Chapter 9

Ekimu was whistling. He had long since given up attempting to wake Makuta; even pouring cold water on him hadn't worked. He had eventually decided to simply wait nearby until Makuta woke up, and he had found the best way to pass time was making bird sounds. He found it calming; and besides, anything was better than reading that book.

Ekimu abruptly stopped as he saw Makuta shift about in his bed. He hurried to Makuta's side. "Makuta?" he said hopefully. "Are you awake?"

Slowly, Makuta's eyes opened. "Am I… dead?" he replied.

Ekimu smiled. "No, Makuta. You're alive and well."

"But you…?" Makuta sat up. "You're dead. I know it, I saw your body, crushed, I held your hand, there was no pulse, I…" He rubbed his eyes. "…I killed you."

"That was a dream," Ekimu said softly. "Don't worry, you're awake now. Everything's…" He stopped as Makuta slowly slumped down.

"You were dead," Makuta said quietly.

Ekimu was moved with pity. "But Makuta, it's all right now," he said, smiling warmly. "Both of us are alive."

Makuta stared at Ekimu incredulously. "Don't you hate me?" he asked.

"What?" The older brother gave Makuta a confused look. "Of course not. Why would I?"

"I killed you," Makuta pressed on. "I know it was a dream, but I still killed you; with your own hammer, no less. Why are you… always so nice to me, after everything I do? I hurt people, I break promises—I even lie to you. You don't deserve a brother like this."

"Don't say that." Ekimu put a hand on Makuta's shoulder. "Though you do have flaws, so do I—Karzahnii, everyone has flaws! But you fix those flaws in me, just as I try to fix yours. You remind me to think of others, rather than myself or popularity. Without you, I… Well, I wouldn't be myself."

"No, you fix your flaws by yourself," Makuta protested. "You're making masks for others, aren't you?"

Ekimu sighed; Makuta wasn't getting the point. He then said, "Makuta, do you remember that time in the jail?"

"How could I forget that sewer?" Makuta said acidly.

Ekimu nodded. "But do you remember while you were in that disguise, when I had defended you?"

Makuta said nothing but nodded in reply.

"I wouldn't do that for any Okotan," Ekimu urged, squeezing his brother's shoulder. "I wouldn't do it for anyone, except one person." He smiled as Makuta looked up at him. "And he is you, Makuta. I love you, my brother. And no matter what happens, no matter what you think or do… nothing can ever change that."

"Nothing…?" Makuta repeated.

"Nothing," Ekimu promised.

Makuta almost held his breath in fear, waiting for a sarcastic voice, a sudden cold rain, evidence that Kulta was still there, listening, waiting.

But there was nothing. Just silence. And peace.

The End