(ON HOLD/BEING REWRITTEN) De Salute Mea- Safety From The Darkness

Chapter 12

(Warnings: Language, death, self doubt, gore, violence)

"Steve."

"Where am I?"

"You're here again, Steve."

"Here. Where is here?"

"Don't you remember?"

"Of course I remember. I'm in this dumb white space again, with this stupid blinding light!"

The voice sighed. "Is this better?"

Suddenly, Steve could see. He could see a man now. A bald man with a beard stood before him in a brown cloak and black boots.

"W-who are you?" 

"I can't tell you that, remember?"

"Yes, I remember! Why are you here? Why am I here?"

"Steve, listen to me." The man shone him a kind and warm smile. 

"You've done very well."

Steve was silent, the gears in his mind turning.

"Do you remember?"

"...Yes. You told me to run. And to protect Alex."   

"And you did very well indeed." The man's words were much more kind and soft, unlike the last time Steve saw him. Heard him?

"Now, listen to me carefully.

Someone needs your help."

"Who?"

"A young man, that poor soul. But right now, you need to focus on running. Far as you can. Just like last time.

Only this time, there will be trials." 

"W-what do you mean, trials?"

"Herobrine is very dangerous. He is also very smart. He knows how to lure you into traps of all kinds. He is very devil-like in many ways.

You must be weary."

"What kinds of traps will they be?"

"All kinds. I cannot tell you every which sort, but you must heed my warning.

You can't forget."

Steve opened his eyes. It took him a moment to gain his composure. It was very dark in the cave, he could hardly see anything. But there was an eerie light coming from outside flickering shadows on the walls of the entrance. It took him a second before he realized what it was, and his eyes widened.

The forest was on fire.

He scrambled to his feet as smoke began to reach his senses. Calling for Alex in the darkness, he stumbled and crashed to the ground over something. 

"What the..." A tired voice asked sleepily.

"Alex!" Steve flew to his feet and pulled Alex to hers. "We need to get out of here, it's on fire!" The words tumbled out of his mouth. "What?!" She ran to the entrance and looking out at the flames enveloping the trees and surrounding brush. Steve scrambled around for his armor and compass which were lost in the darkness. "Alex, get your armor!" He almost tripped again on his armor and threw it on. He scooped up his compass from its spot on the floor next to where his armor had been and ran for the opening, where Alex was already clad in her iron armor.