Meanwhile, back in Trench, while all the excitement was ensuing, Josh and Jenna sat together in the council tent; looking over notes in preparation for their next meeting.

Josh was still reeling over the death of his beloved boyfriend, but he didn't want to give up his authority. He was never going to move past losing the child he loved so much, but he had to be strong.

Jenna, as Josh's acting second in command, stayed submissive and obedient to her master and best friend. She also couldn't let go of Tyler's death, but she wanted to stay strong for her leader.

As they discussed the matters for their meeting, Kai ran into the room, with Linh, Ari, and Olene, behind him.

"Master!" Kai cried.

Josh and Jenna stood up and faced the group.

They saw Kai holding the magic orb in his hand, while his other hand was attached to Linh's.

The Bandito had a hopeful expression on his face, which caused great confusion in the eyes of Josh and Jenna.

"Kai, why aren't you and Linh watching over my flower's grave?" Josh asked.

"Master, we have something important to tell you." Linh said.

"What is it?" Jenna asked.

"Tyler isn't dead!" Kai exclaimed.

When Josh heard this, he instantly did not believe him. He watched the love of his life die in his arms, and there was no way he could've survived being submerged in the lake.

Jenna, however, was concerned about what Kai was trying to say.

"Kai, what are you talking about?"

"Tyler isn't dead! Wren didn't kill him all the way!"

"Alright!" Josh shouted.

The man stood up and faced his second in command.

"I've tried to believe that my love is still living, but I saw him die. He could not have survived."

Linh, in an attempt to defend her boyfriend's claim, stepped forward next to him.

"My lord, we understand your grief, but what Kai is saying is true. Tyler is not dead. He's alive."

"Well, if you believe my flower isn't dead, what proof do you have?" Josh asked.

Without hesitation, Kai held up the magic orb.

"This is the orb Wren had used to turn the lake into ice. Her intention was the keep Tyler underwater long enough, so he would suffocate and drown. While the child did indeed drown in the lake, there is still little bits of magic left in the orb."

Kai handed the orb to his master.

When Josh looked at it and saw his friend had claimed, he started seeking more answers.

"What does this mean?" He asked.

"It means that Tyler didn't die. Kai replied. "Wren may have thought she used the magic completely, she didn't succeed in her evil plot."

"So... my flower is alive?"

Kai and the group nodded.

Josh held the orb tightly in his hand, then felt himself collapsing onto the floor. Jenna came to his side and held him. She too felt a sense of relief.

Kai and Linh smiled to each other, while Ari and Olene looked on; relieved and happy to know that Tyler Joseph wasn't killed.

However, there was still a problem.

"Wait." Ari said.

Kai turned to him.

"What is it, Ari?"

"If we know that Tyler is still alive, why hasn't he woken up?"

The group looked among themselves, while Josh and Jenna looked each other.

"He does have a point." Olene said.

"I'd say we take this magic orb to Citrus and Gamma." Jenna said. "They'll tell us more about it."

"Who are they?" Josh asked.

"Citrus and Gamma are two siblings that have lived here in Trench since the beginning." Kai said. "They're also very knowledgeable on magic and secrets."

"You think they'll give me the answer behind Tyler's predicament?"

"I believe so."

~

The group went over to the far side of the camp to meet with Citrus and Gamma Kovalev, who were twin siblings who were known to be the wisest people in Trench.

Although they usually stay out of the public eye, they provide good information to anyone who comes to seek their wisdom, even on the knowledge of magic.

When Josh laid the magic orb on the table across from the siblings, they knew immediately what they were dealing with.

"Lord Josh, this is the orb that entered the lake?" Citrus asked.

"Yes, sir." The man replied. "When this orb hit the lake, it turned it into ice, which kept my flower trapped underwater, and caused him to drown."

"I see." Gamma said.

Citrus turned to Kai.

"Kai, you have reason to believe that this orb's magic was not used completely?"

"I believe it." Kai replied. "Wren didn't kill Tyler because she didn't use all of the magic within the orb. If she'd done it, the child would be dead."

"Your suspicions are correct." Citrus said. "The child drowned when he was trapped under the ice, but he did not die as a result."

"Then, what happened to him?" Josh asked. "Why hasn't he awakened?"

Citrus eyed his leader, and the rest of the group.

"Tyler isn't dead, but he's under a spell."

"What kind of spell?" Ari asked.

"It's a sleeping spell." Gamma said. "Because Tyler wasn't killed, the magic merely put him into a deathlike state."

"How do we undo the spell?" Josh asked.

Citrus and Gamma looked at each other then looked back into the eyes of their leader.

"Only death can pay for life."

Josh pondered for a moment on what they said, then realized the truth.

"Wren must die." He said.

"But, that's his mother." Linh said. "If Tyler awakens from the curse, he will wonder about what happened to his mother."

"Tyler won't remember." Citrus said. "He won't know that his mother did this to him."

"But, you must be warned." Gamma said. "If this isn't done, Tyler will be asleep forever."

Determined to prevent this tragedy, Kai took Linh's hand.

"We have to bring Tyler back." He told her. "It's the only way."

Linh nodded in agreement.

Ari and Olene also took hands together.

"We agree that this must be done."

Josh took in everything that he had heard, and his thoughts immediately transitioned towards his beloved flower, Tyler Joseph.

Josh was relieved to know that he was only asleep, but he must do something now, and get revenge on Wren for doing this to him, or else he'll lose Tyler forever.

Taking Jenna's hand into his grasp, the man looked at Citrus and Gamma, full of rage and fury, like a true Bandito.

"I'm going to kill Ender and Wren."