Viverse: Intertwined Destinies [Chapter 7]

After good thirty minutes of waiting, her clothes were decently dried, so she put them on, finally stopping the inexplicable temptations poor Hero was feeling. "Bah! Withering son of-- I lost the rental chocobo..." She thought to herself annoyed. What should have taken a mere 20 minute trip with the chocobo now it's going to possibly take an hour or longer until she gets her bearings. Making her way out of the woods again, she continued to follow her trail of faded dirt, until she heard horses and chocobos running nearby. The woman had the feeling her pursuers were still after her. They could have reported her missing already for all she knew. She retreated back into the woods, but she was spotted quickly. 

"THERE SHE IS!" One of them shouted and all gave chase to the woods. On the other side of the woods was a cavern, and a chasm. It was pretty wide, and she wasn't going to make the jump, regrettably. However, lucky for her, she had a few ender pearls in her pocket, and threw one just in time that got her across the chasm just fine. The pursuers on horses had to stop, but the ones on chocobos could fly over it easily and continued the chase. Her eyes changed once more as she focused on her far distance and spotted a small village. Luckily she recognized where she was, and the village was her destination. She briefly turned around and with her crossbow, she shot both men off their mounts easily. Perfection vision. As she turned to keep running, one of them shot a tranquilizer dark and pinched her neck. 

She hissed from the stinging and felt the numbing effects rather quickly. Unable to resist the drug further she collapsed while running before she could reach the village, losing consciousness. The riders on horses finally caught up to the wounded men, and one of them approached her to retrieve her and collect their reward.

Hero had been watching with a bored expression while she walked. Upon hearing voices and the clomping of hooves he turned from his higher vantage point towards the men on mounts. He looked back at the woman and watched her flee into the forest. He found himself biting his lip as she cleared the chasm and even took out two of the men. When she was hit and dropped, Hero felt a surge of anger coarse through him again. Watching the man approach her so aggressively caused him to no longer care about being seen. He did not save, follow, and bear the emotional torture just to see some half-assed hunter take her away.

As the man drew closer and was a mere 3 paces away from the woman, Herobrine appeared before the man. His arms crossed over his large chest and his milky blue eyes narrowed. "I think you've done plenty." Hero told him before striking his chest with the palm of his hand. His superior strength sent the man flying back and into a tree. He then turned his attention to the other men, DARING them to be foolish enough to try fighting him.

The other men stopped abruptly when Hero seemingly showed up out of nowhere. They didn't particularly recognize him or felt fear, but they only stepped back a little, while the one on the back shot a couple of tranquilizer darts to his chest. One hit him on his abs, and one on his arm, and another on his leg. They waited to see if the drug would take effect on him too, and then deal with him afterwards.

Hero paused and looked at the darts. He dropped his head for a moment and began chuckling. His chuckle grew as he roared with laughter. He pulled the darts out and held them in his hand, crushing them. "How... adorable." He smirked. When he opened his hand he held 3 knives, holding them between his knuckles. "Let's hope you boys are as good as catching as you are tossing..." Hero gave them a sinister smile and waited for them to react.

Shit! They all thought. This man seems to be highly dangerous. So as they are backing up this time, one of them loads a different dart, one capable of knocking down elephants within a few minutes. Hero was shot once more with the new stronger darts, however another man instead pulled out a gun and shot his shoulder instead after a loud bang, but they still continued to retreat back slowly.

Hero had lost his amusement the moment they retaliated. "You will regret doing that." Hero grunted after taking a lead pellet to the shoulder and a stronger dart to his stomach. It would take a lot more than that to take him down. With a precise flick, Hero tossed the knifes and struck the gunslingers hand, shoulder, and eye. As the man screamed in pain, Hero turned his eyes on the man with the darts. He had had it with being pricked by needles. Hero insta-teleported in front of the man and delivered a fiery fist across his face. True, Kylie would never condone his violence. But hey, he hadn't killed anyone... yet.

More darts were shot at him and a couple of more bullets to his legs before he teleported closer and dealt more serious damage. Finally they started running away, finally getting the hint, but shortly after they were burnt alive as they were suddenly engulfed in purple flames. The woman was partially up on one elbow, with one hand extended towards the hostile men. One eye covered by her long hair, and the other one showing her unusual eye again. Her eye briefly looked at Hero. Despite her looking his way, she wasn't seeing him. She closed her eyes again and dropped limp on the ground again. It seems she saved him the trouble of finishing them, but only because they were a high threat.

He grunted as more darts struck his body. He felt the tingling numbness itch at the back of his mind- his body wanting to succumb to the toxin. He was about to strike again before purple flames 'fwooshed' past him and struck the men before him. Herobrine glanced back and saw her eye again. The eye of ender. The men were dead as the hungry flames ate at their flesh like acid. He snorted at their dissolving corpses and returned to the woman's side. At least her 'auto sentry mode' didn't see him as a threat. He picked her up with ease and carried her towards the village she was running towards.

In the village was a small homely inn run by an older husband and wife. The inn was really their home with an extra room they rented out to traveling lovebirds. The older man jumped when a brunette man carrying a woman bridal style stepped in. "O-oh! Um, hello sir!" The man said nervously. He looked at their messy appearance, worried that some harm had come to them, or worse, the man had hurt the woman. "Are you and your... wife here for a night?" The man’s voice was obviously hopeful that it wasn't the latter.

Hero looked down at the short old man with a frown before he flashed a broad smile. "Hello good sir! Yes, my bride and I would like a room. We just got married this morning. Poor thing celebrated so hard she fell fast asleep!" As he spoke Hero gave her left hand a loving touch—secretly crafting a simple gold band on her finger in case the old man suspected he was lying. Sure enough, the man was nosy enough to check. When he spotted the gold band and inspected her fine silk clothing he smiled.

"Ah! Congratulations my boy! It’s wonderful to see a young couple taking a step in marriage together-" the old man continued to ramble on about how he declined service to unwed couples and how different wedding gowns must be nowadays.

Hero felt his eye twitch with impatience and the effects of the drug kicking in. Finally he got the key from the old man and quickly went upstairs and locked the door behind them. He sighed in relief and placed her on the bed, his footing heavy and staggered. 

Once he confirmed she was okay he motioned to teleport out but collapsed on the floor with a groan. "...shit" he breathed out. He had about 5 darts in his body, not including the first 3 he pulled out. His mind spun as darkness finally gripped his mind. Herobrine had finally passed out.

A few hours later she finally awoke, since she had less toxins in her. She got up extremely puzzled glancing around the dimly lit room. She walked slowly till she ended up tripping over something on the floor. "Oof!" She grumbled in annoyance. "What the nether—" She mumbled feeling around with her hands and felt on... someone's body?? Freaked out she stood up quickly searching for the lamp. Once the lights were on, she finally spotted the rather large man on the floor... unconscious... Or sleeping? His clothes... looked horribly familiar, though she wasn't quite sure.

She stepped closer cautiously, and checked his face. Her expression was that of someone completely shocked. She never expected to see this man again... in a... bedroom... alone. She was seriously hoping there was a good reason for it. A very, VERY good reason. It was then she finally noticed he was wounded. It took damn near ALL of her strength to flip him over and examine his wounds. 'Does he weigh a ton or what??' She wondered perplexed as she examined him. Three bullets... and several darts... She was no doctor, but she was very good at treating survival wounds. With the equipment in her bag, she addressed his wounds properly after removing his shirt, occasionally glancing at his muscular body. No man should look this damn good. She was... oddly attracted to him, not even sure why. But she had many questions awaiting him once he wakes up.

Hero didn't stir even as she tripped over him and forced his body to roll over. If it weren't for his soft breathing, he would have appeared dead. As she removed the darts and dressed his wounds, his metabolism was working out the drug from his system. When enough of it had been expelled he awoke with a gasp and instinctively snatched what was touching him—her wrist. He lay on the floor for a moment, her wrist in his iron grip. His pupils were like tiny dots as he stared her down, collecting his thoughts. When he recognized her his pupils dilated back to normal and he released her. "S-sorry." He wheezed out while struggling to sit upright. His throat felt dry and his body felt battered. He placed a hand to his.. randomly shirtless body and felt the gauze wrapped around his chiseled abs. He blinked for a moment and turned back to the woman, inspecting her face for a moment. "...thank you."

The woman yelped startled as he suddenly awoke and gripped her wrist, making her wince a bit in pain. He looked a little scary for that brief moment, but she sighed with relief the moment he let go of her, and even thank her. "...you're welcome. You dolt." She smiled a little finally. "You're one mysterious man. I met you at the Capital... and out of all places... you're here with me... in a—" she paused briefly as she looked around the room inspecting every tiny little detail. "—suite room for lovebirds." She teased. "I am sure you have a good explanation." 

She then sat on his lap, staring into his milky blue eyes. "Who are you? ...were you the one who saved me back in the caves? ...why are you following me?" She was determine to get answers. The skin of her legs was very visible. After all, she wore a friggin' short skirt that was pretty tattered now, showing a bit more skin, including her boots as well. Her eyes often glanced to his bare chest. His body seemed so... perfect. But she wanted to hear what he has to say.

Hero smirked and was about to make a comment how she forgot their wedding, and was going to mention the ring—but his bantering was knocked from his mind the moment she sat on him. Immediately he tensed up and narrowed his eyes at her. Did she think this was somehow threatening? He avoided looking at her body and kept his hands planted on the ground. "If you don't know my name, then it doesn't matter. And yes, I did save you, and it's because you're reckless." He stated back. He had no interest on falling for any of her tricks or schemes. His eyes watched her face carefully; waiting for her next move. He guessed it would be another question or perhaps accuse him of something.

Not quite the answers she was hoping to get. "Uh... do I look like I'm psychic to you? If I was, I'm sure I'd have a different kind of job by now. I don't see how it would be possible for me to know your name." She huffed. "And why are you so tense? I'm not armed, you know? It's not like I have intentions to hurt you." She rolled her eyes, and pretended she didn't hear the part he called her reckless. "So... we're married somehow too." She flashed the very simplistic golden ring in her finger now. She leaned lower on him, placing both hands on his chiseled chest. "Did we even consummate she marriage?" She teased again. "But seriously, what's your name? It can't be THAT ugly to the point you'd rather not tell anyone." She had moved a bit, and accidentally grinded a bit on his lap.

He narrowed his eyes at her even more—his face full of suspicion. He considered throwing her off, but realized he could not even stand yet. The drug was still in his veins. At her teasing over marriage and their becoming one... he felt his heart skip a couple of beats under her hands and a mixture of excitement and nervousness set in. He wanted to teleport away. He wanted to teleport now. 

He had only ever told his name to a handful of people... and that was millenniums ago. He opened his mouth to speak but clamped it shut to suppress a sudden moan that tried to escape him. "It... it doesn't matter..." he breathed out heavily while he gripped her arms and held her back slightly.

The woman sat back up on his lap at a sudden realization. Did he perhaps... find her ugly? Was she somehow unattractive to him? So much to the point he won't even tell her his name? She felt shunned. Or maybe... maybe he's... gay?? She thought horrified. Not because of his possible sexual orientation, but if he WAS actually gay, she felt horrible for forcing him to like her. If he truly was... she couldn't help but think it was such a WASTE... a good looking man like him... probably with good genes too. 

She then finally sighed. "I see... I must be ugly if you're trying so hard to repel me..." With a frown she stood up from his lap, and walked back to the bed, sitting on the edge. "Unless you don't like women at all... um... if that's the case... I... um... sorry I got so close to you..." She replied apologetic.

Hero blinked in confusion. 'Wha... what the hell?' He thought confused. She had gone from damn near seducing him to accusing him of liking men. Oh, and thinking she was ugly. Which obviously neither were true. "Ugh. Ngh, wait... that's not—" he fought and struggled to get up to stand to his feet, and he almost made it until he fell back on his knees, and the top half of him fell on the edge of the bed. "Nnghhhh..." He grunted as his heavy body hit the floor so hard. He considered telling her that she was the most beautiful person he had ever seen—and not because he saw her naked—of course he enjoyed that part because he is attracted to women, but he wouldn't ever admit to watching her like a creep... He sighed in defeat. "My name is Herobrine." 

She watched him struggle, wondering why the heck his body is so heavy to the point he can barely walk. She then remembered he had lots of darts in him, so his limbs are still technically paralyzed. "Oooh... here, take this—" She offered him a bottle of milk from her bag that she was saving for an emergency should she find herself very ill, till he finally said his name. She raised a brow at him in mild confusion and surprise. "Really? Why would your parents name you after a myth? He ain't real. He's just from children's tales, often used to make bad children behave." She shrugged. "But hey, I ain't judging your parents' selection of naming." She patted his head and gave him the milk. "My name is Alexys. Nice to meet ya." She smiled.

Hero looked up at her and blinked.  'A myth??'  he felt defeated that his name no longer carried weight, relief that there wasn't another Brine in this world, and nervous that the name was still continued on through lore and legends. He made a 'hmph' face with a forced smile when she patted his head. He accepted the milk and immediately felt the toxin wash out of his system. He sighed in relief and handed the bottle back to her. With his strength anew he looked closely at her, studying her. Since he was still knelt over the bed from his collapse he moved closer to her, his face close to hers whispering, "Thank you... Alexys." He smirked and stood with his back to her as he looked around the room and took in the sights. He guessed the room was decorated from the old wife's personal collection. The horde of decor was tacky and contained far too much lace. He honestly cringed from the sight.

Her face flushed an angry red when he got so close just to whisper a thanks... but the way he said her name... in such a husky voice damn near made her heart skip several beats. After he turned around with his back facing her, she quickly slapped her face to compose herself. "Oooh... yeah... I thought the same too. This kind of decor really ain't my style either... I prefer... darker... themes." She gestured to the steampunk style she was wearing. Or what's left of it. She finally stood again, and brushed off her clothes. "Soooo... what now? Are you going to be leaving your beautiful wife alone here in distress?" She snickered with a cocky smile, placing both hands at her hips waiting for his answer.

He glanced back at her and slowly looked at her head to toe when she mentioned her clothes. "I noticed." He gave her a small smile and looked around the room again as she continued speaking, this time, about being his 'wife'. He paused for a moment to think and offered her a smirk. "I could hardly marry a damsel in distress. I prefer women that are capable of holding their own." He picked up her crossbow and handed it to her. "Let's go before the golden couple from last century see us slip out." 

As Alexys and Herobrine walked downstairs to 'slip out' the voice of a shrill old women rang out. "Oh!!! There you dears are!" She said and gave Alexys a kiss on the cheek. "Here I thought you two would sleep in all day! Come! I made us breakfast!" The old woman did not understand the concept of, "no."
 
Hero inhaled sharply and forced a flat smile as he turned to the woman behind him. He was highly considering bolting.

Alexys slapped the back of his head for saying he'd rather marry a woman who can hold her own rather than a damsel in distress. Such prejudice! She then took her crossbow with a light huff, muttering under her breath, "Men. Can't live with them, can't live without them." She rolled her eyes as they walked out of the bedroom.
 
Alexys held a fake smile when the old lady kissed her cheek. She resisted from following the old lady, and stopped abruptly. "Ooooh no no no, I'm afraid we cannot stay, ma'am. We're in a horrible rush at the moment. Personal matters urge us to leave early from our honeymoon, but we thank you kindly for your hospitality." She placed a bag of Florens on their desk, and yanked Hero by his arm rushing out of the inn out and all the way to the plaza fountain. 

"You're welcome." She said dryly, she wasn't in the best of moods at the moment, but more so flustered and agitated that'd she'd feel attracted to an idiot like him. 

"Well then. I suppose this is where we part ways, Herobrine." She muttered out his name so others couldn't hear. "I'm sure you have your own matters to attend to, and surely you wouldn't want this damsel in distress to keep bothering you and slowing you down. After all, I'm just a stranger, right? Right. Good bye." She seemed to have been offended by his comment back at the inn, proof he's an idiot, whether he was joking or not.

With nothing else to say, she turned around and walked around the village looking for a place that might sell clothing so she could burn away the ones she had all tattered. As upset as she was with him... she kept the silly, simplistic golden ring in her hand. She somehow had the feeling she'd see him again, as thrilling and somehow infuriating as it sounds.

Hero was thankful she got them out, but he was annoyed she had struck him. Apparently... she did not understand his meaning. When she parted ways from him, he narrowed his eyes. He still had no intention about leaving her side permanently, at least until he learned more about her. His eyes lit up as he recalled something and he grinned. 

He allowed her some time and space, waiting for her to calm down. Eventually he walked into the clothing store she was in. He had no intention on buying any clothes. He only wanted to familiarize himself with this worlds style. He looked at her, showing he knew she was there, and spent a few minutes studying the fabrics. Before he left, he stood close to her and whispered so only she could hear. "I do have my own matters to attend to. And you seem to be missing something ... I'll be outside." He straighten up and paused for a moment. That slap to his head was still annoying him. "Oh, and by the way." He suddenly  brought his curled knuckles below her chin and forced her eyes to meet his. "It was a compliment." He studied her eyes and her crossbow for a second before releasing her and walking outside.

After Alexys had found the clothing store, she was actually... quite repulsed by their selection of clothing. ALL of them were peasant clothing. She was used to wear the expensive stuff, but she figured the village was so poor, they probably couldn't afford anything better.

But then she thought better of it! If she was dressed like a peasant, then no one should recognize her. Those who know her very well would know she would NEVER dress like one, but these are some critical times for her. She felt mild annoyance seeing HIM again so soon, but didn't say anything. She simply grabbed the most decent peasant clothes she could find that goes well with her complexion.
 
She was puzzled when he said she was missing something, and felt goosebumps when he touched her. Probably mildly aroused... for the wrong reasons. She sighed mentally frustrated. After she paid for the obviously cheap clothes, she tried them on right away in the dressing room, and put the old, tattered clothes away in her bag. They fit her very nicely showing her curves and everything. Just... cheap... materials, and she hated it. She was THAT spoiled. Eventually she walked out of the store, still trying to make sense of what he said. Maybe he needs to learn how to compliment better. Or perhaps she was too young and naive to make any sense of it. She shrugged the thought away, and walked around looking for the house of the old man she was supposed to find.

Hero was waiting outside, an internal war raging inside of him. In the past few days he had felt his heart swing in so many emotions, and bounce all over the place. It was exhausting, and he had decided he was done. He wasn't a mortal. He wasn't a man. He was Herobrine. He wasn't meant to feel this way. He knew Kylie would be disappointed for his giving up, and reverting to his old ways, but... Kylie was gone. Her children were gone. Maybe that reformed Herobrine was too. 

He shook his head and pulled at the air, summoning a newly repaired music box out of thin air. He held the object for a moment—studying it. Placing it in a bag he had also created, he looked down at his clothes. He didn't quite blend in. With a snap of his fingers his old teal shirt and blue jeans turned black. His shirt lengthened into a tunic of sorts and his belt into a sash to hold the shirt in place. It wasn't entirely what he had in mind, but he couldn't be too flashy either. At least in this getup, maybe people would leave him alone. 

Hero continued to wait patiently until he spied her finally leaving the shop. He motioned for her to come closer to him. When she was within hearing range, he flashed his old signature fanged grins. "Let's make a deal..."

Alexys sighed when she saw him again, motioning her to come closer to him, and it was almost... alluring? She thought, getting flustered a bit. She shrugged it off, and walked towards him, hands on her hips like a feisty damsel. Her emerald green eyes glanced at him from head to toes. He didn't look so bad with his new... clothes? What the hell... when did he even buy those? She thought confused. She raised a brow puzzled when he offered her a deal.

"A deal? Well. I suppose it all depends on what kind of deal it is, hotshot." She said all sassy about it, occasionally stealing glances of his new looks. She loved how well the color black complimented his skin color.

Hero smirked, but not because she was checking him out. From his bag he produced the beautiful music box. He was silent for a moment, allowing her eyes to really look at the item. "A curious thing this is... so intricately made. So... delicate and fragile ." Hero set his eyes on hers, studying her emerald orbs. "I have a mission of sorts, one I do not wish to discuss." He told her flatly. "I will return this lovely box to you... and in exchange you will allow me to travel with you—without question—until my task is complete." His face was very serious as he waited for her reply. "Oh," He added. "And you don't need to worry—I won't bite." He flashed his fanged grin again.

Her eyes widened when she saw he had HER music box, and had the audacity to make such a deal in order to return something that BELONGS to her. She frowned a bit. This big hulk of a man spoke in riddles, giving little to no information at all. What kind of task was he talking about? Why was it so important that he'd accompany her? She already had her own busy agenda to be helping him out. So why this so suddenly? And on TOP of that, she can't even ASK him why he just wants to tag along with her.

"That is a pretty terrible deal, mister. Sounds like it benefits ya’ WAY more than it benefits moi." She groaned, pinching the bone between her eyes with her fingers.

"I'm sorry, but I'll have to haggle you a bit on that one. I'm already tied up on a very personal quest of mines, and I'm not allowed to ask you anything just for you to tag along just to return what belongs to me? You're a bad, bad man." Then she thought better of it. Perhaps she could torment him a bit during their travels together. He could be of use to her too. She stood on her tip toes, and pulled at his goatee to bring him closer to her face.

"Fine, hotshot. You got yourself a deal. However, if you want to be nosy, and be asking me questions about my personal quest, I will trade you answers. If you ask me a question, and I answer, expect me to ask you one back, and answer me just as truthfully. Now THAT, is a more balanced deal." She gave him a devilish smile before snatching another kiss from him and letting him go.

"Welcome aboard, Mr. Hero!" She smirked as she turned around with so much confidence. This mighty Herobrine just got haggled by one feisty chick, and probably loving it in the back of his head. Hero had no idea he just climbed aboard the ride of his life.

He hardened his gaze on her when she didn't automatically accept. People... always accepted his deals. Often, people were far too eager to take his deals—even if it meant selling their soul to him. His eye twitched when she boldly grabbed his goatee. His eyes narrowed as she suggested trading answers. It was a simple and fair trade, but he did not enjoy bargaining. He opened his mouth to retort, but was unexpectedly kissed instead. Instinctively he closed his eyes and returned the kiss.

When his brain caught up to his body's actions, he pulled back, breaking the kiss. He stared down at her for a second, trying to make sense of what just happened. "Fine, the deal is made then." He handed her the music box that he had found and repaired. When she placed her hands on the box to take it, he held it for a moment longer. "I do not break my deals, Miss Alexys. I hope you won't either."

She tucked away her music box in her bag. And spoke in a less cheerful tone, more serious. "I do not break my deals either. I may be perverse sometimes, but I was taught to be honorable, whether I may look it or not. Now let's go. Times a wasting!" She followed the address to the old man's house and knocked on the door a few times. She got no reply. Maybe he was out or still sleeping? The thought faded away when the faint smell of rot hit her nose. She stepped away from the door warily clutching to a couple of daggers, and kicked the door open. Apparently she has very strong legs too. Both were smacked in the face by the foul smell of a decomposing body in the living room.

Disgusted and horrified, Alexys stepped back several feet resisting the urge to throw up. The smell was that strong. It would seem he was dead for a few days already. She had no choice but to contact local authorities to report his death. Naturally, they took care of the mess, while poor Alexys remained stuck at the plaza fountain, looking ready to break down. The only one man who had possible clues to her mother's whereabouts is dead, and it was no normal death... he was murdered... by a weapon commonly used by... Walkers. Everyone in the village panicked. Walkers had never been a concern or problem for them. Why now? She felt helpless.

Hero had followed her in silence as she wandered around looking for the house. He seemed like a silent bodyguard as he kept pace with her, allowing her to lead. When they reached the house, his eyes immediately darted around. He could sense the dead man beyond the door and was already looking for any possible threat. He continued to remain silent as the authorities came and took care of the dead man. Listening as they spoke of 'walkers'. He did not know what or who that was but took a mental note of it. When Alexys was sitting, near broken, Hero sighed. He felt the urge to reach out and comfort her, but tucked his hands away. "...what is it... you were hoping to learn?" He asked reluctantly. He knew their deal. He knew she would ask him questions. But he couldn't stand seeing her so... sad.

Alexys remained silent for a moment. She hesitated, but if he was to help her, he needed to know the truth. She sighed deeply, and glanced at the broken reflection of herself on the wavy, moving waters of the fountain.

"...I'm not sure where to begin... but he was the last known person to know about my mother's whereabouts. My father... told me she died when I was just a baby. But in all my years as I was growing up I refused to believe it. Mainly because he never kept any pictures of her around, which I always found a bit... odd. He'd always tell me instead it was for my own good, because he wanted me to be strong and not miss her too much..." She sobbed doing her best to hold back her tears.

"Just a few days ago, I discovered this music box in a friend's workshop. Then he told me to find the old man in this village. He was the one who crafted the music box... and it's melody... which plays so... familiar in my distant memories... memories I yearn to remember... but they all just fade away the harder I try. I know that melody. I know mother used to sing it for me... but I have the nagging feeling the music box replaced her when she... disappeared." She sighed heavily, slumping over the fountain's edge feeling defeated.

He listened to her quietly, taking in all of what she was telling him. He found it odd too that her father had no pictures of memorabilia. Humans were oddly sentimental, and tended to keep such material reminders. When she began to cry his brow twitched in sympathy. She was another lost girl… trying to find her mother.

"I will help you find more about her." He said breaking the silence when she finished. He sat beside her on the edge of the fountain and pulled her into his shoulder to attempt to comfort her. He kept his eyes forward. He would have to enter a deep meditating state if he hoped to find information on this unknown woman by his gift of foresight. "I promise."

Alexys actually moved to embrace him tightly, resting her head on his warm chest. It was a moment of weakness, and she actually felt safe under his arm, protected, as her heart felt so vulnerable at the time. "Thank you..." She whispered weakly as some of her tears dried on his black tunic shirt. She felt no lust or flesh attraction for him at the time, but she felt he was someone she could depend on. For that brief moment, she felt her heart close to him. So warm. So calm. It made her feel at ease.

She then had an idea. She was going to wait for night time, and snuck inside the old man's house. Maybe he has documents or letters with clues. She could only hope. She then finally straightened herself out, drying away her last tears with determination on her face. "We're going to wait till midnight. Then we'll sneak inside his home. There must be something in there that could help me, before they empty his house tomorrow." She informed him, her eyes focused on the old man's house.

Hero felt his heart jolt as she suddenly embraced him. He had only been hugged by two people previous to her. He said nothing, and continued to hold her, absentmindedly caressing her arm with his calloused hand. He was relieved to see her returning to her normal self again. He hoped he wouldn't have to see her cry again. It somehow... made his heart ache. He did not enjoy it.

Alexys had wandered most of her time outside of the village so they wouldn't suspect a thing, ever so patiently waiting for midnight. Once it was pitch black outside and most villagers went to sleep, she snuck to the back of the old man's house and broke her way in through the back window. By then her eyes had turned again to her ender eyes, able to see in the dark with so much clarity, even though she was never aware of it. She only thought she just had very good eyesight. Carefully she searched everywhere. His drawers, cabinets, shelves... and began losing hope again, not really finding anything useful. She groaned in frustration, and punched a handful of books moving a secret lever that opened up a small hole inside the bookcase.

She gasped startled, but she took a peek inside the dusty hole, and pulled out a small box containing very old letters... letters that had the seal of her guild. A seal that looked like the tattoo on her back. She felt goosebumps at the mere coincidence, but decided to shrugged it off for now. She tried reading some of the letters, but much to her dismay, the letters were so old, most of the writing was faded, and some texts were mixed in with Aetherian and Netherian language. Fortunately for her, she was instructed at school to learn all three languages: Aetherian, Netherian, and Enderian. The last one she was still learning about was the language of the Twilight realm. 

She mumbled under her breath as she was straining her eyes and mind to read the old letters. Most of them made no sense to her, but she made out some parts about banishment, nether, experimentations, and tight discretion between whoever were involved. She then told Hero of her findings and asked for his advice on what to do next.

Herobrine did his own investigation as well. He searched about the house to try and determine the type of person the man was before he died. It seemed normal. Too normal, perhaps. Secretive. When Alexys uncovered the panel in the bookcase, it only added to his suspicions. He glanced at the mark, and looked at her back even though he couldn't see her skin. He felt an itch at the back of his mind. Something wasn't right. Something wasn't normal. Hearing her deciphering brought more unease. He thought back on the genetic code within her that he couldn't distinguish. Only one thing made sense to him now... SHE was the experiment. There was too much secrecy and planning for it to be an act of nature. "We should leave." He told her. "Whoever killed this man, or sent those men after you, may still be looking for you now. If so, this entire situation may have been a trap." He was on edge, looking around and sensing for any near dangers.

"W-What...?" She said beginning to panic. I mean, sure, she knows her father is upset for disobeying orders, but he couldn't be involved in this mess, even if the letters had their guild's seal. It could be someone else that perhaps her father wasn't aware of. Yeah. It couldn't be.

"Very well." She tucked away all the letters and closed the bookcase again. "Where should we go from here? I'm worried... and scared..." She admitted. She had a feeling that perhaps Hero knew something she didn't, but didn't press the matter. She took out her map, and showed him the locations near them.

"We are here... in Riverbank Village. Northwest to Springfort Capital where we met." She pointed out to him. "Southeast lies Evergreen Town, and then the city of Jayln. There are other farther cities east and west of Springfort. The city of Frozen Brass lies farther up north from our location." She added. One thing is certain, she CANNOT go back to Springfort, no matter what.

Hero looked over at the map. He did not want to go to or be near the city they had met—he didn't trust the people there. "We should go somewhere far. Far from here and from Springfort. Somewhere large and with mixed species." He wasn't familiar enough with the towns and cities to know which ones fit the description. Then again... if these people were conducting these sorts of experiments, they had resources and connections. Perhaps hiding in a city would be no different from hiding in a cage if their pockets were deep enough to affect military or government. "On second thought, let’s not." Picking a random coordinate in his mind from the map, somewhere between Jayln and further south, he took her hand. If ears or eyes were on them, he did not want to leave them clues. With her hand in his, he teleported out of the room and out of the city.

When they landed a moment later, they were in a dense jungle. Sounds of birds and other slithering creatures were all around them. There was no sign of civilization or a trail. And their location was instantly some 3000 blocks away from the previous second.