Sage and Dusk glared at us as we walked into the dining room. To my surprise, Dusk was bleeding, red dripping down his shoulder.

"What happened?" Echo asked. His eyes looked away from the sight of blood, and his face turned a pale color.

Dusk wrapped his bleeding arm with bandages. "He didn't go down easy."

"Typical 4758," I said.

Sage produced a crooked grin. "What were you three up to?"

"Just talking," Echo said.

"You were talking for a pretty long time," Dusk said.

"Well, I'm going to help clean up. It's not like I have something better to do," Sage opened the door and left.

Arvin came in the room after her.

Dusk raised an eyebrow. "What's going on?"

"We need your help," I begged.

"I'm kind of busy," Dusk said.

"With what?" I asked.

"I'm needing to crash for a while, probably sleep, read something... oh god, don't tell me I'm upset!" Dusk placed a palm to his face.

"Come on, Raven. If he's busy don't fight him about it."

"What's going on?" Arvin asked, confused.

"We had a visit from an oracle, and she told me I needed to be careful," Echo said.

Dusk interrupted. "So?"

"I want to fight back." Echo gulped.

Dusk looked at him in awe.

"You... what?" Arvin's jaw dropped.

"I want to protect myself and others, and the only way I can do that is by..." Echo said.

"By learning how to. I know. I'm just surprised," Dusk said.

"Why?" Zolona paused, "Didn't think he could ever do it?"

"I'm surprised he's wanting to considering what just happened..." Dusk sighed.

"It wasn't Ember's time. She was destined to accomplish more," Echo smiled.

"I wouldn't bring up..." I said.

"So what does that mean?" Dusk asked.

Echo sighed, "We might find some way to bring her back."

"Time travel? Raising the dead? Bringing her back as a ghost? How?" Dusk asked.

"I'm not sure. I promised the oracle I'd let the answer come to me," Echo said.

"That doesn't mean I won't look for one." Dusk's face lit up.

"She said it's hard to find those kinds of things when you search for them," I said.

"I don't know if I can help you, Echo," Dusk crossed his arms.

"Why not?" Zolona asked.

"You weren't there when she was getting stabbed. I was. I failed you. Ember would've done anything to keep you safe. Me? Well, I've let her down..." Dusk said.

"You haven't failed me," Echo said.

Dusk shoved Echo off him. "Thanks, but I know you're just trying to be nice."

"Come on, Dusk. You're the best fighter we know! I have Zolona and Raven to help me too, but you're amazing!" Echo said.

"Only because I had government training seven days a week for five years in a camp, and learned several skills before that," Dusk smiled, "Guess I'm a natural."

"I thought you'd be a great teacher. Echo wasn't sure you would want to after..." I said.

Dusk interrupted. "Things just aren't making sense right now. Everything went downhill too quickly. This was carefully calculated by a mastermind, and I couldn't see it. If I would have seen it earlier, we'd have an extra person standing here right now. I'm responsible for you all. I'm nineteen-- you're seventeen. Less experience."

"I don't know Dusk. Everything happens for a reason. I was always scared to stand up to people who weren't doing the right thing, and I promised to Ember I'd protect people from my mother. Don't you want to make her happy?" Echo asked.

"Your mother coordinated the attack?" Dusk asked.

"That's impossible," Arvin mumbled, "I thought she was dead-- Grandfather told me that anyways..."

I clenched my teeth. "I wish she was."

"My best friend tried to kill her but failed. Only one of Isla's children could've beaten her," Zolona said.

Dusk sighed. "And now Echo's the last one."

"See why we need your help?" I asked.

"If he can keep up with me," Dusk said.

Echo's smile widened. "Thanks. We appreciate it."

"We're just as upset as you are about Ember's death. We don't want it to happen again," I said.

"Ember wanted me to give you this. She wrote this while you were sleeping," Dusk handed me a note.

"Have you read it?" I asked.

Dusk shook his head. "I don't know what she put in there."

"I'm glad you gave it to us, Dusk," Echo said.

A poem was handwritten inside. Ember's stanzas were moving, emotion and effort poured into every line.

"Can you read it?" Echo asked.

I nodded. "I will. It's wonderful."

"Alright," Echo smiled.

"If these would be the last words I would say,

I'd like you to know I believed in you every day.

Maybe you have new friends,

Maybe you see things clearer.

Maybe everything seems better than before.

I'll still miss you, even if you never come back.

I'll still cry, even if you're not worth the time.

I'll still believe in what you stood for.

I hope to see you again." I read.

"I didn't want to give it to you, but..." Dusk said.

Echo smiled. "It's wonderful."

"She'd be glad you like it," I said.

"It's like she knew," Zolona sighed.

"Enough mush. When are we starting?" Arvin asked.

"Today," Zolona said.

"Alright. The best strategy is doing a different thing with each of us," Dusk suggested.

"Who's first?" I asked.

Echo looked at me. "Can you go first?"

"Me? I don't..." I said.

Dusk intervened. "You should."

"Please?" Echo asked.

I sighed. "Alright then."

"We'll come up with ideas while you're with him," Dusk said.

Echo nodded. "Let's get started."

After Dusk gave Echo a pat on the back, he and I left the room. I didn't know what I'd do, but I had to think quickly. It was the best I could do for him.

For some reason, I felt inclined to help him more than get the rest of my memories. Maybe it was because we were friends. Maybe it was because of his sister's death. Or maybe it was something more. Raven was a name that didn't feel so cold or strange.