Don't Die

**Squad Leader Lena**





Too much blood was leaking out of Sir Kalum's body. From how pale his face was already getting, he didn't have much longer for this world. We needed to stop the bleeding soon. A statue still man is never a good sign.



Jacob had almost as much color drained from his face, but no injury. He attempted to take two steps back, away from me. In response, Kaibec growled and King Ulrich glared full of hatred. Jacob must have been the one to get the King on his knees. The idea of being bested, clearly had the King pissed. Jacob had hurt his Highness' pride.



"I wouldn't take another step back Jacob." Kaibec let his fangs slip out from his muzzle. The white fur of his body raised as he readied himself to pounce.



"I would listen to the bunny dog monster thing there. You were so full of yourself a moment ago. Or is that version of Jacob only available when fighting the injured?" King Ulrich cocked an eyebrow, the anger never leaving his tone. Oh yes, the King did not like the thought of losing; it didn't matter how tough the opponent.



My temperature ran frigid. First, Jacob had done nothing while an innocent girl and Aileen were attacked; on DSS land. According to the report, he had stood there while a young girl was being molested. As if that wasn't damning enough, he had let his own teammate start to undress for the freak. I had given Jacob the benefit of the doubt, clearly in poor judgement. Now he was attacking the hurt?



Tom was wrong to stop Trevor from killing the man. Someone may lose their life because of a member of my team! Again!



"What is going on here?!" I demanded to know.



Jacob's legs shook ever so slightly. So, he really was the traitor. Why else would he be scared that I'm here?



He spoke in a whisper. "Couldn't come up with something better? That's a bit cliche of a question don't ya think?" I could barely make out what he was saying. You'd think if someone was going to say something so cocky, they would boldly pronounce each word. If he was trying to cover up his fear, he was doing a piss poor job of it.



"Kaibec, go to Sir Kalum. Try and treat his wounds before he runs out of time." I could hear a mental clock ticking in my head.



The rings floating on Kaibec's long ears started spinning fast. Kaibec was antsy. He could smell better than anyone else in the DSS. Kaibec would be able to sense how far the knight was in death's embrace. Not good. I should have gotten down here sooner.



Carefully, Kaibec walked over to Sir Kalum and got to work. My attention went back to the man trying oh so hard not to cower.

Once again, he tried to take a step backwards. Not a smart choice; there was only one way in or out of this room. The doors may have been blown off, but I was in front of the entrance. Would he try to collapse the wall? Surely he knew that would just bring more notice to the situation. The man would be surrounded within a minute.



Thankfully, Jacob hadn't retained some of his training over the past years. The very first thing we are taught in the DSS is never let instinct, or emotions dictate our actions. We have to always be aware of our surroundings and act accordingly. I must not have hammered that into his head enough for it to sink in. After this, I would need a session with the other members of my team. I'd hate to think they had gotten this foolish.



Jacob pivoted his foot to try and run. He didn't take notice of the slick ground beneath him. His foot slipped, causing him to lurch forward. In that split moment, our unpolished diamond saw and seized the opportunity presented. King Ulrich charged forward, using his weight to tackle Jacob onto the frozen ground.



Yanked up by the hair, the back of Jacob's head was slammed down rapidly against the ice. Tiny shards broke off leaving cuts in their wake from the brunt of the King's assault.



Panicking now, Jacob started to reach for his elemental power. How freaking weak? Having to use an ability against a non elemental who's still in recovery. Truly pathetic.



In quick succession, I twirled my first finger, moving my hand in a box like pattern. Four small puddles were created in the ice. I curved my index and middle finger up. Water from each puddle streamed up into the air. Spreading my fingers caused the gushes of water to wrap around Jacob's wrists and ankles. Once I was confident the water was placed well, I clenched my fist into a tight ball. Instantly, the water hardened into unbreakable ice.



King Ulrich looked up at me, the intent to kill written in every crease of his face. Jacob thrashed against the ice's hold. I clicked my tongue.



"Do you really think you can break free from my ice? Are you so deluded that you would waste your energy against me; the final guardian. The king must have really done a number to your brain." I let my own voice drop. Betrayal is one thing, it's another to put innocent lives in jeopardy.



The King's hands went around Jacob's neck, cutting off his air supply. Part of me wondered if I should let the enraged king kill Jacob. I knew this time, there was no letting him go. I had made the mistake once before with Devon. It had cost Squad Leader Nye his life. I could still hear Tom calling me an embarrassment and telling me I was unworthy of being called the final guardian. The two of us really did get off to a bad start. My poor decision costing a man Tom considered like a dad didn't help the early stages of our relationship.



*Don't make the same mistake twice. He is not a comrade any longer..*.



*Still, I can't let him die yet. Chickens are easy to...roast for information. And if he knows where Shiuku's newest base is, Kaibec may be able to follow him*.



I was about to tell the king to let him go, when Trevor spoke up. His voice was burned out and raspy again. "Don't. He's mine to kill. I should have done it when he allowed Aileen to be taken advantage of. I can still see her shirtless and covered in blood while you did nothing asshole!"



If King Ulrich looked pissed earlier, his expression was terrifyingly murderous at this point. So slowly, he released his hold on Jacob's throat. Reaching around the ground, he felt for a broken off piece of ice. With no hesitation the shard was stabbed into Jacob's side.



"You try to kill my knight and hurt my princess?!"



As much as I didn't want to come between King Ulrich and Jacob; torture just wasn't something I was okay with.



I started towards the pair when something caught my attention. On the side of Jacob's neck was a black mark with small purple triangles. A think red line traced a large vein in his neck. Son of a damn evil cunt!



My teeth started to grind together. Not only was he betraying the DSS, he was working for Shiuku as well! Two, that makes two successful infiltration missions in the last six years! God damn it! And I was apart of both of them.



*Calm down, getting emotional will only cause mistakes. Think clearly.*



"You better pray to whatever deity you worship, that Kalum survives. There are so many worse things than death."



"And you think you're worse than a demon? Kill me! It will be a mercy." Jacob froze upon hearing his own rant. He just admitted to working with a demon. His confession combined with that mark was the final nail I needed.



The King felt belittled again and slid the ice shard up his side. Jacob screeched again. He squirmed, trying to use any power left to break his cold bounds.



A word of advice, when in a bad situation, don't waste energy on something pointless. Letting anxiety control actions made, was an often fatal error. Often times a calm brain is much better, especially when brawn is clearly useless. Not that Jacob had much of it to begin with.



I had an idea, Tom wouldn't be too happy with the risk... But the possible gain...



"Enough!" Jacob had almost become hysterical from fear. "I have information! Just please don't torture me to death."



Torture was never part of my plan, but he didn't need to know that."And what information could you offer us in exchange for your life?"



"I know where Shiuku's newest base is. And I can tell you why I had to ...."



"Commit murder and treason?" I scoffed. "For all I know you could be leading us into a trap with that location."



I needed to keep him on edge. If he relaxed, my plan wouldn't work. Never let an enemy think he has the upper hand.



His face resembled a ghost. Now would be the best chance to move forward. "I will release you. You can go crawl back to Shiuku, but you will be giving Aileen a message from me."



"He'll kill me!"



"I'll kill you!" King Ulrich barked in his face.



Jacob gulped loudly. I explained to him that he would be put in a cell until we had the message prepared. The King was unhappy with this, but held his peace so long as he could write in a section too. Trevor also wanted a part in the letter.



Reluctantly, Jacob agreed. I called Tom on my phone and he came to collect Jacob. Tom conveyed his confusion at the scene, but said nothing as I released the ice hold on Jacob. Jacob was escorted away silently.



All that was left was to check on the knight.



I patted Kaibec's furry head while I waited for an answer to my unspoken question. His slit golden eyes were filled with sympathy. King Ulrich walked over to Kalum's side. He knelt over his friend with unreadable eyes. Trevor limped over to my left.



Kaibec bowed his head towards the King. I didn't understand why until my fuzzy friend spoke. "Kalum is no longer with us. I'm sorry."



I expected the King to up and walk away. No point for him to stay next to a dead body.



What I didn't expect was for him to cup the man's face with quivering sliced up hands.



Nor his broken up mental state. For the first time, I didn't think King Ulrich cared about his audience. He let go of all pretense. There was no guessing how the man was really feeling.



"No! You aren't a loud to die Kalum! I forbid it. Open your damn eyes before I kick the rest of the shitty state he left you in. We've been through worse odds then this you bastard! Don't die!" His voice was cracked through chapped lips.



His eyes were screwed shut as he continued pleading with his deceased friend. "I don't know how to be a Father you idiot. You swore! You are supposed to help me. I...I've failed her so many times!" He hiccuped between sentences. "I have a second chance to be a Father for my princess! I don't want to fail my daughter again. Wake up now!"



He started shaking Kalum. This caused the wound Kaibec had just healed to reopen. The little blood he had left shot out onto King Ulrich's tear stained face.



"How do you think Aileen is going to feel? She looked at you like a 2nd Father. You were al always there for her when I...wasn't. You're really going to hurt her by dying too!? She loves you! Are you listening! Get up now, it's a direct order from your King Sir Kalum!"



I placed my hand gently on his hunched over back. He turned his head towards me. His face and eyes were beat red and puffy from crying.



"Get out now!" His voice echoed through the room with authority.



Trevor and I exchanged a glance. Kaibec had already left.



"LEAVE!"



I allowed myself to be ordered this one time. He wanted to be alone with his one friend, whom I failed to protect.



With heavy hearts, Trevor and I gave the grieving king what he needed.



I aided Trevor and we walked out.