Jaden

> It's okay to fail sometimes, because it's all a part of your success!
>
> - One of Jaden's many motivational quotes.

Jaden is one of the five central characters of the End CMP. He is Ender's closest friend and the Crown Prince of Kurayami.

## Appearance

Jaden is a tall young man with navy purple short hair and warm grey-blue eyes. He's wearing a light blue sweater over a white large t-shirt for his everyday outfit. He's sporting a pair of loose baby blue pants and white jogging shoes. On top of his head are a pair of white circular sunglasses and a purple gem-encrusted crown.

Canonically, he wears a white button-up shirt with a cuffed collar, basic black pants, and military boots that extend just below the knees. A fine golden chain connects the royal blue cloak that is draped over his shoulders. White fur is used to trim the cloak. His torso is secured by a huge black sash that is edged in silver. The gem-encrusted crown still rests lopsided on his head, but his sunglasses are removed.

In his teenage years, Jaden's hair reached down mid-back and was worn in a neat low ponytail.

## Personality

Jaden is shown to be a cheery and childish person. He frequently gets into trouble due to his carelessness, recklessness, or a combination of the two. In any case, he is a shrewd and skilled person who is capable of fooling others with this empty-headed persona. Jaden frequently works himself to the point of exhaustion because he strives so hard and will do anything to attain his goals. Jaden fully commits himself to the people he cares about.

Among the main characters, Jaden is regarded as an oddball. He appears to never take anything seriously, which infuriates and offends others in the group. Jaden prefers being the centre of attention, while the others would rather be quiet. He enjoys going to parties and social events incognito. As a result, Ender must pursue Jaden continually to keep him from starting any disastrous events.

Behind this upbeat demeanour lies a damaged and depressed version of himself. He merely puts in a lot of effort to make his life worthwhile and to get the approval of others around him. Jaden lacks self-worth and self-love, which causes him to prefer having others pay attention to his health and frequently refutes the idea that he has a problem. Jaden's periodic angry outbursts while under intense stress or strain are another impact of his depression.

## Background

Jaden was only a little child when conflict broke out between the city of Diaxmore and Ilameante's Crimson Knights. Esmerelda and Cerberus Demara, along with their two-year-old toddler, sped out of the country. Jaden didn't form his initial bond with Ender, Kurayami's ruler, until five years after seeking safety there. Ender and William discover the boy for the first time in his yard, where it is claimed that he sneaked past the Imperial Guards.

Jaden kept coming back to Ender's castle and spent most of the day there in spite of Ender's pleadings for him to never return. Because of this, Ender and William frequently had to watch him all day long until his parents arrived to take him up for the evening. Jaden initially didn't get along well with the brothers since they thought he was a bother. But as time went on, the group would grow close and start to think of Jaden as a member of their family. This came with its set of negative consequences as Jaden got to truly witness the full extent of Ender's depression.

Jaden was frequently pushed away by Ender, who only allowed William to offer comfort. Eventually, Jaden would fall into depression; he would frequently believe that Ender did not value him and that he was a horrible friend to him. Jaden would comply with every request made of him out of fear of losing his friends, even if it was against his better judgement. Because of his constant benevolence, other people occasionally exploited him. Jaden was afraid that his friends would view him differently or leave him if he revealed his actual sentiments to them. He continues to do this even today.

On the day of their friendship's tenth anniversary, Ender appointed Oliver Olivarius as Jaden's personal bodyguard and formally crowned him as the Prince of Kurayami. Soon after that, Jaden kept pleading with Oliver to play games with him. Oliver initially remained cold and aloof in order to maintain his professional demeanour, but as the two became closer, he ultimately let down his guard.

Eventually, Ender, William, Jaden, and Oliver would come together as friends and engage in various antics. This friend circle later included Hillard Pertinax.

## Relationships

Various people that Jaden has interacted with.