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  "Who is the current Keeper of the Dead?"

  "Datura Lovelace." There was that name again. "An Altor soldier located in the Meadows of Serenium, guarding the only known opening to the Valley there." Robinia started typing fast then. "I'll do a search on him in the Civilians database kept by the Councils. If he has ever had altercations or anything of the like with them, than-" I heard a 'pling' noise.

  "You got a hit?"

  "To the Civilians he's known as a juvenile delinquent that got away. They had a strong case against him, but it was erased when he vanished, taken out of custody by an unknown source. They never heard from Datura again." He paused, most likely reading over the file he'd gotten. "It was believed he started a fire, putting the lives of many orphaned children at risk. While the boarding house in Copper Town burnt to ashes, nobody got hurt besides himself. The fire investigators believed he started it within the house and then got caught in his own trap and was forced to break his way out through a window. The glass cut so deeply into his back, he died but then miraculously revived. When they questioned the boy, he didn't deny having started the fire and so they locked him away, placing him with all the other deranged children believed to be lost causes."

  I gulped. I knew of that place. Lupinus often jokingly threatened us with it when we were being particularly annoying. It was a child prison on Iron Island. If you ended up there, you could expect them to throw away the key and never look back.

  "His escape must have been made possible by the Altors. They were the unknown source who freed the Keeper."

  "But," I started. "What I don't understand in all of that is, how did his back get hurt? If I were to jump out of a window to escape the flames I'd started, I wouldn't do it by crashing through it backwards."

  "Well, that is what made it such a strong case against him. They managed to lock him away because he confessed to having started the fire, but he never said he started it to hurt anyone. The story I have before me, says that if he started the fire, it was to distract an evil man from trying to take his friend." I pursed my lips, willing to bet my life that the Regius had something to do with it. "The friend's name was never divulged. But the Keeper claimed he was giving his life to protect them."

  Something held my interest. All the details reminded me of a particular story. "What happened to the friend?"

  "He was hit by a car as he ran from the boarding house. Presumably he was admitted to Copper Town's medical care and they were forced to induce a coma, which, to this day, he isn't known to have come out of."

  "I knew it." I whispered, amazed. "Calycanthus Esquivel. Datura Lovelace was protecting my best friend from whomever Sage sent their way to get him."

  "Hmm..." Robinia murmured thoughtfully. "You are more linked than I believed you to be."

  "How so?"

  "Xania took you so he could get his hands on Galax, but he also wants Calycanthus because Rhamnus recently reported that he is the key to force the Keeper to pledge loyalty."

  One thing was certain, I definitely did not feel sleepy anymore.

  I sighed heavily, looking my surroundings over dully. "So he wants to become the rightful King to the Blue Bloods and then because that isn't enough, he wants to use the Keeper to eradicate all those that aren't Regius with the dead's souls." I chuckled weakly. "Altor souls. How ironic."

  "How do you deal with all of this? How are you handling it all so well?" Robinia asked. Sighing, I switched my position again, moving so I could lie down onto my belly, letting my feet dangle off one side and my arms and head over the other.

  "Well," I started. "You asked what love was like. I don't know how to explain it to you. But I can tell you for certain that a hug from a best friend," I smiled down into the dark pit below. "Can take away the fear inside. A kiss from a lover," I closed my eyes. "Can sooth the pains you are feeling from a distance if you hold onto the memory." I lifted my head, eying the camera. "The promise of a mother who will love you always, physically present or not, can give you strength."

  "Thank you."

  I smiled, nodding my head as I knew that last one had been important for him to hear. "The protection a father gives when you need it, it gives you power." I added, knowing that one would be important as well. Flipping over onto my back, I held onto the two cables behind me with my hands, placing my feet onto the two cables before me, my bottom hanging in the air as I wanted to settle my head onto the cold stone that was my sanctuary, for now. "I deal because those people who manage to make me feel better wouldn't want me to give up." I looked at the camera upside down, giving him a simple shrug. "I'd say I owe it to them and I suppose I do, but it's not even a matter of owing someone. It's wanting to give that back to them, show them you appreciate their efforts and their love."

  "You're doing pretty good, Solenum."

  "Tell me something, oh wise one." He chuckled, obviously pleased. "How long can a person manage to sit like this? I can move around a bit so my muscles don't numb out constantly, that should give me some more time." I knew his answer would tell me how long I'd be sitting on this damned piece of rock.

  "Well, there's been a record of eleven days straight," He started. "But I'd say four as total max in your situation. You've got only one bottle of water and two pieces of dry toast. It's not like you can replenish yourself with much energy with either of them. Also, because you are confined to a small space, well, it's like driving when drowsy. Dangerous, obviously, but if you take a walk outside, it will clear your mind, make you feel more awake." I closed my eyes again, waiting for Robinia to tell me the symptoms. Because I just knew he would.

  "You're reflexes will start slowing down after one night without sleep, and more so with every sleepless night added. Your concentration will begin to lag, motivation will decrease as well. Perception will become harder and there's possibility of slight hallucinations towards the third day." He sighed. "Which will become more prominent as the sleep deprivation continues." I nodded my head along with what he said and explained, feeling fucking drowsy already.

  I couldn't help but smile though. "I remember trying to stay up as long as possible with Cali when we were younger. It was a game of sorts. We wanted to be like the grownups. They always had strict curfews we had to follow and of course we wanted to defy that. So we tried, several times. I think the longest we managed was two nights in a row." I snorted. "But we were laying in bed and our lives weren't depending on us to stay awake." I missed Cali so much. "You should get some sleep. You can, so take advantage."

  I heard him huff. "I will not. I'm the player, remember? You are the character inside the screen. I need to make sure to press the button at the exact right moment." I sighed somewhat contently at the obvious grin in his tone.

  "Thank you." I said, sincerely grateful for his presence.

  "You're welcome."

  I sighed. "So, we nearly went through one night. I guess we need to keep going for another three?"

  "Sic."

  * * * *

  Chapter 15

  Galax Kaminski

  The Keeper and the Prince simultaneously jumped out of their beds, rushing towards the bars that created the separation between their cells. Galax had pulled a small, sharp knife out of one of his many pockets and had believed he'd have the upper hand for a small second until he saw that Datura himself had managed to smuggle in a weapon of his own.

  Galax had thought he may be faster than the Keeper, but when Datura's blade ghosted closely to his throat at the exact moment his pressed against that of Datura, they both realized they were as quick as the other.

  Standing there, each in their own cells and glaring angrily at one another, they kept their knives where they were.

  “You have no idea how much I hate you.” The Prince muttered.

  “Believe me, my fondness for you doesn’t run deep either, majesty.”

  "Call me that again, Keeper, and I will slit your throat."

  "Slit my throat and you'll never get out of here."

  "S
lit mine and you'll run into the same issue."

  Datura rolled his eyes. "They need to let us out of here soon or else we will end up killing one another." The Keeper removed his blade, lifting his hand in a form of surrender, calmly waiting for Galax to retreat as well.

  He did, albeit reluctantly. "Aram should know better. He should have put you on the other end of the cells."

  "I can agree with you there." Datura said, stepping back and away when the Prince did too. "But he's not an idiot. I believe he's testing our control." His red gaze lifted up and to the corner, eying the camera closely monitoring them. "We've prolonged our stay within these bars by helping Cali run."

  "So be it. I'd rather die of cabin fever or be killed at your hands due to loss of control, than see Solenum without help." Galax sat down on his bed, sighing as he rested his back against the wall.

  "We need to be careful." The Keeper worried. "If we gave Cali the message, it is so he could find her and bring her back. Together they may have a chance at surviving this and we must to try and have faith."

  The Prince nodded, feeling the worry Datura felt now as well. "My apologies for snapping."

  "My apologies for letting you get to me." The Keeper bowed his head. "The cousins have proven to be our pillars so far. Let’s try and remember that, even though they are not near."

  "Easier said than done." Proof of that just minutes ago.

  Galax didn't even remember what it was he and the Keeper had wanted to kill one another over. It took but one wrong word or badly timed gesture and his Regius strength could surface and take control, much like Datura could be overthrown by the voices in his mind, pushing him towards that edge that would toss him into the black and out of the white.

  "How much longer are they going to give us the silent treatment?"

  Datura shrugged. "You disobeyed your father and I broke numerous Altor laws. They put us in here and instead of complying to them as they thought we would, we go on and break some more and purposely put the life of an Altor soldier at risk. We may believe in Cali and see that he is her only hope, but they certainly will not agree."

  "So that means long." Galax deduced, looking around the cell that would be his to view for a long time ahead.

  * * * *

  Galax awoke sometime during the night, disturbed by the voice of the Keeper. Opening his eyes slowly, he frowned when he could see Datura pacing, the normally neat braid swaying behind the man's back in complete disarray, pulled and tugged on it in what looked to be frustration.

  "Datura." He spoke firmly, sitting up so he could give the man his full attention. "Don't listen to them." Although he couldn't see the ghosts, he knew they must be the cause. If you didn't know of his powers, you'd mistake him for an insane person.

  "They won't let me be." Datura growled and when he pinned his eyes on Galax, the Prince couldn't help but jump in fright at the sight. The Keeper paused in his movements when he realized he'd startled Galax, but the Prince didn't allow the fear to settle in, instead, he pushed it away and quickly made his way to the bars, reaching in with his hands.

  "You need to calm yourself. Your eyes have turned completely red." When the Keeper came in reach, Galax grasped the man's hand, squeezing it. "It won't take long before they begin to bleed." Galax didn't need him to explain what that meant, he knew it linked back to the black and white.

  The Keeper held onto the Galax's hand, letting his forehead press against the cold bars, his breathing off.

  "I cannot get away from them here." Datura muttered. "I cannot distract myself."

  "Then I will distract you. Let me help you," Galax sighed, patting the guy on the shoulder awkwardly. "In turn, it will help me."

  It didn't take the Prince long to find something to talk about. It was a story that often came to him when he had nothing else to think about, or needed to forcefully think of something different.

  "Do you know the story of the Beast's Lair?"

  Datura's pulled back, nodding in surprise. "An ancient soul told me the tale when I entered the Valley for the very first time. It isn't a known legend, not among the Altors at least." The Prince acknowledged that before sitting down on the floor, the Keeper quickly mimicking him. Once they were both seated with their legs crossed, bars separating them, Galax continued.

  "Xania used to tell me that story before I was taken by the Palliums. He didn't tuck me in very often, after all the Regius aren't much for that sort of thing." The Prince smiled when Datura grinned at that. "You know what was so strange about him telling me that tale?"

  "Besides the fact that he told that terrifying story to a kid under ten years as a bed time story?"

  "Yes, besides that." Galax rolled his eyes. "Well, maybe this won't come as a surprise to you, but he didn't have the skill to tell a story the right way. He didn't make it sound intriguing or spooky. He laid it out as facts, as though he was describing a blue print or a map out to me."

  Datura's eyebrows rose. "What makes you believe he wasn't?"

  "The Beast's Lair isn't real."

  "But it is."

  "What?" Galax was confused.

  "Souls do not lie," The Keeper said easily. "How did Xania talk about the Lair?"

  "He always started out by telling me about the Beast, and while that always sounded like a story, his description of the castle was always far too descriptive for it to sound like a tale." Galax paused. "Do you... Do you think-" The Prince shook his head.

  "What is it?"

  "Flux always believed that I knew where the Regius base was, that Xen or Xania must have told me about it before the Palliums took me. He's been trying to have me remember anything that could hint to a location."

  "I am ashamed at the way they and the Altors treat you, sire." Datura whispered, his eyes cast down to the ground. "You are not a tool or a puppet they can use and control. It's what they fight for, they want to rid Zinc of the Regius because the Blue Bloods make it their mission to control each and every one, yet they contradict that in the way they handle your case."

  "We're all to blame, Datura." Galax murmured. "Each one of us are approaching the war the wrong way. Instead of fighting their opinion, I let them believe I was dangerous because I myself believed I was dangerous."

  The Keeper sighed and after a minute of silence, he continued. "You think Xania's story was him giving you directions to the Regius' hidden base?"

  "I do." The Prince gulped. "And although this information won't help us get out of the cells, unfortunately I now do have an idea what Solenum is going through."

  "You're not suggesting-"

  "We are talking of the Regius, Datura. Of course I am suggesting she is trapped in the dungeons."

  Datura spoke before he could feel his control slipping. "That means they are keeping her alive." The Prince wasn't sure if he could share the Keeper's cheer. "It means that Xania believes she has answers to questions he finds important. If she is as stubborn as any Altor, believe me, she won't give him those. The chance of her being alive just marginally improved, Galax."

  Although he knew the Keeper to be right, the worry still didn't fade. "Promise me that when you can return to the Valley, you will look for her."

  "She won't be there."

  "But if she is, I will need you to tell me."

  * * * *

  Chapter 16

  Calycanthus Esquivel

  I narrowly missed Ilex and Vervaine upon my arrival in Copper Town and had been surprised it was so easy to get onto the boat that would go to Iodin City. When it docked on Iron Island to drop off passengers and pick up new ones, the island become a small dot in my line of vision as I stared at it from the back of the boat. I was starting to believe it be far too easy and thus, suspicious. But I was also feeling sea sick, so that was keeping me distracted. Unfortunately, not in the best way.

  Considering I looked Altor through and through, my ability to breathe would be taken from me before I even set foot in Iodin’s harbor. I didn't have permission to enter that ter
ritory and because of that, I wouldn't be smuggled in by Reed, the District Leader of Iodin City. How I was going to get through security, I had no idea. But allowing it to defeat me wasn't something I wanted either. I had a destination. I was going to be one of the few to make it through Immortalis Silva without getting lost so I could get my best friend. My best friend who could be dead right now. I had to hold onto the slim chance that she may still be alive.

  Looking around, I could only see Civilians. I couldn't spot any Altors or Regius on the boat. It was strange to see them live so normally, even if I had been part of the clueless illusion the Altors, Palliums and Regius had created. There was a slight part of me that wished I could go back to knowing nothing, but then I’d have to give up all the friends I’d made, and all the knowledge that had been given to me when it came to my family. Yet, if me or Sol had not needed the trigger, she wouldn’t be with the Regius right now, and I wouldn’t be trying to get her back.

  I was startled when a woman came to stand beside me, smiling as my eyes widened when I saw the color of her hair. Altor.

  "Mister Calycanthus Esquivel." Her voice was soft. "What a coincidence. I just had Elder Aram Hurt on the port, informing me that you've been very naughty indeed." The woman of about fifty years of age laughed lightly, clearly amused with my current fright. She was dressed like a Civilian, a pair of jeans with a dark red woolen sweater. Her hair was tied in a loose knot on top of her head and she had small wrinkles crinkling around her mouth and blue eyes.

  "Elder Saxton." I gulped.

  "Please, call me Rose." She patted my hand before tucking me into her side, sighing in contentment as she gave me a hug. "I am not your Elder today." Releasing me, she pointed her gaze out to the sea, staring as we flowed over the water. "In fact, I am going to need your help." I saw a small smirk playing on her lips. "I hear Vervaine has rubbed off on you."

  I shouldn't be surprised that everything had been reported back to her. "When I-" I swallowed nervously. "When my emotions run high, I can create small bursts of barriers. But it has only happened once and I don't think I can do it again." I added the last quickly.