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Desmond Sycamore could see his breath in the icy passage, but that didn’t bother him when he knew a discovery was just within reach. Swinging his pickaxe the last chunk of ice shattered, allowing him to step into a vast opening. Even with all the places he had seen over the years, all ruins of dead civilizations he had studied, sometimes the beauty of nature took his breath away. It wasn’t as green and lush with plants as the Golden Garden had been, but this cave showed beauty in its own way. As he moved the lantern in his hand around to get a better look the light reflected off ice as if they were large crystals. He could hear water pouring down several small waterfalls and pooling down at the bottom.
Even though there was still ice in the cave it felt warmer than the town just outside. Perhaps the water was a hot spring, Desmond thought as he continued carefully inside. As he made his way deeper into the cave a strange glow seemed to emanate from the passage ahead. Looking up he stopped in place, his eyes growing wide as they looked up on a large glacial structure rising to the top of the cave. The ice shimmered as if illuminated from behind, and right in the center was a girl in a pink dress.
Desmond made his way towards the ice wall, almost tripping on some loose rocks as his focus remained on the figure. The girl would have been encased in the ice for millions of years, yet her body was undisturbed and unaged. This was unlike any mummified animal found in tar, sand, or ice. Unlike those discoveries where the victims were found in poses of struggle, this girl looked strangely peaceful. Her eyes were closed, her arms opened as if she fell backwards into a pool of water and simply fell asleep.
Putting his lantern down Desmond reached into his suit pocket and pulled out his notebook. The leather was worn from years of use, but still slightly visible on the cover was a faded sticker of a flower. One of his daughter’s old stickers she had placed on his notebook. At the time he had been furious at having his notebook defaced. But now his thumb sadly brushed the remaining residue as he looked up at the girl in the ice.
Huffing out a breath of cold air he opened his notebook and looked at the scribbles of ancient texts he had translated from the other ruins. As much as he hated to admit it, he was going to need help with this discovery. And Desmond knew just who to call, though the thought of seeing him again as this persona filled him with unease.
. . .
Desmond waited in the cave, going over and over his notes. His butler, Raymond, messaged that he had picked up Professor Layton and his companions. It wouldn’t be long now till they arrived at the cave. Even though he had technically seen his brother multiple times since they parted as kids, it had always been under his disguise. This was the first time, in a long time, that he would be able to hold a real conversation with him. And Desmond was still unsure if he was looking forward to it, or paralyzed with fear.
As he stared at the frozen girl he heard footsteps behind him. Turning around he was face to face with Professor Hershel Layton, and his two companions.
“Professor Layton, it’s quite an honor,” Desmond said walking towards the group.
“The honor is all mine, Professor Sycamore,” replied Layton with a smile.
He felt his smile quiver slightly at hearing Layton use his adoptive name. It wasn’t as though he hated the name. In fact, he was glad to shed any remaining connection to his father, but hearing the name spoken by his own brother was… unsettling to say the least.
“I have been looking forward to this,” said Desmond shaking Layton’s hand. “A chance to meet the famous Professor Layton.”
The lies flowed easily off his tongue. When had lying become so easy he questioned. Probably the day, so many years ago, when he had lost his real name. No, not lost. Given. He had given his name up willingly. And to be honest it suited his little brother more than it had ever himself.
After introductions Desmond explained about his discovery of the “living mummy” as he had started to call it. It was strange talking to his brother about archaeological finds. Even he could see the spark in his brother's eyes when talking about this new discovery. Layton seemed to have a knack for it, appearing to be something that ran in the family. Though often Desmond wished Layton had never gotten into the profession, his life would have been happier if he hadn’t.
“The reason I called you here Professor is that I believe this girl is still alive and can be freed from her cryogenic sleep,” said Sycamore, jumping from his thoughts.
“What?! Surely not after so many years in this ice,” replied Layton stepping up closer to examine the glowing wall.
“From what I was able to gleam from this cave before you arrived is that there is some sort of puzzle connected to this space. And I believe if we can solve it then it will release this girl from her icy sleep.” Sycamore moved to his small campsite and picked up a glowing tablet. That had been taken from one of the other Azran Ruins.
“Puzzles are my specialty,” said Layton, following behind him.
“On the back of this tablet I translated the text, and it says ‘divide into fours’.” he said, handing the tablet to his brother.
“Let me have a look,” Layton said excitedly. His eyes methodically moved along the tablet’s surface looking for the pattern.
It didn’t take the two long to see the correct flow of light and solve the puzzle. As the tablet rang with a single note Sycamore felt a warmth in his heart. He looked up at Layton with a smile, this had been the first archaeological discovery he had solved alongside his brother, but the feeling didn’t last long as the cave started to shake.
The group stared in awe as the wall of frozen water started to splinter in geometrical cubes. Gas escaped from the shifting structure forcing the group to step back together. Then the ice shattered as the girl started to fall to the ground. Layton and Luke lunged forward to try and catch the girl. Layton reached her first and cushioned her fall in his arms.
“Quickly! Bring her over here,” shouted Sycamore, his adrenaline spiking more than he cared to admit.
Layton safely placed the girl down on the blanket that Sycamore had laid out. She didn’t move and her eyes remained closed. Desmond tried to control his rushing mind and racing heart as he crouched down, taking the girl’s wrist in his hands to feel for a pulse. A mysterious crystal was glowing on her forehead and Sycamore wondered what power it held. But that was a question that would have to wait.
“This is strange. She’s warm to the touch, but I can’t feel a pulse,” he said puzzled.
“So is she alive?” asked Emmy Altava.
“Oh! She’s moving!” said Layton’s young apprentice, Luke Triton.
Desmond still didn’t understand why Layton kept the boy around. From his previous experiences the Triton boy just got in the way. But his words were correct, the girl had started to stir.
“Surely not…” Layton stuttered in disbelief.
Desmond felt his stomach drop as the girl opened her eyes and turned to look at him. For a split second he was lost in her blank teal eyes, the thought of his daughter once again at the forefront of his mind.
“This is remarkable,” he said, trying to get the thought out of his mind and back to the situation at hand. “Trapped in ice all this time… and yet here she is before us.”
“We’d better take her somewhere warm,” added layton.
Desmond nodded and moved to pick up the girl. She barely shifted as he tucked his arms under the back of her knees and supported her head. He was almost startled at how light she felt. Just as his daughter had been when she would doze off waiting for him to finish his work. She had often fallen asleep in his office and he would carry her to bed, trying not to wake her. He felt a sting of guilt at having not spent more time with her, having been so engrossed in his work. But he didn’t have long to reminisce about it when they turned around and were face to face with a group of soldiers, a row of tommy guns raised in their direction. Desmond could feel his blood start to boil as he recognized the uniforms… Targent.
“Thank you. We’ll take it from here,” said their leader, stepping up with a smug grin hidden behind his mustache.
The girl in his hands stirred to life and seemed to have gained enough strength to be able to stand on her own. Desmond placed her down and moved to stand in between her and the Targent goons. He gritted his teeth and tightened his fists, ready for a fight if it should come to that.
“How…?! Who told you where to find us?!” he shouted. For a split second he thought Miss. Altava twitched uncomfortably. Though an understandable response to having an army threaten you at gunpoint. This hadn’t been his first time in this situation so he was able to keep a clearer head than the others. The only feeling he truly felt was rage as he looked at his would-be father, wishing he could see the expression behind his sunglasses.
“Hand her over… or suffer the consequences,” said the man, ignoring Desmond’s question.
The group became tense at the stand off, but were startled when the frozen girl pushed past them and stopped next to the soldiers. Desmond found himself instinctively reaching out to grab her arm. Was this girl crazy, thought Desmond. Surely she could understand the danger those soldiers represented. She appeared to not even register his hand and broke out of his grasp.
“Hah! This girl knows what’s good for her,” said the man with a smile.
Desmond couldn’t do anything as he watched the group walk away with his discovery. The others seemed just as stunned. He supposed this was their first time running into the main forces of Targent face to face.
“We must go after them. There’s no telling what they might do!” Desmond shouted, clutching his fists till they turned white. He was not about to let Targent ruin his plans again.
The group agreed and rushed out of the cave. As they reached the entrance there was a roar of engines that echoed through the town. Above them was a massive flying fortress being escorted by smaller flying vehicles. To get to them they would need to return to Desmond’s airship, the Bostonius, that they had arrived in. With his trips around the world Desmond had found air travel to be the most efficient.
As the group rushed onto the bridge of the airship Desmond tightened his hands around the ship’s steering wheel, his breath labored from the run. His brows furrowed in concentration as he glanced at all the dials on the console making sure they were all in the green. Giving a quick glance over at Raymond he activated the propellers.
The next chaotic moments happened in a flash. The Bostonius was engaged in a sky battle soaring through snow covered mountains. Desmond stifled a curse as a rocket exploded nearby. He had just gotten the ship repainted and had hoped to keep it in respectable condition for a while. But that wish was forgotten when, through a few close calls, they finally made up the distance between the two ships. When they were close enough to the enemy aircraft Desmond pressed a button that launched a cable that latched them to the other ship. A more recent addition to the ship, added when it had been getting repainted. He was glad to see it would be of use here.
“It’s time to board their ship,” he said once the two aircraft were secured together.
“What!” shouted Luke.
“I’ll do it,” Layton volunteered with no hesitation.
Desmond looked at his brother’s eyes, blazing with determination. When had he grown up? The last time he truly looked into his brother’s eyes was when they were kids. And back then they had been full of fear. But not now, now he only saw a man who would fight with his life to protect others. Desmond thought about himself, how he had grown bitter with age. Yet his brother had been spared such a fate. He gave a quick nod.
As Layton and Luke readied themselves to infiltrate the enemy ship Desmond watched from the bridge. Unable to stifle the surge of fear as he watched Layton fly through the air. The feeling only subsided when his brother’s feet finally made contact with the other ship's surface. Desmond watched the ship in front of him intently for what felt like hours. Only the occasional words from Raymond breaking the silence.
His breath stuttered when both ships were hit with a pulse of energy. The dials of the Bostonius started to turn like crazy, causing Desmond to struggle as he tried to regain control. He would need to find a place to land to assess any damage that the ship had taken. But before he could find a suitable landing zone he looked up from the ship’s controls and saw Layton, Luke, and the mysterious girl hanging from a rope. They were so low that they were brushing through the trees as the airships started to descend.
“Raymond, cut the cable to the other airship. They’re going down, and I don’t want them taking us with them.”
“Yes master.”
As he turned the steering wheel to veer away from the flying fortress the last thing he saw from the corner of his eye was the three fall from the rope. Desmond tried to keep Layton out of his mind, redirecting his focus on landing the Bostonius. If Layton had survived the fall Desmond would be no help to him if the Bostonius crashed against the mountain. Luckily the forest soon opened onto a lake, with a water town docked on its shore. The water would be as good a place as any to land.
. . .
(The Azran eggs are collected, the group convene on Targent’s headquarters, The Nest, and make their way to the top to face its leader, Bronev.)
“Well, well! At long last, here you are. How do you like this Nest of ours?” asked Bronev confidently as he motioned around the room with open arms. The room was filled with a wide range of archeological finds, most of which Desmond assumed were stolen.
Desmond gritted his teeth, his eyes full of anger. He felt like his whole life had led up to this confrontation.
“Bronev! You soulless monster! I’ll make you pay for what you’ve done!” he screamed, no longer trying to keep his composure. He didn’t care that this man was his father, he had long lost that title in Desmond’s mind. There was no way he could forgive him for everything he had done. Was he even remorseful for never trying to reconnect with his sons?
Desmond’s temper grew and was accompanied by confusion when Bronev spoke again, offering a position in Targent to Layton. He almost scoffed, his brother would never accept such a deal. And yet there was a momentary doubt that Layton would take the offer. But the feeling didn’t last long when Layton himself refused the proposition. Of course his brother would be too noble to accept such a role. Though Bronev wasn’t the type of man to take no for an answer.
“I would like to show you something,” he motioned to a group of monitors nearby.
On one of them was a video of an elderly couple. Desmond recognized them, though it had been years since he had last seen them. It was the couple that had adopted Layton. He could feel his brother stiffen as they watched the couple talk over wine.
“I… What do you intend to do to them?” stammered Layton.
Desmond had only ever heard his brother’s voice shake that much once. And that had been back when they were young and Desmond had given up his name, and his adoption for his brother. His brother, Theodore, had tried to argue and plead, but his voice had been too weak to utter a sound. Desmond felt that same brotherly protection from back then build up as he shouted.
“Don’t pay any attention, Professor! It’s a trick!” He resisted the urge to grab his brother, to shake him out of whatever daze he was in.
“I… My parents… No, I will never join Targent,” Layton responded, gripping his hat.
Desmond was shocked and proud of his little brother. He would give up the safety of his own parents to prevent Targent from growing stronger and reaching their goals. Desmond wondered if he would have made the same decision. Though one could say he already had. His wife… his daughter… he even lost his own brother in some ways. He had given up much, and much more had been taken, all so that he could follow a path that he thought was right.
“So you won’t accept my offer? Suit yourself. Oh, I won’t coerce you. I’d rather let you go free and see what you do,” said Bronev interrupting Desmond’s thoughts. “Here, have the infamous egg!” He casually tossed the final egg to Layton who caught it without breaking eye contact. “But know this, Layton. Wherever you go, I’ll be just one step ahead, waiting for you. So long, boys!” And with that Bronev was gone.
Desmond felt his stomach churn with how casually Bronev called them boys. Like he was trying to act as their father, talking to them as if they were still children. At least now they could rest a moment, since the final egg was now in their possession. They handed the last egg to Aurora who held it softly in cupped hands. Her face became saddened, her pale eyes seeming even more deep than before.
“I feel an urge to complete my mission. I feel… a great gulf between myself and all of you,” she said softly, her eyes refusing to make contact with the others.
Desmond looked at her, feeling his own face soften. He placed a hand on her shoulder to help ground her. The adrenaline of meeting Bronev again was fading. He felt a wave of warmth as he gave Aurora a soft smile. One that he had given to his own daughter when she had been afraid to sleep, afraid of the monsters in the dark. She had learned too young, yet too late, that the monsters under her bed weren’t the ones she should fear.
“Don’t worry, Aurora. You are more than just the Azran emissary. You are also our trusted companion, and our friend.” As he spoke the words he tried to remember the last time he had considered someone a friend. The only other person that came to mind was Raymond. Had it really been that long since he had had a friend? “Whatever anxiety grips us, we face it together, as one.”
“Do you really mean that, Professor Sycamore?” she asked tentatively.
Desmond tried to make his words sound sincere, for once his sentiment wasn’t a lie. He truly felt something for this mysterious girl lost from an age so long ago. Whether it was because she was an innocent thrown into this fray against her will, or that she reminded him so much of his own daughter, he didn’t know. Whatever the reason, he didn't like to see her so glum, so he nodded making sure his smile was warm.
Aurora’s face became calm, a smile forming on her own face.
“Thank you… Thank you. Your words have given me strength. I’m ready to activate the aura stones and release their power,” she said happily.
Desmond had gotten so drawn into the moment that he had almost forgotten that’s why they were here. They had been here to take the last egg from Targent, though now that they had it Desmond wished it could be lost forever and that they could just relive this happy moment. He removed his hand from her shoulder and gave a stiff nod.
Once outside the group worked to break the puzzle of the stones. Once again with the group's combined efforts the puzzle was solved quickly and the eggs formed a key of sorts. But once the Azran device was formed Aurora winced in pain.
“Aurora, is something wrong?” Layton asked.
“My… my head… Ngggghh,” she groaned, struggling to speak. “No! I don’t believe it! It’s a lie!” she shouted suddenly before grabbing the key and rushing off towards the edge of the building.
Desmond watched, feeling powerless as the girl stood at the top of The Nest, her feet just feet from the edge. Her hands clutched tightly to the Azran key, her eyes glazed over.
“I remember who I am. As long as I remain, only ruin awaits.”
Desmond had always been so good at words. He had learned to manipulate people with simple lies, the list of his victims was long. But now, at this moment, his tongue was still, his mind blank. As the girl continued to step towards the edge he could do nothing. Had he always been this powerless? He had tried to grasp at his goals again and again, but always something or someone would thwart him. Maybe it was in his nature to lose. Maybe fate had doomed him from birth.
“That’s not true!” shouted Layton.
It took Desmond a moment to realize that he was talking to Aurora, for the statement had seemed to coincide with his own doubts too.
“Even if you were to leave us now, it’s too late. Events beyond our control are already in motion. The world is in great peril. Your death will not change that now.”
For a moment Desmond was greedy and heard the words only as reassurance to himself. He wanted to pretend, at least for a moment, that his brother cared for him that strongly as well. It was a child's thought. Layton didn’t even remember he had a brother, that much was obvious from their multiple encounters.
Layton reached out his hand as an offering of comfort to Aurora. He had managed to get her on more solid ground. She was still startled and shaking, like she had been left out in the rain. And Desmond couldn’t blame her, it drains a person to stand on that kind of mental ledge. He knew himself how the legacy of the Azran left its scars. Not only on the earth with long abandoned ruins, but people as well. Digging into the Azran history seemed to turn people, to darken their souls. He gripped his hands tightly. He wanted to stop the evil the Azran left behind, the corruption that created organizations like Targent. Created men like Bronev, and even himself. To do that, he would need the key. There would be no going back after this. Any feelings of friendship he had would be dashed against the rocks.
“You look rather pale. We should take some time to rest before we attempt our next step,” he said. “I will look after the key in the meantime. Now, try and get some rest.”
“Thank you, Professor…”
Aurora handed him the key. As he gripped it he could feel the power it held. The surge of energy snapped him out of his mushy thoughts. He was beyond redemption at this point, the only thing he had left was his mission. He forced a twisted smile.
“Ha ha ha! I win this round, wouldn’t you say, Layton?” he said, almost not recognizing his own voice. He had been Desmond Sycamore for this whole journey, but it was time for his alter ego to make its grand entrance. Within a moment Desmond Sycamore was no more, now in his place was Jean Descole.
“Recognise me now?”
“Descole!” exclaimed Layton.
“Y-you! You were with us all along?” asked Luke.
“But why? I don't understand,” said Layton, clear hurt in his eyes.
“Why what? Why did I take you with me all over the world? My only concern, my sole purpose in life, is to bring down Targent.”
The words spoken to convince himself more than Layton. Had taking down Targent really been his only goal? He supposed it had been, since his parents had gone missing. But now that he had spent time with his brother he wasn’t so sure. He had even started to like the Triton boy, and Layton’s new assistant. No, he couldn’t… it was clear he was never destined to have the life he dreamed of.
“Targent took away everything that was important to me.”
“What?” asked Layton.
“I knew you would be an asset in my battle against them, so I used you, Layton. It is as simple as that.”
Descole was surprised to see that Layton didn’t look angered by his reveal and betrayal. Instead he looked curious. Descole ground his teeth. He wished his brother would hate him. He wished Layton would yell at him to leave, to tell him how awful a person he was. Then it would be so easy to leave him behind. If he knew his brother wanted nothing to do with him then fully cutting ties wouldn’t sting. But instead Layton was forgiving. Was there anyone that he actually hated? Descole couldn’t picture the top hatted gentleman openly disliking anyone.
“Who are you, really?” asked Layton, quite calm despite the events that had just unfolded.
Descole’s stomach dropped, did Layton suspect who he was? His action suddenly weighed more if his brother knew who he truly was. Beyond Jean Descole and past Desmond Sycamore, all the way back to when his name had been Hershal Bronev.
“This is no time to recount my life story, Layton. I must take my leave. Until next time!” Descole said. For he feared that if he stayed any longer,leaving would be too hard. So with a swoosh of his cape he left the group of four, now without the Azran key.
Descole rushed to the Bostonius and had it in view when Layton came swooping out of the sky brandishing a pipe as a sword. Descole felt his pulse quicken as he pulled out his sword and fought back. After feeling so defenseless as Professor Sycamore it felt good to finally let loose. He was quite tired of Layton getting in his way. Didn’t he realize he was doing this for them! For humanity! As their battle of swords continued Descole was quite surprised at how well his brother could defend himself. In fact, he was losing when Layton knocked the sword from his hand.
“Master! Over here!” came a familiar voice.
Descole looked up to see Raymond in their escape airship. With a bit of effort he ran towards the flying machine as it swooped low enough to allow him to grab onto it. He watched as Layton’s form grew smaller and smaller before he pulled himself into the passenger seat.
“Where to Master?” asked Raymond.
“Back to Froenborg. The Azran Sanctuary will be there.”
Descole made his way through the Froenborg cave where he had found his living mummy, and where this whole adventure had started. As he approached a large stone door covered in intricate carvings he felt it almost poetic that his journey would start and end here. That he would find this place as Desmond, only to travel around the world and return as Descole.
He looked up at the door full of glyphs. Was this it? Everything he had done had led up to whatever was behind this door. Now in what could be the resolution to his tale he hesitated. What would be beyond this door? Riches? Technology? Whatever it was he reminded himself that he had to prevent Targent from getting it.
“Stop right there, Descole!” came a voice behind him.
How had his brother gotten back here so quickly?!
“No. The final Azran puzzle is mine to solve, and mine alone,” he declared. He would not let even his own brother take this from him. What he had been working towards all these years.
“No! You can’t! You mustn’t!’ begged Aurora.
Even after tricking her to give him the key the girl seemed to care about him. Descole couldn’t understand how she could forgive him so easily.
“Stay where you are, all of you!”
Descole couldn’t believe it. Bronev had managed to follow them here. He was about to take everything away in an instant. Descole would have fought back, if there hadn't been a gun pointed in his direction. In this confined space there would be no way to avoid the spray of bullets. Descole admitted that he was out matched for now and tossed the Azran key to Bronev.
Bronev began to gloat till the room started to vibrate with a strange energy. Suddenly the gun the soldier had been holding was ripped from his hands and stuck to the ceiling. Now having lost their only advantage, Luke rushed at Bronev, taking the key from his grasp and tossing it to Layton. Descole was quite impressed with the Triton boys' courage.
Yet even with his advantage lost, and the key taken from him Descole couldn’t help but feel uneasy. Bronev’s expression didn’t look like one of a man that had lost. But more like a man that had an ace still up his sleeve. And soon that ace was laid out on the table for all to see when Emmy grabbed Luke, holding a sharp icicle to the boy's neck. She revealed that she had been working for Targent the whole time. So she was how Bronev always seemed one step ahead. Leave it to his little brother to surround himself with wolves in sheep’s clothing.
Once again it was like watching Aurora standing on the edge of the tower. Desmond couldn’t do anything then, and Descole couldn’t do anything now. It frustrated him, feeling so useless. Layton begged for Emmy to stop, that releasing the Azran secrets was a mistake. But she gritted her teeth, her determination growing.
“Everything I’ve done has been for Uncle Leon. Uncle Leon is all I have in this world.”
Descole found it odd hearing his father seemingly described in such a positive light. Thought in a strange twisted way Descole could understand her words. For wasn’t his revenge against Targent the only thing he still had in this world?
Layton looked at Emmy and saw that she was serious, so tossed the Azran key to Bronev. With a smirk he opened the door, taking Emmy, Luke, and Aurora with him.
“Well, I never thought that young lady would betray you like this. Your assistant, a Targent mole!” Descole said. He could tell his brother wasn’t taking this new truth very well.
“We both want to stop Bronev. Why not work together? The enemy of my enemy and all that. You can try and argue your way out of it, but I’ve already decided you aren’t going alone so you would just be wasting energy.”
“Very well. I see I have little choice. Onwards it is,” said Layton regaining some of his gentlemanly composure.
They didn’t travel far when they spotted Luke on the other side of a chasm. Now reunited with Layton and Descole he informed them that Emmy was still on their side. With this new information giving them hope they continued their path through Azran puzzles and traps. They had managed to make it through several puzzles before they entered a room with statues that shot burning lasers from their eyes.
“Ha! These pitiful defenses are not going to stop me! Stand back!” said Descole confidently.
With trained movements he easily glided his way through a maze-like room, avoiding the gaze of the statues and destroying those he couldn’t with his sword. It was almost like performing on a stage as he danced between them and soon cleared out a path for the others.
“Those statues won’t be causing us any more trouble!” said Luke confidently as he walked through the remains of a smashed figure's head. But as he moved, the eyes of one of the broken statues began to glow.
“What? No!” shouted Descole. And before he could realize what he was doing he jumped in front of the laser, pushing Luke out of the way. A searing pain washed over his body as he lost consciousness for a moment. When he woke up Layton was holding him, viably startled.
“Descole, are you…?” Layton stammered.
“Agh, save your concern Layton.” Pain filled his mind and clouded his more rational thinking. Why had he done that? It was something his body had done on its own, some sort of instinct, and not one he thought he had. Though now this might be it. The end of it all. His goal, unreached. But one thing he could do before he died was tell Layton the truth.
The words fell from his mouth like water from cupped hands. He tried to keep them in, but the more he struggled the more they slipped. History, truth, thoughts, and emotions slipped from Descole’s mind till he had told his story, and had said his peace.
“Enough of this! You must go now, if you want any chance to beat Bronev.”
“I’ll be back for you,” promised Layton. He hesitated a moment before carefully laying Descole down.
Descole watched Layton and Luke disappear deeper into the Azran sanctuary. In his head he wished them luck. Now he was alone with only himself and his thoughts. A weight had been lifted off his shoulders. There were no more secrets, lies had been undone, false personalities tossed aside. He had spoken from his heart. What was there left to do now? He had failed over and over to stop Targent. And now he had left the task to his brother.
His brother, the last image he would have of his brother would be seeing him worried. Layton had just regained his memories of having a brother, and now he would lose that brother a second time. Descole shifted trying to stand up. No, he wasn’t going to let this stop him. He needed to be there for his brother.
But as he tried to stand he could feel his mind fading in and out as the pain rose and fell with it. Just a little rest and he would be fine, he tried to convince himself. After everything he had been through he wouldn’t let an Azran trap be his curtain call. No, his end would be one with thunderous applause.
When Descole awoke the room around him was shaking, he could hear muffled sounds all around him. He must have lost consciousness. How long had it been since Layton had left? Slowly moving he found his body didn’t ache so much. So slowly he struggled to his feet. As he stumbled through the corridor his strength returned with each step forward. He walked along the darkened corridor till the passageway opened to a large room, a pink crystal towered above it all, shining five beams of light onto egg-like crystals. He could see the others huddled around in a panic.
“If we could just stop those beams of light…” he heard Aurora say.
“Stop the beams, you say?” he said making his presence known.
The other’s were startled at his return, but quickly filled him in on what had transpired. It was soon agreed that they would all need to step into the beams of light to stop the golem’s attack.
“If you step into the beams of light, you will die!” warned Aurora.
Descole smiled, he had already cheated death once. What was to say he wouldn’t do it again. And if the reaper took him this time, at least for once in his life he was sure he was doing the right thing. His life, for the lives of so many, seemed like an obvious trade. Though Descole glanced over at the Triton boy. He was so young, and would have had a long life ahead of him. Was it fair to ask him to give up that existence?
But once again the boy surprised him, as he gripped the strap of his bag tightly and headed to one of the beams of light. It seemed he had made his choice. Descole felt pity, he wished he alone could take the boy's place. But for this to work it would need all of them.
With a silent nod the other rushed to their spots, each one positioning themselves near one of the crystals that the beam was emanating to. As Descole slipped into the light his body burned again. He stuttered, the new pain combining with his previous wounds. But he had to hold strong and block the light.
He watched through tear stained eyes as Aurora made her way to the last beam of light, but when she tried to enter it she was tossed to the ground. That was it then, thought Descole. Their plan had failed, humanity was lost.
“Bronev please, listen to me!” shouted Layton “Our mission here doesn’t have to be pointless. Others can learn from this, learn from us! They don’t have to repeat the mistakes of the past. Humanity can change for the better. Humanity doesn’t have to end here if you join us.”
Descole listened to his brother’s words and suddenly the pain didn’t seem so hard to endure. Humanity would live on. Live to create many more beautiful things.
Bronev turned to face the last remaining beam of light. He slowly approached it, giving a long glance in Layton’s direction before plunging his body into the light. Clenching his fists and teeth Descole fought against the pain. Suddenly the burning was gone, but his mind was slipping away till there was nothing.
The next thing Descole felt was a chill. His body felt stiff but the pain from his previous wounds seemed to be healed. Looking around, the others were waking up as well. They had survived?
The group gathered around Aurora as she explained that the Azran had spared them as a gift. That now the sanctuary had served its purpose and she was no longer needed. The room around then started to crack and come apart as Aurora started to glow with an unknown energy. Descole knew they had to leave before the roof caved in on them. But as he turned to go he couldn’t help but give one final glance at Aurora before she faded.
The five of them ran outside. The whole structure was coming apart and they were thousands of feet above the ground. As the rocks crumbled the group struggled to stay on solid footing, Descole remained where he was, now a gap of air between him and the others. He looked down on his brother and father, Luke and Emmy. For once he felt at peace. He smiled.
“Farewell, Layton.” he called out. Knowing that their fates were entwined, that the mysteries and puzzles of archaeology would eventually bring them back together. This was no goodbye, just a farewell till later.