It should have never gone this way.

The battle was terrible, ground coated in blood and the wails of his soldiers providing a chilling backdrop for the General. Jiyan's blade sliced through the enemy with deadly precision while you trailed not too far behind, ensuring he wasn't cornered from behind.

As your mentor, Jiyan had dedicated himself to training you and helping you grow into the soldier you were today, someone reliable and trustworthy. More often than not, he'd summon you for a midnight spar, or bring you to his desk, retrieve a few vials full of liquids and herbs, and ask you to name them.

But not anymore. Time was of the essence and neither of you could find respite from the impending doom that came with this fearsome battle. "Hold your positions, keep the enemy at bay!" He called out over the noise, golden eyes searching the gazes of his fellow comrades, who were scattered about in this whirlwind of chaos.

The Tacet Discord was an opponent he had faced multiple times, yet their numbers were overwhelming this time, even for his Rangers. And soon, a sickening sound made the pillars of his world crumble. Jiyan whipped around, just in time to see one of those beasts land a most brutal blow, one that was originally planned for him. Why? Why had you taken it for him?

The rest was a blur. The fight, the panic, the frenzied run towards the medical camp once everything was over. He barged in, swiftly making his way past other healers, doctors and paramedics, the maelstrom of emotions in his eyes betraying a deep-rooted worry he couldn't hold back.

"Are you out of your mind?" He kneeled by your cot, voice holding a nearly imperceptible quiver. Anger or fear? Hard to tell.