Blessed || Sequel to Cursed

Chapter Nine || Escalation

(No pov)

Karl awoke that morning feeling empty. Or rather his head was, in a brief moment of panic, he snatched one of his books and practically ripped it open, it was his notebook.

Karl desperately began reading it as bits of information came back to him, once he finished reading, he switched to his journal. He'd put a bookmark-ribbon in a few weeks ago on the page where his new life in the Arctic began, but despite it, he read the entire thing.

Karl loved the Arctic though. He'd only been there for a few weeks but it'd given him things he never thought he'd find, like actual friends, a new royal family to serve (if he trusted them enough to tell them, that is), a proper room to stay in, and Sapnap and Quackity.

The Arctic was cold, but it gave him so much and saved him. Sapnap and Quackity- the Arctic gave him people to care for. People to talk to. People to comfort him when he cried, People who cared enough to correct his mistakes. People to lie to.

He hadn't told them the reason for his memory issues. He wasn't worried about telling them all, no, it was their reactions that he feared. When he'd had his first travel back in the Human kingdom, the king freaked out and forced him into an important role of the court.

Yet, the king had mistreated him and overworked him. He'd forbidden him from using magic unless it for the his plans, and when he did find out about Karl breaking that rule, he'd tried to kill him.

He had things to lose now, and that was why Karl was afraid. If he told King Philza about his magic, would history repeat for him? Would he be forced back into a cage? Would this safe haven of a castle become Hell for him? What would Sapnap and Quackity think?

So he chose to lie and to stay afraid, because in scenarios like these, being a coward kept him alive and safe.

He lost himself in thought but was snapped out of it when Sapnap practically knocked his door down in a hurry. Karl shut the books again and ran over to his friend, the blaze was stressed and tired looking. Karl placed his hands on Sapnap's shoulders and steadied him.

"What happened?" Karl asked worriedly, this was different from yesterday. Sapnap clearly looked distressed and scared, "The King received word from the army, their requesting reinforcements and he's going with them to help fight." Sapnap said tearfully.

"He's- We're all gathering to see him off, I want you to come with me." Sapnap asked quietly, Karl nodded without hesitation. "Of course I'll go with you, the King is kind and it's only right if I go as well." He said, Sapnap nodded before gently grabbing Karl's hand and running through the halls, Karl kept up with him this time.

The two ran through the castle, across the bridge, and through the other castle to the entrance. Karl assumed the entire staff was there from how many people he saw, Sapnap led them to where Dream, George, and Quackity stood.

"Wait, if all of the army is going to assist fighting the humans, why are you, Dream and George still here?" Karl asked, wincing from how rude the question sounded.

Sapnap looked down, "We're still new, we're still in training and some people have to stay back to defend the castle, just in case. We'll only be sent out if worse comes to worse." Sapnap explained shakily, Karl nodded and squeezed the blaze's hand reassuringly.

When the duo were finally close enough, Sapnap embraced Dream and George. He was worried about them, Karl gathered. He could lose them to the war. When Sapnap let go, he hugged Quackity, the duck hybrid wrapped a wing around him as a sign of comfort.

The anxious chatter of the crowd soon died down when the King walked out from the large castle doors, people cleared a path for him and everyone bowed in respect.