Beaten, humiliated, overwhelmed, and defeated. That best described Jai's predicament.

Despite his best efforts and intentions, it seemed as though fate would remain cruel. Daegon and his cronies had made their presence known and unveiled the thin curtain that was his plot. Much to his horror, Rain and Tanya were behind this as well.

It all came together.

Both Edenians were responsible for the murders across the realm and framing him. Public opinion quickly turned against Jai amongst the Knights except for a select few. The dissension grew in the population to the point where he couldn't show himself in public. Thus, matters were made worse when Jade had arrested Jai for questioning, placing him in prison before his trial. This was after enduring everything that Kotal Kahn and his own entourage sent his way.

*CRACK*

Another shot to the ribs. That hurt more than Jai wanted to admit, considering he already suffered three ribs broken. His collarbone was near a fracture with numerous welts and bruises across his torso and arms. How he was still conscious after the hellacious beating was beyond him.

Daegon was relentless, letting his followers do his dirty work before he dismissed them. He wasn't Argus's child for nothing, his assault worse than everyone else combined, as Taven could attest. Jai was granted no reprieve for nearly an hour. Any longer would guarantee being placed in a coma or death at worst.

Off to the side, Rain watched with a sick, demented smirk. Tanya, however, didn't share the same pleasure. Though she wanted Jai for herself, she didn't want his corpse either. Yet, nothing left her mouth in protest as opposing Daegon at this juncture meant betrayal.

Something she excelled at.

There was some good to come out of this for the pyromancer. Jade was in captivity and restrained by three of Daegon's guards with her own litany of injuries. Most noticeably, blood streaking from her temple. That was enough to garner a small smile of her own. There was no competition for Jai as Tanya didn't believe that Outworlder could compare to her with Jade out of the way. The problem in letting Jade live was that she knew the truth behind the murders. If the royal family caught wind of this dastardly plot, King Jerrod would stop at nothing to hunt each of them down.

Jai crashed against the nearest tree back first, unable to move without indescribable pain. However, each attack meant the pain threshold lessened, and he realized Daegon wished to break him not only physically but mentally and emotionally.

The constant torment was taking its toll.

"It's hopeless to continue in this pointless struggle." Daegon's mocking voice hung in the air.

No sudden reply occurred with Jai wisely trying to catch his breath, pained as they were. The Academy's training had not adequately prepared him for an opponent this cunning or powerful. Time was running short to mount any sort of offense or even an effective strategy.

Daegon stalked over to him. "Think of what I can offer you. A place within my ranks, all the power you could imagine, and anything else your heart desires. Jerrod and his Queen were quick to discard your unique talents, something that can prove useful to me."

Still, Jai remained defiant. "I'd... sooner die."

Letting out a thunderous laugh, Daegon got close enough to grab Jai by the throat, a pained groan somehow able to escape him as he was dragged to the edge of a cliff. It was looking bleak now with depleted strength and a wavering resolve.

"Tanya, come forth," Daegon called for his aide.

Taken aback, Tanya did as he asked and approached her leader. Then, Daegon snapped his fingers, the signal for his other followers to pull Jade toward them as well.

"Tell me, dear. How much does this boy matter to you? Hmm?"

His inquiry wasn't expected from either party.

Daegon veered his gaze to Jade, who looked helpless before he forcefully cupped her jaw, their noses almost touching. "What about you, Jade? Seeing as we're all here because of your foolish sense of justice."

"Go to hell!" Jade growled.

Before she could even blink, Daegon's hand swiftly backhanded her across the face with his free hand. "An expected answer. Not surprising."

Daegon could easily see through Jade's veiled facade through the outburst, her eyes holding a sense of fear and trepidation. The stories behind this man's madness weren't exaggerated in the slightest, and why he was the most wanted criminal in Edenian history. It was no wonder he evaded the guillotine for countless millennia.

"I can sense each of you hold emotional ties to him, and I dare say it's why you're at each other's throats. Human feelings are quite humourous. I wonder, though..."

Daegon's grip increased, strangling Jai to the point where oxygen was almost nonexistent. Tanya felt her chest tighten, but not nearly as how Jade's did as both watched Daegon dangle the object of their desire.

"Are these attachments enough to save him?" Daegon's revolting grin returned. "Let's find out!"

Callously, he tossed Jai like a rag doll and cackled as he sent the boy plunging downward. His landing spot... the ocean blue.

"NOO!" Tanya screamed.

"JAAAAIIIII!" Jade howled in despair.

Ignoring the pain with great urgency, Jade fought against her captives before freeing one of her hands to impale the first guard's neck with her metal nails. That allowed her to land a solid knee to the other's solar plexus before rolling free from the rear chokehold of the last remaining guard. Neither Tanya nor Daegon reacted quickly enough to stop Jade from diving after Jai.

Daegon stopped Tanya in her tracks. "Let them go. It's improbable either of them survives."

"This was not part of the deal!" Tanya exclaimed.

"You do as I command! Your affections for that boy have clouded your judgment, Tanya. There are more suitable choices for you once I claim Edenia as my own. And besides, this is only the beginning."

The descent grew increasingly faster with each second, Jai and Jade hurtling toward the ocean at a breakneck pace. That mattered little to Edenia's General as she tucked in her arms, thus accelerating her speed. She knew it wouldn't matter as Jai would crash into the sea first, but she'll have a better chance to save him if following right behind.

'Come on, dammit! I can't lose him!' Jade cursed, her speed growing ever so slightly.

As expected, Jai landed in the ocean with a sickening thud, enough to break more bones in his body. It wasn't long before Jade landed as well in a diving pose. Quickly submerged, she began searching for Jai, his unresponsive body sinking toward the bottom.

With haste, Jade swam desperately, able to hold her breath for upward to two and a half minutes. She realized that may not be enough to carry herself and Jai back up. She needed to be quick yet smart.

Or they'll both die.

Jade had managed to grab one of Jai's arms while pulling his body into hers and began swimming back to shore. The effort meant she couldn't waste any movement. Faster and faster, her legs kicked as each lung burned.

Through sheer will, Jade reached the surface and let out a relieved gasp of air, making sure Jai's head was above as well. She couldn't stop here, the hard work just beginning as the nearest landmass was a while away. Jade only had one arm at her disposal to guide amidst the current, but even that factor didn't deter her. Inconceivable to most, she saved Jai and herself from drowning, letting out numerous coughs and hacks.

Quickly, Jade turned her attention back to Jai, his face pale and lifeless. His chest suffered a nasty gash from Daegon's sword in their battle earlier. Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation was the only way to save him. Immediately, she followed the correct procedures.

To her unease, he wasn't budging.

"Jai..." Jade patted his face. "Jai, can you hear me? Jai, please..."

She leaned into his chest to listen for a heartbeat, to find it was declining. Panic started to settle in, prompting Jade to increase her efforts. Numerous attempts yielded no results.

Tears welled in Jade's eyes as she began shaking his shoulders. "Jai... Jai! Jai, wake up! Please! Say something! I'm sorry! Jai!"

No movement, not even a twitch.

Jade let out a shriek of anguish, unable to hold in her grief as she cried against his chest. The boy she grew up with, shared her deepest secrets with, and had a deep love for was dying.

That was until a quiet gurgle was heard...