Fate of The Three

Realizations

Grayson gazed at the coin in Armen's palm. His bright blue eyes were full of tears. "He has him, Grayson." Armen sobbed. Grayson closed his eyes. Oh Notch, no. "He?" Ender's voice sounded from behind Grayson. "Who is he?" Grayson exchanged a look with Miya. Miya looked close to tears. "He is a demon." Grayson said, choosing his words carefully. The last thing he wanted was for Ender to think they were crazy. "Drake has spent the past four years hunting him down. It's a pretty... well, evil spirit. I fear for Drake's safety." Armen sniffled. "This is all my fault." Grayson shook his head. "No, Armen. It's not your fault. It's his." Armen shook his head. Grayson pulled Armen closer and hugged him. "It's ok." Grayson promised, holding Armen close. "We'll get him back. I promise." Armen shook his head. "Don't make promises you can't keep." Armen whispered in a heartbroken tone. Grayson hugged him tighter, then let go. "Armen, we will get him back." Grayson promised. "Or we'll die trying." Armen blinked at Grayson. End stood on his hind legs, trying to get Armen's attention. Grayson smiled slightly. "Look, someone wants to see you." He said softly. Armen picked up End and hugged him. "Thanks." He mumbled. Grayson nodded. Miya put her hand on Armen's shoulder. "We're going to get him back." She said grimly. Ender gazed at them. "He must mean a lot to you guys." She said softly. Grayson nodded. "He's like family."

The group decided to spend the night in Drake's home. Ender and Miya sat together, while Armen leaned towards Grayson, with his head on the Outlaws shoulder. Ender spoke first. "Where would the Demon take Drake?" She asked. Armen sat up. "H-His Castle." Armen whispered. The light of the campfire reflected in his eyes. Grayson blinked. Ender frowned. "The demon has its own castle? Where? How do people not notice something like that?" Grayson sighed. "Why am I not surprised?" He mumbled. Armen blinked at him, then at Ender. "People do notice." He said, frowning. "But he kills any human to find it. The ones who do survive..." Armen's voice trailed off. Grayson put his hand on his shoulder. "Most people don't believe them." He said softly. "They're... ridiculed and mocked. Called crazy. Usually end up in a center." Ender looked confused. "But.... why don't people investigate?" Armen turned his head away. "Because usually those people are dead before anyone realizes what they say is true." Ender's eyes widen. "This demon is very powerful." Miya said, her gaze serious. "He kills millions of people in a matter of hours." Ender swallowed. "So how do you know your friend isn't already dead?" Miya flinched. Grayson shook his head. "We don't." He whispered. Armen swallowed. "He's alive." Everyone turned to look at him. "How do you know?" Miya asked, hope sparking in her eyes. Armen hesitated. "He hates Drake. More than anything." Armen said. "He'll want to make Drake suffer." Armen turned his head away, perhaps so the others wouldn't see him crying again. Ender was quiet. Then, "How do you know that?" Armen blinked at her. "I...I.." Fear froze his limbs. Grayson saved him. "The demon's been haunting Armen and Drake since they were kids." Grayson said smoothly, blinking at Armen encouragingly. Ender blinked. "Haunting?" Something about that seemed familiar to her... "How do we find his castle?" Armen glanced at Grayson, who nodded at him, smiling gently. "I... I know where it is." Armen admitted, blinking self consciously. Ender frowned. "But you said..." Armen turned his head away. Grayson shook his head, warning. Miya smiled at Armen. "At least we know where to go." She said. "So where are we going?" Ender asked Armen. Armen gulped. "The Neither." Miya blinked. Grayson sighed. Ender frowned. "What's the Neither?" Miya shrugged. "It sounds familiar, but..," Grayson put a hand on Armen's shoulder. "It's another name for Hell." He explained. "It's not used often anymore." Ender's face paled. "We have to go to Hell?" Grayson nodded, looking unsurprised. "You don't have to come." Ender shook her head. "But I want too." She said. "If he means so much to you guys that your willing to go through literal Hell for him, then I want to get to know him too. Besides, I've never met another Enderman hybrid." Grayson nodded. "Then it's settled." He said firmly. "Tomorrow, we'll go to the Neither. We'll save Drake."

"Or we'll die trying."