hapter 13 The Main Event

Rojo's P.O.V

While I marched along the path that led up to the event, I mulled something over in my mind.

Why are Emperor and Abyss like in some ways, but not others?

This question had been bothering me ever since I fought Abyss not so long ago. I knew that they were both individuals of the same species, but why were their ideals drastically different? As we marched, I studied the scenery around me. We were walking along A small dirt path that was covered in small pebbles of various dark colors. I could see various small creatures scurrying up and down the tree trunks, and the rustling of leaves as A weak breeze stirred them. The crunching of gravel resounded in the forest as we continued to march.

"Captain Rojo?"

Marine asked me suddenly. I stopped marching and turned around to look at him. I crossed my arms and gave him an intense gaze with my narrowed eyes.

"What is it Marine?"

I asked as I narrowed my eyes.

"I feel that we are being followed".

He said quietly. Sapphire, who had been lagging behind, stopped close to where Marine stood.

"What's going on? Why are we stopped?"

He asked quickly. I scoffed.

"Marine thinks we are being followed"

I replied sarcastically. I muttered something abrasive under my breath and continued my march to the event. I now paid more attention to my surroundings. I had to; just to make sure that Marine was more at ease. I couldn't take another large span of his incessant complaining.

How could I call Marine A soldier if he still whines and complains? Even more so, How could Marine have the ability to complain after what he just demonstrated?

This thought ran through my mind as I neared the event. I was about to take A step when something impacted my neck. The projectile did not hurt me, but whatever it was, stuck into my neck. Instinctively, I brought my hand up to my neck and felt along my neck for the object that stuck in my neck as I marched towards my destination. I watched the passing scenery from the corners of my eyes. I could understand why Marine felt that we were being followed.

Pew

Another projectile was fired. I followed the sound of the projectile as it flew through the air. I turned around with extreme speed and grabbed the projectile just before it impacted Marine. He flinched when he saw me turn. Sapphire walked into the back of Marine and he fell to the ground. I looked past Marine to see Sapphire if was ok. He looked up at me with an unamused expression on his face.

"If you wanted to stop, you could've told me that you wanted to. We're only about A hundred feet from the gates".

Sapphire growled angrily. I didn't care that Sapphire was trying to talk back to me; I cared that something was trying to take out my team. I looked at the object in my hand momentarily. Seeing that it was nothing important, I threw it into the brush.

"Number one priority: keep ourselves safe".

I told the two. Sapphire brushed himself off and stood up.

"Let me guess; Delta Formation?"

Sapphire asked with expectancy in his voice. I looked at Marine.

"You agree with that?"

I asked him quickly. Marine nodded slightly and took two interesting knifelike objects from his boots. He stood sideways in the traditional fighting stance. I took my Heavy Sword off of my back and stood in the same way as Marine. I did not look to see what Sapphire chose as his weapon, but I could tell that is was something related to magic by the way the surrounding area shimmered slightly.

"What's your weapon of choice Sapphire?"

Marine asked while stood guard on his side of the formation. Sapphire's voice was unusually quiet for some reason.

"I'm using the weapon you couldn't Marine. That should be enough to give you a hint"

He replied abrasively. Marine scoffed.

"I just asked you a question; there's no need for you to be so upset"

He replied with the same amount of edge in his voice. I watched from my side of the formation for anything that moved. It was hard to focus on anything due to the cheering and applause that resounded from the gate. Looking through the mass of trees, I saw something odd. The object looked like something I had seen only once before. Whatever this was, was very thin and had A large head. The trees and the darkness almost obscured my sight of the figure.

"Soldiers! Something on my side!"

I hissed. I heard Marine and Sapphire shift from their sides to see what I was looking at.

"I don't see what you're getting at Rojo; are you sure that there's something that you see?"

Marine asked quietly. I used my hand to angle his head so that he could see what I was looking at.

"What in the world?"

Marine asked himself in disbelief.

"I see what you're seeing too Rojo"

Sapphire reported. he turned to face me.

"Do you think that… whatever that is, is responsible for putting the Assassin Lizard points in our necks?"

Marine asked as he watched the figure float towards us. As the figure came closer, I could see two pinpoints of Red light form in the darkness. Whatever this was moved silently as it floated closer to us. As the figure moved closer, the wind suddenly stopped blowing, the lizards that scrambled up the trees suddenly stopped moving, the leaves that rustled quietly in the wind laid still, and then everything seemed to stop as the figure stopped close to where we were. The figure still kept to the darkness, but now I could see what exactly we were looking at. The composure of this figure scared me to my very bones. Looking at this thing made me numb all over. The figure was very thin, had two huge eyes that had Red pinpoints of light that illuminated this thing's face(if it was able to be called a face). I followed the Purple lines that went straight down from the bottom of this thing's eyes. These trails went all the way down to this thing's mouth, which seemed to be carved into this thing's face. The mouth was curved up at the edges in A demonic smile that had three rows of teeth.

"It's rude to stare you know"

The figure said with what seemed to be a weak and hoarse voice . What astounded and scared me was the fact that this thing was able to use magic as well as look intimidating. The thing glided over to stand even closer to where we were standing.

"I have only one proposition for the three of you: leave my acquaintances alone"

The thing said as it stood itself right in front of me. It was then that the smell of this thing hit me. It took only one breath to make my eyes water and for me to double over in an extreme coughing fit. From the corner of my eye, I could see Marine and Sapphire move to protect me. When I was done coughing, I looked up at the thing. Now I could see something similar to a small ribcage jutting out from the material that was the things skin… or what looked like to be skin.

"Make any move, and you're done".

Marine said before I could open my mouth.

"You really have no respect for your superiors?"

The thing asked as it pointed at Marine. As soon as the thing pointed at Marine, he collapsed to the ground and started writhing. I saw Sapphire look quickly at Marine, then back to the thing.

"You're gonna pay for that !"

Sapphire shouted in anger. I only had time to shake my head before the same thing happened to him. He fell next to me, and it was only me and this thing that were left. I stood up and looked directly at the thing.

"They are not dead; I have merely just stopped their hearts from beating for thirty seconds so I could speak with you".

The thing said with A gurgling laugh that made me go numb all over again.

"Let's start off with the obvious, shall we?"

The thing asked me. I started to shake as I put my sword back on my back.

"That should lighten the mood, right?"

I tried to joke. Needless to say, I was terrified of what this thing was and of its capabilities.

"I asked not for your jokes, but your name"

The thing said with a hint of annoyance in its voice. I really did not want to make this thing upset in any way. I just saw it stop the hearts of my soldiers! Who knows what this thing could do if it really wanted to cause destruction? I tried my voice.

"My name is Captain Rojo. I am the leader of the Island Defense Force"

I said with A wavering voice. The thing laughed again. The pinpoints of light turned from Red to White.

"I do not care for your rank or your occupation, all you need to know is that I am the nightmare that haunts your sanity".

The thing said. For some reason, I had to blink. I did just that, and when I did, the thing had vanished… Completely from our sight. I immediately went to Marine to make sure that he was ok. I put my head on his chest and listened for A heartbeat. I had to listen closely, but there was indeed a slow and weak pulse that resounded from within his chest. I got back up and went to Sapphire, but he was already up. He was looking at me crossly.

"Why didn't you stop me from causing those rash decisions?"

He asked me with a hint of anger in his voice. I stared straight back at him.

"That was because you acted before I could say anything"

I replied with A half-smile. Then my expression changed to that of annoyance.

"You should know by now not to challenge your superiors"

I said quietly as I looked to Marine. He was sitting cross-legged on the ground and was looking up at me.

"I see your reasoning for that now"

Marine said with a short laugh. I helped Marine up and suddenly I was hit with the feeling that this was just the precursor to something that was going to happen soon. I was almost never the one to get premonitions, but this time, the feeling was strong.

"No need to march this time, just stay close to me and don't do anything stupid"

I said breathlessly. We walked the last bit of the path until we stopped right before the city gates. I raised my hand to knock on the wooden gate, when the wooden slat in the gate was opened.

"Captain Rojo and two others"

I stated to the individual on the other side. The slat closed and the giant gate opened with a loud creaking sound. When the gate was opened, A huge procession started. Many colored individuals on both sides of the path started throwing leaves over our heads as we walked along.

I'm not A decorated war hero, there's something off about this.

I thought to myself as I walked the streets to Emperor's Castle. I tried not to give any attention to the fact that I was being celebrated. I could hear Sapphire and Marine taking full advantage of the situation though. I put all of that aside as I tried to remember what caused Venom to change. While I pondered this, I found myself already at the road that led up to the CourtHouse.

"Why aren't you celebrating Rojo?"

Marine asked me as he put his hand on my shoulder. I looked at Marine.

"What is there to celebrate?"

I replied grouchily as I shrugged off his hand and walked up to the building. I stopped halfway and turned to look back at Marine and Sapphire.

"You guys go to the castle, ok?"

I asked them. They looked at each other and then back to me.

"Sure boss, will do"

Both of them said in unison with A salute. They then ran off like children.

"I suppose you're looking for me?"

Emperor said from behind me. I turned to him. He no longer had the decorated robe or the colored crown.

"Yeah, I wanted to talk to you"

I replied quietly. Emperor nodded slowly.

"There's only one more event left. That's the main event that I've saved for you"

Emperor said with A little smile.

"If you'd walk with me to the castle, everyone's gathered in the Royal Breakfast Hall to see your Award Ceremony"

Emperor stated while he took me by my shoulder and led me to the Castle.

"Sapphire and Marine are already at the Breakfast Hall"

I told Emperor as we walked to the Breakfast Hall. as we neared the place, I looked up at the sky. For A second, I thought that I saw what looked like to be A half-dragon Half-yoshi like figure flying across the stars. The wingbeats and the strokes that this figure took were elegant and efficient. I saw from the corner of my eye that Emperor was looking at the sky too.

"You've never seen such elegance in flying before Rojo?"

Emperor asked me with A little laugh.

"Do you know who that is that's flying up there?"

I asked him as we neared the Breakfast Hall. Emperor stopped walking, so I did as well. He looked at me.

"There's only one that could fly with such elegance; take A wild guess"

He told me sarcastically.

"Take A wild guess?"

I asked him. Emperor nodded as he looked up once again. The figure had vanished into the night sky.

"Cynder?"

I asked him. Emperor looked back at me.

"You're right, now let's go inside and get you some recognition for your actions in battle!"

He said enthusiastically as he practically dragged me through the doors. I was unable to adjust quickly to all the noise and the lighting that came from the Breakfast Hall.

"Your Hero of War is amongst you! Give him some praise why don't you?"

Emperor called above all the racket the individuals in the Breakfast Hall were causing. As Emperor called out, everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at me. I could feel all of the gazes fall on me. For A moment, nothing happened. I was about to let out A sigh of relief when the entirety of the Breakfast Hall erupted into cheering and applause. Emperor led me through the masses of cheering individuals to A table that sat all of my acquaintances. I saw all of the High Council Members, Sapphire, Marine, and Halcyon at the table. There was A single empty chair that was left for me.

"That one is yours Rojo; feel free to take that place if you wish"

He said as Emperor went to sit on the ground next to Lemon. I sat down in the chair and listened to the conversation that the High Council was having.

"What are we to do with our current state?"

Rose asked the table. Lemon fidgeted with her hands as the question was being asked. Rose saw that Lemon was nervous. I saw her smile to herself.

"What do you think we could do Lemon?"

Rose asked her. Lemon looked up from what she was doing.

"I believe that the best way to assess the damage is to take elemental samples of the wreckage"

She said over the commotion of the individuals in the room. The others nodded in agreement.

"Even if we had the materials to do that, our current technology would have to jump dramatically"

Northwind said flatly from across the table.

Everyone at the table looked at Northwind.

"Have you no faith in our technologies?"

Mercury asked her with narrowed eyes. I saw Northwind draw A large breath.

"I've seen what we as A species are capable of"

I said quickly before Northwind could lose her cool. Everyone at the table looked at me. It was just then I saw that their faces were lit by A candle.

"What nonsense do you speak of Captain Rojo?"

Halcyon asked me from the other side of the table. I looked crossly at him.

"I thought you were the leader of this island chain, you should know everything that's going on!"

I said loudly along with some edge. Halcyon leaned forward so that he could look directly at me

"Yes, that's my rank, but you are in no position to disrespect me Rojo"

Halcyon said evenly. He leaned back in his chair. The others just stared openmouthed at me in disbelief.

"Anyways, let's get back to the subject that we were on"

I said evenly. The others looked at Halcyon, but somehow, he had left.

"I would prefer not to follow the subject that we were talking about, but I have a new suggestion"

Lemon stated with some nervousness in her voice. The others took their gazes from me and they settled on Lemon.

"I'd like to propose the petition that we should give recognition to Rojo for his bravery in battle"

She said while looking at me with a wink. I scoffed.

"I really didn't do that much"

I started to say, but the others didn't seem to hear me. Emperor got up from his seat on the floor and produced A small box. He slid the box to me, using the table as A mode of transportation for sliding this box. The box slid across the table and stopped at the edge of the table where I was sitting.

"Go ahead; open it"

Emperor urged me. The others nodded.

"Yeah, open the box!"

The others said almost in unison. The commotion from our table made everyone else in the room go silent as well. I looked over my shoulder to see all the individuals in the room looking at me intently.

"Open it!"

Lime started to chant.

"Oh no"

Lemon moaned softly as she buried her head in her hands.

"Here we go!"

Marine shouted. Suddenly the whole room was ringing with the chant.

"Open it, open it!"

They chanted. I looked at the box. It seemed to have the consistency of Red Oak. designs were carved into the sides of the box. On the top of the box, was my name and A small portrait of me with the sword I had used to fight Abyss. I looked up from the box to see the individuals at my table now banging the top of the table in time with the chant that they were saying.

I got up from my seat and the chanting slowly died down. I looked for the podium that the team should have set up, but I was distracted by how well the individuals of the Administrative District put this hall together. The tapestries were even more elegant, the tables had silk tablecloths over them, there was a single candle that had enough light to cover each table with A wavering light that sent shadows dancing across the walls. I felt something take me by the arm and lead me to A set of stairs that led up to A podium of sorts. I was almost to the ceiling at this point. I turned around to see that I was in the center of the room. I was now on A square just large enough for two individuals.

"Just stay cool and say what comes to your mind ok Rojo?"

Northwind said to me. I looked over at her.

"You're going to facilitate the ceremony?"

I asked her incredulously. She nodded slightly.

"I believe that this is yours"

She said with A smile as she gave me the box. She turned around to face the audience.

"Citizens of the United Islands, we are gathered here today to make known the actions of one brave and valiant individual who placed his life in the line of danger so that he could protect and better our lives".

Northwind started. She turned me around to face the audience.

"This individual you know very well, so let's give him A round of applause why don't we?"

She asked the audience. The audience erupted into applause. Northwind waited A little for the audience to become quiet once again.

"Captain Rojo, I would like to present you with the highest form of accreditation that we as a High Council can offer you".

She said to the audience. She then turned to me and took the box from me.

"Captain Rojo, are you ready to receive your just reward for your heroic actions?"

She asked me with A full smile on her face. I was only able to stand and look at her. I was paralyzed with fear and nervousness.

"I-I am C-Council M-Member N-Northwind"

I stammered. Northwind chuckled. She looked back at the audience.

"Now that you have heard him say that he is ready to receive his reward, let's watch to see what kind of reward Rojo is going to receive!"

She announced to the audience. She then turned back to me.

"Hold out your right hand"

She instructed me. I extended my arm and held out my hand with the palm facing upwards. Northwind placed the box on my palm. I could hear the audience whisper and murmur as the box was placed on my palm.

"Now when I say for you to open the box, open the box with the lid facing away from you"

She instructed me as she turned back to the audience.

"Now it is my pleasure, along with the High Council's and the United Island Archipelago's leader Halcyon that we present the award to Captain Rojo of the Administrative District!"

When Northwind was done announcing to the audience, she nudged me with her elbow. I turned to the audience and used my left hand to open the box. It was hard to open the box with my left hand and open it facing the audience, but somehow I was able to do just that without dropping the box. As I opened the box to its fullest, some of the audience gasped and some started to cheer. Others just gaped in shock.

"Rojo?"

Northwind asked as she turned to me.

"What is it?"

I responded quickly. Northwind smiled.

"You may now look at the award you have received"

She told me as she took the box from my hand. She turned the box around to face me. I almost fainted when I saw what the award was.

"No…"

I said in complete shock.

"Yes, you truly are deserving of the United Island Defense Force Medal of Honor"

I was only able to gaze at the medal that was before me. It was made of pure gold, and was in the shape of A star. On the outside of the medal there was an intricate design that seemed to imitate a wreath. It was Green in color and seemed to span the entirety of the outside of the medal. In the middle of the star, there was A circle with the United Island Archipelago and in the middle of the insignia was my name. The medal was polished with Resin that made the metal shine in the candlelight that was illuminating the room.

"I….I'm"

I started to say, but Northwind put her hand up to silence me.

"I know that it's an honor; just accept it and you can go back to your table"

She told me. I took the box with trembling hands. As I took the box, the crowd erupted back into applause as I hurried off of the stage. I pushed through the crowd of people. I was acting out of pure fear now. I threw open the doors that led into the Royal Breakfast Hall and looked in both directions wildy for my house. It was on the edge of this district near the beach that I had just come from.

The beach was not far from here

I told myself. I burst into A run from my fear. I was just given the highest award known to my species! I ran until I could run no more. By that time, I was on the patch of rocks that led down to the beach. It was then that I remembered what this beach's name was. It was called Sunrise Sands. It was given this name by Siren when she first started to head the Administrative District. I looked down the beach for my house. I wanted my house to be built here because I didn't like to be around anyone I didn't know. I had no idea why I could be with my friends all the time, but it made me wonder if I was truly missing something. I walked down the beach on the left side to look for my house. I walked at a brisk pace due to my fear and tension. I saw the sun coming up from the horizon from the corner of my eye. I often came here for the sunrises with Sunrise.

Speaking of which, where is that crazy lizard?

I asked myself as I turned around to look to see if anyone had followed me. I saw Sunrise standing at A distance away from me. I did not know why I liked watching the sunrises so much, but it comforted me for some reason. Sunrise did not seem to notice me for some reason either. I shrugged to myself and turned back around to find my house, but there was an individual of my species standing in the brush looking at me. I could see this from the corner of my left eye. This did make me A little uncomfortable, but I didn't let it get to me. I continued walking down the beach looking for my house. I knew that there was A single palm tree that was on the right side of my house. It was near the end of the beach on the left side that I found my house. It was built into the side of a hill. I had built the house by myself out of Red Oak, Palm Wood and bricks. I sighed as I parted the bushes that hid my house and opened the door. I looked in the single room that was my house. I walked inside and shut the door behind me and locked it. Locks were relatively new to our species. I particularly liked them because much like my door that kept others out, the locks kept things that were meant to be protected, inside of where they were supposed to be. I walked to the right side of the room where my bed was. I stood at the foot of my bed deciding whether I was too tired to sleep.

"I guess so"

I sighed to myself as I took my Heavy Sword off of my back and leaned it up against the foot of my bed. I walked back around my bed and flopped onto it. I stared at the ceiling.

Why is it so hard to sleep these days?

I asked myself as I listened to the waves crash against the rocks. It was A calming sound that reminded me of clashing swords. I slowly found myself drifting off into sleep. When my eyes closed, I felt that I was being watched, but I let it go for the time being. When I woke up, the sun was shining directly in my eyes. I put my hand up to shield myself from the unusually bright light that blinded me. I sat up and rubbed the sleep out of my eyes and swung my legs over the side of the bed to catch my breath. For some reason I hurt all over. I rubbed the spot that held the Assassin Lizard point. Oddly enough, there was no trace of it.

There's no possible way it could've fallen out.

I told myself as I got up from the bed and stretched. I got my sword from the foot of my bed and walked to my door. As soon as I got to the door, there was A knock.

"Who is bothering me at this time of day?"

I growled as I opened the door and put my boots on. As soon as I saw who it was, my breath caught in my throat.

"My king!"

I said as I knelt in the doorway.

"Rojo, I thought we talked about this"

I heard Emperor say with a growl. I had trouble bringing my gaze to him, so I just knelt in place.

"You can get up Rojo; there's no need to treat me with so much respect. I'm the same as you"

Emperor said evenly as he helped me up from my kneeling position. Emperor turned around and walked through the brush.

"You might want to see this Rojo! It looks like Sunrise!"

Emperor called from beyond the brush. I heard his footsteps as he walked along the sand. I pushed the brush aside and saw Emperor kneeling next to A motionless body of an individual of my species on the beach. I burst into A run, being fueled by nervousness and my insatiable drive to help others. I almost flew across the sand by how fast I was running. I slid A distance to stop myself in the sand so that I could stop myself. I walked over to Emperor and looked at the fallen individual on the ground. The individual was moaning softly and was shaking. This individual's eyes were closed and was now trying to curl itself into A protective ball.

"Hey, can you tell me your name?"

Emperor asked soothingly to the individual. The individual stopped trying to curl itself up and straightened out. The individual did not open its eyes, but it stopped shaking and moaning.

"H-Help"

The individual said softly. Emperor looked over the body of the individual.

"There does not seem to be any damage on the outside of this individual, but this one is obviously in pain"

Emperor murmured to himself as he stood up and brushed the sand off of his hands.

"You know, I just wish that the proper individuals should be at the right place at the right time"

Emperor growled to himself. He looked at me crossly.

"You have first aid training, right? I'm going to get Lemon. Stay here and look after this one ok?"

He asked me as he started walking away from me quickly.

"Yeah… I do"

I told myself as I saw Emperor turn the corner that led up to the gates to the city.

"I hate it when people just drop their grievances on my time"

I growled to myself as I knelt beside the individual once again.

"Sunrise?"

I asked the individual. The eyes of the individual opened slowly.

"R-Rojo?"

Sunrise said hoarsely. He went into a coughing fit that was so severe, he coughed up blood. After the coughing fit, he smiled weakly.

"Do you think i'm gonna be alright?"

He asked me while he tried to sit up. I stopped him from trying to right himself and he flopped onto the sand once again. He looked up at me with a bewildered expression.

"I don't feel right Rojo. when is Lemon going to be here?"

He asked as he started to curl up again. I sat down on the sand and rubbed his shoulder.

"It's going to be fine Sunrise. If anything happens, I'm going to be right here to fix whatever happens"

I said with A reassuring tone. Right after I said that, I heard panicked pounding of feet against the little pebbles that lined the path to the beach. I looked up from Sunrise to see Emperor and Lemon running towards us. Lemon seemed to have A box tied to her back. I noticed this right away because it seemed to span more than the length of her back. When they reached us, Emperor cut the ropes that bound the box to her back. The box fell on the ground, spraying sand everywhere for A moment.

"What is the extent of your injuries?"

Lemon asked as she sat in the sand right next to where Sunrise laid.

"I have no idea, but I did feel something hit my neck"

Sunrise said as he rolled over to look at Lemon. Lemon sighed.

"Let me see your neck"

She said as Sunrise moved to let Lemon see his neck. Lemon carefully raised his head and felt around his neck for A abnormal object. I spotted it before Lemon did.

"Right there under his left cheek"

I said to Lemon. She maneuvered Sunrise's head to that she could see what was in his neck.

"You're very lucky that this didn't hit any major veins in your neck Sunrise"

Lemon stated as she stood up.

"Why's that?"

Sunrise asked as he turned to look back at me. I shrugged and followed Lemon to the box that was on the sand. Lemon opened the box. I shuddered when I saw the contents of the box. Various technical machines were organized in the box, along with various sizes and shapes of needles with an assortment of tweezers for each size and shape. Lemon selected one that was short and pointed at the end. She then walked back to Sunrise.

"I've done this at least one hundred times already. There's no need to be scared first off"

She said as if she rehearsed this more times than I could count. Lemon positioned the tweezers on the foreign object in his neck and then Lemon turned to me.

"You might want to cover your ears for this one"

She said to me as I watched Lemon tighten her grip on the tweezers.

"Don't worry my friend; this will only hurt for A moment"

Lemon said soothingly. I had just enough time to cover my ears as Lemon yanked the object out of Sunrise's neck. I heard him scream in agony as the object was taken out of his neck. The scream only lasted for A short second, but it echoed in my head, causing my vision swim. I took my hands off of my ears.

"Get me some paper towels if you would be so kind"

Lemon told me. I turned to the box and rifled through the assortment of tools. I found the paper towels at the end of the box. I picked the roll up and tossed it to Lemon. She caught the roll and tore a piece off of the roll and applied it to Sunrise's neck, which was bleeding profusely.

"Are you sure that this amount of blood is normal?"

I asked nervously as I watched blood slowly flow down his neck. Lemon took more pieces off of the roll and stuffed them inside the small hole in his neck. I shuddered as I saw the blood slowly turn the pieces of towel Red from the blood that wanted to seep through the towels. She then looked up at me crossly.

"If you want to watch and learn, then do so. If you're going to bother me with your incessant questions, then leave"

She grouched. I put up my hands in defeat.

"Ok, ok, I get it. I'll leave you alone!"

I growled. Suddenly I had an Idea. I turned to Emperor, who was looking off into the vast expanse of the water that rippled and sparkled with the rising sun.

"Hey Emperor?"

I asked with A hint of nervousness in my voice. I was nervous by the fact that I had disrespected such A high ranking figure.

"What is it?"

He responded with A quiet voice without turning to look at me. I stood at attention and saluted him.

"If it would please you, I would like to have you attend A training session with the recruits if would please you"

I said respectfully. Emperor turned to look at me.

"What do you think would be the result of that?"

He asked me as he crossed his arms. I saw A flash of anger cross his eyes as he stared me down.

"I think that you would take enjoyment in knowing that you can put your trust in me!"

I shouted with respect. Emperor smiled.

"At ease soldier!"

He yelled back with A smile.

"Come on Rojo, let's see what you've done with your time"

Emperor said cheerfully as he started me walking by pushing me forward. As I started to walk, I took A quick look behind me. Lemon was still tending to Sunrise, and I was hit with A sudden wave of fear. I stopped walking and Emperor looked at me.

"What's going on Rojo?"

Emperor asked as he stopped walking.

"I thought you were so eager to show me your efforts"

He said with a hint of annoyance as I gazed back at Sunrise.

"Are you sure that they're going to be ok here by themselves?"

I asked as I turned back to look at Emperor. He scoffed.

"If you know that Sunrise can make drinks and Lemon is exceptionally smart, why do you ask this question?"

Emperor said abrasively. I took A step back in fear. Then, Emperor smiled and hit me playfully in the shoulder.

"I wasn't being serious; now let's get A move on, shall we?"

He asked as he started off at A brisk pace. I shook off my fear and jogged A short distance to catch up to Emperor. By the time I caught up to him, we had reached the path that led up to the gates.

"I feel A strong presence of evil here"

I heard him say under his breath. At this point, I wondered whether or not I should've told Emperor what happened not too long ago that concerned this place. He stopped at the point where the sand became small pebbles that seemed to pave a road through the forest. He turned to me.

"What happened here Rojo?"

He asked me with A hint of tension in his voice. My breath caught in my throat.

How could he know? He wasn't there! Did Marine tell him? Did Sapphire tell him?

I thought wildly as Emperor continued to look at me.

"Why don't we talk about it while we travel to the barracks?"

Emperor asked as he started to walk again.