3rd life, but make it Corika!

{Logo} Beginning of the End

Emperor paced around the room, worried. "This is bad. This- Prince is missing!"

"Emp, I know. You're still injured." Gloves said. "You need to recover."

"I need to find Prince! What if xe got hurt?"

"Emperor Castilo-Elaris. You need to rest. I can go look for Prince, but for the love of god," Gloves pushed Emperor onto the bed, pinning him down. "You need to get some fucking sleep."

In any other context it'd be more sensual, Emperor would probably be pulling Gloves in for a kiss and then more, but they were right. Emperor needed to rest, he didn't have the energy for that.

Emperor sighed. "You're right. I... I need to rest." He gave a sheepish chuckle. "Just... find Prince for me. Please, love?"

Gloves nodded. "I will." They leaned down, pressing a kiss to Emperor's forehead. "I'll be back soon."

They grabbed their sword and armor, heading outside. They took out their com. First thing's first, see if Prince is alright.

Gloves: Prince, are you alright?

Prince: I'm not coming back, if Mask is trying to convince me. I'm not joining his war.

Gloves: Emperor's worried about you.

Prince: ....

Prince: Meet me at the old house. We'll talk there.

Gloves nodded to no one, and quickly ran from the outpost. They knew the way to the home well.

When they got there, Prince was sitting on a bed. "Gloves."

"Prince... What's going on?"

Prince sighed. "Mask's war- it's scary. I mean, war is scary but... She doesn't want to let us mourn, it seems."

Gloves tilted their head. "Whatdya mean?"

"I went to help comfort Army, when Aloha died. I gave flowers for his grave and offered comfort the best I could. Mask called me a traitor for it,"

They were silent, Prince's words hung heavy in the still air.

"...They what?"

"Mask didn't let me help Army, and I refuse to fight in a war that doesn't let me grieve for the fallen on the other side." Xe said. "I am doing just fine, but I have interest in going back. Ever."

"I know, but..." Gloves looked down, trying to find the words to use. "Look, Emp's worried about you. People are loosing their lives like flies and Emp wants to make sure he can protect you."

Prince only sighed, standing up and heading to the exit of the house.

"You can tell him I'm alright. But I can fend for myself." Xe said. "I'm not a little kid anymore. I'm almost 18."

"...Alright."

"Before I go, however," Prince started. "...Tell this to Mask; I saw the tree in the center. It changed; the words are in blood. And the writing now says something different."

"What does it say?" Gloves asked.

"The end of the game draws near. One of these three shall win: The Widow, The Mother, or The Plague."

Xyr words felt like stones, almost. Gloves knew the mother had to be Skull, the plague was Mask... but what about the widow? It could very well be them or Emperor. But not Prince. Xe would die, that's for sure.

"Well," Gloves started. "I hope your deaths are peaceful."

"And may yours be, as well." Prince replied, before leaving the cabin.

Gloves was left in silence. The sun was starting to set, so they hurried out. They needed to get back home, and fast.

They ran through the forest, ignoring the seering pain they felt from zombies and skeletons. They didn't even notice they were bleeding until they got back home. Gloves leaned against a tree and placed a hand on their wound, finding it bloody.

"Shit..."

Gloves limped inside, almost fainting onto the ground but was caught by Emperor.

"Oh, love, what happened to you?" He asked, a worried expression on his face.

"Just... l-loads of monsters." Gloves painted out. "Ow..."

"Alright, just relax. I'll get you fixed up."

Emperor layed Gloves down on the bed, before rummaging around for bandages.

He didn't even notice that his com buzzed or that Gloves faded away.

When he turned around, Gloves was sitting up, still clutching their side. The only difference was the mark on their shirt was red.

Emperor dropped the bandage roll. "GLOVES-"

"Yeah, I... I kinda died. God, that was not fun." They said, slightly chuckling. "Oww..."

"We both have to be careful, now... How's Prince?"

"Xyr fine. Xe- Xyr just not gonna fight in the war."

"Fair enough..."

"...Xe wanted me to tell Mask something, though." Gloves said.

Emperor leaned in close, as if Gloves was telling a secret. "...What is it?"

"The winner- It's gonna be Mask, Skull, or 'the widow', whoever that is..." They said, voice quiet.

"That could be either of us, then." Emperor stated. "If the other one..."

Gloves placed their hand on their lover's shoulder. "Hey, Emp. We'll be fine. I promise."

They kissed his forehead, and ruffled his hair. "I'll do whatever it takes to protect you."

The com buzzed, and Gloves picked it up, reading the message. What they saw, they could only describe it as a mix of relief and horror.

>Army was blown up by a creeper. Army is now a red life!