If you think that I can improve this skin, leave your opinion in the comments down below.  ALL SUGGESTIONS WILL BE TAKEN!!

This is my first attempt at shading.  Special thanks to iBrysn (ItsBronz) for teaching me how to shade - CLICK HERE FOR TUTORIAL


Author's Note to Self:  He created the first desert temple.


Story (WIP):


"Hey, what is that?"


Although it was still dark, a slight movement could be seen in the dark.  It approached at a steady rate, the sand swirling up in it's wake.


"Not sure.  Throw a torch at it.  We might get a better view.  Looks like a person to me."


A guy in a green-bluish shirt cursed.  "Think it's him?"


"Nah, no way.  If it was, we could at least see his eyes.  Besides, he's not cloaked in darkness.  I'm thinking it might be Notch.  Who else?"   The girl lit a torch and shined it through the window.  She looked for a little bit, then tossed it.  Light shone on the ground below it.  Right before it hit the ground, it shone on the figure.  He was wearing a blue robe, and a necklace of some sorts with an orange gem at the center.  She winced as it reflected the light back at her eyes, then suddenly disappeared as the torch sputtered out in the sand.  "Actually, I'm not sure who.  Know anyone in a blue robe?  He also has a necklace with an orange gem."


The approaching figure stopped.  He picked up the torch, and relit it.  He set it back down on the ground and stepped back.  He picked up a little sand and tossed it into the flame.  "Stoirm deannaigh!"


Sand began to slowly swirl around him in a lazy circle.  Slowly, more sand from the surrounding region began to join in as it began to pick up speed.  It rose higher into the air, increasing in speed and intensity.  Sand began to fly through the air as the mage was encircled in a violent sandstorm.  The male in the house sheilded his face as sand began to fly through the window.  "Nobody that I know of.   I think that he might be one of those travelling mages, though."  He walked over to the window.  "We mean no harm!"  He called out.  "You can come in if you wish!"


Seconds later, the sandstorm came to an abrupt stop, sand flying through the air in a shower of yellow grains.  The mage walked towards the house.  The male ran down the stairs to unlock the door, the female short behind him.  "You sure about this, Steve?"


He opened up the door.  "Well, I can defend us if there's trouble like last time."  He nodded to his sword hanging on the wall next to them.


The mage walked up the path and entered their house.  "Hello," he said.  "Thanks for letting me in."


Steve laughed.  "Well, its not everyday that a person causes a sandstorm right outside of this house.  Stay as long as you like.  Do you want some food?"


"No thanks.  And sorry about the sandstorm.  I thought that you were him, so..."  The mage looked at the floor, embarrassed with himself.  "I mean, you have the same shirt and all..."

"Nope, he's not me.  Though I understand why you might have thought so.  Personally, I thought you were him when you were first approaching.  It was dark and all, so hopefully you'll understand my concern.  Plus, the last mage that visited us..."  Steve went silent.




The mage nodded.  "Yeah, its a shame.  Ever since he decided to come back, life just hasn't been the same."

The female walked over.  "Sorry, I had to put some stuff away.  I'm Alex, you?"

He nodded politely to her.  "My name's Tom.  I'm technically an earth mage, but sand is my specialty."

Steve walked to the kitchen.  "Well, feel free to stay as long as you want.  I'm going to go get some food, give a holler if there is anything you want."

Tom stayed for three days before he decided to buid a house next to Steve and Alex's house.

--TWO YEARS LATER--

Steve walked in.  "Hey Tom, do you have any sugar?  I'm trying to make a pie, but we ran out of sugar."

"Sure!" came the reply from within the house.  Footsteps approached Steve as Tom walked over to one of the shelves and grabbed a sack of sugar and a small bowl.  "How much?"

"One cup should - WHAT IN THE??!!"

Steve ducked to avoid a fireball that passed where his head had been only a second ago.  Tom turned around to peer out of the broken window.  "What was that for?"  he called out at the figure.

A menacing chuckle came from the figure.  "Oh Tom, always the stupid one.  You know, I was going to train you in the arts of manipulating earth, and not just sand.  And I will forgive you, too.  Just send your little friends out and I'll help you."

Tom walked overto Steve.  "When I say go, run to your house," he whispered.  "You know, sand does have its uses, particularly in the desert, and for more than just killing.," Tom called out to the figure.  "I'm coming out, by the way.  Don't be alarmed."   He took one of his spare cloaks off of a hook and gave it to Steve to put on.  "Now go!"  He shoved Steve out the door.  "Just getting the other one," Tom called back.

Steve turned around.  "Do you know the figure?" he asked Tom.

"Herobrine.  Get your sword," Tom said, slamming the door in Steve's face.

Steve ran across to his house.  He closed and locked the door behind him.  "You got the sugar?" Alex asked, turning around to find Steve wearing Tom's cloak.   "Umm...should I ask why?"

He grabbed his sword and ran over to Alex.  "He's here," he whispered to her.   "Get in the basement,."

A rapping sound was heard on the door.  "How long does it take to get a person and drag them out of their house?" Herobrine asked.  He tried to shove the door open, but it wouldn't budge.  Herobrine glared at the house next to him.  "Imbecile," he muttered, summoning a fireball.  He hurled it at the nearby house, giving a smirk when it burst into flames, heat radiating from the burning building.