*Author's Note: Okay, so! (First off, woo! Double update!) This chapter has a dream flashback, which contains some smut (M/F). If you don't want to read that, stop reading when Hero lays down to sleep, and just skip to the end of the chapter. (Yes, actual sleep, not the smut; don't tell me you haven't noticed they've shared a bed for sleep since about chapter 4) For those who don't mind reading that, please enjoy and don't leave mean reviews. I'll just ignore you anyway. :) Also, don't get too attached to Launi… just sayin'. Anyway, enjoy the chapter.*
Herobrine's Pov
Launi sat in the living room, playing with her toys, while Kat was making breakfast. Launi was three, just beginning to talk. She had blonde hair, green eyes, her skin was fair, and she was tall enough where she could tug on my sleeves when standing. She wasn't quite old enough to understand much of anything, but she said "no" a lot. At least she knew what that meant, and she could talk more than any child, at least Kat said so.
"Breakfast is ready!"
We all sat down at the table, and I noticed Kat had taken less for her meal than usual. I was confused but let it slide until we sat down to watch television. Keeping my voice low while I watched Launi play, I voiced my concern for her.
"What happened to you, Kat? Ever since you came home from the hospital, you haven't been eating like you usually do."
"I'm… fine, Herobrine. Don't worry about it."
"It's obvious you aren't. You can tell me, you know. I'm here for you."
"Well… when I had Launi, I was… fat."
"You aren't anymore."
"But I gained a lot of weight."
"Are you sure about that? Have you looked in the mirror, lately?"
I had noticed her ribs were beginning to show, and she shook her head "no."
"Go look. You'll see why I haven't let you out of the house when you realize just how bad you've gotten."
She was sullen as she walked into the half bath and looked into the floor mirror. She gasped, and felt her side. I saw her gulp, and she came back over.
"I… didn't realize…"
"It's alright. Just next time, eat more. Alright? You haven't been looking very well for the past month."
She nodded, and I gently put my arm around her.
"You know, even if you hadn't lost any of the weight you had gained, I would still love you, Kat."
She leaned her head on my shoulder, and I warmed her using some harmless fire. Launi looked up at the cartoon on the TV as soon as I changed the channel, and I pulled Kat to her feet. I brought her into the kitchen and sat with her after turning off the TV and leaving Launi to play with her toys, luckily she couldn't choke on them.
"Really, Kat, you should have something more to eat."
"Like what?"
"Something that will help you gain weight, because you look really sick like that." She winced, my tone had been harsher than I meant it to be. "Sorry, I didn't… mean to say it like that. Hmm…"
"Well… maybe you could do some research on it?"
"Alright… just try to eat something, even if its not that healthy."
She nodded and I stood up, going over to the computer and doing some research, as suggested.
Kat's Pov
I was haunted by the way I had looked in the mirror. Getting up shakily, I went to the pantry, looking for something that might help promote weight gain. I saw a few different items, then spotted my favorite flavor of potato chips in a small bag. As I reached for them, I heard a triumphant "aha" from Herobrine in the other room. Then his presence was gone, and returned a few minutes later with a grocery bag in his hand as he pushed it toward me. There were not only some sweets and some crunchy, salty "snacks" inside, but also…
"What are these things," I asked, pulling out one of the plainly wrapped granola-bar looking items.
"Don't ask, just eat them. I promise they won't hurt you or your immune system."
"Okay…"
I opened the wrapper and took a bite. It didn't taste like much of anything, but it was extremely chewy. As I took note of the flavor more, it almost tasted like pasta. I ate just the one, as my stomach was used to smaller meals by that time anyway. However, determined to be healthier, I ate the rest of the bag of potato chips I had found in the pantry. I was very full afterwards, but I felt alright.
"You're full already?"
I nodded, but he was smiling kindly.
"Herobrine, I…"
"Kat, it's fine. You needed to eat, and you did. If you get hungry again, come back and have more. Just don't let Launi get into the sweets, or the bars."
I nodded and put the items away, not wanting Launi to be able to reach them. Herobrine was playing with her, sitting on the floor.
"Daddy, are you famous?"
"Why do you ask that, Launi?"
"Because Mommy says you're a good guy."
Herobrine's Pov
I chuckled, and put down Launi's toy that was in my hand.
"I guess you could say I'm usually a 'good guy,' but I'm not that famous."
"What about the TV? I see you on the TV sometimes."
"Launi, enough," Kat said gently. "You're not old enough to understand why your father is famous yet."
I looked up at Kat, her paling green eyes fixated on me.
"Kat, we have to tell her sometime. She'll find out eventually."
Kat sighed, and gestured to the computer dejectedly while looking at me.
I took Launi's hand, and she followed me, confused, until I pulled her into the computer with me. She gasped and squealed in delight when she saw the cubic world, and turned around in a circle.
"This is my first home, Launi. I lived in this place, but not the house that's already built."
"Why didn't you tell me!? This is amazing!"
She ran off, faster than I thought she could have, and raced after her, making sure to keep an eye on her. Then she screamed.
"Launi!?"
"Ahhh! Monster!"
I teleported instantly to her, and Entity 303 was there, standing over her menacingly. When he saw me, he looked between myself and Launi, then his eyes went wide and he moved away from her.
"A-apologies, my Lord, I had no idea…"
"It's fine, you didn't hurt her."
"Daddy, w-who is this?"
"His name is Entity 303. He's one of my… friends."
I gave him a warning look, making sure he knew he was still my minion. He nodded, giving a nervous yellow smile.
"You should bush your teeth, Enty."
"Oh, uh… they're permanently like this, mistress Launi. I can't help it."
She hummed her acknowledgement, and looked up at me.
"Daddy, can we go home now?"
"Sure."
I teleported us back, and she ran up to her mother, hugging her.
"Mommy, I saw Daddy's first home! It was amazing, 'cept when Enty showed up and scare me a little."
"Entity 303 was there?"
"It was fine, he didn't know until he saw me and compared us."
"Well, better tell all your minions, then."
"I'll do it now."
I left, going back into Minecraft and calling all my minions. I shared with them a memory of Launi, when she was smiling, and said she was my daughter.
"Understood, Lord Herobrine. She will be protected at all costs, even if it costs us our own lives."
"She isn't immortal. If she comes here and dies, I'll be sure you won't forget it."
The four of them looked at each other, and all but the Angel of Death shuddered in fear. I raised and eyebrow at the black, winged monster, and it shrugged.
"I do not fear my own doing. It is a consequence of my sins as a mortal."
"You're mortal?"
"No, sir, however I became immortal in being reborn into what I am now. Do you remember your friend, Eras?"
"Eras… hmm…"
I thought for a while, noticing the rest of my minions dispersing, and finally looked back at the Angel. Eras had been my mortal friend when I had first spawned, and in the time when my demon had overtaken me, I had killed him by pulling him into the game. Eras had been a wonderful friend.
"I suspect you are Eras?"
"I am Eras, my Lord."
"I apologize for what I did."
"I would rather you didn't. I much prefer this life."
"You do? What about being my minion?"
"It is… something I had to get used to."
"I'm sure it was… still, though, you'd rather be an Angel of Death than my friend?"
"Even after the new realization, yes."
I paused, thinking again. The winged being stood patiently, my old friend's body now a flight-gifted death bringer, silent as night itself.
"Eras… be my friend again. I did not kill you, my demon did. I have control over it now."
"It would be an honor, my Lord."
"It's Herobrine to you, if we are to be friends, besides when my minions are around."
"Thank you…"
The Angel flew off, and I returned to Launi and Kat, they were asleep on the sofa. Smirking, I gently moved the two apart and moved Kat, waking her gently.
"Hmmm… Herobrine?"
"Yep, I'm back."
"You were gone a while."
"I know, and I'm sorry. I found out that one of my minions was my friend before my demon's days."
"Oh, that's… interesting."
I teleported us to the bed, and she giggled as if she was a little kid. I smiled as I brushed her hair away from her face. She kissed me and turned over, going back to sleep.
"Mom, it's only high school!"
"I know, but I wanted to make sure you're ready."
"I don't need you to collect my stuff for me! I've got it, besides, I'm sure the teachers won't mind if I don't have everything with me the first day. I'm a freshman, aren't I?"
"C'mon, Kat, listen to your daughter," I interrupted, hoping to stop a fight, "She will be fine."
Kat sighed in defeat. "Alright, have fun at school, sweetie."
"I will. Thanks, Dad."
Launi flew off to school, her backpack securely over her shoulders.
"I hope she'll be alright. She always gets bullied, she told me."
"That's because everyone is jealous of her, Kat. She has abilities like we do, and the young adults that she goes to school with don't, it's that simple."
"Did you tell her that?"
"I also told her she's mortal."
"So she knows we aren't?"
"She does. It's fine, she's a smart girl."
Kat's Pov
I nodded, and he pulled me toward the computer. I smiled and we jumped through, heading for the server that was always crowded, the one that worshipped him. We had begun to call it Home Server, and simply enjoyed playing the party games.
"How about some SkyWars, today?"
"Aww, but I always lose that one, you're too good at that."
"Maybe I'll let you win this time."
"Or maybe I can come up with a plan," I said defiantly.
"You know it wouldn't work."
"Yeah… you're right… I'll just be happy to come in second place again."
"What did you expect after all that fight training? I taught you everything you know, not everything I know. Only thing we aren't allowed to do is use our elements."
"Alright, let's go."
I pressed my hand to the sign, and was transported to a waiting lobby that floated in the middle of nowhere over an empty abyss. I used the Darkness to hide myself from everyone, but once we were in our drop cages, I let myself be known, and Herobrine was right next to me. He grinned sadistically, and we dropped. I grabbed my meager supplies and began building toward the center. As usual, I was the first one there, but then almost immediately was attacked as I looted the center chest. Fighting back, I saw it was just another player, not Herobrine, who had punched me. Instinctively, I had whipped out my obsidian sword and hit them, and in another few swipes, they died. I celebrated for a split second, then finished looting the chest. I saw the chat come up and saw a conversation between two players who had decided to team.
'Of course he's gonna win, do you even realize who he is?'
'I know, I know, but it'd be nice to win against him, claim some bragging rights for myself.'
'I know what ya mean, but maybe we can beat his girlfriend.'
'Yeah! Lets get her!'
I felt a punch to my back and saw Herobrine standing there, and he pointed to the only other two players still alive. I sighed, but then felt his hand on my shoulder.
"If you can beat them, I'll let you win today."
"Are you sure?"
"They're pretty good. Every time they team up, they get close to defeating me. My pride will be fine, you can do it, Kat."
I breathed in deeply, and he moved away toward the edge, guarding the center chest. I faced the two players, and when they saw him standing off a ways, they came straight for me. I fought them, but then realized my health was getting low, even with the great armor I had looted from other players. I backed away, glancing at Herobrine. He saw my worry and sighed, getting up from the chest and walking toward me and the two men I was fighting.
'She's low, and it looks like she's outta food.'
'Yeah, it does. Why don't we… what the!?'
Herobrine had teleported behind me, and was staring at the players.
"What do you think you're doing to my girlfriend? You're not going to toy with her like a cat does its prey, are you?"
The two players backed up a little, and he stepped around in front of me, drawing his sword. They charged him, but he easily dispatched the two, and he walked toward the edge with me. I smiled sadly, but he put his back to the edge, confusing me. He leaned in and kissed me, then kicked off from the edge, plummeting into the Void. I was purely surprised, then was teleported to where everyone was, in the winner's lobby, and everyone cheered for me, and I smiled so wide it hurt. I looked at Herobrine, and he gave me a little nod, grinning back. Then I was teleported back to the main lobby, and everyone congratulated me on my first win. I was humble and said I didn't really win, Herobrine had sacrificed his win for me. Immediately, aww's replaced the chat box, and I felt arms around me from behind me.
"I knew you couldn't beat me in that condition, Kat. Next time, I'll be sure to protect you a little better and we'll have ourselves a real battle to the death."
"Heheheh, okay."
"Let's see what you got for first place, huh?"
"Oh, right."
We found a nice little area to open my prize chest, and once I opened it, I was surprised. There was a transformation item that I could use any time I liked, as many times as I liked, and fifty thousand of the server's in-game currency. I looked at the transformation item, and realized I only had one transformation, to make myself look exactly like Herobrine. I was surprised, and looked at him.
"Huh, they really do like me, don't they?"
"It takes skill to get first place in that game."
"Or a powerful boyfriend who loves you more than all the worlds of Minecraft and Earth."
I laughed and hugged him, and he put his arms around me gently.
"I love you, Herobrine."
"Love you too, little kitty Kat. Well, Launi will be home in a few Minecraft weeks. Why don't we play some more SkyWars and see if you can finally beat me?"
"Okay, but… if I manage to win by some way other than pure strength, promise not to hurt me?"
"I would never hurt you unless it was in SkyWars, or some other fighting mini-game."
"Okay, then let's go!"
We played more SkyWars, and in one particular game, I faced off against Herobrine yet again, and was losing badly. He smiled at me, and I was breathing heavily. I was down on my knees, but he helped me to my feet and towards the edge. I looked down at the plain blue sky, and looked at him, pleading.
"I won our fight, Kat."
"I know…"
"Well?"
"A kiss before I jump?"
"Heheh, alright."
I leaned on him heavily, making him hold me up more.
"I feel guilty making you come in second place this way."
"Don't be. I don't want your pride to be hurt."
"It's not my pride, Kat. It's my slowly returning conscience."
"Well…"
In one swift movement, I reversed our positions and kicked him off the edge, sending him into the Void. I collapsed, and laid down on the ground on a patch of wool that happened to be nearby. I breathed a sigh of relief as I landed back in the lobby, and went over to the small barn where I could rest under the shade of the barn, and where there were soft bales of hay stacked up. An impressed Herobrine stood in the doorway, smiling at me.
"Hey," I said, tired.
"I honestly wouldn't have expected that from you, Kat."
"I wanted to win, simple as that… but in a sort of fair way."
"Mind if I sit with you?"
"Only if you promise not to be mean."
He laughed and sat next to me, and I leaned on him.
"Too many rounds of SkyWars, eh?"
"Yeah… let's go home."
I found myself on my sofa in the house, and smiled at the familiar Earth surroundings. Launi was flustered as she came home, looking at him angrily.
"What? What'd I do?"
"Dad, why didn't you tell me that you were once the ultimate bad guy of Minecraft!? All the people at school, even the teachers, are terrified of me!"
"I didn't tell you because it's not me anymore. Well, it sort of is… but that's not my point. The point is, when I met your mother, she changed me. Her love made me human again, and now I'm not completely evil anymore."
"But still! You could have told me," Launi shrieked.
"Enough," I said softly. "I have a headache, Launi. Go leave the paperwork on—"
"They didn't give me any paperwork. I don't need it because of who I am. Your daughter."
"Oh… okay."
She went and sat down on the small one-seater sofa we had in the living room, and sighed.
"Sorry about yelling, but I just feel like I should have known that before."
"Yes, you should have, and I'm sorry I didn't tell you, Launi."
"It's kind of important to know my father is this crazy powerful being, y'know?"
"I know, and as your father, I promise I'll only hide what is absolutely necessary."
"Thanks, Dad."
"So besides everyone being terrified, how was school," I asked.
"Meh, boring as usual. I was left alone for the most part because of my heritage."
"Well, that's going to become somewhat of a norm for you."
"Yeah… guess so. Hey, Dad?"
"What is it?"
"Since I don't really have any homework, could we go exploring?"
"Sure."
The two of them left, leaving the house in quiet as I sat there, thinking. I remembered how thin I had been, and felt my side again. I was still thin, but not so thin I could feel my ribs. I was lean and strong, and I was grateful for everything I had.
Herobrine's Pov
"Hey, wait up!"
"Come on, you have abilities like I do, Launi! Use them!"
I was flying up out of her reach, moving away as she got closer. Then, surprisingly, a sword embedded itself into my chest. Launi had thrown her sword, impaling me perfectly where Fire's mark was. I paused, feeling something strange within me.
"Dad, you're okay, right?"
"I… think so…"
I landed and pulled her sword from my chest, and felt my demon shaking. I told it to calm down, but it replied that it needed to feed.
"Shit…"
"Dad!?"
"Go back home, Launi. Give me five minutes."
"Okay?"
"Just go," I said, giving her the diamond sword back.
I flew off, leaving her behind. Her presence disappeared from the world, but I knew she was watching. I made the Minecraft window minimize, and breathed.
Master, I—
I know. What do you… eat?
Don't you remember?
Players…
The demon growled within me, so I let it rise up a bit, but kept it from taking over. I went off to a server that didn't know about me, and killed some players, my demon feeding off their bodies. The cubic bodies laid around me in a pile, and I fully withdrew, letting my demon feast.
Master, you must be able to taste this…
Just finish feeding.
Please, Master… you might enjoy it.
No.
But—
I said no.
Please?
Why!?
I know you, Master. You would like the way they taste.
I overtook the demon's control, making my body revert back to its normal state. The demon saw me looking at the bodies, and urged me to take a bite of the bloody, ripped-apart flesh. Resisting, I asked if it had eaten enough.
For a few centuries, I suppose.
Good.
I found a piece of flesh and skin stuck between my teeth. Shuddering, I pulled it from my mouth and threw it to the ground. I hadn't eaten players for a very long time, and I wasn't about to start doing it again.
Master…
Alright! Enough, I will… take a bite.
Kat's Pov
A few minutes after Launi had returned, Herobrine did too, but he was a bloody mess.
"Dad! Oh my gosh, are you okay!?"
"No…"
He disappeared, and I felt his presence in the bathroom upstairs.
"Leave him be, Launi. Your father has… tasted flesh."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean his demon needed to feed. I guess it coaxed him into eating some of what it eats himself. He is the sole ruler of Minecraft, so he gets to do whatever he wants."
"So am I like, the princess of Minecraft?"
"You could say that, but you're mortal."
"I know…"
"Launi, don't worry so much. You'll be able to see us when you're dead."
"What about after I die?"
"What do you mean?"
"Dad's friend is the Angel of Death now."
"Hmm… you might become part of one of our elements, or a minion of his."
"That wouldn't be so bad…"
"Kat, could I talk to you upstairs, please?"
Herobrine looked at me from the steps, waiting. By the way he looked, he had taken a shower, as he was no longer covered in blood.
"I'll be right back, Launi. Make yourself something for dinner if I'm not back by dinnertime."
"Okay."
I went upstairs with Herobrine, and he seemed very distracted. I sat down on the side of the bed with him, and he sighed.
"I…"
"You ate human flesh, didn't you?"
"How did you know?"
"You were covered in blood when you came home. I noticed, it was hard not to."
"I don't think I can forgive myself… and it was a server that didn't even know about me."
"Why did you do it?"
"My demon eats players… and I used to eat them as well, after Lara betrayed me… why, I don't know… but… ugh… now it disgusts me; even still… that flesh was… incredibly good…." He shuddered in response to his own words.
"If you need to tell me something else, now is the time."
"I… I need to leave you and Launi… just for one day. Go back to Minecraft and just… try to find it in myself to never do that again."
"Then you do that, take a whole Earth week if you need to," I said, and kissed him.
I felt him wrap his arms around me, pulling me closer. When we stopped, I rested my head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat.
"Kat… you know I'm going to age much faster, don't you?"
"Well, I think if we're immortal, it shouldn't matter too much, right?"
"You're right… but I'll try to use one of my abilities to make my outer appearance change. I just… feel bad, I don't want to leave Launi behind…"
"We can still visit you, can't we?"
"I suppose so, but if it's alright, please, only once per Earth day."
"Okay. Let's go back downstairs. I'll explain this to Launi, and you can be there to confirm and apologize to her."
"It's fine, Mom, I already heard."
I looked up to see Launi in the doorway, She looked directly at Herobrine, who met her gaze with a sad one.
Herobrine's Pov
I was hopeless as I looked back at Launi, her gaze was piercing. I could tell she was upset, but I waited for her to say something. When she just stared, I took a deep breath to calm my nerves, and walked up to her.
"Launi, I know you probably don't understand, but you have to remember I'm not a normal human being. I began my life as fully code, knowing only the world of Minecraft. While I have had years to learn, I still do not, and likely will never function as a normal human being."
"But why you would eat… your own kind…"
"I do not perceive what I did as any form of good. Also, I was swayed by… my demon."
"Oh… alright, it makes sense, I suppose. Just… what about me and Mom?"
"You're going to have to stay here for the most part. I've allowed the both of you one visit per Earth day while I am gone, and we can do whatever we like while we're all together, except I must stay in Minecraft. I do not like it, trust me, but it is for the good of all three of us."
"Okay…"
I teleported downstairs, then looked at the glowing screen, showing me the inviting blocky landscape of Minecraft. Home. But was it still my home? I decided, yes, it was, but I was also home whenever I was with Kat and any of our children, this first time, Launi. I saw them coming down the stairs, but jumped through before either of them would see me leave.
"We'll see you again tomorrow," I heard them say in the microphone.
Smiling, I moved off through the blocky landscape, and saw something familiar. A roofed forest with beaches.
You didn't have to do that for me, Kat… but I suppose a trip down memory lane will help me become like my old self, the kind, caring Herobrine that nobody ever knew about.
It had been a long time. Memories of my young life exploring and mining with Eras flashed through my mind, making me feel healed already, but I spent a full "game" year in Minecraft, continuing to relive my early teen life. Nothing made me feel happier. Eras, or the Angel of Death, visited me while I was down in a cave.
"Herobrine, what are you doing down here?"
"Healing myself, Eras. I recently had to feed my demon… and it feeds on human flesh. I tasted some myself, so now I am healing from that."
"Oh? Why don't you give your demon to me?"
I laughed, it echoed through the blocky cavern as we walked side by side, just as we used to when mining, looking for lapis, gold, iron, and diamonds. "I feel empty without the bastard, strange as it may seem. My code contains evil, and so does the demon, so it is like giving up part of me. It would just be… odd."
"Oh…"
"Eras, do you remember these caves?"
"I do. A creeper blew me up there," he replied, pointing to a small pocket of coal he had mined long ago, but it was now renewed. "And over there, a skeleton shot you twice before hitting a zombie and the zombie acted as a shield while you blocked yourself into the hole you were mining."
We shared a light-hearted laugh, this time the different monsters in the cave ignoring or respectfully nodding to us. It was strange, but I felt myself no longer craving human flesh. The demon within me agree that the livestock in Minecraft would be sufficient, so I was relieved when I went back to Earth, leaving Eras behind, and wanted to see how Null and Entity 303 were doing. They were sitting together on a cliffside, holding hands as they shared a short kiss.
As long as they're happy, they deserve to be with someone after what I made Notch put them through… I still don't like that I did that.
"Oh, you're back…"
"Yes, Kat, I've returned."
"Okay… 'mon 'n lie down… sleep… *yawn* with me…"
I smiled, and laid down behind her, as I always slept next to the wall. She pushed back against me, putting us together so I was essentially spooning her.
"Uh, Kat…"
"Mmm?"
"Why are you laying like this?"
"Wha, you don' like et?"
"N-no, of course not, just…"
"Too much talk… sleep…"
I pulled the sheets and blanket up over us, and put my arm around her, over her stomach. She scooted closer, pushing into me for warmth, and said goodnight, sleep slurring her words. I was wide awake, however, her sleepy actions making me quite embarrassed. I noticed a pink blush on her cheeks, and wondered if she had been dreaming of us again. I looked into her sleeping mind to find she was indeed dreaming of us.
Kat's Pov (Dream)
Moving in harmony, it was like we were made for each other… his cock felt better and better… I knew he was ready, his love was ready to give me what we both so desperately wanted… a child. Our heated breaths drew closer until we kissed shortly, and he involuntarily spasmed as I writhed beneath him, begging for him to release his seed inside me, to give us a child.
Herobrine's Pov
A soft hum fell on my ears, bringing me back to the waking world, where all was silent in our house. Kat's cheeks had gotten much more red while her dream's intensity had increased, and I was stunned by just how vivid her dream had been. Comforted by how much she loved me, I settled down, and returned to the dream, finally getting some sleep after it ended.
I woke in the morning to find Kat had pressed herself to me in her sleep, her face to my chest, my arm now across her back. It was still dark out, and as it had been last night, the house was quiet. I teleported to the kitchen, having not eaten for quite a while, and was beginning to feel hungry. Looking in the fridge, I saw a small package with a yellow piece of paper stuck to it. It said:
Dad,
I know you came back last night. I was so worried for you I couldn't sleep. So I got up while you and Mom were asleep, and put together something for you. There's food in this little package too, in case you were hungry.
-Launi
I was surprised as I read the note, and looked back at the small package. It was plainly wrapped, and had a smiley face written on the wrapping. Closing the kitchen door, I opened the package slowly, wondering just what Launi had put inside. The first item I saw was a candy bar, and beneath it was some steak, still warm from Launi cooking it. I picked it up and used telekinesis to get a fork and knife from the cabinets, and heated it by lighting my hand on fire. Looking back into the box once the steak was heated through, there was some sort of reddish sauce in a glass bottle. It had another note on it.
This is hot pepper sauce. It makes your mouth feel like it's on fire. A little goes a long way!
I smiled and put a few drops on the side of my plate, knowing I would probably like it. I heard footsteps and looked up as Launi opened the door to the kitchen, and jumped at seeing my eyes in the dark.
"Oh, good morning, Dad. I see you found the package I made for you."
"Good morning to you as well. I did find it, thank you. I appreciate it."
"So… after coming back last night, how are you feeling?"
I chuckled softly, she sounded exactly like Kat when she was worried for me. "You don't need to worry so much. Everything is resolved."
"For now…"
"I can see from your memories you talked with your mother about after you die."
"Oh?"
"You're hoping to become part of one of our elements?"
"Yeah…"
She can become part of me, Herobrine, Fire said in my thoughts.
How?
I can give her a mark like you have, except it will not show unless she wants it to.
Why don't we ask her, then?
"I believe I have a solution. If you'd like to become part of my element, Fire can give you a mark, and it won't show unless you want it to."
"Okay, then… yes, I'd like to become part of Fire when I die."
Harmless fire swirled around her, leaving after only a few seconds. She wanted to know where her mark was, and I could just barely see an outline of it. Telling her where it was, she nodded and thanked me.
"You should get ready for school now, Launi."
"I will, I'm just wondering… what do you and Mom do while I'm at school? You don't have jobs, do you?"
"Actually, we're the only beings — besides Notch, I believe — that can enter and exit Minecraft as we please, and so we are able to bring back precious and semiprecious gemstones and metals, as I have changed the code of Minecraft a little since coming to Earth."
"Of all of Minecraft?"
"No, just the Minecraft worlds here at home."
"Can we go exploring later if I don't have homework?"
"Of course. Perhaps I can take you to Home Server with your mother."
"Is—"
"It's a surprise, so I can't tell you."
"Aww, fine."
She hugged me and got ready for school, then headed off, jogging down the road. I heard Kat roll over in bed as I was finishing my meal, and her footsteps coming in to the kitchen as I put my dishes in the sink.
"Good morning, my love."
"Good morning, Herobrine…"
"That was… quite the dream last night."
I saw her face flush red out of the corner of my eye.
"I didn't even realize you were… watching my dreams again."
"I enjoy keeping your dreams from turning into nightmares or night terrors."
"Oh, thanks. I forget sometimes."
"So, would you like to go to Home Server today, with Launi?"
"Actually, that's just what I was hoping to do. Are we going to introduce her to SkyWars?"
"That's what I was thinking."
"Good, then let's do that."
Kat and I waited throughout the day for Launi to get home. Needless to say, we were all very excited.
