Eugene didn't know what had happened. One minute he'd been talking to Hector, and things had been civil enough, and the next he was lashing out violently, with Varian being unfortunate enough to be on the receiving end.

When Eugene had seen Varian fall unconscious and seen the blood on his chest, he'd immediately assumed the worst. He went to the kid's side and frantically began to look him over. In his panic, it took Eugene a long moment to realize that it wasn't nearly as bad as it looked.

There was what looked like a slash of blood across Varian's chest, but when Eugene tried to wipe it away to get a look at the damage he found that there wasn't a cut or injury at all. The source of blood was a deep cut at the side of his chest, near his underarm. It was still a bad injury that would need to be taken care of, but Eugene didn't think he had to worry about the kid bleeding out in a matter of minutes.

If Eugene had to take a guess, he would say that Hector's blade had enough blood on it from the cut that when it slashed across the vest, though it didn't cut through it, it left a trail, making the injury look much worse than it truly was. Eugene had always thought that Varian's black rock vest was a little ridiculous, but he wasn't ever going to tease the boy about it again. The vest had probably saved the kid's life.

Varian had probably just fainted at the sight of blood, or from shock and fear at very suddenly being attacked by his uncle, who had surely been lashing out because of Zhan Tiri. Eugene breathed a sigh of relief. Things weren't okay, but this was far better than he'd been terrified it was.

Reassured that Varian was going to be alright, Eugene looked towards the others to tell them the good news. He froze when he saw his dad on the ground, pinning down Hector who was screaming in furious and painful agony. His cries sounded more pained than Varian's had been. Something was wrong.

"Brother, calm yourself." Edmund said. Hector didn't acknowledge him at all. "Hector!"

"What's going on?" Eugene asked loudly. He could barely hear himself over Hector's screams. He didn't expect his dad to answer, but Edmund lifted his head and looked at him anyway.

"He won't listen to me." Edmund said. "I don't think he's aware of anything I say."

Eugene frowned. "It is Zhan Tiri again?" He knew that the sorceress was somehow able to manipulate Hector's mind so he couldn't hear anybody else around him. It was always concerning when it happened. That was why Varian had tried to approach Hector in the first place.

Edmund shook his head. "Not this time. I fear that this is all because of Hector's own mind." Edmund sighed in distress. "It wouldn't be the first time that Hector's own mind has attacked him because he didn't know how to handle a difficult situation.

"He's freaking out because he hurt Varian." Eugene grimaced in sympathy. "But Varian's okay. I think the cut will barely even scar."

Edmund looked at Varian. There was a hint of relief in his eyes, though he still looked incredibly pained. "I'm glad, but it won't do much for Hector now. His mind is too far gone."

"How long will it take him to calm down?" Eugene asked. He didn't want to come across as insensitive, but Hector was squirming around violently and it looked like it would be far too easy for him to hurt himself. That was probably why Edmund was pinning him down.

Edmund stared at Hector for a long time, a conflicted look in his eyes, before he steeled his expression. Eugene couldn't interpret what the look meant, but he didn't have a good feeling about it.

"I don't know." Edmund said regretfully. "It could be any minute now, it could be several hours." He looked at Eugene. "I think it might be best if you and Lance take Varian and go ahead. I'll stay behind with Hector."

"I'm not just going to leave you two alone." Eugene said. "We can take a break for a day and get to Corona when we're all able to travel." They were so close. Eugene knew that Varian was getting antsy about seeing his dad, but he'd be willing to wait another day or so if it meant Hector was well.

"Son, please." Edmund said in a pleading tone. Eugene was caught off guard and he found himself listening very carefully. "I know my brother. I know how he gets when he's like this, and trust me when I say that the boy shouldn't have to see that."

Eugene was feeling properly concerned now. "Would Varian be in danger if he stayed?" He knew that Hector hadn't hurt him on purpose, but Varian was still bleeding. "Could he get hurt again?"

"Varian would not be in any danger." Edmund said without a moment's hesitation. "But if the worst happens and I'm not strong enough to protect my brother, Varian will get hurt."

This didn't make Eugene feel any better. If anything, he was even more worried than before. He had a bad feeling about this whole thing. The way Edmund was talking about it, it was clear that Hector was in danger. Whatever that danger was, it wasn't a threat to Varian, and yet it would hurt him.

Eugene felt like he should know what was going on, but he tried really hard to not think about it. When he saw the distressed look on Lance's face he knew that his old friend felt very similarly.

"Will you be okay?" Eugene asked. His dad was quiet for a long time. He looked tired, like he aged several years in just the span of a few minutes.

"As long as Hector is alright, I shall be as well." Edmund said. "I was never as good at helping Hector as Quirin was, but my efforts will have to be good enough this time."

Eugene felt a small amount of hope. He stood up, lifting Varian into his arms as he did so. "If Quirin can help Hector, then we'll go to Old Corona, free him, and bring him back here." It was probably a shot in the dark, but Eugene had spent enough time with Rapunzel to know that even the darkest of situations could be brightened by just a small flicker of light.

Edmund didn't look nearly as optimistic as Eugene was trying to be, but there was a small amount of relief in his eyes. Eugene didn't know if the relief was because there was the possibility of Quirin being able to help, or because Eugene would be taking Varian away, just like he requested. Either way, Eugene considered the relief to be an improvement over the clear dread and fear in his dad's eyes.

"Go." Edmund said. "I'll do my best to keep Hector from doing something he may regret."

Lance made a concerned sound that was just shy of being a whimper. "Are you sure you don't want somebody to stay here with you? An extra set of hands never hurt anybody." Lance's gaze went to Edmund's single arm, and he looked embarrassed about his phrasing. "I-I mean-"

"I know what you meant." Edmund said. He didn't sound at all insulted or hurt. "I appreciate the offer, but I think it's best if Hector's comfortable, and he doesn't feel comfortable around people."

Lance sighed. "Alright. You know your brother best."

Edmund looked towards his horse. "Take Domino. She's the fastest beast I know." Domino, who was usually very stoic and subdued, gave Edmund a concerned look before she walked towards Eugene, nudging him. Eugene handed Varian to Lance, climbed onto Domino's saddle, and then took Varian back into his grip. He positioned the boy so he wouldn't fall as they rode.

"We'll be back as soon as we can." Eugene said. "I promise."

"Go ahead on the horse." Lance said. "All three of us might be a bit much for her to handle. I'll follow on foot."

"I'll see you guys soon." Eugene said. He flicked Domino's reins and gave her side a very small kick. Domino broke into a gallop that wasn't nearly as fast as Max', but it was much more smooth. Eugene didn't have to work as hard to keep Varian balanced, and they would still make decent time.

Eugene grimaced and felt bad when he felt Varian blood begin to drip onto his hand and soak through his glove. He knew that he should clean and wrap up the injury, but that would take time, and Eugene wasn't sure if they had that time right now. His dad was so concerned about Hector, and it made Eugene feel like time was of the essence.

He felt that his priority was to get Quirin. The man would probably be able to do more to help Varian and Hector than Eugene ever could. Once they got to Old Corona, Varian would be able to free his dad, Eugene would have some proper supplies to take care of the cut, which would hopefully slow in bleeding by then, and everything would be just fine.

Eugene carefully took off one of his gloves and pressed it against the cut to keep Varian from losing too much blood.

"Hang on, kid." Eugene said, though he was definitely trying to reassure himself more than the unconscious alchemist. "You're going to be fine. You'll free your dad, and your uncle's going to be okay." Eugene wasn't usually one who liked to be in denial of dire circumstances, but he couldn't think about the worst case scenario that seemed to terrify his dad so much. He pushed it to the back of his mind and just focused on Varian.

They rode for about half an hour, though they had to switch to a slower gait every few miles to give Domino the chance to recover before they went back to galloping. Eventually Varian began to stir. Eugene pulled Domino back to a more casual speed. They would continue moving, but if Varian was waking up he would probably be a little bit unsteady and extremely confused at first. If he was going to panic, Eugene would rather it happened when they weren't moving at breakneck speeds.

Varian groaned and leaned closer to Eugene. He slowly opened his eyes and sat up, looking around in confusion. "Wha-? Where…'gene?" Varian turned his head and looked at him. "Wha's going on?" Varian adjusted his position in just the wrong way, pulling on his cut. Varian flinched and began to glance down.

"Hey." Eugene said loudly, catching Varian's attention. The boy looked at him. At least he wasn't looking at his cut. Eugene hoped that if he didn't see the blood, he wouldn't faint again. Eugene had an idea of how to get the bleeding to stop, but Varian needed to be conscious for it to work.

"Just look at me." Eugene said. "I'll answer any questions you have, but first I want to try a little experiment. Do you think you can help me?"

Varian blinked rapidly. "Don't patronize me." Varian said, though there was barely any irritation in his tone. He still sounded tired and confused, and not entirely sure of what was going on. "...what kind of experiment?"

"We're going to see if you have any more control of the healing incantation than you did before." Eugene said. He looked at Varian's hair, which was much shorter than Rapunzel's, and the cut on his chest. Varian's hair would not be able to reach the injury, though Eugene didn't know if Varian's healing would work the same way as Rapunzel's had.

"Where did the magic come from anyway?" Eugene asked. "Where did it come out?"

"Uh…" Varian fiddled with the streak in his hair. "I think my hair, at least that's what Aunt Adira had me use when I healed Hector, and my streak glowed when I used the incantations." Varian frowned slightly, looking thoughtful. "But it also glows when I play with the black rocks, and I don't really use my hair for that."

"So we'll experiment with that a bit too." Eugene said. "Close your eyes, and make sure you don't look again until I say you can." Varian looked reluctant, but he sighed and closed his eyes. Eugene took the kid's hands and placed them carefully against the cut. Varian grimaced and cringed back slightly, but he forced himself to relax.

"Do you remember the incantation?" Eugene asked. Varian shook his head. "That's okay. Just repeat after me." Eugene didn't think he would ever forget the healing incantation. It was ingrained in his mind.

"Flower gleam and glow." Eugene sang. He didn't know whether the incantation actually needed to be sung, or if it would work just as well if it was just spoken, but they were already testing one of its limitations, there was no reason to push their luck. "Let your power shine."

Varian sang the beginning of the incantation, and Eugene was relieved to see that his hair began to glow a bright teal that matched the moonstone, which was glowing brighter as well.

"Make the clock reverse." Eugene continued. "Bring back what once was mine." Varian repeated the next part of the phrase. Eugene could the kid as he heated up. To Eugene, the warmth felt nice, but he was worried about it. The heat had to feel far too hot for Varian himself.

"Heal what has been hurt." Eugene sang, while Varian started to copy him so closely that he started before Eugene even finished any given phrase. "Change the fate's design. Save what has been lost, bring back what once was mine."

"What once was mine." Varian finished without prompting. He sounded breathless. "F-flower gleam and glow."

Eugene frowned when Varian started over the incantation. According to Rapunzel, saying it just once was all that was necessary. "Kid, I think that's enough." Varian seemed oblivious to what he was saying.

"Let your power shine." Varian continued to sing. Eugene adjusted Varian's position so he could get a good look at the boy. His face was red and he looked completely dazed, making him look ill. Eugene didn't want to know how bad it would get if he let Varian continue to repeat the incantation.

Eugene gave Varian's hands a tight squeeze. "Come back to me kid. L-let go of the light." He hadn't really understood what Varian meant when he said that he was nervous about getting too close to Rapunzel and her light. Seeing Varian getting hurt by something that was intended to heal, it was unsettling. Eugene still didn't understand it, but he was more sympathetic about it now than he had been before.

"It's safe to come back into the darkness, I-I promise." Eugene said. Varian's voice faltered for a moment before he continued. Eugene hoped this was a sign that he was breaking through. "You need to come back. We're going to be in Old Corona soon, and then you'll be able to save your dad. Won't that be nice?"

Varian blinked rapidly and abruptly cut off his singing in the middle of a phrase. "D-dad...Eugene?" The boy stared at him in shock and uncertainty.

"Oh, thank goodness." Eugene wrapped his arms around the kid, which was all too easy to do in this position. "Don't scare me like that, kid."

"I-I don't think I'm meant to use the sun's incantation." Varian said quietly.

"We'll definitely be avoiding doing that again." Eugene said He moved their hands, as well as his love, away from the cut. He needed to see if this had at least worked. He would feel really guilty if he'd made Varian hurt himself to try to accomplish something that had failed anyway. To Eugene's relief, the bleeding had stopped. It just looked like a raw scar on top of a really bad burn, but at least they didn't have to worry about blood loss of the wound getting infected.

Varian looked down at the healed cut in shock. He gently touched it, only to grimace at the pressure. "What...Hector!" Varian looked around in a panic. "W-where's Uncle Hector."

"He's with my dad." Eugene said. "We thought it would be best if we went ahead and saved your dad."

"But is he okay?" Varian asked Eugene didn't answer him right away, and Varian seemed to take this as a bad sign. His breath quickened. "What's wrong?!"

"I don't know." Eugene said honestly. "But don't worry, my dad will take care of him. All you need to worry about right now is getting your dad out."

Varian looked conflicted for a moment before he nodded and a familiar look of hope and absolute fear came to his face. "Dad...we're actually doing this. This is actually happening, isn't it?" Varian gave a timid little laugh. "I-I might be able to see my dad soon."

"Very soon." Eugene said with a smile. He gestured to their surroundings. "Do you recognize where we are?"

Varian looked around, brightening cheerfully as he did so. "I-I know these hills. We're just a mile or two from the wall!" Varian sounded so excited, and Eugene found his enthusiasm contagious. "We're almost home!"

"I thought you hated Corona." Eugene said. His tone was teasing, though he was genuinely curious. Varian had no love for Corona when he'd staged his attack, and Eugene didn't see why that would change after everything he'd been through.

Varian's face fell ever so slightly, and Eugene felt a little bad for saying anything. "I-I don't know how I feel about Corona." Varian said quietly, thoughtfully. "It was my home my entire life, and my dad loves it here, but the people never really understood me, and the royals…" Varian's face darkened. He took a deep breath. "I don't really want to be here anymore."

"That's okay." Eugene assured him quickly. He didn't understand why Varian would be so excited to be back, only to very quickly switch to resentment again, but he wasn't about to question the kid more. It was clear that Varian was already frustrated with his conflicted feelings, and Eugene didn't see the point in getting him even more worked up.

"You have time to work out how you feel about Corona later." Eugene said. "I'm sure you and your dad can figure out where to go from here."

Varian gave him a shaky smile, though he looked a little scared. "I-I have no idea what to do after I get my dad out. How am I supposed to tell him everything that's happened?"

Eugene grimaced in sympathy. Varian's situation was extremely complicated, and that would be difficult for anybody to talk about, but especially a child who had an already somewhat strained relationship with his father in the first place.

"Hey, kid, don't worry." Eugene said. "Whatever happens, I'll be right there with you. I may not have had your back before, but I've got it now." Eugene would help Varian talk to his dad, and if they ran into any guards he would mediate between them as well. Eugene had said he would give Varian a second chance, so he was going to give him as good a second chance as was possible.

Now that Varian was awake and aware it was safe for Eugene to bring Domino back to a gallop. Varian clutched tightly to the saddle. He seemed to switch between excitement and dread. Eugene wondered if Varian would be able to find the will to make the journey back to Old Corona if he was travelling all on his own. At least this was one thing that Eugene could do for him, give him the push he needed to overcome his fear.

After what felt like no time at all they saw the Coronan wall in front of them. Eugene could still see the massive hole that the black rocks had broken through back when they'd faced Varian. Now only had they reached Corona, they were at Old Corona. Even from this distance Eugene could see the old castle through the hole in the wall. Varian's home.

Varian took in a shaky breath. "There it is."

"Are you ready for this?" Eugene asked. Varian shook his head.

"Not even a little bit." Despite his words, Varian couldn't seem to stop smiling. "Let's go."

Eugene chuckled. He gave Domino a very small kick, and even though she was already going at a gallop she increased her speed even more, sacrificing her smooth gait for a faster pace. She would definitely be able to give Max a run for his money if she ran like this. They were soon running through the wall.

It was finally time to see if Varian's new connection to the moonstone would give him the power to free his father. Eugene hoped it would, but for better or worse he would be at Varian's side every step of the way.

They'd come this far. There was no point in turning back now.