Rhax's eyes were heavy with fatigue as he slouched in the chair provided by Oelivert. Why did it have to be now?
Closing his eyes for a moment, Rhax opened them again to study the youth lying on the bed—a young man who shared his exact shade of hair.
How did we end up separated? If this is true... if we really are brothers...
The blue-eyed youth sighed. Are Mother and Father already...? He clenched his fists and shook his head to dispel the thought. No. What am I thinking? My only father is Rhax Brown.
"Nox..." Ron muttered softly in his sleep.
Rhax nearly bolted upright, but forced himself back down into the chair, dragging a palm across his face.
Does Nox mean... my brother...? he wondered, clicking his tongue in frustration. "Dammit..."
Standing up, Rhax surveyed the room. "This place is way too big..."
He strode toward the window, his eyes widening in awe as he peered outside. "This... defies all logic."
Opening the latch, Rhax leaned out. He gazed at the massive spheres spinning and orbiting around his current position. "Echo's technology doesn't even come close to Ipsix..."
The night wind whipped through his blond hair. "If this is a dream, I want to wake up right now."
He pulled back, shut the window, and leaned against the frame. His eyes drifted back to Ron. "Annoying..."
Taking slow, deliberate steps, he sat back down beside the bed. Is the reality of our blood connection really that heavy for you?"
Rhax touched his throat, a bitter edge to his voice. "Though I'm faring even worse."
Ron's eyelids fluttered open, his blurred vision slowly resolving into Rhax's silhouette. "This is..."
Rhax's eyes widened slightly. Finally.
Ron pushed himself up into a sitting position, resting his right hand against his temple as he stared at Rhax. "You... thank you..."
Rhax averted his gaze. "Oelivert's the one who brought you here."
"Of course," Ron said, crossing his arms. "Still... thank you for keeping watch."
Rhax let out a sharp breath, his hands gripping his trousers tight. "Is Nox your biological younger brother?"
Ron lowered his head. "Nox..."
"Forget it. You don't have to answer."
Ron bit his lip. "Rhax..."
"What?"
"Are you angry?"
Rhax remained silent.
Ron cleared his throat. "Rhax... what was your life like in Echo?"
"Unremarkable."
A faint smile touched Ron's lips. "I see... Oh, why did you become a boxer—"
Rhax snapped his eyes back to Ron. "You need rest, not small talk."
"Even if I close my eyes... aren't you staying awake yourself, Rhax?"
"You are insufferable."
"My apologies."
Rhax sighed, turning the question back around. "What about your life in Syntax?"
"I..."
The corners of Rhax's lips tugged upward slightly. "Be honest."
"Back in school, I was always top of my class... After high school, I entered the military academy and graduated as valedictorian... and—"
"Enough. That's not what I meant," Rhax interrupted.
"Then what?"
Rhax stood up. "Never mind."
Ron let out a soft chuckle. "You actually resemble Nox a bit..."
Rhax glared at him. "Don't compare me to your brother."
Ron nodded, thinking to himself, Because you're my brother too...
"Why the silence?" Rhax asked.
"You're the one who told me enough just now."
"You really are infuriating."
Ron tried to swing his legs out of bed, but his body wobbled.
Rhax reacted without hesitation, lunging forward to catch and support him. "You're still weak. Don't act tough."
Ron went still. Rhax carefully guided him back to the edge of the mattress.
"Alright, don't move around so much," Rhax grumbled.
"Rhax... what do you think of me?"
Rhax tilted his head. "What do you mean?"
"I mean... what kind of person am I to you?"
"Infuriating."
Ron's eyes widened as he stared directly at him.
"What? You asked for it."
Ron looked away. "Never mind."
Rhax lifted his chin with a faint smirk. Got you.
A knock on the door broke the heavy quiet between the two youths.
"Come in," Rhax and Ron called out simultaneously.
Oelivert stepped inside, making a beeline for his master. "Relieved to see you conscious, Young Master Ron."
Rhax clenched his left hand, retreating into silence.
"Yes, thank you for your help, Oelivert."
"Think nothing of it. It is my honor to assist."
Ron's bright blue eyes locked onto Oelivert. "Can you tell us about Master Haze?"
Oelivert offered a polite smile. "It would be best if you and Young Master Rhax rested first."
"No. I... don't want to be left in the dark about this," Ron insisted.
Rhax, keeping his mouth firmly shut, stole a quick glance at Oelivert.
"Very well. As I mentioned before, Master Haze and Madam Asna are your great-grandparents, Young Master."
Ron nodded, absorbing the opal-eyed man's words.
"Meanwhile, Lady Aishira was the sole daughter of Master Haze and Lady Aria—"
"Can you skip straight to why my grandmother, Aishira, ended up in Syntax?" Ron cut in.
Rhax casually slid into the seat to Ron's right.
Look at him jumping right in... act cold all you want, Ron thought.
"Understood... While it is not a tale I can fully divulge at present, do you happen to know Master Haze's former title, Young Master?"
"No," Rhax answered.
Ron rested a hand under his chin. "If I recall correctly... weren't they the ones who sent the Eosvile twins to Echo?"
"Eosvile again?" Rhax muttered.
"They were... Ashil and Vashil Eosvile..."
Rhax glanced up for a second. "Ah, the white-haired man?"
"Precisely," Ron remarked.
"Your memories are sharp indeed, Young Masters," Oelivert commended.
Ron folded his arms. Memories of Lian's disappearance flashed in his mind, alongside their search with Rhea and Lena. "Law of the World..." he murmured.
"Law... of the World?" Rhax repeated.
"Did Lady Edelweiss inform you of this, Young Master Ron?"
"Yes... but only Master Haze's name and title," Ron revealed.
Rhax patted Ron on the shoulder. "Hold on. Rhea Edelweiss... she's from Ipsix?"
"She is," Ron answered with a nod.
Rhax's expression soured. "That's strange. The Estogazt family has partnered with the Edelweiss family for as long as I can remember..."
Ron's eyes widened. Rhea came to Syntax to retrieve Lian... but brought us to Echo instead of Ipsix... What was her true motive?
"Young Master Ron, Young Master Rhax, may I continue regarding Master Haze?"
"Ah, right... Yes, please do," Ron stammered, pulling himself out of his thoughts.
"Thank you. Master Haze, as The Law of the World, governs the balance of natural law."
Rhax stared at Oelivert before casting his eyes down to the floor.
"Is something amiss, Young Master Rhax?" the opal-eyed man inquired.
"Nothing."
There's definitely something going on between them... Ron thought, resting his cheek against his palm.
Oelivert smiled, fine lines crinkling around his eyes. "His governance extends far beyond the cycle of day and night, the changing seasons, weather shifts, or the movement of the stars, moon, and sun."
"Wait, so it's not literal natural law?" Ron sought clarification.
"Precisely," Oelivert affirmed.
"Then what is it?" Rhax chimed in.
"Allow me to illustrate: why does it rain?" Oelivert posed.
"Why are we talking about rain?" Rhax groaned.
"It is a simple analogy to help you grasp Master Haze's Law of the World," Oelivert explained.
"Because of seawater evaporation?" Ron offered.
"Is that all?" Oelivert challenged.
"You were asking about normal rain, weren't you?" Ron countered.
"See? The concept reveals itself right there," Oelivert noted.
Rhax scoffed. "Reveals what?"
"You mean the reason rain occurs is tied to Haze's Law of the World?" Ron asked.
"Not quite," Oelivert corrected.
"Pfft... Look at Mr. Valedictorian over here."
Ron glared over at Rhax. "Got a problem with the valedictorian?" He tilted his head. "Why so quiet yourself, World Champion Boxer? Is the question too tough for you?"
Rhax stood up. "If you've got an issue, just say it."
"Well, dealing with someone who relies entirely on brawn can be quite a chore," Ron retorted.
"Young Master Ron, Young Master Rhax, let me explain in simpler terms—"
"No need, your explanation was perfectly fine, Oelivert. The problem is our world champion here lacks basic knowledge."
"Oh, coming from the top graduate who got it wrong anyway? Good to know."
Ron sighed and stood up, though his balance wavered slightly. "If you don't like me, speak up. Don't throw a tantrum."
"Look who's sensitive just because he couldn't answer," Rhax taunted, taking a step forward.
A cold sweat broke out on Oelivert's forehead. How did it come to this? Where did I go wrong? he panicked internally, swiftly stepping between the two blue-eyed, blond youths.
"Young Master Ron, Young Master Rhax, how about we take a break for now?"
Rhax smirked. "Ah, true. The star graduate needs his beauty sleep so his head stays clear."
Ron chuckled. "Are you serious? Champions shouldn't stay up late either; it's bad for your conditioning."
Oelivert trembled. Master Haze, please return quickly...
To be continued...