~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Trust takes years to build, seconds to break, and forever to repair."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jerome slammed Jason against the wall, his paws clutching the Ex-General's shirt tightly as he growled. "I f*cking knew I never should have trusted you! I should have killed you back during the Decade War when I had the chance!" He shouted. Jason winced, not really willing to try to anger the hybrid more than he already is.

"L-Let me guess, you learned what happened to the king and are blaming me for it..." Jason said.

It's been two hours since the battle ended, the light mages are currently repairing the damage and tending to the wounded while also searching the entire island for any stragglers that were left over from the dark mage army. Ty and Lachlan made sure to take care of the pirates, securing the seas around the island before returning to port.

Jerome was helping to move the wounded for treatment, but once he was told that Mitch was badly injured, he rushed to the castle where Mitch is being treated with Lachlan, Ian, Jordan, and Rob in tow. Upon entering the castle, he spotted Jason, Sky, Sub, Red, and Vikk in the throne room, talking to each other. Jason having a bloodied bandage on the upper part of his arm.

But of course, Jerome immediately went after Jason seeing how he never trusted the Skaldian General.

Jerome gripped Jason's shirt in his paws. "Of course this is your fault!" he snapped.

Jason clicked his tongue. "Technically speaking, you are the King's sworn shield, Jerome. So actually, this is your fault," he said making Jerome growl at the general.

"Idiot..." Rob muttered under his breath upon hearing Jason's response. Rob grabbed Jerome's arm. "Jerome, that's enough, get off him!" he snapped pulling the enraged hybrid off Jason.

Jerome looked at Rob. "Don't tell me you trust this--"

Rob shakes his head. "I never said that! But all Jason has done since he came here is help us, so he has gained at least enough trust to be heard out," he snapped at Jerome.

Before Jason could respond, Vikk cut him off. "It isn't his fault, it's mine," he said making everyone look at him.

"No, Captain, it isn't," Red said.

Vikk glanced at Red before looking at Jerome and Rob. "I should have been there sooner, I should have been there to protect him when he needed it the most," he said.

Jerome's eyes soften at Vikk. "Vikk, it isn't your fault," he said before he looked at Sky. "You were supposed to protect him, why didn't you?"

Sky looked at Jerome, not knowing how to respond but Jason stepped in front of him when Jerome moved towards the Skaldian Prince. "Now hold on, if it wasn't for Sky here, we would have all died in that tunnel. So don't go blaming him when he saved us all," Jason snapped.

"Where is he?" Lachlan asked wanting to change the subject.

Vikk looked at Lachlan. "In his chambers, Quentin and two healers are treating him right now. He kicked everyone out of the room saying he didn't need us breathing down his neck and asking pointless and irritating questions," he said making Lachlan and Jordan smile in response seeing that as something Quentin would do and say.

Seeing how the subject changed, Ian pointed at Vikk. "Who are you?" he asked.

Vikk looked at Ian and sighed, not seeing the point of lying to him. "High Tier Captain Vikk Star, leader of the Shivoan Special Ops and encampment in the Hidden Forest. Once I heard that Shivoa was being attacked, I tried to get here as fast as I could to help...clearly, I didn't get here fast enough," Vikk said looking away.

Sky's eyes looked at Vikk. "Wait, you are the unknown Defender of Shivoa?" he asked.

Vikk nods. "Indeed I am, because of my position in Shivoa's military, we thought it would be best if my existence, in general, was kept a secret," he answered.

Jordan points at Vikk as he looks at Ian and Sky. "Vikk here is perhaps one of the best swordsmen I've ever seen. He is just like his father who was a highly reputable captain," Jordan said.

Vikk crossed his arms as he looked at Jordan, he smiled a bit. "I appreciate the compliment, but I don't feel as if I deserve it. I know I've been MIA for a while now and I'm sorry--"

"Vikk, you don't have to apologize. We understand. The encampment is stationed in the Perilous Lands--"

Vikk looked at Rob. "That doesn't matter, Rob! Mitch he...he almost died on us. What's the point of being a captain when you can't even protect your king when he needs it the most?" Vikk questioned.

Sky looked at Vikk. "You can't blame yourself for this, Vikk. Mitch wouldn't want that, and you heard Quentin, he said he was going to do everything he could to get Mitch back on his feet," Sky said making Vikk look at him.

"Yeah, who are you exactly?" he asked. Sky hesitated, not knowing how to respond. He felt Jordan grab his arm, stopping him from answering.

"We will explain everything once we are in a more private setting," Jordan explained before the doors opened, Quentin coming through with dry blood staining his pants and shirt, as well as his hands and forearms which alarmed everyone. They rushed over to him, Quentin picked his head up, stopping when he saw them come at him.

"Is he okay?!"

"How is he?! Is he gonna live?!"

"Why are you covered in blood?!"

Quentin put his hands up. "Okay, one questioned at a time please," he said before he lowered his hands, smiling. "The king will live, he's resting right now. He took a heavy hit to his gut, I had to repair some internal damage to his organs which should heal over time."

"You cut him open?"

Quentin looked at Jerome. "I had no choice, he was bleeding internally. It was either I cut him open to try to save his life or let him die from internal bleeding," he said.

Lachlan looks at Jerome. "All that matters is that he is going to be okay," he said.

Quentin nods as his eyes looked over every one of them. "Indeed, now, you all need to retire for the night to recover from such a hard and long battle--"

"We're fine," Jerome said trying to get past him to see Mitch but Quentin put his hand on Jerome's chest, stopping him.

"It wasn't a suggestion, Jerome. It was an order. The king is stable and I will be staying with him all night and morning to ensure that he stays stable. Vikk and the rest of his team are to stay as well to ensure his safety is upheld since they still have energy to spare. The rest of you are going to rest and recover and there will be no arguments or objections," he snapped at them.

Ian points at Quentin. "Whoa, wait a second. You don't have the power to order any but me around since I'm the only one among us that is just an ordinary citizen since Sky is some Skaldian Royal. You don't have the power to order people like General Maron or Lord Aceti around since they hold higher ranks," Ian pointed out. Quentin chuckled and shakes his head as he smiled at Ian.

"Ahh, you must not be from Shivoa..." he said making Ian confused.

"What are you--"

Rob looked at Ian. "Ian, Quentin holds that power to tell people like Jordan and me what to do when he believes our health is compromised," Rob said shocking Ian.

Ian looked at Rob. "What?! But what about the classes? Aren't you and Jordan part of the nobility--"

Rob shakes his head at him. "Actually, the only nobles here are Vikk, Lachlan, Jordan, Jason, Prince Ty, Prince Adam, Mitch, and Sub. The rest of us are just commoners," Rob pointed out shocking both Sky and Ian.

Sky looked at Rob. "W-Wait, Mitch allowed commoners to be..." Sky trailed off looking at them. He knows a bit about the classes, but he knows that only those of noble blood are allowed to hold positions of captains and generals in the military. Commoners aren't allowed to be anything more then soldiers since the royal family only trusts the nobility with high ranking positions. At least, that is how it is in Estron. In Skaldia, it is the same as Estron but at least Estron allows women to become soldiers while women in Skaldia can be nothing more than just housewives, servants, or bakers.

In Shivoa...King Mitchell has allowed for Rob Wolfe, a commoner, to become his general in which means that Rob only answers to the royal family and only to the royal family. And Jerome, a commoner as well, holding a position as the King's Sworn Shield and Royal Guard, a position that should be given to a noble was instead given to a commoner and a hybrid commoner at that.

Sky couldn't help but be impressed which King Mitch. 'Perhaps I misjudged Mitch, I thought he was like all other kings and only cares about the nobles. But he seems to care more about his people than himself,' Sky thought smiling a bit at that. That alone earned a lot of respect for the Shivoan King from Sky. 'I may be a noble in origin, but I grew up a commoner...so I know how hard the commoners have it. Knowing that it is different here, it's amazing...'

Sky looked at Jordan. "Did the King before King Mitchell believe in these things as well?" he asked.

Jordan shakes his head. "No, King Luther only allowed those of nobility to be captains and generals. It was King Mitchell who openly defied the old customs and traditions of his forebears to allow commoners and peasants more choices and opportunities to better their lives while King Mitchell cared not for how much harder it would make his own life," he said making Sky smile a bit. 'Any King who cares more for their people than themselves has my respect...' he thought.

Ian looked at Jordan. "But that type of thinking is just suicidal! How can you just trust commoners being so close to the king like that?! One of them could be paid to assassinate him!" Ian pointed out before he looked at Vikk. "You're a noble! How can you be okay with serving under commoners?!"

Vikk crossed his arms at Ian. "Because I grew up with Mitch since my father was a trusted captain and advisor for King Luther, Mitch's father. I know Mitch, he was once like his father in his beliefs...but all of that changed once we met Jerome, Rob, and Preston. Jerome saved Mitch's life multiple times during his time as a prince, Jerome has more than enough proof that he would lay down his life for Mitch. While Rob..." Vikk said before his eyes looked at Rob, hesitating.

Rob looked at Vikk, but his eyes went to the number of people that are around them. Sure, he sort of came to terms with his past a long time ago, but some wounds haven't fully healed and he rather not talk about everything that happened. He looked at Quentin, changing the subject quickly. "How is Master Azdel? I heard he was injured as well," Rob asked.

Quentin's expression softens into a troubled one. "Yeah, he was. I had started treatment on him...but..."

"But what?" They asked getting nervous from Quentin's insularity.

Quentin sighed. "I was kicked out by some stuck-up mages who say I had no right to treat Seto's injuries. Now they aren't allowing anyone to treat him when Seto needs treatment," Quentin said.

"That's messed up," Red said.

Quentin nods. "Yeah, I agree," he said.

Ian looked at Rob, but before Ian could speak, Rob cut him off. "Yeah, no, they won't listen to me so don't even ask me to try," he said.

"Why not, General?" Red asked making Vikk, Jerome, and Lachlan smile or laugh.

Lachlan looked at Red. "Rob isn't on the best terms with the magic community since last time he was at Laenadur, he was charged with treason for helping humans. He was going to be executed until Mitch went to Laenadur and threatened that if they don't release Rob immediately, any and all treaties and agreements that exist between Shivoa and the Magic Council will be null and void. And that killing Rob would be a declaration of war against Shivoa. He basically threatened that if they didn't release Rob, he would destroy the Magic Council's very livelihoods which Mitch absolutely has the power to do," he said making the Shivoans, Jordan, Quentin, Jason either smile or laugh while Ian, Sub, Sky, and Red were shocked.

Jason sighed. "Well, I don't think I should be the one to talk with them since mages that work for the Magic Council tend to hate my guts," Jason said.

Jordan looked at Jason. "I wonder whose fault that is--"

Jason's eyes looked at Jordan. "Yours actually if you are so curious, Jordan. Yours and your family--"

Jordan shakes his head. "No, no, you did that to yourself," he said.

Jason's eyes narrowed at Jordan. "Really? I did that to myself? Are you sure? You're a Skaldian, Jordan, just like Sky and I are. You aren't from Estron, you just live there--oh sorry, that's not right-- you used to live there," Jason taunted.

Rob grabbed Jordan's arm when he saw the general move towards the Skaldian. "Alright, this is getting ridiculous. You two need to get along, we are going to be working together whether you like it or not, so you both need to find some common ground meaning no more being at each other's throat," Rob said before Jason spoke, motioning at Jerome.

"Jordan isn't the only one, basically everyone in this room looks at me as the enemy. Something goes wrong and I'm the one who is immediately blamed," Jason said.

"Can you blame us? You are the least trustworthy person here!" Jerome snapped at Jason.

Jason pointed at Rob. "Actually, no, I'm not. That would be Rob," Jason said making Rob look at him.

"What is that suppose to mean?" he asked.

"I'm pretty sure you can figure that one out for yourself since I would hate to reveal such information in front of your soldiers," Jason said looked at Rob. Rob gritted his teeth, his fists emitting a blue light as the room temperature quickly dropped. Jason smirked a bit, leaning against the wall as he looked at Rob. "Oohh, did I touch a nerve? Be careful, Rob, Preston isn't here to calm you down like he normally has to when you are about to blow your top," he asked. Red flinched, jumping away since he was near Jason once an ice shard fired from Rob's hand and struck the wall inches from Jason's head. Jason chuckled amused. "Oh, that's right, I forgot. I'm not allowed to talk about Preston," he said. Vikk grabbed Red, yanking him away from Jason since he knows how Rob can get when he is mad.

Vikk looked at Jason. "Jason, stop it," he warned.

Jason's eyes shifted to Vikk and he looked back at Rob. "Fine, you all are no fun," he said.

"Two can play at that game, Jason," Jordan said making Jason look at Jordan.

"What are you talking about?" he asked.

Before Jordan could respond, Rob did. "Celicia..." Rob said making Jason gripped his arms as his eyes flashed with anger for a moment as Rob continued speaking. "How did she die again, Jordan? I forgot."

Jordan looked at Rob. "Her death was Jason's fault, she--"

Sky looked at Jason as he heard the general speak, Jason staring at the floor. "They really want to die it seems..." Jason mumbled making Sky's eyes widen a bit. He looked at Jordan and Rob, wanting to stop this since their words seem to bother Jason. As much as he knows he shouldn't trust Jason, he...he just does. He trusts Jason, not because they are both Skaldians, but because he can tell that Jason is a good person who just didn't have a good upbringing. Sky grabbed Jason's wrist, stopping him from drawing a sword, Jason looked at Sky. "What are you--"

Sky pushed against Jason's wrist, pushing the blade back in its sheath. "Don't give them the satisfaction of proving that you can't be trusted, Jason. If it is any comfort, I know you are a good person and I trust you..." Sky said. Jason stared at Sky, feeling his anger quickly vanish.

Jason's eyes looked away from Sky. "Whatever..." he said before he walked away from the group, heading towards the guest room that Mitch had given him in the castle.

Vikk smiled looked at Sky. "Good job on defusing that," he said making Sky look at him.

Sky turned around, facing Jordan and Rob. "What's so bad about Jason that you two can't get along with him?" Sky asked.

"He's a Skaldian," Rob pointed out.

Sky looked at Rob. "And I am as well, does that mean I'm not to be trusted...or given a chance to prove that?" he asked.

"You don't even know Jason--"

Sky looked at Jordan now. "I know that King Mitchell trusts him," he said.

Jerome shakes his head. "Mitch trusts a lot of people, not all of them have ended well. And I know Jason will end up like that," Jerome said making Sky ball his hands into fists. Something about this ticked him off, he didn't know why.

Sky gritted his teeth for a moment before he just shook his head, not knowing what to say to change their minds. So he just looked at them and said, "Jason turned his back on his kingdom for all of you...he left his home for all of you and none of you will even give him a chance--"

"Not true--"

Sky's gaze snapped at Jerome. "I CAN TELL NONE OF YOU HAVE!" Sky screamed at him making everyone flinch, even Ian who have never heard Sky speak this loud at anyone he didn't already know. He's never seen Sky talk this much to anyone other than him and Falicia. Jerome flinched and stepped back from Sky.

Sky looked away, letting out a shaky breath, calming down. "Sorry, that was uncalled for. But I'm not wrong. If you all had given him a chance, he wouldn't be so guarded and defensive around all of you. He snaps at you because he knows he has nothing to lose since he knows he has none of your trust," he said.

"How do you know that?" Rob asked.

Sky bits down on his bottom lip, his eyes looking at Rob. "King Mitchell gave you all the benefit of the doubt when he allowed commoners to be a part of his royal guard...don't you think Jason deserves that same thing? After all, I highly doubt any of you would be here if Mitch didn't give you a chance to prove yourselves," Sky snapped at them before he left them all, going after Jason. When he found the general, he was waiting for the hallway to be finished repaired by the mages.

Jason turned around, seeing Sky. "What do you want now?" he asked.

Sky stopped a few feet away. "You okay?" he asked.

Jason stared at Sky before looking away. "Look, you don't need to defend me or anything, Sky. I'm used to be treated like that, it doesn't phase me that much anymore," he said.

Sky's eyes soften. "Expect I can tell that it does bother you," he said. Jason looked at Sky, staring at him. He hadn't expected Prince Adam Skylen to be like this, granted Sky didn't grow up like royalty. So something like this shouldn't be so much of a shock to him.

Jason heard the mages say that they finished the repairs before they left to repair more stuff. Which leaves Sky and Jason alone in the hallway. Jason looked out the window, staring out it for a moment before he sighed. He looked at Sky. "I won't deny that, but still...don't defend me. I appreciate it but just don't. I don't plan on living much longer after all you--"

Sky's eyes widen at that. "W-What?! You're going to--"

Jason nodded a bit. "I don't exactly have anything or anyone left worth living for. King Izic took everything from me...so I don't care what they think of me. I'm only here since I said I would train you, Prince. At least I can do one good thing before I die," he said. But once he saw Sky's expression, he knew what the prince was going to say. "When you had the life I had...death is more of a sweet release--"

Sky pointed at him. "No, death isn't a sweet release. It's a way to run away from your problems," Sky retorted making Jason looked at him. He stepped towards the general. "It's never too late to live the life that you want to live, General. It's never too late to turn things around..."

Jason's hands balled into fists in his coat pockets, stepping back from Sky. He looked away from him, not knowing how to react to Sky's words. His words cut him deep but he didn't want them to. "Some people...when they break...they break for good," he said before looking at Sky. "I'm just one of those people who break for good. Go back to your friends, Sky, I'm sure they are missing you. I've always been alone, so just leave me that way. I'll come to you when I need you for training." Jason then walked away from him. Sky stood frozen in his spot, wanting to chase after Jason but he couldn't move to do so.

Sky looks down at the floor. In a way, Jason reminds Sky of himself. He uses to think like that for the longest time until people like Falicia, Jordan, and the others came along. Sky's eyes flickered up, seeing Jason hasn't turned the corner yet. "Jason!" he called out not making Jason stop. Sky stepped forward. "I'll become King of Skaldia but only if you become my General!" he shouted making Jason stop dead in his tracks.

Jason couldn't help but smile a bit. 'Well played...' Jason thought before he loses his smile, turning halfway to look at Sky. "Are you blackmailing me?" he asked.

Sky shrugs his shoulders a bit. "I-I don't want you to die..." he said.

Jason stared at Sky before looking away before he spoke, "Well, let's see if you have what it takes to be a prince before it's decided if you worthy to be a king..."