Open wide sky with nothing on the horizon gave way to the sun. The heat kissed the cheek. A welcoming comfort in the gentle wind. The wave lapping against the base of the white columns. A peaceful world. Yet, Lucio could not shake the feeling of trepidation in the air. There was no sound. No rustling wind moving through the curtains. No crashing water on the rock. Nothing.

His steps echoed, breaking the silence. His heart hammered thunderously in its cage. Loud in his ears. His palms were wet with sweat. Throat drier than the sahara. He forcefully swallowed a lump in his throat. Flames licking his hands. Whispering of excitement and anticipation.

Lucio stood at the edge of the parthenon. Hand rested on the column. Eyes gazed on the far horizon. Blue and white. Nothing else.

He let out a breath, he unknowingly held. Lucio looked down and wiped his face. Leaning on the column. With head raised he let out a shuddering breath. Eyes opened. Watching the unchanging sky.

Lucio pushed himself off the column. Not watching his footing. He fell on the ice-cold water. Water immediately filled his lungs. He kicked and pushed, trying to break free. Another kick. He broke the surface. He coughed. Gasped. Pain in his chest. Yet, he paid no attention to the pain. Eyes immediately to the sky. Mouth ajar. Heart thundering.

A single star twinkle in the sky.

A star surrounded by a halo of deep navy blue. The color bled. Changing the once morning sky to dawn. Burst of new colors. Violet, pink, purple, orange, red, yellow, and green. A puff of fluffy cloud slowly formed.

Between all of those, Lucio could hear a new sound. Not his soul song. Something new. Weak and faraway. Yet, loud to his heart.

Suddenly, he was pulled into the water. He fought to no avail. His strength left him. He could only watch the star twinkle at him as his world went black.

"Morning."

Lucio looked at the face hovering above him. Michael's overly cheery smile. Lucio glared at the offending face and pulled his blanket over his head. Trying to enter his mindscape. Unfortunately, his blanket was pulled away from him.

"Rise and shine. Shine your light. Shine your smile. It's time to greet the sun," sang Michael in his most obnoxious voice.

Again and again, Michael sang those words. Lucio closed his eyes and ears. Pillows over his head. Trying to ignore the annoying intruder. To no avail. The more Lucio tried to ignore him. The louder Michael sang.

Lucio's eyelid twitched. He bit the inside of his cheek. Tasting blood. He clenched the pillow. In one move, he hurled his pillow at Michael. Hitting him square in the face.

"Get out," hissed Lucio. His teeth grinding with each other. Lip tugged into a snarl. Eyebrows taut and nose wrinkled.

Michael dropped the pillow on the floor. He blinked at Lucio. He titled his head. Shoulder slacked and lip pulled in a playful smirk. Legs tensed like a spring being pushed down.

Lucio looked at him with suspicion. The hairs on the back of his head stood up. His eyes widened as understanding hit him. Lucio scrambled to get down from his bed. It was too late. Michael pounced on him like a cat on a mouse.

Michael placed his hands on each side of Lucio's head, trapping him. His grin became bigger and bigger, getting more predatory as time passed. His shoulder moved at a languid pace. Fingers flexed. Eyes hooded. Inciting panic in Lucio's eyes. Michael's hand trailed on the soft mattress, hitting on the thick blanket. He grasped the blanket and pulled it over Lucio, wrapping him like a dumpling. Lucio yelped but ignored. Michael's eyes lit with mischief as he gave Lucio noogies.

Lucio kicked and punched. Many times grazing Michael's cheek, leaving traces of bruises on his tan skin. "Get off! Get off! Get off!" cried Lucio rapidly. His voice was muffled by the thick blanket. In his panic and total darkness, Lucio's kick landed on something precious.

Michael howled in pain. Tears brimming in his eyes. Bile rose in his throat as nausea hit him. His ears rang, making his pounding headache worse. His joints slacked as the pain travelled to every part of his body. His loosened grip gave chance for Lucio to push him off. He laid on the mattress with eyes clenched shut. Hands covering his groin.

Lucio sat beside him. He blinked and looked around. He looked back at Michael and scratched his jaw. "Umm," hummed Lucio as he leaned to Michael, "you're okay?"

Michael opened one of his eyes, full of pain and hatred. "Do I look okay?" groaned Michael between his gritted teeth.

Lucio scurried down from the bed. "Uh, I'll go get help." Michael's groans of pain were the only answer he received.

Lucio ran through the hallway, ignoring all the greetings towards. His feet skidded on the marble floor. He winced from the sharp burn on his feet. He ran and ran, till he abruptly stopped by a figure leaving a room.

"Watch it!" warned Helen as she moved aside to dodge the surefire crash. Her hand thrust to steady Lucio.

"Sorry, Zia Helen." Lucio looked back. He caught a glimpse of the still-open door. Theo was putting on a shirt as he walked towards them.

"What's the rush?" asked Helen. She let go of Lucio's shoulder.

Theo stood beside Helen as he closed the door. He snaked an arm around her waist and pulled to his side.

"Umm," hummed Lucio, uncomfortable with the sudden display of affection.

Helen leaned on Theo's shoulder. Arms crossed and an eyebrow raised. "Well?"

"I'm looking for Zio Hector," confessed Lucio.

Helen pushed Theo away and kneeled in front of Lucio. Her eyes scanned his body, looking for a sign of injury. "Are you okay?" Her hands hovered, not knowing where to put them.

"Not me." Lucio stepped back.

"Then who?"

Lucio snapped his head to the source of the voice. Hector was standing behind Helen with Theo in tow.

Lucio looked at him. Mouth slightly opened. Brows furrowed. "How?"

Theo whistled, gaining Lucio's attention. His hands moved, signing that he brought Hector there just as Helen pushed him away.

"Who is injured?" asked Hector, pulling Lucio's attention back to him.

Lucio blinked. He shifted from right to left. Eyes avoided looking at anyone. "Mmm, Fratello Mike," mumbled Lucio with his hands clasped in front of him.

"Ah." Hector put his hand under Lucio's chin to make Lucio look him in the eyes. "How did he get hurt?"

Lucio bit his lips. He shifted his eyes to his right.

"Lucio."

"I kicked him!" blurted Lucio. His cheeks and neck were bright red.

Hector pulled his hand. He blinked at Lucio's fidgeting figure. He turned to his twin and her husband. They all were surprised and amused. Hector cleared his throat and wiped away his slowly rising grin. "Where?" His voice shook from concealed laughter. "Where did you kick him?"

Lucio became redder and redder. Eyes shifted from right to left in embarrassment. "Well, you know." His hand moved around trying to convey his words.

Helen kneeled beside Hector. She clenched Lucio's shoulder, forcing him to look at her. "Lucio," called Helen, "It's fine."

Lucio took a deep and sudden breath causing him to cough. Helen waited for him to calm down and asked, "Now, can you tell me where Mike is?"

Lucio nodded. "My room."

Helen stood up and turned around. "Boys," she called Hector and Theo. She did a quick jab with her head, pointing at Lucio's room. They started walking as she ordered. Helen turned to Lucio, offering her hand and smiled. "Shall we?"

Lucio took her hand and returned to his room.

Helen looked at Lucio from the corner of her eyes. She cleared her throat in the same way as Hector, drawing attention from two men in front of her. "So," she said while pulling the syllables, "what happened?"

Lucio looked at the floor, finding the reflecting light more interesting.

"Come on, you can tell me," urged Helen as she slightly nudged Lucio to the side.

Lucio looked at Hector's back. He curled his eyebrows. Lip between his teeth. He scuffled his soles.

Helen noticed the action. She raised one of her eyebrows. A mischievous grin bloomed on her face. She coughed to mask her laughter. She took a deep breath and forced her face to be neutral. Helen looked back at Lucio and said, "No one is going to be mad. Or, laugh. Promise."

Lucio mumbled under his breath.

Helen leaned slightly to him. She moved her golden locks from her ear, trying to get a better hear. From the corner of her eyes, she could see Theo and Hector slowing down their footsteps. They moved their heads slightly to catch Lucio's words.

"What was it?" prodded Helen, again.

Lucio raised his head. A blush bloomed on his cheeks and ears. "We're here!" blurted him as he barged into his room.

The others looked at each other. Their curiosity increased. They shrugged their shoulders and stepped inside. There they found Michael laying on the bed. Curling in pain and holding his crotch. Whimpers and groans of pain slipped from his lips.

Michael opened his eyes. His eyes fell on Theo's grinning face. "Fuck… of," he said between groan of pain with a glare.

Theo's grin became bigger. He snorted as if mocking Michael's pain. He leaned on the door with his hands crossed over his chest, making himself comfortable.

Hector cleared his throat for breaking the ice or to conceal his laughter, no one knew. He stepped beside Lucio, standing on the side of the bed. While his twin sister sat on the edge of the bed, holding her grin. Hector looked at Lucio with a raised eyebrow and repeated the same question as before, "What happened?"

Lucio ducked his head and recited what happened before. As he uttered the last word, his mouth closed with a click. He looked at the bedsheet, waiting for any reaction. Not long after, he received the reaction.

Theo leaned on the door frame, trying to stay upright. His mouth opened in silent laughter. His shoulder shook. On the bed, Helen held her stomach and covered her mouth. Silencing her laughter. While Hector snorted and let his amusement be known to the world. A huge grin and eyes bright with laughter.

Michael glared at everyone. Only to garner more laughter.

Hector took a deep breath to calm himself. He started to heal Michael with a yellow-sunny flame on his hand.

"Wipe that fucking grin!" growled Michael at Hector only to incite another snort.

"Language," admonished Hector.

"Fuck you!"

Lucio bit his lips. Eyes unsure. Until a pale hand pulled to sit. He looked up and found Helen's giggling face. She patted his head and said, "Good job."

Michael snapped his head to Helen. Eyes bright with anger. "Did you just fucking praise him?!"

Hector clicked his tongue and pushed Michael's head down. "Lan—"

"It's fucking Italian!" snapped Michael at Hector.

Theo walked closer to them. He stood beside Hector and leaned over Michael. He made a face, mocking Michael's pain.

Michael spat curses after curses. He squirmed, trying to break free. Only to have a sharp pain in his crotch. He howled in pain.

"Lay still! Unless you want a castration." Hector pushed Michael's shoulder, forcing him to stay still.

Helen stood up and pulled Lucio out. "Let the boys have their fun."

"I'm a boy," reminded Lucio.

Helen snorted and pinched Lucio's cheek. "You're a baby."

Lucio pouted. He pushed the offending hand away and said, "Not a baby."

In one move, Helen pulled Lucio into her arms and carried him. "See," Helen pointed on her action, "still fit in my arms, still a baby."

"I'm ten," argued Lucio as he fought to be put down. But, Helen's grip would not loosen.

Helen made an agreeing sound. "A big baby, then."

Lucio huffed, losing his argument. He crossed his arms and watched the scenery pass as Helen took him to the dining room.

Gabriel looked at them with a raised eyebrow. Espresso hanging in front of his lips. He eyed Lucio critically, filing for any signs of distress. Finding none, he resumed drinking his espresso. He took a sip and greeted, "Morning," to Helen, "How was your night?" to Lucio.

"Morning," greeted Helen back. She pulled a chair across from Gabriel.

"Weird," said Lucio as he was seated by Helen.

Gabriel put his espresso on the saucer with a sharp click. He nodded to Helen as she took a toast from the table and left. Gabriel turned to Lucio and inquired "Explain, weird."

Lucio picked a cornetto filled with custard. "I had a weird dream." He pulled a pitcher full of milk. "I think it was a dream." He poured the milk into a glass. He put down the pitcher and looked at Gabriel. Eyebrows tight. "It felt so real. Like, I meant to be there."

Gabriel clasped his hands on the table. "What was it?"

"I was in a temple, I guess?"

"Temple?"

Lucio shrugged and bit on his cornetto.

"What kind? Roman? Greek? Hinduism?"

Lucio swallowed his cornetto. "Greco-Roman."

Gabriel tapped his chin. "What did you feel?"

Lucio seemed to be finding his glass of milk interesting. "Something… changes."

"Good change or bad?"

"Good, I think." Lucio raised his head, looking at his father with furrowed brows. "Like the feeling before a prank goes on."

Gabriel smirked. "The anticipation of pranking Michael?"

Lucio squirmed. "Yes…"

"Is that why I hear him screaming from your room?"

"No."

Gabriel drank his espresso while watching his son squirm in his seat. Letting the silence hang between them. "After your morning practices, go ask your mother for some meditation."

"Why?"

Only Gabriel's smirk answered Lucio's question.

Lucio huffed and gulped down his milk. He threw an indignant look at Gabriel showing his unhappiness for the added secrecy. He walked out to the training grounds outside. Empty.

He did some stretches and warm-up, taking a few laps around the grounds. Suddenly, a projectile was shot at him. Lucio rolled over, dodging it. His senses went alert. Eyes wide open jumping from one object to another. Trying to find the origin.

His ears perked up. He jumped and ran towards the trees surrounding the ground. His back hit the dark bark. He took a breath, easing his heart and body. He turned slightly, trying to catch a glimpse of his assailant. But, a bullet stopped him. It hit the ground, a few centimeters away from his feet.

Lucio hid himself again. He waited and waited for another attack. Nothing came. He opened his ears, filing for every sound around him. A rustle came from the bush on his side. He ran towards the tree in front of him. Using his momentum, he kicked the tree and landed on a branch. He hid himself again under the leaves and thick trunk. He pulled a gun. Holding it, he took a peek on the ground. Nothing.

"Boo."

Lucio turned around and jumped off the tree. He released a few shots on the owner of the voice. Just as his feet touched the ground, he took a cover. He checked his gun, making sure he still had enough rounds.

He took a breath and went out of his cover while pointing the gun. No one was there. He pulled the gun close to himself, making sure it would not be easily taken away from him.

A man jumped out of the trees. Lucio fired a round at him, putting him down in a matter of seconds. Still pointing his gun, Lucio kicked the man making sure he was down. Before he could take another breath, Lucio was pulled away. A knife on his throat, drawing some blood. Three more assailants came out in front of him.

"Be a nice boy and put the gun down," ordered the voice behind him.

Lucio raised his hands and dropped the gun. Feeling the knife slightly pulled away from his throat, Lucio held the offending arm and flipped the assailant. Using him as a shield from the barrage of bullets, Lucio picked his gun and went deeper in the woods.

Using his small stature and nimbleness, he weaved around the trees and unpaved grounds. He pulled some branches, hitting his assailants in the face. He jumped on trees, released rounds after rounds, and used the ground to his advantage.

Unfortunately, luck was not on his side. An assailant managed to tackle him down. Hot white pain went through his body as sharp rocks and dead branches dug into his side. Lucio punched his attacker's jaw with the heel of his palm, resulting in a sickening crack. He pushed the man away. Body ready for another attack.

A sharp clap of hand accompanied with, "That's enough," eased his mind and body.

Lucio looked at the source, sitting on a branch high on a tree. "Diego," he said with a release of breath.

Diego jumped off. He looked down on the dead assailant and whistled. "Damn, that's going to be hell to fix."

Yes. All the assailants were not human. In fact, they were robots.

Diego pushed the robot slightly with his foot. "Did you pissed off Michael, or something?" he asked as he turned to Lucio. "They were more hostile than I expected."

Lucio coughed. "Or something."

Diego looked at Lucio with brows raised, asking for more clarification. He found none. He shrugged. "Good job handling them," he praised.

Lucio preened.

"But," cut Diego, putting an end to Lucio's proud moment. "You could do better." He hummed and walked towards Lucio. "Let's see. I'll give you an A for effort and planning. B for execution."

"I wasn't that bad," argued Lucio.

"True," agreed Diego. "But, you made a few mistakes."

"Only a few," grumbled Lucio under his breath. A petulant look on his face.

Diego's gaze hardened. He closed his lips in a tight line. "Mistakes that can cost your life," he snapped. Voice harsh and sharp.

Lucio flinched from the gaze and tone. He looked down, ashamed. "Sorry."

Diego sighed. He pinched his nose as if asking for strength and patience. He looked back at Lucio. Brows furrowed and lips pulled in a fond smile. "Hey," he called as he pulled Lucio's chin, making Lucio look at him. "You did great, but carelessness can cost your life."

"What did I do wrong?"

Diego took a step back and snapped his fingers. A red dot was on Lucio's chest. "That," pointed Diego. "Those," he pointed towards his back with his thumb. A bunch of robots walked out, menacing. Their faces were covered in masks. "And, this," he said as he covered his mouth and nose. A non-noticeable greyish mist weaved around them. Odourless and wet.

Not soon after, Lucio struggled to stay up. His world spun around him. Black spots dancing in his eyes. His throat dried and burned. His knees buckled under his own weight, and he fell on the ground. The last thing he saw was Diego's face.

The scent of grass tickled Lucio's nose as he slowly regained consciousness. He opened his sky-blue eyes. A ladybug sitting on a blade of grass was the first thing he saw. He finally noticed; he was laying on his stomach on the ground.

"How was your sleep, sleeping beauty?"

Lucio pushed himself to a sitting position. He turned to Diego's grinning face.

"Or, is it prince charming?" mocked Diego.

Lucio glared at Diego. The same glare he shared with his father. But, not as scary.

Diego raised a brow. "Give a few more years and you'll scare off the birds."

Lucio rolled his eyes. He adjusted his position, leaning on the tree behind him. He took a deep breath and relaxed his shoulder. As he crossed his arms, he turned to Diego. "So?"

"So, never assume there will be on-ground attackers. Always assume more."

Lucio sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "I know."

"If you know," Diego's voice became gentler, "why didn't you do it?"

Lucio shrugged. He averted his eyes.

Diego pulled Lucio's chin, forcing Lucio to look at him. "Why?"

Lucio looked at Diego's unwavering eyes. "Get your filthy hands off me," he hissed.

Diego smirked. "Nice try, kid. Try again."

Lucio gritted his teeth. Clenched his hand, before he finally relented. "Papa could do it," he said only slightly above whisper.

Diego released Lucio and smiled, a fond smile. "Your dad is fully trained and highly experienced."

"I'm not."

"You're not," agreed Diego, "But, you have time to learn." He puffed his chest and raised his chin. "Especially from someone as experienced as me." He thumped his chest.

Lucio snorted. "Yeah, right."

Diego pouted. "I'm serious!"

"Skye is more experienced than you," pointed Lucio mockingly.

Diego curled his lips in distaste. "That's out of line, kid. Out of line!"

Lucio raised a brow at the remarks.

Diego thumped his head on one of his knees. "Why can't ya be cute and obedient just like when we train?" he complained. His accent became more pronounced. "But, nooo! Ya need to be such a, a pain in the ass!"

"Not a pain."

"Oh, right," drawled Diego. "You more like." He cleared his throat and stood up. A tough looking expression on him. "Me, Lucio," Diego mocked with a higher pitch voice, "Me need to be big and strong." He turned to Lucio and spat, "Bah! Venga, be a kid!"

Lucio threw a ball of orange and purple at Diego. His lips pulled in a snarl. Eyes spitting fire.

Diego yelped and fell on the ground. He ground his teeth. He pushed himself off and sent a furious glare at Lucio. "Ya wanna play?" he hissed between his teeth. "I'll give ya play." He tackled Lucio to the ground.

They wrestled on the ground. Kicking, biting, punching, and headbutting like wild animals. Curses and insults slipped and traded like a game card between them.

"Ungrateful brat!"

"Shithead!"

"Mama's boy!"

"Poacher!"

"You little shit!"

"Fuck!"

"Sonava—"

"Geezer!"

After a moment of wrestling and throwing insults, they stopped. Diego sat on the ground, panting. His elbows rested on his knees and head between the knees, watching the ants move across. Beside him, Lucio was laying, trying to get his breathing even out. Their bodies were covered in sweats, filth, dirt, and dust. Bite marks and bruises slowly turned blue.

They looked at each other. Silence hung between them. Broken with a burst of laughter. Diego tucked his head, hiding his grin and snickers. Lucio bit his lips, trying to stop his giggle.

Diego took a deep breath to calm himself and stood up. He dusted the dirt off his pants, to no avail. He turned to Lucio and offered his hand. "Come on, kid. Let's get you clean."

Lucio accepted the silent truce between them and stood up. They walked to the mansion. Only parted away to the respecting rooms. Only after he was clean and fresh out of the shower, Lucio came to his mother.

"Mama," he greeted.

Marissa ended her katas and turned to Lucio, still holding her staff. "Hi, sweetheart."

"So," Lucio stepped inside the indoor training room. "Papa asked me to get some meditation."

Marissa nodded. "I know." She pointed with her head to the corner of the down. "Why don't we sit down."

Lucio sat on the training mattress and waited for his mother to finish her practice. Her movement was like dancing. Mesmerizing. Her breathing was even. There were no meaningless movements. Precise and calculated. Every kick, swing, jump. Everything.

As soon as she finished her last move, Marissa turned to Lucio. "So, what's the problem?" she asked as she walked to her son.

Lucio shrugged. "Don't know. Papa only told me to do meditation."

Marissa quirked an eyebrow and hummed. "Huh? Okay, then." She sat down in front of Lucio. "Take a comfortable position and close your eyes," she ordered. "Take a deep breath. In." She waited a few seconds. "And, out."

Lucio did as he was ordered.

"I want you to feel your breath inside. You might feel a pull, follow it."

Slowly the world muffled around him. Till there was nothing. Curious, Lucio opened his eyes. He could not believe what he saw. He was in the same place in his dream. He stood up and wandered. Something was calling him. He stopped on the same spot he slipped before. He looked up. There was no longer a star in the sky.

There were thousands, maybe millions scattering inside the no-longer clear blue sky. It was twilight.

His heart was thundering inside him. He looked at the horizon. Finally noticing the change. The water was receding, letting a green valley to show its glory. The water turned into a massive river, weaved around the temple. Trees grew rapidly, decorating the temple in green and forming a massive tree line in the far horizon.

A sharp and sudden cry broke the heavy silence. Lucio snapped to his side. One could wonder how he did not get a whiplash. There sitting on the ground near him was a baby. A six-month baby girl.

Lucio took a deep and sudden breath, causing him to cough. His action caused those big deep amber-colored eyes to look at him. He gulped a lump in his throat and kneeled in front of her. He pushed away a strand of messy tawny hair. Flames—his cloudy sky flame and the baby's pure sky flame—sparked between them the moment he touched the baby. Not in a bad way. In a good way. He knew what that meant.

"Hi," Lucio greeted the baby. A huge grin almost split his face, inviting a smile from the baby. He licked his dry lips. "I'm Lucio and I'm your soulmate." He caressed the baby's cheek. "I will not let anything happen to you. Promise."