White Siblings [completed]

Hero: Chapter 14

  I walked with a light feeling in my stomach and the slightest jump in my step. This would only happen rarely, because I'd be feeling excited, but still jittery. Father turned to face me with a faint smile and asked, "excited?" I grinned in reply and nodded. We stopped in front of the agility course. I stared straight ahead at it, shocked. It was maybe a 20 block dash.  It wasn't length that surprised me, it was the setup. It was against the wall, which was lined with dispensers. Loaded ones. Dad said, "well, the best way you learn is visually. I've noticed that. So, watch me, then follow my steps and you will not only avoid getting hit, but you will improve rather quickly." With that, he dashed ahead, running across the netherrack. I was surprised that he was trying to teach me like this, but I still carefully studied each movement: 

    Dad looked forward, but kept an eye out on the ground, making sure not to step on additional pressure plates that would fire more arrows. He didn't make stiff movements, he seemed to almost glide across the floor, dashing in different directions for short bursts to avoid the arrows in time. He was keeping track of the delay of the actual launch of arrows after he stepped on the plate. Before I realized it, it was my turn. "Notch, help me," I muttered, and crouched in a starting position. "Go," he instructed. I dashed forwards, stepping on the one unavoidable plate. I heard the click of an arrow fire, and I saw the first dispenser let an arrow loose. I jumped forwards, dodging it, then continued running. 

       Time seemed to slow down, I was the only thing moving at a normal pace. Herobrine, even though I wasn't watching him, I knew was walking alongside the course as I ran it. I stood at the end now, finished. I was panting, exhausted more mentally than physically, but still exhausted all the same. Dad watched me stand there for a minute, then said, "you forgot one dispenser." I didn't even look up, I still stood bent over, hands on my knees. I heard a whooshing sound whizz past my ear, and I raised my hand, catching the last arrow just before it hit my eye. I snapped to attention and stared at my hand in shock. Dad smiled. "Shall we move on?" 

      Next came shooting, but for today, Dad and I resolved to only learn some mathematical tactics to aim the fire. I didn't mind it. Finally came sword practice. While Seto and Ender warmed up, Dad reviewed the basics with me, though I already was very familiar with the basic moves and quite a few of the more complicated ones. I demonstrated by my dad's request before an actual match. "Parry, thrust, strafe," I stated as I preformed them and a few others. "Good, you have a firm grip and flexible form," he commented. "Time for your real match." Ender and I both stood in the same room now. Dad told us, "Ender, Hero! You're up first. Then, Seto and I will show you how it's done." I nodded, and waved and smiled to Ender, which she returned with a smile. But for some reason, she seemed distracted. I was a little concerned, but I wouldn't hold back unless necessary. I put the diamond sword from before away, getting looks from both Herobrine and Seto, until I pulled out my sword. It was made of obsidian, and I had tied the necklace Nova gave me earlier around the hilt, the little Enderman dangling from it. 

       "Start!" Seto instructed, and I lunged for Ender, making the first move. She did manage to block it with her scythe, but she clumsily stumbled out of the way, seemingly exhausted from some sort of pain. I quickly sheathed my sword into the hold on my back and asked worriedly, "Ender? What hurts, you're in pain!" She hissed in reply. It sounded like a reptile. I backed away out of instinct. I suddenly had a serious case of déjà vu. This had happened before to me, even if it wasn't with Ender. Corey, that guy from the market when I first met Ender, had done this once. He had sprouted blue wings with orange leather stretched across the spines of the wings. His eyes had glowed bright aqua blue, and he even sprouted gills and and a blue eel-like tail. Except Ender wasn't like Corey had been. Ender's eyes were glowing purple. Her black-and-purple Enderdragon-like wings slowly spread out. They were beautiful, sure, but I drew my sword again, backing up as an act of caution. "Cor-er, Ender, sorry. Calm down, your wings are coming up and everything."