XVI

After what felt like hours—and probably was—Ekimu finally finished the mask's shape. It wasn't nearly as good as his other masks, but he hoped it would look better once he infused it with the crystals. And if it didn't, he could still use his mask to remake it.

"Ekimu."

He jumped at his name being called—for a second, it sounded like Makuta. But he relaxed when he saw Lelaka approach. For some reason she looked tense and uncomfortable. "Is something wrong, Lela?" he asked, his tone gentle. He walked up to her and took her hands in both of his.

"Don't give me that," Lelaka snapped, pulling out of his grip. "Makuta told me about you—the real you."

It took many seconds for Ekimu to blink out of his initial shock. "The real… What are you talking about? What did Makuta say? Whatever it was, he must be exaggerating—he has a tendency to do that when he's in a bad mood, you know that."

Lelaka gave Ekimu a cold, hard glare. "Ekimu, this can't happen—we can't happen. I'm sorry, but I believe in one-on-one relationships. I refuse to be another one of your—your toys!"

Ekimu was speechless. He could neither say nor do anything as Lelaka stormed off. It was hard to comprehend any of her words. The only thing he could do was stare the door she had left. He didn't even feel mad at Makuta—not yet. Right now, he only felt faint and shocked.

Lelaka was gone.

"Ekimu?"

It had to be Makuta.

Ekimu hardly felt his brother's hand on his shoulder. "I'm so sorry," Makuta said. "Who could have sowed in her mind such lies about you? And more so: how could she have been tricked into believing them so easily?" He sighed, shaking his head. "You know what, it may be for the better she's left you. You don't deserve someone so gullible."

Ekimu stared at the ground. Makuta hadn't heard most of the conversation, had he? He must have assumed Lelaka hadn't mentioned him at the start. And he's covering up, trying to twist my thoughts to wish her away!

"Makuta, come with me." Ekimu's voice was toneless.

"Alright," Makuta said slowly, taking his hand off Ekimu. "Where to?"

"You'll see."

Ekimu and his brother's footsteps created reverberating echoes across the dark forge as they walked, only becoming quiet after the sound of a wooden door creaked shut.

"Your room?" asked Makuta, curious. "Is there something I should know about?"

Ekimu kept his voice level. "Take off your mask."

Makuta blinked. "What? Why? I'm not—"

"Do it."

Makuta inhaled sharply at the rising of Ekimu's voice. But slowly, he complied, setting his mask on a convenient stool. "Well?" he asked, the expression on his bare face confused with a touch of uneasiness.

Closing his eyes, Ekimu took a deep breath. He opened his blue eyes, looking into Makuta's violet ones. He gently put a hand to Makuta's face, touching his cheek ever so lightly.

"Are you… What do you think you're doing?" Makuta whispered.

Taking another deep breath, Ekimu gathered his strength. Then he forced out his energy and anger in one swift movement, and struck Makuta across the face.