Hey Brother

[A/N: Chapter soundtrack: Avicii - Hey Brother]

This situation is rather odd, as I am sure that I walked into Aria's room and yet somehow... I'm falling...

How did I end up here?

Counting the seconds go by, Aybel had asked himself this question an hour ago and he still hadn't found the answer.

I'll admit, it was indeed surprising when I fell, it felt like I was... translucent before solidifying, but there's no reason to be surprised now. I know life has a way of throwing such curveballs, but I must confess, this is one hell of a curveball.

An hour feels like an eternity... Is there even a ground waiting for me?

Straining his eyes, he tried to make out any details in his surroundings once again, but the darkness offered no answers aside from the wind screaming in his ears.

I see... still just me and my mind in a vast sea of nothingness. At first, I wondered if this was some kind of magic trick, but there's no way for me to know for certain. And I don't believe in that stuff anyway.

Maybe I ate a bad mushroom and this is just something in my mind, a fantasy created by my own imagination. But I can't recall eating anything of that nature.

I even briefly considered the silly idea of pinching myself but alas, this is not a dream... 

This is something else entirely. This... is death. No, something beyond the concept of death.

Aybel closed his eyes, his mind running through countless possible end results to his drop:

A. I could fall forever, and I would never reach the ground... What a terrifying prospect.

B. Let's say there is a ground, would I land on something soft, like a cushion or a mattress? Or would I fall into a pool? A moat? A pile of leaves? No... that's just cartoonish thinking. 

C. Maybe I'll land on something hard, like concrete or asphalt? Then that would mean death.

No matter how I look at it, this fall isn't going to end well.

The most likely outcome is simply that I would hit the ground hard and break every bone in my body.

Or maybe I can find a solution mid fall.

However, nothing came to mind. For the first time in a long while in his young life, Aybel was completely blank...

Intriguing, isn't it? Right now, I am at the mercy of forces beyond my comprehension...

A bleak and weary smile tugged on his lips as a strange sense of regret and uncertainty creeped into his thoughts. Not because I'm afraid of death, no, the fear of death has no power over me.

However, Aria...

I wonder, is she safe...? I promised her I would be back soon. Now it seems we're both liar's... My absence and or imminent death could easily tear her apart. Perhaps she's already done something irreversible...

Aybel tightened his grip on the first aid kit.

Call it blind faith but I refuse to believe that. She could just as well be somewhere in this darkness. If that's the case, there has to be something I can do. Just how deep does this void go?

He glanced down at the abyss below, then up at the endless night above only to hear a mysterious figure rapidly approaching.

"...Wheeeeeeeee!!!" 

Another person?

With flailing arms and legs, the stranger came crashing into him, causing him to lose his grip on the first aid kit.

He watched in silent dismay as it sunk into the darkness below...

Fantastic, just what I needed.

Despite the sudden presence, It was a matter of pure instinct to Aybel. Before he even processed what was happening, he had already tucked the family photo into his sweater vest, hidden away from view.

An item dear to Aria, enough reason not to lose it. Aybel turned his attention back to the mysterious person.

"Falling forever! Isn't it thrilling? Ah..." The stranger's attention was suddenly drawn to the rapidly fading kit. "Sorry about that."

Aybel sighed.

Oblivious to the danger, the stranger hummed a random lullaby and assumed a relaxed posture in the air.

"Ah, what a beautiful display of gravity. It's like I'm flying without having to use wings. To be thrown headlong into the great unknown! How blessed are we to experience such an extravagant entry into this realm, hm?"

Realm...?

Why did he use that particular word to describe where we are falling? Was it just a figure of speech?

On a side note, they clearly like the idea of falling through this void. I'm not sure what to make of that, it's not like I'm afraid either.

Trying to start up a conversation with Aybel, the stranger casually struck a pose mid air asking: 

"Lost your way too, huh? ...You seem like a fascinating individual, like you have everything under control, unlike me. But, I suppose you forgot who you are too, right?"

Aybel was somewhat caught off guard by the bluntness of the last question.

"No, I haven't lost my identity... I know exactly who I am, and nothing will ever make me forget that fact."

In the darkness, the stranger seemed to nod.

"Ah, of course, a logical thing to say. But, hear me out... don't you think that's a bit bold of you, my friend? I'm fairly certain I must've thought the same thing, yet here I am, hahahaha~~"

"You mean you really don't know who you are?"

"I'm afraid not, so don't ask me anything about myself... Well to be precise, I genuinely don't remember most things, I guess I'll be relying on you to fill me in on them. But enough about me... Mind lending me your memories since I've apparently misplaced mine?"

Through the darkness, Aybel could sense a mischievous grin from the stranger.

Is this some kind of poorly done trick? They do realize I wasn't born yesterday, right? Of course I'm not going to just 'lend them my memories.' Hmm... On a second thought.

"...I'd be willing to share my memories with you, but only on one condition... And that is that you share your memories with me in equal measure."

"We'll know the same amount about ourselves. No secrets, no lying. If you agree to that, then I'll tell you whatever you want to know about me." Aybel said firmly.

There was a long silence in the air, as if the stranger was considering the offer.

I'm sure they have some doubts about my offer: 'Is he really going to keep his word?' I could say the same for them: Do they really have something to trade with me, or are they just lying...? But there's only one way to find out.

"Ah, I see..." The stranger finally let out a sharp laugh, nodding eagerly as if everything were suddenly clear to them.

"I suppose that's a fair trade, my friend! Let's do it! I'll share my memories with you, and you share yours with me. Now, how do you propose we accomplish that since I don't remember anything, hm?"

"I have no idea." Aybel's response was blunt.

"That's your job to figure out. Whenever you do get your memories back, I'll share mine."

"...How shrewd of you. It's a shame really, but I understand, some things are meant to remain hidden~ We have a deal then! However..."

"Since we're both lost souls here, could you at least grace me with your name?" The stranger asked politely.

Hesitating for a moment, Aybel contemplated: Well, if I don't provide my name, then they'll become even more curious.

"Very well, you may call me Aybel. It's not much, but I believe it's enough for now," he said managing a curt nod mid air.

"Aybel, huh? Hmm..." The stranger smiled and nodded. "A pleasure to meet you."

That pause...

"Now, who are you?"

"...Ugh," they suddenly sighed rubbing their chin, deep in thought.

"I know I had a name, but for the life of me, I can't remember what it was... hold on..."

"Hmm... Aha!" Suddenly snapping their fingers in an epiphany they exclaimed: "I could be Caine! Let's become Caine and Aybel!"

"I REFUSE."

"What? Why!? And so blatantly too..." they pouted.

"I'm not sure if you understand the weight and history behind those names. It's not exactly a pleasant ending, you know?"

"Well, let's not focus on that. I promise not to kill you..." Their mouth curled into a devilish smirk. "...Today."

Today? Actually... Never mind. I'm just going to pretend I didn't hear that. He's quite the jester.

The stranger began to rotate like a spinning top in midair as he spoke.

"How'd you like this little trick of mine? It's called the deathroll. Hahahaha~ Now, where were we? Ah yes..." He then turned his attention back to Aybel.

"I won't kill you... unless, of course, your mysterious stoicism starts to wear off and you suddenly start expressing emotions like a normal person would! Hahaha~!" The stranger laughed at his own joke as he continued to spin around.

"Is that so?" Aybel let out a wry smile at his words.

What is this guy trying to do? Is he playing some kind of game or something? I mean, I don't usually express my emotions, but that's just the way I am.

I'd have to not be myself for that to happen, after all, it's not something I can turn on and off at will.

But, I understand...

He's just trying to read me. I'm not that complex though. You'd get to know me within a few weeks of hanging around me. But for him figure that out with a single conversation... interesting.

"You really are one of a kind, aren't you? Fine, I'll play along... Caine. Just remember, don't push it too far. Our temporary 'alliance' has its limits, and roles can always reverse..."

"Ah, why so serious all the time?"

Surprisingly, Caine halted his rotation performing an exaggerated bow mid air. "Oh, Aybel, my long-lost brother! Let's try and rewrite our namesake, shall we?"

Slightly adjusting his body, Aybel raised an eyebrow. "Is that it? So we're pretending to be brothers now?"

"Fufufu... hahahahaha~!" Caine held his belly laughing loudly, clearly enjoying making Aybel uncomfortable.

"I see. It certainly isn't the first time I've had to feign a relationship with someone. However... I can assure you, we are most definitely not brothers."

"Secondly, I suppose your offer could be interesting if we escape this 'Realm' in the first place."

"Right, right... well, look at that." Caine wiped his tears as he casually pointed below...

Aybel glanced down, following Caine's finger with his eyes.

And for the first time since he'd been whisked away, a small crack appeared in Aybel's stoic demeanor.

[A/N: Hi, everyone. Just wanted to let you know that you can expect a chapter on Wednesday. Thank you for reading! 🙇

- Sino.]