3 days later

Life in Trench had begun to change, and it all started with the return of Tyler Joseph, the flower who re-bloomed from the ground. The people were rejoicing since the day he came back, and they won't forget.

The Trench lifestyle had also changed for Kai and Linh, who were named as the paladin warriors and heroes of the people. The titles they received seemed fit, as they returned home as husband and wife.

The same occurred for Ari and Olene Soroka.

Word had spread that they had gotten married, and Olene was expecting a child. The Banditos were overjoyed to see new life, and the future of the clan.

And, the two newlywed couples hoped that they would someday connect their families together, and create a legacy for their children.

Over the past three days, Josh and Tyler's loving relationship blossomed into a much more intimate and powerful bond. They were inseparable and always together. The curse changed Tyler's life. He was more than just a flower who bloomed, he was now the flower who re-bloomed.

Tyler dedicated most of his time to the flower fields, which became more beautiful every day. Josh admired the child, and believed that his beauty and innocence is what blessed the fields.

Of course, Tyler was a Bandito, and in spite of what happened to him, he was strong, and his will to survive is what might have fought off the effects of the curse.

Josh stood outside of their tent and watched Tyler. He could see the flowers that surrounded the child's beautiful face, and the floral kimono that still clung to his black dress.

The man smiled and thought to himself of how lucky he was to have Tyler Joseph as his true love. The child was his, and nobody would take him away from him.

On that morning, Tyler had finished watering the flower fields. He gave Lilya and Maks the task of cleaning up any of the plants that were still dry, which the children constantly soiled and replaced if needed.

Once Tyler handed the children his watering bowl, Josh appeared behind the child and hugged his back.

"How's my sweet flower doing?" He asked.

"He is doing the clan a big favor." Tyler replied.

"And, what is that, sweetheart?"

"Giving it what it needs; new flowers to keep the world alive, just like what you did for me."

Josh's cheeks blushed softly, then he kissed his flower on the forehead and lips.

Then, he took the child by the hand and walked with him through the flower fields, just like the casual walks they took in the garden when they first met.

During the three days, Tyler had not been told about what happened to Ender and Wren, and what transpired while he was under the sleeping curse. He was curious to know the story, and to receive closure on what happened to him.

"Josh, my love, can I ask you something?"

"Of course, darling."

"What happened, after I fell from the mountain that night?"

Josh began to feel uncomfortable. He didn't want to relive the night he found Tyler's body and believed he was dead. But now his innocent flower was alive, and it felt right to tell him.

"Well, when you fell into the lake, I was horrified. It happened so quickly, like time had slowed down. After you went into the water, I jumped into the lake to try and get you out, but you were already gone."

"Was I dead?" Tyler asked.

When Josh heard this, he knew that the child didn't understand, as he had drowned to the point of being dead, but he wasn't.

"No, Tyler." The man replied. "You weren't dead. At first, I believed you were dead, because I found your body in the water, but after you went into the tomb, my people discovered the truth, and I eventually realized that you were still alive. But, of course, you were under a curse."

Josh looked at the flower, who looked towards the fields with curiosity and wonder.

"What do you remember?" He asked.

Tyler heard what his love asked him, and he still looked straight ahead, with his face emotionless.

"I remember... water, like I was drowning." The child replied. "Then, I remember everything becoming black, like I was dead."

Then, Tyler looked up at Josh.

"Nothing happened after that."

Josh sighed.

"Citrus told me you were under a spell, and through defeating the enemy, I could bring you back, and I did."

Hearing this made the sweet child smile. He took Josh's hand and held it close to him, then he connected his hands around his arm; leaning against him.

"How did you do it?" Tyler asked.

Josh smiled and looked up.

"Well, I had some help, but I had to learn to believe in myself."

Tyler admired his lover for the bravery he showed. But, he wondered what had happened to Ender and Wren, and how they met their fates.

"Ender and Wren... they're dead, aren't they?"

Josh became dispirited when he heard Tyler asks about his deceased enemies, especially Wren.

She was Tyler's mother, and Josh knew that the poor child would ponder about what had happened to her, but it seemed that he had forgotten.

He took a deep breath and nodded.

"Yes... they are dead."

"Did you kill them?" Tyler asked.

That question was easier to answer.

"No."

"Who did?"

"Kai and Linh killed them."

Tyler was surprised that Josh wasn't the one who killed them.

"Why didn't you?" The child asked.

"Ender had me trapped, and Wren was too powerful. The couple stepped up and did what needed to be done, and they contributed to saving your life."

Tyler lightly grinned.

"I'm glad they did it."

The child let go of Josh and walked over to one of the flowers in a nearby bush. He saw the yellow flower, which reminded him of something from him and Josh's loving relationship.

"I remember when you gave me a flower like this." He said. "You told me that it would save my life one day."

Tyler picked the flower from the bush and held it in his hands.

"I know my mother told me that my life was merely just a seed. A seed that sprouted upon my birth."

The child nodded at his thoughts.

"My mother never gave me life."

Then, Tyler turned back to Josh.

"But, you, Joshua Dun, you gave me life."

Josh began to smile and blush, which made him go back to the day he first fell in love with Tyler.

The child placed his upon his lover's cheek.

"I don't know what the future looks like for us, but I want to do it all with you."

Josh was happy to be with Tyler. He was thankful that he gave the young child life by loving him and being with him. He was his seed, which gave the flower the ability to bloom.

Suddenly, Josh remembered what he promised to do when he woke Tyler, and now that they were back together, he now had the opportunity to tell the young child what he wanted so badly.

"Tyler, I love you with all my heart, and I think saving your life proves that I want to be with you until the end of time."

Josh took the child's hand and got on one knee.

"Tyler Robert Joseph, will you enter the covenant of marriage with me?"

When he heard Josh's proposal, Tyler raised his hands to his mouth. He blushed, with tears streaming down his cheeks. He had never thought Josh would ever ask him to marry him, and it made him very happy.

He took Josh's hand and happily nodded.

"Yes, dear Josh."

The two embraced each other and kissed. The flowers waved around them, as the couple declared their never ending love.

With the new marriage to come, Josh would name Tyler his heir, and create a legacy that would last forevermore.

~

That evening, Josh and Tyler were preparing to enter the covenant for the first time. They decided to have a secret ceremony in the flower fields, and later announce their marriage to the Banditos citizens in a later time.

Josh wore his Bandito attire, with his camouflage jacket and hood. Tyler was in his floral kimono and black dress with black ripped leggings. He held a little bouquet of sunflowers, and wore a flower crown with white roses.

Citrus officiated the wedding. Jenna, Gamma, Kai and Linh, and Ari and Olene were the witnesses of the ceremony.

Once Tyler and Josh spoke their vows, Citrus took out the yellow string and wrapped their hands together, then recited the "sealing of the bonds" poem, like what he spoke at Kai and Linh's wedding.

To share your life, with the one you love
Is a true gift, from our maker above
When two souls, form a bond
To live their life, with hearts so fond

Tyler and Josh, will share their life
Now that they're, husband and flowered wife
May they grow together, with love in their heart
Being blessed by our maker, is a strong heart

Once the bond was sealed, Josh and Tyler turned to each other, with their hands attached. They smiled at each other; knowing that their lives were about to change. When they met, they were young and in love, now they were to become husband and flowered wife.

Finally, Citrus looked at the couple, trying not to weep himself.

"Lord Josh, as your servant, I pray that this marriage will unify the clan and make us stronger against the enemy of Dema. You have my trust and support, and I pray your love will thrive and be fulfilled for years to come."

Josh looked at Citrus and nodded.

"Thank you, Citrus."

Then, Citrus looked at Tyler, the beautiful flowered bride.

"My dear Tyler, it is a true blessing from the maker that you are alive and back with us. You bring our clan so much love, it is my honor and privilege to call you my lord and heir. May this marriage bless you and your sweet husband for the rest of your lives."

Tyler knew that by marrying Josh, he would not only be eternally bonded to him, but he would be the heir of Trench. It is a huge responsibility and sacrifice that he would be taking, but Tyler wouldn't want to do it with anyone else, but with his loving husband.

The child smiled to Citrus, then reached over and kissed his cheek.

"Thank you, Citrus."

The man blushed, then proceeded back to the ceremony.

"By the power vested in me on this very special night, and in the name of our great clan, I now proclaim Joshua Dun, the leader of Trench, and Tyler Joseph, flower lord and heir of Trench, husband and flowered wife!"

Citrus stepped back and looked to his leader.

"Josh, you may kiss your bride!"

With their eyes still gazed upon each other, Josh pressed his hands on Tyler's cheeks, and kissed him.

As the newlyweds kissed, the flower fields danced around them, with the warm breeze brushing against them; showing that the maker blessed their marriage to become a powerful pact of love and unity.

Jenna smiled, with tears flowing down her cheeks. She was delighted to see the two people she called her family finally get married.

Kai and Linh held hands and watched; reflecting on when they got married. They were honored to share their marriage with Tyler and Josh.

Ari and Olene were the most enthusiastic, as their love for the flower made them optimistic about the future.

During this happy moment, Olene looked down to her belly and pressed her hand upon it, then looked back to her husband and ginned. She was preparing to bring in new life to Trench, which she hoped would bless the couple, and give them more power for the future of the clan.

Tyler and Josh released each other and smiled, like when they met for the first time in the garden. They never thought that their first encounter would bring them to becoming one eternal bond, which they knew would last forever.

With Josh as the powerful and mighty leader, and Tyler as his heir, the Banditos of Trench were ready to face their true enemy.

Dema.

TO BE CONTINUED