“ Just , Who Was The Person In My Dreams? ”

The fleet have already left the docks and headed for the sea, instead of returning to meet Baco as usual, Brytos sought to see something else before they left Carnelia. Something else he had been wanting to see ever since he had woken up. Baco was behaving strangely, even with only bits of memory, he knew that this was unlike him and he could think of only one explanation. If his own brother can't answer his questions, then he'd find it from somewhere else.

His footsteps bounced on every wall as he entered the grand hall after forcing through the enormous doors, and with each step he took, he seemed to be returning to the ceremony from years ago. It was quiet and everyone's eyes were on him as he was the first one in line.

"I remember this,"

My dear child

Come forward

And let me hear your troubles

Brytos came to a sudden halt. He couldn't help but feel that he shouldn't approach the Carnelian, even though it was glowing in a welcoming light, just as it did when he was about to be blessed and yet, he couldn't help but feel he shouldn't take another step. He remembered his mother, along with the other wives, smiling at him from behind the throne, but there was a grim look in her eyes. And yet, against his concerns, he bowed before the King and the Stone, wishing for it to be over, and run back to his mother's embrace.

But to his fear, he was blessed better than any of his siblings.

No one sat at the throne, it had begun to dust, and no one even dared to clean it up it seemed, not even his brother who owned the throne.

The Stone glowed and he stepped into the spotlight.

"What would happen if I strayed from my prophecy?"

You cannot.

You will follow your king,

And its greatness shall prevail

"Baco thrives to be a good king, but as much as I care for him, I feel that it's against my own conscience to follow someone who I don't trust," he said,

This was the truth he felt. Baco had said nothing but lay since he had woken up. The only time he was given the truth was when they were talking above the chasms. Just as Baco said to trust his guts, he will. The whole room rumbled as if in a chuckle.

Zemus is not your King

I am your King,

And as long as you follow me,

You will not stray

"What if I do? Will you kill me?"

What is destined to be,

Shall be.

He felt anger boiling up inside, something he hadn't felt for a long time, "What have you done with my memories?" he asked, gritting his teeth. Calm down. Deep breaths. The Stone chuckled once more, and the crumbs of the ceiling fell on him. "Answer me."

I have done nothing

I didn't need to,

Zemus was more than happy to have it erased

As much as he hated to admit it, that felt true. But it didn't mean The Stone was trustworthy enough, he remembered how much he hated it, the same feeling he bore with his father. With Baco as King, he must be under the influence already but, "Leave my brother alone," For the third time, the stone laughed.

He already made his choice a long time ago

When you left him alone when he only had you

Let's be honest, Avis, he meant nothing to you

He felt his heart stop, then a memory of him flying away without Baco filled his mind. It was the truth. That's why his brother was really upset.

Unable to say a thing, he turned on his heel and headed for the doors, the whole room shook to its core, and the walls and columns cracked, but he was able to leave the chamber unscathed. He spread out his wings and headed for the ships.

Back to his brother.

-

The vast, turquoise water was all he could see. Brytos landed on the crow's nest, taking a rest from his flight, seeing as no matter how high he goes or whichever direction he looks, there was only water. He had no idea what Baco— or rather the Stone had planned to get to Tanzanite.

He jumped down and entered the cabin, and there was his brother, eyes drooping as he crouched over the table, searching for a specific spot on the map. There were dark bags under his eyes and he looked pale. He wondered if he should tell him what he knew right now,

"You alright?" he asked, surprising his brother, who only sighed in relief as he saw him, picking up the pencil he dropped. This wasn't the Stone so he also felt relieved.

"I'm fine… it's just, I'd rather be at home right now, than…" he paused.

"I know, I'd prefer that too,"

He wanted to explain what happened this morning, about the Stone. So gently put his hands over his shoulders and smiled at him. The more he said the more Baco felt horrified that he fell back, Brytos caught him and laid him on the cot.

"I'll have your back when the Stone possesses you again, I'll be there and try to make sure you don't do anything rash, this is my fault after all."

"No, it isn't, I brought this to myself. And it's not really what you think, The Stone mixes its desires with what I deeply want, I wanted to hurt you for leaving me and I… felt that powerful so I," he rested his head against his chest.

"It wasn't me who killed Igneous?"

"No, it was me… To prove myself, I had to kill him, so I did. The previous king was the vessel but it needed a new one. It was supposed to be you, Bry, but you weren't able to, so I guess it chose me but I'm not really the vessel, or so he called, if he did possess me, I would die." he explained, looking up at him. "He's still going to get after you,"

"How does the Stone mixes its desires with you exactly?"

"Through my blessings, I put a curse on myself so that I wouldn't be able to use my blessings, but often he'd get through the curse and then… I can't even tell when The Stone is in me or not, not until its too late,"

Brytos wrapped his hand around his shoulder, thinking of how to deal with this, he closed his eyes, feeling the light sway of the ship and the engine beneath them. "Nevertheless, I got your back. Whatever memories I had, I want to make new ones with you. Better ones. I've always wanted to visit Tanzanite, it seems impossible but when we get there—"

"We'd destroy and raid everything?" he deadpanned but paused for a second, finally he sighed, "... Bry, about your memories," he started but Brytos cut him off.

"It's fine. You don't have to say anything. We'll find a way out of this first, no matter what. I'm not mad that you erased mine and told me lies, you were afraid of the Stone and thought it was for the best."

Baco felt as though he should tell him the truth but deeply, he wanted Brytos to stay this way. He seemed kinder than the old one, and he was getting used to this kind of attention. Something that he didn't get from the old Avis, maybe this was truly Brytos and the brother he wanted. He smiled and then went off to hug him,

"Alright," he closed his eyes, "I'm the only one important in your life," he said with a smile before letting go of his embrace.

He went over to the map and grabbed his telescope before gesturing for Brytos to follow him, "We're almost there, dear brother."

-

There was nothing there. No matter which direction he looked, there was nothing but the sea. It was almost eerie, but he felt an oncoming headache before Brytos could think more about it. 'Damn it! Why now?'

He felt himself falling backward, so he leaned against the edge, then he was flying through a sea of clouds—no, it was mist, he wasn't in the skies, he felt water drape all over him, then a giant wave of water grabbed him from behind.

The ocean studied him thoroughly.

Although they were friendly, he was still regarded with suspicion and pity

His exhaustion had vanished, and he felt at ease.

He could stay like this forever.

Then he was back at the sea again, like he wasn't just drowning, he flapped his wings and looked back at the giant waterfall with confusion,

"How did I manage to get through?"

He opened his eyes and he was back at the ship, right behind Baco and where he stood, he looked around in confusion. Then he looked over the edge, there was only the sea and the ocean wasn't talking to him. He turned to where Baco was but couldn't when he noticed that, it wasn't his brother anymore.

"Baco," he called out and put his hands against his shoulders, he winced when it burnt him.

"Stand back, dear brother. Revealing the border from its hiding is difficult. This could drown all of us,"

Baco stood at the bow of the ship, peering through his telescope, he placed it on his side before sitting down on the metal deck. He drew a large circle on the open space with what seemed to be magma, something Brytos didn't particularly like seeing. Outside the ring of magma were Carnelian scripts that no one could read. As he chanted something under his breath, these writings began to spread upward and grow into a wall of fire that stretched to the horizon.

The crew was in awe as the mist started to appear. Behind it was the sound of loud rain, which didn't come from his brother's enchantment.

"Just beyond this border is Tanzanite. Everyone get ready!" Baco yelled out.

Before Brytos could even wonder, the first ship that tried to pass through got crushed and exploded to bits before slowly sinking into the waters. This immediately sent the men on guard, readying their blessings. When some tried to help the survivors overboard, they were pulled under the sea. No one tried to lend a hand after that.

"Leave them," said Baco then he turned at one of the men, "Relay a signal to attack to the other captains to simultaneously attack the mist. No one enters until I say so,"

The man saluted before going into the cabin to send the signal.

Brytos took this chance to fly upwards to see beyond the mist, but it was too thick and no matter how high he went, there was no way to look at the other side, so he flew back down at the ship next to Baco, "How do you plan in getting past this?"

"You tell me," he simply said. Then he raised his hand, and every ship got their blessings conjured up, ready to attack, he dropped his hand and every single one targeted the mist. The flames looked beautiful altogether, sparks and cannons of fire launched at the same time.

They couldn't tell if it was the white mist roaring in pain or the sound of their flames being put out, either way, the sound beyond was unnerving. There was a lot of steam dispersing from the mist, most likely their fires being put out. Then the sound of rain got louder.

Baco raised his hands again, and everyone had gone back to position for another attack Then there was silence, only the sounds of the ship's engine were making noise. Everyone was on their feet, waiting for the signal to commence. But he didn't drop his hand, he seemed to have noticed something,

"Tell everyone to reverse their engines, as slowly as possible, but make sure to wait for my signal," he whispered to the same man he told earlier, who saluted before heading back to the cabin.

Slowly, just as he ordered, the ships all sailed backward. Leaving a huge gap between the mist and the fleet, but their own ship stayed up front.

Brytos ears twitched, wondering if what he heard was just his imagination, there was a sound of marching— and then surging, he walked up to his brother and whispered, "I think we should back off as well, something is coming towards us."

"I know. I've been waiting for him."

"For who?"

"For Tanzanite."

Just as he finished talking, the rushing of water could be heard by everyone now. Then the right flank of the fleet was crushed— no, sliced— before exploding into bits, creating gigantic waves that could topple the rest of the fleet. Brytos held on to Baco and flew up high so they wouldn't get thrown over and what he saw from above was spectacular.

Their right flank was destroyed, there were screams of survivors as they were pulled under the water, and whatever did it, hid back in the mist. But he was sure of what it was. They flew back down on the deck, which was now filled with water. Baco wasted no time relaying the signal, and soon the mist was once again attacked by flames and cannon fire.

"We should make the distance!" yelled Brytos over the deafening sounds, "Whatever that was could come back again!"

And he was right, but this time it wasn't just a sword as high as a mountain, no, it was a gigantic humanoid creature that was as blue as the sea around them. Its great upper body emerged from the mist with its hand raised to the side of its head, which had taken the shape of a helmet,

"REVERSE!" they screamed as they realized what was coming down on them. The ships at the back suffered the impacts of explosion from the unlucky ships at the front, most of them were destroyed with hardly any survivors. Brytos sprung and grabbed the people in the water before they could've submerged and drowned, there were lots of them and so he struggled to grab them on time. Each person he saved he brought down to the ships.

"Have at least ten ships in reverse, wait for orders," he said before going back to the sea.

In the midst of steam and chaos, was Baco. He called out to him to get to safety as he carried two survivors at his sides but it seemed he couldn't hear his calls. His brother was standing in the middle of the sea, with dark bubbles of magma beneath his feet that kept him afloat.

It was a difficult task to have carried the survivors, but when he couldn't see anymore, all he could do was watch his brother from afar.

Magma poured out of his hands and then raised his hands over to his head, lifting the ball of magma as it slowly formed from above him. It grew bigger and bigger until it was ten times his size, but it was still comparatively smaller than the man in the mist. They faced each other now, the black holes within its face looked down at him and raised its watery sword, just then, Baco's ball of magma grew bigger.

It swung its sword straight down at his small figure, and at the same time, he charged his ball of magma towards it, passing the sword by mere feet and then having it explode into a large chain of fire, engulfing the giant humanoid creature. As it made contact, it created large steam that blinded their sights. It made a sound at what seemed to be a violent thunderstorm.

Brytos made it in time to carry his brother out of the way as the sword's edge continued to swing in his direction, they couldn't see a thing as the steam blocked their vision. The impact blew them away, harsher than he had expected, he flapped his wings as hard as he could, trying not to have them disappear amid the water pouring on them.

He screamed as he grabbed hold of Baco, who seemed to be unconscious. With a final flap, he made it into the clearing, launching both of them unto the metal deck at one of the ships. They rolled over, Brytos grabbed hold of him tightly as they slid across the deck before hitting a ledge. No one bothered to see if they were okay.

"Damn, that was intense," he sat up, the ledge behind him dented. He checked his brother's pulse and heaved a sigh of relief to find him alive and breathing.

Then he raised his head to see the steam still ongoing, then the wind blew a clearing and he saw it just in time before it submerged under water; the humanoid creature was shackled in the magma chains, its heat and hold never faltered as its struggled defiantly, it let out a thunderous scream before disappearing back into the mist.

"It won't be able to set itself free after a long time," he heard Baco say as he steered awake. "We shouldn't waste any second. I want every remaining ship to set forward!"

Brytos grabbed his hand before he could walk away, "We've lost so much and you still want to keep going?"

"Listen to me. This is our chance," Baco smiled as he pointed at the mist, which was now opening into a clear path to the other side of the ocean. "Reinforcements will come soon and we still have enough soldiers to attack. You've done a great thing, dear brother, saving me. Now, all you have to do is to lead with me."

Brytos let go of his hand, glaring at him. This wasn't his brother and he couldn't do a thing if he doesn't figure out how to save him from the Stone's influence. He felt anger boiling up inside him, how he hated that feeling, so he took a deep breath and spread his wings to leave the deck. He needed to get away and think of a way out before this became any worse.

'I have to warn the people,' he thought.