Ya know, I had told myself one time, "Hey future self! Never write an xReader book!" ..Welp!... Which is why this is an xHerobrine and NOT an xReader! XD
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Several hours of constant traveling dragged along as you waited impatiently for you to land. The elytra crafts were not on their top game and you could tell. Several years in the military made it easy to spot things like that. That time passed, however, and you landed safely on the ground, closer to home than you have been in years. It's the same sky-port you always met your father at. It doesn't sadden you to be reminded of him however. You had gotten over that years ago. Plus, he died a soldier; the best way to go in your opinion. You sit tightly through a few more mine carts and horse rides, curious as to why you are acting so impatient. Yeah, you haven't seen your family in years. But, you have been trained from almost childhood it seems to stay patient under any and all circumstances. You brush the pondering away entirely when you arrive along the same old trail that leads to your house. You sigh, seeing all the pretty flowers your sister in law must have planted not too long ago. You walk quickly along the trail, but taking time to look at the other shrubbery that has been planted to make the path look much nicer. You even see an archway coated in bright green leafy vines and pink roses ahead. You hadn't told anyone you were coming, thinking it would be a nice little secret.
Once through the pink flowered archway, you see the old house you used to call home. It has a humble appeal to it. The small, two story, three bedroom home is the same as it always was, just, add a few bright rose bushes and other flowers to that old picture. Sadey sure does like her flowers. It had only been three years ago that they had moved back in with your mom and the place is already so colorful and much more alive looking. But enough about the flowers! Maybe you just find them extra pretty because you have been living in a literal mud pit the last few years. Speaking of which, you are currently wearing a clean set of uniform. It it a one-piecer, so in this weather in order to not overheat you had to unzip the top half and tie the sleeves around your waste. You always wear a white t-shirt and some shorts under these uniforms anyways, so you aren't ever worried about your tummy showing or anything.
You happily walk up to the front door and knock several times in a row, following a familiar pattern.
"I got it! I got it!" A young girl shouts excitedly as you hear her run up to the door. You hear it unlock and it cracks open just enough to see a little head poke through, her golden hair falling in her face. She looks up at you and freezes in place, as if looking at a ghost. You wonder for a moment if she even remembers you, when all of a sudden her mouth springs open into a wide smile and she literally screams. "Aunt (Y/n) is here!! Aunt (Y/n) is heeere!!" She shouts. Right after she is done spinning in a circle to tell everyone, she runs up to you and jumps into your arms as you crouch down in order to give her a big hug. She squeezes you tightly for a young girl of only six years old, and you squeeze her just as tightly back.
"(Y/n), why if it isn't my own goofball! Great to see you here! Why didn't you tell us you were coming?" Your older brother Derik walks through the door with arms open wide. You stand and hug him tightly, you both in a little competition to see who can squeeze the tightest. Sadey steps through the doorway as well with a large grin on her face. She too pulls you into a tight hug once you and Derik are done, both of you sure you had won.
"Well, you see, I just thought it would be a fun little surprise if I showed up uninvited." You smile at the couple before you with a silly smile.
"Ha, this place is just as much home for you as it is for us!" Derik smiles, leading everyone back inside. Right as you enter, you are bombarded by your mother as she too gives you a very tight squeeze. Man! Maybe that was really where you got your strength!
"Aunt (Y/n)! You came just in time to watch my dance recital!" The little girl jumps all around you.
"Now now, Anna, Aunt (Y/n) might be a little tired from all the traveling." Derik party poops.
"Aww." Anna drops her head.
"Oh, don't be silly, Derik! The trip was nothing!. Also, when did you start dancing?" You crouch down to Anna's level to ask.
"I started just last year! Look how good I am now!" Anna shoots up with joy, showing off a mixture of ballet and some form of hip-hop. Both her parents chuckle at the sight of their daughter, just, giving it her all. You watch with their same smile and when she is done, you all four applaude.
"Great job, Anna! Come here!" You stretch your arms out again and she tackles you in a hug.. Oh yeah, this is why you just couldn't wait to go back home.
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The dance recital didn't last too long, mostly because it was set up for a bunch of young six to ten year olds with short attention spans. Nevertheless, the show was fun, and you enjoyed watching Anna own the stage the moment she was in the spotlight. She was obviously, the best one there out of them all.
It is short moments like this that fill the week. You have more fun than you have honestly had in years. No games back at the camp could even attempt to compare. You tell everyone about your most exciting battle so far when things have calmed down, keeping things to a minimum with Anna listening intently. -- You wonder if that is what your dad would always do with you around, thinking back. -- You tell them all about the battle everyone back at camp keeps talking about.
"The sun was just beginning to set. Monsters, began roaming the area, this time making an organized attack on a certain town. Gelstone Village. They were attacking in large masses of formations, larger than anyone had expected. I hear no attack has been so big ever since Herobrine himself-"
"(Y/n)! You know that name is bad luck. You should know more than anyone else what-" Derik interrupts.
"-Curse of Herobrine or whatever, yhadda yhadda, it's all just a bunch of lies. Even if it were a pixel true, what harm could he do to me anyways?" You say confidently, leaning back in your chair and placing your feet on the coffee table, crossing one another just to make a point. "Pff! I'm not afraid of him." You boast. Everyone just stares back at you with mixed expressions. Derik looks annoyed. Sadey fiddles with her hair nervously. Your mom's expression holds an old sadness. And Anna looks amazed by your bravery.
"Well then!" Anna stands up. "I am not afraid of him either! Herobrine Herobrine Herobrine Herobrine Herobrine!! Aunt (Y/n) is going to beat you!!!" She shouts up at the sciling.
Her mother quickly grabs her child and demands she stop. Anna obeys, looking embarassed, and sits down again, quietly. A few minutes of awkward silence later, you continue your story.
"Anyway, me and my group were the first to arrive. We fought them off pretty well, but then the sun set fully and the monsters had the advantage. Out commanding officer was taken down by a skeleton. Everyone looked to me as the next leader, and I began giving orders like one. It was pretty cool, actually. Finally, I was the one actually giving orders. I had decided that the best thing to do in that situation would be to stay on the defenses, since the enemy already had the upper hand. We all quickly dug a little mote between the enemy armies and the small town. Right behind that, we used the dirt we dug to build a temporary wall. Everyone then took positions behind the wall. I assigned certain soldiers to specifically take out creepers while the others focused more on zombies and skeletons. Me and a few others watched the edges for any overflowl, and even the rear for any endermen. We were able to hold off the armies until help came.. and, we won." You ended with a simple smile, sitting up straight once again.
"..Woah! That sounds so cool! Fighting monsters!" Anna jumps up and begins punching and kicking the air. "Aunt (Y/n), do you think you can teach ME how to be a soldier too?!" She jumps in your face and you chuckle.
"Well, I'll try. Your first lesson: drop and gimme 20!" You command playfully. Anna just tilts her head and her parents giggle. Your mom does a little too. "Here, I'll show you." You smile. Then, you get down on the ground and start doing push-ups. Anna drops down on her hands and feet beside you and tries to mimic what you are doing, with her knees bent and her bum up in the air. "N-h-o." You chuckle. "That isn't how you do it. Like a log." You say, trying to straighten her form. Eventually she is in the right position, and slowly bends her elbows so her belly is almost touching the floor. "That's it. Now just push yourself up." You coax with a smile. Anna's arms shake and she manages to raise herself just a tiny bit, before completely collapsing. You try not to laugh, but a bit of it breaks out of your mouth. "Good first try!" You cheer, and Anna stands up, absolutely winded.
"Okay, Aunt (Y/n), maybe you can teach me when I am older." She breathes deeply. You pull her into another hug. "I think it's best if we stick with one thing at a time." You say with a smile, patting her back.
A few more hours pass and it it just you and Anna sitting on the couch, just silently watching the fireplace as Anna leans on your lap, you slightly leaning in her direction.
"Aunt (Y/n)?.." Anna asks softly.
"Yes, Anna?" You whisper back.
"Is, Herobrine, real. Like, really real? Like, have you ever seen him before?." She asks. You sigh and think of the right thing to say.
"Well, no. I have never seen him before. Almost no one has seen him before. He was banished fo the Nether a long time ago, so we likely will never see him again.. But, if he wasn't real, then your grandpa would still be here. That's for sure." You answer. Anna looks up into your eyes.
"Why? Did he kill Grandpa?"
"Probably not directly, but, he has killed a lot of people.. which is why your grandpa started fighting in the first place. He fought to keep him from hurting as many people as possible, and when fighting, you just have to know that you aren't always going to win.." You answer solemnly.
"Is that why you are fighting too? To keep him from hurting more people?" Anna asks. You are silent for a moment; thinking.
"...Yeah, I guess you could say that." You say finally. You feel Anna's head rest on your lap and see she has fallen asleep. You smile softly, and wait a few more minutes before picking her up and tucking her in bed. Your old bed. It still stands pretty sturdily. You then move on to your own bedroom. It's a small one bedroom guest house made by your brother, knowing you like having your own space when you come over to visit. You step in and settle immediately into the comfy space. It is small, obviously. You step right into the small living room area and just behind that, under the loft, is a small kitchen. To the right of the kitchen is a small bathroom and to the left it a walk-in closet. The loft itself is an open space, with railing keeping anyone from falling down into the living room. Up on the loft is a single dresser and queen size bed. It has been years since you have slept in a normal bed, so you treasure every night you are able to sleep in it.
You walk into the small house and take off the grey hoodie you had been wearing and set it on the coat wrack while also sliding your shoes off your feet. You are still facing the coat wrack by the door when you hear a very faint noise behind you.
"Do you honestly believe that is why you fight?" A deep voice glides into your ears. Immediately, you freeze. You don't recognize the voice. But, who would even be in your little house? Maybe a bandit seeking shelter? Or maybe just an unfortunate soul looking for a place to stay. If so, then how did he know about that conversation-..? Could it be? As swiftly as a lightning bolt you spin on your socks, smooth wood floor helping your feet glide in a full circle, as you mentally brace for the worst; but even with that brace, you were still not mentally prepared enough to have your worst suspicions comforted as true. You remember wondering how anyone could be any more intimidating than Commander Steve. Well, clearly, with the King of The Nether himself standing before you, you can see him as nothing but that... Oh how foolish you were to dare say his name...