Herobrine stared down at the miner now splayed out over the mattress, somehow with his hand still clinging onto the enchanted blade. His breath seemed stable now along with his heart rate, but the way his wielding arm was positioned seemed unusual. There was no doubt that it's was injured now. At least in his deep sleep the miner wouldn't have to die like he would in his nightmares should they be as severe as the last. Herobrine clinched his fists tightly and snarled at the pathetic form in front of him, he should be killing the man not helping him rest. But there was one little thing that bothered him; not only did the miner look so relatively close to Lionel, the miner's foolhardy and irrational choices made in the dream almost resembled what his old friend would of done. Lionel wasn't always foolhardy and rushing blindly into trouble, but he did have his moments in the early years of his training.
The two mortals were similar in many ways, but at least the former didn't try something as impetuous as trying to eliminate a powerful being; an impossible task. Hero narrowed his eyes on the unconscious form, he couldn't do it yet. Killing him now would of been far too easy, it would not satisfy the being to fight such a weakened mortal that he knew had some amount of fighting potential. There was also still heavy thoughts clouding his mind that he needed to clear first. He turned around and walked back out of the room and placed the door back and made sure that it was tightly sealed.
The old hero flashed away from the small hall then instantly appeared back at his throne, he casually walked up the small staircase of stone slabs until he reached the top with the chair and took a seat. He sat there quietly and glanced upon an empty expansive corridor and the large tightly sealed doors the end of the main hall, it was quiet as usual. However; something felt different this time then the usual empty stone structure that he would normally find, it was strange to sense the presence of mortals again. The smell of fresh blood, burnt-out torches, and the very faint sound of a heartbeat lightly pounding in his ears. Yes, these signs were familiar but vague and now present once again. Years of isolation and then the sudden presence of a living human had really made things feel different, almost a reminiscent of what was once was.
Herobrine could almost see Lionel bursting through the main castle doors with himself in tow, the sentinel would be running up to the seated Sovereign with news of a successful day's work; just like he almost always did. He was always so enthusiastic and loyal-like to everyone, even to peasants. Yet he was constantly concerned with trivial things such as: formality, properly addressing superiors at all times, getting involved with menial tasks to help out the fortress's servants, repairing his own armor and swords instead of the blacksmith, over exerting himself in training, and of course paying his debts.
Debt. That one word made the hero scowl.
...
"What were you thinking?!"
"I didn't." The miner said, rubbing the side of his jaw softly. "I owed you."
"You owe me nothing! You are not indebted to me, I never did anything to gain it!"
"Maybe not to you! But-"
...
Herobrine shook his head and growled from suddenly recalling that human's voice in his mind, his hands squeeze the ends of the armrest. That man was idiotic and confusing, there was never any debt for him; it was actually the other way around. Hero owed Steve the debt and he couldn't even successfully pay it off, he was so close to doing so. That stupid mortal would of got himself killed for nothing, for his greatest enemy of all things. For absolutely nothing at all! Most humans did die for the most pointless of things such as ores and lustrous metals to a sense of pride. Some even by running away, others for being foolish and fighting battles they knew they could not win or were too boastful and overestimated their abilities, or if they were stupid enough to tread through dangerous places in the first place. Not to mention that many of them were dishonest, greedy, deceptive, condemning and cowardly fools. They were all the same.
...
"No! Some people just can't help themselves, fear and the need to live are hard to fight when you are in such a situation. Fight or flight. It's part of being a human, some people can be brave enough and others cannot. It's friendships and bonds that help others fight their greatest fears, but sometimes bonds might not be enough if you have no strength to fight or if you are feeble minded. It's bonds that make some get risky, even if it's a foolish thing to do. And if all humans are the same then are you?!"
...
A loud creaking sound came from the edge of the throne's armrest, it was cracking under the pressure of a crushing hand tightening over it, the Hero lightly growled when he crushed the wood under his fingertips. Lionel wasn't nothing like the other mortals, but he did overcome great fears and made noble sacrifices with his risky endeavors that eventually lead to his end. But the human was wrong. Most of mankind didn't fight valiantly for their friends or family, maybe some attempted to but it just wasn't enough. When one died the other didn't try and avenge them, they just fled from the powerful hero. They only ran away and in being the sole witness of their so called 'bonds'; it was clearly justifiable that they were weak with their greediness to survive. Lionel was better than any of them though, he made the ultimate sacrifice. He died fighting for his friend and brother's freedom. He threw his life away selflessly for the hero when no one else would.
...
"Just a few moments ago I was going to throw my life for you too."
"It didn't matter whether I knew you personally or not, I don't truly know you but you were the only other person I knew when I came into this land. Real or not, I consider you a friend. Even when you gave me those warnings as harsh as they seem; I felt as though I could trust you. I could even be related to you for all I know, an even more reason to help. Figment or dream, I care about you like Nigel."
"And even if I didn't know you, ...your life would of counted too."
...
He remembered the sad and pitiable look in the man's eyes as he finished that sentence, it was vaguely recognizable with the same look those similar deep blue eyes that used to gaze at him long ago. Steve wasn't like most mortals either as the hero come to realize. The man did seem to fight with some degree of misguided honor and loyalty, but if he was willing to fight and die for someone he barely knew. Even for his disguised enemy, he had to of had some kind of reverence or code. What the miner had was something that the he hadn't seen in centuries, selflessness and true honor. Out of hundreds of his victims, not one until now has shown this kind chivalry and kept up with it without giving in.
To fight fear and move forward? To get reckless at bad times? To fight for his friends despite the odds against himself? That was Lionel's way. So many times this method almost got him severely wounded or killed, but at least he didn't give up nor leave the hero's side even when he was asked to. To remain by Herobrine at the most troubling of times was the last debt that man would ever pay.
Herobrine relaxed his tense muscles in the chair and with his head tilted towards the dark ceiling and the arches, he closed his bright eyes; now remembering a faint memory coming back to visit him.
...
"Herobrine, wait!"
"I told you Lionel, you do not owe me anything." Hero irately said with a deep resounding tone as they walked down the large corridor. The great hallway was beautifully lit by torches on each of the stone pillars and they radiantly shined within the windowless structure, leaving sizeable diamond like shadows decorating the floor and ceiling.
