+ Reid +

One month.

It had taken a solid four weeks, twenty-nine days, if his math was right, before Reid was properly recovered. He knew from the start that he'd lived through the battle - there was no way he would have been in that much pain if he were dead. Recovery felt far slower than it was. His days consisted of staring at a simple roof or the well crafted walls of a small room inside a larger structure. Every so often, one of his trio - usually Norton - would limp in and force him to down an abhorrent green cocktail they called a 'nutrient slurry'. Recovering motion started with his neck, then his arms, and very slowly, his legs.

After that, his recovery accelerated. It was a day between standing and walking. An afternoon between walking and an awkward half-trot. Reid was doing laps around the simple, but large, stone greathouse Gerald had constructed, while probing himself internally to check on the lingering damage. Physically, he was doing extremely well. Metaphysically, he needed a few more days of rest. That was fine - he was mobile, which is what he needed to not feel absurdly, completely bored. Reid was certain he had mentally catalogued every individual leaf and branch that made up the roof to his recovery room. He was just grateful to be mobile.

The trio checked on him frequently, and did what they could to lift his spirits - though that almost always turned into their normal bantering with one another. Reid could still vividly picture their fear and trepidation as the hut around them burned - and their desperate determination when they pushed forward to help him.

That entire fight had gone so wrong. He still believed he had no better choice than to fight forward, but Reid's body had given out on him. Sure, there was that odd rush of energy he got at the end, but a second wind when you were half-comatose wasn't much of a help. He hoped Nyx would wake up soon so he could ask her about it.

More days passed, and more questions went unanswered. Reid tried to get information on how they won, but the trio's answers were nondescript and just referred to 'two nobles' that swooped in to save the day - and that they'd promised to return. Gerald was the one that finally let slip that their saviors had asked the trio to keep mum on the subject, something about surprises and introducing themselves to Reid once they were back and he was awake.

He wasn't ungrateful for the assistance, but he was suspicious.

His energy pathways healed up enough that Reid was able to direct energy to physical healing without burning himself out. Skin grew and replaced deep pitted scars from the fight with the Duke. New flesh spread out to cover his fingers and the soles of his feet. He carefully broke and re-healed a few bones that hadn't set right. There was still a light patch on the stone from where Norton had realized what Reid was doing, and vomited.

He allowed himself patience in other areas. He knew recalling his lost weaponry should wait, as should self affixation. More days filled with gross green liquids, simple meals, and boredom. He helped Gerald find and fashion a stone bench to complete a sitting area. Watched him work on a half-carved statuette that had a striking resemblance to Brinkha. He was doing that again, as two loaves of bread cooled nearby, when one of their 'saviors' finally returned.

The woman was on the shorter side, with long, travel-messed hair and cerulean eyes that framed a kind face. She greeted Gerald and Norton warmly, and then asked for privacy with Reid. The two went outside to join Brinkha only after Reid gave them a nod.

"How are you feeling?"

The question was innocent, but Reid could see her eyes tracing over his regrown hand. He didn't want to play whatever games might be forming here - so he held the same hand forward for a shake.

"I'm Serroc. Nice to meet you, and thanks for the help. What magic did you use to stop the guard with the pistol - Panislava?"

Her eyes narrowed by a hair. "I'm Vidita, it's good to properly meet you as well. Your friends tell me you're a lost child of Vuxarina."

Reid nodded. "The first time I set foot on the planet was to start the tutorial."

Her smile warmed - as did her eyes. "Well, I'm glad your journey brought you home. What was it like - the larger cosmos?"

He gave her a stilted series of details about spaceships, interplanetary crime, and cross-cosmic-enforcers. That story turned into others back and forth, and Reid soon found himself in a smooth conversation with the woman. Then she clapped.

"Alright. You're definitely keeping secrets, but you don't seem like a bad person. It's okay. People can have secrets. The thing is, Hugo likes you. He talked about you, and some of what he's done for our people here was influenced by you. So I wanted to see who you were before he got here."

"Wait, so Hugo was-"

"The person that saved you, correct. So you two are even there. You got him out of imprisonment, and he kept you from getting killed. Thank you for that, by the way. Sincerely, thank you." She leaned forward. "Now, I'm not strong like him - or you, apparently. So this isn't a threat. But I want you to understand, I love that man. I don't want to see anything or anyone hurt him. He's had enough of that for lifetimes, and he tries to carry everyone else's burdens as his own. So please, don't do that to him."

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Reid stared at her. Her face and her eyes were still the same warmth as they'd been before, but her body language had shifted to be more rigid. He considered her words for a long time. He was happy Hugo had someone looking out for him like this, and happy he had someone that seemed to deeply care for him. She was an interesting person, certainly, and one that seemed warm even now. Perceptive enough to see through a few of his less polished stories, though she didn't hold it against him. Passionate, in her own way. He gave a slow nod.

"I'll try."

She returned the gesture, and stood with her arms open. "I'm a hugger. We should hug now."

Reid stood and gave her an awkward embrace. She smelled like moss with a hint of pine.

"Hugo should be back within the week. Also, your other friends haven't figured out Hugo is a prince. He likes being treated normal, so you can't tell them."

#

#

Norton was more animated than usual. "No way. If you think Yandrew's Ordinary had authentic roast Welles, your brain and your tongue are broken."

Brinkha scoffed. "I've eaten at dozens of inner district establishments, and Yandrew's was the best."

Gerald rolled his eyes. Norton lifted an accusing finger, then used it as he started counting off ingredients. "You said it was the most authentic. Butterflake crust, roasted amphils, Mergheese Welles shoulder or leg muscle meat, brown gravy, and soft cheese on the side. THAT is a roast welles. That is authentic. You can't just use other cuts of meat, then melt a half brick of cheese over the thing and smother it in bacon! It's an insult, and it's a lazy way for a bad cook to cover a subpar dish. Gerald wasn't even a proper cook, and even he didn't screw up a dish that bad."

Vidita's forehead wrinkled. "I thought Gerald ran a stone shop."

Norton started to answer, but Gerald interrupted him. "Stone is a passion, but the business wasn't paying for itself. Odd jobs on the off days covered the rent for the storefront and let me keep my assistant." He grasped both hands together. "Now, Vidita, as the voice of nobility in this room, please settle this dumb argument."

Both Brinkha and Norton glared at Gerald. He raised his hands and pointed them to Vidita. She stood and cleared her throat.

"I don't like Mergheese Welles. I'd rather stop at a corner popup and get some tacos, or a Gasten-log."

The room erupted in protest. Accusations of being fake nobility were brought forth. Taco preferences were questioned. Norton was still trying to argue while slowly turning a green fruit into ingredients to create a makeshift 'true' roast Welles. The conversation halted as the structure's heavy door was moved aside.

Reid instantly recognized Hugo. His clothes were dirty. His frame was more full. He carried the same natural look of a calm leader, but some of the gentleness from before had worn away to reveal a harder surface. He looked more... determined. And his eyes were practically glowing white. An even stronger change was the mirth that hid in the corners of his eyes and lips. It shone as soon as his eyes met Vidita.

When his attention turned to Reid, he looked conflicted. Norton stopped his magic and shouted.

"Hugo! Would you want Mergeheese Welles covered in cheese and bacon?"

He stilled in confusion, and blinked a few times before the question seemed to register. "Why would someone do that? There's cheese on the side."

Norton pointed at Brinkha and let out a triumphant cheer.

#

#

Hours later, Reid and Hugo sat side by side on a flat bit of rock a few hundred feet up the slope of the volcano. They could see Gerald's shelter below, where everyone inside had moved onto yet another new topic of concern. The two of them had half-started a few minor conversations, but each one died in long pauses.

"So, uh, congrats on Viditia and you. She seems to really care."

Hugo nodded. "I am ashamed to say I nearly ruined that before it started. I am... quite glad she was insistent."

"Has she been helping you, with the Belar bases?"

He bit his lip. "I wish she wouldn't. It puts her in danger, and she's only just started to understand her light magic. But I can't stop her. Thank you, for the bonus experience, and the accolade. Both have helped in the journey."

"I'm a bit surprised you decided to set out and take Belar down. Surprised in a good way, I mean."

"Another good decision I was thankfully pushed towards. Belar has tricky ways of working, and I realized I could do more for my people in different ways, too. At least for now. There is something freeing about this kind of pursuit. I can see why you enjoy it. Which reminds me - congratulations are due to you for your consistent extermination of the beast lords. I am certain you will finish off the final one when you are recovered."

Reid wiggled a hand. "The ninth one was this awful magma crab, and that fight was... tough. I'd put more money on you finishing off Belar first. Heck, helping you off them might be a good way for me to finish recovering before I go after the next beast."

Hugo seemed to genuinely consider the offer. "I would not refuse your aid, Serroc, but I also do not believe I would ask for it. Not now." He seemed to look at the sky above Reid's head. "I am not the prince of Vuxarina. My father is dead, so coronation ceremony or not, I am the King, and I owe a debt to the people. I owe them peace and prosperity. I owe them a choice, to determine their own destinies. I owe them the destruction of our invaders. That is mine. The enemies I bring down here are part of the fuel that will continue to burn Belar from the surface of my world. I will reclaim my capital, brick by brick if I must. And I will do it with the strength of Vuxarina."

He let his gaze slip to the ground.

"I shied away from my magic, at first. The power to tear apart a person's very soul - it sounds monstrous. It is monstrous. I have practiced, Serroc. I have learned the best ways to grasp a soul and rip it away. But I have also learned the beauty of such things. I have seen how light dances within us all, unique and free and singularly beautiful. It cost me much of my traditional vision, but I would not trade it back."

Gears turned in Reid's head. The soul was real, and Hugo could kill people by ripping theirs apart. His conquest over enemy bases started to make a lot more logical sense.

"I cherish the gifts of my magic the same way I cherish the knowledge and power that it has brought me. The same power, I am sure, will be the catalyst to see our planet free. Or, I should say, the power to see my planet free."

Hugo's glowing, piercing white eyes turned directly to him. Reid's heartbeat quickened.

"I know, Serroc. It is improper of me, to push you to reveal your secrets, and I am sorry for doing so. But I know, so I must ask."

Lies of all form flashed through his mind. What did Hugo actually know? Maybe he was just guessing? Could Reid run? Or maybe fight to keep his secret? Should he run? Did it even matter which secret Hugo had stumbled onto? Hugo was a ruler, and seemed to be a good man. He had no reason to betray Reid or turn against him, and they'd just spent a long time simply chatting away.

And really, Reid had many secrets. What were the chances that Hugo was actually onto something truly major?

"Where are you really from, and how do you have two souls?"

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