The passage they walked through was tight and had cracked stones littering the ceiling. It looked like this passage had been built in a rush, or perhaps something too big for it tried leaving through it. As Doc led the way for everyone, Jacob kept asking questions to make sure this wasn’t just another trick.

"How did you and my father become friends? I never knew you guys were ever close. I don’t think I ever saw you two together."

Doc remained silent for a moment before responding.

"We would only meet when the palace was asleep. As I’m sure you are aware by now, the king was pooling his blood under the kingdom to increase the defensive capabilities or this kingdom."

"Yeah. We also know he was poisoning our food with his blood."

"I was unaware he was doing that until much later. I was simply in charge of helping his blood multiply and strengthen itself. He would have me working endlessly for hours on end."

"Why were you doing all of this for him? I still don’t understand that."

Doc smiled as he continued walking.

"I was very close with you mom. My brother cared for his two children, but he always seemed to like your mother more than your uncle."

Things started connecting in Jacob’s brain.

"Wait... then does that make you-"

"Yup. I’m technically your grandfather. Whenever my brother was busy with king duty, I was the one in charge of looking after his daughter and her boyfriend... your dad. Believe it or not, they were one lovely couple. I envied them dearly."

Jacob’s brain started to hurt with all this information being revealed to him. If this was his grandfather who was the brother of the king previous to his dad, and that king’s daughter was his mom, that could only mean...

"My dad was never royalty?!"

"That’s right. Your mother was the true heir to the throne, the princess of Iron Kingdom."

Jacob felt like passing out. All his life he assumed his father to be of royal blood. However, it was his mom who was the royalty in the family, which meant his father was none other than a commoner... the people who he desperately despised.

"That can’t be true. My father despised weakness, he despised people like commoners. You’re trying to tell me he was one himself?!"

"That’s correct. Your father wasn’t always strong. He grew up in a very poor and abusive household. He murdered his father trying to protect his mom, but his mom ended up throwing herself down a well in grief. The only person he had in his life, one of his only friends, was your mom."

"Why would he beat up on commoners so often then?"

"Perhaps he always saw that weak version of himself in them. He desperately wanted to protect those he cared about his whole life. He failed to protect his mom, he failed to protect his dad, he failed to protect one of his friends, and he failed to protect the love of his life. One could say that he was destined to fail protecting anyone he cared about."

Jacob was getting a perspective of his father he never could have imagined possible. He assumed his father was always an evil scum of royalty. Hearing that he used to be a commoner and the truth about his cruel destiny was world changing to him. However, something bothered Jacob about the way Doc worded something.

"You said that my mom was one of his only friends, but you also said he failed to protect one of his friends. Which friend are you talking about?"

Doc seemed to grow tense hearing this question.

"He was someone who grew up on the streets. He was a bit older than your father and acted as his mentor. He is also who you and the Katra Clan are named after."

Jacob was dazed to hear this. This was someone who was influential enough in his dad’s life that he named his son after him. This was Jacob’s namesake.

"What happened to him?"

Doc seemed hesitant to answer the question.

"There was a group that came after him for an unknown reason. Before the group could take him, he stabbed himself in the heart right in front of your father. I’ve never seen someone so upset before. He must have been really special to your dad."

Jacob’s heart started to ache. For the first time in his life, he felt awful for what his dad went through. He understood how rough his rule was as king, but that didn’t mean he had a spoiled and pleasant upbringing like other royalty. Perhaps, his father couldn’t help but turn out the way he did. Maybe it was the only way he was able to survive on the dangerous streets of the kingdom.

The group was almost at the end of the passage. They saw the bright sun shining across a vast plain that stretched for miles. Jacob had one last question he wanted to ask Doc, hoping he would give Jacob a satisfactory answer.

"Doc, what was my mom... your niece like? Was she kind?"

Doc seemed to stop walking for a moment. The question seemed to pierce his heart deeply.

"She was beyond kindness. Your mom was a truly extraordinary woman. She would do anything for her people or for her family. No one would ever expect her to be royalty based on how she acted. As for how she somehow tamed your father, that is something even I am unsure of. In fact, I would argue that was her greatest achievement of affection."

"I wish I could see her sometimes. I don’t really have any memories of what she looked like."

Doc smiled as a small tear rolled down his cheek, hardly noticeable to Jacob.

"Her beauty was the only thing that rivaled her kindness. That is definitely where you got your good looks, Jacob. There’s no way that was from your dad!"

Doc started laughing hysterically before continuing to walk forward. As they left through a small hole, they were greeted with freedom at last. The outside world was just as beautiful as he remembered it to be. It seemed like the southern side of the kingdom wasn’t affected by the battle between the duplicates.

The large fields of crops stretched out in front of them with workers slaving to throw their crops in their carts. Maria and Lidia both looked at the workers wistfully.

"If only things were as simple as pulling vegetables from dirt now adays."

"Agreed. As much as I hate to admit it, I kind of miss the work."

They all looked at Doc.

"Are you going to join us? We could definitely use the help someday, I’m sure."

Doc looked away from them.

"As I said, I need to make sure nothing happens to you two. My nephew is not fit to be the ruler of this kingdom. He is nothing but a traitor."

Jacob didn’t say anything, but he was glad to get another companion to their party. The more people they had, the stronger they were. He looked over at Maria. Her skin turned much paler in the cell, and she was still extremely thin from starving herself. He looked over the field once more.

"Let’s get everyone some food. I hope the workers don’t mind us taking some of the crops."

Jacobs legs were about to give out as he tried walking down the slope, but Maria was there to scoop him up once again. Instead of fighting it, he simply let her carry him the rest of the way. Even if he didn’t admit it, he was secretly really comfortable in her arms.