Warnings: None

     ~Preston's P.O.V.~

Ghasts mewl in the distance as we ride through the burning wasteland, known as the Nether. After Vikk defeated Hunter, and gained dominance over the Hidden kingdom, Lachlan came to a realization. One of the things that makes the Dimensional kingdom so powerful, is that it has portals set up in specific spots around the Nether, and each one exits right by a kingdom. And, as most people know, one block in the Nether is equal to eight blocks in the over world, so our travelling time is eight times faster, on foot. But, we're also riding horses. Granted it would've been more helpful if he had remember that beforehand, but it's better late than never. So, we stocked up with new gear, weapons, horses, and stuff like that, and then rode our horses alllll the way back to the Dimensional kingdom. Unlike the Dimensional kingdom, where all the horses we're a brilliant white, these horses are strictly black. After a brief discussion, we decided to head to the Royal kingdom next, since it's the closest.

As the horses snort and bay occasionally, and in the background Jerome complains endlessly about how hot it is, I find myself in a daze, one hand underneath my diamond chestplate and brushing over the stone that encases more then half my back. I frown. Sure I'm alive, and truthfully it protects me more anyway, but I still can't help but feel a little down when I remember that, no matter what I do, I can never get rid of it. Really, it shouldn't bother me all that much, so I try my best to ignore it, even if it's a foreign feeling. Like a constant stiffness in my back. Instead I focus on making sure I don't accidentally steer my horse off a cliff. But, after tuning back into reality, it looks like I'm not the only one feeling a little off.

     Whereas everyone else seems pretty content considering the situation-Rob and Vikk chatting, Lachlan leading the way confidently, and Jerome admiring his prized axe-Mitch seems a little distant and depressed. He's kinda slouched on his horse, head tilted down slightly, eyes staring blankly at the reins gripped loosely in his hands. He trails a little behind everyone else, not even flinching when he accidentally bumps into a zombie pigman with his horse, which in return let's out an annoyed grunt, glares at him, and stalks off. I can only guess why he's like this. The most logical theory is that he's worried to face his father again. I mean, he practically disowned Mitch without a second thought... To his face! But something tells me that's not just it, and that there's something he knows that we don't. I slow down my horse a bit, coming to trot beside him instead.

     "Hey Mitch, what's up?" I greet casually, trying my best not to let him know I've noticed his peculiar behaviour.

     All he does is shrug and and mumble a quiet 'nothing'. I frown, seeing right through his lie.

     "Come on Mitch, seriously. What's the matter?" I push more seriously, talking in a hushed voice, so nobody else will overhear us.

    He doesn't reply.

     "Mitch. Dude, you can tell me. I promise I won't tell a soul." I reassure him, crossing my heart when he lets his gaze flicker to me.

     But again... No response. Though he doesn't ask me to leave either. Almost as if he wants me to know, but can't bring himself to tell me. Well. I figure. If he won't tell me, I'll just guess until I get some sort of reaction or answer.

     "Are you worried? Okay wait, that's a stupid question. Um... Are you worried because you don't know how your dad will react?" I correct myself. A slight twitch, but otherwise no response.

     So I keep guessing. I try anything that comes to mind, most of the time getting no reaction whatsoever. But it seems, whenever I mention something to do with his father, he reacts. It could be as small as a twitch of the hand, or him actually diverting his gaze elsewhere, but I seem to be getting closer to the answer. I'm just about ready to give up, and let him sort it out on his own, but before I do I ask one more question. Just in case.

    "Do you know what the challenge is going to be?"

Finally I get a distinct answer. He doesn't speak, per se, but he does nod. I perk up, suddenly curious.

     "Are... You going to tell me what it is?" I ask cautiously.

     Mitch takes a deep breath, sighs, and turn to me with conflicted, sorrowful, eyes.

    "It's going to be a traditional duel..." He begins, voice monotonous and weary. "It always is, I've seen it many times when I was younger."

     My stomach does a little flip as I anticipate what he's about to say.

     "If I want to take over the Royal kingdom for us... I'm going to have to kill my dad."
     "...oh..."

     Mitch shoots me a meaningful look, and then lashes the reins lightly, pulling up ahead closer to the others and leaving me behind to watch him go, processing this dreadful information.

~~~

     ~????'s P.O.V.~

"Thank you, you may go."

The messenger hastily bustles out of the room, the large spruce door shutting loudly behind him. And then all is dead silent in the room as I sit atop my throne, left to dwell on my thoughts. I have just received news that the 'Pack' as they call themselves, has just captured the Hidden kingdom as well. Back on that one day, when I had run into Mitch and the other three, as well as that assassin who has now apparently joined them, I never thought they'd actually make it. And when Mitch refused to return... I couldn't bear it. I thought got he'd most certainly die, most likely in a horrible way. So in a rash decision without thought, I ordered the lot of them to be slain. But now here they are, already haven taken two kingdoms in less than a month, and due to arrive here any day now.

I rub my temples, trying and failing to relive my stress. The preset challenge for this kingdom is a classic duel, passed down through generations and unchangeable. In order to reach their goal, they'll have to come here, and Mitch will challenge me. Even though I had ordered them the be slain back in the clearing, I secretly hoped Mitch would live. But now... As a result... Now I'll have to kill him myself. My only son, the last member of my family alive. My wife died years ago, my parents are dead of old age, my daughter died young due to a disease and now this. It'll come down to two things. I kill him. Or he kills me.

There is a third option but... Would I really be willing to go through with it? After all I've done of this kingdom? I can't stand the thought of it.

But I can't stand the thought of Mitch dying either.

I sign in frustration, wishing more than anything else that I could travel back though time, and stop any of this none sense from happening. But I know it can't ever happen.

...

But maybe... Just maybe... If I can't go back and fix my mistakes...

I can prevent them this time.

~~~
Question of the chapter:

Winter or summer?

My answer: Winter. Because when it's cold out,  -35 Celsius, (that's -31 Fahrenheit) I can snuggle up under warm blankets, turn on the heater, and drink a hot cup of tea. But in the summer, when it's boiling hot, and I'm already in super light clothing, what am I going to do? Rip my skin off?

Also I love snow XD