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Flame stared at the castle entrance in front of him before withdrawing his sword out.
“Let’s go kill him.”
He stated, his voice firm despite his hand trembling. Lomedy seemed to notice, frowning slightly as he stepped towards Flame.
“We don’t have to-”
“We’re going.”
Flame cuts off, walking past Lomedy and into the grand structure. Flame rather get this done fast before he decides against it. He knows what he’s doing is wrong- He knows. He doesn’t believe Parrot is all that cruel- Let alone at all. He’s one of the most generous players he’s ever met on this damn server. And he’s known Parrot for a long time, longer than others seem to recognize but the point still stands.
He doesn't think Parrot blew up Law, killed all these people and mistreated his citizens. But he doesn’t think he’s incapable of doing so.
He sours at the thought. He really, really doesn’t wanna kill Parrot. But if he does and kills Saparata too- Then it’ll eliminate all possibilities of being a new king arising and everything will go back to normal. That’s what Flame’s at least telling himself as he walks through the corridors, making his movements swift and quick as he avoids any guards. There’s not many which is good but also a bit weird. He would’ve thought there’d be more but he can only assume it’s because of the war. Doesn’t matter, stay on track.
He takes a deep breath, steadying himself.
‘Make it quick, make it easy, make it painless.’
He thinks to himself, heading up the stairs as fast as he can, Lomedy trailing behind. He moves against the wall, slowing down his footsteps as he hears distant footsteps from afar. He raises his hand up, signaling Lomedy to halt which he quickly did. Flame peeks behind the stone pillar, spotting Parrot facing away, his back vulnerable. Reina and Theo however stand in front of him with a perfect view of behind. He groans at the thought of having to deal with Theo’s TNT carts. He’s good at it, not without a doubt but it’s annoying having to constantly get your totem popped.
He turns back to Lomedy, taking a steady breath as he tries to amp himself up- This’ll be great, he can stop this whole war so easy.
As if it were that easy.
“Okay just pot us up-”
“Are you sure?”
Lomedy asks, voice deliberate as if afraid. Flame avoids his gaze, pausing for a mere second before nodding.
“Let’s just get this over with.”
He says, gesturing at Lomedy to throw down the potions. The farmer hesitates before doing exactly that. It doesn’t take long before the two head into the meeting room and begin acting the trio.
“Flame- Are you serious!?”
Theo shouts, instantly pulling out his crossbow as he begins annoyingly enough, carting.
“Focus on Parrot!”
Flame calls out to Lomedy who quickly whips out his mace, wind-charging up to strike down at the king. Reina however quickly slides right by, raising her shield up and countering Lomedy’s attack. The four battle out with each other, Parrot watching from the sidelines, occasionally getting hit here and there.
“Guys- Guys, stop fighting!”
He yells, trying to break them apart. He fails and the chaos only continues to strengthen as he yells at Theo and Reina to stop. Reina reluctantly obeys, tightly holding her sword as she drifts away from the fighting, standing beside Parrot.
“Theo- Theo, stop!”
He exclaims, Theo throws him a look before scoffing.
“Are you serious-? I can just-”
“NO JUST STOP FIGHTING!”
He shouts, speaking in a decibel that neither of the four have ever heard speak in. His yelling causes Lomedy and Flame to stop, still wielding their weapons.
Of course this couldn’t be easy, it’s Parrot so why would it be easy?
Flame thinks, rolling his eyes. Why couldn’t his br- Parrot. Why couldn’t Parrot just make it simple.
“Flame- What do you think killing me is gonna do? Huh? Saparata will just take over the server with Lettuce and then what!?”
He lectured, gesturing wildly as Flame crossed his arms scoffing.
“T-then I’ll just kill them too!”
He retorts.
“That’s impossible, you’re strong but not that strong-”
“Well you left me with no choice Parrot! What the hell else am I supposed to do- WE won that war for YOU, Parrot! We thought you’d be a good king but-”
He bites back his words, letting out a grunt. Parrot’s eyes widen in response, his wings ruffling up in agitation.
“Excuse me-?”
“Yeah! I know Saps and Lettuce aren’t any better but ever since you became king, you’ve just been making the server worse!!”
Flame grits and he can feel himself getting more and more frustrated, small flames beginning to build up around him.
“Bandit’s are everywhere King Parrot! Everyone’s dying from starvation or from just being killed, just seriously what have you done!”
Lomedy adds, his brows furrowing at Parrot.
“I’m trying- I’ve been trying!
“It’s not enough!”
“I know-”
“No you don’t-”
“YES I DO!"
Parrot shouts, his voice wavering, his wings puffing up. Flame stumbles back, his eyes mellowing out as he watches Parrot slowly begin to crumble.
“I know I’m not doing enough! I’ve been known that and nobody thinks I’m trying but I am trying! I’ve been trying! I know I’m the one to blame for this, for everybody dying, starving and stealing. But I’ve been trying, I promise you I’ve been trying! The day I became king nobody liked me- EVERY SINGLE DAY people constantly berated and belittled me- Saying how terrible and useless I was. Even when I tried to make things better, nobody cared and nobody tried to help me at all! I was the one who had to kill the withers, I had to recruit guards, I had to find materials, I had to build, I had to farm- I DID EVERYTHING BECAUSE NO ONE ELSE WOULD!!”
He finally cried out, his voice finally breaking as tears prickled at his eyes. Flame watched quietly and painfully as Parrot just broke- Rambling as he gestured endlessly, stepping closer and closer to Flame. He looked away, unable to look at Parrot- Lomedy stared quietly, his eyes widening as he processed each and every word, completely shocked. Even Theo and Reina stood surprised as well, seeing Parrot actually lose his composure was completely out of character for him.
“I have watched my people die over and over again and everybody still believes that I don’t care for the server despite everything I’ve done in my life-”
A choked sob escapes Parrot as he takes one final step closer to Flame who in response steps back.
“Parrot..”
He mumbles, his hand trembling. He watches in fear as Parrot’s knees give out, his body fall to the floor.
“I-If you believe that killing me is the right decision then..”
Parrot’s hand reaches to Flame’s netherite sword, drawing it closer until the tip of the blade makes contact with his throat.
“Then kill me.”
He utters out, staring up at Flame with such a defeated expression and it actively pains Flame to see him like that. Parrot- the guy so determined who constantly tries to do whats right and never ever gives up- Actually surrendering himself.
“Parrot don’t-!”
“It’s fine Theo.”
Parrot’s voice cut through Theo’s, making the man stop in his tracks in pure confusion and concern.
“I’m not a good enough king- So I don’t see a reason I should live.”
.
.
.
His words repeated over and over in Flame’s head, ringing out as he listened to how purely exhausted the avian sounded. His eyes so dull, dark circles becoming far much more noticeable- When was the last time Parrot got proper sleep? The more Flame stares at Parrot, the more things he noticed and the more his stomach curls and twists. Parrot’s wings are far less vibrant than usually, they’ve never been the same since after the Mafia but it seems to only get worse as time goes on. Feathers stick out and his wings look heavily injured, since when were they clipped?
His frown only deepens and he can’t bring himself to say anything, only a quiet gasp escaping his lips.
How long has Parrot been suffering for? Why hasn’t he realized this sooner?
His..brother.
His brother.
He was going to kill to his brother.
It all floods in, everything that Flame has been repressing since joining Cindercrest regarding him going against Parrot.
God it all comes in fast and hard and only then does Flame realize how terrible of a brother he is.
He tosses his sword aside with little to no care. Flame drops down to the floor in front of Parrot, the two locking eyes even behind the blindfold of Flames. And once they do, Flame can’t help but pathetically cry.
“I-I’m so sorry-”
He murmurs and Parrot pulls him into a tight hug, Flame embraces him warmly, returning it back. The two quietly cry as if the worlds going to end.
“I'm such a bad brother Parrot- God, you must hate me”
“Shh, it’s okay Flame-”
“It’s not- It’s really not.”
The two console one another, crying in each others arms, finally letting everything out after all they’ve been through. Two brothers who have been strong, keeping their feelings deep inside before it finally bubbling over..
.
.
.
Theo, Reina and Lomedy watch quietly, standing next to each other as they share awkward and extremely confused glances. They all seemed to wonder the same thing, brothers? Parrot, the smart, determined and well civilized avian and Flame, the violent, strong and stubborn tiger, fire demon hybrid are brothers?
Makes no sense but the three decide not to ask just yet but instead letting the two brothers have their moment of comfort.