The Weight of Exhaustion

Chapter Twenty-One: The Planned Betrayal

Green Leader walked to one of his offices in the citadel. While most Leaders had one, Green Leader had the extraordinary talent of dealing with two jobs. Keeping track of all his people and keeping them safe, and being one of the main healers in the kingdom.

So he had two offices to at least separate some of the work. Which some would still consider excessive, until they realized the sheer amount of paperwork that goes with being a Leader and being the main healer of all the Kingdoms.

It's a lot of work, not even counting all the paperwork he needs to do, and the several incidents that have happened in the past week have not been helping. It felt like each time they think they will have a chance to rest and gather their thoughts, something comes and shakes until it doesn't exist anymore.

His office was, like usual, what he liked to call an organized mess. Though after the past several days they've had, it was now leaning towards a mess in general rather than being organized.

He fiddled with the hanging lantern, a large flame appeared before Green turned a knob on the side, watching the flame shrink until the room was barely illuminated by the light.

The light shone dimly, making shadows stretch across the room from the various items and furniture in the room.

Papers were stacked on top of one another and on his desk laid the project he and Light were doing with the Colorless Guards. Right, he still needed to contact Thera to see if he was willing. Doesn't Sabre see him? If Green can't find him maybe Sabre could—

Hopeful and Orange stood in the doorway, each one peering in the room. "Come in." He waved a hand in the air as he leaned against the wall, peering out the window next to him.

The Rainbow Kingdom's roads were illuminated with hanging lanterns, and Green could see the more nocturnal Steves doing their business.

"So..." Hopeful's voice trailed off as they rubbed one of their eyes with the butt of their palm. Right, Green and Hopeful had something major that needed to be shared. "We have some... news."

Orange frowned as he let out a long sigh. His chin was tucked to his chest, inspecting the floor as he spoke. "Something tells me it isn't good news."

Green and Hopeful glanced at one another. It wasn't great news...but if it continues how it is going...

"It...depends." Green Leader settled on.

The truth was, it really did depend on how things went in the future. If the darkness that laid in Sabre continued to slowly disappear like it was, then great! If not...

Well, Green hoped it didn't stay.

"I noticed it, when I was scanning Sabre." Hopeful said as they fidgeted with their book. They flipped it open, only to turn a few pages and close it once more. "I just wasn't sure what it was at the time, and waited for Leader to show."

Orange's eyes flicked between the two of them. "Noticed what exactly?"

Hopeful gave him a pleading look. "Sabre..." Green pinched the brow of his nose. "Just, don't freak out."

"Is he dying?!"

"No he is-"

"Does having darkness in you count as dying?" Hopeful cocked their head to the side. "Most of the time you end up dead afterwards sooo..." They tapped the book's quill on their book.

Orange stared. He blinked. He blinked again. "Darkness...?" Orange looked up at the ceiling, taking a long breath. Green heard him mumble something inaudible under his breath. "Oh."

Green's mouth formed a little 'o'. "Oh? That's all you have to say to that?"

Orange looked back down, letting out the large breath he took slowly. "I..." He cringed. "It's Void. Sabre's been gone for a few days. I don't believe Sabre betrayed us, it's just...Void wouldn't take him if he didn't have a plan. When I found out the three found Sabre...I knew something happened."