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

Chapter Eighteen

Seto sat in his cell, alone once again. It was a few days after his talk with Hunter, and he felt odd about the whole situation. On one hand, he wanted to stay and find a way to help him become immune to the corruption of dark magic, but on the other, he wanted to flee and help his friends return from their corrupted state.

It was hard for him to chose between his family and his friends, he'd admit, but he couldn't help the feeling that his friends didn't want to be saved.

The sound of footsteps approaching broke him from his thoughts, and he looked up to see the Squid queen opening his cell. "My husband wishes to speak with you. Follow me."

Seto stood up and followed the queen through the halls of the castle and into the throne room. Once the queen had sat down her husband spoke.

"Your king signed a treaty a couple days back. His terms did not include you, which leaves them up for discussion between you and I," Evan offered, glancing at the court sorcerer as he walked into the room. "You have the option to stay and work under your godfather, or leave and fight with Jerome. Although, you will not be kept from death. If you choose to stay, you will be bound by the same laws as Hunter's. Do you accept?"

Seto gulped in fear, not wanting to have to come to this decision. "C-Can I think about it?" Dismay fell over him like a waterfall of ice cold water when the king shook his head in response. He had to choose now, or something worse would happen.

"I-I... What are the laws I'd be bound to? Hunter never explained them to me."

"You will learn them should you choose to accept. Your answer, now, or I will choose for you."

Seto cringed, taking a deep breath. "I-I choose..."

"Do what you feel is right, Seto," Hunter urged from beside the thrones, "Even if it means betraying someone you love."

"I choose to stay," he blurted suddenly, looking at his godfather anxiously. A feeling of remorse fell over him as he watched the sorcerer cringe.

"Then we'll arrange your induction. Such a smart boy you've got there, Hunter. You should be proud," Evan praised, standing up from his throne.

"I have never felt more, Sire," Hunter nodded, a look of approval plastered onto his face. Seto felt ill at the sight of it, but even more so at the sight of his friend's arrival.

"Adam. Perfect timing. I have a new order for you to follow. In a couple of days we'll have a celebration for our victory, and I want you there, by my left side, the whole evening." Evan stated, watching the very thin man approach.

"I will, my king," Adam muttered, and Seto could tell it took a mighty effort to say the sentence as sincerely as possible. The former king stepped over to Seto and took his arm. "It is time to go back to your cell."

The sorcerer followed his friend in silence for most of the trip, his eyes taking in the shape his friend was in. Before entering the dungeons, he spoke softly, "So this is the end of us, huh? This is the final moments of either of us being ourselves."

"So it is," the fallen general muttered, "No more Sky Army, no more Team Crafted. Just a whole bunch of corrupted souls sentenced to servitude for fighting for what's right."

"Is it really right? I mean, we're being punished so severely. Something we've been doing must've been wrong."

Adam gave a dry, humorless laugh. "This is our punishment for being on the good side. No good deed goes unpunished, Seto. Absolutely none."

The sorcerer nodded slightly and stepped into his cell. "We're both bound to this kingdom by magic now. Just like everyone else."

"Only we have our free wills. We have to suffer every day knowing we didn't do our jobs, and that the people we care about will suffer along with us. We've been broken before, but this time, we're too broken to be fixed."

"We have each other," Seto offered softly, "We have hope that one day the living will save us. We don't have to be the hero's all the time."

Adam sighed, giving his friend a wary look. "I hope my end comes before my salvation. I'm done fighting. My body can't handle much more."

Seto sighed. "I don't blame you. Just... Let it happen when it does, okay? Don't go trying to end it yourself."

"I can't anyway. I've been ordered not to die," Adam gave a faint smile before leaving the sorcerer alone.

Seto slid down the wall and put his head in his hands, sending a mental prayer to whatever god would listen that the land dwellers would be safe due to their losses.

Then suddenly he sat up, alert and ready. There was a presence, one of powerful magic that he didn't recognize immediately. "Do not be afraid, Seto. You knew me a long time ago, and I'm here to help you." A male voice said calmly throughout the dungeon.

Seto's gaze darted to the corners of his cell, but he couldn't see or sense anyone there. "I can't let you see me or you'll put many people in danger. There is a secret society you created years ago and forgot about to protect us. Now it's our turn to protect you."

"Are you going to free us?" Seto asked hopefully.

"I cannot answer that. Evan may question you, and I'd risk exposing us. Just know we're always watching, and ready to step in if need be."

Seto nodded faintly and leaned back. "Thank you, whoever you are. I hope you'll be successful."

"Good luck Seto," the voice muttered before the presence was gone again. A feeling of relief washed over the sorcerer at that moment, knowing they weren't at a complete loss yet. There was still hope. He just had to wait.

Word Count: 1016