TRUST

Chapter 4: Deceitful (Part 2)

"Alexious! Rise brother! Are you well?" a familiar voice was calling my name. He had this low coarse voice that just lit a connection in my brain, but not one that could make me remember who he was.

Wait, Alexious? Did he say brother? What was happening?

I couldn't open my eyes; it was so heavy as if someone bound it with iron. My body was without strength, I could not move even the slightest bit. I could only lie there, not knowing where or what was in motion. I could feel that I was in a room, the smell of wax burning was the only thing I could recognize.

"Brother! Answer me!" that voice yelled again. I opened my eyes. The face that was in front of me shocked me. It couldn't be, I have not seen him in years. I couldn't believe that he was still alive.

It was Hypathios. It was my brother.

"what—how did you—why are you here?" I asked him with mixed feelings. Gladness to see him drew breath but worry of his presence here. Did he know about my lies? My reason to be at this very city, far away from home?

But he did not bother asking me anything, as if he was running out of time.

"Just listen, beware of whom you trust, brother. For together does not always mean one" he said with eyes burning of intensity. Then he was gone. I was in the darkness once again. Voices, there were voices everywhere calling me, telling me to rise.

Lexis...

Lexis...

Breathe mate, breathe...

Lexis... wake up...

"Lexis, mate, wake up!" Xanthus's voice woke me up from the darkness. I sat up instantly, everything was so bright that it hurt my eyes. "Ow!!"I hissed as ripping pain shot through my chest when I moved. I ignored it and turned my head around, where was I?

"Brother!—" I looked around for Hypathios but he wasn't there. My heart was racing fast and my breaths were unsteady as well, where was my brother? I looked again; I was in a room filled with stone beds. Xanthus was sitting beside me, looking at me worried. There were candles lit, some placed near me.

"—it was just a dream. It was just a dream" I said to myself. Hypathios was not there. My brother was not there. I exhaled calmly; my lies were safe without him there to know. But yet, between those feeling of gladness slipped a sense of bitter pain. Then, my knowledge of Hypathios lies in the remains of vague memories. I did not know whether he was dead or alive. He was just a memory, might never be a reality again.

I noticed my wound finally, how did I get it? I was a long thin blade cut, did not seem deep, but was stitched by the medical attendant. The wound was not much painful, but it sored when I moved. Unfortunately it pained even when I spoke. Hell, well this was simply ill-fated. I refused to be stricken down by this silly cut and sat up. Sitting cross-legged in front of Xanthus.

"Wow, easy mate. Your wound is still too fresh" Xanthus said again, sounding much more relaxed. He sat back, lifting one feet on top of the other.

"Princess Sapphira—" I started, concern was piling in my chest.

"She is fine, boy. No worries" Xanthus cut me and smiled, as if my reaction was as he expected. He winked and smiled again. I smiled too, in pain.

"Is he awaken?" a voice asked from the door. I turned my head, Aurellia was peeking in from outside. She still wore the same thin green robe that she wore from the market. Nothing else to change into, I supposed.

"Yes, he is." I answered. She smiled looking eased in mind.

"The Princess sent me. It is but joy to see you rise again." She came closer, sitting next to Xanthus on one of the stone beds nearest to me. Though, she kept appropriate distance from Xanthus.