Callum woke to the world swaying. He shifted, aware he wasn't on the ground but seemed suspended. His eyes opened to sunlight streaming down on him, and it all made sense.

His sleep must've been deep.

They were already at sea.

Grasping the edge of his hammock, he tried to gracefully swing out of it but instead capsized himself with a shout, falling face first on the floor.

"Hey, you're up!" Soren exclaimed. "Er… down, technically, but awake. Here."

Callum took Soren's hand, standing up and stumbling as he got used to the rocking and creaking of the ship. "How long was I out?"

"Like, seventeen hours. I'm almost jealous."

Callum rubbed his head. "Don't be. I can't believe I slept through being carried in here and the departure."

"Oh, more than that. I did a special Wakey Wakey song and dance number, and even that didn't do it." Soren put an arm around Callum, helping him get his balance. His tone softened, emotion coloring every word with warmth. "We're just glad you're alright. It was scary, seeing you just collapse after Aaravos got a hold of you again."

The reckoning was upon him, but Callum wasn't feeling very reckoned. "You're… all glad?"

"Duh! Course we are."

Callum swallowed, guilt rushing up inside of him rather than gratitude. "I've kept Aaravos in my mind a secret for like, a whole week. I'm sorry, Soren. If I couldn't stop him, at least I could get some use from him, right? Make things as best as I can? I still don't feel right about it though." Underneath it all, one final secret, his plan to leave with Aaravos. He'd keep them all safe, make the best of it, and hurt them again.

Soren patted Callum's shoulder. "Listen… I remember how dad got to be. You're nothing like that."

A memory flashed before Callum's eyes of him standing in Viren's old office, fingertips brushing against the runes on the mirror, face full of wonder staring back at him from his own reflection. "I'm afraid I'm more like him than any of us want to admit."

"I mean, you've got some of the same powers." Soren shrugged. "But you're not out here trying to rule the world or anything. I think that what someone does is what matters, not what they could do. I guess, I mean, I sure hope sons aren't always like fathers, cause-"

"You're right. It's your choice that made you who you are." Callum sighed, running his hands through his hair. "I know he used to be a decent father to you… supposedly. It must've been hard to leave."

Soren paused, deep in thought. "Yeah. I wanted so badly to make him proud. I think about it like this, though. The dad from years ago would be proud that I stand with our rightful king."

Callum could still barely believe Viren used to be anything other than malevolence with a charming face, so charming he'd managed to finesse his way into being King Harrow's best friend. Viren was everything Callum wanted to avoid being despite how closely he danced on the border of their paths. He supposed that if Viren had ever been a man who truly intended to be decent, that there was the possibility that Callum could fall just as easily. The man who grieved your mother as a dear friend overthrew your brother. Despite Soren's attempt to comfort him, Callum felt as though the barrier between himself and the sort of man Viren was only kept deteriorating.

But I don't want to conquer, Callum reminded himself. I want to keep everyone safe. I want peace.

Soren helped Callum climb the steps and surface above deck.

The first place his eyes were drawn to was Rayla, at the helm despite a green tint to her face. Runaan, Tiadrin, and Lain were at her side, a discussion clearly interrupted by Callum's arrival.

"Callum!" Rayla charged down to him, throwing her arms around him in a hug. Callum staggered, clinging to her for dear life.

"Me."

"I got so worried about you." She squeezed him so hard something popped in his back.

Callum wheezed, a little more dramatically than needed. "Don't finish me off now." The faded, tear streaked image of her before he'd passed out came to mind and he sniffed. "Rayla, I think I remember you, right before I fell asleep. Thank you."

"It's nothing."

"No, it's everything."

For too long, Rayla had been far away. For her to be there, at Callum's lowest, meant more than he wanted to try and say.

"It's what friends do." Rayla pulled back out of their hug and grabbed Callum's hand, tugging him in the direction of her parents and Runaan. "Come on!"

Callum hesitated. "That's your family. You need time with them. I get it."

Rayla rolled her eyes. "You think you're not my family too?"

Stumbling after her with a grin, Callum was led up to the helm. Rayla's parents both smiled. Runaan didn't pull a knife on him, which was progress. Callum noticed Runaan's arm was in a sling, but the exposed skin on his hand and forearm wasn't purple any longer. Zym was lying on the deck near them, dozing peacefully. "Zym cut the ribbon off?"

"Yes."

Part of Callum wanted to snarl that Runaan didn't deserve to keep all his limbs. However, with Rayla standing there, he bit his tongue. For Rayla, for Rayla. "And everyone will have their name cleared? Rayla won't be ghosted?"

"Yes, actually," replied Runaan. "The Moonshadow way of-"

Callum was on a roll. "Because it's stupid to just assume anyone who didn't do exactly what you expect is a coward or ran away."

Lain nodded. "We appreciate your concern. Rayla told us how you showed h-"

"Rayla has done nothing wrong, ever, in her life," Callum doubled down. He'd had plenty of reasons to be upset at Rayla over the past few years, but none mattered nearly as much as her innocence in the Moonshadow community. Rayla's face went bright pink. "She's a hero. She's why Zym made it home. Ethari barely agreed to talk to us, and even then, the spell only lasted for so long- that's her thanks for saving the world?!"

Tiadrin laughed, bringing Callum in for a surprise hug. "Yes, we agree! Rayla didn't just do her duty to our laws." Tiadrin pulled back, giving Rayla a proud look. "She really is a hero. You don't need to tell us twice that our laws need another look about these kinds of things. I see why she likes you so much."

Rayla covered her mouth. "Ha! Haha! Um! About anything else- like the race to the middle of the ocean to stop a bunch of dark mages from freeing Aaravos- we need your help, Callum."

Runaan sighed, arms folded, palm resting on his bandages. "As much as I loathe to think what Aaravos is planning with you, we have no choice but to ask you to use your abilities to get us closer to him."

The breeze was barely blowing the sails forward. Callum nodded. "I'll speed us up. Guess you'll have to trust a human, huh?"

Rayla frowned. "Callum…"

Runaan cut in. "He's right. I don't want to trust him. His connection to Aaravos makes him a dead man walking. He might as well be speeding us towards his own demise, if we're being so blunt and honest today. We have no choice but to let it happen."

Callum clenched his fists. The old anger rose up again. "You don't have to pretend to care."

Lain stepped in between them. "Please, both of you. We're stuck on this boat for the foreseeable future. Let's make it as least miserable as we can, alright?"

Callum turned away, intent on finding Ibis's old staff below deck to help him give wind to their sails. Despite it being his staff for a little while, he still looked at it and thought of Ibis. Had he even said a proper goodbye? He'd taken his last hours with him for granted, hadn't he?

In a sense, he should be mad at Aaravos for that. However, it was towards Claudia and Viren that his wrath went. He put his face in his hands for a moment, sighing long and low, trying to force the tension out of his shoulders. Runaan already stirred up feelings and he didn't need more of them related to other dead loved ones.

Bait croaked nearby and Callum looked up to see Ezran approaching him.

Callum remembered the dual conversation they'd had when he and Aaravos had fused together and his stomach dropped.

"Ez, I'm so sorry."

Ezran looked away, holding Bait close as Bait made another disgruntled noise. His tone was more subdued than the Ezran Callum was used to. "Hey. I'm glad you're awake, Callum."

"Can we talk?" Callum swallowed hard. "Please, down here, while I still have time. I… I really wish I could take that back." You know you have not suffered as much as I have. What a cruel, horrible thing to say, and to think it was, in a sense, true at all was even worse.

Ezran stopped, looking up at Callum with moist eyes. He got the distinct impression Ezran had cried at least once while he slept. "Yeah. I've thought about it, and I guess I know why you could feel that way."

"But I don't." Callum shook his head, pleading. "Maybe it was something that Aaravos and some part of me felt was true, but I don't think like that. We've both been through so much. It isn't some competition. Maybe I have more memories of our mother, but you lost her before you got to have all of them too. It's a different kind of loss. If it was something to keep score on, it might even be worse than mine. I just… of all the things I said, I'd do anything to take it back."

Wordlessly, Ezran leaned against Callum and Callum naturally wrapped his arms around him in a hug. Callum repeated the cursed words over and over in his head, trying to figure out a way to make things right, when it felt like something beyond what could ever be right.

Perhaps honesty, what he'd been running from lately, was the way to do it.

"I guess I never really processed mom's death." Callum rubbed Ezran's shoulder, staring at the far wall without really seeing the planks or grain of the wood. "Back when it happened… I wasn't as close to dad as I wished I'd been. We had a bit of a barrier between us, one we both wished was gone, but one neither of us let go until it was too late. I wasn't exceptionally close to Soren or Claudia either. They'd lost their mother, but it was just that she'd moved. To try and bring my grief there was too much. And- and with you, I didn't want to burden you. I've been learning that every time I try to keep something from you like my own feelings or a piece of bad news, it just lands harder. Any lingering hurt in my heart isn't directed at you, Ez. I'm sorry I lashed out at you. Even joined with Aaravos… I feel responsible."

Ezran waited a moment before speaking.

"Well, now I really don't feel mad. I appreciate you just telling me all that." He looked up at Callum, stepping out of the hug. "Can I get a Jerkface Dance to go for whenever I'd like it in the future?"

Callum laughed. "Yeah, any time. You're gonna make me do it in front of the elves, aren't you?"

"Yep!"

Ezran made as if to go back above deck, but he paused. Sometimes, Callum saw a silhouette of a king rather than his little brother. That was such a moment. "I wish you could tell me what else is going on. There's something, I know it."

Callum had never been an expert liar. He was done trying to keep everything from everyone, but he couldn't just tell Ezran his plan to leave.

"Can you keep a secret?"

Ezran hesitated but nodded.

"I think I have a way to make sure no one gets hurt. Not us, not the elves, not Zym, not anyone. It just… will look like I'm out of my mind."

"And you can't tell me?"

Callum confirmed, face pained. "I can't. I have no right to, but I have to ask you to trust me."

"You're sure about this? No one, including you, will be hurt?"

"I'm sure."

Ezran stepped close, worried as he whispered, "Aaravos can't be trusted. I trust you, but he-"

"What you saw before I passed out was Aaravos's feelings taking a hold of me." Callum knew it sounded crazy, but he pushed on. "There's centuries of pain. Hurt. Anger. Being given the chance to do something that isn't just hating this world is what he needs. You know how you feel, how Zubeia felt when she visited, how we all feel, to some degree. It heals us to have someone listen to our aches, to have someone want to understand. Aaravos has had none of that. I know I sound like a lunatic, but if your job is to heal the wound between the kingdoms, mine is to heal it with this mage." Callum took Ezran's hands. "Please believe me, I don't want power, or a throne, or anything like that. I didn't want this connection. Since I have it… I want to prevent more war and bloodshed. And I have to do something I hope the rest of you will someday understand."

Years ago, Ezran would've protested. He might've gone and grabbed Rayla to talk some sense into Callum.

"Okay," he whispered.

"It's… it's okay?"

"I thought it might be something like this. Even if I did try to stop you, Aaravos would make sure you'd still do whatever this thing is, right? So okay. I trust you."

"Thanks, Ez."

Callum took his staff and went back upstairs, cube in his pocket. Ever since he'd gotten the cube, it had wanted to move on it's own, always pulling in some direction to the east. Knowing it was the Key of Aaravos, whatever that meant, he felt certain it was trying to find its way to him. Callum stood behind the sails, cube on his palm. It glowed on the Sky arcanum side, and then, barely perceptibly, tried to slide off his hand. Callum angled himself to point in the direction the cube wanted to go.

"Aspiro!"

A steady wind whipped around him and pushed the sails out to their fullest, speeding them along as fast as a ship could safely go. Callum breathed deeply, focusing his magic in for a long shift, sea breeze fresh against his skin.

-BREAK-

Callum expected Aaravos to be in his dreams, but he was surprised by yet another deeply restful, dreamless sleep. After those first nights of shouting at him to leave, Callum felt ashamed when he woke up, missing Aaravos's presence.

Am I actually a traitor? He wanted Aaravos freed. It wasn't just an acceptance that it would happen; Callum would do what it took to break his cage himself. The urgency in the winds he conjured for speedy travel was to keep Viren and Claudia from Aaravos, certain that whatever purpose Viren would seek him for was about conquest or power. He ignored Runaan's glares, unable to dispel the mistrust that wasn't entirely unfounded.

The next night when Callum laid down to rest, magic drained from him, he tugged on their connection, trying to find Aaravos again.

His eyes slid closed and he was in Aaravos's prison with him. At least, his dream looked like Aaravos's mirror world.

Even knowing Aaravos was captive there, prison still didn't fit the cozy study. Callum looked around at the hanging plants and floor to ceiling bookcases, feeling as though he could spend many days in comfort there by fire. However, to be stuck there without any company and for centuries… he could understand how any place became a cage.

"I admit I thought you'd want your space." Aaravos was seated at the desk, a book open in front of him. "I don't spy on you, but I've sensed that you've been tired. Apologies, if my sudden disappearance felt like neglect."

Callum realized there wasn't a second chair, likely because Aaravos would have had no use for one. Aaravos noticed as well and waved his hand, conjuring one with ease. Callum sat down next to him. "Did you know this place is in the middle of the ocean?"

"Really? That would explain the lack of mail service."

Despite the joke, Callum frowned. "All this time, totally alone. It seems so cruel, yet this place is beautiful."

"Would you believe that's puzzled me as well? An eternal exile, but at least it's well furnished. Elegant, full of books, made with elvish tastes in mind— I did wonder if someone wanted to soothe the blow. Some lingering blip of affection for me, or perhaps to ease their conscience, they could assure themselves that it wasn't really all bad." Aaravos looked up at the high ceiling, sighing. "I have no idea what awaits my rescuers above."

Callum looked up too.

"What's going to happen if Claudia and Viren get to you before I do?"

"I imagine they're getting me out of here." Aaravos raised his eyebrows at Callum. "What? I can find you if that's the case."

Callum knew that he was fine with going with Aaravos, but he didn't know where his goals left Claudia and Viren. "Do you still have plans with them?"

"Now now, don't get jealous."

"It matters! If I leave everyone—"

"I am a man of my word, Callum." Aaravos soothed him. "What I need to fulfill for them will not endanger anyone, nor will you be forced to do anything against your allies. I promise." He leaned back, sighing as the fire crackled, the room so comfortable that Callum had to stifle a yawn. "I am your teacher, friend, and protector. Don't worry, Callum."

"You know what Viren did. You were there. You caused a lot of it."

"Yes, I know. Trust me on this. It's not as you think." Aaravos softened. "I no longer desire that sort of life. I wish to be part of the world again. I wish to spend time with you. The others won't interfere with that. You'll see."

Teacher and apprentice, training and learning without worry, like memories Aaravos once had centuries ago.

His tone and the environment were so soothing that Callum dozed off, cheek against the desk as Aaravos draped his cloak around him, unable to argue against a plan he didn't know enough details of to protest. Nearly all day long use of magic made his mind and body so tired that even in his dreams he wanted to sleep. Aaravos spoke as he slipped into another deep slumber.

"We'll have plenty of time to talk when I'm free. Be well, be rested."

-BREAK-

A spire rose up above the waves. Silvery white, glinting in the sun, it could blend in with the bright waters if it wasn't thirty feet tall, its large base barely above the water hosting a slanted dais, a centuries old inscription carved into its surface.

Elf and human forged these bonds, so elf and human must unlock the cage. Below is a star fallen from eternity, be wary lest you unleash his rage. Trials and perils await you, in this tower of name erased from page.

"That's cheerful." Claudia glanced backwards at Viren, Terry, and Sir Sparklepuff. "Look, there's two handprints indented in the stone, and one of them only has three fingers."

Sir Sparklepuff chittered and raised his hand, showing off three fingers.

Terry patted Sir Sparklepuff's head. "Nope, I think that's gotta be me. Ready?"

Viren stood behind them, face pale. "There's just enough time to rethink this, Claudia. You don't have to mar your name, to do more than you've already done for me."

"I told you, dad, I want to do this." Claudia rushed to him, giving him a hug. "No backing out now."

Viren only stood and watched, absently letting Sir Sparklepuff hold onto his wrist.

Claudia and Terry posed their hands over the two outlines for their hands to fit into. In sync, they laid their hands on the white stone.

Lush grass and vibrant flowers sprouted around Terry's hand while purple miasma swirled around Claudia's. A deep thunk sounded from below, so powerful it radiated a small wave out from the platform where they stood.

A hidden door opened in front of them, stairs leading down under the tide.