The color of the portal reminds me of a sunset on the surface. I don't see them that often, but the gem-like purple that takes over the sky always sticks with me. It reminds me of the Amethyst around my neck.
“You packed it, right?” Father asks, patting me on the back where my pack is.
I nod. “The business-like manilla folder? Hard to miss in a world of red.” I wink playfully.
Chuckling, an actual and genuine smile peeks out of the corners of Herobrine’s mouth.
Then he frowns.
“Good… good luck son.” He says.
“Thanks.”
“Just… just keep in mind. If you fail…”
My smile breaks into a frown as well. “I know.” I say. “Then you have to finish it for me.”
“Good.” He grunts. “Don't fail.”
We have a pause of awkward silence. We kind of just stare at eachother. Father and son, one about to enter a portal to live in another dimension for a month.
“Can I have a final request?” I ask.
“Sure.” Father chuckles.
“I want confirmation that this boy reaches the Aether.” I demand firmly.
Herobrine waves me off, placing a hand over his heart. “Sure kid.” He relents.
So with my needs satisfied, I face him and wave. Then I allow the gravity to pull me backwards, effectively trust-falling into a portal to another dimension.
Herobrine disappears from view, and is overtaken by a world of purple swirling and a deafening whoosh. My ears have adapted to handle it by now, but it leaves me with ringing ears every time I enter or exit the Nether.
With a thud my thoughts are pushed away. A dull ache enters my spine, and soft stuff tickles my back.
It's called grass… it think?
No, I'm fairly certain that it's called grass.
A large smile encompasses my entire face. This is my home, despite my castle in the Nether. This is where my mother gave birth to me, before she died.
I never really got to know her, or what killed her.
A green, spade-shaped object flies at me, blanketing my vision in green tint. I squeak, flailing until it falls away from my eyes. There is a flash of yellow as it is taken by the breeze.
“Right.” I mutter. “Where were those sunglasses…”
I fish them from my pocket and lay them gently on my face. They are obsidian-plated, making it nearly impossible to see through them from the other side.
I breathe a sigh of relief. The harsh light of the sun no longer digs at my eyes, meaning that they will stop glowing brighter in agitation. They already glow enough as it is.
My surrounding come into clearer focus, leaving me bewildered.
I walk up to a tall brown spire that sticks out from the grass. It is rough to the touch, and leaves pieces of itself in my skin when I drag my hand downwards. Why!?
“This is…. Burk? Barn?” I struggle, attempting to remember the word.
Sure, I've seen these before. I've been to the surface more than once, after all. But in my haste to return home, I never took the effort to learn.
Now that I'll be here a while, I might as well, right?
“Bird… Barsh… BARK!” In say excitedly. “It's called bark! On a tree!”
Giggling to myself like a child, I lay down in the soft grass, and admire the beautiful colors of the trees and their bark.
My breath catches in my throat.
“Woah…” I whisper. “Sky.”
My namesake rests wonderfully above my head in a special shade of baby blue. White puffs float through it occasionally, and up high is the burning ball of fire that I recognize as the sun.
Based on my lessons with father, I can estimate that it is around noon. Maybe one or eleven if I'm off a bit.
Sighing, I push myself up off the ground. The soft grass leaves my skin, leaving it vulnerable to the chilly breeze. Good thing temperatures don't affect me as much as they would a human. Poor mortals.
A bright and colorful blob is sprouting from the grass by a tree. It is red with white spots, and gives off a scent that any baby wolf could pick up, so of course I noticed it.
I sneak over two it, and prod it with my finger. Nothing. I tug on it gently, and it breaks off from the ground.
“Holy Aether, did I break it?” I question loudly.
“Dood, have you never seen a mushroom before?” A teasing voice asks.
I lerch back, exclaiming “It talks! Mother of Brine it talks!” with my eyes wide behind my sunglasses.
An obnoxious laugh bounces around in my skull, reminding me much of when I used to talk with the Wither. The once-teenager always liked to mess with little me. Of course, when I was taught to use my powers, he dialed it back.
He even went through a period where he called me Nether Prince. Thanks to him, I'd assume all the mobs in existence call me that now. I just can't seem to get them to call me Sky, or even Prince Sky. Casual is no longer in that man’s vocabulary.
“What! Why are you laughing!” I yell at the cruel creature that calls itself a “mushroom”.
Eventually, the snickers slow down. Ruffling comes from behind the tree, making me grow curious.
And out steps a boy.
“I… I don't think I'm a mushroom dood!” He chuckles hysterically.
The boy seems to look around my age, and is a little shorter than I am. He wears a pair of sunglasses over his own eyes, also obsidian-plated. I wonder what he’s hiding behind his shades. You don't just get obsidian shades for funsies.
He has on a navy blue undershirt, with a darker blue collar. Over it he has a black tuxedo jacket, with a bit of something white staining the sleeves. On bottom are tuxedo pants, followed by regular tennis shoes.
I've seen stuff like this before. Seven years ago, on my third mission, I had to infiltrate a palace a few kingdoms away. Father explained what everything was, adding some extra articles of clothing to my vocabulary for good measure.
“Oh man, you sure gave me a laugh! Hello good sir, I am Mr. Mushroom!” The boy mocks.
My eyes narrow under my sunglasses, but I refrain my anger. Anger only brings temptations. I have my amulet on, but I'd rather not risk it.
“Don't mock me.” I grumble sternly.
“Sorry dood. I'm not a mushroom. Name’s SSundee. Call me Ian though.” Ian says, holding out a hand to help me up.
I get a firm footing, and readjust the backpack on my back. There is precious cargo in there, after all. A few pieces of magma cream- a very delicious, actually, even if it burns a little- for one. That stuff is hard to get ahold of when you're outside of the Nether.
I believe I packed enough for the month, but I shrunk it with an enchantment for easier transport. I'll need to get ahold of some potion ingredients to actually eat it. It's the only food my stomach is really used to yet.
Maybe this month will change that.
“Hello. My name is Skybr-Sky. Just Sky.” I say politely. I nearly bow in courtesy, but I catch myself. This human is not aware of my status among mobs, for obvious reasons. I would only receive a strange look.
“Nice to meet ya. You hungry? I just got back from a hunt, and you look tired.” Ian offers.
I've got food, but I did just spend all morning preparing and training. I'm not sure who I'm supposed to… Eliminate… but Father is serious. Whoever this person is, Herobrine isn't sure if I can take them.
My body is sore, even if it will regenerate by tomorrow. Sleep would help. I'm not sure what a hunt is, but it doesn't matter. I only want to sleep.
“Sure. I am pretty tired, but I’ve got plenty of food. Lead the way?” I say, unsure.
“Kay, this way. You just gotta meet my people. We are one hell of a group.” Ian laughs, rubbing the back of his neck.
I follow him through the trees.
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Snickers here, wassup Martians?
I know there aren't many of you right now, or at least not at the time of my posting this. That's okay. For those that are here, I only ask that you continue to enjoy.
You are enjoying, no?
I hope so. OC submissions soon.
Snickers out.