During my unfortunate hiatus, I had the pleasure of picking up a co-writer, Portal!

Trigger warnings: attempted murder, invalidating of emotions and circumstances, talk of dead people

The doors creaked ominously as they swung open, a thick layer of dust flying into the air. Varian coughed and pulled his cloak up to cover his mouth. "Yeesh. When was the last time this place got cleaned?"

"Probably twenty-five years ago," Hector grumbled. "Stay behind me."

The bearcats trailed behind Hector, on either side of Varian. Ruddiger shivered from his place on his shoulders. Adira stepped close behind Varian, not crowding him but keeping him hemmed in. Her hand drifted to her sword. "He knows we're here."

Varian wrapped his arms around himself. "Is he… going to attack us or something?"

"Depends on what kind of mood he's in."

"That's encouraging." He reached for his dagger, but Adira put a hand on his wrist.

"Don't," she whispered. "Leave this to Hector and me."

The hall was dark, only the soft light from outside shining in and casting a long blue beam on the floor. Hector huffed, causing Artemis to ruffle her feathers. "Not like I expected a welcome home party, but he could've at least lit the torches." He reached inside his bag and grabbed a flint stone. "Have to do everything myself around—"

Metal screeched against metal as Hector unsheathed his sword to block the axe aimed at his head. The flint stone flew from his grasp and skidded across the floor. With his free hand, he shoved Varian further away. Snarling, he twisted away from the shadowy attacker, bringing his sword down on the handle of the axe. It shattered, the head dropping to the floor with a resounding clatter.

The hulking figure didn't stop, merely slamming Hector aside with a single fist. Adira charged forward and drove a kick towards the attacker's face, only for a hand to reach up and snag her ankle. Her opponent flung her across the room, slamming her into Hector, who had started to rise. Both of them tumbled to the floor again.

Varian scrambled back, sliding behind a pillar as Ruddiger tumbled from his shoulders with a loud yelp. He hadn't been seen, right? Was that the king?

Apparently so.

"Your Majesty!" Hector lunged forward again, only to jump back as a broadsword, seemingly appearing out of nowhere, cleaved the air between them. "Your Majesty, please, it's us!"

He dodged a blow, spinning and slashing at the king's side. Their opponent pivoted on his foot, blocking his attack effortlessly. "My king! It's Hector and Adira! Please listen!"

"We're not here to fight you," Adira pleaded.

With a roar, the king swiped at her again. She jumped back, and Hector took the opportunity to attack again. For not wanting to fight him, they were doing a decent job.

Artemis dove at the man, only for the crows from earlier to burst from a hallway and intercept her. The bearcats watched on helplessly, as if unsure how to protect their human without attacking the king.

Ruddiger chittered and swatted at Varian's leg. The raccoon held up the flint stone. Varian gasped and snatched his friend up. "Ruddiger, you genius!" His gaze darted frantically around, searching the walls… there had to be one… There! Jumping to his feet, he snatched a torch out of its bracket, setting it on the ground and striking the stone above it. Sparks leaped, settling around the torch, but nothing caught. Risking a glance over his shoulder, he grimaced as Hector was thrown against a pillar. The king had the advantage; he was trying for the kill, while Hector and Adira had to fight without hurting him.

He turned his attention back to his work, striking the stone more rapidly. The torch flared up at last, and he shouted triumphantly as it did.

That was a mistake.

The king turned, only now noticing him. With a snarl, he lunged, bringing his blade up to strike. Varian yelped and thrust the torch forward.

He almost wished he hadn't done so. The torch illuminated the face of a bear, fangs glistening in the light, eyes aglow. He stumbled back, his retreat stopped by the cold stone wall. The blade swung downward, and Varian reflexively yanked his knife out of its sheath—it wouldn't do anything, it was too small, he was too weak, he was going to die—

Metal rang as the sword stopped in midair. Hector's arms shook as they bore the whole weight of the blow. He brought his gloved hand up against the flat of his sword to steady it as his back arched. "Kid, move!"

Varian slipped out from behind him, bringing the torch up once more to light up the two combatants. As the light shone on Hector's face, the king froze, drawing back and letting his sword fall to his side. Hector sighed and relaxed. Adira stepped to his side as the king pulled off the bear mask. The warriors knelt, and Varian followed their lead, keeping halfway behind Hector. Now that it was over, his frame shook with fear and adrenaline.

"Hector?" the king rasped. With a snap of his fingers, his crows stopped attacking, and their bedraggled hawk fluttered down to land on Hector's shoulders. "Adira?"

"It's us, Your Majesty," Adira answered.

"I… I'm sorry. I didn't know—"

"We understand." Hector stood. The king sheathed his sword and grabbed him in—well, a bear hug. Hector laughed and clapped him on the back. "It's good to see you again."

Adira stood, and Edmund released Hector to nod in her direction. "You two haven't changed a bit," he said.

Hector held out a hand to Varian, who hadn't moved. He slowly took it and stood, hovering behind his uncle still and wrapping his arm around himself as he watched the king warily.

"Varian, this is King Edmund," Hector introduced him. "Your Majesty, Varian."

King Edmund frowned, his mustache twitching. "Interesting," he mused. "He bears a striking resemblance to both of them! I never thought Hector and Adira would be the type…"

It took Varian a moment to figure out what that meant. The adults caught on first. "Absolutely not," Hector snapped. Adira shuddered.

"Not yours? Then—"

"He's Quirin's son."

"Ah." He nodded. "Where is Quirin? Did he come with you?"

Hector shook his head. "Quirin is dead."

His face fell. "What happened?" he spoke lowly, his tone hard as stone.

"It's a long story. I'll explain everything. Adira, take Varian to the East Wing."

Her brows furrowed. "Are you sure that's—"

"I'm sure."

She didn't look convinced, but she's nodded. "Come on, Var. I've got some stuff to show you."

Varian obeyed, looking back over his shoulder at his uncle. Hector gave him an encouraging grin, but it was impossible to miss the look of pain, sadness, and… nervousness? that twisted his features. The boy turned back to Adira as she led him towards another hall. "Maybe I should stay with him."

"Best not to," she whispered back. "Hector will smooth things over."

"Is the king… he'll be mad at me, won't he?"

"I doubt it." She hovered a hand over his shoulder hesitantly, then dropped it back to her side. "He'll understand. He tried to stop the black rocks too, you know." She stopped and turned to face him. "Hey. You're safe here. The king is one of us. He's not like…"

"Like him?" Varian hissed.

She nodded. "He's not a perfect man, but he won't harm you. Everything he does is in defense of his people and his kingdom. You have nothing to fear from him." Her gaze softened. "Come on. I've got something to show you."

O‴O‴O‴

Hector followed the king through the halls of the castle, their footsteps echoing harshly against the walls. It was far too silent, too empty. Hector had never been a people person, but seeing the castle like this struck a pained chord in his heart. It wasn't supposed to be like this. His bearcats seemed to think the same, whining softly as they wound around his legs. He reached down absentmindedly and stroked their fuzzy heads.

"Tell me," Edmund ordered as they walked.

Hector straightened his shoulders. "The black rocks made it to Corona," he responded. "As much as I hate to admit it… Adira was right. The Sundrop does exist. It has a human host."

The king whirled around. "What?"

He flinched. This had been hard enough for him to find out; the king wouldn't take this well at all. "Their princess. The rocks were seeking her out. Quirin and Varian were in the way. The kid… he's a genius. An alchemist. Or, he was. He tried to find a way to stop the rocks. He studied them, experimented on them. But something went wrong. One of his chemicals reacted with the rocks… Quirin pushed him out of the way. It trapped him inside a crystal. It's unbreakable." His voice caught. "We couldn't get his body out. Adira says she'll try to cut it open when she leaves."

Edmund nodded, his eyes filled with pain. "We'll honor our brother. And the boy?"

"I'm his guardian now."

"How did you find him? Did he seek you out?"

He shook his head. "No, Your Majesty. I found him when I went to Corona to look for Quirin."

Edmund frowned. "You left the Great Tree? Twice?"

He held his arms behind his back rigidly, slipping back into traditional formality. Twenty-five years in a tree didn't kill old habits, apparently. "I left Kubwa there to guard it while I traveled. And I made sure my traps were set. No one made it through."

With a grunt, the king motioned for him to continue.

"There was some kind of fight. The princess promised to help Varian, but when he asked her to help save Quirin, she refused. He got held prisoner for a month while the royal guards interrogated him. So he snapped and kidnapped their queen. Lovely lady, by the way. Sharp as a tack. I spoke to her when we left. But they sent an entire kingdom after him. One kid, alone—well, he had his rat, too. But one kid and one pet against an army. He got arrested. I found him in their dungeons. He was… it was bad."

Edmund nodded understandingly. "His scars."

"Worse than you know. The things they did to him were despicable. Sadistic. He was just a kid." An angry tremor crept into his voice. "A child, orphaned, alone, and they tortured him. Told him he deserved it. They attacked him before he did anything wrong! Of course he snapped." Beside him, the bearcats growled softly.

"You truly care for him, don't you?"

Hector nodded. "I can't imagine life without him."

"He seems like a strong lad. Experimenting on the rocks… Not many would have the bravery to do that. But if the rocks were in Corona, surely their royalty knew about it! You said their princess promised to help Varian. Why was he betrayed? What did they do to try to stop the rocks?"

"From what I hear? Nothing. No one did a blasted thing until Varian started working on them. They tried to ignore them. Hope they'd go away."

"The black rocks don't go away." Edmund stroked his beard. "Quirin would have warned them, I'm sure."

"I don't know. Varian says he told him not to mess with the rocks. He didn't know how dangerous they were." He growled. "Var was the only person who tried to do anything. Their precious princess had 'more important things to do,' or something. 'More important things' until he kidnapped her mom. He certainly knew how to get her attention. From what Varian says, she harnessed the power of the black rocks to fight him. Connected with them somehow and found out how to control him. Then she left and let him get thrown in jail."

"Wait. Connected with the rocks?" Edmund shot him a worried glare.

"Yes sir. As the Sundrop, supposedly she could manipulate the rocks. Then she started this way."

"She's coming here?" Edmund demanded. "Then why aren't you guarding the Great Tree? She can't be allowed past it!"

He grimaced. "She already is. Varian and I got there first, but… She destroyed it."

Edmund stared in shock. "How? That tree has stood for millennia!"

"She used the power of the Moonstone. I've never seen anything like it. She tore the Tree apart. Varian got hurt during the fall. We made it out, but… the Tree's gone." He clenched his fists. He'd put everything aside, trying to focus on taking care of Varian and getting here, but it stung. He'd lived there as long or longer than he'd lived in the Dark Kingdom.

"That's bad," the king murmured. "The Great Tree was the last stronghold before the kingdom. With it gone, and without you there to guard it, the path is weakened and exposed. And you say the princess is coming here?"

"She's a few days, maybe a week behind us. Varian was hurt, so we… made a bargain with the princess. Traveled with them for a few days while the kid recovered."

"You… traveled with them?" The king shook his head. "They're coming here to take the Moonstone, they destroyed the Great Tree, and you chose to travel with them? Why didn't you kill them?"

"I didn't know what else to do. We couldn't fight them. There are five of them, plus their animals. Varian was injured, I had a concussion, the princess was using the Moonstone's power, and the Tree was gone. What was I supposed to do?" he snapped, wincing as his voice echoed loudly in the emptiness. Artemis flapped her wings in distress, the wind stirring his braids.

"As I said. Kill them. You've never hesitated in the face of bad odds before. Why now?"

"I—I couldn't, I was too…"

"Injured?" Edmund put a hand on Hector's shoulder. "Hector. I lost an arm to the Moonstone. As knights, we take these risks. We sacrifice ourselves for the mission. You've never been one to make excuses. Injuries or not, the Moonstone must be kept safe from everyone. That is what we do. No matter the cost."

Hector stiffened. Guilt stabbed at his chest. It was true, injuries in the past only ever slowed him down. He never let them stop him. Maybe it was true- maybe he should have continued to fight. His king hadn't stopped guarding the Moonstone even after it cost him an entire limb. But destroying his own body was one thing. Letting Quirin's son get hurt was another. How could Edmund even suggest the possibility? "Varian was in the way. Is he part of the cost? I made a decision to protect him and the Moonstone. I'm here now, still protecting the stone. Should I have let him die? If I tried to fight and I couldn't protect him, they could've killed him! The princess's bodyguard would've run him through without a second thought."

Edmund winced, letting go of Hector and stepping back. "You know I'd never wish any harm upon Quirin's son. He is one of us. A child of the Dark Kingdom. But Varian didn't have to be a part of the cost. You could have sent him with Adira while you completed your mission. She would have tended to his injuries."

"Adira was with them," Hector insisted shakily. "She brought them to the Tree! She didn't know what they did to Varian. She wants to convince you to let the Sundrop and Moonstone reunite. I trust her with my life, but at the time, I didn't know how she'd treat him."

"Adira… brought them here?" he growled. "I knew she sought out the Sundrop, but she willingly brought strangers here to take the Moonstone? Our sister has betrayed us."

"Hear her out. I promised her a chance to explain everything to you. I don't agree with her, but at least listen to her. But yeah, that's why I didn't want to leave Varian with her."

Edmund sighed. "I'll speak with her about this later. I don't care what her reasons are; to bring an enemy into our kingdom and put the Moonstone at risk is treason. But I assure you, Adira's not the type to hurt a child, especially Quirin's child."

"I couldn't take that chance."

"Hector." Edmund shook his head and turned away from him. "I understand how much Varian means to you. But you put him above your sacred oath. You had a duty to kill them, and you didn't. You could have left him with Adira, and you didn't." He looked back over his shoulder, pain etched across his face. Hector felt a different kind of pain blossom on his own. "The sacrifices we make aren't just our bodies. I sent my own son away. Don't think for one second that that was easy, or that I don't miss him every day. I didn't give him to someone to watch until I finished the mission; I sent him away for good. I will never see him again. That was the sacrifice I made both for him and for this kingdom. He's safe, and the Moonstone is safe. As part of the Brotherhood, we are tasked with sacrificing everything for the mission. The greater good demands it. We can't let the lives of one or two people come above everyone else. Do you understand?"

"I—" He sighed and hung his head, though he kept his posture rigid and proper. "I understand, Your Majesty." Edmund was right; Hector couldn't let the weaknesses of his body (or his heart) excuse him from putting the world in danger. Now they had a situation on their hands, and the Moonstone was in more danger than it had been for years.

And it was Hector's fault.

"Good. What's done is done. All we can do now is defend the stone here. We'll discuss strategy later this evening. Now, I believe I frightened the boy earlier. Perhaps you could give us a proper introduction."

Hector nodded stiffly. "Yes sir. Be careful, though. He doesn't trust anyone, and he's had bad experiences with royalty. The only other king he met tortured him, so… Oh, and don't touch him. He doesn't do that. He will stab you."

O‴O‴O‴

After dropping their bags off in the sitting room of the Brotherhood's suite-style quarters, Adira led Varian back through the castle to a wide hall. On either side, portraits lined the walls, with carefully dusted and polished frames. Varian stepped up to the closest one, a painting of a lady with thick muscled arms and shoulders and a scowl harsh enough to knock a horse dead. On her right hand was printed the symbol of the Brotherhood.

"Queen Val," Adira stated. "The wife of King Phoebus. She convinced the king to create the Brotherhood and was its first member. And she was my great-great-great… something or other grandmother!"

"Oh. Wait… you're descended from royalty?!"

"Don't hold it against me. I abdicated the throne years ago. Chose to be a knight instead. Don't have the aptitude for politics, you know? Although I would've been amazing!"

He blinked in surprise. His aunt was… royalty. That was weird. She certainly wasn't like any royal he'd ever met, including— "Wait, so then what about King Edmund?"

"A cousin. I asked him to take my place. He's a good ruler. And I'd really rather be remembered as a knight, so just forget I told you this."

"Why did you tell me this?"

"You trust me, right? At least a little."

"Yes ma'am?"

"Then trust Edmund. I chose him to take my place. He's a good man. Cares about his people and the mission. He sacrificed so much to protect the Moonstone."

Varian wrapped his arms around himself. He knew why his aunt was saying this. King Edmund sounded so different from… him. One king had sacrificed others for his own desires. The other had sacrificed his own desires for the world. Uncle Hector had told him about the lost prince. The Dark King had given up his family, while he had let other suffer for his family. But good or not, how was he supposed to just… trust somebody? Especially someone he didn't know? Especially someone who was royalty?

Adira was still watching him, as if expecting an answer. He quickly changed the subject. "So, how long ago was the Brotherhood formed?"

"Oh, millennia. Just after the Moonstone first fell from the heavens. The Dark Kingdom rose around it, with King Phoebus as its first leader. Queen Val and two knights, the best of the warriors of the kingdom, swore their lives to protecting the Moonstone above all else. Ever since then, the Brotherhood has been made up of three of the most skilled knights. Each member chooses a successor, the king or queen approves the choice, and then the brother or sister trains their successor." She gestured to the rest of the portraits. "These are every member of the Brotherhood."

Varian's eyes widened. "Then… Dad?"

She smiled and pointed towards the other end of the hall. Varian hesitantly started forward, glancing at the other portraits as he went. He couldn't stop his wide grin. They were all so… different. Odd. Weird. Nothing like the rows upon rows of polished armor that he was used to seeing… or the cold masks. Some wore traditional armor, each with their own personal touch. Some dressed more like Adira and Hector. Most of them held weapons. One of them held an axe with colorful lines traced along the head.

"He was an al—a scientist," Adira whispered conspiratorially. "Lined his weapons with chemicals."

"Whoa."

"I know you don't really… do that anymore, but I think we've still got some of his stuff around here. You know, if you wanted to look at it. Not that you have to. Bad idea, actually. Forget I said anything." She glanced aside awkwardly.

Varian rubbed his arm. "I might look at it. Thanks."

She gave a small, grateful smile, some of the tension bleeding from her shoulders.

They kept walking. At the end of the hall, Adira put a hand on his shoulder and nudged him to his right. They stopped in front of the last three portraits.

Tears pricked at the corners of Varian's eyes. His dad looked so young, so happy. Stress lines still crossed his face, not as many as Varian remembered, and his eyes still held a weight to them. But he looked happy. It was bittersweet. He rarely, if ever, looked that happy in Varian's memory. Less as time went on. He hadn't realized just how much the black rocks had burdened his father.

His gray armor and maroon cloak looked so different on him than the fur vest and red tunic he always wore. His gloves were off, showing the Brotherhood symbol on his right hand. He'd never really seen his dad with his gloves off, had he? He always wore them. How had he never thought about that?

He'd never really known Quirin at all.

Hearing Hector talk about him was one thing. Seeing the picture of them as teenagers was one thing. Seeing this was another. This wasn't Quirin, responsible sibling to Hector and Adira. This was Sir Quirin of the Brotherhood.

He turned his attention to the other two. Hector and Adira hadn't changed a bit. Both looked every bit the chaotic and feral family he'd come to know and love. Adira's smile was perhaps slightly more manic, as if she hadn't learned how to control it quite right, while Hector wasn't even trying.

"What are we looking at?"

Varian whirled around to see Hector and the king standing there. He started to step forward, ready to throw himself into his uncle's arms, but instead found himself retreating back behind Adira. She thankfully didn't move.

Hector walked up to the pictures. "Ooh, happy memories. Back when we all had hopes and dreams. I'm getting sentimental."

King Edmund walked up to Varian, keeping a respectful distance. "I apologize for attacking you earlier, my boy."

Was he supposed to answer? Did one normally talk in front of royalty? Would speaking to him get him punished, or would not speaking to him get him punished? Why hadn't he asked Hector and Adira before they got there?

Edmund didn't seem to notice his momentary panic. "Hector explained your situation to me. I extend my deepest regrets for the pain you've suffered. You're a very brave young man. As Quirin's son and Hector's ward, you have a home here in the Dark Kingdom as long as you'd like it. You're safe here, I promise."

Hector and Adira tensed. They started to speak, but Varian beat them to it.

"I've heard enough empty promises from smooth-talking politicians. Why should I believe you?" Stupid, stupid, stupid, he's in charge here and he can hurt you, don't make him mad—

Uncle Hector and Aunt Adira won't let that happen.

Edmund didn't seem offended. "We're not like bigger, more established nations. The Dark Kingdom has always lived on the brink of destruction. Lying politicians have no place in a kingdom where people have to trust each other to stay alive. I understand you'll need time to accept that. For now, just know I'm entirely sincere. And I have no reason to lie to you or wish you harm."

"Even though I killed my father?"

Hector's short intake of breath rang in the silent hall, but he said nothing. Adira didn't move a muscle. Both seemed to know what he was doing and chose not to interfere, and he appreciated that. This was between them. Varian and Edmund stared at each other, the tension in the air thick enough to dance on.

"Hector told me about what happened to Quirin," Edmund finally broke the quiet. "I can't imagine the pain you're feeling. He was like family to me, but he was family to you. Quirin was, by nature, a protector. He always has been. He would have seen no greater honor in death than to die saving someone he loved." His deep eyes never left Varian's, a solemness in them that insisted that it would carry the words straight to Varian's soul, bury them deep there until he believed it completely and irrevocably. No blame or condemnation resided there. "What happened was not your fault. I know Hector and Adira have told you that. You'll get just as much blame from me as from them."

Varian dropped his gaze to the floor. "I understand."

The king glanced behind him to Quirin's portrait. "I never thought the end of the Brotherhood would come about in my lifetime. Millenia of brothers and sisters are memorialized in these halls. And here we stand, the dying members of a dying kingdom. You'll probably be the last of us, unless you raise children of your own here."

"Do all the Brotherhood have portraits here?" Varian asked.

"Yes, why?"

He frowned. "Just… I'm curious about one. Was there ever a sister with swirling tattoos on her arms and neck? And beads on her forehead? I don't remember seeing a picture of her. But then again, I only saw one side." He gave a short laugh.

The warriors exchanged a glance. "Not that I know of," Adira answered. "I don't know one that matches that description."

"I've tended to these portraits for years," the king added. "There isn't one like that. Why?"

Varian bit his lip. "I saw her."

Hector crossed his arms. "When?"

"Back when you—when we got separated at the House of Yesterday's Tomorrows. She was there. But she was dead. She said she was betrayed and killed."

"Wait, there was a ghost of a sister?" Adira frowned. "Not the weirdest thing I've heard, but still, she's not depicted here."

"If she was betrayed, would she be?" Hector offered. "Her picture might've gotten moved."

"The math is wrong," the king added. "The Brotherhood is always a group of three. Plus the reigning monarch who takes the oath, but their portrait isn't put in this hall. But the portraits are grouped in threes, as well, and each one has a name listed and the name of their mentor under it. For someone to hide a brother or sister, they'd have to remove three, and they'd have to change the plaques. I also haven't noticed any discrepancies in the records. No, it's more likely that whoever that ghost was, she was lying to you."

With a thoughtful hum, Varian began to pace. "Sister… tattoo… betrayed? But who would… she never gave a name." He pulled Ruddiger off his shoulders and held him up in front of him. "What do you think, bud? Her mark was fake, she wasn't a sister, and something felt fishy about her story. And she never did tell us how she died, or who killed her. And she wanted me to… no sister would ever say that! So she's clearly an imposter, but who? And why?"

"What did she want you to do?" Hector asked.

Varian stopped pacing and turned to face him. "She wanted me to…" He froze, his mouth dropping open into a surprised O. "Oh. Oh, crap, I… I know who she is."

"Varian." Adira stepped forward. "What did she want you to do? Who is she? Is she going to be a problem?"

He set Ruddiger down and fixed his good eye on the three adults. "She wanted me to steal the Moonstone. She told me it was the only way I could protect myself." He stepped back reflexively as the king's worried gaze turned into a glare. "I told her no. I refused. Said she'd have to get some other idiot to do her dirty work. No sister would ever betray the Moonstone like that. That would be ultimate treason!"

"Varian." Hector pinched the bridge of his nose. "No one here thinks you would do that. But just tell us who she is already!"

He crossed his arms. He should've seen it sooner, he should've put the pieces together… but he'd done all he could at the time, and he had been in pain, so he could be excused from not thinking clearly. "Zhan Tiri. She's Zhan Tiri."

As always, constructive criticism is greatly appreciated. Thank you and God bless!