Liam’s POV

 Waking up, the blinding light of the sun makes me flinch. Stretching my hand up, I stretch upwards and hear the crackling of paper. I suddenly remember the map from yesterday, and I tug it from under my pillow. It’s a little crinkled and torn but it survived. I toss it onto my cupboard, running my hand through my hair. Rolling out of bed, I head towards my mirror. I lazily watch myself. My usually pristine hair is messy, and I curse, tugging a brush through it, trying to tame it like I was trying to tame my thoughts now.

 I wasn’t ready. There was no way I was ready for an exam! Even with a couple of weeks to prepare, there was no way I was ready to go out there alone. What if something happens whilst I’m away? What if I need help? There is no one to help me…

 The knock at my bedroom door interrupts my disturbing train of thoughts. Turning quickly, I yank open my door with a little too much force. “Morning.” Mitch smiles, looking unusually friendly for once.

“Um, morning?” I frown, rubbing my forehead tiredly. Mitch never usually came to my door in the morning. “What are you doing here?” I ask curiously. He raises his eyebrows at me.

“I live here” he laughs.

“Yeah, I know that, I mean what are you doing at my door? You never come to my room.” He rolls his eyes.

“I just thought I’d see how you were doing. I know this exam can stress people out.” He looks me up and down, and I try and fight the flush of embarrassment on my cheeks at my dishevelled state. “Looks like it’s doing just that. Don’t worry about it. As long as you focus on the prize and keep calm, you will fly through it, I know you will.” He says, before leaving my door. “Oh, breakfast is on the table. Hope you like it. I’m not as good at cooking as you are,” he calls out.

“I’ll be down in a minute” I call after him, and I quickly back into the safety of my bedroom, shutting the door quietly.

 I quickly dress into something smarter, a blue shirt with my favourite blue hoodie. I pull my jeans on and glance at the mirror. I looked very blue today, I think, maybe I should change? I quickly take off the blue clothes, changing into a black shirt, a black leather jacket, tighter blue jeans and some black trainers that had seen some better days. I catch sight of myself in the mirror and grin. But then it fades. Why did I care so much about how I looked around Mitch? It wasn’t as if he paid attention to me anyway. I sigh, but I don’t feel like getting dressed again, so I sluggishly walk downstairs, following the smell of bacon.

 Entering the kitchen, Mitch has his back to me, eating his food off the kitchen cabinet, letting me sit at the table in peace. I cut off some bacon and shove it into my mouth, tasting it slowly. It wasn’t as good as mine but it was right up there. He turns suddenly and he freezes, watching me.

“What?” I ask, trying to keep the smirk off my face.

“Nothing” he mumbles. He turns around, and eats quicker. I finally let a small smile flicker onto my face.

 Suddenly, the door bursts open. My sword is in my hand straight away, gripping the hilt and swinging it to face the door. Mitch is faster, already launching himself at the door, alarm in his eyes. “WOW, WOW, WOW!” a voice yells out. Mitch suddenly stops himself.

“Sky? What are you doing here?” he asks, sheathing his sword.

“I just came to check on you! Jeez, try not to kill me next time!” he exclaims, shoving the door back to look at me, my sword still out.

 You can tell he is royal automatically. His clothes are plain, black, but he has a strange “budder” amulet hanging off his neck, and the “budder” crown perched high on his head, deep jewels of all different colours glinting in the morning light. His stance is high, and he gives off a powerful aura. He, too, was good at PVP, just like everyone on this island, but not as good as Mitch.

 “Put the sword down, Liam. It’s fine.” Mitch says quietly, holding the door open for Sky. Unlike what a king should have, Sky has no guards. What he does have is an enchanted budder sword, with hundreds of enchants on. It glitters at his belt, almost buzzing with power. Nobody knows where he got it from, but some say that’s how he became king. Nobody dares attack the king, especially because of his sword.

 “So, how is your apprentice doing?” Sky asks, plonking himself down at the table as I sheath my sword.

“Great. He’s going to be doing his exam in a few weeks.”

“Oh that is some good news! Well done Liam, no one usually gets this far, what with Mitch’s temper and all. Honestly, he’s like a little girl sometimes” he laughs and I snicker behind Mitch’s back, who glowers at me until I duck my head and mumble my apologies, still giggling a little. What Sky said was true; Mitch did have some very sulky tantrums.

 “Whatever. What do I owe this visit then?” Mitch asks quickly, trying to change the subject.

“Oh, I was just visiting to tell you that we were thinking of sending a spy to Yogscast Island. Y’know, see how they are doing in the business district. I was thinking Liam, actually.” Both eyes swivel to me, and I stiffen.

“It’s too dangerous Sky. He’s only an apprentice!” Mitch protests, but Sky shrugs.

“He’s as good as anyone on this island, and he needs to be tested anyway. You set off today. Bye then.” He says quickly, before exiting swiftly.

 The silence in the kitchen almost overwhelms me. “Looks like your going to Yogscast Island then” Mitch says quietly.

“Yeah.” I whisper.

“I’ll show you where you need to go.” He says flatly, leaving the room and gesturing for me to follow. I stumble out of the door, thoughts disrupting my focus. What the hell just happened? Does Mitch even care? I shake my head. I need to focus now, I think. Focus is key. Or else I’ll die, and I can’t fail Mitch.

 He shows me to a massive field, and there is a giant trench dug through the middle of it. He shudders suddenly, looking down. “This was where I carried Jerome away” he whispers. I nod, looking around. There is no life here, just deathly silence. There is a massive crater in the ground near the line and Mitch moves towards it, crouching down next to it. “This was the bomb.” He says quietly. I gawp.

The hole could fit a house in it and it was incredibly deep. “He was lucky to survive” he finishes, before standing up awkwardly, muttering things under his breath.

“This is where I say goodbye, then.” I mumble, quickly patting myself down, making sure I had my emergency knives and sword, and my bow and quiver poking out over my back.

“Good luck, friend.” He says to me, before pulling me in for a hug. “Stay safe, and come back, OK? Promise me” he whispers suddenly furious in my ear.

“I promise” I say weakly. I didn’t want to let go, I wanted to bring him over the line with me, make him by my protector. But he pulls away, and I nod at him before turning round and jumping over the trench.

 It was time to see if I had what it takes to call myself Mitch’s apprentice. And I would not fail him.