In the darkness of the jungle, with every step he took, Arav felt himself growing stronger. The experience of the abandoned mineshaft had filled him with a new fire. For the first time, he had defeated a guardian that he had only heard about in legends. And now, in his bag, he carried—the first fragment of the Lost Code.
Every moment, it felt as if the air of the jungle was becoming heavier. Sometimes the sound of rustling leaves came from behind, sometimes a crow-like mob shrieked, but whenever Arav turned to look—there was nothing there. Deep in his heart, he still remembered those glowing white eyes he had seen at sunset.
"Was that really Herobrine? Or is someone else following me?"
His mind was full of questions, but his feet carried him straight towards the village.
---
By the time Arav reached the village, night had fallen. Mobs were roaming outside the houses—zombies, skeletons, and spiders—but the villagers were locked inside their homes. Arav held up a torch, drove the mobs away, and knocked at the librarian's door.
The door opened immediately, and the librarian's eyes locked onto Arav's bag.
"You… you actually brought it?" he asked hesitantly.
Arav pulled out the glowing fragment from his bag. As soon as he placed it on the table, the entire room lit up with a bluish glow. The librarian's eyes filled with joy.
"This… it's real," he whispered. "You've found the first fragment."
---
The librarian placed his finger on an old page in his book, where the same symbol was drawn—the one glowing within the fragment.
"Arav, this is only the beginning. With every fragment, Herobrine grows more powerful, because each piece holds a part of him, sealed away."
Arav asked in shock, "Meaning… the more fragments I gather, the more he'll be able to sense me?"
The librarian nodded nervously.
"Yes. You must be prepared. The next fragment… lies in a far more dangerous place."
Arav quickly asked, "Where?"
The librarian opened another part of his map. It showed a tall tower deep within a jungle biome. "This is the Watcher's Tower. It is said that it can even steal people's souls. But the fragment is hidden inside."
---
Arav picked up the fragment, put it back in his bag, and looked straight at the librarian.
"Whatever it takes… I will reach that tower."
The librarian handed him some bread and a new shield.
"Leave tomorrow morning. But remember, Arav—once you enter that tower, returning will not be easy."
Arav remained silent. Inside him, fear was fading, and determination was taking over.
As he lay down on his bed for the night, closing his eyes one last time, he saw something at the window. Outside, it was pitch dark, but for a single moment, two white eyes were staring right at him.
Arav jumped up and rushed to the window… but only the empty jungle stood there.
He whispered to himself,
"Whatever it is… I will defeat it."
When the first light of dawn spread across the village, Arav picked up his bag, strapped on his shield, and tied his sword at his waist. The librarian stood outside his house, hands folded in prayer.
"Arav," he said, "remember, the Watcher's Tower is a maze. Every step will force you to battle your own memories. If you grow weak… the tower will claim you forever."
Arav only nodded and smiled. "I am not afraid of my memories. I came here to find the truth."
Then he set off into the jungle, where a new journey awaited him.
---
The path was difficult. In the dense jungle, mobs attacked him from hiding. At one place, skeletons showered arrows at him from three sides, but he raised his shield, broke their assault, and counterattacked to take them down. Elsewhere, a witch tried to weaken him with potions, but Arav dodged them and struck her down before she could attack again.
With every encounter, his confidence grew stronger. But deep inside, he could feel someone watching him. Between every tree, in every shadow, he would glimpse those white eyes… and then they would vanish.
By the time the sun began to set, Arav reached a vast open field. On the horizon, a dark silhouette rose—the Watcher's Tower. It seemed to stretch all the way into the sky, like a giant pillar watching over the world.
---
Arav placed his hand on the gate of the tower. The door creaked open on its own, as if the tower itself was inviting him inside.
The moment he stepped in, the air changed. Along with the cold wind came a hiss-like echo, and the old banners hanging on the walls began to sway.
Arav lit a torch, but the darkness inside the tower was unlike any other. The torchlight barely illuminated a small area, while the rest remained cloaked in shadows.
On a stone slab was written:
"Only the brave may climb. The Watcher sees all."
Arav gripped his sword tightly. "Then watch. I will not stop."
---
As soon as Arav entered the first floor of the tower, his heart skipped a beat. Before him stood a house… his own house. The one he had built near his village, with the same blocky design, the same chest, the same bed.
"How… is this possible?" he muttered in disbelief.
The moment he stepped inside, a duplicate of himself appeared. Same Arav, same armor, same sword. But the duplicate's eyes were glowing white.
The duplicate Arav laughed, "You think you'll defeat the darkness? You will become the darkness."
It raised its sword and attacked. Arav blocked with his shield and counterstruck. The clash of swords echoed with a loud clang.
Every move felt like the duplicate already knew it—sword swings, shield blocks, dodges… all perfectly mirrored.
"This… is my copy," Arav realized. "I can't defeat it with strength. I must outsmart it."
---
Arav deliberately dropped his shield, leaving himself seemingly open. The duplicate instantly swung its sword, but at that very moment Arav sidestepped, came around behind it, and plunged his sword in with full force.
The duplicate let out a piercing scream before dissolving into particles. The room turned empty again, and the house disappeared, replaced by cold stone walls.
Breathing heavily, Arav muttered,
"This tower… is playing with my mind."
---
Arav climbed the stairs. Every floor was a new illusion, a new test. Sometimes he heard the voices of his parents, sometimes of his friends. On one floor, villagers stood before him, accusing him—"It's all your fault!"
But Arav steeled his heart. He broke free of every illusion and kept climbing the stairs.
At last, he reached a large chamber, where a pedestal held the second fragment—surrounded by humming air, as if someone was watching.
Arav was just about to step forward when a deep voice echoed,
"You have come too far. But taking this fragment means… you have given up a part of your soul forever."
Arav clenched his teeth and said,
"No matter what… I will not back down."
To be continued