Dinner was a daunting affair for Blade. The idea of being in a large room with dozens of strangers freaked her out. But thankfully, the family and Blade were allowed to have their dinner privately. The food itself was simple and delicious, and there was plenty of it.

"I think we can all agree that this is one of the strangest and scariest things that has ever happened to us," Ender commented, stabbing some steak with her fork.

"No argument there," Steve said.

"We're not going to be able to see each other all the time, are we?" Alex asked.

Notch nodded and Alex sighed. She curled up next to W, putting her head on the older girl's shoulder.

"So what will you guys be doing?" Hero asked Ender and W. They looked at each other.

"Leave in the morning, teleport to the End/Nether and... I don't know. We'll see."

"You guys will try and keep in contact, right?" Steve asked. Blade thought she could hear a trace of worry in his voice.

"Of course Steve," Ender smiled.

They all went to bed soon after that. Blade stared up at the ceiling, a mixture of feelings churning in her. Fear for her friends, anxiety for training the next day, excitement and fear for seeing what would happen in the future. Yet somehow, she managed to fall asleep.

Ender and W were gone when Blade woke up the next morning. Notch was also gone. Hero and Steve were already up, eating some of the breakfast that had been brought up for everyone.

"Hey," Steve greeted. "Had a good sleep?"

"Well, I didn't have to listen to Notch's snoring, so yeah."

Steve snorted in laughter. Herobrine finished off his toast and stood up.

"Martin wants us in the courtyard in half an hour Blade," he said. Blade nodded. "What are you planning on doing Steve?"

Steve shrugged. "Well, I was planning on sticking with you guys, but that would leave Alex alone and people kept looking at me when I went out this morning, so I think I'll stay here."

"Speaking of which, where is Alex?" Blade asked.

Hero pointed over his shoulder. "Still sleeping. I'll get going, I want to look at something before going to the courtyard. See you there Blade!" With that, Hero left the quarters, closing the door behind him.

Blade sat down next to Steve, grabbing some toast. "So, how are you?" she asked.

"Not too bad. Apart from everybody looking at me like I'm either a freak or a hero."

"It'll pass in a few days."

"Hopefully." Steve sighed. "You know, when I was thinking and dreaming of what I would be when I grew up, it was nothing like this."

Blade also sighed. "I know. It's like our futures have already been chosen. There's nothing we can do about it."

"Just think about it: you're 16 Blade, and you're responsible for keeping the Prince of Minecraftia safe. That's a big responsibility."

"What about you then? You're 16 too, and you're suddenly one of the most important people in Minecraftia!"

Steve groaned. "Don't remind me about it. Seriously, I'm gonna punch Hero soon and it will not be pretty." He smiled thinly as he said it, obviously meaning it to be a joke. But he wasn't really kidding.

Blade chuckled slightly. "Well, I'd better going. Don't want to be late."

"Good luck," Steve said as Blade went out the door.

"Thanks!"

Blade walked down the hallways, her diamond sword at her side. Very few people payed any attention to her as her feet padded silently on carpeted floors. She wound her way around until she came to a courtyard that was behind the castle. She had seen it the day before when they were going to their rooms.

Except now it was filled with a few hundred soldiers. All armoured and with weapons at their side.

Blade froze at the doorway, stage fright gripping her. A few of the soldiers turned and saw her, but Blade ignored them. Martin said that this wasn't supposed to be a big group. She had expected it to only be a hundred soldiers as most, not three hundred! How could she be ready for this? There was no way she was going to be able to do this.

"Hey, you okay?"

Herobrine's voice cut through her worry and his hand on her shoulder brought her back to reality. His white eyes were glowing softly as he looked at her. Blade tried to smile but it was a vain attempt, so she nodded. Hero didn't seem convinced but he didn't press the matter.

"Let's go to Martin," he instead said.

Hero took her around the edge of the courtyard, which was more like a field now that Blade thought about it. As they came to the front, more and more soldiers paid attention to them. Blade's stomach churned but Hero's hand stopped her from freezing like she did before. At the front stood Martin and Neil, along with several other soldiers who looked important. Blade guessed that they were commanders of sections of the army. All of them looked at Hero and Blade with surprise, as if they didn't realise just how young the two were.

Martin smiled a greeting when he saw them. "Hey Hero, Blade. You guys ready to start?"

Hero and Blade nodded. Neil bellowed for silence and the gathered soldiers instantly hushed, all their eyes fixed on the group at the front. Blade shrank back ever so slightly.

"Alright, we're going to be ramping up our training sessions," Martin called, loud enough for everyone to hear. "With the war coming, we need you guys to be as good as you're ever gonna be. We also have two people helping out today: Herobrine and Switchblade."

Blade gave a small wave as 300 pairs of eyes turned to her. Her stomach was clenched in a tight knot but she forced an outward calm expression.

"They're a little young, aren't they?" a voice called out.

Blade heard Hero sigh quietly. In every group of people, there was that one person who only saw the age and none of the skill. Luckily, Martin replied quickly and smoothly.

"They may be young but I'm sure you'll find that they are both very good," he said.

But the man wouldn't be silenced. "Not to be rude to you sir, but I'm not listening to a girl who can't be more than 14 years old!"

Martin drew breath to say something back, but Blade forestalled him, an idea springing to her mind. "Perhaps the man would like to have a friendly match? All in good will of course."

"Good thinking," Martin muttered. A practical demonstration of Blade's skill would speak volumes more than mere words. He then raised his voice. "Do you agree soldier?"

A man stepped forward from the crowd. He was of average height and was muscular. His rounded shield was on his left arm while his sword was still in its sheath. His face had several scars on it, indicating to Blade that the man didn't know when to duck. He saluted to Martin as he stepped forward.

"What's your name soldier?" Martin asked.

"Robert Erakson sir," the man said.

"Well Robert, do you agree to have a friendly match with Blade?"

"I do sir, and I shall do my best not to harm her."

Blade allowed herself a little smile. Robert had no idea what was coming.

The soldiers cleared a space for the two. Neil offered Blade a shield, but she declined. She didn't have much experience with a shield, and if all went as she hoped it would, she wouldn't need one. The two circled in the space that had been cleared. Robert's sword was out of its sheath and ready to use. Blade also had her sword out, and it was inscribing little circles in the air as she walked.

Robert went on the attack, hammering his sword on Blade. Blade blocked his strokes with ease, gradually giving ground before him. She unconsciously analyzed his technique, which was all offence. His shield was slowly slipping down as he only paid attention to his strokes. Then Blade stopped giving ground and stood firm, still parrying Robert's strokes. The strokes slowed as Robert became tired and Blade locked her blade with his. They stood like that, Robert huffing, Blade barely breathing hard.

Then Blade started attacking.

She shoved the man back, unlocking their blades. Her sword became a glittering circle of light as she struck. Robert was forced to give ground as Blade gave him no respite. He could barely make a counter-attack, completely focused on blocking that flicking blade. Finally, Robert stumbled back, off balance. Blade stuck once more and he fell down, his sword dropping from his hand. He felt a prickling sensation on his neck and he froze. Blade's sword was only centimetres from his throat. Her eyes were empty of any warmth, any compassion. Then the moment passed and she took away her sword from his neck, offering her hand to help him up. Robert gratefully took it, pulling himself up. They stood chest to chest for a few moments, until Blade smiled and slapped him on the shoulder.

"You're good," she said.

Robert ruefully shook his head. "You're better."

"What else can you expect from a Guardian?" Hero said.

Murmurs of shock and excitement broke out among the men and Blade sighed.

"You just had to say it, didn't you Hero?" she said, annoyed.

Hero shrugged, unable to stop a grin from spreading on his face.  

I can promise that something important happens in the next chapter.

Slimey: She can promise it cause she's already written it

Slimey shush!