Please Don't Cry; Third Book in the Sky Army's Defeat Series

Chapter Seventeen

Shadow waited within the dark corners of the cell Adam was to be brought to while the king made arrangements to do his side of the deal, awaiting the arrival of the former Sky Army General. She needed to know what happened so she could help him and the others, but without being seen. She knew enough about what happened based off the lingering binding magic that came from the court sorcerer, so she'd have to force her way into his mind to see what had happened. Otherwise, Adam would have to report her, and the secret society her general had worked so hard to create would perish under the Squid King's grasp.

So she waited until the former leader was dropped into the cell and left alone, and even until he fell asleep before moving out of the darkness. Her magic reached out to him and blanketed him in warmth to keep him asleep and relaxed as she worked through his memories. She couldn't have him waking up and discovering her.

Once she had gotten every detail out of his memories she pulled her magic back slowly and stepped into the shadows once more. She was waiting again on someone, but this time it was a friend.

He materialized next to her after a few moments of waiting, his hazel eyes meeting her's under her hood. 'Seto's still uninfluenced by Hunter's magic,' he reported telepathically, 'but Hunter's book is starting to show that our side will win. We'll prevail according to the prophecy.'

Shadow shook her head faintly. 'No, Crest. Prophecies don't just change on a dime. They're set in stone for a reason. Besides, Adam has fallen. That was inevitable. The price each side has to pay is my main concern with that prophecy. If our price is the world of Minecraftia itself we've lost everything. If our price is just Adam, we still can stand a chance.'

The assassin just shrugged and tugged at the bowstring of his bow, which hung loosely from his shoulder. 'You didn't give me magic to run errands and be the middle man in communication. You gave me magic to specifically heighten my abilities to snipe and be stealthy. I still haven't found the reason as to why.'

'Soon enough you'll see, Crest. Seto's decision will decide wether or not my choice in giving you powers was good for our cause or not. I wanted you to be confident and included, and the only way I could was by getting rid of every reason not to be part of this small squad. We must leave soon before Hunter traces our magic here. I remember him from when we were younger, before he became court wizard for the squids. His loyalty is a bond you don't mess with, and right now we're in the wrong.'

The assassin formerly from Mitch's army gave a curt nod, glancing briefly at the former king before vanishing again, shadow following suit.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the dungeon, Seto sat slouched against the wall of his cell, staring at the floor in deep thought. He knew Mitch, Jason and Quentin were now gone. He could sense each friend's turning like it had been himself. Maybe it was because of his ties to Hunter, or maybe it was his relationship bond with the team. Whatever it be, it was felt, and it scared him.

"Are we going to be able to talk like grown men, Seto? Or do I have to sit you down and force you to listen to me like a child?" Hunter's voice didn't reveal much of what he was feeling, but Seto could hear the underlying need for there to be a civilized talk.

"Don't talk to me like you're my mother. I'm an adult now, Hunter. And I'm not acting like a child," he muttered, "My friends are gone, and you're helping in their downfalls. It's not childish to feel betrayed."

The older male stepped through the bars as if they weren't even there and leaned against them once inside the cell. "That's fair..."

They fell into a tense silence for a moment before Seto spoke up again. "Is the price I have to pay for taking part in this war my magic? Or is it just watching my friends one by one become monster versions of themselves?"

"I cannot share with you the price, Seto. Even if I knew it I couldn't share." The court sorcerer held his hands out and a pair of cuffs made of faint green light appeared on his wrists. "I'm bound by magic to obey."

Seto frowned, staring at the magic chains. "Why would you do this to yourself?"

They disappeared as Hunter reached to run a hand through his hair, a sighing breath leaving his lungs. "Dominic had told me the squid king was looking for a source of magic, and had his eyes on you. I knew if he kidnapped you, he would've turned you dark, and I didn't want that for you. So, I came up with a plan with Dawn. I knew he'd fall for her when she walked in, but it'd come across as odd if we walked in together and weren't related. Long story short, we walked in as 'siblings', and Evan corrupted my magic and made me turn Dawn into a siren. I've been down here ever since."

They met eyes for a moment, and Seto could feel his godfather's emotions rushing to him through the temporary bond. "I-I never knew you'd sacrifice so much for me... I'd never ask you to do that."

Hunter gave a soft smile. "And that's why I felt okay with doing it."

Seto stood up and went over to the older male, hugging him tightly. "I'm sorry for what I said earlier. I had no idea."

"There was no way for you to know until I told you," Hunter muttered as he returned the hug. "And I'll still be your simba as long as you live."

The young sorcerer laughed softly at his response, smiling at him. "I missed you, Hunter. If I have to stay here it'll be somewhat nicer knowing you're here."

Hunter's smile fell slightly. "You wouldn't like it here long term. Trust me. This whole castle is one giant prison. You should leave and help your friends be free again one day."

"You and I both know only you have the power to free them. And you're bound. So you can't. Corruption can be overcome. You're living proof."

Hunter pulled back from the boy and pulled his sleeve up, revealing a green rune burned into his upper arm. Around it were veins of red magic stretching over his skin. "Not for long. It's a temporary fix, but no amount of corruption can be fully stopped. I'm running out of time before the magic me takes over completely."

Word Count: 1149