Phoenix let out a long, slow breath, embracing the dreamworld of the valley around her. She turned at the sound of someone clearing their throat and saw a light covered being waiting for her, hands clasped in front of him.

"I've been waiting for you," she said, frowning at him.

"I know." Castor didn't seem fazed by her frustration. "It wasn't time."

"Did you know? About Ares?"

"I had my suspicions." 

Phoenix nodded, unable to stir up any righteous indignation against him. "And Altair? Elyo and Selene?"

"They had no idea, but they know now."

"Why haven't they come to me?"

Castor sighed, tilting his head up to stare at the sky. Phoenix could almost see the lines of his neck, his adam's apple bobbing up and down as he swallowed.

"Things have changed," he said, finally bringing his attention back down to her. "Elyo and Selene wish to avoid being in the midst of your company. Altair...Altair is busy with other things at the moment, but he watches over you as faithfully as ever."

"And you? What kept you away?" She tried to keep the hurt out of her voice, but failed. She didn't know why she felt he owed her, but something inside of her wanted Castor to be near, present, part of her life.

"You aren't my charge."

"Didn't stop you before."

"True, but that was a means to an end. I didn't want you to kill your brother."

"You wanted me to save him, not just keep from killing him myself." Phoenix folded her arms and arched a brow. "I need to be with him to save him - I need to show him the truth of who he is."

"He'll have to come to that realization on his own. You can't force him."

"But he can't just go through this alone. Can't you - can't you tell him? Can't you tell him the truth in his dreams and let his subconscious work it out in his waking hours?"

With a soft laugh, Castor shook his head. "I've broken too many rules already. I can't force his truth on him any more than Finestra could force Maverick to stab you with his sword. It's just not possible."

"Finestra?"

"Finny." Castor shrugged. "We aren't meant to meddle. I should be invading Eric's dreams only."

A spark of hope ignited in Phoenix's breast. "You go into his dreams - take me with you." She reached her hand out expectantly. Castor considered her, and Phoenix could almost feel his smile.

"It doesn't work like that."

"You're here in my dream. Altair's been in my dreams. Surely I can find a way into my own blood-brother's dream."

Castor reached out with both hands, taking hers in his and gently pushing it back down to her side. "Not while you're dreaming. I can't take your own subconscious away from you." 

Phoenix heard the insinuation. "And if I wasn't dreaming?"

She could almost feel his amusement. "I suppose if you were awake, it might be possible."

"How would it work?"

"Wake up and come find me."

#

Phoenix sat up, wide awake, her heart hammering in her chest. All around her bodies lay sleeping, the moon still high in the sky. Frowning, Phoenix glanced over at Youlden, who was supposed to be keeping watch. He snoozed as he rested against one of the rocks near the cragged backdrop of the mountains.  They'd remained close to the Tranchets for the sake of cover.

Pushing up to her feet, Phoenix picked her way through the snoozing company as she caught sight of a glowing light up ahead in the darkness. As she drew closer, Phoenix saw it was emanating  from a single being seated cross legged. 

He looked just as he did in the dream, his features completely encompassed in light. When she cleared her throat, she sensed more than saw his eyes open, his head cock to the side. 

"Altair said not to underestimate your determination," Castor said, a smile in his voice. 

"You're the one who told me to come find you."

Castor stretched out an arm, gesturing to the spot beside him. "Join me."

With only a slight moment of hesitation, Phoenix dropped down beside him, watching him with narrowed gaze.

"Why do I trust you?" she asked, frowning at him. "Any of you? You won't let yourselves be seen, you're secretive, you lie-"

"I've never lied."

"That's a lie."

Castor let out a soft laugh. "I don't lie to you. Not if I can help it."

"Interesting way to say it." Phoenix sighed. "But I do trust you. I don't know why, but you, Altair...I trust you. Maybe I'm a fool."

"Maybe."

A laugh bubbled up through Phoenix's lips. "Very comforting. I thought wise beings centuries old would be more sage like."

"I'm not centuries old." 

Phoenix's brows migrated up as she snorted, despite there being no hint of a lie. "You're part of the Ancient Order - you're one of the first stars in the sky. How are you not centuries old?" 

Castor's chin tilted up as he looked at the sky. "There's no time up there. Only down here. We exist outside of time, and I've just over two decades on earth."

Mouth popping open, Phoenix barked out a laugh. "You're almost as young as I am? That's...that's ridiculous." But not untrue. 

"I am both young and ageless," Castor said, bringing his attention back down to her. "Now would you like to join me, or would you rather discuss my qualifications as an Ancient?"

She pursed her lips. "Fine. How do I go with you into Eric's dreams?"

"Meditation." Castor shifted his position, placing his wrists on top of his knees. "Finding the place where your mind can travel without your body."

Phoenix matched his stance, but felt no different as he grew silent beside her. Clearing her throat again, she bit down on her lip. "Is something supposed to happen?" 

"Let your mind be free."

"It's not working." 

Now it was Castor's turn to sigh. Phoenix could feel the faintest hint of frustration mingled with amusement as he turned his attention to her again.

"You're as impatient as your temper. You aren't even trying."

"I'm trying...a little."

"Here." Castor reached out, scooping her hand into his. "Feel my pulse. It's steady. Calm. As if I were sleeping."

Phoenix concentrated where Castor suggested, letting the steady beat and flow of blood pulse in her head, breathing in the thrumming until her own matched. Her eyelids fluttered closed, and for a moment she thought she might fall asleep again. The faintest tremor passed from Castor's hand to Phoenix's, snapping her eyes open.

Only she wasn't sitting by Castor anymore. She stood in the burned valley she'd seen once before with Altair. Castor stood nearby, his demeanor firm, attention away from her. Phoenix followed his gaze, her stomach twisting as she saw what he saw.

In the middle of the charred valley, kneeling with his head bowed, was Eric.  An ache filled her, an empty hole that nearly dropped her to her knees as well. Somehow she knew it's what it felt like to be him, that this was what he was experiencing at that very moment.

"Eric."

He didn't turn at her call. Not bothering to consult Castor, Phoenix moved toward him, not stopping until she stood over him from behind.

"Eric."

Again he didn't move, his chin almost touching his chest as he knelt, his fists clenched at this sides. Phoenix realized something had changed, and she examined him more closely. Sucking in a breath, she saw markings on his hands and sliding up behind his ears on his neck. 

She studied his face for the first time in a long time. Nothing had changed, save the markings, but now that she looked, she could see elements of Selene and Elyo in his features - ones opposite her own.

Your mirror. Your opposite. Your other half.

Brother.

"Ares."

This time, Eric shifted, his chin lifting as his brow furrowed in confusion. After a second of blinking, he tilted his head back to see her.

"Little Dove."

Phoenix dropped down to his level, but he didn't look her in the eyes. "Phoenix. I'm Phoenix and you're Ares."

With pursed lips, Eric turned his face away. Gentle yet with force, Phoenix placed her hand against his cheek and forced him to look at her, dipping until their eyes met and the connection formed.

But no connection formed.

"It won't work here." Castor's voice sounded somewhere off to her right. "It's a physical manifestation of your connection. It doesn't transcend your physical bodies. He won't remember anything you do here."

"But he'll remember the impression." Phoenix cupped Eric's face in her hands, studying his features. "Ares, Eric, I don't care what name you respond to. I love you. You're family. All right? I will always love you and always be on your side, even if you aren't on your side."

Eric's brows knit together over the bridge of his nose. "I'm lost."

The same aching, gaping feeling cut into Phoenix's heart. "I know."

"I don't know where I am."

"You're dreaming."

Eric nodded, a vacant look in his eyes. "Dreaming." He let out a shuddering breath. "I feel like everything's a dream. I never know when I'm awake anymore. I don't know what's real."

Phoenix dropped her hands, taking Eric's up in her own. "This. This is real. I'm real."

A sadness filled Eric's blue eyes. "They'll make me kill you."

"Who?"

"My mother."

A muscle in Phoenix's jaw clenched. "She's not your mother. She stole you from our mother. That's why you and I are drawn together. Ares and Phoenix. We can't do this alone. We were meant to work side by side."

"He's waking. We need to go."

Phoenix ignored Castor's warning, squeezing Eric's hands. "You are Ares, and I can help you. Find me. Find me, brother."

And as quickly as she'd arrived, Phoenix was sucked out of the dream. When she opened her eyes, Castor wasn't with her.

She sat in the grass in the dark of night.

Alone.

I think the only way we'll have Ares and Phoenix together for awhile is in dreams - but how cool is that?

What do you think about what's going on with Eric? What do you think about Phoenix going into his dreams? About Castor not being some old guy?

Tell me ALL YOUR THOUGHTS in the comments below. MUAH!