Aaron woke to someone banging loudly on his door. He did wish they would stop that.

Ever since he’d taken on the role of the Orange King – no, it had been before that, ever since the previous Orange King’s death more likely – Aaron had felt a constant pressure weighing him down, trying to crush him every second of every day with its inescapable force. What he’d done the night before had only been something small, he doubted it would change anything at all, but for some reason Aaron thought the crushing pressure might have felt just a tiny bit lighter as he woke that next morning. 

“I’ll be there in a second,” he called to whoever it was that felt the need to bang on his door over and over and over and over and over. Aaron threw on a clean shirt and pants and checked to see just how messy his blonde hair was from just waking up. It was going every which way but wasn’t sticking up in odd places like it sometimes felt like doing. Aaron opened up his notifications to see what sort of messages had come in while he’d been asleep as he walked to get the door. 

The person on the other side of the door stopped knocking; she could tell that Aaron was standing on the other side. 

“Aaron, I want-“

April was cut off as Aaron spoke through the door. “Go log into Deep Ground Bellowed Mist. Tell the others to execute plans Syntax Error and Depth Charge. As soon as they’re prepared.”

Whatever words or arguments she had was met with her King’s absent silence. Eventually, Aaron heard the girl’s footsteps away from outside his door. She would have only tried to empathize with him or tell him the message had to be a fake. He already knew that, but it didn’t change a damn thing.

The King opened his door and walked out into the empty hallway. He hadn’t dressed beyond what he’d thrown on, and his hair was still uncharacteristically disordered. The boy’s hands were in his pockets, and he had his book stuffed under one arm. His eyes barely lifted from the floor as he turned and walked slowly towards the school’s old gymnasium. If anyone passed Aaron in the hall or on his way to his destination, they would be able to tell that something was wrong. 
---
April knew that she shouldn’t have left Aaron alone then, that she should have stayed close to him, at least to keep an eye on him. But she was loyal to the Orange King above all else, and that was why she left. He had given her a mission, and she would carry it out. She just hoped that Aaron wouldn’t do anything stupid.
Logging into Deep Ground, Bellowed Mist sent out two messages.

[quote]From: Bellowed Mist
To: Zealous Calm, Monochrome Angel, Falling Mercury, Rusted Feather, Minted Ice, Stole Gate
Subject: Orders From the King

We’re going on the attack. The Orange king wants us to use plans Syntax Error and Depth Charge. [/quote]
[quote]From: Bellowed Mist
To: [All Silent Marauders]
Subject: Orders From the King

We’re going on the attack. All Silent Marauders are to push into Black territory now. Weaken the enemy forces as much as possible, as fast as possible. Show them our strength.[/quote]
Less than ten minutes later, as the main force of the Marauders began to clash with the Ebony Strykers on the edge of their territory, the air in front of the Black guild began to shimmer and ripple. Two figures emerged from the distorted space: one was a female assassin with long black hair, and the other was a younger boy who looked to be a healer. 

[quote]From: Bellowed Mist
To: Zealous Calm, Monochrome Angel, Falling Mercury, Rusted Feather, Minted Ice, Stole Gate
Subject: Re: Orders From the King

Everyone’s in position. Now. [/quote]