Hello! It's me CAT! I'm back with a long awaited chapter ! I hope this will quench a bit of your thirst for the story, please read my notes at the end!

Enjoy

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Sweet Desire

Chapter 14

"We're all in the same game; just different levels. Dealing with the same hell; just different Devils."

~~~~~

Adam watched the boat set sail. He gave Seto one last wave and even waved to Red and his friends too. Now, just as he promised his brother, he was heading home.

Ty sat across from him in the carriage in silence, he didn't stare at Adam but instead looked out the window. The silence between them was unbearable, but he didn't have the courage to break it.

He wondered if peace between Vragan and Emedo was truly possible, or were the scars too deep. There was nothing on the King of Vragan, Adam knew nothing, not even his father knew anything about who he was.

But the secrecy made sense. Not knowing who the ruler was, makes it difficult to target the monarchy and since nothing is known, there's no telling how powerful this guy could secretly be.

"Hey Ty?" Adam said. Ty made a noise in acknowledgment but didn't move his head. Adam hesitated before asking, "Is the King a big scary guy? Or is he super nice?"

Ty glanced at him, Adam was genuinely curious and he could see it in Adam's eyes. Ty sighed, "The King is certainly kind, but the King is also someone to respect and fear, the King is a skilled sorcerer who can use all magic and has mastered more than 8 skills, despite being a Level 1 sorcerer."

"Level 1?" Adam tilted his head.

Ty sighed and turned away from the window. "In Vragan, sorcerers are born with a level. The level doesn't determine strength, but actually determines the number of magic skills the sorcerer naturally possesses. The skills that they naturally possess are the skills they will have the easiest time learning and mastering, and the Vragan King is a Level 1 sorcerer.

"Meaning they could only naturally use one skill, and it was not one of the main 5, learnable magics. But even despite that the King has already master 4 of the main skills, and half of the 5th main magic. The King is also able to use all the other magic learnable, but has not necessarily mastered them quite yet."

"Wow! That sounds so cool!" Ty flinched in shock as Adam yelled, "Your king sounds like a super strong and dedicated guy! He must have worked so hard in order to learn that much! Do you think he'll master all the magic?"

Ty shrugged, "No one has ever mastered all the magics in their life time...but if any one can, it'll be my King!" Ty grinned, "My King is the best King around, and not even you could be better," Ty gave Adam a smug grin.

Adam laughed, "I admit defeat! I can't even sit and do paperwork, let alone study and practice magic, even if I could use it," Adam chuckled. Though he guessed he sort of could now....but it wasn't the same. On the outside of the carriage Ian smiled slightly before encouraging the horses to keep up their fast pace.

Ty stopped smiling and cleared his throat, he looked away from Adam, "Just don't worry about it...I'll handle the letter and delivery, you just worry about the treaty. You'll only meet the King if they agree to the meeting."

"Of course," At least they had a moment of friendship, he was thankful for that at least. Adam rested his head against the carriage wall, in a few moments he was out like a light.

~~~~~

The door to Mitch's room swung open, "There you are!"

Mitch sat up slowly, "Jerome, you're back--"

"Oi!" Mitch flinched, "Don't you 'you're back' me. Where did you run off too, don't you know Quentin ordered you to rest for a few days?" Jerome stomped into the room. Mitch chuckled nervously.

"I-I don't know what you mean, I've been here the--" Mitch stopped himself when Jerome narrowed his eyes at him. He figured it be better if he just shut up.

"God Mitch, sometimes I think you're dumber than a human... Just quit running around and stay in bed, it's so much better than you collapsing when no one knows where you are."

"But my joints feel so stiff," Mitch whined, "I just want to stretch my legs~" Mitch pouted.

"Ignoring all of that, I actually have business to talk to you about," Jerome cleared his throat.

"Really? That's the first, are you sure it's not some other dumb questions about wooing the ladies???" Mitch wiggled his eyes.

"I could kill you right now and be gone before anyone was the wiser," Jerome growled. Mitch laughed and threw his hands up in surrender, before he spoke he doubled over to wheeze. Jerome's eyes scanned over him in worry but Mitch just waved him off.

"I'm good, don't worry, but seriously, what is it?"

"It's about Jason."

Mitch frowned, "What's wrong?"

"Actually nothing, but Seto stopped by while you were resting. He requested Jason be transferred to Keuta."

Mitch was puzzled, "Why? Jason's trial is approaching--"

"I know, but Seto would like to take care of it himself. He says he requires Jason's expertise and he said he's already ensured Jason won't try anything against Adam. All Seto asks is that you consider the request and trust him." Jerome concluded.

Mitch nodded, "I'll think about it. Send the General and my mother a notice to stop by and we'll have a discussion about it."

Jerome nodded and turned to go, but hesitated. "Yes?" Mitch said.

Jerome cleared his throat and looked away absentmindedly while scratching his chin, "Um, well, this is off topic...but if you happened to have any advice for me to um...ask someone--"

"Dude, just take a horse, some flowers, and take Jay to lunch. It's simple, she'll love it, it's not like you two are strangers."

Jerome stuttered, "H-hey!" Mitch laughed at Jerome.

"Just relax-"

"I'll relax if you do, princess," Jerome frowned.

"I thought we were over that."

"Never."

~~~~~

Adam loved the castle garden. It was a beautiful place where he and his mother would sit by the fountain and pick flowers in secret to make flower crowns. And sometimes his mother would sing for him, her soft and gentle voice always soothing him.

He loved the garden.

He loved the times he spent playing hide and seek with his mother.

He loved the quiet summer breeze that ruffled through the petals and whistled through the trees.

Adam loved that garden.

Adam h a t e d that garden.

Standing there that day, drenched in two liquids, blood and water. His hair wet, stuck to his face as he trembled unable to move.

In an instant what he loved most was stripped from him before his eyes.

His mother.

From the castle balcony she jumped down below to the fountain of his youth. To the place of his happiness. To the times he wished never ended.

Down she fell with her dress billowing behind her, like a flag from the heavens descending to the sullied ground.

Down she fell in panicked desperation, escaping a terror only she knew.

The blood on his face, the water dripping down his sides.

A whimper.

"Momma?"

~~~~~

Adam jolted up, the soft moonlight emanated through the carriage windows. For a moment, he'd forgotten where he was and even why he was in that carriage.

Adam took a moment to calm his breathing, it's been a long time since he's had that dream. But he remembered it all to well.

His bottom lip became the object of his abuse as he chewed it softly in frustration. He took a moment to glance at Ty who was sound asleep on his side of the carriage. It looked to him like he was at peace, Adam was glad.

He laid back against his seat and instantly wished to stretch his legs, Ian could use the moment to rest too.

"Ian," Adam spoke softly so as not to wake Ty.

"Yes?"

"Stop the carriage, I need a moment to stretch."

"Of course."

The carriage slowed to a jolting halt, one where Ty did not stir, thankfully.

Adam took this moment to exit into the cool night air and look up at the clear skies.

It was silent, and for a moment, Adam's mind was at peace.

"Is everything alright?"

"Yeah..." he lied, his hand reached upward towards his amulet. This once belonged to Seto's family. He should return it next time they met. Ian said nothing regarding Adam's obvious lie, now was not the time.

"I hope you trust me Ian, and I hope until the end you'll stand by my side, even if no one else will," Adam said to the sky and Ian sat on top of the carriage.

"Of course I will. I owe you everything, and I hope you'll trust me to help you carry the burdens you will soon face."

Adam smiled, "If I ever become my father, set me straight, even if you have to...kill me," Adam faltered and bowed his head to the grass.

"You won't, you're far to idiotic," Adam looked up at Ian and noticed the slight upturned lips in the moonlight. He let out a soft chuckle.

"I know. But if I do..." Adam didn't finish his sentence, "Nevermind. Let's carry on, let me know if you would like to rest."

Adam nodded to Ian before quietly entering the carriage and taking back his side in silence. It seemed Ty remained blissfully asleep. 

~~~~~

Well.

I know many people wanted Jerome to call Mitch princess again, so he did :)

I know many people were not expecting that dark little nightmare, whoops :D  But I hope that this was still enjoyable despite it being so short!

Sorry for the very short and very shitty chapter.

I had a lot of things happen unexpectedly in March, like my dog getting sick. But I just graduated high school, and have a new job :D

I can't promise frequent updates anymore, I recently got involved in the South Park fandom and now I am currently obsessed with it. 

But I still love these stories and want to find time to finish them, even if it takes me a while.

I've also moved to Illinois for college, yay.

I keep saying sorry for vanishing and I am, and no matter what I want to finish these stories for y'all while I'm attending Uni.