Cora's Camp 2

"We spent a day with them. We played, laughed, and met them in their secret hide out. We went back and added our names later.....I think I can convince him,"

Kemba remembered that hideout, he imagined Midas and Cora spent there entire childhood in it until they could no longer fit inside. When they went back to see it when they returned, it was preserved almost like a museum. After a whole day of dusting and cleaning, they restored it and the faces that were drawn were still there.

"Hmm...I know what you're getting at Theos. Do you want to do it alone?" Kemba asked.

Magi cocked his head, not knowing what they were going on about. "What are you talking about?"

Kemba chuckled and looked at him, "Sorry, we can't say. We promised it to secrecy. This will have to be for just Theos and I, oh and the triplets. Ike can know too if he wants since he's still our age. You could always ask Cora though if he is willing to tell you."

Magi didn't understand but Kemba and Theos filled him with confidence, "Alright, I don't know what is going on but as you say, it won't matter if I know. If you can calm the King then please do so. Just remember how fragile he is right now. Don't push too hard. I assume you won't need me? If not, I will go meet with the Sistermon's and get a report on everything. Ike is free for the day however, I won't need him for a few hours if you wish to bring him along."

Kemba shook his head, "We'll discuss this a bit further Magi, but you can go. Ike, I'm sure you want to be with your dad so we won't involve you. Though I bet Don wouldn't mind your company right now either."

"Hmm...I know what you're getting at Theos. Do you want to do it alone?" Theos shook his head no.

"What are you talking about?"

Kemba chuckled and looked at him, "Sorry, we can't say. We promised it to secrecy. This will have to be for just Theos and I, oh and the triplets. Ike can know too if he wants since he's still our age. You could always ask Cora though if he is willing to tell you." It seemed like a secret between family. Ike just shrugged. He had been making sure everything was put up while they talked.

"Alright, I don't know what is going on but as you say, it won't matter if I know. If you can calm the King then please do so. Just remember how fragile he is right now. Don't push too hard. I assume you won't need me? If not, I will go meet with the Sistermon's and get a report on everything. Ike is free for the day however, I won't need him for a few hours if you wish to bring him along."

Kemba shook his head, "We'll discuss this a bit further Magi, but you can go. Ike, I'm sure you want to be with your dad so we won't involve you. Though I bet Don wouldn't mind your company right now either." 

Ike thought about it. His father was probably indisposed of. With Cora acting as he has Cole had to remain on his toes making sure everything was ready for the march if there was one. Don would be his likely bet if he wanted company.

"I will probably go to Don," Ike responded.

"I'm sure he will like that. He enjoys spending time with you," Theos responded smiling. "Shall we." Theos said hopping down walking for the tent flap. Ike would follow them out and wave them off before heading for Kaa's tent. He didn't doubt Don was still there watching over his brother. 

"I will probably go to Don," Ike responded.

"I'm sure he will like that. He enjoys spending time with you," Theos responded smiling. "Shall we." Theos said hopping down walking for the tent flap. Ike would follow them out and wave them off before heading for Kaa's tent. He didn't doubt Don was still there watching over his brother.

Don heard the flap move and turned his head to see Ike walking in. He gave Ike a smile and a nod of welcome and turned his head back to his comatose brother.

"I already told Magi that I would care for him. He doesn't need a change of fluids and I just recently flushed his system. You don't have to worry about Kaa during your rounds Ike."

___

Kemba followed Theos towards Cora's tent they could hear the great king mumbling to himself. When they walked in, he was rolling up his map. Cora looked to Kemba and Theos.

"You've brought Kemba, I see he's recovered too. That is good, I've finally decided where we must march. The enemy is headed back over their border. With all of their wounded, they have to pass straight through Death Valley. We can easily corner them and force another fight. We can route them this time and end this war!" Cora noticed Theos leg bandaged to his stomach.

"Theos I suppose won't be joining us? That is somewhat of a relief. You can stay here where it is safe."

Kemba nervously looked at Theos then to Cora, "Cora, you're not going...we can't let you get yourself killed."

Cora's expression drastically changed to almost that of a snarl, "Not this again...we've already been through this!" He barked.

"I already told Magi that I would care for him. He doesn't need a change of fluids and I just recently flushed his system. You don't have to worry about Kaa during your rounds Ike."

"It is not just Kaa," Ike responded sitting beside him. "You must stay healthy as well if you wish to care for your brother. You should get some rest."

___

He was still so intent on this battle. About winning this battle in one swift and sure strike. That wasn't going to happen though; Stall would be prepared for such a possibility since it is a dangerous route.

"Cora, you're not going...we can't let you get yourself killed."

"Not this again...we've already been through this!"

"My king if I may," Theos started. It had been a long time since Theos had used proper speech with him. "You are a wonderful leader. Everyone loves your kindness and your protectiveness. We look at you and wish all kings could be so kind. However in this recent day you have changed so much we worry. Because our love as a nation for you is greater than any blood that separates us. That separates me, my king and uncle."

"It is not just Kaa," Ike responded sitting beside him. "You must stay healthy as well if you wish to care for your brother. You should get some rest."

Don chuckled as Ike sat next to him, "I should stay healthy. Though I will not rest yet. I'm not tired. Besides, if I sleep then I won't be able to talk with you. Your sitting means you must be finished with your rounds for now yes?" Don looked back over his brother.

Still had not moved since Theos earlier visit. "Theos came to see him earlier. I told him what happened between us. What I said to him..." Don's expression soured.

"Why did I let it get to this? If he dies, I'll always regret not telling him that I love him despite his frustrating personality." Don brushed Kaa's claw.

"A part of me wonders what his last thoughts of me are. Whether he despises the Digimon I've become. The Digimon I needed to be to keep my promise." Don looked back to Ike.

"How have you been holding up Ike? This must not be easy for you either."
___

"My king if I may," Theos started. It had been a long time since Theos had used proper speech with him. "You are a wonderful leader. Everyone loves your kindness and your protectiveness. We look at you and wish all kings could be so kind. However in this recent day you have changed so much we worry. Because our love as a nation for you is greater than any blood that separates us. That separates me, my king and uncle."

Theos speaking so formal to Cora visibly calmed him from his discontempt. It made Cora feel uncomfortable.

"You don't have to talk to me like that...I don't like when you speak to me as some lower being. Theos you're my nephew, not my servant. It makes me uncomfortable...in a lot of ways." Cora's voice had come down in volume.

Kemba notices it, it looked like Theos found an opening. He turned to Cora,

"Cora, you need to take a pause and look at yourself and what you're about to do. It's dangerous and you're talking about throwing your life away as if it is meaningless." Kemba added.

Cora let out a small hiss, "You don't understand. I have to be this way, I have to protect everyone. I'm the only one who can. Theos, I'm not doubting the love we share. I appreciate your concern but I have a kingly duty to the people. To both of you as well. I'll lose everything if I don't stop Scomparsa."

The King gave a half grin, "I am very strong, trust that I can do this. Then we'll be back in the palace. All of us eating ice cream, bathing together, playing...we can go back to being a family. Kaa will wake and we will all go back. Then we'll find Midas like we said. We will build Paradise and everything will be okay." Cora sounded as if he was trying to convince himself.

"So, just stay here and rest. I'll be back before you know it."

Kemba frowned and looked at Theos.

"I should stay healthy. Though I will not rest yet. I'm not tired. Besides, if I sleep then I won't be able to talk with you. Your sitting means you must be finished with your rounds for now yes?" Ike nodded.


"Theos came to see him earlier. I told him what happened between us. What I said to him..." Don's expression soured.



"Why did I let it get to this? If he dies, I'll always regret not telling him that I love him despite his frustrating personality." Don brushed Kaa's claw.



"A part of me wonders what his last thoughts of me are. Whether he despises the Digimon I've become. The Digimon I needed to be to keep my promise." Don looked back to Ike.



"How have you been holding up Ike? This must not be easy for you either."


"I am fine," Ike responded blatantly. "Being busy does not give one time to stew in ones problems. If any." Ike looked to Kaa a moment.

"I am sure he knows. One does not always have to say it for it to be true," Ike said reassuringly.

___


"You don't have to talk to me like that...I don't like when you speak to me as some lower being. Theos you're my nephew, not my servant. It makes me uncomfortable...in a lot of ways." Theos smiled slightly. There was the digimon he knew.

"Cora, you need to take a pause and look at yourself and what you're about to do. It's dangerous and you're talking about throwing your life away as if it is meaningless." Kemba added.

Cora let out a small hiss, "You don't understand. I have to be this way, I have to protect everyone. I'm the only one who can. Theos, I'm not doubting the love we share. I appreciate your concern but I have a kingly duty to the people. To both of you as well. I'll lose everything if I don't stop Scomparsa."

The King gave a half grin, "I am very strong, trust that I can do this. Then we'll be back in the palace. All of us eating ice cream, bathing together, playing...we can go back to being a family. Kaa will wake and we will all go back. Then we'll find Midas like we said. We will build Paradise and everything will be okay."

"You are protecting everyone," Theos responded. "The question is what about those who want to protect you. You are in pain but don't admit it. Instead we suffer in your place because we watch you try so hard and it is slowly killing you, my king," Theos did not drop the formality.

"I tried talking to you as family earlier. Only now did I realize what I lacked to convince you. I'm not my father, my king. I am his son however and as such his duties pass on to me. I am your adviser, friend, nephew.....and protector. I'd sacrifice my life for yours uncle. Just as I would for Kemba, Don, Kaa, and Ban. Just like I have thought of doing so many times to end this war," Theos teared slightly. "But I didn't. Do you know why? Because I knew in the end even if it saved a thousand digimons lives. And hundreds of thousands more heartbreak. I would never want to see a single one of you cry."

"I am fine," Ike responded blatantly. "Being busy does not give one time to stew in ones problems. If any." Ike looked to Kaa a moment.

"I am sure he knows. One does not always have to say it for it to be true,"

Don nodded, "It isn't that if I don't say it, it doesn't make it any less true. It's saying it allowed and to the person that makes it special. Like expressing yourself. If you knew your father was going to die, wouldn't you tell him you loved him? It is the same thing. It brings peace of mind and solemn spirit. No one wants their last encounter to be one of pain and suffering with a loved one."

Don's stomach then audibly gargled announcing his hunger which shouldn't be considering Don was given rations by Ike earlier today. His face reddened slighty, "Before you ask...I gave my bread to Ban...reassuring him we would all be fine. It took a few moments to get him to stop crying." Don chuckled and patted Ike's leg.

"I also know for a fact, you have yet to eat as well. So, want to eat together?" Don asked giving him a smile. Ike made Don feel so warm inside, and be a bit more like himself.
_

"You are protecting everyone," Theos responded. "The question is what about those who want to protect you. You are in pain but don't admit it. Instead we suffer in your place because we watch you try so hard and it is slowly killing you, my king," Theos did not drop the formality.

"I tried talking to you as family earlier. Only now did I realize what I lacked to convince you. I'm not my father, my king. I am his son however and as such his duties pass on to me. I am your adviser, friend, nephew.....and protector. I'd sacrifice my life for yours uncle. Just as I would for Kemba, Don, Kaa, and Ban. Just like I have thought of doing so many times to end this war," Theos teared slightly. "But I didn't. Do you know why? Because I knew in the end even if it saved a thousand digimons lives. And hundreds of thousands more heartbreak. I would never want to see a single one of you cry."

Still Theos remained formal, Cora's heart ached at every uttered word. His anger and rage melted away. He whined a moment and clamped his jaw shut to prevent it from quivering. He took a deep breath to fill his lungs and breathed it out slowly. He gazed at Theos and Kemba.

"King Cora, Theos and I...we chose to stay with you in Coraggio. Through everything and we lived with you for six long months. We stayed even after the tragedy of the invasion instead of giving ourselves up. We gave up our grand adventure across the land to settle with you and your family. That is because we love Coraggio but more then the city, we love you and your children. We love Raja and every member of your staff. We didn't go through everything together, to watch you kill yourself." Kemba walked over to Theos, embracing him in a hug and looking worryingly at Cora.

Cora glanced between them, "Theos..." the King seemed so uncomfortable. He shook his head, "You are not my adviser...you are not my protector. You will certainly never give your life for mine. You are not Midas, your duties are not his. I am to care and protect you. My life is nothing when it comes to any of my loved ones...with the addition of my kingdom. I would never allow either of you to give yourselves up to those heathens. I want you to understand that I won't die so easily. These wounds make look threatening but they're not. I have taken far worse thrashings then this. I know you're scared for me...but you don't need to be."

Cora leaned forward to try and crouch and cringed as one of his open wounds flared. "I won't even need to fight...I can use the surrounding area to end the Scomparsians."

"It isn't that if I don't say it, it doesn't make it any less true. It's saying it allowed and to the person that makes it special. Like expressing yourself. If you knew your father was going to die, wouldn't you tell him you loved him? It is the same thing. It brings peace of mind and solemn spirit. No one wants their last encounter to be one of pain and suffering with a loved one." Ike supposed that was true. Even if his father told him to be nothing but strong.

"Before you ask...I gave my bread to Ban...reassuring him we would all be fine. It took a few moments to get him to stop crying." Sounds like ban.

"I also know for a fact, you have yet to eat as well. So, want to eat together?" Ike nodded in agreement. 

"I'll go get the food," Ike said standing to leave unless stopped. 

_

"King Cora, Theos and I...we chose to stay with you in Coraggio. Through everything and we lived with you for six long months. We stayed even after the tragedy of the invasion instead of giving ourselves up. We gave up our grand adventure across the land to settle with you and your family. That is because we love Coraggio but more then the city, we love you and your children. We love Raja and every member of your staff. We didn't go through everything together, to watch you kill yourself." Theos smiled slightly at his hug.

"Theos..." it seemed like they were finally getting through to him, "You are not my adviser...you are not my protector. You will certainly never give your life for mine. You are not Midas, your duties are not his. I am to care and protect you. My life is nothing when it comes to any of my loved ones...with the addition of my kingdom. I would never allow either of you to give yourselves up to those heathens. I want you to understand that I won't die so easily. These wounds make look threatening but they're not. I have taken far worse thrashings then this. I know you're scared for me...but you don't need to be."

"I won't even need to fight...I can use the surrounding area to end the Scomparsians."

"I don't want to risk it. I have never known my father. Even in the mountains they only tolerated me they didn't raise me. You are the closest thing to a father I have. I am not Midas but my feelings for you are the same," Theos responded. "I am not just scared or worried. I am happy that you are so strong that you'd do anything for family. And we would do anything for you. But do you really think Stall wouldn't know of the perils of that route though? One loss and their simply retreating back home with tails between their legs?"

"I beg you not to go. Not to take that chance. I've already lost a good friend in this war. I don't want to lose anyone else," Theos said approaching the crouched Cora to rub against him lovingly.

"I'll go get the food," Don looked at and nodded.

"Okay, I'll wait for you then. Then...I want to talk to you about something. Something I told Theos about Kaa and I. I've already told you about how I am, but there is one more secret about me that I want you to know because you are important to me and I want to trust you with my secret."

So he says, but he had two secrets didn't he? If only he had the courage to tell Ike his truest feelings. A secret it would remain. To preserve their friendship and sate his fear.

-
"I don't want to risk it. I have never known my father. Even in the mountains they only tolerated me they didn't raise me. You are the closest thing to a father I have. I am not Midas but my feelings for you are the same," Theos responded. "I am not just scared or worried. I am happy that you are so strong that you'd do anything for family. And we would do anything for you. But do you really think Stall wouldn't know of the perils of that route though? One loss and their simply retreating back home with tails between their legs?"

"I beg you not to go. Not to take that chance. I've already lost a good friend in this war. I don't want to lose anyone else," Theos said approaching the crouched Cora to rub against him lovingly.

Cora looked away, "This isn't easy for me Theos...I have so much expected of me. I failed to protect the kingdom when they invaded. I failed to protect Jared...I failed to protect Blake and now...I may have to watch my son..." Cora's strength was fading. His voice trembling and fading, the shakiness in his body could be felt on Theos.

Kemba frowned and walked over to Cora's other side, placing his paw against his leg. Cora's silent whines as he tried to gather himself filled the emptiness. His pained tears running down his face and dripping down off his jaw.

"I almost lost you and Kemba too, what am I supposed to do? Leave things as they are? I must act while I can. I have to end this before I lose all of you, this is why I didn't want you to be a part of this. My heart hurts so much, I'd rather feel the pain of my body and broken bones. It aches so bad I wish to tear it from my chest. It is torture." Cora's eyes leaked like a river, forcing them closed. The lock on his heart had been undone and his bottled emotions had been forced out.

"Don't beg me to stay...don't do this too me. I need to fight...even if Stall has planned for it...I will overcome it. Can't you understand that you are all my entire world? How can I not risk my life to protect it." Cora's head leaned down and his eye cracked open to look at Theos.

"Let me protect you...just as Midas did for me."

"Okay, I'll wait for you then. Then...I want to talk to you about something. Something I told Theos about Kaa and I. I've already told you about how I am, but there is one more secret about me that I want you to know because you are important to me and I want to trust you with my secret." A secret? Ike cocked his head but didn't dwell on it. His curiosity would be sated soon enough.

He made his way through the tents to the kitchen tent. He grabbed a small loaf to split mainly because anything larger would probably earn a smack from the cook. On the way out he pilfered a small thing of cheese as well as water. He made his way back to the tent balancing the things in his arms.

"I am back," He walked in without hesitance to sit the stuff on the bedside table. He then broke the bread evenly handing it to Don.

-

Cora looked away, "This isn't easy for me Theos...I have so much expected of me. I failed to protect the kingdom when they invaded. I failed to protect Jared...I failed to protect Blake and now...I may have to watch my son..." Theos understood.

"I almost lost you and Kemba too, what am I supposed to do? Leave things as they are? I must act while I can. I have to end this before I lose all of you, this is why I didn't want you to be a part of this. My heart hurts so much, I'd rather feel the pain of my body and broken bones. It aches so bad I wish to tear it from my chest. It is torture." Theos watched with a sad expression. He knew it all to well.

"Don't beg me to stay...don't do this too me. I need to fight...even if Stall has planned for it...I will overcome it. Can't you understand that you are all my entire world? How can I not risk my life to protect it." Cora's head leaned down and his eye cracked open to look at Theos.

"Let me protect you...just as Midas did for me."

"You already have. If you are my Midas and i am you then like you I have to rise above Stall at some point. Just like you became even greater than your father. You won't always be there for me and while I pray to Yggdrassil that is so far off I also know I am not yet ready. I am not yet ready to see you go," Theos said nuzzling his head. "If you want to fight then fight for your own life as well. Because without you that protection you are giving us will disappear." Theos pausing looking to see his answer.

If he remained quiet for to long or refused to give in Theos would continue, "At the very least don't go. Send a subterfuge team or something. Have them push rocks on them in the pass or something. Deal some damage but don't go yourself and don't sacrifice the weary soldiers who have survived one day and are already thinking of home and their families."

"I am back,"

Don watched him sit and break the bread, he took it with a nod of thanks. He takes a bite of it and swallows. He chuckles afterwards and looks at him, "The irony of this war is that us royalty are eating the food of poverty. Stale bread. The funnier part is, I kind of prefer this to the well cooked steaks and sparkling drink. Keeps the soul humble."

Don nudged Ike's arm, "You didn't tell me the Scomparsians fed you so well." Don chuckled. He then grew a bit somber, remembering the battle.

"Ike...you know, I've been talking so poorly of Scomparsians and the city. Kaa reminded me...that you are Scomparsian. I was going to kill the princess today...force her father into a frenzy and foolishly attack us. It would have ended the war sooner. I tried to use you to defend my actions and give me the right to attack the character of the city. It wasn't the townsfolk that caused misery...it was the royalty...but I was so blind for what they did to you and Cole I wanted to burn it to the ground." Don glanced over to him.

"The fact is, Scomparsa is your birth city and I never even asked how you felt of it. I never considered you may have wanted to just see the nobles dead and gone. Kaa...Kaa was trying to save it. Scomparsa. He stopped my hand before I could slay Natalie. He's better then I am, Kaa is. He seeks a peaceful resolution to save both our homes. I sought only my own salvation. I'm sorry for not considering your feelings...I have been just doing as I pleased and never stopped to consider what you wanted. I am running your life, just as the nobles that abused you did."

Don took another bite of his food while gazing at his brother, "It's why Kaa is a good heir...better than I could be."
_

"You already have. If you are my Midas and i am you then like you I have to rise above Stall at some point. Just like you became even greater than your father. You won't always be there for me and while I pray to Yggdrassil that is so far off I also know I am not yet ready. I am not yet ready to see you go," Theos said nuzzling his head. "If you want to fight then fight for your own life as well. Because without you that protection you are giving us will disappear." Theos pausing looking to see his answer.

Theos felt Cora lean his head into him, his wet scales easily damping Theos fur. His eye closed tightly and his maw taking in a deep breath with a quivering lip.His knees buckled and his legs shook. Cora finally gave in, his body collapsing to the floor in a mighty thud. He let out a painful cry, deep from within his heart. It rattled Kemba a bit and he teared up from the hurt escaping Cora filling the ears of anyone around.

The soldiers came running that were nearby who heard it, only to be stopped by Magi who was guarding the outside. Magi waved them off, after a quick glance at each other they dispersed.

"I'll stay...I won't go..." He said weakly, his blue eyes glossed over with the water running out of its corners staring into Theos. He sniffled the mucous running from his snout. His wall had been broken, the distraught King finally put down his front.

"....I just.....can't lose anymore....I can't...do it...." He whined, Kemba walked over to his neck and embraced it in a hug, shedding tears along with the King.

"We know you've been hurting for so long Cora...we know you don't want to lose us. We're here for you...we've always been here for you." Kemba squeezed his embrace as tightly as he could rubbing his face along the great kings scales.

"The irony of this war is that us royalty are eating the food of poverty. Stale bread. The funnier part is, I kind of prefer this to the well cooked steaks and sparkling drink. Keeps the soul humble."

Don nudged Ike's arm, "You didn't tell me the Scomparsians fed you so well." Ike cocked his head not quite getting the joke.

"Ike...you know, I've been talking so poorly of Scomparsians and the city. Kaa reminded me...that you are Scomparsian. I was going to kill the princess today...force her father into a frenzy and foolishly attack us. It would have ended the war sooner. I tried to use you to defend my actions and give me the right to attack the character of the city. It wasn't the townsfolk that caused misery...it was the royalty...but I was so blind for what they did to you and Cole I wanted to burn it to the ground." Don glanced over to him.

"The fact is, Scomparsa is your birth city and I never even asked how you felt of it. I never considered you may have wanted to just see the nobles dead and gone. Kaa...Kaa was trying to save it. Scomparsa. He stopped my hand before I could slay Natalie. He's better then I am, Kaa is. He seeks a peaceful resolution to save both our homes. I sought only my own salvation. I'm sorry for not considering your feelings...I have been just doing as I pleased and never stopped to consider what you wanted. I am running your life, just as the nobles that abused you did."

"It's why Kaa is a good heir...better than I could be."

"No one is running my life," Ike said quietly. "I chose to serve this time. I dislike Scomparsa as a servant all I experienced was the bad side of the city. There is a good side though. I have seen it. I watched from the shadows seeing happy families and street performers. No one paid me mind and I watched the world go by. Sometimes I think those days are easier just watching the happiness of others and feeling content."
_

Theos flinched at the cry Cora let escape. Then he hobbled forward hugging his snout and holding him.

"I'll stay...I won't go..." Theos smiled just a bit not caring about his fur. Cora was finally going to stay and heal and get better.

"....I just.....can't lose anymore....I can't...do it...."

"I know," Theos responded closing his eyes grateful for his stay and yet pushing back the tears of sadness Coras cry infected him with.

"We know you've been hurting for so long Cora...we know you don't want to lose us. We're here for you...we've always been here for you."

"We'll always will be here for you," Theos continued it. Theos would hold him for as long as he would permit. Shushing and trying to calm him like family does. 

"No one is running my life," Ike said quietly. "I chose to serve this time. I dislike Scomparsa as a servant all I experienced was the bad side of the city. There is a good side though. I have seen it. I watched from the shadows seeing happy families and street performers. No one paid me mind and I watched the world go by. Sometimes I think those days are easier just watching the happiness of others and feeling content."

Don watched him attentively, as he spoke and smiled when he finished, eating the last of his bread and drink.

"Ike, you're my best friend and I mean that. I've already told you I don't have many. There is something I only tell the people closest to me. A secret that makes me the villain in Kaa's story...the reason he lay on this bed. The reason I feel...am...guilty. Why I wish that I could tell him just one last time that I love him."

He looked at Ike with a soft expression, "You see when myself and my brothers were in our egg...."

Don explained everything to Ike. The hour he had been awake. The story and his love of it. The decision to make Kaa the heir. The smile Kaa gave him when he woke and the warm feeling it gave him. The life he gave to Kaa that should have been his.

"....I should have just hatched. Then it would be I in this bed. Now...if Kaa does not wake, I will have to be heir just as I should have been. For the sake of the Kingdom I will have to forsake myself. Become someone else. Take a woman as my queen...just to give the Kingdom an heir. It will be my duty...my prison...my sentence for killing Kaa." Don reached a claw out to his shoulder.

"If that happens, Ike, my friend. Could you be my right hand? Make my sentence a little easier to serve? It is selfish and I know that. I will never think any differently of you if you decline."
_

"We'll always will be here for you," Theos continued it. Theos would hold him for as long as he would permit. Shushing and trying to calm him like family does.

Silence crept in with the exception of Cora whose loud wails had been reduced to quiet sobs. His head still pushed into Theos. How he missed the feeling of Theos fur consoling him. Though it had been Midas before. He wished he could curl around Theos and feel the warmth along his body, but of course he was too small. Magi walked in, keeping silent and waiting patiently. A smile plastered across his face.

"I'm sorry for everything. I'm so sorry. I'm scared...and I don't know what to do. I don't know how to fix this. I'm slowly losing everything...my son is dying and I am powerless. I haven't been able to protect you...it is by Stalls design you're alive. I have failed you and Midas."

The King sniveled turning his head more into Theos embrace.

Kemba noticed the sage and looked to see if Theos did, if not, he'd quietly motion his head in Magi's direction to alert Theos.