A/N: Welcome back to the Trial! I am going to try to finish this as quickly as possible so I can begin some newer stories, so expect a lot of updates for the next few days. This chapter will all be in Stark's POV. Anyway, enough of my rambling, let's get on with this chapter!

Chapter 25: Stark's Frustration

Stark frowned as he sat at his desk. So far Dorian and Ardyn had fallen for his trick. All he needed to do was take them to The Masked Emperor and he would be able to live. Him along with the rest of his army. He remembered the dreaded day that he had been told to capture Dorian and Ardyn. But the truth was, he really did want to help Dorian and Ardyn. He knew that they were striving for peace, something that he hadn't seen in many years.

"I wish there was some way we could help them!" Stark yelled in frustration.

"You can. I know a way that you can," a voice said. Stark looked around for the source of the voice and saw that it was one of his closest advisers. She was a beautiful young woman with black hair and turqoise eyes. Stark looked in confusion at her. "All you have to do is try your best to defeat the Masked Emperor and maybe, you might win."

"That's too dangerous, Alissa. How would I even survive that battle?! Everyone who has fought The Masked Emperor has failed and died. How do you expect me of all people to win?" Stark gasped, he slammed his fist on his desk.

"No need to get frustrated, General. I mean it's just a person," Alissa said with a smirk on her face.

"No, it's too dangerous for anyone to charge him. If anything, I'm doing them a favor by taking them directly to him," Stark said.

"Do you even know what he plans to do with them?" Alissa asked.

"No," he admitted.

"He plans to kill them. So you can either fight with them or against them," Alissa said.

"I - I will fight for them. Thanks, Alissa. I don't know what I would do without you," Stark said. Alissa nodded and left the room. "But how do I approach this? Do I fight with them or against them? Oh, whatever Gods are up there please help me!"

He sighed and began to write in his diary:

May 22nd, 755

I am completely lost. I don't know how I am supposed to help Dorian and Ardyn. If I don't help them, who knows what will happen. I hope I can find a way soon. But the more I think about it, the more nervous I become. I am breaking the law big time by even thinking about this. And here I am sitting at my desk saying, "Oh, I'm going to help Dorian and Ardyn."

But a few questions are on my mind. Why am I doing this? Is this for my self benefit or for the benefit of others? Is it worth it? If I did decide to do this, will I die? Should I do this?

All questions with similar meanings. I don't know what the hell is wrong with me. This has been a frustrating past few weeks. I hope I can find a solution to this problem soon...before it's too late. I hope that Dorian and Ardyn can survive that long in that filthy cell.

The more I think about it, the more I think I am going insane. Anyway, I am engaged, Alissa. And good news, we're having a baby. Long story short, my life is on a rollercoaster right now. I hope it can stay on track and not fly around.

~Stark Moonsinger

Stark sighed as he stopped writing and he massaged his head in a circular motion. He sighed, he had to find out how to help them...no matter what the cost.

A/N: And cut! We're just going to stop there for now. And as I said, I am trying to finish this, so expect more updates for a couple of days weeks, who knows. Anyway, remember to review favorite and follow.