A Nightmare's Honor

Complications

{M} Sabre POV:

"Any word of the Yellow Apprentice?" The Nightmare King's voice was edged with concern.

A day before the incident with the Indigo Leader, the Yellow Apprentice had gone to the Red Kingdom for unspoken personal reasons. Now, three days after the incident and four days after he left, we still haven't heard from him. And with Sky gone, I'm practically on my own here...

"Nothing yet, Your Majesty," I responded to him as guards closed the doors to his chambers behind me.

The Nightmare King's expression seemed torn, which worried me all the more. The Green Leader had demanded that the Nightmare King stay in bed until fully healed, and would occasionally pop in every so often to check on his wounds. Four Level-Two guards, ranked just below Elites and Acacia, were constantly on watch outside and inside his chambers, two on either side of the doors. The two inside the chambers seemed uncomfortable that they knew they'd have to stop the Nightmare King if he attempted to stand up, but luckily he had yet to do so.

"And what of the kingdom? Do they know of his disappearance yet? We won't want more panic than what we already have."

I shook my head. "They don't know yet. Acacia has been doing a great job with keeping order, but people are starting to worry. Some guards reported that rumors are starting to spread. We might have to tell them the truth soon..." As my voice trailed off, the doors bursted open behind me and a single Level-Two guard scurried in, panting for breath.

"Y-Your Majesty, a missing Elite has been found! They-"

"Excuse me," a voice behind the guard spoke kindly.

The guard spun around and came face to face with an Elite in full armor. It wasn't any Elite, however. Instantly, I knew it was Sky. He scrambled to the side to let her pass, bowing his head slightly as he did so.

The Nightmare King's gaze lit up at the sight of her, and he ordered all non-Elites to leave the room. After a short moment of hesitation, the three guards inside left, leaving the rest of us alone.

The moment the door had shut, I spoke up. "Sky! You're back!" Relief wove its way into my voice and nerves, calming me.

To my astonishment, she seemed to ignore me. She kneeled down on one leg, taking off her helmet as she did so, and she kept her head hung low as she spoke.

"I'm deeply sorry for my sudden leave, Your Majesty. Something came up and I worried it would endanger you and the kingdom." Her voice was calm as she spoke.

...Why is she talking like that? Is she okay? What came up?

"Something came up? What was the danger, my Elite?" The Nightmare King's voice was equally calm, though he seemed appalled by her words.

Sky fidgeted slightly, giving a nervous gulp. "The Darkness," she answered quietly, as if making sure none outside the door would hear her.

I froze, and I noticed the Nightmare King do the same. The Darkness? Sky, what are you saying? We were stunned into silence.

"The only symptoms I have," she continued, "are strange impulses and thoughts. I have no scars or wounds, no other signs of infection, and am incapable of spreading it. The moment I realized I was tainted, I had to leave to make sure I wouldn't endanger anyone. It seems to work differently for me... probably due to me not being a Steve. It has less effect."

My mind jumbled as I tried to grasp what she said. Sky's infected...? It seemed impossible. Did something happen when she destroyed the darkness those two times before? How long has this been going on?

The Nightmare King's voice broke me out of my thoughts. "I see... And you're certain it hasn't affected you greatly?"

Sky continued to stare down hard at the floor. "Yes. I'm certain."

The king was silent for a few moments, his gaze showing a whir of thoughts. "If you believe you are well, and that there is no danger, then I believe you. If this is the case, then our top priority now is to find the Yellow Apprentice."

Sky stood up abruptly, meeting the Nightmare King's gaze with wide eyes. "He's missing?"