Artiopas 3: Reqai'mia

​Author's Note: ​​The original writer of this story, that is, Artiopas, is Yoshfico123, and not I, H950sm. However, I own this remake. This entry has been made for the final round of the official Artiopas Remake Competition.
----
== 1 ==
So I don't know where exactly to commence, but anyways, let's make it reasonable.
I turned, and saw the hole in the ground covered with a bedrock block, just like Sam had told me.
It was time.
He had to be stopped for once and for all.
Sam had told me that the Town would be somewhere out there. I knew where it was, as I was a frequent visitor to that area. There was no official warp to the area, though one could reach it after a 10-minute run from the spawn.
I then remembered that I had set a home in that area because of such reasons. I opened up the chat, and executed: ​/home town​.
​ERROR: Home not found. ​said a series of red, bold text in the chat.
Well, I can't just waste my time here.
I guess I'll have to come all the way from the spawn then.
Hence, I opened the chat, and executed: /spawn​.
In an instant, I was teleported to the area, right under the shade of the dome. I immediately came out of the building, and stopped outside, running into a sign. It was a sign with the text, ​The Town​, with an arrow below it, pointing ahead of me. Beads of precipitation began to tickle the sides of my forehead. I quickly wiped them off and reassembled my hand on my mouse.
Then I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.
It was time, that the evil shall be wiped off this server. Time was running short. He had been a weird, very weird person. He had appeared out of nowhere, threatened me at the first moment, and acted like a complete idiot. This typical hacker deserved to get rekt.
And so I ran. With my fingers pressed against the W and Ctrl keys, I ran. The short journey would take a while, although not an eternity. And against all odds, I had to wait. At the same time, thoughts began to enter my mind.
It was just a normal day, and then this crap happened. I had managed to save an entire server, but still, there were no ANSWERS. And then he randomly re-appeared. Like the previous time, he caused havoc, captured the Admins, and all that stuff.
Hopefully, I'll get some at the very end. 
----
I hopped off the edge, onto the ground with no damage. Yet, I hadn't stopped running. My hunger bar was reduced to five bars, and I had no food. Well, if only that guy hadn't completely destroy the system.
Behnind and in front of me, is a long road of tilled soil. Houses began to flank me by both sides. There were many houses around. I happened to notice some markets with vegetables and fruits laid down on the floor.
I released the CTRL and W keys.
And with that act, I completely stopped in my tracks. I was standing in the middle of a motionless crowd which faced a pillar standing tall
And on top of the pillar, was him.
That douchebag.
<Zephyr> You may know me from the past. Years of torment and psychological issues has led me, and you to this. From now on, you are to obey me, and me only. 
No, you won't.
<Zephyr> I will be releasing Sam, and from that point on, you are to also respect and follow his orders. 
No. Not Sam. 
Why. 
Can't. 
He. 
Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuudge. 
Off.
Without any prior warning, my fingers pressed the CTRL and W keys again. I didn't know what I was doing, but all I wanted to do at the moment was to kill this retard. I passed through the crowd like a charging tsunami striking the shore. Then I hopped onto a block, and made a leap for it. In the air, I saw Zephyr turning to me and his eyes widening.
My fist arrived on his nose.
The fall after that was okay, no problems at all. I walked around the pillar and found him on his knees, with a hand on his nose. He shot his eyes at me, and surprisingly enough, smiled.
A pure sign of the Devil.
He got back to his feet.
<Zephyr> Hash.... what a pleasant surprise! I expected you to come here.
<Me> Yes, and I am here to get rid of you, for once and for all. You should have thought about how this server would have been and how the players would be affected by such a catastrophe. But no, all you wanted was destruction. How could one be so adamant to take over a flourishing server, rather than creating his own?
His brows were lowered.
<Zephyr> For the millionth time, Hash, you know NOTHING about this. You know NOTHING about how I was treated completely USELESS. But yet you come at me, intending to kick me out of the server. Ha, ha, how determined are you?
I looked at him.
<Zephyr> I could explained every single thing to you, but at the moment we are running short of time. YOU are the problem here, Hash. And now, I shall finish you. 
He charged at me at an immense speed. I jumped out of his path.
<Zephyr> Heh, becoming more and more smart by the day, eh?
<Me> It's 'smarter', not 'more smart', you idiot!
<Zephyr> NOW THAT'S QUITE MUCH.
He struck at me again, again, and again. But no incoming punch ever touched me.
<Zephyr> STAND STILL, YOU RETARD!
<Me> Come at me, m8, come at me.
Punches from here, punches from there. Yet no injury.
<Zephyr> FOR THE SAKE OF-
That was when I swiftly approached from the back and punched him, and enjoyed its feeling.
<Zephyr> YOU-
Before he could, I landed another punch in the eye.
<Zephyr> OW! YOU-
One in the face.
<Zephyr> ST-
One in his abdomen.
<Zephyre> OOOFF! JUST-
One in his arm.
<Zetpevhyre> ...stop....
Another one in his leg.
<Setpevye> Please...
Another one.
<Stpeve> Just... just... just... please...
Another one in his chest. Like he did in reaction to the other punches, he stumbled back once more, this time falling on his butt. Then a shock of lightning struck the place where he was and shook the stunned world, and after that, everything was normal, except for Zephyr's skin, which had changed back to the default skin, Steve.
My jaw dropped open.
<Steve> ...
He gradually got to his feet, looking as completely innocent. I could tell that he wasn't going to attack me anymore.
But what had just happened to him?
<Steve> Hash, was this what you wanted? You wanted me gone for no reason? You wanted me gone forever? You wanted justice, huh, and you call THIS justice?!
<Me> ...wha...
<Steve> I knew with all my might I couldn't beat you. Even if I retreated, if I refused to die... The days I was thrown in torment would still haunt me...
I was utterly bewildered. What did he mean?
<Steve> I can't remember my body... It's losing itself centimeter by centimeter.
<Steve> The day I died... I...
<StEevhe> I...
<SZtever> ...
<Steve> I'm suffering from great pain and regret...You can't feel remorse for anything, can you?
<Steve> My gaming days are over... my soul is decaying...
<Steve> Mark my words...
<StvE> This day forward...
"Minecraft."
"Will." 
"Remember." 
"Me."
Those were his final words before suddenly shattering into a million particles and being blown away.
I stood there for a while, trying to understand what happened.
Cheering. 
Applauding.
I heard it all around me. I looked around, and saw the Admins walking up to me, clapping. I knew that I was supposed to enjoy this moment, but how could I when I had heard those words of the "desperate" soul through my earphones?
<ExoticButters000> Well, this was an interesting moment.
<Rick67> And an enjoyable moment as well, I believe.
<ExoticButters000> Such bravery... he portrayed such bravery keeping in mind that all of this was only a game.
<Rick67> The bravery we wanted to portray, but failed to do so.
<ExoticButters000> Hmm. This fella must be rewarded.
<Rick67> A keen observer and on-the-feet-thinker he is. I say we crown him as an Admin.
<Sam> YES, YES!
I watched as Sam emerged from the crowd and joined us. It seemed as if he didn't remember anything, or most likely, recovered quickly.
<Me> Didn't you doubt me?
<Sam> Yes, but that "hacker" had a dark history.
<Me> I don't know whether to label this as climactic or anticlimactic... it's so... weird.
<Sam> Sure seems like it.
<Rick67> Well, I'm pretty sure you would make a good Admin.
As I contemplated about this, they all stared at me, anxiously waiting for a reply.
<Me> Are you sure?
<Rick67> Why such doubts? After all, you've saved our server from total destruction. If it was no longer there, I would have to start all over again. Coding, adding plugins, buying credits, setting the map, etc.
<Me> But all he wanted, well, according to him, was peace.
<Rick67> Yes.
<Rick67> But not all hackers are truth-telling.
<Me> Sure thing.
Then I walked away from the area, disappearing into the dissolving crowd. Some were still cheering in chorus, spamming the chat, but it seemed that the Admins did not care. Some were retreating back into the houses on the streets, probably those which they own. Some just ran off with different intentions. I needed a break from this experience. All I wanted to do now was go back to my base and reassemble it. As I had experienced before, the /home command was completely broken. God, almost all of the commands were broken.
I walked past the gate of the town, returning to the lush vegetation that flanked me on both sides. And though it was not present, I could feel it: the whisper of the wind among the plants which swayed in response to it, the sun wrapping its warm arms around me, and the sweet chuckles of the flowers as I proceeded with each step.
Yes, Minecraft, is the best game ever, well, as long as you can understand its 'inner qualities'.
Suddenly a series of text popped up in the chat box. It was a PM from Rick, and the message was just a sentence: first test msg after repairing cmds ;). I didn't really care about it until I paused my peaceful walk for a moment to open up the chat and look at something I noticed next to my nametag.
An Admin tag.
== 2 ==
For a moment I thought that it was just a prank put on by the Admins. Heh, a stupid thought.
To see if my speculations were right, I hit help. The List of Commands opened up, and upon seeing the first sentence itself my eyes widened:
You are reading the List of Commands (Page 1/45).
As per my knowledge, a normal user would have the access to about 20 commands only.
So it did turn out that my privileges were expanded.
Oh. 
Boy.
At this moment, I felt a rush of adrenaline flowing in my bloodstream; it was the first time that I ever did feel one. And it was my first time becoming an Admin on a server I was highly familiar with.
So.
Awesome.
I couldn't hold it in any longer.
My fingers toured around the keyboard, having this to be displayed in the chat bar:
/gamemode 1
Before I knew it, another finger was on the ENTER key. And so, the message regarding the change of my gamemode popped up, and I noticed my FOV going wide by a bit. Wasting no time, I closed the chat.
I spread out a couple of fingers on the respective keys, preparing myself for flight.
Three.
Two.
One.
And I left the ground once more again at a such speed that I was high in the sky in an instance.
I flew around. 
I raced with the clouds. 
I flew up and down, left and right, diagonally and went on flying further.
I laughed. It was that moment in life where I was temporarily relieved from all sorts of stress, only with the potential aid of a normal game. Well, maybe not that normal, but whatever.
As I flew, my entire body, including the face, remained parallel to the ground. Trees and other vegetation swiftly passed by. Then there was a period where I saw nothing but the plains, moderately inhabited by grass, flower, and small pools of water. Following the open land, was another set of trees after which there was some rows of hills, scattered throughout the dense landscape. 
Yes, Minecraft is the best game, well, as long you can understand its 'inner qualities'.
It was then that I noticed Sam smacking a ball back and forth a brick wall in a small open space between the two mountains.
Hmm, what could he be doing at this moment?
Time to check out.
I immediately threw my legs downwards, and that quickly slowed me down so that I could be hovering in the air with my feet facing the ground. I then slowly descended, nearing the ground with every move.
When I was very close, I dropped to the soil. My feet roughly pressed against it and as a result some soil jumped out from under my feet. 
<Me> Hey, homie.
Sam, in response, grabbed the ball when it again returned to him with a single hand, and turned to me. I then saw what appeared to be a tennis racket in the other hand.
Heh, custom texture packs.
<Sam> 'Sup.
<Me> I assume you're playing tennis here, aren't you?
He turned back, facing the wall again, and then launched the ball and resumed his little business.
<Sam> Yup. Just needed a break from all that stuff.
<Me> Yeah, y'know. Well at least it's over for now.
<Sam> Yup. *smacks the ball even harder*
The ball, instead of moving towards the wall, gets hurled high away in the sky. 
<Sam> God... dammit. *turns to me* That's the effing fifth ball I'm losing. I guess I'll have to purchase another one from the store. What a waste of money.
<Me> They need such utilities to further support this server. 
<Sam> Well, yeah, *heavily sighs* I guess you're right.
He turned to me.
<Sam> So, yeah. Any new topic to talk about?
<Me> Hmm. Well, don't you think that that "hacker" wasn't just a "hacker"? There's got to be something more.
<Sam> Well, how can you tell?
<Me> The way in which he conversed with me... tells me that he isn't just... you know, a "hacker".
<Sam> You make sense. I myself have experienced such from him. But yeah, whatever just happened was a normal thing many Admins, and supposedly Moderators, face every day. So let's just not talk about it further.
<Me> Yeah, and the key is to be being positive, not being worried.
<Sam> Yup. Oh, and how about we go to the bistro?
<Me> Haha, you read my mind. C'mon, let's go.
Meanwhile... somewhere else...
[Seated on some chairs flanking a round table by its whole circumference, are four people, talking.]
<Zephyr> Yes, it's true.
<Herobrine> Well. *Looks at Entity 303*
<Entity303> You had such a great opportunity to take over the server. You could have defeated them easily. You could have become their leader.
<Zephyr> *stares at the table, half-embarrassed*
<Null> Null null null, null null null null null null null null null null null null null null null null null null. Null null null null null, null null null.
<Zephyr> Uh... *leans in to Herobrine* What did she just say?
<Entity303> *facepalms on his frowned face*
<Herobrine> *Sigh* You shouldn't mind that, y'know. It just utter nonsense.
<Null> NUUUUUUULLLLLLLLLLLLLL!
<Entity303> He said it.
<Null> *bursts out of her seat, frustrated, indignant, and unhappy, and walks out of the chamber*
<Zephyr> You seemed to annoy her.
<Herobrine> Don't care 'bout her, she's just useless. I don't even know why we still have her up to now.
<Entity303> Anyways, as we said, you must do something before Notch finds this damn server and shuts it down. We need a stronger server to be on, and carry out our rule.
[A period of silence ensues. Zephyr is contemplating about something.]
<Zephyr> I understand.
<Herobrine> And---
<Zephyr> I will do it. But this time, you people also must come. And let's use my idea itself, shall we?
<Herobrine> B---
<Entity303> Okay, we're fine with that.
[Herobrine frowned at Entity 303 as Zephyr stood up, walking out of the room.]
<Entity303> Mhm. I know what you're thinking.
<Herobrine> Yes, you do. We only need one more to get the desired objective. That's how we can get rid of him, and his contemporary forever.
<Entity303> *sighs* Well.
<Herobrine> You realize that we're going through the same drama all over again?
<Entity303> *slowly nods* Yes. But this time, it is going to be a bit different. We have him, and with him, we'll be able to take out both of them. After all, our latest member seems agitated with the same guy Zephyr's agitated with.
[Another moment of silence.]
<Herobrine> *speaks confidently* Yes, they won't even know.
<Entity303> This is the only opportunity we have before they find us here.
<Herobrine> Oh, and the traitor will surely regret it.
[Maniacal chuckles.]
Back at the server...
Our conversation was nearing to an end as we stepped into the bright sunshine.
<Sam> Mmmmm. Those chocolate cookies were super delicious!
<Me> ikr
<Sam> Haha, enough of roleplay, my friend. It is time we disperse.
<Me> You've started to use the type of English the medieval Americans used or something?
<Sam> Well, not so, but yeah, you may regard it as so.
<Sam> See ya later, comrade.
<Sam> Er... memories.
<Me> You mean... those days when you were... um, well.
<Sam> You're right. There's no wrong in denying it tho. The past was the past. It's time we move on.
<Me> You sound... quite under the weather.
<Sam> Nothing much, it's just because I can't forget those painful days.
<Me> ...
<Sam> You know, after "work period", that retard would tie me to a huge cross, as if he were to crucify me or so.
Pause.
<Me> I guess you shouldn't worry, y'know. Too much worrying makes the heart hard.
<Sam> SIgh, yeah. After all it's just a game---
POW!
The fudge?
I found myself lying in a crater formed by that random explosion. What I do remember is that some sort of fireball approached us from the left. There was a negligible amount of smoke floating around. The crater was deep, and I knew I had to get back up. But a look around the crater told me that it would be much difficult to climb out of this mess.
And yes, this land was damn protected! So who could it---
Ah well, if it isn't for that damn poopy-pants or so.
Well, time to deal with him.
/gamemode 1
ERROR: You do not have the permission to execute this command.
It seems he's smarter than before. But wait.
I opened my inventory. In a corner, lay the prestigious Ban Hammer. Rick, being an expert coder, wasn't stupid to make it a ban hammer that would just normally ban people. Instead, it banned people's usernames AND their IP address.
The Hammer may not work despite having my perms lowered, but it's worth a try.
I emerged from where I lay, and slowly climbed out of the ditch as my health bar regenerated without any further delay. Those cookies weren't only "delicious", but useful as well.
At the top, I could see the smoke fading away. When it did, I saw this: Zephyr hovering in the air, Sam scowling at him, and the Admins floating in a huge ball of electric waves.
<Rick67> GRRRR, LET US OUT YOU MERRY-GO-MAKER!
<Zephyr> ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. NOW I SHALL TAKE OVER THIS SERVER.
<xXSighmonXx> JUST BECAUSE YOU TOOK AWAY OUR POWERS DOESN'T MEAN YOU CAN SAY WHATEVER YOU WANT!
<ExoticButters000> YEAH!
<Sam> DEAL WITH IT, MISER!
A brief pause.
<Rick67> Hey, whatchya mad at, loser?
A long pause. During this pause, all of them were glaring at Zephyr with a big grin on their faces. Zephyr's head was twitching violently.
<Zephyr> OH, SO YOU'VE STARTED AGAIN?
Zephyr put out a clenched fist, unleashing a furious shockwave within the ball, and evidently, giving the Admins a tight electric shock. Their health gradually reduced with every red flash of damage. Then Zephyr with his other palm, stretched it out open at Sam. He was seized by the neck by an invisible force and was slowly carried through the air towards Zephyr. Sam continuously struggled to attain freedom from that force, but nevertheless failed. 
It was then that I realized that my jaw had dropped open.
What the hell am I wasting time here for?
I looked around the terrain, and spotted a car in front of Zephyr. 
Aha.
<Sam> YOU NUTHOLD-PIECE-OF-****, IM GONNA KILL YA WHEN I GET THE OPPORTUNITY!
<Zephyr> HAHA, UNFORTUNATELY, THE COMPLETE MEANING OF YOUR SENTENCE IS MISSING THANKS TO THE CHAT FILTER!
<Rick67> Well, I DO want this server to be a family-friendly thingy, but I DO wish that that cuss word actually come out at him.
<Zephyr> SO OVERSMART, AIN'T YA?
Rick was pulled out of the ball, and suddenly the red flashing stopped as he stopped taking further damage. In no time, he and Sam were floating in the airspace in front of Zephyr.
I better act now.
Yup, now is the time.
I took a step forward.
<Zephyr> Well, well, well, I guess it's time we end this.
Another step.
<Rick67> You suck.
<Zephyr> Why am I even waiting for it?
A wicked grin went across his face as I quickened my pace towards the car.
My surroundings began moving fast. I ignored the chatbox, and focused on the car.
Three...
Almost there.
Two...
Very close... very, very close.
One...
I jumped high.
My feet slammed against the car's top.
I again applied some pressure beneath and made a huge leap. The same leap like before, when the first real battle between Zephyr and me took place.
I flew through the air, gaining altitude.
I swarmed through the airspace, and I noticed Sam and Rick surprised.
As I took out the Hammer and raised it to shoulder level, Zephyr took a huge grin on his face.
And then I swung my arm.
PUFFFFF!
The next that happened was that I was lying on the ground, in another crater. And outside, Zephyr jeered happily. The Hammer was in his arm.
Shoot.
But how?
<Zephyr> FOOL, YOU THOUGHT I HAD COME BACK EMPTY-HANDED?
<Zephyr> ARISE, MY CORADES!
<Sam> IT'S "COMRADES", NOT "CORADES", IDIOT!
<Zephyr> GRRRRRRR...
Then he stretched his arm out to his side, and then I heard a huge explosion. Before I could even ponder over it, I noticed this message in the chat:
Sam blew up. 
<Rick67> WHAT THE ACTUAL F****!
<xXSighmonXx> NOOOOO!
<ExoticButters000> WHY DID YOU TAKE AWAY THAT INNOCENT, POOR FELLA, RASCAL?
Rick67 was muted for 5 minutes. Reason: Being a retard. Do not be like him!
xXSighmonXx was muted for 5 minutes. Reason: Screaming unnecessarily. Do not be like him!
ExoticButter000 was muted for 5 minutes. Reason: Being too exotic. Do not be like him!
<Herobrine> Perhaps you guys forgot about us, didn't ya?
<Entity303> They did. Everybody did. After we all were banned they just forgot us.
They hovered into the airspace, flanking Zephyr. They turned their view to me.
<Herobrine> Little did they know, we too had a history of our own.
<Entity303> Wait a second, are you sure?
Zephyr and 303 awkwardly exchanged glances with Herobrine and themselves.
<Herobrine> *cough cough cough*
<Herobrine> Yes, we did, as a matter of fact. *glares at 303*
<Entity303> Oh, YEAAAAAAH! *facepalms* It's been long since we've thought a little 'bout ourselves.
<Zephyr> Haha, that's m'boy. *elbows Herobrine*
Well, I wasn't interested in their history; I bet it'd more boring than what my History teacher would lecture about.
I looked to my sides.
Dirt and stone. But there was more dirt than stone.
<Herobrine> At first, we were considered losers.
I gradually made my way to the lowest point of dirt by crawling. My pants were being soiled lightly, but that didn't matter.
I wanted to seize Zephyr and his new companions by the neck. Maybe even kill them, for they killed Sam.
I advanced to the block dirt my eyes saw. Then I began to break the dirt, careful not to produce any type of sound that could turn their view upon me.
<Entity303> And we were dumped.
The block of dirt finally broke. I crawled into the small hole, gradually breaking the dirt in my way and also crawling ahead which each block broken. 
<Herobrine> And we were made fun of.
Break.
<Zephyr> Mocked, to be exact.
Break.
<Entity303> And taunted.
Break.
<Zephyr> All we all thought that one day, one day, there will not come to us the assurance.
Break.
My finger was seriously aching.
<Entity303> But no! We were indeed given an opportunity.
Break.
Last block.
Break.
Bright sunshine entered into the hole.
Yes.
Almost there.
Stacking some blocks below me, I climbed out of the hole into the fresh piece of land. Not grass, though. It was of some construction blocks.
<Entity303> And suppose, if we weren't taking the opportunity, then we may never get it afterwards.
<Herobrine> And, of course, you never knew.
<Zephyr> But we did.
I dragged back my foot, facing my enemies who were totally unaware of my presence behind them; their eyes weren't even at the ditch.
Then I ran.
No response from them.
I ran.
Yet no response.
I chuckled.
I placed three dirt blocks ahead of me --- one alone, and the other two stacked on each other vertically --- in quick succession.
Then I hopped into the first block, then the second.
Then I made the huge leap.
I lifted my hand and clenched my fist.
<Zephyr> And so, that's how... wait a moment.
Zephyr turned around in midair and his eyes dilated.
My fist arrived on his nose.
I didn't fall to the ground alone; I seized him by the neck, just as I had willed, and pushed him to the ground right next to the ditch. He choked, struggling to speak. He furrowed his brows.
<Zephyr> ...let...me...go...
<Me> What is it? I didn't hear you!
I strengthened the grip on his neck.
<Zephyr> GRR....RRRRR....
Scowling at me, he put out a palm at me. A ball of electric matter formed at its center.
Fudge.
I moved my head out of the way.
An electric beam passed by the side of my head.
Close call.
I heard a series of mixed screams, and the sound of someone being hurled away. Or were there two people?
<Zephyr> NO! H...HEROBRINE! THREE-O-THREE! NO!
<Me> This is getting worse. Let me handle that for you.
I grabbed his hand, and quickly interlocked it with other. Now, my other hand was at his arms. The other one was still on his neck.
<Zephyr> Wh....Why....can't I just win?
<Zephyr> I...I....I am just....uh...um...
<Zephyr> ......
I noticed an element of compassion and guilt in him. My fury quickly subsided.
I suddenly let go of him, without any warning. I took a few steps back, and just stared at him.
<Zephyr> Huh?
<Zephyr> Why did you let go?
He slowly stood up and straightened himself.
<Zephyr> You... just... let me go like that?
<Me> Humans have a great ability, Zephyr.
<Me> And that ability is to forgive.
Our eyes locked with each other. There was a long moment of silence, before he said, keeping a hand on his head.
<Zephyr> I suppose I was stupid to start this all. And look, I have gained nothing. I shouldn't have joined the Negatorium. It was very stupid of me.
<Zephyr> Hash, I'm assuming you've realized the bitter truth about me now.
Short pause.
<Me> Yes.
<Zephyr> Indeed, I still remember that day when my brother and I were kidnapped, tortured, and whipped. After we were put into the game, I still felt nothing but depression. The torment only added to my misery.
I swallowed hard.
So he is what I think.
An undead hacker.
<Zephyr> I know it's too late, but... will you... um... er... uh...
<Me> Will I what?
<Zephyr> ...forgive me?
He put out a hand.
I examined it. The balls of energy collapsed in my sight.
He was actually offering me peace; no betrayals.
But I had to confirm.
<Me> Is this a trick?
<Zephyr> What? no, no, no!
<Me> *sigh* Fine, let's finally put an end to this.
I extended my arm forward, hovering my hand for a moment, and then moving it into his palms.
KABOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!
 
I was lying down on a block, having being pushed away by the sudden explosion.
Er, did he just betray me or something?
I sat up and found him sitting up in the distance as well. He was seriously injured, for he held his arm rather tightly.
<Zephyr> That wasn't me! I swear---OW! You saw it, Hash!
<Me> Well, if it wasn't you, then who the hell was it?
Then I heard a evil jeer echoing in my ear.
I looked up, and so did Zephyr.
A person with a completely black skin except for the small green-colored 1's and 0's was slowly descending into the airspace above us.
At first, he looked quite a stranger to me.
Then I realized who he was.
<Me> Goddammit, you again?
<CodeMan> Haha, that's right Hash. It's me.
<CodeMan> I have been searching for you over the years.
<CodeMan> Ever since you defeated me, I just couldn't bear it.
<CodeMan> You along with your friends and my dear brother Notch put me to rest... only for sometime.
<CodeMan> I was restless within. I wanted to have revenge on you guys for all of this.
<CodeMan> It took me a while to get my body back, but unfortunately, I lost all my powers.
<CodeMan> And if I were able to do so, I would have brought back YOU and YOUR FRIENDS' SOULS back into the game, and condemn to an eternity of ISOLATION!
Maniacal laughter.
And I heard it through my earphones.
Fudge my life.
<CodeMan> When I came to know that YOU played in this server, I was relieved, knowing that I could finally have revenge.
<CodeMan> And when I came to know of the two brothers, I was overjoyed.
<Me> The two brothers? Overjoyed? What and why?
<CodeMan> Well, to begin with, the two brothers had their souls leaked into the game by an ancient ritual involving black magic. They possessed what I call "the key to immortality".
<CodeMan> After coming to know of their 'qualities', I then realized that if I were to suck the "keys to immortality", I would recover my powers!
<CodeMan> And after that, I can once again take over your souls and escape from this hellish realm.
Same maniacal laughter.
A chill went down my spine after I imagined the soul-capturing process.
Fudge.
I clenched my fist. After all, I had experienced it as well. But that was only once.
It would be better not to let it happen a second time.
<Zephyr> Um, why does this sound so familiar...
<CodeMan> *turns to him and points at him* Because YOU are one of the brothers, my friend.
A long pause. Nobody moved except for Zephyr's and my jaws falling open.
<Zephyr> Me? A brother? And besides, who?
<CodeMan> I feel like I am wasting time here. I guess the slow way is indeed useless.
<Zephyr> Yup. Wait, what?
<Me> Zephyr...
<CodeMan> So shall we---
<Me> ...RUN!
Zephyr immediately emerged from the ground and started running away. As I sprinted towards CodeMan, I took out the dirt block and positioned it in my hands.
I hopped, quickly placed a few blocks in a staircase manner, and ascended into the airspace.
Then I leapt into action, raising my fist.
<Me> GAHHH!
Then I was held back by a force.
The force produced by CodeMan's outstretched arms. I was now suspended in midair, totally unable to move.
Dammit.
<CodeMan> Well, did I say that I was totally drained of my powers?
He clenched his fist, and I took damage worth three hearts.
<CodeMan> NO! I NEVER SAID THAT!
<CodeMan> And as for the loser...
He moved his hand to the side. In no time, I saw Zephyr, powerless and weak, sliding into the airspace on CodeMan's left.
Dammit.
<CodeMan> Haha, you thought I was ever stupid, Hash? Nope. I learned from my past mistakes.
He clenched his fists again, and my screen shook slightly as I lost another three hearts.
<CodeMan> I properly researched about the Negatorium before joining. However, I never needed their aid in the first place. I could easily overpower them. Nevertheless, I acted along. As per their plan, we successfully managed to capture the other brother as well. Now, I don't need them. They are just useless. Completely useless.
He threw his right hand to his right side. Another person slid into my view. He, like Zephyr, hovered in the airspace on CodeMan's right. 
There was a big difference in their appearance, and evidently, their nametags. 
<LAR2> LET GO OF ME, YOU BEAST! 
<CodeMan> Shut the f*** up, retard! 
<Me> HAHA! THE CHAT FILTER GOT YA! 
<LAR2 and Zephyr> OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH! 
<CodeMan> SO OVERSMART? WELL, TAKE THIS! 
He directed his arms to me. He clenched his fists. 
I gradually began losing hearts. 
Five hearts left. 
Four. 
Three. 
Two. 
One and a half. 
I tried playing my last card. 
<Me> What have you achieved through this? Just take a moment to think about it. Please. 
<CodeMan> REVENGE, SCUMBAG. REVENGE. 
Well, I guess all hope's lost. 
I shut my eyes and awaited the sweet death sound and death message. 
... 
... 
... 
I heard the sound of a sudden fierce wind blowing against me. 
... 
I heard no sound of damage. 
... 
I heard the sound of a... portal lighting up? 
And footsteps? 
... 
I opened my eyes. I was still in midair. While I was looking at Zephyr, CodeMan, and the new fella, LAR2, they were looking at something else. 
Hold on. 
I turned my view to the direction in which they were looking. 
Bewilderment and excitement hit me at once. 
Not so far away from the ditch, was a portal with red vapour. Right in front of the portal, were five different people equipped with enchanted diamond swords and diamond chestplates. 
The guy with the Link suit and the long mustache stepped forward and pointed his sword up at CodeMan. 
<Yoshfico123> ENOUGH OF THIS DRAMA, CODEY BOY. NOW HAND OVER OUR FRIEND TO US, AND DON'T WASTE OUR TIME. 
<Geodashie> YOU HEARD IT, POOPY PANTS. 
<Deezknots and Eggman10> YEAH! 
<Adam> WHATCHA WAITING FOR, BLOCKHEAD? 
I looked at CodeMan, who sighed, and he telepathically lifted a huge piece of rock from the surrounding ground and threw it upon the gang. After that, there was just huge, unfading clouds of dust.
<CodeMan> Okay, *turns head to me* so where were we again?
<CodeMan> Oh, I remember.
And he stretched out his fist at me once again, and then clenched it. Then what had happened before happened again: the sounds of damage returned, my screen began to shake, and my heart bar was trembling like anything. I began to count again. It'd now take me to die a little later since my hearts had been regenerated in that breather.
Seven hearts...
Six hearts...
Five hearts...
Three and a half...
Suddenly a tree - an entire tree - whipped past in front of me, taking CodeMan by surprise and carrying him a few meters away into a nearby building, where they both landed with a huge crash, bringing down an entire wall - and a part of the roof. Then the invisible grip let go of me, and I fell, both of us sustaining fall damage, which reduced my health bar to a single heart. 
Good thing I didn't die, I thought to myself just as the crew approached me. Then the crew scowled at me.
<Me> What?
<Yoshifico123> I am saying it only once. Where is LAR2?
One second of dumbfounded silence before---
<Me> Oh, here's there... Hold on...
<Me> Where is he?
<Me> And where are Rick and the others?
<Me> Rick? Sam? Sighmon? ExoticButters?
<Me> Wait a minute.
I instinctively got up and faced the building CodeMan crashed into. 
Then suddenly and quickly a force hurled away the debris and there was a rain of debris, which caused us to run around for our lives. Fico ducked. I jumped. Geodashie sliced incoming blocks. Deezknots dodged. Adam and Eggman ducked behind Geodashie. It wasn't long before the rain finally ended. And no health loss but collateral damage on the environment and buildings.
<H950sm> Rick will surely be mad when he sees this...
<Geodashie> Jeez, the parallel universe has faced much more.
<Yoshfico123> *murmurs* Well.
<H950sm> Hold on, "parallel universe"? What do you precisely mean by "parallel universe"?
<Adam> *Sigh* Was that even necessary, Geodashie?
<Yoshifico123> *looks at me* Well, you see, H950sm----
A crackling explosion suddenly occurred in the broken building, making us stumble back.
<Yoshfico123> OH SHIT!
<H950sm> SHOOT!
Fire arose from the building.
<Geodashie> GAH!
<Deezknots> WELL THAT'S THE MOST UNEXPECTED OF THE UNEXPECTED I GUESS!
<H950sm> Not again.
I typed that when I saw LAR2 and Zephyr, both unconscious, hovering in a sleeping position in the airspace in front of the building. CodeMan walked out of the fire, totally unaffected.
<Yoshfico123> YOU RASCAL!
<Adam> GIVE LAR2 TO US AND LEAVE FOR GOOD!
<H950sm> YEAH MAN AND PUT DOWN ZEPHYR OR ELSE YOU'LL GET IT!
<Yoshfico123> HEY DADDY, GIVE HIM THE BEST YOU CAN!
<Geodashie> YOU [CENSORED], YOU [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED], IF YOU DON'T GET YOUR FILTHY ARMS OFF OUR FRIEND, THEN YOU WILL [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED]! AND NEVERTHELESS, [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED][CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED] [CENSORED]
==
<Me> Contextual.
<Yoshifico123, Eggman, Adam, and Deezknots> OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH!
During the dramatic silence that followed, CodeMan trembled with rage.
Then he stopped and smiled, but with furrowed eyebrows, and out of nowhere, three fire charges, which appeared out of thin air, sped towards us at a rapid velocity, only sparing us the time to watch.
After the huge smoke clouds spun into existence, the screen cut to black for a short moment. During that moment, I fell (in real life, yes, real life) out of my chair, landing on my back, and a sharp pain originated within my entire torso and I screamed hard, and suddenly closed my mouth to prevent anymore from coming out. When I retrieved the might to move, I sat up, only to find my shirt and arms irregularly covered with a crimson-colored liquid. I could smell its putrid smell, and doing so made me skip a heartbeat.
Blood.
== 3 ==
With one hand at my stomach, I dragged myself to my seat in front of the computer. The screen had returned, and I swallowed hard.
My health was reduced to two hearts, and my character was actually lying on the ground, just like in the sleeping position, not moving at all. Some reddish brown color had occupied the edges of the screen, probably resembling the same substance stained on my clothes. The hunger bar was also reduced, but to three.
Suddenly a force fastened me to my seat, and paralysis and numbness hit me in every part of my body except for my hands from the wrists and my eyes. I couldn't even let out the horrification through my mouth. With no other choice left, I continued on.
My character laid in a huge crater, larger than what I had met with before. I could see the other people, Yoshfico123, Eggman10, Geodashie, Deezknots, and Adam lying in front of me at different points without their character moving the slightest.
<Yoshfico123> Fffff…. what the f.... my body's covered in blood.... ffff… feel too sloppy to type...
<Geodashie> me 2... I wish I can swear at that... whats the word... err... cant even think...
<Deezknots> help me
<Adam> ugh
Moments of silence ensued, and towards the end of this silence, CodeMan slowly hovered into my view, and then dropped to the ground.
<CodeMan> Well, well, well.
<CodeMan> It turns out to be an intriguing situation here.
<Yoshfico123> f
<Geodashie> howthe hell caniii hear your voice thru the headph
<Adam> nho;;;;;h
<CodeMan> Do you know how this occurred?
<CodeMan> Long story short these people gave me enough time to complete the ritual by hurling me into that building with them. Now that I've retrieved my powers by draining out the life out of their bodies, I can finally kill you in peace.
<CodeMan> ALL of you.
Sinister laughter echoed in my ears. I really, really wanted to grab my hair now. My arms, however, refused to move.
<Dezknots> god help us
<Yoshfico123> you b*****d, u will pay for this
<Geodashie> not lar2
<CodeMan> In your dreams, kid. In your DREAMS.
<CodeMan> Geez, I'm wasting too much time.
<CodeMan> I shall now personally escort you to the Afterlife.
<CodeMan> We begin with Hash, a.k.a H950sm, a very interesting fellow.
A diamond sword suddenly appeared in his hand. He stared at me for a while with a sneer extending throughout his face. Then he shook his head quickly, discarding the sneer.
<CodeMan> Oh no, no, how can I? How can I feel you dying like this?
The sword disappeared in a blink.
<CodeMan> Assuming that you have... two hearts left, these hands of mine would be enough to kill you for once and for all.
My mind was blank. I didn't think of anything, not even about the distance between me and death. My eyes were still, locked on CodeMan's hands. He moved, and death came closer. I then thought of doing something, which would no matter what be futile, for now. I made a weak attempt to move forward, but instead my finger moved to press a key, toggling the inventory.
The Ban Hammer.
A sort of positive energy flowed through my veins and illuminated my heart, elimating my despair.
The Ban Hammer.
It's there.
It was hiding in the corner of the inventory box. I floundered about for a moment to drag it into my hotbar.
By then I received a punch. A rather diverging pain appeared in my stomach, prompting a feeling to puke in my mouth. I closed the inventory with a bit of effort, and saw CodeMan's wicked sneer again.
...
<CodeMan> How was it?
<Yoshfico123> f u
<CodeMan> Oh, do you want one?
He turned. I heard the sound of his boots pushing against the hard mantle.
<Zephyr> FINISH HIM, HASH!
<Sam> NOW!
<Rick67, xXSighmonXx, and ExoticButters000> BASISTA BOMB HIM! 
I desperately slammed the left mouse click with no prevailing thoughts.
My character swung his arm.
Suddenly his hand moved.
His fists successfully caught the face the hammer. A cloud of dust, that had come into being when we made contact, slowly faded away.
<Sam> WTFFFFFF
<Rick67> S***!
<CodeMan> Rascals.
CodeMan telepathically pinned them to the ground next to us. Then I heard them again: those painful, deep, etching screams. CodeMan added by releasing resonances of his maniacal, devilish laughter. I closed my eyes. Tears forced out of my eyes. Then I began to hear tearing sounds. Flesh tearing. 
No, it can't be... it can't be... it can't be... it can't be... it can't be... 
I was going crazy. Or should I say, insane?
Then they all faded away. My eardrums were probably damaged, to say the least.
<Me> codeman stop i give up
<CodeMan> What? Didn't catch you?
<Me> i surrender
<CodeMan> A little louder?
<Me> i accept defeat
<CodeMan> Ah, that's more like it.
He faced me, keeping his hands on his hips.
<CodeMan> I feel a bit sad for you, hash.
<CodeMan> yOu juSt meSs things up.
<CodeMan> In tHe end, yoU ALWAYS MEss up.
<CodeMan> Damn , WhY is it lagging? CANT INPUT PROPERLY!!! Ugh.
<Rick67> hold on...
<Rick67> If you are lagging while none of us are then...
I glanced at his fingertips, and beamed.
<Me> Well, i guess we're off with.
<CodeMan> Eh? What?
<CodeMan> Wait a SeC
<CodeMan> WTf!!! Ffffffff! I'm... i'mm... going away...
Now his arms were disintegrating, from down to up. Dust particles flew from the disintegrating ends and vanished into thin air.
<CodeMan> F***, F****, F****!!!!!
<Me> for the sake of god pls dont swear mann
<Yoshfico123> ah, now thats my cousin!
<Geodashie> Lol
His legs disintegrated afterwards. His torso and head soon hovered in the air.
<CdeMan> No, no, no, no, no,nonononononononononnonono...
<CeMn> Nononononononon
<CMn> Im disappearing im disapperaing going away for ever dying in vain yet i swear that yo shall face the worst in your lives later on when i will come back or so or whatever you dear piece ofnajdiocooijonjouhhuiohjceiojnfnjoeojnagjosjgnijsojgosjagsjhierkjrgbuwkjldfhasuiodvhsseijfsasvhjisjiajvshjifasvhjiefhjkshijdvhivefhjievfjirvefnjoverbjovefrbjoevrbiowervnjoerfhjoebjofjwerfnofnjoeefnjeergoerfjboefgbjorgebjoefjoodvjfjjoefjiefjiefhjiefjiefjiefnidcnjkerfjkjiervjhierfvjiobwgeouihahufkshlsbisehbadcisejdzbcsiljsdHCSksejdchzksejdchsiajkzdcbisdjcksekscbcsisdfbkiakfgfzbklrG,fsciakvsevijvsrfhscssusjacieskfshcbeirkfsurkshvsruiushbssuiyrrgvuisryfrukfssu,xbdfbuībfjuisrulsrkfbjssryuihfssruihbaeeuiuZfbesuk,fabrfbuku,iaâbukeisakfacakacbwwuakfiu,fawaiufawheikfeijfa,eiskfekfwif,eukēeūwfhes
<Cn> ...
<Cn> What have I done?
<Cn> What have youndone?
<n> Wasnt i right
<> Wasnt i
With his head fully evaporating into particles that soon vanished like the others, his body fully disappeared.
CodeMan left the game
Then after moments of dumbfoundedness, I came back to my consciousness. I was greatly relieved to find my clothes as clean as before they were defiled. I touched myself around. No cuts or sensible wounds. Our characters were on the ground and standing, and so I assumed them to be in the same present condition as me. I suppose the silence prevailed because all of us were perplexed as to what happened, and we sure were. 
== 4 ==
"He touched the Ban Hammer, that's why he went Poof!"
Rick told us as we stood in the glade of the woods far away from the spawn. Yoshfico123, Geodashie, Deezknots, LAR2, and Adam was also there. The others were off with some repair work.
<Me> So that guy died because he literally touched the hammer while blocking it from himself?
<Rick67> Or so.
Rick reached out to the table and found that all the cookies were over.
<Yoshfico123> Nice cookies BTW, they taste nice.
<Geodashie> Delicious.
<Adam> Juicy.
<LAR2 and Zephyr> Tralala
<Rick67> Sigh, I'll just have some later.
<Rick67> By the way, how did you guys find LAR2 here?
<Yoshfico123> Geodashie and I did some weird things we can't talk about and we managed to open a gateway to a server to an unidentified IP address.
Momentary silence.
<Rick67> Yeah okay, I guess I'll... go for a walk now. I really don’t like listening. 
<Deezknots> Er, same. 
<LAR2> I’ll come for no reason. 
<Zephyr> And as for me... 
They four walked away, entering a new conversation. It was probably Rick talking about his “body issues”. 
When they had fully vanished from sight, we resumed our talk. 
<Yoshfico123> So, as you saw, we equipped ourselves, hopped into the portal, and the next moment, we met up with you guys. 
<Adam> Well. I guess I’ll be off with for a while. Just call me when we’re leaving. Oh, does anybody like tennis? 
You can guess what happened next; Sam and Adam dispersed and only after they had fully disappeared did we resume again. 
<Me> Well, I guess that leaves us two now... my friends seem to be like that. Even though we became friends only... today.
<Geodashie> Same here. Fico met us when he defeated that hacker, LAR2, and we’ve been best pals ever since.
<Yoshfico123> True.
<Me> I see.
<Me> Wait, you mean CodeMan?
<Yoshfico123> Er, no, LAR2.
<Me> Wait a minute. He, a hacker?
<Yoshfico123> Sort of was. But he revealed to us about himself, and...
<Me> And...
<Yoshfico123> He said that he had died long ago, and so.
<Yoshfico123> So we befriended him, and things had been good ever since, despite those frequent invasions from the Negatorium — that cranky group of cliché creepypastas — Herobrine, 303, and Null.
<Me> Wow, there’s more backstory than I expected—
<Yoshfico123> Then, once after a certain invasion, Codey Boy came.
<Me> Sigh. There’s even more backstory with CodeMan and me.
<Yoshfico123 and Geodashie> Sigh...
Silence for a full minute. At that time only the wind was blowing against us — a zephyr.
I smiled.
Fico suddenly stood up. He told us they had to go now.
I nodded.
----
The portal was shifted to another area after a consensus; we didn’t want anyone to know about the incident that had recently occurred. ExoticButters and Sighmon had rolled back the depradations, and no one came to know because nobody else was present at the time of the attacks. After some hard coding put in by Geodashie (which I 100% did not understand) the portal was opened in a far remote area in a spruce forest.
Then all of us stood facing the gateway ―— me, the admins from the server, and the other people.
Except for two.
<Deezknots> I’ll fetch him.
It was in between this interval that Fico beckoned to me and took me out of everybody’s earshot amongst the trees, and said:
<Yoshfico123> There seems to be a problem, y’know. Geodashie says we can’t let the brothers live together, because it’ll be dangerous.
<Me> What? Why?
<Yoshfico123> You must have heard; they’re the key to immortality and they have been derived from an ancient ritual involving—
<Me> He told me. CodeMan.
<Yoshfico123> Okay. So... you understand the complications and all. How they must not realize each other to be of the same blood?
<Me> Actually, tl;DR, think they must have got to know of each other by now.
<Yoshfico123> *sigh* Well, I’ll its OK, anyways. Nice meeting you, H950sm. And your crew.
We shook hands.
<Me> You can call me “Hash”.
We smiled at each other.
<Yoshfico123> Okay, Hash. It’s time for us to go. We gotta do some stuff over there.
<Me> Okie-dokie. And, before that, one more thing. 
<Yoshfico123> Yes?
<Me> Am I in a ”parallel universe”?
<Yoshfico123> Well, that’s just... a bit complicated, y’know. This world isn’t exactly a parallel dimension or so, but it was only a matter of extreme chance by how the events that happened upto the moment before CodeMan’s arrival turned out to be the exact same that happened in our place.
<Me> So, you’ve experienced... everything? I mean, you know.
<Yoshfico123> Absolutely. But still, after everything, the Negatorium doesn’t just give up. We can still expect them to show up anytime.
<Me> And so should I.
<Yoshfico123> Well. I guess you’re a nice person, after all.
<Me> A not-so-normal guy. And you’re a courageous one.
<Yoshfico123> So are you.
Another smile.
By the time we returned, LAR2 and Zephyr had arrived with Deezknots. They had got along very well, and... as for the others...
<ExoticButters000> I think I know where this is going.
<Eggman10> Me too.
<Geodashie> And that’s why I feel ridiculous when I use the bathroom.
<Rick67> I feel bad, man. I think you’re not the only with this issue.
<Sam> Sigh.
<Adam> Hey guys, there comes the two—no three.
<LAR2> So yeah, I guess, it’s time we disperse, my friend.
<Zephyr> Disperse for another day.
<LAR2> Oh, and by the way, what’s your name again?
<Zephyr> Jay.
<LAR2> Ah... Jay. What a nice name. Except that I’ve heard it somewhere...
Fico and I heave an almost inuadible sigh of relief.
<Yoshfico123> Okay, it’s time to go, guys.
<Geodashie> Okay, time to activate this thing. Is everyone here? Eggman? Larry? Fico? Everyone? Including the non-Artiopans? 
<Geodashie> Okay.
The portal was ignited, and as it was activated the zephyr turned furious, and soon came up a red vapour — the same one I had seen much earlier.
They bid farewell to us, and we bid farewell to them. Then they disappeared one by one into the portal. LAR2 went in first. Then the rest. Fico was the last to do so.
Before he jumped in, he said one last goodbye with a gesture of his hand.
Then, the portal remained so for a while. No one moved a muscle. We stood listening to the silence amongst us. 
<Rick67> Okay, let me shut it down. *does so*
<Rick67> Well, I guess, Zephyr, you’re a really good person.
<xXSighmonXx> Man, the effort and persistence you showed is worth commending.
<ExoticButter000> So why not crown him Admin?
<Sam> YES! YES!
<Rick67> Er, not so fast. Let him spend two years on the server before we really do so. Then atleast, we can ensure he’s trustworthy.
I looked at Zephyr. It was that exact moment that he was going to be crowned Admin. If not now, then exactly two years later, like with LAR2.
He smiled.
<Zephyr> I appreciate it a lot, Rick67.
<Zephyr> But I don’t deserve it.
<Zephyr> In fact, I don’t really need it.
The admins, Sam, and I were utterly shocked and bewildered. We stammered as to why he didn’t want this position.
<Zephyr> All I need is... a chance.
<Zephyr> A chance to rediscover myself.
----
The next Minecraft day, we set out to a distant forest where a low hill was present.
<Zephyr> The hill...
<Zephyr> Ah... I remember. I landed here. Before that... all I can remember... is a great fall.
<Me> *looks at him* Fall?
He nodded.
<Zephyr> Yes. Now, I must go.
<Sam> What? You're leaving?
<xXSighmonXx> We're sorry for what we did.
<ExoticButters000> Yeah!
<Rick67> We hope you're not angry with us.
<Zephyr> Haha... no, it's just that... I need to... rediscover myself, y'know.
<Me> So... okay. All this rediscovering and stuff, how long will it take?
<Zephyr> I dunno. But it will take some time.
Then he proceeded to ascend the hill. He did not look back. We did not say a thing.
Then when he was at the top, a flash of lightning struck the place he stood, and he vanished into thin air.
And so he left. Without saying goodbye. Without turning around. He was there with us, for a very short time. And now he was gone.
So ended the story, which was a real-life night long.
----
It has been almost year since that incident. Eleven months to be precise. That much months since he left us.
For his own good.
Yet, everyday, as I go about my daily admin duties and affairs on the server, I always teleport to that hill, and look up in hopes of him returning.
And I still hope for that to happen one day.
== Afterword ==
Mann. This pasta has been in production since 2017 and it has been completed only now, in 2019. The competition has also lost its significance. Anyways, let it be here for a good cause. Leave feedback!
This pasta takes place before Artiopas 5: Tetravolania.
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 Credited to H950sm
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== ????????? ==
In the center of a huge semi-dark room, particles on the floor slowly came together and built into a body of 1's and 0's on a featureless skin.
<CodeMan> ...
<???> So much for your efforts.
<CodeMan> ...
<???> They have been proven to be fruitless another time.
<CodeMan> ...not if he wasn't there.
<???> Who? Your arch-enemy?
<CodeMan> Yes... and now, I've realized the key to defeating him. First we gotta capture them. Dominate over them. Allege against them. Then we shall cause him to come to them. My arch-enemy.
<???> What nonsense are you saying?
CodeMan turned away from the control panel and faced the person.
<CodeMan> They're still in the portalway between the two servers. With a ritual, we can erase their memories of him, of his server, and then, at the right moment, cause them to turn against him.
<???> Oooh, I get it now.
<CodeMan> I need you to delay their server transfer. Now.
<???> *nods*
CodeMan sat in the center of the room, invoking someone. Then he paused for a moment, and said:
<CodeMan> Also, activate Project Internalization. Now.
Category:H950sm
Category:Artiopas Remake Competition
Category:Creepypasta
Category:Dramapasta
Category:Artiopas Remakes