Star Darlings; The Soldier

This is Getting Dark...

Piper couldn't stand looking outside. They were near the forest now, and every time she took a glimpse at those trees she felt a pang of loneliness, sadness, and regret.

This was where... where me and Nicholas- a tear ran down her cheek again.

The camp they're in is directly outside of the forest, where they'd started their plan the Myrmidons suggested. One army led by 6 of the boys will do as they said; charging one of them to cause a distraction while the girls go for the other one. Lastly, Colin will lead the final push.

She wiped a tear off her cheek again, trying not to break down in front of others, but she didn't expect someone else to see her like this.

"Are you alright?" Dream asked, startling her. "I saw you crying so I..."

"It's alright," Piper said. "I'm- I'm just emotional about this place."

"Why so? Is it because of The-"

"His name is Nicholas." Piper interrupted. "My Nicholas," she said, choking a bit. "I miss him."

"I'm guessing you loved him a lot to say that."

"I'll love him to death," Piper said. "I can't believe I lost him like-" her voice cracked. "That. I've always thought that we'll die together in our home at a ripe old age, or holding hands- or anything that didn't involve one of us going alone."

The dream didn't say anything about that, instead of looking at the ground.

"I sometimes wonder if-" Piper continued. "If he'll be there in the Afterglow if I-"

Dream's head jerked up, before going up right in front of Piper.

"Don't." He said. "Don't ever think of that again. I know it's more personal but never do that. People around you- they need you as well. Think of how devastated your friends will be." he placed a hand on her shoulder. "And what would Nicholas want you to do? Kill yourself for him? I don't think so."

Piper realized what she'd said. "I-I didn't mean that..."

Dream pressed a button on his helmet, and his visor popped down to reveal sky-blue eyes, full of concern like a mother. "What might appear as just something you think of my progress. Say it enough and you'll start believing. My friend-- the fifth Myrmidon in my group Angel-- suffered from the same problem. Now she's dead."

Piper was surprised at how the portrayed "brainwashed death machine" cares about saving lives.

"Thanks," Piper said. Dream removed his hand and popped back the visor.

"If you ever find yourself thinking about that again... just think would he want you to. Remember that." Dream said.

Piper, please come to the Conference Room; we're moving out and we need you here. Please and thank you. The announcer said in Colin's voice.

"I gotta go," Piper said. "Bye."

"Alright." Dream said. "Stay safe; remember what I said."

"Bye," Piper said before heading to the others.

"Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo..." Fortitude said beside him. He'd gone invisible just to see this. "Dream's got a friend..."

"Shut up Fortitude." Dream said. "I'm just helping; besides, there's no chance she's just gonna forget her old relationship and restart so quickly."

"Hmph," Fortitude said, going invisible again.

For star's sake; Fortitude is gonna be the death of me.

Colin grabbed the whetstone, sharpening his wrist blades again. Sparks flew off, landing on his hand, but he didn't flinch. He admired the blade again, before doing it again.

"Colin?" A familiar voice asked outside. "It's me. Diana."

Colin opened the flap of his tent, revealing a 19-year-old with green eyes and hair.

"What's going on?" Colin asked. "Is there something you need?"

Diana was sent to them right before the HQ was pinned down by the Skylar army; she barely avoided being trapped there like the rest of the assassins. Her mother Callista was fine, but she made him keep his promise 5 years ago and to shelter Diana if anything were to happen to herself, so here she was.

Diana grabbed his hand. "I'm just worried."

"Your mother will be fine; she's strong. She'll make it through."

"No; I want to fight."

Colin sighed. "For the last time, Diana, I'm not letting you on the battlefield; I promised your mother to keep you safe and it's staying that way."

"But I'm 19! Stop treating me like a child!" Diana argued. "I want t-"

"No," Colin said. "I lost Nicholas... I'm not losing you. Just listen to me for once? Please?"

"I've been listening to you ever since I arrived!" Diana argued again. "I just want to help!"

Colin sighed. "Fine. But I'm putting you in my group. I'm not letting you out of sight you little brat."

"YAY!" Diana skipped off to get ready.

Colin sighed. There was no getting rid of her now.

He spotted Dream walking back to his cell; he was permitted to walk around.

Hmmm... maybe he can prove useful...