“I’ll finally get my revenge,”

Jodeus flopped down on his chair, maybe it was just him but the room seemed a lot colder despite the sweat running down his neck.

'Another attack?' He clenched his hands together, biting his nails. He shakily breathed out.

'What are we going to do?'

"King Malue has already marched outside the Capital Mountain. The chosen doctors were ordered to follow tomorrow morning."

He had to hand it to the King, pushing on forward to lead the front, unafraid. But maybe it was anger that made him so.

The story the King had told him was still fresh in his mind. To lose a beloved friend and then finally get the chance to avenge that dear friend. If Jodeus had half the bravery, he'd do the same.

"What about Brytos?"

"I can't take him with me, you'll have to buy a ticket into Azurite. Any dock will do," said Meradeath as she pulled Jodeus aside.

"There's another healer out there just like me and Alis. His name is Archius. He's a famous author, going by the pseudonym R.A."

"Can I trust him to heal Brytos?"

Meradeath sighed. "I haven't heard a word from him since five years ago after the war, there is no guarantee that he'd still be alive. But if you do, you'd have to stay with him"

"I brought Brytos here to—."

"Listen to me, Jodeus! There's a reason why Alis didn't promise you anything. Why 'I' didn't promise you a thing. Brytos is in immense pain and whatever he's going through is related to what is happening right now."

Before he could ask what she meant there was a knock.

"You and Brytos aren't safe here. With the Carnelians attacking he has nowhere else to go. Understood? If the King manages to win then come back," she said before getting to the door.

Jodeus still had to honor the service offer made by the King.

'I can't just leave.'

They would hunt him down, just as Ektes had told him. But what if they were too busy with the war to care? If this Archius healer is dead then what will he do? He can't just come back if he had ran away.

He pursed his lips, 'And what does Brytos have to do with all of this?'

He looked at the basement door and felt his stomach waver. He shook his head and took a deep breath. Whatever it is, he'll stand by him. He'll protect Brytos from whoever dares to hurt him.

Now all he has to do is figure out how to get out of this mess alive.

"I was told it was to be for tomorrow morning" he heard Meradeath say. There was another voice but he didn't recognize it. So he stepped out of the room and felt eyes on him.

"Who is this?"

"My nephew. He'd be staying behind to take care of the place," she said. Jodeus only nodded at the soldier.

"Does he know how to handle the wounded?"

"He doesn't. I'll be packing my things now if you'll excuse me."

The soldier bowed his head, taking a glance at him before leaving.

"Are you leaving now?" asked Jodeus in a panic. "I don't know what to do!"

Meradeath closed the door shut, and turned to look at him. "Jodeus, figure out what you want. What did you come here for?"

"I came for him."

"Then find Archius. I'll go return Brytos back into the ring."

"Wait!" Jodeus didn't know what he was saying, he wanted to save Brytos but he felt conflicted about leaving everything again.

"I'll return him myself, I can do it now."

Meradeath gave him a look before nodding, handing him his ring.

…

Jodeus packed his own things in his little bag, he took everything he thought he needed. He didn't have much, to begin with, but he had to leave a few things behind.

This whole thing felt painstakingly familiar. He bitterly laughed at himself before zipping his bag closed.

Jodeus ran down the stairs, turning down to the basement. He pushed the door open and let it shut behind him. He caressed Brytos's forehead, wiping the sweat off of his deathly pale state.

He looked much better than before but still looked so fragile.

"I'll get you out of here, Bry," he whispered into his ring, which was cupped in his hands.

"Everything would be fine, alright? I love you."

He held the Whistling stone and whistled, the stone whistling back as it glowed.

Jodeus rested his hand, palm-up, on Brytos' chest. His ring rested on his palm as he held the Whistling stone with his other hand.

"Μετατρεψτε εναν ανθρωπο στην καθαρη του μορφη" 'Buy a ticket. Leave for Azurite. Buy a ticket. Leave for Azurite—'

"Μετατρεψτε εναν ανθρωπο στην καθαρη του μορφη" 'What about Ektes, Sir Grasium, Matthias, Beer and Bard?'

Jodeus kept chanting until Brytos' fiery wings came out, he paused but then continued on, not hearing the door opening behind him.

"Μετατρεψτε εναν ανθρωπο στην καθαρη του μορφη" 'I have to leave everyone again.'

Three more chanting and finally, Brytos's body, just as Jodeus saw it happen with The Alumnus, unfurled into a flaming bird, a ruby gem blanketed by a layer of Carnelian gem shimmering within his chest.

"The King will have my head," he said. And before he could even recite the chant again to finally return Brytos' flame into the ring…

"I do hope so," said someone behind him. Jodeus whiplashed behind him and felt himself go pale.

"Hiding a Carnelian? I knew that you can't be trusted." he unsheathed his sword and glared at Jodeus.

He reached out for his dagger but then he remembered where he had placed it, damning himself for putting it inside his bag

"You shouldn't be here."

"Desertion is for cowards. And you know what collaborating with the enemy is? Treachery." Enoch approached him, sword emerging from the sleeve of his robes. The blade looked burnt but with the shine of any sword, he continued with a damning smirk.

"Of all the enemies," he laughed through his gritted teeth, glancing at the bird's glowing figure behind Jodeus.

"It had to be the Phoenix." There was something bitter and miserable in his voice, but then this soon turned into anger.

Jodeus spread his arms to protect Brytos, his ice on the ready.

Enoch grabbed the hilt of his sword and rushed to slice him open but Jodeus threw a ball of snow at his face. Using this chance to unzip his bag for his dagger. Enoch wiped the frost off and went for another swing, but Jodeus was able to turn his dagger into a saber just in time to block Enoch's sword.

Then, Jodeus felt a rippling pain in his hand. He gasped and loosened the grip of his dagger, making it fall from his hand. Another ripple of pain went throughout his body as he felt the black sword pierce his stomach.

He gritted his teeth, unable to scream even if he wanted to.

When Enoch retreated his blade from his flesh, he felt numb. He tried to breathe out, unable to even put his hands on his bleeding wound.

'What was that?'

Jodeus couldn't move a muscle. Enoch stepped over his body, approaching the Phoenix with a dark glint in his eyes, he clenched his sword until his knuckles had turned white.

"Get…away…" Jodeus choked out. "Leave him!"

Enoch didn't even give a glance.

"Avis… I'll finally get my revenge," he muttered under his breath.

Then the blade of his sword dissolved in black sand, morphing itself into a one-edged ax. He raised the ax over to the side of his head.

The hit echoed in Jodeus's ears, hearing the crack of the stone.

"STOP!" pleaded Jodeus, tears threatening to fall.

Enoch raised his ax again, determined to have it as the final blow. Jodeus screamed, refusing to see it happen. Then there was a sound, like something stabbing through a pile of heavy sand.

Jodeus looked up to see a wall of black sand behind Enoch, and in contrast to just in the middle of it, was a beige arrow, which slowly crumbled on the floor. "Ektes?"

Enoch turned to look at him, fuming. "I didn't think you'd be one getting in the way of someone else's retribution."

Ektes didn't say a thing and approached Jodeus to help him up.

Jodeus looked at him with pleading eyes, "Don't let him." he croaked out, twitching his arm up but couldn't move past his shoulders.

"Please Ektes, I beg of you. He's not what you think he is." he pleaded.

Ektes observed his demeanor before shifting his gaze to the raging bird on a bed of ash, which seemed to be the only thing burning in this room. He straightened, pulling his sword from beneath his robes and unsheathing it, the bloody orange reflecting on his silver blade.

Jodeus sank hopelessly to the ground, his hands sweating as he tried to reach out, but the wound's effects hadn't dissipated.

"This is my execution," Enoch stated as they faced one other, indifferent to the scorching heat in the room. Ektes drew his blade and pointed toward him with a sharp glare.

"I'm here for you."

…

No one could discern who struck the initial blow as the two exchanged blessings. And Jodeus couldn't do a thing but only watch as they destroy the room, straining to drag himself from the cold ground to the smoldering bed.

Ektes swung his silver sword but avoided colliding with the black-edged ax. As soon as the edge came close, trying to cut him open, he'd back away. The chamber no longer resembled a basement; it was filled with black and white sand that encircled every corner of the room.

Jodeus could feel his arms now, he grabbed onto the wooden panels and pulled himself towards the bed.

'One more chant. One more.' The heat was now getting to all of them, the sweat uncomfortably drenching their robes, but still, Jodeus forced his leg up, heaving and sweating.

"We're getting nowhere." hissed Enoch before He built a sand barricade, clenched his fists hard, and muttered something beneath his breath. "διασκορπίζω"

The entire level collapsed just as Jodeus was about to approach the bed, the hardwood flooring and walls dematerializing into black sand and the sky emerging from above.

'The whole clinic—.'

Ektes created his own platform of sand to stay afloat, mimicked by Enoch who placed himself on the high ground. Jodeus shrieked as a pile of sand descended from above him, covering him, unable to move or see.

"You're going to let the Phoenix live? After what he has done to your family? To your men? To our King?!" he exclaimed, forming his ax into a dark scythe.

"Why? Why did the loyal humble dog betray his master?"

Ektes opened his mouth, his golden eyes staring into Enoch's purple ones.

'Why did I?'

His thoughts were disturbed by the blast of a distant cannon, followed by a massive explosion, compelling both to turn from where the sound was. A maroon flame soared up into the sky, engulfing the nearby town. One by one, the tallest buildings became beacons of fire.

"COMMANDER ENOCH! COMMANDER EKTES THE OTHER COMMANDERS HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED, THEY ARE NOW TO HEAD FOR THE BURNING TOWN," said one soldier, heaving, having run all this way. He looked at both of their haggled states, confused, but didn't dare comment on it.

"We have to get the civilians to safety!"

Enoch bit the inside of his lip before jumping off, "Get my men and tell them to head straight for the town. You shall leave now, I need to do something first." He turned but the Phoenix was nowhere to be seen, nor the Ice Boy.

"DAMN IT! You'll pay for these Ektes." He gritted his teeth before heading to town.

The soldier saluted him nervously, then turned to Ekte, waiting for a command.

"Contact The Hillock Ground and tell them to gather carriers for the wounded. Send a messenger for the Third in Command 'immediately', and notify everyone of their orders. Now go!"

The soldier then ran as fast as he could, leaving his sight. People hurried past them now, lugging their bags and dragging their half-asleep children away from danger. He dashed to the sand mound that was slightly shifting, he pulled Jodeus out by the shoulders, who was grasping something in his hand.

"Let's get you out of here," said Ektes, carrying him on his shoulders, and all he could do was let out a weak hum.

…

Jodeus sat up, groaning at the paint around his stomach, he had stitched and wrapped himself with the cloth Ektes had provided for him. All he needed now was pills to ease the pain.

'Another scar,' he sighed to himself, then looked at his ring.

Ektes had hidden him in the cave as it was the only place they could hide. Jodeus had insisted that he could fend for himself so Ektes left to help the town.

He's been gone for a day now, 'what if I go outside to see the whole Capital Mountain burning?'

He felt his stomach churn and he knew that the feeling wasn't from the wound.

"All those people, just as it was back at home," he laid back down and stared at the Whistling stone lighting up the place, feeling his breath quiver at the coldness of the floor.

"For some reason, I feel responsible for everything." He closed his eyes.

"I heard parts of their conversation…I want to know what you did, Bry. They seem to know who you are. I'm starting to feel like I never did." he whispered the last part.

"If you don't know what happened then you never did," said Ektes, surprising Jodeus up but laid down right after.

"How's the town?" Jodeus asked.

"The Edge Town was completely destroyed by fire. Hundreds of survivors are receiving treatment in hospitals. Only a few Carnelians were apprehended. We fought most of them off but they escaped into the night." he stated before sitting on the ground with his back resting against the wall.

"I don't understand what they're planning."

Jodeus sat up now, feeling his stomach churn but he was relieved that they had won, even with casualties. "Do you know anything else? What about the King?"

"The Second Commander's Units are — were — stationed at the edge of the country, guarding the mountain boundaries. The attack was sudden and unprecedented." Ektes explained to Jodeus, who had an uncomfortable look on his face.

"The King is on the way with thousands of men for backup. We were ordered to stay behind to watch the Capital Mountain, however, I'm sure the table of commanders are worried for their own cities. I reckon they'd leave to guard their own."

"Why is this happening?" he slumped down next to Ektes, wincing at the pressure of his stomach.

"You both seem to know more than I do. So tell me… What happened five years ago in the war?"

"You don't want to know."

"But I need to, please."

Ektes didn't say a thing for a second, looking down at the gray floor.

…

The village was beautiful.

It had waterfalls, lots of greenery, and many other hidden places he hadn't explored. Ektes Amothyllia had always loved their village up in the mountains, he wrote about every new thing he saw in the forest as soon as the school bell rang. It was peaceful, away from the supposed savage and dangerous Carnelians.

Their King of Kainz, despite his youth, was the smartest man he had ever met. They had met at his primary graduation when King Rumae had personally presented him with his gold medal as the year's most outstanding student.

But the other King was a bit juvenile, which Ektes found amusing; despite this, King Malue was very formidable, and together, they were much more so.

With his naive thinking, he had always believed that nothing bad would ever reach them up there.

"Ektes! Bring these supplies to the primary students on your way," his mother said, handing over a supply of pencils and colors. "And don't steal one for yourself, I know it was you last time, Love."

"But Mother, they'll just eat it. Especially the Polem children, if they won't use it to stab the others. These pencils will do much use when they're mine." exclaimed Ektes, with a bright smile on his face, earning him a twist in the ear.

"You watch your words, Young Man. I hope the university does straighten your manners up!" she said.

He took the box. "I was kidding! If you and Father couldn't do it, what makes you think others can?"

"I believe that someday someone will. 'Speaking of', boys your age are already finding some—"

"Alright! I'll be going now!" Ektes rushed out before his mother could even finish her sentence.

…

Jodeus looked at Ektes with a solemn look, missing his own mother, who was always strict yet kind.

…

But those thoughts were distorted when years later, he was called to the office of their University, that their village had been scorched to nothing. The waterfalls had dried up, the greens were replaced with singes and ashes.

His parents had died honorably, protecting the children in the village school. Those children lived but were scarred for life.

"Mr. Amothyllia," called out King Rumae, the overseer.

"I know it was your hometown that was burned down… I still remember when I put the medals around your neck when you were young."

Ektes didn't say a thing, he couldn't comprehend their deaths.

Rumae continued, "Your parents, my good friends, were brave and honorable. If they hadn't protected those poor children, the dead would've had much more." he hugged him close and caressed his back.

"If you need anything, anything at all. I'll be there." Ektes leaned in the hug, but he didn't cry or sobbed. He felt his own emotions dissipate slowly as the facts finally seeped in.

Survivors say that a flaming bird had shot up to the sky and rained down flames on them. He was told that the oldest son of the Alkyone family known as 'the Phoenix' was the one who had wreaked havoc on their land.

He loathed him and cursed him at the funeral but the Kainz were not only logically intelligent but also emotionally. He turned that anger into a weapon that would make him commander in the future.

Right after the burial, he dropped out and joined the army. That's when he was assigned under The Sixth Commander, Enoch Feis. He was a Kainz, just like him, but raised by Polem parents after he had lost his biological ones. Ektes never bothered to ask how. He received his shared blessing from him, but instead of dark sand like his, it was a mix of white and beige.

It wasn't long after when they received an order of assistance from the other commanders fighting in the North.

King Rumae and King Malue had created a mountain of boundaries that had the Carnelians falling to their deaths by either impact or spikes protruding from the dark waters. That kept most of them at the sea, where the Polem Fleet could wipe them out but there were those who were persistent.

There was smoke everywhere.

Everyone at the top of the mountain couldn't see a thing beyond the ledges. They could only hear countless explosions and see the occasional sparks from the distance.

Ektes looked through his scope, waiting for an enemy to have managed to cross the King's soldiers.

Most of King Malue's Polem had gone down to the front, taking the offense while half of King Rumae's Kainz were left at the top in case of the Carnelian plank took them from behind, strategizing their next defense.

However, King Rumae himself had gone down to accompany King Malue on the frontlines to make sure he didn't get himself killed, he was not ecstatic with 'the head-on attack without much use of their heads' strategy.

A messenger had gone up, saluting at Commander Enoch, "The Carnelians are in retreat. Our fleet is also heading back to the docks for immediate repairs." he explained.

"Any further orders?"

"None, Sir!"

"Then you may go," commanded Enoch.

They thought the Carnelians had retreated but as Ektes looked through the scope, the Kings hadn't made a move to return back to the top. He looked closer when something shot up in the sky.

One by one, their men found their deaths, their bodies cut in half, limbs burned, and their screams reached the mountains. He had read the reports of what happened in his village, this all looked terribly familiar. So he ran down, ignoring Enoch's orders, who had been looking at the massacre.

He used his sand to slide down faster, avoiding the sharp rocks as he did so.

Then he saw King Malue on the ground and the Phoenix walking closer as he killed more of their soldiers in his way, with a few more Carnelian trailing behind him. He felt desperate, but he was too far away, then something happened that he didn't expect.

King Malue was saved. But not by his hands. He felt a piercing in his heart as he saw his own King be beheaded in front of him. The head rolled over to Malue who probably wore the same horrified face. Before the Phoenix could do a thing to him, Ektes felt the blessing pour out of him, and suddenly everything went blind. The battlefield was in a sandstorm, pushing the Phoenix away by force.

The commanders left on the field protected the injured one from the sand, hiding under the rocks. The Carnelians couldn't do a thing but finally retreated.

"Idiot," sobbed Malue from behind. At first, he thought it was directed at him but it wasn't.

Malue had his hands cupping the head of Rumae. He couldn't think of how he got there so fast, his eyes were focused on the headless body before him. Malue repeated, his voice cracking, "Idiot."

"Your majesty, we must carry him back," said Ektes, carrying the body on his shoulders. "We must get you treated sir."

"I can't leave him!" he screamed, "I can't leave my brother. The f*cking idiot."

…

Jodeus felt this blood run cold, from what he was hearing, he leaned against his body for support. "I don't believe it. Brytos would never—."

"Maybe not the Brytos you know. The Carnelians continued their attack, but we held them off and until the end of the war, he never reappeared again. We thought it was over, that he was never coming back, but some of us wanted him to. We wanted our revenge." said Ektes.

He looked at the side of his face, it was dirty and he reeked of smoke. Jodeus hesitated but he had to ask, "Do you want your revenge?"

"I do," said Ektes but there was no malice in them. "But I can't."

"Why?" Jodeus wanted to understand him but couldn't. He would want revenge too, but he knew he was too weak to ever do so.

Ektes turned to face him.

"There will be ships to Azurite tomorrow morning, get your rest and we leave at night to sneak into the first boat," he said then stood up, "We have to wear disguises in case Enoch has already reported what we've done, do not strain yourself or leave this cave. You're much safer here. I'll be back shortly."

…

The word had spread throughout the city like flames. The people who could afford it had packed their bags and purchased every ticket for the first ship that would sail out of the country.

The city wasn't bustling out of celebration any longer, and all those who don't have enough savings are stuck in their towns for the time being.

With the new leader seated on the throne, the Carnelians are said to be more powerful than ever. They claim to have unearthed and conquered the Tanzanites, and that they are now united. This didn't sound good for any of the nations.

While traveling through the alleys on his way back to the cave, trying to not get seen, Ektes listened in panic. He stayed put, and for the first time in a long time, he felt unsure of his actions, not knowing if it was the right thing to do. He could still turn them in,

but the idea didn't dwell with him any longer as he squeezed through the cave, seeing Jodeus lying on the floor, his tears falling onto the cracked ring.

'What's wrong with me, wanting to stand beside a man on crumbling grounds?'