Chapter Nine

"It's lunchtime!"

The call was very welcome. The Bunch practically stampeded into the dining room of the villa.

Kalin lingered behind with Radley. "Are you ready to take a break?"

Radley sighed in exasperation as he looked up from his people search on his laptop. "Finding people named Devack is not easy," he proclaimed. "In fact, I've only turned up one guy. He's living back in New Domino City." He set the laptop aside and got up. Food sounded like a good idea.

Kalin sighed too. "That's probably him then. Is there an address?"

"Yeah." Radley looked to Kalin. "Are you really going to see if Yusei can talk to him?"

"Or Jack, maybe," Kalin said.

"Jack would certainly be more intimidating," Radley chuckled. "Although I wonder if Devack would be moved at all even then."

"Probably not, to be honest," Kalin grunted. "But we have to try something."

"I know," Radley agreed.

Kalin took out his phone. "I'll call Yusei and then come eat."

Radley nodded. "Should I stay or do you want to talk to him alone?"

Kalin paused, pondering that. "It's fine either way," he said then.

Radley nodded. "Maybe I should stay then. I don't want it to look like I'm always leaving you to weather things alone."

"Yusei wouldn't think that," Kalin assured him.

"I don't think he would either," Radley agreed.

Kalin dialed Yusei's number and waited. In a moment the phone clicked and Yusei appeared using the holographic feature. "Hey, guys," he greeted. "How's it going?"

"Hello," Radley said. "Things are . . . interesting. Some good and some bad."

"And unfortunately, some of the bad is that someone who's unusually interested in the Princes and seems to have dark magic abilities knows Devack," Kalin said.

Yusei started. "Huh?! Are you sure?"

"We're sure, Yusei," Kalin said. "It looks like Devack may be living there in the City. Is there any chance you or Jack could talk to him?"

"We could try," Yusei said. "What would you want us to say?"

Kalin and Radley expounded on the bizarre events at the university, describing in detail all that Anastasius had said and done. Yusei listened grimly.

"So," Radley said in conclusion, "maybe focus on asking about that guy. See if Devack knows what his powers are or where they come from. And how to protect ourselves from him."

"Right," Yusei said. "You guys be careful. He sounds like a real piece of work."

"He is," Kalin said.

Radley sighed in agreement. He wouldn't say anything against his great-great-grandparents on the phone, but he certainly wished Anastasius hadn't been invited over.

". . . Aside from this, how are you two doing?" Yusei asked.

"We're alright," Kalin said. "But we don't know how to deny the reincarnation angle any more. We've found more things . . . including a diary written in my handwriting."

Yusei frowned deeply. "I see."

"That one is pretty hard to explain away," Radley said.

"Yeah, I guess it would be," Yusei said. From his expression, he still wasn't sure what to think. He looked back to Kalin. "Are you okay with that, Kalin?"

"I don't know," Kalin said. "There's still a lot of things I don't understand and don't have satisfying answers for. But . . . since I have no other real explanation for this, I'm trying to accept it. I do appreciate the idea that Radley and I cared about each other before. I . . . I just wonder about you and the others and where you are in all this. We haven't found any indication any of you lived back then too."

"Don't worry about us," Yusei said. "Maybe you'll find out we were there too. And if not, there's nothing wrong with some meaningful friendships only being exclusive to one lifetime."

Kalin slowly nodded. "No, there isn't. Thank you, Yusei."

Radley smiled a bit, relieved that Yusei wasn't going to keep pushing for them not to accept what seemed to be the truth. "Be careful if you talk to Devack," he said.

"We definitely will be," Yusei promised.

Kalin gave him the address. "We'll check in again later," he said.

"If we find out anything, we'll let you know," Yusei said.

As they hung up, Valentina peeked in at them. "Aren't you boys coming?" she asked. "Lunch is ready!"

Radley looked up and smiled at her. "We're definitely coming," he promised. "We just needed to take care of something first, but it's done now." He got up.

Kalin stood too. "How closely did you read through the diary?" he quietly asked Radley.

"There's still a lot I didn't really read," Radley told him. "I'm hoping to get to that after lunch. And I wonder if Prince Ramon had a diary too."

"Maybe. But maybe it's lost," Kalin said.

"I hope not," Radley frowned.

"No one seems to know about one," Kalin said.

"It could be hidden too. Maybe it will turn out that your family has it," Radley suggested. "We really should try to meet them while we're here. I'm sure they're nicer than your parents."

"They probably are," Kalin said. "And they'll probably still want a celebration."

"And we'll give them one, just as soon as it seems like a good time for a celebration," Radley said. "The Bunch wouldn't turn down a party either."

"Do they ever?" Kalin deadpanned.

Radley smirked. "I've never seen it happen."

"I didn't think so," Kalin smirked back.

They headed into the dining room for lunch.

xxxx

Yusei looked overwhelmed as he hung up the phone. Antinomy glanced over at him from where he was working on the computer and petting Monkey the Siamese cat at the same time. "What was that all about?"

"Well, I told you what Kalin's been going through lately," Yusei said.

"The reincarnation thing?" Antinomy remembered.

"Yeah," Yusei nodded. "Now they've found a diary written by this prince, and it's in Kalin's handwriting."

Antinomy quirked an eyebrow. "Really."

"I wonder if people ever have handwriting similar to their ancestors'," Yusei mused.

"I wouldn't know, but does it matter?" Antinomy said.

Yusei sighed. "I just don't want Kalin caught up in believing something he really doesn't want to believe just because he thinks he has to or that it's the only answer. He's been too weighed down by the past for years now. I've seen he's happier when he just lives in the present."

Antinomy leaned back, resting his hands on his knees. "Kalin will have to come to his own conclusions about this," he said. "And if he decides to believe in this, you'll have to accept that."

"And I will,just as long as I know Kalin will be happy that way," Yusei insisted.

"Yusei." Antinomy got up and walked over to him, resting a hand on his shoulder. "I want you to be happy too, not taking on everyone's burdens again. Just focus on your own life."

"But my life wouldn't mean anything without the people I love," Yusei said. He sighed. "Kalin is so important to me. I looked up to him and idolized him as my leader, and then we were brothers. I could never give up on him no matter how far he fell into the darkness."

"And you saved him," Antinomy said. "He's living in the light now, thanks to you."

"I'm glad if anything I did helped him on that path," Yusei said. "In spite of everything I did, he never would have recovered if Radley hadn't been alright, and I know I didn't have anything to do with Radley healing."

"Kalin wouldn't have even got his mind clear to recognize how much he cared about Radley if it hadn't been for you," Antinomy said. "And if he hadn't realized that, Radley likely wouldn't have healed. Radley has asserted many times that it was only when he realized Kalin actually cared about him that he got the strength to fight to live."

Yusei considered that. ". . . Maybe you're right," he relented.

"I am," Antinomy said.

". . . Well, in any case, I need to go talk to a former Dark Signer who apparently knows someone Kalin and Radley have run into in Spain," Yusei said. "He might have some answers. He probably won't be willing to give any, but I have to try."

"Then I'll come with you," Antinomy immediately said.

Yusei smiled a bit. "Thanks. I just hope it'll work."

"All we can do is try," Antinomy said.

Monkey meowed in apparent agreement.

xxxx

Lunch was delicious but tense as everyone worried what to do about Anastasius's visit and whether Devack would or would not tell anything to Yusei. When it was over, Radley settled in with the diary to see what he might have missed before. Kalin sat nearby, listening to him read.

It was after some time when Radley sat straight up with a happy exclamation. "Here they are!" he announced.

Kalin started. "What?!"

"'Today I told you about my cousin Yusei,'" Radley read. "'I played with him and his friends Jack and Carl as a child, but as adults we've had too many duties to stay together as we would have liked.'"

Kalin stared at him. "That's really what it says?!"

"Yeah!" Radley showed him the pages. "See, here's their names!"

Kalin could see them clearly amid the Spanish of the rest of the words. ". . . Carl?"

Radley laughed. "I guess 'Crow' is a name unique to this go-around, like 'Radley' for me. It must be him when the others are there, don't you think?"

". . . Yes, it must." Kalin kept staring at the page. "Then it can be denied no longer."

"Yeah." Radley sounded quieter now. ". . . Well, I guess there's still that chance of it being all our ancestors, but that's getting out there by this point, isn't it?"

Kalin didn't answer. "Yusei," he said softly. "We were actually related back then. . . ."

Radley smiled a bit. "That's really nice," he said. "There are upsides to having everything you thought you knew about how things work turned on its head."

"I wish Yusei was still my biological family in this life," Kalin frowned. "The Kesslers in this generation are nothing to be proud of."

"You are, at least," Radley said. "Even though I know you don't think so."

"I don't," Kalin agreed with a grunt.

"And you do have good family members," Radley continued with a smile. "True family isn't always who you're related to."

Kalin finally smiled a bit. "I know. And you're right." He moved closer to Radley and drew an arm around him, hugging him close.

Radley smiled too, relaxing against Kalin. "Should I keep reading?"

"Yeah," Kalin said.

Radley read until Kalin's phone rang with a call from Yusei. He answered, and Yusei smiled to see them cozy and happy. "Hey, guys," he greeted them.

"Hello," Radley smiled.

"Hello, Yusei," Kalin said.

"Antinomy and I went to see Devack," Yusei reported. "I'm sorry to say he wasn't helpful."

Kalin grimaced. "Did he not know anything or did he just refuse to tell what he knew?"

"He insisted he didn't know anything about the Princes and he said he hadn't heard from Anastasius in years," Yusei said. "He claimed not to know anything about powers like you described."

Radley sighed. "Well, thanks for trying. I'm glad he didn't try to hurt you."

Kalin nodded. "It could have been dangerous."

"Then Antinomy and I would have fought back," Yusei said.

"How did Devack act?" Kalin wondered. "Did he give the information willingly?"

"He almost spat it out," Yusei said. "He wasn't happy to see me."

Kalin frowned. "I wonder if he was telling the truth."

"Me too," Yusei said. "I get the feeling he was, though."

Radley and Kalin exchanged a silent look. Kalin turned back to Yusei. "Radley found a passage in the diary," he announced. "Apparently Prince Kalin had a cousin named Yusei."

Yusei started, looking shocked. "He did?!"

Radley nodded. "And friends named Jack and Carl."

"If they are us and not our ancestors, that must be Crow," Kalin interjected.

Yusei slumped back. From his expression, he clearly hadn't expected anything like this to happen. And he still didn't know what to think. "It could still be our ancestors," he said at last. "Our families all being connected through the ages would be a powerful thing too."

"Yes, it would be," Radley said. "And if they're our ancestors, you and Kalin would still be distantly related now."

Kalin hadn't even thought of that. ". . . That would be amazing," he rasped.

"It would," Yusei agreed. "But we're family regardless."

"Always," Kalin said.

"So what are you guys going to do now?" Yusei asked.

"Billy is researching castles in the area," Radley said, "but we probably won't have a chance to look at any until after this guy leaves."

Yusei nodded. "Just be careful, okay? He sounds like someone you can't turn your back on for a minute."

"We won't let him out of our sight," Kalin vowed.

They both looked thoughtful as they hung up several minutes later.

"Yusei is still thinking the other explanation is possible," Radley remarked. "Do you think he's right or is he just in denial?"

Kalin shook his head. "I don't even know anymore. And I'm tired of trying to figure it out. We'll probably have to draw our own conclusions about it, like we thought in the first place. I just thought I'd made up my mind, but then Yusei's insistence confuses me again. Let's just try to focus on the here and now and not think about what was or what might have been."

"Yeah," Radley sighed. "Let's do that." It was easier said than done, but they would try again.

The rest of the time leading up to the visit passed peacefully. But then it was four and Anastasius was pulling up right on time. Radley drew a deep breath. "Well, here we go." He looked to Valentina and Antonio, who were mentally preparing for the man's entrance.

"Let's do this," Antonio said.

Anastasius came up the walk with a nervous but genuine smile. "Hello! I've been looking so forward to this all day!" he greeted.

Everyone exchanged bewildered looks. That was it—no mention of what had happened at the dean's office at all. Now he looked like the awkward professor they had met at first.

"If I didn't know better, I'd say he doesn't even remember what happened," Virgil snorted.

"Or he's pretending not to," Kalin said.

"Then we will play along," Valentina said. She smiled brightly at the man. "Yes, of course! Come right in!"

They all watched Anastasius like a hawk as they headed for the collection room. He rambled on of how excited he was and how wonderful this would be for his book, never seeming the least bit dangerous. When they reached the room, he just stopped and stared in awe. "Fantastic!" he breathed. He took out his camera. "May I?"

"Of course!" Valentina said.

He moved about the room with a reverent air, taking pictures of every painting and sculpture. Everyone else continued to stare.

"This is more than a little weird," Virgil frowned. "What's his deal?"

Radley frowned. "I don't know." He tapped his fingers on his upper arm. ". . . Could he really not remember?"

Kalin grunted. "What would cause that? A split personality?"

"Maybe," Radley agreed. "I think Devack needs to be questioned again. Maybe you could call Devack and talk to him yourself. You might be right that he'd tell you things he wouldn't tell anyone else."

"It's not like we were close," Kalin grimaced. "He kept away from everyone except Roman. But I'm willing to try."

Radley nodded. "Let's do that after this guy leaves."

Scotch was using his phone to quietly record the scene with Anastasius. When Biff realized and shot him a look, Scotch frowned in return. "We need proof!" he hissed. "This is weird!"

Biff had to sigh in resignation. He could hardly deny that.

By now Anastasius had explored the entire room and was coming upon the music box. He stopped, just gazing at it in amazement. "You even have this!" he exclaimed.

That reaction surprised Radley. "What is it?" he asked. It wasn't mentioned in the legend. How did Anastasius seem to know of it?

"There's a beautiful painting of Prince Ramon giving this music box to Prince Kalin," Anastasius said. "I could never find out if it was real or just an idea the artist had! But clearly it is indeed real!"

"Yes, we are very proud of this piece," Valentina said. "But that is one painting we do not have! Do you have it?"

"I've only heard it described by art lovers," Anastasius said. "To find it is my Grail!"

Valentina and Antonio exchanged a look. "We would like to find it now too," Antonio said.

"Then perhaps we can help each other!" Anastasius implored. "We'll let each other in on any clues to the painting's whereabouts!"

"And if it's found, who gets to keep it?" Radley asked.

"Oh, it would rightfully belong to your family, of course," Anastasius said. "I would only ask that I be allowed to see it."

"That sounds very fair," Valentina said. "Naturally we will let you know if we learn anything."

"Thank you!" Anastasius gushed.

After taking pictures of the music box from every angle, Anastasius profusely thanked everyone again and took his leave. They stood, watching him drive back down the winding path off the property.

". . . That was weird," Scotch announced.

"Yeah, I don't know what to make of any of this," Radley sighed. "I'm not sure what's weirder, him acting nice or this story about a mysterious painting. Would he really know something you guys wouldn't know?"

"I don't know." Valentina sighed too.

"And Kalin's relatives have never talked about that either?" Radley frowned.

"No," Antonio said. "But we could contact them and see what they might know."

"We should probably do that," Radley said, casting a searching look at Kalin. How would he feel about that?

Kalin just looked worn-out. He wasn't thrilled with it, but they did need to ask, he supposed. And maybe these relatives actually would be nice.

"Let's do it," he said. "And I have to call Devack too."

Radley didn't envy him that. "I'll be right with you," he said. "Unless you think he'd be more likely to talk to you alone."

"I don't think it would make a difference to him," Kalin said.

Radley smiled kindly. "Then I'll stay."

Kalin smiled a bit too. It was nice, to not have to do things alone.