“ Is He Alive ? ”

There was a figure standing in the dark, an imposing one, Brytos's consciousness wavered and he had a difficult time trying to regain his composure, but it didn't matter as everything was pitched black, but at least he could breathe now. He struggled as he was forced to sit up, the water wrapped around him felt different, it was cold unlike earlier.

The ground was cold and he noticed the light sway under his knees. So he was still on a ship but how long was he out? He turned his attention back to the figure, who took a step forward, the single step sending an uncomfortable feeling on his back.

"A fleet is on its way, and…" he trailed, unsure of what to say.

The figure didn't respond, void of any emotion, something Brytos could tell even in the dark. He suddenly felt as though he shouldn't talk anymore. The figure approached slowly, the heels were heavy on the hardwood floor and Brytos swore he heard the seawater outside tremble with each step toward him. Then finally, the figure spoke in a low tone, there was something melancholic in it,

"Why don't you use your fire to see?"

Brytos doubled back at the question, not expecting that. Maybe a 'What are you doing here?' or a 'Why shouldn't I kill you right now?'. He thought about the right answer. Because he was surrendering and it would be stupid to use his blessings to show that? Yes, of course, that would do. An untrustable Carnelian was in front of him, all he had to do was tell him the truth;

"Because I don't want you to think I'm an enemy. I've come here to warn you…" he said, "My brother! He—"

"I know, the Stone had already told me,"

There was a creak, and then there was a ray of light; the windows were only partially covered but at least he could see the chambers now; there were bars between him and the man in front of him, they were made of water that seemed alive, he didn't have half a mind to touch it. The man, in particular, had his face hidden under a silver helmet. It was engraved with different florals (he thought he saw the edge of a snowflake, although he wasn't quite sure as the man took it off his head.)

Disheveled and unkempt, the man's dark blue robes were ruffled and worn, there was an unevenness of grey on top of his head, heavy bags under his eyes, and a mouth that always seemed to frown. Nevertheless, there was a certain air of danger around him, an authoritative one.

There was no mistake, this was the Tanzanite King.

He felt a sigh of relief wash him but there was still something off about him, "So has the Tanzanite Stone offered, and have you accepted?"

The King did not answer, instead, he stayed in place, glaring through the stone bars between them. Despite his imposing stature, Brytos could sense an air of burden around him, a glass-like feeling. He thought about the silent response and grimaced.

He pursed his lips, "You didn't let it?"

"No, I have not. I am me,"

Once again, they fell into silence and each second was as uncomfortable as it could get. It felt as though the King was currently making a difficult decision, it was apparent on his face, but there was also something written there like he wanted to tell him something, but what could it possibly be?

"I don't know the Tanzanite Stone, but Baco couldn't have managed to defeat that border without the help of the Stone… he doesn't know what he's doing, and please, help him, my brother is only a child," he begged, he didn't care how pitiful he sounded.

He wanted to help Baco. Since the King did not ask the Stone to lend him its power, Brytos thought that maybe all the Stones were just as bad as the Carnelian Stone. What a difficult world they lived in.

Then finally,

"Someone who cannot keep his house together cannot possibly keep the world together," he said in a low voice, so low that he almost didn't catch it.

Brytos felt insulted but there was truth to that. He abandoned Baco once, and now with him coinciding with the enemy, it seemed as though he abandoned him once again. But he was here to help him, whatever plans the Stone had, he didn't care. Then their eyes met, with the King's gaze filled with scrutiny, "Is he alive?"

Brytos repeated the question in his mind. Alive? Does he mean Baco? No, that's unlikely. He had no idea who he meant.

"Answer me," he asked impatiently,

Maybe this King had gone crazy? He looked the part either way... After a few moments, nothing came up in his mind and so risking it, he simply said, "I don't know,"

Then the King turned and headed up the steps, his robes trailing behind him. Brytos heard a door locking and a few guards whispering amongst each other. He sighed, dumbfounded, and exasperated being left alone but he did appreciate the window being left partially open.

He squirmed uncomfortably and lay on the cold swaying floor. The water seal around him was oddly draining him. Maybe it was an element thing? Fire weak against water? Or an enchantment? He felt thirsty by the second so reached his tongue out for the seal, it was cold and salty but more than enough.

He thought it would be funny if he drank the seal away but as of now, he had no plans of escaping until they free him themselves, or worse if the Carnelian will. He couldn't tell if he was successful in warning them, whatever happens now lies in their hand.

It wasn't long until someone else came down the steps; it wasn't the King because the footsteps were different; they were faint and light, as if old and muffled. He thought it was familiar but shook the feeling off, Brytos squinted into the light to see an old man, draped in white robes, step in. He had a sorrowful expression on his face but maintained a placid posture.

"I was surprised that you'd be here," said the old man. "Surprised to see you alive. Nevertheless, glad."

Brytos didn't respond, unsure of what to say, both this old man and the King acted as though they knew him. Is this some weird Tanzanite interrogation mind game? Not that he had anything to hide, at all. Because if it is, then it's working as he felt even more dumbfounded than before

"Thank you?" said Brytos.

The old man then entered the water bars, which divided and then retracted as he passed through. He reached his wrinkly hand down for his forehead, and before Brytos could move away, he felt a searing sensation in his brain. He squirmed uncomfortably until finally, he forcefully laid down to detach himself from the hand.

"Interesting. Parts of your memories are locked," stated the old man, eyes furrowed.

Brytos looked up at that, still on the floor, "How did you know—"

"I am the Alumnus, my purpose is to know."

Brytos tried to sit back up trying not to look so pathetic, but he had to admit, sitting on a swaying floor was making him jittery, he preferred flying, but essential things were on hand. And he was starting to feel everyone in this country knew something he didn't.

"Are you one of those wise men?" he asked.

The Alumnus uttered nothing but a short chuckle but then almost immediately, frowned. "Oh, what to do?... this makes things a lot difficult," he muttered to himself.

Brytos remained perplexed, unsure of what this old man was talking about. He knew that they were in a bad situation, but he must be referring to something else. Sighing, he asked exasperatedly, "Would someone please tell me what's going on?"

"Of course… but first, do you know who locked away your memories?" asked The Alumnus. To which Brytos swiftly nodded and so The Alumnus continued thoughtfully,

"Do you want your memories back?"

He hesitated for a second but ultimately shook his head.

"No, I don't."

The Alumnus fearfully nodded to himself, as if he already knew the answer. He did already, after all, check his mind. There was a considerable downward curl on the corner of his mouth. "Of course, oh this is a lot difficult indeed."

He coughed into his hand before explaining, "I'm sure you know this. But your memories are essential. I know you love your brother and are trying to make amends for what happened," Brytos nodded slowly, not particularly liking this old man looking inside his head and so he continued,

"There are things you ought to remember, but the curse inside your head can only be lifted by you if you are willing. Time will pass, and soon bit by bit, you will remember but the longer you lock them away, the faster they'll disappear forever. The cage does not open without the key, and you alone, inside the cage, have it. Choose the right thing."

Choose? He has already chosen his brother, it was the right thing to do.

To think that this ancient wrinkly old man could tempt him into choosing another? He scoffed. "I've already made my decision and I'm going to live by it! Is this what you Tanzanite do? Get inside your enemy's mind and deceive them into betraying their own people?!" he felt his back heat up.

Despite his outburst, the Alumnus stayed composed, he simply bowed respectfully. "It is my advice that you think about what you ought to do and choose to do it, just as you did, flying here to warn us." he reminded him with a knowing look.

Brytos reddened and looked down, lips sewn tight, at the lines of the wooden board, hoping to find the hidden answer there. But he only shook his head, he took a deep breath,

"Look, I came here for my brother. I promised I'd help him and getting my memories won't. It's not like I was a saint back then either, I'd rather forget."

That's how he felt. He doesn't know why he was telling him this, he doesn't know this old man but it seemed like he could tell him, he hated how he couldn't remain furious at him either and was disturbed at what the old man had said… because he was right.

All he wanted to know when he woke up was to remember everything. From when he had spread his wings and sought the heavens for the first time in a long time, when he sat with Baco at the lip of the chasm, and when he dreamed every time he slept.

But after the incident in the town, he thought it would be best if he didn't remember a thing. It was difficult to confront his desire after that, he didn't want to find out what sort of monster he was. Judging by everyone's reaction, it was horrible. So instead, he decided he'd make it up for one person who was there for him.

"Of course. It is your choice to make. But there's someone out there who I need to know if he's still alive. I believe that you know the truth, but it's locked inside your head."

"Just who is this person—"

Before he could finish his sentence, the whole ship shook, throwing him back to the ground. He felt the large wave beneath their feet. The Alumnus remained composed, he gave him one last look, before heading back up.

Then he heard yelling and marching, the waves beneath them pushed the whole ship forward, and once again, he tumbled. He used the wall to get back on his feet and leaned against the wall, then he heard the telltale sounds of their Carnelian ship's engine.

He tried to run to the stairs but the watery bars snatched his feet before he had gotten close. He fell to the ground with a groan and was dragged back to his cell.

"Creepy little shi—"

He tried using his wings but both the bars and the water seal tightened around him, creating slight steam from the heat. . He stopped trying to use his blessing so the water stopped choking him to death. So it was impossible to use his fire either way

The ship once again surged forward and he rolled back against the wall. He groaned.

"I have to get out there…"