*Sigh* I… I need to ask you for a favor.

Hesia: Oh boy, you never ask me for favors unless it’s dire. Even when I was little, you’d only ask my mom if it had to do with your redemption. Is that what it’s about?

Warlock didn’t say to do this, but I’m going to veer away from his plan.

Are you sure you want to do this then? I’d be afraid disobeying the word of the warlock would result in damnation.

It’s a risk I’m willing to take.

It sounds like two young ones. Poor things, they’ll catch their death in this weather.

As sad as it is, this fate is better than where they came from.

Hesia: What’s her name?

Rose: Iris.

Hesia: Iris. What a beautiful name.

What do you need me to do?

Offer a helping hand to the poor mother, curses knows she needs it. Helping her will set her kids on their destined paths. You will act as my mediator.

Alright. I understand.

Please, Hesia, make sure they stay safe. I...I failed to protect two young children when I was alive. My pride cost one her life, and my neglect caused the other to fall down the path of cruelty.

I’ve never been able to forgive myself for the pain that I’ve caused. These two children are a second chance to make things right, and I’d be a fool to not do everything in my power to make sure I don’t make the same mistake twice.

For Kaylee and Ares’ sake, please, make sure these two are safe.

I will, for you.

Hesia: Hello there.

Ah! I-I don’t want any trouble, I swear! I just need to nurse my kids and rest, and I’ll be on my way!

Hey, hey! I’m not here to cause trouble. My name is Hesia, may I ask yours?

Hesia, the Queen? A-are you bluffing? I wasn’t aware of your presence, my liege!

*Light laughter* Please, I’ve never been one for pleasantries. Call me Hesia. May I sit?

You may.

Iris.

Hm?

Iris. My name is Iris.

Iris. Nice to meet you. Please, eat!

I couldn’t help but hear the squeaking of your two newborns on my way over.

Oh, I bet. These two are quite the set of jabberjaws.

Hesia: What are their names?

My son’s name is Jackson, and the one curled next to him is my daughter, Vivian.

*light laugh*Sound asleep with full bellies, mine are due in a few weeks. Is their father around by any chance?

Ah, I understand.

*Vivian squeaks*

It’s... for the best if I raise them alone.

*light laughter* Although, this one gets to be quite a handful when it comes to antagonizing her brother at times.

In the end, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Even if it might not look like it, they really have changed my life for the better.

They’ll change your life for the better too.

I know they will.

Hesia, thank you for the rabbit. It means a lot.

Oh, don’t thank me, dear. If you ever need anything, please, don’t be afraid to ask.

Iris: I do have one request, if that’s alright.

Absolutely, anything.

Would…

Would you mind helping me get back on my feet? Just for a little while. I’d really appreciate it if you could come by during the night with food when my little ones are asleep.

I...

I don’t want my kids to see me as weak, depending on someone else to keep my head above water. They’ve already seen me go through enough, I can’t place any more baggage on them.

Of course... of course I can help you, Iris. I’ll do anything you need.

Thank you, thank you so much, Hesia. You have no idea how much this means to me.

Iris: Hesia! Wait!

(crying/voice breaking) I-I just wanted to say thank you… for being the first cat in a very, very long time to show me kindness.

(crying) I guess I didn’t realize how much I needed it, but what you did for me means the absolute world.

(crying) Thank you. I can’t say it enough. Thank you.

(Iris crying)

(Iris crying) Hesia: You’re welcome, Iris. Truly, it’s the least I can do.

(Jackson snoring)

Vivian: Jackson.

*grunt*

I know you’re awake. Get up.

Whatever it is, I’m not interested. Go away, Vivian.

*Vivian snarls*

If he wants to play this game, so be it.

We’re going to get something straight. You don’t get to tell me no. In case you aren’t aware, you aren’t in any position to refuse my demands, Jackson.

Get up!

Go away, Vivian.

I’m only going to say this once. If you don’t get your ass out of bed and come with me, I will slit these two imbeciles' throats right in front of you.

When I’m done with killing them, I’ll drag you with me anyway.

You really think I’d let you-

What, did you really think I’d be stupid enough to come alone?

What do you want?!

Ares isn’t done with you yet. In case you didn’t realize, you don’t get to just stop meeting with Ares.

He’s done with you when he says he’s done with you.

Why does he want to meet with me? He has Vivian, that’s all he needs!

Take it up with the King himself. Come on, time’s ticking.

Stop! I...

I’ll go with you...

but you need to promise me you won’t hurt Lunis or Apollo.

*Vivian laughs* I can’t believe it, you’ve grown soft!

I’m not leaving until you promise me. I’m willing to die to make sure they stay safe,

and if Ares needs me so badly that he sent four soldiers to fetch me, I’m sure he wouldn’t be too pleased with you returning with my corpse.

*Vivian angrily growls*

We promise we won’t hurt them. Now come on, you’ve wasted enough time with your antics.

*Vivian growls*

Shit shit shit!

Why did I let him leave?! He’s going to die out there! What am I going to do?! I’m so stupid!

God damnit!

*Vivian grunts and hisses*

*Jackson grunts*

*Vivian grunts*

*Vivian and Jackson grunt*

*Vivian and Jackson grunt*

That’s enough training. I’ve seen what I’ve needed to see. Come here.

*Jackson growls*

I’ve heard through the grapevine that you two have just graduated from your Thorn training. Well, congratulations. You’ve just graduated from your Cursed training too.

Now, you two are double the threat on the battlefield. It’s time to put your training to the test. Ares has planned an offensive attack on the Thorns in three days.

Three days, huh? Whew, what, is it your birthday or something?

Lose the attitude, boy. You’re already on thin ice with me, and this ice is now starting to crack.

I’m curious too, why such a specific date? And so soon?

The full moon. The Dark Curse is most powerful under the light of the full moon,

and now that I have infiltrated their ranks, and have trained you two in the art of Cursed fighting style, *sly laughter* we can lead ourselves to a swift victory.

You two have essential tasks in this plan.

Vivian, you’ve been assigned with the mission of seeking out Queen Hesia, and killing her.

In the past, she’s fought with her soldiers, so she’ll likely be out on the battlefield, so it should be easy to pick her off in the flurry of fighting. However, you need to make it swift, so no one grows too suspicious.

Be weary though, as her fighting style is not the same as everyone else's. She’s adapted to her blindness, and it’s thrown our soldiers off guard more than once.

Ares: Listen to what Vixy has to say, Vivian.

Even I have a scar from fighting her. *dry laugh* She bested me years ago when we were young.

Okay. I’ll be careful. I’d be honored to follow through with such a task.

Make sure you do so. You better not fail, Vivian.

Jackson, I think you and I are due for a father-son chat, aren't we?

We need to talk about your loyalties, my boy, and where they have been lacking.

You didn’t!

Like I said, you’re either with me, or against me, and you made it clear which side you chose.

Do I mean anything to you?! I’m your brother, and you trapped me here!

What, do you think this is funny?! Sitting there with that shit eating grin?! You’re a traitor!

This is your own fault, Jackson. I didn’t do anything that you didn’t bring upon yourself.

At the end of the day, you’re the one who betrayed your family! The only traitor here is you!

Funny who you consider family!

*Jackson yells in surprise*

*Jackson struggles and grunts* Ares: As much as I love seeing this touching family moment, I think we’re veering off from the point here.

Your loyalties now lie with those weak Thorn Royals. Vixy has done the honor of confirming this for me.

Now, Jackson, why would you go off and do that?

Have maggots eaten your brain? Or are you really this stupid?

You betrayed Ares, the King of the Cursed Empire, Naturally, we have eyes everywhere.

Now now now, let's not get too hasty. I’ll give you one last chance, son.

You, Jackson, get the absolute honor of assassinating the Thorn Princess. Ha!

Oh... what's her name now? Hm... oh... it's on the tip of my tongue.

Lunis, is it?

I figured this would be a... fitting punishment for your lack of loyalty.

This is to ensure the two recipients of Rose’s Blessing are eliminated. Thanks to Vivian, we were able to learn how they’ve been using it to their advantage,

and if we kill both of them, the Thorns will be cut off from communication with the spirits, leaving them at a massive disadvantage.

You promised you wouldn’t hurt her!

Yes, we promised that we wouldn’t hurt her,

but we didn’t say anything about you, did we?

Well, are you going to do it? Or not?

No! Never, I’d never kill my friend! I’m not going to turn on Lunis, and you all are foolish to think that I would!

I didn’t spend months wasting my time training your ungrateful ass just for you to tell me no!

You think you’re a hero, huh? You’re not! You’re past the point of being the good guy. What do you think the Royals would say if they found out you’ve been training with me? Or if they found out that you’re the son of the Cursed King?

Oh, don’t make me laugh, they’d cast you out in a heartbeat, then you’d be truly alone! What would you gain from that?!

I don’t care! I’m done being manipulated by you, Ares, I’m willing to gamble with those odds!

Watch your tongue, Jackson, lest I rip it out!

Vivian may be brainwashed by your lies and vindictive tendencies, but I’m not! The only reason I stuck around wasn’t for you, you self centered, egotistical, prick,

it was to make sure you weren’t harming my sister, but it seems she’s happily sided with you and your wicked ideas, leaving any chance for a normal life behind!

There was never a reason for me to stay, hell, there was never any reason for me to even be here!

Vivian wasn’t enough for you, was she? You just had to go and retrieve your long lost son to fulfil your self-absorbed plans! Yeah, let's go get the kid who you threw out like trash, because now, he’s useful to you again!

We were never family to you, and we still aren’t! We’re pawns, and we always have been!

You just keep Vivian around because she blindly obeys your orders to get you to notice her, and the only reason you brought me back was to fuel your ego!

And the cherry on top of all of the pain and turmoil you’ve put me through, is that you genuinely think that I’m going to listen to your orders?

Your orders to kill my best friend?! One of the only cats who showed Vivian and I kindness?!

*smug laughter* Yeah, that’s not happening, Ares.

Oh, tread lightly with what you say next. Either you obey, or I’ll make you!

You don’t scare me anymore, you dumb-fuck! I’ve spent my whole life fearing you,

just to realize how pathetic you really-!

*Jackson struggles to catch his breath*

What...

What did you do to me?!

*Jackson screams in pain* *Ares laughs*

Yeah, it hurts, doesn’t it? That buzzing in your head feels like snakes trying to eat you alive!

*sneer* Don’t worry, you’ll get used to it, just like I have.