I walk through the gates of Romeoburg, the place entirely abandon. Much like the rest of the Underneath. No one wants to live down here when Jesse allowed them to go back up to the surface, where they could actually see the sun.

Romeoburg was always a very disappointing city, but Romeo never really did care for it. Sure he waved his arm and built up some walls, but he could honestly care less about anything that wasn't built by him.

Sighing, I climb up the steps towards the only place that really counts but has never really counted in this 'town'. The doors slam shut behind me, but that was expected.

I enter the challenge room, and it's very hot. This is where Romeo would experiment, he said he wanted to be close to home to find inspiration. How the cabin made him think of ice golems, lava golems, gaint enderman, creeper enderman, creeper spiders, red slimes, and whatever else he concocted is beyond me.

Thankfully Jesse and his friends got through it, I definitely didn't want to deal with it by myself. When we all got together for the last time, before Fred and I confronted him, he was talking about having some fun together again. Bonding and stuff how we used to. As the last living person of that friend group, it's never going to happen.

The stone steps echo my footsteps, something new since I've last been here. This... man made and Admin junk doesn't belong here. It isn't right. This cabin practically rose up from nature and welcomed us in, it nutured us... even though we still fell apart.

Thankfully it stops and the scenic sight of the cabin awaits me, my old home. Well, I guess it's technically my only home since my 'new' one was a prison and the one before that has been destroyed. But I suppose there has always been a piece of me here.

I stop to stare at the birch tree, tears prickling at the back of my eyes. Fred... Fred's here with me too. Jesse was right then, some part of Romeo's demented heart really did care.

But I didn't come down here to plant a tree in remembrance of Romeo, I came down here to say goodbye. Perhaps this will finally put the last part of Fred's soul to rest. If he was alive, he would support me in this. His tree does the same thing though, just... silently.

Breathing in the cool fresh air, I make my way over to the cabin. Giving myself all the time in the world, allowing my eyes to soak up every last detail of the one place I truly felt happy. The only true home I've ever had.

The cobble has collected itself a fine amount of moss and some of the wood has started to rot. Yet it still looks so peaceful, inviting me right back in despite the centuries that have gone by. The flowers here smell wonderful, they always put us to sleep faster than our Admin powers.

I step up to the door, reminding myself to just breathe... in and out, in and out. I've been in here a million times, it won't be any different. Except that Jesse took my bed out earlier, but I'm putting it back where it belongs. A happy Xara slept in this one, I shouldn't taint it with my nightmares.

After a few more moments of convincing myself I can do this, I open the doors, and instantly regret it. I choke on a sob, I wasn't- I'm not ready for this. The banners, we made them for each other... hand done, not by our powers. And the books, Romeo and I would pester Fred all day long until he closed the thing and play with us. Oh the potions! The day we tried to do it and nearly exploded the forest... when there was a forest anyway.

The sob escapes, and another and a few of its friends. Until they bring me to the ground, tears running down my face as I remember the long dead happiness. And that's the saddest thing, they're just memories. No matter what I do, I'll never have my friends back. Even if they were alive, we wouldn't be friends.

Wiping my tears, I raise my head. An immovable lump forms in my throat as I stare at the armor stand, how many times we would groan at Romeo for keeping us awake by whacking that thing all night all. Or when we would hear a wild wolf pack and Romeo would foolishly take out his sword, protecting us even though five wolves can easily take down a guy with a wooden sword.

For a moment, I just lay there, letting the memories torment me with their happiness. I didn't think it would hurt so much to remember how strong our friendship was and then have the cruel reality smash it to bits, the shattered daggers piecering my heart.

But this is why I came down here, to release all of this in my heart. To set free the wild fire in my chest. I came to say good bye. I came to give back what has been given to me. And maybe, things will be set right after I do it.

I place my bed where it belongs, and now I'll finally be the one who lays it to rest. And Fred and Romeo. I'll release them all. We shouldn't have fallen like we did, we shouldn't have gone through that turmoil. So now it's time to start anew.

I stand in front of Fred's bed. "Well old friend, it's done. We don't have to watch Romeo terrorize other souls anymore. I never did get the chance to properly say goodbye, so I hope this'll do."

Wiping another tear, I stand in front of Romeo's. "Romeo, you were a bastard. But before that you were my bestest friend, maybe slightly behind Fred. But I cared a lot about you then, so I'm doing this for the good in you that you left to rot."

Sighing, again, I move to the center to the cabin. Letting my eyes glaze over and listening to laughter that once happened so frequently here. This is it.

Not bothering to stop the tears running down my face, I pull out my flint and steel. "Goodbye my friends."

A spark bursts forth from the steel, catching fire on the wood. Sniffling and trying contain my sobs, I shuffle out. Already smelling the ash of burning memories. The cabin, that has stood here longer than some worlds, will finally be coming down.

I can still smell a faint whiff of the flowers, almost comforting me in my decision. It's time for them to go, they've endured so much. Friendship, laughs, heartbreak, fear, discoveries, betrayal, and even murder. They should be released.

My feet bring me to Fred's tree, and a sob breaks free. "I'm so sorry Fred, out of all of us, you knew the meaning of a friend much better than me and Romeo. But even so, you still died. I-I hope you are at rest now."

Once I wade through the water, I strike the steel against the flint again. The base of the tree catches fire, the crackling of the flames almost fooled me for the sound of Fred's laugh.

Sniffling again, I get out of the water. The smoke already heavy in the air, making my eyes sting with new tears. I... is this the right thing? Am I wrong to be doing this? I feel weighted down, and walking to the steps is a struggle.

I turn around, to take one last look at my home. The lump in my throat falls away and a small smile makes its way on my lips. This is the right thing to do, this is what needed to be done.

Despite my only home being burned to the ground,  I feel release. My heart can finally pound again without pressing into the shards of my broken friendships. I can finally go out and make new friends.

The happiness this place gave me, this cabin that I called home, is finally being returned from the ground which in came from. And all of sorrow the came from leaving it behind, is burning up in flames.

****

Did I get Xara right? I think I did, but I'm not entirely sure. She has a weird way of talking. Reflexive and slightly metaphoric, yet she's also really blunt and cold at the same time. I tried, that's what counts.

And we don't really know what happened to Xara do we? She could have become a recluse, shutting herself away from the world. She could have helped the people in the Underneath. If you saved Romeo, she could have forgiven him or rejected him. Heck, maybe she even killed him.

So in another light, I could have had her set fire to the cabin in a rage. Cursing Romeo and muttering angrily at what he did to Fred. She could have gone wild, in a crazed frenzy to destroy the place where they all met. To burn the sorrow in her heart through more of a vengeance.

Ok, no more speculation. This is an author's note. So, anyway, tomorrow's oneshot is "You Don't Understand..."! See you then!