Everyone had gone out for breakfast at one of the leisure rooms. They had butlers tending to them, and soon, Steve joined them. He was not on duty that day, and everyone could tell with the plain turquoise shirt he was wearing together with his military pants and boots. His dog tags freely dangled around his neck, and the only weapon he had with him was the pistol on his thigh sheath.

They did not salute him because he was technically not on duty, and they greeted each other with a soft good morning. He took a seat and dug into the bacon set out for him. Ty, mouth full of raw meat, asked, "Don't you eat with the other Royal Military soldiers? Maybe even with Herobrine?"

Steve shrugged, "The soldiers had their breakfast an hour ago, so the dining hall is empty. The general wants to be alone right now. Also, don't call him that. Doesn't like it very much."

Mitch cocked his head from his tea, "Why?"

Seto answered for Steve absently, "It's his murderer name, for a lack of a better term. I'm pretty sure you'd be pissed if someone called you by a convict name."

Sky asked from his eggs, "So what should we call him then? He never really stopped us when we called him that."

Brice hummed from his corner, "Hero should be fine. Seto- Uh, I've been calling him that every time I came here. He said that's what everyone called him before the whole... Murder... Thing..."

The warlock in question stared at him. He glared back and Jason interrupted their silent argument, "Is that his actual name?"

The lieutenant general sat back and explained, "Legally, yes. At first, no. His real name is a mystery, even to him, and late King Markus had given him the nickname when he was young. It eventually stuck. In his records, it's officially his name."

It was silent once again, excluding Ty's occasional huff, or the nervous shuffling from Jason. Seto looked to be deep in thought, and he was staring at a painting in the corner. The castle were filled with portraits of renowned people, especially Hero, Markus, Jeb and the rebellion soldiers. This particular portrait was of a wizard among the rebellion soldiers, and one of the superiors in the rebellion, close to Markus, Hero and another rebellion leader called Kaleb.

This wizard, Seto knew. He was a family friend of his parents, and had talked to him a few times. His name was Darryl Lance Kirkland. The man was very firm in his beliefs, but he taught Seto a few things. The man was dead now, supposedly murdered years ago in the massacre by... Hero. Seto started drumming his fingers on the armrest of his chair, thinking as he stared at the portrait.

Suddenly, an idea popped into his head and he turned to Steve, who raised his head expectantly from his muffin. He asked softly, "I might have a lead in our... Uh, situation."

Everyone perked up, even Brice. The man sat up straighter, but he still avoided looking at Seto, just staring at the warlock's half empty cup of coffee. Steve swallowed the rest of his muffin and said, "Might have to ask the general before we delve into anything."

Seto nodded, and everyone finished up before leaving. Steve led them to Hero's room once again, and he politely knocked on the door three times, in a pattern. After hearing sheets ruffle, they hear a tentative 'Come in'. They slowly stream in, careful not to make any loud and/or unexpected noises. Hero was laying down now, and his cat was sitting on his chest. The cat turned and blinked at them, before looking back at its owner.

Hero's long and untied hair shifted against his pillow as he turned his head towards the direction of the door opening. His eyes were half-lidded, and he honestly looked exhausted. Steve stepped forward and slowly placed a hand on his shoulder. He asked softly, "Didn't get any sleep?"

"Nightmares," answered Hero.

Steve hummed and turned to the night stand. He waved Seto over, who looked and found several potions on the night stand. The lieutenant asked, "Where's the potion that helps with sleep?"

Seto hummed as he skimmed through the potions. He finally pulled out a bottle of translucent purple liquid and handed it over, citing, "Dreamless Slumber II, helps patients with mental disorders or trauma."

Everyone watched as Steve carefully gave the potion to Hero, who took the bile liquid with a wince. He muttered a thank you to both his lieutenant and the warlock. Then, he asked, "Why are you here? Found something?"

Steve motioned to Seto, who started, "Not quite, sir. However, I know someone who may help."

Everyone stepped closer, and Hero cocked his head questionably. The warlock began, "She was the first Chief Warlock of the Council of Magic."

Hero hummed, "Cindy Fray? She's about 190 years old, right? Weird purple and curly hair?"

Everyone stared at the two with wide eyes, as Seto answered, "That's her. She specialized in most magic, and if I'm not wrong she retired a few years before you were born?"

The general nodded, "She was a cranky bitch though, her wand has a mind of its own."

"You met her?"

Hero stilled, and his cloudy eyes went wide. He started coughing awkwardly before saying, "You know me. I get around pretty easily."

Seto raised an eyebrow, "Right. Anyways, she retired here in the North, and I know her address. We can see her, and maybe she might have an idea about what's going down. After all, she went through three assassination attempts, and one of them removed her magic, but she sprang back up even stronger than before."

Hero scoffed and turned away, "That's cute. I handled 57 assassination attempts and counting."

Steve's eyes seemed to darken next to him. Seto gulped before asking, "So, what do you think?"

Hero was silent for a second, thinking. He then replied, "It might be all we have left. We're leaving as soon as possible."

Steve cut in immediately, "Which will be tomorrow because you need to catch up on your sleep, sir. The rest of you, go outside and wait for me."

The rest looked at each other before silently exiting the room. After the door was shut, Steve turned to his general, "How bad?"

The Swede laughed harshly, "Oh, fucking terrible. The nightmare lasted twice as long as yesterday's, and I punched Erin off the bed."

He ducked down to his cat to whisper, "Sorry, buddy."

Erin meowed and rubbed his nose along Hero's face, mindful of the healing scars across his eyes. Steve thumbed the blankets as he asked, "Do you want me to stay tonight? You need all the sleep you can get and you told me you sleep better with someone you trust nearby."

Hero's thoughts immediately went to the only other person who he slept peacefully next to. Noah. Fuck, he owed him a huge apology for missing their very important and crucial, Noah's words, date. He tried reaching him telepathically, but failed. He even asked for Nabiel, who was always listening and present, but all he received was silence. Hero sighed, trying to focus on the task at hand.

"If you want to... Please."

Steve grinned, although he knew his general could not see it. He pulled out a chair, and brought down the metal bars on the side of the bed that prevented Hero from falling off. He took a seat and laid his arms on the bed, then rested his head. "Alright," he whispered.

Hero's nose scrunched up in confusion, "Isn't it morning?"

The lieutenant answered immediately, "Nope, just a couple minutes into noon, actually."

"Great, now I lost the perception of time too."

-

Hero did actually sleep, and Steve found himself joining him once he did. Hero did not have any more of his nightmares, and rested peacefully. Erin had been curled up by his neck the entire night, his purr a lullaby to both superiors.

Steve was lulled awake first by the singing birds outside. He groggily sat up and fixed the crumpled up mattress. He pulled the metal barrier up again, and found Hero curled up in the far opposite end, Erin in his arms. His bed head was horrible, especially since his hair reached far past his shoulders. Steve gently rummaged through the drawers, before pulling out a black tie and a brush. He then prodded Hero awake, who growled at him at first before relenting.

Steve got a maid to get them breakfast as he did his best to make his general look proper. His hands were rough, and the Swede did not appreciate that. He swatted his friend away before handling his hair himself. He had been doing it for years, so he did not need his eyes to get his hair in a neat ponytail. The maid finally returned with two trays for them, and Hero asked her about their guests.

She had reported that they were still sleeping, so the superiors took their time eating. Steve helped Hero most of the time, even though he did not like receiving help in general. Once they were done and the trays were cleared away, a medic came by to help Hero walk after staying bedridden for quite a while. Hero had his legs swinging over the bed, and he held tight onto the medic and lieutenant's supporting arms. Erin meowed his support beside him.

"Son of a bitch," swore Hero once he placed all of his weight on his feet. His muscles tensed up immediately and leaned against one of the people. He did not know who, and just focused on getting used to supporting his weight again. Being bedridden was a pain in Hero's ass, literally and metaphorically. With encouraging words from the medic, Hero did his best to walk.

He still had Steve leading him, as he clearly had no idea where to go. The lieutenant blocked him from walking into a wall a couple of times, but soon, Hero got used to it. The ache in his calves were still there, but he decided to bear with it. He shivered when he felt Erin's tail against his leg, and looked down at the feeling's direction.

He heard Steve speak from behind him, "I've got your clean clothes here, do you need help or..?"

The Swede grunted, "If I do, I'll call you. Get out."

The lieutenant laughed a little, before ushering the medic out. He made sure to lead Hero the bed first, and led the Swede's hands to the clothes, telling him what they were so he would not get confused. Once Hero was alone, the general slumped his shoulders and groaned in frustration. He tried his best to get into his new clothes, and he was pretty sure he pulled a muscle or two.

He somehow managed, and from feeling the familiar material, he was wearing a typical off-duty outfit. He felt the training shirt, the rough military pants and he could easily recognize the hard material of military boots. He had to call Steve in to help him with the shoelaces. Apparently he was not allowed to have any weapons on him, but because he does not take shit from anyone, he got his hands on a dagger that was hidden in the empty pistol sheath on his thigh.

With Steve by his side and Erin at his feet, he finally left the ward.

-

The others were a little surprised to find the blind general in the leisure room when they came for breakfast. He had a leg over the other, and even though he was blind, he had his signature cocky smirk on. He grinned at their direction, and the others awkwardly shuffled to their seats. Hero was sipping on some sort of special herbal tea with healing properties, when he casually asked, "Been a long time since we relaxed. How have you all been?"

Mitch was glad to have a change of vibe, as Seto and Brice were still glaring angrily at each other. He commented softly, "Pretty sure handling a battle with, what's his name? Ah, pretty sure handling a battle with the Shifter dude was not 'relaxing'."

Seto broke his staring contest with Brice to add on, "But we're talking about Hero here, everything in his books are weird."

The general raised an eyebrow when they used his nickname. He elbowed Steve gently, who almost choked on his second cup of coffee that morning. Hero did not need to see it, as he felt the glare on his shoulder. The general smiled again before saying, "Quite right. Seriously though, how's everything in the South?"

His tone became more stricter, and his smile fell, "Especially since your report does not even exist at this point."

Sky, Jason and Ty stilled in their seats. Immediately, Jason harshly whispered to Ty about him handling the report. Ty followed with accusing Sky, and it slowly grew to an argument. Hero scowled at the familiarity, and he cleared his throat. Everyone snapped to him, and he just sipped his tea, waiting.

Jason broke, "Sorry, sir. The report was due on the day of the attacks so we were... Distracted."

"Understandable. However, I'm listening now, so give me my report. Winchester, you got a notebook?"

The lieutenant fished out a tiny notepad from his pocket, along with a pen. He answered swiftly, "Always, sir."

Hero grinned then waited. Seto went first, "I gave you most of my report two months ago when I visited. However, there were no major casualties. Just the occasional scrape or bruise from a rough training. Medical supplies still stocked and in good condition, however a our wards' conditions have gradually been getting worse."

Steve hummed from the notes he was taking down, "How so?"

The warlock reported, "The beds are really worn down, and I'm pretty sure one has no more slats. The curtains poles have become rusty and the machines are in need of being looked at. We may need another renovation."

The warlock continued, "In terms of the Research & Study Units, no new finds so far. Supplies and materials are well stocked. Nothing much of a change."

The brunet turned to Sky. He was done with all he knew. Sky just shrugged and looked expectantly at his corporal and sergeant. Ty growled at him before stating, "We found a decrease in Mob Management cases, so that's good. Our Explorers found six extremely active mob areas in the jungle alone."

Steve raised his head, "Show them to me later."

Ty nods, "Of course, sir. We received another burst of Non-Human recruits, so we're a little low on custom rooms and basic necessities for them. Same thing with Magic-Abled recruits, though pretty sure Foster has it sorted out."

Seto perks up at the mention of his name. He registers what Ty has said and nods along. Ty thinks for a few moments before simply stating, "Forgot the rest. Probst?"

Jason pouted, but gave his report anyway, "The Animal Assistance Units are doing fine in terms of numbers. We're a little short on food and comfort for the animals though, especially the canines. The stables, library, lounge and the others rooms should be fine except for the ward. Recruitment is steady, except for the burst of numbers in for magic folk and non-human recruits. That's all."

Steve finishes the notes and calculates the expenses needed to cover all the problems silently. After a bit, he frowns and softly says to Hero, "They need... A lot of money."

Hero raised his head and widens his eyes. He sharply asks, "What about the monthly deposit to all the militaries?"

Steve looks expectantly towards Sky, who winces and answers, "Spent on other resources like food and medical supplies. We had that attack a couple of months ago, and we're still recovering. I apologize, sirs."

The lieutenant general scoffed, "Shouldn't be apologizing to me. Apologize to Persson, it's his money you're using. In a sense."

Everyone hung their heads, and even though Hero could not see, he could sense their shame. He waved them off, but his eyebrows were still furrowed in slight annoyance, "Next time, use the government funds wisely. Get someone to divide the funds equally. The next report better be on time."

He sighed then looked towards Steve's direction. He asked, "Can you get the horses ready?"

The lieutenant nodded and rushes off to deliver the message to a soldier. Hero turned to the others and instructed, "Finish up. We'll be paying Miss Fray a visit. Seto, you'll lead."

The warlock responds with ease, "Of course, sir."

Hero waits for them to finish, and once they do, Steve gets back, telling the others that the horses are geared up and ready. He helps Hero up and leads him to the door, the others following suit.