To Value Our Time

by Malcoholic

After nearly 400 trine, it's clear that the Wanderer and Heretic are used to each other and have made a good life for themselves, but it wasn't always this way...Here's to the start of a long cohabitation with your other half. If you read, PLEASE COMMENT!

4. A phenomenon, not a disaster

"When I looked up at the stars, I saw us. You were the stars and I was the dark sky behind you."
"Without dark sky you couldn't see the stars."
"I knew I was useful."
"You're essential."
Jenn Bennett

---

SkekGra was more than just a little irritated after three days of walking through Thra's most desolate (and hottest) biosphere. It didn't help that the Crystal Desert had nothing but mountains of sand to stare at aside from the occasional moog or dune-scuttler that crossed their path (which meant he was bored out of his mind in addition to being tired and uncomfortably sweaty). At least he had UrGoh to fill their walk with stories of the times he spent in the Valley and his friendships with the other Mystics. It was a little strange to hear how the other side lived their lives in an almost twisted parallel to their Skeksis with strong personal friendships in the place of ever-shifting political alliances. SkekGra quickly learned that while UrSu was the Master, it was not because the others feared him or lacked any ambition of their own, but instead because his leadership was genuinely appreciated by all who knew him. UrGoh always spoke of him with high regard for his wisdom and patience even when expressing his disagreements with his fellow Mystic.

"If I spoke like that to SkekSo, I would have been hung by the tail for days," SkekGra said with a snort, shifting the strap of his pack to his opposite shoulder and sighing with the minor relief that brought. UrGoh had insisted on carrying his collection of gifts with them which only seemed to get heavier every time SkekGra lifted it.

At least the sack would be empty on the journey home.

"UrSu tolerates...dissension...not...disrespect..." UrGoh explained, his own back loaded up with their camping supplies and food. "He is...wise...but he lacks...vision...He only sees...what...is...in front...of him..."

SkekGra snorted as he scratched at his beak. At least the Emperor and his Mystic shared one thing in common: they were both utterly incapable of creativity and had to depend on others to do it for them. "Are we getting close?" he asked, reaching for his canister as it swung from his neck. He uncorked it and took a sip, sighing as he brushed the sweat from his brow.

"We should...be coming up...on the gate...shortly..." UrGoh said with a nod, his own hair matted to his body from the heat. SkekGra raised an eyebrow and glanced around the desert in front of them. There was seemingly nothing for miles, but UrGoh had assured him he knew where he was going once they passed the Wellspring a day prior. Given how many journeys the Mystic had taken to and from the Valley over the trine, SkekGra was inclined to trust UrGoh's path-finding. That didn't mean that part of him wasn't still a touch skeptical though.

However, an hour later, a large boulder with what looked like the silhouette of a dead tree at the top of the ridge came into view. At the sight of it, UrGoh perked up and pointed to the tree. "We're...here..."

SkekGra blinked, seeing nothing but sand around the boulder's perimeter. "UrGoh, you can't be serious," he said, turning to the Mystic who was snickering to himself as he slowly removed the heavy packs from his back "Have you caught a bout of sun frenzy? It's just a rock."

"We would...not be...well...hidden...if you could just...see the...Valley...now...would we?" UrGoh said with a small wink before he took a deep breath and tilted his head to the sky. SkekGra winced, covering his auriculars as the Mystic let out a distinct low bellow, not quite a song, not quite a shout, but something all its own.

When UrGoh fell quiet, it was like all the sounds in the desert had been erased from the background. He could no longer hear the wind or sand shifting. Even his own breath had been robbed of sound.

SkekGra looked back to UrGoh in confusion but then there was a resounding call in a different voice and UrGoh was putting his bags back on, grabbing SkekGra by the wrist to tug him toward the boulder. SkekGra followed along, slowing his stride to keep pace with the Mystic as they approached the massive rock. "UrGoh, what are-" he stopped as UrGoh pulled them up to the side of the stone and then forced them to walk straight toward the wall. "Wait-!" he tried to stop UrGoh, but the Mystic didn't relent, practically dragging him by the wrist until he stumbled into the boulder.

SkekGra squeezed his eyes shut, but never felt the impact of solid rock against his beak. Instead he just felt a more firm surface beneath his feet, dirt and rock as opposed to sand. The sky had also gone dark and he could no longer feel the heat of the sun beating down on them. Instead there was a mild humidity as if they were underground. He slowly opened his eyes and stared up, realized that they were walking through a tunnel of sort. UrGoh was giving him a very self-satisfied look as he walked, raising one of his hands to point to the light at the end.

Inhaling as they stepped back out into the sunlight, SkekGra was greeted to the sight of a massive enclave surrounding a central communal space. Several Mystics were outside, either tending to chores or talking with one another. They all looked up at the sight of them and UrGoh smiled, lifting his hand to wave. SkekGra tried to take a step back into the dark tunnel, immediately feeling cornered, but UrGoh just tightened his grip and forced him to stand in place. "Re...lax..." UrGoh urged as he shuffled forward.

As they entered the Valley, the nearest Mystic stepped out, a warm smile on his face. SkekGra immediately caught sight of the eyepatch and missing front arm and felt his throat run dry.

"You bring nothing but diseased and half-starved cretins, Conqueror! I need competent slaves!" SkekNa hissed, gesturing with his hook to the cages of prisoners SkekGra had lined up at the palace gates. "Less of these filthy Makraks and more Podlings!"

"UrGoh, you've returned," the Mystic greeted with outstretched arms before his single-eye turned to SkekGra. "And I see you are not alone..."

Smiling, UrGoh gestured with his staff. "Indeed...I've come...with my...other...half...SkekGra, the...Conqueror."

SkekGra chewed his tongue, not sure if he should offer more than a polite nod to the Slave-Master's other half. UrGoh simply intertwined their tails behind them and smiled up at him fondly.

The other Mystic raised an eyebrow before stepping forward to embrace UrGoh with all three arms, only pulling back to address them both. "Welcome SkekGra. We've been wondering how our Wanderer's journey fared. I see now that he's been more than successful." He bowed his head slightly. "You may call me UrNol," he murmured as he offered a hand. SkekGra awkwardly shook it as the rest of the Mystics slowly began to cluster around them, forming a half-circle around the tunnel entrance.

One by one, he was quickly introduced to the lot, but he could recognize almost everyone in turn with little prompting. Despite how different they all were from their Skeksis, it was the small details that gave them away such as the lift of their smile or the color and shape of their eyes. A reflection of their other halves hid in plain sight on the face of each Mystic.

The last to arrive to the gathering was the Master himself, holding a gnarled staff and looking like he might crumble to dust at any moment. UrSu was easily the largest of the Mystics which was in contrast to SkekSo's thin rail of a frame, but the Mystic's size seemed to bring an air of gentle warmth rather than intimidation.

The Master let the bottom of his staff rest on the ground and he cleared his throat. "Welcome home, Wanderer. We've missed you these many trine."

"Master UrSu..." UrGoh greeted, bowing his head respectfully. The Master returned the bow and then gestured for them both to follow him. The other Mystics parted to allow the Master and them to pass and SkekGra hunched his shoulders, hating the way their eyes followed them. As polite as the Mystics appeared, he couldn't erase the Skeksis they were linked to in his mind. After the Master, UrSol and UrZah unnerved him the most and he wished he could bury himself in the sand to avoid their gaze.

UrSu led them to one of the huts that enclosed the communal area, opening the door and letting them in first (SkekGra having to duck due to the buildings all being constructed at Mystic height) before he followed in behind. Closing the door, the Master sighed and said, "You both must be tired. I have some tea made if you would like." He gestured for them to remove their bags and UrGoh let them slide off, placing them to the side and out of the way before encouraging SkekGra to do the same.

Once the Master had settled a pot of tea down on a wide table with several steaming cups, UrSu took a seat across from them and set down his staff. SkekGra's eyes glanced between the two Mystics for a moment before UrSu broke the silence with a soft sigh. "I see the Skeksis have rejected your ideas in a much more...callous fashion." His eyes flickered to SkekGra's head and the Skeksis resisted the strong urge to cover the metal nail with his cowl. "I can't say I didn't warn you, Wanderer, but I'm also not particularly pleased to be proven right."

UrGoh took the first teacup and passed it to SkekGra before taking the other for himself. "It wasn't...what we'd...hoped for...but...I didn't expect...things...to...go...smoothly..." He sipped from the rim and sighed contently before looking to SkekGra. "Taste it...it's...good...UrNol...grows the...leaves...himself..."

Slowly, SkekGra lifted the cup in his hands to his beak, taking a sip. It tasted mostly medicinal, but there was a sharp spice to it that burned pleasantly in the aftermath. Having something warm in his stomach helped settle his nerves somewhat (even if it was just weird Mystic tea). UrGoh seemed pleased at any rate so he just sat there and sipped, content to let the two Mystics have the floor.

But then the Master looked his way and for a moment SkekGra felt SkekSo's intense stare burrowing into him, filled with nothing but complete and utter disgust at everything he was. "You disappoint me, Conqueror...I never expected you would sink to heresy ."

"Filthy traitor!"

"A Conqueror no more. Nothing but a heretic!"

"Yes! A heretic!"

"SkekGra the Heretic!"

He shook his head to rid his mind of their cackles, shivering slightly as he clutched his teacup. UrSu frowned, his expression sympathetic as he said, "Is the tea not to your liking, SkekGra? Would you like water instead?" He reached out and touched SkekGra's arm which made him instinctively jerk back, sloshing the now luke-warm contents of his cup onto his robes.

UrSu exhaled and got up, finding a towel in a basket of cloth and offering it to him. "I see my presence troubles you..."

"No, I-" SkekGra began only for UrSu to raise a hand for silence. He closed his beak, lowering his head sheepishly as UrGoh frowned and took the towel, rubbing over it over the damp fabric of his robes. Slowly, UrSu sat back down and sipped his own tea, allowing the uncomfortable silence drag out a few more moments.

Finally the Master sighed and said, "Wanderer, I'm happy you've made peace with yourself in a way, but I worry that this unnatural coexistence will harm you both further than it already has."

"Our...relationship...hasn't brought...harm..." UrGoh corrected. "The Emperor...is...to blame...for what...happened..."

UrSu frowned and poured UrGoh another portion of tea before offering some to SkekGra who shook his head even as he still clutched the empty cup like it was a life-line. The Master just nodded and then refilled his own cup as he said, "The Emperor cast his wrath down upon you because of your calling."

"Only because...he...fears what...it...repre...sents..." UrGoh insisted, letting his cup steam in his palm. "The Skeksis...live in...terror of being...usurped...and we...challenged...their power..." He interlaced his fingers with SkekGra and UrSu's tired eyes dropped to their hands, a curious expression flittering over his wizened face. "Just because...they oppose us...doesn't mean...we...give...up..."

The Master pursed his mouth, touching over his chin. "UrGoh, you alone are not enough to defy destiny. I've told you time and time again that the right moment will come but we can't just rush in."

"So we...sit...and...let everyone...ourselves included...suffer in...the...mean...time?" UrGoh shook his head, downing the contents of his cup before smacking his lips with a sigh. "You know...I can't...do that...Master..."

SkekGra wasn't sure if he should be present for any of this. UrGoh's tone held this cold anger that he had simply never seen before during all their time spent together; a clear line of buried frustration that cut through the Mystic's normally laid-back and gentle demeanor.

UrSu on the other hand, looked equally irritated, but in a way that spoke of a parent dealing with a rebellious child. There was love and worry in his speech, but he clearly wasn't going to sit back and let UrGoh do as he wished without the Mystic equivalent of a scolding. SkekGra lacked context, but even he could tell that this argument was one they'd had many times in the past, never coming to a final conclusion despite the length of their debate.

Shifting in his seat, SkekGra let out a low exhale and stood, dropping the cup on the table where it landed on its bottom, nearly tipping over before righting itself in the middle of the worn wood. "I think I'm going to get this cleaned up properly..." he said, holding out the damp section of his robes between his talons as he glanced to both Mystics. It was a poor excuse and it was clear that both UrGoh and UrSu weren't buying it, but neither of them made to stop him as he stepped out, nearly bumping his head into the ceiling when he ducked his head out the door behind him.

Closing the door, he gave a small sigh of relief before realization hit. He had successfully escaped the awkward conversation with the Mystic-version of SkekSo but now he was alone...in a Valley full of other strange Mystics.

Before he could even think of a plan to escape to a deserted section of the Valley, a Mystic at the central well took notice of him and perked up, making SkekGra flinch. "Conqueror!" he greeted in a friendly tone that instantly made SkekGra's hair stand on end. The Chanter was SkekSil's other half, known for a sweet and gentle voice that could sooth any and all who heard it.

Fitting for the slimy Chamberlain.

"UrSol, was it?" SkekGra asked, taking a step back as the Chanter unhooked the bucket from the well and walked over to him, carrying the vessel in his front set of arms. "What can I do for you?" he asked, trying to affect a friendly stance even as his claws twitched with the instinct to strike out.

UrSol smiled and gave a soft laugh, shaking his head as he stopped in front of the Skeksis. "Nothing at all. You're our guest, SkekGra...but if you're bored, you're certainly free to help with chores." He gestured back to the well he'd just gathered from and then turned, the bun on his head bobbing gently. "I simply wanted to talk with you if you had some free time. You're the first Skeksis we've seen since we came to live here." He shrugged and added, "Additionally, you're one of the only ones who isn't hostile..."

SkekGra frowned and UrSol's smile fell a bit, the Mystic tilting his head slightly to the side. "If you don't mind? Please?"

"Pleeeease? Mighty Conqueror gets to travel all over Thra. Chamberlain is locked away in castle, keeping court in working order," SkekSil begged, following a half-nude SkekGra as he marched through the hall to his chambers, dripping water from the baths over the floor. "I only ask for smallest favor."

Pausing, SkekGra closed his eyes and gritted his teeth. It was bad enough that he'd lost his best lieutenant that day, but then for the Chamberlain to chase him down, stalking him through the castle as if he gave a nurloc's ass about whatever nonsense SkekSil wanted. "Out with it then. I don't have time to listen to your whining," he growled, whipping around to glare at the shorter Skeksis. Chamberlain lowered his head, cowering as if SkekGra wasn't able to see through his attempts to make himself seem harmless and inoffensive.

"I was hoping to hear news regarding dear friend Mariner," SkekSil said with a small simpering smile. "Emperor worries that SkekSa is no longer loyal to Skeksis. She has not come back to the castle since dishonored Satirist was banished."

SkekGra's eyes narrowed and he chewed his tongue. He'd been the last to see SkekSa before she departed for the seas, where she swore to never set foot on land unless it was absolutely required. They hadn't heard from her in many trine but the Sifan guards spoke of her fondly so it was clear she was still around, sailing the seas at the beck and call of no one but herself. If SkekSil really wanted the most up to date news on the Mariner's loyalties and whereabouts, he would be questioning them and not chasing him through the castle.

No, the Chamberlain was after something else, something more insidious. SkekGra just didn't know what. "You know I haven't seen SkekSa since she departed," he told SkekSil plainly. "I have as much information as you do."

SkekSil tilted his head. "Hmmmmm? But Conqueror was so close to Mariner."

"SkekSa was also friends with the Ritual Master. Pester him for a change." SkekGra turned, continuing his march through the torchlit halls. The sooner he had a door between him and the Chamberlain the better.

"Wait!" SkekSil shrilly called, running after him until he caught up to SkekGra. "Wait Conqueror! Do not be hasty. Chamberlain did not mean to pry. Was only concerned about Mariner's loyalty to Emperor. SkekSa has great deal of sway with the Sifa, yes?"

As he spoke, the Chamberlain swerved across, blocking off SkekGra's path to his quarters and forcing him to a stop once again. SkekGra snarled, talons flexing as he glared down at the other Skeksis. "Yes. The Sifan adore her, but they're loyal to the Emperor like the rest of the stupid Gelfling." What was the Chamberlain implying? That SkekSa was going to mount a coup?

The Chamberlain nodded and said, "Yes, Sifan are loyal, but the Mariner is another matter, hmmmm?"

SkekGra just continued to glare down at him until SkekSil clicked his tongue and said. "Chamberlain can see mighty Conqueror is exhausted from long carriage ride. Perhaps we save discussion for another time?"

"Yes, another time," SkekGra muttered. Another time meaning never. The Chamberlain seemed satisfied though and smiled, bowing his head before stepping to the side and allowing SkekGra to pass. He shot one last annoyed glare to SkekSil before heading to his chambers, closing and locking the door behind him.

SkekGra sighed and rested his back against the wall, running a hand down the side of his beak. This was just one of the many reasons he hated returning to the castle. Every moment he spent within its twisting walls felt like a punishment in and of itself and the other Skeksis only made it all the worse. Everything was petty politics with the castle dwellers and he just couldn't stand it.

"Ummm, SkekGra, did I say something wrong?" UrSol asked, glancing around in mild confusion before taking a step back, the water in his bucket sloshing slightly. SkekGra blinked, realizing he had clenched both of his fists and was arched forward, in his default attack stance sans his swords.

Slowly relaxing his posture, SkekGra let out a long sigh and rubbed his neck in mild embarrassment. "No, you didn't..." He looked down at the Chanter who lowered his head in that same goddamn way that pissed him off when the Chamberlain did it, but the expression on UrSol's face was apologetic as if he was at fault. Clearing his throat, SkekGra pointed to the bucket. "Where are you taking that water?"

UrSol blinked and then glanced down at the water as if he had forgotten he was still holding it. "Oh, this is for the garden on the cliffs. UrAmaj and UrNol share a patch and it requires a lot of tending to out here in the desert. I have the most free time of anyone so I just help out with odd chores around the Valley, keeping everything in order." He smiled at SkekGra and asked, "Would you like to walk with me?"

Feeling a touch sheepish for almost attacking the Chanter, SkekGra nodded and then followed behind the Mystic, adjusting the length and speed of his stride to keep in line with UrSol in the same way he did when walking with UrGoh. The wooden ramps spiraled around the compound, leading up to the cliffs that surrounded the Valley in a protective circle and it took a not insignificant amount of walking to get to the top. Once they were at the peak of the cliff, SkekGra caught sight of a massive garden plot with light fabric tented over it to keep the harsh desert suns from killing everything in their glow. He gave a small huff and squatted down a bit to peek under the fabric, his eyes following the neat rows of plant stalks. "So it is possible for things to grow out here..." he murmured as UrSol lifted a can off the ground and poured the water into it. Water sprung from holes in the bottom and UrSol began to sprinkle it over the neat line of herbs.

"So long as you tend to them properly," the Chanter said. "As I said, it's a lot of work so I help when I can." He hummed as he walked in the garden, making his way slowly around the perimeter. Once the borders were watered, UrSol stepped onto a series of flat stones that had clearly been laid out to form a pathway between the rows of plants. "Have you ever grown crops, SkekGra?"

SkekGra shook his head, reaching out and gently touching one of the green leaves with the tip of his talon. "The only thing I ever fed to plants were corpses, Chanter."

Of course, now that he was staring at a successful desert farm, he couldn't help but imagine what he and UrGoh might be able to grow for themselves back at their new little home. While they'd continue to forage in the woods for most of their food, having a few plants readily available would be a smart investment in the long term.

UrSol winced at his answer and nodded. "I see…" he said as he finished watering the plants and stepped back out of the plot, brushing his bangs from his face. "If you have any interest, UrGoh has helped out with the garden in the past so he'll know the basics of farming a patch." He glanced up at SkekGra as he set the can back down and picked up the empty bucket. "Speaking of the Wanderer, UrGoh looks very happy. I haven't seen him like this in a long time."

"What do you mean?" SkekGra said with a skeptical snort as he stood back up, brushing his hands on his robes. "UrGoh's always happy." Well, aside from the conversation with UrSu...and the morning after they first had sex (in the beginning at least), and maybe when they were about to be murdered by a sentient rock, but other than that, he'd never seen an UrGoh who wasn't mostly relaxed and laid back without a care in all Thra.

"I'm afraid that's simply not true, Conqueror," UrSol said with a small knowing grin that SkekGra instantly recognized as a softer version of SkekSil's smug smirk. "He's been unsatisfied for some time now. Even traveling Thra wasn't giving him any fulfillment anymore." He swung the bucket as he spoke, shoulders swaying as if he was singing rather than speaking. "He would just come back, deliver his gifts and within a week be gone again."

He paused and then slowly shuffled to SkekGra's side. "But ever since he had his vision, he's had something to strive for."

SkekGra snorted and then turned back to the ramp leading back down into the Valley. "Are you saying he was bored?" he asked as UrSol walked with him, their tails occasionally brushing as they marched in step.

The Chanter hummed and shook his head, pausing. "Not the word I'd use. Perhaps melancholy is better?" He shrugged and then continued on down the ramp until they reached the bottom where wood met dirt. SkekGra follow behind him as the Mystic returned the bucket to the well, hooking the handle back to the crank's rope. "He seems better now, at least the little I've seen of him so far. I'm sure we'll get to talking over dinner tonight." He turned back to SkekGra, an excited grin blooming across his face. "I'd almost forgotten! You'll get to join the evening chant with us tonight."

"The what?"

UrSol chuckled and stepped away from the well, pointing out a fire that was built within just a few steps of the center of the Valley. "We sing together every morning and every evening when we take our meals. I lead the chant and then we all come together in a choir," UrSol explained. "It's been our tradition since we came to this place."

SkekGra's brow furrowed as he stared at the fire. "I don't sing," he said, slowly turning back to look at UrSol who seemed disappointed at his admission, "But I'll watch the rest of you."

However it did get him thinking: if this was Mystic tradition, why did UrGoh never sing in the mornings or evenings when the two of them ate? Just how many Mystic practices was UrGoh just choosing to either ignore or omit during their travels and more importantly why? Did he not actually like participating? Did he think it would annoy SkekGra? Was he worried that the old habits would make him too homesick?

SkekGra frowned, his curiosity only growing the more he learned about his other half. UrGoh didn't keep secrets but he sure was obtuse.

"I can teach you," UrSol suggested as a compromise, his hands extended in gentle placation to the Skeksis. "It would give us more of an opportunity to talk."

"Why?" SkekGra asked, raising one brow as the Mystic snorted and rolled his eyes.

Sighing, Ursol dropped his front arms to rest on his knees while the back ones set up shop on his hips. "You're a part of UrGoh. Getting to know you allows me to glimpse the pieces of him I've never been able to see before." At SkekGra's bewildered expression, UrSol chuckled and added, "Is it really that strange to you?"

'Yes!' he wanted to say, but instead he held his tongue and just laughed in turn. "You Mystics are just a lot closer than we ever were."

"I wouldn't say it's perfect." UrSol admitted with a small shrug, tilting his head to one side as he leaned with the motion, which once again reminded SkekGra of the Chamberlain's slippery body language. "We have our own spats and disagreements. Things can be tense even among the most even-tempered."

SkekGra raised a hand, pointing one claw to the skull tack as he leaned down so the Mystic got a good look at the metal. "Did you threaten to put a nail in UrGoh's head when he suggested you merge with your Skeksis?" he asked in a snide tone.

Immediately, UrSol's face paled and SkekGra groaned as the Mystic began to mumble out a lengthy apology. "Arrgh, it's fine! Don't grovel..." he said, waving the Mystic's whimpering off. SkekSil kowtowed all the time whenever he was trying to get out of a bad situation and it was always so grossly pathetic.

The Chanter of course now looked genuinely distraught and it somehow tugged at his heart-strings. Stupid Mystics and their soft eyes. "I wasn't thinking when I said that," UrSol murmured, reaching out and cupping SkekGra's hand in his front palms, making the Skeksis flinch at the sudden contact. "It wasn't my intention to compare what you went through to our fights." He pursed his mouth and glanced back up at the nail. "Does it hurt?"

SkekGra sighed, pulling his hand out of UrSol's and reaching up to tap his talon against the metal. "It's mostly healed. I get migraines now and then, plus I've had a seizure or two, but those were both in the first trine." Now he just tried to avoid bumping it into anything. Every time the tack made contact with something solid, he'd feel the vibration and resulting jolt of pain run down the entire length of his spine.

UrSol stared up at the nail, frowning as SkekGra lowered his hand back down. "We should send you home with medicine when you both take your leave. It won't fix the damage done, but it might help with your headaches." He paused and then glanced to SkekGra. "How long are you both planning on staying in the Valley?" he asked as he gestured for the Skeksis to follow him, making his way to one of the other huts on the first level of the compound.

"Only a few days, maybe less," SkekGra admitted, ducking his head into the hut as he followed behind the Chanter. "UrGoh knew he'd be able to come to you all for some help so we're really just here for him to trade gifts."

"He has always brought back such wonderful presents," UrSol said with a fond nod, looking at SkekGra over his shoulder as he gathered up a pile of blankets and pillows, the fabric worn and slightly dusty from years of use. "You traveled Thra, albeit as a Warlord. Did you often return with tokens collected from afar?"

Trophies, favors, reminders of his power and position. They might have been selected with SkekGra's knowledge of everyone's particular preferences, but they lacked the intimacy of anything UrGoh saved for his friends. "In a way..." he said, reaching over to help steady the stack of pillows in UrSol's grip. "-and more importantly, under very different circumstances."

UrSol hummed in gratitude as he shuffled toward the door with his stack of linens and cushions. "And did my Skeksis ever ask anything of you?"

SkekGra's eyes immediately narrowed. "I don't want to talk about SkekSil," he said in a flat voice as he marched past the Mystic, opening the door and gesturing for UrSol to walk through. He knew it was cruel in a way. The Mystic was just curious after all, but he already was struggling to detach his memories of the Chamberlain from the Chanter. He didn't need a direct comparison.

"I take it you weren't close then," UrSol murmured awkwardly as he shuffled out of the hut, turning back to SkekGra as he watched the Skeksis duck his head and close the door behind them both. "I can't say I'm shocked based on the little I glimpse from his eyes every now and then..." He trailed off and shook his head before mercifully changing the subject. "We need to beat the dust out of these before dinner. Would you care to lend your strength, Conqueror?"

As far as he saw it, SkekGra had two options: go back to the hut where UrGoh was still arguing with the Master...or help the Chanter with more mundane chores around the Valley.

UrSol smiled as he nodded, gesturing with one of his back arms for SkekGra to follow behind him as he made his way to some wooden racks. "It's very simple. We take these sticks-"

He spent the rest of the early afternoon helping UrSol hang up blankets and pin the pillows to beat with sticks. It was satisfying work until SkekGra had to stop, having accidentally torn through a blanket when he stabbed rather than smacked the fabric with his stick. The Chanter insisted it wasn't a problem and easily mended by the Weaver, but SkekGra felt bad enough about destroying the fabric that he sat back and simply took the cleaned blankets from UrSol, folding them into a neat pile and stacking the cushions on top.

Once that chore was done, they went to UrAmaj's kitchen and helped the cook prepare dinner. UrSol sang as he worked, his soft voice somehow merging with and enhancing the gentle crackle of the cooking fire and the steam that hissed from the rim of the large boiling pot.

The Cook clearly wasn't too pleased to have SkekGra in his kitchen, but UrAmaj did politely ask after his own diet, curious as to what Skeksis ate to sustain themselves on the daily. SkekGra explained that he used to be a staunch carnivore, but that being with UrGoh meant meat would be a rare treat and certainly never killed by their own hand. Apparently in the Valley, Mystics didn't eat meat at all, but they did use bones when they came across a dead thing in the desert. The Cook even gave SkekGra a sample, watching expectantly as the Skeksis crunched open the hard exterior and lapped at the marrow inside.

SkekGra gave an approving nod, ignoring the flinches he received from UrAmaj as he chewed up the chalky bone and swallowed. Better than nothing but vegetables at least.

Of course, UrSol tried to get SkekGra to join him in song, but he just ignored all the dead air that was left for him to fill. Finally, UrSol huffed in frustration as he peeled the husks off some strange looking roots, tossing them into a pile at his feet. "Do the Skeksis not sing? Do they even have any music at all?"

"No one sings, but the Emperor does enjoy music. He had this machine made and the Podlings play for him when requested," SkekGra said as he held a cup, letting UrAmaj measure out the Swothel milk for the base of their stew. "It always sounded like banging to me."

UrSol pouted, collecting his pile of husks and putting them in the Cook's stack of firewood by the pantry. "I can't imagine a world like that. The Mystics have always sung, even before we came to this Valley." He looked to SkekGra and watched as the Skeksis poured the milk into the pot as instructed, gently stirring the massive paddle spoon with his opposite hand. "It soothes the soul and lets us feel connected to with each other. We never just sing. We are the song."

Handing the empty cup back to the Cook, SkekGra frowned and continued to stir the contents of the pot, wiping sweat that beaded along his brow from the hot steam. "It wasn't a priority in the castle," he said plainly, wishing he could offer the Chanter a better explanation. Unfortunately, such an answer just didn't exist as the Skeksis had never valued art beyond craft that was inherently valuable. If it wasn't made with the finest gemstones, fabrics, and paints, what even was the point?

Singing wasn't something that one could display in a room and invoke the jealousy of all who looked upon it. It was a practice that was as fleeting as the air they breathed in their short time on Thra.

If a Mystic sang in the forest and no one was around to have heard it, could they really be said to have been singing at all?

UrSol moved to stand next to the pot, taking a sampling spoon and lowering it into the stew to take a small measure. He watched SkekGra's face as he passed the spoon back, offering it to UrAmaj behind them both. "UrGoh is a skilled singer and there's no doubt in my mind that he would appreciate having someone to sing with." SkekGra sighed, averting his gaze from UrSol to watch UrAmaj taste the stew. The Cook licked the spoon, frowned, and immediately wandered back to the pantry to gather more ingredients. UrSol touched his arm and SkekGra twitched, his eyes flickering from the Cook's back to the Chanter's sympathetic gaze. "You're no longer in the Crystal Castle, SkekGra. Perhaps it's time that you choose to make singing a priority?"

Lowering his eyes to stare at the bubbling the stew in the pot, SkekGra chewed his tongue and continued to stir. UrGoh would probably like that.

Big sap that he was.

The suns began to sink and soon UrAmaj was gently shooing them both away to finish up the last bit of preparation. SkekGra was tasked with chopping up fresh bread while UrSol stacked several bowls and spoons in a neat little display next to the pot.

He honestly wasn't sure what to expect from a communal dinner with the Mystics. The Skeksis always had the grand dining table displayed with the finest of Thra's creatures to be gorged upon, every Skeksis' favorite dishes piled high with enough portions to feed a small army. But the Mystics had no table. Through the window he could see the central firepit, now stoked to a flame by the small Alchemist's withered hands. Meanwhile the Weaver and the Monk were amassing the same blankets and pillows they'd cleaned earlier in a circle around it.

One by one, the Mystics formed a small line to the kitchen. Each got a bowl of stew and some bread before coming back out to the fire to find an empty spot in the circle. Everyone sat on the blankets and set their bowls to the ground, chatting quietly as they waited for everyone to be seated.

UrGoh was one of the last to come in for his meal and at the sight of SkekGra, he smiled, leaning up to kiss the Skeksis' cheek fondly. Both UrSol and UrAmaj exchanged curious looks, but neither of them said a word as UrGoh took his bowl and let SkekGra fill it with the ladel. "I see...you've...been...busy..." he murmured, taking a piece of bread in his opposite hand. "Not so...bad, right?"

"It's interesting," SkekGra admitted, taking a dish for himself before following UrGoh out to the fire, taking a seat next to his Mystic. As he settled his bowl in his lap, SkekGra glanced to his opposite side and tensed, immediately turning to face away from the Ritual Guardian before UrZah could notice his stare.

As if sensing his distress, UrGoh touched over his knee, stroking it with his thumb until the line of his shoulders slumped again. That earned them a lot of stares from the Mystics who weren't distracted by conversation and SkekGra sighed, wondering just how tactile they should be in front of all these watching eyes. UrGoh didn't seem to care, but the confusion from the other Mystics seemed to speak for itself...

However it was the Master's gaze that was the most intense from across the fire, his dull green eyes cutting through the fiery glare of the flames. Despite this, UrGoh didn't make any move to remove his hand, lifting his chin in silent defiance as he stared right back.

SkekGra quickly looked down at his bowl, swallowing hard as he tapped his claws around the rim. He was very glad he had not been forced to bear witness to the rest of their conversation. He'd take doing mindless busy work over listening to that any day.

At least he now had food as a distraction. SkekGra raised his basin but UrGoh immediately shook his head and gestured for him to put it back down. Frowning, he lowered his bowl down to the blanket as his stomach rumbled in protest. It was strange to have food ready and not immediately eat it, but he wasn't going to disrespect the Mystics by going against their traditions. Despite the awkward tension, they were letting them stay and giving them a lot of supplies to take back with them if UrGoh was to be believed. So he waited, feeling just a touch awkward in the silence that seemed comfortable for all but him.

Once UrSol and UrAmaj joined the circle with their own meals, the Mystics all raised their front hands to be shoulder level, closed their eyes, and then bowed their heads inward toward the flames. SkekGra followed suit, but kept his eyes open, glancing around the circle for a cue.

Unsurprisingly, UrSol was the first to raise his head, opening his mouth and beginning a musical chant, his voice a clear bell in the quiet of early evening. The other Mystics joined one by one, all of them knowing the strange lyrics to this wordless song that trailed off into the deepening blue of the sky.

Then they were all singing, a chorus of voices all merging into one long continuous note that seemed to have no beginning and no sign of an end. SkekGra didn't try to sing, but he tipped his head back to stare at the sky, watching a few stars peek out as the suns disappeared behind the horizon. Next to him, he could feel as well as hear UrGoh as he joined with his brethren in a tradition he hadn't been a part of for many trine. SkekGra's stomach grumbled, a mixture of hunger and a feeling he couldn't quite describe.

Did UrGoh miss this? Had he sacrificed this simple but comfortable life where he was clearly loved and cherished to try and be with him?

SkekGra's heart sank in his chest as he dipped his head down again, his gaze drifting from the stars to the bowl of stew steaming away in front of him. UrGoh had everything to lose by wanting to reform with him. Not to say that SkekGra hadn't sacrificed a lot for this, but UrGoh had a family here.

What did he have with SkekGra other than a nail in his head?

Thra had called out to them for help, not just to heal themselves, but to heal the Crystal. And yet, he couldn't help but wonder if they should heal themselves when the Mystics were clearly so much better off without their darker halves?

Was GraGoh worth becoming if it meant turning UrGoh into something twisted?

He was so lost in his thoughts that he hadn't noticed the song ending around him. UrGoh had to prod his shoulder and give him an encouraging smile before SkekGra was pulled back to the present and reminded of food. "Now we...can...eat..." the Mystic said, picking up his bowl and dipping his bread into the hearty stew.

SkekGra picked up his own dish and paused, watching the Mystics as they began to eat and converse quietly. UrGoh in particular was asked a lot of questions, albeit mostly about his travels across Thra rather than their mission.

Reuniting with one's Skeksis apparently wasn't a great subject for polite smalltalk.

When SkekGra finally lifted his bowl and began to messily gulp and lap at the stew, he gave a soft moan of relief. He hadn't eaten anything since sunrise and by that point in the day the ravenous hunger that had been clawing at his insides was more than ready to be sated.

However after just a few moments of sweet relief, he felt the weight of many eyes upon him. Raising his head, SkekGra glanced around the circle as sauce dripped from the edge of his beak and back into the bowl. Several Mystics were openly gawking, their spoons frozen midair as they stared at him.

Slowly, SkekGra gulped down the mouthful of food sitting on his palate and ran his tongue over his teeth. He did his best to duck his head into the crook of his elbow to wipe his mouth clean as he felt something akin to shame creep into his chest.

UrGoh glanced up when SkekGra stopped eating and then looked around to his fellows, his brow furrowing tight in annoyance. The stern intensity of his glare grew until they looked away, going back to their own dinners or to talk to one another as if they hadn't just been caught staring. It was an expression that SkekGra had never seen on his other half's face before, but the meaning was clear to even him: back off.

However, the damage was done. His stomach still curled in hunger, but SkekGra was reluctant to do more than pick at his portion as it grew cold in his lap. UrGoh encouraged him to eat, but SkekGra just chewed on the bread, trying not to spill crumbs into the crevices of his robes as he ignored the conversation around him, keeping his eyes to the fire to avoid meeting anyone else's.

By the end of the meal, all bowls besides SkekGra's were licked clean. "Are you not hungry, Conqueror?" UrSol asked as he walked around the circle to collect everyone's dishes. "Do you feel unwell?"

"I'm just tired. It's been a long day," SkekGra said, waving him off. He really hated the overly sympathetic expression on UrSol's face, as if he was something to be pitied. "The food was fine," he snapped before the Chanter could ask if he maybe wanted something else.

UrSol pursed his lips, but nodded, taking the half-filled dish and stacking it with the rest before going back inside the kitchen. Once the dishes were soaking in a tub, the Chanter came back out and another song was started. Despite having the exact same presentation, tune, and ceremony as the last, somehow there was a finality to this one as if an elaborate ritual had just been completed rather than a shared meal.

As the final chord faded out into the purple sky, UrSu raised his front arms and clapped his palms together to gather attention. Once he was satisfied everyone was listening, he smiled softly and said, "Tonight we shared in a meal with the Wanderer and the Conqueror. A rare gift to be treasured in times of normalcy. Life is precious and the moments we share in it are all the moreso."

UrGoh bowed his head in agreement, taking SkekGra's hand in his own and pulling it to rest on the Mystic's knee. "The...meals we...spend...toge...ther...are never...taken...for...granted...Master UrSu..." The Master hummed, watching as UrGoh's thumb stroked the back of SkekGra's wrist. "But I'm happier...to...finally...show you...all...what we're...capable of..." UrGoh looked to SkekGra and nuzzled the underside of his chin, ignoring the jaws that dropped around the circle. "We had...separate...experiences...and ulti...mately came...to the same...conclusion...That...we and...all...Thra...would...all...perish...without...finding...unity..."

It was like the word 'unity' triggered something in the old Master. UrSu's smile tensed into a tight line as he nodded, adjusting the grip he had on his staff. "You have indeed made impressive progress. More than what we had thought possible, despite the cost."

UrGoh shifted his weight, squaring his shoulders as his grip on SkekGra's hand tightened. The other Mystics immediately went very quiet and SkekGra swallowed, glancing between the Master and UrGoh. Could he leave? No one else was getting up, but they weren't going to really sit and watch this, right? The Mystics weren't like the Skeksis who took sadistic enjoyment out of public fights?

Right?

UrGoh's tail twitched next to SkekGra's as the old Master sighed, reaching up with one hand to rub at his chin. "UrGoh, in continuing to pursue this course...you will not be the only victim claimed in the fire." The Master stacked both of his front palms on the head of his staff, leaning forward as he stared the other Mystic down. "You need to consider all the potential consequences of your actions."

"Doing nothing...has its...own...consequences..." UrGoh said, his fingers slowly twisting to intertwine with SkekGra's. "We are not...simply...leaves...on the wind...Our...very...existence...is a...consequence..."

Some of the other Mystics exchanged uncomfortable glances, clearly not wanting to get involved, but also making no move to leave the fire. Finally one cleared their throat and raised their hands in a mediating gesture. "Wanderer, we understand your frustration -"

"UrMa..." UrGoh interrupted in a firm voice. "I am no...longer...interested in...compromise..." His brown eyes flickered back to UrSu and he took a breath, clearly steeling himself. "We are...running out...of time, Master...Our hope for...the next...Conjunction...relies on...us...working with...the creatures...of Thra...and not...hiding from...them..."

UrSu let out a frustrated grunt, lifting up to take his staff back into his palm, tapping the end of it to the ground to call for silence. SkekGra froze, feeling the blood in his veins turn to ice as his breath caught in his throat.

"Conqueror, you ask me to destroy everything we have built just so you can ease your own ridiculous nightmares?"

"Not destroy-" SkekGra tried to correct, only for the Emperor to bang his staff, the harsh peal echoing in the vast room. Even the musicians stopped playing that awful machine, turning around to look at the rows of Skeksis gathered below.

"Silence!" SkekSo hissed, "Close that infernal beak of yours or I will see that it is lopped off."

SkekGra immediately shut his mouth, clenching his fists at his side as he felt the other Skeksis staring him down, shuffling in closer to get a better view. SkekSo glared at him from the throne, one hand pointing accusingly at SkekGra as the other clutched his staff. "How dare you, SkekGra. To even have the gall to suggest such a thing to this court..."

The others began to grin, their jagged uneven teeth bared and talons flexing in growing excitement. SkekGra lifted his head, not lowering his stance or averting his gaze even as the Emperor tried to make him cower. "Sire, you know that I only want what is best for the Empire. I wouldn't bring this to you if I didn't have the confide-"

"Mighty Conqueror has much confidence in his words...but Chamberlain sees no proof," SkekSil interrupted, taking a few cautious steps to stand next to the throne, tilting his head to look at SkekGra curiously. "Perhaps Conqueror has been away from castle too long. Too many trine talking to enemies and not enough spent among friends." He looked back to SkekSo and gave that infuriating grin of his. "Fealty is not what once was, hmmmm?"

SkekGra's eyes widened and he shook his head, stepping toward the throne. "That's not true! Sire, you must listen to me-"

SkekVar snarled and cut him off, blocking SkekGra's view of SkekSo with his own massive body. "The Emperor doesn't have to do anything, Conqueror. You however, have one job and it's not lecturing us on this foul idea of…" He gave a sputtering snort and flailed his arms as he struggled to find the word, "-unification!"

Snarling, SkekGra flexed his claws, resisting the urge to reach for the blades at his side as he leaned into SkekVar's space to be at eye-level with the General. "When has my loyalty been in question? When have I ever failed the Emperor?"

"Today..."

SkekVar turned to the side, allowing SkekGra to watch as the Emperor closed his eyes and rubbed just beneath the sickle of his headpiece, looking extremely irritated as Chamberlain whispered into his ear. "Today you have failed me..."

"UrGoh, you need to be reasonable," UrSu insisted, gesturing to them both. "It's bad enough that you insist on abusing yourself, but to ask that others follow you into ruination-"

UrGoh let out a loud huff and got to his feet, still holding SkekGra's hand in his own "You see...only...the bodies...that lie ahead...You do not...see...the mountain...of corpses...already lying...at your... feet." He gave a sniff, his expression stern as he stared down UrSu. "I refuse...to be...one of them...Master..."

Some of the other Mystics gasped and immediately they began to talk amongst each other in hushed whispers. Only the Chanter looked upon them both with any sympathy as UrSu just shook his head, his tangled white mane sweeping with the motion of his long neck. "My dear beloved Wanderer...You have so much pain in your heart." UrSu touched the hand that was on his knee to his chest, taking a breath before releasing it out through his nose, head dipping down in sorrow. "I wish I could heal the wounds you've inflicted upon you and your other half, but I see now that as always, your stubborn nature will not be brought to reason."

UrGoh took a deep breath and closed his eyes, lifting his head to the dark sky. The wind whistled gently around them, gently mussing through his hair in artful swirls as embers from the bonfire dissipated into the darkness. Finally, UrGoh opened his eyes, now watery but no less hardened as he looked to the Master. "If only...we were...like the...Gelfling...and I could...show you...what I...have seen..."

He gave another sniff and then gently tugged SkekGra's hand until SkekGra stood with him. UrGoh gave his fingers one last squeeze before murmuring, "Alas...the true melody...of Thra is...only known...to her...children..."

Without another word, UrGoh turned, forcing SkekGra to follow him out of the circle and toward one of the empty huts. The entire walk, SkekGra could feel the stares of all the Mystics at his back, but thankfully no gossip trailed them. SkekGra clenched his teeth, hunching his shoulders as he walked with his Mystic, letting UrGoh open the door and usher him inside.

SkekGra ducked his head through the door and turned, watching as UrGoh quickly followed and then closed the door behind them, leaning his wrinkled face against the wooden hatch. As he took a few deep breaths, SkekGra swallowed and slowly reached out for the Mystic's shoulder. "UrGoh, I'm s-"

"No...! " the Mystic said, whipping around with far more speed and precision than SkekGra was used to. He grabbed the Skeksis' face in his palms and pulled him down to eye-level. "We are...not...sorry for...anything...SkekGra!"

UrGoh visibly gritted his teeth and slowly marched the Skeksis backwards, only stopping once SkekGra's heels hit the edge of the low Mystic bed. Frozen, SkekGra could only stare right back as those brown eyes searched his face for something that he couldn't even begin to fathom. Finally the Mystic's hands let go of his beak and let his arms drop down to his sides, fingers clenched into solid fists. "We...aren't wrong...They...are...blind...as they...always...have been..."

SkekGra rubbed his arm, his throat and chest tight as if clenched between two stones. "But, are they though?" he asked in a quiet voice. Immediately UrGoh shook his head and SkekGra pinched the bony ridge of his own brow, groaning. "UrGoh, I'm hurting you. He's right. It's self-harm, destructi-"

"We did...not...do...this-" UrGoh reached up and pointedly tapped the nail piercing SkekGra's head. "-to...ourselves..." He closed his eyes and then leaned in, embracing SkekGra as he took a deep breath. "We're trying...to...heal...but everyone...only wants...us...to break...more..." he murmured, pressing his face into SkekGra's throat, nuzzling against his collar as the Skeksis' heart pounded like a war drum. "Don't let...them...make you...feel like...you're...something...that...taints...what I...am..."

He shuddered, squeezing SkekGra even closer to his chest. "When one is...two...how can they...judge us...separately...and not...together?" The Mystic pulled back just enough to look at SkekGra, his eyes misty as he breathed, "You are...our strength...our enthusiasm...our...prag...ma...tism..."

"I'm not-" SkekGra opened his mouth, but UrGoh wrapped his massive Mystic fingers around his beak and snapped it shut, holding it firmly closed. UrGoh pursed his lips and slowly shook his head, his tears finally taking solid form and beading at the edge of his eyes. SkekGra felt the knot in his throat grow, throbbing up against his tongue until it hurt just to breathe.

"No...I won't...tolerate it...from...you..." the Mystic said in a watery tone. "We are...both...the missing...pieces...of...a...wonder...ful...puzzle." He kissed the tip of SkekGra's beak and smiled as the drops slowly began to trail down the corners of his eyes, catching in the spiraling wrinkles of his skin. "We...were separated...by forces we...had no control...over...and my entire...existence has been...fractured...since that day..." He let his hand relax its grip before sliding off and down SkekGra's throat. "They feel...it too...but they're...scared..."

SkekGra croaked awkwardly, trying to find his voice. But UrGoh was patient, remaining quiet until he finally murmured, "And you aren't?"

UrGoh laughed, more tears spilling down his cheeks. "Of course...I am..." he said as he slowly pressed SkekGra down to sit on the bed, kissing over his uneven beak. "But there's...nothing I want...more...than to...be ourselves...again..." He rested his head in the crook of the Skeksis' throat and let a low rumble vibrate in his chest, the sound somehow both possessive and soothing. "I don't...ask...for the...impossible...I only ask...for what once was…"

Staring up at the ceiling, SkekGra let out a shuddery breath and closed his eyes. He could not remember a time where he felt more wanted or more appreciated for just being what he was. Distantly he felt UrGoh pawing at his robes, untying the clasps and sliding the fabric off his chest and shoulders to expose his torso and belly. UrGoh pressed kisses down his sternum, continuing down until he parted his legs, shifting SkekGra's hips to yank the remaining clothes off and away. "UrGoh, they'll hear us," SkekGra murmured as he felt the Mystic slide back between his thighs, thumbs pressing into the creases where his limbs met groin.

"Do I...look like...I...care?" UrGoh said, rubbing his nose over SkekGra's now exposed slit and giving it a lick, his soft tongue tracing the edges until the Skeksis was whimpering softly on the sheets. Slowly, SkekGra opened his eyes and lifted his head, pushing onto his elbows to watch as UrGoh lapped at his core, any remaining hesitation melting away with each sweep of his tongue.

UrGoh groaned, letting one of his back arms slide down and rub at his own pubic mound through his clothes and SkekGra hissed, feeling the combined sensation of soft Mystic fingers and the tongue that was physically pressing into him. He shifted to one elbow, raising a hand to cover his beak, but UrGoh grabbed his wrist, pressing it palm down to the bed. "No…" he said firmly, untying the belt to his own pants and slipping them off with a free hand before he pushed himself up onto SkekGra, immobilizing the Skeksis' hips with the weight of his body. " Don't...Not for...their sake…" he whispered, one of his back hands coming up to wipe away the tear streaks from his eyes.

SkekGra just looked up at UrGoh, his heart fluttering against his ribs as his slit throbbed with need. He'd never seen the Mystic so emotional and overwhelmed and it was only now that he realized just how accustomed to UrGoh's easy smile and gentle demeanor he'd become. Now it was suddenly gone, replaced with a version that was so very tired and at the end of his rope, but still looking to make a positive change despite the many obstacles in their path.

UrSol's words floated back into his mind as he stared at UrGoh, their breath syncing in the slow meditation of their silence: Ever since he had his vision, he's had something to strive for…

Emboldened, SkekGra surged up and began to undo the ties to UrGoh's shirt, tugging until the Mystic laughed and began to help, taking off the shirt before letting it drop to the side. UrGoh moved to remove his hat and SkekGra caught his wrist before he could reach. "I like it," he said, letting go only to grab the long braid peeking out of the fabric instead, twisting it around a claw.

Raising an eyebrow, UrGoh smiled softly and grunted as SkekGra gave a playful tug to his hair and then released it. The Mystic sank back and adjusted himself on top of SkekGra so that their groins were aligned, rubbing against one another. "Good," the Mystic purred, his front hands running down SkekGra's arms and chest while the back ones steadied himself on the Skeksis' thighs. "I don't...want you to...think about...anything...besides us...right now…"

With that, UrGoh's expression split into what had to be the most debauched grin he'd ever seen on the Mystic before he leaned down, biting the cords of SkekGra's throat with his blunt teeth and rocking his hips harder until SkekGra's thighs were helplessly embracing UrGoh's wide stance. SkekGra's breath caught in his throat and he fell back against the bed, not even caring as his mangled back arms were pressed at an uncomfortable angle into the mattress below.

Since when were Mystics this aggressive?

UrGoh barely let him breathe, dragging his twitching members out of his slit and thumbing the slick heads with one hand as he continued to rock them both, pressing soft kisses and hard nips to every inch of flesh his mouth could reach. "UrGoh!" he gasped as the Mystic began to finger himself, leaving SkekGra with the phantom stretch of sudden searching penetration.

"Relax…" UrGoh whispered, his breath hot as he panted against SkekGra's beak. He slid a second finger in, pushing them in deep enough to burn, but also brush against that sensitive little node inside of them both. SkekGra's hips twitched and shook underneath him as his tail smacked loudly against the embroidered rug on the floor

It hurt, but it wasn't unbearable, especially when UrGoh was pulling out all the tricks, sending his nerves into a frenzy of pain and pleasure. SkekGra's couldn't make up his mind if he liked the sensation or loved it, but the look that UrGoh gave him had him whimpering for mercy as the Mystic slipped in a third finger.

They both grunted and UrGoh closed his eyes, arching his back as he let himself sink down until all of his knuckles were buried inside the warm clasp of his body.

Slowly, UrGoh began to twist and curl those thick Mystic fingers in time with the hand jerking his members and SkekGra let out helpless little gasps at the assault on his nerves. UrGoh watched him as he worked, his eyes focused on SkekGra's face as he made the Skeksis feel more full than he had any right to.

"Are...you-?"

"Yes," SkekGra growled, his hands coming up to grab UrGoh's thighs as the Mystic hissed and lifted himself up and dragged out his own members which were engorged and throbbing with need. "Please-"

"Yeah...I'm...working on...it…" UrGoh murmured, holding SkekGra's erections as he lined himself up. He hummed and then pressed the heads into the slick slit, hands shaking as he began to slide down. SkekGra's eyes rolled back as UrGoh sank, their hips finally colliding after what seemed like an entire trine of waiting and pinning the Skeksis firmly to the bed under his full body weight.

Engulfed, penetrated, and so very wanted. He could only hold on as UrGoh leaned in, all four arms bracketing his body and keeping him trapped under the Mystic's massive form. Not that he had any inclinations of escape.

"UrGoh…" he whimpered, one hand pulling off the Mystic's thighs to grasp the two erections leaking against the curve of his belly. They both tensed and let out loud moans, SkekGra trying to bury the sound in his shoulder while UrGoh just tipped his head back, singing his pleasure to anyone who would listen.

SkekGra hissed and tried to lift his hips to fuck up into UrGoh, but the Mystic was just too damn heavy. UrGoh chuckled at his attempts, breath raspy and hair tangled with sweat as he squeezed down on the three shafts pulsing inside of him. "You're so...wonderful…" the Mystic murmured, leaning in and brushing his slicked fingers through SkekGra's mane.

Heat throbbed through him as those words echoed in his head. Slowly UrGoh began to bounce his body, using both sets of arms to help lift himself up and drop him back down, all the while refusing to let SkekGra's cocks fully leave the tight clench of his slit.

Part of him wanted UrGoh to slow down and take their time, but the other part of him was tugging at the Mystic's cocks nearly as fast as UrGoh rode, squeezing the soft tips in his claws until they were both whimpering and crying out from how sensitive they were. "SkekGra…" UrGoh grunted as he slammed his hips down into the Skeksis, both of their tails struggling to tangle with the Mystic's tail cover still in the way. "Don't...hold back...please…" He reached up, brushing SkekGra's beak with his fingerpads as he huffed. "Let me...hear your...voice…"

SkekGra gritted his teeth and swallowed, everything within him vibrating with pure need.

We never just sing.

We are the song.

He leaned up, letting go of UrGoh's shafts to wrap his functional arms around the Mystic, holding on as UrGoh clenched down around him and bit into his shoulder hard enough to bruise.

In that moment, he finally allowed himself to join the choir, harmonizing with UrGoh as their bodies writhed, caught between the echoes of their voices.

"Do you really have to go?"

SkekSa turned as she buttoned up her tunic and straightened the hemline that fell just below her groin. "No, but I'm sure not staying here," she muttered as she glanced down to SkekGra, her red eyes tracing the line of sweat that trailed down his naked body as he laid back in the sand. "Going to miss me, Conqueror?" she mocked with a sardonic smirk.

Snickering, SkekGra sat up and slowly stood, brushing the sand from his legs, tail and ass. His eyes tracked her form as SkekSa stepped into her pants and dragged them up her hips, slipping her tail through the hole in the back. "Only as much as I miss any of the rest," he lied, giving her back a small slap as she tucked the excess of her tunic into her waistband.

The Mariner grinned toothily. "Liar," She snickered as she bent over to scoop her hat off the ground, batting the sand out of the fabric with one hand before slipping it over her bright blue plumage. "But if you had any dramatic confessions for me, now is the time." She lifted her beak to the sea and pointedly clicked her tongue. "The tide's coming…"

SkekGra let out a barking laugh. As much as he enjoyed SkekSa's company, what they had wasn't anything close to what the Gelfling described as 'love'. They simply had an understanding, two beings who were just similar enough to take comfort in one another and not feel awkward in the aftermath. The sex was always good and the afterglow pleasant enough to come back for more when their paths crossed. "When do you think you'll come back to shore?"

Snorting, SkekSa rubbed over the piercings in her beak and hissed, "If I'm lucky? Never…" She glanced back at SkekGra, adding, "I'll answer the call when it comes, but until then I'm setting sail for myself."

He didn't blame her. The past few days in the castle had been a tense affair. SkekLi's banishment had marked a distinct shift not only in politics, but their very loyalty to one another. Sure, Skeksis had been punished before (SkekNa and SkekShod being the most brutal examples that came to mind), but no one had ever been abandoned and thrown out to the wilds like the Satirist.

In the heat of the moment, SkekGra had been a willing participant in the ceremony. He had cackled and laughed, tearing into SkekLi's clothes until the other Skeksis was left bare and bleeding from their claws. But now, days later and with the throne room silent save for the Emperor's stupid Podling musicians, he had begun to feel something heavy slip into the hollow space left in SkekLi's absence.

He'd never before questioned his position within the hierarchy and had certainly never thought that he might be seen as expendable to his fellows. There were only 16 left of the Twice-Nine; it was important that they stick together to not only preserve their power but their very sense of being.

With SkekLi gone, it seemed like the world under their feet had disappeared, replaced with a foreign terrain that held no stability.

A week ago he stood atop a mountain.

Today he stood on sand.

"What will you do, Conqueror?"

SkekGra blinked, glancing up as SkekGra stared at him expectantly, the light from the three Brothers reflected in her red eyes. "Continue as I always have," he said with a snort, crossing his arms over his bare chest and tapping a claw into the crook of his elbow. "There's always another war. Always another rebellion needing to be crushed."

Humming, SkekSa let her hands rest squarely at her hips, raising one eyebrow skeptically as she slowly circled him. "That's what you're going to do with the rest of your eternity? Continue to be the dog in SkekSo's wars?"

"Oh, do you have a better idea?" SkekGra asked with a laugh as she stopped to stand in front of him again. "Should I join you instead and be your first mate?"

"One, that spot is already taken, but Two-" SkekSa held up two fingers and smiled, her gaze warming slightly, "If I'm being honest, I think you're bored, SkekGra. You go and do your duty, only coming back every few trine just to prove to everyone you're not dead after all. Then you fling your little gifts at them to justify your position and you're off again."

Blinking, SkekGra stared at her and she cackled, stepping forward to embrace him (but not without a hard smack to the shoulder first). "Oh don't give me that serious look, Conqueror! It hardly suits your stupid looking face!" She pulled back, still holding his shoulders in both hands. "I'm just talking out my arse as usual. Do what you will. You know I won't judge."

SkekGra's smile returned and he laughed, leaning into her. "If you won't judge, then I will! You're still friends with SkekZok after all," he teased, earning him a sharp shove. He stumbled but caught himself before he fell to the sand, snickering as she gave him glare that held no real hostility behind it.

"And you are an absolute fool," she said, tone light as she pulled a flute from her tunic and walked out to where the sand met the sea. She looked back at him, her beak in profile as she grinned. "Promise to never change, SkekGra. I'll rip your dicks off the next time I see you if you do."

Waggling his eyebrows, he watched as she began to play a simple melody from the pipe. "Empty threats! You like them too much!" he called as the music rippled across the sea.

Slowly the water parted and SkekSa's enormous sea monster emerged from the deep, its maw dripping with clinging kelp and other debris as it opened. The Mariner pocketed her flute and stepped onto the beast's tongue, grabbing a tooth from its upper jaw to hold onto as she glanced back to SkekGra on shore.

He smiled and waved as she turned into the beast's black throat and moved inside, the mouth closing around her. The creature then sank back down, diving into the water and leaving behind little more than a few violent waves that crashed into the sand, erasing the imprints left by the Mariner's feet.

Gone with the changing tides.

UrGoh's breath against his chin was warm and gentle, a balm compared to the vicious fucking he'd just been given. The Mystic was heavy and limp atop him, not quite crushing SkekGra into the mattress, but making his own breathing shallow and labored as he hugged UrGoh's shoulders, eyes closed.

He was still inside UrGoh, feeling the gentle throb of the Mystic's passage around him as they both caught their breath, sticky seed spilled between them. He pet down UrGoh's back slowly, combing the hair that trailed down from the Mystic's head and neck.

Neither of them spoke. They simply sat there and breathed until UrGoh finally lifted off, letting SkekGra slip out of him. Both winced and SkekGra slowly closed his thighs, grunting at how sore he felt just from holding onto UrGoh. The Mystic meanwhile had already pulled off his tail cover and was wiping himself down before doing the same to SkekGra, tucking his spent members back inside of his swollen cleft. "UrGoh…" he said as the Mystic climbed into the shallow bed, forcing SkekGra to make room.

"Hmmm?"

SkekGra sighed and spooned into his Mystic, tucking his beak over UrGoh's snout. "You really meant all that, didn't you?"

"Every...word…"

Of course he did; UrGoh wasn't a liar. Neither of them were really. but sometimes the right words were difficult to find in the haze of his mind. "You don't think we're being selfish?" he asked in a quiet voice. "Wanting to be one again?"

UrGoh sighed. "I don't...care...if it's...selfish…" he admitted. "I think...it's...unreasonable...to always think...of others...at all times…" He let his hands come up to SkekGra's sides, tracing the muscle that bound up his ribs and trailed down into his lower abdomen. "If...I can't...save myself then...how can I...do the same...for...anyone...else?"

SkekGra didn't have any response for that so he just hugged UrGoh, listening to the Mystic's gentle heartbeat and deep breaths. The repetitive rhythm of life had him quickly drifting into a dreamless sleep.

The next morning, SkekGra found himself alone in bed. He groaned as he sat up, sore everywhere and bruised in more than one spot (though his shoulder was the worst). At first his vision was blurry, but it quickly came into sharp focus as he touched over the dark purple patch, sending a small jolt of pain through his body.

"Don't...mess with...it…"

He glanced up, catching sight of UrGoh sipping tea at the small table next to the bed, already dressed and looking extremely relaxed. "Mmmm, morning...SkekGra…" he said, blowing across the steaming rim of his cup. "Would you...like some...tea?" he asked with a pleased smile.

"Arrgh, if I feel this bad, how in Thra are you so cheerful?" SkekGra muttered as he pushed himself out of bed, wincing at the distinct ache that throbbed through his thighs and groin between them.

"I like it. It feels...nice…" UrGoh said with a contented sigh, taking another sip from his teacup.

SkekGra stood with a grunt and glared at UrGoh as the Mystic moved to pour him a cup too. "Have we missed breakfast?" he asked, taking the cup and drinking the contents in a single swallow.

"No...but it…should be...soon." UrGoh finished off his own cup and stood, going to wash it out in a basin before letting it dry on a small wooden rack. "Are you...hungry? You...didn't...eat...last night…"

SkekGra was ravenous, but did he want to attempt eating in front of the others again? Part of him just wanted to ask if he could take his portion back to the hut rather than face those judgmental stares in the daylight.

Wait...oh fuck-

SkekGra groaned, laying his head on the table with his talons still clenched around the empty teacup. "We were so loud last night!"

"You're...being...drama...tic…" UrGoh said, petting over SkekGra's hair. "There are...few secrets...among us...here…" He kissed SkekGra and gestured for him to get dressed even as he just continued to moan weakly against the wood. There was no doubt that all the Mystics in the Valley had heard them last night. UrGoh was clearly unbothered by it but SkekGra had seen the little looks of concern their more intimate touches had earned them.

This would become another argument. Another way UrGoh was 'hurting himself'.

But they couldn't exactly hide away forever in the hut. They were only planning on staying in the Valley for another day at most...now maybe less depending on how the others reacted to their little stunt.

Reluctantly, SkekGra stood and rinsed his own cup. He slowly pulled on his robes, tugging anxiously at his cowl until UrGoh grasped his hands and then fixed it himself, smiling as he touched over SkekGra's face and pressed their noses together briefly.

Then UrGoh turned, opening the door with one hand and grabbing his staff with the other before setting out into the morning light, the sky still half-purple with the last dregs of night.

Most of the Mystics were already up and about or were in the process of waking up. UrAmaj was cooking with UrSol helping while the blankets and pillows were being set by a new roaring fire. Master UrSu was getting water from the well with his front arms while his back ones held his staff aloft.

A few of the Mystics waved at them, but most of them refused to even make eye contact. UrSol was the only one who smiled brightly to them both when they lined up to get their bowls of grains and chopped fruit.

The morning chant began as soon as everyone was seated, this time with UrSu sitting on SkekGra's opposite side. UrGoh ignored the Master's close proximity, singing along with everyone else all the while a wide grin played on his face.

It was incredibly petty, but SkekGra wasn't going to lie and say it didn't bring him some small amount of satisfaction too.

Once they were allowed to eat, SkekGra picked up the spoon he had been given and did his best to go slow and keep clean even though every instinct was telling him to climb into that basin until he was buried in food. He did keep UrSu in the corner of his peripheral vision, but the Mystic never once looked his way and only continued to eat as he stared out into the distance, a sullen disappointment in his eyes.

SkekGra stole a glance back to UrGoh who was smiling and talking with UrSol about their encounter with the rock beast. The animated way he moved and spoke was such a clear departure from the night before that SkekGra couldn't help but grin too.

Once breakfast was over and the second chant was completed, UrSu called everyone to attention once more with a gentle tap of his staff. He raised his head, looking at every single person in the circle before clearing his throat. "It is a new day. Let us make peace with the disagreements of the past and treat this morning as a fresh beginning."

UrSu glanced to UrGoh who simply nodded in agreement to the cease-fire. The Master then gave a soft smile that wasn't quite fake, but wasn't entirely real either before he lowered his staff back to his lap.

Slowly the group broke up to tend to their daily chores and UrGoh dragged SkekGra away to collect his bag of gifts.

They spent most of the day giving each Mystic an assortment of knick knacks and tsotchkes. They all graciously thanked UrGoh (though some were clearly forcing their gratitude) before offering supplies for their new home in return.

Within just a few hours, they had collected new blankets and fabric, wood and knives, stacks of dried and salted foods and herbs, medicines by the vial, and the occasional personalized gifts.

UrUtt gave UrGoh a new hat that was smaller and lighter than the one he traveled Thra with while UrAc started carving a new staff for SkekGra ("It will be done before you leave the Valley…" the Scribe had assured as he shooed them away). UrSen gave them a blessing along with some talismans for their clothes and home and UrNol gave them a massive sack of dried urdrupes along with a branch snipped from a live vine in a small pot of soil ("So you may grow your own, Wanderer,").

When they got to the Ritual Guardian, SkekGra had to steel himself. UrZah had none of the clear sadism that the Ritual Master had, but like UrSol it was difficult to separate them in his mind. SkekZok's voice had haunted him for nearly two trine and he wasn't sure if he could handle being around his Mystic for longer than a few minutes.

Of course, with UrGoh there was no hesitation. He immediately hugged the other Mystic and pulled out a few items from his bag including several different types of rather plain looking stones and dried herbs.

UrZah chuckled and moved to take them, but UrGoh held up a finger, reaching back and pulling out a set of three large painted stone spheres out of his pocket."I believe...you said...you expected...these...back…" he said, offering them in his palm.

The Ritual Guardian blinked as he stared down at the meditation beads. "Wanderer, I know your stay here is temporary. As long as you travel Thra, I cannot take them." He smiled sweetly and took UrGoh's hand, curling his fingers back over the colored beads. "They are yours. No longer a loan but a gift from me to you." His blue eyes flickered to SkekGra who just gave a light nod of his head, hands awkwardly hanging at his sides. "Whenever you hold them, look to the suns and know that their light shines on us in the Valley the same as you. We are always connected in the circular dance of the three suns."

UrGoh hesitated for a moment before he pocketed them again, embracing the Ritual Guardian with his front arms. "We will...treasure them," UrGoh assured as he glanced up to SkekGra. "As we do...everything you...all have done...on our behalf."

Turning back to SkekGra, UrZah's smile fell, replaced with a sullen look. "It is painful to see the work of my Skeksis so plainly." SkekGra made to cover it with his cowl, but UrZah held up his hand. "No, no...it is a reminder of the parts of myself that I am at odds with. The parts I'm unsure of reconciling with in the same way that you have." The Mystic sighed and clasped his front hands together, interlacing the fingers as he flatted his palms against his chest. "I hope you will allow me to give you a proper sendoff before you depart on your mission." He offered one of his back hands to SkekGra and added, "It won't undo the damage that has been done, but it is the only comfort I can offer in the face of such depravity."

"That's kind," SkekGra said, rubbing his arm as he looked down elongated fingers extended out towards him in polite submission. It would make UrGoh happy if he just accepted, but part of him was still unable to stare down at those hands and not think of the ones that held him to the floor, nailing a spike into his brain until he could barely function.

Before he could make up his mind, UrGoh took UrZah's hand by the wrist and gently lowered it. "Let us...think on...it...UrZah." The Ritual Guardian's shoulders slumped and, but he didn't press the issue, pulling his hand from UrGoh's grasp as he bowed his head.

"I understand. Take all the time you require," he murmured. UrGoh returned the bow and then took SkekGra's hand gently, leading him back to the central hub.

Once they were away from the other Mystic, UrGoh pulled SkekGra to the side of the enclave, shaded from the suns by the wooden ramps that wound around the entire Valley complex. "You know...you can...tell me...when you're...not...comfort...able..." he said in a soft tone, reaching up to touch SkekGra's face with one hand, his thumb stroking over the ridge of his beak. "I don't...want you...doing or...saying things...that...you don't...want...to..."

"I'm fine." SkekGra insisted, rolling his eyes as he pulled his hand from UrGoh's too gentle grip. "You don't need to treat me like I'm fragile, UrGoh. I'm not made of crystal."

UrGoh stared at him for a moment. "No...but you...are...precious..." He leaned up and pressed a kiss to his cheek. "And...should be...taken...care of..."

SkekGra didn't have a retort to that so he huffed instead which only brought an even bigger smirk to the Mystic's face, as if he knew something that SkekGra didn't. "Let's just go get rid of the rest of this junk," SkekGra muttered as he lifted the mostly empty sack, shaking the trinkets that remained for UrSol and UrSu.

He wasn't particularly keen to have more face-time with either Mystic at the moment, but the sooner they got this whole thing over with, the better.

They found UrSol up in the gardens, actually singing to the damn plants. The Mystic's eyes were closed and he had his hands raised, swaying to the beat of his own soft vocals as they were carried out across the Valley by the breeze sweeping the cliffside. He stopped when he heard their footsteps and opened his eyes, lowering all hands but one to wave. "It seems you both were in need of some comfort after dinner." He gave UrGoh a knowing look and laughed at SkekGra's horrified expression. "Settle down, Conqueror. I'm glad you both found solace." His chuckles softened and he moved to pick up his own staff that he'd laid down on the ground next to him. "It's not exactly the method most choose to achieve inner peace, but it's certainly a more pleasurable option."

The other Mystic winked and SkekGra groaned, shaking his head as UrGoh just shrugged shamelessly. "Anyway, what can I do for you both?" the Chanter asked, leaning on his staff as he glanced between the two of them.

"We...have some...gifts..." UrGoh said, gesturing to the bag clutched in SkekGra's hand. As UrGoh dug through the bag to pull out an assortment of shells, a new hairclip, and comb, UrSol beamed, practically bouncing his knees in excitement.

"These are lovely, UrGoh. Thank you." UrSol took the gifts, pocketing all the trinkets save for the clip which he immediately fixed into his brown mane. "I'm afraid my present for you is not yet finished, though I plan to have it ready before your departure..." He paused, his excitement slowly fading as he looked between the two of them. "You aren't planning on ever returning to the Valley, are you?"

"Most likely...we will not..." UrGoh admitted with a soft sigh, rubbing his chin before glancing to SkekGra who frowned, touching over UrGoh's hunched shoulders. "And if...we do...we will...no longer be...two..."

"That's what I thought," UrSol said with a frown, touching over his new clip as he stared at the ground. "Most of us believed that this would be your last visit if you ever returned with your Skeksis. At the very least, we knew it would be the last time we would know you as you are right now."

There was a pause, the wind sweeping in to fill the silence and scattering dust and dirt over their feet. Finally, UrSol pursed his mouth and said, "I know I seem sad, but I truly am happy for you both. It's just-"

"A loss," SkekGra finished, making the Mystic flinch at the sudden interruption. UrSol's brow furrowed and he nodded.

"In a way." UrSol sighed and rubbed the back of his head. "I'm just glad that I was able to spend some time with you both as individual halves. You especially, Conqueror."

As he pointed to SkekGra, the Skeksis smiled and let out a playful snort. They had been in the Valley for little more than a day and a half and they would most likely be leaving in the morning if not after midday tomorrow. It was hardly enough time to get attached or even sentimental over one another.

Of course the Mystic easily picked up on his mirth and UrSol raised an eyebrow. "You don't believe me?" he asked, shifting his staff to lay across his knees and folding his front hands on top.

"I think you're overstating the value of one day," SkekGra said, holding up a talon.

UrSol returned the smile and said, "Yes, it may have only been a day, but in that time we went from strangers to friends, no?" He gave a curious tilt of his head that was far too similar to the Chamberlain's inquisitive nods (but somehow endearing rather than insulting, much to SkekGra's frustration). "I've always been of the mind that the length of time is not nearly as important as the way in which it's spent."

Then the Mystic chuckled as if he'd just told a joke rather than dispensed his own personal philosophy on the nature of time and interpersonal relationships.

Somehow even that was musical.

SkekGra rolled his eyes, but he couldn't help the small smile that emerged even as he crossed his arms over his chest. If SkekSil was SilSol's cunning, ruthless, and self-serving nature, then UrSol was the side that was straightforward, satisfied, and empathetic. One half delegated work to others and stepped on the heads of everyone in their way to reach the top while the other performed the same boring chores from sundown to sundown, happy to help in maintaining his home any way he could.

He wondered if SilSol and GraGoh had been friendly. It was hard to imagine himself close to any being that was part Chamberlain, but the more he saw of UrSol, the more he realized just how far pulled to extremes in personality they all were.

UrSkeks truly were creatures in balance, their opposing natures woven together harmoniously in a single being.

Perfect in their imperfections.

They parted from the Chanter after getting one last promise of a return gift (UrGoh assuring UrSol that he didn't need to rush on their behalf). However, when they got back down to the central hub, there was no sign of the Master among the other Mystics. No one had seen UrSu since breakfast and he wasn't in his living quarters either.

Sighing, UrGoh adjusted his grip on his staff and said, "Come...I know...where...he's...gone..." He gestured for SkekGra to follow him up a previously unseen path hidden by large obstructing boulders that led away from the enclave. As they walked, SkekGra noted a slight incline, but he didn't realize just how far they'd walked until he looked behind them to see that they were actually cliffside again, but this time on the other side of the Valley.

His eyes followed the horizon that stretched out to border the Crystal Desert, catching sight of a tree in the distance and what appeared to be a figure under it. As they got closer, he recognized the tree as the dead thing they had seen marking the entrance to the Valley. Up close, the bark was carved with various markings and ruins, strange twisting symbols that SkekGra could never hope to read.

Underneath it sat UrSu, his tired eyes closed and head raised to the breeze as he leaned on his staff.

"Master?" UrGoh said in a quiet voice, rounding the tree to look at the other Mystic.

Slowly, the Master let out a sigh, keeping his eyes closed. "Yes, Wanderer?"

UrGoh gently took the bag from SkekGra's claws, opening the sack and pulling out the single book he had kept with him throughout all his travels. "For you...Master UrSu," he said, offering it in both hands.

After a beat, UrSu opened one eye and then the other, looking down at the tome being presented to him.

He took it into his hands, opening the bindings and slowly flipping the pages. The Master's large hands were gentle with the thinly pressed paper as he scanned the strange symbols drawn across them.

UrSu's eyes watered as he looked over this seemingly random collection of shapes and symbols, confirming SkekGra's suspicion that this was a Mystic language of some kind. But what had UrGoh written? Was it a series of letters? Poems and songs? He couldn't make any sense of it beyond the emotional reaction it received.

Finally, UrSu came across the flower pressings. The Master's breath caught briefly before his mouth split into a fond smile. He plucked one bud out in particular, a miniscule stem caught between his thick thumb and forefinger. "You have always been so very thoughtful in your generosity, UrGoh. This time is no exception."

Quietly, he placed the flower back inside the pages and closed the journal, tucking it under one arm as he looked up at them both in pensive silence. Then he sighed and licked his lips as he ran a free hand through his white hair. "We won't be seeing either of you again after tomorrow. We'll only have the presents you've bestowed upon us from your travels and the ever-distant memories to haunt the halls of our minds."

UrGoh stepped in and pressed his brow to the other Mystic's until their muzzles were aligned. "I'll...miss you...too...Master..." he murmured as UrSu raised a hand to touch UrGoh's shoulder, squeezing down into the bruise hard enough that even SkekGra could feel it. Then they both closed their eyes and simply held to one another in meditative harmony.

SkekGra just stood there, struck silent by the raw intimacy of the act, something he would have never shared with the Emperor at any point in their relationship. This sort of love that was passed among friends and family wasn't the kind of emotion that SkekSo had worked to foster among them. In his eyes, it was little more than an open expression of weakness, ready to be taken advantage of.

UrSu it seemed, held no such reservations.

For all of the Master's faults, his mistakes were born from a place of tenderness and love for everyone who once made the Valley their home, UrGoh included.

And even though the Wanderer had been paving his own path separate from the Valley-dwellers for many trine now, it was clear that the finality of this goodbye made them both no less heartbroken.

Still pressed to one another, UrSu brought a hand up, gently brushing through UrGoh's hair. "I'm never happy to see you leave, Wanderer, but I can't say I'm not pleased to know I'll never again have to bear witness to a repeat performance of that unearthly wailing."

SkekGra gave a sheepish groan as the Mystics snorted with mirth, devolving into snickers while their heads knocked against one another. Through the laughter, UrSu's kind smile held back a well of emotion, keeping the true depths locked behind his wrinkled face and glassy eyes. UrGoh meanwhile was wiping tears from his own, still laughing for a moment before the soft chuckles trailed off, giving way sad soft sniffs. The old Master didn't hesitate to bring him in for a proper hug, gently petting down UrGoh's back and murmuring to him in a voice that was far too quiet for SkekGra to hear.

It took a little longer before they separated, this time exchanging no more words and no more gestures. UrGoh reached for SkekGra's hand to lead him back down the path to the Valley, but the old Master raised his staff, giving the Skeksis a pointed glance. UrGoh exhaled and smiled up at SkekGra through teary eyes. "Go on...I'll be...over here." He leaned up and kissed SkekGra before shuffling to the side, giving them enough space to talk.

Once UrGoh was out of earshot, UrSu looked up to SkekGra and exhaled, shifting his weight back onto his staff. "You both have paved a difficult path for yourselves. I may not ever understand or approve, but know that I never wished you harm, SkekGra the Conqueror." He offered a hand and SkekGra stared down at it before slowly dropping his own into UrSu's palm, clasping the Mystic's fingers in a gentle grip.

UrSu smiled warmly, this expression a far cry from the one he'd worn earlier in the day. "May you and the Wanderer find sanctuary, wherever and whenever it may be."

SkekGra exhaled and glanced back to UrGoh behind them. "There's no guarantee we'll succeed-"

"There is also nothing promising failure," UrSu said as he gave SkekGra one last squeeze before letting go of his hand. His green eyes flickered back to the horizon where the suns were beginning to set over the desert sands. "The wheels of destiny are not ours to command. They'll continue to spin regardless of our desire to slow, stop, or redirect them." He gave a small chuckle and said, "Eventually all spokes on the axel must learn to accept that they are simply along for the ride."

The Master slowly turned away from the cliffside and reached up to pat SkekGra's back. "It is almost time for dinner. Let's go and join the others before the chant is started." He began his slow march back to the Valley and SkekGra simply stood there for a moment before he walked over to UrGoh and took his hand.

The Mystic smiled up at him and they followed behind UrSu. "What did...he...say?" he asked casually.

SkekGra sighed, his gaze fixed on the hunched form of the Master, nothing like SkekSo's tall reedy frame. "What did you write?" he asked in return, eyes catching the book that was still folded underneath one of UrSu's back arms.

UrGoh touched his chin, pausing for a beat before mumuring, "Hmmm...alright...keep your...secrets then…"

The bonfire and circle of blankets was already set up by the time they made it back, but unlike the night before or that very morning, there was a great feeling of acceptance when they entered the Valley. It was as though the realization that they would never see UrGoh again had finally sunk in and all the Mystics were simply embracing the time they had left together as a group.

Once everyone was settled on cushions and blankets with their dinners steaming away in front of them, UrSol began the chant. The song was no different than it was that morning or the day before, but there was a slightly somber tone to the chords that didn't quite leave even after the song ended and they began to eat.

UrGoh was smiling again, but SkekGra could see him taking in every moment, all the laughs, genuine smiles, and sad glances. Every gentle touch and moment of intimacy shared with his brethren was being cataloged and SkekGra was loathe to interrupt it, despite UrGoh's constant attempts to drag him into the fray.

Instead, he just shook his head and smiled, sinking back into the cradle of his hips as he observed his other half break bread with his fellows for one final night.

When the bowls were finally scraped clean, the Chanter rose once again to sing and slowly the other Mystics joined in, adding the layers of their vocals onto the performance until all were meshed into a single long note.

Closing his eyes, SkekGra aligned his shoulders with the rest of the circle. He took several deep breaths, feeling his belly expand as his heart thumped in his throat. Tilting his beak up to face the stars, he let the music sink into him, making his very bones vibrate to the tune.

With one last deep breath, he swallowed down to his belly and finally let his own warbled notes join the mystical opera.

---

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