[[Author's Note: SO sorry for the delay in this chapter! I got REALLY busy! That and this chapter covers a lot. ]]
Training started the very next day. Vyyr sent Evan to town to get his armor re-enforced, and new weapons. A Diamond-edged sword would be more likely to damage an Enderman's thick skin then the iron blade he currently had.
As soon as he came back, Vyyr leapt down from the trees. Evan let out a yell of shock, dropping his items on the ground as he found himself pinned beneath Vyyr. The elder did not hurt him. He let him struggle for a bit, before letting him up.
'Had that been one of our enemies, you would be dead.' He said simply. 'You have much to learn.'
Panting for breath, Evan just stared at him dumbly before nodding shakily. He was damn near hyperventilating as he held a hand over his chest. "Y-yeah... please d-don't do that again." He said. He thought he'd be used to it with how often Kuu pounced him. But it was completely different with the scarred up old male. Something about Vyyr was far more intimidating then his younger companion despite the old Enderman's gentle demeanor. Perhaps it was all those scars, or the fact that he wasn't really used to Vyyr yet.
'My training is not going to be easy.' Vyyr said. 'We have no idea how much time we have. I will do all I can to make sure you, and young Kuu'Ruhrr, survive.' His eyes burned with pure determination.
Evan nodded dumbly as he still tried to calm down.
'But before it starts in earnest, I will take you to Shining-Moon.' Vyyr said. Evan let out a breath of relief. He wasn't so sure he was ready for Vyyr's training yet. His heart still hammered in his chest from the ambush on his way inside.
'We will teleport. She lives quite far.' Vyyr said. 'Come, Kuu'Ruhrr.' With a nod, Kuu teleported to their side. Vyyr placed a hand in each of theirs. Evan closed his eyes and braced himself for the teleport. He shook himself once they came out of it, feeling dizzy and slightly breathless. He never quite shook off all the effects, even if he was getting used to it.
Once he shook it off, he realized they were in front of a cottage, beautifully built with a delicate looking white wood, trimmed in black. There was the strong smell of herbs, and flowers from the beautiful garden that surrounded the house. Two cherry trees stood on either side, in full bloom. A path of smooth stepping stones lead to the door, with a somewhat tribal-style fox's face painted on with a crescent moon on its forehead.
On either side of the door were sculptures of slim, dainty foxes, sitting with their heads up and ears perked, stances proud and beautiful. They were surrounded by tails framing their smooth marble bodies.
Vyyr walked up to the door. He was just about to rap at it when it opened. The woman who stood there was beautiful, exotic, and strange. Her lips were painted dark red in stark contrast with her skin, as pale and delicate as a porcelain doll. She had dark eyeliner framing beautiful, slanted silvery blue eyes and shimmering blue eyeshadow. Her cheeks had just the right amount of red blush to them. She wore a kimono, white with black trimming, which flowed about her shapely form like a ghostly shroud. She walked barefoot, her steps silent and graceful. Her hair was long and silvery white hanging nearly to her knees. It cascaded over her frame like a river of silver. On her forehead was a black crescent, matching the black eyeliner that accentuated her beautiful, exotic eyes. All in all, the strange woman had an unearthly beauty and natural allure that nearly took Evan's breath away.
Most notably, though, were two sharp, furred ears, like those of a fox. The fur was silvery white and tipped with black. They were perked and alert.. At first, Evan thought her kimono had a train of fur. But as he looked he realized it looked less and less like a furred train and more like multiple tails. Five, to be exact. Each tail was long and thin, but covered on thick, silky fur. The tails were silvery white, with black tips. Evan noticed that the skin on her hands was black, which faded into the overall pale skin of her body; the same with her feet. It was as if she, as a somewhat-human woman standing before him , had the markings of a fox. He had never seen anything like her; and hardly believed his eyes at the moment.
A smile appeared on her face, revealing that she had sharp canine teeth. She circled Vyyr once, her tails lightly trailing over his ankles and legs as she passed. He relaxed visably, letting out a long, staticy purr.
"Long time no see, stranger." She said. Her voice was unearthly, smooth and beautiful. There was a certain song-like seductive quality to it that made Evan shiver all over. Evan Kuu was effected, staring at the strange woman in an oddly enchanted manner. He chirped questioningly and looked at Vyyr.
"So, what brings you here, Dark One?" She purred softly. Her clawed, black fingertips trailed along his cheek, though she had to stand on her tiptoes and reach as high as she could to reach his cheek.
Vyyr's purr grew deeper, and gained a slightly rough note. But he shook himself. 'Have restraint!' He thought to himself.
'I had two things to ask of you.' Vyyr said. 'One, my friend needs his armor, and sword enchanted. And second... I would like a translation pendant for young Kuu here.'
"Well then..." She approached Kuu, circling him as well. Kuu sucked in a breath of surprise, watching the smaller female. Her proximity and exotic scent made his entire body feel hot, but he pushed it away. "You're in luck, Vyyr. I made an extra, in case you broke the one you had."
'Nice to see you have some faith in me.' Vyyr smirked playfully, showing a few of his sharp black teeth and the glowing inside of his mouth.
"You never know." She crooned. "Come on in." She said, before flitting inside. She left her door open. Evan entered, followed by Kuu and Vyyr, who both stooped to get through her door. Once they were inside, the door closed on its own. Each found a place to sit down.
"What sort of enchantment are you looking for?" She asked the human in her beautiful, haunting voice.
"Well... my friend, Kuu, here...has a past that's coming back to bite him in the butt. We have other Endermen coming to attack. I am not sure how many. I'd like to be able to survive long enough to help protect him. Vyyr said you might be able to... enchant my armor, and weapons, to make them stronger?"
She nodded lightly. "I will enchant them to have the strength and durability of Vyyr's claws." She said. "And your weapons to have their sharpness and toughness. It will take a few hours to complete. You are welcome to remain here as the spell completes. Hand me your armor and weapons."
Evan nodded, and did so. She carried them to a large black cauldron, which she filled with shimmering, silvery blue water. She chanted and sang beautifully as she added ingredients to the liquid. The energy rising on the air made Evan's skin prickle with goosebumps.
"Come, Vyyr. Extend your claws and place them in the cauldron." She purred. Her voice was sultry enough to make Evan's face redden a bit. He could hardly believe the effect she had on him. Maybe it was just her Kitsune power... she had this certain... allure, to her, that he just flat out could not deny. Everything about her drew him in like a month to the flame.
'But...' Vyyr said, but she cut him off.
"The water is enchanted. It will not hurt you." She said simply.
'… Well, allright...' He seemed to trust the kitsune, because he extended his sharp claws and placed them into theglowing fluid.
No harm came to him. Vyyr stood serenely beside the cauldron of glowing liquid until Moonshimmer pressed her entire body against his back and ran her hands over his toned abdomen. Evan saw Vyyr shiver noticeably and let out a deep purr, his eyes half-closing, practically melting at her touch.
'Have restraint!' Vyyr thought to himself for a second time, and tried to ignore the closeness, warmth, and scent of his five-tailed friend. Despite all the self control he had, his body was reacting. He felt the pressure and tingle of rising excitement. He shook it off, willing the feeling to go away.
But Moonshimmer was not done with him yet. "You can take your claws out of the cauldron, now..." She whispered, her breath tickling against his back. Vyyr shivered and purred again, before he withdrew his hand.
'Really, Shining-Moon?' He questioned, perhaps a bit breathlessly. 'In front of guests?'
She just smirked coyly with a flick of her sharp, foxy ears and a twitch of her long, furred tails.
Evan quickly looked to the side, his face growing hot. He was trying to convince himself he had NOT just seen that! First Kuu, and now the scarred old one, too! He'd seen entirely too much Ender junk in his life. Much to his relief, Vyyr went and sat down in such a way that his leg hid the results of the Kitsune's flirtations.
"This will take about three hours." She said, as she placed his armor and weapons in the liquid. "You are welcome to stay until it is ready."
Moonshimmer then went to a small chest she had, where she brought out a pendant that looked like Vyyr's. A fox's head surrounded by tails and beautiful moonstone gem set in the silver.
She walked over to Kuu, before pressing her entire body to his front. Her five tails swayed as she clasped the pendant around the young male's neck. Kuu shifted a bit and stared at the Kitsune, who smirked lightly as she pulled back. Kuu shook his head a bit and let out a staticy little cough-like sound as he cleared his throat. She didn't have the effect on him that she had on Vyyr. At least, not as strong.
Vyyr just chuckled a bit at the younger male's reaction. 'You'll get used to that.' He said. 'She does it a lot. Especially to me. She and I have a bit of a... history, together.' The way he said it, and what he had seen just moments before told him exactly what the old male was implying.
"I... didn't need to know that." Evan said, which got a staticy laugh from Vyyr. Kuu turned and stared at Evan for a moment.
'I understood you!' He said.
Evan realized he understood Kuu as well. "So it works?" He asked.
'Yes, it works!.' Kuu said. He looked excited, eyes bright. There were SO many things he wanted to tell Evan. 'I can understand everything!'
'This will make training considerably easier.' Vyyr said. 'Since I will be training you both together, and communication makes working together much easier.'
Kuu and Evan both agreed.
Kuu couldn't hold back his smile. Most seeing it would find it frightening; his fangs were sharp, but only half revealed. His eyes bright and friendly. His stance told his emotion, though, relaxed, arms to the side. Despite his relaxed posture, his movements and chirps showed clear excitement.
The hours flew past as Evan and Kuu talked on and on about all sorts of things, until Moonshimmer announced that it was ready. There was a flash of light as all the fluid vanished into the weapons and armor in the cauldron.
She brought the armor out. Vyyr extended his claws and rapped them against the metal, before he nodded in approval. 'I do believe this will work.' He said.
"Of course it will." the Kitsune purred, circling the tall, scarred Enderman. Her tails swayed and grazed his legs, sides, and hips.
Vyyr's staticy purring started right back up at the silky contact of her tails. The purr quickly took on a deeper, rougher note as the Kitsune circled him again. Even Vyyr's posture changed. His head up and alert, eyes half closed, mouth half-open in an odd smile. His entire form was completely relaxed.
'You two go on ahead...' He said, his tone laced with his rough purring. 'I'll... catch up in a bit. I know where your home is.'
Evan quickly looked away as he saw something that wasn't so relaxed between the Enderman's legs. Again! Why did he have to keep seeing that! He moaned awkwardly in embarrassment before making a hasty retreat back to his home. Kuu teleported them the rest of the way home.
It was about an hour and a half later that the sound of a teleport just outside and the door opening announced Vyyr's return. He looked to be in quite a good mood.
'Now then! Training shall begin. Come along!' He chirped.
Evan nodded as he and Kuu followed the old male to the clearing.
'Kuu. Charge me.' Vyyr said.
'What...' Kuu looked a bit incredulous.
'Come on boy, charge me. I'll be fine.' Vyyr stood, alert but calm.
Kuu hesitated, before he lowered his head and rushed Vyyr. His claws kicked up clumps of dirt behind him. Vyyr dodged him with ease, and knocked Kuu down with a single quick movement. Kuu yelped and hit the ground with a thud.
'No, Kuu – like this.' Vyyr said. 'Your footing is all off. You can't just charge headlong; you have to think about it first. Look for any opening; gauge your opponant's strength.'
Kuu let out a little huff of annoyance as he picked himself up. He brushed himself off. He changed his stance, waiting for Vyyr's charge. The older Enderman rushed him, and Kuu lifted up his hands to block, only to get knocked over once again. Vyyr was old, and experienced. Depsite his stiff back, he could still hold his own. Kuu was actually a bit small for his species. Still taller then a human by far, but he stood a full head shorter then any other Enderman. And sometimes it got discouraging. Vyyr could take him down without a thought. Kuu whined in frustration as he was knocked down for a third time.
'Dodge, boy!' Vyyr said. 'I am bigger, and I am stronger! But you can use my momentum against me. Use your smaller size to your advantage. If you aren't as strong as your enemy, then you can use your size, and smarts against them!'
'You've got more experience then me!' Kuu complained.
'Yes... and? Those who are hunting you right now do, too.' Vyyr said.
'…. good point...' Kuu sighed.
'Again.' Vyyr stepped back and charged. He looked fearsome, his head high and his mouth wide open with an odd, staticy growl. The sound chilled Evan to his bones, but he knew Vyyr was training them. He'd have to get used to that sound.
Kuu yelped in surprise as Vyyr rushed him, but managed to jump out of the way. Only to get knocked down from the back by a sharp kick to the back of his head. He hit the ground with a yelp and whine, before sitting up and brushing himself off with an annoyed stare at his old trainer. He let out a frustrated growl, his teeth showing irritably.
'Keep on your toes, Kuu'Ruhrr!' Vyyr said, simply. 'Be alert, listen, feel, smell... use your senses! Don't think that they will give up after dodging them once! They will keep attacking, and instead of using their weight to knock you down, they will be using their claws to kill or disable you. You have to keep fighting, and dodging, and you have to stop them before they stop you! As it stands it SEEMS like they want you alive. This is an advantage you can use.'
'Why do you say that?' Kuu asked. He brushed himself off again with a little huff. He felt sore already.
'That damn token means they want to feed you to that damned dragon!' Vyyr growled harshly. The way he said 'dragon' dripped with hatred... and fear. The sound of it made Evan shiver, who was watching the whole thing.. He knew Vyyr meant no harm, but the sparring was still a bit nerve-wracking to watch, even if neither of them truly hurt eachother.
'And again!' Vyyr said. He charged at Kuu, who moved quickly out of the way. He moved again, dodging another attack, and at the third leapt up and came down, knocking Vyyr to the ground. The Elder hit the ground with a thud and a grunt. Kuu looked concerned for a moment, but Vyyr sat up and shook himself, before he looked to Kuu with a smile. 'Very good, you learn quickly.' He said. He stood. 'Now. See if you can knock me down again. Remember, think fast. The same strategy won't work each time. Your opponent will be thinking as quickly as you do.'
Vyyr backed up, and charged. Kuu dodged. He teleported up into a tree, which actually surprised Vyyr for a brief moment; but not for long. Kuu leapt out of it, using the height to his advantage. Vyyr quickly moved out of the way, then spun around and charged again with a fearsome howl. He met Kuu with a leap halfway down and sent the younger Ender flying before the scarred male went into a teleport and landed lightly a few feet away. Kuu hit the ground with a grunt, before he propped himself up, panting hard. He shook his head and stared at Vyyr, only to see the older Enderman was coming at him again!
He yelped, and scrambled before he rolled out of the way. It gave him just enough time to get on his feet before Vyyr came at him from behind. He realized Vyyr was not taking it easy on him. He tried to run to give himself some time to gather his wits, but Vyyr was there in front of him moments later. Kuu skittered and lost his balance, and was knocked down once again. He was just about to complain, only to see Vyyr was charging again. He jumped to his feet, looking around quickly. He dodged to the side, and ran around a tree. But Vyyr teleported and countered him once again. No matter where Kuu turned, Vyyr was there. Vyyr was effectively keeping him on the defensive.
'Prepare yourself!' Vyyr said sharply, and this time came at him with claws extended and out fully. Evan gasped at the length of them. They looked deadly, even with the three missing on his right hand. Kuu let out a surprised yelp as his claws and back spines came out, hands rushing to block the sharp claws of his opponant. There was a clatter of claws to claws and a burst of snarling and growling, followed by a hiss of pain from Kuu. Vyyr hadn't just struck once. He'd struck out several times. Kuu had managed to block a few swipes, but Vyyr was fast and experienced. He found an opening. The small scratches healed within minutes, but still hurt.
'Vyyr!' Kuu complained. 'Come on, that's not fair!'
'And you think that the ones hunting you will stop for a moment?' He asked. 'They will be looking to actually hurt you.'
'But you could take it easy on me... I'm just learning!' Kuu complained.
'Yes, you are just learning. And I am taking it easy on you.' Vyyr said. 'But I want you to be prepared, and I don't know how much time we have before they actually find your home. You will have to defend your home. Not just yourself, but your human friend as well. Do you want to see Evan get killed?'
Kuu looked quite horrified at the thought. He shook his head. 'No! I don't want to lose him!' He said.
'I've lost those who are close to me.' Vyyr said. He touched the Ender Pearls around his neck. 'And when you lose somebody you care about, the pain does not go away. Especially when you could have prevented it yourself. Every day that passes, you will think of what you could have done. You will think of every thing that happened that day, and it never, EVER stops hurting. You care about Evan. And you have the strength to defend him. He may not be your mate -'
Kuu shook his head at that. 'He's male.' He said. 'And not even Shadowkin!'
'That is besides the point.' Vyyr interrupted before Kuu could say anymore. 'The point is, you have the power to defend him. And I am helping you learn to do so. You do care about him, do you not?'
Kuu nodded. 'I do.' He said, quietly. 'He's the only friend I've had all this time.'
'You don't want him to get killed by those hunting you, right? Whether it is your fault or not... you WILL blame yourself. I've been through it myself. Even if you know you couldn't change what happened, a part of you will always wonder why you didn't do more. Why you didn't fight to protect him as much as you feel you should have.' Vyyr continued. His gaze was fierce, but there was hidden pain there. The way he looked at Kuu, with such conviction... the fervent way he spoke it... the way his hands touched the two shining green stones around his neck... he had clearly lost somebody. And was determined not to let Kuu go through the same pain.
Kuu nodded again, his expression sobering a bit as he saw the look in the elder's eyes.
'I am giving you the training you need, to protect yourself, and your friend.' Vyyr said, looking over at Evan. He'd been quiet during the training session. 'I know I am training you hard, and I know that, right now, it seems impossible to beat me. But whether you win, or lose, you are still learning something. If you make a mistake with me, that gives you something to look for when in a real fight for your life. I have already noticed that you rarely make the same mistake twice. You are learning from every success... and failure, in this session. You are smart, fast, and agile. Maybe not as big and strong as I am... but your enemy may underestimate you. That gives you an advantage, if you can take it. I am training you hard, because I care and I don't want to see you die.'
Kuu nodded again, then smiled. 'Allright. Let's... try again.' He said. He positioned himself.
'That's more like it.' Vyyr smirked lightly.
The next sparring match lasted a long while, and by the end of it Kuu was exhausted and panting. He'd been tested to his limits, but Vyyr seemed pleased with his progress.
'Now. It's your turn.' Vyyr said to Evan. Evan knew he was going to train him, but at the same time he was pretty nervous about it. He swallowed.
'Don't worry, I will use the backs of my claws. I won't hurt you. I know you can't heal like Kuu can.' Vyyr said.
Evan noticed that there was a bit of deep purple blood on his claws. He swallowed again. He was used to being around an Enderman, but the thought of one coming at him with claws out made him nearly shake in his boots.
Vyyr lead Evan away a bit. He started off slow, testing Evan's reflexes and skills. He had basic skills, but had a LOT to learn. He charged at Evan, before teleporting and charging once again. He decided to use methods that most Endermen used when attacking.
Evan was using a wooden sword, something that he could use without hurting Vyyr if he managed to make a hit. Vyyr insisted he could handle a real sword, but Evan didn't want to hurt the old male.
Evan barely had time to prepare himself before Vyyr came charging at him. He let out an impressive yelp and jumped out of the way, but he was not fast enough. He felt the backs of the Enderman's claws hit his neck. He gasped instinctively, but no damage was done. The hit was light.
'Dead.' Vyyr said simply. 'You can't let your opponent take you by surprise. You have to be alert. Even with your armor, you could still end up badly damaged by Shadowkin claws. Again.'
Vyyr charged again. Evan grunted as he was knocked to the ground with ease. Vyyr took barely a pause before making another fierce charge. Evan was thoroughly un-nerved. Even when the dull backs of the claws hit him, an Enderman rushing at him with mouth open and claws out was still a terrifying sight.
It took several charges before Evan caught on... until Vyyr started teleporting. Then that really confused him. Until he realized that he could tell where the Enderman was coming from by the sound produced by their teleportation. The growl sounded as if it came from every direction at once, making it terribly confusing too know where to strike next. But the footsteps, the scraping of claws on the ground, the sharp -Fwoomp!- of teleport, were all signs he could work from.
To his complete surprise, he actually managed to lay a few blows on Vyyr, one even leaving a bruise that healed within minutes.
By the end of it, Evan was panting and dripping in sweat, and bruised in several places. Not once had Vyyr used the sharp part of his claws, but even then Evan was sore and bruised. He could tell, though, the elder had gone easy on him.
Vyyr looked tired as well. He had not taken a break while training the two that day and he wasn't so used to all the physical activity. He limped back into the house a bit stiffly, before he stretched. His back cracked sharply, followed by a groan of relief.
'I need to get used to all that physical activity again. I admit I've gotten a bit... lazy.' The old Enderman laughed softly, before he went to get some sleep.
"Are you going to be allright?" Evan asked. Vyyr nodded.
'I will be fine.' He said. 'Prepare for tomorrow. Our training will continue.'