The Edge of MINECRAFT (Being the Second Volume of the Minecraft Trilogy)

A Hero's Honor

Lucas surveyed the crowd outside the doors. Now safely within Westlodge's warm and comfy Great Hall, Lucas had been seen to immediately. Immediately upon Jameson's return, he had called for a great feast to honor the heroes. It was set to start soon, but they had allowed time for the warriors to recover.

Now, Lucas hugged a thick brown robe to body, fresh firm recovery, he reflected on all that had happened. They had returned safely to Westlodge, making the return trip in less than two days. The ride up had taken so long because the warriors were careful to stay in the monsters' trail. In the way back, they had merely taken the shortest route.

The group of warriors had certainly sustained casualties throughout their quest. Nearly seventy men had left their camp to go after the monsters. Miraculously, no one had been killed during the skirmish at Shadobrous or by the cold during the snowstorms. However, several had been killed during the icy battle in the abandoned city. Seventeen had been killed during the battle, plus three of the reinforcements that Theos brought and two that had died from wounds later. A couple more were injured, but full recoveries were expected.

Herobrine had claimed that they had failed, but Lucas believed it was quite the opposite. Their mission was to stop the monsters, and though they hadn't quite decimated them, they certainly put a thorn in their side. In the chaos that followed the initial battle, no one had been able to determine which monster leaders had been killed and which had survived to carry on. Lucas could feel it in his gut that Herobrine was still alive. Killing that guy was going to take a lot more than that. Israphel, his true colors now revealed, was probably still out there too. However, Lucas knew he had killed that skeleton commander-- Deadbones, Theos had discovered he was called-- and his men had wounded some of the other leaders. The monsters would be in no shape to launch an offensive any time soon.

But when they did. Lucas shivered. Herobrine was indeed growing an army. The hunter knew full well now that Herobrine planned to make good on his promise to finish the war he started. His monsters, already comprised of zombie orcs, skeleton sharpshooters, creeper beserkers, spider beasts and monstrous slimes, now had the added aide of both the endermen and the ice golems, both races few had laid eyes on before. When Herobrine made the next move, it would be devastating.

"How ya feeling?" inquired a voice behind him. Lucas turned to see Jack walking up behind him, dressed in his own green robe. Jack had cleaned up nicely. Lucas almost couldn't tell that his friend had just gone on a week-long quest. Almost.

Jack eyed Lucas's new robe. "What happened to your cloak? The one you got from Shadobrous?"

"I burned it," Lucas casually replied. The truth was, a few hours ago, he had taken it and the two fragments of his bow and set fire to them. The ashes were now sitting on a jar in his house. In a way, they were the ashes of his old self.

"Why'd you do that?" Jack gasped. "Theos maybe coulda told us where that thing was from, or just who exactly it belonged to."

Lucas shrugged. "I guess it just kind of became this relic of the past. I think I've changed. I think we've all changed since we met Steve. This quest has changed us."

"If only Steve could see us now," Jack sighed. "Wherever the guy is, though, I've got a feeling he's doing a lot of good."

"Jack," Lucas began. "Do you think... do you think that maybe, Steve could be dead?"

"I would have felt it," Jack countered. "I know that deep in my heart, I would have felt him going. He's out there somewhere, Lucas. Maybe we don't live to see him come back. Maybe he fulfills the prophecy long after we're gone."

Lucas nodded. "We got Alex, though." Jack lit up at that.

"Yep," he agreed. "We found Alex. She's proved to be one heck of a warrior."

"I think she may hold some clues as well," Lucas added. "It seems that during her time, Herobrine saw her as a threat and tried to remove her. She must have some information on his plans."

"That very well may be," Jack agreed. Both stood in silence for a while. "You like her," Jack suddenly piped up.

"What?" Lucas shouted, his voice a note too high. "Why do you say that? You're the history buff. The two of you have been buddying up discussing the olden days the whole time!"

Jack laughed. "You do like her," he chuckled. "Plus, my heart still belongs to Rose, man. I wouldn't leave her that easily. Heck, right now I'd say we're on track to getting married."

"Ugh, that sounds so weird," Lucas groaned. "You're my friend. You're practically family. It'll be strange on so many levels if you actually become family."

"Hey, no changing the subject!" Jack cried. "We're still talking about you and Alex!"

"You don't give up, do you?" Lucas laughed. "So maybe I'm considering the possibility of liking Alex. Maybe. But you know who would be perfect for her?"

He let Jack think about this for a second before realization dawned on his face. "Steve," they both said in perfect unison.

"Oh man, you're so right!" Jack laughed. "Still, I wouldn't let that get in the way. If you're feeling something, you gotta act before you miss the chance."

Lucas nodded. "So, what do you think about this whole war thing? This seems pretty big."

"You know what?" Jack interrupted. Lucas looked at him, signalling for him to go on. "I say forget about it, at least for a little while. At least for now. You've taken over this mission since we lost Steve, and you've done one straumn good job. But we did it, man. The battle isn't over, but we win this fight. Let's relax for a bit."

A smile began to spread across Lucas's face. His best friend was right. It was time to kick back for a little bit. "All right, then," he grinned. "Shall we feast?"

"Nether yes!" Jack replied. The two of them threw open the great doors, and to their surprise, everyone was seated. All the warriors and elders, Artie, Zeke, Ben, William, Amos, Dakota, Patrick Theos, Jameson, Alex-- everyone from the adventure was already there, along with the whole village. They all burst into applause.

Lucas and Jack, the hunter and the lumberjack, two inseparable friends, smiled and were seated. Lucas sat with Jack on one side of him and Alex on the other. Everyone continued to cheer wildly.

"Here, here," Jameson proclaimed, tapping his goblet. "You have all shown incredible service. Honestly. I owe my life to all of you. But these two lead you. They took over during a difficult time, when the one that we needed most was gone. And they did it. Congratulations you two."

"Go Lucas and Jack!" shouted Artie. Everyone cheered again. Lucas grinned. This was great. Everyone quieted down as he rained his own cup.

"Thank you all," he began. "Most of you fought with us in this latest endeavour. Some of you have just recently returned, being original members of this quest. With this, he turned to look at Artie and Zeke, seeing Mitch seated with them. He had learned that Shelby and Caleb has both wanted to come but we're caught up in the south.

"Some of you have done both," he went on, at this point looking to Patrick, Ben, William, Amos, and finally Jack. "All of you, though, are heroes. You should all be very proud of yourself. But before we eat, I must raise a toast for someone else. I must acknowledge the man that brought us all together. The one who had the vision for this quest. Without him, I doubt we'd be here. Perhaps the monsters would have already overrun us." He paused, looking at everyone.

"To Steve!" he proclaimed, raising his glass.

"To Steve!" echoed the crowd. Lucas smiled. To Steve, he thought.

As the sun set, Steve was honored in the way that only the finest heroes are. What no one could have expected, though, was that he would receive this honor personally-- and very soon.