Ender's Game

The authorities, including Graff, now know who are behind the Locke and Demosthenes personas and that they are Ender’s older siblings. However, they choose to not reveal this knowledge or act on it for the time being.

Valentine now enjoys playing Demosthenes, though Peter is frustrated Demosthenes gains esteem faster than Locke. Though Valentine initially despised everything Demosthenes represents, she now sympathizes with his ideas: “Perhaps it’s impossible to wear an identity without becoming what you pretend to be” (162).

Graff waits for Valentine at school, and she regards him coldly. He takes her to Ender, who has spent three months building a raft by a remote cabin. Valentine doesn’t trust Graff, and she doesn’t like playing a pawn to convince Ender to continue training, but she goes. Ender reacts stoically to their reunion, but his eyes stay glued to her face. Ender remembers her being beautiful; Valentine lightheartedly takes the insult, but Ender explains, “No. Your face is the same, but I don’t remember what beautiful means anymore” (165). They board the raft, and Valentine studies her brother; he’s stronger, more tense, and coldly pragmatic. Ender shares his frustration over not understanding the buggers. He explains he hates himself for hurting his enemies, who he can’t help but love, and he’s done with playing the games he has to play at Battle School.