“ Come Back “

The Uvites were powerful, they commanded the lands and the land was exactly where they were supposed to be. But there were some drawbacks, the Carnelians weren't able to conquer this particular nation for a good reason, but it was a dark day for every Uvitians.

Death.

Defeat.

The Second Commander had his head placed on a stake. Burned like some street food.

As they killed the last of the Carnelian within the Capital Mountain, its dead bodies awoken with flames and fought back twice as strongly as they did before. Zemus Alkyone from high above stared down at them. No matter how many times they 'killed' off the walking flaming corpses, they rose again and again.

King Malue was forced to retreat the whole army. Not surrender. They would live and fight another day. That was the plan.

But it was a cycle of loss without much to gain. This cycle went on for two years.

The Carnelians have taken over Capital Mountain and the rest of the country, not long after. Those who wanted to live, civilians, sought refuge in Azurite. King Malue had failed to protect his people, and now they were bound in chains, and those who weren't, were in hiding. They demand their King, but he could not answer them.

He could not, for the life of him and others, consider himself a King.

And so do the Azurites, their alliance had meant nothing if he could not provide the terms to which they had long agreed upon. Defense and trade, but they were reluctant to have Uvite be the defense when they could not defend themselves, ("King Rumae would not have let this happen," the Azurite council exclaimed) but a small percent of the trading was somewhat still ongoing, they were smuggled illegally under the noses of the Carnelians. Malue himself could not prevent it, how could they?

With that measly percent, the refugees were provided shelter and food. He does his best to keep the trading ongoing, having it rise in percentage with slightly overpriced bribes and threats to the smugglers. It worked, they were somewhat in a better condition than they had arrived, however, it was not enough. The Uvitians preferred their own land. A sentiment that he shared.

The odds were stacked against them and there was no way to win. The Azurites weren't much help, their soldiers were pampered and had never seen a day of bloodshed, he had tried changing their training regime but with their so-called commander, it was impossible. They had rich families and patrons who doesn't want them to 'accidentally trip and perish from it.'

And so, only a few he took under his training, the willing and intelligent ones. But even they weren't enough to go out on the battlefield. He used to have ten commanders out there, fighting for their cities and towns. They were driven out as well. Out of the ten commanders at his table, there were only six left. The four had died honorably.

Messengers and spies come and report to him, and every piece of news was worse than the previous one, and that's all it always was.

"Your Majesty," his adviser called out, dressed in a black worn-out robe held together with sutures. He strolled over the recently broken plates and mugs, and over to the tilted bed that contained bugs underneath. No one would ever lay on that bed, except for someone who doesn't care.

"Your Majesty…" he called out again but received no response, it was something he was used to by now. "Commander Enoch, your second, had brought news, a good one."

There was a slight shift under the sheets then a scoff. "What's the point? We had tried and tried but it all ends the same. If we continue this— this revolution— Uvitian extinction would come faster than it is supposed to."

"King Rumae would have tried a million times if he could. King Rumae would have listened to his people."

Malue then stood, letting the sheets fall on the ground, he was tired, naked, and unbathed. The adviser did his best not to look so bothered. Malue then walked over to his desk, chugging himself a mug of beer before spitting it out. "Lukewarm," he muttered, wiping his jaw.

Usually, he would have hit anyone who dared to speak Rumae's name in his presence, but he was neither in the mood nor the attitude to, in fact, hearing his name was a comfort. And his adviser wasn't just anyone, he was grateful to have him after all this time. He sighed before saying,

"Fine. I'll hear what you'll have to say,"

The adviser nodded. "One of his spies had successfully delivered a letter, died not too long ago, bless that woman. She was caught, not for her espionage but in a fight between the Alkyone brothers. We had managed to bribe someone to have her ashes sent back to her family, in respect and honor…" he trailed, bowing his head in sympathy.

Then he continued, "With her covered as a Tanzanite maid, she was able to overhear and manage to copy a thoroughly detailed event. It is planned that he'd be going back to Carnelia to celebrate his sixteenth birthday. "

Malue mockingly rejoiced. "Let's pray he chokes in his birthday cake!"

The adviser remained unfazed and continued, "The good news is that, at the end of her report, although it is only a rumor circling the staff. It seems there is a valuable prisoner kept locked in their deepest dungeon. Only the Alkyone brothers have access to it…The Tanzanite King lives."

Malue turned to him with a raised brow. "Well that is a cheery piece of news, but why spare him?"

"That is a mystery, but you know what this means sir? That alliance you had thought about back then…" he trailed.

He hummed, staring at the inside of his empty cup, "Are the Tanzanites willing to fight?"

"Yes sir, from earlier reports, there have been some altercations going on inside the country, although this was kept discreet, there could be a possible coupe ongoing, "

"How sure are we that this army exists?"

"Not quite. Not even our spies are able to infiltrate, but it is worth a shot."

"I guess so, send an order to the spies and have them relay a message to this supposed 'coupe' and see what they say about an alliance." he slammed the cup back down on the table with a sigh, he didn't seem hopeful about this.

"I am not finished," said the adviser, "the Tanzanite King lives and so does an heir… I believe we have met him."

Malue thought hard as to who he was referring to then widened his eyes, "That is one hell of a character reveal,"

-

Jodeus woke up at the sound of rain, he darted around in the dark, it seemed he was the only one there. He had fallen asleep in Ektes's arms, not noticing him slip away. He yawned awake and stretched his arms out before sighing at the empty space beside him.

He picked up a note from the dining table as he got himself a drink, he whistled and the lights turned on.

'Out for a quick Saturday lecture. Be back later for breakfast,' written in cursive. Jodeus smiled and flipped the note, there was an ugly scribble of letters beneath it,

C A V E' — One of Archius's usual vague words. But at least, he was informing them of his whereabouts instead of them guessing where he was off to. Not that they had any idea where he was off to exactly.

Placing the note back, he went outside the house for a bit of fresh air, admiring the Sun rising from afar along with the purple and pink skies. He sat on a chair on the back porch with his drink, now admiring the garden he had been working on, although he wishes they would grow faster so that they wouldn't drown their gold in groceries.

The Azurite plants differed from the plants he knew. It was fascinating to see leaf-shaped wings that flapped around when they grow at a certain point. It made him happy along with a bittersweet feeling.

While he worked on their garden, Ektes had renovated a bit of everything, and Archius was more than happy to have it changed. They had their separate island just beside Archius so they would visit. No one ever comes along in this part of the sky, so it was only the three of them.

The days have been peaceful and he couldn't ask for more.

Jodeus finished what was left of his mug and took a look at the small fruits that were growing on the vines. He frowned. They had been growing slowly and he doesn't exactly know why. He had tried using what the shop had recommended but it wasn't working. It was like his plants were always so thirsty no matter how much water he gave them.

and went inside when he heard the whistling stone. Ektes was back, and so he greeted him with a quick kiss before checking out the groceries. But to his surprise, he seemed to have recoiled slightly, it was a slight movement. Could've been his imagination.

"How much are these?" he said as he put them aside at the counter and took out a cutting plate and knife from the drawer.

"Expensive. But I got them for a fair price when the man was busy with another customer, " he said in his usual stoic voice.

Jodeus nodded with a smile as he plucked out the tiny wings from one of the vegetables. They do what they had to do. Although he was against it at first, he couldn't take his stomach growling anymore. How did Archius even survive this long? Speaking of,

"Have you seen where he went?" he asked, mindlessly cutting.

"No. Seems like he was in a hurry," said Ektes as he ignited the fire and hung the water-filled cauldron over it. He then paused as though he was thinking,

Jodeus glanced at him and then back at his board. "Something on your mind?"

"It's about what the army is doing," said Ektes.

Jodeus stopped and then sighed. Ektes had been in contact with his soldiers for the past two years, specifically, Matthias Malcus, the friendly baker's son, who he didn't have an idea about his well-being or whereabouts. They both trusted him not to tell anyone about their whereabouts, not that Ektes had told him where.

Everyone had heard about what had happened in the Uvites, about the Carnelians taking over the Capital Mountain, he had his sympathies but couldn't bring himself to comfort any of them, not that they would ever accept one, with their huge pride and ego.

"How's Matthew?" he asked, resuming cutting the vegetables into perfect slices.

"He's well as he's able, he's grown into a handsome lad," he simply said, not saying anymore. Something coiled in Jodeus when he said that, he tried to ignore it as there was something in Ektes's demeanor that didn't escape him.

"That's not all is it?"

Ektes nodded but didn't utter a word. Jodeus nodded to himself, not asking anymore. If it was a secret then a secret it shall stay, just as they promised to each other. What's not crucial shall not be said and if it was anything about the wars going on, Jodeus wanted nothing of it.

They continued their work in silence, a bit of a quick kiss as they walked past each other to get to the cauldron, but not a single word was passed between them. They ate their breakfast in silence, something he wasn't used to even though Ektes was a quiet person, it was like he really wanted to tell him about what he had heard.

Jodeus felt a twinge of guilt, he probably wasn't the confidant Ektes wanted him to be in this relationship. But,

"Why does it bother you so much?" he rested the head of his spoon on the bowl, looking at him thoroughly. "If it does bother you then you can tell me, just this once."

"It's nothing. I'm just thinking about… everything,"

Jodeus furrowed his brow. "That's a lot to think about," he said.

They continued to eat, the soup was delicious and the vegetables complimented it nicely. But no matter how delicious it was, this breakfast seemed a lot less happy than usual. He finished the last drop from his bowl and slammed it down too harshly by accident, breaking it into pieces. Ektes raised his head to look at him before glancing back down at his unfinished bowl.

"Is the food not good?" he asked, carefully picking up the pieces.

"It's delicious. It's just that I had eaten breakfast already," he said, without looking at him

Jodeus paused. "You have?"

Ektes let out a hum before finally fixing the bowl. Then they both proceeded in silence. Even when he claimed to have already eaten breakfast, he remained in his seat, staring at his bowl. Jodeus didn't like this behavior at all. It was unusual.

"Ektes, just tell me what it is! I don't like this—this— whatever this is between us!"

"You're the one who made me promise not to tell you unless it was important,"

Jodeus bit his lip. " I've noticed you've been going out a lot lately, a lot earlier, just like today," he said accusingly.

"I had to fly over to a city I've never been to just to avoid suspicion of theft at the same place," explained Ektes in his usual stoic tone, to which Jodeus understood. Then added, "And I had to meet with Matthew right after,"

He swallowed a scoff, kind of annoyed at himself for feeling weird. This was normal, Ektes would always meet up with Matthew at his discretion. He didn't mind until now.

"Well, why don't you just meet up with Matthew again?" he grunted then stormed off.

Ektes was left dumbfounded at the table, watching him storm away back to their garden. He sighed as meeting Matthew later was the plan he had. He then stood up and followed him to the back porch, confused and concerned.

"Why are you suddenly so cranky?" he asked Jodeus, who was crouched.

"Why are you suddenly so quiet?" he retorted.

"Most of the time I am,"

"Yes but not with me!"

"I don't understand you." "I don't understand you!" they said simultaneously.

Jodeus sighed, "I'm sorry, okay. It's just that… the plants aren't growing the way I want them to okay? I can't figure out why and I am angry."

Ektes frowned, knowing it was a lie. But he didn't know how to approach this. "Maybe they won't grow because you're angry," he stated.

He rolled his eyes at that. But… He stood up and faced Ektes. "Maybe," the shattered pieces inside him were pulsing.

Ektes placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Someday, if you feel comfortable enough, all you have to do is tell me, in all honesty," he said. Jodeus nodded with a solemn look.

"Alright then, but… you have to tell me what Matthew said."

Ektes nodded. "His father, Grasium Malcus, has been missing for almost two years now," Jodeus gasped, he just assumed he was with the refugees.

He continued, "Matthew wanted to leave but I managed to stop him from going down there by himself to go look for him…I was thinking maybe I could lend him a hand but then I'd have to leave and maybe not come back."

Jodeus didn't want him to go, as much as he sympathized with Matthew, he could not bring himself to give up the only person he had. But Matthew was willing to do something he wasn't.

"I don't…" he paused then sighed into his palms. "How long do you plan to look for him?"

"For only a week," he said, "Then I'd go straight back to you,"

Jodeus nodded, but he was still reluctant.

"I won't go if you don't want me to,"

"Of course, I don't want you to!" he yelled out, frustrated.

Ektes stayed put, his hand remaining on his shoulder. He didn't want to leave either, he wasn't obligated to but Matthew was still young and he was sure that he was going to get himself killed out there. He embraced him tightly.

"I'll go with you," said Jodeus. But Ektes only shook his head. "What? You can go but I can't?"

"You're still in recovery," he pointed out. "It still hurts often doesn't it?"

Jodeus looked away, he was right. It still ached inside him. Despite Archius's help, he could feel the useless pieces inside his heart.

"Let me go by myself. It's the least I can do for Matthew, I was his commander for a long time, and I still feel that responsibility."

"Come back to me okay?"

"Of course,"