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

The End

The generals had been seated at two tables directly in front of the open floor, one to the left for the newly corrupted generals, and one to the right for those who were there previously and survived the war. The recruits that had been corrupted sat in tables spanning out in a triangle shape from behind the generals on the left side of the room, and the humanoids that fought for the squids all along were in the same arrangement on the right. This allowed for one long alleyway in the middle and multiple between the rows of tables for servants and maids to walk down with meals and beverages for the guests.

In the middle of the open floor at the very end of the center aisle was where the two thrones for the King and Queen to sit in, a small circular table before them for dining on. Directly behind the thrones were three chairs behind a rectangular table for Adam, Hunter and Seto to dine at.

All of the guests not on the open floor were being seated when Adam stepped out of the temporary bedroom he had been given in his old Sky Army General uniform, the only modification made to it being his old emblem having a red 'X' stitched across it. He sighed, thinking it was typical that they had to rub his loss in his face at every opportunity they got, before going to find Seto and Hunter.

When he found them in one of the common areas he couldn't help but avoid looking at Hunter. The sorcerer had haunted his dreams before, and he didn't wish to allow him access to his head again.

Seto walked over to him and hugged him tightly, not bothering to make a comment about his uniform. The young sorcerer knew it was upsetting enough wearing it like this. "Just gotta get through this one night man. Then we'll be shoved into the background like the rest of the servants here."

Adam pulled away from his friend and forced a half grin. "Yeah. Then we can suffer without anyone giving a care in the world."

Seto bit his lip. "Jerome will care. He does care. He'll help get us out of this. Maybe even tonight he will."

The former general shook his head. "I saw a few maids wheeling him around in a cage. I doubt he'll be helping us tonight. Especially since the King plans on releasing him after tonight's events."

"There's still a chance he can save us," Seto muttered, "If we have to wait then so be it."

Silence fell between the two friends for a moment before the sorcerer spoke up again. "No matter what happens out there, Adam, just know your name will go down in history as the greatest king of all time. You lead so many people through many obstacles and never lost sight of who you really are. That legacy will live on forever, with or without you."

The former king gave a faint smile and thanked him quietly before a guard entered to take them to their places.

Hunter approached the two and placed a hand on each of their backs. "After you both," he muttered, urging them forward.

The three of them followed the guard to the stage and sat in their assigned seats. Adam sat on the far left of the table, Seto on the far right, and Hunter in between them. Once they were settled the crowd was silenced by the instruments playing the introductory song for their king.

Adam's throat began to feel dry as he stood in respect for the approaching king and queen. Dawn looked elegant in her blue ball gown that trailed behind her in the arms of her chosen maids, and King Evan looked just as dashing in his kingly attire. The former king couldn't help but stare at their beauty as they walked hand in hand up the stage and to their designated seats.

Adam didn't bother listening to the King's gloating as the squid humanoid addressed his people and guests. He didn't want the reminder that his people were gone, nor that tonight was his last night to be seen as something more than an object.