(Art by thenovaswag, I had to XD)

N: The moment there was any light, England suddenly sat up straight and his eyes widened when he momentarily didn't recognize the room he was in. He frantically looked around himself, sacred that his father simply disappeared into thin air, until he realized that he was in his room. Suspecting who moved him, he got out of bed and headed towards Saxon's room.

Loudly knocking on his door, he called out, "Faeder, why did you move me? I was perfectly fine where I was, besides who was going to look after Fa." However, when he didn't hear a response, he knocked louder to get his attention. This isn't like him, he thought, to not be awake at this time. He was about to knock again when a door nearby opened to reveal a half-asleep Celtica, popping her head into the corridor.

"Quiet down, England," she slurred, her eyes open a smidge, "people are trying to sleep; not everyone is like you and Saxon."

"But he's not awake," he explained, knocking for the third time to prove his point, so she lumbered over to him and opened the door, revealing an untouched bed. Guessing where he could be, she smirked as she closed the door and headed towards Anglo's room, and opened the door.

Saxon, sleep-deprived from having to wake up and comfort Anglo during the night, jolted his head up when he heard the door open, his eyes heavy with tiredness, squinting at the countries at the door. Slowly, he raised his hand and put a finger at his mouth, then pointed at the winged country. When they got the memo, they left and closed the door behind them.

"That explains it," England mumbled and faced the Celt, "do you mind joining me to a spot of breakfast?"

"Since you woke me up, you better do," she replied, then she wobbled her way back, "meet you there in five."

M: Thanks to the acoustics of the castle, England most likely woke up half of the castle, the two princes included. Mandara decided he might as well get up but Derogan wouldn't budge.

"Come on Derogan, you got to get up and eat, I haven't seen you eat anything for two days, aren't you hungry?" he asked.

He didn't get anything other than an annoyed grumble that was clearly saying that Derogan was not interested in leaving his bed, so Mandara defeatedly left, Edel following behind.

They ran into England and Celtica and he crossed his arms in indignation, "well well if it isn't Mr. Wake-Up-the-Whole-Damn-Castle, what the heck could you possibly be doing that would warrant so much noise?"

N: "Did I," he asked, and Celtica rolled her eyes when she heard his response.

"Of course you bloody did," she snapped, "you're damn knocking had to wake everyone up, because what, you wanted to talk to your father?"

"Alright," he said, raising his arm in defeat, "I'm sorry, but at least now you are awake and fresh. Let's just go and eat." The country eyed the dragon, conscious to keep a fair amount of distance between them so Edel doesn't pounce on him.

M: Edel didn't look to be in the mood to pounce on anyone, as was apparent by his constant yawning, so he just quietly trailed behind everyone. When they made it to the dining room and sat down the dragon lay down next to England's chair and tried to go back to sleep.

"I guess that being alive is tiring when you've been a stone statue for so long," Mandara commented, then looked to Celtica, "so since your staying here until it's safer to leave, does that mean you'll take up the challenge to spear fight Rowen, hopefully you'll be better than Saxon and not get your spear sliced in half."

N: "Since I don't have anything else to do, what's the harm," she shrugged.

"Don't underestimate Sir Rowen," England warned, "the man is very skilled and his performance during his duel with Faeder was quite the sight."

"I'm not," she replied, "I know many people who are skilled with a spear, especially humans, so I will only expect the best from Sir Rowen."

As they spoke, they heard heavy footsteps approaching the dining hall, and entered Saxon walking in like he's half-dead. The entity found a seat at the table and flopped onto the chair, folded his arms, and rested his head on the table. Exhausted, he asked the group, "wake me up in ten minutes," and with that, he slept right there at the table.

Celtica shook her head and glanced at England, "This is what happens when you wake up the entire world with your knocking."

M: "Yeah, you woke up Derogan too but he was adamant about staying in bed, I'm worried about him though, I haven't seen him eat since his eyes turned gray, he should be hungry but he says he isn't, I don't know what to do."

N: "Maybe he could meet Spirit again," suggested England, "even with his current position, he seemed happy to be around the foal. That could hopefully persuade him to get out of bed."

Celtica hmmed at the suggestion, "but you have to remember that you cannot rush him. You can't leave someone alone forever, but from what I hear, he's still healing if his eyes are grey."

M: Mandara nodded in confirmation, "yeah, when you left yesterday and he came down they were gray, we think it's because he snapped under pressure of everything that happened the day before that and all of the days prior, he barely speaks and keeps to himself, the only time we saw even a fraction of his old self was with his new foal, Spirit."

Mandara looked to England, "you never did apologize for the things you said to him, maybe if you do it would help out a little bit.

N: "Maybe you bloody should," Celtica muttered quietly, scolding England as the country lowered his head in shame.

"I didn't, did I," he mumbled, poking the food in front of him, "maybe when he's awake?"

"You cannot postpone it," she said, "you will eventually have to face him, and when you do, you better not screw up."

The country nodded, "I will apologize and I hope it helps."

M: "Hope what helps," Rowen asked, he and Johann just came in and only heard the latter half of the conversation.

"England said some mean things to Derogan and didn't apologize yet," Mandara explained, "we hope that him saying sorry will help Derogan feel a little better."

"Well I hope so too," Rowen agreed, taking on a more stern tone of voice, "you are such a child England you know that, running away, getting yourself in trouble, and now saying unnecessary and hurtful things, I guess Saxon must have been in charge of your care more than Anglo."

N: "When I was very young, yes, but afterward Fa took care of me, not Faeder," muttered England after he was scolded, "he was out most of the time doing his insurgent business and whenever he came home, he would just treat me like a soldier. There was a human called Alwin who practically took the role of fatherhood whenever Faeder wasn't around, and despite that, I still adopted Saxon's personality."

Raising his head, he spoke, "maybe I grew up too fast, maybe I got too used to getting away with my actions, but it is not an excuse for what I said. It doesn't matter if Faeder was there to take care of me or not, it was I who stepped out of line."

M: "I find it interesting how we can talk about Saxon while he's here and he doesn't wake up," Mandara said, poking Saxon like he was a dead body, "he's either a really heavy sleeper or never slept last night."

Mandara then got an idea and ran out of the dining room, only to come back with an inkwell.

"Let's just see how deep a sleeper he is," the kid said mischievously, plucking a feather and dipping it in the ink.

"I wouldn't do that Mandara," Rowen warned, "ink is very hard to wash off."

Mandara didn't listen and already started drawing silly things on Saxon's face.

N: "Ink is hard to wash off?" Johann spoke, then he walked up to Mandara, "count me in."

He asked the Mandorian for a feather, and when he got it, he admired it for a bit before dipping the tip into the inkwell. He looked at Saxon's face as if he was an artist looking at a blank canvas when he got an idea. On the dragon on the entity's flag, he drew a derpy face on it, adding fur on it too. Stepping back, he marveled at his masterpiece, or what one would consider ok for a twelve-year-old boy.

"I present you," he announced, "Edel the drachen." However, he seemed to have spoken too loudly as the entity mumbled a bit before shifting his head, exposing a side of his face where they can draw.

While they drew, Saxon stayed fast asleep, unaware of what was happening to him as he was too fatigued to wake up. As the other countryhumans watched, they only snickered as the entity's face became a piece of art.

M: While the two kids were drawing on Saxon, Derogan managed to wake up Anglo and was helping him into the dining room since the country was a little wobbly on his feet.

"Well, look who decided to join the party," Rowen said as they came closer, "how are you two doing?"

Derogan shrugged but said nothing, but when he saw what was happening to Saxon he just couldn't help but chuckle, "your husband is being turned into a mural, Anglo." He whispered to the other.

N: Anglo also chuckled when he saw him, "I hope he likes it since I doubt that can wash off." He shook his head with amusement, only imagining how the entity would react when he wakes up and finds out.

The moment he entered, England was on his feet and making his way towards his father, and when they were a meter away from each other, the winged country stretched out his arms and smiled warmly, allowing the younger country to hug him. "It's alright," he hushed, "I am awake and well." When they let go, England thanked Derogan and led his father to the table.

When England sat back down, Celtica nudged him and tilted her head at Derogan, telling him that he now has his opportunity. The country nodded, worried that he could make it worse, he wanted to wait for Derogan to sit down but it seemed the teen was not interested in joining them.

"Derogan," he said solemnly before he could walk away, "I would like to say that I'm deeply sorry for what I said before. I should have just owned up to all my actions, and I shouldn't have lashed out at you like that, for only a fool would do that. I do not know if you will forgive me, and I would understand, but please know that I take back everything that I said, and I'm sorry." The country fell silent after he finished, waiting for any response.

M: Unfortunately, a response Derogan didn't give much off, he just shrugged and said ok then left without another word.

That was the last straw for Mandara, "guys, we really need to do something, none of this is right, Derogan wouldn't be so unemotional about something like that."

"Mandara, there's nothing we can do," Rowen said, "you just need to give him time to heal."

"No, it's not right, we shouldn't be turning our backs on him, he probably thinks we don't care," Mandara shouted, "I'm going to help him, you guys can sit around and do nothing all you want but I will not lose my big brother because of you!"

Mandara ran after his brother, leaving Rowen shocked and guilty.

N: "No, wait!" Johann called out, dropping the feather and then running after Mandara.

When he left, Anglo tried to get up, still not stable with his footing, as he wanted to help and go after the boys. However, Celtica went to him and helped him back to his seat, "I can go instead, just stay here and rest." She pointed at Saxon, "watch over him." With that, she strode out of the room and went in the direction she thinks the children went.

Gently stroking Edel's head, England saw Rowen's face and spoke, "what you said makes sense, we need to give Derogan time to heal, but Mandara loves his brother, so do not give much thought to it."

M: Rowen just nodded, what Mandara said didn't sit well with him but there was nothing he could do.

Mandara followed Derogan until he caught up with him, standing in his way so he could talk to him. "Derogan, what's wrong, you can talk to me," he said.

Derogan stared at him for a few seconds then just went around his brother and kept walking. Mandara was shocked at the lack of response but wasn't going to give up that easily, he again stood in front and spread out his wings so Derogan couldn't pass. "Derogan stop, I know you're broken but that doesn't mean I will stand by and watch you continue to crumble, please let me help you, please tell me how I can help you."

Derogan again wouldn't speak, dull and lifeless gray eyes staring into worried sunshine-gold ones. The older brother turned around and started walking back the way he came.

N: Johann was running at full speed, and if he didn't hear people talking ahead, he would have crashed into Derogan as he turned the corner. Instead, he slid to a halt right in front of him, his eyes widened when he looked into his grey eyes. He looked past him and saw Mandara, and knowing that the older prince was walking away, guessed what probably happened.

"Derogan," he spoke, "I understand that you want to be left alone and you need time, but please, for your brother's sake, tell us what we can do. He cares for you, looks up to you, and will stubbornly not let you go."

He stepped back and gave the Mandorian space to walk past, but he plead, "you are free to go, but for Mandara, let us help you."

M: "I don't need help," Derogan muttered, "you're weak if you rely on others, they'll only turn their back on you anyway, if you want to survive, you got to do it alone."

"Derogan that's not true and you know it," Mandara called after him, he ran up and hugged his brother tightly, "I'm not letting you go, you're going through crisis and you need help to get through it, we are your family brother, you can't shut us out."

"I'm not shutting you out," Derogan explained, "I just don't need your help, now let me go Mandara."

"No, I won't, I don't want to lose you," Mandara cried, close to tears.

Derogan sighed sadly and sagged his wings, "I'm sorry Mandara, but you already have."

Mandara felt himself break when those words left his big brother's mouth, he let go out of shock, letting Derogan walk away without trying to stop him further. Tears flowed down his cheeks like waterfalls, and as he watched Derogan disappear behind a corner, his yellow eyes began to fade too.

N: Johann froze when he heard what Derogan said, so he called out after him, "How can you do that to your brother?! He is your younger ... brother?" He faced Mandara, watching as his eyes went dim, in shock to see another friend disappear.

"No, no, Mandara stay with me," he said, immediately pulling the Mandorian into a hug, "I'm here, ok? We will be able to get through to Derogan, just ignore what he said." Tears began to build up in his eyes, and he tried to hold them back for the prince, "Bitte, don't go. Bitte." He hugged the country tighter, worried that he would lose him.

M: Johann snapped Mandara out of his shock and brought him back to earth, his eyes became bright again and he tightly hugged back.

"I'm not going, I'm not going," he reassured him, "I won't quit that easy, we just need to figure something out ... wait, I've got it, Derogan loves fighting and weapons, maybe if we get Celtica and Rowen to spar it will bring him back, we got to try."

N: Johann sighed with relief and let go of Mandara, nodding to his suggestion, "yeah, Lady Celtica could do that."

"Do what?" said a voice behind them, revealing a worried Celtica walking towards them from the other end of the corridor, "you boys really did disappear into thin air."

"Mandara thought that you could spar with Sir Rowen, and if Derogan watches, hopefully he will get better," explained Johann.

The Celt nodded, "Sure, plus I want to see how skilled the captain is really. It would be interesting to finally compete with someone who was good enough. However, we should head back to the dining hall." She turned to Mandara, "what you said to Rowen was . . . slightly harsh. We understood what made you say that, but you need to remember that he doesn't completely understand the state Derogan is in, and what he said came from a good heart."

M: "Yeah, I know he had good intentions, but you can't help someone by doing nothing," Mandara said, "it's like treating an injury, if you do nothing and leave it alone it will just get worse until it can't be fixed anymore, people are the same way. One moment, let me get Derogan, then we can go back."

So he ran after Derogan and after many pleas and failed attempts the older Prince eventually relented and agreed to come with him, Mandara held his hand like he was making sure his brother was following,

"Alright, let's go see how Saxon likes his new face paint," Mandara said cheerfully.

N: As they approached the hall and entered, they saw Saxon fully awake and talking, albeit he still looked like a decorated zombie. Johann immediately snorted when he saw the entity, causing the other to furrow his brows, "I told you to wake me in ten, and you forgot." He was completely oblivious about his face, causing Celtica to chuckle and asked Anglo, "you didn't tell him?

The winged country shook his head, sitting next to Edel as he gave him a small belly rub. Saxon, confused, asked what was happening, so Johann ran out of the hall and after a couple minutes returned with a handheld mirror. Passing it to him facing down, the boy grinned, "You don't have to thank us."

Taking the mirror, he looked at his reflection and his jaw dropped from what he saw. "Bloody hell," he swore and began to frantically rub his face, trying to rub off the ink from his face. His face went red from the friction and he eventually stopped when he saw a face on his flag. "Seriously," he said, inspecting the new addition to the dragon on his flag, "now that's rude."

M: "It's Edel," Mandara said, trying to hold in his giggles, "Johann and I were doing you a favor, you're so grumpy and scary all the time that you scare off anyone you meet, now you look much friendlier and no longer look like you want to kill everything."

"I'd say it is an improvement," Rowen played along, "the only thing that's missing is a big bushy mustache to go with your unkempt lion mane."

"That's perfect," Mandara exclaimed, he plucked another feather and dipped it in the ink, "someone hold him still."

N: The entity started to panic, standing up from his seat as he backed away, "No way in hell are you coming near me," he yelped, "I have a reputation to uphold."

"What reputation?" Celtica joked, walking up to Saxon, "I think the drawings suit you. You should get another one." In one swift movement, she pushed him back into his seat and kept him still. England came along and helped the Celt, chuckling as he watched his father trying to escape Mandara.

Saxon pleaded with Anglo to help him, but the winged country stayed with the dragon and smirked, "no, I don't think I will." Feeling like he was betrayed, the entity looked back at the approaching feather."

M: "Hold still or you're going to lose more than your non-existent reputation," Mandara said to the struggling entity, "man we should have gotten Zurela out here, she would make him hold still."

In the background, Derogan was having an increasingly harder time holding in his laughs, which made Mandara very happy, and after the ensuing struggle when he finished the mustache, that broke Derogan in a good way and he burst out laughing.

"Look at that, someone got their smile back," Rowen cheered," way to go Mandara, and you too Saxon."

N: Saxon looked like he had gone through torture, despite that he only got a face paint, so when Mandara finished, he slowly sat up, his face in shock. Holding up the mirror, he observed his newly added facial hair, his eyes narrowing as he looked at the stupid-looking face in the reflection.

"I'm not going anywhere near outside with this," he grumbled, his expression showing that he was done with life, "Luckily you did not bring the python, then I would have stayed still and you would have been able to go all Da Vinci on my face."

Upon seeing his face, Anglo laughed to the dismay of the entity. "That mustache," he said between gasps, "is impeccable. You should keep that all the time." The entity only rolled his eyes in response, proceeding to bury his face in his arms.

"Now we are done with that," Johann said, "Sir Rowen, will you spar with Celtica, since you were not able to last time?" He nudged Derogan friendly, "this one needs more entertainment."