The Survivors [Volume 1]

A Power Within

          Rainer and the others stood at the edge of the forest, looking to the village before them. The walls around it were nowhere near as big as the central city, but it was still bigger than he was used to. From where they were, everything seemed in order. No signs of attack, no screaming, not even signs of smoke coming from within the village walls. Overall, it all seemed fine... except for one thing. There was absolutely no sound coming from inside the walls.

          "Villages aren't ever this quiet, right?" Rainer asked, keeping his eye on the walls ahead. Up until now, he had only been within two populated areas, one which hated him, and he hardly entered, and then the biggest city in this world. He knew neither of those were a good basis to judge much off of, yet this still didn't feel right. Especially not seeing as this place looked like it would be on the more populated side of things.

          "No... not even the small farming village my aunt lives in is this silent." Landon said, shaking his head a bit. They were all fully suited up, the glimmering obsidian armor on their bodies, and their weapons in hand. Dan already had an arrow notched in his long bow, and Felix was using a Spyglass to pear the tops of the wall. James was at Rainer's back, checking their rear to ensure nothing or no one tried surprising them. Overall, their teamwork had greatly increased in the past few weeks. Them becoming friends, or at least Rainer becoming a part of their preexisting friend group, was probably a large factor.

          "Alright... let's head in. We'll go straight through." Rainer finally decided, pushing off his knee and standing fully. The others nodded, before the five of them sprinted towards the large barrier before them, ensuring not to step in any large grass patches as to stay as quiet as possible. It took them about twenty seconds to get there, and they made sure to press their backs to the wall. Rainer looked side to side, looking to other's faces, seeing if any of them could hear, or had seen something he hadn't. They each shook their heads, to which Rainer responded with a nod of his own. He took out his pick and motioned to Felix with his free hand, who then scooted over along the wall, before pulling out what at first glance looked like a normal block of white wool. On one of its sides though, in black dye, was the symbol of a music note, with a circular cross out over it. Felix placed it on the ground, tapped it to make sure it was working, and gave a hand motion. Rainer nodded again, and quickly slashed the pickaxe through the stone wall. Despite it cutting through and destroying the stoney blocks, the sharp, piercing tool made no noise. Neither did they, as they took turns crawling through the small hole, just barely being able to fit. Rainer had gone first, followed by James, Dan, Landon, and lastly Felix, who grabbed and picked up the woolen block on his way through. As soon as the block was again in hand, the sound of their soft footsteps returned.

          They made their way between some of the outer houses, stopping at every corner to peak around. After a few minutes of their slow process, they came across what seemed to be the main street of the town. Rainer looked left and right, finding it more concerning then assuring that the hadn't seen a single person on their way here. In fact, they hadn't heard anyone either. Other than that, the only thing that looked out of place was some sort of red-looking rock formation in front of the gates, down the street. Had something, or someone, been trying to get in? Rainer looked back to the others, motioned for them to follow, and stepped out into the street. As he pulled out his two obsidian blades, he again looked up and down the rocky road, not a single living thing in sight. There wasn't any sign of a struggle, either... it almost seemed like a game the others had explained to him, hide-and-seek. He doubted the whole town would be playing.

          Rainer looked back over his shoulder, seeing the other four also looking around, both at the buildings, alleys, and even upwards at rooftops. They all had their weapons drawn as well, which made him feel a bit better about no one possibly sneaking up behind him. That feeling of slight comfort vanished as he faced forward once more and saw the figure with glowing white eyes standing a few dozen blocks before them. Rainer stopped in his tracks, practically freezing in place. Why was he here? How had he gotten in front of them in such a short span of time? He must have done that disappearing trick... teleportation as Notch called it. The others seemed to tense up behind him as well, with Dan aiming his bow at the man, the others getting in defensive stances, although James looked more ready to lunge then anything. They hadn't been told much about this man... just that they had been lucky to be alive.

          "Well, look who it is!" The man called, spreading his arms out to the side, almost like a welcoming gesture Rainer had seen friends give one another. "Just the people I was hoping for! Gotta say, your response time could use some work, but not bad for our first show down!" Rainer's breathing has picked up a bit, although he had managed to loosen up. He wanted to look back at the others, but he didn't dare take his eyes off the man. Something about the way he seemed glad to see them made his feeling of unease increase a good bit. 

          "How'd you know we'd be coming..." Rainer called back as he began to take slow, careful steps forward as he did his best to keep his voice steady. The feeling of the others behind him was taking a whole new importance in the back of his mind, in the face of an actual threat.

          "You been spying?" Landon called out as well, which under normal circumstances may have actually helped them feel better. But the air itself felt so much heavier than before... Rainer was just thankful James wasn't trying to rush into this, like he did often during their training. It seemed this man's presence had an effect on even his level of boldness.

          "I haven't had to! I had a feeling you five were the ones that word was spreading of!" The man responded, lowering his arms to his side, seemingly watching the five of them ever so slowly approaching him. "It's been a few months sense out last bout, although I'd hardly call that little display a real fight. I can't wait to see if good ole' Notch and Jeb have rubbed off on you!" With his weirdly positive proclamation, he drew out his blade... which was very much not the diamond one he had used before. Its texturing was just like theirs, rough yet polished. But instead of the deep, shimmering purple, it was a deep, gleaming red. Rainer stopped, his eyes widening a bit, as the others stopped their approach as well. Were there different colors of obsidian? Why hadn't that been mentioned! "Ya know, it's not fair to ask you all to attack first, seeing as I'm the one who's set all this up. So, I'll do the honors!"

          Instantly, he was a mere three blocks in front of Rainer, his almost silver colored eyes shining brightly. Before Rainer could so much as move, he was grabbed by the shoulder, ad thrown in an arc, hitting the hard stone ground and skidding. As he came to a stop, umping back on his feet, he saw the man battling his friends... although it was hardly a fight. He had drawn out a second red obsidian sword, countering every blow Felix, Landon, and James attempted, and knocking James's arrows from the air. Just as Rainer began to run towards them, the figure leaped off the ground in a vertical spin, as if laying down in the air, in constant motion. Seemingly out of nowhere, four spikes of the same material as his swords shot out from the proximity of his hands and feet, ramming Rainer's four companions in their obsidian clad chests, sending them flying in different directions. Felix was thrown down an alleyway, while James, Landon, and Dan were slammed into walls and onto porches. The man had landed back on his feet before they had even made contact with ground, and the spikes gone as if having never appeared. He put one of his red blades away, pointed the other Rainer, and smiled slyly. 

          Rainer felt his breath quicken, the shake in his arms returning, just like when he had stood against this man the first time. He had no idea what he had just watched, or how on earth he had a chance against it. As he looked at the white eyed man, shaking slightly in his black, sturdy armor, he spotted one of the town inhabitants for the first time. They were in a doorway, looking out at them... no, at him. Even from a distance, he could clearly see the fear painted over the woman's face. It looked like a small child had hold of her leg, also looking right out at the street; right at him. Rainer suddenly became aware that right now, he wasn't just defending his friends, but the civilians who called this place their home. None of them clearly had the means to stop this man... he wasn't sure if he himself did either... but right now, he was all they had. He took a deep breath, spinning the obsidian blades in a circle, and got into a battle-ready stance.

          "Seems you haven't gotten that far along in your training after all." The man said with a short laugh, spinning his own red blade around in his hand rapidly. 'Perhaps I was wrong about you!" Again, in a single instant he was upon him, swinging his gleaming blade down at him. But this time, Rainer was ready. And more than that, this time, he was determined. He lifted his blades in an X formation, blocking the attack, and rolling back. As the figure was now over him, he slammed his feet up while still in the rolling motion, connecting hos obsidian boots with his gut, and kicked him past him down the street. As he finished his roll, spinning around on one knee, a blunted spike slammed into his chest, flinging him back into yet another roll, barely managing to come to a stop on his hands and knees, having had to put his swords away to catch himself. Before he could catch his breath, the man was before him again, swinging in a wide arc. He managed to block with his right, then left, then both, before rolling under a flurry of swipes. Moments later, a searing pain shot through his leg as he cried out, before being flung up in the air, over the figure, and slammed into the ground. The sound of his armor crashing against the ground resonated around, cracking the stone street as he bounced, landing on his hands and knees once again. 

          "It's a shame really," The man continued, now holding the red-obsidian sword in his right hand, and what seemed to be a pickaxe made from the same material in the right; that was probably what had hooked into the back of his leg. "I really thought that you could be something special, Rainer... perhaps I was wrong." Rainer felt ice go through his whole body, his breathing heavy as his leg had another sharp stab of pain. Something about him saying his name was terrifying... and evoked something in the back of his mind, sort of like when he had figured out crafting. He started pushing himself up onto his feet, when he heard Landon scream out his name. His alertness returned, and it was like the world began to move in slow motion. The white eyed figure was right in front of him, his sword in a stabbing motion right for his face. He hadn't even begun to pull his swords back out, having been too shook to think ahead. There was no way he could dodge or reach for him to try and block. 

          Rainer could feel his heartbeat in his whole being as the sharp, red tip of his attacker's blade slowly approached his face, seemingly right at eye level. His own reaction time was slowed, just like the world around him, yet his thoughts raced a hundred miles a minute. And yet... the closer the moment of impact game, the more a new feeling, or urge rose up in his chest. He didn't recognize it, and it didn't feel like the times he had experienced a new emotion before... just before the blade pierced his head, Rainer slammed his eyes shut, as the weird, foreign feeling erupted in full force. He clenched his teeth, waiting for his life to come to a short end... but nothing happened. He slowly blinked his eyes open, the world seemingly back at its normal pace. The man stood a few blocks away, farther then when he had closed his eyes, and for some reason, his expression was one of pure shock. Rainer blinked a few times, confused on what had happened, as he looked back at his friends. He saw the same look of shock on their faces, even as Felix now leaned against the entrance of the alley. 

          "Rainer!" Dan yelled, lifting his bow past him. His head shot back around as the man tried the same attack, going right for his head. The odd, almost electric feeling shot back through his being, and in an instant Rainer appeared a few blocks back, stumbling and falling onto his rear. As he hit the ground the feeling faded again, as he blinked in bewilderment, his breathing heavy and an odd feeling of tiredness replacing him. Had that been what happened the first time... how had he done that... questions raced through his mind as he looked up at the white eyed man, he just stared down at him, still in shock. A few moments later an arrow whistled past, striking the man in his light blue clothed shoulder. He hardly winced, although it seemed to snap him out of his state of disbelief. Rainer heard the sound of footsteps, as the others now stood at his side, Dan notching another arrow into his diamond enforced bow. The man slowly shook his head, and put away his blade, as his shock seemed to turn into an eerie excitement. 

          "Looks like I was right..." He said simply, slowly moving his gaze from Rainer to the others, and then back to him as Felix and James pulled him back on his feet. "You better tell Notch to explain things to you. The next time we meet... I expect you to put on a show." With that, he was gone, vanishing into thin air. And after a moment of spinning around, in very defensive positions, it seemed he wouldn't be reappearing... at least not there.

          "I think he's gone..." Dan said, slowly panning around, his bow still drawn back. Rainer looked around for a moment before nodding in agreement, letting out a long, shaky breath. Unsurprisingly, James yet again managed to lighten the mood ever so slightly, as he followed up Dan by saying, "Too bad! I was about to stop holding back for round 2." Rainer laughed slightly as he shook his head, the other's laughing a bit well, as he realized people slowly making their way out into the street. Everyone seemed scared or on edge, which was very understandable. Rainer put his blades away and removed his helmet, and the others followed suit. A few of the adults around made their way over to them, including that woman and her child who had been watching from their doorway. They started being flooded with questions, many of which they had no answers for, until a man's voice was heard above the rest. 

          "Everyone please! Give these kids some space! They've just been through a lot, just like many of us." A man with slightly grayed hair announced to the gathered crowd, causing everyone, including the five of them to turn to him. He was clutching his side a bit, his brown suit having a large red stain where he held his hand. Rainer stepped forward slightly, about to ask if he was alright, but then man seemed to guess his thoughts and held up his free hand. "I'm quiet alright young man, thank you. Infact, thanks to all of you... we weren't sure when that man would leave. You have done us a great favor." He said, offering the hand he had held up to Rainer now in a handshake. Rainer reached as well and shook his hand, still finding it a bit weird that people taller than him, and clearly much older, would apparently be treating him with a high level of respect. "I presume you must have been sent from Citelic City?"

          "That's right, sir." Rainer replied, releasing the man's hand, almost getting into a stance one would do before their drill sergeant. "We're the new team being trained under Notch and the City's Elites." At that, a few gasps came from the crowd, and kids not much younger looking then Rainer himself seemed to get excited.

          "It's good to see such young pupils have such great success! It looks like your futures are quite promising!" With a slight wince, the main raised both arms out, looking around the crowd. "We shall host a feast tonight in our rescuers honor, and for The Survivors bright future as our people's defenders!" The crowed pretty much erupted, making Rainer actually jump, not being used to be around people when they were this excited. As more people came up to shake all five of their hands now, and as he looked to his friend's face, filled with joy and pride, he couldn't help but wonder what they had actually done. That man had just left, for seemingly no reason at all. Why had he wanted to fight them so badly, if he was just going to leave so quickly? And what had he been talking about, saying that Notch had to explain things to them? As a group of kids, no more than a couple years younger them him came up, rapidly talking about how cool it was to see someone their age totally "kick but", Rainer couldn't help but worry... that this white eyed figure was worse than he seemed.





          Herobrine appeared in the darkened room, where Null sat with his legs crossed, his own shining white eyes closed. He looked about, seeing that all of his hunters were present, leaning against walls, or sitting at a table playing card games.

         "I was right." Brine said, making his way over to a chair at the table, taking a seat. All of their attention went to him, those who were against a wall coming over, standing around the table as well. Null opened his eyes, and hovered over, legs still crossed under him. "The boy isn't just one of them. He's the one." He reached out to a chess board that was set up next to the stacks of cards, slowly pushing a piece. All the pieces were custom made, and this was in particular was a blue hued set of double ended swords in the shape of an X.

          "So, what are we gonna do about it." Entity 303 asked, his red eyes shining from underneath his white cloak, as he leaned his elbows on the table, resting his shadowy chin on his locked together hands. 

          "We unmask the temple ruins we found, so they can be found on energy radars." Brine replied, slowly pushing a few more pieces around, of varying weapons and colors. After he was satisfied, he reached into his inventory and pulled out a photo. He looked at it, before setting it on the table. The picture was simple and slightly wrinkled yet incased their goal. "Then, we wait and see." He looked to the photo once more, it depicting three young children, obviously siblings, sitting by a well together, with a few people walking around in the background. If he was right about this... then he had found the child sitting in the middle. "It's time to find out if this prophesy is true."