconscious. “No!” Herobrine roared throwing himself on the ground beside her. Kneeling over her body he checked her over. She didn't seem to have any type of injury or wounds, so what had happened. Herobrine lowered his ear to SparkleGirl's mouth and found she was still breathing. She was still alive, but just about. Her breathing was very shallow and slow. Herobrine started to panic. Although he'd only known SparkleGirl a very short time he couldn’t bear to see her like this. Lost in worry Herobrine wondered what to do next when Wolfie startled him with a growl. “What is it boy?” Herobrine asked running over to see what his dog was sniffing.
“Zombie flesh! How on earth did that find its way here,” Herobrine said and his brain went into overdrive trying to put all the pieces of the puzzle together. There seemed to be only one conclusion, the strangers had left it. But right now, that didn’t matter. How the zombie flesh had made its way to the kitchen; he didn't know or care right now. SparkleGirl had eaten some of the flesh and was poisoned. How could she not have known to eat zombie flesh? It was such noob mistake, Herobrine wondered.
At that thought Herobrine felt a wave of guilt come over him. All this time he'd questioned SparkleGirl’s experience in the game. How could he have thought she’d been lying to him when she'd made a mistake such as this? Looking at her lifeless body Herobrine wondered if she'd make it through the night. It was hard to say right now. Wondering he'd do next Herobrine went back and sat by her body. He could just sit here and watch her slowly slip away and respawn back in her bed. But why do that. It would be easy to sit back and do nothing but that wasn't the way Herobrine played the game.
Thinking for a while Herobrine wondered what he could do. Was there a cure for zombie flesh? The Nether that was it! He'd heard of a rare flower that had great healing properties in the Nether. It may have been just a rumour but it was worth checking out. Anything was better than just sitting around doing nothing. Lifting SparkleGirl's body off the floor Herobrine took her to her bed and made her comfortable. He knew she’d respawn back there if the worst happened, but somehow it felt better putting her there rather than leaving her lying on the floor.
Getting together everything he'd need, Herobrine quickly grabbed some food rations to boost his energy levels. Seeing all the sudden activity Wolfie started to wag his tail. “I'm sorry boy but you need to stay here. I'm going to have enough problems looking over my shoulder without worrying about you too. Anyway, SparkleGirl needs you. If she respawn’s it would be nice to have a friendly face around when she wakes up.” Wolfie whined a little when he heard this which made Herobrine smile. It seemed that Wolfie was trying to argue with him. “No boy, no arguments. This is a one-man job. Your job is to stay here.”
Gathering his things and packed away his sword and bow Herobrine was ready. Going to the Nether didn't worry him that much. Yes, it could be a scary place, but if you watched your back you could get safely through it and back. The only thing that worried him was looking for the flower. Did it exist, or was he just risking his life for nothing. This was the second time he was putting his neck on the line for SparkleGirl. But this time it was different he knew her now and she was worth it. Even with this strong reason Herobrine knew if he thought about it too long he'd probably talk himself out of his journey.
Opening his front gate again Herobrine looked at the darkening sky. It was getting dark and there'd probably be trouble out there waiting for him. But that wasn't going to stop him. Looking back one more time and thinking of the scene inside his home Herobrine took off in a quick sprint.
Chapter 10
Herobrine liked the area wh
ere he lived and compared to other places in Minecraft it felt like home. This had been one of the reasons he had built such a large home there. Another was its location close to mountains and caves that were brim full of iron ore and coal. It was in one of those caves where he had created his portal to the Nether.
Herobrine stood at the mouth of the cave and looked inside; all looked well. After getting all the way from his home without meeting any hostile mobs. Herobrine was expecting for the cave to make up for that. It had been a while since he’d been back to his cave and he wondered if it was as he left it. Who knew if any other Minecraft players had found the cave and plundered it of his stash of supplies? This was one of the reasons that he'd never placed torches near the entrance and only at the back. For fear that any passer-by would notice the light and be attracted to it. The only problem was, any hostile mob was also free to spawn there.
Making his way to the back of the cave Herobrine used his torch to find the way to the stairway that lead to his portal. Pausing for a second Herobrine sensed that something was wrong. The last time he'd been this deep in the cave he'd made sure that there was an adequate supply of torches lighting the way. But now nothing. Something wasn't right. Reaching down for the handle of his sword Herobrine took it out and held it in front of him. Just in case. Must be my crazy imagination, he thought to himself. With all that had happened lately it was understandable.
“Hello Herobrine. So good to meet you at last,” a voice hissed from the darkness behind him. Spinning around Herobrine found himself face to face with a witch. “I didn’t mean to scare you like that, but you'd probably get a scare no matter what I said,” she remarked with a cackle. Before she could say another word Herobrine instantly got into his battle stance and swung his sword straight for the witch’s neck. But it failed. With a loud thud Herobrine's sword harmlessly bounced off an invisible shield and rebounded backwards.
“Now that’s not a nice way to say hello Herobrine. Especially as someone who has been taking such good care of you,” the witch said pretending that her feelings were hurt. “You looked so lonely out there in that little home of yours. So I’ve been sending mobs to keep you company this past couple of nights.”
Now everything clicked into place in Herobrine’s mind. So this was the puppet master behind all those attacks on his home. A witch but why he wondered. Although Herobrine was curious as to the answer to that question. His instinct to kill the witch was even stronger. Holding his sword's hilt even tighter than the first time, he drew his sword back and swung with all his might in the direction of the witch. Nothing. Like the first time, his sword was easily deflected away. “Do you want to keep this up all night Herobrine? Believe me, you'll tire before you break this protective shield of mine. So do you want to keep going at this silly game or do you want answers to all your questions?” the witch asked. Herobrine thought over what the witch said; it looked like he was never going to hurt her, so maybe it was best to get answers first. Then when her defences were down, he'd attack!
“How do you know me? You know my name, you know where I live, but I know nothing about you,” Herobrine said. “Oh I’ve been watching you a long time Herobrine. Like you I've been in the Minecraft world a long time. Back in the days when there were very few players coming in from the outside world. But now it’s so much different. More and more of them are coming here taking our land, our food and plundering our caves of treasures. Thieves they are all of them. How dare they. And then they have the cheek to call us the Hostile ones!” the witch said and spat. “What’s all of this got to do with me witch?” Herobrine asked. “You're different Herobrine. Unlike the others you kept to yourself. Yes, you took land and you took food, but you didn't set out to find trouble and harm others without cause. While other players killed everything in sight. Even their own, to live here. You had a code that you kept to and I admire you for that,” the witch said with a hint of a smile.
“So why have you been trying to kill me if you admire me so much?” Herobrine asked. “I'm afraid that wasn't my decision. There are others in our group who didn't support my thinking and wanted to test you. Was this great Herobrine the great warrior I had said you were? So, I tested you. I sent hostile mobs at you to see how you could cope and you proved me right. You are indeed one of the better players in Minecraft, but you have one weakness, your heart. Your greatest gift is also your greatest weakness Herobrine,” the witch added.
“At least I have a heart you old crone!” Herobrine snapped back, “You're no better than the players you speak of. They kill and plunder and you do the same.” “I'm glad we've met tonight Herobrine. Because you're about to see how the outside world is about to rear its ugly head again. Taking and plundering without any cause or reason. You're about to see how foolish and weak you are Herobrine. Come with me,” the witch said beckoning him to follow her. Although Herobrine didn't like taking commands from a witch he bit his tongue and followed her to the mouth of the cave. Then he would wait until the right moment and strike her down when she was least expecting it.
Herobrine stood by the witch and watched as she muttered to herself and made a floating cube of light appear out of nowhere and float in front of them. “Look into the cube Herobrine and you'll see what I say is true,” the witch said with a sly grin. Staring intently Herobrine could make out a clear image of his home in the floating cube. “Yes that’s my home. So what. What has this got to do with my great weakness,” he asked and started to chuckle. “You've a lot to learn Herobrine. I think this is one lesson you'll remember for a long time,” the witch snapped back. “Now look if you don’t believe me!” Again, Herobrine looked into the cube and found his home was still there. But things now looked a lot different. “Nooooo!” Herobrine cried out. This was his worst nightmare come true.
Little did he know his nightmare was about to get much worse.
Chapter 11
His beautiful home the one he had worked on for so long was now being looted and trashed. Herobrine stared in disbelief as he watched griefers entering and leaving with all that he owned. All that HE owned! The thought of this filled Herobrine’s body with so much hot rage he felt like he was full of lava from the Nether. “How dare they do this to me? They'll pay for this,” he cursed at the image. Then just as quickly as his anger came, it left and he was filled with fear. Oh, no, what about SparkleGirl and Wolfie what was happening to them. Were they putting up a fight, were they hurt? Images and thoughts flew through Herobrine’s mind quicker than he could keep up and he felt sick.
“SparkleGirl, Wolfie I must save them. They need me!” Herobrine cried to the witch. “You and I know you'll never be able to stop them Herobrine. By the time you get there it'll all be over. Think about it. You're vastly outnumbered. You'd never be able to fight them all. No, you'll stay here with me and watch it unfold," she sneered. “I think you're in for a bit of a surprise Herobrine. Maybe you better keep watching.”
Herobrine tried closing his eyes to keep out the scene of what was happening but couldn’t. Parts of his home were now on fire and it looked like by morning it would all be gone. What once had been his stronghold would then be just a ruin. “Look closely Herobrine. I think you'll want to see what happens next,” the witch said almost licking her lips. Suddenly Herobrine could see SparkleGirl and Wolfie coming out the gate. Oh, thank God they're safe! he thought to himself. Looking in the cube he could see SparkleGirl holding Wolfie in her arms. Was he injured, he wondered. Then he watched in tears as he saw her run with Wolfie in her arms before stumbling and falling over.
“No!” Herobrine cried when he saw three players coming up behind her. With whatever magic the witch had used Herobrine could hear and see what was about to happen. “No please ChuckBone. I did what you said. You told me to come here and make friends with him and I did. But we were wrong he really is a good guy not an enemy. We didn't have to do this to him. We all could have worked together,” SparkleGirl pleaded. “It looks like you've gone soft SparkleGirl. Did you for
get all about us when you were living like a princess in your new castle?” At this all three players laughed. “Just leave me here and I won’t say anything. Just leave before he gets back,” she said. “He really fell for that zombie flesh trick, didn’t he? You're quite the actress SparkleGirl. Well there’s been a change of plan and it doesn’t include you or that mutt there," ChuckBone said pointing at SparkleGirl and Wolfie.
Herobrine knew what was about to happen next but prayed with all his might that he was wrong. Looking through eyes filled with hate, anger and betrayal he watched as ChuckBone pulled out his bow and shot SparkleGirl and Wolfie dead. “NOOOOOOOO!” Herobrine screamed and then dropped to his knees. Inside he felt like someone had just taken a large pin to him and he was deflating like a balloon.
Looking up and back into the cube Herobrine watched the three players walking away from SparkleGirl and Wolfie's bodies and heard one say “I wonder where SparkleGirl will respawn. Now that we've broken her bed here and the one back at the village. She'll probably never find her way back here again.” “Ah who cares," another one said “She served her purpose and we got what we wanted.”
“So much for your little friend Herobrine," the witch said. “See how she used you. She took you for a fool and she was so right. You've been too soft and now look at where it’s left you. One of the greatest players in all of Minecraft now on his knees. It’s not fair is it, but it doesn’t always have to be like this. I know the great Minecraft player you can be with a little of my help. I can give you armies; I can give you power you only dreamed about. Never again will you ever have to fear or lose to your enemies. They'll run in front of you and you'll crush them like ants!” “How, what will I have to give up for this power?” Herobrine asked his voice filled with rage. “Nothing Herobrine. All I asked is that you serve me. You'll be free to come and go through Minecraft as you please. But if and when I need you, you'll come to me. That's all I ask," the witch said. “Now come we must be quick. Let us not look on these painful scenes any longer. We've got plans to make. Revenge will be so so sweet!” the witch added with a large smile on her face.