Safeguarded Heart

Herobrine's Chamber

(Art by Me, Blackdragon41 on DA)

There were many things that Stephanie Stonewall enjoyed in her new life at the restored stronghold of Antecedent Element for the past two years, her large open bedroom, walking the amazingly lit lengthy halls of the massive fortress, cooking, swordfights with her brother, enjoying the company of her best friend Alex, riding her horse, ... getting visits from Herobrine. But nothing was quite like her favorite job of watching over the parentless kids of the castle and its surrounding settlements, giving each and every child attention they needed and deserved; oftentimes going out of her way just to ensure the happiness of every boy and girl.

It was a job she thoroughly enjoyed, even when the kids acted up or got into trouble; she made sure to get things resolved quickly and would teach the children life lessons whenever the opportunities presented themselves. Over the past year however; she had to say goodbye to some of those kids she grew attached to since moving to the valley, with more people moving into the land recently; more kids had been adopted out. Which was great! Yet also bittersweet.

Steph was nothing but overjoyed that they'd finally have families of their own, she could and at some point would see them again in town or if they ever visited the castle; but the sting of saying goodbye and knowing she wouldn't see them or spend any time with them the next day was always one pain she hated most. She hated goodbyes.

Oftentimes, those goodbyes would remind her of her final farewell during an emotionally traumatic moment in her life, goodbye to someone she had forgiven, admired, and grown fond of. She could still picture the event to the very last detail, she'd never forget how much she wept that day.

... ... ...

Herobrine was lying motionless on the grass as she, Steve, and Alex hastily sprinted towards him, the half-god saved all of Minecraftia; but not without paying a great price. He fell out of the sky and unceremoniously crashed to the world below along with the Stonewall family sword, his body was covered in patches of blackened skin which slowly eroded away into dust. Herobrine himself was slowly turning white, his skin flaked and peeled before floating upwards and fading like ash in the wind; revealing more glowing white underneath. His body was dissolving away before her eyes and there was nothing any of them could do but watch and say their parting words.

The hero said his final words to her, handed her 'Guardian'; the newly named and enchanted cracked stone blade Steve once carried, and held her hand for what she perceived to be for the very last time as he burst into a mass of glowing particles that drifted away. Gone in an instant.

... ... ...

Stephanie frowned as she ambled through the hall of the stronghold alongside her ginger-haired friend, her hand moves down to her side to rest on the hilt of the sword of stone infused with Netherite; a now invaluable, treasured, unbreakable blade Herobrine forged out of the family heirloom. It was entrusted to her, the sword that her slain father once wielded; the same that ended the destructive monster of the End dimension.

She'd never forget the pain and helplessness of watching him die that day from his sacrifice, her friend, her hero, her love; it's why she hated saying goodbyes at all even though Herobrine was fine and well alive right now. They were just a reminder of what truly could have been an actual farewell, the loss of someone so dear to her.

Any goodbye could very well be the last.

Though it wasn't a final farewell, she did have to say goodbye to a child she had been watching over for years just a few days ago; a young energetic boy named Jake that she used to take care of back in Oakridge; one of the last few from the original group. He was once such a shy child until she managed to get him to try to make friends, the young green-eyed brunet opened up with her assistance and over time blossomed into a very boisterous and talkative boy with many friends and much confidence.