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"Silence is better than unnecessary drama."
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Sky woke up hearing voices around him and feeling very sore, especially in his right arm and head.

'Concussion...check...' Sky thought as his mind was scrambled, thinking was hard for him with how much his head hurt. And his right arm was painful to move. He let out a pained groan, lifting his left arm to let his hand touch his achy head. "Uurrghhhhh..." he groaned.

"Oh, look who is finally awake..." a voice spoke that Sky recognized as one of the nurses. Sky cracked open his eyes, letting his blurry vision make his headache worse forcing him to close his eyes as he winced. He felt a hand touch his left arm. "Yeah, you have a concussion, a sprained wrist, and burns on your chest. You should take it slow until you are healed."

Sky almost agreed with her until the fog in his head cleared partly to make him realize what had happened that caused his pain. His eyes shot open, much to his discomfort, he abruptly sat up which surprised the nurse. But the action was immediately regretted as a burning sensation seized his chest, pulsating fast through his limbs for a moment knocking the breath out of him and making his headache must worse.

He groaned and gripped his hair with his left hand since he couldn't move his right hand due to the gauze wrapped around his wrist and hand. The nurse grabbed him, steadying him as he swayed. "Commander! Commander lay back down. You—" The nurse stopped when the curtain was pushed back and Quentin rushing in.

"Adam! No! Lay back down! You aren't ready to be sitting up or standing!" Quentin snapped as he took over for the nurse. He pushed Sky to lay back down, smiling a bit as he sees that Sky clearly regretted sitting up. "Listen, you need to rest. You lost a lot of blood and you have a concussion. Ian is doing a good job being the temporary Commander, you—"

"J-Jason!" Sky said opening his eyes and looking at Quentin.

Quentin loses his smile and nods. "Y-Yeah, we...we know. He--We are looking for him right now," he lied knowing that if Sky knew the truth, he wouldn't stay laying down as he should. He hates lying to Adam, he really does, but Quentin knows how Sky is. Sky hates being sidelined, and he especially hates it when stuff is going on that his help would be essential in...which is almost like every single problem that arises.

"Y-You are?" Sky mumbled not looking at him but most or less focusing on the pain in his head.

"Yes, and you will receive updates when I get them. For now, you need to rest. No working, no fighting, no nothing. Resting and eating are the only two things that are going to be on your mind for the next three days, got it?" Quentin snapped hoping that Adam would understand through the fog clouding his head. Adam nodded a bit, not particularly feeling like arguing at this point. "Good, now rest."

As Sky drifted off to sleep, Quentin looked at the nurse. "Keep him in the dark about everything, got it? The moment he knows that bad stuff is going on, he will no longer stay in this bed," he said.

The nurse nods. "I can strap him to the bed," she suggested.

Quentin almost agreed until he looked at Sky's wrist and thought against it. "No, we don't need his wrist taking any more damage. Let it heal. Besides, he is clearly too out of it to even think straight thanks to the concussion," he said. He let out a soft breath, looking at Sky. Sure, Adam has been injured before and he has had worse injuries than this...but this one scared Quentin more than anything.

It was going into the house, seeing Ian on his knees beside his unresponsive and bleeding friend...with no explanation of what happened nor how long he was laying there for. It was frightening to him.

He let out a soft breath, calming himself. It helped to know that Sky is going to make a full recovery in a few days. The curtain was pushed, Ian there with a worried look on his face.

"What happened?" Quentin questioned. Ian glanced at Sky, looking back at Quentin.

"Not here, come on. Away from Sky," he said. Quentin nods and follows Ian outside the Infirmary, standing near the stairway to the main entrance of the Main Hall. "The Nether Portal is destroyed, Ty said after Jason entered through it, it exploded."

Quentin's eyes widen a bit. "Damn..."

Ian nods. "Yes, we...are in big trouble. The risk of Herobrine's resurrection is...it's going to happen. And we need to prepare for it. But with Seto gone off on his adventure and Sky hospitalized...the chance of our victory is lower than ever," he said.

"It's nonexistent," Quentin said making Ian look at him. He signed. "We both know of Herobrine's fascination with Sky. He always preferred Seto, Jason, and Sky over the rest of us. And while Jason and Seto are self-explanatory as to why. Sky is...we don't know why Herobrine was fixated on him. I think we need to move him somewhere safe."

Ian chuckled. "And where would that be?"

"Your parents, specifically, your father," Quentin said making Ian look at him. Ian stared at the doctor, not knowing what to say. He knew that Quentin was right. Any other place would be too well known, while no one even knows that Ian's parents are still alive. Everyone assumes that the families of the higher-ups are all dead which is mostly true.

Ian looked away from him. "Why...Why not..." Ian stumbled, trying to remember if any of the others' parents are still alive.

Sky's parents could still be alive, but since they abandoned Sky at birth, their help isn't welcomed. Quentin's father died some time ago, but his mother is still alive. Mitch's entire family is dead, he never explained how that happened since he always changes the subject. Jerome's tribe is too exposed to outsiders and not to mention on another continent, so that's out of the question. Jason's mother is dead, he never spoke of his father. Seto's family is dead and even if they were alive, they are obviously out of the question. And Ty's family is too well known.

Ian looked back at Quentin. "What about your mother? She—"

Quentin's eyes soften. "My mother still lives in the village we grew up in. It's too small, Sky would be easily found. Your parents live in Void City, a city that is protected by the Magic Council and Sky Army. It is the best option for him, your father is the best option," he said.

"I know, but your mother is a doctor like you are. She will be able to care for Sky's injuries—"

Quentin crossed his arms at Ian. "Ian, you have to talk to your parents eventually. You can't avoid them forever—"

"Yes I can," Ian said.

"Ian..." Quentin sighed before he stepped towards Ian. "My mother can care for Sky's injuries, yes, but she cannot effectively hide him. Sky is too well known, hiding him in a village is not going to work. He needs to be hidden in a city. Void City to be more specific."

"Why can't we hide him in the Kingdom of Dragons?" Ian asked. He looked at Quentin. "It's a kingdom full of sorcerers and dragon hybrids. Not only that, Ty will be there and you know he would sacrifice his own life if it meant to save Sky's—"

Quentin nods. "Yes, and it is specifically that he cannot be hidden there. Ty cannot sacrifice his life when his kingdom only just got back on its feet, his people need him. We can't bring this to Ty, we have to handle this. Ian...your parents are the only way," he said.

"I know...I just—"

"—Wish it wasn't? I know that...I wish we didn't need to go to your father for help," Quentin responded.

Ian paused, thinking. "My father is not to be trusted...but Lucy, my stepmother, can be trusted," he said.

Quentin looked at Ian. "You finally spoke with your stepmother?" he asked shocked.

Ian shrugged his shoulders. "Letter or two...never face to face. Sky was right...I should have talked to her ages ago," he said.

Quentin's eyes soften at him. "I don't blame you for your hatred of them. After all, it is rightfully justified. But...we need to protect Adam," he said making Ian nod.

"Yes, yes...I know. I know we need to protect him. Everyone is keeping an eye out for Seto's connection light on the links, once he is in range, call him immediately. We need him here. Is Sky able-bodied for horses?" Ian asked.

"Not yet, give him a few more hours. In the meantime, send a coded message to your stepmother, ask for permission—"

"No, I'll go and ask in person. Messages are too slow," he said. Quentin grabbed Ian's arm, stopping him.

"They are, but we need you here. You're the Acting Commander," Quentin said.

Ian nods. "Yes...Yes, I am...but I think she will do it if I asked her myself in person," he said. Ian looks at Quentin, smiling at him. "Don't worry, I'm going to the second most protected city in Astina. Jerome, Mitch, and you can handle this place while I'm gone. It will only be two days."

Quentin stared at Ian. "Who are you leaving in charge?" He asked.

"Well, not Jerome, that's an accident waiting to happen. And I know you don't want to be in charge, so Mitch," he said making Quentin instantly worried. Ian chuckled. "Contrary to popular belief, Mitch is actually a great leader. Sky has left Mitch in charge of many things before and he surpasses expectations every time. He's going to be fine. And if you are still worried, Ty is going to be here. Surely him being a king has taught him about how to be a leader."

Quentin sighed and nodded, knowing that Ian's mind is made up. "Alright, but you better be careful. And take recruits with you for protection," he said.

Ian nods. "I'll take Tyler and Nick. Surely those two won't be missed for two days," he said before he spotted Ty flying with Gizzy. "Oh, there's your next patient. Ty said Gizzy is injured." As Quentin went down the steps to meet with Ty, Ian pulled out his com-link, pushing the buttons to call Mitch and Jerome. He hooked the device on his ear, leaning against the railing as he waited for them to pick up.

When they did, he could hear the wind hitting their mics from their travels, but hearing it dial down and Mitch's voice takes over. "What now, Ian?" Mitch asked over the link.

Ian smiled a bit. "Well, Mitch I need you to report back to base, Jerome continue on to the fort," he said.

"What with this sudden change?" Jerome asked over the link.

Ian sighed. "I rather explain that in person, Jerome. Just trust me. Tell me when you get to the fort, Jerome," he ordered before he hung up. He let out a shaky breath, looking out at the base, at the recruits and others. He knew he would do anything to protect the base and his friends. But the lengths he has gone to have never crossed over to his past, the one thing he never wants to face and has been avoiding since forever.

Ian gritted his teeth. 'No, this is...for Adam. Until he is well again, he needs to be hidden. And my stepmother is...she's trustworthy. It's my old man that isn't,' Ian thought. He sighed. He hated that he had to appeal to his stepmother and father for help. He looked over at Quentin and Ty, seeing that Quentin is looking at Gizzy.

"How bad is he?" Ty asked him.

Quentin pressed gently on the wound, not seeing blood coming out making him smile a bit before he spoke. "He stopped bleeding, that's good. Come on, let's take him inside to be stitched up just in case."

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*A few hours later*
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Mitch came back on horseback, two recruits following behind him as they entered the base. Mitch pulled on his reins gently, putting Chex to a stop before he dismounted, wanting to get the stallion to his stall as soon as possible for rest.

He leads Chex to the stables, seeing Ian already there. The barn's layout is unique as the higher-ups have their little wing of it for their horses. Ian opened up Chex's stall, Mitch led the horse inside, turning Chex around with him.

"So, wanna tell me why you made me come back?" The archer asked before he started undoing Chex's saddle.

Ian leaned against the stall door, watching Mitch for a moment before he answered. "Remember how Herobrine had this fixation with Adam? His interest in Seto and Jason is understandable. But Adam was--"

Mitch sighed. "Just get to the point," he cut him off as he pulled the saddle off Chex. "I'm perfectly well-aware of Herobrine's stalker-like tendencies. After all, you may remember that he had an interest in me as well. It was...creepy, felt like I was--"

Ian stood up straight, looking at him. "Wait, Herobrine was interested in you?" he asked making Mitch smile a bit.

The archer rested the saddle on top of the stall door, looking at the Acting Commander. "Yeah, he was. Never explained why but...remember how during the fight with him, that final battle so to speak, remember how he cornered me?" Mitch asked.

Ian nods, thinking back. During the fight, Herobrine went after Mitch. And since the others were busy protecting Seto who was preparing the spell from Herobrine's monsters, they couldn't get to Mitch. "I...I thought he was going to kill you," Ian said.

Mitch nods. "That's because he could have if he wanted to. I had no way to protect myself from him, I'm alive purely because Herobrine wanted me to be. And of course, that makes me wonder...did Herobrine know that Jason would awaken him from Seto's spell?" he asked.

Ian shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know, but...probably. Jason cannot help himself but want to help Herobrine due to his Wither Servant ties," he said as Mitch took Chex's bridle off him. The horse gently hit Mitch's chest with his snout making the archer chuckle and pet his horse's face. Rubbing his hand gently over Chex's eyes.

"I know, I know. You had a long day. I'll get some oats as a treat, but that will be your treat for the week. It will be the usual from then on," Mitch talked to his horse.

Ian chuckled. "You know, with your reputation, no one would expect you to be so...well like this with animals," he said.

Mitch looked at him. "Well, I deal with Jerome, don't I?" he asked making Ian nod.

"True, true. But to the matter at hand," he said before he took the bridle from Mitch. The archer picked up the saddle, leaving the stall and Ian closing the door. They walked down towards the storage area, talking as they walked. "I plan to move Adam to a safer location."

Mitch scoff. "Oh please, this is Herobrine we are talking about, no place is safe," he said. He set his saddle on a piece of fencing with Chex's name on the wall above it. He took the bridle from Ian. "Look, Ian, I want Adam safe just as much as you do. But you need to look at reality, the world is Herobrine's playground basically. There is no place where he can't get into."

Ian nods, knowing that Mitch is right. "Yes, you are right...but you don't know my parents," he said catching Mitch's attention.

The archer looked at Ian as he picked up a brush and a hoof pick. "What? Is your family a bunch of criminals or something?" Mitch jokingly asked. But when Ian didn't respond, the archer loses his smile and looked at Ian. "Wait...they are?"

Ian nods. "My father is, he's the type of man that knows how to make people disappear. He's rich and egotistical. He has helped many criminals disappear when they need to making him a criminal himself. Sky has used his services once before to make Seto disappear way back when," he said surprising Mitch.

He could hear the venom in Ian's voice when talking about his father. "So, is that disdain in your voice for your father's line of work or some personal grudge? You know, I didn't expect to hear that your father is a criminal mastermind--"

Ian shakes his head. "No, don't call him a mastermind, he isn't. My stepmother knows about his line of work and yet doesn't care. And I hate that I have to reach out to him for help...but if we want to protect Adam, we need to make Adam disappear until his injuries are healed. The base isn't safe for him. My father..." Ian stopped feeling a shudder run through him. He hated how he had to depend on his father after everything that man had done to him. "He...can protect Sky while we are busy with Jason."

Mitch stared at Ian. "Wow...that sounded painful to say," he said before they headed back to Chex. "Alright, if you are sure. But you still haven't answered my question. Why the heck am I here?"

"I'm going to be gone for a few days, so as fourth in command, you are in charge, Mitch, until I return that is," he said surprising Mitch. The archer when into the stall, putting the bucket of oats on the floor which Chex started eating out of.

"Me, in charge?" Mitch questioned him.

Ian nods. "Yes. It goes; Sky, Jason, me, you, Jerome, and then Quentin. And when Seto comes back, he'll probably go between you and me or Jason and me. Sky is hospitalized, Jason is missing, I need to go talk to my horrible father, leaving Jerome in charge is an accident waiting to happen, and Quentin is too busy with leading and organizing the Medical Department to handle the entire army. You are next in the lineup and you are tested already. I'll only be gone for two days, four at most," he said. Mitch stared at Ian, deciding in his head if this is a good idea.

It isn't him leading that is the problem for Mitch. No, he's fine with being in charge. It's the all eyes on him that he has a problem with. Mitch is in charge of the Archery Department of the Sky Army, a department that he is very comfortable in. But hard lessons in his past much him unconfident in going outside of that comfort zone.

"Are...Are you sure?" Mitch mumbled not looking at Ian.

Ian nods yet again, completely missing the tone in the archer's voice. "Yes, Mitch, you'll be fine. Now, I need to work out some details but I'll be leaving before dark today. I'll let you know when I'm about to head out," he said before he left.

Mitch swallow hard, staring at the brush before he started brushing Chex's side, lost in thought. He bit on his bottom lip. 'Me...in charge...alone...' he thought. He knows Quentin is here, but the medic has his own responsibilities that keep him very busy on a normal day. Well, these aren't normal days anymore, not with the threat of Herobrine being a very real thing.

He paused the brushing for a moment, thinking. 'No...stop. You'll be fine. It's not going to be like before...what happened back then was a worst-case scenario come true. This...It isn't like Herobrine will attack immediately. He's going to wait it out at first as he did before...' Mitch told himself. He winced when a pain stung up his arm from his hand making him drop the brush and look at his right hand. His hand shaking and he can't stop it.

Mitch let out a shaky breath, trying to calm his nerves so the pain and shaking will stop. 'I need to go to Quentin to see my...hand...' That thought alone was anxiety-provoking. 'The pain is getting worse...' And yet not enough to make him want to see medical aid. When it comes down to it, Mitch hates seeking medical attention. But he hates it even more when it has to do with his hands and wrists. He leaned against the wall, taking off the bracer on his left forearm, and what he saw shocked him.

There are about two scars on his forearm from his early days of learning archery, from arrows that nicked back and cut his arm. But he also saw something that wasn't there this morning. Red lines, like they were his veins were showing through his skin and they hurt. Mitch winced as the pain worsen, he grabbed his left arm, sinking to the floor as he tried to cope.

He took deep breaths, leaning his head back. 'Something's wrong...' he thought as he felt the pain pulsate again, feeling almost like a burning sensation. "Ngh!" he yelled out gripping his arm. His horse, seeing his friend down, moved his head over to him, concerned. His face pressing lightly against Mitch's for a moment making the archer smile slightly. "I-I'm okay, boy...I'm okay..." he mumbled to Chex.

Mitch waited a moment, the pain numbing down. He let out a shaky breath before putting back on the bracer noting that the red lines were still on his arm. Thankfully, they are well hidden underneath the bracer.

He picked up the brush, pulling himself back up to his feet before he spoke, "Now, let's get you taken care of."