Sina

"The Falha mushroom creates a special potion of weakness that causes an acidic effect on the body. It's one of the most costly ones to grow, and was first used in the fourth battle of Holova."

Sina was mesmerized as Misty lifted her book of Crafts, showing her the picture of the yellow-dotted mushroom. They sat at the dining room table and had been discussing the arts of potion brewing all morning. Jack sat nearby, but he had no clue of what was happening as per usual.

"Wow, there's so many more potions I didn't even know existed," Sina said with child-like wonder. "I've only ever heard of the standard potion of weakness that causes fatigue. This is so cool."

Misty chuckled at Sina's shock. "You really only heard of that? Weird. I heard you're like a genius," she said, her indigo eyes shining as she looked at Sina.

Sina couldn't help but redden, more out of embarrassment than anything. "Oh you heard of that?" She asked timidly.

"Of course. I wondered why your name sounded so familiar. Then I realized... your family name is Lineir, isn't it? You won money for your score in the National Exams and Practicals. You should be working for the Kingdom with those scores."

Goddess, I can never run away from it can I?

Sina laughed awkwardly, not trying to show her evident discomfort. She didn't want Misty to think she was weird or anything. "My parents... wanted me to work for the Guard... but I obviously can't and won't. Because..."

"Of the King?" Misty filled in for her with a smirk. "Of course, why waste your talents on him when you are criminally talented."

"My knowledge isn't that well-rounded anyway," Sina said with a nervous laugh. "I-I... most things I know are because of practice. Years of... messing around. I don't know what I'm doing most of the time. I just make it work."

Misty snorted and closed her book. "Now that I doubt. You're too smart for it to all be a coincidence. But if you really want to expand your knowledge, you can have my book."

She slid it over to Sina, her jaw slowly falling open.

"I can't accept this!" Sina protested, turning the book around. "This is written by Oyana Britha. It's a priceless guide!"

"Oh just take it," Misty waved off nonchalantly. "I have all of the books from her series. Missing one won't hurt."

Sina's entire face was hot. She had never... no one had ever...

"Why are you giving this to me?" She asked, unable to look up. Perhaps it was her parents voice in her head that made it all hard to believe.

"You are extremely clever, Sina. No one will be interested in you like that so you cannot bother with love. All they'll wonder is what you can do for them and what you're capable of. This is why you study hard and forget love. No one will love you the way we do."

Misty gently lifted her chin with her palm, snapping her out of her thoughts. "Because you're stunning," she said with a smouldering stare before it broke into a bright smile. "And because I want you to have it."

I think my heart is going to explode.

"Ah... how boring," Yunoa groaned from the hallway, watching the scene. "I could have said that as well."

Sina and Misty turned around to glare at him. "But you didn't. You're not smart enough," Jack commented.

Yunoa scoffed and pointed accusingly. "Says the criminal! You're lucky I don't turn you lot in right now. Tch, disrespecting me in my own home. You're not smart if you know a bunch of plants and poisons!" He ranted.

"I see you're still taking rejection badly, brother," Misty said with a smirk. "Upset that all the women you like prefer me?"

Yunoa rolled his eyes. "As if. You're just spiteful and always try to sabotage me. This is why Leilani is my favourite sister."

At that moment Leilani walked in, hearing that comment specifically. She was startled. "What's this about me now?" She asked and paused in her tracks.

"Just Yunoa unable to deal with the fact that he isn't the Goddess' gift to women," Misty said with a snort. "How are you sis?"

Leilani straightened and whipped her hair over her shoulder. "I'm fine," she said in a clipped tone that was so obviously not fine.

Sina noticed how sour her mood turned after Malia left with Halo. She had also figured out their estranged relationship based on the fragments of conversation she heard around the house. Leilani was complicated, telling Halo she didn't care about him, but as soon as he left with Malia, she turned colder than an iceberg.

Sina recognized jealousy in any form. Maybe it was a result of all the backhanded comments and constant competition she endured with her peers in Lilth.

Her parents put her into a prestigious school to prepare her for the Exams, so naturally, being as smart and awkward as she was, people tried to bring her down from all corners.

When she looked into Leilani's eyes the day Halo left with Malia, she could see that same desire to crush their alliance. But then why would she not just accept the Prince's affection?

Relationships are complicated.

"Hey, Sina. Do you want to try brewing some potions later?" Misty asked, brushing strands of her hair behind her ear. Goddess, everything this girl did was so cool. "We can do whatever you want. Your choice."

Sina nodded with an eager smile. "Yes, that would be awesome."

"Misty, I need to speak with you later," Leilani said, warily watching their interaction. A knock came on the door, luckily inrerrupting whatever she planned to say.

Yunoa went and opened it, his eyes widening as a navy-haired woman let herself into the house. Her dagger-sharp heels clacked across the wooden floors as she strolled in, her dark eyes taking everything in as her cloak flared behind her.

She's stunning. But Goddess, she looks terrifying.

"Leilani Hira," her siren-like voice spoke. Leilani froze in her skin as the woman towered over her. Sina thought she was pulling a gun from her cloak and about to kill everyone, but instead she held out a letter.

A white letter with the King's crest on it.

"A message from his majesty," the woman said. She gave everyone in the room a sharp scan, her eyes piercing. Sina clenched her legs together, her palms sweating immensely.

Oh Goddess, please don't let her know who we are.

"You have visitors?" She turned to Leilani with an eyebrow raise. "Family?"

"No... no... of course not," Leilani laughed nervously. "They're uhm... friends. New neighbours."

"They came all the way here to meet you?" The woman chuckled sinisterly. "That's odd."

Leilani swallowed hard as she kept her gaze to the ground. "Is that all, Sora?" She asked hesitantly.

Sora hummed, her eyes never leaving Sina and Jack. "Of course. You know the consequences if you do not comply. Good day."

Sora took her time strutting out of the house, with Leilani slamming the door harshly shut behind her. She put her head to the door, her breaths hard and unstable. Her eyes were pinched shut, it sounded like she was crying.

Misty stood up from her chair, both her and Yunoa rushing to their sister's side. "Hey... don't cry, okay?" Misty hushed her, but her sobs filled the room. Leilani shrugged both her siblings off and stormed off to her room, sending another door rattling.

Yunoa and Misty turned to Sina and Jack awkwardly. Jack cleared his throat. "Uh, is everything okay?" He dared to ask.

"Yeah, she just gets stressed sometimes," Misty lied. She knew it was a lie. It was the first time she forced herself to sound laidback. Sina noticed it immediately.

"You guys need to really hurry up on getting out of here," Yunoa told them, shaking his head. "You do us no good by being here."

He walked off, leaving Misty standing awkwardly by herself. Sina and Jack couldn't help but wonder if he was right.

***

Halo

They helped the captured people out of the burning warehouse, all the way to the carriage. Alan's jaw hung on the ground seeing the state of everyone.

"What happened here?" He stammered with wide eyes. "Marshall Na?"

"We will be escorting these people to their homes, Sir Alan," Augus told the boy. "Consider this practice if you ever wish to expand into other branches of defense in this country."

Halo spun around, still with the beaten Finn on his arm. He leaned against the carriage for support so they wouldn't collapse. "What then, Augus?" He questioned lostly. "What do we tell the King then?"

Augus waved off with unnatural ease. "I'll see you at the palace in the morning. We'll figure things out. As long as he doesn't know where Finn is, we can handle him."

Handle Vaea??? After they both disappeared?

"What are we supposed to do with Finn?" Malia asked them skeptically. "You really think Leilani will let you bring another wanted person to her home?"

Halo swallowed hard. "I'll make her understand," he said. "At this point, I don't care. I just want Finn treated and in a bed."

Malia nodded, gesturing to the carriage. "Then hop in. I'll take the reigns."

Halo pulled the door open and carefully loaded Finn in, trying not to hurt him. He was laid down on the seat and Halo slid in beside him, shutting the door behind him. He gave a thankful nod to Augus, who came up to the window.

"Don't fight your brother tomorrow, your highness," he warned. "We have to play a long game. My loyalty lies with you, remember that."

"Thank you, Augus," Halo said gratefully. "I'll try to get you out of as much punishment as I can."

"I can handle what he dishes out. Keep yourself safe first."

Halo didn't care about being safe. He already felt awful. So much was wrong with what happened, and he could barely utter the words to express his disgust and grief.

Soon they were on the road to the country, with Malia expertly commanding the royal stallion in the front. She tossed a look back now and then to them, saying nothing.

Halo knew without her they wouldn't have been able to save Finn. Something worse could have happened. He and the other victims could have gotten shipped off somewhere inhumane. The thought of that made Halo shudder.

"Malia?" He called, just above the wind. She peered over her shoulder and eyed him.

"Mmm?"

"Thank you. For everything."

Seeing her in action... Halo finally knew why she got under his brother's skin. She was daring and dangerous, facing death and opponents with no fear. She must have been awful to have as an enemy, but as an ally Halo felt safe around her. She cared about people.

"You don't have to thank me," she said after a few moments. "You helped me save my people as well."

"I'm still going to reward you," he told her.

"Well obviously. I was never going to deny that."

A small laugh escaped him against his will, making him feel slightly less terrible. Finn started coughing, gripping his chest in pain. The coughs were rough and completely tore him from his unconscious state, his eyes darting around with paranoia. He moved against the door, groaning in pain.

"Finn, it's me, Halo," he said quickly. "Are you alright?"

"My... head..." Finn croaked, then scowled. "That bastard... I'm going to kill him."

Halo sighed in relief. At least he knew the danger wasn't fatal. Finn wouldn't be able to make threats if he was in the red zone.

"What happened? Do you remember?"

Finn glared at Halo. "I'll put my cutlass between your back if you ever defend your brother again. Seriously, mate."

Heavens above, so it was him. There was no denial that could take place now. Nothing that could possibly be doubted. Vaea was a villain.

Halo frowned apologetically. "I am so sorry-"

"Why did you go without me?" Finn asked him, calm yet full of rage. "I thought we were in this together, Halo. You left me alone with that plonker! He's a bloody maniac!"

Halo turned down his eyes in shame. "I'm sorry I-"

"And don't tell me you didn't want to bring me into your problems!" Finn snapped, drowning Halo's exact words. "I came home with you. I expected to deal with your issues after we met your brother. Fucking Hell, mate!"

"Are you two dating?" Malia asked from the front. "Sorry to interrupt your moment."

Halo sighed and Finn's head perked up. "Who said that?" He asked accusingly. "Leilani?"

"The rebel," Halo answered. "Malia. The woman Vaea tried to execute."

Finn heaved in disbelief. "She's here too?"

"She helped save you."

Malia turned around and waved, knocking the hood of her cloakdown. "Pleasure to save your ass, Mr Finn. I'm Malia Lui."

"Finn O' Callaghan," Finn curtly introduced. "Thanks for not letting me rot."

"You're welcome!"

Finn sighed and returned his angry, cold look to Halo. "Your bastard brother tried to sell me. He had his policemen come in and try to ship me off to Lord knows where. He hates you Halo, he tried to get rid of me because he was jealous of you. He's not a good person!"

The edge in Finn's voice was unlike anything he heard before. Halo held his head in his hands.

"And I don't care what you say. I'm going to make him pay for what he did. He's not gonna stop trying to hurt you. And for that he will suffer."

Halo grounded his teeth in frustration. He was hurt. Angry and everything all at once. No matter how real the evidence was, it didn't hurt any less that his actual brother tried to sell his best friend to hurt him.

"I'm sorry for not protecting you," Halo said weakly. "I just didn't want to believe he would do something so horrible. But now I know. This is the last straw. Vaea has to pay for this."

"Let's send him to Hell," Finn suggested with an icy stare.

"I agree!" Malia chimed in. "Let's give him what for. Let's work together, yeah?"

"I'm with her," Finn nodded, accidently knocking his head against the door of the carriage. He let out a strangled whine.

"Let's get you taken care of first, alright?" Halo gave him a once over. "Who beat you like this?"

Finn shrugged, blinking hard as he struggled to recall. "Those... cocks at the warehouse. Your brother knows them. In fact, I think he profits off of them. There's an agreement between them somewhere."

Halo clenched his jaw. Not only was he acting like a tyrant, but he was welcoming Kukoa to a system that plagued the world, a stain on humanity.

"As soon as I go back, I'll sort it all out."

"You're going back?!" Finn asked sharply. "What if he tries to do the same thing to you?"

"He'd never hurt me to my face. Vaea doesn't move that way. He's indirect, he hits where it hurts so he can smirk knowingly in your face and lie about it. He told me you stole and ran away from the palace and that you only faked being my friend. That's how he operates."

"Bloody weasel," Finn spat. "Blackening the O' Callaghan name. I've never stolen in my life. And I'm no snake either. Ironic for him to say."

"I know," Halo smiled sadly. "If my father was alive, maybe this... maybe..."

Halo trailed off and bowed his head, simply exhausted. He had to think of what to do and say next. When they rolled up to the Hira farmhouse, his head started to hammer even more.

***

"What the Hell happened to you?" Misty gasped when Halo and Malia carried Finn into the house. "Who stomped on him like a bug?"

"The King," Malia answered, helping maneuver Finn to the couch. They carefully laid him down, the blue and green bruises all over his body looking like the spots of a cow. Halo hated seeing him like this.

"The King did this?" Malia's purple-haired friend put her hand over her mouth. "Oh Goddess, he looks like he was almost beat to death!"

"I'm alive," Finn hoarsely said, he held out his hand weakly toward Misty. "Water, please."

"He needs some ice too," the muscly man said. Another one of Malia's friends. Halo couldn't get to their names. He followed Misty to the kitchen just as Yunoa stepped into the room with an annoyed face.

"Prince... you can't keep doing this!" He complained. "We have problems of our own!"

"Where is your sister?" Halo straightened, squaring his shoulders. Yunoa did the same, more intimidatingly.

"She doesn't have time for this," Yunoa huffed. "Leave her alone, will you?"

Halo sighed and pushed past the blonde man, forwardly marching to Leilani's room. He tore the door open and found her lying in bed, her face red and swollsn as though she'd been crying. When she shot up from her pillow, he could see fhat she had.

The giant wet stain on it was evidence enough. "What are you doing here?" She asked sharply, her voice thick. "Goddess, Halo, I don't have time for this."

Halo immediately dove to her side, moving closer to her on the bed. His heart burned seeing her so distraught. He touched her hair softly, and she turned away at the sight of him.

"What happened, Lani?" He softly asked. "Who hurt you?"

"You did," she uttered.

Halo's face fell. "What?"

"It was so much better when you were just gone."

"Lani I-"

"Why do you keep coming back here?" She snapped her head at him. "Don't you know you're only making things worse?"

"He brought his friend along as well," Yunoa added bitterly. "The foreigner is currently sprawled out on our couch after the King tried to kill him. Just another problem you're dumping on us."

"What?" Leilani's face twisted. Halo groaned internally and glared at Yunoa.

"Can you just stop making things worse?" He asked tightly. "I'm trying to talk to your sister!"

"She doesn't want to talk to you!" Yunoa snapped.

"You brought someone to my house?" Leilani blared.

"My brother tried to sell him as a slave, Leilani!" Halo cried in frustration. Leilani's mouth slackened. "He actively harmed one of my friends. And has done much worse! Please, I know it's selfish to ask but I'll be out of your hair tomorrow. I'll take my friend and the criminals with me! Alright? I'll just be one night."

"You're staying here too?" She almost squeaked.

"I won't disturb you," he sighed and got up. "My displays of affection are postponed as of late. I have more pressing matters."

"You're not going to let him stay, right?" Yunoa questioned expectantly. Leilani helplessly looked at the ground. Her silence was enough of an answer. Halo would have kissed her if she didn't look so upset.

"Thank you so much, Lani," he brushed her cheek with his knuckles, and she instantly moved away from his touch. It made him feel disgusting, like a leper.

"Please just leave me alone now," she whispered. Halo begrudgingly did exactly that.

***

Halo wandered out of Leilani's room, feeling exhausted. The strain from all the fighting and mental frustration was physically taking a toll. He trudged to their dining room, where he heard Malia giving everyone a run-down of what had happened.

Their faces were naturally horrified. "Someone needs to stop him," the muscly man said with a head shake. "Selling people? He's bringing darkness to our country. I think there's a reason he was never chosen to be King. And it has nothing to do with his hair, that's for sure."

"That's exactly what I mean," Malia said with a scoff. "It has nothing to do with that. But maybe the prophecy is true, aye? This is why I propose that we stab him."

"I don't think the prince will appreciate us badmouthing his brother like this," Malia's purple-haired friend said uneasily. "He must still be in shock."

"Vaea has gone too far," Misty said lowly. "Nothing can justify selling people. At all. I just can't believe someone I grew up with did something like that."

"As if sending away entire families and terrorizing a single group of people can be justified," Malia scoffed. "He was never in the right. Not once."

Halo stepped out from behind the wall, sending them into pindrop silence. He was a mess, his hair disheveled, and it didn't help that even more white strands were showing. They were like white streaks between his green locks, guaranteed to cause him issues.

While docking at different places around the world, his hair would sometimes grow out. Other cultures considered white hair at a young age a sign of stress or poor health. Ironic, Halo thought. Despite being seen as mystical and a blessing from above, the white in his hair had in fact only ever sickened him.

Everyone gave him uncomfortable glances. Finn was passed out on the couch, having multiple ice packs on his body. Halo clenched his fist at the sight, then immediately released it, exhaling a harsh, heavy breath.

"Hey, Halo," Misty said awkwardly. "How'd the talk with Lani go?"

Halo rubbed his face in frustration, dropping his arms lamely. "Not well. She's not speaking to me. For obvious reasons."

Misty smiled pitifully. She couldn't even guarantee that Leilani would change her mind. She knew her sister far too well.

Halo's eyes drifted to Malia. She watched him carefully, as if trying to understand what he was thinking.

"May I speak with you outside?" He asked her straight.

She shrugged and got up, tossing a brief look at her companions. Halo let her walk out the door first before closing it. Malia leaned against the railing of the porch, arms crossed as she scanned Halo.

He paced under her gaze, not even sure how to get the words out.

"I'll take you to the bunker tomorrow," he said, the only thing he could get out at that moment. He looked at her awkwardly. She only rose an eyebrow.

"I was hoping you would."

"Right."

He started pacing again. Nervously this time. Like the pendulum of a clock. Back and forth until his body was as scrambled as his thoughts. That was until Malia grabbed him by the shoulders, forcibly turning his body to hers. Halo's entire face went red as if by command.

"That's not what you called me out here for, is it?" She asked lowly, her amber gaze like fire.

"I need you," he croaked desperately. Her eyes widened suddenly.

"Huh?"

Halo realized what he just said. Oh Goddess, not like that! "To help me stop my brother," he hurriedly added after. She released his arms and tilted her head at him.

"You feel guilty about this, don't you?" She asked knowingly. "He's your brother so you feel like shit conspiring against him."

"I know he needs to be stopped," Halo forced out. His heart still pained underneath. "It's just I'm not good at this. I'm not good at this conflict thing. I have never been. That is why I am surrendering myself to you as an instrument. You know my brother well on this level. I don't know what to do at all."

"You have never fought?" Malia questioned shockedly. "Shit, isn't that what people with siblings do?"

"I hate fighting," Halo clarified. "Contrary to what you saw at that warehouse, I'm not fond of stabbing people."

Malia sighed wistfully. "Ah, that's a shame. You're hot when you stab people."

Halo blinked. Twice.

"What?" His face burned again. Goddess this girl... she really is something?

"Nevermind that," Malia waved off. "You sure you are done with that guy?"

"I'm finished," Halo said with edge he couldn't believe was coming from himself.

Malia smirked. It was a devious, calculating twist of the lips. "Then you can count on me, your highness. I'll make sure your brother pays for all he's done."

Your highness?

"Remember you can't kill him. No one can," Halo said quickly. "He needs to be punished, not put to death."

Malia squeezed his shoulder, her smirk still wide. "Relax, prince. You can trust me. I give my word to few people because it's that valuable, but you and I... we will be the worst team that fucknoodle will ever deal with. He'll cry blood when we're done with him."

Halo nodded, not knowing what to say. His stomach turned. Malia was so determined that he wondered where she got all that pent up aggression. Surely not all of it came from his brother. It actually intimidated him to a large degree, but he was entranced by it as well. More than he'd like to admit.

"There are times when you're gonna feel guilt," she told him. "Just push it aside and swallow it. Remember what and who you're doing this for. Remember everything he's done. Channel your rage into something bigger."

"I'm not filled with that much rage," Halo said embarrassedly. "I-It comes and goes for me."

"Don't worry," Malia grinned. "Soon it will stay. And when that moment comes, your brother is gonna wish he never met you."