26 26.

Sorry in advance if this turns out pretty confusing.

===============================

---------------silence---------------

"You get lost, or did you just want to play a small game of tag?"

"..I was just kind of wondering why you seem so different.. -not trying to sound rude!"

"...Do you know what this thing is yet?.."

"I still don't quite get it.."

"Hmmm, how about... Cody?"

"...Cody?. Is it, really you?"

Splash!

"Heh, I couldn't just leave you alone, now could I?"

'Wait... Steven and Alexa?!'

"NOOO!!!"

"Trust me.. I'll be fine... Friend..."

"See? This is why we don't make friends with mortals.. They only ruin our emotional state."

KA'BOOOM!

"LISTEN!! There is a difference between the Immortal and Mortal! Immortal don't die, while mortal DO! Now just understand this already and move on!"

"Then, what on earth did you do to get to where you are now?! Again, you are only about twenty! What all have you done?"

Dzz-dzzzzzz!

"Whatever you are feeling inside, can hurt you.. it can hurt those around you.. it can hurt me... So how about you try to control this? Whatever, you are feeling, reduce it down to a minimum. Okay?"

"I told you to stay so you would be SAFE! I, can come back! You, can't!"

"Made from the finest End Sky."

"I will put it to good use."

"Heh, not even the longest book could hold all my adventures."

"And to think that after all I have done for you, that you would suddenly betray me!"

"Fine, want to play it that way, just you wa- wait, did you.. block me from your mind?"

"Where do you think you are going, demon!?"

Vvv'd Twang!

"Call us Immortals. It is always annoying when you humans call us gods. Because that would mean we actually created the world. Which, no; as amazing as it would be to have such power, not even I can claim to have made this world."

"Yep. I never even had a family."

"..Just like you swore you were an Immortal?. Just like you swore your oath to fight by my side and never leave?. Just like you swore you wouldn't go back to the humans?.. No, I don't think you really do mean anything. You are no friend of mine.. You aren't even an Immortal; more like some strange blob of useless emotions... Heh, and you thought I cared.."

"So.. tell me.. Why do you, pointlessly waste your life with the hope of killing me?"

"I just like saving people."

'Over my dead body! I will never give up! In fact, I will return here someday and take revenge for the human species, who you so brutally slaughtered!! For the first time in your lives you will know what it is like to be helpless, like they were!'

"That bad, hu? Well, looks like our little friend here doesn't like being cooped up."

"I have to finish the quest my brother set off on, to rid of evil and preserve all good. I just, hope you understand.."

.pop. BANG!

"NATURAL?! Not moving isn't NATURAL!!. When will they stop being dead?"

"Oh, silence! I don't want to agree to any contract. The lower immortals might, but, I know my place in this universe, and it is here, as ruler of the ENTIRE Over World. So, don't think I will be stepping down from that because of some pity laws.."

"No.. This is not freedom. You need to be on the surface... I must KILL Herobrine."

'Better watch out, Herobrine.. I'm coming for you.'

"In aid of The Protector!!!"

"IN AID OF THE PROTECTOR!!!"

"Face it.. Null, You're just a mistake this universe happened to make!"

"Oh please! What kind of moron would overlook such an important thing as the notches!?"

"Could you have possibly been saved by, The Protector? OOooOooOo.."

"Yeah.. Just think about it. What else in the universe makes you think so much about hope, about dreams, about wishes?. All these things start with a promise of some kind.."

"..You never stood a chance.. pet."

"Y- you don't get it! We should be protecting them, not killing them! Please!! Do whatever with me! I was the one who betrayed you! Just, don't kill the mortals!"

'I've had enough of your violence.'

CRACK!

"But-the Protector died over a thousand years ago! Surely you guys don't believe it is still able to protect us!"

Pow!

"N- no! I- I can't take this! Wh, what if you don't come back?! H- how does that even work?! What could you ever tell me, that will make me know you will not just die like everybody else?!"

"The only reason you even still exist is because all you are is some black-hole of power! Power that will be mine when I KILL YOU!!"

BOOM!

"This.. this is of power I have never even seen before...-But not something I have never heard of before."

"..Wow, how do you know all this?"

"..Impossible. Th- th- that can't happen. It can't be them. Wh- we would be-"

'Heh.. I can't believe I was actually afraid of you for so long. You're full of nothing but lies; lies made to cover up your true fear... I really was being an idiot back then... I have a feeling that it is you who are feeling purposeless, because I have a purpose FAR greater than yours, and that is to bring peace back to this world!!'

"-Doomed?"

"Oh, me? Well, I don't really have a real name. The first ever name I was ever given was handed to me by my enemies. It's a name I plan on never using again, that's for sure!"

"...We must combine our power... and make it mortal... That is the only way.."

"Gghhhaaaa!! Not again!!! I will not let you live this time!!!"

"..I was never like the rest of them."

"..I was never like the rest of them."

"Say hello to the Universe for me."

"...AAAND!.. SSSTTAAAYY DDEEEAAADD!!!"

SLAM!

---------------s-i-l-e-n-c-e---------------

><>1st person POV<><

"Arise..

arise..

arise..."

An indistinguishable voice echoed in my head. Slowly, my eyes opened, greeted by hollow darkness. Though I should have been frightened, not seeing anything around me, or even feeling tangible earth beneath me, there was no fear about me. Notice: I could feel myself moving, but do not see my limbs in front of me.

"Wh.. where am I? Literally?" I asked whoever had spoken before. The voice had somehow sounded, so, familiar.. as if it had been my own.

"You are still forming. Wait a minute, but, go ahead. Have a look." The voice coaxed in a gentle-hearted way, chuckling weakly to itself as I stumbled up, attempting to stand on nothingness. My eyes darted around, head following as I searched for something to look at. First, there was nothing but darkness, but then a sharp turn brough something bright and colorful into view. I swung clumsily around in order to catch sight of the thing again. There, before me: a sphere. A sphere of blue and green. It existed at just about the height and width from my toe to my waste. I stared curiously at this sphere for a moment, scratching my head when absolutely nothing came to mind.

"What is that?" I asked the mysterious, yet so well known, voice. It chuckled again, then I felt physical contact, of something denser than water but not exactly solid matter, lightly resting on my shoulder. My head swung around quickly, being met with two scrunched, glowing white eyes. They didn't scare me. Not in the slightest. The eyes were filled with wisdom and compassion I could only wish to possess. With it's eyes alone, the dark form smiled. About it's exterior, it emited dark cloud-like particles, which rose slowly and partially consumed it's form. I stood bewildered.

"That, is your Earth." It gestures forwards, towards the sphere of green and blue. "I have created both the planet and you from the energy of my planet and self. And, soon, when all is ready, I will pass on with my planet, and whatever is remaining in me will become yours.. You will be known as the 'Protector' of this earth, as I was the Protector of mine. Sometimes you will even referred to as 'The Universe,' by those who speculate about your existence. Your life span will also resemble my own, as it will end in the same way mine currently is... As is all life." The dark void being then lifted his hand from my shoulder and gestured that same hand around, where I turned to see; behind me, rested a much different sphere. The only colors upon it were black and glowing red. Every now and then the entire thing would vibrate, violently ripping the clumps of landmass apart. I watched as the living form of darkness stumbled with this, and a very small, gentle stream of golden energy rose from both the dying planet and it's Protector, swirling about and directly into me and my own planet. "Heh.. see what I mean?" The void figure's bright eyes dull as they scrunch, looking up in my direction. "So.. don't worry about me... This is all simply a natural phase. In time you will grow to understand that yourself. Until then, why don't you have a look at the planet I have created? Specially made.. You may not know what a volcano is yet.. but, I made sure to create as little as possible. They, uh, were quite troublesome on my planet... Well, go on. No need to stare at me blankly. Go explore." The void being happily shooed me away, chuckling. I spun around quickly, suddenly eager to have a closer look at this planet I would be calling my own.

I walked up to the planet, standing on something neither mass nor nonexistent. I took a look at the two objects orbiting the planet. The slightly larger one was yellow, and glowed brightly, giving life to the green resting upon the sphere. On the exact opposite side was a smaller object, rock, glowing dimly as it endlessly tried to provide as much light as the sun.. the yellow sphere. I didn't know how the knowledge seemingly appeared from mid air, but I didn't question it, for that must just be how all things work naturally. I sat beside the globe, taking a good look at the white which gathered in puffs about the planet as well, hovering over the land mass and water. I examined the land as some of it shot up above the clouds, while other places sloped so low that it was a wonder no water had come to fill it.

"Would you like to turn on the stars?" The other voice asked.

"Stars?" I questioned. As I did so, I listened to my own voice this time as well. It sounded exactly like the other's voice. No wonder it felt so familiar.

"Yes. The stars. A sign of hope. Everyone on your planet will be looking up to the stars for signs of wonder and joy." The void being said. As if instinctively, I lifted my hand upward to the darkness, which was immediately brought to life when brightly shining dots consumed the void.

I stared up in awe at their beauty, then had another look back at the wiser to ask with a tilted head, "Everyone..?"

"Yes," the void spoke, voice tired but caring. "There are creatures which live on your planet. They are yours to care for, along with the very planet they live on. Unlike you, they will have no knowledge of how things truly work, but they will always wonder.. Now, it is important that you take special care of the mortals.-"

"Mortals?"

"Yes. Unfortunately, there has been a recent disturbance in energy, meaning that some of the creatures will be born with much more power than others. Like the original four, who are sometimes never born, created to help you judge the rights and wrongs of the Immortals' actions. Right now, only the immortal ones have been created, for I decided the others should be born as mortals later... L, look for them now. I am sure they will not be hard to find." I turned as instructed, gazing upon the planet, trying to spot what the wiser has just told me about. As I squinted, I was amazed when my vision zoomed in, gliding between the clouds, mountains, and even trees, finally stopping at a meadow, where all I had to do was move a little to get a better angle of the two most obvious creatures I spotted. I took mental note that I would have to study the rest in time. "Yeah, right there. Do you know their names? You should, since that information is now eternal, along with the original fours' souls."

I looked closely at the two upright standing creatures, nearly a block and a half tall. Both appeared to be stumbling just like me not too long ago. Both looked nearly the same age, which was young for them: children. As I watched, information I didn't know I even had told me automatically who was who. There, to the right of my view was a young lad with dark brown hair, coal black eyes, and wore a basic outfit of a brown shirt and grey pants. I could sense within him immediately, the power he posessed; same as his brother; equal in strength. Beside him, another, slightly younger lad stood on wobbly feet, taking his first step. He adorned lighter, tinted brown hair, eyes which glowed like the stars, and a simple outfit too, of a cyan shirt and indigo pants. He appeared much more daring, as he began hovering like it was second nature to him, floating above the ground instead of fighting gravity. The other appeared jealous, until he too began to float. I smiled as the two young boys excitedly turned their attention to the world around them. To the trees, the grass, the animals, the sun, the endless space, full of endless opportunity. In such freedom, the two flew around carelessly, it took them a moment's practice, but soon the two were even chasing each other around at high speeds, narrowly dodging obstacles about them. I smiled happily at the two, enjoying their free spirited nature and even a little bit of their careless attitudes. I knew their names then: Notch, and Herobrine.

There was so much to see. So much to learn. Constantly, I was having to dismiss things for later inspection. There's just so much.. life.

"Do you like it?" The wiser asked. I smiled back at it, finally catching a glimpse of my own shoulder as I did so. I too was dark like the void, and emitted dark smoke like substance from my form. Excited about this, I took a look at my new arms, feet, feeling around my head to make sure it was there. My form also felt much more solid compared to that of the wiser, who.. now, was nearly transparent. My mind saddened, knowing I would not have them around for much longer, but the wiser appeared to be happy, and with it's hands gestured for me to explore my planet further. "Heh, no need to worry about me, as I have already said. I will simply become one with my creations. But, young Protector, now, it is of the upmost importance that you take good care of that planet. Hhhh, oh what troubles will occur. All I can do is set up everything to go as smoothly as possible, but, one can never fully prepare for the actions of a free will..."

"What should I do?. How can make things go smoothly?" I asked, utterly confused at that point. I didn't know how to handle such a large task. I had just been created afterall!

"In time.. you will learn. In time.. you will grow. In time.. you will know exactly what to do. But, it helped me, for one, when I looked upon the planet as my own home, even calling it such. It... is in fact, confusing... I guess your best option would be to simply explore, and learn." The wiser said, setting in an idea. Looking again upward, at the bright dots which looked so distant but felt so close, I closed my eyes, and just enjoyed their strength. Finally, I turned again to the planet, examining once again the blues and greens, and even little splotches of tan and grey. Carefully, I placed my hand upon it's surface, my hand stopped by the atmosphere, and I spoke very softly.. just between me and my planet. Just between me and my creatures. Just between me and my home.

"I promise.. I promise I will protect you

you..

you...

you...."

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to keep that promise. It was like a game of chess. Except it was me, against millions. The two original brothers made my job nearly impossible, as they thrashed at one another endlessly, seeking nothing but the other's blood. Most mortals stayed out of it, thankfully, but the tension between the two brothers brought up countless fights in the streets. Communities fought other communities at the hands of the fear of destruction, in the end only bringing it upon themselves. Things really started getting bad when I saw Lower Immortals begin to take sides with the two brothers.. the Higher Immortals. I longed for the return of the old days, when everything was peaceful, and the world wasn't so complicated. After a couple millenniums, I had had enough. I fell to my knees in utter defeat beside the planet, crying, unable to produce tears, as I watched young Herobrine, now an adult, burn down an entire city in his fight against Notch, killing thousands of innocents; his brother being just as careless. No matter what I did, nobody listened to my signs. Nobody paid attention to me anymore, as they had in those first centuries. Changing the weather had done nothing. Communicating through animals had done nothing. Even sending my own voice into the ears of many had done.. nothing.

As I sat solemnly, fighting back the urge to cry, I thought. Surely this couldn't be it. Surely, this wasn't the extent of what I can do. Surely, there was something else I could do. And, it hit me, like a fist to the face likely would. In the past, I had found ways to send myself in spirit form, down to watch over the planet as if I were living upon it. Perhaps, there was a way to send myself fullly onto the planet, where I could speak with everyone personally, and stop them from ruining the place they and I alike, called home. Quickly, I searched within myself to see if this were possible. It took time, but I did find out there indeed was a way. A way in which I rejoiced, internally. I still couldn't stand to appear happy when there were thousands suffering. Well, time wastes for no man, including me.

Stepping back, away from the planet, I crafted a sphere of white and gold between the palms of my hands. As it grew, I spoke a promise into the energy itself. "I promise, upon this very day.. that all which hath corrupted you, shall soon fall to prey." Deep inside, I could feel it. I had never done something like this before. There was a faint hint of strain, which spoke to my mind, telling me it was too risky. Telling me there were a number of things that could go wrong. My internal conscience was quickly silenced, however.. for I knew it was the only way to save my world. The only way I ever could, truly, protect it.

I huffed, strain growing to a point I had never stretched it before. In a hurry to relieve the stress, I spun a portal before me, waving my hands around as it formed from the sphere's energy which I let hover before me. Soon there was a portal. A portal into the sky. A portal which shown the ending destruction of the immortals. Eyes stuck on the other being with eyes much like my own, I jumped through the portal with a running start, ready to intervene. Only.. things didn't exactly go as planned.

There was a small spark as the hurried portal began to weaken. By the time I was held way through, the portal collapsed in on me. Sensations I had never felt before, now identified as pain, stroked across my body as I flailed within the torment of bright lights and gravity. Something wrong was happening. My energy was sucked from me and the entirety of my memories with it.

I hurdled down towards the surface of my planet, at the will of gravity alone, white and gold fire about me as I made my abrupt entry into the earth's atmosphere. The same size as the other beings, both mortal and not, I crashed hard down into the crust of the earth. My formless being rest about like a mist. For several months I was nothing but a formless cloud of dark dust, blowing about with the breeze, unknowing, unthinking, incapable of containing knowledge. Then, finally.

Poof!

I became a form upon the earth, weak, helpless, unable to move myself for several hours, maybe even days. I studied the world around me, the shapes, the colors, the sounds, the smells, incapable of moving, just yet. Finally,

"Ha ha haa.. Oh, that's a great one. So, Entity- wait, what is that?" I heard something strange. I.. somehow understood what it was. A, voice. Yeah.. human, voice. Whatever that was! Figures quickly hovered over to me, having originally been traveling in the shade of the forest my crater had... catered.

"What in the Universe's name is that?" A second voice mumbled behind the first. Suddenly, there was a hand reaching down for my head. As a flinch, I moved to avoid it. Wait, I moved! Sitting up quickly, I began leaning to and fro, not understanding how gravity works. "What is that thing?"

"I don't know.." The owner of the hand moved around me cautiously, hovering above the ground by a few inches, one hand on his chin. The other being stayed to my back, only the occasional shuffling of grass under his feet letting me know he was still there. After I had gotten the hang of sitting up, I began attempting to stand, only falling over the many times I tried.

"Do you think perhaps it could be an alien?" The one behind me asked, me still attempting to stand.

"No..." The man ahead of me seemed to shake off that idea right away. His eyes were what interested me the most. They were bright white, like the dots in the sky I had seen while laying on my back for days-on-end.

Those eyes also seemed to be studying me very closely. I decided to try to figure out what he was looking at, finding that I too had legs, arms, a torso, and a head like he had, except I was fully black, unlike him, and had black cloud-like stuff lifting off of me.

"Tell me." The man spoke, making me lift my heavy head up to look him in the eyes. "What is your name?" He asked. I stared blankly... Was he talking to me? I could hear the other sigh, frustrated after a long silence had passed.

"Uhhh, Herobrine, you aren't going to get anything out of this thing. It is obviously dumb and nearly useless! Jh- just look at the thing's scrawny little arms!-" The one behind me sounded irritated.

"-Wait." The man lifted his hand towards the other, silencing him. "Okay then. Let's say you don't know how to talk.. Can you understand what I am saying?" He asked... Did I understand him?. And, how does one let another know whether they can or can't?! Still, I kept staring blankly. The man then sighed a little, pulling a little object out from his pocket. "Do you see this?" He asked me. I leaned in a little to have a better look. My eyes widened with wonder at the sight of the new thing, which released an aroma I had never smelled before. It was a small chunk of freshly cooked meat. And while I did not know what it's purpose was, that didn't keep me from wanting it. I stuck out a curious hand forward, attempting to grab the little thing, only for it to be quickly pulled away from me. "Hahaha!" The man quickly laughed, likely enjoying my bewildered reaction to such a sudden and unrewarding movement. "Alright, let's see if you can stand up. Come here. Come here little one!" The man stepped back, taunting me to follow with the piece of meat in his hand. I tried standing again, insanely wobbly legs fighting gravity, I eventually gave up standing on two legs, preferring I travel on four instead. It was much easier that way, but I still did end up tripping over my own arms in my attempts.

"Ughh, really? That thing isn't a dog, Herobrine." The other person sounded obviously annoyed.

"Maybe not, but.." He said as I finally got the hang of crawling, making my way over to him and reaching up for the object he had taunted me with. He stared down at me for several seconds. "...I think I am going to name him, Null." He smiled, finally handing me what I wanted. Right away, I saw this as a pretty nice beginning to my journey. Little did I know.. that... he... would only be the end of me....

.pop. BANG!

"NOOO!"

"Say hello to the Universe for me."

...And then, again...

CRACK!

"...AAAND!.. SSSTTAAAYY DDEEEAAADD!!!"

BANG!

But, it wasn't all a bad thing either, because that last death was by far, the biggest wake up call I had ever had.. in the history of The Universe. Heh, oh yeah.. I'm back, baby.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Carter lands on the hard earth with a crash, breaking all his bones simultaneously, losing his life to the great fall. But, in his death, the trinket in his hands prolongs the soul's departure as his body is, in an instant, sewn back together fiber by fiber, until he is once again living, adrenaline filled and gasping for air.

"CODY!" He sits up screaming, taking in the falling drops of water as his own tears. He had heard a terrible crack and bang, right before he too had landed. Even though he knew I could reset, his heart is filled with fear. Looking around, Carter gathers together his senses, and stands and runs through the desolate streets, now littered with damp ash and a few dead bodies here and there. Corpses of the flesh tearing pig monsters lay about too, along with a couple flat ghasts and blazes hardened by the rain, a few just then clanking down onto the ground, accepting their deaths right there. Only the sound of falling rain now haunts the city, which had once been so full with life, and then so full with chaos. Now only greys and even darker greys ammount to anything considering color. "C- Cody!" Carter calls desperately, hoping I somehow hadn't died. He knows where I am, somehow, and runs in the direction of a sword. A sword stuck in a solid rock, raised high on a platform, standing firm as the city's long gone beacon of hope. The very being that had been destroyed, just above the sky scrapers' rooftops, nearly thousands of years ago.

The man runs to a complete stop, horrified by what he sees. There, my dead body, handle of the mighty sword sticking through my small form, blood running down the worn wood of it's handle. My cold blood sticks to the sword's blade, a much darker red now. Engraved in the handle: notches, tally marks, markings.. each one representing... a past death.

"Nh- Co- A-Andr- CODY!" Carter breaks through the invisible binds holding him back, rushing over the slippery concrete to reach my dead corpse of a form; clothes drenched under he rain. Here, he falls down onto his knees, unable to look at the dead face. Tears brim his eyes as his mind is stuck in a whirl, no clue what to do next, or even how he should feel. Memories of my last death fill his head as well, doubling the pain he once thought was long gone. "Please.. You can't keep doing this! Just- stop! By the Protector's unspoken name, don't die!" He knows it is pointless to make such pleas, but they still stream out his mouth, like the tears which stream out his eyes. My form is still; dead; already beginning the process of breaking itself down. Carter reaches out as if he is about to grab my limp hand, but snatches it back quickly, instead preferring to take this time to lament in the moment. Crushing gasps for air in his mourning, he feels truly crushed. "Not again.." He breathes. "Not AGain!!" I had fallen a second time, all in the means of saving his life, again.

Little does he see, that under the dead form, on the golden decorated blade of the old diamond sword, a thin gold line glows, digging yet another notch into the blade. The 100th notch. The last one. Soon, all the notches begin glowing a dim gold as well: marking my return. Reunited with the power I had lost: deep within my blade. My return: as my true self. The Protector. "Universe."

×+×+×+×+×+×+×+×+×+×+×+×+×+×+×+×

I hear a few crackles around me, and some dzzzzz noises buzz around in my head as my true memories finally return to me. And let me just say, it is a wonderful feeling! As if I had been blinded all these years, and just now the blinds have been untied, allowing me to once again see all I have been missing out on.

My entire body is filled with a warm fuzzy feeling, and and I have no idea where I am. I just know that I'm back! Slowly, the warmpth dyes down, and the feeling is gone, and I open my eyes to the harsh reality: dead silent, cold, soaken ash, wet rain. My home. A home I need to fix.

I hear a noise beneath me, and I look down, eyes widening when I see it is none other than Carter, who's face and eyes are red despite being soaked in cold water. I realize I am flying, and drop down, directly in front of the young man. He falls from his knees and down onto his back, quickly crawling backwards. My eyes sadden at the sight of his chest heaving and the sound of his heart going nearly twice the speed it should be going. To this reaction, I lower myself a little, keeping my bold excitement down for now, and making sure to show compassion in my eyes, scrunching them even.

"Carter.." I speak softly, crouching down so I am nearly sitting, ears delighted by the sound of my original voice, which sounds even friendlier than it did as.. Null. "It's me, Andria; Cody; your friend.. This is my true form." I try to explain. Carter still looks so confused.

"Yh.. you were just a dead body.. but then you just, just floated up- and glowed." Carter voiced his confusion aloud.

"Sorry if I scared you." I apologized. Carter only stares at me with wide eyes, trying to understand everything he is taking in. "Well." I stand after a moment's silence. "I need to finish what I came here for." I hover up into the air, looking toward the dark grey sky. "-Oh, and, Carter.. Please don't try to get involved this time." I warn the young man off. As much as I so wish to give him a tight hug as I rejoice in finally understanding, well, everything!. I know he is still processing everything, and likely wouldn't receive it well. Besides.. I have work to do.

Lightning cracks the dark sky above me. Rain begins to pour down in heavy sheets; both of which do not affect me.

"HEROBRINE!" My voice booms up into the clouds. A flying form drops from them, eyes shining like a beacon, rain pouring onto his already soaking clothes, dripping down his chin. His jaw is tightly clamped, seething breaths escaping between his teeth, canines appearing more as fangs. At first he shows no signs of recognotion, still slowly easing out of his chaotic mindset. But, then, he recognizes me.. and his brows furrow into a deep scowl.

"..So the brat can fly now, hu?!" He attempts to tease, but I see directly through his mask, making sure he is slightly above me, confusion and fear filling him from head to toe. Emotions which are all masked by pure hatred.

"It is time for you to meet your fate! You have brought suffering upon this earth for far too long!" I shout over the pelting rain, which just goes through me.

"What are you? Some kind of ghost, back from vacation?! Well, welcome to the time of the present, where EVERYONE MUST ANSWER TO ME!" With that, the immortal charges down at me. Quickly, I pull my arm back, and thrust it outward, sending an eruption throughout the sky, sending the immortal spiraling away, following the stormy clouds which fly back several miles. It is time he understands just how serious I am. I do not relent, and follow the immortal as he is thrust back, grabbing him by the back if the shirt and pulling him into the opposite direction, a maneuver that could have easily snapped a mortal's neck. His form continues flailing as he tries to identify which way is up and which is down. I zoom after him again, giving him no time to think.

Dzzzzzzzz-dzz

Spinning around, I kick my shin into his gut, stopping him mid air and knocking him off course with the ground. Several punches also make their way at him, all my attacks simply acting as a weak-up call, forcing him to realize just how much danger he is in. Absurdity rushes from his mouth as the immortal is finally given time to think, me allowing him to hover yet again, this time making sure he is below me.

"Aksjimh..ggra! Wai-wai-no!" He finally shakes his head, reseting his mind so that he can think yet again. "What the Nether are you?!" He finally looks up at me. He already knows the answer. He just won't accept it.

"Bradson Remier Persson." I speek to him sternly, full name silencing the man. "You were created to protect this world, not destroy it. You and your brother have caused so much chaos in your time, I am not even sure if I can allow you to live." The darker tone sure isn't my favorite, but it brings Herobrine into an immediate state of internal bargaining as he attempts to come up with some sort of rebuttal.

He finally drops his head, sweat falling into his brow, joining the remaining droplets of water. "...Notch is dead now, isn't he?." He asks, less concerned for his brother's sake and more for his own. "..I was so stupid. I knew I should have gone after Null after that battle." Herobrine mumbles to himself, however I can still hear him.

"Herobrine," I speak up, grabbing his attention once again, who looks at me coldly, "your brother is indeed alive.. however his state is not a good one." Herobrine's eyebrows shift, and I lift my hand, teleporting beside the immortal, his brother, who floats; unconcious. Herobrine jumps away, aghast at the sight. Studying the body, Herobrine frowns, brows lowering to nearly cover his eyes.

"..Why didn't you just kill him?" He looks as if he would have preferred his own brother dead. I sigh, pained as I remember how cheerful and innocent this immortal had once been.

"I was not able to do so in my previous form. But, now, I am able to properly judge your deeds, and shall choose both your punishments shortly."

"...He looks dead.-"

"-I am aware of that." Ready to get on with things, I sway my hand outward. Following it's motion, a trail of dark purple liquid rises from the unconcious immortal. Said liquid drops once I allow it, and we both watch as Notch continues to lay still. Suddenly, the sleeping immortal awakens, gasping as if waken from a nightmare. His eyes dart between me and his brother, and down at the city reaching hundreds of blocks below.

"..Oh, so this is what a nightmare looks like." He says observantly. His brother creates a diamond sword and throws it at his brother's head. The brother just barely dodges, shouting in discomfort as the blade grazes his skin.

"You aren't asleep, stupid!" Herobrine points out, further confusing Notch. Before he can ask anything,

"Markus Alexej Persson." I speak forth, making my presence known and intimidating, straightening up. Notch quickly turns to me with wide eyes, as Herobrine had when hearing his full name.. for possibly the first time. "You, along with your brother were created to protect the mortals of this world. Your created duty as two of the original four was to keep in check any wreckless immortals. That was why you two were even given that combined power to change someone from immortal to mortal in the first place! Instead, you two have done the complete opposite. Both of you are responsible for the loss of thousands of lives, and the suffering of millions!.. What do you two have to say for yourselves?" The sky is silent. The background breeze the only sound as the air is filled with thinking.

"Magma cream with this! Who put you in charge all of a sudden?!" Herobrine snaps up at me, eyeing Notch, as if sharing an idea with him. "I'm sure that deep down you are that same worthless blob anyways! Why would I ever have to answer to you?!" A moment, and Notch picks up what his brother is laying down, and the two quickly fly into action. Away from me, in opposite directions. I turn my gaze to Notch, who holds his hands near one another as if forming an invisible sphere. Herobrine does the same thing. I realize what the two are doing when I begin to see colorful pixels sprout in my vision.

No.

Appalled by their second attempt to make me mortal, my eyelids drop, angered, and I thrust both my arms outward, knocking the particles back, as well as the two attempting to form them. In a flash I am behind Notch. Kick him forward. He slams into Herobrine. I grab the two as they fall. Throwing them up into the sky, one in each arm. Teleport above both so they run into my feet. Grab the two by one of their shoulders each. Throw them into eachother. Let them fall; and hit them both back up when they are nearing the tops of the skyscrapers. When they've had their fun I hold both in place with my own mind, and watch as the two desperately try to escape, still recovering.

"Is that how you thank me for allowing you to speak in your own behalf!? Do you two know anything besides fighting, and endless bloodshed?!"

Herobrine's eyes glow brightly at the last spoken word. "Bloodshed is my middle name! No matter what you to me, I WILL NEVER BOW TO ANYONE, ESPECIALLY YOU!" His statement knocks it's way into my being. All I wanted was to see if these two could be redeemed.. All I was looking for was a sliver of hope that these two could go on to live better lives, and accept forgiveness. My eyes prickel with pain... Clearly not.

"Bradson...Markus." I speak up, firmly. "..Though you two have done all these things, I am going to give you one, last, chance.. Must I share with you all you have done?"

"I doubt I have done anything noteworthy." Notch.

"In your dreams." Herobrine.

"Very well.." And with that, I form a short series of events in each of their heads. All of past events they had taken part in, or had themselves created. Only from other points of view, showing the true gore of their actions. It was fast, and it was quick, but it did it's job, and both men had been reminded of all they had done; some of their worst deeds. Snapping out of it, both brothers panted heavily. Notch's eyes wide, Herobrine's tightly closed. "Do you both see what I mean?" I watch closely for their individual reactions. Notch looks taken back, while Herobrine appears to be sorting through his thoughts one at a time.

"I-I-I-I-I-..." Notch begins studdering uncontrollably, making Herobrine force his head against my wishes to glare at him.

"Would you, please, just SHUT UP?!"

"N-no! Yh-you don't-t understand! I-I-I- did all that! I- I- actually made them fight to th-the death!" Notch appeared to be surprised.

"So what?! I've done worse, and I feel fine! D-don't be a pussy!" Herobrine insults, though I can see he is mostly attempting to push down his own guilt. A tear falls from Notch's eye, and I allow the two to move freely, simply to see how they react.

Inside, I wish for both to tell me they desire to change and are willing to accept punishment for their actions. Then, they will be given a chance to redeem themselves.

"P-p- please.. You must be them: the Protector, right?" Notch drops a little, asking me if I am who I appear to be. I nod slowly, watching as his eyes fill with steaming hot tears. "I-I-I-I-I-I I don't want to die! Please! I-I-I-I..." Herobrine groans in response to his brother, crossing his arms.

"Humpf... pathetic." He mumbles, before sniffing up what could have been a small tear. My eyes soften for Notch. He clearly is having difficulty overcoming the complex emotions that come with truly knowing one's own faults. Herobrine, however, appears to be walling all those feelings off again, not allowing himself to feel them.

"Forgive me!" Notch finally gives us his studdering, unable to think of anything else to say. Unable to come up with any excuses. "Please! Though I do not want to die, I see why I possibly, do, deserve it!. If it were at all possible that I could make it up to you; t-to this world, I will! Oh, could you ever spare me?! I- I promise I will do anything!" He falls further down, trying to kneel down on the air he floats over. I internally smile. But before I can react, I turn my sight onto Herobrine, who has his back facing me, and appears to be looking out at the sun, which is finally starting to set after a long day.

"Herobrine.." I watch as he cringes to the sound of my voice. "And what do you have to say?.." I wait as he thinks, him stiffly watching the sunset change the sky orangeish pink. That small bubbling hope that he too will change grows inside of me, even making my eyes scrunch very slightly in anticipation. Finally, Herobrine begins slowly turning to me, looking over his shoulder with.. not the face I was hoping for.

"(beep) your mercy." He growls, then, I watch as a dark obsidian sword slides into his right hand. Swinging fully around all of a sudden, and with intense speed too, he thrusts the dark blade directly at my head. My eyes widen as I just barely are able to catch it, surprising the immortal who threw it. "I would rather die." The man spits. A little broken, I glance over at Notch, who is standing again on air with disbelief, closer to me than his brother. I bring the blade he had just thrown, looking down at it's nearly perfect waves of purple enchantments. This was the sword I had made for him, so long ago. My face suddenly turns cold as I lock eyes with the only other immortal out there who posessed eyes so much like my own.

"..Then your punishment shall be far worse than death." I speak, even sending shivers down my own spine. Herobrine's brows shift, confused, and he watches me carefully as I glide my hand over the obsidian blade, words being engraved on its surface. His eyes widen slightly, and he pulls out another sword: a common diamond one, and races for me, determined to end me and whatever I am doing. I, however, am too fast.

A single second goes by, and the obsidian blade has already been thrown at it's target. Notch blinks just in time to miss it: as the blade sinks in and through Herobrine's chest, collecting him in a bright white flash, and by the time Notch is finished blinking, his brother is gone. Lost to the sword which continues to fall. I call the blade forth, it coming back to me like a boomerang. Once in my hands, I examine the weapon. Nothing appears to have changed, other than a few glowing white waves which glide upon it's surface like the enchantments.

"Wh! What just happened?!" Notch's eyes are wide, darting all around for where where his brother could have gone.

"His soul has been sealed within this weapon, where it will suffer the torment of endless boredom until the end of all existence on this earth." I answer, showing the bald immortal the sword a little better. He takes notice of the engraved words upon it, and gulps air down his dry throat.

"S-soo, it is just death for me, then?" He looks up at at me warily, instincts telling him to run.

"Not entirely." I smile ever-so-slightly, making the immortal tilt his head a little. "I appreciate your being humble, and owning up to what you have done. However, that does not mean you can not go unpunished." I swap my voice and expression to stern, watching Null cower a little. "You will be made mortal, as you had made me. You will slave away for those you have enslaved, and will age like the rest of them. You will not be seen as an outlaw, nor as a king, but as a servant. Like all those mortal, you will also be stripped of your powers, and will have to discover what it is like to be human.. Do you accept this?" After asking, I wait patiently for a response.

Notch looks down at the city. At the dark shadows contrasted by bright orange light being reflected from the day's end, sleepy sun; at the dead and the living upon the streets, and the living as they begin cleaning up the collateral damage. He blinks, then looks back up at me, defeat in his heart.

"Yes... I accept this.." He lowers his head. I smile, and bring my unoccupied hand: the left one, up onto his shoulder, where Notch begins to glow. I know how much it hurts so I make it quick, hearing a quick yelp as Notch is, in a way, ripped apart and glued back together instantaneously. Relief washes over me when I see Notch appears perfectly fine when it is over. He simply looks a little more.. simpler. He has fallen unconcious, and begins descending to the terms of gravity. I rush down and grab him. He seems so much smaller now, though in reality he hasn't changed that much in size. Perhaps it is just that I have grown a little, then. I fly down to the nearest skyscraper with a flat roof, and carefully place the fallen Notch on top of it. Now.. what next..?

After a moment, I decide to wake the man, making my hand instantly cold and placing it on his forehead. The man jumps, ramming his face into my hand as he does so.

"Owww..." He carefully rubs his forehead, then proceeds to check his body, making sure that his being is in tact. "..So.. This is what being mortal feels like, I guess.." He sighs over his own words. Then, he looks up again at me, an embarassed look on his face. "I truly am sorry. If only I had not been so selfish, I might have not-" I lifted my hand to stop him there.

"No need for that. You have already been forgiven.. but, I still would like for you to do me a favor." I smile slightly, watching the new mortal jump off the ground, only to find how unstable his legs momentarily are.

"O-of course! Whatever would you like for me to do?" He tries his best to stand at attention. I try my best not to chuckle. Once all good with his balance, I hand him the obsidian sword. He stares down at it in confusion.

"I would like for you to hide this. Somewhere you know someone won't be able to find it. Set up traps too if necessary.. I wouldn't want someone to use it against others." I hand him the task, keeping out the part about Herobrine's power encased in that sword as well.

"..Why don't you just keep it then?" Notch looks up at me in confusion.

I don't need too much time to think. "I just.. don't really, like the memories, is all." I answer, awkwardly rubbing the back of my head. Notch nods understandingly. He turns soon after to complete the given mission, momentarily attaching the sword to his belt at an uncomfortable angle. I watch curiously as he looks up at the sky for a long period of time, as if he is expecting something to happen.

"Oh, yeah.. can't fly or teleport." He laughs uncomfortably, to which I joyfully chuckle. "Um, how do mor- I mean we, reach the bottom of a building the speed of light, or at least as fast as an arrow?"

"Heh. There is no such thing as speed when you are mortal. The stairs will have to do." I smile, pointing to a spot which looks like a little shack, and opens up to exactly what he needs.

"Oh, uh. Thanks." He smiles a small one, covering up the annoyance littering his mind. I laugh a little, and begin flying away. It is going to take him a while to get used to that!

I soar up into the sky, as free as a bird, and look upon the bright horizon, where the sun has turned the sky into a beautiful array of reds, pinks, purples, and even some blue. Directly upward, I can see the stars peeking through the atmosphere. Stopping, I look up at their twinkling, closing my eyes, once again feel their strength. Oh! It is so good to be back! To finally know where I truly belong! The Universe, or, as I'd prefer call it, The Universe's Protector. Not the worst ring to it. It's just amazing to think of how far I have come; finally free. Finally me.

Carter is once again brought to mind, and I open my eyes, scanning for where he may be. I find him along one of the main streets, helping some people carry off the carcass of a ghast pancake. I smile, then teleport nearby his location. Everyone jumps at my sudden appearance. Carter is the calmest among them, still frightened though.

"Man, are you ever not helping someone out?" I smile down at the young man, who smiles back up at me. I can still see confusion on him, but it appears that most of that has been sorted through already. "Can I.. uh.. have a hug?" I ask awkwardly, splitting my arms from my sides a little as a gesture. Carter drops the blubber bit of ghast he had been carrying and faces me more directly, but looks lore interested in talking than hugging- which is completely understandable.

"So.. Cody.. Andrea.. Anna-I-think... Did you know you were, The Universe and all that, before today?" He asks, chuckling with his confusion.

"No. Not at all, actually. I only knew of my past self as..."

"..Null?"

"Yeah.."

"Well, I have been thinking quite a lot these last couple hours, and I have come to realize something." Carter speaks up, catching my curiosity.

"You have?"

"Yep! Youuu, my friend, need a new name!" This catches me completely off guard.

"Excuse me? A new what?"

"A new name. 'The Universe,' or, 'The Protector' just sounds a little awkward for a friend to call another friend by, ya know?" Carter makes a good point. My eyes soften, a warm happy, but also kind of confused. Carter must have noticed me falling into a daze. "What..? Is something wrong?" He begins looking around himself for whatever might have triggered me to suddenly be so still and quiet.

"Oh! Nothing!.. I- just." My airway feels a little clogged. I feel as if something liquid-like might actually be building up in my eyes. "..I guess I was just worried- you might be scared of me, or something... after finding out I am an Immortal.." I say, eyes fogging a little in whatever milky liquid this is.

"What?! No way. You may be a little different now, and not exactly look human.." To my sudden surprise, Carter steps up to me quickly, wrapping his arms around me and tugging me tight. "..but you are still my friend." I don't quite know what to feel at first... Is this what a hug really feels like? Slowly, my being feels a welcomed warmpth, and I wrap my arms round Carter as well, letting the liquid in my eyes fall, which glows white just like them, easy to see against my void-looking exterior. I had never felt so in place before... Not in a million, trillion years.

"Soo.. what was that name idea you had..?" I asked, interrupting the silence.. smiling.

"Oh, just something simple like 'Uni.' Sounds kinda stupid, I kno-"

"-No.. I like the name... It actually sounds pretty cute."

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[The End]

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😄😭😎 <- how I feel after finally finishing this book.

9,013 words in just ONE chapter! :O

My longest chapter EVER!

HA! Beat that, Scar! Your 8,000 word chapter chapter got nutin' on this now! XD

But, from the bottom of my heart, thankyou, everyone, for reading this far, and for simply enjoying the story. I personally would say that this has been one of my absolute favorite books to write! And I hope you all enjoyed reading it too. :D

Now just watch as editor me suffers through reading and spell checking all of this! 😂

Psst! Nobody tell anyone that I stayed up until 5AM finishing this.. :>