The morning came, ending my void-drifting session after what felt like an eternity. That was the second time I had dreamed and remembered doing so, and it was no coincidence that it was the same dream both times. Either I’m being warned about an end of world crisis, or some eldritch abomination-thing is trying to join in the fun of playing in my head sponge. Regardless of what is trying to convey astral knowledge to me, I would like to request that it stop being vague and cryptic. I’ve got enough of that already, thank you very much.

Wait, wasn’t there supposed to be a sibling duel this morning? I rolled out of bed, and was surprised to see Tokols and Mibata sitting at the edge of the center pit having a conversation. They heard me hit the floor, which caused them to snap their heads around to face me.

“Morning sleepyhead. We didn’t wake you, did we?”

I shook my head at Tokols, who had asked the question. The deep rumbling snores to my left suggested that our large brother was still in the slumber lands. The others didn’t seem to be in any rush, so it was with carefully quiet steps that I made my way over to the middle area and dropped into a comfortable seat. I had a response written on my slate as I took my seat.

“No. Actually had a dream last night. Creepy dream where the whole city was empty. So, what were you two chatting about?”

Mibata adjusted his posture so he would take up less of our shared leg room before answering.

“Tokols and I were discussing the behaviors that we noticed the other was exhibiting. He has pointed out numerous issues in my social behaviors and familial priorities, and I have in turn informed him that his inner turmoil and unspoken angst has only hindered his communication skills. To make the matter simple: I should not have gotten between you and the family, and he needs some physical contest to sort out his emotional problems.”

“Ugh, why do you have to talk like one of those stuck-up navy officers from that book? You sound stupid.”

“I choose how I wish to speak. You may speak however you want. We can do so because we exist as individuals.”

“Sure, buddy. Next you’ll be telling me about how imperial tax laws caused an upsurge of pirates in the Ko’lihutian Ocean, just like Admiral Thrakelocket.”

“Better to be the admiral than one of the pirates.”

“If you say so. Alright, let’s wake up tummy over there and get this going.”

The banter these two shared was both a test of wits and a battle of patience. That was the problem with these two: they were two different kinds of intelligent. Mibata was analytical and would unravel things in search of deeper meaning, while Tokols would follow facts and truths to come to a conclusion. Neither would concede despite the fact they were on the same side.

Tokols and Mibata rose from their seats, with Tok fetching a pair of practice weapons and Bata shaking Hu back to the waking world. Humey and I were seated in the center pit facing away from the door towards the conspiracy wall. They would have their bout here, in the larger side of the oval room.

Mibata took a fencing stance, with his empty hand behind and the armed one in front. Tokols took a lower almost couched stance with both hands on the handle, blade tipped forward to parry. The two stood motionless for a moment.

"You ready?"

"Indeed."

A shared nod of agreement sparked their flurry of motions. Mibata was aggressive, his assault relentlessly stabbing into the open gaps in the defensive stance. Tokols responded by batting many of the attacks to the side as he backstepped to keep some distance between them. Eventually a clean hit sounded as the point of Bata's sword landed a clean hit on the collar bone. The two stepped back just as we were trained to, and returned to their starting positions.

"Good hit. First question is yours. Ask away."

Mibata rolled his shoulders as he took a mirrored stance from before, switching from right to left.

"Why have you been distant from Kayrux and myself?"

Tokols changed his stance to a straighter pose, one where his weapon was held perfectly vertical at his side. He looked like a samurai.

"I was mad at you for going against mom. She was worried, and you snapped at her. Kayrux and I already talked it out, but I was worried that she was hiding something more. I'm not ashamed to admit that I was wrong."

The dance began again, with the angry torrent of attacks clacking against the now invigorated defense held against them. Eventually Tok managed to deflect a strike armed at his torso into the ground, giving him a window to strike at the exposed forearm. Back to the starting position.

"Excellent counter. Ask your question."

A new pose was used, with the blade being held at chest height at arm's length, and feet spread apart at an angle.

"Why did you jump in like that? Did you really think we'd ever turn against Kayrux?"

Mibata’s face turned to stone. Both hands were on his weapon in a relaxed position drifting towards the ground.

"That is two questions. I will answer both regardless. I intervened because I was afraid of the unknown. The thought of one of our own betraying her was not on my mind as I intervened. I sought to protect her, as I hoped you would as well."

Before Tok could take a step forward, the tip of a practice sword was at his throat. Mibata was beginning to get serious.

"I will ask two questions for the sake of fairness. First, are you aware of just how much of a potential risk it was to speak openly about Kay's origin, even in the presence of those we trust? Second, had you not considered that putting myself in that situation was just as painful for me?"

Tok kept his eyes to the floor as he spoke, and the air around him began to faintly shimmer.

"I…understand your fears. I really do. The way you lashed out at mom and Hu, it scared us just as badly. I don't want to push my brother away, especially while he is hurting. Don't Tell me about the risks: I've already spent too long haunted by the implications of what could happen."

They entered into new stances, and I could already tell that they were both fully engaged. Mibata was now on the defensive as Tokols unleashed a gale of staggering blows. The ferocity unleashed proved to be more than a match for the defensive efforts, and a meaty thwack came from a blow to Mibata’s shoulder. He hadn't even stepped back before his question was out of his mouth.

"Why do you act like that: as if you endure so much more than us but are better at coping with it? Nobody is impressed by your lone warrior act."

Frozen daggers were in Mibata’s glare.

"I do not act. I endure for family. Want… to get better. Not be weak."

Mibata pushed the sword aside and returned to his spot, but Tokols seemed stuck on those words.

"What do you mean by that? Are you saying you're stronger than us or something?"

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A raised sword was his reply. The two entered another battle, and soon enough Tokols found himself victorious with another blow to Mibata’s side.

"Answer me!"

"I am not stronger. I am the weakest brother. Look who is losing now. Tell me I am wrong."

Despite the obvious pain he was in, Mibata defiantly strode back to his starting position. Tokols joined him, and once again Mibata was defeated. Tokols had accidentally hit him on the side of the face, knocking him to the ground. A moment of stunned silence filled the room as the fallen kobold pushed himself up onto his elbows, face downcast.

"You win. Ask."

There was a pause, in which I could see the turmoil in Tokols welling up. An apology or a question, he couldn't decide which was necessary. His hesitancy was interrupted by the now hoarse voice of his downed opponent.

"Ask. Your. Question."

"I…I don't want to."

"Do it."

Droplets were hitting the floor. Tears and blood both from Mibata, making a swirling mixture of the two below him. The wooden sword hit the floor with a dull clunk as Tokols came around to face him directly. He knelt by his brother and placed both hands on his shoulders.

"Why?"

Pulling hard on his shoulders, Tokols brought him up to look him in the eyes. The blood was running freely from the busted lip he had recieved. The frigid glare was gone, now a depressed stare was all he could muster.

"Why do you think you have to do it alone? Why do you think you're weak? Why didn't you let us help you? Tell me why, brother."

Tokols leaned forward until the two of them were placed forehead to forehead. His voice was only a whimper as he wrapped his arms around him.

"Please. Just tell me. I don't want you to hurt anymore."

Mibata’s arms took hold of him and locked the two together.

"Because I'm afraid. Don't know how to say it. Don't want to hurt family. Can't say it right. Just being a burden. So hard to manage."

"You dummy. You absolute fool. You're not weak, not at all. Calling yourself a burden is just nonsense. I'm sorry I made you cry, dude. I didn't mean to take it this far and mess you up. You're my brother, and there's no magic in the world that'll change that."

Sensing that their duel had finally come to a close, I opted to excuse myself from the room. Humey was already crouched down so he could offer his own opinion on the matter while I went to fetch the healing kit.

Poor Mibata was suffering still. He had so much that was still plaguing him, but he could rarely find the words to express himself properly. As awful as it was to watch them fight, I knew that they were better for it. The invisible bonds that were strung between them had frayed, but now new threads were spun that were sturdier than the old ones.

I had just found the kit when my eyes lingered on the bed of Juaki and Bahruk. Neither occupant was there. When I turned to face the dorm I was instead locking eyes with the emerald warrior standing by the doorway with her arms crossed. Her tail was idly swishing from side to side as she beckoned me over. Her voice was hushed as to not draw the attention of the others.

"Kay. Are your brothers alright? Who has been hurt?"

As silently as I could, I made my answer for her.

"Mibata got a cut lip from a spar with Tokols. They're fine, just sorting out some issues."

Mom let out a breath she had been holding in a long sigh.

"I have failed my spawn once again. Thank you, Kayrux, for standing in my place."

"Don't blame yourself. The whole world seems to want us gone, and it's not your fault. We're going to get through this, no matter what."

She smiled and quietly stepped over and gave me a quick squeeze.

"No matter what. I like it. Better get in there before they notice."

I stepped back into the room, where the three brothers were all sitting on the upper side of the pit. Tokols was checking the places where he had struck Mibata, and Humey was etching something into a blank slate with his claws. The chameleon scaled kobold took the basket of medical supplies from me and immediately began making a poultice from different things. I turned to the red brother with a request.

"I want to head to the workshop. Can you walk me there?"

With a solemn nod he rose from his seat, giving Mibata a questioning stare. A thumbs up from the wounded sibling was all it took for him to place his art face down on his bed and follow me. We grabbed a quick snack from the larder, and could overhear a conversation from where I knew dad's hidden storeroom was. We ate our meals and were on our way down the tunnel in short order.

There was a hole dug in the bottom of my heart as we ambled down the winding passage. I hated watching their fight, but I knew that they had settled the matter the only way they could agree on. No matter how they felt, they both abided by a moral code, one that would not allow them to break an honorable agreement between them. A breakthrough had occurred, and whether they would make it work was out of my hands.

Humey wasn't very talkative as we walked, so I decided to initiate conversation. I passed him the slate.*

"What's up? Did their fight bother you too?"

Humey nodded, and as he spoke he threw in some of our sign words.

"Yeah. I hate it when they act like that, but they're better off now. They've got more respect for each other, so they're gonna be able to be open about things again. They do this over and over, but each time puts them back in a good place. How about you, doing okay yourself?"

I was taken aback by that insight, and so my reply was delayed by my incredulous stare. Unlike the other two, Humey seemed to be pretty competent when it came to predicting things.

"I'm good, it's just sad how they work things out. Your insight is appreciated though, it gives me a new perspective."

"They don't like fighting either. They usually try and keep it private, when you and mom aren't around. Might be some manly thing they wanna prove to one another. Once the bruises are gone they're gonna be alright again, and probably be better fighters too."

"Two things. Do you see yourself as different from the other two? Do you not like sword fighting?"

He chuckled for a moment, and those dark eyes sparkled with red flakes I hadn't seen before.

"Nah, I'm not about proving how tough I am like they do. I can talk about what's bothering me just fine. As for swords, I'm not good because the one I've got is too small. It barely fits on hand, and it's so light it feels like I'm gonna break it if I swing it too hard. I want something my size, sturdy and with a good heft. I asked the forge for something like that, but they just tried to sell me a bigger sword that nobody wanted. It looked so heavy, like a slab of raw iron. Ugly stick, more like."

Sounds like my skills will be needed soon for his weaponry needs, and I already have an idea for him. In the meantime, it was nice to know that he was confident being himself. Not many of the guys I knew back on Earth could ever admit to enjoying who they were as a person. Oh, right, I guess I should check with him on how he feels about the whole “reborn” topic.

"Humey, does my past bother you?"

"Nah. You've always been you, and that's important to me. Just keep being you, and I'll always have your back."

Aw, that's so sweet. I’ll always have yours too, brother! It surprised me how quickly he had responded, but I knew since it was Humey who said it, then it must be a completely true statement. He hated lying.

"Plus you know a lot of stuff that nobody else does, like those crazy designs and those awesome recipes. You still gotta teach me some more of them."

Despite the fact that he was being serious, I couldn't help but let out a wheezing chuckle. Humey could be such a goof sometimes. His warm smile brought me some comfort.

When we finally exited the tunnel and stepped into the dim chasm that we lived within, I saw the rising movement of a city waking up all around me. Storefronts on the levels above us were opening their doors, the bellows below began to pump the air into the forge, and the clanging of lifts beginning their shuffle signaled the beginning of the day. The light of the morning sun was barely visible on the rim of the mountain's entrance, and far above I could see the faint wisps of clouds slide lazily along the sky.

Instead of going for the middle floor entrance, I instead decided to show Humey where the base floor entrance was located. It was a small door, just big enough for two people to pass by, but was closer to my work area than the doorway above. I led Humey to the repair area, and the unbridled curiosity he showed set my heart aglow. I did my best to answer all of his questions, but even so my knowledge was imperfect.

Our sightseeing was cut short by the arrival of Dobo and Viana, who was riding atop her father's shoulders. He greeted me wave while his daughter tried to hide her face in the back of his head.

“Greetings Kayrux, good mornings! Who this one?”

I have Humey a small nudge, indicating that he would need to reply himself.

“Oh, uh, Kay- wait, no- Humey. Keyrux brother Humey Good meeting.”

Vimna chuckled at the fumble, which elicited a warm smile from Dobo.

“Oh, does my spawn laugh? Been quiet all day, now laugh? How rude!”

His comically exaggerated voice brought about more giggles of glee, even as she was lowered to the ground to stand on her own feet. She looked between the two of us and looked in awe.

“Big ‘bold…wow. Kayroo, your brother? Her blue, not red. Huh?”

A hand plopped atop her head and shook her scaly head gently.

“Precious, that rude. Remember, scales can be all colors, just like dragons.”

“Dagon!”

Dobo ran a hand down his face, ending it by tugging at his chine.

“Dragon, sweetest. Dragon.”

Pushing himself up onto the table beside his machine, Dobo began inspecting my handiwork from the night before.

“You get this all in pins? Nice work! I would have wept losing that time. With this, Dobo be done by end of day.”

“Yay! End a day!”

Dobo shook his head ruefully.

I looked at Humey, who wore the biggest grin as he chuckled lightly. My slate bumped into his gut to draw his attention.

“This is my friend. I’ll be helping him fix this device today. You should get going before training starts again. I love you, have a nice day.”

Humey read the message, and the huge grin on his face somehow got even wider.

“I will. Take care, Kay, I’ll se ya later.”

With nothing else left to say, Humey departed the workshop with a spring in his step. Hopefully his demeanor will endure through the day. Now, it was time for me to get to work!