Darryls POV:

My stomach sank, tears threatening to pour down my face as soon as I heard the guards words. Zak. Zak — was he alright? Was everyone else alright? Nikki, her husband, Andrew, Evelyn, their children! Alex, Ant, Velvet, their child Hannah? I sat still in my chair, staring down at the golden plate with half eaten steak in front of me. It felt like my throat was closing up and my jaw hurt as I just wanted to wail out in cries but I couldn't. I preferred others to not see me cry, no matter who.

I heard ringing in my ears as the world around me seemed to blur. I was stuck in my thoughts. I silently prayed that my loved ones and friends were safe. I was practically begging God to keep them safe — alive. I don't know what I'd do if they were gone. I'd never be the same again. I was ripped out of my trance by someone grabbing onto my wrist, pulling me out of my chair abruptly. "Get up! We need to help them!" I heard someone say.

I gulped, my eyelashes wetting with tears as it would only take one blink for rivers of tears to roll down my cheeks, so I didn't blink. My eyes were glossy like a baby-doll's eyes. I looked to the side to see a woman with beautiful curly black hair and chocolate skin, which was the one gripping onto my arm. She was now dragging me out of the palace. It was Queen Jade, the ruler of the Clover kingdom.

I pulled myself together, turning to look the way she wasnt to wipe the tears from my eyes. I inhaled, silently trying to convince myself everything would be okay, but deep down, I knew it wouldn't.

* * *

We had sailed to the Woodland and on the way there, I had completely lost my composer, breaking down in front of all of the other Rulers! I had hid my face in my hands, not wanting them to see my cry, but I knew they heard my weeps. I sniffled, stepping foot on Woodland grounds, terrified of what I'd find. Thick wads of smoke contaminated the air. A few towers were crashed down, the bricks scattered throughout the area. The sky seemed to be an orange color now as it was filled with the smoke, areas that were on fire glowing. Fire danced all around me, crackling and spitting out tiny sparks.

I wailed Zak's name, my eyes closing to let salty tears roll down my cheeks again, traveling under my chin. It was hot all around me because of all the flames. I then felt . . . cold. I felt chilly for a few moments before the heat took over again. I felt a weight on my shoulder before it disappeared. I looked around me — no one. I was a little frightened but brushed it off, running through the torn down buildings and jumping over flames. I pushed through a tree, my horns raking at the leaves and leaving small marks on the branches.

I searched and I searched but I couldn't find Zak. I had thought I found him earlier because I saw a body with a blue hoodie but it was just a little boy with blond hair, covered in burns and angry blisters — dead.

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Word count: 567