A MINECRAFT TALE

EPILOGUE

I never did lose my wanderlust.

There was a lot to do, as it turned out, and we had plenty to occupy ourselves. The ancient Temple complex was being unearthed, little by little, and we were only just beginning to appreciate the majesty that it once was. The Temple itself went a long way into the mountains- longer than we thought. When we weren't digging out the Temple, we were building again.

Diamond city was no longer a swathe of burned-out ruins. Instead, we had the foundations laid for most of the city and had a low wall in place. It was nothing like the fortifications we once had there, but we would get to that in time. Everyone pitched in as much as they could to help when Dragon called.

As for me, when I wasn't laying stones or digging them up again, I was off someplace or another. I went out on Stardust to all corners of our known lands and put it all out on fresh maps, and beyond. I marked the location of every single Nether portal in our world. I returned to the ancient Steve city and mapped that, too. I stood atop the golden shrine of Herobrine as I sketched, finishing the map with the title, The Golden City. I read that the official name of the city was lost, but it was often called the Golden City as a nickname.

On my travels, I found several entire kingdoms that I hadn't previously known about. I visited every single location mapped out in Chronicle III, and discovered even more about the elusive past in the Ender War.

You must understand, I have a habit of running.

When I can do nothing else, I simply run. Maybe it's just so I can get out and about and be free, since I hate being cooped up so much, or maybe it's something deeper. Maybe I'm trying to distance myself from my problems. Maybe I'm running from the things that hurt me. Those travels, you must understand, were simply an excuse to run. I couldn't face the Temple grounds anymore, not with the village ruins right there. I couldn't look up to the Nether portal on the crest of the hill.

When I exhausted my supply of blank maps and ran out of places to go, I at last decided to go home. I firmly told myself that I had no reason to stay away, and I certainly couldn't wander forever.

Besides, Dragon probably missed me.

So, one day I packed up my things and rode Stardust across the early spring snows and headed south. I had been north of the Temple mountains all winter long.

I didn't go straight across the mountains. I instead took Stardust around through the forests until we reached the Nether portal. There was still something I had to do here, something I still had to face. I took out my flint and steel and activated the portal, breaking Herobrine's seal once and for all. Stardust whinnied and backed away- I took his lead and tied it to a tree. The Nether was no place for horses. Taking a deep breath, I stepped into the portal.

The heat, after months of snowy winter Overworld weather, was almost as shocking as it was when I first experienced it. My cloak, dusted with snow, thawed and dragged at my shoulders as it dripped and steamed. The Nether winds buffeted my face and hair, and I breathed deeply through my nose. The familiar dusty, metallic scent was there, bitter like copper. I started down the well-worn trail.

There were Nether beasts on the causeway when I reached the fortress, but none of them bothered me as I passed them by. In fact, they all flattened against the sides, seeming more afraid of me than a thirty-block fall into lava. A ghast floated overhead and spat a fireball straight at me. I drew my sword without looking and batted it back. The ghast died with an agonized scream.

I strode on.

The fortress itself was empty, and eerily silent once I was out of the wind. My steps echoed, and even my breathing seemed too loud. It was still hot, but I suddenly felt chilled. I wrapped my damp cloak tighter around myself.

I wasn't going anywhere in particular. My instinct carried me instead, leading me to the most familiar place in the fortress. I stopped before a set of beautifully carved double doors.

My heart pounded as I reached the doors, and I almost didn't dare to touch them. My instincts rebelled- it was as if something didn't want me to see what was on the other side of the doors. I wanted Herobrine to be there, somehow. I half-expected him to be there, musing on his throne.

Clenching my jaw, I put both hands on the doors and pushed. They swung open smoothly, and I stepped inside and let them swing shut behind me.

The throne was empty.

My chest seized up, and I leaned back against the doors. My vision blurred.

There was no one here. No one at all. I gasped for air for several moments, ignoring the tears that began to run down my face. I had hoped so desperately that he would come back, but there was nothing here. Nothing. I slid down to the floor, staring dully at the obsidian throne.

At last, I got back up to my feet. I don't know how long I sat there quietly crying, but I had a hollow feeling in my chest when I finally stood up. My breathing had slowed, and I felt heavy. I walked up to the throne.

Hesitantly, I walked up the steps onto the dais. It didn't feel right to do so- I felt like I was intruding. But that throne had been part of Herobrine's haven for ten thousand years. I had to get a closer look.

My cloak was dry now, and I was beginning to sweat under it. Pulling the ties, I let the knot come undone and the cloak slid off my shoulders. I caught it and put it away in my inventory.

I stopped just short of the throne itself and sighed. Everything was just so...empty. The throne, the fortress, the Temple, my city...

The realization struck hard and cut deeply- I was lonely. Desperately lonely. Standing here in the Nether, in Herobrine's abandoned fortress before his abandoned throne, it only made the feeling worse. Brow furrowed, I put a delicate hand onto the armrest.

How did you survive? I thought, and wished I had been able to ask him while he was still here. Ten thousand years, all alone, with nothing but the burning heat and the ruthless monsters. Nothing but these clean, empty white walls around you, with no sun and no sky, and no one else. I lowered myself into the throne, still ruminating.

My fingers traced the gold inlay on the armrest. I could make something like this, I thought to myself. A haven, all to myself. Quiet and safe- as a tomb.

Why were we still here? We had fulfilled our purpose. The Shadow was dead, and the survivors of the Villager race were safe within our own walls, defended by iron golems and bright light. What was left for us to protect?

I stood up from the throne. It felt strange, sitting where Herobrine once sat, pondering just as he did. I needed air, I decided. Overworld air, and open spaces. The Nether atmosphere was getting to me. I felt nothing more than trapped here.

Turning back one last time just as I had stepped off the dais, I looked up to the throne and bowed. Putting my cloak back on, I swept out of the hall and pushed through the doors, not looking back again even when I reached the portal.

I needed to say goodbye to that infernal place.

I spent too much time alone in FireForge after my travels. I felt sick most of the time. I knew I was lonely, but I couldn't bring myself to face my friends. Eventually, even Dragon was unable to help. When he suggested going out to Diamond City to see its progress or going out by night to battle, I refused. I didn't eat often, and my friends noticed. They would come over with food, and they wouldn't leave until I ate it all.

One day, Dragon came into my study with his travel cloak on and told me to get up. He didn't ask me- he told me. I was too surprised to argue. I left my book on my desk and followed him, putting on my cloak as well.

It was mid-spring now, and the wind had only a faint bite to it as we rode. I knew what direction we were going- the Temple, but I didn't argue. We turned around the bend in the trail past Ember and rode up the rise.

I jerked Stardust's reigns so hard that he reared.

When my stallion had calmed down, I dismounted slowly, leaning on my horse out of the fear that if I stood on my own, I would fall. Dragon was still mounted, but he said nothing. When I looked up at him, he simply jerked his head in the downhill direction. A clear gesture to keep going.

Before me, at the base of the hill, was the Temple village bustling with people. The houses and streets were completely intact, and the church tower stood unharmed above the settlement. There was no sign of anything wrong. Nothing looked remotely burned, or knocked over, or blasted out. The village was back, with all of its people. A little girl looked up and saw me on the rise, and waved. I dumbly stared and slowly waved back.

How?

Walking Stardust by his lead, I went into the village, and everyone on the streets moved aside to let me by out of politeness, and continued on their business. I didn't get a single second glance, for all that I stared. I heard Dragon riding behind me until we reached a library. He dismounted and put a hand to my shoulder, urging me to go inside. He took Stardust's lead out of my hand, and I complied, cautiously opening the door to the library.

"Oh, do come inside Huntress! I was wondering when you would come. Your friend here told me he was going to bring you here!" The librarian welcomed me warmly inside and took my cloak. As soon as I was properly inside the library, I froze.

There were two people sitting at the table by the window. Both wore dark clothing and had dark brown hair that grew long. One of them had sparkling dark eyes and a neatly trimmed beard.

The other had white eyes that glowed.

Herobrine turned his head to face me and smiled.

And that is my story, the whole of it now. I recovered fully from my adventures soon after that day, when Herobrine surprised me in the Temple village library. After a brief conversation with Notch, I learned that he had rescued the wandering souls of the Villagers on the day of the massacre. When it was safe, he brought them back and restored everything that Herobrine had destroyed that was there before we came.

Ah- there is something I should write down before I can call this properly finished. As my companions and I met here in the Temple of Notch, Notch himself arrived with Herobrine with some exciting news. He had made a promise to his creation, he explained, to restore everything that was destroyed before in one way or another. It was true that the Steve race, or the Sons of Steve as he called them, could never come back, nor could what they had built, but another race could be made.

One that we were charged with defending.

Today I write this as I watch dozens of people roaming about in my city. They are young, I will say, and not yet prepared to face the world on their own, but they will in time. They are my people, the humans of my domain, and I will protect them with all of my strength. I love them. I love the way that they look up at me with those innocent, honest eyes and build the most delightful things. I love the way they work together and depend on one another. The bonds that they form now will no doubt last for their entire lives.

Already there is one family forming. Dragon and I have watched that couple for months now, and we will look at one another with eyebrows raised in a knowing expression. Yes, we will keep a close watch on those two. Not too close, of course.

It is late already, and I haven't left my study for six days except to find food. This is my tale in its completion, as written by Huntress of the Overworld, Guardian of Notch and protector of humankind.

For all those who read this and remember my legacy, I bid you this: Do not forget who you are. There is a purpose for you somewhere. There is a purpose for everyone, and though it may be difficult, some day you will find it. Nothing is ever truly hopeless- even the unlikeliest of heroes can save the day.

And remember, when in doubt, never doubt yourself. The key to your destiny lies within you.

Signed:

Huntress

THE END

My friends, it has been an amazing journey with you on this story. I never imagined some of the twists and turns it would take until now, and I still stand amazed. I couldn't have done it without you all, my readers, and all the wonderful reviews and encouragement you left for me. Thank you. I mean it.

Now get ready- there's more to come. Huntress's story is over, but other's are just beginning. Who knows- we may still see the old guardian again. And Herobrine, and all our other friends. There is a SEQUEL TO COME, AND A PREQUEL. Don't miss them!

This is the end of A Minecraft Tale, and just the beginning of an amazing new adventure! Adieu! We will meet again!

Amanda the Huntress out.